Bubbles that Ponder

Greetings! I'm Bubbles. I am a very big fan of literature and I write some things every now and then. I really want to somehow hone and share the things I write so I will do my best to jot them down here. I hope you'll all have a pleasant time in my little blog! 

[overlord-bubbles]

Virtue in Greed

Once again, I hear this song a symphony repeats in my heart that song that once meant so much which just cracks my heart each time I hear it each time the memories come back whenever I can feel once more the love we once feared we never want it to end we want that kind of happiness just as much as anybody we want somebody there someone who can turn our world someone who makes you smile someone who knows how you feel someone who looks out for you someone who'll never let you go the song, a symphony that felt like everlasting happiness a song that sent me to a world full of bliss, full of light where the wind twirls when I spin, the trees glimmer when I look up, the stars dance when we do. But the song had ended. The symphony is over. Im left with half a heart and one last note. And in this brokenness, I will make more symphonies and celebrate what was important: Life Happiness and most of all--Love.

[overlord-bubbles]

From the Heart

It's really hard to put together the words that would say precisely how grateful I am you're here and that you're looking after me I sincerely appreciate those times you pull me out of the zone I deeply feel like the world is against me Whenever I feel alone and can't breathe within my own worries and struggles I'm glad you're a reminder there Even when it's hard you help me tug deep down and pull out the best and the truest version of me You help me be proud of the person I am when I am with you In this zone with you Thank you for not leaving thank you for coming to me thank you for believing in me thank you for staying here Whatever the words whatever the act the fact you used your heart makes its all the more meaningful

[overlord-bubbles]

Layers of Fear II:  Masks

It haunts me like a phantom in the night a mask that stares but with my face inside of it It's always there I can see its eyes through mine it watches, it watches every twitch and shift in me The mask I use to see the tasks, the pledges I took Can I do it? Am I up for it? The last thing I need is the stones I will catch, the storm I must swallow, and the bounds I must sever I would weep I would bawl but all you'd hear is my laughs and persists This mask covers all the tears This mask filters all my pleas it keeps my weakness at bay Success is it's only way

[overlord-bubbles]

Layers of Fear: The Wall

Have you ever looked at a wall Stared at it so deeply you start to think again, and feel in your chest the emotions you try not mind. The many emotions, the many memories the things you dare not entertain are once again there to haunt you tickling the very sensation unwelcomed It is there, it always is the very thought of your own soul the very thought of your own craft the very though of your mistakes The things you can't change the things you crave revision the feelings you wish weren't there the failures you drag on and on It's all these things the things that stir the torrents in your mind the storm in your soul The moments that unfold all while staring into the wall It's alike all of the same purpose my mind and this wall both which I must meet.

[sartorarcane]

Divinity school with extra credits (Knowledge Cleric)

There is a feeling of being renewed in the sacrament of Confirmation, and that seems to be stemming from the fact that it tends to be a “second Baptism” of sorts. This is the case as the faithful receives initiation into the Catholic faith now with full awareness and insight. That last part established the connection to the Cleric subclass. 

Looking further into the sacrament, one would notice that, on normal days, it usually is presided over by a special celebrator - a bishop. This rank of the clergy, much like the others, have a distinct code of dress when performing their duties. Predominantly white and red, I felt like I needed to look around adjacent sources of references, until I came across this Eastern Orthodox garb for their bishop.  It should be noted as well that this matched the color purple I was also targeting for the design, which meant the far end of the cross-matching was also solved.

Russian Orthodox Church priest vestment image by Istok Orthodox Church Supplies

Louie, a very good friend of mine, pointed me to like a cheat-sheet style guide to the angelic hierarchy which happens to be the only detail missing in the cross-matching of possible design elements. And by the sheer mention of wisdom, it seems that the Cherub makes the best match to the angelic reference to be incorporated into the design.

Image by Cristobal Almanza

Time to sketch. The base garment reference presented a pattern-like visual for the center part of its design, which seemed like a place play around with. Some of the challenges to come out at this point included the question of where the Cleric can place their god’s holy symbol on the garment (they like that sort of thing; gotta represent).

First sketch

I’ve considered having the holy symbol embroidered throughout the center of the garment as a kind of pattern. Seemed fine for now, which was a good thing since another concern came up in depicting the angelic reference. Of all the angels, the Cherub is one of the peculiar ones by number of wings and the number of heads those wings belong to. I felt somehow lucky I chose a relatively biggish garment to fit in such big visuals. Majority may have to make do at the back.

Second sketch

Third sketch

At this, I felt like the placement of the design elements were ok. The resulting plan was to have the four faces be more generic so as to not take too much attention and just blend into the overall effect of the garment. The four wings will have squeeze in with each other, two of which will be reaching into the front and side while the other two will be nestled and resting at the back, covered by the first more widespread two.

Fourth sketch (front)

Fourth sketch (back)

The face was supposed to cover the majority of the garment’s elevated neckline, something like embroidered pieces of a necklace. This would have to be revisited come construction on the final placement.

[sartorarcane]

Spies and studs (Assassin Rogue)

D&D’s mechanics of the Assassin (currently an archetype of the Rogue) is pretty close to the historical (and often fantasized) reference of the Order of the Assassins, with D&D’s interpretation complete with poison and disguise. So yeah, the video game as a reference is pretty much in.

Balencia- no, wrong reference, image by Assassin’s Creed Wiki

I forgot where I picked it up but, seeing as I’m looking for a modern take, I found myself looking at spy fictions of the 50s, the Cold War varieties that were at the sort of golden age of the literary genre. Besides the kooky gadgets, there was a kind of campy suave and smoothness to the characters in most of the works. What I took notice almost immediately is how majority of the visuals, especially with the protagonists, are in suits.

Tom Ford BTW (the suit, ok?), image by British GQ

I snapped back to looking around for a general Rogue look to tie things down even further, and while I was anticipating to see something in glam punk, I got nicely redirected to a more garage punk milieu with all of its leather jackets, wrinklepickers, and drainpipes - the whole “black on black on black” fantasy. Grey suits and velvet jackets also showed up, giving assurance that this was the reference. 

Image by Fabrik

Looking around even more from the general fashion for that “suit but punk” vibe, I should not have been surprised to come across none other than the fashion pope himself:

Image by Stephane Cardinale-Corbis

The garage punk reference kinda pointed me as well to a specific hardware that works well with the look (hi, hello, how are you * points at post title * ). Looking this up in suits really shows how much punk subculture has been touch on decades over by fashion, with so many blazers and jackets having patterns upon patterns of stud placements and adornments. 

Request Dance Crew, image by Australian Filipina

First sketch

I felt like half of the subclass was solved already with the whole unassuming and very inconspicuous “suit but punk” look given off by a plain black with an upper body covered in studs. I then thought about how poison was to play in the design and looked through a lot of visual depictions of it in the color green. So it seems the violet has to go…

Second sketch

Played a bit with the color beyond just the lining, wondering if I could pull off a blackish green main fabric for the design. Perhaps this could be it once I hit construction.

Third sketch (front)

It seems that I found the color I could use for the tartan as well, another generic Rogue design element. I may want to find it elsewhere beyond the lining tho for this one, perhaps somewhere out in the sleeves to signify some kind of lacing of poison? This deserves a revisit once i decide I want to physically make it.

Third sketch (back)

[overlord-bubbles]

As a sucker for punky clothing and the likes, this is fire 

[overlord-bubbles]

Blessed

A melody of a leaf flying in the wind

Notes and wishes passing through what they find

A simple tuned yet exorbitant symphony

Doth the world has ever heard

A melodious scrivener of the sorts

Lo, the scrawls in springtime's morning daze

He makes hearts sleep

Yet makes souls dream and wonder

Insightful and soulful, insightfully soulful

A dreamer and an artist, the world didn't err

A bow to thee, and a masterpiece to behold

One may say as much: Heaven's behold

Ah, how blessed and acknowledged by nature

Even by the skies and the stars

O, what vastness and beauty you may be

Makarios.

[overlord-bubbles]

Idleness

Cold, dark, and vivid. The allure of the dark These virtues, it presents I fall for it all the time Is it the breeze that I imagine? Is it the songs I conjure? Is it the talks I make-believe? Or, is it the things I always want? Till now, I am staring. My eyes fixated and my body yearning It feels like I forget to breathe But I am well aware I am alive It's like I am denying it The every breath that I take A fear, a crave, a ponder to the unknown It's whan you say... "It is just there." The mind and the body ripples You're swept away of it all Before you know it... Nothing In the end.. all that moment For nothing...

[overlord-bubbles]

Actual Person

There was a time I was so insecure

Wallowed up and drowning in their words I never knew who I could be before But now I'm here, honey, no, there'll be no turns

Cuz you made me feel, you made me feel, You made me feel like an Actual Person

Though mama said: "It's not how things are meant to be." And Papa thought: "The world would be so unkind to me" Lived in that forest; cornered, thirsty But your love has set me free

Cuz you made me feel, you made me feel, You made me feel like an Actual Person

And I could roam the ends of this world In night and day just let the world unfold I'll conquer, climb, run and venture all Cuz in the end in your arms I'll happily fall

Cuz you made me feel, you made me Realize I'm an Actual Person

Whatever the doubts Despite all the worries Even through the pain I'm an actual Person

And that won't change thank you

[overlord-bubbles]

Adventure

Dear child, Where do your eyes take you? This light that you see My eyes can't find These colors that you see; They seem beautiful Such a magical reality My eyes can't cipher. What do you feel with your hands? Does the wind feel different To the skin of one from paradise? That this skin of mine can't feel. These words that you speak Your confidence guised by your efforts These sounds and pitches of which Are new and nostalgically different My ears can't hear those stories Your words want to tell. What about your kicks? I know it's hard when that fairy Gave you more vigor than the average. I can't fathom it, but I respect it. Everyday, you travel into these woods. The uncertain wolves prowl about This world that's vailed by yours But go forth and prevail. Wherever you go May your hand be guided By your strength and heart Traverse these two worlds Your hands Your eyes Your limbs Though they traverse another world May your heart always Guide you in both worlds. Your path is long and tricky You will feel alone and unwelcome But somewhere, you'll be embraced. There will be a place In which you can call home Let your heart guide you, Young Adventurer