#i'm sean-ing here!!

[buttclench-ryugazaki]

marion: if you weren't okay, would you tell me?

sean: eyyy fuhgettaboutit, i'm deflectin' here!

[utilitycaster]

I've been seeing complaints that Spenser was 'trying too hard to kill the cast' this episode, which I have to say I wildly disagree with, but I will admit to be a little confused why the players sometimes took one or even two marks after rolling a six. Or I guess I'm not confused so much as I wonder if the mechanics for injury, success, failure, etc could be too vague atm? Candela doesn't really have anything like CR rating or DC which it doesn't NEED, but I guess could create some grey area?

Good question! Here's the secret: all TTRPGs I'd consider worth my time have a huge swathe of gray area, D&D very much included (indeed, I find a lot of the more baseless criticisms of D&D, especially from Game Based Heavily On D&D But Different fans (derogatory) to come from people mad at that gray area) and as long as the players and GM have agreed on it, it's fine. With that said I admit that paying attention to individual rolls is not what I am inclined, personally, to do, but if this is about Sean rolling a six and taking two body...that is because he was going to take four body off the bat and reduced it with a good roll that the GM permitted him. (It also might be about Marion taking in the rift, which was similarly stated beforehand to cost him a Bleed scar no matter what he rolled, the roll reflecting how successful he was.) Now, we can talk about the implications of taking four body seemingly out of nowhere, but do recall that is coming off an earlier 1 roll in his interaction with Duncan.

CR ratings generally are a poor understanding of difficulty, and the thing about DCs is you can set them arbitrarily high (or for that matter, secretly low). Like...to use D&D, you cannot make a persuasion check for someone who dislikes you to give you all their belongings and run away forever. The DM is going to set the persuasion check at 50 and it is going to be unreachable by any means. Even a nat 20 will give you a result of "they think you're joking and laugh it off instead of run after you with a sword." If you jump off a sufficiently high cliff in D&D and roll a nat 20 to land, you still might take enough damage to die during your three-point landing. And so on.

So: while we don't have all the rules of Candela Obscura, it is valid from my knowledge of the Forged in the Dark engine, which Illuminated Worlds was heavily influenced by, for Spenser to say "this action is unbelievably dangerous and there is no possible way you are escaping unscathed, and a full success means that you live to tell the tale with only a gunshot wound or bleed damage rather than outright death." That's the other thing: completely valid for the GM to come in planning to kill the players. That's the premise of EXU Calamity. I would assume the table discussed that this was going to be a much darker and more dangerous game than Chapter 1 and everyone shares those expectations, and is prepared to possibly lose these characters. Which is, frankly, another thing that comes up specifically in actual play: what the table knows and expects and is prepared to accept is often something much harsher than the audience is prepared to accept. I mentioned being irritated at the presumptive nature of a lot of safety tool discussion (and am feeling very validated by Spenser's tweet about how he handled the letters to Sean) but like...when the CR or D20 or Candela tables prepare for their games, they have talked about expectations of tone and whether the GM will be trying to gently usher new players to victory, flat out gunning for a potential TPK, or somewhere in between.

This was a long, pre-full dose of caffeine way to say that one of the biggest rules of GM-ing is that the GM sets the tone of which the danger and difficulty of the world is part, and also that, based on everything about how this chapter has been presented, if someone accuses Spenser of being very hard on the party my answer is "...yeah, no shit, did you fail to realize that from the tone and text of literally every trailer and interview?"

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

15 Day BL Challenge

Day 15: 5 Bestest Besties

I've made it to the final day! I'm actually rather proud of myself for managing to do every single one of these. Thanks to @negrowhat for the challenge, this was a lot of fun!

I love that we have so many wonderful besties in QL! Romance is optional in life but we all need a bestie or two.

I've literally only had them for four episodes, but I'm already putting our 23.5 gang in here. You can tell Ongsa has struggled so much with acceptance in the past, and here she is immediately embraced by this adorable little queer cohort. They love her for who she is, support her in everything she does, and are already hard at work to make OngsaSun happen.

And of course I have to pick my Not Me boys. Despite their inability to tell White from Black, this group is ride or die. Just see their reaction during the shootout when they realize Sean isn't with them, where they're ready to run right back into a hail of bullets.

Tiw and Tinn in My School President. Admittedly it's a little one-sided during the show, as Tiw puts his all into wingman-ing for Tinn, but I'm sure once Tiw mentioned his crush on Por, Tinn was all hands on deck to help out.

Pharm, Team, & Manow in Until We Meet Again. They meet by such happenstance by standing in line at the same time, yet immediately fall in friend love, and end up being such integral emotional support for each other.

Kuea and Diao in Cutie Pie/Naughty Babe. These two are the epitome of friend love, are unhesitatingly affectionate, and unquestioningly put each other first.

Also, I will never stop being slightly salty we didn't get more of Kuea sassing Max on Diao's behalf, because it makes me so happy.

@negrowhat's full challenge here

[sadhornydemons]

Yesterday, I was actually good (well behaved), staying off social media at work, but since I had to open the youtube page on my tablet (why did you not save the tab, bitch?) to continue Sean of Steel's latest upload, I saw the thumbnail for the episode during my first break.

< insert 'I was wrong Crowley dance gif' here >

First thought: wow, those who guessed that the Cherubs and d.h.o.r.k.s. were in the episode were dead right!

Second thought: wait...I wanted a half hour of Stolitz! (you sure, Sara? You didn't just spent a month angst-ing away at your crackpot headcanon of how the episode was gonna go down?)

Well, nonetheless: Scratch that, reverse it! We're mentally rewriting this episode RIGHT NOW!

So, that's how I spent my work day. Knowing full well that that's exactly why I needed to wait until I got home to actually watch it.

And I even made sure to eat some quick dinner before hand. (last month's trailer and duet basically had me at no appetite for 24 hours) And then, clutching a nearly plush for support, pressed play.

I think I zoned out during the duet (already familiar) and the b plot, just dreading what was coming. But it was handled so well...Almost in a well written fan fiction way? I stated it before in the tags, but I'll say it again: I'm really starting to trust the writers like I haven't any showrunners before.

I'll be honest, the b plot was completely unneeded. It could have been removed from the episode and left no impact. Also, why are M&M and Loona suddenly stalking Blitz's personal life? Is it opposite day in Hell? Were they gonna follow him to Stolas's palace and just yell advice through the window? "Use the double vibrator, Sir!" That said, it still helped the episode. It kept it from being the nonstop drama I've dreaded it would be. So, wise choice, in the end.

I appreciated that it didn't get truly sad until the very end. And the way it came about..there were general emotional scenes; Stolas binding the crystal to Blitz's glove, "I want you to stay because you want to, only if you want to," that I hadn't expected the show to actually go for.

So, in the end, I was relieved.

Will I got on a TRUE mad rampage if things don't get resolved by this month's episode? Oh, most certainly!

But until then, I'm shockingly good, and thankful.

[sushisocks]

so this is like two asks ig? but what is ur most unique sean headcanon, and what is ur sean headcanon that you will defend with your life (i really love ur headcanons lol)

OOOHHHHH ANON!!!!!! we're in it now lmfaoo THANK YOU first of all I'm honestly so glad people enjoy my headcanons/rants about these characters!! RDR2 is my first time really foray-ing into fandom space like this (previously having kept my writing & thoughts to closed circles of friends lol), and the reception here has overall been a lot more than I ever expected!! Especially since I've really picked my faves &lt;;- said while sideeyeing the 28 works in the macsummers tag on AO3.

ANYWAY these are some insanely good questions, anon, and I've been thinking about them ALL DAY, so I'll do my very best to answer you here in a way which does these questions justice.

It's hard for me to know which one of my Sean HCs is the most unique, as I have a LOT of HCs, and I've been posting a LOT of them over the course of the past few months. I've been told (as a compliment!!) that my overall take on him & the connections I make regarding him is unique, which I obviously am very flattered by! But I also don't think it's too hard to be unique when you're thinking & talking about a character who generally isn't given the same amount of genuine consideration and meta as other characters from the same franchise. Like, I could be talking at length about Arthur, or Charles, or John (and I HAVE!!! Not on tumblr, but still, I love those characters too!!) but my takes would probably not generate the same kind of attention by virtue of those characters being talked about a lot by a lot of other people too!! My posts about Sean stick out because there's not a whole lot of other people writing posts about Sean in the meta/HC style I do!

(Sidenote, while I don't fault the RDR2 fandom for not giving Sean his dues - he is a side character who dies very early on, and who is easy to stereotype, after all - I AM very glad and grateful that the stuff I've said & shared seems to have impacted some people's understandings of him, at least in the circles I run in. As of late I've been seeing a lot more thoughtful takes on him, reflecting how he has the capability of being just as nuanced as several of the other characters in the game. Maybe that's because I'm right in the middle of it though; most RDR2 circles I'm in KNOW me as the Sean stan, and engage with my takes on him, after all!!)

So like, is my most unique Sean headcanon among the ones that reflect canon & actually took off, impacting some people's view of him - like how he DOES mirror a younger Arthur, and how he fulfills a role in the gang, and how his death is necessary to set the tone for the rest of the game? Or is my most unique headcanon him being a gnc bi poly king in the messiest possible queerplatonic triad with Karen and Lenny? Is it that I think he prefers licorice to chocolate? That I think his favorite color is burgundy(not that he'd call it that)? I don't know! I both have so many HCs that picking one is extremely hard for my Libra-ass-self, and I don't have many others writing similar stuff to compare myself with, at all! I'd love to hear from others, though, if anyone else who's been reading my Sean posts have any takes regarding what of my stuff has stuck with them!!!

OKAY sorry for the rant mkjhbjj It's probably not what you were looking for asking me that but it's something that's on my mind, given that I think a fair amount of the uptick in my following over the past few months, if not from AO3, is very much from my RDR2 meta posts - which are in majority about Sean.

ANYYYWAYYY as for a Sean HC I will defend with my life - DEFINITELY the Sean learning disabilities ones - he is INCREDIBLY ADHD & dyslexia coded to me, it MASSIVELY influences how I write him in my fics, and I don't think anyone will ever argue me away from that one. Also, Sean siding with Arthur & John in the end, IS a hill I will die on - to the point that I've written several posts about/referring to it mjnhbnjbh Honestly though, I am a petty bitch who will die on most hills available to me, and I'm not afraid of confrontation, so I am a little bit of a menace when it comes to my Sean HCs and defending them lolol I'm overall very pleased they've gone over well with the rest of the Sean stan community here on tumblr though!! Yall are the best fr <3<3<3

[therunesrewritten]

Voice lines!(no voice acting because Cedar doesn't like sharing his voice online)

Seapton:

"OH, LIGHTNERS! I CAN'T 🍊-ING BELIEVE IT!!"(the 🍊 is supposed to be their button eye, and is used to replace swears)

"MY NAME? SEAPTON, THE BEST MAGICIAN FOR THIS DUMP! NYAHAHAHA!!!"(yes, they have the same laugh as Stitch/Swap Seam, ik I'm lazy)

You ask about Jevtic. "OH, JEVTIC...?" Their face darkens. The smile disappears. "...Jevtic...care to join the fun...?" They're now just talking to themself.

You mention Swatvil(Cedar finally came up with a name for Swatch) to the cat. They seem upset. "DON'T MENTION THAT MOTHER-🍊-ER!! THAT TWATSTAIN DOESN'T DESERVE YOU, AND THEY SURE AS 🍊 DON'T DESERVE ME!!!!"

Jevtic:

"Hello, new patrons. Enjoy your stay, stay."

"The name's Jevtic, I'm the one in charge of this fine, fine establishment."

You ask about Seapton. His face darkens the slightest bit. "O-Oh, Seapton...we, uh...we don't talk about 'em here...long story, my apologies."

You mention Spam to the impish butler. He perks up a little. "Ah, I'm quite good friends with Spam. He helps me with my shop, I help him with his. Fair trade, is it not?"

Spam:

"Haeha...welcome, [traveler]...!"(all the brackets do is change the pitch of his voice)

You ask if he's okay, since he looks fatigued. "Don't worry about me, lightner...just [a bit tired], is all..." He's pretty obviously lying, but it looks like he's trying to convincing himself it's true...you probably shouldn't push any further. "Oh, [by] the [by]…the name's Spam."

You ask if he knows Swatvil. He immediately wakes up fully and looks at you in shock. "S-Swatvil!? Please, don't [mention] them again. The last time we met, we ended on [bad terms]..."

You mention that Jevtic said he and this puppet shopkeeper were friends, and ask if it's true. Spam smiles brightly. "Yes, of course! We like to [help] eachother with our shops! It's a nice deal, and I get someone to talk to, so [win-win]."

Swatvil:

"LIGHTNERS, OH LIGHTNERS! PLEASE SET ME FREE FROM THIS LONESOME CAGE!!" They let out a few bird calls in your direction...

"MY SILLY, OH SILLY NAME? SWATVIL, PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, MY DEAR LIGHTNERS!!" They caw a bit as a form of laughter.

You ask about Spam. They just stare for a moment. "PLEASE, OH PLEASE, DON'T MENTION THAT BACKSTABBER IN FRONT OF ME!!! HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE LONG GONE FROM MY MIND, Y'KNOW!!" More of the caw-laughter...

You then mention Seapton. They cut you off the second they hear the name. "OH, THAT LITTLE [####]!? DID THEY PLAGUE, OH PLAGUE YOUR MIND WITH FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT ME?? OH, I BET THEY DID!!!!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to voice act any of these voice lines, just ask @waytoomanyocstocount first through DM's! Also, the 'Seap' part of 'Seapton' is pronounced like 'Sean', and the 'C' in 'Jevtic' is pronounced like 'S'.

[leagueofleaguesff]

*Tony and Superman meet outside the Stark Tower garage entrance*

Tony: Ok there you super OP God like being you, I'm gonna end this quick so I can turn my attentions to the hot Amazon lady that came with you. Whats her name?

Clark: Diana is too good for you, you sleaze bag.

Tony: What is it with me and these square ass boy scouts huh? Jarvis did he just call me a sleaze bag?

Jarvis: Yes sir he did.

Tony: Hey boy scout...I triple dog dare you to cuss. I bet you can't.

Clark: I'm going to fu*#ing kill you!

Tony: Whoa! The mouth on this guy. Boy scout growing up (whiny voice).

*Clark flies closer but gets weakend and kneels*

Tony: OH did I forget to mention boy scout? I laced my suit with that kryptonite. Booger rock is what I call it. Does it hurt? I hope it does. Just saying. Kinda not fair you being a God tier whatever you are.

Clark: (breathes heavy) You talk to f*#king much.

Tony: Is this the same guy who where his underpants outside his pant? You wanna talk tough? I got something for you...

*Superman dodges the initial beams and shoots his freeze breath*

*Tony puts up his shield to block*

Clark: How did you get kryptonite here? Was the reverse flash?

Tony: The who? What the hell is up with you guys and your names? Can anyone be anymore plain with the name selections I mean really...

Clark: Says the man called Iron Man.

Tony: (Pauses).....touche (nods)

*The fight resumes*

*Tony charges up the kryptonite in his suit*

*It temporarily weakens Clark*

Tony: You like that?! Trying to get my Kirk Cousins impressions down yknow?

*Clark grunts*

Tony: OH thats right...the green rock (Sean Connery voice). Just so happened to have it. Wanna que another mini montages to reiterate the point?

Tony: Well look at that...see Jarvis, I can do it too!

Jarvis: Yes sir (unenthusiastically)

Tony: Dont worry about the voices in my head Superman (mockingly). Just my trusty AI. You have that where you're from. I used to read your stories in comics...but then the continuity was all shot to hell and I gave up. Plus I discovered women. You know...nudies and all that. Don't let these killer looks fool you, I'm older than I look but I was young once. Oh right my helmet....but you have x ray vision right? Can you see my handsome face? But not too handsome, in case you trying to take a peak at my junk. Impressive as it may be that would kind of be awkward given we are fighting each other yknow. I digress...actually no I dont -

Tony: This guy, shouldn't the green rock thingy be hurting you still? Gotta admit its alarming.

Clark: Shut uuuuuuuuuuupppppp!

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