#if your wisdom and int are both 10

[sky-kiss]

/Bats eyelashes/ What if we backed ourselves into a corner and both had terrible daddy issues? Also, Haarlep.

In other news: were you aware that succubi and incubi have telepathy? That sucks for Raphael.

[taras-toe-beans]

Izzrhys as a companion- a compilation of multiple recent prompts + some extras

Alright, so I'm going to make a big post of all this. I will add on with Izzrhys' questline as well, but it was getting quite long, so I'll add that in a reblog when I finish it!

Campfire Chatter: What’s your OC’s camp idle?

Iz can be seen doing one of three things:

Praying, sitting cross-legged in front of his tent. He has his hands folded in front of him, head lowered, and his eyes are closed in a very meditative manner.

Stretching- standing up and switching between a handful of poses. He stretches his triceps at the back of his head, does the little arm stretch across his chest, and stretches both arms out over his head to loosen up his shoulders.

Practicing his form, sparring against a training dummy with a mace

Stat Block (upon recruitment at lv 2)

STR- 17

CON- 14

INT- 8

WIS- 10

CHA- 14

DEX- 10

Unique moves and status effects:

Arachnophobia: must pass a DC 15 wisdom saving throw or become Frightened if an arachnid creature is within line of sight

Old Wounds: Izzrhys' old knee injury is flaring up. Occurs after a certain amount of distance traveled or certain amount of combat (whichever comes first). Izzrhys’ movement speed is halved, and he gets disadvantage on attack rolls and dex, con, and str saving throws. Resets after a long rest.

Share the Burden: 1x/long rest, melee range. Izzrhys can swap HP values with a companion, including a downed one (in which case he will be put down to 1 HP).

Companion Approval Rating-specific greetings

Low Approval:

Need something again? [Very tired tone]

Hm? [Has his arms crossed and he glares disapprovingly]

Come crawling back to me for healing? Very well, Ilmater wills it- oh, you wanted something else from me? Out with it, then.

Neutral:

How can I help you unburden? 

At your service. What do you need, friend?

Good to see you again. What did you want to talk about?

High Approval:

Ah, I was hoping to speak to you today. What’s on your mind? I'll do my best to ease your troubles.

Glad you could spare a minute. I always enjoy our chats. What have you been up to, besides the obvious?

Gods willing, we’ve lived to fight another day. I’m honored you’re sharing it with me.

Flirting:

Fancy seeing you here. I was just thinking about you. [He is smiling and his body language is relaxed, hands on hips. He is clearly happy to see you.]

Of all the people in camp, you choose to come talk to me. I'm flattered, my dear. [He makes eye contact for a moment, looks down, then looks away.]

Who, me? [he looks around and points to himself] In that case, I'm more than happy to make some time for you, dear.

Romanced:

It's good to see you again, my beloved. What did you-? [He fully stops for a moment and looks you up and down, and his expression is almost one of awe. His voice changes from his typical tone to sounding almost winded] Gods, the very sight of you leaves me breathless.

Somehow, every time I see you, I find you more beautiful than the last, my love. My heart may well jump out of my chest.

What is it? Come here to make conversation or make love?

Morality/Approval

Izzrhys is neutral good and has a pretty inflexible moral/ethical code.

Approves of:

Kindness towards children and animals

Choosing to deescalate instead of fight, in most cases

Going out of the way to save others, even if it's dangerous (ie helping Oskar, freeing the captive in the goblin camp, helping the Ironhands in the underdark, helping Malus Thorm’s “patient,” freeing prisoners from Moonrise, helping Rolan in Baldur's Gate)

Choosing to kill when someone is a danger to others (ie any cultists, Lorroakan, Raphael, etc)

Disapproves of: 

Needless cruelty and torture, especially if it’s drawn out

Allowing or encouraging oppression and control of other people (ie the Deep Gnome slaves, the gnolls at Moonrise, Mol regarding Raphael, helping Lorroakan)

Negotiating with Raphael

Making any deals with Gortash or Orin

Trusting the Dream Visitor or making use of the tadpole

Will leave the party if:

You attack the grove

You kill either Isobel or Aylin

Will threaten to leave the party if:

You go through the underdark (DC 12 persuasion or insight check, and he will not only stay with the party, but also apologize for threatening to leave and explain his anxieties.)

You help Nere (DC 18 persuasion check, DC 18 deception check)

You choose to have Minthara in your party after knocking her out at the goblin camp and saving her at Moonrise (DC 25 persuasion check, or tell Minthara to leave. If they both stay, your approval goes way down. He has some not-so-nice things to say to/about her. Will not join your active party if she's there).

Voice + Lines

Has a very deep, warm voice, and a distinct Australian accent (sorry, I hc that drow from the underdark are basically Australian don't worry about it). He speaks somewhat softly most of the time, and is surprisingly very gentle in how he speaks. Rarely gets snippy and almost only ever raises his voice when in battle, trying to make callouts or any expressions of surprise/worry.

Selected character:

Alright then, let's forge ahead!

Whatever horrors await, I’m with you.

I'll lead the way. Any trouble will have to go through me first.

Turn in combat:

Don't worry, I've got your back!

In the name of the Broken God, I shall break you!

Ilmater, guide my hand!

Low HP:

It's okay… I've still got some fight in me.

Broken God, please steel my resolve!

It hurts… but I've endured far worse.

Downed in combat:

Sorry… I can't move a step further…

If this is the end, so be it…

I’ve nothing left to give…

Player is downed:

Gods above, I’ve only got so much healing in me! (Negative)

Hang in there, I've got you! (Neutral)

Hells! We shall not lose you, friend. I swear it! (Positive)

My love! I won’t let you die here! (Romanced)

Healing player

Don't let this go to waste. (Negative)

This should keep you going. (Neutral)

This'll bolster your resolve! Keep fighting! (Positive)

My beloved! Your wounds need tending! (Romanced)

Join active party:

It’ll be an honor to fight at your side again.

I'll make sure to keep the lot of you in top shape. You won't regret it.

Leave active party:

Very well. I pray you stay safe without me at your side.

I suppose I’ll take the opportunity to rest. Stay safe.

Sneaking:

Gods, I don't know how long I can stay like this…

Is there really a need for this? Can't we face our troubles head-on?

I'm no master at stealth, but if I must…

[utilitycaster]

Bells Hells Level 11!

As always: are there errors or major omissions? Let me know! Your preferred feat or spell isn't listed? That's because it's not my preferred feat or spell, and you should make your own post for your own preferences! Additionally, because level-ups are no longer done at the end of sessions but are rather their own separate videos, I now include speculation for the next level(s) since there's often very little time to speculate on the current level.

Chetney: Level 10 in Blood Hunter means Dark Augmentation and a 3rd blood curse. Dark Augmentation increases his speed by 5 feet/round and grants him a +3 (his Int modifier) to all physical saves. As for blood curses...they're fighting mages, so Muddled Mind is looking pretty nice, but Eyeless is also useful and Binding is very versatile. Looking forward: if he continues to level in Blood Hunter, his hemocraft die goes up to a d8, his strikes in his wolf form go up to a d8 and get +2 instead of +1 and he can use his wolf form twice between rests and he regenerates a small amount when he's below half-health. 11 Blood Hunter: It's a big level up, folks.

Laudna: She leveled up in sorcerer and took her ASI to max out charisma, which I support as someone who always respects a main stat boost. She gets a new spell and I would advise leaning into utility and taking Dimension Door, personally. Looking forward: I think I've made my feelings on the concept/multiclass clear in the past, but practically speaking, if you're progressing in sorcerer, it's probably wiser mechanically to keep doing so. Level 9 grants 5th level spells.

FCG: Begone Thot Destroy Undead improvement, and 6th level spells! I mentioned before that I'm really looking forward to Heroes' Feast. He also gets some big utility spells, notably Heal, True Seeing, and Word of Recall. Looking forward: 12 is an ASI and oh buddy please up your WIS score. A feat that does +1 to WIS is a valid choice, just...bring it to +4, please? For me? Observant would be fun if not super necessary since Orym's got that covered; skill expert could also be fun. But as stated with Laudna, straight ASI in your main stat is always a solid choice.

Fearne: Fearne took a second level in rogue, which grants her cunning action (dash, hide, or disengage as a bonus action) which is quite useful if she ends up in combat, especially since, despite a good HP roll this level, she's a touch squishier following her time with Novos. I actually support this, both because Ashley has a strong vision for Fearne and also because I think keeping the party dependent on the Staff of Dark Odyssey is good for the story - let's wait a bit longer until we get Transport via Plants! Let's take the scenic route! Looking forward: L10 druid is a good level - the Cauterizing Flames feature, which is a bit niche but extremely cool, is one I'm looking forward to. I'm not opposed to her moving forward with rogue, per se; I think if she does, Thief is the obvious (and correct) choice. However, Cauterizing Flames is really very good and I would like to see it.

Imogen: I mentioned Chain Lightning and True Seeing as some fun options for her. She also gets access to Disintegrate, which would be very fun to cast on, say, Otohan. Or Ludinus. Or her mom. Fuck them Vanguard. Looking forward: sorry got distracted by the idea of disintegrating the Vanguard members...12 is an ASI and honestly I'd just take the +1 to INT and WIS. Imogen's got so many feats, and I really think having better mental stats would be a great sign of growth, she's done the character work to deserve it, and it never hurts to roll a little better on a wisdom save (I say as a known dumper of WIS).

Orym: He can attack 3 times per round. This is why fighters are great. If you do not think fighters are great you can catch three attacks in six seconds from these hands. Looking forward: yes! it's yet another ASI/Feat. And once again, I think a stats boost is best. Tank better with a +3 to con, and then he can either get smarter, or get more charismatic if he's considering paladin (note: I like the idea of Orym remaining a pure fighter more, but I do not control the Liam, and he's a reliably thoughtful player mechanically so I'm interested in what he does. As always this is me saying opinions and not being prescriptive). He gets another ASI at 14 (fighters! best pure battle class!) while everyone else is getting class features so that's when I'd take a feat.

Ashton: Relentless rage - keep raging while unconscious! Very punk rock. Looking forward: Level 12 is an ASI and yes not to sound like a broken record, but max out that strength. It's up to you and Chetney, and who knows how much longer he'll be around.

[curufiin]

Middle-earth Role Playing statsheet

Also known as: I AM GETTING TERRIBLY DISTRACTED!!!! I found this tag tame while scrolling and well I fucking love filling things out so. Edited some of this too just because I can. Also I'm just using the normal DND stats bc idk what the MERP ones mean lol

tagged by: me. tagging: @iriysse @thegreatstrongbow (and all of your other accounts obviously) @maedhros-feanoriel @fallensmith @descendantsoffinwe (anga and eggy would be cute 🥺) @gezelligheiid

orange is curufin / red is celegorm / blue is both

❯ STATS ⋯ ✵

STR: 12 / 17 DEX: 16 CON: 10 / 15 INT: 18 / 14 WIS: 10 / 8 (yet somehow still has a lot of proficiency in wisdom things..... dont ask) CHA: 16 / 17 (look celegorm is just built different like. he can do everything)

❯ BASIC INFORMATION ⋯ ✵

Name(s): Curufinwë Atarinkë, Curufin / Tyelkormo Turcafinwë, Celegorm Nickname(s): Curvo / Tyelko, Turco Gender: Male Culture/Race: Noldorin Profession: Weapon & Jewel smith / Hunter, Lords of Himlad, ex-princes of the Noldor Alignment: Lawful Evil / True Neutral Original Character or Canon Character?: Canon Date of birth: Y.T. 1300, a week or two before Finrod’s birth / Y.T. 1260 Place of birth: Royal palace of Tírion Current living place: Beleriand generally. Himlad / Nargothrond depending on the timeline Demeanor: Cold, quick to anger, tenacious / Sociable, avoidant in conflicts, stubborn Languages: Quenya (Noldorin dialect), Sindarin, Khuzdul / Quenya (Noldorin dialect), Sindarin, various animal languages, minimal Valarin phrases

❯ PHYSICAL INFORMATION ⋯ ✵

Height: 6'8" / 203cm, 7'6" / 228.6cm Weight: average / heavy end of healthy weight Eye color: Greyish brown / yellow Hair color: Black / pale blonde Special physical (tattoo, scars, left eye of a different color, etc): Burns on his hands, arms, and the right side of his chest that extends up to his neck. He tends to hide these scars with long sleeves, high collars, and gloves. Feanorian star back tattoo. / Various miscellaneous scars.

❯ FAMILY ⋯ ✵

Parent names & race: Fëanáro Curufinwë, Nerdanel / Noldor Grandparent names & race: Finwë, Miriel / Noldor Sibling names & race: Nelyafinwë Maitimo, Kanafinwë Makalaure, Morifinwë Carnistir, Pityafinwë & Telufinwë Ambarussa / Noldor Children names & race: Tyelpërinquar Curufinwë (Celebrimbor) / Noldo / none Partner name & race: Unnamed wife, Noldo / none Pets: none / Huan (Wolfhound)

❯ ARMOR & WEAPON SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Armor (None, light, medium, heavy): medium / light, medium in proper combat Favored weapon: Knife, shortswords / Yew bow, polearms Name of weapon: Angrist / none Skills with edged weapons: ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ Skills with crushing weapons: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Skills with two-handed weapons: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★★ Skills with thrown weapons: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Skills in archery: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★★ Skills with polearms: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★★

❯ GENERAL SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Climbing: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Riding: ★★★★★ Swimming: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Tracking: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★★ Cooking: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★☆☆ Foraging: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★★

❯ SUBTERFUGE SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Ambush: ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆ Stalk/Hide: ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ Pick Locks: ★★★★☆ / ★☆☆☆☆ Set/Disable Traps: ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆

❯ ATHLETIC SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Acrobatics: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★☆☆ Brawling: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★★ Wrestling: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★★★

❯ CAREER SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Animal Handling: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★★★ Boat Handling: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★☆☆ Craft: ★★★★★ / ★★☆☆☆ Navigation: ★★☆☆☆ / ★★★★★

❯ MEDICAL SKILLS ⋯ ✵

First Aid: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★★ Apothecary: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★☆ (but really celegorm just uses Song to heal) Midwifery: ☆☆☆☆☆ / do animals count... Surgery: -100 stars / ★★★☆☆ Poisons knowledge: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆

❯ ARTISTIC SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Dance: ★☆☆☆☆ Play Instrument: ★★★★☆ / ★☆☆☆☆ Poetry: ★★★☆☆ / ★★☆☆☆ Singing: ★★★☆☆ / ★★☆☆☆ Tale Telling: ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆

❯ INFLUENCE SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Acting: ★★★☆☆ / ★★☆☆☆ Bribery: ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆ Diplomacy: ★★★☆☆ / ★★☆☆☆ (in theory. in practice it's both one stars unless Curufin is dealing with dwarves) Interrogation: ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ Leadership: ★★★★☆ Public Speaking: ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ Seduction: ★☆☆☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Trading: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Trickery: ★★★★★ / ★★☆☆☆

❯ LORE SKILLS ⋯ ✵

History: ★★★★★ / ★★☆☆☆ Mathematics: ★★★★☆ / ★★☆☆☆ Religion: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆ Ainur Lore: ★★★★☆ Dwarven Lore: ★★★★☆ / ★☆☆☆☆ Elven Lore: ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆

❯ MAGIC SKILLS ⋯ ✵

Enchanting: ok i'm gonna describe this bc magic to elves is kinda weird. Curufin is proficient in rune carving. Sorcery: Curufin mostly does not wield song, or if he does it's entirely out of his control. Celegorm has some capability to manipulate Song, mostly for healing purposes. Attunement: ...Curufin has a magic knife? Spell Mastery: see sorcery above

❯ OTHER ⋯ ✵

Perception: ★★★★★ Body Development: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★★ Read / Write: ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆

[pathfinderempressofnightmares]

Common/Lesser Sphinxes, Any Alignment, (14 RP)

Magical Beast (4 RP)

Have Low-light Vision and Darkvision (60 ft)

Need to eat, breathe, and sleep

Size: Medium (0 RP)

Linguist (1 RP)

Common, Draconic, Sphinx

Speed: Normal, 30 ft (0 RP) (bipedal locomotion)

Fast +10 ft (1 RP) (quadrupedal locomotion)

Flexible stat points (2 RP)

+2 Int, +2 Dex

Silent Hunter (2 RP)

Reduce the penalty for using Stealth while moving by 5 and can make Stealth checks while running at a –20 penalty.

Claws (2 RP)

2 claw attacks, 1d4 each

Spell-like ability, at will (2 RP)

Heightened Awareness: You enter a heightened state of awareness that allows you to notice more about your surroundings and recall information effortlessly. You gain a +2 competence bonus on Perception checks and on all Knowledge checks that you are trained in.

If this spell is active when you have to make an initiative check, you can instantly dismiss this spell and gain a +4 bonus on that check.

Origins and Social Behaviour

Some say the Common Sphinx stem from the mingling of sphinx and humanoids, others say they are Sphinx who lost the majority of their powers, leaving them in this lesser form.  The truth of the matter is obscured or lost to time.  Likely by the Sphinxes own design.

Regardless, these Common Sphinx, both with their lack of wings, and smaller size, have an easier time moving amongst humanoid towns without attracting attention.  Or those who pester Sphinxes for their famed wisdom and knowledge.  True/Greater Sphinx look upon these common sphinx with pity or contempt, depending on their temperament.  The Common Sphinx by and large do not like or want the pity of their more magical kin, and for those who regard them scorn, they are treated in kind.

Common sphinx tend to hide themselves amongst humanoid towns, often keeping their felinoid bodies hidden under long sleeves and loose cloth.  Those whom do not care that others know they are Sphinx are fond of light silks and outfits that don’t hamper their movements.

Though they are sphinxes, they are not limited to just a lion-like body, they have been known to come in a riot of colors and coat patterns.  Common Sphinxes, much like their greater magical kin, have humanoid heads and chests, with the rest of their body being felinoid.  Oddly enough, common sphinxes forepaws are built more like hands.  They can switch between bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion with ease, being able to move more swiftly when on all fours.

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Without Grumbling

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure

=======================

VERSE OF THE DAY

======================

+ 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

=======================

SUBJECT: Without Grumbling

======================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM NOT GRUMBLING

I AM NOT RUSHING

I AM ALIGN WITH GOD

I AM HOLY

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READ TIME: 9 Minutes & 10 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

======================

 It's hard not to grumble about things we don’t like or want to do. A lot of us hate to do something, and we express it in our body language or facial expression; we express what we don’t vocally too, but God wants us to keep silent about it; if we do something he wants us to do it from the heart and I can say this is hard to do because If I don’t want to do something and I am made to do it, I will vocalize it but since I realize that God wants us to be silent I am realizing its not the best thing to do,

* Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

* James 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

* 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

One of the most essential teachings found in the Bible is the command to do everything without grumbling or disputing. But why is this message so crucial, and what can we do to follow it daily?

The passage in Philippians 2:14-15 states, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." This powerful message reminds us that grumbling and disputing only lead to negative consequences and can hinder our growth as children of God.

   Many of us may find it challenging to obey this command, especially when passionate about something. We can get carried away and become overly aggressive or argumentative when defending our beliefs or opinions. However, the Bible teaches us that this behavior goes against God's will for us. He wants us to live in harmony and peace with one another, not in constant conflict and quarrels.

     In fact, the Bible warns us about the enemy's tactics to create division and confusion among us. In 1 Peter 5:8, it says, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The enemy wants us to fuss and argue with one another because he knows it will only bring chaos and destruction.

    So, what can we do to avoid falling into this trap of grumbling and disputing?

First, we must pray before entering any situation that may potentially lead to conflict. As we seek God's presence and guidance, He will give us the wisdom and discernment to handle the situation in a peaceful and godly manner. Just like Moses, who told the Lord, "If you don't go with me, I don't want to go" (Exodus 33:15), we must remember to always take the Lord with us wherever we go.

    When we have the Lord's presence with us, it makes a significant difference in our lives. We are reminded of His love, grace, and mercy, which helps us to approach situations with a calm and understanding heart. We are also reminded of the bigger picture and the importance of unity and love among God's children.

Moreover, the presence of God in our lives transforms us from the inside out. As we continue to seek Him and His ways, we will begin to see a change in our attitude and behavior. We will become more patient, compassionate, and kind, which is essential in avoiding grumbling and disputing. As we strive to follow this command, let us remember to pray for God's presence and let His love and grace guide our actions.

    During our discussions this week, we delved into the topic of intimacy with God. We discovered that it's quite simple to develop this intimacy when we communicate with him and are open and honest. David, known for his close relationship with God, understood the importance and meaning of intimacy with him. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with intimacy in our romantic relationships because we may take our partners for granted or fail to see its significance. However, intimacy allows us to be vulnerable and open with each other, and this is crucial in our relationship with God. Communication is key to building this intimacy, and it's something we should do every day, not just occasionally. We must share our feelings with him and express our gratitude for his unconditional love for us. So, let's make an effort to communicate with God daily and strengthen our intimacy with him.

    1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

He wants us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us; but he cares for us because he loves us with endless love, a lot of us don’t feel heard or needed because maybe we feel others don’t care but that’s something we don’t have to worry about with God because God actually cares when no one else does that’s why he says throw your concerns on me throw on me what you care about the most because I am here for you through it all that’s what intimacy is it is being open to your partner and being able to carry the load that they can not.

 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

As we discussed the idea of being powerful through God, it became clear that it is not easy to be powerful on our own. But when we surrender to God and allow Him to work in our lives, that power holds great significance. It is in our toughest moments that we realize we cannot do it alone. Though we may feel self-sufficient at times, God reminds us that the power we have is meant to strengthen us in the spiritual battles we face. We must be prepared for the enemy, who will come at us day and night. To overcome these challenges, we must sit in the presence of God and trust in Him to guide us through. He will never fail us or leave us on our own. The Lord wants us to pass every test and temptation, but we cannot do it by neglecting our spiritual growth. Let us trust in God and feed our spiritual selves to become stronger and more powerful through Him.

*** Today, during our discussion, we touched upon the week's overview and delved into the topic of grumbling. I personally believe that learning not to grumble takes a lot of growth and maturity. Many times, our emotions tend to dictate our lives, and we end up complaining or grumbling about things that may not even be significant. However, it is essential to remember to ask for God's help in avoiding grumbling and disputes, as it can greatly impact our attitudes and relationships. This is a topic that can be explored in another devotional, but for now, let's remember to approach everything with an open mind and an open heart, allowing God to use us during every situation.

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.

God's love for us is truly endless and never fades away. As we draw closer to Him, we begin to see and experience this love even more. He delights in our intimacy with Him, and it saddens Him when we forget how close He wants us to be. He longs for us to cling to Him and to walk in His ways. The more we walk in His ways, the closer we are to dwelling in His presence. Personally, I love being in the presence of the Lord. When His presence fills my room, I can feel Him, and all I want to do is to dwell in it. It's a shame that many of us are so used to rushing off after prayer that we don't take the time to dwell with God. But we should strive to dwell in His presence more and more. We can do this by asking God to help us keep our thoughts on Him and not let anything come between our moments with Him. It truly is a beautiful thing to be in the presence of the Lord. So, let's make it a priority to experience and cherish His presence in our lives. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

======================

PRAYER

=====================

Heavenly Father, we ask for your help and guidance as we navigate our daily struggles. We know that it is easy to fall into the trap of grumbling and complaining, but we pray that you would give us the strength and mindset to persevere with a grateful heart. We can rest and relax in your love and assurance, knowing that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for being our constant source of strength and peace. Amen.

======================

REFERENCES

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+ John 6:43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves

 

+ John 6:41 So the Jews grumbled about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.

 

+ John 6:61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?

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FURTHER READINGS

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Proverbs 15

Mark 3

Hosea 4

1 Corinthians 5

Galatians 1

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[ryttu3k]

You know what's fun? Statistics! You know what BG3 has? Statistics! 25 of the most prominent characters and their default stats, for your comparison pleasure.

Here are the lowest and highest scorers for each category, both overall and amongst the Origin companions!

Strength

Noodle squad, check in! Astarion, Gale, and Wyll all have a whopping STR 8, followed closely by Volo on STR 9. The hamster is stronger. The hamster is stronger.

On the other side of the strength spectrum, Sarevok could benchpress all three of them at once, with STR 20. Sarevok is scary in general, honestly.

Of the companions, Karlach and Lae'zel both have STR 17.

Dexterity

No single digits here! A perfectly average DEX 10 is achieved by Withers, Aylin, and the Emperor.

Meanwhile, Orin could probably disarm the most complicated traps blindfolded with one arm, with DEX 22, and equal highest score altogether. Only just behind her on DEX 20 are Gortash, Sarevok… and Boo.

Most of the companions have a pretty servicable DEX 13 here - just Astarion stands out, with DEX 17.

Constitution

Sneeze and they fall over. Boo, Withers, Volo, Gortash, Viconia, and the Emperor all have CON 10.

Again, it's Sarevok at the top of the list with CON 20. Why won't you die?!

All pretty average for the companions, here - everyone has 14-15.

Intelligence

Astonishing no one, the literal hamster has the lowest intelligence, with INT 6; this is also the lowest score overall for main characters. Just ahead of him, Karlach, Minsc, and, surprisingly, Jaheira only have INT 8.

It's probably not also much of a surprise to see that the Emperor has the highest, at INT 22, tying with Orin's dexterity for highest score overall.

Of the companions, Gale is the highest at INT 17.

Wisdom

In fairness they both made very poor decisions (although also in fairness, Wyll was 17 at the time). Wyll and Gale have the lowest wisdom at WIS 10.

If you want good advice, go to Orpheus. He has a whopping WIS 21, and the second-highest score overall.

Amongst the companions, it's Shadowheart who has the good sense, with WIS 17.

Charisma

Boo also holds lowest for Charisma at CHA 6, but I personally think this is a filthy lie and the hamster could convince me to commit crimes, so let's say the next actual lowest is a tie between Shadowheart and Lae'zel, on CHA 8.

Unsurprising for characters with actual huge numbers of followers, Orpheus, Ketheric, and Mizora all have CHA 20. Can you imagine if they started motivational services?

Amongst the companions, Wyll should definitely do all the talking, with CHA 17.

Totals

All the Origin companions have a total of 75; so do Minsc and (hilariously) Boo. Of the secondary companions, they're all around-ish that level, with Jaheira as the lowest at 71 (let her rest!), Halsin higher at 81, and Minthara the highest at 84.

Of their allies, Orpheus is a good one to know, with a total of 101. Volo and Isobel could be secondary protagonists, with scores of 73 and 76, very close to the companion average of 75. Withers has the very lowest score altogether at 68, which is kind of hilarious considering he's objectively one of the most powerful in the entire game.

The enemies are pretty fearsome. Mizora ranks down the bottom, with 91. Four antagonists hit 100 - Raphael hits it exactly, Cazador is on 104, Sarevok on 105, and beating him by a whopping 1 point, Orin wins Scariest Character Overall on 106!

In conclusion, jfc 104 no wonder Astarion was scared of Cazador, and also lmao Boo's STR 10.

[prince-of-the-comet]

Baldur's Gate 3 Builds: Deadeye

You don't need complicated multiclasses, respecs, and rare hand crossbows to make a good archer in Baldur's Gate 3. For a simple, solid, versatile, damage dealer for all occasions, look no further than the trusty Dexterity-based fighter.

(Confused by the terminology? Start here!)

Suggested Race: Any Medium. Sorry halfling and gnome-lovers: Small characters have disadvantage on attacks with heavy weapons in 5th edition, including both longbows and heavy crossbows.

Starting Class: Fighter

Final Level Distribution: Fighter 12 (Battlemaster or Champion)

Minimum Level Distribution: Fighter 5.

Recommended Statistics:

Strength: Low or higher. You're a fighter. You're going to want to wear exotic medium armor, so you're going to need to be at least strong enough to carry it. Other than that, there's enough finesse weapons around that you don't actually need to worry about it. 10 is fine, more is ok.

Dexterity: Dependent. You're an archer. Dexterity makes your build go.

Constitution: Medium or higher. No one can actually dump Constitution, but ideally you've got someone else on the frontline.

Intelligence: Dump. You're not an eldritch knight.

Wisdom: Low or higher. Your abilities don't run off of it, but it only takes one nasty dominate person to make you really wish fighters were better at Wisdom saves.

Charisma: Dump. You're not a paladin either.

Example starting stats:

Str 14, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10.

Recommended Level Progression:

1-12: Fighter.

It's simple, it's solid, it's three attacks per round, four feats, and the fighting style you need. You don't need to mess with it.

Variants:

Ranger 12 (Gloom Stalker). Ranger's really the only other class that works for this, with the Archery fighting style and Ensnaring Strike for plentiful advantage. Take Bounty Hunter early and stay a Gloomstalker for all 12 levels to get Stalker's Flurry.

A free do-over if you miss isn't quite as good as a full third attack, but it's the next best thing.

Detailed Level Progression:

1: Fighter 1. Grab the archery fighting style. You're an archer, may as well commit to the bit. Grab a light crossbow on the nautiloid - it will hold you over until you get something better. We'll go over what something better is in the next section.

4: Fighter 4. You're still a fighter. Take Sharpshooter. This is the linchpin of every archery build. Sharpshooter gives you the option to take a -5 penalty to attack and in exchange gain +10 to damage with ranged weapons. You're going to want to use this - but not all the time. Why?

Statistics Interlude (or, 10d6 isn't 60 damage)

How much damage can a level 12 rogue expect to do with Sneak Attack? Well, they've got 6d6 sneak attack. So it looks like 36 damage (6x6=36). But unless you're extraordinarily lucky, you're not going to roll all 6s. Given that you have equal probability of rolling every value on a d6, the expected result is actually (1+2+3+4+5+6)/6 = 3.5 damage. Or, more simply:

The expected roll on a die is equal to (1+die sides)/2

This also means every flat +1 to damage is equivalent to increasing your die by one size (1d6 >> 1d8, 1d8 >> 1d10, etc.)

Sharpshooter, adding a flat 10 damage, is close to 3d6. You've almost snuck 5 levels of rogue into 4 levels of fighter, a pretty impressive magic trick with just a minor snag:

A -5 penalty to attack is approximately equivalent to disadvantage.

As an example, let's take a flat DC10 roll with no bonuses. You've got a 50% chance of succeeding. (10/20)

However, if you need to roll twice and both of those rolls need to come up 10 or better, suddenly you've got just a 25% chance of succeeding (10/20 * 10/20 = 100/400 = 1/4). Just as if the check had suddenly become DC15. It's a little different at high or low values (Disadvantage on a DC5 check ends up more like DC11 than DC10), but it's close enough for a rule of thumb.

And the problem is, if we miss, we deal no damage at all.

So to calculate expected damage per attack for a weapon, we need to multiply our expected damage by the odds we hit at all (subtract -25% from those odds, if you've flipped Sharpshooter on.) If you're dealing enough damage with each hit, or if your chance to hit is bad enough, at some point, you lose more expected damage to missing than you gain by adding not-quite-3d6.

And if you're really insane, you can make it into a chart:

This is modeled on a fairly mild mid-level longbow build with some kind of damage rider (ex: Malefic Band) The more damage per attack, the higher the crossover point (where Sharpshooter starts to become worth it) actually is. Note that the Sharpshooter crossover point is higher with advantage - that -5 penalty is a much sharper opportunity cost when it applies to both rolls!

In general:

If you've got at least a 60% chance to hit with a normal attack, use Sharpshooter.

If you've got advantage, turn Sharpshooter off unless you've got at least a 75% chance to hit! Any dice-based riders you can put on will be better. Battlemasters should use maneuvers, for instance.

To offset Sharpshooter penalties, we want flat bonuses. Every +1 and +2 you can scrape up is worth it.

Ok! Statistics over. Back to leveling.

Fighter 6, 8, and 11: Things to pick up at these levels: Dexterity (consider the Athlete feat if you're at an odd Dex), Dexterity, and Extra Attack (2nd edition).

Fighter 12: You've finally got a spare feat! Good stuff includes Crossbow Master (if you're committed to that lifestyle), Alert (to decrease Time To Arrows), and Magic Initiate: Ranger or Warlock.

Items of interest:

We're only really interested in two things for this build:

Increasing our flat to-hit. Every point we can get to offset the Sharpshooter penalty helps.

Big heavy ranged weapons. The bigger, the better.

Hitting Better:

The Sparkle Hands - Forest. Pairs with the Joltshooter for situational advantage against anything wearing metal armor, which is quite a few enemies. This is a rare case where advantage is worth pursuing just because it's available so early and without any action cost.

Marksmanship Hat - Moonrise Towers. Flat +1 to hit, and look dapper doing it.

Horns of the Berserker - Wyrm's Crossing. A situational +2 to hit, if you're confident in your ability to hit. Turn off Sharpshooter just long enough to draw blood, then turn it on and hit even harder.

Legacy of the Masters - Lower City. The only thing better than a flat +1 to hit is a flat +2 to hit.

Circlet of Hunting. Specific to rangers and characters with Magic Initiate, but the +1d4 is just a touch better than Horns of the Berserker, and doesn't hurt you if you roll badly.

Big Heavy Ranged Weapons:

The Joltshooter - Waukeen's Rest. This is a solid longbow for most of the game, accessible as early as level 2-3. Pairs well with the Sparkle Hands. Unless you've also got at least 14 Strength, the bursting electricity damage will be more effective than the Titanstring Bow.

Harold - Zhentarim Hideout. For a more support-oriented character, a Harold-wielding archer is the perfect counterpart to a save-or-suck caster.

The Dead Shot - Lower City. Sharpshooter's perfect match, this bow doubles your proficiency bonus, effectively granting a +4 to hit so long as you avoid having true disadvantage. This is my favorite bow to use with this build, just be prepared to drop a lot of coin to get it.

Hellfire Engine Crossbow - Steel Watch Foundry. Though once again, support-oriented or hybrid characters might prefer a big crossbow. Being able to reposition allies and enemies alike is a useful skill, particularly since creatures moved by another force don't provoke attacks of opportunity.

[ursbearhug]

Ooh, bitches are fighting in the comments over monks!

So I've played few monk builds, including the easiest which is TB Open Hand, and my monks never have particular high ac and that's mostly fine because monks are also not *that* prone to getting one hit. So people arguing over ac on characters is so funny to me.

Okay so I have maxed out dex and wisdom and what do I have? High AC and useless stat allocation. Cool, cool.

Dex is the most important stat in this game, sure, there is no better stat period. But some people are not elixir guzzlers, so they cannot just backseat with hill or cloud giant and dump strength and still reap the benefit of high strength for shoving, kidnapping and throwing and tavern brawler, and still get use of other elixirs like colossus which usually skyrockets both monks and paladins and some druids. Strength monks are vastly superior to dex variant also. Otherwise dex is 'broken' because initiative and nothing else. Getting high dex, without sacrifice to other stats, is not feasible and it's not optimal way to play, if you care about optimisation and not roleplaying I guess, you'll never sacrifice other stats just to get better bonuses from armour rating, mage armour or something. Wisdom is important spell for control reasons, as most deliberating spells target wisdom and it is nice to not get confused or bondaged every turn, but otherwise wisdom is not useful stat. Seriously, the only thing that makes wisdom better than int, which is the worst stat in the game and personal bane of my existence, is that there are almost no intelligence saving throws to be had and wisdom appears on almost all dangerous spells; hence why int is almost always dumped stat because nobody cares and wisdom is usually at least at 10 to prevent -1 to Hold Person.

Also again from my own, incredibly unlucky, experience having high ac is... Kool, I guess? I play character with 25 and character with 14 and I will avoid all damage on the latter and be close to dying on the former. For all intents and purposes, having 18 or 19 is mostly fine, most late game gear usually brings you up to 20 or 21 region, with casters and their lanky asses of course being excluded. Though, on my solo sorc run; having the Raphael armour is better than having the robe of weave because the +1 to spell attack and DC is whatever if I cannot mage armour on 12 ac, and helldusk will make me significantly more impervious to random ass shit. But I guess it would be worse for wizards or druids which cannot hit 24 of their stat as easily as charisma based casters.

So I'm sorry but I'm with op on that. If your monk somehow has higher ac than other members of the party; sure I might be playing monks 'wrong', but you're playing the entire party worse lmao.

[soullessbullshit]

Tabletop Vestiges 1: How to Play Khoshekh in DnD 5e

After much deliberation of how to present this little mini-project, the previously focus-grouped Tabletop Vestige Builds are finally underway!

Masterlist

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition builds

Khoshekh 5e | Tavi 5e | Speaks-in-Embers 5e | Cassian 5e | Malek 5e

Goals

Master of Shadow: As a nightblade, Khoshekh's magic allows them to manipulate and traverse shadows and darkness, using it to teleport short distances, form shadowy blades and projectiles, siphon creatures' vitality, and manifest spectral duplicates of themselves.

Ambush Predator: Khoshekh specializes in attacking with relentless precision, dealing obscene amounts of damage to their opponents before they can strike back.

Where'd they go?: Khoshekh's affinity for the shadows didn't start with their magic - they've been sneaking beneath people's noses since they learned to walk. And dear lord, are they disturbingly good at it.

Street Smarts: Their childhood in outer Wayrest and later assassin training has lead Khoshekh to develop a sharp sense of vigilance and pick up a lot of tips and tricks to survive before losing their soul.

Ultimate Zoomies: Khoshekh is able to maneuver in incredible bursts of speed and mobility, darting across rooftops, fleeing collapsing structures, catching up to marks and people of interest, you name it.

Level 1

Ability Scores

For ability scores, I advise going Standard Array. Roll for stats if you prefer, but make sure their Dex and Wisdom hit at least 13.

STR: 14 (Khoshekh is incredibly athletic, able to leap, grip, strike, and stride with impressive power).

DEX: 15 (Easily Khoshekh's strongest suit. They're nimble, precise, and slippery as can be).

CON: 12 (Khoshekh can certainly take a hit, though they usually avoid getting hit in the first place and tend to go for power over endurance).

INT: 10 (They're a quick thinker, but they're not exactly book smart).

WIS: 13 (They're perpetually vigilant, they're cool under pressure, and they're hard to manipulate magically).

CHA: 8 (Most of their social skills come from reading people and keeping a poker face. They're like a woodchip on the playground in the early 2000's: beat-up, beige, and easy to overlook in the masses).

Race/Species

Khoshekh is Khajiiti, specifically a Cathay-raht furstock. There are a couple felid ancestries, but the tried and true Tabaxi is easily most fitting for their character, particularly the version from Monsters of the Multiverse.

Take +2 to their Dexterity and +1 to Wisdom as their Ability Score Improvement. They have a 30-foot base walk and climb speed for scaling buildings and obstacles with ease. Cat's Talent grants them proficiency in both Perception and Stealth, handing out their two strongest skills for free. They also have Cat's Claws, dealing 1d6 base Slashing damage on unarmed strikes, along with 60 feet of Darkvision and they can double their movement speeds for a turn using Feline Agility for their signature burst mobility. They can also learn Common (Tamrielic) and a language of their choice: I recommend Goblin or Orc.

Background

The 5e background system's getting a massive overhaul in the near future, but the one we want hasn't been shown yet, so we're going for the 2014 version.

Growing up in a rundown Wayrest orphanage, Khoshekh's skills and worldview were shaped by their time as an Urchin. Modify the background for Sleight of Hand and Intimidation proficiency to avoid doubling up with Cat's Talent, along with Thieves' Tools and Cook's Utensils (or Thieves' Cant, if your GM is cool like that).

They have a keen sense of City Secrets, able to navigate urban terrain like the back of their hand. Since backgrounds grant feats now and I usually let my players pick Lv. 1 feats anyway, Mobile gives them a 10-foot boost to their walk (and, by extension, climb) speed, prevents opportunity attacks from creatures they've attacked in melee, and removes speed penalties from difficult terrain while dashing.

Class

Ah, the good ol' fashioned Assassin Rogue.

...Is not what we're doing. Mechanically, there are far better ways to get what we're going for with Khoshekh's modus operandi, and after several variants over the years, the following build is a far better reflection of Khoshekh's abilities.

They're actually going to start as a Ranger, gaining proficiency in Strength and Dex saves, non-heavy armor, and all simple and martial weapons. They gain three skills from the Ranger list, with the most appropriate being Athletics, Investigation, and Survival.

Favored Enemy is admittedly an underwhelming feature, but it is still objectively better than Foe Slayer. Especially since we can pick two types of Humanoids to start, such as Humans and Elves for their typical targets in the Covenant (and learning a language spoken by such creatures, which could arguably be any).

Deft Explorer, on the other hand, is incredibly handy, making them Canny for two extra languages and Expertise in an existing skill, which we're absolutely taking in Stealth for a +7 modifier right off the bat.

Level 2

At Ranger lv. 2, Khoshekh gains a Fighting Style, picking up Blind Fighting to gain 10 feet of Blindsight for even further vigilance.

They also gain Ranger Spellcasting, learning two spells from the Ranger list to cast with Wisdom, learning more spells at later levels.

Hunter's Mark allows them to gain advantage on checks to track a visible creature within 90 feet and deal an extra 1d6 damage on each hit while they concentrate for up to an hour. With the number of attacks Khoshekh gets on certain turns down the line, this spell winds up doing mid-level Sneak Attack numbers on its own.

Longstrider grants a willing creature a 10-foot bonus to their walk speed for an hour. This can, and often will, be cast on themselves, and can target extra creatures when upcast above 1st-level. They schmoovin', they movin', they goin' so fast.

Level 3

Ranger lv. 3 grants Khoshekh another Ranger spell, taking Zephyr Strike to prevent opportunity attacks against them for a minute of concentration. Once before the spell ends, they can deal an additional 1d8 force damage on an attack and increase their walk speed by 30 feet for the remainder of the turn.

They also gain Primeval Awareness from their awakening magic and exposure to the planes of Oblivion, allowing them to expend a spell slot to detect the presence of supernatural entities within a mile. Turns out it doesn't take long to start recognizing the scent of the things that keep punching you in the nose.

Most significantly, they unlock their Ranger subclass, obtaining newfound shadow magic as a Gloom Stalker.

Khoshekh becomes a Dread Ambusher, adding their Wisdom modifier to initiative rolls and granting them an extra attack and another 10 feet of movement during the first round of combat. The extra attack deals an extra 1d8 damage on a hit to maximize their lethality as an ambush predator.

They also gain Umbral Sight, increasing their Darkvision to a 90-foot range, and allowing them to blend into the shadows, preventing them from being seen by other creatures' Darkvision.

They also get a free Conclave Spell each time a new Ranger spell level is unlocked, kicking things off with Disguise Self. This allows them to adopt an illusory humanoid appearance of their choice for an hour.

Level 4

At Ranger lv. 4, Khoshekh gains their choice of an Ability Score Improvement or Feat, taking Skill Expert for a +1 bonus to their Dex score, proficiency in Acrobatics, and expertise in Perception.

Level 5

Ranger lv. 5 grants Khoshekh an Extra Attack whenever they take the attack action. They also gain 2nd-level spell slots, which they can use to cast Pass Without Trace, granting chosen creatures within 30 feet a +10 bonus to Stealth checks and protection from non-magical tracking for an hour.

They also gain Rope Trick as a Conclave Spell, creating an extradimensional space at the end of a rope for an hour. The entrance to the space can only be seen through from the inside and the rope can be pulled inside with anything or anyone else inside.

Level 6

At Ranger lv. 6, Khoshekh gains a new Favored Enemy, learning the ins and outs of the Daedra working to enact the Planemeld and gaining a newfound understanding of Fiends.

Deft Explorer also improves, making Khoshekh even more adept at Roving, increasing their walk speed by another 5 feet and granting them a climb and swim speed equal to their walk speed (one of which they already had).

Level 7

As a Lv. 7 Gloom Stalker, Khoshekh hones their Iron Will against the horrors faced across Nirn and Oblivion alike, gaining proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. If your GM allows it, the Baldur's Gate version of this ability also grants proficiency in Intelligence saves, learning to pick apart illusions and hallucinations from gaining Sheogorath's attention.

They also gain another Ranger spell, picking up Jump to triple their jump distance for a minute, allowing them to free-run across floating ruins collapsing in the Coldharbour sky.

Level 8

At Ranger lv. 8, Khoshekh gets another ASI, increasing their Dexterity score by 2 to cap it at 20.

They also gain Land's Stride, allowing them to move through non-magical difficult terrain without expending extra movement and more effectively navigate obstructive plants and evade spells like Entangle.

Level 9

Ranger lv. 9 grants Khoshekh 3rd-level spell slots, picking up Nondetection from the Ranger list to ward a creature, place, or object against divination for eight hours.

They also gain Fear as a Conclave Spell, allowing them to target creatures in a 30-foot cone, Frightening those who fail a Wisdom save for a minute of concentration. This effect forces Frightened targets to book it as far away from Khoshekh as possible until it ends.

Level 10

At Ranger lv. 10, Khoshekh gains another Favored Enemy, learning from experience what it means to be Undead and how to track those of a similar persuasion.

They also gain their final Deft Explorer feature, heightening their resilience with shadow magic to become Tireless. Their exhaustion level decreases by 1 on a short or long rest, and they can use an action to gain temp HP equal to 1d8 + their Wisdom modifier a number of times per long rest equal to their proficiency bonus.

Level 11

At Gloom Stalker lv. 11, Khoshekh can unleash a Stalker's Flurry, making an extra weapon attack once on their turn upon missing a weapon attack.

They also get another Ranger spell, picking up Globe of Twilight from the Humblewood Campaign Setting, allowing them to create a sphere of umbral energy to conceal their allies and discombobulate their enemies.

Level 12

At Ranger lv. 12, Khoshekh picks up the Observant feat, increasing their Wisdom score by 1, learning to read lips, and hyping their vigilance with a +5 bonus to their passive Investigation and Perception.

Level 13

Ranger lv. 13 grants 4th-level spell slots. Freedom of Movement turns Khoshekh or a willing creature they touch semi-incorporeal, their form fluctuating between material and shadow. Creatures under this effect are immune to the effects of difficult terrain, speed reductions, and the paralyzed and restrained conditions from magical sources.

They also gain Greater Invisibility as a Conclave Spell, turning themselves or a willing creature invisible for a minute of concentration. This effect lasts even if the invisible creature attacks or casts a spell.

Level 14

At Ranger lv. 14, Khoshekh gains their final Favored Enemy, learning to combat Dragons from Sai and the Elsweyr Defense Force.

They also master the ability to Vanish, allowing them to hide as a bonus action and preventing them from being tracked unwillingly by non-magical means.

Level 15

15th lv. Gloom Stalker grants the conclave's final feature, as Khoshekh learns to take a Shadowy Dodge as a reaction to impose disadvantage on an incoming attack.

They also learn to cast Locate Creature, allowing them to sense the direction of a familiar creature within 1000 feet.

Level 16

At 16th lv. Ranger, Khoshekh takes the Fey Touched feat, increasing their Wisdom score by 1 and learning two spells to cast once without expending a spell slot per long rest.

Misty Step, a Fey Touched guarantee, allows them to teleport 30 feet as a bonus action.

Heroism grants a willing creature temp HP equal to Khoshekh's casting modifier at the start of their turns and prevents them from being Frightened for a minute of concentration.

Level 17

17th lv. Ranger grants 5th-level spell slots, which Khoshekh can use to cast Steel Wind Strike. Stepping through the shadows, they unleash a barrage of slashes upon up to 5 creatures within 30 feet of themselves, dealing 6d10 force damage to each on a successful melee spell attack and teleporting within 5 feet of one of the targets.

They also gain their final Conclave Spell. Seeming allows them to project an illusory glamour onto any creatures within 30 feet of themselves, imposing a Charisma save on unwilling creatures.

Level 18

We're finally multiclassing at level 18, dipping into Fighter lv. 1.

They gain a second Fighting Style, picking up Dual Wielding from LaserLlama's Expanded Fighting Styles (can't recommend their homebrew enough). Whenever they take the attack action while wielding two weapons, they can make an additional attack as part of the attack instead of a bonus action and add their ability modifier to damage. They can't make an offhand attack with their bonus action when they do so.

They can also take their Second Wind as a bonus action, drawing vitality from their environment with shadow magic to regain HP equal to 1d10 + their Fighter level once per short rest.

Level 19

At Fighter lv. 2, Khoshekh gains the ability to Action Surge, taking an extra action on a turn once per short rest for extended movement bursts and flurrying strikes.

Level 20

Khoshekh's capstone is Fighter lv. 3, picking up a second subclass. As an Echo Knight, they can Manifest Echo to summon a shade of themselves. They can attack from their or the Echo's position, and instantly swap places with the Echo by spending 15 feet of movement to teleport. Unlike most other teleportation options, this is only limited by their movement speed, which is outright absurd by now.

They can also Unleash Incarnation as a bonus action, taking an additional attack from their Echo's position a number of times per long rest equal to their Constitution mod (which is only once, but backup is backup).

[direwombat]

what dnd class are you[r ocs]?

tagged by @alexxmason, @voidika, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @cassietrn, @jillvalentinesday, and @deputyash to do this fun little uquiz!

tagging @purplehairsecretlair, @aceghosts, @adelaidedrubman, @madparadoxum, @locustandwildhoney, @testyfestyenthusiast, @strangefable, @inafieldofdaisies, @josephslittledeputy, and anyone else wanting to give this quiz a go!

f;lakfdjaf I had this post all ready to post last night but then. accidentally hit my chromebook's power button instead of backspace (they're right on top of/under each other) and uh...had to do it all over again. so here they are

ROGUE. You are a Rogue, a skilled adventurer who uses guile and expertise to your advantage. You are often seen as stealthy and precise, aiming for your opponent's weakest points, but you can master various other skills to aid you on your journey. While you tend to be underhanded and greedy, you can also be daring, clever, insightful and charismatic.

*considering rogue (assassin) is one of the classes I would build syb out as (the other two being gloomstalker ranger and battlemaster fighter), yeah...accurate. she's very much a "hit 'em fast and hard" kind of combatant. dex/str/con are 100% her top 3 stats (followed by an ok wisdom score, meh int, and nothing higher than a 10 for charisma a;lfdkjadf). and of course she'd have the soldier background :)

WIZARD. You are a Wizard, the most learned of the spellcasters. You pursue both knowledge and power with great zeal, but tend to neglect other aspects of life, such as your social life and physical fitness. However, when you do open up, you have as much to offer to the conversation or party as anyone else.

*if Paola got anything other than wizard I would have been astonished. i think order of scribes with the sage background is how i'd class her out. also...I enjoy the idea of her partnering up with a version of charlie that's a monk/barbarian or monk/fighter (ie, I like the idea of mr. cutter being a bare-fists brawler. she is casting spells to help him win <3

STEFANO VESTRI (DND npc in the game i'm running...just for funsies)

BARD. You are a Bard, a spellcaster whose magic comes from artistic expression. While you aren't strictly the best at anything, you can easily be second best at whatever you put your mind to. You are creative but somewhat cowardly compared to most adventurers, but with the right party you can shine as a supporting player.

*al;fkdjafds dragged for filth. stef is indeed a Bard (which I'm sure is shocking to my players lmao). not good at anything. kind of a coward. some how charming nonetheless. he's just a floppy and foppish little guy <3

[fleshcarverfugitive]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 - 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 . 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟏 . 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟐 . 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟑 . 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 . 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥

Amalica can be found within the wreck of the Nautiloid ship - investigating the dying Illithid left behind after the crash ( X: 180 Y: 320 ). The Illithid has a hold of Amalica’s mind, and the player must free her if she’s to be recruited.

The narration is as follows:

"As you approach the mind flayer and the Drow, you feel a hideous squirming in your head - the tadpole. The illithid is dying and yet you can’t help but feel… pity? The Drow can’t seem to help it either - pulled in by its psionic power." "She’s infected. Just like you." 

There are a few ways to free Amalica, should the player not choose to attack her or leave:

- A Strength Check ( DC 10 ) to crush the Illithid's head. This causes Amalica to gain a debuff - Psionic Shock: Disadvantage on INT and WIS rolls until the next long rest. - A Wisdom Check ( DC 10 ) to overwhelm the illithid's influence and connect to her tadpole. This causes no harm to Amalica, and allows the player to proceed with the normal interactions with the Illithid. It can be killed or left as desired.

Amalica will attack under the illithid's influence if the player attacks, and both will die when she does. If the player leaves, Amalica will be dead after the next Long Rest.

When Amalica is freed and the mindflayer is either killed or abandoned, the player can then initiate dialogue with her. She'll start to speak - thank you for helping her - but is interrupted by your tadpoles connecting.

The narration is as follows:

"Your minds melt together - darkness comes over your thoughts. A grand mansion, carved of calcite and lit by Faerie Fire, dances before your eyes. The thick smell of blood in the air, and a cold dagger is clenched in an ebony hand. Before you can find the source of the stench, however - it’s over."

She immediately questions what happened - and how you did it.

Dialogue Options:

Amalica: "You -- you'd better explain that. Now." - [ DROW ]: A haszak tadpole - the same as you. You should stick with us. The surface is unpredictable as it is. - [ PERSUASION ]: Our illithid tadpoles. We're infected, just like you - we should stick together. ( DC 5 ) - An illithid tadpole. I count myself lucky I'm alive.

Amalica will attack the player if they choose the last option [ "Not for much longer, you aren't. I won't risk having another haszak running around." ].

If the player is a Drow and chooses that dialogue option, or passes the Persuasion roll, while initially hesitant, Amalica will join the party. [ "...If you're sure. I know a bit about these tadpoles, in any case. We can help each other." / "I'm Amalica. And thank you for getting rid of that thing." ]

[mikkelo]

The Boston's Finest

FADE IN:

INT. BOSTON - DAY

In cassettes and broken tapes, there lie the cityscape of Boston with ambivalence no matter how distorted it may be. Every bouts of liberty and free spirited wanderings surged along the poster filled brick stone walls where the stifling humidity clouds the painted asphalt road. The Central Square neighborhood where shots of kaleidoscopes spread wide on the walls of Modica Way. The dewy petrichor from the cobblestones of Beacon Hill after the rain. The windowpanes in the porch reflect the teetering memories where life expands in the humble avenue. It is where the clip ends but the soul refuses to relent.

It was the 1980s and the world witnessed an uprising in the cinema industry where Die Hard (1988) and Rambo (1988) revolutionized discourse about on-screen violence, Flashdance (1983) and Purple Rain (1984) transformed the power of melodic storytelling, and David Lynch and the Coen Brothers reinforced the auteur theory of directive control. Before the glamour of the groundbreaking dawn of their careers, Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck once chased their shadows in the pavements with their faces smeared with dirt and splotches of heat in their linen shirts together. With their houses blocks apart from Auburn to Cottage Street, the two crossed paths in the latter’s residence while their mothers, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an early childhood education professor, and Christopher Anne Boldt, who taught in public school, respectively had a wonderful chat. As they confront the tides of fame together with their youthful ardor, their relationship has become a cornerstone for defining a strong platonic bond, a losing art in the mainstream media, where Boston etched itself as their refuge both in conjoined grievances and relief.

CUT TO:

Title: The Warrior and the Clown

INT. CAMBRIDGE - DAY

One can say that the water holds memories for young Affleck who spent a great deal of his childhood under the fins of humpback whales and the dangers of rushing waves. He began his career as C.T. Grandville, the grandson of Captain Grandville, who was played by the scientist Peter Marston, in PBS educational series The Voyage of the Mimi (1984). For the grade schoolers watching, venturing into this journey was met with no trepidations as the show provided valuable information about the physical and biological processes of the planet. After the series ended, he went on to attend Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where he would encounter Damon again (calling him Matty D.) since they became fast friends due to their shared interests for baseball and movies.

BEN (V.O.) I was 8, he was 10, he was a big kid, he played baseball, he was really cool, he had a bowl cut—those little feathered ones that we all wanted, of course—and he— And he was, you know, nice to me. And we were both interested in the same things.

Having a tad advantage to his age, Damon showed a more mature and passionate outlook for acting, which gave Affleck the boost to take it seriously. This difference in intensity of the mutual linkage they have gave Affleck the affinity to put Damon in a pedestal, who embodied a total control in his limbs and motions the moment when he was possessed by the role he played. In both admiration to his craft and character, Damon’s words were like ancient knowledge to Affleck who looked up to someone whom he believed had a superior integrity in the art of acting than him.

BEN (V.O.) I would periodically go off and do a little Voyage of the Mimi. So Matt was a little threatened by that. And when I got to the high school, he kind of pulled me aside. He said, “Listen, man! All right? This is the theater. It’s not about your looks, okay? It’s about the work.” And I took that very seriously. I thought that I was hearing something real, like the words of wisdom from a guy who understood it.

Granted, it was not a bond fully realized, yet their childish vigor and innocent wonderment were already the first step of what was anticipated. However, what made their friendship soar in a vast degree was in the January of 1987 when the blade grasses crunched in every step as the soles of leather boots left myriads of trails on the coated pristine snow. A shift in dynamics which catapulted their connection into a newfound nature of commitment where it evolved from baseless competition towards the unequivocal dedication to be with each other in whatever shenanigans one might be.

CONAN (inquiring) I know that you’re from the Boston area as am I, and there’s this reputation that like, Boston guys know how to fight. […] Did you ever get in any fights as a kid? MATT (reminiscing) I’m like you, I really tried to avoid them because there are people in Boston who really do know how to fight and you know if you’re one of them or not. But the last fight I got into, who would’ve been in the mid-80s, and I remember we had a snow day at school so we would all meet in the Cambridge Common and play tackle football because there would be a foot of snow on the ground and so you can’t really get hurt. It was a really fun thing to do and I mouthed off a kid that I knew but he was like your height. He was six-foot six, right? And I might have been 5 (foot) 3 at the time. And I said some—I scorned on him or something, I don’t know—but he came for me and it was like a mountain of a guy came at me and I was like, ”Oh, man.” So before I knew it, I was on the ground. He was above me and I was like, “This is gonna be bad.” And it was right then that little five-foot two Ben Affleck tackled this dude off of me like out of nowhere. I was like a junior and he was like a freshman and he tackled this kid off of me, literally at the risk of his own life. Really quickly, everyone had [broken] it up because they wanted to get back to the football game. That was fun and this was ridiculous and that was the end of it. The kid was reasonable and he was, “God, I’m not fighting. Let’s play.” But I remember, that was like a big moment going like this guy, he will put himself in a really bad spot for me like, this is a good friend.

The proclaimed drama geeks dominated the corners of the school’s theatre department as they consistently turned themselves into a blank slate of a paper vessel where the letters to be imprinted on it gave birth to the soul of the character they portrayed. Once they return to existence after breathing differently through living many lives, they came back as different entities where all the emotions they played amounted to the hope of bringing it on a larger stage. Regardless of how they were perceived in the social circles within the school, they always remained to be thick as thieves for whatever context, which was enough for them.

BEN (V.O.) I’ve established that we were very nerdy and a little weird. We used to have "business lunches,” in what was called the Media Cafeteria, which at the time there was a big ESL portion of our public high school—it was like 2,600 kids—and that was where the ESL kids— I don’t know why that was where we— We liked to be surrounded by people who spoke other languages. I’m not sure what it was. Maybe we didn’t want them to actually hear our business lunch, because no business was conducted. But we plotted things. We planned our careers.

The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School produced and adapted various stories which the department invested their efforts in. Some of the plays the school had in the time period where the two were involved were Guys and Dolls in the Summer '85 where Damon, still a freshman, played one of the gamblers, and The Visit in Fall-Winter '86 where Affleck, now a freshman, played a character as Damon’s son. Additionally, Damon’s “confrontation” with Affleck on how “acting is not about the looks, but the work” happened in this time frame. Another plays they performed were Pippin in Summer '87 where Damon played the lead role and Affleck worked behind the scenes because his voice was not for the audience. And lastly, the Alice in Wonderland in Fall '89 where Affleck took the role of the Caterpillar.

MATT (taunting) Say, Ben, why don't you tell us about the time you played the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland? BEN (gearing up for a cutting contest) Yup, I was the zany, hookah-smoking caterpillar. I chose to play the role wrapped in garbage bags held together by Scotch tape. Now, if I were to play that caterpillar today, I might do it another way. CASEY (commenting) It was an underrated performance. Those trash bags were a bold choice. BEN (retaliating) So, Matt, why don't you favor us with your version of Morning Glory from Pippin?

After their eventful years inseparably playing various roles in high school, the two would bid each other farewell as Damon decided to continue his education in Harvard University. When Affleck completed his last two years, he attended the University of Vermont because of his attachment in his high school girlfriend who was not even studying in the same university he was in. Nevertheless, the two never broke contact and remained close as ever.

BEN (V.O.) Matt was definitely more… of a kind of achiever. It was inconceivable to him that you wouldn’t get an “A” or do really well. So I did really well [in] my first two years in high school and then when Matt left, I would cut class and… get in all kinds of trouble.”

In retrospect, their escapades as children of theatre might earn them some cringe looks. However, their joint experiences watered the seeds of their dreams they planted themselves, as well as their friendship that helped it to germinate much quickly by always having each other’s back. This was also the time where they made discoveries about themselves that sealed their brand as a person.

JIMMY (pulling out the picture) This is a photo, I think, you sent it to Matt just the other day just to go “Hey! Remember these dudes?” Here’s 17-year-old Matt and Ben in a photo booth. Look at this. BEN (laughing) Now, listen. Hard not to see that those guys are gonna make it. MATT (agreeing) Yeah, those guys clearly have “star” written all over them. JIMMY (amused) That’s awesome. MATT (pointing something out) You know, I think it was the matching puka necklaces that give it away. JIMMY (affirming) Best buddies. That’s BFFs right there. Come on. That’s BFFs for life.

CUT TO:

Title: The Crumbs on the Manuscript: Part 1

INT. UNITED STATES - DAY

It was a paradise for some, but a rabbit hole for those who only have their baggage, a couple of penny, and a dream. Done were the days where the two would cross the suburban homes in Somerville, roaming in the Assembly Square Mall where the big pictures were as avid moviegoers, and frolicking in the Harvard Square; it is the transitional period from their sentimental film reviewing antics to making appearances in wide screens, albeit a small one in their fresh start. This consisted of moving back and forth in different borders of United States for auditioning countless roles. Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams (1989) recalled the remarkable enthusiasm of Damon and Affleck as two of the extras among the thousands in the movie. Even though they were one with the blurry heads and said that they only did it “to go to Fenway,” the sheer exhilaration of partaking in the film gave a lasting impression on what it was like to be in front of the camera.

KEVIN (remembering) They were sitting in the stands, like college guys, and they came up, and they both leaned in at the same time, leaned back at the same time, looked at each other at the same time as we talked. And they had this big enthusiasm. They were on fire. I do remember them, absolutely.

After three years of their first exposure from the said film, the two made their new appearances in School Ties (1992). This time, Damon played one of the antagonists against Brendan Fraser who played the lead role. On the flipside, Affleck played a smaller role as one of the bullies as well who performed violent acts to Fraser’s Jewish character.

BEN (remembering) I knew my nine lines back to front. I loved every day I was on a call sheet, every day I got to come to work. You were there, in Boston. It was one of the best experiences of my life. We literally were next to a dump and thought we were kings. I knew I was playing the one shitty antisemitic bully character, so I figured it was probably not going to be great for me career-wise, but I loved it.

Other films that contributed to their foundation in acting together were first, the college comedy Glory Daze (1995) where Affleck starred as the lead role named Jack, an art student who was driven by the post-college angst of the fleeting whiff of liberty before graduation, and Damon had a non-speaking role as one of Affleck’s former roommates. The other was Chasing Amy (1997), another lead role for Affleck who played Holden McNeil, the love-stricken comic book writer chasing his love of his life that turned out to be a lesbian. Damon had a cameo role and played as one of the executives who helped Affleck’s character pitch a business offer. The contrast in their perception of each other’s fame was intriguing to behold as Affleck jokingly claimed that he and Kevin Smith, a well-known director and believer of the two, were riding the coattails of Damon’s larger stardom, whereas Damon was more laid back about himself and only “tried” to get in Affleck’s films with Smith. Both also revealed to auditioned for Dead Poets Society (1989) but failed to secure a role and worked in a local movie theatre.

BEN (humorously) I slept on Kevin's couch, and it was like, “You got a buddy, this guy Matt, will he be in it?” And Matt was better known than I was. [Smith] was totally happy to exploit Matt’s stardom, for his own benefit, and so was I.

Most notably, the two disclosed the fact that they opened a joint bank account with “RiverP” as the code based from River Phoenix’s rising influence in the film industry. Both Damon and Affleck set forth a new adventure in the incongruous lands of New York where they were repeatedly hustling in the bustling audition sites for various television roles, some Burger King commercials, and local voiceovers that were not documented thoroughly for public viewing. Both their devotion for acting far transcended from only achieving success to also making sure that they were part of each other’s moments of triumph and lament.

MATT (V.O.) It was unusual, but we needed the money for auditions. BEN (V.O.) We were going to help each other and be there for each other. It was like, “You’re not going to be alone. I’m not going to be alone. Let’s go out there and do this together.”

Just like when they were two small naivetes discussing baseball mechanics on a bench of the local park, a candy bar from one will be shared willingly, cheerfully, obligingly with the other.

BEN (V.O.) If either of us needed money he could borrow it from the other. Neither one of us ended up taking. It was never one-sided. MATT (V.O.) If one kid had enough for a candy bar, then the candy bar was bought and split in half—that’s just the way it’s been.

That being said, the two will always be embedded in each other’s life whether they recklessly wallow in the pools of Napa Valley wineries or they open a hotdog stall at the Dodger Games while tracing the stars through their sparkling squinting eyes.

BEN (V.O.) Matt and I had identical interests, so whether we ended up successful or making hot dogs at Dodgers games, we knew we'd end up doing the same sort of thing. The remaining friends part was pretty consistent. We saw each other all the time, we talked on the phone all the time.

CUT TO:

Title: The Crumbs on the Manuscript: Part 2

INT. LOS ANGELES - DAY

While spending his time in the halls of Harvard, Damon conceived an original story that was a waiting ticket for a momentous future. He requested a favor for Affleck to act out the scenes of this story with him in front of the class. Consequently, this project gave him one of the reasons to drop out from college in 1997 in addition to them being unable to get the roles they wanted for themselves. They reckoned that if that was the case, then they could make their own film even if it would only be available in cheap cassette tapes.

BILL (V.O.) Were you guys always okay with you being the lead and him being the sidekick? MATT (V.O.) Yeah. I mean, I started it in college in a playwriting class, and so it was all established by the time—That as my final—My final paper was, I was supposed to write a one-act play. And instead I handed in the first act of a movie. And I said to the professor, "I think I failed your class. This is not what you asked for, but this is what came out and I really like it." He gave me an A in the class. Yeah, it was really cool, because I didn't get a lot of straight A's at Harvard. And he went, "No, wherever this goes—I don't know where it's going, but stay with it." And it was really great, because I didn't think of myself as a writer. I was an actor. And neither did Ben, for that matter.

After starring in various roles and earning their wages, the two promptly rented a house in the neighborhood of Venice Beach, Los Angeles where they reportedly wasted their money away for hedonistic pleasures and decided to get an apartment in Eagle Rock neighborhood. Damon and Affleck lived together as broke in-and-out of role actors after spending a whole lot of their earnings in drinks and taxes. Subsequently, this is where they ultimately decided to work on the script of Good Will Hunting (1997) seriously.

BEN (V.O.) I lived all over the place. I lived in Hollywood, then I moved. [Matt Damon] and I got money from School Ties, and we blew it all in a couple of months. We made $35,000 or $40,000 each and thought we were rich. And we were shocked later on to find out how much we owed in taxes.

Good Will Hunting (1997) turned out to be an opportunity for them to combine their creative outputs and transform it into having a life on its own. They wrote the script largely influenced by their own personal upbringings in Boston through their spontaneous and completely erratic improvised sessions of jotting down details. Writing, even admittedly not their forte, was an intuitive process for them, and just how they meticulously carve the path of Will Hunting’s fate, they were also unknowingly writing a new chapter to their wondrous epic of Hollywood breakthrough.

MATT (V.O.) And so that was in late January, and then in March I came out here [to L.A.] for Spring Break to audition for stuff, and stayed on Ben's couch and showed it to him. I was like, "Hey, I wrote this thing, I don't know what the fuck to do with it." And Ben read it and goes, "I don't know what to do with it either, but we should do it together." And I was like, "Sold! I'm in!" And so that was really the—I trusted no one in my life more than him. And we were just, you know—He was as close a friend as I’d ever had in my life or ever could imagine having. And I respected him, and I respected his taste. I mean, we—Our taste kind of formed together, you know what I mean? Those teenage years where you’re spreading your wings and gaining your own independence: we did that together. And so I know he would read a situation the same way I would. You know what I mean? We were just very compatible, in that way.

The film starred Damon as Will Hunting, the titular protagonist who was a troubled genius working as a janitor in the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) alongside Affleck as Chuckie Sullivan, one of Hunting’s closest confidants, and Robin Williams as the therapist Sean Maguire. Damon and Affleck sold the screenplay to Castle Rock Entertainment in 1994 for $675,000 where its president, Rob Reiner, told them to drop the thriller aspect and instead focus on the emotional ties of Hunting and Maguire. However, due to a conflict, Miramax Films bought the screenplay’s rights and put it into production with Gus Van Sant as the director. True to their nature, their earnings from the film were gone in few moments after it became a hit classic and a commercial success.

BEN (talking in front of the curtain) We sold it for $600,000, we split that, $300,000 each, and then the agents got $30,000. So we had $270,000, and we paid about $160,000 in taxes, so we had $110,000, each bought $55,000 Jeep Cherokees, and then had $55,000 left, which naturally we decided to rent a $5,000-a-month party house on Glencoe Way by the Hollywood Bowl, and we were broke in six months.

In their many attempts to rewrite every course of action and applicable dialogues, the crumbs on the shared candy bar remained sitting idly on the many drafts of manuscript, and still was the arrival of the sprinkling mess that was a testament of their love and camaraderie.

CUT TO:

Title: The Fortune Favors the Fools

INT. SHRINE AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

The pillars of Hollywood are where the gods and monsters of the industry were ensconced. Here they carve their legacy in all its pulchritudinous grandeur where they race their cars in Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street. Settled in the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, the commencement of the 70th Academy Awards in 1998 propelled the trajectory of their future in an unimaginable heights. It was a turbulent period in the picture palaces where contenders such as James Cameron stirred the tides of cathartic grief with his poignant depiction of tragedy in Titanic (1997) and Kim Basinger’s seductive charisma in L.A. Confidential (1997) worked like a charm to the mass. Damon and Affleck paved their way into the culmination of the grand clockwork inside the movie industry along with the elite A-listers who took their seats on the fine cushion chairs. Billy Crystal, with all of his entertaining antics, sang an ode to the honorable artists.

MATT (V.O.) To go from that experience where, you know, we filled out the (Oscar ballot) sheets and we were betting on who was gonna win, to being in the front row of the Oscars together with our moms—in one year—it felt like warp speed. And to have Billy Crystal singing a song about us.

Damon and Affleck, in their plain tuxedos and bow ties, managed to claim their unexpected Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in Good Will Hunting (1997). The crowd was masked with massive shouts of uproar and sheer delight the moment when Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau presented the award, which can be liken into them, a comedic duo, passing the torch of friendship to the young novices. The two of them were remembered as sweethearts for bringing their mothers as their dates to the said event. Such gesture, even if it was seen as juvenile to some, garnered them an appreciation from the public for looking back at the pioneers among their fans and also their first pillars of hope when they partook in the tumultuous road of acting.

BEN (V.O.) We were sitting next to our moms and we won, and we kind of hugged our moms. And I remember, how everyone had made such a big thing out of it. As if this was such a novelty. And I remember thinking, being insecure, like, “Why? Why is it weird that we’re bringing our moms?” Like, “Who else do you think we would bring?” You know what I mean? There was nobody else that was going to go. That was it. Of course our moms were gonna go. That was, really was innocent and not faked.

Their signature impromptu speech was a blabbering mess and their words were caught up in a maze, yet the innocence emanating from their still neophyte minds inside the logistics of Hollywood was a testament to their authenticity as starting actors in the realer side of the business. Up until the present times, Affleck boasts his pride as he still remains to be the youngest winner to bag this prestigious award.

MATT (V.O.) Ben and I talked about it recently. We were younger than we felt. I was 22 and Ben was 20 when we first started writing it. And then it came out when I was 27 and Ben was 25. I mean, Ben’s still the youngest writer to ever win an Oscar for screenwriting. I’d be the youngest if it weren’t for Ben. Fucking asshole.

In another but shared spotlight, Robin Williams also snatched the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor from the same film. His performance cemented his legacy as one of the most beloved actor-comedians who ever graced the common folk with his winning smile and witty sense of humor. Williams’ roles as Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting (1997) and John Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989) resonated to the young souls through his earnest warmth of devotion in the form of paternal love. The integrity of his characters, which was molded from his own, poked the bubble of pressure that led to vulnerability.

ROBIN (V.O.) There's an emotional core to Good Will Hunting that came from Ben and Matt. They have this unspoken twins thing. They care for each other, yet they bust on each other. And that was a great bass line to work with. I'm very proud of this movie. It has a resonance.

The accolades for Good Will Hunting did not stop in its tracks as it emerged victorious in other award-giving bodies. Damon and Affleck also won the Golden Globes Award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Original Screenplay. The disbelief hung in the air but the emblems of their cherished faith in their line of work brought a newfound admiration in each other’s professional work.

MATT (V.O.) It’s been really helpful to check in with Ben throughout this whole surreal process over the last 25 years. I think the shock of becoming famous is so… I mean, that messed me up for a couple years because the whole world just starts to treat you differently. And so your subjective experience changes. It’s like somebody rewrites your code in the Matrix, but just your code. It’s like, “Oh, my whole experience has been altered in this really overwhelming way.” And so to have somebody who I’ve known my whole life, who I can be like, “Hey man, is this happening to you? Are you…” And to check in with him, it was really, really helpful. Stabilizing.

All of a sudden, they climbed up the ladder of prestige and in the throes of loneliness at the top, they basked in the presence of one another.

CUT TO:

Title: The Best They Ever Were

EXT. THE STREETS - DAY

As they walk in the arduous path they earnestly tread on, Damon and Affleck solidified their careers as one of the most prolific actors and filmmaker collaborators. Their fates were sealed in a fervid turmoil after that eventful night while carrying their early designed bulky cell phones in one hand and the golden trophy statuette in another. Time went on and success found its way running towards them in multitudes. Damon then had won the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in the movie The Departed (2007) with the cast, as well as two Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Actor in The Talented Mr. Ripley (2000) and Best Actor in an Action Movie in The Martian (2016). On the other hand, Affleck won the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in the movie Shakespeare in Love (1998) shared with the cast, another Academy Award for Best Picture as a producer in Argo (2013), and Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s (SBIFF) Modern Master Award for Argo (2013). Furthermore, the two also accepted the award for Guys of the Decade at the 10th Annual Guys Choice Awards in 2016.

The nature of their relationship has always been a sweet spot for breeding malice and amusement of many, yet both are secured enough to define what they are for each other amidst the public’s scrutiny.

WOMAN IN BLACK (gesturing with her hands) I didn’t know what your relationship is with Ben. Seeing you or to get, you know, known him your whole life— MATT (standing on the stairs) He’s my hetero-lifemate.

It goes to show how the concept of platonic bond is subjected to different interpolation because of how malleable and loosely defined its boundaries are. Moreover, histrionic commentaries over cultural norms and prejudices thrive in competitive capitalism where journalists are put in a game of catch to get a scoop on celebrity scandals with twisted headlines.

ELLEN (sitting cross-legged) So we're going to talk about it. I just heard it this morning, if you want to address it somehow. It's like when we do interviews, you say something and then people write it and it depends on—it’s out of context and it gets twisted around and something you said is getting twisted around and I want you to address it. MATT (sitting on the opposite couch) Yeah, it was just an interview with The Guardian that I just literally found out. I was talking about [how] actors are more effective when you know less about their personal lives and was talking about it in the context of when Ben and I first started, and people wrote all these articles when Good Will Hunting came out that we were gay because it was two guys who wrote the script, and feeling like “Oh, we can't even—.”Then you have to address it and then you would and then it's like, I’m not going to throw my friends under the bus who are gay and act like it's some kind of disease, you know. How do you even address it? […] I said this thing in The Guardian and it got turned into—I was just trying to say [that] actors are more effective when they're a mystery, right? And somebody picked it up and said gay actors should get back in the closet, which is, like, it's stupid. It's painful when things get said that you don't believe.

The mere fact that both Damon and Affleck remained to withstand the tribulations of exploitative industry, where privacy is compromised, speak volume to their commitment and loyalty towards each other. Writing their bond as a simple romance where they fit the conventional bill of being one is reductive in its essence because it takes away all nuances and intricacies of an outstanding platonic bond. Their relationship is supposed to remodel the foundation of a healthy friendship as it is a connection that is not codified through marriage contract or sexual attraction, but a shared mutual interest in something where both can celebrate and be dismal together. However, the public is not in the same page in terms of appreciating this kinship that rivals the so-called be-all and end-all type of love that is romance.

Decades passed through thousands of sunsets and millions of seconds, and their bodies had changed to match their shifting attitudes. However, their reverence and love for acting continue to stand unwavering in the midst of tempestuous conjectures and flashes like lightning strikes in their very faces. Currently, Damon lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York in a penthouse with the top two floors of a building spanning over the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline where he lives with Luciana Barroso and their daughters. Affleck, on the other hand, lives in a mansion in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles with Jennifer Lopez that stretches over 38,000 square feet, including a 12-bedroom main house and other amenities. The endless fields and valleys in between their locations were irrelevant against their will to collaborate again and screen write The Last Duel (2021) and co-found a studio together, the Artist Equity, to produce Air (2023).

BEN (sitting cross legged) I find the most wonderful thing about it was I loved coming to work everyday. I loved seeing Matt. I love—first of all, he's a genius. Having him as your anchor of your movie just makes it— MATT (gesturing Ben) See, 40-something-years it took you to— BEN (cont’d) No, I didn't use to think this. But that just makes it so easy, and it was just so much fun. It kinda felt like just us and getting to do the thing that we wanted to do. I did. I loved it. I miss it everyday since. It was the best work experience of my life. In fact, that's the beautiful thing about this. It's that happiness was being able to be here everyday in Los Angeles, where my children are and see them everyday and have them come visit the set, work with my best friend my whole life. There's nothing more that I want in my life. I thought, well, this is it. This is what I've always wanted, you know. And then I thought that might mean I'm about to die. MATT (laughing) I literally had the same thought. I was like this is it. We've actually reached the mountaintop.

Though their milestone launched them into separate houses of big screens and magazine covers, all America’s crossroads and thoroughfares and boulevards and avenues attempt to intersect at one point despite their convoluted systems to lead their lavish vehicles together in taking the high road.

BEN (V.O.) Yeah. It is bizarre to have gone this far. And definitely a lot of—I don’t think I would be sane—or as sane to the extent that I am—had I not had somebody who was from where I grew up, and who was my best friend, and who was going through the same thing. So you could— Because I’m sure you guys all know: there are these moments in this business where you look around and go like, “Is this completely insane? I feel as though I’m coming unglued.” And having that, someone share that perspective—and then so, as we went on and on, so finally got to a place where—like with The Last Duel—it was like, “Why haven’t we just—? We had so much fun! Every day on that set was so much fun! Let’s just do this: let’s just do movies together and with people we like.”

No matter how high the altitude of their dreams had come to, the streets of Boston will always have a perpetual flame into the hearts of two actors fueled by their shared ambition. Their eyebrows are the Storrow Drive with the way they are on fleek, their lips are the undulating waves in Plymouth's Fresh Pond when they curve upwards, and their torso is the Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox is. When they gaze into each other’s faces, the two natives would recall all their hilarious mischiefs and lasting jubilations as if they are themselves the incarnation of the place they will always call home.

GRAHAM (pointing Matt) And what was the phrase? There was a phrase that you heard. Was it in a movie you heard a phrase? “There goes...” MATT (realizing) Oh, yeah. Yeah, I said it to my mother. This is funny. I said—in the movie, The Natural, Robert Redford, and it's based on something the baseball player Ted Williams once said. But so his character, Roy Hobbs, in The Natural says, “All I want is to walk down the street, you know, and when I walk down the street for people to say 'There goes Roy Hobbs, the best he ever was,'” And my mother—and I love that movie—and I love Robert Redford, asked me one day, “What is it that you want, Matthew?“ and I said, “Look, all I want is to walk down the street someday and have people say, 'There goes Matt Damon, the best he ever was.'”

The streets will be just like the way they rode their Jeep Cherokee Sport once. Only this time, the babes with their mothers and the strangers in all varying places will notice what the glint in their eyes is. And here, in the venerated bastion of media, there goes the finest of them all, the best they ever were.

FADE OUT.

THE END

[head-empty-river]

i may have to be the first (on ao3) to write a disco elysium/baldur's gate 3 crossover fic. bc i need that in my life. harry is durge, obviously. and kim? maybe just tav, maybe laezel? they have very similar vibes. if we're putting more disco characters in bg3 roles it gets tricky. jean gives me shadowheart vibes. judit reminds me of wyll. trant is most similar to gale. the parallels between ruby and karlach are pretty clear. klaasje also gives shadowheart vibes, though maybe minthara could work. garte is volo 100%. cuno is arabella. halsin reminds me most of trant actually. maybe neha would be gale. i think messier, kortenaer, and evrart are the big 3. messier would be ketheric, kortenaer would be , and evrart would be gortash. beaufort would be isobel maybe. easy leo would be (yes, time to cry). hm. maybe halsin could be titus tho. or minsc? idk, most of the other characters don't parallel as cleanly as i'd hope. maybe it'll just be harry and kim. that's definitely easier, bc then the main story structure stays the same while the only different variable is kim remembering martinaise and harry being durge. i think in terms of classes for the two it could go a few ways. i think harry could either be a spirit bard or a drunk monk, so high charisma, wisdom, and dex. multiclass if we're feeling spicy. kim would be a mastermind rogue if that subclass was a thing in bg3, but arcane trickster could work in a pinch. or a battle master fighter with high int. hm. actually oath of devotion paladin could work. they'd both definitely have mastery in investigation, and harry would have at least proficiency in insight and perception, also persuasion. kim would have nothing in perception, proficiency in insight and deception tho. his dump stat would be str while harry's would be int. like if we're going point buy, harry would probably be str 12, dex 16 (+2 from class), con 14, wis 16 (+1 from class), int 8, cha 14. if bard switch dex with cha. kim would be str 9, dex 17 (+2 from class), con 10, wis 14, int 16 (+1 from class), cha 12. this is all off the cuff and idk if the numbers even add up right. pls don't get mad at me, this is just a thought experiment. but, please share your thoughts on this idea tho! just like, be nice

[ofdarkestdesires]

So this sort of ties into your fantastical smutty writings.

But what classes specifically would Team RWBY be in a DnD game, and what are their stats?

I’ve actually given this a lot of thought, now that I’ve started writing D&D inspired smut more regularly over on @twisted-tales-tavern .

I will say, I will try to be as fair as I can regarding character stats, but there is a not insignificant part of me that wants to give all of them -3 in Wisdom and Intelligence after the bullshit last three Volumes.

Ruby would be a Ranger, specifically of the Monster Hunter subclass. She is the only member of the team that is seriously committed to the mission of being a huntress and was specifically introduced fighting a horde of monsters extraordinarily well. I think she’d probably also have at least a few levels in Rogue, just to get the Evasion and Dash bonus action.

Obviously, her Dex would be her highest stat, followed by her Wis, since she’s the most efficient monster hunter in the group. Int and Con are also pretty decent, since she was smart enough to come up with battle tactics and make her weapon, and she’s pretty hardy. I then gave her a zero in Str, since she’s not great at hand-to-hand combat, and a minus to Cha, since she’s pretty awkward.

STR 10 (+0) INT 15 (+2)

DEX 20 (+5) WIS 16 (+3)

CON 14 (+2) CHA 9 (-1)

Weiss was initially going to be a Conjuration Wizard, but after some thinking on her actual attributes, I realized that making her a Bard worked much better for her—both because she is an actual musician, and because it lets her use a rapier as a proficient weapon. She would specifically be a Lore Bard, giving her access to much more spells, with a specific focus in any summoning spells.

Because of this, Weiss actually ends up with her highest stat being Cha—which isn’t wrong, I do think that fits her and her force of personality. Obviously her Int and Dex are high, too, with Str and Con extremely low because gods above can this girl not take a goddamn hit to save her life—often literally!

STR 8 (-1) INT 17 (+3)

DEX 16 (+3) WIS 12 (+1)

CON 10 (+0) CHA 18 (+4)

Blake is very easy to slot away as an Assassin Rogue. Her whole gimmick is based around being able to dodge like hell and get deadly sneak attacks in, and that is a Rogue’s whole goddamn thing. I would also say that Way of Shadow Monk would be another good alternative, so I could maybe see her picking up some levels there, too.

When it comes to stats, obviously Dex has to be the best—but after that, it’s a bit more free form. I personally wouldn’t say that Blake is bad at any specific skill, which is why I didn’t give her any negative. At the same time, though, she doesn’t really excel at much, so all of her stats are pretty middle of the road, except for Wis, since she is pretty sharp about the ways of the world.

STR 12 (+1) INT 15 (+2)

DEX 20 (+5) WIS 16 (+3)

CON 13 (+1) CHA 10 (+0)

Finally, Yang is an easy Berserker Barbarian and Way of the Sun Soul Monk multiclass. It’s a clear and obvious no brainer, really. Her whole thing is that she turns her rage into a weapon in combat, and she punches monsters to death with her fists. Meanwhile Sun Soul let’s her summon magical fire to immolate her enemies.

Now, when it comes to stats, this one might get me some flack. I gave her incredible physical stats, since she is a brawler, but I also knocked her Wis to a negative stat. I hate to do it, but Yang has proven far too often that she can be manipulated and tricked—hell, she fully bought into the incredibly biased and jaded worldview of Raven despite her being her estranged mother that has never been in her life!

STR 20 (+5) INT 10 (+0)

DEX 16 (+3) WIS 8 (-1)

CON 16 (+3) CHA 12 (+1)

[wolint]

DIVINE PURPOSE !

DIVINE PURPOSE

Acts 26:16.

 

God created us all for a purpose, both collective and individual. Do you know your purpose in life? What is your purpose here on earth? Do you understand what your specific and spiritual purposes are? We may be among those who often say things like, “I don’t even know my purpose for being here, why am I here, I am not sure of what or who I am.”

God does not do anything by chance. The truth is, since He created you, He surely has a divine purpose for your life. Do you keep a to-do list of things you need to accomplish each day, week, or month? Such lists bring purpose to our lives, helping us to stay focused and on target. If we could reduce our entire lives to a short list of only three or four items, what would they be? The top item on that list would come very close to identifying the purpose of our life. Our purpose must be inspired by a vision of how God can use us in accomplishing His purposes.

Paul had no clue that he was created for the rigorous life he would lead. He was created to be a minister to the world and purposed to be a witness and a martyr for Christ. I wonder what his reaction would be if he knew what awaited him and what God’s divine purpose for him would entail.

God is progressive, and you’ll never lose if you hold on to Him with everything in you, but you have a lot to gain according to Hebrews 10:35. If you follow God faithfully, you get to enjoy the benefits of fellowship and a relationship with Him. The Lord mapped out our lives even before creation and birth, as seen in Jeremiah 1:5.

God’s divine purpose or plan for us includes being consecrated or set apart for kingdom business and sharing the gospel. God has us secure in His hands, and no plan of the enemy can successfully change or destroy our destinies and purpose without our agreement and participation, according to Isaiah 49:16 and John 10:27. Even when the enemy thinks he’s got us cornered or boxed in, Romans 8:28 says it will all turn out for our good because they are all part of God’s divine purpose for us.

As we follow God and surrender fully to His will and yield to His leading, His plans and purpose for our life become revealed to us, not all at once but on a need-to-know basis and according to seasons and maturity. But God will surely reveal to us those things we need to know according to Amos 3:7.

Because of spiritual shortsightedness and impatience, we make decisions, conclusions, and judgments based on present circumstances, what we see, our emotions, and relationships instead of depending on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, as John 14:26 and 16:13 say.

God has already given us a victorious life by giving us dominion over all things. His purpose is for us to dominate in life, including over the works of His hands, according to Psalm 8:6. The fulfilment of our destiny is in our hands. God’s word is there to help and empower us. God’s word says everything; we, therefore, have a choice of what to believe, accept, and activate. The right words give us revelation and direction towards our divine purpose.

The ability to recognize God’s purpose for our lives is divine wisdom. Life is in seasons and should be lived by the inspired direction of the Holy Spirit. If we are unsure what to do with and in our lives, then “DO NOTHING UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM GOD”! But be assured that God has a good plan for your life and a purpose for what you do. God has a good plan for everyone and a purpose for our existence, according to Jeremiah 29:11. You were made uniquely for God’s divine purpose. Have no doubt.

PRAYER: Lord, help me understand and accept my God-ordained and divine purpose and use it for your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT PRAYER MINISTRY