#shae: exists

[coffee-system-uwu]

How am I supposed to exist in a world where the foxes don't exist?

Cruel cold world...

[fazcinatingblog]

Why is there a random guy doing that shaka hand gesture, only in Hawaii amirite

[cryoexorcist]

'Examine' + one of Chongyun's ships!

EXAMINE MEME

Xiao is standing in place, glaring expectantly at you. For anyone else, the expression would be threatening, a warning to back off, but you know slightly better. No mistake, the glare is still intended to be a warning to hurry up and keep up with him, but you also know it's just business. There is no time for romance or special affection when out on the field.

The fight and battle doesn't matter. It never does. because you know that come later, when you're patching yourself up, Xiao is going to scoff and claim he doesn't need assistance, even when he has an arrow sticking out of his arm. You'll watch him stand with his arms crossed, ignoring any pain, while critiquing you on your form, but you'll recognize that the words also come with an undertone of something more gentle. Xiao sucks at hiding it as much these days, especially when the two of you are alone.

You'll bite him, and he'll end up marking you up and down as the two of you share an intimate moment together. You'll also pluck that damned arrow from his arm and snap it in half. Xiao needs to be better about recognizing pain, but you're not exactly in a position to lecture him yourself.

Right now, he's waiting for you. You mentally shake yourself and pick up your claymore as you walk toward him with an eager smile on your face. You search his eyes for something a little softer, but there's nothing there. Not yet, at least.

But there's always time for that after the battle.

"Let's go," you say, wagging your tail with excitement. When Xiao teleports away, you give chase.

[moiraimyths]

Howdy, fateful friends! Are you an artist or illustrator with an interest in visual novels?

If so: Moirai Myths, creators of the visual novel The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe), are in need of guest artists! More specifically, we're looking for up to two artists to help us with the content graphics ("CGs") for Maeve and Shae's upcoming routes. All of the details will be listed on our application form (linked below), but here is the gist:

This is paid work with 20-30 business day deadlines per piece!

Complicated revisions in the post-sketch phase are compensated!

You will be prioritized for future guest artist opportunities!

You will be featured/credited on Moirai Myths' website and in the game itself!

Sound interesting? If so, apply here:

Click under the cut for some F&Q 👇

Who are you? (I'm new here!)

Hi! We're Moirai Myths: a small, newish visual novel company based out of Canada. We're making a game inspired by mostly Irish mythology, which was funded on Kickstarter in 2023! Our game's got fairy politics, a diverse cast, a Gaeilge-to-English translation tool, and routes that can be played either romantically or platonically! Also horses. An ungodly amount of horses, really.

If that odd pitch sounded intriguing, perhaps you'd like to play our demo! It's free on Steam & Itch.io.

Why are you looking for guest artists?

When we originally launched our Kickstarter, the plan was to have our three in-house artists collaborate on the CGs in the same way our header image was. However, we quickly realized that adding CGs, even if they're done collaboratively, onto the existing duties of our artists was a tall order. Add to that the departure of our original sprite artist (who has since been replaced by our graphic designer), and we determined that having our in-house team work on CGs was simply not possible if we still wanted our first release to happen in 2024. So, rather than omitting CGs or adding them in at a later time, we came up with the idea of hiring guest artists. Overall this means our CGs will be a bit more varied in terms of art style, but we like to think of this as a positive! NDM's development will take a number of years to complete in full, so we hope our CGs will allow us to feature a lot of artists either within the VN/indie dev community already, or artists who aspire to work in gaming and are looking for entry positions.

How long will applications remain open for?

This application will be open until Sunday, March 24 at midnight (EST)! If we intend to extend past that deadline, we'll make an announcement about it.

I can't apply right now. Will you look for more CG guest artists in the future?

Definitely! As mentioned, NDM will take a while to develop in full, so this is by no means your only opportunity to apply. That being said, we suspect we're going to end up shortlisting a number of artists over the course of this application period, and we intend to keep a list of all the runners-up. So, even if you won't be able to participate this time, it might be a good idea to apply anyway just to remain in our contacts! Either way, this will not be the last time we have apps.

Will you be looking for guest artists outside of CGs?

Maybe! We already have two guest artists (Nefukurou and Madi Funk) working on sprites and CGs respectively, so it's always possible that we'll have other artistic needs later down the line. Likewise, we may also reach out to past guest artists for future work with us, whether it's on this game or something else!

You say we need to sign an NDA. What does that entail?

The non-disclosure agreement essentially means you will be legally unable to publicly disclose any confidential information you become privy to as a result of working with us. This would include personal information about the developers, as well as spoilers from the game itself. In addition do this, you will be expected to sign over the IP and copyright of any artworks you produce for us.

Can I still use my artworks in portfolios, even if I don't own the copyright?

Yes! We'd only ask, if your portfolio is a website, that you wait to do so until after your art has been made public by us, either on our social media or via the publication of the game. Our first release is anticipated to happen later this year, most likely mid-autumn.

How do you guys feel about AI? Do you intend to use it, or would you ever train an AI off of the artworks whose copyright you own?

No.

Making a game is expensive and time-consuming, but AI is no replacement for human artistry. We fundamentally believe that any advancements in AI should be used for the purpose of giving people more time to make art, not take away opportunities for it. Moirai Myths will never, ever use AI or train an AI off your work.

***

If you've got any more questions for us that we didn't think to include here, feel free to send us an ask!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

📣 What to Read After Watching: Nimona 🎞️

🩷 I stumbled upon She-Ra and the Princesses of Power from creator, showrunner, and executive producer ND Stevenson in 2018 and never looked back. It was one of the few projects, let alone animations, I ever watched that so blatantly flipped the script by highlighting inclusivity without needing to say it outright. Queerness was simply a way of human existence; representation mattered but didn't need to be outrightly defined. Again, ND Stevenson has flipped the script, this time by bringing his webcomic from page to screen. The story became an outlet for Stevenson to express his own nonconforming gender identity. The shape-shifting title character, Nimona, is a stunning example of unapologetic transness and gender fluidity, again, without needing to say it outright. If you haven't watched it yet, Nimona is now available on Netflix, with the original comic available online and in stores.

🩷 If you HAVE seen it and adored Nimonia's punk-pop chaos, don't worry; there's plenty more where that came from! Here are a few options you should consider reading after watching Nimona!

🩷 The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag 🩷 Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker 🩷 CosmoKnights by Hannah Templer 🩷 The Night Eaters by Marjorie Liu 🩷 Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Gus Allen, and ND Stevenson 🩷 Save Yourself! by Bones Leopard 🩷 Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley 🩷 Moonstruck by Grace Ellis and Shae Beagle 🩷 Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

[groundrunner100]

Vote away, my fellow fans of honor-simping, flying bucket heads!

[restitutor-orbis]

Me, defending Daenerys Targaryen: Her existence is meant to break the shackles that is often associated with Targaryen madness and tyranny. Just as Aegon the Conqueror came and reshaped Westeros, Daenerys is meant to do that and go further. Aegon did not radically changed the dynamics of the Seven Kingdoms, though his and his sisters' unification did lead to a lessening of yearly wars that the kingdoms were often associated with, but Daenerys goes beyond that. She seeks to dismantle ancient institutions that keep man enslaved and submissive--she is a revolutionary. Attempts to degrade her actions against slavery should be taken under suspicion, for no other character calls for greater reform, not even the common-born Davos. Daenerys' Meereen arc is meant to display the reality of leadership, something which male characters such as Tyrion, Robb, and Jon deal with, to a variety degree of success and failure. Yet, only Daenerys and her actions are held to higher scrutiny, meanwhile Tyrion, Robb, and Jon's fates all occurred by their own choices and actions - Tyrion actively maintained Shae at court, and though he meant well, pulled political blunder when he threatened Cersei, even though it was a noble cause to defend Alayaya; Jon's choice to remain reclusive regarding his designs weakened his overall support in the Night's Watch, especially as he received it under very peculiar situations. Meanwhile, there is less focus on the community about those political blunders and consistent critiques regarding Daenerys' actions, and given the show's canonization of Jon as a "legitimate" son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, any nuance toward her and her potential claim to the Iron Throne is often discarded and forsaken as Jon is considered the "rightful" heir to many members of the fandom. Referring to her as the potential mad queen not only fails to recognize that Daenerys likely is meant to break the common traits of her kin, but also simply ignores the parrallels between Cersei and Aerys. Having two mad queens is reductive, and ignores Martin's anti-misogynistic attempts through Daenerys. The Dance of Dragons only occurred because of misogyny, not because Rhaenyra herself was unfit to rule. That is meant to be something in which Daenerys is expected to break.

Me, defending Queen Marika the Eternal: Yes, she committed multiple cases of genocides...but she was a hot MILF while doing it, soooo

[agentrouka-blog]

I also believe Littlefinger was never in love with Catelyn. He is as you say is acting out a fantasy and that fantasy is young Cat, the girl with whom he grew up and wanted to marry but not the actual woman i.e Catelyn who is married to Ned. The show murked this emotion from Baelish's POV when they had him propose marriage to Cat in second season whereas in the books Cat and Petyr never cross paths after she departs from KL. I don't think he had any intention of wanting Catelyn back and probably has realised that ship has sailed after she is married to Ned with five children which is why the "fantasy enactment" angle is truer for him and his relationship with Sansa. In fact he asked for her hand in marriage just after she becomes a political hostage. Catelyn is still alive at this time of the plot and nothing about the Red Wedding has taken motion.

I agree.

Edmure had called on him as well, but Petyr had sent him away. Her brother had acted as Brandon's squire at the duel, and Littlefinger would not forgive that. (AGOT, Catelyn VII)

Why on earth would Littlefinger forgive Catelyn, then? She gave Brandon her favor for that duel, never visited him while he was recovering, and she never replied (or even read) the letter he had sent her after Brandon's death. She moved on as if he didn't matter - because he didn't matter.

Littlefinger is taking his vengeance on the entirety of Houses Tully and Stark, and Catelyn is part of both. He destroys her family, reacts not at all to her death. He has not loved Catelyn in a long time. He probably never really did. She was always part of a fantasy of belonging in a world he was only visiting as a ward. His "love" is as twisted as Lysa's.

His desire to reenact his childhood love fantasy with Sansa (like Tyrion does with Shae over Tysha, like Ygritte does with Jon over that kid who failed to steal her, really, like Jorah does with Dany over Lynesse...) exists alongside his vengeance plan, potentially influences it in the details. It will certainly prove his downfall. But it's not fuelled by love for Catelyn. Only by the hurt feelings of the past.

[harpagornis]

Lightshell Duo

When stepping into Three Tree, Robert felt overwhelmed. Even at the docks, there were so many individuals and species that his upbringing in an isolated rat village could muster. He felt disorientated, and his heart began to race. His mind twisted like a snail's shell, and he was almost tempted to board a boat out of there, were there any availiable for such a task.

"You okay?"

A voice made its way into the snail path of the mind, and Robert's face darted. He was rewarded with a kind face: an otterfolk's, presumably around his age.

"I am now" he said.

He really could help but to stare into the ace of his saviour, and he immediately grew self conscious, looking aside. The fact that the otter snickered a bit only made the rat more embarassed. But, as much as he tried, he couldn't look away.

"Name's Shae" the otter said, extending a paw.

Carefully, Robert shook it, with as much reservation as if it was covered in thorns or venomous.

"R-Robert."

"Well R-Robert, may I invite you in? I know a socially anxious face when I see one."

Robert was distrustful, as typical for a ratfolk. But really, what were his options? He was hoping to stay at an inn or some other hospitable place, but even that might have had too many people for his comfort.

"I'd be delighted" he said, trying not to stutter as before.

***

"Make yourself at home!" Shae said enthusiastically.

Stepping into the raftboat, Robert was amazed by what the open door revealed. So many trinkets and treasures, and even a few familiar possessions like clam shells. He was truly feeling at home already.

"Wow, you have so many things."

"Knew you'd like it. I mean, I know ratfolk like their possessions, so I just assumed."

Robert could feel some shyness from the otter, and that made him more relaxed. They were on more equal footing now. His curiosity was drawn to some of the possessions, which glowed with the might of thunder while still being trapped.

"What are those?" the rat asked.

"Oh, those are spells I caught. You see, we otterfolk store magic in our blinkies, to remind ourselves of the wild rides we have."

He grabbed one, a pot incandescent with blue.

"Here, this was when I chased the typhon python. Over there was when I chased the sun hawk itself!"

"So amazing" Robert said, "I came here to study the weaving of other animalfolk, and your ways are helping my research a lot!"

"Glad to hear it."

"It's only fair I share some of mine."

The rat laid down his sack, and pulled out his most precious heirloom.

"Here, this shell was passed down by my family by generations. Each one of us itterates upon its mind spell, so it becomes easier to meditate and clear the mind. Some of us have also added some other spells of its own. I'd like to add mine eventually, and your trinkets inspire me."

"Oh?"

"Would you like to show me how you gather your spells?"

***

Robert knew it was insane, and yet it was still prefferable to the raucous of the city.

The waves crested as Eluge's influence shifted the wild waters, forming a storm above.

"Ready?" Shae asked.

Robert nodded, and he steered the boat. It was surprisingly easy to learn, and he hoped that the otter's weaving was just as easy as well.

Shae extended his arms, feeling the wild currents in the waters and air. Lightning struck, and he didn't hesitate: wild currents struck his paw, each a conduit, and he released it into the snail shell. Then just as quickly he sealed it shut, and relied on the already existing weaving to prevent it from exploding.

The result was a brilliant blue light framed by a solid spiral. Both Shae and Robert were amazed, brought together by this shared item

“Lightning and snail as one!” cried the rat. “It’s so beautiful!” the otter gasped in awe.

Robert was enraptured by joy, and blurted:

"Not as beautiful as you."

[atopvisenyashill]

“She still isn’t a slave. She still owns slaves.”

Oml, I remember one person trying to rebut this when I told them that by saying “that just shows that in the system there are low rank and high rank slaves” and even used the text “Khal drogo is to rich, that even this slaves wore golden collars.” - “last of all came a collar, a heavy golden tore” to say that she was a slave by Dothraki standards, like... 😑🤦‍♀️

Yeah like, I don't want to dispute that Khaleesis just objectively have less power than ladies in westeros (and tbh, if we're ranking like "women who have some semblance of rights in westeros" the dothraki are at the very fucking bottom of the pile here because basically everywhere else, a widow can continue commanding her husband's household or fleet or shop or whatever, while every single khaleesi no matter how young or smart or powerful is forced into vaes dothrak) but at the same time....that's not slavery! it really fucking sucks and i imagine the distinction feels mostly academic to a khaleesi but well, that distinction probably feels very fucking acute to someone like doreah, irri, or jhiqui. it certainly feels different to mirri maz durr!

but lol like, she's not always wearing the collar, it's an outfit for the wedding and while we are meant to see the similarity here, it's not a literal slave collar, it's a metaphor!

"Now you look all a princess," the girl said breathlessly when they were done. Dany glanced at her image in the silvered looking glass that Illyrio had so thoughtfully provided. A princess, she thought, but she remembered what the girl had said, how Khal Drogo was so rich even his slaves wore golden collars. She felt a sudden chill, and gooseflesh pimpled her bare arms.

Marriage as slavery. Child brides as sex slaves. What's the difference, in the end, between the sunset girls and what Dany was to Drogo? Between Kya or Shae and Doreah and Dany? There is a difference in status but at the same time, Dany experiences the same rape and powerlessness that a lowborn woman, that a slave, that Queen Cersei herself also experiences - she's not a literal slave, but this is a metaphorical way of control, of bondage, that high born women especially are forced into. No, it's not slavery, but its still a shitty ass system. People can suffer, people can experience helplessness and powerlessness, people can essentially be "bought and sold" while also not being slaves. It's about Dany identifying with those who have suffered because of her own suffering, seeing the similarities between them yet also not quite seeing the very real differences that exist. She's not a literal slave, she's a metaphorical one! Just like Cersei, like Sansa, like Aemma, like Alicent, like Rhaenyra, like her own mother, on and on, these very young women that are given to powerful men to keep the peace, with no regard for what it is this girl even wants from her life.

[thoughtsonhurtandcomfort]

Shae + 🏹 - shot?

Nonhuman Whump Emoji Prompts

I had two different ideas for this one...I'll do one now and save the other for later!

By the way, miniature crossbows exist.

Content Warnings: tiny whump, hunted, shot, impaled, faerie whump, wing whump

----

You can find anything online.

For a faerie hunter, the internet is a treasure trove of strange little knick-knacks unavailable at his local hardware store. But he never imagined something so perfect as this - a tiny crossbow, built to shoot matches, Q-tips, and toothpicks. A weapon that will take down a faerie with ease. Even if it kills the creature, the body will be worth more with minimal damage.

He feels a little silly, perched on a rock ledge with the small weapon balanced at the end. But it's worth it when a faerie flies into view.

-

Shae is calm and unsuspecting of any danger - until something whizzes past him. He stops midair with a yelp of surprise and looks around for the object, expecting a hummingbird or a dragonfly.

Once still he is an easy target.

The second time the flying object grazes one of his wings. Thin and fragile, it tears easily. Shae cries again with pain and alarm. He loses his balance and starts to drift toward the ground, wings flapping furiously to keep himself from dropping too quickly. And that's when the third shot comes.

Something slams into the back of Shae's shoulder so hard and fast it knocks the breath from him. It propels him forward at dizzying speed until he makes impact with the trunk of a tree.

Shae's whole body sags. The toothpick piercing his shoulder keeps him pinned to the bark. He moans, half conscious and in absolute agony but fighting to stay awake. Footsteps approach from behind, his attacker no longer making an effort to be silent.

It takes a few tugs to pull the toothpick from the tree. Shae makes a feeble, pleading sound that falls on deaf ears. The human opens a pouch on his hip and drops Shae into its darkness.

[simbistardis]

Stemmes presented themselves one day as femme and another day as stud; as such, they were visibly unrecognisable unless they divulged their gender identity. Stemmes expose the amorphous nature of gender identity and are invisible – silenced, ostracised or prescribed a gender identity. Many participants refused to recognise that stemmes existed and instead described them as confused. As Shane (age 22) admitted: ‘Sometimes they [studs and femmes] think that we’re confused. We don’t know what we want to be.’ Stemmes show that personal identity claims were often at odds with community perceptions of identity.

Stud-femme dating was the norm in this community, as it was in the community studied by Wilson (2009) in her analysis of Black lesbian sexual culture. Stemmes dated both femmes and studs, but often exhibited a preference for dating one or the other, they altered their behaviour and appearance often based on their relationship. Studs were uneasy at the thought of dating stemmes because they worried stemmes might ‘switch up’, which would upset the rules of who was allowed to date whom.

Good gay females had to be ‘females’, which excluded studs and stemmes who were more masculine in their gender presentation from receiving the same support as appropriate mothers. For femmes, motherhood signified femininity. Due to their own gender beliefs and the gender norms of their community, femmes could most easily integrate motherhood with their gender identity.

Though babies’ daddies tended to be studs, on rare occasions stemmes identified as a baby’s daddy. However, stemmes did not derive as much meaning from the role. Instead, referring to themselves as babies’ daddy was a way to signify to women that they were interested in dating them. As Shae (age 20) explained, stemmes referred to themselves as a baby’s daddy, ‘Because they love, or like, the women whose child it is.’ For stemmes, one adopted the role to relate to the mother rather than to fulfil parenting desires per se. Stemmes joked about being a baby’s daddy, whereas studs took the role seriously, talked about it in terms of responsibility and truly ‘think of they self as daddy’. In either usage – either as a role or a relational device – the word implies a family identity, much like other same-sex couples who use last names to negotiate family identity (Suter, Daas, and Bergen 2008). Stemmes did not actively seek the role of baby’s daddy, whereas there is evidence that studs may.

Good gay females and babies' daddies: Black lesbian community norms and the acceptability of pregnancy, Sarah J. Reed, Robin Lin Miller, Maria T. Valenti & Tina M. Timm, 21st April 2011

[rainbowsky]

Happy Pride! 💖🌈🦄

Happy Pride, everyone!

I wanted to celebrate Pride this year by sharing some great up-beat queer anthems - songs from some of the groundbreaking queer artists who have been raising their voices to make the world a better place every day. Let's celebrate diversity together! 😘

Domo Wilson - Bisexual Anthem

Domo Wilson should really be the one to start the Pride festivities this year, with this amazing, amazing, amazing Bisexual Anthem. Songs like this are rare - great message AND good song. This woman is fucking brilliant. (Sexually explicit lyrics).

Brenda Fassie - Vuli Ndlela

Africa's first openly gay pop star Brenda Fassie is an incredible talent. Her voice, her style, everything about the way she sings is utterly captivating, compelling and packed full of emotion - whether it be joy or misery.

I discovered her a while back and had that tragic modern experience of falling in love with an artist and then immediately being pitched into grief as I learned about her difficult life and too early death.

Some of you might be familiar with the Chinese term, 'jaiyou' which literally means 'add oil' or more generally, 'go for it!' Vuli ndlela is a similar term that means 'make way!'

The song is about sticking it to gossipy neighbours on her son's wedding day (because they thought he'd never marry and find lasting love), but over the years it has become a popular anthem of empowerment and encouragement.

Troye Sivan and Gordi - Wait

Who can resist a dreamy, sweet duet with two queer darlings?

Muna - Pink Chiffon (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

I've shared this song before on my blog but it's such a sweet, catchy, up-beat song it deserves to be shared again.

Beth Ditto - We Could Run

One of the greatest - and most consistently and criminally underrated - voices in music.

Kehlani - Altar

This isn't an artist I've followed in the past, but this particular song is so infectious, I absolutely love it.

Shae Diamond - I Am Her

In her own words:

"My name is Shea Diamond, Singer/Songwriter based in NYC by way of Flint, MI. I was born into a gender role that I did not accept & I didn’t feel like myself. Desperate to find the financial means to transition to my true gender, I committed a crime in 1999 & was sentenced to 10 years in a men's prison. While incarcerated, I found a community that shared my trans experience - it was there where I found my voice. I began writing “I Am Her” as a statement to a world that said I shouldn't exist. I wrote it as an anthem for all those that felt shunned for simply being who they were. In 2009 I was released from prison. Shortly after my release, I moved to New York City where I found a studio to record “I Am Her” and the means to create a video for my song."

Ria Mae - Bend

Canadian pop sensation Ria Mae, yet another criminally underrated artist whose work speaks for itself. Let's give her some love as her home town and province have been suffering intense and dangerous wildfires, and destruction to homes and wildlife habitat.

Janelle Monae - Lipstick Lover

I don't even need to say anything about this song that this stupid-ass 'age restriction' bullshit doesn't already say. 😅

It's worth the trip to YouTube.

Erasure - A Little Respect

I'll close this off with one of the best gay anthems ever written, and one of my all-time favorite songs. Never has it felt more relevant than it does today, with all the hate being thrown at queer people, all the backward redneck laws, all the churchy dicks trying to destroy the lives of people they don't understand. Like the line in the song:

What religion or reason Could drive a man to forsake his lover?

What indeed?

Happy Pride everyone! 💖

YouTube playlist of these songs.

[roamingswtor]

I dont know what I was expecting, but the story for 7.4 was... kind of disappointing! (no specific story spoilers outside of mentioning characters that show up)

I really find it hard to care about Sa'har and Ri'kan when we barely interact with them- just see them interact with others. Also its kind of weird seeing them next to a player character twi'lek?? Like. they are so detailed it's kind of offputting, and Sa'har has completely different lekku than player twi'leks it kinda makes me jealous lol.

It was also really short, and honestly I'm kind of tired of the mando storyline. It doesn't really relate well to most classes. At least with the force stuff like Valkorion, Malgus, and Revan's stories, all 4 of the force classes could easily fit into the story. But here it just seems tailored toward bounty hunters, and even then only the ones that actually feel toward the mando line. Being on ord mantell feels like they're trying to say "hey, we know you exist!" to the troopers and smugglers but outside of like, 3 whole lines of dialogue they didn't really do much with it.

The 'silent protagonist' parts also felt super unnecessary and weren't really utilized well. I guess it's just to try and save money on voice acting? There were at least two instances where it very easily could have been normal spoken dialogue, since you only had 3 options anyway.

Lastly, no returning characters. Wasn't really expecting this, but was kind of hoping that maybe Jorgan would have at least a little blurb about ord mantell, kinda in the same way Torian had something to say about the earlier heta/shae fight. Hell, since they introduced Akaavi even though her recruitment was a smuggler/bountyhunter only alliance alert, so they could have done the same with Corso. Just felt like a missed opportunity.

Overall, kinda lame tbh. Not looking forward to having to update my gear either. Metal dyes in the shop are kind of lame. No date night yet.

[moiraimyths]

No I’ll be happy to play just for Flannan, the others don’t interest me the same way but I feel like Shae would be interesting to chew on (respectfully).

So the arospec characters would have more of a queer platonic “romantic” route vs the other characters having a less unique way of romantically connection?

(I love the idea of being able to be “romantic” with the arospec in a unique way and I’m excited to see how yall execute this!! It’s so rare to happen also shared this game with my aro and are friends!!)

We understand this sentiment, having favourites is perfectly fine, but what we're trying to convey is that NDM is a very interconnected game. ^^; Each route is deeply important to the broader narrative, so only playing one or two routes will ultimately leave you with an incomplete experience/unanswered questions, especially since the endgame route (the "secret story" we described on our Kickstarter) will remain locked in this scenario.

Each route also tends to explore specific sides of the non-route cast members, which may not come up in their own routes for one reason or another. To give you a specific example, Maeve and Flannán have a very longstanding friendship that originates during the War of the Courts. You would be missing backstory content for Flannán, in scenes he is present for, by passing over Maeve's route, which will be playable before Flannán's due to the game's serialized update schedule. We can't force anyone to play the whole game, of course, but as the developers, it is a little disheartening when players tell us only a fraction of our story will be explored.

For the arospec characters (Keagan and Robin), their romantic routes will vary in different ways, since Keagan and Robin experience aromanticism differently. For example, you might find it harder to achieve a romantic ending for Keagan since he is demirom and requires an existing depth to the relationship before romantic feelings are involved, whereas Robin plays a little fast and loose with what constitutes romance vs. friendship to begin with.

[anchanted-one]

Spoilers for swtor 7.4 or whatever were on right now.

I love swtor. I really do. I liked the new zone and characters. Under different circumstances, I'd be happy with it.

But.... cmon, devs! It's been so many months since 7.0 dropped! And years since we first met Heta Kol, and saw that Malgus had a plan (tm).

I can't speak for most players. but me, personally: I need answers for a change, not vague hints promising something major and destructive is coming! As of this moment, it looks like Malgus just wants to burn the galaxy down to "start over" or something. And it's very cult-y. Very edgeboi. I can't believe they resurrected him just for this. And are keeping him alive.

And Heta Col... why do so many Mandos fanatically follow her? I've never been gung-ho about Mandalorians, I've always seen then as a civilization of professional raiders, bandits, thugs, pirates, and bullies. But the Hidden Chain seems to be following Heta for no other reason than to be allowed to return to pillaging. All they had to do was go their own way, Shae didn't seem like she had the power to force everyone to toe her line. But they're fighting the only Mandalore to win against the Eternal Empire.

What's worse... the time gap between updates. I realized yesterday, to my horror, that I can't remember what's going on. This kind of gap isn't conducive to a slow, patiently paced storyline. This isn't FF14.

I was hoping for answers, or at least, time with Lana and Theron.

Another problem, perhaps minor to some: we're returning to old worlds, instead of exploring new ones. Selonia, Mon Cala, Ithor, Rodia, Sullust, Vortex, Ryloth, Felucia, Bothawui, Kashyyyk, Trandosha, Gamorr, Bimmisaari, Tanaab, Chandrilla, Contruum, Carida, Csilla... as Lana says, "So much galaxy yet to explore, and here we are."

And a final, large complaint: "The Republic is corrupt and doesn't exist out here *at all*" is a trope that I'd like to see subverted, for a change. We need wins for the idea of Democracy. The Empire has always functioned as intended, with Chancellor Rans in command, I'd have hoped the Republic briefly did as well.