#Atlantis spire

[odd-critter]

key is not my pet gecko btw they just lived in my room but i am moving houses so. :-]

[aytonai]

Atlantis Rising

[fintan-pyren]

She whipped through more darkness and fell into the streets of a ruined city. The clouded and cracked crystal buildings were a hodgepodge of structures Sophie had seen throughout the Lost Cities: the swirling castles from Eternalia sandwiched among the silver-tipped spires from Atlantis mixed with gleaming mansions that wrapped around the pyramid of Foxfire. There was a fountain in the center of it all, two golden figures standing in a round pool, holding hands as colored streams of water showered them from every direction. A shadow of a girl appeared between them and took off through the buildings, shattering everything she touched before she dove into a sea of shards.

hold on, can we talk about this scene from Prentice's mind for a moment? The girl is almost certainly Sophie (I mean, she's emerging from between the elf and the human on the Unity Fountain), but she's destroying the buildings?

(also, I miss the Keeper-Exile-Everblaze era)

[stinalotte]

Why San Francisco is the worst possible place to park a giant flying city ship: A critical analysis

This is incredibly specific and pedantic, but it bothers me. So now I will bother you.

A lot of people, me included, didn't like the thought of Atlantis sitting in San Francisco Bay at the end of the series. Most fix-it fics center around getting the city back to the Pegasus Galaxy. Joe Malozzi said that they eventually parked Atlantis on the moon, which, yeah, right. Never mind.

But apart from the emotional knee-jerk reaction of "WRONG" to have her just hanging out off the coast of California, it's also wildly impractical. Here's why.

We know canonically that the tallest spire of Atlantis is 800 meters tall. From that, people have estimated the width and length of the city to be anything between 3.6 and 5 kilometers. Let's say 4 km on the conservative side.

From this screenshot, they're not in San Francisco bay, but outside, looking in. The ocean is at their backs.

See where it says "Golden Gate" in the ocean just before the bridge? That's approximately their location, maybe a bit further out - but not as far out as Point Bonita. The bay is 4 km wide at its widest point. Meaning that if you plop down a city, it will completely block the entryway to San Francisco bay and displace enough water to flood the north and south shores. Forget cloaking. There are hundreds of cruise ships, container ships, tourist boats and smaller vessels in that shipping lane every day. Cloak all you want, after five minutes the first fishing trawler is gonna go "BONK" and they'll have some explaining to do.

The view towards the bridge. If they decloaked, the view would be completely blocked.

So, in conclusion, keeping her there for any longer than a week (in which you would have to suspend ALL ship traffic and probably close the air space too because of the spires) would lead to the need to disclose it.

(Then again, we've seen how the internet reacts to disclosure - there would be memes and some half-hearted Twitter threads and then we'd move on to the next thing. Heh.)

I know it was basically an emergency landing, but oof, at least park her 10 km further outside?

The best fanfic I have read when it comes to logistics of getting the city back is A Place of Safety by McParrot. The focus is on John and his recovery after a failed first attempt to retake the city, but there is so much great planning in the background. It really shows what an undertaking it would be to plan a heist like that under the eyes of the IOA. The story ends before their attempt, but on a very hopeful note.

[If anyone knows good fics where they steal Atlantis back and return home, hook me up!]

[flickynightdarkness]

List Of Fandoms I Am In

Friday Night Funkin

ENA (Season 1 and Dream BBQ)

Pizza Tower

Hercules

Disney's Aladdin (1992)

DC

Marvel

Moomin

Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

Disney's Cinderella (1950)

Puss In Boots

The Bad Guys

The Grinch

How To Train Your Dragon

The Lorax

Toy Story

Lilo & Stitch

Stitch Series

Nightmare On Elm Street

Friday The 13th

Halloween

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

M3gan

Child's Play

Shrek

Mulan

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Sleeping Beauty

Peter Pan

Pirates Of The Caribbean

Disney's Pinocchio (1940)

Encanto

Luca

Turning Red

Coco

Wallace & Gromit

Predator

Alien

Goosebumps

Monsters Inc

Home Alone

Captain Underpants

Madagascar

Penguins Of Madagascar

Scooby Doo

Skatoony

Regular Show

Sanrio

Shaun The Sheep

Timmy Time

Phineas & Ferb

Garfield

U.S Acres

DCAU

Arkhamverse

Injustice

Harley Quinn Series

Gotham

The Batman Series

Hey Arnold

SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob The Musical

Loud House

Winnie The Pooh

Mickey & Friends

Humf

Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command

Miraculous Ladybug

Steven Universe

My Little Pony

Mr Men & Little Miss

Mr Men Show

Total Drama

Island Of The Slaughtered

Codename: Kids Next Door

Evil Con Carne

Futurama

The Simpsons

Owl House

Fairly Oddparents

Amphibia

Mao Mao: Heroes Of Pure Heart

Chikn Nuggit

Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!

Kakegurui

Bluey

South Park

He-Man

Todd McFarlane's Spawn

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared

Helluva Boss

Hazbin Hotel

Shopkins

Grossery Gang

Hanazuki

Happy Tree Friends

Ever After High

Monster High

Welcome Home

Murder Drones

Mandela Catalogue

Needlem0use

My Hero Academia

Demon Slayer

Mario

Mario DIC Cartoons

Super Mario Bros Movie

Crash Bandicoot

Epic Mickey

Five Nights At Freddy's

Amanda The Adventurer

Resident Evil: Village

Dead By Daylight

SCP

Kirby

DOORS

Bendy and The Ink Machine

Bendy and The Dark Revival

Undertale

Underswap

Underfell

Deltarune

Warioware

A Hat In Time

Pokémon

Skylanders

Henry Stickmin

Moshi Monsters

Ratchet & Clank

RAINBOW FRIENDS

PIGGY

Poppy Playtime

Garten Of Barban

Rayman

Cookie Run: Kingdom

Binding Of Isaac

The Stanley Parable

Portal

Half Life

Sonic

Sonic The Hedgehog Movies

Angry Birds

Sugary Spire

Sonic.EXE

Five Nights At Sonic's

Five Nights At Treasure Island

Five Nights At Candy's

Petscop

Andy's Apple Farm

Pokèpasta

Creepypasta

Big City Greens

Duckman

Courage The Cowardly Dog

Lackadaisy

The Amazing Digital Circus

Criminal Case

Captain Laserhawk

My Life As A Teenage Robot

Underfist

Ed Edd n Eddy

Dexter's Laboratory

Misadventures Of Flapjack

Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends

Chowder

Happy Tree Friends

[imperiuswrecked]

Ok, question. In the comics, do Namor's people love him? Like, as a ruler? I'm curious because I've read pretty much nothing of Namor's back catalogue but I've read a lot of Victor Von Doom's, and one of the frustrating parts of Victor being a king, is that authors cannot agree on if he's beloved by his people or holding them hostage.I feel like the two are similar in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to their devotion to protecting their respective people. But I'd be curious to know if Namor's authors have been all over the place like Victor's.

The Atlanteans despise Namor. lmao. Like a lot. Like I can't even explain how fucked up it is that Namor was abused physically, verbally, and emotionally by his grandfather Emperor Tha-Korr, but he still was raised to be the Protector of Atlantis. How Tha-Korr sent him off to wage war alone against an entire surface world at the age of 17/18, how once Tha-Korr humiliated Namor as a child by tying him to the side of an Atlantean spire when Namor asked to see the surface, how much racist bullshit Namor gets from the Atlanteans because he wasn't blue skinned, the bullying from other kids, etc. Namor even knows how bad it is with his people because once he outright states he knows that his people would not live alongside another group of sea people because they are racist. There's some comics that show Tha-Korr in a good grandfatherly kindly light but like you just need to read enough see that he actually hated Namor for being half human.

In the comics the Atlanteans blame Namor like 70% of the time for their issues, or they kick him off the throne or out of Atlantis. There's about 30% of comics where he's actually shown to be beloved, but it doesn't take long for them to turn against Namor. It really depends on the writer because there are always a few people who support Namor but many of the Atlanteans look at Namor with mistrust because he often helps the surface world. But generally speaking the Atlanteans look down on Namor as their "Half Breed Prince" which just again, drives home the point Namor struggles with being biracial in a racist culture. I could pull out examples for like a masterpost someday but just wanted to respond to this quickly, lol. I should make a call out post for Tha-Korr and the Atlanteans like:

As for Namor and Doom, YEAH!!!! I always felt they were similar by the fact they both experienced racism growing up (namor's racism is fictional compared to Victor's real world racism of the Romani people) and both of them were basically outcasts in larger society, rose up to become leaders of their nations. There's alot those two have in common and I always want to explore more with them.

I adore them.

[trainofcommand]

made up fic title game:

Best View in the Galaxy

Oh hoh hoh.

I feel like...this is John Sheppard, lying in bed (sheets down around his hips), and his bed is facing the balcony in his quarters, and beyond it he can see the spires of Atlantis, just beginning to shine in early dawn, and also, there's Ronon, leaning on the edge of the balcony, watching the sun rise, and he's naked. And John is lying in bed, uh, 'meditating' on how he's got the best view in the galaxy right now.

[sun-ni-day]

Take me down to Atlantis city

Where people are hot the spires are pretty

Oooh-oh take me home

[atlantis-scribe]

RE: Why Are All The Lights On? No one can figure out how to turn off the lights for a given room without turning off the lights in corresponding rooms in different spires. No one can even figure out how they're wired together.

atlantis as one big series circuit confirmed

[comicavalcade]

Submariner Summer Day 2

OK! Time for day 2 of #SubmarinerSummer read through with Tales to Astonish #71: Escape...to Nowhere! Part 2 of the Quest for Neptune's Trident continues from where we left off, with Namor trapped in the Cave of Shadows as a killer squid comes after him. More great Gene Colan art

Namor, has no quit in him tho, and lacking anything else uses the shell with Neptune's mark he'd acquired to fight back...which is, of course, exactly the right move, and not only defeats the squid but causes Neptune to appear and give him the next step in his quest

Without the squid, Namor can escape the cave pretty handily, thanks to a Superman-style drill spin! He then runs into some of Krang's mooks, which he takes down handily, and his quest continues, though Krang is watching as Dorma protests that he's violating sacred law

Namor, for his part, is pondering the real stakes at hand. Not his status, or even his birthright: if he cannot reclaim the throne, Krang will start a war that may destroy the world, a very understandable conclusion during the Cold War

And now lordies and gentlefolk, a round of applause for the first appearance of the one & only Vashti! A good man who will become quite important to Namor, he makes his debut as a humble subject that simply wishes to cheer Namor on, & let him know all Atlantis *hasn't* abandoned him 🤩

Back in Atlantis itself, Dorma is pretty resolute that for her its Namor or nothing. Meanwhile, Krang seems determined to turn the populace against him, real tyrant $#!+ frfr

Namor then comes face to face with Quest Step 2: The Forbidden Deeps and its ruler, the Seaweed Man! He's invincible, you see. Aaaaaand...cliffhanger! By the towering spires of Atlantis!

This issue is fun old style adventure yarn that's done great service by Gene Colan's art; he really was an excellent choice for this. There's great dynamism and motion in his action and I really like his figure work.

Next--Tales to Astonish #72: A Prince There Was!

[escriveine]

Evan was still hustling towards the central spire when he heard “All clear. Gateroom secure.” over the comms. He tapped his earpiece. “Chuck? Whose team was that?”

“Colonel Sheppard’s.”

“Everyone okay?”

“Well, Major, they’re all vertical and nothing’s on fire...”

“Acknowledged. Still on my way.” Evan picked up his pace. When Colonel Sheppard’s team came back early, it rarely meant rainbows and puppies. * * *

(An SGA mission fic told from Evan Lorne's POV in which Teyla is awesome, Radek is resolute, and Evan is brave as discoveries are made, alliances are pursued, and mutual pining leads to something... better.) Read the rest on AO3

[the-scouts-codex]

Summary: “Yay I win!” Kalim cheered.  Jamil was confused. “Huh? That means you have to think of something…oh no.”  Kalim beamed even more. “Party at Scarabia!

Scout's Notes: I'm so sorry for the delay of Part Two. This is Part Two of my third work here on Tumblr, "Party at the Oasis!" The word count will be determined once the entire work has been completed. That being said, I have no clue on how many parts this will need. Also, that would mean that this work will not be on Ao3 until it's completed. Other than that, please enjoy Part Two.

Part one is here.

Renmu didn’t think it would be this serious. It was supposed to be just a fun little contest. Just making sandcastles with the buckets and calling it a day, child's play. So in all of Twisted Wonderland, was everyone making full on sand sculptures!? They were huge and life-like. They were highly detailed and realistic. One couldn’t even tell it was sand. Renmu couldn’t even keep up with Idia with the magic that was being used to make the castle. The others were doing the same at different scales. 

“Hah, we're done!” Lilia cheered.

Everyone looked over at their sandcastle. It was very medieval in Renmu’s eyes. Then again, so was Diasomnia. Malleus even added Gargoyle’s all over the thing and each one was different from the other. 

“Really? Gargoyles?” Leona asked. 

“Yes.” Malleus replied. “You can’t have an imposing fortress without Gargoyles.” 

“As if. Well, we're done too.” Leona grumbled.

Again, the castle was large though, it didn’t look like Diasomnia’s castle. There were no peaks, towers, and spires. They were rectangular and square buildings at different levels on a makeshift cliff side. The majority of the windows and walls were open, just like at Savanaclaw. 

“Yay! Jamil, we're done!” Kalim cheered. 

Jamil sighed. “That took a while…” 

Scarabia’s castle looked similar to Savanaclaw’s with the squared off structures and open walls and windows. The differences between them were the rounded tops and the horizontal layout. The structure spread horizontally in two directions. It wasn’t confined to one area. Kalim even added little tree’s made from seaweed in their little courtyard.

“I think our castle looks the best. Won’t you agree?” Azul boasted. 

“Too bad it’s not really underwater…” Floyd sighed. 

Their castle looked like what the lost city of Atlantis would look like. It towered high on its rocky and shell covered platform. It was smaller, width wise but, you could see each tower and spire from top to bottom. The added shells, rocks and plants made it very much like an underwater castle. 

“I doubt that.” Came Vil’s reply. “Our’s is truly the fairest of them all.” 

Pomefiore’s castle was very much the fairest. There were so many peaks, spires, and towers like Diasomnia. Some were smaller than others and some pierced the sky. Pomefiore also made theirs on a little cliff side. Rook even made smaller structures around it like a drawbridge and archways. 

“Who cares about “Fairness” when technology and engineering is on your side!” Idia boasted. 

Idia turned the whole thing upside down with his castle. Literally. His castle was literally upside down. It was all balancing on a little pillar of rock and sand. All the other structures on the castle were upside down too. Skeletons were holding the rest of the structure up and even those were made from sand. Renmu was absolutely mesmerized on how he even did that. 

“I thought Renmu was supposed to help!” Cater yelled. 

“He did. He got me sand.” Idia stated bluntly. 

Cater looked to Renmu woefully. Renmu waved it off. “Daijoubu desu. I can’t use magic anyways.” 

“I guess this means we’re done then too.” Riddle sighed. 

It wasn’t a Heartlabyul castle without the labyrinth it seems. The entirety of the castle was the labyrinth. It was like an exact replica of the Heartlabuyl labyrinth. There was a croquet field and everything. The castle stood in the center of it all. Even the heart-shaped windows and archers were present. All it was missing was actual rose bushes. 

“How are we going to declare the winner?” Silver asked. 

“Easy, us.” Floyd surmised. 

“Hah, as if. Our’s is the biggest. Therefore the best.” Jamil said with confidence. 

“Bigger, doesn't mean better.” Vil argued. “It should be how well it was crafted. The time and beauty that was put into it.” 

“I agree with Vil!” Kalim chimed in. “But what about space to entertain guests and hold big families? That would be better if you ask me.”

“Blah, blah, blah. What a load of garbage.” Leona mocked.

Vil frowned. “And what do you suppose makes a good castle?”

“The thought put into it of course.” Leona supplied. “The functionality of it, location, foundation and structure. Shall I go on?” 

“Protection would be better if you ask me.” Riddle interjected. “A labyrinth makes good defenses.” 

“A ravine of stalagmites and thorns would be better fit.” Malleus remarked. “A labyrinth can be pushed through.” 

Riddle’s face began to turn red as the bucket next to him. Renmu could see tension forming between all of them. They began to argue and declare who was best and who was the worst. All of them were passionate about what they thought made a good castle. Neither one of them would conform to the other. It was like how they were during regular school hours. All the dorms felt that their dorm was best and fought to prove it. Sure some had better things than others or fought for top spot in things they shared with another, but wasn't it admirable for everyone to feel passionate for what they believed in? Wouldn’t that mean no was in the wrong? Why did one have to be better than the other? 

“Prefect, what do you think?” Silver asked softly. 

They all quieted down and looked to Renmu for his answer. Renmu was now being put on the spot for an answer, to declare one dorm as the winner and another as the loser. But how could he? Renmu genuinely loved all their creations. They put so much hard work into them, each one was unique, each one held something close to home. None of them could be a winner or loser for that. They were all entitled to their opinions and views and Renmu couldn’t take one and not the other. 

“Well, Prefect, who do you think is the best?” Jamil pressed. 

Renmu sighed. “I can’t decide on just one…” 

“Huh!?” Floyd exclaimed. “There has to be one.” 

“Yes, Floyd is right.” Azul commented. 

“But that’s the thing.” Renmu said in agreement. “There can only be one winner. And I can’t just choose one. I like all of them. All of your castles embody something close to you or what you believe makes your castle better. So why declare one as a winner when all of you are winners to me? You worked hard and had fun. That’s what matters to me.” 

They were all speechless. They just stared at him like he had grown two other heads like Cerberus. Renmu didn’t know what they were thinking. He did hope that it wasn’t negative.

“Aww!” Kalim cried. “Renmu, you're so sweet!” Kalim ran over to Renmu and gave him a tight hug. 

“Oui, so sweet, Roi du Mystery!” Rook cried, shedding a tear. 

“So humble of you, Prefect.” Silver said softly. 

Azul sighed. “I forgot that he’s too soft…” 

“Yeah, just like a certain someone.” Jamil mumbled.

Renmu mumbled a soft apology to the others. He really couldn’t just choose one. He was glad that three of them understood that. 

Vil sighed irritably. “You really could have just declared us all as the loser if you ask me. Never mind that. I still think ours is the fairest of-” 

Water and colored plastic popped in Vil’s face. Vil yelped, grabbing his shawl. One side of their castle was now destroyed and wet. 

Vil gasped. “My castle! Who did-”

Another pop of water hot Vil this time. It was a water balloon. Vil cried out and hid behind Rook. The hurler was none other than Leona. 

Vil scowled at Leona. “Really? How childish are you? Not to mention this is silk!” 

“Oh hush.” Leona spat. “It's just water.” 

Vil stood up and marched over to Leona’s and Ruggies castle. He then gracefully stomped onto the top, smashing the thing like a pancake.

“V-Vil!” Kalim cried out.

“Hey!” Ruggie yelled with a growl. “What did I do!?” 

“Nothing. That was for Leona. Don’t take it to heart.” Vil said, smiling maliciously. 

Trey sighed. “Oh boy, they started the last fight…” 

Leona picked up one of the water guns and smiled deviously at Vil. Vil realized what he was about to and paled. “W-Wait Leona! Don’t you-” 

Leona pulled the trigger, spraying Vil with water. Vil screamed and squealed, trying to protect himself from Leona's assault. The other just looked on and laughed. 

“M-My shawl Leona! My Shawl!” Vil cried out. 

Leona cackled. “Don’t care! You should have thought about that before-Gah!” 

Rook chuckled lowly behind Leona. “You dare harm my queen?” Rook chucked another water balloon at Leona. 

Leona growled at the huntsman, baring his fangs in warning. Rook smirked. "You do not scare me, Roi du lion…” Rook took out one of the bigger water guns and aimed it for Leona. Leona took his aim. Water began flying everywhere. They were weaving and dodging around everyone, destroying the other castles. The stray streams hit anything and anyone in its path. 

“Our Castle!” Riddle shouted angrily. 

“Leona! You got me instead!” Ruggie whined. 

“Then grab a gun and help me!” Leona shouted.  

Ruggie scurried over to the bucket of water balloons and guns and grabbed one. Ruggie teamed up with Leona and started attacking Rook at all sides. 

“Mon Liege, assist me!” Rook commanded. 

“Now look at who's barking orders.” Vil said, rolling his eyes. Vil wasn’t going to let his Vice get tag teamed like that. Cater tossed Vil a water gun and Vil began assaulting Leona. 

Riddle was trying to get out of the fray and falling. “G-Guys, please stop f-for a moment! I don’t wish to get wet!” 

They weren’t listening at this point. They were trying to get even with one another. Riddle’s face contorted into rage. His face was as red as his hair. You could almost see the veins in his forehead popping. Cater and Trey backed away, not wanting to be caught in the path of Riddle’s wrath. 

“I Said En-AH!” A bucket of water was dumped onto Riddle's back. Everyone gasped as Floyd dumped the rest onto him with an innocent smile. Even Leona, Vil, Ruggie and Rook stopped fighting. 

“Gold-fishy, you need to cool off a bit. You looked like you were steaming.” Floyd said giggling. 

If Riddle could get angrier, today would be the day. Riddle was seething. His shoulders hunched up to his shoulders, growling lowly at the eel-mer. Riddle picked up a water balloon and pegged Floyd right in the face. Jade and Azul looked utterly surprised. Floyd didn’t say a word. He smiled happily and began cackling. 

“Gold-fishy got me good! Hey. Hey, Goldfish, be on my team?” 

“T-Team!? What teams!?” Riddle asked angrily.

“Duh, the water fight we're having right now.” Floyd replied as if it were obvious. 

“There’s no-”

“Oh, oh, I wanna go against Jamil!” Kalim shouted. 

Jamil looked as though he was about to protest then began thinking it over. The idea of being able to fight Kalim on “friendly” terms did sound fun. Jamil smirked. “I’m not opposed.” 

“Then let's just do third years vs. second.” Cater suggested. “Totes fun that way.” 

“The only problem with that plan is that the Ramshackle Prefect, is a first year student.” Malleus commented. 

“Then put him on the third year side. It will make it even.” Lilia replied. 

“Or, how about by dorm?” Leona proposed. “I wanna kick that Primadonna’s butt.” 

Vil scoffed. “As if you could” 

“I just was.” Leona argued. 

“By dorm it is then…” Trey mumbled, realizing the two just wanted to go head to head. 

“Okay, everyone grab a water gun. We got enough for everyone!” Cater announced. “Renny, you can be on any team you want or by yourself.” 

Renmu nodded and grabbed one of the giant super soakers that Cater thought he had kept hidden. Renmu found it behind one of the palm trees minutes before. When Renmu realized he was looking for it he smirked. “Cay-Cay-Senpai,” Renmu taunted, “looking for something?”

Cater could tell by the tone in his voice that he had exactly what he was looking for. Cater reluctantly looked at the sly little Prefect and sighed. “Ugh, you found it…Cay-Cay was gonna Slay-Slay with that thing.” 

“Finders, keepers…” Renmu said softly. 

Cater smiled nonetheless. He supposed that since the Prefect was alone, he could have it.

“Are we keeping score?” Jade asked, filling up water balloons. 

“Nah, less just fight until we’re wrecked.” Floyd snarled. Jade just chuckled at his twin's blood-thirsty antics.

“Please do not cause bodily harm, Floyd.” Azul said with a sigh. 

“But it’s more fun when someone gets hurt…” Floyd whined. 

“Says you…” Azul retorted, taking off his glasses. “Trey, I suggest that you remove your glasses.” 

Trey gave Azul a small thank you for the reminder and took his off and placed them on the buffet table. 

“Great , now we have an advantage. Four-eyes can’t see.” Leona said, chuckling. 

“I can see just fine, Leona.” Trey said with a smirk.

“Okay, everyone got a gun and a bucket of balloons?” Cater asked. Everyone held up a gun. 

“Wait a minute!” Ruggie yelled. “Idia, what in the Great Seven is that in your hand!?” 

Idia looked up into his hand. “What do you mean? It’s a water gun?” 

“I know that!” Ruggie yelled. “Why does it look like some techno looking laser!?”

Now that Ruggie said something, it did look like a laser. It was a black and cyan laser gun. 

Idia giggled. “Oh that! Bum bum babum! This is my new technomatic water laser gun. The Trident Strike! A huge level up from my last model. I came prepared unlike you normies. It comes with a water gauge, to show how much water I have at full capacity and a sensor for when it’s running low. It’s double barreled for maximum water storage. Minim time wasted reloading.” Idia Rambled. “And now, bonus time! The cannon has different settings to set the water intensity and size. Semi-Automatic to Automatic! Not to mention that I can shoot at different ranges and speeds, whee he hee. 3 ft is the min and 100 yards max! Perfect weapon for the ultimate water gun fight! But wait, there’s more to the baby! It lights up and it works underwater! AmIageniusorwhat!?” 

Everyone was speechless. They were speechless on the fact Idia just said all of that without taking a breath, they were speechless at the fact that Idia even made a water gun like that, and speechless at the fact that he was treating this like a video game. Renmu was seriously impressed. He hoped that Idia would take mercy upon him. 

“I have to ask.” Trey said nervously. “Can it cause lethal harm?” 

Idia went from genius mode to scared hamster mode in under two seconds. “O-O-Of course it’s SFW! Ortho ran it through testing and made sure it was safe to be fired on normies and experienced players like me. I-If this thing was lethal I would be donezo, shut down, expelled.” Idia rambled. “I’m not that reckless…” 

“Just wanted to make sure.” Trey said apologetically. 

“I think it looks cool, Idia-Senpai.” Renmu said with a smile. 

Idia smiled sheepishly. “T-T-Thanks…You can be on my team…if you want. I mean, you clearly can s-see my genius so, Hehehe” 

Renmu smiled. “I’m glad to be on your team, Idia.” 

Leona rolled his eyes. “Well now that moron theater is over, can we continue?” 

“I mean yeah sure but why does shrimpy get the big gun?” Floyd asked. “I want the big gun.” 

“There were supposed to be 7 big ones, and an array of medium sized ones and pistols.” Lilia explained. “Renmu has the extra, which means one is still up for the taking.” 

Floyd immediately snatched the one that would have belonged to Idia. Cater gasped. “No fair!” 

Floyd rolled his eyes. “Just take shrimpy’s. He doesn't even look strong enough to hold it.”

Renmu raised a non-existent eyebrow as he took his jacket off and flexed his arms. To say the Ramshackle Prefect was weak was an understatement. He had clear cut muscle under his clothes. His height and personality gave off a weak and small impression. Needless to say no one had anything to say about the Prefect being weak anymore.

“I would never have guessed…” Azul mumbled. 

“I grew up on a farm and worked as a Grave Keeper…” Renmu mumbled. “It’s bound to happen.” 

“Cool…why can’t we have him on our team?” Kalim asked. 

Jamil sighed. This was getting them nowhere. Leona was getting restless by the second.

“Can we take one another as hostage if you’re hit?” Kalim asked. “That way we can save each other?” 

“I’m fine with that!” Floyd smirked. 

“As long as no one is actually trying to hurt one another, I'm fine with that.” Azul said, looking pointedly at Floyd.

“Then that would mean we would need territories and an objective to take.” Leona interjected. “No point in taking hostages if there wasn’t an objective to take.” 

Leona did have a point. They would just be aimlessly taking each other hostage. Having a territory to cross and get in and out of would be fun. They would have to make the teams bigger and have a way to save one another. Renmu had an idea. “Why not formulate this like Capture the flag?” 

“Capture the flag” Riddle asked. 

“You know the game where there is a person that is “it” has to tag everyone to get them out. But instead, we have an item to steal, there are runners, guards, and a jail.” Renmu explained. 

“I never played games like that as a kid…” Riddle said softly. 

“I don’t even know what game he’s talking about…” Trey mumbled. 

Renmu realized he would have to explain in more detail. “Okay so the game goes like this.” 

After an in depth explanation that there were two sides or more with an item to steal, people that ran around to get those items, and that some of them can get caught and be put in jail where a guard guards the jail, Renmu explained how they could change it to fit their situation. Instead of flags, it's a water balloon they have to pop. Instead of flags to pull off one another when on enemy territory, they can just spray each other with water to freeze each other in place. And instead of there being a jail to save one another from, all they have to do is run over to the frozen player and spray them to save them. 

“Sounds fun!” Kalim cheered. 

“So it’s like flag Spelldrive and Beanfest.” Leona mumbled.

Renmu nodded. “That’s the gist of it. So, do you guys wanna play that instead?” 

They all nodded in agreement. Renmu smiled. “Okay we can do eight on each team, plus me. Heartslabbyul, Savanaclaw, and Octavinell can be team and Scarabia, Pomefiore, Igyhyde, and Diasomnia can be one team.” Renmu offered. 

“As long as I can get Vil I’m fine” Leona smirked. 

Vil rolled his eyes. “Savage.” 

“To ensure that the people are being frozen, I’ll allow you to use ice magic to freeze each other. But only up to their ankles.” Renmu offered. “I’ll be on the second team. Just…don’t freeze me solid…” 

“I can curse our guns and balloon’s just to be safe.” Vil informed him. 

“That works. Your team is gonna need that extra player.” Ruggie snickered. 

“What makes you think that?” Lilia asked. “Seems to me that you guys are actually no match.” 

“Save it for the playing field!” Trey yelled going to his side. 

Everyone took that as their cue to go to their respective sides. The water balloons were already placed on each side and a timer was set to an hour and thirty minutes. The first team took on the main area of the oasis while the second team took on the other side. The Oasis itself made a barrier between the two teams. Once everyone was positioned, a flare of magic was released to show the other side they were ready.Lilia chuckled, a sadistic smirk crawling onto his lips “And so the war begins.”

You have reached the end of Part Two. Thank you for reading.

Part Three

word count: 14135

[leam1983]

Thoughts on Sunken Cities

It's too late to really dig into Surviving the Abyss or Aquatico, but I like the dichotomy between both design conceits.

The first one understands that if you're going, well, abyssal, then it'll get mighty fucking dark real fucking quick. It'll get cold, too, so you need light, heating and enough material to survive the holy-shit numbers of metric tons of water pushing down on you without getting pancaked. It even posits that nobody would get down there and live there without some really illicit reasons. This isn't so much a Goldfinger send-off as it's a fanwank on the concept of government black sites. As in, it gets grim if you don't really manage stuff competently enough.

Then there's Aquatico, that barely leverages its own post-apoc setting and that very quickly goes for something that's notably more chipper. It's less about building where there's maybe the occasional weirdo octopus and transparent fish and more about building something that goes well with the nice widdle coral reefs and the pretty shallow-water fishies. This one's extremely light on the mechanics and has one or two odd choices that kind of bug me, somehow.

Take your living arrangements, for instance. Everything related to maintenance or production is built on the seabed proper, while everything related to housing goes in an elevated dome that couldn't possibly hold together atop its widdle spire if it wasn't buried under several hundred meters of seawater. Not thousands, seeing as the color palette and visual design both work real hard to suggest that sunlight does get through to you - I hope you like those caustics - and the meta seems more concerned with showering you with abundance even on its hardest setting than it is with getting you to micro-manage a settlement.

On the plus side, Aquatico lets you name your cities. If you don't go for something trite and obvious like New Atlantis or R'lyeh, you're made of sterner stuff than I am.

A common con of both games, though: both of them really want to nail the whole "underwater" aspect of the sound design. The problem is that everything is kind of muffled and you get a constant subtone that sounds like your ears getting clogged. On a long enough timeline (20 minutes for me) that leads to massive tinnitus flare-ups.

So... Ow.

[desertsafari67]

Dubai’s Architectural Wonders to See in 2024

Dubai is a city synonymous with opulence, innovation, and architectural brilliance. Known for pushing the boundaries of design and engineering, it offers a skyline that is a testament to modernity and ambition. As we step into 2024, Dubai continues to dazzle with its groundbreaking structures and visionary projects. Here’s a look at some of the most awe-inspiring architectural wonders you should explore this year.

1. Burj Khalifa

No list of Dubai’s architectural marvels would be complete without mentioning the Burj Khalifa. Standing at a staggering 828 meters, it remains the tallest building in the world. Designed by the renowned architect Adrian Smith of SOM, the Burj Khalifa features a sleek, tapering silhouette that symbolizes a desert flower.

Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Dubai from the observation decks on the 148th and 125th floors. In 2024, the Burj Khalifa continues to be a focal point of Dubai's skyline and a symbol of its rapid growth and ambition.

2. Museum of the Future

One of Dubai’s newest gems is the Museum of the Future, which opened its doors in February 2022. This futuristic building is located in the heart of the city and has quickly become a landmark. Designed by the architectural firm Killa Design, it features a distinctive torus shape with an asymmetrical opening that represents humanity's quest for knowledge.

The museum’s façade is adorned with Arabic calligraphy that illuminates at night, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. Inside, visitors can explore interactive exhibits and immersive experiences that offer a glimpse into future technologies and innovations. As of 2024, the Museum of the Future remains at the cutting edge of conceptual architecture and futuristic design.

3. Dubai Creek Tower

Dubai Creek Tower is a testament to Dubai’s relentless pursuit of architectural excellence. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this ambitious project aims to surpass the Burj Khalifa in height. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the tower is inspired by the lily flower and will feature a series of tapering spires that resemble its petals.

The Dubai Creek Tower will be situated in the heart of the Dubai Creek Harbor development, offering breathtaking views of the city and the creek. Its design incorporates cutting-edge engineering techniques and aims to set a new standard in skyscraper design.

4. Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and a marvel of modern engineering. This artificial archipelago, shaped like a palm tree, extends into the Persian Gulf and is home to luxury hotels, residences, and entertainment venues.

Notable structures on the Palm Jumeirah include the Atlantis The Palm hotel, with its distinctive Arabian theme, and the recently opened The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, which boasts a futuristic design and luxurious amenities. As of 2024, the Palm Jumeirah continues to evolve, with new developments and attractions further enhancing its status as a premier destination.

5. Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is an architectural masterpiece that serves as both a landmark and a museum. Designed by the architectural firm FMG and constructed by the National Engineering Bureau, this towering structure stands at 150 meters tall and 93 meters wide.

The Frame is designed to resemble a picture frame, offering visitors stunning views of both old and new Dubai through its glass bridge. The structure is divided into two towers connected by a sky bridge, providing an impressive vantage point for observing the city’s transformation from its historical roots to its modern skyline.

6. Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl Plaza is a central component of Expo 2020 Dubai’s site and remains a significant architectural achievement. Designed by the engineering firm Arup and the architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Al Wasl Plaza is known for its massive, dome-shaped structure.

The plaza features a 360-degree projection surface that displays captivating light shows and digital art. The dome is supported by a network of steel arches and is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. As a key part of Dubai’s cultural and entertainment district, Al Wasl Plaza continues to draw visitors with its dynamic and immersive experiences.

7. Bluewaters Island

Bluewaters Island is a man-made island that showcases Dubai’s prowess in waterfront development. Home to the world’s largest observation wheel, the Ain Dubai, this island offers spectacular views of the city and the Arabian Gulf.

The island also features upscale residences, dining venues, and entertainment options. The Ain Dubai, designed by Starneth Engineering and the architectural firm Meraas, stands at 250 meters tall and offers unparalleled panoramic views of the cityscape. As of 2024, Bluewaters Island remains a vibrant hub for leisure and tourism.

8. Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera is a cultural and architectural landmark that reflects Dubai’s commitment to the arts and design. Located in the Downtown Dubai area, the opera house is designed by the architectural firm Janus Rostock and features a striking dhow-shaped structure.

The building’s unique design allows it to transform into various configurations, including a concert hall, theater, and event space. Its glass façade and distinctive shape make it a standout feature in Dubai’s skyline. Dubai Opera continues to host a wide range of performances and events, making it a key destination for cultural experiences.

9. The Address Boulevard

The Address Boulevard is a luxury hotel that epitomizes Dubai’s elegance and sophistication. Designed by the architectural firm, EDAW, and located in Downtown Dubai, this hotel offers stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.

The Address Boulevard features a sleek, modern design with a glass façade and luxurious interiors. It is renowned for its exceptional service and amenities, making it a popular choice for visitors seeking luxury and comfort in the heart of the city.

10. Dubai South

Dubai South is an ambitious urban development project that is set to transform the southern part of Dubai into a thriving metropolis. It includes the Expo City Dubai, which continues to evolve with new infrastructure and attractions.

The development is designed to be a smart city with a focus on sustainability and innovation. It will feature residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, all integrated into a cohesive urban environment. As Dubai South progresses, it promises to be a key player in the city’s future growth.

Conclusion

Dubai’s architectural wonders in 2024 reflect the city’s unwavering commitment to innovation, luxury, and design excellence. From the towering Burj Khalifa to the futuristic Museum of the Future, each structure tells a story of Dubai’s evolution and ambition. As the city continues to grow and develop, these architectural marvels offer a glimpse into a future where imagination and engineering blend seamlessly. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Dubai’s architectural landscape is sure to captivate and inspire.

[alchemisland]

Vanity ending

Dull sanity’s surfeit blanches planned child planet, and all vanity Vanishes as gleaming spires millennia highering are lain as Atlantis Below below cold cod-cursed Atlantic, with Hy-Brasil and the Yanks Seven years before the apocalypse, Ireland will sink in mercy to the Irish More frequent dreams of a red Mersey screaming, gleaming slaughterine Sun’s horses’ curdled blood flushing…

[theart2rock]

Seven Spires veröffentlichen neue Single und Video

SEVEN SPIRES veröffentlichen „The Old Hurt of Being Left Behind“, die dritte Single aus ihrem kommenden Studioalbum „A Fortress Called Home“, das am 21. Juni über Frontiers Music Srl veröffentlicht wird. Der Track wird von einem neuen Musikvideo begleitet, das unten zu sehen ist. Frontfrau Adrienne Cowan äußerte sich wie folgt zu dem Song: „Dies war der erste Song, den wir für ‚A Fortress Called Home‘ geschrieben haben. Er entstand aus einem ergreifenden Klavierstück aus meiner Ideensammlung und wurzelte in der Musik und Geschichte von Edward Elgars 'Sospiri, op. 70'. Es ist ein Stück, das für mich oft wie der Schmerz des Verliebtseins klang. Und - ich finde, es liegt etwas so Zerbrechliches und leise Schönes in den schmerzhaften Qualen, wenn man einem anderen wirklich seine Seele offenbart. Inspiriert von dieser Gegenüberstellung haben Jack und ich unser Bestes gegeben, um die Hoffnung im Schmerz, die Melodie im Chaos und die Sanftheit in der Brutalität einzufangen. Ich denke, der Titel sagt im Grunde alles aus.“ A Fortress Called Home", das vierte Studioalbum von SEVEN SPIRES, ist der mit Spannung erwartete Nachfolger von ‚Gods of Debauchery‘ (2021) und treibt die für die Band typische Mischung aus symphonischer Power und extremem Metal auf neue Höhen und zieht den Hörer dabei in die tiefsten Abgründe. Adrienne Cowan kommentiert: „Während des Schreibens dieses Albums habe ich die Leere zweimal besucht. Ich weiß nicht, was das andere hervorgebracht hat. Es ist hässlich. Ich liebe es und ich hasse es, und ich denke, es ist unser bisher bestes Werk.“ A Fortress Called Home“ wurde von Jack Kosto produziert, abgemischt und gemastert, der dazu Folgendes zu sagen hat: „Wenn unsere vorherigen Alben dich auf eine emotionale Reise mitnehmen wollten, die wir selbst entworfen haben, zwingt dich dieses Album dazu, dich mit der Reise zu konfrontieren, die du selbst gemacht hast. Viel Glück und viel Spaß!“ SEVEN SPIRES' anstehender Tourplan für 2024 beinhaltet ein Headline-Set beim Mile High Power Fest in Denver, CO, im August und ihre allererste Headliner-Japan-Tour mit Lords of the Trident im Dezember. SEVEN SPIRES ist eine amerikanische Symphonic-Metal-Band aus Boston, MA. Seit ihrer Gründung im Jahr 2013 am Berklee College of Music haben sich diese besten Freunde mit auffallend emotionaler Filigranität und unerbittlichem technischem Können eine Heimat in den dunkleren Ecken der melodischen Metal-Welt geschaffen. Sie sind für ihre melancholischen Konzeptalben ebenso bekannt wie für ihre Vorliebe, die Grenzen des Genres zu sprengen, und beziehen ihre Einflüsse aus dem gesamten Spektrum des Metals und darüber hinaus: Jazz, spätromantische Orchestermusik, cineastische Klangwelten und vieles mehr. SEVEN SPIRES sind 2023 in Nordamerika mit Eluveitie und Omnium Gatherum, 2023 in Europa mit Twilight Force und Silver Bullet sowie 2022 in Nordamerika mit DragonForce, Firewind und Visions of Atlantis auf Tour. Sie sind auch auf renommierten Metal-Festivals aufgetreten, wie 70000 Tons of Metal, Metaldays, ProgPower USA und Mad With Power Fest, wo sie 2023 eine ausverkaufte, fast zweistündige Headline-Show spielten. Außerhalb von SEVEN SPIRES tourt Adrienne Cowan als Sängerin mit Avantasia und Sonic Symphony durch die Welt. Jack Kosto ist spezialisiert auf Tontechnik, Produktion, Mixing und Mastering. Peter de Reyna arbeitet als Künstlermanager in seiner eigenen Agentur De Reyna Management und spielt außerdem Bass in der Prog-Band Ok Goodnight. A Fortress Called Home“ ist der letzte musikalische Auftritt des ehemaligen Schlagzeugers Chris Dovas mit SEVEN SPIRES. 'A Fortress Called Home' Track List: 1 - A Fortress Called Home 2 - Songs Upon Wine-Stained Tongues 3 - Almosttown 4 - Impossible Tower 5 - Love's Souvenir 6 - Architect of Creation 7 - Portrait of Us 8 - Emerald Necklace 9 - Where Sorrows Bear My Name 10 - No Place for Us 11 - House of Lies 12 - The Old Hurt of Being Left Behind Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel