irisbaggins

[irisbaggins]

#NO! NO! RELEASE ME! RELEASE ME FROM BACK-WATER FARM BULLSHIT! #WE SOUTH-WESTERNERS IN NORWAY HAVE NO GOOD MUSIC! ONLY FUCKED PARODIES!!! #...wait. #WAIT. I GET AURORA. oh thank GOD at least SOME good music #i keep forgetting she's from around here. i keep forgetting that. why do i keep thinking she's from Bergen??? #well it's cos she was raised outside of here but STILL

[irisbaggins]

https://www.tumblr.com/doomed-to-wanda/747617028751474688?source=share

Inspiration above

TW death, grief

---

Five Funerals

They lose Fig first.

Comes with the territory when you're an archdevil - somebody's always looking to take your spot. "Don't worry about it," she says, opening a Planeshift to the recording studio. "It's just the usual rebellious fiends. Icythorz and Bolhondrus and the rest. I'll be back before you know it." She looks resplendent in black leather, the Unfaithable Bass slung across her back, riding the fiery Daymare surrounded in jagged red shards.

Adaine knows before everyone else, but can't believe the vision to be true until she learns that Ayda is gone, too. She scratched every memory of Fig out of her notes before starting over - it was too much pain to bear. The five of them know how it feels.

---5---

It's a few years before they take another hit. Another mission to the Mountains of Chaos, another world-ending calamity to be stopped because Who Else Is Going To Save The World? A small misstep, a miscalculation (six where there should be five, they're only five now) and suddenly the routine becomes deadly.

Riz takes the fall. "It's easier this way," he says, in his last moments. "I'll still see you." And he does. Agent Gukgak Jr., now, with some extra responsibility. But he still comes by. Sometimes. Every so often. Often enough.

---4---

Kristen is next. Only one thing could bring down the most gifted cleric of the age - sacrificing herself for her friends. Third time's the charm when it comes to death, it turns out.

Gorgug is the most hopeful that she'll come back, that she'll find a way again, like in the Nightmare Forest. But Adaine knows this is the end. Even Arthur Aguefort agrees. He quotes Alanis Morissette at her funeral. The followers of Cassandra pull out all the stops.

Adaine, Fabian, and Gorgug have their own ceremony at Ashgrove, next to the Gukgak family plot. It's quiet. Bucky cries into Ragh's shoulder. Aelwyn, Jawbone, and Gertie collect flowers. Tracker stays for a few minutes to say goodbye.

---3---

They quit adventuring after Kristen's funeral. And they don't lose anyone else for a long time. Riz still visits, every few years. They talk about the good old days, how silly it was that Baron was so terrifying when at the end of the day it was an honest conversation that finally did him in. There's rumours that Kristen has ascended to goddesshood herself - Adaine doesn't buy it. She's not the type to be revered.

They come out of retirement for the only reason they would - to bring back one of their own. They finally found Fig's soul, trapped in a ruby in the darkest levels of the Abyss. They can't ask anyone to come with them - it's too dangerous, it's too personal. It's missions like this that kill people.

And when it's all over, when Adaine carries Fabian's burnt, unconscious body back to Morded Manor, they have another funeral to plan.

Gorbag and Roz have already passed, and Wilma and Digby are too old to make preparations, so it falls to Jawbone to organize it. He knows they don't want a lot of fanfare. It's at Ashgrove again, just Adaine and Fabian and the Thistlesprings, and Aelwyn and Ragh. Sandra-Lynn is back in Solace - she sends Adaine a heartfelt text saying she appreciates the invitation, but she can't bring herself to come.

Riz doesn't show for the ceremony - he's desperately scouring the heavenly realms, trying to make sure Gorgug ended up somewhere he wasn't afraid of. Orcish heaven doesn't have him, he reports, and neither does Cassandra.

If he's trapped in the Abyss with Fig, at least they have each other.

---2---

Adaine sees Fabian's death the night of Gorgug's funeral. She needs to prepare, she tells herself. She knows it's going to be hard. She needs all the time she can get, and she needs to know which goodbye will be their last.

They grow old together. Not romantically, although some speculate. Fabian becomes a multiclass advisor at the Aguefort Adventuring Academy. Adaine works in Bastion City as an archivist, with occasional trips to Fallinel for Oracle services. They go for vacations sometimes, but never for too long. The memories find them no matter where they go. Sometimes Adaine wishes she could be Ayda, scrape off the old wounds and start fresh. Arthur talks about her sometimes. She's never had the same spark as that one lifetime, he says.

Adaine watches the wrinkles grow beside Fabian's eye, watches his hair turn grey, watches the Future of Dance become its Mentor. He trades his Battlesheet for a cane-sword, then a regular cane. He takes to wearing the Gregorian necktie to classes, no matter how much it clashes with his outfit. They both wonder how many of their own teachers lost party members.

Adaine holds Fabian's wrinkled hand on his deathbed, in his old room at Seacaster Manor. He grins, flashes the same perfect teeth as on the first day of Freshman Year. "Bet you didn't see this one coming, did you?"

"I did," she whispers, tears streaming down her young elven face. "I knew it would end like this. But I always hoped it would last forever."

They're the last words he hears.

It's not the first funeral Adaine organizes. All the Bad Kids held one for Buddy Dawn, back in high school. She and Fabian worked together on the services for Jawbone, Ragh, and Chungledown Bim - who finally caught up to Fabian in both of their old ages. It is the first funeral she has to organize alone.

Some of Fabian's students attend. Arthur Aguefort gives a short speech, and a few students hear the story of Kalvaxus' return for the first time. Adaine sits with Aelwyn in the front row, a few seats down from Hallariel. Gilear records the service to show Telemaine later. Riz is somewhere deep undercover - he maybe hasn't even heard yet.

She always knew she'd be the last. She didn't expect it to hurt so much.

---1---

Adaine stumbles through a few years before she finds herself again. They pass so fast without a mortal lifespan to hold up against them. She drifts between Fallinel and Bastion City for the most part, with occasional return trips to Elmville. Aelwyn always has a place for her to stay. Seacaster Manor was turned into a dormitory for Aguefort students who needed a place to study, or sleep, or stay away from home for a while. Tracker converted Morded Manor into a temple/bed-and-breakfast for worshipers of Galicaea. Strongtower Luxury Apartments was demolished soon after Fabian started teaching at Aguefort. It seems like everything is different now.

Adaine visits Leviathan once, on a whim. The Compass Points hasn't changed a bit. On a chance meeting in the stacks, Ayda looks at her with a spark of familiarity.

"Adaine Abernant?"

"Yes... you remember me?"

Ayda shakes her head. "There are mentions of you in my journals. I leave journals for when I regenerate-"

"I know. I remember."

Ayda looks intrigued. "I wrote that you were a great wizard, and a good friend. I hear from other sources that you are the Elven Oracle. Perhaps you can shed some light on why the pages around yours are torn to shreds or redacted to the point of unreadability?"

Adaine places a gentle hand on Ayda's shoulder. "I don't know if you'd want that. You lost someone you cared about, so much that you thought it was better to forget her than to bear the pain of losing her."

Ayda considers this. "Is it better to forget?" she asks. "Would you give up the memories of those you lost, in order to keep a logical mind?"

"No. Not for anything."

"Then we should talk."

Adaine smiles. "I'd like that."

---2---

*end

Thanks for reading all the way through! I wrote most of this at 2am and the conclusion the next morning. Please take a reblog to share with your friends or drop a like to let me know you enjoyed - or hated - the story!

Ask me anything about it, please, I love discussing these kinds of theories!!!

#hey. hey. this hurts #this HURTS it's so GOOD but it HURTS #it's SUCH GOOD EMOTIONAL WRITING and i am Emotional #amazing work. absolutely heartbreaking #Fantasy High #Dimension 20

[irisbaggins]

Did y'all know I forgot that I had an exam that started tomorrow? 'Cos I did, until I was horrifyingly reminded of it during the lecture today. It's a two week exam, sure, but it's the subject I'm horrid at. I am suffering. I will probably disappear for a bit, especially as tomorrow marks the beginning of a horribly stressful month full of exams and writing. I am. Not looking forward to it.

#text_loke #no breathing room at all. jusf. so much writing. so much studying #i will be completely worn by the end of this

[irisbaggins]

Also, quick question y'all: anyone have like, a DnD/TTRPG shows that you'd recommend? Specifically due to its narrative and lore? Just curious, I'd love to have some broader recommendations to look into, as I'm thinking of writing my thesis on the subject. Currently I have two D20 shows in mind, but I'd love some other recommendations as well. Broaden my horizons, and all that. Especially with the 100K words I gotta write.

#text_loke #i already am going to look into TAZ and its narrative due to a paper actually discussing it #CR is also on my list but also. that is a LONG campaign/a lot of stuff on and uh. that may be a lot to attempt to chew through #but! if you got any recommendations hit me up! i'd love to hear any suggestions if you have any! :)

[irisbaggins]

… i admit it. I danced. src

the OG  (and if you don’t get it)

[irisbaggins]

I wanted to vote for Barry, but my wet paper towel of an elf was put up against him, and how can I not? I can merely hope they tie, to achieve true Just A Guy status. Or, Barry can knock Gilear over the head and win instantly, with Gilear's 10 AC and 5 hit points. Truly, a man who can't get a win (except when he does, and immediately longs for the losses because winning is frightening).

#text_loke #i was so torn on that poll. but alas. mr beans on my shirt man has me enchanted #just. such a wet meow meow of a man. who attracts dangerous women who could easily kill him even by ACCIDENT #hell. his step-son killed him by accident by using him as a spring board. my man should not be brought to adventures #(but he is. because his daughter is in denial of his Just A Guy status) #this is propoganda but like. off the post itself because i feel torn on who to vote!! why can't i vote both!!!

[irisbaggins]

I'm just casually watching the Hades 2 gameplay...and then Hecate speaks. That's the Narrator. That's her. The best part of BG3 for me, her narration. I am thriving, y'all.

#text_loke

[irisbaggins]

#no but like IT IS tho

[irisbaggins]

Just Some Guy Joust - Side A: Round 1

Rules you must follow or you will be blocked:

do not diss on any of the characters. hype characters up, don't bring them down.

do not be mean to any other voters, either on a personal level or in general. if you are trying to joke around, you must clarify because we cannot tell the difference.

do not claim a character does not deserve to be here. if you hate it that much, make your own tournament.

if i genuinely fucked something up and did not notice please GENTLY poke me about it. passive aggressiveness will be ignored.

if you are posting propaganda you have to tag us, including if your propaganda is in the reblogs. it is difficult to tell when something is or isn't propaganda. anything not tagging us will be missed.

we see practically everything you put in the tags. don't say some shit that you wouldn't say to our faces. be respectful.

#<- i am sorry but i cannot do Mutual Solidarity. i MUST vote for Gilear #he is a wet pathetic dad and i love him. he is. so skrunkly #he is THE embodiment of just a guy! canonically Just A Guy in a universe full of amazing people! #Gilear my beloved. my cherished on-fire trash can #i must vote for the unlucky elf dad who trips over his own feet and owns his Just Some Guy energy

[irisbaggins]

I think people are assuming the klck killing buddy was a split second decision, but brennan confirmed in the adventuring party that it was already on the table, which makes the pivot from aiming the crossbow at the proctor to sliting buddy's throat more of a "I only have time to do one thing" and less of a "panic and hit the eject"

Yupp! I just finished watching that episode, and I felt vindicated in that moment. It feels like it was always planned, something I suspected ever since Buddy was introduced and Kipperlilly mentioned her knowledge of everything to do with YES?. It seems much more likely that killing Buddy was always on the table, and his death was needed for everything to succeed the way they wanted. Wether it was so they could kill Kristen permanently/for a bit (which would kill the remnants of Cassandra), or if it was to gain access to Sol, that's unconfirmed. But I suspect it's something along those lines, as killing their clerics due to their divinity seems to be something of a pattern of theirs.

I strongly believe Kipperlilly intended to kill Buddy in that arena, she just never expected Kristen of all people to clock her before she was able to execute her plan. After all, if you can only do one thing, killing the proctor will just make their grades waver as an end result. But killing Buddy, whilst there's still dangerous monsters on the field? Well, they can't pass the Last Stand if they're all dead and without any ability to resurrect themselves. After all, why would she have stolen the gems if she hadn't intended to kill Buddy? She would've then only stolen Buddy's gems, but she also stole Kristen's. Meaning, Kristen couldn't revive anyone, either. Either way, she never intended for someone to ever leave the battlefield, that much is clear.

The motive, however, is still up in the air. But I'd bet it has something to do with Heaven and Creation, and perhaps also with making sure that if one of the Bad Kids died, they'd stay dead.

Kipperlilly's shock came from being caught, but her actions were still carefully calculated. It would, after all, have made more sense to kill Kristen if she acted out of pure shock if she had no back-up plan. Kristen is her rival, Kristen caught her, and Kristen is a cleric. Yet, she went for Buddy, somebody they had requested to have on their party. It all smells like pre-meditated murder to me.

#text_loke #meta from loke #oooo really loved getting this ask! #my first post was made riiight after the episode with a scattered brain. this i'm more coherent for #i firmly believe Kipperlily intended to kill both Gavin and Buddy. it makes too much sense to me #ESPECIALLY since she could throw the blame onto the Bad Kids! she could make them the villains. she could frame them for the murder #first kill gavin to make sure he can't be a witness. then kill Buddy #the Bad Kids are known for murdering folks. so who will believe them when they say they DIDN'T murder this guy they have public beef with? #it all screams of an attempted framing #Fantasy High #fhjy spoilers #Dimension 20 #Buddy Dawn #Kristen Applebees #Kipperlilly Copperkettle

[irisbaggins]

He would do anything for points, but he won't do that!

#i loved seeing where that live was from #my man could not even ATTEMPT to do it properly even for points #love that for him #Game Changer

[irisbaggins]

Even with the success of the Last Stand, I cannot help but think about what the Rat Grinders accomplished. Why would they, as a last ditch effort, kill Buddy? What reason, you may wonder?

What god does Buddy worship, and in what domain does he end up when he dies? Helio and Sol's domain, of course. Sol's domain, specifically, we know is a space that contains access to the birth place of YES?, where gods can be created. Whilst Kipperlily and Oshin would've needed to Plane Shift to the arena anyway, it does not escape my notice that they could've also Plane Shifted to the higher planes. Specifically, to Heaven in an attempt to find this Creation Space. Kipperlily has showcased an interest in YES? before, meaning, she knows of its creation. Knows of the power hidden in Sol's office.

Something fishy's going on, and I for one am terrified of what this means for our Bad Kids, and for the world of Spyre.

#text_loke #meta from loke #Dimension 20 #Fantasy High #fhjy spoilers

[irisbaggins]

5 minutes to write a 300 word essay ON PAPER is the realest this fight has gotten thus far and I cannot BELIEVE Brennan never went to public school with how close to home he's been hitting

#SAME SAME SAME #that is TORTURE especially by HAND #Fantasy High #fhjy spoilers #Dimension 20

[irisbaggins]

Here’s how the Bad Kids should have solved the problem:

From 5:05-5:30 only the first train is traveling at 60 mph. That’s 25 minutes at 60 miles per hour, a.k.a. 1 mile per minute, which means 25 miles traveled.

We can then reduce the distance left to travel by 25 miles, giving us 135-25=110 miles left to travel.

Now both trains are moving toward each other, so the rate at which the distance decreases (or the speed of one train relative to the other if you prefer) is 60+70=130 mph.

Now we need to know how long to travel 110 miles at 130 miles per hour, so we divide 110/130 and get 0.846153… hours.

Multiply that by 60 to get 50.76923076923076 minutes. Subtract off the 50 full minutes and multiply by 60 again to get 46.153846… seconds.

50 minutes added onto the start time of 5:30 gives us 6:20, and if we add on the seconds and round to the nearest second like they seemed to in preparing the question, we get the correct answer of 6:20:46.

#what the fuck. is this how you do this shit?????? #i have LEARNED something #Fantasy High #Dimension 20 #fhjy spoilers

[irisbaggins]

compilation of zac critting during the last standard exam bc he's insane

#he's just the best :') #Fantasy High #fhjy spoilers #Dimension 20

[irisbaggins]

this is arguably his motto

#it IS and the players will NEVER use them! #Fantasy High #Dimension 20

[irisbaggins]

*Brennan makes a deep Tolkien lore pun*

You're so right, Ally, that was for me

#it WAS for me!!!!!! #Fantasy High #Dimension 20 #fhjy spoilers