"Name: Unknown, Occupation: Unknown, Origin: Unknown

A few reference sketches I've done for a potential cotl AU. We will see if anything comes of it, but these will probably change drastically if I continue to draw them. Still, it's neat and I put more work into it than I probably should have.

What makes me angry about the whole "sometimes the curtains are just blue" thing is the abject unwillingness to engage in the media, instead just rephrasing known information in the form of an answer that doesn't dig any deeper. There was a conscious choice to describe the curtains as blue; to even describe it in the first place, and that has at least some small amount of significance.

An example of what I mean that comes to mind is Brian Jacques and his Redwall series of books. He would often give in-depth descriptions of food and meals eaten by the characters. Now, I could ask, "Why did he describe the oat cakes as sweet and crumbly?" you could say "Because they just are. That's what oat cakes are."

You would be correct. They are just oat cakes. This is just a small insignificant detail. The author only included it because he thought it was a nice little detail and, if it were removed, it would have no effect on the story as a whole. There isn't some big metaphor behind them, they are just sweet treats, but by dismissing the question, you miss out on so much.

"Why did he describe the oat cakes as sweet and crumbly?" Maybe because he wanted to demonstrate that the character was a competent cook. Maybe because he wrote his books for children in a school for the blind in Liverpool, and this is an example of the wealth of sensory details he uses to make the world feel vibrant and beautiful and help his readers feel like they were a part of it. Maybe because he was a massive goddamn foodie and always found himself wondering what it was the characters ate when a story simply said "and then they had dinner". Maybe because he takes joy in the fact that I always walk away from his books feeling hungry.

"Sometimes the curtains are just blue". Well, maybe they're blue because the author has some fuckin style.

That “the curtains are just blue” post remains the bane of my existence.

What your teachers were trying to do was make you think. About the story, the writer, and all the whys that come with literary analysis. Why did THIS writer at THIS time choose to write THIS SPECIFIC STORY and make THESE curtains blue?

There usually isn’t even a singular answer— the point isn’t to be correct, the point is to analyze it from all angles.

The great thing about writing is that no two people write the same. Writing is about your unique perspective. You could stick two writers in the same room and command them to write a story set in that room— and get wildly different depictions of the same space. One writer may describe the furniture in detail, while another fixates on the color of the walls or the detailed crown molding.

Neither writer is incorrect— but what they notice about the space and choose to focus on in their story is what is interesting. It gives you a glimpse at how this specific writer perceives and makes sense of the world. WHY does this writer focus on the room’s structural features? What does that say about them? WHY does this writer focus on the furnishings? What does that say about THEM?

It is about learning to engage with writing, and the person who wrote it, on a deeper level. Only George Orwell could’ve written 1984, only Toni Morrison could’ve written Beloved.

Now look at the curtains and tell me why that is.

This is Pyre. They not so subtly take their design from Supergiant's video game Pyre. Don't laugh, I'm bad at naming things.

(Edited my original post removing the story from it. I've posted a link to it on AO3 instead.)

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Shout out to this post for being labeled as mature? Why you may ask? No idea. Maybe Tumblr just doesn't like him.

I did it again, but the cat this time! For whatever reason, Narinder is always harder for me to draw. I suppose I'll just chalk it up to him being a bastard.

Artists are: @stychu-stych , @theshepherdshound , @bamsara , @aveloka-draws and @ane-doodles .

new ask game send me a 🌻 and ill just tell you whatever the fuck i want

The Paradoxical Character: 19 Unique Trait Pairings

Here’s a list of 19 wildly unusual, highly contrasting trait pairs that blend quirky or fantastical attributes. These could make for delightfully strange, otherworldly, or surreal characters:

Immensely Patient & Chronically Forgetful Character Idea: They can wait for years without complaint but never remember why they started waiting in the first place. Their endless patience is undercut by the confusion of purpose, creating an aura of timeless mystery.

Unbearably Charming & Involuntarily Invisible Character Idea: This character has charisma in spades but is cursed to flicker out of sight randomly. Their allure is magnetic, but people constantly forget they were even there, adding to their mystique and frustration.

Perpetually Cheerful & Pathologically Suspicious Character Idea: They radiate sunshine and kindness yet believe everyone is secretly plotting against them. Their optimism is baffling, considering they’re convinced of hidden dangers everywhere.

Mind-Reading Empath & Emotionally Oblivious Character Idea: Able to feel others’ emotions intensely, yet baffled by their own, this character has no clue how they themselves feel. They’re highly attuned to everyone else but entirely alienated from their own heart.

Limitless Curiosity & Existentially Terrified Character Idea: Endlessly fascinated by every detail of the universe, yet they’re constantly haunted by the fear of the universe itself. Every new discovery brings wonder and intense dread, creating a fascinating internal tug-of-war.

Brilliant Strategist & Hopelessly Absent-Minded Character Idea: A tactical genius who can plan a perfect heist, yet constantly forgets their own plan halfway through. They’re sought after for their brilliance but just as likely to wander off mid-operation.

Supernaturally Persuasive & Pathologically Indecisive Character Idea: They could talk anyone into anything—if only they could decide what they wanted to say. Their powers of persuasion are legendary, but they take forever to make a single choice.

Ancient Wisdom & Childlike Innocence Character Idea: Despite being impossibly old and wise, they approach every situation with the wonder of a child. They’re both sage and novice, baffling people who come seeking advice but receive only wonder-filled observations.

Obscure Knowledge Hoarder & Shameless Gossip Character Idea: They know every forgotten fact of history yet can’t keep a secret to save their life. This character’s deep knowledge clashes hilariously with their loose tongue, turning historical mysteries into idle chatter.

Zen-like Tranquility & Quick to Panic Character Idea: Usually the calmest person in any room, until anything unusual happens, at which point they’re the first to run. People turn to them for peace until their sudden freakouts reveal a hidden, hilarious irony.

Hyper-Logical Thinker & Ridiculously Superstitious Character Idea: Obsessed with logical consistency yet terrified of stepping on cracks or upsetting minor spirits. Their rationality makes them a master problem-solver, but they’re comically fearful of common superstitions.

Effortlessly Graceful & Magically Clumsy Character Idea: They’re naturally elegant in all they do, but objects randomly fly out of their hands or shatter in their presence. They’re revered for poise but cursed by chaos, creating an aura of unpredictable charm.

Telepathically Intuitive & Immensely Gullible Character Idea: Able to sense the unspoken thoughts of others, but easily duped by the most obvious lies. They sense everyone’s hidden motives but constantly believe in harmless nonsense.

Exceptionally Knowledgeable & Epically Lazy Character Idea: They’ve accumulated endless knowledge from books but refuse to do anything with it. They could save the world but prefer napping and observing others fumble around in ignorance.

Magnet for Coincidences & Cynically Skeptical Character Idea: The most absurd things constantly happen around them, yet they refuse to believe in coincidences. This character is a walking contradiction of fate and disbelief, surrounded by odd events they disdain.

Hyper-Attentive Listener & Mute Character Idea: They pick up every nuance of conversation and are incredibly insightful, but they can’t respond out loud. People find comfort in their presence but struggle to understand their silence and deep gaze.

Radiantly Optimistic & Obsessed with Disaster Preparedness Character Idea: Always smiling and convinced things will work out, yet constantly building bunkers and storing supplies. Their sunny outlook is shadowed by an apocalyptic readiness that baffles everyone.

Unbreakable Memory & Instantly Distracted Character Idea: They remember every moment of their life in perfect detail but are so easily distracted that they rarely finish sentences. They’re a walking history book if only they’d stay focused long enough to share it.

Boundless Energy & Always Asleep Character Idea: They have an endless zest for life and could do anything—if they could just stay awake. People are drawn to their energy, but they frequently fall asleep mid-sentence, leaving everyone in suspense.

Currently attempting to write a lamb, but I like the idea that they are a scholar, or at the very least would wish to be one.

I have an idea that they were raised from birth to read and write, to analyze the people and world around them and write it down. To collect cultures and thoughts and ideas to place into a book as a living history.

The reason being for this is that they were born into a generation that knew it was going to die, so while the others were trained to hunt, kill and hide, this lamb was taught to record everything that was left before it was gone for good. A sort of desperate effort to leave something behind, in the hopes that someone will find it and remember them when they are all gone.

As a cult leader, this translates perfectly into record keeping and maintaining a detailed history of the cult and its inhabitants. This also means The Lamb is physically unable to let go of their past and the grief attached to it. They have it all written down and re-read it over and over because someone has to remember. Someone needs to keep some part of them alive. Someone must remember every detail and they don't remember the color of their mother's eyes. They never wrote it down they don't remember what was the color why didn't they write it down whatwasthecolorwhatwasthecolorwhatwasthecolor

what's a characteristic you've given your Lamb and why?

I'll go first: My Lamb talks a lot. They're a rambler, and I got the idea from spamming the 'B to Bleat' button in game. Lil dude has a special button to repeatedly make noise

My Warrior of Light in his ARR summoner fit. We love Brayflox Longstop for that fancy early game gear

Do you have any advice for a character who has a sort of sacrificial lamb complex? A savior complex but not as in a hero to save the day, but as in they don't believe they deserve to save themselves?

How to Write a Sacrificial Character

Backstory and Motivation

Traumatic Past: Explore the character’s history. Perhaps they’ve experienced abandonment, betrayal, or loss, leading them to internalize the belief that their worth is tied to suffering for others.

Family Expectations: They may come from a family that emphasizes self-sacrifice or has a history of martyrdom, teaching them that their own needs are secondary to others.

Guilt and Responsibility: The character might feel an overwhelming sense of guilt for past failures, believing that they owe it to others to endure hardship or take on burdens.

Internal Conflict

Self-Worth Issues: Illustrate their struggle with self-worth. They might dismiss compliments or feel undeserving of happiness, using phrases like “I don’t deserve this” or “I have to earn my place.”

Desire for Connection: While they may push others away, they also yearn for connection and love, creating an internal tug-of-war between wanting to be saved and believing they are unworthy of it.

Sacrificial Actions

Small Acts of Sacrifice: Show them making small sacrifices for friends or loved ones, like skipping meals or taking on additional work, which reinforces their belief that they should suffer for others’ well-being.

Dramatic Moments: Create pivotal scenes where they are put in a position to sacrifice themselves for someone else—physically or emotionally. This can highlight their motivations and lead to significant character development.

Interactions with Others

Supportive Characters: Introduce characters who try to save or help them, but the sacrificial character resists, believing their problems aren’t worth the effort. This can create tension and deepen their internal struggle.

Small Acts of Kindness: Have moments where others go out of their way to help them, reinforcing that they are worthy of care and support. This can include simple gestures, affirmations, or sacrifices made on their behalf.

Conflict with a Mentor or Friend: A mentor figure might challenge this belief, encouraging them to see their value and fight for themselves, leading to moments of growth and resistance.

Gradual Change

Moments of Clarity: Show them having fleeting moments of realization where they understand their self-worth, possibly triggered by a significant event or dialogue with another character.

Catalyst for Change: Introduce a scenario where they must choose between self-sacrifice and self-preservation, forcing them to confront their beliefs head-on.

Life-Altering Experience: Put the character in a situation that forces them to confront their fears, such as a near-death experience or a pivotal choice between saving themselves or others. This moment can act as a wake-up call to their worth.

Acts of Courage: Have them step up in a crisis, leading to a moment where they save someone else and realize their capability and value. This can help them see that they have something to offer.

Turning Point: Create a climactic moment where the character realizes they deserve to save themselves, possibly triggered by witnessing someone else sacrifice themselves for them, prompting a realization of their worth.

Final Confrontation: In the final confrontation (with a villain or personal demon), let them stand up for themselves, verbalizing their worth and challenging the beliefs that have held them back.

Symbolism and Themes

Recurring Motifs: Use symbols that represent sacrifice and self-worth, like broken mirrors (self-perception) or shadows (their past). These can help reinforce their internal struggles visually throughout the narrative.

Redemption Arc: If they ultimately find a way to save themselves or allow others to save them, showcase this as a powerful moment of growth, suggesting that self-worth and love are intertwined.

Emotional Depth

Show Vulnerability: Allow the character to express their fears and doubts, whether through dialogue, journaling, or introspection, making their internal battles relatable and poignant.

Balance with Humor: If appropriate for your story, consider moments of humor or lightness to juxtapose their darker thoughts, showing that they are more than their complex.

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