#Mana Project Studio

[rpgsandbox]

Elder Mythos is a cosmic horror tabletop role-playing game in which players will play frightening Lovecraftian Entities vying to destroy or control the world. 

Venture beyond the veil of reality with Elder Mythos, become one of the ancient entities and unleash unspeakable horrors. Join us in a cosmic horror saga that transcends human comprehension. The fate of the world is at stake: will you rule it or will you throw it into chaos? 

Elder Mythos is a cosmic horror tabletop role-playing game in which players will incarnate frightening Lovecraftian Entities vying to destroy or control the world. 

Through shared worldbuilding or by choosing a Scenario, players will weave a conversation that will create a cosmic horror narrative.

Choosing among 12 different Entities - including Hastur The Unspeakable One and Cthulhu The Great Dreamer -  each with its own Attributes and Powers, each player will have to pursue unique and disturbing purposes. 

Using adepts of ancient cults, nightmarish creatures and priestly figures of immense power as expendable resources, players will create a terrifying plot amid catastrophes and consequences.

In this tabletop RPG, the Cthulhu Mythos, once again, come to life - and you will incarnate them!

Elder Mythos uses a Year Zero System hack designed to handle cosmic horrors without necessitating preparation from the Eldritch Master.

This game is characterized by an emergent and intuitive gameplay, where the fate of entire cities will be mapped out with a few dice rolls. 

Building a pool of D6s using the Entities' Attributes and Resources, players must strive to get at least a 6, but beware! Obtaining more than a 6 will lead to Catastrophic Success: the chaos will be out of control for the Entity's emanations, and even if it succeeds, incredible twists and turns could upset the narrative.  

By performing Actions on the Scenario’s Map, players will fight for the control of the setting, but it will not be easy! Other playing Entities, as well as the Eldritch Master Resources, from occult detectives to human organization, will hamper your plots.  

You are an Elder Entity: for you, twisting the rules using your unspeakable powers it's effortless. Take possession of the Eldritch Master Resources with Cthulhu’s effigies, and drive them mad; swap the initiative order with Nyarlathotep’s omnipotence on the Dreamlands. 

Elder Mythos is a game designed to be played collectively at the table, without preparation from the Eldritch Master. Using one of the 5 Scenarios, or through collaborative worldbuilding, each element of the game world, alongside the triggering main events, will be outlined rapidly, in an easy and intuitive process. 

In Elder Mythos, players will incarnate the most powerful Lovecraftian Entities. 

They won’t be mere RPG characters, they will be terrific deities with immense and frightening powers, each described in great detail within the Corebook. 

These Entities rarely take the field: some of them prefer to operate from distant galaxies, while others are unable to do so, forced in a lethargic state. On the contrary, they will use minuscule fragments of their power, their Manifestations, and will act primarily through their evil cults, their treacherous creatures, channeling some of their immense strength within their ministers.

Elder Mythos is a shared narrative role-playing game, where by playing different Entities, players could pursue different purposes and goals. 

Conflict between the playing Entities is not only possible but an integral part of the game system, and for some of them it might even be part of their Great Design.

But better not to get too distracted by Azathoth or Hastur, because fearsome interference, played by the Eldritch Master, could seize the opportunity to hamper the schemes of all the Playing Entities!

Kickstarter campaign ends: Wed, April 24 2024 10:29 PM BST

Website: [Mana Project Studio] [facebook] [twitter] [instagram]

[swordnbored]

The Campaign Map for my upcoming Historia Game. Historia is a D&D 5e hack about playing as anthropomorphic animals in an renaissance European setting. My campaign is using my own world and is going to be loosely based on the events of the Italian Wars in the last decade of the 15th and into the 16th century.

[boardgametoday]

Gen Con 2023: Ghost In the Shell Arise - Roleplaying Game, coming to Kickstarter in 2024

Gen Con 2023: Ghost In the Shell Arise - Roleplaying Game, coming to Kickstarter in 2024 #gencon #gencon2023 #ttrpg

Mana Project Studio and Don’t Panic Games, licensed by Kodansha Ltd., are proud to introduce you Ghost in the Shell Arise – Role-Playing Game: an official tabletop role-playing game of one of the most beloved anime of all times!  A NEW ORGANIZATION IS NEEDEDTO FIGHT NEW KINDS OF CRIME.LIVE AS A SPECIALIST,LEAD YOUR TEAM.YOUR SHELL, YOUR GHOST. The World Wars spurred rapid advancements in…

[surreal-duck]

messing around a bit

[touhoutunes]

Title: 心通あうんぶれす (Aunn’s Racing Heart)

Arrangement: アルノ

Vocals: MANA

Album: Wander Land Travelers

Circle: 紺碧Studio

Original: A Pair of Divine Beasts

[hyukassubi]

🪡 12 | Because He’s Big and Strong…

♡𓂃 Pairing -> (Former) Knight! Huening Kai x Seamstress! Reader

♡𓂃 Synopsis -> Growing up, you never believed in purpose, nor destiny. Simply following the path of life, becoming a royal seamstress didn't at all seem like a bad idea. Only thing is, it wasn't your idea.

Your best friend who just so happens to be the crowned prince knows what it's like to grow up having limited choices, and Prince Kang Taehyun doesn't want the same happening to you. The commander knight, in turn, has other plans for the future. After Huening Kai closes a profound chapter of his life, he seeks refuge from the chaos of his past, opting for a cozier lifestyle instead.

... And it just so seems that those plans wouldn't be fulfilled without you.

♡𓂃 Wc -> 1,003

Most days, the Royal Seamstress could be found in her bedroom-studio, on her desk, working on project after project, both personal and for the Royal Family. Perhaps that isn’t how seventeen year olds would typically spend their Friday nights, but if this is what keeps you at peace, then why let anything stop you from doing the thing you love?

The Queen had requested for a complete set of outfits meant for her, the King, and the prince. The royal family was getting their family portrait done in a month, so the outfits had to stand out and match and look the best they can be.

Sketching, cutting, sewing... sketching... cutting... sewing.

It was all for the Royal Family.

It was all for the Royal Family…

It does surprise you, sometimes, when somebody would come into your bedroom unannounced, those ‘somebodies’ most of the time being Taehyun and Huening Kai.

Like right now.

Huening Kai had forgotten to knock on the door again, but it was just Huening Kai.

It shouldn’t have mattered, not that much.

It took you a while before you had set your needles and threads down, spinning your spinny chair, greeting Huening Kai, “Hey Kai, how’ve you been?”

Kai. Oh, Kai. In a simple white blouse with ribbons tied on his waist, sleeves that flared past the elbow, black tights and brown heeled boots that matched his brown hair and… Oh how he’s grown taller recently, not much bulkier but he…

“I like the outfit.” You say, because real friends give each other real compliments. “It’s refreshing. Better than being stuffed in that metal armour all the time. I wonder who made it…”

You did.

Both the blouse and the armour.

You made it for him.

“Thank you.” He says in a hushed tone, it's all he could really say at the moment…

“You’re welcome.” You, too, said in a hushed tone.

"I'm doing alright, by the way. I just... thought I'd check up on you." Which wasn’t at all a lie.

"Why?"

And then he remembers.

His smile dampened, a gloomy cloud casting over his face. "Because… it's…”

“It’s?”

“It’s… concerning. The amount of time you spend couped up in here making clothes."

"Ahh... Queen's orders, I can't turn her down."

Huening Kai didn’t know what got over him, why he suddenly said what he said but he said it anyways because… "And what if you do?"

Because…

"I wouldn't." You put it simply, head still wrapped around how bold the words were coming from Kai, fidgety fingers, cheeks pinkening and all.

"What if you just... turn her down this time, only this time, and then... um....."

"...What?"

"Do you..."

"Hm?"

He said it.

He said what he had to say because he’s big, and he’s strong.

He’s brave, and kind.

He’s a piece of work but that’s okay because he’s got… you.

You were rooting for him.

"Do you really want this? I mean, to become the Royal Seamstress and all that stuff..." Huening Kai’s eyes looked into yours like they had never before and it should’ve been scary, how deep into your soul those eyes searched with a hint of desperation, a sliver of sadness, except you can’t really tell them apart because they blend so smoothly together on his face. His face that has changed so much yet his soul remains all the same.

And so you reply… funny how you knew exactly what to say yet your throat still manages to close up at the mere sight of this version of Kai.

"Yeah. Yeah, I do. I was born to make clothes for the Royal family, just like how you were born to be a knight?"

He gulped. "Yeah but… that doesn't mean you'll not have any breathing room for some free time, right? For… us?"

He isn’t wrong and so very wrong both at the same time, but you didn’t want to hurt his feelings so you respond with, “The job is the job, and my job is important to me. Now, I’ve got this really big project I’ll talk with you all about… later? When I’m free? I really don’t know, honestly. We’ll see.”

Huening Kai took a good look at the girl in front of him one last time before leaving the studio with so many things left unsaid…

Huening Kai was leaving.

Taehyun had told you so, in his bedroom, in the middle of the night, sat cross-legged across the edge of his bed in all serious bestie fashion.

“He’s…” The words died down in your throat just as they had bubbled up, and your chest fell shallow.

“He’s leaving for… I don’t know how long, but he won’t be coming back, not any time soon. That’s how it usually ends when you’re a Commander Knight set for perilous voyages.”

Odd, isn’t it? How you knew from the very beginning you laid your eyes on Huening Kai, he’d be a knight, the best of them all, yet, upon hearing such news, your heart sinks like you weren’t expecting anything like this to ever happen?

And Taehyun could feel it.

The pure cluelessness and hints of betrayal in your heart.

He felt it all. “He didn’t even hint at his departure? Not even a little?”

You shook your head.

“Ouch, that's not… if it makes you feel any better… in the next two weeks, he’ll be transferred to the East where a camp will be conducted to take down the Dragon that has been—”

“Where’s Kai?”

Taehyun caught the tension around your eyes, all details of the voyage pushed to the back of his mind. “He should be coming back to the castle—”

You clutched your hands in his so tightly you could've almost displaced a knuckle or two. “We’ll see each other again tomorrow. I need to go see him.” You reached for Taehyun’s bedroom door, heels clicking against the marbled floor…

All Taehyun could do was smile, and he himself couldn’t tell if it was genuine or forced.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

♡𓂃Tags: @sweetheartsaku @imcringebutimfree @i-like-to-read-at-4am @pengningie @marloree @stormy1408 @blossommi @flaminghotyourmom

Reblog & review if you like my work !!

[satoshi-mochida]

Turn-based RPG ALZARA: Radiant Echoes announced for consoles, PC – a tribute to JRPG classics

From Gematsu

Montpellier-based developer Studio Cemlia has announced ALZARA: Radiant Echoes, a turn-based RPG inspired by classics like Golden Sun, Persona, Final Fantasy X, and Lost Odyssey. It will be available for consoles and PC via Steam in 2026. A Kickstarter campaign seeking €100,000 in funding is now live.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

Restore peace to a world torn apart in this 3D turn-based RPG inspired by Japanese classics. Combine the elements to unleash spectacular attacks, solve magical puzzles, and bring the world together.

Key Features

A Vibrant Tribute to the Golden Age of JRPGs – Take control of four heroes as you embark on an epic journey inspired by classic JRPGs across the stunning world of ALZARA.

Harness the Elements – Harness the elemental magic of Kayla and her allies to battle the invading forces of Vedores. Share the magic to overcome puzzles and obstacles during your adventure.

Intense and Strategic Turn-based Battles – Swap between heroes to combine elemental magic and unleash spectacular attacks. Make offerings to gain favors and summon Legends to defeat your enemies.

A Mature, Relatable Story – Restore Peace to the vibrant world of ALZARA, where the mysterious elemental entities known as Zals answer to humans’ prayers. Lead the Resistance against the merciless invasion orchestrated by the neighboring nation of Vedores.

A Collaboration With Japanese Artists – We are honored to partner with two esteemed Japanese artists for this project. Renowned composer Motoi Sakuraba, celebrated for his contributions to iconic titles like Golden Sun and Dark Souls, joins us alongside main character designer Yoshiro Ambe, recognized for his remarkable work on games such as Trials of Mana and Fire Emblem Heroes.

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer

[deepinnomin]

EVERLUST PART 87 - NOMIN AU by @cupkissezst

Dengan didampingi oleh Tara, Sadra mencoba untuk bisa berbaur dengan orang-orang yaang berada di studio lantai 3 di gedung Starium Agensi itu. Mungkin tidak bisa semua, namun Sadra setidaknya bisa saling mengenal beberapa di antara banyaknya orang yang akan ikut andil dalam projek drama itu.

Sadra sudah memegang sebuah naskah di tangannya. Ia sempat membukanya tadi dan membcanya sekilas. Ia sudah memastikan bahwa desas desus yang mengatakan bahwa projek drama dari Bang Aof adalah adaptasi dari manhwa Jinx. Ya, itu benar adanya.

"Samudra?" seorang laki-laki yang baru memasuki studio seketika meneriakkan nama Sadra. Terpanggil, Sadra langsung menoleh. Laki-laki tadi pun tersenyum dan melangkahkan kakinya mendekati Sadra.

"Ya?" sahut Sadra.

"Gw Abigail yang bakal nemenin Lu selama poject drama ini berjalan." ucap laki-laki berkacamata sambil mengulurkan tangannya. Sadra tentu menyambutnya dengan senang hati. Sepertinya dia yang dibicarakan oleh Bang Tara kemarin.

"Ya bisa dibilang Gw yang bakal jadi manager lu, mulai sekarang." lanjut Abigail.

"Oh, ok, bang Abigail. Gw kayaknya emang butuh banget dampingan." kata Sadra dengan pandangn yang menelisik ke seluruh ruang studio yang memang ramai dengan beberapa aktor yang Sadra tahu dan sisanya sudah jelas bahwa mereka adalah kru atau tim yang akan ikut serta dalam project ini.

"Haha, ya... Gw paham kok. Anyway, selamat ya Lu bisa lolos dan langsung jadi pemeran utamanya. Tapi Lu tenang aja, jangan terlalu ngerasa insecure karena Lu bakal dapat pembelajaran. Jadi Lu bisa mengasah kemampuan acting Lu. Syaratnya cuma satu. Jangan malu!"

Mungkin, ini merupakan pembelajaran pertama yang Sadra dapatkan dari Abigail. Sebagai sosok yang katanya akan menjadi manager dari Sadra, Abigail tentu harus bisa segera mengenal calon aktornya itu. Ia harus bisa segera merangkulnya agar Sadra juga tidak merasa bahwa dia sendirian.

"Samudra mana ya?" seorang laki-laki memanggilnya dari ambang pintu.

"Ya? Kenapa Phu?" tanya Abigail.

"Disuruh ke sebelah sama Bang Aof!" pinta Phu. Abigail hanya mengacungkan jempolnya lalu Phu meninggalkan ruangan itu untuk kembali ke ruangan sebelah.

Abigail lantas mengajak Sadra untuk ssegera menuju ke ruangan sebelah sesuai permintaan.

di ruang sebelah hanya ada beberapa orang. Tiga di antaranya sudah Sadra kenal, termasuk ada sosok Zealand di sana sedang sibuk mengunyh uah strawberry favoritnya sambil membalik naskah di tangannya. Love berdiri di hadapan Zealand tengah menjelaskan sesuatu. Namun saat Sadra masuk, Love langsung menepuk pundak Zealand dan menunjuk ke arah Sadra.

"Samudra? Akhirnya bisa ketemu juga Gw!" seorang laki-laki lain segera menyambut Sadra. Ia menjabat tangan Sadra lalu segera menariknya ke tengah ruangan.

"Kenalin, Gw Aof, yang bakal jadi sutradara di drama kita nanti." Kata Bang Aof memperkenalkan diri.

"Karena di sini lu adalah aktor baru, jadi lu harus dapat perhatian khusus. Lu udah tahu Zealand kan?" tanya Bang Aof sambil menunjuk Zealand yang masih di tempatnya. Zealand yang terpanggil hanya mengalihkan pandangannya sebentar dari naskah di tangannya untuk melihat Sadra yang jaraknya sekitar 3 meter itu. Cukup jauh tapi kedua mata mereka sempat bertemu.

Sadra mengangguk, "Iya..." jawabnya agak canggung. Melihat reaksi Zealand itu membuat Sadra berpikir apakah Zealand tidak mengingatnya? Zealand malah kembali fokus pada naskahnya.

"Nah, Dia yang bakal jadi lawan main Lu. Dia yang jadi jaekyung dan Lu jadi Kim Dan." kata Bang Aof memberitahu.

"Nah, hari ini kalian bisa mulai PDKT. Gw kasih waktu minimal satu minggu buat kalian bisa saling berkenalan, dan minggu selanjutnya kalian udaharus bisa membangun chemistry. Caranya? Gw bebasin!" lanjut Bang Aof. Jujurr saja, sampai di titik itu Sadra masih hanya bisa diam. Ia tidak tahu apa yang harus ia lakukan meskipun Bang Aof sudah mengatakan apa yang harus ia lakukan.

"Gw bentar lagi kudu ke boxing camp, Bang!" izin Zealand. "Kita kenalan lewat WA dulu aja ya?" pintanya.

"Lah? Gw kira Lu minta libur dulu hari ini?" tanya Bang Aof.

"Pelatihnya juga bilang gitu, tapi Gw gak mau. Nanggung kalau kudu libur." kata Zealand yang kemudian berjalan mendekati Sadra.

"Ntar Lu minta kontak gw aja ke Bang Abi, ya? Gw tunggu chat Lu!" kat Zealand dengan santainya sambil menepuk lengan Sadra. Benar-benar tanpa basa-basi. Namun entah kenapa Sadra merasa saat itu ia seperti sedang di telantarkan karena Zealand langsung beranjak pergi keluar dari ruangan itu diikuti oleh seorang laki-laki yan Sadra yakin itu adalah managernya.

"Bukannya Gw udah bilang supaya jadwal dia diliburin dulu ya hari ini?" tanya Bang Aof kepada beberapa timnya yang ada di sana.

"Dia yang gak mau, Bang. Yaudah ikutin aja mau diaa, Bang." kata Phu yang berhasil membuat Bang Aof menggelengkan kepalanya.

"Sorry ya Samudra. Harusnya hari ini Lu sama Zealand bisa saling kenalan satu sama lain trus ngobrolin naskah nyari chemistry tapi kayaknya gagal." kata Bang Aof merasa bersalah pada Sadra.

"Ah, iya Bang, gapapa kok. Gw juga masih bingung kudu ngapain." jawab Sadra.

"Lu mau langsung ngobrolin naskah sama pengarah naskah gak? Atau mau pulang aja? Soalnya kayaknya lu masih bingung banget gitu. Ntar biar dikoordinasi lagi sama manager Lu supaya lu bisa lebih ngerti lagi sama apa yang harus lu lakuin." Bang Aof memberi opsi.

"Ya, kayaknya gitu aja deh Bang. Gw masih grogi juga. Gw butuh waktu buat nenangin diri dulu sambil baca-baca naskahnya juga." kata Sadra.

"Ya, Ok. Lu bisa pulang aja kalau gitu. Nanti jadwalnya menyusul ya..." kata Bang Aof mempersilakan Sadra untuk pergi.

"Oke Bang. terimakasih ya..." Sadra pun langsung beranjak pergi diikuti oleh Abigail.

"Yaudah kalau gitu kita ketemu sama yang lain dulu aja buat finalin jadwalnya." ajak Bang Aof yang sempat Sadra dengar sebelum ia benar-benar keluar dari ruangan.

[adventuresandshopping]

[bebemoon]

pfw a/w23 schedule~

o1 mar. courrèges, litkovaska, roisin pearce, nehera, the row, undercover, dries van noten, meryll rogge, cecilie bahnsen, minuit, paco rabanne, acne studios, balmain

o2 mar. alexis mabille, shang xia, veronique leroy, off-white, gauchere, chloé, givenchy, uma wang, ruohan, rick owens, schiaparelli, isabel marant

o3 mar. alexandre vauthier, didu, loewe, lutz, issey miyake, jitrois, giambattista valli, andrew gn, nina ricci, victoria beckham, yohji yamamoto, coperni

o4 mar. noir kei ninomiya, junya watanabe, ester manas, situationist, vivienne westwood, hermès, chen peng, rochas, elie saab, comme des garçons, enfants riches déprimés, alexander mcqueen, ann demeulemeester

o5 mar. dice kayek, lanvin, margaret howell, balenciaga, ottolinger, akris, beautiful people, palm angels, atlein, florentina leitner, pierre cardin, valentino

o6 mar. paul smith, stella mccartney, paula canovas del vas, ungaro, az factory, zimmermann, shiatzy chen, louis vuitton, sacai, calvin luo, rokh, germanier, gmbh, dundas

o7 mar. mossi, chanel, ujoh, a.w.a.k.e. mode, miu miu, y/project, avellano, xuly.bët

[visualandpublicart]

Arte Sonído: Voz, Comunidad, and Performance

ARTE Sonido: Voz, Comunidad, and Performance is a community-based art exhibition that reflects on Covid-19 response and recovery efforts through regional community-based partnerships, art-making, installation, sound, and performance.  This exhibition features work by Tristan Bochum, Jesus Espinoza, Claudia Hernandez, Mana Kato, Juan Luna-Avin, Gazelle Parsons, Delia Saldivar, Melissa Smedley, and Olivia Wieker that examines Intersectional Communication & Covid-19 through the medium of sound as a form action, personal ritual, resilience, and survival linked to socio-cultural identity, protest, community building, and shared experiences within marginalized and disproportionality impacted communities.

Exhibition Title:  Arte Sonído: Voz, Comunidad, and Performance

Exhibition Dates:  April 20 – May 19, 2023

Opening Reception and Performance:  Thursday, April 20, 2023, 6-8pm

Performance/Sound Intervention from from The Department of Homeland Inspiration : Thursday, April 20, 2023, 6-6:30pm

Join us for the exhibition reception featuring an interactive sound performance by Melissa Smedley.

About Performance: The Ruckus | The Silence | The Synthesis is a collaborative sound intervention from The Department of Homeland Inspiration to accompany the "ARTE Sonido: Voz” exhibition. This group performance, led by Art Ranger a.k.a. Melissa Smedley will be both an invocation of the vigorous clanking of pots and pans to celebrate healthcare workers during the pandemic and a tribute to the “caceroladas” protests that have occurred throughout Latin America.

* A cacerolada or casserole is a form of protest that consists of a group of people making noise by banging pots, pans, and other utensils in order to call attention to social issues

All events are Free & Open to the Public! RSVP Link & Self-Attestation

Gallery Hours: 11-5pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Tues./Thurs. by Appointment* Additional hours by appointment at amuro@csumb.edu Student tours available upon request. About Covid-19 Recovery and Response Grant:  Arte Sonído: Voz, Comunidad, and Performance is the 3rd and final installment of a three-part interdisciplinary art project that examines Under-represented Identities: Community-Engaged Arts to Pan-Ethnic Studies through cross-campus and community collaborations that emphasize Covid-19 awareness and recovery within disproportionately impacted populations of color through a series of exhibitions, panels, workshops, 1/1 mentorship, community outreach events, and performance.From spring 2022 through spring 2023, a series of exhibitions explored the intersection of ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, and class through autobiographical stories about cultural identity, community-building practices, project-based learning, professional practices, and hands-on activities that included applied studio art practices and research focused on the importance of sustainable and accessible community art practices.  Workshops dedicated to art-making practices about post-pandemic meaning through 1/1 mentorship with emerging tri-county artists of color, regional community partners, and collaborative curricular art projects included engagement with CSUMB students in VPA 209: Day of the Dead Workshop, VPA 302: Visiting Artist Series, VPA 337: Community Infrastructure Practices, and HCOM 328: Latina Life Stories, HCOM 371, Community Journalism Studies, and HCOM 434: Creative Publishing and Critical Storytelling.

Acknowledgments: This project is a collaboration between the School of Humanities and Communication (HCOM) and the Visual and Public Art Department (VPA). Covid-19 Grant Principal Investigators, Associate Professor of Sculpture, Installation, and Community Engaged Practice, Hector Dionicio Mendoza (VPA), Associate Professor of Integrated Media, Photography and Community Engaged Practice, Angelica Muro (VPA), and Professor of Chicanx-Latinx Studies, Maria Villaseñor (HCOM).

The Visual & Public Art Gallery is located @:

3050 Divarty Street, Seaside, CA. 93955 (@ Engineer Lane & Divarty St.) College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, 504 California State University, Monterey Bay

Gallery entry is Free & Open to the Public!

[swordnbored]

Currently Running: Historia by Mana Project Studio

Historia is a D&D 5E hack about telling stories in a dark fantasy renaissance setting with Anthropomorphic animal characters.

Typically, I don't run D&D and I definitely don't run D&D overhauls that I didn't design myself. However, Historia caught my attention for a couple reasons. First, I love fantasy RPGs that borrow heavily from history for their settings. Second, Historia changes how hit points and dying works to make the game more lethal. Lethal and dangerous combat is a must when I run a campaign. And third and finally, the art is absolutely gorgeous.

See what I mean?

When I saw Historia at Gen Con I was interested, but to be honest I dismissed it because it was just another D&D hack. However the more I thought about it the more it seemed to fit with my group, or rather lack thereof.

You see, a couple weeks prior to Gen Con my TTRPG group fell apart for social reasons and I was on the hunt for new people to run games for. The primary issue for me was that for a lot of people D&D is the default RPG and convincing them to try something new, and then teaching them something new, can be pretty difficult. Especially teaching a new game over discord. Historia shares all of its combat mechanics with D&D, so it hasn't been nearly as intimidating for new players to adopt. I knew the renaissance setting was something I could sink my teeth into and write an excellent campaign for. Also my fiancé is a furry, so I knew he would be excited to build a character.

At this point I've successfully gathered a group to play, and we've had our session zero. My players are all very enthusiastic and have all built their characters. We haven't played our first session yet but here are some of my thoughts so far.

First off, I'm not using the official Historia setting. That's not my style. I am however picking and choosing elements from it. I think the factions are compelling and useful, and can be easily slotted in to a homebrew world.

In traditional Dungeons and Dragons, hit points are a measure of how much physical harm you can take before you are downed. Historia treats hit points quite a bit differently. In Historia Hit Points should be considered a measure of how ‘rattled’ a character is. Because of this, the GM might dish out damage as a result of particularly stressful situations, experiencing horror, or generally doing difficult things as well as in combat. When a characters hit points reach zero they suffer a level of exhaustion. Every time you are hit afterwards you also receive a level exhaustion. In Historia reaching tier six exhaustion is what kills you, rather than running out of hit points. I've also incorporated exploding dice to enhance the randomness of the violence. Historia also has a chart of permanent injuries PCs can accrue. I personally really like this approach, it enhances the value of hit points as a resource and I think it will heighten the tension of the game. Permanent injuries also make sure that players will always second guess any potential combat encounter, heightening the value of role play focused solutions.

As we went through and made characters I noticed some issues. Historia was developed by the Italian company Mana Project Studio, and its clear that on translating to English there was some issues. Several abilities and mechanics were very confusing to parse out. There were also some pretty significant typos. It is especially disappointing because the game book as a whole has a very high production value! Its well organized and down right gorgeous! But the poor proof reading can make character creation a bit of a slog.

All told though we figured it out. Made calls on some confusing rules and moved on. Session 1 is coming up this week and I don't think I've been more excited for a campaign in years! I certainly haven't put this much effort into a campaign in years. I am excited for session one, and it sounds like my players are very excited as well!

[oneart001]

Artist CV

EDUCATION

Art Student League of New York, New York City, NY, United States, 2012 

B. B. A. Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, 2005-2010 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

8469838369766584737978, Stanley Museum of Art, Iowa City, Iowa, 2024

Photometry, Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan, 2024

The Era of Lithic Landscapes, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington, 2023 

Synaptogenesis, Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea, 2022

Resonance, The Kulturwerkstatt Auf AEG, Nürnberg, Germany, 2022

Elysian Chronicle: Reflections of the Sublime, Giverny Museum, Giverny, France, 2021 

Beyond the Infinite, CICA Museum, Gimpo, South Korea, 2019

A Monochromatic Flux, Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas, 2019

Spectra, New York Academy of Art, New York City, New York, 2018 

By Wind, Toronto Media Arts Centre, Toronto, Canada, 2017

Time and Motion, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 2017

Monument, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, Massachusetts, 2016

De Rerum Natura, Artz Centre, West Lancashire, UK, 2016

Arma Virumque Cano, Visual Art Center of New Jersey, Summit, New Jersey, 2015

Million Miles, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2015

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

HCA Winter Show, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, 2024  

Reclaim the Chain, Oculus World Trade Center, New York, New York, 2024

India Art Festival, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, India, 2024  

Reno Tahoe International Art Show, Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, 2024 

Annual Studio Art Fair, Ashin Gallery, Yangpeong, South Korea, 2024

Open Call for Artist Exhibition, JRNY Gallery, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2024

Art Spring Berlin, Rathaus-Center Pankow, Berlin, Germany, 2024 

Mundo Geo Connect, Yellow Pavilion, São Paulo, Brazil, 2024

Metaverse Expo Tokyo, Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan, 2024 

Paris Open Art, The Holy Art Gallery, Paris, France, 2024 

Fine Art Painting and Photography, Ardel Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand, 2024 

The Haat of Art, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India, 2023 

Emerging Artists, Montreal Art Center and Museum, Montreal, Canada, 2023 

ICT Convergence: Art & Science, EXCO Exhibition Hall, Daegu, South Korea, 2023 

ARTMUC Contemporary Art Fair, MTC Center, Munich, Germany, 2023 

Global Art & Design Education, Blue Diamond, Pune, India, 2023  

Gwanak Art Show, Cultural Platform S1472 x Gwanak Foundation for Arts and Culture, Seoul, South Korea, 2023  

Art on Paper Art Fair, Pier 36, New York City, New York, 2023 

Le Projet, D'Arts en Ateliers, La Réole, France, 2023

Arts and Media, Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab, Taipei, Taiwan, 2023 

2023 Annual Art Showcase, International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas, 2023

Art, Beyond the Great: Art Korea Expo, Kintex, Goyang, South Korea, 2023 

The Ottakring Art Station, Kunsttankstelle Ottakring, Vienna, Austria, 2023 

Spectrum Miami, Mana Wynwood Convention Center, Miami, Florida, 2022 

Annual Juried Art Exhibition, West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, Connecticut, 2022 

Art of Living, Forum de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon, 2022 

Holiday Art Show, Northern Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada, 2022

Birmingham Studio Art Exhibition, Casa Itzatna, Birmingham, UK, 2022 

Creative Culture and Technology Innovation Exhibition, HKCEC, Hong Kong, 2022 

Ansan International Art Show, Hwarang Art Museum, Ansan, South Korea, 2022 

World Metaverse Show, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Arab Emirates, 2022

Spring Art Show, STAAA Art Gallery, St. Augustine, Florida, 2022

2022 MetaJam Asia: Singapore, Experience Center, Singapore, 2022 

A Contemporary Art Collection, Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre Museum, Lisboa, Portugal, 2022

Evidence Portal: 4 Artists Exhibition, Mirrored Sphere, Seoul, South Korea, 2022 

A New Wave of Contemporary Painting, Young Art Gallery, Daejeon, South Korea, 2021 

Juxtapose, Godsbanen Art Space, Aarhus, Denmark, 2021

Artworks Open Exhibition, ArtWorks Project Space, London, UK, 2021 

Creative Engagement, The Customs House Gallery, South Shields, UK, 2021 

Stratosphere, Cathay View Art Zone, Beijing, China, 2021

Hamilton Art: Signature Exhibition, Hamilton Art Council, Hamilton, Canada, 2021 

Painting and Sculpture, Niko Art Gallery, Moscow, Russia, 2021

ESC Project Exhibition, 98B COLLABoratory, Manila, Philippines, 2021

Call For Artist Group Exhibition, Gallery Art Number 23, Athen, Greece, 2021

St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival, The Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2021 

Open Studio Showcase, Casa Equis, Mexico City, Mexico, 2021

A HELP: International Art Exhibition, International Association of Visual Artists, Florence, Italy, 2020

Busan International Art Competition, Korea China Japan International Art Association, Busan, South Korea, 2019 

Creative World, PVA Praha, Prague, Czech Republic, 2019 

Melbourne international Art Festival, Melbourne Auditorium, Melbourne, Australia, 2019 

Annual Juried Exhibition, Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, California, 2019

Art in the City, Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, UK, 2019 

Evolution Amsterdam, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2019 

Korean Culture Festival, Place de Basse Vieille Tour, Rouen, France, 2019 

Kawasaki International Asia Art Festival, Art Garden Kawasaki Museum, Kawasaki, Japan, 2019

Annual Juried Exhibition, Wailoa Art Center, Hilo, Hawaii, 2019

New York Spring Collection, K&P Art Gallery, New York City, New York, 2019

Holiday Festival of the Arts, Center for Allied Arts, Bellingham, Washington, 2018 

Art Works Downtown, 1337 Gallery, San Rafael, California, 2018

Chroma and Form: The Language of Color, Henie Onstad Art Center, Oslo, Norway, 2018

Art of Peace Tyler, Art of Peace Foundation, Tyler, Texas, 2018  

Ocean Shores Art Show, Ocean Shore, New South Wales, Australia, 2018 

North: Emerging Artists , The Gallery 8680, Frisco, Texas, 2018 

Hutzot Hayotzer, Creator’s Complex, Jerusalem, Israel, 2018 

Slipvillan Studio Exhibition, Long Island Art Center Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden, 2018

ARCH Moscow, The Central House of Artist in the Crimean Shaft, Moscow, Russia, 2018

Art Motivation, International Roerich Art Gallery, Manali, India, 2018

Creative Warehouse Art Show, Kunming Art Loft, Kunming, China, 2018 

Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival, The Humane Society of Sarasota County, Sarasota, Florida, 2018  

Annual Holiday Treasures, Museum of Dufferin, Mulmur, Canada, 2017 

China Shanghai International Arts Festival, CCSIAF, Shanghai, China, 2017 

Ravenswood Art Walk, Ravenswood Community Council, Chicago, Illinois, 2017 

Art Meets Spirit: Two Artists Exhibition, KCCW, NW Washington, Washington D. C., 2017  

Artists of the Nord Art 2017 International Exhibition, Kunstwerk Carlshütte, Büdelsdorf, Germany, 2017 

New Zealand Art Show, ASB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand, 2017

Kyiv  International Contemporary Art, Kompleks Toronto-Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, 2017

Third Wave Art Project Show, 3rd Wave Initiative, Izmir, Turkey, 2017 

Visions Unbound, Musée Visionnaire, Zurich, Switzerland, 2017 

Encountering the Dreams, Gallery Il Ho, Seoul, South Korea, 2017 

Arts on the Green, Reeves House Visual Art Center, Woodstock, Georgia, 2016 

Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton College, Hilton, South Africa, 2016   

Harmony Arts, Visual Arts Hub, West Vancouver, Canada, 2016 

ART Santa Fe, Santa Fe Convention Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2016 

Doors Opening the Future, EK Gallery, Seoul, South Korea, 2016  

Figuratively Speaking: Open Juried Exhibition, Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, New York, 2016  

Head On Photography Festival, Project Space, Sydney, Australia, 2016 

Downtown Contemporary Arts, Factory Space, Cairo, Egypt, 2016

Arizona Fine Art Expo, Exhibition Studio, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2016  

SELECTED PUBLICATION

The re-incanation and re-interpretation of Art Brut, Narrative Way, 2024

Contemporary Art Collection, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, 2024

Metaverse Expo Toky,o Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 2024

India Art Festival, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, 2024

Festival De La Culture Coréenne, Rouen, Normandy, France, 2024

Momentorum Lux Infinita–The Intersection Of Time And Perception, Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 2024

Toiles Et Imagination : Un Voyage À Travers L'art, La Réole, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, 2023

New Dimensions: The Future Of Media Art, Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan, 2023

2023 Annual Art Showcase, El Paso, Texas, United States, 2023

The Forces Of Form, Spokane, Washington, United States, 2023

 Us Starting From Me, Daegu, Gyeongsang, South Korea, 2023

Crack It, Gimhae, Gyeongsang, South Korea, 2023

Miami Art Week, Miami, Florida, United States, 2022

2022 Holiday Art Show, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2022

Spring Art Show, St. Augustine, Florida, United States, 2022

Evidence Portal: 4 Artists Exhibition, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea, 2022

Unveiling The Art Of Transformative Narrative And Emerging Perspectives, Nürnberg, Bayern, Germany, 2022

2022 Ansan International Art Show, Ansan, Gyeonggi, South Korea, 2022

2021 Juxtapose Aarhus, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark, 2021

St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, 2021

New Wind Of Contemporary Visual Art, Daejeon, Chungcheong, South Korea, 2021

Cica Art Now 2020, Seattle, Washington, United States, 2020

Art In The City Gloucester, Gloucester, South West England, United Kingdom, 2019

2019 Busan International Art Show, Busan, Busan, South Korea, 2019

Kawasaki International Asia Festival, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, , 2019

Echoes Of Light: The Chromatic Abstraction, New York City, New York, United States, 2018

A Curated Collection Of Art, Ocean Shore, New South Wales, Australia, 2018

Frames Of Vision: Stories Told In Colors And Shapes, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel, 2018

Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival, Sarasota, Florida, United States, 2018

Art Meets Spirit: Two Artists Exhibition, NW Washington, Washington, United States, 2017

Nord Art International Exhibition Of Visual Arts, Büdelsdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, 2017

2016 Harmony Arts, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2016

30Th Annual Collection: A Creative Concert, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea, 2016

Regnum Et Artium: I Chronicle The Realm And The Arts, Summit, New Jersey, United States, 2015

RESIDENCY

Kala Art Institute Artist Residency, Berkeley, California, U. S., 2022 

International Center for the Arts Artist Residency, Umbria, Italy, 2019

AWARD AND FELLOWSHIP

Selected Artist for the Meta Project and Technology Convergence Art Program, Daegu Foundation for Culture & Arts, 2023

Selected Artist for Contents Marketing Support Program of Gyeongnam Content Enterprise Support Center, Gyeongnam Foundation for Culture & Arts, 2023

Exhibition Fellowship, Ansan International Art Show, Ansan Cultural Foundation, 2022 

2nd Place, Evidence Portal: Emerging Artists, Mirrored Sphere, 2022

Honorable Mention, Exhibition of Contemporary Art: A HELP, International Association of Visual Arts, 2020 

Honorable Mention, Busan International Art Competition, Korea China Japan International Art Association, 2019 

Exhibition Fellowship, Sarasota Fine Art, Sarasota Humane Society, 2018

Exhibition Fellowship, Korean Cultural Center Washington, 2017

Best of Exhibition, 2017 Emerging Artist Award, EK Art, 2017 

2nd Place, SeoJin Art Artists of the Year Competition, SeoJin Art Space, 2016

ARTIST STATEMENT

This collection features a series of abstract pointillism works that transform literal text into color values through mathematical and numerical codes, visually reshaping the results. Each piece is both a work of abstract art and a record of coded information. This approach breaks down the boundaries between information and abstraction, logic and aesthetics, while creating a new visual language through data and color.

The works go beyond simply representing or interpreting data and text, inviting viewers to explore the multi-layered meanings and symbols embedded in everyday life. By bridging the gap between information and art, these pieces allow the viewer to experience the transformation of everyday text into color and form through a creative process. Beyond their visual aesthetics, these works explore how language, symbols, and cultural codes in this age can be artistically transformed and reinterpreted.

Expanding the traditional language of abstract art into the realm of mathematical language, these works lead viewers into a metaphysical exploration. Symbols, language, and color are key elements in expressing human perception and emotions. This abstract process serves as a visual reinterpretation of the psychological dimension. As a result, the works transcend the visual realm, engaging viewers in both analytical reasoning and intuitive thinking, thereby broadening their perception.

[captaingiadamoltotempoblr]

Blue feaher

Parte II

Soffocando a forza il magone che le portarono i ricordi dei giorni passati, si concentrò sul rievocare la profezia che era stata affidata alla sua famiglia. Gei ripotò alla mente i sussurri che aveva sentito nel vento diverse notti prima, quando lei era ancora nel suo nido nel bosco con la sua famiglia. Era il primo sussurro che riusciva a cogliere e diede la colpa alla sua poca esperienza quando alcuni frammenti le arrivarono strani e grotteschi, interpretati a volte dai pulcini così come per gli umani potrebbero fare le menti dei bambini.

“Un villaggio è stato attaccato. Un atleta elfico, è alla guida di una coorte di gladiatori pensionati non morti. Viaggi verso un passo di montagna e raduni un esercito di corvi per contribuire al rafforzamento delle difese. Qual è il nome di questo villaggio e perché è sotto attacco?”

Quando il sole filtrò tra i rami illuminando la zona vuota del nido, Gei capì che era il momento di andare.

Finì velocemente quello che rimaneva del cibo che Vhal le aveva procurato in quei giorni dal villaggio nel quale si erano rifugiati e con un ultimo e veloce sguardo a est si voltò e iniziò a zampettare nella direzione opposta, passando da un ramo all’altro fino a ritrovarsi a ondeggiare piano sui rami più piccoli ed esterni.

Sotto di lei i tetti del piccolo villaggio le sembravano più distanti di quanto non fossero veramente e per un istante rimase a studiare i colori e i suoni sottostanti. Aveva ancora davanti agli occhi il modo in cui il paesaggio aveva iniziato a distorcersi quando era caduta al suolo stremata dal volo. Il senso del vuoto allo stomaco mentre precipitava sembrava essere tornato ora che fissava i comignoli delle case da quell’altezza.

Capendo di stare solo esitando raspò nervosamente con i piccoli artigli sul ramo dove si era fermata e si costrinse a sollevare lo sguardo sull’orizzonte, vero ovest e le montagne che apparivano in lontananza.

Quando saltò e distese le ali, saltellando sul ramo che la spinse un po' più in alto, l’ala che si era ferita la volta prima le cedette. Per un istante si vide precipitare di nuovo verso i tetti, evitando un ramo che le andava incontro mentre cadeva, sforzandosi di riprendere il controllo e la coordinazione delle ali fino a quando non sentì di nuovo il vento spingere dal basso e decidendo di smettere di agitarsi. Planò acquistando velocità e sentendo l’ala che piano stava riuscendo a contrastare la forza del vento fino a quando riuscì a dispiegarla del tutto. Planò ancora ma questa volta controllando lei l'aria sotto le ali fino a quando la spinse di nuovo in alto, oltre i tetti delle case e oltre le cime degli alberi. Batté le ali per raggiungere la corrente migliore e nel sentirsi di nuovo parte del vento pigolò soddisfatta, osservando per la prima volta l’orizzonte e il territorio che la circondavano.

Si lasciò cullare dal vento mentre si orientava, puntando infine le vette a ovest cercando di capire quanto tempo le avrebbe richiesto raggiungerle.

Gei Specie - Gazza (pica pica) Fase di Vita - Pulcino Ambientazione - Fantasy

Basato sul manuale "Be Like a Crow", GDR in solitaria di Tim Roberts (Critical Kit) e portato in versione italiana da Mana Project Studio.

[thismisfitslife]

Introducing: Diya Wellness

When I went to a Christmas market at Yoga X Life in Ouseburn, a year or a few ago, I got introduced to the wonderful products local business Diya Wellness has been creating over the past four years. It seemed only logical to bring them to you in our 'Introducing Misfits' Q&A series, so that you can get acquainted with them as well!

Hi! Could you introduce yourself and your brand? When did you start your business and what inspired you to do so? "Hi, I’m Vino Subramaniam, the founder and owner of Diya Wellness. I’m a wellness enthusiast and a maker – I handcraft a range of wellness products incorporating ancient Indian formulations and rituals.

Diya started as a passion project in 2020 during lockdown. Growing up enjoying clean, natural ingredients and traditional self-care rituals in Malaysia, I wanted to offer a holistic approach to wellness through my brand. As I started searching for balance in my own personal wellness journey, I began to understand the importance of looking after my physical fitness, mental wellbeing and emotional health. Each product I’ve created and every ritual I’ve shared is part of my own journey of discovering, supporting and nurturing ME!"

How do you decide who and what to work with? "I keep this simple: I don’t work with anyone or make any decisions that don’t align with my personal or brand ethos."

Who have you worked with so far and what has made it a good fit for you? "I’ve worked with Peloton Studios London, 261 Fearless Club UK, Kind Currency, Mana Living, Just Canny, AirMid Massage Therapies, Mayfli, Green Bee and many more amazing people who are very passionate about wellness, sustainability and supporting small businesses."

Who do you hope to work with in the near future? And what do you hope to achieve with your brand in the next three years? "I would love to work with any charities supporting mental health. I hope to grow my brand further and have my own little space so I can keep creating more beautiful wellness products for you to enjoy."

Where can we find you next, be that on a market, in a shop, or online? "You can find Diya Wellness at the Ouseburn Market, Night Market (Boiler Shop), Sister Shack Market, Just Canny Whitley Bay, Green Bee Hexham and online www.diyawellness.com.

Our next Salt Making Workshop is taking place on the 22nd of November at Full Circle Brew, Hoult’s Yard. Our next Wellness Walk will be in January 2025 in Jesmond Dene."

[fineartsjournal]

213341 Art Studio IIIA ⋆ Week 1 - Project Outline

Semester one was my space to toy around with facets of the artform, presenting methodology first, contextualization taking a backseat to the abstract. This semester will see me place deeper intent within this process but retaining the creative actions of sample ‘plundering’ as my avenue for messaging.

In the first semester of 2023, a perverse interest into the oversaturated visual culture of YouTube ‘thumbnails’ leant itself to a series of satirical response pieces, which soon transitioned into a general commentary on modernised visual culture by the second semester. The culmination of this was in the BRAZEN FUCK OBJECT (and children), a lumpy, three-legged sculptural beast of cardboard, spotted mass; a texturally overwhelming amalgamation of all things accelerated and visual – warped beyond recognition into an alien presence.

My work this year, while taking a step back from the distinctly visual – spiritually picks up where the concept was left off, now borrowing from, and rearranging the ever-growing expanses of man-made sound into something of a shattered, mosaic replica. Much the same in the world of music as with visual culture, the accelerating catalogue of past creation poses new challenges for the future. Specific movements are harder to pin down, motives see a greater focus on profitability than practicality, speed and quantity are key to material success. The capitalistic, slow death of the artisan permeates both years of study as such, and much as stripping away and re-meshing visible pieces of online culture bore a dystopian parody of what seems to come, to undergo a similar conceptual action in the collage of music is to bear fruit of similar flavor.

Last semester saw me tucked away at home, accessibly experimenting within the limited capabilities of a YouTube player and Audacity, a free sound-editing software. A CD player paired with bargain-bin CDs put the actions of transforming source material to the forefront. However, the overarching intention was to utilize what I aimed to be the workhorse of this year’s projects – a vintage Boss SP-202 sampler, purchased from eBay back in February. While a small, ‘lo-fi’ piece of machinery, it brings with it a method of creating deeply rooted into the mana and artistic history of plunderphonics. As much a plaything as an instrument, my (later than expected) use of the machine was a step outside my comfort zone, but the break has given me some time to familiarize myself; to which I’ll be making much greater use of it throughout this semester.

With the actions of sampling established, from here I can use sampling as a tool for remembrance, reconstruction, and illustration. Being from 1998, the SP-202 has 2MB of internal memory. But what I can evoke from using it fits on so much more.

With the imperative to find a group for an eventual joint exhibition later-on, fellow artists Olivia, Ruby and Steevee were on radar, with our works each following a method-focused, anectodally-driven interpretation of past media.

Anya was initially in our group too, but split off not long after.

We jointly created a group chat, as well as a Google Slides document for compiling notes. This was my moodboard going in:

From left to right, these interests are: My SP-202 sampler, a materially stripped-back approach to making (exemplified by Alan Vega from the band Suicide), Age of Empires - a game I have fond childhood memories for, the concept of nostalgia (or generally making fun of it), the album Replica by Oneohtrix Point Never, and Super Mario 64. More on that.

Over the past two months, I’ve had rough plans (and a little bit of working) towards a sample-based album entirely composed of audio taken from Super Mario 64.

When it comes to online sentiments, nostalgia is a driving factor to defining the now; and the associations of a ‘then’ manifest in cultural snippets (samples?), or as is often the case, specific published forms of media seeing a resurgence through childhood re-ignition.

This can be a means towards many things - a sentimental return to an old enjoyment, a reconnection with a newfound audience to share it with, and new media produced in admiration of such. 

It makes money, too. Pokemon and McDonald’s as brands are fully immersed in the value that nostalgia plays in securing a loyal audience, with the latter being a chilling example of how brand recognition can be ensnared in those valuable childhood experiences, to where you’ve guaranteed lifelong loyalty from the customer.

Video games are just one of many, many avenues for nostalgia to run free among a user base, in this case, perhaps a little more prone to bigotry. Indeed a familiar anecdote found in fan base communities of the ‘old being better than the new’ can turn concerning when faced with any degree of social progress within and around the game since.

Super Mario 64, like numerous other ‘childhood greats’ in the video game sphere, saw a return to popularity in the late 2010s, its every element picked apart by a now-adult audience, keen to re-immerse into naive wonder. 

I’m no different, my work leans into the growing concept of ‘liminality’ (concurrent with a return to remembered spaces of any kind). The game was released seven years before I was even born, and it’d be another nine until I would play it. Well, the 2004 remake, that was, but I begged my parents for the Nintendo 64 console so I could play the original. It never happened, but for a while I made sure I learned as much as I possibly could about it. To this day I’ve never played the original, and any nostalgia I have is as an outsider, absorbing an experience second-hand from YouTube gameplays. 

Perhaps this distance contributes to a somewhat aloof sound I’ve adopted in the audio portions I’ve pieced together so far, and of a general message to ‘go outside’. Now that I find myself in a group exploring similar concepts, I’m presented with the opportunity to resume work on the project, now with the grounding of research, plenty of written references, and bouncing off the exhibiting ideas of the others in the group.

The SP202 - a self-proclaimed sampling ‘workhorse’ for last semester’s work (which in fact only saw limited use from May onwards) will be returning, now with extra practice and me NOT nearly burning the house down with an incorrect adaptor. The Plunderphonical Chronicle will also return, picking up right where I left off, with the late 90s-present still yet to be covered. Stay tuned!

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

I surprisingly had less time over the 'holidays' to work on my music than I do in Semester 2, but what I was able to make, mainly came from sessions with Audacity, as well as the SP-202.

The goal was clear, to compose ENTIRELY from music samples, with not a finger to a keyboard note. Note the lack of a detailed categorization with these, I have no idea in which order I made them...

My pride and joy from these sessions would have to be "GETUP", a 1-minute house loop that uses 7 samples and took 2 hours to make!!

Samples used:

Jammin Gerald - Pump that shit

LVL1 - GOBL1N

Stock fire alarm sound

Jimmy D - Rescue Me (Imagination)

First Patrol - Get Up (Have Some Fun Tonight) (Acapella)

Shante - Big Mama (Acapella)

Fatboy Slim - Gangsta Trippin

There's a couple more, but Tumblr has an Audio upload limit.