satelliteinasupernova

[satelliteinasupernova]

For our annual holiday exchange this year with @lynndylee I drew Queen Nehelenia from Sailor Moon.

What a fun character to draw! Merry Christmas @lynndylee!!!

[satelliteinasupernova]

Another wonderful year with our yearly art trade with @satelliteinasupernova on this lovely holiday tradition. This year's request is Neve Gallus and I hope you like it! Merry Christmas 🎄✨

patreon | shop | links

[satelliteinasupernova]

Why Dragon Age Veilguard isn't a "Cathedral"

Concept art by Matt Rhodes

"To disinherit the storylines of past games goes directly against the notion of building cathedrals."

What is inherent with Veilguard that keeps bothering me is the fact that the world's choices truly didn't matter--and it doesn't simply bother me from a player perspective, it's not simply a grievance borne of frustration to what I (as a longtime fan) have lost. It's about the very culture of the arts under capitalism's new media habituation cycle [x][x].

Yes, I spent hours of my life playing and replaying each instalment of Dragon Age. Yes, I painstakingly curated a 'canon' world state by replaying what came before in preparation for Veilguard. Yes, I am even more unsatisfied with the end product--time hasn't helped, it's just widened the divide. But, and I can't stress this enough, these very personal gripes aren't what hit home the most. It's the inherent disregard of legacy. A legacy that the previous writers and game developers were building towards.

In the DAV artbook, "cathedral" is the word used to describe the process of making a game. Matt Rhodes' exact words are: "One artist can make a painting, but it takes a team to build a cathedral." Cathedrals took centuries to build. The architect who drafted the first blueprints would likely never see his work realised, he had to rely on those who came after him, like-minded and passionate, to see it through--for the culture, for the future, for legacy. Painters took on several apprentices for this reason too--giant frescoes were not completed by one man's hand, even if it is one man's name that immortalises them. Similarly, if you weave a narrative around choice, what good does it do to take it away at the final act if not to fall to caricature?

To disinherit the storylines of past games goes directly against the notion of building cathedrals.

Late-stage capitalism and profit-margin-obsessed game producers forcing developers to churn out meager content, to make a known brand into something it's not, to chase a fad or a popular trend... o, how reductive and cliche you've been forced to become Bioware. We have lost the cultural thought patterns relative to Cathedrals. We know only of barn-raised churches--done in a day but unlikely to last the turn of the seasons.

And don't even get me started on the music of Veilguard either. From Origins to World of Warcraft to Everquest to Baldur's Gate to Dungeon Siege, you can hear the intricate interconnected weave of sounds inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons-esque fantasy genre. You hear it in the repeated use of certain instruments, in the harmonic weeping notes of a bard-like singer or the foreboding echoes of drums as if of war. In tavern songs. But then, rather than hire someone who loves these worlds and this genre, who is a hungry artist looking to make a name, a legacy if you will, for themselves with a spectacular score, you hire any already sated composer, one well-into the encroaching years of career fatigue, whose notes repeat in countless projects, who feels less concise and more uninterested with each new project. One who has long since cemented his legacy. Someone in it for a paycheck and nothing else! And, to top it off, you let him compose something so minimalist? I am offended actually.

Cathedrals! We should have witnessed the final tile being placed on the Dragon Age cathedral. Instead, some architects walked up, tore down the interior and installed IKEA furniture and called it authentic before having to call the previous architects to come and fix the "load-bearing issues", forcing them to rush and add a coat of varnish and a few 'aged' details for authenticity.

[satelliteinasupernova]

//Of course, it's fine if you hooked up with other people while we were broken up, baby, but did it have to be with that aggravating human woman who imagines herself an expert on ancient elves and now houses the memories of my previous Master/Ex/Maternal figure?//

Gleefully adding one more knot to the tangle that is the Mythal-Solas-Lavellan situation.

[satelliteinasupernova]

Lavellan revist: Haven Edition

Since finishing Dragon Age: Veilguard, I've started up a new playthrough of Inquisition as an excuse to revisit my Lavellan Inquisitor. I'm not changing much from my original playthrough from 10 years ago, but I think it's fun to consider how my playstyle and the writing of the game informs her as a character.

First, her backstory: Lavellan is a rogue and skilled with a bow and arrow. Among her clan she was kind of known as a problem child, and even though she is well into adulthood that reputation has stuck. In truth, she is very observant and intuitive about the emotions of others, it's just that sometimes her curiosity gets her in trouble (so maybe she's a little too inclined toward breaking and entering).

Lavellan has been helping with trading among her clan and outsiders for years, so she is relatively comfortable in spaces away from her clan (for the most part). Her new position in the Inquisition means that her opinion caries a lot more weight than it did with her clan elders, and she's decided to embrace it and make an impact where she can.

She thinks the whole Herald of Andraste thing is ridiculous, but she recognizes it's political power and is willing to make use of the impact it has.

Her favorite thing about travelling with the Inquisition is 1: learning songs she hasn't heard before, and 2: exploring ancient ruins. (If things had gone different for her, she absolutely would have been a Veil Jumper.)

What she things about her companions and advisors:

Cassandra: She's a bit surprised by how much she has come to like her, though Cassandra's growing belief that Lavellan actually is the Herald of Andraste is a bit concerning. Lavellan actively ignores the disapproving frown Cassandra gives her whenever she expresses her opinion that mages should live freely.

Leliana: Unnerving, but her ability to speak to the point is actually a bit comforting.

Cullen: Honestly she kind of forgets about him outside of council meetings. Thinks of him as "the templar guy."

Josephine: So sweet. Josephine's insistence in addressing how Lavellan is treated among the Inquisition is unique among Lavellan's companions/advisors. It does sometimes mean Lavellan gets pulled into difficult conversations that she would rather avoid, but ultimately she trusts Josephine more than most.

Varric: It's good to have someone around who knows how to lighten tense situations. She is a bit worried about what kind of tales will come out of all of this and how she'll end up being presented.

Solas: He's different from anyone she's met before. She gets the sense that sometimes he says radical opinions just to see how she'll react, and she refuses to rise to the bait. (It helps that she was never much of a traditionalist anyway, and she is genuinely very curious about ancient elves.) She really enjoys having his attention, but hasn't started interrogating this impulse yet.

Vivienne: Devastatingly attractive. Lavellan often finds herself nodding along as Vivienne talks, but the minute she steps away from the conversation and thinks back on it, she left thinking "that was all bullshit..?"

Sera: Sera often acts in a way that Lavellan's clan thinks she acts. Because of that Lavellan gives her a lot of grace, but she doubts they will ever really be buddies.

Iron Bull: Lavellan thinks that he and Solas are the two people among her companions with the most sense. She's happy to have him around.

Blackwall: She was genuinely excited at the prospect of meeting a Grey Warden, but it turned out to be a bit of a let down. She hasn't really gotten past that yet.

Dorian: Has only met him briefly. She thinks that maybe she should dislike him, but finds him oddly compelling.

Cole: They have yet to meet.

....

So far I'm having a lot of fun with this revisit. I'll see about making another post when I am mid-game!

[satelliteinasupernova]

Beware the Dread Wolf

[satelliteinasupernova]

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin (2018), dir. Arwen Curry

[satelliteinasupernova]

go to settings > to the right, under "Blogs," pick the blog you want to change the settings of > scroll down to visibility settings > turn on "Prevent third-party sharing for [blog url]" > do this for each individual blog you have

[satelliteinasupernova]

a shot in the dark, chapter 7

“Betty,” he repeats, like he’s trying out how ridiculous it sounds as he stalks closer. Willing Jughead to stay frozen in place, she juts her chin out and squares her shoulders, allowing her anger to burn through any fear. Closer up, she can smell the alcohol from his breath, that sweat and sex stench of the Wyrm on his skin.

He studies her, but when he speaks, it’s directed back to Jughead. “Never thought I’d see the fuckin day, son. But I ‘spose I can’t blame you.” FP circles her, and Betty wills herself to stand firm, but not frozen. It’s a naked sensation after all these weeks not to have a gun in her hand. Jug’s knife is still in her boot—she takes a deeper breath at the thought. 

“But I’m still gonna need more details on how this came to be. I can tell she ain’t a whore, and she been well fucking kept for most of her life. Hunger looks new on you, Miss—well, I suppose I should say, Mrs. motherfuckin’ Jones. Pardon my French.”

Her eyes narrow. “I speak French,” she tosses back. “And Betty’s just fine.”

read chapter 7

read from the beginning if ur like um it's been like 18 months wtf happened

[satelliteinasupernova]

It's the most wonderful time of the year, aka my art exchange with @lynndylee !! This year I drew Luna's human form from Sailor Moon! Her outfit is so fun, this was such a treat to draw!

Merry Christmas!

[satelliteinasupernova]

It's the best time of the year because I get to trade art with @satelliteinasupernova as part of our holiday tradition. This year's request was Evangeline and Jacks from Once Upon A Broken Heart. Merry Christmas 🎄✨

patreon | shop

[satelliteinasupernova]

book ask: 12 and 17 :-)

12. Any books that disappointed you?

Aside from the previously mentioned A Curse for True Love; Only A Monster by Vanessa Len was disappointing because the premise was *so* good, but the way the protagonist propelled the story forward in a way that completely bulldozed past the concerns of her companions almost.. broke suspension of disbelief?

The other one I can think of is much more recent, I started reading Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara last week, and I was already squinting at the way critics talked about it as a "feminist retelling," and like, as a fan of the original myth, I don't know that I needed Psyche, trained as a warrior since youth, so strong, so brave, as an addition to the story. Sometimes it's fun for characters to be a bit pathetic and to struggle with things outside of their control. Also, Eros should be worse. What's the point of being cursed by your own power if you start off being reasonable and disaffected?

I haven't finished the book yet. I will probably finish it. So that I can complain about it more lmao.

17. Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

Little Thieves and Painted Devils!!! Wow, a fairytale retelling involving a demisexual cat & mouse/detective & thief romance had no right to be so good.

(House of Leaves was exactly as good as I expected, so I don't think it counts lol)

[satelliteinasupernova]

9 & 20 for the book asks?

9. Did you get into any new genres?

Well, I guess this counts; I ended up reading a lot of Korean comics this year. I've read a few manhwa series in the past, but this was the first time I really dove into what was available.

20. What was your most anticipated release? Did it meet your expectations?

A Curse for True Love, and alas. It was fine, but as a book it didn't really stand on its own. It had a lot of fluff, but not fluff that was... fun? Padding for the sake of padding out a book.

[satelliteinasupernova]

book asks please! 2, 6, 11?

2. Did you reread anything? What?

I actually reread/relisten to audiobooks all the time, especially if I'm not in the mood for podcasts or for starting a new book. I did that a lot this year: The Cruel Prince series, Once Upon a Broken Heart, Six of Crows, Sorcery of Thorns, Half a Soul are all easy to pick back up.

6. Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia has been at the top of my list for years now, the timing has just never felt right.

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for awhile, but you just now read?

House of Leaves, released in the year 2000! I also read a number of popular YA fantasy series from the mid 2010s. A lot of my reading from this year was playing catch up on some of bookstagram's favorites.

[satelliteinasupernova]

end-of-year book ask

How many books did you read this year?

Did you reread anything? What?

What were your top five books of the year?

Did you discover any new authors that you love this year?

What genre did you read the most of?

Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?

What was your average Goodreads rating? Does it seem accurate?

Did you meet any of your reading goals? Which ones?

Did you get into any new genres?

What was your favorite new release of the year?

What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

Any books that disappointed you?

What were your least favorite books of the year?

What books do you want to finish before the year is over?

Did you read any books that were nominated for or won awards this year (Booker, Women’s Prize, National Book Award, Pulitzer, Hugo, etc.)? What did you think of them?

What is the most over-hyped book you read this year?

Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

How many books did you buy?

Did you use your library?

What was your most anticipated release? Did it meet your expectations?

Did you participate in or watch any booklr, booktube, or book twitter drama?

What’s the longest book you read?

What’s the fastest time it took you to read a book?

Did you DNF anything? Why?

What reading goals do you have for next year?

[satelliteinasupernova]

I read Little Thieves and Painted Devils by Margaret Owen, and now I am in love with their love. (Go read both books if you haven't, and then preorder the final book. For me)