#LORE GUIDE CRUCIAL

[uniformbravo]

if the nanowrimo word goal was 30,737 i simply would have won

#30k is pretty fuckin wild for me tho #that's 3/5 of the way there!!! thats more than half!!! #i did not get 3/5 of the way thru the story but we dont gotta talk abt that #retag later #nnwm blogging #so what did we learn. well for one: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #plan story more. no; More. MORE #''i hate this scene i dont wanna write this whats the POINT *5 min later* oh that wasn't so bad'' #+10 ''making characters up on the spot'' skill #LORE GUIDE CRUCIAL #i can dedicate a LOT of time to fancy formatting and making tables and other related tedious tasks (but we been knew) #3 act story structure hurts my brain #i owe abbie emmons on youtube my life #aaaaaand that's about it!!! #hoping to continue working on the story but now that it's december i gotta pedal to the metal on my secret santa gift #i have been working on it all this month but now it's officially bumping up to my top priority #and then i also have other december related tasks to take care of #and also i NEED to get back to reading carry on im melting and deflating and passing away #so we'll see!!!

[poptartmochi]

breeze wiki coming out of left field and flipping the table on the gioiaverse 🤪🍻

#sriracha.txt #long post #finally installed the breezewiki extension so it yeeted my ass outta the fandom wiki #and over to the breeze one.. idk if the fandom wiki notes the different spots the prima guide contradicts the devs/artists/game itself but #something about reading about the contradictions on the breeze wiki made me go. hm. yeah. maybe i Will change my mind on this previously #load-bearing aspect of her lore... i think the era of devil-arm-from-birth nero has come to an end :] #it's kinda funny bc y'all remember when i was in SUCH distress over this last time and almost scrapped gioia entirely bc of it... how times #change a man <3 #Anyhow I think i'm more receptive to it this time because her character for the overarching fortuna arc evolved past Paranoid Mother #from very early on she ran a restaurant and that has always been part of her character but. idk Gioia the Restaurant Owner and Gioia the #Mother have always been two kind of separate entities for me until recently #to bring them back together i think it's crucial that gioia is able to be the former without being haunted by the latter.. if she's busy #working what is nero doing? who's looking after him? if he's being watched.. how does he Not run into any incident over the course of 19 #years in which somebody sees the devil arm? even if you live super cautiously i don't think is something that could realistically be #achieved. and it's easier if it's not something on the table at all. #so this is argument numero uno but argument numero DOS is soooo. rips the hair out. i only realized it as i was talking to my sister about #it but. considering gioia's fear and paranoia with the order partially stems from them branding her without informing her abt anything with #the intent purpose of putting her through a ritual that she Also Knew Nothing About until she was exposed to the consequences of directly #(thus becoming a firsthand witness to the secrecy and deceits of sanctus) and bearing that brand + all of its weight and implication #Forever.... i think it is almost more flavorful for nero to suddenly and unexpectedly gain the devil arm in the field.. gioia has a #Instantaneous Washing Machine experience bc on one hand there is the paralyzing fear that the order has done to your son what they forgot t #do to you and now he will be eaten away at from the inside out before dying some fucked up and evil death. and maybe you'll have to kill hi #yourself! agony! on the other hand (haha) you must remember his father was literally capable of becoming a full on demon so. maybe this is #just your son's way of expressing that same ability. crisis averted.. maybe? #i like to imagine it's a constant pingpong in her brain as she fillets fish lol </3 BUT it makes the end of 4 more potent in my head #because it's like... you thought your worst fear was the worst possible outcome for your son + something that always followed you whilst #raising him. something that grows heavier once he walks into the life you abandoned. BUT THEN..... the reality of what almost happened is #infinitely worse.. forget about your son being lost to the Blood Plague he was almost lost to the fucking eschatron lol! as were you....... #yikes! #i think she makes dante and co. a very nice pizza for their part in Avoiding That 😝

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Mastering the Art of Necromancy in Your Fantasy Novel

Hello fellow writers and conjurers of fantastical worlds,

In the tapestry of fantasy literature, few elements hold the allure and enigmatic charm of necromancy. The art of communing with the spirits of the departed, wielding the powers of death and undeath, and delving into the mysteries of the afterlife conjures a rich and eerie tapestry that captivates readers and writers alike. In this comprehensive guide, I shall help you embark on an odyssey into the realm of necromancy, unraveling its nuances, and harnessing its potent essence to enrich the worlds and characters within your fantasy novel.

Embracing the Essence of Necromancy

Necromancy is a mystical strand woven into the very fabric of fantasy literature, offering writers a gateway to explore themes of mortality, forbidden knowledge, and the uncharted territories beyond death. The art of necromancy beckons us to navigate the delicate balance between life and death, weaving a narrative tapestry that shimmers with eerie allure and spine-tingling intrigue.

Understanding the Arcane Threads of Necromancy

1. Unraveling the Nature of Necromantic Magic:

Necromancy encompasses a vast array of mystical practices, ranging from communing with spirits and animating the dead to harnessing the energies of the afterlife. Understanding the scope of necromantic magic is crucial when integrating it into your fantasy world.

2. Delving into Ethical Quandaries:

The art of necromancy often delves into moral ambiguity and ethical quandaries. As a writer, explore the complex interplay between wielding power over life and death, and the consequences it imposes on both wielder and world.

3. Crafting Necromantic Characters:

Characters draped in the shroud of necromancy carry an undeniably enigmatic allure. Whether they are enigmatic necromancers, vengeful revenants, or tormented spirits, imbue them with layers of depth, conflict, and the allure of forbidden knowledge.

4. Cultivating the Atmosphere of the Necromantic World:

Infuse your narrative with an eerie and otherworldly ambiance that resonates with the essence of necromancy. From desolate graveyards to spectral realms, let the setting itself exude an aura of haunting allure and metaphysical mystery.

5. Unraveling the Consequences:

The tendrils of necromantic magic often carry unforeseen consequences. Delve into the ripple effects of wielding such potent powers, shaping the fate of both the user and the world they inhabit.

Enchanting Your Narrative with Necromantic Flourishes

1. Rich Lore and Mythos:

Weave an intricate tapestry of lore and mythos surrounding necromancy, invoking ancient rituals, mysterious tomes, and the whispers of spirits to deepen the mystique of this arcane art.

2. Enigmatic Rituals and Spells:

Craft spells and rituals that exude an otherworldly aura, invoking the presence of specters and the echoes of forgotten souls to imbue your narrative with the esoteric essence of necromantic magic.

3. Ethereal Companions and Servants:

Bring forth spectral allies, reanimated guardians, and enigmatic spectral entities that serve as both catalysts and enigmas within the narrative.

4. Narrative Pivots and Twists:

Infuse your story with unforeseen twists and narrative pivots that stem from the tendrils of necromantic magic, shaping the destiny of characters and worlds with its potent influence.

Mastering the Art of Responsible Representation

1. Portraying the Nuances of Necromancy:

Embrace the multifaceted nature of necromancy, delving into its allure and peril, and steering clear of reductionistic portrayals that fail to capture the complexity of this enigmatic art.

2. Navigating Sensitive Themes:

Acknowledge the sensitive themes surrounding necromancy, portraying its enigmatic allure while respecting the boundaries of respectful representation and narrative integrity.

Navigating Ethical Quandaries and Moral Ambiguity

1. Delving into the Temptation and Consequences:

Illuminating the temptations and consequences inherent in wielding necromantic powers, delving into the moral turbulence and ethical crossroads that define the narrative and its characters.

2. Shaping Characters' Moral Journeys:

Embrace the moral odysseys of characters enmeshed in the tendrils of necromancy, illuminating their struggles, choices, and the transformative impact of their interactions with the enigmatic art.

Embracing the Mystique of Necromancy

The enigmatic tapestry of necromancy holds the potent key to unraveling the mysteries of death, whispered secrets of the afterlife, and the spellbinding allure of enigmatic power. Embrace its allure, wield its essence responsibly, and watch as your narrative flourishes with a haunting, spine-tingling allure that captivates readers far and wide.

Warm regards and unwavering encouragement on your enigmatic odyssey, Ren T.

#creative writing #writing #writing tips #writers block #writeblr #thewriteadviceforwriters #on writing #how to write #writers and poets #witchcore #necromancer #necromancy #magic #high fantasy #worldbuilding #magic system

[traceofexistence]

here's some Karlach meta that is about Karlach and not her abusers.

What we know lore wise, is that Karlach is very big in size (210cm tall) that is like a tall basketball player in human terms, and teiflings are like humans in size (as they were humans themselves once)

so she's big for a tiefling.

Karlach lost her parents in a young age, the assumption is that she was a teen. (a very crucial age to have guidance and support)

she's not the smartest cookie in the jar, and there is a line she says that indicates she didn't finish school (whatever level of education there is in fearun). her actor Sam even suggests that she dropped out school the moment her father died(her mom died before her dad)

we know also that she's an immature person, we can see that based on her reactions and wording, and kiddo enthusiasm at times, and also in terms of romance.

what immaturity mean in her case:

prone to be manipulated

prone to affiliate with the wrong crowds

prone to use substances (soul coins) without thinking of the consequences

emotionally vulnerable

a kid without guidance is more likely to be taken advantage off

there is also something that Sam said that puts in perspective the point about her size, and I think it is an extremely valid point.

Sam has a friend who was a very big build when he was young, and while as kid he was a good kid, with well meaning parents overall. because of his body type he was clocked by gangs for recruitment. and his parents had to do extra work to protect him from something that had nothing to do with their parenting, or his character but his body type. because as Sam pointed out when you are 14 and look like 20 and even big for that age, gangs want muscles, and a 14 year old doesn't have the maturity to see the red flags and flee. Sam said that story specifically to put Karlach in perspective for us, they also of course told us that their friend is a whole grown up now with family of his own, and he managed to avoid the wrong crowds as his parents did the utmost to protect him. Karlach did not have that, because her parents were dead at the time she needed them most.

see for example the orphaned tiefling kids in act 1, they do petty crimes all around because there are no adults around who care to guide them.

Karlach probably started in the same way in her teens, because of her huge body she got into protection/intimidation (her friend Fytz asked her if she's still in the business of intimidation, so we know that was something she was doing)

and when she was old enough and deep enough to not have an alternative, G got her, a slaver, an abuser, and a master manipulator. Karlach was in need of a decent job, he gave her that. it was what she could do, it paid well, and it gave her a lot of freedom too, being the bodyguard of someone like him certainly opened doors for her way easier.

on top of that in terms of her romantic life, she never loved, and she was never loved, as she says herself whatever walked on two legs she would climb aboard, no strings attached. her first fantasy out of the hells is for her to fuck her way through baldur's gates, two at a time. the way she can not manage her own feelings when she meets us and falls in love for the first time. all those things are indications of her immaturity.

she also trusts very easily, whoever will help her. G was someone who helped her so she trusted him, protected him, did his bidding. she was fully aware he was one of those shady fucks who had his tentacles everywhere, she says so when we ask her. but in her naivety she thought he cared enough for her to keep her around.

instead he manipulated her quite easily to do the job until he didn't need her anymore, or more precisely she was more valuable sold to a devil and experimented on, to him, than being his bodyguard. he could find plenty of muscle if he wanted to. but someone who could go through mutilation and survive enough time to get his prototype?

she trusted him so much that if he was to tell her his plan, she would probably agree to do it, get an engine for a heart and all. but no he betrayed her he didn't even inform her what will happen to her, he just made a deal without her, he treated her like a thing, like a tool.

and lets not forget that when we meet Fytz, she tells us that he told everyone that Karlach just left, he LIED about what he did. blamed Karlach made everyone believe she just abandoned everyone without a goodbye.

he sold her to slavery, and then assassinated her character, so nobody would look for her.

she was the perfect victim, she didnt have anyone who would look for her, and she was completely in the dark of what he had planned to do.

Karlach was not a bad person, she was just loyal to a horrible disgusting abuser.

she tells Jaheira, that she wished she had met her before G, that way she would put her talents in good cause instead of doing what she had to do.

she never wanted that life, she never chose that life, she had ambitions, and she had heroes she looked up to.

I dont think the game through Karlach really puts in perspective the amount of torment Karlach suffered in hells.

they way she mourned her heart that her mama gave her, it is the only concrete enough indication of how torturous and sadistic the process of the engine installment was.

there is not reference that her heart is kept somewhere, and she can go and retrieve it. from the mourning what I personally get is that her heart was extracted and then mutilated, and thrown to the imps to eat. and Karlach was conscious during the entire process so she could feel all the pain. physical and mental

zariel made karlach her possession, all the tattoos and burns scars, the carving on her horn. she was marked, so everyone could know who her slaver was.

and then she made her an addict as well (soul coins)

Karlach managed to survive slavery, and escape, but the impact that had on her is unimaginable.

so yes she tries to live, she tries to leave the past behind her, Faerun is like a child's play in comparison to what she had to do to survive in the hells.

so she becomes loyal to the first people she meets. the first people who showed her compassion.

but she also is being upfront, she doesnt hide who she is, who she was, what she has done to survive. when we asked her about the asshole she tells us all about what her life was like.

when we ask her as tav what she thinks she would be doing in not for the tadpole, and she asks us back, and if we choose the adventurer answer, she's thrilled about us doing all kinds of shit, and wants to join us.

she's the type of "wherever life takes me" as long as it's not the hells, but even that, we can convinces her to go so a little while until we find a way to fix her.

final verdict is that

Karlach is best girl, with a past, and also a victim of abuse and slavery. and all the blame goes to the abusers and slavers and nobody else, especially not her.

#karlach

[lurkingshan]

La Pluie: Do you still believe in soulmates?

Earlier I was chatting with @sliceduplife about this week’s La Pluie and how the show has been layering in the subversion of the soulmate concept, and they reminded me that this is literally the last screen of the show’s teaser trailer:

Which kind of blew my mind a little. Because it confirmed for me that this show was being open about its intention to interrogate the idea of soulmates right from the start. They’ve never been particularly subtle about it. It’s been right in front of us all along, but given how trained we all are as a bl/romance audience to have certain expectations tied to romance conventions, this intentional subversion of the soulmate trope seems to have caused some confusion. And thus, I was compelled to do a rundown documenting how the show has used the context around our characters to guide our understanding of this theme. I’ve talked about some of this in other posts but please indulge me as I organize my scattered thoughts into one coherent piece. Shouts also to @wen-kexing-apologist and @bengiyo for reading this over for me and making sure I didn’t miss anything (over to WKA for the body language analysis).

Let’s start at the start. In the very first episode, Saengtai tells us plainly in his opening voiceover that no one knows why some people have hearing loss or why some of them start hearing another person after they turn 20, and that the idea that this is a soulmate connection is a social construct that most choose to believe. So right off the bat, the show is telling us the soulmate idea is not necessarily true and inviting us to question the lore.

Then within this same episode we are introduced to two couples involving people with hearing loss: Tai’s parents, who are hearing loss soulmates that are divorcing, and the couple in the cafe, one of whom has hearing loss, and one who does not. One example of a soulmate pair that is ending their romantic relationship permanently, and one example of a person with hearing loss who has chosen to be with someone who is not their soulmate. Interestingly, the show did not and has not since countered these examples by including even a single happy soulmate couple in the story for Tai and Patts to see as an example.

The show then built on this by giving us direct commentary about the skeptical point of view via Lomfon. He (and presumably, plenty of others) believes that the hearing loss connection is a scientific phenomenon and the soulmate idea is just a romantic notion with no basis in reality. He believes that people should not be expected to enter romantic relationships with their hearing loss partners, and that choice is what matters most. Again, we are being explicitly invited to question the lore and encouraged to doubt. 

As we got into the romance between Tai and Patts, the show took basically every opportunity to undermine the idea that they should be together because they are fated soulmates, and instead emphasized over and over again that their individual choice and feelings are what matter most:

Tai is not interested in meeting his soulmate at all. In fact, he actively avoids it and leaves poor Patts on read for two entire years. Had they not happened to meet in the real world, Tai likely still would never have spoken to him.

Patts meets Tai in the wild, is immediately attracted to him, and begins pursuing him all without knowing they are soulmates. This is crucial for establishing that it was not the hearing loss connection that brought them together, nor is it the hearing loss connection that serves as the basis for their relationship. It was the genuine attraction Patts felt for Tai that got their relationship started. Patts says explicitly that he wants to “defy his destiny” after meeting Tai.

Tai becomes interested in Patts only after meeting him in real life. Because he’s a hot, kind, generous animal doctor who Tai is attracted to, not because he is the person he hears when it rains. 

In the early stages of their relationship, Tai struggles to trust Patts after overhearing some things out of context that he misunderstood. The hearing loss connection actually creates distance between them rather than bringing them closer together.

Patts and Tai have their first date before their soulmate connection is acknowledged between them. We saw that they were vibing and getting to know each other without that connection being part of the equation, and in fact, that connection was the thing causing Tai to hold back. Once Patts knows that, he understands what’s been going on with Tai and after one very emotional drunken kiss, gives him space to process - literally, he physically removes himself and leaves a note. The revelation, once again, causes distance between them rather than bringing them together.

Once it’s out in the open, because of their hearing loss connection, Tai and Patts experience immense pressure from their loved ones to get together immediately. This hinders more than helps them, as it raises the stakes on their relationship right out of the gate and makes Tai anxious and Patts cautious.

Nara is introduced to the narrative in order to show us that Patts actually had a love before Tai, and one that he was genuinely happy with. There is a universe where Patts could have gotten back together with her and lived quite well. Had he not run into Tai in the real world, that’s probably the universe he’d be living in.

As they get to know each other and their attraction grows, Tai is actively in distress about Patts being his soulmate because he is so devastated about what happened with his parents and he fears they will end up the same way. Moving past his fear about this is the biggest obstacle to their romance. 

Don’t think I didn’t notice that during the crucial few episodes when Tai and Patts started seeing each other and getting to know each other properly, it didn’t rain once. From the time Patts took Tai out on a date and they got drenched (and didn’t even use their connection because they were together) until Tai wandered up the mountain, we were in a rain free zone. All of that crucial relationship development, all of that trust-building, every moment of the time we saw them actually falling in love, happened entirely without the involvement of the hearing loss connection. 

Tai and Patts finally affirm their love and decide to be together after directly discussing their doubts and uncertainty about the soulmate connection, mutually declaring that their feelings are real even if the soulmate bond is not, and committing to be with each other regardless. What matters is they really love each other.

Throughout this entire series of events spread over a few months, Tai’s only hesitation about this relationship is that he doesn’t want to get involved with his soulmate. Because if they weren’t soulmates? They would just be two single dudes who met, sparked, and immediately started dating. But because they are connected by hearing loss, it’s all way more complicated than that, and they had overcome a lot of internal struggle to be together. 

The show has now introduced Lomfon’s hearing loss, which does not seem to be following the rules of the soulmate construct as we know them. We are clearly not done interrogating the concept of soulmates; the show has more yet to say and we know that Lomfon is going to end up in a romantic relationship with Tien, not either of the people he can hear when it rains.

So. Do you still believe in soulmates?

#la pluie #thai bl #no i am never going to shut up about this show thanks for asking #shan shouts into the void

[eurydykakaput]

You know what's insane to me? That people hate on Dori so much that they don't even notice how suspicious she actually is.

Let's start with her age. She's an adult, not a child or a teenager. Notice how in an event she called a 26 year old a young man. And if you watched her trailer, you know that Alice says she met her long before she became a merchant. Alice is thousands years old, a long time for her could be a couple of life times for humans. (And don't even get me started on the "child model", she has hips and breast on her splash art, she's just short. Adults her height exist in the real world.)

She has Khaenri'ah star on her broach. As we already know she's friends with Alice, and if you've read her dialogues, you'll notice that instead of describing her past in the usual way, she uses a fairy tail like story to describe it. Which is a tactic used by the Hexenzirkel to protect information from being erased from the Irminsul. And she tried to buy the Sanctuary Of Surasthana from Nahida, which is the easiest way to get to the Irminsul. That would be the perfect deal for the Hexenzirkel, as they would be now able to control Teyvat's history. So it's safe to say that Dori is connected to the Hexenzirkel, if she's not a part of it.

It really wouldn't be that far fetched to call Dori a witch. She's a catalyst user, while her Jinn uses claymore. She's known to be sighted in multiple places at once and somehow always knows what her clients are looking for. And if you listen to npc you'll know that she helps out smaller merchants for a price, you could say she's guiding them, just like she guided the Traveler. And she's able to keep up with Alice's location, something even Jean isn't able to do.

If Miko wasn't there during the fungi event, the information Dori gave us would be crucial for dealing with the fatui.

The subtle connections between her and the Goddess of Flowers that people just chose to ignore...

Let's look at Nabu Malikata's titles:

-Lord of Flowers,

-Mistress of Dreams,

-Queen of All Oases,

-Queen of the Garden,

-Mistress of the Orchard,

-Mistress of Pushpavatika.

She was also the creator of Jinn.

Dori's character title is Treasure Of The Dream Garden, she has a Jinn, she's from the Desert (hinted in her story). Her outfit having flower motives, as well as her sharing ascension material with Nahida.

While we're at it, did you know that Dori never made a traditional contract with her Jinn? Normally a Jinn would reveal their true name to bond with their master, but Dori preferred to treat the Jin as an employee.

I've already mentioned it in a different post, but in glitches you can see that the eye under Kaeya's eye patch looks the same as Dori's eyes. They have the same talents pose too.

(And I swear to gods, every time I see Dori described as a scammer, I feel like questioning if people even read the lore. Just read Kaveh's story. She didn't scam him, in fact he even almost scammed her by accident, because he couldn't listen to basic instructions as "I don't want my house built on a cliff near the withering". And we know Kaveh, even if she told him not to pay back his deabt he'd still do so for his moral principles, just like he pays rent to Alhaitham even though he doesn't have to. Traveler could have picked any other Knowledge Capsule, that would give them better results, like Alhaitham said in the Archon Quest. Her goods cost so much because they are excellent quality, many of them are rare, and she's a brand in Sumeru.)

#dori genshin #alice genshin impact #genshin impact #you just know that if she had a tall female model people would simp for her just like Miko

[talonabraxas]

Inti, the Sun God ☀️ Talon Abraxas

Inti The Sun God: Central Figure of Inca Cosmology

The Inca Empire revered numerous deities. Yet, one stood above all: Inti, the Sun God. His influence was vast and unwavering.

Dominating Inca cosmology, Inti was seen as a life-giver. Temples were erected in his honor. Ceremonies celebrated his daily journey.

Understanding Inti is crucial for grasping Inca culture. Their spirituality, rituals, and politics were in connection with his lore. Dive in to explore this celestial bond.

Cosmic significance: Unveiling the central role of Inti in Inca Cosmology

The cosmos guided many ancient civilizations. For the Inca, stars and planets held profound meanings. Central to this was Inti the Sun God. Revered as the highest deity, his significance was unparalleled. Inti wasn’t just a god; he was life’s essence.

The Inca’s connection to the cosmos was profound. Their rituals, calendars, and ceremonies revolved around celestial movements. The sun’s journey, dictated by Inti, shaped their daily life. From agriculture to rituals, Inti’s influence was evident. His benevolence ensured successful harvests and societal harmony.

Inti the Sun God’s sanctuaries dotted the Inca landscape. The most remarkable was the Inca Temple of the Sun. Dedicated to him, it showcased Inca’s finest architectural feats. Here, priests performed ceremonies, seeking Inti’s guidance and blessings. Gold, symbolizing the sun’s glow, adorned its walls.

Inti’s central role also played out in Inca myths. Legends spoke of his travels, teachings, and interventions. His ties with the moon, his sister, highlighted cosmic duality. Their interplay was crucial in shaping Inca beliefs.

Inca emperors considered themselves Inti’s direct descendants. This lineage established their divine right to govern. They were not just rulers; they were earthly embodiments of Inti. Their decisions echoed what Inti the Sun God desired. As such, their rule was unchallenged and revered.

Understanding Inti unravels the core of Inca cosmology. It isn’t just about deities and celestial bodies. It’s about an ancient civilization’s deep-rooted beliefs. A society that viewed the universe as an intricate tapestry. And at its center, gleaming brightly, was Inti.

Today, remnants of Inti’s significance still linger. Ancient ruins, tales, and rituals attest to his power. As we delve into Inca cosmology, one truth emerges. Inti the Sun God was, undoubtedly, its radiant heart.

[boundinparchment]

Dream a Little Dream of Me - XX

Celestia has a cruel sense of humor. He’s always known this, ever since his days as a student. But a soulmate? Really? Dottore/Female Reader Soulmate AU. Lore speculation, interpretations, etc. AO3 Chapter is Here.

Leyline traversal always felt like falling.  Even now, centuries later, his physical form reacted as if the ground had collapsed right beneath him.  His heart jumped and then fell into the pit of his stomach.  An instinct he would never be rid of.

The energy network made crossing large distances inconspicuously quite easy; reaching into it, guiding it, and knowing exactly where one wanted to go, was anything but.  He learned the hard way, naturally.

Even one distraction could mean ending up in the gap between realms or even the Abyss.

Few places ever felt this free .  He was away from the prying eyes of Celestia or what remained of them.  Down here, the world remembered everything.  The Celestial Nails could distort sources of bad memories, hide them, but never completely erase them.  The heavenly gaze could not penetrate deeper than Teyvat itself.

Only Irminsul, the repository.

And even then…only the power of a god could achieve such a thing.  Those that belonged to this world would never know the difference if something changed.  One could not remove themselves, however.  He’d certainly tried.

Archival records were almost impossible.  Almost.

He focused on the memory of his first arrival in the land of Cryo, snow crunching beneath his boots and his cheeks wind-chapped.  He’d survived the jungles and arid desert of Sumeru with little trouble.  The closest he’d known was when the temperature dropped in the desert at night.  Snezhnaya’s frigidity was harsher still and more than unforgiving.

That didn’t stop him from marveling, if only for a moment, how easily snow melted on his fingertip.

Had you ever seen snow?  Surely, in your travels, you had?

The thought was enough to break his concentration and, as if swimming for too long, his lungs burned in protest.  Before he could slip, he held onto the memory just long enough to find purchase.

When Dottore surfaced again, the air was thin and crisp.  He took a moment to get his bearings, the light of the moon spilling across mountains that seemed to be carved by the Geo Archon himself.  The distinct scent of flowers floated on the wind, fresh and jubilant.  In the far, far distance, he could just make out the bright lights of Fontaine, the city sparkling like a wet diamond.

He hadn’t even made it entirely out of Sumeru and you were already creeping back into his thoughts.  

But not into his dreams.

Not seeing one another in your shared dreamspaces wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary.  His own sleep schedule was erratic as it was and he would go days at a time without rest.  After all, he didn’t need it as frequently, a benefit to the modifications he made on himself.  Sometimes, you were too exhausted from your own rehearsals and performances.  Both of you had long since deduced that dreamsharing wasn’t a possibility when you were too fatigued.

Dottore closed his eyes.  He could still feel your touch, gently running your fingers through his hair as he rested in your lap.  You let him spend the rest of the dream discussing the inner workings of the Golem, how they had been separated from their cores to prevent further disaster.  Your presence quieted his mind as of late; few could ever do that but he speculated it was unrelated to the dreadful fated bond you both shared.  

Only a few days was not all that uncommon.

So why did he feel as if he was missing a crucial piece of information to a hypothesis, in which the experiments were yielding unexpected results?

It made his muscles itch and jaw ache.

His chest tightened and his heart skipped a beat.  He missed your smile, your insight, the way you never judged him…

How could he miss someone he only truly met in person once ?  Who existed in dream fragments and memories?  Why the hell was he so worried about the single reminder that even he could not be severed from Celestia’s hold?  You were the embodiment of everything he worked so hard against.  

You didn’t matter.

And even if you did, he’d already broken his cardinal rule of observation once when he took your Akasha.  He couldn’t interfere again.  He wouldn’t.  Omega needed to complete the task before him and do it of the segment’s own skill and volition.  His Perspectives would be useless if he constantly swooped in and handled everything.

Rationally, he knew he had done everything he could without influencing the potential outcomes.  He removed your Akasha, wiped your records from the public and private databases and ensured you wouldn’t be pulled into the dream harvesting process even without the device itself.  That alone should have prevented you from getting caught up in the Samara Cycle to begin with.  Your memories would not be harvested and used in the plot with the Akademiya; the Balladeer would never know of your significance, at least, and there would be no record of the connection both of you held.

Omega could, hypothetically, do as he pleased and go against orders and you still might not…

Dottore exhaled softly, his jaw tight with frustration.

If that was the case, why did Omega reach out to your old patron and attempt to sway you into staying?  The trouble with the Akademiya was irrelevant; no one would have been able to predict even the probability of such an event, and as such, it was not the event to logically pair with the letter.  

But the Samsara Cycle and the project handoff were.  Omega, in charge, left to make his own decisions, could do as he pleased once Dottore himself left.

He brought a hand up and ran it through his hair, tightening his grip for a moment, urging himself to continue.

It was as though Omega wanted to guarantee you would stay by presenting an alternative you found so awful and vile that you could only choose its exact opposite.  You never spoke much of your previous patron, only the system itself, but Dottore could surmise that it was hardly the most enjoyable experience.  There must have been more to it for you to not even consider the additional salary and the chance to be home again.

But if not for the Samara Cycle, why?

If you don’t want her,  I can make better use of that connection.  Maybe I shall, Zandik.  You’re nothing but a coward…

Omega’s words unsettled him and the Segment knew it.  The dreaded thing, a reminder of every monstrous thing he was, took every opportunity to remind him of his selfish ambition and how he did everything he could to subvert the Heavenly Island above in hopes one day, it might drop right out of the sky.  Omega always toed the line and behaved exactly as Dottore did when faced with the prospect of outdoing his creator.  The Segment was inherently selfish, the most he’d ever been in any Perspective except for his true self.

But was Omega looking to steal you for himself and overthrow his creator?  

Or was this simply his Segment making another blasted point through extreme measures?

Archons, did it even matter?

Dottore turned his head to Fontaine, his gaze far beyond the glittering city, the mountains of Snezhnaya off in the far, far distance, white peaks barely visible.  Returning to Sumeru was a setback.  One he couldn’t afford, especially when the Knave and Dove were involved in the upcoming plans for the land of Hydro.  The Tsaritsa Herself had called him back and it would not do to keep Her waiting.  And if you were hurt, if you knew enough, he couldn’t leave you with your orchestra without raising enough questions to be bothersome.  You would have to come with him.

He tugged on his hair, just enough to distract himself.  Fate was nothing but a farce.  He owed it nothing.  He owed you nothing.  So what if Omega wanted a taste of what it meant to be bound to another living being?  If the Segment wanted to embrace fate so badly, then—

The memory of hearing you play properly, that first night, came back to him fullforce.  Your expressive notes, the way you captured emotion so easily and channeled it into a universal experience.  You always fought against him, or at least challenged him in his thinking.  He could never understand how you wore your heart on your sleeve so freely and poured so much of yourself out to people who didn’t…

Who didn’t care.

Omega wouldn’t care for you, about you.  

Dottore’s hand fell from his hair and balled into a fist at his side before he let the leylines take him again and fell into the familiar embrace of the world’s memories.

#dottore #il dottore #il dottore x reader #dottore x reader #dottore x female reader #il dottore x female reader #genshin impact reader insert #soulmate au #fic: dream a little dream of me

[doublism]

i kinda hate getting new followers because i haven't been on the essay-length doublism post grind in ages so they don't even know about my core tenets... my guiding philosophy... my lore... go back and read my entire archive and also somehow access the entirety of my since-deleted old blog and crucially watch the double a dozen times. and then come back and ask me questions and have a long discussion with me in which i lay out all my points. then watch the double again. and then maybe you'll understand me and where i'm coming from.

[liminalwings]

Building Your Draconic Path

Whether you're a witchy veteran or someone coming into magical work for the very first time, you might be absolutely lost when it comes to starting work with dragons. While I have no intention of telling others how to walk their path, I do feel that a loose guide to help you start building your own framework would be beneficial. Note that this is written for those who wish to work with dragons as beings, rather than dragons as a symbol or ideal, so being able to communicate with them might be important. Also, if you're someone who already has a solid practice in place that does not center around working with dragons, it's not necessary to abandon it and rebuild everything from the ground up; you absolutely can work with dragons within your already existing framework. And even if you don’t have one, it’s alright to just dive in and start working with them. This is for those who want something a little more involved. 

The first step is to ask yourself why you want to work with dragons. Is it just because you think they’re cool and powerful? Is it something you’ve heard about from someone else and you’ve been curious about it for a while? Is it something you’ve had an inexplicable pull toward? Are you someone who has already had an encounter with a dragon and feel like this is the next logical step? 

Analyze yourself. Ask the hard questions. What are your strengths and weaknesses, what knowledge do you lack? Do the research. Being honest with yourself will get you where you want to go much faster. Also keep an open mind, not because "everything's valid uwu", but because internalizing what others say, taking it at face value as 'fact', can keep you from picking up information meant for you as part of your UPG. 

Speaking of which, keep a journal. It doesn't have to be fancy, it's not expressly a Book of Shadows or a grimoire, and it doesn't have to be physical, it just has to be some sort of log for you to keep notes. You can write down your thoughts regarding the path you're taking, but mainly it's to keep track of the information you gain, especially any channeled information or UPG, or any signs you may notice. Being able to return to these tidbits over time is extremely helpful, and you might find that some things no longer feel correct 5-10 months or years down the road, while other things remain solidly true; a changing, growing belief or system is not a bad thing, and re-examining and being able to let go of things you no longer vibe with is a healthy practice. Also, being able to refer back to your notes while doing research can occasionally have some fascinating results, especially if something a dragon told you somehow ends up in a bit of lore. Rare, but it can happen. 

Why research?

Besides learning the basics of spellcraft so we can stop repeating ourselves ad infinitum every time someone new appears, there is a rich and varied amount of dragon lore in the world, some of it symbolic, some of it spiritual, and some of it quite revealing of human nature when faced with the unknown. You may end up being someone who works best with Earth Mythology archetype dragons better than individuals from the astral/elsewhere, and knowing these myths would be quite important, especially the different variations of even the same myth through time or between cultures. Learning the lore can also help you tap into draconic energy. You also want to have practical and sound knowledge of any tools or materials you may be drawn to work with, especially in the case of herbs in which non-magical, medical knowledge is crucial if you're going to be using them for more than symbolic or energetic oomph in ritual. 

And yes, you can read what dragon magick books are out there to get a feel for what systems others have made. Do they use tools that you could see being useful to your own practice? Do you disagree with the specific beings/rulers they call on, but agree with other correspondences they use? Do they use a code/creed that you largely like? There's nothing wrong with adapting them, as long as it's not something being pulled from any sort of closed culture; seeing as how the vast majority of dragon magick systems are flavorings of Wicca or ceremonial magick, that shouldn't be too much of an issue outside of what those systems themselves might be guilty of. 

If you're not simply adapting an already existing system, you should determine the nature of your work, and the relationship between you and the dragons you work with. Some people are not comfortable with spellwork as found in Wicca and other modern pagan paths, but are okay with energy work and prayer. This is absolutely fine and something that is compatible with working with dragons. Some prefer using a Wicca/modern witchcraft-based system, with dragons as co-practitioners. Are the dragons you work with only peers, or is it more of a master-student situation? Are the dragons okay with you calling on them as friends any time? Or are they your deity, and receive offerings from you? 

These are answers you have to figure out as you build your bond with your dragons and communicate with them. Sometimes, they will have more say in what you do than you expect and be very particular about what you include. It may be things like "use this tool", "use this herb", or can even be things like following rules they give you, within reason. This includes whether or not some sort of oath or initiation is even necessary. Other times, the dragons you work with may not care about any of these things and will work with you as long as you respect them, leaving the precise methods to you and what you're comfortable with. This even includes elements: while the most common elemental model tends to be earth/air/fire/water(/spirit), this may not be the one you end up working with.

It's also good to remember that dragons are incredibly varied, just like people. Dragons can be deceptive, they can lie or tell half-truths or lie by omission, they can mean you harm and be malicious jerks, but like the people you meet every day, these are going to be the minority. I don't point this out to scare anyone off, but because a lot of information out there will try to tell you that all dragons ever only work for the highest good, and even the non-New Age sector will often tell you that dragons operate on a code of honor. This is not an absolute truth. Therefore, it is not necessary for your path to have a set of rules governing your behavior. You don't have to never lie again or the dragons will call you a sinner and abandon you. This is also why common sense, discernment, and knowing how to protect yourself is important. That said, drama with dragons is fairly uncommon, at least in my experience.

Okay, but how do I build my practice?

Decide how much structure you actually want in your practice. Do you want more ritual trappings, or are you wanting something a little more 'low-spoon' friendly and casual? Are there days that you feel should be recognized as sacred on your path? Is every day sacred and magical? Having certain days of note can help you to refocus on your path throughout the year, and it doesn't have to be the Wiccan sabbats; I know at least a handful of practitioners even observe Dragon Appreciation Day (January 16th, celebrates dragons in literature and art), or World Dragon Day (an inconsistent date in October, and established largely by 'lightworkers').

In short, reflect on everything that draws you to this path, everything that makes you feel closer to dragons, to your own power, and use what inspires you as your building blocks. It's okay to incorporate things that may be seen by others as 'cringey', because this is for you, and is all private unless you choose to share with others. As well, this is merely the beginning steps and nothing final; like anything else in life, your path will grow with you and be refined as you learn more. This might seem like a lot of footwork and effort, especially if you're coming to this bright-eyed and exuberant, but anything worth doing takes some level of personal investment.

Can… can I give my path a cool name?

Absolutely. You can also not call your path anything. Unless you're planning on sharing your UPG and whatever structure you decide to make, it's really not necessary. There are so many "draconic paths" and groups already floating around out there that it can be nice to differentiate. Because of the nature of UPG and how much of it makes up modern dragon magick, there really isn't "one true draconic path". 

The TL;DR Bullet List of Things to Consider

Why? What are your goals with this path?

How do you want to connect and work with dragons?

What do you want to incorporate? What inspires you about this path?

Take notes and do your homework.

#dragons #dragon magic #dragon magick #dragon witch #dragonkin #draconic #draconic witchcraft #Sal says things #spiritae draconum #spirit work

[grandprovidence]

Gameplay Diary 3/11/2024

Hello, short post this week as things were mostly the same as the last session. A lot of roleplay and trying to learn about NPCs. The main topic I want to focus on is actually my friend's game, which we played right after mine. To give background, the other players and I were sent to find out what was making the population of a dungeon act aggressive towards the inhabitants of the village. The first issue that we came across was the fact that we were told that our reward for the quest was based on how many creatures in the dungeon we left alive. The second was the fact that we were on a time limit without information on how long we would need to spend in this mine. The third was that the NPC who gave us the quest had no other information or leads to give us outright. This leads to a group of four adventurers going into a dungeon with a strong “Do not kill” protocol in mind which then leads to all of us running through the dungeon to find the source of the issue as fast as possible. Not ideal if you worked on the dungeon as he did but the optimal strategy for a group who has such limited knowledge. Now the blame can easily be placed on us as players. We didn’t search out any information but, to us, this dungeon could have been large and demanded every second of our time. The problem with a GM blaming players is that it never works. As a GM you should expect players to show up, play your game, and do nothing else. The people you play with are smart, cunning, and good problem solvers. Players, with a capital P, are flighty, quick to act on limited knowledge, and prone to running into more problems than they can solve. All of this made me consider the idea of how GMs make dungeons. There is a large amount of information on how to make an interesting dungeon. The five room rule being one that many people look to along with the ideas of different elevations, a theme that spans through the puzzles, fights, and lore, and ways to guide players through a dungeon so they see everything you want them to. I would like to take all of this game design knowledge and transform it into a way for Providence’s to follow a few steps or guides that will lead them to making an adventure, dungeon included, that helps the Providence know how much EXP each section gives, what kind of knowledge is necessary for the players to not get blindsided, what kind of knowledge is beneficial but not crucial for the players, and how to have different parts of the adventure flow into one another. This is a daunting task as the modularity of an adventure and the Providence’s ability to improv when the players go off of the plan is one of the largest draws for TTRPGS. The idea of just throwing a Providence to the wolves, saying something along the lines of “Dungeons are things in the ground and adventures are fun romps you experience with friends, you figure out the rest” irks me as the GMs, especially those who are new or don’t research level design, can fall into simple pitfalls that make an adventure not live up to what they expect. My main goal of the mechanic will be to assist in avoiding these pitfalls while also keeping the “Adventure outline” simple and easy to make so that a Providence can make up additional sections or entire adventures using the system without too much strain and without ruining the flow of the game. If anyone has any advice with things that are similar to this or have any questions, feel free to send an ask or a message!

#grand providence #ttrpg #indie ttrpg #tabletop roleplaying #ttrpg dev #game design

[immediatebreakfast]

It's time for Marmion, but with religion this time. In this canto we are finally introduced to the Palmer who will aid lord Marmion in his political mission to Scotland.

So, the definition of a Palmer is a christian pilgrim who visits holy places then brings a palm leaf. These pilgrims were esteemed as very religious thanks to their travels made by their devotion to the holy land in Palestine.

Which is why this canto is very charged with religious imagery with the purpose of painting a solid picture of this new palmer for the readers. And I have to say it is very effective in its use, and the construction of this new look.

First we get all of the traveling he did with the purpose of learning about the holy sites within the places he visited.

Here is a holy Palmer come From Salem first, and last from Rome: One that hath kissed the blessèd tomb, And visited each holy shrine In Araby and Palestine; On hills of Armenie hath been, Where Noah’s ark may yet be seen; By that Red Sea, too, hath he trod, Which parted at the prophet’s rod;

The emphasis on what the palmer did in each site is important because it shows how truly focused he is to his pilgrim travels, and his commitment to god. Hence the focus on how he kissed a blessed tomb from Salem to Rome, how he has visited all of the shrines in both Araby and Palestine. Along with the palmer going to places where biblical events happened like the parting of the Red Sea, or the writing of the ten commandments.

For his sins’ pardon hath he prayed. He knows the passes of the North, And seeks far shrines beyond the Forth; Little he eats, and long will wake, And drinks but of the stream or lake. This were a guide o’er moor and dale But when our John hath quaffed his ale, As little as the wind that blows, And warms itself against his nose, Kens he, or cares, which way he goes.

This part is what I think could be the most interesting to lord Marmion becasue, aside from mentioning the Saints who the palmer constantly prayed for his sins, in this one it mentioned that this palmer won't be a weight on his army. On top of knowing how to navigate the land.

It is emphasised that the palmer knows the passes of the North, and that he can guide them for this journey. For a lord that has presented as so knightly focused, this must be a crucial detail to know.

“Gramercy!” quoth Lord Marmion, “Full loth were I that Friar John, That venerable man, for me Were placed in fear or jeopardy. If this same Palmer will me lead From hence to Holyrood,

So it seems that lord Marmion is finally convinced that the palmer is the perfect clergy to join his essemble. He even calls him venerable despite the first impression being so rough... The thing that arises after this is that Marmion has the impression that the palmer will be not only guiding them, but also provide emotional support on the way with his "holy ramblings" as he mentioned. A little weird expectation to have since palmers are so commited to god, and its teachings.

The expectations of jovial tales, or legends is brought first, until young Selby again has to be a small voice of reality.

“Ah! noble sir,” young Selby said, And finger on his lip he laid, “This man knows much—perchance e’en more Than he could learn by holy lore. Still to himself he’s muttering, And shrinks as at some unseen thing.

Yeah this palmer has visions, and in these days it has been noticed that something must be tormeting his mind because he has been staying awake praying. However, nothing have made a change un lord Marmion's mind since he orders young Selby to bring the famed Palmer.

And I loved how the details of his attire are brought up to paint a specific image of the palmer, at least for someone that has never heard of one. Most of the time in more medieval settings the clergy have a more idealistic look to contrast the more grounded characters around them. This is not the case with the palmer. Travel tored sandals, a faded palm branch, broad appearance, and a wild look in his eyes.

Whenas the Palmer came in hall, Nor lord, nor knight, was there more tall, Or had a statelier step withal, Or looked more high and keen; For no saluting did he wait, But strode across the hall of state, And fronted Marmion where he sate, As he his peer had been.

An impressive presence, and a very bold move to simply start to treat Marmion as his equal despite the latter being a lord.

Hard toil can roughen form and face, And want can quench the eye’s bright grace, Nor does old age a wrinkle trace More deeply than despair. Happy whom none of these befall, But this poor Palmer knew them all.

Mmmm, it seems that the narrative is forebonding something more than the travels, the scandals, and the religion. Despair is a really strong adjective to describe what the palmer knows, but for someone like him it does track that he could have seen acts of inhumanity in his travels that have scarred his mind.

Also I loved how mere moments from the palmer's physical introduction to the scene, the poem says this:

Poor wretch! the mother that him bare, If she had been in presence there, In his wan face and sun-burned hair, She had not known her child.

This Palmer is so haggard in both body, and seen mind that his own mother wouldn't recognize him even if they were looking face to face.

#Also is Araby the old name for a country today? I searched it and the only thing coming up is a short story #marmion daily #marmion #poetry

[silvermaplealder]

Vampire Feed Requirements (informational)

I wanted to go into some depth about feed requirements for vampires in the same sort of strategy that I use for livestock. I wrote a whole funny kinda guide on fanfic .net , but since I don't like that site anymore I wanted to edit my original guide and put it here for you guys to see (also no one called me out on my mathematical mistake where I flipped two numbers rip). I'm also adding a section on using a replacer blood.. Please enjoy my terrible sarcasm and humor. You have no clue how many times I have to write little guides like this for people on Facebook who obtain animals and have no clue how to feed them.

Before I can get down to the numbers of how much blood a vampire would have to drink to survive, I need to state several assumptions:

Since lore does not cover this, I am assuming that fully fledged vampires require blood as their sole nutrient source and are unable to derive nutrients from other foods (though they can eat it and it makes them feel “full”, they will not be able to get their nutrients from it and thus eating it would further starve them). Half vampires seem to be able to digest food just fine, so they can consume and get nutrients from human foods. 

I don’t know the internal anatomy of the vampires, but I am assuming that they have 1 stomach. A human stomach can hold up to about 1 gallon of liquid at max. 1 gallon of blood = around 8 pounds. However, in the bonfire feeding scene the vampires were gorging on blood. It's unclear to tell how much blood they ingested verses just killing for fun.

 I am assuming after they are turned into a full vampire they have new enzymes and proteins that help them with getting the nutrients out of blood.

We are doing all calculations based on bodyweight. I’m going to be using 180ibs as the weight of our vampires, though I'm terrible at judging weight. You can adjust this number for whatever stories you may need to in the future.

The first thing we need to do to get an accurate understanding of how much a vampire should be eating is we need to figure out their weight. When dealing with potentially dangerous critters, it’s okay to estimate to get a general idea if you don’t have a safe management plan to contain and weigh them. Judging from a distance using David and his boys as a general guide, I will assume they weigh between 150ibs - 180ibs. Since they are most often seen feeding together, we can put them into a single feeding group assuming that each will eat their own fill. As a general note, remember that there is usually a pecking order for pack animals, so be aware that one may get more than another. If this is a prolonged issue, consider separating during feeding. 

Now that we have a general number for their weight of 180ibs, we need to figure out another crucial piece of information: what kind of diet are they in need of? There are several main types of diets such as: growing stock, maintenance, and production. Growing stock is for young critters that need the extra energy to grow. Maintenance is for critters that are fully grown and are not putting extra energy out in production. Production is for critters that are actively putting energy towards things such as reproducing, lactating, or other work. Our four vampires here would be considered needing a “maintenance” diet since they are fully grown, and they are not putting energy towards some sort of production (though if they are actively being worked, consider that they will need more calories to help perform these activities). Most maintenance diets need for the animal to have around 2.7% - 3.0% of their body weight in nutritional food per day. 

Seeing the four vampires in question are moderately active and don’t exert too much energy in hunting (looks like a majority of their food comes to them/does not put up very long fights), we will be using 2.7% of their body weight for intake per day. We can determine 2.7% of their body weight with simple math: 

180ibs x 2.7% =  4.86ibs 

Reminder: when multiplying percentages, remember to move your decimal point two spaces to the left! So when you input it into a calculator it should look like this: 

180ibs x .027 =  4.86ibs

Great! So we’ve found out that 2.7% of our 180ibs vampire  is 4.86ibs. But here’s the catch: you can’t just feed out 4.86ibs of blood to the vampires since they require 2.7% of their body weight in caloric intake. Blood is around 55% water, which has 0 calories. 45% of blood is nutrient dense for them to digest (all according to a thing I found on Google). So in reality, feeding a vampire 4.86ibs of blood only gives them 2.187ibs of actual digestible content. Time for some more math! We will need to set up two fractions and cross multiply to find the amount of blood required for the vampires. 

Our first fraction is as follows:

2.187ibs of digestible content

 -------------------------------------

4.86ibs of blood

The fraction above tells us that we currently are only getting 2.187ibs of digestible content out of the 4.86ibs of blood we’ve given them. We will need to set up another fraction to show the amount of digestible content we want to get and find the number of how much blood will that require. 

That fraction is as follows: 

4.86ibs of digestible content

-------------------------------------

X amount of blood

Now it’s time to cross multiply the fractions, but due to the formatting it will not look pleasant on here. If you don't know how to cross multiply, feel free to look it up.

Remember: multiply the 4.86 of blood to 4.86 of digestible content, and then multiply the 2.187 with X to look as follows:

23.62 = 2.187X

Now just isolate the X! Divide both sides by 2.187

10.8 = X

We have now found that each vampire (estimated weighing around 180ibs) will require 10.8 pounds of blood PER day. For 4 adult male vampires, that is 43.2 pounds of blood PER day!

As a little conversion, 1 pound of blood is just about 1 pint. So we’re looking at around 1.3 gallons of blood per vampire per day, or 5.2 gallons for the feeding group.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "Geez, that's a lot of blood and I don't know how I'm going to get that much to feed them." The first thing I'm going to say to you is that you shouldn't have gotten a vampire in the first place if you cannot adequately feed them. However, there is a replacer you can use. Animal blood can work to feed a vampire, but it will require more energy for them to convert the digestible calories into usable energy. They will require more caloric intake because their bodies have to work harder to convert the blood to usable energy. I would add an extra 1.35% (which is half of the 2.7%) of their bodyweight. Using the same conversion we did earlier, that looks like:

180ibs x 1.35% = 2.43ibs

Which, remembering that only 45% of the 2.43ibs is digestible (1.09ibs), we need to do the same ratio that we created earlier to determine that we would need an extra 5.42ibs of blood on top of the 10.8ibs we calculated earlier. In total, for a 180ibs vampire to be drinking animal blood, they would need 16.22ibs of blood, or 2 gallons, per day.

Don’t forget about other requirements for the proper care of your vampires. Ensure that they have free choice minerals and consult your local vet to see what kinds of mineral deficiencies are in the blood of your feed. You may need to give periodic vitamin or mineral injections.

#tlb 1987 #lost boys #the lost boys #the lost boys 1987 #tlb david #vampires #dwayne tlb #tlb #marko tlb #tlb paul

[tiredgamergirl]

The predictions of Prince James came to reality, his final wife had been planning something that could put the entire world at risk. Days after a rare occurrence known as the Silver Moon, terrible snowstorms started to engulf the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, and the legendary Snow Queen is said to be the one who is the cause of that, along with the abduction of the local children. The Fairytale Detective is tasked with rescuing the kids and putting an end to the curse that befell the Snowfall Kingdom. The third entry in the Dark Parables series is rather a short one but introduces some new elements like the collectibles that unlock the lore in the form of short stories, revealing the larger plot that takes place underneath the surface although the relevant parts are never kept away from the player. It feels far less lonely than the previous ones, as the detective is able to interact with the guide that brought her to the entrance to the kingdom and many of the missing children, some of them will be crucial in future games.

Once again the detective’s journal is your best friend, although this time the game makes it much clearer when there’s a new objective and what the player should be doing, a notable improvement from Exiled Prince. Not enough to telegraph everything and lead by hand but clear enough that the backtracking isn’t as bad as the previous game. The game is once again a treat for the eyes, the cold exteriors looking oppressive and the castle is delightful, with hints of storytelling everywhere. The way the Snow Queen is handled is somewhat obvious in hindsight, which makes it clever. Sadly the hidden object scenes have more objects partially hidden underneath others and some are actually almost transparent, almost to the point of being eye-straining. Still, the repetition of the scenes isn’t as often as Exiled Prince so if a scene isn’t your thing you won’t be seeing them more than twice until the very end of the game. The puzzles are somewhat more “streamlined”, with many variations of the same puzzles over and again, with less variety than the previous ones.

The extra chapter tells a story of an event that took place years ago, back when the kingdom had another name. It is an adaptation of the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, adapted for the Dark Parables universe. It is a brisk extra that doesn’t overstay its welcome and it is charming on its own, also offering its own extra parable.

Rise of the Snow Queen is an excellent hidden object title, although perhaps if you are interested in getting into the series you should play Exiled Prince first. The puzzles are a little on the repetitive side, but the well-crafted story and short length make it doesn’t feel stretched too thin.

#game reviews #hidden object #hidden objects reviews #hidden object game #dark parables #steam games

[mermaideryblog]

What Is Mermaidcore? A Style Guide to the Siren-Inspired Trend

Mermaidcore is a fashion trend that goes beyond just dressing up; it’s about embracing the mystique and allure of mythical mermaids. This style captures their enchanting and ethereal essence, bringing a touch of the ocean’s magic to everyday life. At the heart of this siren-inspired trend is Mermaidery, defined as enchanting decor, whimsical curiosities, and ethereal attire inspired by mermaids. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the mermaidcore fashion world, exploring its origins, influences, and key elements. Let’s embark on this magical journey together and discover how you can incorporate this captivating trend into your wardrobe with confidence.

Introduction to Mermaidcore

A Fashionable Dive into Fantasy

Mermaidcore transcends traditional fashion by drawing inspiration from the mythical allure of mermaids. It encapsulates a world where the ocean’s mystique is woven into every garment and accessory, embodying the freedom and grace of these legendary creatures. This trend appeals to those who wish to express their love for the sea and its folklore through their style, offering an escape into a dreamy, underwater realm.

Unleashing the Siren Within

Diving Deeper into the Mermaid Realm

Mermaidcore Aesthetic

Mermaidcore is characterized by its use of iridescent fabrics, aquatic motifs, and a palette that mirrors the sea’s many hues. The style also embraces fluidity and movement, reminiscent of water, with layers and textures that mimic the ocean’s depth and complexity. These elements combine to create a distinctive look that captivates and enchants.

The Trend’s Journey

Key Elements of the Mermaidcore Aesthetic

Curating a Mermaidcore Wardrobe

Achieving the mermaidcore look requires a mix of specific elements, from clothing that flutters and flows to accessories that add a touch of maritime magic. This segment delves into the essential items for a stunning mermaidcore ensemble, guiding readers through the selection of pieces that embody the spirit of the sea.

Tips for a Mermaid Life

Mermaidcore: Influencing Culture and Beyond

Mermaids in the Mainstream: A Cultural Resurgence

The resurgence of mermaid fascination can be seen in movies, television, and even music, influencing fashion and beauty trends worldwide. The cultural impact of mermaid mythology is focused on how contemporary media has rekindled our collective fascination with these mythical beings.

Red Carpet Waves: Mermaidcore’s Glam Moments

The allure of the mermaid has not been lost on the world of celebrity fashion, with numerous stars adopting this trend for their appearances on the red carpet. The trend has made its mark in the glittering world of celebrity fashion.

Celebrity Mermaidcore

Halle Bailey: The Real-Life Ariel

Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” has cemented her status as a mermaidcore icon. Some of her most notable mermaid-inspired looks, both on and off the screen, illustrate how she embodies the trend’s magical essence.

Kate Hudson and Amanda Seyfried: Sirens of the Silver Screen

The Top Mermaidcore Shop 

About Mermaidery.com: A Haven for Mermaid Lovers

Established in September 2023, Mermaidery can be found nestled in the charming city of Alexandria, Virginia. The woman-owned brand offers a treasure trove of stylish pieces that embody the mermaidcore aesthetic. Mermaidery is more than just a retail platform; it’s a community for those enchanted by mermaid lore. 

The Mermaidery Experience: Quality and Sustainability

Mermaidery.com prides itself on offering high-quality, sustainable fashion options for the environmentally conscious consumer. Their products are not only beautiful but also kind to the planet.

Embrace Your Inner Mermaid with Mermaidery

Accessorizing with Siren Elegance

Accessories play a crucial role in achieving the mermaidcore look, and Mermaidery offers an exquisite selection of jewelry and hair accessories inspired by the sea. Elevate any outfit with delicate mermaid shell earrings or pearl-encrusted hairpins.

The Mermaid Box: A Monthly Treasure Trove of Mermaid Wonders

Unleash Your Inner Mermaid with Confidence and Style

The Call of the Siren: A Fashion Journey

Embracing mermaidcore is an invitation to explore the depths of personal style and creativity. Mermaidcore is not just a fashion statement but a celebration of individuality and the enchanting mystery of the sea.

Dive into a Sea of Mermaid Inspiration at Mermaidery.com

As we close this exploration of the mermaidcore aesthetic, we invite you to visit Mermaidery.com to discover the latest styles and accessories that will help you embrace your inner mermaid. With an endless array of options, Mermaidery is your partner in crafting a look that’s uniquely yours, allowing you to shine with the confidence and grace of a mermaid.

This detailed exploration into mermaidcore and Mermaidery provides a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to dive into this enchanting trend, offering insights into how to incorporate it into your wardrobe and lifestyle. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of Mermaidcore, there’s never been a better time to explore the depths of this mermaid fashion trend.

#Mermaidery #mermaid #mermaid aesthetic #mermaid box #mermaid life #mermaid tail #mermaidcore #mermaiding #mermaids #siren #merfolk #merpeople #finfolk #mertailor #merbella #sirencore #little mermaid #the little mermaid #halle bailey #the little mermaid 2023

[lurkingshan]

La Pluie Breaks the Soulmate Bond

I gotta start this post with a little light self-congratulation. Because y’all, I have been saying for weeks that La Pluie has been inviting us to interrogate the soulmate lore from the start, that the show is intentionally subverting the soulmate trope, and that the show has been meticulously layering in big and small challenges to the soulmate myth to continually reinforce that the choices character make and the work they put into their relationships is what matters most.

As always, I gotta also credit @bengiyo @ginnymoonbeam @wen-kexing-apologist @kyr-kun-chan who have been my La Pluie squad from the start and teasing out these ideas with me along the way. We have been clowning correctly on this one from the beginning, friends.

Despite all the above that the show has set up from the very start, heading into episode 10 there was still a bit of uncertainty hanging around the show’s perspective on soulmates, because Patts and Tai were still deciding to be together, and they have other connections between them that could be read as fate. My take on that has been that the show is ultimately agnostic about whether destiny and fate are real, and the intent of the narrative has been to guide us over and over again to choice being the crucial factor in relationships. We saw Lomfon suddenly develop a hearing loss connection to Patts and Tai at a moment when he was desperate to find his role with Tai and in the midst of their relationship. And then in episode 10, Tai definitively rejected the soulmate bond, and the universe answered his call.

gif by @liyazaki

And with that, the hearing loss connection between all three of them is gone, because Tai willed it so. He earnestly doesn’t want this soulmate bond with Patts and Lomfon anymore, and so he is able to free himself from it. The entire arc with Lomfon suddenly developing hearing loss has been underscoring once again that the people in this universe don’t really understand this phenomenon at all and any meaning they have ascribed to it is based in their own biases (@shortpplfedup). Tai initially wanted to reject the soulmate bond because his faith was shaken by his parents’ divorce. Lomfon suddenly wants to believe in it because he is invested in having a special connection to Tai to justify his fixation on him. And Patts is the character who has always embodied the show’s own perspective on the bond: some kind of fate or destiny might be at work to give them opportunities to connect, but ultimately they have to choose each other. 

gif by @liyazaki

At this point in the story, it makes sense for Tai to choose to be done with the hearing loss connection entirely. It has caused him nothing but anxiety and confusion and turmoil. Before he even met Patts, just the fact that he had a hearing loss connection reactivated his trauma around his parents and caused him to retreat into his avoidant coping mechanisms. After he met Patts, their relationship only progressed when they got away from the hearing loss connection. And now that he had finally made his peace with a kind of agnosticism toward the connection and committed to Patts regardless of its meaning, the hearing loss connection is back to fuck with him again by bringing Lomfon into his orbit and forcing him to deal with another person who thinks they have a fate. Is it any wonder that Tai is sick of this shit?

There are so many implications of Tai inadvertently breaking the soulmate bond through his force of will. It tells us that choice has always been at the heart of the conception of fate in this universe. That the hearing loss connection provides an opportunity to open up a line of communication, but that communication line can be severed. That a hearing loss sufferer can choose to be with someone other than the person they hear when it rains. That a couple like Tai’s parents can choose to split up and live separate lives and not be constrained by the fate that has been placed upon them. That in the case of someone like Lomfon, a hearing loss connection can be forged in the first place by a sincere desire to connect with someone you already believe you have a fate with, but that the other person does not have to accept the connection you crave. 

And now that the soulmate bond between these characters is gone, we come to the final arc, where the show gets to make its ultimate point. The crutch of a fated destiny is gone. Tai can no longer count on the hearing loss connection to lead Patts back to him when he runs. He has isolated himself completely and dealt serious damage to their relationship. He cannot wait passively for the universe to deliver him the love he wants - if he is going to get his life in order he will need to take action. He will need to finally deal with his hang ups about his parents. He will need to take the initiative to make amends and reconnect with Patts. He will have to stop withholding parts of himself and learn to communicate honestly with his partner. And he will have to choose to do all of that on his own.

#la pluie #thai bl #shan shouts into the void