#and I loved how siobhan played baron

[pearlsdiamondsandvodka]

damn i almost wish the intrepid heroes had done worse this episode because the concept is of this battle was epic as hell. i would have loved to see more of baron being creepy, a confrontation with jawbone and i would have loved to see the other players play baron

[heliza24]

Porter is absolutely trying to guide Fig into switching her paladin oath and warlock contract to the unnamed god of rage. Thank god Siobhan at least clocked the giant connection this episode. Ancestor oath? Ancestors who probably also worshipped the forgotten god? Ok sir. I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.

The real answer for Fig, by the way, is not that she’s dedicated to Kristen or doubt or Cassandra or rebellion or rage. She’s dedicated to friendship, which is its own kind of contract and oath.

I think the IH finally noticed that random students having a deeply angry reaction to them is not a bit and may be mystery connected. The fact that Quincy started exhibiting rage after Fabian used Fig’s bardic also feels significant to me. I still think the curse is connected to wrath as much as pride, which also has its own hellish set of armor.

Brennan and Ally improvising as Buddy and Kristen was so good. The way that Brennan captured a kind of fundamentalist rejection of responsibility and Ally let Kristen’s anger and religious trauma shine through. It was really impressive. And I keep turning over the connection of unnamed god is associated with rage and summer- Sol is the god of the sun- Buddy lets Sol get angry for him. I don’t understand the connection yet but it’s there somehow.

Did everyone forget that learning how to plane shift into gems was literally a huge plot point of sophomore year? Where the hell is Ayda when you need her?

Lou made me laugh SO hard this episode with Fabian’s failed attempts at flirting with Mazey and his choice of poop punishment. Truly unhinged in the best way.

Baron in the preview for next week! I can’t wait.

This season is so good. I just love the way the themes are suffused through the mechanics (stress leads to rage) and the mystery and the role play. The pacing of the way clues are rolling out feels just right. Just *chefs kiss* all around.

[sol-rambles]

Also need to mention how much I love Baron's "Would you prefer I was on the roof" then immediately scrambling to the roof.

Also Riz talking like he's actively talked to Baron this whole time just batting away their mannerisms as "just Baron being Baron"

Also also, Lou and Siobhan did such good jobs as Baron. Wish we got to see more Baron possessions though. From the adventuring party, everyone would have been great. Loved Murph's little switch at the very end of the episode.

Lou and Siobhan did so well, also "Fabian" almost killing Adine then Adine getting possessed right after was amazing, well not amazing as in Adine almost dying, I just mean Lou did such a good job playing into the bit of Baron.

As did Siobhan, she killed it in the hallway!! "Why are you trying hurt your friend Gorgug?"

[fillingthescrapbook]

Let's Talk About: Fantasy High Junior Year and A Very Merry Moonar Yulenear

This episode was packed! And not just because it was three hours long--

I can't believe we're already eleven episodes in. So few episodes left--and so much of the mystery is still left to unravel! I have to say: I think this has been the most complicated plot Brennan has unleashed on our Intrepid Heroes so far. Or, at the very least, the first one that he hasn't really peppered with NPCs that help guide the players into uncovering plot threads. I love the trust.

I also love that our Intrepid Heroes are very smart people who are really great at playing this game. And this episode has them really hitting it out of the park.

That said, I am very concerned about some of the things that are being revealed (and reinforced):

One. Why does it feel like Henry Hopclap having one of Grix's motherboard feel like a red herring? Zac/Gorgug didn't investigate further, and I don't know if he mentioned what he saw to the other Bad Kids, but I think Henry might be doing some investigating of his own. Because why did Grix go haywire?

Siobhan as Adaine being made to realize that she had all the resources she needed to research Fig's curse the whole time (in Zayn and in Aelwyn) feels like a callback to how Aelwyn played her in Freshman Year--and I suspect that Brennan is setting something up for Adaine.

Hallariel reiterating that Fabian shouldn't host parties at the Seacaster Manor feels ominous. And I want to know why. I feel like the destroyed cloudrider with a missing component plays into this.

And I loved seeing Ally as Kristen (and Lou) realize that Tracker's wolf-song religion got coopted by a megachurch for some nefarious reason that we will soon find out about.

Also: Oh no, Tracker has a type.

Emily and Murph really are out of this world when playing together. The way they chew on Brennan's mystery at the Loam Farm, and then at Fallinell… They're so quick. Chef's kiss.

And Fig's gift to Kristen being so clutch? And Adaine's gift to Fabian and Gorgug's gift to Fig immediately getting used for plot purposes? Amazing. Wonderful. Gorgeous!

I love how the Bad Kids and the Hallow Stones reminded me so much of The Doctor's last stand at the Stonehenge when the Pandorica opened. That probably wasn't intentional but I loved it so much.

And then Baron's return? Wowza.

Wowza.

Whale fall is kinda like Burning Man.

[jq37]

On the one hand, the Kids used up a lot of higher level spell slots and resources in this one, so skipping a boss battle was a very good thing. On the other hand, Final Form Baron looked pretty rad. Could've been fun. And I wish we could've gotten a better look at the mini for the Gilear-That-Never-Was. Anyway, great episder. I love these more elaborate Encounter episodes, where it's not just an arena, but also a dungeon or there's alternate win conditions other than kill everyone.

No recap this week because I was out of town (not that much happened plot-wise so I'll roll it into the recap for next episode) but I thought this episode was awesome! One of my favorite episodes of D20 and probably my fave battle episode ever. Like you said, it's great when a battle ep is more than just a slug fest. This had exploration and hidden roles and a fetch quest element. So fun! And everyone had such great moments! Since I'm not doing a full recap for this ep, I'll drop some highlights here:

-GORGUG!!!!! Or really, Zac with an assist from Emily. I had to replay his womping of Brennan like four more times before I continued the episode. What a legend. I totally forgot he had that ability so I was just as caught off guard as Brennan.

-Lou, king of commitment to the bit morphing into Baron to a horrified Adaine and outraged Siobhan was another easy episode highlight. I love Adaine insisting that she's SO nice to Riz and her, "What are you TALKING about????" It was such a fun moment and a great way to change the stakes and keep everyone on guard.

-Adaine was so cool this episode! Sure she got possessed (also very fun) but Kristen came in clutch yanking her out of it and then she immediately used a super sick spell (which according to the AP, she took specifically to get Kipperlilly, lol) and merced Baron before he could touch Riz (she *IS* so nice to Riz). Then, she one-shot fake-Zayn! Battle Wizard! Battle Wizard! Absolutely love that for her.

-This arena was totally made for Riz. It's so great when you're absolutely in your element and your build gets rewarded. This is the first time I've even considered playing a rogue. They're SO GOOD at high levels.

-Poor Fig but, "I would like to roll...a new character" was such a funny line. Also, girl why are you eating the cursed cottage cheese (or whatever it is)? You were JUST told not to do that and Adaine JUST broke the curse on you!!!

-There is something disturbingly endearing about Kalina snapping her own neck rather than attack the party--similar to how it's endearing that Cass tried her best to make a save haven for the group even though she was being corrupted and it came out wrong. Wrt Kalina only being able to say Ragh's name, there are some loose ends from Sophomore Year in the back of my mind that I haven't been able to check on because I've been AFK for the past few days but I wouldn't be surprised if they're related somehow.

-I also wish they'd showed us the thriving Gilear mini in the AP at least.

Anyway! Very fun episode and the Bad Kids have all this useful infernal energy to play with now. Stoked to see what they do with it!

[elisesimmer-blog]

Another Attempt at The Sims 4 Legacy Challenge (Continue)

As I said in my last post, I have already played a few generations of my Legacy Challenge. In the first picture, I have the Generation 1/2 family. Which is L-R Hayley, Siobhan, Kelsie, Louis and Avery.

In the second image, I have the heirs so far (Gen 1, Gen 2 & Gen 3). I wanted to edit them together with their primary spouses because I love seeing the similarities and differences in the appearance through the generations, and how they are impacted by the genetics of the spouse.

Gen ONE - I have already introduced Louis the Founder of the Scott Family.

Generation TWO - Introducing Avery Scott. Avery is a muso, I decided that this generation would be focused on Music (he had the music lover trait so decided to roll with it). Avery maxed out the piano, violin and guitar skills, completed the Musical Genious aspiration and reached the top of the music career. He fell in love with Victoria and had one child with her (Kaden). After he completed all the music stuff, I decided to make him a lover to complete that aspiration. The story is that he had affairs while on his music tours. He had 9 other children with various women. These are Phoebe, triplets Bailee, Kylee and Celia, Katy, Christa, Kade, Savannah and Ivan. Out of these Katy is the only one in the active household. This also completed the legacy points for 10 children in 1 generation. Thus far he has completed the following aspirations: Bodybuilder, Bestselling Author, Musical Genious, Fabulously Wealthy, Mansion Baron, Serial Lover and Soul Mate. 

Generation THREE  (Current) - Introducing Kaiden Scott, the only child of Avery with his primary wife. This is the ‘smart/geek’ generation. Kaiden is currently working his way up the Tech Guru career, currently on level 8. He has completed the Computer Whiz Aspiration and is currently working on the Nerd Brain Aspiration. He is soon to be married to Destinee, who is a vampire, and will therefore, bring on the next generation which will be based on all things Vampires.

I am hoping to create a family portrait of Avery, Victoria and Children (Gen 2/3) but will wait till Avery ages to an Elder and his youngest children are bit older.

I will try and keep my progress up to date.

Elise Simmer Xx