incredible move by warhorse to dump so much of kcd1 henry's momentum into getting back his father's sword (the self-imposed, blindness-inducing personal quest that helps him survive being consumed by grief for his family) only to just fucking swat it away so effortlessly in kcd2 when hans is in danger and we realize (as henry must) that the sword means almost nothing and his purpose and life's focus have shifted to being with hans. the sword becomes such a tertiary issue that we (and henry) don't even really realize we've stopped thinking about it - it just drops and fizzles into the background, so much so it's like a splash of cold water when we suddenly have it in hand, and it dawns upon us we could not care less. we haven't cared about it in a while.

the sword quest, and by extension the revenge quest, was deeply important to the plot and the character arc... but not for the reason kcd1 might have led us to think. this was in fact both (1) a hinge between the games and (2) a memento of what this growing henry regretted not caring about more in his former life: respect for his father, knowledge of his family, appreciation of the mundane blessing that he was so profoundly loved. it played its role in keeping henry moving through grief and its growing pains until maturity & circumstances led him to find another reason to be alive.

because who has any care or energy to spare on a stupid sword when we are focused on getting back to hans - who has become henry's family.

When you're trying to be reassuring and all you get back is 🥺

had to put op's tags in here

A little timelapse of that watercolor portrait of Erik that I made recently 🥰

Kovářův syn a jeho pán

I genuinely went into this game thinking I'd be totally normal about them. Oh well.

(Also pls open the picture, tumblr fucked up the quality :[ )

ABSOLUTNÍ BANGER! MILUJU TO RAAAAAH

TRANSLATION FOR THE POEM IN THE BG:

I may be a bit late for this but still, have some WIPish hansry-romance-scene-what-we-didn't-see

tried to paint this in color and couldn't get it to work for my life 🫠 so sepia it is

I find it funny how some people are so distressed about Henry & Hans being a "doomed relationship". Mistresses & secret lovers were THE thing in times where marriage was a political tool, not a loving ceremony.

Children of nobility mostly didn't have the luxury (haha pun) to choose whom they loved, it was mostly about climbing the social ladder, gaining land or more riches.

There are so many historical figures that are rumoured to have one or even more affairs & sweethearts outside of their blue blooded wedlock! (For example England's King Edward IV, who had quite a lot of romantic affairs - and that while being the fucking King of the country! Imagine what smaller fish could get away with!)

"But they are Christian! That's a sin!" - You might say. And yes, some were god-fearing to a point of just taking the cards they were dealt with without rebellion. Some others however have always & will always bend the rules to fit their choices or excuse the whole thing by throwing more money the church's way.

So yeah, Hansry is honestly just as "doomed" as Hans & his wife-to-be but that doesn't mean Hans can't keep Henry around for as long as he pleases - and the same goes for dear Jitka.

I honestly love the idea that, as Henry & Hans discussed, Jitka might not be married yet for a reason. And no, I don't believe she's ugly or a horrible person, I've had enough of "evil woman in the way of my ship! >:("

Perhaps Jitka isn't wedded because she herself has a beau that the family would not approve of. A chambermaid? A local artisan? Another noblewoman? An already married nobleman of lower hierarchy? Or hell, her bodyguard, haha.

Imagine the shenanigans Hans & Jitka could get up to, playing their snobby court for fools, day in day out. I honestly find that so much more fun than writing Hansry off as "doomed" just because Hans has to marry.

you've saved me from the streets,

now let me pleasure you on the sheets

🍃🌼☀️ A festive celebration around the maypole ☀️🌼🍃

I am SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS!! I collaborated with @putrecabra who lent their phenomenal lineart and absolutely lovely designs for this wood burning project!

This piece is meant to celebrate the joy and warmth of summer while keeping the lingering fingers of death at bay--or, hell, inviting it along as you dance with that dearest heart which gives you so much life ❤️‍🔥 ⚔️

Once again, I cannot thank @putrecabra enough for working with me on this; all the energy and heart of this comes from their drawing, I just burnt it onto a slab of wood and died a little as the paint for Hans's pants came out too dark LOL

Some process pics under the cut if you're curious

he's so pathetic i love him

You've got a nerve!

feast