#but that’s a unique challenge in and of itself of having to hold as many things as you can and figure out where is right

[embras-grace]

I can't wait till I have more time to think about how I can fit Judaism into Palia. I already have many ideas about the holidays and the like, plus Embra herself makes it easy to fit some of it in. But I think more of like, traditions and daily life compared to anything big.

I have a little shabbat corner set up with my candles I just need bread to make it fully complete!! Please give us bread!!

[s1utspeare]

Start at the end and work backwards when outlining!! First figure out who you want the villain to be, their motives, and what they did/how. And then you go backwards and find out how far away you can get until you’re at the actual murder part, and then you just write the actual story forward as the main character discovering the case in the opposite direction,

Make the Main characters decision making directly in aligned with which choices you need them to make to follow the path. For example, if the next clue to the murder is in the victims locked apartment, what’s the best reason that keeps the other clues separate and unattainable until you need them to be revealed? If the main character is police, do they have a warrant? Do they need to break in illegally? Do they go and come back? Does the killer then to check to make sure they covered up their tracks so they find the next clue which is cctv footage of their person? What does that lead to? How does their characterization create situations and build towards your reveal?

Find all the loopholes. A very interesting part of the mystery genre is how to make something so airtight, yet so surprising, that the audience can’t see how it could have happened another way. Make strong character choices/personality types so of course they solved it that way. Make the setting idealized (Murder on the Orient Express, anyone?)

Go back through the story once you’ve fully written it and add clues. You don’t have to worry about having clever takes during the first draft. You will learn the case along with the character, and then once you know how it happened, you can go drop the little clever hints that make a reread pleasing

Put a time limit on it. If a character has all the time in the world to solve a mystery, the stakes aren’t nearly as high, and there’s more time for ties to realism to poke holes in your plot. If the killer killing again doesn’t work for you story, what else can you use? Have they kidnapped a loved one? Is the hero hurt/sick and running out of time? Does the case need to be solved in a certain time from or the Powers That Be will Do Something? Figure out how long they have and how many steps you need to fill that time satisfyingly

Have secondary characters. Whether they’re background side characters or pov characters, it gives you the chance to either change up scenery or give exposition without it being tedious. Sometimes two things have to happen at once, and secondary characters can help with that so the mains can dig into the emotional aspects of the story/genre with their downtime

Don’t be afraid to get fucked up with it

Hello hello!

Does anyone here have any tips and tricks for writing case fic?

How do you figure out the plot for a case? Is there a model or "recipe", or do you know any helpful resources?

I'm not trying to write a best-selling crime novel (yet xD), but I would like to get better at including cases and the process of solving them into my writing!

If you don't have any ideas, please consider reblogging for reach. :)

Thank you! :)

[mellowtrashtrash]

FNaF World: Welcome to the Freakshow!

Today I challenged myself to see how many characters I could complete in one day. We've got a lot to cover, so let's get started with...

Scrap Baby!

Pizzeria Simulator's iconic wretched dumpster clown!

Some of my finest modeling and animation! Scrap baby was a doozy of a design to try to simplify. She practically has the detail of every Sister Location character combined! Naturally, this proved to be quite the challenge, but in the end it turned out great. The shapes are very smooth and the rigging is exquisite. You can hardly even tell with how swift the animations are, but I was very deliberate with how those little wire-orb things were rigged. They move with the limbs and body to skillfully avoid obvious instances of clipping!

There were lots of hooks and curves involved in the blender process, and it was a meticulous and precarious process, but I managed to pull Scrap Baby together in about three days. After finishing her today, I figured "Hey, why not do a couple more! I have it in me!" And with that, my quest began. The next character(s?) I tackled was...

The Minireena duo!

Everyone's favorite claustrophobic nightmare children!

I decided to go with two of them, in reference to Sister Location Custom Night's two different sets of Minireenas, and also because just one would be far too small!

Now these little punks were a delightfully obnoxious design process! I'd never had the (dis)pleasure of working with two separate armatures in one character before this, and it was quite the challenge. But you all know I like a good modeling/animation challenge. It gives the sometimes boring process some novelty!

Sidenote: Minireenas' eyes are kind of weird. They show up only in specific instances, but are absent the rest of the time. Obviously so, as you can see their little endoskeleton in their custom night icon. No eyes! I think Scott just needed a way to make their jumpscares a little more intense, and didn't want to worry about giving them eyes anywhere else. But hey, those beady yellow peepers definitely worked! They're quite the uncanny sight!

Next, we've got the one, the only...

Bonnet!

Sister Location Custom Night's very own adorable nuisance!

Remember earlier, when I mentioned how just one Minireena would be too small by itself? There wasn't any getting around it this time. Bonnet is, by all accounts, a palette swap of Bon Bon, but does that hold her back from having her very own identity independent of his? Absolutely not! Bonnet has set herself apart with her signature mosey, her insecurity about her (literal) button nose, and her unnerving ability to maneuver around without the aid of an uncanny, leg-bearing, scary bear companion! (Try saying that five times fast!)

It's a little tough to make a character like this work on their own, but I managed to pull it off, and have somehow produced some of my favorite animations so far. Her big leap is very rabbit-like, and it's pretty natural-looking. Her hurt animation has a little shiver to it, like she's shuddering from discomfort. Her animations managed to be very lifelike, despite the limitations of the character's design.

Next up, in a sort of redundant fashion, we've got...

Lolbit!

The oddball salesman adapted for the screen!

Kind of an odd choice of character, considering Lolbit's already been in FNaF World, but with their breakout roles in Sister Location Custom Night and Ultimate Custom Night since their initial debut, I figured it was prudent to include them. My working theory is that once the story of FNaF World had concluded, Lolbit got bored of hanging around in Animatronica, and decided to find some business elsewhere, winding up with their unforgettable inclusion as a face on a series of screens that forces you to type buttons on your keyboard. Not the most stunning appearance, but hey, it's unique! And it's funding the development of new and better Bytes! Then once their contract expired, Lolbit returned to Animatronica to continue developing Bytes, only to find that new shopkeepers had arrived to take their place. Naturally, this meant Lolbit had only one thing left to do: tag along with the adventurers to find someplace to sell without competition!

In contrast to Funtime Foxy's monstrousness, I gave Lolbit the cheeky, cheerful charisma they've been rocking in every one of their appearances across the franchise. As a result, Lolbit's animations are teeming with callous impudence!

Finally, the character you've all been waiting for, the main attraction, the star of the show... It's:

Gumball Swivelhands!

Pizzeria Simulator's shockingly stupendous sweet-supplier!

Bet you weren't expecting this one, were you? Move over Candy Cadet, Gumball Swivelhands is the new star of the candy-dispensing show!

This character was unexpectedly fun to animate, and I adored the opportunity to model its face, but I must say, that expression seems awfully familiar. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it makes me feel a profoundly frustrated sense of déjà vu...

Pizzeria Simulator is chock-full of memorable character designs, and despite its apparent genericity, there's always been something striking to me about Gumball Swivelhands. A concentrated sense of whimsy permeates this character like the suffocating aroma of six different flavors of bubble gum surrounds a gumball machine.

To me, this is what FNaF World is all about! Identifying and celebrating even the strangest corners of Five Nights at Freddy's history! There's a place for iconic, fan-favorite characters, right alongside obscure, sometimes even downright forgettable weirdos like this one! Five Nights at Freddy's is a freakshow, but not one that ridicules its freaks, one that holds them up high with a combination of joy and pride, like a father whose son has won the big sports game. "That's my son!" FNaF says, gesturing to the Eggbaby. "Hooray!" I scream from the bleachers. "Three cheers for these wonderful weirdos! Hip hip, hooray!"

I look forward to whatever I have to share next time. As always, thanks so much for tuning in! I'll catch you on the flipside!

[elysiansparadise]

Hi elysian, can you do Mars in the 2nd house please ❤🤗

Mars in the 2nd house

Here we find natives who value themselves highly. They are aware of their abilities and favorable points, so they can become sensitive to criticism, or perhaps more sensitive than they would like. They are excellent at setting limits and will always defend themselves easily, since it is not their style to allow themselves to be trampled on by others. They have a strong sense of self. They take their time to evaluate whether a situation suits them or not and once they make a decision, they stick with it. They are people who rarely hesitate when making a decision. Since this is the house of all kinds of values, the presence of Mars makes them people who value actions more than promises, making them even a little skeptical of them. They can be somewhat impatient when they want something but that doesn't mean they stop working hard for it. They are naturally competitive, especially when they really like something and they hold pride in their victories. They are very protective people with those they love and can have tendencies toward jealousy. Values ​​such as independence and honesty are very important to them.

This position of Mars can challenge you to have money quickly, but also to spend it just as quickly with things that would bring you momentary pleasure, so it is important to work on it using other qualities of this placement. One of these qualities is being quick when making financial decisions. Be clear about your priorities and evaluate what to spend on and what not to spend on. These natives like the idea of ​​being financially independent and not having someone behind them telling them what to spend on and what not to spend on. They tend to be very ambitious people in this area, wanting to have a lot of money for everything it would allow them to do. These people have the idea of ​​hard work deeply rooted, so they do not usually wait for things or particularly goods to magically find them, always being on the go so that money flows into their lives. They are people with a very entrepreneurial attitude.

They are people endowed with a lot of sensuality and physical attractiveness. Their drive complements their beauty and they go for it when they really like something. They are too passionate deep down, they just know perfectly well when and especially with whom to be passionate. One of the biggest turns of these people is those with stability in as many senses of their life as possible. People who work hard for what they want and even after having it, value it even more. Consistency is something seductive and appealing to them. Just as they are, seductive, that is something they really like about other people, especially if they are only seductive with them. Exclusivity, that they make them feel unique and valued. They focus a lot on making everything related to being with their person of interest pleasant, from courtship, before sex, sex itself, to aftercare. It can give them great pleasure to notice that they are pleasuring their partner effectively.

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} The Mayor Wards' Oshi Quiz

Ever find yourself in a bind when discovering a game and seeing there's so many bishounen and ikemen you just do not know who to pick as your oshi...!?

Well, 18TRIP's got you covered with their Oshi Quiz!

As the website says:

Answer to the 10 given questions, and we will predict which of the HAMA 18 Mayor Wards will end up in your top 3 as your potential oshi!

Now that's not the only kicker, each top 3 candidate has their own little quip given on their ranking. This post will cover all questions, answers to the questions, and answers to the answers of your questions~!

BTW, big shoutout and thanks to @sasaranurude for extracting all of the quiz results, this wouldn't have been possible to have been put together so quick w/o their help!

EDIT: When this was originally posted, not all quiz forms were included, it has been done now! There should be a total of 3 variants of the quiz you can take.

So sit tight & make sure your seatbelts fastened, it's time to go on a ride and take the Oshi Quiz! (warning: very long translation under the cut)

QUIZ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1: What kind of atmosphere (cute, cool, elegant and such) do you prefer in terms of appearance?

A childlike (face) and charming atmosphere

A cold and mature atmosphere

Individualistic and unique atmosphere

What matters the most is on the inside.

Q2: What kind of personality are you fascinated by? 

A cheerful, charming disposition

One with gentle demeanor

Intellectual

Honest

Mysterious

Eccentric

From here on out questions may vary. You will either get quiz form A, B or C. The quiz itself does not randomize these questions and are rather different variants.

Q3:

(A) What style of clothing are you attracted to? (どんな服装を魅力的に感じますか？)

Formal

Casual

Sporty

Committed to being original

I don’t really pay attention to it

(B) What shape of eyes do you like? (目の形状の好みはありますか？)

Round eyes

Droopy eyes

Slanted eyes

Narrow/half-open eyes

I don't really pay attention to it

(C) What kind of person do you tend to like? (どんなスタイルの人を好きになりやすいですか？)

Tall type

Small type

I don't really pay attention to it

Q4:

(A) When it comes to doing something, do you prefer the type that challenges new things, or the type that plays it safe? (何かをする際に、新しいことに挑戦するタイプ、安全を選ぶタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that challenges new things

The type that plays it safe

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type bad with crowds of people, or the the sociable type? (人混みが苦手なタイプ、人と交流するのが好きなタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type bad with crowds of people

The sociable type

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the type that plans everything out, or the type that doesn't make plans? (物事を計画的に進めるタイプ、行き当たりばったりのタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that plans everything out

The type that doesn't make plans

None of these are my type

Q5:

(A) Which do you prefer, the type that's open about his feelings, or the type that listens more than he speaks? (頻繁に意見を言うタイプ、聞く方が多いタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that's open about his feelings

The type that listens more than he speaks

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type that speaks what on his mind, or the type that bottles everything up? (本心を表情に出すタイプ、内に秘めるタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that speaks what on his mind

The type that bottles everything up

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the type that worries about the small things, or the type that's open-minded? (細かいことを気にするタイプ、大らかなタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that worries about the small things

The type that's open-minded

None of these are my type

Q6:

(A) Which do you prefer, the type that’s good at taking care of you, or the type that you want to care of? (面倒見が良いほうが良いタイプ、面倒見たくなるタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that’s good at taking care of you

The type that you want to care of

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type that is considerate towards others, or the type that speaks his mind without holding back? (他人を気遣い遠慮するタイプ、遠慮せずに意見を言うタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that is considerate towards others

Type that speaks his mind without holding back

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the spontaneous type or the type that does as told? (自発的に行動するタイプ、言われたことをこなすタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The spontaneous type

The type that does as told

None of these are my type

Q7:

(A) What is your type when it comes to how he feels about himself? (自分自身のことをどう思っているタイプが好き？)

He loves himself

He hasn’t no confidence

Doesn’t like nor dislike himself

Doesn’t dislike himself but does have an inferiority complex. 

(B) Would you prefer that he has a lot of experience in love? (恋愛経験は豊富なほうがよい？)

Having a lot is good

Not having a lot is good

A reasonable amount is good

Whichever is fine

(C) Would you prefer that he's carrying a lot of emotional baggage regarding his past? (重い過去を背負っているほうがよい？)

That's good

It's better to not let him get dragged down by it

Whichever is fine

Q8:

(A) Imagine your ideal type, if he existed in reality, whether at work or at school, what kind of role would he be in your life? (あなたの理想のタイプが、実際に職場や同じクラスに存在したらどんなポジションになっていそうですか？)

He everyone’s favorite guy

The oddball within the group

You’re both involved with each other, for better or for worse

You keep your distance from each other

(B) Which unexpected side of him would be to your liking? (どんな意外な一面があると良いですか?)

A lonely side

A cold side

A family-oriented side

A clingy side

Unexpected sides are unneccessary

(C) Which type is to your liking when it comes to line of thinking? (どちらの思考タイプが好きですか?)

I like the type that enjoys causing burdens to others

I like the type that finds it fullfilling to put burdens on themselves

None of these are my type

Q9:

(A) What is your preferred type when it comes to customer service to clients at a travel agency? (旅行代理店にきたお客さんにどんな接客をするタイプが好きですか？)

Receiving a lot of proposals in any kind of case

Carefully listens to your demands and then put everything nicely together in the end

Gives simple answers regarding the necessary information

Gives suggestions with a twist to them

(B) When facing thing's he's bad at, or scared of, what kind of reaction aligns with your type? (苦手なものや怖いものに直面した時、どんな反応をするタイプが好き？)

Gets meek and hates it / gets scared

Puts on a brave front

Pretends to be chill in order to not expose himself

(C) Imagine a situation where he has to lie, what kind of lie would you prefer? (もし嘘をつく場面があるとしたらどんなふうに嘘をつくタイプが好き？)

Lying as an act of self-protection

Lying for the sake of wanting to protect something else other than himself

Tells lies on the regular

Can't tell lies due to being honest (gets exposed)

Q10:

(A) When travelling abroad with your family, what kind of behavior is to your liking? (家族と海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Taking initiative and making plans

Leave the planning to family

If the plane ride and hotel is secured, simply succumbing to the flow of things

(B) When traveling abroad alone, what kind of behavior is to your liking ? (ひとりで海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Everything is planned out to a T

Not making any plans, just letting yourself go with the flow

There's days where there's plans, and there's days where there aren't any plans

(C) When traveling abroad with your friends, what kind of behavior is to your liking (友人と海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Taking initiative and making plans

Leave the planning to friends

Dividing the plans amongst friends

If the plane ride and hotel is secured, simply succumbing to the flow of things

END OF QUIZ

Now after taking the quiz, you get your top 3. Each character reacts differently to where they ended up ranking. Now follows a translation of all of these quotes~ Here was my result, by the way!

Again, big thanks to my friend for extracting all the info from the site to have made this possible. If you wish to see all of the original quotes as is, please send a MSG and I will privately provide the spreadsheet link.

QUIZ RESULTS

Renga Nishizono

FIRST: 1st place…!? I’m h-hap… Ahem, ahem. This is a natural outcome for a first class celeb like me! So um, do you want, like an autograph or…? 

SECOND: I’m grateful to be in 2nd place… but don’t you dare believe that makes me a second-rate celeb for ending up here!

THIRD: I, me out of all people, am in 3rd!? W-well, I’m content enough that I’m included… Wait, don’t tell me I ranked lower than Liguang, right!?

Kafka Oguro

FIST: I thought it was a given how I’d end up being in 1st place for you, but… it still makes me happy. Obviously, you’re my number one too.♪ 

SECOND: 2nd place… Guess stuff like this isn’t out of the question. …Actually, no way Yukikaze is in first place… right?

THIRD: Grr… 3rd place, huh. Well, too bad I don’t know when to quit. Guess I’ll have to start planning out a strategy to become your number one. 

Ten Murakumo

FIRST: My condolences for getting me in 1st~ lol. Ain’tcha got people often rattling off how your god awful taste in men won’t ever make you happy? 

SECOND: Yeah, 2nd place’s just comfy enough for both of us. How’ bout we go have the kinda fun you can’t get with Mr. First Choice? Lil missy. 

THIRD: Uwah~ Nice you got buncha guys to fawn over, eh. Well, seeing I’m here all on my own means I gotta give ya the cold shoulder treatment, no? 

Yukikaze Kamina

FIRST: …Receiving a golden medal from you? I can’t contain my happiness. I’m going to end up cooking a boatload of gyoza at this rate tonight. 

SECOND: While the media might refer to me as the Silver Collector… I’ll work hard enough in order to become your gold.

THIRD: Even if I’m bronze to you, you will always be the gold prize to me… Remember that.

Lu Liguang

FIRST: You want to be number one in the Lùróng Family...? So you got what it takes to carry out your duties, huh. If you do, I’ll also take a fair share of the responsibility.

SECOND: Your second choice is the Lùróng Family...? The likes of you wanting to be under my wing is quite a bold move. You’re funny, I’ll give you that.

THIRD: I get why you applied, but you’re not qualified given how your required level of competence isn’t there yet. You’re rejected. Go redo your application. 

Akuta Isotake

FIRST: Ah, did I win Best Director and Male Leading Actor…!? Does this mean I’ll get treated to steak as congrats…?

SECOND: Oh, did I win Best Director and Male Supporting Actor…!? Are you gonna buy me my fav snacks as congrats…?

THIRD: C’mon I gotta be in 1st~ Pretty sure you need to pick the unique options and all for each question. So, how ‘bout one more round? 

Kiroku Kinugawa

FIRST: …! …1st, place… As thanks… I’ll make you… a drawing. Do you have, any requests…?

SECOND: 2nd… Um, since my little sister, taught me, how to text by pager… “999”. D-did you, get what I said…? 

THIRD: …I’m not, that interesting… But… 3rd place… makes me happy. When I go pick up, my little sister… I’ll tell her. 

TL note: 999 is サンキュー(thanks) in pager code. 

Nanaki Nanamegi

FIRST: Huh… I’m Chief’s number one…? To me, you’re obviously also, like, if I had to…! Ah, I’ll hit the character limit… 

SECOND: Um… I’m happy with being second. It’s like the second movement of a sonata… the gentle and quiet part so to speak, which I really love. 

THIRD: Of course I’m happy even if I’m in third. Being third out of 20 people, means we do have a lot of chemistry, right…? 

Muneuji Kaguya

FIRST: The first star in our solar system is Mercury. Mercury is a small star yet has high density. That is the kind of man I wish to be. 

SECOND: The second star in our solar system is Venus. The temperature on the ground surface is approximately 470° degrees… Yet, there is a certain romance precisely because you can’t set foot on it. 

THIRD: Do you know what the third star in our solar system is? …Yes, that is our very own Earth that we live on. Therefore, the Earth must also be included in my gratitude.

Ushio Kurama

FIRST: Getting me in 1st… you plan on stanning me? Hold up, who’s on the right side of the slash? I won’t hesitate to report you if you’re getting any weird ideas. 

SECOND: Seeing Reito getting 2nd in Patti-battle!’s third popularity poll made me happy and prou… Uh, nevermind me. 

THIRD: Times like these just calls for a character to go like, “Damnit, I lost to ___!”...I won’t be saying that though. 

TL note: Amongst JP otaku, ‘left’ or ‘right’ is a heated debate in ships, or fictional character pairings. On the left, you have the more dominating character, and on the right, you have the more submissive character. Be wary to not trigger any landmines when reversing the order… TL note2: Unsure how to read 礼人 precisely, so I have settled for Reito. This will be changed once more information has been revealed about Patti-battle!

Raito Kitakata

FIRST: I’m happy to be in 1st place. By the way, there is a house style ramen restaurant that I have as number one on my recommendation list, how about we go there together? 

SECOND: I have a pet theory where a restaurant’s philosophy shines through its 2nd most popular item on the menu. Which means I ended up ranking in a significant place. 

THIRD: 3rd place, huh. I’m grateful but currently, more than anything, I have an intense craving to slurp on some noodles ASAP. I’ll catch you later. 

Kinari Azekawa

FIRST: Verification of compliance with Master's ideals registered. Efforts will be made to elevate my performance further going forward. 

SECOND: Verification of the potential margin to elevate performance further registered. Feedback for the sake of becoming Master’s “bias” is kindly requested. 

THIRD: Verification of failure to comply with Master’s ideals registered. Room for improvement is present. Please input instructions for desired behavioral patterns. 

Chihiro Natsuyaki

FIRST: Chii’s 1st in the bias ranking!? Isn’t your taste like way too good!? Gonna go sicko mode on the fanservice☆ 

SECOND: 2nd place means like, you’ll be on TV till the last sec even on survival shows, aka just the right amount of delish~ So I’mma leave a buncha marks on you♪

THIRD: 3rd! Just within reach… but, I’m happy enough for being included~ …Srsly, it’s like, heaven and hell.

Tao Kinouchi

FIRST: Eh, me in 1st…? Uwah, kinda feeling humbled here, or well… Just in case, it’s not some prank or whatever like, right? 

SECOND: 2nd place’s also not for me. I wanna live up to expectations and stuff, but hearing others out is about all I can do… if that’s up your alley, then I’m always good to go.

THIRD: I’m just happy to end up ranking anything, but for me this is just right that I can sigh with relief and calm down. I was on edge earlier. 

Kuguri Domeki

FIRST: To have me in 1st… How adorably pathetic. I’ll give you the mercy of touching my body as a reward. So, where would you like to feel me up the most?

SECOND: The 2nd place you want to touch is… my collarbones? …Hmmm. Not that I care much, but you have some banal, disappointing tastes. 

THIRD: Leaving me behind in 3rd… You have some nerve. Looks like someone wants to get retrained by me from scratch.

Nagi Hachioya

FIRST: …Huh. I’m 1st? I’m so surprised I fail to understand… But as thanks…  I’ll become your servant for as long as you live. Or do I offer my kidney… 

SECOND: 2nd, thanks. I’m happy… Right, here’s a flower as some thanks… ah, nevermind… the bottom of the basket fell off… 

THIRD: 3rd… I don’t deserve this. As thanks you can have this horsetail. Did you know these are pretty delicious when used to cook tamago toji? 

TL note: Tamago toji is a Japanese soup dish where, for examples, vegetables are cooked in dashi broth and beaten eggs are added to make a kind of soup. 

Ryui Shiramitsu

FIRST: This ain’t the time to be stanning me! Go back right now, redo it until you get Toi in 1st!

SECOND: Oi, Toi better be ahead of me, yeah…? Not gonna let you have it if he isn’t…

THIRD: It’s not like I give a crap about being stanned or whatever. Just, if you feel like cooperating with me, you better guarantee Toi’s safety.

Toi Shiramitsu

FIRST: I’m your best boy…? I’m so happy! I’ll tell your fortune of the day as thanks… Wah, looks like your fortune’s as good as it can get♪

SECOND: You kindly graced me with 2nd place! Your fortune of the day is… slightly good luck. Take in all the small bits of happiness. 

THIRD:  Please let me do some fortune telling for you. Your fortune of the day is… Howawa, bad luck!? Watch out for any unexpected banana peels! 

Yodaka Natsume

FIRST: …Hm. If I remember correctly, your driving technique led to a violent explosion right at the last corner… I wonder if our machines would’ve ended up 1st. 

SECOND: …Hmn. Right… I ended up 2nd in the Senbatsu General Election. So the center of the debut single will be you… Congratulations.

THIRD: …Ngh. I also tried chasing after Liguang’s riichi when he went all in during oorasu… As a consequence, I discarded a tile, lost and ended up in 3rd. A shame.

TL note: Senbatsu General Election is an annual event where fans of AKB48 and adjacent groups can vote for their faves. More info here.  TL note2: I will simply link this wiki page to get enlightened about mahjong terms. 

Netaro Yowa

FIRST: Wahey, I landed 1st~♪ Which means I may do whatever I want to, yes? Which then means you’ll become my guinea pig, yes? 

SECOND: I am not dissatisfied with landing in 2nd place, yet I shall cast an enthralling spell onto you! Feast upon this enchanted meat bun!

THIRD: 3rd~? How dicey~... Well, I will thank you. A special gift of 2,7 mystery buns planned for disposal~

TL note: Bad foresight on me not seeing メロメロリン coming back again. For now, I will simply make it be something to “casting an enthralling spell” like in the previous instance until I workshop it into something better? 

That’s the end!

Thank you, thank you!

[stellanix]

i have once again made the mistake of wading into public discourse about mars and i have lengthy opinions i must express about some of the common sentiments i see or else i will Explode:

mars is not radioactive (at least no more so than earth is). it does get more galactic cosmic radiation than earth because its thin atmosphere doesn't block them nearly as effectively - and there's more solar radiation too, but the atmosphere blocks those a lot better because solar particles are much lower energy than cosmic rays

the main radiation hazard of a human mission to mars is not actually on the surface of mars itself, but during the interplanetary flight between earth and mars. on mars, the bulk of the planet itself blocks half the sky, and by extension half the cosmic rays. the atmosphere and even local topography can also help a bit. the radiation dose rate on the surface of mars is similar to what astronauts on the ISS get, which humans have been exposed to for as long as a year without significant adverse affects so far. and you can get that lower by using the abundant dirt and rocks on mars to build radiation shielding

humans living on mars would not need to live in caves or underground bunkers. i think this idea became a bit of a trope after the concept of using lava tube caves on mars for human habitation entered the public consciousness, and in many people's minds it became the way humans would HAVE to live on mars. but there are plenty of other ideas for human habitation on mars that don't involve living underground, and it's perfectly feasible to build surface habitats that are protected from radiation but also have plenty of windows and natural light and views of the landscape. also, honestly, in my opinion the idea of living in martian caves is a bit silly and introduces more problems than it solves

mars having a magnetic field would make little difference in whether or not it could hold onto an atmosphere or support life. mars lost most of its atmosphere because it's small and so it's easier for gas particles to escape its gravity. nor is a magnetic field necessary to protect from radiation - lots of cosmic rays get through earth's magnetosphere but our atmosphere blocks the vast majority of them. and again, while mars lacks such a protective atmosphere, there are other feasible methods of radiation protection

mars has lower gravity than earth (0.38g, to be precise), but we don't know yet how it would affect the human body. we know plenty about the health effects of weightlessness thanks to the ISS, but next to nothing about the health effects of partial gravity. there could be a lot of negative health effects at 0.38g, or that level of gravity might eliminate most of the negative effects we see in weightlessness. we just don't know. but in any case, it's almost certainly not as bad as weightlessness, which humans have been able to manage for up to about a year. and martian gravity would probably be pretty fun tbh

and before anyone assumes i'm being nice to the techbro colonization crowd:

terraforming is not feasible, and even if it was, it would require destroying an entire planet's unique natural environment, which is ethically questionable to put it generously. why make earth 2 when we have a perfectly good earth right here? why not protect and preserve the things that make both earth and mars unique?

the problems involved in sending humans to mars probably aren't unsolveable, but they're still big challenges that won't be solved for a while. nobody is sending himans to mars in 2028 or whatever elon musk's latest hyperbolic estimate is. and tech billionaires won't solve these problems, they don't care. if they send people to mars, it will suck and those people will die. either NASA gets actually well-funded and throws a lot of money at these problems for decades, or nobody is going to mars

the best reason to send humans to mars is science. sending humans to mars to live there permanently and making that the goal and the immediate priority of mars exploration is getting WAY ahead of ourselves. maybe someday if we have scientific bases on mars and some people end up liking it there and wanna live there, then we can talk about it. but that won't be for a long time if at all, and people will have to WANT to live there. none of that "glorious future of mankind spreading the light of consciousness" bullshit. if people someday want to live on mars and can do it safely? why not! and if not, that's fine too

i see a lot of people (rightfully!) arguing against the tech billionaire hype of mars colonization, but i get frustrated when a lot of that criticism is along the lines of "mars sucks and is awful and if you wanna go there you're stupid because it's impossible". i don't think that just because there are a lot of bad ideas about space exploration that necessarily means that space exploration itself is a bad idea. there are better ways to so it than what those rich fucks propose. there is still a place for curiosity and wonder and human ingenuity and dreams, however improbable those dreams may be

unfortunately, because the government capacity for space exploration is being gutted and given away to private companies, the people with the power to launch things in space overwhelmingly have shitty ideas about what our future in space should be. but i don't think that should stop us from imagining something better. because reaching the wonders of the wider universe is difficult, but not impossible

anyway here's some pictures of pretty martian clouds (pictures taken from here):

[kuruna]

Things that are canon / are reasonable assumptions about AZ:

- despite being a very emotional person, he is very unexpressive. It can be difficult to read him because most of his expressiveness is shown by his one visible eye, and that eye would be hard to see because of his messy hair And the fact that he's so tall.

- he's incredibly stubborn. If he can't find a solution, he'll simply make one. It can also be assumed that this stubbornness played a large part in his ability to create the miraculous devices he did in the past.

- his best friend and dearest companion is Floette. This was during a time where pokemon were seen as tools. More likely than not, he felt like an outsider amongst his peers, like he couldn't connect well with other humans. It's easy to imagine him having been very lonely for much of his life, with Floette as his one true friend. In the manga, in the rare scenes where he's shown smiling, most of those smiles are aimed at Pokemon.

- (from the manga so technically not canon but still notable) he laments the fact that people act coldly towards those who are "different" from themselves. Being as old as he is, he's probably seen many different types of prejudices take form over the years, and how it affects people, or how it even affects Himself.

- he has a unique way of thinking and engaging with the world. He likes to do things his Own Way, though that may clash with ideas of "social conventions." This can be seen when he suddenly pops up and challenges the player to a battle despite this big event going on 😭 it may be a mix of his stubbornness and even left over entitlement from his kingship, but it shows he's someone who really likes to do what he wants, when he wants.

- I like to think Floette returned to him because he released his anger, yes, but also because he showed a willingness to let other people In. To put aside the pain and rejection of his past and learn to start trusting people again. He does not have to be lonely if he allows himself more friendships, if he stops holding humanity itself at such a distance. Even if he is in some ways "odd," there will always be people who love this about him, rather than find it disparaging.

- He only likes to wear his favourite colours (it's cute). Even during his kingship he wore that orange headband, and it can be assumed his cloak was green. Also as king, he dresses pretty simply, and despite having this important role his hair remains something of a mess. This makes me think he doesn't do well with overly complicated, uncomfortable clothing, and may have disliked others attempting to tend to his hair. Even as a Hotelier, where he's more "put together," his hair is still messy and his clothing style is something unique and custom made by his own hands with all the roughness that comes with it.

- He seems to have a unique manner of speaking. This may be due to his age as well, having learned many different ways of speaking from different cultures and periods of time, but I also like to think that he's someone who needs a bit of time to sort his words out, and though he can speak Fiercely and Commanding like a true king, it doesn't necessarily come naturally to him.

- AZ talks and mutters to himself ... Despite his height, others still easily can hear his words. It's of course possible that he's simply not talking quietly, but consider the idea that he may have volume control issues 😌✨

- He's a very honest person. He doesn't seem to hide from himself or the cruel actions he's done, despite his self loathing. This also results in him being rather blunt. He speaks, generally, in short sentences. He gets straight to the point, even if his "point" may be a somewhat esoteric concept.

- He struggles with empathy !! He has a hard time understanding the emotions of others, and will become confused if others don't react the way he expected them to. A major example of this is his confusion when Floette leaves him after she learns what he did in order to revive her. It took him a long time to be able to grasp what she must have felt in that moment.

In conclusion:

[mercurianchild]

Venus in the 5th house

✨Venus in the 5th house: Embracing the Romance and Creativity of Life✨

Venus in the 5th house is like a brush dipped in stardust, painting your life with romance, creativity and an eye for all things beautiful. This placement transforms you into a beacon of charm and artistic flair, drawing love and joy into your orbit. It’s not just about the art you create but the artful way you live your life.

Creativity flows through you effortlessly. Whether you’re drawn to painting, music, dance, or drama, your artistic expressions are infused with a unique, magnetic energy. But it’s more than just traditional art forms—you have a gift for turning everyday experiences into something extraordinary. Your creative spirit isn’t confined; it spills over into your approach to problem-solving and your ability to make life itself a work of art.

Romance with Venus in the 5th house is a series of passionate chapters filled with grand gestures and intimate moments. You’re a true romantic, seeing love not just as a part of life but as a vital, enriching experience. Your charm and magnetism make you irresistible, drawing admirers like moths to a flame. You revel in the highs of love, and even the lows become poetic in your eyes.

Life’s pleasures are your playground. You approach social gatherings with a sense of fun and playfulness that’s infectious. You’re often the heart of the party, your laughter and zest lighting up the room. Your positive energy not only uplifts you but also those around you, making every social interaction a memorable celebration.

Children hold a special place in your heart. Whether you’re a parent, an aunt, or simply someone who loves the innocence and creativity of kids, you connect with them effortlessly. Raising children or engaging with them brings out your best qualities, filling your life with joy and fulfillment.

Yet, this placement isn’t without its shadows. Venus in the 5th house can lead to overindulgence. You might find yourself chasing pleasures to excess, whether it’s spending too much on entertainment, indulging in romantic escapades, or savoring one too many decadent treats. Balance is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of excess.

Your romantic idealism can sometimes lead to heartache. You might idealize your partners, crafting perfect fantasies that reality struggles to meet. When reality falls short, disappointment can hit hard. It’s essential to remember that real love involves effort, compromise, and finding beauty in imperfections. Attention-seeking can also be a challenge. You thrive in the spotlight and might feel unfulfilled without it. This need for recognition can strain relationships if not kept in check. Staying grounded and valuing mutual respect and understanding is key.

The fun loving nature of Venus in the 5th house can also lead to risky behavior. Whether it’s gambling, impulsive decisions, or diving into whirlwind romances, your desire for excitement can sometimes cloud your judgment.

There are subtle nuances to this placement that often get overlooked. The creativity you possess isn’t just about making beautiful things; it’s a powerful tool for healing. Artistic pursuits can help you process emotions, heal old wounds, and create a harmonious inner world. Engaging in these activities is like therapy for your soul, providing solace and clarity.

In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented world, the importance of play is often underestimated. Venus in the 5th house reminds you that playfulness and joy are essential for a balanced, happy life. Embracing play through hobbies, sports, or simply enjoying time with friends can rejuvenate your spirit and bring deeper fulfillment. This placement also blesses you with deep empathy and an ability to connect emotionally with others. You have a knack for making people feel seen, appreciated, and loved. This talent can be a powerful asset in both personal and professional relationships, fostering genuine connections and mutual understanding.

Venus in the 5th house is a gift, filling your life with joy, creativity, and love. By acknowledging and balancing the challenges, such as overindulgence and romantic idealism, you can harness its full potential.

[shantaeandthebluemoon]

risky revolution bad (imo.)

I wanna preface this by saying I am literally a fan blog. I like this series. I'm the core audience. I was ready to absolutely fawn over what should have been a slam dunk from WayForward. A midquel sandwiched in between my two favorite entries. What was promised as a larger, more realized version of the GBC original I hold so dear.

And we did not. Get that.

I'm not going to go into the fact that this game shipped in an unforgivable state for its price point. You can check out this lovely thread by Vela Cosmos. Though there are a few other people who got some nasty cartridges. Limited Run totally dropped the ball on what should've also been an easy way to please a lot of diehards. It's disappointing all around, but not my area of expertise.

BUT THE GAME ITSELF

I want to start with complaints that are more grounded in game design and general blatant carelessness and work my way towards ones based in disagreeing with narrative decisions made with this entry.

I feel like I'm not alone in saying that this release was always being observed with some amount of skepticism. Risky Revolution is a infamous game for just how long it's been rotting away on a hard drive somewhere in WayForward. It's been over a 20 year wait. And if you count the amount of time since the last major entry in this series, it's been charitably 5 years.

So the dream I imagine many people had was something close to what was initially promised with the project back in 2003-04. That it would be Shantae GBC but upgraded for stronger hardware. An adventure much more ambitious, or at least something just as long with a higher level of fidelity.

I saw a lot of people post a screenshot from a press release of that time making a lot of large promises. While it's a fun gotcha, the core problem with this game isn't that it's missing a certain numeric amount of features, its that what it does have is poorly realized and feels stitched together with as little effort as humanly possible. This game could've been just as long as GBC, 5 towns and 4 dungeons with a boss each, fit with an opening and closing gauntlet. So long as that amount of game was realized to the standards of then contemporary efforts like Megaman Zero, Metroid or Wario Land 4, there wouldn't be a problem with the game being just as long as GBC.

It's that this game is struggling to pull the same amount of content as GBC. Its a shorter game with less unique places to visit and less to do and find. It even has fewer dungeons and unique bosses. Everything feels cheaper and less than a game running on the massively underpowered gameboy color.

There are only 3 dungeons with 3 unique bosses, only broken up by 1 repeated mini-boss and 3 overworld segments. 2 of those overworld segments are lazily cobbled together from assets that are either reused from other locations wholesale or recolored slightly.

Shantae's lighthouse had its assets repurposed for Naga Hills, the second of the overworld segments. Which isn't egregious in of itself, but it's the fact that this key location hardly has anything unique added to it to compensate. There's no real landmarks added, nowhere you can see the time saved by reusing sprites put towards something more meaningful.

This game could've used more landmarks in these segments. They're the only place in the game that really use the dual planes for puzzle solving. It quickly becomes extremely disorienting to try and align yourself in either plane when both lack almost anything distinctive. Not helped by the fact that the planes wrap around in an endless loop in these maps.

The first and third overworld section are just recolors of one another. Again, the development time saved on reusing assets isn't put to anything meaningful. Both of these environments are barren of any real landmarks or much in the way of a unique challenge.

I complain so much about these three sections being lazily cobbled together because they will make up a bulk of your time navigating this game. They are the only overworld you're going to get. Unlike GBC or Revenge, Revolution doesn't use an interconnected world. Instead you use Sky to teleport between these three overworld locations and one of the few scarce towns in this game.

The towns are abysmal, by the way.

While an increasingly diminished focus of the series since GBC, it's remarkable how little the various dwellings of Sequin Land feel so scarcely lived in this go around. Most towns are only a single screen with not much to do in them. If you expected a single minigame to do, or even more to see just beyond a few NPCs standing in a box, you're fresh out of luck.

I could show Bog Town, Museum Town, or Lava Town, many of the locations with only a screen, maybe two of static NPCs to talk to. I could lament how none of the towns aside from scuttle town are accounted for from GBC. But honestly, even scuttle town is the least ambitious we've ever seen it.

It's true that this game has "towns." But they end up being towns in name only. They lack much of the actual style or substance that makes a town in this series a town.

I don't have many complaints for the dungeons themselves other than they are aggressively standard. Most of them are decently fun, though some suffer from what feels like a lack of polish. They're what you can expect from this series. I was a bit upset that most of them seemed to reuse gimmicks between one another, in a game already full of reused content.

I was delightfully surprised that most dungeons at least had a fun and interesting boss encounter. They're hectic, charming, and even require creative use of the transformations once or twice. It's one of the only areas of the game I can safely say is a stronger showing than the original.

And that's just the problem. This entire time I've been describing how this game fails at being a better version of the GBC original, when that clearly isn't the bar this game needed to reach in 2025. There's no amount of Shantae that would've satisfied everybody who waited over two decades to finally play this game, but this game would've been considered a flop if it released in this state even in 2004.

There's no getting around the fact that what WayForward shipped here isn't what fans were looking for in seeing this game finally finished. They expected something probably on par with Metroid Zero Mission, a sprawling metroidvania with plenty to do and see, tons of powerups, and a wide range of varied locals to explore. Instead what they got was mostly padding by volume.

To say it's insulting to anyone who stuck around this long is an understatement. I've only been on this ride a few years towards the end of this game's dev cycle, and I still feel betrayed. This game was sold at a premium on lazily assembled cartridges. It feels like shovelware of the series I care so much about.

Oh man, we didn't even talk about the narrative yet.

So, here's where you can bow out if you don't care about the narrative of this series, the characters, what have you. I know Shantae lore is becoming more of an oxymoron with each passing entry, but if you care to listen, keep reading. Here's where the even remotely objective criticism ends. It's all my preference in videogame narrative from here on out.

Spoilers ahead, because, of course. It's the story talk.

The Sultana ruins everything and I do mean everything about this series that matters to me. I know me saying the giant lady is a mistake seems supremely out of character, but her function in the narrative and what she stands for is deeply corrosive.

This right here, this moment in HGH is when I began to understand that things were going to be taking a nose dive. It's not exactly crucial that Shantae be an endling, or a Gohan situation where there's literally scant another half genie in the world. I think there's a ton fo potential in the idea of there being other half-genies. But the fact that her parents aren't even dead anymore was a sign that they were going to begin rolling back the stakes on this narrative.

Because think about it, what drives the drama in Pirate's Curse? It's the fact that the prior age of genies is gone. Risky saw her former master felled basically only by their supernatural powers, and it gives her plenty of good reason to spend most of that game being desperate and afraid. It's why the genies are even really gone from Sequin Land in the first place.

They literally need to be removed from Shantae to give her something she doesn't understand that is paradoxically core to her being. You can read that as a metaphor for a lot of things, but most importantly I feel is that it has a lot to say about heritage.

It's a special kind of grief to have lost someone as important as mom and dad even before you're conscious enough to know what happened. It's even worse to know that they were great, brave people who did excellent things. It simultaneously gives Shantae big shoes to fill and no means to fill them.

It makes her a well and true underdog, and you get the sense that she's had to use every ounce of her own skill and ingenuity to scrape by in life. We can get into a long talk about how good taste her depiction is later. But the fact she was introduced needing to scrounge up money from parlor shows and gambling to do the hero work expected of her really paints an image of someone disadvantaged in life going against all odds to do what they believe is right.

It makes every little victory in GBC feel so much greater, and part of what I feel like lends that game so much of its identity. Not necessarily the minigames themselves, but in how the world cohesively paints an image of a poor heroine who exceeds well and truly by her own determination. The victories in GBC were so hard won that the golden tiara, sash, and arm gauntlets that you unlock in GBC became parts of her design permanently.

And while HGH and S7 work to undermine all of this, saying that Shantae was being quietly assisted by divine forces all along. GBA just comes in and stomps this characterization into the dirt.

The Sultana explains herself that there were a ton of half genies, and they were all assigned a town to guard. The ones that were too young were handed off to their fathers to grow up normal style.

So retroactively, Shantae's entire life has been planned out by a invisible divine, or I guess now, legislative force that has essentially assigned her the role of town deputy. Being a guardian genie isn't something she wants to do, she does it because she was literally fostered into that role.

I don't know if the plan was to do this all along. But considering that the Sultana never existed before this game, Shantae was getting fired all the time by a mayor who would theoretically be beneath the Sultana, the royal palace was actively hostile to Shantae's heroics, and that Shantae herself refused to ascend to divinity because she thought being a human was more important to fully experience in GBC, or the fact Shantae was getting fired all the time.

I'm assuming that this bold new direction starting in HGH is the result of someone in the writer's room departing for greener pastures.

So needless to say, I do hate this. Shantae's agency started out as absolute and she was slowly wrung dry of it until her entire life got pre-destined by divinity itself, her mother, and literally the throne.

But I imagine it's a lot less to grapple with than the metric ton of borderline fridge horror tragedy that Pirate's Curse dropped onto the series all at once. At the very least now everything is all under control and going perfectly according to plan from the start, wouldn't want any of those unpleasant feelings. Not when there's midriff to ogle.

And that's just this game in a nutshell.

This series feels increasingly like it's going through the motions of its gameplay while appealing increasingly to the lowest common denominator of anime fan. Those who want shallow, self-indulgent schlock with a steady stream of inoffensive pretty girls to gawk at.

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like these games weren't horny before this point. And frankly, I love that for this series so long as there's anything interesting story-wise. But it feels like we've escalated from an adventure game with a story and themes with some sexy monster girls, to a sexy girl ogling game with an adventure as the genre by happenstance.

I could say that the new direction just isn't for me, but that would be to discount the fact that this series used to have heart and a reputation of being for gooners by a largely dismissive internet gaming landscape. But now I can't say that in good faith anymore. If the swimsuit magazine wasn't an embarrassing enough attempt to capture the worst accusation of a fanbase, this game certainly is.

And that sucks. It leaves a giant pit right in the center of my being and genuine adoration for the earlier entries and this series as a whole.

I knew going in that this game wasn't going to knock my socks off, but I was at least hoping for something on par with the games it's now retroactively sandwiched between in the series chronology. Instead what anybody who gave enough of a damn to shill full price for a new entry in this series in 2025 got was a botched resurrection of what once was, shipped on cartridges showing more age than the game itself.

Worst part is, you can't even buy the damn thing officially because the steam release isn't even out yet. It should be. But it isn't. So here, click this link if you wanna give it a whirl yourself. If you made it this far, you deserve to at least get this game complementary with my bitching and moaning. Until next.

[thefoolsystem]

Hiya! Small question, as long as Host (or any of the headmates) are comfortable with answering.

“overall anti-endo for safety (I have some pro endo, neutral, and anti endo alters, but due to the fact that endo content is extremely triggering for some alters, I do not allow it to show up in front of me)”

So… Is Host against? Or not? I understand the wording here, but I genuinely would like to know Host’s stance on endogenic systems. Again, this is only if Host (or anyone else) is comfortable with replying and clearing this up for me. Thanks! <3

Hello!!

I understand your question, however, it is very difficult for me to answer, as I have many hosts and would not be able to tell you with any certainty which one would be my main fronter.

I think the best answer I can give is this: I have been trained as a neuroscientist, have worked in neurology in a medical capacity, and have received extensive education on PTSD and neurological disorders. Due to this, I tend to lean on a more nuanced side of endogenic discourse. I am a neuroscientist rather than a psychologist, which means I specialize in concepts relating to the physical structure of the brain (such as fMRI, proteins, and chemical signaling that are altered by disorders).

By this I mean: there is an abundance of literature cementing the idea that DID/OSDD is borne of trauma, as well as literature exploring the physical phenomena (like brain activation in fMRI) behind DID/OSDD. In addition, there is some literature documenting physical differences in DID/OSDD systems and malingering systems (aka, we can see physically if a system has the disorder or not regardless of symptomology). However, there is less information about the existence of systems outside of DID/OSDD (for example, I look to the meditative practice of Tibetan Buddhist tulpamancy); to that end, DID/OSDD itself as a diagnosis may be reshaped or abolished when new information comes to light.

Therefore, I (as one of the hosts) would rather that DID/OSDD spaces online stay exclusive and informational to traumagenic systems, as there are unique challenges this disorder creates within us that we often need to ameliorate with community resources. I understand the anger that many anti-endo systems hold towards those who attempt to mimic the disorder, as many within me hold the same anger.

However, regardless of the opinions of my other headmates, I try not to confirm nor deny the existence of systems outside of DID/OSDD. It is simply not something that exists within the scientific literature I have cemented my education upon. My "endos DNI" tag is there for the safety of DID/OSDD systems who see my content, and because I wish for my experiences as a system to be categorized in this manner.

If I have offended anyone with this post, I apologize. I welcome any comments within this post, but I do not wish to become a syscourse blog or to involve myself in discourse.

TL;DR: there is proof that DID/OSDD can only exist with trauma, however, there is little evidence either way that non-DID/OSDD systems exist. I am not a psychologist, but a neuroscientist. Brain stuff is complicated, and it may be many decades before we truly get answers.

If you are an endogenic system who is looking at my content, I hope it proves helpful to you, however, please respect my wishes that I want for my experiences to be reblogged only on the OSDD/DID side of Tumblr. Besides that, you are free to quietly appreciate my work (likes are fine). If you are a system that does not identify as endogenic, yet does not quite fit the DID/OSDD category, feel free to interact.

<3

[imthepunchlord]

So question from a writer's standpoint, do you think 9 members is too many for a hero team? (This isn't related to any of your fics, but just a general question)

So, I think it's doable though could be on the unideal side, but it's definitely not a norm.

Typically, when writing a story with multiple leads, usually the minimum is 3, and the max is usually 5. When the numbered group is 3 to 5, usually, everyone has a role to fill out in the team, and there's a nice balancing out.

Though some are able to bump it up to 6 and make it work as a whole team, as that can also give you pairs and trios and quartets to work with, and you can fun shuffling up the groups and who works off who (first three seasons of Camp Cretaceous comes to mind in doing that really well).

But going up to 9 leads, it can be done, you just got to factor in a lot. Your 9 leads are be unique, and not have overlapping roles. You need to figure out how everyone works off each other, what their relationships are with each team member, which is 81 dynamics to think about for the hero team, + thinking of villains and how they'll work off them, and if each member has a personal villain to face. And the possibility of foils and rivals, but that could exist in the team itself.

You also need to decide who gets the most attention, who are the most important of this team and how are they grouped up. Who are your major characters to follow. And then you need to make sure the less major characters still get attention else they're added fluff that you can see that can be trimmed away.

And this is a case where less is more.

This is actually where the Five Man Bad works really well, being a nice medium.

You have your major leads, usually the Leader and the Lancer. The Leader leads and make progress to the story, the Lancer challenges the leader and how they go about things, often acting as their foil/rival. These two roles often take the primary focus as they're involved in the story and how it progresses and the conflict of choices and personal interests.

The other 3 have major roles that don't need as much attention, but it's hard to skip out on them entirely.

The Heart can potentially toe the line of being a lead, depending on how they're done, but they're the mediator who mediates conflict in the group, they're the one who holds the team together, usually defined by being compassionate and empathetic, and just having a really big heart and able to easily make friends, even with enemies. And usually have the role of love interest but not always.

The Smart One is the smartest character on the team. They can be the plan maker, the tactician, the inventor, the science guy, the alchemist, the trickster; there's a lot of options on how to do them, and they help the team with their intellect, thinking and seeing things that the others do not.

The Tough Guy/Tank is the strong one. They're the heavy hitters in fights, and carry most of the battle. Or they can be the ultimate defenders. Or they know they can just throw their weight around and have the power to back it.

So that's the challenge to face for a team of 9. You need to figure out who your leads are, then the rest you need to stress how they are still important even with less attention on them.

Lastly, depending on what you're doing, you may have to come up with 9 backstories and 9 arcs.

I do think you could do it, but this can be a case where less is more. Personally, I'd max things out at 5 or 6.

[mariacallous]

United States Customs and Border Protection is asking tech companies to send pitches for a real-time face recognition tool that would take photos of every single person in a vehicle at a border crossing, including anyone in the back seats, and match them to travel documents, according to a document posted in a federal register last week.

The request for information, or RIF, says that CBP already has a face recognition tool that takes a picture of a person at a port of entry and compares it to travel or identity documents that someone gives to a border officer, as well as other photos from those documents already “in government holdings.”

“Biometrically confirmed entries into the United States are added to the traveler’s crossing record,” the document says.

An agency under the Department of Homeland Security, CBP says that its face recognition tool “is currently operating in the air, sea, and land pedestrian environments.” The agency’s goal is to bring it to “the land vehicle environment.” According to a page on CBP’s website updated last week, the agency is currently “testing” how to do so. The RIF says that these tests demonstrate that while this face recognition tool has “improved,” it isn’t always able to get photos of every vehicle passenger, especially if they’re in the second or third row.

“Human behavior, multiple passenger vehicle rows, and environmental obstacles all present challenges unique to the vehicle environment,” the document says. CBP says it wants a private vendor to provide it with a tool that would “augment the passenger images” and “capture 100% of vehicle passengers.”

Dave Maass, director of investigations at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, received a document from CBP via public record request that reveals the results of a 152-day test the agency conducted on its port of entry face recognition system from late 2021 to early 2022. The document Maass obtained was first reported by The Intercept.

Maas said that what stood out to him were the error rates. Cameras at the Anzalduas border crossing at Mexico’s border with McAllen, Texas, captured photos of everyone in the car just 76 percent of the time, and of those people, just 81 percent met the “validation requirements” for matching their face with their identification documents.

The current iteration of the system matches a person’s photo to their travel documents in what’s known as one-to-one face recognition. The primary risk here, Maas says, is the system failing to recognize that someone matches their own documents. This differs from one-to-many face recognition, which police may use to identify a suspect based on a surveillance photo, where the primary risk is someone getting a false positive match and being falsely identified as a suspect.

Maas says it’s unclear whether CBP’s error rates primarily have to do with the cameras or the matching system itself. “We don't know what racial disparities, gender disparities, etc, come up with these systems,” he says.

As reported by The Intercept in 2024, the DHS's Science and Technology Directorate issued a request for information last August that’s similar to the one that CBP posted last week. However, the DHS document currently appears to be unavailable.

Maas adds that it’s important to remember that CBP’s push to widen and improve its surveillance isn’t unique to the current Trump administration.

“CBP surveillance strategy carries over from administration to administration—it always falls short, it always has vendor issues and contracting issues and waste issues and abuse issues,” Maas says. “What changes is often the rhetoric and the theater around it.”

DHS noted in a 2024 report that CBP has historically struggled to get “biographic and biometric” data from people leaving the country, particularly if they leave over land. This means it’s hard for it to track people self-deporting from the country, which is something the administration is encouraging hundreds of thousands of people to do. CBP’s recent request for information only mentions inbound vehicles, not outbound vehicles, meaning it’s currently not set up to use face recognition to track self-deporations.

CBP did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

CBP’s request for information comes less than three weeks after 404 Media revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is paying the software company Palantir $30 million to build a platform that would allow the agency to perform “complete target analysis of known populations.” According to a contract justification published a few days later, the platform, called ImmigrationOS, would give ICE “near real-time visibility” on people self-deporting from the US, with the goal of having accurate numbers on how many people are doing so. However, ICE did not specify where it would get the data to power ImmigrationOS.

In the ICE document that justifies paying Palantir for ImmigrationOS, the agency does not specify where Palantir would get the data to power the tool. However, it does note that Palantir could create ImmigrationOS by configuring the case management system that the company has provided to ICE since 2014. This case management system integrates all of the information ICE may have about a person from investigative records or government databases, according to a government privacy assessment published in 2016.

It’s unclear if the system may have integrated new data sources over the past decade. But at the time of the assessment, the system stored information about someone’s physical attributes—like hair and eye color, height and weight, and any scars or tattoos—as well as any “location-related data” from “covert tracking devices,” and any data from license plate readers, which can provide a detailed history on where a person goes in their vehicle and when.

[agentnico]

Dune: Part Two (2024) review

I’m fully aware that the Dune sequel has been hit by acclaim from both critics and audiences, and I shall share my own thoughts in due course, but also whilst presenting itself as a serious and sophisticated piece of artsy science fiction tackling challenging themes of religion and politics, from a marketing standpoint this film has been a major farcical meme. From the popcorn buckets shaped like suggestive sand worms (or more so accurately as deformed buttholes) to the viral TikTok video of an unnamed man riding a makeshift sand worm around a cinema lobby on his way to Arrakis, or more likely to one of the gazillion screenings of Dune: Part Two. But yes, absolutely mad bonkers advertising techniques, and not at all reflective of how seriously and straight faced the actual film plays. Anyway, let’s talk Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuneee…..

Plot: Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Controversial opinion - I was not a fan of the first Dune. I thought it was all spectacle and no substance, and even then in regards to said spectacle, it was just sand. Lots of sand and bland dark visuals. I understand that the first movie acts as a massive exposition piece with lots of world building and introductions of all the characters and various political families and the spice trade and all that sweet jazz, but honestly it all felt so dragged out. Also a lot of narrative choices felt really immature and I did not buy it. In fact, the only memorable part for me was that female voice screaming on the music score every time something crazy happened, and my does that woman have some strong vocal pipe work! Like damn, her screams…. I really felt them!

Going into Dune: Part Two, I was very much of two mindsets. One was more so a feeling of obligation to watch it, as I wasted 3 hours of my life watching the first one that I felt I deserved some kind of closure for my efforts. The other being Denis Villeneuve. Aside from the first Dune, he’s a director that has constantly impressed me with his unique vision and style. Simply look at his past filmography! Prisoners. Enemy. Arrival. Sicario. All impressive pieces of genre filmmaking. Then there’s Blade Runner 2049, that took the classic Ridley Scott movie and managed to improve on it and become one of the most thrilling science fiction epics of the last decade. Also the trailers looked appropriately exciting, and it seemed like the second movie was actually gonna deal with some serious shit finally. Again, my problem with the first Dune wasn’t that it was slow. I mean, I can happily watch Paris, Texas any day of the week and be mesmerised by the empty yet beautiful takes of the American desert. It’s more-so that the first Dune felt aimless and messy. As for Dune: Part Two?

Well, if we’re going to use The Lord of the Rings terminology, and boy am I happy to refer to the dear-to-my-heart Middle Earth whenever I have the chance, then Dune: Part Two holds the scale of The Two Towers. I may not agree with all of it, and there are still some moments that drag, though The Two Towers is also guilty of that - I’m looking at you Treebeard! But overall this is one hell of a cinematic experience and achievement. Visually for one this is eye-candy. And yes, yet again there’s lots of sand, but this time around Villeneuve manages to find very creative ways to add/take away colour to make many sequences truly impressive. There’s an early scene where the Fremen are fighting Harkonnen goons in the desert and the entire thing is seeped in this blood orange palette, reminiscent of the Martian Chronicles, and then there’s the part where we are introduced to the Harkonnen home planet where the entire screen is drenched in hardcore intense black-and-white due to their sun only giving out white and black light, and instead of fireworks there are these watercolour stroked exploding in the sky, to of course the much talked about eye-dropping sand worm riding into battle scene that had the feel of the giant elephants appearing in The Return of the King, and yes that was another most delightful reference to Lord of the Rings! As I was saying though, the entire movie visually is certainly something to be in awe of.

Also Hans Zimmer’s score!! Of course the man’s a genius, having composed so many of cinema’s greatest musical compositions. I can recommend his Live in Prague performance! Hit after hit, and I find myself spinning it on my record player a good few times. Hans Zimmer’s Dune: Part Two soundtrack feels like a thunderously bombastic continuation and expansion of the first film’s more quiet and moody opener, and that shift in tone allows for some truly spectacular weaving of the composer’s thematic tapestry for Dune – with the finest new thread being the absolutely gorgeous love theme for Paul and Chani. A truly beautiful piece that echoes the heartbreaking tragic nature of the central romance of the film. Needless to say I’ve already pre-ordered the limited edition coloured vinyl of Dune 2’s soundtrack from Mutant (the new Mondo).

As for the narrative, as that is where I felt the first film faltered the most in my humble opinion (which I share so publicly online). I really do feel like the sequel is a major set up, for since the first one focused more on the endless word building and set-ups, this movie is all about the character developments. The scope is still big with the various political and religious elements that are tackled and explored throughout, however at the same time Dune: Part Two manages to feel more intimate compared to its predecessor, with the unravelling of the romance between Paul and Chani, but more so the inner struggles of Paul Atreides, as he tries to balance his emotions of revenge with the feeling of wanting to belong somewhere, as well as his denial of being called the so-called Messiah to the Fremen people. Look, the idea of the chosen one has been a concept that has been done over and over again, however I felt here they managed to really make it feel unique and different, with Paul choosing not to take this major responsibility due to visions of the future where he sees this choice result in darkness and dread, yet at the same time realising he has no choice but to follow his destiny and calling. It’s powerful stuff.

The cast list is stacked in this one. Timothee Chalamet is a rising star, having previously excelled his dramatic chops in Call Me by Your Name and his charismatic whimsy in last year’s Wonka, but this is by far his most impressive acting feat. You truly feel his character turning from boy to man, and it’s a real and raw performance. Zendaya shares great chemistry with him, but also in her own right gives a strong turn as a warrior Fremen conflicted with what she sees and thinks. Javier Bardem’s Stilgar adds a slice of surprising humour to the mix, being so obsessed with Paul being part of the prophecy that anything he’d do, Stilgar would find that to be part of what has been foretold. Paul Atreides could literally fart and Stilgar would observe in wonder proclaiming “as it was written”. There’s also a tiny No Country for Old Men reunion with Bardem being joined by Josh Brolin, who’s alright by the way, though it’s a typical Brolin brute role. Charlotte Rampling as the Reverend Mother continues being truly despicable and honestly that wench deserves to be put in her place - the movie’s ending is very satisfying in this regard. There’s also some newcomers to the Dune world too. Florence Pugh as the Princess reminded me a lot of Padme from Star Wars, and Christopher Walken I felt was tad miscast as the Emperor. Don’t get me wrong, Walken is a great actor, but his way of speech has been impersonated and overdone so many times that it is difficult to take him seriously in a role like this. Minus a couple of strong deliveries Walken felt really lazy here. You know who wasn’t lazy though? Austin Butler! This guy understood the assignment, playing the psychotic nutter Feyd-Rautha and he’s truly unrecognisable. Even his voice is different. Gone is Elvis and in cometh his Skarsgard impression! He’s brutal and maniacal and was honestly superb, and I wish there was more of him in this movie.

Again, it’s far from a perfect movie. There are parts still that drag, and certain times where things feel surprisingly rushed, but overall this is an experience through and through, and unlike my feelings after the first film, here I find myself really looking forward to the inevitable third part. In fact f*ck it, who am I kidding - this movie is bloody incredible!! Like I can’t even - it’s abso-fricking-lutely spectacular!! And by the way I read a bit about the Frank Herbert Dune books now and the future sequels are gonna be mad, just saying. Paul’s son becomes this half-man half-worm known as the God Emperor! Things are gonna get weird! Anyway, Dune: Part Two - go see it if you haven’t already. And in Austin Butler’s voice: “may thy knife chip and shatter”.

Overall score: 9/10

[miquellah]

✧ After Elden Ring: What Next?

This is intended as a condensed, spoiler-free guide for people who have played Elden Ring and no other Soulsbornes, but are very curious about the rest of the genre. If you were enamored with Fromsoft's game design or lore, and are otherwise new to things, I'm here to peddle you some other potential starting points!

I'll give a lowdown on systems available, DLC available, and some thoughts in regards to each as a starting point post-ER. And just because I like him, also whether or not each game contains our favorite little guy: Patches!!!!!

DARK SOULS 1 (2011) Systems: Playstation, Xbox, WIndows, Steam, Nintendo Switch DLC: purchaseable intact with special editions or purchased in online store (intact: Artorias of the Abyss, Prepare to Die, Remastered)

With slower combat than Elden Ring, and no fast-travel for a good portion of the game, this is often a tough sell for many. Nonetheless the entire Dark Souls saga is a shining gem of its own right, and it all starts here. The setting is somewhat similar to Elden Ring, albeit striking far further into Low Fantasy than High. You may or may not have some growing pains, but don't let that deter you; determination is all very much part of the experience. (And, it's got enough cracks in the code you can sufficiently cheese a lot, should you get fed up and stuck.) Contains Patches, the Trusty.

DARK SOULS 2 (2014) Systems: Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Steam DLC: purchaseable intact with special editions or purchased in online store (intact: Scholar of the First Sin)

Considered by many to be the black sheep of the DS trilogy, given its abrupt change in development direction; nonetheless, it's still a VERY worthwhile title, and a very apt inclusion into the Dark Souls story. Certain mechanics such as a gradual, incremental loss of HP bar per each death MAY seem daunting, but for a mediocre player like me it actually wasn't all that big a deal. You COULD jump into this one as a starting point, but you may as well just go for DS1. Does NOT include Patches (but has a Patches-like).

DARK SOULS 3 (2016) Systems: Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Steam DLC: purchaseable intact with special editions or purchased in online store (intact: The Fire Fades Edition)

Faster-paced in combat than the previous two titles, it serves as a decent starting point from Elden Ring, if only for the relative similarity in feel and mechanics. It also has just a bit more hand-holding that the previous two, though nothing to sand away the bulk of challenges. But as the final title in the trilogy, and intended in and of itself as a send-off, though, if story is your priority then you're best off starting with DS1. Contains Patches, the Unbreakable.

DEMON'S SOULS (2009/2020) Systems: Playstation Only DLC: no expansions, only items

Alright so I haven't played the remake, which also may very well be the most accessible to you unless you have a PS3 and the original discs. Nonetheless, Demon's Souls in and of itself was the predecessor to Dark Souls, and the beginning of the Soulsborne formula itself. It seems a bit simpler on the surface, but there's a lot of brutal charm here all the same, and unique lore you could still dig through for years. Contains Patches, the Hyena.

The remake is most easily available, and has a higher graphical fidelity if you're into that; nonetheless, there's been a lot of understandable qualms about the changes made in much of the art direction from the original, so if you want the true, ORIGINAL intentions in full... well, find yourself a letsplay or a PS3.

BLOODBORNE (2015) Systems: Playstation Only DLC: must be purchased intact in special editions or purchased in online store (intact: The Old Hunters)

Everyone's favorite. Bloodborne is a standalone Soulsborne that gave the genre that latter half of its name, and takes place in a horrific, Victorian-era England. Its primary focus is on offense over defense, and there's a bit less customization available in builds... nonetheless, the trick weapons are fun as all hell. It's got a unique, dreadful atmosphere unlike anything else, and a feel I've been craving to see again anywhere. Contains Patches, the Spider.

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE (2019) Systems: Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Steam, Stadia ?? DLC: no expansions, only items

While NOT a true Soulsborne, it's considered by many to be within the fringes of the formula. I personally still have yet to play this one, but the combat is apparently fast-paced, and primarily focused on deflections, with a story centered in fictionalized Sengoku Japan. It's been praised consistently and highly by many, but may have a bit of a learning curve. Does NOT include Patches, to my knowledge.

ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON (2023) Systems: Playstation, Xbox, Windows, Steam DLC: none. yet?

.... Okay this one isn't a Soulsborne at all. It's actually the long-awaited revival of Fromsoft's Armored Core series, and it's a mech game. But do you like crazy customization in builds? Do you love Fromsoft's lore and stories, and want to see their unique writing in a fresh, yet still crazily strong take? Do you LOVE critiques of hypercapitalism and want to see it all burn? Please play AC6. Please. It was so fucking good. (Doesn't contain Patches, but he DID appear in AC4: For Answer)

_________________________________________

And that's that! If you feel I missed anything, or have any further questions, don't hesitate to add anything on or shoot me a message. Elden Ring has brought sooo many new people into the fold and there's so much more for you to discover!!! Don't ever be afraid to try out the rest, challenge yourself, and fall in love!! ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

[eneagore]

Trading Social Media Anxiety for a Slow Musical Fade: Welcome to My Corner

Right, so listen to this. I'm 33, and out of nowhere, this obsession with making music has taken hold. Seriously, where the heck did that come from? Could it be because my writing career went down the drain before it even started… novels in a drawer old enough to vote? But anyway, is anyone else out there who, at a decidedly 'later' stage, just decided to jump into a whole new creative world? Tell me I'm not alone in this madness!

Combining writing and music is very complicated for me. I'm a terrible singer (yes, I'm in tune but I don't have a great voice that makes people shout 'wow! this guy's got something!'), and still a novice when it comes to music theory. I've been taking guitar lessons for over a year, with poor results. I told myself it was a good instrument to start with. Sure, if you're under 8 years old it's a good way to learn music. But not when you're over 30. You'll probably always suck.

But then what can someone like me possibly expect from this art? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Just like with writing, I also felt the call of music, I had the desire to challenge myself to prove that I'm not a complete failure and that I can actually do something.

The downside of this whole story isn't so much the clash with musical composition, with its rules, with production, and learning how to use a DAW. Rather, it's what comes after.

Now, even as a writer, I knew that there are rules to face nowadays. Isn't publishing art enough to define yourself as an artist? In the chaotic accumulation of data that is the internet, I don't think so, you need to stand out. You have to promote the artist! Here are the rules that everyone promotes: create social media accounts like Instagram and TikTok, show your face, and promote your art – whether it's your writing or your music. You absolutely have to be unique, lively, distinctive. Me, who am none of these things and not even an actor, it would have gone badly in any case.

This is where the problem arises, I believe, and hope, shared by many: either you have money to promote yourself or you remain dirt poor and unknown to everyone. And so I said to myself: okay, let's open a blog. I'm not good at showing my face. I know a little about writing, but I'm slow, lazy, and I don't have the creative ideas of a Tiktoker or Instagrammer, and so I don't know how to promote myself, that's it. Am I my art? Could letting what I do speak for itself be an idea? Let it be so then. After thirty, I'm tired of playing the game, the conflicts with others and with myself that would have arisen on those social media platforms would have led me to a nervous breakdown. Better the decline, better the decline in music, let it be gradual, let it be unknown to most, let it be just mine or shared by others.

So here's my Tumblr blog. An intimate space to immerse myself in an alternative community. Where even if you do little, that little belongs to you and you give it to others who might also give you a lot in their own small way.

I will feed my blog my creative process. How one of my tracks is born, how ideas and sounds originate within me and flow elsewhere, just as I can also use this blog as a personal space to recount my inner vicissitudes.

[rabbitcruiser]

Alien Day

Host a movie marathon, read a graphic novel, or break out the Alien video games to honor Ridley Scott’s iconic and beloved science fiction franchise.

The alien creatures and environments were designed by the Swiss artist H. R. Giger.

Alien day is an awesome day to recognize and appreciate the fantastic world of the Alien(s) franchise. Beginning with the first film released in 1979 and spanning more than 40 years since, Alien (including the many films, books and games) has been an intense, unique and fascinating look into the question of whether other life exists in the universe.

Whether or not life exists elsewhere is exactly the kind of question that should be asked on Alien Day!

How to Celebrate Alien Day

For fans of the franchise, enjoying this day can be fairly simple or super extreme, depending on preference. Try some of these ideas:

Host an Alien Movie Marathon

With six different films in the franchise, watching them all sequentially could certainly take most of the day! But diehard Alien fans won’t mind! Watch the films in this order:

Alien (1976). Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, this classic sci-fi horror film has certainly gained a cult following.

Aliens (1986). Reprising her role as Ripley, Sigourney Weaver is the sole survivor of the alien attack on her ship. This is considered by some as one of the best sequel films ever made.

Alien3 (1992). Again, with Weaver’s character as the sole survivor (along with alien life), she must try to survive.

Alien Resurrection (1997). Set 200 years into the future from the time the last film ended, this time Weaver is joined by Winona Ryder.

Prometheus (2012). A 15 year gap between these two films was a very long wait! This prequel stars Noomi Rapace and Charleze Theron, centering on the idea of finding the origins of humanity.

Alien: Covenant (2017). Another prequel, again with Michael Fassbender (who was also in Promethus) who plays an android.

Read Alien Books or Graphic Novels

Alien is more than just a series of films! It incorporates a whole host of written and illustrated books that provide even more interest and entertainment in the world of Alien. Many times, special releases of novels and comic books have been coordinated to align with Alien Day. So check out the local bookstore to see what new releases are available!

Play an Alien Video Game

Fans with a computer or mobile device can download Alien video games to their heart’s content! Beginning in 1982 (on that classic Atari game player, no less), the Alien brand began releasing its video games and has been continuing for many years.

Since then, they’ve also been playable on PC, XBox, Playstation, Gameboy and now mobile phones. The most recent video game in the franchise is Alien: Blackout, which was given away for free on Alien Day 2020!

Grab one at a local game shop or download it online to get started!

History of Alien Day

Alien Day was created by a Sci-Fi subculture of people who wanted to honor not only the Alien film series. The first “unofficial” Alien Day was celebrated in the spring of 2015 by a group of folks in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

The choice of the date itself holds meaning: 4/26 refers to the designation of the moon in the 1st Alien film: LV-426 is the name of the moon where the xenomorphs are discovered in the 1979 film by Ridley Scott.

Beginning in 2016, Alien Day commenced as a more official celebration when the maker of the Alien movies, 20th Century Fox, got involved with sponsoring events for the day. One of the events for that year was a trivia challenge that lasted an entire 24 hours. From midnight to midnight, Alien trivia questions were posted on Twitter every 42.6 minutes (a total of 35 questions) and prizes included collectibles and wearables related to the film.

2016 was a particularly important year because it was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the release of Alien’s sequel, Aliens. However, rather than taking place on the exact day of Aliens’ release, the date was instead a reference to the planetoid on which the film is set — LV-426 (otherwise known as 4/26).

The idea of and hope for Alien Day is that more people around the world can learn about this great day and celebrate the wonderful world of Alien(s). And that continues to come true as Alien Day is now acknowledged and enjoyed by Sci-Fi fans all over the world!

Alien Day FAQs

Why is Alien Day on April 26? 

Alien Day is held on 4/26 in a nod to LV-426, the name of the moon where the aliens were first discovered in the 1979 Ridley Scott film.

How are the Alien and Predator films related? 

The spinoff film series, Predator, began in 1987, eight years after the release of the original Alien film and just a year following the second film. These two worlds originally met in a 1989 comic book series, Aliens vs. Predators, published by Dark Horse Comics.

The crossover films didn’t come out until more than a decade later, with Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). None of the plots from the original Alien series references these crossovers.

What is the film Alien about? 

In the future, a space crew responds to a distress call on a remote moon named LV-426. The crew discovers some strange eggs and when one attaches itself to a crew member  it eventually births the Xenomorph, a horrific and terrifying creature that is set for destruction.

Who directed each film in the Alien franchise?

With different directors for each film (except for the original director, Ridley Scott, who directed three), the Alien franchise creates an interesting look into what different directors choose to do with a story theme. Here’s a list of the directors that correlate with each film:

Alien (1979): Ridley Scott

Aliens (1986): James Cameron

Alien 3 (1992): David Fincher

Alien: Resurrection (1997): Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Alien vs. Predator (2004): Paul W.S. Anderson

Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): Colin and Greg Strause

Prometheus (2012): Ridley Scott

Alien: Covenant (2017): Ridley Scott

What order should I watch the Alien movies in?  

Of course, watching them in the order they were released makes perfect sense. However, since the Alien films tend to go back in time, it’s also fun to watch them in the actual order in which they occurred in this fictional universe:

Prometheus (2012)

Alien: Covenant (2017)

Alien (1979)

Aliens (1986)

Alien 3 (1992)

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

This, of course, doesn’t include the Alien vs. Predator spinoffs, which adds a whole other element to the story.

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