#revolutionizing the wizarding world

[catgirlforeskin]

Since Wizards of the Coast is torpedoing all the good-will they have with DnD to wring more money out of it, I want to make a guide for people who recognize they should jump ship, but don’t know alternatives.

If you’re deeply invested in DnD and want something as similar as possible, Pathfinder 2 is what you want. It’s the next biggest game in the tabletop scene (in the US), you can find physical copies in stores easily, and Paizo allows free resources online to exist without constant threat of being taken down like WotC does. It will remain free to play on any VTT while DnD will require you to subscribe to their proprietary one.

Most importantly, though, it improves on almost every aspect of DnD. Combat and class balance is extremely well thought out and makes all combats engaging and difficult in a fun way, requiring teamwork and clever thinking. Roleplay is integrated into character creation and play better, and you no longer have to choose between being good in combat or exploration or roleplay, you get to play and feel useful during all aspects of the game. It’s hard to emphasize how much better it is without just playing, if you still want something like DnD, play Pathfinder 2.

If you like high fantasy adventuring but are willing to get more out there, Fellowship and Dungeon World are good options. Fellowship is a more free-form adventure game focused on creating a cinematic experience over getting bogged-down in rules-heavy play. If you want to play a Lord of the Rings style campaign and have it feel like the movies, Fellowship is the way to go.

Dungeon World is called “Powered by the Apocalypse” which means it was inspired by Apocalypse World, an amazing ttrpg that revolutionized the scene and became the gold standard for interweaving roleplay and gameplay. Dungeon World is meant to be a bridge between DnD and indie rpgs, and it’s good for that, though there are better PbtA games. It’s a good introduction to principles like failing forward and playing to find out what happens (and hell, a good introduction to games having principles lol). There’s also an Avatar the Last Airbender licensed PbtA game that’s very good, if that’s your thing!

Speaking of licensed games, Free League Publishing sets the benchmark for rpgs built for existing intellectual properties, and while I haven’t played all of their games, I’m a big fan of what I have played. They also have independent settings, like Twilight 2000, a really good apocalypse survival game set in a collapsing warfront between an alternate-history NATO and Soviet Union as the two dying empires bring all of society down in their death spiral. I’m using it as the base for my Halo rpg, it’s very good.

Blades in the Dark is another big name in the indie scene, and for good reason. It’s a heist game that has been adapted to lots of other settings (games that say they’re “Forged in the Dark” take inspiration here) and it’s clear to see why so many have used it as a foundation once you’ve played, it’s an exciting crime procedural where you play a group of scoundrels punching above your weight and facing the consequences

There’s a million other amazing rpgs I could mention here, and I’m sure people will talk about plenty of lovely ones I’ve missed in the notes, but I think the most important thing I want to convey with this is that there’s a whole world of diverse and interesting rpgs at all levels of production, from big corporate teams to one girl with a laptop who barely knows how to make a pdf, and there’s no better time to start exploring them.

A common refrain is that DnD can be modified to do anything, but once you’ve played other rpgs you’ll see why that’s not true, and why those creative efforts would be better spent in other systems. Hacking rpgs is as old a tradition as rpgs themselves, but if the only tools you know are DnD, you’re being limited with what you can create more than you could possibly know. There’s no better time to leave this Plato’s Cave and see the beauty and wonder of the whole ttrpg scene

[thatdammchickennugget]

Whisker Me Away

pairing -theodore nott x fem!reader

warnings - non-compliance with restaurant hygiene standards, remi the rat, minor confrontation, smut, unprotected smut, semi public, this is just a silly little joke pls don't take anything I post serious, MINORS DNI

a/n - was inspired by @machiavellli sharing her böötigel blurb and decided I'm finally brave enough to share this. based on this silly request @finalgirllx got, thank you for giving me permission to write it. credit for the final line of dialogue goes to the amazing @fuckaperioddrama

request - Hiya!!!!!! Can i request a theo oneshot where he’s the head chef at a restaurant and you complain that the spaghetti and meatballs are cold and theo says he’ll come out to talk to you but you’re already shoving your way to the back and then you see him take ratatouille out of his hat and then it ends in smut? Thanksies! xx

wordcount - 1.8k

You sit at a small, candle-lit table in the corner of one of the trendiest new restaurants in Diagon Alley, frowning at your plate of spaghetti and meatballs. The atmosphere is perfect, with soft jazz playing in the background and twinkling fairy lights casting a warm glow. Everything is ideal—except your food.

You pick up your fork and take another bite, but the cold noodles and tepid meatballs only deepen your disappointment. With a sigh, you wave over the nearest server.

"Excuse me, but my spaghetti is cold," you say, trying to keep your voice polite despite your growing frustration.

The server's eyes widen, and she nods quickly. "I'm so sorry about that. I'll let the chef know right away."

You watch her scurry off toward the kitchen, and a few moments later, she returns with an apologetic smile. "Chef Nott would like to speak with you about your dish. He insists on addressing these matters personally."

You nod, but before she can finish her sentence, you’re already out of your seat, determination driving you toward the kitchen doors. If the chef wants to talk, then you'll give him a piece of your mind face-to-face.

Pushing through the swinging doors, you enter the bustling kitchen, filled with the clatter of pots and pans and the sizzle of various dishes being prepared. You scan the room, your eyes finally landing on a tall figure in a crisp white chef's coat and a tall hat. Theodore Nott.

You’ve heard about him—how he’s revolutionized wizarding cuisine with his inventive dishes and meticulous attention to detail. But right now, all you care about is the subpar spaghetti on your table.

"Chef Nott?" you call out, striding forward with purpose.

He turns to face you, one eyebrow raised in mild surprise. He’s even more striking up close, with sharp features softened slightly by a dusting of stubble and intense, deep-set eyes that seem to see right through you.

"Yes, that’s me," he replies, his voice calm and measured. "You must be the customer with the cold spaghetti."

You nod, folding your arms across your chest. "I just wanted a nice dinner, but my food is ice-cold. I hope you have an explanation for that."

The chef's lips twitch into a slight smile, and he reaches up to adjust his hat. "I do apologize for that. Let me make it up to you."

Before you can respond, his chef hat is being lifted up just a tad, and to your utter astonishment, a small rat pokes its head out. You blink, wondering if you’ve somehow wandered into a bizarre dream.

"Oh, this is Remy," Theo says, his tone casual as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. "He's quite the expert in flavors."

You gape at him, trying to process the absurdity of the situation. "Is this a joke?" you manage to ask.

Theo chuckles, the sound warm and rich. "Not at all. Remy here has a unique talent for finding the perfect balance of flavors. Let me reheat your dish and make sure it's exactly as it should be."

You watch, dumbfounded, as Remy the rat crawls out from under the hat and down the chef’s arm. The rat grabs a stirring spoon, hops over to the boiling pot on the stove and sets to work.

Chef Nott catches your wide-eyed look and grins. "I know it seems strange, but trust me, you'll love the result."

Despite your initial shock, you can’t help but be intrigued. You’ve never seen anything like this before, and the sheer oddity of it all piques your curiosity. You lean against a nearby counter, watching as man and rat move in sync to enhance your dish.

Within minutes, the tantalizing aroma of fresh herbs and perfectly cooked pasta fills the kitchen. Your stomach growls, reminding you of your hunger. The chef plates the dish with a flourish, then hands it to you with a proud smile.

"Here you go, fresh and hot. Try it now," he says, his eyes sparkling with confidence.

You take the plate and head back to your table, aware of him watching you from the door leading into the kitchen as you sit down. The first bite is a revelation—the spaghetti is perfectly al dente, the sauce rich and flavorful, and the meatballs tender and savory. It’s like tasting a masterpiece.

You glance back at the kitchen, meeting his gaze. Unable to resist, you wave him over. He approaches, his expression curious and slightly amused.

"I have to admit," you say as he stands beside your table, "this is the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had."

Chef Nott’s smile widens, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I’m glad you think so. Remy and I make a good team."

You laugh, the absurdity of the situation finally hitting you. "I never thought I'd say this, but a rat might be my new favorite chef."

He chuckles, and the sound sends a pleasant shiver down your spine. "Remy has that effect on people. But I'm glad we could turn your evening around."

You find yourself caught in his gaze, the connection between you electric. There’s something about his presence—his confidence, his passion—that draws you in.

"Thank you," you say softly, not just for the food but for the entire experience.

He steps closer and leans down to meet your gaze, his eyes darkening with an intensity that makes your heart race. "You're welcome," he murmurs, his voice low and husky.

Before you can think, you’re both leaning in, the space between you shrinking. Your breath catches as his lips brush yours, the kiss tentative at first but quickly deepening. His hand comes up to cup your cheek, and you melt into him, the warmth of his body against yours igniting a fire inside you.

When you finally pull back, you’re both breathless, your heart pounding in your chest. His eyes are dark with desire, and you know yours must mirror his.

"How about dessert?" he whispers, his lips grazing your ear.

You feel a thrilling tingle spread from where his breath tickles your skin, down to your toes. Your voice is barely more than a whisper as you reply, “I think I’d like that.”

His eyes flicker with a mix of amusement and something deeper, more intense. He takes your hand, guiding you through the kitchen, weaving expertly between bustling chefs and simmering pots. You can feel the eyes of the staff on you, but it only adds to the heady rush of the moment.

He leads you to a door at the back, pushing it open to reveal a small, dimly lit storage room. Shelves lined with jars of spices, bottles of oils, and boxes of fresh ingredients surround you. The door clicks shut behind you, and the room is filled with the intoxicating scent of the kitchen mingled with something else—something distinctly him.

Theodore turns to you, his gaze locking onto yours with a fierce intensity. Before you can say anything, he steps forward, gently but firmly pushing you back against one of the shelves. The cool metal against your back contrasts with the heat radiating from his body as he presses against you.

His lips find yours again, and this time, the kiss is anything but tentative. It’s urgent, hungry, filled with a need that matches your own. His hands roam, one tangling in your hair, the other sliding down to grip your waist, pulling you even closer.

As Theodore's hands explore the curves of your body, you feel a surge of desire wash over you, igniting a fire within. The shelves creak slightly under the weight of your entwined bodies as he lifts you effortlessly, your legs wrapping around his waist.

He carries you to the nearby countertop and with a deft movement, he pushes aside the pots and pans, making room for the both of you. You tear at his chef's apron, not caring about the buttons flying around the room as your hands roam freely over his sculpted chest, feeling the rhythm of his racing heartbeat beneath your touch.

His lips find yours once more, the kiss deepening as your bodies meld together in a primal dance of passion. Clothes become nothing more than hindrances as they are shed with urgency, revealing the raw desire that simmers between you.

With a gasp, you feel Theodore push down your panties in one swift movement, leaving you exposed completely. Your thighs tremble in anticipation of the next onslaught of pleasure. You throw your head back with a moan when his finger finally finds your sensitive clit, pushing down in gentle circles as he takes the opportunity to claim your neck with his mouth.

Your nails scrape across his scalp, his mouth sucking hard on your flesh, causing a sharp intake of air to burst past your clenched teeth. His free hand slides up to cup one of your breasts, his other now pressing insistently against your entrance, urging you to ride his finger deeper and harder. With your legs wrapped tightly around his hips and your body arching off the counter, you’re helplessly lost in the bliss, unable to hold back another soft moan.

A second finger is added, and you let out a cry, riding it out as your orgasm hits hard and fast. You only take a moment to ride out your high before your hands slide back to his chest and then further down, scrambling to rid him of his boxers.  You don't miss the hitch in his breathing as you tug the fabric of his boxers over his hips and away.

He watches you, eyes half lidded, with a slight smirk on his face. His erection springs free, and you lick your lips, eyes burning with lust and desire. He doesn't waste another second, his hold tight on your hips as he pushes himself into you.

You gasp at the sudden intrusion, a delicious shiver running down your body as he fills you to the brim. After a few moments of slow thrusting, you can no longer stand it; you need him now, you crave to have his cock buried deep inside of you, to feel that glorious tension as he explodes into you. So you grab his shoulders and pull him roughly against your breasts, your cries loud enough to be heard outside in the kitchen.

He grunts in response, his movements growing faster, rougher as he thrusts into you harder, deeper. Finally, his climax hits, and you feel him shudder against your core, his release shooting hot streaks of sensation throughout your body.

You both fall apart, gasping for breath and exhausted, panting for air. Theo lets out a deep breath, leaning back against the shelf as he watches you pick your clothing off the floor with a smirk before he says, “You can come back to rata this touille anytime.”

[drarryspecificrecsdaily]

2024.05.15

Complete fics posted on AO3 this day

Fest/Exchange

1. By the Book by Anonymous [T, 14k]

►It’s hard being Draco Malfoy: workaholic publishing professional extraordinaire. Between revolutionizing the Wizarding World and fighting with Harry Potter, his chief of staff, it makes sense Draco forgot to check if his mother filed some paperwork. Oops. Easy enough to avoid deportation by saying he’s engaged to said manager.Too bad that plan involves visiting Ottery St Catchpole, a gaggle of redheads, and defrauding the government. ★ Lights Camera Drarry 2024 | @lcdrarry

[helps-the-writing-brain-go]

Monsters Inc. AU where Billy is Boo would be so funny honestly.

Who's gonna believe Billy in his daily life anyway? Billy almost doesn't believe it, but he hopes so much it is real

He hopes even more that it's real and Kitty (Sully) is coming back for him after his parents die and he gets kicked out

Spoiler: Sully does not, unfortunately.

Billy ends up getting chosen by the wizard and is validated that yes, there are portals to other realms in Fawcett, Kitty and Mike Wazowski HAVE to be real

Billy and thus Captain Marvel now have a particular obesession with portals and interdimensional travel

This being discovered by others is ripe for misunderstandings

THEY GOTTA MEET AGAIN AT SOMEPOINT OK

Something something technology exchange

Monsters can power things off fear and laughter respectively, no fossil fuels necessary

So many applications humans can have with that!

Plus the implications given by the doors!

Travel would be revolutionized!

Monsters would have even better access to power sources!

Idk what the monsters' world is like but some parts seem fairly similar like grass trees and sky, but others could be vastly different!

Interdimensional tourism!

Batman offers to adopt Billy at some point but Billy already had a big, blue, fluffy dad!/hj

[lcdrarry]

LCDrarry 2024 Round-Up Post | Week 3

On Sundays during our posting period, we won't post a new work, instead you have time to catch up with the works that posted during the week and hopefully leave lovely comments for our creators.

Happy reading, commenting and sharing! ;)

~Your LCDrarry Mods

PS: Please have a look at the author notes and tags on AO3 for additional information. Thank you!

PPS: Please share far and wide! Thank you!!

***

Podfic

***

"The Pirc Defence" by sleepstxtic

Prompt: "The Queen’s Gambit", 2019, Scott Frank Written by: @sleepstxtic Narrated by: Anonymous Podfic Length: 01:05:00 Rating: Explicit Warnings: None

Summary: They were rivals, and they were lovers, and they were the greatest chess players of their generation. Exactly in that order.

Listen to it now on AO3.

***

Art

***

Draco's Moving Castle

Prompt: "Howl's Moving Castle", 2004, Hayao Miyazaki Prompted by: @Somethingveryodd (newskyillusion on ao3) Author: Anonymous Art Medium: Digital Rating: General Audiences Warnings: None

Summary: Art for LCDrarry2024 fest. Prompt was Howl's Moving Castle.

Read it now on AO3.

***

Fic

***

we were born to be national treasures

Prompt: "Legally Blonde", 2001, Robert Luketic Prompted by: MoonyEmilie3017 (ao3) Author: Anonymous Word Count: 4,979 words Rating: General Audiences Warnings: There is nothing triggering in the work, although it does heavily rely on the subject of needing academic validation as a woman in a patriarchal society.

Summary: Danica Malfoy is determined to study law and move forward in life. But is anything really ever that simple?

Read it now on AO3.

***

End of Beginnings

Prompt: "All of Us Strangers", 2023, Andrew Haigh Prompted by: Anonymous Author: Anonymous Word Count: 5,324 words Rating: Explicit Warnings: Canonical Character Death

Summary: As Harry and Draco start developing a relationship, Harry finds himself drawn back to the Potter house in Godric's Hollow, where his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died.

Based on the movie All of Us Strangers (2023) though you don't have to have seen it to understand the fic.

Read it now on AO3.

***

The Potters : Possessed case

Prompt: "The Conjuring", 2013, James Wan Prompted by: Anonymous Author: Anonymous Word Count: 12,039 words Rating: Mature Warnings: Horror, blood, vomiting, mention of suicide, possession, exorcism

Summary: After a lecture, Harry and Draco meet a frightened woman, telling them that her entire family is scared to death of their new house.

But Harry and Draco wanted to take a break after a traumatising case. Maybe it's just natural causes and the house isn't haunted, right?

Read it now on AO3.

***

By the Book

Prompt: "The Proposal", 2009, Anne Fletcher Prompted by: Anonymous Author: Anonymous Word Count: 14,586 words Rating: Teen and up Warnings: None

Summary: It’s hard being Draco Malfoy: workaholic publishing professional extraordinaire. Between revolutionizing the Wizarding World and fighting with Harry Potter, his chief of staff, it makes sense Draco forgot to check his mother filed some paperwork. Oops. Easy enough to avoid deportation by saying he’s engaged to said manager.

Too bad that plan involves visiting Ottery St Catchpole, a gaggle of redheads, and defrauding the government.

Read it now on AO3.

***

this strange effect

Prompt: "Killing Eve" (2018 - 2022) Prompted by: Soulmates Drarry Author: Anonymous Word Count: 30,670 words Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Violence, Blood and Injury, Assassinations, Killing Eve AU, Murder, Light Poisoning, Obsessive Behavior, Reference to past addiction issues, Presents

Summary: Harry hated his job, his cousin, and his inability to figure out how to fit into the boring, depressing world around him. He kept his peace until Draco Malfoy turned out to not be dead like Harry thought he was. Deadly, though? Harry was going to figure that out.

Read it now on AO3.

***

The Heart of the Heart

Prompt: "Howl's Moving Castle", 2004, Hayao Miyazaki Prompted by: @Somethingveryodd (newskyillusion on ao3) Author: Anonymous Word Count: 52,775 words Rating: Teen and up Warnings: None

Summary: Harry Potter’s boring routine comes crumbling down when he takes the wrong shortcut at the wrong time; he almost ends up in a brawl, gets rescued by a handsome stranger, successfully escapes sentient tar, learns to walk on air and then becomes victim to a spiteful, petty and undeserved ageing curse - and all that within a single afternoon! Now transformed into an old man, Harry decides to run away in search of a way to reverse the spell, but the path is precarious and the journey long. As he's trying to make his way through magic and treachery, danger and deceit, it's becoming abundantly clear that something more is hidden behind petty magic - something deeper and more valuable and connected all too thoroughly to what may only be classified as love.

Read it now on AO3.

***

Please help promote the fest by sharing your favourite submissions, so more people can enjoy all the amazing new Drarry works of LCDrarry. Thank you!

Creator reveals are on 15 June.

[dramioneasks]

Hey. Thanks for all the work you do for the fandom! Do you know any fics where Draco helps Hermione realize the flaws of the golden trio/griffindors/order? In a "c'mon, you're too smart to believe their shit" wat?

Riddle This By: CJRed - M, 47 chapters, Words: 177,707 - Everything Hermione knows about the war, herself, and the wizarding world is a lie. Friends become enemies, enemies become friends, and Dumbledore is not a leader of justice and light. With Snape as her mentor and a father she never expected, Hermione will ensure Harry’s survival and kick it to the ministry. Dramione. Lemons. Character deaths. Weasley Bashing. Updates weekly. (M)

Reverse - By: Lady Moonglow - M, WIP - At war’s end, Hermione is swept into the intrigue of an alternate world of opposites where Dumbledore rules as Dark Lord and Muggle technology and Dark Magic have revolutionized Britain. Light families who attempted resistance under Tom Riddle’s leadership have been left to a nightmarish fate. Can Hermione fix another shattered world - and still get back to her own? HG/DM

Thorns & Snakes - Elle_m2 - M, WIP - In the wake of their fourth year at Hogwarts, the Tri Wizards Tournament chooses Harry Potter as a champion, and life changes irrevocably for two members of the Golden Trio as Hermione finally sees her opportunity. A change of House, an hidden identity revealed, a secret powerful soul bond discovered, and Old Rituals awakening…What would have happened to the Wizarding World if Hermione Granger wasn’t who everyone thought she was?

Daughter and Son By: ekrichards - K+, 33 chapters - A new law is enacted forcing any able wizard or witch to take in muggle born students to protect them against a possible rise of the Dark Lord and his gang of Death Eaters. Warning: Manipulative Dumbledore, Dark Hermione, Harry, and Severus. Mentions of abuse.

-Lisa

[theresattrpgforthat]

THEME: Magic and Mystics

This week's games are all magical in nature, whether they be solo games, supplements, or something as big and as grand as a wizard's tower!

Tower & Town, by Ari Calix.

After years at the Mages’ College, you have finally completed your studies and acquired a tower of your own. What better use for your new arcane residence than pursuing a wizard’s favourite pastime: magical research! The College, of course, has high expectations and anticipates regular reports on your progress.

There is, however, a complication. Your new tower is far from the distractions of the city, but it’s only an hour’s walk from a small town very eager for your magical assistance. You may have plans to revolutionize magical science, but the townspeople are really more interested in your warding their chicken coops against thieving sprites.

Tower & Town is a solo RPG about a rural wizard managing their time, making friends, and changing magical scholarship forever—while trying not to be driven out by an angry mob or lose research funding.

This is a neat little game that provides you with a balancing act: keeping up on your research while also doing favours for townsfolk in order to keep you in their favor. You’ll use two skills, Arcane and Mundane, and two specialties, one that informs your magical abilities and one that demonstrates your non-magical competencies. Your Reputation exists as two tracks that will move up and down depending on your success in meeting demands. The game provides a structured set of stages to ensure your wizard will receive many requests, and there’s enough moving pieces to keep your game playing over an extended period of time - so you can play a little bit every day.

Spellchitects!, by Viditya Voleti.

You craft and design the spells and rituals that are being cast all around your world. Using your advanced knowledge of how magic is weaved, you mark out the symbols, colors, and components to craft the desired effects. 

Sometimes you make spells for customers, sometimes you make spells just for the heck of it! As Spellchitects, it’s all about experimentation, collaboration, and fun!

As a spell-crafting game, this can be a fun little exercise on its own, but it could also be a way to design a magic system for a larger game. Each player will use a variety of different-coloured writing instruments to create elements of the spell. The colour and the marking involved in the sigil will each communicate something about what the spell does. The players will also have to assign a spell component for each extra symbol invoked in the creation of the spell. 

If you bought the Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality a few years ago, you already own this game! 

Summoner’s Fate, by Rae Nedjadi.

You are STUDENTS at a Learning Institution that focuses on the esteemed and complex art of ARCANE SUMMONING. You have learned how to call upon beings to be an extension of your own will and power.

A CONFLICT has arisen, an ADVERSARY reveals themselves. The stakes are high, things are dire! You few are the only thing standing in the way, there’s no one else. You have to rise to the challenge and trust that you’ve got what it takes!

This game takes inspiration from both Spindlewheel, by Sasha Reneau, and Royal Blood, by Grant Howitt. It has a Game Facilitator, also known as Fate, as well 2-4 players. It uses a Tarot deck to determine elements of the game: the Major Arcana provide story aspects and character elements, while the Minor Arcana are used for moments of the story where your summoners will make a wager in order to overcome a challenge. Your characters can summon Powers or Daemons to help them - but doing so also means that you could lose that which you wagered, cracking or shattering one of the crystals from which you draw your power. 

If you like heavily interpretive games, or you like playing with Tarot Cards, this game might be worth checking out!

Research Arcanum, by J. Evan Nyquist.

Research Arcanum is a PbtA game about learning the secrets of a fantasy world for 2-5 players including a GM. It can be used as a supplement to augment an existing tabletop roleplaying game or played on its own to generate the academic history of an Arcanist or to plumb the mysteries of a setting’s magic.

This game is something that you could run as a one-shot inside a larger campaign to give your characters a chance to really delve into the lore of a world, or to role-play the arduous journey of tracking down a specific magical solution to an urgent problem. If you like the idea of magic being something you can study in an institution, this game will give you a chance to really explore that.

I can also see this game being easily hacked into a sci-fi setting as well! Instead of a wizard university, your characters may be seeking information from an alien repository or a Jedi library. Just make the sources places like The Library Planet or Xritex, an alien researcher, and spheres things like Warp Travel, Robotic Intelligences, and Twi’lek Culinary Techniques. 

Wizard Pals, by Tadhg Lyons.

The world is a wretched place, and life is awful. Thankfully, You Are Magic, and even better, you can Do Magic, and it rules. Anyone can be a Wizard, and a Wizard can be anyone.

Wizard Pals is a lighthearted TTRPG/collaborative storytelling game in which every hero is a mysterious and magically powerful being known as a Wizard. To play, you need some pals of your own, some 12-sided dice, and an adventurous spirit. The game itself is easy to learn and approachable, open-ended and chaotic, and perfect for new TTRPG players and veterans alike.

In Wizard Pals, the colour of your robes denotes your area of expertise, your Signature Spells are powerful but require a re-charge, and all of you will go upon a quest to complete a Wizardly Task! There is so much room to make this game as goofy as you like - it’s hard to keep a straight face when one of your wizards is a frog in a top hat, or an ominous floating orb. 

There’s a number of mechanics that remind me of other games, including two abilities and a target number that you must roll under or over, similar to Lasers & Feelings. (The game uses d12s, which is what makes it slightly different!) However, when you’re in combat, your characters will be rolling using something akin to attack and defense, with a stat layout that you have to assign to both. 

This game comes with two supplements: The Bastard of Undertower, and The Haunting of Hobble. These are adventures that a GM can lead the characters through, which is great if your game master wants a little guidance, or just less prep to do. 

What’s So Cool About Street Magick?, by Vincent Quigley. 

So what IS so cool about Street Magick ?  Well... It's a micro-rpg where you play people that have shed the burden of banality and that yield terrible magick for it.  It's a game about the homeless, the vagrant, the people that tend to become invisible in our regular boring ass lives. 

It's a game about finding the fantastic within the rotten. 

It's a game that will need you to make your own. 

This is a simple hack of What’s So Cool About Outer Space?, about magic users on the streets. Follow rumours and fight of arcane threats that nobody else seems to care about. You have power now, but a happy ending isn’t going to just fall in your lap - you’ll have to fight for it. 

This game uses just d6’s and a bunch of imagination. I’d love to see this game in combination with a city-builder, such as I’m sorry did you say street magic, by Caro Acercion, or What is Here? by Matthew Gravelyn. I love the idea of creating a city and then exploring it - it gives me a lot of the same vibes as Urban Shadows or World of Darkness, but with less fiddly bits or chapters of lore.

[capriddle]

I really think that the wizarding world would have been much improved if Voldemort (and consequently Bellatrix) had been on the side of good. Voldemort is brilliant, for example he could have explained how he managed to fly without a broom, which would have revolutionized travel. Bellatrix on the other hand is a great witch and she would have been much loved and respected, similarly to Minerva.

[astarab1aze]

✘✘✘ ⸻ ❝ Starlight, star bright, get fucked and die right. ❞

independent fandomless original multimuse blog. selective & mutuals only. multiship & multiverse. 18+, as blog can and will contain triggering & explicit material. please read rules & about before interacting ✦ est. 2023. burned by taro ⸻⸻⸻⸻ CARRD ✦ aesthetics ✦ aesthetics ii ✦ lore ✦ memes ✦ music ✦ opens for all muses & information, character-specific headcanons, and other things, please click here ; lore: main verse // fantasy verse ⸻⸻⸻⸻ homies & good blogs ♥ @maljefe / @sondrstory / @elysiumtouched / @gloryundimmed / @gyofukuki / @origami-assassin / @melancholymirth / @ofoccultism / @divinezenin / @stanislawkowalski / @elysian-noctuary / @lured-into-wonderland / @mamoritxi / @nvrcmplt / @malafxde ( rules under the cut for easy access. )

✾ Mun

hello.!! call me taro. my pronouns are they/them, and i am 25+. i’ve been roleplaying off and on for about 18 years. my waking life is busy, so i won’t always be here. i have 5 pets and a big family (i'm married + have children). i prefer writing original characters to canon characters. i live in the midwest usa. there are two things in this world i can’t live without: green tea, hot cheetos, and emotionally wrecked men. oh, and i’m nerdy as hell. if you have any questions or just wanna chat/plot, i’m always open, if a little awkward and slow at times.!!

✾ Blog

 ⸻Disclaimer.

mun =/= muse. writing about something =/= condoning it. i am mixed-race and lgBT, if that matters to you. otherwise - all of my muses here, especially loux and sortia, are horrible people and absolutely not for the faint of heart. loux and sortia are highly dangerous criminals despite outward appearances, and will likely not care about your muse(s) so as to further their own ends. loux is a bit more flexible, capable of kindness and attachment, but sortia is absolutely not - and both are unafraid of the consequences of their actions. vayn, on the other hand, is a sweetheart, but he's highly inappropriate, meaning he will probably try to come onto your muse(s). he's very flirtatious and a bit handsy. furie is a religious oracle, but he doesn't talk much - still willing to commit murder and blasphemy. hydre is a wild card, unpredictable, and is inherently cannibalistic as well as the harbinger of the wizard apocalypse. asuka is highly inappropriate, wild, and strangely pure, and will probably put up with anything your muse does to them except breaking their heart (because that will kill them, literally). kaede is a self-harmer and sometimes very difficult to handle, both emotionally and physically, and will often throw himself into danger. crovita is a government agent specialized in a wide range of things, and is probably the most normal of them all despite all the line-crossing she's done in her work. viresca, though helpful and generally good, is on a bit of a warpath herself and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty in process. interactions with them could probably go off the rails.  

important addition: as an aside, pop culture has a noticeable influence on my lore (ex. dumpster fairies from wwdits, beholders from d&d, botchlings & drowners from the witcher, arthurian legend, various mythos, the list goes on). i am not shy about this. while i do borrow, i try to put a little bit of my own spin on things, but there isn't much revolutionizing going on here. maybe subversion, maybe flagrant cliches, but everything on this blog is meant to have a sort of 'melting pot' vibe with both original and existing-in-media ideas all mixed together. the world itself is like... baldur's gate, the witcher, true blood, and hp had a weird baby together, best way i can put it.

 ⸻Content.

i don’t shy away from disturbing/gory/traumatic topics. i don’t see it as a moral failure to write it. fiction is the safest possible way to explore our fears, interests, catharses, and concerns regardless of whether it's done properly or not. that being said, there are some things i won’t write: minor/adult, graphic noncon, and incest outside of backstories and such. otherwise, i’m very flexible and find darker or taboo subjects worth exploring creatively - zero judgments here. all triggering content will be tagged as ’____ /’, and erotic content will be tagged as ‘nsft /’. needless to say, this is a 18+ only blog. i will not interact with anyone under the age of 18, 21+ is my preference. as an aside, a lot of my writing will focus on themes of immorality / amorality, drug use / trafficking, poaching, enslavement and imprisonment, murder, extreme ambition, tunnel vision, sex, gore, allusions to sexual assault (backgrounds), manipulation, general criminal activity, necromancy, blood magic, experimentation, cannibalism, human sacrifice, occasional body horror, negative & positive character development, toxic relationships, obsession, family trauma - things like that. but i’m more than happy to write silly and lighthearted things as well. i do love some sweet fluffy goodness! 

 ⸻Posting.

all interactions are mutuals only. i’m not the fastest writer, don't always have muse, and will take my time for serious threads. it may take me a few weeks to over a month, sometimes a fair bit longer, from time to time to reply to a thread or answer an ask. on occasion, i may go haywire on the dash and disappear into the night, but i will always be using my queue. i tend towards multi-para, but will do one-liners or simpler, shorter-lengthed threads. pretty sure i’m using the beta editor as well. oh! i regularly delete my OOC posts, so you won’t have to worry too much about dash clutter in that respect. i tend toward inbox memes, so you may see more of those than other things.

 ⸻Communication.

i’m just a little bit on the awkward & shy side and may have a hard time reaching out for plotting at first. what i do to mitigate this is generally interact with posts and send in icebreaker asks. i’ll also reblog plenty of memes and my interest check so that there’re always opportunities to get things going. that being said, much as i love, love to gush and plot and just overall have a good time chatting about our muses, it’s sometimes hard for me to maintain conversations or even start them, even if we've been writing together for a while or were just in the middle of a discussion as i get overwhelmed from time to time and need to take breaks; it is not intentional to leave anyone hanging. which i try to compensate for with other interactions (asks, comments, etc.) until i have the brain power. all i ask is that you be patient with me, because i certainly do not mean to leave you hanging or feeling like i'm not interested! you're free to poke me any time!

 ⸻Shipping. 

big fan, big time. you will see a lot of this on this blog and i make no apologies for it. i think it's weird that people hate shipping on the shipping website. i love complicated romances, desperate reunions, all things smutty, toxic relationships, platonic relationships, found family, mentor/student (platonic), plain old friendships - very open to the topic. communication but mostly chemistry are needed for romantic shipping, as i want my partners to be just as enthused as i am and for the muses to be on the same page. i’ll ship with anyone if the vibe’s right. if you want to ship, just let me know! i'm sure we can figure something out.

smol quick guide:

asuka: thoughtlessly dives into all relationships

crovita: one-night stands, slow-burns, high stakes

faith: all arounder, great for ONS, FWB, slow-burn, hurt/comfort, trauma bonds

furie: great for slow-burns and enemies/rivals to lovers

hydre: speedrun having your heart broken & eaten on nightmare mode (not impossible, but about as difficult as sorti)

kaede: great for slow-burns, one-night stands, really all relationships

keres: gentlemanly, hardwired for slow-burns & generally intense relationships

loux: great for one-night stands & casual relationships, though there is potential for something deeper

mharra: if you're into the mostly strong & silent types with attitudes, he's the guy for you; best for slow-burns

nishka: sort of a normie, just needs time and patience

rivyn: best for slow burns, enemies/rivals to lovers, high stakes

satra: lines between friend & lover are blurred; great for slow-burns, one-night stands, idiots to lovers, etc

sortia: extremely difficult to even get her to give the time of day; very picky

vayn: the sweetest of peas and will dote on your muse eternally from the word go

viresca: awkward and detached, but can be easily wooed; great for slow burns

⸻Verses. 

this blog is multiverse, though my original verses will be the primary so this blog will be mostly crossover. i like to try new things and plug my ocs into all sorts of universes - it broadens the understanding and depth of a character. i’m happily oc, crossover, au, and canon friendly, so if you want to do things in a different verse, i’ll make one if i don’t have one already! 

 ⸻Godmodding. 

so long as we talk about it before hand or it advances the thread, i don’t particularly care about godmodding or powerplaying. it just has to make sense for our plot. my muses are strong, but there are others who are stronger - and crueler - and i won’t ignore that if the power scale is such. your muse can overpower mine? dope, they should, actually! but by this same token, do not underestimate my muses or go in assuming they're weak.

 ⸻Drama/News/Triggers.

i block tags/posts. if there’s something i don’t want to see, i will simply not see it, no matter what it is, be it the news, internet beef, or things that make me feel like ass for one reason or another. i don’t engage with any of that stuff; i have a personal blog for that sorta thing. also, i do not have any written or visual triggers - except for maggots.

important addendum: do not approach me with anon hate, which i suppose is a moot point to make since people who send it in won't have looked at my rules anyway, but even so - do not approach me with such negativity. i will assume the worst of you and any point you're trying to make, however right or wrong you are, will be entirely discarded as nonsense. i do not care what your problem is; it's none of my business and i have bigger and more important things to worry about. speak to me like an adult or don't speak to me at all.

[dhr-ao3]

Hymn of the Crescent Moon

Hymn of the Crescent Moon https://ift.tt/JtuQLrw by Mayaddie Fourteen years after the war, Voldemort is history, and social media has revolutionized the wizarding world, where pureblood supremacy is (mostly) a relic of the past. Hermione Granger, now a career woman grappling with the monotony of daily life, finds herself yearning for more excitement and true fulfillment. Her close-knit group of friends, whom she considers her chosen family, all seem to be stuck in the same rut. But everything changes when Hermione becomes the confidant of an anonymous account on Mystigram that claims to be some kind of vigilante.. This mysterious figure sends her cryptic messages, accusing the Golden Trio of hypocrisy and threatening to expose dark secrets about those involved in the last Wizarding war and those who fought in it. As she digs deeper, Hermione uncovers a sinister plot within the Ministry of Magic. Determined to root out the corruption, Hermione embarks on a dangerous journey that puts her life at risk. With the support of her chosen family, she faces perilous challenges and uncovers shocking truths. In the process, she might just change the world once more and rediscover the meaning of life and love. Words: 2944, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Fred Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Narcissa Malfoy, George Weasley, Luna Lovegood Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott/Pansy Parkinson, Hermione Granger/Blaise Zabini, Hermione Granger/Theodore Nott, Hermione Granger/Charlie Weasley Additional Tags: Ron Weasley Bashing, BAMF Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy is Bad at Feelings, Sex God Draco Malfoy, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Single Parent Draco Malfoy, Single Parent Pansy Parkinson via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/72qCWEB July 19, 2024 at 06:20AM

[twelvemonkeyswere]

Pratchett & JK Rowling

When Terry took exception publicly to a profile of Rowling in Time magazine for its reductive attitude to fantasy writing in general, it was reported as if his beef were with Rowling rather than with the article in Time magazine. But ‘Pratchett Attacks Rowling’, as the BBC website reported it, was always going to be a more alluring headline than ‘Pratchett Attacks Piece in Time Magazine’. For Terry the greater indignity was now quite regularly being asked whether Hogwarts (founded 1997) was the inspiration for Hogswatch (founded 1976, in Dark Side of the Sun) or whether the bespectacled boy wizard Ponder Stibbons (born 1990, in Moving Pictures) was any kind of tribute to the bespectacled boy wizard referred to by Terry in his tour report as H*rry P*tt*r.fn5 Equally irritating was seeing Rowling casually credited with ‘revolutionizing’ the ‘hitherto moribund’ world of fantasy fiction. On the BBC, Andrew Marr immortally introduced Terry by suggesting that he was ‘following in the footsteps of Philip Pullman and J. K. Rowling’. Terry was bound to bristle, during this period of intense and culture-tipping Pottermania, and wonder what had happened to his own footprints. Behind the scenes, though, magnanimity prevailed – albeit that it sometimes appeared to be magnanimity of a quietly smouldering kind. Terry wrote to Rowling to congratulate her on replacing him at the top of the pile, asking her in the letter whether she had ‘had the moment yet’, before explaining that for Terry ‘the moment’ had come in the lavatory cubicle of a first-class cabin on a transatlantic flight, when he had looked at his reflection in the mirror and thought to himself, ‘Why me?’ It wasn’t, perhaps, the most gushing of tributes. It was, in fact, a little thorny – a faintly Roman-style reminder for the victor, in this moment of glory, that luck always plays its part. But you would have to say that it was at least honest, and even sympathetic. Terry and J. K. Rowling were later together at an event in Edinburgh during the Festival and bowed to each other graciously across the room. They also had a brief but entirely convivial exchange, at the end of which Rowling apologized for needing to leave. ‘You’ve probably got to sign off on a Harry Potter toilet roll holder,’ suggested Terry. Rowling laughed. ‘Terry,’ she said, ‘you have no idea.’ However, for all the discomforts, smaller and larger, around being nudged off the uppermost perch, it’s possible that the experience galvanized Terry to some extent – that it was perhaps even liberating. Number one status clearly wasn’t coming back any time soon; that was no longer his burden to fret about. He had been there, and had nothing to prove in that regard. So maybe he was a little freer than he had been to please himself. It was certainly the case that he now embarked upon a sequence of books unlike any he had attempted before.

[favemusiclessons]

Understanding Pinball Wizard

Tommy is an... interesting project, with a complicated legacy. It's a challenging, fascinating work, and it revolutionized the music world by introducing the concept of the rock opera, with a long, interconnected narrative running through the album, the narrative itself certainly raises some eyebrows. That legacy and complexity have meant that, while Tommy is remembered for its historical importance, the actual music on it has mostly not survived in pop culture in the same way as other important albums of the time, with one glaring exception.

[takeariskao3]

What do you dislike about the epilogue? And if you could change the epilogue, what would it look like?

woah loaded question (but totally valid) please know that this is my opinion and if you do not agree with me your opinion is just as valid. i’m not trying to argue with anyone. i’m just sharing my thoughts…

there are two ways to look at my disdain for it… structurally and personally. structurally, it’s way too far in the future. the function of an epilogue is to *end* the narrative and nothing about it actually had anything to do with the overall story. in fact it starts a new story (which don’t even get me started on cursed child) basically, it was just fluff to show a happy ending? which some people like!! they are totally justified in liking it!! but … in my opinion … structurally it really is completely unnecessary.

now personally, i don’t like the timeline it lays out, i don’t like that everyone had kids in their early twenties, i don’t like that harry named his kid albus severus, i don’t like that jkr used it as a spring board to make a whole bunch of post canon edits and where are they nows, i really really don’t like that now those post canon edits are now canon. tell me in the text where it says ginny retired from quidditch to be a stay at home mom. tell me in the text where hermione single handedly revolutionizes the ministry. tell me in the text where ron takes a step back to help run the joke shop. in my opinion, once a story is over the author should let it go and give it to the readers to decide what happens next. confirming and denying head canons after the fact is just stupid.

so it doesn’t sit well with me. it never has. even when i finished the book the day after it came out when i was seventeen. i thought the tone of it was wrong and honestly a bit patronizing… we went on this whole journey with these characters where we learned how to love and fight and be loyal … and then we got a little pat on the head at the end like see? everything works out and you don’t have to fight anymore and you end up happily married with kids.

i think i’ve said this a few times but i don’t like easy answers in fiction. it feels disingenuous. and after a series that largely didn’t shy away from hard feelings, to me the epilogue just felt like an easy answer.

if i were writing the epilogue it would be one year later and it’d detail how far the wizarding world had come and how far they still had to go. it’d show grief and growth and aftermath of the damn war. it would end the narrative.

[shivamthakrejr]

Sachin Dev Duggal | Impact of AI surge - greater sales and better

In the continuously advancing realm of real estate, developers are embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a groundbreaking tool to enhance their sales tactics. The reason behind this adoption is the highly competitive market where every square foot plays a crucial role, necessitating innovative and efficient approaches.

Currently, the AI revolution is reshaping numerous sectors to mold our society. Pioneering AI entrepreneurs, such as Ali Farhadi, Co-Founder and CEO of Xnor.ai, Sachin Dev Duggal chief wizard of Builder.ai, Hassan Murad, and Founder of Intuitive, Inc., are leading the way for entrepreneurs who choose to utilize AI to revolutionize their businesses.

[lcdrarry]

15 May 2024 | LCDrarry Fic

By the Book

Prompt: "The Proposal", 2009, Anne Fletcher Prompted by: Anonymous Author: Anonymous Word Count: 14,586 words Rating: Teen and up Warnings: None

Notes: It takes a village... Thank you dear Anonymous prompter. I tweaked a few things from your prompt to give it a bit of a fresh spin from other The Proposal AUs, and I hope you like it.

Special thanks to S, who kept me sane, encouraged me to keep going even when I was sick and read this for me in the 11th hour. And thank you to the LCD Discord and Mods for creating such a wonderful fest environment.

Warning: this fic is not accurate at all when it comes to the publishing industry or UK visa issues.

Summary: It’s hard being Draco Malfoy: workaholic publishing professional extraordinaire. Between revolutionizing the Wizarding World and fighting with Harry Potter, his chief of staff, it makes sense Draco forgot to check his mother filed some paperwork. Oops. Easy enough to avoid deportation by saying he’s engaged to said manager.

Too bad that plan involves visiting Ottery St Catchpole, a gaggle of redheads, and defrauding the government.

Read it now on AO3.

Please help promote the fest by sharing your favourite submissions, so more people can enjoy all the amazing new Drarry works of LCDrarry. Thank you!

Creator reveals are on 15 June.

[littledreamling]

Ten Books To Know Me

Rules: 10 (non-ancient) books for people to get to know you better, or that you just really like.

I’m considering myself tagged by @that-banhus and @fancy-rock-dove!! I sadly suffer from Gifted Kid Burnout Syndrome currently engaged in a very time-consuming course of study which means I haven’t read a single book from cover to cover in about two years (and I stayed in the YA genre for far too long because it’s easy brain candy) so I’m sorry to say that none of mine will be fancy or sophisticated or longer than about 300 pages. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reminiscing back on some of my childhood favorites that shaped me and some of the series that sustained me throughout my life since!

The DragonKeeper Chronicles Series by Donita K. Paul - I wasn’t raised religiously but I devoured these books like there was no tomorrow. I adored Kale and Bardon and Dar and their whole host of dragon friends (Wizard Fenworth my beloved). If you can stomach or ignore the fairly obvious Christian themes, I highly recommend them for a bit of brain candy.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - this was the first classic book I ever read and it captivated me endlessly. It was the only school book I actually finished and enjoyed. Stories within stories, creator vs creation, voyages that you undertake knowing that you can never go home, this book has it all.

The All For The Game Series by Nora Sakavic - this series comes with a pretty heavy trigger warning for anyone interested in reading it. Centered around a made up sport and a kid on the run from the mafia, it’s dark and intense and drew me in like no other series ever has. Fans of the series will often proudly proclaim that the books make no sense, that the made up sport is confusing at best (absolutely incomprehensible at worst), and that not enough trigger warnings in the world will prepare you for what you’re about to dive into and I fully endorse all three statements. I also fully believe that these books helped me revolutionize how I view relationships between traumatized people (relationships that may not seem healthy to those not involved but are built on a strong foundation of trust and consent), how a good story should end, and showed how healing looks different for everyone. It’s not a book series I recommend lightly but I wholeheartedly recommend it. Proceed with caution.

Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo - I couldn’t ever get invested in the Shadow and Bone series, but I couldn’t put SoC down. Even now, I can’t explain why it enthralled me so much except to say… morally grey characters are hot, no matter what gender they are 👀

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater - rounding out the trio of book series that are often mentioned in the same breath (AFTG, SoC, and TRC), The Raven Cycle is a fabulous series centering around four rich boys and the girl who had always been taught to hate them. There’s magic and prophecies and car racing and an enchanted forest and ghosts. It’s a very rich story so every read-through gives up more secrets than the last time you flipped through it.

The Genome Odyssey by Euan Angus Ashley - A sharp veering turn from the previous books, this book helped to shape my passion in my (hopefully) future career. It tells the story of the genome, from its discovery to present day, and how it’s been used to diagnose previously unheard of and incurable genetic diseases, saving countless lives in the process. The author personally worked on every project detailed in the book and every chapter packed such an emotional punch that I had to put it down several times. A must-read if you need to be reminded just how good humanity can be.

The Martian by Andy Weir - This is a relatively recent addition to my ‘favorite books’ shelf but I read this like my life depended on it. I laughed, I cried, and my faith in humanity was restored. I was raised with the same style of dry wit and dark humor that the main character uses to keep his hopes and spirits up while trapped on Mars so reading his inner thoughts often felt like I was catching a glimpse into my own head. I know I’m late to the bandwagon but better late than never. A fantastic book that deserves a reread in the near future (as soon as I have time 😅)

Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby - When a queer couple is killed, their homophobic ex-con fathers meet at the funeral and vow to find who killed their sons. Over the course of their journey for revenge, they start to better understand their sons, each other, and themselves. A book about healing overcoming repression and toxic masculinity.

Redwall by Brian Jacques - an oldie but a goodie. Oh to be a small mouse eating fresh-caught fish and defending your abbey against rats. Every single detail of this story was so masterfully laid-out and described. Reading the first scene never fails to make me hungry and the entire book sweeps you away from beginning to end.

Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill - I had to sprinkle in some poetry to the list. This is an anthology of poems written during the Covid lockdown detailing the author’s struggle with despair and eventually finding hope again, even in the most mundane of scenarios. It carries a strong message of positivity while stressing the importance of allowing yourself to feel “negative” emotions too. An excellent read for any poetry fans open to free verse or anyone struggling with their own despair.

As always, I’m not sure who to tag so I’m throwing it open to @aquilathefighter, @virgo-dream, @mathomhouse-e, @ladymegana, and the rest of the Dreamling Nation server! Please tag me, I need book recs!