#vanguard art styles

[toffeebrew]

I don't know if vtuber fans are on Tumblr but whatever!

[khainovo]

kai *chef's kiss*

they all look so silly... i plan to draw all of them together one day but for now have kai (the arm in the original makes me so uncomfortable)

[obihiro-division]

I'm too ashamed to put my own watermark on this. I just had an overwhelming urge to make some cursed art recently and this is what was produced.

[nat-of-personifs]

Vanguard is an hsp and it acts up with him sometimes aight (he will fight you if you call him an empath)

[inkymari]

cw//blood / / / "𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬."

[mawu-yama]

day 3 of drawing random screenshots until i come up with an idea of my own

[universestreasures]

Me @ trying to make a new blog header format for this blog.

[laciebuncat]

Heres a drawing i made for my hubby in black and white and in color if his favorite vanguard card game Super Dimensional Robo, Daikaiser with his avatar Wolfy on him.

[armageddon-generation]

Justice for Brandon Routh: Everything Cut From Superman Returns that makes it Great

Ultimately it's good Superman Returns didn't get sequels because of Bryan Singer & Kevin Spacey, but I'm kinda obsessed with the forgotten middle-child of Supes' movies, and it's infuriating how the movie's thematic spine and most of its best character-beats got cut.

The Theatrical Cut of Returns is literally half a movie. Brandon Routh deserved so much better.

Sources:

Deleted scene compilation (+Return to Krypton)

The Shooting Script (available to buy)

Superman Homepage deleted shots Page 1 and Page 2    

Novelisation by Marv Wolfman (this, the graphic novel & junior novelisation all used the 2005 shooting script.)

Superman Returns: The Visual Guide (available to buy)

Chew Chan comic art

Requiem for Krypton: Making Superman Returns

Prequel Comics (based on scenes from early drafts, with stories by writers Singer, Dougherty & Harris):

Prequel Comic #2: Ma Kent

Prequel Comic #3: Lex Luthor

Prequel Comic #4: Lois Lane

Comic book recap

‘78 opened with a boy narrating an issue of Action Comics. Returns pulled back red theatre drapes on a comic narrated by Clois’ son, Jason. 

Actor Tristan Lake is recording the voiceover in Requiem for Krypton

From the Script (p.1):

RED THEATRE CURTAINS, drawn shut. The kind found in classic movie houses of yesteryear. The slowly open ... the film flickers to life, fading in on an old comic-book

SUPERMAN. A BOY'S HAND reaches into frame and opens it.

JASON (V.O.): On a distant planet orbiting a red sun, a wise scientist predicted his world's imminent destruction. Despite overwhelming evidence, his pleas to evacuate the planet were ignored, leaving him and his wife no choice...

He turns the page to a panel of JOR-EL and his wife, LARA

JASON (V.O.) (CONT'D): ...but to place their only son into a spaceship and launch it to another galaxy, in hopes of finding the child a new home. A child destined to become Earth's greatest protector...

“In Golden Age style art, Kal-El is placed in the rocket by Jor-El and Lara, comes to Earth, grows up with the Kents, & learns that he possessed amazing powers.”

The script cuts the Smallville part because it’s covered later in flashback.

5 years on, Superman has been mythologised. In-universe, to kids he seems as make-believe as comic books are to us.

This develops Jason’s POV of Superman. He was supposed to have this comic (from 'Uncle Jimmy') when he meets Clark in The Daily Planet

This could be why Smallville was cut; the public only knows about Krypton

The opening scene of Gertrude Vanderworth’s death was originally replaced by:

Prequel: Lex in prison 

Lex’s cell is covered in Daily Planet clippings. He nonologues to henchman Stanford

LEX: I didn’t get you visiting privileges to my private suite so I could repeat myself … My work was more than mere greed … It’s a calling. Why can’t they see the danger? He’s a vanguard for an invasion of super-powered beings. I knew. I always knew. Making sure there was a line of defence against him. The Conquistadors carried a plague that decimated entire civilisations. Who knows what kind of spaceborne diseases he carried? Oh, they may not appreciate my genius now, but they will worship me for delivering them from this menace they so affectionately embrace.

Kitty Kowalski & Gertrude Vanderworth

Lex has a medical exam before his release. His henchwoman Kitty is the nurse. She flirts with him but complains Superman is all Lex thinks about 

Lex burns his old toupé to “cleanse” himself

In flashback, Kitty sees Lex kill an inmate in self-defence. Lex threatens her to protect his perfect record. But Kitty says she’s his “biggest fan” & anger becomes lust 

This is in The Visual Guide (p.26):

"She witnessed Lex murder a fellow inmate. Kitty refused to squeal to the guards, and she and Lex made clear their attraction for each-other."

Kitty is the Vanderworth widow's maid & suggests Lex write to her

She doesn’t like the name Kitty: “My name is Katherine”

An imaginary Superman hovers above, watching Lex leave prison.

Gertrude Vanderworth is waiting outside:

LEX: Gertrude! I’m dying in here. I’m dying without you. Please, take me home. If only you could imagine the grotesque living conditions I’ve been exposed to, dear, sweet Gertrude. You’ve rescued me from Dante’s Inferno, from the depths of human depravity.

Shows how prison changed Gene Hackman’s Lex into Returns’ philosophical maniac

Characterizes Kitty as Lex’s ‘Harley Quinn-lite’ & makes her more active

Stronger explanation for Lex's escape than Clark missing his court date 

The comic's final panel is Lex looking up at the imaginary Superman in the sky, zooming out into space, then leading into...

The Opening Titles as Clark’s journey to Krypton:

(from the Script):

“Stars interspersed with DAILY PLANET HEADLINES tracing Superman’s history, many by LOIS LANE;

“METEOR SHOWER BAFFLES SCIENTISTS”

“CAPED WONDER STUNS CITY”

“I SPENT THE NIGHT WITH SUPERMAN”

“SUPERMAN STOPS CRIMINAL MASTERMIND, LEX LUTHOR”

“LEX GETS LIFE THANKS TO MAN OF STEEL: SWEARS REVENGE”

“ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER KRYPTON INTACT – SIGNS OF LIFE FOUND”

And then the biggest headline of them all:

“SUPERMAN DISAPPEARS”

More headlines follow as the world is besieged … war, famine, crime. Soon, these headlines push Superman to the back pages. Within years, he’s all but faded from public consciousness. Finally, one last headline:

“WILL HE EVER RETURN?”

IS IT KRYPTON? (p.12), LUTHOR GETS LIFE (p.24) & VANDERWORTH TOPS THE FORTUNE 500!! (p.22) are in The Visual Guide

This gives the indulgent title-sequence a purpose. It sets up the consequences of Clark leaving, his history with Lois & Lex, Krypton’s discovery, and the Vanderworth fortune Lex will steal

This transitions into:

Return to Krypton

Concept art by Ben Proctor

The script describes “the remnants of this great civilisation… cities, monuments… all made from the same crystal technology” not in the filmed scene

Clark finds the House of El crest in the “VALLEY OF THE ELDERS . . . a VAST CANYON OF CRYSTAL MONOLITHS arranged in a circle” with more family crests.

Clark's escape is more visceral (Script pp.2-3):

“GIANT SLABS whiz by ... thousands of pieces of glowing kryptonite are hurtling towards him ... Parts [of Clark’s ship] shatter and break off ... The crystal immediately GROWS BACK ... more kryptonite smashes against the window, cracking it. Crystals work quickly to repair the damage, but it keeps coming.”

The filmed version puts Vibes over story: 

The Valley of Elders returns on Lex’s New Krypton in the finale. 

Without the other House crests the El one feels random

Showing Krypton's achievements validates Lex’s plan to resurrect it.

Clark’s ship self-repairing introduces ‘growing’ crystals immediately

Opening an action beat is important because the next one isn’t for 40 mins

Famously, this scene cost $10 million. Videographer Rob Burnett said:

“This was always meant to be the original opening [it] explained why he was so weak when Martha found him [&] that Kal-El sweats in the presence of kryptonite which Luthor notices later ... It wasn't cut until some last-minute test screenings … people unfamiliar with Donner's Superman films & Kryptonian crystals/tech found this dialogue-less opening confusing & uninteresting”

To solve this dialogue problem it was suggested Clark bring his mother Lara's memory crystal with him. She would narrate Krypton's history as Clark explored, contrasting its past glory with its current ruin. But the scene was already finished & Singer decided:

I didn’t feel it ... No-one told me to do it. I had no time restrictions or pressure whatsoever. I just felt the movie doesn’t need this."

But Marv Wolfman did something similar when retelling Jor El and Lara sending Clark away in Chapter 1 of his novelisation:

“It had been a timeless city, strong and powerful. It survived the vast armies of three great nations waging war on its bloodied streets. It stood proud as the signing place of an everlasting peace . . . [Lara] spent her early years dreaming of living where Krypton’s earliest founders had once walked, did not want to believe that this magnificence and all it stood for would soon be gone. She had spent her first year out of university touring the city . . . She trekked out to the Valley of the Elders . . . the fabled roads that Sor-El, Kol-Ar and Pol-As, the chosen representatives from the three warring nations, must’ve taken when they created the original laws of humanity that governed Krypton. From the ground, those crystal monolith towers, reflecting the full spectrum of light, looked to Lara like hands raised in reverential prayer. Kryptonopolis had been grown from a single crystal more than 10,000 years before ... shaped by the earliest Kryptonians into vast cities millions of buildings strong"

The Visual Guide also explains the Valley of the Elders is “Where Sor-El, Kol-Ar, and Pol-Us established the laws that governed Krypton" (p.79)

This is a great parallel to ‘78's opening. That was Clark’s origin. Returns is him mourning

Seeing Krypton contextualizes Clark’s arc. We understand his alienation instead of being alienated by him

It bookends the movie with New Krypton, and gives Returns’ oft-mocked climax ‘Superman Lifts a Big Thing’, thematic weight: Clark is excising the grief that drove him from Earth

Lara's narration about the wonders of Krypton both heightens the tragedy & establishes what their tech can achieve, crucial to Lex's plan

Writer Dan Harris said:

“Lex Luthor’s trying to turn this world [Earth] into the dead world, the place [Clark] can’t live, so it becomes a person’s search for identity and home and their place in the universe.” (The Shooting Script interviews p.27)

Martha Kent and Ben Hubbard play Scrabble 

Martha spells ‘Alienation’ (THEMES!!) & touching Clark’s name carved into the table is lovely visual storytelling

Ben is there when Clark crashes. Martha stops him calling the cops.

BEN: Martha-

MARTHA: (firm) Tomorrow. Bingo.

She looks at him, stonefaced. He takes another look outside – and at her, and realizes what’s happening. He sighs and shakes his head.

BEN: A meteorite?

She nods.

BEN (CONT’D): Martha Kent, I knew you’d be trouble

There’s a blooper of this scene in Requiem for Krypton & it's mentioned in The Visual Guide (p.20)

Gertrude Vanderworth's death, and Lex stealing her fortune, is shown after Clark passes out in Martha’s arms when he crashes, followed by Lex taking the yacht to the Arctic

Lex Finding the Fortress

Cool details about the Fortress' warm crystals & creating protective weather patterns, explaining the storm around New Krypton in the finale

While exploring the Fortress they find Clark's garage:

From The Visual Guide:

"Lex lingers in a cavernous chamber he dubs 'the garage', where he sees evidence of the construction and launch of Superman's spaceship"

KITTY: So did he?

LEX: Did he what?

KITTY: Take off for his homeworld?

LEX: (looking at Stanford) Well… We gave him a little push.

In the novelisation (p.89)

Lex’s First Experiment

After plundering the Fortress, Lex would test the crystal immediately- “he created a kind of giant Fortress of Solitude in the ice” (Script interviews p.28), destroying the original. Such a great way to raise the stakes!

Extended Clark waking in his childhood room

Clark waking to his starry ceiling & the Kent family photos give his return more emotional heft

Extended Young Clark’s first flight, 

Which leads into…

 “Little Secret”- Clark finds the Kryptonian ship as a boy

From The Visual Guide (p.11): “When he holds the Father Crystal, Clark feels a primal connection to the vanished world of his ancestors”. Martha’s prequel comic shows Jor El & Lara reflected in the crystal.

The Father Crystal is the key to Lex’s plan, so it's important to see its importance to Clark.

'Little Secret' leads into: 

Martha Kent Prequel: The Kents tell the truth

The Kents find Clark on the cellar steps with the Father Crystal, staring at his ship.

They talk in the kitchen:

MARTHA: … I wish we could tell you more… well, anything about your real parents

CLARK: You are my real parents. Those other people, the ones that gave me away… They mean nothing to me. [he bends a fork in half]

JONATHAN: I understand that you feel that way now, Clark. But I have something to show you. [He leaves the room to get something]

CLARK:Ma, I- I… Am I even human? Am I some sort of monster?MARTHA: Clark Kent, bite your tongue! You are our son and we love you. That’s all that matters.

JONATHAN: Clark? This is yours. You were wrapped in it when we found you.

He gives Clark the cloth he was wrapped in when they found him - blue fabric with the “S” shield

This is a big change from ‘78, where Clark didn’t find the Father Crystal until after Jonathan dies. Martha wasn’t there & they didn't discuss it. The Fortress of Solitude made his suit.

Clark's anxiety is more in-line with MoS (“Can’t I just keep pretending to be your son?” / “You are my son.”). Rejecting Krypton is important, as his adult desire for a home drives him from Earth

Here we see Clark feel the alienation he fears for Jason in his final speech ("you will be different..."). Parenting is a big theme of Returns

Clark reads Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman in the Kent barn 

In the script, Clark taking the tarp off his ship leads into the Little Secret flashback- which the deleted scene cuts around. The shots following him back to farmhouse include this voiceover (Script pp.13-14):

LOIS LANE (V.O.): For five long years, the world has stared into the sky, waiting, hoping, and praying for his return. We have spent our days asking where he went, debated why he left, and wondered if he’s even alive…

People have always longed for gods, messiahs, and saviors to swoop down from the sky and deliver them from their troubles. But in the end, these saviors always leave, and we are faced with the same troubles that were there from the beginning.

So, instead of facing them ourselves, we wait for the savior to return. But the savior never does, and we realize it was better had he never come at all.

Reading WTWDNS is referenced in The Visual Guide (p.29)

Articulating Lois’ POV makes her more than a bitter ex. Even the Junior novelisation has this!

In the Theatrical Cut Clark returns to the Daily Planet trying to reclaim the old status quo, until he learns Lois has a family. Here, he faces consequences for leaving before learning Lois has moved on, so he’s less selfishly motivated, and returns to the Planet to actively reconcile with her

Parallels Young!Clark finding the Father Crystal- the inciting moment of ‘78’s plot

Martha encourages Clark to return to Metropolis / Clark meets Ben Hubbard 

This is a cute scene, humanizing Clark

Martha is selling the farm & moving to Montana

(Script p. 76), cut dialogue in purple

MARTHA: Clark, dear… No one will ever replace your father. But, Ben and I have found something special. Together. And, well, this might all come as a shock…

Clark gives her a look. Just level with me.

MARTHA: I’m selling the farm. We’re moving to Montana.

CLARK: Montana?

MARTHA: The lakes are great. And we love the fishing.

CLARK: Fishing?!

MARTHA: Clark, you’ve been gone a long time. And not even you can stop the world from spinning.

In the novelisation (p.76)

Building this subplot from a background character from ‘78 is neat.

It expands Returns’ narrow emotional scope: It's not just Lois moving on

Superman suit in Clark’s case & changing in The Daily Planet closet 

As Clark puts his suitcase in the janitor’s closet he opens it, revealing his Superman costume & a Kent family photo.

So, when he rips his shirt open there’s "NOTHING. Where's his suit? He panics, then remembers." . He must change in the Daily Planet janitor’s closet. As he leaves he "catches a glimpse of his reflection in a window -- he's still wearing GLASSES" (the Script p.44)

Love Superman in glasses as a metaphor for the transition from Clark to Supes. 

The Theatrical cut emphasizes Lois’ POV of Superman’s return but this is more balanced & impactful for Clark 

Lex and Stanford discuss Superman’s return

When Lex learns Superman is back he & Stanford discuss luring him away. You can see Stanford running to catch up with Lex before the Theatrical scene cuts away. Deleted dialogue in purple:

STANFORD: So, what are we going to do?

LEX: You’re going to modify it and attach it to the stern, I don’t care of the instructions are in Russian

STANFORD: You know what I mean, Lex. He’s not stupid. How long do you think it’s going to take him to trace all that stuff back to me– and you. He was supposed to die up there.

Stanford paces. Lex clenches, obviously stressed. He hears the WHIMPERING of Gertrude’s dog. 

Infuriated, Lex hurls the newspaper at it but misses. Enraged, Lex snatches a heavy crystal off the desk, when he STOPS. He stares at something on the NEWSPAPER

Lex bends down and picks up the paper. He smiles, and hands it to Stanford.

LEX: Stanford, you worry too much.

Stanford looks at the article, intrigued.

“WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF METEORITES TO EXHIBIT AT METROPOLIS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY”

Lex & Stanford faking Krypton’s discovery makes all Clark's problems his fault. Clark did nearly die, & it makes Lex a more formidable villain

It makes the plot more cohesive 

Clark being tricked by his nemesis > ‘he just left lol’

Lex’s desperation gives him depth. Stealing Kryptonite is now a response to Superman, where in the Theatrical cut it’s so underplayed it seems like just the next step of his plan.

Stanford and The Daily Planet

I can’t find it, but Mr. Sunday Movies  cites an interview where the actor revealed Stanford was a disgraced Daily Planet science correspondent, & wrote the articles about Krypton. 

More plot cohesion, connecting The Daily Planet & Lex plots. If Lois recognises Stanford when she’s on Lex's yacht, she could figure out Clark was tricked, helping her forgive him. 

Extended Clois outside The Daily Planet

Deleted dialogue in purple, (Script pp.58-60):

CLARK: Well … Maybe saying goodbye was so hard because he didn’t know whether it would be goodbye for a little while … or goodbye forever.

Lois doesn’t seem to be listening

CLARK (CONT’D, QUIETER): And maybe he had to go and he wanted to say goodbye, but he couldn’t find the guts to do it, because maybe if he saw you, even one last time… Well, maybe he was afraid that if he even looked at you just… once… he would never be able to… leave (beat) Maybe it was too difficult for him.

. . .

CLARK: So… Do you want to grab a quick bite? Catch up? My treat.

LOIS: Oh I’d love to, but Daddy took the car and it’s my turn to ‘cook’ the family dinner, which means I’ve got just enough time to get back to the ‘suburbs’ and order the Chinese

CLARK: Suburbs?

LOIS: Yeah, we have a really nice place on the river. You should drop in sometime.

CLARK: I’d love to.

Brandon performs this dialogue for a screentest in Requiem for Krypton

Much better reason for Clark not saying goodbye. Corny, but if your gonna justify an OOC decision, do it with the romance at the heart of your movie. 

Lois is much nicer & less dismissive of Clark. Theatrical Lois seems to actively dislike him.

Hints Lois feels stifled as a suburban mom

Lois Prequel: Writing Why The World Doesn’t Need Superman

The ‘Lois at home’ scene begins with a flashback:

Perry tells Lois to write a piece for the 5th anniversary of Superman leaving. She struggles with writer’s block at home, & goes out to smoke. She thinks Clark blows out her lighter, but she’s imagining it & realizes she must move on. That night she writes WTWDNS

Then Richard asks about I Spent the Night With Superman, then Clark is revealed to be watching at the end of the scene.

[After Clark flies away, Script p.63]

Lois picks up some food, then suddenly stops and turns to the window, staring into their backyard. Beat.

RICHARD: Lois? You okay?

Lois snaps out of it.

LOIS: Yeah, sorry. Hey, didn’t I have four won-ton’s?

Jason stuffs a won-ton into his mouth.

LOIS (CONT’D): JASON!

Lois & Richard dive, trying to snatch it from his mouth

A cute Jason moment, & Lois ‘sensing’ Clark makes his spying a little less creepy, selling their 'stracrossed lovers' connection

Superman On Patrol

Two scenes are omitted from the script (p.64) before the ‘Bulletproof’ bank robbery. Presumably they formed a full crime-fighting montage, like in ‘78.

The Visual Guide describes two cut sequences that perfectly fill that gap (p. 60):

“In Switzerland, he saved 12 stranded climbers from the peak of the Matterhorn. In Venice, he prevented the famous canals from flooding the city streets. Superman seems to be everywhere at once, but nowhere is he more prominent than in Metropolis…”

Full Deli Robbery Segment

MONTAGE REPORTER #3: Sir, after he captured the men trying to rob your Deli, did he do or say anything?

DELI OWNER: He tried the hummus. He said he liked it – and Superman never lies!

More action! More wholesome Superman! Expanding the scope of the movie beyond Metropolis!

Lex’s Plan

Higher-key Kryptonite heist where Lex’s gang fool guards and witnesses

The movie needs more energy. Like the stolen missile earlier, in the Theatrical Cut Lex’s plan is afterthought bullet-points 

When Kitty returns to Lex after Superman saves her, the stolen missile is being disassembled. Lex takes its explosive & the kryptonite he’ll stab Clark with 

Lois Prequel: Why she resents Superman and meeting Richard

After Perry demands Lois interview Superman we flashback to him doing the same thing after Krypton was found:

But Superman never shows. Months pass until “the world had to admit” he was gone.

The world turned to Lois as their 'Superman expert.'

JIMMY: Miss Lane. You okay?

LOIS: I will be once Perry lets me cover something over than Superman. He left. He's gone, and maybe he's never coming back. How many different ways can I write that?

JIMMY: I know Miss Lane. I miss him too.

The world refusing to let Lois move on by pigeon-holing her as ‘Superman’s Girlfriend’ is important context.

Now Perry refusing to let Lois cover the blackout is part of a sexist cycle she’s fought for years

Lois escapes to the roof for a smoke: "Even as the days kept passing, I held out hope. I mean, he never disappointed me before, right?'

Richard White introduces himself just like Clark:

RICHARD: Those things will kill you, you know. Hello, Lois. I'm Richard White.

LOIS: White, huh? Did Perry even read past your last name on your resume?

RICHARD: I won't deny what it looks like, but my uncle hired me because I'm damn good at what I do. And with you I see wasted talent. The Superman story is old news. The Planet's best reporter should be used elsewhere.

LOIS: You're certainly more insightful than you look, White.

Directly parallels Richard and Clark

And contrasts the rooftop interview with Superman immediately afterwards; we now know she waited here for Clark to return every night until she met Richard

Clark Visits the Fortress of Solitude

When Clark visits the Fortress of Solitude he has cut voiceover (Script p.89):

SUPERMAN (V.O.): Father... It’s been a long time since I’ve come to you… But I’ve never felt so alone.

EXT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE - SAME TIME

Superman lands & approaches the console. The crystal has been taken. WITH A VOICE ECHOING THROUGH THE ARCTIC LIKE THUNDER:

SUPERMAN: FATHER!!!

FATHER!!! Is OTT but important when Superman has so little dialogue

Clark is now clearly driven to the Fortress by Lois’ rejection. In The Theatrical Cut, he just checks in because it’s time for Plot to happen.

Losing Jor-El emphasizes the theme of parenthood- Clark loses a father as he gains a son- & justifies Jor El’s voiceover later

Lex's Fortress

In an earlier draft, Clark found the new Fortress Lex grew in his first experiment, and "Clark sunk it and put it underwater"

Originally “Richard & Lois flew there with Clark to investigate & take pictures" (Script interviews p.28) but later on these became satellite pictures that were delivered to the Planet. Lois saw them & understood what Clark had lost.

Lois seeing & understanding Cark's losses is important

Clark destroying Lex's Fortress would be an impressive action beat & Returns is desperate for those. Showing Lex's impact through action!

Extended dialogue on the yacht explaining Lex’s plan

LEX: It’s not just an island. It’s an entirely new continent. Virtually indestructible and self-sustaining. For lack of a better name, it’s Krypton. An extinct world, reborn on our own.

LEX: I’ll have ADVANCED alien technology thousands of years beyond anything anyone could throw at me. Weapons, vehicles, you name it. 

Gives New Krypton more credibility & makes Lex's plan more concrete, especially after Return to Krypton showcased Kryptonian tech

Saving Metropolis

Earlier drafts of the ‘Saving Metropolis’ sequence had “monster waves surging in every direction” (The Visual Guide p.70) Dan Harris also mentioned "waves coming in" and Clark “pulling a subway train out [of the ground]”. (Script interviews p.28) The script omits several sections that could fit these moments.

The script includes Clark saving people from cars set on fire by the gas explosion.

Again, Returns copies ‘78, but that earthquake was way bigger - a dam explodes, a bridge collapses, a train derails. Clark shifts tectonic plates to stop it.

Perry White meets Superman

I understand why this was cut but it’s still cool

The Missile Explosive

After Jason kills Brutus, the deleted scene of Lex finding Brutus’ body is followed by (Script pp.113-114):

INT. YACHT - PANTRY Lois & Jason sit against the far wall, exhausted & worried. The door swings open, revealing LEX. He looks at Jason & winks.

LEX: Catch.

He tosses SOMETHING into the room, wrapped in the handkerchief. It rolls towards Jason’s feet. LOIS CHARGES just as Lex slams the door. Jason removes Lex’s handkerchief, revealing the EXPLOSIVE from  the missile.

LOIS: Honey… don’t move.

Lois is panicked, searching for any way to get rid of the explosive. Finally; a SMALL AIR DUCT. She kneels & pulls at the VENT COVER. It won’t budge. She looks around & finds a LARGE METALLIC SOUP LADLE.  SHE JAMS THE LADLE INTO THE VENT, using it like a crowbar. 

JASON: Mommy?

LOIS: JASON DON’T MOVE!

Lois strains to pry the vent away. After what seems like an eternity, it finally pops off. She approaches Jason VERY CAREFULLY.

LOIS (CONT’D): Okay Honey, stay still…

Lois THROWS IT into the air duct … grabs Jason & rushes him to the other side of the room. The explosive drops down a series of air ducts … Silence. Lois and Jason open their eyes, relieved.

Then – BOOOOOOM! THE BLAST ROCKS THE ROOM. A burst of flame shoots from the vent. Lois shields Jason. The flames are followed by a GEYSER OF SEAWATER. The room is tipped upward. Water is streaming in. Lois tumbles backwards into the water, struggling to reach Jason, but she’s STUCK.

ANGLE UNDERWATER: Lois’ leg tangled in a LIFE PRESERVER.

LOIS: HELP ME! Oh God…

Water floods into her mouth. She disappears under the surface when the DOOR is RIPPED OPEN, AND THE SILHOUETTE OF A MAN STEPS INTO THE ROOM. He dives underwater.

The man rips Lois�� leg free from the cables and pulls her to safety. Lois finally opens her eyes and comes face to face with… RICHARD. She and Jason are stunned.

LOIS (CONT’D): How –How did you get here?

RICHARD: (obviously…) I flew.

Lex’s response to Superman’s son here is more appropriate & threatening.

Another setup & payoff with the missile explosive gives the film more structure. Plot, y'know?

Makes Lois more active

Richard/Clark parallels

Jason recognizes Clark 

[in the seaplane after Superman saves them from the yacht]

Jason curiously looks up at Superman.

JASON: Hey, you look just like–

SUPERMAN: (Cutting him off) Can you fly?

For a moment, it looks like Superman is speaking to Jason – then he turns his head to Richard.

Also in the novelisation (p.285)

More Jason/Clark connection & more payoffs (Jason suspected Clark's identity after seeing him next to Superman on TV earlier)

Context: New Krypton

The script describes it as “almost identical to the ruins of Krypton ... Unlike the ruins, this place feels like it could be full of life – what he hoped to find when he went to Krypton,” with buildings “resembling the Fortress of Solitude”.  made of the Fortress’ glowing white crystals, presenting the facade of life.

Clark confronts Lex in “an exact reproduction of the Kryptonian VALLEY OF ELDERS" (where we saw the El Crest in Return to Krypton). Flickering x-ray vision reveals “IN THE GROUND AND WALLS are pockets and veins of kryptonite” 

From The Visual Guide (p.79):

“New Krypton recreates its planet of origin according to an ancient blueprint, beginning with the vanished capital of Kryptonopolis ... [it] will eventually replicate the towering face of Mount Argo, the bottomless depths of the Xan Chasm, & the polished dome of the Krypton Science Council”

Superman hears something else in the wind, coming from inside the structure: a VOICE. Faint, but familiar. Maybe JOR-EL? LARA? It’s joined by other ghostly whispers before another familiar voice calls out:

LEX (O.S.): See anything familiar?

The ghostly whispers are a cool detail

Now New Krypton is literally a ‘dead world resurrected’, not just some land, & will terraform the whole planet. It brings the movie full-circle- Krypton followed Clark home

After beating a powerless Clark, Lex reveals the truth

LEX (CONT’D): Look, buddy. We sent you there to die, but ya’ had to come back…

Superman looks at Lex, his expression turning from agony to realization.

LEX (CONT’D): Oh yeah. All those photos? Those stories about Krypton still existing? It was me. (Beat) And him.

ANGLE ON: Stanford.

LEX (CONT’D): Thankfully the press doesn’t check facts like they used to. (Beat) Hey, you took away five years of my life. I just returned the favor.

In the novelisation (p.297) & literally every other adaptation of the story. Why the fuck would you cut it?

As Clark drowns:

“Crystals are growing towards him from every direction. ALL GLOWING GREEN from Kryptonite. He tries swimming to the surface, but he’s too weak. He’s trapped ... A mesh of crystal walls are closing in around him, over him like a tomb."

The tomb is a thematically resonant image (New Krypton = graveyard) & heightens the crystals’ threat

Jason ‘senses’ Clark instead of seeing him from the plane window

In the script, Jason wants to help Clark too- not just Lois & Richard deciding.

Jason looks out the window, pointing down to the water.

JASON: There.

He turns to Lois. Beat. She can’t see anything.

LOIS: You’re sure?

Jason nods. He’s certain.

While Clark in hospital, Lois names ‘New Krypton’

it's gone “into orbit somewhere between Mars & Jupiter. Supposedly it’s laced with Kryptonite & still growing”. 

Again, creates a thematic bookend with 'Old Krypton' in the beginning

Outside the Hospital

Ben Hubbard waits with Martha Kent- you can see his shoulder next to her in the Theatrical Cut

There are shots of Lois, Jason & Martha talking while they're in the crowd- presumably Martha offering support without Lois knowing who she is

Martha meets her grandson! The two mothers of Kryptonian sons talk!

Bringing Martha & Ben back ties the Smallville section of the movie back into the plot

Final Clois Exchange

SUPERMAN: Thank you, Lois.

Tears well in her eyes, struggling for something to say.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D): It’s alright.

It’s what she’s wanted and needed to hear for years.

It’s such a small thing, but gives Clois closure, and Clark more lines

OTHER CHANGES

Color-grade: Returns’ drab sepia look ruins beautiful cinematography. The original color-grade in the teaser trailer (which is like 70% deleted footage) is much better, as is this color-corrected shuttle sequence

A tighter edit to compensate for the action-light script. They went for a classic, unhurried edit, but you could shave multiple seconds off most shots without losing anything. The Superman Restored fanedit re-inserts 25 mins of deleted scenes and is still 8 mins shorter than the Theatrical Cut

Tldr;

Returns is inherently slow-paced. Even with a faster edit, adding all this would push it past 3 hours. Regardless, Singer shot his own film in the foot because his priorities were wrong: Outlined above is a more balanced, cohesive story with richer themes. The Lex and Krypton subplots are complete. Clark feels like the main character, & Lois is more sympathetic. 

Brandon deserved so much more.

[welcometoteyvat]

not so live reaction to ga-ming gameplay video leaks

GOD!!!!!!!!!! i swear i dont think they've made a 4* with so much love and thought since like. probably yun jin. i think most ppl are stunned but like MAN. his idles???? the 10 sec of fully animated lion dance? it changes color and instantly reminds me of hong kong neon lights (his burst too tbh)?? THE BACKGROUND DRUMS IN HIS IDLE???? you can see in his normal attack sequence a very short plum blossom pole pops up and he steps on it, and like AAA idk. his animations. :') they really put so much effort into him I wouldn't be surprised if we got an entire yun jin opera animation w him too.

have more to say about how people weren't super happy about the removal of the white elements in his design, from the concept art, but i think the more i look at his design—he has a real/modern style name, is youthful, has neon effects, lively animation, everything matches up to create a very young adult character, a lot more modern than some of the liyue designs, it's nice. it's a cohesive design that actually hints at what his personality is like and what he does and that's a success i think.

there was a bilibili comment wayyy early on (before this leak flood), reacting to the disappointment about his leaked final design, basically saying, "lion dance is still a job, he probably wouldn't wear his uniform all the time even when off duty, and that's why his design seems to have less lion dance elements and looks more casual" etc. looking at ga-ming now that everything's released via leaks, this was def what they were going for. like you can tell that he's a vanguard, that's his full time job, which translates into the primarily black design, but you can also clearly tell he's a lion dancer as a side hustle. idk it's really nice :') i dont have much else to say, besides i think they probably nailed his design as best they could

[harukapologist]

Don't mind me being here again with more 0301. This sort of ties in with the "Haruka in skirts" idea, because while I don't see Haruka as trans in either way, I very much think he is very in touch with both his feminine and masculine side and does enjoy both sides of the clothing selection a lot.

So that is an idea I had with a friend recently: Fuuta and Haruka out shopping for clothes, Fuuta does love picking out clothes for Haruka (Village Vanguard outfit anyone??), but he notices Haruka glancing to the more cute clothes/women's clothing a lot, so he gives him the push in saying "You can pick what you like as well, you know?", which gives Haruka the reassurance that it's okay to go for these clothes.

So, much talk, but pls go wild with this scenario and the following clothes shopping

So it wasn't just me who thought Haruka's Village Vanguard outfit looked really really like Futa's style ehehe, in fact, I've had a sketch for a while in my gallery of Backdraft Futa & Village Vanguard Haruka together because their outfits look so similar :33

AND SO SO SO CUTE!!! thank you for this request + I agree with you 100%!! It's cute to think about Futa helping Haruka on the self discovery journey when he decides to be a bit more feminine also, I imagine he'd learn about the kinds of skirts or dresses Haruka likes the most & buy more of them :D ok enough rambling, here's the art, sorry eheh

In case my handwriting is illegible, here's what the images say

Shopping~

F: "Something caught your eye?"

H: "A-Ah, um... No..."

F: "Hey, don't be so shy. If you like something, you can try it. You can pick what you like as well, you know?" (I LOVE THIS LINE, ESPECIALLY IMAGINING FUTA SAYING IT, SO SWEET!!! I MELTED WHEN I READ THE ASK)

H: "Can I try this?"

F: "Of course!!"

Later~

H: "Futa-kun!"

Labels: "Changing rooms" "doorknob"

H: "H-How do I look?"

F: "SO ADORABLE...!!!" *Futa.exe has stopped working*

H: "Can I try another skirt?"

F: "You can try as many skirts as you want..." *SO CUTE AAA* *SCREAMING INTERNALLY*

H: "yay~"

F: "The skirt makes him cute but his happiness makes him cutest ♡"

[letstalkwhump]

Let's Talk Whump

Welcome to Let’s Talk Whump, a series of interviews that spotlight the amazing people in our whump community! This is Izzy and Malice and we’ll be your hosts today. 

Here with us today is the one and only @whumpsday!

Let’s start with a fact or two about yourself!

My name is Mill and I’m 26! Aside from the whump hobbies of writing and roleplaying, I also play TTRPGs. (My favorites are everything in the Awaken Realms catalogue: Etherfields and Tainted Grail, and I’ll start ISS Vanguard after I finish the Etherfields expansions. Gonna start Vampire the Masquerade soon too.) I haven’t played any roleplay-based TTRPGs like D&D yet, but I’d love to someday. My favorite color is red and my favorite animal is the cat.

That’s sweet as! What does whump mean to you? 

Creative content involving characters’ pain would probably be the broadest definition that still includes everything. I consider it a subgenre of horror, with the added bonus of often showing the gritty recovery from the trauma.

And how did you find the whump community? What made you want to join? 

I originally found whump fiction on AO3 while browsing G/t content (Giant/tiny, content for characters with size differences, such as one being 4 inches tall. It’s the other niche art/writing community I’m in.) That led me to tumblr, and here I am! I’d always enjoyed whump-type content as far as I can remember. I lurked for a couple of years before finally making an account and joining because I was eager to share the stories of my daydream characters.

Do you think the way you view whump has changed since joining the community here? 

It hasn’t changed much! Always been an OC writer and still am. But I’ve only been here for a year and a half.

Now the important questions: what is your favourite whump trope?

My favorite whump trope is probably an immortal whumpee. With a human, you’re bound by the constraints of a human body. People die if you torture them too much. But if your whumpee is immortal, that goes away and the possibilities are limitless. Bonus if they’re a generally-despised species like a vampire or demon.

Immortal whumpee are so good! Endless possibilities equals endless whump! Would you like to share some of your writing with us?

My main series, Kane & Jim, is undoubtedly my favorite. I never thought I could be a writer, and I’m proud of myself for writing 50 chapters of that and counting. Within that, my favorite piece is either Hunger (#15) or Papercut (#17). Link: https://whumpsday.tumblr.com/post/709301997070909440/kane-jim-masterlist-writing-order-click 

Love the authors notes on Papercut #17! What's your writing style like?

I generally write in the late night (anytime from 11pm to 4am) in big blocks. I do not eat or listen to music, and have a water bottle nearby. I used to write very regularly but have since fallen off, and have just recently gotten back on track.

Is there an easy thing for you to write, something the words usually flow for? Is there something you struggle with writing? 

I always find it easier to write single-scene chapters with no cuts. I find it more difficult to write things spanning long lengths of time with time skips abound.

And are you working on anything at the moment? 

I am currently working on my pieces for the Whumpmas in July event (@whumpmasinjuly), which will be half Kane & Jim works and half one-shot short stories.

I’m so excited for Whumpmas in July, it’s such a cool event! Do you have a joke or pun you would like to share to spread some smiles today?

I’m not too good at jokes, so instead have my favorite cat video of all time for a smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rELs4jl64k 

Aww kittens! That’s definitely a smile from me! Is there any writing advice you’d like to share?

You don’t have to write everything in order. If something in a piece is giving you trouble, slap a “COME BACK HERE” label on it and move on to something the inspiration is flowing for.

Finally is there anyone you’d like to mention?

Sorry this is a lot… I have too much love in my heart <3

@anomalys-taxonomy, @blackberry-bloody, @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night, @emmettnet, @lost-in-labradorite-halls, @lumpofwhump, @not-a-space-alien, @obsessedwithegos, @oddsconvert, @pardonmekreature, @quietly-by-myself, @t0rture-me, @whump-for-all-and-all-for-whump, @whump-queen, @whumperstorm, @whumpshaped, @whumpwillow, @wolfeyedwitch, @whumpy-writings, @whumpzone

Any last words?

i forced myself to use proper capitalization for this interview but i’m a lowercase guy at heart

Thank you so much for joining us today! It was great to have you on the show!

And to all you folks at home, have a whump-derful day!

[nat-of-personifs]

A Comprehensive List of Every Personif Thing I’ve Seen, Ever

-A lot of old books, like Common Sense by Thomas Paine, refer to OTJs with she/her. I love them dearly.

-Just google national personifications.

-Welcome to the Table. US Statespirits.

-Meanwhile in Australia. Australian Statespirits.

-Hetalia.

-Countryhumans.

-Scandinavia and the World.

-Paris Burning and associated universe. Cityspirits. I was majorly influenced by this.

-The Great Cities series by N.K. Jemisin, favorite books of all fucking time. The avatar terminology and style of personification fighting basically made it into my canon wholesale. Cityspirits and boroughspirits.

-Living Maps: An Atlas of Cities Personified. Haven’t got it yet but I really want it.

-The Bible, apparently. Cityspirits.

-@mur-art’s addition: Big Wayward Girl. Statespirits. California.

-This old-ass poem has Paris talking. There were a bunch like it, but I couldn’t find translations. I owe my life to JSTOR, and my fountain pens.

-Centricide. Political personifs.

-Polandball/Countryballs.

-Socialstuck, Fandomstuck, and Socialstuck Cloutchase.

-Purge the Poison by MARINA. Mother Nature dissing humanity for climate change in two minutes.

-I Am California by John Craigie.

-@mur-art’s addition: some Statehumans comics.

-@mur-art’s personif playlist

-@mur-art’s addition: Florida’s state song (I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS THING ALREADY OMG)

-@bread--quest’s addition: Sedona by Houndsmouth

-@milokissa707’s addition: Canadian provinces as roommates

-There are a bunch of things on quora; just search something related.

-Nico’s Proposal describes the Administrator like the personif of the Foundation.

-Fall Witness, Part 2. Autumn Court Fae create an artificial personif of the O4 Council. Vanguard tale <3

-SCP-1761. This thing got me into the SCP Wiki in the first place.

-SCP-5513. I do not have words.

[theoriginalladya]

WIP Whenever

So, I finished up Hell Week for work today - yay! - and was wasting a few minutes looking through my WIPs and came across this piece of art that I absolutely ADORE of Kaidan and his twin sister, Kandra. Which got me to start looking through the bits of Vanguard of Your Destruction which I started for Nano...three years ago, I think? Decided to share this little bit I came across early on in the story.

(commissioned artwork of Kaidan and Kandra Alenkoby @xla-hainex)

I can’t stay.  Bits of plaster rain down from the ceiling as the building shakes for a fourth time, and this time it doesn't just push the button to her brain, it slaps it down hard.  She dashes back to her room, throwing the closet doors open until they bang against the wall. Rooting through the clothes hanging there, she finally grasps hold of the evacuation bag Kaidan had her create months ago.  Clothing.  First-aid kit.  All the necessities a girl needs to get from Vancouver to the BC interior when an invasion hits! she’d quipped at the time.  Another bellowing wail from outside screams through the windows. She clasps her hands to her ears, but not in time.

As she turns to leave, a glint of mahogany catches her eye and she hesitates, staring at the jewelry box. No...I can't... Without thought or permission, she finds herself standing directly in front of it. Anger fills her, a rage she's not felt since...since... Biting her lip until she tastes blood, she lifts a hand and settles it on the top.  It's strange to see her fingers shaking so badly, knowing it has nothing to do with immediate dangers brought by alien space creatures, but everything to do with the peace of mind she's been trying to find since her youth. Breath rattling from her lungs, her fingers brush across the lock, unsealing it. Slowly, cautiously, she lifts the lid, as if afraid it might jump out and bite her. As well it could, too. It doesn't. Carefully wrapped in the small piece of fabric Kaidan had wrapped around it, it sits there in the corner of the box, behind her charm bracelet and the earrings her grandmother had left her when she passed. Sitting there. Still. Quiet. Unassuming. And yet it offers so much. Yet another deep, resonant, mechanical wail fills the air around her, seeping in through sealed windows.  Kandra cringes out of instinct, but at the same time, her fingers close around the fabric-wrapped item.  I know you don’t want to think about it, but Kan, you need to.  I’m not kidding… The fabric falls away, like the peel on an orange, and she stares, torn by twin feelings of hope and horror. I shouldn't have to make this choice! I vowed never, EVER, to pick one up again! The very fact she does is...offensive.  Despicable.  Frustrating as all hell, too, because no matter how badly she wants to deny it, if she's going to live, to survive, she has to accept that he's right.  Quick tears fill her eyes even as the fabric fall to the floor.  It’s an older style Savant, the one he used back before the Normandy was destroyed, but it’s better than the old Gemini they’d been issued at Brain Camp.  Kan, you HAVE to survive..

The tears trickle down her cheeks as old muscle memory kicks in, fingers removing the cover before sliding the device into the port. She imagines she can hear a soft click as it fits, but that's mostly her brain playing tricks. Swiping at her cheeks with her shirt sleeve, she shoulders her bag and spins on her heel, stalking out of the room towards the front of her apartment. Dammit, K, I hate it when you’re right!

[hidden-scarlet-whispers]

My darling Guardian Oc

First Name

Astral

Middle Name

Nípan-Inocciduois-Ascian

Last name

Astrolatry

Race

Awoken

Age

Psychical: 32

Resurrected: 882

Gender

Masculine

Pronouns

He/Him/They/Them

Disabilities: Glass Right Eye, Speech impediment (stuttering & slurring words)

Accessories: Jewelry/Chains embedded in his body

Cleanliness/Grooming: Impeccable

Posture/Gait: Perfect, Tense, Formal

Tics: Pigeon Sounds, Constantly moving hands

Coordination: When in a combative/important situation, impeccable, when relaxed, terrible due to loss of right eye.

Sexuality

Asexual

Romantic Attraction

Homoromantic

GUARDIAN STATUS

Class

Warlock

Subclass

VoidWalker

LOOKS

Skin colour

Purple W/ White spots

Eye colour

Pure White W/ Star-Like Specs

Hairstyle

Long Curly, Shaved on One Side, Grown Out Enough To Allow Some Curls To Form On Shaved Side

Hair colour

Purple-White

Height

6,6

Weight

120 LBS

Figure

Hourglass, boney

PERSONALITY

Positive

Decisive

Sincere

Punctual

Commanding

Analytical

Negative

Emotionally Unintelligent

Obsessive

Arrogant

Insecure

Distant

Likes

The Arts

Astronomy

Pigeons

Hot Chocolate

Alone Time

Dislikes

Public Spaces

Brash Noises/Movements

Ignorance

The City

The Speaker

Successes

Mastery Over The Void

Multiple Published Books

Failures

Inability To Maintain Romantic Relationship

Inability To Harness Solar Light

Mannerisms: Tsking, Whistling, Biting lips, Darting eyes, Eye contact either excessive or avoidant, thousand-yard stare, Tracing scars, Covering mouth whilst laughing/smiling, Cracking Joints, Wild Gesturing when passionate,

Educational background: Self-taught, mentored by The Speaker

Intelligence: 260, Super Genius

Self-esteem: Outwardly, very arrogant + egotistical, Internally, Crippling Fear and insecurity.

Hobbies: The Arts

Skills/talents: The Void, Extremely Fast Learning, Extraordinary Memory.

Loves: …

Morals/Virtues: Respect, Perseverance,

Phobias/Fears: Social Phobia, Agnosiophobia

Angered by: Infactural Assumptions

Pet peeves: Random Touches, Loud Speaking

Obsessed with: The Void, The Darkness

Bad habits: Easily falls into Isolation

Desires: A Romantic Relationship, Understanding

Flaws: Paranoid, Self-Destructive

Quirks: Snorts when Laughing, Loves Purple

Secrets: The harm that his isolation actually causes him

Regrets: Becoming so lonely and a legendary figure.

Languages known: English, Sign Language, Japanese, Spanish, French

Preferred communication methods: Letters or One on One Verbal Communication

Accent: Mixture of French, English, Mexican, and Japanese accents for a variety of words.

Style and pacing of speech: When Tense, Firm and Slow Speaking, Careful in pronunciation and elegant Wording. When Relaxed, Stuttering, Slurring words together, quickly speaking

Pitch: Sorophic/Hypnotic, Crisp, Ethereal

Laughter: Snorting, ‘Chocking on Air’ Mainly silent when truly laughing, booming

Smile: Hidden, rarely shows teeth

Extra Info

OCPD, Anxiety, Depression. Easily turns to obsession and isolation, struggles with any kind of socialisation not pertaining to combat/knowledge

Lived alongside Osiris in the Iron Temple, but chose to not be mentored, though many Iron Lords wished to teach him… likely just to understand why he was so powerful with the void.

The closest Iron Lord to become a mentor was Felwinter, but their bond was more familiar than anything.

The Speaker was his first and last mentor, and thus he became close with Saint aswell. Worked alongside Osiris and Saint when Osiris became Vanguard Commander, The Speaker exiled Astral a few years before Osiris’ Exile

BACKGROUND

Post-Resurrection and Red War

Astral is both the Young Wolf and Older, resurrected at the beginning of the Dark Age, he’s one of the oldest Guardians alive, he was resurrected in deep space however, it took him some decades to reach Earth. Carries more personal connections with the older Guardians that YW does in accordance to canon.

Post-Red War and Present Day

Essentially followed the storyline, but Petra was the one to kill Uldren, he didn't personally care for Cayde-6. Enjoyed aiding Osiris and later Saint 14 the most. Now he continues with his personal research, away from the city. Though he remains quick to defend it.

Personality {0-100}

Anger: 35

Arrogance: 90

Bravery: 95

Charm: 10

Combativeness: 25

Cunning: 90

Confidence: 90

Emotionality: 20

Empathy: 35

Extroversion: 0

Forgetfulness: 5

Hostility: 50

Impulsiveness: 30

Intelligence: 100

Jealousy: 25

Loyalty: 95

Materialism: 80

Maturity: 90

Naivety: 0

Optimism: 15

Patience: 75

Pettiness: 30

Rationality: 85

Realism: 55

Responsibility: 80

Selfishness: 40

Seriousness: 80

Sociability: 10

Stubbornness: 60

Trustworthiness: 85

Vanity: 100

Relationships: {0-Hostile, 35=Frenemy, 50=Neutral, 65=Friends, 80=Best Friends, 90=Crush, 100=Lovers}

Ada-1: 50

Amanda: 45

Ana Bray: 55

Asher Mir: 75

Banshee-44: 65

Cayde-6: 35

Sloane: 50

Zavala: 65

Crow: 80

Devivrim Kay: 65

Drifter: 40

Caiatl: 60

Eris Morn: 70

Eva Lavante: 55

Exo Stranger: 45

Ikora Rey: 35

Saladin Forge: 85

Shaxx: 85

Mara Sov: 35

Misraaks: 70

Osiris: 90

Saint-14: 90

Petra Venj: 35

Rahool: 50

Shaw Han: 75

Hawthorne: 60

Tess Everis: 50

The Spider: 0

Variks: 75

Xür: 65

Forever Friend: Saladin Forge

Nemesis: The Spider

Rival: Petra Venj

Mentor: The Speaker

Student: Crow

Trusts The Most: Osiris, Saint,

Trusts The Least: Spider, Mara Sov

Would Die For: Anyone 50 And Above

Merely Tolerates: Drifter

Confides In: Shaxx

Platonic Contact: Zavala

Misses The Most: Sagira

Doesn't Understand: Mara Sov

Favourite Vanguard: Zavala

Enemy They Understand: Vex

GHOST

Name

Sagitta

‘Keystone’

Gender

Feminine

Ghost Shell

Sanctified Vigilance

[dailycharacteroption]

Class Feature Friday: Battle Leader (Starfinder Archetype)

(art by Izaque Fagundez on Artstation)

Small announcement, folks: After today’s entry, the Starfinder Archetypes, which served as the basis for PF2 archetypes, will be moved into the regular weekly rotation rather than being limited to CFF. There’s enough of them now and the decision for them to be CFF entries was made back before Pathfinder Second Edition was announced. And now there’s a Starfinder Second Edition on the way too! Anyway, on with the entry!

As long as there have been militaries, there have been commanders there to keep their cool, analyze the situation, and issue commands. This has remained true through the Bronze Age to the present day, and will likely remain true into the far future.

There are many different styles of leadership, but today we will be focusing the style common to the individual squads of the Veskarium’s militaries, an adaptation of the ancient vesk tradition of the Battle Leader!

Battle Leaders have their basis in the teachings of the conquerer-god Darmoritosh, and as such they focus on momentum in battle, rewarding victory against individual foes with praise and new orders to direct those under them to even greater heights.

In other words, this is an interesting flavor of the classic “marshal” rpg trope, a military leader whose function is to buff allies with orders and commands, so it’s fun to see that realized in some way outside of the solider class, though you can always combine the two as well.

The core ability of this path is the battle leader’s ability to react to an ally downing or critically wounding a foe and issuing their allies an order afterwards, bolstering their ability to act in other ways. When they start down this path, they learn one such order, which can range from enhanced damage on their next turn, greater speed, enhanced focus on skills or resistance, giving them a moment to recover, helping them stay alert, help them overcome afflictions, and helping them reposition. Some of these affect all allies, while others affect only the one that made the triggering attack.

As they grow in power, they can choose to forgo various abilities of their vocation in favor of learning either a new order, or to learn to better utilize an order they already have, increasing it’s effect.

Eventually, they also learn how to invoke two benefits of orders at once, granting allies even greater benefits.

Naturally, this archetype works best with more militant classes (especially vanguard with their occasional ability to have extra reactions in a single turn), but it can work well with pretty much anyone, especially if your build doesn’t have a lot of use for reactions normally. Also consider pairing it with a buffing support build such as a biohacker, mystic, and other spellcasters. The fact you can choose between your normal class abilities and additional benefits from the archetype is a nice touch as well.

You can’t put your life in another person’s hands without trusting them, and that’s exactly what happens in a military squad. Exactly what style of leadership your battle leader has is up to you, but you should probably roleplay them getting to know their various party members to better reflect their bond with the party.

Forgoing the life of a merchant, the witchwyrd Albonsai instead runs a mercenary company, where she is not afraid of getting mixed up in the fight as well. Unlike other witchwyrds her underlings seemingly keep her secrets out of loyalty rather than binding legal contract, though she also typically offers her best prices to her kin.

A raxilite delegate has long trusted their bodyguard team to protect them, but on their most recent assignment, they hire the party as an auxiliary force. The main team, however, is a very tight-knit group, and are mistrusting of the newcomers, a rift that would-be assassins could exploit if not closed.

The party originally formed when their military commander brought them together after being discharged from the military, giving them a chance to put their training to work in making their way after the war. Even when he passed on, the group stayed together… that is until they received a recording, seemingly from their commander, alive and well, despite having seen him die.