#how not to summon a demon lord icons

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: D&D Part 6

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)    

Alien Wizard: I’m all out of spells, someone defend me! Human Barbarian: You still have your staff, right? Alien Wizard: I do but it’s useless! Human Barbarian: *Walks over, grabs staff, uses it to bludgeon an approaching goblin to death* Human Barbarian: *Hands staff back* Plus 8 intelligence my ass. ---------------- Alien DM: You can’t all be bards. Human Bard 1: Why not? Alien DM: You all are basically the same character with same skills. Human Bard 2: Not true, we each practice a different form of music. Human Bard 1: I do smooth jazz. Human Bard 2: I do rock and roll. Human Bard 3: I do classical. Human Bard 4: And I do death metal. ----------------

Alien Priest: I am curious which demon you sold your soul to for power. Human Warlock: I currently have it leased to several demons for multiple powers. Alien Priest: How is that possible? Alien Priest: What demon would agree to such an offer? Human Warlock: I time shared the hell out of it to each of them. Human Warlock: *Pulls out notepad, flips through it* This month my soul is currently in the possession of Yar’fenar, lord of the seventh ring in the dark lands. ------------------- Human Druid: *Brutally disembowels a troll by bringing a tree to life and then having it stab it repeatedly with its branches* Alien Warrior: While I am happy to see you are capable of defending yourself, I am a bit confused. Alien Paladin: Agreed. I thought Druid’s were meant to be at peace when communing with nature. Human Druid: This is pretty normal when you speak to trees all day. Alien Warrior: What do you mean? Human Druid: *leans in close and whispers* You have no idea how blood thirsty they are. Human Druid: They make blood hunters look like try hards at the gym. ---------------------- *party fighting a vampire lord on a boat* Alien Barbarian: They’re too powerful and we don’t have any holy weapons!” Human Priest: Throw them into the water! Alien Barbarian: *Shoulder rushes vampire lord and knocks them off into the water* Alien Paladin: Now what? Human Priest: *Holds up icon of faith and speaks holy words* Alien Barbarian: What did you do? Human Priest: I just blessed the entire ocean. Alien Paladin: You can do that? Human Priest: *shrugs* Let’s check. *Party looks over railing of ship to see vampire lord burning to ash in water* Alien Barbarian: Well damn, I guess he can. --------------------------- Alien Priest: I don’t think a bard can dual class as a warlock. Human Bard: Not true. Human bard: When I do my spells I sing with a mix of death metal and Latin. Alien Priest: How does that make you a warlock? Human Bard: It has the odd side effect of summoning demons who do my bidding in exchange for favors. -------------------------- *Shop door rings and customer enters* Human Artificer: What can I do for you? Alien Warrior: I wish to return my blade and get a refund. Human Artificer: Well that’s strange, may I see the blade? *Hands over the blade* Human Artificer: *Examining the blade* I can’t see any fault with the weapon; why do you wish to return it? Alien Warrior: You would not believe me if I told you. Human Artificer: Try me. Alien Warrior: Last week it started talking to me. Alien Warrior: It started off fine and cute, but after a while it started asking for the blood of my enemies. Alien Warrior: *Leans in* I think it is possessed. Human Artificer: *Hands back weapon* I’m sorry but that is a built in feature so I can’t refund you. Alien Warrior: Built in? Human Artificer: See, I always figured warriors get lonely on the road and could use someone to talk to so I carved special runes into each blade that activate when they have spilt blood. Human Artificer: The blade then becomes sentient and will talk to keep the warrior company on the road. Alien Warrior” Have you not considered how dangerous that would be? Human Artificer: Dangerous how? Alien Warrior: *Opens window to reveal angry mob outside all holding swords* Angry Mob: BLOOD FOR THE SWORD GOD! LET THEIR WILL BE HEARD! Human Artificer: Welp, mistakes were made. ------------------------------ Alien DM: You have defeated the band of rogues only to find many of them are in fact children. Alien DM: The harsh laws of the kingdom drove them into the arms of a lawless lifestyle. Alien DM: Their fate is for you to decide. *Party nervously looks at Lawful Paladin* Alien Wizard: Now let’s not be too hasty here. Alien Rogue: They are just kids after all. Human Paladin: In the eyes of the law all are equal. Human Paladin: *Slowly draws swords* and as its instrument I must see its will done unto all the wicked souls of this world.

[bracketsoffear]

Lord of the Flies (William Golding) "A group of boys wind up stranded together on a deserted island. While they initially intended to work together, the boys wind up separating into faction and come to grow hostile and distrusting of one another. Eventually, the boys turn to violence, malice, and eventual murder in order to stay alive, with mob mentality and fear gripping them all. Also important is the fact that the boys are stranded trying to ESCAPE a war, and then get so caught up in fear and desperation to survive that they initiate war among themselves, resulting in a cruel cycle of perpetuating the violence and death they feared and sought to get away from. Essentially it's a commentary on war itself and the things fear can drive people to do, reducing them to base instincts."

Thud! (Terry Pratchett) "It's a Discworld book following Sam Vimes, commander of the city watch, trying to get to the bottom of a murder and quell tensions between the dwarf and troll communities in the city of Ankh Morpork. Thud! Is a book all about violence, in all it's different scales. Starting with War, the War of Koom Valley being a rallying cry that never fades, making every conflict between dwarves and trolls it's own little Koom Valley. From war to mob violence, fear and bile, assassin's sent to Vimes's house to kill his son with a flamethrower. Then down to quiet, horrible murder in the dark, betrayal so bad that the victim's last action calls up a quasi demonic force of pure vengeance.

This force, the summoning dark, possessed Vimes. He's always been an angry character, but also a man with supreme self control, who knows if you do a thing for a good reason, you'll do it for a bad one. through the narration we can see how the summoning dark strengthens his violent impulses and kneejerk reactions, his biases and anger, making him go on rants in his head about how "someone will burn for this! Burn!".

Although it has aspects of Dark to it, it's much more a book about the violence in people, any kind of people. One of its iconic scenes is of a thoroughly civilian clerk named A.E. Pessimal going postal and throwing himself into a riot, even biting a troll, which are made of rock in Discworld!"

[tryan-a-bex]

Writing patterns meme

Rules: Share the opening of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

From this post by @dancinbutterfly https://www.tumblr.com/dancinbutterfly/735744268412534784?source=share

I'll mull about patterns here because I put the last two after the cut due to warnings. So, about half of them start with dialogue, which is how I started writing--a lot of dialogue, minimal else things. The other half start by getting inside someone's head--internal dialogue, basically, so not that different I guess. Also I try to start with something funny or at least interesting, to hook the reader? I don't know if it works.

Endless Family Trick or Treating

“It’s not a sphere!” argued Dream, swinging his jack-o’-lantern trick-or-treat bucket against the leg of his vampire costume. “It is a sphere!” insisted Desire, twirling the tail of their demon costume in their hand again. “I learned it in school and it’s round like a ball so it’s a sphere.”

2. Velma Meets the Family

Velma stared at the gently lapping water of the river, leaning her elbows on the railing. The rest of the gang was fast asleep in their motel, but she hadn’t been able to sleep so she’d come outside to think. The water sounds were restful, but her mind refused to stop whirling. 

3. Freddy the Robot Vacuum

It was amazing what a person could get used to. Hob had enjoyed his first robot vacuum. It was nice, and not a very difficult adjustment, to get used to the vacuuming being done automatically for him while he was out. The little phone app notifications were cute, and he was only human so he anthropomorphized his vacuum, naming it Freddy. Getting used to the anthropomorphic personification of dreams hanging around in his flat… took a bit more time.

4. Life is but a Dream

Rose put her head down on the desk. Why? Why would the words come in the middle of the night, and never when she had her laptop out and on? She’d even tried writing her thoughts down, but found that she actually couldn’t make out her sleepy handwriting in the morning. She looked at the tumblr icon on her desktop, sighed, and got up to get a cup of tea instead. That would be a shorter distraction. Probably.

5. Death is not easy to cheat

Unity poured tea in both cups and sat down across from Rose, pushing the plate of cookies toward her. “How are you doing, dear? You look tired.” “Oh, Unity! It’s been so stressful lately! I can’t seem to think of the right words when I sit down to work on my novel, but then they keep me awake in the middle of the night, you know? And during the day Lyta is either freaking out about Daniel being with Uncle Morpheus and Hob, or freaking out about him being so white and growing up so fast.

6. Trials of a Shapeshifter in Love

“Lucienne has been working so hard lately,” Gault explained to the Dream King’s head cook. “I’d like to do something nice for her. I was thinking a surprise romantic dinner over candlelight in the library.” “Ah, yes, I think she would appreciate that very much.” They put their heads together to plan the meal when suddenly Gault heard a familiar voice from the hallway.  “So, what have you already tried?” Lucienne asked. “Hell, all the normal plunging and clawing didn’t fucking fix the goddamned blockage, and it’s a fucking hassle taking the whole damned drain apart all the way back into the fucking wall.” 

7. Naga No-Go

“Lucienne.” Lucienne’s head popped up from the book she was studying. Lord Morpheus’ summons sounded just a little bit more… strained than usual. She turned her head, using her raven senses to triangulate the direction of the summons. His chambers??? This… could not be good.

8. Which Witch (Okay I'm cheating here because this isn't published yet. but if you want more, let me know and I'll post it on ao3 or send you a link.)

“You can’t just come in here without a warrant.” The cantankerous old witch put her hands on her hips and stood squarely in the doorway. Eldie sighed and rubbed the shaved hair at the nape of her neck. “Please let me come in, ma’am. Your daughter hired me to clean and cook and help you out, and I can’t help if you don’t let me in.” “I don’t need help, you shameless hussy! Who does she think she is, that gossiping busy-body! I’m fine here by myself. You can go now!”

Okay, under the cut are mentions of spiders, and non-con body horror. (The fic is not bad, the backstory from canon is, and that's where I started.)

9. Arachnophilia (mentions of spiders)

Zelda stared down at the cafeteria mac and cheese on her plate. The only thing appetizing about the middle school cafeteria food was that her mother wasn’t glaring at her and criticizing how she did or didn’t eat it. Instead, everyone ignored her, tucked into a corner. She would feel hurt about being shunned if she had any desire at all to interact with the other children. She didn’t. She closed her eyes and shoved a forkful into her mouth, thinking about her science project to distract herself from the taste. Spider webs were actually incredibly strong for the size of the filament, and they came in such an extraordinary variety of shapes and sizes. She couldn’t wait to get back to the library for more research. She opened her eyes as she swallowed, scooping up more food and quickly scanning the room. 

10. The Order of the Knights of the Dreaming (the actual fic I wrote is pretty sweet without much actual violence, but Alice's backstory from InCryptids is intense, so skip this next paragraph if you don't like mentions of non-con and body horror)

Alice closed her eyes and felt her memories and skin being ripped from her once again. It hadn’t actually been like that. In real life, she hadn’t figured out her memories were being adjusted for years, and she’d undergone the flensing willingly. But once she learned that her mind had been altered without her knowledge and that removing her skin had not been necessary but was done for the profit of her “uncle,” well, the nightmares about being violated had been unceasing. 

If you made it this far, congratulations, consider yourself no-pressure tagged!

[dailyadventureprompts]

Do you have any thoughts about using the demons from the Ars Goetia in ttrpgs? Cause like they’re pretty well detailed in their uses in the source material. Summoning various demons could be a good backstory for how a wizard learned their stuff or for a warlock if you wanna be boring. But I’m worried about cultural appropriation, I don’t think occultism is real but I know it references Abrahamic mythology which people still practice. Better safe than sorry right?

Tagging in @cryptotheism, tumblr’s favourite occultist as an actual source on this one, given that they actually study this kind of thing where as I’ve wasted my time focusing on the economic systems of post medieval Europe.  

Occultism is a fascinating topic when it comes to hunting for sources of inspiration because so often what is accepted as the occult “canon” is often a distorted misinterpretation which may or may not have some very fucked up roots.

Take the modern image of the witch: pointy hat, cauldron, broomstick, black cat et all. If you looked into it, just about every signifier of this archetype takes its inspiration from some form of persecution, but it’s been so ingrained into the cultural milieu and been so normalized that more people are aware of the pop culture version of the witch then they were about the antisemitic blood libel that inspired the witchhunts in the first place. I’d be hesitant to stop using witches because they’re so iconic, but I’m going to educate myself on their history so my writing doesn’t end up mirroring what amounts to 16th century hatespeech.

To return to the topic at hand, Using the idea of sigils or the demons associated with them isn’t appropriation, they’re not sacred or part of a closed practice. They were published in books by occultists so that other occultists could use them, though that very same book contained a lot of Hebrew symbols that’d been appropriated in the grand western-occult tradition of “ Hey, these people we’ve othered must be in possession of some secret magical knowledge, so lets just take their stuff”.

 If you’re going to use them however, you should use them right: The Ars Goecia aren't your typical “ sell your soul, torment mortals” sort of demons, they are the lords and princes of hell, “evil” for the reason that they helped Lucifer rebel against god and now exist as outlaws in the cosmic order. The key of solomon principles its magic upon using god’s authority to command these spirits to give gifts and service to the summoner.  Naturally this doesn’t map 1:1 onto d&d cosmology, but you could easily adapt it for spirits bound into service by a god of sorcery, a war god calling upon those it defeated, or a star god calling on the celestial power of zodiacs and planets

[eldritch-spouse]

So we can summon Lacai??? And how?

What if MC summoned Lacai and then Vesper find them to be his obsession? I know Vesper would not be jealous he a slut Mori but what would the conversation between Lacai and his king about it be like?

You can summon Lacai the same way you'd summon any other demon. Since imps are the lowest rank of demon, it doesn't take that much to successfully establish contact and he has little choice in whether or not to respond to these summonings.

Lacai is not suicidal. If it's indeed verified that you, the human who summoned him, are his lord's perfect match- Then Lacai is obviously not going to get in the way of that. Not that Vesper is upset at him for sleeping with you, quite the contrary, he's rewarding the little imp with a raise and a high-quality vacation for somehow coming upon his match and being a very good boy by bringing you to the Icon.

The conversation between them is relatively tame, Lacai is nervous that he might be maimed for sleeping with you without knowing who you were, because it could be taken as some sort of a "claim". Vesper on the other hand, is much too excited and joyous about the situation. In fact, it becomes a celebration very quickly!

[paperanddice]

Last Friday I said a bunch about how demon lords aren't easily converted between the different systems, and this whole section of the book was one I'd been putting a lot of thought into. None of that applies to Akyishigal, who at level 12 in the Tome of Beasts really doesn't count as a real demon lord even by that system's expectations. Akyishigal might announce itself as the lord of cockroaches and a power of the Abyss, but its only real claim to fame is being effectively unkillable, having survived despite its general weakness in comparison to even regular demons. As durable and adaptable as the creatures it claims lordship over, Akyishigal carves out hidden lairs within the realms of true demon lords, remaining below notice and ready to escape at any moment.

In Golarion, Akyishigal can't grant clerical powers like a true demon lord, but it is doing its best to worm its way into being recognized regardless. Its spawn are released into the world to spread the word of the lord of cockroaches, and while few have any respect for that title it does what it can to provide for those who call out its name. So far, small numbers of weaker humanoids, in particular kobolds, goblins, and roachllings, as well as some escaped slaves or thralls, have thrown their lot in with Akyishigal, providing it a hidden but growing base of followers.

In the Dragon Empire, Akyishigal has snuck out from under the attention of both the Diabolist and the Crusader, and makes its own home hidden somewhere under one of the great cities. Managing to avoid drawing too much attention to itself, it skulks among the refuse and the forgotten, offering aid and power to those who live in the garbage, and making plans to grab for its own power without the oversight of any Icon.

Inspired by the Tome of Beasts 1. This post came out a week ago on my Patreon. If you want to get access to all my monster conversions early, as well as access to my premade adventures and other material I’m working on, consider backing me there!

Pathfinder 2e

Akyishigal Creature 12 Unique, Large, Demon, Fiend, Unholy Perception +24; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Elven, Infernal, telepathy 100 feet Skills Acrobatics +21, Athletics +23, Deception +25, Stealth +25, Survival +22 Str +5, Dex +3, Con +6, Int +4, Wis +2, Cha +7 AC 33; Fort +26, Ref +23, Will +22; +2 status to all saves vs. magic HP 250; Immunities death effects, disease, poison; Resistances acid 15, fire 15, physical 10 (except holy); Weaknesses holy 15 Speed 35 feet, burrow 20 feet, climb 35 feet, fly 35 feet Melee claw +25 (agile, magical, reach 10 feet, unholy), Damage 3d8+13 slashing Divine Innate Spells DC 31, attack +23 ; 6th dispel magic (×3), divine wrath (×3), summon animal (vermin only, x3), summon fiend (demons only), vomit swarm (every 1d4 rounds); 5th translocate; 4th translocate (at will); Constant speak with animals (vermin only) Divine Rituals DC 31; demonic pact, planar ally Claw Flurry [2 actions] Akyishigal makes four claw Strikes, each against a different target. These attacks count toward Akyishigal's multiple attack penalty, but the multiple attack penalty doesn't increase until it makes all its attacks. Cloak of Swarms [2 actions] (aura, divine) Akyishigal emits a cloud of flying, stinging insects in a 5 foot aura. While the aura is active, Akyishigal is concealed, and any living creature that enters the area or starts its turn within it takes 2d10 piercing plus 1d10 poison damage (DC 31 basic Reflex save). The aura lasts for 5 round; it disperses immediately if Akyishigal takes 15 area or splash damage from a single source. Akyishigal can't use this ability again for 1d4 rounds. Skitter [1 action] Akyishigal Strides up to 20 feet, and makes a claw Strike against a creature in its reach at any point during the Stride.

13th Age

Akyishigal  Triple-strength 7th level troop [demon]  Initiative: +14 Claws +12 vs. AC (4 attacks) - 20 damage. Natural 14+: Akyishigal can pop free from the target and move as a free action. If it ends this movement engaged with another target, it can continue making attacks. C: Cloak of Swarms +12 vs. PD (1d4+1 nearby enemies) - 10 damage plus 15 poison damage. Natural 16+: The target is also weakened (save ends). Repeat: Akyishigal can repeat this attack as a quick action at the start of each of its turns, dealing 1d6 damage and 2d6 poison damage instead of the regular damage. If Akyishigal takes 35 or more damage from a non-weapon attack that doesn’t deal acid or poison damage, it can no longer repeat the attack. Limited Use: 1/battle, recharges when the escalation die first reaches 6. Burrower, Flier, and Wall Climber. Teleport: As a move action, Akyishigal can teleport to a nearby location it can see. Resist Acid and Poison 16+. AC 23 PD 21 MD 20 HP 314

[doom-nerdo-666]

If you recall my "Deconstructing the Dark Lord" post, you probably recall a bit saying "imagine if Doom's Devil was even bigger and scarier than the Icon of Sin".

But at the same time: Why can't Doom's Devil also be the Icon itself?

In classic Doom, it was technically the biggest demon at the time (Whose size was hinted in the end text as if it was really huge).

Then there's the manuals for Final Doom using names like Baphomet and Gatekeeper.

(And of course, there's the Romero head easter egg and maybe how Romero wouldn't do another Doom after 2)

D2RPG also gave it a different immobile design but still gave it dialogue like a character talking to the player and commanding demons, while you also fight it personally as the Virtual Icon of Sin.

Whereas Eternal has the IOS using Maykr armor, as a tool under Maykrs and even carrying the soul of Valen's son.

The IOS does get a body and more attacks/expanded moveset but doesn't have the antagonistic role it had in D2RPG.

Because one could also wonder if the IOS could have different bodies/forms.

The name "Icon of Sin" also feels like it could hint something special about the monster, as if it really imbodies sin as part of its existence or represents something more than just a big mean goat.

But on the subject of forms:

This one is from the "meytr" Rentry post: Its body is like that of Kronos from DRPG, a floating upper half with 4 arms but some are cybernetic and others aren’t, while under the body is a hybrid of a black hole and a tornado (It can suck you up if you fall); Its chest also has that heart thing Davoth has; Its stage is a series of platforms and hazards around him, while the background hints of the fight taking place in some creepy/weird section of Hell; He can summon like 5 demons at the same time by shooting the spawn cubes from his forehead; Has some of his attacks from Eternal (Rain of meteors, laser beam, flamethrowers, fast projectiles, stomping with hands) and a black hole projectile, that can pull the player in some vacuum-like way.

Another "meytr" one: A second phase after the Icon of Sin but whether it's the same creature is unknown; A level that mixes puzzles and combat as you're essentially "fighting" a creature you're inside of; The level itself looks surreal and gameplay consists of weak points (Some shootable, others punchable and others are even meant to be jumpable) and avoiding hazards and traps to stay alive; The player may also find specific artifacts to make them closer to defeating the final boss; This idea still needs more development.

There's also this line from the same post: "the planet Jupiter has an Icon of Sin head growing out of it and you can see that (Reference to TNT Revilution and the next “Doomguy uses the BFG10K to shoot a hole in the face of Mars)."

But another idea is making the IOS as the equivalent to something like AM from "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream" like a giant tech thing with the IOS head and it uses dark magic to play tricks and challenge Doomguy, as if Earth became its personal playground.

Or even have the IOS' face show up on screens and dimensional holes/portals like Korax from Hexen.

ALSO, imagine this: VEGA vs VIOS, "God" vs "Devil" as ultradimensional "virtual" yet "real" beings using otherwordly powers against each other...

Yet another idea: If someone does a spriteset of the VIOS and want to add extra angles, maybe use the collectible doll of the IOS in Eternal as reference.

[annicon]

↠    how not to summon a demon lord icons  ~♡

like/reblog if you save  © on twitter @chillzuha

[angelpastriez]

-ˋ₊❱https://˚♡angelpastries˚ˑؘ🌸

-,,🖇·˚ ༘ ┊͙𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨. 𝟗 ! ˊˎ

;;|🍮 𝙍𝙚𝙢 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙪 & 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙇. 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨♡⌇·˚ ༘

-,,🗒 ❛ 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫!༉‧₊˚✧

(logging off of -ˋ₊❱https://˚♡angelpastries˚ˑؘ🌸

((𝘙𝘌-𝘜𝘗𝘓𝘖𝘈𝘋𝘌𝘋))

[fellls]

꧁ιѕeĸaι мaoυ тo ѕнoυĸan꧂㉶㋡

f Ꭼ Ꮮ Ꮮ s ㉶

lιĸe /reblogυe ιғ yoυ ѕave

[misslulps]

Random anime girls icons ~

like or reblog if you save ♡

[rarepears]

Masterpost [Feb 2022]

Feb 2022

Shen Jiu x Tianlang-Jun, Shen Jiu is Luo Binghe’s mother headcanon

SHEN JIU LOSES HIS MEMORY AU... and seduces a crown prince, follow up,

Shen Yuan being a meme icon in SVSSS

Star War but with Harley Quinn in it giving ppl therapy

Shen Yuan X harem post and follow up

Monarchs and Rulers think that Sung Jin-Woo is Ashborn's kid AU Monarchs and Rulers are basically the divorced parent trope

SOLO LEVELING MEANS OLYMPICS RATINGS GO DOWNHILL

HARRY POTTER RAISES TOM RIDDLE TO BE A HOUSEWIFE

SITH MASTER DUMBLEDORE AND THE ORDER OF THE JEDI’S

Beru learning how to roast people

SIR NIGHTEYE THE SIR

The whole wizarding world is basically a Sith Empire 

Solo Leveling brothel ladies haircare AU, another post,

Solo Leveling Architect is an urban legend in the gaming community

IF HUMANS AND ALIENS CAN BECOME JEDI... SO CAN ANIMALS.

housewife Jinwoo AU post, follow up

Omegaverse SJ X SY idea, follow up

modern au Shen Yuan x Shen Jiu

REBORN!SHEN JIU X SHEN YUAN IN MODERN CHINA SETTING

SVSSS AU I WANNA READ: SHEN YUAN X SHEN JIU

ANAKIN AND THE “MASTER AND SLAVE MODEL” UPRISING

TIME TRAVEL FORWARDS OR TIME TRAVEL BACKWARDS? FT. OBI WAN KENOBI

ANAKIN AND LUO BINGGE ARE TWO BIRDS OF A FEATHER

animals can use the force which means this is a pokemon battle but Star War version

Beru learns slang

Beru learning slang, more

Harley Quinn in Star Wars

jinwoo and jinah reverse ages and occupations au

sung jin woo x endeavor

HITMAN REBORN TUTORS BOBA HOW TO BE A PROPER CRIME LORD

Aizawa Paniks upon discovering that he’s going bald

TWILIGHT X BLACK BUTLER

HEAD DISCIPLE!SHEN JIU X HAREM OF QING JING DISCIPLES

BERU’S ID CARD

Pre-system jinwoo is perfect for a drag queen, he a lil twink

SHEN JIU THINKS SHEN YUAN IS HIS ANCESTOR

overpowered king of the demon realm femboy!luo binghe

FARMBOY!SUNG JINWOO, farmboy au

Izuku and Luke Skywalker

Tianlang-Jun x Wei Qingwei

THINGS I NEED THAT SVSSS FANDOM ISN’T GIVING TO ME

follow up on aizawa going bald

Aizawa in Star War adopting Anakin

emperor shen yuan au

Jinwoo is a sex worker au

OMEGAVERSE WHITE SHEEP LUO BINGHE X SHEN JIU (trigger warning: grooming), child grooming au

sung jinwoo x shen jiu

MORE SOLO LEVELING X SVSSS IDEAS PT. 3

SOLO LEVELING WORLDBUILDING: HUNTERS

LIVING FORCE BEING CHANNELED VIA JEDI SEX

JINWOO’S VERY FASHIONABLE SHADOW SUMMONS

Obi-wan Time Travels Back to When He’s Fresh Out of a Long Torture Session During the Clone Wars

Endeavor single parent au

KING SUNG JINWOO OF WESTEROS, follow up

THE 69 HERO: SHŪHEI

SUNG JINWOO IS TARRE VIZSLA

PEAK LORD SHEN YUAN X HEAD DISCIPLE SHEN JIU

VAMPIRE ROYALTY ARO BECOMES THE CULT LEADER IN HUMAN SOCIETY

THE Slug Princess Tsunade Is Now the New Emperor of the Hutt Emperor

shen jiu's happy invention life au

SOLO LEVELING X POKEMON

CANCER IN BNHA

VIKTOR (YURI ON ICE) X ENDEAVOR

SOLO LEVELING X NARUTO CROSSOVER WITH THE WEIRDEST PAIRING YET… Danzo X Sung Jinwoo

solo leveling X death note auShen Yuan and Luo Binghe breakup, Shen Yuan elopes with Shen Jiu

XANXUS’ CLOUDY LOVER

THE SYMBOLISM OF LONG NAILS IN ANCIENT CHINA - SVSSS EDITION

[greensaplinggrace]

What Is There To Celebrate About the Darkling? (Part 4)

1 2 3 4

He’s calculating but impulsive. Gentle yet firm. Stubborn and adaptive. Just a real mess of contradictions that makes him all the more interesting.

He loves nature. He loves the forest.

Fond of luxuries and nice things. After growing up as he did, I think he deserves them.

Very socially awkward. Introvert just trying his best. Anything that isn’t manipulation and therefore something he’s planned in his head is just a social train wreck waiting to happen.

The way he pushes up Alina’s sleeve when they first meet. This man had zero compunctions about acting completely unprofessionally in front of his soldiers and I think that’s very sexy of him.

He’s constantly tired and exasperated with the people around him.

The way he says “quiet” with the softest voice imaginable and a room full of laughter instantly goes silent.

He had no interest in Elizaveta even though she was utterly obsessed with him and I think that’s hilarious.

Elizaveta: I have a plan to resurrect the Darkling Everybody Else: Oh the Darkling is so evil for trying to come back! The Darkling, who just wants a nap and is sick of this mortal bullshit: Why am I even here? This is such a pain in the ass. I should have killed Elizaveta when I had the chance.

How he asks if Alina “will have” his name like a man proposing.

Has his bedroom attached to the war room.

Constantly checking up on Alina just to know how she’s doing. Never pushing her beyond her limits as she’s training.

Very creative with his shadows and the extent of their abilities. So many of the ways he uses his powers are genius.

His ending in RoW is a tragedy and an injustice. He deserves better.

This old man pouting at Alina in episode seven as he says “please, I just want to talk to you 🥺”

There is a black kefta made for Alina after like two days in the Little Palace. He really was already planning their entire immortal futures together as Mr. and Mrs. Starkov wasn’t he?

His bed is covered in maps and notes when he’s plotting how to find Alina. Also before that, the way he’s poring over the notes at his desk and giving orders is 👌🥵

Him acting like a real General at all is simply amazing.

The fact that he trusts Luda with his life. That they have a whole intimidation routine set up around him purposefully getting himself fatally injured knowing she’ll heal him.

He looks like a vampire in the show and a fae in the books.

His favorite ABBA song is probably “Lay All Your Love On Me.”

Looks composed but that’s only a façade. Is actually an unhinged feral terror of pain and misery.

That scene where he tells the king she will remain in the Little Palace to train undisturbed and he puts his foot down. ON THE RED CARPET. the king’s carpet. and uses a commanding voice that’s just on the edge of an order…I’m surprised he didn’t get flogged for that. IMO nothing conveys the fine line he walks with those in power while wielding his own like this scene. Literally he should just be celebrated for this alone.

“‘Why won’t you leave me alone?’ I whispered one night as he hovered behind me while I tried to work at my desk. Long minutes passed. I didn’t think he would answer. I even had time to hope he might have gone, until I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Then I’d be alone, too,” he said, and he stayed the whole night through, till the lamps burned down to nothing.

Trapped a bunch of Saints in the Shadow Fold like a true amoral disaster villain. What an icon.

His barely concealed amusement and half hidden smile when Alina comes to put his kefta on. The way he finds Alina utterly hilarious and tries so hard to act like he doesn’t.

That small amused smile when Alina jokes about finding Volcra hilarious. Please he’s so adorable 😭

“‘I know what you feel when you’re with the tracker,’ he said. ‘I doubt that’ He gave a dismissive wave.” - My Malarklina obsessed self, vibrating at the edge of my seat: but what does it mean?!?

Mal and the Darkling’s entire fight in the Fold: dumbass on dumbass violence.

The way he stands with his back turned to Alina when she enters his tent the first time they meet and then does the slowest Godfather turn in history. 1999/10 - points removed for a criminal lack of cat petting.

“I may lead the second army, but the king is still the king.” - the delivery of that line. the implications, the history behind it and also the foreshadowing for his plans.

That slow turn face reveal in episode one though. Like okay we get it you’re pretty alkjsdflkj

Confused Old Man Face™ whenever Mal or Alina do anything remotely defiant in his presence.

How he tells Alina to come closer and she only takes the tiniest step and he doesn’t even react.

His little head cock whenever someone says or does something that just doesn’t vibe with him.

Darklina tumblr has now convinced me that the Darkling is a cat in human form.

“You’re an amplifier,” she said. He glanced at where Sylvi was pouncing on another helpless tree, oblivious, and gave a single, frightened nod. How could he have been so stupid? He would have to tell his mother now, and she would insist that they leave right away. If word got out, they’d both be in danger. Amplifiers were rare, hard to find, harder to hunt. Their lives would be forfeit. Even if they got away, word would spread. He could already hear his mother’s voice: Foolish, careless, callous. If you don’t value your own life, show some concern for mine. Annika touched his sleeve. “It’s okay,” she said. “I won’t tell.” Panic crowded in. He shook his head. She slid her hand into his. It was hard not to pull away. He should. He was breaking his mother’s fundamental rule for keeping them both alive. Never let them touch you, she’d warned him. - 😥 I just want to give him a hug all the time.

His strangled shout when Mal tackles him off of the skiff.

His smile when he’s summoning the sun. The expression on his face when he does so. Like I know I’ve mentioned this before but damn. If you ever needed a reason to celebrate him, this would be it.

“Shame, I’ll have to give that speech again now.”

The way he flips Mal over his shoulder in the Fold after Mal attempts to strangle him.

His little lecture on the Small Science to Alina when they’re going to meet the King. Info dump.

“You make it sound so easy.” “A bird makes flight look easy. But it was born to do so.”

When Alina looks at him for guidance on whether or not to remove her veil and he gives her a small nod.

The handhold in the throne room after Alina’s demonstration is absolutely precious, but it’s in a room full of people he should be keeping up a façade for and it’s so unwarranted and yet he does it anyway, I’m-

The way he says “welcome home, Ms. Starkov,” in the most tender voice I’ve ever heard and then goes “ok that’s enough emotions for one day” and then just straight up leaves without even a goodbye.

He has his symbol?? Sewn into Alina’s kefta??? bRo???!?!

Disaster Simp never gets tired of introducing Alina to other people or talking about how she’s the best thing that ever walked this earth.

The Darkling lying: honestly

“I have devoted my life to undoing the great sin of my forebearer, but I am never seen as the solution. Only as a reminder of the problem.” Sasha you were literally the problem. What a manipulative little shit. We love to see it.

The way he closes his eyes and kisses the coin before he makes a wish at the wishing well.

“I think the Grand Palace is the ugliest building I’ve ever seen.” - I love him your honor.

This man has the most intense lines for Alina. Like straight up I would have booked it when he said “you and I are going to change the world”. But then the head grab?! “I’ve been waiting a long time for you.” He’s so intense like sir can you tone it down a bit please I am begging you.

“I shall be right by your side.” / “We can do anything. Together.” / “For us.” / “You cannot do this on your own. And neither can I” / “I want you to know my name. The name I was given, not the title I took for myself. Will you have it, Alina?” - WEDDING VOWS

That scene in the war room when Alina comes to find him and he instantly drops his guard and lowers his arms and welcomes her with a soft voice.

“Am I bothering you?” “Not at all.” - girl you could be stabbing him in the chest and you still wouldn’t be bothering him.

This whipped disaster sounds like the proudest man on the planet when he talks about how much more his enemies fear Alina over him.

His shadows react to his emotions.

“YoUr’E nOt IvAn.” asjlkdfjs god he’s so embarrassing.

Local Dark Lord Sasha offering Alina the throne after she literally tries to kill him.

He gets so jealous of Mal.

Has a great relationship with his soldiers and his men. His men trust him implicitly and believe him to be an amazing general.

When he turns around after Alina puts the kefta on him and looks flustered/has to take a breath because she’s a lot closer than he expected. The way he’s breathless and literally can’t string a sentence together because he’s so distracted by her closeness.

His jokes are absolutely terrible.

GF: *jokes about throwing herself down the stairs to get out of an event* Sasha “no thoughts head empty only Alina” Morozova: haha I’d just have my healers heal you right back up again.

How genuinely touched he is by Alina admitting to wanting to help Grisha and Ravkans.

That scene in Demon in the Woods when he notices the intricate details of the politics in the Grisha camp after one meeting with the Elders. He has the Ulle pegged almost instantly.

Born to be a leader. Born to take care of others. Born to protect. Even in Demon in the Woods he’s protecting people. Even in Demon in the Woods he’s leading them and caring for them.

The way he cups his hands around Alina’s face when they’re kissing.

This man gets so starstruck by Alina walking into the Fete that he doesn’t even excuse himself from the King’s side to go to her.

Long haired Aleksander rights!

Ok I know the wig was kind of ugly but he looks pretty with long hair and I think it would look very good on him naturally.

The way he slams his hands together in the Winter Fete scene and instantly turns the room pitch black.

Literally any times he summons shadows is a blessing and we should all celebrate him for it. They are so beautiful. On god if I ever saw his shadows in real life I would be awestruck.

He asks Mal if he’s okay when they first meet.

The pure, barely contained fury directed at the Conductor for daring to harm Alina and kidnap his Grisha.

He always has to make a grand entrance.

This man is like a bloodhound when it comes to Nina. He is very invested in finding her and I feel like that’s never really talked about.

“I know exactly how she felt. The King’s soldiers treated me the same way. Because they knew- they knew that I was more important than any of them.” - the way he says it, like it’s something he has to remind himself of in his head constantly. a justification for the way he’s been treated, the fear he evokes in others. a way to protect himself from the hurt of being ostracized and reviled. arrogance and conceit as a defense against emotional harm.

Also the way his face instantly changes after that, like he’s said too much. vulnerability. lowering his eyes. shifting his eyes. literally just everything about this scene makes me love him all the more.

Dark carriage rides up to the Crows’ hiding place. Grisha circle the area as Aleksander steps from the carriage slowly, dressed all in black, floofy cloak high on his shoulders. Villain Entrance™

Him slowly pulling a knife out of his chest like it shouldn’t have killed him is hot as fuck and also totally badass. Big dick energy.

“I’ve had enough of your lies.” “And what lies are those?” - Alina, pulling out a fifty mile long scroll of grievances: Well, for starters-

This man is literally just an Alina Starkov compliments machine.

He cares so much about the Grisha and their protection. He loves Ravka and his people so much.

He had an entire cult dedicated to him.

“They would approach him. They always did. But he felt more anxious than usual. He’d stopped trying to make friends in the places he and his mother visited—there was no point when they moved on so quickly. Now he wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.”

Save a Villain. Murder the King.

Openly admits to staging a coup like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

He speaks so slowly. He moves so slowly. Everything he does has to have Purpose and Gravitas.

Theater Nerd™

He knew Nikolai for years and yet couldn’t recognize him as Sturmhond. We do stan an oblivious icon 💕

The Darkling after he gets his ass whooped in Siege and Storm: Mom can you please come pick me up? I’m scared!

He’s here to manipulate sun summoners and murder cities. And unfortunately he’s all out of sun summoners.

Would absolutely get drunk on real alcohol. This man thinks kvas is strong liquor.

Has his wrists exposed exactly one time in the most skin he’s shown all season and it’s when Alina visits him at night in the war room. WHORE!

Was too emotionally slutty and fell for Alina. RIP.

He’s passionate and cold and beautiful and hurt and twisted up in ways nobody could ever hope to understand and he’s stunning.

I would literally kill for this man 🖤✨

[jakesuit0]

It Came From the Nightosphere Review

And we kick off season two with a Marceline episode! Marcy usually gets left out of season premiers and finales. It’s also Rebecca Sugar’s first time storyboarding an episode, being promoted from her first season job as a storyboard revisionist. Sugar is one of the most popular writers on Adventure Time and in the cartoon industry as a whole. She helped bring the series, and Marceline as a character, to new emotional heights here. Seriously, this episode absolutely slaughters season one’s offerings. Also credit to veteran storyboarder Adam Muto who co-wrote the episode with Sugar.

Marceline opens up to Finn surprisingly quickly after just becoming friends with him. She is a little embarrassed, but sings a sad song about her daddy issues. They could have had one more Finn and Marceline episode to develop their relationship first, but I can see Finn being a safe place for her to open up. The Fry Song, the first of Rebecca Sugar’s famous songs, is an iconic banger. Marcy sings about her dad eating her fries. I think this incident is supposed to be representative of her dad’s self centered behavior. Her father, despite not needing to eat, ate her daughter’s fries when she was still a human and needed to eat. This happened right after the apocalypse when food, especially treats like fries, were rare.  

Rebecca’s original draft of the song, which you can find Rebecca singing on Youtube, was much sadder. Marceline sings about her father leaving her. Considering we see a very young Marceline with her mother in “Everything Stays” and “Obsidian”, we know he was not around then. Either he left her to handle his duties in the Nightosphere, or Elise banished him to protect Marcy from him without ever telling her.

Marceline’s poodle Schwabl is seen in Marceline’s house for the first time. I wish Schwabl appeared more often, especially in episodes that are set in Marcy’s house like “Memory of a Memory”, “Marceline’s Closet”, “I Remember You”, and “Ketchup”. The writers have admitted they kept forgetting to put him in episodes. They usually don’t forget details like that! I do prefer Phil Rynda’s more zombie-like versions of Schwabl in his concept art.

We unfortunately don’t ever see many flashbacks of a younger Marceline interacting with her dad (outside of very brief scenes in “Memory of a Memory” and “Marcy & Hunson”, as well as the probably mostly non canon “Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook”), but you can tell Marceline has a history of longing for and not getting her dad’s approval and understanding. I really wonder if this episode is the first time she’s seen her father since the flashback in “Memory of a Memory" or not. That was a thousand years ago, so probably not? Marcy’s song bums Finn out. In his naivety, he summons Hunson Abadeer, hoping for a reconciliation. He has good intentions, but it is disrespectful to force this reunion onto his friend. He definitely would not have pulled that crap after his run ins with Martin Mertins. 

Marceline's dad, Hunson Abadeer, is actually not named yet. He is referred to as “Lord of Evil” in the credits. His design is great and so is his voice, like Demon Cat, another creepy villain. But, Hunson easily dethrones him as the best villain so far. It’s unbelievable he didn’t recur more. I would have been trying to give him an episode once a season like they did with Lemongrab and Magic Man for a while.

Abadeer is voiced by Martin Olson. Martin (wait was Finn’s dad Martin named after Olson?) is a personal friend of Pendleton Ward’s. He was a writer on “Phineas and Ferb” and is the father of Marceline’s voice actress, Olivia Olson. How often do people get to play characters that have the same relationship in the story as in real life? Olivia described the voice sessions with her dad as a lot of fun. This is the second teenage goth chick who has daddy issues with her evil father that Olivia plays. But, the Lord of Evil is much more intimidating than Dr. Doofensmirtz. 

We learn some new bits and pieces of Marcy’s mysterious backstory. Marceline is half demon and her axe bass is a family heirloom that she repurposed into her iconic axe bass. The axe being an heirloom, and a line from Hunson in “Daddy’s Little Monster” implies that Hunson had parents. Even though its canonicity is in question, “The Enchiridion/ Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook” (written by Martin and Olivia-full circle!) mentions Hunson being one of the primordial monsters seen in “Gold Stars”. Could Golb or one of the monsters be the one to have created and/or raised Hunson ? Did one of them make the axe? Or, maybe it came from Marcy’s mom’s side of the family. This episode doesn’t reference Marceline’s mom, or explain how her demon side fits into her status as a vampire. It leaves us with many questions about her backstory, some to be answered later.

Marceline is understandably upset at Finn’s actions. Hunson Abadeer steals Marcy’s axe bass and goes to suck the souls of Ooo. I like how this gives Finn and Marceline the same goal of tracking down Abadeer, but divergent motivations. Finn cares about saving the denizens of Ooo from Hunson’s soulsucking. Marceling cares about getting her axe bass back. Marceline doesn’t give a shit about any of the people her dad soul sucked. It’s funny how she just finds Hunson sucking Finn’s soul out “embarrassing”. She’s cold. I’m glad that her moral code is still shaky as being friends with Finn for a few weeks or months should not be enough to make her that much more empathetic.

The episode has multiple continuity nods. It features multiple returning characters, species, and locations. The writers said they did this to help make the episode feel big and important, which it is. The show is finally getting more use out of its supporting cast for cameos, like Lumpy Space Princess’s great bit in the climax. Hunson’s encounters with the soft people, Marauders, and penguins are all funny.

Hunson calls Gunter the most evil creature he’s ever encountered. This works well as retroactive foreshadowing for Orgalorg. Ice King has a hilarious cameo too. I wish this wasn’t the only interaction between Ice King and Hunson Abadeer. They both have deep connections to Marceline’s backstory and are father figures to her. Hunson does not suck Ice King’s soul. Does he know who he is? Simon is the one who summoned him to take care of Marceline after he left her in “Everything Stays”, afterall.

Finn and Marceline catch up with Hunson Abadeer. After sucking more souls, he grows to be giant. This allows for a very dynamic fight between Finn and the Lord of Evil. This is Finn’s most powerful enemy yet, but he is still determined to defeat him. After Finn stabs him, Hunson peels his face open and we see what he looks like on the inside. Circumcised Hunson’s head’s design looks even more rad, especially with the soul sacs. Finn slices the tentacle he’s holding onto. Gory stuff!

As Finn and the axe bass fall, Marcy skips over Finn to catch her bass. Finn should have been killed falling from that height! Finn plays Marceline’s song to distract Hunson Abadeer. This humiliates Marceline. Hunson finally feels bad when he sees how he has hurt her, showing that he does care. He and Marcy are able to reconcile. Finn did end up helping in the end! Finn uses this as an opportunity to slice open Hunson’s soul sacks to free the souls and then banish Hunson back to the Nightosphere. Finn has a great line calling Abadeer a “sick freak”. Finn recognizes how disturbing that guy is! He says he’ll see him in the Nightosphere, which works as good foreshadowing for season four.

Marcy is rightfully upset at Finn for violating her privacy. I’ll let it slide since Finn did it to save Ooo. Finn’s error was putting Ooo in danger by summoning him in the first place. She’s also mad that Finn stabbed him. Earlier, she wasn’t offended at Finn’s aim to kill Hunson. She just told Finn he literally can’t kill him because he’s deathless. Now, we see Marcy showing some care for her dad’s wellbeing. An emotionally exhausted Marceline swings her axe bass towards Finn. She almost cut off his arms!

This is the first episode to not have Jake play a major role. He gets no lines. I like how Finn suddenly having a pocket isn’t explained until the last second. He farts in Finn’s pocket, a perfect ending. Jake’s still so scared of Marceline that he has to hide in there! I love how this lets Finn get to go on an adventure with a different character. At least Jake no longer thinks Finn’s under Marceline’s spell. He must have found out that he didn’t really kill Marcy in “Henchman” off screen. 

Grade: A

[tuiyla]

Sentimental Affection: Hambo, the Shirt, and Objects of Psychic Resonance

Adventure Time and the mundane, aka Daddy, why did you eat my fries?

Ever a show to be full of hidden symbolism and so much more under the surface than its 11-minute runtime would allow, Adventure Time uses seemingly mundane objects like a teddy bear or a T-shirt to convey the monumental importance of character dynamics. This doesn’t only apply to objects but actual parts of one’s self, like Finn’s arm and the interwoven significance of his many swords. And then, there’s Marceline.

Like with many of the show’s more complex aspects, this is especially prevalent in Marceline’s story. How do you stress the sheer volume of having lived for a thousand years? How do you signify the lack of letting go of the past, lack of maturity? You give a girl a teddy bear and have her hold on to it for as long as she can. And it’s not just Hambo that adds unexpected depth to Marceline’s character and her relationship with others. There’s the infamous rock shirt, which we’ll get to, and then there’s the French fries eaten by Hunson Abadeer.

As iconic as the Fry Song has become and as synonymous with the complex Abadeer father-daughter relationship as it is, it seems silly, at first glance, that Marceline would be so upset over that simple transgression. But Adventure Time has a special talent for making the mundane whimsical and significant, so through the context of the full song, through little glimpses here and there, we understand the symbolism of the fries. It’s Hunson’s disregard for Marceline’s feelings, his carelessness, his lack of understanding, that really matters.

Just a teddy in the wreckage of the world

So what about Hambo? Hambo is, for a while, everything to Marceline. Hambo is the one representation of her relationship with Simon that she has left. It’s a remnant from the wreckage of the world, a plushie given to a scared little girl by an equally scared old man. It’s the one thing Simon leaves behind when he abandons Marcy, for her own good, and summons Hunson to take care of her instead. But Hunson eats those fries and so Marceline takes the family axe instead and keeps it as safe as she keeps Hambo.

Hambo stays with Marceline long after she turns into a vampire, ever a symbol of the tragic childhood she lost and yet is stuck in. It’s not a coincidence that she’s implied to tolerate much of Ash’s jerkish behaviour but draws the line when he sells Hambo for a new wand. That’s the only thing of Simon, the real Simon that she has left and it matters more than a boyfriend who doesn’t care about that. Disregard for Hambo is disregard for her. So Marceline keeps moving all across Ooo, both to escape from this new, twisted version of Simon and to find the one thing that proves he wasn’t always like this.

You kept the shirt I gave you?

Let’s take a break from Hambo for a moment. Let’s picture a time long before Finn washed up on the shores of Ooo, before the Candy Kingdom grew into what it is today. Marceline and Bonnibel are friends, maybe more - details depend on whatever nuggets “Obsidian” gives us. For a while, it works, and Marceline gives Bonnie a rock T-shirt. That shirt is so quintessentially Marcy that it becomes a symbol of their relationship when it’s with PB. The two drift apart, though, as Bonnie becomes known as Princess Bubblegum to everyone else and Marceline leaves before she can be left behind. The shirt becomes a sort of inverse of Hambo: a token of love that’s - as Marceline initially thinks - never cared for. Bitter as she might be over this, Marcy leaves it all behind as she left Hunson with the fries. She never really got to grow beyond being that young girl who was left Hambo in the snow.

Except, Finn does come along, eventually, and he brings Bonnie and Marcy together again. It’s intense and Marceline lashes out because, well, sorry she’s such an inconvenience. But in truth, it’s Marceline who tags along to defeat the Door Lord despite having no stakes in the mater, and it’s PB who wants to get her precious possession back. Her treasure is, of course, Marceline’s shirt. The one she always has worn, just in the comfort of her own room or under something else. Not out in the open, one might say, but constantly nonetheless, even long after Marceline was gone from her life. A reminder of what they had as much as Hambo is a reminder of who Simon was to Marcy.

That’s the wonder of “What Was Missing”. It lampshades the potential cheesiness of the message, that being “the real treasure is friendship”, but it is genuine in how it portrays that message beyond what would be expected of a kids’ cartoon. Finn keeps a piece of Bubblegum’s hair, but PB is right there to hang out with whenever they want to. Bonnie keeps Marcy’s shirt because she thinks it’s as close as she’ll get to be around her again, but Marceline tagged along just for the joy of being around them. What these two examples have in common is that both Finn and PB want something more from the relationship with the actual person, something they think is unattainable, so they hold on to the objects instead of reaching out.

I’ll get your kid back, toy

So what about Hambo and Marceline reaching out to Simon? When the Ice King inevitably finds her, again, Marceline is rightfully frustrated and just about ready to pack up and move again. But she’s grown these past few years since Finn entered her life and helped her face her past demons. It breaks her heart but she starts accepting Simon back into her life. They hang out and she insists on calling him Simon, because she never stopped viewing him that way. She knows who he used to be, even if he doesn’t, and she clings onto the representation of that hope, Hambo.

Marceline is already in a much better place by the time “Sky Witch” rolls around than she was at the start of the series. She kind of has Hunson, Simon and Bonnie in her life again. It’s all a bit complicated and unresolved - ”Stakes” isn’t for another two seasons - but she’s on her way. That doesn’t mean she’s gonna let the opportunity to get Hambo back pass by, so she asks for Bonnie’s help. It’s a bit awkward but she spent all this time being angry and feeling like she wasn’t good enough when PB cared enough to at least keep the shirt, so maybe that’s as much hope as Hambo is for Simon. And that’s exactly what “Sky Witch” proves, as Bonnie’s level-headedness helps Marcy navigate Maja’s treacherous turf and gets her Hambo back.

There's only one Hambo

There’s a misconception, a common and understandable one, but a misconception nonetheless when it comes to the shirt and Hambo. When Maja says that Hambo’s psychic resonance is nothing compared to the shirt’s, it’s easy to see the implication being that the shirt is that much more important. Therefore, Marceline is that much more important to PB than Simon is to Marcy. This isn’t entirely inaccurate but I also think that what’s important here is not to put these two objects and therefore the two relationships on the same scale. It implies that we’re comparing the familial type of love between Simon and Marcy to the romantic love between Bonnie and Marcy and that’s just a false and pointless comparison. Instead, the significance once again comes through trademark Adventure Time subtlety.

“What Was Missing” was mainly the Bubbline dynamic from Marcy’s perspective: her hurt, her anger over not knowing why it all ended. The twist with the shirt at the end only hints at PB’s side of things and “Sky Witch” takes it home. From the little moments at the beginning of the episode to the revelation that PB gave up the shirt for Hambo, it’s a full package. It’s in everything, including the scene where Peebs dismisses Hambo’s importance. It’s just a doll, totally replaceable, an insinuation which insults Marcy deeply. Bonnie doesn’t necessarily get why Hambo is so important but, in a way, PB does understand. She understands, because Hambo is to Marceline what the shirt is for her: hope.

When PB gives up the shirt, she gives up the only piece of Marceline she’s had for all these centuries. It wasn’t replaceable, just like Hambo wasn’t, but by giving it up she gives Marceline her most treasured possession, her hope. And you know what else? By giving up this remnant of the past, Bonnie gets Marceline back. “Sky Witch”, then, is the beginning of their new dynamic, as the lesson from the Door Lord finally sinks in. And by equating, in a way, Hambo and the shirt, after we’ve already seen in “I Remember You” and “Simon & Marcy” how monumental that relationship is, this makes Bonnie’s devotion to Marcy clear as day.

Magic, madness, sadness, and all the rest

Hambo becomes something even bigger in “Betty”. The reason why Maja wanted Hambo and then the shirt in the first place is because Adventure Time acknowledges within the logic of its own universe how important the love poured into these objects is. She uses the magic of the shirt and Simon uses the magic of Hambo. Marceline, reluctantly, lets go of Hambo because she just got Simon back, just as PB let go of the shirt and got Marcy back. Nothing is ever that straightforward in the land of Ooo, though, so Hambo brings Betty back but it can’t save Simon. Now Marceline got a taste of the old Simon, had hope, and it lives on in the person they sacrificed Hambo for: Betty.

Betty’s hope is misguided, though. With her time jump to modern day Ooo, a journey of denial and desperation begins that leads her and the whole land down a road of magic and madness. Betty’s shenanigans is its own separate post, really, and all the themes of acceptance, denial and change they represent. What I find fascinating in this context is how, again, in true AT style, the butterfly effect did its magic and the mundane lead into the whimsical and grandiose.

Right there where you left it, lying upside down

Simon gave a little Marcy her teddy doll and Ash carelessly passed it on. Marceline gave Bubblegum a rock shirt, something so quintessentially her that it was the one thing Peebs held onto even after all those years. The shirt was a symbol of their lingering connection and its sacrifice meant the start of a new chapter. The significance of the shirt was enough to get Hambo back, which in turn was powerful enough for Simon to get Betty back. And, eventually, by moving almost literal heaven and hell, Betty brings Simon back. Everything stays, but it still changes.

The shirt is not Marceline. Hambo is not Simon. Objects are not people, nor can we only be with people if we let go of those objects. That isn’t the message the show is going for. And these objects are only catalysts for character arc and dynamics in most cases, anyway. Marceline doesn’t grow up by letting Hambo go, she succeeds in leaving the past behind in “Stakes”. And, if the “Obsidian” trailer is any indication, even that doesn’t mean she’s done with all her demons.

What the intertwined stories of Hambo and the shirt tell us is that complex, emotional stories can be told through simple objects. A teddy doll can signify a thousand years of pain and yet provide hope, while a rock T-shirt can pack some good old-fashioned queer yearning into it. Hambo and the shirt aren’t even monumental parts of Marceline’s, Simon’s and Bubblegum’s stories, even if Adventure Time finds clever ways to use them in the plot. They are just two simple things that represent so much in terms of character development and some of the show’s central dynamics, and that’s damn good storytelling.

[recentanimenews]

Yen Press Announces New Manga and Light Novels for November 2021

North American publisher Yen Press has big plans for later this year, with nine new releases revealed for November (and one for October). Among the latest licenses are six manga—including Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc—and four light novels, so dig into the details below.

  MANGA

  The Hero Laughs While Walking the Path of Vengeance a Second Time Story by Kizuka Nero Art by Yamo Yomoya (This one is listed for October)

    Kaito has been summoned into another world as a hero, and though all goes well for a time, one day, his entire party betrays and mercilessly kills him. So when he suddenly gets a chance to redo his life, starting from the point he was first summoned to this world, he swears to exact vengeance on everyone who stabbed him in the back...

  The Hero Laughs While Walking the Path of Vengeance a Second Time is a dark isekai tale based on a Yen On light novel scheduled for an October 2021 release. Fans of dark fantasy manga are sure to enjoy this upcoming release that does an amazing job adapting the highly-anticipated light novel.

  Let This Grieving Soul Retire  Story by Tsukikage Art by Rai Hebino Character Designs by Chiko  

  This man—is he an extraordinary hero or an ordinary person?

  "What I'm seeking is to be the world's one and only strongest hero."

  Cry had made an oath together with his childhood friends to become the strongest hero, but he realized right after that he has no talent.

  Nevertheless, for some reason, the expectations of those around him keep rising rapidly every day. And (at least according to Cry), things will always head in an outrageous direction!?

  Let This Grieving Soul Retire is a manga adaptation of the fantasy light novel series by Tsukikage, the creator of Defeating the Demon Lord’s a Cinch (If You’ve Got a Ringer) and The King of the Dead at the Dark Palace by Yen On. This comedic adventure about a reluctant hero appeals to fans of the recently released Hazure Skill: The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill Is Actually a Legendary Assassin.

  Namaiki Zakari

Story and art by Miyuki Mitsubachi

    Basketball club manager Yuki has a secret—she’s in love with the team captain! But when Naruse, her cheeky kouhai, discovers her big secret, she’s in a tight spot! Just how long is he going to keep teasing her about it!? Stupid pretty playboy…

  Namaiki Zakari is a gorgeous romantic comedy shojo filled with charming boys and love triangles. With a story filled with adorable romance and school-life elements, much of which revolves around the events of the characters’ basketball team, Namaiki Zakari will surely be shojo fans’ next favorite series!

  I’ve Been an Omega Since Today

Story & Art by Maiki Sachi

    It all starts with your typical childhood friend love story—average Kanade pining after his dandy best friend, Munechika. There’s just one big problem with their high school romance—Kanade’s a Beta and Munechika’s an Alpha! And everyone knows that Alpha/Beta pairing just aren’t compatible…on a physical level. But when Kanade goes into heat as an Omega for the first time, will Munechika be there to give him a helping hand?

  Fans of boys love rejoice! Following hot new releases, such as Sasaki and Miyano and I Cannot Reach You, Yen Press is releasing I’ve Been an Omega Since Today. This standalone title is filled with beautiful artwork and omegaverse elements—truly irresistible to the growing boys love fanbase!

  The Splendid Work of a Monster Maid

Story and Art by Yugata Tanabe

    Sumire, a “nekomata” phantom, has lost her beloved master. After wandering alone, she stumbles into…a foreign demon world!? Now Sumire serves under the president of a company, alongside an undead named Rose and an android named Ivy. In order to get back that “certain someone,” Sumire’s splendid work begins!

  The Splendid Work of a Monster Maid is a fantasy slice-of-life manga surrounding the events of maids in the demon world. With art and story that are both beautiful and very unique, this series is reminiscent of the likes of Black Butler and Kaori Mori’s Emma.

  Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc

Story by Magica Quartet

Art by Hanokage

    All the witches in the universe, past and future, may have disappeared, but in their place, emotion-eating “wraiths” prey on humanity. The magical girls fight to protect Mitakihara City once more…

  Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc is a spin-off of the iconic manga and anime property, one which takes place between the events of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion, with much of the story told through the perspective of fan-favorite Homura Akemi. This series debut follows the recent omnibus release of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story.

  LIGHT NOVELS

  Magical☆Explorer

Story by Iris

Illustrations by Noboru Kannataki

    Reincarnated as a character in the legendary eroge title “Magical☆Explorer,” our hero ends up as an unlucky side-character instead of the game’s lady-killer protagonist. Not to worry, though! Armed with his deep knowledge of the game (not to mention a few cheat codes), he’ll do whatever it takes to win the hearts of the game’s heroines and emerge as the most accomplished student at the Sorcerer's Academy. 

  Magical☆Explorer is an isekai light novel series that involves a protagonist using his expertise of visual novels to dominate the world when reincarnated within the game. Fantasy isekai and romantic comedies are among the most popular genres in the world of light novels, making Magical☆Explorer a series that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

  Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie

Story by Hiroro Akizakura

Illustrations by Dangmill

    Reincarnated as a villainess in an Otome game, Cecilia realizes that as the heroine’s rival, she’ll die no matter what route she takes. Convinced that she can avoid her death flag by becoming a man, she crossdresses and takes on a new identity. In the process, however, she ends up replacing her brother-in-law as the knight charged with protecting the heroine! Now the prince who should be condemning her to death wants to hang around her all the time...?! Cecilia will do whatever it takes to achieve a peaceful and carefree life, but if her guise ever slips, it’s Game Over! 

  Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie takes the isekai concept of being reincarnated in the world of an otome game and turns it on its head! In order to save her life, our protagonist masquerades as a man—a choice which leads to a whole lot of chaos in this fun-filled light novel series!

  The Girl I Saved on the Train Turned Out to Be My Childhood Friend

Story by Kennoji

Illustration by Fly

    While on his way to school one morning, high school second-year Takamori Ryo saves his childhood friend Fushimi Hina from a sexual harasser on a crowded train. Although the two are practically opposites in appearance and popularity, not to mention the fact they haven't spoken since middle school, Hina finds herself smitten with the oblivious Ryo. A frustratingly sweet, zero-stress romantic comedy!

  The Girl I Saved on the Train Turned Out to Be My Childhood Friend is a sweet slice-of-life light novel that tells the story of love interests who reconnect in high school after years of separation from their middle school days. This rising star in the light novel world is written by Kennoji, the author of Hazure Skill: The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill Is Actually a Legendary Assassin, and illustrated by Fly, the artist of Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki.

  Rust-Eater Bisco

Story by Shinji Cobkubo

Illustrations by K Akagashi and mocha

    In the far future, a disaster known as the “Rusty Wind” has transformed the majority of Japan into a barren desert and left civilization in tatters. After his teacher falls prey to the rust, the roguish Bisco Akahoshi embarks on journey through the sandy wastes to obtain a mushroom known only as the Rust Eater, rumored to cure the ailment. Together with the dashing young doctor Milo, the pair will have to contend with the unforgiving environment and their fellow wanderers in order to make it back alive.

  Rust-Eater Bisco is a compelling, post-apocalyptic light novel series with excellent world building complemented by amazing illustrations. An anime adaptation of this award-winning series was recently announced for future release.

  Source: Press release

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

By: Joseph Luster