#playing fast and loose with lore and rules

[spaceoperastuck]

The Brazen raid of '78

So you may be asking, who is crazy enough to run the security blockade over Alternia that is maintained by the Condesces Honor Guard Fleet? Two people. The first one was Marquise Spinneret Mindfang and her 8 fold fleet, whom used a slipstream gravity drop and stolen access codes to slip past the fleet and coming dangerously close to the pink moon of Alternia. Now why did the marquise do this? easy, a second descendant of hers had finally hatched. She and her fleet made a breakneck reckless run just so she could descend to the surface, blow up a couple dozen of the Condesces drones using a pair of Balius war striders, claim a smol blue grub, and return to orbit with minimal losses. The other person who would conduct such a bold raid? Lord Admiral of the Human Unions 28th fleet, Lord Admiral Ed Teach and his Gloriana-P class superbattleship Queen Anne's Revenge, which just so happened to initiating a hit-and-run raid against Alternian home system logistics hubs. this attack basically made the Honor Guard Fleet have to break off from the pursuit of the marquise Fast Cruiser, and by the time Teach had made his escape, the marquise and the 8 fold fleet was out of the system. This day saw the destruction of 14 of the honor guards frigates and 1 of their grand cruisers. while the ships would be replaced in short order, this would result in multiple captains being killed by Her Imperious Condescension, and a mark on the record of the Honor Guard Fleet.

[brofightiscancelled]

osomatsu-san seven deadly sins vocaloid series

[emcapi-gaming]

Roevember: Name

Baderon: "So what do they call y─ Nay, don't tell me. 'Tis on the tip o' me tongue... 'Tis...'tis...'tis bloody gone is what it is. Bollocks."

???: "...You know what's real funny? I... just realized I don't remember either."

Baderon: "They say this forgetfulness is some lingerin' effect o' the Calamity. I say it's a Leviathan-sized pain in the arse. Mind, yours seems especially bad. I've seen plenty o' folks what can't remember other names, but not rememberin' yer own? Hmm. What's the last thing ye can remember?"

???: "I... had a strange dream. Then I woke up on the ship, just as we were pulling into port. But before that, it's... fuck, there's nothing."

Baderon: "Well! That's mighty strange. No good frettin' about it too much, though, I reckon. Either it'll come back to ye in time, or it won't. Could be the Calamity. Could be as simple as ye took a bad knock to the noggin - ye look like a fightin' sort to me. Trouble is, though, I can't get ye properly registered with the guild without some sort o' name."

???: "I swear, it's right there, I just can't quite... I think... Ar... Ar-something?"

Baderon: "Take yer time, lass."

Ar???: "Think there's a D in there somewhere. ...Snrk. Ahem. Ard...? I think maybe... Ard...win? Yeah. Yeah, I think that sounds right."

Baderon: "A-r-d-w-y-n?"

Ardwyn?: "No, with an I, like wind. Or winner. I'm pretty sure. My first name."

Baderon: "Good a name as any, I reckon. Fits ye pretty well. Care to venture a guess at a family name?"

Ardwin: "Oh, gods, no, I've got a splitting headache already from trying to dredge up that much."

Baderon: "Hah, fair enough. Just Ardwin it is, then."

[generic-sonic-fan]

The Team Dark Crystal Gems!

Omega

Omega's stone is Cerium-doped gadolinium aluminium gallium garnet, also known as GAGG:Ce. It's a completely artificial gemstone that is both magnetic and naturally glows a bright neon green-yellow hue. Eggman created a batch of GAGG:Ce for the E-100 series, and now Omega is the only one left.

Technically, Omega has three gems- because of his constructed nature rather than being "organically grown", splitting his core gem across three parts of his body is what allows him to move. The three gems, seated on both his feet and just below his core (picture the green lights in his canon model!) are synchronized to push and pull magnetically on the robotic form they're embedded in, causing movement. Essentially, the gem is Omega's power source along with being the source of his consciousness. His body isn't a projection- it's a robotic frame he's bound to.

Eggman forced his gem apart in this way not only for power and propulsion, but also in a bid to disrupt his consciousness enough to keep control over him compared to the prior models of his line. This didn't work, obviously, but it does mean that Omega is more sensitive to anything that might disrupt the connection between these three key parts of him. He is only very technically a fusion, but still lower in power than a bona fide fusion given that there's only one gem being involved.

---

Shadow

Shadow's stone is Moissanite. It's the crystalline form of Silicon Carbide, an extremely close sibling of the silicon carbide used in semiconductor manufacturing. It's extremely tough, almost as hard as diamond, and is often used as a diamond substitute. Moissanite is also insanely rare and is hardly found on Earth- it typically comes from meteorites.

50 years ago, Gerald Robotnik found a large piece of Moissanite in a meteor crater on the moon. He took it back to the ARK and sought to create a lifeform with it that was as durable as the stone itself, hoping that such a lifeform would provide answers to strengthen Maria's own weak form.

Shadow's gem is another unique case, once again owing to his lab-created nature and lack of being "grown". It's seated as an uncut octagonal lump on his chest, protected by his fur. What's notable is that Shadow's current appearance is not what it's supposed to be- his current projection as the hedgehog we all know is controlled by his four inhibitor rings. If all four inhibitor rings are ever removed, Shadow would revert back to whatever mysterious form he would have "naturally" taken before Gerald's intervention. And given his extraterrestrial origins, Shadow isn't keen on finding out what that might be.

---

Rouge

Rouge is gem thief. There's only rumors about what her gem could be- something that grants her the power to travel unseen, surely -and she's not going to tell you. She deals in both normal gems and people gems, for the right price. Some jobs blur the line between thief and bounty hunter, and she's okay with that.

To be truthful though, her gem is a Milky Quartz. A stone considered to be just about worthless, both from a jeweler and industrial standpoint.

. . . that used to be a sore spot for her when she was younger but nowadays she doesn't let it bother her (much). But she learned very quickly that in order to make it in a world where everyone's got cooler powers than you do, you have control the information to get out on top.

Besides, hiding her gem hides her biggest weak point, doesn't it? Her goal is that no one will ever know where her gem is on her body. She leaves a lot of the common areas for gems (forehead, chest, back, etc) exposed to distract from its true location on her right shin.

[w1ld-wr1t3r]

97, loscar?

I almost thought this one was gonna be tricky, but then I remembered that this song is also in my Star Wars AU playlist! So we're heading back to a galaxy far, far away for this one.

97. Hummel Gets The Rockets - Alan Walker Remix by Hans Zimmer and Alan Walker

"This is barely a hyperspace lane!"

Logan wrestled with the controls of his ship, fighting to keep it on a straight path. He'd never encountered a hyperlane as unstable as this before. He was genuinely afraid they'd be forced back into realspace at breakneck speed at any moment.

He could just make out Oscar's ship ahead of his, sharp orange against the spiraling whorls of hyperspace. And he could hear the Imperial ships behind them, unwilling to give up the chase even now.

This lane was their only chance to get to a somewhat safe system before the Imps caught up to them. The good news was that they could jump out at a moment's notice, and leave the Imps flabbergasted before they could follow. They'd be half a system away before they could react.

The bad news was that it was near impossible to stay in the lane at all.

Oscar cursed colorfully over the comm. Logan wondered if his ship was shuddering and shaking as bad as his own was.

"It'll be okay," Oscar said, still holding onto his trademark calmness. "Just a little bit longer, Lo'. Just a little bit longer."

Logan took a deep breath, tightening his hands on the controls. This was the dodgiest situation they'd been in in a while. And the last time Oscar had flown in combat, he'd been sent to the med bay in critical condition . . . lucky if he would even walk again.

He figured he could hardly be blamed for being terrified for him right now.

"All right, five seconds," Oscar said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Be ready to fight as soon as we get out. Who knows how fast they'll react."

"Copy," he said back. He took one more breath. He could do this. He was a Rebel. He wouldn't be shaken that easily.

He and Oscar were fighters. And they would fight, together.

The blue of hyperspace blurred into long lines of light, then pinpoints of stars. And together, they were back in the fray.

[elliebean714]

Hide And Seek

Josh Washington x GN!Reader (Romantic or Platonic)

Everybody's playing hide and seek, but you're veryy competitive and end up somewhere you shouldn't have

Fluff, Slow Burn(?) This is kinda just game lore, then turns into an actual character x reader at the very end lol

An~ I *think* this is *loosely* inspired by a fic I read on here a few years ago, I cannot remember though, so credits to them ig, I'll tag the og if I somehow find it (if it's even real, I may have dreamt it up or something lmao). I only put this as josh x reader bc he's my fave, but honestly, this can be read without that and you wouldn't miss anything lmao. I just wanted to get this out of my skull. SOO PROUD OF THISS!! HAD SO MUCH FUN WRITING THIS OMGGG?? WRITING IS FUN?? WTFF??? Its 5:30 in the morning and i just finished writing until dawn fan fiction. How did it come to this?? good lord this man is beautiful, should be a crime to be this gorgeous. Someone tell me how to tell if my one shot is slow burn or not. I'm not very clever. Sorry the ending is so shit lol, I'm very tired and really want to share this and AAAHHHHHH release me from this tormentttttt

Pre-Game

"Okay, everybody, let's set some ground rules before we start." Chris waves his arms to make sure everyone is paying attention. "First off, obviously, nobody is allowed to go outside, okay? Let's keep it fair people. Next, since there's twelve of us and the lodge is so big, we're gonna have two seekers. Thats Josh and Beth, they'll have to wait in here for two minutes while we all hide." The pair wave "Alright, lastly, you're allowed to move as much as you want, but if you're caught you come back to the kitchen until everyone is found. Winner gets the $600." He motions to the locked box that everyone pitched in $50, then hands the key to josh to keep a hold of until the end.

"Right, yeah, we get it. C'mon nobody likes to wait." Mike snaps his fingers, growing impatient, "Lets get going." while Beth sets a two minute timer on her phone, you slowly creep towards the door with a destination already firmly implanted in your mind. A countdown from three starts, your hand twisting the handle of the door, ready to bolt as soon as you hear-

"One!" The timer starts, and by the time everybody is out the kitchen, you're already halfway down the stairs to the basement. You sprint past all the potential hiding spots, far too obvious for someone of your calibre.

The sound of the basement door opening and a two pairs of footsteps make you jump "Mike-" Emily moans into, what you assume is a kiss. You sneak behind a pile of boxes before they can see you. They might not be seekers, but your plans will NOT be foiled by MIKE AND EMILY making out. Absolutely not.

They find some distant corner to hide and do whatever, you poke your head out for a second to check they don't notice you, when you see them firmly 'distracted' you sneak off without making a sound and get past the door at the furthest point in the room, deeper into the basement, and closer to your destination.

The old hotel. Before the Washingtons built the lodge on the mountain, there was a hotel here, they leveled it before construction, but you've spoken to josh about it, apparently remnants have remained down there, completely untouched. There should definitely be somewhere to hide. This would be easier if the two people looking for you weren't the two most likely to have knowledge of the layout of the hotel, but that doesn't mean you give up.

It means you have to be smart, sneaky and fast. You don't even need to be in a great hiding spot, you just need to be the last one found, you need to win. You feel a rush of adrenaline course through you when you see a pair of rotted wooden stairs, YES! It's still here! Soon you find yourself in what probably wouldve been the kitchen, and let yourself stop for a moment to check the time, 22:49. You've been running for five minutes, Josh and Beth have been searching for three.

That thought pushes you to keep moving- past the weird, long, creepy hallways and rooms and... smells. You come to a small room with a cage encasing it, god, how deep into this place are you? This wouldn't be a bad place to stay, if there were hiding spots. You check your phone: 22:52. If you had to guess, Emily, Mike, Hannah and Chris had probably been found by now. But you can't rely on that, time to get moving.

Eventually, the rooms and corners all turn to the one long corridor, stone exterior, definitely man made. Like some tunnel...? To where?? Where would there need to be a tunnel to on the mountain? Well, might as well check it out, not like you're going to lose at this point. If Josh or Beth decide to check the old hotel, they sure as hell aren't coming down this far.

A little ways down the tunnel, you see a huge set of metal double doors, this just keeps getting weirder. Thankfully the doors are open, just enough to squeeze yourself through and continue down. You check the time once you pass the door: 23:07. Oh you've won that $600. No contest. A surge of pride and adrenaline rush through you and motivate you to continue.

Seeing a set of stone stairs is... unsettling. Where they lead to even more so. You cautiously follow them up to a weird, giant room. Dark and abandoned... is this more of the hotel? No way, right? Leaving the room, you see a chain linked door down a tiny hallway, all other directions are blocked off by old furniture, you look through the door...

It seems empty? Just a bigger room, looks semi religious, maybe an old Chapel? You gently push the door open, it's loud, but who cares? Nobody's here anyway. Looking around in amazement, this entire building, untouched by humans in who knows how long, you might be the first person to be inside this building in decades, maybe the last ever! This is all so surreal... your thoughts are interrupted by... a call? You check, Josh. You've only got one bar of service here, it's a miracle any contact was capable of being made. Might as well tease him. You're not going back to the lodge until you're found.

"Heyy-" you start, unable to contain your cheeky giggles

"JESUS, Y/N WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?? Are you okay??" He sounds so relieved to hear your voice

"Yeah, obviously... so what's up, Washin-"

"You won, okay, wherever you are, just come out. We're all freaking out trying to find you"

"Nope." You state simply.

He sighs "You won. Please. You're freaking us out, you weren't supposed to go outs-"

"I didn't." God- its so hard to keep a straight face

"What...? You're still here? We've checked everywhere! I even checked that old hotel! Where are you??"

"No hints. I want one of you to find me." You hang up before he can protest, and check the time briefly: 23:38 before putting it away to explore the building. Along the sides are areas with chain linked walls, it's too dark to discern what's inside them. Except the one with an opening, heading inside you see a map of the mountain, outdated for sure, as it has the hotel labeled instead of the lodge.

From what you can guess, this building youre in is probably the sanatorium. Makes you wonder what happened that caused it to be abandoned. And for the Washingtons to do nothing with it. At the far end of the room, another giant set of double doors, you try to push them open, but they're either locked or way too heavy.

So the other side of the Chapel is your only option. One is completely blocked off, one that leads to another building in the sanatorium is locked and one at the far right takes you to a fenced in area, a makeshift graveyard, every name has the same date under it. Must've been a massacre... that's probably why it was abandoned, jeez... okay, well, that's just a dead end, so you turn back and- why does it feel like you're not alone anymore?

"Josh?" You call out, best case scenario, it's someone from your group and you've just given up your position... worst case... you creep towards the middle of the room "guys?" No response, maybe they're trying to scare you? Would be good payback for the $50 this excursion cost them. "You got me, okay? Come ou-" a screech interupts you, it sounds like an animal in distress, or a warning... "what the fuck?" It's coming from beyond the locked chain link door.

"Hello?" You step towards the sound, the door is locked, nothing will get you, it's fine... "is anyone there?" Another screech, you reach out to investigate the lock... and a gloved hand stops you.

Shit. You feel your blood run cold. This definitely isn't one of your friends. In half a second you whip your arm away and turn to face your assailant- old guy, weird goggles, flamethrower- before he can say a word you sprint across the room, out the door, down the stairs and back into the tunnel. You don't even know if he's following you, all you can hear are your own panicked breaths and your heart thumping so loud it feels like the walls are closing in on you with every beat.

You make it back to the double doors and slam them shut behind you. You can't lock them from this side, so the best you can do is close them and hope it'll slow him. God- you forgot how much of a maze this stupid hotel was, why the hell does there need to be so many hallways and dead ends?? Wait- the kitchen!! Yes! You know exactly where to go now! Just straight up. No more corridors and empty rooms.

The adrenaline has you acting pretty clumsy, tripping over steps, banging into things and slaming through doors. Once you're up that last set of stairs from the hotel to the lodge you start to feel exhausted- no, not yet- keep going, you got this. You reach out and open the door to the main basement, scaring the shit out of Ashley in the process "RUN! Holy shit-" you don't need to tell her twice. She grabs Chris, who was staring and the two run ahead. They hold the door to the basement open for you, after you practically jump up the stairs, somebody slams it shut and locks it.

The relief hits you like a freight train and your legs finally buckle, dropping you to the floor. Everyone hounds you with questions as you pant on the floor, trying to let the cold wood cool you down. You cover your eyes with your arm for a minute.

"What the hell happened??" You hear Matt ask

"I saw- shit- I saw somebody-" You pant- well at least I won't have to work out for the rest of the year. That sends everyone into a panic. More questions are thrown your way, the guys are discussing a plan of defense should it be necessary.

"What the fuck- who??" Jess' question is the one you hear.

"I dunno, some weird old guy- had a pair of goofy goggles and a fuckin' flamethrower." You take in several deep breaths and give Hannah a grateful smile when she hands you a water bottle.

"Where the hell did you go?" Josh gets close to you "where was he??"

You gulp down half the water before answering "I think I was in the sanatorium? I saw a map, I guessed that..." you trail off, everyone's stares making you suddenly self conscious "what?"

"Why the hell were you in the sanatorium?? That's dangerous Y/N!" Josh's concern comes out as a yell, in that way that someone only does when they really care.

"There's a tunnel from that old hotel beneath us to it, I was curious and I wanted to win." You shrug, god- this would be hilarious if it wasn't for that fucking insane person you met.

"There's a tunnel to the sanatorium?" Mike asks for confirmation.

"Yeah. And I won since I never technically went outside, by the way." You remind them. Sure this was a terrifying situation, but fuck it if you were loosing your reward.

"Shut up! Oh my god! There's a crazy guy up here, oh my goddd!" Ashley lashes out, you'd be offended if you hadn't scared her half to death a minute ago.

"Sorry." You mumble, drinking more water- fuck, have you ever sweat this much?

"Was he chasing you? Like, what happened?" Sam asks, always clear headed.

"I don't know, I just got there, Josh called me, I hung up, explored for a bit, heard some sort of animal, and he came up beside me before could see what it was. I just booked it, I didn't hear him I was too freaked." You answer truthfully

Josh takes your hand, seeing him serious is uncomfortable. "You should've come back when I called you."

"I wanted to win, I didn't think I'd see a fucking lunatic-" you attempt to defend your reasoning. was it sound? No. Did it work? Yeah.

"I told you you won." He asserted. He had one of those intense stares. One of the ones you feel a mile away. One that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand.

"I know... I just- I dunno... I wanted to explore. A whole building abandoned and lost to time? I couldn't help it. I was gonna come back after like an hour." You shake your head and sigh "I got excited. I'm sorry I worried you. I wasn't thinking, you know how I get, I'm really sorry"

He sighs. "Just don't do it again"

🦋❄️🦋❄️

🦋Butterfly Effect~ Too Soon...?🦋

❄️The Group Decided To Play Hide And Seek❄️

🦋Y/N Went To The Old Hotel And Found A Secret Tunnel🦋

❄️Y/N Refused To Return To The Lodge❄️

🦋So They Could Explore The Sanatorium 🦋

❄️Y/N Attempted To Investigate The Sound...❄️

🦋And Met The Stranger🦋

♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆

~ Elliebean714 🦋

[pixel7777]

Threefold Returns - Ch. 1/16

The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.

Work Summary: Magic has rules. Magic has a mistress. And Gale Dekarios knows something he was never meant to remember.

A year ago Gale made Zelara choose between himself and Astarion; she chose Astarion. A few weeks ago, Gale stopped answering their messages. Zel and Astarion show up in Waterdeep and find Gale being mind-fucked by his former goddess.

What begins as an attempt to untangle the lingering threads of Mystra’s influence over Gale turns into something much bigger—and far more dangerous. The truth lurking beneath the Weave is a secret worth killing for, and Mystra will stop at nothing to keep it buried. But Gale, Astarion, and Zelara have never been good at playing by the rules.

And Astarion and Zelara have never stopped loving Gale.

Canon compliance: I'm playing fast and loose with Mystra and Weave lore here, outright changing it for a main plot point, and I'm not sorry about it. My lore is that Mystra is a horrible person in BG3, and I want her punished. Uh, and some magic stuff definitely goes beyond 5e rules and drifts adjacent to some magical realism. If you're here for some feels and smut and seeing Mystra get destroyed, you're in the right place. If you're here for lore, you're probably not lol.

Work Content Tags: Post-Canon, Polyamory, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, POV Multiple, Threesome - F/M/M, Fluff and Smut, Happy Ending, Humor, Karma Comes for Mystra, Fuck Mystra, Bloodweave+Tav, PIV sex, Oral Sex, Rimming, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex ~64K words.

Work is complete on AO3! Chapters will be posted daily on Tumblr until it's all here too.

Astarion

Moonlight-colored fungi cast a soft glow across Zel's lavender skin as she sprawled beside Astarion, her silver hair spilling across the pillow like liquid metal. He traced idle patterns on her bare shoulder, savoring the warmth of her body against his cool flesh. The lingering pleasure of their coupling hummed through his nerves, making everything feel soft and hazy.

"What if something's happened to him?" Zel's voice broke the comfortable silence. "It's not like Gale to ignore messages for this long."

Astarion pressed a kiss to her temple. "Or perhaps he's simply caught up in some fascinating magical theory and lost track of time. You know how he gets."

"But three weeks?" She shifted to face him, her luminous eyes catching the ethereal light. "That's a long time, even for Gale."

He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, noting the tension in her jaw. Always trying to fix things, his Zel. Even when there might be nothing to fix.

"Darling, he's not exactly helpless. He did manage to get rid of that pesky orb without blowing himself up." Astarion kept his tone light, though worry gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. "And last we heard, he was settling back into his tower, probably boring everyone in Waterdeep with lectures about magical theory."

"I suppose." Zel nestled closer, pressing her face against his neck. Her breath tickled his skin. "But what if—"

"Tell me three times you are sure there's actually something wrong." He caught her chin, tilting her face up to his. "Not just your brilliant mind spinning hypotheticals."

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I hate when you use our thing against me."

"I know." He smirked, drinking in the sight of her—flushed skin, kiss-bruised lips, the mark of his fangs still visible on her throat. Even worried, she was breathtaking. "That's why I do it."

Astarion watched the familiar glint of mischief spark in Zel's eyes. That look always meant trouble.

"We could go check on him," she said, trailing her fingers down his chest. "I've been working on that sunlight resistance potion. The latest batch shows real promise."

He arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Astarion studied Zel's expression, recognizing the determined set of her jaw. Usually, he redirected her experimental urges toward more expendable test subjects. Her genius was undeniable, but her methods tended toward the explosive. He had watched her blow up her laboratory three times in the past month alone.

But this was different. The sunlight resistance potion was personal—something she had been working on just for him. He refused to let her test it on the freed spawn. Those poor bastards had suffered enough, and he wouldn't add to their torment just to spare himself discomfort.

"How promising?" He kept his tone casual, though his pulse would have quickened if he still had one. "The last batch only gave me a rather spectacular rash."

"I adjusted the ratio of my dhampir blood to moonflower essence." Zel's eyes lit up with that dangerous sparkle that meant she was about to launch into technical details. "And the crystallization process—"

He pressed a finger to her lips. "Darling, I love you, but spare me the particulars. Just tell me if you think it might actually work this time."

She nipped his finger. "It might. And Gale could help refine it further. He always had good insights about the magical theory behind the transformative properties."

That was true. Gale and Zel had worked well together in the past, their different approaches to magic complementing each other. The wizard's theoretical knowledge combined with Zel's practical experimentation had produced remarkable results.

Astarion sighed, already knowing he would give in.

"Just think—you could lay in the sun while I scratch your tummy." Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "And Gale always has the best wine."

"I do not need my tummy scratched." He pulled back, affronted. "I'm not some common housecat."

"No?" She propped herself up on an elbow. "You're constantly preening your hair."

"It's called grooming, darling. Some of us care about our appearance."

"And you get unreasonably excited about sunbathing."

"Two centuries without sun will do that to anyone."

"You mark your territory." Zel gestured to the pattern of bite marks she'd let scar rather than heal magically to humor his odd impulses. So her point was valid. But he did not want Zel to get the idea that he approved of her calling him a cat.

"I do not—"

"You literally hissed at that merchant who touched your favorite coat."

"He was being presumptuous."

"You creep around in shadows and pounce on things."

"That's called being a rogue."

"You get bitey when your dignity is offended."

"I most certainly do not—"

"And you really like having your butthole licked."

He snapped his mouth shut, fangs clicking together. The worst part was she wasn't entirely wrong, but he'd be damned if he'd admit it. Especially about that last bit.

"I am feeling rather bitey at the moment," he growled, nipping at her shoulder.

Her delighted laugh echoed through their chamber. "See? Proving my point."

Astarion's smile faded as he watched Zel's eyes drift toward their window. She always got that distant look when thinking about Gale. His chest tightened with an emotion he refused to name.

"Perhaps..." The words caught in his throat. "Perhaps he simply doesn't wish to be found."

Zel's attention snapped back to him. "What do you mean?"

"Moving on. Living his life." Astarion traced the curve of her hip, keeping his touch light. "We can't expect him to orbit around us forever, darling. Even if you—" He paused, forcing the words past centuries of practiced deflection. "Even if you still care for him."

Astarion watched the shadow pass across Zel's face. He knew that look—had seen it countless times when Gale's name came up. The wizard's absence had left a void in her that even Astarion's love couldn't quite fill. Not that she ever complained or showed regret for choosing him. But he noticed. Of course he noticed.

He remembered how it had been, in those early days after the break. Gale, ever the gentleman, had stepped aside gracefully when Zel refused to give up her relationship with Astarion. The wizard had wanted exclusivity—a traditional romance. But Zel loved differently, loved wholly, and wouldn't compromise one heart to please another.

Their parting had been gentle. No harsh words, no bitter accusations. Just quiet acceptance that their paths diverged. Gale had remained their friend, sharing meals and adventures, offering his wisdom and wit. But something had shifted, become careful and awkwardly contained, like a book whose pages could no longer lie flat.

Astarion had watched it all, uncertain how to navigate this peculiar dance. He understood possession, understood jealousy—but Zel treated love like an endless well, drawing deep without depleting. Her heart expanded to hold them both, even if Gale couldn't accept the arrangement she offered.

Now, seeing that familiar shadow in her eyes, Astarion felt the old uncertainty stir. He never questioned Zel's love for him—she proved it daily in a thousand small ways. But he wondered, sometimes, if she would have chosen differently if he had been the one to demand she choose.

"I didn't mean to suggest we abandon him," Astarion added softly, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Only that we should be prepared if he's chosen to move forward without us."

"I want to go see him." Zel caught his hand, pressing it flat against her skin.

"Zel—"

"I want to go see him." Her voice grew firmer.

"And if he turns us away?"

"I want to go see him." The third time held the weight of certainty.

Astarion closed his eyes, fighting twin impulses—to protect her from potential rejection, and to shield himself from facing desires he had buried since their earliest days together. The thought of seeing Gale again stirred something dangerous in his chest. Something that whispered of missed chances and lingering looks.

But more than that, Gale's silence felt wrong. The wizard had never been one to simply vanish, even after their paths diverged. And if something was truly amiss...

"Fine." He opened his eyes, meeting her determined gaze. "But only because you promised belly scratches in the sun. And because..." He hesitated, then admitted, "Because I don't actually believe he's just busy with research."

"You're worried about him too."

It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway. "Perhaps a bit. Don't let it go to your head."

Astarion rolled Zel onto her back, straddling her hips. "If you're going to insist on comparing me to a feline, darling, then I insist on being treated like one." His eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and a desire to lighten the moment for Zel's sake.

Zel's laughter was low and throaty. "Is that so?" Her hands slid up his thighs.

"Mmm." He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "And I expect you to be thorough."

"Wouldn't dream of doing it any other way." She nipped at his lower lip before pushing him gently onto his back. Astarion went willingly.

Zel moved down his body, her breath hot against his cool flesh. "So, my little kitty," she murmured, her voice laced with teasing affection, "where do you want me to start?"

Astarion stretched languidly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, if you're going to groom me properly..." He shifted, spreading his knees and angling his hips before meeting her appreciative gaze with a raised eyebrow.

"Demanding little thing, aren't you?" She laughed softly, her hands spreading him open. Her fingers caressed him in a way that was both gentle and possessive.

Astarion let out a soft moan as her head dipped down and her tongue found its mark. The warmth and wetness sent shivers down his spine. "Gods, Zel..."

"Mmm?" She hummed against him, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through his body.

Astarion's eyes fluttered closed as Zel's tongue traced delicate circles around his rim. Every nerve ending sparked with pleasure, his body relaxing into the sensation. She took her time, exploring every inch of him with a thoroughness that left him breathing deeply through the pleasure.

His breath hitched when she finally pressed her tongue inside him, the invasion slow and deliberate. His body responded immediately, the muscles clenching around her, drawing her deeper. She hummed in appreciation, the vibration sending waves of pleasure through him.

"You know," she murmured, pulling back, "I love how your body just sucks me in. It's like you're trying to devour me."

Astarion laughed, the sound a mix of amusement and frustration. "Zel, darling, I do believe that's the point." He shifted, trying to chase the sensation she'd withdrawn. "And I must object to you stopping."

She grinned, sitting back on her heels. "Patience, kitty. I'm just getting started."

He watched as she turned to her nearby rack filled with small bottles and vials. Each one was labeled neatly in her precise handwriting—a collection of oils and ointments she'd concocted specifically for their use. He'd been adamant about not letting her test her more experimental creations on him in bed, but her lubricants were exquisite.

Astarion propped himself up on his elbows, watching as she selected a bottle. "The lavender one," he suggested, knowing it was his favorite. The scent was subtle, the texture smooth and long-lasting.

Zel glanced at him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Demanding and specific. Someone's eager."

"Always, when it comes to you." He let his gaze roam over her body, appreciating the curves and lines he knew so well. The sight of her, the anticipation of what was to come, sent a thrill through him.  He watched her move with that familiar grace, his chest tight with affection. Everything about her touch was generous and gentle, from the way her fingers skimmed his skin to how she anticipated his desires before he voiced them.

What made it precious - what made him absolutely melt for her - was knowing there wasn't a trace of pity in her tenderness. She didn't tiptoe around his past trauma or treat him like some fragile, broken thing that needed coddling. No, her gentleness came purely from learning what brought him pleasure and delighting in providing it. She touched him softly because she knew he loved it, because it made him shiver and sigh, and because his enjoyment was reward enough for her. That understanding, that pure acceptance of who and what he was, made him adore her all the more.

She uncapped the bottle, pouring a generous amount onto her fingers. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing and arousing at the same time. He hummed in approval, spreading his legs wider in invitation.

"Now," he murmured, his voice low and steady, "where were we?"

She coated her fingers carefully and then they took the place of her mouth, circling, teasing, knowing exactly what he liked.

Zel indulged her own impulses, her teeth grazing his inner thigh. The slight sting made him hiss, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he watched, entranced, as she lapped at the small wound, her tongue collecting the beads of blood. The sight sent a shiver down his spine—a mix of arousal and something deeper, something uniquely theirs.

Their natures, dhampir and vampire, were an odd fit. Her body warm and alive, his cool and eternally still. Somehow, they complemented each other perfectly. Her blood was his sustenance in a way his ichor could never be for her, but they had been pleased to find that small amounts had interesting effects beyond feeding her bitey blood kink.

Zel pulled back slightly, her breath hot against his sensitive flesh. "You taste incredible," she murmured, her voice thick with desire. "Like cool night air and something uniquely you."

Astarion chuckled, the sound breathless. "I do believe that's the oddest compliment I've ever received."

She grinned, her teeth flashing in the dim light. "Well, you are rather odd." She slipped the first finger inside, making him shiver. "And I wouldn't have you any other way."

He laughed, the sound turning into a moan as she slowly worked deeper inside him. His body opened for her easily, the warm slickness of the oil she'd used earlier easing her way. She took her time, her finger moving in slow, deliberate strokes, her tongue mirroring the motion against his thigh and sometimes teasingly back at his rim.

Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, his body melting into the sensation. The warmth of her touch, the slick heat of her mouth, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat—it was all so overwhelmingly perfect. He felt cherished, adored. And in that moment, he knew he was home. Not a place, but a feeling. A sense of belonging that transcended their peculiar natures and bound them together.

He reached down, tangling his fingers in her hair, gently guiding her mouth to where he needed her most.

Zel chuckled, the sound vibrating against his sensitive flesh. She added a finger and picked up the pace inside of him while she took the head of his cock into her mouth. She knew every spot, every trick to make him come undone.

Astarion's breath hitched as she hit just the right angle, her fingers curling inside him. "Zel... gods, yes..."

"Like that, do you?" Her voice was a purr, low and satisfied, as she kissed up and down his shaft.

"You know I do." He arched his back, pressing against her, chasing the sensation. His cock was hard again, dripping, desperate for more.

Zel's free hand wrapped around him, her grip firm and sure. She stroked him in time with her mouth and fingers, leaving him gasping for air he didn't need but somehow felt desperate for.

"You're... ah... you're enjoying this..." He panted, his body tensing.

"Mmm-hmm." She hummed again, the sound sending another wave of pleasure crashing through him. "I love making you happy, Astarion. And I love getting my way."

He laughed, the sound breathless and broken. "You always get your way, darling."

"Damn right I do." She pulled back, her eyes shining with mischief and love. Her fingers never stopped moving, beckoning him slowly and surely toward his edge.

Astarion reached down, pulling her up to kiss her deeply. He could taste himself on her lips, a mix of sweet and salty that was uniquely them and a hint of the lavender oil at the corners of her mouth. "I love you."

"I love you too, Astarion." She smiled against his mouth, one hand still wrapped around him, her fingers still moving inside him. "And soon, we'll go see our friend. But for now..." She kissed him again, gentle and loving.

Astarion's breath hitched as Zel's gentle touch unraveled him. It was her tenderness that undid him as much as her skill. His body tensed, balls drawing up tight, and she pressed harder against that spot inside him, her mouth pulling away from his just in time to indulge this other kink of his. He came undone, his vision whiting out with pleasure as he painted her breasts with his release.

Zel's soft hum of appreciation brought him back to himself, his eyes fluttering open to see her admiring the mess he'd made as she eased her fingers out of his hole. She leaned down, her tongue tracing circles around his nipples, sending little jolts of pleasure through him. His body shivered, oversensitive and spent, but her touch was gentle, coaxing aftershocks from his nerves.

"Look at you," she murmured, her voice warm with affection. "So beautiful." Her fingers traced the edge of his hole, slick with oil. She didn't clean him with magic, instead choosing to lap at his skin, her tongue darting out and dipping in, her own unique take on aftercare.

Astarion's cheeks flushed, a mix of strange possession and arousal heating his cool skin. He loved this—the way she praised him, the way she took her time to clean him intimately. Her tongue licked deeper inside him, cleaning away the remnants of oil, sending the last few ripples of pleasure through his oversensitive flesh.

Zel pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his. "You taste so good, Astarion. I could do this all day." Her voice was a low purr, vibrating against his skin.

Astarion's lips curved into a soft smile, his body relaxing under her touch. "You're insatiable, darling."

"Only for you." She pressed a gentle kiss to his inner thigh, her fingers still tracing delicate patterns on his skin where her nips had already healed. "And I think you like it."

"Mmm." He stretched languidly, his body humming with contentment. "I think you've made your point."

Astarion's eyes fluttered closed, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He let himself sink into the sensation, into the warmth of her touch and the gentleness of her care. This was what he loved—the way she made him feel cherished, the way she took her time to draw out every last bit of pleasure.

"Zel..." Her name was a soft whisper on his lips, a plea and a praise all rolled into one.

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with love. "Yes, Astarion?"

"I... Just..." He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "Thank you."

Her smile softened, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "You're welcome, my love. Always."

[mangaloversolar2000]

TOH: The Magic System & Lore: Brilliant Yet Inconsistent

The Boiling Isles is one of the most distinctive settings in modern animation, packed with imaginative creatures, unconventional magic, and a deep history. However, while the lore is fascinating, certain inconsistencies in the magic system stand out. The rules governing magic, covens, and glyphs—while creative—sometimes lack cohesion, making certain moments feel less structurally sound.

The Coven System: A Brilliant Concept with Loose Application

One of the most intriguing aspects of magic on the Boiling Isles is the coven system, which was enforced by Emperor Belos. The idea that witches are forced to specialize in a singular type of magic, losing access to all others, is a compelling world-building choice that highlights authoritarian control and limitation. However, the execution of this concept feels uneven.

Breaking Coven Boundaries: While most witches are restricted to their designated coven magic, certain characters seem to bypass these limitations with ease. For instance, while wild witches like Eda retain unrestricted access to magic, Lilith’s ability to share the curse with Eda briefly grants her wild magic abilities, calling into question how rigid these restrictions truly are. Similarly, certain coven members exhibit magic that appears outside their assigned discipline. This inconsistency weakens the supposed strictness of the system and raises questions about whether the restrictions are absolute or merely flexible for narrative convenience.

Glyph Magic: Inventive Yet Underdeveloped

Glyph magic, introduced through Luz’s discoveries, is one of the most unique mechanics in the series. The idea that magic can be channeled through symbols is a brilliant alternative to traditional spellcasting. However, despite being a fundamental element of Luz’s journey, glyph magic feels rushed and underexplored in certain areas.

Interaction with Other Magic Forms: The exact mechanics of glyphs in relation to standard magic remain unclear. While Luz is unable to perform traditional magic due to her human nature, the rapid pace at which she learns and adapts to glyph magic raises questions about its accessibility. If glyphs function as a natural conduit for magical energy, why don’t more witches use them? Could a witch theoretically combine glyphs with their natural magic, or are glyphs completely separate from inherent magical ability?

Glyph Discovery & Mastery: Luz learns glyph magic remarkably fast, deciphering its functions with limited struggle. While this highlights her ingenuity and determination, it also makes glyph magic seem overly simplified. A more in-depth examination of glyph mechanics—how their sequences interact, whether different combinations create new spells (Lilith was the one who found this out but I feel it would have been more impactful if it was Luz instead), and how Luz refines her precision—could have added layers to her journey as a spellcaster.

The History & Nature of Magic Itself

One of the most underexplored aspects of the Boiling Isles is the fundamental nature of magic itself. We learn that Titan blood plays a significant role in magical energy, but the broader origins and science behind magic remain vague.

Magic’s Connection to the Titan: Magic is often described as stemming from the Boiling Isles’ Titan. The concept of Titan magic, particularly with the revelation of the Collector’s existence, introduces fascinating lore that is left largely unexplored. What defines Titan-based magic versus external magical forces? Are there other sources of magic beyond the Titan’s remains?

Limitations & Magical Evolution: Magic appears limitless in certain cases, yet highly constrained in others. The existence of powerful relics, magical artifacts, and enchanted objects suggests layers to magic beyond individual spellcasting, but these aspects remain secondary. How does magic evolve over time? Can magical energy be exhausted or replenished in structured ways? These questions, if explored, could have deepened the complexity of the Boiling Isles’ mystical foundation.

[garden-of-mancers]

Hihihi! I wasn't sure who to come to for this info, and I couldn't find anything related to this, so if you don't have an answer/insufficient research or something like that, then feel free to ignore this! /gen/neu

What's the difference between a tulpamancy and imagimancy? Ty if you answer this ask! <333

No problem! Full disclosure: I have done more research into the Buddhist origins of tulpamancy, but I'm not Buddhist or a tulpamancer, so if I get any academic or cultural information wrong, I apologize.

So, tulpamancy has an origin in Buddhist spirituality, and the modern western "tulpamancy" you see on tumblr is a misappropriated version of it.

In Tibetan Buddhism, tulpamancy is the act of creating a thoughtform (tulpa) with the goal for it to become an autonomous person through developing independent thought, emotions, etc. These thoughtforms are also called "emanations" or "emanation bodies" depending on the Buddhist you're talking to. Most tulpas also break away from their creators once they reach autonomy, therefore completing a cycle or the exercise. I know it's originally supposed to be an exercise to teach the Buddhist student *something* about nirvana and being a living human, but I can't remember or figure out what the specific goal is, so I apologize if any part of this explanation is 'off.' I'm not Buddhist, so I encourage you to take my answer as a starting-off point to do your own research into the topic.

Here's a reddit post by a Tibetan Buddhist on tulpamancy, and here's another reddit thread with multiple insights on the purpose of tulpas.

Appropriated tulpamancy like you see on tumblr, where the tulpamancer is making more than one thoughtform, isn't working towards the goal of autonomy, or is utilizing manifestation techniques to create headmates or "friends" is not tulpamancy. It's thoughtformism--it's a completely different practice that is just using terminology from a different (religious and culturally charged) practice. It should not be practiced under the guise of tulpamancy. It's not cultural appropriation because you're white, (anyone can convert to Buddhism); it's cultural appropriation because you're using terms and ideas in a way completely divorced from the original (cultural, religious) context.

(This cultural shift didn't start on tumblr, by the way. Occultists and westerners were recontextualizing and appropriating tulpas long before people on tumblr did it.)

After a lot of POC and Buddhists criticized the tulpa community, a few secular thoughtformist communities have come up. Daemonism is one example, where the "lore" and framework around your thoughtform is based on the novel His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. (Although, what I've seen in the community is that daemians can play pretty fast and loose with the rules and no one really minds it.) But a lot of thoughtformists I've seen on tumblr just seem to make a certain flavor of dude (like a servitor, egregore, godhead--all things I'm not yet familiar enough with to explain) without tulpamancy OR daemonism as a label (which is a good thing!).

Imagimancy is the latest thoughtformist community to come up, and in my perspective, it feels like a "configurable" experience in thoughtformism. There's no more religious or cultural context, there's no more lore from already-existing books or movies, there aren't even any occulty or mystical labels if you don't want there to be. It's just... imaginary friends, but taken seriously and refined into a practice or activity that "older kids" and adults can do in a fulfilling way. To me, imagimancy IS the closest thing to what appropriated "tulpamancers" wanted tulpamancy to be. There are no rules or restrictions. One of the co-coiners of the imagimancy term describes imagimancy as "not trying to reinvent or relabel things; just filling the gaps between [thoughtformist] communities," and I think that's the best explanation out there tbh.

This isn't a "tulpas dni" post or anything like that; I'm interested in everyone's experiences of thoughtformism, even if someone's vocabulary isn't the most culturally sensitive. But I am very much in the ballpark of "what you're doing isn't tulpamancy. Call it something else" as a person tbh.

[loveandlegacy]

pleeeaaaase tell me what swain is on trial for. i wanna know what shit he absolutely did. your honor.

ok apologies for the delay on this. life is a bitch

the real question tho: what ISN'T swain on trial for fr!!! his crimes to date include:

patricide and matricide "for the good of noxus" – note i don't actually take serious issue with patricide and matricide it's just that his specific reasons are manifestly unhinged ones. 'you were the tumorous tissue plaguing my body politic and as such had to be excised'. rips dude. anybody doing anything for 'the good of the realm' is like redflagapalooza

actual factual literal warcrimes (in the name of noxus) including killing civilians, forcibly incorporating other cultures into noxian rule, and not really batting at eye at attempted child murder...even though lol. he lost that one

crowning himself genocidaire in chief because he feels like no one can run noxus as well as he can

knowing and choosing to do absolutely nothing about the ravenbloom academy or the fact that the black rose generally is practicing both child torture and their own weird kind of eugenics

making a faustian bargain with a demon that the lore says he won but that all signs point to "he hasn't won yet. in fact he's probably losing. badly"......all so he could crown himself genocidaire in chief

the fact that 'playing fast and loose with his own bodily autonomy and sanity' might not be a problem if he were just Some Guy but he is in fact not some guy. he's the leader of an imperialist nation state and he expects to lose to raum so much so that he has a bunch of contingency plans in place for people to kill him if shit hits the fan. except there's no guarantee all those contingency plans will work and then there might just be an extra demon loose on valoran all while mordekaiser's return is brewing. bad planning

expanding noxus's war machine so now everyone in the nation, no matter their class or creed, can (and is somewhat compelled to) volunteer themselves to join up and serve in the meat grinder that is their death cult country's military

suffering from the kind of zealotry about noxus that basically makes him perfectly suited to be one of the people running it and that is in every way a bad trait for a person to have

i'm confident there's more that i'm forgetting but i am afflicted with chronically bad sleep and as such am a little wiped out today. i will add though that i think people often downplay or like straight up forget about raum and probably the effect raum has on swain? like imagine you're trying to talk to a guy and he has like am radio static from hell blasting in his brain at full volume. this isn't entirely a trial-worthy thing but it is. a thing. that's happening and that i think a lot of written fanworks neglect the implications of that. like everyone writes him as this chessmaster genius with an impeccable level of self-control and in some ways he IS that, he's like clearly very smart and tactically capable and ruthless and also obviously very resolute and determined to have it his way to a degree that's deranged even without the demon magic and etc etc but also he's probably one bad dream away from complete psychological dissolution and he has to get through every day pretending like he's normal. because he, like noxus itself, mostly has a reputation built on smoke and mirrors and lies and a few really unhinged gambits that happened to work out

[silverskye13]

Sort of curious if you have like. A general idea on the major churches in Hels? I’m brainrotting hels oc lore and realised we know about Blood and Steel, Remembrance, and maybe a Time based one? But idk if there’s been any background mentioned ones I’ve forgotten or if there’s any that exist in your heart but haven’t been included in the story (yet, at least).

Also, again curious, are there people who would fight/spar in the colosseum who wouldn’t participate in the shows/big events? Or, at least, could there be?

Both of these can be answered with “idk follow your heart��� if it’s worldbuilding you haven’t/don’t want to think about, or something you don’t want to set in stone.

I think I have off-handedly mentioned Wendarr, which is one of the Vault Hunter gods, once. But besides that no others have been expressly mentioned!

Vaguely in my head I think most MCYT cults and gods are in hels in various forms [for example, all the Vault Hunter gods, the Mooners cult, Hermatrix Octa as a goddess, as well as Doc's goat goddess, etc]. I also think there is probably a cult dedicated to Evil X kicking around [don't tell him] but aside from that I haven't done much worldbuilding past the ones already mentioned in the plot! Feel free to toss your own religions in hels, it is The Land Of A Thousand Churches, and I am not nearly original enough to assume I could fill every spire.

As for the Colosseum stuff you asked about! That is definitely a possibility. At the very least, I'm sure a lot of the Colosseum fighters moonlight as personal trainers and teachers of various fighting skills, which I'm sure includes occasionally inviting people back to the Colosseum for food and drink and sparring. There's also plenty of staff that keep the day to day of the Colosseum running that aren't fighters -- everything ever invented that needs organizing needs a clerk and a guy to ask the local government for money and zoning permits.

All that said: please follow your heart about it! The rules of hels are very fast and loose. I add onto it whenever it feels fun or Most Interesting, and I expect everyone else to do likewise. This is a big sandbox and I am inviting you to play. Come build castles with me!

[carolinelikesdinner]

How the Fablehaven characters would play DND

Kendra

It's her first ever game, and she’d study the rules extensively before even trying to make a character. Takes several days for her to land on a backstory she likes. Would play a druid, either a half elf or a wood elf with a little animal companion. More into roleplay than combat and exploration, but surprisingly good at timing her actions when fighting. Takes extensive notes of each session.

Seth

Also his first ever dnd game, did NOT study the rules. Had to be told in session 0 that he couldn’t have a legendary item at level 1. Would play a rogue or a sorcerer tiefling (cause he thinks their design is the coolest). He’d min-max his stats to hell and back. His character starts out being super one dimensional with a vague backstory, but gets more fleshed out as he plays. Keeps forgetting how combat works.

Warren

Dnd veteran, has played almost every race and class but enjoys bard the most. Switches between being a player and DM constantly, but leans more towards DM. Dice goblin, will just give you dice if you ask nicely. Enjoys making lore about his campaigns, but is bad at incorporating the players' backstories into it. Super loose with the rules, if everyones having fun it’s fine. Also is weirdly good at character voices.

Vanessa

Played like one oneshot in college and hasn't touched the game since. Gets into the swing of things pretty fast, enjoys the combat and puzzles. Her character is a monk but she’d play a more unconventional race, like Yuan-Ti or Harengon. Has exactly one set of dice and doesn't see any reason to get more.

Tanu

Is a little familiar with dnd. Would play a ranger tabaxi or dragonborn, enjoys exploration a lot. The main starter of roleplay between the players. Is also the designated snack bringer.

Bracken

Never even heard of dnd before. Attempts to read the rules and only understands about 30% of it. He’d play a paladin character, maybe elf. Really confused on which dice to use at any given time. Keeps pointing out the inconsistencies between the dnd lore vs. how magical creatures actually are.

Ronodin

Has been playing since it first came out in the 70s. He’s been in a couple long term campaigns but he's mostly played one shots. Isn’t really familiar with 5e but gets used to it after a while. Plays a dark elf rogue or warlock. His character's backstory is just similar enough to his own past to get a few eyebrow raises. Fakes a good roll if he’s had a bunch of bad ones in a row.

[elfdragon12]

Transformers fans!

There are many takes in this franchise! Imagine you get to play in a continuity. Either writing official work, fanfic, playing the TTRPG, RPing with friends!

Take the characters out of it for the moment and consider... What continuity sandbox is your favorite to play in? G1 Sunbow, G1 Marvel, G2, the Japanese continuities, TFA, Beast Wars, the Unicron trilogy, Prime Wars, Aligned, IDW1, IDW2, any others I'm not thinking of right now? What universe has the lore or rules you enjoy the most?

I personally find G1 Sunbow to be the most fun. It's essentially the Wild West of Transformers! Robots play sports or perform music with humans? You got it! Traveling deep space and meeting weird other aliens? You got it! Science guy wants progeny? He can just build them! Wacky shenanigans! Serious mood! It can be pretty much anything you want it to be! There are just enough base rules that you can really just play fast and loose!

[technicallymaximumkitty]

Happy Hotel

Swap au because everyone else is!

(playing more fast and loose with the lore more than a cheetah who can’t tie their shoes plz don’t get mad at me) 

***

Emily paced back and forth wearing the carpet in the TV studio thin. 

Seven years ago Emily was a seraphim, the seraphim in charge of keeping everyone in heaven happy. She was a good girl, always played by the rules, and did her job well. 

Seven years ago for the first time in history a sinner was redeemed right in front of her eyes. 

Seven years ago she started questioning the rules she used to blindly obey.

Seven years ago she fell.

Emily was the first fallen seraphim. She was clueless and scared if not for that redeemed sinner to lose paradise in the name of helping her keep safe in Hell. 

In Hell where the naked truth, the whole truth, was before her eyes. Hell, a cesspool of crime, hate, and abuse. Where angels would fly down once a year to rake up sinners as if they were a pest infestation. Her heart bleeds for the lost sinners, even if they were awful people, most of them didn't deserve such a fate. She would have said all sinners, if Hell had not jaded her heart. 

She wanted to help sinners, they were her people now, the seraphim had made their say. Yes heaven had cast her out, but that didn't mean sinners wouldn't benefit from paradise. As much as she was upset with heaven, she knew it would be better for any wayward sinner than the cards they were dealt now.

“Any more pacing and you’ll tear a hole through the carpet.” Emily snapped out of thought. Sir Pentious. The first redeemed sinner, and her closest friend. 

“Ah yes I just, suppose I'm nervous.” She gave a lopsided smile that crossed with a grimace. Who wouldn't be? By some stroke of miracle she got an interview with 666 news and finally an audience to share her idea with, the audience of all of Hell and not just her stuffed animals and Pentious. 

“Underssstandable yesss, but you’ll do fine i'm sssure of it.” Pentious smiled making his way towards Emily, “you have practiced thisss ssspeach for ssso long now that I would ssswear you recite it in you sssleep.” He smiled, placing his hands on Emily’s shoulders. 

Nodding Emily took a deep breath, “your right, I got this!” she smiled a small twinkle returning to her eye.

“I believe in you!” he spun the ex-seraphim around giving her a gentle shove in the direction of set, cheering with the gusto of a wife sending her husband off to war.

“Oh suck it up you little-*beep*” The camera was set to commercials and the news hostess spun her chair around stretching her legs before producing a pack of gum from her bosom. Cherri Bomb, spunky myspace queen turned new hostess with a fuse as short as her name would suggest. 

“Hello there, I'm Emily!” Emily smiled, holding her hand out for a shake. The cyclops rolled her eye before popping a bubble.

“No thanks, I don’t touch preps.” Cherri spun around in her chair before propping her feet on top of the desk. Emily gave a nervous chuckle before taking a seat of her own. Emily wanted to greet the co host but they were currently walking off a bomb explosion. She had to give it to sinners, they were very restant. 

“Thank you so much for seeing me, I'm so grateful.” Emily smiled, tapping her feet on the linoleum floor. Looking across the set she could see Pentious giving two thumbs up and a fangy smile. 

“F*** you bi*** the only reason why your on here is because otherwise we hafta’ cover that dooms day s*** again.” 

“Were on in three-”

Cherri shoved Emily out of the shot and kicked her feet to the floor, “and we are back!” She plastered on a huge smile giving bear claws to the camera. “And we are here with a guest! So Emmie,”

“It’s Emily-”

“fu** off!” Emily gulped as Cherri lit up a small cherry bomb, “anyways what is this biggest breakthrough idea that’s worth all of hell knowing about!” she smiled, chuckling the bomb at her coworker. 

***

A tall blonde demon skipped down the street humming wizard of oz showtunes, as if Hell was her playground. Skidding to a halt her curiosity was piqued. A not so small group of demons stood in front of a small TV and radio store staring at a very special episode of the news. 

Oh but what could this episode be about? It must be so interesting if everyone was curious about it. 

Standing in the shadows of the sinners she smiled to herself, something told her this was more than the normal slog of Hell’s gossip. 

***

“Well I,” She gulped, scanning the crowd. Pentious smiled, waving his arms in the air. It was obnoxious but it made her feel a bit safer. “So Hell has been at the mercy of angels for centuries and it’s so, so unfair.” 

“We already know that bi***.” 

“Yes, but what if there was a way to change that?” She smiled while holding a notebook towards the camera. The lined paper was covered in crayon and stickers with a step by step plan.

“I’d say you're delusional.” Huffed Cherri Bomb.

“But there is! You can escape Hell, all you have to do is redeem yourself!” She smiled flipping the notebook page to show a doodle of a stick demon turning into a stick angel. The studio was filled with a hush silence before everyone broke into hysterical cackling.

“Redeeming yourself? What a joke! What and all we gotta do is say please and thank you and eat all our veggies? Is that it? HA! This b**** comedy gold!” Cherri cackled, spitting her gum in Emily’s face. 

Emily’s face fell, what were they laughing? This wasn't how it was supposed to turn out. “But I'm serious, I really am!” She slammed her notebook down onto the news table trying to make her voice loud enough to break the giggling fit within the studio. “I even have proof it can work!” That made everyone shut up. 

“Oh ya? What proof?” Spat Cherri. Cherri was more than willing to entertain this delusion, she was just waiting for this to be clipped for memes the next day.

“Him! The first demon to be redeemed!” Emily pointed to Sir Pentious in the crowd. Every camera and eye in the studio whipped towards the snake, a spotlight even glowing behind him. Sir Pentious froze like a deer in the headlights.

“Then why is he down here?” someone from the crowd spoke up. 

“HAHA! OMG b****! Are you for real right now?” Cherri cackled spinning in her seat kicking her feet in the air. “This is better than a HotTopic membership! KAHAHA!” She squealed. 

Emily bit her bottom lip, she didn't know if she wanted to scream or cry, she hadn't even told everyone about the hotel yet! This isn't going like it was supposed to! “I-”

“Listen b**** your cute, fu**ing adorable even,” Cherri cooed pinching Emily’s cheek before shaking the ex-seraphims face, “but if you really think any of this is real, that snake boi over there is a redeemed sinner? Give me your dealer's number!” Cherri shoved Emily to the ground by her face. Gold trickled down Emily’s face, signaling a broken nose, but nothing hurt more than everyone mocking her. She was right! She was right! Why did no one believe her? 

***

The demon tilted her head, my how amazing indeed! She was glad she made time out of her day to watch this trainwreck. Perhaps she should bid this Emily a visit?

***

Emily and Sir Pentious were chased out of the studio shortly after their segamat ended. The night was ruined! And to top it all off their bikes were stolen because of course they were! The two of them ran all the way back to the hotel they had set up. Maybe hotel was a stretch. It was a duplex house with a downstairs home and an upstairs home. They revamped the basement so it was now three-ish houses. The only reason they could even afford such a place was because they claimed the cheapest house in money launders ave. 

Pentious opened the door for Emily as she dragged herself inside. Above the kitchen was a birthday banner flipped over with WELCOME scribbled on with fruit scented magic markers. The dining table had cupcakes in the tin waiting for the new residents that were supposed to show up.

“You did your bessst Emily! You really did, it’sss not your fault that everyone was against you!” Pentious gave a weak smile before handing a cupcake to Emily. Emily sighed, setting the sweet back on the table. She knew Pentious was trying to cheer her up, she was appreciative of it, but that didn't stop the pain of her ego getting curb stomped on live television. She collapsed on the moth-eaten loveseat of the living room. 

Pentious sighed, it really wasn't her fault, this was just hell being hell. Didn't stop him from worrying for his friends' well being. Before he could get too deep into thought there was a knocking on their door. His frill popped up in surprise. Wait, did someone just-

He swung the door open with a huge smile on his face before fear overtook his face. “YOUR MAJESTY!” he shrieked, giving a salute. Emily scurried up to the door only to freeze in place herself.

There in the doorway stood the princess of Hell herself, Princess Charlie Morningstar. The most powerful demon in all of hell after Lucifer’s sudden seven years absence. “May I come in?” she smiled, raising a hand in a wave. The second time that night Pentious froze, his eyes bulging out of his skull.

“Oh yes! Yes of course!” Emily squeaked running around the kitchen trying to find a chair for Charlie to sit in.

“Oh I must say this place is far more humble than I would imagine!” She smiled taking in the sights of mold slowly growing on the ceiling. 

“I-I must say I am more than honored to have the princess here at our hotel!” Emily squeaked, “but why?” 

“Why?” Charlie smiled, spinning towards Emily before throwing her arms in the air, “because you're singing my song sister!” she grabbed Emily’s hand before twirling her, “Redemption! Redemption! Redemption! Such a marvelous idea! Consider this an investment!” 

Emily’s eyes widen with stars, “wait are you saying-”

“Emily dear, I wish to help you with your endeavors to save our people!” Charlie cheered. Every part of Emily was now vibrating, there was no way! 

“Alright before we get down to business this isn't much of a hotel now is it?” 

“Yesss I, we diden’t-” Pentious stuttered, failing to make eye contact with the princess. Charlie flashed a huge grin before waving her hands.

“Let's fix that then, shall we?” With a wave of her hands everything was bathed in a candy apple red. Charlie spun around and sang as the furniture and building shifted and cracked turning into a now fully furnished two story hotel with an ever present apple motif. 

“Amazing-” Emily and Pentious were stunned. How? Why? 

“And let us not forget about the staff now!” Charlie smiled, spinning her way to the new and approved living room turned lounge. The two followed the princess in nothing short of awe.

Charlie kneeled in front of the TV. The air started to crackle and buzz as static filled the room, as if from the ring. Charlie reached into the TV before pulling out someone. This person tumbled from the electronic system. 

This person had a TV for a head as they jumped to their feet, “who, I, were, oh!” They smiled before bowing, “Princess Charlie!” 

“Vox!” She smiled while hugging the TV.

“What has you today?” Vox smiled. Charlie grabbed him by the shoulder twirling him to be face to face with Emily and Sir Pentious.

“Hi!” Emily squealed grabbing Vox’s hand, “Im-”

“Ah Emily, Sir Pentious, hey, hey, hey!” Vox smiled, giving the two of them brush handshakes. 

“How did you?” Pentious’s jaw dropped.

“Know? Oh, I see, everything.” Vox gave a large and slightly malicious grin as his face rippled with static. 

“Oh my.” Pentious gasped, not knowing what to do with that information.

Charlie skipped her way to the kitchen being tailed by Emily, who was now filled with nothing but admiration for the princess. 

Kneeling next to the cobbards Charlie pulled out a smaller woman, who barrel rolled into the bar. Wait when did they get a bar? Grabbing the woman by the collar of their shirt Charlie smiled, “this darling is Velvette!” Velvette could have been less thrilled as she played games on her phone, the pings of candy crush filled the room. 

“Hello Velvette!” Emily smiled, only greeted with a slight hum. 

“Vox is going to be our bendtner and Velvette is going to be our maid! And now we need guests!” Charlie threw her hands into the air Emily bracing herself for something cool to happen. 

The front door swung open. “Hey’a toots.” there stood Angel Dust a fluffy spider dressed in a sparkly pink and white suit.

“Angel!” Charlie cheered, giving the spider a bear hug.

“What have you got for me now?” Angel purred.

“I just have a teensy tiny itty bitty little favor for you, please?” Charlie gave large puppy dog eyes and a pouty lip. 

“Not like I have a choice do I?” 

Charlie giggled, “your our first guest at this-” She bent backwards to face Emily, “what is this place called?” 

“Oh!” Emily gasped with stars in her eyes, “I-I don’t know.” springing herself forward Charlie was now face to face with Angel Dust again, “the Happy Hotel!” she cheered creating a sparkly rainbow with her magic.

“Charming.” huffed Angel making his way to the lobby before draping himself on the couch, “how long am I in here for?” 

“Oh! Well, until I say so.” Charlie shrugged with a large smile, “and she should be here in three, two, one-”

A loud barrage of bullets greeted everyone's ears as the left wall blew up.

“Darling!” Charlie cheered at the woman standing in the rubble of the explosion. 

“Babe!” She smiled running to Charlie as the two spun around in a huge hug.

“And guest number two, my darling dear Vaggie!” Charlie smiled. Veggie in question has a grey and pink cameo outfit with a matching, well worn helmet. The helmet had a red bow tied around the sweatband and the words born in Hell scrawled in glitter glue on the side. A few bullets stuck under the ribbon. 

“I-I can’t say i'm not grateful, Im, I'm in debt to you!” Emily smiled with tears in her eyes, “but why? What, what do you want?”

Charlie bound her way over to the ex-seraphim before grabbing her hands, “let me put this in words we all understand.” She smiled. Vaggie rolled her eyes. “Here we go-”

“~you have a dream, your here to tell about a wonderful fantastic new hotel~

~Yes it’s one of a kind, right here in hell, ment to redeem clientele~”

***

I have no clue if i'm gonna carry on past the pilot but man are my ideas buzzing; anyways more notes!

Charlie owns Angel’s souls the same way Alastor did Husk

Lute takes Emily’s place, Nifty takes lute’s place

Adam is still adam lol

Vox and alastor still have beef because I can

Alastor is known as the big three as he has control over radio, tv, and gaming

Husk is still ex overlord of gambling and is still Al’s favorite play toy

Husk is gonna pull a pentious (as in join the hotel not die!)

This was not created to spread Emily and Pentious BFF propaganda I swear-

Vaggie is a sinner 

Charlie is doing this because she genuinely want to help but everyone thinks she is sketchy probably nothing to do with lucifer's seven year abastent nooooo 

Sinner Vaggie was created based off the full metal jacket poster (haven't watched the movie) and the dirty harry music video (gorillaz, two special interests with one stone ba-BY!)

Idk if im gonna switch anyone else’s role

Sera will still be Sera and I will do Sera slander until season two and we get her tragic backstory and then I’d feel bad for the Sera slander

Cherri is a scene queen and tom trench is still bullies on set lmao

[chronurgy]

Raphael can't be Tadpoled, ceremorphosis doesn't work on devils or cambions

You're probably right in proper dnd lore, but bg3 is pretty fond of playing fast and loose with the rules when it suits them. Mizora is, after all, abducted and kept in a mindflayer pod with the intention of either implanting a tadpole into her or experimenting with whether or not it's possible to do so. Plus Wyll turns into a devil and still feels the effects of the tadpole.... So who knows what's going on there. Like I said, fast and loose with the lore. I also want to say that somewhere in the game there's a note or something that mentions these tadpoles being different, but I can't find a source on that so who knows. Uh tldr you're probably right but I do think that Gortash intended to tadpole Raphael either because he'd worked out how to do it or because he didn't know he couldn't

[manybackflips]

#1 rule of Guilty Gear lore!

If you don’t know what it is, and it isn’t human, chances are it’s a gear!

A dog? That’s a gear!

A shrimp? That’s a gear!

A dragon? Gear!

Train station???

GEAR!

Guilty Gear has always played fast and loose with its lore! Especially in the early days in which lore was based on what Daisuke found coolest at the time and what could fit into the pachinko machine!

(Heaven or) Hell, we still don’t know that much about Gears! And the entire series is based off of them! We know more about Illyrian table etiquette!