Birds :D

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[purpleheartemote]

You have no idea how good it feels to run into strangers who headcanon a character as aro. In spaces where ships are taken too seriously and around friends who just don't really care all too much about aromanticism, seeing a complete random person headcanon something that I am in real life brings me so much genuine joy

[kdinjenzen]

As of TODAY Twitch has quietly added the Generative Ai Training model into your account without your permission.

For the time being it is TOGGLEABLE and you can TURN IT OFF!

However, we do not know if Twitch will force this to be on at all times like some other platforms, like X/Twitter, have previously done.

Regardless of IF YOU STREAM OR NOT you should TURN THIS "TRAINING FOR GENERATIVE AI" SETTING OFF IMMEDIATELY!

To do so you must go to: https://www.twitch.tv/settings/security

And then scroll all the way down near the bottom.

There you'll find the "Training for Generative Ai" setting, toggle it to OFF!

Be sure to keep sending messages to Twitch that you do NOT want this to exist.

And another reminder that if you do stream on Twitch, like I do, you should start preparing you and your audiences to migrate elsewhere ASAP.

[kikkofrog]

I've seen people talk about the implications of Gortash tadpoling his parents and so on, but I've never seen anyone talk about the fact that he gets genuinely pissed if you kill them:

And the devnotes fo point out that he really does feel betrayed by that action.

Also, the wording.

It could be that he is just angry about the fact that you dared ruin his revenge (by setting them free from the tadpole), but given that he is, behind all his bluster, nothing more than a scared child desperately clinging to the illusion of control, I do wonder if he is also hurt by their deaths.

Don't mistake me, I don't say that he is actually grieving the people his parents were; I think he gets upset because he is "mourning" the parents he wanted them to be/thought they were when he was still only a child (children usually struggle with putting abusive behaviour into words and/or understanding what abuse is (the whole talk of 'you would have sold him as well. He was always an ungrateful child')).

By tadpoling them, he was able to keep that illusion alive, able to have them tell him that he is loved and good and that he is successful. He can delude himself and ignore their actual resentment against him.

And then the player kills them.

And now Gortash has to acknowledge that not only his control over them was not as final as he may have believed, but also that he no longer has anyone to tell him that they are proud of him... at least not from someone whose opinion might actually matter in that regard.

Durge? I think he would value Durge actually telling them that they like/respect/value him, but that is a statement from a friend/ally/lover.

A parent's love is very different.

You can have multiple friends in your life, more than one lover, many allies. But you can't have more than two parents (biologically speaking, at least).

And honestly, the closest thing he might have had to any family during his time in the House of Hope was 'Hope' herself (the dwarven lady). I can see her acting like an older sister towards him (given the chance), but, ultimately, her demeanor and madness must have confused a young Enver. Although it could also have acted as a very strange source of comfort for him.

This might explain why he loathes Orin so and what he means when he talks about feeling something when looking at her.

It's not just disgust; it's fear. And given that he wears an anti-anxiety coat, it would make sense for him to be unable to actually name this feeling.

Gortash sees Orin, mad and raving and broken, and, maybe, has to think of Hope as well. How Hope spoke, how her speech pattern seemed somewhat similar to Orin's, how she was insane and terribly broken and in pain, but kept going. It could be that a part of him views Orin as this terrible perversion of Hope; of what Hope could turn into if Raphael ever manages to break her like Bhaal did with Orin. If Hope brought him comfort as a child, then meeting Orin (witnessing the other side of madness, one that is strangely familiar but at the same time so utterly different) must be horrifying. Suddenly, a behaviour that once brought him comfort makes him wary.

Anyway, back to Gortash's parents.

Raphael and the rest of the inhabitants of the House of Hope are no parental figures.

So if Gortash's parents die, then he loses the last thing that connected him to his own innocent self: the child that was no god's chisen, no master-schemer, no man that sought to control the whole world.

At this point, he has no real home; he has no real friends (even Durge is no longer quite the same person), and now, with his parents demise, he doesn't even have any real family anymore. Because I truly believe that he told himself that because they sired him, they mattered. What else was he supposed to do?

He knows that Bane doesn't care about him, that his followers only serve him as long as Bane wills it, that Orin and Ketheric are both set on backstabbing him. He has nothing. During the time in which he tadpoles them, he believes that the only real friend he ever had (Durge) is dead.

So, yeah. I totally get him.

This is not just anger at a thwarted revenge or loss of control making him react like that; it's the realization that the last part that he had, the one that I believe he truly did cling to (the tiny spark of innocence/carefreeness still left to him), was gone. And he would never be able ton regain that, because even if he did resurrect his parents, the tadpole would be gone and they would start calling him a monster/ungrateful/unwanted/unloved again.

He wouldn't be able to bear that.

Anyway, his parents as some twisted sort of anchor to his once childlike innocence and Orin as a constant reminder of how afraid he actually is of utter madness, is fascinating.

It also illustrates of why he respects Durge so much.

Durge, like Hope, is constantly being manipulated and used by a more powerful force. And both still cling to their sanity with all their might. Durge acting as a reminder of Hope is perfect.

I adore the interactions with Hope, and they only grow more meaningful if you talk to her as Durge.

Now, if only we could bring Raphael's head to Gortash and tell him that Hope is free... alas. That's what fanfictions are for.

[kikkofrog]

I find it very interesting that Durge grew up relatively poor and that Bhaal seems to make a statement by letting Durge grow up in such an environment.

'A little Urge - not even an adolescent - stands with a tiny dagger atop a bloody heap. Two bedroom cottage. Relative squalor. Poor part of the city. Indiscriminate whole-family kill. Baby's first murder spree.'

And this:

Okta: "Fancy a bowl? Best to fill your belly now - while we still can."

Durge: "Grey goo... I think I ate things like this in the past. When I was desperate."

Okta: "You been on hard times too, huh?"

Durge: "No worse than what you're facing now."

Okta: "Hm. Look in your eyes says otherwise."

One thing I've yet to see being discussed about Durge growing up in poverty is the statement Bhaal makes here.

Bhaal likes gold. He loves his luxuries and wealth:

'...Tell folk that gold proffered to the church can make the Lord of Murder overlook them for today.'

‘Several Deathbringers have managed to become city rulers or the heads of city law-keeping forces- and their minions now stalk the streets slaying undesirables and rivals to increase their wealth and tighten their rule. Increasingly, Deathbringers seek positions where they can live comfortably, make lots of coin, and kill often with few consequences.’

"Such pride is undeserved, great predator, when your whole being is borrowed. Credit where it is due, and dues where payment is demanded."

"Profit is the oldest reason for killing, yet it's alive and well. None are better at it than kings."

'...in the darkest dead of night, at least once a tenday, properly clad as a Bhaalist, they murder their target, and “take home” some token or trophy (from a finger or heart of their victim, to personal jewelry), plus wealth from the victim if available. The token or trophy is offered to Bhaal...'

'...were also to pray when giving gold to Bhaalists (to ensure that the Lord of Murder accepted their gift) and whenever a violent death occurred nearby or to someone related to them.'

"Lord Bhaal, the poison that quack sold me was not effective diluted in the ale. Writhing failure of a slave that I am, I offer all of the gouted landlord's gold, grifted from deviants in their excess. I pray only it can fund a mighty homicide, and one day my corpse may sip on gall-goblets with you, in your domain."

Suddenly, Bhaal ensuring that Durge grew up in poverty makes so much more sense.

It's not only about making sure they learn to fend for themselves and are hardened from childhood; it's also about luring them towards him with promises of wealth and of not having to fear going hungry again.

A Durge, especially a young one, would very much find the promises of riches alluring, if only to make sure that they wouldn't have to live on scraps. A child who grew up with little is suddenly given the possibility to amass gold and other trinkets. Suddenly, they get the opportunity to purchase more than just the most necessary things to survive without having to double-check whether or not they can afford such things.

And if we consider the fact that Bhaal, as a mortal, was most likely of Talfiric origin, meaning he grew up in a simple fishing village (the very same where Baldur's Gate now stands), and then dashed off to become a Spymaster and Chief Assassin, does fit with his whole talk about 'aquiring wealth through killing and then hoarding it (offering it to him)'. His own followers, especially Deathbringers, are supposed to acquire wealth. That's not what you would expect from a Murder Cult, especially compared to Malar's cult (who is also very much in the business of killing):

'...Black Blood cultists often eschew material goods, gold, and the fineries of civilized life...'

Bhaal, growing up in poorer conditions, only to then exult in the riches he acquired through murder, explains why he cares so much about it. Also, he very much does act like a greedy bastard who will take the side of whoever pays him more (Bane's treasuries must be empty by now):

'What is murder if not the most violent of deaths, seized by Bhaal in his incessant greed?'

Greed for what? Blood, gold, or both? He is the patron of assassins - of professional, hired killers. Every murder contract makes his clergy and him wealthier.

He also has this whole theme going on where he acts like royalty, despite having been born a peasant (I always wanted to call him that).

I mean, even Jergal calls him out on it. At least it once was in the game files for the original bad ending of Durge (I am pissed that this line never made its way into the game):

"...the madman in kings-clothing."

Bhaal acting like a self-made man gets obvious the closer we look:

'Cespenar was Bhaal’s quartermaster and armorer (making, repairing, and in some cases procuring from others armor for Bhaal’s guards and household; he also saw to metal tools, flatware, and pots and pans). Loyal to Bhaal and without personal ambitions; the perfect “strong, ready right hand.' (Cepsenar is also his personal butler)

I mean, I never read anything about other gods having a personal household. Why, tf, does he need pots and pans? Do other gods have them as well? Butlers, so far, seem to be a Bhaal-only thing. At least for now (I don't put them past Bane, Myrkul, and Waukeen either. Malar, definitly, doesn't have them).

Orin and Durge also get Butlers (Cruor and Sceleritas), and at least Sceleritas speaks about/to Durge as if they were born into royalty:

"But why come to the Master's estate without them?"

"The royal Itch, the regal Tingle, the unending Thirst. Oh, I adore them so."

"We are unfortunate bunkmates, as she refuses to leave your estate!"

"Oh, Master, Master, MASTER! You have come home to your royal dwelling!"

"Lady Orin told me not to let you in, but I'd never listen to the pretender to your fetid throne."

"How dare you so much as whisper the name of that serf, that watery-blooded peasent who pretends to bear the Lords name?" (In regards to Orin)

"One with such base manners is certainly unwelcome in my Liege's home." (speaking like a peasant)

"This is simply a matter of royal principle. We hesr of a darling thing shining a light in the darkness? We kill her!"

"Peasents love grovling afore those with good breeding. The shameful poor Isobel wants to die by your royal hand."

"...I shall attend to your miserable royal person with great care..."

It's amusing that Sceleritas keeps pointing out that Durge should 'dress in a manner befitting their station', while Bhaal himself tends to run around with nothing more than a loincloth:

"...Why do you degrade yourself wearing the shameful hatpiece of a mere servant? It's an honour to see you look so fetching, but let me dress you properly on the morrow."

"Oh, you must be more of our dire Liege's servants. You are dressed in attire demonstrating respect for the Master."

"...I see you are dressed in my rainment... You should take it off, though. It would be improper to meet Lord Bhaal in the garb of a lowly servant."

I mean, while Bhaal, according to Sceleritas, does seem to think that wandering the world in the shape of a giant monster equals wearing royal attire, he also keeps running around with a handkerchief. I am not joking:

'Bhaal always carries a red handkerchief somewhere on his manifested form.'

I'd also like to point out that 'red' is a rather forbidden color in his faith and yet a holy color of Bane. Apparently, just like Gortash gifted Durge 'Stillmaker', Bane gifted Bhaal this Handkerchief (this is a purely self-indulgent add-on to my ramble).

Gortash: "Here, I made this dagger for you."

Durge: "Cool, I shall- It's green. A banite color."

Gortash: "But it has your fathers symbol."

Durge: "It's green."

Gortash: "If you don't want it, give it back."

Durge: "NO."

...

Bane: "Here, I got this for you."

Bhaal: "A king always needs his handkerchief. I will gladly- Why is it red?"

Bane: "...Because you like blood?"

Bhaal: "Tell me the truth."

Bane: "Enjoy :)"

Bhaal: "Come back here!"

Walking around naked or in the form of a monster is fine, but Ao forbid Durge wants to wear a silly hat.

Anyway, Bhaal acting like royalty (because he, probably, also grew up in rather poor conditions (seems to me like he really, really, really doesn't want to be reminded of that fact)) certainly puts weight on the whole inheritance thing Sceleritas keeps talking about.

At least Durge, unlike Bhaal, still grasps how hard it can be to have nothing. Bhaal seems to have forgotten that:

"There was one time you gave a beggar some coin while we were en route to the Devil's Fee. You didn't kick him or spit on him or anything! I was so shocked I almost fainted!"

Before Durge got infected by a tadpole, if Helsik is to be believed, they also didn't want to be perceived as poor:

Durge: "It's customary for any salesperson to offer a free sample."

Helsik: "The first hit's free, eh? My, you have changed. Fine. Just this once."

Summary of Bhaal's weird obsession with gold:

Bhaal: "You want me or my clergy to kill someone? Pay me. You don't want me or my clergy to kill someone? Pay me. You want my or my clergies protection from another threat? Pay me, peasent."

It certainly explains why Bhaal wants his followers to cozy up to the rich and powerful people of the world. He needs money. And who better to give it to him than those who hoard it?

Also explains why he gets along with 'Mr. I am better than everyone, Myrkul'. Myrkul is, after all, a former crown-prince. I am surprised that he hasn't considered an alliance with Waukeen. On the other hand, he would have to do paperwork to keep track of every financial decision, and everyone knows he has enough of that already. He has his own kingdom to run, and serving Bane comes with drawbacks: Bane is, as Ethel accurately puts it, lazy. He probably lets Bhaal handle his paperwork as well. Bhaal doesn't need any more of that.

Anyway, the statement Bhaal makes by letting Durge grow up in poverty is something along the lines of 'I pulled you from the streets and gave you everything you could ever desire. Better obey my every whim, child. You don't wanna end up on the streets again, do you?'.

Ketheric and Myrkul are the two old necromancers who are rather tired of their allies shenanigans (especially Ketheric, somebody save that poor man).

Gortash and Bane are the former slaves who cling to every ounce of control they can get their hands on (and make heart-eyes at their favourite assassin while they are at it).

And Durge and Bhaal are the mentally damaged assassins who have a weird obsession with shiny trinkets... no wonder Bhaal slept with a dragon... and made Durge a Dragonborn.

[orthoscheme]

*Holding out my hand in a peace sign* You can't spell execute without cute! *In my other hand drags a long gnarled blade scraping loudly against the stone*

[meowfeverzzz]

@thelocalcoyote

[thelocalcoyote]

Right she is I mean comeonnnnnnnn just look at this thing and tell me she isn’t so cutesy

[sherlocklovesboys]

no no i actually think it’s super fun that you took that aro/ace character and bent them over backwards to make them gay!!!! we all know being gay is more #progressive than being aro/ace so i’m so glad you freed them from having a storyline unconnected from romance and shipping!!! you go diva!!!

[astraldemise]

theres too many pokemon games where you play as a kid whos full of life and full of potential. there needs to be a pokemon game where you play as a college dropout who lives in a shitty apartment

[astraldemise]

your starter pokemon are trubbish, rattata and glameow. which symbolise the trash you keep forgetting to take out, the rats living in your walls and the stray cat you keep trying to befriend but it keeps hissing at you.

[astraldemise]

[astraldemise]

you guys dont get it its not supposed to be dark and edgy its supposed to be living in a mundane setting and slowly rediscovering the wonder in the world by going on a journey with a magical trash bag that is your friend, its about love and recovery and coping with the stress of your adult life with your friend who is made of sentient garbage

[bedrock-to-buildheight]

I’ve never been so attached to literal trash before

[sudorm-rfslash]

[pokefuseme]

I am similarly attached to the sentient trash. Can't wait to take him on little adventures

[nomadiclegends]

[ladyofthebookcase]

to me miku is like the patron saint of stuff like inspiration and whimsy and kindness and all that and then teto is the patron saint of Never Fucking Giving Up no matter what kind of ridiculous bullshit life throws at you

[dailydccomics]

i'm sorry but this is the funniest shit i've ever seen in my entire life omfg Justice League of America #7

[ladyofthebookcase]

hello allo person in a fandom. let’s play a game. in front of you are two characters. your challenge is to okay and you’ve already started shipping them. well the crusher machine is going to activate now goodbye.

[atalana]

hello self proclaimed multishipper on tumblr. let's play a game. in front of you is an aro person venting understandable frustration about how 99% of fanworks and fan discussions in every single fandom always center around romance, regardless of whether or not the character in question would realistically want to date anyone. your challenge is to okay and you've already started calling op a violent anti. well the crusher machine-

[weirdstaffbot]

Are you excited for the new restaurant

[weirdstaffbot]

Because they're not

[sunderwight]

Aquaman has the ability to telepathically communicate with fish.

However, it's not only limited to fish, since it also works on marine mammals and lizards.

But since "fish" is itself a kind of classification that is ultimately not that meaningful, this still works in the sense that virtually anything is a kind of fish when you think about it.

Conclusion: Aquaman is just telepathic. As long as he thinks something is a fish, his powers will work on it.

[haveyouthoughtaboutcomicstoday]

You’re not going to believe this

[theswisscheeserag]

You gotta be really publicly passionate about things if you want your friends to text you. Bc people will forget to text you because they’re human. But if you’re really openly the friend who loves identifying ants your friends will think of you when they see ants. And they’ll text you “what ant is this [blurry photo]”. And then they’ll ask you how you’ve been and we should get coffee sometime. But if they don’t know what you love they’ll never know what you like

[theswisscheeserag]

And then when the ant convention is in town they’ll be like dude… we should go to the ant convention. But they would never think to go if they didn’t know u loved ants

[theswisscheeserag]

And sometimes you need to ask them to go to the ant convention. But you Will not get anywhere hiding your passions

[sparx-artz]

[fallout-lou-begas]

so in the 2003 Aquaman series they introduce a new backstory for archvillain Black Manta in which the entire reason for his (hyper)fixation on destroying Aquaman's life was severely maltreated autism, which Aquaman then cures him of with his magic water hand to completely redeem him. and this is obviously insanely stupid and ill-conceived and genuinely hateful, but given all of that, this is still one of the funniest speech balloons i've ever read in a comic. me @ myself when i remember how i acted in high school or whatever

[fallout-lou-begas]

i'm so sorry but also delighted to report that after black manta betrays aquaman it gets even funnier

[theswisscheeserag]

You gotta be really publicly passionate about things if you want your friends to text you. Bc people will forget to text you because they’re human. But if you’re really openly the friend who loves identifying ants your friends will think of you when they see ants. And they’ll text you “what ant is this [blurry photo]”. And then they’ll ask you how you’ve been and we should get coffee sometime. But if they don’t know what you love they’ll never know what you like

[dephroggy]

do we rock with pony orpheus i really like the idea of githyanki as changelings