#pujingtonwrites

[pujington]

Anyone else ever make super angsty art of your dnd character, but then feel like it's too intense to share on social media?

[pujington]

Has anyone else noticed the trend in dnd podcasts/shows of a youngish person losing their romantic partner and then staying indefinitely single after they’ve passed? I’ve noticed this trope in a couple shows that I love, namely Sofia Lee in Unsleeping City and Magnus Burnsides in TAZ, and there’s something about it that bothers me.

I definitely get the impulse behind this- in a world where the afterlife is tangible and irrefutably real, where you can potentially see and speak to your loved one, why would you move on? I mean it basically turns into an extreme version of a long distance relationship. [Also, it should be said that everyone grieves in their own way. There is nothing wrong with choosing to stay single after your romantic partner has died.]

So, why does this bother me? I guess what it comes down to is my own personal experiences and that of people I’m close to. It’s not so much that I’m upset these stories exist, but more that I’d like to see it play out in another way. Have a character who lost their partner and is able to use the mechanics of dnd  to say goodbye properly and in that way find closure. Give them time to grieve properly and then eventually find love again. This feels like a more hopeful message to me, especially when viewed through the lens of our world.

p.s. NADDPOD actually lampshades this in a pretty fun way with Hardwon’s dead ex suggesting they stay together and Hardwon vaguely saying they can have an “open thing”

p.p.s. This is in no way a criticism of Travis or Emily (who is probably the GOAT of dnd players), just a personal musing on the reaction I’ve had to those storylines  

[pujington]

NADPODD Theory Time

I think Thiala wants Bev and Erlin so she can get to Pelor, either to speak with him or to interact with him directly. Her ultimate goal is to kill the other Gods, right? And Pelor was her original god. I could see her wanting to take him down first and it would explain why she went after those two in particular.

[pujington]

Just caught up with D20 Live and that Riz/Pok scene really got me in the feels. As someone who lost their dad at a young age, it was cathartic in a way that is tough to describe. All of the elements of the scene: the tight embrace, just wanting to hear about the mundane stuff, grieving over the time lost and all the silly parent/child conversations they never got to have- everything was just so beautifully done.

I’m so glad Pok ended up being a good guy and that Riz got his closure. I see myself in Riz a lot and getting to see him have this one good thing meant so much to me.  

[pujington]

Some thoughts on the winter solstice one shot

If it's within your means, y'all should get on the patreon

I need more of Emily dming. She was so good!!

Also, that music freaking slapped

Of course Brennan's character is basically broken. What even was that build?! Based off of what we heard, I think he was a druid, barbarian, and rogue (assassin). That man is unstoppable

Shiloh was so thirsty! Was it just cause Emily was the dm orrrrrr...

Loved the world building- all that stuff about the town of artists utilizing the darkness to access greater levels of creativity was very cool

I'm obsessed with Rabbit. Would def-o keep a familiar that sucked my blood every time it gave me the help action

[pujington]

It’s so funny, I realized that I react to heavy RP moments the same way Lou Wilson does. We had a crazy reveal in our session last night that my long lost love, Ethel, was not only dead, but that my nemesis was holding her soul captive in a gem. I was offered a way out and Ethel’s resurrection if I just gave up on taking down the BBEGoddess. The whole time I was smiling and giggling even though on the inside I was all tore up. I feel your pain, Lou!