There's Even MORE Women I Respect?!
Happy International Women's Day! Anyone who's bothered to read these posts knows where this is going so let's just dive on in!
Aileen Lauren d'Autriche (I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss)
Aya (OneChanbara)
Charlotte (Genshin Impact)
Chiori (Genshin Impact)
Faruzan (Genshin Impact)
Furina de Fontaine (Genshin Impact)
Luluco (Space Patrol Luluco)
Marika (Chillin' in my 30s After Being Fired from the Demon King's Army)
Mitsuri Kanroji (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Navia (Genshin Impact)
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Need help
Hi everyone previously I had 2 months rent due and few bills due but now my problem is even worse I have 3 months rend pending I need some serious help please help me everyone anything is helpful itâs very necessary and urgent
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how you can help palestine
*i regularly update this post with any new info i find so please always reblog the original post*
Donations
donations currently reaching gaza:
help buy e-sims for people in gaza (PLEASE HELP CONNECT GAZANS TO THE WORLD. if you would like to stay updated, please follow @/Mirna_elhelbawi on twitter)
currently holafly e-sims are needed. please donate.
donate to get food packages to gaza - care for gaza
support palestinians: buy a keffiyeh from the last and only factory in palestine - hirbawi
secondary donations:
palestine children's relief fund
palestine red crescent society
save palestine - islamic relief canada
send medical supplies to gaza - palestinian american medical association
click to donate - arab.org
donate for the recovery of hisham awartani - gofundme
one of the three palestinian students shot by a racist in vermont for wearing kufiyas and speaking arabic. hishamâs injuries have left him paralysed from below the chest.
help bring down israel's weapon trade - palaction
NOTE: journalists based in gaza are saying a demand for ceasefire is the priority as not all donations are reaching gazans (focus on the donations that are directly reaching gaza). so please contact your local MPs every single day demanding as such. palestine need a permanent ceasefire.
Petitions
petition to investigate war crimes committed by israeli military
demand ceasefire - amnesty.org
open call for immediate ceasefire
american government call for immediate ceasefire
american government to stop funding israeli military
ceasefire and increase humanitarian assistance - oxfam au
petition to get canva to address their pro-israel stance
invoke the genocide convention to call for ceasefire in gaza - world beyond war
location specific petitions
gaza call for ceasefire - oxfam (UK)
end israeli occupation - parliament uk (UK)
email your MP - medical aid for palestine (UK)
protect gaza civilians - islamic relief (UK)
stop fuelling genocide - action network (USA)
@ biden: call for ceasefire now - move on (USA)
ceasefirenow.com - jewishvoiceofpeace (USA)
call congress and demand a ceasefire - uscpr (USA - they provide a script of what you should say, so don't worry about it)
note: you can call everyday. they tally the number of calls per issue. so more calls = higher chance for them to take action. p.s. you mainly go to voicemail so donât worry about phone call anxiety. fight through it just this once please.
australia call on israel to stop attacking palestinians - apan (AUS)
immediate ceasefire and increase in humanitarian aid in gaza - actionaid (AUS)
email your MPs - stand with palestine (AUS)
[EN5622] call for ceasefire and end to occupation - parliament of australia (AUS)
closes 13 dec @ 8.59pm AEST
[EN5628] retract governmental support to israel and demand ceasefire - parliament of australia (AUS)
closes 13 dec @ 8.59pm AEST
sign to send letter to MP for ceasefire - nccm (CANADA)
ceasefire now! - ijv (CANADA)
ceasefire and allow aid to enter gaza - oxfam (CANADA)
house of commons petition 4661 (CANADA)
closes 9 dec @ 11.03am EDT
cessez-le-feu et un couloir humanitaire - le mouvement (FRANCE)
write to your député - assemblée nationale (FRANCE)
skydda civilbefolkningen i gaza! - mittskifte (SWEDEN)
singaporeans call for immediate ceasefire (SIN)
contact your elected reps and demand a ceasefire (GERMANY)
write to the EU demanding a ceasefire (EUROPE)
template of letters you can send (EU)
guide on how to contact your MPs in EU
p.s. if the template is outdated, just use it as a guide and add a few sentences here and there that reflect the current situation. i canât find any recent templates so :/ at least this is something
multiple actions you can take to help palestine - plant een olifbloom (NETHERLANDS)
includes: links for donations, emails to MP, emails to media, links to petitions and demonstrations
den haag, maak nĂș werk van vrede in israĂ«l/Palestina - the right forum (NETHERLANDS)
mÄori call for palestine - ourActionStation (NZ)
special visa for palestinians in gaza with family in NZ - NZ parliament/pÄremata aotearoa (NZ)
deem israeli actions as war crimes - NZ parliament/pÄremata aotearoa (NZ)
basta ao genocĂdio em Gaza! - awaaz (BRAZIL)
globo e grande mĂdia, parem de desumanizar civis palestinos - the intercept (BRAZIL)
Campaigns
friends of al-aqsa
â„ UK-specific
urge your MP to speak up for palestine
hands off al-aqsa
stop administrative detention
petition for UK to stop arming israel
â„ International
boycott puma â email them to end their partnership with israel
boycott coca-cola
palestine action
join the resistance
islamic relief canada
urge your MP to rally for ceasefire
decolonise palestine
poster campaign to raise awareness on the war crimes being committed against palestinians | (very very important please share + read the sources provided)
text/call campaign for people living in USA
text CEASEFIRE @ 51905 to call for a ceasefire
text RESIST @ 50409 to send a letter to your representatives to pass HR3103âa bill that prohibits tax dollars from going to israel
download 5Calls app to contact members of your congress | (more info)
fax campaign for people in the USA
go on this website to send 5 free faxes per day
hereâs a link to a pre-written fax copy you can download to send (the first link on the linktree)
hereâs a video that explains how to fax your senator (itâs very easy and all you need is a valid email address)
BDS movement
get involved in boycotting companies associated with israel
please let me know if you have any more links. i will add them in. and please reblog the original post!!
UPCOMING PROTESTS
PALESTINIAN LITERATURE READING LIST
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What I Would Add To/Change About: OneeChanbara ORIGIN
...It has been a while.
I'm starting to think I finish games slowly...Oh well!
On the 5th of December, in the year 2019, we got a remake of quite a rather underappreciated series' first two outings: Oneechanbara! AKA, the zombie bikini game.
BUT THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN THAT! DON'T CHANGE THE PAGE!
Are there scantily clad ladies getting covered in blood as they kill zombies? Yes.
Is there a story of two separated sisters fighting to restore their family while combatting the forces that fractured their home as a clone woman uses obsession to distract herself from her existential crisis? Also yes.
I know that sounds spoilery, but the originals came out in the early 2000s so I don't feel that bad.
Why I am saying all this in the intro? Let's slice our way to the good part!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Up first are all the reasons this tropetastic fanservice fest is something I'm too proud to call a guilty pleasure!
Aya and Saki's relationship. It develops faster than it realistically should but I can't bring myself to care that much. They care about each other, they fight with each other and resolve to overcome tradition together. After clearing up the misunderstandings (and having one of the sweetest hugs I've seen in gaming so far), you can really see how much Saki looks up to Aya and just wants to spend time with her. And Aya is quick to praise Saki and make her feel good about herself, knowing that she needs it. Though they're not above messing with each other; Saki teasing Aya leads to some of the funniest parts of the game and could probably seem relatable to someone with a younger sibling. Watching them talk about their lives away from each other, bond throughout their adventure and walk off at the end, after everything they go through is the real highlight of the game.
Aya is just a fun protagonist: She's strong, confident, witty and a total goofball when she needs to be. A bit standard when it comes to character development, but still fun to follow.
Simple gameplay! Just switch your weapons when they get too bloody and go! Switch characters if you need to! You don't get it, sometimes my brain needs a break from strategizing!
Music keeps me up and going while I'm killing zombies! Unbreakable Trust is a song I could keep on loop for hours and Ai ha kimi no mono is exactly the kind of song you need to keep yourself energized when facing down the kind of final boss this game gives you!
The designs are great! The features are beautiful and the outfits are perfectly updated!
Punching people as Saki is just fun.
The ending is perfectly fitting and gives a bittersweet end to the story. It was sad but also hopeful.
Okay, now to move onto some things I feel would make a great addition to the game!
ADD:
The game's too short, needs more levels to flesh things out. Development happened too fast and a lot of things went unexplored. Hmm...Seems to be a reoccurring thing in hack n' slashes.
SHOW AYA AND SAKI'S MOTHER! With how they talk about her, you would think we'd get something.
More scenes with Eva to help give the players an idea of what she's actually planning on doing would be nice (I know there's DLC, but this kind of stuff you put in the game)!
Oboro levels, maybe?
And now, let's wrap this all up with what really needs to be rebooted!
CHANGE:
Let Aya use some critical thinking and notice all the red flags about Lei! Seriously, it was so obvious!
Trying to work with countering was a nightmare. Just let me slash things.
BEING. GIANT. DOES. NOT. MEAN. YOU. HAVE. TO. BE. A. DAMAGE. SPONGE!
Make Berserk and Xtatic forms player-decided? It is way harder than it seems to keep an Xtatic sister alive! Plus, you see they can control it in the cutscenes! Come on!
And that's about it! OneeChanbara ORIGIN is a fun game that I highly recommend!
Here's to a sequel! Keep your blades crossed!
See you next time!
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SPOILERS FOR BAKI HANMA SEASON 2, EPISODE 1!
Sir...You are a man of science. Why, in a thousand years, WOULD YOU TRY TO EAT A T-REX?! If it's from ancient times, who knows how many diseases are in there?! Ones that you probably aren't vaccinated against, because it was an entirely different world! There was nothing to suggest that anyone besides Pickle has a stomach that could even tolerate that type of meat! You could've just gone to the vending machine, but nooooo! Not to mention that you were technically tampering with your research subject! If Pickle didn't wake up, it would be a miracle if you still had a job! Nasty.
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Chapitas de los ragbros
(constelaciones)
-Chapita de plĂĄstico
-Laminado de estrellitas
Precio: 2âŹ/ und (mas envio)
Compra aquĂ: https://ko-fi.com/s/afe08b7441
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3 days left to help RAPIER TAPIR get funded! Please share the link!
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Hâaanit, the Hunter: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Hâaanitâs story in Octopath Traveler!
Why are all of these Chapter 2 stories so dark?! Even Tressaâs showed the scary reality of monopolies!
We made it to Stonegard, searching for any sign of Zâaanta we could get. HĂ€gen leading us, we found...we found out things.
Stonegard...lives up to itâs name. Lots of rocks. Everything is rocks. I get the point is that everything is carved out of rock, but the gray monochromatic color scheme is kind of dreary. The foggy lighting doesnât help either. Sure thereâs a lot, but a little paint in a few places could have helped.Â
I really like the emphasis this chapter puts on Hâaanitâs relationship with Zâaanta. Itâs clear the two care about each other, even if he annoys her at times. And I can understand, man needs to get his vices under control. But the fact that he spends his time away from her talking about her shows how devoted he really is. Itâs a sweet, relatable relationship. Which makes the end of this chapter all the worse.
Natalia was cool. Itâs nice to learn about some of Zâaanta's life outside of the village. And I give credit to a widow in medieval times just trying to live her life and trying to deal with being harassed (But what is with all the entitled rich people? Iâm starting to see a pattern). Also, it was nice she let a direwolf and a snow leopard hang out in her house.
I know we have British accents in this game for some people, but now weâre throwing in southern American ones? Just where is Orsterra based off of, medieval Europe or colonial America?
Spectrewood is a scary forest just like out set out to be. Dark, foggy, could easily be used in a production The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Pretty standard. Until you meet the inhabitants.
The Lord of the Forest...is objectively terrifying. Seriously, look at a picture of it, it is scary. The worst part is itâs scary in the way only nature can be: fearsome but accepted as the way it goes and somehow beautiful. The majesty of a wooden stag is offput by the way the branches trail off to look like itâs flowing, like itâs a ghost. Also it EATS the monsters it summons! Ugghhh....
Thatâs not the dark part, though.
We find Zâaanta.
And heâs been turned to stone.
All this time, I just thought he was going to be dead. But, that glimmer of hope of turning him back...kind of makes it worse.
With how dark these chapters are getting, thereâs a chance whatever Susanna advises wonât work. If she does have a solution.
More than dark, this chapter is just...sad.
Hâaanit finds her father figure, and she canât even reunite with him.
And the monster that did this is still out there. And I do not feel strongly about the Knights Ardanteâs chances.
As for the other travelers...
Cyrus: Knowledge! And itâs about wolf facts! I want to hear his lecture...
Primrose: Okay, Prim; not all men are jerks. And you canât just divide them into groups, people are complex. The guys in the party are pretty alright. Hâaanit, youâre fine, sheâs just had bad experiences.
Tressa: Aww, cute childhood anecdote. Write your parents, Tressa! Youâre lucky enough to have parents, most of your companions donât! But yeah, parents can get...creative with punishments. Hope she didnât have a dentist appointment after that.
Therion: Listen to Therion, cut Zâaanta some slack! Let him have a break, he works hard! ...Just limit his spendings.
Olberic: ...She needed that. And Olbericâs right, your true character often only comes out in dire situations. At least Zâaanta gave them a direction to start at. I hope they get to talk one day.
Ophilia: Aww, they bonded! Youâre both beautiful girls, and Iâm sure Eliza would agree!Â
Alfyn: Alfyn is too good for this world. Best support.
Well, our only chance is in Stillsnow.
Letâs hope it works out.
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Therion, The Thief: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Therionâs story in Octopath Traveler!
And here we begin our life of involuntary indentured servitude.
Hooray.
Lousy rich folk...
And now weâre in a town full of them. Great.
At least we get to beat one up.
Noblecourtâs a pretty nice-looking place. The trees give a cozy framing to the city, but they donât clash with the brickwork or the fancier homes. The fountainâs also a nice touch, simple way to show opulence The beat-up condition of Barhamâs home does show whatâs going on underneath the surface, though. The person at the entrance says that the townâs fallen on hard times...thatâll be interesting to explore later.
And wow! That was convenient! Thanks for telling me everything about my target and their location, first two people in town!
Aaaaaaand, we canât just fight our way into the targetâs house. Or grift. Dang. If only we were in a different genre, we could just climb in. Guess we go back to info gathering (without Cyrus or Alfyn, for some reason).
To the tavern!
Now we wait...
Oh! Thanks second group at the bar! That additional information will surely help my efforts.
And weâre on a fetch quest. But this one is free. I love stealing! But man, everyone just takes advantage of Therion. Learn to be your own thief!
Is this karma?Â
Oh well. At least we got a benefit out of it.
And another partnership serves as a foil to Therionâs solitude. Barham may have been a crotchety jerk, but heâs clearly hurting. Itâs hard to watch your friend fall victim to obsession and be powerless to stop it.
I get the feeling Barhamâs story about Orlick and him might be a parallel to whatever went down with Darius. What was he thinking about at the end of that flashback? I donât feel good about it.
Onto the heist...
Orlickâs manse...definitely belongs to someone going mad. Dim lights, excessive use of green (nothingâs wrong with green, itâs just a common color to symbolize negativity (envy, in over your head, judgment, etc.)) paired with gold (money), emptiness...
And a storage room full of valuables pushed off to the side except for one. That we of course got caught in. Say, âHiâ to Orlick, everyone!
The paranoid researcher whoâs clearly crossed the line into obsession. And that led to an inflated perception of himself, which led to irrational distrust of everyone around him. Seen it. That does get me curious about the stone, though...
Despite his paranoia, he brought help. Of course. So much for only relying on yourself.
Wait, do I have to go all the way to Bolderfall? Oh, good, itâs just a cutscene.
Cordelia, you have got to wake up to the world. I donât want your thanks, and I will ditch you the second this band is off my arm. And Therion is a clearly traumatized loner with a fringe, what part of him looks trustworthy? Yes, I have pride, I am a great thief! And you are blackmailing me, we are not going to be friends. Listen to Heathcote, who I am beginning to suspect has a background of walking on the wild side.
Lonely? ...He probably is. These two chapters are hinting at something, Theri.
At least you have company now.
Tressa: Hm. A nice exploration of the differences between their trades. A merchant gets to know the people around them and learns town to town, a thief observes everyone and learns through collected experience.
Olberic: Ooh! Strategic Olberic! I mean, you probably could beat up all the guards, but alright. Aww, he wants to see Therion work! Thanks, Team Dad!
Primrose: Kind of thought sheâd talk more about being back in her hometown, instead of wanting to dance. Nothing wrong with that, but missed opportunity.
Hâaanit: THANK YOU! I was at my limit with all the thief judgement! You may have triggered Theri, though...
Alfyn: Wait, retirement fund?! Where?! I thought Therion was homeless, where is he keeping it?! And come on! Give Alfyn a chance! He just wants to be your friend! Sigh...
Cyrus: Okay! Do not insult someoneâs profession to their face! ...Unless theyâre a politician. Thought the guy whose job gets judged by society as a whole would be a little less judgmental.
Ophilia: Theri! Donât tease her! Be nicer to your companions! ...And maybe be wary about the possible magic in the stone!
What is so special about these stones?Â
What happened to Darius?
And what did it do to Therion?
Maybe weâll get some answers in Wellspring.
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Alfyn, the Apothecary: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Alfynâs story in Octopath Traveler!
Alright! Time to destroy our hopes of making a difference in the world with the harsh reality of the pharmaceutical business!
I swear, if this story kicks the life out of my sunshine boy...
Well, we made it to Goldshore at the right time! Thereâs a sickness going through town! And our boy Alfynâs on it!
His first patient is a little girl! Again. Oh well, heâs on the case!
...Well he would be. Seems another apothecaryâs here. One with very suspicious sounding voice clips....
Time to leave little Ellen then. Our sweet boy will continue on his way.
And to Ellenâs mother, maâam! I was just trying to help! And thereâs nothing wrong with being scruffy! Geez!
What a simple chapter! Now onward to...
...No one bought that, right?
Yeah, we got plenty more to cover. Especially about possibly one of the most twisted characters in this game; and frighteningly, one you could see in real life.
Letâs talk about Goldshore first. Weâve made it to the retirement town! Beautiful beaches and a district for the wealthy, you can just see millionaires flocking here to spend their last days. The water blends beautifully with the sand pixels, making use of the 2d-3d presentation. The sand looks great too, great job on the layering. I also like detail of the cliffs cutting into the bricks on the steps, it really sells the coastal vibe. And the sparkles simulating the shimmering reflection of the sun tie it all together. The city itself is simple, even in the fancier district. Just content to let the beach take center stage. This does make the church seem out of place, clashes with the tone. Still nice. Though, youâd think a town this fancy would clean up that boat wreck at the shore...
Alfyn continues to be a sweet boy, nothing new on that front. I am glad I got to see him figure out stuff on his own: he observed Vanessaâs behavior and while he believed her at first like everyone else, once he saw her act in a way contrary to how she was at first, he became suspicious and investigated thoroughly. Itâs important to balance his kindness with his intelligence.
I like that this chapter doesnât just demonize wanting money. Sure, more value is placed on love like the moral goes, but money is acknowledged as something necessary to survive. Love and helping others is great, but you need to support yourself while youâre at it. The problem is when you let your desire for money override your conscience.
Of course we end up having to cure a sick little girl after all. Who is poor. And was sick before this. All to show how depraved someone would have to be to not want to treat her. Hopefully her mom will be more grateful now...
Okay. Did not expect Ellen to say that.
The Caves of Azure were actually kind of pretty, especially the boss room. I really liked how the emphasis on blue worked, and how the lighting hit it.
Vanessa Hyzel...is a scarily realistic villain. Seeming to cure illness, only to give the patient a new one...Hiding behind a facade of charity to build believability so thereâs less of a fuss when she overcharges...This could and does happen in real life. Scam artists are everywhere. And we donât have a lot of Alfyns to stop them.
WAIT, SHE EXPERIMENTED ON KITTENS?! SHEâS GOING DOWN!
Of course sheâs a summon boss. Well, at least she explains why theyâre there!
Dang. That was cold, Alfyn. I underestimated you. I knew we couldnât let her get away, but I didnât think heâd drug her. Okay, heâs not all sunshine and rainbows.
Yeah, I deserve an apology! Not all scruffy drifters are bad guys, maâam!
The ending was sweet. Itâs nice to have your efforts appreciated, even if you only get seashells from some little girls. But, okay! Getting money in this game is not easy, but Iâm not poor! And grown-ups can cry! Everyone has feelings! And youâll get there Alfyn. Youâll be just like your hero.
Maybe even better.
As for the otherâs thoughts on observing a pandemic:
Hâaanit: Itâs nice she appreciates how good he is with kids. Itâs good for work! But she will smile when she feels like it, thank you.
Olberic: Itâs nice to see someone whose work is fighting praise someone who works in healing. And Iâm glad Alfyn doesnât criticize Olberic for being someone whoâs caused a lot of injuries. They both respect each other and share a determination to hone their crafts. Itâs nice.
Cyrus: Dang it, Alfyn! Have some more faith in yourself! Youâll get there! And youâre already doing a good job! ACCEPT THE PRAISE!
Tressa: Way to get our hopes up, Tress. Donât come at me with that sentimental stuff, we got a party to feed! Okay, I kinda like the mushy, value canât always be measured in money.
Therion: ...Alfyn, youâre scaring me. How does a conscience get pricked? What does he need to be careful about, Theri? I think he has more of that stuff!
Primrose: You just defended crying, Alfyn. Now youâre trying to look tough in front of Prim. Make up your mind. But yeah, heâd be a great father. One day.
Ophilia: ...âKay. TMI, donât need to know about your nervous itching, or where it is, but okay. Weâll keep the praise to a minimum. Even if itâs well-deserved.
Now we go to Saintsbridge!
...I donât trust that name. Kind of ominous.
But maybe thatâs why they need an apothecary?
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Primrose, the Dancer: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Primroseâs story in Octopath Traveler!
...
...
...Every time I do one of Primroseâs chapters, I lose a little more faith in humanity.
Well, we made it to Stillsnow. One of the Crow Men is here.
And Primrose has a knife ready for him.
And knowing thereâs a murderous criminal here raises your suspicion about the town in general. For good reason. This place, like plenty of idyllic towns a little far out, has a secret. Honestly, not as big of a secret as I would think, but still pretty messed up.
Normally a snowy town like Stillsnow would look cozy, but itâs more ominous. Maybe itâs mostly the story, but the stronger uses of dark blue and black with less yellow to bring warmth compared to other snow town levels Iâve seen make this place feel more like the Overlook than a Christmas park. It amazes me how you can use snow to make a heartwarming winter scene or a time of isolation and the fear your body will be hidden in it if youâre not careful. The cave to get into the Obsidian Parlor is pretty basic...
...Okay, Iâm just gonna say it: WHY IS THERE A CAVE THAT LEADS DIRECTLY INTO A MANSION?! What use is that?! Itâs already out in the middle of nowhere and barely anyone knows it exists, WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS?!
The reveal was pretty obvious, but no less devastating. Nothing against sex workers, but it is pretty sad to see Arianna having been forced to resort to selling herself just to stay alive. Itâs not even her fault sheâs in this position, but when you take down a head, the rest of the body falls too.
I get the feeling that besides vengeance, the mistreatment of women is another theme in Primroseâs story. Honestly, itâs done a bit more tastefully here than in other stories Iâve seen. And does fit in with the setting rather well.
For the utter darkness of this chapter though, it has one of the funniest moments in the game so far: sorry Prim, not every man is subject to your feminine wiles. And Arianna trying to make her feel better is just the cherry on top.
Though the bartender gets me thinking; just how many people know about the brothel? Arianna said everyone just turns a blind eye, but does the whole town know?Â
The flashback with Primrose and her father really shows how he influenced her and how she developed into the person she is now. He preaches to stay determined and follow what you believe is right; not what society or morality says, what you believe in. Itâs easy to see how she became so focused on revenge, because itâs what she thinks is right. Thereâs no use in letting anyone try to talk her out of it.
The added history of her family really helped paint a picture of how she became so unwavering too, as well as giving the audience a reason to understand why her father was killed. Because the family refused to have any doubts about their more dubious acts, itâs easy to see why the other houses grew frustrated with them, especially after murdering their liegelord. Perhaps enough to order a hit.
The fact that the women who work here get sold I didnât see coming. Honestly, what is this Crow organization about? I thought they were just assassins, but Iâm thinking it might be something deeper...But how does it involve House Azelhart?
And I KNEW there was corruption in the church! Thatâs one of the sacred rules of JRPGs! Ugghhh...I needed a shower after this chapter.
Rufus...is a slimy villain. Thatâs all there really is to him. But he had a point: if you donât consider how hated you are and never try to make others understand, you will make enemies. Ones that will take an opportunity given to take you down. Conviction is good, but self-assessment is also important. Maybe weâre getting some foreshadowing for how this story will play out? Even when he dies, he seems to have something over Primrose.
And itâs truly sad, at the end. Primrose sees absolutely no other reason to live than for vengeance. Even with all her ability and experiences, she stays focused on this one thing instead of trying to move on. At some point, is it unhealthy to be this determined?
How do the others feel about this darker side of the world?
Ophilia: This one was sweet. Even with her vengeance at hand, Prim can still see other people and acknowledge their feelings. Iâm glad she and Ophilia can find comfort in each other after all the tragedy theyâve been through respectively.
Alfyn: Kind of a tonal shift. We were just being upset about Arianna being in a brothel, now weâre teasing Alfyn about wanting to go to one? I guess if itâs with someone okay with being there itâs different? ¯_ (ă)_/ÂŻ
Tressa: Okay. Seriously? She cannot be this naive. Come on game, she wasnât that sheltered. Sheâs 18, not 10.Â
Cyrus: Aww, sheâs giving him dance lessons! Thatâs nice.
Olberic: Olberic probably would have been the best knight she could have asked for if she could have had his service. Maybe that could have been his life if House Azelhart still stood. But at least they can fight together.
Therion: Okay, encouragement. And worry? Is someone developing empathy for his companions?
Hâaanit: This was bittersweet. The people who love you may be gone, but theyâll always be a part of you. Youâll always have them, no matter how short of a time they were in your life.
What truth is there in Noblecourt?
And why is it something Primrose might not be able to handle?
Is it something we want to find out?
Letâs all hope our faith will be our shield.
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Olberic, the Warrior: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Olbericâs story in Octopath Traveler!
TOURNAMENT ARC! Letâs get that championship belt, baby!
Oh, and find out about Erhardt too, I guess?
We made it to Victorâs Hollow, got scouted, entered a tournament, and learned some hard truths about the country we supported. Standard day in a JRPG.
We arrive in the town and semi-illegally enter the big tournament that already finished itâs qualifiers, invalidating the process.
So of course, we get pitted against almost everyone that got namedropped at the beginning that was a shoo-in to win.
And as a protagonist, itâs our solemn duty to win to further our agenda regardless of how long the other fighters have been training and really wanted to win.
Wait...public duelingâs illegal? ...Eh. Iâve robbed so many people at this point, I donât really care about breaking the law anymore. Plus, no oneâs tried to arrest me yet, (probably because thatâs evidence that I could beat them up) so weâre okay!
Iâm just gonna say it, I loved Cecily. Now, thereâs a girlboss! Smart, straightforward and fair. Knows how to get things done and can see an opportunity when it comes.Â
Kinda wish we could have fought Ned; he seemed interesting.
Victorâs Hollow lives up to itâs name: big city, big arena filled with bloodthirsty citizens itching to watch a fight. You can tell the cityâs pretty well-off compared to some of the others: fully paved roads, statues, huge arena, not too stuffy but still nice. Pretty standard stadium, but itâs well-shaded and you actually see texture in the ground. And I like the flags bringing bursts of color to break up the monotony. Though I think having the preparation hall be so dimly lit was an odd choice; be pretty easy to assassinate a rival in there...
I like how every one of the sub-bosses had their own identity, itâs a nice touch when so many other video games would leave your opponents as generic as possible. And they were all so cordial, a very fair competition. And the fact that they all know what they fight for makes them interesting foils to Olberic. It all helps him think and drives forward that heâs on a quest for identity.
And I appreciate getting a break from dungeons; just go to one spot and theyâll send the next guy to you! But...
...If this a tournament for one-on-one duels...
WHY DID EVERYONE BRING HELP?!
You have completed missed the point of dueling!
I get it was to be fair since youâd probably have a full party at this point, but it completely ruins the immersion! We could have just had Olberic go solo!
Gah! Rant over!
But honestly, the best part of this chapter...was Gustav.
Oh man, he is pretty much my favorite chapter boss so far. He has Olbericâs attacks, but that just makes it feel like it really is a fight between two people trained in the same style. And his personality...they could have easily just made him a tool for exposition, but heâs pretty layered for a one-off character. You can tell heâs been fighting for a long time and has a weariness about him, while still amicable to those he talks to. He accepts that what Erhardt did was wrong but can understand why he did it and still saw who he was outside of that one deed. Even then he tells Olberic where he is, knowing thereâs a chance Olberic will kill him the man he admires. Itâs their way of life, and he accepts it.
I had a feeling Erhardt was after revenge. I mean, he didnât really seem malicious in the flashback, more like someone resolved to do what he did. And he wasnât really gloating, so that seemed pretty off for someone supposed to be evil. Also, kings always get me suspicious.
This really complicates things...
How did everyone else like the tournament?
Cyrus: That story makes sense, plenty of sports have a messed-up history. And this is an interesting debate with two people who both have a point: arena fights are still just there to entertain people with violence, and a way to test oneâs abilities. Kinda wish the discussion went on longer.
Primrose: Okay, Prim doesnât trust men or women. Equality! ...And a bit hypocritical, seductionâs kind of 50% of her job.
Tressa: Oddly poetic, but I get it. Iâve seen coastal towns and sheâs right, the sea has a way of just washing away your troubles. I can tell Tressa had a hard time not laughing at the end, the bird had perfect timing.
Hâaanit: Oh, Zâaanta...really? My poor girl.
Ophilia: Oh, Phili! That was just what he needed to hear. And sheâs right. Plenty of people use power to be cruel, but not Olberic. Heâs a good soul, fighting to help. And Iâm glad she reminded him. Team Mom!Â
Alfyn: Olberic! If youâre hurt, tell someone! You have a free doctor at your disposal! I donât care how tough you are, get injuries treated!
Therion: Okay, still sniping there, Theri. He has a point though, and Iâm glad Olberic acknowledged it: thereâs a chance he wonât like what he learns, and that heâs only going for himself. Thatâs just life.
I guess we find Erhardt now (thought they were going to wat until Chapter 4, but oh well).
But whatâs going to happen when we find him?
Is Olberic going to be ready, knowing the situation may not have been as black and white as he thought?
Is he even going to find his answer? Or will he be more lost than ever?
We can only go forward.
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Tressa, the Merchant: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Tressaâs story in Octopath Traveler!Â
Okay, time to get down to business! Literally!
Weâre lookinâ for gold! ...Or anything else that could sell! Not picky! Our girl Tressa can sell anything!
Following the diary, we ended up in Quarrycrest, a mining town going through a gold rush. Instead of gold, however, we found ourselves a rival. Who needs to think of a different nickname. Donât get upset Tress, your hat is way better than his.
Aaaaaaand thereâs a rich person, so we know who the bad guy is.
Itâs really cool to watch Tressa work outside of path actions. Watching her set up shop and sell her stock really shows off how good she is at her job. Knowing sheâs only going to get better really gives me something to look forward to.
For my thoughts on Quarrycrest, refer to the previous review.
I also appreciate the rivalry between Tressa and Ali: itâs good-natured and neither one of them do anything really bad to the other to get ahead. Ali doesnât really do anything uncommon in the marketing world and just understands how to get people to buy things better than Tressa does right now. Heâs manipulative, but in a way thatâs just basic sales tactic. Sorry honey, this is the world of business. You gotta be ready to go up against sweet talkers who work against your prices.
Aliâs a pretty good rival character: teasing, but not too arrogant. Him and Tressa have a common ground and can hold a civil conversation outside of work. And they share an appreciation for their customers and want to help save them from getting swindled. Unfortunately, if youâre all talk, youâre not gonna last long.
Ali can sell, but Tressa can fight and sell. Point to her. Thankfully sheâs nice enough to rescue him (Youâd think an experienced traveler in a world populated by monsters and evil scumbags would bring some kind of a weapon).Â
And time for the true enemy of this game...big business.Â
I know Iâll probably fight some sort of interdimensional, larval, sexual, tentacled, appeared-out-of-nowhere deity thing at the end, but this seems like the bigger threat to the people here.
What kind of mercenary looks over their employerâs leaf supply? Is Omar getting paid to do that too?
And why did they take Ali with them? They werenât thinking about selling him before they grabbed him, so why did they need to kidnap him to give him a job offer? They could have just left him or run him out of town, what was the point of taking him hostage? I donât think kidnapping is a good way to convince people to work for you.
Morlock is everything you expect in a rich villain: greedy, underpays people and loves kicking the dog. He does have a point though: he does own the land. Of course, if he ran the original owner out instead of buying it fairly...
Man, monopolies are evil.
And he didnât even have the decency to fight me himself. At least he paid to give Omar backup (stupid summon bosses).
Then the coward just folds. Pathetic. Kinda satisfying to see a rich old man and his beefy bodyguard whimpering at the feet of a college-age girl (probably fulfilled a lot of frustrated millennialsâ fantasies).
Wait, is the town really just going to let Tressa pick the mayor? I get that she threw Morlock and Omar out, but sheâs basically been there for a few hours, I donât know if sheâs qualified to make that kind of decision.
This chapter really sets up what the rest of Tressaâs storyâs going to be like. Sheâs going to learn that while she has her code, others have different ones and sheâs going to have to do her best to compete. Honesty is a great policy, but you have to find a way to stand out and make people want to buy from you.
Now letâs see how our other adventurers viewed the cutthroat world of the marketplace.
Hâaanit: Local entrepreneur explains capitalism to environmental preservationist, more at 11:00. Iâm glad Tressa was able to explain her view of mercantilism to Hâaanit so well, I donât think our fair lady cares that much for people only in it for money.
Cyrus: He is just so good at praising people, I see why he was such a popular teacher! And heâs interested in watching her work, which is perfectly in character for someone who just loves to learn. Even if itâs not his field of interest, he wants to see her process and recognizes sheâs a prodigy that deserves his attention.
Primrose: Aww, Big Sister Prim! These two are on complete opposites of the spectrum when it comes to story tone, but they still get along just fine. And I guess if anyone can talk about determination, itâs the woman whoâs devoted whatâs probably over ten years of her life to avenging her father. Get back on your feet, Tress!
Ophilia: Come on Phili, help her out! Itâs just a little pretend! And donât let him get to you so much, Tressa! Ophiliaâs still supporting you! Youâve got the power of the Flame and anime on your side!
Olberic: Did you really think he was gonna stop you? No! Team Dadâs got your back! He just doesnât want you to go without backup! Letâs go take down a rich guy!
Therion: Dang boy, cold-blooded! And Tressa, donât insult the entire profession! Thieves are just as capable of being good people as merchants are capable of being bad. Not all of them have your ethics, remember the boss for this chapter? Glad Theri didnât take it personally, he even gave her a compliment...not that heâll tell her. Tsunderes.
Alfyn: Oh Alfyn, you simple country boy and your homegrown wisdom...I donât think youâll be convincing her anytime soon. Just let her stew a bit, sheâll come around. Maybe if Ali tones down the teasing there might be a chance.
And weâve got a concluding point for our journey, The Merchantâs Fair! But to get there, we have to find something to sell! Probably wouldnât look good to try and find something when we get there.
Wonder what weâll find in Victorâs Hollow? Old championship belt? Antique weapons? More skystones?
Guess we better get to work!
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Cyrus, The Scholar: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Cyrusâ story in Octopath Traveler!
Man, things got dark!
I thought Prim had the dark story, but this was messed up! Human sacrifices, kidnapping, torture...It was not just a name, not just a name.
Someone give Cyrus a break! And this is only Chapter 2?!
I have the feeling Chapter 4 might constitute bumping the rating up, this game is so unexpectedly dark. And so detailed about it.
But, letâs press on.
Since this is the same town as Tressaâs Chapter 2, I actually did herâs first. I figured with Cyrus being a gentleman and all, heâd step out of the ladyâs way.Â
And wow, can things change between two chapters.
I will admit, the bursts of humor about Cyrusâ obliviousness about how attractive he is got old pretty quickly: not that funny when it cost him his job (still salty Therese). Kinda feels like a double standard, female characters donât usually end up in his situation...I dunno, I just really donât like Cyrus getting punished/made fun of because he doesnât notice when people are interested in him: if they like him, they should be upfront with him.
Lay off Odette, heâs supposed to be your friend.
Oh well; Detective Cyrus is back everyone! Book manâs hittinâ the streets!
Quarrycrest is nice, little mining town. All the wooden parts make it look like itâs still being worked on. It really sells that the place is developing into something else, like it would be bigger and more advanced later on. The wood could get upgraded to stone and the stalls could become stores. Itâs nice to think of after Tressaâs chapter.
I do wish the mystery parts had more to them; I know itâs not that kind of game, but theyâre just so easy itâs hard to believe Cyrus is the only one who can solve them. Eh. Moving on.
Are all of Cyrusâ chapters going to end up underground? I get that his bad guys like to stay hidden, but thereâs more options: attics, abandoned buildings, woods, creepy mansions...
Overall, the sewer starts out pretty basic (hope everyone did laundry after they finished up down there): dark, wet, rats...
And then we get to the bossâ room.
Dang...This guyâs messed up. How do you even crystallize blood? And was the circle on the ground made of blood too?
I was not expecting that corpse to fall. Usually the hero gets there before anyone dies, so I figured everyone would get rescued and that the ritual just took more time.
And the game showed me it wasnât playing around.
You save three people.
Ten went missing.
Weâre going into some dark territory going forward, it looks like.
Iâm actually kind of glad Gideon didnât show up much, this guy is pure evil. Worked pretty well to just show up for the fight. Wouldâve liked to have had his motivations explored a bit, though. Honestly just seems like he was written to just creep the player out.
I really like how this chapter shows Cyrusâ moral side: we already learned about how much he craves knowledge, but here we see where he draws the line. He admits the topics about necromancy intrigue him, but he would never actually try them. He knows that some things shouldnât be researched and has the self-control and morals to reject them instead of blindly pursuing more than he probably should. Usually intelligent characters will disregard the moral choice in favor of research, but Cyrus doesnât. I like that.
And now Odette wants to be nice. Yay.
Aaaaaaand, weâre being followed.
Letâs hear what our companions have to say about this tonal shifting chapter!
Primrose: Ooh, debate! And a respectful one! Both sides have points, and Cyrus even admits he likes hearing about her perspective. Just a talk about two ways of seeing the world. But did they have to end with another oblivious Cyrus joke?
Tressa: Cyrus, you are going to get killed one day. Tressaâs supposed to be the newcomer to the traveling life, why is she lecturing you? Though, it is refreshing to see how older people can have less wisdom than younger ones at times. Neither of them are naive, they just have more smarts than the other in different areas.
Ophilia: Oooh! I know heâs just being frank, but I have shipping goggles on! Watch yourself, Cyrus!
Therion: Recruit a criminal, solve a crime. But aww! Cyrus praised him! You go inspire that disenfranchised youth, Professor! GO TO CLASS, THERION! Achieve your potential (but also stay a thief, because theyâre cool)!
Hâaanit: Youâre far too modest, my dear! People would line up to take your courses! I never want to hunt, but Iâd love to learn biology from you!
Alfyn: Aww, poor guy! You go dad on him, Cyrus! Team Dad #2! I really like how he presents knowledge as ultimately being subject to the user. And yes, Alfyn is pure. Iâd love to listen to discussions between these two about their fields, mutual mentoring is an interesting topic to explore.
Olberic: WAIT, YOU GUYS ACTUALLY NOTICED YOUâRE BEING FOLLOWED?! I was not expecting that! No ambushes coming for them, then. I feel so much wiser when these two talk to each other: one about knowledge, the other about danger.Â
By the way, I love that everyone addresses Cyrus as âProfessor;â even if heâs not on the clock, they respect him.
All we wanted to do was find a book. Now weâre involved in a conspiracy with necromancy, torture, murder and kidnapping.
Who hires someone to do this? And how does the academy fit into it?
And whoâs that hooded figure?
Guess we find out.
On to Stonegard!
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Ophilia, The Cleric: Chapter 2
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Chapter 2 of Ophiliaâs story in Octopath Traveler!
...Man, it has been a while. Sorry for the wait! If anyoneâs still interested, Iâll make sure to update this series a lot more regularly!
Iâm determined to finish this game this year! (Û¶âąÌáŽâąÌ)Û¶ So letâs get going!
Alright!
The second chapter reviews begin...NOW!
Starting with...Ophilia!Â
...
...Okay, Iâm not gonna sugarcoat it: This chapter was semi-filler. Only semi because the plot did progress to lead into the next point, but besides the Kindling nothing really happened (in a main plot sense).
The Kindling really was cool to watch, though. The burst of fire was really pretty.
The story was solid, but it didnât really tell us anything about Ophilia or have her work in an unfamiliar situation. We already know that she likes to help people and that she cares about her family; all this chapter did was reinforce that. Thereâs nothing wrong with that, but it really doesnât add much.Â
Another thing:Â Just because someone bumps into you, it does not mean itâs their fault if you lose something. It is the result of an accident. Just saying.
The lesson about grieving was good though: Itâs okay to be sad, but donât forget you still have people who care about you. At some point, you have to acknowledge you still have people you love and love you back. That gets neglected to be mentioned sometimes.
Probably need more than a week, though. Also, Derrylâs a kid: kids do mean things. I do appreciate Ophiliaâs way of handling things: Calm but firm and making sure they know all the sides to a situation.
Also, Nateâs a little brat. Just saying.
And if the forest is so dangerous, WHY DIDNâT ANYONE PUT UP A FENCE?! Does anyone actually go in there?! No one tried to stop Emil when he was clearly running through a populated town?! Whatâs up with this city?!
I wonder what happened to that dog...
Not much to say about Hróðvitnir. Literally just there to be a boss. Again, semi-filler chapter. Which really stinks because they have a really cool design, in a muscular-wolf kind of way. Maybe a beast from the legends of the Flame? Guardian of the woods whose land was stolen by the church, maybe giving Ophilia a conflict? There was potential, and all we got was a hungry wolf.
At least we found the brooch. And the apology was nice, Ophiliaâs right: No one can hurt you like a friend.
Technically I saved your life Emil, Hróðvitnir was probably just about to eat you both, but okay...
Aww, the Flame reflects Ophiliaâs heart! Thatâs a cute detail.
Simple story, unnecessary but satisfactory.
But oh boy...We got Travel Banter! I have been looking forward to this for SO LONG!
I adore party interactions, especially in RPGs. Itâs a great way to flesh out the characters and help show what itâs like for the team when theyâre on the road when we canât see them. Especially in older games like Octopath is based on, party interactions were usually reserved for recruitment and plot progression. Understandable for the time, but I appreciate the development team allowing us to see how the party reacts to events as a whole instead of just the main character. My only wish is that they had full voice acting.
Iâm gonna talk about how I feel about each one!
Cyrus: This one was just adorable. Cyrus was so excited and Ophilia actually had someone to talk to that knows why sheâs traveling! And she wants him to see the rest, aw! Just sweet.
Alfyn: Poor guy. I canât blame him, sheâs such a cutie (Donât think sheâll notice, though, seems to be a problem with this team). Nice to see her interested in his job, apothecarys are cool! I like learning about his process.
Primrose: Aww, we got to see Primâs soft side. I like seeing that even if sheâs a vengeance-obsessed femme fatale, she can still be genuinely friendly and supportive. And Phili, youâre not exactly one to talk about outfit practicality: you went sleeveless in the snow and youâre trekking through forests in white, girl.
Tressa: I canât wait to see Tressa become a parent. Sorry Ophilia, sometimes you gotta be tough and maybe negotiate.
Hâaanit: Not much to say, just dog stuff. And forest stuff. Eh. Knowledge?
Therion: If you donât want to talk about it, WHYâD YOU BRING IT UP?! SHARE YOUR BACKSTORY! Props for being real, though, other people have it hard too.
Olberic: Team Dad! Heâs so proud of his little guy. Ophilia agrees with me!
Saintsbridge gives a sleepy atmosphere. Not a bad thing, itâs a calm place, I just assumed a religious town would be more uptight and reserved. The church is lovely but not overwhelming, plazaâs cute, even the division between the upper and lower isnât that big. The lighting is reminiscent of an early morning glow, and the running stream is gentle and soothing, complimenting the woodsy surroundings. Perfect place to take a nap or buy a treat from the bakery and watch the water...
So of course the dungeon is a horrifying dark forest of doom. ...Now I want black forest gĂąteau.
Murkwoodâs a pretty standard evil forest: Dark, only candlelight, foggy; you get the picture. Not saying it looks bad, pretty much all the backgrounds in this game would make an amazing gallery show; just pretty stereotypical.
But there is one thing I can say.
WE FINALLY GOT A BREAK FROM SUMMON BOSSES!
I was getting, SO TIRED of those.
Honestly I was so happy I didnât even pay that much attention to the actual fight. Okay, Iâm not even gonna try to do fight commentary anymore, Iâm not good with mechanics; just gonna stick with reviewing the story, setting and characters.Â
Now to Goldshore!
...Wait, Goldshore...Is the next chapter a beach episode?!
NO MORE SEMI-FILLER!
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Hello!! Iâve set-up another ko-fi goal as Iâm saving up again for my personal budget. My current freelance work has been unreliable lately so Iâm having financial troubles again ;_;
My commissions are open! If theyâre a bit too much, I also have a few discord emotes (plus adoptables) in my ko-fi shop if youâd like to support in a small way ;w; And ofc, tips are also very much welcome!
All tips + commissions I receive will add up to this goal! As always, each & every support I get is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!! đđđ
â My ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/gotchibam
âš Commissions page: https://ko-fi.com/gotchibam/commissions
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Yes, Even MORE Women I RESPECT
Okay, whoâs ready for 2023? Have some more amazing ladies!
Donât forget to check out last yearâs list, the year before lastâs and the year before that!
Alia (Mega Man X series)
Amity Blight (The Owl House)
Audrey Clary (Perfect Gold: The Alchemy of Happiness)
Camila Noceda (The Owl House)
Candace (Genshin Impact)
Cinnamon (Mega Man X series)
Dehya (Genshin Impact)
Honeybee Shaw-Tobin (The Great North)
Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Lanen Kaelar (Tales of Kolmar series)
Luz Noceda (The Owl House)
Marino (Mega Man X series)
Marion LaRue (Perfect Gold: The Alchemy of Happiness)
Maya Fey (Ace Attorney series)
Meryl Stryfe (Trigun Stampede (Counting this version as a new character))
Mia Fey (Ace Attorney series)
Momiji (Good Luck Girl!)
Nahida/Lesser Lord Kusanali/Buer (Genshin Impact)
Raiden Ei/Beelzebul (Genshin Impact)
Ranmaru Rindou (Good Luck Girl!)
Willow Park (The Owl House)
Yor Forger (SPYxFAMILY)
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