u/Pixel-Birb

I was trying to achieve a quick bird bling build for 150-200 DLC Co-Oping; so no NG+ cycles and the only thing I allowed myself to farm for was the helm.

I was screwing around behind Castle Ensis and realised I had accidentally colour matched the flags.

Stuff;

-Divine Bird Helm (4th eye patch option on in face settings)

-Blue Silver Mail Armor (apologies Latenna)

-Black Knife Guantlets

-Black Knife Greaves

-Bolt of Gransax (right hand)

-Pike (left hand)

Locations;

-Top of the tower behind Castle Ensis (by the wing stance aow chest)

-Shadow Keep West Rampart

-Gravesite Plains (post murdering a furnace golem. I like killing those)

-Gravesite Plains

Previously speaking, me and Katanas have not exactly worked well together - I've tried the Uchigatana, Nagakiba and Hand of Melania but I never quite enjoyed them, however the Sword of Night might be changing my mind. The heavy is nice and quick plus it’s Witching Hour Slash is one heck of a cool AoW, especially when I can pull off a stance break at Messmer’s phase transition.

A part of me does feel that the AoW should have been buffed by Rellana’s cameo due to the visuals. The other part will admit that would render this sword rather busted.

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Dex and End at maximum. I wanna say that this sword only sales with Dex so I have no idea why it does magic damage or has a Str requirement. Very confusing.

Talismans;

Shard of Alexander

Claw Talisman

Godfrey icon

Two Headed Turtle Talisman

Outfit (queue the dark ruffled top on my bird build to match the edgy katanas);

-Divine Bird Helm. I have the bandage across the eyes to make it look like a ribbon necklace.

-Divine Bird Grieves

-Thiolier’s garb (altered)

-Guardian Bracers.

This was filmed a couple of weeks ago. I’m uploading it today as I finally have fiber internet.

New ink day - Diamine Baltic Breeze.

Pyrite is my favourite rock, thus I had been trying to track down a true pyrite colour ink for a while and Nutmeg has been the closest looking colour I have found so far. I loved the sample I got of it after a little bit of fiddling. Recently however Pelikan released their Pyrite Edelstein and muddied the waters. Colour wise it looked a bit saturated but I love nothing more than a fancy, themed shiny. I was torn.

Then Pelikan pulled the AI slop stunt and... honestly I thank them; Because of that advert I stocked up on Diamine Nutmeg and used the extra money to buy it's cornflower blue cousin, Baltic Breeze. Twas hands down the best decision, just look at that colour combo on the page!!

Performance wise I will say Baltic Breeze is a touch dryer than I am used to but not to a degree that I can't adjust too. Colour wise it is beautiful and the shimmer looks almost rose gold.

- Kaweco Sport Apricot Pearl and Bordeaux BB

- Diamine Nutmeg (brown) and Baltic Breeze (blue)

- The Inked Paw A5 blank Notebook.

- Bird photo refs Satine Zillah

Faber Castell Ambition EF

The Inked Paw A5 blank notebook.

I wish I knew what ink this was, unfortunately I obtained the sample vial a little while ago and it kinda got mixed in with my others.

-Dens Pens Mars with an EF nib,

-Diamine x Pure Pens Alexandrite,

-A5 blank notebook from The Inked Paw.

Alongside my new sketchbook restock and Diamine Sleigh Ride I also ordered a sample of Diamine Nutmeg from The Inked Paw.

I love the colour of this ink as it is quite close to pyrite instead of a saturated gold. The photo makes it look browner but in person it is a grey gold. It has had a few starting issues but that might be down to me not cleaning the pen out properly beforehand.

I have fallen in love with it and plan to buy a full bottle at some point, alongside its cornflower cousin Baltic Breeze. I adore Sleigh Ride as well but I was dyed pink for three days.

-I put it in my Bordeaux Kaweco Sport BB as my TWSBI's are dedicated to other shimmers.

-Sketchbook is from the amazing The Inked Paw.

-Cover from Galen Leather.

(Quick doodle of my character from Elden Ring)

I’m still working on a “non cheesed” Euporia fight, but in the mean time here is my favourite recorded no damage round with my goat, my baby, my favourite weapons of all time – dual Bolt of Gransaxes. At this point I am outing myself as a dual wield addict aren’t I?

(Also my internet was down again so I couldn’t co-op. I had to do something and figured I could knock another weapon off the fight list.)

I’m not counting it as a no hit as the first swipe of the first part of Messmer’s assault looks like it should hit me at 1:12, however that portion of the skill is damage-less. For anyone curious the player version of the skill works in a similar way; The first swipe does zero damage but it can interrupt small enemy attacks, the second swipe deals damage.

Second fun fact, if he starts the first spin close up you can stroll directly under him and should be sheltered from the second swipe. You should be safe until the thrusting section starts. His aerial spear throw can also be dodged via walking or running under him if he starts it close up (example at 0:48).

DLC+NG+4. No buffs or tears this time, max stats, max weapons and a high damage talisman set up. I use the bird armour in the name of fashion. I kept my extra weapons on for medium weight.

-Ritual Sword Talisman

-Rotten Wing Insignia

-Two Headed Turtle Talisman

-Retaliatory Crossed Tree Talisman.

I brought samples of Diamine Sleigh Ride and Diamine Nutmeg from The Inked Paw alongside my sketchbook restock. I'll post about nutmeg when I have used it but for now here is a quick review of Sleigh Ride;

Colour wise it is unlike anything I have seen before. Depending on the light it can go from a yellow-orange to cherry brown to a rose, alongside a stunning green sheen. It certainly is a fun inky experience that I am glad I had.

Would I buy a full bottle though? Despite the shiny loving part of my brain being ecstatic the practical portion has other ideas; It's quite dry even in a stub nib that handles other sheen well. The ink also gets everywhere and refuses to wash off. My go to soap for sheeners doesn't remove Sleigh ride so much as it redistributes it equally across the rest of my hand. I have accepted my eternal new pinkness.

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The Inked Paw A5 Sketchbook

Kaweco Al-Sport 1.1 Stub.

Euporia Vortex really is faith's answer to Comet Azure.

- Faith, Str and Dex all at max cap.

- Bloodsucking Cracked Tear + Holy Shrouding Cracked Tear

- Shard of Alexander, Sacred Scorpion Charm, Two Headed Turtle Talisman and Retaliatory Crossed Tree.

- Golden Vow and the buff from the Sword of Light skill.