#IT’S JUST A NEW WAY FOR CAPTIALISM

[toughtink]

i hate ai art i hate ai art I HATE AI ART

[ghostsprobably]

Hello sorry for the inconvenience I just wanted a clarification on your winx au to understand how you place the realms

No inconvenience i'm sorry it took me so long to answer this!!!!!

I've posted the map I made a couple of times but i never really went that in depth about what i did to the places themselves. Well I mean I did but that's in a notebook somewhere and didn't ever actually get posted lmao sorryyyy

Okay so! I'm going to try formatting it as straight forward as I can, but it's still gonna be long as hell. Also there's some things I can't quite remember so I'll come back and update this when I find them in that notebook

Earth - Regular Earth where we live

Magix - The name of the planet where everyone that isn't from earth lives; It is very similar to earth in every way other than having magic; I might have people from this planet be called magicians, alongside people from earth being called earthlings.

COUNTRIES

Solaria - One of the major world super powers of Magix. A massive kingdom with happy citizens and generally good quality of life. Capital is Soletres which sits along the coastline of a massive bay, the capital city is surrounded by desert as you leave the coast. The south most shore is quite marshy and the northern most border is mountains, with lots of different kinds of terrain in between. Though King Radius and Former Queen Luna divorced many years ago, Luna is still a prominent figure in politics. Princess Stella is a beloved icon of her people.

Eraklyon - Another major super power. Shares some of its western border with Solaria and extends east to the coast. A very mountainous country, with some areas of plains to the south. Capital is ________. Quite a different vibe from Solaria, Eraklyon is heavily militarized with a sizable class divide. Much of the country lives in poverty. King Erendor and Queen Samara are proud, stubborn rulers (and parents). Prince Sky is largely a mystery to the public.

Andros - Though not quite as enormous as the last two, still quite a powerful kingdom as they are rich in resources. Also in control of Lightrock Penitentiary, a highly secure prison on an small island to the north. The main island of Andros was created by a massive, now extinct volcano. The bowl is now an enormous lake that is connected to the ocean via giant rivers and canals, this is where the capital city, _________, is located. Andros is a semi aquatic kingdom, a merge of two civilizations that were once at war, and as such there is a secondary royal family that resides off the coast of the main island. They are secondary in power to the main royal family, comprised of King Neptune, Queen Ligea, and Princess Aisha.

Dominoe - By the time of our story, this kingdom has long since fallen. All that remains of this once flourishing nation is abandoned ruins nestled in the snowy mountains north of Eraklyon. After the fall of Dominoe, Eraklyon actually tried to take over it's territory, but found the landscape to be far too harsh to settle. The captial city of Sparks is now a ghost town, or is it?

CITIES

Linphea - A very small city in the forests of Solaria. Populated by both civilians and acolytes as this city is the location of the Sacred Garden of the Mother Dragon. It is said to be where she first landed on Magix and is a holy site full of secrets.

Melody - A destination city in the south of Solaria. A cultural hub filled to the brim with tourists. This bustling city is always buzzing with passion, and it's where Musa's parents met and she was born.

Zenith - A densely packed city in the north west of Eraklyon, just within its border with Alfea and close to Red Fountain. This city is a hot spot for tech and engineering. Despite being a bustling city that never sleeps, this is ironically one of the more socially relaxed parts of Eraklyon, and people are a lot more welcoming here than other parts of the country.

Dyamond - This is a spoiler!

Gardenia - Bloom's hometown on earth, now located just outside of New York City because that's the area I'm familiar with and that'll make it a lot easier for me to write for.

OTHER

Alfea - Elite fairy College north of Linphea, near the Solarian border with Eraklyon but on the Solarian side.

Cloud Tower - College for witches just north of Solaria's border in a small country I don't have a name for yet, and to the west of Alfea. One of the few schools for witches across Magix, allegedly where the practice was founded.

Red Fountain - Military academy to the east of Alfea, past the border into Eraklyon.

Lightrock Penitentiary - a highly secure prison on an small island to the north of the main island of Andros

Light Hope Monastery - Home to peaceful monks who tend to the island on which Lightrock Penitentiary is located. Sometimes prisoners with excellent behavior can be granted a sort of parole and allowed to live amongst the monks. It is also kind of like rehab.

Omega Penitentiary - the most brutal prison in all of magix, where the worst magical offenders of all time are kept in crystalline prisons designed by the Great Dragon herself.

I think that's just about everything I've cooked up so far!!

[silent-raven13]

This, right here!

Hobie shouting out loud to everyone in the meeting room: Everyone! Everyone! Shut up and look at me!

Miles: Bae... -Miles looked confused at his punker boyfriend up on the meeting table with his heavy boots covered in mud-

Miguel scowls: Brown get off of the table!

Hobie stomps his boot on the table: You can't make me! Just shut up and listen to me! -Spider-punk huffs-

Jess crosses her arms: I wonder what new Anti-capitalist thing he's gonna say. -she groans with Hobie's antics-

Peter shrugs: Maybe this time he's trying to get the newcomers to not join Spider Society.

Kaine sips his coffee sitting on the chair: Come on, Hobs! Your dirtying my newspaper!

Ben: It was a good Garfield comic strip, too. -he pouted-

The newcomers look confused as they look up at the famous Spider-punk. Gwen sighs: Hobie, we're really busy today!

Pavtri: Yeah, my dude! I gotta show the newcomers to their assigned groups!

Hobie huffs: Look at you! Is this what's all about? Being controlled and following directions? This is what the Government wanted you to be doing, this is how dictatorship gets you! We need anarchy to break the cycle and-

Miguel snap: Get to the point, Brown!

Hobie: Ahh suck ya muthers teet, mate! -Scowling at the leader of HQ for being interrupted-

Miguel sneered before Miles got between: Guys. Guys! Chill! -He turns to his boyfriend- Bae, maybe... you know I love hearing your speech on Fascism and the Destruction of Captialism, but maybe, you could get to the point this time? Hmm, please, mi amor. -When in doubt always have Miles to calm down the easily anger Punker. Miguel blink in surprise how quick Hobie turns pink and happy-

Hobie's eyes soften at his Sunflower: Okay luv! Kiss? -he bends down to receive a peck on the lips from his beautiful Sunflower- Love you!

Miles giggles: Love you, too!

Spider-punk stood back up: Listen up! I got set of rules to not mess with me! Three basic rules! Rule 1: Don't disrespect me! -He pulled out of his guitar- Rule 2: Don't force me into crap I don't wanna do! -Then he took another heavy step- RULE 3! This is the most important rule! And I swear if any of you fuckin' wankers break this rule, I will kill you! -He picks up Miles with ease into bridal style by surprised-

Miles gasps: HOBIE!

Gwen and Pav were cracking up seeing this while everyone looked at Spider-Punk.

Hobie went on: This, right here! Is me Sunflower! Hurt him or disrespect him in any way possible- even going on missions where you betray him! I will hunt you down and kill you! -He nuzzle his boyfriend being protective- Don't break these rules and we'll get along fine, right Sunflower!

Miles cover his face being super bashful and embarrassed by his Spider-Punk. Thing like this are romantic but too much for him. Miguel only rolled his eyes: yes, we know! Now, get down, Brown!

[kayssweetdreams]

Maestro Hiccups 3: Chaos Incarnate Ch 64

"Let's go and find Mei." You say. Looking in the map, you see a small yellow dot in a small portion of the universe that read "PLU" "Um...Balan? What does PLU mean?" Leo asks. "I must say, I don't know. But if Mei is there, that's where you must go." Balan says.

"Allow me! I can open a portal there right now!" The Collector said, snapping his fingers and making a star shaped portal appear. "OK...Let's go." You say as the three of you jump in to the new world to find Mei. When you pop back out of the portal, you find yourself in a large city near the sea. "Huh. I guess Balan's hiccups didn't hit this place yet." Leo says. "Which is why we need to hurry and find Mei." You say.

The kids nod as you begin to walk into town. You know that finding Mei might be a bit harder than finding Kaylo (at least her hair was bright neon pink, that made it easier to try and find her in another world) But in a large sprawling city, Mei would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But you can't give up, you need to find Mei so that you can complete the cure and stop Balan's chaotic magic from destroying the fabric of reality.

Emma sees a small sign that gives you a clue of where you are "Welcome to Blossom Bay, California. The Gaming Captial of the World. " It says. "I guess this is where Mei landed...but what on earth could PLU mean?" Leo ask. "I don't know, but we better start looking. The sooner we find Mei, the sooner we can get out of here before Balan's Hiccups hi-" You're cut off by accidentally bumping into someone. "Oh! I'm sorry!" A voice says above you.

You look up to see a kind looking girl wearing star themed clothing standing above you. "I didn't mean to bump into you!" She says, helping you back up "It's OK. No harm done." You say, dusting yourself off. "Are you new in town?" She asked. "Uh...Yeah. you could say that." You say "Well then. Welcome to Blossom Bay. I'm Celestia." She says with a smile "I'm Y/N. And that's Leo and Emma." You tell her.

"It's nice to meet you! I hope that you enjoy your time here in Blossom Bay." She says. She turns to walk away, but you quickly run after her. If she was a local, maybe she could help find Mei. "H-Hey! I actually wanted to ask you something!" You tell her, grabbing her shoulder before she leaves. "OK! What do you need?" Celestia asked. "Have you seen a girl named Mei anywhere? Black hair, brown eyes, has a lotus flower in her hair." You say, describing Mei as best as you can.

Celestia slowly shakes her head "I...don't exactly know anyone with that description, but I can help you look." She says. You give a smile "Thank you." You say. You're about to regroup with Leo and Emma before your eyes catch something in her bag...it looked to be a plush from that one game series...what was it, with the pink little guy that floated on a star.

Either way, in her bag, you noticed that it seemed to...slightly move. In fact, you could have sworn that it blinked after a few seconds. You feel the pull of curiosity as your eyes lock onto the funny little "toy."

Mei, Blossom Bay, Celestia, and PLU belong to @sundove88

[sea-owl]

Building off my Transmitgation/Isekai'd modern Kate idea:

What if the watchers were the Greek gods from your au!???

Like idk one fo the siblings/spouses got bored one immortal day and thought it'd be funny drop an incarnation of Kate in another dimension and watch what happens. Only their caught by someone else and it eventually becomes a WHOLE thing where the siblings or spouse groups start getting invested in this new form of drama 🤣😂😂

GodAnthony being insulted that some of his siblings reckon ModKate should end up with Dorset (mostly just to fucj with him)

Meanwhile poor ModKate is being flooded with text boxes of the Gods bickering 😂🤣🤣

So the way I can see it going down is that ABC wives made a bet with DEF husbands that started the whole sending them as modern selves to the Regency era. But of course, their simp husbands could not be away from their wives that long, and soon, the whole family was getting invested in the drama.

Of course the siblings got to fuck with their older brothers.

"Kate should get Dorset!"

"That Henry fellow looks like he be a good fit for Sophie."

"Ooooh, Odysseus got some moves. Penelope should jump on that."

It's driving gods Anthony, Benedict, and Colin insane.

"My wife will clearly choose me again!"

"But she didn't choose you the first time. You chose her, and then proceeded to harass / kidnap her until she said yes."

Poor Kate, Sophie, and Penelope are flooded with text boxes. The most annoying ones were trying to push them towards the Captial R Rake Viscount, the nude artist, and the flighty traveler.

They'll look at the three, unknown to them, regency era versions of their husbands and be like, "Why?"

[system-of-a-feather]

Ughhhh. So this whole transitory period has us with a very loose schedule and very low "solid" time markers to ground us in the space time continuum - which isn't BAD necessarily, cause we are actually feeling overall pretty decent, dysphoria aside, but literally just here with REALLY heavy de-realization and sense of time is like, non-existent. It's something that doesn't distress us that much cause we got used to it over the years and it's nothing more than a feeling and I trust that we are doing the right shit cause I'm just following the plan from before but god the lack of a clear time frame and all fucks with the OCD, the OCPD, the trauma brain, and the autistic brain and I'm almost literally wanting a job SOLELY for someone to give our week schedule some structure - not for money, not for experience - mainly just for some structure XD Like that'll definitely 180 but Im just like "dude literally give me any job I just want something to do to build my day around" and its also resulted in XIV being like "yeah but don't start falling for capitalism slave jobs either you dumb bitch" and I'm just like UGH BUT THIS IS MISERABLE

... for the record I've been on break for *checks notes* two days and *checks notes* have had interviews every day.

I'm also 95% sure this is such a dissociative period for me also cause I'm in that awkward phase of fusion with Data / Riku TM where you are both, aren't both, and are getting used to whatever new version this is and like... both Data and Riku TM were HORRIBLE with work-life balances in separate ways.

I'm like "Hey XIV Imma go subject myself to capitalistic self torture like I was made and trained to do ✨ //^w^// ✨" and then his commie ass looks at me like "-_- Bro I get which parts you are now but cease we're commies stop it get some help" and Im like "whaaaaat?????? I am not- OH SHIT YOU RIGHT"

Like fuck man its so fucking hard to unlearn and deprogram this shit. Like really glad I have Mr. Johnny Silverhand who Doesn't Shut Up About Captialism Being Shit over there to call me out whenever Im about to do learned trauma-behaviors but man.

*shakes the world* GIVE ME WORK PAY ME NOTHING ITS FINE JUST GIVE ME WORK REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - //gets shot by XIV for being a capitalist tool//

-Riku

[henbased]

🔥 + fallout don't be shy

picking up on your "new vegas fans are annoying about their game", god are they. and new vegas is a great game! i think it's the best written game and i do love it a lot, but god. the fans are really. something.

who cares if someone likes fallout 3 or fallout 4 or fallout 76 more. this may shock some nv fans but different people like different things. my favorite game is 3. do i think its the best? no. but is it the most homey? the most comforting? do i like the story way more? do i connect with it 100x more than nv? do i like the world better? yes yes yes yes yes yes. new vegas is good but it's not what i want in a game and some fans, yes the annoying dudebros but even just other people on here, are so wrapped up in their own uppity nonsense that they can't understand other people liking other games more and get so up in their own ass about it, to the point where they look down on other fans for liking a game that is not new vegas.

something something new vegas fans need a lesson on kindness and that other people will have opinions that wont align with theirs.

also the captial wasteland and boston is insanely cooler than the mojave desert (sans the divide)

[frobin]

Also, Jinbe is near Robin I think, since both Jinbe and Robin stayed behind , so she will probably be protected by Jinbe from Green Bull since he seems to be heading towards the party which almost everyone is attending. Big brawl happens and the big hitters are already there so the attention is not on her and she can be safe from everybody. What do you think will happen at the party since Green Bull is intending to crash it?

I love that Jinbe stayed behind. Be it either because he doesn't want Robin to be alone (not sure if that is the case) or because he wanted to show his appreciation to the cook.

Either way he is just a gentleman like that.

But yeah, Robin is not alone and also right now under the castle it seems, maybe even a hidden room? At least some kind of prison.

So let's hope she is safe for now. But also Green Bull/Ryokugyu/Aramaki seems like a menace.

I don't like him.

I looked once more at the panel in which he makes his appearance. Seems like he can grow roots and suck the liquids out of bodies. Well, that is new (she said not really convinced).

To be 100% honest... I hope that he gets distracted by food, booze and women and the pirates all manage to flee because that maniac just beat down all the performers with no struggle.

As a reader, there is something disfactory to let people fail right after a win. Like, let them enjoy their freedom for some time before you send them back into the reality of a cruel world. Especially for the people of Wano… don't think it would work out too well for the people of Wano if they now start to fight in the captial. Plus they just got rid of one dictator and whoop, there is the WG. Poor people……… And even though our dear pirate captains are now back to full strenght and stronger (bc that is how this level up thing works), I am quite certain they will avoid the conflict and run.

It would fit former arcs if the get away. It's been part of the narrative since Lougetown.

So yeah, that is what I think will happen. They get away but I wonder which Marine ship will make an appearance... I sure hope for Smoker.

[jeanhm]

Papamoa and East Cape

6 days planned in Papamoa and the last 2 we are meeting up with UK friends also travelling in NZ. The travelled down from Coromandel quite quickly as thre was little to see on route and arrived at Papamoa at lunchtime. our accommodation wasn't quite as planned so we have swapped accommodation to have 3 nights in one lodge and 3 in another - no hassle for us who have been moving frequently. Luckily although we are adjoing the new huts being constructed the workers are not there over the weekend so we had 3 quiet days and now have moved to the beach front.

We spent our first evening on the beach with a glorious sunset just like I remember them looking towards the Mount. our first advanture out was to Te Puke. Sadly the kiwi experience Kiwi 360 has closed and moved and only now opens for cruise visitors! Te Puke is the kiwi fruit captial of NZ but no matter where we looked there were no farm gate sales anywhere anymore which is such a shame. We travelled down as far as Lqke Rotorua before heading back to Whakatane for a late lunch and on the way back did manage to find a farm shop selling berries, avocado and feijoas but still no kiwi fruit in kiwi fruit country!

Our second day adventure was out to Cape Runaway. this was a long coastla drive east from Whakatane towards the far eastern end of NZ and we made it as far as Cape Runaway. This part of North Isalnd is very heavily Maori with this meeting halls and schools evident with amazing carved gateways. we also found the little church on the promentary at Raukokore which I think is in a stunning location out on the rocks - its very photogenic!

We have then spent two days just relaxing and enjyouing the weather at Papamoa. We have sat by the pool, drunk coffee in the local bar and read on our patio overlooking the sea. I have even been in swimming twice and although cold, its not as cold as UK. Today I was up just as the sun rose which was very pretty and It was actually really nice to go for a swim before breakfast today with Sally and Dan.

Here are some pictures mainly of our trip to East Cape and of the beach at Papamoa. Today we are planning to climb up Mount Maunganui.

[ryderdire]

As for my personal opinion aside from my crack fallout 5 will take place in Huston theory ima go through the common ideas in the fandom and give my thoughts I doubt I’ll actually post this but eh

London: I saw this theory and I went YES! I know fallout rarely steps foot out of the USA but honestly I really think London could be a great way to step outside of the us with our allinating the player base to much, plus it opens up later possibilities for fun lore expansion and other countries which I want so bad

New York:

Okay honestly I think New York might be a bit redundant it feels to close to Boston and there’s not alot of new or internesting territory, that being said I do think it’s the most likely it could be interesting but I am a little tired of the city and suburbs vibe.

Alaska

I gotta admit next to London and New Orleans this is my favorite concept. Maybe it’s just cuz i think Alaska is cool. And because it opens the possibility of a Canada dlc, plus given its physical location it’s likely discontinued from the rest of America which could be another fun way to explore the concept of other countries then the USA plus i think Alaska has some lore somewhere which could be fun.

San Francisco

feels redundant to me personally though could be interesting, maybe more Kellogg stuff idk.

New Orleans

Yes yes hair for the vibes alone the jazz music the Trollys the HISTORY please I need this. There is one problem though it’s tiny. For it to work I think we’d have to have more of the surrounding cities

Huston:

Okay full disclosure I live in Texas and it’s basically the only reason I want a game there but I do have some other points,

Mexico plays a big role in the resource wars having a state bordering it could be a really interesting way to explore what it’s been since the captials collapse,

NASA

Another big one and the main reason I want Huston instead of say Austin. Fallout with all its advanced technology yet 1950s vibes has yet really to DO much with the great space race nasa and the like, with the institute in shambles and the enclave gone I’m willing to bet the next evil group of scientists could be from NASA. Especially given the whole moon war thing plus with the aliens mostly absent from fallout 4 it could be a FUN return to form to have them get at least a side quest or dlc with nasa.

Also being honest a space settlement would be so fucking cool even if it’s abandoned

[xx-poetry-witch-xx]

I FUCKING HATE PAYWALLS ON NEWS SOURCES!!!!!

This is why people today are so ignorant on what's going on in the world. Yeah, the internet is free, but I can't read a single fucking article from a reputable news source without paying for it. This is why we're so polarized because the only sources for the fucking news we have are the free, uncredited sources. Are there ways to work around it? Yeah absolutely, however someone just looking to look isn't gonna work that hard for it. They're gonna read the free stuff and get misinformed.

FUCK captialism.

FUCK paywalls.

We are a classist fucking society that doesn't give a fucking SHIT about the people who live here.

[sem1-stuff]

Final Rationale

About Te Kūiti

Te Kūiti is a rural town located in the north of the King Country region, with a population of 4,670 people as of June 2022. The hearty town is famous for being the ‘Shearing Captial of the World’ and annually hosts the New Zealand National Shearing Championships around late March and early April. This event attracts more than 270 shearers and handlers that compete against each other. 

In line with the Shearing Championships was also a local event called ‘The Great New Zealand Muster,’ which celebrates the involvement of sheep in the town’s economy and culture. During the event, the town gets packed with locals and visitors at heaps of stalls, from food to rock climbing to catching a ride on a horse carriage. The highlight was the ‘Running of the Sheep,’ where everyone got the chance to see hundreds of woolly or shorn sheep run and hop along through Te Kuiti’s main street (Rora Street) up close! 

Sadly, the Waitomo District Council has decided to no longer hold the iconic ‘Running of the Sheep.’ 

Final Rationale (300 - 400)

For the first two and a half years of living in Auckland, from 2020 to 2022, I felt super homesick and missed my hometown Te Kūiti a whole bunch since that was where I grew up and because I missed the countryside dearly. I love to incorporate my hometown and childhood into my designs because it serves as an appealing way of showing my memories and vision of Te Kūiti. 

Whenever  think of home, I think about what made me happy there. One of them was being at the ‘The Great New Zealand Muster’ and seeing all the cute sheep run and hop along the main street. Because of this happy memory and Te Kūiti being the ‘Shearing Capital of the World,’ I wanted to find a typeface that encapsulates the look of woolly and shorn sheep at the Muster and be visually appealing and experimental as I would be working with it for my project, and I found just the one.

Omnes, designed by Jordan Darden and Darden Studio, is the typeface which perfectly encapsulates my vision as the perfect font for my project. The soft rounded, rectangular curves are like the fluffy wool ready to be sheared from a sheep. While the sharp edges and some of the terminals with a sharp corner on one side and a round corner on the other evoke the sheared rows that are left on the sheep during and after shearing.  

Growing up and nowadays, I like to show a bubbly exterior as it makes me happy and others around me happy, but sometimes it's a bit tough to always be bubbly, so I'd also have a more stern exterior. In the sense of typeface, I love bubble letters and doodling them; however, some of them would have accidental sharp corners, and I think Omnes embraces that design aspect into a more developed typeface.  

[dungeons-plus-dumbasses]

L'Espionage - Campaign Break Down

Espionage is the absolute GENIUS solution that one of my DM's came up with to not everyone being able to attend every session and us having friends that wanted to join, etc.

Basically, L'Espionage is a series of spy/recon based one shots that are connected through plot but that don't necessarily require you to attend every session!

Everyone is apart of an underground rebellion that is working on gathering intel to slowly destroy the nobility that has been unjust to the people of the city.

A lot of our players love it, because it gives them a chance to try out new characters every now and then that they couldn't otherwise play.

Though we do have a few consistent characters:

Ingrid (Me pt 1): Ingrid is who I fondly refer to as my Prostitute Wizard. She is a kalashtar enchantment wizard who grew up in an orphan never being good enough in anything to make a name for herself or go anywhere, she was simply pretty. So she started using that to her advantage, and dabbled in magic, and began to charm shop keeps to survive once she aged out of the orphanage. She was discovered by a powerful sorcerer, Lycus Maddox, who is the owner of the biggest entertainment house in the Captial, Maddox's House of Revelry — a strange mix between a Cirque-de-Soleil show and a brothel. He took in Ingrid, trained her in aerial acrobatics made her, her top performer and *cough* lady of the night. Ingrid was happy at first but soon realized that Lycus wasn't keeping any of his promises and that she was more trapped than ever. She burned down the brothel and ran away, seeking work on the streets until she eventually joined the Rebellion as their distraction, negotiation, and intel expert.

Cupid Rosenheart: (I think that's his last name): a noble elf bard and certified Ingrid simp. Cupid is the youngest son of a Noble House that focuses on make up, perfumes and aesthetics. He's not the closest with his family and longs to perform, so he often sneaks out to taverns where he performs and hopes to find his one true love. This is exactly where he met Ingrid. He spotted her while he was on stage and she was walking around the tavern, trying to get a client, and was fell in love instantly. Though Ingrid doesn't believe in love due to her upbringing and constantly brushes off his antics, Cupid is not one to give up. Slowly, Ingrid has begun to warm up to him and now, more than anything else, Cupid just hopes he can help Ingrid break free from her current life style and be happy.

Dorian: Dorian is a changeling rogue who works for a separate spy guild as well as the Rebellion. As Dorian himself, he is very logical, charming, deceptive and quick thinker. He's creative and tends to be the plan maker of the group. However, with every mask that he changes into, he shifts his personality a little each time.

Astoria (Me pt 2): As Ingrid was recently kidnapped for three months and is currently recovering (story time later) DM asked me to use a different character while she is out of commission. I brought with me Astoria, a water genasi phantom rogue who isn't entirely sane. She tends to appear overly bubbly, but that is merely a way for her to cope with constantly hearing the whispers of the dead. In reality, she is angry and vengeful for the death of her father and has became a cryptid of sorts to sailors while she was a hermit in the ocean when she would sick nobility ships and rob navy vessels.

There are a shit ton of other character that come in and out of our plot and but I shall explain those as they come up.

Espionage Story Time Masterlist

[neokonewman]

Tangled frames the conflict between Varian and his dad as all Varian's fault because he screws up. But was it more than that? We see Quirin roll his eyes at Varian when he gets excited about traveling with him to see the King. He was embarrassed by the display. Do you think Quirin was disappointed in Varian's overall personality as well?

When it comes to that scene specifically, Quirin rolling his eyes at Varian’s enthusiasm isn’t really my gripe with his character arc, though it does help highlight it. Just analyzing that scene alone, it’s not an completely unreasonable reaction, although pretty sad considering what follows it. Varian canonically has a reputation of being the dangerous “wizard” of Old Corona. Not too long ago, Varian caused numerous earthquakes and a sizable explosion. I wouldn’t be surprised if news of his invention malfunctioning (although completely not Varian’s fault that time) has reach Quirin’s ears. With all there factors in mind as well as knowing Quirin’s role as leader figure in Old Corona, it’s honestly understandable of him wishing his well intended son didn’t attract so much attention to himself. Again, though it’s not a completely evil thing for a parent and child to not be on the same page and be embarrassed and/or a bit ashamed of each others’ behavior in a public place. Is there any of us that didn’t roll their eyes at our parents doing a specific moment, and vice versa?

However, the scene does help illustrate Quirin’s actual failings in his parenting. He doesn’t really take Varian’s feelings into consideration. Rather than take offense to his little eye roll, I’m more sadden by Varian’s obvious joy in being a part of his father’s plans to travel to the captial for aid, only to be left behind at the very last second. Us viewers are made pretty aware that Quirin had Varian tag along as his way of keeping an eye on his son, but to Varian, who has been well established to want to prove his worth and want to help in anyway he can, saw it as his father putting trust in him during an important situation. The dude was all ready to make a game plan in his and his father’s appeal to the king. Unfortunately, Quirin never had any intentions of Varian even entering the throne room, and Varian is just left to which as his father seemingly blatantly lie to the king while their home is dying.

Again, Quirin’s distrust in Varian is understandable to an extent. Quirin witnessed the black rocks destroy his previous home, and now he has has even more to lose than just his home with his reckless son purposely putting himself in the rocks’ destructive path. he loses a lot of reason points in the scene in the hallway. Varian is understandably upset at his father’s actions and lies. When Quirin just tells (almost orders) Varian to trust him, Varian rightfully points out how unreasonable it is to ask for trust when he just lied in court over such a serious issue. Instead of giving Varian any sort of reassurance or reasoning, Quirin chooses to shut Varian down through intimidation. Once again Quirin casts aside his son’s feelings in favor of just doing what he thinks is best, but this decision is what costs both Varian and Quirin a lot.

In Varian’s eyes, his father has been proven to be untrustworthy, so he begins to go behind his back to solve the problem with the rocks. In Quirin’s attempts at discouraging his son’s involvement with the rocks, all he really accomplished is Varian messing with the rocks without any valuable warnings or even supervision. The later argument between the two once Varian is caught just further illustrates how Quirin’s refusal to communicate has only driven his son away right up until the amber incident happens, and both are left to the mercy of the plot.

Varian and Quirin’s relationship is clearly meant to run parallel with Rapunzel and Frederic’s relationship in S1. Two fathers letting their past trauma dictate their actions at the detriment their relationship with their kids. At first it’s understandable that Rapunzel resolved her and Frederic’s baggage first not only due to Quirin’s fossilization, but to get the story to move forward to the season long quest. Unfortunately, because the show later undermines the conflict between Varian and Quirin, it retroactively sours Rapunzel and Frederic resolution into more bias pandering. When Rapunzel takes a stand against her father, she gets an explanation for his actions, an apology, and a promise for things to be better in the future (which honestly doesn’t really happen, but I disgress). However, when Varian takes a stand for himself against his father’s wishes, he is put through the ringer, gets no real apologies or explanations on screen from anyone, and just gets a shallow “I’m proud of you son.”

Even though Varian desired validation from Quirin, it wasn’t the only issue between the two of them. Varian’s recklessness and Quirin’s secrets is what caused the actual conflict and is never truly addressed. In my opinion, Quirin is a worst father than he was in S1, because you can make the argument that he at least did the effort to check on his son’s physical well being. In S3, he is just reduced to a father that just farms around as his son is actively put in dangerous situations. I’m sure the show didn’t intend to make Quirin’s character worse by the end of the series, but that’s just what happens when a show fails to follow through with their narrative promises; the intent gets lost and message gets sloppy.

[machinesandman]

Sentence Meme: Random oneliners said in discord

A collection of one liners and funny quotes that have been said on a Discord server. Send one in for a character!

“[INSERT NAME] you use the tub too! Thus it is OUR tub.”

“ Food for three? Food for me :) “

"HE DOESN'T DESERVE PINSTRIPES"

“Yup I've just become a one man shaken martini of excitement.”

"The Bottom Discourse"

“I knew this was going to happen and this is a sacrifice I am willing to make.”

"We'll steal cows from those captial cucks."

"Our trauma is our glue~!" 

“The 20th century was the "fuck around" century. The 21st is the "find out" century.”

“THE NEXT GROUP OF DUMB TEENAGERS WHO COME IN AND WRECK MY SHOP WITH THEIR SPEED TASTINGS IS GONNA GET SHIVED!”

“My cheeks feel funny. My face ones.”

“Oh no, I’m too himbo for this.”

“MEAT KEG”

“But what if it breaks?!”

“It’s okay, I’ll buy a new coffin.”

“Come back you marshmallow fuck-”

“Prepare to get pumpkin spiced BINCH.”

“With respect: Fuck you, in the most loving way.”

“I recognize those bags under the eyes. One's Prada, the other's Gucci.“

“Oh my god what a good determined baby!“

“MR PRESIDENT, ITS AN EMERGENCY YOUR YAOI HANDS ARE GETTING WORSE!!”

“They are always all over me and wants my skeleton bones.”

“These hands are rated E for Everyone.”

“Get the holly jolly FUCK outta my house.“

“You have a whole NEST of grenades!”

“O-KAY ASSHOLE!”

“That's the power of the Ocean Man.”

“I NEED YOU TO HELP ME FIND A BODY!”

“... Surprised that you ask me to FIND a body rather than HIDE one, weird flex but okay.“

“Baby I’ll rotate your molecules.“

“[NAME] punches me in the face, obliterating me instantly“

“[NAME]'s classier than that. They are an escort.”

“Look as an aro I ship like fedex.“

“He’s not MY Himbo!”

“The new proud owner of a haunted house.”

“You cretin. You absolute feral cretin. What raised you?”

“I’M. NOT. THE. PROTAGONIST! I DON’T WANNA BE!”

“ I am a free range organic grown adult.”

“No, you’re not a glowstick. Stop cracking like one.”

“ Who doesn't love pain and misery? “

“We can’t keep doing this.”

[ghooostbaby]

I see so often this argument about resisting captialism in art by doing it because its fun, instead of focusing on production, "being good", or making profit. And I'm not sure about this, I mean if you want to approach art as a hobby and just do it only if its fun, by all means. But when I find art challenging or painful, I get told by people that its internalized capitalism and it should always be fun for me. And that's annoying haha. Something I've loved about the danmei cultivation novels I've read is the way the perfection of their craft is always so central. It goes hand in hand with most of the romances. (And as a side note: sports animes omg.) In the novels I've read, martial arts is a pursuit of a practise that can be grueling and difficult sometimes, that I don't think any character I've seen claims they do to "have fun". But its not for profit or capitalistic productivity either. Its worthy in and of itself, it satisfies some personal need, although certainly gives them joy. I wonder how much of capitalist sentiment it is to impose such a hard binary between leisure and work, where all time that is not spent in wage labour has to always be 100% pleasurable, devoid of tension. I deeply desire skill, to be good at something. Seeing these characters so devoted to perfecting their skill and achieving mastery of a craft is so satisfying. I love the part where Shen Qiao suddenly sees a street performer that inspires him for a new martial arts technique and he abandons Xie Ling at the restaurant and goes off to cultivate, forgetting everything else. I love Hua Cheng in a fervour carving imperfect (as he thinks) statues of Xie Lian until he can finally do immaculate work. There's the feeling when its good, when your art carries you away. And there's so much time where its challenging, where you might suffer, and that's worthwhile too.