Elden ring healing incantations

Check this out, I just watched this 1963 movie called The Slime People, in which a city is surrounded by impenetrable thick fog (!) (and the characters need to penetrate what they call "fog walls" in order to move around the city) and terrible monsters appear on the streets. They are slime people made out of slime, and they fight with harpoons. Sort of like a certain someone in ER is made out of clay and fights with harpoons... That's right. The clayman!
Now behold. Here's a picture of a clayman from ER: https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/clayman.jpg
And here's a picture of a Slime Person from an obscure movie nobody saw: https://thedoctorsmodelmansion.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/markglassy-slimepeople-01.jpg
They are basically the same guy!

I’ve always enjoyed RPG’s. But my time is very limited these days. I’ve ran through Elden Ring numerous times. I started Diablo but just unable to spend a lot of time grinding. Any suggestions on games to play when I have an hour or two to kill from time to time?

There are two problems. First is whenever I try to fast travel to the triangle between Durable Dunn's Sacked caravan, Raul's shack and Vault 34 game crashes. Second is whenever I fight any turret that is connected to a ceiling game crashes.
There is a modlist.
#Mod_Priority,#Mod_Status,#Mod_Name,#Mod_Version
"0000","+","DLC: TribalPack",""
"0001","+","DLC: OldWorldBlues",""
"0002","+","DLC: MercenaryPack",""
"0003","+","DLC: LonesomeRoad",""
"0004","+","DLC: HonestHearts",""
"0005","+","DLC: GunRunnersArsenal",""
"0006","+","DLC: DeadMoney",""
"0007","+","DLC: ClassicPack",""
"0008","+","DLC: CaravanPack",""
"0009","-","Utilities_separator",""
"0010","+","Fixed ESMs",""
"0011","+","JIP LN NVSE Plugin","f57.01"
"0012","+","JohnnyGuitar NVSE","4.93.0.0"
"0013","+","Crash Logger","3.0.0.0"
"0014","+","NVTF - New Vegas Tick Fix","10.2.2.3"
"0015","+","NVTF - INI Presets","10.2.2.2"
"0016","+","FNV Mod Limit Fix","3.0.0.0"
"0017","+","kNVSE Animation Plugin","20.0.0.0"
"0018","+","Console Paste Support","1.0.0.0"
"0019","+","ShowOff xNVSE Plugin","1.60.0.0"
"0020","+","ShowOff xNVSE Plugin INI","--"
"0021","+","JIP Companions Command and Control","2.60.0.0"
"0022","+","JIP CCC HD icons","1.0.0.0"
"0023","+","SUP NVSE","8.35.0.0"
"0024","-","Bug Fixes_separator",""
"0025","+","Yukichigai Unofficial Patch - YUP","12.6.0.0"
"0026","+","Unofficial Patch NVSE Plus","1.4.4.0"
"0027","+","Improved AI (Navmesh Overhaul Mod)","2.0.0.0"
"0028","+","lStewieAl's Tweaks and Engine Fixes","8.65.0.0"
"0029","+","Stewie Tweaks Essentials INI","f1.05"
"0030","+","Presets for LstewieAL's Tweaks","5.0.0.0"
"0031","+","Combat Lag Fix (NVSE)","1.0.0.0"
"0032","+","ISControl Enabler and Ironsights adjuster (now ESPless)","1.4.0.0"
"0033","+","Vanilla Iron Sights Realligned","1.1.0.0"
"0034","+","New Vegas Mesh Improvement Mod - NVMIM","1.10.0.0"
"0035","+","Collision Meshes","1.6.3.0"
"0036","+","Asterra's Many Fixes","1.16.0.0b"
"0037","+","Improved Lighting Shaders","1.5.0.0b4a"
"0038","+","Climate Control NVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0039","+","Elijah Voice Audio Files Fix","0.2.0.0"
"0040","+","ActorCause Save Bloat Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0041","+","Aqua Performa - Strip Performance Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0042","+","Fog-based Object Culling","2.0.0.0"
"0043","+","Exterior Emittance Fix - NVSE","1.1.0.0"
"0044","+","Crafting Consistency Fix","1.1.1.0"
"0045","+","ExRB - Extended Roombounds","1.4.0.0"
"0046","+","Strip Lights Region Fix","1.3.0.0"
"0047","+","Johnson Nash Ammo Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0048","-","User Interface_separator",""
"0049","+","UIO - User Interface Organizer","2.30.0.0"
"0050","+","One HUD - oHUD","1.2.1.0"
"0051","+","The Mod Configuration Menu","1.5.0.0"
"0052","+","Vanilla UI Plus (New Vegas)","9.48.0.0"
"0053","+","Clean Vanilla Hud","0.59.0.0b"
"0054","+","Consistent Pip-Boy Icons","4.4.0.0"
"0055","+","Consistent Addon Icons","4.0.0.0"
"0056","+","Clean Companion Wheel","0.9.0.0"
"0057","+","High Res Local Maps","1.2.0.0"
"0058","+","High Resolution Screens","1.1.0.0"
"0059","+","yUI - User Ynterface","1.4.0.0d"
"0060","+","Simple Cursor (YUI)","0.1.0.0"
"0061","+","ySI - Sorting Ycons","1.4.0.0b"
"0062","-","Gameplay_separator",""
"0063","+","JAM - Just Assorted Mods","4.4.0.0"
"0064","+","Bullet Time Improved - a JAM addon","f1.01"
"0065","+","NPCs Sprint In Combat","2.13.0.0"
"0066","+","Real Recoil","1.2.1.0"
"0067","+","Real Recoil Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0068","+","Follower Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0069","+","Delay DLC Redux","1.5.0.0"
"0070","+","NV Collectibles - Merged","1.0.0.0"
"0071","+","Better Caravan","1.0.0.0"
"0072","+","Soft-Lock Aim-Assist","1.1.0.0"
"0073","+","FOV Slider","2.9.0.0"
"0074","+","NAWEMO - NPCs use Ammo Variants and Weapon Mods","1.3.3.0"
"0075","+","NPCs use Aid items","2.3.0.0"
"0076","+","Martialize","0.6.0.0"
"0077","+","Consistent Spread - Firearms Accuracy and Wobble Fix","1.1.0.0"
"0078","+","BallistX - Internal and External Ballistics","5.0.0.0"
"0079","+","B42 Inspect - aka Animated Ammo and Weapon Condition Checking","f1.01-hotfix"
"0080","+","B42 Melee Bash","0.5.0.0b"
"0081","+","B42 Quickthrow - an alternative grenade hotkey mod","3.1.0.0b"
"0082","+","Quickthrow Stylized HUD Icons","1.1.0.0"
"0083","+","B42 Descriptions aka Pip-Info","0.3.0.0"
"0084","-","Overhauls_separator",""
"0085","+","JSawyer Ultimate Edition","5.5.1.0"
"0086","+","JSawyer Ultimate Edition - Push's Tweaks","5.5.0.0"
"0087","+","Mojave Arsenal","3.0.8.0"
"0088","+","Famine - A Loot Rarity Mod","1.3.0.0"
"0089","+","Food Effect Tweaks - Custom Food Healing","1.0.0.0"
"0090","+","Player Combat Priority","1.0.2.0"
"0091","+","Player Combat Priority Alt Chance To Attack Dog Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0092","+","Essential Vanilla Enhancements Merged","1.3.2.0"
"0093","+","Essential Vanilla Enhancements Merged - JSawyer Ultimate Push Tweaks Patch","1.3.2.0"
"0094","+","EVEM - YUP Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0095","+","EVEM - Crafting Consistency Fix Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0096","+","EVEM - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0097","+","EVEM - Mojave Arsenal Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0098","+","Navmesh Overhaul VNV Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0099","+","Better Character Creation","1.0.0.0"
"0100","+","Harder Barter Faster Stronger","f1.01"
"0101","+","Economy Overhaul","3.0.4.0"
"0102","+","Economy Overhaul - FO3E INI","3.0.0.0"
"0103","+","Better Brotherhood","2.1.0.0c"
"0104","+","DEC - Dynamic Essential Companions","1.1.0.0"
"0105","+","Immersive Critical Effects (AKA Classic Critical Effects)","f1.06a"
"0106","+","Radioactive Muck","1.0.0.0"
"0107","+","Canvas Backpacks - FNV - TTW","2.0.0.0"
"0108","+","Accessible Lucky shades","1.1.0.0"
"0109","-","Content_separator",""
"0110","+","Uncut Wasteland","1.0.0.0"
"0111","+","Strip Lights Region Fix - Uncut Wasteland","Patch"
"0112","+","Essential DLC Enhancements Merged","1.3.2.0"
"0113","+","Essential DLC Enhancements Merged - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0114","+","Mojave Raiders","1.2.3.0"
"0115","+","Mojave Raiders Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0116","+","Mojave Raiders - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0117","+","Mojave Raiders - EVEM Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0118","+","Mojave Wildlife","1.1.0.0"
"0119","+","The Living Desert - Travelers Patrols Consequences Increased Population and more","2.3.0.0"
"0120","+","Simple Open Strip","1.8.0.0"
"0121","+","Simple Open Freeside","1.7.0.0"
"0122","+","Mojave NPCs","1.6.5.0"
"0123","+","Mojave NPCs - FPGE Patch","1.6.4.0"
"0124","+","Cook-Cook In His Castle","1.2.0.0"
"0125","+","Functional Post Game Ending","5.6.5.0"
"0126","+","FPGE Patch - JSawyer Ultimate","1.0.0.0"
"0127","+","FPGE Patch - Uncut Wasteland (Viva New Vegas)","1.0.0.0"
"0128","+","FPGE Patch - Mojave Raiders","1.4.0.0"
"0129","+","FPGE Patch - Simple Open Strip","1.0.0.0"
"0130","+","FPGE Patch - Simple Open Freeside","1.0.0.0"
"0131","+","FPGE Patch - Cook-Cook In His Castle","1.0.0.0"
"0132","+","Mojave Express Courier Delivery Work - Primm","2.4.0.0"
"0133","+","No Toll Booths for Mojave Express Courier Delivery Work","1.0.0.0"
"0134","+","The Someguy Series","2.0.0.0"
"0135","+","New Vegas Bounties I","1.55.0.0"
"0136","+","New Vegas Bounties II","1.47.0.0"
"0137","+","New Vegas Bounties III",".954"
"0138","+","The Inheritance","1.29.0.0"
"0139","+","King of the Ring","f1.04"
"0140","+","New Vegas Killer","1.0.0.0"
"0141","+","The Better Angels","f1.01"
"0142","+","CONELRAD 640-1240 - Civil Defense Radio","1.4.0.0"
"0143","+","Platinum Radio - A New Radio for New Vegas","2.0.0.0"
"0144","+","Blues Radio New Vegas","1.1.0.0"
"0145","+","Cowboy Radio","2.0.0.0"
"0146","-","Textures_separator",""
"0147","+","NMCs_Texture_Pack_For_New_Vegas","1.0.0.0"
"0148","+","NMCs_Texture_Pack_For_New_Vegas_Washedout_Wasteland","1.0.0.0"
"0149","+","Asterra's Many Fixes - NMC's Texture Pack compatibility","1.1.0.0"
"0150","+","Weapon Mesh Improvement Mod","1.3.0.0"
"0151","+","Weapon Retexture Project - WRP","2.2.4.0"
"0152","+","WTH - Weapon Textures from Heaven","1.1.0.0"
"0153","+","WTH - WRP Patch","1.1.0.0"
"0154","+","Armed to the Teeth - Redux","2.3.0.0"
"0155","+","All Non DLC Clothing Retex 2K","1.0.0.0"
"0156","+","All DLC Clothing Retex 2K","1.0.0.0"
"0157","+","Power Armor Visual Enhancement (PAVE)","2.1.0.0"
"0158","+","EVE - Essential Visual Enhancements","1.19.0.0"
"0159","+","EXE - Effect teXtures Enhanced","2.0.0.0"
"0160","+","All Weapon Sounds Overhaul Modern Edition - AWSOME","1.0.0.0"
"0161","+","Simple Open Freeside - Vanilla LOD","1.0.0.0"
"0162","+","Simple Open Strip - Vanilla LOD","1.0.0.0"
"0163","+","NMC's Pre-Generated LOD Updated","1.0.0.0"
"0164","+","Improved LOD Noise Texture","f1.00"
"0165","+","FNVLODGen Resources","1.1.0.0"
"0166","+","LOD additions and improvements","f1.07"
"0167","+","Much Needed LOD","1.2.0.0"
"0168","+","Much Needed LOD - NMC WASHEDOUTWASTELAND Patch","1.2.0.0"
"0169","+","FNV LOD Texture Patches","0.7.0.0"
"0170","+","TCM's LOD Overhaul","1.1.0.0"
"0171","+","Bullet Impact Increased LOD","d2023.5.26.0"
"0172","+","Enhanced Bullet Impacts","1.0.0.0"
"0173","+","xLODGen Output",""
"0174","-","Visuals_separator",""
"0175","+","Pip-Boy 2000 Mk VI","0.9.0.0"
"0176","+","Different PipBoy Animations","2.0.0.0"
"0177","+","No Muzzle Flash Lights","2.0.0.0"
"0178","+","Melee Hitstop Effects","f3.01"
"0179","+","Anniversary Anim Pack","1.9.0.0d"
"0180","+","Anniversary Anim Pack - General Bugfix","1.3.0.0"
"0181","+","Anniversary Anim Pack - Bonus Patch","1.3.0.0a"
"0182","+","Dedicated Weapon Animations (kNVSE)","0.2.9.0"
"0183","+","rockomotion","1.0.0.0"
"0184","+","Butcher Pete Complete - A Melee Animation Overhaul","1.0.0.0"
"0185","+","Wasteland Warrior - A Melee Animation Overhaul","1.0.0.0"
"0186","+","Viewmodel Recoil 0.308","d2023.5.28.0"
"0187","+","Power Fists Debulked","1.3.0.0"
"0188","+","Gauntlets Debulked","1.0.0.0"
"0189","+","Auto Melee Debulked","1.0.0.0"
"0190","+","Unarmed Animations","f1.00"
"0191","+","Different PowerFist Animations Xolerys kNVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0192","+","B42 Weapon Inertia","1.2.0.0"
"0193","+","B42 Dropmag and One in the chamber","1.2.0.0b"
"0194","+","Permanent Weapon Shells","1.1.0.0"
"0195","+","Awesome Staggering","1.5.0.0"
"0196","+","Diagonal movement","0.6.0.0b"
"0197","+","Ragdolls","5.3.9.0."
"0198","+","NV Compatibility Skeleton","13.0.0.0"
"0199","+","3rd person Movement Animations Overhaul (and bugfix)","1.0.0.0"
"0200","+","NVTS - New Vegas True Scopes","1.0.0.0"
"0201","+","Pip-Boy Shading Fix NVSE","1.0.0.0a"
"0202","+","Strip Street Light Corrections","1.0.0.0"
"0203","+","A Little More Lamplight","1.2.0.0"
"0204","+","Atmospheric Lighting Tweaks (Interior Lighting for FNV and TTW)","1.2.1.0"
"0205","+","Clarity - An Orange Tint Remover","1.2.0.0"
"0206","+","MoonlightNVSE","1.5.1.0"
"0207","+","High Resolution Bloom NVSE","5.0.0.0"
"0208","+","Cloud Shadows","1.0.1.0"
"0209","+","Cloud Shadows - Clear Weather","1.0.0.0"
"0210","+","Cloud Upgrade NVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0211","+","Interior Rain","1.0.0.0"
"0212","+","Climate Control - Rain","1.0.0.0"
"0213","+","Character Expansions Revised","2.0.0.0"
"0214","+","Character Expansions - YUP","P2.0"
"0215","+","Character Expansions Revised - JSU","P1.1"
"0216","+","Character Expansions Revised - MR","P1.3"

I have 780 hours on Elden ring and after 2 months I go to play so I can get ready for the dic but all my saved data is lost. I have Elden ring on a ps4 disc in my ps5 console. Is there any way can get my data back cause I don't feel like grinding from 0 again. Please help.

My love life is a mess and I've never really been able to open up to anyone about my relationship situation and how it's played out, so here it is.
I apologize beforehand for the rambling mess this is going to be. But I so desperately want to get this out into the world and, well, off my chest. Buckle in, it's a long one.
I've(27F) known N(26NB) since high school and always been allured by them, but we were never available at the same time or around each other more than the occasional friendly gathering. I went away to college and had issues with my then BF, N was my confidant in so many ways when I was away and isolated from my family on an internship and N had been keeping in contact better than BF at the time had been. We got too close then, BF at the time became uncomfortable, I had crossed a line with intimate messages. I had no idea at the time how much N felt towards me. Because of my error my college BF banned me from speaking with N or being alone with them. Reasonable, or at least I thought so at the time. Almost two years later I broke up with my college BF, that's when things really started getting complicated.
Because of the previous conflict and other circumstances N wasn't really in my life at the time. I fell in love with G(27m). G and I were and are two peas in a pod. They pushed me to work on my mental health, to chase my career goals, to strive towards a family. G had a son from a previous relationship that led me to tackle my fear of parenting and children and made me realize that I did want a family.
Then G's mother passed. I had never been good with understanding grieving, and G had never had to grieve in that way before. I was raised in a family that had the mentality of "People die, get over it, move on." Words I regretfully told G in one of our final fights as we broke up. See, G's mother was sick and dying when we started dating, her death had been looming on the horizon the entire time I was with G, she got two more years than the doctors predicted. I was by G's side through it all. Stepping up to take care of his son and being the parent I had previously been terrified of being. G saw me struggling and knew they were too emotionally unavailable to make me happy, so they posited that I should get closer with N, whom I had recently reconnected with.
See, over the course of mine and G's four year relationship we had experimented and begun to practice polyamory. It fit well with our lifestyle for the most part, and we had the communication skills to follow through with it. Previous to me seeing N it had been mostly casually dating people for a few months here and there. But this time it was different. See, I had reconnected with N and all of the chemistry we had always had was back full force. We were highschool sweethearts who were caught in a honeymoon phase. G tried to be patient, wait out the honeymoon phase, but they needed me. I was falling deeper and deeper in love with N while G was losing my interest more and more.
For a while things were okay. Communication was good, I spent time with both partners and everyone felt fulfilled, myself included. But as issues arose I was growing further and further from G and I was getting closer and closer to N. Don't get me wrong. G knew where I was and what was going on. He consented to it. I know polyamory gets frowned upon often, but it really did work for us previous to this instance. The difference was N wasn't someone I wanted to put second. I loved them a lot. We had great chemistry, they listened to me when G wouldn't. They hyped up my personal hobbies when G actively told me he didn't care about them. They championed my mental health when G had pushed it aside. G began to resent the time I was spending with N, I began to resent G for not allowing me time with N without calls or texts, or constant badgering on when I'd be home or when was N going to leave. I started lying about how long i'd be, or when i'd be home. I'd stay up late to talk with N as G went to bed alone. I started stonewalling G, distancing myself, sleeping on the couch, pushing them away. I still can't believe the things I did and said to them, someone I loved then and still love now.
A big issue was that I felt like I had the whole world on my shoulders when I came home at night. At age 24 I put a roof over our head, I paid for my own health insurance while he was still getting it for free, I did the cooking, grocery shopping, farmed full time as the manager of a cattle herd that required me to basically be on call 24/7. I was raising a toddler that wasn't mine because he was too exhausted after work. I made less money than G, but paid half the bills and was reprimanded when i had no fun money to go do things with him. He'd often buy himself new tools and accessories for his hobbies, he bought a three wheeler for a large chunk of change and then talked about how he couldn't afford an engagement ring. I felt neglected and taken for granted. Then to top it off I had to step up to be a therapist to my partner who had lost all meaning to his life when his mother died.
G handled me roughly with his words and physicality, told me he didn't know how to be romantic. His pet name for me was "dumb bitch" it started as a joke, I didn't mind at first but then it became the normal. He didn't allow me to have time to myself because he needed me to sit and look at tiktoks with him for an hour, but they couldn't even be bothered to give me a kiss when they got home from work, he just plopped down in his recliner and asked me to take his boots off. I felt like a roommate at the end. Or even worse, a mother. To top it off, G had a 'mommy kink' which I usually wouldn't judge, i've always been extremely open minded in the bedroom but it was fairly jarring considering the circumstances.
I ended up breaking things off with N after a fight between G and I where he threatened to leave me if things didn't change. Our communication was non-existent. We fought all of the time and I resented him. It was harvest season on the farm, a time that comes with massive amounts of stress, and I had no support system. My family had no real idea what was happening because I didn't feel safe talking to them. (Lots of childhood trauma and very judgemental parents that have a bit too much control in my life because they sign my paychecks.) Up to this point my main support had been N and I had pushed them away in a feeble attempt to fix things with G. I knew in the back of my head that things were ending. I was scared of being alone, scared of being financially incapable of taking care of myself. I went through with it though. I told G I was done and wanted him out. He put the thoughts in my head when he gave me the aforementioned ultimatum of "things need to change" it's really when I started losing hope and he's admitted his regret for those words since then as well.
It takes six weeks for him to move out and back in with his father. In the meantime I live in the basement spare bedroom and office. I felt like a prisoner in my own home. Anytime I was caught upstairs in the main living areas hed corner me, try to goad emotional talks out of me, try to beg for attention. I was cold. I was tired. All I had wanted was space and he continued to smother me for his own needs while completely ignoring my own. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I would've caved and just went to bed with him at night for a week or so. If I wouldn't have stonewalled him. If I would've given him a second chance would he have changed for me? I ask myself that a lot.
After he moved out I started talking to N again. I was bad at being alone, and so was N. They missed me. I tried to keep my distance and stay single, heal, and become a better more independent individual. But in the back of my mind I couldn't help but question if I had left G for myself, or if I had left him for N. I still wonder about it to this day, and I truly don't have an answer.
N and I weren't really officially dating. We acted like partners but we had never really made it public or announced it. Our mutual friends had a rough idea of what was going on. They supported the two of us together, thought we were a perfect match, thought we were great for each other. But it still wasn't official. Mainly because it felt like it was too soon. I thought that N was the one though, that given some time and self improvement we'd be perfect for eachother. A wrench was thrown in that plan when G came back into my life after very little contact. We worked for a seasonal business together, we were civil and professional enough that we didn't think there would be any issues.
At a big seasonal event (a week long business convention) G and I reconnected. We aired out some things needed for closure. We talked through a lot of hurts and how just in a few months we had both grown so much. We had been separated maybe four months at this point. My feelings hit me like a freight train. I carried a lot of guilt for how fast I had moved with N after the breakup, and for the shitty things I had done and said to G during the breakup when I was highly emotional. I realized how quickly I had pushed this person to whom I had wanted to get married and have a family with away. I saw how much better he was doing after some more time to grieve his mother's death and get himself back on his feet. He had changed jobs to something with more manageable hours that still paid well and he had reclaimed some of his hobbies that he had let go to the wayside due to stress and depression. He was doing so good for himself and I suddenly regretted everything. I remember venting to him about all of my insecurities at the time, and my concerns for life, and for a change, he actually listened and comforted me. Something he hadn't done since the first few years of our relationship.
Fast forward to after the business convention, I tell N that I need space. I realize that, as much as I love them, I have a lot to figure out, and honestly I missed G. A lot. I still wasn't over them, and there was a part of me that wanted to be better and try to get them to take me back. G told me that it was a slim chance, a very very slim chance. He told me that even though the odds looked tough, if i needed to hang onto that small chance to challenge myself to be better, then to do it. So I tried. Tried being independant, more social, better at house keeping for myself. I got closer with G again, but still spoke daily with N. There was a lot of emotional turmoil in my life but I had them both in my daily life again, and I was so happy for it. I got physical with G a few times in the span of a couple weeks. We weren't serious, it was more-so that we missed each others intimacy. I enjoyed the way they taunted me, and the things they did to me, it was like the beginning of our relationship again. But better because we knew each other better.
It didn't last long. G started talking to another girl, we stayed close friends, but he started making attempts at moving on. It hurt like hell. I made myself be okay with it though, and I made friends with the new girl because I didn't want to lose him again. I went back to N at that point. I was lonely, and i missed their uplifting affection. Things got more and more serious and G got more serious with his partner as well. Soon enough N and I were officially dating.
Honestly, at this point, life was great. N and I had so much chemistry physically, there were some things I missed about G and certain aspects of my previously polyamorous lifestyle, but I gained a lot of new things with N. They were so much more caring and thoughtful and gentle. They could satisfy me better. Almost a full year went by, N was basically living with me, I had some hiccups where I needed space, but we worked through them. But, then it started happening again. G came back. He was struggling with his relationship and venting to me about it. I hurt for him, I knew he deserved better. I wanted to be that for him despite my own relationship. I told myself that G and I couldn't work out, I told everyone that would listen that we were like oil and water. All the while we were each-others confidants. I lied to myself even. Tried to convince myself that I didn't have feelings like that for him anymore.
I began having issues of discontentment with my relationship with N. I craved a partner with the independence and social extroversion that G had grown to have, meanwhile N was very dependant on me for many things, and was extremely introverted. I truly did love them how they were, but the grass is always greener I guess. I hate myself even now for the things I thought and the way I felt about it all. I tried my best to communicate my problems, even going as far as admitting to N that I was still in love with G. It hurt them, but it wasn't a surprise. G and I had been hanging out as friends more and more, he had left his gf and was now single. N let me spend time with G with no fuss, they didn't want to deprive me of someone they knew I cared about. But being around G made me start to lose patience with N. It was history repeating itself opposite. N saw it happening, they started to get clingier, they were insecure. I can't blame them. They'd been on the opposite side of the situation before. They knew how I could be emotionally.
A giant moment was when G was telling me about his vasectomy consultation. As he was describing the process and how it would go I started tearing up out of nowhere. I didn't know why, it was then that I realized I wanted a family. Up until this point N had been very adamant about being child free. G had been the only person i'd ever considered having kids with, and that was about to be gone completely. G point blank asked me if I wanted him to freeze some, just in case the future went that way. That he didn't have to tell anyone and it would be our secret. It sent me into sobs. I didn't realize how strongly I had felt about it until then. At this point things just kept getting more complicated.
I tried to stay invested in my relationship with N. But it was getting more and more difficult. We had some trips planned, we had conversations about wanting a family, and our future. Possible career changes for them, they wanted to face some of their big anxieties so that they could be more independent. They even discussed the idea of having a kid someday and why they had been averse to it previously and how they felt it might be different with me. They constantly showed that they wanted to be a better person for me and were willing to put in the work.
I sit here typing this, knowing I still love them, knowing they were doing so much for me, and I wish I wouldn't have been so blind to it then. Instead of embracing their betterment, I told them I wanted to be single again. That I wanted to try to better myself alone and find my independence, the same things I told G when I left him. See, I had convinced myself that I wanted to get G back. That he was the person I was meant to be with. But every passing day my resolve waned. A week and a half after the breakup I ended up in G's bed again. He's confessed his feelings for me, how he wants to hash out old wounds and try again. At first I was all in. But now I just feel hollow. To top it off, I've kept in contact with N as well and we've been intimate since the break up. I have such strong feelings for the both of them and I don't know what to do about it. I could continue to try and go back to G, but he's dubious about having another kid, and marriage and all of the things that are important to me. I don't blame him. I broke his trust the first time we were together and I left him. I never gave him a chance to get better and I often feel genuinely evil for the way I acted while he was mourning the death of his mother. I was selfish and narrow minded.
But on the flip side, N is still right here comforting me, encouraging me, wanting me to succeed and be happy in life even without them, even though i know it kills them to see me go off and do things by myself or with G. It weighs on my mind all the time, the way they've professed undying love to me and told me that there is no one else for them. Because of their history and personality, it's hard not to believe it. They've always been so purely honest with me. I know that they'd take me back in a heartbeat, I don't feel worthy of their love.
What hurts the most and makes myself question everything is that through all this turmoil, being able to physically and emotionally interact with both of them at once is when I'm at my happiest and most fulfilled, but that's an impossible option. The idea of moving on from both and finding someone new is also an impossible option. They're both so much a part of me, and I live a lifestyle with a fair amount of isolation. I don't meet new people often at all, and I live a lifestyle that would require a partner to give up their life to join me, which means the older I get the less likely I am to find someone who is willing to do that. I don't think I can handle being alone forever and all I want is to move on to the next stage of my life. I'm pushing 30 and I feel like a 19 year old all over again.
This has been long and rambling and might not make much sense. To those who stuck through it and read it, thank you. To anyone who wants to weigh in, be it comments, advice, or criticism, I'll gladly accept it.
So Tl;Dr: I'm deeply in love with two people, have broken up with both of them seperate times to go to the other, but now I'm with neither and I question which one is the one for me or if I should just give up and be alone, knowing that one of the two will never move on from me and that I may never find as compatible partners because of my lifestyle.

Processer: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
with Radeon Graphics 2.10GHz
Installed RAM: 8.00GB (7.33GB usable)

I love Rogue/WarrioWizard/Etc. combat games where you fight in instances or an open world then return to a blissful little town to upgrade/turn in quests/etc. The problem is I'm getting pretty fatigued with all the pixel games, turn-based menu simulators, and outdated games from the 00's. Please help me out!
Most important elements to me, in order of priority, are:

1. The NPC hub is cozy and immersive. Think Breath of the Wild/TOTK towns or basic adventurer's villages instead of menu simulators. A unique atmosphere is great, but a colorful/friendly one is more important.
2. There's build variety with fantasy class types. I love unlocking new abilities and testing out new combos.
3. Combat is 1st/3rd person in real-time. I like to move and react from the perspective of the adventurer. Parrying and timed mechanics that aren't one-button-mashing are welcome but not demanded.

​
Games I've already played that meet some of these criteria:
Elder Scrolls Series (sometimes met all 3, but usually fails #1)
Kingdoms of Amalur (Kind of fails 1, meets 2 and 3)
Dragon's Dogma DA (meets 2 and 3, but it's a bit too "cold" for #1)
Every FromSoft game (meets 2 and 3, Elden ring's hub is a bit too dim and dismal for #1)
Gedonia (meets 2 and somewhat meets 1 and 3)
Divinity OS2 (somewhat meets 1, meets 2, fails 3 majorly)
Grim Dawn/Diablo-likes (fails 1, meets 2, fails 3)
MMOs (thoroughly done with FOMO addiction though)
​
I'm on PC/Switch, but feel free to share for other systems in case someone on a different platform is interested. If you have any hidden gems in mind, I'd love to hear about them!

--- Table of Contents ---
Autumn 4986, 15 Aoimoth
“Slow down, Squire!” Master Daunas walked around the sixteen Squires. They were all going through the basic motions of knife fighting together, but Shon knew the Weaponsmaster was talking to him specifically. He'd fallen into the rhythm of steel clanging off steel as the eight pairs of Squires went through the practiced strikes of a rehearsed fight. His partner was keeping up, but just barely. If Shon sped up, the boy would fumble, and Shon could disarm him. But that wasn’t the point of this exercise. It wasn’t a sparring match; it was a two man kata. Shon let out a long exhale and slowed down, matching his partner’s pace.
“Sorry,” Kefir, muttered to Shon, “You should try and get Zihler next time. He won’t slow you down.”
Shon arched an eyebrow at Kefir as the two pivoted in unison, spinning but staying together, so they switched places and continued without breaking rhythm. Or that was what was supposed to happen. Kefir stumbled just a little. He still wasn’t very good at quick pivots like that, and knife forms were full of them. Shon slowed down to wait for him to recover, matching his thrust with a counter as rehearsed.
“Don’t give me that look. I know you want to go faster. Zihler’s the most likely to keep... up...” Kefir had to space the last two words as they dodged each other again. More twists and turns he tended to overshoot.
He wasn’t wrong. Shon did want to go faster, wanted to push himself to his limits, and always just a little beyond, but “Speed isn’t the point of this exercise.” Shon said, and Kefir’s brow furrowed. Though if concentrating on Shon’s words or the continued form Shon didn’t know, “It's precision and practice. Keep partnering with Rerves, who's even worse, and you won't improve.”
They slammed together, the hilts of their daggers locking together as they sidestepped in tight circles. Shon could see at least ten different ways he could end a match right here. His left hand was free, as this was a single dagger exercise, and his opponents hardly ever paid attention to his feet. But that wasn’t the point, and Kefir would learn nothing from Shon downing him now, even if it was.
“Thanks,” Kefir spat sarcastically. Shon gave him a purposefully deadpan look in response, and he continued, “You’re the same, though. You won’t get better if you pick the weakest partners.” the two disengaged, jumping back and falling into a ready stance in one motion. Kefir took a heartbeat longer than some of the other boys but didn’t stumble at this speed as he had the last three times they went through the drill.
“I’m better than Zihler…” Shon said, not in pride or arrogance but in truth. When they had first started knife fighting weeks ago, he had partnered with those who seemed to be at the same level as himself or higher. Pushing himself to reach their level and surpass it. Add to that the fact that he often used his free time for more practice, and Shon had jumped to the top of the class as usual only a week into this new weapon.
Shon brought the topic back around to his point, “Practice is practice no matter how fast I go, as long as I have precision.” and, as if to prove his point, the form reached the culminating move, where Shon and Kefir needed to thrust at each other while turning just enough for the blade to pass by their chests. Shon slowed his thrust only at the end, just enough for Kefir to finish his dodge. Adjusting speed in the middle of a strike without pulling it completely wasn't easy, and they both knew it.
That was the end of the kata, and they both stepped back. Kefir looked down at his knife, sighing, “I suck at this, give me a shield or a hammer, and you wouldn’t have to hold yourself back.” he glanced up at Shon and forced a smile he obviously didn’t feel, “Then maybe I could teach you a thing or two…”
Shon nodded, perfectly serious, and when Kefir didn’t seem to understand, he added, “Exactly.”
The bell rang and the other Squires started heading for the weapons rack to return their knives, but Shon held Kefir in place with his eyes. He looked confused, his expression asking the question before his words could, so Shon explained, “You're better at armor and shields than me.”
That actually got a genuine smile from Kefir, “Everyone is better with armor and shields than you, Shon.” Shon humphed but couldn't argue, and Kefir laughed, “You know, if you spent your extra time actually practicing with the stuff you need practice in, instead of the things you're already the best at, you would get better.”
Shon ran his fingers through sweaty hair. It was only two finger widths long but still needed to be cut. He wanted to argue that practicing with the heavy weapons without armor in his free time was the only reason he was still the top in those as well. But instead, he nodded in acquiescence to Kefir’s observation.
“Hey,” Kefir stepped forward and poked Shon with the hilt of his dagger. Even with his thicker winter uniform on, they avoided touching him, “I get what you’re saying. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses. Thank you for trying to help me with mine.” The thanks was genuine this time, now that the frustration of the practice was over, and Shon nodded. Kefir continued, “Why don’t we make a deal? I’ll let you help me catch up to you in this if you let me help you with armor work. Master Daunas wants to get you in plate, but if you can’t even move in banded mail, you’ll never make it in the heavier stuff.”
Shon let his head fall back in frustration but nodded. Kefir laughed and the two returned their daggers without further words. Shon split from the rest of the stragglers in the courtyard, moving towards the bench beside the wall and the barrel for catching rainwater beside it. This deep into autumn, the water was sometimes frozen in the mornings, but Shon preferred it that way. Reaching in, he splashed handfuls of it on the back of his neck. The others would be heading for the hot showers, but with sixteen of them and only ten shower heads, Shon would wait until they were all done before washing properly.
“I’ll meet you after study time!” Kefir called as he walked by to try and reach the showers with the first group. Shon waved without turning around. He knew Kefir was right. He should focus his extra time on improving his weaknesses. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.
***
The mess hall where they had their meals had one long table set in the middle with enough space for fifteen Squires on each side. Around it were set smaller circular tables for the Paladins stationed in Hamerfoss and one larger near the door for the officers. Against one wall was another long table with plates, bowls, and food where they would each gather their meal before finding their seats.
The seats weren’t assigned, but Shon always sat at the farthest end of the Squire’s table, with his left facing the walkway so he wouldn’t bump anyone with his elbow as he ate. No one ever took the spot. It was an unspoken consensus amongst the Squires that that was Shon’s seat. The rest tended to congregate in the middle, talking and poking friendly fun at each other, extending their break into the dinner meal.
Shon took his place and started eating without joining in. They didn’t try to include him most of the time, and he was content to just listen. “Hey, Shon,” Rerves called from down the table, and Shon looked up from his plate to show he was listening, “I hear Kefir’s going to help you with armor tonight. Can I come?” Shon shrugged, turning back to his meal. Rerves went back to his conversation, and dinner continued as usual. The Squires ignoring Shon.
They filtered out of the mess hall as they each finished their dinner at their own pace, some heading to the chapel for prayer and others to the library for study. Shon made his way to the library, pausing in the doorway and debating with himself. If he joined the others at the larger table, they would try and talk to him. They seemed to think it was their duty to include him if he was there. But if he sat alone at the two-man table by the window, they would leave him alone. It meant he wouldn’t be able to ask them questions if one came up, but it also meant they wouldn’t bother him with pointless asides…
Tonight, he joined the study group. The subject they'd started a few weeks ago wasn’t one he had taken to easily, an in-depth history of Gasha province, so he wanted to be able to talk when needed.
It started as soon as he finished the first page, “So Shon, when do you think Master Veon-Zih will be back?”
“Winter Solstice,” Shon answered shortly, rereading the sentence. The others whispered around him about Master Veon-Zih, something about if he would dance with the pretty baker again this year…
“Hey Shon, do you know if Monks train in dancing too?”
Shon placed his finger over the paragraph he'd reached, knowing he would have to reread it after the interruption. He shook his head. When they continued to look at him, he sighed, glaring up at them. This was supposed to be study time… “He learned how after he left the Monastery.”
He reread his paragraph and managed to finish the chapter before running his hand through his hair in frustration at the text. Looking up, he said, “We’ve read about the war between Gasha and Swailand, but this doesn’t say anything about why they went to war in the first place.”
“Fishing rights, I think?” Thom answered, flipping through his own book, “Knowing those Horsa Bast…” he cut off before finishing the curse, glancing at the Paladin acting as librarian, before continuing, “I bet they wanted to extend their fishing to the area around Gasha, and they are just as likely to fight each other as us.”
Rehlien slid a new book Shon’s way, “Here, read this one next. It gets into the justification a little more than that one.” Shon nodded his thanks, taking the book and placing it under the one he was still finishing.
But his question had opened the door to more derailing chatter, “You really like to know the why of things, don’t you, Shon?”
Shon nodded, hoping this talk would at least be relevant, but “You’re like that in etiquette too. That’s probably why you struggle so much.” Shon shrugged. Etiquette didn’t seem to have a point, but that wasn’t what they were supposed to be studying now, “I find some things ‘just are’ because of tradition…” the boy trailed off as Shon glared at him, his words freezing in his throat. When silence had returned, Shon went back to his book. He should've just sat alone.
***
Kefir and Rerves were already waiting in the sparring ring by the time Shon showed up dressed in his banded mail. The armor rubbed uncomfortably around his neck and the thick gambeson underneath bunched at his joints, limiting his range of motion by at least a few inches. It also weighed him down, which he'd managed to convince himself was good for strength training, but was incredibly frustrated by for sparring.
Kefir already had his sword and shield and held an extra bastard sword for him, so Shon went right for the ring, stifling a frustrated sigh as he took the proffered weapon.
Rerves grinned at the look on Shon’s face, saying, “We figured you'd be miserable enough in the armor alone, that we should channel some of Soleil's compassion and let you use your best weapon instead of the hammer.” to which Shon was grateful. Making him practice in the armor with a weapon he still hadn’t mastered would've been adding salt to the wound.
“Let’s do some stretches and warm-ups first.” Kefir started, “Your problem isn’t being afraid to take a hit with the armor,” Rerves laughed out loud, but Kefir continued with only a grin, “It’s in having to adjust your mobility. So let's re-imprint that before we try any sparring.”
They went through stretches, the two of them seeming to match Shon in flexibility only because he was hampered by the armor, then moved on to solo sword forms. Even though the armor was only about thirty-five pounds evenly distributed, Shon still felt sluggish. When they moved on to sparring, Rerves beat him soundly while Kefir watched, tilting his head back and forth like Master Daunas and trying to give advice that didn’t help. Shon could fight, he knew the proper blocks and parries better than they did, but too often he would either not make up for his lack of speed or would overcompensate and swing too hard.
Kefir took his turn, lifting his shield and watching Shon raise his sword to the ready, “Honestly, Shon, I don’t know what to do besides have you practice more and just get used to it.”
“Sometimes that’s all you can do,” Rerves said from the side as he slipped off his helmet. Shon knew they were right in some regards but couldn’t entirely dismiss his frustration at the thought that he was missing something that he needed to learn and not just have beaten into him. He was grateful for his companion’s help but annoyed at their inability to teach.
Rerves gave the order to "Lay on!" and Shon and Kefir engaged. Shon could predict Kefir's moves, could practically see them in his mind's eye, but barely reacted in time, his arm not bending as far or fast as he wanted it to. He gritted his teeth, glaring at the other Squire, trying to sidestep around but moving too slow compared to Kefir, who just needed to turn in place. Shon took a step back and planted his feet. If he could force Kefir to make the larger motions, then perhaps he could focus on redirecting the boy’s attacks.
Kefir hesitated. Shon was most dangerous when he stood his ground, and they both knew it. The hesitation just gave Shon more time to try and strategize. Not that it had helped at all before. Maybe if he could somehow slow Kefir down, or focus on trapping his weapon, then it wouldn’t matter that Shon wasn’t as fast as he would be without the damn armor. Kefir tested Shon’s guard with a few half-hearted attacks that Shon deflected, waiting. When the other Squire finally committed fully, Shon let go of his sword with his left hand, twisted to dodge, and grabbed Kefir’s sword arm.
Just stop. Stop long enough for me to hit you… Kefir tried to pull away but couldn’t. Despite the poor grip Shon had with the thick gloves that were part of the armor, the two Squires seemed lashed together. Kefir twisted his shoulders so he could lift his shield to deflect Shon’s oncoming attack, but his feet didn’t move. His eyes went wide, and his shield came up barely in time to hit Shon’s sword, the tip still reaching over to clang off Kefir’s helm with a glancing blow.
Kefir fell backward and Shon, still clinging to his arm, was pulled on top of him. The boy yelled, and Shon rolled, letting go of Kefir and hearing something like glass breaking over the clanging of armor and screaming of his fellow. Shon rolled to absorb the shock of the fall and twisted to find Kefir on his back, his knees still straight and his boots stuck to the ground. Encased in ice.
The ice climbed up his boots to his shins, but Kefir was gripping his arm, trying to pull more ice from where Shon had been holding him. It continued to grow, soon encasing his hand and sword hilt. Rerves rushed forward, trying to help pry the sword free while the ice on his legs grew past his boots and under his greaves. Kefir screamed again, in pain and fear.
The Paladins on the wall began yelling, their leader taking command, sending some to help the boys and others to run for the fortress. Shon watched in horror as Kefir’s legs and arm were slowly encased in ice, his lips trembling and turning blue. He would be covered soon, Shon knew it, could picture it happening, like a waking nightmare. It would trap his brother Squire and anyone else touching it…
The ice started clawing at Rerves fingers, trying to gain hold and freeze him too.
“What in all the hells?!” Master Daunas showed up with a gaggle of Paladins and the Cleric, who all fell around the boys. Some took out their belt knives and tried to break the ice apart; others began to chant spells to either melt the ice or keep Kefir warm.
Master Daunas searched above the throng for answers and, finding Shon, cursed. He ran around the larger group, grabbing Shon by the arm and wrenching him away, practically dragging him across the courtyard towards the fortress proper. Someone called out in triumph as Shon reached the fortress door and Daunas forced him through it.
What had happened? Had they freed Kefir? Would he be alright? What happened?!
Daunas was still cursing as he slammed the door and spun on Shon, who stared blankly through the Weaponmaster. Panic, he was trying so hard not to panic. Was trying to figure out what had happened, trying to play through the entire thing again, picturing it from outside his body. Was the ice what had allowed him to hold on to Kefir? Was it still climbing up Kefir's legs? Was that why the older Squire wasn’t able to pull back and block properly? Had Shon...
“Calm down, boy.” Daunas reached for Shon’s shoulders but pulled back a moment later, shaking his hands and cursing as they reddened from the cold, “Breathe, boy. Look at me, think warm thoughts.”
Think warm thoughts? What did that even mean? Shon found Daunas’s eyes and saw the Weaponmaster scared for the first time, “Breathe, slow and steady, like old man V taught you. You need to control your energy…” his lips were pale and trembling, his breath coming out in a cloud before him. had it been that cold outside? Shon couldn’t feel it...
Shon closed his eyes and breathed. Control his energy… He pulled himself in, finding his center and gathering around it, “That’s it, boy, like that.” Shon breathed in his energy, his ki, holding it in his gut, storing it for later when he could use it to focus a strike and give it more power, just like Master Veon-Zih had taught him. And just like Master had taught him, he tried to let go of his worries, to clear his mind, if only for now.
Kefir would be alright, almost every adult here could cast healing spells, and at least half of them were with him now. It was okay. Shon could relax, let go, calm down… Suddenly exhausted, Shon nearly collapsed right there in the hallway. Daunas caught him, slowly lowering him to the stones.
Shon could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness, but not fast enough to miss Master Daunas’s last curse, “Damn it, boy, why did you have to be a Sorcerer?”
***
“He has to go to the Mages Guild.” Major General Davies Selibra, Paladin head of Hamerfoss, stated to those gathered in his office. It was a simple room containing two sets of closed cabinets on either side of a large desk facing the door with two seats positioned in front of it. Shon sat in one of those seats, his head hanging and fists clenched tightly in his lap.
Master Daunas slammed his palm down on the desk. He seemed too agitated to sit, or perhaps he just didn’t want to sit next to Shon, who was radiating cold like a fire radiated heat, “We can’t, Selibra! He’s the most promising fighter I’ve ever trained. He’ll lose too much time.” the Weaponmaster's words puffed out as white fog from his lips.
Major General Selibra sat behind his desk and rubbed his temples, “It’s the law Daunas, he either needs to get a clearance or be sealed.”
“Can’t be a Paladin with the tattoo…” Smith Nangran muttered from his position leaning on the door. Shon was too focused on his predicament to wonder why the Smith was even here. A thin layer of ice began to form at his feet.
“It’s the law…” Selibra said again, weary, “If he had awakened sooner, he might have been able to get his clearance before training, but…”
Daunas threw his hands into the air, bellowing, “It takes years to get a clearance. If they even let him. Those Mages would rather just mark the boy up and be done with it!”
A sealing tattoo. They would want to block the magic. Seal it away in his body where it couldn’t hurt anyone. Kefir had suffered severe frostbite as well as a broken ankle. Lucky for him, he was surrounded by divine conduits and was fine, but what if Shon lost control again? Who would the ice entomb? Master Veon-Zih? Innocent citizens he was supposed to protect? Shon’s nails dug furrows into his palms as he clenched his fists tighter. The ice crawled up the legs of his chair and crystalized on the backs of his hands.
The adults continued to talk around him, “The law is clear, Daunas. The magic either needs to be trained or sealed. There are no exceptions.” The law never made exceptions. It’s what kept everything running at top proficiency. Shon admired that… and understood it, as even now he couldn't control the sorcerous ice.
Shon tried to slow his breathing, relax his hands. The ice cracked over his fingers as he forced them out of their fists. It was responding to his emotions, his fear, and horror at what he'd done. What he was. If he could just pull it in, stifle the emotions feeding it, then the magic wouldn't be able to control him…
Ice continued to inch up the chair, and Selibra rubbed his hands together to warm them. They'd been pointedly and purposely ignoring the winter-like cold since bringing Shon to the office.
“Tattoos aren’t the only way to seal magic…” Nangran stated from the door. Daunas and Selibra stopped arguing, and Shon’s head shot up. He turned slowly to watch the Smith who combed absently at his beard, “Law says sorcerer magic needs to be trained or sealed, doesn’t say how.”
“I know the law Nangran,” Selibra still sounded defeated. “A council of Mages, including one of the rank Archmage, must determine if a Sorcerer is capable of controlling his or her power. If they determine the power is too great a risk to the kingdom, then said power will be made unable to manifest. Sealed.” the Major General recited, most likely for Shon’s benefit. Shon's heart pounded in his chest, and the fires that lit the room dimmed.
“What are you suggesting?” Daunas asked Nangran curiously. The smith only talked when necessary, using grunts and nods instead of words whenever possible. That was probably why Shon liked him so much. It also meant he wouldn’t have contradicted Selibra unless he had a reason.
“Know a guy. Used to make sealing items for the guild…” Nangran said with a shrug, as though Shon’s future didn’t hinge on his point, “Owes me a favor…”
“You’re not talking about that mad hermit who comes barging in here once or twice a year, are you?” Daunas asked, looking stunned.
Nangran nodded with a confirming hum. “Still Archmage in good standing…”
The Weaponmaster looked ecstatic, shouting, “Nangran, you’re a genius!” he slammed his hands down on the desk again, breath puffing out in thick clouds as his excitement grew. Nangran grunted.
Daunas turned back to the Major General, who actually looked intrigued. Shon’s heart tried to beat its way out of his chest. “This is it, Selibra! This Archmage can make the boy a sealing item. I’m sure the Temple will vouch for him. He’s our top Squire.” Shon was still too terrified to feel proud of the compliment and watched Major General Selibra with wide desperate eyes. Ice started forming on his hands again, looking like clawed talons.
“The Mages Guild hasn’t given out sealing stones for generations…” Selibra hummed, and Shon barely stopped the desperate whine before it could escape, his fingernails drawing blood on his palms as he balled them into fists again, breaking the ice claws. “but we can at least try.” Selibra finished, focusing on Shon, his brown eyes still looking sad, “Are you sure you want this, Shon? As a Paladin, you won’t be able to train with your elemental magic unti-”
“Yes, Sir!” Shon shouted, leaning forward in his seat and breaking the ice off its legs. He fell back a moment later, embarrassed by his outburst. More quietly, he said again, “Yes, Sir. I don’t want this magic. I want to be a Paladin.” more than anything in his entire life, he'd wanted to be a Paladin…
“Very well,” Major General Selibra stood, resting his fingertips on his desk. Speaking as if to himself, he muttered, “Perhaps this is a sign from Hengist.” looking up, he addressed Nangran, “Tomorrow you will take Squire Shon to this Archmage friend of yours. Gods willing, he will be able to seal the sorcerer magic without hindering his divine capabilities.” he failed to hide a shiver from the cold.
***
Her candles burned hot and bright, flickering wildly as She paced around Her little room. Something was happening in Her tower. There were far too many people with strangers' voices out Her window and beyond Her door.
Brom and Ran continued to visit, but they wouldn’t answer Her questions, wouldn’t take Her for samples, or to see Her treasures. The first made Her angry, the second gave Her energy, and the last scared Her enough to stop asking questions. What if they took Her books again? They hadn’t given Her a reason She couldn’t see Her treasures, so maybe they would soon… maybe tomorrow...
***
“Tomorrow,” Morndancer stated as Shaloon let herself into his room. The transfer preparations had taken months. MONTHS! They were Mages. No. Greater than Mages. They were Warlocks. And yet, everything still took far too long. They could instantly communicate with allies across the kingdom but still had to spend time making the proper arrangements. They could travel miles in a blink but still had to painstakingly pack every book and file, disassemble and disenchant the golems guarding the tower over days and even weeks. If it had been a true emergency -if they'd been found- they could've destroyed everything, vanishing all evidence of their presence and research. But the Master Archmages had forbidden it in this case.
“The western Talon is ready to receive us,” Shaloon confirmed, “What of the subjects? Archmage Yarna has no interest in animal husbandry..."
“The Firewyrm is all she is interested in. It is the only reason she agreed to take us.” Morndancer sat on his bed and stared at the pseudodragon perched on his desk, its leathery wings half furled and its tail twitching over the side of the desk, “I will handle the animal subjects tomorrow. Just make sure you are ready to open the portal out when I am done.” she could only open one portal a day, sometimes two but it would leave her incapacitated for at least a day after.
“Tomorrow then,” Shaloon confirmed, leaving him alone with his running mind and the little pretend dragon, that seemed to stare through his skin and into his soul.
***
Shon couldn’t sleep. Once again, his entire future hung on what would happen tomorrow. And just like the divine test and the road to Hamerfoss, there was nothing he could do to speed up the process. It was out of his hands. Out of his control. Just like the ice now clouding the window and the frost freezing the blankets to the mattress.
He tapped the blank page of his open journal with his pencil. The images running through his mind were the last he wanted to solidify on paper. He tried drawing something else… Kefir smiling warmly at him for the second thank you. Rerves leaning forward and shouting to him across the dinner table. The study group conversing in whispers instead of studying…
He wrote about it all between the drawings but everything that happened after pushed at his mind, the scenes forming in his vision. Shon drew Kefir again, lying on his back and tugging at the ice forming on his sword arm. Then a group scene with the Paladins falling around him, their faces focused, and hands glowing with spells to try and save him… Master Daunas’s scared eyes as he ordered Shon to ‘think warm thoughts...'
With two pages full of various sketches and commentary, Shon dropped his pencil and rested his head on his desk. Why? Was this why he was so cold to the touch? Sorcerers were rare; those with ice power were the rarest even amongst them. Should they have noticed something was wrong sooner? Would Hengist really accept someone like him? Chose a Sorcerer to be one of his extensions in Daanlin?
Shon closed his eyes, breathing slowly and trying not to cry. If they forced him to go to the Mages Guild, he would never be able to fight again. He was sure of it. All his hard work and dedication. All those years of disciplined practice, gone in one instance where he lost control. Where he almost killed a friend.
Everything he was, everything he would be, hinged on the following day. “Tomorrow…” Shon whispered into the dark, his candle finally flickering to die in the cold.
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Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP

So been having at this point just 2 games elden ring and metro exodus enhanced edition, go from running perfectly to crashing and being unplayable. Gpu bios everything is updated, can’t find any rhyme or reason, everything else still runs perfectly. Deleted epic since I heard it causes issues but even that didn’t help. If you guys have any other ideas I’d appreciate it

Also ich habe Mal versucht einen PC aufzubauen
https://www.mindfactory.de/shopping_cart.php/basket_action/load_basket_extern/id/552228221a4b8b5a1a149ee9227dc6e5a22813a8bba3f1b322a
Ich bin nicht der erfahrenste in diesem Thema, aber ich wollte einmal nachfragen, ob dieser PC passt.
Mein Budget liegt bei etwa 2000-2200€ und ich würde den PC sowohl zum Spielen als auch zum Streamen verwenden. Ich spiele Shooter lieber in 1440p, wie zum Beispiel Apex Legends und Hunt Showdown. Für Singleplayer Spiele würde ich 4K verwenden wie in den Spielen Elden Ring, The Witcher 3 oder Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Für Verbesserungs vorschläge währe ich sehr dankbar.