#Agilent Instrument Carts

[valy-gc]

A little more lore about goblins and Rune. With a little edit of Rune with long hair.

Goblins and Their Bovines: Partners in Work and Travel

Practicality and Partnership:

Goblins have always been drawn to the sturdy, dependable nature of cattle. Unlike skittish horses, cows and bulls are calm, resilient, and far less bothered by the unpredictable behavior of goblin tails.

Bulls, with their strong, muscular builds, are seen as both powerful work animals and symbols of goblin grit. Cows, gentle yet hardy, are valued for their endurance and nurturing nature, making them ideal companions for goblins of all ages.

Cattle as Status Symbols:

In goblin villages, owning a particularly strong or unique-looking bull or cow is a mark of pride. Some goblins decorate their cattle with painted symbols, woven blankets, or even small charms to show off their strength and beauty.

Goblin chiefs or prominent figures often ride massive, horned bulls adorned with intricate carvings, ribbons, or dyed fur, creating an awe-inspiring sight during festivals or processions.

Riding and Work:

Goblins have perfected the art of cattle-riding with specialized saddles that distribute weight evenly across the animal's back, preventing strain. These saddles are often made with woven materials and soft padding for comfort.

Beyond riding, cattle are also used for plowing fields, pulling carts, and carrying goods to market, making them indispensable to goblin life. Their ability to handle rough terrain and their endurance in long journeys make them far more practical for goblins than horses.

Cultural Symbolism and Connection:

Horns of Strength: The horns of bulls are seen as a reflection of goblin resilience and determination.

Sacred Companions: While cattle are used for work and food, goblins treat them with great respect. When a beloved cow or bull passes away, their horns are often preserved and crafted into tools, instruments, or ceremonial objects, ensuring their spirit continues to aid the community.

Cattle in Goblin Folklore and Tradition

Rite of Passage:

Young goblins prove their maturity by raising a calf of their own. This involves a trial where they must show off how close they are, riding the cow or bull once adult without any problems.

Successfully completing this trial earns the goblin their first riding saddle, and their bond with their chosen animal is celebrated with a village feast.

Festival Games:

Goblins hold lively events during festivals where they showcase their riding skills, such as racing bulls through challenging courses or performing daring stunts.

Another popular event involves teams of goblins decorating their cattle with colorful paints and ribbons, making their fur shiny and fluffy, competing for the title of “Most Magnificent Steed.”

Why Cattle Over Horses?

Sturdiness and Adaptability:

Bulls and cows are far better suited to goblin-sized riders, as their broad backs and lower centers of gravity make for stable mounts, even on uneven terrain.

Tail Compatibility:

Unlike horses, which might be frightened by goblin tails, cattle are calm and unbothered by the swishing, playful appendages.

Cultural Aesthetic:

Bulls with their curved horns and imposing builds align with the goblin love of strength and boldness, while cows’ nurturing qualities reflect the goblins’ communal values.

Goblins’ Relationship with Other Mounts:

Goats for the Youth: Goblin children often start by riding sturdy mountain goats, which are agile and easier to handle for small riders.

Caring for the Cattles:

Goblins treat their cattles like treasured family members, lavishing them with attention and care.

Shampooing and Blow-Drying Rituals: Goblins bathe their cattles with natural shampoos made from wild herbs, such as glowfern leaves and riverflower blossoms. Afterward, the cattles are carefully blow-dried with enchanted hair dryers powered by gentle wind spells, leaving their coats fluffy, shiny, and sweet-smelling.

Horn Polishing: The horns are polished with oils crafted from tree sap and goblin’s tail’s saliva, giving them a glossy finish that reflects light beautifully.

Practical Use:

Work and Travel: Cattles are strong enough to pull carts laden with goods or plow fields with ease. Their calm demeanor and ability to navigate tough terrain make them reliable mounts for goblins traveling long distances.

Riding: Despite their size, the goblins’ lightweight frames make them perfect riders. Specially crafted saddles with padded seats and intricate designs allow for comfortable rides, both for the goblins and the cattles.

Bond Between Goblin and cattle:

Goblins form lifelong bonds with their cattles, often raising them from calves. This connection is so deep that goblins frequently sing lullabies to their cattles as they sleep or tell them stories during grooming sessions.

~~~~

Rune’s Cow: Name and Personality

Name: Aya'lu (Combining “Aya” for soul/spirit and “lu” for light, evoking “light of my soul.”). Rune would choose a name that symbolizes how much this cow means to him—a light in his dark and lonely life. Aya'lu could also be inspired by his dreams of proving himself and bringing his clan out of their shadowed reputation.

Personality: Aya'lu was not just a cow to Rune; she was his confidante and his solace. She was calm and intelligent, often nudging him affectionately when he was upset and often playing with his tail. Rune treated her like a friend and family member, grooming her meticulously, decorating her horns with flowers, and even talking to her about his dreams and frustrations.

What Happened to Aya'lu?

Aya’lu, Rune’s beloved cow, was more than just a mount—she was his only true family. Raised with unmatched care and affection, Aya’lu symbolized the unconditional love and loyalty Rune never received from his parents. Her death was a tragic turning point in Rune’s life, rooted in a complex web of emotions, history, and loss.

The Sootsnout Attack

The Mossfang village was struck by a sudden and brutal raid by the Sootsnout clan. The attack came under the cover of darkness, with the Sootsnouts seeking to pillage supplies, destroy the progressive goblins’ morale, and reclaim what they saw as their “rightful” dominance.

During the chaos:

Losses: Young goblins died defending their homes, and many mounts were slaughtered, including Rune’s father’s prized bull.

Rune’s Bravery: Rune and Aya’lu, working as a flawless team, protected a group of vulnerable goblins. Rune’s quick thinking and Aya’lu’s powerful presence allowed them to hold off a group of Sootsnouts, preventing even greater losses. Their actions were heroic, but they also stood out, drawing attention to their close bond and Rune’s unique skill.

When the Sootsnouts retreated, the village was left grieving its losses.

The Father’s Anger

Rune’s “father,” consumed by grief over the loss of his mount and the young goblins, couldn’t bear to face the true culprits: the Sootsnouts, led by his cruel brother. The Sootsnout chief’s legacy haunted him, and seeing Rune—the living reminder of his brother’s betrayal—only stoked his rage.

When he looked at Rune and Aya’lu, alive and barely scratched after the battle, their survival felt like a taunt. Rune’s bond with Aya’lu, so perfect and in sync, reminded him of everything he’d lost—not just his mount, but the life he once envisioned for himself and his clan.

In a moment of grief-stricken fury, Rune’s father convinced himself that Rune needed to understand the weight of loss, to be “humbled” for the good of the clan.

The Act

Late at night, Rune’s father snuck into Aya’lu’s pen and ended her life.

His Justification: Blinded by anger, he told himself it was a necessary act to teach Rune what loss felt like. Perhaps, deep down, he even thought it would break Rune’s connection to the Sootsnouts’ “bloodline,” making him less of a threat.

The Cover-Up: To avoid suspicion, he staged the scene to look like a skinwalker attack. Goblins, already wary of skinwalkers, would accept this explanation without question.

The Fallout

When Rune discovered Aya’lu’s remains, he was inconsolable.

Grief: Rune screamed and cried openly, kneeling by her body and refusing to let anyone move her. It was as though a piece of his soul had been ripped away. Aya’lu wasn’t just his companion—she was the only being who had shown him unconditional love.

Ceremony: The village gathered to honor Aya’lu in a traditional mount ceremony. Her horns were polished and adorned with flowers, and she was laid to rest with care. The community mourned her as they would any goblin, recognizing her as a vital part of Rune’s life and the village’s strength.

The Father’s Coldness

Rune’s father, still seething with unresolved grief and anger, couldn’t bring himself to offer comfort. Instead, he dismissed Rune’s pain with cutting words:

“Good she’s the only one who died. We can’t all be so lucky.” The words struck Rune like a blow, reinforcing his sense of isolation and unworthiness.

Later, Rune’s father might have felt regret but was too proud or ashamed to admit it. His bitterness over his brother’s legacy and the Sootsnouts’ actions kept him from reconciling with Rune, deepening the emotional chasm between them.

Unresolved Truths

Rune doesn’t immediately suspect his father, believing the skinwalker story like everyone else. However, over time, small inconsistencies—strange comments from his father or the fact skinwalker never attack only one prey—plant seeds of doubt in Rune’s mind.

If Rune ever discovers the truth, it could shatter what little hope he add to be loved by his father. The truth would adds another layer of pain to Rune’s departure for Fablewood Academy. He leaves not just to prove himself to the world but also to escape the toxic environment of his home. Though, he’s in denial and refuse to accept that truth.

Aya’lu’s Legacy

Even after her death, Aya’lu remains a guiding light for Rune:

A Keepsake: Rune keeps something from Aya’lu. The star gangling from his glasses and the painting palette/brush earring are made from her horns.

~~~

Goblin Hair-Cutting Rituals

Symbol of Loss: Goblins cut their hair short only in moments of profound grief, symbolizing the loss of a part of their soul. It’s a deeply personal act that shows they are mourning something irreplaceable—whether a loved one, a cherished partner, or even a beloved animal companion.

Cultural Significance:

Cutting one’s hair is a way of releasing emotional pain and honoring the memory of the lost.

It’s not done impulsively. A goblin must be certain that what they lost was truly tied to their soul.

Regrowth and Renewal:

As the hair grows back, it’s seen as a reflection of healing. However, it’s also a reminder that while the goblin may move forward, the loss has left a permanent mark on their soul.

Rune’s Hair-Cutting Story

For Rune, Aya’lu’s death was so devastating that it felt like he had lost his only family. After the ceremony to honor Aya’lu, Rune quietly retreated to his room and performed the hair-cutting ritual in solitude.

Symbolism for Rune: By cutting his hair, Rune was acknowledging that Aya’lu’s death took a part of his soul with her. It was his way of grieving her deeply and expressing how much she meant to him.

The Emotional Aftermath: In the months since Aya’lu’s death, Rune’s hair has grown back slightly but remains shorter than usual. He hasn’t yet allowed it to reach its full length again, which could symbolize that while he’s healing, he’s still carrying the weight of her loss.

Visual Impact: His shorter hair might set him apart from other goblins, who would have longer hair. It’s a subtle, visual representation of his mourning, even if others don’t know the full story.

[lola-legendary]

I'm really loving the parallels of Alfyn and Cyrus to Chinese mythology

Mainly, Shennong and Huangdi.

Long explanation under cut.

Shennong and Alfyn

Shennong's village was a poor one, and only became prosperous after he took the helm.

From memory, Shennong is widely credited for the creations of

Farming

Herbal medicines

Actual clothing

Musical Instruments

Some of that sure sounds familiar.

Not only that, Shennong was said to travel 365 days (a year) and tried 365 herbs, both poisonous and edible.

That's something a certain apothecary would do.

If we take into consideration of their partners, Shennong was accompanied by a sprightly young girl known for her acrobatics and agility.

Compare that to a particular white-haired thief. Less bubbly, but he would definitely help out.

Huangdi and Cyrus

On the other end of the scale, Huangdi's village was so prosperous, their problem was not being able to transport food.

From memory, Huangdi is known for

Invention of the wheel (and by extension, carts)

Invention of the boat

Becoming first King of China

Again, sounds like a particular someone...

Huangdi was unpartnered for the majority of the time before the war, I think. But he has a daughter. So...

Yeah. You get the idea.

[xaltam]

Custom Software Development Company in Delhi NCR-Pioneering Digital Transformation

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses across the globe are increasingly relying on custom software solutions to meet their unique needs and stay ahead of the competition. Delhi NCR, a bustling hub of technological innovation, is home to numerous software development companies that are at the forefront of this digital revolution. Among these, Xaltam stands out as a premier custom software development company, offering unparalleled services and solutions.

Understanding Custom Software Development

Custom software development involves designing, creating, deploying, and maintaining software tailored to meet the specific requirements of a business or user. Unlike off-the-shelf software, custom solutions are built to address the unique challenges and goals of an organization, ensuring a perfect fit with existing processes and systems.

Why Choose a Custom Software Development Company in Delhi NCR?

Access to Top Talent: Delhi NCR is renowned for its pool of highly skilled and experienced software developers, engineers, and IT professionals. Companies in this region have access to some of the best talents in the industry, ensuring high-quality software solutions.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Compared to other global tech hubs, Delhi NCR offers cost-effective software development services without compromising on quality. Businesses can achieve significant cost savings while getting custom solutions that cater to their specific needs.

Cutting-Edge Technology: The tech ecosystem in Delhi NCR is vibrant and constantly evolving. Software development companies here leverage the latest technologies and methodologies to deliver innovative and robust solutions.

Scalability and Flexibility: Custom software development companies in Delhi NCR provide scalable and flexible solutions that grow with your business. Whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise, these companies can tailor their services to meet your evolving needs.

Xaltam: Leading the Way in Custom Software Development

Xaltam, a prominent custom software development company based in Delhi NCR, has been instrumental in driving digital transformation for businesses across various industries. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on delivering value, Xaltam has established itself as a trusted partner for companies looking to leverage technology for growth and success.

Services Offered by Xaltam

Web Development: Xaltam specializes in creating responsive, user-friendly, and high-performance websites that enhance user experience and drive engagement. Their expertise spans across various platforms and technologies, ensuring a seamless online presence for your business.

Mobile App Development: In today’s mobile-first world, having a robust mobile application is crucial for business success. Xaltam develops custom mobile apps that are intuitive, feature-rich, and compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

Enterprise Solutions: Xaltam offers comprehensive enterprise software solutions that streamline business processes, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity. From CRM systems to ERP solutions, they cater to the diverse needs of modern enterprises.

E-Commerce Solutions: With a focus on creating secure and scalable e-commerce platforms, Xaltam helps businesses establish a strong online retail presence. Their solutions include custom shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management systems.

Cloud Solutions: Xaltam provides cloud-based solutions that enable businesses to leverage the power of cloud computing for enhanced agility, scalability, and cost savings. Their services include cloud migration, cloud storage, and cloud application development.

The Xaltam Advantage

Client-Centric Approach: Xaltam places a strong emphasis on understanding the unique needs and goals of each client. Their client-centric approach ensures that every solution is tailored to deliver maximum value and achieve desired outcomes.

Proven Track Record: With a portfolio of successful projects across various industries, Xaltam has a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions. Their expertise and experience make them a reliable partner for businesses of all sizes.

Innovative Solutions: Xaltam is committed to innovation and constantly explores new technologies and methodologies to stay ahead of the curve. Their innovative solutions help businesses stay competitive and achieve sustainable growth.

Comprehensive Support: Xaltam provides end-to-end support, from initial consultation and development to deployment and maintenance. Their comprehensive support ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience for clients.

Conclusion

As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the digital world, the need for custom software solutions becomes increasingly evident. Delhi NCR, with its rich talent pool and vibrant tech ecosystem, is an ideal location for businesses seeking top-notch custom software development services. Xaltam, with its expertise, innovation, and client-centric approach, is well-positioned to help businesses achieve their digital transformation goals. Partner with Xaltam and embark on a journey of growth, efficiency, and success in the digital age.

[healthcarehubhh]

Medical Robotic Systems of the Future

Introduction Robotic systems have drastically changed the field of medicine and healthcare over the past few decades. By augmenting a surgeon's abilities, these systems allow for minimally invasive procedures that reduce recovery time for patients. Looking ahead, newer generations of robots promise even greater precision and autonomy. Advancing Surgical Medical Robotic Systems Surgical robots like da Vinci allow a surgeon to operate through small incisions from a console several feet away. da Vinci's wrists and instruments provide 7 degrees of freedom similar to the human hand, enhancing control and visibility. New models add features like a separate robot arm for assisting the main surgeon. As robotic arms and components evolve to maximize agility and precision, procedures that were previously difficult or risky can be improved. Enhanced Mobility for Rehabilitation For patients recovering from injuries or surgeries, robotic exoskeletons and prosthetics are restoring mobility. Exoskeletons allow paraplegics to stand and move about with motors augmenting weakened legs and hips. Prosthetic hands and arms powered by miniature motors can perform delicate tasks like play piano. Continued advances may one day provide near-natural alternatives to lost limbs through highly dexterous robotic replacements. Medical Robotic System Assistance for Healthcare Workers In hospitals, robots are taking up duties to help overburdened nurses and doctors. Automated carts deliver meals, supplies and medication between floors, reducing time spent searching for items. Mobile robots guide visitors to patient rooms and provide information displays. For infectious patients, robot assistants allow remote video visits while safely limiting exposure. This growing robotic support helps maximize valuable human time and resources. Precision Robots in Non-Invasive Diagnostics Certain medical diagnostic robots can examine the body in delicate, non-invasive ways. Capsule endoscopes are swallowable cameras that capture high definition videos of the entire digestive tract. Retinal scanning robots take ultra high resolution photos of the eye to screen for conditions like diabetes or glaucoma. Miniature swimming robots explore blood vessels to locate blockages, acting as nanosubmarines inside the body. As diagnostic technology improves, robotic tools may uncover medical problems at even earlier stages. The Future of Assistive Care Medical Robotic System In future decades, robotics will likely become further integrated into healthcare through assistive robots focused on well-being. Companion robots can check vitals, remind patients to take medications, and reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation for the elderly living independently. Nursing robots may lift or turn bedridden patients with human-level gentleness. Miniature nanobots one day may precisely deliver drugs, patch tissues at a cellular level or flush toxins from the liver. Combined with continued advances in artificial intelligence, medical robots will reshape healthcare as they take increasingly supportive caregiving roles.

About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191

[brookewalkerblog]

Decoding Headless Commerce: Top Platforms for Unparalleled Flexibility

Headless commerce is a rapidly growing trend in ecommerce, offering benefits like improved site performance and agility for quick changes. While it offers creative freedom and enables developers to create bespoke experiences, it's not as easy as advertised. To fully understand headless commerce, it's essential to understand its meaning, how to unlock its potential, and how platforms like Shopify Development Services have helped thousands of brands achieve this.

What is Headless Commerce?

Headless commerce is an ecommerce model where the front-end presentation layer is separated from the back-end functionality, allowing flexibility in content delivery across various platforms. This architecture allows brands to create unique storefront experiences, and developers to leverage composable tech stacks with their preferred ECommerce Development Services tools.

Headless commerce allows for multiple front-end experiences for different customer touch points, enabling omnichannel expansion and rapid international expansion. The back-end can use fine-grained services to meet complex operational needs, and there's no vendor lock-in, allowing for easy swapping out of best-of-breed services.

What is a Headless Platform in eCommerce?

A headless commerce platform is a system that separates the front and back ends of an eCommerce store, allowing business logic to run the entire experience in ways customers never see. This flexible solution is ideal for eCommerce teams looking to create a unique approach to their store, as traditional systems have a cookie-cutter experience for both shoppers and administrative staff.

Headless eCommerce allows for customizable experiences on both ends, making it a freeing solution for companies that have felt tied down by traditional templates. Native headless commerce platforms, created specifically for headless platforms, can be used by companies of all sizes to deliver highly customized experiences on any device by leveraging ecommerce APIs.

However, traditional commerce systems that weren't built to be headless may still support this decoupling process, depending on how cleanly they adapt to headless support.

Discover Top Platforms for Headless Commerce

BigCommerce

BigCommerce, a popular eCommerce solution, offers numerous commerce capabilities for businesses, with a special Enterprise edition for large companies. Headless BigCommerce allows developers and store owners to deploy and manage their websites, offering flexibility and customization in combining content and commerce features. With a wide selection of tools, including front-end frameworks, content management systems, and digital experience platforms, it enables quick store launch and easy modification.

nopCommerce

NopCommerce is an open-source eCommerce platform based on the ASP.NET framework, offering secure, scalable, and free downloads. It offers the lowest ownership cost in the industry, allowing users to own an online store without paying monthly or yearly fees. NopCommerce features a configurable shopping cart, catalog interface, robust monitoring, and management features. Its headless eCommerce architecture is built using a Web API plugin, allowing interaction with third-party services like CMS, PIMs, ERPs, POS, custom front-end solutions, and mobile apps.

Shopify Plus

Shopify, a top SaaS eCommerce platform with over 1.75 million live stores, is designed for small merchants. Shopify Plus offers a full-fledged solution for medium- and large businesses, offering limitless potential, integrated automation tools, and advanced commerce features. It enables merchants to transform any digital screen or device into a sales channel, ensuring seamless customer experiences. Shopify Development Services have been instrumental in helping businesses unlock the platform's full potential.

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Adobe Commerce, now Magento, is a headless commerce platform that enables web developers to create custom applications for customers. It offers omnichannel solutions, real-time inventory management, and analytics. Magento supports custom integrations in various fields, including CRM, CMS, PIM, ERP, accounting, marketing, and inventory management. Magento Development Services have been crucial for businesses looking to leverage the platform's capabilities.

Commercetools

Commercetools is a top enterprise headless commerce platform, offering a cloud-based API-enabled solution for rapid setup and seamless integration. It controls user interface and information transfer between front-end clients and back-end ERP systems. The architecture is based on the MACH philosophy, allowing for efficient infrastructure construction and upgrading while adapting experiences to business and consumer demands.

Spryke

Spryker is a German headless commerce platform with over 900 API modules, trusted by major companies like Toyota, Prym, and Lekkerland. It offers cloud-enabled solutions for B2B and B2C companies, integrating smart devices and legacy platforms, and using IoT touchpoints for eCommerce recurring purchases.

OroCommerce

OroCommerce is an open-source eCommerce platform designed for B2B businesses, offering extensive functionality for any business model. Available as an on-premise and SaaS/cloud-based solution, it combines a robust commerce back-end with front-end applications like CRM or ERP.

Salesforce Commerce

Salesforce Commerce Cloud power can be confirmed by numerous B2B and B2C brands that trusted the enterprise solution. SCC is a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) commerce platform to create smart, unified buying experiences across mobile, social, web, and store. SCC is targeted at brands and retailers that require B2C functionality that want to focus on trading, not development.

[payment-process-services]

Navigating the Digital Realm: Unraveling the Significance of Credit Card Processing in eCommerce

In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, the backbone of seamless transactions lies in effective credit card processing. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, businesses must adapt to the evolving landscape of payment methods. In this blog, we explore the pivotal role of credit card processing in eCommerce, shedding light on best practices and emerging trends that shape the future of online transactions.

The eCommerce Boom: A Statistical Snapshot

Before delving into the nuances of credit card processing, let's glance at the remarkable surge in eCommerce. According to Statista, global eCommerce sales are projected to reach a staggering $6.31 trillion by 2023, showcasing the escalating trend of digital shopping. This paradigm shift necessitates a robust payment infrastructure, and credit card processing stands at the forefront.

Efficiency and Security: Cornerstones of Credit Card Processing

Efficiency is paramount in eCommerce, and credit card processing systems play a pivotal role in streamlining transactions. According to a study by PYMNTS, 90% of consumers prioritize a seamless checkout experience. Implementing agile credit card processing not only caters to this demand but also enhances customer satisfaction and retention.

Security is equally crucial, considering the rising incidents of cyber threats. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ensures a secure environment for credit card transactions. According to the PCI Security Standards Council, compliance with PCI DSS significantly reduces the risk of data breaches. In an era where trust is a currency, prioritizing security in credit card merchant account is non-negotiable.

Trends Shaping the Future of Credit Card Processing

1. Contactless Payments: The Rise of Tap-and-Go

Contactless payments have gained immense popularity, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by Juniper Research, contactless transaction values are expected to surpass $11 trillion by 2027. The convenience and speed of tap-and-go transactions resonate with consumers, making it imperative for eCommerce platforms to integrate contactless payment options seamlessly.

2. Mobile Wallets: Transforming the Shopping Experience

With the proliferation of smartphones, mobile wallets have become a preferred mode of payment. According to a survey by Fortune Business Insights, global mobile payment transactions are projected to exceed $2.98 trillion in 2023. Integrating mobile wallet options alongside traditional credit card processing provides consumers with flexibility, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Fraud Prevention Dynamics

As eCommerce evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is becoming instrumental in detecting and preventing fraudulent transactions. According to a report by PYMNT, 80% of surveyed fraud prevention experts credit AI with reducing fraud and improving security. Implementing advanced algorithms in credit card processing systems enhances fraud detection capabilities, fortifying the defence against malicious activities.

Best Practices for Seamless Credit Card Processing

1. Optimize Checkout Processes

Streamlining the checkout process is pivotal for reducing cart abandonment rates. According to the Baymard Institute, the average cart abandonment rate is a staggering 70.19%. Simplifying forms, providing guest checkout options, and offering multiple payment methods contribute to a frictionless experience.

2. Prioritize Mobile Responsiveness

As mobile shopping gains prominence, ensuring a seamless mobile experience is paramount. According to Think with Google, 53% of mobile site visits are abandoned if pages take longer than three seconds to load. Mobile-responsive credit card processing ensures a smooth transaction flow, catering to the needs of on-the-go consumers.

3. Implement Multi-Layered Security Measures

A robust defence against cyber threats involves implementing multi-layered security measures. Utilizing encryption technologies, tokenization, and two-factor authentication adds layers of protection to credit card processing systems. As per a study by Verizon, 96% of data breaches can be avoided through simple or intermediate security controls. Moreover, businesses dealing in high-risk industries or locations should prefer high risk payment processing providers for credit card processing to safeguard their business and customers from any potential fraud.

Looking Ahead: The Future Landscape of Credit Card Processing

The future of credit card processing in eCommerce is dynamic, marked by continual advancements and evolving consumer preferences. As technology continues to shape the way we shop, businesses must adapt to stay ahead of the curve. The integration of innovative payment methods, emphasis on security, and adherence to best practices will define success in the digital realm.

In conclusion, credit card processing is the linchpin of eCommerce, weaving together efficiency, security, and consumer satisfaction. Embracing emerging trends and adhering to best practices ensures that businesses not only survive but thrive in the competitive landscape of online commerce. As we navigate the digital realm, the significance of credit card processing becomes more pronounced, underlining its status as a cornerstone of modern-day transactions.

[omnilabsolutions]

Agilent Instrument Carts

OMNI Lab Solution is committed to providing Agilent Instrument Carts. OMNI’s laboratory workstations are designed and manufactured to provide a durable, flexible, and streamlined solution for the modern lab. These carts are designed and manufactured to provide a durable and streamlined solution for the modern laboratory. Kindly visit us at omnilabsolutions.com or call us +16195796664. We are always here to help you.

[rahab-of-the-sea]

Christmas in Nosgoth

Before Raziels execution, during the early days of Kains empire when all the Clans had settled in their lands and had adapted well over the centuries, another year was slowly passing them by once more an new one was soon to begin, yet there was nothing but desolation in the land of Nosgoth. The dusty barren lands held no life to them, even the monsters that had once claimed them seemed to have dwindled in size and become on the verge of extinction.

For those of Kains sons, in each clan territory, things carried on the same. Feed on humans, torture humans, train hard, feed on more humans and so on. Nothing for them seemed out of the ordinary.

Raziels clan were always so gluttonous with their self egoistic and self assured nature. They thought of themselves as royalty over the others and felt like they only needed to feed most of the time in their lush feeding rooms. In the hotter lands where the lava flows like water, Turels own Clan were too busy in training hard to improve themselves and creating armor and weapons in their blacksmith lairs. They were always good at keeping to their own business unless Razielim caused a scene somewhere. Though Turelim and their leader were always far too busy training to be stronger and more powerful then the rest. Like an underdog that was just waiting for the chance to rise up.

In the far side was Dumahs lands. They were similar to the Turelim, train, eat, train, eat. Although perhaps Dumah himself liked to busy himself personally with vampiric affairs, he never seemed to distracted or did he ever seem to lack. He always seemed close to Raziel at times, but such visits were rare between the two lords. Meanwhile in the high up mountains where an abandoned cathedral lay to ruin was Zephon. Perhaps one of the strangest of clans to be known. Always in hiding and sticking to the shadows when their master didn’t task them on spying, even with the smoke in the air they never seemed to venture out of their little ruin.

Zephon most of all was the master behind his puppets, or so he saw his own clan as. He’d send out scouts to different areas to study, observe and inform Zephon of the on goings in other Clan areas. He couldn’t care much for Humans besides them being a simple filling meal from time to time. His clan was perhaps the busiest but they were always hiding. Between the twisted self torture routines, they never seemed like the other clans.

Another with an oddity was Melchiah. He’d taken ownership of the necropolis area. His clan was almost similar to Zephons. They never ventured out much . Always kept to their own clan area. The only time any of them left was to find food when needed, attack humans when a battle has been arranged but usually Melachahim weren’t the strongest and always left aside with the Zephonim. Their physical strength was little to non and therefore the Turelim, Razilim and Dumahim were the ones always on the front lines. However Melchiah and his clan would carry about their days as per usual, study the arts of Necromancy and death, feed, study more. Their Lord had his own interests in arts, crafting from the flesh of humans was one of his many talents. But one Clan compared to all was the most reclusive. Rahabim.

Unlike the others, Rahabim were an in between of offensive and defensive. They were not like Zephim ad Melachahim, nor did they possess the strength of Dumahim or Razilim. They would barley be able to win an arm wrestling match against a Turelim. They were unique but more so keepers of the sea. They had a sense of pride the others did not, but also had adapted to their sires jealous like nature towards the other clans. They trained hard, submerged in water for hours, days and even weeks to become ‘stronger’ and more able. They studied during their spare time or collected artifacts for their Lord, and then when they could, they would feed. Feeding was needed mostly for the fledglings, but once the more mature ones managed to adapt to water like their sire, they themselves trained in the arts of fighting. Unlike Dumahim or Zephonim. They ‘danced’. Their agility made them unique in ways, but their ability to adapt to water and use it as a weapon made them all the more powerful.

Even the fledglings had an ego to them. They didn’t see themselves as nobles, kings or royalty. They simply saw themselves better then the others, more dangerous and yet they kept it to themselves. Never once mentioning their own egoistic nature or desires to be better. Perhaps that was what made them dangerous. Collect, calm and calculated. Never on the front lines, but always watching and waiting. Plotting and designing new ways to expand Kains Empire. For Rahab himself, his days were never dull. Musical instruments healed his burning soul, or what remained of it, and he’d study between the cultures of humans and war tactics. He always tried to find a way to be better then the others without exactly showing off like Raziel would do. All Rahab wanted was to gain Kain’s favor. He wanted to be the no.1, he wanted to be the best but he never showed it. There was also his love for fighting, he’d train alongside the others, even assist fledglings in adapting to water much better.

Yet on this day he felt something odd. Information had been passed down from a Zephonim spy that the humans in one of their guarded cities where celebrating some kind of odd festival. Rahab had always found that understanding his enemy better is key to their downfall. He’d waited until late that evening before he would venture out on his own lands and into human territory. When he came to the old city he watched from outside is high prison like walls. The sky was softly lite by the glow of the cities lights from amber candle lights. It seemed silent in there, all but the faintest sound of singing could be heard.

This perked the Vampires ears a little. For the songs they sung were between cheerful and calm, yet the tone was enough to almost subdue the vampire into a lull state, almost forgetting his original purpose. He needed to understand why these humans carried on this way, was it because the year was ending in just a few short days? Perhaps they thought they had conquered the vampires by hiding? Curiosity edged the vampire lord on as he found a way to get to the inner sanctum of the city. As much as he hated the idea, the pipping from the sea that led into the city were helpful as the vampire lord found himself in the darkness of the humans drainage. The mixture of odd smelling humans decorated in a spice like smell and the scent of the salty water had an odd combination that was somewhat bitter but somewhat nice.

From one of the metal gratings in the city, Rahab was able to look up and peer into the city. He saw colors of red, green and white that decorated the area. Rahab didn’t comprehend this, was it perhaps the humans color that symbolized them or their city? Then there was a decorative banner, it was ancient as time could be and there appeared to be a man on it. A halo decorated around his head illuminating his white wiry hair, his robes where distinctive. Red and white with a cross on the white sashes. Rahab knew this was a saint, he’d seen many human artworks of their beloved saints, but this one was different. He’d never seen such a saint honored in such an odd way. Why did the humans sing softly with cheer and the children play late of night? Did they no longer fear the vampires or a possible attack?

A bitterness inside Rahab grew as he grumbled softly. He needed a closure look and so he found himself walking further and further into the city through the pipping until he came to a dark alley way where a single metal grate was his doorway into this strange human city. Rahab could have almost laughed at how easy it was to get in here. They were so unaware, so focused on this saint and singing, which made Rahab all the more curious. He did not intend to feast while he was here, he’d wait to be safely back in his own lands for such a thing. Despite how defenseless they where, there was another task at hand. One of knowledge.

Then there was a rumbling that made Rahab snapping turn his head in the direction of the noise, drums began to loudly go off accompanied by a barbaric sound of yelling and beastly gurgling. Rahab peered around the corner, there he saw a line of humans clapping and laughing, others were screaming in horror and fear. The different scents made Rahab confused, for he didn’t understand this at all. As he found himself moving through the shadows to get a better look, he watched these odd beasts stomp about. They were not demons, nor where they a resemblance of any vampires. perhaps the red ones seemed like demons but it was odd.  Then there were the goat like ones, but they stood on two legs and banged drums about like humans. They had horns on their heads, decorated where some, others not so much. They laughed and taunted various children. Some younglings were even grabbed, gently hit with these odd stick like tools similar to a human broom. Other younglings where picked up and placed inside a primitive looking cage made of sticks, some where carried on the backs of these beasts. The children will wail in horror and it seemed these beasts would cart the children off, but then they would release them back to their parents, whom only seemed to laugh. How odd this was.

A saint, cheerful singing and beasts kidnapping and then releasing children? What on Nosgoth did these humans celebrate? Had the humans really falling so far in their culture and ways to be lunatics? None of this seemed to make any sort of sense. It was disgraceful, disturbing but also it made Rahab curious. He needed to know more. As the parade of these beasts left there came a man, he obviously wasn’t the one in these banners, but his attire was similar to this saint. He walked around and gave small gifts to the humans, the tiny younglings that had been crying before hand where now glowing with joy and happiness. Was this like some twisted experiment similar to the Zephonim? a way to make younglings stronger?

More songs followed with the presence of the fake saint and his false praising words. And then, then there was silence. As the fake saint left, the humans joined their hands together in an odd manner, their eyes closed and then they just seemed to fall silent. Did they just fall asleep? Moving from one small little house to the next, Rahab observed them and their odd nature. It was only then, during his moments of movement, did he find a book on a small outside wooden table. The title was Saint Nicholas And the Krampus. An odd title and odd names but Rahab took it, pouching it behind his back. Perhaps it would have more useful content then these humans.

So time drew on before the humans, one by one, seemed to come back to life from their small slumber. They then moved off to their little houses and it was then that Rahab withdrew carefully back to the Alley and down into the pipping once more. He had witnessed something bizzare, something truly terrifying but also intriguing. Briefly he glanced down at the book once more from its secure position by his side before he ventured through the narrow pipping and back out toward the sea. He had once made the mistake of swimming his way back with such ‘precious’ and fragile items these humans created. Books where not meant to survive in water obviously. Therefore Rahab didn’t wish to make the same mistake. A small boat was sighted, unoccupied thankfully as Rahab took possession of it and sailed his way back to his home. It was much more time consuming, but during the time he read over the book, he hadn’t even gotten past the first few chapters of it. By the time he arrived back to the safety of his clan land, the Drowned Abbey was a blissful sight to see, compared to the human city. Yet what Rahab understood was that the humans where reenacting the story of this saint and these devil beasts called Krampus’. It was still bizzare but Rahab found it oddly beautiful. Retreating to his private chambers, the vampire lord was determined to understand more of this celebration. Though it may lack use for Kain, it certainly didn’t lack use for Rahab of his clan.

[divine-veil-vb]

History pt. 5 - Downfall

Part 4 <---

The couple of weeks that followed were... interesting. Arsene's master, Varg Blacksoul, had come back home from work a few hours later Lareine had awakened. For Lareine's relief he had just briefly dropped by in her room before disappearing again. She had quickly learned to get along well with Arsene, who had happened to been keeping her company when Varg had arrived, so they had avoided the most awkward possible situations. Varg had just walked in without bothering to knock, looked from Lareine to Arsene, and without even greeting, just asked: "Has she eaten?"

"Oh yes", Arsene had answered, smiling. "For at least three people."

Varg had nodded absent-mindedly and then asked Lareine: "Need any more analgesics?"

"The anal what?" Lareine had blurted.

"Painkillers."

"Ah, no." He had nodded again and walked out of the door. Lareine hadn't seen him during that day anymore. Arsene had explained he was very busy, and was currently working for the archbishop and his personal guard, clergy, hospital, front lines and on top of all he had his own, unofficial clinic where odd folks with odd problems came for help.

"Wow", Lareine had said. "He doesn't eat or sleep at all then, huh?"

"Scarcely", Arsene had admitted furrowing.

"Ain't it possible to die from too much work?" she had asked.

"It is, indeed", the butler had agreed, looking suddenly very grim for some reason. Lareine hadn't seen fit to ask more about it. It wasn't her problem.

She had spent a couple of days just laying still and staring at the sky from the window of her room. Hells yes she would've needed more painkillers, but hells no she hadn't wanted to take anything from Varg again. Her mind was feeling much more clear without his mixtures. She had also started to feel her numb limbs again, maybe even too vividly. Soon she had been back to the point she could barely move, and the men had started to have their suspicions.

"Don't touch me!" Lareine had barked at Varg, when Arsene had finally gotten fed up with Lareine's misery and demanded him to come and take a look at her.

"I kind of have to", he had stated, sounding indifferent, almost bored, while standing next to Lareine's bed, holding a syringe. "Or do you want to rather suffer?"

"Why can't he do it?" Lareine had asked and nodded towards Arsene, who had been following their conversation with his forehead full of wrinkles.

Meanwhile Varg had sighed and glanced towards the roof like asking for endurance and patience from the higher powers, Arsene had explained:

"I'm very sorry, but I don't know much about medicine. Does the miss have any idea what horrors would happen, even with a small instrument like such, in the hands of the unaware?"

Lareine had glared at the butler for a moment, but after it had become clear he wouldn't offer her any support, she had turned back to glare at the au ra.

"...don't touch me", she had repeated stubbornly.

"Fine", Varg had said. "I will give it to you after you have passed out."

Then he had walked away again, leaving her spend some quality time with her aching carcass. Lareine indeed had passed out later that evening. When she had come to next morning, the pain had been almost completely gone, but she was feeling numb and tired again.

"Screw you", she had muttered alone in the empty room.

After thinking long and hard Lareine had come to a conclusion, that if she kept taking her damned medicine, she would get better sooner, and thus could also leave this mental hospital sooner. She had decided she would play a nice little girl for a week or two, endure her sentence and then... Varg was at work almost all the time, and Arsene, despite spending most of his time at the estate, would just mind his own business. She'd be far before they'd even realize she was missing.

Arsene had seemed genuinely happy about the sudden change in her attitude, but when the next time to take her medicine had come and she hadn't resisted, Varg had stared at her with narrowed eyes like trying to see through her. It surely had felt like it too.

However, Lareine wasn't too concerned about it. She knew how people like him were: they tried to appear intimidating and dominating, but it was just pretense. In reality they were whimpering, weak losers, and their show affected only those with feeble minds. Just like Pavel had been. She was certain, that if she could use her hands, legs and weapons like usual, she and Varg would be pretty much equally good in a fight. He might have more power, but she had more speed and agility. If it was one versus one, and not five versus one like the previous match had been...

There was just one little problem. Laying in bed had become boring already during the first day Lareine had awakened. She had asked Arsene to fetch her some books, but their assortment had sucked. Most of their books had been about anatomy, herbs, elixirs and potions. The only ones that had interested Lareine even a little had been about different weapons: their history, making and maintenance, but the dagger and glaive part had been frustratingly short. Arsene had softened to bring Lareine a couple of tomes from his own shelf, but they hadn't been much of use either.

"Ugh, there's really people out there who read crap like this?" Lareine had cried out thunderstruck, and only too late realized the butler had been still standing next to her. "No offense, gramps", she had added. "But this stuff is so... sugary, ya know?"

Arsene had just laughed understandingly and taken his books back. "These are very old ones I've kept only for the sake of nostalgia. But why, I thought a young lady like you would be into love stories."

"They're alright", Lareine agreed, was silent for a while and then continued: "But right now I can't stand anything love-related in my eyes."

Arsene had observed her in silence with a hint of sadness on his face. "I see.”

For a few weeks Lareine had laid low and let her body heal, but after she had sworn and promised she wouldn't strain herself or make fast or sudden movements, Varg had given her permission to get out of her room.

"Keep an eye on her", he had commanded Arsene, while pulling his boots on in the hallway. "The internal damage is far from healed. The only reason she can stay on her feet for short periods of time is her medication. And the only reason I am allowing this nonsense is because I am aware it can get... boring in here." "Don't worry. I'll make sure she won't overdo it", Arsene had assured at Varg's back, while he had already been halfway out of the door.

Consequently Lareine had joined Arsene in his daily chores, though Arsene did all the work and Lareine was sitting or laying down somewhere nearby while watching him. It was quite dull as well since Lareine herself couldn't do anything, but it still beat the constant hours laid alone in bed. At least she had someone she could talk to. And the more time she spent away from her bed, the less time she had to see nightmares about Pavel and the night she was beaten.

She didn't remember there being even one moment she wouldn't have seen nightmares while she had slept. Every single moment of the times she should've been resting she had endlessly tried to escape mountain-sized roegadyns and hyurs. They had been running swiftly, meanwhile she had run slowly like she'd been wading in tar down to her knees. And just when she had been certain she had somehow miraculously shaken them off, the rat-faced midlander had jumped from somewhere down her throat and the rest of them had also caught her.

Couple of times her own screams had awakened her, and once it had been Arsene who had been beside her, trying to wake her up.

"You don't have to see them if you don't want to, miss Lareine", the butler had reassured her. "My master happens to have a similar problem, and he has a certain mixture that lets you sleep a dreamless sleep. It's quite strong however, has some troublesome side effects and may cause addiction, so it's not recommended for constant use. But every now and then, it shouldn't be a problem -"

"I don't want it", Lareine had interrupted, wiping sweat away from her face. "Don't tell him, please. Really... this ain't as bad as it seems."

Arsene clearly hadn't believed a word she had said, but he hadn't mentioned it again. He apparently also hadn't told Varg, since the au ra never suggested Lareine taking the medicine in question.

After six weeks had passed since the beating, Lareine had become convinced it was time for her to go. She hadn't left the estate and thus hadn't been able to test for how far she could actually walk, but she was quite sure she'd have enough stamina to get to the stables. She'd steal some money from the estate's stash and rent a cart as far as it could take her. Her plans to start a new life with Rosaria hadn't become reality, but nothing could still prevent her from starting her own new life. She had found out about possible places to go and had gotten interested in Kugane, the capital of far east.

Lareine had perhaps grown fond of the old butler, and was sad she should leave him behind without even telling him. She would contact him later, explain everything and tell him she was safe. It was obvious Arsene knew some... things, but Lareine wanted to believe he hadn't sunken as low as his master. However, not even the only friend-like person she had ever found was enough reason to keep her here - not after what she had witnessed in this house of horrors.

Now she knew for sure her instinct had been correct from the start. There was something horribly wrong with their so called master. At first Lareine had thought she had just bathed in her own blood for so long it had ingrained the stench into her nose forever. However, lately she had learned it wasn't coming from her. It was him.

The stench was at its worst at times when Varg got home, and the only times Lareine didn't smell it was right after he had bathed and Arsene had done their laundry. She certainly didn't swallow the explanation of him being a trauma chirurgeon. There were countless other medics around the world who did the exact same kind of work as he did, but they didn't smell like slaughterhouse when they left work.

One day, while following Arsene doing his chores, Lareine had learned of the estate's cellar. The butler had been currently dusting his master's office, while Lareine had been exploring places. After not finding anything interesting from the shelves filled with boring books, a couple of animal skulls and a huge collection of potions and herbs, Lareine had casually opened one of the drawers of Varg's desk, waiting to find something ordinary inside, like notebooks, parchment, quills, pocket watch or gil.

"Is this a friggin' thumbscrew?" she would've wanted to ask. Instead, she had lifted the thing from the drawer and asked innocently: "Gramps, the heck is this?"

Arsene had frozen on the spot for a fleeting moment, and looked at the thing with a blank face. He had recovered from his confusion quickly.

"A certain kind of tool, miss Lareine", he had said, had calmly walked closer and taken the thing from her, simultaneously closing the drawer. "My my, what has gotten into him..? He knows better than well I don't like it when he scatters things in places where they don't belong."

Despite not being finished in the office, Arsene had led Lareine out of the room, and on their way they had stopped in front of the cellar door. Arsene had taken a key from his pocket, opened the door and forbade Lareine from entering, since the descent was steep and the stairs old and unstable and blah blah blah. Lareine had watched when he had disappeared into the dark corridor. She had heard a small chink from somewhere far away, and then Arsene had ascended the stairs, closed and locked the door, and continued his day like nothing out of ordinary would've happened.

Lareine didn't believe Varg actually did anything in the cellar. She would've noticed. But she was now certain what kind of "work" he did. She wanted to get far away from him and fast.

Next time she was alone with Arsene, and Varg had left for his night shift a couple of hours ago, Lareine put her plan in motion.

"I'm feeling tired, gramps", she noted after they had just had their evening tea, and were getting ready for some late paperwork. For a couple of days Arsene had been going through their archives and getting rid of useless papers, letting Lareine put the spared ones in order. "I think I'm gonna go to sleep early today."

"As you wish, miss Lareine", Arsene said while smiling. "I'll be up for a few hours at least. You're welcome to join me if you can't get sleep."

"Thanks."

Lareine had retired into her room and waited, until she was certain Arsene had returned to the living room. She still didn't have clothes to her liking, just some old-fashioned rags left by the previous masters of the estate. Arsene had promised to take Lareine shopping after she could go outside, but that would have to wait. In her current clothes she'd look like a beggar, but perhaps that would serve her cause.

It was almost ridiculously easy to get out. When she had first arrived to the estate, Lareine had definitely overestimated the duo. Arsene was listening to an orchestrion and humming playfully while sorting the papers. He sat in the couch and had turned his back to the corridor. Lareine was able to sneak past him like he wouldn't have even been there. There also wasn't any kind of security, only ordinary, locked doors she was able to open from the inside. She snatched someone's long, black winter coat from the coat rack and dashed outside. Lareine hadn't bothered to take boots that were several sizes too big. She'd survive better with her slippers, that also were a bit big for her, but at least they weren't men's size.

While Lareine was scurrying along the desolate streets of Ishgard, she felt free for the first time in ages. Even the cold weather, freezing paving or sleet that watered her head almost instantly couldn't ruin her triumph. She followed her plan and headed towards the stables. To her surprise, the cart driver currently on standby didn't ask her any questions, just gave her a very long look while she paid, and then apparently decided she had a good reason to do what she did.

Lareine noted to herself, that apparently chocobo cart and cobblestone street weren't a good combination for a traveler who had broken bones and stab wounds. Pff, who cared? She'd just have to bite the bullet. It'd get easier once they got away from the city. Roads were usually flatter.

When the cart approached the city gates, Lareine inched towards the end of the cart, which had no ceiling blocking the view. Ishgard was such a pretty city, she thought. It was truly a shame she couldn't stay. Soon she had forgotten herself to stare at the stonewalls, majestic towers and rising pillars looking high and mighty even in the middle of the worst possible weather.

Too late Lareine became aware of the situation, when she heard the cart driver talking to someone.

"Inspect away, ser knights", he laughed. "I've got nothing to hide. Just one passenger, but she didn't have luggage, so I don't think she has anything to hide either."

At the very moment Lareine noticed she was face to face with Varg. Before that she had only seen him in his cleric garb, or his hospital attire, or his more casual but elegant style he used at home. Never before had she seen him in full paladin armor, a long, white cloak, crown circlet and carrying a sword with engraved, flaming runes. She was so terrified she couldn't say or do anything. On the top of all her mouth dropped open on its own.

Varg just let out a deep sigh while furrowing his brow.

---> Part 6

[writeforself]

Hearts of Wolves [3/4]

Brasidas x Reader

Warning : Blood

A/N: Finally drafted out rest of the story. 

Descending the slope, you were accompanied by the sea wind and a silent Spartan. He walked slightly in front of you. Every step he took seemed well planned, not a sound was made. You kept trying to guess his intention, but nothing came to your mind. So you kept your distance and observed the environment for any clue.

Eventually you had some ideas. When you saw the cliff leading down to a beach, you remembered what you had heard from Nikolaos. This was the place he had warned you to stay away from because this was the spot where bandits liked to set up camps.

You stopped by the cliff. The layout of the camp below spread out right in front of you. There were five of them, but there were prisoners incarcerated inside a large shabby cage. They seemed to be tied together. You could hear taunting and crying in the roaring sea wind.

“I hate bandits.”

You said to yourself. But it still slipped out of your lips without your knowing. He turned and saw your eyes gazing down the cliff, full of resentment, sharp like a dark blade that strike agitation into him. Yet your calming posture still provided him confidence. The determination shown from the way you held the bow in your hands gave him comfort.

“So what’s your plan?”

Without conscious of the words you spoke of earlier, you looked up to Brasidas, who was staring at you with a smile hanging on his face. His expression confused you because you thought this was supposed to be something important and dangerous. But his countenance delivered assurance.

“I have information about a group of helots being kidnapped.” He pointed down at the captives. “I believe it’s them.” “And you are going to save them?” Directing your stare down the cliff. You questioned. The amusement simmering in your tone was easily observed. “Letting the bandits randomly kidnapping helots might cause disturbances.”

His voice is assertive. It was a quality shown by many Spartan men but only some integrated with such integrity. So far you had only met three in your life. His attitude shook you. Something arose inside you. Your grip on your bow became tighter.

“With your aim,” He stared at your bow. “You can hide in a high place to ambush and distract them.” “And you can sneak in to release the helots and help them escape?” He smiled. “That is the idea, yes.” “How can you put faith in my archery skill?”

“Beside you are probably the only person I know who use a bow? I trust Nikolaos and his words.” He looked away for a second although he seemed to have something more to say. “And I trust myself in trusting you.”

“Well, you better hurry then.” Your fingers lingered around the string of the bow, like musicians playing with their instrument. “But I can’t promise not to kill all the bandits.” “It won’t be a problem.” He chuckled, but frowned. “Before we start, may I ask you something?” His tone sounded worried.

“Go ahead.” “Why do you hate bandits?”

An itch or a pain, you felt something unpleasant arose inside. Not much people know your hatred toward bandits. To be more precise, Nikolaos was the only person who understood your attitude toward bandits and your reason behind it, even shared a mutual animosity.

They reminded you of a night long ago. A dark and dreadful night when the warblers had fell into silence and the breeze vanished in the woods when there was nothing left but a tremor that would have left a profound influence to your life.

“Besides being scums who profit from sufferings?” You turned to evade his gaze. “I have my reason.” “That’s good enough for me.” He laughed. You heard tension.

Without further conversation, you moved downward from the slope beside the cliff, separated to two sides. The camp was surrounded by bushes, which was perfect for secrecy but in the same time an easy target to set an ambush. You didn’t take much time to find a good distance to launch the attack.

After adjusting your aim, an arrow flew swiftly down the hill; undisturbed by the wind, it landed right between the eyebrows of the bandit who was facing your direction. Four left.

“Take cover!” One of the short man yelled. Two of them rushed and picked up some rusty shields before they ran to hide by the tent.

You could not hear any further discussion. Even the helots in the cage had gone quiet. You could sense some anxious gazes looking at your direction. So you waited. It didn’t take long for them to take their next move.

Two of the bandits with shields started walking towards you. They shifted their gazes around, sometimes even looking up the cliff, trying to pinpoint your location.

You took a second shot. A scream, then a heavy sound of the shield clashing with the rock. Right through his calf. Blood splattered onto the white stone covered with sand and salt. The man cursed, cried, whimpered, screamed for help.

All shots excited you.

When another man without shield dashed to the wounded man to check on his situation. Another shot. It went through his thigh. But he was unfortunate. When he fell on the ground, his skull crushed against the sharp stones. The crisp sound of the collision rang the bell of his final fate as he soon lied coldly on the earth; his limbs twisted. Two left. No, one left. Brasidas had taken care of the short man who sounded the alarm with an agile cut on the throat.

Suddenly you realised you had lost the man with the shield. It was a colossal man with a sword in his hand. How could you lose such an obvious target? You scolded yourself while moving quietly away from your position and searching for the man. When you heard the movement from your back, you had no time to react.

You turned back only to be smashed by the rusty shield. The serrated surface cut through the skin on your arms. You rolled down the hill and lost your bow along the way. Eventually you were stopped by the lonely tree beside the camp.

Blazing pain burned your arms. The surface of the skin was moist, you couldn’t tell whether it was the dew on the grass or blood. You could not see. Your vision became blurry, and the agony caused by the earlier fall spread throughout your body.

Taking out the dagger you hid, you saw sunlight taken away by a giant shadow. No matter how you tried to remain calm and stand still, you felt every fibre of your muscles trembling, screaming in desperation.

With a war cry came silence. Once again you were bathed in sunlight. You hear the falling sound of a lifeless torso, hitting against the ground with the quietness of the muffled footsteps in the snow.

“Are you okay?” You didn’t reply, still fighting to regain sight, still stunned by the bloodless sword laying right next to your feet. “You’re bleeding.”

You felt someone grabbing your arm. Without a second thought you pulled the person down with your arm and held the dagger by his face. Finally, you regain your vision. You saw your arm covered in blood; Brasidas, lying beneath you, staring you with concerned; and the dagger hovering above his neck.

As soon as you realised the situation, you threw away the dagger, rolled yourself aside, and took in a deep breath. Yet it felt like your lungs were unwilling to function. You could not stop shivering.

“I’m sorry.” You whispered. Uncertain if he could hear your words. “Thank gods I came back in time.” He sat up. “No.” You paused, gradually resuming to the usual breathing rhythm. “Thank you.”

***

“Well, that’s a relief.” He laughs. “The wolf is probably still alive, you are alive, and Kassandra is on the path to reunite the family. These are great news!”

While you are making your way to the border between Megaris and Attika, you have explained the situation to Brasidas, from how you disappeared in Megaris to how you ended up in Korinth. You tried to fill him in with every detail, and he seemed pleased with your honesty and the truth about Megaris.

Tonight you plan to rest in the sanctuary of Demeter at the town Eleusis. Looking down the coast you could see your destination, Megaris. Looking further you could even see the vague shape of the port where you met Brasidas a few days ago.

It has been a while since the last time you uttered these amount of words. Questions after questions, Brasidas seems eager to know everything that happened to you. And strangely, you are delighted to answer him, and listen to his stories.

Aside from travelling with Kassandra and her crew, these few days are probably the most fun you have so far.

Which reminds you of someone.

“Brasidas, one question.” “Sure, it’s only fair since you have answered so many of mine.” “Is Stentor still in Megaris?” You are not sure if you are ready to see him again. The amount of explanation you would have to do, tortures you just by thinking about it. “Ah, Stentor…” He replies, but hangs the answer in the air. “Don’t worry, he was sent to station in Boeotia. It’s not far from here. But you won’t meet him on the way.”

This answer is a relief for you. The two of you settled by the town square. The sky turns into a pool of magical colours as Astraeus trails behind Helios’ cart and gradually guides the way for Selene. But the town is not ready to rest just yet.

As the sun sets, people start gathering around the square. There were torches, singing, and dancing; people around you form into groups after a long day of work; drinking, chatting, having fun. Yet among the tranquility, you sense an uneasy atmosphere. That’s when you hear a conversation from a group sitting along the stairs.

“Have you heard? That group of bandits camping at the border have stopped collecting tolls.” One whispers. “I heard they had made a deal with the Athenian army.” Another replies, taking a sip from her cup. “I’m just glad they are willing to leave us alone.” “But they still kidnapped people for fun.” The first man says, looking around out of caution. “Aren’t Spartan soldiers enough?” A second man replies, trying to conceal his anger with a flat tone. “Who knows, let’s keep our heads down as usual.” The first man answers. “I heard those bandits originally came from Lakonia, no wonder they accept Athenians deal.” “I don’t care. I hope they would move away from here like they moved away from Lakonia.”

Such was the conversation you overheard.

This information immediately reminds of something you’ve forgotten a long time ago. You have heard of such group of bandits, who fled away from Lakonia after some bloodsheds.

“Looks like we would have an adventure after all.” Brasidas chuckles. But his tone remains serious.

Yet your mind couldn’t help but wander, back to that dreadful night, back to the day you eliminated that group of bandits with Brasidas, back to the day you met Kassandra.

Nevertheless, you try to put everything behind, and focus on the matter in front of you. After all you made a promise to yourself to bring him back safely. A group of bandits would not be an obstacle but provides excitements for the travel.

Looks like there will be another long day ahead.

tbc...

tag list: @melancholiaprincess, @wolfmothar

[valy-gc]

I have a little more about goblins and Rune:

Goblins and Their Bovines: Partners in Work and Travel

Practicality and Partnership:

Goblins have always been drawn to the sturdy, dependable nature of cattle. Unlike skittish horses, cows and bulls are calm, resilient, and far less bothered by the unpredictable behavior of goblin tails.

Bulls, with their strong, muscular builds, are seen as both powerful work animals and symbols of goblin grit. Cows, gentle yet hardy, are valued for their endurance and nurturing nature, making them ideal companions for goblins of all ages.

Cattle as Status Symbols:

In goblin villages, owning a particularly strong or unique-looking bull or cow is a mark of pride. Some goblins decorate their cattle with painted symbols, woven blankets, or even small charms to show off their strength and beauty.

Goblin chiefs or prominent figures often ride massive, horned bulls adorned with intricate carvings, ribbons, or dyed fur, creating an awe-inspiring sight during festivals or processions.

Riding and Work:

Goblins have perfected the art of cattle-riding with specialized saddles that distribute weight evenly across the animal's back, preventing strain. These saddles are often made with woven materials and soft padding for comfort.

Beyond riding, cattle are also used for plowing fields, pulling carts, and carrying goods to market, making them indispensable to goblin life. Their ability to handle rough terrain and their endurance in long journeys make them far more practical for goblins than horses.

Cultural Symbolism and Connection:

Horns of Strength: The horns of bulls are seen as a reflection of goblin resilience and determination.

Sacred Companions: While cattle are used for work and food, goblins treat them with great respect. When a beloved cow or bull passes away, their horns are often preserved and crafted into tools, instruments, or ceremonial objects, ensuring their spirit continues to aid the community.

Cattle in Goblin Folklore and Tradition

Rite of Passage:

Young goblins prove their maturity by raising a calf of their own. This involves a trial where they must show off how close they are, riding the cow or bull once adult without any problems.

Successfully completing this trial earns the goblin their first riding saddle, and their bond with their chosen animal is celebrated with a village feast.

Festival Games:

Goblins hold lively events during festivals where they showcase their riding skills, such as racing bulls through challenging courses or performing daring stunts.

Another popular event involves teams of goblins decorating their cattle with colorful paints and ribbons, making their fur shiny and fluffy, competing for the title of “Most Magnificent Steed.”

Why Cattle Over Horses?

Sturdiness and Adaptability:

Bulls and cows are far better suited to goblin-sized riders, as their broad backs and lower centers of gravity make for stable mounts, even on uneven terrain.

Tail Compatibility:

Unlike horses, which might be frightened by goblin tails, cattle are calm and unbothered by the swishing, playful appendages.

Cultural Aesthetic:

Bulls with their curved horns and imposing builds align with the goblin love of strength and boldness, while cows’ nurturing qualities reflect the goblins’ communal values.

Goblins’ Relationship with Other Mounts:

Goats for the Youth: Goblin children often start by riding sturdy mountain goats, which are agile and easier to handle for small riders.

Caring for the Cattles:

Goblins treat their cattles like treasured family members, lavishing them with attention and care.

Shampooing and Blow-Drying Rituals: Goblins bathe their cattles with natural shampoos made from wild herbs, such as glowfern leaves and riverflower blossoms. Afterward, the cattles are carefully blow-dried with enchanted hair dryers powered by gentle wind spells, leaving their coats fluffy, shiny, and sweet-smelling.

Horn Polishing: The horns are polished with oils crafted from tree sap and goblin’s tail’s saliva, giving them a glossy finish that reflects light beautifully.

Practical Use:

Work and Travel: Cattles are strong enough to pull carts laden with goods or plow fields with ease. Their calm demeanor and ability to navigate tough terrain make them reliable mounts for goblins traveling long distances.

Riding: Despite their size, the goblins’ lightweight frames make them perfect riders. Specially crafted saddles with padded seats and intricate designs allow for comfortable rides, both for the goblins and the cattles.

Bond Between Goblin and cattle:

Goblins form lifelong bonds with their cattles, often raising them from calves. This connection is so deep that goblins frequently sing lullabies to their cattles as they sleep or tell them stories during grooming sessions.

~~~~

Rune’s Cow: Name and Personality

Name: Aya'lu (Combining “Aya” for soul/spirit and “lu” for light, evoking “light of my soul.”). Rune would choose a name that symbolizes how much this cow means to him—a light in his dark and lonely life. Aya'lu could also be inspired by his dreams of proving himself and bringing his clan out of their shadowed reputation.

Personality: Aya'lu was not just a cow to Rune; she was his confidante and his solace. She was calm and intelligent, often nudging him affectionately when he was upset and often playing with his tail. Rune treated her like a friend and family member, grooming her meticulously, decorating her horns with flowers, and even talking to her about his dreams and frustrations.

What Happened to Aya'lu?

Aya’lu, Rune’s beloved cow, was more than just a mount—she was his only true family. Raised with unmatched care and affection, Aya’lu symbolized the unconditional love and loyalty Rune never received from his parents. Her death was a tragic turning point in Rune’s life, rooted in a complex web of emotions, history, and loss.

The Sootsnout Attack

The Mossfang village was struck by a sudden and brutal raid by the Sootsnout clan. The attack came under the cover of darkness, with the Sootsnouts seeking to pillage supplies, destroy the progressive goblins’ morale, and reclaim what they saw as their “rightful” dominance.

During the chaos:

Losses: Young goblins died defending their homes, and many mounts were slaughtered, including Rune’s father’s prized bull.

Rune’s Bravery: Rune and Aya’lu, working as a flawless team, protected a group of vulnerable goblins. Rune’s quick thinking and Aya’lu’s powerful presence allowed them to hold off a group of Sootsnouts, preventing even greater losses. Their actions were heroic, but they also stood out, drawing attention to their close bond and Rune’s unique skill.

When the Sootsnouts retreated, the village was left grieving its losses.

The Father’s Anger

Rune’s “father,” consumed by grief over the loss of his mount and the young goblins, couldn’t bear to face the true culprits: the Sootsnouts, led by his cruel brother. The Sootsnout chief’s legacy haunted him, and seeing Rune—the living reminder of his brother’s betrayal—only stoked his rage.

When he looked at Rune and Aya’lu, alive and barely scratched after the battle, their survival felt like a taunt. Rune’s bond with Aya’lu, so perfect and in sync, reminded him of everything he’d lost—not just his mount, but the life he once envisioned for himself and his clan.

In a moment of grief-stricken fury, Rune’s father convinced himself that Rune needed to understand the weight of loss, to be “humbled” for the good of the clan.

The Act

Late at night, Rune’s father snuck into Aya’lu’s pen and ended her life.

His Justification: Blinded by anger, he told himself it was a necessary act to teach Rune what loss felt like. Perhaps, deep down, he even thought it would break Rune’s connection to the Sootsnouts’ “bloodline,” making him less of a threat.

The Cover-Up: To avoid suspicion, he staged the scene to look like a skinwalker attack. Goblins, already wary of skinwalkers, would accept this explanation without question.

The Fallout

When Rune discovered Aya’lu’s remains, he was inconsolable.

Grief: Rune screamed and cried openly, kneeling by her body and refusing to let anyone move her. It was as though a piece of his soul had been ripped away. Aya’lu wasn’t just his companion—she was the only being who had shown him unconditional love.

Ceremony: The village gathered to honor Aya’lu in a traditional mount ceremony. Her horns were polished and adorned with flowers, and she was laid to rest with care. The community mourned her as they would any goblin, recognizing her as a vital part of Rune’s life and the village’s strength.

The Father’s Coldness

Rune’s father, still seething with unresolved grief and anger, couldn’t bring himself to offer comfort. Instead, he dismissed Rune’s pain with cutting words:

“Good she’s the only one who died. We can’t all be so lucky.” The words struck Rune like a blow, reinforcing his sense of isolation and unworthiness.

Later, Rune’s father might have felt regret but was too proud or ashamed to admit it. His bitterness over his brother’s legacy and the Sootsnouts’ actions kept him from reconciling with Rune, deepening the emotional chasm between them.

Unresolved Truths

Rune doesn’t immediately suspect his father, believing the skinwalker story like everyone else. However, over time, small inconsistencies—strange comments from his father or the fact skinwalker never attack only one prey—plant seeds of doubt in Rune’s mind.

If Rune ever discovers the truth, it could shatter what little hope he add to be loved by his father. The truth would adds another layer of pain to Rune’s departure for Fablewood Academy. He leaves not just to prove himself to the world but also to escape the toxic environment of his home. Though, he’s in denial and refuse to accept that truth.

Aya’lu’s Legacy

Even after her death, Aya’lu remains a guiding light for Rune:

A Keepsake: Rune keeps something from Aya’lu, a small horn fragment carved into a star and dangling on his glasses, as a talisman.

(For the visual of their cattles, they have the "Ankole Watusi" cattles :))

Rune Spindlewick

Age: 168 (~16 for faes)

Year: 1

Class & Seat: 1-A, Seat 9

Race: Fae (goblin)

Resonance: Rumplestiltskin (Rumplestiltskin)

Legacy Arte: Golden Thread – conjure magical golden threads that he can manipulate at will. The threads are very solid and unbreakable except by Rune himself. Can be used to create path (Like a bridge) or even tying someone or something.

Homeland: Myrcadawn

Best Subject: Alchemy and Potionmaking

Height: 153 cm

Hobby: Painting

Like: Baby dolls

Dislike: Broken promises

Club: Art Club

Personality: Rune has a sharp mind and an equally sharp tongue, always ready with a clever quip or a sly observation. His mischievous streak keeps those around him on their toes, but it’s rarely malicious—more playful and teasing. Once Rune gives his word, he is unwavering in upholding it. He expects the same level of commitment from others. Rune has an eye for beauty, evident in his hobbies like painting and his fascination with baby dolls. These objects are more than mere possessions—they’re tokens of comfort and a reflection of his softer side. Rune’s attachment to his dolls mirrors his deeper values. Anyone who damages what he holds dear risks facing a side of him that is both cunning and ruthless. While mischievous like the goblins of folklore, Rune is also artistic and emotional, defying the typical expectations of his race. Rune’s intelligence and charm make it easy for him to manipulate situations to his advantage, sometimes at others’ expense. Despite his artistic nature, Rune keeps his vulnerabilities hidden, masking pain with wit and mischief. Rune values loyalty above all, cherishing those who share his sense of honor. He’s fiercely protective of his friends and often uses his cleverness to help them out of tricky situations. His tail on the other hand is a sneaky glutton, often sliding to other’s plates to steal their food. The tail don’t have a name yet but Rune is thinking about giving him a name related to food.

Gift: Some paint, especially rare colors or a baby doll

More infos

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

[cheapjerseyssalesupply-blog]

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[ofalwaysyours]

basics

full name: Kali Amelia Saxton 

nicknames: Kal, Kay, Satan's Mistress

age:  25

date of birth: April 29th, 1989

Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA

gender:  Female

pronouns: She/Her

sexuality:  Bisexual

family

father: Trevor Saxton 

mother: Lisa Vanderbilt-Saxton

siblings: None

siginifcant other: None, but will gladly take yours

physical

hair color:  Brown

eye color:  Brown

height:  5′7″

weight: 115 lbs

personality

morality:  Chaotic Neutral

positive traits: Direct, honest (to a fault), charming, funny, agile, adaptable, wily, cunning, intelligent, talented, flirty

negative traits: Cutthroat, selfish, complete lack of loyalty, looks out for herself first, prone to anger, blabber mouth, ruthless

skills: Song writing, singing, guitar, piano, crosswords, car maintenance

language(s) spoken: English, Bulgarian, French, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, Russian

hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

emotional stability: Kali is a fairly emotionless human being. It is difficult for her to learn how to care about someone but once she does, she would kill for them. Incredibly closed off, and it makes her probably the most emotionally stable of the bunch.

alcohol use: nightly drinker

prone to violence: She's been known to start and finish a fist fight.

Kali was born to two very affluent parents. Her father is a plastic surgeon and her mother was an heiress from the Vanderbilt family. She was their only child and she was doted on from an early age. They gave her anything that she wanted and it made her spoiled and entitled. Kali is incredibly talented, quickly picking up instruments and training her voice from the time that she could walk. She and her parents have a rather strained relationship due to the fact that they weren't really present during her youth. She was raised by a variety of nannies, all of whom taught them their mother tongue, which is how she got to know so many languages. At thirteen, she got a lead role on a Disney Channel show and became a household name. That role lead to a record deal and she ended up going on tour with the Jonas brothers to promote their new film. Her relationship with Joe was a tumultuous one once she started drinking and doing drugs with her backup dancers. A fight with Joe eventually sent Kali into a rage that culminated in her physically assaulting her backup dancer and she was carted off to rehab for the first time at the age of 17. She's been in and out of rehab several times since then but the lessons that she learned there never seem to stick for long. Kali is a party girl through and through, which is exactly how she met the One Direction boys. They traveled in the same social circles and ran into each other at award after parties quite often. Zayn is easily her favorite but she would flirt with any of them just for the hell of it. She loathes Taylor, Danielle and Candice with everything inside of her; Kali envies their role in the boys' life. Her manager suggested that she try to clean up her image by getting in good with the boys since their image is squeaky clean and her career is in desperate need of a restart. So she's come to England with one goal in mind: make life as absolutely difficult as possible for all of the gals until they give in and give her what she wants - one of their men.

[pimcore]

How to Get Ready For The Digital First Holiday Season 2020

This holiday season, 30% of global retail sales will be through digital channels. Are you ready to make the most of it?

The evident effects of COVID-19 on consumer behavior have pushed retail models to integrate more online channels. In the new normal, most customers are engaging with three to five channels during buying journeys. On top of that, reports suggest that the paradigm shift towards online shopping is a permanent one that will remain even after stores reopen. As a result, this year’s holiday season is going to be one of the most challenging for retailers. And the road to meet new customer expectations is via digitalization.

Retailers need to elevate digital experiences across channels with consistent information dissemination, on-demand customer support, and timely issue resolution. Significant scaling and refining of digitalization approaches throughout their value chain can remodel operations and stream revenue. By blurring the divide between online and physical retail with advanced tools and deliberate strategy, retailers can revamp their practices to navigate the upcoming holiday season successfully.

Let us explore short-term and long-term strategies that retailers can follow.

Short-term action plan

You can implement certain strategic moves in a short span. These immediate actions are responsive in nature and can help recover from the pandemic-infused shock.

Action #1

The first step is ensuring seamless retail operations like pre-pandemic times. Everything must be in place for seamless operations, from collaboration tools and API integrations to employee timesheets, master data management, and dashboard visibility. Going completely digital means sourcing interim communication and collaboration tools to enable a remote workforce while ensuring security and network support. The key is having an IT architecture that supports “self-healing” end-points and promotes quick and more efficient escalation of key learnings and insights. This way business-critical operations such as experience design, customer support, and go-to-market discussions can be conducted without any gaps, risks, or misalignment.

Action #2

The second step is managing offline channels with the online ones by balancing store opening times and employee shifts. If handled carefully, stores can be instrumental for last-mile deliveries and convenient pickups, acting like contactless fulfillment centers. Personnel shifts can be prioritized by focusing on areas of high demand. Also, the number of shifts per employee must be regulated for enhanced sanitization and disinfection. Additional measures may include having one-way traffic aisles, mandatory hand sanitizer at the entrance, plexiglass shields at cash registers, stringent administration of trial rooms and testers, social distance in checkout queues, touchless payments, and thorough cleaning of racks, shelves, and shopping carts.

Action #3 Consistent engagement with different stakeholders is another crucial step. In uncertain times, digital channels can be a silver lining for communicating with customers/employees/partners and maintaining relations. Traditional methods of communicating vital information or launching products or running campaigns have to be digitized. Be it the brand website, internal portals, vendor partnership channels, social media, mobile applications, conversational AI — the more you optimize channel management, the better presence you’ll create. The aim is to connect with customers and partners and maximize sales via digital platforms. This will help brands reach audiences across multiple placements with targeted marketing and focused offerings at low costs.

Action #4 One of the most drastic setbacks created by the pandemic was the lack of visibility across the value chains. Without a centralized system that interconnects different departments, teams, and units, retailers can quickly lose track of what is happening to varying stages of the value chain. Without shared knowledge, there is little trust and lots of scope of manual errors, data inaccuracies, and redundancies. Therefore, a single source of truth can establish a foundation of trust and transparency. When you digitize your internal and external operations, a massive amount of data flows through the organization. Only with a consolidated view provided by a data management tool can you skim the data and leverage it to derive actionable insights.

Long-term action plan

Apart from the short-term actions, retailers must also look at the bigger picture and plan. Long-term planning can help them prepare for future uncertainties with agility and scalability. However, these action items take time to strategize and execute and need to be aligned with the company’s vision and mission.

Action #1 The journey to a completely digital ecosystem begins from within the organization. To create a digital landscape where most processes are (or can be) carried out via online mediums, you must first reform the workplace and workforce. You can develop a strategy that includes collaboration applications, security controls, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, and network support. With such an ecosystem, you can best prepare for future uncertainties and ensure that every employee down to frontline workers are onboard. It will also reduce the talent gap and downtime.

Action #2

Adding to the first action plan, retailers should also identify alternative digital technologies to empower employees and automate tasks. You can streamline internal processes that foster shared data, collaboration, and knowledge retention. With a chatbot that can automate HR processes like employee onboarding, policy reformations, and consistent employee engagement, you can significantly iron out operational creases. You can integrate advanced, employee-centric technologies like whiteboards, IoT sensors, digital footprint analytics, etc. Frictionless retail, which operates under a cashier-less grab-and-go format and eliminates checkout lines, can also reduce manual task lists.

Action #3

Another long-term action item is expanding reach to all digital channels and developing corresponding product extensions. Your offerings should be available online. Additionally, reports suggest that brands that adapt to this new normal with innovative ideas like curbside, inside, and drive-through pickups can witness a 90% increase in digital sales over the previous holiday season. It is, therefore, advisable to enable digital business models that increase resilience and growth. Retailers can also reassess and strategize, whether to relocate, remodel, or close their brick-and-mortar locations with agile and proactive approaches.

Action #4

Improving data literacy and adopting advanced data management and analytics tools is probably one of the most important long-term business steps. Every retailer holds valuable consumption data that can be commoditized to create additional revenue streams. By investing in a cutting-edge analytics tool, retailers can collect, process, and analyze data regarding audience segmentation, offline/online footfalls, demand peaks, customer feedback, local demographics, and behavioral metrics. It can then be used for better inventory visibility, targeted marketing, product design, order orchestration, logistical routing, etc.

The Conclusion

Digital is inevitable this holiday season. Retailers across the globe are striving to digitalize processes and touch points as much as possible. But the competitive edge can be gained only if you segregate between the short-term and long-term goals and act accordingly.

As the holiday season unfolds, be ready to create data-driven and process-oriented playbooks that elevate customer and employee experience alike. Reconfigure mode of operations with carefully planned short-term and long-term strategies to win in a highly uncertain season.

Read my full article originally published at CustomerThink.

[researchdive]

X-ray detector Market Witness Rapid Increase in Consumption By 2025

X-ray detector Market

The research report on X-ray detector Market analyzes the entire production and supply chain of the market and provides data as per the various situations. Then again, the report likewise gives the data related to price, cost, value, volume, pay, income, and net revenue of the market utilized in different fields, which are in high demand in the major regions and by various organizations. In this manner, filling in as a precious source of guidance for readers, covers an analytical overview of the industry chain of the global market and discusses key elements related with it, including driving purchasers, driving crude material suppliers, and suppliers of manufacturing equipment.

Our analysis involves the study of the market taking into consideration the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on X-ray detector Market. Please get in touch with us to get your hands on an exhaustive coverage of the impact of the current situation on the market. Our expert team of analysts will provide as per report customized to your requirement. For more connect with us at help@bigmarketresearch.com or call toll free: +1-800-910-6452.

Request a in-depth Sample Copy of This Report Including: TOC, Table and Figures @ https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4079389

Scope of the Reports:

A portion of the real key players working in the X-ray detector Market Report include Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Analogic Corporation (Altaris Capital Partners, LLC), Canon, Inc., Carestream Health, Inc., Comet Holding (YXLON International GmbH), Detection Technology Plc., Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Fujifilm Medical Systems), General Electric, Konica Minolta Holdings Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Siemens AG, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (Teledyne DALSA, Inc.), Thales Group (Trixell), Varex Imaging Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Vieworks Co., Ltd., Rayence Inc., and among others

Basis of Product types

panel detectors (FPDs) charge-coupled device detectors (CCDs) line scan detector computed radiography plates/cassettes Cordless Corded

Basis of applications

medical veterinary security dental industrial Industrial Household

Regional Analysis of the Global X-ray detector Market:-

North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)

South America ( Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile)

Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea)

Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy)

Middle East Africa (Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran) and More.

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Towards Relational Design by Andrew Blauvelt

Is there an overarching philosophy that can connect projects from such diverse fields as architecture, graphic and product design? Or are we beyond such pronouncements? Should we even expect such grand narratives anymore? 

I’ve spent more time in the field of graphic design, and within that one discipline it is extremely difficult to pinpoint coherent sets of ideas or beliefs guiding recent work — certainly nothing as definitive as in previous decades, whether the mannerisms of so-called grunge typography, the gloss of a term such as postmodernism, or even the reactionary label of neo-modernism. After looking at a variety of projects across the design fields and lecturing on the topic, new patterns do emerge. Some of the most interesting work today is not reducible to the same polemic of form and counter-form, action and reaction, which has become the predictable basis for most on-going debates for decades. Instead, we are in the midst of a much larger paradigm shift across all design disciplines, one that is uneven in its development, but is potentially more transformative than previous isms, or micro-historic trends, would indicate. More specifically, I believe we are in the third major phase of modern design history: an era of relationally-based, contextually-specific design. The first phase of modern design, born in the early twentieth century, was a search for a language of form that was plastic or mutable, a visual syntax that could be learned and thus disseminated rationally and potentially universally. This phase witnessed a succession of “isms” — Suprematism, Futurism, Constructivism, de Stijl, ad infinitum — that inevitably fused the notion of an avant-garde as synonymous with formal innovation itself. Indeed, it is this inheritance of modernism that allows us to speak of a “visual language” of design at all. The values of simplification, reduction, and essentialism determine the direction of most abstract, formal design languages. One can trace this evolution from the early Russian Constructivists’ belief in a universal language of form that could transcend class and social differences (literate versus oral culture) to the abstracted logotypes of the 1960s and 1970s that could help bridge the cultural divides of transnational corporations: from El Lissitzsky’s “Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge” poster to the perfect union of syntactic and semantic form in Target’s bullseye logo.  

The second wave of design, born in the 1960s, focused on design’s meaning-making potential, its symbolic value, its semantic dimension and narrative potential, and thus was preoccupied with its essential content. This wave continued in different ways for several decades, reaching its apogee in graphic design in the 1980s and early 1990s, with the ultimate claim of “authorship” by designers (i.e., controlling content and thus form), and in theories about product semantics, which sought to embody in their forms the functional and cultural symbolism of objects and their forms. Architects such as Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour’s famous content analysis of the vernacular commercial strip of Las Vegas or the meaning-making exercises of the design work coming out of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the 1980s are emblematic. Importantly, in this phase of design, the making of meaning was still located with the designer, although much discussion took place about a reader’s multiple interpretations. In the end though, meaning was still a “gift” presented by designers-as-authors to their audiences. If in the first phase form begets form, then in this second phase, injecting content into the equation produced new forms. Or, as philosopher Henri Lefebvre once said, “Surely there comes a moment when formalism is exhausted, when only a new injection of content into form can destroy it and so open up the way to innovation.” To paraphrase Lefebvre, only a new injection of context into the form-content equation can destroy it, thus opening new paths to innovation.

The third wave of design began in the mid-1990s and explores design’s performative dimension: its effects on users, its pragmatic and programmatic constraints, its rhetorical impact, and its ability to facilitate social interactions. Like many things that emerged in the 1990s, it was tightly linked to digital technologies, even inspired by its metaphors (e.g., social networking, open source collaboration, interactivity), but not limited only to the world of zeroes and ones. This phase both follows and departs from twentieth-century experiments in form and content, which have traditionally defined the spheres of avant-garde practice. However, the new practices of relational design include performative, pragmatic, programmatic, process-oriented, open-ended, experiential and participatory elements. This new phase is preoccupied with design’s effects — extending beyond the design object and even its connotations and cultural symbolism.

We might chart the movement of these three phases of design, in linguistic terms, as moving from form to content to context; or, in the parlance of semiotics, from syntax to semantics to pragmatics. This outward expansion of ideas moves, like ripples on a pond, from the formal logic of the designed object, to the symbolic or cultural logic of the meanings such forms evoke, and finally to the programmatic logic of both design’s production and the sites of its consumption — the messy reality of its ultimate context.

Design, because of its functional intentions, has always had a relational dimension. In other words, all forms of design produce effects, some small, some large. But what is different about this phase of design is the primary role that has been given to areas that once seemed beyond the purview of design’s form and content equation. For example, the imagined and often idealized audience becomes an actual user(s) — the so-called “market of one” promised by mass customization and print-on-demand; or perhaps the “end-user” becomes the designer themselves, through do-it-yourself projects, the creative hacking of existing designs, or by “crowdsourcing,” producing with like-minded peers to solve problems previously too complex or expensive to solve in conventional ways. This is the promise that Time magazine made when it named you (a nosism, like the royal we) person of the year in 2006, even as it evoked the emerging dominance of sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia, Ebay, Amazon, Flickr and YouTube, or anticipated the business model of Threadless. The participation of the user in the creation of the design can be seen in the numerous do-it-yourself projects in magazines such as Craft, Make and Readymade, but they can also be seen in the generic formats for advertisements and greeting cards by Daniel Eatock.

Even in most instrumental forms of design, the audience has changed from the clichéd focus group sequestered in a room answering questions for people hiding behind two-way mirrors to the subjects of dogged ethnographic research, observed in their natural surroundings — moving away from the idealized concept of use toward the complex reality of behavior. Today, the audience is thought of as a social being, one who is exhaustively data-mined and geo-demographically profiled — taking us from the idea of an average or composite consumer to an individual purchaser among others living a similar social lifestyle community. But unlike previous experiments in 1970s-style community-based design or behavioral modification, today’s relationship to the user is more nuanced and complicated. The range of practices varies greatly, from the product development methods employed by practices such as IDEO, creators of the famed Nightline shopping cart, to the “social probes[,]” of Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby who create designed objects, not to fulfill prescribed functions but instead use them to gauge behavioral reactions to the perceived effects of electromagnetic energy or the ethical dilemmas of gene testing and restorative therapies.

Once shunned or reluctantly tolerated, constraints — financial, aesthetic, social, or otherwise — are frequently embraced not as limits to personal expression or professional freedom, but rather as opportunities to guide the development of designs; arbitrary variables in the equation that can alter the course of a design’s development. Seen as a good thing, such restrictions inject outside influence into an otherwise idealized process and, for some, a certain element of unpredictability and even randomness alters the course of events. Embracing constraints — whether strictly applying existing zoning codes as a way to literally shape a building or an ethos of material efficiency embodied in print-on-demand — as creative forces, not obstacles on the path of design, further opens the design process demanding ever-more nimble, agile and responsive systems. This is not to suggest that design is not always already constrained by numerous factors beyond its control, but rather that such encumbrances can be viewed productively as affordances. In architecture, the discourse has shifted from the purity and organizational control of space to the inhabitation of real places — the messy realities of actual lives, living patterns over time, programmatic contradictions, zoning restrictions, and social, not simply physical, sites. For instance, architect Teddy Cruz in his Manufactured Sites project, offers a simple, prefabricated steel framework for use in the shantytowns on the outskirts of Tijuana — a structure that participates in the vernacular building practices that imports and recycles the detritus of Southern California’s dismantled suburbia. This provisional gesture integrates itself into the existing conditions of an architecture born out of crisis. The objective is not the utopian tabla rasa of architectural modernism — a replacement of the favela — but rather the interjection of a micro-utopian element into the mix.

Not surprisingly, the very nature of design and the traditional roles of the designer and consumer have shifted dramatically. In the 1980s, the desktop publishing revolution threatened to make every computer user a designer, but in reality it served to expand the role of the designer as author and publisher. The real “threat” arrived with the advent of Web 2.0 and the social networking and mass collaborative sites that it has engendered. Just as the role of the user has expanded and even encompasses the role of the traditional designer at times (in the guise of futurist Alvin Toffler’s prophetic “prosumer”), the nature of design itself has broadened from giving form to discrete objects to the creation of systems and more open-ended frameworks for engagement: designs for making designs. Yesterday’s designer was closely linked with the command-control vision of the engineer, but today’s designer is closer to the if-then approach of the programmer. It is this programmatic or social logic that holds sway in relational design, eclipsing the cultural and symbolic logic of content-based design and the aesthetic and formal logic of modernism’s initial phase. Relational design is obsessed with processes and systems to generate designs, which do not follow the same linear, cybernetic logic of yesteryear. For instance, the typographic logic of the Univers family of fonts, established a predictive system and closed set of varying typeface weights. By contrast, a Web-based application for Twin, a typeface by Letterror, can alter its appearance incrementally based on such seemingly arbitrary factors as air temperature or wind speed. In a recent design for a new graphic design museum in the Netherlands, Lust created a digital, automated “posterwall,” feed by information streams from various Internet sources and governed by algorithms designed to produce 600 posters a day.

Perhaps the best illustration of this movement toward relational design can be gleaned through the prosaic vacuum cleaner. In the realm of the syntactical and formal, we have the Dirt Devil Kone, designed by Karim Rashid, a sleek conical object that looks so good it “can be left on display.” While the vacuum designs of James Dyson are rooted in a classic functionalist approach, the designs themselves embody the meaning of function, using color-coded segmentation of parts and even the expressive symbolism of a pivoting ball to connote a high-tech approach to domestic cleaning. On the other hand, the Roomba, a robotic vacuum cleaner, uses various sensors and programming to establish its physical relationship to the room it cleans, forsaking any continuous contact with its human users, with only the occasional encounter with a house pet. In a display of advanced product development, however, the company that makes the Roomba now offers a basic kit that can be modified by robot enthusiasts in numerous, unscripted ways, placing design and innovation in the hands of its customers.

If the first phase of design offered us infinite forms and the second phase variable interpretations — the injection of content to create new forms — then the third phase presents a multitude of contingent or conditional solutions: open-ended rather than closed systems; real world constraints and contexts over idealized utopias; relational connections instead of reflexive imbrication; in lieu of the forelorn designer, the possibility of many designers; the loss of designs that are highly controlled and prescribed and the ascendency of enabling or generative systems; the end of discrete objects, hermetic meanings, and the beginning of connected ecologies.

After 100 years of experiments in form and content, design now explores the realm of context in all its manifestations — social, cultural, political, geographic, technological, philosophical, informatic, etc. Because the results of such work do not coalesce into a unified formal argument and because they defy conventional working models and processes, it may not be apparent that the diversity of forms and practices unleashed may determine the trajectory of design for the next century.

Andrew Blauvelt, Towards Relational Design (2008) Design Observer, 07.09.20