#darksword

By Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

This is a standalone TTRPG based on the setting of Weis and Hickman's Darksword series. The Darksword Adventures book is mainly composed of a large volume of setting information, apparently intended to facilitate users of other game systems transitioning to a new setting, but it also includes about 100 pages of rules for its own dedicated system (which it calls "Phantasia", but I think "Darksword Adventures", the title of the book, is more likely to be recognized), with idiosyncratic probability mechanics based on hand signals (but substitutable by 10-sided dice) and suggestions for converting characters from other game systems (implicitly primarily Dungeons & Dragons). Perhaps the highlight of the book is the preface, a short story which involving characters within the setting playing Phantasia as part of the education of a young aristocrat.

A sophisticated iOS exploit kit, DarkSword, has been wielded by multiple threat actors to infiltrate devices in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Ukraine, stealing messages, crypto wallets, and more before Apple patched all six vulnerabilities.

Source: Google Threat Intelligence Group

"When I'm Queen, I will create a new order."

The iconic lead of House of the Dragon. I know the overall message of ASOIAF is that royalty and absolute power are inherently destructive and wrong... but I'm kind of a simp for purple eyed silver haired queens.

We asked our team at Kult of Athena HQ to share the one product they'd recommend you purchase from our site.

Here are some of their choices:

 Darksword – Sword of Feanor with Scent-Stopper Type Pommel

 APOC Brutus – Gladius Sword designed by Gus Trim

 Musha Red Stained Shirasaya Katana

 Devil’s Edge – Tactical Egyptian Khopesh – 420 Stainless

 Ronin Katana Dojo-Pro Model 18

 Lord of Battles – Double-Ball Flail

So far the plan was going pretty well. 

Felix had left Fhirdiad a day earlier than originally planned. He rode though the night, swapped horses just inside the Empire (paying extra to have his original horse returned to Dimitri), and kept going. After a mix of generous camping conditions and rainy days, Felix arrived in Enbarr a whole day earlier than Hubert was expecting him. 

It was near evening. Hubert would likely still be in the palace with Edelgard. Even so, Felix used the merchant’s gate near the river to enter the capital. He didn’t want word spreading that Duke Fraldarius had returned. If Dorothea had taught him anything since he moved here, it was that rumors spread like wild fire, and always to the people you didn’t want to hear them.

A rush of contentment filled Felix as he came in sight of their estate. He didn’t usually think himself the needy type-- but this trip to the Kingdom had been the longest since he and Hubert had married last fall. Two weeks into his visit, Felix had rolled over in bed and felt a sudden longing as his arm hit pillow instead of husband.

Hubert was coming with him next time. Felix would give him no choice. Maybe Edelgard would help-- she loved cooperating with Felix to give Hubert time off.

Once at the estate, the servants scrambled to help Felix with his horse and bags. One asked if Felix wanted a hot bath but he shook his head. “Don’t tell Hubert I’m home,” he ordered them all. “I’m going to wait in his study.”

The plan had been forming in Felix’s mind all journey: He would wait in Hubert’s desk chair for his husband to return. Hubert would walk in, spot Felix, and look completely and utterly shocked that he was home so soon. Felix would drink in the rare expression for a moment before crossing the room and pulling Hubert in for a kiss. Their first kiss in over a month. 

Smirking to himself, Felix opened the study door. And froze.

Hubert looked up from his desk. ”Welcome home.” His tone was pleasant but his eyes spoke of mischief. “Dinner will be ready soon. I take it the trip went well?”

Felix stared for a moment before stepping inside and slamming the door behind him. “How the hell did you find out?” He snapped.

Now the mischief bled into Hubert’s smile as he stood. “The fact that you thought you could surprise the Emperor’s spymaster in his own city is somewhere between laughable and adorable.”

“I’m not adorable.”

“Then you leave me no choice but to laugh at your expense.” Felix crossed his arms even as Hubert drew close and put his hands to Felix’s waist. True to his word, Hubert chuckled. “Apologies, would you like me to pretend to be shocked next time?”

“Shut up.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

Felix’s anger broke at the words. He put a hand to the back of Hubert’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss. That part, at least, went as Felix had expected. They kissed slowly, deeply-- as if trying to memorize the other’s mouth again. Hubert pressed closer and Felix’s arms wrapped around Hubert’s neck. 

Hubert pulled back just far enough to look down into Felix. “I did miss you,” Hubert said, all teasing gone from his voice. 

“Missed you, too.” Felix pressed his forehead to Hubert’s shoulder so he wouldn’t have to look at Hubert when he added, “A lot. More than I thought I would.”

With a hum of agreement, Hubert hugged Felix properly. Felix squeezed Hubert tighter, drinking in his scent of coffee and ink and home, aware that he himself probably smelled horrible after his time on the road.

This was fine, Felix told himself as Hubert pressed a kiss to the side of his head. The planned had failed-- but he had made it home without issue, and a hot meal was waiting for them downstairs. 

Yall really like darksword angst huh...well I haven’t written any darksword in ages and this has been sitting in my inbox for a while soo-

Hanahaki, but chronic! I’ll just be focusing on Hubert having hanahaki here!

So, Hubert’s got hanahaki. He’d definitely know what he had - with all the research into various curses, diseases, and poisons he’s done, it’s highly unlikely that he wouldn’t have heard of it. Though he definitely wouldn’t understand why. At least, not at first. 

After all, there’s no way that someone like him could’ve fallen in love. The only love he could’ve felt would be for Lady Edelgard, that was strictly devotion, not romantic. He cared for her, but not enough that he’d be coughing up flowers due to it. 

Then his thoughts trailed to Felix. Felix Hugo Fraldarius. 

Felix had transferred to their class not too long ago thanks to the Professor, and Hubert told himself that he was only watching him to make sure he did not have any ill intentions. He convinced himself that the strange feeling in his chest was simply caution, and that the time they spent together was purely for the sake of gathering information.

Clearly, he thought to himself as he coughed up flowers for what felt like the hundredth time, he had failed.

No matter. This hanahaki wouldn’t kill him. He could deal with it. He’d simply force it down, as he always did. Force down the flowers alongside the thoughts of the blue-haired man, the thoughts of the times they spent together. The thoughts of them perhaps growing closer. 

The vain, distant thoughts of, once Lady Edelgard’s mission was completed, spending the rest of his life with Felix.

He’d force them all down.