#Avernus Film

[forcedhesitation]

Man.

there's just something about the love between a woman whose impending death is inevitable and a man who's an immortal undead...

[claymotif]

orpheus but he's sisyphus

Ovid’s The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice (tr. Rolfe Humphries) / Spirited Away dir. Hayao Miyazaki / @mag200 / Jenny Diski, “Housewife” / Franz Wright, God's Silence / Adrianne Kalfopoulou, “Poem in Pieces, a Log” / Jon Ware, I am in Eskew / Kazimierz Wierzyński, “A Word of Orphists” (tr. Czeslaw Milosz) / @prisonhannibal / Aeschylus, The Oresteia / Ocean Vuong, Eurydice

image ids under cut:

image 1: a quote from Ovid that reads: "And Orpheus received her, but one term was set: he must not, till he passed Avernus, turn back his gaze, or the gift would be in vain."

image 2: excerpt from the script of the film Spirited Away that reads: "Haku: But I can't go any farther. Just go back the way you came, you'll be fine. [highlighted] But you have to promise not to look back, not until you've passed through the tunnel."

image 3: a drawing, labeled in all-caps handwriting "a venn diagram of love vs. grief:". the drawing is a single circle.

image 4: an excerpt, highlighted and italicized, from Jenny Diski that reads: "People don't understand about repetition, do they? How it is at the heart (thump, thump, thump) of obsession; at the erotic centre (drip, drip, drip) of desire. You do, of course. Repetition is insatiability spelt sideways."

image 5: a quote from Franz Wright reading, "And let me ask you this: the dead, where aren't they?"

image 6: a quote from Adrianne Kalfopoulou in red text, reading, "Grief will keep you reaching back / for what is not there"

image 7: an excerpt from Jon Ware that reads, "Here's my question. If the ghost wants nothing more than to be witnessed, why would it appear behind you, not in front of you? The only answer I can think of is this: [underlined] it appears behind you because it already knows, to an absolute certainty, that you will have no choice but to look back."

image 8: a quote from Kazimierz Wierzyński that reads: "I understood the true fate of Orpheus, that [highlighted] love is a constant terror of loss."

image 9: a screenshot of a tumblr ask from an anonymous user who says, "What's the point?" user prisonhannibal responds, "of what? it's love though".

image 10: two lines from aeschylus reading, "Orestes: This was always going to happen. She's been dead since the beginning."

image 11: an excerpt from Ocean Vuong that reads, "Your absence has gone through me // Like thread through a needle. / Everything I do is stitched with its color."

end ids.

[thetavolution]

9 people you want to get to know better!

Tagged by @omgkalyppso (thank you!)

Three Some Ships: I'm just shipping my own ocs because I'm a dork right now. On this blog, it's Lamia x Astarion, Paloma x Halsin, Vaira x Gale, Minty x Wyll, Laura x Lae'zel, and Ingrid x Halsin.

First Ship: I absolutely do not remember. I've been a fandom nerd for as long as I can remember and the first one eludes me.

Last Movie: In theaters it was Deadpool & Wolverine. At home, I needed a comfort film so I watched Death Spa.

Last Song: Becky by Be Your Own Pet

Currently Reading: I'm always juggling several books I take forever to read. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay, and Ask the Dust by John Fante. I also still need to finish Jim Henson's biography.

Currently Playing: BG3, of course. I just recently got back into gaming and I'm in-between jobs so I can't really buy anything right now. I've mostly been playing that and Stardew Valley. I have so many I want to play though. I need a better computer to continue playing Death Stranding and Resident Evil 7.

Currently Watching: The Boys, Delicious in Dungeon, The Bear, Demon Slayer, and Scavengers Reign

Currently Eating: I was eating tuna donburi.

Currently Craving: I just want something chocolate.

No Obligation Tagging: @razrogue @himbo-hunter-hadrian @the-song-of-avernus @the-pale-elfs-love @the-real-housewives-of-waterdeep and anyone else who wants to jump in! If you already did it, ignore this!

[phantombandit-films]

Jamie Bamber Movie/Tv Checklist.

When I find a actor/actress I like I will go through their IMDB and make a list of the films I think look interesting and watch them. Most of the time that means watching every single movie/ tv show they have been in. Titles with a ✔ at the end are the ones I've seen.

☆ Hornblower: The Evan Chance. ✔ ☆ The Scarlet Pimpernel. ✔ ☆ Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil. ✔ ☆ Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters. ✔ ☆ Poirot. (season 7, Ep 1) ✔ ☆ Lady Audley’s Secret. ✔ ☆ Hornblower: Mutiny. ✔ ☆ Hornblower: Retribution. ✔ ☆ Bob Martin (Season 2, Ep 2) ☆ Band of Brothers (Season 1, Ep 7,8,9) ✔ ☆ Peak Practice (Season 12, Ep 5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13) ☆ Daniel Deronda. (Season 1, Ep 1-4) ☆ The Devils Tattoo. ☆ Ultimate Force (Season 1, Ep 1-6, Season 2, Ep 1,2) ☆ Battlestar Galactica ☆ Cold Case (Season 4, Ep 15) ☆ Ghost whisperer (Season 2, Ep 17) ✔ ☆ The Last Detective (Season 4, Ep 2) ☆ Pulse 2: Afterlife. ✔ ☆ Dollhouse (Season 2, Ep 1) ☆ Outcasts (Season 1, Ep 1) ✔ ☆ Law & Order: UK (Seasons 1,2,3,4,5) ✔ ☆ CSI: Miami (Season 10, Ep 3) ✔ ☆ House M.D (Season 8, Ep 5) ☆ 17th Precinct. ☆ Un jour mon pére viendra. ✔ ☆ Filly Brown. ☆ Body of Proof (Season 2, Ep 15,16,17) ☆ Perception (Season 1, Ep 2,6,8) ✔ ☆ Monday Mornings (Season 1, Ep 1-10) ☆ Star Trek Continues (Season1, Ep 1) ☆ Before I Sleep. ☆ John Doe: Vigilante. ✔ ☆ The Smoke (Season 1) ✔ ☆ Rizzoli & Isles (Season 5, Ep 12,13) ☆ The Better Half. ✔ ☆ Major Crimes (Season 4, Ep 3) ☆ The Messengers (Season 1, Ep 8, 10, 11) ☆ Numb. ✔ ☆ NCIS (Season 12, Ep 9,14,22. Season 13, Ep 9,11) ✔ ☆ Money. ✔ ☆ A Christmas in New York. ✔ ☆ You choose! ✔ ☆ Fearless (Season 1, Ep 2-6) ☆ Counterpart (Season 1, Ep 1) ☆ Inferno: Skyscraper Escape. ✔ ☆ Marcella (Season 1, Ep 2-8, Season 2, Ep1-7) ✔ ☆ The Car: Road to Revenge. ✔ ☆ Strike Back (Season 7, Ep 1-10, Season 8, Ep1-10) ✔ ☆ Avernus. ☆ Innocent (Season 2, Ep 1-4) ✔ ☆ Titanic 666. ✔ ☆ D.I. Ray (Season 1, Ep 1-4) ✔ ☆ Signore Volpe (Season 1, Ep 1,3) ✔ ☆ The lair. ✔ ☆ Trader ☆ Cannes Confidential.

[dakota-schuck]

Meeting Agenda | 2024

Matters of the House

Names and Domains

A mapping out of House names and the domains with which they are associated. Such pairings include (Sunbury Manor, Creative Haven), (Jury-Kessler Building, Architectural History), (The Old Robertson Place, Local History), (The Schuck House, personal household)...

Others include: The Pink Palace (seems ribald), House of Hubris (Avernus?), The Tower of Dazanoso (wizardly vibes), Shamokin Mansion, Coal House, Dream House, etc.

Creative Haven

Writers, Academics, Artists, and Creatives of all stripes know that finishing a project often requires escaping one's usual environment, stepping away from regular obligations, and making space for— whatever it is they're creating. 🖼️ 🌳☕🪑 Sunbury Manor is a retreat three hours West of New York City, three hours North of Washington DC, where friends of the household are occasionally invited to relax, focus, and finish that project that otherwise will never get done. 🖼️ 🏡🛋️🛁 A 1908 mansion originally built as the private residence of a Pennsylvania coal baron, the manor is an eclectic gem in vintage settings. The 9 bedroom estate features stained glass a-plenty, pocket doors galore, two walk-in safes, and a tower. 🖼️ 🏠🪟🔐 Stays at Sunbury Manor are currently not available for purchase, as it is a private residence, but with an appropriate letter of introduction and a successful vibe check, creatives of many sorts may be welcomed for a temporary stay. Suggested donations and utility fees to be discussed as needed. 🖼️ 🎨📝📸 Most guests find a weekend stay most convenient, but longer tenures (up to a season) may be considered. 🖼️ 🧘🤷‍♂️💁 To request an invitation, ask around.

Story Safe, Archiving Oral Histories

Podcast? YouTube?

Contact library and universities.

Repairs and Renovations

Chimney repair

Replace coal furnace with fireplace

first floor bathroom, make fancy

Private Collection

Assembling a spreadsheet.

Events

- Tea, Dinner, Murder

Venue

Photography, film shoots, etc.

The Tower of Dazanoso

Intellectual Property management. One goal with the house is to make it a metaversal gaming location, transposing the house into formats compatible with various TTRPG rulesets.

Dazanoso is a wizardly sort of name that is

2024 © Dakota Schuck

A1D

Corporation owning 33% of LLCs formed for each project. Compensation on the booty system of shares (see CGP Grey on quartermasters)

- Yellow "The Yellow Wallpaper" Wallpaper

- Ishango Bone replica

- Ea Nasir Tablet replica

- Coal Certificate of Authenticity

- New Clu

[jamiebamberdaily]

If you missed out on watching the incredible Avernus short film last year - here’s another chance to watch!  The film is one of a group of short films chosen as part of the Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival, screening online through March! Get tickets here! 💙

[dmsden]

From the Ashes - Running a post-apocalypse style campaign

Hullo, Gentle Readers. Maybe it’s the current state of things, but I find that I’m not the only D&D player with an apocalypse on the mind. Another such person is tallowren, who asks, “Do you mind answering multiple questions from the same person? I'll add a real question: I'm working on a world set after an apocalypse-type event, in which the old civilization was destroyed and the surviving people live in small scattered villages. Large monsters keep everyone separated, occasionally a trade caravan reaches another village. I'm intentionally making it "low-medieval", no nobility, and no Gods. What are some things I have to consider to make this kind of setting believable?”

What a timely and relevant Question from a Denizen!

Well, tallowren, I don’t know about believable. We’re talking about a game with elves, dragons, and magic. What you’re after is a little word we writers love called “verisimilitude.” Verisimilitude is about creating the illusion that something is real. Many DMs strive for it, myself included, and I find that the same things that give any world verisimilitude will work for the setting you propose. You want to give your world structure, an internal logic, and a consistency.

It sounds like you’re already working on a solid structure. In this context, we could define structure as “how is this world different from ‘off-the-shelf’ D&D medieval fantasy?” And I have a surprise for you...at the core, it isn’t. As I’ve said in past articles, D&D is an inherently post-apocalyptic game. Things like cultures that no longer exist, fallen empires, lost cities, and more are part of the basic lore. The very name “Forgotten Realms” means that there were cultures in that setting that no longer exist, although their echoes continue to be felt in the world’s modern day. Many games even feature an apocalyptic event, such as the Cataclysm of Dragonlance, the Day of Mourning of Eberron, Greyhawk’s Rain of Colorless Fire, and Dark’s Sun’s...everything. My own campaign setting features the Tarrasque, which destroyed numerous cultures in the past (such as the Old Ones who created it) and an event called The Rending which shattered an entire continent.

Still, you have great ideas for ways to make your specific apocalypse interesting and unique. It sounds a lot like a “points of light” setting, a la 4th edition, which I love. Having only smaller villages is a great way to emphasize how bad a beating civilization took. The idea of large monsters keeping folks separated is very cool, as it suggests that, if your PCs become higher level adventurers, they could have real world-shaping consequences if they defeated one or more of these threats, allowing people to come together more.

A lack of nobility sounds like what you really mean is “a lack of a relatively benign feudal system.” Most D&D worlds seem to operate in general imitation of medieval Europe, where power filters down from kings through lesser nobles, and where peasants work the land, paying taxes in food and coin to those above them in exchange for protection. Shattering this style of government will definitely make for an interesting campaign world. If the apocalypse was relatively recent, I would imagine some nobles will still try to keep this order, clinging to the past. Some may be benign, but many will not. With no one to keep them in check, many might choose to exercise a “might makes right” policy, ending up as little better than the villains of the Seven Samurai (or the Magnificent Seven if you prefer. I love them both.) You might want to consider removing the Noble background in a case like this.

A lack of Gods is a very interesting choice, but it’s one that’s going to limit a number of player choices. There are backgrounds and classes entirely based around a relationship with a deity. I would make absolutely sure your players know about this ahead of time, because if someone gets their heart set on being a cleric or paladin, you might have to let them down easy. Personally, I might lean into this idea if a DM told me about it, and play an aasimar. Or maybe a character who follows the long-vanished gods, hoping to bring them back. I think it could make for a very interesting character arc.

Things I think you’ll want to nail down (if you haven’t already) are how long ago the apocalypse was and what the nature of it was. Even if these pieces of information aren’t common knowledge, *you* should be aware of it. Given the way you describe it, I’m guessing it wasn’t that long ago, since people are still isolating in smaller groups rather than working to rebuild what they once had. The further in the past the event is, the more it will fall into legend rather than being something that people still alive might remember. If it was long ago, maybe only the elves remember what it was like before the Event, and maybe they’re fighting to restore what once was.

For inspiration, I’d say to take a look at any of the Mad Max films, as they depict a world falling into apocalypse (Mad Max) and the kinds of events and societies that emerge after one (Road Warrior, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road). Exchange gasoline for residuum and you could almost lift the plots of any of them. You can even use the Infernal Engines rules from Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus to simulate the vehicle battles.

For fantasy books set in post-Apocalypse times, you can look at Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn stories, and Jack Vance’s Dying Earth tales. You can look at the Dark Sun D&D setting for inspiration. And, if you want something fun and offbeat, there’s always the T.V. Series Adventure Time, which takes place on Earth far in the future after an event that the inhabitants refer to as the Mushroom War. It’s quirky and bizarre, but it feels like D&D to me.

I hope this helps, tallowren. Let us know how your game works out!

[zamgoods]

Can the US $1bill Reali Be Saved?

September 9/15/2020    As you know US currency has men’s faces on its covers, but is reali a WOMAN.  Now imagine a damsel in distress, tied to the train tracks in an oldie silent film.  The ratfink villain chaining a helpless woman down to peril.  One hundred years later, the hero is not going to save the day, the heroine will have been trained to combat and do away with the rapscallions.  

In reality, this woman is what we have been working and killing ourselves for.  She is exchanged in apps and cards for goods and services.  She sits in our bank accounts, pockets and g-strings.  What will we do without her?   Have you looked at the news lately.  She is so devalued and on her way to collapse.

Can the US $1bill reali be saved?   Can we save our $1bills, for reals?  Well.... Is it its fate?...  It’s Destined to go down to the underworld.  Where hope is left at the gates of the Avernus for she must accompany Aeneas, the future founder of the Great and Holy Empire.  Progenitor of Julius Caesar and Augustus.  But first, she most descend and traverse the River Styx and present Chiron with the Golden Bough which the Eagle of the Obverse is holding.  

Imagine a damsel in distress, tied to the train tracks in an oldie silent film.

[dndeed]

Critical Role Miniature Rollout: C2E89

With Andrew Harshman

An archive and review of the minis used on Critical Role.

To be clear, I think this episode is fantastic. I think the map and miniature compositions look great on camera. At a distance, on film, all the chosen minis look good. However, when closely examined, some are better looking than others. The criticism I level at some of the models is directed at the manufacturers of said models. I am not criticizing Critical Role.  

In most campaigns, a random underground fighting pit encounter could be very boring. With little impact on the characters or plot. The CR cast is so talented and entertaining however that even a simple side quest unrelated to the main plot is super engaging. Mighty fine stuff.

Place ya bets, place ya bets, it’s time for Critical Role Miniature Rollout Campaign 2 Episode 89!

The List

Dungeons and Dragons Condition Markers by thelukec

Dwarven Forge City Builder

Dwarven Forge City Builder LED Lighted Walls Add-On Pack

Dwarven Forge Dungeons

Dwarven Forge Castle Stairs Pack

Dwarven Forge Dungeon of Doom Cages

Dungeon Lair Chairs 

Rusty Dragon Inn Dressing: Table

Steamforged Games Critical Role Miniatures

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #039 Lord Victoro

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #005a Noble

Pathfinder Battles Iconic Heroes Set 8 Rivani Human Psychic

Pathfinder Battles Iconic Heroes Set 8 Aric Human Noble

Pathfinder Battles Iconic Heroes Set 8 Meligaster Halfling Mesmerist 

Tomb of Annihilation #021b Tabaxi Hunter

Storm King’s Thunder #015 Bandit

Storm King's Thunder #007 Crag Ungart

Kingmaker #021 Tristian, Human Cleric

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #012a Dragonborn Draconic Sorcerer

Baldur's Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas 

Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica #017 Blood Drinker Vampire

Kingmaker #010 Shadow Rogue

Giants of Legend #09 Aramil, Adventurer

Elemental Evil #015 Gold Dwarf Guard

Dungeons of Dread #35 Human Fighter

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #011 Human Sun Soul Monk

Assorted Miniature Furniture

The Clones

Time for another conspiramini conspiracy theory. Just seven episodes ago these members of the crowd were seen in the Halas cloning lab. The presence of these figures makes me a little uneasy. What is Halas planning with his clone army of blood sport serial gamblers? Again, obligatory disclaimer, I’m not especially serious about or invested in this idea. But who knows how I’ll feel after two or three more Halas sightings.

The Nonplayer Characters

Baldur's Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas

I’m not familiar with this Descent Into Avernus NPC, but she must be important to have warranted such a quality miniature. Good detail work on the clothing paint, neatly painted eyes, a dandy little translucent effect on the orb accessory. The best thing about this miniature is the core concept. A tiefling noble woman? Amazing. Exactly what my NPC collection needed.

Kingmaker #021 Tristian, Human Cleric and Storm King's Thunder #007 Crag Ungart

Two miniatures with terrible faces. NPC minis in noncombat poses are inherently useful and somewhat uncommon, so these are not a total write-off. At least Tristain has a pretty sleek outfit. A white tone cleric outfit that reminds one of Saturday Night Fever. Clergy Knight Fever, if you will.

Crag Ungart looks like a character equipped with a disastrous combination of Skyrim mods. Such an awkward character design. This dude’s head is almost perfectly spherical, just like his armor. Not to mention, what kind a name is Crag? It’s like the dwarven equivalent of Craig. I assumed this model was of some canon D&D NPC, but I can’t find any information on him. It’s like Wizards of the Coast made him up, ordered the manufacturing of this mini, and just lost interested. I can’t blame ‘em, this is a wholly uninteresting character.

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #012a Dragonborn Draconic Sorcerer 

So I think this is a decent pose. But I’m distracted by the awful Icon of the Realms orange dragonborn scale color. Has anyone ever played an orange dragonborn? Wizkids must be sitting on a surplus of VLC Media Player Orange. Really no other reason to use this pigment.

I am totally here for akimbo spellcaster minis. But this sculpt is just a tad too awkward. And these spellcasting focuses are lame looking. They could have done better than a hiking stick and an oversized wishbone. I really like the outfit though.

Kingmaker #010 Shadow Rogue and Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica #017 Blood Drinker Vampire  Blood Drinker Vampire image sourced from minisgallery.com

Shadow Rouge, is a great name for a cosmetic product. Shadow Rogue on the other hand is an almost great miniature. The sculpt detail on everything but the face and hands is tight. It is unclear whether the model itself lacks finger and face definition or if the definition is being obscured by caked on paint. Unfortunate. Unrelated, crop top is my new favorite rogue subclass.

Blood Drinker Vampire is another quality noncombat NPC. Also another mini with rough face and hand detail. The paint is messy, the sculpt is blobby and ill-defined. I can’t help but like it though. This pose and costuming are very amusing. MC Hammer pants and Hammer Horror collar. I’m very into beverage consuming minis in general. For all its flaws, I still recommend this figure.

Giants of Legend #09 Aramil, Adventurer

This miniature was included in a 3.5 basic boxed set, released in D&D Miniatures Game booster packs, and later recast and repainted in the 4E Player’s Handbook Heroes series. It’s good. The detail in the sculpting is very impressive. But the flat paint lets down those details. A little highlight and drybrush work would go a long way.

Pathfinder Battles Iconic Heroes Set 8 Meligaster Halfling Mesmerist

I like this hombre. I like his hat. I like the fun patterns on his cloak. I like that the Pathfinder wiki is informing me that the thing in his right hand is a sword cane. That’s rad.

Elemental Evil #015 Gold Dwarf Guard Gold Dwarf Guard image sourced from minisgallery.com

An incredibly boring dwarf. Messy paint, wonky base, forgettable character design. The fight club champion deserves a better mini. As for this mini, let’s not talk about it. On an unrelated note, how’d Yasha’s sword handle get bent?

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #011 Human Sun Soul Monk

Quality beard, quality dreads, quality pose. If Khary Payton’s Walking Dead character was a monk, he’d look like this mini. The paint is about as sloppy and flat as Gold Dwarf Guard. But the face looks way better and the colors are bright and vibrant, making for a far more attractive model. The mold line is rough, but forgivable given all the miniature’s strengths.

Dungeons of Dread #35 Human Fighter

This dude has some tiny feet, distractingly so. Maybe it’s some sort of stealth feet feat? The sculpt and paint conveys numerous textures quite effectively. The scaly metal, the flowy cloth, the leathery gloves and boots. This is a very crisp model with magnificent sculpt resolution. Looking at the back of the miniature you can see the fighter’s individual fingers grasping the sword handle. Since this is an older miniature, we know that these digits were physically sculpted and not 3D modeled. Wildly impressive.

Closing Thoughts and Predictions

Next session I am anticipating some sort of random travel encounter. Possibly in the form of a teleportation mishap or a Xhorhasian countryside monster battle. Very glad the break is almost over, eager to see whether the Mighty Nein can facilitate a peace deal. 

#criticalroleminiaturerollout

[wikitopx]

Pozzuoli is an Italian city from Roman times on the coast of Campania.

The name comes from the Latin word Puteoli, with the root word ‘puteus’, meaning 'well’ and 'osco fistulus’, meaning cave. This place is well known for its well-preserved Roman amphitheater, baths, a necropolis, with stuccoed and painted underground chambers and a plaza that rises and falls with volcanic activity. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the geological process called “bradyseism” and it is the hometown of the world-renowned film diva, Sofia Loren. Here are the best things to do in Pozzuoli, Italy!

[toc]

1. Rione Terra: The old part of Pozzuoli (from 19.14 USD)

This is one of the most interesting and historically important sites in Italy. Rione Terra reflects the ancient part of Pozzuoli and includes untouched old streets, buildings, and existing houses, which have not changed for hundreds of years. It also includes the old port area and the old church.

You will never regret a tour of this area, as there is an English tour guide who is very informative and explains everything. It also includes a film presentation. The underground sections of the city are open on a limited basis, only twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays.

2. The Flavian Amphitheater (from 119.65 USD)

This is the third-largest Roman amphitheater in Italy, after the Colosseum in Rome and the Campanian Amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. With a seating capacity of 20,000, this was the well-known site of gladiator fights, chariot races, fights with wild beasts, animal slaying and even executions - imagine how people used to witness these events.

Even after many centuries, the structure is still intact and well-preserved. The Flavian Amphitheater is open Wednesday to Monday, from 9 am to an hour before sunset, so visitors may check out the schedule and arrange a tour guide that speaks English.

3. The Macellum (Temple of Serapide) (from 77.77 USD)

This is a Roman marketplace built in the 1st century AD. When excavations of this site began, archaeologists found a statue of the Egyptian God Serapis, which is why it is also called the Temple of Serapide.

The Macellum, which means the market building of the Roman colony of Puteoli, would have been two stories high and surrounded by an arcade of granite columns.

The ground beneath the columns actually moves up and down because of a phenomenon known as “bradyseism”. This means that sometimes the columns can be standing in a few centimeters of water or none at all.

This is why is also called it the “Sunken Temple of Serapide”. The site is not really open to the public since the area is fenced off but visitors can view it from street level, looking down.

4. Vulcano Solfatara

The Solfatara Volcano still exhibits a remarkable amount of activity that includes sulfurous steam and small eruptions of hot mud and sand. Solfatara once operated as a mine for alum, sulfur, and kaolin.

It was around the year 1900 that a thermal bath was built here and people began to enjoy the health benefits of the volcano’s mud and sulfurous water, as well as steam baths in the so-called “Stufe”.

As of today, this place is open for public viewing and there is a day and evening tour, which everyone can enjoy. It takes around 45 minutes to walk through the whole area where guests can learn about and witness the Fangaia (mud pit), the Bocca Grande, the Pozzo, the Stufe and some natural, geological, botanical and wildlife wonders.

There is a playground here for kids to enjoy and there is also a bar that serves coffee and ice cream and sells souvenirs and postcards, as well as tickets for the bus and subway. There is also a bookshop here that offers a wide array of products for the face and body, collections of minerals, fossils and more.

And, lastly, there is a campsite here that is open all year round and offers free amenities and services like a pool, hot shower, and electricity.

5. Lago d'adverno (Lake Avernus)

As the story goes, this is the gateway to Hell as per the Cumaean Sibyl’s predictions, when Aeneas came here to ask her how he could travel to Hades and speak with his dead father (from the book VI Aeneid).

But this 100 foot (30.5 meters) deep lake, with no natural outlet, was surrounded by dense forest in ancient times. During the Roman Empire, they converted the lake into a naval harbor called Portus Julius, which was linked to the sea by a canal via the Lago di Lucrino and to Cumae by a tunnel, which was the world’s first major road tunnel.

World War II destroyed part of it and the tunnel was closed since it was too unstable and also damaged by earthquakes.

Nowadays, people can enjoy walking, jogging, biking or just sitting on the green grass and watching the beauty of the lake here. If you are traveling here, there are lots of cafes and restaurants nearby that have a good view of the lake.

6. Cumae (from 191.43 USD)

Cumae is an ancient city of Magna Graecia on the Tyrrhenian coast. Founded by settlers from Euboea in the 8th century BC, it is about 19.3 km (12 miles) from Naples and probably the oldest Greek mainland colony. It was said to be the home of Sibyl, the Greek prophetess, whose cavern still exists.

Today this ancient city is still preserved in some parts and from above, it offers a great view of the sea, dunes, forest, and other tourist spots, nearby.

7. Underwater Archaeological Park in Baia

They say that Baia catered to the recreational whims of the rich and powerful among the Roman elite. During the 8th century, the city was sacked by the Saracens and it was abandoned in 1500.

Since the city remained empty, the water level slowly rose due to volcanic vents and most of the ancient ruins were drowned under the shallow waters of the bay.

Now the Underwater Archaeological Park in Baia can be visited by scuba diving, snorkeling, and a glass-bottomed boat tour. It is a large area in the Bay of Naples and the islands offer seven dive sites that feature all different kinds of ruins from the sunken city.

8. Sibyl's Cave (77.77 USD)

As per the old poem and myth, the Sybil acts as a kind of guide to the underworld, into which Aeneas must descend to seek the advice of his dead father Anchises and fulfill his destiny.

The passage to this cave has many entrances and is 5 meters (16.4 feet) high by 131 meters (429.8 feet) long, with several side galleries and cisterns. It can fit a large chariot and during Roman times, the cave was a tunnel that linked to Lake Avernus, which was a naval harbor, making this the world’s first major road tunnel.

9. Oasi Naturalistica di Monte Nuovo (from 775.31 USD)

Monte Nuovo is a volcano that is part of Campi Flegrei. It is located in the town of Pozzuoli, near Lake Lucrino and its formation was famous because of an eruption that occurred in 1538, which destroyed the medieval village of Tripergole and caused the whole community to go up in flames.

Because of that eruption, all vegetation was destroyed and in its place remained two dry craters.

After this unforgettable eruption, the volcano and its crater became home to different kinds of flora and fauna and, in 1996, the entire area was declared a naturalistic oasis. From this point on people have come here to climb to the top of the crater for the breathtaking views.

10. Cathedral Basilica San Procolo Martire

This is the oldest and main place of Catholic worship in Pozzuoli. The church was originally made of cells, square in shape and was built with white marble blocks, connected to each other, but it was seriously damaged when the town of Tripergole was devastated.

It was rebuilt and then experienced a fire, then rebuilt again but the old marble blocks are still intact.

Now, this cathedral still stands to tell the history of the old empire and serves its people with its beauty and architectural design. Everyone can see the courtyard through its transparent floors and its designs are really fascinating to all.

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Port Said

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-pozzuoli-709552.html

[jamiebamberdaily]

Jamie and Kerry take part in the last of Avernus’ Zoom Chat series. They talk about all things Avernus, a bit about Battlestar Galactica and what they’ve been doing to keep sane during lockdown.

You can view the interview over at their Facebook page here.

[jamiebamberdaily]

“Are you offering me the Avernus fund?“

Jamie as Jack in the trailer for Avernus.

[jamiebamberdaily]

Check out the trailer for Jamie's (and his wife, actor, Kerry Norton) new short film, Avernus.

[jamiebamberdaily]

If you don’t follow us or the film on other Social Media accounts, you may not have heard that you can now watch and vote for ‘Avernus’ online! You do have to pay a £8 fee to view Avernus and all the other submissions in the category but trust us, it’s absolutely worth it to give Avernus the votes they so desperately deserve.

In order to vote, you MUST: VOTED in the comments section, followed by the names of your two favourite films. Then head to our website on https://liftoff.network/voting-system-toronto-innovators/ to fill out the more detailed voting form.

Voting closes at 10pm (BST) Monday 31st August.

*Votes with only one selection/ the same film twice will be INVALID. Strictly one set of votes per person.*

[jamiebamberdaily]

NEWS: Jamie and Kerry to star in short film, ‘Avernus’ - UPDATED 06/07/2020

Jamie as Jack.

Jamie and his wife, Kerry Norton will play estranged husband and wife, Jack and Beth in a new short thriller, Avernus.

Also starring David Yelland as David, Avernus tells the story of Jack who is lured to his golf club in an attempt to clinch a lucrative business deal and is alarmed to find his estranged wife, Beth and ex-colleague deep in conversation. It soon dawns on Jack that not all might not be as it seems and those he once crossed are seeking retribution.

Kerry as Beth.

David Yelland as David.

With a trailer coming soon, you can keep up to date with all the latest news on the film by liking them on Facebook, and giving them a follow on Twitter and Instagram.

UPDATE - 08/06/2020

Some brilliant behind the scenes, film stills, and some new cast announcements released over the weekend.

Behind The Scenes and Film Stills

(Above and below) Jamie as Jack.

Below: Kerry as Beth alongside David Yelland and Paul Gilmore as David and Robert.

The Crew hard at work.

Cast Announcements

Paul Gilmore will be starring as Robert. Though primarily a theatre actor, Paul has starred on screen in the past as he starred as Mr. McDonnell in Grange Hill between 2005 and 2008 and most recently (in 2017) starred in ITV’s Victoria.

Ken Drury will be playing Bill. (FUN FACT: Ken played Justice Pedotti in two of Jamie’s Law & Order: UK episodes)

Sophie Khan Levy will be playing Lou. Sophie was playing Celia in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s performance of As You Like It while filming Avernus.

UPDATE - 09/06/2020

New Photo Released

Jamie having a chat on set with former Sky Sports Tennis presenter, now with Amazon Prime Tennis, Marcus Buckland.

UPDATE - 10/06/2020

Two new photos since yesterday’s update. The first comes from Marcus Buckland’s Twitter.

“Hollywood beckons 🤭following my big screen debut in a short film called "Avernus", written & produced by my golfing mate David Cunningham, starring Jamie Bamber and Kerry Norton. Trailer coming soon on YouTube and @AvernusFilm on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.#callmelarry“

And [below] from their official Twitter account, Jamie with Paul Gilmore while director and editor, Simon Ross, watches on.

UPDATE - 15/06/2020

Five new behind the scenes pictures released over the weekend, including two featuring Jamie. 

The trailer has also been promised this week!

UPDATE - 21/06/2020

Another five new behind the scenes pictures released over the weekend, including just one featuring Jamie.

It has also been announced that the trailer will be released this coming Thursday (25th June)!

UPDATE - 25/06/2020

Trailer has now been released and you can watch it right here!

UPDATE - 03/07/2020

The third of the ZOOM Chat interviews been released. This time with Sophie Khan Levy who plays Lou. Watch here.

Episode 1 - David Cunningham, Writer & Producer

Episode 2 - Simon Ross, Director

UPDATE - 06/07/2020

Yesterday, 4 new behind the scenes photos were released on the films’ social media accounts.

[dmsden]

Firing the Canons - What is and isn't canon in D&D?

Hullo, Gentle Readers. This week's Question from a Denizen is a bit of an experiment. Since I've run out of questions to answer, I wanted to turn to a question of my own (And then answer it). What is "Canon" in D&D?

This article was inspired by a recent debate on one of the Facebook D&D groups I follow. With the impending release of Dungeons & Dragons vs. Rick & Morty, a discussion came up as to whether or not the material was "canon". Some people were absolutely horrified at the idea that this material might be "official", especially since it's available through D&D Beyond. This sparked off further debate. Was the Acquisitions Incorporated material canon? What about Ravnica? The campaign world of Exandria from Critical Role was recently mentioned in Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Is all of Critical Role canon?

From an official standpoint, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say absolutely all of the above is canon, as is Blackmoor, Greyhawk, my campaign world, and every campaign world that has ever been created...even the ones you made when you were eight that have Gumdrop Mountains.

The reason I feel comfortable making that statement is because of the concept of the D&D Multiverse. In short, there are many worlds, and they can be similar, or they can be very different. Your D&D world might be completely cut off from the others, or it might be highly connected. If we go back through D&D history, it's a fair bet that the base assumption is that Oerth (the world of Greyhawk), Krynn (the world of Dragonlance), Toril (the world of the Forgotten Realms), and our own Earth are all connected. Using magic, one can travel from place to place. This was very much established by Ed Greenwood's Wizard's Three articles in Dragon Magazine. If the original author of the Forgotten Realms isn't proof enough for you, or if those articles are too much in the past, then consider that Mordenkainen, a wizard of Oerth, has appearances in two very official 5E adventures.

If you do accept that Ed Greenwood is a pretty good authority on canon, then I have to point you towards the novel Death Masks. In this book, Omin Dran, one of the characters from Acquitions Incorporated, appears as one of the Masked Lords of Waterdeep - something established in a Chris Perkins AI session. So the game is at least somewhat taking AI as canon. I myself have just recently planted the seeds of the AI Verdan race appearing in my own campaign.

As previously mentioned, Exandria is specifically called out in Descent into Avernus, and Joe Mangianello's character Arkhan the Cruel appears in that adventure with the Hand of Vecna, which he acquired when Joe guest appeared in an episode of Critical Role.

Although Ravnica references have not, to my knowledge, snuck into other official material, the Guildmaster's GuIde to Ravnica Was definitely an "official" product in 5e D&D. I love the races in it, and I have found them all homes in my own campaign, although only a few of them are known to my players as of yet.

As a DC comics fan, the idea of what is canon is one I have learned to be flexible about. Take Batman, for example. In the old comics, Bruce Wayne's parents were killed during a robbery by a criminal, Joe Chill, who was later killed by other criminals. In the 1989 Tim Burton film, the Waynes were killed by Jack Napier, who later became the Joker. In more modern comics, Joe Chill was arrested that same night. In the Batman series by Telltale Games, Chill killed the Waynes on the order of Mayor Hamilton Hill. In the movie Joker, an unnamed criminal, possibly Joe Chill, kills the Waynes during the night of the Joker riot. So just one event in the life of one character has a very loose canon indeed!

This all feeds back to a much more important point. What is canon for D&D is constantly changing, and I can argue that anything ever made for D&D is canon thanks to the Multiverse. The more important point for you is what is canon for your campaign. In my own campaign, I sort of vaguely assume that Oerth, Krynn, Toril, Eberron, and all those other worlds exist, but they're alternate material planes. Maybe they could be reached by magic, but it's not something I'm currently interested in exploring, so it simply doesn't come up as an idea.

Likewise, if you don't want those elements to be part of the canon of your campaign, then you simply assume they are not. Unless anyone asks you for permission to play a Simic Hybrid, it's probably not important to know exactly how Ravnica does, or does not, fit into your campaign world. In the end, the answer is that everything might be canon, but only you are the final word on what might be canon in your campaign.