#theportals

[pip3dream]

this is an appreciation post for very underrated tsc character that deserves more love than they receive and i honestly don’t remember the last time i saw a post about any of these characters and if you’re seeing this please take the time to make a post or two abt them

(they may or may not all be from TLH)

• first on the list is the fascinating and abrasive Alastair Carstairs who hid his fathers addiction from Cordelia to protect, who helped Thomas during his trial even thought they weren’t in the best of terms

•second on the list is our beloved Ariadne Bridgestock who survived a very vicious demonic attack (poison) and helped Grace in moving to London when we all know she didn’t deserve it

•third on the list is our precious and eccentric Christopher Lightwood who created a cure for a demonic poison, invented the fire messages and gave James his amazing gun that killed Belial

• fourth is the beautiful and troublesome Jessamine Lovelace who helped Will find where Tessa was and helped Kit lead Julian and Emma to Malcolm’s cottage

•fifth is our adored and talented Charlotte Fairchild who ran an entire institute at 23 and practically raised three kids who weren’t hers and wasn’t under any obligation to care for she also became the first ever female consul

•sixth is our absentminded and extraordinary Henry Branwell who invented theportal, introduced Magnus to glitter and fought against Leviathan even though he was partially paralyzed, he also wrote a memoir;)

these character all deserve so much more love if you do make a post abt them please tag #underrated character appreciation post 😂

[mariacallous]

JD Vance agreed with the notion that raising grandchildren was “the whole purpose of the postmenopausal female,” an unearthed 2020 podcast shows.

Vance also seemed to concur when the host suggested that having grandparents help raise children was a “weird, unadvertised feature of marrying an Indian woman.”

It's the latest in comments from the Republican nominee for vice presdident about women and "traditional" roles that have drawn ire. Vance has faced intense criticism in recent weeks for previous sexist comments, including his remarks about "cat ladies."

Now, his appearance on ThePortal podcast with host Eric Weinstein in April 2020 has been thrust back into the limelight Vance spoke about his wife’s Indian family, noting that they emigrated to the US about a year before his wife, Usha Vance, was born. He said at the time, her parents were “devoted” to Usha and their grandchild as well as to “future grandchildren.”

The couple has three children, born in 2017, 2020 and in 2021.

“You can sort of see the effect it has on him to be around them like they spoil him,” he said of his first child. “There's sort of all the classic stuff that grandparents do to grandchildren, but it makes him a much better human being to have exposure to his grandparents.”

He added: “And the evidence on this is like super clear.”

“That’s the whole purpose of the postmenopausal female in theory,” Weinstein said at the time.

“Yes,” Vance agreed.

“When your child was born, did your in-laws, and particularly your mother-in-law, show up in some huge way?” Weinstein asked Vance.

“She lived with us for a year,” former President Donald Trump’s running mate noted.

“I didn't know the answer to that. So that's a weird, unadvertised feature of marrying an Indian woman,” Weinstein responded.

“It’s in some ways, the most transgressive thing I've ever done against sort of the hyper-neo-liberal approach to work and family,” Vance said. “My wife had this baby seven weeks before she started the clerkship, [she’s] still not sleeping any more than an hour and a half in a given interval. And her mom just took a sabbatical. She's a biology professor in California, just took a sabbatical for a year and came and lived with us and took care of our kid for a year.”

He added that it was “painfully economically inefficient.”

“Why didn't she just keep her job, give us part of the wages to pay somebody else to do it?” he asked. “That is the thing that the hyper-liberalized economics wants you to do. The economic logic of always prioritizing paid wage labor over other forms of contributing to a society is to me ... a consequence of a sort of fundamental liberalism that is ultimately gonna unwind and collapse upon itself.”

“It's the abandonment of a sort of Aristotelian virtue politics for a hyper-market-oriented way of thinking about what's good and what's desirable,” he added. “If people are paying for it and it contributes to GDP and it makes the economic consumption numbers rise, then it's good, and if it doesn't, it's bad ... that's sort of the root of our political problem.”

The Director of Rapid Response for Kamala Harris, Ammar Moussa, wrote on X: “I’m sorry - who is out here just out here talking about the ‘postmenopausal female’ and their role in society?”

Democratic Illinois Congressman Sean Casten added: “Are you a post-menopausal woman? Did you quit your job to look after your grandkids? Because if you didn’t, you are not meeting your ‘whole purpose’ according to JD Vance.”

Vance has faced criticism for a number of unearthed comments from his past, most notably telling Fox News host Tucker Carlson in 2021 that the US was being run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.”

“It’s just a basic fact — you look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC [Alexandria Ocasio Cortez] — the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children,” he said. “And how does it make any sense that we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it?”

Harris has two stepchildren and Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, adopted twins in August 2021.

idk, pretty sure the intent is fairly clear *and* we can put election-swaying weight to it!

Also, it's fucking weird to talk like this about people!

[raptorials]

Question: have you ever played theportal games?

i have

[tyneillowe]

Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve governor, warned that if theTrump administration's high "reciprocal tariffs" on many tradingpartners take effect again, the United States will face more layoffs andunemployment in the future. Take the logistics industry as an example. Affected by the tariff policy, the number of cargo ships arriving at thePort of Long Beach in southern California, one of the largest containerports in the United States, has dropped significantly recently. Cordero. CEO of the Port of Long Beach, predicts that the volume of cargoarriving at the port will drop sharply in the second and third quartersof this year, which will inevitably lead to the loss of a large number ofjobs.

[christinamac1]

Mystery drone spotted over British aircraft carrier

A mystery drone has been spotted following a British aircraft carrier atsea after unmanned aerial vehicles were seen hovering over three air basesin England. An unidentified 1.5 by 1.5 metre drone appeared to tail theRoyal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth as it entered the port of Hamburg,in Germany, on Friday. The German military positioned guards around theport and attempted to target the…

[aceshadowstar]

Final Fantasy 16 DLC Review: The Rising Tide – Major Spoilers https://www.zleague.gg/theportal/final-fantasy-16-dlc-review-the-rising-tide-major-spoilers/

[fantasypictures]

The Elective Thelassocracy of Freehold.

Freehold had another name once- when the city was ruled by a tyrannical (and possibly hellish) monarchy, served by devotees of Erathis the goddess of law.

It had secured itself a surrounding territory with fertile farmland, several valuable mines, and non-human neighbours of relatively timid disposition. A rival kingdom had intended to invade the city and claim this for themselves, so they reached out to a pirate fleet that had been fighting the local authorities. The intention was that the pirates would attack theport as the army marched on the city, with the pirates being a distraction for the main assault.

This is not how it turned out - the army was bloodily mangled, but the pirate fleet actually took the city, slaying the ruler and claiming it for themselves. 

You might have expected that the pirates would pillage the place, but the admiral declaired that the city would be treated as a captured vessel, and any crew/citizen would be welcomed to sign up to the same code of conduct the pirates held to. The Erathan devotees that handled the administration of the city were forced by the tenets of their religion that the Code was technically a set of rules and was just as valid as the oppressive rules the previous power structure had instituted.

Now a handful of generations later, the city has settled into being a trading hub with a reputation for producing swashbucklers and rules-lawyers.

(the map I used, that isn't finished, and includes a bunch of stuff complete irrelevant to outside the campaign I ran. The motto is intended to translate to "Have Fun, Don't Drown")

The Council of Sealords

Elections are held every 4 years, and any inhabitant of the city who can fulfil the requirement of having held the title of Captain (on a ship, or in a military unit), and can pay for a marked barrel to be deployed at every polling location can stand for the position. The nine people with the most votes in the city become the Council of Sealords, and must choose among themselves an Admiral to hold executive power in wartime and a tie-breaking vote in other situations.

There is a tendency for Sealords to be from hereditary merchant families, but a few make it onto the council through sheer popularity with the people. 

(the council as it was immediately before the PCs showed up)

Laws of the City

The cult of Erathis still does a lot of administration in the city, and takes in any orphans or foundlings to be trained as civil servants, clerics, or watchmen - in freehold, the statement All Cops Are Bastards is literally true. 

The laws handed down by the Council are, thus far, fairly liberal - many things that would be illegal in other cities are fine in Freehold. Drugs aren’t banned, but ARE taxed - a drug bust from the Watch will be due to failure to meet manufacturing standards, or due to the constant cat-and-mouse tax evasion schemes that are considered almost a national sport. Among the rich of other nations, Freehold is an enticing tourist destination, albeit one with a reputation for violence... 

Brawls and battles in the streets will bring down the watch… who will forcibly enquire if both sides are taking part willingly and with set rules of engagement. If so, they will step back and act as referees.

Breaches of law can face various punishments, depending on severity: a traitor to the city might be chained up and thrown off a cliff into the sea or exiled, but most things adventurers will get up to would result in a fine, or community service, sometimes enforced with old dwarven curse-stones. 

Those who do community service are paid for their time - slavery is illegal, and being forced to work without pay is slavery in the law’s eyes. For the rich who can’t pay a fine, they might be able to pay somebody to “steal” their identity and do the community service.

Worship

The cult of Erathis is not popular in the city, but her cult is powerful, in a somewhat similar situation to the devotees of Umberlee - Few people actively like the goddesses of the Law or the Sea, but they do command the city’s respect, so tithes are paid and sacrifices sunk. Everybody wants to avoid paying the taxes, but it’s widely acknowledged that somebody has to. 

Tymora and Kord, conversely, have rather popular followings, with a small shrine to the lady of luck in every gambling den, and devotional statues to the god of strength adorning the city arena and gunnery school. 

Demographics

The city is majority human, but only just - sizable populations of Orcs (endemic following a failed invasion centuries ago), Dwarves (displaced from the Thunderwall Mountains by the orc invasion) and Minotaurs (actually native to the area - they make good sailors and might have introduced the humans to Erathis worship in ages past) are found in the city, as well as smaller groups of visitors such as High Elves, Dragonborn, and Tritons.

Nobility

The pirate-led revolution did remove many of the rich nobility of the city, but a few generations down the line, the families that came out of the upheaval on top have become the new old money, and despite their claims of being Free Spirits, and coming from The People, they’re not much different from what they replaced. 

The title of Lord is awarded by the Erathisian tax-office, based on calculations of income and assets, rather than being handed out by a ruler. 

Wizardry

The city is home to two wizarding organisations, although organisation might be a bit generous as terms go

The Brotherhood of Ship-Wizards is more drinking club than university, and the members have been compared to ships cats - useful in their way, potentially territorial, and unable to be trusted to command. The members study magic that manipulates the wind and wards boats against damage more than anything else. Ship-wizards are banned from captaincy (and by extension, politics) - hubris being a common problem among the magically inclined, this might be for the best.  

Most of the wizards that aren’t part of the Brotherhood are instead part of the Guild of the Arcane Eye. Closely associated with the Miscellanium University, the Guild’s handful of local members mostly specialise in gathering (and protecting) information. Magus Collix Firnath has been given guardianship of the tower that once belonged to the fallen monarchy’s pet diabolists, and is called on by the Council to provide magical advice. When the post was being assigned, the other  Arcane Eye guildmembers were too busy trying to one-up each other and blackmail the Sealords’ Council - the resulting deadlock meant that the stuttering dragonborn geomancy and teleportation specialist won by being the Sealords’ second choice.

Art Sources:

0 - I did the map myself

1 - https://www.artstation.com/artwork/v1mPVx

2 - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lg1o&page=4?Want-More-Adventure-Card-Game-Weve-Got-That

3 - https://twitter.com/AbsintheOTL/status/1136972404553654272

4 - https://www.artstation.com/artwork/kYdz2

5 - https://twitter.com/JasonRainville/status/1235351632705196033

6 - https://sfw.furaffinity.net/view/25386419/

7 - https://www.reddit.com/r/characterdrawing/comments/8bywk4/oc_ysarian_dragonborn_shadow_sorcerer/

8 - https://www.deviantart.com/acewest, but it's not in their gallery anymore

9 - https://tyron-art.tumblr.com/post/110151948375/salut-tout-le-monde-voici-ma-participation-au

[ghosthunterstore]

The New SB7 Pro Professional Spirit Box at theghosthunterstore.com #paranormalinvestigation #ghosthunting #paranormalinvestigator #ghosthunters #paranormalequipment #ghosthuntingequipment #ghostadventures #ghosthunt #paranormal #hauntedplaces #hauntedlocations #evps #ghostbox #ghostvoices #spiritbox #theportal #kinectcamera #slscamera #ghosthuntingevents

[exhibitsnation]

Portable Displays for Trade Shows: Enhancing Your Exhibition Experience

Trade shows provide a valuable platform for businesses to showcase their products and services to a wide audience. To stand out in the competitive landscape of these events, companies often rely on portable displays that are both visually appealing and functional. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using portable displays for trade shows, discuss two key types of displays, and highlight their impact on the overall exhibition experience.

Versatility and Convenience of Portable Displays

Theportable displays for trade shows offer unmatched versatility and convenience for trade show exhibitors. These displays are designed to be lightweight and easy to assemble, allowing businesses to set up their booths quickly and efficiently. Exhibitors can choose from a range of portable display options, such as banner stands, pop-up displays, and modular systems. These displays are portable, making them suitable for both small-scale local events and large international trade shows. The flexibility offered by portable displays enables businesses to adapt their exhibition setup to different venues and booth sizes.

 Enhancing Engagement and Brand Visibility

Portable displays play a crucial role in attracting visitors' attention and effectively conveying a company's brand message. With eye-catching graphics, vibrant colors, and strategic placement, these displays create a visually appealing booth that stands out among the competition. By incorporating company logos, taglines, and product images, businesses can enhance brand visibility and create a memorable impression on potential customers. The portable displays for trade showsalso provide opportunities for interactive elements, such as touchscreens and digital presentations, to engage visitors and create an immersive experience.

Conclusion: Portable displays are a game-changer for trade show exhibitors, offering versatility, convenience, and enhanced brand visibility. By utilizing these displays, businesses can create visually captivating booths that attract visitors and effectively communicate their brand message. Whether it's a compact banner stand or a modular system, portable displays provide the flexibility to adapt to various exhibition environments. Additionally, the incorporation of interactive elements further enhances visitor engagement and leaves a lasting impression. As businesses continue to seek innovative ways to showcase their offerings, portable displays remain an invaluable tool for success at trade shows.

[stormdthecastle]

Santa Barbara Pergola ports an of an a Dot of a Do,, and theports of the of a

[ovyon]

Cooming Soon!!! Design for future 🚀 keep all in your bag 👜 🔜🔜🔜🔆✅⭕ #countdown #appdesign #smartpoints #blockchain #innovation #colorfull #news #introduce #thePortals' #ovyon #message #appinstall #emotions #startup #start #groundwork #ideas #followforfollowback #instagood #lightisright #highlights #notstop #smartworking #links #businessrules #businessonline #formula #manandwoman ##FOLLOWYOURLIGHT https://www.instagram.com/p/CBpJvvyiZuz/?igshid=1damkgrjpv407

[eric-sadahire]

Have you heard the good news? The hill creature has opened the portal!

[the-unbothered-goddess]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ✡️👁️𓆃𓁧amAlchemistGoddess✨𓂀🪬✡️ (@iamalchemistgoddess)

Life Gives me BUTTERFLIES Eye ⧊M 👁CRE⧊TE 🌻🌚🦋🦉🪶 ⧊sè𓁧𓂀𓆃𓉢👁🔻👑🌬🐉🧿♒☯️���⚛Mer●K⧊●B⧊🌟🪐☪️ 👁Am Magic✨🦋🌻 Eye Am an Divine Artist, here to inspire the world with my creations. Creativity is a gateway to my Soul. #bluegoddessdesigns🔻 #BluegodddessInfinite🔻👑☀🕉 #S. H. E. 🔻👑 #DivineEnergy🔻🦋☮️🚺🎭👸🏾 #MerKaBa🔯⚛️🕉 #Aquagoddess♒👽👑 #AwakenSoul🌌🌠 #Alchemist🔹🕉️☪️☯️ #Alignedwiththestars✨🌌🌟🌠 #Ascension🔻🌟 #Esoteric🔱🔹⚖️ #Diaryofalightworker🌌🕉️👁️☪️💗 #ThePortal🔻🕉👑 ~#Thebluebutterfly🦋🔵 #369🌟 #432hz☄ #SaluteSunGod🌞 #Starseed✨⭐ #InfiniteLove💖Light🕎 #IcanfeelmyWings🦋 #Namaste🌛⭐🌠 #Higherconsciousness #Energy #harmony #nature #vibes #love (at Butterflies) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRbntA6pN6Y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[goldingoldout8]

Doomers, Millennials, College Pyramid Scheme & Class

"The university system was a pyramid scheme that's expanding, and when the growth that's natural in the system ran out, there was no way to give people professorships who had been contributing their youth to the researchers above them. So what the universities did, almost every top university loaded up on administrators and then made tuition insanely expensive. Made it impossible to get rid of the debt and bankruptcy so that you can die getting a social security check and still paying your student loans." -Eric Weinstein The Portal #017 "My father always used to say 'Well Anna, you can't really ascend in class,' contrary to the myth of the American dream, 'but you can't really fall in class either.' And now we're faced with a generation that's quite a bit like the Lost Generation in Russia, my father's generation, all of whom drank themselves to death by the age of 52. (...) There are a lot of people my age, male and female, who are confronting for the first time the reality that they will actually fall in class, especially relative to their parents. They will never own property. They will never pay off their student debt. They will never have a safe and dependable health care situation. They will never be able to afford children. And I think the kind of broadly anti-natalist trend on the left is a psychological defense mechanism. Because you have to re-frame, I think in the neo-liberal framework, you have to re-frame all adversity as opportunity." -Anna Khachiyan The Portal #017

[bordercommunity]

2020 is just around the corner, and if you are making plans and resolutions might I suggest a trip to the Southbank Centre in July for new immersive theatre & dance piece The Portal?

Exploring the question "if trance state is actually part of the culture of these islands, and we’ve just forgotten it", it is extremely on message - and even features a new piece of music by our own James Holden in collaboration with Portal-mastermind Martin Green. Amazing entrancing Scottish piper Brìghde Chaimbeul will be performing live too.

The Portal runs from 21st - 26th July 2020 at the Southbank's Purcell Room. Tickets & more info HERE.