#derharlekin

[papenathys]

Hey! Do you know and can recommend any dark fantasy, gothic (horror) or similar novels not written by white authors? :)

I don't usually read horror, but here you go:

Bunny by Mona Awad: A young woman pursuing an MFA in creative writing meets a strange clique of rich young girls, named the Bunnies, at her new university. This novel has been described as The Secret History meets Jennifer's Body and I mean, yeah.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Set in 1950s Mexico, it follows a socialite who investigates her relatives, after a cousin claims that the their husband is trying to murder them. Anything Ms Garcia writes is extremely readable, but this one sounds extra spooky and has been compared to the works of Guillermo del Toro.

The Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh: Archives, reincarnations, time travel, malevolent gods, twisted rituals. I don't even know how to explain the plot of this novel, the first time I read it I felt slightly feverish, like an acid trip. Idk if it's actually gothic but it's really creepy in parts.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado: Technically this is a memoir about the author's abusive relationship with her ex-girlfriend, but the book is crafted like a dark little gothic tale, using horror tropes, lyrical prose and occasionally, switches from first to second person narrative.

Beloved by Toni Morrison: I know people will try to dissuade me from putting it on the list but believe me, this is a horror novel. Aside from the horrific commentary on white supremacy and slavery, there are real, actual hungry phantoms with red lined throats and open mouths who walk the pages of the story. It's a story of a haunting.

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo: In 1890s Malacca, a poor young girl is offered the most astonishing marriage offer and soon finds herself at the centre of an aristocratic family with a terrible secret. This is Spirited Away but darker, more grown up. Had a great time with this one.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones: This author has been described as the Jordan Peele of literature, so you know you're in for a ride. It follows four young Native men haunted by a secret from their shared past. I've not read this one, but I've only heard good things about it and it's on my TBR.

Hope you find something to your liking from here!

kofi: papenathys

[gobbos]

I freaking love your artstyle! :D Reminds me of manuals for old PC games from the 1990s, like Warcraft 2.

Aww, thank you so much! I really appreciate it! 

Old, dark fantasy PC game art (like Metzen’s) is one of the many things that inspired my style today, alongside some horror artists :)

[womenofnoise]

Thanks for sharing so many amazing musicians! I discovered quite a lot through your blog. I'm currently listening to Moor Mother and totally dig her music!

You’re very welcome!

[bunny-heels]

Hi! Your blog is the only one where I read the Shu'ulath stuff, what's the source of it? I'm really curious!

The source of it all comes from the BreenGrub twitter. It’s written by Marc himself and he’s stated that it’s mostly canon information. In there it’s Breen in the host body of an infant Combine Advisors/Shu’ulathoi/Grub and he’s describing what he’s figured out on the species, especially how they’re tied to the Combine and the Vortigaunts. This article goes into greater detail of what he’s saying about them and their relations

This video is used to explain how they can be used as host bodies. And this video goes into detail on how Shu’ulathoi can be born as what they choose to be and their telepathy powers. It also gives insight to a pretty convincing G-Man=Shu’ulathoi theory

[9thbutterfly]

I’m not good at talking to people, but I try my best, and sometimes it works, and it makes me happy.

So I just want to say, thank you, @bookshelfdreams, @derharlekin, @dendritic-trees, @all-too-ale and @tinjam, you’ve all made my week better and brighter and I appreciate it.

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

Hey! I just found your Sacred Gold posts and I'm laughing about your commentary, it's gold! My gf and I are currently playing the game, too and...I chose the Seraphim, too. She chose the Vampiress. Which has a pant AND a boot slot! Also a slot for gloves AND bracers!!! No seriously, the Vampiress has practical armour actually. And I feel sorry for you, that you have to play the game with English voice acting, the German is MUCH better. Anyway, hope you have/had fun!

Hey! Glad to hear my posts gave you a chuckle. 😊That’s the whole point in the end.

It is true the Vampiress, unlike the Seraphim, does have some pretty decent coverage and I was seriously considering her for a while, too. But I was more curious about the skillset the Seraphim would have, so I ended up choosing her. Plus the hilarity factor. I did try starting another playthrough with the Vampiress on my own, but it’s just more fun to play the game with a partner, so I haven’t got far for now.

I imagine the original German version is much better, as you say. I admit the English version of the Seraphim sounds like a morning cartoon. Sadly, my German is currently around the order-a-cup-of-coffee-in-a-restaurant level, so I would have trouble. But maybe I can find out if the audio alone can be set into German, hm?

Thanks for the message and the wishes. Hope you guys are having fun, too!

[fangmich]

@saltycleric replied to your post “Lets play the game called "how did you find my blog and what made you...”

Cute Pillars of Eternity art

@derharlekin replied to your post “Lets play the game called "how did you find my blog and what made you...”

@fangmich​ I was fresh on tumblr and was searching for Pillars of Eternity stuff :)     

Look at you two who don’t know what an ask box is. How cute.

[thewickedgrace]

derharlekin replied to your post: There are two things in Pillars of Eternity that...

Aloth’s arm…..muscles?

Exactly, and I also have evidence (all from official art). Safe to say, we’re certainly not dealing with any scrawny mage situation