#CR 8

[justavulcan]

Airmark's Guide to Planar Vegetables: Carcerian Snapdragon

Taller than most conventional humanoids at its fullest growth and well-adapted for the thin, nutrient-poor quagmire of its home on the first sphere of Carceri, Othrys, the carcerian snapdragon is an uncommon splash of color in an otherwise dreary landscape.

Possessing dark green, almost black, leaves and stems, carcerian snapdragons are best-known for their flowers, which are typically larger than a humanoid head and brightly colored in some shade of green, yellow, orange, or red. Lined with sharp thorns in place of a flower's typical vegetable reproductive equipment, the snapdragon's most dangerous parts are its flowers, with which it consumes meat to supplement the poor nutrients its environment provides.

A standard mature snapdragon has five stems and flowers, which are all terribly jealous of each other's prize; faced with multiple prey options, the heads are far more likely to fight amongst themselves, attempting to tear their prey asunder, heedless that the resulting meal will be shared by the whole plant.

Severing all of the snapdragon's fronds is the most expedient way to incapacitate the plant, but like a hydra, it grows them back at a ferocious rate, meaning many choose to take the slower, longer route to success. If properly fed, snapdragons do not wander a territory much, so they make striking and dangerous additions to any planar garden- provided they can be supplied with the necessary meat.

[5ecardaday]

Arcanatober Day 24– Submerged Wraith

Inspired by a combination of The Star and The Drowned Man, I gotta say that I love this design. probably my favorite creature I’ve made so far this month. If you wanna read about the fun lore for it, be sure to check out my patr*on, but even if you don’t, hopefully you enjoy this spooky, underwater undead!

[diningwithroyals]

I've got this idea from a different Homebrew regarding this image that I modified to be a Boss Monster in my on-going Horror Campaign. This was an encounter for a 4th Level Party with 5 Players and while challenging, they emerged victorious (just one of them died due to an ability I omitted from this version as I feel it might have been too strong)!

This is a different spin on the usual Werewolf, being a Werewolf that hates his lycanthropic curse and hates the death and destruction they caused. Such strong internalized emotions transformed the poor soul into an even stronger Werewolf: a Weeping Wolf.

The profound sadness and regret the person had is the central theme behind this strong, intimidating Werewolf that makes sure to leave an impact with the party.

[aimless-otter]

Episode 103- You're a Heartbreaker

[captain-archernerd]

imodna modern pride

bonus of ze best boi

[the-littlest-goblin]

Something that's stuck with me from the Arch Heart's appearance, which highlights a major underpinning of my frustration with C3, is the "Big Doors don't work" comment.

In what way exactly is the Big Door not working?

The purpose of the Divine Gate was to mitigate the gods exerting undo influence on mortal affairs, and according to everything we've seen in all 3 campaigns up to this point, this was a demonstrable success: the Calamity ended, and despite multiple potentially world-ending catastrophes cropping up since then, it has been up to mortals to deal with these threats. They've often done so with divine aid, but I fail to see how that's overreaching on the gods' part when accepting said aid is still dependent on mortal choice.*

Part of the Arch Heart's reasoning for wanting to "let go" is, as I understand it, because mortals continue to rebel against and resent the gods even from behind the Divine Gate. Which, yes they do, but like... the customer is not always right. Not every complaint needs to be catered to, especially the ones based on faulty postulates.

I get that this is not how the Arch Heart is thinking about it; my issue is not with the roleplay of individual characters, but with the narrative whole and the sheer amount of time it has spent, both in the text and extra-textual framing, sincerely entertaining the base axioms of an argument that is so poorly constructed Ludinus wouldn't make it past round one of a middle school debate club. None of the anti-god arguments have given any tangible evidence for the claim that the gods are an oppressive force or that Exandria would be better off without them that is not either:

A. Aeor, which was pre-Divine Gate and in fact the catalyst for the gods to pull back on interfering with mortal affairs, and therefore not all that pertinent to the current status quo;

or B. an event or action that, while it may be done in the name of the gods (e.g. Hearthdell) or directly encouraged by a god (e.g. Opal and the Crown) is nonetheless still contingent on mortals making choices, and therefore not a convincing argument that the gods are infringing on free will,** nor that removing them would prevent these types of situations.

An ongoing motif of C3 has been showing perspectives which challenge the prevailing narrative about the gods as established within Exandria's lore to this point. As a story enjoyer, I normally would eat up this sort of reversal—I love a metatextual play with in-universe narratives. But to do so convincingly requires more substance than a handful of characters going 'Trust me bro.' I'm going to need to see some peer-reviewed studies on Exandrian metaphysics before I take Ludinus "17 ulterior motives stacked in a wizard robe" Da'leth's word over what I've seen with my own brain over thousands of hours worth of game play.

If the message of the narrative is telling me to question the diegetic information it presents, then I am going to do just that. So far every argument that the gods do more harm than good for Exandria has been rampant citationless behavior. I find it baffling and borderline infuriating that we're approaching the denouement of this campaign and I still have yet to see evidence that the core conflict of the story, the central debate which has plagued every in-game and fandom discussion for a year now, is based on an actual problem. Like, at all.

*If you think Vax did not exercise his own agency and free will in every step of becoming Champion of the Matron, you are simply wrong.

**For real, we know there are magical means of straight-up mind control in Exandria. Like, you don't have to approve of it, but the gods engaging in standard issue verbal manipulation does not constitute a violation of free will, and it certainly doesn't make the argument that they are so immeasurably more powerful than mortals that they should not be allowed to exist.

[mockingmolly]

loved seeing dorian do the very bard thing of “no fuck you i don’t wanna talk abt my feelings” and then telling them as much by monologuing beautifully and emotionally at them for 8 whole minutes

[jaes1lvr]

ㅤ ㅤ ࿙ྀི⃜࿚⃜ ⠀ baby ㅤ𝓫𝓵𝓾𝓮 ㅤ@fllsnzㅤ🫂

[undead-knick-knack]

Need I remind y'all that Nana Morri slowed down time in order to keep Fearne trapped for over 100years and that Relvin was the parent that stayed

[tieflingpride]

happy anniversary :)

[caeslxys]

I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but it feels relevant again in light of the most recent episode. Something that’s really fascinating to me about Orym’s grief in comparison to the rest of the hells’ grief is that his is the youngest/most fresh and because of that tends to be the most volatile when it is triggered (aside from FCG, who was two and obviously The Most volatile when triggered.)

As in: prior to the attack on Zephrah, Orym was leading a normal, happy, casual life! with family who loved him and still do! Grief was something that was inflicted upon him via Ludinus’ machinations, whereas with characters like Imogen or Ashton, grief has been the background tapestry of their entire lives. And I think that shows in how the rest of them are largely able to, if not see past completely (Imogen/Laudna/Chetney) then at least temper/direct their vitriol or grief (Ashton/Fearne/Chetney again) to where it is most effective. (There is a glaring reason, for example, that Imogen scolded Orym for the way he reacted to Liliana and not Ashton. Because Ashton’s anger was directed in a way that was ultimately protective of Imogen—most effective—and Orym’s was founded solely in his personal grief.)

He wants Imogen to have her mom and he wants Lilliana to be salvageable for Imogen because he loves Imogen. But his love for the people in his present actively and consistently tend to conflict with the love he has for the people in his past. They are in a constant battle and Orym—he cannot fathom losing either of them.

(Or, to that point, recognize that allowing empathy to take root in him for the enemy isn't losing one of them.)

It is deeply poignant, then, that Orym’s grief is symbolized by both a sword and shield. It is something he wields as a blade when he feels his philosophy being threatened by certain conversational threads (as he believes it is one of the only things he has left of Will and Derrig, and is therefore desperately clinging onto with both bloody hands even if it makes him, occasionally, a hypocrite), but also something he can use in defense of the people he presently loves—if that provocative, blade-grief side of him does not push them—or himself—away first.

(it won’t—he is as loved by the hells as he loves them. he just needs to—as laudna so beautifully said—say and hear it more often.)

[justavulcan]

Airmark's Guide to Planar Vegetables: Whitesand Sentinel

Roaming the white sand deserts of Mithardir in Arborea, whitesand sentinels are so named because they claim to be keeping watch for (or against) some unknown phenomenon. This conviction has bought them some measure of acclaim among the layer's inhabitants, most famously among the undead who inhabit Mithardir's tombs and abandoned cities.

Whitesand sentinels are ambulatory cacti growing usually approximately twice the height of the average humanoid; they weigh more than four men put together. Their skin is usually a dark brown or greyish tone with lighter green appearing after they have received a good soaking. They do not adhere rigidly to a humanoid body plan, and often have more than two legs or arms, although two always seem to be primary and the rest secondary.

Like much of the celestial life found in Mithardir (such as the unrelated guiding beetle), the sentinels are willing to help those who find themselves lost in the vast desert, affording them drinks from their own bodies if no other water can be found and curing sunstroke and illness with a touch of their spiny hands. In extreme cases, they have been known to petrify the dying with their breath, assured that they can return them to their previous state when circumstances are more friendly to life.

They extend this courtesy to the undead, and are most often found traveling other planes when they are seeking to conclude the business of a wayward spirit. When interviewed about the subject, they claim it is related to the eternal watch they keep over the desert, although the individual I interviewed was vague on the subject. Whether this is an attempt to protect the knowledge or out of lack thereof, I cannot say.

[5ecardaday]

September Challenge– Days 22 & 23

And just like that my week of converting the Arena-exclusive mechanics from MtG was over. Technically I only had one more mechanic to convert (ignoring the impossibility of the Draft and Spellbook mechanics...) but I tossed Davriel in as an extra, since he works in a digitally-exclusive way and unlike any other card in Magic. Its a pretty fun idea too, and translates well to 5e

[aq2003]

congrats to percy for winning a tumblr poll

[yoredoesmore]

So I got a request with Narumi maybe?? How about reader is the youngest cadet (idk if that's what you call it) and they are still bubbly and childish. So how about reader sees Narumi playing some game and he didn't acknowledge them until the spoke at the end of his game "so that's how you do it" And after this they just follows him around whenever he goes, cuz they think he's cool? I don't know how but can you let your imagination continue this cuz mine is blank- I don't know what other anime you write for but it doesn't have to be narumi it can be your fw character from any anime! And you can do whatever gender you want. Thank you for opening your request again💕

a/n: this is the very first non hoshina fan fiction on this account! (not counting the tartaglia Headcanon) let's gooo! btw idk a thing about this guy so if this is ooc i apologize ╥﹏╥

pairing: Gen Narumi & Gn!Reader

genre: fluff/comedy/hurt comfort [wc: 1,3k]

enjoy!

You Got Games On Your Phone?| Gen Narumi

Gen Narumi was a respected man. He was known to strike fear into the enemy's cores and ignite a flame of determination in those who followed him. People looked up to the man, for his skills on the battlefield and his serious demeanor, but it was also no secret that he was quite easy to irritate. And nobody did that better than Vice Captain Hoshina.

But today the bowl cutted fella was nowhere to be seen. He was on a mission and that meant for Narumi that he could enjoy a day of peace and quiet.

It was around lunchtime when he hid away in one of the training rooms to pursue one of his current, most enjoyable obsessions– CookieRun: Kingdom.

The man stumbled across this game by accident but immediately found himself hooked by the gameplay and storyline. He has been playing it ever since, demolishing the cake monsters and building his kingdom into an utopia.

Narumi's eyes sat focused on the screen, while his fingers did all the magic. Jumping, sliding, fighting the monsters– you name it. Narumi played through the levels with ease and enjoyed every second of it. The little cookie on the screen collected the letters and dodged the enemy at his command, he was completely in control of the situation.

A chuckle left his lips after completing the final round, a rush of accomplishment tugging on his skin.

“YOU DID IT?!” The sudden cry of an unknown voice pulled the man out of the mist of concentration. Narumi was completely caught off guard by the stranger gripping onto his shoulders, pushing him back and forth like a ragdoll.

“So that's how you do it, I get it now! I've been stuck on that level for agesss.” Narumi was unsure what to be more appalled by, the fact that he did not take notice of your presence until you revealed yourself or the casual tone you addressed him in.

Within seconds the man was up in the air, phone disappearing back in his pocket and a serious expression on his face.

“What the fuck?!” Was the first thing he yelled.

“Don't you know that it's rude to sneak up on others?? Who the fuck are you!”

Your face resembled a surprised emotion (he had no idea how you did that) but in an instant you found yourself smiling again.

“I walked by when I suddenly heard Vanilla Cookie's voice! To think that someone as respected and renowned as you sir would play such a game! That is so cool!”

Narumi found himself speechless. Your joy manifested itself in the form of sparks inside your eyes, blinding the adult. The Captain found it strange how someone like you who managed to conceal themselves like that was such an airhead–how old were you even??

The man tried his best to ignore your presence after that encounter, uninterested in such childish matters and idle chit chat but that was easier said than done.

You followed him around wherever you could, sticking to his body like a slug. When it was lunchtime you made sure to be right behind him in line and when he was practicing his combat skills you were right behind the man to copy his moves. Narumi thought that was doing quite well ignoring you but he found himself arguing back with you most of the time.

“You are so strong!!”

“Duh!”

“How does one become as skilled as you? In both Cookie Run Kingdom and the battlefield! I'm still stuck on that one level, ugh.”

“Shouldn't you be training with your group??

“Your room is kinda..dirty.”

“Get out of my room! How did you even get in here??”

The other cadets had no idea where this sudden admiration was coming from. All they saw was a little kid, running after an adult who had absolutely no interest in it. Like a little duckling following a cat who they believed was its mother– it was quite amusing to watch. And of course, Hoshina could not let this opportunity go by untouched. The man made a minimum of five jokes a day, driving Narumi's patience to its limits.

“No, because that level has got to be cursed! I don't know how you did it but my Prune Juice Cookie is not surviving those cake monsters–”

“Can you be quiet!? Goddammit! You have been nagging on my ear this entire week, just leave me the fuck alone!”

His words sliced through the air like a hot knife through butter. The aggression in his voice came for your throat, choking up the words inside your mouth. You fell completely silent, unable to utter another sentence.

For a moment, Narumi enjoyed the peace and quiet, the lack of constant pressure on his ear drums. But when he saw the expression on your face, his heart immediately dropped to the floor.

“I'm sorry for bothering you sir..” You mumbled, body retreating from his figure.

Narumi watched you distance yourself from him further and further, until you eventually turned on your heels and left.

“They will be back at it again tomorrow, I know it..” Narumi mumbled, but in a way that sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

Little did he know that you had taken his words by heart. The following day went by without you making an appearance and even the days after there was no sign of you. Narumi pretended to not care, pursuing his job as usual but after an entire week went by and still no kid talking his ears off, the Captain found himself feeling uneasy.

They are just a kid Narumi, jeez

He scolded himself for being so harsh to you. The man has secretly been trying to ask around for you, mentioning a young cadet with great enthusiasm in a handful of conversations to see if anybody knew you, but his efforts were in vain.

The man was mindlessly walking around the base, thinking if he should just make a public announcement and have you summoned to his office, when all of a sudden a familiar sound rang through the hall. It was muffled and distant yet he was able to recognize that melody anywhere.

There, seated in one of the community rooms all by yourself, you sat. Your eyes were burned onto your phone, following the glowing images around the screen. Almost an hour had passed and you were still stuck on this one level, it truly frustrated you. But just when you were about to give up, you felt a lingering shadow hover above you.

Your phone was suddenly taken away from you and at first you thought that one of the higher ups had caught you and was now going to confiscate the device but when your eyes met with the ones of Narumi your smile reappeared.

“Are you still stuck on this level?” He asked in an almost mocking tone. Before you could answer him, Narumi sat down next to you, your phone tightly held in his hands.

“I see that you have Squid Ink Cookie, use them instead of Prune Juice. And don't forget to level up their toppings, that makes all the difference during combat.”

“Oh..okay. Thank you.” Slightly surprised by his nice demeanor you nodded your head, paying close attention to what the Caption had to say.

“And if you find the time, do the bounties to get some level up materials, a true game changer.”

“I will!!”

“Now give me your UID so I can send you a friend request, kid.”

Words alone were unable to explain the joy and excitement bubbling in your heart. You wasted no time and immediately followed his every advice while Narumi was getting his own phone ready. The two of you sat there for a long time, playing and discussing topics all around the game. And Narumi couldn't help himself but smile throughout the entire interaction.

“I'm sorry for what I said..” His apology came unexpectedly yet you wasted no time accepting it.

“You're all good!” You chuckled. “But if you really want to make me feel better help me with this one quest!”

“Bet!”

[leafspiritz]

☀️