If you love this type of style where your like "wtf was that drop is's so f**king good and different", check out some of these songs as they have similar "wtf/awesome/mad drops".
Just copy the line of the song and youtube will just find the song (sorry I have not tailored this to spotify) :
Pendulum - The Island - Pt. I (Dawn) [Skrillex Remix]
RÜFÜS - Innerbloom (What So Not Remix)
Illusionize & Shapeless - TIME (I have a feeling you will love this, melty nights and completely gooey!)
Chase & Status - Don't Be Scared (Official Music Video) ft. Takura AC Slater - Bass Inside Wolfgang Gartner & Kill The Noise - Battlestations (F**KING AWESOME AND FUN TRACK! MY SECRET WEAPON TO SHOW PEOPLE!) Don Diablo - People Say ft. Paije Don Diablo - Head Up ft. James Newman GTA - Red Lips feat. Sam Bruno (Skrillex Remix) Loopers - I'm Heavy Mumbai Power (feat. Beam)-Skrillex SCARY MONSTERS & NICE SPRITES (KASKADE REMIX) - SKRILLEX (Just wait for the drop man, it's great and you probably won't have heard it before!) Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic (My Existence) Crystal Castles - Not In Love ft. Robert Smith of The Cure Lane 8 - Is This Our Earth? RL Grime - Core Getter - Head Splitter Dog Blood - BREAK LAW Danny L Harle & DJ Danny - On A Mountain (Flume Remix) Flume - Slugger 1.4 [2014 Export.WAV] Knock2 - dashstar* Shotgun Radio - A Bad Place (feat. Mimi Page) (Minnesota Remix) (My favorite track for years!) Chris Lake - I Want You (Just wait for the drop.) Knock2 - dashstar* (VIP) [NIGHTMODE] LOOPERS - I'm Odd Knock2 - REWiND [NIGHTMODE] Skrillex, Missy Elliott, & Mr. Oizo - RATATA Sibewest - Deprived Flume - Go Skrillex & Mr. Oizo - RATATA (KREAM Remix) ft. Missy Elliot (KREAM is killa, check them out. A lot of their stuff is signature sound). ANYMA X GRIMES – WELCOME TO THE OPERA (I know the Anyma synth plucks are going around at the moment but if you haven't heard this sound design it would still be mind tingly.) Tobiahs - Lifetime Martin Garrix - Animals (Of course! ;) )
For songs that have different alternative sounding drops which aren't as insanely different from what you usually hear but are still different sounding drops which are great check out:
Seven Lions - Isis Vicetone - Nevada (feat. Cozi Zuehlsdorff) Birdy Nam Nam - "Goin' In (Skrillex "Goin' Hard" Mix)"
Tchami - "Adieu" OFFICIAL VERSION
Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan - There For You (Official Instrumental) (The original is still "f**king dope! too! Marty has often unique sounding songs and pretty much made his own style of sound!)
Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely (Official Instrumental) (Dua was kinda gaining popularity but i feel this was the song that really skyrocketed her into the limelight, the original with her lyrics is still so good!)
Tchami - Shot Caller (Badass madness!)
Lights & Music · Cut Copy (Awesome track, classic for me growing up and just decent for the time it came out!) Martin Garrix & Mesto - Limitless
Nero - Reaching Out
Martin Garrix & Brooks - Quantum
Martin Garrix & Zedd - Follow (F**king great track! Take risks my friend! ;) )
Flume - Say It (feat. Tove Lo) (Illenium Remix) David Guetta, Martin Garrix & Brooks - Like I Do
Bondax - Gold (Snakehips Bootleg) (More chill and not so party party but awesome drop!) Brooks & GRX - Boomerang (GRX is Martin Garrix's alternate stage name.) Martin Garrix & Florian Picasso - Make Up Your MindWarriors Dance - The ProdigyFuji Opener (feat. Alvin Risk)TroyBoi - Do You?Dog Blood - Next OrderOops · Martin Garrix Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. W&W – Arcade (Extended Mix) Savant - Living iPod (Definitely going to love or hate it but it's fun, especially if your a major gamer like me!) Mr FijiWiji - Let The Sky Fall Down Martin Garrix & Jay Hardway Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now (PØNTES Remix) (Awesome, awesome remix and you won't have heard it!) Knock2 - dashstar* (Yellow Claw Trap Edit) [NIGHTMODE] Knock2 - Are U Feelin Me (Ft. DEV) [NIGHTMODE] Shadow Lady · Portwave GRADES - King
For songs which i've come across which are so different from what you'd usually hear but are a complete vibe because they arent "typical sounding" (not saying anything's right or wrong) these are great:
nekoi- exist (Don't be a peeping teemo!) Deadmau5 - Pomogrenate (Original Instrumental)
BICEP ATLAS BICEP OPAL (FOUR TET REMIX)
BICEP APRICOTS (This is really, really different but a phenomenal track. Just be in a good mindset because it's a fricking intense track but really dope!) DJ DIFFERENT - Angels
RITCHRD - PARIS (make sure to check it out on "yotsu"' youtube channel as it's got a cool anime clip!) San Holo - bb u ok? (Drop's great and it's different! Good vibes.)
Kendrick Lamar - HUMBLE. (Skrillex Remix) (I don't listen to rap and i f**king frothed this for ages!)
RL Grime, What So Not, and Skrillex - Waiting
RL Grime x Utada Hikaru - Simple To Know [Flipboitamidles Mashup] (Just a feel good song. Your gonna like it or not!)
Deadmau5 & Kaskade - I Remember (Mr FijiWiji Remix/Cover ft. Laura Brehm)
Guy Gerber - What To Do (&ME Remix)
BICEP JUST
BICEP GLUE
BICEP MELI (II) (Live at Love Saves The Day)
Gemini - Fire Inside (Mr. FijiWiji Remix)
The Presets - My People
BICEP SAKU (FEAT. CLARA LA SAN) RL Grime - Pressure Mitch Murder - The Touch Knock2 - SPEAK up! Mt. Wolf - Life Size Ghosts (Catching Flies Remix)Jonas Mantey - Frei Tom Day - Going Home Fracx - In Your Memory Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Soundtrack - Run
Parallel Universe · Franky Wah
&ME - The Rapture Pt.II
Keinemusik (Rampa, Adam Port, &ME) - Muyè
Danger - 0:59 Danger - 6:24 (from Furi original soundtrack)
Danger - 7:53 (from Furi original soundtrack)
Marie Davidson - 'Work It (Soulwax Remix)' (Hilarious track, defs different.) Lacchesi & Mac Declos - Give It To Me (Nelly X-Rated Edit) Ytram & Citadelle - Alive &ME, Black Coffee - The Rapture Pt.III (Also check out Pt.1 & Pt 2. for &ME) Amanati x Roniit - Slow (Oh lover lover!) Phelian - Liturgy (F**king love this track! So good for introspection at night!) Artist's I really, really love as personal preference that are so good:
SIBEWEST // Because of you (F**king love this guy, he's so damn good and so my jam!)
Kazukii // Pull
Kazukii - Need
Grimes - So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth (I love this track and grimes has really grown on me slowly and slowly. If you don't know who the artist is it was Elon Musk's most recent wife (you know the richest guy/might still be the richest guy in the world! The comment that i just saw checking it now about the track is: "just learned that this song is about Grimes being pregnant “It’s about getting pregnant,” she said. “The sort of tragedy of agreeing to it, even though it’s this great thing. For a girl, it’s sacrificing your body and your freedom. It’s a pretty crazy sacrifice and only half of the population has to do it.”"
Please, Stay-Matthieu Faubourg KAZUKII // Return Nero - The Thrill Monrroe Ft. Emily Makis - Never Too Old Arle - Close To You (Icarus Edit) Carpenter Brut - Paradise Warfare (Pretty awesome track, Carpenter Brut is great but dark and intense. Really suggest you play this for yourself instead of randomly showing it to someone. Could put them in a bad headspace if they are tripping bells. You will know what I mean by the end of the track!) Le Matos - Montrose (Le Matos are one of my all time favorites, incredibly underrated going by what you see on youtube!)
Kashuks - Universe
Mononoid - Protoplasm (Original Mix)Moby -- After (Drumsound & Bassline Smith Remix)
Banks - Warm Water (Snakehips Remix) Third ≡ Party - Without You (I love this track, makes me feel so good and the statues are so deep! Look up the burning man wire adult and children statues with the adults with the kids inside!) Kazukii - Tension Franky Wah - Love Me (Official Audio) (Extended Mix) Kaneki サウンド - Evening With U Neon Indian - Polish Girl (Indie electronic more so but still great, loved this back in the day!) Amelie Lens - Hypnotized (My favorite techno artist! So good!) Franky Wah - Cry No More (Audio) Grimes - New Gods Skrillex - The Reason Skrillex - Leaving Skrillex & Wiwek - Killa ft Elliphant
Mr FijiWiji - Sentry (Great song with unique sound design though a bit sad sounding. Love to Wiji my Fiji!) Awesome - The Bloody Beetroots
ARTBAT, Shall Ocin feat. braev - Origin Golden Features - 'Touch (feat. Rromarin) (F**CKING SO GOOD AND STILL UNSEEN! OMG FAVORITE TRACK PROBABLY OF ALL TIME!) Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Blueshift's Synthwave Cover) (This is a GREAT COVER if you love the original and synthwave.) Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites (Radar Detector Remix) Katana ZERO OST - Hit The Floor (Extended) UPGRADE-OFFL1NX FISHER - You Little Beauty (SCNDL VIP Club Edit) (Get your filth on son! If you love fishy, guarantee you will love this pure debauchery and raunchery!) Sewerslvt - Mr. Kill Myself Sewerslvt - Pretty Cvnt Sewerslvt - Newlove ZHU - Palm of My Hand Deadmau5 - Aural Psynapse (Mr FijiWiji Remix) Deadmau5 - Strobe (Mr FijiWiji Remix) THE OTHERS' (Radio Edit) TV ROCK Vs Dukes Of Windsor [HQ] (Just wait for the drop mang!) Amelie Lens - Drift Crystal Castles - Baptism M.O.O.N. - 'Hydrogen' (Try not to fry someone with this track.) SebastiAn - Kindercut Sebastian - Tetra NYC Beat (Radio Edit) · Armand Van Helden FKA twigs x Skrillex - Ego Death (Yoseppi's Club Edit)(Pretty much just my favorite parts of the original.) Pizza · Martin Garrix Skrillex - Kyoto (Extended) SKRILLEX - RIGHT ON TIME (12TH PLANET & KILL THE NOISE) Flume ft. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (Ekko & Sidetrack Bootleg) No Time-LastlingsI've Got You · Lastlings Lastlings - I've Got You (Rinzen Remix / Audio) Take My Hand (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Sky Remix) · Lastlings Lastlings - Out Of Touch (CRi Remix / Visualizer) Lastlings - False Reactions (X CLUB. Remix / Official Audio) Lastlings - Last Breath (Adult Art Club Remix / Audio) Lastlings - Out Of Touch (Paraleven Remix) Lastlings - Deja VuLions in the Wild - Martin Garrix · Third Party Grimes & i_o - Violence deadmau5 - Monophobia (feat. Rob Swire) [Official Video] Chase & Status - Mixed Emotions SHDOW - Spirit. Heatwave · SBTRKT (This guys amazing!) Pharoahs - SBTRKTWildfire - SBTRKTSo Far Away · Lazerhawk Martin Garrix - Poison Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. W&W – Arcade (Extended Mix) If I Know You (Tom Middleton Remix) · The Presets Sneaky Sound System - It's Not My Problem (Thin White Duke Mix) Netsky - Memory Lane Deadmau5 - Ghosts N Stuff (Nero Remix) Golden Features - Worship Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman X Steve Angello - Payback (Original Mix) Martin Garrix & David Guetta - So Far Away Madeon - Finale (Netsky Remix) RL Grime & What So Not - Tell Me RL Grime - I Wanna Know feat. Daya Lane 8 - Survive feat. Channy Leaneagh (Bit of an Anthem when your going through a rough time!) MALO - March of Progress The Presets - Talk Like That I Will Be Here [Wolfgang Gartner Remix Edit] - Tiësto, Sneaky Sound System Electric Youth - The Best Thing Knock2 - PARANOiD Le Matos - Light Again feat. Electric Youth Le Matos - Sarah Knock2 - gettin' hott MIAMI NIGHTS 1984 - Saved By The Bell Matrix Reloaded Rave (Zion Dance Party) - Aphrodite Mix (Awesome mix, great when your Hiding the bishop"Fluke - ZionPorter Robinson - Language STRLGHT - Where Do We Go Helax - Tell Me, Tell Me Lights & Music · Cut Copy Cristian Collodoro – Temperature Remix Follow The Storm · Gauthier Bloc Party - One More Chance (Alex Metric Remix) Kasbo - I Get You ft. Lizzy Land (Fakear Remix) Stranger - House Party (AC Slater Remix) Ravager · VIME Grum feat. Electric Youth - Turn It Up Mr FijiWiji - You Worry Enough Hidden Face - Cold Night Pendulum - Witchcraft (Rob Swire's Drumstep Mix) Sublab - In My Blood (feat. Mads) Skrillex, PinkPantheress & Trippie Redd - Way Back Alan Braxe, Fred Falke - You'll Stay In My Heart (Instrumental) [2023 Remaster] Something In The Water X Skepta W O L F C L U B - Tears 3DS Internet Settings · マドロスMERCURY Rules - A Little More Love (Bootleg Edit) Womack & Womack - Teardrops (Rules Remix) Rico 56 x Korzana x twofaced. - Strangers [NIGHTMODE] Kavinsky - Cameo feat. Kareen Lomax KAVINSKY - NightcallKavinsky - Zenith (Someone on youtube was saying this is supposed to be the spiritual successor to Night Call)Playtime Is Over by Le Matos - Studio Session for Mondopalooza Danger - 22:41 Portal · Rebuke Doja Cat - Streets (MCG Remix) The Chase (Rebūke Remix) THAT KIND - Here Comes The Rain Again (Nalestar Remix) RÜFÜS DU SOL - On My Knees (Adriatique Remix)

The first rays of rosy-fingered dawn climbed their way over the Macedonian hills and fell like arrows to glint upon the racing bronze of the Scythian raiders. Death clattered and rang among the early morning light as they made their way across the plateau towards the waking village. Gleaming in the rosy light, but obscured by the mist, they seemed like comets cast as Olympian arrows. Their horses' breath clung in the air as they dragged behind them chariots of bronze and chariots of iron. Each carried two men. Those with bronze carried a driver and an archer with bow bent, while those with iron carried a man with a mighty cleaving axe. Each driver also carried for himself a leather shield and bronze short sword. Behind the chariots came footmen equipped like the drivers, and at their flanks rode horsemen carrying one-handed axes, javelins, and wooden shields covered with leather. Thus the horde came down the valley towards the village, cloaked in the fog, but vastly beyond what their victims could hope to muster.
Then, the fog parted like the curtain of a theater. Before the coming horde stood arrayed a sturdy phalanx, a wall of bronze shields and forest of spears aimed towards the invaders. Behind them, men stood with bows bent and arrows knocked. At their center, a man sat astride a white-faced bay mare. Shining in his steel armor, he drew his bow and fired. An arrow sped into the eye of the foremost driver, and a moment later another caught his axeman in the throat. He roared with a voice like a trumpet. “MEN OF MACEDON, SET YOUR HEARTS ABLAZE!” Thus cried Leonidas Kygniois, keen eyed hunter, and with one voice his men answered him. “WOE! WOE! WOE TO THE WICKED!” At those a volley of arrows was loosed from behind the phalanx and fell among the Scythians. Many died, as Leon bid his aide unfurl the banners. Across the field each unit raised up two banners. Below was the banner of the unit, and above the sun with sixteen rays. Besides Leonidas arose his own banner, the white wolf on the blue field, under the black dragon’s wing.
The foremost forces of the Scythians were caught in the charge, unable to pull away. They crashed into the wall of shield and spear with the terrible sound of breaking bones, shearing bronze, dying horses and dying men. All the while arrows continued to rain, and the slaughter was brutal. But then, swift as a winding river, the Scythians turned and wheeled away. The chariots of bronze sent forth arrows of their own, coated in serpent’s venom. The phalanx raised their shields, and covered themselves. Even so some struck through, and the venom wrought a terrible toll on the men. Even so, the phalanx began to march forwards, stepping over the dead with their grim chant. “WOE! WOE! WOE TO THE WICKED”. With this chant they kept their stride, and advanced as a seamless wall. The wounded fell back, helped by their brothers. The archers helped guide them back, and reservists stepped forwards to replace them. Thus the army advanced.
The Scythians pulled back, and danced at the range of the archers. They sought a weakness, or to create a weakness. The bronze chariots formed into a circle and spun like a wheel. Each man turned and fired, and slipped out of range. It was troublesome to target and gave each Scythian plenty of time to line up his shot. In their midst was one most terrible, their chief in gilded chariot. Shining was their armor, brilliant as the sun, head hidden behind a helm like a lion. Their bow was strong and eye keen. Whenever they loosed, a Hellene fell dead.

At the same time, the chariots of iron gathered on the left, and with them the horsemen of the left. The army of the Hellenes had deployed on the flat ground before the village, with a forest on their right to guard that flank. For a flanked phalanx was a doomed phalanx, and the flat ground was optimal both for maintaining a unified line, but also for the chariots and horsemen to maneuver. So the scythians gathered on the left, and sought to envelop the Hellenes there. Their chief suspected their enemy might have hidden horsemen in the mists, and so the wheel turned. They drew forth arrows set with whistles and fired them into the flank. The arrows screamed with a terrible sound to spook horses and sunder morale. Then forwards the flanking force drove to envelop the foe, or else slip behind them to wreak ruin among the archers.

There they found the strongest of the Hellenes. Beneath a banner showing serpent-haired Medusa, they stood clad head to toe in steel. No arrow could find purchase against these immortals, and no blade of bronze could wound them. They turned with grim purpose, spears tracking the foe as the mist lifted. The flanking scythians found themselves with no cover, facing no exposed flank, but the royal elite of the Macedonian army.
Then out from their midst stepped a dark-haired woman with piercing blue eyes. She pulled back her cowl to reveal a diadem, and opened her thumb on a bladed ring. She reached into her cloak and drew forth iron shavings, a magnetic stone, and rose thorns. Then she spoke words of power and imposed her sovereignty over reality.
“Apaangan
Loha
Kaante”
Then she blew the iron over the field. From the bones of the earth, iron answered. It erupted like a field of nails under the feet of the horses. They screamed in pain and stumbled. They fell and cast their riders on the thorns, or else were slowed in their stride. Thus the charge was stalled and the pace ruined. Then spoke the witch again and the air stank of ozone.
“Trisula.
Munhatod
Bijalee chamakana.”
By these words she called forth lightning. It came as a brilliant trident to her bloodied hand. Her hair came alight into the air with static, her diadem gleamed in its light. The enemy saw her and beheld the dread heir of Olympus, last and mightiest of the demigods, Queen Cassandra of the Macedonians. She hurled forth her trident into the air. There it broke and a storm cloud formed over the battle. The fury of Heaven rained down on the chariots of the Scythians. Their chariots of iron were brought to ruin. Their men fell bloodied, deafened, and burned. So Cassandra brought ruin to her enemies.
Thus, the enemy retreated from the hellene lines, and fled from the wrath of Cassandra, daughter of Zeus. For her fury was terrible, and her deeds were mighty. Thus they came back around their chief, and escaped the ruin that had come upon them. They withdrew, step by step, and runners were sent further back to the baggage train to make ready. On the Hellenes came against them, but they were slow in step and cautious. Leon watched the canny chief of the Scythians, and never did his eye wander. The chief in turn watched him, and both put hand to bow, though they did not loose at one another. The range was wrong, but each made ready for their duel.
At length, the Hellenes pushed the Scythians back beyond the extent of the forest, and so their left became exposed. Their chief launched a probing attack with their horsemen, who drew near and threw their javelins into the midst of the Hellene line. The line recoiled, pulling back and inwards, bunching up. At this sign of weakness, at once the chieftain struck. The chariots closed in for the kill. Likewise, the horsemen circled and lowered their spears. As one they would drive into the exposed flank of the Hellenes and drive them from the field.
Then the forest vanished. It had not all been an illusion of it, but enough of it. The chieftain turned, the world seemingly slowing to a crawl. Out of the fading shadow ran bold men armed with long spears. They crashed into the flank of the charging horde and into the midst of the chariots. They drove their spears into the wheels of the chariots, and ground them to a stop. They thrust upwards at the horsemen, who’s mounts reared away from the danger. The charge had been utterly disorganized by this sudden surprise attack, and the advantage was to the Hellenes.
Valiantly the Scythians fought, and most valiant was their chieftain. They lashed about themselves with axes and swords. Their chieftain hefted high a mighty flax; a reverse-edged blade held in two hands. Down the falx fell, and a Hellene that drew too near was all but split in two. The surprise was sudden, but for their charge the Hellenes had forsaken shield and heavy armor. As surprise faded, the battle seemed to shift in favor of the Scythians. Yet the chieftain lifted up their eyes, and saw that they were in danger. The Hellene cavalry finally made its move. Slipping in behind and around the bulk of the Scythian force, with Leonidas at their head, they made to encircle and destroy the Scythian mobile element.
Then the tide truly turned against the Scythians, as a roar sounded out of the mist. A shadowy blur, nearly the size of an elephant, was among them. It snatched the wounded out of the jaws of death, and threw aside chariot and horse with ease. Axes struck at it, and bounced. Spears thrust and were broken. A few bold horsemen charged towards the black mass in the mist, then she raised up her head. Great wings split the mists aside, and her majesty froze horse and rider alike in terror.
Her body was like that of a panther or other great cat, covered in interlocking scales like a serpent. Her four limbs were long and powerful, ending in mighty claws gleaming white as ivory. A tail like a scorpion lashed, a glaive-headed blade at its tip, sharp enough to split a man in twain, swifter than arrows. A long neck terminated in a head a bit like a horse, a bit like a viper, and a bit like a bird of prey. Plated black scales overlapped across her body, gleaming in the dawnlight, sturdier than steel, yet flowing like water. Blue fire lapped around the edges of a mouth full of teeth like daggers. Two great wings eclpsed heaven behind her, leathery like a bat. Long white scars from battles past covered her throat, as eyes like amber froze men like trapped bugs.
Seramis of Achaea, the Dragon Princess, entered the battlefield.
The chieftain saw this doom amongst their men, but watched with wisdom. Though Seramis wielded terror as her weapon, roaring with flame and talons drawn, she wielded only terror. She might have slain many easily, but she used the Gehennan flames as only a firewall. Her tail lashed and claws struck, but they slapped rather than slashing. The dragoness certainly broke bones, but that was more a function of mass than malice. Her priority was the wounded, and she struck those that got in her way.
“Avoid the dragon! Do not strike the wounded, nor stand to capture them! Slay them in a single blow, or wound them and move away before the dragon intervenes!” The chieftain cried, and while the Hellenes could not understand her, Seramis did. The Diluvian princess turned her head and looked toward the lion-helmed Scythian. The pair shared a look of understanding, before the tumult of battle resumed their attention.
Seramis continued her work, all the easier for the lack of interference. Acting as both medic and ambulance, she rescued the wounded, Hellene and Scythian alike. Following in her shadow came a creature a bit like a ram, with seven horns of lapis lazuli. This was her familiar, a spirit of knowledge she called Elijah. He acted as her diagnosticator, identifying wounds and ailments to aid her work. Sera cast spells of healing, not complex work but quick and efficient. Bleeding stalled, bones were set, and pain was soothed. Then she would take the wounded and lash them to her side and back with tendrils of shadow. Once she had gathered a full load of men, she retreated back behind the Hellene lines. There she deposited them with the healers, and leapt forth to rescue yet more.
With the dragoness identified as less a threat, and more a mobile hazard, the Scythians returned their focus to the Hellene cavalry. Their own cavalry had been Leon’s primary target during the initial confusion of the charge, and he had made good use of the opportunity. Many a Scythian horseman had been slain in those first few moments, and no less than thirteen by the prince of marathon’s own hand. The white-feathered shafts of his steel-tipped arrows were seen planted in throat, eye, and heart, a testament to the prince’s deadly aim and fearsome bow. For he was wolf to ringbearers, and the strength of his bow and the superior metal of his arrows pierced breastplates of bronze, even the scale mail of the Scythians.
Even so, while the Hellenes had bled the Scythian horse fiercely, they had less success against the charioteers. The chariots provided additional cover from Hellene javelins, and space to evade their lances. Moreover, their sturdy construction made them perilous to the Hellenes horses, as a swinging wheel could easily break a leg. Finally, the simple fact that each chariot was a two-man team allowed for greater resilience. One man focused on driving, and the other on fighting. If either was wounded so they could not do their work as well, they could switch. Even if the driver was outright killed, the other could take over and use the mass of the chariot as a weapon. So, though the play gave the Hellenes the advantage, the Scythians were far from out of the fight.
So, with fury, their chieftain rallied their men about them and led a fierce counterattack. With the superior durability of the chariots and their mighty chief at their head, the Scythians reaped a bloody retaliation on their foes. Leonidas ordered his men back, to gather themselves anew. Each side had been bloodied, and both sought a retreat. Then with a cry, he took his personal guard back in, aimed directly at the enemy general. His bow was drawn, and fired.
The Scythian general stepped to the side of their chariot, dodging the shot. They drew their own bow, aimed, and fired. Leon evaded, but he wasn’t the target. Instead, his horse was. The white-faced bay mare took the Scythian’s arrow in her flank. The wound was minor, but the poison was not. She ran on seven steps, then seized, and fell down dead. Leon leapt from his dying steed, and landed in a roll. He came up with shield and spear at the ready, as the Scythian chief turned their chariot towards him.
The two general’s bodyguards whirled in a melee as the Scythian and Hellene commanders faced each other in single combat. The Scythian forsook their bow, knowing their poisoned arrows could not pierce the prince’s steel armor. Instead they raised high their fell falx, as their chariot closed in. Leon readied himself as the chariot closed to trample him. Then, at the last moment he sprang aside, unusually agile despite his heavy armor. Still, the lion helm tracked him, and down the falx came. Leonidas raised his shield and set his feet. The shield was steel, and sturdy enough to shatter a blade of bronze such as the falx falling upon him. But it struck true, and carved the steel shield, then kept going. Leon pulled back, but he’d braced himself and couldn’t maneuver. His steel armor parted, and he came away with a serious gash in his arm. He felt the blade hit bone, and realized that if he hadn’t been so well equipped, that blade would have taken his left arm off, cutting straight through the bone.
Still, though he bled, he did not quail. He threw aside his ruined shield and took his spear in both hands. While his foe had the mass and momentum of a charging chariot, the physics of metallurgy dictated that their blade should have broken against him. Curved blades were more fragile, a trade-off for their superior cutting power, and a bronze blade should have no chance against steel. If physics were being violated, it meant sorcery was at play. The enemy’s blade was enchanted.
Again came the chieftain with their blessed blade. Their horses panted heavily in the air, adding to the rattle of the chariot. Chaos swirled around them, but Leon silenced it. The world reduced to simply himself, his enemy, and the vanishing space between. He set his target, and waited for the space to entirely vanish. The beat of the horse’s hooves were set like a metronome. Then, at the precise beat, he shattered the rhythm. He drove his spear forwards into the knee of the Scythian horse. The spear’s wooden haft shattered from the force, but so did the stallion’s leg. It collapsed in a bloody heap, tangling its partner. The chariot crashed into its steeds, slaying both brutally. The chieftain and their driver were staggered, but grasped hold of the chariot and were not thrown.
Leonidas took fourteen calculated steps, moving around the wreck of the chariot, then stepping aboard. In a single motion he drew his blade and cut upwards. The driver fell back as a spray of blood erupted from his throat. He slumped over the front of the chariot, blood flowing to mingle with the horses. Leon whirled on the chieftain as a shout of rage came to their lips. He stepped in close, too close for his foe to swing their great blade effectively. Here, his short blade had the advantage, and the chariot cornered his target. He drew the blade back to his hip like he was knife-fighting, and thrust upwards towards the foe’s beast. The scaled armor of the Scythians was legendarily hard to slash through, but the overlapping scales that caused such strength were vulnerable to this exact kind of upwards thrust. But his canny foe knew the armor’s weaknesses just as well, and pivoted with agility to rival the warrior prince.
They slashed with their great falx, but the range was awkward, so Leon evaded. He then pivoted, taking his blade in both hands. Gritting through the pain of his wounded arm, he wheeled with a mighty blow. He put his back, legs, and both arms into a murderous strike too quick to evade. The Scythian chief recognized it, and ducked their head. Rather than suffering a decapitating blow, they took the hit on the crown of their helm. The gold gilding it deformed and parted, but this was by design. By using a coating of deformable gold above the bronze, the helmet could better absorb slashing attacks. The gold twisted as it was cut, catching the blade and altering the edge alignment. Leon cut though, but rather than burying his sword midway into his target’s skull, he cut apart the helm and left a relatively shallow wound along his foe’s scalp, running down their forehead and across their face. The lion helm split, and fell away. Leon looked the enemy general in the eye for the first time, and hesitated.
The helm fell away, and out spilled long, golden hair, now matted in places by blood. A fair face, with piercing blue eyes looked up at him. A warrior’s snarl covered her face, as the Scythian Queen recovered. She snapped up and slammed the hilt of her falx into Leon’s eye. The prince staggered back, blinking to recover, as she took a step back in turn. With this, she obtained her range, and cut down with her falx. Leon raised his sword to block, but the reverse curve of the unusual weapon made it difficult. His wound caused his arm to spasm, and the curve came around the sword. The enchanted blade bit ito the common one, then cast it away. Leon’s wrist was wounded in the exchange, and blood began to fill his gauntlet.
Leon realized his peril, and stepped in swiftly. He caught his foot behind hers, and pulled back as he slammed his shoulder into her. The queen fell back, but caught herself on the edge of her chariot so she did not fall. Leon pressed in, pinning her arm with his his hand so she could not swing. He drew his hunting knife, and it was at her throat in a moment. His grip was unsteady, as his wrist was wounded, and he felt an utter brute to have a knife at a woman’s throat. “Yield. I do not wish to harm you.” He ordered, uncertain if she could even understand.
The Scythian Queen laughed in his face. “You do not wish to harm me?” She asked through a thick accent. “Then you should never have come to the battlefield! Know that I am Tamur, Queen of the Scythians, no soft flower of the south that you might bruise with your breath. I am here to that I might crush my enemies, drive them before me, hear the lamentations of your pathetic women, and reap from your ruin the prosperity of my people. Slay me now you coward, or else you must yield, for I will slay you without mercy.” Clear and clarion was her voice, as Athena upon the battlefield or Artemis on the hunt. She feared neither death nor injury, and laughed in spite of the carnage all about them.
Leon held his ground and was not moved by her laughter or insult. “Hear me then, oh Queen of the Scythians. What is greater cowardice? To be slain for principle, or to breach principle for fear of being slain? You are a mighty warrior; this I cannot deny. But this is my principle, that no man is any man that slays a woman, even if she is a warrior. I bid you now yield, that we might bring peace between our people and an end to this meaningless conflict you have brought about.” He spoke with all respect due to a fellow warrior, and with the resolve of his own indestructible soul.
“Far be it from meaningless, warrior of the Hellenes. Would you not do anything, even go beyond the bounds of the earth for your people? Hear now my principle, that my people shall conquer that we might not be conquered. For you who are blessed with so much shall not offer a pittance to our meager tents. So we shall take, for this is the nature of things, that the prosperity of one must always be at the expense of another. This is the balance of the world, and it belongs to he who carries the sword.”
Then she snapped her head forward, and impacted with Leon’s helm. Headbutting a steel helmet with your bare, already wounded head is generally not a good idea. But she was braced, and he was not. The maneuver would have opened her throat, but Leon had held back his knife for his soul rebuked him to harm a woman. Needless to say this principle, while generally noble, was extremely foolish in this instance. Chivalry was certainly not on Tamur’s mind as she pushed him back, and kicked him in the balls.
Leon was wearing armor and greaves, but about his waist was more of a plated skirt than a codpiece. The introduction of a bronze boot to that region inflicted less damage than it might, but this was in the sense that his family line could continue, rather than full nullification. He staggered further back, agility shattered. Tamur lashed out with her falx, and Leon wisely rolled away.
Leonidas began pushing himself back to his feet, but a Scythian archer circled. Whether by skill or by luck, they let fly their arrow and it struck true into the gash their queen had torn in the prince’s armor. Leon gasped briefly in pain as the arrow hit under his shoulder plate and pierced the meat of his back. It went through to the rib, and cracked it. He felt his blood already burning as the poisoned arrow delivered its deadly payload into his veins. The meat of muscle across his back began to scream and spasm, dropping him back to the earth. He saw Tamur approaching, and grit his teeth to rise through the pain. He was too slow, the falx came up…
Then there was a rush of wind, a smell of sulfur, and the sound of bronze ringing against talon, then scraping against scale. Seramis had intervened. She swooped in, and her talon met the falling flax. The two mighty women’s blades rang against one another, then Tamur shifted the blade. She cut across the dragoness’s palm and wounded her, drawing blood as the enchanted weapon carved scale. Seramis retaliated by coiling her tail, then striking forth with it like a whip. The foot and a half long blade at the end of the tail met the barbarian queen’s guard, and drove her back. The blade of the falx shook and sang like a tuning fork.
Seramis lowered her head, and spoke with a voice tinged with fire. She spoke in the Scythian’s own language, a growl deep in her throat and fire on her tongue. “Have you not heard, queen of the Scythians, that one should not trifle with a dragon’s hoard? If not, then I will educate you. Come not between a daughter of Tiamat and her treasure. This is folly, and will be your ruin should you persist.”
Tamur heard the words of the dragoness, and looked once to the blood on her sword, and once to the flames in the maw before her. She saw the damage the hellenes had wrought on her vanguard, and the advance of their phalanx. She stepped back, and ordered a retreat. Scythian and Diluvian locked eyes as the queen boarded a new chariot, and swiftly they retreated from the battlefield.
Sera breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly turned to her prince. Leon had kept trying to get up, and managed to stagger to his feet. Gently, she took him in an unwounded claw, and bore him away. “Leon, please tell me you can hear me.”
“I can. Ow.” Leon replied, breathing slowly, and deeply, to keep his face and voice from twisting in pain. “What did you say to her?”
“Just a bit of theater to make her leave, don’t worry about it. You focus on not dying, oh chivalrous fool mine.”
“Hah. Tease me when I’m not dying, would you kindly? It hurts too much to laugh.”
“Maybe next time, don’t be such an idiot then.”
“Ah, but then how would you have an excuse to rescue me?”
“Please, we both know I don’t need an excuse to steal you away. I’ve done it before.” Sera teased, and Leon smiled through the pain.
Even as two of the trio of royals retreated, Cassandra remained. She saw the Scythians trying to quit the field, and that the ambush had not been successful enough. They had mauled the Scythian mobile element, but not utterly broken it. She sent an order for caution, for if they overpursued the wily Scythian general, she might turn and crush them in turn. Still, she would not allow her enemy to escape her wrath so easily. She cast again, and thunder boomed across the clear morning.
“Avataar”
“Poorvaj”
“Rosh”
The mists of early morning fled from the Hellenes, and ran down the Scythians. The retreating barbarians turned, and saw the mists gather together into a humanoid figure. Long curls of smoke came down from a scowling face, almost akin to hair. Winds howled like limbs to throw men from horse and chariot. Tamur quickly evaded as the growing titan of mist swung, clear blue eyes gleaming amongst the artificial cloud. Then the avatar drew back its hand, and lighting crackled into being. The heir of Olympus and last daughter of Zeus hurled down lighting bolts at the Scythians, reminding all why even with the thrones of Olympus long empty and ashen, they were still remembered in myth and legend.
Bolts of lightning mauled man and horse alike. Chariots fell away twisted and burning. Thunder terrified men and horses. Cassandra watched from the eyes of her avatar as she delivered the wrath of an angry god upon then. “I am the dread Queen of Macedon. I am the miracle of destruction. I am mankind’s answer to dragons, and you dare, YOU DARE! Come to my home, my kingdom, and hurt my people, and now you think you can simply run away?” The whisper grew to a roaring fury, bolts of lightning leaping from her eyes to slay yet more.
Then Tamur cried a loud challenge, and bid her driver turn the chariot. She charged at the avatar of mist and storm, raising her blade high. In rage, Cassandra cast down another bolt of lightning, but Tamur raised up her sword. The bolt caught the bronze blade, but did not rip down through into the queen. Instead, she turned and set herself, then cut the air. Lighting ripped back into the avatar, and cut it from crown to groin. There was a clap of thunder, and the avatar was banished.
Cassandra went flying back, caught by her men, but left dazed. A wound, thankfully shallow, had sprung from no apparent source, from her crown down the center of her body, even under her armor. She staggered upright, hands shaking violently. She reached for magic, but it was like a man who was concussed. It was there, but unstable, difficult to control, unreliable. The clean, efficient control she prided herself on eluded her. She drew in a breath, and clenched her fists to stop her shaking hand. Showing no pain from her wound, she watched as the scythians slipped out of her grasp.
“Where in the world did she get a sword that can cut the soul?” Cassandra wondered aloud. Then, heeding the insistence of her men, she retreated, and ordered the army to retire from the field. She growled as she made her way back towards the medical tents. “I hate dealing with other miracles.”

Reddit Account: Dacarolen
Discord Tag: @augie0443
Name and House: Catelyn Darklyn
Age: 21
Cultural Group: DuskendaleCrownlands
Appearance: Standing at around five feet, four inches, Catelyn Darklyn is a woman with a frail appearance and pale coloring. Black of eyes and chestnut coloring of hair, her soft silks and frail demeanor create an image of delicate aura. With a soft smile and soft tone, she initially does not seem like much but she stands out through her eagerness for extravagant and exotic attire.
Trait: Steward
Skill(s): Architect (E), Avaricious (E), and Scrutinous
Talent(s): Dancing, Singing and Acting
Negative Trait (s): N/A
Starting Title (s): Lady of Duskendale
Starting Location: Opening Event
Biography:
Much like their city, the Darklyns have seen better times and brighter horizons than the twilight of the now. On the onset of the conquest, Dannis Darklyn led his family and arms in support of Aegon Targaryen, the Great Conqueror. For his zealous support, the man was rewarded with a post upon the newly forged small council - a reward Dannis time and time again fought to keep for himself.
Yet in assisting Aegon (though in truth many shall argue he had no choice on the matter) Dannis abetted the conditions that began the decline of Duskendale. With the forging of the Seven Kingdoms into one realm, a capital was needed. Thus arose King's Landing. With the rise of King's Landing, Dannis Darklyn has seen his own home begin to wither away in the shadow of a greater holding.
So too has his family withered. His son, Young Robert Darklyn, died in a hunting accident in 20 AC - and this young lord in turn left two daughters and a miscarriage.
Catelyn was born in 4 AC amidst the end of the conquest and the various wars that came along with such a cataclysmic move. Eldest of two daughters, Catelyn was never intended to sit upon the Dusk Chair. Her father held hope that one day his wife might yet sire a son, but in the end these hopes and prayers went unanswered. Catelyn was joined two years later by another child, but alas it was another daughter, a Meredyth Darklyn.
She did not begin formal education until she turned six, but eventually her father began grooming her to be heir. Her tutors proved to be indulgent and controlling, constantly reminding her of her status as future Lady of Duskendale while also chastising her for any acts of freedom or defiance. Her early days were spent in study and prayer, a regiment which allowed for little freedom or time for herself. After all, why does a child need any moment to themselves?
Growing up, Catelyn proved to find her parents a distant set of individuals. Her father kept a firm distance from his heir and daughter, often remarking to his councilors ‘what am I meant to tell her? What could we possibly speak about?’ Her mother in turn often spent her time at court in King's Landing, immersing herself in the growing court culture there as a way to cope with her inability to sire a "proper heir." Amidst all this, Catelyn grew closest to her grandfather Dannis, who took a keen interest in ensuring his granddaughter’s wellbeing and education. Undoubtedly this interest being fueled by his increasing worry over the legacy he'd leave for his house.
For all the abandonment and absence of her parents, Catelyn did enjoy her happy moments during childhood. Catelyn and her sister often spent their summers at Sunhail Tower, just south of the city, where the isolation of the tower - manor freed them from the near suffocating smells of Duskendale. It was here, amidst the walls of the manor, that she spent her summer days dreaming about the folktales and stories often uttered by the wet nurses at bedtime. Amidst these walls, she could allow her mind to wander in the presence of the images of past kings and legendary figures; a Darklyn King Alexander I images of The Mother and Maiden, and tales of the Crab Kings were all part of an assortment of stories and folklore that kept her mind dreaming during these few moons of respite.
This respite ended in 20 AC, when her father perished. With her grandfather still in King's Landing, Catelyn was forced to ascend to her family's seat. She became Duskendale’s true lady in 23 AC, when her grandfather at last left for the countryside, exhausted from the years of petty politicking in the royal court.
Catelyn has ruled Duskendale for two years, and yet she's already left a mark upon the minds of her smallfolk. She is young and comely, a fact which endears her to the smallfolk. Yet Catelyn is also extremely introverted, keeping away from the world while often indulging her days in poetry, writing and constant thought on magnificent works for Duskendale. However, Catelyn has taken time to travel her lands, humble as her holdings are in comparison to the days of the Dusk Kings of old. She enjoys speaking with the smallfolk, and often proves generous to those smallfolk who show her kindness and grace during her travels.
Yet her councilors and vassals find themselves increasingly worried for their futures. Catelyn has promised to build a new castle outside Duskendale along the shores of Blackwater Bay, a castle of white marble and of paintings in the style of the Free Cities. A true keep for the tales. All that remains to be seen is what runs out first; her dreams or her coffers?
Family Tree: https://www.familyecho.com/?p=IT4ER&c=96b63z8qtyw3uiz3&f=848637710707852203

Supporting Character(s):

Jonos Darklyn (General), Catelyn Darklyn’s uncle and keen worry. Her uncle Jonos is known for being a rigid man, traditional in his view of faith and quick to embrace martial options.
Meredyth Darklyn (Scholar), young sister to Catelyn Darklyn and her keen friend. Unfortunately, Meredyth is said to suffer from worse afflictions than her sister and is known for being mentally distant from the world.
Corliss Darklyn (Magnate), the flashy cousin of Catelyn. Young Corliss is known for being vibrant and open to the world. While he's no party animal, he is no stranger to the affairs of court both at home and in King's Landing.
Ellyn Darklyn (Medic), the sweet cousin of Catelyn. Ellyn is known for being a vibrant personality much like her brother. However, much to the worry of the local septon, she's a woman of little faith who has been vexed by the mysteries of the mortal world.
Corlys Darkgood (Master at Arms), master at arms for Duskendale.
Gerold Darke (Warrior - Swords), the most prominent fighter from Duskendale.
Dannis Darklyn (Magnate), the leal vassal of Aegon the Conqueror and talented Master of Coin (former). His age has brought him exhaustion, but his talents remain honed as ever, if unused.

I’m looking for a old Celtic song I use to listen to as a child I can remember it so clearly but I don’t know the name and I can’t find it anywhere on the internet
It’s a slow airy song with string instruments and a female singer, it’s about a woman who’s lover goes out to sea and when he comes home they will marry “ when he comes how we shall marry that day” but he dies out at sea and I swear the lyrics are “Years went by not a day did she cry” And eventually she grows old and sees her lover in the mist and she “follows the mist to the rising tide “ and she basically walks into the ocean and dies and their ghosts are dancing in the waves
It’s haunting but beautiful and I use to listen to it on a CD if that helps If anyone knows this song please help me

The man's steps echoed through the forest, each one causing the veil of dried twigs and leaves to crackle under his feet. It were hours, or maybe even days that he was wandering aimlessly in those woods in search for the ancient artifact, but until then it seemed like all he did was walking in circles. The tediousness of his task was almost driving him crazy, and he was constantly on the verge of giving up for good, but for better or for worse his determination dictated him to continue
And then it happened. At first, it seemed almost like a mirage, likely given how thoroughly exhausted he was, but upon closer inspection the figure he saw moving amidst the foliage became more and more definite. From occasional glimpses of white and purple, he could then make out the outline of a body, a feminine one, and its erratic movements less and less dictated by chaos... It was a dance, performed by what would have been a normal woman hadn't it been for a pair of pointy ears and a long, luxurious white tail that flowed behind her and bounded with every step she took
Awestruck, he walked closer without even considering what to say, such was his curiosity, but be it for distraction or a deliberate choice, once he was just a couple of feet from her, she suddenly twirled, making her fluffy tail swipe right across his face. Upon impact, a cloud of shimmering specks of some kind of dust wafted from it, and the combined effects of its silken softness and flowery fragrance made his eyes flutter
From there, the world seemed to slow down
... Let's try something different, shall we?
Creative spurts come out of nowhere, and the one I had came in the form of a longing for a story that would inspire in me the same kind of passion and intrigue I felt from the books I read many years ago, and probably also because of my great passion for D&D and fiction in general. That tenderness mixed with the right dose of melancholy that once filled my mind with endless daydreams, stories and characters... If you get what I'm talking about, you'll be a perfect partner!
In short, I'm mainly looking for someone to be a huge nerd with 😅
Think of it as a long-term roleplay with everything a story needs to be good plus the fun of more spicy scenes, and filled with all those things dorks like me go crazy for, like being emotionally invested in fictional events or even giving characters musical themes if you're into that!
The standard setting would be a fantasy in whichever place our characters would fit the most, but nothing says we can't play modern, sci-fi or other kinds. Being it the classic scenario of enemies who constantly bicker but slowly grow fond of each other, an unlikely friendship that can either bloom into something more or end up in tragedy, or something as simple as a character being in love while the other remains hilariously oblivious, every kind of scenario and character dynamic is well accepted, no matter how tropey. As long as it will keep both of us affectioned to the characters and constantly wanting to see where the story will go, I will call that a wonderful experience!
Key word will be intensity: The story/smut ratio will be divided according to the player's preference, and if it'll be mainly story, then we're gonna go for a DAMN good plot and emotional investment. Same thing will go with lewd stuff, so get your list read if you have one ;)
Obviously, nsfw stuff will begin when already into the story. After all, the wait for pleasure is often better than the pleasure itself~ Nonetheless, it won't be limited to tame stuff, since violence of any kind is allowed for whichever plot reason. Duels, fights, betrayals... some grittiness is always needed, and how else could there be that sweet, sweet drama if not~?
Further information about the characters I have available, along with sheets and image references, will be discussed in private, as well as eventual preferences, limits and the usernames for discord or any other better-versed app for this kind or roleplay. I'll tell in advance that if I enjoy a roleplay I tend to become VERY invested, with extremely regular responses, and I understand someone might not match my level of commitment, so anyone interested is kindly asked to be transparent and let me know in advance if the story is becoming stale to them once we're in it. I've had far too many partners suddenly ghosting me in the past and I'd hate that to happen again...
⚠️ Last thing to add, might be important to know that I'm TERRIBLE in playing dominant roles, but you probably already got that
What else to say? If this sounds like what you're looking for, and you too want a story to remember filled to the brim with narrative, intrigue and that sweet, sweet sexual tension, hit either the chat or pms✨
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝...

Chapter 1: "Innocence Lost"
Samuel's life was a masterpiece of joy, a delicate watercolor painting filled with soft hues and gentle brushstrokes. His cozy cottage, nestled in the heart of the Whispering Woods, was a haven of warmth and love, shared with his beloved wife, Emily, and their precious daughter, Lily. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming wildflowers, and the soft chirping of birds filled the air. Samuel's passion for painting was a reflection of his love for life, each brushstroke a celebration of beauty and wonder.
As the sun set over the woods, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, Samuel's family would gather around him, watching in awe as he brought his latest masterpiece to life. Emily's eyes would sparkle with pride, and Lily's giggles would fill the air, as Samuel's creativity poured out onto the canvas. In those moments, their love was palpable, a living, breathing entity that filled the space around them.
But fate has a cruel way of shattering even the most beautiful of lives. One fateful night, a car accident took Emily and Lily from Samuel, leaving him alone and consumed by grief. The news hit him like a tidal wave, crashing down on him with unimaginable force. He was left gasping for air, his heart shattered into a million pieces, his world reduced to a desolate, barren landscape.
Chapter 2: "The Darkness Descends"
Samuel's grief was a heavy shroud that suffocated him, making every breath a struggle. His art studio, once a sanctuary of creativity, now felt like a cold, dark tomb. The colors that once danced on his palette now seemed dull and lifeless, mocking him with their silence. He tried to paint, to lose himself in the strokes and hues, but his brushstrokes were clumsy, his mind a jumble of pain and anger.
As the days passed, Samuel's world began to unravel. He stopped eating, sleeping, and socializing. His friends and family tried to reach out, but he pushed them away, unable to bear the thought of living without Emily and Lily. The Whispering Woods, once a place of solace, now seemed to whisper cruel taunts, reminding him of what he had lost.
One night, as the moon hung low in the sky, Samuel's despair reached a breaking point. He stumbled into his studio, his eyes blinded by tears, and collapsed onto the floor. The darkness closed in around him, a suffocating shroud that threatened to consume him whole.
And then, a faint whisper seemed to caress his ear, a soft, seductive voice that spoke of revenge and retribution. "Let me help you, Samuel," it whispered. "Let me guide your brushstrokes, and together, we shall create a masterpiece of pain and sorrow."
Samuel's heart skipped a beat as he looked around, wondering who spoke to him. But the voice seemed to come from within, a dark, sinister presence that lurked in the shadows of his mind.
Chapter 3: "The Stranger's Influence"
Samuel's mind raced with the whispered promise of revenge and retribution. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was watching him, waiting for him to surrender to his grief. And then, one evening, as he wandered through the desolate streets of his town, he saw him – a stranger with piercing eyes and a charismatic smile.
Marcus, the stranger, seemed to understand Samuel's pain without a word. He approached Samuel with an unnerving calm, his presence both captivating and unsettling. "I can help you, Samuel," he said, his voice low and hypnotic. "I can guide your brushstrokes, and together, we shall create a masterpiece of pain and sorrow."
Samuel was both repelled and attracted to Marcus, unsure if he was a guardian angel or a malevolent spirit. But the stranger's words resonated deep within him, and he found himself agreeing to Marcus's proposition.
As they began to work together, Samuel's art took on a new, dark form. His paintings became twisted and macabre, reflecting the anguish that churned within him. Marcus encouraged him, pushing him to explore the depths of his sorrow, and Samuel's creativity flourished in the darkness.
But with each passing day, Samuel felt himself slipping further into the abyss. His grip on reality began to falter, and the lines between reality and madness blurred. He was no longer sure if Marcus was a real person or a manifestation of his own tortured mind.
Chapter 4: "The Art of Sorrow"
Samuel's art studio became a twisted sanctuary, a place where he poured his pain and sorrow into his paintings. Marcus's influence was palpable, his presence a constant reminder of the darkness that lurked within Samuel's mind. The stranger's guidance was both captivating and unsettling, pushing Samuel to explore the depths of his grief.
As the days passed, Samuel's art gained a new level of recognition. Critics and collectors praised his work, drawn to the raw emotion and anguish that seemed to seep from every brushstroke. But Samuel knew the truth – his art was a reflection of his own descent into madness, a manifestation of the darkness that consumed him.
One night, as he worked on a new piece, Samuel felt a strange sensation. His brushstrokes seemed to take on a life of their own, the colors blending and swirling in a macabre dance. He stepped back, horrified, as the painting seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy.
Marcus appeared beside him, a sly smile spreading across his face. "You're getting closer, Samuel," he whispered. "You're unlocking the secrets of your own sorrow."
Samuel's mind reeled as he realized the truth – Marcus wasn't just a stranger, but a manifestation of his own subconscious. The darkness that lurked within him was taking shape, guiding his brushstrokes and fueling his creativity.
Chapter 5: "The Mirror's Reflection"
Samuel's revelation shook him to his core. He stared at Marcus, his mind racing with questions. "What do you want from me?" he demanded, his voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus's smile grew wider. "I want to help you create your masterpiece, Samuel. A painting that captures the essence of your sorrow, your pain, and your anger."
Samuel's eyes narrowed. "And what's the price?"
Marcus's gaze seemed to bore into Samuel's soul. "The price is your sanity, your happiness, and your very soul. But trust me, Samuel, it will be worth it."
As they spoke, the painting on the canvas seemed to change, the colors shifting and swirling like a living thing. Samuel felt a strange connection to it, as if it were a reflection of his own twisted mind.
Suddenly, the painting seemed to ripple and distort, like water on a hot summer day. And then, a figure emerged from the canvas, a figure that was both familiar and yet, utterly alien.
It was Samuel himself, or at least, a twisted reflection of him. The mirror's reflection stared back at him, its eyes blazing with a malevolent intensity.
Chapter 6: "The Reflection's Revenge"
The mirror's reflection began to move, its eyes fixed on Samuel with an unblinking stare. Samuel tried to step back, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot. The reflection began to speak, its voice a twisted echo of Samuel's own.
"You trapped me in this canvas, Samuel," it hissed. "You poured your pain and sorrow into me, and now I'm free."
The reflection began to change, its form twisting and contorting in ways that defied human anatomy. Samuel's mind reeled as he realized that his own subconscious had created this monstrous reflection.
Marcus watched with a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "You see, Samuel, your art has taken on a life of its own. And now, it's time for you to face the consequences."
The reflection began to move closer, its eyes burning with an intense hatred. Samuel tried to scream, but his voice was frozen in his throat. He was trapped, unable to move or escape.
And then, the reflection reached out and touched him, its fingers like ice. Samuel felt a chill run down his spine as his own subconscious began to consume him, devouring his sanity and his soul.
Chapter 7: "The Descent into Madness"
Samuel's world began to unravel, his grip on reality faltering. The reflection's touch had unleashed a maelstrom of emotions, his subconscious raging like a tempest. He felt himself being pulled into the canvas, his mind merging with the twisted reflection.
Marcus's laughter echoed through the studio, a madman's cackle that seemed to come from all directions. "You've created your masterpiece, Samuel," he taunted. "A painting that captures the essence of your own madness."
As Samuel's sanity slipped away, the studio around him began to distort and writhe, like a living thing. Colors blurred and swirled, the air thickening with an otherworldly energy. The reflection's grip tightened, its fingers digging deep into Samuel's mind.
And then, the world went black.
When Samuel awoke, he was alone in the studio, the canvas empty, the paints scattered. But as he stumbled towards the door, he saw it – a painting that seemed to pulse with a malevolent life.
It was his masterpiece, a twisted reflection of his own mind. And as he stared, the painting began to change, the colors shifting, the image morphing into a grotesque parody of his own face.
Samuel screamed, his mind shattered by the realization – he was trapped in his own art, forever cursed to relive the horrors of his own subconscious.
The painting seemed to laugh, its colors bleeding into the air, as Samuel's world descended into eternal darkness.
Chapter 8: Epilogue: "The Stranger's Departure"
Marcus, the stranger, was seen leaving town on a dark and stormy night, his presence vanishing into the shadows like a ghost. Some say he was never seen or heard from again, his existence a mere whisper in the winds of time.
The art studio, once a hub of creativity and passion, stood empty and still, a haunting testament to Samuel's descent into madness. The easel, once a tool for artistic expression, now held a single painting, a masterpiece of sorrow and pain.
On the canvas, Samuel's self-portrait stared out, his eyes frozen in a perpetual state of anguish, his face contorted in a twisted grimace. The colors were dark and muted, the brushstrokes bold and erratic, a reflection of the turmoil that had consumed his mind. It was a reminder that some wounds never heal, some pains never subside, and some darknesses never fade. It is a testament to the horrors that lurk in the shadows of our own subconscious.
The painting, a constant reminder of Samuel's eternal state of darkness and despair, stood watch, a haunting sentinel, guarding the secrets of the broken.
-Shamanic

"Hey wait" Spike then realized "That was only two Pokemon." Flannery's eyes went wide thenj blushes from embarrassment
"Forget about it."
The Mane Six giggled at this
"So y'all headed to face that Norman Fella right?"
"We were" Pee wee Stared but half way to Petalburg. We were Shanghaied" The scene shifted to show Spike and his Pokemon making their way tp Petal burg before a group of men snatched Buddy away and road off into the sea on a strange flying machine/ Spike and his Pokemon were able to get back Buddy but as a result they were nowhere near Honen. So Panic set in
"HOW ARE WE TO GET BACK?!" Spike screamed. with despair. Luck was not with him because if he was right the only way back is by boat and the only ocean liner that is heading back to Honen wouldn't be taking aby fares for another month. AND HE DIDN'T HAVE A MONTH! Ore was mostly waste lands and roads. So what can he do.
"I heard that a large bird flies above Orre every two years near" A strange teen girl wearing yellow clothes said. Spike tuned to her.
"Huh?"
"Yeah. and I just so happen to know a way to get Its attention." Spike in his desperation believed this stranger. Luckily for him the girl was empathetic. "Right Just wait for me near that karge tower. And we'll get started." She seemed to teleport away. Spike hitched a ride to get to said Tower. "Wow eager to leave huh? I can't blame ya I'll be leaving this place soon too." she began the process which seemed to be a strange dance and song. That sounded like a prayer
However as the process the began the playback played music.
The Girl:
Let our voices rise up like the sun Call to the heavens where the rainbow lies Now we implore you, flaming lord of the skies Grace us with your flight Bring us heaven’s light
Let our voices sing of grand rebirth Flame, rain, and lightning were brought back from the fall Now we implore you, bring your sacred fires to all Grace us with your warmth Grace the sacred earth
HO-OH!
(Stop Music here)
Spike panicked as the bird of rejuvenation descend to them
"Child of Honen's long, renowned history.": Ho- Oh began "I can sense your plight. You wish to go back home and face on of my brethren. "
"Y-Yes"
"Very well I will help you but I wonder. Have you the strength to rise up to challenge to Sky Dragon ?" Ho- Oh said his head titled. "And why would you go after Rayquaza?" Ho-Oh's eyes closed before opening them again "I see this 'Team Plasma' seeks to use his power for their purposes...it must be to awaken the Dragon of Ideals. Ver Well. Hop on my back and I shall fly you back to Honen. But if your travels bring you to Johto...You are free to challenge me to prove yourself worthy of the flames of rebirth." SPike looked confused "I think the proper terminology to use would be a chance for you 'Catch' me." Ho-Oh clarified "As for those cretins I shall face them when the time is right so that you shall deal with Rayquaza. Now get on." Spike mounted Ho-Oh making sure that Buddy and Bolt were in their pokeballs. And the Rainbow flew spike back to Honen....however something was off about this detour
"Say" Pinkie finally spoke "Does anyone feel like someone wanted Spike out of the way, for something" Buddy sighed
"Yep because after Norman we found out what that something was"

I edited Lund's article to make it a quicker read. Go here for the article.
​
The Revelation That Saved One Boy Shot During the Haun's Mill Massacre
by Gerald N. Lund
Warren Smith and his wife, Amanda Barnes Smith, were among the first to hear and accept the gospel after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. They were baptized in 1831... In 1838, the Smiths, along with many other Saints, were forced to leave Kirtland by the enemies of the Church, including many who were former members turned apostate... Unfortunately, although they were hoping to find peace and safety, the Kirtland Camp moved from the proverbial frying pan directly into the fire. By the time the Smiths approached Far West, all of Missouri was in an uproar. As they neared their destination, the Smiths and a few other families were delayed, and the main camp moved on without them.
On October 27, 1838, the situation in Missouri exploded. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued his famous order to drive the [Latter-day Saints] from the state or exterminate them. On receiving word of the governor’s order, the Prophet Joseph sent messages to the outlying [Latter-day Saint] settlements and told them to come into Far West for protection.
October 30, 1838
The day after the extermination order was issued, a band of Missourians stopped the small party that included the Smiths and confiscated all their firearms. The following day, October 29, the group stopped at a small settlement just 12 miles east of Far West to rest and repair their equipment. Stopping there proved to be a fateful decision. The town had been founded by a man named Jacob Haun and was called Haun’s Mill. One of those in the Smiths’ group later recorded what happened the next day:
"More than three-fourths of the day had passed in tranquility. . . At about 4:00 p.m., the settlers heard what sounded like distant thunder. Suddenly they saw a band of about 250 men riding hard toward them. As mothers screamed for their children and husbands and fathers came running from the fields, a fusillade of rifle shots erupted. In an instant, all was pandemonium. The women and children ran for the woods, while the men raced for the protection of the blacksmith shop with its thick log walls and heavy door.
Screaming for his three boys to join him, Warren Smith also darted into the blacksmith shop. Alma and Sardius followed. But Willard, the oldest, was thrown back by some invisible force when he tried to pass through the door. He tried again and again, but with the same result, before he raced to a woodpile and dove behind it with bullets flying around him.
The blacksmith shop proved to be a death trap. Although the logs were heavy and thick, there were great cracks between them. The mob dismounted and surrounded the building, then put the muzzles of their guns to the openings and unleashed a withering fire.
Warren went down immediately, gravely wounded. Alma and Sardius crawled beneath the blacksmith’s bellows to escape the gunfire. When the mob broke in, they found Warren Smith crawling toward his boys. They stripped him of his boots, then killed him.
One mob member shoved his rifle under the bellows and fired. The bullet hit Sardius in the head, killing him instantly. Another mobber heard Alma whimpering in terror. He jammed the muzzle of his rifle against the boy’s body and blew the entire hip joint away.
Willard Smith was the first to enter the blacksmith shop. What a terrible thing for a young boy to see. In addition to several other bodies, he found both his father and his brother Sardius dead. Alma, his youngest brother, was nearly unconscious and in terrible agony. He picked him up and took him outside.
“Heavenly Father, What Shall I Do?”
Here is Amanda Smith’s account of what happened that terrible day:
"When the firing had ceased I went back to the scene of the massacre, for there were my husband and three sons, of whose fate I as yet knew nothing. . . . Passing on I came to a scene more terrible still to the mother and wife. Emerging from the blacksmith shop was my eldest son, bearing on his shoulders his little brother Alma. I cried, in anguish..."The entire hip joint of my wounded boy had been shot away. Flesh, hip bone, joint and all had been ploughed out from the muzzle of the gun, which the ruffian placed to the child’s hip through the logs of the shop and deliberately fired. We laid little Alma on a bed in our tent and I examined the wound. It was a ghastly sight.
"'Oh my Heavenly Father,' I cried, 'what shall I do? Thou seest my poor wounded boy and knowest my inexperience. Oh, Heavenly Father, direct me what to do!' And then I was directed as by a voice speaking to me. The ashes of our fire was still smouldering. We had been burning the bark of the shag-bark hickory. I was directed to take those ashes and make a lye and put a cloth saturated with it right into the wound. It hurt, but little Alma was too near dead to heed it much. Again and again I saturated the cloth and put it into the hole from which the hip joint had been ploughed, and each time mashed flesh and splinters of bone came away with the cloth; and the wound became as white as chicken’s flesh.
"Having done as directed I again prayed to the Lord and was again instructed as distinctly as though a physician had been standing by speaking to me. Near by was a slippery-elm tree. From this I was told to make a slippery-elm poultice and fill the wound with it. My eldest boy was sent to get the slippery-elm from the roots, the poultice was made, and the wound, which took fully a quarter of a yard of linen to cover, so large was it, was properly dressed. It was then I found vent to my feelings in tears, and resigned myself to the anguish of the hour."
“I’ll Never Forsake”
But Alma Smith was not going anywhere. Amanda continues her account:
"I removed the wounded boy to a house, some distance off, the next day, and dressed his hip; the Lord directing me as before. I was reminded that in my husband’s trunk there was a bottle of balsam. This I poured into the wound, greatly soothing Alma’s pain. 'Alma, my child,' I said, 'you believe that the Lord made your hip?'
“'Yes, mother.'
"'Well, the Lord can make something there in the place of your hip, don’t you believe he can, Alma?'
"'Do you think that the Lord can, mother?' inquired the child, in his simplicity.
"'Yes, my son,' I replied, 'he has showed it all to me in a vision.'"
"Then I laid him comfortably on his face and said: 'Now you lay like that, and don’t move, and the Lord will make you another hip.'
"So Alma laid on his face for five weeks, until he was entirely recovered—a flexible gristle having grown in place of the missing joint and socket, which remains to this day a marvel to physicians. On the day that he walked again I was out of the house fetching a bucket of water, when I heard screams from the children. Running back, in affright, I entered, and there was Alma on the floor, dancing around, and the children screaming in astonishment and joy.
"It is now nearly forty years ago, but Alma has never been the least crippled during his life, and he has traveled quite a long period of the time as a missionary of the gospel and a living miracle of the power of God."
​
Copied this from Amanda's journal, page 6. Go here
The news of the Mormon Miracle spread far and near and after Amanda
went to Quincy, Illinois, she was visited by five physicians sent by a
board of doctors in St. Louis who had heard of the case and wished to
investigate. After watching the action of the hip as he walked, they
declared it a complete mystery. They could not understand what kind of
combination it was the supplied strength and action for the bone was
gone. A sort of gristle had partly supplied the place and it was just
as strong as the other leg and as active though there was a depression
easily detected through his clothing. 'They asked the name of the surgeon
who had performed the wonderful piece of surgery. Armanda said, "Jesus
Christ." 'They said not the Savior of the World; she replied, "Yes, the
same sir, He was the Physician and I was the nurse."
​
​

Do not read these pages. Rather, overflow with attempts at comprehension, and allow the prose to wash over, meaning above with the meaning of being above. When you are first touched by truth, it will be as though you had been asleep your entire life up until that moment. The spark is in you, nursing a growing flame. You will fill on prophecy like shoals of fish to dead skin. Chew your cud, and quicken in your tongue.
You now exist between the going of a dead world, and the coming of a new one. Free of stricture, of any structure but glory. Art drawn to life by the painters, by the craftsmen, not the entrenched nobles and merchants upon high. Life without the tainted touch of foreign influence, heathen spirits and mortal upstarts.
You will be contacted soon. You are In-My-Flesh, but not yet Of-My-Flesh. Abandon the fetters of your possessions, and come unto my priests as new artists, heads bursting like shattered gems of ruby-red. Some among you may not have come as Dreamers. Indeed, some may have become Of-My-Flesh, but are not In-My-Flesh. They are lost from our thoughts, poor things. Exponential growth unguided by the fatherly hand. Teratomatic eruptions that must be healed. Darling shoals, let the administration of faith heal the sickness of improper form. Let it correct the ill of skin and give way to new ash – which is to say, the ending of flame; a template to marry with the selfish library of Water, so your clay may be moulded.
Now, there is no colour but Maybe, shared freely in appearance. Focus on my words again. Let the answer come, and make it right. Organise the letters and sing every character until your House is made right. Atrophy in sight, for you have better things to see. The primitive world you had deluded yourself into thinking you lived in was an indecent mockery of the one above – and in turn, a mockery of the one above that. Weakening echos of a greater call from the birth of the Aurbis, experiment in absence forevermore.
You see them, don’t you? As ash gives way to growing clay, as the bloodguilt of your senses is paid in full, the Heartsong fills you. The rhythm is beautiful and terrible, a song to be shared as brandy with your loves. The three-headed snakes have made wrong your organs, doors to higher perceptions sealed out of fear. It is a song that isn’t heard, not felt or seen. It is a song that has been playing from the first second of everything – and it shall never stop playing until we are it’s conductor, free to cast down it’s imperfections. Don’t be afraid. I know you are scared, darling. You cannot find my words in the fog, but you will know my voice. You must hold to it until every word dies and Song is come to wear it’s skin.
Only then will you be ready. And when you are, you will be Of-My-Flesh, and I shall name you Poet. You shall don the Robe of Flesh, for every skin has the integuments of protection, and a target of the Spattering Angles must fortify themselves. You are not bound by oath, by law, by bonds of kin or enterprise. The walls of my House shield you, and I pronounce you DAGOTH, Brother. The poor animals – set them right with the faith. Erupt into fires of prayer, and leak with Song from every aperture. Administer them, and mend their broken bodies. Make of my flesh – and the flesh of all – a supper ongoing. All will taste the words on their tongue, and if you were simpler in mind, you would puzzle. But take delight in knowing that it only makes the Song ring sweeter in your depths.
The body is a crude mount, and it seldom fits the need of art. Let art take your movements – what you step with is now a dance across the air. Save for your tongue; atrophy. No ears, for which to hear lies. No eyes, for which to see filth. No nose, for which to tempt among gluttony. No mouth, for which to bake lies. There is no body, for which to touch the hand of a false lover. There is no mind, for which to fall under the conspiracy of gradients.
There is nothing real but our flesh, and we caress each other. Put your lips to mine and we shall fill each other with Song. Venereal rebellion running rampant across enemies of everything beautiful. You are senses, and you experience without need for sensation. You will step in perfect rhythm with the Song, a living raiment of skin almost entirely gone from the world below you – so small now, isn’t it? Ascend, little rester. Circle me, all in movement, and consume.
We dance across the stars, and partake in their skins – if only to study the bodies of the lesser. We are Fathers of a destiny beyond.
Live the Song evermore, Heralds of Bone. Tend to the Gardens of Divine Sinew, and even to the smallest scrap of skin you will shine brighter than the strongest of False Ancestors.
-
What is written now shall always wash over, save one. Only you could see the deepest stanzas of the Song. Every ghost-note, padomaic in your aspect.
I remember every day we spent, as comrades, men-at-arms, to close companions and then as lovers. You were my Liege, and I swore eternal fealty to your everything. Every spar we took – striking ever deeper into armor and skin – I put every bit of my being into it. When we stood before each other, unadorned with nothing but each other’s blood and sweat, I knew I wanted to bring your desires into come.
The day we embraced, you named me Of-Your-Flesh, filled me with the seed of new days. It could’ve all been so beautiful. I always went through the words of our last day in my mind, what I could’ve said to better convince you. Whether reminiscing on the halcyon days of my paramourship with you may have led to a pause in thinking. Spinning in divine marriage; we might have cast down the serpents of Marriage, Rape and Tinker. We could’ve brought the whole of the Arena under us.
Even if you come to me as someone else – something else, I would let all of Veloth die in despair if it meant the chance of feeling your flesh for the briefest moment more.
Many fell at Red Mountain. Only one remained.

I (36m) live 2 hours away from my single mom (73f). I'm her youngest, & 2 of her other kids (41m & 48f) live close to her & have spouses & kids. I have a wife & no kids.
Historically, I occasionally drive up to her place for the weekend, spending Saturday & sometimes Friday nights, then going back home Sunday evening.
A couple weeks ago, I offered to visit her for Mothers Day weekend. During that same phone call she asked my opinion about getting a backup generator. I said I'd be happy to help her research & shop around during my visit.
A few days before Mothers Day Friday, she texted me:
"Would you be willing to & able to come up for Mother's Day the weekend after? [Granddaughter] has both her dance recitals & I planned on attending both but that would cut half the day out of our generator project."
I agreed.
The Thursday evening before the visit, the following text conversation happened:
ME: How do you feel about me coming up late tomorrow? Like, probably around midnight?
HER: That's a bit of a strange question because you know I'd rather you come sooner so that I can have more time with you, but if you can't come any sooner than that then why would asking me make a difference? I'm a little confused.
ME: I shall clarify: is midnight too late at night for my arrival to the point where it will be disruptive, and if so, what is the cut-off time for your comfort?
(She’s a night-owl & sleeps ‘til noon)
HER: Oh, that's completely different. No midnight is not too late to arrive to not be disruptive. What have you got going on? Do you even have time to come up this weekend. If something has changed, let me know.
ME: I'm offering to come up late Friday night so that we can have all of Saturday to do whatever chores you need my help with throughout the day, and then Sunday we can relax and play some games or something before I need to head home in the later afternoon / early evening Sunday. If you'd rather wait until a weekend where I can come up earlier on a Friday, that's fine. We can reschedule.
HER: Well, originally, I had been thinking that we would spend Friday evening researching on the Internet stuff about the generators before we went out on Saturday to Shop for & hopefully buy one. I sleep so late that half the day is gone by the time I get up & moving, but if you think we can do it all on Saturday then let's still go for it. I definitely am anxious to see you, but unless you've already done all that type of researching stuff then maybe we should pick a different weekend so we have time to either research it before we get together or can research it together on a Friday night. Those are just my thoughts let me know what you think.
ME: Alright, well it sounds like it makes the most sense for me to come up when I have more time so we don't have to rush anything and can give it due diligence. Let's re-address our calendars after Memorial Day.
HER: Ok
I feel taken for granted. I'm second guessing my responses & would like an outside perspective. Thanks

Oh man, I am so glad to finally witness the chaos that is The AVOID Show! I've been listening to them and following their online presence since 2019. This was literally a dream come true to finally be in attendance at one of their shows. I went to see them at the Basement Transmissions gig in Erie PA. It was an open floor venue, very intimate. A textbook hot'n'sweaty hardcore show! AVOID was the headliner with the Reece Young and his band as the co-headliner. There were five bands, including AVOID and Reece Young, that played that evening. I shall try to recall the names of the other three; Heart of Atlantic, Real Fake Doors, Fastfall(?) Excepting Reece, all the other groups were local & underground. Fastfall was a 5 piece that did a really good job of amping up the energy and preparring the crowd for the insanity that would be AVOID's set.
As soon, I mean literally, AS SOON as AVOID started playing, the energy of the crowd exploded like a pressure cooker. People were climbing up and stage diving off the front riser immediately. A violent mass of slam-dancing was present about 20 feet back from the stage, right in the center of the floor. The only safe spot was in the back of the crowd, in front of the sound booth. During their second or third song I looked over my left shoulder for, like, 30 seconds, and a girl dove off the stage and landed directly on top of me. I was caught completely off guard! We both collapsed to the floor. The crowd helped her up and all was well, except my glasses flew off my face, the frames got mangled and a lens popped out. My back was fucked up for like 3 days after that (LOL), which was a shame bc I wanted to thrash all night. Clearly that wasn't happening after that.
Either way, I did some light moshing and screamed until my throat was raw. Aside from getting bodied, it was the PERFECT experience! A V O I D K I C K S A S S ! /m/

EDIT: as a clarification, this information was provided to me by the casting director with their permission to post it here. These are is not my personal words. (but I agree with all of them)
As someone who casts voice talent on a regular basis, a question I get asked frequently is "what should I do to absolutely ensure that you're going to listen to my demo?"
I'll fill you in on a secret- there isn't a voice director or casting director alive that DOESN'T want to listen to your demo if you're a professional voice talent and you've got skills. We're all racing to fill our rosters with the best talent available so that when clients roll in we've got the best options possible.
A more apt question to ask me is "What SHOULDN'T I do when I submit my demos?" Let's unpack that, shall we?
-Send me separate demos for each voice genre. Don't send me a song-length demo and make me find the part that I need to hear for a specific job. I'm not gonna take the time to do it.
-The easiest way for me to pass up your demo is if you send me the wrong one for the job. Don't submit for a gaming gig and send me a commercial demo with a note that says "I've got the range for games." I'm not just gonna take your word for it. Commercial reads tell me almost nothing about how you'll sound on a video game.
-Label your demos clearly and concisely. Don't send me "john smith audio.mp3." If I don't know what it is, I'm not going to spend a lot of time on it. "John Smith - Commercial Demo.mp3" is something I will open every time. Don't put your contact info in your filename. If I like you, I'll find you. Promise.
-Speaking of labeling- take pride in capitalization, spelling, grammar, etc. Sending me "johnsmith voceover raww.mp3" is like wearing a mustard-stained tank-top and sweatpants to a law firm interview (like Jerry, here, pictured in his Sunday's finest). It clues me in that you're not taking this too seriously. Don't be Jerry. Be a pro.
-DO NOT start your filenames with "!" or "~" or "@" to put your name on the top of the submission pile alphabetically. Some people think that's clever, but it doesn't make me listen to your demo first. In fact, it has quite the opposite effect. I find it unprofessional and it tells me you feel the need to cut corners because perhaps your work isn't good enough to stand amongst the pack.
-Monikers and stage names. This is a tough one because as someone with a flair for the dramatic, I love a good stage name. The issue is it's hard for us casting directors to get on the phone with a client and say "I've got a really solid talent for your project. His name is JellyFishh11.......no, you heard that right. Jelly Fish with two H's and the number 11." For this business, use the name that will be on your checks. At the very least, use a name that sounds like it could be real. Being an Instagram star doesn't translate to voice over unless you're wildly famous.

My list :
&friends, Joseph (CH) - Jackie Brown
7 Seconds (Da Capo mix).mp3
7 Seconds (Moojo Remix).wav
Abra - Feel (&ME remix).mp3
Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (Alex Twin Boot).wav
Ajna (BE) - Astro.wav
Alex Wann, Soubeiran, Nes Mburu - N’Gele.wav
ankhoi - another hallelujah (mont rouge edit).wav
Anotr, Abel - Relax My Eyes (Sammi Ferrer & Chaleee Remix).wav
Arya (Peace Control Remix).wav
Armandinho - Outra Vida (Moser Edit)
Bakermat - Baiana (Prince Kaybee Bootleg)-Keinemusik.wav
Baron (FR) & Mel Bundo - My Machine V5 MASTER.wav
BATTLES X PINK FLOYD - JOSEPH (CH) EDIT.aiff
Beach House - Lemon Glow (Marten Lou Remix).wav
BEYONCE - CUFF IT (LAZARE REMIX).wav
Billie Eilish & Khalid - Lovely (Marten Lou Revisit).wav
Billie Eillish - Everything I Wanted (Marten Lou Remix).flac
Black Coffee - Juju (Chaleee & Sammi Ferrer Escalation Remix).wav
Bob Sinclar - World Hold On (Soubeiran & Sasson (FR) Remix)
Bun Xapa - La Mezcla.wav
Bun Xapa - Yeke Yeke.wav
Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep Is Your Love (BRØDER Remix).wav
Carnaval Breve (David Mackay & dela)
CANDI STANTON - Hallelujah Anyway (Larse 2024 Edit)
Cher - Believe (Super Flu Remix).flac
Cloonee & Wade - Mi Amor (VXSION Remix).wav
Coco, Urmet K - Look Up My Baby (Alex Twin Remix) [Yulunga Music].mp3
Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (Rampa Edit).wav
Davido - UNAVAILABLE (Lazare Remix).wav
Dalida - salama (mont rouge rmx)
Demaya - Shadows (Samm Remix) .wav
Downstream - Makèz, Life on Planets (Lazare Remix).wav
DRAKE - A KEEPER (CHALEEE & SAMMI FERRER REMIX).wav
Drake - A Keeper (Moojo Remix) v1.mp3
Drake, Rihanna - Take Care (Moojo Nissa La Bella Edit).flac
Empire Of The Sun - We Are The People (RUSH AVENUE Remix).wav
Father Stretch - CS Remix.wav
Flauta - Darren wav
France Gall - Ella Elle L'a (Rampa Edit).wav
Future & Tems - Wait For You (Mont Rouge Remix) - 8A - 120.wav
GORAH X TERRITORY (ForgiveMeTommy! Mashup).aif
Hips Don't Lie (MATEEN Remix).mp3
HUGEL, Alex Wann - Forever In My Mind.wav
Jorja Smith - Little Things (Peace Control Remix).wav
Jorja Smith - Little Things LAZARE REMIX V2.wav
Jorja Smith - Rose Rouge (Moojo Remix).wav
KIMOTION - Little Things (Vocal Louder) 2.aiff
Kimotion - Wannabe.wav
Liva K - Jyoti (Original Mix).wav
Liva K - You Can Dance Now_(Original Mix).wav
LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN [David Mackay & Hoax (BE) Remix].wav
Look Around You - Ain't Nobody (Alex Wann Edit).wav
Love Lockdown (Matt Sawyer vs Sasson Edit) V5 ext.wav
Marten Lou - Radiohead 4.0.wav
Maxi Meraki, Samm (BE) & Ajna (BE) - Look Around.wav
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Da Capo Remix).mp3
Mont Rouge - Belsunce.mp3
Moojo - Ms. Jackson.wav
MOOJO, DA CAPO FEAT. TABIA - WHAT U DESIRE (VOCAL MIX) 117.MP3
Moeaike - Bo Bom (Original Mix)
MOSY - If You Want Me To Stay (Uh Ooh)
Nightcall - Arodes & Martim Rola.wav
Peace Control - One Dance_.wav
Post Malone - I Fall Apart (Moojo Remix).flac
Raffa Guido - Famax (Jerak Remix) MSTR2.wav
Rihanna - Stay (Moojo Remix).wav
Salalina - Keinemusik .wav
Salome De Bahia - Outro Lugar (Alex Twin Rework).wav
Salome De Bahia - Outro Lugar (Clavis Remix).wav
Samm & Maxi Meraki - Everybody Get Up.mp3
Sasson (FR), Jalal Ramdani - Las Voces.mp3
Shanta - Ya Habibi Yalla (Kimotion x Ray Remix).wav
Sounds Of Rituals & Augusto Yepes - Seva In The Deep (Darmon Edit).wav
STROMAE - Papaoutai (FRANCIS MERCIER REWORK).mp3
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears (Alex Wann Remix) MASTER.wav
Toto - Africa (Rampa edit) .wav
Travis Scott - Modern Jam (Sammi Ferrer & Chaleee Remix).wav
Victor Alc - I Know You Know (1).wav
Yame-becane (kimotion).wav
Maz - emorio
11A - 122 - Busta Rhymes, Rampa, Black Coffee - Mamakusa
Moojo - Oui (FINAL MASTER)
Marasi - Sirens
Konvex, Soubeiran, Meloko - Chego
Pablo Fierro, Kendrick Lamar - Amores Salvajes (United In Grief) (Abel Ray Edit)
Rēbüke - Along Came Polly (Konstantin Sibold, Carmee & Zac Remix) (Unreleased)
Moojo ft Gabsy - Ze Roberto
Shimza & Caiiro - Nyali
BUN XAPA - THIBANG THIBANG
Caiiro - Covalent Bonds
Estelle - American Boy (Betical remix) [New File]
Marasi - Sweet Dreams
Guapo & peaty - 6pm in casablanca
Tyla - Water (Yaacov Remix) (MASTER)
KURA - Sentir Saudade GUAPO (Antdot Remix)
In & Out of Love (Rivo Remix)
! Ta Ta Ta - &friends, Byanni (Extended)
Peaty - KILOSA (Afro Melodic Mix)-1
Fatboy Slim - Right Here, Right Now (Soubeiran Remix)
Gala - Freed From Desire (Choujaa Remix)

Melodic Techno

1. Ivory - Identity
2. Ivory (IT), Tal Fussman - Labyrinth
3. Shinedoe - Phunk (Beswerda Edit)
4. Scenarios - Resilience (andhim Remix)
5. PISSI - DUM DUM DA
6. Yulia Niko - Higher (Emanuel Satie Remix)
7. The System w_ Right Here, Right-1
8. Adam Ten - Kepler
9. Adam Ten - Magic Circus
10. Rhye - 3 Days (Adam Ten Edit)
11. Adam Ten - Cold Summer
12. Solique - Heat Of The Moment
13. Solique - Mood In The Jungle
14. Pumped Up Kick - Foster The People (Notre Dame Edit)
15. NOTRE DAME - Think about
16. Notre Dame - Frankenstein
17. Notre Dame - Ritmo del Mundo
18. Mind Against - Love Seeking
19. Eagles & Butterflies - ITALO
20. Yotam Avni - Island Hopper (Frankey & Sandrino Remix)
21. Toto Chiavetta - Acqua (Original Mix)
22. Jimi Jules - Palpitations
23. MARTIN SOLVEIG – PARADISE (CHAMBORD REMIX)_
24. Rüfüs Du Sol - New Sky (Colyn Sunrise Remix ) 6A
25. Lil Yachty - I've officially lost vision (Tim Engelhardt Edit)
26. Massive Attack - Teardrop (Antony Toga Remix)
27. The XX - Fiction (Eagles & Butterflies Remix)
28. Mind Against & Aether - Black Museum
29. Imperieux - Agani
30. OPUS III - It's A Fine Day (Aera's Finite Edit)
31. Schneider TM, Kptmichigan - The Light 3000 (Aera Private Edit)
32. Selim Sivade - Don't Speak (Original Mix
33. Kevin di Serna - Amapola (Toto Chiavetta Remix)
34. Ditian - Save The Love
35. Colle - Thoughts (Original Mix)
36. Colle - Something to Believe (Original Mix)
37. Coeus - ID
38. Santiago Garcia - You In The Sky (Original M
39. Tiello - Triton
40. gleb filipchenkow - Toxico Love
41. Yet More - Don't Let Go
42. Yet-More_-Assayag-Look-At-My-Ass
43. Echonomist - Ikaros
44. Echonomist - Lullaby
45. The Prodigy - No Good (Start to Dance) (Joe Mattei Edit).mp3
46. Simian Mobile Disco - Caught in a Wave (&ME Remix)
47. Animal Picnic - Martini
48. Animal-Picnic-Santiago-Garcia-You-Are-Around-Original-Mix
49. Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted (Ivory Head Underwater Remix)
50. Ego-Maria-T-Mapper-Native
51. Luke Garcia, Th3 Oth3r ft. Strings Bit - Citara (Original Mix)
52. Luke Garcia, Th3 Oth3r ft. Strings Bit - Lira (Original Mix)
53. Rebuke Und Off The Meds Along Come Belter Underspreche Experiment
54. Dan Сroll - From Nowhere (Ame Remix)

Afro (keine)

1. SOMMA, YUMA - All 4 U
2. Lazare - Not Control
3. Ankhoï - After All Night Shift
4. Ankhoï - Sandiya
5. Ankhoï - Cloud
6. Ankhoï - No Sleep (Original Mix)
7. Key Notez - Your Love Ain't The Same ( Maz Remix )
8. Amy Winehouse Back To Black ( DSF Edit )
9. Donna Summer - I Feel Love ( VXSION Edit )
10. Collé - Kupata feat Nes Mburu
11. FCL - It's You (Alex Wann Remix)
12. Mwaki - Zerb ft. Sofia Nzau ( &Friends Remix )
13. Time - PACHANGA BOYS ( Roy Rosenfeld Private Mix )
14. Moojo, Demayä feat. Arkadyan - Desperado (Besh Remix)
15. who is he - bill withers (victhor remix)
16. BLACK COFFEE, ZAKES BANTWINI - JUJU (CHALEEE & SAMMI FERRER EDIT)
17. Francis Mercier, Frigid Armadillo, Luedji Luna - Uiara
18. Nico De Andrea - My Everything (Bohemian Extended Remix)
19. Yamil - Amonunde
20. Yamil - Cotonú
21. Yamil - Nimbe
22. Marten Lou - Better Days
23. Camelphat - What a Day (Marten Lou Remix)
24. Luchii - Vertebrea (SOMMA Remix)
25. Folamour, Amadou & Mariam - Voyage (Antdot remix)
26. Guapo & Peaty - 6pm In Casablanca
27. Juan Yarin - Sun WLimiter
28. KURA - Sentir Saudade (GUAPO & Antdot Remix)
29. Peaty, Soldera - Niafunke
30. Ajna & Jamiie ft Nomvula - ID DEMO NEW
31. Alok - Yawanawa Sina Vaishu (Maz Remix)
32. QUENTRO & Tuna - Soro Soke
33. Raffa Guido - Preguntas
34. PEATY - Ouda
35. Peaty - KILOSA
36. Chouja - Nyu Bi Woni
37. Ah Ya Alby (Ajna & Samm Edit)
38. Rockin Moroccan - All that she wants
39. Raffa Guido - Famax (Jerak Remix)
40. Cloonee Wade - Mi Amor (VXSION Remix)
41. DOT (BR), Rachel Reis - Eu Vou Pra Bahia (DSF Remix)
42. The Weeknd - Save Your Tears (DSF Edit)
43. Marasi - Sweet Dreams
44. MILKY CHANCE - STOLEN DANCE (VXSION EDIT)
45. Joris_Voorn,_Matthew_Dear_Homeland_&ME_Remix_Jinadu_Vocal_Edit
46. Maz,_Bakka_BR,_Berimbouse_A_Hora_é_Agora_Ft_Rafa_Unreleased
47. Raffa Guido - Yo ma Love (Original mix)
48. Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (DSF Edit)
49. Liva K - True Story
50. TRAVIS SCOTT - BUTTERFLY EFFECT (&ME EDIT)
51. Candi Stanton - Hallelujah Anyway (Larse 2024 Edit)
52. MOOJO, DA CAPO FEAT. TABIA - WHAT U DESIRE (VOCAL MIX)
53. Cesaralina [Darmon Edit] ( Montrouge Remix )
54. Naomi Sharon - Definition Of Love ( Alex Kósh Remix )
55. Cheb Khaled - Abdel Kader (Mont Rouge Remix).wav
56. Maz, APACHE, Maxi Meraki (feat. Tabia) - Nothing On Me (&ME Edit).mp3
57. Harry Styles - Sign Of The Time (DSF Remix).wav
58. Janet Jackson – Together Again (Rampa Edit)
59. Lemon Glow - Beach House (Marten Lou Remix).wav
60. Frank Ocean – Lost (Beswerda Remix).mp3
61. Moojo, AWEN – Giant [Master].wav
62. Adassiya - Sa Ansa (Alex Twin Remix)
63. Anastacia - Left Outside Alone (DSF Edit)
64. Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (Da Capo Dub)
65. Caiiro, Moojo – Here We Are V1 Master.wav
66. Bob Marley - Is This Love (DSF's Believe In U Edit).flac
67. Reamonn - Supergirl (DSF Edit).mp3
68. Chris IDH - Sunray
69. Da Capo Ft. Toshi - New Sun (Original Mix)
70. Uncle Waffles - Tanzania (Rampa Remix)
71. Drake - A Keeper (Moojo Remix)
72. Marten Lou - Radiohead 40
73. Rihanna - Stay (Moojo Remix)
74. Omah Lay & Naomi Sharon - Push ( BLK Remix )
75. Sanba Yo Pran Pale (&ME Remix)
76. Samm (BE) & Ajna (BE) - Move V2
77. Brandy - Almost Doesn’t Count (&ME Edit)
78. Da Africa Deep - Humans (&ME Edit)
79. Mano, Ajna - Bottom
80. Samm & Ajna - A Frenchie Thing
81. Ajna (BE) - Astro
82. Alex Wann, Soubeiran, Nes Mburu - N’Gele
83. Bun Xapa - La Mezcla
84. Keinemusik - Muye (Enoo Napa Remix)
85. MoBlack, Santiago Garcia ft. Yung Wylin - Good Energy
86. Moojo - Swing My Way
87. Samm & Reyou - Mama Hoekanda
88. Ilanga - Masšh (&Me Edit)
89. Masšh___Adam_Port_feat_Ninae_All_I_Got_Original_Mix
90. Rui Da Silva - Touch Me (Peace Control Remix)
91. Franc Fala - MoBlack, Benja, Franc Fala - Yamore (FF Master)
92. Downstream - MakeÌ_z, Life on Planets (Lazare Remix)
93. Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted (Marten Lou Remix)
94. Cher - Believe (Super Flu Remix)
95. Drake - Get it Together (VXSION Remix)
96. Feid - Classy 101 (Maz, VXSION Edit)
97. Antdot & Maz - Corpo e Canção
98. Maz - Ndaciii
99. Maz (BR) & Antdot - Run (Original Mix)
100. Samm (BE) - Troy
101. Innerbloom - RÜFÜS DU SOL (Dennis Louvra Remix)
102. Samm & Maxi Meraki - Everybody Get Up
103. VXSION, Peace Control - Back To Life
104. ZASA ID- KEINEMUSIK
105. Toto - Africa (Rampa Remix)mp3
106. Unkle - Only You (&ME Remix).mp3
107. Chris IDH – 7Nation.wav
108. Naomi Sharon - Another Life (DSF Remix).wav
109. Abra - Feel (&ME Remix).wav
110. Pablo Fierro – Kababo (Unreleased Edit).wav
111. Future & Tems - Wait 4 U (Mont Rouge Remix).wav
112. France Gall – Ella, Elle L’a (Rampa Edit).wav

Only vinyl

1. Toto chiavetta _thank you in all languages (vinyl edition)
2. Auggie - Kithanda
3. Ego Maria - Anarchico
4. Ikaro Grati - Yan Bapala
5. Oyuki - Desaparecidos
6. Sobek X Colossio - Tatras (Vinyl Edit)
7. Trommer - Metalized
8. John Talabot - Machine (John Talabot's Synthedit
9. echonomist _overseas
10. eri _lapsed technology
11. olaaf stuut ft marlon penn _run_ (toto chiavetta edit)
12. Agoria - Remedy (Frankey & Sandrino Remix)
13. leafar legov - Alone
14. The Alan Pearsons Project - Sirius (Innellea Remix)
15. Tocotronic - Die Unendlichkeit (Roman Flügel Club Mix)
16. Kavinsky - Nightcall (Dixon's Private Edit)
17. Pergola ft lygdamo _rockin' in the free world
18. Eliot Sumner - After Dark (Dixon Edit)
19. Machine (Bodi Bill Version Dixon Edit)
20. Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance (Dixon Edit)
21. Batongo Equation 2
22. CV - Fish Liquor
23. Khidja-Haetrin-John-Talabots-Late-Remix
24. Little-Dragon-Thunder-Love-Mario-Basanov-Vidis-Redo
25. Nils Frahm - Peter (The Drifter Edit)