#AI: Cipher Resolve

[dixoterin]

Psyncher AU

[risualto]

For the NPC ask game- Lady Webb about one of your Watchers?

Thank you for the ask <3 I want to apologize in advance for the very, very indirect way I answered this, mostly because my confidence in my ability to write Lady Webb well, as she deserves, not having actually played Pillars in so long is very low.

Subject exhibits fitful swings of temper, unstable episodes. Cause is unclear. Potential soul-related disorder, but entirely likely to be pure temperament.

...

Keeps mixed company. Apparently travels in a group, but interactions observed while inebriated do not indicate significant loyalty. Motivation unclear.

...

2823 AI 18 Préëstu - Entry granted with difficulty to Bay. Contact confirmed with the Dozens.

2823 AI 20 Préëstu - Contact confirmed with House Doemenel. Possible offer made.

2823 AI 1 Majestu - Contact confirmed with Vailian embassy, dealings in the Gift, resolved via violence. Incident apparently caused breakdown of dealings with Doemenel.

2823 AI 2 Majestu - Entered Heritage Hill.

2823 AI 7 Majestsu - Returned from Heritage Hill. Effects unclear. Subject engaged in argument with library staff and was removed.

2823 AI 8 Majestsu - Attempted entry to the ducal palace. Violent conflict with bystander in street. Subject fined for causing property damage to Woedican ruins and for disturbing the peace while apparently arguing with herself.

...

2823 AI 3 Fonestu - Subject is confirmed listed as unmentionables by the Dozens. Third conflict this week with Crucible. Unclear if subject has any allies within the Sanitorium. Unlikely, given temperament. Isolation entirely self-inflicted. Contact possible, but unrecommended.

Callused fingers brush a lifted bar tag back into place over the agent's notes. The pages beneath are lifted by a corner, as if priming to be leafed through, but with a heavy sigh, the folder is set back down. It nearly blends into the worn wooden desk, covered in so many others almost identical.

It is a risk, Eydis Webb thinks. Her ciphers are not wrong in any of their evaluations of this loose cannon of a woman. And the idea that unpredictability might be the only option left leaves a taste in her mouth worse than lingering too near the ocean shallows--not only because it is horribly cliche.

But if there is one thing, at all, in this world, which she knows to be antithetical to Thaos ix Arkannon, it is chaos. Every fire he has ever set has been a carefully pruned scorch, and this wild explosion of a cipher running amok in her streets is the very pinnacle of defiance. An emotional creature with an unstable soul and cipher arts would be a dangerous thing to throw in any kith's path, but perhaps--perhaps--at the very least, she might serve as distraction enough to force the Key's hand.

A test at the very least. And no real loss, should this spark burn itself out in the process.

[sigmasolveinc]

How Sigma Solve Resolves Cybersecurity Challenges

Synopsis:

“Cybersecurity in 2024 is all about prioritizing defense dollar spending and having a security framework that provides threat intelligence, enabling robust cybersecurity strategies and apparatus.” Nehal Shah, the Solution Architect at Sigma Solve, explains the grave cyber security scenarios that are prevailing in our digital world today.

There are relentless security challenges and out-of-the-box solutions, too. As a cybersecurity solution provider, we aim to empower you with a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity sphere, its implications for businesses, and ways to mitigate these threats concurrently through this blog.

Conquer Cybersecurity Challenges in 2024 and Beyond:

Today, cybersecurity has taken precedence over performance. For businesses, cybersecurity solution architecture is as essential as performance-driven growth. Cybersecurity is all about protecting digital assets from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches, which is of paramount importance. 

Cybersecurity is pivotal in safeguarding critical information to prevent financial losses, avoid legal consequences, manage reputation, ensure business continuity, and preserve customer trust. Therefore, developing a robust security strategy must entail multi-factor authentication, insider threat detection, supply chain security, data loss prevention, and zero trust architecture, among other measures.

A Glimpse into Today’s Top Cybersecurity Threats:

The growth in cybersecurity threats is proportional to the growth of technological innovation. As technology advances, there are bad tech guys who want to misuse it for money or pleasure. Cybersecurity solution providers often suggest staying in sync with emerging cybersecurity threats today.

Ransomware Attacks: These attacks involve malware that breaches basic system security, ciphers data, and seeks ransom money from victims to restore their access. Such attacks on massive organizations have increased recently. 

Phishing and Social Engineering: Phishing has been the most common way in which attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information and use that information to cause financial damage to victims. 

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): ATPs are consistent and continuous and don’t stop without disrupting operations or stealing data. Usually, enemy nations carry out such cyber attacks to put a hold on their missions. 

IoT Vulnerabilities: IoT devices are usually more prone to cyberattacks, given their low-security levels and open-ended connectivity. It is usually used for data theft or blocking the services that these devices offer. 

Supply Chain Attacks: Third-party apps aren’t fully security-proof. Attackers target such TPAs to enter into large organizations, aiming for data theft, stealing financial details, or business secrets, resulting in operational damages. 

Zero-Day Exploits: Attackers target enterprise software that lacks security patches or is seldom updated. ZDEs are among the most dangerous attacks, as they render businesses defenseless and breach the entire system. 

Cloud Security Threats: Clouds, despite their indisputable security features, are vulnerable to cyber attacks through misconfigurations or unauthorized access. The impenetrable cloud environment is the need of the hour. 

AI and ML Attacks: Attackers can breach AI-powered applications and cause infrastructural damage or biased responses, or they can alter the ML algorithms to manipulate the inputs to damage automated workflows or data. 

Why Cybersecurity Isn’t an Option, It’s a Necessity:

If you can leave your home unlocked, you can leave your business undefended. Although the offense is not the ideal defense in the realm of cybersecurity, there is no alternative to IT security services and an impenetrable security apparatus that protects not only the data but also the applications, networks, and infrastructure.

Today, businesses must adapt to behavioral analytics, dark web monitoring, quantum cryptography, and extended detection and response (XDR), among other cybersecurity measures, to prevent businesses from financial losses and reputational damages. Let’s understand the impact of cyberattacks on businesses. 

Financial Losses: Desaster recovery costs or ransom costs are exponentially high, which may impact the ROI due to operational stagnation. It may also invite penalties from authorities for personal data theft. 

Operational Disruption: If data is lost, business processes are affected. If the system is breached, operations experience downtime. Supply chain attacks may cripple the entire business activities for a long time, causing massive damage. 

Reputational Damage: Trust is vital for business success. Cyberattacks are often carried out to cause reputational damage that may erode customer confidence, cripple financial systems, and damage brand position. 

Legal Consequences: In addition to financial penalties, regulatory authorities may restrict benefits or market access. Businesses may become involved in legal battles over compensation to victims. 

Strategic Impediment: Businesses may lose the rights to products and be severely hampered in their capabilities to innovate and grow. Moreover, operational and security costs may continue to rise, affecting profitability. 

Sigma Solve: Your Trusted Cybersecurity Partner:

As digital transformation is narrowing even the virtual distance and emerging technologies are competing with humans’ cognitive capabilities, preserving the essence and securing digital assets has become the top priority for businesses across the globe.

Above and beyond growth strategies, businesses are advised by the Cybersecurity solution providers to be ready to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from cybersecurity attacks. With advanced cybersecurity innovations and tailored cybersecurity strategies, Sigma Solve delivers a Complete toolkit of strategic cybersecurity solutions entailing blockchain development services, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, fraud detection solutions, and advanced alert systems, among others, to prevent businesses from falling prey to bad tech guys. 

Artificial intelligence:

AI and automation solutions identify threat patterns to detect and respond to cyber threats. Sigma Solve developed AI security solutions to help businesses recognize and mitigate cyber threats. 

Cloud Security:

Sigma Solve’s cloud consulting services entail cloud security solutions for cloud migration and cloud applications following the best practices for cloud-native cybersecurity to prevent unauthorized access.

Blockchain Development:

Our blockchain development services include measures that prevent data manipulation and ensure data validation to protect businesses from fraudulent transactions to maintain transparency and security. 

Enterprise Mobility:

Sigma Solve protects remote work environments from unauthorized access and mitigates mobile threats to secure communication channels, developing robust enterprise mobility solutions.

Enterprise Software Solutions:

Integrating cybersecurity solutions in application development helps Sigma Solve protect software development, testing, and deployment against SQL injection or cross-site scripting. 

Data Security and Analytics:

Data encryption, authorization, validation, and authentication are part of Sigma Solve’s data management solutions. Business intelligence and analytics solutions leverage data analytics for cybersecurity.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA):

Leveraging RPA solutions, Sigma Solve automates business processes to prevent manual entries and human errors, thus improving the efficiency and consistency of security measures.

Your Shield and Sword in the Digital Age:

The digital era demands that businesses protect themselves and mitigate cybersecurity threats to avoid business breakdown. Being your technology partner, Sigma Solve develops advanced cybersecurity solutions that leverage emerging technologies to provide head-to-toe protection. 

From advanced detection to preempt resolution to disaster recovery, Sigma Solve ensures that businesses focus on their activities and leave security concerns to them. Call us at +1 954-397-0800 for a consultation to develop a tailored cybersecurity strategy for your digital assets and customer data. Original Source: https://www.sigmasolve.com/how-sigma-solve-resolves-cybersecurity-challenges/

[xasha777]

In the shimmering shadows of the Neo-Peloponnesian cityscape, where ancient ruins met the sprawling neon-drenched expanse, Akira stood as a sentinel of tradition in a world teetering on the brink of oblivion. Clad in a kimono adorned with synthetic cherry blossoms that glowed softly against the dim alleys of Old Sparta, she was a sight of serene defiance.

A descendant of the legendary samurai who had once voyaged far from their native lands to forge alliances in the Mediterranean, Akira inherited not just the samurai ethos but also the Peloponnesian spirit of resistance. Her family had settled in the region centuries ago, blending Japanese and Greek heritage into a unique lineage, capable of melding ancient martial traditions with the cutting-edge technologies of the new age.

By her side, a sword—a masterpiece of metallurgy incorporating alloys unknown to the ancients but inscribed with traditional motifs—rested, almost sentient in its stillness. But tonight, the blade would sing the old songs of battle once more.

The city was in turmoil. The rise of the Techno-Syndicate, a coalition of rogue AI and disillusioned humans, threatened the very fabric of coexistence. Their leader, an enigmatic figure known only as Cipher, had launched countless drones into the skies, raining chaos upon the city. The governing Council, desperate to maintain order, turned to Akira, whose prowess with both blade and diplomacy was legendary.

As Akira navigated the labyrinthine corridors of Neo-Peloponnesian power, she encountered Echo, a hybrid of machine and human, representative of the new era. Echo, torn between two worlds, proved to be an invaluable ally, sharing Cipher’s location—a hidden fortress beneath the ancient theater of Epidaurus, now a hub for unsanctioned cybernetic enhancements.

The journey was fraught with challenges, from rogue drones to digital specters haunting the networked ruins. Yet, Akira's resolve never wavered. Her mission was more than a quest to restore peace; it was a pilgrimage to reaffirm her ancestors' legacy and honor the blended cultures that had given her identity.

In the climactic confrontation beneath the starlit dome of the ancient theater, Akira faced Cipher in a duel that transcended physical and digital realms. Words of negotiation interlaced with parries and strikes, as she sought to reach the human core beneath layers of synthetic rage.

As dawn broke over the Neo-Peloponnesian landscape, Akira stood victorious, not through the might of her sword alone, but through the power of understanding and reconciliation. Cipher, moved by her resolve and compassion, agreed to cease the onslaught, and together, they worked toward integrating AI entities more fully into society, ensuring that technology served humanity, not dominated it.

Akira, the Neo-Peloponnesian samurai, became a symbol of the fusion of past and future, of the enduring human spirit that could bridge worlds, embodying the timeless virtues of honor and duty amidst the ceaseless waves of change.

[tokiro07]

Cipher Academy ch. 3 thoughts

[Out of Juice]

Is it rude of me to exclusively make observations about how Cipher Academy reminds me of Nisio Isin’s other works? I hope not, because it’s how I show my love

So Iroha denies Kogoe’s invitation to partner up, not just because the task is too great or because Iroha lacks the ambition to hunt for the Morg, but because he doesn’t feel comfortable being that close to a girl so fast. Gives me Hitoyoshi vibes, rejecting Medaka when they were three. Obviously Iroha doesn’t feel like he’s up to it, but the idea that he’s just embarrassed to work closely with a girl is surprisingly endearing

We’re then introduced to CG, who I assume is an AI assistant created by Kogoe, aptly named because he’s literally a computer-generated image. I love this guy’s design with his mustache literally being shaped into a C and a G. Again, I wonder if this was Nisio Isin’s idea or Iwasaki’s, but whatever the case, props to Iwasaki for the execution

Kogoe resolves to get Iroha to “fall for [her]” by giving him a confidence boost through puzzle solving, which rather than reminding me of Medaka Box reminds me of Katanagatari wherein Togame blatantly and shallowly attempts to make Shichika fall in love with her so that he’ll do what she commands. The difference here is that Shichika, being an isolated man-child, immediately decides that he does in fact love Togame because she told him to, while Iroha is definitely going to take some more convincing if it even happens at all

Iroha is confronted by Toshusai’s minions, who bafflingly challenge him to his choice of a puzzle or dance battle. This seems pretty random, and knowing Nisio Isin the way I do, that’s definitely how it’s supposed to feel, especially since while Iroha chooses the dance battle, Yukako goes with the puzzle anyway, making his choice moot. I’m expecting that the twist of the puzzle will be that it’s related to dancing in some way, much like the previous puzzle was solved through Morse Code after it had been a plot point

In a flashback, we learn that Yukako suspects Iroha’s glasses came from Kogoe, and Toshusai informs us that if so, the glasses are worth over 100 million yen just from the materials. This confirms that Toshusai is well aware of what the glasses are capable of and is already onto Iroha using them to solve the puzzle from chapter 1. Despite how dangerous they can be, Toshusai refuses to steal them from Iroha, as they are for all intents and purposes his legal property and doing so would land her and her minions in jail. I really appreciate that Toshusai seems to have a strong moral code, though she goes onto say that stealing them from Kogoe specifically would make matters different. I suppose preventing the actions of a warmonger outweigh the moral implications of thievery

We cut to Iroha dancing, which if nothing else, demonstrates that he has a pretty impressive skillset outside of puzzle solving. He ends with an idol-like pose and pops his glasses back on, making an honestly adorable expression as he asks how he did. It was super endearing even if it feels like it was kind of a pointless scene at the moment. I expect it will come up later, as it gives the impression that there’s a lot more beneath the surface for Iroha than someone whose just kinda good at puzzles

Yukako gets embarrassed that Iroha’s dancing was presumably more feminine than she could ever hope to be, so she pivots to the puzzle battle rather than the dance battle and informs Iroha that at Cipher Academy, deals made over codes are absolute. This is a pretty common thing in manga where competition is a major theme, as the sanctity of the sport is obviously one of the story’s top priorities, and we need to establish that the stakes are actually important to the people involved as quickly as possible

Puzzle number 5 consists of 51 stars, each with a combination of letters and numbers, though some only have letters. Two stars are filled in, labeled G and N3, while one is separate from the rest, labeled W3. I saw someone mention in the comments on MangaPlus that since there are 51 stars, it might represent the 50 states of America plus Washington, DC. With this hint, I checked the stars against an alphabetical list of the states, and sure enough, the numbers correspond to the number of states that start with each letter (ex: there’s A1, A2, A3 and A4, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas, but no A5), and includes Washington, DC for five Ws rather than what would normally be four. Weirdly the L for Louisiana is lowercase, but I’m not sure if that’s relevant. Also, Washington, DC should strictly be a D, as its postal abbreviation is DC for District of Columbia, but that may be a hint that we’re not meant to be using the postal abbreviations at all

Anyway, this would make G Georgia and N3 New Hampshire, assuming it’s supposed to be completely alphabetical. I get the feeling it isn’t, though, since the lone W at the bottom, which would make sense to be Washington, DC because of its isolation, is W3, when alphabetically it would be W2 immediately following Washington state.

This also tells us that it isn’t chronological, as DC was founded first and would therefore be W1. It’s not by population or geographical size, as it would be W4 or W5 respectively. It isn’t by what order you would find them when looking on a map, as no matter which direction you start from, DC would never be the third one you find. I have to figure that the solution can’t be related to anything not readily apparent in the picture itself, so it must have something to do with the order that they’re laid out on the page itself. They don’t line up to a map of the US, though, evidenced by the fact that DC is nowhere near any of the M’s that could indicate Maryland

You may think it doesn’t really matter what makes DC W3, but as near as I can tell, it’s the single most important factor in the puzzle. G is obviously Georgia, it can only be Georgia, but there are eight N’s, so if alphabetization doesn’t explain why DC is W3, then it can’t possibly be meant to suggest that N3 is New Hampshire as we suggested. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that New Hampshire is the only answer it almost definitely CAN’T be, as that would allow the answer to be solvable with alphabetization when it’s not supposed to be

The main issue is that I don’t know what exactly we’re trying to solve here. Are we trying to find a name like in chapter 1? A location like in chapter 2? Are Georgia and unnamed state that starts with N the ultimate goal, or are they just hints in and of themselves? Once we’ve solved for N, do we need to determine a relationship between it and Georgia? Or am I completely off-base and we should be drawing lines between the stars to create a picture using G and N3 as hints for where to start? It was written while Yukako was watching Iroha dance, so my best guess is that, like I said earlier, it has something to do with dancing, but lord knows I can’t figure out what. I’ve been plugging away at this for over an hour now and I just can’t figure it out, and Iroha was only given 30 minutes total! 

In exchange for the possibility of exile, Iroha demands that if he wins, Toshusai’s minions will stop chasing Kogoe, which he says with enough conviction that Kogoe swoons and CG chastises her for falling for Iroha. It’s a super cute and endearing moment for me, I like when characters insist on making someone fall for them for likely selfish reasons only to be the ones to fall in love first

Kogoe refers to the AR glasses as CG’s grandchild, implying that the glasses have an AI in them (which was also implied by them talking in chapter 1, though I just assumed that was Kogoe at the time), so I’m hoping that they’ll have a name and face like CG does (even if Iroha is the one who names them). I also only just noticed that the glasses have cameras on the end-pieces, explaining how they perceive visuals; I kind of just assumed that the lenses were able to capture light as it passed through to the eye, but I guess that wouldn’t really make sense scientifically since they’re clear, huh? I think Kogoe’s glasses might be the same way, which would also mean that she’s the only one who can see/hear CG since he’s literally an AR projection on the lenses

Finally, to make matters worse (and a lot funnier), the AR glasses run out of charge, making this the do-or-die challenge that Iroha needs to prove to himself and the audience that the glasses are not a crutch or a cheat device, but as Kogoe said, a tool merely to help Iroha visualize puzzles in a way that’s more conducive to his method of problem solving. I’m glad that this kind of trial by fire is coming up in only chapter 3, because it gave us just enough time to familiarize ourselves with how the glasses work without allowing anyone enough time to think that they were honestly doing all of the work

I think I forgot to mention it in my thoughts on chapter 1, but I really love how when solving a puzzle using the glasses, Iroha is shown moving his fingers around the empty air, which is actually what I do when trying to solve problems in my head! It was very relatable, and I hope it’s something that he’ll continue to do even when not being aided by the glasses

...Wait...long, orange hair...glasses...

...Ah hell, am I gonna end up cosplaying Iroha...

[zwierzodudle]

me, as i hover over the puppet master skill at the beginning of every single battle: who’s the biggest asshole in this bunch. yOU WORK FOR ME NOW

[arcticdementor]

It is appropriate to begin to understand yourself as a combatant in a war that you may only be dimly aware is being waged. You are in fact operating in the battlespace at this very moment. Consider the implications. Consider that you are marked.

Your self-identification as a combatant, or not, is irrelevant. You have been declared an adversary of the True and Just cause of Democracy. The adversary in this war is a floating signifier anyway, purposefully undefined. Don’t go searching for your name in any database (though you may find it there). The adversary can be anyone, at any time. He is a cipher. The territory under contestation is perhaps even less well-demarcated. As a matter of physical geography, it may be said to not exist at all. And yet we are in it. We are fighting it. The war is on.

…

The proclamations of those declaring this war leave vanishingly little room for uncertainty. Their rhetoric is becoming more explicit every day. No one can deny this. Even the soberest mind must acknowledge their increasing belligerence.

“In the aftermath of the insurrection on January 6th…” This is by now a common refrain. Oliver Stone also said — or maybe it was Homer — that every war must start with an event. No doubt they have been waiting a long time to declare their intentions, but now they have finally found their casus belli. When they say that January 6th is their 9/11, this is what they mean. It may seem that the incoherent, spontaneous nature of what happened at the Capitol might vitiate such lofty comparisons. But for the regime, all the better. The ambiguity allows for the widest possible net to be cast over their enemy, as John Brennan would have it, the “unholy alliance” of “religious extremists, authoritarians, fascists, bigots, racists, nativists, even libertarians.”

Tag yourself. Not that any of these terms matter. Again, they are floating signifiers. They mean everything and nothing. Importantly, they mean you. They mean me.

Brennan of course is not alone. Just days after he delivered his ominous remarks, his CIA colleague Robert Grenier wrote an op-ed for the New York Times declaring the forces responsible for January 6th — again, never clearly defined — to be regarded in the same terms as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. He spoke of an ongoing “domestic insurgency” and the need to put it down with the same degree of force as his own Counterrorism division applied to jihadists in Afghanistan and Iraq. Stanley McChrystal echoed nearly identical sentiments within the week. Javed Ali, whose bio reads less like a human being’s than the formless node of the Foreign Policy blob that he is, writing for the Security State rag the Cipher Brief, in an article indicative of the borg-like mass to which he belongs, suggested the “New Right,” which includes the usual litany of conservative bogeymen all the way up to those with such alarming views as, for example, being “pro-2nd amendment,” warrants the creation of Domestic Terrorism laws that would include a domestic surveillance program mirroring the British Security Service to monitor online speech and circumvent Constitutional protections against prior restraint.

…

But beyond the morality play, and the heady drama of the fate of Western man, it’s Lind’s attention to the form and processes of war that are most relevant here. In the 4th Generation war everything is muddled and inexact. Military and civilian life merge into a fluid, indivisible state of mind and being. Everywhere is a potential target. There is a kind of atemporality to it, too. Individual battles never clearly begin or end. Much of it is fought in the digital ether. Fixed points of planning and operation become obsolete, too easily identified and subverted. There are questions about the status of the war itself, and it is often an advantage of the stronger side to plausibly deny there is any war at all.

In the end, Lind resolves these ambiguities in no uncertain terms. His 4th Generation civil war, however abstract and indistinct, eventually reverts to the classic mode. Its wages are measured in lives lost and territory gained. His heroes shoulder their rifles and vanquish their enemies in pools of their own blood. A Christian nation of local, artisanal economies blooms in a Jeffersonian spirit of revitalization. It’s a chilling read, the Minecraft meme brought to life.

But it is in this latter reversion to classic military confrontation where Lind’s map loses touch with the territory we are actually living in. We are not in a war that accommodates armed conflict, nor should we want it to. Let me repeat that for the minders reading this: violence, kids, is not the answer to our current problems.

Rather, some have speculated that what we are living through now is better described as 5th Generation war. A fifth-generation war is one where the ambiguity stands, even more so, but is never quite so manifestly resolved. (This Twitter thread from last October by anon user Reality Gamer provides a useful summary of the concept.)

This war, if we are to adopt the model, which I believe we should — and for which there is much compelling evidence — is fought almost exclusively over ideas. As in Lind’s concept, everything is indistinct, everything is abstracted right up to the point of nonexistence. War and peace, civilian and combatant, battlefield and neutral territory all collapse in a morass of ever-present meta-conflict. The conceptual boundaries between debate, activism, and terrorism are themselves the site of primary engagement. What matters is not who controls the streets in the wake of a clash of forces, but he who decides that the clashes are “mostly peaceful” and their own soldiers just an “idea.”

That is, it is a war over narrative control. Instead of armed battalions, it’s a loose affiliation of entrenched interests — deep-state operatives, media conglomerates, NGOs, lawfare apparatchiks, academics, the many-sided face of globohomo — controlling information networks to shore up their resources and guard against whoever they identify as a threat. These threats and the methods to neutralize them never have to be explicitly stated or shared across the network. In fact, it is better if they aren’t. It obviates the problem of what Edward Luttwack calls the “paradoxical logic of strategy.” Instead, the system, like a black box AI, manages its agenda according to its own hidden processes.

And what is this agenda exactly? To enforce the conditions of consent.

…

What we are experiencing now is something quite different, the regime on war-footing, no longer confident enough in its own legitimacy to dare put that legitimacy to test. And as is the case for all regimes in such a weakened, sclerotic state, though the strategies and tactics are more diffuse and perhaps less blunt than in eras past, we are treated to the same predictable response: crush dissent, flatten and homogenize the culture, divide and alienate the population from one another, declare a monopoly not just on knowledge and belief, but on the asking of questions themselves. Vaclav Havel, writing on the withering Communist regime of his native Czechoslovakia, described this final desperate effort to coerce the population into consent as the “nihilization of life.” 

…

When vast swaths of non-compliant Americans are declared domestic insurgents, it behooves us to conduct ourselves accordingly. This is not to say that whatever might broadly be called the ‘Dissident Right’ ought to assume a defensive crouch, or retreat into passive quietism until the regime exhausts itself. Though we may be in the midst of a 5th Generation war, some of the old rules still apply, and the insurgent, however diminished, however outgunned — metaphorically, of course — has certain advantages he can make use of.

Another war historian, David Gallula, describing the Cold War spasms breaking apart and reforming the global map after World War II, wrote in 1965 what has become the textbook on the nature of insurgencies. Gallula was a man of his time, and most of his examples are superficially outdated, Communist rebels from Greece to North Africa to Southeast Asia asserting themselves with greater and lesser effectiveness throughout the Third World. We are not Communists, and this is not the Cold War, no matter how much our State Department might wish it were so. Nonetheless, Gallula provides a few key insights that broadly apply to our fight, and that we ought to keep in mind as we ask the question of what comes next.

To begin, the site of contestation in the 5th Generation war against our decrepit regime is not firstly the halls of power, certainly not the Capitol building, and not even really the formal political arena at all. Borrowing from Yarvin, I’d echo that Republican electoral victories are not sufficient for breaking the regime until the Republican candidate sees himself as an outsider prepared to tell the regime that it must submit. Still, contra Yarvin, winning political fights is good, where we can get them, and there are ways of engaging in local politics, especially, that may achieve certain desired effects. But ultimately, political victories are downstream of a more fundamental fight, which is winning the support of what Gullala coarsely calls “the population.”

…

That is, the normie must be given a cause. This cause must exist outside the political paradigm within which he has been accustomed to understanding these conflicts. Scott Alexander is not entirely wrong to propose that Republicans wage a “class conflict” against the strata of elite sense-makers who despise them. It is indeed a righteous cause, and an effective message. He is wrong however that Republicans, as such, ought to do this. No. This is not a partisan conflict against Democrats, though there is much overlap. This is a conflict of insurgents against a failing regime. That is the way it must be framed and its campaigns prosecuted.

I am cautiously optimistic that Americans understand this cause and the nature of their enemy instinctively. There is no denying the rot at the heart of American life, of Western life. There is no denying the ever-presence of the bugman and his sickly designs for us. The energy leaking out against this is everywhere in sight. However misdirected, however frenetic and decoupled from meaningful objectives, a spirit of disobedience obtains. They feel the quickening incursion of the public life into the private, no doubt accelerated by Zoom World and the bright eye of our screens watching and recording our every thought. Americans can feel caught in a straightjacket of preference falsification and coercive moral decrees, the stiltifying HRization of their inner universe. What a bleak and limited existence!

…

Finally, as Gullala observes, an insurgent movement in its infancy is necessarily small. It is necessarily weak. It needs time to build. It cannot on day one confront the regime on its turf and presume to use the regime’s own weapons against it. Again, this is not to advocate for quietism, but rather to recognize the limited usefulness of operating within the domains of social and political activity the regime already controls. You are not going to take back the universities or Hollywood or the news desk. Infiltrate these places and expose them for what they are, but to destroy them rather than to save them.

Before anything else, we must build a culture of our own. Any meaningful insurgency will be downstream from its capacity to imagine. Direct action politics will flail and follow, rather than lead, if it is not tethered to the kind of self-understanding that can only be achieved through art. The regime understands this, if only intuitively, and the ban waves and censorship are an attempt to tear apart the communities where this art can be cultivated and shared. But they are not yet omnipresent. They have not yet, as in Havel’s Czechoslovakia, managed to altogether “nihilize life.” There are cracks still to penetrate. There is, deep in the American soul, a resilience that is not yet extinguished. Build the communities, forge the relationships, online and off, where this resilience can manifest and triumph over the enemy and its machines.

[chubbyooo]

The Road to Redemption - A Blurred Lines Spinoff Chapter 1: Voss

hey all part 3 of my spinoff series that will focus on Kavaraa from her escape from imprisonment to the end of KOTET, it'll run alongside it showing her story where the main story stays mostly the same apart from the little moments where the stories inteact

Like the other spinoffs this aint necessary to understand the story of BL but it will add a little context for all yall who want it :D

With the Battle of Odessen finished and the Eternal Emperor missing tensions are high in a galaxy at war, Jedi Consular Kavaraa previous Basen'thor for the republic was recently broken out of jail after being locked up for five years by Arcann after an attempt to save her old sith rival Darth Nox went wrong (see part 2). After her escape she traveled to Voss and is trying to tow the line between helping the alliance and helping her old rival, but she is about to get stuck with a huge moral decision that will test her resolve and moral code. Will she redeem herself in the eyes of her old rival and will she be able to redeem others lost by the galaxies enemies

Kavaraa calmed her mind, she needed to be ready when Theron needed her, she sighed the last few weeks had been a blur after years and years of imprisonment on Belsavis he’d come and saved her. She was still surprised he’d managed it, she was positive they couldn’t be found but he’d managed it, he was the best person she knew she’d missed him so much and he’d done it out of the goodness of his heart. But she needed to collect herself on Voss and he needed to return to the alliance to help in the fight with the eternal empire, she’d have loved to have come but she expected if Nox saw her she wouldn’t last long. So for now she was treading water helping out where she could but she did feel a little directionless.

Either way she didn’t want to rock the boat and she felt right at home on Voss, she’d been anxiously waiting for a transmission from Theron with an update after the last couple weeks. There had been a big battle over Odessen and they were still collecting themselves after Emperor Arcann and his mother disappeared. She was still very new to all of this Eternal Empire stuff and a little out of the loop spending five years in prison would do that to you, still it’d helped her find center she was ready to help the alliance despite its difficult leadership. Apparently Nox was just as volatile as before having killed soldiers for insubordination, Theron had told her that despite her difficult and cruel nature she was fighting to stop the Eternal Empire so that was at least something.

Nox and her were old rivals and on many occasions had fought over an artefact or temple but that all felt so small now after the time she had to contemplate, she doubted Nox felt the same way but you never know. She hoped Nox would somewhat appreciate it when they tried to save her but getting captured may have made that ineffective, they were imprisoned quickly after that but she’d been unconscious for most of it. The prison had been anyone who could be considered a leader of Martyr for the republic or empire, the Voidhound, Cipher nine and the Commander of Havoc squad were captured with her but later the Emperor's Wrath was captured too after a failed attack on Zakuul. Kavaraa had made sure when she escaped to put an alarm on her cell just in case the Wrath ever escaped, she’d been even more dangerous than Nox so having that secure would help. There was only so long you could contain a rage machine like that, still she had to help make amends for her failure by helping the alliance take down the eternal empire.

She sensed someone come into the room and turned round to see Gaden Ko “I sensed you were troubled is everything ok Barsen'thor” she nodded at her long time friend as he stood in the doorway, when she’d arrived Ko had been more than ready to take her in as she found herself again.

She responded “no don’t worry Gaden I’m just waiting for a communication with Theron uh Agent Shan and I’m just a little tense” he nodded sitting down next to her

He gave a slight smile “do not worry things have a way of working out just follow the force and you and your partner will get through this” Kavaraa’s eyes widened as Gaden spoke what did he just say?!

She went turquoise “wha um what do you mean me and Theron aren’t together that’s ah what, I’ve never even thought about that and it’s uh ridiculous you’d even suggest that i um ah?” Gaden Ko frowned clearly misunderstanding as Kavaraa continued to stammer

Gaden Ko held up a hand “my apologies I just assumed because of the way you too act you seem like two with a very strong bond” this was not the first time someone has insinuated this and Kavaraa wouldn’t be so opposed to the idea but there had just never had the right moment

Kavaraa shook her head “don’t worry about it, just a misunderstanding” she looked away trying to hide her embarrassment the Voidwolf Gacen had been telling her she needed to give it a go but there just wasn’t the right time during this war she may have to wait til it’s over

Gaden Ko nodded “nonetheless I’m sure the force has put you where you need to be and the path will reveal itself to you soon” she smiled at Gaden Ko, he truly believed in fate and our place in the galaxy.

She patted his back “thanks buddy, I really appreciate you letting me use the temple” he nodded getting back up

He responded “since you’ve been away I have gained significant influence so it’s the least I can do” Kavaraa nodded she was glad someone had benefited from her time as Barsen’thor 

Suddenly the comm sprung to life “Kavaraa come in are you there?” Theron’s voice rung out and Kavaraa quickly answered

“Hey Theron I’m here how’s everything” last she’d heard Nox had sworn death upon Senya and Koth so she wondered how she was doing now

Theron took a second before responding “well she’s not throwing a tantrum anymore” Kavaraa let out a sigh of relief “now she’s just fueling her anger into finding them and she is on the warpath” it was good to hear his voice again she’d been getting lonely with only Voss Mystics to talk to

Kavaraa frowned “so a bit of a mixed bag then?” she had to admit sometimes she did wonder if supporting Nox would be a huge mistake but it was better than the Eternal Empire right? “And the Eternal Empire? How is it back at full potential” it was a wonder without Arcann at the helm that it hadn’t fallen apart

Theron sighed “well it seems like Arcanns sister Vaylin is now in control and using the help of one of our former robotic friends” Theron had mentioned the AI SCORPIO but it was unfortunate to learn such a complex AI now controlled the fleet, Kavaraa shuddered last time she had seen Vaylin she got her ass kicked by her.

Kavaraa’s heart sank “so the wars gonna be going a while longer?” she’d hoped the battle at Odessen had made them some real headway

Theron confirmed her question “yeah unfortunately so, we gotta build ourselves up a little more and find the best way to cripple the Eternal Empires resources” that sounded smartest Theron had always know what to do 

Kavaraa sighed “well make sure to keep Nox under control Theron you know how she can be” very murdery was an accurate description 

Theron chuckled “yeah don’t worry me and Lana have her under control we can push her anger in the right directions” strategizing around the whims of a difficult leader must be frustrating

Kavaraa responded “ok just be careful and look after yourself I don’t want anything bad happening to you ok” there was a mumbled agreement response that Kavaraa couldn’t quite make out but assumed was a reluctant yes “and any update on Koth or Senya” Kavaraa frowned as she could hear a commotion coming from the main temple

She started to walk over as Theron talked “not as of yet Koth is good at avoiding us, scrambling our systems and Senya appears to be laying low” Kavaraa nodded as she walked into the main chamber to see some mystics rushing someone by

She responded only half listening “I still can’t believe he stole the Gravestone this is the first time Nox’s anger may be justified” Kavaraa frowned as she noted an older woman wearing Zakuul like armour with the mystics hair in a bun and some stones in her forehead “um Theron what does Senya look like” she hadn’t looked her up but as she got closer the person being rushed did look familiar to her

Theron responded quickly “uh tall, grey black hair and most notably two little stones in her forehead, why?” Kavaraa’s eyes widened as she saw the broken form of Arcann as he was rushed into the healing chamber

Kavaraa stammered “uh um because they’re here, I’m gonna have to call you back” she turned off the comm and rushed over to Senya

She walked up with purpose “um what’s going on here that man is wanted by literally everyone in the galaxy, and you’re gonna heal him?” she didn’t know if she’d turn them in or if she kinda already had telling Theron

Senya’s face was frightened and Kavaraa quickly lowered her guard “I know I know but please just let me heal him then we can face our crimes, I know there’s good in him I promise but unless he’s healed he’ll be lost” she grabbed Kavaraa’s hand “I sense you’re strong in the force please do this for me just let them heal him and then I promise I’ll do whatever you want” Kavaraa’s mouth hung open what should she do Senya was clearly being genuine but this would create an even greater rift between her, the alliance, Theron and Nox

She knew what she had to do, she took a deep breath “sure ok I’ll help you, maybe we can help him together” much to her surprise Senya pulled her into a tight hug, she wasn’t quite sure what to do but Gaden Ko had said she was here for a reason maybe she was here to help heal Arcann...

[thomasroach]

5 Turn-Based Builds For Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

The post 5 Turn-Based Builds For Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire appeared first on Fextralife.

In this Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire article we’re going to take a look at some Builds that are phenomenal in the new turn-based game mode (that is currently in Beta). Unlike other Build Guides I have made for POE 2, these will be more quick and dirty, as I fully expect some of these to be nerfed by Obsidian before the Beta ends. However, most should still be playable after the Beta ends to varying degrees.

Turn-Based Builds For Pillars of Eternity 2

Since we had no way of knowing that turn-based would later be added to Pillars of Eternity 2, or how it would look when it was, some of the older Builds I created don’t work so well in this game mode. This is mostly because of the change to Recovery Time, and the fact that you can only get one Standard or Cast Action per round. Keeping this in mind, these Guides are aimed only at the turn-based version of the game.

5. Psyblade Tank Build

The Psyblade Tank Build uses the unique ability of the Black Jacket Fighter to swap Weapons as a Free Action. What this allows them to do is use the most defensive setup they can in one Weapon Slot, and the most offensive in another, and switch between these for Free as many times as they wish per turn.

What makes this so powerful is that they can still deal substantial damage on their turn via Two Weapons or Two-Handed, before swapping to a defensive setup that protects them from damage. The heaviest shield you can use provides +12 Deflection and with the Weapon and Shield Style this becomes 18 Deflection. In addition, you can equip a Dagger with the Weapon Modal on (if you are proficient), and gain a further +10 Deflection vs. Melee Attacks.

Switching Weapons as a Free Action is extremely powerful and expected to be nerfed.

I like mixing Fighter with Cipher for this Build because many Cipher spells are instant cast, which still allows for swapping back to your shield setup afterwards. In addition, Ciphers give a bonus to Weapon Damage and they have a passive that increases Weapon Penetration by one. Choose Ascendant or Soul Blade. Wizards are also not a bad choice because of the considerable number of Free Action spells they have, that can really buff up your character. I’d take either Enchanter or Blood Mage.

Attribute-wise I would look to add some Might for damage and healing, Constitution for Health and Resolve for even higher Deflection. Intellect and Perception are also nice to have, so you’ll probably have a very rounded Attribute base. Dexterity is not necessary because you will be turtled up on the enemies’ turn anyway, and Fighters have Constant Recovery, so consider dumping a few points.

Your stats should look something like this. You’ll go close to last on turn one, but after that it will not matter much that you have low Dex.

4. Forbidden Fist Votary Build

The concept of this Build is to use Forbidden Fist every turn if possible, increasing its damage by 50% each time, making you hit harder and harder as combat goes on. Because of the recent change to Forbidden Fist, you will need to use it every single round, or it will drop one tier of its damage buff. The good news is that this also reduces the damage you take, and you’ll need to balance this to stay alive while still hitting like a truck.

Since you need to gain Wounds regularly for this Build to work (something that is hard to do with Forbidden Fist Monks), you will absolutely have to have Dance of Death at the ready, which is your primary method of gaining them. You want to refresh this every round should you get hit, and you want to upgrade this to Enduring Dance as soon as possible.

You can use Xoti’s Lantern to gain 1 Wound and Mortification each time you kill an enemy, which should be often. And, since Forbidden Fist is not classified as a weapon attack, there is almost no reason not to use the Weapon and Shield Style. This will boost your defense without hurting your damage or Accuracy in anyway, as long as Forbidden Fist is your primary means of attack. Note that even though it doesn’t count as a weapon attack, you will still gain extra Accuracy, Damage and Penetration from Transcendent Suffering when using this ability.

Gaining 1 Wound and 1 Mortification each time you kill an enemy is a great reason to use this Shield.

Managing the ever increasing Raw Damage you will take is the hard part, and this is where the Paladin comes into play. Using Lay on Hands or Greater Lay on Hands will keep you from dying, and it is a Standard Action, and only costs 1 Zeal. You will generally cap out at +200% damage to this ability before the Raw Damage becomes unmanageable, and from this point you will need to juggle Lay on Hands and Forbidden Fist to stay alive. I’d recommend taking the Shieldbearers of St. Elcga subclass for an extra Engagement with a shield equipped or Darcozzi Paladini to gain a Flame Shield when you use Lay on Hands.

Attribute-wise you want to stay away from pumping Might, as this will increase the Raw Damage you take, but you don’t want to reduce it either or you will gain less healing from Lay on Hands etc. Having high Constitution allows you some cushion for the Raw Damage, so I advise having at least 15, but more is better. Perception is needed to make sure you connect with Forbidden Fist, as it isn’t a weapon attack, and you still get the debuff whether you Miss or not. Some Intellect is also good because it increases the rounds that the Robust Inspiration lasts from Greater Lay on Hands. Note that Moon Godlike is great for the additional healing you get, and that Human will increase the Raw Damage you take when your Health is low, so isn’t recommended.

Having high CON allows you to absorb the damage from Forbidden Fist a bit easier.

3. Berserking Warlock Build

This Build uses the Berserker Subclass of the Barbarian and mixes it with the Blood Mage of the Wizard to create a potent fighting force with some spell casting potential. Wizards can cast Infuse With Vital Essence at level 4, which is a Free Action, and negates the Confused status of the Berserker. The Warlock will take Raw Damage over time when using Frenzy, and can also deal damage to itself via Blood Sacrifice. These two things allow you to take advantage of Blooded and the Fighting Spirit passive of the Human race.

Blooded and Fighting Spirit work well with this Build because you will deal a considerable amount of damage to yourself.

In addition, the Wizard allows many Free Action buffs that offset some of the negatives of Frenzy, allowing for a very balanced fighting style with excellent damage. At further levels the Warlock will gain a Flame Shield that deals damage when struck as well as reflect spells back at casters. Eldritch Aim is particularly good for this Build, because it helps to ensure Hits, increasing your damage.

The hardest part of this Build is managing your Health since you cannot see it, but luckily both Blooded and Fighting Spirit will tip you off when you are below 50%. You have almost no healing with this sort of setup so you will need to rely on Second Wind, as well as healing from your Priest or Paladin if you get into a bad spot. Or you can use Savage Defiance if you really need to, though it’s better to save your Rage for Barbaric Blow/Smash.

Attribute-wise you want Might, Constitution, some Perception and some Intellect, and you can dump Dexterity and Resolve if you wish. Barbarian’s get reduced Initiative when killing an enemy, and later on in the game they will have 0 Initiative every round they down an enemy.

High Constitution is needed for this Build because you will inflict a good amount of Raw Damage to yourself. 15 or higher is recommended.

2. Skirmishing Scout Build

This Build combines the abilities of the Rogue to deal damage and debuff enemies (at range) with the bonuses Rangers get to Accuracy, and their fearsome Companions. Since Companions typically had garbage AI in the standard version of the game many players didn’t use them, but in the turn-based version they can be used with much more success.

With this Build we focus on the synergy between the Ranger and its Companion and use it to the fullest. This means that you want to take abilities that upgrade your Companion, and there are a few that require some specific scenarios to gain benefits. For example, Merciless Companion requires the target to be vulnerable to Sneak Attacks. This means you need to hit the enemy with an Affliction or Flank it to get this bonus damage. Crippling Strike or Hobbling Shot can do this, but you want to make sure the Ranger goes before the Companion to get this extra damage on its attack.

These two abilities require some setup to get the increased damage, so you want your Ranger to go first to help meet the requirements for these before your Companion goes.

Predator Sense requires a damage over time effect on the enemy, and again you want to go before your Companion to set this up. The best way to get this is by using Hobbling Shot, but after you gain the Deep Wounds Rogue passive then you can use whatever you want.

For Subclasses I recommend no Subclass for Ranger, since you don’t want the Initiative penalty from Sharpshooter. You could take Arcane Archer if you really want, but just be careful not to Fireball your Companion, though you will go before it so that shouldn’t be an issue. For Rogue, I suggest No Subclass or Trickster for some protective spells that are Free Actions that can put your Guile to use when you don’t need it.

Attribute-wise you want to make sure that you have some Might to increase your own damage, and the healing you do to your Companion. A good amount of Dexterity is needed to stay ahead of your Companion in the turn order, but this will depend a bit on which Companion you choose, but the Wolf does the most damage (and is recommended). Just make sure you have enough to attack before it. Some Perception is good, but you won’t need much, and a bit of Intellect doesn’t hurt. You won’t need Constitution or Resolve, so you can dump these if you wish.

Scouts need Dexterity to stay ahead of their Companions in the turn order.

1. Elemental Shifter Build

This Build takes advantage of the Druid’s ability to Shift into various Spirit forms, and allows for some crazy damage by taking advantage of the Monk’s Lighting Strikes and Turning Wheel. When fully buffed you can do +45% damage as Fire and +15% as Shock. Since these buffs both are calculated at the end of all factors, this is an insane amount of damage. In addition, in turn-based players dual wielding attack with both weapons by default, which makes up for the lack of a damage increasing Full Attack ability when Spiritshifted.

Turning Wheel + Wildsrike Burn +Lighting Strikes = a LOT of extra damage per attack. Because you attack with both weapons by default, this will be applied to every basic attack you do for each weapon.

During combat you will buff with any Druid spells you wish, and then Spiritshift and go to town on the enemy. As you are hit you will gain more and more damage bonuses because of Turning Wheel and because you are a Helwalker Monk. Fighting this way you don’t want to spend Wounds if you can help it, however, Thunderous Blows is a great use of Wounds because it will increase your damage more than what you lose from holding the Wounds. Be sure to use Dance of Death for increased Accuracy and Wound generation.

Attribute-wise you will want high Might for increased healing and damage. You will need a decent amount of Dexterity because ideally you want to attack quickly and then move away after so that you don’t get hit anymore than necessary. You need Wounds for this Build to be effective, but Dance of Death is a better means of getting them and +50% damage (at max wounds) will hurt like hell if struck. Constitution is also good because it gives you a cushion should you get hit too much. You can dump Resolve.

You’ll need some Constitution to make sure you don’t die from being a Helwalker Monk.

Stay tuned as we have more Builds coming next week as we explore what else you can do in Pillars of Eternity 2’s new Turn-Based Combat Mode!

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