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[naihaan]

Tatar prince Calaf. My feeling on him are complicated. On one hand, his pursuit of Turandot is borderline stalkerish. Ugh. And he's so infatuated with her because… she's pretty? Double ugh. And his 'riddle' for Turandot? More of a mockery of her than anything else. Her three riddles, at least, could be solved by thinking, they require logic and wisdom. But learning his name until next dawn breaks?

On the other hand, he's smart. I'll give him that. Strong-willed, too. Definitely, he is not easily scared. Facing a raging mob and telling them: "Your prayers are in vain. So is your threats." Definitely, not easily scared.

All in all a character i love to hate. He is a villain, no matter how hard Puccini's music tries to pesrsued me otherwise.

PS Admittedly, he and Turandot would make a one hell of a fun villainous couple.

[naihaan]

- You did call him Qiongqi to his face, Your Highness," said Pong. - Now prepare to face the wrath of Bai Hu," finished Pang. - What is the worst he can do? Drown me in senseless bureaucracy?"

Calaf hoped his retort would be enough to shut his former ministers down. But deep down, a worm of fear had already awoken. Whatever the Three Excellencies were, normal human beings they were not. And Calaf's former Grand Chancellor had apparently returned from the dead - angry and vengeful. Calaf's hand found his sword. Its weight, unfortunately, was not enough to reassure him.

White Tiger of the West (西方白虎, Xī Fāng Bái Hǔ) embodies attributes of strength, courage, and protection. Legend has it that the White Tiger guards the western quadrant of the universe, serving as a symbol of authority and defense. Qiongqi (窮奇; Qióngqí; 'distressingly strange', 'thoroughly odd') one of The Four Perils from chinese mythology, winged tiger covered in spikes. Often portrayed as a creature that instigates wars and enjoys the suffering of humans. Long story short, remove the human side of Ping and you get the worst creature imaginable to deal with.

Calaf, from the same scene: https://www.tumblr.com/naihaan/774200851560529920/tatar-prince-calaf-my-feeling-on-him-are

[naihaan]

This was another attempt at watercolors, and... Great Heaven, do i completely lack any understanding of that medium. Oils? Easy, just let the layers dry properly between sessions. Gouache and tempera? Even easier. Drawing pencil? Lots of control, but requires patience. Charcoal? Gimme that! WATERCOLORS? WHAT ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS? WHY ARE YOU WORKING AGAINST ME?! WHY?! *sounds of a confused traditionaly trained painter*

[naihaan]

Calaf. In his most "glorious" moment.

[greencheekconure27]

Norma watch party in a nutshell lol

[naihaan]

Turandot's Handmaidens. Technically, it a companion piece to this one: https://www.tumblr.com/naihaan/789157179964948480/so-continuing-with-my-weird-changes-of Three of my OC's in the same picture: Fun-loving but rather young Jinhua (Golden Flower) Mature and experienced Meifeng (Plum Fragrance) And Xiaoli (Morning Jasmine) He was looking unwaveringly at the stone tiles lining the floors of the summer baths. Yet his hearing was more than enough to paint a vivid picture nonetheless. The Celestial Maiden's Handmaidens were frivolously enjoying themselves in the water, her double was dancing in twisting pirouettes, and the princess herself was tapping her bare foot in annoyance.

One unguarded glance could send the Princess into a fit of rage. So, the Chancellor kept his eyes glued to the floor. - What's with the uniform?

" Court etiquette demands that I wear it at all times."

His annoyance was firmly kept to his thoughts alone. Outwardly, he bowed even deeper. - I beg your forgiveness, O great Daughter of Heaven.

Simple apologies were never enough—he had learned that well. The Cruel One's favorite whip had been a great teacher in such matters. So his cap and jacket fell to the floor, and his tight braid loosened into its true shape of a lion's mane. Half-naked, Ping wondered if this order was a sign that the Princess required the service of an evil spirit, not a mere official. Or perhaps it was simply habitual human cruelty. Nudity was considered a mark of a slave, and the Three Excellencies were her slaves.

The Handmaidens were giggling, sighing, almost inaudibly whispering among themselves. He could feel their interested glances almost physically.

"Cruelty it is, then."

Some people would buy their servants' loyalty with money or gifts. The Princess preferred to amuse her handmaidens with displays like this. And naked or half-naked eunuchs, round and feminine, had probably become a rather boring sight. What fun was there in commanding them to undress, when the Cruel One could just as easily give the same order to the Grand Chancellor?

He remembered that pretty grey-eyed girl from the last Ceremony. She was bound to be here as well. Still, he didn't dare to check.

[naihaan]

Yeah, the next chapter is finished. After a reaaly long time, for which i of course have a perfect expanation. Illustration isn't from this chapter, but it fit well enough. https://archiveofourown.org/works/62687992/chapters/214709381

[naihaan]

Two half-naked girls clung to the Chancellor, resting their heads against his shoulders. Another pair had settled on the stone slabs at his feet, shamelessly displaying their bare legs, arms, shoulders, and breasts. Crimson-painted mouths curved into predatory smiles, white teeth biting at their lips. Sharp little claws dug into the fabric of the man’s hanfu, while eager palms slid over his body, trying to reach his skin. The prince shuddered again. "First thing I’ll do is wipe out this nest of debauchery! I'm not going to execute anyone, but I’ll exile them farther than they can imagine." - See? How beautiful they are in their shimmering veils? Every single pleasure can be found in their embrace,- said Ping, wrapped an arm around the girls’ narrow waists and repeated. - Is it love you seek? Then take them. The whole flock of girls swarmed over the prince. He tried to dodge their grasping hands as they reached under his clothes, wrapped around his neck and arms — but to no avail. They nuzzled, pressed close, clung to him, whispering, purring, and breathing out all the sweetest little words they knew with languid sighs. He turned away from one horrifyingly pretty face, only to find himself confronted with another. Tired of fighting off their insistent attention, the prince looked straight into the eyes of the smugly grinning Chancellor and held his gaze until that grin disappeared. The prince roughly shoved the nearest painted nightmare with a woman’s face into the minister's arms and growled out a single word: - No.

[visionfugitive]

I'm sure somebody has said this before but if villain bad, why baritone shaped???

[naihaan]

THIS.

[naihaan]

Artist's problems

Guess, which one is the most vicious one...

[naihaan]

One of these characters doesn't need introduction, i think. The other… well.

I guess, Papageno the birdcatcher from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' wandered the forests long enough to stumble upon Jareth the Goblin King's realm. Not entirely impossible. First of all, 'The Magic Flute' is weird. Second, Papageno does feel like a fey creature, to the point that the main character has to state his disbelief if he's even human? Papageno's answer? 'Who do you think i am? Surely not a bird?' And that's just libretto.

The actual stage production of DZF from 2005 i've based this fanart upon? Well, not just Papageno has this strange fey vibes, but that of a teenage wannabe-rock star as well.

Also, THIS:

When you need one second to tell everything about your character. Balls make everyone and everything better, i guess. Including David Bowie and Gabriel Bermudes.

[naihaan]

Elanee

...and Naloch, you can't forget Naloch!

[naihaan]

Errr... No time to explain! Just an unexpected brain child of @genistaks and myself. We're both insane and weird, yes. Have a strangest crossover i have ever drawn. Aarin Gend visits Shou Lung (Celestial Empire). Allegedly as an ambassador, in reality, of course, as a spy. And the first thing he do is troll the shit out of Ping by adopting-adapting the strange attire of Three Ministers. I guess, Ping for the first time in his life feels somewhat upstaged.

[parmandil]

Shira Patchornik and Gaëlle Arquez in rehearsal for Calixto Bieito's production of Idomeneo. La Monnaie, 2026. (Photo source)

[naihaan]

Advocate of House Girard A portrait of a chiss bounty hunter in mandalorian armor, commisioned by Lady Aitalla, Baroness of House Girard of Alderaan. Done in old traditional oil-on-canvas technique. Records regarding this painting indicate that it had changed hands several times. First, it was stolen, then swiftly returned to the rightful owner by Nemro the Hutt. Alderaanian historians still have no clue what was the cause of this particular gesture of good will by a rather ruthless member of the Cartel, but they appreciate it nontheless. Then, Lady Aitalla herself had sold it and donated money to the Alliance. A few years later the Alliance Commander bought it back and returned it to the Baroness with a short message: "Aitalla, I have no idea why anyone would want this ugly thing, but here it. Also, i KNOW i'm at least five years and three month late with a birthday gifts (carbon freezing doesn't do wonders to one's schedule), but the blaster pistol is for Alkan. Please, make sure the boy learns to use it. Dar'aliit PS If you still need someone to scare away stuffy nobles, i'll be visiting Alderaan quite soon" So, another Bounty Hunter and another Chiss, this one... is a wild card. Had a child with Aitalla, dated Darth Tormen (yes, killing Jedi is very romantic), finally, settled with former Empire's Wrath as his life-partner. They kind of divided KotFE/KotET story between themselves, one had to deal with Valkorion in his head, the other with finding allies, building the Alliance and, well, commanding the damn thing.

[naihaan]

An obligatory St Valentine's day post

Aribeth de Tylmarande and Fenthic Moss I happen to actually like them as a couple. I love the way Fenthic with his timid nerdy boy image NEVER fails to jump at her defence. And i refuse to believe that Aribeth never loved him.

Keegan and sir Nevalle Well, here's a couple that doesn't exist in game, but i wish it did. My head canon, Nevalle's whole "servant to his lord, father to his soldiers" image is a facade for his actual character. And true Nevalle is a power behind the throne that keeps lord Nasher in charge. He is loyal to Neverwinter, sure, he' just isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, when it is necessary. And then, Keegan comes into picture, unapologethicaly refuses to see the illusion of a knight in shining armor and goes straight after the dark concillor underneath.

Artessia 'Tess' Virr of Clan Lok and Theron Shan I refuse to elaborate, just go and witness the marvel of a Bounty Hunter/Theron romance in SWTOR yourself. No, i don't care that you need to play the whole Class storyline before RoR just to get there. It's great too, you know.

Dame Evelyn Graham and Javen Tarmikos Another couple that doesn't exist in game and the only time i actually would have liked 'Enemies to lovers' trope. Infuriatingly stubborn Inquisitor slooowly realising that no, this woman isn't a demon worshipper or a succubus sent to test his patience, then even more sloooooowly realising that the rest of her adventuring group probably aren't under a sway of the Abyss as well. All the while, Evelyn is internally going through all stages of grief, because she somehow managed to understand his reasonings for destroying her guild. AND IT MAKES SENCE! Cue a slowburn of two people coming to a realisation that they're actually not that different and in another circumstances might have been... A year later after game events, they do come to a conclusion that they don't need different circumstances to make it work.

Xiaoli and Ping Office Romance between the secretary of the princess and the Grand chancellor of the state. Nevermind, that one of them isn't even human. And his main point of reference for 'what romance even is' is, well, mass execution of the princess' suitors through a complicated process of asking them riddles then beheading them for one wrong answer. And last but not least:

Sillin Marigold and Aarin Gend (also featuring Mellon the Cat's tail) From my friend JenD's "The small stones". I wholleheartedly recommend it if you want a good Aarin Gend fic, a good NWN1 fic or a good fic in general. So, a selection of two paladins, two politicians and two spies... I guess, i do love me some political thrillers with religious vibes.

[naihaan]

"Saviours" of Neverwinter

If there is one thing that continues to be a thing for my every MC in NWN and NWN2, it's they're always an evil warrior of some kind that worship Bane. Which becomes less strange once one realises that banites need people alive for corruption and tyranny to work. So, here's my Hero of Neverwinter and the Knight-Captain of the Crossroads Keep.

Ygrael ael Aytar. Half-celestial (like Kaelyn from MotB or Dame Aylin from BG3 ) born on Lunia the Silver Heaven of Mount Celestia. Formerly a paladin of Helm, now Bane's blackguard and enforcer. He was sent to Neverwinter to establish a proper shrine to Dark Lord and sink the Jewel of the North into the depth of corruption by converting prominent leaders of the city. Lady Aribeth seemed like the most promising candidate to start with. Then, perhaps, someone from the Nine. But the Waling Death happened, changing everything. So Ygrael adopted identity of Lyriel, paladin of Helm, and saved Neverwinter multiple times, all the while trying to do his best to turn Aribeth into a banite. In that he failed, because Morag got to her first. And Bane does not like failures. So, the last stretch of the Siege of Neverwinter was rage-filled curb stomp battle of him against entire Morag's forces and anyone who was stupid enough to stand in his way. The worst of it was a fight with Aribeth. Yeah, TWO fallen paladins/blackguards who feel like a complete failure, both ending with a bad case of Villainous Breakdown in front of each other. Forget the love story, have you ever bawled your eyes out because of complete and utter anguish on each other's shoulders? Of course, Ygrael eventually dragged dark!Aribeth from the Nine Hells back to the world of living, kicking Valsharess' and Mephistopheles' asses in the process. Bane's reaction (complete with a cup of coffee in his black hand and fur slippers on his armored boots)? "Errr... Whatever. Dissmised."

Keegan Farlong. He's about as tactful and cunning as his double-headed axe. I mean, he WAS raised mostly by Lorne Starling of all people. In his "rebellious teenager" phase he left West Harbor and became a bandit for a time. Returned right before duergars and bladelings attacked the village. The rest of the story goes about exactly as one might think, with two exceptions. He did enlist into the City Guard and somehow managed to seduce Sir Nevalle. Or, perhaps, was seduced by Nevalle? It's hard to tell with these two, as one LOVES his mind games and the other is so oblivious to them that it becames infuriatingly charming. Anyway, into his faith Keegan basically stumbled into. He simply read Bane's dogma of "Fear no one but Bane" and was utterly swayed by his arrogance and his whole "Be worthy of worshipping me, mortal" shtick. And so, Keegan, as blunt as he is, did eventually managed to do what Ygrael wasn't able, by establishing a small but loyal circle of banites in Neverwinter. Which grew in power, gaining more and more control over the city, only to be prematurely ended by eruption of Mount Hotenow in 1451 DR. Bane's reaction (complete with a cup of coffee in his black hand and fur slippers on his armored boots)? "Err... I guess, we'll try again later." ____ So, a former paladin and a barbarian-fighter who saved Neverwinter not out of love for the city, but because they had to. I love me some good evil rout in games, but i never needed one to make my evil characters to work. All hail Bane, with whom you always can trick yourself into thinking "i'm doing good things in the name of the Evil!"