#Duncan Tavern

[uniqueartisanconnoisseur]

Horses, History & Hospitality in Paris, KY

Want to go to Paris? The question is which one! I have been to Paris France, Paris, Tennessee, Paris, Illinois, and now Paris, Kentucky! The town is known for horses, history and hospitality. The actual motto for this town located in the heart of Bourbon County is “Thoroughbred Capital of the World”. Almost everything, everywhere in Paris, KY is connected to horses! Tractor Show Keith with the…

[fearnotthedemons]

this would fuck so hard as a playable origin sorry.

[scotianostra]

On February 3rd 1700, a fire broke out on the north side of Cowgate in Edinburgh's Old Town.

From there the flames spread and burnt down the close and its close surroundings, including the merchant’s Exchange building, where the Three Sister bar now is.

The fire extended rapidly up hill to involve the tall tenements on the south and east sides of Parliament Square. One, fifteen storeys high, the tallest building in Edinburgh, was reduced to a heap of ashes and ‘made a prodigious blaze"

The buildings were densely occupied and about three or four hundred families lost their homes, including many notables such as the President of Parliament, the President of the Court of Session and other Lords, lawyers, clerks and poorer families. Several lives were lost and a great number seriously injured.

Offices of businesses were destroyed including the recently opened Bank of Scotland – the only bank in Scotland at that time. Mercifully the Parliament Hall and St Giles escaped major damage. The Advocates, who lost their library in the fire, were given space in the Laigh Hall below Parliament House.

Although it escaped major damage the fire allowed the council to rebuild the Parliament “in a uniform style of architecture” regulating the buildings appearance to prevent fire. The rest of the close was given a grand entry and the courtyard was rebuilt uniformly with a continuous arcade along the front.

Cassells Old & New wrote this short account bout the Parliament building:

This magnificent hall and the buildings connected with it had a narrow escape in the “Great Fire” of 1700. It broke out in Lord Crossrig’s lodging, at Mr. John Buchan’s, near the meal-market, on a night in February; and Duncan Forbes of Culloden asserts in a letter to his brother the colonel, that he never beheld a more vehement fire; that 400 families were burned out, and that from the Cowgate upwards to the High Street scarcely one stone was left upon another.

A broadsheet entitled Fire! Fire! stated that the fire had been started by someone throwing a bottle of whisky into an open hearth.. The fire engines were of little or no use, water being scarce and the old closes so narrow that they could not gain access. As mentoned in Cassells. Duncan Forbes wrote to his brother that it was the greatest fire he ever saw ‘notwithstanding I saw London burne’, It reads;

All the pryde of Edenr. is sunk; from the Cowgate to the High Street all is burnt, and hardly one stone left upon another…the Parliament House very hardly escapt; all Registers confounded; Clerks Chambers, and processes, in such confusion, that the Lords and Officers of State are just now mett at Rosse’s Taverne, in order to adjourneing the Sessione by reason of the disorder…twenty thousand hands flitting ther trash they know not wher…These babells, of ten and fourteen story high, are down to the Ground, and their fall’s very terrible….This Epitome of dissolution I send you, without saying any more, but that the Lord is angry with us, and I see no intercessor.

Of course the clergy couldn't let this go without blaming someone, preaching sermons in which they attributed the fire to God’s punishment for the wickedness of the populace. The Town Council also took to preaching and on 4th December 1702 introduced an ‘Act anent suppressing Immoralities,’ which contained the following:-

…considering the great growth of immoralities within the City and Suburbs, and the fearful rebukes of God, by a dreadful Fire in Parliament Close….which happened about midnight upon 3rd February 1700….also, remembering the terrible Fire….on the north side of the Lawn market….28 October 1701 with several lives lost. Likewise reflecting upon other Tokens of God’s wrath lately come upon us… We…being moved with the zeal of God….do in the Lord’s strength resolve to be more watchful over our hearts and ways than formerly; And each of us in our several capacities, to reprove vice with due zeal and prudence as we shall have occasion…. under penalty of Twenty Merks Scots.

The height of the new tenements was restricted to eleven storeys rather than the fifteen storeys of their predecessors but even so Tobias Smollett writing in 1770 observed that ‘I cannot view it without horror; that is, the dreadful situation of all the families above, in case the common stair-case should be rendered impassable by a fire in the lower stories’.

The council's supposed "fireproofing" of the Parliament meant little as 124 years later a large section of the High Street went up in flames in "The Great Fire"

[thatbiologist]

G’eth Character Name Bank

First Names

Masculine Names

Alfred, Andrew, Arlo, Arthur, Balthazar, Barry, Ben, Benedick, Bernard, Burchard, Cedric, Charibert, Crispin, Cyrill, Daegal, Derek, Digory, Drustan, Duncan, Edmund, Edwin, Elric, Evaine, Frederick, Geffery, George, Godfreed, Gregory, Guy, Harris, Harry, Horsa, Hugh, Humphrey, Iago, Jack, Jeremy, John, Kazamir, Kenric, Lawrence, Leoric, Lorik, Luke, Lynton, Lysander, Madoc, Magnus, Maukolum, Micheal, Miles, Milhouse, Mordred, Mosseus, Ori, Orvyn, Neville, Norbert, Nycolas, Paul, Percival, Randulf, Richard, Robert, Roderick, Stephen, Tennys, Theodoric, Thomas, Tristan, Tybalt, Victor, Vincent, Vortimer, Willcock, Willian, Wymond

Feminine Names

Adelin, Alice, Amelia, Beatrix, Beryl, Bogdana, Branwyne, Brigida, Catalina, Catherine, Claudia, Crystina, Deanna, Desdemona, Elaine, Elinora, Eliza, Enide, Eva, Ferelith, Fiora, Freya, Gertrude, Gregoria, Gueanor, Gwen, Gwendolyn, Hannah, Hegelina, Helen, Helga, Heloise, Henrietta, Igraine, Imogen, Jacquelyn, Jane, Jean, Jenny, Jill, Juliana, Juliet, Katie, Leela, Lettice, Lilibet, Lilith, Lucy, Luthera, Luz, Lyra, Malyna, Margherita, Marion, Meryl, Millie, Miranda, Molle, Morgana, Morgause, Nezetta, Nina, Novella, Olwen, Oriana, Oriolda, Osanna, Pamela, Petra, Philippa, Revna, Rohez, Rosalind, Rose, Sallie, Sarra, Serphina, Sif, Simona, Sophie, Thomasine, Tiffany, Ursula, Viola, Winifred, Yrsa, Ysabella, Yvaine, Zelda, Zillah

Gender-Neutral/Unisex Names

Adrian, Alex, Aiden, Arden, Ariel, Auden, Avery, Bailey, Blaire, Blake, Brett, Breslin, Caelan, Cadain, Cameron, Charlie, Dagon, Dana, Darby, Darra, Devon, Drew, Dylan, Evan, Felize, Fenix, Fernley, Finley, Glenn, Gavyn, Haskell, Hayden, Hunter, Jace, Jaime, Jesse, Jo, Kai, Kane, Karter, Kieran, Kylin, Landon, Leslie, Mallory, Marin, Meritt, Morgan, Nell, Noel, Oakley, Otzar, Paris, Peregrine, Quant, Quyn, Reagan, Remy, Robin, Rowan, Ryan, Sam, Samar, Sasha, Sloan, Stace, Tatum, Teegan, Terrin, Urbain, Vahn, Valo, Vick, Wallace, Waverly, Whitney, Yardley, Yarden, Zasha

Surnames

Surnames, Patrilineal - First Name (Patrilineal Surname)

Ace, Allaire, Appel, Arrow, Baker, Bamford, Barnard, Beckett, Berryann, Blakewood, Blanning, Bigge, Binns, Bisby, Brewer, Brickenden, Brooker, Browne, Buller, Carey, Carpenter, Carter, Cheeseman, Clarke, Cooper, Ead, Elwood, Emory, Farmer, Fish, Fisher, Fitzroy, Fletcher, Foreman, Foster, Fuller, Galahad, Gerard, Graves, Grover, Harlow, Hawkins, Hayward, Hill, Holley, Holt, Hunter, Jester, Kerr, Kirk, Leigh, MacGuffin, Maddock, Mason, Maynard, Mercer, Miller, Nash, Paige, Payne, Pernelle, Raleigh, Ryder, Scroggs, Seller, Shepard, Shore, Slater, Smith, Tanner, Taylor, Thatcher, Thorn, Tilly, Turner, Underwood, Vaughan, Walter, Webb, Wilde, Wood, Wren, Wyatt, Wynne

Surnames, Townships in G’eth - First Name of (Location)

Abelforth, Argent Keep, Barrow Springs, Barrowmere, Bedford, Brunhelm, Bumble, Casterfalls, Dunbridge, Falmore Forest, Folk’s Bounty, Frostmaid, Fulstad, Heller’s Crossing, Hertfordshire, Humberdale, Inkwater, Little Avery, Marrowton, Mistfall, Mistmire, Morcow, Necropolis-on-Sea, Otherway, Parsendale, Piddlehinton, Port Fairwind, Redcastle, Ransom, Rutherglen, Saint Crois, Tanner’s Folly, Tavern’s Point, Wilmington

Surnames, Geographical Locations in G’eth - First Name of the (Location)

Cove of Calamity, Deep Woods of Falmore, Eastern Isles, Eastern Mountains, Foothills, Frozen Peak, Lakes, Maegor Cobblestones, Northern Mountains, Southern Isle, Tangle, West Coast, Wild Wild Woods, Woods of Angarad

Surnames, Nickname - First Name the (Something) 

Bald, Bastard, Bear, Bearded, Big, Bird, Bold, Brave, Broken, Butcher, Bruiser, Careless, Caring, Charitable, Clever, Clumsy, Cold, Confessor, Coward, Crow, Cyclops, Devious, Devoted, Dog, Dragonheart, Dreamer, Elder, Faithful, Fearless, Fey, Fool, Friend, Generous, Giant, Goldheart, Goldfang, Gouty, Gracious, Great, Hag, Handsome, Hawk, Honest, Huge, Humble, Hungry, Hunter, Innocent, Ironfist, Ironside, Keeper, Kind, Lesser, Liar, Lionheart, Little, Loyal, Magical, Mercenary, Merchant, Messenger, Old, Orphan, Pale, Polite, Poet, Poor, Prodigy, Prophet, Proud, Reliable, Romantic, Rude, Selfish, Sellsword, Scab, Scholar, Shield, Shy, Singer, Sirrah, Slayer, Slug, Small, Stoneheart, Swift, Tadde, Talented, Tart, Tenacious, Timid, Tiny, Tough, Traveller, Trusted, Truthful, Viper, Wizard, Wolf, Wyrm

[gasparodasalo]

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Duncan Druce (1939-2015) - Concerto for 2 Violas, 2 Violas da gamba, Cello and Continuo in c-minor, after BWV 1029, III. Allegro. Arranged by Duncan Druce. Performed by Taverner Players on period instruments.

[northern-passage]

hi! idk if you said something about this and i just missed it or if it's a bug on my phone, but I've been replaying the demo and it seems like the last update is gone)? it stops right after noel and merry find out abt the veil rot :( maybe I'm remembering wrong and it stopped there when playing on lea's route but I'm not totally sure

hi! it sounds like you’re locked into the Highfell route. you can only access chapter 2 at this point if you’re in the Blackwater route.

after Duncan leaves the tavern, you have to agree to stay in Blackwater and help Merry & Noel with the isolation district, and then you’ll be able to access ch2.

[thievesguildbest]

On the Road to Sovngarde

Chapter One | A Blizzard on the Horizon | Part One

"I hate this gods-forsaken city," Rivers mutters as she pulls her cloak tighter around her shoulders. She's an Argonian, skinny for her age, and an apprentice at the College of Winterhold. "Remind me again why we're going to Windhelm.” Duncan flashes her a winning smile. They've been on the road for nearly two days, and he can feel a blizzard brewing. While the cold doesn't mean much to him as a Nord, Rivers isn't built for it. Even traveling through the snowier holds was difficult for her. Duncan doesn't want to know what a full-force snowstorm would do. "Because I, for one, would rather spend the next few nights in a warm tavern with warm food and warm mead," he says. He's tall, even for a Nord, broad, and built like a fortress. His voice booms in the evening stillness. "But you're welcome to try and pitch camp in the middle of a blizzard." Rivers playfully smacks his arm between the gaps in the steel. "How are you so sure there's going to be a blizzard?" Duncan shrugs. "The Bearshield's can always tell when a blizzard is coming on. My Da used to be able to smell it." “Xuth,” Rivers scoffs. "You can't smell a blizzard." "Well, Da could. He's a bit too old for it now, though. Lost his sense of smell a while ago." Rivers shakes her head. "Yes, well, don't go letting your Da hear you call him old." "Aye." Duncan throws his head back and laughs. "I would rather fight a hundred sabrecats barehanded." Soon, the city gates stand before them. Duncan sees Rivers' shoulders tense out of reflex. He sighs. Skyrim isn't too kind to Argonians in general, but Windhelm is worse. Prejudice and narrow-mindedness make the city a bad place to be for anyone who isn't a Nord. He just hopes that Rolf isn't out "patrolling" the Gray Quarter right now. The last thing Rivers needs is to bump into him. "It'll be fine," Duncan says to her as they approach the gates. "It's not like we have to stay in the Candlehearth." While Duncan and his family are from Eastmarch to begin with, his parents recently purchased a house inside the city. Ma was getting too old to worry about bandit raids, and Da was tired of fending off wolves while he worked the fields. They bought Friga Shatter-Shield's old place, Hjerim, and finally retired. They're good people. Good parents. Duncan just hopes he and Rivers won't be too much of a hassle for a night or two. "And how will your family take having an Argonian in their home?" Rivers asks. She sounds nonchalant, but Duncan can hear the stress behind her words. He shrugs again. "Eh. They'll be fine. Ma did always say she never cared who I brought home, as long as they ate well and could hold their mead." "Fair enough," Rivers says with a chuckle. "I guess I won't have any trouble, then." Duncan smiles at her. "No, just remember to behave. I don't want a brawl breaking out in my family home." "No promises." Rivers gives him a look. "Just worry about yourself, Bearshield."

Little something somethin I'm working on for some writing practice. I present to you, Duncan Bearshield. Pure of Heart. Dumb of Ass.

[askbartanything]

Welcome to tumblr Bart! So... What's your favorite drink?

Why thank you Anon!

My favorite drink.. hmm.. I get a different drink practically every time I go to the tavern, so I’m not sure! *he says with a shrug.*

Maybe coffee.. with lots of sugar and creamer! Duncan makes the best coffee, by far. *he nods with a smile, putting his hands on his hips.*

[redrose-arrow]

RedRose (re)reads: The Icebound Land

“aka the book that i dreaded so, so much

~~~

The storm has a chokehold on me. that’s it. it does. 

‘Believe you are unseen and it will be so’ I have won at least one round of hide and seek with that, no joke. 

‘Halt and his colleagues’ makes it seem like he has a 9-5 desk job lmaoo. 

HE HAD A PROMISE TO KEEP. 

Unrelated but Foldar is described as a dandy and some of my literature teachers kept talking about dandies in class so now I’m thinking of Foldar writing and reciting poetry. 

I wish we would hear the phrase ‘King’s Ranger’ more often tbh. 

I love it so much when they refer to Rangers’ black magic. 

Ironic that Halt steps out an oak tree, huh? 

‘Worse than that, they’ve wasted my time.’ yes they did :(((((

Lowkey mad over the fact that the first time in this series that we actually get to see Crowley, it’s him telling Halt no. 

Ngl this scene hits harder if you’ve already read The Early Years and know how good friends Halt and Crowley really are. 

I forgot about this scene tbh and right now it’s just adding to why I don’t like rereading this book. 

Throwback to when I took “For over twenty years, halt had been one of the King’s closest confidants, with constant, unquestioned access to the royal chambers” and ran straight into the HaltxDuncan ship with it. No regrets. 

Thinking about that ^ helps me cope with the pain of reading that Duncan refuses to see Halt. Also that means that Duncan and Crowley talked about the situation??? Maybe Crowley tried to get Halt out but Duncan (ngl, rightly so) didn’t let him. Or maybe the other way around. I don’t care what it was, but it was painful. Someone write me some fanfiction, please. 

PLEASE HALT DO NOT CHANGE DUNCAN’S MIND. PLEASE DON’T DO THAT TO YOURSELF OR TO HIM OR TO ANYONE ELSE. OR TO ME. DON’T DO THAT TO ME. 

It truly shows how bad Will’s geography is, huh? “Is this Skandia?” Sure... 

“Just like old times” lmao Evanlyn’s humour is lowkey on point. 

I, for one, think it’s lowkey pretty cute how fond Erak is of the two. 

I do NOT want to read the tavern scene. I don’t. 

“For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a flash of satisfaction in the other man’s expression, but he dismissed thethought as ridiculous.” Thanks, I hate it. 

Will: “If Evanlyn weren’t here, life wouldn’t be worth living.” Also Will: “I am going running to stay in shape!” Why does he literally have more motivation to stay in shape than me lmaooo rip. 

“Never give up because, if an opportunity arises, you have to be ready to take it.” i c o n i c 

I lowkey appreciate that at first, it seems like Evanlyn gave up, but then it turns out she’s actually more cunning than expected. Dare I say, Queen material? 

“Because I’m his daughter.” why why WHY doesn’t this sentence have as much of a grip on this fandom as it should??? 

“And I’m sorry if I’ve been behavinglike a bit of a princess over the past few days.” I love her so much. 

I also don’t want to read the throne room scene. I don’t. It’s already been scarred into my soul. 

Why is Duncan’s throne made of oak, why are there oak trees and oak leaves everywhere in Araluen????????? I have questions. 

Okay to be really really honest, when Anthony began reading the charges and someone sighed, I laughed. Arald and Crowley are so done with Halt but this time it’s not funny. I am coping. 

Okay but I do not appreciate what Halt is putting Duncan through. That King is going through a tough time and I get it but also,,,, no. 

Duncan deserves so much more appreciation for coming up with the idea to banish Halt for one year only. I love that man. 

Arald is grinning so widely omg I love him too.

Crowley is hiding his grin in his cloak. More love. 

Sometimes I forget that Will is such a social person. Why is he making small-talk with his captors??

Okay but Svengal has a point - why doesn’t Will know about the tide? 

Or maybe I am stupid and Will does know but he’s just striking up conversation. 

SINCE WHEN DOES SVENGAL HAVE BEARD? My toxic trait is being surprised every time a character is said to have a beard. 

I love that Erak is getting a sense of what Will’s doing. He deserves more appreciation. 

I’m at page 60 and have so many notes already omg. 

Halt surrendering his Oakleaf has NO business being so so heartbreaking. 

The fact that Gilan is the only one Halt explicitly admits his plans to >>>

STRANGELY, SOME OF THEM TASTED LIKE SALT. <<<<<<<<<<<

I am excited for Slagor because at least this will be entertaining rather than sad. 

“He had no idea what a Vallasvow might be but he knew one thing. Keeping Evanlyn’s identity a secret had suddenly become a matter of life and death.” hhhhhhh I remember how invested I was in this. Still am, ngl. 

If I hear one more person on TikTok say that Horace is either stupid, dumb, or both, I will hit this chapter into their face. Horace hearing of Halt’s arrest and instantly knowing what’s up is just,,,,, I love it. 

Horace really just went into Rodney’s office and said “I’m joining Halt into his banishment to find Will. Goodbye.” What an icon. 

I think it makes sense that Will always continues to call Cassandra Evanlyn, because he is here literally killing himself over not accidentally saying her real name lest she be killed. 

The slander of Eraks’ stealth starts here and I, too, am here for it. 

Erak is lowkey one of the first feminists and no I will not elaborate, just read this book. 

So about the girls and skirts scene - it literally says Halt is talking nonsense and still all of us initially took the explanation and, well, ran with it. I love that for us. I also wonder when exactly between now and the Clonmel mission Horace will realise that it’s nonsense. 

If Halt was allowed one actual, explicit swear word, maybe him seeing the “knight” in Gallica could be it, because I think that that’d be funny. 

On another note: if the movie / television show / whatever, ever, EVER, makes Will and Evanlyn kiss, I will personally come for them. 

I forgot that it wasn’t Halt who put Horace up to the task of dealing with all those knights, it was Horace who volunteered. Once again, an icon. 

“A child could take it from him.” Because Horace is most definitely not a child. No. 

adkjfdksj Order of the Oak Pancake will never get old, will it? 

Did I say I love Erak already? No? Because I do. 

Oh I forgot about the keg-head-knife scene, but it’s so good. 

Aaaahahahahahaha and then they were officially enslaved and I was definitely not about to lose my mind over this. 

What do you mean, an inconsistency with the coffee and the honey? I only see Halt pulling Horace’s leg. /s

If the musician entertainment scene never makes it to the big screen, that will actually be good for the environment because it will save a lot of tissues from being needed. 

Okay but why does everyone have a beard. I don’t think this issue’s on me anymore, it is suspicious how practically every man in this book has a beard. How dare they. 

“I am Deparnieux.” “Good for you.” Oh I love it when Horace’s teenage self comes out. Good for him. 

OAK BEAMS?????? WHY THE OAK BEAMS

That being said, I do think it’s lowkey iconic that Halt just straight up shoots that glove out of the air. 

Not the paddles not the paddles not the paddles

Okay cool now I am also cold and just generally not having a good time. 

I forgot that Erak is the honorary “pay your taxes or I’ll hit you on your head even harder” lmaooo, he’s having a good time. 

I genuinely think that one of the best moments in this book is when Erak recognises Will. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and it says so much about how deep Will has sunken, but also about how much Erak is growing. 

“He was no longer whistling.” Another strong sentence that should receive more attention :(. 

“Somehow, she didn’t think Erak paid cash for this.” Now why would you think that??? 

I love how angry Erak gets at the drugs. 

This book literally takes forever. 

Can we please talk about Halt during his private confrontation with Deparnieux, and the cook? I actually respect that so much. 

Erak should’ve been an actor, I’m calling it. 

If we never get a movie or tv-show I will be fine with that because I don’t think I will ever be ready to watch Will’s addiction meltdowns. 

I am deeply, deeply in love with the “Well, it isn’t much, but it’s home” parallel. 

I think it’s kinda funny that somehow, wherever they go, be it Gallica or Arrida, they have better coffee than in Araluen lmao. 

Deparnieux getting scared when he notices Halt’s satisfaction is top tier. 

Actually just the whole lead-up to that, the entire scene, is top tier. 

Oh yes, I forgot about Halt addressing his royal lineage!!!! I loved dissecting that lmao, to see how much he did or did not lie. 

Poor Horace, having a front row seat to Halt’s disregard of the rules of chivalry, lmao. 

“Halt had chosen two of his role models in Rodney and the Baron.” I love how much Horace looks up to those knights <3. 

I’m sorry but how was it allowed to publish “Philemon shook his head. This was phenomenal luck!” Philemon has phenomenal luck? My head aches. 

Wait since when does Evanlyn have two male cousins??? And what happens to them by the time we come to Duel at Araluen??? 

When Will woke up, I realised a breathe I didn’t know I’d been holding. It’s true. 

Ah yes, Halt also likes setting things on fire.

Okay so I have to admit, this book had more not-incredibly-sad moments than I remembered, but I will still not reread this book anytime soon if I can help it. 

[psychiclounge]

for anon: The List part 1

Thief Gold: - Ascend the Dim Valley (City, Mansion/Estate, Pagan, Mages, Relic/Artifact) I love this FM so much that I'm genuinely struggling to be concise about it. Great writing, gorgeous architecture, crunchy unfiltered textures, Pagan surrealism that cranks up hard toward the end, one of my favorite visuals ever, and a very memorable Keeper-related secret. - Endless Rain (City, Keepers, Mansion/Estate, Thieves Highway) Absolutely iconic rooftop/city mission. Skacky appears several times on this list and for very good reason. - Rose Garden (Assassination, City, Thieves Highway) Massive to an almost daunting degree, this one took me around 8 hours to complete on my first playthrough. Intricate and interconnected level design with beautiful architecture, satisfying puzzles and sneaking, very fun rooftop shenanigans, and some incredible atmosphere. - The Scarlet Cascabel (2 mission campaign) (Horror, Relic/Artifact, Mansion/Estate, Village, Mines, Tombs/Crypts, Undead) The second level gets so scary at a point that I stopped playing my first try and only completed it over a year later. There's also an optional side mission to find a full set of chess pieces, if you like! - The Black Parade (10 mission campaign, too many tags to list) This is one of the most highly anticipated FMs in years and is well worth playing if you want something to really sink your teeth into that offers more of a challenge than the original games. Go in blind. - Catacombs of Knoss (Cathedral, City, Relic/Artifact, Tombs/Crypts) - Alcazar (Bar/Tavern, Tombs/Crypts, Undead, Surreal/Bizarre) - Chalice of Souls (2 mission campaign) (City, Keepers, Winter/Snow, Ruins, Thieves Highway) - Making a Profit (Cathedral, City, Hammerites, Sabotage, Cemetery, Mansion/Estate) - The Sound of a Burrick in a Room (Mansion/Estate, City, Hammerite, Caves, Thieves Highway) - Whispers Below the Cobblestone (City, Thieves Highway, Thieves/Thieves Guild, Relic/Artifact, Man-made Tunnel) - Between These Dark Walls (Castle/Fortress, City, Keepers, Thieves Highway) - Dirty Money (Bar/Tavern, City, Sewer, Thieves/Thieves Guild) - Falling, In Love (5-Minute Wonder, Novelty/Experimental, Escape, Thieves Highway) - Autumn in Lampfire Hills (Mystery/Detective, Tombs/Crypts, Undead, Town) A classic! This is a 2014 re-release of a 1999 FM but very much still has that classic Thief feel. I don't hit on very many older FMs in this list but they're well worth checking out, and this is a decent place to start. Also, Garrett owns an adorable little cottage in this one.

Thief 2: - Compulsory Egress(City, Ruins, Thieves Highway, Thieves/Thieves Guild) - Into the Odd(City, Daylight, Escape, Horror, Hardest, Surreal/Bizarre, Ruins, Sewer, Undead, Thieves/Thieves Guild) This might be my absolute favorite FM ever. That 'Hardest' tag is no joke in parts, especially a bit of forced ghosting near the beginning, but it's well worth it. Another one you should go in blind for. - Bad Debts(City, Mansion/Estate, Sewers, Thieves Highway, Undead) - ... and its sequel Disorientation(both part of the Talbot series by Melan, along with TG FM Rose Garden) (City, Thieves Highway) - The Violent End of Duncan Malveine (Horror, Mansion/Estate, Mystery/Detective, Novelty/Experimental) A murder mystery! A randomly generated murder mystery! Every time you start this FM, a different murderer and murder weapon are picked, and you piece together the clues as you loot the place, selecting your prime suspect before you leave. This one also has a full 52 card deck hidden around the map to find, which I promise is way more fun than it sounds, I've done it twice. - Feast of Pilgrims (Cathedral, City, Hammerite, Non-Garrett Player, Relic/Artifact, Thieves Highway) - Ominous Bequest (Horror, Mansion/Estate, Lost Civilization, Mystery/Detective, Temples, Tombs/Crypts) - ... and its sequel Broken Triad (Horror, City, Keepers, Lost Civilizations, Ruins, Museum) - Rose Cottage (Horror, Cemetery/Graveyard, Mystery/Detective, Non-Garrett Player, Undead) You play as a paranormal investigator, determining the cause of a haunting at a mortuary and exorcising the restless spirits. No looting, no direct combat- Rose Cottage is primarily puzzle-focused and also scaring-the-hell-out-of-you-focused. There's also an absolutely fiendish tarot card hunt, if you want to really scour the place.

[forgedroyalseal]

My Reputation’s Never Been Worse

Chapter 16

Will dropped the knife and it clattered besides Thomas’ lifeless body. Without turning he said in a raised, overly casual voice, “I’d suggest that anyone who doesn’t want to end up like our friend here,” He kicks at Thomas’ body with his boot for emphasis, “take their leave. Immediately.”

The tavern cleared out in the blink of an eye. Will still hadn’t moved to face his friends, trying to stall for as long as he reasonably could. He knew that once he saw their faces, saw the pity, or possibly, the disgust, then he’d break. The adrenaline that had been running through his veins as he faced and defeated one of his largest demons was rapidly coursing down the drain, and he felt his legs weaken.

“Will?” Horace gently dropped his hand on his shoulder.

“I need to sit down.” He hadn’t meant to say the words, but the moment he did, his knees gave way, as if an invisible puppeteer had clipped his strings all at once. Horace grabbed hold of Will, preventing him from collapsing onto the floor, and lowered him to sit on the steps besides them.

“Deep breaths Will. Put your head between your knees.”

Will nodded and did as instructed, mirroring Horace’s breathing. It took several minutes, but eventually Will’s hands stopped shaking and his breathing leveled out. He lifted his head and saw Horace crouching in front of him, worry etched into his features.

“I’m ok.” Will reassured him, and he surprised himself by the truth in the statement.

“Good.” Horace leans in closer and lowers his voice. “I know that you probably don’t want to talk to us right now, and I respect that. Why don’t we all just focus on why we are here for now. But once we get home, we are going to have a long talk. Deal?”

Will sighed, “Deal.”

Horace rolled back on his heels and smiled. “Alright then.” He extended his hand out and Will used it to pull himself upright.

“What’s next Will?” Horace asked, but looked at Gilan, Cassandra, and Alyss as he said it, a clear shift in the air. Thankfully, the friends knew each other well enough to understand that they were putting what had just been said on hold for the time being.

“We should check upstairs. The knights might still be here, but even if they aren’t, those rooms won’t be empty, and I can’t stomach the idea of walking away from them again.

___________________________

Will was right, the rooms weren’t empty. The knights the king had sent out were in several of them, drugs and women being used in all the rooms. Will had to block Horace and Gilan from going ballistic on the knights, but he had forgotten that Cassandra had just as much respect and trust in the knighthood as they did and she had gotten in multiple shots with he sling before he confiscated it.

“They can’t pay for their crimes to the crown if they are already dead. Duncan will make an example of them, a warning to the other knights that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Alyss was much more focused on the women in the rooms, some much too young to be in such company. She gently lead them downstairs, and made sure that they knew that justice would be delivered, that crimes committed against them would no longer be ignored. Will found her leaning against the empty bar, having left Horace, Gilan, and Cassandra to arrest the knights. After all, he had no legal authority anymore.

“How did you do it?” She asked. “How did you live like this?”

Will thought for a moment. “I didn’t. I mean, I survived, but I wasn’t really alive by the time I was here. My soul was already dead, I was just waiting for my body to catch up.”

“I don’t know about that Will. I mean, you wrote to Cassandra. You asked for help. You saw suffering and did something to stop it.”

“After allowing it for a year.” The guilt he carried was obvious and he made no attempt to hide it.

“After enduring it.” Alyss stressed. “You were just as much of a victim of Eisel as those women.”

Will shut his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t. Don’t call me a victim Alyss. I may have been a prisoner, but I was in a prison of my own making.” He opened his eyes, and Alyss was taken aback by the tears that had begun to form. “Do you know what Baron Arald told me? He said that I could have just gone to Redmont. That the people there wouldn’t have chased me out. That he would have protected me. I’m starting to realize that I have been blaming everyone else in the world for the pain of the past five years, when I really should be blaming myself. I acted emotionally and recklessly. And I had to suffer the consequences.”

“Don’t you ever say that again.” Cassandra’s fiery words cut through the room, and Will and Alyss watch her approach them.

“It’s true Cass. Like it or not, I have no one to blame but myself. I need to take some accountability.”

“You know what you are responsible for? Being human. Being afraid and angry and hurt. You did what you thought was right. You made a plan, a smart one, and people outside of your control ruined it for you. They broke the law. They hurt you. They are responsible for your pain and suffering.”

“And you’re forgetting that I’ve still been living and working in Redmont since you left.” Alyss added. “And yes, the majority of people there still care for you. They still love you. But it’s not some kind of Eden. There were still people who had their doubts. Who felt betrayed. I know that Arald sees the best in his people, and I love him for that, but I think it also blinded him a bit. Not everyone would have welcomed you with open arms. There would be no guarantee of safety.”

Cassandra grinned at Alyss and nodded. “Exactly. You are not responsible for the reactions of others. You were hurt over and over again. That’s not on you, it’s on them. And if we need to remind you of that everyday until we are all old and gray, than we are more than happy to do so.”

Will’s eyes bounced between the two women. Narrowing them he said, “Did you two rehearse that?”

Cassandra smirked and Alyss shrugged. “We know you Will. It was only a matter of time until you tried to blame yourself for everything. We were simply prepared.”

“You should be proud actually.” Cassandra bumped his shoulder. “After all, you’re the one who always used to go on and on about how important preparedness is. We were just applying your advice.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you two teaming up.”

“Good thing it’s not up to you.” Alyss and Cassandra said in unison.

[bcacstuff]

Look at jennifalconer on IG she made a podcast with S and it seems that he is back in Sunny LA. The painting behind him is the one of shutter on the beach hotel he has been there previously remember? It could explaomin he was online at 3am UK time today

Lol, he's in Scotland, the painting is in his house, I showed it before here on my blog, there are several interviews where you can see it and where he clearly is in his wee tavern.

He was late out, drinking celebrating with Graham and Duncan. Came home and decided to look at his Twitter statistics to see the decrease and started his poll.... (!) (or was he lurking here?)

btw. it was 2am in the UK not 3am, Europe is off DST since last weekend (the timestamp below is CET, one hour ahead of UK)

[makeithappenandreal]

Halt: I still think you should have just followed Tennyson instead of finding a healer

Will: Oh, you're definetly right Halt, BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T THE ONE WHO FUCKING DRAGGED DUNCAN IN A TAVERN AND GOT BANISHED OUT OF ARALUEN FOR m.E

Halt: Well I CAN DO THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE THE SON IN THIS RELATIONSHIP

Will: DON'T BRING THE FATHERS DO THE SACRIFICE CARD INTO THIS

Halt: DO AS YOUR DAD TELLS YOU

Will: YOU CAN'T GASLIGHT THE PERSON YOU TAUGHT HOW TO GASLIGHT PEOPLE

Horace: Seriously I think that the sole reason Crowley did this Group was so I could try to control your hobby of sacrificing yourself for each other in a crazy rate

[aaronburrdaily]

February 2, 1809

Sleepless night. Rose at 10. Judge Hume called. Colonel Smith. Wrote to Captain M’Dowell. Sor. 11. To Arbuthnot’s about money; out. To Holyrood Palace; see Mary's rooms. To Arbuthnot’s again; he took my bill on Graves for £50. Home at 1/2 p. 1. Went to take passage in mail. It is full; so kept till tomorrow; very lucky, for it was impossible to clear out reputably. Took passage in Union coach for to-morrow, 5 A.M., 7 guineas. Tavern bill £20. The burnt carpet. Sor. at 3. Dr. Horne’s. Y: Madame and Miss Brown; Captain Duncan and Mrs. ———. To Jeffrey’s; sat 1/2 hour. Home at 1/2 p. 4. Wrote long letter to Madame Gordon; to J.B. Sorting papers, 3 hours. Note to General A. Hope. At 1 began to pack up. Three guineas to servants. In the evening a note to Arbuthnot, and his reply. Mr. and Mrs. M’Dowell’s note enclosing letter for Span, which I did not answer!

[goatanarchy]

Frog in the corner.

A tiny drabble about my warden being drunk. Notes: pure fluff, Warden/Duncan, Warden is he/they!, AU where Duncan doesn't die and is a companion because I want to, English is not my first language and there is no one checking my grammar. :')

He was a little surprised to find Sarikh curled into a ball, behind the bed in one of their rooms… and not dancing in the tavern downstairs. He was usually so lively and perhaps a little reckless with what drinks people would offer him. And now the mage was nothing more but a tiny frog sadly facing the wall in front of him.

Duncan sat on bed with a sigh:

“Had too much to drink?” “Ugh… no. Maybe?” - Sarikh whimpered. - “I think… I shouldn’t have lifted Tiger when Alistair said I couldn’t. Back hurts.” 

“You tried to lift the mabari?” - Duncan asked, failing to hide the utter bewilderment in his voice. The tiniest “Mhhmmm…” came out from Sarikh. It was mean to laugh… so Duncan didn’t. Not outloud. 

Out of all the things that could have left a lasting impact on their health in this blight, not counting the blood of the darkspawn, it had to be a drunken bet with Alistair. He almost envied Sarikh. It was endearing somehow and Duncan felt embarrassed by thinking that.

“Should I call for Wynne?”

“N-no! She is probably already asleep!-...” - the mage snapped a glare at Duncan with a weak and frankly pathetic protest. “...and….I don’t want you to feel even more embarrassed for me.” - he added after a while. Duncan cleared his throat. That was not the reason. Alas the man was not going to ask how the elf even knew what he was feeling. Just one of the many bizarre traits he had come to notice in Sarikh. Mages, well… they were always a bit weird, right?  He will keep thinking that.

“Let me help you onto the bed at least. Or do you like being a little frog in the corner?” - Duncan teased, yet his voice was soft, he couldn’t help it.

“I do like being a frog!” - Sarikh beamed, immediately following it up with a pained moan.

“But on the bed is better, please.”

Duncan stood and carefully turned the mage to face him, letting their arms embrace him around the neck. He felt their sides softly, to not disturb any more muscle, and swiftly and gently put Sarikh on the bed. A whiff of their red hair tickled his nose for a moment, he smelled cornflowers -.... Duncan blushed, now was not the time to think about that.

Sarikh let his arms linger on Duncan, looking the man straight into the eyes, bashfully. His hands were pleasantly cold - perhaps the only cold he liked. Duncan didn’t want to move away, even though he probably should have.

“Thank you.”

“It is nothing.”

It would be best if he left right now. He made sure that Sarikh didn’t get into any trouble in the tavern, well, almost, so he can go.

The mage traced his hands onto Duncan’s cheeks and smiled. This made him more flustered than it was socially acceptable. They could probably feel how hot his face is right now.

“Stay here for a while?” - they asked, in a way that Duncan knew Sarikh had learned from Zevran’s theatrical attempts at being shy. What a sly bastard that crow is.

Duncan laid near and Sarikh hugged a pillow and turned to face him, the happiest smile on their face.

“Sorry for keeping you here.” - the mage apologized, their eyes gleaming with warmth.

“It is hard to say “no” to you, do you know that?” - Duncan admitted rubbing his own cheek shyly.

“I’ve been told!” - Sarikh laughed and hid his face in the pillow as another wave of pain came over him. “Ughh. I’m never drinking with Alistair again…” “Next time drink with Alistair and Morrigan.” “Ahah, only if I want us all to get kicked out!”

Duncan reached to stroke Sarikh’s shoulder, almost embracing him again. “Sorry, I can’t give any more comfort here…”

Sarikh softened under the touch.

“It is enough. I love it when you hold me.”  - Duncan heard from behind the pillow and honestly, maybe he also needed one to hide his face.  One part of him was screaming to run. After all, why should he deserve this? Why does he get to have this moment?

The other part of him was very selfish and forgot how to walk.

[northern-passage]

I'm trying to get the route where Clementine doesn't follow me inside the temple, but they keep friggin tagging along and getting snatched by Duncan anyway. I was even mean to them (sorry Clem) and they keep following me

ok that is kinda cute tho... they like you 🥺

i actually went in and tweaked the code for this a bit, based on a lot of the feedback i've been getting it feels like Clementine was being a little too forgiving.

i've made it so that if you decline the deal and end up yelling at them, they will almost always avoid you, whereas before they would only avoid you if you yelled at them and got hostile again later when they tried to apologize. there is a chance they will forgive you - if you choose one of the two less hostile choices during the argument ("my hands are shaking" or "i don't know where that came from") and also allowed them to come with you earlier and thus saved them from the wraith, they won't be quite as afraid of you, and will still go with you in the isolation district (unless you got hostile again later in the tavern.)

if you go with them in blackwater or made the deal, they will always come with you; and if you decline the deal "politely" they will also most likely come with you - same thing as above where if you let them come with you on the road and saved them from the wraith, even though you declined their deal, they'll still consider you the safest option since you've already protected them once.