#<-- tragic and ironic

[shikai-the-storyteller]

I'm speedrunning the Roier/Cellbit VODs I missed on Wednesday and dear god you guys weren't kidding, this whole stream really is the embodiment of

[psyduckz]

herooo

[greyslates]

hello dirkjohn enjoyers

[pirpintine]

solavellan brainrot sketchdump 😔👌

[factsilike]

Really tired of constantly seeing posts declaring that everyone in MXTX novels is complicated and 'morally grey' and that's what makes her works wonderfully written, and that everyone else who doesn't see that is stupid, or is 'demonising' characters and bashing them for rightfully criticising their shitty, very much unjustified actions.

And ironically it seems so simplistic to just declare that, because yes her stories are wonderfully written and complex, but not for that reason. You're clearly not reading her works and only spouting what you think her stories say. There are many morally grey characters in morally complex stories out there, but MDZS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

NONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS (i.e protagonists and their male leads except for LBH maybe) ARE MORALLY GREY OR MORALLY COMPLEX.

THEY ARE ALL MORALLY RIGHTEOUS.

Just take a closer look at their actions compared to the actions of literally everyone else around them, it's not that hard to see.

Not to mention that MXTX herself literally says that WWX and LWJ are both morally ideal and that ahe hopes her readers can be like them, but people seem to have no respect for the word of authors in the name of their self projection onto the characters being contradicted nowadays 😒

(also saw someone dismissively say that HC may think that the world revolves around XL or whatever, but others don't and they're right??

First of all, did you even read the novel? HC made his judgement based on how others treated him versus how XL did when he was a CHILD. And how XL continues to treat others to this day. He is well within his rights to think the world of XL, especially since XL suffered more than every other person and still doesn't succumb to evil, despite having every right to do so, miles more than others. He all but regards XL as his moral compass, because he's proof that truly good people do exist in this world, and not ONE other person in the novel is shown to be as good as him.)

One of the reasons why I really don't like the Xianle Trio is this; neither FX nor MQ seem to regard XL as his own person with his own agency, who is capable of making his own decisions initially as HC does, and only near the end of the novel do they let up a bit when their asses had to be saved by XL multiple times. (especially considering what fools they made of themselves in that spiderweb cave lmao)

Both of them try to enforce XL ALL THE TIME ("Your Highness don't do this or don't do that or don't say this or don't go there or don't talk to him"), as if XL has not survived perfectly well on his own without them FOR 800 YEARS.

The difference between them and HC is clearly spelled out when FC asks HC about why he is not stopping XL, and HC replies that while he may not agree with some of XL's decisions, he would never force him to do what he thinks is correct, something both MQ and FX are CONSTANTLY shown to try to do.

Like please. Xianle Trio who? More like suffering XL and his pair of nuisances who think themselves to be his babysitters. And most of the time he's the one babysitting them.

Another thing that irks me is that their frequent arguments are often played off for laughs, but XL is truly a saint, because if my friends were constantly bickering over petty things all throughout our dangerous journey and giving me nothing but headaches, especially in survival situations, I'd given them the boot a long time ago.

[citrineghost]

I think this fandom may be one of the ones that takes the MOST artistic liberties with its characters, so let's see if we're all experiencing the inaccuracy the same way lmao

[youngpettyqueen]

I need to talk about Julian's whole thing with Sloan in Extreme Measures cause it does actually make me feel a certain kind of rabid

Extreme Measures is a great episode for the Julian/Miles dynamic and has a lot of great moments with them but I think an underrated element of the episode is how it very plainly shows just how much the Dominion War has changed Julian, and how his morals have shifted into a much greyer area

Julian in this episode is very callous towards Sloan even as he's literally dying. he has no issues violating Sloan's mind, and when Sloan dies, the only reason he actually cares is because the answers and secrets Sloan has will die with him. truly cannot emphasize enough just how deeply Julian fucking hates Sloan, and sheer hatred isnt something we really see all that much from Julian, especially not to the degree he was with Sloan

even with that, though, Julian has never been like that with another patient. Julian doesnt let his personal feelings get in the way of being a doctor, and always treats his patients with the utmost care and his best work. Julian was willing to find a cure for the Jem'Hadar's addiction, simply because they asked for help, even if it meant potentially making them into a much bigger threat than they already were. Julian treated Tain in Camp 371. and, sure, Julian does treat Sloan, but he does so explicitly because Sloan has information they need, not because he has any care for Sloan's life

and I think that- his willingness to violate Sloan's mind to get what they need, and how he didn't particularly care that Sloan died- is a really bleak look at just how much the war has changed Julian and how much it's shifted his moral compass. throughout the war, Julian has been ordered time and time again to compromise his morals. add to that several traumatic events- multiple of which are orchestrated by Sloan- and a slide into deep depression, and it's no wonder he gets to a point where he can do the things he does in this episode

and I dont think it hits him until much later. I think one day, long after the war has ended and theyre still rebuilding everything that was broken, Julian lays awake at night and remembers how bad it got and what he became willing to do, and it makes him sick to his stomach

[highladyofterrasen7]

My holy trio of book bfs

- xaden “my house my chair my woman” Riorson

- rhysand “I want you splayed out on the table like my own personal feast”

- Dorian “I’ll bleed whatever colour you tell me to” Havilliard

At the moment and in no particular order

[felinelord-bowbeforemepeasant]

REREADING TIME

I have some funfact

I don't know if anyone remember this but I was rereading some of the chapter and I see this note

And yup like the note say is was quite ironic for them to be like this

I think other than the two fukus they really should put fukufuku too but it a note so meh

[earlgodwin]

RODRIGO BORGIA + his beloved sons

"I remember the joy of holding [Juan] in my arms. A brother for little Cesare at last."

[alienoryva]

—HEIRESS TO THE IRON THRONE—

🪻Aerea Targaryen (42 AC-56 AC)

Daughter of Prince Aegon the uncrowned & Rhaena Targaryen the Queen in the West and east also twins sister of Rhaella the first septa-princess.

Because King Maegor I had no children, he made Aerea his step-daughter and grandniece as his heirs but did not officially hold the title of Princess of dragonstone,she was heir to the Iron Throne for two years (47-48 AC) before her uncle became king and her niece/nephew become the next official heir.

Aerea died in 56 AC at the age of 14 after disappearing with balerion the black dread and a severe and painful fever that burned and brought out the wyrm from her skin.

🪻Rhaenyra Targaryen (97-130 AC)

Daughter and second child of King Viserys i Targaryen & Queen Aemma Arryn.

Rhaenyra was the official female heiress who had a coronation as the princess of dragonstone. She was heir to the iron throne for 24 years until her father's death in 129 AC. Became a queen who had not been officially crowned for half a year,Her two sons become the official prince of dragonstone (Jacaerys & Joffrey Velaryon).

Rhaenyra died in 130 AC after being burned and eaten by her half-brother dragon who also claims to be king (aegon ii). After her half-brother died, Rhaenyra's surviving sons from her second husband (Prince Daemon) became king (aegon iii & Viserys ii) and carried on the blood of the dragon.

🪻Aelora Targaryen (?-221 AC)

Eldest Daughter of Prince Rhaegel Targaryen & Lady Alys Arryn also twins/sister-wife of Prince Aelor Targaryen and Sister of Princess Daenora Targaryen.

She became the heir to her uncle (king Aerys i Targaryen) after her twin brother-husband died In a terrible accident caused by her accidentally in 217 AC.

Some time later, three men known as the Rat, the Hawk, and the Pig attacked Aelora at a masked ball. She committed suicide soon afterward (221 AC).

.

cr art: @riotarttherite <3

[daemon-in-my-head]

As much as some of the stuff in Realms lore is messed up or has some very clear very outdated views on shit, the way they wrote evil cults and their motivations is actually pretty nice nd I'll give em that.

Like we've got Shar, lady of loss, who appeals to all those people who experienced something unimaginable and want to forget that experience.

Bane, a self made guy, who appeals to all those who came to resent the status quo nd were made to feel powerless, who's cult establishes the idea that everyone can become the game master and rise as long as they're dedicated enough but also gives excuses to the already powerful for abusing their power.

Myrkul who appeals to people in a similar way Shar does, but he has and grants the ability to reverse the loss. Reunite with those you lost before you arrive in the afterlife yourself. Don't fear death because your life will continue the same way it was before even if you die. Basically my guy offers a solution to the whole being afraid of death bit

But the most fucked up one is arguably Bhaal, who targets a very spefic group of people that deem life to be hopeless and death to be the better choice, and introduces them to the idea that this warped mindset is a fact and by killing someone you show them mercy and you can become their hero.

Like these are definitely not the healthiest claims those cults make, and any 'normal' individual would look at u like u have issues if you presented these ideas to them. Still, for a (not very) small group of people, these thoughts validate them in their feelings and struggles and offer a twisted understanding. And that is why recruitment works, and these definitely not-so-nice cults manage to survive and thrive at times. Because they very purposefully target individuals that could be easily manipulated if offered nothing more than some sort of understanding or recognition, and then they built on that. Very much like real life cults did and do in order to establish themselves and gain following.

Like very much fucked up but I can see very well why these cults work, why people join them and how they manage to manipulate their followers into blind loyalty and going above and beyond. The gods they serve and their lil libraries nd stuff may be dorky at times but the cults themselves are nothing besides absolutely terrifying. 11/10 no notes.

[hyakunana]

Durge, the Dark Urge — but make it a bard forest gnome girl named Imbrie

[zeb-z]

Arthur Bennett was chemically made in a lab for me to go insane over I think. he’s got a guilt only an older sibling could have and a drive for vengeance that is half driven by his own self hatred. yet still he strives for peace. he’s desperate to cling to any humanity, any hope. he’s aware he’s fallible. it doesn’t save him

[toxiccaves]

just a few doodles since its been a lil bit

[snailto0th]

I missed their birthday because I’m a terrible person so happy late birthday to Finn and Fern! Will I finish rendering Fern? Who knows :)

Some zoomed in screenshots to show detail under the cut:

I did not crop these equally do not look too close LMAOO