playing: pokemon odyssey
Dec. 24th, 2025 12:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tozkaTaking advantage of the fact that I have a hacked 3DS to try out Pokemon fan games! There's a thriving Pokemon romhacking community where they take base Gameboy/Gameboy Advanced games and edit them, sometimes making entirely new storylines and regions.
This one is a blend of Pokémon, Etrian Odyssey and Made in Abyss. The base game is FireRed, which I've never played.
Here's the description:
The gameplay is heavy on Pokemon with the world setting and some mechanics (like Etrian's F.O.E. bosses) from the other games. So you collect and battle Pokemon as usual, but the storyline is focused on exploring the labyrinth (and the ocean, which has mysterious islands to find) and doing sidequests. There's no Team Rocket or evil organization to defeat, nor gym leaders or champions. Likewise, there's no map to fill out like in Etrian games.
I'm about 4 hours into it and just about ready to progress to the second Labyrinth level! I'm really enjoying it so far. They've done an amazing job making "Etrian variant" Pokemon (which you can see here) and the game design is really fun.
The only thing I'm a little iffy on is they give you a "team" of two other characters, and then they don't do anything. They don't help with battles, or even explore the labyrinth with you! I'm guessing they're re-skinned rival characters from the base game (I didn't look it up) which makes more sense for how they act in THIS game.
Anyway, a bonus for me: the thing I'm using to play GBA roms on my 3DS apparently sucks up WAY less battery than the regular 3DS software. It's not an emulator, it's using hte 3DS hardware/software to run the ROM directly. Sooooo I'm currently able to play like 6 hours straight without having to charge! Maybe longer-- I'll have to keep testing and see.
(I actually replaced my 3DS battery a couple months ago but it keeps blinking low-battery red after like 4 hours, and idk if it's actually low or if the gage is just borked because of the new battery-- apparently it's a common issue. Anyway...)
If you're interested, I've put some of the more interesting Pokemon romhacks I've found so far in my Link Library here. I'm really interested in ones that use the Pokemon games as a base and create totally new storylines or settings-- if you know of any good ones that I haven't added to my list yet, let me know!
This one is a blend of Pokémon, Etrian Odyssey and Made in Abyss. The base game is FireRed, which I've never played.
Here's the description: On an island in the middle of the sea stands a massive maze known as the "Yggdrasil Labyrinth", which has been attracting adventurers from all over the world for years.
No one knows how deep it goes, or if there's anything at its end.
Some say there's a treasure of immeasurable value hidden within, while others claim the remnants of a lost civilization lie there.
In the game you'll play as Nyx, a young adventurer who joins the guild of Talrega with the goal of unraveling the Labyrinth's mysteries.
But something goes terribly wrong…
The gameplay is heavy on Pokemon with the world setting and some mechanics (like Etrian's F.O.E. bosses) from the other games. So you collect and battle Pokemon as usual, but the storyline is focused on exploring the labyrinth (and the ocean, which has mysterious islands to find) and doing sidequests. There's no Team Rocket or evil organization to defeat, nor gym leaders or champions. Likewise, there's no map to fill out like in Etrian games.
I'm about 4 hours into it and just about ready to progress to the second Labyrinth level! I'm really enjoying it so far. They've done an amazing job making "Etrian variant" Pokemon (which you can see here) and the game design is really fun.
The only thing I'm a little iffy on is they give you a "team" of two other characters, and then they don't do anything. They don't help with battles, or even explore the labyrinth with you! I'm guessing they're re-skinned rival characters from the base game (I didn't look it up) which makes more sense for how they act in THIS game.
Anyway, a bonus for me: the thing I'm using to play GBA roms on my 3DS apparently sucks up WAY less battery than the regular 3DS software. It's not an emulator, it's using hte 3DS hardware/software to run the ROM directly. Sooooo I'm currently able to play like 6 hours straight without having to charge! Maybe longer-- I'll have to keep testing and see.
(I actually replaced my 3DS battery a couple months ago but it keeps blinking low-battery red after like 4 hours, and idk if it's actually low or if the gage is just borked because of the new battery-- apparently it's a common issue. Anyway...)
If you're interested, I've put some of the more interesting Pokemon romhacks I've found so far in my Link Library here. I'm really interested in ones that use the Pokemon games as a base and create totally new storylines or settings-- if you know of any good ones that I haven't added to my list yet, let me know!
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 8
Dec. 24th, 2025 01:32 pmmarycatelli posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
book_loveVillains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 8 by SUOL
The story is approaching the conclusion. Spoilers ahead for the earlier volumes
( Read more... )
The story is approaching the conclusion. Spoilers ahead for the earlier volumes
( Read more... )
let nothing you dismay
Dec. 24th, 2025 01:13 pmmusesfoolGanache: made!
Cupcakes: frosted!
Bags: packed!
Garbage: taken out!
Dishwasher: running!
Me: showered, dressed, and waiting for my ride!
Whew!
It is all done and packed and only the last anxiety-inducing part - waiting for the car and schlepping everything down to the car - is left.
There were ZERO frosting explosions this year, though I did need to re-whip the strawberry buttercream, so I left it for last. There are still a bunch of stuff in the sink to be washed on Friday, but all the containers that...contained frosting are in the dishwasher, so they won't be all gross upon my return.
I did miscount and make one extra package of cupcakes, so I just addressed it to Baby Miss L - I'm sure her parents will love that. 😉 Also, the last gift I ordered for her - very late - is allegedly going to be delivered today! It's the 30 second dance party button! Which looks so fun and since I know Baby Miss L loves a dance party, it seemed like fate that I should get it for her.
I have only been skimming ye olde flist, but once I'm back home on Friday, all obligations are met and the next week is mine to do with as I will, so I will try to be more present here.
Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating! Happy Yuletide to those of you participating! And happy hump day to everyone else! See you on the flip side!
( 6-day plan, day 6 )
***
Cupcakes: frosted!
Bags: packed!
Garbage: taken out!
Dishwasher: running!
Me: showered, dressed, and waiting for my ride!
Whew!
It is all done and packed and only the last anxiety-inducing part - waiting for the car and schlepping everything down to the car - is left.
There were ZERO frosting explosions this year, though I did need to re-whip the strawberry buttercream, so I left it for last. There are still a bunch of stuff in the sink to be washed on Friday, but all the containers that...contained frosting are in the dishwasher, so they won't be all gross upon my return.
I did miscount and make one extra package of cupcakes, so I just addressed it to Baby Miss L - I'm sure her parents will love that. 😉 Also, the last gift I ordered for her - very late - is allegedly going to be delivered today! It's the 30 second dance party button! Which looks so fun and since I know Baby Miss L loves a dance party, it seemed like fate that I should get it for her.
I have only been skimming ye olde flist, but once I'm back home on Friday, all obligations are met and the next week is mine to do with as I will, so I will try to be more present here.
Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating! Happy Yuletide to those of you participating! And happy hump day to everyone else! See you on the flip side!
( 6-day plan, day 6 )
***
(no subject)
Dec. 24th, 2025 01:10 pmmajuThis morning I woke up feeling absolutely miserable, mainly because my head was aching and I was very congested, plus my ear was showing signs of developing that mysterious pain. I took some Tylenol and lay back down with the problematic ear pressed firmly into the pillow, and eventually, after close to two hours, I started to feel marginally better. At least my ear had stopped hurting. However, I decided to stay in bed today, or at least, on my bed, because I rarely stay actually in bed all day unless I'm much sicker than I am right now.
Today has so far been much quieter than yesterday. My daughter has been out doing errands (i.e. shopping) all morning, and the girls are being fairly quiet upstairs under the eye of their father. Two of their favourite people are arriving to stay over Christmas later today; first, their oldest cousin L, who is in her late 20s, and second, S's son J, who now has a tradition of coming up here for Christmas. L is going to sleep in Violet's room but I'm not sure where J will sleep. Possibly in my daughter's office, because that's been used as an overflow bedroom before.
Today has so far been much quieter than yesterday. My daughter has been out doing errands (i.e. shopping) all morning, and the girls are being fairly quiet upstairs under the eye of their father. Two of their favourite people are arriving to stay over Christmas later today; first, their oldest cousin L, who is in her late 20s, and second, S's son J, who now has a tradition of coming up here for Christmas. L is going to sleep in Violet's room but I'm not sure where J will sleep. Possibly in my daughter's office, because that's been used as an overflow bedroom before.
Purimgifts 2026: Banner Countdown
Dec. 24th, 2025 12:59 pmautobotscoutriella posting in purimgifts
Believe it or not, this 2017 banner is from almost nine years ago, and we are only nine days from signups opening for Purimgifts 2026! I have no idea where the time went (I could swear last time I blinked it was 2020), but we're looking forward to seeing you all for this year's celebration!
DEADLINE 23 Feb (anywhere in the world)
REVEALS 2-4 March
Find us on Dreamwidth, Livejournal, tumblr, and the Archive of Our Own.
Wednesday DE: Dear Santa
Dec. 24th, 2025 09:11 amthebattycakes posting in ways_back_roomMerry Christmas Eve!
I hope everyone out there has a happy holiday, whichever you may be celebrating! Peace, love, joy and all that good stuff for you guys! <3 <3 <3
Today's DE:
What does your pup want for Chrismahanukwanza[insert holiday]kah?
What do YOU want?
I hope everyone out there has a happy holiday, whichever you may be celebrating! Peace, love, joy and all that good stuff for you guys! <3 <3 <3
Today's DE:
What does your pup want for Chrismahanukwanza[insert holiday]kah?
What do YOU want?
This is not concerning at all
Dec. 24th, 2025 09:53 amjames_davis_nicollSFWA is running a LLM poll for which there seems to little point if they were not planning on legitimizing the use of LLMs.
Who on the board is responsible, I wonder?
Who on the board is responsible, I wonder?
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon (Lost Souls, volume 1) by Mizuki Tsujimura
Dec. 24th, 2025 08:58 amjames_davis_nicoll
What would you do if you could meet a dead loved one one last time? Ayumi Shibuya can make that happen.
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon (Lost Souls, volume 1) by Mizuki Tsujimura
seasonality
Dec. 24th, 2025 03:06 pmlea_hazel8 more hours before Yuletide reveals, but since it comes out late at night, for me it's "one more sleep til Yuletide". I'm gonna have to make it an extra sleepy one, because last night I was up until 3 AM for no clear reason. Which means that I barely scratched out 6 hours of sleep. After a morning errand that was kind of draining, that means that even with an extra dose of caffeine in me, I doubt I'll be doing any writing today.
It's okay. Yesterday was a good writing day (finally working on chapter 2 of Project Ghoul, after extensive edits on chapter 1). I'm also quite pleased with my Yuletide fic, which I will link to in January, after reveals. I'd hoped to maybe write treats or at least drabbles, but realized eventually that it wasn't in the cards for this years.
Of course, as soon as Yuletide is done and dusted, it's time to switch seamlessly into Purimgifts mode. But I'm pretty busy with unrelated stuff, so I probably won't get into nomming or finalizing my sign-up for a bit. Even though I have approximately a billion new fandoms, due to reading quite prolifically this year (compared to previous years).
All in all, other than the sleep deprivation, I'm doing quite well on a personal level.
It's okay. Yesterday was a good writing day (finally working on chapter 2 of Project Ghoul, after extensive edits on chapter 1). I'm also quite pleased with my Yuletide fic, which I will link to in January, after reveals. I'd hoped to maybe write treats or at least drabbles, but realized eventually that it wasn't in the cards for this years.
Of course, as soon as Yuletide is done and dusted, it's time to switch seamlessly into Purimgifts mode. But I'm pretty busy with unrelated stuff, so I probably won't get into nomming or finalizing my sign-up for a bit. Even though I have approximately a billion new fandoms, due to reading quite prolifically this year (compared to previous years).
All in all, other than the sleep deprivation, I'm doing quite well on a personal level.
Solitary Challenge: Babylon 5: On The Outside
Dec. 24th, 2025 10:41 ambadly_knitted posting in fan_flashworksTitle: On The Outside
Fandom: Babylon 5
Author:
badly_knittedCharacters: Garibaldi, Zack Allen
Rating: PG
Word Count: 300
Spoilers/Setting: Moments of Transition.
Summary: These days, Garibaldi can only rely on himself.
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 501: Amnesty 83, using Challenge 30: Solitary.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Babylon 5, or the characters. They belong to J. Michael Straczynski.
A/N: Triple drabble.
Fic Meme: Guessing game (1st and last lines)
Dec. 24th, 2025 10:28 ammeridian_roseFrom kitarella_imagines, this is a fiction meme, First and Last Line game.
Take your last 5* fanfics and copy their first and last lines. We have to guess what the story is about!
*you can go back as far as you like to find fanfics where it's not obvious what's happened.
( Read more... )
kitarella_imagines, this is a fiction meme, First and Last Line game.Take your last 5* fanfics and copy their first and last lines. We have to guess what the story is about!
*you can go back as far as you like to find fanfics where it's not obvious what's happened.
( Read more... )
Ice hockey history
Dec. 24th, 2025 10:00 amrmc28Turns out one of my uni hockey friends has a long-standing history channel on YouTube, and of course he made a video about ice hockey history. I think I'd have liked it even if I didn't know the creator, enjoy:
Pluribus 1.09 (Season Finale)
Dec. 24th, 2025 10:46 amselenakIn which Buffy Summers already knew that the hardest thing in this world is how to live in it, Carol.
( Spoilers have to choose between the girl and the world )
( Spoilers have to choose between the girl and the world )
So, 1000xResist
Dec. 24th, 2025 08:10 amrydra_wongI was too tired to have the focus for Dark Souls-ing in the last few days, so binge-played 1000xResist and now I feel like I'm been punched in the head.
Basically a walking simulator/visual novel, so don't go expecting complex gameplay, but HOLY FUCK.
For all of you looking for fiction with fucked-up complicated women who are somewhere on a spectrum from "morally grey" to "evil but sympathetic" (with the odd dip into "idealistic but destructive") having fucked-up dynamics with other fucked-up complicated women: 1000xResist has SO MANY of them. It has almost no characters who don't fit that archetype, in fact.
(I considered whether it passes the reverse-Bechdel test -- i.e. two male characters have a conversation that's not about a woman -- and I think it may juuust scrape past in a 5-second exchange in one of the flashbacks, but barely. There are very very few men in this story, for plot-related reasons.)
I found out afterwards that the development team were a devised theatre group who decided to start making a game when everything was shut down during the pandemic, and somehow this fully checks out (complimentary).
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1675830/1000xRESIST/ (you can even pick it up in a bundle with Slay The Princess for bonus visual novel headfuck)
Do note the content notes from the devs: Photosensitivity Warning: Flashing Lights, Cursing and Crude Language, Generational Trauma, Acts of Violence and Terrorism, Disease Outbreak, Mention of Suicide, Mention of Animal Cruelty/Pet Death, Blood, Body Horror, Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Dead Bodies, Vomit, Drowning, Fire, Gore, Needles, Racism and General Mature Content.
(I would also add a specific note for torture, and for fucked-up mother-daughter and sister-sister relationships, that being one of the core elements of the game, along with the aforementioned generational trauma.)
Basically a walking simulator/visual novel, so don't go expecting complex gameplay, but HOLY FUCK.
For all of you looking for fiction with fucked-up complicated women who are somewhere on a spectrum from "morally grey" to "evil but sympathetic" (with the odd dip into "idealistic but destructive") having fucked-up dynamics with other fucked-up complicated women: 1000xResist has SO MANY of them. It has almost no characters who don't fit that archetype, in fact.
(I considered whether it passes the reverse-Bechdel test -- i.e. two male characters have a conversation that's not about a woman -- and I think it may juuust scrape past in a 5-second exchange in one of the flashbacks, but barely. There are very very few men in this story, for plot-related reasons.)
I found out afterwards that the development team were a devised theatre group who decided to start making a game when everything was shut down during the pandemic, and somehow this fully checks out (complimentary).
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1675830/1000xRESIST/ (you can even pick it up in a bundle with Slay The Princess for bonus visual novel headfuck)
Do note the content notes from the devs: Photosensitivity Warning: Flashing Lights, Cursing and Crude Language, Generational Trauma, Acts of Violence and Terrorism, Disease Outbreak, Mention of Suicide, Mention of Animal Cruelty/Pet Death, Blood, Body Horror, Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Dead Bodies, Vomit, Drowning, Fire, Gore, Needles, Racism and General Mature Content.
(I would also add a specific note for torture, and for fucked-up mother-daughter and sister-sister relationships, that being one of the core elements of the game, along with the aforementioned generational trauma.)
December Days 02025 #23: Chaos
Dec. 23rd, 2025 11:30 pmsilveradeptIt's December Days time again. This year, I have decided that I'm going to talk about skills and applications thereof, if for no other reason than because I am prone to both the fixed mindset and the downplaying of any skills that I might have obtained as not "real" skills because they do not fit some form of ideal.
( 23: Chaos )
( 23: Chaos )
PSA: California PG&E baseline allowances
Dec. 23rd, 2025 07:58 pmsoniaIn August 2024, I got a heat pump and switched my heat source from gas to electric.
PG&E has an arcane cost structure where not only do they charge more for electricity between certain hours (4-9pm for my rate plan) but they also have a baseline allowance and charge significantly more for usage over baseline. Neither the contractor nor my neighbor with a heat pump advised me that I needed to call PG&E and tell them I had changed heat sources to change my baselines, so I overpaid a lot for electricity last winter.
I was aware that I was paying a lot even though the heat pump wasn't maintaining temperature. I asked the contractor. I asked my neighbor. Neither mentioned the baseline amounts.
PG&E sent me a message earlier this fall saying I might pay less on a different rate plan, and when I called them (Oct 9, for my records), I found out about notifying them I now had electric heat. One agent told me the was refundable as much as 3 years retroactively, but it turns out he was blowing smoke, and it isn't. :-(
The new rate plan is even more complicated and I still had a really high bill this month despite not keeping the place very warm (and I have double pane windows and everything!), so I spent a long time on the phone with an agent today digging into the numbers and figured out the new rate plan is actually slightly more expensive than just having the right baseline amount, so I'm switching back.
*sigh*. I guess some lessons are just expensive. Looks like they instituted this whole baseline thing right around when I moved back in May 2022, which explains why I wasn't aware of it before, and maybe I missed both the existing customer education and the new customer education.
( Last year's missing baseline credits )
I'm continuing to send updates to the contractor who installed the heat pump system, which is under warranty for 3 years. At the end of last winter, he replaced the thermostat, and a control board in the downstairs indoor unit where he cut a jumper that it didn't make sense to cut. Now he says he's going to replace the whole indoor unit, and install one that's more powerful. It's supposed to arrive early-mid January. We'll see if that fixes the problem. He will also have to replace all the coolant, so if he had the wrong amount in there, that will also fix that problem. I suppose if that doesn't help then he replaces the outdoor unit. One step at a time...
PG&E has an arcane cost structure where not only do they charge more for electricity between certain hours (4-9pm for my rate plan) but they also have a baseline allowance and charge significantly more for usage over baseline. Neither the contractor nor my neighbor with a heat pump advised me that I needed to call PG&E and tell them I had changed heat sources to change my baselines, so I overpaid a lot for electricity last winter.
I was aware that I was paying a lot even though the heat pump wasn't maintaining temperature. I asked the contractor. I asked my neighbor. Neither mentioned the baseline amounts.
PG&E sent me a message earlier this fall saying I might pay less on a different rate plan, and when I called them (Oct 9, for my records), I found out about notifying them I now had electric heat. One agent told me the was refundable as much as 3 years retroactively, but it turns out he was blowing smoke, and it isn't. :-(
The new rate plan is even more complicated and I still had a really high bill this month despite not keeping the place very warm (and I have double pane windows and everything!), so I spent a long time on the phone with an agent today digging into the numbers and figured out the new rate plan is actually slightly more expensive than just having the right baseline amount, so I'm switching back.
*sigh*. I guess some lessons are just expensive. Looks like they instituted this whole baseline thing right around when I moved back in May 2022, which explains why I wasn't aware of it before, and maybe I missed both the existing customer education and the new customer education.
( Last year's missing baseline credits )
I'm continuing to send updates to the contractor who installed the heat pump system, which is under warranty for 3 years. At the end of last winter, he replaced the thermostat, and a control board in the downstairs indoor unit where he cut a jumper that it didn't make sense to cut. Now he says he's going to replace the whole indoor unit, and install one that's more powerful. It's supposed to arrive early-mid January. We'll see if that fixes the problem. He will also have to replace all the coolant, so if he had the wrong amount in there, that will also fix that problem. I suppose if that doesn't help then he replaces the outdoor unit. One step at a time...