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starr-fall-knight-rise · 4 years

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Humans Are Space Orcs, “Psych Eval.”

I know some of you were hoping for the stuff going on in between, but I needed to get us moving for purposes related to the 23rd, so I think you guys can forgive me. I hope you like it.

A lot of you were calling for something similar to happen, so I hope it all works out. The last little bit was super fun to write.

Dr. Adric Jakande wasn’t entirely sure what he had signed up for. When he had moved from The coastal African provinces, it had been to attend the school of his dreams, and from there his path had led him to the UNSC where he had spent most of his time counseling veterans of the Panasian war. Then a letter had come across his desk looking for volunteers brave enough to take on a very new, and dangerous mission.

He had planned on ignoring it because his life here was stable and comfortable, but there was something about it he just couldn’t get out of his head.

It would be the hardest thing he had ever done: and it wouldn’t be just humans he would be dealing with.

Somehow, however, he found himself writing his name on the contract that signed away five years of his life to the crew of the Harbinger.

There was no turning back now, so might as well get to work.

He wanted to understand the dynamic of the ship and so had filtered through a hundred or more psychological evals. He didn’t read them all, and he wouldn't interview them all, but there were a select handful he was very interested in, and planned to take a look at himself.

He pressed the button on his desk causing the call light above the door to blink on in green inviting his first patient into the office. Footsteps followed, and a young marine, not too much younger than himself, slipped into the room walking over and sprawling out in the seat across from him, a smile pulled taught over his olive-tan face.

“Cprl. Angel Ramirez?”

“Yes, Sir, that’s me.”

He glanced down at the stats on the eval. The corporal seemed in pretty good shape except, “Tell me corporal, on your evaluation you reported higher elvels of anxiety than normal, Would you be willing to tell me why?” The corporal sat up sraighter his dark amber eyes narrowing a little.as he thought.

“Well, sir…. It has nothing to do with me really…. But a friend of mine has been having some problems lately, and I’m not sure if he will be able to get it together before we are on our way. It would pretty much ruin my life if he was….uh…. Not allowed to com .”

“Ruin your life? That seems pretty serious.”

He shrugged, “He holds the ship together, everyone loves him, and I don’t think we would make it in deep space without him.”

“Do you find deep space to be mentally taxing?”

He frowned a bit forced to think about it, “No, not really but I think that has to do with this friend of mine. He does a lot of stuff to get us to come together, activities, holidays, group meals, it really keeps crew morale and I’m not sure we would have it without him.”

“Is there anything particularly bothering you corporal, besides that/”

“No, I guess I miss my family a little, but I was just there, so that is expected. I’ll video chat them from orbit, so it will all be cool.”

He let the corporal go with a nod. The man was stable, happy, and well-adjusted. He would use him as a baseline.

The call light came on again, and another figure stepped into the room, at first he assumed they were a man, though turning around he could see that wasn’t the case. She had very short hair, and a face that could have gone either way, not unpleasant just different.

She took a stiff seat in the chair opposite him.

“Sgt Maverick Morozov…. Russian?”

“My family was a long time ago.”

“Says here you are the ship’s Chaplain.”

“Yes, sir/”

“Do you have a lot of work on the ship?”

“Not really sir, most of the crew is Agnostic, though some come and visit me to talk, though now that you’re aboard the ship that will probably trickle off.”

“Does this bother you?”

“No, not really. I will help people if they need it, but I don’t actively try to solve other people’s personal problems.”

“I am assuming you have a good relationship with your religion?”

“Yes sir, it saved my life once.”

“Do you think this has helped you cope with being in deep space?”

“Deep space feels safe to me/”

“Why is that.”

She shrugged, “I don’t know, its one of those feelings like maybe nothing has touched that place other than you and the will of some kind of creator. Space isn’t malevolent to me, its empty and dark-- in a comforting way.”

“Do you often experience malevolent things when you aren’t in space?” She paused frowning, “This makes me sound insane doesn’t it, but yeah, and don’t ask me why I don’t know. It doesn’t bother me that much, I can handle it, I just don’t like to.”

Interesting, he would have to take a look into that later.

“And your reported anxiety levels have been high lately. Why is that?”

“On the behalf of a friend of mine.”

Interesting.

“Someone on his ship.”

“Yes sir, if he can’t come with us, I will probably quit.”

“That’s a lot of loyalty.”

“I’ve no doubt he would do the same for all of us, so….. Yeah.”

He let her go thinking about this friend of there who seemed so important to them. He had no doubt she was talking about the same person they all were. He had picked this group of people very intentionally.

The door opened again, and a very, very large figure ducked through the doorway. Adric had to sit back in his seat to contain the surprise. The Drev was HUGE, he had never seen one in person before, and this creature was just massive. Six limbs, and bright red carapace. It almost had to duck to avoid hitting its head on the ceiling.

It ignored the chair, which made sense, and happily kneeled on the floor before his desk still coming into eye level with him even as he sat on his chair.

“Kanan?”

“Yes Kanan Lumnus’s son though all my human friends call me Cannon.”

“Forgive me, I have never interviewed a Drev before.”

“I have never been psychologically evaluated either, so I suppose we share a commonality.”

“Your file is a little sparse, but it says here you were a veteran of the Drev war, and that you were injured during that time. Do you experience any psychological symptoms related to the event.

“Not to the war itself, Drev don’t respond to trauma like humans, mostly because we do not perceive it as trauma. The worst part came after the war when I was exiled.”

He blinked, “Exiled?”

“Yes, i received a grievous injury during the war and my mother banished me from the clan to sacrifice myself to the burning spirits.”

He simply blinked, “Your mother wanted you to……”

“Throw myself into the volcano.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No I betrayed our traditions and left Anin. I nearly died starving a month later, but the humans took kindness on me, and I was recovered.”

“Feel free not to answer this question, but it says here that your…. Mate died during the war.”

His golden eyes saddened a bit, “She did, but she died in glorious combat, so I am not sad for her death. I am sad because of how little time I got to spend with her. Nechal and I would have had a strong brood, but we never got the chance.”

“How does this affect your daily life?”

He shrugged, “It does not, but i think about her sometimes at night before I sleep. And I do my best to honor her memory, and the memory of my father who died during the war as well.”

The Drev had plenty to be psychologically unstable about, but otherwise he seemed fine. He wasn’t sure yet just what a stable Drev looked like though, so he would have to do some more digging, “Thank you, Cannon, you may go.”

He met with a few other humans before moving on to his next patient Both of the humans were fine aside from concerns abut this unnamed friend of theirs, which seemed to be a recurring theme.

The door opened again and looked over confused at first when he did not see anyone , however a sharp scuttling across the floor caused him to look over his desk where a small, almost spider like alien was skittering across the floor.

As he watched it inflated a flap of skin at the back of it’s head and floated up onto the chair turning to face him. Its large orange prismatic eyes watched him cooly.

“Dr. Krill.”

“Yes, and you are Dr. Jakande.”

He glanced down at his paper and blew out through his cheeks. He wasn’t sure how to go about this. The anxiety this creature was experiencing nearly broke their scale, and on a scale of neuroticism he almost broke that as well. If he saw this in a person he would be very concerned.

“You seem anxious, doctor.”

“I am always anxious, it is a proclivity of my species. If you want an accurate reading on your test, you should lower the levels to a halfway point”

He glanced down at his paper, “That is still pretty high.”

“I am the commanding physician on a ship where all you humans are bent on getting yourselves killed, and even when you aren't I have to worry about whether or not you will choke on a grape because your larynx are so poorly placed. I am constantly surrounded by creatures that don’t understand the meaning of caution.” he looked very seriously at Adric just then, “These are my humans and I do not want any of them to die if I can help it though they seem to defy me at every opportunity.”

“Your humans?”

“Yes , my humans, my responsibility therefore they are all MINE.”

Ok this little guy was a bit on the crazy side. If he saw this out of a human he would be concerned, but i the creature was already prone to neuroticism than he wasn’t entirely sure what to do.

“Not to mention a friend of mine may not be returning to the ship, and if he doesn’t I will be out of a job.”

He paused, there was mention f that friend again, “Why would you be out of a job?”

“Because he is the only reason I am on this ship in the first place. He holds my loyalty.

Very interesting.

He let the little doctor go taking mental notes to talk more with him later.

A woman stepped into the room next,her long dark hair falling about her shoulders, large glasses glittering in the overhead lights as she adjusted her coat.

“Dr. Katie Keddrick you are the second attending physician on the Harbinger.”

“Yes, I was brought in to ease some of the burden from Dr. Krill.”

“And how are you coping with that.”

“Oh I am doing very well. I love it aboard the ship. Its just one big family honestly, very nice and homey.”

“That ‘s good. Tell me is your reported anxiety to do with a friend of yours who may or may not be able to return to the ship?”

The doctor paused her eyes wide, “How did you know.”

“A common theme.”

“Well yeah actually. He has a tendency to take all the burden on his own shoulders, so he doesnt cause issue to anyone else. He likes to control things though I don’t think he knows that. It never bothers any of us, but it is getting to him, and we are all worried that they won’t let him through.”

“This friend means a lot to you.”

“He brought our little family together, so yes.”

“You see the crew as family.”

She smiled, “Well doctor, yes but you will find that out there in the galaxy humanity survives by creating families. Everything that makes us human is magnified under the lens of space, our power our weakness, our goods and our bads.”

He talked with her a little more, she was intelligent and insightful about the workings of the crew, information that he found valuable before letting her go.

He only had one more evaluation before the big one.

This Drev dd not have to duck through the door as she came in. She was very small though the color of her carapace was a pleasant electric blue. She was able to seat herself on the chair tilting her head to look at him.

He wasn’t sure what to make of her evaluation.

“Chalan.”

“Call me Sunny.”

“Chief weapons officer.”

“Yes.”

“I am going to be honest, I was not sure what to make of your evaluation. You come across as someone trying very hard to prove they aren't affected by something very important.”

She tiled her head. She had the same gold eyes as the other Drev, “My mother didn’t like how short I was, or that I was not as talented as my brother, she treated me poorly and my father died during the war, so forgive me if I still have some unresolved conflicts.”

Very blunt, interesting.

“”How do you cope with those.”

“I remind myself that I beat my mother in open combat, also I have friends now.”

Hmm yeah they were going to have to talk some more for sure. This was less of a healed kind of thing and more of a stick it to the man sort of attitude. She was still trying to prove something, probably more to herself than to others.

“And you are anxious about a friend of yours?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because if he does not board this ship again, I don’ think he will live to see next year, and if that happens, I doubt I will either.”

That was…. that was kind of concerning and intense.

“Who is this friend of yours.”

She shook her head, “No, I will not be telling you.”

Aggressive loyalty, very, very interesting.

He tried prodding a little more out of her, but she didn’t budge, and he eventually let it go allowing her to leave.

He had one more evaluation…. The big one.

***

It was late, this evaluation had been scheduled for the last possible second, and he was curious to see what would come through those doors. He heard the clatter of UNSC issued dress shoes long before he saw anything coming steadily up the hall. He left the light on, and waited at his desk for the person to pass through the doors.

It paused outside his door and then slowly opened inward.

The light fell on a man much, much younger than he had expected. In fact, he could have passed for early twenties, if the uniform he wore hadn’t suggested at least seven years of service, which would make him, at minimum, in his mid twenties. He wore the uniform well, almsot comfortably as he crossed the room.

The look on his face was pleasant like it was just about to break into a smile. His one visible green eye was curious flickering around the room with some interest.

He made his way to the desk and held out a hand, “Dr.”

He took it, the grip was strong, “Commander.”

He sat in the seat just opposite and Dr Adric stared at the eye patch that covered his other eye.

He nodded to it, “I thought you had a mechanical eye.

“I do.” He said softly lifting the eyepatch up, so he could see the workings of the cold metal ball and its black aperture.

“Why do you still wear an eye patch?”

“Because, the eye has better vision than my normal one, and it can be overwhelming. I generally only use it when I need binocular vision.”

“Why not just shut it off, why wear the eye patch.”

He paused thinking head tilted, “It was a gift from a friend after losing the eye in a moment where I wasn’t sure I would make it through the injury. It lightened things up for me reminded me that there is always a way through.” He smiled, “Plus I think it makes me look dashing.”

The two of them laughed together for a moment.

“Why did you call extended leave like this, commander.”

HE sighed leaning back in his seat, “I had to work on myself for the good of the crew. I mean I saw how surprised you were, probably based on how young I am, right? Well due to that I am a novice at leading. I haven't had the time to cultivate how things work when commanding a crew, and I have made some mistakes that have almost cost me my job in the past.”

He listened.

“People tell me I shoulder too much burden and take on too much guilt. I recently learned that I have a tough time relinquishing control on things.”

“Why is that/ Do you often feel out of control.”

“No, but I think that’s why. The last time I was out of control is when I was a child and didn’t know how to fix it, so I assume bad habits formed from there.”

“Your family was stable?”

“Yes very, but school was…. Less than easy for me. I joined the flight academy after my freshman year of high school, so I don’t think I really had the life experience that most other people do when it comes to interacting with people my own age. The point is moot now, but it did hold e back a little maturity wise, I think.”

“You left due to extreme anxiety and stress?”

“Yes, I wasn’t handling it well.”

“And how are you doing now. I don’t see any records here saying you went to see someone .”

The man sighed, and for the first time Dr Adric noticed the German Shepherd sitting at the man’s side resting her head in his lap. She was wearing a service vest.

“I didn’t. I have done therapy before but the first time it didn’t work and the second time I was left with more questions than answers.” He patted the dog’s head, “She helped me the most and I decided that it might be prudent for me to try other avenues. I realized while I was gone that I was neglecting time for myself, and so I have developed a schedule to combat this.”

“Oh.”

“My average working day should be around nine hours, I only need about six hours of sleep. IN that case that gives me eight hours of free time, one of those I will use for exercise in the morning, and another for flight time.”

“Flight time?”

“My greatest stress relief, there is no better way to feel in control in an out o control way than flying, so I have worked it into my schedule and into budget in some way or another so that I can do what this fleet and the UNSC needs.”

“So, you have given up some responsibility, found yourself some free time, discovered stress relieving alternatives. Have you changed the way that you command in general?”

“I have made some changes to the command structure including a panel of advisors, which was just a good idea anyway.”

“You talked about maturity in your earlier statement. Do you feel that has increased much in the past few months?”

The man smiled and sighed, “As it turns out doc, that is the one thing I couldn’t fix at least in part.”

“Oh?”

“I can handle conflict and issues like an adult, but I have decided that some of that isn’t a maturity thing, it is simply a product of personality. So if the UNSC has an issue with a commander that makes too many Star Wars’ references and listens to 2000 year old rock music on the bridge, then I guess maybe I am not the man for the job.”

They talked a bit more until eventually Dr Adric stood.

The commander followed, he looked openly nervous now, though that was to be expected, this was the moment of truth.

Dr. Adric held out a hand, and the commander took it tentatively though his grip was still strong.

“I look forward to working with you and your crew.”

The near smile broke on the man’s face into a pleasant grin that sent little crinkly lines up through his eyes.

“You are in for a good time, Dr. Make sure to read the rules before you come aboard”

Dr Adric stood confused for a moment before glancing down at his hand.

He had not noticed the Commander slip him the folded piece of paper. He glanced up towards the door as the man’s foot vanished around the corner.

He stood in stunned silence for a moment before looking down and tentatively opening the note.

Welcome Dr. Adric Jakande to the UNSC Harbinger,

On behalf of my crew, we look forward to having you, and I am pleased that you are here to help my men with whatever they may need. You will be an amazing asset to our team.

There are a few ground rules I would like to lay out first. Of course, you know the UNSC code of conduct which I will not repeat, but I have a few personal rules that will make our lives all the much easier.

Rule number 1: Don’t chuck Marshmallows at Neutron Stars.

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alistairs · 3 years

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tagged by @ciriofcintras thank you so much!! tagging, anyone who want to do it because I have one braincell and I don’t remember who I did or didn’t tag the last time I did this lmao Anyway sorry this isn’t a character from something y’all are gonna care about, but I’ve been playing this horrible man in our “Way of the Wicked” campaign for almost two years now so its time I talked about him on here.

Darius // Pathfinder

Name: Darius

Alias: Garosh (name given to him by his father, so he refuses to use it nowadays), Champion of Moloch

Gender: Male

Age: 28

species: Half-orc

Zodiac: Taurus

Abilities/talents: - Hitting things really hard with an axe - All the abilities of an Antipaladin - Holding speeches - Military strategy - Setting things on fire

- I don’t know if this is a skill, but he killed a Dragon in one hit once.

Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true

Religion: Used to be a paladin of/ worship Mitra the God of law, justice and the sun. Eventually fell to worshipping Moloch because he became disillusioned with fighting for the people of Talingarde, who despite all his good deeds, could only ever see him as a monster. And then an unhinged cleric told him Moloch was a really cool guy.

Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath

Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

Languages: common, orcish

Family: Some orcs seek out human mates in hopes of birthing intelligent leaders for their interminable war efforts. When nature and luck smile upon this endeavour and a half-orc child shows cunning, that child is raised with many harrowing opportunities to learn how to best lead on the battlefield. Darius father, a feared orc warlord, abducted many noble women of Talingarde with this as his goal. One of them, a member of a minor side Branch of Talingarde’s noble family, became Darius’ mother. For the few years Darius knew her she treated him kindly and lovingly and taught him to worship the lord of light. It was her who named him Darius in secret, after her family name. (Making him, funnily enough, Darius of house Darius.) However, Darius’ father decided interacting with his mother would make Darius weak and so it was, that the child had to witness her be murdered before his very eyes. Luckily for him, she left him a letter to her family as proof of his heritage, so he could one day re-join them. Until adulthood Darius was subjected to brutal training and grew to resent his father more and more. When he finally reached the point where he knew he had surpassed him in every way, Darius challenged his father to a duel to the death and won. To the surprise of the rest of his warband, the young man did not use this victory to claim dominion over them, but instead left, taking with him nothing but his father’s axe and the letter his mother had written for him all those years ago. Eventually, he found his Grandfather, a well respected man and paladin of Mitra, who reluctantly accepted to give him shelter and got him a position as a trainee paladin when he discovered Darius’ fighting prowess. His human family saw Darius as “the orcish stain on their family tree” and treated him accordingly.

Friends: Darius doesn’t really consider anyone a friend. The people he spends the most time around are the group he’s working with to overthrow Talingarde. Out of those, the ones he is closest with are: - Anduin Ynril: An Aasimar cleric of Moloch. He was arrested by Darius when he was still a Paladin of Mitra and became convinced that Darius is Moloch incarnate, causing him to eventually lead Darius down his path of corruption. - Aenror Falhnimvul: An Elven arcanist and member of the “overthrow Talingarde” squad Darius has a love hate relationship with, but will kill and die for. Although the two bicker incessantly, Darius believes once the Kingdom is overthrown only Aenror will be fit to run the new government.

Sexual orientation: heterosexual / bisexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other

Relationship status: single / dating / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated

Libido: very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent

Build: twig / bony / slender / average / athletic / curvy / chubby / obese

Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / ginger / other: pink

Eyes: brown / blue-gray / green / black

Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / very brown

Height: 7′2 ft

Weight: 290 lb

Scars: too many to count

Facial features: I’m bad at words so have a picrew:

Tattoos: Symbol of Moloch on his back.

dogs or cats

birds or nugs

snakes or spiders

coffee or tea

ice cream or cake

fruits or vegetables

sandwich or soup

magic or melee

sword or bow Axe

summer or winter

spring or autumn

the past or the future

#tag stuff #iva.txt #Oc: the other darius #yea I have two it's a good name okay #i should add him to my OC page huh #update: he hath now been added to the OC page

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idjitlili · 4 years

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Legolas x reader

I am so tired I stayed up till 5 am last night reading so sorry if this shit. It is shit, Idont know what happened

Imagine somehow being teleported into Tolkien’s ,the hobbit, and you end up meeting legolas and Thranduil. In which you insult thranduil, Thorin is sorta your daddy.

You have been travelling with the company since the trolls tried to eat everyone. You had quite literally came out of a floating , flame coloured line. Only to walk into the tree. A troll had picked you up and attempted to eat you as-well , but you really didn’t care, as you was focusing how your head hurt from the tree.

After explaining your situation to Gandalf , which he ended up believing that you weren’t from here, due to your clothing, and strange sayings. Plus the evidence that all the dwarves and a Hobbit had seen you magically appear.

Thorin didn’t like having a teenage girl , with barely any self defence skills , to come with on their adventure, mission, thing. Yet he felt like he had to protect you from harm, surprisingly since you saw how he treated Bilbo. Uh basically he’s your dad.

The first night with the company , they had all offered you blankets , food (lucky Bombur makes a lot.) , the princes had given you some of their extra tunics. Which they had a lot because dwarves likes to wear layers. Too bad they weren’t green.

Dori acted like a mother to you , he would make sure you ate , and even got Ori to make you knitted goods. The dwarves thought you you would freeze to death , as dwarves didn’t get as cold as humans. Something to do with their build or something, you recall Balin telling you.

You became quick friends with Bilbo, he was interested in where you were from, and what it was like there.

Kili and fili teased you for your weird obsession with potatoes, as you mostly ate them, and you even had gone far enough to make a potato ring. (I actually did)

Now you and the company are In Mirkwood forest , unaware to what is going to strike, soon.

Kili and fili ,stood either side of you in a protective manner. For hours the company had been walking through Mirkwood, Thorin denying any assumptions that they were lost.

You grunt , at the blisters that are forming on your feet , that are sweating in your trainers.

“My legs hurt.” You moan , quietly dragging out hurt.

Kili scoffs at you , “your legs are longer , imagine how mine feel.”

You look at Bilbo who is lagging behind,

“Well you can’t say anything , Bilbos legs are as long as my dick.”

“OI y/n, i dont have no legs.”

“I never said that , my dick is hugeeeeee.”

“You don’t have a dick .” Bofur responds loudly , with annoyed tone.

“How would you know if she had a dick. You haven’t seen it.” Kili responds sending you a wink.

“Yeah thank you , my dick is in my head.”

“How would it fit though?” Fili inquires , with a confused facial expression.

“I meant my personality you jensen Ackles , and John travolta blend!” You reply smirking to yourself .’Boom roasted’ not that he would get the joke.

Unknown the rest of the company Bilbo had climbed up a tree to look for a way out of mirkwood. The air felt limited in the poisoned forest , you felt chills go up your back, shivering slightly.

“Thorin...” you speak slowly, as you spot a eight legged spider, approach in the distance. It was bigger than a sheep, teeth like knives, beads for eyes.

Thorin grabs you and makes sure you are behind him, before you know it , all the dwarves plus you are surrounded. You unarmed, stay close with thorin , so you don’t die.

Suddenly the spiders are everything, no escape, the spiders are travelling down by webs and pulling up the dwarves , who don’t see it coming because they are too busy fighting the ones on the ground. When they are pulled up , they are wrapped into a webbed cocoon.

Thorin grabs a hold of you and pulls you into his jacket , then you are both slung up into the air, you become dizzy from being wrapped up in the webbing. Then you and thorin are in just stuck. For what it seems like forever.

Until , you feel yourself falling down slowly from the trees, the cocoon is ripped open by thorin. You get up looking around there are several, other cocoons with dwarves crawling out of them. You look around to see there are still spiders everywhere, you look to the floor and see thorins swords , picking up quickly you pass it to him. he nods with appreciation and passes you a dagger.

I guess you have no chance but try to help , otherwise the others will die because you were too scared to take a chance.

‘You miss 100% the shots you don’t take -Wayne Gretzky-Michael Scott -y/n l/n’

Before you can even look around for a target , you are rugby tackled to the ground, by a disgusting excuse of one of Morgan freeman’s creations.(I think he’s god uh)

You pull your arm out of its grasp, with your ,sorry thorins dagger in hand , before the poison from the spider can be injected. You stab it the face , its body goes stiff around you curling. You push it off gagging at its texture, you pull yourself off the floor only to be tackled again.

This time the dagger had been knocked out of your gasp , desperately you try to reach it buts in use, the creature pushes you down hard. You pull up your leg and kick as hard as you can, it lands on the left of you. You finally able to grab the dagger going to kill the spider, but someone beats you to it , FIring an arrow through its head.

You look up to see a blonde dude, why is he wearing leggings. Weirdo, your brother accidentally put your leggings on ,once and ripped the crotch how he didn’t notice

he doesn’t own leggings. I do not know.

Snapping you out of your thoughts , you are dragged up, dagger snatched out of your hand, and you are roughly pushed towards the group.

“Don’t you touch her again , or I’ll make sure your everlasting life does t last.” Thorin snaps at the ginger elf that had man handled you. What a bitch.

“Oh is this human your girlfriend?awwe.” The blond elf snickers at Thorin, kili and fili gag at the thought of their uncle being in a relationship.

“Uh princess , yeah you with the dance pants. Treat the king of erebor with a little respect. Assbutt.” You glare at the blond, who tended at your words. Haha loser.

“There is no king under the mountain not will there ever be.” He replies , scowling at you.

“Yes , there will be , princess.” He scoffs.

———————————————————

The blonde elf that you soon discover his name is legolas ,and he is the kings sOn.

Bilbo was missing , aand the company were led to the woodland realm. You could only hope that he would find a way for us to escape.

You and Thorin were spilt from the other dwarves, we were brought to the king. He stuck a deal with Thorin who declined. This king was as dickhead , and narcissistic. Legolas is stood next to you just in case you tried anything .

“Take him alway, ill take to his girlfriend now.” The woodland king states to his guard smoothly.

You scoff.

“ I am literally 18, you perv.”

You feel his ice eyes , stare at you , judging , your whole life, your clothing.

“You are not from here are you,child?” He must of noticed your keanu reeves shirt.

“No”

“tell me why you travel with these dwarves.”

“Why, I like them.”

He scoffs “they are scum, pigs , thieves.” He growls at you , circling you.

“Oi princess , this is your daddy?” You ask legolas who refuses to meet your eye.

“ all I can say is, at least thorin actually loves me and he’s not even my real dad.” Thranduils jaw clenched so hard that he probably could bite your head off.

“We are NOT talking about my son we are talking a bout you.”

“ okay listen here you self obsessed prick, I don’t give a shit about what you want, so cut the shit and get to the point.”

“ I want you to get my the gems of starlight,Thorin won’t expect it from you, I’ll let you all go.”

You feel bad for legolas his dad is soulless, makes him do everything while , he sits on his throne , acting like Gaston.

“No, I am not doing that to my friends, If you wasnt such an asshole and helped Thorin when Azog attacked them he probably would’ve given them to you. But you didn’t. So you suck”

Thranduils faces fled with red , he was angry he whipped his head to towards you.

“Get her to her cell now, legolas.”

“Just saying who risks their own sons life on a forest that clearly can’t be saved,”

“My sons well being doesn’t concern you. Human.”

“You clearly haven’t got love with son. You need to get yourself a girl mat-“

you are interrupted by a slap in the face.

“Well that was a girly move, who slaps , go punch me instead.”

Legolas pulls you out of the rooms quickly, not allowing things to worsen, walking you towards the cells.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why?”

He stops and looks at you,” because he will probably execute your friends.”

“Doubt it , he wants them gems , then he needs someone to kill the dragon.” You speak carefully walking down the stairs.

He hummed in response.

After you walked into your cell,you turned and smiled at him. You knew he wasn’t as mean as he portrayed himself as.

“Uh sorry for making fun of your trousers ,” you whispered so thorin didn’t hear , he would skin him.

He smiled lightly “sorry my Ada slapped you.”

“It was a bitch move not going to lie. “ you reach up to my face that still stung, You grin.

“I have no doubt you are going to escape.” He whispers.

“Yes sir. Stay safe princess,savvy?”

———————————————————

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh” you let out , as the water in the river splashed you hard in the face.

“Why is this so fun, yet we are still being hunted.” You throw up arms like you are on a ride in a theme park, until an arrow flies at yodu and almost hits you.

You turn to see legolas , you wave to him. He just keeps running after you and the dwarves , saying our butts , see he was a good dude.

Because of you distracting legolas , he couldn’t see an orc going to hit Tauriel. She got punched square in the nose , falling into legolas , whodidn’t see it coming and fell in the water.

For elves being graceful, that wasn’t ,but fortunately he landing in the water right near you. You reach in the water and some how pull him up so he’s holding onto the barrel. You lean back so it doesn’t tip his way. Still does. He’s stuck in the water with you. You offer him a smile.

“How was your fall?” You ask him.

“Into the water ? Amazing.” He replies grunting.

‘No falling from heaven”

“Oh.” He blushes

#legolas #legolas x reader #the hobbit imagine #lotr x reader #lotr imagine #the hobbit x reader #legolas imagine

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saelwen · 5 years

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Thranduil x reader (Request)

Thranduil x Reader

Request: @llama2264

Summary: The Valar send the reader, which she is Thranduil wife, back to Middle-Earth. What will be Thranduil reactions?

Warnings: Fluff

Words: 1,380

Looking around, I notice that in front of me was a gloomy forest. Strange...Why did the Valar have send me to this awful place? After being caught and kill by the orcs of Gundabad, my fae went to the Hall of Mandos, healing from the trauma I went through. Leaving my husband and little son behind. You see...i was the Queen of Greenwood, wife of the elvenking Thranduil and mother of my little green leaf Legolas.

After being in the Hall of Mandos for years, The Valar have call me before them. They told me that Eru himself had sent them a message for me to return to Middle-Earth, to help my husband with darkness that was been spreading around in his land.

As I stay there looking at the sick trees, the sound of hooves took my attention. Turning around I saw a group of dwarfs with a little hobbit with them. Ok...Why a group of dwarfs has a hobbit with them? From what I know, hobbits always stay in they little homes, never seeking adventure. As they were coming closer, I notice a tall figure with them. Looking closer, a gasp fall from my lips. It’s Mithrandir! Walking towards them “Well, well, well.... Why a wizard, a hobbit and a group of dwarfs wondering around?” I say with a smile. Mithrandir shot his head up as he hears my voice, looking at me with a shocked face. A dwarf with long black hair and frown on his face, Thorin Oakenshield, took a step forward of the group “Who are you? Elf!” I look to the rest of the group seeing all of them gripping they weapons, ready to attack. Smiling to all of them “A friend...May I ask you to where are you going?” they look to each other “I am no friend of an elf! Go back before I..” Thorin couldn’t finish as Mithrandir cut him off “My lady! We were about to pass through Greenwood lands. You may accompany us, if you wish My Lady?” I nod “if it's not a bother?” Mithrandir smile and turn to the group “Good! You will follow this lady, as she knows those lands like the palm of her hand.” then he looks to the forest with a worry face “As I will find some answer about this problem...Farewell.” the company start argue to each other about going in with Gandalf. He took a step towards me, lean down to my ear “I hope you can hit some sense on your husband head, My Queen!” he whispers with a smile. I chuckle a bit, thinking how Thranduil have been doing a while I was death “Let’s hope I will.” with that he jumps to his horse and leaves.

I look to the group with a smile “Well gentleman! Would you please follow me?” they grumbled and start following me into the dense forest.

Hours have passed and we were still in the forest, walking in circles. Oh Eru...What have happened to my lovely land? The dwarfs begin feeling ill and tired, Thorin grabs my arm and turn roughly “You said that you know this land like the back of your hand, why do we are still here?” I look around “I did! But the forest has change...Darkness corrupted her.” someone ask where was Bilbo. Suddenly huge spiders jump of know where, attacking us. Not having any weapon, I stay behind Thorin as he kills every spider that went to him. Why those monsters were in my forest?! Why Thranduil prevented this? It’s his job to protect our people and the forest!

A scream sounded from me as a spider throw herself to me, making me fall down. Closing my eyes, waiting for the bite but never came. The creature cry in pain and fall down, I open my eyes and saw an arrow buried on the spider head. All the sudden, elves start appearing from everywhere, killing all the spiders. I stand up, surrounded by elves, the blond one order the others to search for any weapons then he looks to me and a frown appears on his face. We stay looking at each other a while, I recognize him but I can’t put the finger on it. His long blond hair and a sharp feature, a guard walk to him, showing him a sword “My Prince! We have found this with the dwarf.” My Prince??! Legolas...i feel tears rising up in my eyes. God! How I want to give him hug! Kiss all his face. My little green leaf it’s all grown up and I wasn’t here to see it...

They chain us and lead to the Palace. I feel Legolas eyes watching me like a hawk. He looks so much like his Ada...

We arrive and Legolas told the guards to take the group to the dungeons, except me and Thorin. He led us to the Throne room, fear begin spreading down my body. What will be Thranduil reaction? Will he be happy? Or will he think that I'm a mad woman who looks like his dead wife? As we enter the room, I see Thranduil sitting on his Throne, with a bored face. Stopping before him, he looks down to Thorin, anger spreading on his emotionless face. Then he looks to me, I saw his body freeze and his eyes wide. Thranduil shot up from his seat, descending slowly the stairs “Why a group of dwarfs were doing on my forest? And with an elf?” he said the last word with a hit of confusion. When did Thranduil become so cold? He was so warm and kind. Always wanting help everyone, like a good King.

Before Thorin could say something stupid, I took a step forward, seeing the guards grabbing they weapons “You’ve forgotten about me already, Meleth nin?” everyone in the room froze, Legolas looks to his ada with a confused face. Thranduil face turn almost red from anger “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO SPEAK TO YOUR KING LIKE THIS?” he yelled to me, making the ground almost shaking, “The last time I check I was your wife.” he took a step back “What kind of witchcraft is this? You may look like her...but it’s impossible! She’s dead...I saw her dying...” I took a small ring that he gave me long time ago and show him “I remember when you gave me this ring.... It’s was on a lovely sunny day, you ask me to came with you to a small lake on the forest, that had a beautiful cherry tree beside it. We spend all day swimming and tell jokes about our parents, as the sun was going down you gave me a red velvet box with this ring inside, saying that you would love me forever and ever and you asked me if we could start courting. It was one of the best days in my life...” as I finish, I look to Thranduil and saw him crying. He pulls me into his arms “H..How is this possible?” I smile “The Valar gave me a second chance...” we stay like this for a second. Not noticing the shocked face of Thorin, Thranduil leans down and kiss me softly, putting all his love there. We break a part “...I miss you so much...” he whispers to me, “Naneth?...” a weak voice sounded behind me, turning around I saw Legolas looking to me with tears in his eyes. I open my arms to him “Come here, my little green leaf!” he runs to me and hug me tightly, crying on my shoulder. Thranduil hug me from behind and kiss Legolas forehead “We are a family again...” I smile and look to him with lovely eyes “Oh! And one more thing!” I said with happy voice “What Meleth nin?” I look to Thorin “Help the poor dwarfs with they quest.” Thranduil grumbled and sighs “Yesss.....” I smile and gave him kiss, saying a small thank you.

Finally, I'm with my family again! Thank you Valar for giving me a second chance.

Hey Guys!! Here a new request. Hope you like it as much I did!! Request are open so feel free to send me asks. Feel free to comment and tell what you think!

XOXO

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surveys-at-your-service · 4 years

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Survey #262

WoW will probably start to take over my life again tomorrow oof so expect surveys to slow down some.

What do you wish people wouldn't call you? The only one I don't really like is Girt calling me "kid." He doesn't mean it in a derogatory way or anything like that; he's just always called me that since I was a high school freshman and he was a senior. Now as an adult that's been through things I don't believe anyone deserves, it's kinda weird but more so frustrating as, regardless of his intentions, I somewhat feel belittled. I've never said anything directly about my discomfort, though, so it's my own fault. I just don't want to make him feel bad for doing it for years lmao. What do people say about your name upon learning it for the first time? They don't say anything; my name is very ordinary. Why did you choose the hair length you have? I have a few reasons. The biggest is because I was just bored of average, long hair, and the fact I was at the time having a very hard time with self-care. My hair would get incredibly knotted to where it was hard to even brush it sometimes. Makes me shiver thinking back on it. For my own sanity and ease, it needed to be gone. Also, with how STUPID hot I get, cutting it all off helped with the weight of my hair (it's v thick) but more importantly how hot it made me it the warm months. Zero regrets chopping it all off, omg. If your hair could be ANY color, what would you pick? At this very moment, I really want silver hair. Do you wish your hair was longer or shorter than it is now? It needs a trim. Do you think you're attractive? (It's okay to say yes =P) No; I think I wouldn't look ALL to bad if I lost some more weight (I've literally been on a weight loss plateau for two fuckin years). When I was perfectly healthy, I didn't think I was very pretty even back then, but now that I look back, I feel I was decently pretty. Not gorgeous, but. What is your favorite band? Ozzy Osbourne. :') What is your favorite movie? The Lion King. The second one is like directly behind it. Finding Nemo is also very precious to me. What is your favorite book or magazine? The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. What is your favorite song? Ugh, this is impossible. I love way way too many. I suppose maybe... "Death Inc." by Motionless In White? Idk. What is your favorite color to wear? Black, duh. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? South Africa because I want to spend time with and take pictures at the Kalahari Meerkat Project and especially pet a Whiskers meerkat. I WILL cry. Meerkats literally changed my life. So many people I wouldn't know... If you got the chance and wouldn't get caught, would you cheat on a lover? NOOOOO the guilt though. Someone drops a fifty dollar bill and doesn't notice. Will you tell them? Definitely. I'd feel awful otherwise. Would you ever pierce something on your face? I already have my lip and tongue pierced, and I did have my nostril pierced, too. I want more, particularly an undereye microdermal if I can switch to contacts... which I don't like. I think it'd look pretty dumb with glasses. Are you selfish? EVERYONE should be to a degree depending on the occasion. Doing what is best for you is not a bad thing. Are you mean to people who are different from you? Wow no. I find people "different" from me interesting. Do you make fun of obese people? By the BMI definition, I am one of those people. So take a guess? Do you eat when you're upset? I have to fight that extremely hard, because I usually do experience the impulse to comfort eat when I'm very depressed. I've gotten way better at it, though. What if you had to choose between feeding yourself or feeding your pets? I honestly don't know for sure what I'd do... but I think I would prioritize my pets, honestly. It would break me to watch them suffer and lose weight. What if you saw someone being beaten on the street? YOOOO I READ THIS AS "EATEN" FIRST. But anyway I'd call the cops ASAP. There's a possibility I'd intervene if I felt myself capable of taking on the assailant. What if it was you being beaten? According to the night terrors I've had beyond count, curse like a motherfucker and fight back while calling for help. Who's the most important person to you (related)? Mom. Who's the most important person to you (non-related)? Sara. What's more important to you, happiness or success? Happiness. What's more important to you, your happiness or someone else's? Depends on the person. List the ten most important things to you: Oh, yikes. No order: 1.) My peace of mind, health, and happiness; 2.) my family; 3.) my pets; 4.) my career future; 5.) my friends; 6.) a YouTuber I've never met lmao; 7.) my pebble from my partial hospitalization program; 8.) Teddy's ashes; 9.) the Mark mug Sara gave me sobs; 10.) and the RP site I'm on. Like if it disappeared tomorrow with all the profiles and history and stuff I would break the earth in half oof. Have you ever lived in a mobile home? No. Have you ever had your bedroom in a basement? No. How many times in the past week have you eaten fast food? Hm. I don't think once. In the house - shoes, socks, slippers or bare feet? Bare feet.\ Do you consider dogs inside or outside pets? Usually indoor, depending on the breed and the time of year. What’s your favourite piece of furniture in your house? ig my bed? Have you ever had a crush on a friend’s parent? Yikes no. Do you prefer carbonated or uncarbonated drinks? Sucker for carbonated over here. Favorite thing that you can see up in the sky? A full moon. Would you rather eat at the table or in your room? I'm so used to eating in my room. Do you like the sound of birds singing when you wake up, or is it annoying? I love it. If someone gave you a kitten, would you keep it? I'd love to, but it'd really be my mom's choice. What’s your ideal activity for a rainy day? Nap oh lawd. Favorite type of cracker? Cheez-Its. Banana sandwich... yum or yuck? Only yum with peanut butter. Animal you like to watch but sort of creeps you out: Spiders. Bagels or English Muffins? Bagels. Do you like to daydream about sex? I do it sometimes. Which of your parents do you laugh more with? My dad is really funny. Have you ever been to an open casket wake or funeral? Wake, yes. Who mows the lawn at your house? A family friend. Have you ever written a story from beginning to end? When I was little and was writing that meerkat story, yes. I started on the sequel but didn't get far. What’s a big turn on for you? Being genuinely interested in what makes me me. Actually wanting to know the littlest things about me. Just show sincere interest. Are you doing anything tomorrow? I do know I'm fuckin finally getting my laptop home. Does your car have a name? N/A Do you own clothes from any celebrity clothing lines? No, but a bitch is getting a Cloak shirt or hoodie at some point. Who was the last person you ranted about? My bitch of a cousin for being a disrespectful fuck when all my dying grandmother wants is to talk as a group with the whole family. I ranted to Mom though, not in the group chat because I'm actually mature enough to not talk shit when, again, all our grandma wants is peace and love between us at the end of her life. I was SEETHING. Know any magic tricks? I don't remember any. I LOOOOOVED those magic kits as a kid, though. Is there music in your head right now? Right now "Dirty Pretty" by In This Moment is on, so does that count as "in my head?" Would you like to become a dancer? It'd be very cool, most certainly, and due to taking dance classes so long, I tend to think of potential dances in my head when I hear like... any song, lol. I'd love to be one if I had the grace and endurance + no hyperhydrosis. Name one person of the same sex as you you wouldn't mind doing: Hunny I'm bisexual, there's a lot, lmao. Dream woman? Uhhhh. Maybe my friend Alon. She was like one of my first hints I wasn't straight, lmao. But idk, I find soooo many women to be attractive. What is the most gory film you've seen? One of the Saw movies. What a surprise, ik. Ever fallen down a hole? ZOINKS no. Do you work better in a clean or messy environment? Clean, durr. Do you know any vegans? Only online. Do you like bananas? I am VERY picky with bananas. They have to be perfect. My preferred ripeness lasts only like, two days. .-. What's a film you've seen that confused you? Oh boy, idk. I don't watch many films... especially if I'm confused and the plot isn't great, I'll stop watching. WAIT!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!! I went to see Warcraft when it came out and I was so fuckin lost just because the orcs' voices are so goddamn deep that I just sat there like "uhhhh sir come again????" I didn't play Classic, and I'm not great at remembering every aspect of the plot, so. I'm to this day p confused lmao. Do you ever wear black lipstick? I really only ever wear black. What is next to your bed? I have a white shelf to my left where I put my meds, a drink, the fan... that kind of stuff. My cat's food bowl is to the right of it on the floor. Are your fingernails dirty? Nope. Have you ever fell for someone believing you could "fix" them? Not for that reason, no. Describe a picture of yourself that you hate: LASKJDLKFJAOWJE my friend took a picture of me eating a hot dog once and joked she was putting that shit on Facebook and it was funny as shit but thank Christ she was in fact joking. Would you rather play a good or an evil character in a play? While I'd love to be the evil one, I'd probably make it too cheesy because I am a BAD actress. Has anybody ever lied to you just to impress you? Story of one of my "best" friendships. What's your favourite shade of blue? Baby blue, probs. Can you remember a world before iPods? I do indeed. On rides to school when I sat in the back, I would bring one of those portable CD players with me to play discs. Where did you go on your last date? I can't remember the place's name... Lume's? Something like that? Breakfast place in Illinois. Do people find you "cute"? It happens sometimes. Who does the best remixes? Oh idk, I don't pay much attention to this. Where do you get your news? Facebook, lmao. What social stigma does society need to get over? What DOESN'T it need to get over???? What was the last photo you took? Probably something funny on Facebook to send to Sara lmao. I will get memes to her some way. What mythical creature do you wish actually existed? As badly as I want to say dragons, I don't think it'd be a great idea, heh... Maybe dryads. What are you interested in that most people aren't? As of recently, TARANTULAS. I've fallen in LOVE with them. What's the most ridiculous thing you have bought? No clue. What sounds hit you with major nostalgia every time you hear them? The gem collecting sound from Spyro. It was my text ringtone on my last phone! I need to move it over to my current one. What was the biggest realization you have had about yourself? I was possibly the bigger villain than Jason in the breakup. But idk. What topic could you spend forever talking about? Gay rights. Which way should toilet paper hang, over or under? In the original patent, it was designed as going over. GMM knowledge. Therefore I find over as correct, BUT I ultimately don't care like... at all. I don't even really notice when I go in the bathroom. Are you usually early or late? Usually slightly early. What do you wish you knew more about? Politics so I could be a more helpful member of society alksdjfka;lw What is the most annoying question you've been asked? It's not really like, annoying I guess, but the closest would be just how frequently people see my lip ring and ask if it hurt. It's incredibly sensitive skin, and even if it wasn't, a needle went all the way through it. Like... guess. News flash: being stabbed hurts, lmao. Like I always explain that it's not awful, but duh, there is pain. What is your favorite milkshake flavor? Yummm chocolate. What was the worst phase in your life? 2020 thinks it's a bad guy, but lemme tell ya, shit's got nothing on 2016. Do you like sprinkles on your ice cream? I hate sprinkles on anything. Just an annoying texture with negligible flavor. The last time you went out to eat - what did you order? It was just a milkshake. Do you have all 32 teeth? I'm missing two wisdom teeth that just never grew in. Do you know how to do the moon walk? Never tried. What is one of your favorite comedy movies? White Chicks. Has anybody ever told you that you have a good singing voice? Yeah. I don't think I do. Onion rings or french fries? Fries. Not an onion ring fan. Who is the best cook that you know? Sara's mom is great, omgggg. She's cooked things I generally don't like yet I wound up enjoying. Can you name 3 different dinosaurs? Let's see: Spinosaurus, stegosaurus, velociraptor. I was a dino kid, man, just gettin' started. *finger guns* What's the largest amount that you can juggle at one time? I can’t juggle. What was your favorite thing to go on at the playground as a kid? I'd daaaash for the swingset. Do you know how much you weighed at birth? How much? Ummm I think 6-something pounds? 7? Where do you spend most of your time at? At home. In my bed. Exciting stuff, y'know. What noise does your favorite animal make? If my memory serves me right, they have over 40 vocalizations, but I'd say barking and chirping are the most ordinary/basic. Have you ever fallen in the toilet when you were little? lol I don't think so. What is the best kind of mac & cheese? I'm a basic-ass Velveeta bitch lmao. Who is your favorite oldies band? Boy oh BOY, you're asking a classic rock/metal addict. Of course it's Ozzy tho. But I love soooo many!! What is your favorite farm animal? Pigs! Do you like to play Monopoly? I'm not a big fan, no. What is the most fun restaurant you have ever been to? I like the vibe of Buffalo Wild Wings. Or I just have good memories there. What size bra do you wear? I'm actually not sure. I haven't bought new ones in a while and I don't think the ones I currently have are the right size anyway. Do you have a ceiling fan in your room? No. Who was your favorite Sesame Street character? I don't remember too well, but I think Cookie Monster? What about Muppet? Idr. What was going through your mind during the presidential campaign? I am sadly paying no attention. What do you think of the Duggar family ( 17+ kids )? Could you handle taking care of that many children? Ew, hell no. I don't believe the number of children warranted in a family should be legally monitored, it's much more difficult than that, BUT RATHER I'm very firm about knowing when it's more than enough. Population control is a thing. NOBODY needs that many kids imo, not even close to that. So far, what is the number one, best decision you have ever made? How has it affected your life? Letting go of Jason/accepting life without him. It has made my life much, much brighter and healthier. Have you reunited with any old friends recently? Was it awkward, or just like old times? No. When was the last time you talked to your first ex? February of 2017. Wow... been a long time. How different is your online personality from your offline personality? I am MUCH more outgoing and talkative online. What are your favorite holiday-themed movies? Jim Carrey's How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, etc... Do you listen to Christmas/winter-themed music when the season comes around? No. Is there anything that you do that’s potentially controversial? Yes. What is your most recent obsession? Most recent, whew, tarantulas. I'm really gonna try talking Mom into letting me get one when/if we move. Do you say “merry Christmas” or “happy holidays”? To you, does it really matter which one is said/you say? Do you do your best to remain politically correct? Instinctually, I say "merry Christmas;" that's what has always been said around me. I personally see zero problem in calling it whatever... Like just appreciate someone wishing you well. You get the concept, and that's all you really need imo. As for political correctness, I'm kinda... down the middle? Like I feel it's been taken way, way too far, but I see some caution in wording as wise. If you could relive one week of your life, which would it be, and why? Would you do anything differently, or keep it all the same? Ugh, my first visit at Sara's. I just loved it so, so much. I think I wouldn't change a thing. It felt perfect. Is there a part of your life you wish you could remember, but can’t? Sometimes when I take these surveys and they ask "how old were you when...", ha ha. Frustrates me. What was the last thing/event to trigger a painful memory? It was last night, actually. The Final Fantasy VII remake is out, and I started watching a YouTuber I like play it. Jason got me to play the original, playing it a lot when we spent time together, but I only got a bit beyond half-way through before my PS3 broke. Cherished memories, so it was decently triggering indeed. I loved the game though and ABSOLUTELY want to see it played out in its entirety, so I shoved past the pain and am glad I did. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next video aljkdsjfawe Y'ALL I wanna play more FF. What do you think of people that choose not to vote? I can't say anything, seeing as I never have voted before... Are you keeping anything from the people you love? Nothing important, no. Have you ever written a suicide note, whether joking or not? Yes, and that stupid novel is one of my biggest regrets. Who the FUCK would joke about that, though. When was the last time you let something ‘go to your head’? Not even like an hour ago. This happens allllll the time. When are you most likely to show off? Maaan Guitar Hero used to be good for that shit, ha ha. I was an expert at that back in its day. I haven't played it in forever, and on the rare occasion I do, I am suuuper rusty. Which would you prefer: spectacular view of the ocean, or of the mountains? MOUNTAINS!!!!!! Do you follow any dating rules/play any dating games? No. When was the last time you felt extremely confident about something? ME????????? CONFIDENT???????????? WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!!!!!! When was the last time you blew the seeds off of a dandelion? Wow, not a clue. Probably not since we lived at my old house and I would go on walks down the path. What was the last thing that happened that you couldn’t explain? Oh I dunno. What do you do with all of your spare change? I just keep it in my wallet. Where did you hear about your all-time favorite band? He was and still is one of my mom's favorites! How many cans of soda do you drink in a day? AHHHHHH soda is my biggest nutritional weakness. I refuse to let myself drink more than one a day now though. It's funny and disgusting, when I was HEALTHY AND SKINNY I could on a rare occasion start a fourth can in a single day. Nowadays the thought almost makes me shiver. What is the oldest thing that you own? and the newest? The oldest thing, ummm. Not sure. Probably a stuffed animal in the attic. I just got two new books today! Is there anything you wish you had never found out about? Yep. A number of things. What is something that you refuse to believe in? Astrology. What is something you wish more people believed in? Gay rights. What food is your ultimate comfort food? Ice cream. Have you ever put anything inside a time capsule? What? OMGGGG I remember doing this in elementary school as a class! I don't recall what was in it, though. Is there too much violence on tv, or are people to sensitive? Too sensitive, but also negligent. It's got a lot to do with raising, imo. Don't show kids wild shit at too young of an age, and when they are shown this kind of stuff, you make it obvious that the behavior/content is unacceptable irl. Entertainment is not responsible for someone's shitty actions made with their own volition. What is something you used to fear, but no longer do? My first huge fear was thunderstorms. Now I enjoy them lol. Do you think it’s important to know a 2nd language? Not mandatory, no. Especially depends on if you're going anywhere. Do you know anyone that’s just naturally good at almost everything? My old friend Hannia IMMEDIATELY came to mind. She was the best in class GPA-wise, first chair for flute in band, and just in general STUPID talented. Do you know anyone that’s just bad at everything? BITCH ME What is one emoticon you use often? A sarcastic :^) or <3 What is one emoticon you almost never use? A lot, particularly ones with equal signs for eyes.

#survey #quiz #questions

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theadelaide-parade · 5 years

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so i saw @kelenia‘s wonderful cr taz au art and i blinked and i had written more than 4000 words of the mighty nein in the balance campaign, so...here’s that, i guess

read it on ao3

It starts in a tavern - or, no, really it starts when Caleb responds to an ad calling for adventurers, because it’s that decision that results in him sitting in this tavern with these people, and he’s already beginning to regret it.

The tiefling woman, who calls herself Jester, has more boundless enthusiasm than Caleb thought possible for a single person. On the other hand, Yasha is even quieter than Caleb himself. There is no reason the three of them should make anything resembling a good team, and yet -

No one expected the members of the Institute of Planar Research and Exploration to make friends with each other. It wasn’t necessary for the job, for one thing, but for another it just didn’t seem possible. Mollymauk was too loud, and Yasha was too quiet; Beau too stand-off-ish and Jester too friendly; Caleb and Nott too insular and Captain Fjord too ingratiating. You would be hard-pressed to find a more dissimilar group to send out on a long-term space mission together, but, well…

Watching your entire world be destroyed by black tentacles suddenly bursting from the sky had a way of bringing people together.

Jester wasn’t so sure about these companions of hers at first, but it turns out they work really well together! Okay, so they got a town kind of sort of blown up. It wasn’t for lack of trying, though! Even though Caleb sort of froze up mysteriously when they first saw the magic fire glove thingy, and even though Yasha barely spoke a word to anyone, and even though Jester kept getting distracted by the weird magic orb she found, she thought they did okay!

Anyway, that person - Bryce? - who they saved from the weird spider dude sure thought so. They were really quick to recommend them for a job, anyway. And the Director didn’t really hesitate, either. All that stuff about these super dangerous magic items seems pretty crazy to Jester, but hey, now she has a job! With pretty cool people, too. Bryce is really nice, and Mollymauk doesn’t say much but he knew super awesome card tricks. The Director is nice, too, but...when she thinks no one is looking, Jester thinks she seems kind of sad.

Caleb was the first of their number to die, in cycle 6. It wasn’t exactly a surprise - Caleb had always been a little too breakable for his own good - but that didn’t make it any easier. Jester’s journal pages were often tear-stained that year, Beau grew increasingly snappish, and Nott withdrew almost completely. As the restart drew closer, it felt like the whole ship was holding its breath.

Almost before Caleb had finished appearing on the deck, Nott’s hand was pulling out of his as she tackled him in a desperate embrace, Jester not far behind. Fjord, from his place at the wheel, just heaved a sigh of relief. Thank the gods - on top of everything else they had to deal with, at least they could count on death to not be too permanent.

Yasha still isn’t sure what to make of her team, but she’s growing fond of them despite herself - despite what happened the last time she let herself get fond of someone. Nonetheless, she often finds herself despairing of their capabilities as they try to solve the murder mystery on this train.

She cannot understate how strange these new friends of hers are. Jester has taken to calling herself “Not the Best Detective Agency,” which not only doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence, but also doesn’t seem necessary since Jester is just one person, not exactly an agency. Yasha can usually count on Caleb to commiserate with her about Jester’s weirder moments - she’s still not totally convinced this “Traveler” is a real god, much less that proper worship requires painting dicks on every imaginable surface - but he’s been distracted by, of all things, a little halfling boy traveling alone. Certainly, Luc had given them some assistance, but Caleb couldn’t seem to deny the boy anything, and seemed as confused as anyone by this turn of events.

Still, they manage - with, okay, a LOT of help from Luc - to figure out the mystery, and return another Relic to the Director. And if Yasha feels a twinge of sorrow as Mollymauk wordlessly brings them their payment, beaming, for reasons she can’t begin to guess...well, she never claimed to be any less strange than her friends.

When Fjord appeared at Beau’s door one night, dripping with seawater - despite the fact that the current cycle was on a planet with no oceans to speak of - even the unflappable first mate was distinctly perturbed. When he described the strange dream he had - of looming eyes, booming voices, promises and threats - she channeled her disquiet into waking the rest of the crew for an immediate debrief.

Through some experimentation, they quickly discovered that both Fjord and Uk’otoa - as the entity apparently introduced itself - could initiate these conferences. They also discovered, to their horror, that Uk’otoa’s threats in Fjord’s dreams weren’t empty. Even though he came back in the new cycle, Jester was never quite the same after she found Fjord’s body in his bed, drowned overnight in his sleep.

Luc’s appearance as a new member of the Bureau of Balance doesn’t particularly surprise Caleb, but he gives a stern look at the Director when she makes the announcement, regardless. A boy that young has no business being employed by a shady organization, no matter how noble its purpose. After all, look what happened with...well. No need to bring up the past.

The Director, for her part, rolls her eyes in response. Caleb is not surprised by her informality. He thinks perhaps he should be, the Director is overall a very solemn woman, but something about her always seems to brighten when the Mighty Nein are around. (Look, he knows there are only three of them, it was never meant to be a serious suggestion.) Not just Jester, whose presence lights up any room she’s in, but Yasha too, and even Caleb.

Something about her gets heavier around them, too, like there is a weight on her shoulders. He knows better than to bring up either of those things to her, though.

He also knows better than to complain in front of Jester, who will tease him for weeks, even when their new mission gets them wrapped up in, of all things, a battle wagon race.

There was a year, amidst all of the frantic searching for the Light, the desperate flights from the Hunger, where things were...good, almost. The planet they ended up on was mostly beaches, and they found the Light barely a week into the year. Suddenly, they found themselves with time to just...relax.

Nott mostly stayed on the ship doing alchemical experiments - for fun, though, not for any mission-related purpose - and Caleb alternated between keeping her company and lounging on the beach, working his way through a backlog of unread novels. Beau spent much of her time meditating, taking advantage of the sounds of the sea to hone her craft, but took frequent breaks to assist Jester with various pranks. Molly and Yasha sought out what few flowers they could discover and wove them into extravagant crowns and necklaces. Fjord stuck to his duties at first, unwilling to shed his persona as the responsible Captain, but eventually let loose and invented a new ocean sport. That year, the eruption of dark tentacles from the sky was even more disheartening than usual.

No matter what Caleb says, Jester thinks that the mission in Goldcliff went pretty well. They got the Gaia Sash and didn’t destroy even a little bit of the town in the process! Okay, yeah, there was that weird thing at the end with the lady in the red robe who started yelling at them about being afraid and hungry and then blew up or something, but Jester definitely isn’t worried.

That isn’t the right reaction, apparently, because when they tell the Director about the Red Robe she freaks the fuck out and says that if they see the lady again they have to run right away. She’s also super bummed about the Captain, who it turns out was a friend of hers, and who she really didn’t expect to fall under the Gaia Sash’s thrall. But it works out okay for the Mighty Nein, because they get to be the only Reclaimers now, since everybody else keeps getting thralled. Just another reason why the Mighty Nein are the coolest!

Jester also isn’t worried about how her magic orb kind of seems to have a mind of its own. No, definitely, definitely not worried.

On cycle 100, they landed on a plane that was a lot like their home. Or, at least, like the plane they started in; they’d all spent more time on the Balleater than they ever did in the place they were born, and the ship and its crew had started to feel more like home than anywhere else.

Anyway, this world was a lot like theirs. It had elves and dwarves and humans and orcs, and magic a lot like theirs, and weather a lot like theirs. And they had a plan, they’d been working on it for a while, and they found the Light fairly quickly. So, they decided that this was as good a place as any to try to put down roots.

Of all their missions so far, this one might be Yasha’s least favorite. She doesn’t like the suits they have to wear to avoid the transmutation magic, and she doesn’t like the creepy singing crystals they keep running into, and she doesn’t like the pacifying tones of the servant of death who wants to arrest them for necromancy crimes. (He somehow manages to sound agreeable while listing their impossibly high death counts - if Yasha had died eight times, she’s pretty sure she would remember - and that is a mismatch of intention and demeanor that Yasha doesn’t trust one bit.)

Yasha also doesn’t like how easy it is to win this time. Yeza’s only punishment for messing with the laws of life and death (what was he thinking, the man is an alchemist) is having to send back the souls he summoned? All it takes to wipe clean the Mighty Nein’s slate is a game of chance? Death isn’t that easily pacified, Yasha knows very well. It isn’t fair that things should be so easy this time, when they never were before.

Still. If Caduceus can take her message to Zuala, wherever she is...maybe it wasn’t so bad, in the end.

They broke the Light into seven pieces. They hoped that in smaller chunks, whatever drew Uk’otoa to the Light - its craveability, as Jester dubbed it - might be diluted enough that Uk’otoa wouldn’t be able to find them. Each of them made a powerful artifact from one of the pieces.

(Yasha, with her troubled past, made the Temporal Chalice. Fjord, lover of the wild seas, crafted the Gaia Sash. Nott, alchemist extraordinaire, created the Philosopher’s Stone. Caleb’s talent with fire flowed through the Phoenix Fire Gauntlet. Jester made the Oculus to bring her wildest imaginings to life. Molly’s history with resurrection might or might not have influenced the Animus Bell. And Beau made a staff that even she, completely lacking in magical skill, could use to shield her friends from harm.)

And then they released the Relics into the world and hoped for the best.

Even while Caduceus was making his outrageous claims, Caleb was certain that he has not died dozens of times; his memory is perfect, he would remember that kind of thing. After the events in Refuge, he is even more certain, because dying is awful. He doesn’t think he could forget it if he had died before that terrible time loop.

That isn’t what has him hiding in his room like a coward, though. He’s overcome by the memories the Chalice had shown him, of his own terrible mistakes. The Academy, his time with Trent, his fall from grace - and that last memory, or rather, the earliest, that somehow gives him the most pause. He remembers flames, the screams of the dying. He remembers that he is to blame for their deaths, just as the Chalice showed him, but…

He doesn’t remember why.

This mystery wars for his attention with the guilt of turning down his chance to make everything right. He takes some small comfort in the fact that the dangerous artifact is destroyed now, and that Yasha and Jester made the same choice, but he doubts that they have made any mistakes so great as his. Even with these sudden holes in his memory, he has no difficulty believing that he burned those people - whoever they were - to their deaths at some point during his sordid history. But why doesn’t he remember?

Eventually, he’s torn from his melancholy by Luc knocking at his door. Of course, he remembers, it’s magic day; he’s agreed to teach the boy some of what he knows, and he’s glad to do so. They are meant to move on to mage hand, today, since Luc has picked up on message so quickly. He’ll just have to try and put this puzzle out of his mind for the time being.

As the months passed, and Uk’otoa never arrived, it became clear that the plan had worked. The problem with this world being so like their home plane, though, was that the people had the same corruption inside of them. The Relics’ craveability was too much to ignore, and in short order wars broke out. Each of Relics caused tremendous damage, and each member of the IPRE felt the guilt of creating them.

Caleb tried to stop a conflict over the Gauntlet, once, and made things much, much worse. None of them felt like trying to interfere after that.

Eventually, Beau proposed a new plan: if she put up a shield around this plane, using her Staff, Uk’otoa wouldn’t be able to get to them, even if they were eventually discovered. The Light would be safe forever. Molly argued against this plan immediately. The plane wouldn’t survive without its bonds, it would fall apart. Besides that, it wouldn’t do any good to the planes that Uk’otoa had already consumed. They needed to find a better solution.

They put it to a vote. It was unanimous against Beau’s plan. She admitted defeat, and put it aside. They could only watch as their Relics continued to destroy the world.

Jester is not freaking out. She isn’t. Jester is a-okay all the time, no problem, no worries. It’s just that...when she went to go visit the Voidfish - you know, like you do - it’s just. Her magic orb kind of seemed to...react to it? Like it wanted to say something, almost. And if that wasn’t weird enough, she figured out what the Voidfish’s song means. The Voidfish has a baby.

And, okay, if the Voidfish has a baby that means the Director has been keeping secrets. Like, way more secrets than even a Director of a super-secret organization should have. And from the Mighty Nein, of all people! Call Jester crazy, but she feels like she has a bond with the Director, and she thinks the Director feels it too. Like they should be best friends, not just boss and employee.

But none of Jester’s friends would keep secrets like this from her, she doesn’t think. Even though Yasha didn’t tell her about Zuala for ages, and even though Caleb still won’t tell her what the Chalice offered him...Okay. Maybe her friends would keep secrets like this from her. Still. Something is fishy. (Pun totally intended.)

It wasn’t all bad. Veth met a wonderful man named Yeza, and after a brief but passionate courtship they were married, and perfectly happy.

Except.

Except that the world was falling down around them, and Veth had never been one to sit idle while things went wrong, and so she went out into the world over and over again to try and minimize the damage their creations were causing. And one day, she didn’t return.

Caleb came out of his depression just enough to help Yeza search tirelessly for Veth. They found no trace of her.

Yasha takes back everything she said about the Crystal Kingdom debacle. Wonderland is, without question, the worst. Yasha herself has lost vitality, aged a decade in moments, and lost some future moment of glory, but it still feels like she has suffered the least.

What she hates is having to help Caleb struggle forward with so little health left. (He took a penalty rather than lose any memories, and another to try and avoid losing what little vitality he has; Yasha took that penalty for him, but that didn’t stop him from rolling body again. After such a loss, the first of his two successive skull rolls nearly killed him in a single hit.)

What she hates is watching Jester try to keep up a positive attitude after losing the only memory she had left of her mother, and most of her vision. (Jester lost her darkvision in the first round; in the third round she rolled brain again and couldn’t give up her memory of meeting the Traveler. Yasha wanted to take her penalty too, but Jester wouldn’t let her roll three times in the third round; when Jester rolled eye again and lost her left eye completely, the horrible demon twins just laughed and declared it bad luck. Yasha hates them most of all.)

It happened on a day like any other. Caleb and Yeza were planning their next avenue of investigation for Veth; Fjord was chatting with Jester and Molly at the helm; Yasha was looking for Beau to ask for a spar.

It hit them all at once; they began to forget what they were talking about, who they were talking to. Caleb found himself losing Veth’s name in the middle of a sentence about her. Molly found himself losing words all together, too invested in his friends and the mission to remember anything at all without them. Yasha found herself staring at Beau as the first mate fed the last few pages of Jester’s journal to the voidfish, and Beau caught her as she fell.

Caleb doesn’t know what to make of any of this. He doesn’t know what he was expecting when he cast true seeing on himself, but it certainly wasn’t to catch sight of the mysterious robed woman from Goldcliff. Even less expected was communicating with her in thieves’ cant - he doesn’t remember ever learning thieves’ cant, all of these gaps in his memory are getting more worrying - and deciding, despite himself, to trust her. It feels right.

He nearly dies (again) when the succubus expels him from his own body using his second skull roll. Jester pulls some kind of miracle through the Traveler to get him into a temporary mannequin body, but not before his original body is destroyed, and not before he has some kind of vision of a world with two suns that feels like...home. And then that robed woman is there again, asking them to trust her, and he wants to, and Jester does too, because apparently the Director has been hiding things, and with that it takes only a little convincing for Yasha to go along with it all.

As they destroy their stones of farspeech to the sound of Luc’s desperate questions, he can only hope they aren’t making a terrible mistake.

Beau placed them carefully. Mollymauk, poor Molly, she had to keep at her side. He was as friendly as ever, but he just wasn’t the same as before. Losing his memories did something to him; he wouldn’t make it alone. He’d have to stay with her.

Fjord, she was dismayed to discover, had vanished. Gone without a trace, just like Veth, and now there were two of their party Beau either had to search for, using precious resources, or give up on, and live with the guilt.

If Jester stops to think about anything that’s happening right now, she might just lose her mind, so she isn’t going to. She won’t think about how the Red Robe turned out to be Nott the Brave, who they met in Phandalin before it was destroyed. She won’t think about how the Director has been hiding another Voidfish, and how they have to find it without her catching them if they want to get back the memories they are, apparently, missing. She really won’t think about how that means breaking into the Director’s office.

She finds herself instead thinking about her weird magic orb. Something has kept her from thinking about it too much, too deeply, but she thinks maybe she should have tried harder. It’s starting to feel important.

The remaining three weren’t so tragic, not at first. Yasha, Beau found a community for, where her strength would be valued. She was overjoyed when she learned that Yasha had found a wife. She was devastated to discover that her friend’s love had been lost.

Jester ended up in a bustling city, residing in the care of a kindly performer. She thrived, for a time, finding new mischief constantly, and Beau delighted to check in on her. But one day, when Beau took a look, she found Jester confined to her home. Her mischief got out of hand, she went after the wrong person, and now she was in danger if she went outside. Beau maybe should have found a slightly less exciting home for Jester.

Caleb, she placed in a farming town that reminded her of the stories he told her of his birthplace. She expected him to thrive, and he did, for a while. Then he got caught up in some kind of wizard cult, and she didn’t notice until he’d gotten caught up in a mass murder. She could never find the evidence that Ikithon was the one really behind it, but Caleb certainly seemed convinced it was his own fault. New nightmares joined the flashbacks of events he couldn’t even remember, and Caleb’s life on the run got worse and worse, and Beau...couldn’t fix it. There wasn’t anything she could do but finish the mission as quickly as she could.

By some means that are beyond Yasha’s ability to fathom, Luc has gotten involved in this harebrained scheme, because he figured out that the Mighty Nein were up to something. Now she and Jester (with Nott secretly in tow) are breaking into their boss’s office on the intel of a mysterious lich woman who Caleb said they should trust, while Caleb and the kid are going to get him a new body that Luc thinks Pumat Sol might have for some reason.

It’s all a little beyond Yasha. But she wants to know the truth behind all of this, and if it takes breaking into a few offices to do it, she will. She’s very good at breaking things.

(Fjord is desperate. He’s been trapped in this gods-damned ball since Uk’otoa put him into it years ago, when he thought he died but didn’t, and he’s tried everything he can think of to get Jester to notice his presence. Nothing has been enough, and he’s terrified that his crew, his friends, his family, are about to go up against Uk’otoa without him, and there’s nothing he can do about it.)

(Veth didn’t mean to be gone for so long, she really didn’t. She barely meant to leave at all - she and Yeza had just gotten married, and life was finally really good for her. It was just - her Relic kept leaving a trail of destruction, and Caleb was so distraught about what had happened with the Gauntlet, and she just couldn’t stand it anymore. She had to do something.

She didn’t know that she’d run into that goblin tribe and get captured. She’d never have guessed that that witch would curse her and make her a lich, and make it impossible for her to get back to Yeza.

She definitely wouldn’t have risked it if she’d known she was pregnant.)

(Empty, empty, empty, empty - )

Caleb and Luc are racing through the halls after Caleb fended off those shadow creatures, knowing that something is happening, and whatever it is, the Director probably knows what it is. They burst into the office just in time to see Jester and Yasha down the Voidfish ichor, and the Director doesn’t arrive in time to keep Caleb and Luc from doing the same.

Memories flash through Caleb’s mind almost too fast for him to process. The Gauntlet - his Gauntlet - and the voyage, and Uk’otoa - the Director is watching in horror...no, Beauregard, Beau, why would she - ? And then he can’t think about any of that because he’s thinking about Veth, oh gods, how could he forget about Veth?

Jester is so busy dealing with all these new memories - Beau, Veth, Fjord, where’s Fjord? - that she barely notices her magic orb thud to the ground and begin to roll away. It rolls all the way over to Luc, and when he picks it up, it suddenly glows bright as a star.

I didn’t do that! Luc yells.

I know, Jester says, and she does, and she shatters the ball on the ground, and it explodes in light, and oh, there’s Fjord.

Through a blur of memories, Yasha watches her captain appear in an explosion of yellow. Then she watches Veth, released suddenly from the bag of holding, whirl towards Beau but freeze when she catches sight of Luc.

...Luc? It’s barely more than a whisper.

Luc squints, then his eyes widen and get very watery very quickly. Mama?

And then they’re holding each other and everyone else is wrapped up in that apparent reunion but Yasha only has eyes for Molly - Molly, Molly, Molly - wiping his mouth of the Voidfish ichor he drank during all the commotion. His eyes meet hers briefly, clear for the first time in years, and he winks before turning to the Director.

What the actual fuck, Beau?

Beau doesn’t know how it all fell apart so quickly. All of her plans, all of the sacrifices she’s made - she knows the rest of the group didn’t approve of her idea, but they were never good at seeing the big picture, that was her job - up in smoke. Uk’otoa is here, even though they split up the Light, and there’s no time, they either have to block this world off or run.

Beau wants to use her plan, of course. Fjord is all for running, and Caleb and Molly are quickly falling to his camp. Veth and Yasha don’t want to run, they have family and memories on this world, but they don’t think Beau’s plan will work either. It’s all starting to devolve into a screaming match when Jester softly says -

What if there’s a third option?

From there, everything happens very quickly. Fjord steers the ship, masterful at the wheel as he’s ever been, while Veth and Molly head to the surface to fight off the incursion there. Beau is preparing the shield - with the bit of magic she’s picked up over the years, because she had to learn this spell herself after she wiped the memory of every mage in her party. And the Mighty Nein (gods it’s a stupid name, even now that they’re applying it to all of them there’s still only seven of them, it’s exactly what she would have expected,) is going to fight. And...they’re going to win.

And they do.

#cr2 #critical role #taz balance #the adventure zone #fic #mine

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thathelplesshomeschooler · 5 years

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Humans are space orcs (with magic!) *second impressions*

Tygeria had been highly surprised. The stories she had heard of the humans led her to believe they were creatures of extraordinary strength and an alarming attraction to danger. All she had seen so far though, was far from that. She had discovered on the first day that human females, as well as some of the males, had in irrational fear of a small, octopodic creature named “spider.” The pitiful thing was barely more than a few hundredths of a vad, and yet the human female Enara had screamed as though it were a terrifying monster. In fact, the most pain-testing thing she had seen was when Taurus was loosing a war cry while lifting some heavy objects called “barbells” after he had been participating in some endurance training. When she had inquired as to why he put himself through such a rigourus and painful experienced he merely shrugged and said, “Muscle looks good, the ladies love it.” Which had not at all explained his actions. This was not at all the kind of ferosity she had been expecting from an apex predator from a class 7 death world.

That is until the Aldirex incident occured.

The VIV Narrtor had received a distress call from a nearby ship in the Aldirex system and immediately went to investigate. Captain Sker’ro reasoned it would be a good idea to send the new recruits onto the ship, so Tygeria accompanied them as the officer in charge.

The pod manuevered into the docking bay of the dormant vessel. The six crew members floated into the air lock and then past the heavy doors into a corridor. The red lights and lack of gravity signaled to them that the ships main systems were offline. Tygeria glanced at Anne, the magician of the group, with what she hoped was a look that would convey the right meaning. The message got across and a quiet muttering could be heard from the small blonde. As soon as she finished the group dropped to the floor. They looked on with concern as Anne took a heavy knee to the floor. She waved them away, “It’s nothing, just maintaining gravity for each of you is a bit taxing, that’s all. My suit should kick in in a - there we go.” Her suit quietly hummed as it began to feed her energy.

As they continued exploring, they noticed what seemed like gunfire in the distance. After a few minutes the sounds were quite close and the group moved into the standard assault positions. Less than half a minute later they came across a door that spilled light from the single circular window. The group took up their positions around the door while Tygeria knocked on it, “This is Lieutenant Azzaz Tygeria of the VIV Narrtor. Open up.”

At that the sound of locks being frantically undone was accompanied by, “Oh bless the ancients.” The door flew open and before them stood a hexapod about a half vad tall. About a dozen more clustered around a small pile of boxes, holding small weapons. Loud echoing and flashes of light came from the airlocked door at the far end of the room. He gestured them inside. “I see you received our distress signal, thank the immortals.”

“What’s going on here?”

“About ten dzads ago pirates boarded our ship. We managed to get about half of the airlocks closed before they hacked the ship and shut down all systems. We’ve been trying to hold them off for as long as we can but,” he raised his four upper appendages in a defeated posture, “we are merchants. None of us bred for war.” He eyed the humans with the last comment.

“How many pirates are there, and what species?”

“We have counted twenty at least but we believe there to be about thirty total. They are kentaurens.” The humans murmured. It was a species they had studied but never met before. The little hexapod opened his mandibles to say something else but just at that moment the door at the end of the room broke down. Several aliens about three-fourths of a vad poured it. The humans instinctively let loose with their firearms. A few of the kentaurens stumbled and a couple more fell as the bullets pierced their fur. Tygeria yelled at the little hexapods to get out, run out the door the humans had come through.

She turned back to the fight and saw the humans engaging the kentaurens. Even though the smallest of the pirates stood at least four inches taller than the tallest human, and even though there were almost twice as many pirates as there were humans, they seemed to be holding their own, filling the air with gunshots. Tygeria added her plasma rounds to their barrage. Then one of the males, Uhris, loosed a war cry and threw his weapon aside. He jumped at the closest kentauren and used his upper appendages to grab the creatures neck. Within seconds he was on the creatures back and had managed to wrap his arms around kentaurens head. Then with a vicious movement a crack resounded and the boy jumped off the creature as it fell to the ground, dead. The rest of the humans had also engaged in close quarters combat, using various items from around the room as weapons. Though they were much smaller and lighter than their opponents they moved with such speed and agility that they managed to avoid most blows.

Then one of the kentaurans, one who was bigger than the rest grabbed one of the females and proceeded to slam her on the floor. The rest of the humans loosed war cries and ran over to protect their comrade. Although it seemed impossible, they managed to fight with even more viciousness and ferocity than they had been previously. Tygeria lobbed off more shots then made her decision. “Back, run back now. Those little merchants should be far enough now. Run!” Two of the humans grabbed the female, who seemed to have trouble getting to her feet while the other two continued to hold off the kentaurens while slowly retreating. Tygeria was surprised when she fired and the last kentauren fell.

They kept running until they found the original merchant, who quickly typed something into a quick-acces computer on the wall. Behind them an airlock clamped shut. The pod released itself from the docking bay and flew back to the Narrtor. While on the way Tygeria asked of the females health. One of the males, Jason, responded. “It’s nothing much, she just got hit a bit hard. She probably has abit of a concussion. She’ll be alright in a few minutes, but we should probably take her to the med bay.” Tygeria then pointed out their own injuries: bloody scratches and discolored spots on their appendages that worried her. He just laughed, “Those? That’s nothing, I got more than that on the first day of training. Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine.”

The team returned to the ship and the humans were sent to the med bay. The medical officer confirmed Jason, all the humans, including the female Enera, would okay. The captain did not send them back to retake the ship with the other teams, despite the humans asking to return to the fight.

Tygeria now believed the stories. Five humans had, with her aid, fended off nearly twice as many opponents, all of whom were taller and by all rights should have been stronger. But the thing that stuck with her was the look in their eyes: the bloodthirsty, primal look of the apex predator of the most dangerous death planet.

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more definitions if anyone wants

dzads - unit of time, approximately 72 minutes

hexapod species - the species is a six legged, four armed species known throughout the nearby galaxies as merchants, approximately 4.2 feet (1.3 meters) tall

kentauren - a rather aggresive species from the same system as the hexapods, they’re bipedal and are covered in fur, approximately 6.3 feet (1.9 meters) tall

#humans are space orcs #humans are weird #humans are space australians #humansinspace #humans and aliens

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goddamnwebcomics · 4 years

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Legacy of Dominic Deegan: Part 2

See my original first impression here.

Last time, our hero, Snout, rudely picked up some weed from a giant animal thingy. Turns out it’s one of the many ingredients he needs, as he also takes a giant leaf, steals web from a spider, and with that he gives himself a shirt. You would think that in Deegan world, people would actually herd sheep more to get wool, unless Mookie believes PETA propaganda. Of course he does.

Turns out Snout is looking for a new home, and he finds a cave, as well as a talking...piece of paper? Pagefinder, or essentially, medieval Siri. Cool. Wait, what happened to the orc frenspeak? I guess Mookie realized it was kind of stupid so he just returned to making orcs write like humans again. Pagefinder is a spell that finds lost pages, and even he gets edgy, but at least his edginess is played for laughs. Speaking of playing edginess for laughs, Snout has to go to the Blood Horror Canyon to get the first lost page. I suppose it’s a bit funny, but if Mookie unironically creates another Chosen Superform in this comic then it’s just gonna be dumber in hindsight. Another joke that i find kind of funny occurs with the signs. Turns out Snout is being followed by...evil demon cthulhu thing, but he accidentally stabs him in the eye with a falling spire.

An exciting battle occurs with the weirdo thingy, and Snout tries using Pagefinder as a shield, and as a result we get the first F bomb in Dominic Deegan, if Mookie didn’t include dicks earlier i’d congratulate him on graduating from middle school. Turns out Pagefinder’s ink just killed the beast. Huh, i’m amazed, you CAN kill something in this universe without turning into a superform! Anyways, Snout finds the first lost page but it has a hole in the middle of it, rendering it mostly incomprehensible. Wah wah. Eyeroll face occurs, which is...i suppose the traditional version of the punchline face? Snout asks Pagefinder for help but he can’t, and he messes up Snout’s face again in his self-pity. I mean, even if it’s a repeated punchline i still think it’s way better than butt-less chaps and Spark’s alliterations.

Snout goes back to the weird eye thing’s library. I suppose the frenspeak earlier was actually the way the owner of the library, Bort, types. We’re shown a twist that Pagefinders actually can’t communicate in other languages so WHO REALLY IS THIS PAGEFINDER?? Pagefinder says he explains everything once Snout has found the last two missing pages. I have a theory, Pagefinder is Trapped Deegan. Of course, it’s a Mookie’s signature SHOCK TWIST that you totally can’t expect. The biggest evidence against it however is that Pagefinder is actually a likable character. No wait, turns out Snout’s theory is that Ink Witch is communicating with him through pagefinder. He needs to find a gruesome, evil tree and we get another eyeroll face. Fuck it, i’m just gonna call it the Modern Punchline Face (MPF) as opposed to Classic Punchline Face (CPF) because i know that’s gonna be common now.

We get another recycled gag with the signs which reveals Skori Trees can shoot branches. Snout makes it into Skori territory and is bombarded with branch bullets yet avoids every single one??? What is he using? Magic? He manages to make it out of Skori’s grasp without a single scratch. Okay so far that’s the first really dumb thing in this comic, because Snout apparently is either using dodging magic or extremely athletic. He tells Pagefinder he hopes to get the berries Ink Witch may have used instead.

Pagefinder gets a piece of dat berry, and suddenly a giant arrow pops up and she drags Snout to the next page...which is Skori Tree. MPF Number 3 occurs. Snout tries to make friends with the tree, but Skori wants nothing to fucking do with the orc. I wonder if Siggy hung that orc family from a Skori tree, just to bury him some more? So Snout’s next plan is to fly to the tree by using the Pagefinder. He makes it but Skori begins to make his plan impossible. Skori gives him the finger but Snout gives him one back. Then...the tree just gives up? Snout gets the missing piece, and we find out the ol’ Dullminic went to Asinoteph, where dreams become visions, and apparently he tried to see the future, but instead he saw...oh boy, next page will unveil the twist. Did he see the past? the present? the winter of his discontent? the apocalypse? the Chosen? Whatever it is, it’s probably dumb.

Snout gets ready to sleep, and even Pagefinders need to sleep. We don’t get reprise of the orc dick this time. No wait, we do, as we see Snout in a dream, where an ink vortex...happens. What? No blood? No gore? No horror? Hmm, maybe Dominic saw THE INK? Snout makes his dream diary, and presents his questions about the last page, that basically ask readers to think about these questions too. I actually like this. It makes our hero look more huma...er, orc, and being used to Gene Catlow mystery exposition it also helps recapping the ongoing mysteries of the comic without pretentious third person pronouning and vague vagueness.

Snout goes to last missing page, which is held by an orc with a beard. Is that a male crone? Old Stoneraper? How come Snout does not have tusks? Honestly, i like him way more without the damn tusks. The old bastard smiles kindly when he sees Snout and gives him the page. Holy shit? An orc being nice to another orc? That’s like...a fucking fever dream. The orc then commits magic disappearance thing. Yup, i’m sure it was Old Stoneraper. Turns out, Deegan did actually see the end of all prophecy, and beginning of his legacy. Um, what? So does this mean that the visions are now gone forever? Thank fucking god, because it got so fucking confusing in the original comic. But wait, if he’s looking for his legacy, is he talking about Snout? Or is he like, looking for someone with good legacy in a talent show? I dunno, lay your theories on me Snout. But before that, the old orc comes. But the Pagefinder warns him that he is in a TERRIBLE DANGER. Oh boy, never mind orcs being nice. All orcs are still assholes to eachother, thanks Siggy.

Snout tells the old orc he was one of the few who didn’t hurt him, if he only kneeeew. Snout asks Old Orc what happened to him, and he falls to...visionscape, sigh. He runs towards a strange ink cube before returning to reality. Turns out Old Orc took all the pages. Oh hey, our protagonist does mistakes, and he actually suffers from them. That’s the first time EVER i’ve seen that in this blog, and then...Pagefinder dismantles. Not gonna lie, it is competing with Sleeve in terms of saddest inanimate object death in a webcomic. Snout wonders what is he gonna do, when he remembers his strange dream. Turns out Dominic Deegan recorded a song called “The Day i Dreamed Again”? No wait, a poem. Turns out Dominic learned to see visions again, and wrote a book about lucid dreams. Bort does not have it, so he has to go into another library. We reach the page i saw in my last Webcomic Check, where poor ol’ Snout is afraid of leaving his new home, and even makes a full list of pros and cons of leaving his home. Not gonna lie, Mookie does actually explore a lot of things he can do with a deaf mute protagonist, as opposed to having a deaf mute protagonist for the sake of having a deaf mute protagonist.

Snout begins his quest the next day, believing he might lose so much if he stays in his homeplace, and the mysteries on his mind keep him up at night. He sees...a lot of things, but thankfully does not bump into any werewolves, dragons or four armed naga things. He finally finds a place called...Mongreltown, but is immediately followed by something. That something is the spaceship that destroyed his home. Mongreltown can wait as he sees the spaceship has crashed. Out of it comes...the Ink Witch, who looks way more adult than any other character Mookie has drawn. Ink Witch is happy to see Snout but remembers he is deaf so she talks in form of ink, and that’s where we leave our story.

So far, i really really like this. The only problems i had were the increased usage of cheap punchline pages and MPF, as well as the rather cheap ways the spaceship arc and the battle with Skori Tree were resolved, but on the contrast there was a LOT of stuff i enjoyed, and i can’t believe i’m saying that about a Mookie comic. Snout is actually a very likable character, and his design has grown on me, his unique status as a deaf mute protagonist was explored, without turning him into a stupid exposition machine, as he only writes when it’s necessary. Pagefinder (RIP) was a very likable character and Mookie seems to be mocking himself with some of the jokes in the comic. The mystery of Dominic Deegan’s fate didn’t really get me invested yet as it’s still an actual mystery that’s important and not just a side thing that’s resolved through third person pronouns and “unseen” reveals. Also we’re shown so many new creatures and species on this comic, none of which are hideous furrybait. It really helps upgrading this setting to an actual fantastic setting and not just “modern setting with fantasy textures applied” that the original comic’s Dominion was. Also, the comedy was actually kind of funny even with the occasional repetition and the MPF.

It’s not the best comic i’ve read ever, but it is the best comic i’ve ever read on this blog. There is a little bit of dread in me though that this comic might go downhill sooner or later. This is still Mookie writing this.

#legacy of Dominic Deegan #Dominic Deegan #somewhat good

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bleeding-souls · 6 years

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Us and the Stars (Thranduil x Reader)

Fandom: The Hobbit

Prompt: Requested by anon - Hello! May i request a thranduil x reader where you are his captain of the guard and thranduil is in love with you and flirts with you but you reject him because of your status although you love him as well but sometimes you can’t help but to flirt back. Thanks! ☺️💓💓

Words: 2800

Warnings: none...

A/N: I don’t think this is exctly as the prompt but its definitely inspired by it. Also, im new to writing fanfics so criticism is welcome and do leave a comment if you enjoyed it.

p.s. Feast of Starlight goes really well with the last bit at the balcony ( at least in my opinion )

The sun was setting low in the west as the first day of autumn came to an end. You had been sitting on the bridge before the gates of the woodland kingdom, letting your legs dangle over the edge. You were alone, feeling the warmth of the light glide across your skin, and the water streaming lazily below. This was your time and the only time you could allow yourself to get distracted from your work. Although you had let the other elves from the guard go home and rest, as captain of the guard, your job never ended. Even now you had tasks that required your attention. You had to visit the weapons master and inform him of what needed mending or had to be replaced. You then had to review the plan for tomorrow and present it to your team. Not to forget, your blade needed sharpening but despite all the work there was one task you enjoyed perhaps more than you should have-reporting to the king.

During your years of training, his presence had always made you feel uneasy. His expression had seemed cold and part of you thought he was responsible for the isolation of the kingdom and the grey-elves. Yet ever since he had entrusted you with the position as captain of the guard you had begun to pay closer attention. He had given you a chief position despite you being a Sylvan elf whose parents worked in the royal kitchens. This meant a lot to you for it meant he had recognized your skills and thought you capable of handling such a great responsibility as this. Your frequent meetings with king Thranduil regarding the lands of Mirkwood and their protection made you realize just how wrong your first impression was. He always made sure to hear out your ideas and discuss them with you, and though he proved to be attentive and cautious in keeping his peoples safe, he still appeared distant and maybe even lonely to you. You had often thought about it and the things he must have witnessed in his lifetime for although you were born only a few centuries ago he has been around before the Woodland Realm was established. You had heard that the king had lost his wife a long time ago when darkness still ruled in some parts of the world and you understood how that had changed him, yet you saw no reason why he should live this way and keep up his impenetrable façade. For all that he did for his people, he deserved to be happy.

These thoughts troubled you often, however you knew it was not your place to do anything about it so you kept quiet. Nevertheless, recently it seemed to you that king Thranduil had been spending more time around you. He sought your advice on matters of security more than usual and had many questions for you, although some were off topic, after every shift your team went on. It was only a few weeks ago during your report that you had said to him the guard was worried, for they had noticed more spiders crawling ever near the kingdom. You thought that perhaps it would be of help if he were to talk to them and assure them the situation was under control. It was only an empty suggestion but to your surprise he had agreed and said that if you considered that to be the best thing to do then he would do it. Right then, his grey eyes had not seemed vacant but present and warm.

You recalled this moment, while your hands held on, on either side of you to the stone bridge that had been warmed by the fading light, soon to be gone and the sky lit up by the most beautiful of lights-the light of the Stars.

“The stars have always appeared closer to us when looked upon from the bridge.”

Recognizing the voice, you stood up swiftly and turned around, giving a short bow.

“It is why the entrance to our kingdom was built here. So that the Eldar may know that the sacred light and memory of our peoples found in the stars is always welcomed.”

“My lord Thranduil, I am sorry if you expected me earlier, I shall be at your chambers to report in five minutes.”

“That is alright (Y/N). You may be dismissed from your tasks tonight. Many have gathered in the great hall to celebrate the coming of autumn with Ėlinlindalë.”

“Music of the stars…” your eyes widened and you smiled as you gazed once more at the sky. But as you looked back down you remembered that you were still in the presence of the king.

“My king, I thank you but I shall finish my work as is my duty as captain and I will join them later.” You bowed again and headed inside when you heard him.

“(Y/N). Your attire, it suits you well. That is a nice color.” He smiled with the corner of his mouth.

You had changed your usual fighting garments to another, a red darker than cranberries but lighter than wine. Indeed, it had been the same colour as the berries and leaves that decorated the crown of king Thranduil. You could not help but blush at his comment for it had become clear to you that he knew it as well. You noticed the slight smile and quickly looked down as he passed you and went inside.

A few months later

Your Fall encounter with the king remained long in your thought but it was not the only one. These past months, conversations with king Thranduil had become more frequent. He would often come and see you before the guard went out, for work related reasons, or so it seemed. It made you happy and still, you knew it should not have- it was improper. Yet while you were out with your team, examining the grounds for incoming danger, you had been more focused, attentive, and you knew why- you searched for anything that was worth bringing up in front of the elven king even if it would only give you but a few more minutes with him. Nonetheless you did not want to admit it to yourself and continued acting as you should have, the king’s subject.

It was not only the things he did that were different but Thranduil’s behavior had changed as well and you had noticed. Before, there had been a proud and confident king beneath those silver robes but now there was someone else there as well. You saw an elf, who has carried the responsibility of an entire race of elves upon his shoulders for over a century, an elf who had gone through more than enough pain and sadness to last a lifetime, who appeared unaffected when faced with death but who cared for his people more than anything. You saw an elf who was an excellent diplomat but at times struggled to find the right words when speaking to you, seemingly nervous or hesitant which for you meant only that the closer you became with him the harder it was to stay away.

Everyone was weary and eager to get some rest as they entered the kingdom. It had been a hard day, for you had come upon a pack of Orcs down the river. They had been causing trouble in Lake Town which was the reason behind the late and even disappearing wine barrels, and had recently come closer to Mirkwood. Fortunately, there were no lives lost save a few minor injuries.

You were currently reporting this incident to the king, slightly embarrassed as you were aware of your appearance which included dirt, blood and twigs.

“Will that be all my king? “you said as you prepared to leave.

“There is one more thing (Y/N). It has recently come to my attention how hard you have been working, perhaps even too much. I want to apologize if I have put too much pressure on you and ask you for you to tell me if I do that in the future.

“My lord Thranduil, I assure you, I ha- “

“Please, allow me.” He said with a slight bow of his head as he motioned with his hand for the servant who came forwards, carrying something wrapped within a piece of dark blue cloth.

“To apologize for my ignorance, I would like to give you this. It is a gown, for the feast tonight.”

To say you were surprised would be an understatement. You weren’t sure how to reply. It would not be appropriate to accept this gift.

“My King, I accept your apology although there was no need for one but I am afraid I cannot accept this gift. Moreover, I do not have time for the feast, there is work I need to attend to and- “

“(Y/N), what did we just talk about? Work can wait.”

“But- “

“Please, accept the dress and come to the feast…” Thranduil did not know how to convince you that it was alright when at last he smiled and said” It is your king’s command”

Now you could not say no.

“Very well. Thank you, my lord.”

With that you bowed and walked away, your heart beating excitedly, unaware that the king’s eyes followed your figure until it was out of view.

Later that evening

You were glad you had come to the feast. The elves of Mirkwood had gathered tonight to celebrate the winter solstice. Tonight, the stars would remain in the sky for the longest time of the year which made the elves feel closer to the spirit of Varda and so they were going to honor her with songs and poems and many other wondrous things as she was most revered of the Valar by the elves.

Spending this time with your friends you realized just how much you had missed because of your busy schedule. It led you to think that maybe the king was right, you should leave out some time for yourself. King Thranduil had not left your thoughts tonight, the gown he had gotten for you earned you many compliments, however you were careful not to tell where it was from since you were afraid it would not be looked upon kindly.

To your surprise, you had not seen the king tonight. Of course, it was not usual for him to intermingle with common Sylvan elves but you had hoped he would come at least to see you in the dress.

You were deep in thought when you heard the guard next you.

“Lady (Y/N), if you would please follow me. The king has asked to see you.”

You had waited all night for these words and now that they had been spoken you felt your heart beat fast, though you were careful that your eyes do not betray your feelings.

You gave a nod and got up.

Following the guard across the royal quarters and past the king’s chambers where you would usually discuss work matters with him, you could not help but wonder where the king had chosen to see you and why. Excited as you were, you were now also a bit afraid. Soon the guard turned and motioned for you to go ahead through a door.

The already muffled voices of the elves and their soft melodies that were carried through the woodland realm ceased as you entered what you now saw was a balcony. It had two pillars on either side which supported the wooden ceiling, made in the pattern often seen on doors or chairs in the kingdom of long branches arising from either side and crossing each other in the middle. As a result, an intricate shadow was cast upon the floor, the gaps filled with moonlight. Along the left side there was a tall stone, on which was laid a long object, lightly covered in a sheet.

The king stood on the far end, looking out at the barren trees but turned swiftly as he heard you enter. Once you had taken in your surroundings your gaze fell on Thranduil. The light shone beautifully on him in the blue and white tones of winter and illuminated his silver garments as is if he was the most precious jem you had ever laid eyes upon.

Suddenly aware that you had been staring in silence, you looked away, searching for the right words but you did not know what to say. He began walking towards you, and you heard every step of his boots for there was no sound but the rushing wind.

“Good evening (Y/N), I hope you have enjoyed yourself tonight.”

“Yes, my lord, very much indeed. I should thank you for I would not have gone if it were not for you”

“Then I am glad” he said in a soft voice and smiled.

It became quiet again before you spoke up.

“I did not see you at the feast my lord. “

His eyed moved from you to the side as he opened his mouth, considering his answer.

“Yes, alas I could not attend.” He took a few steps past you as he spoke.” I was… preoccupied with things of greater importance”

Unsure of what he meant you nodded. Thranduil was standing with his back to you and you saw he was fidgeting with his hands. He took a deep breath as he regained his composure and turned to face you.

“(Y/N), there is something I want you to have.”

With that he moved to the object you had seen earlier and you followed him.

“Go ahead” he said, giving you permission to unwrap the item.

You did so however hesitantly, you did not know what you would find.

As you saw the item he wanted you to have an intense feeling overtook your stomach. You stared breathless, knowing Thranduil was next to you. You had never felt this way before and found it hard to keep your true feelings inside.

“I… I do not know what to say. I have never in all my life received anything half as beautiful as this.”

It was your bow, not the bow you used as captain but the bow you had had since the beginning of your training. It was very dear to you as it reminded you how far you had gotten. Thranduil had embedded white gems along the limbs and near the handle. It was as if he had reached into the sky and placed the very stars onto the wood. You were not sure when he had taken the bow, it seemed to you he had put a lot of thought into this gift which now begged the question–why?

“My king, I do not understand the reason behind this gift.” You said as you looked up at him, his tall frame next to yours.

His eyes were soft and calm looking into yours.

“I think you know the reason”

You turned, facing the bow once more, embarrassed. What were you to say? This was wrong in thousands of ways. Your hands had begun to tremble slightly as you breathed fast.

“(Y/N)” he said as he placed a hand on your shoulder to reassure you.” I know you must have noticed that recently I have acted strange. Whilst I do need to talk to you seeing as you are captain of my guard, “he let go your shoulder and moved his gaze up and past you.

“I frequently keep you longer for the sole reason that I enjoy your company very much. I should like to see you more often…if you agree to it… and not as captain of the guard.

Thranduil swallowed as he looked down at you briefly and then the floor.

“However, if you find my approaches inappropriate and you do not wish for anything to change that is okay. “his voice had become quiet and you could feel his breath on your ear” You need only say and I will stop. I do not want to make you feel uncomfortable in your own home”

Your hand reached out to touch the bow, running from one end to the other. Finally, you reached both hands and gripped it as your mind kept repeating his words over and over. What were you to do? This was not only about you two, there were other things to consider.

You heard him shift, as he turned to go but he had hardly made a step before he felt your hand on his. You had reached out for him and had taken his hand, though you did not hold it but merely let your fingers lightly interlace. It was not long before you saw his head bend down and felt him return the pressure with his fingers.

#the hobbit #the hobbit fanfiction #thranduil #thranduil x reader #legolas #lotr #the hobbit imagine #tauriel #lee pace #tolkien #thorin oakenshield #mirkwood

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berjhawn · 5 years

Text

Elastic Heart - Part 9 - Spiders

Warnings: Fighting, mentions of abuse, mentions of death, ETC

Pairings: Hobbit X OFC; Thranduil X OFC; Fili X OFC; LOTR X OFC

A/N: Since Tumblr is Broke you’ll have to go to my master-list to find all the other parts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning I awake and suddenly feel that I am not alone in my blankets. I look up to see that I had in fact once again fallen asleep on Fili’s shoulder, only this time my head had rolled into his lap. I smile up at his sleeping form and as I sit up I make sure not to wake him. Then I gently lay him down so he is more comfortable before I walk over to Thorin who is wide awake.

“Is this seat taken?” I say as I reach him. He gently shakes his head and as I sit down beside him I say, “I owe you an apology. You’re not a selfish Dwarf. Well you are a dwarf but a good one.” He chuckles lightly as he says, “How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Go on after your father died.”

My heart clenches and I sigh as I say, “I haven’t really moved on. I don’t believe I ever will. After my mother passed he was all I had and when he-” I pause for a moment as I fight tears that threaten to fall before I continue, “When he died and all the other stuff happened to me, I lost my mind. I have been roaming the west hills for centuries avoiding the people who reminded me the most of him. I am a perfect example of what not to do.”

“I do not believe that. You mourned the only way you thought possible to ease your pain.” He says as his blue eyes find mine.

“I must be truthful, when I saw you lying unconscious on the group I saw my father and I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at you; and when you got up I felt a feeling of relief that I have never felt before. Is that strange?”

He chuckles as he says, “Perhaps a little but it must mean that you see me as a father figure or that I remind you of him.”

I glance back out over our companions and suddenly realize that I had in fact did see many similarities between the two of them. “You’re right, my father had raven hair and blue eyes just like you do. He was also very prideful. In fact his pride ended up being his downfall.” I feel his hand gently squeeze mine before he stands and walking over to his company starts waking them up. “I hope it’s not yours.” I say so only I can hear.

When everyone is awake and sitting around the kitchen table I sit myself between Dwalin and Bofur. After a few minutes Bilbo joins us where our host Beorn pours milk from a pitcher into Fili’s cup. He is much taller than any human, even taller than Gandalf. “So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?” Beorn says as he slowly walks behind the sitting dwarves.

“You know of Azog? How?” Thorin asks his curiosity peaked.

“My people were the first to live in the mountains, before the Orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family, but some he enslaved. Not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him.”

“There are others like you?” I hear Bilbo ask and my heart clenches.

“Once, there were many.”

“And now?”

“Now, there is only one.” The dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf look on in silence. I fight the urge to go to his side and comfort him. “You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?"

“Before Durin’s Day falls, yes.” Gandalf says as he nods his head.

“You are running out of time.”

“Which is why we must go through Mirkwood.” As Gandalf says its name my heart plummits. I had completely forgotten about going there.

“A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I would not venture there except in great need.”

“We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe.”

“Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like Randír or her kin. They’re less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not.”

“What do you mean?”

“These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive.” Thorin looks shocked. Beorn stands up from the table and faces Thorin. “I don’t like dwarves. They’re greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own.” Beorn picks up a mouse that had been scampering on the table and holds it, all the while approaching Thorin, who is now standing with his arms crossed. “But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?”

The dwarves and Gandalf climb up onto the backs of Beorn’s ponies and I stare at them for a moment before climbing onto my own. As we ride away, Beorn, who is staying at his house, looks around for danger. “Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind.”

We ride rapidly across the land, slowing to a stop as we approach a looming, gloomy-looking forest. Gandalf dismounts and walks into the edge of the forest through an ancient archway. I stare at the forest and contemplate turning and running.

“The Elven Gate.” Gandalf says causing my throat to clench tight. “Here lies our path through Mirkwood.” Gandalf says as he turns to us.

“No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side.” Dwalin says as he dismounts. I follow Gandalf’s stare as he looks behind us. I see something in the distance; it is Beorn, in his bear-form, watching them from a distant ridge.

“Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master.” Gandalf says and I find that I cannot release the reins. The dwarves and Bilbo dismount and begin taking their supplies off the ponies. Bilbo approaches the forest on foot and says, “This forest feels...sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?”

“Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south.” Gandalf replies and I find myself on the verge of a panic attack. Gandalf follows a path a few feet further into the shadows and approaches a plant-covered statue. The unladen ponies trot away; Nori is just about to finish unsaddling Gandalf’s horse when Gandalf emerges from the forest and says, “Not my horse! I need it.”

As Gandalf strides forward, the Company looks up and murmurs in surprise. “You’re not leaving us?” Bilbo exclaims worriedly.

“I would not do this unless I had to.” Gandalf says as he looks at Thorin before he turns and looks at a dejected Bilbo. “You’ve changed, Bilbo Baggins. You’re not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire.”

“I was going to tell you; I...found something in the Goblin tunnels.”

“Found what?” Gandalf leans forward curiously and suspiciously. “What did you find?”

Bilbo stays silent for several more seconds, then finally responds. “My courage.”

“Good. Well, that’s good. You’ll need it.” Gandalf says as he turns and begins walking toward his horse; he speaks as he passes Thorin. “I’ll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me. This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray.”

Bilbo, turns to Dwalin as he says, “Lead us astray? What does that mean?” Gandalf gets on his horse. It begins raining lightly, even though the sun is out. “You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again.”

“Gandalf wait!” I cry as I ride over to him and fighting my fear I say, “I can’t go in there.”

He stares at me for a moment before he says, “You must stop letting your fear control you.” I start to argue but instead close my mouth and sigh. “Take charge of your destiny, conquer your fears and let your past finally be just that; your past.” I take a deep breath before climbing off of my pony and giving him a quickly pat on the neck let him go.

“Good,” Gandalf says as he wheels his horse and rides away. “No matter what may come, stay on the path!” He exclaims as he rides away causing us all to turn toward the forest.

“Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin’s Day.” Thorin says and I take a deep breath as I follow after him while Dwalin says, “Durin’s Day. Let’s go!”

“This is our one chance to find the hidden door.” Thorin says as we enter Mirkwood. We are following the paved path that started at the Elven Gate. Thorin leads. At one point, the path turns a corner.

“The path goes this way.” Thorin says, and as we keep following the path through the forest, it twists and turns over all sorts of terrain such as bare ground, high ledges, fallen tree trunks, and more. The color palette used is very blue/gray, and gloomy. Dwalin thumps the handle of his hammer on the ground to find the paving stones of the trail. “This way.” He says and we continue walking.

“Air. I need air.” Bofur says and I instantly feel the thickness press down upon me. This place used to be so beautiful but now all I wanted to do was run far, far, far away. “My head, it’s spinning.” Oin says and I shake my head trying to clear the grogginess from it. We all suddenly run into each other as Nori, in front, stops abruptly. “What’s happening?” Oin says and Thorin quickly replies, “Keep moving. Nori, why have we stopped?”

“The path...it’s disappeared!” He exclaims and my heart drops. Gandalf gave us one rule and we broke it.

Suddenly I feel a wave of sleepiness come over me and I yawn. I hear Thorin cry for us to find the path but I just shake my head as I fight the sleep that threatened to take me. We wander through the forest. The forest is beginning to affect us mentally, and we stagger about. The dwarves are all muttering and rambling as they wander about. I glance over to see Bilbo absentmindedly pluck a spider web; it vibrates, and the vibrations continue through the various linked spider webs and far off into the forest.

Bilbo plucks the web again. We continue walking; suddenly my vision begins shifting and tilting. Suddenly the dwarves are bickering over a tobacco pouch and I hear Bilbo say, “The sun. We have to find the sun. Up there. We need to-”

I follow closely behind him as he climbs up one of the nearby trees. Our heads break through the tree-tops and into the air; suddenly, it is as if a spell has been broken, my head instantly clears. Closing my eyes I let out a sigh and when I open them again I see blue butterflies flying all around us; the setting sun reflecting of their fluttering wings. I smile brightly as I look around at all the beauty around us. Bilbo smiles as he turns to me and we both laugh.

We turn and suddenly see the Lonely Mountain just on the other side of the forest. “I- I can see a lake! And a river. And the Lonely Mountain. We’re almost there!” He yells out down to the dwarves but there is no reply. He glances up at me and I shake my head in confusion. “Can you hear me? I know which way to go! Hello?” Bilbo looks down, trying to see the dwarves. Suddenly I hear a thumping noise in the distance and look over toward where it is coming from.

In the distance, trees move haphazardly under the weight of something approaching. The movement is coming straight toward us and the dwarves. Worriedly, we climb down a bit and peer around. Bilbo steps forward, only to trip over a spider-web and fall several feet, bouncing painfully off branches, and yelling in pain and shock the entire time.

“Bilbo!” I cry out as I reach out for him. He catches himself on a branch, then watches in horror as a web parts to reveal a massive spider. As the spider opens its fangs and hisses at him, Bilbo yells and falls again, landing on his back in an even bigger spider-web. He is stuck to it and is thus unable to resist as the spider wraps him up tightly.

I jump down and am suddenly numb stricken by the forest enchantment. I slip on a branch slipping down hitting branch after branch as I fall down. I hit the ground with a hard thump knocking the air from my lungs making me an easy target for a nearby spider who wraps me up in his web. All of the dwarves have also been captured by giant spiders; the spiders have hung them upside down from tree branches.

The spiders surround one wrapped dwarf; the dwarf kicks, but can’t do much when wrapped up so tightly. It’s Bombur. I try hard to reach for Ithildin when suddenly all but one disappears down the tree-side. One spider stays behind and prepares to eat a wrapped and squirming Bombur. The spider drops Bombur to the tree trunk and prepares to eat him. Suddenly the spider spins around and hisses, Bilbo appears and as he thrusts his sword directly into the spiders head says, “Here!”

Bilbo pulls out his sword and the spider, dead, crashes to the ground. Bilbo looks at his sword. “Sting. That’s a good name.” Bilbo looks toward where the dwarves and I are still wrapped and tied up. “Sting.” Bilbo uses Sting to cut down all the dwarves and myself. We land on the forest floor and proceed to rip off our wrappings, the dwarves curse and yell the entire time.

“Where’s Bilbo?” Bofur calls out and we all look around as we call out his name.

“I’m up here!” He cries from a branch above use and then, a spider jumps at Bilbo from underneath the branch he was standing on, and it pins him underneath it. However, he manages to put his sword in front of him just in time, stabbing the spider through the belly. As the spider falls off the branch, Bilbo, entangled in its legs, falls with it.

By now we have freed ourselves and as we are trying to escape we become suddenly surrounded by the returning spiders. We fight against the spiders with our various weapons. Bombur is knocked to the floor by a spider, and it stands over him ready to bite.

“Grab a leg!” One of the dwarves cries out and we each grab one of the spider’s legs.

“Pull!” We pull at the spider’s legs, and we manage to pull its legs right off its body. The dismembered body of the spider lands on Bombur.

“Sorry Bombur,” I say as I hold my hand out to him. After I help Bombur to his feet we continue to fight the spider when suddenly one manages to grab Kili.

“Kili!” Fili cries out and I instantly bring Ithildin down stabbing the spider in the head.

We defeat our spiders, and as we run through the forest, more spiders jump down on threads of silk in front of us and hiss. I raise Ithildin in preparation to fight, but suddenly feel something else coming.

I turn toward the direction I had sensed something coming from to see a blonde Elf run through the treetops, then swing down a spider’s silk in order to land on it and kill it. He slides on the forest floor under the spider facing Thorin, slicing it in half, and comes up kneeling with an arrow cocked in his bow pointed at Thorin. Several other Mirkwood elves appear, drawing arrows and pointing them at the dwarves and myself.

Will Continue -

#berjhawn #berjhawn writes #elastic heart #fanfiction #the hobbit #hobbit x oc #hobbit x ofc #fili x oc #fili x ofc #fili #Thranduil #thranduil x oc

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jakkosisle · 5 years

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Career Change

The first six months of the Battle for Azeroth was essentially one long stalemate. The Horde burns down Teldrassil, so the Alliance lays siege to Lordaeron. The Horde tries to recruit the Zandalari Empire, so the Alliance tries to recruit Kul Tiras. The Horde opens up a new front in the Arathi Highlands, so the Alliance opens up a new front in Darkshore. Back and forth, blow for blow, the Alliance and Horde competed with each other endlessly, with neither side really getting a leg up over the other.

Until now, that is.

Jakko looked around the Hot House. What was once his favorite restaurant in the Zoccalo was now a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers. Waiters and waitresses suddenly having to play nurse to dozens of injured orcs, tauren, elves, and of course trolls. Similar medical outposts had been set up all over the city, to treat the wounded from the battle.

The Alliance had sacked Dazar’alor. First, they faked an attack from Nazmir, luring away the bulk of the Zandalari and Horde armies, leaving the harbor nearly defenseless. Second, they somehow destroyed what ships remained in the harbor - witnesses say the ships just blew up for no damn reason, leading most to suspect sabotage.

The Alliance made landfall in the harbor, slaughtering anyone and anything that was too slow or stupid to get out of their way as they stormed their way up to the pyramid. There, they did the unthinkable.

They killed King Rastakhan.

By that point, the Horde had finally returned to the city. They were able to chase the Alliance forces back out to sea, but the damage was already done. The God King was dead, and the Golden Fleet had been gutted like a fish. The Alliance now stood with the superior naval force, and the Horde’s odds of winning the Battle for Azeroth just got a lot slimmer.

Jakko reached checked his watch. She’s late. That didn’t surprise him. Punctuality had never been Spritzie’s strong suit, and that was back when they were on speaking terms.

Ever since the Battle for Lordaeron, Spritzie…changed. That sweet, cheerful young goblin was gone. She lost too much that day. She became harder. More ruthless. Started picking up bad habits like drinking and picking fights for no damn reason. Her bad attitude got her kicked out of two guilds, and the last time they spoke was months ago, and that wasn’t so much speaking as it was yelling and screaming.

I’m sorry, Rikko. Jakko promised his brother, minutes before his death, that he would look after their family. Lately, he was failing. Miserably.

Jakko’s ears twitched as he heard a voice he hadn’t heard in weeks. He looked over and saw Spritzie outside the Hot House, instructing a devilsaur and a large spider to stay put outside while she went in. Gone were the goblin’s childish pigtails and in their place was a sweeping hairstyle held in place with a skull pin. She wore armor that was black as night with a skull emblem on the belt. Jakko was sensing a theme. Strapped to her back was her old sniper rifle, a wolf-slayer model, souped up to double as a shotgun through the miracle of goblin technology. She didn’t even look at Jakko as she took a seat next to him at the bar and ordered a drink.

“Surprised you showed up.” Jakko said.

“I was thinkin’ of blowin’ you off.” Spritzie replied. “But your letter made you sound so fuckin’ pathetic that I had to come and see for myself just how deep in the gutter you are.”

That surprised Jakko. He had kept the letter brief. He only said that a lot had happened in the last few weeks and that there were some things that Jakko and Spritzie needed to talk about. Spritzie must’ve inferred Jakko’s desperation from the simple fact he bothered to reach out at all. It unnerved him, seeing how perceptive she really was.

The troll tapped his finger on the table as an awkward silence hovered between them. “So…what’ve you been up to lately?” he asked, unsure of how else to begin the discussion.

Spritzie paused in thought, taking a moment to digest Jakko’s question. Then she smiled like a cat in a canary cage. “Well, lately I’ve been in Darkshore a lot. Guess those night elves didn’t quite get the message the first time we kicked their asses.”

“Yeah, it’s almost like destroying their city pissed ‘em off or somethin’.” Jakko quipped. You fucking dumbass - you need her help and you think NOW is a good time to be a snarky dick?

“In that case, YOU should be as pissed off as they are.” Spritzie pointed out. She jerked a thumb outside. “Don’t know if you noticed, but the Alliance kinda kicked your race’s ass in a major way. Don’t tell me you’re not itchin’ for a little payback.”

Jakko had to admit, Spritzie had a point. Jakko remembered being awe-struck the first time he set foot in Dazar’alor. A living, breathing, thriving city of trolls. He never thought that such a thing could exist outside of history and legend. Seeing the City of Gold in all its splendor made him think that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for the troll race. Hope that they could one day become something more than just a collection of survivors stubbornly clinging to the edge.

Hope that the Alliance tried to destroy. He was there, with his mate Vorz’ka, in the Zoccalo when the Alliance attacked. Mole machines erupted from the ground and Dark Iron poured out, terrorizing the people, looting anything that wasn’t nailed down and setting fire to anything that was. It was a miracle the Horde showed up when it did to take back the Zoccalo before Alliance forces could do too much damage. From what he heard, the docks weren’t as lucky.

The Zandalari didn’t even do anything wrong. Not this time, at least. Their only crime was asking the Horde for help. For the first time since this stupid war started, Jakko found himself truly, genuinely angry at the Alliance.

But he was even angrier at Sylvanas.

“If Sylvanas hadn’t started this war, the Alliance would’ve never attacked Dazar’alor in the first place.” Jakko growled. “The Alliance killed Rastakhan, but she was the one who put the target on his back.”

“Oh, don’t even TRY to spin this to make it look like Sylvanas’s fault!” Spritzie snapped. “The Alliance kills trolls so often, they use troll sweat to grease their war machines! Dazar’alor was just another Tuesday for them!”

“Then how come they didn’t wanna attack Zandalar until WE came here?!” Jakko snapped back. “Everything the Alliance has done was because SHE pissed THEM off! SHE’S the reason we’re in this mess to start with!”

“The Alliance hate us!” Spritzie ranted. “Remember Stormheim?! The Burning Legion was lookin’ to destroy BOTH factions, but that wasn’t enough to kill the Alliance’s hate boner for us, judgin’ from the way they merrily bombed our fuckin’ fleet! THEY’RE the reason we went to Zandalar - because we needed a new fleet to replace the one THEY blew up!”

“Oh, they hate us. Okay. Well. Here’s an idea. LET’S BURN DOWN THEIR WORLD TREE! THAT’LL MAKE ‘EM NOT HATE US! GREAT PLAN, SYLVANAS!”

“War was inevitable! Ever since we figured out what Azerite was, it was only a matter of time until war broke out over the stuff! Sylvanas was just smart enough to get in the first punch!”

“War was inevitable? Really? With Anduin ‘Let’s all just hug it out’ Wrynn as High King? Gimme a break.”

“Two things - first off, Anduin’s not as much of a goody-two-shoes as he lets on. Call it a gut feelin.’ Second, look at all the Alliance leaders who DO hate us! Greymane! Whisperwind! Fuckin’ Proudmoore! And you think they’re all gonna lay down their arms just cuz some teenage pretty boy tells ‘em to? That’s NOT how it’s gonna go down and you KNOW IT!”

Jakko groaned. “Fucking…okay, look, I don’t want to argue with you on this.” Political arguments like these were part of the reason Spritzie cut communication for so long.

“Ah, so you’re giving up then?” Spritzie asked with a smirk.

“No, I’m-“

“You said ‘I don’t wanna argue with you on this.’ Which I know is Jakko-speak for ‘I’m wrong and you’re right, I just don’t wanna admit it.’”

“Can we PLEASE just-“

“No!” Spritzie snapped. “Not until you admit that I won the argument!”

“Look, I just want-“

“Oh my gold, you can’t even admit that YOU’RE WRONG!!!”

Spritzie was now standing on top of the bar stool, giving Jakko the most hateful glare he’d seen since…well, the last time they had an argument like this one. “…THIS is why I cut you out of my life. THIS is why Akivani left you, and it’s why Vorz’ka’s gonna leave you too one day. It’s because you’re arrogant. It’s because you think you know what’s best for everybody.”

She paused, then shook his head. “I came because I thought maybe you finally swallowed some of that fuckin’ pride of yours. I shoulda known better.” With that, she hopped off and began storming her way out.

Nice going, you stupid asshole. You just couldn’t do it, could you? You just couldn’t NOT be a piece of shit for five fuckin’ minutes, huh? The fuck is wrong with you? How many times do you have to do this shit before you realize that doing this shit is a bad idea? You are letting EVERYONE down, you STUPID, SELFISH, WORTHLESS-

“Vorz’ka’s pregnant!” Jakko called out before Spritzie could reach the exit.

The goblin turned around and looked over her shoulder. “…What?” she asked.

“…Vorz’ka’s pregnant.” Jakko said again, quieter this time. “I…I need your help, Spritz.”

Spritzie turned back towards Jakko and stared him down. “…Help with what?”

“Shiverblood’s not payin’ enough.” Jakko said. “Not enough to feed three. I…I heard you was with Firebrand now, right? Pay’s good?”

“Yeah. So whaddaya want?” Spritzie pressed, running low on patience.

“…I need you to put in a good word for me. I need a job with Firebrand.” Jakko said. “Please.”

Spritzie stared down Jakko for a good few seconds. She then sighed. “…I’ll talk to the boss about it.” she said. “If I get you an interview, it’ll probably be at our office in Orgrimmar. Ask for Tamani Tightclamps, she’s our hiring manager.”

“Thanks, Spritz.” Jakko said.

“Don’t thank me.” Spritzie replied. “I’m not doin’ this for you.”

On that note, she turned and left the Hot House. Jakko sighed as he rubbed his face with his hands. Okay. He’ll have an interview. That’s…something, he guessed. All he had to do was not fuck it up.

Good luck with THAT. Stupid asshole…

#World of Warcraft #OC #Roleplay #Wyrmrest Accord #Jakko #Short Story #Spritzie #Firebrand Enterprises

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light-spires · 7 years

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— the story so far…(03/09/17)

The dungeons of Wave Echo Cave were cold, damp and dark, five small cells lining the walls on both sides, prisoners in every last one of them. The group quickly looked through all the cells, finding two human women; Brilde Kirksdottir and Bruna Eifrahim in the first cell, a human boy named Gyles Parre, two elves; Darén and Halim and two more human women; May and Sophie in the second cell, a lone human woman named Aynswyth Glaston in the third. They were all broken and dirty, fear in their eyes and torn souls. In the fourth cell there was the motionless body of a half orc, surrounded by rats on the floor. His cell was connected to another with a heavy metal grate, through which Bran spotted his younger sister, lying on the cold floor of the last cell.

Caitriona Dunbar was alive and found. She refused to let her brother go as the group started discussing what to do next. Bree, Rurik and Eddie seemed to want to eave the prisoners behind, still locked up in the cells where they believed they’d be more safe, seeing as they wanted to go back out into the mine itself to find more information. Overhearing this conversation, Aynswyth protested. It seemed she was determined not to be left behind. After a short while, Bree decided to sneak ahead and check the exit, to see if they might be able to send the prisoners out by themselves as the group continued. Bran said that no matter what, he wouldn’t leave Caitriona like that, but the group still wanted to check if this was an option. Bree did find out that the way out wasn’t in any way blocked, but right by the last stretch of hallway, she found two dead guards, shot by arrows through their necks. Confused and slightly creeped out by this, she returned to her friends in the dungeons. They heard, once more, about Bran’s contact, the friend who was helping him find his sister, that they used a bow and might be in the mine somewhere.

After discussing some more, they at least decide to let the prisoners out and help them get out of the mine, to then return inside and look for more information, with or without Bran who was still uncertain of leaving the prisoners alone in the wild. Caitriona convinced them to also bring the half orc, as he had been experimented on by the Black Spider himself and had also protected the other prisoners at the cost of his own health since he’d been put in that cell next to her’s. As they made it toward the way out, though, they were suddenly stopped at the waters edge, by The Black Spider himself.

Now, the Black Spider seemed almost amused at your presence in his mine, but suggested that they return his property, otherwise he couldn’t let them go. When the group refused, the Black Spider had them attacked by some goons. The long battle that ensued was tiering and seemingly hopeless at times. The water was magical and rejuvenating, but there were many enemies. After Rurik sent a whole bunch of undead running away from the group, the Black Spider, declared that he could let them have Bran’s sister, if they left the rest of the prisoners behind. Eddie thought this sounded like an alright idea, Bran refused.

As more bugbears, orcs and an undead ogre entered into the room, the prisoner Aynswyth had had enough of the Black Spider trying to barter with them as bargaining chips so she grabbed Caitriona, who was still not letting Bran out of her sight, and said they were going to leave no matter if the Black Spider tried to stop them or not. The spider didn’t seem very enthusiastic about this but joked that no one seemed to care what he wanted in all of this, before having his goons engage again. Before the ogre could attack them though, Bran’s friend, a half elf druid named Rosemary, showed up and made sure to get some good shots into the ogre before joining the fight on the floor of the cave with the group.

Eventually, after giving her brother a final hug, Caitriona left the chamber with the other prisoners, closely followed by Rosemary, who promised to see them out safely. By now, the ogre was dead and the Black Spider seemed less calm about this than he’d been before. He joined the fight, asking if Eddie was truly forgettable or just tried hard to be, making Bran call out in reply: “Don’t speak about my friend that way”. The Black Spider answered this by paralyzing Bran with fear and visions of his sister’s dead body and sending giant spiders raining from the ceiling of the cave.

It didn’t look good. The spiders kept coming, their powers were running out, stamina on an all time low and as one of them falls to the ground, near death, time is running out. It was the Black Spider that stopped the fight, sending a wave of necrotic energy coursing through the room, effectively killing most of his own spiders but also severely damaging the friends in the process.

He posed an ultimatum. If Bran stayed behind, the Black Spider would let everyone else go, including all prisoners. If he didn’t stay, the Black Spider promised he’d hunt every last one of them down and rip Caitriona’s heart out of her chest with his bare hands. At this, Bran turned to his friends one last time, a smile on his face as he slowly dropped his pack to the ground, handed his shield to Rurik, his dagger with the Dunbar family crest to Bree, his pouch with money to Eddie and promised he’d follow them when he could, saying they had to trust him, before he turned back to the Black Spider, accepting his offer.

The friends were in shock. Had it not been for Rosemary returning, maybe they would have protested this decision, but Rosemary made them follow Bran’s instruction to get out, keep his sister safe, survive.

The last thing they saw of their friend, before they ran for their lives, was Bran’s strong back, hiding three fire flasks, which he ignited with a flick of his fingers. As the group passed over the bridge, which would take them out of the mine itself, they saw the opening in the wall leading back into the cave, saw a fiery explosion sending bodies of spiders and orcs into the water, as Bran finalized the plan which allowed them all to escape, except him.

He sacrificed himself so that they could live.

Both Bree and Eddie were stoic and realistic about Bran’s prospects. He might have made it, but it was foolish to cling to that hope. Rurik was in denial, insisting they wait by the exit for Bran, Caitriona was beyond grief.

By the time the group, friends and freed prisoners alike, made it back to Phandalin, they were exhausted and hungry. Sildar was devastated by the news of Bran’s death, admitting that he was actually Bran and Caitriona’s uncle, which of course meant he felt the death of his nephew deeply. He promised the group that they still had a safe haven in his home, and that they could always stay in his home. After this, he left them by the table.

There, they sat for a moment in silence, until Rurik got up to leave the room without a word. It was then that the half orc they’d rescued, Caitriona’s friend Yakiv, stepped through the door. He stood there for a moment, looking apologetic but determined, as he finally said: “I want to help you”.

#the story so far #bran #yakiv

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iamtheancient-blog · 7 years

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Review for Jetpack7's / Conceptopolis Gods & Goddesses 5th edition supplement

Those familiar with 3.5e edition of D&D, can recall one of the books written during its time was “Deities and Demigods “. This book was a supplement that detailed dozens of god's, giving their statistics, suggestions on creating your own gods, and even information on how to advance your character into god hood. This book was a wealth of information. One which I still pick up from time to time to read into when making and developing characters. I'm excited that Jetpack7 / Conceptopolis developed a 5th edition supplement in the same vein as Deities and Demigods. Some information on Jetpack7 is they are responsible for some of the great looking art in both the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monster Manual, also their art can found in several other locations and popular products such as League of Legends.

This book is laid out as follows. An introduction, and how to use this book. After this there are 16 Gods & Goddesses. Each God or Goddess has a page dedicated to who they are, dogma, clergy and temples. As well as who worship such a god/goddess. Afterward is a great picture of said god. A stat block of their avatar, then a Cleric sub-class and a paladin sub-class. After these pages are an appendix of companions to these deities. Some wondrous items from them as well. New spells, boons that deities can grant in this book, two new weapons and a couple NPC stat blocks.

Now will move into the distinct sections of the book.

For each page about these deities it goes into depth on who the god is, their dogma, clergy and temples to said gods. Also who worships them. These pages are great, and get the imagination flowing when reading these pieces. Reading through this book, as a DM it gave me ideas on how to incorporate these deities into my games and also inspired me to make characters who worshiped these same deities. These sections are great. The pictures afterword give plenty to tell your players if they ever meet an avatar of the deity face to face.

After each deity is a stat block of an “Avatar” of that deity that the players could face. All these deities are in the Challenge Rating 30 range, like Tiamat in The Rise of Tiamat. What worried me most in reading through these stat blocks was the wording and placement on them. An example would be, when comparing the Goddess known as “Baba Yaga” to a “Ancient Red Dragon” as far as placement goes. It lists in Baba Yaga’s stat block that she has a Frightful Presence. The stat block lists Baba Yaga’s Frightful presence as a feature, like Legendary Resistance rather than an action. The wording is correct on it but it is not clear whether her Frightful presence is something she can do at will requiring no action, or if it requires an action as normal.

Listed under actions for Baba Yaga, are actions like her gaining a fly speed. Mention of a pestle wand she uses and it acts as a wand of war mage +3. It is a bit odd that her fly speed is not built in, but requires an action for her to use. As well as the mentioning of her wand of war mage. Another odd thing on this stat block is mention of “Baba Yaga makes 4 magical attacks per a round”. It is unclear if they mean she can cast 4 spells or if her attacks count as magical, and she can make four per a round. Other unclear terms are such as Elemental Immunity which states, “Baba Yaga is immune to all (including magical) water, earth, wind and fire damage”, It might be better phrased as, “When Baba Yaga takes damage from a magical or otherwise elemental attack, she instead takes no damage from the attack”

Moving onto the next big part of this book Cleric and Paladin domains for each of these deities. A lot of these Cleric Domain and Paladin’s oaths feel a bit rushed and unoriginal. Before each domain and oath is a paragraph or two describing what a Cleric or Paladin of this deity would be like. This gives a great deal of inspiration when you’re sitting down to make a Cleric or Paladin of this chosen deity. Going back to the rushed and unoriginal aspects of these domains and oaths. Some of these domains / oaths take existing material from, or magic items in general. An example of this would be the, “Domain of the Devious Spider” as a 2nd level ability they can spend a use of their channel divinity to displace themselves much like the the magical item “Cloak of Displacement” in the dungeon master’s guide.

The difference being the effect lasts for 1 minute in the Channel Divinity. The effect does not disappear when taking damage. Another example would be the 6th level feature from “Domain of the Wise”. Is the same exact feature as of that of the Nature Cleric from the Player’s Handbook. Also the “Champion of Baba Yaga (Paladin Oath)” its 15th level feature is a copy paste of “Relentless Endurance” from the Half-Orc traits in the Player’s Handbook. Other errors I picked up were feign death as a 3rd level oath spell. When Paladins don’t get 3rd level spell casting till 9th level. In another instance a paladin got True Strike, which is a cantrip as a 3rd level oath spell as well.

These sub-classes need to be looked at more, especially because of these simple errors. While I understand you cannot reinvent the wheel with every single subclass put into this book, since there are two for each of the of the 16 deities. More work should have be put into making them more unique. I make take on a project later re-making the sub-classes presented in this book for fun. To better align with the deities presented, at least the ones that need a bit of reworking.

Looking at the companion stat blocks to deities already listed. There is nothing glaring on them, and look fine as is.

Next in the list we have a few wondrous items, all which are on the artifact level because of what they are. The only issue I have with these, is when comparing these items to the ones in the Dungeon Master's Guide, the formula for artifacts in the DMG (besides the effect of the listed item). Each item also has those effects and a minor/major beneficial and or a detrimental property. Besides not following this formula the items seem great.

In the next section, there is a list of new spells. I am assuming these spells are for clerics and paladins. There is nothing to specify who gets these spells on their spell lists. Some of these spells go beyond the spell casting capabilities of a single classed paladin. Yet some of these spells are on the domains of both clerics and paladins. Looking at these spells and comparing them to others of the same levels. Some of these spells are weaker versions of existing spells. Such as whisper, a 1st level spell that lasts 10 minutes, extends 10ft, and gives a +5 to stealth checks, acting like Pass Without a Trace. Otherwise nothing seems crazy about these spells but they would need some play testing to be 100% sure.

The boons of the gods seem fine, and a lot of them seem inline with what is existing in the DMG.

In the NPC stat block section, it describes each of the NPC’s, a bit of history, assets, flaws of the character and how the NPC would interact with the party. There isn’t many errors I saw besides forgetting the weapon of one of the NPC’s. You’re not sure what the NPC is attacking with, but you can find the information in the Players Handbook due to the damage it deals.

In closing, the book should have had some more time put into it. I would have rather waited longer for the book to be a 100% ready than coming out with so many glaring errors in the book. The first iteration of the PDF was missing the 17th level ability of the Cleric ability for Baba Yaga’s domain, comparing the first iteration of the original PDF to the new one, they have fixed some errors but a lot of others still remain.

I also got a hard copy of the book as well as the PDF, and it’s a bit sad to see the 17th level of the Cleric ability missing. As well as these other errors I pointed out before in the book. The hard copy of the book is right around the same size of the Player’s Handbook. The quality of the pages and book itself seem great as well.

If I had to give a review on this book out of 5 stars, I’d give it a solid 3. The artwork is beautiful, there is a great deal of inspiration in the book, but the many errors and thrown together cleric domains / paladin oaths bring the quality of the product down.

#dungeons and dragons #d&d #dnd #5th edition #gods & goddesses #jetpack7 #Conceptopolis

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