Heaven's Path

If you've been wondering where all my geeky obsessions have all gone, well, they fall squarely in this section here (minus the movies). Video games in particular are where much of my love for fantasy and science fiction come from. This list will be MUCH longer, so let's get started.  

Video Games

  Okami (2006)   If you are at all familiar with this game, then you could probably suss out why I'm listing this game as one of my top inspirations for Heaven' Path. Essentially, the protagonist Amaterasu derives her power from the belief she accrues from the mortal denizens of Nippon. On Tian Wu Yan, all that is pretty much the same: celestials and gods derive their power from belief, and that power manifests as magic, which is given back for mortals to use. It's also insanely gorgeous on all fronts.     Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (2004)   I like to think that the tone of my game mirrors that of this classic Nintendo RPG game. It's got a lot of goofy silly stuff whilst still having an emotional core and sometimes delving into some pretty dark themes. Mostly, however, Tian Wu Yan is also populated by a colorful cast of strange and unique NPCs, just like in the game.   The Sims 4 (2015)   The Sims 4 probably has the most direct impact on the running of my campaign because in lieu of drawing my own art for NPCs, I simply make them on the Sims. Furthermore, in lieu of using a mapmaking software, I build an entire guild hall in the Sims as well. Finally, since I love my players' characters so much, I also recreate them in the Sims too. And let's just say, some of their antics are reflected in the DND game (and vice versa), and its hilarious to see.   Civilization V+VI (2010/2016)   Rules? Strategy? Board Games? This game's got it all. On the technical side of things, this game is pretty much candy for my ADHD rules-oriented brain. I couldn't be doing all this homebrew if I wasn't into games like this.   Indivisible (2019)   Despite my feelings about the production of this game being quite fraught, I still very much love it. The diverse cast of characters featured in an RPG setting is precisely what I love most. Tian Wu Yan follows that same philosophy of showcasing multitudes of cultures that aren't necessarily based off of Western fantasy settings. I love seeing diversity in the games I play and the games I run not because it's politically correct or whatever, but because diversity is fascinating to me and homogeneity is (relatively) boring.   Miitopia (2021)   Related to the Sims 4, I also have recreated my players' characters in Miitopia to great and hilarious success. This game reinforces my love for the campaign and for my players, and I need to keep that love going or I just won't have the energy to DM anymore!      

TV Shows

  Steven Universe (2013-2020)   This is my absolute favorite show. Period. If that upsets you, sorry, and goodbye. I love redemption arcs. I love engaging character development. I love femininity being celebrated and embraced in all its forms. I love seeing queerness in media. I love these gay space rocks to bits. I literally would not be who I am today without this show. I believe that Steven Universe is a constant undercurrent beneath Heaven's Path.   Infinity Train (2019-2021)   Oh, you thought there was only one emotionally nuanced and intelligent animated show on this list? Well think again! Here comes Infinity Train with all its unique cars and characters that is one can easily see is reflected in my campaign structure. The tone of Heaven's Path most closely matches that of Infinity Train, where there is whimsy and lightness as well as trauma and darkness.     Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)   To round up the trifecta of great animated TV series with emotional depth, here's Avatar! I wanted a fantasy Eastern setting specifically because of my heritage, my Chinese language studies in college, and Avatar. I think I can just leave it at that - everyone knows how awesome this show is.   RuPaul's Drag Race (2009 to Present)   C'mon Heaven's Path! Let's get sickeniiiiing! This show was my rainbow colored gateway drug into becoming the gayest gay who ever gayed. Okay but hyperbole's aside, I love the fashion, the talent, the performance, the personalities of so many of the queens here. From Bob the Drag Queen to Sasha Velour, drag queens have taught me to embrace my fabulousness and to seek out more queer stories, as well as make my own. I'm all about normalizing queerness in the sense that more people will be inspired to see beyond heteronormativity. So for me, that means bringing all the gays and theys into my world!