#Wanted to add a spring and fall variant

[coolguyontheblock]

apepo..................................................................................................................................

Using this as an excuse ti share this; arepo varients + him in the corner

[genericpuff]

Hello :) Same brush anon as before. I actually forgot a few brushes! Silly me. I wrote that up at midnight and forgot to double-check. Let me amend that.

Watercolors used primarily for backgrounds/transitions (all found in Kyle's Watercolor pack)

Puddle Brush

Soft Irregular Wash Variant

Soft Wash Edgy

Splatter Versa (used in early LO episodes because they look like flower petals)

Pastel, Gouache, and other textured brushes (used either for FX or backgrounds):

Creamy and Creamy Variation (Kyle's Megapack) (These two were used for Eros' abstract wings in early LO)

Gouache Wet (Kyle's Megapack) (This would also be used for Eros' wings)

Gooey and Gooey C (Kyle's Megapack) (used sparingly to create abstract foliage in the background or to add background texture)

Gouache Supreme, Gouache Supreme Opaque, Natural Feel, and Natural Feel Super (all Kyle's Megapack) (used for background texture, the texture on Persephone's fur coat, and occasionally "painting" the clothing onto the characters)

Additional notes:

Any of the seasonal drops (the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer collections) include various one-off brushes she's used such as abstract shapes and a few additional foliage brushes. These are unnecessary for consistency but are fun to have if you want to experiment and/or to use for yourself!

Both Kyle's Impressionist pack and the Paintbox section of the Megapack have some interesting oil/impressionist brushes that were used once or twice as background textures in early LO. Again, they are not needed for consistency but can be useful to have on hand.

The Halftone pack is only used sparingly in LO as texture for clothing/fabric. Again, they are unneeded for consistency but can be useful to experiment/use for your own needs.

Happy drawing!

i'm literally so overwhelmed by this, all that time hunting down these brushes and speculating on what we were missing and you just. you have the LO brush manifesto. the holy grail of this community. hiding in plain sight.

i'm so grateful to you anon, please take all of my thanks for sharing all these in all your apparently infinite wisdom, this means so much to me and everyone in this community.

at the risk of asking god for too much, with all the brushes you've shared here paired with the brushes that we know of from what Rachel has shared herself ...

... does this mean it's done? we've found them all? the search is over?

because if that's what you're saying then all that leaves for us now is to just. create. and learn. and create more. and even if these aren't all of them, they're more than we've ever had access to before and you made that possible in ways you can't imagine. i know i'm sounding really fucking sentimental here over what's literally just a bunch of photoshop brushes but every find so far has been like digging up breadcrumbs one by one and you just. you just dropped the whole gingerbread house in our laps, right in time for the new year.

i don't know who you are and i don't know if i ever will, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you. thank you so fucking much.

[techav]

So I have this printer ...

Not that one specifically, that one is beautiful and in great condition, but one like it — Apple ImageWriter II. Specifically mine is the ImageWriter II/L variant, the last revision of the ImageWriter II line, but it looks like this one.

Or at least it did once upon a time.

My family acquired this printer second-hand in the late 90s along with a Mac Classic. It got used regularly for school reports and letters and business documents and tax forms for a few years until we finally were able to get a new computer with a color inkjet printer.

Long story short, like the computer that went with it, ultimately this poor printer ended up sitting in storage without air conditioning in East Texas heat and humidity for nearly twenty years. It's a sad story of slow decay.

My ImageWriter is now yellowed and scuffed and scraped and rusted and missing a piece or two; just a dim reminder of its former beauty. Given the state of it, what hope do we have of ever again hearing it sing the song of its people?

Well, I'm not going to let it go without a fight. Time to dig in and see what we can ...

... oh. Oh dear that won't do at all.

A good rule to follow when working with these 30+ year old systems, is to (carefully!) open and inspect before applying any power. In this case I'm very glad I did. Three large filter capacitors on the power supply have very obviously swollen and burst, spreading their corrosive bile all over the neighborhood.

The back side of the power supply circuit board was a wasteland of rotting solder mask, corroded traces, and displaced silkscreen. The electrolyte has eaten its way down the leads, through the solder, and left carnage in its wake all across the bottom of the board.

First order of business is getting those old capacitors removed from the board so cleanup can begin. If you've never worked with hardware of this vintage, a fair warning — make sure you're working in a well-ventilated area. Sure the solder has lead and the flux ain't great for the lungs, but the big concern here is the unholy stench of heated capacitor electrolyte hitting the nostrils like the revenge of Poseidon's refuse bin. The local fish market has nothing on these things.

The old solder, especially when mixed with the electrolyte, tends to behave in a very un-solder-like fashion. It will refuse to melt and when it does it will slump around like wet sand rather than flow like liquid metal should. While it may seem counter-intuitive, the best way to get rid of it is to add more fresh solder to it. On these single-sided boards with large components like this, a spring-action solder pump works well for getting the old parts removed, and then some solder braid will clean up the pads well.

Once the old parts are out, I like to thoroughly clean the area with isopropyl alcohol to remove the electrolyte and years of grease and dirt and pet hair that may have cemented itself to the board. In this case I also needed to use a mild abrasive to remove that damaged solder mask where it had bubbled up off the corroding copper traces. I was lucky here that none of the traces were actually broken or corroded through completely. Clear nail polish works well for protecting the now bare copper (just make sure it's not the UV-cure gel stuff).

From here I turned my attention to the case, because the power supply is the last item removed and first installed when conducting a complete tear down of this printer, and it didn't make sense to put my newly cleaned power supply into a dirty old case.

I'm not really a fan of retrobrite, and these large case pieces would be a real challenge anyway. So all I want is to clean up the dirt and rust and as many scuff marks as I can. As far as I'm concerned, the rest is just part of the history of the item. Each mark tells a story of how this item was used, not just put up on a shelf to be looked at. And if I didn't have any interest in using the machine until it completely falls to pieces, I wouldn't be bothering with going fishing replacing old capacitors.

This is a good point to do some testing. There may still be more wrong with that power supply. Output voltages could have drifted out of spec from other components aging, or maybe I installed capacitors that don't quite match the originals. The ImageWriter II/L power supply has three outputs — +5VDC, -5VDC, & +26VDC. With no load on the power supply, I measured the outputs at around ±7V and 30V. That seems high, but it's not outside of what I would expect for a power supply that's not actually driving anything. This would be a good point to use an adjustable test load, but since I don't have one of those, I'll just have to move forward with my "well it seems fine'

Spoiler: it was not fine.

As part of its startup sequence, the ImageWriter exercises all of its stepper motors to get everything to a known state. This high current draw immediately after power on was more than its old power supply could give. There's clearly more than bad capacitors on the supply, but identifying what exactly is still beyond my current skill level.

So in the interest of getting the machine working (because I have plans for it), I opted to try replacing the power supply with something more modern. The catch here is the odd assortment of voltages the original supply provided. It's easy to find a ±5VDC supply, but 26V is virtually unheard-of.

Apple's documentation for the printer mentions the +26V supply is for driving the motors. I suspected that the 26V supply was less carefully regulated and probably targeting something more like 24V. Sure enough, the stepper with the highest voltage rating on its label was 24V. With a little extra current capacity available, I figured the printer would function just fine with a 24V supply.

The catch is, 24V & ±5V is not a common configuration. There are plenty of 12V & ±5V supplies, but that won't do here. I settled on a Mean Well 24V & 5V supply with a -5V inverter ... And promptly ordered the wrong part. I had a nice new 12V & 5V supply. That's ok, once I got it in hand it was a bit too large to fit in the space I had anyway.

So I got a different Mean Well 24V supply and a separate 24V-5V DC-DC converter. It's a bit of a mess all crammed into the bottom of the case, but it should give all the right voltages (or near enough).

I did have to remove the power switch from the old supply though. That particular part has long since been discontinued, and compatible replacements proved difficult to find.

Now that it's all assembled, it's time to test. This is the part that always makes me nervous, especially when dealing with mains voltages. There's so much that can go so very horribly wrong.

I started out with a smoke test — switching on power briefly to make sure there were no direct shorts that might cause an explosive failure. No smoke is a good sign, so check the voltages. With no load, the new supply rails read 23.99V, 5.00V, and -5.55V. That's about as good as I could ever ask for. So now there's only one thing left to test … does it actually print?

Success!

It's not perfect. Every once in a while it will stutter while printing and get stuck with the carriage on one side or the other. It really needs a complete disassembly, thorough cleaning, and relubrication. That kind of mechanical teardown is a bit beyond what I'm comfortable with at the moment, but I'll happily settle for mostly working over not working at all.

[becoration]

The vibrant hue of the so-called marigold color brings the joy of summer into the rooms of the home.

Post has been published on becoration

The vibrant hue of the so-called marigold color brings the joy of summer into the rooms of the home.

The marigold color is known for its resemblance to the namesake plant also known as wonder. This beautiful floral plant boasts a charming yellow hue with orange and reddish shades. In some specimens, it is an intense yellow, while in others, it is a variant of the orange color. Simply beautiful.

Marigold Color for the Summer

Given its attractive and summery plant nature, though it withstands winter well, marigold is perfect in its coloring. Just as with other floral specimens, marigold’s coloration is replicated in wall paint. It is highly valued in the world of cosmetics because those color tones are ideal for summer. And of course, in the realm of decoration in furniture, textiles, and more!

The soft orange tones are perfect for brightening any home environment. Precisely because of this coloring, it conveys sensations of warm summer days. You can enjoy the joy and warmth of summer in your home for a long time by utilizing marigold color. Whether you prefer more intense or softer shades, you’ll find many options.

The tone shown in the images focuses on reddish nuances, those very orange hues, and as we know, this is a very versatile color tone. It can either blend or contrast with a wide variety of other colors, becoming the accent color of a room. Whether you use it in textiles, wall paint, or marigold-colored furniture, you’ll find it suits all kinds of decoration.

In addition to finding the marigold color in various shades, you will find it in prints, contrasting with other colors from the “citrus” range. Maximize its use, for instance, in living room curtains, dining room tablecloths, and kitchen utensils. From the entrance to the bedroom, this marigold color looks magnificent. It is ideal for making us feel at home in total harmony and relaxation.

No need to overdo this color; a couple of details in any environment achieve a lot. Do you like this color? Do you want to add a summery touch beyond the season to your home? You just need to decide on the shade you like most.

Combining Marigold Color

This beautiful color looks good with soft tones of gray and blue. Even as a contrasting touch with an intense blue color, it looks good. Lighter colors like white and its shades blend well with it. Naturally, it also looks great with a beige color.

With intense color shades of the same family, like yellow, it looks elegant with soft shades of green and very chic if you combine it with a very lively color like garnet. However, this last combination is for those who like bold decoration.

It also works well with colors like pink in all its shades. You can combine it and achieve a very elegant and romantic result with pastel shades.

Marigold, Not Terracotta!

In some shades, marigold may be confused with terracotta. But while both are a shade of orange, terracotta is more intense and in some cases darker because marigold tends to light tone.

We have mentioned that the marigold is known as daisy. It can be found in wonderful shades of yellow and orange. It is one of the appreciated garden plants for its coloring. Its beauty, though not as magnificent as that of the rose, is not simple. Marigold has many admirers for its coloring.

There is a wide variety of it, and it has many virtues. Among them, it is very durable when cut for use in decorating interiors. It usually takes advantage of spring or fall for planting, to provide it with cool temperatures. It must be planted in clay soils with good drainage and in sunny areas. It is known that some varieties grow well in partial shade.

Isn’t the color of this flower beautiful? We have shown you how to plant marigold if you want to enjoy it all year round. But you can also take advantage of its color to brighten up any home environment. Start choosing a beautiful sofa, maybe a lamp, some covers. Perhaps you prefer a tablecloth or bedding. There are many options to utilize the intensity of the marigold color.

Making this color the vibrant accent we like to add to our decoration. And as mentioned, it combines or contrasts very well with many colors, except with black or other very dark tone colors.

So with marigold color on the walls, maybe in the tablecloth… you feel at home as if summer lasted all year long…

Images: Unsplash

Referrer: Decoración 2.0, decoration news in Spanish

[malonox]

Scratch follows Zeke into the circle, digesting what he said. Gentle. More gentle than what he's used to even with the new arrangment with Alan. As Elias, he was merely an attached part to Alan. Go where he goes, keep him safe. In his downtime, when Alan sleeps (in another variant of the well-lit room) and when Scratch cannot enter the bedroom.-- well, he goes out. He studies how human drunks behave, and he tracks intently how people return from trips. So on, so forth. Alan calls that people-watching. Scratch laughs and shakes his head. not as fun to think of it as that. He was a huntsman. Always has been. Residents of Cauldron Lake had to be.

When Zeke wants to kick off introductions, Scratch frowns, already unsure if he really wants to learn more about these people. It's not like he'll manage to care enough to actually remember. Zeke talks about hunting, and Scratch's face falls. It's like he was in his head. He sits down on one of the chairs, trying to force that thought away. Zeke turns to him, making it worse. The thought doesn't go away-- it cements.

❝Um... Hi. I'm Elias. I... I can't think of anything.❞ He starts, the thought pestering to get out. ❝I guess that I'm a pretty good huntsman as opposed to Zeke here. I find it relaxing and artistic, too. It makes me connect with something and fills an empty gap in me.❞ He chuckles, remembering the frightened faces of his victims, then pauses realizing that might've been too much. ❝Do I have to say I'm an addict?❞ He looks at Zeke for a hint of help, but his tongue loosens in an attempt to retract. ❝I mean, I am -- why else would I be here. Besides that, I'm in the doghouse now--❞ Exact wording Wake used. ❝I don't really have where to stay...❞ He gulps, and shakes his head, feeling the writer's angry and sad stare on him all over again. When the fuck did he get these emotions? ❝Sorry. That's all.❞

Scratch directs his eyes to the people in the circle, begging for anyone to start talking before he says more. He looks down, not ashamed but aware of how to feign it. ❝Sorry.❞ He adds again, for good measure. This was all an act, he told himself. An act. He didn't really feel this.

"It's okay, Elias. You're just nervous," A bearded old biker man says, and Scratch centers his eyes on his battle vest, noting the Old Gods of Asgard patch. Memories. The Dark Place, Night Springs, back then his favorite band. More memories. The shitshow of 2023. He didn't need this. "It happens to the best of us. I hope you find a place to stay."

A middle-aged woman sitting next to him nods and then places a hand on his shoulder. Scratch has to fight an irritated expression. "It's alright, sweetheart. We're all going through something similar here. I'm barely two years sober, but I'm happier now. You'll make it through, too." She squeezes and lets go. Scratch wants to take off his leather jacket and burn it...

Scratch cast a glance at Zeke, begging for guidance and the pity party to end. He had no reason to trust Miller, but it was his best option now. Shut them up.

There was a moment of bewilderment that cast briefly across the young Officer's features. Elias wouldn't have to reveal much to warrant a guess that whatever he was suffering from had him by the throat. He could see it in how he fought with himself, an inner and private turmoil threatening to crest outwards.

It would be messy, but Officer Miller was used to cleaning up the mess.

All Elias needed was someone to share in this private hell of his, no strings attached, someone who would sit there and allow him to tease his sufferings out one painful word at a time. Zeke judged he could be just that instrumental piece missing in making this arduous experience a little more bearable. Elias' willingness to at least be present in the space, to sit amongst them, was enough for the time being.

Slow and steady, Miller. There was progress to be made here.

"There's nothing wrong with not knowing where to start, what works best for you, Elias. I'm sure that will change the more you're here. From what I can tell, you're lost, given instructions to a life you can't make heads or tails with. It's alright; we're all going through it to one degree or another, and no one expects you to deal with something like this alone. We shouldn't."

Zeke's attention only deviated from the other briefly to check on their current seating capacity before inviting them to walk with him back to the circle,

"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Elias. He would like to sit in with us today, so, let's ensure he feels welcomed, OK? Now, what I like to do when we have new faces is to go around and have each member say something about themselves, kind of a way of breaking the ice. Please bear with me. I'll start- you all know me as Officer Miller in town, but here, you can call me Zeke. Uhh.. let's see.. despite carrying a firearm, rifle, that sort of thing.. I am not exceptionally skilled in hunting game—especially the smaller ones. I swear they're out there, making fun of me as we speak, Jake too, probably… "

A short chuckle gave him enough time to refocus the conversation,

"Elias.. we agreed to let you just sit in and observe, but I can't help but wonder: Is there something interesting about you that you want to share? Doesn't have to be as embarrassing as mine."

[pillow-anime-talk]

their choice. {pt.1}

synopsis: Do they feel better in a friendly relation or in a partnership? Which is more suited to the two of you?

# tags: headcanons; friendships & current relationships; mild romance; fluff; light yandere behavior for chrollo and feitan; sfw + suggestive for machi

includes: gender neutral reader ft. chrollo lucilfer, nobunaga hazama, feitan portor, machi komacine, kalluto zoldyck & phinks magcub {hxh}

part two {click}

— CHROLLO

↘ PARTNERSHIP; I imagine Chrollo could be in a relationship for two simple reasons. The first is your nen, that he would like to steal or make good use of by offering you to join the Phantom Troupe. The second reason, on the other hand, is a little less likely, but I still think it might be real. It’s just a fact that even though Chrollo is the leader of the Spiders and he definitely doesn’t like showing positive emotions, there is still a shadow of a chance for him to fall in love with someone. If he were to fall in love with you, you would have to be an ordinary, delicate person, without nen, without blood lust, without special features. He would just have to fall in love with your little heart and calm disposition. You would be a small oasis and a comfortable place for him.

↘ An additional variant is a slightly toxic friendship with benefits due to the fact that the group leader has no problem with manipulating your emotions.

— NOBUNAGA

↘ PARTNERSHIP; he’s an adult male and I think he’s quite old fashioned therefore I imagine him with a normal woman/man/person. For example, he would meet you in a park or coffee shop, and over time he would fall in love with your lifestyle, voice, smile or ideas. He would definitely consider you as his tiny treasure and would be the perfect partner and then also a fiancé and husband. He’s the type of forward-thinking person that would definitely like to start a family (or adopt some cute animals)!

↘ An additional variant is a normal, healthy friendship based on spending time together at your/his home, reading books and watching movies over a cup of hot tea or dry wine.

— FEITAN

↘ PARTNERSHIP; I imagine this relation to be somewhat toxic, but at the same time showing a desire for care and compassion. Feitan is definitely the yandere type who would be jealous of you at all times and would love to show other people who you belong to. It doesn’t matter if you would talk to the boss of the Troupe, to the harmless Kortopi, to your younger cousin or to a friend from elementary school. He will definitely look at you with a sharp gaze or hug your waist, pressing your body against his. So you have to be careful because your boyfriend gets angry really fast.

↘ An additional variant is a friendship, which is a long-term friendship from childhood, thanks to which Feitan feels a little more positive emotions towards you and is even sincerely nice to you.

— MACHI

↘ FRIENDSHIP WITH BENEFITS; not only sexual, but above all, they are financial benefits, benefits due to work, the possibility of staying overnight or having dinner. Machi honestly likes you and there are days when you both need a meeting and recreation. SPA, sauna, hot springs, ‘date’ in a cafe or your home are the perfect moments to relax your thoughts and muscles. And when it comes to any sexual acts, I think it can’t get any better.

↘ An additional variant is a normal friendship, focusing primarily on conversations and advices, for example about relationships, work or clothes.

— KALLUTO

↘ FRIENDSHIP; Kalluto is still a young child, so I see you as friends with elements of ‘big sis/bro and little bro’ dynamic. He will definitely see his new, older siblings in you and will very often go on missions with you. He’ll feel the need to protect you, even if you can do your job all by yourself. But please don’t forbid him to do even your duties, because we all know that he enjoys it and feels appreciated... Especially when you pat him on the head, take him for an ice cream dessert or buy him a warm, delicious dinner.

↘ I don’t see any other variants. Unless you want to adopt him, then I see a headcanons where you are his mom/dad/parent.

— PHINKS

↘ PARTNERSHIP; he’s the perfect second half! He is a gentleman who is smart, funny, gallant, and I think that with his partner he’s also very modest and really lovely. Sometimes he will make a comical mistake (for example, on your date, he will mistake salt for sugar or put on two different socks), but this only adds to his person’s charm. He and Nobunaga are definitely the best choice when it comes to your significant other! I also think Phinks can cook well, so just marry him, lmao.

↘ Another option is friendship, which is very close, even intimate. Perhaps friendship and a tiny crush at the same time? Yes, that’s definitely it.

[raeynbowboi]

The Character Forge: How to Play as Link in DnD 5e

Link is without a doubt one of the most iconic heroes in fiction, which is why I’m excited to work on this build of Link. Now, of course Link has a long history of games where he’s had a wide variety of skills and abilities. So, for this build, I wanted to focus on his most recurring skills and items, and try to find DnD items with similar effects, if possible, to fill out his arsenal. Link is a multi-talented young man who has a talent for many skills, weapons, and items. He’s extremely flexible in what he can work with, and that was a primary focus of this build: to broaden his abilities as much as I could.

The Makings of a Hero

Hylians are clearly some kind of elf. You could make Link a Human or Variant Human if you want, but if it looks like an elf and it hyaas like an elf, chances are it’s an elf. There are a lot of kinds of elf he could be. Hylians are closely connected to the gods and think highly of themselves, so High Elf is a strong possibility. But Link is also something of a wilderness expert, so he could be a Wood Elf too.

Link is clearly good, but where on the goodness scale is a little less clear. He is a champion for goodness and light, so he could be Lawful Good, but he’s also jokingly famous for breaking into random houses and smashing random pots to steal people’s hidden money, so he could fall under Chaotic Good. And that divide could also make him Neutral Good.

As for background, that also tends to differ between game. Sometimes he’s a simple villager, a rancher, a farmer, a knight, an amnesiac foreigner. He’s so inconsistent that it’s better to just give him a background that covers the skills he doesn’t pick up from his build. Top contenders for Link’s background would be Outlander, Knight of the Order, Soldier, Far Traveler, and Folk Hero.

Skills, Abilities, & Items

Weapons      -Longsword      -Shield      -Bow and Arrows      -Bombs      -Slingshot      -Boomerang      -Greatsword      -Club      -Spear      -Magical Rods Skills      -Horse Riding      -Mounted Combat      -Dungeon Crawler      -Puzzle-solving      -Weapon proficiency      -Fighting Maneuvers Famous Items      -Triforce of Courage      -Master Sword      -Hylian Shield/Mirror Shield      -Hero Bow      -Ocarina of Time      -Power Bracelet/Golden Gauntlets      -Zora Tunic/Mermaid Suit/Zora Flippers      -Roc’s Feather/Feather Cape/Hover Boots/Glider      -Hookshot/Longshot      -Gale Boomerang      -Wind Waker      -Pegasus Boots/Pegasus Seeds      -Biggoron’s Sword      -Fire Rod      -Fire Arrow/Lightning Arrow/Ice Arrow/Light Arrow      -Ball and Chain      -Fierce Deity Mask

Get to Class

Fighter     Arcane Archer     Battle Master     Cavalier/Knight     Champion     Monster Hunter     Scout     Sharpshooter

Paladin     Ancients     Crown     Devotion     Heroism

Ranger     Hunter     Monster Hunter

Rogue     Inquisitive     Scout     Swashbuckler

Stats & Proficiencies

Honestly, Link was hard to stat balance at first. I figured his best stat should be Constitution to correlate with a late-game number of heart containers. Link needs to be able to take a serious hit, and he spends most of the game getting a bigger health bar for just that very reason. Aside from Constitution, nothing really stood out as more important, though Intelligence and Charisma can get the shaft a bit, as Intelligence covers mostly book-learning which Link isn’t really known for, and largely in part to being a mute, aside from dancing in the Subrosia dance hall or playing his Ocarina, Link isn’t exactly great with Charisma-based skills. That’s not to say he’s really bad at anything, though. Link is a real Renaissance Man, as he’s good pretty much everything. Which means he shouldn’t have any negative modifiers. But Link is also not the pinnacle of strength, durability, or insightfulness. He needs items to perform feats of great strength, speed, or stamina, and wouldn’t get very far without them, so he’s also not going to be the max in any of his stats either. Rather, he’s going to be competent in Intelligence and Charisma, and fairly good at everything else.

Proficiencies:      Acrobatics      Animal Handling      Athletics      Insight      Investigation      Nature      Perception      Stealth      Survival

Link’s New Toys

    -Bag of Holding     -Triforce of Courage (Banner of the Krig Rune)     -Mastersword (Dawnbringer)     -Hylian Shield (Shield of the Hidden Lord, Shield +3)     -Mirror Shield (Repulsion Shield)     -Hero’s Bow (Oathbow)     -Golden Gauntlets (Gauntlets of Ogre Power)     -Zora Tunic/Mermaid Suit (Cap of Water Breathing, Cloak of the Manta Ray)     -Gale Boomerang (Storm Boomerang)     -Hover Boots (Boots of Levitation)     -Pegasus Boots (Boots of Speed, Boots of Striding and Springing)     -Fire Rod (Necklace of Fireball)*     -Fierce Deity Mask (Mask of the Dragon Queen) *There are items like the Wand of Fireball and the Staff of Fire, but both items require the holder to be a magic user, which Link is not.

Name: Link Race: High Elf Background: Outlander Alignment: Neutral Good Class: Monster Slayer Ranger (6)             Battle Master Fighter (10)             Inquisitive Rogue (4) Base Stats:      Strength: 16 (+3)      Dexterity: 14 (+2)      Constitution: 18 (+4)      Intelligence: 10 (0)      Wisdom: 16 (+3)      Charisma: 10 (0) Saving Throws:      Strength: +9      Dexterity: +8      Constitution: +3      Intelligence: 0      Wisdom: +3      Charisma: 0 Combat Stats:      HP: 200      AC: 15      Speed: 30      Initiative: +2      Number of Attacks: 2      Proficiency Bonus: +6      Passive Perception: 19      Dark Vision: 60 feet Proficiencies and Expertise:      Acrobatics (Rogue)      Animal Handling (Ranger)      Athletics (Outlander)      Insight (Ranger)      Investigation (Ranger)      Perception (Elf)      Survival (Outlander) Skills:      Acrobatics: +8                 Medicine: +3      Animal Handling: +9        Nature: +6      Arcana: 0                         Perception: +9      Athletics: +15                   Performance: 0      Deception: 0                    Persuasion: 0      History: 0                         Religion:0      Insight: +9                        Sleight of Hand: +2      Intimidation: 0                  Stealth: +8      Investigation: +6              Survival: +15 Condition Resistances:        Charmed Immunities:        Sleep Racial Feature: Elf        Elven Weapon Training: Proficiency with Shortsword, Longsword, Shortbow, and Longbow. Ranger Feature: Fighting Style      Archery: Add +2 to attack rolls for ranged weapons. Ranger Feature: Favored Terrain      Forest     Grassland Ranger Feature: Favored Enemy      Monstrosity      Fiend Fighter Feature: Fighting Style      Dueling: Add +2 to melee damage rolls when using 1 one-handed weapon. Fighter Feature: Superiority Die      5 (1d10s) Fighter Feature: Maneuvers      Disarming Attack: spend a superiority die to force your target to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed roll, it drops 1 item of your choosing.      Feinting Attack: spend a superiority die as a bonus action, and select a target. You gain advantage against that creature and add the roll of your superiority die to your attack damage if you hit the target creature.      Parry: As a reaction, reduce melee damage you take by your dex modifier + the roll of a superiority die.      Precision Attack: add the roll of a superiority die to the damage roll of a melee attack you made.      Riposte: When an enemy’s attack misses you, you can make a counter attack, and add the roll of a superiority die.      Sweeping Attack: Use a superiority die to cause your melee attack to hit a second creature within 5 feet of your first target. Add your superiority dice roll.      Trip Attack: Use a superiority die to force a large or smaller creature to make a Strength saving throw. on a failed save, that creature is knocked prone. Spell Slots:      1st (4)      2nd (2) Link’s Spellbook      Cantrips True Strike      1st Level Cure Wounds Hunter’s Mark Wild Cunning Protection from Good and Evil      2nd Level Find Traps Actions:      Action Surge: take an extra action once per rest.      Primeval Awareness: Spend a spell slot. For 1 or 2 minutes, you sense the kinds of creatures within 1 mile of you, or 6 miles in forests and grasslands. Bonus Actions:      Cunning Action: Dash, Disengage, or Hide once per turn.      Second Wind: Regain 1d10+10 HP once per rest. Features, Traits, and Feats:      Archery Fighting Style: Gain +2 on attack rolls with ranged weapons.      Dueling Fighting Style: Gain +2 on damage rolls when armed with a single one-handed melee weapon.      Ear for Deceit: Any roll of 7 or lower on an Insight check against lying becomes an 8.      Extra Attack: You get two Attack actions.      Eye for Detail: Perform an Insight or Investigation check as a bonus action.      Favored Enemy: Deal +2 bonus damage to Monstrosities and Fiends. Gain advantage on Survival checks to track Monstrosities and Fiends, and Intelligence checks to remember information about them.      Fey Ancestry: Resistance to Charmed effects, immunity to magical sleep.      Hunter’s Sense: As an action, choose a creature within 60 feet. You learn the creature’s damage immunities, resistances, and vulnerabilities. Can be used 3 times per long rest.      Improved Combat Superiority: Your superiority die become 1d10s.      Indomitable: Reroll a failed save once per long rest.      Insightful Fighting: As a bonus action, make an Insight check against another creature’s Deception check. If you succeed, you can use Sneak Attack against the creature even without advantage for up to a minute. Doesn’t work if you’re disadvantaged. Wears off if you target a new creature with this feature.      Know Your Enemy: If you spend at least 1 minute outside of battle observing a creature, the DM will tell you whether the creature is superior, inferior, or equal to you in any 2 of the following stats: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, AC, Current HP, Total Class Levels, or Fighter Class Levels.      Natural Explorer: Favored Terrains are Grasslands and Forests. While in your favored terrains: double proficiency bonuses for INT and WIS checks you’re proficient in, difficult terrain doesn’t slow your party down, always alert for danger, can move stealthily at a normal pace when traveling alone, find double food when foraging, and when tracking anything, you can tell how big they were, how many there were, and how long ago they passed through.      Sharpshooter: Attacking from long range doesn’t disadvantage ranged attack rolls, ranged weapon attacks ignore half and 3/4 cover, and you can -5 on a ranged weapon attack roll to add +10 to the damage roll on a successful hit.      Slayer’s Prey: As a bonus action, pick a creature within 60 feet of you. Add 1d6 damage to the first attack you make against that creature.      Sneak Attack: Add 2d6 to damage roll when you have advantage, or another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it.      Thieves’ Cant: You can articulate covert messages in casual conversations.      Trance: Trance for 4 hours instead of sleeping for 8.      Wanderer: You have an excellent memory for terrain and don’t need a map. You can remember where to find settlements, foraging spots, and geographical landmarks. You can always find enough food and water to sustain yourself and up to 5 more people provided the land can provide food and drinkable water.

I’m sure there’s some who will disagree with my picks, but I optimized a build around looking for enemy weaknesses, having a ton of proficiencies, and having a wide and varied arsenal of weapons at Link’s disposal. If you’d build Link another way, tell me what you’d do different. Who do you want to see me make next? And as always, I look forward to seeing you again at the Character Forge, where heroes are made.

[newstfionline]

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Lawmakers consider keeping daylight saving time year-round (Washington Post) After a long, dark winter, our noticeably sunnier evenings are about to turn even brighter. At 2 a.m. Sunday, the clocks will “spring forward” one hour as we return to daylight saving time (DST). The time shift means we lose an hour of sleep, but in exchange we’ll enjoy more evening light for the next eight months — until we “fall back” to standard time again in early November. But what if we advanced the clocks this weekend and never had to turn them back? The idea is gaining some traction after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators this week reintroduced a bill that would eliminate standard time and keep daylight saving time year-round. The Sunshine Protection Act, proposed by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), along with four Republican and three Democratic senators, says we should ditch standard time since we only use it four months of the year, from November to March. “The call to end the antiquated practice of clock changing is gaining momentum throughout the nation,” Rubio said in a statement. The United States experimented with year-round DST during the 1970s energy crisis, from January 1974 to October 1975. The dark winter mornings were not too popular, however, and ever since, we’ve switched the clocks back to standard time during the winter months.

With ‘big one’ coming, quake alert system launches in Oregon (AP) People in Oregon will be better prepared for earthquakes—particularly important in the Pacific Northwest because experts say “the big one” is coming—as an early warning system launched Thursday, the 10th anniversary of a devastating quake and tsunami in Japan. California already has the system, while Washington state will join in May to complete coverage of the West Coast. The ShakeAlert system operated by the U.S. Geological Survey uses seismographic sensors to detect significant earthquakes quickly so alerts reach smartphones and people can seek cover before the shaking starts. “It’s very important that (the three states) are all partners in ShakeAlert, because earthquakes don’t respect geographic boundaries, and we have huge population centers all across the West Coast where earthquake risk is the highest in the contiguous U.S.,” said Gabriel Lotto, ShakeAlert user engagement facilitator for the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. Earthquakes in the Cascadia subduction zone, which extends from the ocean off Northern California to Canada’s Vancouver Island, have an average magnitude of around 9, making them among the world’s biggest. A quake in that zone has a 37% probability of happening off Oregon in the next 50 years, with a slightly lower chance of one striking near Washington state, according to Chris Goldfinger, an Oregon State University professor and earthquake geologist. When an earthquake is detected, people who have alerts activated on their smartphones will get a message saying, “Earthquake detected! Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself.” Mobile apps also carry the alerts.

Rage Spreads in Paraguay as Virus Surges, Exposing Corruption (NYT) For nearly a year, Paraguay was a leader in keeping the pandemic at bay, and despite its persistent troubles, the country remained fairly calm. Not any more. Paraguay’s coronavirus infection rate has soared, becoming one of the worst in the Americas, and its already shaky health system has been stretched to the breaking point. In the last few days, demonstrators by the thousands have filled streets, demanding the ouster of President Mario Abdo Benítez, and in a few instances there have been bloody clashes with the police. For many Paraguayans, corruption and elite entitlement that were once just unpleasant facts of life have become intolerable in the face of the pandemic. There is a shortage of basic drugs that doctors and nurses blame on graft; nonemergency surgery has been suspended because of a shortfall in medical supplies, and there are few vaccines to be had. The crisis has spilled into the streets with a level of rage the county’s leaders have not faced in years. Daily protests started last Friday with medical workers, who were quickly joined by other frustrated people. Most have been peaceful, but in some cases security forces have met the demonstrators with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons. “There are so many deaths and it is all the fault of the thieves who run our corrupt institutions,” said Sergio Duarte, who joined a demonstration outside of Congress on Saturday in Asunción, Paraguay’s capital and largest city.

Amid pandemic, ‘an international epidemic’ of childhood pain (AP) By the time his parents rushed him to the hospital, 11-year-old Pablo was barely eating and had stopped drinking entirely. Weakened by months of self-privation, his heart had slowed to a crawl and his kidneys were faltering. Medics injected him with fluids and fed him through a tube—first steps toward stitching together yet another child coming apart amid the tumult of the coronavirus crisis. For doctors who treat them, the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of children is increasingly alarming. The Paris pediatric hospital caring for Pablo has seen a doubling in the number of children and young teenagers requiring treatment after attempted suicides since September. Doctors elsewhere report similar surges, with children—some as young as 8—deliberately running into traffic, overdosing on pills and otherwise self-harming. In Japan, child and adolescent suicides hit record levels in 2020, according to the Education Ministry. Pediatric psychiatrists say they’re also seeing children with coronavirus-related phobias, tics and eating disorders, obsessing about infection, scrubbing their hands raw, covering their bodies with disinfectant gel and terrified of getting sick from food. Also increasingly common, doctors say, are children suffering panic attacks, heart palpitations and other symptoms of mental anguish, as well as chronic addictions to mobile devices and computer screens that have become their sitters, teachers and entertainers during lockdowns, curfews and school closures. “There is no prototype for the child experiencing difficulties,” said Dr. Richard Delorme, who heads the psychiatric unit treating Pablo at the giant Robert Debré pediatric hospital, the busiest in France. “This concerns all of us.”

Everest reopens (NYT) Nepal has reopened to foreign tourists who test negative for the coronavirus and spend one week in quarantine, meaning an often-overcrowded Everest has reopened to climbers. The decision to reopen the peak is proving controversial, with at least one tour company canceling its spring expeditions over safety concerns. Meanwhile, some in Nepal want to see restrictions eased even further, as many of the cooks and porters who typically make a living as support staff for Everest climbs have struggled to feed their families amid the sudden loss of income.

Myanmar junta kills more protesters, adds Suu Kyi accusation (AP) Myanmar’s security forces shot to death at least 10 people protesting the military’s coup Thursday, spurning a U.N. Security Council appeal to stop using lethal force and as an independent U.N. expert cited growing evidence of crimes against humanity. The military also lodged a new allegation against the deposed government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, alleging that in 2017-18 she was illegally given $600,000 and gold bars worth slightly less by a political ally. She and President Win Myint have been detained on less serious allegations and the new accusation was clearly aimed at discrediting Suu Kyi and perhaps charging her with a serious crime.

China legislature endorses reducing public vote in Hong Kong (AP) China’s ceremonial legislature on Thursday endorsed the ruling Communist Party’s move to tighten control over Hong Kong by reducing the role of its public in picking the territory’s leaders. The measure drew condemnation from Britain and the U.S. and accusations it will disenfranchise Hong Kong’s people. It adds to a crackdown against a protest movement in Hong Kong calling for greater democracy. The crackdown has prompted accusations Beijing is eroding the autonomy it promised when the former British colony was returned to China in 1997 and is hurting its status as a global financial center. Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong has added to irritants in China’s relations with Washington, Europe and other governments that also include trade, technology and the party’s treatment of ethnic minorities.

Japan to tighten border control against variants (AP) Transportation minister Kazuyoshi Akaba says Japan will tighten border controls and limit the number of entrants to up to 2,000 per day to guard against the more contagious variants of the coronavirus. The health authorities have found the cases of the new variants to have quadrupled over the past month. They said the cases have been found in about half of Japan’s 47 prefectures but need to be closely watched and precautions should be increased. Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures are under a non-binding state of emergency since Jan. 7. The measure, which was to end on March 7 in those areas, has been extended for two weeks as the infections have not slowed enough.

‘People are starving’: New exodus in Ethiopia’s Tigray area (AP) Skinny, hungry, fleeing threats of violence, thousands of people who have been hiding in rural areas of Ethiopia’s Tigray region have begun arriving in a community that can barely support them—and more are said to be on the way. For months, one great unknown in the Tigray conflict has been the fate of hundreds of thousands of people in vast rural areas beyond the reach of outside aid. With the region largely cut off from the world since November, fears of violence and starvation have grown. Now those people are starting to arrive, many by foot, in the community of Shire, aid workers who are there and who have visited say. Some 5,000 people had arrived between last Wednesday and Sunday, and humanitarian teams are being sent to find those said to be on the way, Oliver Behn, general director for Doctors Without Borders-Holland, told the AP. “They are coming in very bad conditions … very exhausted, dehydrated, skinny,” Behn said after a visit. “It’s becoming a desperate situation very quickly.” The people arriving bring an idea of the deprivation gnawing at the Tigray countryside. Aid workers say some describe surviving by eating leaves—or the seeds they had put aside for planting, in a sign of even worse hunger to come.

[redpandahappypanda]

**This is a copy of an essay that my step father wrote a few days ago. I find that Alex has a very analytical and nuanced view on these matters. And this is an important issue.**

Jan. 3rd 2020- Jan 3rd - 2021

This was a significant day for me. It was the day we started discussing this new virus showing up in China and the implications of the spread of it. It was a conversation about exponential math and the brutality of that process.

12 months later. to the day, and not only were we right (sadly) but there is another brutal math reality facing us. Let me explain.

Listen, I know this won’t be popular because we’re all still high on the new year magical resolution of a non-covid life again, but the numbers are once again NOT adding up. In fact they are going in the wrong direction faster than this day 12 months ago. Yes, we are in far more peril over the next 6 months than we were 12 months ago.

Put simply, the spread of the disease it outpacing the vaccine efforts exponentially. This is being caused by many factors, not the least of which is no national plan for implementation (only delivery). It’s also being caused by the pandemic fatigue coupled with an unrealistic optimism around the development of a vaccine. This is demonstrated with the record travel over both major holidays. Of course this is also already upside down before taking into account the new “UK Variant” which is thought to spread much much easier/faster.

Put simply, the rate of vaccines (shots in arms) is mathematically dwarfed by the rate of traditional spread of the virus. This number is NOT changing. If anything it’s actually going the wrong way and accelerating. If this trend is futured out it shows that we are still on the path of MAJORITY INFECTION instead of majority vaccination. This only has one outcome. Millions more infected. Hundreds of thousands of more dead. Perhaps millions more effected by long term effects of the virus beyond that.

I would go as far as saying that the existence of the vaccine without a minimally adequate plan for implementation is actually accelerating the spread of the virus and increasing the death count due to the population easing up on precautions because the vaccine is “coming soon”. Well, the vaccine may be coming soon but it’s traveling at 5mph while the virus is accelerating to 100mph.

Look, I’ve already been down this road 12 months ago. I know how people react to bad news and how easily math is dismissed. I’ve heard the “think positive” crowd a thousand times.

So here’s a proposal.

You want to get ahead of the virus… we need an implementation plan that out paces the virus. It’s really as simple as that. A new covid case is found every 3 seconds right now in places like California. You can be damn sure, that shots in arms are not keeping that pace.

So fix it.

Enact a full scale military (FEMA, NG, ARMY,NAVY) medical implementation.

IMMEDIATELY .

We could mobilize full scale medical facilities (tents) in major metro areas in a week or so.

In that facility you need 100 medical troops giving shots.

You need a couple thousand in ‘recovery” rooms where they watch the typical 15-30 min for reactions.

You could watch multiple people for each “observer”. More if you utilize camera feeds.

You could pump out 60,000 shots per day in each facility. (10 hr day)

You need to take over nearby major sports / shopping facilities for parking and then busing patients back and forth.

Organize the demand vs capacity by using ID’s spread the delivery (by last name was example)

You need free up healthcare professionals in the private sector to deal with the emergencies the virus is creating. The delivery of the vaccine doesn’t require the same medical training.

Double the staff… double the output.

Hell, with a smart setup and camera feeds for monitoring, you could up this to 200,000 per day. At that point transportation becomes more of an issue than shots in the arms.

Slow the percentages in major metro areas first and you create extra hospital capacity with weeks.

Once that slows, you use the hospitals and clinics to add to the daily vaccine delivery.

Replicate this setup over multiple metro areas and you double/triple/etc. the implementation.

If you exponentially increase the delivery you then dramatically reduce the uncontrolled spread.

You reduce the uncontrolled spread, you reduce hospitalizations.

Reduce the hospitalizations you reduce the death counts.

It’s math.

It was always math.

It’s still math.

And I am here, 12 months to the day from when we started preparing for this, and I see the same Math being ignored. The numbers are in the wrong direction, and accelerating again in the wrong way.

This is fixable. It is absolutely doable. But it won’t happen unless some “ONE” entity coordinates it. If you don’t have someone coordinating its just a bunch of people running around chasing the emergency of the moment and ultimately losing.

There is your positive thinking.

But math says, if the spread outpaces the vaccine delivery then more spread means more exposure and the pace increases while the vaccine falls further behind.

Want to fix it?

There is a way.

Meanwhile… reality says we look like we are in for a much rougher spring than last year unless someone gets these numbers under control.

That ends Alex's words.

The next is my own. The take away from this is: our job as responsible citizens is not done.

I want to warn. To advise. This vaccine is a wonderful tool. But it is not the magical bullet that ends the pandemic. Social distancing, quarantine, wearing a mask, STAYING HOME whenever and where ever possible is still massively important. This is our new normal folks, for the foreseeable future. Wearing masks; having adequate access to healthcare and vaccinations; giving each other space; smaller capacities in public spaces is (should be) our norm now. Put pressure on your friends, family, colleagues and most importantly your political representatives, to do the right thing.

And here is the rub. This is not going to be the last pandemic in our lifetimes. Covid-19 and its new viral strains are not going away. We are more likely than ever to see more deadly viruses to pop up.

The after-effects of this virus are going to be far reaching; socially, politically, physically. We need to acknowledge that, the sooner the better.

[dungeonecologist]

WILD ARMS 2 - Raline Observatory

The Raline Observatory is a neat set piece, albeit one riddled with issues in English.  It distracts us with side characters, but actually sets up a pretty core feature of the world that will come back much later in conjunction with the Live Reflectors (which are about to become defunct once we finish this quest and unlock our flying ship) The name however is yet another mistransliteration from the Japanese for “Ley Line.”

Ley Lines came from the observations of one Alfred Watkins, an amateur archaeologist/explorer of the 1920s (as was not terribly uncommon at the time) who made note of the arrangement of major historical landmarks in straight lines across the British country side, from which he questioned the meaning, cause, or function.  In the 1960s this work was incorporated along side Chinese fengshui to theorize that a kind of natural flow of energies across the Earth existed, and that spiritually attuned cultures all across history had been drawn to places where such streams of energy intersected, either by divination or by the consequence of ideal circumstances for settlement or ritual structures stemming from said concentrated energies.

Here, it those theories are applied rather literally, and will be revisited more explicitly at a later point in the story.  Not coincidentally, this dungeon is located on a string of volcanic not-quite-islands, volcanoes being a rather on the nose example of a point at which energy has built up and been released from the Earth, literal energy obviously but in many belief systems spiritual energy as well.  Oddly there aren’t actually any apparent Ley Lines on the Filgaia map; the dungeons are all pretty evenly distributed.  The only semblance of patterns* are that various locations that come in 4s are deliberately scattered across 4 quadrants, but that’s less meaningful and more just practical when you don’t want your game’s marathon of dungeons to take place right next to each other.

*(The ones I’ve marked here are the 4 Live Reactors: red, the 4 Diablo Pillars: Blue, and the 4 Ray Points: Green.  Perhaps the only real deliberate design here is that the finale dungeon which is tied by lore to the Raypoints, is located right in between the 4 of them; the intersection if you draw lines between opposite points.  On this note: the Raypoint dungeons may also be a mistransliteration, meant to be “Ley Points.”)

Anyway we get into this neat abandoned lab setting and immediately have a boss thrown at us.

I think I’ve mentioned both the Kobold, and accidentally the Salamandra, now but among those iconic elemental monsters is also the Undine; Generally portrayed as a beautiful humanoid water nymph.  The boss monster, Undines (I don’t know why there’s an “s”, the Japanese even reads ウンディーネ:u-n’-di-ne) is very much not.  Actually, given the circumstances I’d almost assume this was some kind of mistransliteration, but the boss card even says “Elemental Spirit,” so what else could it be other than a water spirit? (although when I looked over the epithet in Japanese the phrase is 素体 精霊獣, so what they translated as “Elemental” actually means something more in line with “base form” as in a chemical element, not an alchemical one.)  Also of note are its moves: Hookey Bust, Intafada, Reject all Fools, and Shocking Guinea.

We’ll start with Shocking Guinea, as it might be the most straight forward; it alludes to Undines being a manufactured monster, and presumably kind of a lab experiment.  It has turned on its creators so perhaps it was inhumanely experimented on until it lashed out?  This move is also perhaps the outlier in the set.  Intafada I can only assume refers here to the literal meaning of “shaking” or a small tremor and not the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza in the early 90s...  Ignoring the bizarre language choice for that, the move Hookey Bust is a little confusing but suggests one of two things to me; either being caught playing hooky, or rolling a losing number in a game of dice.  The former fits with the idea of an escaped experiment, but the latter along with Intafada and the general jester look of Undines seems to suggest shaking and rolling dice?  That in some vague sense seems to match with the Reject all Fools, if it means Fool like a court jester.

Okay you know what, I gave the translators too much credit.  The moment I started digging things got all kinds of muddled.  The move Reject All Fools in Japanese is 理解できないモノは拒絶: “[I] reject things [I] don’t understand.”  I take it the translators interpreted 理解できない モノ as “things/people that can not understand” i.e. “Fools,” but it might also be, “things/people that cannot be understood.”  I make the distinction because I think it has to do with ghost stories and belief in the supernatural, although what “supernatural” would really mean in a fantasy setting isn’t super clear...

The move Hookey Bust is 学校の怖い胸像: “Scary Bust of School” as in a scary sculpture found in a school, which I’m pretty certain is a reference to the trope of Japanese middle or high schools having a kind of local hauntings where some kind of ghost turns out to be the anatomical model in the science lab or the nurse’s office.  It ties into the science lab/experiment theme going on all throughout here.  Spooky science lab also explains the “shiver”/”shake”/”tremor” we get from Intafada.

Speaking of terrible translations, the baffling Lilly Pad monster appears here, a bizarre imp with a little sword and cape, and boobs on its head???  The katakana here is I believe meant to be a transliteration of Lilliput, as in Lilliputians from Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels.  The actual design doesn’t make much more sense in light of that, as they aren’t especially tiny, but at least the basic idea gets across, as opposed to the entirely nonsensical Lilly Pad.  I’m not sure they add to the theme going on exactly, but the visual aesthetic of a tiny or shrunken person does resonate with some classic mad science lab cliches.  

And we also have the Jelly Blob, which is just a staple of RPGs by this point.  Technically speaking I think the origin is, again, Dungeons and Dragons, with he Gelatinous Cube and Ooze monsters, and in turn any number of variants on the both as well as the off shoot Slime family of monsters.  Again, very in line with the science experiment vibes.

The one thing that presents a tiny hiccup in this is the Pas de Chat; in Japanese simply named Laughing Haunt.  It might be a stretch, but I think it’s just another reference to school hauntings, like the Hookey Bust reference.  It’s the only way I can think to fit this into the overarching themes of the dungeon.  The “English” name, Pas de Chat, is a ballet term referring to a jump in which the legs are brought up toward the opposite knee in quick sequence before landing.  It is French for “Step of the Cat.”

I have no idea why it looks the way it does, but it does display some interesting animations with leaps and twirls that is understandably evocative of dancers.  It also fights with a pair of stiletto daggers.

I kind of neglected to mention, but throughout this whole dungeon we’ve been followed by the wacky comedy relief duo, Liz and Ard. (Toka and Ge in Japanese: You get one guess as to what the word “Tokage” translates to.)  As we reach the end of the dungeon they of course spring on us that they too are after the rare Germatron mineral, and that they are apparently Odessa’s free lance monster engineers.  The two jump us with a second boss fight where the two showcase a host of battle tactics about as wacky as everything else we’ve put up with from them thus far:

Liz, the self-styled lead researcher of the duo can throw concoctions to ail the team, but that also hit himself and his assistant, Ard.  Meanwhile Ard is a tank and a powerhouse, even as the inevitable Poison ailment from Liz’s attacks chips away at his HP.  But to add to it, his strongest attack deals huge recoil damage to himself trading off for yet more offensive power.  If you focus your attacks on Liz and heal as needed, Ard will likely kill himself even before Liz falls.  An appropriate end to the mad science theme of the dungeon all around.  And naturally, we’ll be seeing more of the lizard duo as the game goes on.

[thedeaditeslayer]

Interview: Scott Duvall on How Ash Meets Bubba Ho-Tep in Dynamite’s New Army of Darkness Crossover.

Worlds collide this February when Ash meets Elvis and a foul-mouthed mummy in Dynamite’s latest crossover Army of Darkness vs. Bubba Ho-Tep. The four-issue mini-series not only brings together two beloved cult classics, it also pits Bruce Campbell’s infamous character against another of his best personas (the actor played Ash in the Evil Dead series as well as Elvis Presley in Bubba Ho-Tep in 2002).

Written by Scott Duvall (They Called Us Enemy, Heavy Metal) and with art by Vincenzo Federici (Grimm Fairy Tales), the story follows Ash on a road trip through Texas in search of Elvis, who is rumored to be alive and taking down evil mummies. With a time-traveling Elvis jumpsuit and a new evil Book of the Dead, Ash must then come face to face with Bubba Ho-Tep, the soul-sucking mummy.

Rounding out the creative team on the adventure is Michele Monte making his American comics debut on colors and Taylor Esposito (Bettie Page, Atomahawk) on letters. Duvall chatted about the upcoming series and what fans can expect.

Deanna Destito: When the idea to crossover these two properties came up was it because mixing two cult classics was appealing or was it more to see Bruce Campbell meet Bruce Campbell?

Scott Duvall: The exciting prospect of bringing these two iconic Bruce Campbell characters together was absolutely the spark that got the crossover off the ground. These two warped worlds inhabited by Ash and Elvis felt like such a natural fit that I could hardly believe it had not been done before. I feel incredibly lucky and thankful for all the trust and support the team and I have been given in order to deliver the best first meeting possible between these two heroes of cult cinema.

Destito: Campy cult classics are loved for a reason. Are you a big fan and how fun is it to write something like this?

Duvall: You’re absolutely right, lifelong friendships and communities are built around these much beloved classics. I’ve been a fan of Army of Darkness from a young age and was introduced to it around the same time as Star Wars, so it ranks high up there with some of my earliest influences as a wanna-be-storyteller. Bubba Ho-Tep came years later but I was an early adopter, immediately drawn to it as a fan of Campbell’s work. It’s been an absolute blast to put words in these characters’ mouths and take them anywhere I want to go from Texas to ‘70s Vegas to Graceland. The last couple years it’s been much more serious projects I’ve been involved in writing, so with this I try to inject as much humor into it as possible while also keeping the stakes high and so it’s been incredibly fun and freeing getting to play in both these sandboxes simultaneously.

Destito: What are your thoughts on some of your collaborators on this series? How does Vincenzo Federici match the tone of your scripts?

Duvall: I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be teamed up with such amazing collaborators on this series. Starting with Vincenzo Federici, (the first person to join the team), once I saw his character sheets for Ash and Elvis I knew he’d be perfect. His sense of action and dynamic layouts is phenomenal and he makes all the fights bigger and the jokes funnier so it’s been a real joy to sit back and watch him bring this story to life. Add to that Michele Monte’s eye-grabbing colors, which set a really eerie tone throughout. He makes some really striking choices in his palette, which add new dimension and depth to every scene. Our letterer Taylor Esposito I’ve had the pleasure of working with previously and I personally requested him for this project. Taylor is not only at the top of his game, he always comes up with great ideas and graphic design that he incorporates into his lettering, going one step further than your average letterer.

Destito: Who would you love to cross Ash over with next if given the opportunity?

Duvall: I was so thrilled to get the chance to team Ash up with Elvis for the first time, that if this is the only Army of Darkness crossover I ever have the opportunity to write on, I could walk away pretty satisfied. However, there’s only one other character that springs to mind that I would love to match wits with Ash and that’s Wynonna Earp. Beau Smith’s wise crackin’, demon slaying, badass heroine has become one of my favorite comic book characters in recent years. The idea of Wynonna trading barbs with Ash while they take on something truly evil gets my creative juices flowing!

Destito: In your opinion why has Army of Darkness endured the way it has, over so many decades and through so many incarnations?

Duvall: Great question. Truly the main reason this franchise has remained as enduringly popular as it has is that it delivered to us one of cinema’s best horror icons in Ash. Bruce Campbell’s performance as that character is always wildly entertaining and he has the best one-liners out of anyone. It’s his relatable everyman quality thrown into these horrific situations that reels us in, combined with a smart mouth and that epic chin. Ash is a flawed character, no doubt, and we love watching him overcome insurmountable odds, sending deadites back to the grave, and saving the day time and again. But we also love to see him stumble and fall on his face multiple times so we can root for him along the way. It’s been surreal getting to be in charge of torturing Ash this go-round, landing him and his new partner Elvis in some deadly predicaments, and I hope fans dig the results!

Check out the first issue of Army of Darkness vs. Bubba Ho-Tep on February 13. Also look for variant covers by Carlos Gomez, Tom Mandrake, Robert Hack, Diego Galindo, and Emma Kubert.

[the-studious-archie]

A Phenomenological Examination of the Williams Natatorium at Cranbrook

One of the most interesting quotes Williams and Tsien have to offer on the design of the Cranbrook Natatorium is that it is “more of an experience than a building.” This begs several questions; what is that experience like? How do Williams and Tsien attempt to create that experience? Are those attempts successful? There is also the question of how the building fits into the campus as a whole.

When Williams and Tsien received the commission, they were given the goal of integrating the building within the existing architectural context. As an alumnus of the school (and a family friend of Eliel Saarinen), Williams knew the architecture well, and while he did pay homage to Saarinen’s design, he also managed to give the Natatorium its own architectural identity. When it comes to landscape, the building flanks two sides of a large lawn, which completes the axis originally imagined by Saarinen. Williams and Tsien claim that this runs from the lion statue in front of the Art Institute, however, from said statue, it is clear that the axis truly begins with the Cranbrook House, linking the oldest and one of the newest buildings at Cranbrook in an axis that runs nearly the entire east-west span of the campus. 

Architecturally, the building roots itself in a color palate similar to many of the other buildings on campus – a rich, red-brown brick is used for much of the exterior. However, this brick is longer than those used on the original buildings, and uses a more regular coursework. The brown brick is also interrupted by sections of glazed blue and green brick, reflecting both the sky and the landscape surrounding the building. Steel framed windows in a variety of shapes and sizes also add a distinguishing industrial element that the surrounding buildings lack.

Those windows also play another interesting role. In the circulation path that leads to the natatorium proper, one descends a ramp that extends toward the neighboring residence halls, and back again. Along this path, several windows are placed to strategically take advantage of views. Through the shapes and sized of these windows, one feels a sense of compression, then release at the ramp’s landing, and compression once again as they descend the final stretch toward the pool entry. This feeling of compression, as well the views of the surrounding wooded area, gives off the feeling that one is descending into the woods, into a hidden gem of a space. And the natatorium does not disappoint.

Stepping into the pool area feels like stepping into a hot spring hidden in the woods. It challenges the idea of an indoor pool – and a competitive pool, at that – at every turn. One more steel framed window lines the floor along one side of the pool deck, giving direct sight-lines to the evergreen grove just outside. Given the slope of the grove, one simultaneously feels as though they are rooted in the trees, as well as floating above them, all from within the pool. Thin, vertical wooden slats line the walls, creating an interesting continuation of the tree visual. Other earth tones, from dusty brown bricks on the wall, to a worn, unpolished stone floor, also hearken to immersion within the woods.

The ceiling plan also plays a vital role in the experience. Against the rich blue ceiling, the recessed artificial lights, which vary in size, reminisce of a starry night sky. Large oculi allow for entry of variant daylight and views of the sky, as well as controlled infiltration of weather (including snow!) The oculi are also part of a two-part system to relieve the space of its almost overwhelming humidity, the space being designed with solely natural ventilation, which is welcome even in the colder months. The louvered wooden windows which form the other half of this ventilation strategy, run nearly floor to ceiling, also reinforcing the image of the surrounding evergreens. While I did not get a chance to experience the oculi or louvers open, I can easily imagine the smell of the evergreens infiltrating the space, and even drowning out (pun intended) the smell of chlorine.

The overall effect of the space is one that removes the user from the building. One genuinely feels as though they transported away from the built environment, and into a secret alcove in the woods. As the description on their website suggests, the building (almost literally) breaths.

With the idea of experience at the forefront, it makes sense to analyze the building in light of phenomenological theory. In order to do so, one must first consider what phenomenology might ascribe to the general competitive indoor pool. First, consider the design aspect. Most indoor pools are very obvious about the fact that they are indoors. Particularly with competitive pools, the spaces are sleek, white or cool neutral tones with the occasional pop of color, and there is a lack of windows. Pool dimensions are regulated, meaning that one could go from one pool to the next, and the experience would be almost identical. The space may be heated, but not enough to cut the chill that results from leaving the water, limiting the amount of time one would want to remain in the space after exiting the pool. The minimalism of the space directs the focus of the user on action, rather than reaction. Sensory experience is only minimally designed – primarily around touch, and primarily to the extent of ensuring no one falls on too-slick flooring – with any other sensory engagement simply being a result of the nature of the program.

The Cranbrook Natatorium does not ascribe to the concept of phenomenology. In fact, one could go so far as to say that its design seeks to actively break the chains of phenomenology. Rather than simply being a place for athleticism (though it certainly still is!), there is deliberate attention paid to four of the five senses (touch, sight, sound, and smell). Rather than the sterile, no-distractions-allowed environment of the phenomenological experience of a competitive indoor pool, the Cranbrook Natatorium centers around the idea of relaxation and warmth. Tension-driven, hyper-intensive focus is instead replaced with a focus that comes from feeling fully comfortable within the space.

I think it is also useful to compare this with another Williams and Tsien design with the same program. The Helen S. Cheels Aquatic Center in Troy, New York was completed only a year prior to the Cranbrook Natatorium, and has a nearly identical program – an indoor pool, connected to a pre-existing gym/athletic building, linking to pre-existing landscape designs. This building too makes use of earth tones with materials such as rich brown brick and stone floors. There is, however, also a generous usage of more modern, industrial materials, such as concrete, metal, and glass. The effect is both similar and different to that of Cranbrook. The atmosphere is visually warmer than the average indoor pool, and the lighting softer. There are windows that let natural lighting in, but they are more removed from the direct sight-lines of the pool, and are non-operable. Structure and HVAC systems are fully visible, drawing attention to the fact that this is a built environment, rather than trying to melt it away as Cranbrook’s design does. Rather than immersion in nature, the building very much closes itself off to nature. The juxtaposition of these two projects’ completion dates and the range of difference in design approaches is curious, but ultimately reinforces the attention and focus on experience present in Cranbrook’s design.

Williams and Tsien were given the challenge of creating a building that would integrate seamlessly with an existing architecturally-rich campus. Not only did they succeed in doing so, they pushed the boundaries by meeting a self-inflicted challenge of integrating with the un-built, un-designed landscape. The design challenges the phenomenology of what an indoor pool should be – and to some degree, even what an outdoor pool should be – and what it means to swim in a built body of water. Yes, there is still the smell of chlorine, yes there are still diving boards, and lane dividers, and flags hanging over the pool – but the architectonics of the building starts to melt those all away to create a truly otherworldly experience.

Works Cited

United, Brooklyn. “TOD WILLIAMS BILLIE TSIEN Architects | Partners.” Helen S Cheels Aquatic Center  - Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, twbta.com/work/helen-s-cheels-natatorium.

[trekassy]

Create your own play paradise with a climbing frame

Climbing scaffold - numerous variants at Trekassy

Your own little playground at home - which child does not dream of it. You can find a large variety of climbing frames and play towers at Trekassy for every garden size. The popular playground equipment for the garden is not only great fun for your children, but also promotes motor skills such as the sense of balance and coordination. The beauty of a climbing frame is the variety of exercise options that your children are offered. Depending on the size and features of the model, you can climb up the stairs, swing, slide, dig in the sandpit or retreat to the play tower. Children are encouraged to play in the fresh air with lots of exercise with a climbing frame.

Create your own play paradise with a climbing frame

Depending on the available space in the garden and the project, you can create a real adventure playground for your children. There are hardly any limits to the imagination. Many climbing frames from well-known manufacturers can be expanded with various modules or other play equipment - a play tower with a slide and swing or connecting elements such as bridges, which can be installed in addition to the climbing frame, are popular. Even simple climbing ropes add value to the climbing frame. Additional play equipment such as a climbing ball or a spring seesaw continue to enrich every home playground. Our tip: Plan your project in as much detail as possible in advance and find out about the relevant manufacturer information. In our online shop you will already find a large number of product information and details that can help you when planning your new climbing frame.

Tips for the ideal base for climbing frames and play towers

The right surface for the climbing frame is extremely important in order to keep the risk of injury as low as possible. A hard floor made of tar or concrete is rather unsuitable for such a piece of play equipment, as the child can be injured if they fall. Lawns, sand or bark mulch and wood chips are ideal as a substrate, as these are soft and flexible in their nature. The risk of injury is therefore significantly lower here. Overall, the higher the fall height, the softer the ground should be. The integrated play equipment also plays an important role. For example, children like to jump off the swing or scaffolding. Soft ground is mandatory for a soft landing. At best, the climbing frame can be assembled on a level surface to avoid sagging in uneven places. Furthermore, a minimum distance to other devices or structural elements such as the garden shed must be maintained. The manufacturers provide all the important information here.

Buy climbing frames and play towers online

In our online shop you will find numerous suggestions on how to design your garden with a wide variety of play equipment. To make your search for a climbing frame, climbing tower, accessories or other play equipment easier, the intuitive filter options allow you to quickly narrow down your search. In the online shop, for example, you have the option of limiting the price or filtering by specific manufacturers. Have you already decided on a model and would like to buy a climbing frame from Trekassy? Then simply order the play equipment you want online.

[cookiesps]

What Rolling Papers Will I Find In Marijuana Stores Near Me?

Any cannabis lover would have asked this question at least once: What rolling papers will I find in marijuana stores near me? Now, if you’re asking this question, you either have zero knowledge of the paper you’re using, or you’re just not very particular about brands or types. Wherever you fall in these spectrums, this article should serve you well. It can either be an informative guide that could help you along the way, or it could just be a source of brand new information. There’s no harm in learning something new every day, after all, right? So without further adieu, here’s your comprehensive guide to rolling papers. It’s a piece you thought you didn’t need, until now. We’ll do this by answering some frequently asked questions from both beginners and long-time regulars. What Is the Ideal Size For Rolling Papers? Before anything else, you’d want to figure out one important thing: paper size. Upon getting to the weed store, you’ll be met with a few options: Single, 1 ½, 1 ¼, King, and Double. Singles are the smallest among the bunch, and if you’re a beginner hand-roller, this can be a challenge. The 1 ¼ variant is the most popular one. It’s about the size of a regular cigarette, and it can accommodate up to three people. The 1 ½ and Double options are larger ones, but their size is awkwardly bigger to be a go-to option for smokers. They’re either too big for a small crowd or too small for a larger smoking circle. King-sized papers, however, are a different story. They’re easier to handle, provide better ventilation, and fit perfectly for a group of five to six herb-lovers. Are There ‘Healthier’ Rolling Paper Options? Here’s one way to answer this question: all rolling papers are made from organic material. You’ll find brands that are made from rice, while some are made from hemp. Certain products are made of flax, which has less of that smoke taste. Many of these products are vegan-friendly and made from pure natural fibers. Now, whichever one would be the “healthier” or “healthiest” option will be a mere judgment call. It will depend on preference or whether or not it will go against your beliefs. Can the Use of Rolling Papers Cause Harm to One’s Health? When it comes to rolling papers, you’re better off with the all-natural stuff. What can potentially be detrimental to your health would be the use of novelty papers. These come in different colors and flavors that may add to the overall experience, especially in terms of taste. However, recent studies show that these flavored papers may contain harmful additives like pesticides and metals, which may or may not carry harmful health effects. To be on the safest side, stick with the all-natural variants. They may not pack as many flavors, but with them, you won’t be as worried about possible contaminants. What Rolling Papers Will I Find In Marijuana Stores Near Me? If you’re in the Palm Springs area, Cookies Palm Springs is a great choice for all your cannabis-related purchases. And here, you’ll find several paper choices to suit your needs. We’re open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM to serve you. All you’ll need to do is to drop by. For inquiries, you may call us at (760) 832-8422.

[thesmithfamily08]

Summer 2021

We started off the summer with our Disney trip and never really slowed down.  Rob worked tirelessly on the kitchen, right now all the cabinets are in all the drawers are in, all the appliances up and running, and he got the floors in!  Hallelujah! They are beautiful too, I’m so happy with our choices at this point.  We have the countertops bought...but they are booked way out, looks like it may even be into October when they finally come and install them, yikes.  Rob has put plywood down and I put down table cloths so I can clean them off and what not, so honestly it is working just fine, It’ll just look a lot better when the actual countertops are in.  All he has left at this point in the kitchen is the drawer fronts and all the trim work.  We have kind of put a pause on everything though because Rob is officially back to work as of yesterday and the kids start in two weeks.  Not to mention the cost of wood right now is crazy high, from the pandemic, we are hoping it goes back down soon so we can buy the rest of the wood but until then, we wait.  

So what else did we do over the summer, the kids and I did the summer reading program at the library, then we went around and use all our little coupons.  The biggest one was a day at Safari Joes waterpark, which Max and Penny went down the giant slides, Penny kind of ping ponged down the first time so she was done but Max went back and did it a bunch more.  Lily rode the taller slides, we call them the twisty ones for the first time this year too, plus she rode the tube ride.  She was super scared but tried it and didn’t want to do anything else the rest of the day.  It was a great day, stupid hot and somehow we managed to leave without a sunburn so all in all it was a fantastic day!  The kids have had friends over quite a bit this summer too, the girls down the street come over often and Max has a couple friends he cycles through inviting over.  It is hard to believe they are getting so big sometimes.  Our other big trip this summer was going to the river with Robs parents and Katie and Daniel.  Plus baby Caroline was there which was great because we haven’t seen her since she was just born.  She is 4 months old now and almost sitting up on her own.  We all floated the 12 mile on a raft and stayed at a cabin at Arrowhead resort for 2 nights.  It was really hot then too but with the water we managed to stay cool and had a lot of fun, I hope that it becomes a more regular trip.  Max went to two summer camps this year with boy scouts.  The first one was right after Disney like we had only been home two days and him and Rob left.  They camped two nights and did a bunch of activities, archery, bb guns, crafts, etc.  Then he went on another one called Webelos Aquatic camp and that was also 2 nights but it was all about water, they did a swim test, which Max passed! They also did canoeing and took a boat ride around Skiatook Lake.  He seemed to really enjoy it I think he will probably go back next year to the swimming one at least.  The girls didn’t do any summer camps this year but they did dance all summer.  They have upgraded from just ballet to, ballet and tap and Jazz!  They learned a dance in each class and they recorded them.  They are going to stick to those classes for the fall and Penny is also going to add in a hip hop class!  Plus, omg Lily had decided she was going to do soccer this fall...well now Penny is doing it too, so between 3 different dance classes and two different soccer teams, plus Max’s scouts (which Rob and I are the den leaders for) and Max is going to start swimming lessons and hopefully get on the swim team in the spring...we are going to have a busy fall too! I guess when kids are the ages they are you are just busy all the time, it is just part of the life, but honestly I’m super excited about it, I think they are all going to have a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see them do amazing things.  So more about the summer, the kids played in the pool a lot, my mom has her pool open too and the kids and I have gone over there a few times and swim also.  It seems to have been a pretty hot summer this year, like 100 or close to it almost every day.  My garden has suffered from the heat but it is all still doing ok.  I made like 15 jars of dill pickles a couple weeks ago, and I have 3 gallon bags of frozen squash, though the squash bugs have officially done those plants in.  I wish my tomatoes were doing better but we have made over 10 jars of salsa and ate every bit of it!  I have another pile I’m going to make into salsa either today or tomorrow.  I have decided that salsa that has been cooked and canned doesn’t taste half as good as fresh salsa so we are sticking to just eating is fresh.  So maybe it is good my tomatoes aren’t doing great because I don’t think we would be able to catch up otherwise.  I planted 4 pumpkin plants and ended up with 1 pumpkin, the squash bugs moved to them after I pulled the squash.  At least I got one pumpkin though, and it is huge and beautiful so I’m pretty stoked about it.  We will see if it’ll last until October...

So Penny learned how to do a back bend this summer!  Max learned to do a pullover on the bar, and Lily is soooo close to getting it on her own.  Max learned how to land his front flip on the trampoline which he has been trying to get for what seems like forever at this point, He is pretty proud of himself.  So we only have a few more weeks until school starts back up, I should find out the kids teachers next week.  Robs school starts a week earlier than the kids but he is helping with some coursework at the school this week for the science department.  Something about getting more stuff online because damnit covid is still around.  On that note, we have had an almost normal summer, masks aren't a thing in stores anymore everything is open to full capacity, movie theaters and concerts are back, California even opened up finally everything looked like it was going in the right direction....but it is creeping back up again, there is a new variant called delta and I guess it is easier to spread and more serious than the original....and the numbers are starting to skyrocket again.  Kids aren't going to have to wear masks at school and they say they aren’t going to contact trace kids ot of the classrooms...so maybe it wont get too bad.  They are definitely wanting to have a normal year but if people keep not getting a vaccine I don’t know how it is going to go away without killing a lot more people.  At least everyone I know over the age of 12 is vaccinated.  I think we are all pretty ready to get back to normal life.