#fenice upgrade

[zoe-oneesama]

Have you ever thought of power upgrades for fenice or comousiner?

Honestly the thing that gives me pause for upgrading my SL heroes is that I already spent a lot of time designing their outfits, so springing off to redesign them again is almost painful.

I tried with Koki Marina and Fox Trot before and it was impossible for me - not the New Power part, just the New Suit part. So instead I can only really speculate on possible powers for them.

Fenice - Chicken Scratch (yep I'm borrowing @imthepunchlord's power name for this one) With her quill, Fenice can write and attach an attribute to another person (ex: writing "Speed" on a friend's back gives them super speed, writing "Heavy" on an enemy increases the gravity on them and makes them hard to move). Obviously this power requires the same level of creativity as "Sublimation" and also an amount of proximity to the target.

Comousiner - Mass Produce. Creates multiples of the user at the same size as the original (I'm lowkey tapped out on expanding on the Mouse Miraculous's canonical powers if you couldn't tell. At least they're straight forward.)

and as a bonus, what I was trying to figure out with Fox Trot and Koki Marina:

Fox Trot - Phantasm. Turns the user into a mist and taking on all the properties of mist, being intangible, lighter than air, and able to pass through and around objects (the idea is the user's physical body becomes made of the same properties as their usual illusions, aka, the orange mist they turn into when they dispel).

Koki Marina - Rebound (I gotta work on the name). When an attack hits the user's shield, it's rebounded back at the attacker. Though the shield is smaller than Shell-ter, so precision is key.

[awesome-casuallyfamouscollector]

The Staggering Cost of Losing Europe's Arms Market | Part 6 - Helicopters & Surveillance Craft

Due to popular demand, today’s episode dives deeper into the world of military helicopters, specifically focusing on land-based models and the predominance of US-made helicopters in European defense arsenals. Here's what you can expect in today’s episode: Main Feature: The Black Hawk Family: We detail the extensive use of the UH-60M Black Hawk across Europe, showcasing how countries like Albania, Austria, Croatia, and many others have integrated this versatile aircraft into their forces. We discuss the financial implications of these acquisitions and the strategic reasons behind them. Cost Analysis: Highlighting the significant expenses associated with these helicopters, with European nations spending over $2 billion on Black Hawks in the last decade. We'll break down the costs country by country and discuss the additional financial burden of maintenance and lifecycle management. Comparison with European Models: As this series encourages Europe to invest in European-made equipment, we compare the American Black Hawk to European counterparts like the Westland Lynx, Airbus Super Puma, and the emerging Leonardo Fenice. Spotlight on Attack Helicopters: Delve into the role of the Apache attack helicopter in European defenses, including major upgrade initiatives in the UK and new acquisitions by Poland, contrasting these with European models like the Eurocopter Tiger and Leonardo's T129 ATAK. Naval and Surveillance Focus: We'll briefly revisit our discussion on naval helicopters like the Seahawk and compare them to European models like the NH90 and Wildcat, assessing their advantages and disadvantages. Beyond Helicopters: Shifting gears, we discuss how Europe has heavily invested in American naval surveillance equipment such as the P-8 Poseidon, analyzing whether European alternatives like the Airbus C295 or Saab’s Swordfish might offer better value. The Big Picture: A look at the broader implications of these defense spending choices on European military capabilities and the geopolitical balance.

[veneritia]

when comes the dawn monthly update {12.31.2023}

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!! And here's to the final update post of 2023 :D

THIS MONTH'S UPDATE

DRAFT → 10,308 words! I made it past the 10k milestone guys! It's not a lot, but considering how flaky I am with writing that's more than I expected. I've also convinced myself to try writing more scenes out of order so I don't get so bogged down with all of the transitions/connecting scenes. It's helped keep my motivation up!

OUTLINE → Made some big deviations from my outline when I was drafting...mainly that I wasn't following it.

NEW POV WHO THIS? → Major character NIKEPHOROS (aka NIKE) has just been upgraded to POV CHARACTER STATUS! I realized that there were some aspects of the plot that, realistically, Fenice would not have the opportunity to experience unless I create some really contrived circumstances. So to fix that, I'm recruiting Nike as the POV character to get really deep into the whole Hesperian rebellion mess. It does make me worried that readers may start perceiving the two leads being married as the start of a romance when...it honestly isn't.

BLOG STUFF → I posted a simplified family tree of the vi Aetiers! Simplified since it only goes back a few generations, and also because I omitted like 90% of the consorts that married into the family and their children

UPCOMING

I'll be cleaning up my taglist in January! I'll also be consolidating my general taglist and my WCTD taglist, since WCTD will be my main focus for 2024.

I'll be posting both Fenice's updated character introduction post and Nike's introduction post

GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Reach 50k words on the draft!

Create and stick to a manageable writing schedule. My stretch goal is to have a 30 minute-1hr writing session every day, but realistically I want to try having a writing session for at least 4 days of the week. I might even log them here to keep myself accountable

To give myself permission to just write, even if it's mediocre.

Well, that's it from me. We'll see where all of these goals end up at the end of next year.

How about you guys? What are your writing resolutions for 2024?

TAGLIST UNDER THE CUT (ask to be +/-)

GENERAL → @charlesjosephwrites @bearunicorn154 @seasteading @writting-in-blood @trapped-inadystopianovel @inky-duchess @thats-my-type-writer @serpentarii @myhusbandsasemni @aphaimaniis @writinglyra @belialwrites @amoranza @pseudepigraphic @mel-writes-with-her-dragons @uppoffringar @fantasydisease @sourrcandy

WCTD → @zmlorenz @andiwriteunderthemoon @ryns-ramblings @marchdove @cielnocturnes @wren-is-writing @lord-fallen @tragicbackstoryenjoyer @bloomingwrites @marrowwife @prosayst

[weirdunclegamer]

Woof, bout time!  I finally got some more shelves and promptly did the unthinkable; organized the wing kits!  It’s some sorta organized!  I obviously was shooting for each cubby to be a unit and its upgrades (or redesigns or whatever), buuuuut then I hadta just go with “grunt units cubby” and “g-unit cubby” and I had those spare super old vayeate and mercurius units so I just decided to put them with epyon?  And I sorta smushed all the wing’s in together at the top more or less forgetting I had wing fenice who needed to go somewhere too.  If you pay reeeeeaaaaal close attention you can tell the four p-bandai kits from previous posts are just standing straight up no pose, and three of them should be propped up higher on something but aren’t and just... y’know, model kits are hard work everyone I was TIRED okay.

I feel bad for shenlong, new HG hasn’t even been announced yet and at least deathscythe has that ex-sd kit so his cubby has four things in it but not shenlong, good thing ew altron looks dope as fuck

[anomaly00-archive]

WCTD Mini Writing Update |

Tried to condense my ideas onto this cute dry erase board that I never really used until today. It worked!

But uh...probably gonna have a hard time deciphering everything chronologically onto a a google later on

Things I figured out:

Apparently I should switch the roles of two of my characters, downgrading Charles as a side character and upgrading Illysandre as a POV character. I didn't realize how little scenes Charles actually got, and how many scenes I would miss by not including Illysandre's perspective.

Pitfalls of pantsing I guess

How am I meant to write this again?

A curious puppy is a dangerous puppy when your easily forgettable ideas are on the line

Also mysteries?? Very hard to right. I had to keep adding so much obstacles just for a single red herring that doesn't even do a lot to clue you in to who the REAL culprit is.

The urge to include everyone's POV is real. I love my children too much

So...if you could read anything written on my board you probably just saw a lot of spoilers. Am I mad? Nah. They were a surprise for me too.

The bad side of writing political intrigue: TOO MANY FRICKING ANTAGONISTS

Can you have too many pov characters???

How do I write this.

"Illysandre introduces Fenice to new people" - Did I...did I just set myself up to make more side characters?

Wait...is Fenice a bit too passive in this part? Shiiiiiii----

I did the brain storming. I drew the arrows that point to things. I got the plan. Now how do I put this into words again?

This is just part one

[reversemoon255]

So Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise has been going on for a month now, and I’ve been quite enjoying it, and I’ve got to do a Fifth Review for this month, so I thought I’d talk a bit about the Gundam Build series. I feel like I’ve always been more into the Build stuff than a lot of other fans I’ve talked to, which I attribute to me being more into the technological aspects of the meta-series as a whole. So, as Gunpla’s kinda my thing, I thought we’d talk about Gunpla. I’ve been interested in doing some Top 10 stuff, and thought it might be fun to go over some of my favorites from the series. I won’t be including Re:Rise since it’s not complete, but I will be looking at all the custom Gunpla from GBF, GBFT, GBD, and their associated manga and choosing the ten that fit my fancy:

Number 10: GF13-17NJ/B Gundam Shining Break

This is probably lower on this list because I haven’t been able to find Gundam Build Divers Break, but I still love the idea behind this unit. I went over it when I reviewed the kit, but the reason the Builder chose the Shining Gundam as a base was because of its wide range of articulation as a martial arts inspired Gundam, but then removed all the things that let it do martial arts techniques and slapped a big ol’ gun and shield on it and gave it an MA conversion. He basically turned it into the WIng Gundam.

And I think that’s really cool. Taking a unit that you like for one reason and completely changing its fighting style and gimmicks to better match that of a unit you mesh with from a control perspective. I feel like most people would just take a unit that was their favorite or already had a fighting style they liked and would just choose that as a starting point, so it’s cool to not see a unit give into that compromise.

Number 9: NYA+MBKF-P02 Nyaia Astray

The Nyaia Gundam is probably the first MS in the GBF canon that we see get a total overhaul, transforming a Gundam with a quadrupedal MA mode into a cuddly cat. And like the Bearguy III, it spawned several copycats that all have cutesy MA transformation... It’s just none of them got actual kits.

Of that particular cast of characters, the Nyaia Astray is my favorite. The successor to the Nyaia and Nyaia Leone, the Nyaia Astray is one of the few cute MA to not have an MA Mode to start with, similar to our previous entry. It’s just another cool bit of inspiration, giving a unit an alternate mode when it originally didn’t have one, and also building outside the preconceived notion of sticking with in-universe canons.

Number 8: 最強機動 Gundam Tryon 3

I love Super Robots. I have not been shy about telling people that. And here we have a Gunpla inspired by Super Robots. Enough said.

Number 7: GN-1001N Seravee Gundam Scheherazade

Y’know, I just now noticed that it’s call sign is 1001N, as in 1001 Nights. Clever.

The Scheherazade is an excellent example of adding an original gimmick to a Gunpla. Its Booster is capable of transforming into a weapons pack similar to the original Seravee’s typical loadout, but also has a secondary mode built for close combat. Plus it can itself be used as a weapon. That’s four different ways a single Booster can be used, leaving the base unit free to worry about its own articulation, weapons, and performance without having to integrate any abnormal parts that might get in the way.

Number 6: RMS-117G11 Galbaldy Rebake

While it was mostly an excuse to slip some Iron-Blooded Orphans in due to licensing issues with other TV stations (the same reason 00 didn’t appear in GBF until the second season), the Galbaldy Rebake is still an excellent Gunpla. While it doesn’t do anything particularly interesting like the last few entries on this list, it still packs an amazing amount of imagination. It takes the Galbaldy, a Universal Century unit, and changes its style into that of a Calamity War unit, giving it equipment to match. The idea in and of itself is amazing, it’s one of only a few units to it, and it arguably does it the best.

Number 5: XXXG-01S2龍虎狼 Gundam Jiyan Altron

The Jiyan Altron combines several aspects we’ve seen in previous entries on this list. It takes an After Colony timeline unit, not to mention one built for midrange combat, and changes it into a close combat unit with aesthetic and combat elements taken from Gundam Fighters. It utilizes its existing parts in interesting ways, has unique new ones, and even incorporates unseen ones like the golden Hyper Mode.

Also gets a lot of credit for going with the series Altron rather than the EW version. Though, now that I think about it, most of the units based on Gundam Wing seem to utilize the show versions, which is odd considering how popular the Endless Waltz versions appear to be. I wonder if there’s a reason for that?

Number 4: MBF-PNN Gundam Astray No-Name

I’m honestly surprised that the No-Name ended up so high on this list. I know I like the Astray, but not that much. I think that’s just a testament to how interesting the design is. Despite being from GBD, the Astray No-Name feels like the ultimate culmination of the philosophies of GBF and GBFT. As the unit was more and more damaged through actual battle, the Builder continually built upon and reinforced it until it became what it is now. It’s construction out of necessity, rather than how Gunpla are typically built in GBN where it’s based on pilot experience and data. It’s cool that there was at least one Gunpla in the series that hearkened back to it.

Number 3: PEN-01M Momokapool

Gunpla is Freedom! The fact that this is even higher on the list than the No-Name is even more surprising. But the Momokapool is just, like, one of the most unique units in the series, partly because it’s built weaker than its base unit. What really sold me on this was the instruction manual of all things. It gives so much extra detail about the construction of this unit that you miss during its debut episode (though it is a decent episode). Momoka even wanted to remove the finger guns, but only kept them because Koichi was helping her build it and insisted she have some kind of weapon. The Petitkapool is also another great example of an original gimmick, though in this case even though it takes up a lot of space it’s still seamlessly integrated into the design.

I also like the name. It’s Momoka’s Kapool so it’s the Momokapool. Cute.

Number 2: SD-237 Winning Gundam

You may have noticed that most of the units on this list are from GBD. As the series’ have progressed the designers on the series have gotten better and more imaginative, so it’s not surprising that the newer units would incorporate more of the technical stuff I like in comparison to older units that were mostly recolors with new heads.

However, the Winning Gundam, despite its age even within its own season (eventually being replaced by the Star Winning Gundam), stands out as one of the most imaginative units the series has ever produced. Most SD Gundams are themed, normally around Romance of the Three Kingdoms due to most SD Gundam shows being based on it, but the Winning follows the typical schemes of most MS. Not only that, but it has a Booster Mode, it’s head can separate from that to form a smaller Booster, and it has multiple weapons and parts that can combine together for different situations.

But the best thing it does? It’s able to integrate with Real Type MS. The first to do so. It even inspired an entire, though to my knowledge brief, line of SD Gundams capable of doing the same. It’s thinking outside the box at its finest.

Number 1: XXXG-01Wf Wing Gundam Fenice

And the only Gunpla from GBF ends up being number 1 on the list, but not for the same reasons as everything else. It has a few new gimmicks, but nothing amazing. It has a few additional weapons, but nothing as intense as other MS in the series. It has some unique design elements, but doesn’t utilize any spectacular ideas in its build. And it’s green.

But what it does do is tell a story. Like the No-Name, it’s been bashed and beaten through years of Gunpla Battles, and has been repaired and upgraded each time. Unlike the No-Name, however, you can actually tell by looking at it, with its asymmetrical design, broken head components, and heterochromia.

And its upgrades are great, too. It has a personal vehicle that utilizes some of the missing components from the Wing Gundam base, the Meteor Hopper. When it’s eventually destroyed in its battle against the Qubeley Papillon, its successor, the Gundam Fenice Rinascita, takes many cues from this unit while reincorporating the MA Mode from the Wing Gundam and has new combinable weaponry likely inspired by the Wing Gundam Zero. And on top of that, its final incarnation, the Gundam Fenice Liberta, removes the previous MA Flight Mode in favor of a ground-based one reminiscent of the Meteor Hopper the first Fenice utilized.

All in all, the Fenice may not be as bold and flashy as some of the other Gunpla it fought or those from future series, but it makes up for it with sheer charm and design quality.

And that’s my favorite Gunpla to have come out of the Build Series. I’m pretty sure most people won’t agree with a lot of my choices, but I know what I like. I’m not trying to be objective; I’m just running on gut feelings here. And to bring things back around to Re:Rise, I’m excited to see what new Gunpla we’ll be getting in the future, and am happy with the ones we’ve gotten so far. And I’ll talk more about that tomorrow...

[itsworn]

Posies’ Coachbuilt 1932 Ford Tribute to the Bentley Blue Train

In the words of Bentley Motors: “There are few cars that embody the glamour, speed, and power of the prewar Bentley era better than the ‘Blue Train’ Bentley Speed Six.”

Proof of the Blue Train’s influence, Ken “Posies” Fenical and the crew at Posies couldn’t agree more with Bentley. So much in fact that in 2008 they debuted the Euroliner at SEMA; a car built, in Posies’ words, “to emulate the sporting and touring cars from the ’30s, namely the Bentley Blue Train.”

Facing the Euroliner head-on, its split-windshield and long louvered hood is reminiscent of the Le Baron–bodied 1932 Chrysler Imperial. Look down each side and its dual side-mount spare tires, suicide doors, and lack of full running boards in-between swooping cycle fenders scream Bentley Blue Train.

The body began as a Brookville 1932 Ford three-window coupe body and was then extensively modified to serve as the cab for the Euroliner. Posies explained to STREET RODDER: “To begin the first stage of the project the entire rear of the body was removed from below the rear window with only a small portion of the quarter-panel remaining behind the door post. Next the cowl and front portion of the roof was split along the centerline. The cowl and roof header were widened 6 inches, eliminating the rear to front taper of the 1932 body, giving the Euroliner a more pronounced squared body. To finish the body change, the rear of the roof was cut from the body and moved rearward 1-1/2 inches.

“The body was then set on the frame and the rest of the panels were started. The firewall was fabricated from two pieces joined with a vertical seam. Three large beads were rolled into the pieces that radiated from the lower center point of the firewall. Toeboards were then built that continued the beads on the front and then disappeared under the car.

“The rear of the body was ‘cabbed’ by using a single panel that enclosed the rear of the body that carried on with the same three beads theme as the firewall. Rear corner panels were formed to meet the side and rear panels. The stock 1932 Ford bodyline was carried through the corner panels across the rear panel. Lower rear filler, floor panels, and driveshaft tunnel were fabricated and welded to the body.”

Another design element found on true classics of eras gone by is the boat tail rear end. Posies described the process of creating the Euroliner’s boat tail saying, “It was built around a jig constructed from angle iron that was temporarily welded to the frame. Work began a little further back on the frame with a fabricated rear frame cover. Formed aluminum pieces, total of nine, shaped with a slight dome, were pieced together to make a ribbed cover. Additional hand-formed aluminum side panels were formed to complete the cover.

“The boat tail sides were formed from aluminum to match the steel jig attached to the frame. The lower portion of the side panels was trimmed to fit the rear suspension and the contour of the rear frame cover. Rear fender mounts were fabricated that go through the side panels. To reinforce this area, steel plates where laminated on the back side of the aluminum panel. Aluminum pieces were made to form the supports that will mount the boat tail to the frame. The interior steel jig was removed and floor pieces and mounting flanges were fabricated and TIG welded to the side panels unitizing the boat tail.”

The boat tail lid was made from aluminum and formed to a buck. Two panels were used to fabricate the top of the lid while several pieces were used to make the perimeter. The pieces were English wheeled to the proper shape, then TIG welded together.”

Once Posies had all of the coachbuilt body parts completed the next phase was to move the Euroliner into paint using PPG products to combine pure black with deep blue for a classic finish.

In place of 1932 Ford ’rails Posies fabricated the frame from box tube and increased the wheelbase in the process. For rear suspension a 9-inch Ford differential is suspended from Posies Superslide leaf springs and damped with lever-action shock absorbers. In front a pair of Posies Superslide springs are mounted in parallel on a straight axle and damped with lever-action shock absorbers.

The drum brakes at all four corners are from MT Car Products of Lindsay, California, and steering is handled with a Vega-style steering box. For that classic-era look rolling down the road, four 20-inch Dayton wire wheels were mounted on Coker Excelsior 20-inch tires.

Under a Posies custom-fabricated air cleaner power comes from a Ford SVO 302 assembled by Posies; the exhaust system features Hushpower glasspack mufflers. The cooling system begins with a Walker radiator housed in a chopped 1932 Ford grille shell, and circulates coolant thanks to a Ford Performance aluminum water pump. An aluminum gas tank capable of holding 22 gallons feeds the 302-inch Ford V-8, and a TREMEC five-speed transmission connected to a Posies driveshaft handles manual shift gear changes.

The interior in Posies’ Euroliner is anything but period correct, with modern upgrades installed to offer a comfort level unknown to cars of the classic era. The dashboard Posies custom-made from aluminum was filled with Haneline gauges, and the steering wheel is a Posies custom feature as well. Vintage Air air conditioning creates a cold environment in the hottest of weather amplified by the car’s black exterior, and Dynamat thermal acoustic mat throughout holds the cold and keeps loud noises out.

Trimmed in saddle brown leather and tan carpeting, R.P. Interiors of Horseheads, New York, stitched the Euroliner’s full grain pull-up leather upholstery and laid German square-weave carpeting. The headliner was done in English wool. R.P.’s Rich Perez said, “It was all handmade by either me, or Dutch (Posies’ nickname). The seat frame was modified by Dutch, and I upholstered it.”

Posie didn’t draw a concept illustration before starting to build the Euroliner, he had a concept in mind and drew from that and didn’t stop until he had a full-scale interpretation of a 1932 Ford built to run with the classics.

The post Posies’ Coachbuilt 1932 Ford Tribute to the Bentley Blue Train appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/posies-coachbuilt-1932-ford-tribute-bentley-blue-train/ via IFTTT

[reversemoon255]

忍ノ参 Ninpulse Gundam + Ninpulse Beams BF Support Effect Parts

Nin nin nin~ Nin ninin nin~ I have a surprising number of ninja-themed robots. And I’ll say, this is a pretty happy addition to the...pod? Squad? What are a group of ninjas called... clan is the least joke answer Google would give me, so let’s go with that for now.

While I like this guy, and GM’s Counterattack was a decent OVA, I’m a little sad this is the only brand new Gunpla in the main characters’ lineup. I mean, Star Burning is the prototype of Build Burning, X Jumaoh is an upgraded X Maoh, and Fenice Liberta is an upgraded Fenice Rinascita (but at least that makes sense for Felini’s backstory). Everything else is just GMs, and as much as I looove Psycho GM it’s a little sad that that’s it.

The Good: Minimal hipskirts, transforming backpack, a weaponized head, there’s a lot of plus points on this guy. Since he uses some of the older kit-stylings he’s got very good double-jointed elbows, non-polycap shoulders that feel like they have more bend than current models, and a neck that can actually look up. I don’t mention it much, but I really miss that sometimes.

The Bad: Below the waist is where the old style of models start falling short. It’s good this guy comes with a stand, because his lack of ankles hinder quite a few poses you’d want a ninja to do, his knees are ok but not as good as the current system, and his hips aren’t great. Also, this is less a ‘The Bad’ and more a ‘My Bad,’ but Ninpulse’s Beam Sabers are mouth-mounted only and require a peg to attach to the backpack and mouth and I miiiiight have accidentally cut one of the pegs off. Oops.

The Details: Despite the ton of detail I added to this guy, almost none of it is screen accurate. There is actually very little added details apart from plastic colors, probably to make it easier to fix in-between battles. The only details not covered by the stickers are the tip of the beam piece on the Power Axe (black), the chest Vulcans (silver), and the Beam Sabers are the same color as the rest of the MS (maroon).

Tips!: One additional tip I will throw in here is that for the translucent green circlet on the chest, it is a good idea to paint a metallic color (I recommend silver) underneath where you place it. If you’ve ever built anything Exia related you’ll know that they give you metallic silver stickers to place under its translucent parts. This is so the color of the translucent plastic remains relatively unaltered and gives additional shine (I think).

Overall, probably the best...normal MS or Gundam from GM’s Counterattack, mostly because it’s not a rehash or upgrade. I’m probably going to try picking up Jumaoh and Liberta when them come out... In addition to one other thing... and stick them all next to my RG Build Strike since, let’s face it, all incarnations of the Build Strike look the same and I don’t wanna get Star Burning Gundam.