#rides a dread legion

[staringdownabarrel]

I've just finished Rides a Dread Legion by Raymond E. Feist. As always, here's my thoughts.

Out of all these books that I've read so far, this one is probably the most painfully average. There's nothing particularly offensive about it--it doesn't go down to the same lows as some of the early books in the series or anything like that, but by the same token, it doesn't really reach any of the same highs, either.

This isn't to say it's entirely without merit, though. In terms of plot structure, this is a much better representation of what I think the Darkwar trilogy should have been like than the actual Darkwar trilogy. Instead of introducing a couple of characters that despite being main characters in the first book, ultimately don't ever really contribute a lot to the story after that, every character here does get to do a plot relevant thing at some point.

Rides a Dread Legion also has a more complex plot structure than most of the previous books. Instead of it being just an A plot, or maybe an A plot with a very small B plot and a borderline irrelevant C plot, it starts with what are apparently four or five different plots and then slowly interweaves all of them into a single A plot.

I think in some ways, this makes this book one of the most effective books in terms of setting up a series. For the most part, the books before this duology worked as well as standalone works as they did as part of an overarching whole. This is to the extreme that I think there's times where you could pick up the second or third book in a Feist trilogy and more or less follow what's happening without ever having read any of his other books.

The flipside to this is that Rides a Dread Legion is one of the books that suffers the most from middle book syndrome. There isn't anything here that isn't just setting up what happens in the next book.

It's also the book that assumes the most prior knowledge of what's happened previously in the series. I think it was always going to be inevitable that there was some level of continuity lockout with these books--there's thirty of them, of course; at some point they would become inaccessible to a new reader. Really, the surprising part is that it didn't happen until this late in the series.

Much like the Darkwar trilogy, this book also introduces a new breed of elf. Fortunately, these elves aren't just a sideshow to the main plot; these ones actually are part of the main focus.

I think it is sorta interesting that as this series has gone along, it's more or less become to elves what the Dresden Files series is to vampires. Like, in The Dresden Files, they have the various different vampire courts, some of which get more development than others, and here in the Riftwar saga, there's now five or six different varieties of elf.

The difference is that I think overall, Jim Butcher does a better job at developing his vampire courts than Raymond E. Feist does at developing his various elf cultures. Some of this is just that I think Jim Butcher is better at world building in general. However, I think the other problem is that before now, the elves have never been the main focus of these books; usually either being relegated to being allies of the main cast or, in the case of the Dark Brotherhood, minor villains or pawns of the current Big Bad.

Overall though, I feel like Rides a Dread Legion is okay, but nothing special. A lot of whether or not this book is good really depends on the payoff in the next book. It definitely does have a couple of interesting elements in it, but they aren't really that exceptional.

#rides a dread legion #raymond e. feist #riftwar #demonwar #books #rant

[azerothtravel]

What are your favourite questing zones? Even the stuff that’s been removed by now

That's a tough question! I had to think about it for a while since there's so much to sift through. I'll do one from each expansion just 'cuz this is gonna be long enough. I think overall...

Western Plaguelands (Vanilla version). Gathering the Scourge Stones for the Argent Dawn. Meeting Chromie for the first time. The big fight with the lich. Having to be so strategic getting to and away from those cauldrons. Fordring family drama. Most of vanilla had this really nice feel of just wandering around getting into trouble, but WP had a like "now it's serious" vibe that was really fun.

Netherstorm. Man, I loved Netherstorm. The biospheres, the cursed Kirin Tor village, Socrethar, the netherdrake area, the BE's mana pumps, the whole place felt like the wildest thing that had ever been in WoW to that point. Dr. Boom! All that crazy stuff up on the north with the Consortium. It was a ride.

Borean Tundra. It's really hard to pick from Wrath, but I just loved the intro experience. Investigating the destroyed Horde camp, meeting the tuskarr, that gnomish airfield, using tanks for the first time, the assault on the necropolis, and of course Saurfang's big hero turn in that one quest. So much cool stuff. A great way to get an expac started.

Twilight Highlands. The world PVP elements really stick out to me from this zone. I spent so much time in the dwarf vs. orc conflict. But also founding the Horde base there, the Krazzworks was absurd, getting our first gross look at the Old Gods stuff that was coming in the final raid, the Gob Squad, Alextrasza Vs. Deathwing... It was a cool zone.

The Dread Wastes. I loved leveling in Pandaria so much. It felt like a return to the wandering adventurer vibe of vanilla, now with stronger storylines. But the entire Klaxxi storyline was such a weird surprise. That zone was so bizarre, so unexpected. Waking the Paragons, finding that fishing village, my big homie Kovok... I had a lot of fun in that crazy place. Naturally they betrayed me, but what else could I expect?

Frostfire Ridge. Kind of similar to Borean Tundra, I guess, just a very memorable intro experience. Starting your garrison, meeting Thrall's family, and all the drama therein. The first time you assault Bladespire Fortress, seeing Thrall unleash the elements, climbing that chain... That was fun. And despite the results on this list so far, I've always really, really loved snowy zones, so there's that too. Also: I spent hours and hours and hours in vanilla climbing every mountain I could, just to see what was up there. The answer was almost always "nothing." But WoD, and Frostfire more specifically, was the first time they started hiding cool items and little events in random spots for me to go find while exploring. Finally, a reward for my wandering! So that really sticks out, too.

Suramar. This may be controversial, but Legion is my least favorite expansion. Gameplay-wise, it was great, don't get me wrong. Artifact weapons were cool and all. But it had a combination of the most absurd, lazy retcons they have literally ever done (How are have all these civilizations been living on these islands for 10000 years if Gul'dan raised them from the bottom of the sea 30 years ago?????) and some really annoying zones. Val'sharah is my all-time least favorite zone, I felt like I constantly got lost or couldn't get where I wanted to go from where I was. But then came Suramar. The Nightbourne are stupid, literally the exact same thing as the blood elves ("Oh, no, we're another race of arcane loving elves with a well of power who're addicted to magic and whose once-noble leader has thrown in with the Burning Legion, totally different!"), but damn if I didn't get totally absorbed in the revolution storyline in the city. Helping Thalyssera recover, finding like-minded people, basically spending the whole zone doing espionage and terrorism against a corrupt government in what was, at that point, the most expansive city in the game... It was fun, I can't lie. That daily challenge with the lil withered army. The masquerade. The winery. The zoo part??? It was a really different experience.

Zuldazar. Leveling sure was weird in BfA, huh? Each side getting 3 zones and all. And, like, despite my obvious Horde preference, I feel like the Alliance got the cooler ones (Stormsong Valley and Drustvar in particular). On the Horde side, tho, Zuldazar was pretty good. Finally, a look at a troll civilization still at full power, lush environments, dinosaurs, conspiracies, creepy temples, it had a lot going for it, and was really pretty, too.

Maldraxxus. Gotta give it up for my hometown, baybeeeee! I was not excited to choose the Necrolords in Shadowlands. They just didn't seem as interesting as the others, and I've never had much affinity for the undead, and they kinda looked like just the undead place. But the whole lore kit of them being the army of the afterlife, and me being a warrior and all, and then I find out Draka's there, and I'm an orc? No choice. But imagine my surprise when Necrolord turns out the be the absolute most fun Convenant, no question, and their zone turns out to be full of weird, wild experiences, a really compelling storyline, and the most lore characters per capita of any zone (Mograine! Lady Vashj! Mankrik's wife!!). I had a great time running around that zone for not just the leveling experience, but the whole expansion.

Azure Span. Maybe too early to call, but Dragonflight has no zones I don't like. This is unheard of in the history of WoW. I think I like Ohn'ahran Plains the least, but I like all of 'em! But I think Azure Span wins. For one thing, snowy zones. For another thing, the glorious return of the tuskarr, who I have loved since Wrath and badly wish was a playable race (Gormorash has only had "of Iskarra" as his title since I got it. Come back for soup!). Plus, a bit of justice for Sindragosa, Kalec's storyline in the zone is remarkably touching, the Kirin Tor stuff is weird and frequently funny, the Rannan and Lathos storyline hits pretty hard... Even surrounded by really memorable zones, it feels the most memorable.

Well, I guess that's my very long answer! I hope it was interesting! Honestly, it coulda been like twice as long, there's so many zones that I think of fondly, but this seems like plenty. Thanks for asking!

#wow #world of warcraft #asks

[driftward]

Title: FFXIV Write 2023 - Free Day 4 - 24. Lionize Characters: Aemilia sas Valentina, Katerina van Tullia, Nyx Blackmoon Rating: Teen Summary: On the right side of history, just at the wrong time Notes: Incomplete.

Her career started quietly.

A full blooded Garlean citizen of no note, joined the military to make a difference. Grew up under the shadow of Emperor Solus and his Magitek miracles. A few sorties, some success, canny intelligence, honorable but vicious.

No especial note was made of her. Another ambitious officer.

She climbed the ranks, if not easily, at least steadily. She learned from her errors and corrected her mistakes. She was a reliable part of the Garlean war machine, moving with her legion into new territories, conquering in the name of the Empire, forwarding the cause of Garlean hegemony.

Notes began to be made and compiled. It was important to know who she was, where her loyalties lie, guess at what she would become.

She gained a reputation as Garlemald gained its empire, and soon she was not a part of her legion, she was her legion, and then her legion was hers by right and in name, its Legatus, and she rode forward to victory, iron will riding her steel pride.

Now of course she was known, and the instruments of the Empire were at her disposal. The Iron Lion had become.

Conquering done, she switched to rule, and in this, the steel hammer was replaced with the velvet glove. While the rule of the day was to command with an iron fist, the Iron Line did no such thing. She was merciful in her leadership, showing an uncommon compassion to her subjects and subjugated. Work programs were put forth that paid fair wages and provided paths to, if not citizenship, at least comfortable and safe homes. Conscripts were treated well, and their tours were kept short. She did not turn on her populace with secret police and harsh adjudicators, instead allowing them largely to manage themselves, only the most egregious of offenses drawing the ire of Imperial ruthlessness. Many Legatuses on her position expanded, but the Iron Lion instead consolidated, and slowly, her province went from a war torn land to a rich source of food and material with which to feed the empire.

The Iron Lion no longer roared, and as she handed off her fiefdom to another Legatus - one hand picked by her to continue her efforts - she changed her aims, from military to political. With a groundswell of popular support and the loyalty of those who had known her, the Iron Lion sued for a spot in the Senate, and won.

The Frumentarium, of course, took careful note of this new trajectory.

An empire was not built in a day, neither Garlemald nor a more personal one. The Iron Lion, retired from a life of duty, now took up a life of service, as Katerina van Tullia. She took her place among the Imperial senate. Her power base was small, at first, buoyed by a successful military career and popularity at home. However, her views proved popular with an increasingly progressive Garlean citizenry, grown fat on military conquest and now warming to a life of leisure, as well as a sense of burgeoning responsibility, as conquerers now enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Power flowed and some with power began to view their privilege with a sense of noblesse oblige, and chief among those voices was that of the former Iron Lion.

"How are we to show the savages the value of civilization if we do not allow them the chance to participate in it? How can we uplift them from their dependence on their false gods if we cannot share with them the fruits of Imperial rule? We conquered them, yes, not only to retake our ancestral homes, but also, to prevent the ravaging of the land by their dread Eikons. But we must turn our faces towards the future, and I would reach out a hand, and offer it to them. Show them the benefits of being free, free from false worship and false deity. Then, I assure you, we need not conquer them anymore. They will come, of their own free will. This I decree!"

Katerina raised a hand to a cheering crowd, gray mane framing a proud face. The Iron Lion roared, and her voice could still be heard, it seemed.

Aemilia sas Valentina was amongst the crowd, and she clapped along as they cheered, even if somewhat less enthusiastically. No frown creased her forehead, because she was a professional. But she looked around, noting several in the crowd, noting how this meeting had been larger than the last, and larger than the one before that. Despite herself, she did allow herself to spare a glance up into the ceiling. High above the meeting hall, she looked - and saw.

In the dark, a gleam. The silvery ring of the eye of the lever she would need.

She sighed. Well. The Empire needed yet to grow, and to continue to do so, it seemed it would need some pruning.

#ffxivwrite2023 #final fantasy xiv #aemilia sas valentina #katerina van tullia #nyx blackmoon #lionize #202309-25 #biot writes

[scruffyplayssonic]

Are the ArchieSonic comics actually an 80's/90's syndicated cartoon? Episode 62: Stuck in an elevator (part 1)

Welcome back to my look at the ArchieSonic comic series, and how it shared a lot of the same story tropes as a typical ‘80s or ‘90s syndicated cartoon! The last few episodes have had a common theme - first the characters were stranded in the ocean, then they were stranded in the desert, and after that they were stranded in the snow. So what have we got this time?

Episode 62: Stuck in an elevator 

I mean, being stuck somewhere and being stranded somewhere are pretty much the same thing, aren’t they? But sadly there’s not really any great examples of this very specific topic in ArchieSonic. In fact the only times I can think of off the top of my head where an elevator was even shown was in the non-canon Sonic Colours adaptation in Sonic #219…

…and the times that Robotnik used a sneaky escape elevator to get away when Sonic had him cornered, such as in Sonic #38. 

So yeah, short one this week huh? If there’s any instances of being trapped in an elevator I missed, let me know in the comments! Next time-

Just kidding, I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t try a little harder to squeeze some blood from this metaphorical stone. So I went to TV Tropes to see what I could find on this topic. And sure enough, I hit paydirt:

So instead of shaking our heads and tutting at the lack of elevators in ArchieSonic, let’s broaden the topic to cover enemies and/or rivals being locked in a room together, which I feel is in the same spirit.

Our first example is one I’ve covered before: Sonic #24, when Snively, Robotnik, and the Freedom Fighters were all abducted by the alien collector, Carheem of Wheet. 

I don’t think there’s any need to retread this one, as I’ve brought it up a number of times for various episodes. Let’s move on. 

The next example is a very brief one from Sonic #48. Sonic had been arrested after being framed for the murder of Princess Sally, and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Devil’s Gulag.

While he was being transported to the dreaded prison, Sonic found that he was not the only future inmate being taken there. Also along for the ride was Sleuth Dawgy Dawg (no, I’m not kidding on the name), a former intelligence operative who had worked for Uncle Chuck’s spy network but had betrayed the Freedom Fighters when Robotnik made him a better offer.

Mmmm, steak. …huh? Er no, I’m not tempted to go work for Robotnik, what are you even talking about? I think the better question is why was Sleuth still wearing a swatbot disguise when he was en route to the Gulag, considering he’d been arrested 6 issues prior? You’d think the Freedom Fighters would have had time to confiscate the tech and give him a change of clothes, for crying out loud. Anyway, the plane got shot down by swatbots before Sonic and Sleuth could say anything else to each other, so like I said, it was a pretty brief example.

Don't worry, Sonic was fine. He escaped went on to do his best Harrison Ford impression.

Next up is Knuckles #18, an issue in which we saw Knuckles also go to prison. But unlike Sonic he went there willingly, to interrogate Kragok of the Dark Legion. In the previous issue Knuckles had met Tobor, his several times removed great grandfather, a Guardian like himself. Tobor’s tenure as Guardian had been brief, as not long after he was charged with protecting Echidnaopolis, the Dark Legion had escaped the Twilight Zone they’d been imprisoned in and went on the attack.

During the battle Tobor and the then-current leader of the Dark Legion, Moritori Rex, had been transported to the Floating Island and were both buried in the rubble of a collapsing ruin (don’t ask why Echidnapolis wasn’t on the Floating Island at this time, it’s a long story). Not long afterwards Tobor’s father Hawking had arrived and accidentally rescued Moritori, mistaking him for Tobor due to him being badly injured and disfigured.

Tobor had eventually managed to dig his way out of the rubble and exiled himself from the Floating Island in shame. 

Did Tobor bother to let his family know that they’d been infiltrated by a leader of the Dark Legion? No, no he did not. Instead he just bummed around on the surface of Mobius for several hundred years until he one day spotted the Floating Island overhead and decided to go check it out, leading to him meeting Julie-Su and then Knuckles. After hearing Tobor’s story, Knuckles decided he wanted more information about it. So he went to interrogate Kragok, who had been incarcerated since Dimitri’s defeat back in Knuckles #9.

Indeed, Knuckles has a massive pair of b- …er, knuckles. Ahem. Anyway, Kragok didn’t want to cooperate, so Knuckles threw out the good guardian approach and switched to bad guardian instead.

…okay, putting aside the AGAB line for the moment to ask something a bit more disturbing - what the hell, Echidna Security Team? Why would a dangerous prisoner be allowed to keep a mechanical arm that can shoot lightning bolts? You would think that when he was arrested that his arm would have been removed and replaced with a non-lethal prosthetic instead, surely? Or hell, just let him manage with only one arm - it’s not like he’s going to need two arms that much inside a prison cell. Or maybe you could rig some sort of EMP field in the cell to disable the arm? I’m just spit-balling here, but anything seems better than letting a prisoner - who I might remind you was the leader of a terrorist organisation - keep a dangerous weapon in his cell.

Anyway, what happened next?

Buggered if I know. A non-specific thing happened and somehow Knuckles and Kragok found themselves trapped in the Twilight Zone - the Dark Legion's former prison. At least at this point Knuckles was able to overpower Kragok and forced him to talk, under the threat of having his face blown off with his own arm.

And what did Knuckles learn from this?

Honestly, not much that hadn’t already been said by Tobor. The main takeaway was that Tobor being replaced wasn’t a freak accident, but actually had been planned by Moritori Rex. This explains how Tobor’s family hadn’t been able to tell that Moritori was an imposter - Moritori had been able to learn everything about Tobor prior to their battle by spying on him for years. We also learned that Moritori was Kragok’s father, but this was later retconned to say that Moritori was actually Kragok’s grandfather instead. Or I guess you could argue that Kragok had just been lying to Knuckles about his parentage, that works too. Anyway, after the exposition dump Kragok and Knuckles managed to escape back to the real world through a portal, but Kragok was intercepted by Tobor (the real one), who yeeted both himself and Kragok right back into the Twilight Zone.

Our next two characters who were locked in an elevator room together are Grand Chief Lupe of the Wolfpack and Queen Hathor of the Felidae, leaders of rival Soumerican clans who had a long history of mistrust and violence caused by territory disputes and both tribes trying to claim ownership of a gemstone called the Ancient Onyx. Dr Eggman’s Dark Egg Legion had previously tried to get their tribes to go to war against each other by stealing the Ancient Onyx, but Sonic, Sally, and Big the Cat had helped to reveal the true villains and negotiate a peaceful co-existence for both tribes.

In Sonic #237 Dr Eggman sent Mecha Sally to abduct both leaders, hoping to undo Sally's efforts by causing each tribe to blame each other for their leader's disappearance and go to war.

Not long afterwards Team Fighters arrived in the Wolf Pack Nation and were informed of Lupe’s abduction by two of her former freedom fighters, Leeta and Lyco. They joined forces to investigate and soon came across Hathor in the jungle, fleeing for her life from Eggman’s forces.

“Emissary” Hathor then explained how she and Chief Lupe had been held captive together. 

So yeah, while Lupe and Hathor were still rivals and there was still a lot of mistrust between their two tribes, they were able to begrudgingly put their differences aside to work together on an escape plan. Team Fighters, Hathor, and Leeta and Lyco were able to rescue Lupe and “the Queen,” giving us one of my favourite lines in ArchieSonic:

Sorry, Drago. This queen did not slay. 🙁

Unfortunately Tumblr’s image posting limit means that I’m going to need to make a part two for this episode. I'm attempting to upload both parts at the same time, so if you don't see the other one then treat yourself to a little refresh. :)

#archiesonic syndicated

[marlutterianae]

DISMALIA ~ Samiginus, the Grotesque Tyrant, Rider of Chimeras.

Conqueror of the Dismal Frontier. This little fiend came out in blazing scorch to the world, found he had brothers and was finally heard. He was the Nightmare's own error, who grew like a tree and was fated to spread terror! 

He has said...  "Follow me my wretched fiends. Ride proud your brethren, wield the impaled brain as your banner. Spread the enlightenment like a torch heralding war to come. We shall become a Legion. One more hill, to die on or to conquer! Soon, we shall hunt down and bleed out the very dawn and darken the cities of men!". And one single hellish Cockatrice Demon Knight thought... “You have cursed us all, tyrant. With your endless hunger for power... This hubris shall be your downfall. You cannot lean your massive swollen ego over your bannered spinal brain lance forever! The grander you become, the more your own support fractures... Your weapon of conquest is nothing but a cane. As frail as one!”. A chimeric abomination born from the sands of the wasteland and hardened by its adversity. He became tough as nails. He isn't a crestfallen demon with lost Nightmare divinity or cosmic heat. He manifested from carnal, scorched earth. Samiginus is also a demon, much like Bosco and Praetoria, obsessed by glory. He used to be a little runt, a small Grotesque, not much bigger than a man. But he began to hunt down those that abused little demons like him as pawns. One day he took advantage of a Mystic who fell from the skies like a meteor, and its brain was exposed. 

 The Mystic Demon tried to mind control Samiginus to feed it with his own body to regenerate faster, but he resisted and impaled its brain with a stick, lifting it high and roaring. The brain spread its tentacles and tried to consume Samiginus, but miraculously, the shock from the brain's charges granted him more intellect. Demons with multiple heads often go mad because those many heads cannot find a balance. 

But Samiginus suffered an electric shock of magic which cleared his mind, and granted him the necessary force of will to calm his many heads, and began training and growing. Hunting demons with powerful brains to devour them, and learned how to feed his many heads individually. He grew up to a Chimera's size. Chimeras usually are mindless beasts that are in a constant state of self devouring (making them dangerous, Renkora fights them all the time) but Samiginus not only was huge but he was smart. And soon, he began to mount Chimeras like horses. And eventually, train other Grotesques like him in mounting Chimeras. Becoming their leader. 

He used the impaled brains of magical demons to emanate radiation to inspire and strengthen the will and intellect of his horde. He became too strong that he took over an old fortress of demon hunters. But it wasn't enough for him. He wanted everything. He became just like the Tyrants that he hated. And soon he wanted to conquer Dismalia and the shielding city of Phobos.  From the story "DISMALIA Hunts ~ Dread & Glory: Passional Skirmish at Desolation Road". Art by AntEater / il_formichiere  Link: https://twitter.com/il_formichiere

#monster design #dark fantasy #demons #medieval demons #chimera #grotesques #dismalia #dismalia hunts #monsters #sword & sorcery #horror #post apocalyptic

[rememberences]

who: @ravellaarryns​ where: the gates of highgarden, prior to the departure of the vale troops back to the kingdom of the vale upon the news of the three sisters attack upon the manderly fleet

their presence in the reach had come to an end, for when the time called and what felt like the final trumpet blew for what felt like the final time, it was the mountains of the moon and their own who needed them more than ever before. those whose blood flowed with the blood of old and the blood of new were not ones for being able to entertain the political strife and games that came with stepping upon the stage that was westerosi politics. 

the games of those across the narrow sea could wait, for their enemy was an age old one that came born from his own bronze lineage. “the priority is to secure the bloody gate.” they both looked at one another in shared feelings of silent disbelief, to know for the first time in history, the bloody gate had been taken by a fool who had invited the clans in. 

the knights of the vale held an intimidating formation, formidable in their strength, their stature, their valour and the reputation they held across the continent. they were in legions for the march further north, pushing directly through the high road where no doubt much of the heavens would feel as though they would rain down upon them. the ruling lords lead each of their men, the lord commander at the very front of the gates - graham would ride beside his brother. at least, one of them; the other was to remain behind here.

“much of the defence is to be focused there, pushing them further back into the mountains. once done, we will push further inland.” 

locating the headquarters of the burned men became a natural priority for them, considering it was the burned men who called for the head of lord axell royce to be returned to them, for some sin. in the end, the rains would wash away what sins were committed against those who would forever remain a stain in society, a burden and a danger; that was graham royce told himself regarding his brother, at least one of them. the other was to remain here for the time being.

along the rows of lined up knights of the vale, the king consort and the queen walked through the rows of stationed men. his arms remained behind his back as they walked, the swell of her stomach noticeable as she carried within her the future of the vale, the heir of the vale. he felt strangely detached to the whole thing; and a part of him dreaded to think why. if he were to get confirmation of such a thing, he thinks he would do some reckless. to risk the throne in such a way? surely, no. 

“are you sure you wish to remain here?" they both knew there was no real choice. still, to leave behind the queen at such a time felt entirely unnatural. they came to a pause, looking directly at one another. “you know something can be arranged, even if we were to sail you to witch isle.” 

#c: ravella #ravella 007 #i had all and then most of you some and now none of you ; haunted by the ghost of you (graham&ravella) #the devil's on your shoulder for a lifetime ; but tonight you're a stranger; some silhouette (the queen & the king consort)

[barovianchickenandwaffles]

The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow: another Barovian Tale

So, there I was one night, in my lab (er, kitchen) when I created 99.95% pure pumpkin spice. I knew I had hit upon something special.

Little did I know that it would lead to a war between the great houses and the Darklord himself.

Barovia, demiplane of dread… never one day of sunshine in Barovia.

But whereas the Devil Strahd has the infernal powers of night at his disposal, here in Barovia village, we had Goth power. That, and spite.

He came with his elite legions of Svalichdruid shock-troops, backed by hordes of wolves, Strahd zombies and the dreaded vampire spawn.

We called in the great houses of Vallaki, Krezk, and Barovia, plus other Demiplanes to defend us.

@jander-sunstar left in a rush, telling us, “on the dawn of the third day, look to the East!”

I replied, “it’s cloudy and rainy all the time here.”

“Well, just keep an eye out.”

A great battle was fought by ol’ Farmer Gustav’s pumpkin patch. A great clamor rose as the armies clashed, many screams rang out.

Our forces fell back slowly, as the horrid legions of Strahd ground us down hour after hour. All looked bleak.

We made our last stand at BCnW. Ismark Kolyan prepared for one last charge as the hoards crashed against the front door. “This is the hour we draw swords!” He declared.

“No,” I said, “we have no choice but to destroy the Spice first.”

Ismark nodded, doffing a helmet and facing the door. “Then I shall buy you time.”

At that moment, we heard a clarion call and from the East a great company of Jander Sunstar clones charged into battle. We were saved.

From the East, the Jander Sunstar clones, riding great purple worms, routed Strahd’s forces. But then Strahd rallied and charged into the fray at last on his nightmare steed. He slew the captain of the clones, and rallied his forces. This was it: the final showdown.

“It is time,” Gary the High Master Illithid / barista told me through telepathy, “to fulfill your destiny and become the Kwisatz Haderach, or in your primitive language the Night Manager Prime.”

I embibed the Water of Life: the venti espresso with extra pumpkin spice, and awakened my powers.

On my donkey cart, I crashed through the BCnW doors and made a beeline for @rave-nloft Strahd.

As we drew closer and prepared to clash, Strahd’s eyes narrowed and he said, “you put whole milk in this pumpkin spice latte. You know it makes me gassy, peon. Make it again but with oat milk!”

“Fine,” I grumbled.

Strahd got his fresh pumpkin spice espresso, the Jander Sunstar clones, ridiculously high from the Spice, charged off to some other demiplane to wage war, and Barovia rebuilt itself, which ain’t saying much.

As for me? I consumed the last of the Spice, merged with a purple worm, and become the God-Emperor of this (one-man) franchise.

The End.

#dnd #ttrpg #barovia #ravenloft #tumblrloft #waffles #dune #pumpkin spice #the spice must flow

[caedmonofwhitby]

Puck’s Song by Rudyard Kipling

See you the ferny ride that steals
Into the oak-woods far?
O that was whence they hewed the keels
That rolled to Trafalgar.

See you the dimpled track that runs
All hollow through the wheat?
O that was where they hauled the guns
That smote King Philip’s fleet!

Out of the Weald, the secret Weald,
Men sent in ancient years
The horse-shoes red at Flodden Field,
The arrows at Poitiers.

See you our little mill that clacks,
So busy by the brook?
She has ground her corn and paid her tax
Ever since Domesday Book.

See you our stilly woods of oak,
And the dread ditch beside?
O that was where the Saxons broke,
On the day that Harold died!

See you the windy levels spread
About the gates of Rye?
O that was where the Northmen fled,
When Alfred’s ships came by!

See you our pastures wide and lone,
Where the red oxen browse?
O there was a City thronged and known,
Ere London boasted a house!

And see you, after rain, the trace
Of mound and ditch and wall?
O that was a Legion’s camping-place,
When Caesar sailed from Gaul!

And see you marks that show and fade,
Like shadows on the Downs?
O they are the lines the Flint Men made,
To guard their wondrous towns!

Trackway and Camp and City lost,
Salt Marsh where now is corn;
Old Wars, old Peace, old Arts that cease,
And so was England born!

She is not any common Earth,
Water or Wood or Air,
But Merlin’s Isle of Gramarye,
Where you and I will fare.

#english poetry #poetry #rudyard kipling #england #english landscape #english history #english culture #English imagination #standing stones #avebury #Youtube

[campmurderparty]

sean & rachel.

“Never heard the name in my life.” Sean played along, relief flooding his veins. It had been a very close call, but since they had already done this dance many times before, he couldn’t have been too worried that he’d completely lose her. One day, though, he knew she’d tire of his bullshit and leave him for good—everyone always did. Except for robin, but his twin brother had no choice in the matter, though even robin sometimes got annoyed with sean’s ego. Until the day she finally decided she was done with him, sean would in some way or another hurt her. If not by cheating on her, then by demanding too much attention and then pushing her away when something else was bothering him.

Sometimes he, too, found his own ego exhausting. But only sometimes!

“You’re so sweet, baby. I love you, too.” he leaned forward and kissed her back. He had to savor their moments post-conflict, where rachel was accommodating and he wanted nothing more than to impress her. While they had moved past the katie incident for now, that didn’t mean it wouldn’t come up again later, and he was already dreading hearing about it all over again. It could be days or weeks later, sometimes just a few hours, but they’d fight again and undoubtedly she’d bring it up. It was the first time he fucked one of her friends, but he could already see in his mind the amount of times they were going to fight about this in the future. “We can order takeout tonight and then go out after the game this weekend.”

If there was another thing he appreciated about rachel, it was that she was very understanding about his schedule. He heard plenty of horror stories about other wags from veteran players and his older cousins about women that couldn’t handle the hectic schedule, or the legions of fans that swarmed locker rooms after games for an autograph and picture, or the puck bunnies that wanted nothing more in life than to hook up with a hockey player and didn’t care about the man’s marital status. Rachel knew the pressure he was under, how hockey would always take precedence in his life. It wasn’t a pretty thought, but if he was made to choose, well… sorry, rach.

He moved his hands from her face down to her shoulders. “I’ve got a lot riding on this game.” Their coach hadn’t decided the first line yet, it was between him and his biggest competition, joey dilema, and if that wasn’t enough to make him worry, his father already called to say he would be at their opening game. Though he complained about his father often, henri st. juste was the only person in the world whose opinion mattered the most to sean. (again, sorry, rach.) It didn't matter if his twin sons were adult men, he could control sean and robin as if they were still little children, and sean would sorely sorry if he fucked up his debut on the nhl’s new expansion team. “My dad’s coming to town.” he broached the subject with solemnity, as if he was speaking of a presidential visit. “He’ll kill me if we don’t win.”

[importantdeerpizza]

simple prayer used to ask Agrat Bat Mahlet for assistance in magical work involving curses.

“Daughter of Machaloth, who rides a scorpion beast and casts the most wicked of sorceries in the desert of Igratiel, I call on thy aid”

“Great Mistress of Sorceries, Agrat Bat Mahlet, who whispered magical secrets into the ears of a sage, give an ear to my prayer and assist one who has been wronged”

“Daughter of Illusion, Bringer of Deception, Elder Witch and Demon Queen, Agrat Bat Mahlet, The Roof Dancer with hissing snakes for hair, accept my offerings and come forth!”

“Descend from the sky in your ox-pulled chariot, followed by your legions of dreaded angels of destruction and help me strike down my enemy”

#lilith #agrathbatmahlat #occult #demonolatry

[staringdownabarrel]

Okay, so I've just finished At the Gates of Darkness by Raymond E. Feist.

A lot of my problems with this book stem from what happened with the star elves. It ended up being very little. Despite the fact that the previous book built them up to be this big new factor that could either be a complicating threat or a new ally against the ongoing demon problem, at the end they were mostly just there.

I'm not really sure if they needed to add a new kind of elf just for this purpose. They could have had the same kind of plotline almost beat for beat with the Brotherhood of the Dark Path, the elves from Novindus, or with the other elf village introduced in the Darkwar trilogy.

Really, this could have just been a second half of Rides a Dread Legion. Even if these two books were just the one volume, the length would have been pretty manageable. I mean, for a long time books in the Riftwar saga were usually between 500 and 700 pages long, so anyone who's this deep into the series isn't going to be put off by a longer novel. I think a lot of them probably would have been glad for a longer volume after a decade-long litany of relatively short ones.

There isn't really a lot to be said about this one beyond that. The good news is that at least it's short. I have my issues with how the later books of this saga tend to be a lot shorter than the earlier ones, but the trade off is that they are easy to get through if nothing else.

It's unfortunate that this is the direction this series went. At least with the really bad ones in this series, there's a specific thing I can go into and say, "Here's where I took issue. Let's discuss." Here, my main issue is just that it's kinda bland, and there isn't really a lot you can say about that one way or the other.

#at the gates of darkness #raymond e. feist #riftwar #demonwar #books #rant

[twatkcox]

[The Keihancarl Diaries: September 17, 2022]

Finally, after more than two-and-a-half years, I can finally go back to mall-hopping once again. And yes, I’m planning to visit the Mall Of Asia Complex, including the world’s largest IKEA store. What’s more, the Manila International Book Fair is back on site for the first time since 2019 (the previous MIBF events are held online, due to the dreaded coronavirus, obviously). All right, let’s get started!

I decided on an all-black outfit, with my red plaid scarf to add some splash of color in it. Come to think of it, I wear that same outfit on my last mall-hopping trip prior to the pandemic, except that I didn’t wear a cap and I had my gray and black embroidered ninja socks on instead of the plain red socks. I left home a little later than usual and I have to deal with traffic on my way to MRT North Avenue, particularly in Fairview and Old Balara areas. I managed to get inside the station a quarter before noon.

I only bought a single journey ticket for now since there’s a chance I won’t be riding the MRT for a while. It was a much comfortable ride, with the improved air conditioning and fewer passengers on board, partly due to the EDSA bus carousel below the rail line. And quieter too, since talking is not allowed inside the train. There’s even a security guard as a train marshal, which is a good thing.

Five years ago, I took a video of the MRT crossing the Magallanes flyover, using my old smartphone. Of course, I decided to recreate that same video, this time using my new smartphone with much better camera quality.

Exiting MRT Taft Avenue station, the MRT-LRT connector is cleared of vendors. It feels much more comfortable transferring from one line to another, knowing that you won’t have to deal with unnecessary congestion in a busy walkway. I then took a couple of pics, as usual, and went on my way. It took me around 10 minutes to ride the jeepney to the Mall Of Asia Complex.

I reached the SMX Convention Center before 1:00 PM. I managed to get inside the venue as soon as I got there, and I had to present my vaccination card before entering (as was the case with all of the events that are held at the moment). Once inside, I checked some of the booths, including Tankobonbon (a manga shop with a physical store in Cavite), Komiket, and Tuttle.

I didn’t get to check some of the publisher booths (PSICOM and Bookware) since there are a lot of people lining up to buy books, but I did check K-Pub. There were a lot of textbook and religious publishers' booths, and some food stalls. National Book Store and Fully Booked are notably absent at the MIBF this time.

There was a parade of Star Wars characters, courtesy of the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, and FightSaber.

I only stayed for an hour inside the venue and decided to check the upper floors, where the Travel Brands & Lifestyle Fair and Rev Major are held. I only checked the former, though. Too bad that the Sticky Expo will be held the next day. I was hoping to see Pixel Hero’s booth on the aforementioned event, but… oh well.

I then visited the IKEA branch just across SMX Convention Center (I also need to present the vaccination card before entering the premises). I was basically touring the showroom (one way) and let myself be amazed by some of the displays, and later, bought a couple of items, one of them is a small plastic shelf (Vesken).

Since I had to carry my purchases along, I also bought a large bag (the Frakta shopping bag) that is a little too big for the stuff I bought.

I decided to skip S’Maison since there’s nothing much to visit except for the Fully Booked branch there. I then have a late lunch at Hawker Chan at SM Mall Of Asia. I had a soy chicken and fragrant chicken rice, and a glass of honey citron soda.

I took a moment to upload the first batch of pictures on my Instagram account before asking for the bill.

I then proceeded to check some of the shops, and take a grand view of the Manila Bay sunset at the esplanade… well, that’s what I said, but there were a lot of people in the area. I couldn’t even have a decent view of the Manila Bay. The esplanade is basically a theme park, with all the rides, food stalls, restaurants, and everything. I then head back inside the mall area.

The Music Hall is now enclosed, though there were some repair works outside.

I visited a couple more shops before going home. Fully Booked is quite crowded with shoppers. I also check Decathlon as well.

Going home after a tiring afternoon is kind of a challenge. I have to wait for at least 30 minutes before the UV Express bound for SM Fairview arrived, but at least I won’t have to deal with taking three different kinds of transportation just to get home. Besides, it’ll be impossible to carry the plastic shelf inside the MRT since the train might get a little crowded, even if it isn’t jampacked. Luckily, the entire trip is much faster, save for the CCP Complex, Manggahan, and Fairview areas.

I get to see the lighted streets (particularly the LED lane guidance systems) along Quirino Avenue and Taft Avenue. Perfect for a night drive.

Reaching SM Fairview, I decided to drop by Booksale and bought three books (two manga books and one light novel), considering that I haven’t bought a single book at the event. Well, does that count? And I bought some dinner as well. I managed to get home around 9:30 PM. I then uploaded some of the other pics at home.

Whew, finally. The great sunny weather (despite the rain earlier), a nice outfit that I’ve worn for the first time since the pandemic... and a couple of items from IKEA, plus some manga books and a light novel from Booksale. I’ve probably spent a lot of money on these items.

Well, that wraps up my first major mall-hopping trip since March 2020. My thighs and shoulders are incredibly sore once I got home, but it was really fun. I even had the energy to assemble the Vesken plastic shelf I bought from IKEA, but right after that, I was so exhausted that I decided to put off writing this post for another day.

I suppose I can finally proceed with my supposed all-black birthday celebration (either in Manila or BGC), but I wouldn’t count on it happening just yet. Besides, I’ll need to invest on some new clothes, given that I’ve gained some weight during the past two years no thanks to the ongoing pandemic, and most of the clothes won’t fit me anymore. Well, that shouldn’t stop me from planning my future mall-hopping trips, with the goal to visit SM City Grand Central for the first time (as well as SM City Valenzuela, which I haven’t visited since 2015), as well as riding the LRT-2 all the way to Masinag station. As for the Dolomite Beach at the Manila Bay, I’ll hold off visiting the area for now until everything goes back to normal.

And so, this is where the post (and the trip) ends. Until next time! Keihancarl out.

All pics are uploaded to my private Instagram account @kcox105​, except for the Vesken plastic shelves pic, which is uploaded to my official/alternate Instagram account, @kcox_105. The Hawker Chan soya sauce chicken pic was originally posted on my private account as an Instagram story.

#going places #mall-hopping #43rd Manila International Book Fair #MIBF 2022 #Mall Of Asia Complex #IKEA #all-black OOTD

[finexbright]

YELLOW METAL - ZAYN

Posting the lyrics as a text post because it's much easier than screenshots and it helps with image ID as well.

ALL CREDITS GO TO @25Goldenn ON TWITTER.

(i'm only posting for my reference sake)

[after like the 10th minute, it’s me who has made an attempt to transcibe it]

0:46 - 1:00

And I thought right, it's all bark and no bite, I'm tony stark embarking on a dream, took a bit of time to take darkness from the team. Seen what I seen. Heart left on the sleeve. Tried to burn my wings, so I put them on a peice on my chest , at peace.

1:00

Flipped it on it's head. Gripped the script up now,flipped it don't you think. Fakers all around me, I've been living in pretense. Fake friends , won't make amends. There's no need for these mean comments to implore the scenes. Attentionseekers, the spine is weakened

1:15-1:24

What a family needs, and the planet bleeds, the damaged trees. It's never leaving to a real sense so fuck the fence, and until it starts peeling colour it's fuck the fence.

1:22 -

You must be off it, I mean it , you know you ain't never get with the judging and I used to dread growing up, and too long I never felt like I belonged, but still long like a  minute I ain't looking for no one

1:41-  1: 48

Kicking the game I'm serving, they're never learning, my fire is forever burning, adding it to my fuel, seems like I'm always focused on never becoming you.

1:52-1:57

I'm seeing my new beginnings, watch out this loser's winning, and no water is too deep to swim in.. Like im a .. killing , I'm all the way that and living/ limit.

2:07-:2:20

Running your jaw, stunting, pulling at straws, something  I think you're a poor effort, tone deaf and I ain't treat you separate. Living, I'm in my element, riding it like a ... never lose  me to fentanyl, scared when I take a benadryl. Keeping it green in general

2:20- 2:33

Think that you remain irrelevant. Look at yourself with reverance, hoping to always elevate. Celibate of these thoughts, killing themselves with sedatives. In comparison to (eminem?), you're feeling feminine. Impolitically correct, still dropping on my ----

2:33-2:43

And I never gave a fuck about what they say abt my shit, I've been moving things in my mind like it's a ... Memories has made me wander if I'm the me being after you. What's the purpose that you do, I see you're walking up your line.

2:46 -2:55

I'm looking at my life, saying what do I deserve. It's hard to say I know when I'm walking through the dirt. Talking ... nothing I can see for what it's worth. I'm tired of feeling hurt and I've tried enough but nothing works.

4:00-4:12

Just a.. with a cigarette, sun coming up, write my thoughts on the internet. Feeling deep, I'm .. with the silhouette ... get fucked up for the thrill of it .

4:50-5:00

On the top floor,  cloud 9, fading, never bailing, felt amazing, inhaling, til my lungs .. , two guns blazing. Overcome all the stunts that I pulled

5:02- 5:12

This life it don't give you no armour, alot of myself can harm me. I swear on what's good, that I'm here til they take me. I pray that I'm wrinkled, at least over 80, started moving like a ...'

5:36- 5:45

Grab a bat, lose my rag. Couple things got me mad, couple people got me wrong and now I'm changing up the swag. Coming in and stealing it, I might take the whole bag.

5:45 - 5:55

Feeling undefeated, I'm the beast with the beasts, and imma lead the whole pack. Fearless like I'm Caesar, I'm just waiting for a chance to fill it up with diesel, and all I've been achieving clocking miles in it's region, moving like a legion.

5:55-6:06

Promise that I made to myself an allegiance. Do you still believe I'm a fool for ever leaving, staring at the ceiling, can never put a cap on achieving. I'm just here for the rap, then I'm leaving.

6:06- 6:17

I've had about enough of being my own enemy, it's time to .. moved up a long way from 17. Always went against the grain, struggled tin my life. Got some things to say when I stand up on a mike.

6:17- 6:21

I ain't dropping this for fame, I need this time, like therapy, it's just to keep me sane. The truth is on my medicine, can't put that on your plate.

6:25-6:33

Speeding into everything, bout time I fixed the brakes. Don't say I can't communicate , you know I conversate with you in several different ways. And i know you know it's reverences , looking at your face.

6:33- 6:40

Can't justify mistakes, like every man that made them, seems I am the one to blame. Lying to myself, only had so much to gain, so now I'm switching up the ...

6:46-  6:54

Confused, I can feel it all . I'm here to make a change. It's cold at 3am outside , I'm walking with your dog, thanking god that you don't talk at all, my mind is switching off

6:54-7:04

Driving down to find myself , cuz I've been getting lost. ...Lessons that I've learned I've tried teach it to myself. What I've learnt from certain people is that they're better than myself.

7:04-7:12

So I surround myself with real ones, and you feel the plastic melt. That burning toy soldiers that used to go up  on the shelf. Recycle the ideas, conveying on the belt

7:20-7:29

Tired of only hoping, we feel the ... come in. Gravity is the .. It kept us to the ground, see the only people speaking til they are favoured in amounts

7:46-48

eating clouds cuz my smokes thicker - z

7:54-56

I thought my city was shit bcs I want bigger

8:09-11

Feeling trapped this industry is a cage

8:34-8:42

Nobody's speaking the truth, I'm offended by the Sate. Look at the state of the news, I've decided the argument, decided my views, while they been sat in their chairs, I'm feeling pressured to choose.

8:42-8:50

Standing here as one man, how can I do half when your half the person I am. If it wasn't in your life, you didn't choose it. It's the funny thing about music. It's the pain and beauty of it.

8:52-58

Don't give a fuck what my suit is, it looks good so I wear it, better than the shoot that People's wearing ....

Been facing the racists back when i was a kid .born up in in 93'. been living it rough..kicked me out of the schools, they had a problem with me and the kids that would call me paki still sit in the classroom chilling, and now that I'm older I see they treat us different

got me thinking I was the problem cuz they never dealt with those issues. 20 years later I'm still in the same boat.

9:15-9:25

20 years later I'm still in the same boat, tryna treat me like my grandpa, say I came up off the boat. Came to tell you what I stand for, man I think this shit's a joke. How can I be civil, when they got me by the throat

9:25-9:35

Pushing my feelings down, you ain't got it like ...

'Boy your skin is so light', ok motherfucker take my name up on a flight. Try to convince immigration that your bloodline's half white.

9:35-9:45

I don't know how that's acceptable, when life is more susceptible to perception, be the death of them. I've been looking at the sky saying where's the day of reckoning, you had your prophets right when they say that you will speak to them.

9:45-9:55

I needed justice in this life and I trust that it's my fight, cuz when I'm writing it feel right to have them focused on the facts again. Focused on the rap again, hoping for the change, gunna put this on the map again

9:55-10:03

Writing in all caps again, the pain it goes through me so I write the letter. All the shit that could have brought me (down) but made me better.

10:05-10:16

I'm at home with a pain in my soul , yeh rap (distorted).. cuz you know I been to real to contest it, my time was invested. Now I look at the industry, I see it infested, looking like kids who would ... nesquik.

10:17-10:19

My name ain't on the list unless the label it ethnic.

10:19-

I ain't never gave a fuck about these jokers and jesters. Ain't one for those things, so just save us the questions... man..allowed of violence, cuz my silence is deafening, your opinion stinks, somebody get 'em a breathmint.

10:29- 10:42

Start to understand why they think that I'm threatening, I move in certain ways, couldn't slow me with ... Now they all wanna hear me go a table at letterman. Direction changed, like I changed up the lettering. Don't believe the .. ,bcs I move like a veteran.

10;42 - 10:47

Raised on the benefit for whose benefit, they'll never learn shit, man, if the shoe fits.

10:54 -11:00

And to be honest, it's insulting, offensive to my wounds that have been salted. Tryna ask me questions that they know I never answer. I'd rather sit online and reply to the fan art

11:00-11:06

Fuck a sports car, coming through when I ...

'What I like, farm life and the tractor'

11:06- 11:17

Fake life, 'sup online, suck a fat one. You don't wanna buy into that, none of that son. Sitting in the garden at night in the 98' in the ...  seen some hot summers but I still remember that sun.

[So the Twitter person stopped it, so I just slowed the audio and started writing whatever i heard. So all faults are mine from this point on.]

(An old recording plays)

Cause I know few millions still living that way

Dealing with the work

They should know cause they don't deserve

It hit peak cause i hit the nerve

Only way that they should learn cause they shoot firm

In my ways I don't wanna change, everything just stay the same

We trynna fuck these ......

The lights dim so get the chum (?)

Why these men be nice to my face i ain't trynna be a gangsta ruins my vibe

Rather be low-key and on my phone

Never need the trophy or the short piece

Never show peace in all face fleas (?)

Show kids this like i wrote my flip

Cause the sign might fit till the start i'm sick

Now you see where i come from ... Only achievement in this life is ... And petty crimes....that we can't afford

So I stole it, the rolex

Go make sense, get yourself a job

A poor man's game trynna sit and protect god (?)

And now you've problems you gotta solve them

Used to settle tables now i'm writing on myself

Cause we all like animals we just need some help

Caught my eyes, put my heart in

For the knowledge i'm not charging see I got it all free

....like i'm saying it for the feed

Need a reason see me bleeding for my creed

Suck you with the words that I keep em up my sleeve

Picking where I fit, I see me sitting with the plead (?)

I ain't doing all this, used to saying please

Let me flow up, be stinging with the bees

They trynna kill us when they see us

(Music)

Why does it feel like they had the same notebook

And the same far looks

Something in the way i adjust till i stick

Free falling like the ship, free falling till i burst

Remember 21 brother gave me no fucks

Trying to project when they give me the looks

In the projects, in the objects

In my own way, never give me love, shoulda never started this, broken hearted kid

Dried up the feeling till i stole the..

Don't wanna relish in the pain but I can't resist

(Music)

[EDIT : UPDATED]

YELLOW METAL - ZAYN (CONTD) (all of this is done by me)

(Zayn vocalising)

Hand on the stick, be a billionaire

Trynna lead the lead the way, been selling out since..

All rhymes are for the readers between the lines

Till they get their connotation, tell them lived your life

And then i lived a life adjusting.....

On my own spaceship, trynna find greatness

Stuck in fine lines, i'm fighting in my prime

Aging like i'm wine, aging in my face

But still my words can't be defined

Start something sick and on my mind what's next

Just picking all the...and i'm taking my cheques

But I know I'm staying and I need pain like it's fucking death

Imma get it if it's taking my breath

Break down, sweating around, i ain't messing till I'm the best

Speaking in coded sentences

You shoulda thought about a strategy before you went up the stratosphere

But i guess...

You could use some practice...till you get the blackness

There's nothing like zealous tactics, fooling em like all like catfish

And I'm like a legend, I get to be the roughest

And I'll like iridescent leaving em all guessing

Making up my ... All year parked near a nixon (?)

Shining like a star you could see it from a distance

.....me i'm brown Paki, i'm the most different

Certain stages to this level ain't it because i fared this to the devil to collect...

Imma get all cleaned up like I'm the devil i'm the mountain..

Sight smart like a weapon, this is my kinda setting

I write the word I'm starting...

The food is right for the taking, i think i might

(Zayn vocalising)

Eccentric things i mention like a kid stuck in detention

Trynna escape, I'm just spitting what is written on the next page

Spitting image of my daddy since young days

Born sinner and I'm living like fucks sake

And I'm running, too cunning with no plumbing waterworks that sung something that resonate

I thought it first like giving birth....

They see me doing and they know it won't work

Don't know what's worst the way that you life your life or the way that you write a verse

Should be nervous, you don't deserve it what scratch the surface

I leave a crib and they lift the dirt up to find the hurting

Tryna be a better person than what the world deserve to see

Cause I see a lot of sharks still swimming in the sea

Seeks an arrest, What's the reason is theft

are these the kinda kids that we're bringing up next?

Distorted reality of the needy family.... to see the damages

(Zayn vocalising)

[this is till min 17:40]

(Zayn vocalising - I don't wanna be a part of this)

Sometimes they ask the questions ... Form a sentence...

To this form is distant norm

Is this the sentence, i feel defenceless

I played the setlist and all my blood sweat and tears they forgot to mention

Feeling loss going off into different sections

I feel like love wrecked it

If it's my drug why am I waiting for the next fix?

Affected, can't believe that you left this

I guess I leave with the best wish, moving on like next I'm fighting for the ledges (?)

You see all of the facts are true

Cause if we're falling down we're falling down together the staircase

To have it ripped down the middle like it happened

Mind fried, but talking sense

They ain't got a sense in them...

Need to spell it out for them big kids

... witness, i know you feel affected but you always love it..

While I'm laughing at ..... laughing with me

They don't fit me, my body fraught from this new to old city, I'm sick of sitting on my own, feeling so shitty

I've been abroad to the west coast..

It's okay, to be yourself, sitting talking to myself

I've been walking for the longest just need a little rest

No I ain't the strongest, I can feel it in my chest

Talking about my feelings in the need to get the best

They leave and see me breathing in my breath

Till death do us part it's just seeded in my heart like a work of art

Never winning, I'm just scarred....from the start

Do I play a part in the rhythm of the night

I guess I'm onto something cuz the talks feeling right ,

Every cloud got a lining

Like Morales, figured that they jealous that they could never tell us to change because the weather never made me question... whether or not I'm at that level

Got rid of all the bullshit sitting in my way

Most of my ...  I see it everyday

Are you hearing the same things that I do

Maybe the shit's hitting like haiku

How much did you pay them to hype you

Recycling your flaws but they ain't liking you

Leaving in conceded and full of diesel like engines they need ....the ending will be revealing

[there's still four mins left if anyone wants to finish this]

#yellow metal #lyrics

[trivialbob]

This afternoon Sheila and I brought little Stella back to my BIL’s house. While we were out there played bingo at the American Legion post.

Two of our friends joined us. One of the women lives not far from the Legion post. She’d never been there before. After one round she had a big grin on her face. “Oh my gosh, do they do this every weekend?” She didn’t win but still had fun.

Our other friend won two games plus a huge beef roast in a meat raffle. Sheila won one round of bingo. Sadly so did three others at the same time, so they had to split the prize four ways. Me? I got nuthin’.

For one of the meat raffles Sheila bought a $1 ticket using quarters. How proud I was of her, getting rid of change like that. And I forgot my penny jar. The raffle guy (very good-naturedly) shouted “What is this? We don’t take noisy money!”

We chatted during the games. One of the women at our table said something about cancer or some dreadful medical issue. That was an opening for my favorite bingo joke. I pointed to the left side of my card and said, “Well if you have a tumor, this is the best kind!” My finger was on B-9. They loved it! (trust me)

Jack sent a picture to Sheila and me as we played bingo. Tonight he has a ride-along. Due to a long shift and no one to let her out, Bella gets to play K-9 and ride with Jack in the squad car. Judging by her expression, she’s underwhelmed.

[pndnj]

Cathartic- Yellow Metal Lyrics

Heres where I am with the lyrics, I referenced @25Goldenn on twitter for some of it that I couldn’t comprehend. 

*music*

0:23

Dark matter, like painted splatters, they fit better, the old saying, the way it goes, better the devil you do then you don’t know. I hit pedals and switch levers, my heart metal, I can't settle, im part trouble, they are not subtle. I fuck good so fuck cuddles, burst bubbles the thrist levels at new heights, i down doubles, and got baked til I felt high, my face puzzled, felt muddled, far strung and your floors woodent, the thought might but the fit wouldn’t. A fortnight

0:46 - 1:00

And I thought right, it’s all bark and no bite, I’m Tony Stark still embarking on a dream, took a bit of time to take darkness from the team. Seen what I saw. Heartless on the sleeve. Tried to burn my wings, so I put them in a piece on my chest , at peace no rest.

1:00-1:15

Flipped this on it’s head. Rip the script up now, flip it don’t pretend, slipping shit again, Fakers all around me, I’ve been living in pretense. Fake friends won’t make amends. There’s no need, these mean comments control the scenes. Attentionseekers, the spine is weakened

1:15-1:24

This family needs, what a family needs, and the planet bleeds, the damaged trees. It’s never leaving til we ascend so fuck the fence, and until they stop killing colour it’s fuck the feds.

1:22 - 1:44

You must be off it, I mean it, you know you ain’t never get with the judging and I used to dread growing my beard too long, never felt I belonged, but it's really long like a minute I ain’t looking to no mans for the limits, They’re feeling timid, I’m telling them who they mimic, why they don't look like a clinic …. Why they don't get no women, Still, we’re just fucking girls, Lost in the wrong world, Jurassic, now to this vermin

1:41-  1: 50

Kicking the game I’m serving, these losers are never learning, my fire is forever burning, adding it to my fuel, seems like I’m always focused on never becoming you, These locals that rob us feeling … was for a reason.

1:52-2:02

I’m seeing my new beginnings, watch out this loser’s winning, and no water is too deep to swim in Like I’m about to see a killing, I’m all the way that and living, flawless and feeling lawless, the prison now to the gimmicks, my vision is set to something,

2:03-:2:20

I’m watching you bitches plummet, no matches here for my cunning, you rappers are feeling done in, switching your genre, running and Running your jaw, stunting, pulling at straws, something  I think you’re a poor effort, deaf and tone deaf and I ain’t treat you separate. Living, I’m in my element, riding it like a … never lose me to fentanyl, scared when I take a benadryl. Keeping it green in general

2:20- 2:46

Think that you remain irrelevant. Look at yourself with reverence, hoping to always elevate. Celibate of these thoughts, killing themselves with sedatives. In comparison to eminem, you’re feeling feminine. Impolitically correct, still dropping on my dick. And I never gave a fuck about what they say abt my shit, I’ve been moving things in my mind like it’s this mountain dew Memories have made me wonder if one day I’m after you. What’s the purpose that you do, is what you're hoping that they learn, i’d like to say i’m done but it’s getting up on my nerves

2:46 -2:55

I’m looking at my life, saying what do I deserve. It’s hard to say I know when I’m walking through the dirt. Talking while you’re nothing I can see for what it’s worth. I’m tired of feeling hurt and I’ve tried enough but nothing works.

2:55-3:40

I’m racking up excuses while I’m slacking off on work. Chit chatting is the usual, talking to this clerk, i beg you don’t include me. I might write it on my shirt so everytime they see me, the oldest know to swerve. SWERVE Life is potent, bits of fucked shit… till they took notice weren’t  no hocus pocus, it was hard work that got me heard so i put in the graph like google maps but the whole earth

… around my door mat, taking over like the drones, rolling dirt up in miles like the water, and exploding like Annas hematoma. Don't need to see a slammer to know that I don't want to go man

I’m a showman. I’m just focused on the drama… like i’ve got my own insurance, show myself the pain, like i boxed it in the frame, if we’re about to talk greatness im great, the way you have to say my name like beyonce

“Say my name”

4:00-4:46

Just a bum with a cigarette, sun coming up, all my thoughts on the internet. Feeling deep, I’m just bored with the silhouette single sec,  get fucked up for the thrill of it . killer streak playing Pacman. Like I came from the Philippines vanilla bean still a thing for the thrill of scene,

Theres a beam, UFO, Leave it well alone  I aint moving, stood still on the peloton, telephone and its always on the dial tone,  it's been a while since i’ve smiled at a milestone, seen a big pile in my mind stone, me against the world on my Jack Jones, Like I’m John Jones, With pictures in the condo, far from John Doe, in the ___, like I'm Johnny Bravo, got pravado, with a small dick sitting in golados, feeling far gone, cuz that last hit was the good shit, was that stay lit

4:48-5:02

You can never take my shit come and get me. On the top floor,  cloud 9, fading, never bailing, felt amazing, inhaling, til my lungs two guns blazing. Overcome all the stunts that I pulled. A suit of just skin and then wool

5:02- 5:17

This life doesn’t give you no armour, a lot of myself can harm ya. I swear on what’s good, that I’m here till they take me. I pray that I’m wrinkled, at least over 80, and start moving like a ruler, ?damaged? Like a computer going fast, bars from the jeweler, bring the songs to the beach in hopes of finding tuna

5:18-5:36

…

5:36- 6:16

Grab a bat, lose my rag. Couple things got me mad, a couple people got me wrong and now I’m changing up the swag. Coming in and stealing it, I might take the whole bag. Feeling undefeated, I’m a beast with a reason, and imma lead the whole pack. Fearless like I’m Caesar, I’m just waiting for a chance to fill it up with diesel, and all I've been achieving is clocking miles in its region, moving like a legion.

Promise that I made to myself an allegiance. Do you still believe I’m a fool for ever leaving, staring at the ceiling, can never put a cap on achieving. I’m just here for the rap, then I’m leaving.

I’ve had about enough of being my own enemy, it’s time I grew up,  a long way from 17. Always went against the grain, struggles in my life. Got some things to say when I stand up on a mike.

6:16-6:32

I ain’t dropping this for fame, I need this time, like therapy, it’s just to keep me sane. The truth is on my medicine, can’t put that on your plate.

Speeding into everything, bout time I fixed the brakes. Don’t say I can’t communicate , you know I conversate with you in several different ways. And I know you know it’s references, looking at your face.

6:33- 6:53

Can’t justify mistakes, like every man that made them, seems I ain't  the one to blame. Lying to myself, only had so much to gain, so now I’m switching up the plate, see if that affects the place, im at on most days

I ain’t going with the usual so they looking at me strange. Confused, I can feel it all,  I’m here to make a change. It’s cold at 3am outside, I’m walking with the dog, thanking god that you don’t talk at all, my mind is switching off

6:54-7:12

Driving down to find myself, cuz I’ve been getting lost, lived this selfless life and found I can give a toss. Lessons that I’ve learned I’ve tried teaching to myself. What I’ve learnt from certain people is that they’re better than myself.

So I surround myself with real ones, and you feel the plastic melt. Like burning toy soldiers that used to go up on the shelf. Recycle the ideas, conveying on the belt

7:14-7:29

.. circus, always hurting the way we felt? Embarrassed that we dreamt of bigger things and letting go of notions till we feel them in cement

Tired of only hoping, we feel broken men. Cuz the gravity is weight and has kept us to the ground, see the only people speaking with favors in their mouths

7:46-7:58

Got killer rhymes… no fillers, like godzilla, eating clouds cuz my smokes thicker, throat licker, my dope sicker, bringing people their hope like im the pope slicker,  i hope you’re getting the point cuz i walk quicker

I thought my city was shit bcs I want bigger like my zipper couldn’t zip up fed up with the…my love is fickle.. Residual age has a primitive face

I see demise for your limited ways, Left it to simmer, simmer away…a fake glimmer in the haze

8:09-8:11

Feeling trapped this industry is a cage

8:34-8:50

Nobody’s speaking the truth, I’m offended by the State. Look at the state of the news, I’ve decided the argument, reciting my views, while they’ve been sat in their chairs, I’m feeling pressure to choose.

Standing here as one man, how can I do half when you’re half the person I am. If it wasn’t in your life, you didn’t choose it. It’s the funny thing about music. It’s the pain and beauty of it.

8:52-9:11

Don’t give a fuck what my suit is, it looks good so I wear it, better than the shoot that People’s wearing, changing the whole narrative for these basics and scarcity

Been facing the racists from back when i were a kiddie .born up in in 93’. been living in Bradford City..kicked me out of the schools, they had a problem with me hitting the kids that would call me p*** still sitting in the classroom chilling, and i'm angry now that I’m older I see they treat us different

9:12-9:25

got me thinking I’m the problem cuz they never dealt with those issues.

20 years later I’m still in the same boat, tryna treat me like my grandpa, say I came up off the boat. Came to tell you what I stand for, man I think you’re shit, a joke. How can I be civil, when they got me by the throat

9:25-9:35

Pushing my feelings down, you ain’t got it like them

‘Boy your skin is so light’, ok motherfucker take my name up on a flight. Try to convince immigration that your bloodline’s half white.

9:35-9:45

I don’t know how that’s acceptable, when life is more susceptible to perception, be the death of them. I’ve been looking at the sky saying where’s that day of reckoning, you had your prophets right when they say that you would speak to them.

9:45-9:55

I need justice in this life and I trust that it’s my fight, cuz when I’m writing it feels right to have them focused on the facts again. Focused on the rap again, hoping for the change, gunna put this on the map again

9:55-10:16

Writing in all caps again, the pain, it goes through me so I write the letter. All the shit that could have brought me but made me better.

I’m at home with a pain in my soul , yeh rap… cuz you know I was too real to contest it, my time was invested. Now I look at the industry, I see it infested, looking like kids who would write on nesquik.

10:17-10:29

My name ain’t on the list unless they label it ethnic.

I ain’t never gave a fuck about these jokers and jesters. Ain’t no answers for these things, so just save us the questions, man allowed of violence, cuz my silence is deafening, your opinion stinks, somebody get him a breath mint.

10:30- 10:42

Start to understand why they think that I’m threatening, I move in certain ways, couldn’t slow me with ketamine Now they all wanna hear me, got a table at letterman. Direction changed, like I changed up the lettering. Don’t believe the age ,bcs I move like a veteran.

10:42 - 10:47

Raised on the benefit for whose benefit, they’ll never learn shit, man, if the shoe fits.

…no words coming out when you open your mouth

And to be honest, it’s insulting, offensive to my wounds that have been salting. Tryna ask me questions that they know I never answer. I’d rather sit online and reply to the fan art

11:00-11:06

Fuck a sports car, coming through when i rapped

tell you what I like, farm life and the tractor

11:06- 11:17

Fake life, 'sup online, suck a fat one. You don’t wanna buy into that, none of that son. Sitting in the garden 98’ in the Datsun,  seen some hot summers but I still remember that sun.

*music*

11:51- 12:34

I make millions off of my pain, cause I know a few millions still living that way

Dealing with the hurt, they should know cause they don’t deserve it, it hit deep cause i hit the nerve. Only way that the sheep learn if the street firm, in my ways I don’t wanna change, everything just stay the same

Who you tryna convince you understand, cant maintain, let the lights dim some,  get the Chow Mein, flex, get the tape, right up at night

Why these men be nice to my face, be nice,  i ain’t tryna be a gangsta ruins my vibe

Rather be low-key and on my phone. Never need the trophy or the show piece

Never show peace in a North Face fleece. Show kids this like i wrote my flip

Cause the sign might fit till the start i’m sick

12:37-13:05

Now you see where I come from, the world don’t. Only achievement in this life is the Jordans. Committing petty crimes out of boredom, we can’t afford them. So I stole it, need a rolex

Go make sense, get yourself a job, It’s a poor man’s game tryna sit and pray to god, he ain’t sorting out your problems, gotta sort them out yourself

Used to tell us fables, now I’m writing them myself, Cause we raw like animals we all just need some help

Cathartic, I’m an artist, trying to put my heart in

Felt double crossed like Leo in Departed

13:05- 13:27

For the knowledge i’m not charging see I got it all free

But my hunger kept me starving like i’m feening for the feed

I just Need a reason to see me bleeding for my creed. Trick you with the words like I keep em up my sleeve. Picking where I fit, I see me sitting with the queen

I ain’t doing it unless you’re used to saying please

Let me flow a bit, before I sting 'em with the bees, They tryna kill us with disease

(Music)

13:34- 14:12

Why does it feel like they had the same notebook and the same four looks

Like the rain won't touch on their face, so sus when they lie don’t trust not a minor

Please no fuss, I just move through the game like must

Something in the way i adjust till i stick, Free falling like the ship, free fall till i bust

Remember 21 brother gave no fucks. Trying to project when they give them looks

In the projects, in the objects us

In my own way, never gave me love, shoulda never started this, broken hearted kid

Dried up the feeling till I stole the lid

Don’t wanna relish in the fame but I can’t resist

14:46-14:58

I like the way we feel, I like the way, I like the way

Ain’t no mistake, i am a being

I ain’t tryna be a leader, been selling out since Jesus

All my rhymes are for the readers, between the lines, like Father time, I fuck Mother Nature

14:58-15:40

That’s what they get, the connotations. Tell 'em I lived a life, and then I lived a life of adjacent? like its…. and played it patient.

Alone on my own spaceship, always tryna find greatness, still defying lines, but I’m fighting in my prime.

Shining light like Kylo while imma kill it all the time. Aging like I’m wine

Asian in my face, but still my race you can’t define. Focused on defiance, imma fight it while it’s life.

Started something sick and on my mind is what’s next, just became a dad so now I’m taking all the cheques. Better know I’m staying and paying like it’s debt. Imma get it done, if it’s taking all my breath, sweat, and down I ain’t messing around til I’m the best

Speaking in full sentences, shoulda thought about a strategy before you went at the stratosphere about this… rings around Saturn, this ain’t a battle, I’m sat, I’m here

15:40-16:22

Catch me doing magic, hired and sounding tragic I think you could use practice and until that you get the blacklist and pull like a … actress? Fooling them like a catfish, schooling like a legend, happy to be the reference, fusing like iridescence, leaving them all guessing, leaking out of my brain like a pipe I aint fixing, shining like a star you can see it from a distance

Aint many of me around p*** I’m just different Certain stages to this level aint here because fame is to the devil fuck a label, imma do this from the ghetto, clean up like Im Dettol

I’m the man to put a bet on, sight smart like a weapon,  this is my kind of setting, i write the world I’m sat in, while these others live on hype, i see them fight in how they type, the fruit is ripe for the taking, i think i might

16:22-16:57

Let me take you away from here, Let me take you away from here, Let me take you away from here

16:58- 17:47

Eccentric things are mentioned like a kid stuck in detention tryna escape im just spitting what is written on the next page, spitting image of my dad in his young days

Born sinner when i’m livid i say fucks sake

Don’t worry i’m too cunning with no plumbing, the waterworks, i sung something that resonates, i thought it first like giving birth to the parrot perch

They see me do it and they know it works

Don’t know what’s worse: the way that you live your life or the way that you write a verse

You’ll be nervous, you don’t deserve it we’ll scratch the surface ill leave a crater, lift the dirt up to find the hurting

Can’t know for certain nothing is guaranteed, tryna be a better person than the world deserves to see cuz i see a lot of sharks still swimming in the sea

Cease and arrest what’s the reason.. And these the kinda kids we bringing up next

Distorted reality, all they needed was family, too hard to face, to see what the damage is

17:47

*i don’t wanna be, i don’t wanna be, a part of this, no, i don’t wanna be, i don’t wanna be, a part of this, *

18:04-18:38

Sometimes they ask the questions too deep to form a sentence, to disform, is this the norm, is this the sentence i feel defenseless i played the setlist, and all my sweat blood and tears, forgot to mention feeling lost, going off into different sections i feel like love wrecked it

If it’s not a drug why am i waiting for the next fix, affected, i cant believe that you left this

I guess I leave for the best wish, moving on like im fine for the lectures

We see it all from spectrums, cuz if we’re falling down we can fall down together

Staircase to heaven, mirror down the middle like 11, resentment on one side it won’t settle

18:38- 19:14

Mind fried but taking sense, they aint got a sense of themselves in the rich ends

Need to spell it out for them.. Made for them so witness

I know you feel afflicted but you always love it with me while im laughing at you, ya think you’re laughing with me

I try to (i love you) but im grown so they don’t fit me, my body thrown from the new to this old city so Im sick of sitting on my own, feeling so shitty, i’ve been on roads where its cold and the snow hitting

Its okay to be yourself, sit and talking to myself

I’ve been walking for the longest, just need a little rest, know i ain’t the strongest, I can feel it in my chest, talking about my feelings and of me, they get the best

19:14-19:59

They aint leaving, seeing breathing in my breath

Till death do us part is just seeded in my heart, like a work of art

Never winning,im just scared

Cant begin from the start, do i play a part in the rhythm of the night

I guess i’m onto something cuz the dark is feeling right

Every cloud got a lining, put my own miles  in, like moralis, figured that they’re jealous, that they could just never tell us to change because the weather never made me question whether or not i’m not that level

Got rid of all the bullshit sitting in my way, most of them are full of shit i see it every day

I do hearing the same things that i do, maybe that shits hitting like haiku

How much do you pay for them to hype you

Recycle your flaws but they aint like new, leaving and conceded and full of diesel like engines that need a cleaning, the ending will be revealing. Even though we ain’t raising the facts, now we been facing.

20:01-20:52

The cactus with spikes, needing spaces. Different faces, the same story. A full body like straight body direct to your system.

Could never tell 'em we missed’ em. Not even with the thoughts, we gift them. Cuz they just take advantage, guess we are caught in a system.

My soul pouring out details of borrowed time, had enough of a fill, this is for sorrow time. I’m seeing visions of Heaven, I seen the severed line, between the gospel they speak and when theyre telling lies.

Remember telling a friend of mine, you’d sent of mine, identified like a 3rd eye. Got a habit of knowing now where the dirt lies. So benign. I ain’t sober after 9, so I fuck their minds. Why you flipping out, see another

Try to rep it from the city, fuck a chiller crew, repping for the nittys, trying to keep us down, raised on the social, don’t want to let us out of the system. Me, I insist we assist them, me alone putting shifts til I lift them

20:53-21:12

I know it’s hard, that’s why I like it, I’m fit to fight it, I’m from the North, I’m backing Tyson, it’s been decided, don’t see no light. They needing guiding, just redefining, realizing, I’m realigning, in full finance, they stay silenced.

Can’t be louder, I’m juiced up with no powder. I fix shit like a slick spanner. Gone green like Bruce Banner. So free Gaza on my banner

21:12-21:51

The real McCoy, I ain’t nothing to toy with, signifying peace like a Japanese Koi Fish. How did this happen, we’re moving backwards in our timeline, killing us with cyanide, Right up for the freedom 'til we transform like Ironhide

This is bout my feelings, the way that I move affects the fate that I’m sealing. Can’t say nothing, with that something being on the page, kept inside the pen like the bars that have been kept caged. See I always had a plan, since I was young, we had nothing man

Now it’s been a few years since I ain’t seen the fam, on foreign lands. Bout to climb Everest in the avalanche. Right into the riddles as soon as you were born. Never asking the question cuz it’s the norm. See I’m in a questionin’ session

21:52-22:03

Like the manner got a method to teaching a lesson, listen to MF Doom, he taught me like Ra’s Al Ghul. Felt like living in Gotham, the people were rotten. Still we play cartoons so it’s never forgotten.

22:03-22:15

Chilling at the top but we came from the bottom. Writing and jottin for them life by, spotting the difference

*Dreams, was growing out of me, sun promising that tomorrow it will rise, time playing games with my mind, I swear it will pass us by

Train goes on the tracks, smoke, I’m tired to hide my thoughts, so blinded in flames, Don’t know where we’re going, I have no way of knowing, only see what’s in my head

Can’t we wait a minute, so we can savour this, It’s on my brain again, these days, It on my brain again these days”

23:10-23:46

They’re hating on Palestine ways, The oh no Palace playing Prince on the Steinway, Sending out mind waves, stop them like crimewaves, Freedom fighter, Yellow Metal is my name

Like vipers, I see the sly ones, the snake that’s called Biden, none of them abiding what they might put in writing

We should be used to it by now, say whatever for the vote and then just choose another route, say they’d never kill another unless that brother’s skin is brown

I’m just telling you the facts, if you can’t take it, the truth naked, to bare bones and my thoughts lately, spitting politics.. Done ain’t it, Shit just gets me vexed, and now I’m sitting that I think of it

23:45-23:59

Feeling on the brink of it, whatever it is, Figure out some shit at least it feels that way

talk about my feelings and I don’t feel so strange, finding solace, that’s a promise, in Metropolis but being honest, can’t write a sonnet, without some pain

24:00-24:40

Can’t fade away, away so we can savour this, been on my brain again these days

Can't find a way to be so you can savour this, been on my brain these days

Singing the song for another, singing a song for another

#zayn #yellowmetal #cathartic #feel free to correct me pls #cathartic lyrics

[marlutterianae]

DISMALIA HUNTS ~ The Procession to the Stronghold of Trulla

The scorching summer sun is hammered down into the horizon dusk, fading light through the purple curtains of the night. By Dusk, the Glory Seeker Praetoria shall be in chains. The Wild Hunter Hell Knight will lead the way to the Citadel of Trulla, where the surviving Grotesques of Samiginus's Legion are hiding. That mad huntress insisted that taken her there willingly will be their demise. Bosco the Bloody Butcher & Donna the Huntress Baroness stealthily follow the procession of Praetoria Gloriosa, the slaughterer of the Grotesque Tyrant Samiginus where the Rokyu Butcher Bosco and the Zathán warrior Praetoria fought it at the edge of Death Canyon. Casting its mutilating, roaring body dow the cliffs. The death could never be confirmed, but the armies of Chimera Riding Grotesques that accompanied him fled once witnessing the fall of their leader. After the Passional Skirmish at Desolation Road, the Tyrant Samiginus was presumed slain at Death Canyon, yet his army fled to the Citadel of Trulla. The only way in? Become a tribute, seek honorable combat with the remaining leader. The second in command of Samiginus’s Proto-Legion Wild Hunt, Gorus Iglesha; the Black Manticore, took control of their hordes riding back to Trulla through the blowing of war horns. An unexpected alliance between the Rokyu Baroness Donna, the Bloody Butcher, Flayer of Fiends Bosco and the Head Hunting, Glory Seeker Zathán Berserker Praetoria plot a secret mission to slay the last leader of this Wild Hunt, reclaim the lost citadel of Trulla with all of its legendary weapons and resources and slay the last remaining threat of the Chimera Riders in the form of the great Black Manticore, who will only open its fortified gates to the slayer of Samiginus with a death wish. That, being Praetoria, as she suggested. Across the Crooked Woods there are many hidden camps, where defense walls are positioned to repel any, wether be demon or man. Praetoria allowed herself to be captured by explicitly taunting the Hell Knight as the slayer of their old leader, so she could be taken personally to its throne just to be crushed in the most personal way. With four Golden Bile Cholera Elixir pills grafted over her molars, she will bite on one for each frontier as they approach the citadel. With the rush of berserker strength and painless fury, she receives enough attention to allow the two Hunters Bosco and Donna to sneak past their sentinels and finally infiltrate the bastion. ... Art by Andre Díaz (Grimonomicon): https://linktr.ee/grimonomicon A the sequence of new Demon Hunts unfold in Dismalia; we shall meet dreadful foes with disturbing intellect and charisma. Our Dismal Demon Hunters shall confront their greatest challenges yet on this second volume!

#demons #sword & sorcery #monster hunters #dismalia #demon hunters #monsters #dark fantasy #praetoria