#discourse can be good!

[greetingsfromrivain]

Reading all the tags for that werewolf poll and people’s various explanations is making me think of like, a sitcom style fic where everyone gets bitten by a werewolf and they’re all hiding it from each other loll

[caspergs]

every time someone famous is outed as being a shitty person theres people going “this is why you shouldn’t idolize celebrities,” “why are you sad that a bad person is being exposed as a bad person,” like PLEASE just let people be upset that someone they liked sucks

[mourning-at-night]

jace i don’t feel good was so funny but also made me so sad. like that’s a teenager with a strawberry squishmallow keychain and a tamagotchi and she doesn’t feel good and she's tugging on a teacher’s sleeve about it. a teacher who should have been responsible for protecting her in the first place and didn’t. who is manipulating and using her and her friends to help fulfill the desires of a wrathful power-hungry egomaniac. porter and jace it’s on sight >:(

[sforzesco]

something. about. the horror of being sent on an impossible (death) quest and obligations and hospitality politics. the trauma of not having a home, and then the trauma of being in a house that becomes actively hostile to you, one that would swallow you whole and spit out your bones if you step out of line. all of this is conditional, your existence continues to be something men want gone.

it's about going back as far as I can with the perseus narrative because there's always a version of a myth that exists behind the one that survives. the missing pieces are clearly defined, but the oldest recorded version of it isn't there! and there's probably something older before that!! but it's doomed to forever be an unfilled space, clearly defined by an outline of something that was there and continues to be there in it's absence.

and love. it's also about love. even when you had nothing, you had love.

on the opposite side of the spectrum, this is Not About Ovid Or Roman-Renaissance Reception, Depictions And Discourses On The Perseus Narrative.

edit: to add to the above, while it's not about Ovid, because I'm specifically trying to peel things back to the oldest version of this story, Ovid is fine. alterations on the Perseus myth that give more attention Medusa predate Ovid by several centuries. this comic is also not about those, either! there are many versions of this story from the ancient world. there is not one singular True or Better version, they're all saying something.

Perseus, Daniel Ogden

Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation, edited & translated by Stephen M Trzaskoma, R. Scott Smith, Stephen Brunet

[milquetoad]

bells hells suffers so deeply from not having a diplomat in the group i am so serious. c1 had percy and vex and eventually keyleth. c2 had fjord and occasionally caleb and even beau grew into it as an explicit part of her arc. the hells have a high charisma caster whose only two modes are ‘greymoral girlboss’ and ‘i just work here’ and an overly deferential soldier who speaks from the heart but cannot handle a spotlight. they have no one who can or even will speak in a way that endears them to ANYONE; they are constantly combative, belittling, and defensive. every time they meet anyone in any position of authority i get genuine second hand embarrassment because it’s like watching a group of high school freshman try to get the last word in an argument with a teacher. i wish eshteross had lived long enough to get them some fucking etiquette classes

[thecorefrisk]

Look… gender bending a character is not bad. In fact, it can allow for discussion to be made on what would have happened if that character were to be born of a different sex than they are in the original material.

The problem lies in the fact that often when people do genderbend a character, they do it with the INTENTION of shipping them with a character that would have been of the same sex if not for them gender bending them or to ‘ship’ them with an audience (or concept of a person that represents an audience) when it’s likely that they would have been of the same sex if not for the gender bending.

This action furthers the narrative that it would have been ‘wrong’ or ‘immoral’ if they had kept the character’s original gender as it was— even in a situation in which changing the character’s sex did nothing for the story’s/piece of media’s narrative nor its message. They could have been kept as their original gender and nothing would have changed.

For example, when I was an active part of the BNHA fandom, I saw a lot of ‘fem!Deku’ content here and there. And often, this sexualized the character and had this originally male character be put in either romantic or sexual relations with one of (or many of) their classmates, who were male more often than not.

And a more ‘modern’, or up to date example, would be if someone were to gender bend Stephanie Brown or even Barbara Gordon in order to write ‘x reader’ content about them. When you’re writing for a mainly female audience, gender bending an originally female character into being male for said audience comes out as insanely homophobic.

(And was apparently only a sign of their morbid amounts of insanity and rather lacking amount of intellect because wow. ‘Illegal people’ do not exist as crossing the border ‘illegally’ is no more of a civil offence than jaywalking is and sorry, if you’ve ever jaywalked then goodbye to you I suppose!

Good grief.)

It is not the fact that they are gender bending them that is the issue. It is the intention behind that act.

I am not saying that the intention is always to be explicitly homophobic, but it’s a very big sign that you might be.

[dizzying-waves]

All I'm gonna say is this, these designs are good when you don't have an annoying person in your ear telling your they are bad, mid, or a letdown down from their previous designs

[scarfonbannermanroad]

Aroace shipping discourse is such a strange phenomenon. I'm sure it happens with other sexualities too but whenever an aroace character pops up its like a senate hearing over how to treat them.

[th3-c0ll3ct3r]

WAKE UP BITCHES ISKALL DROPPED AND IMMA EVALUATE IT-

Especially considering I was never a fan of him in the first place I will have no bias in this horse race

Video:

The entire video genuinely sounds like a more constructive Dream allegations video minus the detective outfit and 2hrs of rambling and a serious lack of evidence due to privacy reasons which kind of, so lightly sound like an excuse

He claims that when he was alerted to these allegations, he was given a 1hr and 30 minutes deadline to produce proof to the Hermits he didn't do anything

He then contact the police and a lawyer

Girl we are going to pause right here because stunning that you contacted the police and a lawyer but if you didn't do the things that you're alleged or doing then you would have proof that you didn't do those things like the whole situation could it take in 20 minutes

If he didn't do even one of the things he was accused of it would have taken less than the hour and a half he was given to screen share his screen with multiple Hermits and just start scrolling through Discord

Then he goes on to say that he wasn't given enough time etc... And that they'd rushed him.

There have been MULTIPLE sources stating they tried for MONTHS to get into contact with the Hermits.

But IT IS odd that when he was "notified" of his wrongdoings, he first went to the police and a lawyer, DESPITE a hermit telling you first. If everyone knows then it's not a matter of privacy anymore.

Like personally if that was me, I'd have jumped into Discord no questions asked, shown the proof THEN contacted a lawyer for defamation or other relating charges

It's very unusual for someone to go the legal route in the situation not because it's never been done before it's because it's a waste of money and time. They will not gaf. Most cases in the similar situations come out with inconclusive responses and the person does not come out with a response themselves as their is seemingly enough evidence to smear their name and they would not like to proceed if there's that much evidence.

And it's VERY clear he's going the "innocent till proven guilty" route. Which is fair enough.

But, and I cannot stress this enough, HE'S NOT BEING ACCUSED OF TEXTING MINORS

He's being accused of having inappropriate relationship with multiple members of his audience/community and moderators, and using his Discord server as the catalyst for it all.

Which is especially alarming as some have said he's a moderator for them, which IN SOME PLACES is illegal to have a boss/employee relationship.

But it genuinely sounds like he's missing the point, as a content creator you have to hold yourself to higher responsibilities, accountability and credibility then the rest of your community. And even if it's not illegal, it's EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATE for a content creator to have any form of relations with a fan, WITHOUT it being for certain types of videos (like challenges or servers) or for commissions/work

So unless they were gaining genuine service or having particular videos, having that sort of PM relationships with your fans is inappropriate, especially if your working with them or not. It's not appropriate at all.

He then blames it on cancel culture. WHICH GIRL-

I've seen alot of things pumped out of Hermitcraft fans but "cancel culture" IS NOT ONE OF THEM

Blaming it on cancel culture is the biggest excuse, genuinely.

He acts like it was public execution, even through its been CONFIRMED from MULTIPLE SOURCE that people tried for months to get into contact with the Hermits, so the END OF THE INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARNING NUMBER 1-

Like imagine all the people you allegedly had relations with suddenly all wanted to cut contact, did you think they would just disappear?

Cancel Culture, is when you're cut from your career for doing something OBJECTIVELY stupid, as it becomes a growing trend. It's unserious and often a social media trend.

Iskall's situation was not apart of cancel culture because it's genuine. And he knows it's genuinely enough to take legal action, meaning that in some capacity he did do at least 20% of what he's been accused of, to have grounds for a cases

So he's done SOMETHING it's just not what he thinks it is/isn't like what's allegedly

Then he goes on to talk about a developer he defended after they scammed him and we're generally not nice.

I have yet to see this developer anywhere and to my knowledge they have not pushed any allegations onto him.

He instead brings up this developer, because he defended them when they did something that was seemingly objectively wrong and it's meant to be a display of his good character

Personally I would have not used that as an example. Using an example of you defending someone when you in the same breath claimed that they had wronged you is putting the notion in your fans and audiences heads that even "if I do something wrong you should defend me because it was only a silly little mistake and it's the right thing to do"

And it was unnecessary. Completely unnecessary. He wants to be a display of a good character yet also once privacy so that's why he shares a personal story of him defending someone who wronged him so show that he's a good person who gives second chances? But then implies in the video that he had to give that person more than one chance?

And I think Goodtimeswithscar said it better then me. GASLIGHTING he's hardcore gaslighting.

It is similar to what Mr Beast, did with his allegations. Actually it's almost a copy.

Instead of completely addressing it he only addresses what he wants to in the face of privacy. He then brings up all the good things he's done to make him seem more trustworthy and like a better person even. And then he pays someone to investigate himself to find himself not guilty.

Iskall it's literally doing the same thing. He only addresses what he wants to because of privacy even though he knew about the situation before he got a lawyer, he uses the worst example possible to show that he's a trustworthy person, and then he pays for a lawyer himself to prove that he is not guilty.

Having the police and lawyers is meant to make it seem more 'fair'. But as we all know the police will only do so much before a lawyer has to step in. And if you're paying for the lawyer yourself obviously the lawyer is going to have bias because they want to do a good job because you are paying them to do a good job.

It's the most hardcore gaslighting I've ever seen.

And worst of all he might actually get away with it, because like Mr Beast he has a younger audience who will not understand how much he's trying to Gaslight them.

So to conclude, he's doing a Dream / Mr Beast remix on a smaller scale because money. And he's getting lawyer involved and unless they're suing for defamation, then there's nothing to sue for because no one is accusing him of pedophilia they are accusing him of having inappropriate relationships with his audience which is a big no-no for content creators..

Now for Stressmonster

Girl dug herself either a hole or a grave and now has to lie in it.

They tried to protect her dignity and integrity by not stating the reason why she left but it's now clear to many why she also left.

And yet again I would like to make it very clear like no one is accusing him of actually committing a crime (UNLESS HE LIVES IN AN AREA THAT MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR BOSS AND EMPLOYEES/COWORKERS TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP) he's being accused of having inappropriate relationships with members of his community and moderators, which is not a very good thing if you're a content creator

Its not a jailable offence unless *see point above*, and to be like "I'm standing with you 100% of the way!", is more telling about your priorities than 'what is right'

They act as if hermitcraft is a cult, that kicks members out for not conforming.

But I am entirely on the side of HermitCraft in the fact that I would indeed, kick Iskall out/get him to resign, if he'd had inappropriate relations with mods and fans REGARDLESS OF IF THEY WERE ADULTS

Because the main audience for Hermitcraft ARE CHILDREN. KIDS. NON-ADULTS

AND HE'S ENDANGERING THEM AS WELL AS THERE COMMUNITY EVEN IF IT'S NOT MINORS HE'S MESSAGING

LIKE GROWING UP IN A COMMUNITY WHERE IF YOU EVENTUALLY REACH AN ACCEPTABLE AGE YOU GET TO HAVE A PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTENT CREATOR YOU'VE BEEN IDOLISING FOR YOUR CHILDHOOD ARE YOU INSANE?

Overall he's digging himself a grave and handing out shovel.

And also. To be sosososososo clear.

NEVER. SEND. DEATH. THREATS. TO. ANYONE.

[bebrave-live]

If I had a nickel for every time the idea of shooting out one giant sperm has been proposed on a Dropout show this year, I would have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's REALLY FUCKING WEIRD that it's happened twice.

[bread-wizards]

I actually think Dorian and Orym should fight more.

Remember when their slowly building tension over and entire episode (full of passive aggressive remarks and blame throwing) led to threats? And how after, Orym thanked Dorian for handing over the crown sadly because he knew Dorian would be mad at him? And Dorian couldn't even look at him because he was legitimately hurt, thinking Orym was disappointed in him for doing what he thought was right? That was peak.

The fact they went from that to their current closeness and trust is the best part of their entire dynamic. Their relationship was hard fought and still will be. They will fight for it because they respect and care for one another deeply, and their disagreements don't change that, only improve it.

[idunnaldwir]

But you love him?! Even though he did so much harm? Even if he is such a mess?? That's sick!! There must be something wrong with you! Yes, I love him exactly because he is so broken and did so much harm. I love him because he has an arc and a story. I love him because he knows he's broken and because he can be forgiven and change and do better. I love him because if someone like him can be redeemed and do better, surely I can as well. Because if someone like him can receive grace from others, surely I deserve it as well.

I love him because I do not see myself as a golden, righteous hero, but rather as a flawed work in progress.

I love him because I do not believe people are unredeemable, nor to be condemned forever.

This is the value of anti-heroes and even villains, to be mirrors of self awareness, but also self love. To be founts of catharsis.

[crimeronan]

it's sometimes so silly to look in the notes of a polyamory art/post and see people like "is this cheating art....?" when the characters in canon are all extremely close friends. i know it's not malicious because most people think of monogamy as the default and anything outside that Must be cheating, but truly i'm always like. guys. guys Please.

please think about this for like 2 seconds.

under what circumstances do we think this non-canon couple might hold hands directly in front of their canon partners. and under what circumstances do we think the canon partners might be okay with this. do we Truly think this is a secret relationship. do we Truly think these guys would sneak around behind their canon partners' backs when all of them are extremely close friends with a high level of trust and commitment to each other.

would assuming that these extremely close friends have actually communicated with one another Exactly The Same Way They Do In The Canon Source Material perhaps cause less despair.....

[zwoftt]

people being mad and hating c3: me in the corner liking c3 because of how relatable dorian storm is as a character to me personally and being very invested in dorym:

[spieluhrzeit]

y'know... i don't often like thinking back to that time, but i just had a thought.

what if schneider's statement wasn't just that? ofc he did address the things that were going on at the time, but part of me feels it's something more. he never explicitly said these words, but what if his statement was a quiet plea for till to come home?

come home... the sun shines over eichwalde. we're all enjoying the warm weather eating watermelon. olli is hosing you down like a dog as he eats. we are all young and happy.

come home... as i put on a purple bra i watch as you and paul wrap your dicks in duct tape. we're calling it "ficken2000." "am arsch hangt der hammer!" we all exclaim. jonathan davis is gonna be so confused, but we're doing it together and that's all that counts.

come home... you're laughing on set as my face starts to melt. we've been performing with these prosthetics and suits for a while, it's only natural they start to wear a bit. but we laugh and laugh as i try to fix it.

come home... i'm in your dressing room tapping my sticks on my lap. you sternly call out for me to stop, you can't concentrate. i devilishly and playfully ignore your request. later, you're waving the german flag around as loud as you can as i speak to the camera. i guess that's the law of equivalent exchange! 😅

come home... we miss you. you're our bandmates, our singer and our friend, but we don't know where this till has come from all of a sudden...

come home... the people you surround yourself with are not your friends. all they want to do is see you hurt, and then walk away when you need first aid. they don't look out for you.

come home... we're worried about you. where did those new cuts and bangs come from? why are you doing this to yourself? we hate every single moment of it. but not you.

come home... are you lonely till? we're right here. we're here for you. please... talk to us. we can help you. just stay with us please.

come home... richard made you doughnuts. he always said they were your favourite. and speaking of richard. if we were able to fix ourselves in mutter, we'll be able to fix things here. please come back to us, for all of us. please...

come home till. we miss you. this isn't who you are and we're worried.... please...

thumbs trembling as i type, i cut it all out. words the world will never see. but maybe, within this band, this family we've made, we can sort it out together...

---

perhaps he couldn't say those things. luckily, i don't mind being a conduit for things i feel like he would say. because i would say them too.

[swordscleric]

I'm only halfway through the second phase of Predathos (which, to be clear is an incredible vibe for a bossfight, love a good head & hands/multitarget-same-entity boss) but I cannot shake the feeling of disappointment and just dissatisfaction I have had with this campaign that definitely started with Dusk/Yu, got followed up handily with the first Delilah/Sun Tree fight and then has been unfortunately reinforced with every discussion surrounding the Prime Deities since Hearthdell. This campaign is fascinating to pick apart, I have been really enjoying pulling apart why it isn't working compared to C1 or C2. But as much as I'm having fun dissecting where the worldbuilding has led to the current weaknesses in the gods' argument or reading other people's incisive commentary on the lack of personalities on the Ruby Vanguard's end, the "girlfailure" nonsense, etc etc, man do I wish this campaign was better than it is.

There are so many avenues of improvement -

Matt telling everyone to prep and write characters for this campaign instead of a C2-esque character-focused campaign.

Matt working religious organisations into the world properly.

The cast engaging with Marquet as a genuine location rather than set-dressing.

Otohan, Ozo and the rest of the Vanguard having more than "*insert snappy line here*" for their personalities.

No Delilah.

Bell's Hells having an iota of curiosity for anything outside of their own selves, including but not limited to: the gods, religious worship, the Elemental Titans and why they were sundered, how the people of Exandria feel about the gods, Vasselheim and its role in suppressing information about Predathos, Ludinus Da'Leth's plan and how it would still break the world if they did it in his place

I don't know why all of this fell into place in the way that it did, but it did. We can endlessly speculate why - the cast resting on their laurels after C2, not having enough time between the animated shows and Daggerheart and Candela Obscura and, and, and - but at the end of the day I really do hope that whatever form the final campaign wrap-up takes, they burn the damn questions asking the cast "what if the world was made of pudding and this character and this character kissed?" and instead pick questions that get them to introspect for a potential Campaign 4. Otherwise I don't know what will happen, but it sure as hell won't be Mighty Nein part 2: Issylra Boogaloo.