icykalisartblog

[icykalisartblog]

Hey everyone, please consider buying the 2024 itch.io Palestinian Relief Bundle- it's 373 games, game-making assets, tabletop roleplaying games, zines, and comics for a minimum of just 8 USD! They have a goal of 100,000 USD, and as of the time I'm writing this post, they have 8 more days to reach it.

Link will be in the reblog!

#Let's see if the next goal can be reached! #10 days left #free palestine #palestinian relief bundle

[icykalisartblog]

Great egret landing for Earth Day!

#birds #herons #great white egret #IcyKali's art #photography

[icykalisartblog]

Best Pali orgs to donate to at this time? Am thinking PCRF.

don't donate to orgs right now, donate to people. gazans need huge funds to evacuate to egypt, get treatment, buy food and other necessities. it is the most urgent and the best way your money can have the most impact.

here is fundsforgaza linktree full of verified gofundmes you can choose from

here is the operation olive branch spreadsheet full of gofundmes organized by different factors such as families, age, number of children, medical conditions as well as how close they are to meeting their goal etc

#OOB is such a good resource #free palestine

[icykalisartblog]

During the solar eclipse I got some cool photos demonstrating the physics of shadows!

The closer an object was to the piece of paper, the more normal and crisp the shadow, but the father away from the paper, the more of the shape of the eclipse it projected! The upper photo shows shadows of branches that were close (top) and shadows of branches that were far away (bottom).

#solar eclipse 2024 #icykali's art #photography

[icykalisartblog]

They are already selling data to midjourney, and it's very likely your work is already being used to train their models because you have to OPT OUT of this, not opt in. Very scummy of them to roll this out unannounced.

[icykalisartblog]

In case the esim process confuses you or you aren't able to buy them yourself for any other reason, crips for esims for Gaza is collecting donations, they've almost met their goal of $150,000 raised. Donating allows them to buy esims in bulk which allows them to obtain more than individuals would be able to. I just donated and it was super easy as you can use paypal.

[icykalisartblog]

A simple green onion will rock your world

#As someone who is part Korean... #absolutely

[icykalisartblog]

‘The Sea is Mine’ (2016) - Sliman Mansour

‘A woman, a girl, and a boy raise their hands high and march along a beach. They hold a pen, a paintbrush, a rifle, an olive branch, and the Key of Return, while a white dove soars above them. The backdrop captures a beach scene where people are engrossed in relaxation and leisure, seemingly oblivious to this determined small demonstration. Mansour ensures the inclusion of fundamental elements of the Palestinian struggle within the painting. While the pen and paintbrush symbolize creativity, the rifle signifies resistance, and the olive branch and white dove represent peace. The key stands as a symbol in the Palestinian struggle for the right of return for refugees. Through this painting, Mansour conveys a steadfast commitment to carry forward the Palestinian resistance in all its manifestations, even amidst the world's self-absorption and inattentiveness to the Palestinian plight.’

- words by Rana Anani

#art history #free palestine

[icykalisartblog]

He's got issues... daddy issues.

A comic done for the Wyllvember and Wyllweek events happening in the BG3 fandom right now! I know I'm roasting my favorite character in this comic but part of why he's so great is that he has believable flaws, right? ^_^'

#wyll ravengard #wyllvember #wyllweek #astarion #lae'zel #shadowheart #gale of waterdeep #karlach #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #icykali's art #ask to tag

[icykalisartblog]

its cause youre always on that damn inaturalist

#THIS IS DESCRIBING ME #Got my 1000th ob this summer!!!

[icykalisartblog]

No Condition Is Permanent, 2014. In 2007, Taysir Batniji was invited by  the Swiss artist and commissioner Rayelle Niemann to attend a workshop in Amman entitled “No Condition is Permanent”, that he could not reach because of contretemps.  In 2014 he responded to the content of this workshop, realizing an ephemeral sculpture, composed of hundreds of soap bars, piled up on a wooden pallet, isolated in the middle of a room. The Arabic saying Dawam el Hal Men Al Mohal, which means « No condition is permanent » is engraved on each bar, with a stamp specially made for the installation. In Arab countries, this sentence is used when people are confronted with painful situations, like the loss of an acquaintance. The adage brings comfort and hope in difficult moments by carrying the idea that pain will not last. But, in fact, this hopeful sentence carries its own contradiction, emphasizing the weight of relativity on human conscience. It sounds like a reminder of our own condition. The fragility of this faith in better days is highlighted, not only by encouraging people to take away part of the art piece with them, but also by the fragility of the material itself. The artist previously touched upon the frailty of material in the installation Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone #2 (2012-2013), for which he engraved on household soaps the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ article 13. Contrary to a message engraved on stone, one stamped on a bar of soap is doomed to vanish with time and use

#art history #free Palestine #Gaza

[icykalisartblog]

I wanted to provide an image description for this because it's very well-stated:

A series of five images that were originally posted on Instagram by @feminiiista that read: "Referring to the resistance as 'Hamas' is a deliberate attempt to discredit the struggle for liberation. The resistance is a wide network of diverse groups coordinating to decolonize Palestine. The media insists on referring exclusively to 'Hamas' because they have already established in the Western psyche that they are a terrorist organization. The media obsession with centering Hamas is to position Palestinian resistance within the lens of the 'War on Terror'. The media is manufacturing consent for genocide." The original Instagram post also has a description that points out that the ANC (African National Congress) was classified as a terrorist organization by the governments of South Africa, the US, and the UK, and that Nelson Mandela was on the US's terror watchlist until 2008—noting that media has been used to justify apartheid in the past.

#image description #free Palestine

[icykalisartblog]

I love emergent interactions! Part II

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 spoilers #Wyll Ravengard #Lae'zel #Dame Aylin #Nightsong #icykali's art #Wyll is so dorky #and Lae'zel makes such an amazing chibi

[icykalisartblog]

I think that's fair, there are a lot of factors, like is his dad even alive to make demands of him? Is he not? What kind of person is Wyll's partner, maybe they're a politician and could help Wyll see how to govern? Who would be the duke if his dad is alive but then dies later, Florrick? Maybe Wyll's partner would still make sure he's rid of his abuser first? That is all stuff that I could see being covered by imagination as you play.

I mostly believe that it's much too early/the wrong time for Wyll to be taking this on when he's been approaching freedom with such baby steps and it's been an intense fight to get him to grow. I could also see how you could interpret Wyll's reaction to a Mind Flayer lover being more based in personally not wanting to live in hiding himself, which would be fair and a self-interested decision for once, since we know from Omeluum and its research partner that if you are both outcasts, it is possible to live with a Mind Flayer without issue, but that it would have to be in someplace like the Underdark or else it's probably not safe.

I agree that the Avernus ending with Karlach is a bad ending for Wyll (I couldn't tell if people meant both that and the pactless Blade of Avernus ending without Karlach in Hell when they were saying "Avernus" in this thread). It's basically him sacrificing something for her just like he ended up getting punished for sparing her before. I think it's sad that many people consider it a positive ending for him just because they're together, because I think it shows that Wyll didn't grow as a person if he goes that route. I'm glad it's an option because it's something I could see both characters trying, but it's a tragic ending (albeit badass) if that's what happens.

Once again thinking about And you? You'll be the Duke's consort. That is - if your heart so desires.

#wyll ravengard #bg3 spoilers #baldur's gate 3 #i need an analysis/meta tag #long post

[icykalisartblog]

Okay, as a big Wyll fan who's both romanced him and played as him, I really want to push back on this idea that he wants to be a duke. I know the game's story can play out really differently depending on how people play, but there are many, many indications that this isn't the case. The one time in this game you can let Wyll decide what to do on his own, he says he does not want to be a politician and replace his dad—and that's after his dad assures him that he'll make sure people accept him despite his appearance (spoilers below the cut obviously):

Plus, "the Blade of Avernus" name doesn't mean he's not protecting his home or that he's living in Hell and not the Coast, he just renames himself that because he wants to focus on hunting devils over other things. This ending is also really important for Wyll because it allows him to slay his abuser, his tormentor, who's been lingering around him and his family and been impossible to be rid of up until this point (and remember, she says she'll continue to torment the Ravengards FOREVER even if Wyll breaks the pact, so this is very important):

Notice how Wyll speaks here. This is one of the only times he's ever let himself be self-interested. You can tell he wants revenge for what Mizora did to him because he glances at the horns she inflicted on him before speaking. And this whole exchange shows great character growth because Wyll says he's being "selfish" but also that he "knew you're say 'yes.'" This ending, in which he asks his partner for a favor, is in my opinion the best ending possible for these reasons. He'll finally be free if you do this. You can also see how he realizes he's been living based on others' expectations (the line about "Names I never asked for, praise I never sought") implying that now, he can truly be what he wants for once.

Now, if you push Wyll to become a duke instead, he says none of this stuff that indicates this deep character growth. Nothing about getting revenge on Mizora. He talks entirely about serving the city and lets you decide what to do after restoring it and just tries to put this devil who traumatized, scarred, and groomed him out of his mind.

I think it's also important to note that becoming the new duke is yet another expectation Wyll's father immediately puts on him if his father is rescued:

As you can see, he's basically stating that Wyll will be the new duke as if it's a fact, a command, almost. But isn't the thing we want for Wyll to NOT crumble to his father's expectations the way he has for his entire life? Also, this would be blatant nepotism. Other companions will even point that out I believe if you tell Wyll to do this.

Finally, Wyll is a wonderful person, but he would be a terrible duke. Yes, he is politically savvy, but he hates having to use that knowledge. The man hates the political game, for instance. I wish I had a screenshot of this, but he definitely goes on an entire rant about he always hated seeing his father as duke form alliances with fellow politicians: "In the Frontiers there is no posturing, no diplomacy. I slay monsters, I don't consort with them," Wyll says. Plus, Wyll was exiled at 17 and has lived on the road since. The idea that he's going to be crowned duke right away is a horrible idea, and to be honest, I don't even think training from someone like Counselor Florrick is going to prevent Wyll from becoming prone to corruption. Remember, Florrick really tried to both-sides the falling-out between Wyll and his father this whole time. Despite knowing Wyll became a hero after his exile, if he's not transformed when he first meets her in-game, she'll still be like, "Remember your father's generosity," (meaning, be grateful your father exiled you instead of executing you, Wyll).

Wyll becoming a duke would be yet another noble sacrifice in the name of his father the way Wyll's entire life has played out so far. This is also why Wyll as grand duke would rather a Mind Flayer partner live apart from him in the Underdark (and even says he'll kill people to bring them sustenance) than try to put in work to make the city accept them—because if his lover becomes a Mind Flayer to save the city, Wyll views that as the ultimate noble sacrifice and will view the love the two of them share as a sort of courtly, tragic, forbidden romance. To be with Wyll, you really need to push back against the narratives he's internalized or else everything goes terribly wrong, the same way you need to question all the Origin characters' beliefs.

Wyll needs to be his own man, and if he goes against his father's wish to become the new duke, his father will even acknowledge as much:

Once again thinking about And you? You'll be the Duke's consort. That is - if your heart so desires.

#wyll ravengard #i need an analysis/meta tag #bg3 spoilers #baldur's gate 3 #I think what might be for the best is if he settles down eventually... but he needs to free himself and figure out who he is first

[icykalisartblog]

About this post. @marchstarling This was exactly it, really well said! In my first playthrough of this game, I was RPing as a noble character with similar values to Wyll, so I ended up romancing him because they became fast friends who agreed on so many things. I still had my character press for Wyll to not sacrifice himself and instead choose to be free in the late-game, but they were very similar people.

But Wyll is super stubborn, as you say. And he is extremely afflicted by learned helplessness (because of how he's been failed and tormented in life by authority figures) and leans into toxic hyper excellence because of how he was raised and then traumatized. Wyll can't choose freedom as a companion if a player character doesn't tell him to. While he pushes for others to be free and always wants the best for his fellow party members, this never causes him to self-reflect without a player character's intervention. He needs support at that pivotal moment. So when I played as him, I had a problem. I didn't want him to sacrifice himself, but how was I going to RP as him and make those choices knowing that normally he can't if left to his own devices? I really want to discuss this narrative and pairing in detail, more (spoiler warning for BG3) below the cut:

I had Astarion as a party member in my first run, and I did like his dynamic with Wyll. I liked that they are both lacking in life experience but they can sort of cover for the gaps in each other's experience. They have an idealist vs. cynic and monster hunter vs. vampire dynamic. They're friendly and generally complimentary when talking to other people about each other, but argue 90% of the time in their overworld banter together. Wyll liking Astarion (provisionally) but also being adamant that he make good choices is the kind of support Astarion needs. I also saw that they were attracted to each other, but all Origin characters show that they're attracted to each other to some degree, so I didn't take much note of that. I basically saw them as a nice pair of friends. I also really felt like Astarion's character arc was a roller coaster ride of emotions, in which I kept the guy around because he was funny and useful and I had been his friend for too long to turn on him, but I was always slightly terrified that he was going to turn into a carbon copy of his abuser by the end of his story. I was extremely surprised and relieved when instead he became quite calm, nice, and oddly optimistic once freed instead. Given how deeply traumatized he is and how long it takes for him to be free, I never really understood how so many people were saying they enjoyed romancing him, either... I was like, surely he doesn't need a romantic relationship at this time? Wouldn't that end up feeling exploitative?

All of my opinions shifted once I started my Origin Wyll run. From the very start, Wyll and Astarion were having heated debates about heroism and sacrifice and arguing often, and since I was playing as Wyll, I realized he desperately needs this. The fact that Wyll matches Astarion's energy and is often more pointed with him than he is with anybody else is good—because that's Wyll being honest and genuine. It's not the Blade of Frontiers act he always feels the need to rely on. And once Wyll was forcibly transformed into his devilish form, I felt like in the melancholy haze of his mind that he was trying to so hard to push through and cover up, he needed the playfulness and kinship he had with this vampire who was also turned against his will.

Wyll normally takes things really slow. He believes in fairy tale romance and courtship, and doesn't feel like he can have sex until marriage. In fact, he's the only romanceable companion to have no sex scene. This is despite the fact that he says his father always pushed for him to engage in "revelry" more often. But I think once Wyll was touched by the Hells, he sort of... gave up. He felt like he could never be forgiven even if he did save his father, and so in a moment of weakness, Wyll stumbled into something with Astarion. I don't think Wyll saw it as casual, because he doesn't feel like he can let himself be casual. I think he felt like this was all he deserved, and that as a monster, maybe he could at least make his fellow monster's existence a little better. In a way, I think Astarion and Wyll were both using each other and making things way more complicated than they had to be. Deep down, they were just two guys who like each other and like bickering with each other. I bet Wyll thought he was in love, but wasn't yet, because he felt like if he was with someone, he had to be in love and everything had to be happily ever after. However, the constant arguing and pushing each other to be better made him start to realize this wasn't a fairy tale, it was something more grounded—something even better.

I'm not sure when Wyll started to feel love for real. I think it was around the same time Astarion decided to say that Wyll is an incredible person and that Astarion wanted a relationship but wasn't sure how to have one, because throughout Act II Astarion began being quite protective... and Wyll isn't used to that. He's always had to be everyone else's hero to feel wanted and needed. In Act III, once they killed Cazador—which was amazing because Wyll freed Astarion turn one and then he Eldritch Blasted Cazador close to the abyss, giving Astarion the opportunity to use Mobile Shot to push him all the way off and defeat him in a smooth display of synergy—I think Wyll realized that he wants this real, unconditional love with Astarion. That he can finally be secure in the knowledge that no matter how they argue, even if those arguments end in tears, Astarion will always stand by his side and they can work through differences in opinion without Wyll being abandoned. That he wants to live! And that's why I had him tell Astarion in the graveyard that he wants and loves him.

I'm sure Wyll was envious of how kind and optimistic Astarion became once he was freed, because Wyll still has to deal with his own abuser's presence. But I think that envy as well his and Astarion's love were enough to push Wyll to choose freedom, to outwit Mizora, to save his father, and finally to tell his father that he can forgive but not forget. Wyll was empowered enough to express that he doesn't want the mantle of dukedom, that he doesn't want the acceptance from his father that he's sought for so many years to come with yet more expectations. And it's so nice that in the end, Astarion—who always felt safer being selfish than selfless—is so eager to become a hero by Wyll's side.

#wyll ravengard #astarion #wyllstarion #bg3 spoilers #baldur's gate 3 #long post #This story was just so compelling to me... I love it

[icykalisartblog]

I love emergent interactions!

#bg3 spoilers #baldur's gate 3 #astarion #shadowheart #wyll ravengard #icykali's art #Could not find a save or screenshot of this rest area so it's an artist's interpretation