rogue's lair (commissions open)

Hel • 🏳️‍⚧️he/they •24 • queer artist • art dump

[roguesarts]

the Prophet

working on the design of my Curse of Strahd character! He's a bard/wizard hexblood (cursed through and through) <3 i still have to work out his final design, but he's very inspired by court jesters and circus/theatre imaginery<3

[roguesarts]

the death of Prince Daeron Targaryen, and his father, King Maekar I, in mourning

[mewxmee]

something something hr violation

[worryfornaught]

So many labels, and none quite seem to fit...

[to-to-karamba]

Welcome back (to half of the) Bisexual Maelstrom

[pigeon-princess]

Sir Julien Davinos⚔️ Please... Sir Julien are you free sometime...?

[roguesarts]

Happy Mighty Nein Day, guys✨

[eternalmomentss]

The Predathos fight really goes down as one of the best combats ever. If any one member of Bells Hells hadn't been there, they'd probably all be dead. Laudna and Ashton's risky disintigrate, Chet casting blink on Imogen and rubbing the oil on her for a few HP. Ashton pulling her out of the God Eater's mouth so she can go on to survive and tear Predathos to shreds with the ring, Orym risking everything to heal Dorian and shielding Fearne so she can crit with her Flame Blade, Dorian healing the entire party and getting them all back up, as well as trusting Braius even after the betrayal. And of course, FCG, because without them they would have never made it this far in the first place.

This fight is the definition of Bell's Hells to me. It's a desperate need to stick together and believe in each other blindly. A perfect show of synergy and trust. We don't leave people the fuck behind.

[ruidusnightmare]

i miss you bells hells

[endiness]

Debunking misinformation about Netflix's The Witcher (Part 1)

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7]

"Henry Cavill is a massive fan of the books and the games and he quit the show because the writers wouldn't stick to the books and he just cares about the source material so much."

Henry Cavill not only did not know that the books existed when he started pursuing the role of Geralt, but he actually thought that the books were based off of the video games (and he still didn't bother to read them) and he didn't learn that the games were actually based off the books until Lauren told him (even though the first thing in the game credits is that they're based off the books); as of 2021, he as only read the full series once — right before he was cast in 2018; while he has played TW3, he has only played a little of TW2 (and I've never found any evidence that he's played the first game); and he also has not played the DLC for TW3.

Henry Cavill also started heavily pushing the narrative that he's just such a massive fan of the books and how important adhering to the source material is to him during the press for S2 to deflect from how it was due to his acting choices of cutting Geralt's lines and either saying nothing or just grunting instead that Geralt's characterization — who is much more verbose in the books — was book inaccurate in S1:

He also lied about the situation and tried to act like Geralt was never originally written as being verbose and blamed the lack of dialogue on Yennefer and Ciri's prominence, which cannot be true as confirmed by Lauren:

And tried to act like the lines he was cutting weren't that important anyway so it wasn't really a big deal, which also cannot be true as confirmed by Joey:

He also started pushing the narrative that adhering to the source material is so important to him and it's 'tricky' to do that with Lauren's vision, but his definition of "Lauren's vision" is the show being an ensemble piece with Yennefer and Ciri at the forefront (like the books) and the show in general heavily centering around women (like the books):

So the idea of him caring so much about "book accuracy" is, in fact, not accurate to the books at all as his problems were the prominence of women in the show when Ciri is the main character of the main book series, which the show started adapting from S2 onwards (which is when Henry Cavill started to complain about wanting "book accuracy" in the first place), and when women are very prominent, central, key figures in the books and they often drive the plot forwards.

Lastly, S3 was the closest adaption of the books out of all the seasons so far, so the idea that he quit after S3 because the writers just weren't respecting the source material and the show wasn't following the books doesn't make any sense anyway.

"Henry Cavill is the only reason why the show was even close to the source material at all."

I've not only never seen any evidence of this, but if anything, I've seen the exact opposite: Henry Cavill was either directly responsible for or at least contributed in some way to a lot of things that went against the books or didn't happen in them.

As I already pointed out, he cut Geralt's lines in S1 and either said nothing or just grunted instead which is inaccurate to Geralt's characterization in the books. Here's another quote from Joey affirming that:

(Just to note: During the press for S1, he frequently talked about how the games inspired his performance as Geralt — sometimes talking about them even more than the books despite how the show is based off of the books, not the games — and it wasn't until S2 press that he suddenly changed his tune and started talking about how important adhering to the source material ie the books is to him. He also only started advocating for a more book accurate Geralt because he got dunked on by reddit for his book inaccurate performance in S1.)

He didn't want to play Geralt and Jaskier's friendship as directly as in the books and buddy-buddy with each other:

He didn't want to have any kind of conflict in Geralt and Ciri's relationship in S2 — at least on Geralt's side of things:

Nor play Geralt struggling with fatherhood at all — all of which led to the domino effect of Yennefer's betrayal:

Eskel's death (which in itself also led to things like Vesemir trying to create new witchers and Lambert's attitude toward Ciri):

And Voleth Meir being the big bad of the season:

He didn't want Geralt and Triss to even just platonically find comfort in each other in S2 — which is what happens in the books:

He nixed a sex scene between Geralt and Yennefer in S2 because he didn't think it'd be in character of them to have sex after reuniting which, uh, is absolutely in character of them:

While this is an incredibly inconsequential change, given the prevalence of this idea that Henry Cavill is such an ardent defender of the source material ie the books and how much he wanted the show to adhere to them, I do think it's important to note that he pushed for — and got — more signs into the show even though by his own admission that is more of a game thing than a book thing and he got it into the show for the explicit purpose of catering to game stans:

This is also another incredibly inconsequential change, but again, given how prevalent the idea of Henry Cavill pushing for perfect source accuracy is, I do just want to point out that he would wear his armor 24/7 to make it look worn down:

Even though it is canon in the books that Geralt will buy himself brand new clothes, so the idea that Geralt's clothing has to look worn down and can't be brand new is not actually book accurate.

"Lauren wanted to make Roach's death a joke."

Just to address this point specifically, Lauren wanted to make a meta reference about how all of Geralt's horses are named Roach. That in no way, shape, or form means that she wanted to make Roach's death into a joke or even that the scene had to be played comedically. This is what Lauren had to say about the subject and the 'joke' in question (which, js, actually fits the tone of the books more):

And as far as the "Henry Cavill is the only one who cared about the source material and he's the only reason why the show even stuck to the books at all" front goes... Henry Cavill did change the dialogue in this scene to a book quote/reference; however, the quote in question ("Enjoy your last walk across the meadow and through the mist. Be not afraid of her for she is your friend.") is not something that Geralt himself says and the line/scene from the books foreshadows Geralt's ending in them.

So, at least imo — especially taking into account the incredibly high standard the fandom has set for Henry Cavill as the #1 defender of the books — I don't think this change was actually book accurate especially given the narrative significance of that exchange in the books.

[a-hearts-a-heavy-burden]

Now that Season 4 is released and the haters are back to being toxic. I thought it a good time to bring this back.

[dusking]

when your little guy is so FUCKING stupid

[artemis-darling]

Wait I need this clarified IMMEDIATELY; Thaisha walking into the blade Julien was holding to “hug” him was NOT an act of comfort but Thaisha trying to stop Julien from tearing into her newly returned pseudo-son. Aabria said “grapple check”. Am I crazy??? I feel like a lot of people are misreading that whole interaction. Or am I misreading??? Critters h e l p

[quiddie]

I can help, because I see where it gets confusing. The initial interposition was to protect Occtis, but after Julien's outburst (with no description provided by Matt to suggest Julien was about to physically lash out) Thaisha moves to hug him as she processes his words about the enormity of his loss. I would have used the word "restrain" instead of "hug" if that was my intention. She is reacting to his grief with compassion. The misunderstanding here is in the mechanical use of a grapple check - I'm telling Matt (and Brennan) that Thaisha is proceeding with clear intention and offering up a system move if we don't want this to be purely roleplay. Keep in mind, above game I know that Julien's fighter build in comparison to Thaisha means that it is nearly impossible to physically impose her will onto him. What you're hearing me say are discreet consent safety valves for this interaction. Finally, the tone is a clue too. That final beat is described by both Matt and myself with slow, deliberate pacing. Julien is wary, but firm. Thaisha is calm, but resolved to reach him. If either of us were acting aggressively, you'd hear it in our voices or see it clearly in our body language. Julien was not about to tear into Occtis. Thaisha was not about to grapple him. Walking slowly onto his sword was Thaisha proving a point, not starting a fight.

[abzania]

I'm rewatching the first episode again, and I just noticed something that has me CONVINCED Bolaire wasn't lying to Hal in episode 4.

When Aranessa starts getting angry with Wick, and the tension in the room shifts, the FIRST thing Bolaire did was move to cover the kids. He didn't try and stop the conflict. He didn't send one of the hardened warriors over to intervene. He didn't even alert Hal.

Instead, he physically stood in front of Shadia and Hero to keep them safe. He wasn't asked. He wasn't forced. He simply acted, because he knows how much those kids mean to his best friend.

Hal's priority, first and foremost, is keeping his family safe. Liam has made it crystal clear that Hal's motivations are based on those he cares about most, but most of all, his kids. That's why when he sees Occtis lying on the ground at the Lloy estate, he briefly sees Alogar instead. His biggest fear in the world is losing them. Bolaire knows this. He has to based on all the time they've spent together.

I've seen a lot of talk on if Bolaire is manipulating Hal, but I just don't think he is. I think he's being a little vague on some of the details (more for his benefit than Hal's, though), but that's really neither here nor there.

If Bolaire was trying to manipulate Hal for some grander purpose, why would he spend 200+ hours with him, willingly? If Hal were some bargining chip, Thjazi's blackmail wouldn't have been as effective. I guess you could say that whatever goal he's working toward requires Bolaire to gain Hal's trust, but that's not the vibe I'm getting here.

Bolaire goes out of his way to spend time with Hal. More time than is required to gain his trust. If he really didn't care, and only needed Hal for some scheme, why would he go out of his way like that? Why would he protect the kids? Why would he check in with his friend?

There's something about Bolaire that won't let me believe he's evil. He's too soft and too kind with Hal and the kids to be anything more than complicated (and a little morally gray). Why would he act like that if he only sees Hal as some means to an end?

[mareastrorum]

I know the knight longing for his lady is a very popular trope for good reason, but I don’t get the vibe that Julien has or had any romantic interest or goals involving Aranessa. I don’t think he’s bitter that he didn’t “get the girl” as a few others have put it. There’s too many gaps for me to take that possibility seriously.

Matt has played Julien conscientiously enough to show us examples of his obsession with duty and when he slacks off. It’s not just that he’s obsessed with obtaining status and lording it over others, but also that he’ll fuck right off to a brothel to avoid seeing his dad even though he’s supposed to guard Aranessa. He’ll sass to his father in front of soldiers and snatch a fairy by the wings just to talk down to her. All the little moments collectively show us that Julien views honor as currency to be earned. It’s only been 4 episodes! And we have a collection of character moments to show us why Julien is such a sourpuss.

But when it comes to any romantic interests, there’s been no hints whatsoever. Despite a bevy of opportunities for Julien to show any jealousy, possessiveness, longing, etc. toward Aranessa, Matt hasn’t played into that. There hasn’t been a single instance that could not be explained by Aranessa’s role as his charge and childhood friend. Even the moments of reverie and flashbacks have excluded it.

I entertained the thought that perhaps he’s just suppressing it, but we’ve been watching him “suppress” his disdain for Thjazi and jealousy regarding his father this whole time. Julien sucks at hiding his emotions. If we read a transcript of a conversation, we could argue, oh this polite young man is being treated so rudely by these commoners. But observing his physicality, hearing his tone, watching his face—his manners are a thin veneer over bitterness and selfishness.

I also don’t think there’s any interest in romancing Aranessa for purely political reasons either. To date, we have not yet learned how Aranessa ranks in succession or influence in her house. Regardless of her rank, marriage to a vassal house would be unwise from a political standpoint because it gains House Royce nothing; they already have the loyalty of a vassal house, and it would be better for Aranessa to marry someone outside the existing group. Further, the higher in rank she is, the higher in rank we would expect her spouse—which is also why the marriage to Thjazi was “ill-advised.” Even so, there’s no political gain for Aranessa or her house if she were to marry Julien, so that prospect as a way for Julien to gain status is simply a nonstarter. If Julien wanted a marriage for political gain, he’d probably be working with Aranessa to sway another house’s loyalty to the Royce family and formalizing it with a marriage to Julien as the eldest son of House Davinos. Of course, the likelihood of that happening was already low when Royce’s power was dwindling.

Altogether, I don’t have the impression that Julien has any romantic interest in Aranessa, emotional or otherwise. They’ve got an interesting mix of affection and loyalty going on for sure—and after that combat in episode 4, it’s easy to see why. Even if Julien wasn’t obligated towards Aranessa as a matter of birth, she’s shown the audience in just a handful of scenes that she’s the type of noble who is trying to do good, and it pulls the viewer into an instinct to help her. But that has not built into a sense of romance. Maybe it will over time, but considering how long they’ve known each other, I’m not betting on it.

[nonbeans]

Thaisha why are you fishing for a reason to shit on Hal's dream 🤨

[quiddie]

Sigh. Perhaps an alternate reading of this moment will help:

[roguesarts]

"Come to me"

toxic vampire yaoi my beloved <3

[roguesarts]

"What are you doing for lunch, after this?"

[roguesarts]

quick sketch of the two orcs because i'm afraid that they bewitched me, heart and soul

[roguesarts]

AND THEY WERE BABY DADDY AND BABY MAMA, I'M SCREAMING