#dgsd

[fag4butch]

im going insane like my heart is pounding im SHAKING OHHHH MY GODDDDD im sooooo normal

[psychokangaroo]

The crux of the central conflict of Demi-Gods and Semi-devils is literally the 5th verse of the Dhammapada

[psychokangaroo]

Yo altho xiao feng and the Liao emperor (YLHJ) are sworn brothers they are probably some kind of cousins. XF's dad implied that they are family with the "empress dowager xiao", who is historically xiao nouyin and the grandmother of YLHJ. That empress dowager is recorded as an orphan who was taken in by the previous empress dowager xiao (xiao yanyan/xiao chuo). The Xiao's are nobility in the Liao, and as xiao feng's family is within the xiao clan they are probably related to xyy/xc, who is the great-grandmother of YLHJ.

[psychokangaroo]

Demi gods and semi-devils is the equivalent of JRR Tolkeins story for me (and probably for a lot of other Chinese folks too. Louis Cha is the Tolkien of China).

This edition of DGSD is so well done, definitely better than the 2003 version. Xiao Feng is still the legendary figure but he seems more down to earth and more human. Duan Yus friendship with both of his brothers makes more sense, and he comes across as someone thoughtful and not just love addled. Xu Zhu still has the simplicity of his character but he seems wise and insightful while seeming naive. A'zhu is more feminist. A'zi is actually a likeable sympathetic character. Miss Wang is likeable too, someone with beliefs of her own and her intelligence is full on display too.

And not to speak of Tony Yang. He brings a richness to the character that displays Xiao cunning and viciousness while still maintaining that magnanimous air that always surrounds Xiao Feng. In his portrayal, Xiao Feng isn't just a tragic widower hero. Xiao Feng is a widower who is slowly undoing the consequences of his thirst for revenge. He is able to portray Xiao Feng as someone who sees himself as someone who has made grave mistakes and is now trying to atone them, on a pilgrimage to make his life as worthy of A'zhus sacrifice.

I'm not even going to get into Ban Shi. I adored him as the snake god in Love and Redemption. When I saw him portraying Duan Yu in this drama, I SQUEALED. He is definitely someone who can portray Duan Yus youthful carefree air while maintaining the gravitas of Duan Yus own tragedy. (And he has definitely proved me right!)

[l8rose]

DGSD Solas’ Story

Chapter 8

Solas hadn't been able to face her for days, even though she slept cocooned in his magic. There was too much that weighed heavily on his mind.

He sent servants at first but then they began to whisper and call her a name.

Ash'ter.

He had nearly laughed himself stupid when he heard them call her it the first time. The elvhen he sought had been his Ethara all along.

The first goddess he supposedly betrayed.

Every new thing he learned was more painful and ironic then the last.

[l8rose]

Dead Gods Still Dream

Chapter 39

Merrill merely introduced herself before leading the way. Both Orana and the armoured human stayed close beside her. I could hear them all speaking to one another but none of the conversation was directed my way.

I was surprisingly alright with that.

Abelas kept as close to me as they were to Merrill but he said nothing. I deliberately hung back so that I could at least try to talk to him.

“Abelas?” I questioned in ancient elvhen, keeping my voice low. “Care to explain how that happened?”

The fact that he had somehow managed to fall into a simple bandit's trap actually confused the ever loving fade out of me. He had led Mythal's sentinels and then assisted Solas in whatever capacity. A simple trap should not have held him.

“I was distracted.” He answered but did not meet my eyes when I looked at him.

“Distracted?” I almost laughed at that answer.

“I do not wish to discuss it.” His tone was like a scolded child's.

[l8rose]

Dead Gods Still Dream

Chapter Thirty Eight

I just stared at him before pinching the bridge of my nose at the absurdity of this situation.

“And exactly how did you get caught?” I asked, unable to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Or better yet, who are our captives?”

“I have not seen anyone above.” Abelas completely ignored my first question.

Sighing, I turned back to the door to look it over but there was no signs of a keyhole on this side of the door. There were the same intricate looking carvings but nothing to hint at a complicated locking system.

“It is no use, ma tarlan,” Abelas said as he walked back to the other side of the room. “There is no method of opening it from this side of the door.”

[l8rose]

Dead Gods Still Dream

Chapter 37 Ethara wakes and goes in search of Abelas. She unwillingly makes a new friend.

I came awake just as easily as I had fallen asleep and I thought perhaps it had just been a Dreamer's trance but the stiffness of my legs made it obvious that I had slept in my riding clothes.

Sighing, I got to my feet from the small cot and did my best to stretch those aching muscles.

I had no idea how long I had slept as there were no windows in this room. I reasoned it was for defensive purposes but it still made the room far darker then I liked.

Veil fire came unbidden to my hand as I stood. It was a simple instinctive reaction to the dark.

I could see well enough without it but I could not help but want the light. Even if it was green and merely the memory of fire, it was comforting. Something that reminded me of days long ago with companions I had not really seen in thousands of years.

I walked to the door to find that Varric was not out in the main room either. I could hear people just beyond the door and extinguished the veil fire as I wandered over.

Life still continued on in the main area of the Keep. I did not recognize any one other then the markings of the city guard. Two happened to be standing just outside the doorway.

They were not the men who had been there earlier so I guessed that I had slept through a shift change.

Sorry about the delay, been playing Enderal and completely lost track of time.