#adventure and ramblings

[zeurille]

From the Training Grounds to the pool

The target is in sight, and my weapon in hand. A second to draw breath, and then I aim, the bowstring pulled taut by fingers shaky with both excitement and anxiety. Everything aligns and the arrow flies free from my grasp. The air whistles as the projectile tears through it. The creature jerks its neck towards the sound.

I miss.

The arrow finds a new home in the trunk of a nearby tree, and my fingers find a new reason to tremble. Quickly discarding frustration for determination, I nock another one. But when I raise my head to line up my next shot, I’m not met by the sight of my quarry.

Instead, I stare at the seemingly endless blue of an olympic-sized pool, breathless after my tenth attempt at freestyle. Ten attempts and about thirty instances of drinking the water, but who’s counting, right? I shake my head and shake the aftertaste of chlorine from my mouth. I am the image of resolve as I get into position once more. The next dive, for sure.

***

One of the appeals of Monster Hunter is the semi-simulated feel of its controls and gameplay. The weapons offer their own sets of strengths and limitations, requiring a different kind of approach and mindset for each one. You step into a different pair of shoes when you go from one to another, and you can feel the gears in your mind shifting as you get accustomed to each weapon’s moveset, timing and speed. I relate this feeling to real-life athletic activities, where you have to devote time to train and master the principles of it to achieve optimal results.

Yes, anyone can wield a weapon. Yes, anyone can run. However, it takes a seasoned hunter—one who has dedicated time to understand their weapon of choice—to fell a monster with the masterful skill that comes with, and is expected of, the profession. In the same vein, it takes knowledge of proper form and preparations for someone to lift weights, swim across the pool, and run great distances with ease of execution and avoidance of injury.

This train of thought delivers me to the realization that a big source of my frustration comes from “winging” both realms of “athletic pursuits.” As long as I can shoot arrows, I’ll be able to defeat the monster, right? As long as I can paddle, I can reach the end of the pool, correct?

Well, yes and no. Past experiences from different hunts and different sports lead me to believe that while it is possible for me to achieve this, I’d eventually hit my head against a figurative ceiling.The limit of how far stubborn determination and unguided exertion can take me. I wouldn’t be able to reach the next level of that undertaking without making an effort to have an in-depth understanding of each weapon; of each sport.

For the longest time, I was content with just wielding a hammer in Monster Hunter, swinging its weight around until I managed to defeat the monster. The beauty of the game, though, is that its difficulty curve is designed such that a time will come when you reach a wall which pushes you to learn other skills. Preparations that can be made to ease the hunt, creative solutions to hurdles that currently seem insurmountable, and methods to outsmart certain monsters. Things that I need to seek advice on from other hunters—those that have gone before me and figured out the tips and tricks. In moderation, of course; I still want to grow through my own experiences and merits.

It’s quite similar to delving into new types of sports. With running, you need to learn the proper form to avoid injuring your knees and feet, and to be able to make the most of that exertion and travel greater distances. In weight training, you need a gradual progression, working your way up from beginner exercises and light weights to the heavier loads, all the while keeping in mind concepts like proper breathing, posture, and center of gravity. For swimming, breath control is crucial, as well as the rhythm and timing of your strokes while keeping an aerodynamic form in order to successfully and smoothly reach the other end of the pool.

And that’s why I love Monster Hunter’s “feel for the real.” I can draw comparisons like these and it makes the endeavor more enjoyable despite the struggles that accompany it. I can visualize carrying a hammer while practicing deadlifts, envisioning my hunter applying the same techniques that were taught to me but within the context of her weapon. There is a sense of fulfillment in figuring out the adjustments needed—which body part needs to move and in what way—to finally get the proper form down. In the same way, there is equal excitement in executing a weapon combo after taking the time to learn and practice the correct sequence button inputs.

In both aspects of training described above, there is accomplishment in achieving greater progress through practice and preparation as opposed to just winging it. Intentional improvement versus improvisation.

With all these in mind, I was able to swim across the pool, breathing a little more and drinking a little less. Thanks to the videos that I watched and the advice from experienced swimmers (a.k.a. my parents), I learned to look behind me when I raise my body slightly so that I can take in some air through my mouth. Another thing I picked up was using my hips as the pivot to turn myself sideways and remain streamlined—use the core, not the upper body. On the Monster Hunter side of things, I was able to deal significant damage using my bow and pull off the combos that I wanted to learn after poring through the instructions of the weapon’s basic and advanced controls. The UI provided me with the information, and I put it into practice. Again and again.

Another similarity between hunts and sports is the need to have a goal. As a hunter, accounts of people facing the Fatalis and living to tell the tale are the stuff of legends. Personally, I haven’t defeated this formidable black dragon yet, but someday, right? I’ve also dared to dream of finishing an Ironman race; even just a half Ironman would do. Both of these seem out of reach with my current skills, but that only serves to emphasize my need for a focused resolve. I need to stop swinging my weapon senselessly and give my drive a sense of direction.

Ready. Aim. Swim.

[durisicle]

logan's two little hair tufts make him look like a meow meow :)

[a-little-ray-of-fantasy]

POV: you're into STEM/research and something happened in your field of work that gave you trauma and memory issues.

[cierv-o-robot-o]

hyper fixations are so embarrassing for me because I make every part of my life center around the thing I'm fixating on like I would get out of bed and serve myself a bowl of cereal and be like "just like my Best Friend Finn the Human would :)" and it's completely unironical

[puppydogdragon]

Hamtaro: Adventures in Ham Ham Land (2001)

[acadieum]

started my first re-listen of taz balance since starting it in 2018 (?)

and i just wanted to explore what their origin backgrounds were vs the characters they ended up becoming... they are interesting...

[spocks-husband]

I feel like when Bruce first took in Duke he made a very big point of learning how to do Black hair-- and I mean, he WORKED FOR IT. He spent like a thousand dollars on supplies, learned what every possible Black haircare product does, learned 14 different braiding patterns and styles, figured out which ones would be most efficient for patrol and most comfortable under his helmet, probably started listening to soul music at some point during this process-- it was a whole thing.

And when Duke finally moved into the manor and realized that his bathroom was fully stocked with eight different kinds of conditioners, fifteen picks, twelve containers of edge controller, one of those old Hollywood Beauty Tea Tree Oil bottles, etc., he just sorta turns. And looks at Bruce. Who is standing in the doorway very nonchalantly proud of himself for being a good dad. And Duke slowly raises his hand and points at his head. Which has been shaved since well before they met. And Bruce just kinda stares back because, somehow in his weeks of preparation he didn't consider that. And even if he did have hair that needed to be styled and cared for, Duke is like 16 and definitely knows how to do that on his own at this point in his life.

And they just keep staring at each other.

Until finally Duke says "... I think I brought my own durag."

And Bruce just kinda nods and he's like "that's cool. I uh. I'll be. In my office."

And then he goes to the Batcave and stares at a wall for three hours while Duke sends a picture to the sibling groupchat and they all tell him that Bruce just has a thing about babying his kids, he kinda can't help it, he's doing his best, so Duke leaves everything there.

(Eventually, he does start growing out his hair a bit, and on occasion lets Bruce sit him down on the floor and do his cornrows and put little yellow beads at the end because it makes him happy.)

[agent-oo-z]

Something about the way Karlach just fully and instantly trusts and loves Astarion. Like. If you’re playing as his origin and she asks about “where you’d be without the tadpoles” and you mention Cazador she’s instantly like “That bitch is lucky you can’t kill him because of vampire rules because I know for a fact you’re capable of it” and then there’s the dialogue where Astarion mentions how nice it would have been to be untouchable sometimes given what he’s been through and Karlach is like “if I could have given it to you I would”

She’s just so fully devoted to him as a friend and/or lover so instantly and also understands that he’s not implying she has it easy or anything with the engine. She knows what trauma does to a person and looks at him with sympathy and also reminds him that he’s powerful of his own right and just

Fuck man. She loves everyone so much but their dynamic in particular is really touching

[passiunclepaltry]

making a compilation of every betty outfit/appearance change am i missing any of em yall

[cosmicfangz]

Oh that’s…

[ink-ghoul]

My minimal armor resource pack is now available for download!💥

Made to appeal to me and me only ☝️ /j

Features:

Minimal armor to see my servermates cool skins :D

Minimal trims to go along with the armor (some few trims might not show on the armor at all, due to their design placement, this is mostly on leggings)

Diamond and Netherite helmets dont obscure the player's face.

Visible leather armor so I can still see armor stand scenes, important if you use mods or datapacks like Armor Statues

[king-nyx]

The life of writers:

[primeministerofantarctica]

superhero fans how's it feel to be winning

[bluerosefox]

Eldritch Kidnappings

hmmmm a Kon/Danny/Tim idea? Maybe? Depends if anyone wanna ship all three but leaving it open ended (or if Tim is already dating Bernard just make it a Kon/Danny only?). AND a deaged Ellie.

Red Robin and Superboy (the original) were at a JL meeting. It was boring to be honest. Nothing to much was happening besides the normal stuff for all the heroes there. No big crises or world/universe ending danger.

Or at least it was...

Because not soon after a glowing green portal ripped opened and a large eldritch creature stuck its huge head and half of its body out. Every hero there went on high alert and into fighting stances, ready to defend the Watchtower. Once the creature was halfway in the room its eyes snapped opened, glowing near Lazarus Pit green colored but like brighter? neon?, and darted around the room before stopping right on Superboy.

Without warning or words the creature quickly reached out, using at first two arms/hands before more sprang out and swatted away heroes in the room that attacked. It quickly took a hold of Superboy who tired use his strength to get free but found the being stronger than him. Red Robin, in a panic to save his best friend (and crush, shhh maybe) quickly joined in but instead of being swatted away like the others gets snagged by a hand and soon found himself captured as well.

Just as quickly as the creature appeared, it retreated back into the still open portal, dragging the two with and not caring at all of the powers, fists, or shouting being thrown at it.

Then it was gone.

Leaving the JL in a panic.

-x-x-

"-And thats why I need your help! I understand its a lot to ask but please, any help will be welcomed." the eldritch being, or rather Danny Phantom begged as he worriedly glanced at them.

So... It turns out the eldritch being was a young halfa ghost hero named Phantom that needed their help stabilizing his clone/sister/maybe daughter?

She was apparently melting and needed stable DNA when he had rushed her to a ghost doctor and was told. But Danny had no clue how to stabilize a clone and the fruitloop that cloned him the notes were bare bones and frankly terrible. In his desperate need for help Danny had sought out clues/advice from his mentor who basically pointed him to Superboy and Red Robin in his frustrating riddling way.

Superboy's DNA had the stable cloning gene/code they needed. Red Robin was smart enough to help figure out a way to put it Danielle 'Elle' Phantom. (it also helped that he had dabbled into cloning during his... bad year)

So yeah, Danny in his panic to save his clone went full on eldritch monster and opened a portal during their meeting and dragged them to the Far Frozen where Ellie was currently suspended in a ecto healing pod and was now begging for their help, promising them anything if they helped out.

The catch? If they put Superboy's DNA in Ellie she'll de-age to her true age and no longer be a 'pure' clone.

Instead she'll be their (Danny and Conner's) kid.

[hey-bigday]

ermmm Betty Pines, Simon McGucket and Crown Cipher... do you get my vision?

inspired by this post:

[absolutelyfibulas]

I will say, it's wild that the only game I've encountered in a WHILE to let you be fat is Hello goddamn Kitty.

ROUNDE cat time.