Ok here's a little (not really) analysis/theory post about Hades 2, because I'm obsessed. Its consumed all my thoughts. And I need to talk about a theme I think will (hopefully) be addressed as the game progresses.
Here's some examples of dialogue that starts to touch on this conflict between mortals and the gods. What exactly do mortals deserve? We also have literal Icarus "flew too close to the sun" here too (and probably Pandora). Chronos was able to sway many to his side with a promise of a golden age without the gods, which is presented by the narrative as a foolish venture. And not saying it isn't, or that Chronos is the secret good guy here, but I believe Chronos is taking advantage of a very real hurt that exists for mortals.
This line from Nemesis really stood out to me, because it implies that while mortals have a concept of evil, the gods don't. Which sounds ridiculous but the more you think about it makes total sense. The gods in Hades (and just greek myth in general), are kind of the worst. They are petty and selfish, they literally attack you if their boon isn't picked first, and most vitally in this context, often utterly disregard mortals.
For example, one of the things that drove me a little crazy in Hades 1, was how chill everyone was with Demeter's never ending winter. Demeter was killing possibly millions upon millions of mortals and everyone else just sort of let it happen. Maybe complained a bit because it was annoying to them, but just stood by. And that's just one example. Mortal's have a very valid reason to hate the gods.
And considering we have more areas of the surface to explore that aren't out yet, I have a feeling Melinoë is going to be meeting some of these discontent mortals. And my hope is they are going to be nuanced characters, that will challenge Melinoë not just in a fight, but her very ideals.
Because Melinoë is very deferential to the gods, waaaaaay more that Zag ever was. Unlike Zag, who was more like a bro to them and was willing to suck up to them for personal gain, Melinoë seems to genuinely mean all the respect she gives them. She praises them, defends them when they are insulted, and just generally very polite to them.
In a smaller scale, she describes Hypnos as having a wisdom about him and can somehow sense her intensions while asleep. Which as Nem implies, the version in Melinoë's head doesn't exactly line up with reality (though sidebar, I am a believer in Chekov's Hypnos and that he's going to somehow save the day and put Chronos in a never ending sleep or something, but that's beside the point haha).
Melinoë's reverence to the gods makes total sense of course. She was denied her family and a happy childhood, and because of that has glorified them all in her head. The Olympians are sending her vital aid on her holy mission for vengeance and to save her family, even as their own home is being attacked, how honorable of them!
And I think part of Melinoë's arc is that perfect picture of them breaking into pieces. Yes, they are the better of the two options between them and Chronos, but that doesn't mean they aren't also kind of the worst. That mortals deserve better than frivolous gods that can decide on a whim their fates for better or worse (love u Moros but I'm still fucked up over you and your sisters giving mortals horrible doom endings when you were bored. At least he feels bad now but still. Perfect example of gods even when not intending to having horrific consequences for mortals). And maybe like how Zag healed relations with his family, Melinoë can start repairing relations between the Gods and Mortals.
273 notes
·
View notes
The Bakshi Family
Summary:
"The Bakshi Family" is an interactive fiction inspired by the sitcom Full House. After the untimely death of their mother, Rakesh Bakshi finds himself navigating the challenges of parenting his four children— The twins Alisha & Asim, Bevis, and the youngest, Darsh. The family's dynamics are further complicated by the arrival of their 25-year-old aunt/uncle, the MC, who must balance their own life while helping the Bakshi family cope with their loss. Amidst the chaos, the MC encounters five potential romantic interests: Bo Wu, Rakesh's best friend; Rakesh himself; Grace Clarke, a celebrity; S Smith, the neighbor; and Charlie Andrew, the teacher. As the MC forms bonds and supports the Bakshi family, they discover that love and laughter can heal even the deepest wounds in this heartwarming and entertaining interactive narrative.
Aunt/Uncle MC: Play as the 25-year-old aunt/uncle, juggling personal life and responsibilities to support the Bakshi family in the aftermath of their mother's death. (decide to play male or female and create a personality and a appearance)
Diverse Romantic Interests: Choose from five distinct romantic interests, each with their own personalities and backgrounds. Will you pursue a relationship with Rakesh, the best friend Bo, the celebrity Grace, the neighbor S, or the teacher Charlie?
Coping Mechanisms: Witness how each family member copes with grief in their own way. Delve into the emotional nuances of the characters as they navigate the healing process.
Parenting Challenges: Assist Rakesh, the father, in overcoming his chaotic and embarrassing parenting style. Navigate the ups and downs of family life while trying to understand the needs and emotions of each child.
Slice-of-Life Situations: Experience everyday situations reminiscent of the Full House sitcom, including heartwarming family moments, humorous mishaps in the kitchen, and the joys and challenges of raising children.
Bo Wu:
Personality: Bo is a 28-year-old Asian-American with a flare for the dramatic. He exudes arrogance, flirts unabashedly, and considers himself the coolest person in the room. Despite his rude exterior, there's a mysterious charm that draws people in.
Appearance: Bo has fair skin, dark brown eyes, and shoulder-length black hair tied in a small ponytail. Standing at 6'0ft, he embraces a relaxed and effortlessly cool style.
Rakesh Bakshi:
Personality: At 36, Rakesh is the Indian father of the Bakshi family. Despite his embarrassing and chaotic parenting, he is genuinely nice and friendly. He enjoys baseball, snowboarding (though it always ends badly), and casual cooking sessions that often result in culinary mishaps.
Appearance: Rakesh has tan skin, messy brown hair, a casual stumble, and stands tall at 6'4ft, giving him a laid-back and approachable look.
Grace Clarke:
Personality: Grace, a 23-year-old British celebrity, is sweet, insightful, outgoing, and enthusiastic. She enjoys singing, acting, dressing up, surfing, yoga, and cooking. Grace brings a positive and vibrant energy to every situation.
Appearance: Grace boasts porcelain skin, mid-length wavy auburn hair, and ocean-blue eyes. Standing at 5'3ft, she carries herself with a sensual and graceful demeanor.
Scott/Skye Smith:
Personality: S a 29 American Person, is the athletic neighbour with a shy, spontaneous, logical, caring, and strategic personality. They have a love for various sports and photography, bringing a unique dynamic to the neighborhood.
Appearance: Scott, at 5'8ft, features blond, bald hair, a beard, sharp features, rosy skin and an athletic, sporty look, while Skye, standing at 5'6ft, has blond hair in a loose bun, sharp features, rosy skin and also an athletic, sporty look.
Charlie Andrew:
Personality: Charlie, the 28-year-old Native American teacher, is efficient, reliable, playful, and intellectual. They enjoy reading, hiking, and drawing.
Appearance: Charlie has shoulder-length aqua blue hair, brown eyes, golden brown skin, and a professional look, standing at 5'8ft. They radiate a calm and intellectual aura.
demo: tba probably April
forum: tba probably April
other: soulmate-if , TBFamily-If
210 notes
·
View notes
charlos + wine
"I know your father is planning my murder right now," Charles says under his breath, then breaks into a fit of bumpy giggles.
It's like sandpaper to Carlos' ears.
He maneuvers Charles past the master bathroom door, then shuts it hard as if they're being chased by wolves. Carlos turns around to the sight of Charles leaning back on the designer bathroom counter next to the marble sink, warm and languid, his smile digging into the dimples on his cheeks, almost the same as when he hurriedly pressed a pristine, white cloth napkin to Carlos' ruined dress shirt and said, sweetly, to his mother's face across the dinner table – ah, I'm so terribly sorry.
"Charles," Carlos breathes out, awfully measured. He looks down at himself, the front of his shirt soaked in red; he looks up at Charles, at the silver of his collarbone, taunting, and then at his lips – parted, enticing. Red.
He is never hueless, a speck of color in the eyes of a charging bull with a knife stuck in his neck. Some of the red has rubbed off on Carlos, too. Perhaps it's just the wine sticking to his skin.
"Oops," Charles whispers. Tilts his head, neck bared, one of his beloved chain necklaces pooling in the hollow of his throat. A flutter of his inky-black eyelashes, a picture of tarnished innocence.
Perhaps not.
Downstairs, gathered in the isolation of a spacious dining room, a heated exchange in Spanish bounces off the walls, collides with the ceiling, making the floor beneath Carlos' feet vibrate and wobble. Charles' genuine sweetness is a perfect cover for the sharpness of his teeth; he bit the hand that's been feeding Carlos for decades without a second of hesitation once he felt it reaching for his neck. To Carlos, Charles' smile – bloody in the aftermath – was sugary and dauntless.
Or maybe it was the wine that spilt from the the glass held in his father's hand raised for a toast of mockery.
Carlos' jaw clicks. The lock on the door does, too, when he turns it without breaking eye contact with Charles, staring him down still as he undoes his shirt – a button, then a step forward; another button off and Charles hoists himself up on the counter with little grace. Carlos had gone up to change out of his ruined clothes, Charles following him purposefully, but now his vision tunnels on the distinct shape of Charles, unmarred by the heady scent of wine from a bottle that's older than both of them. His restraint fades. Carlos inhales, nostrils flaring. His shirt is gone, nothing but a handful of fabric fisted in his hand, and Charles' knees part, inviting, beaconing Carlos with a call that drowns out the rest of the noise.
"Ay, of course. Oops," he repeats, mimicking Charles slightly, eyes squinting and his breath momentarily caught. With ease, his body slots into the cradle of Charles' spread legs. He's leaning back, practically lounging, drawing out time like torn out strings. Carlos knows why, what purpose it serves. He reads it in Charles' gaze skirting over his bare chest, in the corner of his wine-stained lips when he tilts Charles' head up with a finger pressed under his chin. "It's better if you're quiet then, since you made a mess. Yes?"
Charles' defiance knows no bounds and Carlos envies him, wants to steal it for himself but Charles is in the one who relents in the end, cuts the rope before it snaps. The soft edges of him were never a curse in Carlos' eyes but he's failed to learn how to let go in time, an old dog that has run out of its tricks. And it's familiar – the way Carlos has to do nothing but Charles mouth drops open after time stretches into something unreal, just enough for him to slip the wine-soaked shirt past his lips and wait for Charles to clamp onto it, ostentatiously obedient. Carlos caresses his cheek with shaky patience, then passes his fingers through Charles' silky hair. His eyes flutter shut.
It's when Carlos moves, in the sliver of a moment when he's out of sight, pressing his face into the crook of Charles' neck and grabbing onto his waist. Downstairs, a storm brews and scratches against the door, but they're fused together now, uncaring. Carlos' lips mouth an absence of earnest words up the column of Charles' neck; he reaches down to unzip Charles' pants, wrapping deft fingers around his shamelessly hard, wet cock. Carlos steadies himself now, leaning into the habit with a few strokes. So predictable.
Charles' fingers dig into his shoulders like talons; another trap closes in, tears into his flesh but Carlos doesn't mind.
He'll blame it on the wine.
Send me a ship/character(s) and a one word prompt and I will write a 5 sentence (or more) fic about it.
83 notes
·
View notes
Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor
I fell down a bit of a heraldry rabbit hole recently and decided to spend several hours compiling info about the Penvellyn family off the wiki and then used online heraldry resources to analyze their individual coat of arms. Did the game devs intend the shields to be interpreted this way? Probably not. But if I dont over-analyze 20 year old childrens computer games what else am I going to do with my life??
Here are all the people whose portraits hang in the great hall along with info we learn about them from Jane (and occasionally Nigel), their coat of arms, and my amateur interpretation of the symbolism.
Randulf ( - 1401)
“Randulf the Red, so named for his bright red hair, was considered a hero at the Battle of Poitiers. For his heroism, King Edward III awarded him with the lands in the region called "Penvellyn". That's how we got our name.”
Randulf's coat of arms says "IN HOC SIGNO" which translates to "in this sign (you will conquer)"
Comet; unknown in heraldry but refers to the family treasure
Red; Military might, warrior.
(putting the rest under the cut to save you much scrolling)
Odo (1354 – 1404)
“Yeah, he isn't very exciting, really. Liked farming and cows. His son Milo is much more interesting.”
“Those Manuscripts are very old and brittle. They date back to the 14th century. Odo Penvellyn collected most of them. His father Randulf and son Milo were rather more interested in military victories than in book collecting.”
Odo's coat of arms says "PROSPERITAS" which translates to "success".
Milo (1376 – 1423)
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Deer/hart; One who will not fight unless provoked, peace and harmony
“Milo inherited not only his grandfather's red hair but his military prowess. Milo was instrumental in the Siege of Caen and was awarded even more lands by Henry V.”
Milo's coat of arms says "VICTUM INVIDEO SILENTE" which translates to "the conquered shall envy the dead".
Hugo (1401 – 1466)
Comet; unknown in heraldry
Red; Military might, warrior
Teardrop; “One who has endured torrents”
“Um, he had a lot of kids, and his dates were 1401 to 1466.”
Hugo's coat of arms says "CITO FIT QUOD DEI VOLUNT" which translates to "what the gods want happens soon".
Albert (1427 – 1508)
Bee; Industrious, diligent
Acorn; Antiquity, strength
Red; Military might, warrior
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
“He was very mysterious and the people of Blackmoor were afraid of him because he knew all these scientific things. No one knows much about him, though.”
Albert's coat of arms says "TIMENDI CAUSA EST NESCIRE" which translates to "ignorance is the cause of fear".
Edmund (1447 – 1499)
Book (open); Manifestation, knowledge
Blue; Truth, loyalty
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
“He was into cows. He did a lot of breeding of cows and sheep and got some kind of award from the King.”
Edmund's coat of arms says "UT SEMENTUM FECERIS ITA METES" which translates to "As you sow, so shall you reap".
Charles (1478 – 1553)
Hawk (Falcon): One who does not rest until objective achieved, purpose, goal-oriented
Red; Military might, warrior
Blue; Truth, loyalty
"Ooh, ooh - Charles was a very famous judge and wrote very important books on law. But his boy, Garrett, drowned when he was really young.”
Charles's coat of arms says "MINIMA MAXIMA SUNT" which translates to "The smallest things are the most important".
Thomas (1526 – 1584)
Rainbow; Good times after bad
Moon; Serene power over the mundane
Sun; Creativity and enlightenment
Blue; Truth, loyalty
“He was Charles's grandson and wrote a lot of poetry. He also had 3 wives: Catherine, Anne, and Mary. But not like at the same time. They died and he just remarried.”
Thomas's coat of arms says "AGE PRO VIRIBUS" which translates to "in all that you do, do your best".
James (1560 – 1650)
Eagle (2 heads); Joining 2 strong forces
Purple; Nobility and justice
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
T is presumably for Thomas, no heraldic meaning
“He never married but one day, when he was very old, a baby was found on the doorstep to the manor. He took her in and raised her as his own. That was Elinor.”
James's coat of arms says "ARS LONGA" which translates to "art lives long" (from the phrase, ars longa vita brevis - art is long, life is short).
Elinor (1626 – 1650)
Maltese cross; Blessings, protection
Red; Military might, warrior
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Blue; Truth, loyalty
Purple; Nobility and justice
“Just that she was burned as a witch but it wasn't true and her father, James, died when he saw her die and then the family fled to France. I don't want to talk about this.”
Elinor's coat of arms says "AUDACES FORTUNA IUVAT" which translates to "fortune favors the bold".
Corbin (1670 – 1741)
Lion rampant; Courage, integrity, strength
Red; Military might, warrior
Purple; Nobility and justice
“Uh…I dunno. He doesn't have a coat of arms in the Great Hall because he didn't live here; wasn't even a British subject. That's all I know.”
Corbin's coat of arms says "NUNQUAM DEDISCEO" which translates to "never forget".
This shield is notably absent from the great hall, and also is the only one to feature decoration on the outside of the shield.
Sun; Fountain of life, intelligence, innovation, creativity, enlightenment
Wheat; Faithful
Vines/Ivy; Strong and lasting friendship, academia
Philippe (1689 – 1777)
“He made a fortune in the New World and bought back most of the lands that were confiscated by Cromwell.”
Philippe's coat of arms says "NOVUS MUNDUS" which translates to "a new world".
Penelope (1714 – 1783)
Fleur de Lis; Symbol of France
Purple; Nobility and justice
Blue; Truth, loyalty
“I don't know very much about her, except that she was very loved by practically everyone in England, and there were a million poems written about her.”
“Those are mainly Penelope Penvellyn's collections of French novels. She was a patron to a raft of artists, and her salon was quite popular. She was quite the libertine, even kept her maiden name after her marriage.”
Penelope's coat of arms says "PULCHRITUDO IN OMNIA" which translates to "there is beauty in all things".
Martha (1739 – 1791)
Pegasus; Poetic genius and inspiration
Fleur de lis; Symbol of France
Lion rampant; Courage and integrity
Wheel; fortune, cycle of life
Purple; Nobility and justice
Red; Military might, warrior
“She was completely daft - she'd wear really bizarre outfits and she was one of the first women to ride on a steam train.” (This is particularly impressive as the steam train did not exist until 10 years after her death. Oops!)
Martha's coat of arms says "SINE SCIENTIA ARS NIHIL EST" which translates to "without understanding, art is nothing".
Brigitte (1759 – 1833)
Unicorn; Extreme courage, virtue, strength.
Teardrop symbolism; “One who has endured torrents” gold means generosity or elevation of the mind.
The gear and atom are not traditional heraldic symbols but can represent progress and science.
Red; Military might, warrior
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Blue; Truth, loyalty
Purple; Nobility and justice
“She never married and was bonkers for astronomy; she adopted her sister's son, Richard, who later got killed at Waterloo."
Brigitte's coat of arms says "LUDI SINE GAUDIO LUDI NON SUNT" which translates to "sport without fun is not sport."
"Brigitte with her eyes so bright, looks toward heaven at midnight on the longest night of year, that's the one she holds most dear. 'Starry friends,' she's often heard to say, 'how I wish that I could make you stay.' She knows though they can't remain, time will bring them 'round again."
Only shield to have white decorations on the colored background
Star; Divine quality from above
Dove; Loving constancy and peace
Compass; Direction
Purple; Nobility and justice
Richard (1787 – 1815)
“He died in Waterloo fighting against Napoleon.”
Richard's coat of arms says "SI SIC OMNES" which translates to "if only this could last forever".
Edward (1809 – 1904)
Banner down center shield (the Pale); Military or defensive strength
Star; Divine quality from above. The specific star (nautical star) is not traditional heraldry but symbolizes finding way home.
Red; Military might, warrior
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Purple; Nobility and justice
“He was a big explorer and went all over the world. He wasn't very close with his son, who was also an explorer. They'd only see each other by chance in weird remote places like Samarkand or Walla Walla.”
Edward's coat of arms says "BIS VIVAT QUI BON VIVAT" which translates to "Whoever lives well lives twice".
Knight (especially on horseback); The soul guiding the body; man’s journey through life
Lightning Bolt: Swiftness and power; spiritual enlightenment.
Unicorn; Extreme courage, virtue, strength.
I dont know what the warrior with the spear and sword means
Scepter; Emblem of Justice
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Blue; Truth, loyalty
William (1833 – 1901)
“He was an explorer, just like his father. He was kind of a whiner, so I heard.”
William's coat of arms says "DIES PERDIDI" which translates to "another day wasted".
John (1873 – 1954)
Bend Sinister (the band across the shield); Sometimes used to indicate illegitimacy. If that is the meaning here that would be very interesting and explain why he wasnt close with his father
Red; Military might, warrior
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
“He was this huge naturalist and did a lot of exploration in the Amazon. I think there's a plant named after him. Or maybe a monkey; I forget.”
John's coat of arms says "PER AURES AD ANIMUM" which translates to "through the ears to the spirit".
Malachi (1894 – 1972)
Parrot and mouth not traditional symbols but probably represent interest in wildlife and linguistics.
Green; Hope, joy, loyalty
Blue; Truth, loyalty
“He was a doctor of medicine and did a lot of research on icky skin diseases.”
Malachi's coat of arms says "NUMEN LUMEN" which translates to "divine light is my guide".
Alan (1923 – 1993)
Sun; Fountain of life, intelligence, innovation, creativity, enlightenment
Purple; Nobility and justice
“He was my grandfather but I didn't know him because he died when I was little. I guess he was nice.”
Alan's coat of arms says "PURGAMENTUM EXIT" which translates to "garbage out" (referencing part of a programmers' saying "garbage in, garbage out").
Serpent; Wisdom
Red; Military might, warrior
99 notes
·
View notes