#Hk nail masters

[littlebittyhollowbugs]

Hollow knight art book!!

[vulturereyy]

I am drowning There is no sign of land You are coming down with me Hand in unlovable hand And I hope you die I hope we both die

The Wraith & The Specter

[whatthefoucault]

Hollow Knight Art Month, Day 14: Nail

"I think I recognise this one," said the Nailsmith.

"Yes, a skilled little fighter, and a beautifully honed weapon," Sheo reminisced fondly.

"Oh," the Nailsmith blushed, "why, that would be my own handiwork."

"Of course." Sheo smiled shyly. "Tell me, have you ever been sketched?"

[lord-shitbox]

Beating Hollow Knight Steel Soul: A Guide

part 1: general tips!

if you're about to die hit esc/pause and quit to menu

[sook9i]

— SAY MY NAME

⋆｡°✩ nicknames TXT likes in the bedroom

. . . GENRE ! TXT x gn!reader | separate headcanons

. . . CONTAINS ! sir/daddy/master kink, dom!txt, yj - mean(?) dom, degradation (whore, cockwhore, slut), hair pulling, begging; sb - mentions of dollification & size kink, reader is dressed in skirts, reader is called bunny; bg - mean dom, degradation (whore), slapping, implied doggy(?); th - kinda mean dom, pet play (collars, ears, etc.), reader called pet and kitten; hk - reader called angel, baby, & pretty, implied fingering & overstimulation

. . . NOTES ! heyyyyyyyyy so um here ya go, sorry for disappearing it'll happen again

. . . ADMIN ! written by callie 😽

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YEONJUN - wc ! 212

Split pretty evenly between sir and daddy. Most of the time, depending on the circumstances, a simple “junnie” or “baby” will suffice. Other times, however, especially when he’s feeling cocky or frustrated or jealous, it’s not enough. Yeonjun is naturally pretty teasing and likely to sprinkle in degradation into his talking. Not necessarily mean or hard, just simply dominating. The times when explicit dynamics are in order often come about from Yeonjun practically breaking you down until you say it first. Denying you over and over until you’re a slobbering mess of begging “Please sir-pl-please please-hic-wan’ your cock sir-please.”

“Oh? So now the little whore wants to start respecting me?” His grip tightens on your scalp, lighting pain across the skin. An obviously fake frown stretches on his face, “Poor, helpless little slut. Should’ve listened when I told you to stop messing around. But you’re just a stupid needy cockwhore, aren’t you? Can’t stand ten minutes without sir’s cock in your mouth, huh? Pathetic.”

His sneer drives swaths of heat between your thighs and more tears welling in your eyes. “P-please sir, i’m-im so-sorry-sob-sh-should’ve done what s-sir said. Plea-please, just-just wan’ you so bad.”

“Well then.” He hands yanks your head right up to his, “Shut up and get on your knees.”

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SOOBIN - wc ! 436

To pair well with both his size kink and interest in dollification, Soobin is not opposed to being called Daddy. He’s quite fond of things more in the realm of nicknames: binnie, bin, or even just Soobin. However, there’s something so heavy in the name Daddy that Soobin truly cannot resist. Putting all of your trust in his hands, his to mold and care for and use. He simply can’t help but take all of the control you give him. Dressing you up and posing you. All ruffles and short skirts; perfect pinks and whites, a pure picture of innocence. In these moments, you’re all his to ruin.

Poised upon the bed like a porcelain doll, framed in voluminous skirts and petticoats spreading out beside you like wings. Soobin’s long fingers drag their way up along your calf. Slowly coming to rest in the middle of your thigh, running a nail beneath the tight elastic of your stocking. The sharp snap on your skin shocks a cold gasp from your throat. Shuddering, eyes shut tight as Soobin’s nose trails quickly behind the rest. Coming to a stop, faced with the guarded walls of all your layers of clothes, he finally looked up at you. You could barely look back, eyes screwed tight.

“Aww, poor bunny is trembling.”

It takes everything in you to suppress the high and needy whimper building in your throat. The muffled sound peaks with a hard clenching between your thighs which are quickly pulled apart. Soobin’s palms pressed into the plush, rubbing soft circles into the skin; his fingertips so close to the ache between your legs, it dragged out another pathetic whine.

Eyes clenched even tighter, fists curled at your sides; It spills through your lips before you can stop it. “D-daddy, please-just-please-hnng.” Hips canting upwards, held back by his grip.

Soobin’s smirk grows impossibly smug, gleaning up at you as he presses your hips firmly into the mattress. Hands slipping from your thighs, pushing at the mountains of lace keeping him away. His eyes devour the depraved sight between your thighs, a deeper hunger growing in them. Fingernails digging into the flesh beside his head, more and more whimpers coming from you as his lips and teeth clash so close to where you need him. A hand twirled tight around his hair and a sharp tug on it all, his own neediness is catching up to him.

With a shudder and darkening eye; he always gets lost in the rush of power, your sweet submission, the moment he says, “Come on, Bunny. Beg for Daddy, and he’ll let you cum.”

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BEOMGYU - wc ! 251

Daddy but in a mean way. Beomgyu definitely has his soft dom moments, but with such a big thing for humiliation, they’re somewhat few and far between. He takes pride in his power over you; even when you act out, the power to put you back in your place is the most satisfying. Stripping you of your clothes and attitude; knocking you down a few pegs and face-first into his mattress. Chewing up your ego and spitting it back down your needy, begging, throat. That was perhaps his favorite part of it all. Making you so submissive, an absolute mess with the graze of his fingertips. Hips swiveling in the air, ass seared with hand prints and the deep crescents of digging fingernails. Your muffled cries were music to his ears; words muddled in pathetic slobbering.

“B-Beom-ah!” Another harsh sting ripples along your skin and tears a whining squeal from your throat. Paired with the fingers tugging you up by your hair, pain overwhelmed your senses.

His words send that burning pain back into unbearable heat between your legs. “Come on, baby. You know that’s not my name.” The grin on his lips is audible, though there’s nothing left in you to protest.

All resolve gone, you’re left to desperate groveling. “Daddy! Daddy, please, I’m sorry! Please-hic-just…fuck me, please.” Your words trail off, meak and measly, no match for the degrading laughter that follows.

“God, you’re such a dumb fucking whore. Cry a little louder, baby, and maybe Daddy will listen.”

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TAEHYUN - wc ! 279

another healthy mix of sir and daddy, with a little master mixed in sometimes. He likes to explore various dynamics, and thus, different names. Pet play is his newest experiment. The first time he saw you in between his knees, neck wrapped all pretty in a collar, he almost came on the spot. Tucking his fingers between the tight leather and your skin, tugging hard as you struggle to keep quiet. Pets aren’t supposed to talk, and he loves to remind you of that. If any word slips past your lips apart from his name, you can expect to end up with bruised knees and a sore throat.

Whining out a pitiful, “Please!”

The pain of carpet rubbing hard onto your skin is only outweighed by the harsh grip on the back of your neck. Tilting your head up to get a perfect view of your watery gaze.

Taehyun’s eyes are heavily lidded; foggy and dark as they rake over your face, pausing on the faux ears adorning your head. His grip tightens as the bells along your outfit jingle. “Kittens don’t talk. Or did you forget?”

Your heartbeat races and your core aches, teary eyes meeting his. “N-no, Master. I-”

His gaze is pointed, daring you to finish your sentence. A heated shudder settles in your stomach. “No, Master.”

“Good pet.” A thumb strokes softly on your chin, yet Taehyun’s face remains hard. “You know I still have to punish you, kitten.”

“Y-yes, Master.”

Fingers slip back down to your neck before yanking on your collar, knocking the breath from your lungs. Biting out the words, “Then shut up and open your mouth. Master’s gonna fuck your throat.”

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HUENINGKAI - wc ! 290

To Kai, the act of dominance, having you submit to him completely, is more about how he takes care of you every step of the way. Sure, there are certainly times he takes more focus on himself. He’s glad to have a partner so accepting of his selfishness at times. However, being the youngest, he’s used to the babying treatment; even playing into it at times. With you, he gets to play the caretaker instead.

You never have to do any thinking with him, and, even if you wanted to, he’ll have you going dumb soon enough that won’t really matter. Having you take his fingers over and over again; stretching you out and licking up your mess before he even takes his own clothes off. Maybe you aren’t the only dumb one. With the way he gets lost in your lovely sounds, he just has to go back for another taste.

Cooing at your over-sensitive whines, shushing your soft cries, kissing away your sweet tears, “So good for me-ahh-pretty baby.”

Hands cradled softly in his, mingling on the mattress to keep you grounded as Kai’s hips take up more space inbetween yours. He presses your thighs up with his own, cock running teasingly along the inside.

“Daddy-” Mind numbed-out and drool slipping past your lips, your words come out as no more but a muddled plea.

“I know, baby.” His breath falls short watching your eyes screw shut, “‘m gonna make you feel so good, I promise.”

Your fingers curl tighter in his. “Wan’-wan’ it, please-”

“Want daddy to make you cum, angel?”

He can’t stop his small giggle as you desperately nod and slobber out incoherent agreements. “Whatever you want. Let daddy take care of you, baby.”

[doodledrawsthings]

hello! are you planning to draw your thk gijinka again? it would be nice to see them once more, your designs are so damn cool and they were really inspiring to me when i started drawing hk human versions fanart some years ago! and thk designs?? they are PEAK. the human one (like human-human) holds a special place in my heart tbh, i literally was obsessed with them lmao

Definitely, I’m really busy rn so drawing for myself is a little hard. But when I have time again I wanna redo my Grimm and Grimmchild designs and I wanna do a little update on Lemm, THK and the nail masters as well.

[cloudyswritings]

Just some HK headcanons!!

Beware of spoilers

Elderbug:

This man might actually be one of the youngest characters in game? Like we know little ghost is older, and all of the knights and Quirrel are too. Like maybe only Bretta and Zote are younger? I guess also Cornifer and Iselda could be too.

He genuinely doesn’t dream, like it’s the only reason he doesn’t get infected. This is sorta based on some dialogue from when you give him that damn flower.

Hes very much a neat freak. And also has lots of childhood trauma— being born at the end of the infection will do that to you ig.

really deep sleeper honestly.

Ever since little ghost has rolled into town and befriended him he’s been feeling his age less and less(gee I wonder why that might be?)

Likes growing little succulents and other plants in his house. He cries over them when they die.

sweet lil guy.

Cornifer & Iselda:

Iselda absolutely wears the pants in the relationship, but she lets her silly little nerd husband do his things because it makes him happy.

She used to be an elite guards-bug in the kingdom she and Cornifer originate from.

She and Cornifer were childhood sweethearts. Cornifer may be busy and forgetful, but he’s never once forgotten their anniversary or her birthday.

Speaking of that Cornifer goes all out for her, and I mean like all out. He once derailed a parade so it would pass by her window(he also swapped out the banners to say happy birthday Iselda)

these two are just my favorite cute couple.

Sly:

He’s a fly(obviously)

He can’t really have kids of his own, so he views all of his pupils as his children(Matt gets this from him)

The last member of a truly ancient society of nail masters/sages.

He thought the arts would die out with him before he found his pupils

Sheo is his favorite and most impressive pupil. He’s got mixed feelings about Sheo leaving behind the nails arts for painting, but he’s still supportive and believes Sheo through painting is still improving his nail skill(oddly enough he’s right).

His whole thing about loving geo/money is just a bit he’s committed to, it’s sorta his cover to hide he’s the last nail sage.

really likes fruit juice.

[ospreyeamon]

revan as the ghost

I had the odd experience of playing KOTOR 1 and having my Revan, then playing KOTOR 2 and discovering that I liked its Revan more than mine. Revan as Narrative Ghost/Controversial Historical Figure is far more interesting to me than Revan as main character.

Part of it is that 2 fleshes out Dark-Side pre-amnesia Revan into a more compelling character. All of the juicy hints about the deeper plan and purpose behind the Jedi Civil War, the past relationship with Kreia who is as preoccupied with her former student’s legacy as with her own, the probable betrayal of Revan’s own forces led by the Exile at Malachor V.

The motivation of preparing for the future great war against the True Sith is great because it doesn’t preclude the other motivations of vengeance, power-lust, and the love of warfare. Revan might have despised the atrocities of the Jedi Civil Wars as evils necessary to save the galaxy. Revan might have subconsciously latched onto the True Sith as an excuse to solve the problems with the Republic and Jedi Order using outright warfare because everything looked like a nail after the Mandalorian Wars. Revan might have just been acting with an eye to the long-term logistics of forcibly holding power in the Republic post-conquest and was never planning on fighting the True Sith Empire because Revan thought it was a real threat, but because another war would be politically convenient. Revan might have slid from one to another over time.

Maybe Revan always considered himself to be loyal to the Republic, even if the Republic didn’t always appreciate the form that loyalty took. Maybe Revan decided that democracy doesn’t work and the Republic would be better off under a competent autocrat. Maybe Revan decided that the structure of the Republic’s constituent governments – mostly monarchies, aristocracies, and corporate plutocracy – meant that it wasn’t a real democracy and believed a benevolent dictatorship could be used to build a foundation of true democracy. Maybe the future long-term structure of the Republic’s government wasn’t a major consideration, with Revan taking the pragmatic view that the best government for the Republic would be the one that enabled it to survive.

Supplying that backstory as a jigsaw of character dialogue was an excellent choice, especially since it also works well for the events of the first game. Brianna the Handmaiden believes Revan showed the desire of his heart when he killed Malak during the Battle of Rakata Prime; Kreia thinks she’s completely wrong about that.

All the characters have at least heard of Revan; the Exile, Kreia, T4-M4, Mandalore, HK-47, and the Jedi Masters knew Revan personally. And, beyond being a mere person, Revan represents things to people.

Kreia is invested in the idea that Revan was always driven by some vision of a greater good, that she never became primarily ruled by hatred or power-lust. Kreia has a low opinion of those she views as dominated by emotion and is unwilling to believe her prize student ever fell into that trap. She really wants every choice her old Padawan made to have been well-informed and well-considered, always feeding towards Revan’s larger goals rather than undermining them. (Yet, there are a couple of Revan’s actions, like killing Malak, that I feel Kreia would have preferred to blame on the Force, on the unfairness of the universe, rather than on Revan.)

It’s a major blind-spot in Kreia’s assessment of Revan. Cutting Malak’s jaw off but keeping him as her second-in-command – seemingly not expecting any negative effect on Malak’s loyalty – is unlikely to have been anything but a short-sighted emotional outburst on Revan’s part.

In contrast to Kreia’s narrative, I think that Revan’s disappearance in unknown space between the games was unplanned and unwilling. Revan apparently spent years attempting to build a massive logistical staging ground for a war with the True Sith; locating the Star Forge, invading to capture Republic infrastructure, brutally converting captured Jedi. Why, after previously engaging in such large-scale preparation, would Revan leave to fight the True Sith alone, without telling anyone but T3-M4? Why would Revan leave without warning Admiral Carth of the Republic Navy and battle-meditation master Bastila Shan about the threat?

More likely, I think, that Revan’s memories were returning in tatters and scraps. Revan became increasingly sure that there was something important she couldn’t remember; some vital secret that would explain so much, and spell disaster if not uncovered. Revan’s journey to unknown space began as a temporary trip retracing a past journey, searching for prompts to resurface those memories. Something went wrong.

Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Revan despaired of the state the Jedi, Revanchist Sith, and Galactic Republic were in after the Battle of Rakata Prime and the “end” of the Jedi Civil War; despaired of the mess she had apparently made trying to manipulate the Republic and Jedi into forms capable of standing up to the True Sith. Maybe Revan came to doubt his previous assessment that the True Sith Empire were planning to invade the Galactic Republic, since it had been more than a decade since the beginning of the Mandalorian Wars with still no sign of them, and left to do some quiet scouting without raising what might be a false alarm that triggered an avoidable conflict.

Another judicious choice of character trait with KOTOR 2’s Revan was – and even post-amnesia still continued to be – secretive. Revan kept the grand strategy for the Mandalorian Wars close to her chest; good for operation security, but also good for hiding your plan to purge your own forces. Even HK-47 and Kreia, who were close to the Revanchist Sith’s upper command structure, aren’t certain what Revan was trying to achieve because Revan didn’t tell them. When Revan vanishes between the games, it is seemingly without having told any of her companions save T3-M4 where or that it was to investigate the True Sith Empire. That repeated failure to share information provides another justification for the ambiguity.

That bled through when I replayed 1 and imagined a new Revan, a stranger even to himself.

How did you change so much? Could you change again?

You remember your mother’s face, remember her voice as she read to you from the histories she loved so much, but the records in the Jedi archives imply that’s impossible, that you were given to the Order too young. You remember racing your swoop bike across the fields of Dantooine as a teenager; as a teenager you were a Padawan studying in the Enclave there. How many of your memories are real? How much of you is real?

Is there a monster slumbering under your skin that might awake, unravelling the person you are now to take your place? Did the young Revan have all the Jedi Masters fooled, rotten from the very beginning? Might you eventually live your life haunted by nightmares of committing another person’s atrocities?

More frightening than the idea that you and the Revan lost to amnesia are different is the idea that you are the same; that your past choices won’t be beyond comprehension or justification. If you remember, will you understand why you started the war? If you remember, will you understand why you bombed Telos? If you remember, will you discover that you have been the person who could make those choices all along?

[richardazer]

Anyway no one except Ravi wanted to talk to me about what kind of bugs the boys would be

So tumblr gets this because I sad

Brainworms with HK lore for nerds like me below + a silly ship sketch

So a bit of lore, technically the setting is in the middle of HK playthru yk?? But it's also on its own kinda?

The hive is opened after many years, there's a lot of commotion and infection and obviously the king is no more sooooo

3 pretty pale siblings come through the world searching for followers, all three are wyrms but they take on forms of different bugs

Ianite is a mantis

Mianite is a wyrm (kings mold kinda build?)

Dianite is a moth (Grimm type heho)

Sparklez the mighty ant

Born and raised in the city of tears (don't ask me where the rest of the ants are, we're all waiting for silksong lol)

He wanted to become a city guard but did not make the cut because of his size and species, seeking to become worthy he travels outside the city later to train with the nail masters and meeting Ianite and the Mantis Lords.

His charms are Nailmaster's Glory (for obvious reasons) and Mark of Pride given by the Mantis Lords. + unbreakable strength

He spends most of his time in the Colosseum of Fools and has become a valuable champion

The deepnest pretty boy aka Peter 'za' hhutt

He's the Midwife's precious son, he gets his hunger from her. Pete found the Wayward Compass charm and quickly became an expert in the maze that is Deepnest making him the most dangerous predator. He has never left the nest, didn't need to. Bugs would come wandering in, traitors and weaklings would be thrown in by the Mantis Lords. Plenty of delicious food keeping him fed and sane.

The other charms he's given by Sparklez when they meet. Sparklez loves exploring, taking on any battle he can. Pete puts up a great fight. The spider isn't used to pray fighting back so vigorously so he lets Sparklez go. Meeting a worthy opponent Sparklez offers companionship since the deepnest is a tough place to traverse.

Quick Slash and Dashmaster made Pete more of a beast but he's no longer fueled by hunger because Sparklez consistently brings him dead bugs from the coliseum fights to feed Pete.

Fuzzy bee X33n

He's just a Hivelink, some of them patrol outside the hive but Xeen never been outside. After the hive was forced to interact with an outsider X33n musters up the courage to go explore. He missed his exit at the Ancient Basin because the infected bugs there scared him. But the first time he goes to explore he ends up in Deepnest.

Poor bee gets chased by a hungry spider and ends up running into an armored ant hehoo

Sparklez saves X33n from hungry Pete and they sit down to talk about the hive and how a bee got lost so far away from home

X33n's charms are Hiveblood (obviously, he's a bee it comes with the Xbox!) Thorns of Agony and Heavy Blow to help him against the infected bugs

The ship silly for anyone who is nerd enough to read through all this

"fed a stray cat now he loves me" VS "how can I NOT want to eat him he's so plump and fuzzy!!"

[feathers-feathers]

@flame-shadow recent post inspired me to think about the Soul Master, and revived an old theory of mine that I will now relay here.

The theory starts with a question: Is the Soul Sanctum still active?

Going through in-game data, the journal never refers to the denizens of the Soul Sanctum as husks. Their own dream-nail dialogue, as well, is related largely to their own goals - that of immortality.

If they did in fact use soul to successfully lengthen their lifespans, they might have still been alive and active after Hallownests fall - if it is possible to be freed of the infection if one is not a husk. Given this possibility, it would follow that they would still remain active after the events of the game - sans Soul Master - if this is true.

I don't follow HK fanfiction as much as I want to - it's hard for me to get interested in new things. But what little I have read has never taken this possibility into consideration.

There is real story potential here: A cabal of immortal sorcerers vying for godhood might still be alive and active - with the infection gone, what will their new aspirations be? How far will they go? Who will get in their way?

[hollowknighthelp]

Hey I'm here to gove an updt on my HK playthrough :)

Got Voidheart

Fought Hollow

Beat Hollow

Fought Radiance

Haven't beat Radiance

Beat The Collector

Got Hiveblood

Got Grubberfly's elegy

Haven't beaten Grimm but got him to phase 2

Ayyy, nice!! Congrats on your progress!! And yeah, I'd recommend saving the Radiance for later. Might as well be as powered up as you possibly can be before taking her on! (But still, for the future, Abyss Shriek is THE Radiance Killer)

Since you've gotten (at least what I consider to be) the most annoying Pale Ore to get ((the Grubfather reward)), I assume you've got the Pure Nail now too?

Anyway, Troupe Master Grimm!

I'll put it under a cut, since the post is fairly long.

So. The funny thing about Grimm is that I've actually gotten so used to fighting Nightmare King Grimm and his attack patterns that when I fight regular Grimm, it. Looks pretty pathetic lmao

Still, I'll offer what tips I can!

Back when I first started fighting NKG, I used a pretty much exclusively nail-based playstyle for him. Normally I'm a very big advocate for using spells because they're Great, but for him? SOUL was used pretty much exclusively for healing during his staggers. Nowadays I do use spells during his fight, but since you're trying to win for the first time and it's for his sidequest? A nail-based build might be worth considering!

Mind you, that's Nightmare King Grimm. Because Troupe Master Grimm is a lot slower, there are probably more opportunities to sneak in some spell attacks. But, even so, your Charm Notches are limited! Especially due to Grimmchild completely wasting two of them. So, this is a very rare occurrence where I'd say Shaman Stone might not be worth equipping!

Instead, focus on Nail-based Charms! Quickslash is probably the one I'd recommend the most (and thus Steady Body would be a good choice as well, since those two pair great together). Fragile/Unbreakable Strength is, of course, amazing, but if you haven't been able to make it Unbreakable yet, then I totally understand not wanting to use it.

Grimm staggers after you've done 14 hits! And while he's staggered is the best time to heal. Assuming you have the SOUL for it, I believe you should be able to get at least two masks healed during his stagger, maybe even three. I honestly wouldn't even bother attacking him while he's staggered unless you don't need to heal (or don't have the SOUL for it), since you can only deal a maximum of 50 damage to him while he's in that state. And, sidenote, at least for NKG, I find that his first stagger and his first Pufferfish attack normally happen at around the same time! Not sure if the same is true for Troupe Master Grimm though.

Speaking of the Pufferfish, that happens a total of three times, specifically at each time he loses a quarter of his max health (i.e., 75% left, 50%, and 25%). You can use that knowledge to track how far you are in the fight!

As for evading that attack, it's... Mostly a matter of practice, I think. Stick to the far side of the battlefield, and avoid using the Monarch Wings as much as possible. You can use the Shade Cloak to dodge through the fireballs if you're really in a bad spot, but it's risky and might just make you collide with the next ball. I think avoiding damage using Descending Dark's invincibility frames should be a viable option, though? At least for Troupe Master Grimm anyway.

For Troupe Master Grimm, I think his floor spikes attack might be slow enough for you to safely get one heal in? But I'm not 100% certain. That said, if he happens to be close to you when he uses that attack, it's also the prime time to get a ton of damage in on him.

His lunge attack from the ceiling to the floor: thanks to Nightmare King Grimm, my default response to this attack is to use Descending Dark and its iframes. It's not as necessary to do that for Troupe Master Grimm, but it does still work!

His uppercut attack from the floor to the ceiling, with the falling fireballs afterward: dash through him with Shade Cloak when he dashes forward, then walk toward Grimm. You don't want to get under him, since a fireball drops there, but right next to him is a safe spot. ...At least, again, that's what I do for NKG, but I believe Troupe Master Grimm works the same way.

Fire bats: ...This is the attack I constantly take unnecessary damage on now because I'm used to NKG's version of it lmao. I no longer remember what I used to do to avoid it, but it might have been Jump, Double Jump, Shade Cloak? But I'm not certain.

If you're good at dodging the Pufferfish attack, then it might be worth getting that extra damage in at the start of the fight by hitting him while he bows to you (especially if you have Quickslash). Of course, this also comes at the cost of being a Horrible, Rude, Disrespectful opponent, but! Hey, whatever it takes to win, right? Alternatively, I think you should also have enough time to Dream Nail him while he bows (which doesn't bother him) and allow you to start the fight with a bit of extra SOUL

[cakeinator]

I like to think that the Knight is pure because of the whole shebang in the abyss. You go up to your own egg and see your memories of climbing the abyss. At the end when PK tells HK “you are the vessel. You are the Hollow Knight” the screen goes black and it feels like he’s talking to YOU. He’s talking to HK but the way it’s framed makes it seem like YOU were supposed to be the vessel all along. Additionally, you learn all your skills without actual training (besides the nail masters helping just a tad). You can become the master of shades and void, making it obey your will. Hell, you can even become a god. If that doesn’t scream Pure I don’t know what does.

[lightwise]

Ahsoka Episode 4 Spoilers/Thoughts

This was...a big one, to say the least.

Also note to self do NOT open tumblr while in the middle of watching an episode or you will be spoiled for that epic ending *sobs* oh well...

SPOILERS BELOW THE CUT

2/2 Star Wars characters repairing ship wiring on their back...v nice

Sabine, you realize none of you would be in this position if you hadn't squirreled away with the map in your tower...jus sayin...

"Can I count on you?" Yeah I'm gonna say that's a no...

Sabine loading her blasters is super cool but also giving me flashbacks to trying to reload staple gun or nail gun cartridges and hoping you don't launch them into your face in the process

Natasha plays Sabine's nervous energy very well and Rosario is showing Ahsoka's own unease, reserve, but also very caring concern, extremely well. I really wish we could see the history between these two--animated in between series anyone??

I wonder why Dave doesn't bring up the fact that Ahsoka owes Ezra her life. It's only focused on what Ezra means to Sabine, but he means a lot to Ahsoka too.

Huyang's lil hands on hips...you can tell he's a full practical build here.

Speaking of...I REALLY want to know if the practical robot was used for this fight scene, or if they switched to someone in a costume/CGI. It seems like the HK droids are people/CGI but I could be wrong about that. Either way, go Huyang go!

It's always a treat to see Mandos and Jedi fighting styles together. And Sabine's Wonder Woman vambrace block was great.

Ahsoka's white lightsabers are so stunning in live action.

"May I make one request of you both?" LISTEN TO HUYANG. HE KNOWS WHAT'S UP. "Stay together." And WHAT ARE THEY NOT GONNA DO SMH

"Mom, how come I have to do what I'm told and you don't" lmao

Jacen is so spunky and I'm so glad Dave is having him be a full part of the series.

Carson Teva my man! And Brendan!

BUT WHERE ARE ZEB AND KALLUS. WHERE ARE OUR MARRIED BOIS

"Faith? I lost that a long time ago" Baylon's backstory pleaseeeee. Who was his master. How far did he get in training. Was he knighted? Did he have a padawan pre-order 66? Where was he during the war? Where was he during Order 66? When did he walk away, and what did he walk away to? What are his goals now? How did he find Shin/why did he want to train her? We desperately need a comic or a book here Lucasfilm

The graphics for the countdown clock (and the droids manning them) are super cool

Shin dear lord can you be any more dramatic

Sabine and Shin running off like rabid wolves while Ahsoka is just like, oh please, do I really have to deal with this right now

Ahsoka > any inquisitor, dead or alive, magic or real, anytime, any place, any age LOL

Ugh the parallels to Obi-Wan and Maul are impeccable.

So I totally knew Marrok would be a nobody/throwaway character but a nightsister necromancer ghost??? Did not see that coming at all. Eerie

Shin seems honestly disturbed by seeing Marrok fall. I wonder if the body that was used was someone she knew or had a connection to.

The lightsaber usage in this show is so interesting and such a unique blend of samurai techniques, OT trilogy techniques, and more realistic stabbing and swiping and slicing motions. I love the choreography and cinematography of Shin and Sabine going at it as well as how the trees and landscape are used in their fight.

Looks like Shin got her dramatics from her master. Sitting there with his hood up for effect lol

Definitely getting flashbacks to Ahsoka's sass in her fight with Maul in TCW.

Baylon's textured armor is so incredible. I want to see him leading a 13th century cavalcade

Can he read people's minds? Or does he do in depth research like Thrawn does so he knows the weak points of his opponents?

“One must destroy in order to create.” No. You are incorrect sir. One must die. One must morph, must change, in order to create. But that is different than destroying.

Again with the one saber. It's such an odd choice for Ahsoka to do that, and it honestly feels like an excuse for Baylon to be able to overpower her later. I don't quite like it.

It is very interesting how Baylon views Ahsoka, and tells her that her legacy is death and broken promises. What exactly does he think her legacy is? Because that is Anakin's legacy, not hers (at least through Rebels). What has happened since then?

He looks so sad, honestly.

There's way too much leaving oneself open to attack in this episode.

The fight scene definitely looks slowed down a little, and it's a little clunky, but man Baylon is brutal with his saber. Again why is Ahsoka not using both of hers to combat is strength??

Either there's a trailer shot that never made it into this fight, or Baylon and Ahsoka fight again. I'm missing where she kicks back against one of those tall rocks and flips over. That was such a cool shot.

I honestly can't believe Shin was able to block the whistling birds lol. That would be an intense hit to the face. Also I love how much of the shots and sparks in these shows are practical. It makes it feel so much more real.

The map burning Ahsoka is wild. It makes sense but very unfortunate.

Hot damn Ahsoka! She definitely was tapping into some anger there. In real life that hit to the back of the head should have seriously injured Shin. Filoni is really being gritty and brutal with the fights in this show, they're raw and dirty in ways that the trilogies were not.

Aaaaaand while I know Ahsoka isn't dead yet (there's no way Filoni would kill off the title character halfway through a first season) holy cow that was heartwrenching

Baylon is a master manipulator. He makes Maul look like a babbling teenager. And yet he doesn't seem to derive any twisted pleasure from it. He just is doing what he thinks he needs to do.

I'm sorry Ahsoka had WHAT to do with Sabine's family dying???? In the Purge??? Ugh geez that's awful.

Gah DAMN it Sabine!! C'mon girl!! Bad decision, bad decision!

WHAT IS THIS GREATER GOOD BAYLON

I would have loved to see Obi-Wan face off against Baylon. The quiet patience and calm strength...too much for one room

He is just not done digging at Ahsoka is he. Again, master manipulator, but why?

Huyang's little magnifying glass!

Dave definitely nailed the lighting in this show. Even if the volume is still apparent in some shots, the lighting is finally dialed in and soft and realistic and atmospheric. That shot of Baylon after decimating the map is epic.

Yeahhh, Hera, ya'll might want to skedaddle right quick before you get....oh, too late....

"Mom? I've got a bad feeling." Me too kid, me too.

"Lady Wren, Lady Tano" *sobbing* Hera make sure Huyang makes it back pls

This transition.

Oh boy

I know what's coming bc I got on tumblr too early but OH MAN

ahhhh it's so gorgeous

it's here, it's finally here and it's BEAUTIFUL (The World Between Worlds, who did you think I was talking about, Anakin? ;)

I'm KIDDING ANAKIN IS BEAUTIFUL TOO OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES

"Hello Snips" I can't I truly can't

"I didn't expect to see you so soon" so is she dead? Dying? Disassociating while drowning? Dave if you kill Ahsoka off in this show I will never forgive you

She is in shock omg look at him she is reunited with her brother, her master, her friend!!

We think--DAVE WHAT DOES VADER THEME MEAN. DAVE, SIR, HOW DARE YOU KNOW HOW TO LEAVE US ON SUCH A CLIFFHANGER IT IS UNFAIR.

Welp I have no idea what to do with myself until next week and we find out what's going on here. I swear if that's not the real Anakin I will be beside myself.

Let's get ready for flashbacks folks. What an episode.

[mediaflamingoos]

Sifu - Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation? By Savio Shi

You enter a hallway illuminated by dim, flickering lights. Standing between you and the end of the hallway are twenty thugs, some armed, some not, all of them ready to turn you into mincemeat. Little do they know, you are a master of Pak Mei kung fu, and they are about to get the butt-kicking of a lifetime.

This is the fantasy that the game Sifu provides, and it absolutely kills it. Many gamers raved about the intricate and exhilarating combat system, the unique revival mechanics, and the tough as nails difficulty. However, the game is not without its critics, namely some western journalists criticising the portrayal of Chinese elements in game, some even accusing it of being guilty of cultural appropriation. First, Sloclap, the developer of the game, is a French based game studio. While the game's portrayal of Pak Mei kung fu was quite accurate as they had an actual master do the motion capture, the same can't be said for the use of the Chinese language and cultural elements. One language issue is the inconsistent use of Cantonese and Mandarin romanisation. The game's title is Sifu, which is the Cantonese romanization, but the game uses Mandarin pinyin for some in-game text and romanized terms, such as “wuguan” for 武館 and “Wude” for 武德. There are also some awkward uses of Chinese sprinkled in the game, which admittedly did take me out of the game at first as a native Cantonese speaker. Others have also pointed out that the Chinese elements feel more like set-dressing for the aesthetic, such as the liberal use of incense burners and talismans, objects that hold religious and cultural significance to Chinese people.  

That being said, I disagree. While there are obvious areas for improvement, I think many people overlook one key factor that separates appropriation and appreciation; intent. It’s obvious that this game is a love letter to action cinema, but more specifically to Hong Kong action cinema. The numerous references to classic Hong Kong action films and the cinematic and satisfying combat that perfectly replicates the thrill of an expertly choreographed action sequence clearly reflects the developer’s passion for kung fu classics. The fact that they aren’t even Chinese makes it more impressive that they were able to accomplish this, considering there aren’t any locally made action games that managed to gain an international audience. As Hong Kongers, we should be proud that there are people overseas that appreciate our culture so much they were inspired to create something of their own. It’s so cool to see big budget games that feature HK like Shadowrun: Hong Kong (Tactical RPG), Sleeping Dogs (GTA in HK), the upcoming Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown (Driving game set in a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island). That being said, it’s high time that we start representing our own culture again. I’d love to see more locally made games featuring HK elements become international hits, fingers crossed!

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