This is literally the most bomb-ass D&D story I’ve ever read in my life oh my god.
Holy shit ._.
Some RP sessions have better stories than actual fiction. I mean, goddamn.
For those having trouble reading the text:
We had a campaign in D&D where we assembled a steampunk-ish time machine. After many sessions travelling through time, uncovering mysteries and learning harsh lessons about changing history, we had to stop a time-travelling cult from destroying the gods, and therefore the world. We failed.
Our machine crashed, we were stranded earlier than we had ever been able to travel. We found the Gods, but only a few of them were present – it was as if some had never existed. Then we realised – we had to become those Gods. Our party was entirely divine (Cleric, Paladin, Avenger, Invoker), and each of us was a worshipper of a god who had been unmade – and we were the only people in existence with enough knowledge of the forgotten deities to assume their roles.
But two of the players were worshippers of Io (in his twin forms of Tiamat and Bahamut, who would of course form later after Io’s ‘death’), and only one could become Io. The other would have to be the un-created Asmodeus.
So the most just, honourable and dedicated Lawful Good paladin I’ve ever seen roleplayed became the god of tyranny and evil. If he hadn’t, the gods would never have defeated the primordials, and the world would never have been completed.
In our setting, Asmodeus is every bit the epitome of evil you would expect him to be. Nobody but the gods who abide his presence know him as otherwise. He adheres to his role because he knows he has to – and that in doing so, the world can exist. He can never tell anyone his duty, and no-one who knows can ever discuss it.
In the farthest recesses of the Nine Hells, in a chamber sealed tighter than any other in existence is a pocketwatch of finest gnome craft with a photo of his family in it – his wife, son, and little baby girl.
They were killed by an orc army marching under the orders and banner of Asmodeus. Their deaths are what drove him to become an adventurer.
You process this time, this moment, this memory, and realize how much has been lost through this journey, but yet how much is worth saving. How much is worth fighting for. And then, as much as you bunch of fuck-up misfits that came together as friends years ago have come to a point of understanding your true worth, and what the importance is of really standing for the things that you believe in this world, and the people that need protecting, and know that the next step of your journey should come soon. Whether you stand or fall, this is the fight that needs to be fought. And with luck being at your side, that terrible fucking dragon will meet its end soon enough.
Matthew Mercer, Critical Role Episode 64: The Frigid Doom
Merle: Yeah, there is something I’d like to know. Are you my friend?
Travis: Not what I was expecting.
Griffin: But very fucking good, give me a minute, I’m reeling a bit… The smile drops from his face. He stand up and I think he reaches out his hand with the fire, but he pulls it back down, and he kinda shakes his head and says-
John: What am I doing?
To have friendship, Merle, it requires you to… love someone and be invested in your shared happiness and these things, Merle: friendship, love, happiness? They’re all so… small.In the grand scheme of things, they last a second and I just don’t… [sigh] What brings you happiness, Merle? I know the game is over, but what brings you joy? Please Merle, give me this freebie.
Merle: What brings me joy is… life. I think you can find joy anywhere in life, I think it’s a conscious choice. I think you choose joy in life. And no matter how bad things are, no matter how crummy, no matter how dark, no matter how many times some guy named John kills your ass- you find joy. I’ve found joy, honest to God, getting to know you. I’ve found joy playing chess with you. I have enjoyed-I haven’t enjoyed you know, getting my ass killed, but I find joy in whatever I do. I don’t always do things right, and I don’t always do things smart, and I don’t always do a character voice, but whatever I do, I find joy in it.
Because at the end of the day, that’s all you got. It’s looking back on the joy you had, and the joy you found, and the joy you gave other people.
I wanna shout this first: this is a big ol’ collab with @the-nothing-maker!!! Their art is gorgeous and it was such a privilege to work with them!We planned it together in Google Docs (which was great fun because we had a lot of similar thoughts about what would have the most emotional impact), then they did the lineart and I colored it! We started before the finale episodes came out but it still contains MASSIVE SPOILERS so beware of that!
Alright, that’s all. Hit play and carry on. ❤
(alternate version of the song that isn’t blocked outside the US: x )
I do not watch figure skating for reasons. This is absolutely beautiful. They are so well physically matched, they are like one being. Neither tries to outshine the other. Go watch it.
Lesetoilesfous 