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“Take year 3 student Emma Glenfield, who started with a simple question about magpies and wound up conducting some cutting-edge research almost by accident."

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Boba Fett: Black, White & Red variant cover | illustrated by Kaare Andrews

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developed a real fondness lately for characters who experience a horrific act of violence and come out the other side saying "ah. I don't think I get to be me anymore. they took out the part that was me, killed it, and put something else back in its place, and now I'm whoever the hell that is." love it when someone becomes a corpse and replaces themself <3

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The Great British Andor Bake Off, Round Six!

Wilmon Paak Is The First Ferrixian To Say Farewell!

The beloved and earnest baker found Pastry Week to be one week too many for him. His baklava came out of the oven underbaked, the traditional Ferrixian filling leaked through his savoury pie crust, and after having to serve 40 instead of 48 vol au vents due to accidentally dropping his tray when taking them out of the oven… his time was well and truly up, much to the sadness of many in the tent.

Star Baker: Cassian Andor

The pilot makes pastry his own! Once again, Andor found himself battling it out with Bix Caleen and Syril Karn in the early rounds, coming second to Karn in the baklava and beaten only by Caleen regarding plaudits for his pies. However, he played to his strengths with the vol-au-vents, and his dedicated pre-planning to create 60 vol-au-vents so that he could truly pick 48 of his best meant that his final offerings did not have a single dud amongst them. Now on we go to…

Week Six: Chocolate Week!

Contestants have to bake:

Signature challenge: 24 gooey chocolate cookies in two different flavours

Technical challenge: a chocolate babka

Showstopper challenge: an edible chocolate box cake, with custom chocolates inside

Notes: Please vote for who you think goes home. The voting period now lasts 3 days until we get to the quarterfinals. The contestant with the least amount of votes becomes Star Baker.

Judges' comments:

Paul Hollywood: Andor took a risk, and it paid off. I thought he was crazy making 12 more vol-au-vents than necessary, but the man's face said he'd do whatever it took to win, and his vol-au-vents were truly fantastic.

Mon Mothma: Wilmon gave it his all, but this week was just a step too far for his skills. I hope he continues baking - *starts to tear up* - I'm sure his father would be very proud of him.

Presenters' comments:

Lagret: *scoffs* Another Ferrixian winning Star Baker? Is allowing people from a backwater like that to win really what we want to promote as a society?

Noel Fielding: *picking up his phone* Hey, is that Jezzi from HR? Yeah, I think I finally have a legitimate complaint to make…

An Extra Slice show and podcast host's comments:

Perrin Fertha: Look, I know I said I never name drop, but Bail Organa is one of my Coruscant ride-or-die OGs and if you ask me, those judges were way too harsh on him. So he created the totally wrong item for the technical, but don't we all love a rogue sometimes? What's life without going a little left-field? Must everything be sad and boring?

Cakes, Candor & Baking Banter podcast host's comments:

Kleya Marki: *leaning in conspiratorially* I know we're all thinking it: how did Partagaz survive given that his vol-au-vents were basically varieties of cheese and pesto, and his pies were also chicken, cheese and pesto? At least Paak experimented with some flavours! Don't we agree that should be rewarded? Let me know what you think in the poll in the comments, dear listeners. Would you pick flavours over pastry quality, or pastry quality over flavours? Let's answer the hard-hitting questions.

Choice contestant feedback:

Syril Karn: *stares angrily at Cassian Andor*

Cassian Andor: Yeah, so I took a risk by making more than I needed, but it meant I really had the best of the best to show. All or nothing right? Of course, I want to thank Bix and Maarva for encouraging me, and for Brasso for noticing when my oven timer went off.

Wilmon Paak: *smiling* Honestly, I'm super happy I even got this far. I said I'd do this in memory of my father, and he'd be happiest knowing that I had the best time baking and creating things. I'll be rooting for Cass, Bix and Brasso until the end!

Lio Partagaz: What is wrong with cheese and pesto as a combination, exactly? I don't see the point of taking a needless risk when something works well. Just because something is fun that doesn't mean it's good. I'll use cheese and pesto as a flavour combo every week if I have to. What, next week is chocolate week? Ah. Maybe not next week, then…

Syril Karn: *continues to stare angrily at Cassian Andor*

Bail Organa: *doubling over* I have mediated over many a diplomatic negotiation and nothing has been as hard as the past few days in the tent. I'd rather sit in a debate with the Grand Vizier again… stars, can I sit down?

Choice spectator feedback:

Dedra Meero: *stares angrily at Cassian Andor*

Cinta Kaz: Fourth from the bottom means Vel's actually the fifth best, thank you very much. She's doing fabulously. Why do you have to put a negative spin on everything?!

Dreena: I'm just so proud of Wilmon. He's tried so hard, and I can't wait for him to come home and bake me some of those amazing creations!

Beela: *stares daggers at Dreena*

Krennic: *fuming, waving his finger in the air* Now that I'm gone, Lio is getting exactly the same kind of nonsense treatment that I was! There is nothing wrong with cheese and pesto! I tell you, it's that Mothma! She's got it out for us all! She always needs a target! Do I need to tell the Emperor? This is a conspiracy!

Heert: *sipping on a kali cooler, sunglasses on* Miss the tent? Of course I don't miss the tent. Why would I miss the tent? I'm having #thebesttime. Did I plan what I would have done had I made it to this week? Of course not, what kind of loser would do that? Andor won Star Baker? Ugh. Ew.

Eedy Karn: *stares angrily at Cassian Andor*

B2EMO: C-C-Cassian! C-Cassian won! C-C-Cassian won!

K-2SO: He won because of me, of course. I was the one who told him to be ruthless if he wanted Star Baker. He said he didn't care about winning it, but humans are such bad liars. Really, Cassian winning means I won, doesn't it? Do I get any money?

Luthen Rael: *quickly tucking away his datapad* Watching the show? No, I"m not watching the show. I can't help it if I hear Kleya during her broadcasts.

Kino Loy: *gasping for breath* I know this is my fourth try at the 10m front crawl certification, but the instructor told me not to worry, I can try again for a fifth time! *under his breath* Why is swimming so hard...

Previous weeks: Week 1: Bread Week, Week 2: Cake Week, Week 3: Dessert Week, Week 4: Biscuit Week, Week 5: Pastry Week

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Have you ever been sent hate on tumblr? Can be anything from nasty replies to smear campaigns (im curious because I had to delete a post because people were being vile in the comments)

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I've been looking for a fun/quick little animation sideproject to flex my frame-by-frame muscles, so introducing Margie! A cat-goose dragon based on this little fella from this medieval manuscript

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The Great British Andor Bake Off, Round Three

Eedy Karn Goes Out In Round Two!

Whilst her Red Velvet cake came a decent fifth, the baker was undone at the showstopper challenge, where her fury at the judge's dislike of her spice-flavoured cake was only made worse by her ten-minute tirade at her son for picking his girlfriend's apartment and not hers for the subject of the brief. That, coupled with her misshapen Swiss rolls (all keenly observed by audience members @monyapolize and @andetc) meant that the tiny woman from Coruscant had to be escorted out of the tent by security.

Star Baker: Brasso

For the second time in a row (and with a remarkable 0% of the vote), the gentle giant of Ferrix takes it again! His showstopper featuring a detailed recreation of Rix Road and a near perfect Red Velvet cake sealed the deal for our formidable Ferrixian. Now onto…

Week Three: Dessert Week!

Contestants have to bake:

Signature challenge: 12 mini cheesecakes

Technical challenge: Tiramisu

Showstopper challenge: a cake portraying 'a piece of art', featuring a coloured jelly (jell-o) component

Notes: Please vote for who you think goes home. The voting period lasts 1 day until we get to the final 9. The contestant with the least amount of votes becomes Star Baker.

Judges' comments:

Paul Hollywood: In all my years judging this show, never in my life have I seen a contestant try to smack a security guard with a spatula.

Mon Mothma: *sighs* A mother's relationship with their child is always complicated…

Presenters' comments:

Lagret: Family shouldn't turn on each other. Her son forgot who birthed him. I think she was rather justified.

Noel Fielding: *looking at Lagret, deeply disturbed* Are we sure we can't get anyone else to co-host?

An Extra Slice show and podcast host's comments:

Perrin Fertha: I remember getting into trouble all the time with my mother when I was a young pup! Once I accidentally burnt down my family's outhouse! But I pretended I caught my twerp of a cousin doing it and mama was so proud of me that she bought me a pony…

Choice contestant feedback:

Wilmon Paak: *looking teary-eyed* If my father were here he'd have loved to take part… I bet we both would have baked a showstopper of the salyard and laughed about it after… *turns away* Sorry, can I have a minute?

Cassian Andor: I'm glad Brasso got Star Baker. He's the best of us, the best guy. Nah, I don't mind narrowly missing out at all.

Bix Caleen: *looks at Cassian fondly, whispers* He really should have won this week, don't you think?

Orson Krennic: *pointing at the producers* THIS SHOW IS RIGGED!

Eedy Karn: *whilst being restrained by three security guards* I'm calling Harlo about this! Aren't you going to stop them, Syril? SYRIL!

Syril Karn: *faceplants on the sofa in the green room*

Choice spectator feedback:

Dedra Meero: *sits next to the couch, patting Syril gently on the head*

Cinta Kaz: *giving Vel a shoulder massage as though she's about to enter a boxing ring* You've got this, you survived another week. You've got this…

Maarva Andor: Good god, that horrible woman. It just goes to show that being a mother has nothing to do with whether you popped the damn child out yourself.

Kleya: I told you, I'm not even watching it! *pauses, leans in* Though really, it's a classic example of mother-son friction. I'd say it was almost inevitable that there would be a bust up between them eventually. A nightmare in real life, but fantastic for a show… which I'm not watching.

Luthen: Thank the stars I'm not related to that woman, that's all I'll say. No, I don't know who this Harlo is.

Kino Loy: Yeah, the first swimming lesson went well, thanks. I almost passed out a few times, but hopefully I should be out of the armbands soon!

Previous weeks: Week 1: Bread Week, Week 2: Cake Week

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Artist Yudori musing on queer expression and queerness in fiction, diverging by cultural perception. [originally posted on instagram]

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BG3's Introduction to Classic Wizard Hubris

BG3 fandom immersion has made me really examine the game's dialogue and piece together why other people come out of it with such varying interpretations. So, let's look at the dialogue with Gale where he finally tells you about the Netherese Orb.

Because Gale mentions becoming good at magic at an "early age" and his skill earning the attention of Mystra, people assume that means Mystra was watching him since childhood, when that is pretty much not what he is saying here.

There is no timeline established here other than the fact that he was a young talent.

What Gale here is referring to is pretty common knowledge in D&D. When he says "Mystra keeps us in check," it means no mortal can cast any spells above 9th level. This was a rule implemented after the earlier editions because high-level wizards curbstomped all other classes, virtually becoming gods as they leveled. Since wizards can theoretically craft their own spells, a powerful wizard can also theoretically do anything without a power cap.

The in-universe justification given for this magic ceiling was Mystra's initial death sort of making a "net" around the Weave. This prevented Karsus from ascending to godhood and limited the power of all other wizards. Thus, the pervading stereotypes of wizard hubris and a wizard's desire to never be satisfied — because they miss those over 9th level spells, baby.

HOWEVER, if you only knew what Gale is telling you, "Mystra keeps us in check" sounds like she's hoarding power for no reason when that is pretty much not the case. Wish is a 9th level spell, and it can reshape reality and make miracles — and Mystra very much lets any wizard have access to it. Imagine wanting more than that.

Mystra didn't seem to hide the nature of the tome of Karsus. It wasn't like someone forbidding a child from doing something and refusing to explain why. Gale seems to have been fully informed and treated like an adult. The "smiled and told me to be contented" might be read as patronizing, but not at all controlling, demanding, or overbearing.

So, Gale wanted to return Netherese magic to Mystra as a "grand" gesture, so he could have access to "forbidden domains." He just finished telling the player about the Fall of Netheril, so he knows why said domains are forbidden.

But he sought out that Netherese tome to prove that he was an exceptional mortal who could control the power that destroyed Karsus and almost destroyed Mystra. Again, classic wizard hubris of wanting those sweet double-digit-level spells.

It's a very straightfoward introduction to the concept of wizard hubris™️. It gives a textbook example of a wizard who overreached and explicitly parallels Karsus with Gale. We are supposed to see Gale as the creator of his own folly, and the writing could not have been more obvious about it as Gale straight up calls himself a "villain."

The game cannot make it anymore clear that the historical precedent of wizards is if their power-tripping isn't kept in check, they will make the game awful for everyone. It's rather perplexing how some people choose to ignore all this set-up in favor of, well... reducing it into another story where an authority abuses someone under their power by limiting them. Those are lich and Red Wizard talking points!

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Pareidolia

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The Great British Andor Bake Off, Round Two

K2SO Goes Out In Round One!

After walking out of the technical challenge out of boredom and almost poisoning the judges with radium-laced rolls (both spotted by keen-eyed audience member @lighttailoring), the KX Droid is the first to exit the tent!

Star Baker: Brasso

With a stunning rustic bread loaf flavoured with a secret Ferrix herb blend, and a 24 roll showstopper that was so perfectly uniform that it brought judge Paul Hollywood to tears, the loveable Ferrix giant is the new man to beat. Now onto…

Week Two: Cake Week!

Contestants have to bake:

Signature challenge: 12 uniform mini Swiss rolls

Technical challenge: a Red Velvet cake

Showstopper challenge: a three-tiered cake that 'reminds them of home'

Notes: Please vote for who you think goes home. The voting period lasts 1 day until we get to the final 9. The contestant with the least amount of votes becomes Star Baker.

Judges' comments:

Paul Hollywood: I don't know who on earth let a droid compete. What a disaster.

Mon Mothma: Even this early on, I think it's clear which bakers don't measure up to the others. *stares at Krennic*

Presenters' comments:

Noel Fielding: *looking, confused, at Lagret* Is this guy really the only co-host the producers could get?

Lagret: When my papa said I'd be presenting a baking contest I thought he meant pottery. I don't really like food.

An Extra Slice show and podcast host's comments:

Perrin Fertha: Doesn't anyone think they're making too much fuss over the radium? Back when I was young, we'd try a bit of it with breakfast on the weekends, if you know what I mean…

Choice contestant feedback:

Eedy Karn: Rightly so! Droids shouldn't be allowed to enter competitions alongside living beings. You know, I was on the phone right away to my relative Harlo about it, I could not believe they let that thing in…

Vel Sartha: Let's just get through this, okay?

Orson Krennic: A close call? What do you mean a close call? I'm telling you, that female judge has it in for me, you mark my words…

Syril Karn: *stares at Cassian Andor*

Brasso: Star Baker! It's such an honour. I dedicate this to Ferrix. Stone and sky!

Choice spectator feedback:

Dedra Meero: Syril should have won Star Baker. I have no further comments.

Cinta Kaz: Vel should have won Star Baker. That's all I have to say.

Kaido: The droid played it all wrong. He should have put radium in some of the other contestants' bakes, cleared some of his competition rightaway. That Karn woman looks pretty frail, I bet one cake would have finished her off.

Kleya: Why are you even asking me? *walks away. then quickly walks back.* And since you asked, obviously the droid was going home from the moment he put the radium in. No, I haven't been watching the show on purpose, it simply came on by accident.

Kino Loy: Can you ask me in five minutes? I'm trying to book these swimming lessons. Yeah, thanks.

Previous weeks: Week 1: Bread Week

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is it just me or is this poll kinda... passive-aggressive towards mixed folks...

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I actually… love this

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FINALLY got around to dumping Spotify after their CEO continued to prove he's a fresh turd. (As if being a billionaire, not paying musicians, shoving AI garbage at us, and having an atrocious carbon footprint wasn't bad enough, he's now the chair of a AI-based weapons manufacturing company.)

I used TuneMyMusic ($24 annual fee you can cancel immediately, effectively paying only once) to transfer almost every single song from our Spotify account to Tidal. Tidal already has much better sound quality and they pay their artists much better. It migrated over 99% of our music, too, so there wasn't a huge loss.

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The main problem with making sweeping statements about What Christians Believe is that most people don't know that they're heretics. I have folks in my own family who profess to be Romanian Orthodox but also believe in karma and the cycle of reincarnation. They're 100% convinced that this is scripturally supported.