#skydancers.... are a mystery to me

[fulls]

sometimes she'll tell the future, but only the ones where you die :)

Dragon and design up on the AH for 1.5kg ID# 86853188

#Flight Rising #skydancers.... are a mystery to me #the second I look @ the other breeds #my third eye opens #and I know how to make them work in my style #but SDs? #see nothing my chakras are blocked my crops are withering #shes a desert specialist #naked. lean. sells potions. #most of them are snake oil.

[secondtolastfr]

AYE AYE I GOT QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LORE o7

what’s your favourite location in your lore (as big or small as you want) and what’s the story behind it (in-universe, out of universe, anything goes)?

if you shook up the magic system, in what way did you change it? if you didn’t, what’s a plotpoint that hinges on magic being used in a specific way?

also! your favourite dragon. Tell Me About Their Lore

OKAY THAT’S WHAT I GOT SO FAR FEEL FREE TO ELABORATE EVEN ON TANGENTS i love reading essayposts

AAAAA thank you so much for asking, I'm so excited to share!!

Favorite Location - The Cemetery of Restless Sleep In my lore this is basically the afterlife. There are two guardian deities: Dia, the Shepherd who finds lost souls and takes them to the Cemetery, and Zheng, the Exorcist who cleanses them of their torment. (Dia is the Skydancer and Zheng is the Wildclaw)

In-lore, these two were placed in charge of a museum full of stolen artifacts. Wryze (the first one) is a curator and researcher; Wynn (the second one) is an archaeologist. They were assigned the museum with the task of returning the artifacts to the places they were taken from, but they quickly realize that some of the artifacts contain curses, spirits, and souls.

This is how they meet Dia and Zheng, who ask them to find all the artifacts and release the spirits from their chains.

Magic System I kept the basic elemental magic that FR gives us, but I also added my own magic system. Basically, a person's magic manifests in a different part of the body, and that influences how they use the magic. There are five manifestations:

Blood - Magic in movement. Breath - Magic in transformation. Bone - Magic in fortification. Brain - Magic in comprehension. Break - Magic in sacrifice.

The first four are natural. Break is something that is achieved. A person changes themselves irreversibly and irreparably, and they exchange their first magic for Break. It's not always a bad thing, but because of the cost needed, it's highly taboo.

There are also four different classifications of magic users. Their profession is usually connected to their magic type.

Alchemists - Artificers, healers, etc. Usually Brain or Breath. Artist - Bards, painters, writers, dancers. Typically Breath or Blood. Oracle - Seers and speakers, usually Brain. Hunter - Soldiers, assassins, etc. Bone or Blood.

There are exceptions, like my girl Maelstrom who is a Blood Oracle, or Catcher and Ether who are Bone Medics:

Break users can do anything. Hyde started off as a Brain Alchemist and achieved Break in a scientific accident.

Ghosts and Gods operate on their own mysterious magic system, and there's a sylvan court of Veilspun that do their own thing, but these other magic systems aren't well known or documented.

Favorite Dragon: Eden

This was so hard a favorite, so I had to just pick one, haha. This is Eden, the adopted daughter of Maelstrom and Hyde. She's a gardener, but she's also the manifestation of the World-Consuming Flames. Basically she's prophesied to end the world.

Maelstrom is the one who saw the prophesy, and is struggling to come to terms with it. Hyde is convinced that Eden can fight the prophesy, or possibly even delay the end of the world for a few thousand more years. Maelstrom insists that fighting the prophesy will only bring it to fruition. (I love writing these two. I describe their dynamic as "never married, but definitely divorced" lmao.)

Eden also meets Twoface, the God of Infinite Eyes and Voices, and Hangman, the God of Eternal Chains and Threads. They ultimately convince her to end the world, so that it may rise from its own ashes and start anew.

Thank you so much for the questions! That was so much, but I hope you find it interesting.

#flight rising #anon ask #ask #fr lore

[avidbeader]

Rules: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you asks with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! Then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

I was tagged by @eghfeithrean for this one. Many of my WIPs are published, so a lot of these are actual titles. And there's a LOT of them.

Sheith Fairy Tale Bang

Severance (Sheith, Shiro Saves Keith Week 2023)

Give Me a Sign (Sheith as teachers AU)

Frathouse AU (Sheith)

Misunderstanding (Sheith)

The Legion of Paladins (Sheith, Sheithlentines 2022)

Going My Way? (Sheith meet-cute)

The Icarists (Sheith)

Skydancer (VLD)

QB 17 (Sheith, Quintessential Bond chapter)

Shiro Clones (started gen but may be Sheith)

Ectype (Sheith)

Hey Sweetheart Ideas (for next year's @ficwip event)

Call Against the Tide (Sheith)

Touch Bracelets (Sheith)

Rescue (Sheith)

Wedding Series 4 (Sheith)

When a Wish Comes True (Sheith, Shiro's birthday idea)

Two to Three to Two (Koliveith, Kolisheith, Sheith)

Time Travel (Sheith)

Captive Prince AU (Sheith, not really Captive Prince)

Sense8 AU (VLD)

Lab Results (Sheith)

Lotor Fix-it

The Ring (Sheith)

Olympics AU (Sheith, hopefully co-writing with @lionescence one day)

Kosmo (Sheith)

Allura (Sheith & Allurance)

Mistaken Identity (Sheith)

Ted Lasso 10 years on

Regrouping (Sense8)

Gathering Information (Sense8)

Perils 34 (Harry Potter)

Sherlolly Hogwarts AU (Sherlock, Sherlolly)

Threads (Sherlock, Sherlolly)

mollys ring (Sherlock, Sherlolly)

snowbound (Sherlock, Sherlolly)

lost and found (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries)

nightmares (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries)

Suffragette Planet (Doctor Who)

9thdocTWOTcrossover (Doctor Who)

wayofthings (Doctor Who)

mistakenidentity (Doctor Who)

Twelve Clara Rose TenToo There's too many to tag others - play if you want to!

#tag i'm it #ask game #voltron #sheith #ted lasso #sherlock #sherlolly #doctor who #miss fisher's murder mysteries

[pinkertons-transmasc-swag]

I finally finished a drawing of my dragon, Radio! It’s my first time drawing flaunt and it didn’t make me wanna rip my hair out as much as I thought it would. The hat is a simplified version of the one from the skin, Apiarist’s Dream.

Lore ramblings under the cut

Despite growing up surrounded by a particularly brutal group of wildclaws, Radio is a timid pacifist. He prefers flowers and gardening to other dragons and didn’t have many friends growing up. His best friend was his older sister, Vex, until she mysteriously disappeared one stormy night. Even though she was a high achiever and naturally good at combat, she was never arrogant and defended Radio at every turn. Everyone was sure she was fine, but he didn’t think she would leave without a word under normal circumstances. So he departed on a quest to find her and along the way he was joined by a gaoler searching for a similarly disappeared dragon, a strangely docile shade fragment and a skydancer with unclear motivations.

#flight rising #fr fanart #fr wildclaw #flight rising fanart #my dragons #radio #my art #my lore #mentioned: #vex #glaciation #oscur #alouarn #in that order

[attackradish]

I forget every once in a while what happens when I don’t obey my current sleep schedule

So here I am. Trying to go to bed at 11:08 instead of 1:20. Instead of sleeping restfully I get insane dreams about collecting meat and bones and tendons from the air in New York and also a from guy who wants me to join his militia, a terrible awful skydancer dragon, and a mysterious woman gifting me a foot (as part of the meat-gathering initiative) that is itchy and I have to rub the skin off. After like five minutes I realize that the foot is attached to my body. And then try to stop scratching because my thumb is getting pretty raw and I’m missing a couple layers of skin between the toes. But I can’t because 1. It’s hella itchy and 2. I haven’t fully internalized that this is MY foot attached to MY body. It’s like Schrodinger’s cat regarding whether or not it’s mine and attached to my leg. Or if that leg is mine and attached to me.

Eventually I’m awake enough to grab my phone and stop having visions. I am indeed missing a couple layers of skin between my toes, and in possession of several new water blisters. The skin is bright red and wet, but not bleeding. My thumb feels rough and sensitive to touch but not visibly damaged. I need to sleep goddamnit.

Usually I only get one event that wakes me in the middle of the night (around 1-4 AM) when I go to bed early, so I should be fine. But this sucks whenever I decide I need more rest. I used to sleep at 11:00 without issues, and experience these problems when I went to bed at nine or ten. However, I slipped and started indulging in the Extra Nighttime Hours and now I gotta start dialing things back CONSISTENTLY before I can sleep through the whole night.

#Vent.tw #unsanitary tw #I think

[flightless-rising]

Made a new Flight Rising iceberg and also wrote an explanation.. man, this took way longer than it should have.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy :D

Iceberg explanation

( If there are any mistakes please let me know and I’ll edit this asap. Also, English isn't my first language so please forgive me for any grammatical errors)

EDIT 28/06: Added some new info! Thanks to everyone who tagged and responded with new stuff to add, I really appreciate it!

The Sky

Naomi

Back in the day, whenever you bought or sold something on the auction house a message would show up in your inbox confirming the transaction. These messages were sent by one of the dragon couriers: Pearl, Spitfire or Edgar.

On January 2016, a strange glitch occurred that replaced the images and names of couriers with the ones of a female fae named “Naomi”.

It goes deeper than that, though: if you looked up her name in the user search menu, a clan would pop up with over 15 million dragons.

It was quickly discovered that all exalted dragons had somehow become part of her clan. Naomi herself apparently didn’t exist, and clicking on her page redirected to an error page. This was later fixed and the original Naomi page can be now visited.

What exactly caused this glitch is still a mystery and today Naomi is still a well-known piece of Flight Rising history.

Missing Tidelord

In the official lore, the deity of the water flight disappeared in early 2018, as described in the short story “Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow”.

In the follow up story (Mixed Elements) posted in April of the next year it is confirmed that the Tidelord is still missing, but alive. This coincides with the fact that the Tidelord account hasn’t made any forum posts aside from festival announcements.

Emperors

Emperors are a type of unobtainable dragon that are formed when several Imperial corpses are left in close proximity to each other, which then fuse forming a multi-headed chimera.

Emperors are described in the lore as having an animal-like behavior and destroying everything in sight. They are extremely difficult to kill, which is the reason why in-universe Imperials have such strange burial rites.

An emperor named Luminax is first described in the Raising a Family short story, and their sprite can be seen walking around on the world map.

The Surface

Old color wheel

Originally, there were only 67 available colors for dragons. On June 8th 2016, 110 more colors were added, meaning that currently there are a total of 177 colors available.

When making a custom progenitor dragon, it is only possible to choose among the 67 original colors because it would be otherwise unfair for those who made their account before the new colors were added.

Imperial breed scrolls

Imperial breed change scrolls are one of, if not the most, rare type of item on the site. They were given only to those who pledged 30 dollars or more on the original Flight Rising kickstarter.

At the time, this was the only way of obtaining an Imperial dragon, which meant that the breed as a whole was pretty valuable. Now that Imperials are abundant this is no longer the case, but First generation Imperials are still extremely sought and probably the most expensive type of dragon on the site.

There were also other items that were only given to Kickstarted backers, namely Skycats, Bonefiend, Golden Idol and Cogfrog familiars, and those are also pretty much impossible to obtain.

Baldwin breed change

When Baldwin was introduced in 2015 he was originally a Pearlcatcher. On September 14th of 2016 however his site art started to gradually change, until his transformation was completed five days later.

In-universe, Baldwin started to change after a lightning strike hit his cauldron during an experiment, which made him slowly mutate into the breed we now know as Bogsneaks.

Trans Fiona

When Fiona was added as a trading post dragon people speculated that she was trans, because the female pose for Skydancers only displays two antennae, while the male one has four.

Since Fiona has four antennae in her site art, many wondered whether it was an oversight or actually intended. Aequorin later confirmed in a forum thread that Fiona is indeed trans.

Boolean

Speaking of rare items, the Boolean familiar was only given to a handful of Flight rising beta testers and as such is extremely rare and valuable.

Plaguebringer coli team

On the Plaguebringer’s page she is listed as being part of a coliseum team.

As of now we have no clue as to why this is, and even more strangely she is the only deity that does this.

Boston & Hope

This story is a bit complicated. I’ve scoured the forums in search of info but it seems like there are still some pieces missing. I’ll try my best to explain anyway.

So, for a long while the Lightweaver was the only deity that had other dragons aside from herself in her lair: these dragons were a Spiral named Boston and a Tundra named Hope. Strangely, they were both Earth dragons and apparently have been there since the beginning (?). When asked why (this happened back when deities would interact on the forums) the Lightweaver responded that they were having a dinner party together.

In August 2014 during a pretty heated dominance battle between Shadow and Light Boston and Hope disappeared from the Lightweaver’s lair.

The Shadowbinder now had them, and both their elements were alsochanged to Shadow. The two deities acknowledged this and changed their broadcast messages accordingly.

If I had to guess this was some kind of inside joke that the admins had, although some people got angry that the Shadowbinder now had both Hope and Boston. Some time later(?) Boston was returned to the Lightweaver and for some reason his element was changed to wind.

I don’t have any more info on the matter but if some of you do I would appreciate it if you tell me.

Shallow Waters

Eyepocalypse

On June 8th 2018 eye type variants were introduced. This update was pretty controversial for a bunch of reasons, and the topic is still discussed today. The majority of people(?) seemed to be upset by the fact the “best” eye types (primarily goat, primal and multi-gaze) could only be displayed on dragons that were born with them, and the fact that every dragon born prior to the update couldn’t have these eye types at all displeased a lot of users.

Another problem was the fact that most of the non-special eye types (i.e the only ones that could be applied to already existing dragons using a vial of Scattersight) were not clearly visible on the grand majority of adult dragons.

A smaller(?) complaint was that two of the primal eye types, Shadow and Plague, were seen as kind of disturbing by some people.

Three years later staff attempted to fix this issue by adding Eye type vials for every available eye type. This resulted in a market crash for special eye typed dragons, as now these eye types could be applied to any dragon. The value of Scattersights also tanked, and the people bought them and hadn’t used them yet lost money as now they were infinitely less useful.

EDIT 28/06: Goat isn’t actually obtainable via breeding, faceted is. Bad mistake on my part.

Also, Scattersights were given away freely by Galore on Flight Rising’s fifth anniversary in 2018 and could not be bought afterwards. I admit that I thought people could be able to buy Scattersights due to how upset people were that the value went down, but whatever.

Courier Breed

The courier dragons (Edgar, Spitfire, and Pearl) are part of an exclusive dragon breed that is currently unobtainable. Even though their eye color still reflects the flight they were born in, in-universe they are considered to be “neutral” and they are granted free access to all domains. This raises the question as to which deity created them, as every other dragon breed (Bogsneaks being the only exception) has been created by one of The Eleven.

Multiaccounting

According to the site’s terms of service, no one is allowed to have more than one account. This is pretty standard for pet sites, as having multiple accounts grants unfair advantages and can mess up the site economy. This doesn’t completely stop people for having more than one account, and the practice as a whole is called “Multiaccounting” or “having multis”.

Some people only do this to have multiple clans or reboot their account without deleting their old one. They mostly do no harm but it is reasonable that the site wouldn’t allow this because of how easy it is exploit.

The real harm of multis comes from a practice called “funneling” which is when someone creates multiple accounts only for the purpose of giving items to their main account. This practice violates the game’s rules and can result in a ban. Funneling is not limited to multiaccounting though, and having an account only to feed another is against the site’s rules whether or not the account in question belongs to another person or not.

Some people fear of being banned for multiaccounting even if they haven’t done so, especially if they share a computer with other people.

Purble

“he purble” is probably among the most famous Flight Rising memes.

In 2016(?) a rant was submitted to the original Dramarising blog by a very angry user that wanted to buy an XXX Purple Ridgeback back when triples were pretty expensive, but got beat by someone else.

I’m not going to copy paste it here because in my opinion it’s one of the funniest Flight Rising related posts ever and I don’t want to spoil the experience of reading it for the first time. You can find it pretty easily by searching it up.

Tert Picking

This is something that refaced recently, even though I’ve seen people talking about this for a while. Some people vividly remember being able to pick their custom progenitor’s tertiary color, even though the developers have made it clear that such thing would be impossible. This is without a doubt just one of those weird situations where a lot of people somehow remember the same thing wrong.

Still, it’s fascinating just how many people claim to remember doing picking their tert.

Swiftwings

Swiftwings were a dragon breed that was scrapped in development. The design was rejected because it didn’t fit the 2 arms 2 legs 2 wings format that every dragon design had to follow before the introduction of ancient breeds.

The reason for this rule is that otherwise it would mess up apparel placement. Although the concept was scrapped, echoes of the design were scattered throughout the site: for example, the empty dragon slots that were present prior to 2019 had the silhouette of a Swiftwings dragon. They are also mentioned in the April Fool’s update of 2018.

“Real” Lore dragons

Most people don’t know that some of the dragons featured on the lore stories are actually real, and you can visit their pages. This is the case for Tetra, Cracklinne, Velya, Liefa, Garote and Mirth, which are currently chilling in Aequorin’s lair.

All of the other dragons in the developers’ lairs are not canon and are used to test bugs and features on the site.

The Middle ground

True deity names

When the site first started the deities used to have actual names instead of titles. Some of these names were based off of the site founders’s usernames on other sites.

The names are the following:

Amogayvhi - Gladekeeper Xhaztol - Arcanist Rhenik - Tidelord Akiri - Flamecaller Thrage - Stormcatcher Undel - Shadowbinder Jhortanas - Plaguebringer Ghurab - Windsinger Artaios - Earthshaker Rhiow – Lightweaver

As you can tell, Xhaztol, Akiri, Thrage and Undel are the usernames of some of the admins of the site, and the flight they are a part of corresponds with the previous name of their deity.

No leg coatls

On January 16, 2015 an iconic thread was posted in the flight rising discussion forum, which displayed a photoshopped image of a coatl with its legs removed. Quickly the thread devolved into a general photoshop thread were people took official site art of dragons and modified it.

The thread was eventually locked due to spam and quote pyramids, but spiritual successors of the original “phoatlshop” thread still exist today.

Dress slot unlocking

A thing that a surprising amount of people don’t know is the fact that when buy an additional apparel slot, the slot opens for every dragon in your lair and not just the one you bought it on.

This is something I also discovered very recently and it’s kind of funny that so many people that have been on the site for very long don’t know this.

Clanbound scatterscrolls

I think the wiki explains it best, so I’ll just copy paste this here:

“Tri-Color Scatterscrolls suffered from an issue where they would only scatter a random range from colors 1-47 (white through sunshine) rather than 1-67 (white through rose). They have been fixed and are now functioning correctly with a random range within the 67 color set. The affected timeframe was from August 15th, 2013 until September 22nd, 2013. The admins allowed users who were unsatisfied with their bugged Tri-Color Scatterscrolls to receive the same amount of them back in the form of Clanbound Scatterscrolls to try scattering their own dragons again with the full color range.”

Beta Mirrors

Ever wondered why they’re called Mirrors?

According to Undel, the main artist of Flight Rising, mirrors originally were supposed to have every part of their body “mirrored”, meaning they had two sets of eyes, two pairs of wings, two tails, and so on.

This design ended up being too cluttered and looked weird shrunken down. The name was kept the same, even though the only mirrored part of the design are the eyes.

Dragons are evil

If you read the “Beastclans on the rise” lore bit, the dragons come across as… very evil, stealing territory from the beastclans when they have been living on Sornieth way longer than the dragons have and killing them for loot.

Furthermore, in the Bounty of the Elements lore bit the Beastclan rebellion guided by Talona is seen by the dragons as unreasonable and wrong even when in canon Beastclans are framed as the innocent party.

The Depths

Scroll of Divorce

In the alpha stage dragons were supposed to be monogamous and could only breed with the dragon they were “paired” with. To break their bond you had to use an item called “Scroll of Divorce” which even featured broken marriage rings in the art.

If I had to guess, this item and the concept as a whole were scrapped because the idea of dragons having “weddings” and needing to divorce before breeding with another dragon felt kind of weird, especially in a game targeted towards teens.

First Festival

The first Holiday festival in Flight rising history was the 2013 Brightshine Jubilee. The items that were available for this festival only are incredibly rare, particularily the Light Sprite which is one of the most valuable items on the site. Apart from that and the fact that the skincent contest only had 6 winners, not much is notable about it.

Offsite drama

Flight Rising has had its fair share of drama both on and off site, but due to the fact that it’s against the site’s rule to discuss user drama on the forums most of the notable drama happened off site (mainly tumblr).

Egg rot

Egg rot was a very early mechanic that was pretty quickly removed from the site. If you forgot to incubate your eggs, they would “rot” and no longer hatch.

It’s the reason why in the nesting grounds the text reads “Eggs healthy” and also the reason why on the stats section of the Account settings it says “Eggs discarded”. The mechanic was removed because it heavily punished casual players and the frequent downtimes of the site meant that even if someone logged in every day they could still have their eggs die.

Also, the images of egg rot look extremely cursed.

Pablo

From what I could gather, Pablo is a dragon which became somewhat popular after user “Desmondtiny” wrote a very long and detailed backstory of them being the Arcanist’s lost boyfriend.

I’m pretty sure it gues deeper than that but I couldn’t find any further information. As usual, if you know something more let me know.

Latest News

On November 12, 2014, a glitch(?) occurred that let anyone post in the Announcements thread. Anything that was posted went directly to the front page, which resulted in quite a bit of chaos.

This was fixed only half an hour later, but the screenshots people have from that time are extremely funny.

Lameforger

On the 2014 Flameforger’s festival announcement Undel accidentally misspelled “Flameforger” as “Lameforger”, which prompted the official account of the Flamecaller to respond aggressively. Lameforger is still jokingly used by users, even after the typo was fixed.

Festival of one (1)

On the first day of the 2014 Greenskeeper Gathering a glitch occurred which switched the site banner for the Starfall celebration banner instead of the Greenskeeper one.

It didn’t end there, in the coliseum Magical shards dropped instead of Bladed Flatleaves, even though skin chests dropped as normal(?).

The weirdest thing about it all was Joxar’s Space inventory, which didn’t display any items at all and had glitched dialogue.

The event was nicknamed by the fanbase “Festival of 1” and even the deity’s official accounts acknowledged the incident.

Vape Juice

As far as I know the original forum thread as been lost, but the vape juice fiasco will always remain cemented in Flight Rising History.

A company called Vape Daugz was making vape juice with Flight Rising dragons plastered on their packaging, completely violating the site’s policy.

The company’s site still exists, and browsing through their products I found that the products that previously had Flight Rising dragons on them still exist, but now feature completely different packaging.

I have no idea whether they changed the packaging spontaneously or staff did something about it.

I think there’s a potentially interesting story buried down there, but we’ll likely never the truth behind the Flight Rising vape juice.

The Abyss

Humans

There’s been some speculation over the years as to whether or not humans are canon in the Flight Rising universe. Some people believe that the “Mages” of the second age in the official lore are actually humans, but we can’t be sure because they are depicted with long robes that cover their whole bodies.

The idea of humans existing in canon has spawned a couple of memes, most infamously Thomas.

Plague healers

Again, I think the wiki explains this one better:

“According to Aequorin, Plague healers are an interesting bunch because rather than administer treatments that counter illness, they use a mixture of magic and contagion that stress the affected dragon further, allowing them to reach a stronger, healed, and resistant state faster than other elements. Plague healers will treat physical injuries with sutures, bandages, and braces, but they won't clean the wounds or apply ointments."

Akitla

As described in the original thread, Akitla was a dragon that user “qunii” saw on the front page, but noticed that she wasn’t accompanied by the username of the person owning them.

After clicking on her, an error page loaded. It was discovered that putting her color combination or ID in the search bar would result in an error page. This was later fixed, and both Akitla and her mate were now displayed as being exalted to the Arcanist. T

here are some theories as to what happened to the Akitla’s user, some think that she belonged to a deleted account, others that it was the result of an incomplete account creation.

As with a lot of things on this iceberg, it will likely remain a mystery forever.

Arcane sprite book

“what is the arcane sprite reading??” is probably one of the oldest still active threads on the forums.

On September 25, 2013 user “Kaadashi” started a joke thread were they wondered what exactly is the arcane sprite reading, and playfully suggested that it could be erotic fanfiction. People went crazy of course, and started to wonder what kind of juicy secrets were hidden within the pages of that book.

I don’t want to say too much because I really don’t want to spoil the experience of reading through this very cursed tread.

Sunshine

Sunshine is one of the most… interesting lairs on the site, and certainly one of the most well-known.

They(?) have a lair (almost) completely full of triple basic sunshine dragons, most of which are Tundras. So far they have collected about 320 triple hundred Sunshine dragons, almost all of which are also named “Sunshine”. They’re not all the same, some of them have apparel, some of them are gened and some have unique art and descriptions.

They’re dedicated and I respect that.

EDIT 28/06: Apparently some people seem to think that the sunshine-dedicated lair is based on a meme concerning the announcement of the color wheel expansion, which became so discussed that the itself site broke. The two things are unrelated however, as the Sunshine lair has been around for much longer.

The announcement of the color wheel expansion was cryptic, with only a few post showing off differently colored coatls and then 3 pages of reserved posts, with no explanation whatsoever.

Simple Farmer

Another very famous thread is the “I am but a simple farmer” thread started by user “someKindOfGenius”. It’s not really about anything specific, it’s just a rather silly thread were people photoshop flight rising dragons onto various crops.

Still, this thread is iconic so I had to include it.

Dragon Deaths

Way back in 2014 former flight rising programmer Thrage revealed on a forum thread that way back before the beta, dragons could actually starve to death if left unfed.

Yep.

Obviously they had to remove this mechanic because it would have been extremely harsh to casual players and make people frustrated with the game.

Zalvador

User “manojalpa” became fairly well-known for the extremely dark lore they(?) had written for their Clan, it was so dark in fact that every single one of their dragon’s bios had to moved to their tumblr where they couldn’t be easily seen by the site’s mainly underage usebase.

Their lore centered around their progen dragon, a tundra named Zalvador, which behaved and had the same powers as a flight rising user: buying dragons off of the action house, having “breeding projects”, exalting dragons, etc.

These things seem pretty normal when done by a player, but when taking them as actual real things that happen in universe… yeah, it was way too morbid for the site.

The Pit

Black linen neck wraps

For some weird reason, the apparel piece “Black linen neck wrap” when put on a male pose Coatl wraps around the dragon’s throat instead of it’s neck. It’s kind of subtle and hard to see, but if you compare it with the female pose the difference is clear. This is probably just an art error, although it’s weird that it hasn’t been fixed yet, since linen wraps are a very old piece of apparel.

Another weird thing about linen wraps in general is that the wing wraps just sort of… go through the membrane? This is not possible. These dragons are in pain.

Icewarden ears

Another very remarkably popular thread is the Icewarden ears thread.

In 2014 user “Llanai” simply makes note of the fact that the Icewarden has teeny tiny ears.

As we have come to expect from these threads, it quickly devolved into nonsense.

Forbidden Snapper lore

Snappers used to have a way different lore section that was changed because it deemed too similar to the lore of another petsite.

This is what the original section read:

"Snapper dragons do not sleep, but exist in a constant state of reverie. They receive and catalogue all experiences and stories told within their dreams. This persistent state of awakened dreaming awards them the longest memory of any dragon species. They are living encyclopedias, and any dragon who is seeking difficult-to-obtain information will have the most luck unearthing it from a Snapper clan - provided they have the patience for it. If you want two dozen quick answers, talk to a spiral. If you want a fully developed answer, camp out around a Snapper. These dreamers move at their own pace, which varies from dragon to dragon. For some, the awakened dream can prove to be more interesting than their surroundings. This leads to a focus upon the dream, and the waking world as filtered background noise. Interacting with these sleepwalkers can be a trying and repetitive task. Other Snappers may be fairly lucid, with a focus upon their surroundings and the constant hum of the dream pushed aside."

Bee movie script

I’ve seen this story around the forums a few times but I’ve never been able to learn the details.

From what I’ve heard someone copy pasted the entire bee movie script into their clan bio in a drop down text format, which completely broke the page for anyone who visited it. This was fixed, apparently, although I have no clue as to who this user is.

EDIT 28/06: Zeus

Zeus is an XXX gold g1 permababy imperial that used to belong to user "happywing".

Their account is now locked because Zeus was created with the use of a duplication glitch on an imperial breed change scroll, which is obviously not allowed (although I've heard some people say that the dragon was hacked in altogether). Before the account was locked, people speculated that Zeus was the most valuable dragon on the site, because an XXX g1 imperial is impossibly rare.

Wegg shaming

On July 2017 user “Dreamnorn” made a thread were they(?) claimed to have a dream where everything was the same except people used the term “wegged” when two dragons would lay only one egg in a nest.

Ex. Aw man! I’ve been wegged again! = Aw man! I bred two dragons and they only had one egg!

The dream ended up being prophetic, as the term catched on and people started to use it unironically.

The practice of “Wegg shaming” I think refers to the trend of people posting pictures of the dragons that “wegged” them in order to “shame” them.

Plague nest skull

The site art of the plague nest features an unique dragon skull that doesn’t match with any currently existing dragon breed or creature: It appears to have two sets of eyes, like a mirror, but also long and curled horns.

It’s probably just for decoration and it likely doesn’t have any significance whatsoever, but personally I believe it would be pretty cool if when they eventually release plague ancient it at least somewhat resembled this skull.

EDIT 28/06: On second thought, the skull doesn’t seem to have two pairs of eyes, It just has the generic shape of a carnivore.

Rock bottom

CAPTAINPLANET

…this is CAPTAINPLANET. Somehow, user “Decres”' managed to overlay a Fae skin on top of a Tundra, creating this horrifyingly fascinating abomination.

I have no idea how she did this, and she seems pretty adamant to tell.

EDIT 28/06: People have pointed out that this skin overlay glitch was actually somewhat common (although I still haven't found another dragon like CAPTAINPLANET). What you had to do was breed change a dragon while attaching a skin to them in another tab.

This glitch has been patched and such thing is no longer possible.

Lair 46264

A cursed lair.

Dreams

I’ve seen a lot of people, both on forums and on Tumblr, sharing dreams they had about Flight Rising.

A lot of people dream of just being on the site, while occasionally weird things happen.

I’ve read of people who dreamed the distribution of a new breed, buying an exclusive item, a new Fiona feat or Swipp trade, or just browsing the forums.

The most common type of Flight rising-associated dream I’ve seen however is being caught multiaccounting and having their account banned.

I’m no psychoanalyst, but I think it’s pretty clear that these nightmares stem from the paranoia of being banned from their beloved petsite instead of showing any actual intention of doing the “crime” in question.

Anyways, I think it’s fascinating how so many people dream about this site, and it reminds me of the dreams people claimed to have about Mario 64 where completely new levels were added or a scary monster appeared.

Dragon Slime

Dragon Slime was an infamous thread which was supposed to be start off point for an ARG.

It was deleted because it was considered too “spammy” and also because ARGs are banned from the forums. The thread has been lost, unfortunately.

EDIT 28/06: Thanks to @randompurple-fr for providing screenshots of the dragon slime tutorial! You can find them here

Cucumber

Cucumber is the only dragon ever to have been exalted with a skin, which is something that should not be possible. This raises some questions as to what exactly did the person that exalted them do to achieve this, but we have no way of knowing who Cucumber belonged to.

EDIT 28/06: Actually, we do know who used to Cucumber belonged to! Its owner was Osiem: an official flight rising artist. I couldn’t find the thread where they(?) acknowledged the glitch though, if someone has it please let me know!

#flight rising #fr #flight rising meme #iceberg meme

[kiara-pendragon]

Actually let me show off my dragons. I got, so many of them too. Lemme quickly introduce them.

Crisis - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/15195962 Head of Clan Firestar, Crisis is a calm, yet serious character. He cares deeply for his clan, warriors and not. He is a powerful warrior himself, and actually bears three blades. The one that sees most battle is the Kami no Kage, a magic-less version of his true sword, Talon of a Fallen God. Also, Crisis is Trans, and has been touched by the Shade, but not taken.

Eden - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/30291984 Member of the Leadership Council of Clan Firestar, Eden is an Imperial-shaped being. He’s said to be radiant, and speaks of virtues and honesty. He’s also a warrior, and it’s theorized that he’s an Arch Angel. He has not commented on this fact.

Syrah - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/62650832 Childhood friend of Crisis, Syrah has always been by his side as advisor. Syrah’s companion, Argentum, can serve as his eyes too as they sneak around the world. This gives him a good overview of what happens around the world.

Josh - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/66551663 Owner of the Night Club at the bottom of the Firestar Lair, Josh is a DJ and a bit of a chaotic wild card. She brings the best music in the clan, and the nights at her club are legendary. She doesn’t remember her past, or who she used to be before getting found by the clan. 

Cyber - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64904457 An absolute mystery of a being. Meeps a lot, and likes to wiggle.

Fenrir - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/72730602 A survivor of the Great Ahamkara Hunt. When Oryx arrived, she was Taken, but even with his might, her will remains her own.She now serves the Firrestar Clan at her own free will.

Pilot - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/66113933 The clan’s mechanic. Used to be swooping around her workshop, while working on many inventions at once. She eventually lost her wing to a cruel Guardian, before getting touched by the Shade gave her a new one. She has a family of 3 mechanical dragons.

2B - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/33554785 Skydancer with an unknown origin. A serious warrior. with quite some style in her moves. Companion of 2B, and an android serviced by Pilot.

9S - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/18001367 Skydancer with an unknown origin. Curious and inquisitive. Always looks around for more stuff to research and study. He’s an android, and 2B’s companion.

Mininax - https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/67451202 Luminax Blushie that somehow came to life. Mininax is drawn towards negative emotions, for unknown reasons. When by someone feeling sad or angry or scared, they will bump against them. This usually ends up with the dragon picking them up and finding comfort, and cheering back up.

#flight rising #imperial dragon #nocturne dragon #coatl dragon #spiral dragon #skydancer dragon #luminax

[theromanticrationalist]

“Since my childhood I’ve dreamed of how Hari Seldon and Eto Demerzel would look and sound — what Terminus and Trantor would feel like -“ | Goyer.

👀 The man speaks like an ardent lover of the books, and yet I do not feel like that is coming through very much at all yet. At least not in any kind of substantial and exciting way. Things could always change, of course, but I am confused by his passionate declaration. I mean, I think the intentions are there, for sure. I have mentioned that previously that I can see the desire from the creators of the show to create something beautiful and respectful to the books, but the execution has left much to be desired at the moment.

“We’re playing the long game with Foundation and I’m grateful to my partners at Apple and Skydance for entrusting me with this epic. Buckle up. We’re about to fold some serious space.” | Goyer

That DOES sound exciting and it will be extremely impressive if they are able to pull off an eight season run consistently. Unlike another show that will remain nameless. I mean it really is the only high production show that Apple has and it will be the one show (besides For All Mankind) that I would be paying their streaming service for, but they better improve their writing if that is the plan. I could accept everything else in the end, but their writing needs to really step it up. They need to show they understand the philosophy and ideas that Asimov was working with. They need to understand even the basics of character and plot development - AKA don’t throw in random shit for no reason, like Raych “killing” Hari and yeeting Gaal into space. Yes, I understand that we will get an explanation for it later, but that isn’t good writing at all - even for mysteries. Everything must be consistent with itself and make sense within its own context, even changes that are being made from the book! Raych doing those things should have flowed organically from the narrative, not just happen out of the blue. Also, he is just a poorly sketched character in general. If we were supposed to feel the love of father and son between him and Hari, that was completely undercut by his inconsistent and obscure behavior. I felt nothing during episode 2. Absolutely no emotional connection to the characters or to what was happening. It was pretty awful.

So, my criticism of the show isn’t primarily it not being a great adaptation of the books, but it just has poor writing in general. It needs to get better if they are planning on building an eight season arc with a whole complex cast of characters and ideas from all of Asimov’s books.

#my thoughts #foundation series #hari seldon #david s goyer #I want to love this show as much as the creators do #I really do

[wehavethoughts]

The Old Guard Review!

The Old Guard

dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood (2020) 

Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah Productions, Marc Evans Productions

Science Fiction, Action, Superhero Movie

Rating: 4/5 Waves

Summary: An elite group of immortal fighters utilize their gifts to keep humanity safe. They want to remain in the shadows and fade into legend, but in the modern world everyone leaves a footprint and an immortal can only stay hidden so long. Between being hunted by the powers that be and trying to stay sane after living for so long, this group of immortals must also cope with the appearance of a brand new immortal; the first in two hundred years.

Content warnings: Violence, Death, Body Horror, Suicide Idealization

This review CONTAINS spoilers for The Old Guard.

I love media about immortals: immortals in love, immortals in hate, immortals who think they are blessed, cursed, chosen, or anything in between. The Old Guard delivered in all the ways I expected, but there were a few fun twists and turns I appreciated as a fan of immortals. One thing that I loved about The Old Guard is that the immortal characters have no idea why they are immortal. There is no god that has blessed them. There wasn’t some incredible pseudoscience that supercharged them, and there was no mythical contagion like we see for vampires and werewolves. In The Old Guard, sometimes people can’t die and they have no idea why. Personally, I find that both hilarious and compelling. What do you mean you don’t know why you’re immortal? At first, I was a little skeptical because it seemed like lazy world building, but as the story progressed it was clear that the ‘why’ of immortality was irrelevant. The question of this story is not ‘why am I immortal?’ it is ‘what am I going to do with my immortality?’, which is a fantastic question that I loved watching them explore.

This show also did a great job of keeping the tension and the stakes high throughout the story. One problem that can come up in media about immortals is that if they are invincible or can heal from anything then there is no real risk in the story. The Old Guard combats this problem by having this world’s immortality be temporary. In The Old Guard the immortal characters can be killed by anything that would kill a normal person, but after a few seconds they start to heal and simply wake up. What keeps the audience guessing is that at some point in these immortal’s lives, their immortality will run out and they will heal and die exactly like a regular person. This uncertainty coupled with not knowing why people are immortal in this world could be frustrating to some viewers so tread carefully, but if you’re like me and don’t mind some unsolved mysteries at the end of your story, you will really like this movie.

Another aspect of this movie I enjoyed was how much detail was put in to convince you these immortal characters had lived an incomprehensibly long time. For example, they all spoke many, many languages. It’s a neat detail because yes if I lived hundreds of years, I too would have learned all the languages my friends know and then a couple more just to keep it spicy. I also loved how the characters had names appropriate to when they were born, but they shortened them to modern names (Andromache of Scythia goes by Andy). But at the end of the day, it was fantastic acting that sold these immortal characters. The way they were portrayed, from the way they walked and talked to the way they interacted with non-immortals, brought home how long these characters had been alive and how much they had seen over the years. It was all in the eyes, and the actors and actresses did a great job.

At its heart, this is an action movie so it’s important to mention the action. I loved that the women were allowed to beat the crap out of men without making it weirdly sexual. The women characters also beat the crap out of each other without making it sexual, which was very refreshing. I can’t say whether or not this can be attributed to the director being a woman, but that is my suspicion. I also appreciated that this movie allowed their immortal characters to use a fun blend of modern and ancient weapons. Guns are fine, but ancient battle axes are so much better.

What I liked least about the action in The Old Guard is that it was often too dark (as in the lighting was poor). There were whole sequences I could not see because they were meant to be happening at night. I want to watch a movie at 3pm on my laptop and I can’t see in the dark. With my screen brightness at maximum, there were several scenes that were trying to show a dark room or a midnight fight, but all I could see was a black screen. I could understand if this had come out in theaters and was meant to be viewed on the big screen, but The Old Guard is a Netflix Original.

There were also a few tropes in this movie that I am not a fan of. I use the word ‘tropes’ loosely here meaning something I’ve seen often in media; and there are a couple in The Old Guard that I never want to see again. The ones in this movie include: the not-self-aware-immoral-scientist trope, the we-used-to-have-POCs-in-our-group-but-they-died-off-screen trope, and the let’s-kill-a-bunch-of-brown-people-for-exposition trope.

First of all, I’m tired of scientists who want to be evil, but hid behind the “it’s for the good of humanity” spiel. As a scientist, I know that if you got a degree you also took ethics training. You might not have liked it, you might have thought that was ‘limiting your potential,’ but we all know the rules and we are all smart enough to know where the line is. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be immoral scientists in media. I’m saying that it is not believable for a scientist to think that the world will be behind them when they unveil a new product or research that has so clearly been done in an unethical manner. You are not getting a Nobel Prize for your torture research, Karen. It’s not going to happen and you know that. You can’t even discuss your methods, Karen. How do you think you are going to get published?

Second of all, I personally hated when they revealed that a group of immortals was super diverse a thousand years ago. It’s good that there was a lot of diversity in the original group of protagonists, but the only one that survived was the white woman and all the other immortals since have been light-skinned dudes. I’m tired of being told that almost all the diversity died off. It feels like the person writing the story wanted points for including diverse people without having to write a diverse story. It’s the same emotion as when Thanos snapped the majority of the POC out of the MCU. I’m exhausted.

Lastly, if a story needs to quickly paint their protagonists as hyper competent fighters, a common opening scene is having the group kill their way through a horde of evil henchmen. The problem I have is when this opening scene happens in some far off land that the story never returns to and the people the protagonists murder their way through are all black or brown while the protagonists are all light skinned. To me it's disrespectful to have the majority of a story to happen in the US or the UK and only travel to a Middle Eastern or African nation to kill a bunch of people who don’t look like the protagonists.

That being said, the diversity of the main cast by the end of the movie was actually above average as far as popular superhero movies go. In the beginning, there were mostly light-skinned dudes and the new immortal is the main source of diversity, but by the end the group of protagonists is one of the most diverse teams we have right now with multiple women, multiple non-straight characters and multiple people of color.  

Other things that stood out about this movie were the soundtrack and the message of the story. A good score is critical for a good movie and The Old Guard delivers with music that kept me grounded in the story and seemed to enhance every emotion throughout the story. The Old Guard also ended up extremely wholesome for an R rated movie. The story’s themes revolve around family, purpose and acceptance and the characters are all the more compelling because of it.

Overall, I had a great time watching this movie and I highly recommend it for fans of action, immortals and/or wholesome media. The Old Guard is a fun ride with fabulous characters that will leave you energized and inspired!

~TideMod

#The Old Guard #Netflix #immortals #immortality #WHT! #wehavethoughts! #TideMod #movie review #review #movies #action movie #Gina Prince-Bythewood #superheroes #tropes #diversity #spoilers #The Old Guard spoilers #good movies in 2020 #wholesome #violent #wholesome violence #long post #essay #reviewblr

[dikdikrising]

“GENERAL SICKLE! OH OH OH OH GENERAL SIIIIIICKLLLLLLLE”

Sickle looked up from her morning task sheet to see one of her scavengers blithely charging past the guards stationed in front of her encampment. At a glance, this crazed mirror looked to be hefting a large, wriggling sack under her arm. Her Lieutenant General, Armadon, was in a close, clearly irritated pursuit. Sickle used the brief, blessed moment of solitude ahead of her to steel herself for yet another loud and needless confrontation.

“GENERALSICKLEGENERALSICKLELOOKWHATIG-”

Sickle raised a claw. Mercifully, the mirror paused with her onslaught of volume, but she still had the same gleeful, open-mouthed grin plastered across her face. It gave the Lieutenant General enough time to catch up and bluster out some cranky excuses.

“I SAID HALT, PRIVATE CHITIN! General Sickle, I’m terribly sorry. I was trying to inform Private Chitin here that you are not to be disturbed while you are in review, and furthermore, that she is ignoring the proper chain of command-”

“As are you, Lieutenant General, by allowing minor nuisances to intrude on my morning in the first place.”

Armadon’s mouth snapped shut. Sickle was satisfied. She knew Armadon was far from careless, but it was a poor General that permitted blame to fall on the shoulders of anyone beyond the highest culpable ranking official. She turned her attention back to this Private Chitin, who was heaving with the enthusiasm of a giant, scaly puppy.

“Name and rank.”

“CHITIN! PRI-”

“Private. Scavenger First Class, ma’am,” said Armadon, speaking over Chitin with pointed contempt. “She insisted that the spoils of her latest expedition be brought directly to you instead of being turned over to the quartermaster.”

“Oooohhhhhh but I just KNOW you’re gonna love it!!” Chitin thumped her tail against the ground with sheer anticipation.

“Enough,” said Armadon. “I’m escorting you back to quarters and you will fall into line, right now.”

“Arma.” Sickle could already see the drama playing out in her head and knew it was better to step in at this point. “I was addressing Private Chitin.” Armadon’s expression remained insistent, but not to the point of defiance. After all her accomplishments, she still felt the need to prove herself. It was admirable, in some ways.

“General-”

“If I’m going to be bothered, it should at least be for a reason.” Sickle turned back to Chitin. “Go ahead.”

Chitin squealed. Not wasting another second, she took the sack, which she had been wrestling with the entire conversation, and upturned it in a fairly graceless manner. The contents plopped in front of Sickle, and then stared back at her.

“A… child.”

“A DAUGHTER!! For YOU!!! Doesn’t she look just like you???”

Sickle craned down to inspect the dewy-eyed bundle. It appeared healthy. Strong, even. It flexed its minuscule wings and chirped as it took in its new surroundings.

“Lieutenant General Armadon is correct, Private. Your findings as a scavenger of Macrophage are not your property. Even less so if they happen to be another dragon. Gifting them is not your decision to make.”

Chitin threw her head back with passion. “Ohh, but I’ve been through that process so many times! It’s always the same! I’m sick of quartermasters poking through all the things I worked so hard to get and sneering, always judging me! Just because I’m only ever good at bringing back one thing!”

Sickle remained nonplussed. “Being?”

“BONES!”

Chitin pointed at her… mask/cranial helm, which looked to be handmade. Roughly.

“Bones.”

Armadon nodded wearily. “Bones.” She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Sickle. “But she is good at finding them.”

Not picking up on the awkward silence, Chitin plowed on. “So when I stumbled on my very first egg, I knew I had to make sure it was guarded with my life! But I was a whole day out from the nearest outpost, so when I made camp, I dug out a cozy little hole for it, wrapped it in my least mangy furs, and curled up right on top of it and stayed there the whole night!” She put her arms to her side in a prideful gesture.

“Incubating it, then.” Sickle had scarcely blinked while taking in Chitin’s entire spiel. Where mirrors found their boundless energy was yet another mystery that she had long resigned herself to be beyond her capacities for patience.

“Yep! And I don’t want no more kids than I already got, so this one’s yours. Enjoy!”

“Private.” Armadon caught Sickle just as she turned to take her leave. “I hope you understand you will be disciplined for your actions.”

“Yeah, they usually stick me in the back of the kitchen to sweep up the scraps for the garbage. HA! Joke’s on them! I LOVE garbage!” She licked her lips in a truly appalling way.

“Ugh. Well, you heard what the General said. You still have to take this hatchling back so she can be accounted for and given a good home. To parents that maybe don’t have an entire army to worry about.”

Chitin looked over her shoulder. “Gonna have to find her first, boss.”

Looking back at the spot where the hatchling had been dumped, Sickle and Armadon quickly arrived at the same unsettling conclusion: Chitin was correct about something. The baby wildclaw had indeed wandered off.

“One thing after another, I swear. General, there’s no need to concern yourself over this for another second. Private, you are going to turn this encampment upside down if you have to, but you are not leaving without that child.”

“There’s no need.”

“…General?”

Sickle picked up on them almost right away - the subtle tremors of the Contagion at her feet. The callouses she had built up over years of exposure made them much harder to pick up on, but there was no mistaking them when they were this intentional. These were the same underground muscular tensions that led her directly to the Matriarch, back when clan Macrophage was still in its infancy. This was no less than a command from the Plaguebringer herself. She followed.

The hatchling hadn’t gone far. Sickle tracked her down just outside the encampment, her stubby, twitching tail barely sticking out of some scrubby bush. She parted it to a rather grisly scene; a successful hunt. The little wildclaw had somehow managed to get the drop on a fully grown skydancer. An enemy scout. Shadow clan, by the dress. A crossbow was still clutched in their grip, at close enough range to target her former position. Just distracted enough with targeting not to notice a low-approaching stalker going straight for their neck.

“General! Is every-holy shit.” Armadon had caught up with her, with Chitin trailing close by.

“Chitin, I accept your gift.”

“Y… you do?”

“I do. Lieutenant General, make the necessary arrangements for an adoption.”

“Of course.” There was an equal measure of bewilderment and defeat in Armadon’s voice. "Just…”

“Yes, Arma?”

“…do you have a name in mind?”

Sickle continued to watch the scene unfold. Her new daughter had just pried a skinny fragment of bone out of the skydancer’s neck, gnawing away at it to savor the spongy center.

“How does Marrow sound to you?”

Armadon stared at the hatchling. It snapped the bone fragment in half and trilled with an innocent amusement.

“Just right, ma’am.”

#flight rising #clan macrophage #fr short story #gore cw #fr writing

[paintedcentaur]

Me: only ever draws wildclaws/skydancers/pearlcatchers

Also me: why are the other breeds so hard to draw?? It is a mystery  🤔 🤔 🤔

#flightrising #step out of my comfort zone?? #i could never

[grigori77]

2019 in Movies - My Top 30 Fave Movies (Part 3)

10.  HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD – while I love Disney and Pixar as much as the next movie nut, since the Millennium my loyalty has been slowly but effectively usurped by the consistently impressive (but sometimes frustratingly underappreciated) output of Dreamworks Animation Studios, and in recent years in particular they really have come to rival the House of Mouse in both the astounding quality of their work and their increasing box office reliability.  But none of their own franchises (not even Shrek or Kung Fu Panda) have come CLOSE to equalling the sheer, unbridled AWESOMENESS of How to Train Your Dragon, which started off as a fairly loose adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s popular series of children’s stories but quickly developed a very sharp mind of its own – the first two films were undisputable MASTERPIECES, and this third and definitively FINAL chapter in the trilogy matches them to perfection, as well as capping the story off with all the style, flair and raw emotional power we’ve come to expect.  The time has come to say goodbye to diminutive Viking Hiccup (Jay Baruchel, as effortlessly endearing as ever) and his adorable Night Fury mount/best friend Toothless, fiancée Astrid (America Ferrera, still tough, sassy and WAY too good for him), mother Valka (Cate Blanchett, classy, wise and still sporting a pretty flawless Scottish accent) and all the other Dragon Riders of the tiny, inhospitable island kingdom of Berk – their home has become overpopulated with scaly, fire-breathing denizens, while a trapper fleet led by the fiendish Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham delivering a wonderfully soft-spoken, subtly chilling master villain) is beginning to draw close, prompting Hiccup to take up his late father Stoick (Gerard Butler returning with a gentle turn that EASILY prompts tears and throat-lumps) the Vast’s dream of finding the fabled “Hidden World”, a mysterious safe haven for dragon-kind where they can be safe from those who seek to do them harm.  But there’s a wrinkle – Grimmel has a new piece of bait, a female Night Fury (or rather, a “Light Fury”), a major distraction that gets Toothless all hot and bothered … returning writer-director Dean DeBlois has rounded things off beautifully with this closer, giving loyal fans everything they could ever want while also introducing fresh elements such as intriguing new environments, characters and species of dragons to further enrich what is already a powerful, intoxicating world for viewers young and old (I particularly love Craig Ferguson’s ever-reliable comic relief veteran Viking Gobber’s brilliant overreactions to a certain adorably grotesque little new arrival), and like its predecessors this film is just as full of wry, broad and sometimes slightly (or not so slightly) absurd humour and deep down gut-twisting FEELS as it is of stirring, pulse-quickening action sequences and sheer, jaw-dropping WONDER, so it’s as nourishing to our soul as it is to our senses.  From the perfectly-pitched, cheekily irreverent opening to the truly devastating, heartbreaking close, this is EXACTLY the final chapter we’ve always dreamed of, even if it does hurt to see this most beloved of screen franchises go. It’s been a wild ride, and one that I think really does CEMENT Dreamworks’ status as one of the true giants of the genre …

9.  TERMINATOR: DARK FATE – back in 1984, James Cameron burst onto the scene with a stone-cold PHENOMENON, a pitch-perfect adrenaline-fuelled science fiction survival horror that spawned a million imitators but has never truly been equalled.  Less than a decade later, he revisited that universe with a much bigger and far bolder vision, creating an epic action adventure that truly changed blockbuster cinema for the better (or perhaps worse, depending on how you want to look at it), but, with its decidedly final, full-stop climax, also effectively rendered itself sequel-proof.  Except that Hollywood had other ideas, the unstoppable money machine smelling potential profit and deciding to milk this particular cash cow for all it was worth – on the small screen, it was the impressive but ultimately intrinsically limited Sarah Connor Chronicles, while on the big screen they cranked out THREE MORE sequels, Sony Pictures starting with straightforward retread Rise of the Machines and following with post-apocalyptic marmite movie Salvation, while Twentieth Century Fox then tried a sort-of soft reboot follow-up to T2 in Genisys.  These were all interesting in their own way (personally, I like them all, particularly Salvation), but ultimately suffered from diminishing returns and whiffed strongly of trying too hard without quite getting the point. Cameron himself had long since washed his hands of the whole affair, and it looked like that might well be it … but then Skydance Productions founder David Ellison thought up a new take to breathe much needed new life into the franchise, and enlisted Cameron’s help to usher it in properly, with Deadpool director Tim Miller the intriguing but ultimately inspired choice to helm the project.  The end result wisely chooses to paint right over all the pretenders, kicking off right where Judgement Day left off, and as well as Cameron being heavily involved in the story itself, draws another ace with the long-awaited ON-SCREEN return of Linda Hamilton in the role that’s pretty much defined her career, hardboiled survivor Sarah Connor.  I’ll leave the details of her return for newcomers to discover, suffice to say she gets caught up in the chase when a new, MUCH more advanced terminator is sent back in time to kill unassuming young Mexican factory worker Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes).  Of course, the future resistance has once again sent a protector back to watch her back, Grace (Blade Runner 2049’s Mackenzie Davis), a cybernetically-enhanced super-soldier specifically outfitted to combat terminators, who reluctantly agrees to team up with the highly experienced Sarah in order to keep Dani alive. Arnold Schwarzenegger once again returns to the role that truly made him a star (of course, how could he not?), and he for one has clearly not lost ANY of his old love or enthusiasm for playing the old T-800, but revealing exactly HOW he comes into the story this time would give away too much; the new terminator, meanwhile, is brilliantly portrayed by Gabriel Luna (probably best known for playing Ghost Rider in Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD), who brings predatory menace and an interesting edge of subtle, entitled arrogance to the role of Rev-9.  Ultimately though, this is very much the ladies’ film, the three leads dominating the action and drama both as they kick-ass and verbally spar in equal measure, their chemistry palpably strong throughout – Hamilton is as badass as ever, making Sarah even more of a take-no-shit survivalist burnout than she ever was in T2, and she’s utterly mesmerising in what’s EASILY her best turn in YEARS, while Reyes goes through an incredible transformative character arc as she’s forced to evolve from terrified salary-girl to proto she-warrior through several pleasingly organic steps … my greatest pleasure, however, definitely comes from watching Mackenzie Davis OWN the role of Grace, investing her with an irresistible mixture of icy military precision, downright feral mother lion ferocity and a surprisingly sweet innocence buried underneath all the bravado, thus creating one of my favourite ass-kicking heroines not just for the year but this past decade entirely. Unsurprisingly, in the hands of old hand Tim Miller (working from a screenplay headlined by Blade and Batman Begins scribe David Goyer) this is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that rarely lets its foot up off the pedal, but thankfully the action is ALWAYS in service to the story, each precision-crafted set piece engineered to perfection as we power through high speed chases, explosive shootouts and a succession of bruising heavy metal smackdowns, but thankfully there’s just as much attention paid to the characters and the story – given the familiarity of the tale there’s inevitably a certain predictability to events, but Miller and co. still pull off a few deftly handled surprise twists, while character development always feels organic.  Best of all, this genuinely feels like a legitimate part of the original Terminator franchise, Cameron and Hamilton’s returns having finally brought back the old magic that’s been missing for so long. I’d definitely be willing to sign up for more of this – such a shame then that, thanks to the film’s frustrating underperformance at the box office, it looks like this is gonna be it after all. Damn it …

8.  DOCTOR SLEEP – first up, before I say anything else about this latest Stephen King screen adaptation, I HAVE NOT yet got round to reading the original novel yet, so I can’t speak to how it compares.  That said, I HAVE read The Shining, to which the book is a direct sequel, so I DO know about at least one of the major, KEY changes, and besides, this is actually a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s MOVIE of The Shining, which differed significantly from its own source material anyway, so there’s that … yeah, this is a complicated kettle of fish even BEFORE we get down to the details.  Suffice to say, you don’t have to have read the book to get this movie, but a working knowledge of Kubrick’s horror classic may at least help you get some context before watching this … anyways, enough with the confusion, on to the meat of the matter – this is a CRACKING horror movie by any stretch, and, for me, one of the strongest King horrors to make it to the big screen in quite some time.  Of course it helps no end to have a filmmaker of MAJOR calibre at the helm, and there are few working in horror at the moment with whom I am quite so impressed as Mike Flanagan, writer-director of two of this past decade’s definitive horrors (at least for me), Oculus and Hush, as well as a BLINDING TV series adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House for Netflix – the man is an absolute master of the craft, incredibly skilled with all the tricks of this particular genre’s trade, and, as it turns out, a perfect fit with King’s material.  Following on from The Shining, then, we learn what happened to the kid, Danny Torrance, after he and his mother left the Overlook Hotel in the wake of his father’s psychotic break driven by monstrous apparitions “living” in the cursed halls, following him from childhood as he initially shuns the psychic gifts (or “shine”) he was taught to use by the hotel’s late caretaker, Dick Halloran.  It’s only in later years, as he fights to overcome his alcoholism and self-destructive lifestyle, that he reconnects with that power, just in time to discover psychic “pen-pal” Abra Stone, an immensely powerful young psychic.  Which leads us to the present day, when Abra, now a teenager, becomes the target of the True Knot, a group of psychic vampires who travel America hunting and killing young people with psychic abilities in order to consume their “smoke” (basically the stuff of their “shines”), thus expanding their already unnatural lifespans – they’re tracking Abra, and they’re getting close, and only her “Uncle Dan” can save her from them.  Ewan McGregor is PERFECT as the grown-up Dan, delivering one of his career-best turns as he captures the world-weary seriousness of someone who’s seen, felt and had to do things no-one should, especially when he was so very young, the kinds of things that colour a soul for their entire life, and he’s clearly DESPERATE not to become his father; newcomer Kyleigh Curran, meanwhile, is an absolute revelation as Abra, bringing depth and weight far beyond her years to the role, but never losing sight of the fact that, under all the power, she’s ultimately still just a child; there are also excellent supporting turns from the likes of Cliff Curtis as Dan’s best friend and AA sponsor Billy Freeman, Zahn McClarnon (Longmire, Fargo season 2) and Emily Lind (Revenge, Code Black) as True Knot members Crow Daddy and Snakebite Annie, and Carl Lumbly (Cagney & Lacey, TV’s Supergirl), who beautifully replaces deceased original actor Scatman Crothers in the role of Dick.  The film’s tour-de-force performance, however, comes from Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat, leader of the True Knot – they’re an intriguing bunch of villains, very well written and fleshed out, and it’s clear they have genuine love for one another, like a real family, which makes it hard not to sympathise with them a little bit, and this is none more true than in Rose, whom Ferguson invests with so much light and warmth and intriguing, complex character, as well as a fantastic streak of playful mischief that makes her all the more riveting in those times when they then turn around and do some truly heinous, unforgivable things … as horror movies go this is the cream of the crop, but Flanagan has purposefully kept away from jump scares and the more flashy stuff, preferring, like Kubrick in The Shining, to let the insidious darkness bubble up underneath good and slow, drawing out the creepiness and those most unsettling, twisted little touches the author himself is always so very good at.  Intent can be such a scary thing, and Flanagan gets it, so that’s just what he uses here.   As a result this is a fantastic slow-burn creep-fest that constantly works its way deeper under your skin, building to a phenomenal climax that, (perversely) thanks in no small part to the differences between both novels and films, pays as much loving tribute to Kubrick’s visionary landmark as the original novel of The Shining.  For me, this is Flanagan’s best film to date, and as far as Stephen King adaptations go I consider this to be right up there with the likes of The Mist and The Green Mile.  Best of all, I think he’d be proud of it too …

7.  SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME – summer 20019 was something of a decompression period for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with many of us recovering from the sheer emotional DEVASTATION of the grand finale of Phase 3, Avengers: Endgame, so the main Blockbuster Season’s entry really needed to be light and breezy, a blessed relief after all that angst and loss, much like Ant-Man & the Wasp was last year as it followed Infinity War.  And it is, by and large – this is as light-hearted and irreverent as its predecessor, following much the same goofy teen comedy template as Homecoming, but there’s no denying that there’s a definite emotional through-line from Endgame that looms large here, a sense of loss the film fearlessly addresses right from the start, sometimes with a bittersweet sense of humour, sometimes straight.  But whichever path the narrative chooses, the film stays true to this underlying truth – there have been great and painful changes in this world, and we can’t go back to how it was before, no matter how hard we try, but then perhaps we shouldn’t. This is certainly central to our young hero’s central arc – Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is in mourning, and not even the prospect of a trip around Europe with his newly returned classmates, together with the chance to finally get close to M.J. (Zendaya), maybe even start a relationship, can entirely distract him from the gaping hole in his life. Still, he’s gonna give it his best shot, but it looks like fate has other plans for our erstwhile Spider-Man as superspy extraordinaire Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) comes calling, basically hijacking his vacation with an Avengers-level threat to deal with, aided by enigmatic inter-dimensional superhero Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has a personal stake in the mission, but as he’s drawn deeper into the fray Peter discovers that things may not be quite as they seem. Of course, giving anything more away would of course dumps HEINOUS spoilers on the precious few who haven’t yet seen the film – suffice to say that the narrative drops a MAJOR sea-change twist at the midpoint that’s EVERY BIT as fiendish as the one Shane Black gave us in Iron Man 3 (although the more knowledgeable fans of the comics will likely see it coming), and also provides Peter with JUST the push he needs to get his priorities straight and just GET OVER IT once and for all.  Tom Holland again proves his character is the most endearing teenage geek in cinematic history, his spectacular super-powered abilities and winning underdog perseverance in the face of impossible odds still paradoxically tempered by the fact he’s as loveably hopeless as ever outside his suit; Mysterio himself, meanwhile, frequently steals the film out from under him, the strong bromance they develop certainly mirroring what Peter had with Tony Stark, and it’s a major credit to Gyllenhaal that he so perfectly captures the essential dualities of the character, investing Beck with a roguish but subtly self-deprecating charm that makes him EXTREMELY easy to like, but ultimately belying something much more complex hidden beneath it; it’s also nice to see so many beloved familiar faces returning, particularly the fantastically snarky and self-assured Zendaya, Jacob Batalon (once again pure comedy gold as Peter’s adorably nerdy best friend Ned), Tony Revolori (as his self-important class rival Flash Thompson) and, of course, Marisa Tomei as the ever-pivotal Aunt May, as well as Jackson and Cobie Smoulders as dynamite SHIELD duo Fury and his faithful lieutenant Maria Hill, and best of all Jon Favreau gets a MUCH bigger role this time round as Happy Hogan.  Altogether this is very much business as usual for the MCU, the well-oiled machine unsurprisingly turning out another near-perfect gem of a superhero flick that ticks all the required boxes, but a big part of the film’s success should be attributed to returning director Jon Watts, effectively building on the granite-strong foundations of Homecoming with the help of fellow alumni Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers on screenplay duty, for a picture that feels both comfortingly familiar and rewardingly fresh, delivering on all the required counts with thrilling action and eye candy spectacle, endearingly quirky character-based charm and a typically winning sense of humour, and plenty of understandably powerful emotional heft.  And, like always, there are plenty of fan-pleasing winks and nods and revelations, and the pre-requisite mid- and post-credit teasers too, both proving to be some proper game-changing corkers.  Another winner from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then, but was there really ever any doubt?

6.  US – back in 2017, Jordan Peele made the transition from racially-charged TV and stand-up comedy to astounding cinemagoers with stunning ease through his writer-director feature debut Get Out, a sharply observed jet black comedy horror with SERIOUS themes that was INSANELY well-received by audiences and horror fans alike.  Peele instantly became ONE TO WATCH in the genre, so his follow-up feature had A LOT riding on it, but this equally biting, deeply satirical existential mind-bender is EASILY the equal of its predecessor, possibly even its better … giving away too much plot detail would do great disservice to the many intriguing, shocking twists on offer as middle class parents Adelaide and Gabe Wilson (Black Panther alumni Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke) take their children, Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Jason (Evan Alex), to Santa Cruz on vacation, only to step into a nightmare as a night-time visitation by a family of murderous doppelgangers signals the start of a terrifying supernatural revolution with potential nationwide consequences.  The idea at the heart of this film is ASTOUNDINGLY original, quite an achievement in a genre where just about everything has been tried at least once, but it’s also DEEPLY subversive, as challenging and thought-provoking as the themes visited in Get Out, but also potentially even more wide-reaching. It’s also THOROUGHLY fascinating and absolutely TERRIFYING, a peerless exercise in slow-burn tension and acid-drip discomfort, liberally soaked in an oppressive atmosphere so thick you could choke on it if you’re not careful, such a perfect horror master-class it’s amazing that this is only Peele’s second FEATURE, never mind his sophomore offering IN THE GENRE.  The incredibly game cast really help, too – the four leads are all EXCEPTIONAL, each delivering fascinatingly nuanced performances in startlingly oppositional dual roles as both the besieged family AND their monstrous doubles, a feat brilliantly mimicked by Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale-star Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker and teen twins Cali and Noelle Sheldon as the Wilsons’ friends, the Tylers, and their similarly psychotic mimics.  The film is DOMINATED, however, by Oscar-troubler Nyong’o, effortlessly holding our attention throughout the film with yet another raw, intense, masterful turn that keeps up glued to the screen from start to finish, even as the twists get weirder and more full-on brain-mashy.  Of course, while this really is scary as hell, it’s also often HILARIOUSLY funny, Peele again poking HUGE fun at both his intended audience AND his allegorical targets, proving that scares often work best when twinned with humour.  BY FAR the best thing in horror in 2019, Us shows just what a master of the genre Jordan Peele is, and it looks like he’s here to stay …

5.  KNIVES OUT – with The Last Jedi, writer-director Rian Johnson divided audiences so completely that he seemed to have come perilously close to ruining his career.  Thankfully, he’s a thick-skinned auteur with an almost ridiculous amount of talent, and he’s come bouncing back as strong as ever, doing what he does best. His big break feature debut was with Brick, a cult classic murder mystery that was, surprisingly, set in and around a high school, and his latest has some of that same DNA as Johnson crafts a fantastic sleuthy whodunit cast in the classic mould of Agatha Christie, albeit shot through with his own wonderfully eclectic verve, wit and slyly subversive streak.  Daniel Craig holds court magnificently as quirky and flamboyant Deep South private detective Benoit Blanc, summoned to the home of newly-deceased star crime author Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) to investigate his possible murder and faced with a veritable web of lies, deceit and twisting knives as he meets the maybe-victim’s extensive and INCREDIBLY dysfunctional family, all of whom are potential suspects.  Craig is thoroughly mesmerising throughout, clearly having the time of his life in one of his career-best roles, while the narrative focus is actually, interestingly, given largely to Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049 and soon to be seen with Craig again in the latest Bond-flick No Time To Die), who proves equally adept at driving the film as Harlan’s sweet but steely and impressively resourceful nurse Marta Cabrera, whose own involvement in the case it would do the film a massive disservice to reveal. The rest of the Thrombey clan are an equally intriguing bunch, all played to the hilt by an amazing selection of heavyweight talent that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette and It’s Jaeden Martell, but the film is, undeniably, DOMINATED by Chris Evans as Harlan’s black sheep grandson Ransom, the now former Captain America clearly enjoying his first major post-MCU role as he roundly steals every scene he’s in, effortlessly bringing back the kind of snarky, sarcastic underhanded arrogance we haven’t seen him play since his early career and entertaining us thoroughly.  Johnson has very nearly outdone himself this time, weaving a gleefully twisty web of intrigue that viewers will take great pleasure in watching Blanc untangle, even if we’re actually already privy to (most of) the truth of the deed, and he pulls off some diabolical twists and turns as we rattle towards an inspired final reveal which genuinely surprises. He’s also generously smothered the film with oodles of his characteristically dry, acerbic wit, wonderfully tweaking many of the classic tropes of this familiar little sub-genre so this is at once a loving homage to the classics but also a sly, skilful deconstruction.  Intriguing, compelling, enrapturing and often thoroughly hilarious, this is VERY NEARLY the best film he’s ever made.  Only the mighty Looper remains unbeaten …

4.  CAPTAIN MARVEL – before the first real main event of not only the year’s blockbusters but also, more importantly, 2019’s big screen MCU roster, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and co dropped a powerful opening salvo with what, it turns out, was the TRUE inception point of the Avengers Initiative and all its accompanying baggage (not Captain America: the First Avenger, as we were originally led to believe).  For me, this is simply the MCU film I have MOST been looking forward to essentially since the beginning – the onscreen introduction of my favourite Avenger, former US Air Force Captain Carol Danvers, the TRUE Captain Marvel (no matter what the DC purists might say), who was hinted at in the post credits sting of Avengers: Infinity War but never actually seen.  Not only is she the most powerful Avenger (sorry Thor, but it’s true), but for me she’s also the most badass – she’s an unstoppable force of (cosmically enhanced) nature, with near GODLIKE powers (she can even fly through space without needing a suit!), but the thing that REALLY makes her so full-on EPIC is her sheer, unbreakable WILL, the fact that no matter what’s thrown at her, no matter how often or how hard she gets knocked down, she KEEPS GETTING BACK UP.  She is, without a doubt, the MOST AWESOME woman in the entire Marvel Universe, both on the comic page AND up on the big screen. Needless to say, such a special character needs an equally special actor to portray her, and we’re thoroughly blessed in the inspired casting choice of Brie Larson, who might as well have been purpose-engineered exclusively for this very role – she’s Carol Danvers stepped right out of the primary-coloured panels, as steely cool, unswervingly determined and strikingly statuesque as she’s always been drawn and scripted, with just the right amount of twinkle-eyed, knowing smirk and sassy humour to complete the package.  Needless to say she’s the heart and soul of the film, a pure joy to watch throughout, but there’s so much more to enjoy here that this is VERY NEARLY the most enjoyable cinematic experience I had all year … writer-director double-act Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck may only be known for smart, humble indies like Half Nelson and Mississippi Grind, but they’ve taken to the big budget, all-action blockbuster game like ducks to water, co-scripting with Geneva Robertson-Dworet (writer of the Tomb Raider reboot movie and the long-gestating third Sherlock Holmes movie) to craft yet another pitch-perfect MCU origin story, playing a sneakily multilayered, misleading game of perception-versus-truth as we’re told how Carol got her powers and became the unstoppable badass supposedly destined to turn the tide in a certain Endgame … slyly rolling the clock back to the mid-90s, we’re presented with a skilfully realised mid-90s period culture clash adventure as Carol, a super-powered warrior fighting for the Kree Empire against the encroaching threat of the shape-shifting Skrulls, crash-lands in California and winds up uncovering the hidden truth behind her origins, with the help of a particular SHIELD agent, before he wound up with an eye-patch and a more cynical point-of-view – yup, it’s a younger, fresher Nick Fury (the incomparable Samuel L. Jackson, digitally de-aged with such skill it’s really just a pure, flesh-and-blood performance). There’s action, thrills, spectacle and (as always with the MCU) pure, skilfully observed, wry humour by the bucket-load, but one of the biggest strengths of the film is the perfectly natural chemistry between the two leads, Larson and Jackson playing off each other BEAUTIFULLY, no hint of romantic tension, just a playfully prickly, banter-rich odd couple vibe that belies a deep, honest respect building between both the characters and, clearly, the actors themselves.  There’s also sterling support from Jude Law as Kree warrior Yon-Rogg, Carol’s commander and mentor, Ben Mendelsohn, slick, sly and surprisingly seductive (despite a whole lot of make-up) as Skrull leader Talos, returning MCU-faces Clark Gregg and Lee Pace as rookie SHIELD agent Phil Coulson (another wildly successful de-aging job) and Kree Accuser Ronan, Annette Bening as a mysterious face from Carol’s past and, in particular, Lashana Lynch (Still Star-Crossed, soon to be seen in No Time To Die) as Carol’s one-time best friend and fellow Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau, along with the impossibly adorable Akira Akbar as her precocious daughter Monica … that said, the film is frequently stolen by a quartet of ginger tabbies who perfectly capture fan-favourite Goose the “cat” (better known to comics fans as Chewie).  This is about as great as the MCU standalone films get – for me it’s up there with the Russo’s Captain America films and Black Panther, perfectly pitched and SO MUCH FUN, but with a multilayered, monofilament-sharp intelligence that makes it a more cerebrally satisfying ride than most blockbusters, throwing us a slew of skilfully choreographed twists and narrative curveballs we almost never see coming, and finishing it off with a bucket-load of swaggering style and pure, raw emotional power (the film kicks right off with an incredibly touching, heartfelt tear-jerking tribute to Marvel master Stan Lee).  Forget Steve Rogers – THIS is the Captain MCU fans need AND deserve, and I am SO CHUFFED they got my favourite Avenger so totally, perfectly RIGHT.  I can die happy now, I guess …

3.  JOHN WICK CHAPTER 3 – needless to say, those who know me should be in no doubt why THIS was at the top of my list for summer 2019 – this has EVERYTHING I love in movies and more. Keanu Reeves is back in the very best role he’s ever played, unstoppable, unbeatable, un-killable hitman John Wick, who, when we rejoin him mere moments after the end of 2017’s phenomenal Chapter 2, is in some SERIOUSLY deep shit, having been declared Incommunicado by the High Table (the all-powerful ruling elite who run this dark and deadly shadowy underworld) after circumstances forced him to gun down an enemy on the grounds of the New York Continental Hotel (the inviolable sanctuary safe-house for all denizens of the underworld), as his last remaining moments of peace tick away and he desperately tries to find somewhere safe to weather the initial storm.  Needless to say the opening act of the film is ONE LONG ACTION SEQUENCE as John careers through the rain-slick streets of New York, fighting off attackers left and right with his signature brutal efficiency and unerring skill, perfectly setting up what’s to come – namely a head-spinning, exhausting parade of spectacular set pieces that each put EVERY OTHER offering in every other film this past year to shame.  Returning director Chad Stahelski again proves that he’s one of the very best helmsmen around for this kind of stuff, delivering FAR beyond the call on every count as he creates a third entry to a series that continues to go from strength to strength, while Keanu once again demonstrates what a phenomenal screen action GOD he is, gliding through each scenario with poise, precision and just the right balance of brooding charm and so-very-done-with-this-shit intensity and a thoroughly enviable athletic physicality that really does put him on the same genre footing as Tom Cruise.  As with the first two chapters, what plot there is is largely an afterthought, a facility to fuel the endless wave of stylish, wince-inducing, thoroughly exhilarating violent bloodshed, as John cuts another bloody swathe through the underworld searching for a way to remove the lethal bounty from his head while an Adjudicator from the High Table (Orange Is the New Black’s Asia Kate Dillon) arrives in New York to settle affairs with Winston (Ian McShane), the manager of the New York Continental, and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) for helping John create this mess in the first place.  McShane and Fishburne are both HUGE entertainment in their fantastically nuanced large-than-life roles, effortlessly stealing each of their scenes, while the ever-brilliant Lance Reddick also makes a welcome return as Winston’s faithful right-hand Charon, the concierge of the Continental, who finally gets to show off his own hardcore action chops when trouble arrives at their doorstep, and there are plenty of franchise newcomers who make strong impressions here – Dillon is the epitome of icy imperiousness, perfectly capturing the haughty superiority you’d expect from a direct representative of the High Table, Halle Berry gets a frustratingly rare opportunity to show just how seriously badass she can be as former assassin Sofia, the manager of the Casablanca branch of the Continental and one of John’s only remaining allies, Game of Thrones’ Jerome Flynn is smarmy and entitled as her boss Berrada, and Anjelica Houston is typically classy as the Director, the ruthless head of New York’s Ruska Roma (John’s former “alma mater”, basically).  The one that REALLY sticks in the memory, though, is Mark Dacascos, finally returning to the big time after frustrating years languishing in lurid straight-to-video action dreck and lowbrow TV hosting duties thanks to a BLISTERING turn as Zero, a truly brilliant semi-comic creation who routinely runs away with the film – he’s the Japanese master ninja the Adjudicator tasks with dispensing her will, a thoroughly lethal killer who may well be as skilled as our hero, but his deadliness is amusingly tempered by the fact that he’s also a total nerd who HERO WORSHIPS John Wick, adorably geeking out whenever their paths cross.  Their long-gestating showdown provides a suitably magnificent climax to the action, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the meantime, as former stuntman Stahelski and co keep things interestingly fluid as they constantly change up the dynamics and add new elements, from John using kicking horses in a stable and knives torn out of display cases in a weaponry museum to dispatch foes on the fly, through Sofia’s use of attack dogs to make the Moroccan portion particularly nasty and a SPECTACULAR high octane sequence in which John fights katana-wielding assailants on speeding motorcycles, to the film’s UNDISPUTABLE highlight, an astounding fight in which John takes on Zero’s disciples (including two of the most impressive guys from The Raid movies, Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian) in (and through) an expansive chamber made up entirely of glass walls and floors.  Altogether then, this is business as usual for a franchise that’s consistently set the bar for the genre as a whole, an intensely bruising, blissfully blood-drenched epic that cranks its action up to eleven, shot with delicious neon-drenched flair and glossy graphic novel visual excess, a consistently inspired exercise in fascinating world-building that genuinely makes you want to live among its deadly denizens (even though you probably wouldn’t live very long).  The denouement sets things up for an inevitable sequel, and I’m not at all surprised – right from the first film I knew the concept had legs, and it’s just too good to quit yet.  Which is just how I like it …

2.  AVENGERS: ENDGAME – the stars have aligned and everything is right with the world – the second half of the ridiculously vast, epic, nerve-shredding and gut-punching MCU saga that began with 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War has FINALLY arrived and it’s JUST AS GOOD as its predecessor … maybe even a little bit better, simply by virtue of the fact that (just about) all the soul-crushing loss and upheaval of the first film is resolved here.  Opening shortly after the universally cataclysmic repercussions of “the Snap”, the world at large and the surviving Avengers in particular are VERY MUCH on the back foot as they desperately search for a means to reverse the damage wrought by brutally single-minded cosmic megalomaniac Thanos and his Infinity Stone-powered gauntlet – revealing much more dumps so many spoilers it’s criminal to continue, so I’ll simply say that their immediate plan really DOESN’T work out, leaving them worse off than ever.  Fast-forward five years and the universe is a very different place, mourning what it’s lost and torn apart by grief-fuelled outbursts, while our heroes in particular are in various, sometimes better, but often much worse places – Bruce Banner/the Hulk (Mark Ruffallo) has found a kind of peace that’s always eluded him before, but Thor (Chris Hemsworth) really is a MESS, while Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has gone to a VERY dark place indeed. Then Ant-Man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) finds a way back from his forced sojourn in the Quantum Realm, and brings with him a potential solution of a very temporal nature … star directors the Russo Brothers, along with returning screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have once again crafted a stunning cinematic masterpiece, taking what could have been a bloated, overloaded and simply RIDICULOUS narrative mess and weaving it into a compelling, rich and thoroughly rewarding ride that, despite its THREE HOURS PLUS RUNNING TIME, stays fresh and interesting from start to finish, building on the solid foundations of Infinity War while also forging new ground (narratively speaking, at least) incorporating a wonderfully fresh take on time-travel that pokes gleeful fun at the decidedly clichéd tropes inherent in this particular little sub-genre.  In fact this is frequently a simply HILARIOUS film in its own right, largely pulling away from the darker tone of its predecessor by injecting a very strong vein of chaotic humour into proceedings, perfectly tempering the more dramatic turns and epic feels that inevitably crop up, particularly as the stakes continue to rise.  Needless to say the entire cast get to shine throughout, particularly those veterans whose own tours of duty in the franchise are coming to a close, and as with Infinity War even the minor characters get at least a few choice moments in the spotlight, especially in the vast, operatic climax where pretty much the ENTIRE MCU cast return for the inevitable final showdown.  It’s a masterful affair, handled with skill and deep, earnest respect but also enough irreverence to keep it fun, although in the end it really comes down to those big, fat, heart-crushing emotional FEELS, as we say goodbye to some favourites and see others reach crossroads in their own arcs that send them off in new, interesting directions.  Seriously guys, keep a lot of tissues handy, you really will need them.  If this were the very last MCU film ever, I’d say it’s a PERFECT piece to go out on – thankfully it’s not, and while it is the end of an era the franchise looks set to go on as strong as ever, safe in the knowledge that there’s plenty more cracking movies on the way so long as Kevin Feige and co continue to employ top-notch talent like this to make their films. Eleven years and twenty-two films down, then – here’s to eleven and twenty-two more, I say …

1.  THE IRISHMAN (aka I HEARD YOU PAINT HOUSES) – beating smash-hit superhero movies and unstoppable assassin action-fests to the top spot is no mean feat, but so completely blowing me away that I had NO OTHER CHOICE than to put this at NUMBER ONE is something else entirely.  Not only is this the best thing I saw at the cinema this past year, but I’d be happy to say it’s guaranteed to go down as one of my all-time greats of the entire decade. I’ve been an ardent fan of the filmmaking of Martin Scorsese ever since I first properly got into cinema in my early adolescence, when I was first shown Taxi Driver and was completely and irrevocably changed forever as a movie junkie.  He’s a director who impresses me like a select few others, one of the true, undisputable masters of the craft, and I find it incredibly pleasing that I’m not alone in this assertion.  Goodfellas and The Departed are both numbered among my all-time favourite crime movies, while I regard the latter as one of the greatest films of the current cinematic century.  I’ve learned more about the art and craft of filmmaking and big-screen storytelling from watching Scorsese’s work than from any other director out there (with the notable exception of my OTHER filmmaking hero, Ridley Scott), and I continue to discover more about his films every time I watch them, so I never stop.  Anyways … enough with the gushing, time to get on with talking about his latest offering, a Netflix Original true-life gangster thriller of truly epic proportions chronicling the career and times of Frank Sheeran, a Philadelphia truck driver who became the most trusted assassin of the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family and, in particular, its boss (and Sheeran’s best friend) Russell Bufalino, particularly focusing on his rise to power within the Philly Mob and his significant association with controversial and ultimately ill-fated Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa.  It’s a sprawling epic in the tradition of Scorsese’s previously most expansive film, Casino, but in terms of scope this easily eclipses the 1995 classic, taking in SIX DECADES of genuinely world-changing events largely seen through Sheeran’s eyes, but as always the director is in total control throughout, never losing sight of the true focus – one man’s fall from grace as he loses his soul to the terrible events he takes part in.  Then again, the screenplay is by Steve Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Moneyball, Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), one of the true masters of the art form, with whom Scorsese previously worked with on Gangs of New York, so it’s pure gold – tight as a drum, razor sharp and impossibly rich and rewarding, the perfect vehicle for the director to just prep his cast and run with it.  And WHAT A CAST we have here – this is a three-way lead master-class of titanic proportions, as Scorsese-regular Robert De Niro and his Goodfellas co-star Joe Pesci are finally reteamed as, respectively, Sheeran and Bufalino, while Al Pacino gets to work with the master for the first time as Hoffa; all three are INCREDIBLE, EXTRAORDINARY, on absolute tip-top form as they bring everything they have to their roles, De Niro and Pesci underplaying magnificently while Pacino just lets rip with his full, thunderous fury in a seemingly larger-than-life turn which simply does one of history’s biggest crooks perfect justice; the supporting cast, meanwhile, is one of the strongest seen in cinema all year, with Ray Romano, Bobby Canavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Harvey Keitel, Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Wolf of Wall Street), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) and Jesse Plemmons among MANY others all making MAJOR impressions throughout, all holding their own even when up against the combined star power of the headlining trio.  This is filmmaking as high art, Scorsese bringing every trick at his considerable, monumentally experienced disposal to bear to craft a crime thriller that strongly compares not only to the director’s own best but many of the genre’s own other masterpieces such as The Godfather and Chinatown.  It may clock in at a potentially insane THREE HOURS AND TWENTY-NINE MINUTES but it NEVER feels overlong, every moment crafted for maximum impact with a story that unfolds so busily and with such mesmerising power it’s impossible to get bored with it.  The film may have received a limited theatrical release, obviously reaching MOST of its audience when unleashed on Netflix nearly a month later, but I was one of the lucky few who got to see it on the big screen, and BELIEVE ME, it was totally worth it.  Best thing I saw in 2019, ONE OF the best things I saw this past decade, and DEFINITELY one of Scorsese’s best films EVER.  See it, any way you can.  You won’t be disappointed.

#how to train your dragon the hidden world #terminator dark fate #doctor sleep #spider-man far from home #us #us movie #knives out #Captain Marvel #john wick chapter 3 #avengers endgame #the irishman #2019 in movies

[starhaven-fr]

Lair Review for Dohmalore #53877

@searingjackalope​

You’ve got a stunning lair! 

Florence:

Ah bards truly are the sexiest of classes and Florence is no exception. Her outfit is snazzy as hell and the combination of a female skydancer’s face shape with the low hanging brim of the  toxophilite’s hat make for a mysterious looking gal. I love it, and honestly I really hope one day you write up some fantastic lore to go with such a fantastic looking lady. Her contrasting berry trail really pops and draws the eye in, which is what made her stand out to me in the first place!

Faire:

She,,, I absolutely adore Faire and I am always here for trans dragons, ALWAYS. A free spirit with a wonderful personality, Faire is an interesting one to be sure. Those muted earthy tones mixed with gentle yellows makes her all the more easy on the eyes. I can tell a lot of love went into this dragon and she’s absolutely worth it! 

Burden:

I feel like Burden would get along great with my boy Malaise, given his personality and physical problems. It damn near broke my heart to see Burden’s previous clan treating him the way they did. He’s such a beautiful coatl, ill coloration and all. You’ve meshed his genes together well and that mane is just the icing on the cake. I hope he finds happiness in his new clan!

Hakan:

Oh my GOD Hakan is one gorgeous guardian. Just the pinnacle of a water spirit which is why I was surprised to see lightning as their main element. I really hope Hakan gets lore in the future because good lord you’ve put together an incredibly beautiful dragon. The smirch over daub? Genius, reminds me of waves over dark water. But almost magically lit up. 11/10 I love this aesthetic. 

 Dahlia:

Now I feel bad for this girl cause I can totally relate. A lot of angst can be drawn from Guardian’s and their charge, but it’s interesting to see Dahlia trying her damnedest to never find hers. I can see where she’s coming from but it does give me a sense of dread. Like what happens if she stumbles upon it anyway? What then? No use dwelling possibilities but it does help me to sympathize with her. Even her acting childish and petty, I get it. She’s lovely to look at too so I can imagine her getting away with quite a bit. 

#flight rising #lair review

[wavesofthewest]

Chapter 24: Panic

Fate: Death streak (false), breed/scroll a dragon

October was surprised to see Leula in the entrance to the small cave room that he’d claimed. She was tired, body drooping, and her face was streaked with tears. The guardian stood and let the skydancer collapse beside him, muffled sobs audible even through her scaled arms.

“What’s wrong?” October asked. He hadn’t known Leula for very long, but it didn’t seem like her to break down like this. It probably wasn’t unprompted, but he didn’t know what could make her act like this.

“It’s the bogsneak. I don’t know what happened, but I think- I think he’s dead,” the skydancer said, words muffled by sobs and shuddered breaths. “Right after what happened with Petal...I’m scared…”

October could understand what she meant. If he was in her shoes, two deaths close to each other would startle him. In fact, it should startle him even now. Maybe the Coliseum had made him see things that made this kind of normalised.

“I feel safer with you,” Leula muttered. “I don’t know why. It’s weird, but I do. It’s like when you’re near, everything seems okay. Everything’s alright. Nothing’s going to happen. But then things like this happen...and it feels better when you’re around.”

October smiled. It was kind of sweet that she felt that way. He wasn’t really a brave soldier that could fight off everything that could harm them - that was more like Ashes - but it was sweet.

The guardian curled around the skydancer until her sobs calmed. When she lifted her head to look at him, deep purple eyes still wet from tears, there was something about her that he felt he needed to protect. Was this what a Charge is?

Either way, he didn’t stop her from gently pressing her mouth to his, prompting new tears to streak down her face. But these, he knew, were happier tears.

~ : ~

Ashes didn’t know what to think, so of course, he didn’t think. Thinking was rational, which was exactly what he wasn’t. Worst of all, he knew that this was exactly what Lost was relying on.

Thing was, he wasn’t opposed to the suggestion at all. He hadn’t gotten over it, even though he’d tried. Not only for himself, but for Nameless. The guardian was conflicted.

Not everything had to pay its price, at least not in his eyes, but the two of them having the same goal spurred him on. Ashes sighed as they walked back to the Mist district. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t hurt too much. Maybe, just maybe, it would be alright.

~ : ~

Bedankt buzzed around the busy coliseum. She knew that really, she should be looking for a cure or at least something that would help Elena lessen the symptoms, but for now, she just wanted to get away from all of the responsibility. It was stressing her out. Everything needed to be planned, everything needed to be balanced, everything needed to be perfect, and it was just stressing her out. She’d even lost her friend to the real world, thanks to the coliseum kicking her out.

The fae flew into the Mirror district, not too far from Mist, which was where they had their hub. All she wanted to do was get away from everything for a while.

She glanced down at the blue mantle slung across her shoulders. When she’d first taken up Blue’s mantle, it had lifted a weight off her shoulders. Blue had been able to lead the tribe effectively, even though she was young and inexperienced. She would be able to do it too. But now, it just carried duties and responsibilities. It singled her out as the leader, the one to turn to when there’s nothing else left. It was stressful.

Bedankt sighed and flew up to a ledge near the ceiling. The gap was small, really only big enough for spirals and faes to be able to squeeze in, and even then it was rather uncomfortable. But it gave privacy, which was exactly what Bedankt wanted. Privacy and alone time.

It sucked. As long as she lived, she’d have to take care of everyone. There wasn’t any more exploring with Tale, no more fun times with December. She hated that there wasn’t any way to just...retire from this job, because everyone expected her to try her best. The fae tore off the mantle and threw it deeper into the space. She didn’t know if she was angry or annoyed.

It didn’t take long for her to calm down, but it was eating her from the inside. As she went to collect the mantle again - it just meant too much to her to leave there - something caught her eye. Two emblems, almost identical, hung on the wall. They pulsed magic so strong that even she could feel it and she wasn’t standing that close.

The fae took one of them in her hand and the emblem shrunk so it fit there. Curious, Bedankt took the other emblem as well, before fitting the mantle around her shoulders and flying back to Mist. Once they had solved the mystery of the illness, maybe Petal could examine them and see what they did.

I Cannot write romance for the life of me, but guess who got their nest this time! I considered pairing Abstract and Nera again (it’s been a fair while) but I saw that the legacy heirs were RTB and rules are rules. Nice to potentially see a baby skydancer again after so long!

#journey #tribe of clear waters #fr #flight rising #fr lore #flight rising lore #pinkerlocke #fr pinkerlocke #flight rising pinkerlocke #lore

[lindwur-fr]

Sands of time: Part one

Rubrik receives a strange vision from an equally strange dragon...

---

Rubrik hadn’t had a vision in ages.

It has been many years since the Tidelord’s disappearance. His heart ached for his deity, but at this point he had grown used to the Light Flight’s prophecies. How different they were from the Tidelord’s... But he managed to convey them just fine.

Until, one fateful dawn, a vision came to him. A vision that had every trait of one of the Tidelord’s visions.

He drifted in and out of consciousness as he barely slept. His mate, Ignacia, curled around him. Her heart thundered near his head- a comforting sound, to be sure, but as Rubrik started to sink into a dream, the rhythmic beating slowly shifted its tone.

Ba-dum. Bash-shaa. Shhha. Hhh-shhaaa...

The sound of waves lapping at the shore slowly filled Rubrik’s brain, and he blinked his eyes open to find himself standing on the edge of a rocky beach. The sky was grey, a few rays of light seeping through.

This cannot be. The Tidelord is still absent... Rubrik thought as he glanced around the strange terrain. It didn’t look like the Sea of a Thousand Currents. Similar, to be sure, but not exact. The waves were choppy, the ocean dark and alien, very similar in colour to Rubrik himself. Grey, dark blue, dusky.

The aged Skydancer took a step forward, and then hopped up onto a large piece of driftwood, standing on his hind legs to get a vantage point.

What is this place? This is not my home.

He scanned the horizon. The distant swirl of the Twisting Crescendo darkened the skies to the southwest. The fires of the volcanoes of the Fire Flight spat ash and coals into the air. The Plague Flight’s miasma hovered in the distance on their rotten shores.

This was the Sea of a Thousand Currents. But it was not the same. Behind Rubrik were the cliffs that housed his Clan- barren, jagged... Devoid of any Clan life.

Rubrik turned slowly to face the cliff. But as he did so, the driftwood he perched upon gave way slightly, making him waver. Striking his wings out, Rubrik flapped away from the wood as it fell onto its side. Huffing in frustration, Rubrik turned back to the driftwood.

He paused a long moment, looking at the grey-ish branches now. How oddly symmetrical they were- both arcing high, curled inwards to form a frame of sorts.

Like horns.

As the thought passed through Rubrik’s head, the driftwood shifted again, and rose from the ground, pebbles clattering off of its surface.

Rubrik’s breath hitched and he stepped backwards, watching in awe and horror as a large, squarish head rose from the pebbles. Its fur was long, briny from the ocean waves. Though through the grit, Rubrik could see the colours of Vagrilux on this Dragon’s fur. Orange and blue... Like Ignacia had been when they first formed their Clan.

The strange dragon rose from the pebbles, stretching her uselessly small wings out. They looked more like hands, than anything. The driftwood-like branches of her horns gave her an imposing figure. Her claws were twisted and long, wickedly sharp.

In fact, that would be how Rubrik described this dragon in all- wicked. Very un-dragon, as far as he knew the term

The dragon- who looked shockingly like a Tundra, turned her head to Rubrik now. She dwarfed him in every sense- and though Rubrik knew this was a dream, his instincts screamed to fly away. But he remained steadfast, wanting to take in every detail of this prophetic dream.

Her eyes... They’re blue! She’s a Water Flight dragon...!

Indeed I am, my friend. The soft voice echoed in Rubrik’s head. No doubt the dragon before him was speaking telepathically, though the voice hardly befit her imposing stature. I am a Gaoler. I came here many seasons ago, born in the Tidelord’s Flight. Tasked from birth to protect the Clan who requested my presence here.

“Please, tell me more.” Rubrik spoke out loud.

I was summoned here by Vagrilux.

Rubrik’s heart leaped. Vagrilux? The Dragon of whom his Clan was named after?

Vagrilux was a stunning dragon. Though their origins were shrouded in mystery, they were a Water-Flight Dragon who moved their Clan to the cliffs of the Light Flight. A paragon of justice and protection for all those under their wings... And this strange creature came to the ancient Clan Vagrilux at the namesakes’ behest?

“Vagilux themselves summoned you?” Rubrik asked breathlessly. The strange dragon nodded.

They knew my kind’s power, our ability to assist in any Clan’s defense. How efficient we were. Vagrilux was a powerful, thoughtful Dragon. One of the few back then who would accept Dragons of other birthrights into his Clan. They knew that unity was powerful- that many elements living together meant safety. And thus, they requested a Gaoler to live with them. The dragon replied. My parents were reluctant. But they birthed me in the Tidelord’s domain in secret.

“What happened...?” Rubruk asked slowly. “Why... Why are you coming to me now, in this dream? Is this your doing?”

It is. The Gaoler replied. I was born with the ability of prophecy. I speak through dreams. The Gaoler raised her claw, closing it as much as her long talons would allow. I... I failed my people. Her face twisted in agony at the words, as if they peeled open her very flesh. I was set on by The Shade. The creatures tainted by the foul entity attacked me on my trek here. I was dragged into the ocean, and in desperation, I cast a spell. I destroyed the entity that attacked me, but I magically exhausted myself. I fell into a coma, and my body was buried in the sands of time. I am intact- but I am not awake yet. My coma keeps me safe, keeps me from drowning or suffocating in this sand.

“We can find you.” Rubrik said hastily. “My Clan- we are Clan Vagrilux. We live here- in this place you’ve constructed in this dream.”

The Gaoler’s eyes lit up. Truly, new breed? Are you of Vagrilux themselves?

Rubrik shook his head. “No. First-born of the Tidelord of the modern age.” He replied. “But we carry Vagrilux’s name- we can help you.”

Perhaps I have not failed after all... The Gaoler thought, casting her eyes down. New breed, the Gaoler’s eyes snapped back up. I lay buried at the water’s edge. My horns are uncovered- driftwood. Perhaps covered in brine and creatures from the years, but I am here. I implore you- find me. I wish to serve you, so that I have not failed my bloodline and kin.

Rubrik nodded, still breathless. “I will find you. We will find you.” He promised. “I swear on the Tidelord’s words, we’ll find you.”

The Gaoler’s body relaxed, her wings sagging slightly as if from exhaustion. Thank you, Dragon of Vagrilux. Thank you...

The Gaoler’s body collapsed in a heap, and the dream disintegrated into a rush of oceanwater. Rubrik was swept out of the dream, back to the waking world. It felt like he was swirling in a maelstrom, the waves battering his body. When his back slammed into the rocky face of the Light Flight’s cliffs, he awoke, finding himself pressed against Ignacia. His heart was racing, his brain alive with the prophetic Dragon’s words.

He turned over and shook Ignacia’s head frantically to wake the large Ridgeback. “My heart- my love!” Rubrik spoke frantically. “Wake up- we need to get Ming and Horus and Poe!”

Ignacia blinked her deep blue eyes open and lifted her head sharply, sensing the urgency. “What is it, love?” She asked, gathering herself and pushing herself to a stand.

Rubrik was already standing, running his beak through his feathers to prepare for flight.

“A prophecy, love- one of the Water Flight.”

Ignacia gaped. “The Tidelord...?”

Rubrik shook his head. “No, not the tidelord. Though someone ancient. Someone who knew Vagrilux spoke to me, told me she was buried in the sands at the shore, near the base of the cliff. Her horns are like driftwood, Ignacia, we must have walked past her a thousand times and never noticed! We must find her!”

Rubrik didn’t care that Ignacia gave him a strange look. She must’ve thought him mad, finally broken from the absence of the Tidelord. But Rubrik would not let this dragon- this Gaoler- down. 

He had to find her. 

#Flight Rising #fr #Clan Vagrilux #Vagrilux Lore

[zephyrnoodles]

Lair review for @ghostlily-fr 

(tumblr won’t let me properly tag you)

A shadow clan! When I first started playing flight rising I considered joining the trickster troupe! Your clan is neatly organized, you know exactly where to find what kind of dragon. I really like your flight reps! I can’t find a single aesthetic, it’s more that every dragon has their own aesthetic. I love it! You don’t have a lot of lore, so I hope you don’t mind if I write down some ideas and headcanons for your dergs.

Let’s start. Buckle up kiddos this will be a long one. You paid for 10 dergs after all :D

1. Shackles What a handsome bog! Very shadow-y! I’m in love with starmap/constellation and bee. And I recently discovered my love for stained. Shackles combines all of that. His colors are amazing and the accent look great on him! The apparel is so glittery! and it fits his overall aesthetic! I don’t know why but he reminds me of that one smiling cat from Alice in wonderland. Mysterious, whimsical and slippery.

2. Taphrinoh Look at this red fluttery dragon man! He looks like a shard of red glass wrapped in red silk. Or a red gem, a smooth surface hidden in a velvet case. I also feel like he would be cool to the touch. He might be a dancer? Or some other kind of performing artist. He also look like he has an open ear to everyone with a weigth in their heart; he listens and offers advice if needed. He smells like strawberries.

(More under the cut)

3. Feir Oh wow I love her colors so much! The blues and oranges look so good together! She looks like a forestfire at night. She could be a field medic? She is armored but also wears some of the healer apparel. Or a first responder, the tangled woods are a dangerous place so a dragon being called to aid an injured dragon outside of the safe clan territory should be well equipped to not get hurt either. 

4. Miracle Such a sunny appearance in such a shadow-y place! I imagine she almost glows in the twilight! She is kinda soothing to look at, her colors are pretty and the accent looks good on her without being busy! She looks like a very huggable dragon, who likes pretty and shiny things and is usually very cheery. You can spot her from far away because she stands out so much, being all bright and glowy. 

5. Softie His name fits like... asdasf I don’t know the english version of that one german saying. It just fits perfectly. Pearl is such a soft color and I’m a big, huge fan of it. Even though the wasp gene makes him look smooth I still get the feeling that he is very much not hard-smooth but soft-smooth. Very huggable. You could sink into his mane to never be seen again. It’s a magic mane, just like the one from Lion from Steven Universe. Hatchlings play on his horns and he is overall just a big... Softie. 

6. Bedivere Bedivere looks like a ghost. Something you might find in an old victorian house. A ghostly lady clad in white silk bedgowns running down the hallways, barefoot and wailing, whispering, vanishing behind a corner. Cobwebs in the corner, laughter or sobs or music behind closed doors. Not neccessarily malevolent, but not benign either. Pretty to look at, but also goosebump inducing. A cold shudder running down your spine. 

7. Auridir Auridir - I imagine that the name could be derived from Aurum, the latin word for gold. This is a very pretty specimen of a skydancer. Warm colors reminding me of autumn and cinnamon. She looks like she might be some sort of glory guard (I forgot the real word for those), you know, guards who are mostly there to look pretty and regal and important. She has the chest armor, but also the precious gemstones ad the light standard.

8. Adora She looks like a real shadow girl despite being originally a nature peep. Spending enough time makes you adapt to your fellow clanmates I guess. I love the violet tones she wears. She looks really fluffy, like a noodly raven. Very pretty. She might be some sort of scout? She would def blind into the shadows of the tangled woods with her dark colors. I know I described at least two other dergs of yours as huggable but I feel like she would give great hugs too and smell like blueberries.

9. Hive A glittery noodle! I always love how the runes gene makes tertiary colors glow on most dragons! His colors look nice together with the accent, like dark ice reflecting sunlight. Does his name have a meaning? Is he a construct, home to more than one conscious? I’d love to learn more about him!

10. Duskfall I really like this one too. Ridgebacks always look like sharp angles and spines to me, the accent emphasize it. But the Starlight Guise softens this impression. She might be a witch operating during the twilight times of dusk and dawn. Not to be trifled with, but if you give her the right offerings, she might do you a favor.

#flight rising #lair reviews #dragon share #ghostlily-fr #I hope you like this!