#// but it's their purview and discretion

[thanatologie]

@extravagantliar - question, in the space of donations to the mourn watch and other high ranking officials in the grand necropolis, we know there is obviously ethics around it, but is there any moral quandary with the use of others, or is it more of giving things new purpose and life?

so this is something i've been thinking about a lot, actually, with regard to manfred especially.  mostly because manfred's body, is, essentially, a cobbled-together skeleton from spare parts; like we know his ribs were a gift (the question is from where and who), and he picked his own skull from donations (again, where and who did it come from and i could write reams about manfred's skull in particular because it shares very similar - but not exact! - features to emmrich's skull bc i've spent so much time looking at both, yes, manfred picked a skull that would leave he and emmrich favoring one another if he had flesh i said what i said).  and we know his arms came from a charnel pit, which i imagine in reference to the mourn watch and the necropolis in general is exactly what it says it is on the tin:  just a pit full of piles of bones with no quote-unquote owner; a bones-r-us of dismembered body parts, basically.

we also don't know where the rest of his body came from, like…his fingers and toes, or his legs and pelvis.  his spine.  my assumption is - i'm writing a huge long post about manfred that's taking me way too long bc i've gotta scrape together all the dialogue, that's not exactly about this but includes it - that his whole body is made of various bits and bobs from here and there because of the idea that the corpse used to house a spirit colors the undead's actions and personality.  or, in other words, a whole corpse will cause a spirit to exhibit traits of the deceased (audric is a good example of this - technically that's not the audric that was alive, but there's enough of him in there that essentially it's audric, you get me?), manfred is mostly just manfred, because there's no one particular remnant pulling his personality in any direction.  there may be echoes, but essentially manfred is his own little dude.

like…essentially reduce, reuse, recycle is what they're doing anyway.  emmrich more than once laments the fact that the rest of thedas burns their dead (that bit about all those fine mansions burned to ash, and how he got green around the gills witnessing a funeral outside of nevarra), because raising the dead for various jobs - construction, cooking, etc - is normal in the necropolis especially.  there are rules to it, sure, and i'm sure the nobility are safe from clearing sand out of the shrouded halls (probably much to emmrich's disgruntlement lbr, mans really said the only good noble is a dead one), but like…that's what the average person can expect for their body after death.  it's what mourn watch members can expect after death, too, they're pledged to eternal vigil.

and then you get into the wibbly wobbly bits about the body needing to be whole (mummification and preserving organs) because if you're missing things in the quote-unquote real world you'll be missing them in the afterlife - it's partially why the hand of glory is such a no-no, you're harming the soul as well as the body to make one.  but, you know, sometimes there are things like mass graves, and sometimes bodies can't be identified or put back together, and the necropolis is so big, and so old, there are probably loads of bodies that have gotten scattered and can't be identified and put back together, or the skull can't be found for a corpse whisperer to have a chat with, and i imagine that's where the charnel pits come from.  like there are probably rules about what you can build from those spare parts (no 180 ft bone constructs to violently take over nevarra, for example), but also i imagine they're most frequently used for repairing skeleton workers and guards when they're damaged or for slapping together new ones as needed.

which is a really long-winded way to say yes, i think there are rules concerning where you can source the bones/parts from (charnel pits - okay, scattered bones you find somewhere outside - probably okay, bodies that have been donated to necropolis operations - okay, gifts - okay, filching from someone's tomb while they're lying in state - not okay), and what you can make out of them (manfred - okay, johanna's monstrosity - not okay), but also that there's a practical…there's no way to identify these bodies and the parts are just here in a big pile so you might as well make use of them kind of thing.  like they revere the dead and spirits, sure, but it's not all whimsical idealistic twaddle, there's a practicality in making use of that which can't be reclaimed with a name or a story.

eta: also! let's not forget they keep intruders' bodies and put them to work so...make of that what you will.

[augustinewrites]

before the start of each academic year, the akademiya hosts a welcome ceremony. back when alhaitham was a student, he really didn’t care to attend. there was no academic advantage to attending, and he didn’t care for the research opportunities he could glean from networking. 

his reasoning came more from contrarian deposition rather than moral conviction, and has not changed since. not when he was a student, not when he was a graduate student, not even when he became the scribe. it was simply because he’d gone once and it was, in his opinion, incredibly boring.

the two of you basking in the afterglow of post-coital bliss when you bring it up.

you’re tracing soft, nonsensical patterns across his chest, lulling him into a false sense of comfort. “so…about the welcome ball…”

“i am not going.”

“haitham,” you pout. “we have to go because we’re faculty. think of it as mandatory fun!” 

“you’re using an oxymoron,” he points out flatly.

“no, you’re the moron.” you giggle, reaching up to poke his cheek. “you’re also the grand sage.”

“acting grand sage,” he corrects, turning his head and biting playfully at your finger. “and as far as i’m concerned, attending social functions is not in my purview as the temporary replacement.”

the two of you have been going back and forth about this for the past week. but alhaitham, the former captain of the akademiya’s debate team, had beaten you at every turn. now you were delivering your final rebuttal, which was smartly planned to happen following your…ahem, illicit nighttime activities, when he was more pliable and susceptible to suggestion. 

“it may not be in the grand sage’s job description, but in your job description as a boyfriend? i declare that it’s mandatory.” 

“so this is a dictatorship, not a relationship. noted.” 

he laughs when you smack his shoulder. “if you don’t come, i’ll tell everyone you’re stuck at home due to uncontrollable bowel movements.” 

“and i’ll tell them it’s due to your poor culinary abilities,” he counters.  

you gasp loudly, clearly offended. “what if i tell them that the great haravatat alumnus, the akademiya scribe, and current acting grand sage alhaitham fell asleep reading a book?”

“what will you tell them i was reading? your thesis?”

you smack him in the face with your pillow this time, rolling over with a decisive hmph and taking the duvet with you in an act of petulant defiance. 

his face breaks into an easy grin, chuckling softly as he reaches out to curl an arm around your waist, pulling you close. he presses his lips to the top of your head. “i’m just teasing. if you want me to go, i’ll go. you don’t have to blackmail me.” 

“you don’t have to,” you hum. “ i’ll just go with general mahamatra cyno. he’s probably a much better date than you anyway. he’ll hold my hand and refill my drink. i bet he’s a better dancer than you are too.” 

“i suppose i’ll just have to prove you wrong then.” 

_____

the welcome ball is…tolerable at your side. alhaitham may be the acting grand sage, but sumeru’s international relations would certainly suffer if he was left to his own devices when it came to navigating small talk. 

he’d been in the role long enough to learn not to outright insult other dignitaries, but he was always quick to point out what could be improved or what wasn’t working with little discretion. 

that’s where you come in. you’ve always been inclined to politeness, effortlessly easing yourself into conversations and saving him. he appreciates it, even when he has to watch lord kamisato of inazuma’s tri-commission kiss the back of your hand with the utmost reverence.

perhaps it's his jealousy that prompts him to ask you to dance. or perhaps it’s because if alhaitham had to choose between making a fool out of himself and proving you wrong, or maintaining his dignity and proving you right, he’d choose victory nine times out of ten. 

(he’s quickly realizing that he should have let this be the tenth.) 

the room that was much too hot and crowded came alive with movement as the quartet began the smooth notes of a waltz. 

he’d read up on the basics the night before, studying the correct steps and positions and commiting them to memory. he considered himself well enough informed that he didn’t take kaveh’s offer of a dance lesson. more time on contemplation, less on execution, right?

wrong. he still steps on your toes and dips you on the wrong beats. 

but you, with your starry optimist eyes and unending patience for him, don’t let go of his hand, telling him you’re not going to let him leave until he’s given you a proper dance. 

reminding him with a teasing grin that this is a dictatorship, after all.

[enarei]

doctors observe that people undergoing a period of "real life experience" as their preferred gender prior to starting medical transition tend to have the most positive outcomes among people undergoing medical transition, based on an arbitrary set of parameters for "success" which doesn't necessarily align with the patient's own stated goals for transitioning, and doesn't account for external factors which hamper the patient's ability to immediately meet said criteria, like getting bashed every time they go outside from dressing like a faggot

doctors impose a period of "real life experience" on all patients because the data suggests patients which already displayed a high level of androgyny and socially transitioned sooner display less elevated levels of stress related to medically transitioning, tend to have an easier time finding employment, and are less taxing on social services overall. less stringent requirements exist at the discretion of privately owned, legally grey clinics and/or the patient's ability to travel to a foreign country

patients undergoing "real life experience" prior to gaining access to their desired treatment cite increased harassment in public, loss of employment, and worsening mental health symptoms; some give up on medically transitioning or seek alternative forms of healthcare through private means, including medically transitioning with no medical oversight whatsoever, exiting the purview of subsequent studies; data on desistance rates can be recorded without an accompanying reason, increasing scrutiny towards existing programs and those attempting to access them on the basis that patients giving up on available healthcare represents a form of "social contagion"

—

overall assessment of policy after 20 years:

cons: some patients kill themselves

pros: some patients kill themselves

[gallusrostromegalus]

Are there any interesting bets going on in the background and which character(s) would be in charge of the betting pool(s)?

Matsumoto Rangiku is the current reigning seated officer's betting pool Bookie, having inherited the position from former Third Division Captain Chikane Iba, mother of Tetsuzaemon Iba. They were in the Shinigami Women's Association together and terrific friends, much to Tetsuzaemon's confusion and horror. The betting pool has historically been the purview of the SWA, after it was initially organized by the now ex-Mrs. Yamamoto. While there are plenty of other betting pools, bookies and even casinos to attend, the SWA has a long history of fairness, robust organization and discretion. While nobody has OFFICIALLY run afoul of the organization for failure to pay up and there is no enforcer, smart individuals have noted that the surviving founding member is both a world expert on medical matters and a former Kenpachi and pay up and on time accordingly.

[riverxsong-ao3]

The Knights of Walpurgis: Chapter 21

The holidays ended tragically earlier than any one of them wanted them to, sending them back to the tender mercies of Umbridge and her Oversight Committee just days after Tom’s sixteenth birthday celebrations. The train ride back was quiet and morose, Draco staring out the window as Ginny clung to his side, clearly soaking up what little time she had left with him before they would have to pretend to be enemies once more. Harry, too, curled up against Tom, dozing against his shoulder, pretending not to wait for the other shoe to drop – for Umdridge to punish them for being too affectionate, for Snape to dig a little too deeply into his memories, for Dumbledore to put the pieces together. For these last, few, precious hours, they all had each other. Even Ron and Hermione seemed to be tucked up together closer than Harry’d ever seen them, and it left him wondering.

True to his fears, disaster awaited him as soon as they passed through the castle doors.

Umbridge was waiting for them, a wide grin spread across her face, her eyes bulging out maniacally. “There you are, Mr Potter, Mr Riddle,” she said, mockingly pleasant as they crossed the threshold with their trunks. “The two of you just seemingly disappeared well before break started, and I found myself wondering – why exactly could that be?”

“Family emergency,” Harry said scathingly, at the same time Tom remarked, “None of your business.”

Umbridge’s smile grew wider. “Oh, but I’m afraid it is my business,” she said gleefully. “You see, since you’ve been gone a number of Educational Decrees have been passed, most importantly Decree number thirty – no student may leave Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry outside of term breaks without first obtaining permission from the Grand Overseer. I’m afraid you’ve both broken this rule, and will be punished accordingly – unless you’d like to explain yourselves and plead your case?”

“Absolutely not!” Harry exclaimed. “‘Family emergency,’ that’s all you need to know! Whether someone was killed or simply took ill, that’s beyond your purview!”

“You’ll find it’s not, Mr Potter,” Umbridge replied, smiling nastily. “It is entirely at my discretion whether a student’s extenuating circumstances warrant an unscheduled trip out of the castle – and as neither of you have any family, I cannot accept that as an excuse for your absence.”

“Excuse me?” Harry snapped. “Have you forgotten my godfather’s existence? Have you forgotten the Weasleys, who literally adopted me according to Muggle standards? Just because Voldemort killed my parents doesn’t mean I have no family! And as Tom is my intended, that makes all of them his family as well!”

“Mr Potter,” Umbridge chirped, “you are forgetting Educational Decree Twenty-Five –”

“No, I’m not!” Harry fairly shouted. “You may be able to control our movements and relationships within the castle, but outside of school you have nothing to do with us! It’s perfectly legal for two men to marry each other, and that’s precisely what we intend to do as soon as we’re of age!” Harry rubbed his thumb against the ring Tom had given him, the one passed down through the Gaunts that was currently concealed by Parselmagic. “You might be able to punish us for open displays of affection, but you can’t prevent two people from simply loving each other!”

Umbridge’s expression had gone quite sour, her nasty grin fading into a tight, pursed scowl, as though she had accidentally sucked on a lemon. “How utterly disgusting,” she snarled. “It seems you two need to be taught a lesson on skirting around the rules I’ve put in place to make Hogwarts a respectable establishment of education. No more unscheduled trips out of school for either of you – and no more Hogsmeade’s visits, I think.”

“What?” Tom snarled, and Harry understood his indignation immediately – whether he agreed with the idea or not, Hogsmeade had been Tom’s venue for meeting with his Death Eater spy. “That’s ridiculous, Harry and I have broken none of your rules whilst on Hogwarts’ grounds!”

“Haven’t you?” Umbridge asked, her tone girlish once more, setting Harry on edge. “I have it on good authority that the two of you spend your nights in the same bed – what utter distress that must cause your dorm mates, to bear witness to such degeneracy. We’ll have to see about setting up separate rooms for the two of you, perhaps even alter your schedules so as to keep you apart.” She giggled. “I’ll let you two go now – head on down to your dorm, but don’t get too comfortable!”

[onewomancitadel]

Well, don't ask how I got on this topic, but the pro/anti debate really illuminates how apparent the issue is between how something ideally work and how something should pragmatically work. Pragmatically I don't think artistic censorship is justifiable, even for things I find personally repugnant; it would be used in favour of things beyond your control, that's just a fact. Pragmatically though you also can't deny say, the example I've used in the past because it is extreme but illustrates the point, that if you found somebody you personally knew IRL writing graphic rape or murder fantasies about you, or a character named after you (that you infer to be you), you would absolutely have reason to act and maybe most of all be deeply offended. "Antis" deny the former, "proshippers" largely deny the latter. Hence my objection to the framework.

Ideally I think everybody should be making good, justified art all the time. Ideally all works which explore dark topics are not doing so only for base titillation (which in my view can exist alongside serious treatment). Ideally the full range of the human experience can be explored artistically and in response to that art. To try and deny that is, in my view, antihumanistic and against the very foundation of creativity, and further to that, I would really like to not have the mind police in my head trying to weigh up all my fantasies through a transactional lense.

Equally nor do I think that pragmatic sense of what is permissible to publish is at all confluent with your own personal moral judgement. Personal moral judgement and a larger cultural sense of shame is very powerful for policing behaviour in ways which laws aren't. In this sense I could say that the anti project is successful because we operate within this system of artistic - let's be honest - shipping consumption good or shipping consumption bad veil of fear. What constitutes 'good' and 'bad' varies; having been cancelled repeatedly on the interwebs for shipping Reylo I'm not sure that the anti framework is well-intentioned and necessarily coherent. Having further surveyed the variety of incest shippers in ASOIAF who self-identify as antis and get angry about other competing incestuous ships, methinks there is more often than not personal interest involved here.

This means (for people like me) who have a nuanced view - that is, for people who are not terminally fucking shipbrained and take this argument to its logical conclusion, that is, applicable to all art everywhere - the debate is actually worthless. It is really worthless, I'm sorry. And listen, I'm very empathetic; I block users who interact with my blog that have repellent misogynistic hentai all over their blog. I don't really try to apply a consciously feminist framework to my own writing, because I prefer a more neutral approach (that is, trying to tell a story first), but feminist or no, I don't want to think about human beings as sex objects. Where does that fit into the pro/anti paradigm? It doesn't, because the anti approach is about judging discrete units of ships independent of any narrative theory and the proship approach has a split pragmatic view (censorship bad) versus idealistic view (anything and everything should go), which doesn't leave much room for a coherent feminist analysis. Soz. I guess they tend to view it as feminist in the sense of sex positivity, but I also wouldn't necessarily call it sex positive to uncritically reproduce patriarchal sexual objectification. Speaking in a broad sense, lol. But I also don't think that pragmatically that is justifiable to censor!

These are fringe fandom antics and ultimately I don't think it's really moving the tick counter in any definable way when it comes to "patriarchal products" within society, if that's even within your purview. Certainly rarely enough for antis - again I'm thinking of the ASOIAF "anti" incest shippers who read the series known for being insensitive about its portrayal of rape - and certainly this bolsters the proship defense because it's not like (largely) women and/or trans people writing fanfic about their dollies having inappropriate amounts of sex is really the clincher in holding patriarchy together. But that's because I have a feminist interest and the pro/anti paradigm does not have a feminist framework by and large, only invoking it when it's rhetorically convenient. Neither side is convinced by the other because they are operating within self-interest, not really with a genuine goal of social justice. There are certainly examples (probably most of my mutuals who think of themselves as proshippers) of that genuine goal, and I've read convincing pieces from antis even though I think it all falls apart from its maximal utilitarian perspective (can't find the post, but I think once you introduce moral didacticism, you end up down an accelerated path to boredom very quickly; if this must be morally minded, then to not be morally minded in every way is irresponsible).

There's a point I want to return to which is the notion is that well-intentioned censorship (don't make works with incest (there goes Gothic literature), rape (GRRM can't get his rocks off anymore; now a huge topic which orders patriarchal abuse of men and women etc. is off limits?), etc.) eventually leads to that censorship and control being misused. (A related issue is that leftists against free speech are always very surprised to see censorship used against themselves because we are self-defeating). I think it would be naïve to pretend that this is not a welcome intention for the intent of control. I understand that there are lots of people online who are surprised to learn that there are people in the world acting with malice and having seen the anti/pro furore lead to some vicious consequences I do really think that there are malicious actors involved who are excited at the idea of this. These are not people who can be reasoned with on a pragmatic or idealistic basis and is the reason that I am wary of this "movement" altogether. Yes, there are people acting out of self-interest, and equally I think part of that self-interest is simply just malicious. It is honestly where the proshippers really frighten me, having seen proshippers go beyond the case of the written word and literature and begin to defend products I believe to be unconscionable, indefensible and actually dangerous. (I don't even want to discuss the material, sorry).

I don't just reject the pro/anti stuff because I think it's unreasonable, I reject it because this dynamic obviously invites the self-interested and it encourages malice (cancel antis/cancel proshippers/censor whomever you don't like, beyond pragmatic reason). I don't think it's an accident that it was borne of hyperinflated self-monitoring and scrutiny on the smallest vagaries of your politics (whether you hold them in the right order or not) and the more broader, precipitating idea that consumption - and consequently the commercialisation of art as consumption - figures as a politics of its own. Then again, there's probably some religious neuroticism mixed in there too.

I guess getting cancelled for having the same kin as somebody else was the new idolatry. You wouldn't remember kin lists. That's probably my ultimate thesis: I think this is just another way that people act with self-interest within fandom to secure the safety of a possessive sense over their own ships and characters - ship wars, in essence - to be malicious little trolls - to disguise a nested shame - nowhere do I think any sort of coherent approach to art and a social justice politics and moral philosophy actually figures in here. Pro/anti paradigm is lacking in at least one of these in some essential way which leaves them open to profound weakness, but that weakness is only apparent if you bother thinking about it beyond what erotica you are going to be writing.

No, I'll tell you the reason I wrote this post, it's because I think somebody followed me with 'proships DNI' in their bio and I still don't know what to do about it. What are we?

[libertineangel]

The joke in that reblog stood for itself but I do wanna mention that my sister's TTRPG system took magical creativity even further and didn't have set Spells at all

She based the entire concept of the system in how annoying she found it when her regular group constantly paused action and storytelling to look things up in tables and cross-reference sourcebooks, so she did away with that by just describing how things work and leaving everything within it up to player imagination and GM (i.e. her) discretion

The magic system used the four elements plus an additional fifth type that manipulated physical laws & properties, and categorised uses as either attack, defence, or healing, and you could do anything you wanted as long as you could convincingly describe how it fit under the purview of your character's elemental affinity

The fifth magic type was so fun 'cause you could get as inventive as you like - of particular note was one move during the Big Final Boss Battle, when my sister's ex paved the way for us totally curbstomping the guy by successfully casting Super Glaucoma

[mayra-quijotescx]

'go do the thing' won, and precisely three hours later, I arrived back home with the reassurance that at least I'd gotten that particular side trip out of my system.

The place was lovely. It was. but I am an expert at talking myself out of cool stuff I could buy, and Cool Stuff You Can Buy is the main purview of the place I went. They also had a tarot reader, but I'm quite aware of what's missing from my life, and with no disrespect to people who practice and put stock in divination, the answers and guidance I need aren't going to come from a deck of cards in the hands of a stranger.

The second bus on the 'get there' trip having gotten hung up in traffic and delayed nearly 40 minutes from its original time, my trip to the place took about an hour and thirty minutes, and when an awkward check of my phone showed the first return trip bus was about to land at the 'nearby' transit center, I hastily thanked the shopkeeps for letting me look around and bailed. I'd seen everything in there at least twice at that point, and, this being Houston and not a city worth the title, there was nothing else around for me to spend an additional 30 minutes at. And I was going to need to pee at some point. As a side note, alongside all the other reasons that the 'trans people using public bathrooms' panic is ridiculous, it should perhaps be brought up more that public bathrooms don't even exist around here. Might as well froth at the mouth about us filthy transes destroying the sanctity of the local unicorn pens or teleportation hubs.

For most of the return trip, everyone on the first bus was treated to the noise of another of God's Most Important Adult Children Who Must Be The Loudest Person In Any Situation* (to the point that the bus driver told him off, which shut him up for seven minutes before he decided to see how serious the driver was about throwing him out), I finished the book I was halfway through at the start of this entire 'going outside' ordeal, got off the first bus two streets early and walked the rest of the way to the transit center so I could be alone for a bit and clear my head, but I was rewarded with a most surprising treat on the second bus: seeing someone actually using headphones! I was beginning to fear that what's left of society had entirely abandoned such a basic courtesy.

*my standards for an okay time outside have dropped so desperately low that I wouldn't have even had a problem with this if the music he'd been tonelessly trying to accompany had been any good. Please let your interpretation of that sentence be informed by the fact that I am somewhat renowned for my own lack of musical discretion. His choices were just that disappointingly basic.

Oh, and you know, it was 49F and windy the whole way to and from. Which was actually nice, because that's the kind of fucking weather you're supposed to get here in February, and we've hardly had any.

[vaspider]

No, I understand that. However, the processes and procedures for changing your gender on your passport are a thing that is under the purview of the Secretary of State. You know how I know that? Because Hillary Clinton is the person who gave us - at her sole discretion - self-attestation of gender with no letters required and no song and dance necessary. She was able to do that because it was within her purview. So changing/removing the procedures for changing gender is something the State Department can Just Do, unless some part of that has been established in another way, possibly.

The reason why I add on that last bit is because the addition of the X marker was added because of a lawsuit. The State Department was ordered to make that change by the courts, and so that, if I am remembering the suit correctly, is not something they can just Decide To Change.

So it may end up that they can't take X passports away from anyone who already has one, for example, but they don't have to provide a way for you to change your gender at all.

I'm well aware that an EO is not a law; I'm just also aware that there are in fact some things that various departments can just change all on their own, bc they aren't established by law but are within the purview of certain departments or offices to set up.

So… I got a notification from the State Department at like 8 PM Pacific that my passport was approved, and I was quietly thankful and stunned bc my legal gender in Oregon is listed as X, or undeclared, and that's what's on my passport. I'm pretty sure someone(s) worked late to get the X passports done today.

I was already really grateful to whoever in the Seattle Passport Office worked late to get these things processed on the last Friday before That Man gets back into office... and then I got a notification that my passport shipped at fucking midnight Pacific and whoever got that shit out the door so it couldn't be picked up on Monday and like, denied and shredded?

They're my fucking hero.

[tac0tesseract]

Cycles

cw: Kids in a RA cult. Mentions and implications of various kinds of abuse, although nothing explicit. Proceed at your own discretion.

It took an age for Emma to feel safe leaving the bathroom again. Naturally Astrid had found her there, had waited until she was trapped in a stall to come in and scream at her. She demanded to know why Union was in Emma’s recent search history; Emma tried to explain that she’d gone down a sOna concert rabbit hole and that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Astrid responded by backhanding her with the clawed hand.

“You’re so fucking arrogant,” she hissed before storming out.

When Emma could finally stop herself from fitfully trembling, she wiped away the blood and the smudged mascara, adjusting her hair to try and hide the new scratches on her face. She hoped they would heal ok; scars weren’t sexy, at least not on someone like her. With that, she pulled her jacket tighter around her, popped the collar, and tried to make herself as small as possible as she shuffled out.

Time was extra-nebulous on board the Minotaur. In here it was “night”, but only as much as it was “night” anywhere else. Maggi had turned the lights down and most people had gone to bed; outside, at least as far as Emma knew, the mech was currently lurking in a Volador cargo bay on the way to the nearest blinkgate. 

A low mechanical drone often filled the background of their base when it was silent like this – though as she passed one of the bunks, she heard a familiar pair of voices. Emma paused just outside, holding her breath.

“...don’t know what it’s like in the Purview, man,” Daniel said. “You’re just supposed to suck it up.”

“You said it wasn’t his fault, though.” Knight’s voice always reminded Emma of a bugle for some reason, if such an instrument could be played so soft.

“Yeah, not that time,” Dan spat. “But let’s be real, man – he was an irredeemable cocksucker even on a good day. And so the harder his social credit tanked the more he just…fuckin’...spiraled out of control.”

“He was abusing you,” Knight said. “You were right to get out.”

Dan gave a bitter laugh. “That’s the real punch to the balls, ain’t it? I should be happy the colony’s toast. So why am I crying for him now?”

Emma decided it was time to go. Knight was sitting facing the door, and they caught her movement even through the darkness; she saw their bionic eyes glint at her as she passed, their froglike lips pressed into a hard line. On bad days – most days – when she was forced to defend herself against Knight’s mocking and Daniel’s hands, Emma deliberately made fun of their appearance because she knew it was a sore spot. But tonight, when she saw how utterly raw the both of them looked, she found her hatred stunted by pity.

Knight saw that Astrid had similarly rattled her. Emma got the sense that she had their pity in return.

=*=*=

If Sai ever came to him, it was usually at this hour – at a time when nobody would be around to see. Sam watched through the mech’s sensors as the kid hesitantly shuffled up, knelt at its feet, and began to light some incense. Their priest had told them all that it was a proper offering to an angel; Sam thought it was hilarious because he had no sense of smell, but he played along anyway.

���You know, fire in a place like this probably isn’t the best idea,” he said as he manifested his hologram at full-size in the cockpit. “But I appreciate the gesture nevertheless.”

Sai looked up at him, stood, clenched and unclenched his hands. There was so much written on his face, but he swallowed and hesitated.

“What’s on your mind?” Sam asked.

Sai forced himself to exhale and relax. He had a severe stutter, which meant he often chose to remain silent – but taking forever to say things didn’t feel so daunting when speaking to a being who had all the time in the world. He struggled to get his words out, but eventually he said, “Are you able to heal people?”

Oh. Sam knew where this was going.

“Not exactly,” he said as casually as he could. “I can undo harm, but it’s not the same.” Sai’s eyes fell. “Besides, that implies that something’s wrong with you.”

Sai clenched his fists again. 

“Just because they mock how you speak doesn’t mean they’re right.” If he was better at this whole angel business, Sam would probably quote an inspiring or at least relevant passage from the Lessons right now, but…he wasn’t. He still had a hard time believing he was an angel at all. “In fact if I were you I would ask myself what kind of person does that in the first place.”

Sai carefully ventured his gaze back up to study him. Sam folded his arms and “leaned” against the side of the cockpit.

“Can I ask you something?”

Sai nodded.

“What brought you here?”

“Sanjak,” the kid replied.

“Ah. An Ungrateful.” It was the hook Sam needed; he could see some of the threads of the past around the boy now, chaotic and bloody and sad. Much like Emma – like all these kids – Sai had been taught to kill too early. “Cousins showed up, bailed you out, and you thought to join.”

Sai nodded. “A debt.”

“So…I’m curious. How does Horizon fit into all that? How does fighting them benefit Sanjak?”

Now Sai froze, and Sam immediately realized his mistake. This wasn’t going to prompt Sai to critically think about The Cousins – he was going to parse this as a test, as the angel checking his loyalty.

“A debt,” he said again, more carefully this time. “To Uncle.”

Sam gave his best fake smile and a nod.

Mercifully, Sai caught a flicker of movement as Emma appeared on the far end of the hangar. He hastily snuffed out the incense, stuffed his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants, and turned to leave. He and Emma did not acknowledge each other as they passed; both of them had their eyes on the ground.

Then Emma made it to the foot of the mech and looked up at Sam in askance, and Sam saw the fresh red lines across her face. He felt his shackles tighten as his temper flared.

Such a cycle of misery in this place. It’d been so easy for Uncle to collect the unwanted and the lost.

He had to remind himself that it wouldn’t be forever.

=*=*=

Emma blinked as a new pulse rocked La Pulga, shoving her back to the present. The space around the metavault had changed again; her systems screeched and reeled with an unexplained power surge. Her eyes darted to the others, to their statistics – all safe. Relatively speaking, anyway.

The time stream. She’d been in the time stream just now. The core wasn’t active, but given how often she’d been using it lately…

Given she’d been diving when Sam had cascaded two days ago…

His little projection caught her eyes. He knew what she saw. He’d been there with her just now.

Outside, Halcyon – missing an arm already – was pulling Fare Thee Well to safety. Knell was super on fire. Dan’s exosuit ragdolled free from her grasp and was dog-paddling away into the trees before gravity fully set back in. Sai stood defiant in his cloud of nanites, his demonic visage all the worse for Thresher’s plasma burns. Baccara seemed to dwarf his Balor by the second as it loomed in closer. Both Dan and Sai were missing half their mechs now. Never once, in all the times she’d run with the Cousins, had Emma ever seen either of them so damaged.

The Vacationers were stronger. A lot stronger. That was…a surreal feeling, especially when Emma had once been the weakest Cousin of all.

“What do we do?” she whispered to Sam. “They’re not listening. They’re going to die.”

“The fight’s not over yet,” he said. “They’ve never had to face destruction without us there to undo their mistakes. When their mechs are on their last legs they will suddenly need to decide whether they’re loyal to RA, Uncle – or themselves.”

If that was true, then Knight must have decided they were loyal to Dan in the end.

“That’s a hell of a gamble,” she breathed. “All this time I wished they’d just die. I guess the monkey’s paw curled.”

“Well? What do you want to do, Em?”

Emma flexed her fingers in the controls, attention momentarily diverted as the ghosts of new timelines began to play in front of her eyes again. She could almost understand a few. Was this going to be how they made it through the vault?

“Something dumb, probably,” she said.

[daphenominchief]

Francisco, Jr. vs. Nagmamalasakit na mga Manananggol ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino, Inc., G.R. No. 160261

Facts:

Multiple petitions were filed with the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the second impeachment complaint against then Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr..

The petitions challenged the actions of the House of Representatives in initiating a second impeachment complaint within a one-year period, which petitioners argued is a violation of the Constitution.

Petitioners raised issues regarding the definition of the term "initiate" in the context of impeachment, the power of judicial review over impeachment proceedings, and the requisites for the exercise of such power.

The Court also considered the issues of locus standi (legal standing) of the petitioners, ripeness, and the political question doctrine.

The Supreme Court consolidated the petitions, required comments from the House of Representatives and the Senate, set oral arguments, and appointed amici curiae to provide expert opinions on the issues.

The Court recognized the transcendental importance of the issues raised, which had significant implications for the balance of power among the branches of government.

Issues:

Procedural Issues:

Does the Supreme Court have the power of judicial review over impeachment proceedings?

Do the petitioners have locus standi to bring the case?

Is the issue ripe for judicial determination?

Does the case present a political question that is beyond the Court's purview?

Substantive Issues:

What is the meaning of “initiate” in the context of impeachment proceedings?

Does the second impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide violate the one-year bar rule provided in the Constitution?

Are the House Rules on Impeachment constitutional?

Does the legislative inquiry that led to the second impeachment complaint violate the principle of separation of powers and the fiscal autonomy and independence of the judiciary?

Ruling:

Answer: The Supreme Court held that it had the power of judicial review over the impeachment proceedings and that the second impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide violated the one-year bar rule in the Constitution. The Court also found that the petitioners had the requisite legal standing to bring the case, the issue was ripe for adjudication and did not constitute a political question.

Legal Basis:

Judicial Review: The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, which has the duty to settle actual controversies involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine if there has been a grave abuse of discretion on the part of any branch of the government. The power of judicial review is subject to certain limitations, including the existence of an actual case or controversy, locus standi, the issue of constitutionality being raised at the earliest possible opportunity, and the issue of constitutionality being the very lis mota of the case.

Locus Standi: Locus standi requires a personal and substantial interest in the case, such that the party has sustained, or will sustain, direct injury as a result of the governmental act being challenged. However, the Court has, on occasion, adopted a liberal attitude towards locus standi when the issues raised are of transcendental significance.

Political Question: The political question doctrine is not an absolute bar to judicial review when there is a clear violation of the Constitution, or grave abuse of discretion.

Ripeness: A case is considered ripe for adjudication when an action has been performed by either branch of government.

Initiation of Impeachment: The term "initiate" in the context of impeachment refers to the act of filing a verified complaint in the House of Representatives. An impeachment "case" is initiated in the Senate when the articles of impeachment are transmitted from the House. An impeachment "proceeding" begins in the House of Representatives when the complaint is filed and goes through various steps such as committee review and plenary consideration.

One-Year Bar Rule: The Constitution states that "no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year". This provision prohibits the initiation of a second impeachment proceeding within one year of the first.

Application:

The Court determined that the petitioners had legal standing because the issues raised were of transcendental importance, the rights of the Chief Justice were affected, and the situation warranted a relaxation of the rules.

The Court held that there was an actual case or controversy ripe for adjudication because the second impeachment complaint had already been filed and was being acted upon by the House.

The Court concluded that the issue was justiciable and not a political question, because it involved an interpretation of the Constitution and a determination of whether there had been a grave abuse of discretion.

The Court interpreted the word "initiate" in Section 3(5) of Article XI to mean the beginning of the impeachment proceeding, which occurs in the House of Representatives with the filing of a verified complaint. The transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate is the beginning of an impeachment case.

Based on this interpretation, the Court found that the second impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide was filed within one year of the first complaint, thus violating the one-year bar rule of the Constitution.

Conclusion: The Supreme Court declared that it had the authority to review the actions of the House of Representatives, that the second impeachment complaint violated the one-year bar rule, and was therefore unconstitutional. The Court emphasized that it was not asserting judicial supremacy, but rather upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Doctrine:

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review extends to all branches of government and includes the power to determine whether there has been a grave abuse of discretion.

The concept of locus standi may be relaxed when the issues raised are of transcendental importance.

The political question doctrine does not prevent judicial review when there is a clear violation of the Constitution or a grave abuse of discretion.

The term "initiate" in the context of impeachment refers to the beginning of the impeachment proceeding in the House of Representatives.

The one-year bar rule prohibits the initiation of a second impeachment proceeding against the same official within one year of the first.

Ratio:

The Court's decision aimed to uphold the integrity of the Constitution and the system of checks and balances among the branches of government.

The Court's interpretation of "initiate" was based on the principle of reddendo singula singulis, distinguishing between "cases" and "proceedings" to give effect to the framers' intent and the overall structure of the Constitution.

The Court emphasized its duty to interpret the Constitution and to ensure that all branches of government act within their constitutional limits.

The Court recognized the importance of protecting the judiciary's independence and preventing undue harassment or abuse of power through impeachment.

The decision underscores the importance of procedural regularity and adherence to constitutional provisions in all governmental actions, especially those with political ramifications such as impeachment.

The ruling shows that the judiciary can intervene to clarify constitutional ambiguities and check potential abuses, even when it involves political processes and powerful actors.

The Court acknowledged that while it is not superior to other branches, it is the final interpreter of the constitution and has the duty to ensure its supremacy.

[crownofconvergencerp]

𝐕𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑

the phrase “too clever by half” might have been inspired by veda.  despite her beginnings on the streets of destarin surviving on the scraps she could find for herself, she has managed to become a semi-reputable tavern owner at the age of 38.  though she openly deals in food and alcohol, vee also peddles in secrets and claims to know everyone worth knowing within the town. 

TW: Child Abuse, Death, Poverty, Child Abandonment, Homelessness, Starvation.

Veda’s first vivid memory was that of gnawing hunger, filth beneath her fingernails, and pain.  No one could tell her how long she had been at the orphanage with any sort of certainty, but it didn’t take long for her to forge her own path that didn’t involve daily abuse and starvation.  At least on the streets, strangers would sometimes take pity on her and give a coin, or a chunk of bread.  Any time she thought about returning to the orphanage, she thought about those strangers and their kindness -- there was no mercy to be found between those four walls.

It didn’t take long for Vee to realize that begging alone would not be enough to survive for long.  Fast and clever, she took to picking pockets when desperate, often taking beatings when she was unsuccessful.  It only takes so many lashes for hard lessons to be learned, and her abilities quickly grew.  After a year of going unhanded, her confidence soared.  Until she decided to slip into the wrong tavern.  Or the right one, depending on perspective.

Duarte Goodwine, a Withermore warlock and current owner of the tavern, caught the thief red handed. Blood, Sweat, and Beers was particularly busy that night, Vee trying to slip through the crowd unnoticed given the general raucousness of the pub’s patrons.  The tavern owner took pity on the lowly human, taking her under his wing and teaching her the ins and outs of the business.  Duarte even went so far as to teach her to read and do basic math so she could help handle the bookkeeping.  One thing the man did not teach her was the value of the secrets she overheard while serving customers, in discovering who to go to for what when discretion was required.  Both served her well before the old warlock passed away and left her the tavern; once it was under her purview, they became the bread and butter of her business behind closed doors.

WHAT ARE YOU...?

species: human. weaknesses: mortality. strengths: nothing beyond the normal scope of humanity. physical description: 5’2” slight brunette with brown eyes and a mischievous grin. additional info: none.

veda "vee" is played by ali and their fc is jenna coleman.

[andersonco1]

Solving the Unsolvable: A Day in the Life of a Private Detective

Private detectives, often portrayed as enigmatic figures in film noir, play a vital role in solving cases that fall outside the purview of law enforcement. A day in the life of a private detective is a dynamic journey through the intricacies of investigations, combining intuition, methodology, and a relentless pursuit of truth. Let's unravel the mysteries that shroud the profession and gain insight into the unique challenges faced by these modern-day sleuths.

Morning Briefing: Strategizing for the Day Ahead

The day for a private detective typically begins with a morning briefing. This is the time to review ongoing cases, prioritize tasks, and strategize for the day ahead. While some cases may involve surveillance to gather evidence of infidelity, others may require extensive background checks for corporate clients or locating missing persons.

Setting the tone for the day involves assessing the progress made on each case, identifying any new leads, and allocating resources accordingly. The ability to switch seamlessly between different types of investigations showcases the versatility that defines the private detective profession.

The Art of Surveillance: Blending into the Background

A significant portion of a private detective's day involves surveillance. Whether tailing a subject on foot or tracking them through city streets, surveillance requires a blend of patience, discretion, and the ability to blend into the background. Skilled private detectives can observe their subjects without arousing suspicion, capturing crucial moments that may serve as evidence in a case.

In the age of technology, surveillance has extended into the digital realm. Private detectives leverage sophisticated tools to monitor online activities, track digital footprints, and unravel the complexities of cyber investigations. This modern approach adds a layer of intricacy to the art of surveillance, requiring detectives to adapt to evolving technologies.

Interviews and Interrogations: Uncovering Hidden Truths

Conducting interviews and interrogations is another crucial aspect of a private detective's day. These interactions provide an opportunity to extract information, uncover hidden truths, and understand the motivations behind certain behaviors. Unlike law enforcement, private detectives often operate in a more informal setting, relying on their interpersonal skills to gain the trust of interviewees.

The ability to read body language, discern deception, and ask probing questions without overstepping ethical boundaries is an art mastered by seasoned private detectives. These skills are honed through experience and contribute significantly to the detective's effectiveness in solving cases.

Digital Forensics: Navigating the Virtual Landscape

The digital age has transformed the landscape of investigations, and private detectives are no strangers to the realm of digital forensics. A portion of their day is dedicated to navigating the virtual world, examining electronic devices, analyzing data trails, and uncovering hidden information.

From tracing the digital footprints of individuals to investigating online threats and cybercrimes, private detectives leverage their technological expertise to solve cases that would have been unimaginable in the analog era. This intersection of traditional investigative methods with cutting-edge technology showcases the adaptability required in the modern private detective's toolkit.

Background Checks and Research: Digging Deeper

Private detectives spend a significant amount of time conducting thorough background checks and research. Whether it's for a corporate client vetting a potential employee or a client seeking information about a personal connection, this phase involves delving into public records, social media profiles, and any other available sources of information.

The meticulous nature of background checks requires attention to detail and the ability to connect seemingly unrelated dots. Private detectives become digital detectives, sifting through vast amounts of data to construct a comprehensive picture that may hold the key to solving a case.

Ethical Considerations: Balancing Truth and Privacy

In the course of their day, private detectives constantly navigate ethical considerations. The pursuit of truth must be balanced with a respect for the rights and privacy of individuals under investigation. The line between lawful inquiry and invasion of privacy is a tightrope walked with precision, requiring detectives to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Transparent communication with clients about the legal and ethical boundaries of an investigation is paramount. Private detectives must ensure that their methods align with established standards and that the pursuit of truth does not compromise the rights of those involved.

Conclusion: Unveiling Truths in the Shadows

A day in the life of a private detective is a multifaceted journey through the intricacies of solving the unsolvable. From morning briefings to the art of surveillance, interviews, digital forensics, and background checks, every aspect of the day contributes to the detective's mission of unveiling truths hidden in the shadows.

The private detective profession requires a unique blend of skills – from keen observation and analytical thinking to technological expertise and ethical considerations. As these modern-day sleuths navigate the complexities of investigations, they play a crucial role in delivering justice, uncovering secrets, and providing closure to those in search of the truth.

[boisewillandtrustlaw]

Navigating the Waters of Estate Planning: The Power of Revocable Trusts

In the serene town of Eagle, nestled amidst picturesque landscapes and tranquil surroundings, the importance of estate planning echoes through its communities. Families, individuals, and retirees alike ponder over the legacy they wish to leave behind and the security they desire for their loved ones. Among the array of estate planning tools available, the revocable trust emerges as a beacon of flexibility and control, offering residents of Eagle a strategic avenue for safeguarding their assets and securing their futures.

Estate planning services in Eagle have witnessed a surge in interest surrounding revocable trusts, and for good reason. A revocable trust, as its name implies, grants the grantor the ability to make changes, modifications, or even revoke the trust during their lifetime, offering a level of adaptability that resonates with individuals seeking comprehensive estate planning solutions. Unlike irrevocable trusts, which entail a more permanent disposition of assets, the revocable trust provides a dynamic framework that can evolve alongside the grantor's circumstances and preferences.

One of the key advantages of establishing a revocable trust lies in its ability to bypass the probate process. Probate, the legal validation of a will, can be a time-consuming and costly affair, subjecting estates to potential delays and expenses. By transferring assets into a revocable trust, individuals can circumvent probate proceedings, ensuring a smoother transition of assets to beneficiaries upon their passing. This streamlined process not only alleviates the burden on loved ones but also preserves the privacy of estate affairs, shielding them from public scrutiny.

Moreover, a revocable trust affords a level of confidentiality that resonates deeply with residents of Eagle who prioritize discretion and autonomy in their estate planning endeavors. Unlike a will, which becomes a matter of public record upon probate, a revocable trust operates outside the purview of the courts, preserving the confidentiality of asset distribution and minimizing the risk of unwanted scrutiny or interference. For individuals navigating complex family dynamics or sensitive financial arrangements, this aspect of privacy holds immense appeal, fostering peace of mind and security in their estate planning journey.

Within the realm of Estate Planning Revocable Trust, the versatility of revocable trusts shines brightly as individuals seek to address a myriad of financial and personal considerations. From facilitating seamless wealth transfer to providing for dependents with special needs, the customizable nature of revocable trusts empowers grantors to tailor their estate plans according to their unique circumstances and objectives. Whether it involves the protection of assets from creditors or the establishment of specific conditions for inheritance, the flexibility inherent in revocable trusts affords individuals the freedom to craft comprehensive and nuanced strategies that reflect their values and priorities.

In the heart of Eagle, where community values and familial ties form the bedrock of daily life, the concept of legacy transcends mere financial assets, encompassing cherished memories, shared experiences, and the enduring values that define generations. Through the strategic utilization of revocable trusts, residents of Eagle can safeguard their legacies and ensure that their wishes resonate far beyond the confines of their lifetimes. By entrusting their estate planning needs to knowledgeable professionals versed in the intricacies of revocable trusts, individuals can embark on a journey of empowerment and assurance, secure in the knowledge that their aspirations will endure for generations to come.

[ayejayque]

The meaning, objectives, and functions that make-up financial management

What financial management means This means planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the financial practices of obtaining and spending the funds of the corporation. When general management principles are applied to the finances of the corporation, financial management comes into play. Scope/Fundamentals - One can invest in fixed assets. This is called capital budgeting. In current assets are invested in, these are known as working capital decisions. - Financial decisions relate to raising finance from assorted sources. The decisions are based on the source in question, the financing period, the financing cost, and the subsequent returns. - As regards the decision regarding the dividend, the finance manager must decide about the distribution of the profit. This is usually divided into two parts: - - For shareholders, a dividend and its rate have to be decided and agreed upon. - For retention an agreed number of profits need to be retained for the future needs of the corporation. Objectives The procurement of funds, their allocation, and control come under the purview of financial management. The objectives are: - To make sure the timely and required supply of funds keeps happening. - To make sure of the returns to the shareholders. This depends on the earning capacity, the market price, and the expectations of the shareholders. - To make sure that the funds are utilized optimally. Their use should be in the best manner and at the least possible cost. - To make sure that the funds are safely invested. This ensures safe returns which are timely. - To have a robust capital structure in place. The balance between debt and equity must be kept at all times. For this to happen the composition of capital should be fair and sound. Functions - The capital requirements of the company need to be estimated by the finance manager. This is done keeping in mind, the future expected costs, profits, programs, and policies of a corporation. Well-made estimations increase the earning capacity of the corporation. - The determination of the capital structure, which includes the short and long-term debt-equity analysis, needs to be done by the financial manager. This depends on the portion of equity capital that a company has along with additional external funds that have to be raised. - Choice of sources of funds: For additional funds to be procured, a company has many choices. The choice depends on the relative pros and the cons of each of the following sources, along with the financing period. The choices are - - Shares and debentures issuance - Loan acquisition from banks and financial institutions - Issuance of bonds to invite public deposits - Proper and profitable allocation of funds into ventures that are safe needs to be done by the finance manager. - The finance manager can decide about the disposal of surplus funds. This can be done in two ways: - Dividend declaration, which includes dividend rate plus bonuses if any - Retained profits, again at the discretion of the finance manager, keeping in mind future needs like expansion, innovation, and diversification of the corporation. - General cash management, which includes payments, wages, salaries, utility bills payment, creditor payments, liability payments, stock management, and raw material procurement is also under the work sphere of the financial manager. - All control over finances needs to be exercised by the financial manager. Tools like ratio analysis, financial forecasting, cost and profit control, etc. are used for the purpose. Read the full article

[jacqueline-riggwells-gaming-blog]

I'm working on a morale system for my PF2 game for their friendly NPCs (I've already cribbed B/X wholesale for enemies) - especially since they've got more crew on their new, larger, boat AND are rapidly collecting named, significant, NPCs. I wanna remove my own considerations from the equation as much as possible, y'know? "The dice declared mutiny, not me."

I kinda wanna keep the B/X 2D6 bell curve (in part because I already stole it for the enemy morale and that'll make it easier on me to remember?) but adding like Arkk the Kobold Sorcerer's +4 to that makes it hard to fail?

Current thoughts:

Each player character *can* but need not Influence up to their charisma modifier in NPCs and/or NPC groups (so their magus friend takes a whole slot while "The Crew" who are just a bunch of like Level 0 Expert Sailors also take just one slot) who have their own, discrete, morale number from like 6-8 when they're recruited.

Each Influenced NPC adds *half* their influencing PCs charisma modifier (rounded up?) to their morale. Keeps the numbers a little more sane? But still gives a side benefit for being a Charisma primary class or pumping Charisma.

When asked to do something outside their purview or exceptionally dangerous or at the end of a journey NPCs roll morale, using a modified form of the B/X rules (roll after side's first casualty in combat, when half your side has fallen, or - as above - asked to do things outside your charter or you find exceptionally dangerous. So the sailors would roll at the start of combat and maybe*again* if fighting like a living hurricane.) This does mean in my head I've already given "Insanity" Emmett Hobbes morale 12 retroactively. Failing a morale check after a journey doesn't necessarily mean "bad things happen" simply that the NPC or NPC group moves on to another job, and they can increase NPC morale by giving them rewards above and beyond or spending downtime with them.