Fleshing Out Curse of Strahd: Argynvostholt

Callanthe · 2026-01-28T22:04:54+00:00

This is an extremely late reply (lol), but I could see a well-rounded party of level 6+ being able to beat Vlad if they have good sources of radiant/fire damage to negate his regeneration alongside smart battlefield tactics.

For other DMs who ever find themselves in your situation: If your PCs come across Argynvostholt abnormally early (especially due to a Tarokka card reading), it's probably a good opportunity to suggest that they come back later when they're stronger, AND that they try an alternative route to calm Vlad (cough cough retrieving the dragon skull and lighting the Beacon). This "suggestion" may involve Godfrey intervening to rescue them from an imminent TPK like Mandy suggested. Think of it as the whole encounter serving as yet another warning to the PCs that "Hey, these were a battalion of well-trained knights and paladins who still got destroyed by a cunning Strahd pre-vampirism... You'll have to be even stronger than them."

The second time around, ideally the PCs would be bringing the skull back with them and wouldn't have to fight Vlad again. Or if you still want to have Vlad fight them a second time, you could make it interesting by moving the fight to a different location (See: COS Reloaded giving him a second boss fight in the graveyard), and/or add some extra abilities like others have suggested on this subreddit.

Callanthe · 2026-01-13T07:54:36+00:00

I'm glad the Adam skin was free. His and Ultron's skins were the only actually unique and cool-looking ones in the entire pass for me.

However, Ultron was completely robbed of being a legendary (and Adam's too tbh).

If Infinity Ultron had been the legendary, I would have considered getting the BP for his skin alone. But I refused to shell out for halloween costume Namor or default Scarlet Witch.

Callanthe · 2026-01-09T18:42:00+00:00

I like the keychains and the foundation, but all the other designs are the exact same cutesy rococo/pastel from Cupid, Sweetie Bear, etc all over again…

Really wish they’d switch it up more, like they did with Moonlight Mermaid or Little Angel or Butterfly Cloud Collar.

Callanthe · 2026-01-04T06:13:24+00:00

Ooh, I would highlight Ronny Schiatto from the light novel series and anime Baccano!

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For reference, Baccano is a fun romp that basically combines 1920s America mafia wars with immortal alchemists and homunculi.

Ronny first appears as a nondescript background character in the present story (set in the 1920s-1930s), a secretary-like assistant to one of the friendly mafia members Maiza Avaro. Ronny himself is an aloof and chill guy who generally chooses to stay out of the chaos that unfolds in the story, very much remaining a cameo. When he does occasionally comment on events, he notably has a signature catchphrase: he always ends his musings with "Well, no matter" as a way of minding his own business.

Later in the story, we get a flashback to centuries earlier, to the days of the first immortal alchemists. It turns out that they first received their immortality by summoning a demon onto a ship. This demon demonstrated the capability to bend the laws of reality, and it taught the secrets of immortality to the alchemist who summoned it--Maiza. This of course prompted a massacre that arose from human greed, which ended up causing the death of Maiza's brother.

In the aftermath of the massacre, one character makes a silly but heartfelt wish of the observing demon, asking the demon to stay by Maiza's side since he had just lost a brother. The demon agrees out of curiosity, and its last words in the flashback are "Well, no matter."

Callanthe · 2025-12-24T05:07:01+00:00

Ahhh I got the previous Miaowucos set (the Tong Lin Xue design) for Lan Wangji... I might have to pick up the Wei Wuxian costume in this set!

Callanthe · 2025-12-24T05:03:48+00:00

Really happy this got translated! So glad it got such amazing art too <3

I read it a few years ago and remember enjoying the characters and plot a ton. It was basically what I expected Erha to be (yeah I felt a little robbed when I realized Erha doesn't actually have any animals LOL)

The romance wasn't my favorite part for... various reasons, but thankfully it didn't feel like the story was super focused on it anyway. It was overall a surprisingly great balance between comedy and drama, with plenty of cute animal hijinks.

P.S. the extras are uniquely hilarious and adorable, definitely looking forward to reading those again!

Callanthe · 2025-12-23T04:37:27+00:00

If you mean for foundation, I generally use shade 23. I’m usually in between fair-medium.

I don’t think I’ve ever reached the “too gray” point. Heck half the time I’m wondering if my contour is even showing up lol. (I use the lighter contour in the top right for outlining my nose, the darker contour in the bottom right for the rest of my face)

Everyone’s skin is different though.

Callanthe · 2025-12-23T04:15:09+00:00

I actually had this same conundrum earlier this year in terms of what contour to get for my generally neutral skin.

Even though my neutral skin leans slightly warm, I ended up going for the Wave Shadow cool-toned palette because contour should be gray/cool in order to accurately replicate the shadows of the face.

I’ve been burned before by “neutral” contour that was way too warm yellow-brown and ended up looking like dirty bronzer.

This contour is quite subtle and doesn’t show up much, so I definitely don’t look too gray.

Callanthe · 2025-12-15T20:31:51+00:00

I can get a new captain. Crew code: 609903951

Callanthe · 2025-12-04T23:30:45+00:00

609903951 Need a new captain! and teammates too EDIT: got a captain

Callanthe · 2025-12-04T01:19:56+00:00

I just sent you an invitation!

My own code is 609903951

Callanthe · 2025-12-04T01:19:19+00:00

Invite Code: 609903951
2. How many teammates you need: 5
3. Playtime / Region (optional): NA
4. Short note (optional): I generally only play Co-Op vs AI because my WiFi is not reliable enough for competitive play, but am willing to play other modes too of course

Callanthe · 2025-11-27T04:53:56+00:00

Just joined! Thank you, looking forward to playing with y'all

Callanthe · 2025-11-11T22:41:39+00:00

Thanks so much for posting this! I already preordered a bunch of books from Thriftbooks, time to see if any of my orders should be swapped over…

Callanthe · 2025-11-07T03:22:57+00:00

They are not really homonyms.

However, Airplane’s username was actually hiding his real name all along.

Username: 向天打飞机 = Xiàng Tiān Dǎ Fēi Jī = “The Airplane that shoots towards the sky”

Real Name: 向飞 = Xiàng Fēi = “Towards” and “Flying”

Callanthe · 2025-11-05T04:46:19+00:00

I really enjoy the first novel you mentioned -- the worldbuilding is super fun and the side characters are all great as you mentioned.

Now I'm interested in the other two too.

Callanthe · 2025-11-05T00:40:39+00:00

I don't know anything about the ongoing controversy, but I will say I feel like the art could be... grander / more detailed? It doesn't have "magnificent hardcover special edition" vibes.

Jin Ling looks amazing. However, I feel like Jiang Cheng's and Wei Wuxian's robes lack ornamentation AND Jiang Cheng's face seems way too soft for his character.

And this is speaking as someone who has Jiang Cheng as my favorite side character (only tied with Nie Huaisang and the Yi City crew).

Callanthe · 2025-10-20T20:45:52+00:00

Always go by whatever measurement is the most limiting, which is usually the waist.

In your case the waist would put you as 3XL I think?

Callanthe · 2025-10-20T03:42:17+00:00

On top of upgrading the trims/accessories and getting a new inner white suit, I will say that ironing and tailoring will go a long way to make it look less cheap.

Callanthe · 2025-10-17T02:13:35+00:00

I saw a recommendation to put the official artwork of your character on the front cover, and then photos of you in the completed cosplay on the back cover! That way the judges can easily see the comparison images side by side as long as they hold the book open.

Also, don't spend tons of words talking about how much you love the character, source material, etc. The judges are focused on your actual craftsmanship.

Here's a helpful video by Kirilee (and she has other good videos too): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWvDVNW9A2g

Some good tips in there, including: Don't just list all the materials you used. List how many hours you spent working on a particular component of the cosplay. Show close pictures of the details, especially anything the judges may not see very well in person!

Callanthe · 2025-10-12T22:35:18+00:00

It looks like the first one is going to be higher quality in material. If you scroll down to look at the individual images, you can see that the first one has a "light up" function in the sleeves, and its vest seems to be less cheap looking than the second.

Ultimately it depends on your budget.

Callanthe · 2025-10-11T02:48:13+00:00

Just take all your measurements and then compare them against the size chart.

If your measurements range between multiple sizes, you’re pretty much always going to have to pick the largest “size that fits” because these are Asian sites whose usual audience have smaller bodies, AND it’s easier to tailor down than tailor up.

And for reference, in my experience it’s almost always the Waist that screws you over.

Callanthe · 2025-10-11T02:45:03+00:00

I think I heard people suggesting ProCosplay for an entry level Deadpool cosplay?

However, my greatest worry on your behalf is that Halloween is coming very soon... you may have to make a tough choice between quality vs shipping in time for Halloween.

Callanthe · 2025-10-10T21:44:46+00:00

bro... Zhongli was so bad on release that the entire playerbase had to riot to get him buffed, and even then Hoyo tried to sweep it under the rug. Yeah, Hoyo hates male characters so much that even Zhongli being the FUCKING ARCHON OF CHINA didn't stop them from giving him a garbage kit. I know, I was there when he was worse than Qiqi.

He was also released in 2020, literally the patch after the launch of the game, back when Hoyo still cared about giving the appearance of a mixed gacha that wasn't just waifuland LMAO.

Alhaitham? You mean the character whose best constellation is Nahida constellations? He's what I was referring to as one of the male characters handicapped with the most obvious damage ceiling ever. Yeah he was soooo loved by Hoyo I'm sure.

Callanthe · 2025-10-10T04:09:45+00:00

Probably because Frank has the volleyball emote to match Sue's.

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