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sortofanobsession · 2 years

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To Cry for the Moon Part 14 (Moon Knight x Female Eternal!Reader)

Author's Note: This one got long too. I just kept adding to it, even while doing the final edits. There will be another part, maybe two, after this one, so @jupitersmoon167 and I are not quite done yet. The first 13 parts had 27725 words. That doesn't include this one, or the next one(s). So hopefully you have all enjoyed those 30k+ words.

Please do not take, copy, or translate without talking to me first. Reblogs, likes, and comments are encouraged. But anything else please message me first.

Y/N = Your Name. Y/N/N = Your Nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her. Story is 3rd person POV.

Italic text is the reflected alter talking. Bold Italic text is sign language for Makkari.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Tagged: @rosaren2498, @yuugenmomo, @faefanatic, @urlocallsimp @assassinsasha23, @queenariesofnarnia, @rmoonstoner, @crypticruler, @animelover18, @philiasoul, @distinguishedmakerpandapatrol, @22carolina08, @preciousbabypeter, @sleepyamaya, @so-done-with-bullshit

Primary Pairing: Steven Grant x Eternal!Reader, Marc Spector x Eternal!Reader, Khonshu x Ma'at!Reader

Content Warning: Mental Illness, mentions of death (but this one is mostly fluff)

Word Count: 3K+

WIP Series Masterlist

Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 15

Part 14: Recovery

"Hello, Layla," Y/N says as she and Marc approach the Domo.

"Hello, Y/N," Layla greets her back.

"Taweret never told you they revived me, did she?" Y/N asks.

"She has been busy, I assumed that had to do with whatever Osiris and the others had going on, and which I guess was you. It's crazy how easily this could have been solved but Taweret had her tasks and Khonshu is too stubborn to admit he can ask the others. You were apparently the only one he liked it seems."

"Hathor is okay with him," Y/N states. "Especially after what Harrow and Ammit did to her avatar. Taweret is too sweet to abandon her tasks if she thinks they are important. Though she will defy them for the same reason. She can be a paradox. My family fill you in?"

"Yes, but I am starting to wish I would have called upon her. Probably would have saved us all a lot of hurt." Layla says.

“Well, you were a bit busy with this situation,” Y/N gestures to Steven.

“Hey!” Steven says, offended.

Layla laughs. "Glad you're back, these two were insufferable for the last few days. And don't take this the wrong way, but it's your problem now." Steven just shakes his head but Y/N laughs.

"I have to return the feather, you guys up for a trip to the temple?" Y/N asks them.

"Make a good shortcut home, so I'm in," Layla says.

"Y/N/N, we already told you, we go where you go, but I'll let Marc take this one, later gators," Steven says and gives Y/N a quick kiss and lets Marc front. Layla just laughs. The trio let the others know and Y/N calls on her powers to open the path to the temple.

Temple of the Gods

They step into the temple and see both Isis and Osiris with their avatars.

"You did so well, little feather," Isis says through her avatar as she goes and embraces Y/N.

"Never doubted you could do it," Osiris adds from where he stands.

"Come with me, feather," Isis says. Y/N looks back at Marc. "Don't worry. We will not be long." The pair of goddesses leave.

Osiris begins to speak again, drawing Marc and Layla's attention. "And somehow you, Spector," he looks at Marc, "You just keep proving we underestimated you the first time around. You may be broken, but you have done more for the world than most of us or our avatars have in a long time. We cannot thank you or Ms. El-Faouly enough. You both have now saved humanity twice."

"You brought Y/N/N back," Marc answers honestly. "And last time, you brought us back. It was the least we could do."

The three of them talk until Isis and Y/N return. Y/N's armor is gone and replaced with a flowing white gown with gold trim and jewelry, befitting of an Egyptian Goddess.

"We reward those who serve to protect and better humanity," Isis says. "An outfit of a true goddess, so much more fitting than that armor."

"And a savior of all humanity," Osiris adds.

Layla laughs at the lovestruck awe in Marc's face.

"I'm out of here," Layla grins. "I'll stop by your flat and feed the cat. I have a feeling you two might be busy for a while."

"Thank you, Layla," Y/N says as she nears them. Marc is holding his hand out to help her as she steps down. "You helped us even when you didn't need to. It means a lot to us, all of us. The gods, the Eternals, us," she gestures between herself and Marc. "I don't know how to repay such a kindness."

"You died to save the world," Layla points out. "Seems pretty fair that I kept him alive. Just don't let him undo that hard work."

"I will do my best," Y/N assures her.

"Call me when things settle down. We still have to get that artifact back," Layla tells Marc.

"Oh, Makkari said she would get it,” Y/N tells her. “She is really good at that."

"Alright then, guess my job is done. See you guys later." Layla waves before disappearing down one of the tunnels.

A gust of wind signals Khonshu's arrival. Isis grins, holding her hand out to Osiris. The pair of gods and their avatars joined hands and leave the three to their reunion.

"Hello, Khonshu," Y/N says. She sees how the god remains as still as a statue, as if frozen as Tiamut is now.

"Go on, bird, we know what you want to do," Marc sighs, bracing himself for the weirdness that was Khonshu taking over his body. The god didn't have to be told twice.

"Ma'at," Khonshu says, reaching out through Marc and brushing a strand of hair back that had fallen in her face when he made his wind-filled entrance. "I told the worm you were too strong a warrior to truly be gone."

"It was painful, and you did lose me for a bit, but you must have faith in the other gods, Khonshu. I know you have had your quarrels with them, but they have seen that though somewhat misguided at times, you do truly care for humanity. More importantly, a little birdy told me you took over being my justice," she grins at him. "Hard to take over something you have always been, Khonshu. You never stopped, even when I had to. Even when the others banished you for it. You were the one that, despite the sometimes less than ideal methods, always did what you could to protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable. Though I do hear that you have leaned more into half-truths and manipulation, and my dear, dear friend, you know we cannot have that. My justice is honest and true. Now that I have returned, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Don't worry, I shall remain beside you. I will make sure you stay on this path. We shall do what we should have done before and traverse it together. The other Eternals understand. The gods of other cultures may no longer dwell on Earth, but we do. We have fought too hard for humanity to give it up now. Join me?" She holds her hand out to him but stops as he mirrors the gesture. "But, only if you four can learn to play nice. No worm, no pigeon, no lying. This won't work unless everyone agrees. Marc and Steven are onboard. Jake may take time, and yes, I am aware of your little pet project. He has every right to share in what they all have as much as Steven and Marc do. It will be something we work on. All of us, together. Can you agree to that, my friend, for me?" She offers her hand again. "I will be with you, like I am with them, for as long as time and the cosmic powers allow."

Khonshu seems to weigh his options, but it was more for dramatic effect than actual contemplation. To have the cooperation of his avatar and Ma'at back at his side, he would agree to almost anything. But he had a reputation as a god of substance that he has maintained despite banishment and imprisonment. So he sighs.

"I suppose those are acceptable terms," he says and accepts her offered hand.

"Good, because I have so many things to tell you," she smiled. "We have centuries to catch up on. And your new look is quite fearsome. I'm sure you enjoy using it to your advantage, don't you," she comments on his time-battered frame. "But I won't lie, it's oddly fitting. Gaunt, yes, but reminds me of the full moon on a clear night, powerful and looming. Watching all that passes below them."

The old god takes pride in her praise, and comments, "And you are just as fierce and majestic as always.”

"I'm just lucky both the deviant and Ikaris aimed at my torso. Hurts like hell but makes the damage easier to cover."

"I can only hope their deaths were painful," Khonshu says, his tone full of anger.

She squeezed their joined hands. "Well, Marc will have to tell you about Kro’s death. As for Ikaris, it was probably searingly painful, even if it was short and self-inflicted. The sun does not have compassion, especially that close. An arrogant coward throwing himself into the sun, seems poetic and stupid. So it's very Ikaris."

"I could think of better punishments, but at least no one has to endure his insufferable judging nature,” Khonshu admits. “Yours is the only judgment that matters."

"Always did have a soft spot for me, haven't you?" She surprises him by giving him a kiss on the cheek. "As have I. Now shall we give poor Marc a break and take our leave?"

Despite his hesitation, he agrees. After all, they have centuries to discuss, and he doesn't need his avatar for that. They also have an infinite amount of time. He and his avatar would keep her from falling to anyone or anything again. They wouldn't make the same mistake again.

The Domo

The pair, now accompanied by Khonshu, return to the rest of the Eternals. The Domo was in need of repair. Despite Phastos insisting he could handle it, they all did what they could to speed up the process. It wasn't until the Domo was back in the air and both Steven and Marc were sure all her injuries had been tended to that they got a moment to relax. Khonshu vanishes after Y/N assures him that after they rest up, she will tell him everything he wants to know and more.

"I want to meet him," Y/N says once they are secured in her quarters on the Domo. And before he could respond, she adds, "Jake, I want to meet Jake Lockely."

Marc hesitates but nods. A few moments later, an unfamiliar heart beats within a body she knew so well.

"Hello, Jake," she says. He nods but says nothing.

"You have hidden from me, but you don't need to." She tries to assure him.

"You judge criminals," He says.

"And you see yourself as one?" She asks. He remains silent. "Smart enough to not lie. Good call, but the thing is, humanity is not as black and white as Khonshu may like to think it is. Good people do bad things to protect the people they care for. Bad people can still do good. I have seen humanity grow and change for over 7,000 years. Your heart, and mind, as Druig may think, may be dark, but that is only because that is all you allow yourself to be. You stay in the shadows and only come out to do the things too hard for Marc and Steven. You protect the others. You protect the system. But that is not how things have to be. Jake Lockley, you can have as much a say as Marc and Steven do. It is as much your body as theirs. You have kept them safe for so long. Why not step out into the light and embrace the potential you have? You can free yourself from darkness, all you have to do is open yourself up to them, to us." She places a hand over his heart, ignoring how he tenses at the touch. "I can feel that you carry the burden of the system. Your heart is not evil. You are not evil. You are the guardian of the good in the system. Why not enjoy the benefits for once?" She stands there, hand against his beating heart, refusing to back down. She loved them, all of them, every broken piece. Jake was part of that. She’d prove to him that there were people he could trust. That he could trust himself. All he had to do was start by trusting her. “Khonshu already trusts you. I trust you. All I am asking is that you think about it. You don’t have to do more than you already do if that is what you want.” She moves her free hand to his wrist and places his hand over her own heart. “But I am here for you, all of you. Know you are with me, with us, mind, body, and heart. All you have to do is try.”

"I will try, mi corazón," he says.

"Good," she smiles at him.

They settle in at Ajak's farmhouse in the immediate aftermath of the failed emergence. All of them were trying to figure out what they were supposed to do now. Y/N was thrilled to meet Phastos' family. Ben was kind and caring. Jack was innocent and adorable. She wanted to just hug him and protect him from the world. A thought that Ben found funny and Phastos could relate to. Phastos found it less amusing when Y/N showed Jack the stolen artifact Makkari had retrieved for Layla and Marc.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Y/N smiles as she gently sets the decent-sized stone tablet on the kitchen table for Jack to see. She watches as he looks at the carefully carved stone surface. The hieroglyphs cut deep enough into the surface to have not been erased by time. “You can touch it if you are careful, it’s heavy and very old.”

"What does it say?" He asks as he runs his fingers along the aged stone.

"It talks of a beautiful city, a golden city, that has been buried for thousands of years until not so long ago. 3,000 years under the sands. This comes from a time when a king turned his back on all gods but one. Aten, the sun god. Though the only Sun god I know is Ra and he gave his powers to many. Amun, becoming Amun-Ra. Horus becomes Ra-Horakhty or ‘Ra-Horus in the horizon’. Even his daughters, Sekhmet, or one of my personal favorites, Hathor. She’s lovely and she would adore you. Though I’m sure most of the goddesses would. Don’t you think Steven? Especially Taweret." She turns back to Jack when Steven agrees. “I’ll have to send you one of those adorable Taweret plushes they have at the gift shop. Her hippo form just looks so adorable as a plush. My statues are all pointy and with metallic wings.”

“He’s a little old for stuffed animals,” Phastos says.

“Well, Steven will find him something more fitting, then. He’s good at that. Taweret is a protector of women and children. It seems appropriate. And unless you want my statue in his room you should just accept the lovely, bejeweled hippo goddess. And yes, I plan to spoil your son. I have a new lease on life, and I’m going to enjoy it. That and I can fly and even fast travel like in video games thanks to the temple.” Steven genuinely laughs at the idea of treating the temple like a shortcut to Chicago. He tries to ignore the anxious thought that his father wouldn’t be that far away.

“Don’t focus on that,” Marc’s reflection in the nearby kitchen window states. “We’ll deal with that when Y/N makes us because we both know she will. We’ll just put that off for as long as possible.”

So Steven shakes it off and focuses on the here and now.

“Fair enough,” Phastos admits.

"What else does it say?" Jack asks, he carefully taps at the tablet, earning a laugh from where Steven sat across the table.

"It describes the movement of a pharaoh, the father of King Tut. Have you heard of King Tut?"

"He was the boy king that like everyone knows of, right?" Jack asks.

"Yes," she nods. "The Pharaoh Tutankhamun, usually called King Tut, had an unusual father. It describes when his father, Amenhotep IV, changed his name to Akhenaten to honor the only god he found important, Aten. And he left the traditional center of power in Thebes to create a new throne in the golden city, he called Akhetaten, pretty much named after himself."

"He named it after himself?" Jack asks, shocked.

"Swapped an ‘n’ for a ‘t’ and called it good. Real rude if you ask me. I worked hard with the Ennead, just to have this guy decide the rest of us weren't important. Jokes on him though, we are still here, and the pharaohs are long gone. I don’t see him at the Temple of the Gods. Guess he backed the wrong god, didn't he?"

“Can I see the temple?” Jack asks.

"And history lesson is over," Phastos says.

“But Daaaaad, it’s educational,” Jack says as Phastos attempts to usher Jack out of the room.

"Do you even know how hot Egypt is? That temple was made thousands of years ago. You barely leave the air-conditioned house on hot summer days.” When Jack is gone Phastos turns to the Egyptian goddess. “Really, Y/N? That was the moral of that story?"

"I could have told him about the criminal-filled frozen sands of the duat. Steven knows all about those, don't you, love?" She turns to Steven.

"No, I will not tell a child about fighting zombie-type undead monsters that trap the souls of bad men in the underworld. That's too scary."

"Their scales didn’t balance. Phastos and I made those scales. But I’m sure Jack would love it. What kid his age doesn’t like zombies?" Y/N teases.

"The kind that knows the world almost ended. The kind that knows half the universe disappeared for 5 years. So, nope, not happening. How is it that the guy with a bad case of DID, no offense, Steven,” he says to Steven. Steven just shrugs, wondering where Phastos was going with his comment. Phastos continues, “Is still the best babysitting candidate here?"

"It's because he is the nurturing alter. The other two are an ex-mercenary that became Khonshu's avatar after being left for dead in the desert and a limo driver from New York that has a tendency for murder. I can see why you like the gift shop employee best."

"Y/N/N,” Phastos starts, “I love you, but you are almost as bad as Druig."

"Well, at least you still love me," she grins.

"It is a burden, but I do," Phastos jokes. "But they," he gestures to Steven. "They can keep you."

“Fine with me,” Marc’s reflection says.

"Marc agrees, that works for us," Steven says.

Phastos shakes his head but smiles. He’s happy Y/N has someone who adores her as much as Steven and Marc seem to.

#To Cry for the Moon fic #moon knight eternals crossover fic #eternals!reader #female!reader #marc spector x eternals!reader #marc spector x y/n #marc spector x female!reader #marc spector x reader #steven grant x y/n #steven grant x female!reader #steven grant x reader #eternals x reader #egyptian gods x eternals!reader #khonshu x reader #tw: mental illness #tw: mentions of death

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swordwife · 3 years

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BABIE LYON IS SO TINY

#its ok the older lyons and ephraim will protect him #ah. this is a good reminder to put an accessory on the child #yes I stayed up so I could summon the second the banner dropped #yes he's already +10 #though technically he isn't #I have enough copies to make him +10 but I don't have enough feathers to upgrade all the 4*s #soon though #aaaaaa my orb count is the lowest its been in years but it was worth it 😌#I need a tag for heroes posting

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kholran · 2 years

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For the 35 Questions for Fanfic Writers: 4, 5 10, 12, 16, 19, 27, 34

Oh wow so many! Thank you very much!

4. Are there any writers that inspire you?

Plenty! I'm constantly inspired by other writers in this (DMBJ) fandom. @xantissa and @merinnan and @alxina have such steamy scenes and excellent action plots, and gifted the fandom with not only PingXieSang but Fox!Sang. @foxofninetales has a way with words that I am constantly envious of. @wild-feather writes SO MUCH and is an excellent cheerleader. @hils79 can do slice of life one-shots like no one else. I could honestly heap praises on so so many people (do you write for this fandom? THEN I MEAN YOU), and I draw little bits of inspiration from everything I read.

5. What’s the fic you’re most proud of?

I have a couple, for very different reasons. Pyre, for being the start of my very own pool noodle, and for being the first multi-chapter fic I ever actually finished. And Ordinary World, for being the longest fic I've ever written (to date) and for the world-building. I also wrote the entire thing in just over a month, which is a level of productivity that will probably never happen again.

10. What’s your favorite genre to write for?

It's a toss-up between Canon Divergence and Fusion (characters from one thing put into the world/plot of another thing).

12. Tell us about a WIP you’re excited about.

I started a RiSang Pretty Woman AU that I'm having a lot of fun writing so far. I'm going to try and sit on it until it's mostly done, so I don't feel guilty for not updating faster. But it's in the works!

16. Any guilty pleasure trope(s)?

Answered here!

19. Do you prefer canon-compliant, AUs, or something in-between?

...Yes? LOL Ok not very specific. But I've gotten inspiration for all three of those things. Like Pyre is technically "canon-compliant" with Sha Hai apart from the obvious. The major events happening in the background don't change much from canon, save for some tweaking of the (very very wonky) timeline. While Ordinary World and a few of my WIPs are totally AU. I do tend to try and weave at least some of canon (or at least similar events) into my AUs though, so I guess most of them count as "something in-between".

27. What’s the nicest comment you’ve ever received?

Oh gosh EVERY comment I get is enough to make my entire day! I've only (so far?) gotten one comment that wasn't nice. But maybe...if I absolutely had to choose...I'd say @crowbraiin's comments on Ordinary World as it was going up during the Rarepair Exchange. Seeing how happy they were about it made ME super happy too.

34. Copy and paste an excerpt you’re particularly fond of.

I've mentioned Ordinary World a few times already, so here's a little bit of RiSang's first meeting in that fic:

Under a cut because I didn't realize how long it was in Tumblr format

“Is there no other way for you to prove your identity?” Zhang Rishan asks.

His head snaps back up, because yes! He can do that! “I know Wu Xie is still alive. He knows me. If you take me to him, he can prove it to you.”

Liu Sang doesn't get the reaction he's hoping for. Zhang Rishan goes completely, eerily still, in the way that only large predators can. “Take you to Wu Xie?” he repeats, and there's ice in his voice. “How do I know you're not a Wang assassin? Perhaps the other fox shifter is the real Liu Sang, and you're merely an impostor that followed him here. Or maybe the two of you are here together to better your chances. How can I be sure you're telling me the truth, and not just what I want to hear so that I'll let you get close enough to Wu Xie to finish him off?”

“What!? No! I'm not a Wang!” Liu Sang protests, cursing the fact that no, he doesn't have a single thing on him to prove that he's telling the truth. “I don't want to kill Wu Xie!” Well, he doesn't want to assassinate him. He's wanted to murder the man plenty, particularly for dropping him into what was supposed to be a well-paying, simple job that would look good on his resume, but what turned out to be some kind of convoluted horror story that involved him being haunted. By paint, of all goddamn things.

“Then prove it,” Zhang Rishan says again, and while his features are still hard and unforgiving, his tone says there is actually some way for Liu Sang to do that to his satisfaction.

“How? How can I do that?” he asks, and he internally cringes at how desperate he sounds. But he has the distinct impression that being unable to prove himself right here and now means he's not going to walk out of this room again. And if he dies here, he won't have any chance at all to tell Wu Xie that his plan as it stands now is going to get him, and everyone else involved, killed. “Tell me what I have to do.”

Something in Zhang Rishan's expression shifts. Just slightly, almost imperceptibly, but for just a moment, it feels more like he's being regarded with appraisal than accusation. As if the fact that Liu Sang doesn't already know what he needs to do means something. “Turn around and take off the robe,” Zhang Rishan says after a moment.

Liu Sang chokes on nothing, and gapes at him. He can't be serious. How is that going to prove anything? “Wh—what?” he stammers, tugging the robe a little more securely around himself. He wants to gain Zhang Rishan's trust but that's...

Zhang Rishan gives him A Look, and sighs. “The mark of the Wang clan is a tattoo. A phoenix on the right shoulder,” he explains. “Show me you have no tattoo, and I will take you to Wu Xie.”

Oh.

“Oh,” he echoes aloud, but any relief he might have felt is short-lived. Not because he has any kind of tattoo. He definitely doesn't. But his back isn't without its marks, and showing them to anyone, much less a complete stranger, is asking a lot. He glances over his shoulder, and realizes belatedly it's a highly suspicious thing to do when he looks back and finds the accusatory expression has returned to Zhang Rishan's face.

Reluctantly, Liu Sang turns. It's the only way. He recognizes and accepts that, but it's a part of himself he doesn't like to think about, and certainly doesn't like to make visible. Pulling his hair away from the nape of his neck, Liu Sang lets the collar of the robe gape open, and shrugs it off his shoulders, though he does not let it fall all the way. Zhang Rishan hasn't earned that show from him yet. His shoulders hunch as he feels the cool underground air brush the sensitive burn scars that cover his upper back, and hears the sharply drawn breath Zhang Rishan takes at the sight of them. It makes him bristle despite his fear. He doesn't want anyone's pity.

What he's not expecting is the sure touch of a broad hand coming to rest flat against his shoulder. He'd been so preoccupied with his own anxiety that, for the second time in less than an hour, he's caught off-guard. He hadn't even heard Zhang Rishan move. Liu Sang jumps, startled, but Zhang Rishan's other hand comes to rest on his opposite shoulder, holding him steady, and not letting him dart away.

“The tattoos are only visible when the skin is heated,” Zhang Rishan says softly, his breath wafting against the shell of Liu Sang's ear, and his voice is so close, and so suddenly gentle. There's almost an unspoken apology in it. Liu Sang shudders, and he's honestly not sure if it's a result of exposing his scars to Zhang Rishan, or because he's instinctively responding to the soothing tone in his voice. Like the purring of a cat, it somehow eases some of his tension.

Zhang Rishan's hand seems to burn against his skin. The heat of it seeps down into his bones, spreading warmth through his veins despite the residual chill of the underground air. Liu Sang shivers again when he feels Zhang Rishan lean in to breathe warm air onto his skin, presumably in an attempt to speed the process along. He's a little taken aback by the intimacy of the gesture, and his response to it. Because he's very abruptly reminded of the way Zhang Rishan's teeth had clamped onto the back of his neck and held firm, and he can't help the intrusive and completely inappropriate thought that maybe he wouldn't mind if it happened again.

But then the hand and the breath are gone, and the moment with them, and Liu Sang is left a little breathless himself at how bereft and cold he feels without them.

Which is absurd. His life is at risk if he can't make Zhang Rishan trust him. He shouldn't be having feelings about being put through a test that will determine whether he lives or dies.

#ask games

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nerdythebard · 3 years

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#13: Doctor Strange [Marvel]

By the Eternal Vishanti, I welcome you back!

Today we're making the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe-616, Doctor Strange. This spell-slinging master of the mystic arts has been my favourite superhero for quite some time now, and I'm always excited whenever we get something related to him. Now, just a quick note – this build is going to be based on the comic book version of Strange, not the MCU one. We're having real spells and incantations, not some thinly-veiled Clarke's Third Law. #LetMagicBeMagic.

Next Time: The Gods call for us again. The Dragon King blesses us with his presence.

Now then, let's examine what we need to become the mightiest mystic of the Multiverse:

Arcane Artillery: Doctor Strange holds enough mystic knowledge to give Mind Flayers an indigestion. What he doesn't know, he can look up in his Sanctum Sanctorum's library. We need to be prepared to have a spell for almost any situation.

Mystic Fists of Fury: Before opening his Third Eye fully, Strange spent some time in Kamar-Taj under the tutelage of the Ancient One, practising his combat skills in case he was ever in a situation where magic would fail him.

The Old Favourites: Whatever incarnation of the character we encounter, Doctor Strange is almost always certain to have the following items on him: the Eye of Agamotto, the Cloak of Levitation, and occasionally the Book of the Vishanti. After the Last Days of Magic event, Strange found a likeness for weapons like shortswords, staffs, and axes.

---

Stephen Strange was an ordinary human, but due to the years of exposure to otherworldly mystic forces, his biology changed to not accept regular human food anymore. This sounds like a good excuse to make him Variant Human. We get a +1 to two abilities of our choice (Intelligence and Constitution), we know how to speak Common and one other language of our choice, we get to pick one skill to be proficient in (Investigation), and we get to pick a feat. The Medic feat gives us a +1 to Wisdom, proficiency with the Medicine skill, and the ability to tend to our party members' wounds on short rests (Medicine check [DC 15], if successful - the player can use the maximum value of their Hit Dice to regain Hit Points).

Although he started as a simple physician, the turning point of Strange's life was his training in Kamar-Taj. He gained skills and knowledge, vast enough to call himself a Sage. From this background, we gain proficiency in Arcana and History, we learn two more languages, and we gain the Researcher feature; when we're to recall a piece of lore, and we don't know it, we usually can figure out where to find the information (be it a library, a temple, or somebody's private collection).

ABILITY SCORES

Intelligence is our primary stat, serving as our casting ability and our pride. Next is Constitution, all casters need to keep it high. We follow that up with Wisdom, lessons of the Ancient One granted us both humility and broadened our horizons.

Dexterity is a little low, but we'll take care of that later. Charisma is next, even after his training was complete Stephen can be a bit of a jerk and refusing to hear anyone but himself. Finally, we'll dump Strength.

CLASS

Assigning a D&D class to Doctor Strange was a very (and I mean very) difficult task. Starting off, I had to disregard his Sorcerer Supreme title, because in D&D sorcerers are born with the ability to wield magic. Strange had to study and practice to get his powers, so that makes him a Wizard. Kamar-Taj is also dedicated to studying the teachings of the Vishanti, a trinity of god-like beings who give the Sorcerer Supreme their powers, so that would make Strange a Cleric. Finally, he also draws powers from deals he made with otherworldly entities (such as Cyttorak, the Faltine, Munnopor, Watoomb, sometimes even Dormammu himself), which screams 'Warlock', except there's no way to incorporate multiple patrons without homebrewing. It wasn't easy, but I am satisfied with what I've created. Hopefully, you'll be, too.

Level 1 - Monk: We start just as Strange started, by honing our body first. Monks get the d8 Hit Dice, [8 + Constitution modifier] initial Hit Points, proficiencies with simple weapons and shortswords, and proficiency in one set of artisan's tools or a musical instrument (I'd go with alchemist's supplies). Our saving throws are Strength and Dexterity, and we get to pick two class skills (Insight and Religion).

Monks start with Unarmoured Defence. When we're not wearing armour, or holding a shield, our AC equals [10 + our Dexterity modifier + our Wisdom modifier]. We also get Martial Arts, which gives our unarmed strikes some more power. We can now use Dexterity instead of Strength for our unarmed strikes attack and damage rolls, we replace our Strength modifier with a d4 for damage of our unarmed strikes, and if we use the unarmed strike (or a monk weapon) on our turn as an Attack, we can use a bonus action to make an extra unarmed strike.

Level 2 - Monk: We get more mobile with Unarmoured Movement. Our ground speed increases by 10 feet if we're not wearing armour or holding a shield.

We also get access to the Monk's signature feature, the Ki energy. We start with 2 Ki Points, which we can spend on the following abilities:

Flurry of Blows: Spending 1 Ki Point after making an attack, lets us make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action;

Patient Defence: Spending 1 Ki Point lets us take a Dodge action as a bonus action on our turn;

Step of the Wind: Spending 1 Ki Point doubles our jump distance for the turn, and we can take the Dash or Disengage actions as a bonus action.

Level 3 - Wizard: We finally begin our study of spells and arcane arts.

Unfortunately, multiclassing into Wizard does not give us any additional benefits. We do, however, get Arcane Recovery. Once per day, during a short rest, we can choose a number of expended spell slots and refill them. The number must be equal to half of our Wizard level (rounded up), and the recovered spell slots cannot be 6th-level or higher.

Wizards also start with Spellcasting at their 1st level, and they know both cantrips and ritual spells. Our spellcasting ability is Intelligence, but unlike many other casting classes we do not get a full access to our spell list. Instead, we start with six spells in our spellbook and get two more each time we level up. Then, we can only prepare and use [Our Intelligence modifier + our Wizard level] spells at once. Describing all of those spells we pick would make this post over a mile long, and I've made that mistake with Sypha. To not make this a chore for you guys, I decided that from now on whenever I make a Wizard (or, a build where Wizard is a majority), I will simply list the spells we pick without descriptions. Let's be honest, if not here, you'll certainly find those in a different build. Alright, let's begin! First, we get to pick three cantrips:

Fire Bolt

Mage Hand

Minor Illusion

When it comes to our starting spells, let's take these six. Remember, we can only prepare a certain number, and we start with only two 1st-level spell slots.

Alarm

Detect Magic

Fog Cloud (to represent the Mists of Munnopor from the comics)

Shield (of the Seraphim)

Magic Missile (as a stand-in for the Daggers of Daveroth)

Sleep

Level 4 - Wizard: We get to pick our subclass, our Arcane Tradition. For Strange, who can be any combination of Wizard, Cleric, and Warlock, the best choice is to pick Theurgy from 2017 Unearthed Arcana. Theurgists are religious magic-users, who focus more on the arcane research rather than prayer and worship.

With Divine Inspiration, we get to select a Cleric Domain and a deity we wish to follow. Ask your DM if it's possible for you to worship three gods as a collective, a magical triumvirate. For your own Vishanti I suggest Mystra, Mother of All Magic, Azuth, the Lord of Spells, and Savras, the All-Seeing. For a Wizard, I'd say there's no better choice than Knowledge Domain.

We also get Arcane Initiate, which lets us replace spells we learn as we level up with the cleric spells of our chosen domain. What's cool about that feature is, other wizards cannot copy those spells from our spellbook. If we get all of our chosen domain's spells, we can keep replacing spells we learn with spells from the Cleric spell list.

Finally, we gain the Cleric's unique skill - Channel Divinity - except in our case it becomes Channel Arcana. We start with two effects: Divine Arcana and the effect granted by the chosen domain. Unlike Clerics, we can use the Channel Arcana once per short or long rest.

Divine Arcana lets us use a bonus action to control the flow of magic in the area. The next spell we cast gets a +2 to its attack roll or saving throw DC.

Knowledge of the Ages grants us quick insight into a skill we're not familiar with. For the next 10 minutes, we're proficient with one tool set of our choice or proficient in one skill we choose.

We gain one more 1st-level spell slot, and for this level's two spells let's get Feather Fall, and Command from the domain list.

Level 5 - Wizard: At this level we unlock 2nd-level spell slots, and we can access 2nd-level spells. Let's get Hold Person (for Strange's famous Crimson Bands of Cyttorak) and Icingdeath's Frost from 2021 Unearthed Arcana: Draconic Options (for the Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon).

Level 6 - Wizard: Time for our first Ability Score Improvement! As is the rule of thumb with all Wizards, boosting our Intelligence is a priority. That's what we shall put the 2 points into.

For this level's spells, we get another cantrip (Light), and let's take Locate Object and Mirror Image (to represent the Images of Ikonn).

Level 7 - Wizard: We unlock 3rd-level spell slots. Let's get Dispel Magic, and we can get Fly to finally get a representation for our Cloak of Levitation.

Level 8 - Wizard: We get our first subclass upgrade. Arcane Acolyte grants us the 1st-level benefits of our chosen domain. For Knowledge domain, it's Blessings of Knowledge; we learn two languages of our choice and get proficiency in two skills... which we pretty much are proficient in already. To not waste a feature, ask your DM if you can double your proficiency bonus for those two skills instead. If you get a 'yes', pick Arcana and Insight.

For this level's spells, let's get Counterspell and Magic Circle.

Level 9 - Wizard: From here, we get access to 4th-level spell slots. Banishment and Dimension Door seems like exactly what we need to keep enemies at bay and have fun with portals.

Level 10 - Wizard: Halfway through the build, and we get an ASI. Let's cap our Intelligence at 20, with those two points.

For this level's spells, let's grab Arcane Eye and turn back a little and get Speak with Dead from our domain list, as it is one of few spells not available to Wizards.

Level 11 - Wizard: We get access to 5th-level spells. With Contact Other Plane and Legend Lore, we become an even bigger magical know-it-all to aid our party.

Level 12 - Wizard: For our subclass upgrade, we get Arcane Priest, which grants us the Knowledge Domain's 6th-level benefit - Channel Divinity: Read Thoughts. One creature within 60 feet of us must make a Wisdom saving throw, or grant us access to its surface thoughts (emotions and active thoughts, no deep secrets or hidden motives) for 1 minute. During that time, we can also use our action to cast the Suggestion spell on the target; they fail their saving throw automatically.

We also get our final cantrip for this build (Sword Burst), and we get two more 5th-level spells: Planar Binding and Wall of Force.

Level 13 - Wizard: We unlock 6th-level spells. With Globe of Invulnerability and True Seeing, we upgrade our Shield of the Seraphim and give our Eye of Agamotto even more mystic abilities (as it should have had!)

Level 14 - Wizard: Time for another ASI! Let's put one point into Constitution for better HP chance, and one into Dexterity.

Arcane Gate finally gives us a proper yellow sparkly portal thingy, and let's get Chain Lightning for some much needed offensive capabilities.

Level 15 - Wizard: We're getting into 7th-level spells at this level. Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion allows us to recreate our very own Sanctum Sanctorum, and with Project Image we can get Strange's Astral Projection.

Level 16 - Wizard: At this level, we get our final subclass upgrade (and we cross the 100 HP mark, yay!). Arcane High Priest grants us the Knowledge Domain's 17th-level benefits. Visions of the Past lets us spend at least 1 minute of meditation to receive information about a specific object we're holding, or our immediate surroundings:

Object Reading - we learn of the object's previous owner. We know how the person came into contact with the object, how they lost it, and a significant even in their life tied to the object.

Area Reading - we see the events that transpired in the specific location (up to 50-foot cube), going back a number of days equal to our Wisdom modifier.

For this level's spells, let's get Plane Shift and Teleport to double-down on Strange's interdimensional travels.

Level 17 - Wizard: Time for 8th-level spells.

Illusory Dragon is a nice nod to the great "Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme" series (go check it out, it's awesome!), and Maze is another good banishment-type spell to have. Just don't use it on minotaurs.

Level 18 - Wizard: For our final ASI, let's put two points into Dexterity, leaving us unfortunately with an odd number (hopefully, you'll manage to find some ability-increasing item or benefit in your adventure).

For this level's spells, let's grab Power Word: Stun and Demiplane is a good combo to immobilize a foe and send it to the Shadow Realm Mirror Dimension.

Level 19 - Wizard: We unlock the pinnacle of D&D arcane, the 9th-level spells... that is, unless your DM introduces High Magic, which is... whew, a league of its own.

Time Stop and Foresight give us those Time Stone abilities (for all you MCU degenerates. Yes, I know what I said, but Strange was given the Time Stone in his new run, so I did not lie!)

Level 20 - Wizard: Our capstone is Wizard 18, which gives us the Spell Mastery feature. We get to choose one 1st-level spell and one 2nd-level spell from our spellbook and make them our signature moves; we can now cast them at will, without expending a spell slot. Shield and Hold Person seems like a good choice here.

For our final spells of this build, we cannot go without Astral Projection, and let's get Imprisonment a chance.

---

And there we go! Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. Let's see what we've created:

First of all, we're the epitome of Wizard, we're a great utility caster and a pretty good support, with Internet-like capability of finding information. We're don't have a lot of damage-dealing abilities, like Sypha did, but remember - Wizards also get spell by finding them in the world and copying them in their spellbook. This here is only what we get automatically. Go and roam the world in search for that Fireball!

We have AC of 14, but with Shield (and later making it pretty much permanent) it can get up to 19, and we have 130 Hit Points on average. Our speed is also a little better, with 40 feet of movement (plus flying thanks to the Fly spell).

Unfortunately, our Charisma and Wisdom are not great, so those saving throws might be difficult. Our Strength is also not the greatest, so we're pretty much forced to fight with magic.

---

And that is it! Next time, we return to SMITE for a few builds, as I absorbs information about Fire Emblem: Three Heroes. Also, the game devs just released a teaser for Morgana le Fay, and my first reaction was 'Hexblade Warlock'. Do you agree?

Anyway, hope you enjoyed it and your day is going great. I'll see you next time!

- Nerdy out!

#dnd #d&d 5e #dungeons and dragons #character building #marvel #mcu #doctor strange #stephen strange #sorcerer supreme #wizard #theurgy

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aeriedwelling · 2 years

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4, 9, 10, 15 + 19 for the meta writing ask game? I hope that's not too many at once!!

(and no shhh this isn't partially an excuse to see the scattered ashes tag again because I like it so much... hahaha what.... /j)

- ashes :]!!!!

(okay big mood excellent excuse to see the tag again askdjfkasjfd)

4. Share a sentence or paragraph from your writing that you’re really proud of (explain why, if you like)

Massive, feathered wings sprawled out either side of him, with tightly-knit, dark purple feathers that catch the light from the glowstone in the walls, glittering faintly like starlight in the dark haze of the room.

He stares. They’re beautiful, like pieces of a galaxy cut right out of the night sky.

could definitely use some reworking, but this is from a watcher!grian fic i'm working on- mans just got his wings and that was their description :D

another one:

There's a strike of a match, a glow of a candle. Golden light ripples across midnight feathers as Philza makes his way across the room.

i just. really like describing light on wings i guess lololol (and also just wings in general!! they're very fun :))

9. Are you more of a drabble or a longfic kind of writer? Pantser or plotter? Do you wish you were the other?

longfic! every drabble i write is usually just me working out a scene to go in a longer chapter/fic - the shortest things i write are usually around 1000 words (except that one fic that was around 500 but that was four years ago askdfjlaskfd)

pantsing or plotting depends on the fic i think? Blood of the Wild was all pantsing, but most of my fics nowadays are all plotted (unless they're a lone-standing drabble or oneshot)

sometimes i wish i could go back to pantsing everything but if i don't have a solid idea for where i'm going then the fics will be abandoned and i wanna finish a lot of my current wips ;--;

10. How would you describe your writing process?

i daydream about the stuff i wanna write and then never actually write anything

(i also make playlists and outlines and note documents and ramble to my best friend and make vague posts on tumblr but nothing ever gets written)

15. Which is harder: titles or summaries (or tags)?

tags all the way!!! i never know how to tag ;--;

19. Is there something you always find yourself repeating in your writing? (favourite verb, something you describe ‘too often’, trope you can’t get enough of?)

-best friends to lovers and found family are my two favorite tropes so a LOT of my fics will include one or both of those askdjfkasjdf

-characters grinning?? in dialogue??? "he grinned at him" i need more ways to describe characters smiling at each other it's always "he grinned"

-i feel like i describe lights and lighting a lot i dunno

-i’m a sucker for hurt/comfort, a lot of my fics are me processing things so my characters do get hurt but they always get comfort and hugs because i need them to be okay in the end

i'm really bad at like. noticing things about my own writing so i asked my best friend/beta reader and this is what he had to say (copy-pasted from discord):

In terms of general story things, the phrase that comes to mind is comfy angst

It's like Things are kind of awful but there's comfort and catharsis and things And gay lovers :P

Honestly I don't feel like anything you write is repetitive or copy-paste I feel like you are really good at writing this new genre we've created And so a lot of your stories fit that general vibe But they're all very much unique

so yeah! lemme know if you guys notice any repetitive stuff i do! i wanna know :D

from this

#idk if you'll get a notification for this cause i saved it as a draft but we'll see!!#ty for the ask ashes!! <3 #writing ask game #scattered ashes #pigeon rambles

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