#trait: D Brigade

[digi-lov]

Brigadramon BT14-068 Alternative Art by Naochika Morishita from BT-14 Booster Blast Ace

[slemhosta]

Were you living under a rock, or did you hear about the local heroes who lived in London in 1865? This is Sir Alexander Rowan. A man in his best years.

Let me tell you a bit about Rosch first.

After the loss of his wife Ingeborg, Rosch spent his time with his classmates and colleagues. As time passed you could have mistaken Rosch for a son coming over to visit his old dad. And in time, a grandson.

He cried at their funerals. He always did. And when the last one of his friends passed away, he was truly alone.

Rosch went home that afternoon to a home that felt more empty than ever. A home no friend would ever set foot in again. A home haunted by Ingeborg’s absence.

She was in everything. From the paintings they had picked out together to the countless curtains, covers and clothes she had sewn.

The fierce, burning sorrow overtook him. Rosch had only died twice at this point. Once naturally, from old age. And the second time when he hung himself after Ingeborg’s funeral.

This would be his third, and he needed it to hurt. He needed it to work. This death would be different. It would be permanent.

Rosch emptied the oil from a lamp in his study and poured it over his chest. He had to be quick about it, before the fear could overpower the grief.

It was as if his arms worked on their own. The small flame slowly ate at the wick of paper he held between his fingers. His whole body shook.

Rosch never did put the flame to his body. He didn't dare.

A small lick reached him and he was immediately engulfed.

The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt. That which was dry, burned. That which was soft, melted. And lastly, the hard and tough was scorched and turned to ash.

In his panic he spread the flames to the rest of his home and all that was within it, burned to the ground.

When he awoke this time, he had reformed in the ashes of his home. The place was deserted. The fire brigade had come and gone what seemed like days ago.

Rosch couldn't explain it. He was certain he must have burned up. How was he here? How could he ever be free from this? This pain was inescapable, this existence suffocating. Everything pushed down on him from all angles at the same time. He broke down sobbing uncontrollably.

He knew he had to try again. But the thought of his three previous deaths made him tremble. The trauma had seeped deep inside him and solidified in his bones.

That's when Rosch felt a large coat being placed over his bare shoulders. A tall gentleman stood beside him in the ash and rubble.

The man introduced himself as Sir Alexander Rowan, but the rest felt muffled. Rosch couldn't focus. He let himself be led by Alexander. So desperate for just anyone to care for him. To show him kindness.

Alexander took him in and had Rosch stay with him in his manor. He was entirely captivated by Rosch's mutation. How amazing it was. How there is most definitely a purpose to his immortality. He could help people, use his powers for good. Be a hero.

Rosch was in desperate need for something to believe in. For a future that involved any sense of purpose. And so he was eagerly swept along when Alexander spoke. He had a way of making even the smallest things seem grand and important.

The two became attached at the hip.

Alexander ran a company that produced shipping crates for the shipping yard at the harbor. It was lucrative work but had left him rather bored. He had often thought of getting on one of the ships to sail away and have an adventure.

But now he didn't need to. His adventure was right here.

At this point Rosch didn't know much about his mutation. Broad strokes, yes. But much had to be discovered through experience. Alexander was no scientist, but he still had a very inquisitive mind. They tried everything he thought would make good traits for a hero. Rosch's flight, the agility of the arms and tracking with the antennae.

Alexander was just what Rosch needed at just the right time. And for a brief period, he was everything to him.

Rosch developed a fondness for his companion, and felt a way about Alexander that he had never felt for a man before. But he did not linger on these feelings or stop to reflect on them. He was much too caught up in the joy of it.

Alexander was a well liked character with good connections and he showed Rosch how to live again. The clothes he had lost in the fire could be remade. Yes, the textiles she had once touched were gone. But the designs would live on forever.

They managed to drum up some small local notoriety. And then one day, there was commotion from the next street. They both ran over to find that three ruffians were leaving the scene of the crime. Being the two heroes that they are, Alexander and Rosch gave chase!

Give this video a watch before you continue reading:

Rosch woke up more lost than ever. He knew he had to start moving. Nothing good would come from staying by the tracks, out in the middle of nowhere. He didn't dare to press on into the unknown. Yet he was even more terrified of going back. Back to where he had once had a life. Back to the people who were dead, and the ones that didn't want him anymore.

Rosch chose the unknown. And for the first time in his life, he set out into the world all on his own.

This marks the end of what I like to call Rosch's "first life". But he still has a ways to go before he would become the man he is today. At least now he knows; he is no hero. He cannot help anyone. And most importantly. Men like that will hurt you. And you will feel like a fool for the way he made you feel. And even more like a fool because somehow, despite what he did. You still feel the same way.

[hanasnx]

wait what are your thoughts on sabe and vader? just curious

MINORS DNI 18+

well :D i just wrote and posted a one shot about them bcos i could not stop thinking about them

theyre an interesting ship to me, or at least a dynamic. i havent gotten to read the actual comic run that features them but ive seen some bits and pieces and im pretty sure i know how it ends. but idc, i like seeing them together. i like the idea of vader having a soft spot for her all because she was so largely connected to his late wife, and looks like her. i like that conflict, i really wanna sink my teeth into it. the fact he knows he shouldn't be around her, that he should keep his distance, and yet he keeps hanging around.

i dunno if he helps and also sabotages her and her brigade because he doesnt want them to discover padme's true killer but he also does want them to discover it bcos he wants to be punished in a way? i know eventually things are uncovered and it doesnt end well but man the ride is so fucking fun.

its all so layered and interesting it makes me froth at the mouth. as a smut writer, i cant help but imagine what sex between them would be like. sabe would have to know something deeper is going on here, and vader would hate himself for using her as a last resort to connect with his dead wife. he goes back and forth between imagining her as padme, feeling guilty for it and condemning himself, and focusing on the traits that make sabe... well, sabe. focus on the traits he admires about her that are either separate from his wife and/or are ones that remind him of padme.

his juxtaposition of protecting her at all costs, but is ultimately is his own undoing for a budding friendship. i love it when he fucks things up for himself, he does it a lot.

and sabe, sabe has no fucking idea who this guy is and why hes so weird. shes probably heard his legends, and here he is. awkwardly waiting around for action. seemingly insisting on joining her cause of his own accord, certainly this cant be sanctioned by the emperor of the galactic empire. and he'll still put his signature vader spin on things, acting like he runs her ship and her brigade works for him and shall listen to him unquestionably. sabe is probably constantly confused, never a dull moment. one second hes holding her bridal style and the next he's yelling at her for prying on him and his feelings during brooding time and acting like she should Just Know Better. sabe is trying to avenge her dead friend, a cold case that the galaxy seemingly forgot, swept under the rug. and the one guy youd least expect, one of the highest higher ups you can be in the government of the literal space dictatorship, is interested in helping her (or at least lets her think hes helping her as an excuse to get closer to her because of some freaky unknown obsession bcos she bares a striking resemblance to his dead wife who surprise! theyre both not over)

like how do you not just

[moth-thief]

Chaosmon BT16-036 SR <03>

Mega | Vaccine | Unique

[[DNA Digivolve] Yellow Lv.6 & Black Lv.6: Cost 0]

<Barrier> <Blocker> <Partition (Yellow Lv.6 & Black Lv.6)> (When this Digimon with 1 of each specified card in its digivolution cards would leave the battle area other than by one of your effects or in battle, you may play 1 of each card without paying their costs)

[When Digivolving] <De-Digivolve 3> 1 of your opponent's Digimon. Then, 1 of your opponent's Digimon gets -8000 DP for the turn.

[End of Opponent's Turn] Trash the top card of both players security stack.

[(Rule) Trait: Also has [Boss]/[D-Brigade].]

[finitevoid]

Explain the plot but in terms that a sonic fan can understand

the last ask is bugged out it deleted my entire reply and replaced it with the last line of your ask. And every time I try to edit it it doesn’t work. Tumblr . So here is my reply

Ok so first of all I want to say that while I agree with chris that roxas definitely fits shadow more especially in terms of his function within the narrative & his relationship to sonic (sora) as a foil . I don’t think there’s another character I would give vanitas. You COULD argue for vanitas as mephiles for sure but I feel like making vanitas a cut and dry antagonist who is evil and sucks isn’t necessarily representative of vanitas’ complexity . At the same time, vanitas is not a good guy he is decidedly a tragic antagonist. Sonic doesn’t seem to have an equivalent except for shadow himself (even if that’s more of a rivalry type of thing). This also probably has something to do with the fact that chris’ favorite character is roxas and my favorite character is vanitas and ventus

anyway and if we are going for a shadilver foils type of vibe then I think the obvious choice is vanitas as shadow and ventus (basil) as silver . This is because vanitas and ventus are inherently linked Because vanitas and ventus are the same person

Some background context on kh universe lore is: every conscious being has a heart, which is a lot like the concept of a soul. Every persons heart (with some notable exceptions) has both light and darkness. ok?

to make a somewhat contrived and overcomplicated anime game short, I will just tell you this: the original ventus was a boy possessed by a being that I call primordial Darkness. (it’s just referred to as Darkness (distinct from darkness, lowercase d) but I call it primordial Darkness for clarity’s sake, because it’s more descriptive. darkness is a cosmological concept in the kh universe, primordial Darkness is a being made purely of darkness. Ok?)

ventus’ heart was then torn in half; his heart’s light was ripped from its darkness. this means that vanitas is a heart of pure darkness (and Darkness) and ventus (NOT the original guy named ventus, this is an entirely new person formed from the split, he just got to keep the name because ?????.?) is a being of pure light.

(I have some more really detailed thoughts on vanitas because there’s been some plot revelations that puts a lot of this into question but I won’t go into that unless you really care about listening to me theorize on kh lore)

anyway I think the angel from hell/demon from heaven motif you talk about here is interesting. While kh evokes less modern/recognizable christianity and more like… esoterica, there’s definitely an angel/demon thing going on with vanitas and ventus

pictured, vanitas and ventus’ “birth”

anyway, vanitas is a lot meaner than shadow. vanitas is… a very intelligent, very abused, pain ridden teenaged boy seized with a deep existentialism that thoughtfully considers the world in dichotomies. ventus is headstrong, stubborn and determined; but he’s also naive. And nice. He is nice to people. Notable character trait of ventus’

vanitas is a deceitful liar who lies . He tricks ven in manipulative and cruel ways. and ventus does rebellious shit . He runs away from home and disobeys orders and causes problems on purpose but all so he can Save His Friends. He’s also really nice though like he makes friends with literal rats. and Peter Pan

this is why it’s difficult to choose a silver because nobody in kingdom hearts is blunt like that except for, you know, roxas and riku .

interestingly ventus is also a character who’s woobified by the fandom. ventus is basically like a bratty kid, he’s naive and he’s brash and he has no observational skills, especially regarding himself. he cares about people but he gets caught up in how he’s been wronged. But in fandom he’s kind of reduced to the Sweet Sunshiney member of sora’s doppelgänger brigade and mm somewhat true but not nuanced enough imo. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that canon ven is as mean as silver is or anything. Ven is just headstrong . And people don’t portray him being headstrong very much

ven’s also suicidal and tries to martyr himself twice I don’t know if that’s relevant to the discussion

I cannot make an equivalent relationship analysis because trying to summarize ventus and vanitas’ relationship is. Complicated. They are the same person so they feel a pull and an obsession for each other that’s tinged with hatred and disdain

That’s partly why I thought it’d be funny if we went the sovani direction because sora and vanitas so rarely interact in canon, sora basically doesn’t even know who tf he is .

Sora is pretty similar to ven in that he’s headstrong and determined and goal oriented but he’s less naive and he’s less brash. sora is the epitome of being a charismatic teenager he makes friends like it’s a sport

sora doesn’t have the foils aspect to vanitas (except for the fact that they look the same and are cosmologically linked for reasons I’m not subjecting you to an explanation of unless you want it) and he is not an angel. ven is an angel but sora is a knight. You catch my drift?

So I don’t know what the conclusion here is but I think the archetypes are moderately different

[adashofniallandasprinkleoflunacy]

The Seven Princes of Hell weren’t just demons, and it didn’t take a genius to come to that conclusion; merely being in their presence was an unspoken explanation all of its own. They were some of the oldest, wisest, most respected hellspawns known to mankind, and they had all been hand-chosen by Lucifer himself to become a part of his board of directors. Simply being in their proximity was enough to render even the most astute devil absolutely witless.

Belphegor, the Prince of Vanity. Mammon, the Prince of Greed. Beezlebub, the Prince of Indolence. Astaroth, the Prince of Wrath. Leviathan, the Prince of Envy. Asmodeus, the Prince of Lust. Pythius, the Prince of Despair.

These seven royals represented some of humanity’s most damning sins— traits that, when left unattended and recklessly ignored, could cause the downfall of empires, societies, entire countries, and the deaths of thousands of innocent people at the hands of violence and man’s timeless hunger for power. They radiated an aura so ancient and powerful, it could be felt down to one’s weary, exhausted bones. It was terrifying and all-consuming, suffocating every inhale and threatening to vanquish it with the flick of a wrist. It was electrifying and untamable, vibrating through each bodily atom and making it feel as if your very essence was at the risk of being dissolved out of existence. It was ravenous and unyielding, giving away that it had been festering long before civilizations ever formed, and that it would continue to persevere long after nations faded away to ash.

The princes were a force not many reckoned with, and whatever moronic soul dared to challenge that fact did not live to tell the tale. Ascending to such a respected, sophisticated rank is an occurrence so rare, the last candidate had been chosen over a millennia ago, and though many have been nominated for the title since, none had managed to meet Lucifer’s scrutinizing standards. The king of Hell was extremely selective when it came to those he kept closest to his throne, and no one can blame the archangel for that tendency; unwavering loyalty and resistance to temptation are scarce commodities.

Alongside having to exceed all of Satan’s expectations, a demon was expected to surpass all of their brethren in training to even be considered worthy of the royal crest. They must be ruthless and graceful in combat, never forfeiting to an opponent even when outmatched, and depicting confident resilience no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. They must be an expert in occult practice, with narrow precision during performance, complete mastery of the Latin language, no limits on how far they’re willing to push their powers, and a willingness to perform even the most challenging dark magic at a moment’s notice. They must be a patient, intelligent, perspective, calculating strategist, with no room for mistakes and no time to waste. In other words, a potential candidate must be the ideal demon in every way imaginable, which is why so few have ever passed the mark.

Henceforth, history has only ever seen seven princes of Hell, and that number was theorized to remain stagnant both for the foreseeable and distant future. It appeared that demons just weren’t the same breed of legendary perfection they used to be, and Lucifer wasn’t known for lowering his criteria for anyone. If no one is of caliber for the position, then it would remain empty for as long as he deems fit. Hell’s reputation isn’t worth the gamble.

That is, until one unsuspecting applicant came along and changed the entire narrative. He not only met every standard, but set new ones. He not only mastered lethal combat, but developed his own personal techniques. He not only became an expert in satanic magic, but began creating his own spells by memorizing grimoires and merging all of his knowledge. He climbed to the top of his brigade, and even managed to best some of his teachers. He devoted his soul to his stature, made a name for himself despite his youth, caught Lucifer’s attention for the first time in almost a thousand years, and by some miracle, managed to keep it.

The newest member of the Summis Conilio— the Superior Council— and therefore the eighth prince of Hell: Ramiel, the Prince of Chaos.

[alittlebitgoofy]

More random hot anxious femme brigade brainrot:

a) Dakota hasn't fully moved out of her and her twin's flat, so she's kinda living half with her partners and half with her twin

b)Dakota's constantly trying to convince the others to get a cat(or whatever pet) with her so they can "be a proper family"

c) Baby's toxic trait is being unable to finish a cup of coffee or tea before starting another one

d) Baby's a heavy energy drink consumer. We're talking 4-5 a day, which is A1 for their anxiety

e) Starlet's at least partially responsible for causing a handful of bar brawls purely by being sarcastic as fuck (she was in her Reputation era, alright?)

Baby gives me monster energy but only peach for some reason (it is really good tbh) and yes I fully agree with starlet starting fights, she doesn’t mean to but people are annoying why can’t she be blunt and sarcastic

She calmed down after dakota got into a fight tho, that wasn’t one they saw coming (angry dakota is terrifying)

[toogayfor2145]

In White Brigade, among the WBC squad, which character (sans Band Cell because he's new) do you think comes of as the strongest and which on the weakest in terms of character depth or anything memorable? I go back and forth on 2048 and 4989 on being the best. While I easily consider 1146 the weakest and most forgettable to the point the other 3 could have carried the series without him (and I mean that in the least insulting way possible because I adore 1146 too. He's just not that strong solo).

That's a very interesting question. I would say that in terms of character depth it would be 2048. He's gotten a lot of the spotlight in White Brigade so far, with a selection of rather plot-important scenes involving his interactions with Band cell. This will be a long analysis, more under the cut.

In chapter 1 - one of the very first thing he says to band cell is "Don't fall in love with me now, alright?" which in retrospect, is possibly a cheeky little nod to 2048's memory of the lost myelocyte incident - even before he's made the connection that the myelocyte back then and band cell are one and the same. He still considers himself "cool" because even a kid would "fall for his charm" so to say, despite his actual resistance to accept it at the time.

In Chapter 3, we literally start off with a glorious display of his brotherly relations with the rest of the squad. He's wrestling 4989 over a prank while 2626 jumps in to play referee and 1146 spectates disapprovingly but knows he doesn't have to, and can't stop them. It really shows the dynamic between the four of them well, although 1146 definitely proves the least "involved" here.

Chapter 5 is all about 2048, let's be real. His recount of the Lost Myelocyte Incident pulls us closer to understanding his character, especially in retrospect (later chapters not yet officially translated) is setting up a lot of focus on him. In that incident, the myelocyte clung onto him and him alone, and 2048 eventually had to give in to each request because he couldn't stand to see the myelocyte cry, or that his squad was peer pressuring him so h a r d to push him to do what's right. At the end - he's gotten pretty fond of the kid, and when he finishes his tale, you're basically given the evidence that the myelocyte and Band cell are the same person if you still didn't catch on. And it makes you think "hey, this guy's pretty important to the kid, somehow."

So he's definitely the strongest, but that is not to say that you're wrong about 4989 - there's a very important distinction to be made here. 2048 is a very strong character, but in order to be as strong as he is, he needs 4989 as his foil. 4989 is how 2048's personality traits are highlighted because of the immense contrast between 4989's casual, carefree attitude and 2048's stiff and stubborn one.

When it comes to the weakest... well. 1146, undoubtedly. He's not gotten much of the spotlight, to be fair, but in this particular spinoff he's just not able to solo carry the way he does in the main series. Even 2626 is able to outshine him in White Brigade because we see and are entertained so much more by 2626's sly underhandedness and kitchen passion than 1146's generally vanilla character. He just doesn't stand out as much aside from showing his inner edgelord a bit from time to time.

But at the end of the day, this perspective might change as more and more content is released that give even more insight on these fantastic and fierce neutrophil bois.

[digi-lov]

Satsuki Tamahime BT14-086, and Commandramon BT14-056 Alternative Art by Tonamikanji from BT-14 Booster Blast Ace

[thecreaturecodex]

Sewer Ooze

“Predator Ooze” by Ryan Yee, © Wizards of the Coast. Accessed at Cards Realm here

[The sewer ooze appears in the Pathfinder 2nd Edition Bestiary instead of the traditional gray ooze, presumably in an attempt to diversity the CRs of common oozes and differentiate themselves from D&D. I’m glad they created an original ooze rather than convert the giant amoeba from Bestiary 2, which I always found somewhat boring. The giant amoeba reappears in the 2nd Edition Bestiary 2, and now it at least has a special ability.

Like the quatoid, the sewer ooze appears as one of a number of short stat blocks on a two-page spread, leaving little room for flavor text. So I decided to use it to tackle a question that more historically minded people might wonder in the vaguely medieval-to-renaissance fantasy setting of Pathfinder. Why aren’t sewage borne diseases as common as they were in real life? The Doylist answer, of course, is that it’s not fun to have your heroic adventurers regularly dying of diarrhea, but consider the sewer ooze to be my Watsonian take on this phenomenon.]

Sewer Ooze CR 1 N Ooze This burbling mass of greenish-brown matter moves with a life of its own.

Sewer oozes are artificial creations composed of living detergents. They were first devised by an alchemist to deal with the most stubborn stains, but have since escaped into the wild. They are instinctively attracted to filth, hence their associations with sewers. A city with a population of sewer oozes finds them a mixed blessing—although they do improve water quality and the smell of the streets, they occasionally eat pets and vagrants, as well as posing a hazard to any sewage workers that cross their path.

A sewer ooze’s body is comprised of an emulsion of different liquids, some caustic, others slick, a few sticky. They are buoyant, and typically float on the surface of the water, where they are easy to mistake for detritus. They consume all manner of organic material. A sewer ooze can live indefinitely on fecal matter dissolved in their environment, but they seek out novel flavors and attack living creatures that cross their paths. As they are slow, sewer oozes usually attack from ambush and cover enemies in sticky acids before closing into melee.

Despite their association with filth, sewer oozes do not smell bad; instead, they have a faint antiseptic odor. Like many oozes, they reproduce by fission.

Sewer Ooze          CR 1 XP 400 N Medium ooze Init -1; Senses blind, blindsight 60 ft., Perception +0 Defense AC 9, touch 9, flat-footed 9 (-1 Dex) hp 17 (2d8+8) Fort +4, Ref -1, Will +0; +5 vs. entangle, entrap DR 5/slashing or piercing; Immune acid, disease, gaze attacks, ooze traits, visual spells and effects Defensive Abilities slick Offense Speed 10 ft., swim 10 ft. Melee slam +2 (1d4+1 plus 1d4 acid) Special Attacks caustic wave Statistics Str 13, Dex 8, Con 18, Int -, Wis 11, Cha 1 Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 11 (16 vs. grapple, cannot be tripped) Skills Stealth -1 (+7 in sewers), Swim +9; Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth in sewers Ecology Environment urban and underground Organization solitary, pair or brigade (3-12) Treasure incidental Special Abilities Caustic Wave (Ex) As a standard action once per day, a sewer ooze may expel sticky sludge in a 20 foot radius centered on itself. All creatures in the area take 1d6 points of acid damage and are entangled for 1d4+1 rounds. A successful DC 15 Reflex save halves the damage and negates the entangled condition. The save DC is Constitution based. Slick (Ex) A sewer ooze gains a +5 to its CMD against grapple attempts, and adds 5 to any Reflex saves against effects that would entangle, entrap or glue it.

[numachis-swamp]

Looking For Roleplay Numachi Sewanin

The Basics ––– –

Age: Fifty-two

Race: Raen Au Ra 

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

Marital Status: Single

Server: Mateus - Crystal

Physical Appearance ––– –

Hair: Numachi doesn’t appear to do much with his hair. His light brown locks are usually pulled back, held loosely in a knot where they’ll stay out of the way. His hair is one of the biggest indicators of his age, as he doesn’t fuss much over the grays that have started to make themselves known.

Eyes: A pale green, with dark limbal rings for contrast. 

Height: 6′10″

Build: Numachi is a stalwart and vigilant defender of the people, with a physique to match. He has a muscular form but lacks the definition of show muscle, opting instead for muscle of a functional variety. Though he may appear to be on the lean side, the 384 pound Au Ra merely carries his weight well. Then again, a considerable portion of the old swamp dweller’s weight comes from his tail, which rivals even his own height in length, coming in at six feet, eleven and a half inches. It should be no wonder why Numachi has such a solid core, given the weight he lugs around at all times.

Distinguishing Marks: Battle scars litter the seasoned warrior’s body, however none are particularly special. What makes these marks worthy of note is where they do not occur, that being his scales. Numachi’s scales are unmarred, even when one scar on his flesh might appear to lead into his scales.

Common Accessories: Without fail, Numachi’s wrists can be found sporting some flimsy, brightly colored string-bracelets of amateur make. Some are beaded, a couple have the teeth of animals, and more than a few have seen repair via tape or glue. Though they might appear more worthy of the garbage bin to anyone else, to Numachi they are treasures. Reminders of the past.

Personal ––– –

Profession: Numachi, for many years, worked as a mercenary within Ul’dah. He aligned himself with the Immortal Flames as part of the Free Brigade, until his service and notable efforts had him come into a comfortable position within the Bloodsworn, working under the direct order of Raubahn Aldynn.

Hobbies: In his free time, Numachi will fill his days with some few quiet activities such as cooking or fishing. The Raen is quite handy in the kitchen, with most of his experience being in preparing and cooking meat either from slain beasts or caught fish.

Residence: Numachi owns no property of his own. For many years he lived in the remote swamps between Doma and Nagxia, occupying the territory as the sole survivor of his family. He holds no legal claim over the land, but made more than a simple home of the space for himself and his dozens of adopted children. In the current day, Numachi gets back in Eorzea by staying within the Immortal Flame Barracks, or occasionally renting out inn rooms with his earnings when he desires more privacy.

Birthplace: Numachi’s birthplace is unknown to him, but he assumes it to be relative to where he was raised; Southern Doma.

Patron Deity: Numachi is not an expressly religious man, and holds no deity with any reverence. However, he stills respects what they are and what they represent.

Fears: Wasted time. Numachi is a very patient man, but nothing ignites his anxieties quite like realizing that the time he spent waiting for someone or something was for not. This fear gnaws at him quietly, often testing just how patient he can really be. For such reasons, he can become quite irritable with people who do not respect his time.

Relationships ––– -

Spouse: None

Children: Numachi has no children of his own, but he is the adopted father to some several dozen children. Most of these children were refugees from Nagixa after the Garlean occupation, orphans escaping the region in search of solace who stumbled upon the kind Raen’s swamp. He took them in and offered them protection, raising many of them into their adulthood.

Parents: Both of Numachi’s parents are unfortunately deceased.

Siblings: Numachi had three siblings, and he was the eldest amongst them. They suffered the same fate as their parents.

Other Relatives: None that he is aware of.

Pets: Numachi has a pet crocodile back in the Far East, affectionately known as Chomps. Chomps is currently being cared for by those sons and daughters of his that yet remain in his swamp.

Traits ––– -

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted Disorganized / In Between / Organized Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded Calm / In Between / Anxious Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable Cautious / In Between / Reckless Patient / In Between / Impatient Outspoken / In Between / Reserved Leader / In Between / Follower Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic Traditional / In Between / Modern Hard-working / In Between / Lazy Cultured / In Between / Uncultured Loyal / In Between / Disloyal Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information ––– –

Themes and More: It is important to me to make sure that everyone involved in any RP I’m a part of is comfortable and having fun. To that end, allow me to be transparent about the themes that I explore/am willing to explore, and what I would like to avoid. Given Numachi’s role as a military personnel, I am well prepared to handle RP involving combat and all that entails; blood, broken bones, wounds, death, etc. - I am, admittedly, not fluent in fantasy law, nor will I ever pretend to be, so I will likely miss the mark sometimes on what is/is not within Numachi’s jurisdiction as a Bloodsworn, if and when that kinda thing comes into play in whatever scenario we find ourselves in. I see the typical D/M/E RP specifications in most people’s search info, and I am open to all such themes with proper communication. However, I reserve the right to change my mind. Additionally there are lines that I will not, under any circumstances, dare to cross. These would be situations dealing with not previously discussed sexual violence, or sexually suggestive comments or insinuations regarding his adopted children.

What I’m Looking For: I’m hoping to broaden my horizons as a roleplayer by roleplaying with many different people and experiencing new and interesting situations! I am always open to making friends and discussing potential plot ideas. I appreciate many different themes, but I would lying if I said I didn’t have a preference. While I can enjoy comedic and lighthearted stories, I find I am only ever truly invested in those with emotional weight, nuance, and depth. I prefer dark and/or romantic themes, but not so much in that I crave constant edge and agony or only erotic entanglements. Balance, y’know? Most of all, I have a story for Numachi that I wish to see unfold, and I want to welcome others to join me in telling that story - and yours too!

RP Hooks ––– –

The Gator in the Swamp: Numachi’s time spent in the swamp was not one spent in solitude. He welcomed travelers and traders regularly, offering them a place to eat and sleep where they may hide from the Garleans or the many beasts that lurked in the mire. If your character had reason to pass through the area, perhaps they would have run into each other all those years ago! Gladiator, Bulwark, Bloodsworn: In the current day, Numachi is known for his duties as a Bloodsworn, as well as a gladiator frequenting Ul’dah’s famous arena. It would not be too much of a stretch to suggest that your character may know of Numachi, either seeing them on the field or in the arena proper. Perhaps they were even combatants at one point! Or fought together against a common foe! I am open to discussing any and all possibilities.

Contact Information/About the player ––– –

Hello, and thank you for reading this far! My name is Blake, 23, nonbinary they/them, and you can usually find/contact me here or on Numachi on Mateus. I keep a bit of an odd, migrating schedule, but I am always happy to make room for some RP whenever we can make it work!

[moth-thief]

Darkdramon BT16-065 R <03>

Mega | Virus | Cyborg/D-Brigade

When you would play this card, if there is a Digimon with the [Boss] trait, reduce the play cost by 6. By returning 6 cards with the [D-Brigade] trait from your trash to the top of the deck, reduce the play cost by 6.

[On Play] [When Digivolving] Reveal the top 3 cards of your deck. Delete 1 of your opponent's Digimon with play cost less than or equal to the play cost of 1 of the cards among them. Trash the revealed cards.

[End of Your Turn] 2 of your Digmon may DNA digivlve into a [Chaosmon] in your hand.

[whatelsev-blog]

OCS Test Prep

As you probably know by now, Academics play a HUGE role at OSC. From what I've been told there is much time to review material and it can be challenging to stay alert during lectures. At the end of Mini-OCS my Captain created a mock exam for the candidates  to get a feel for the real thing. I've recreated it below for my over achievers out there, best of luck. xo

Complete the 5 paragraph order skeleton: (click here to review!)

Orientation

Situation

______________

______________

______________

______________

_________

Friendly

T:_____

S:_____

U:_____

A:_____

L:_____

E:_____

Concepts of Operations

_________

_________

_________

_________

B:_____

B:_____

B:_____

B:_____

_________

_________

2. Weapons Safety Rules  

Treat every weapon as if it were ________.

Never ________ at anything you do not ________ to ________.

Keep your finger ________ and ________ the ________ until you are ready to fire.

Keep the weapon on ________ until you ________ to ________.

3. List the typical ranks for the following billets:

Rifleman: _________

Squad Leader: _________

Platoon Commander: _________

Company Commander: _________

Battalion Commander: _________

4. Match the Fire Team symbols

Rifleman

Automatic Rifleman

Fire Team Leader

Asst. Automatic Rifleman

5. Name the following Fire Team Formations

______________

______________

6. The Core Values of the Marine Corps are:

_______________

_______________

_______________

7. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is now:

Major Samuel Nicholas

General A. Lejeune

General Robert B. Neller

Lt. General Lewis "Chesty" Puller

8. The Marine Corps birthday is:

July 4, 1776

November 10, 1775

July 4, 1775

November 10, 1776

9. The birth place of the Marine Corps is:

Tun Tavern

Parris Island

8th and I Marine Barracks Washington DC

Marine Corps Quantico

10. The attack on New Providence, Bahamas was the first _____ conducted by the Marine Corps:

Foreign engagement

Aerial assault

Amphibious landing

Offensive combat

11. In what battle did the Marines receive the nickname Tuefelhunden (Devil Dogs)?

Iwo Jima

Tarawa

Hue City

Belleau Wood

12. Write-out any three General Orders:

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

13. Which are the 5 major terrain features used in land navigation:

Water, Ridge, Mountain, Saddle, Road

Hill, Ridge, Valley, Saddle, Depression

Roadway, Field, Hill, Water, Valley

14. Using the acronym for assistance, list the 14 Leadership Traits:

J_______

J_______

D_______

I_______

D_______

T_______

I_______

E_______

B_______

U_______

C_______

K_______

L_______

E_______

15. Fill in the Enlisted Rank structure:

E-1 ___________

E-2 ___________

E-3 ___________

E-4 ___________

E-5 ___________

E-6 ___________

E-7 ___________

E-8 ___________

E-8 ___________

E-9 ___________

E-9 ___________

E-9 ___________

16. Fill in the Officer Rank structure:

O-1 ___________

O-2 ___________

O-3 ___________

O-4 ___________

O-5 ___________

O-6 ___________

O-7 ___________

O-8 ___________

O-9 ___________

O-10 ___________

17. There are 11 Leadership Principles, name 2:

_______________________________

_______________________________

18. The 6 Troop Leading Steps (BAMCIS) are:

B: ___________________

A: ___________________

M: ___________________

C: ___________________

I:  ___________________

S: ___________________

19. What are the four main components that make up a MAGTF:

___________

___________

___________

___________

20. Write out each of the following Marine Corps acronyms/abbreviations:

MEU: ___________________

MEU (SOC): ___________________

MEF: ___________________

MEB: ___________________

CASEVAC: ___________________

CAX: ___________________

EGA: ___________________

FARP: ___________________

FMF: ___________________

FRAGO: ___________________

HQMC: ___________________

LZ: ___________________

MAGTF: ___________________

MOUT: ___________________

SNCOIC: ___________________

OCONUS: ___________________

PMO: ___________________

PX: ___________________

MCB: ___________________

MCAS: ___________________

RFI: ___________________

TAD: ___________________

VTOL: ___________________

21. "From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli..." is the beginning to what?

_________________________________________

22. True of False: The Marine Corps Service A uniform is allowed to be worn on liberty in public:

True

False

23. Do the following uniforms call for medals or ribbons?

Dress Blue A: _________

Dress Blue B: _________

24. Utilizing the map and each option in the word bank, identify the Marine Corps unit at each lettered location:

A: __________                     A:__________

B: __________                     D: __________

C: __________                     C: __________

D: __________                     E: __________

F: __________

*Answer Key

1. Complete the 5 paragraph order skeleton: (in-depth review is here!)

Orientation

Situation

Mission

Execution

Admin & Logistics

Command & Signal

Enemy

Friendly

T: time

S: size

U: unit

A: activity

L: location

E: equipment

Concepts of Operations

Task

Coordinating Instructions

TCMs or Security

Timeline

B: beans

B: bullets

B: bandaids

B: bad guys

Signal

Command

2. Weapons Safety Rules  

Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.

Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

Keep the weapon on safety until you intend to fire.

3. List the typical ranks for the following billets:

Rifleman: Private / Private First Class

Squad Leader: Corporal / Sergeant

Platoon Commander: 2nd Lieutenant / 1st Lieutenant

Company Commander: Captain

Battalion Commander: Lieutenant Colonel

4. Match the Fire Team symbols

Rifleman - D

Automatic Rifleman - C

Fire Team Leader - A

Asst. Automatic Rifleman - B

5. Name the following Fire Team Formations

Wedge

Column

6. The Core Values of the Marine Corps are:

Honor

Courage

Commitment

7. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is now:

Major Samuel Nicholas (traditionally known as the first Commandant.)

General John A. Lejeune ( "The greatest of all Leathernecks)

General Robert B. Neller

Lt. General Lewis "Chesty" Puller ( had the longest tenure as Commandant )

8. The Marine Corps birthday is:

July 4, 1776

November 10, 1775

July 4, 1775

November 10, 1776

9. The birth place of the Marine Corps is:

Tun Tavern

Parris Island

8th and I Marine Barracks Washington DC

Marine Corps Quantico

10. The attack on New Providence, Bahamas was the first _____ conducted by the Marine Corps:

Foreign engagement

Aerial assault

Amphibious landing

Offensive combat

11. In what battle did the Marines receive the nickname Tuefelhunden (Devil Dogs)?

Iwo Jima

Tarawa

Hue City

Belleau Wood

12. Write-out any three General Orders:

5th General Order - To quit my post only when properly relieved

7th General Order - To talk to no one except in the line of duty

9th General Order - To call the Corporal of the Guard in any case not covered by instructions

13. Which are the 5 major terrain features used in land navigation:

Water, Ridge, Mountain, Saddle, Road

Hill, Ridge, Valley, Saddle, Depression

Roadway, Field, Hill, Water, Valley

14. Using the acronym for assistance, list the 14 Leadership Traits:

Justice

Judgement

Decisiveness

Integrity

Dependability

Tact

Initiative

Enthusiasm

Bearing

Unselfishness

Courage

Knowledge

Loyalty

Endurance

15. Fill in the Enlisted Rank structure:

E-1 Private

E-2 Private First Class

E-3 Lance Corporal

E-4 Corporal

E-5 Sergeant

E-6 Staff Sergeant

E-7 Gunnery Sergeant

E-8 Master Sergeant

E-8 First Sergeant

E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant

E-9 Sergeant Major

E-9 Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

16. Fill in the Officer Rank structure:

O-1 2nd Lieutenant

O-2 1st Lieutenant

O-3 Captain

O-4 Major

O-5 Lieutenant Colonel

O-6 Colonel

O-7 Brigadier General

O-8 Major General

O-9 Lieutenant General

O-10 General

17. There are 11 Leadership Principles, name 2:

Keep your Marines informed

Know your Marines and look out for their welfare

18. The 6 Troop Leading Steps (BAMCIS) are:

B: begin the planning

A: arrange for reconnaissance

M: make reconnaissance

C: complete the planning

I:  issue the order

S: surprise

19. What are the four main components that make up a MAGTF:

Common Element

Ground Combat Element

Aviation Combat Element

Logistic Combat Element

20. Write out each of the following Marine Corps acronyms/abbreviations:

MEU: Marine Expeditionary Unit

MEU (SOC): MEU- Special Ops Capability

MEF: Marine Expeditionary Force

MEB: Marine Expeditionary Brigade

CASEVAC: Casualty Evacuation

CAX: Combined Arms Exercise

EGA: Eagle, Globe and Anchor

FARP: Forward Arming and Refueling Point

FMF: Fleet Marine Force

FRAGO: Fragmented Order (change in op order)

HQMC: Headquarters of Marine Corps

LZ: Landing Zone

MAGTF: Marine Air Ground Task Force

MOUT: Marine Ops on Urban Terrain

SNCOIC: Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge

OCONUS: Outside Continental United States

PMO: Provost Marshal Office (police)

PX: Post Exchange

MCB: Marine Corps Base

MCAS: Marine Corps Air Station

RFI: Request for Information

TAD: Temporary Active Duty

VTOL: Vertical Take-off Landing

21. "From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli..." is the beginning to what?

Marines' Hymn

22. True of False: The Marine Corps Service A uniform is allowed to be worn on liberty in public:

True

False

23. Do the following uniforms call for medals or ribbons?

Dress Blue A: Medals

Dress Blue B: Ribbons

24. Utilizing the map and each option in the word bank, identify the Marine Corps unit at each lettered location:

A: 2ndMARDIV (NC, Camp Lejeune)         A: 2nd MAW (NC, Cherry Point)

B: HQMC/OCS (VA, Quantico)                    D: 1stMAW (Japan, Foster)

C: 1stMARDIV (CA, Pendleton)                  C: 3rd MAW (CA, Miramar)

D: 3rd MARDIV (Japan, Smedley)              E: USN/USMC FLIGHT SCHOOL

F: __________

[satoshi-mochida]

Sega has updated the official website for Valkyria Chronicles 4 with new information and screenshots on characters Angelica, Minerva, Karen, and Ragnarok, as well as the Training Grounds, Operation Room, and Order and Potential systems.

Get the details below.

■ Characters

◆ Edinburgh Army 101st Division No. 1

Angelica Farnaby (voiced by Ayane Sakura)

An energetic and brave civilian girl who finds her way into Squad E. When they found her, she could not remember anything except her name. Much about her is unknown, including the events that led to her involvement with Squad E. Rather than have a child-like selfishness, she is a kind-hearted character who cares about those around her. She is offered protection under the care of the military physician, but proposes to help by taking care of meals, laundry, cleaning, and so on. Her cheerful personality has also made her popular among the helper soldiers, who nicknamed her “Ange.”

Minerva Victor (voiced by Saori Hayami)

Edinburgh Army 101st Division No. 1 Battle Brigade No. 32 Armored Ranger Battalion Squad F leader and first lieutenant. She was in the same class as Claude at Edinburgh Military Academy, and graduated second in their class. She worked and studied very hard to graduate at the top of her class, but was not able to surpass Claude. Since then, she sees Claude as a strong rival who she believes was chosen by mistake, insisting that her own abilities are superior. Due to her father’s influence, she has a strong sense of elitism, and values the chivalrous spirit of a fair battle. On the other hand, she can be stubborn and persistent about trivial thin, but there is no doubt she is a skilled military officer. Minerva was actually promoted earlier than Claude, and is his senior first lieutenant. She is sociable and kind to others—except Claude.

Karen Stewart (voiced by Yuka Saitou)

Edinburgh Army 101st Division No. 1 Battle Brigade No. 32 Armored Ranger Battalion Squad E medical officer and corporal. Quiet and kind, she’s popular among the troops for her soothing smile. Since she grew up in an all-male household, she is particularly skilled in the treatment of men, and patches up the injuries that come her way with a smiling face. She hopes to go to medical school, but is volunteering to serve in the military in order to help her family.

Ragnarok

Edinburgh Army 101st Division No. 1 Battle Brigade No. 32 Armored Ranger Battalion Squad E medical dog and mascot of the unit. He was originally a stray found by the squad. He became attached to Claude and company, and joined Squad E. He is a brave dog who will fearlessly run to the battlefield even during gunfires and bombings to aid injured soldiers. He cannot ignore the weak and will run to their aid against better judgment. He is prideful and gets angry when people pat his head, but behaves courteously to soldiers who give him food (especially women). He sees Claude and company as rookies, and feels obligated to help them when he senses danger. However, such thoughts do not reach Claude and company, who see Ragnarok as a friendly, foolish dog.

■ Systems

◆ Training Grounds

You can train your classes (unit types) at the Training Grounds. There are six basic classes, but through training, you can rank up to higher-level “Jaeger” classes, which will significantly expand the breadth of strategy, such as the increasing types of weapons available for that class to use.

At the Training Grounds, which are located at the camp on the front lines, you will receive the guidance of senior officer and first lieutenant Minerva Victor. She will drill you on the necessary information.

By allotting the necessary experience points to each class, they will level up. To what extent you train a certain class is up to you. When a class levels up, it will learn new “Orders” and a “Battle Potential” may also awaken.

(Read more about Orders and Potentials in their separate section below.)

Advanced Classes: “Jaeger”

When a class reaches level 11, it will rank up to a higher-level “Jaeger” class. When you become a Jaeger class, you will be able to employ a wider range of tactics, including the ability to use more new weapons.

Scout Jaeger (Scout) – Ability increases all around, and the “Rifle Grenade” becomes available for use. Compared to a standard hand grenade, the Rifle Grenade can fire grenades from much further away.

Assault Jaeger (Assault) – Ability increases all around, and the “Flame Thrower” becomes available for use. The Flamethrower can fire through the defense effect of sandbags, and waved from side to side to reduce enemies to ashes, but has short range.

Sniper Jaeger (Sniper) – Ability increases all around, and the “Auto Sniper Rifle” and “Lancer Sniper Rifle” become available for use. The Auto Sniper Rifle attacks with a rapid-fire three-shot burst. The Lancer Sniper Rifle has high VS. Armor attack power. Also, by becoming a Sniper Jaeger in Valkyria Chronicles 4, you will be able to counterattack the enemy.

Lancer Jaeger (Lancer) – Ability increases all around, and the “Mortar Lance” becomes available for use. The Mortar Lance is a weapon that can fire a mortar with a ranged attack effect. It is a weapon with high VS. Person attack power that creates a parabola and explodes upon impact.

Engineer Jaeger (Engineer) – Ability increases all around, as does the amount recovered from the “Tank Reparation Kit.”

Grenadier Jaeger (Grenadier) – Ability increases all around.

◆ Operation Room

In the “Operation Room,” you can switch your party members in or out, and change their equipment. Organize a party suited for the current situation and lead your squad to victory.

The Unit Ability Screen

01. Name: The character’s name

02. Class: The unit’s class

03. LV: The class’ level

04. HP: The unit’s health power

05. AP: The unit’s action power

06. Firing / Evasion: The character’s firing and evasion ability

07. Special Ability: The Potential possessed by the character. There are two types: Personal Potential (P) and Battle Potential (B)

08. Affinity: Characters with good affinity. The screenshot shows Raz has good affinity with Claude, Kai, and Zaiga. You have a higher accuracy rate when performing co-op attacks with good affinity characters

09. Equipped Weapons: The names of your weapons

10. Hit: Hit accuracy (from best to worst: S > A > B > C > D)

11. Range: The range a weapon’s attack reaches (effective range)

12. VS. Person: Attack power against infantry soldier units

13. VS. Armor: Attack power against tank units and destroyable objects

14. Shots: The number of shots that can be fired in a single attack

15. Bullets: The number of times you can attack. If this is used up, you will not be able to attack until it is replenished. “∞” means infinite

16. Area: Whether the weapon affects multiple units. “Circle” means it does, “X” means it does not

17. Special: In cases where special effects exist, such as “Lowers Defense Power,” an icon will be displayed

18. Equipped Armor: The names of your armor

19. Defense: The defense power of your armor

For each character, the Potential that can be acquired differs. Also, there is difference in ability, as well as both strong points and weak points depending on the class, so be sure to strengthen each character.

◆ Orders and Potentials

“Orders” are special actions that can be used by the protagonist and enemy bosses, which can manifest various effects unto the user’s party. “Potential” reveals a character’s personality and their skill level as a soldier. In an “Abnormal State,” the state of the units in your control will change, and by meeting certain conditions during Action Mode, there is a fixed chance Potential will be activated.

Orders

Orders are special actions that the protagonist and enemy bosses can use during Command Mode by spending CP. Effects include changing the stats of your units, sending in reinforcements, withdrawing from battle, and more. In addition to learning Orders when raising class levels, Orders can be learned by talking to comrades at the “Salon.”

The Two Types of Potentials

There are two types of Potentials: “Personal Potentials,” which originates from the character’s personality and traits, and “Battle Potentials,” which originates from the class’ skill level. There are both good and bad sides to Personal Potentials, but Battle Potentials normally increase ability.

Neither of the two Potentials are all unlocked from the start, but rather learned through awakenings as you progress. Also, there are situations where Personal Potentials will change due to clearing certain story missions and other circumstances.

If you missed our previous mega-update on Valkyria Chronicles 4, catch up here. Sega will host a gameplay premiere live stream on December 27.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is due out for PlayStation 4 on March 21, 2018 and for Switch in summer 2018 in Japan, and for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch in 2018 in the Americas and Europe.

View the screenshots at the gallery.

[lastsonlost]

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg heads a coalition between the Conservatives and the Progress Party, which is the third largest party in the country with 29 of the 169 seats in parliament.

The party leader, Siv Jensen, told the Aftenposten newspaper that she was against forbidding circumcision.

The reportedly last-minute and chaotic voting schedule meant that the proposed compromise - banning state funding for circumcision - failed.

Ms Jensen insisted the move was not designed to target minorities and that her party had consistently defended Israel.

The vote in Norway comes a day after Belgium’s Parliament of Wallonia voted in favour of banning ritual slaughter, which would affect Jewish kosher and Muslim halal rituals. It comes into effect in September 2019.

“This is very sad,” Ervin Kohn, a Jewish community leader in Norway, told Aftenposten.

“They [the Progress Party] must know they won’t get a majority for this in Parliament. It seems like they want to send a signal that we are unwelcome in the country.”

He tweeted encouragement for Norwegian voters to support “any other party” in the election this autumn.

Another opposing voice came from Rabbi Menachem Margolin, general director of the European Jewish Association. He wrote a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for collaboration between European Jewish organisations and government to prevent the proliferation of anti-Jewish legislation.

“I have no doubt that the State of Israel – the state of the Jewish people – cannot remain indifferent to it, and I call on you to exert all your political influence in order to prevent the exclusion of Jews from life in various European countries,” the letter read.

At its national conference, the Progress Party also voted against the wearing of hijabs in public schools. The move follows the party’s third deputy, Aina Stenersen, calling last September for the ban of full-body swimsuits worn by some Muslim woman.

FrP’s former leader, Carl Hagen, wants to ban municipal employees in Oslo from wearing the hijab and other religious symbols.

The party also voted in favour of dual citizenship, and is assured of a majority vote in favour of the measure in Parliament. If someone holds dual citizenship and is found to have violated asylum or immigration regulations, the party argued it would be easier to strip that person of Norwegian citizenship and deport them.

FOR MORE ON WHY CIRCUMCISION IS FUCKED......STRAPPED IN!!

Intactivist linksThis list is mostly an effort to consolidate old bookmarks and fix links I'd bookmarked that were broken. It'll be updated as I find new links, or have to fix broken links. Be aware that links to images or videos are probably NSFW, given that this is a discussion involving genitals.

My writing on the topic:

No Justification for routine neonatal circumcision, part 1, fallacious medical arguments

No Justification for routine neonatal circumcision, part 2, unmerited social support The first article includes a lot of links to information supporting the assertions I've made.

Those links are also included among the links below on this page.

Videos:

Doctor Discusses Circumcision Controversy

The Prepuce Anatomy and Physiology of the Foreskin Video I originally had linked here was removed from youtube, but this one is excellent.

Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital   ♦

Whose body, whose rights

Difference Between: Male & Female Circumcision

Discussion after screening of the movie "Cut."

Related to Cut, the Film: Debate with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Eli Ungar-Sargon offers facts and logic; Rabbi Shmuley preaches, ridicules, and mocks, even after hearing evidence.

Brian D Earp, scientist and ethicist; discusses why there's no moral difference between male and female circumcision. ††

More from Brian D Earp on comparing male circumcision to female circumcision †††

Brian D. Earp; Female genital mutilation and male circumcision: toward an autonomy-based ethical framework

The Penis - Sex education 101  ††††

Water Bear Brigade: Circumcision, male and female

Doctors on Circumcision:

doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/

Doctors Opposing Circumcision HIV Statement

Medical Association Position Statements

Doctors Opposing Circumcision - Publications

Medical Organizations Statements on Circumcision

How the circumcision solution in Africa will increase HIV infections

Circumcision as a prophylactic against STIs and cancer

NORM COHEN: Circumcision AIDS Fraud

U.S. Navy Finds That Circumcision Does Not Prevent HIV or STIs

Male Circumcision and the HIV/AIDS Myth

Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Circumstitions.com: Circumcision and the HIV prevention myth

Circumcision in HIV-infected men and its effect on HIV transmission to female partners in Rakai, Uganda: a randomised controlled trial

PrePex in Rwanda: Male Circumcision Associated with Higher HIV Transmission and Higher Profits

Sub-Saharan and African randomized clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodological, ethical, and legal concerns

STD prevalence over time: Europe vs U.S.

American Cancer Society: Penile cancer and circumcision

Circumcision the most common risk factor for hepatitis B & C infection in men in Nigeria †

Phimosis: Is circumcision necessary?

Anatomy and function

Functions of the Foreskin: Purposes of the Prepuce

Fine-touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis

Study: Circumcision Removes Most Sensitive Parts

Damage

Leaked Audio Shows Doctors’ Association LYING About Effects Of Circumcision On The Penis

Ritual circumcision and risk of autism spectrum disorder in 0- to 9-year-old boys: national cohort study in Denmark

Adult Circumcision Outcomes Study: Effect on Erectile Function, Penile Sensitivity, Sexual Activity and Satisfaction

Alexithymia and Circumcision Trauma: A Preliminary Investigation

Circumcisionharm.org

Male circumcision and sexual function in men and women: a survey-based, cross-sectional study in Denmark Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfillment.

Estimated U.S. Incidence of Neonatal Circumcision Complications (physical only) Affecting Males Born between 1940 and 1990

100+ circumcision deaths each year in United States

Lost Boys: An Estimate of U.S. Circumcision-Related Infant Deaths

Toddler's tragic death after circumcision

Baby dies in circumcision

A Gallery of Botched Circumcisions[NSFW]

Male Circumcision: Pain, Trauma and Psychosexual Sequelae

Study Links Circumcision to Personality Trait Disorder

Other Research:

72 peer-reviewed studies

Circumcision and law

Is circumcision legal? Does it matter?

Changes in the practice

Circumcision: Then and Now (How the procedure has become more dramatic)

Timeline of the medicalization of circumcision **

From Ritual to Science, the Medical Transformation of Circumcision in America

Mythbusting

Myths about Circumcision You Likely Believe

More Circumcision Myths You May Believe: Hygiene and STDs

NoCirc PA (archive) Myths vs Facts

Follow the money:

Circumcision: Who Profits?

Wrinkle Treatment Uses Babies' Foreskins

Interest in circumcision more than foreskin deep

Sale of Neonatal Dermal Fibroblasts is quite lucrative.

Hair Loss Treatment Uses Baby Foreskins

Human Foreskins are Big Business for Cosmetics

Babies’ foreskins used to make cosmetics. Is this ethical?

The Foreskin Mafia

American Bias (1) (2)

Circumfetish

NoCirc.com Articles on Circumcision

For Jewish Readers:

How “Cut” Saved My Son’s Foreskin: A Movie Review By Diane Targovnik

Cut, the film Q & A

Jewish Circumcision Critics Integral in National Circumcision Debate

Jewish Circumcision: An Alternative Perspective by Jenny Goodman, MD.

On Alternative Rituals by Ronald Goldman, Ph.D.

Jewish Intactivism: Circumcision Resources

Jewish Intactivism Part II

Jewish Intactivism Part III, More Jewish Parents Are Skipping Circumcision, Keeping New Sons Intact

Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 1

Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 2

Jewish Voices: The Current Judaic Movement to End Circumcision: Part 3

Jewish Circumcision Resource Center

Jews Against Circumcision

Beyond the Bris

Brit Shalom

What is a Jewish Bris Shalom (Covenant Without Cutting)? A 'Bloodless Bris' is Becoming Popular Among American Jews How Judaic is circumcision? An Israeli Hebrew scholar on Biblical intactivism.

100+ Rabbis and Celebrants who lead intact covenant ceremonies worldwide.

Song for a Brit Shalom.

Bris B'lee Milah Ceremony

A Bris Shalom Ceremony

Judaism, the Foreskin and Human Rights.

Rabbis on a Brit Shalom / Covenant without Circumcision

Humanistic Jewish Movement is Increasingly Intactivist

Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 1.

Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 2.

Jewish Ethical Advancement, the Foreskin, and Human Rights | Part 3.

Israeli Intactivist Groups (Mostly in Hebrew)

Israeli Association Against Circumcision / Intact Son

Protect the Child / Eran Saddeh

Kahal (Jewish & Israeli Parents of Intact Sons)

Intactivism Spreads in Israel. This Time by Jews. (Israeli Intactivist Ads)

Jewish Intactivist Resources and Groups

Cut: A Movie by a Jewish Intactivist.

Questioning Circumcision. A Jewish Perspective By Ron Goldman, Ph.D.

Beyond the Bris Weblog by Rebecca Wald.

Jews Against Circumcision (Bay Area)

Jewish Intactivist Families: Jewish Parents' Experiences Keeping their Sons Intact.

Jewish Family in Vancouver Canada Opts for a Brit Shalom

A Jewish Father's Brit Shalom Journey

Laura Stanley: A Jewish Woman and Midwife Denounces Circumcision

Tikkun: Michael Kimmel: The Kindest Un-Cut: Feminism, Judaism, and My Son's Foreskin

Circumcision Questions (Letter from an Intact Jew). | Published in the Northern California Jewish Bulletin.

Jewish Daily Forward: Outlawing Circumcision: Good for the Jews? By Eli Ungar-Sargon. Published in the Jewish Daily Forward.

Dear Elijah: A Conservative Jewish Father's Letter to His Intact Son | Published on Peaceful Parenting.

Stacey Greenberg: My Son: The Little Jew with a Foreskin

The debate on neonatal male circumcision isn't and shouldn't be about women, but here are some links for those who think it should.

How Male Circumcision Harms Women

Why feminists should be anti-circumcision

Similarities in Attitudes and Misconceptions toward Infant Male Circumcision in North America and Ritual Female Genital Mutilation in Africa

Neonatal circumcision vs female circumcision - though comparison should not matter to the discussion on the right or wrong of performing circumcision on infants, here are some links for those who think it should.

FGC vs MGC

Difference Between: Male & Female Circumcision

On the Good for the goose, good for the gander front, many arguments used to support neonatal circumcision are the same arguments used to support female circumcision

Female circumcision does not reduce sexual activity

The Association between Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM ) and the Risk of HIV/AIDS in Kenyan Girls and Women (15-49 Years)

Yes to female circumcision?

Medical benefits of female circumcision

INDONESIA: Health official claims 'female circumcision is not genital mutilation'

Two studies have reported that FGC is associated with decreased risk of HIV.

*Note - many of these links I obtained either from

this page

or by researching broken/outdated links on it. I've put them here to have them in a place that's easy to find. I will update this page as I run across new links.

[journaljunkpage]

SOUS LA TOQUE ET DERRIÈRE LE PIANO #123

Joël Raffier / D.R

Pour débuter 2019, petit lexique de l’actuel parler-manger et des nouveautés afin de survivre cette année dans le domaine toujours plus extensif de la gastronomie pour épater. Laquelle sera, à n’en pas douter, encore plus marquée par ses désormais deux saints patrons, François Bouvard et Juste Pécuchet (1). Des mots, des mets, des maux, du globish, des ordonnances.

Boca (La). C’est le nom de la nouvelle halle de Paludate. La bouche d’Euratlantique donc, à côté de Brienne, son ventre. On y trouve une chaîne de cuisine italienne (Vapiano fondé à Hambourg en 2002), une chaîne tex-mex (Indiana Café), des bocaux (Le Garde Manger, deuxième enseigne bordelaise après l’avenue Thiers), une brasserie luxueuse consacrée à la viande et aux vins du monde (Gloria), un bar à salades, Babette, restaurant spectaculaire avec son immense passe cuisine au sein de l’hôtel Hilton Garden Inn et enfin le Foodcourt .

Bonne chance. Ce qu’il faut dire pour remplacer « bon appétit » dans encore trop de cas malgré la vague des propositions nouvelles. Suggestion : Good luck.

Black Magic Latte. Le Banana Café présente cet « anti-ballonnements, pour un ventre calme et reposé (sirop d’agave et lait d’amande) » au prix de 5 €. Et d’autres choses omnivores et pas mal faites. Dommage que la carte, flexitarienne en diable, ressemble à une ordonnance. La maison ne prend pas la carte Vitale.

Banana Café, 5, cours Pasteur. Réservations : 05 56 23 33 39

Buddha Bowl. Ne pas confondre avec le bol tibétain qui est un instrument de musique. Ce n’est pas non plus une recette. Juste un nom de bol pour faire accroire qu’être bouddhiste, c’est être végétarien. Le cuisinier gersois, Laurent Manrique, lui‑même bouddhiste, raconte que le Dalaï‑Lama qu’il a servi plusieurs fois, adore le filet mignon. Le bol en question est une addition de céréales, d’oléagineux, de graines, de légumes, au choix selon saison et possibilité. Un repas complet, léger, avec un peu de tout et peut-être aussi n’importe quoi pour ne pas péter pendant le yoga. Bol minceur, cela va sans dire. Le bedon de Bouddha faisant foi pour la ligne. Herman Hesse, au secours ! Ils sont devenus fous.

Flexitarien. Ce nom de gymnaste désigne à la fois un athlète viandard devenu conscient et un athlète végétarien qui trouve son régime « compliqué ». Suggestion : omnivore.

Foodcourt. Capucins, Bacalan, Paludate et même Grands-Hommes. Bientôt Talence. La halle marche dans l’agglomération. Elle court même ! Le principe du foodcourt est plutôt intéressant : une grande salle pour faire asseoir les clients de plusieurs restaurants tout autour. Cela vient de Singapour, où ils sont généralement en plein air, sur des terrasses. À la Boca, dans les anciens abattoirs rénovés, le foodcourt se targue d’être le premier de France. Étrange puisqu’il y en a déjà plusieurs à Paris, Rennes, Grenoble et Reims qui connurent l’échec avec force franchises sans intérêt. Sans oublier Bacalan, une réussite, qui propose de bonnes choses à tous les prix (excellents nuggets de poulet sauce curry pour 5 €). Suggestion : halle bistrot.

Gluten Free. On a « sans gluten » mais gluten free c’est tellement mieux. Toujours pas de libre de gluten à l’horizon. Patience. Les allergies sont des choses sérieuses et il faut bien sûr les éviter. Les allergies préventives en revanche sont des bêtises qui méritent la moquerie quand on pense à la malnutrition et au gaspillage. Rappelons la parole du cuisinier dans La Règle du jeu de Jean Renoir : « J’accepte les régimes mais pas les caprices. » Jean-Luc Rocha, de retour à Bordeaux, à la tête de la brigade du traiteur Monblanc à Saint-Jean-d’Illac (on vous en reparlera dès le mois prochain), prend lui aussi les allergies au sérieux. Il emploi le terme ambivalent d’« intolérance ». Healthy Cuisine. « Cuisine santé » ne va pas non plus mais healthy cuisine atteint des sommets. Suggestion : allez vous faire cuire un oeuf mais pas deux à cause du cholestérol.

Locavore. Du latin de cuisine pour désigner celui qui mange local et surtout les restaurants qui favorisent le « circuit court ». Casa Gaïa, restaurant ou plutôt « lieu de vie », se targue de faire attention à ce qu’il met dans l’assiette. La moindre des choses. Un architecte devenu cuisinier (il a bien restauré la salle de l’ancien Saladin), un journaliste et une spécialiste en agroécologie sont à l’origine de cette opération « Maison de la déesse terre-grand-mère forcément cool puisqu’elle est grecque » qui n’achète rien à plus de 180 kilomètres. La cuisine s’appelle un « laboratoire de recherche », les poivres y sont « longs », la qualité « nutritive » et la charcuterie vient de la famille Pozzer, une ferme bio en 47. Hélas, l’assiette n’a rien d’exceptionnel. C’est assez frais pour goûter le menu du midi à 16,50 €, mais la pièce de boeuf « grillée au feu de bois », demandée saignante, est arrivée à point et trop peu assaisonnée. Un repas de presse, peut-être un peu raté pour les basiques… Une célèbre blogueuse internationale, anxieusement interrogée par nos hôtes, a sèchement répondu par un « Je reconnais l’intention » qui ressemblait à une fatwa. Sinon, les bols s’appellent des bowls au cas où on pourrait soupçonner ce projet de simplicité. Le soir compter 40/50 €.

Casa Gaïa, 16 bis, rue Latour. Déjeuner : 12h-13 h30 (sauf lundi). Dîner : 19h30-22h (sauf dimanche et lundi). Réservations : 05 56 52 87 21. casagaia.fr

Poke Bowl. Poke, prononcer pokaï, signifie « dés à jouer » en hawaïen. Heiko, rue des Ayres, en propose six (10,90 €) dans une carte qui annonce aussi des sushis et des burritos. Ne riez pas, la dorsale de Hawaï est comme un trait d’union entre Japon et Amériques. Ce bol de riz au poisson cru (ou mariné) est un exemple polynésien de la gastronomie Nikkei qui fusionne avec un succès croissant les registres sophistiqués du Japon et du Pérou. Bon, ici ce n’est pas le Pérou, c’est le Mexique mais ne chipotons pas. Réjouissons-nous d’avoir du Poke Bowl à portée de baguettes. San Francisco-New York-Montréal-Londres-Paris-Milan. Le Poke a un blaze haute couture. À Bordeaux, il y a aussi le Melobowls qui en sert de bons pour 10,50 €.

Heiko 49, rue des Ayres. Déjeuner : 12h-14h30, du lundi au samedi. Dîner : 19h-22h, du lundi au samedi. Réservations : 09 54 88 92 96. heikosushiburritopoke.com

Melobowls 67, rue des Remparts. Déjeuner : 11h30-15h, Dîner : 18h30-22h. Réservations : 09 81 01 30 65.

Smoothie Bowl. Dernier bol, c’est promis. Mélange ou non de jus de fruits frais, servis froids. Suggestion : jus frappés. Snacké/Jerké. C’était sur les quais, faubourg des Chartrons, dans le restaurant d’application Vatel. Un saumon snacké/jerké au menu. Le professeur de salle lui-même n’a pas su me dire ce que ça voulait dire. Il a juste levé les yeux au ciel. Suggestion : juste saisi ?

Topping. Des ingrédients qui sont au-dessus d’un dessert, par exemple des amandes grillées sur la chantilly d’une pêche Melba. Suggestion : petit jeté final.

1. Bouvard et Pécuchet. Roman de science-fiction dans lequel deux néo‑ruraux se ridiculisent en voulant à toute force être dans le vent du positivisme. À la fin de ce chef-d’oeuvre immortel et inachevé, c’est l’auteur qui meurt, Gustave Flaubert, également auteur de Salammbowl.