#There are cultural references in most of them

[professionalchaoticdumbass]

rating popular community words and terms for trans women & transfems

trans woman/trans girl: basically perfect, obviously does not apply to everyone but that's fine. 10/10

transfem: also pretty good, includes people who don't want to be called women/girls. 10/10

tgirl: i'm on the fence with this one sometimes because it's a reclaimed porn term and sometimes it feels really weird hearing it from other transfems constantly, but it is also kinda nice and feels short and snappy to say. that being said 80% of the word is "girl" so it's not like it's misgendering. 8/10

doll: this one has a long history in black ballroom culture but has recently been dug up by white transfems. modern usage e.g. "protect the dolls" gives me a bit of the ick. i don't feel seen by it. has a nice air of transhumanism and reclamation around it. 6.5/10

brick: i've only seen this one recently and it seems to refer to non-passing/masculine trans girls? might've started as an insult but been reclaimed? seems to be a response to "doll". i don't know much about it but it feels like 4chan's "hon" without the attached stigma of that term. 5/10

MtF: a lot of people have issues with this one because of its age, exclusion of nonbinary people, and most importantly the M part. while some of these are valid concerns, personally i think it's overhated, and it has a long long history of being used with love. it also has an F in there to gender us correctly which is more than i can say for a certain other three letter acronym. 7/10

MtX: dislike this one more because it feels like it places more emphasis on the M, due to the X being applicable to other groups of people, doesn't have the same long history as MtF. 4/10

tranny: this one has a funny history. it started as a community term in australia iirc, then got slur-ified by cishets (because everything to do with us is derogatory to them), then it's getting reclaimed back. i like it a lot surprisingly, it has a nice bite to it and feels almost rebellious. not really exclusive to us but theres been a strong transfem-specific association since the beginning. sends cis people into a meltdown when you say it. 5/10-9/10 depending on how i feel

TMA: god i hate this one. it's not the popular horror podcast, in this context it stands for "transmisogyny affected" and is part of a really gross, reductive way of looking at transmisogyny. feels like a microaggression. it literally degenders us who the fuck thought this was a good idea. 1/10

boymoder: i understand this derives from "boymoding" (presenting masc for safety while closeted) but the nounified version is gross. why are you calling vulnerable trans women boys. 3/10

girltwink: dont know how popular this one actually is, feels fetish-y but is clearly a reclamation, mostly used by skinny white post-transition folks who want to seem genderfuck. 6/10

hon: 4chan trans slang for someone who can't pass. the irony of a feminine-sounding term for this purpose honestly hurts more than boymoder or brick. 2/10

passoid: yeah i'm sure you can guess where this is from. anything referring to a person and ending with "-oid" is gross. 1/10

egg: this one is different because you can't really use it as self-identification that much. it refers to a trans woman or transfem who hasn't realized their own gender yet. gets HEAVILY misused on closeted and pre-transition people. only really applicable in hindsight or in third person. the reason for the name (egg cracks and a chick comes out) is cute as fuck. 7/10

[yewphoric]

Updated reference sheet for my beloved LDB, Ragnar! (he/it)

I'm so fucking happy with how this turned out!! Ragnar hasn't had a reference (or frankly a design) I've ever been truly happy with, but now it does!

I lightened its color scheme and added a few more details that I'm happy with, properly plotted out scars (and made the burn scar much more accurate, and better positioned imo), and gave it a casual outfit heavily inspired by @/sothasil 's Khajit fashion concept art. Specific post I used as inspo is here!

I'm also happy with his new weapons. Previously I'd just been using ebony war axes for his weapons, but I really like the idea of him getting them custom made. In keeping with Ragnar's very heavy Kyne association (which I'll talk a bit more about here in a sec), they have a sapphire core that catches the light and appears quite blue, and are enchanted with lightning magic.

As for the casual outfit, I wanted him to wear something that's a mash of Khajiit and Nord culture. Growing up in a caravan, Ragnar would have dressed like most Elsweyr-born Khajiit, which, going by the linked post, is typically just a tunic with a scarf. However, all of that clothing and such was destroyed when Alduin attacked Ragnar's caravan, and so it had to get new clothes. So, everything it wears is sourced from Skyrim, but tailored (by our resident tailor's son and Ragnar's qpp, Jenais) to be worn by a Khajiit, with more Khajiiti influence.

The amulet of Kyne was also hand-crafted! I like to think Ragnar carved the token himself, and then scavenged dragon teeth and hawk feathers for it. There's no enchantment on it, but it's spiritually very important to him because it represents his connection to Kyne. Hell, maybe Kyne has blessed it in some Moon-and-Star-esque way so that it grants a boon to Ragnar and Ragnar only.

Oh, and his burn scar! I've done much more research on burns and burn scars since his last reference sheet (2023....) and I made it more realistic. This injury occurred when Alduin destroyed the caravan and left Ragnar with a scar to remember him by (didn't kill him outright because he wanted to have an honorable battle). It took months to recover from, and Ragnar was made to do stretches and have massages frequently so that he could keep his range of motion. Exercise was also important to avoid muscle atrophy in such an important area. Even still though, the restoration magic couldn't completely fix it, and he suffers chronic pain that fluctuates day by day. It also frequently itches, and on certain days he can hardly move. I'm thinking about giving him mobility aids for those days potentially?? If anyone is more knowledgeable on that and has ideas for what kind of aids he could use, let me know!!

But yeah um. I'm so normal about him. My dragon kitty thing. Not sure if any of this rambling makes much sense (I never remember how much I've already shared about him here) but uh yeah!! I'm always open to questions about it, if anyone wants to know more :>

Oh, and shoutout to @oblivions-dawn for the screenshot I used for the background!

[lsunstreakerl]

Love how fmf has reached the point of no magic except:

- very fast horses

- win winreems and other creatures

- whatever powers fucking winreems gave to House Verstappen (or maybe House Kumpen since Jos seemed to be weirded out)

- pussy potion

Did I forget anything?

LOOOOOL so! fun fact! that I've been sitting on because i think it's mildly hilarious-

I lied :D but to address each point:

- yes they are very fast and magical and only occasionally get spooked by stupid things like leaves

- the winreems themselves aren't magical, but different parts of the world tend to have intense concentrations of different kinds of energies. best example in fmf is the northern mountains. I reference it in one of rico's povs, how they understand the northerners are just a little bit different- almost a sense of uncanny valley to see them in combat.

- sharp eye that it's actually from sophie's side of the family! for bureaucratic purposes, the "house" follows jos and his bloodline, as is custom for the kingdom. culturally however, their head family is the kumpen line. max and victoria are a special case where those two different lineages are now combined! which is another reason why max has such devotion back home (especially in comparison to jos, who is not part of the kumpen line and as such doesn't have that respect) ((also also- this is why max is more inclined to view "his people" separately from rico's regular kingdom, which leads to some of the conflicts rico experiences up at the mountains.))

- pussy potion lives on and strong.

nothing that you've forgotten, but a few other fun facts:

- those concentrations of energy I mentioned? not just in the mountains. there's a very large amount in the ocean just off of the southern coast of rico's territory...

- there's an additional concentration further east where saddik's stronghold is/was. unfortunately for him, he lost some of those abilities just a bit the further he got from the source. if they'd fought on his territory, max would have lost. (this same thing actually also happens to max- he's just a tiny bit duller back in the kingdom than he is in the mountains, but it's barely noticeable, especially compared to drop in performance saddik experienced.)

- there's also one not too terribly far from the castle! these different concentrations tend to showcase different "blessings", so to speak. for max, it manifests in the winreem traits (more on that in another post). off the coast in the ocean, it might allow for a different evolutionary path than most humans. for saddik, he was able to grow larger and hit harder than he logically should have been able too, but he was also exposed to the "castle" concentration when he was younger as well.

[cultkinkcoven]

hihi! i'm not asking to bash, just to understand: what is there to empathize with in a child rapist? i appreciate the take that all humans deserve at least basic empathy, but i'm just not quite sure what's left over to extend that sort of grace to after an act like that.

they did something evil and irredeemable (at least that's how i'd view it), they chose to commit the act, so what's left to understand and empathize with? is it remorse/regret/etc for their crime you're referring to?

thank you for your time :)

Thank you for asking a genuine and thought provoking question that is not a backhanded assumption or insult :)

Empathy is a word that means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathy does not mean kindness. Empathy does not mean justification, and empathy is not sympathy.

I feel absolutely no sympathy for predators in any form. I believe they should be subject to the harshest of punishments.

I do feel empathy though, for all people. It is very difficult to emphasize with a child rapist. It is very hard for me to understand how and why someone could possible do that to a child. It's not an easy task. It is a challenge, and it is a burden I take on because I am a Luciferian, because that is what my God asks of me.

I also understand that people are not born predators. I can empathize with a rapist and understand that maybe he has mental damage that makes him unable to understand what he's doing. I can understand that maybe he had an abusive upbringing, or I can understand that he was raised by men who taught him rape culture. I can understand that he does not respect women, that he does not have self control, I can empathize and understand that if I were him, I would be a danger to society.

I can understand these things, I can view him as a person with a back story. He is not a monster, he is a human being who did something heinous. And he should be punished as a human being who did something heinous.

But no, not like an animal, and no, not in any way that infringes upon his most basic human rights. I see no benefit in responding to violence with violence. I'm not going to rape a rapist. And I am not going to stoop to the level of abusing another person, even an abuser. I will not let myself stoop to their level, nor will I pretend their human life is void due to their actions.

This is not a satisfying or easy way to approach deplorable people. It is easiest to say "yeah he deserves to die," and it would feel better too.

But I am not here to do what is easy and comfortable. I believe that all people are deserving of empathy. Extending empathy is the only way to truly seek accountability.

I understand you, I understand why you did what you did, I understand everything that lead up to that action, and I understand the results of it. I can now determine that you deserve to serve retribution, just retribution that is appropriate for the crime. Not cruelty for the sake of my enjoyment, not cruelty because you were cruel first. Retribution and accountability. I will not become an abuser in retaliation to abuse. I refuse.

I will not excuse abusers and I will not enable them. I will empathize with them so I can effectively disarm them.

[kimquatz]

hiii! 1, 4, 7, 12, 17, and 20 for jishen!

Send me an OC name and a number to ask!

#12 has already been answered here!

What was the original thought that led to the creation of this character?

Jishen is actually supposed to be a VERY minor side character for my friend @ozmodai's hvswp-centric fantroll story! The story follows along the events of the unfolding Resistance movement on Alternia and exploring the idea that tealbloods do more than just legislative work but also general law enforcement and criminal justice. The main character, Rorzak, is a detective that comes to realize that trying to make a change from the inside to a corrupt justice system on a dystopian planet is much harder than it seems... I was really into the idea of a burgundy blood that communed with the dead that would help the teals with unresolved cases, and THUS... Jishen was born! heheh.

4. And reverse, which one of the four things did you struggle with the most?

I think what I struggled with the most is his motivation as a character or what he'd do "next." Since he was intended to simply be an "NPC," he was only supposed to serve a singular purpose and then eventually die off into obscurity LOL. But my friends liked him too much, so they wrangled him back into life and relevance ASKLJDA. Which, in a way, is almost appropriate for him how death seems to always follow him, but by mere miraculous chance he manages to still live.

7. What is an aspect of their appearance that you like the most?

I'm obsessed with his little ponytail, his stupid stubble, and his too many moles... it is moe......

17. Are there any motifs or symbols associated with the character? How are they represented, in their design, personality or in some other way?

Jishen is heavily associated with death, goats, and the Devil tarot card -- not in like a gothic or satanic way tho LOL, but in the way it represents temptation and self control. This is apparent in his goat horns and his lusus is also a four-eyed goat! His last name is also supposed to mean "black goat" in Chinese. He is also associated with the number 4, as it represents death/bad luck in most Sinic cultures but also to reference the fangxiangshi he was (very) loosely based on; Chinese exorcists who could "see in all four directions to dispel evil spirits." His glasses allude to this as a dumb "four eyes" joke LMAO.

20. Bonus question: share any additional thoughts, art, favourite scenes, anything you've been waiting for a chance to ramble about

OH MAN... What I really like about Jishen's character is his internal moral quandary whether he believes he's a "good" or "bad" person due to his complacency within the Alternian empire. Too scared to ever push the status quo because he's seen enough punishment of what has happened to others like him, he's witnessed and enabled terrible things to happen. Not that he doesn't feel guilty about it either, but it's ingrained into him to think it's not his place to act; to accept that's just the way of this world on Alternia. He's led to believe he has to prioritize himself if he wants any chance of living within his already short lifespan. "Better them than me."

Anyway, thank you for sending in so many questions!! As an apology for the hugeass text wall, have this old funny sketch of Jishen LOL

[wanderxdusk]

Shikoba's Stand (or abilities outside of the JJBA verse) - Black Thunder

Her abilities take on two forms depending on her mental state.

Above-World Phase: "Default", first form when stable:

Can summon two large canine specters (one white and one yellow). These canines have stony, Southeastern-styled heads, star-speckled bodies, and collars with Choctaw diamond motifs. They can fight in her stead, often using relentless thrashing with massive, heavy jaws. They can also be used as shields against some projectile attacks.

Another way of manifesting is morphing her arms as two large, toothed warclubs. These warclubs bear the same stone canine heads but have large teeth-like serrations along their bottom jaws”. She can strike them to the ground to create small-range earthquakes and as blunt-force weapons.

Underworld Phase: second form when in great distress:

Black, sparkling, liquid pours from her mouth and eyes, which quickly overtakes her figure. The liquid transforms her into a large puma-like creature with serpentine eyes, eagle talons, and dazzling scales running down her back. She gains supernatural strength, speed, agility, and senses and becomes increasingly aggressive when in battle. She can still cause earthquakes whenever she strikes her tail against the ground, dangerous flooding of the black water erupts from the cracks she creates.

[consumeroflemoans]

I don’t think people talk about the fact Aha knows they’re in a game enough

Like. They and their followers have been shown breaking the fourth wall. Specifically in the Simulated Universe and with Sampo after Belobog.

The simulated universe is meant to, well, mimic the real universe so the genius society can learn about aeons and past events by simulating them. Which is why it’s so fitting that the simulated Aha realized they’re in a false universe so quickly. The real Aha has already climbed the world tree and witnessed the truth of their existence.

I’ve joked about them ascending to aeonhood because they watched a baby fall before, which is true. But a large part of their true elation comes from knowing they’re in a game. Nothing matters so they can truly do whatever they want. Why not just have fun? They can sow plenty of discord. They can turn a worm into an emanator. They can witness wars and just laugh and laugh. They know it’s all meaningless. That’s why watching everyone else try so hard to keep their fake universe alive is so funny to them.

And this is even shown through the Masked Fools. Sampo speaks directly to the camera and both he and Sparkle have referred to themselves as supporting characters. Their purpose is to put on a show and make the game more entertaining. Would Belobog been as fun without Sampo coming in and making us collectively groan at him obviously trying to scam people? Would Penacony’s events or ending be as mysterious or shocking without Sparkle’s meddling behind the scenes? Penacony would have ended with a pretty boring party if not for Sparkle’s antics.

Honkai star rail needs characters you can laugh at, groan at, and poke fun at. The elation is delighted to be the game’s jester, poking fun at their false universe and the ones outside witnessing it.

[sha-brytols]

DAV does tackle the struggles of minorities though? There's literally an entire companion quest about being trans/nonbinary.

ok so in the nicest way possible i have never seen a more tellingly privileged take in my entire life

[silvantransthranduiltrash]

Faramir, elf enthusiest: so, Legolas! I have some questions about elven culture if i can ask them!

Legolas, silvan (dark elf), has a vague idea of how the noldor/sindar (light elf) realms in middle earth function but not really that knowledgeable about it, which is presumably what faramir does know. Also, certified little shit: sure, lay it on me.

——————————————————————-

Idk, i hink it’s be funny if faramir was fanboying about being able to ask an actual elven prince about elven things, only for legolas to have like 5% knowledge of the elven realms under noldor/sindar rule, which is what faramir has learned about. And then deciding to mess with him anyway.

Don’t worry, legolas eventually tells the truth and offers faramir volumes worth of knowledge about the silvan and avari elves that have faramir vibrating with excitement.

[simptasia]

you know britpicking? like where an american writes a fanfic set in england, or with an english character, and they get an english friend to look through it and check through it to see if the terms and phrases are accurate? (eg. flat instead of apartment)

well i propose there be such a concept for star trek

because people in star trek talk differently than modern humans. they use different words, different slang, phrasings. yes, they can speak casually but mostly it isn't like us. watch any of 90s trek and you'll see These People Do Not Speak Like Us

and, no disrespect, a lot of fic does not reflect this. and it irks me. they just speak like modern day people instead of... star trek characters. i personally think part of the fun of writing trek characters is writing it out to how they speak and how they would think

hell, this isnt even a fanfic problem. modern trek has this issue too. i think outta laziness. they have their people talking (and when in casual wear, dressing) like 2020s people and it pisses me off

its part of why strange new worlds feels like a high budget SNL skit

annnnyways. i propose this idea be called fact trekking

[zerguette]

Echidna ocs:] Plus, the last three Guardians before Knuckles (and Claws)

Iam latino and these fellas have basically latino ancient cultures, like omg dude thats exactly what You need for Ari/Dreads to get hyperfixated on the longassdead echidna culture

[edge-oftheworld]

yeah I know Luke’s been running around saying he ‘can be a bit of a pessimist’ but I just wanna give him a little bit more credit than that. he’s been through so much and yet we’ll hear him talking about times that are ‘marred with trauma’ but still he can’t ever regret for getting him to where he is today. this whole year he’s been making an effort to do things that scare him and he even finds hard, he’s been pushing himself out of his comfort zone and doing 1000 solo interviews as well as his shows and last year he went to bogota to film 7 music videos in 2 days and believed he could do it and he did. he talks about mental health related things in such a way that’s filled with acceptance, not complaint or bitterness but dare I say even optimism, dropping horrifying little descriptions to already heartbreaking songs since 2021 and then turning around and saying writing songs is what gets him through it, he ‘wouldn’t have a good relationship with anything’ if he didn’t make them but he’s super proud of himself after and wasn’t put off by how much work it was gonna be even though it did make him apprehensive and he goes and mentions how it wasn’t easy. you look at everything we know of him for the last decade and a half and realise, maybe it was never easy. but someone once described optimism as curiosity + resilience rather than being naively happy all the time in denial of everything going on around. and with that active brain and all the things he figures out while writing all his beautiful songs there’s definitely curiosity there. and with everything he’s been through to keep choosing to be himself and do whatever he needs to do there’s so much resilience. and I’ve seen this spirit in the songs of sounds good feels good and 5sos5, as well as littered through wfttwtaf and boy; every project being a quiet, kinda emo, statement of survival. I’m just one fan with too many opinions but this is something I’ve always loved about the band, and a decent portion of it was always brought to the table by luke and idk I just think we should acknowledge it

[levil0vesyou]

Americans stop forgetting there's countries in Europe other than England challenge

[knightsvow]

this is so mean I love chatfics/socmeds fics when they're done right....you wouldn't get it

[cheriafreya]

done with E lucevan le stelle's story... what a ride

[thevelaryons]

Marilda’s name doesn’t just mean ‘emerald’ but also ‘famed battle maid’, which appears to be a reference to the valkyries from Norse mythology. The valkyries carried out the duty of guiding fallen heroes into the afterlife, to the realm of the gods (the Æsir). Really puts into perspective Marilda transporting Corlys’ body on her ship called Mermaid’s Kiss, out to his ship the Sea Snake, and then having him buried in the Narrow Sea (domain of the god known as the Merling King).