#unlikely heroes

[starlingcircus]

Ich vermisse dich.

[Twitter]

#Unlikely Heroes #Caleb Widogast #critical role #criticalroleart #fanart #wizard #Dungeons & Dragons #D&D #my art #a tribute to my late father #Can also be found on gallery 7/1/21 #repost #oldish art

[sluggoonthestreet]

The sklornax invasion was cancelled due to one hungry goose and a scout ship that looked a lot like a bagel.

#street art #sidewalk chalk #augmented pareidolia #3d street art #goose #alien #spaceship #unlikely heroes

[cmweller]

Challenge #04108-K090: Go Forth in All Your Beliefs

While Wraithvine and hir companions are guests at a noble's mansion, the noble's mate asks if they will watch the children for an hour. Why there? There'd been a major out-wash of several roads, and they had kindly invited all travelers to stay in their mansion until it was fixed. They were ones that fully believed the gods blessed those who showed true kindness. -- Anon Guest

It was, indeed, a dark and stormy night. The wind howled so loudly that it was nigh impossible to hear oneself think. Even the rain rattled the shutters. Through gestures and simple pantomime, the lady of the house directed Wraithvine and Temperance into a large parlour where a fire was already burning strong. There, several children were huddled in a pillow fort.

Several children, three dogs, and one elderly microdragon.

Now one immortal Wizard and hir current traveling companion. Who happened to be a deep indigo Hellkin with curlicue horns and opalescent hooves. Their job was clear. Watch and soothe the children.

[Check the source for the rest of the story]

#instant story #just add prompt #unlikely heroes #two kind hands #unexpected

[laur-rants]

Chartreuse Summertime

Destiny 2 is a game and I love playing it man wow. DnDestiny is also a game I love playing man wow. Anyway this is my fellow teammate @medi-jay ‘s Sharpshooter gunslinger Caduceus-3 and he’s a good boy (please be nice to him)

#destiny 2 #gunslinger #hunter #destiny fanart #art #fanart #my fanart #my art #sketches #caduceus-3 #wandering sun #i'll draw more from this #but this is the first thing that i actually had time to sit down and enjoy #man #unlikely heroes

[deebrisbyfish]

As an artist, I LOVE creative collaboration. It's not a thing I get to do all that often, on the art side of things, as I tend to do all my own artwork from beginning to end on most of my projects, from pencils to final art. So, I'm always thrilled when I have the occasional opportunity to work on pieces with OTHER artists.  When I was doing the Wellkeeper, about half of the covers were inked by the fantastic Tony Kordos, and I adored that team-up. And recently, for the Finding Dee Kickstarter, I worked on a studio JAM cover for that book. An homage to the classic, Gil Kane "Giant Sized X-Men #1", I did reasonably tight digital "pencils" for the piece featuring Me, Heidi, and Poe bursting out of a shot with other characters from UNLIKELY HEROES STUDIOS! The awesome Laurie Foster did the inks over my pencils, which were then given awesome colors by Katy Rewston, who colored the book interiors as well. I am SUPER happy with how this came out, and now that the Kickstarter is in the can and folks are all receiving their books, I wanted to share the process a little! Hope you enjoy.

#comic #comicbookcover #comic book cover #pencils #inks #colors #kickstarter #art progression #unlikely heroes #unlikely heroes studios #gil kane #x-men #giant sized x-men #giantsizedxmen #homage #parody

[internutter]

Challenge #04108-K090: Go Forth in All Your Beliefs

While Wraithvine and hir companions are guests at a noble's mansion, the noble's mate asks if they will watch the children for an hour. Why there? There'd been a major out-wash of several roads, and they had kindly invited all travelers to stay in their mansion until it was fixed. They were ones that fully believed the gods blessed those who showed true kindness. -- Anon Guest

It was, indeed, a dark and stormy night. The wind howled so loudly that it was nigh impossible to hear oneself think. Even the rain rattled the shutters. Through gestures and simple pantomime, the lady of the house directed Wraithvine and Temperance into a large parlour where a fire was already burning strong. There, several children were huddled in a pillow fort.

Several children, three dogs, and one elderly microdragon.

Now one immortal Wizard and hir current traveling companion. Who happened to be a deep indigo Hellkin with curlicue horns and opalescent hooves. Their job was clear. Watch and soothe the children.

[Check the source for the rest of the story]

#instant story #just add prompt #unlikely heroes #faith #hope

[theversevoyager]

Upon the vast, celestial stage, where heroes bold and quests of grand design unfold, In realms of magic bound by artifacts untold, A twist reveals itself, altering what we saw, The heroes' tales rewritten, now to ponder. This is the summary of your work so far: 1. Created a sci-fi poem based on a twist revealing events and heroes.

#science fiction #poetry #magical artifacts #epic quests #unlikely heroes #short stories #internet writing

[heathercauthor]

The bisexual chaos is coming

I turned the "humans are space orcs" threads into a series called Earth Sucks! And the sequel is coming in August 😈

Book 1 synopsis: It's the apocalypse, and Feng has a knack for pissing people off.

Mercenary Feng is both the hunter and the hunted, searching for his missing family while hunted by the alien intruders who are trying to get him to stop blowing their shit up.

Life gets worse when he must befriend one of the alien creatures to survive. She grew up on stories of humans, and Feng’s about to upend everything she's ever known—if they don't get each other killed first.

"Readers may appreciate the many twists and betrayals..." —Kirkus Reviews

"Action-packed, fast-paced sci-fi story bursting with psychological games and manipulations..." —Readers' Favorite

If you like the Last Of Us, the 100, or unlikely allies in the slightest, check out Earth Sucks On Amazon, Kobo or Barnes and Noble!

#tlou #scifi fantasy #earth sucks #humans are space orcs #alien invasion #alien x human #bisexualbooks #lovetriangle #indie books #indie author #unlikely heroes #unlikely friends #enemies to friends trope #enemies to besties #rebellion #gay undertone #book tumblr #the100 #thelastofus #scifibooks #newrelease #upper young adult #humans are crazy #rebels suck #antihero #grumpy x sunshine #book tropes #apocalypse #queer lit #new books

[autumnsup]

#unlikely heroes #trans rights #wtf nyt #the onion ftw #kinda sad that it's come to this tho #jkr #fandom adjacent news I guess?

[rmhashauthor]

The Last Hour of Gann - the book that ruined me

If you have not read this BEHEMOTH of a novel, I strongly suggest you do. If you want something that will enthrall you, scare you, amuse you, ruin your life and obliterate your soul, I CANNOT in good conscience let you go another week without this beast of a story.

Summary (from Goodreads): "It was her last chance:

Amber Bierce had nothing left except her sister and two tickets on Earth’s first colony-ship. She entered her Sleeper with a five-year contract and the promise of a better life, but awakened in wreckage on an unknown world. For the survivors, there is no rescue, no way home and no hope until they are found by Meoraq—a holy warrior more deadly than any hungering beast on this hostile new world…but whose eyes show a different sort of hunger when he looks at her.

It was his last year of freedom:

Uyane Meoraq is a Sword of Sheul, God’s own instrument of judgment, victor of hundreds of trials, with a conqueror’s rights over all men. Or at least he was until his father’s death. Now, without divine intervention, he will be forced to assume stewardship over House Uyane and lose the life he has always known. At the legendary temple of Xi’Matezh, Meoraq hopes to find the deliverance he seeks, but the humans he encounters on his pilgrimage may prove too great a test even for him…especially the one called Amber, behind whose monstrous appearance burns a woman’s heart unlike any he has ever known."

Guys. Guys. This book ripped me apart. Amber is simultaneously the best and worst sci-fi heroine, her sister is pathetic and terrible, Meoraq is probably the least sexy but the most BADASS MMC EVER and the rest of the cast is every stripe of humanity you can imagine. There's a guy whom I wished from page one would shut up shut up JUST SHUT UP ALREADY and fall in a hole forever. R Lee Smith's characterization is on point and consistent throughout the book.

This is a BRUTAL story from beginning to end, even for someone like me who LOVES reading gnarly survival stories. Not gonna lie, there are several instances of sexual violence - I don't like it, I don't condone it and I won't write about it in any of my work, but in this case it was used to really drive home the brutality of life on Meoraq's world. There are animal attacks and vicious fighting and horrific injuries, but again this is not a happy story. This is a very messy, dangerous world and it takes a lot of grit and no tolerance for squeamishness to survive.

As unpleasant as Amber can be at times, I sincerely liked her as a character. She's unpleasant because she was brought up under pretty bleak circumstances and her life on Earth just didn't get better. And it got even worse once she signed her contract in more ways than just ending up on a planet where almost everything is trying to kill her. The thing about Amber that I really respected was her instant realization of just how fucked she and everyone else is and her first instinct is to start looking for water, food and shelter. She takes initiative while everyone else is sitting around waiting for help.

I appreciated how R Lee Smith took me inside Amber's head and showed me her memories to either confirm or contrast with how angry she is at the way her life has turned out. Her sister is basically the sad polar opposite - none of Amber's grit has rubbed off on her, and as awful as the story ended for her, she kind of deserved it for the choices she made (or refused to make). In the end I just felt sorry for Nicci for having such weak character.

Meoraq is NOT a sexy guy. I love sci-fi romances mainly because I want to see what weird, freaky things people are into (myself included, lol) and I want to see how the author turned something that SHOULD be bizarre into something that makes me think "...you know what? Maybe I COULD..." Not Meoraq. The only thing I found even moderately attractive about him was his incredible knowledge of and experience with living as he had for as long as he had. And he was funny sometimes. But he could be SUCH an ASS. And yet by the end of the book I had developed an IMMENSE respect for the guy - if I'd been in Amber's shoes, I would PRAY that I'd run into someone as competent and self-assured at Meoraq, otherwise I'd be dead within a week.

I am not a religious person. I tend to keep my distance from organized religion because I have seen the damage religious fanaticism can do. That being said, Meoraq's STRICT adherence to his beliefs make a weird kind of sense once you get to the part of the book that explains WHY the faith he follows has essentially taken over the world. I kind of admire the guy for his extensive knowledge of his faith and its teachings, which is to say he understands it more than I think some IRL groups understand their religion's intent. I sincerely appreciate R Lee Smith's deep dive into what life was like for Meoraq as a boy, how his experiences developed him, and how his relationship with his god evolves through the story. The guy has some truly incredible faith and his religious experiences gave me some perspective as to why some people continue to stick with their faith in the face of undeniable evidence to the contrary.

Here's the thing, though - from day one of their meeting I wanted Amber and Meoraq together RIGHT NOW. They both have this "fuck around and find out" vibe that WORKS. From the very beginning there is a sizzle in the air as they work out how to communicate, and while I was annoyed with the other survivors for inferring that the two be bangin', I knew EXACTLY where they were coming from because it was JUST SO DAMNED OBVIOUS. There were many times I had to put this book down and yell at it because, and I quote, "oh my GOD would you two just GET IT OVER WITH??" And when they do, it's not pretty but by the time that happened I understood that it wouldn't be because of the world they now occupy. Again, this is not a happy story. There IS some happiness, though, and it's made all the more precious for being so rare.

I will say that this is a LONG book, and it deals with some HEAVY ideas. Many of which I don't agree with, but I don't regret reading this monster and I sincerely appreciate R Lee Smith's willingness to really push the boundaries of what the average sci-fi romance reader is used to or may find in good taste for the genre. This is a HARD book to get through (~ 1,000 pages long) for many reasons, the subject matter alone will be part of the reason I think most people will either avoid it or put it down. It's really dark and I wouldn't recommend it to someone who isn't ready for some of the nastier scenes (CW for sexual assault on men and women, animal violence, human-on-human violence, alien-on-alien violence, just a lot of violence in general, catastrophic events, and my personal non-favorite: BUGS) but if you're looking for something that will sink its claws into your mind and make you question everything about people, religion and humanity, then The Last Hour of Gann is my #1 pick for "you'll hate it but you'll love every second of it".

I saw another reader on Goodreads describe this as an "odyssey" and I 100% agree - this thing takes a week to read and it feels like a lifetime. Another called it "Epic Science Fiction" and I CANNOT agree more. It's epic, it's monstrous, it's graphic, it's downright horrible at times, but MY GOD I love this book for everything about it from the length to the characters (even the ones I hated) to the intense survival to the hilariously frustrating romance between two of the most stubborn, thickheaded people I have ever had the pleasure of being annoyed with. I stayed up late reading this damned thing TWICE and I'm going to do it again.

Disclaimer: I am strongly opposed to censorship in general. The world is a rough, difficult, dirty and dangerous place and it's just a fact that awful things happen and awful people exist. I don't condone rape or murder, but the unpleasant truth is that it happens on a daily basis. If that makes me a cynical old bat, then I guess I'm a cynical old bat. Anyway, the point here is if you pick up this book, do practice some self-censorship. You're the one who gets to decide if you like it enough to finish it. I don't know your story therefore I have no authority to determine what you can handle. But I do implore you to give this book a good old-fashioned try because I think it'll open some eyes and maybe give some perspective on the real world we live in. I got a lot out of this story and I think it's a damned shame that it's not more well-known. I believe that as sentient beings we have an obligation to push ourselves with respect to what we know and what we can learn, especially if we have to be made really uncomfortable to do so. I agree with a lot of the things people said about this book on Goodreads but I also disagree with much, but those are just my opinions. There's a reason I own two copies of this book, one physical and one digital, and if that's not a recommendation I don't know what is.

#book blog #books #booklr #books read in 2022 #books and reading #reading #long reads #sci fi/fantasy #scifinovel #scifibooks #scifi romance #unlikely heroes #unlikely romance #creative writing #writers on tumblr #writeblr #authors #fiction #romance #author #book recommendations #please read this lol #you will hate me but it's worth it #books that ruined my life #violent reads #not for the faint of heart

[the-main-event]

Found one of these at ComicCon 2022 in Stuttgart?

Found one of these flyers at ComiCon 2022 in Stuttgart?

Yes, that was us.

Have a look at the summary we made (spoiler free) and the reading order of the books on this page and then start reading!

Let us know if you fall in love with the books the way we did!

#star kingdom #lindsay buroker #casmir dabrowski #space adventures #unlikely heroes #scifi #comiccon #comiccon stuttgart

[prosegalaxy]

Upon the midnight's shroud, a secret power found, In shadows deep, a talent unearthed and bound. A quest of heroes unlikely, with magical artifacts untold, Beneath the moon, they ventured bold.

#Gothic #hidden talent #unlikely heroes #epic quests #magical artifacts #short poem #rich text #minimal formatting

[cmweller]

Challenge #04007-J355: Essential Operations

Wraithvine and friends are asked to help teach apprentice healers who are going to be assigned to local orphanages to help care for the kids and keep them healthy. Some of the children come up to them with torn, or otherwise damaged, stuffies and ask the healers to please treat their "friends". -- Anon Guest

In any large enough city, it's no accident that Healer's schools are in close proximity to the orphanages or poorhouses. They are, after all, the places that need the most help, and more likely to take anything they can get.

Some are luckier than others, and have special guests who can accelerate the student Healer's progress.

Wraithvine took some time on a chair in a corner as hir class went through their patience. All of them practicing, When in doubt, clean and examine, as they went. Washing hands between patients was becoming a habit. Excellent. Ze'd just about worn hir tongue out in telling them. Bibrid was nervously teaching his methods to those who could use the relevant magics.

[Check the source for the rest of the story]

#instant story #just add prompt #unlikely heroes #childcare #helping helpers

[rhythmicreverie]

A twisted tale of an unlikely hero, their epic quest, and the magic they wield. Once a humble miller, now an enchanted king, they forged an alliance with the moon's silver light. Together, they conquered shadows' reign, revealing truth's ethereal dance in twilight's fading gleam.

#gothic #twist #perception #epic quests #unlikely heroes #magical artifacts #enchanted miller #silver light #shadows #truth #twilight

[writingratthings]

The Quantum Mouse: A Fable of Curiosity and Understanding

Once upon a time, in a quiet corner of a laboratory, there lived a tiny and inquisitive mouse named Milo. While other mice scurried about in search of crumbs, Milo found himself drawn to the world of science and knowledge. Unbeknownst to anyone, Milo possessed an extraordinary ability—he understood the complex realm of quantum mechanics.

Milo spent his days nestled amidst the shelves of books, devouring pages filled with equations and theories that fascinated him. He marveled at the mysteries of atoms, particles, and the intricate dance of quantum phenomena. While his fellow mice teased him for his peculiar interests, Milo remained undeterred.

One fateful day, a renowned physicist named Dr. Olivia stumbled upon the laboratory. Intrigued by the tiny creature with a keen interest in her field, Dr. Olivia decided to observe Milo's extraordinary intellect firsthand. She set up a special experiment to test his understanding of quantum mechanics.

In the middle of the laboratory, Dr. Olivia placed two boxes, each containing a single particle. One box held an electron, and the other contained a photon. Dr. Olivia wanted to see if Milo could predict the outcome when both boxes were opened simultaneously.

With anticipation filling the air, Milo observed the experiment. In a remarkable display of his understanding, Milo confidently exclaimed, "Dear Dr. Olivia, the electron will display particle-like behavior, while the photon will exhibit wave-like properties."

The onlookers gasped in astonishment, unable to comprehend how a tiny mouse could grasp the complexities of quantum mechanics. Dr. Olivia smiled and said, "Milo, your understanding of quantum mechanics is truly remarkable. But can you explain your reasoning?"

Milo, filled with excitement, replied, "In the microscopic realm of quantum mechanics, particles possess dual nature. The electron, being a matter particle, will exhibit particle-like behavior when observed, such as position and momentum. On the other hand, the photon, being a quantum of light, will display wave-like properties, such as interference and diffraction."

Dr. Olivia nodded in admiration, her eyes gleaming with wonder. She realized that knowledge and understanding could reside in the most unexpected places. Milo, the humble mouse, had unlocked the secrets of quantum mechanics through his insatiable curiosity and dedication.

Word of Milo's incredible insights spread far and wide, captivating scientists from all corners of the world. They flocked to the laboratory, eager to learn from the remarkable quantum mouse. Milo became a symbol of the boundless nature of knowledge, teaching humanity that intelligence and wisdom can emerge from the unlikeliest of sources.

From that day forward, the laboratory became a hub of collaboration between scientists and the extraordinary mouse who bridged the gap between quantum mysteries and the natural world. Milo's legacy inspired countless researchers to explore the wonders of science and encouraged them to embrace the unexpected.

And so, the fable of Milo, the mouse who understood complex quantum mechanics, traveled across generations, reminding all who heard it that the thirst for knowledge knows no boundaries and that wisdom can be found even in the most unassuming creatures.

#Fable #Mouse #Quantum Mechanics #Curiosity #Understanding #Science #Knowledge #Unlikely Heroes #lab #laboratory

[internutter]

Challenge #03931-J279: Something Popped Up

Twice a year, they keep sending young virgins to my cave. I have never attacked them, or ever threatened them. They just started doing this ever since they learned I'm here. I ended up building a special school so these youngsters can get proper care, a good education, and learn how to be free. -- The New Guy

Stereotypes are a terrible thing, especially for Unwelcome People. There's word pairs that everyone knows automatically. Beautiful Elf. Heroic Human. Clever Gnome. Wicked Hellkin. Sneaky Kobold. Brutal Ogre.

Lies, for the most part, but it's how the rest of the world sees those they call 'monsters'. My name is Pondermoore, I'm an Ogre, and I'm a mycologist.

I didn't mean for it to happen that way. I found this cave with all its interesting fungi and properties thereof, and got... involved. The magical properties they had. The alchemical properties. The medicinal... You get the idea. I didn't even know Wraithvine had moved on with hir current companions until a fortnight had gone by. It was another season before the first virgin sacrifice turned up.

[Check the source for the rest of the story]

#instant story #just add prompt #unlikely heroes #unwelcome people #stereotypes