#SYSTEM FAILURE. ( THREADS )

[aventurineswife]

🤔 do u have a thought about shrau with amphoreus ?

If I'm not wrong, they just believe in titan as their god right? What about shrau amphoreus with reader as a creator?

Like just Imagine it, when they knew about reader as a creator or aeon reader and how they will react

OKAY OKAY, I MAY NOT BE GOOD AT THIS BUT HEAR ME OUT!

If Amphoreus is a world that reveres Titans as gods, then suddenly discovering the Reader (aka you) as a Creator/Aeon would shake their entire belief system to its core. The Chrysos Heirs, warriors devoted to slaying corrupted Titans and recovering their Coreflames, would have to face the terrifying realization that the entity they’ve been unknowingly serving might be above the very gods they worship.

The Chrysos Heirs—Mydei, Phainon, Castorice—are devoted to prophecy and divine will. If they discovered that the true weaver of fate, the one who oversees their struggles and triumphs, is actually you, their entire worldview would fracture.

Mydei, the Undying Warrior, might react with reverence, but also conflict.

"The Coreflame trials, the prophecy, the Titans... were they mere threads in your tapestry? Have I only been playing my part in a story you have already written?"

He would feel both honored and trapped—knowing that his fate was not his own but also that his suffering had purpose.

Phainon, the Deliverer, might be the first to fully embrace you.

"If you are the one who spins the threads of destiny, then everything we have done… it has been for you, hasn’t it?"

He’d see it as a blessing, a sign that their struggles were leading toward something far greater. He might fully devote himself to you, no longer just as a warrior, but as a disciple.

Castorice, the Daughter of the River Styx, would have an eerie calm about it.

"Death and fate have always danced hand in hand. If you are the one who weaves, then I have been treading upon your strings all my life."

She might not even be surprised—only resigned, knowing that she had always been walking the path you had set.

The people of Amphoreus, especially those who still worship Titans as gods, would be terrified. If they learn that their world is merely a fragment of your design, it could split the faction into two:

Those who believe the Titans are still divine, and you are merely another force in the cosmos.

Those who believe you are the true god—the one above all, the being who even Titans obey.

Some might fall into despair, realizing that their gods are no more than pieces of a larger game board, and that your will can rewrite their fate at any moment. Others might become fanatical, believing that serving you is the only true path.

The Coreflames, remnants of the Titans’ divine power, might now take on an entirely new meaning—if the Titans were once creations under your will, then does that mean their power also stems from you?

If Mydei and Phainon failed the Coreflame Trial, was it because you willed it?

Phainon, who vanished after the trial, might see it as a test from you—a call to prove himself.

Mydei, bound by honor and sacrifice, might struggle with whether his suffering was truly his own choice… or merely an inevitable step in the story you wrote.

The most horrifying realization for them? That every battle, every struggle, every death was something you already knew would happen.

If Mydei has died a thousand times, then you—the Aeon of Fate—must have allowed it each time.

"You… knew? Every strike, every wound, every death I suffered—you saw them all?"

The idea that they were never free, that their victories and failures were written into existence, could be devastating.

Some would see you as salvation rather than as a distant, cosmic force. They’d offer the Coreflames to you as divine tribute, seeing them not as remnants of fallen Titans, but as pieces of a world you once shaped.

The most devout warriors might seek to serve you personally, casting aside their oaths to the Titans and the prophecy.

Mydei, should he fully accept your will, might become your sword of fate, carrying out your judgment across Amphoreus.

Phainon, ever the perfectionist, might strive to prove himself worthy in your eyes, seeking to become your chosen deliverer.

Castorice, attuned to the whispers of death, might become your priestess, ensuring that those who fall in battle meet their end as fate intended.

Once the truth of your existence reaches Amphoreus, the world would never be the same. The Titans' worshippers, the Chrysos Heirs, the Coreflame Trials—everything would shift under the weight of the realization that you have always been watching.

Some will fight for you.

Some will fear you.

Some will desperately seek your favor.

But no matter how they react, one truth remains: they were never beyond your reach.

[4zahara]

00 | The Star Child

A/N: Happy New Year!!!

—Ad astra per aspera—

Gotham's streets hadn't been designed to withstand rainfall over 30 milliliters per hour. A fact highlighted when some areas became prone to flooding due to the poorly thought out infrastructure of the sewer system. Built far too intricate and unnecessarily so, without consideration for situations such as heavy storms and raining season. The kind of problem Politicians would forever liked to preach about solving despite not a single soul believing half the funds for said project wouldn't be later on pocketed. Not a single uncorrupted branch was left on Politic matters.

Unfortunately and adding to the pile of reasons for a solitary boy to be wondering the streets drenched from head to toe at the whim of the storm—Clothes clinged uncomfortably to his skin; said kid was seemingly trying to shield a backpack with his body.

Car horns blaring in the distance in the alleys, speeding over the runoff from the storm pooling along the curbs. Streams formed, raising past ankles as the lone boy sprinted across the street, splashing in the filth to round the wrong corner. By the time he stepped in The Narrows his already worn off shoes became muddy puddles.

There was the chilling wind biting at his bones too. No matter how much he pulled at the hoodie, clearly a size too big, it did little socked and stained to provide any warmth.

A dog barking behind a fence became the only sound Jason could hear above his own teeth chattering.

He became the man of the house at a far too young age, the same day his father got arrested. Jason Todd’s survival on the streets of the country's most dangerous city hinged on a self-sufficiency no child should possess. Devastating was the burden thrusted upon him, forcing him to scavenge for food, scrape together money—stealing if necessary—and keep a eye on his mother.

He had learned through pain how things worked. Everything always getting worse over and over before ever showing signs of getting better—if they ever did. Lessons taught by the streets. Yet for all his toughness and bravado, the idea of losing his mother devastated him enough to seek help from anyone, anywhere. He'll do anything.

His mother, Catherine Todd, had never been so shameless before. Never like this, in her infinite wisdom, had she locked Jason out of the house with a storm in toe. Perhaps in her altered perception of reality, she did her son a favor. However, most children were far from far from stupid. The closest they'll have would be naivety, which her son wasn't. Jason wasn't blind and deaf like many seemed to view him as. What those days and afternoons locked out really were for Jason were failures for not having been able to stop them. Stop her.

The cure for her mother's illness was the same substance slowly but surely killing her, apparently, and according to the drug dealer that'll come to their home. As if Jason were stupid. As if he didn't know drugs were no magical spell and about his mother's addiction.

Overwhelmed, his resolve faltered. Losing on a betting game with all odds against him, Jason saw no choice but to force himself to go out under the lash of a storm in search of a new player.

Someone who had no name or face that he could remember, but whose existence was suspended in a forgotten photo half-embraced by fire; His sister.

Willis had not liked to talk about his oldest child, so you must've been a force to be reckoned with.

═════════════ • ✧ • ══════════════

One of the last threads of hope he had had, summarized in this ominous building. After this, Jason will ran out of ideas. For a while he has been standing in front of the door of an apartment in one of the many complexes nearby. After hitting one too many dead ends, Jason knew better than to let himself be haunted with What ifs.

Armed with an old picture of you, the sister he never had, in which he was an infant in your arms and your smile had missing baby teeth. Now he was ten and had to squint to find any resemblance to his old baby-self. You could've changed so much all could be for nothing if you had done as much as dyed your hair.

Just the walk from Crime Alley had costed him his backpack. Far more he should've allowed himself to for this to be worth nothing, so there better be a fairy behind this door. At the very least a decent human being.

He wasn't backing down. Jason just needed a moment, okay?

Lots of thoughts and thugs had been faced tonight—the longest walk his short legs had ever made in his short life was enough for him to get mugged by a group of drug addicts.

Facing disappointment, his great fear of being left alone, tightened his chest far more than the kick to the ribs he got a couple blocks ago. (Him being a child meant his backpack had proudly carried four pieces of gum, a pair of socks and an used toothbrush which hadn't been good enough for a bunch of crazy. God forbid a boy had his own problems.) However, he was lucky they didn't kidnap him or worse. Even if only because of knowing nothing would be gained from it after seeing the inside of his backpack.

You could be anywhere if not here, really. Even dead in a ditch. Children didn't get very far alone. They were all attracted by dim light of deception in a deep dark ocean and devoured by an anglefish or other predator lurking by.

After a deep sigh, his lungs filled with false courage and the pollution gothamies were so familiar with. Although His hand froze halfway to knocking on the door, three times did the sound echoed down the hall and Jason's arm flashed hidden behind himself just as fast.

An eerie silence settled back in before Jason tried again. Three knocks, louder this time, were intended. Jason got to one before the dull thud of something falling to the ground was heard from inside. The response had almost been immediate, followed by footsteps. Jason barely had time to take a step back before the door creaked open as far as the chain on the bolt allowed.

A somewhat gloomy looking girl peeked out. She seemed to have just woken up in any case, with her short hair a mess of spiky locks pointed in all directions. Adding to the frame of her face were blue drooping eyes lingered above Jason's head for a second too long as if she expected someone taller.

Great offense was taken at that by the way. He had gone through a lot, walked way too much, not for this—and you—to call him out like that. You weren't even that much taller than him. You weren't even standing straight hiding most of yourself behind the door. Then her eyes descended to meet him, and Jason's mind went blank.

He couldn't fully see her face. Didn't need to see to know this was you his sister. The picture he had of you felt heavy on his pocket as you looked just like your mother. His mother.

The lump in his throat made itself all the more present when he tried to speak, so he waited for a greeting of your own instead. Anything to not be the one who had to speak first would have been a good start in Jason's books.

The silence stretched despite the two. His tongue felt like it had been tied up, stammered the first thing that came to mind when nothing came of you.

“I am your brother,” he blurted out, with anxious energy so clumsy he instantly regretted it.

Taglist(?): @classicsimpforaaronwarner

[dailyadventureprompts]

Homebrew Mechanic: Meaningful Research

Being careful about when you deliver information to your party is one of the most difficult challenges a dungeonmaster may face, a balancing act that we constantly have to tweak as it affects the pacing of our campaigns.

That said, unlike a novel or movie or videogame where the writers can carefully mete out exposition at just the right time, we dungeonmasters have to deal with the fact that at any time (though usually not without prompting) our players are going to want answers about what's ACTUALLY going on, and they're going to take steps to find out.

To that end I'm going to offer up a few solutions to a problem I've seen pop up time and time again, where the heroes have gone to all the trouble to get themselves into a great repository of knowledge and end up rolling what seems like endless knowledge checks to find out what they probably already know. This has been largely inspired by my own experience but may have been influenced by watching what felt like several episodes worth of the critical role gang hitting the books and getting nothing in return.

I've got a whole write up on loredumps, and the best way to dripfeed information to the party, but this post is specifically for the point where a party has gained access to a supposed repository of lore and are then left twiddling their thumbs while the dm decides how much of the metaplot they're going to parcel out.

When the party gets to the library you need to ask yourself: Is the information there to be found?

No, I don't want them to know yet: Welcome them into the library and then save everyone some time by saying that after a few days of searching it’s become obvious the answers they seek aren’t here. Most vitally, you then either need to give them a new lead on where the information might be found, or present the development of another plot thread (new or old) so they can jump on something else without losing momentum.

No, I want them to have to work for it:  your players have suddenly given you a free “insert plothook here” opportunity. Send them in whichever direction you like, so long as they have to overcome great challenge to get there. This is technically just kicking the can down the road, but you can use that time to have important plot/character beats happen.

Yes, but I don’t want to give away the whole picture just yet:  The great thing about libraries is that they’re full of books, which are written by people,  who are famously bad at keeping their facts straight. Today we live in a world of objective or at least peer reviewed information but the facts in any texts your party are going to stumble across are going to be distorted by bias. This gives you the chance to give them the awnsers they want mixed in with a bunch of red herrings and misdirections. ( See the section below for ideas)

Yes, they just need to dig for it:  This is the option to pick if you're willing to give your party information upfront while at the same time making it SEEM like they're overcoming the odds . Consider having an encounter, or using my minigame system to represent their efforts at looking for needles in the lithographic haystack. Failure at this system results in one of the previous two options ( mixed information, or the need to go elsewhere), where as success gets them the info dump they so clearly crave.

The Art of obscuring knowledge AKA Plato’s allegory of the cave, but in reverse

One of the handiest tools in learning to deliver the right information at the right time is a sort of “slow release exposition” where you wrap a fragment lore the party vitally needs to know in a coating of irrelevant information,  which forces them to conjecture on possibilities and draw their own conclusions.  Once they have two or more pieces on the same subject they can begin to compare and contrast, forming an understanding that is merely the shadow of the truth but strong enough to operate off of. 

As someone who majored in history let me share some of my favourite ways I’ve had to dig for information, in the hopes that you’ll be able to use it to function your players.

A highly personal record in the relevant information is interpreted through a personal lens to the point where they can only see the information in question 

Important information cameos in the background of an unrelated historical account

The information can only be inferred from dry as hell accounts or census information. Cross reference with accounts of major historical events to get a better picture, but everything we need to know has been flattened into datapoints useful to the bureaucracy and needs to be re-extrapolated.

The original work was lost, and we only have this work alluding to it. Bonus points if the existent work is notably parodying the original, or is an attempt to discredit it.

Part of a larger chain of correspondence, referring to something the writers both experienced first hand and so had no reason to describe in detail. 

The storage medium (scroll, tablet, arcane data crystal) is damaged in some way, leading to only bits of information being known. 

Original witnesses Didn’t have the words to describe the thing or events in question and so used references from their own environment and culture. Alternatively, they had specific words but those have been bastardized by rough translations. 

Tremendously based towards a historical figure/ideology/religion to the point that all facts in the piece are questionable.  Bonus points if its part of a treatise on an observably untrue fact IE the flatness of earth

[eaglet-if]

Орлёнок (Eaglet)

Орлёнок (Eaglet) is an interactive story set in a country similar to 1910s-1920s Russia. You're a member of the overthrown Imperial Family, shaping the future of the Empire by virtue of arms.

It aims to be equal parts role-playing, dress-up and strategy game, with an emphasis on romance.

Although there will be no explicit nsfw scenes, it does include graphic descriptions of the horrors of war as well as personal tragedies, so please refer to the content warnings at the end of this post.

(as the project is still a wip, this overview is somewhat incomplete and will be gradually updated in tandem with the progress of writing)

DEMO: here (v0.0.2a, 21.06.2024)

Forum post: here

Number Spelling Function (IF writer resource): here

Secondary project: @a-dying-wish-if Tertiary (mini-)project: @perceptron-failure-if Quaternary project: [redacted]

The Empire of Nevetskiya - old, proud, and utterly dilapidated. While the Industrial Revolution has enabled other Monarchies - after a few quickly suppressed workers' uprisings - to become modern colonialist superpowers, exerting their influence all over the world, Nevetskiya is still overwhelmingly agrarian, and barely holding onto its outlying territories acquired in golden times long past.

Your Father Emperor, while ruling with an iron fist and unquestionable authority over the common people, is completely dependent on the shaky loyalty of the High Nobility, who frustrate any attempt to modernize the economy or administration, out of fear upstart merchants might, in time, replace the old Aristocracy.

When a sloppily executed coup d'etat eventually leaves your family dead and you a refugee, it becomes time you grab the reins of your destiny and amass an army to liberate and rebuild the country in the way you envision.

(this is meant to be a concise overview - a more exiting and detailed description of features can be found in the offical Interest Check Thread post)

extensive character customization

extensive army customization - both in a strategy and in a dress-up game sense

focus on story over stats - success is determined on the battlefield, not by your character's personality

five distinct regions with a wide cast of characters

complex personality system - for example, how your character actually feels and what they show to the world are separate things

several ways to rule - will you become a traditional Monarch, a Military Dictator, a democratically elected Head-of-State, or maybe proclaim yourself a Living Saint?

choose how much modernization is needed - will you allow women to bear arms, at the cost of offending the traditionalist nobles? Introduce tanks at the cost of foreign powers gaining influence?

how far will you go for victory? A political police, mass executions and the use of special types of weaponry might give you an edge, but is your vision really worth it?

a total of ten romanceable characters

(this naturally might contain slight spoilers)

The ROs

★ Yakov Tymofiyevich Sokolovskiy / Liliya Tymofiyevna Sokolovskaya ★

The Intelligence Director (gender-selectable)

One of your four original companions. As a member of the High Nobility, you've met them before - maybe you've even been childhood friends?

But even if you know them, it's hard to tell what they're truly like, as they seem to switch personalities effortlessly depending on the situation.

Their work is a mystery to seemingly everyone, but they always get results: as long as you let them act freely, no enemy agent has any chance to harm you or your cause.

Age: mid-20s

★ Semyon Ivanovich Orlov / Selena Ivanovna Orlova ★

The Cavalry Officer (gender-selectable)

One of your four original companions. A war hero and renowned expert when it comes to horses, the only reason they were not yet promoted to a lofty position in the War Ministry is their pragmatic approach to new developments, which hasn't mixed well with the typically very traditionalist views of the old Imperial officer corps.

Possessing a subdued but strong charisma and deeply respected by their soldiers as a wise parent figure, they are a solid pillar of support to you, and will reliably get things done - though some people might consider the cost for that too high sometimes.

Age: early 30s

★ Mikhail Pavlovich Voronin / Marina Pavlovna Voronina ★

The Young Visionary (gender-selectable)

One of your four original companions. They shot up through the ranks by impressing the War Ministry with bold new ideas for utilizing modern technologies and are hailed as a genius by many - though the older officers dismiss them as a dreamer at best and incompetent fool at worst.

With you, they hope to have found someone who'll appreciate their visions for the future - plus, their relative eccentrism has left them in dire need of a friend.

Their technical expertise might just prove to be the key to your success - if you can secure the foreign support needed to get the modern equipment needed to utilize it.

Age: early 20s

★ Leon Isayev / Leah Isayeva ★

The Noble Academic (gender-selectable)

One of your four original companions. Born to wealthy nobles, they graduated the Imperial Officer Academy with perfect grades, and feel honour-bound to your family.

They were the one to gather your initial force of loyalists and act as your primary advisor. But their loyalty is to the Imperial system, with you just a symbolic representative - can you convince them that you and your vision deserve their loyalty beyond that?

Age: late 20s

★ 'Little' Semyon/Selena Shvets ★

The Hero (gender-selectable)

A young cavalry officer and leader of your Southern Forces. A protegé of the "other" Semyon/Selena, they lack their cynical pragmatism, but make up for it with a firm belief in the triumph of a better world.

Some may call their optimism naive, and their personality has been mockingly compared to a Golden Retriever, but they have proven time and time again that underestimating them on the battlefield results in a crushing defeat.

Age: early 20s

★ Nikola ★

The Rebel (nb)

Leading an anti-authoritarian peasant uprising in the West, Nikola is more likely to be your enemy than your ally - but they don't seem to care enough about politics to refrain from flirting with you, so... there might be a basis of mutual understanding there?

Their personality is pretty sweet, at least - if you ignore the fact they'll cheerfully gun down prisoners if they feel like it.

Age: mid-20s

★ Rakhmil/Rakhilya Feldman ★

The Logistician (gender-selectable)

A member of the Western Rebel Army and best friend of Nikola's adoptive sibling, they've poured their soul (and countless nights without any sleep) into somehow maintaining the rebels' supply network in the face of their rapidly swelling numbers.

Unhappy with Nikola's carefree attitude, they might end up aligning with you instead in order to save their cause.

Age: late 20s

★ Arseniy Matveyevich Lebedev / Amaliya Matveyevna Lebedeva ★

The Enemy (gender-selectable)

Grand Duke Lebedev, the main leader of the Aristocrat faction, stood by and watched when your family was executed. Arseniy/Amaliya is their younger sibling, and serves as military commander of his personal forces that aid several warlords in their efforts to establish their own petty kingdoms.

But they're already uncomfortable with their brother's methods, and if you can convince them that you're not actually "an incompetent little puppet who's trying to ruin the country out of arrogant delusions", they might become a very valuable ally.

Age: mid-20s

★ Lyudmila Demyanovna Naumova ★ (f)

A minor noble who reluctantly turned into a Warlord in order to protect her territory and her people. All she wants is peace - but she'll not hesitate to fight if she believes it necessary.

Unfortunately, you can't just ignore her - all must choose a side in this war - but you have options how to deal with her. Will you subdue her by force? Or fall back on the age-old option of political marriage to secure an alliance?

Age: late 20s

★ Jan/Jana Novotný ★ (gender-selectable, under certain circumstances)

A member of your Personal Guard who has distinguished themself and eventually rises to become its commander. Others might betray or doubt you, but Novotný only cares about one thing - your continued, unharmed existence.

And they will go to any lengths to guarantee it.

Age: mid-20s

CONTENT WARNINGS

...will be added as they become relevant in the demo.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this Op-Ed from the New York Times:

At first glance, Xi Jinping seems to have lost the plot.

China’s president appears to be smothering the entrepreneurial dynamism that allowed his country to crawl out of poverty and become the factory of the world. He has brushed aside Deng Xiaoping’s maxim “To get rich is glorious” in favor of centralized planning and Communist-sounding slogans like “ecological civilization” and “new, quality productive forces,” which have prompted predictions of the end of China’s economic miracle.

But Mr. Xi is, in fact, making a decades-long bet that China can dominate the global transition to green energy, with his one-party state acting as the driving force in a way that free markets cannot or will not. His ultimate goal is not just to address one of humanity’s most urgent problems — climate change — but also to position China as the global savior in the process.

It has already begun. In recent years, the transition away from fossil fuels has become Mr. Xi’s mantra and the common thread in China’s industrial policies. It’s yielding results: China is now the world’s leading manufacturer of climate-friendly technologies, such as solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles. Last year the energy transition was China’s single biggest driver of overall investment and economic growth, making it the first large economy to achieve that.

This raises an important question for the United States and all of humanity: Is Mr. Xi right? Is a state-directed system like China’s better positioned to solve a generational crisis like climate change, or is a decentralized market approach — i.e., the American way — the answer?

How this plays out could have serious implications for American power and influence.

Look at what happened in the early 20th century, when fascism posed a global threat. America entered the fight late, but with its industrial power — the arsenal of democracy — it emerged on top. Whoever unlocks the door inherits the kingdom, and the United States set about building a new architecture of trade and international relations. The era of American dominance began.

Climate change is, similarly, a global problem, one that threatens our species and the world’s biodiversity. Where do Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia and other large developing nations that are already grappling with the effects of climate change find their solutions? It will be in technologies that offer an affordable path to decarbonization, and so far, it’s China that is providing most of the solar panels, electric cars and more. China’s exports, increasingly led by green technology, are booming, and much of the growth involves exports to developing countries.

From the American neoliberal economic viewpoint, a state-led push like this might seem illegitimate or even unfair. The state, with its subsidies and political directives, is making decisions that are better left to the markets, the thinking goes.

But China’s leaders have their own calculations, which prioritize stability decades from now over shareholder returns today. Chinese history is littered with dynasties that fell because of famines, floods or failures to adapt to new realities. The Chinese Communist Party’s centrally planned system values constant struggle for its own sake, and today’s struggle is against climate change. China received a frightening reminder of this in 2022, when vast areas of the country baked for weeks under a record heat wave that dried up rivers, withered crops and was blamed for several heatstroke deaths.

[covid-safer-hotties]

1 in 5 People Could Have Long COVID - Published Nov 8, 2024

By Dennis Thompson

FRIDAY, Nov. 8, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1 in 5 Americans likely suffer from long COVID, a new AI-assisted review has found.

The analysis suggests that nearly 23% of U.S. adults experience the symptoms of long COVID, according to results published Nov. 8 in the journal Med.

That’s much higher than the 7% prevalence of long COVID that’s been suggested by other studies, researchers said.

“Questions about the true burden of long COVID -- questions that have thus far remained elusive -- now seem more within reach,” said senior researcher Hossein Estiri, head of AI research at Mass General Brigham in Boston.

For the study, researchers developed an AI tool that can sift through mounds of electronic health records looking for the frequently subtle symptoms related to long COVID.

These symptoms can occur in a wide range of body systems, and include fatigue, chronic cough, heart problems and “brain fog.” They typically develop weeks or months after a person shakes off their initial COVID-19 infection.

“Our AI tool could turn a foggy diagnostic process into something sharp and focused, giving clinicians the power to make sense of a challenging condition,” Estiri said in a Mass General news release.

The AI specifically looks for symptoms that can’t be explained by a person’s medical history, have persisted for two months or longer and occur following a COVID infection, researchers said.

For example, the AI can detect if shortness of breath might be explained by pre-existing heart failure or asthma, rather than long COVID.

“Physicians are often faced with having to wade through a tangled web of symptoms and medical histories, unsure of which threads to pull, while balancing busy caseloads. Having a tool powered by AI that can methodically do it for them could be a game-changer,” said lead researcher Dr. Alaleh Azhir, an internal medicine resident at Brigham and Women’s.

Based on these parameters, the AI estimated that nearly 23% of Americans likely have long COVID, a figure that researchers argue aligns more closely with national trends.

The researchers plan to release the AI publicly on open access, so doctors and health care systems can employ and test it.

Study Link : www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(24)00407-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666634024004070%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

[carnivorousyandeere]

“It happened again,” you cried. “Every time. I’m so stupid.”

Your hands ball into fists, covering your face, and Marcus gently grasps your wrists to help keep you from hitting yourself. “Shh, hey... Take a deep breath, and tell me what happened.”

Marcus’ touch frays your already-frayed nerves, overloaded nervous system a thread away from snapping apart and unraveling at the seams, but you force yourself to take a deep breath, then two.

“Somebody lied to me. I believed them.” A shuddering sob. It sounds stupid when you say it out loud, something so benign and everyday it might as well be a cloud in the sky. But to you, it’s failure, inadequacy, separation, a pattern. “W-when I tried to tell my friends, they…” You take another deep breath. “M-most of them looked at me with pity, like— like I’m stupid. One of them laughed. But they’re right, aren’t they? I’m so stupid, for trusting people like that. It happens over and over again, I can’t—”

“You’re not stupid.”

You are too trusting. Naïve, gullible even. But it’ll be okay— that’s why Marcus is there to look after you, to take care of you, to protect you.

Marcus pulls you into a tight hug, strong arms anchoring you in his warmth. He’s solid and steady, even as your exhausted body loses balance and crumbles into his embrace. You wonder if you’re imagining the ghost of his lips against the top of your head. Marcus imagines killing your friends. Or at least the one who laughed at you.

[talenlee]

Decemberween 2024 — My Players

You know who you are, if you’re reading this.

I am a big fan and advocate for 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons, for the simple and objectively true reason that it is the best version of Dungeons & Dragons that exists. It is the version of this iconic game that enables new players, tactical play, and a consistent, even player power level that still lets players do cool things they want to do. Based on this, it is the game I think that you should always start with if you want to introduce a new player to the most generic platform for tabletop games.

Anyway, I haven’t run 4th edition D&D in about a year. My play group hasn’t been happening.

I have instead been running Blades in the Dark now for about four months for a group that includes at least one player who’s never played TTRPGs before.

If you’re not familiar with Blades in the Dark, oh there’s my link to my review of I’ve written about it, oh and things that are built off it that I also like and even contributed to, oh and here’s me comparing another game to it as a failure, never mind. I think it’s reasonably clear that this is one of my favourite TTRPG systems, for entirely personal reasons. I mean one of the things I love about this game is that the book is nice to hold in the hand, which I could use as the underpinnings of a 2,000 word academic article about interface design or I could just be as honest and say it satisfies me to hold it.

Blades in the Dark struck me as the place to start because it meant that I could hande the pdf to my players and know that they had 100% of the information they needed to play the game and we were all working off the same, public information. This occurred to me as a nice way to ease the experience since I knew I was dealing with more than one neurodivergent player. Blades in the Dark is also very flexible; when players engage with the game, I can reassure them that there’s a lot of power in their hands, that they get to make choices and demands and my job is to adjudicate and illuminate around the, not to present their choices to them.

Blades in the Dark also parcels up player time in really handy chunks; there are scores, there are downtimes, and because the game splits things up like this, a player can drop in or drop out of it easily. That meant that if I set up a game using this system, players could drop in or drop out very easily, and the game would handle the presence or absence of characters, without needing excuses or reasons for why a character wouldn’t be present in the narrative.

Also, Fox, who is playing in the game, she made us a Virtual Tabletop. Now, when I read this to her she’s going to point out that hey, hey, she didn’t make it from scratch, there was already a thing that she built it from or she ‘just’ updated something to make it viable for us, which I appreciate but it’s also silly as hell because just because you bought the table from Ikea doesn’t mean you’re not the person who made it in our living room.

I used Discord for this. I made a Discord, set it to a community discord, and that gave me access to the forum tools. Then, I could set up the forums, where one set of forums were for the players. Each player could make a forum thread for their character, to keep notes, ask questions, put lore, images, that kind of thing. On my side of things I set up a forum of world stuff, where I could put districts, gangs, that kind of thing.

Okay, but this is just describing things around the Decemberween Thing. Right? Like this is a Decemberween article, I’m meant to be using this as an opportunity to tell you about stuff you can watch or listen to, right? Is this promoting an Actual Play or something?

Kinda.

Or rather, I’m trying to promote you, personally, starting your own TTRPG group, with any TTRPG you like, on discord, or whatever, and play with your friends, because that social experience rules. It is the highlight of my week, to show up with my friends, using a Google Spreadsheet to manage my locations and factions and all that, a dice roller program, and the joy of listening to and sharing with my friends. We even have our own strategy examples for doing great at this game, which is, you just roll sixes.

This is what I recommend. I think you should start this kind of thing up. I think you should, if you like TTRPGs, start a group. Ask some friends. You know how many friends you need to try out TTRPGs? One. You can just pick one friend, pick any of the free games, even the GMless ones, and see how you like telling stories together.

And…

I have world information.

I have world building for the setting I made to put this game in. I have this space which is a sort of alt-history, Victorian whalepunk, island country, modelled on Australia, the Phillippines and New Zealand. It has gangs and factions and it has a system for police districts. It has a world deepened by the players’ creations and their contacts and friends and it’s so cool and at least, right now, at least right here, I’m not writing about it, or sharing it with you. Not to be rude to you, not because I don’t trust you or don’t want to brag about how cool my players are!

But because not everything I make becomes part of this blog.

It’s a balancing act: On the one hand, I want to make sure you know that what I do is demystified. Nothing I do is hard, nothing I do is done because I am special and better and able to do things you can’t. On the other hand, these players aren’t here to be Media that I Produce for an Audience. Maybe we’ll all decide sometime in the future to make this as shareable content, maybe letters or missives from the world. Maybe I’ll put together a dossier about the world, its gangs and the lore, so you can use it to run a game yourself, if you like.

Here, though? Decemberween?

I want to highlight that my players are incredible.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[ohwolfling]

Wolfling's Galeposting Masterpost

Some folks expressed interest in me organizing my Gale meta/headcanons/spirals/menty bs/etc and so here it is. I'll try to update it periodically & at the end I'll leave the tags I tend to use for Gale. Note that my ask is open & my AO3 is here. You can also find me on TikTok, Twitch, and Ko-fi. Post established 14 Nov 2023. Broken links fixed 15 Jan 2024.

Feb 2024 Update in Progress. Mystra related meta now purple for easier time to following that thread.

Big Meta

Gale, Mystra, & Abuse as Mentorship - an examination of Gale's connection to the Weave and the inherent lack of agency he experiences via his education, with Elminster, and of course Mystra (casual information/timeline chat about those two)

Failure to see Gale/Mystra as abusive & how we identify abuse - references the above & a piece on Shadowheart, as well as a talk on ACEs & how we're socialized to qualify abuse

Mystra + Systemic Abuse + Real World Parallels

Elminster the Enabler - a reply to a reply of the first meta, clarifying Elminster's role in indoctrination, religious trauma, & grooming

The Gale of Waterdeep Deserves A Bl*w J** Meta - Gale the Man vs the Wizard of Waterdeep, S*x as Characterization, defining Gale's relationship to intimacy and control

Tav's "I Want You to Kiss Me" & Gale's Soft Laugh - a summary of Gale's inclination to service, anticipating needs, and people pleasing & how the dialogue choices present Tav as a good change

Unpacking Act I Weave Scene - romance & Mystra's resonance

Honeypotting Gale's Musical Theme - analysis of the piece of music for Gale's intro, pulling other music that builds similarly to imagine finished themes and motifs, and a comparison to the musical language and narrative build of Battlestar Galactica's Gaius Baltar, via Bear McCreary's four years of music for the character

Mystra, the Weave, and complicity - honeypotting & Mystra lore re: how much power she does or doesn't have in the Orb sitch

Gale and the Drow Twins - insecurity, monogamy, and how the narrative leaves room for both healing through monogamy OR a healing that opens up s*xually

Accidental meta, replies, thinky thoughts, & more organized beneath the cut!

Meanders, Responses, Lesser Meta

the issue of "Counter Meta" - a bit of a PSA on internalized or latent victim blaming, particularly that I've seen growing for Gale and Astarion

Gale's Folly - what motivates his power/ambition, let's cry about it

Introductory thoughts on Mystra as Abuser

Gale and Yenna - some parallels, a nowhere-near-enough examination of Gale's relationship to children

Gale as Curator & Creative - thoughts on what drives Gale

Sleepover Talk - Why Gale's Folly lowkey makes him very sexy

Recognizing this glimmer to be magical in nature - What did Gale think the "glimmer" was? Some thinky thoughts.

Fanon Gale & Elminster interpretations

Fanon whitewashing of Mystra

Gale's Seeing the Crown of Karsus - aaaaah aaaaah aaaaaaaaaah

Is Gale's Seed Necrotic - listen...

Smaller replies/add ons

Gale's Duality - a wizard in the streets, but a freak in the bed, and WHY that hits us hard

Thoughts on Tav, Tara, Morena, & clashes in Waterdeep

"Not the kind of excitement I usually enjoy being woken up for" - a pretty indulgent discussion of Gale's preferred ways of being woken up

Gale the Camp Cook - how trauma and neurodivergence might influence Gale's command of the cooking and his own relationship to food and hunger

Gale's Focus - what is this wizards focus and how can I make it ouch?

Greek Coded Gale - others brought vibes and lore, I brought George Michael. I'm the least cool part of this discussion but yes.

Possible Roles of Archmages/ArchWizards, from loose DnD guidelines

Reactions, Live Blogging, That Kinda Thing

Do You Need to Kneel For This? - the Gale's Folly reveal

Gale & the Ghost of Video Game Male Wife Past - i cried

Trying NOT to romance Gale

Moody, Sad, & Pathetic - but also : my wife?

Becoming A Gale Girlie at 100 MPH

The Elminster Scene, live reaction/discussion

(to be expanded)

Galegate (THAT Larian interview)

Initial response/context of "annoying"

Gale as Red Herring (+ media literacy)

Gale as Comic Relief (in structure + as coping mechanism)

The Orb Choice as "good" storytelling explained + qualified (Tav's role, Astarion foil, & where death makes sense)

The line between story criticism + personal triggers re: Gale

Gale & Childhood/Children

(to be expanded)

Playlists, Songs, etc

Modern AU Playlist for Maudlin Wizard Sensuality - someone asked what was on Gale's s*x playlist & I establish that Gale is set the stage/vibes over tempo/during & threw this playlist together

(to be expanded)

Silly, Goofy Mood Gale stuff

Are You Mad I Ascended energy

Swayze-esque Gale thoughts

Thinking about hands

Hoe into a housewife

Gale getting high pt 1

Gale getting high pt 2

Gale Dekarios Catdad Core

God Gale Core Test Post

Common Gale Related Tags

Bg3 headcanons

Bg3 shitposts (i do not have a tag just for gale shitposting)

Bg3 meta

Bg3 art

Galeposting

Galeposting srs (i forget this one regularly)

A gale sized hole / gale sized hole

Wolfling photomode / wolfling photo mode

Gale Dekarios

Gale of Waterdeep

Gale Dekarios Music Hour / wolfling playlists (I only put BIGGER playlists posts here, but there are many one off song recs and such if you explore the tag)

Gale Pls (tend to be hornier)

Wolfling Plays  

Wolfling answers

Gale and Macha

Gale tummy

[echoingbirdsofprey]

Delicate (Jake's Version)

10 - System Failure, Calling Mission Control

Pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x OFC Samantha Kazansky

Rating: Explicit (MDNI!)

Warnings: Major Character Death, description of some funeral proceedings, heavy alcohol consumption, and a nice little surprise at the end to make up for it all.

A/N: It was inevitable.

Tags: @mrsevans90

Playlist

Ice had died at some point during the night. Peacefully, in his sleep, next to his loving wife. Sarah realized almost immediately, waking up just minutes after her husband took his last breath. She got Sam up first and then Mark and Alexandra. They stood around the bed for a few moments, each saying their goodbyes as they felt necessary. Sarah called the funeral home and they came and took his body early. Sarah was going to try to get the funeral to be held later that day, after every necessary person was notified.  Sarah wanted it done and over with, knowing Ice wanted something quick. He'd set his family up well for the rest of their lives. He made sure they were taken care of. Once the funeral director left their home, Sam texted Jake.

Sam: Jake

Jake: mornin beautiful...was gonna shoot you a text but figured you were sleeping and I was running late, missed our walk this morning 

Sam: can you come to my house?

Jake: was just getting into flight suit, is everything okay?

Sam: no...please I need you now

Jake: fuck. Omw

Without a thought, Jake shed his flight suit, which had been half on, putting his jeans back on. He forgot his belt and Rooster, Phoenix, and Bob all yelled after him as he darted out the door. He even left his locker open. 

“The fuck?” Rooster asked, and everyone glanced around confused before going back to their business. 

Jake sped to Sam's house. He passed a black hearse, flanked by two military escorts on the way and his stomach dropped. When he pulled in the driveway it was silent, and he could only hear the gentle rustle of the morning breeze through the palm trees out front. The air felt empty, and too cool for the end of the summer. He recognized Admiral Beau Simpson standing with Sarah. The color drained from Jake's face as he took a deep and shaky breath, heading up the walkway. Sarah thanked Jake for coming and he smiled and nodded at her. Beau saluted him and Jake did so back as he continued to where he was most needed. 

Sam met him at the door and she nearly collapsed into his arm, sobs wracking her body. He guided her into the house and onto the couch. He held her tight and let her cry for as long as she needed to. Jake could hear someone coming up the walkway and into the house. He glanced around and noticed Sam’s brother and sister were nowhere to be found, no doubt off somewhere quiet trying to process what had happened to their father in their own ways. Sarah had come back into the house and Beau had followed, which Jake then realized that he had arrived just after Beau and he was clearly trying to help Sarah get some things in order.

“How quickly do you want this to happen?” Beau asked, eyes glassing over to Jake. He was still holding Sam tight, his fingers threaded through her hair and the other hand rubbing circles on her back. When she was able to stop crying, she laid silently in Jake's arms. He had shed tears but none for her to see. He was trying his hardest to be strong for her. 

“I just want everything over with. Tom wanted it all done quick too. Whatever you can make happen today, I’d be grateful for.” Sarah said and Jake felt Sam sigh deeply. He wasn’t sure if she could hear her mother, but if she could, it probably hurt that her mother seemed unfazed on the outside, but Jake was sure she was in agony on the inside. She was trying to be strong for her children just like Jake was being for his girlfriend. 

“I’ll do my best. He was our Commander. We’re all going to miss him deeply, Sarah. And you let me know if there’s anything else you need. We’re here for you whatever you and your family needs. You’re our family too.” Beau explained and Jake watched as Beau rubbed his hands up and down her arms comfortingly. He kissed her on the cheek and she pulled him into a tight embrace before they said their goodbyes. 

Not too long after. Maverick and the rest of the pilots were informed and they all headed home to get their dress uniforms. Jake had stopped quickly at his place and then went back to Sam's immediately. He elected to drive her and Maverick came and picked Sarah, Mark and Alex up. It wasn't until the funeral that Jake’s co-pilots saw him. 

Jake looked handsome in dress blues and on his arm was Sam. What a way for the rest of them to find out. Nat had known and expressed her disgust initially, but she was happy for Sam regardless. Bob knew, and so did Coyote. Everyone else had their suspicions but it was confirmed for them here and now. 

With Iceman’s family gathered, and Jake by his daughter's side, his friends and co-pilots couldn't believe it. They saw then, the side of Jake that he vowed he'd never let them see. They saw tears stinging his eyes as he glanced down at his girlfriend. At Iceman's daughter. They saw affection and a comforting demeanor as Sam held onto him tight, as if Jake was the only thing that could keep her tethered to the spot, as the priest said his last words about Ice. About him being a loving and devoted husband and father. About him leaving behind a legacy. And when Sam broke down again, Jake was right there to catch her, holding her steady in his arms. His co-pilots were astounded by the amount of care and compassion that Hangman showed. That Jake showed. 

Jake's lips touched her forehead and the top of her hair. One of his hands was cupped around the back of her neck, the other around her waist, holding her as her body shook. His green eyes studied the line of his fellow aviators, as Maverick punched wings into Ice’s casket. As they fired the rifles, Jake whispered something to Sam, and only Rooster was able to hear what he said, being the closest in proximity to them. 

“I've got you. It'll be okay. Not now...but it'll be okay soon.” Jake’s voice was low and soft, comforting and reassuring in the same breath as the jets flew overhead. Rooster had never seen Hangman be so caring. And now he knew there was something more going on with them. He knew it was way more than a fling for Jake. Hangman actually had feelings. Rooster stood in stunned silence next to them.

As the funeral proceedings ended, many people came up and expressed their condolences to Sarah and Ice's children. Maverick hugged her and then when he hugged Sam, he whispered something to her.

“Ice told me to look after you too. I promise I'll do my best.” He said to Sam and then he shook Jake's hand and said, “I know you'll continue to make Ice proud.”

Jake nodded and he glanced down at Sam with a small smile. As everyone began to dissipate, Nat headed over to Sam. She gave her a huge hug.

“I'm so sorry, Sam. He's not in pain anymore.” She said softly and that made Sam's tears well up again and she swallowed hard as her and Nat embraced, tighter than the last. Jake stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting for Sam to come back to his arms. Bradley, Bob, Javy, and Reuben made their way over, saying sorry to Sarah first and then Sam. 

“So...Hangman, huh?” Bradley said, a little disapproving, as he gave Sam a hug. She nodded and shot a small smile toward Jake, who was talking with Javy. Nat still had an arm around Sam's shoulders.

“I couldn't believe it either but...he's actually nice when you get to know him. Sam is doing God's work out here, taming Hangman's ego.” Nat said, smiling at Sam. She wasn't just saying it because of the situation either. Jake had a lot to make up for with some of his fellow pilots, but when Sam had asked Nat to come to dinner with them the other night, she saw what Sam liked about him so much. Nat saw the side of Jake that he didn't show to anyone because he thought they'd think he was weak. He'd thought they would think he was soft. So that side of Jake, the real Jake down to his core, was reserved only for very special people and very special occasions. And Sam was very special to him.

“Well, Sammy, I don’t like it, but I’ll be respectful, because I can see how much he means to you. And I can tell he will take really good care of you.” Bradley maintained, glancing at Hangman, at Jake, then his eyes focused back on Sam, as Jake slid in beside her again.

The ring was still in his pocket. He'd been carrying it around for a few days, trying to figure out when the best time was to propose. He just felt horrible that he was going to ask her to marry him at such a low point in her life. She’d just lost her father. Why did he think this was a good time?

Because he said he would take away all her pain, and asking her to be his forever seemed like the most logical way to do that right now. Maybe his reasoning was shit, but nonetheless, he knew he needed to do this sooner rather than later. He wasn’t afraid of losing her but he was afraid that she might decide to run away to somewhere that he couldn’t go. And with the mission only a week away, he wanted to make sure that when he came back, which was his main goal, to come back, that he had her here and that she was promised to him, and only him.

Everyone was going out for drinks that night at the Hard Deck to celebrate Iceman’s life and legacy. Jake felt like if he could get Sam away from everyone, onto the beach, then perhaps they could have a quiet moment and he could ask. That would even have to be timed right though, as he knew Sam was probably hoping, or even planning to get good and drunk tonight. 

🛩🛩🛩

Maverick had everyone's attention at the Hard Deck, to make a toast in honor of Iceman. He'd gotten Sarah to come out for a round. Everyone was there. All of Jake’s detachment, even Cyclone and Warlock were comfortably drinking and chatting with everyone. People had spilled out onto the sidewalk, the parking lot, and the patio. 

Jake paid for a round for his co-pilots, Javy paid for a round, Maverick, and Bradley too. The more drunk Bradley got, the looser his lips became and Nat tried to keep him away from Sam, but she had been trying to flirt with Bob too. She really liked Bob. Nat and Sam were a bit  like in that they usually went for asshole guys. Bob had shown Nat that he was safe, and respectful, and she kind of wanted a change of pace. She knew she shouldn’t fall for her WSO, but she really couldn’t help it. Bob was too tempting. 

While she and Bob were discussing some inside joke between them, as a pilot and her WSO should have, she’d let Bradley out of her sights and he’d made his way over to Sam and leaned against the wall next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and while Sam was getting drunk, she wasn’t as sloshed as Bradley.

“Hey, sweets, I wish you’d given me even half the shot you’re giving old Jakey. Think about that night we had all the fuckin’ time. I tell everyone that you were the best piece of ass I ever had.” He pointed at Jake, who couldn’t hear what Bradley said over the din of the bar, but he bristled seeing Bradley’s arm around his girl. Sam shrugged his arm off her shoulders and patted him on the chest.

“Oh Roo, this is exactly why I never gave you a second chance. You have no respect for me and it gets even worse when you’re drunk.” Sam motioned between them and she headed over to Jake.

“Everything okay there?” He whisper-yelled in her ear and she nodded.

“He’s just jealous, Jake. Don’t need that shit right now.” She affirmed and Jake downed the rest of his beer and put it down on the edge of the pool table. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, shooting an annoyed look at Bradley, who scoffed and headed the opposite way.

Jake knew Sam was feeling pretty good after her fourth round so he decided to take her beer, and gave it to Nat to hold onto. “Hey, can we go somewhere quieter, babygirl? I wanna talk to ya about something.” He insisted, grinning wide, as his hand met the back of her neck. She curled her fingers in his dress shirt which had been untucked for some time now and allowed him to coax her out onto the patio, unsteady on her feet and giggly. She pressed a sloppy kiss to his lips and he smirked, as he was feeling his liquor a bit too. Javy was out there, making out with some girl he'd just met. Jake nodded at him and Javy just grinned. Jake led Sam down onto the sand and she immediately took her shoes off and threw them in different directions. Jake would find them later, when he was a little more sober and a little less horny.

“Jake Seresin! I think I love you!” She yelled to the night sky and twirled, falling into him. He laughed and caught her easily and kissed her. And there it was, the words he had been looking for. The words he’d wanted her to say so fucking bad, but she hadn’t yet. He knew even though she was a bit more than buzzed, she meant it. His smile grew wider as his grasp tightened around her. He didn’t want to let go, but he had to stop stalling.

“Hey, can you just stand there for a second? I wanna look at cha, beautiful girl.” He said, backing away a couple steps, putting his hands up like he was trying to get the perfect camera frame. She laughed and swished the skirt of her dress back and forth while looking expectantly at Jake. He reached in his pocket and pulled the box out. He glanced over at the patio, which they were not far from and saw that several other of their friends had joined Javy and his girl and were leaning over the railing. Nat, Bob, and Rueben were all up there looking out over the ocean with beers in their hands. If there was ever a better time...

“Samantha Kazansky!” He yelled, hands in the air, getting her full attention. She was wobbly but coherent enough that she knew he was about to ask something serious. She had butterflies in her stomach as he got down on one knee and opened the small box in his hand. “I know the timing is the fuckin' worst, but I can't go another day without being with you. Will you marry me?” 

Sam jumped up and down and pulled Jake from his knee. He kept a tight grip on the ring and stopped her for a moment, to put the ring on her finger. She gazed down at it, then at him. “Wow Jake, you got me a fucking planet. You must love me or something.” She hooted and jumped into his arms and their lips crashed together. He twirled her around and they heard cheers from the patio. He couldn’t help the goofy smile across his lips as he held her close, his mouth meeting her neck.

“Hey guys! I fucking love Jake Seresin! And I'm gonna marry him!” Sam yelled and their friends all laughed. So did Jake. He had his answer even though she never actually said ‘yes’ to him. He loved her too and he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her.

[gortashs-skidmark]

something nasty bc there’s not enough gorty content.

Gort’s Big Jork

Enver Gortash x Tav (GN) NSFW!! MNDI! 18+ Content!

Description: Gort jorks it to Tav. Using a Scrying Eye spying system seen in the game.

Spoilers for Act 2 and a little 3

Content Warning: Jorkin’ it idk, masturbating (male), tried to make it smutty, spying on tav, he’s an ass man.

!! Gender Neutral Anatomy. No Male or Female parts explicitly mentioned, bc you bitches always make it afab, it’s much hotter and inclusive when it’s GN descriptions !!

Gort needs to fuck. I’ve never ever written fanfiction before but in desperate need of him. If there are errors comment below and I’ll fix them if I know how. Also Gort is kinda gross in this bc if he can’t tie his own shirt or brush his yellow teeth, he’s not gonna care in this.

𐌄𐌍ᕓ𐌄𐌓ᏵꝊ𐌓𐌕𐌀𐌔𐋅𐌄𐌍ᕓ𐌄𐌓ᏵꝊ𐌓𐌕𐌀𐌔𐋅𐌄𐌍ᕓ𐌄𐌓ᏵꝊ𐌓𐌕𐌀𐌔𐋅

This monitorial invention of his, mounted on the wall in front of him, glowed filling the room with a striking blue hue. Flickering as his living cameras moved on the other side. Everything he could see of his plans in-action filled his view. A few, showed a black screens, in turn reflecting his raw image. The Goblin Camp had been struck to its knees and his few scrying eyes along with it.

He stood with his arms crossed, the rest of his body portrayed in a confident relaxed position. He stood behind a cushiony chair. Gortash could sit, but he didn’t have a lot of time to throw away, staring at the blue-ish shade thrown over Moonrise’s walls. Watching his acolytes pick their noses when they thought no one was watching.

He hadn’t expected Tav to make it into Moonrise, much less with the same company as before. Through Duegar guarding the elevator, and hostile Githyanki ripping through anyone who may have the artefact he sought after, who would have guessed? This may prove a problem if they can slash through just anyone.

Gortash took a deep breath, in through his mouth, out through his nose, tipping his head down without his eyes leaving the screen. He studied Tav through his scrying eye monitors, up and down the eye thoughtlessly followed the miscreant.

He couldn’t help but admire them, truly, and foolishly. They had put themselves through the thick of it, and still landed where it hurt Gortash’s plans the most. They made it to the Shadowlands, blessed by Selûne, and dusted by pixies. How utterly lucky. Unravaged by the Shadowfell, and their brains still have enough holes in it to step into Ketheric’s territory.

He felt his breath quicken and his upper lip curl in disgust. Sheer luck on their side. Never on his. His thoughts were upsetting. By Jergal’s Blessing it shouldn’t be this easy. He had to be a genius and a cunt to make it to his place in the world.

His chest rose up and down unsteadily. His loosely folded arms, now gripped the top of the cushioned chair mercilessly. He hadn’t worn his gold threaded attire, instead in a soft set of navy blue pantaloons and a threaded black blouse. Still his forearm held the stone upon a Gauntlet, he never took it off. It was night-time across Wyrm’s Crossing, his home. He didn’t sleep when the sun went down and the stars came up. He couldn’t sleep now, knowing this hero slipped through his fingers like sand.

Gortash would feel no failure. Bane would see no failure. It was his flawed compatriots with ambitious gods who would fall fast. faster. And he would suffer the consequences of their own failure. This hero, broad backed, snatched waist, adorned in dented armor, a raw frazzled state they were in from the journey there. Blood crusted on the side on their face, on their boots, on their back, on their chest, in the hair of their brow. Maddening. Almost carnal lust took over.

No. No no no no no. No.

Gortash was panting now, a bitch in heat he was. His black shirt clung to his back, sweat started to run down his under arms. It was hot in the room. His pantaloons felt three sizes too small. The fabric was irritating and raw. It was dizzying.

He shakily, slowly, defeatedly, sat himself down, his eyes hadn’t left the screen once since Tav arrived. The scrying eye lowly followed them still, the reflection on the screen gave Enver a whopping view of their ass. Their thighs, large enough to crush his head between them. Their gait, clearly guarded, but their ass still bulging back and forth, left leg, right leg, through their pants as they walked.

Enver needed relief, from the heat, the stress, the dizziness, the itching worry in the back of his mind, possibly even from Bane’s trust. He didn’t want to see how his body betrayed him, he didn’t let Tav leave his sights still as his hands moved downwards to the strings of his navy pants hurriedly. His fingers nearly getting caught every time he loosened one side of the strings. He lifted his hips, thumbs tucking into the sides of his hips and pushing down his pants, to above his knees. He didn’t wear underwear, he didn’t need to. Not when he only could catch moments like these to have to himself.

He sat his tush on the seat again, breathing through his mouth. He couldn’t get enough oxygen, uneven breaths. His tongue was starting to feel dry as he pushed the tip of it against the roof of his mouth in concentration. His right hand, slightly obscured by his gold gauntlet and pointed fingers, gripped his half-hard on that was peaking through his foreskin. He held it, just holding it at the base as his mind emptied any thoughts of his next steps in his plans. He only saw Tav.

The veins decorating the underside of his cock pulsed under his fingers. He was getting harder the longer he stared at Tav’s ass. His jaw shifted tensely from side to side. What he wouldn’t do to tie, bend, and break them in his presence at this moment--Their ass shook, they were laughing. At something he didn’t care to bother figuring out. Any limpness in his cock was gone as it erected up right and curved towards his stomach slightly. It was painfully red, contrasting the darker base.

He could imagine their lower back tensing as they laughed. He gave his base a squeeze. A low airy sound pushed out of him. Pre-cum oozed out of his ever-reddening tip. He started to stroke, slow and controlled. From the base, to just before the tip. His breathing slowed, he felt like he had control again but lost it all at the same time. Only in this moment did Tav and his needy cock matter.

Enver slightly lifted his hips, thrusting- rutting into his hold on his member. Curving his hips up by inches and down by inches. Over and over in a slow aching pace. Tav could be attainable. Under the tadpole’s control, he could figure out a way to make them his- his thing.

He stopped his movements, lifted his hand to his mouth, gathered as much spit in his dried mouth as he could muster. A pathetic amount stringing onto his middle and fore finger. He set his hand back down, rubbing it on his cock greedily. He picked his pace again, up and down with his hand, reaching the tip this time.

He released a short huffed sigh, his back twitched- removing his lazy posture from the back of the chair. He was hunched over now, neck angled up to keep his eyes on their body. His eyebrows sewn together, giving a very needy expression towards the screen. Hand picking up the pace, the spit had done a shitty job and dried up too quickly. A tacky feeling left behind in his hand. He once more took as much spit as he could gather in his mouth, he tried, he really did. He removed his eyes from the screen, only a flicker, to spit on his cock. The noise he made from aiming and spitting was pathetic. As fast as he flickered his eyes down, they were back on the screen. The image of his red, bulging veins, irritated dick, precum still headed at the top with unbroken surface tension was burned into his mind to regret later. Or possibly day dream.

His hand didn’t stop pumping. He hummed in desperation, a bit broken. He was getting close and he picked up the pace. He didn’t have the energy to stand up but he didn’t want to cum sitting down, it wasn’t as pleasurable. He stood up and kneeled slowly on the seat, his knees adjusting his pose as he sought most pleasurable. One knee ended up on the chairs base, the other on the arm rest with his hips lifted up right. His dick directed at the screens. One hand gripped the unoccupied arm rest to keep his balance. The chair would leave red indents on his knees after, creaky and sore too.

Wrist tired, eyes widened and daunting the one screen he focused on. His hand focused on his mid to tip area of his cock. Hoping to milk the blood to the tip. Hand thrusting at unattainable speeds were it a real person he fucked into. He whimpered a bit, his eyebrow creasing even more as he let out breathy moans. His whole body quivered with his forearm’s grip and fast movement. His hips jutted forward sensitively as he neared his peak. He tried to keep upright but he lost his balance in the pleasure. He let out gasps and tight moans as he keeled forward. Eyes shut and using his imagination to guide him now.

He was so desperate to release, all that build up. He lifted his eyes once more to his favorite monitor and saw through his purple scrying spy; Tav, who had hunched shoulders and hips positioned forward, pretty veiny hands adorning those hips too. Thumbs dipping into their lower back, and fingers gripping the peak of their hips. Their pelvic bone was prominent, or something to his imagination. They seemed relaxed. They were speaking to some bugbear with trades. A smile on their lightly painted lips, their eyes creating crows feet as they giggled a bit. What he wouldn’t do to see their eyes scrunch up at him and their mouth opening and lips curving from something he did to them.

He couldn’t chase his release any farther. He had chased it to the precipice. His body jerked and his hands kept at it. His cum shot out onto the floor and leaked between his pointer and thumb. His cum was warm, very warm. White flashes and hot cold chills ran through his shoulders and arms as he neared the very end of his orgasm. He nn’ed and mm’ed in a whiny pitch. This was the first time that night he had felt anything close to cold. His pace was slower but still brutal as he milked every white drop he could from the puffy tip. He only ran his fingers to his mid base and tip, the most sensitive area he had. Red and irritated. He could relate to his cock in this moment.

His hips jerked unexpectedly again as he stopped cautiously, slightly overstimulating himself.

He steadied and huffed evenly. Catching his breath, he released a large sigh. His hair draped over his eyes and his side burns clung to his face slightly with sweat. His mouth shut and his lips touched. Breathing through his nose. His hand was sticky, his glove was a mess. Cum seeped between the gold metal and his warm fingers. His drooping member was a mess. He slowly, very slowly, unglued his hand from his dick.

He blinked at the stone floors a couple of times, sighing again. He lifted his head up, looking around him. His neck was stiff and terribly tense from his previous position. He got into the chair, like a normal person. Ass bare against the velvet lined cushion. Looking around for anything he could use to clean up his fingers, at the least.

He stilled as he reached down to pick up a tossed set of destitute clothes from previous prisoners, sitting in a crate beside the wall in front of him. He looked up at the blue lit rectangle where Tav taunted him. Tav was now talking to a devout gnome bent on controlling gnolls through the Absolute, the back of Tav’s thighs and ass still took up much of the screen. It was a relief in some places of his mind that the scrying eye was a one way mirror for him.

Tav is as Tav does.

He just jerked it to some stranger. He was sickened a bit. Though, an important stranger. Ketheric, no matter how immortal, wouldn’t last their stubborn goodwill. Gortash would have a chance to meet them, he was sure of it. Maybe their next meeting shouldn’t be on his mind while he twisted and wrang his fingers from his cum.

This wouldn’t be the last time he saw Tav. He knew it. This wouldn’t be the last time he sought relief in them either.

[hacash]

‘Everything I do turns to shit’

Ok but I do wonder if Keeley was also thinking of Shandy in that moment (and whether this would have been a more developed thing before the rewrites), because we know that Keeley values women supporting women and that part of the reason she took Shandy on was because she wanted to be for her what Rebecca was for her, only it didn’t work out.

Knowing that the temporary failure of KJPR was always on the cards does put the Shandy arc into perspective: because after landing her dream job of becoming a boss and doing the PR thing she does best, Keeley did fail. Or, at least, she sees herself as having failed. She lost her mentee because she made the wrong call in who to take under her wing (except we know Keeley tried her best with Shandy and did the right thing in trying to help her old friend). She lost her funding because she made the mistake of making a sex tape and then didn’t apologise for its release (except we know Keeley didn’t do anything wrong and was ultimately screwed over by an unfair cultural system). Keeley lost Shandy as a friend because she wouldn’t accommodate her unprofessional behaviour. Keeley lost Jack as a girlfriend because she wasn’t the perfect upper-class arm-candy and never tried to fit into that mold. And so the danger is Keeley looks back at all that and sees herself as being the problem.

I dunno, it could have been better stitched together, but looking back it really feels like there was a common thread pulling Keeley’s arc together. Something about Keeley being her authentic self - too professional for Shandy and yet too authentic for Jack - and because of that, losing some people who she really wanted around her. But the happy thing is that she hasn’t failed, she does get back on her feet, and she gains other people like Barbara - because she was authentic and kind and that was what drew Barbara to her. And if you’re your best self, those are the people you want on your team, who will value you for you.

And then, of course, a wider arc that’s circled the entire season: that it’s hard to be your authentic self. (Oh, hi Colin.) And if you’re authentically yourself then some people will punish you for it. That’s just the brutal truth. And that will feel like you failed - like Nate leaving West Ham, like Sam not making the Nigerian League - but being true to yourself is never a failure, no matter how hard it can be. And there’s always the opportunity to get back on your feet.

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

A big thing of importance when attempting to predict or understand a plot point or character in a work of fiction is that you really have to approach it from what the story itself is trying to tell you.

Yeah, yeah, I know, but you really do need your starting point to be "what is the intention of this story? What is it trying to say?" Every story will have thematic elements that are core to its premise, and a lot of things will make sense more if you actively view them through this lens. You can't cast aside the intent of the story before you take the time to understand what the story is trying to do in the first place.

For instance, BSD has a knack for not killing off its characters, despite the violence of the world in which this story takes place. But BSD at its core is about survival and life, and particularly seeking a way to live even if your purpose and meaning and future are uncertain. It was created for people who need stories to live. This is why it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for them to kill off a bunch of characters, as that would conflict with the kind of story BSD is. I do not expect character death in this series, because unless there are some very specific circumstances (ie. Bram), it just wouldn't fit. Any death just isn't going to hold.

Dead Boy Detectives is extremely obvious in its theming - The good you do comes back around and will allow you to heal in turn. If you continue to be cruel to others, then you will only succeed in perpetuating that cycle, and become the toxic one in turn. This is the core of Crystal, Niko and Esther's story arcs in particular: the character who changes over the story, the character who exemplifies the themes, and the character who acts as the warning.

Themes are the connecting threads that help you understand why choices are made. It also really helps when trying to narrow down to a general idea of where something is going.

For one, the To the Moon/Sigcorp series is about things like memories, regrets, legacies, grief, and final moments before death. Due to this consistent theming, it really didn't come as a surprise to learn the major secret that one of the characters was hiding... or the kind of ending it's leading up to.

As another example, Persona 5 is about a lot of things: rebellion, anger against injustice, the failure of adults to protect the youth, etc., but more than anything I think, P5 is about building a support system after trauma; a support system which is a necessary crutch for people to get their feet back under them and learn how to heal so that they can find themselves and a way forwards again. But a support system doesn't just come to you - you have to trust in people, and let them help you. This is seen in all the characters' arcs, but is taken to extremes with both Futaba and Akechi. Futaba could not start to heal without choosing to allow people to help her. She stagnated in her own guilt and grief due to her isolation, and her decision to open herself up is made literal by a locked door in her heart that could only be opened if she chose to let them in. And, as a result, this running theme is how I knew, even during the worst of the traitor arc, that Akechi was going to end up complicated, yes, but also sympathetic. P5 is not subtle. We are told and shown again and again that this character had no one in his life to rely on, and was cast aside by society. But unfortunately, Akechi rebuffs any attempts to offer him help. As a result, he becomes more and more single-minded, strays further from what he truly seems to believe, and ultimately spirals into self-destruction.

Now we can start asking other questions, like "Was the story successful in what it tried to tell us? Did any of the themes conflict? Were thematically relevant threads left hanging?"

Going back to BSD, this is still a major issue I have with the prison arc. Objectively, the characters were in-character, and the logic holds (for BSD anyways lol). But thematically, it was unsatisfying - the intense setup of this arc made the audience expect much more in the way of story themes than was actually delivered.

This, to me, is where you get into "was the story good" without getting caught in the "well, I didn't like it/agree with it so it was bad".

And then there's where you come into it! Your initial reading of the themes of the story are also going to be shaped by your amount of practice in critical analysis, and also by your personal experiences and interpretations. This is where we get into things like "do I agree with what the story is trying to say" and "oh this was a missed opportunity to add in this little detail" or "objectively it was good, but it didn't really do it for me" or even "objectively it was bad, but something about it still makes me want to chew plaster". It's awesome and part of the joy of being in a community for these things. It's both limiting and lonely to see a story from only one perspective.

[viktorviolettaenterprises]

ArmaLite AR-15 and Derivatives

(This is Actually Serves for My Remastered CC I Made back in 2022. It Supposed to post on 2nd February but hell got delayed for a Week and glad I Finally Having Chance to upload it. Enjoy! Anyway in this thread The CC Models are Mostly Remastered into Great Quality and Got Fixed. So In Case you already Downloading My Stuff. You may Need to Redownload it again since this gonna be A Final Version)

💥DOWNLOAD💥

In the mid-1950s, the U.S. Department of Defense sought a new assault rifle for its infantry, influenced by the adoption of the AK-47 and the U.S. withdrawal from the FAL program. The Springfield Armory's M14, a derivative of the M1 Garand chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, was adopted in 1958 but soon proved inadequate in Vietnam.

Around the same time, Eugene Stoner developed the AR-10, a 7.62×51mm rifle, but its design struggled with the cartridge's recoil. When the U.S. military switched to 5.56×45mm, Stoner adapted the AR-10 into the AR-15, which ArmaLite proposed to the Army in 1959 but was initially rejected. In 1960, the Air Force, led by Gen. Curtis LeMay, ordered 6,000 AR-15s. By 1965, after proving reliable in combat, the Army adopted it as the M16, with the M16A1 in service until 1984. Before That.. Some Screenshoot I Made Thank you For @chloegamesbroficial For Inspiration! Nice Work Sis!

✨ORIGINAL M16 FAMILY

COLT XM16E1

The Progenitor Of M16 Rifle Series. The one who started it all. The XM16E1 was the first true military-issued M16 variant and played a key role in transitioning the U.S. Army from the M14 Battle Rifle to a lightweight, high-rate-of-fire assault rifle. Despite its early flaws, the refinements made in the M16A1 helped solidify the M16 family as a standard U.S. service rifle for decades. (Thank you for @honeyssims4 For Adorable Pose!)

Key Features of the XM16E1:

Forward Assist: Unlike the initial AR-15 and early M16 models, the XM16E1 introduced a forward assist on the right side of the receiver to manually ensure the bolt was fully locked. This was a response to reliability concerns, though Stoner himself opposed its necessity.

Three-Prong Flash Hider: It retained the three-prong flash suppressor, which was later replaced with a birdcage-style suppressor on the M16A1 due to durability issues (the prongs could snag on vegetation).

Chrome-Lined Chamber Issue: Early XM16E1 rifles lacked chrome-lined chambers, leading to frequent malfunctions when used in Vietnam's humid jungle conditions. Fouling and corrosion contributed to "failure to extract" malfunctions, which were later addressed in the M16A1 by adding a chrome-lined chamber and barrel.

Full Auto & Semi-Auto Selector: The rifle featured a selector switch for semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes.

Early Vietnam Deployment: The XM16E1 was issued to U.S. troops in Vietnam around 1965 and was the first Army-standardized version of the M16 before being officially designated the M16A1 in 1967.

Problems & Fixes:

Ammunition Issue: The original 5.56×45mm M193 rounds used ball powder instead of extruded powder (as originally intended), leading to excessive fouling and jamming.

Cleaning Kits & Training: Many soldiers were not initially issued cleaning kits or proper maintenance instructions, worsening the reliability issues.

M16A1 Upgrade: The XM16E1 was formally redesignated as the M16A1 in 1967, incorporating a chrome-lined chamber and barrel, improved buffer system, and closed-end flash suppressor to resolve its issues.

COLT M16A1

The M16A1 was the first fully standardized M16 variant adopted by the U.S. military in 1967, replacing the XM16E1 and improving upon its shortcomings. It became the primary service rifle for U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and remained in widespread use until the 1980s. (Thank you For @plazasims For "Cliff Unger" Uniform!)

Key Features & Improvements Over XM16E1:

Chrome-Lined Chamber & Barrel – Addressed the fouling and corrosion issues that plagued the XM16E1 in Vietnam's humid environment.

Birdcage Flash Hider – Replaced the three-prong flash suppressor, which was prone to bending and snagging on vegetation.

Forward Assist – Retained from the XM16E1, allowing soldiers to manually close the bolt if needed.

Reinforced Buttstock & Pistol Grip – Made from stronger polymer to prevent cracking.

New Buffer System – Helped reduce felt recoil and improve reliability in automatic fire.

30-Round Magazine Compatibility – Originally issued with 20-round magazines, but later compatible with the more practical 30-round STANAG magazines.

Weight & Length – Weighed around 3.9 kg (8.6 lbs) loaded and measured 986 mm (39 inches) in length, making it much lighter than the M14 it replaced.

Combat Use:

Vietnam War (1967–1975) – Saw extensive use, replacing the heavier M14. Soldiers appreciated its lighter weight and high fire rate, though early reliability issues due to poor maintenance training and improper ammunition caused setbacks.

Post-Vietnam Conflicts – Used in Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) and by allied forces worldwide into the 1990s.

Foreign Military Use – Many U.S. allies adopted surplus M16A1s, with some still in limited use today.

Replacement & Legacy:

By the mid-1980s, the M16A2 replaced the M16A1, introducing a heavier barrel, burst-fire mode, and improved sights. However, the M16A1 remains one of the most widely produced and battle-proven rifles in U.S. history, influencing modern designs like the M4A1 and civilian AR-15 variants.

COLT M16A2/M16A3

The M16A2 is an upgraded version of the M16A1, featuring a longer stock, improved pistol grip, reinforced carry handle, and a more durable round handguard. It introduced a three-round burst mode instead of full-auto M16A3, Variant that Issued for United States Navy Having A Full Auto Configuration like Old M16A1. The rifle also had a heavier barrel for increased durability and accuracy.

The M16A2 saw combat in Operation Just Cause (Panama), the Gulf War, and the Bosnian War. It later served as a reserve rifle in Afghanistan and Iraq and remains a popular service weapon for military and police forces worldwide.

M16A2 (1983 – Standard Issue Upgrade)

Key Features & Improvements Over M16A1:

Stronger Barrel – Heavier profile for improved accuracy and heat resistance.

3-Round Burst Mode – Replaced full-auto with safe-semi-burst to conserve ammo.

New Rear Sight – Adjustable for windage and elevation, improving long-range accuracy.

Longer Stock & Reinforced Grip – More ergonomic design for stability.

Round Handguards – More durable and symmetrical, easier to grip.

Flash Hider Change – Birdcage closed at the bottom to prevent dust kick-up.

Improved Ammunition – Designed for the 5.56×45mm M855 "Green Tip" round, offering better penetration.

Combat History:

First issued in 1983 and widely used in Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) and Desert Storm (1991).

Phased out in the 2000s as the M16A4 and M4 Carbine became standard.

M16A3 (1990s – Full-Auto Navy Variant)

How It Differs from the M16A2:

Retains Full-Auto – Uses safe-semi-full auto, unlike the M16A2’s 3-round burst.

Used by U.S. Navy and SEALs – Needed for maritime operations and boarding teams.

Physically Similar to the M16A2 – No other major differences besides the fire control group.

Limited Use & Replacement:

Never widely adopted outside of Navy units and special forces.

Eventually replaced by the M16A4 and M4A1 due to modularity and compact size needs.

COLT M16A4

The M16A4 is the final standard-issue variant of the M16 rifle family, introduced in the late 1990s to replace the M16A2. It was widely used by the U.S. Marine Corps and some Army units, particularly during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The M16A4 was the last major evolution of the M16 series, transitioning the rifle into a more modular, optics-friendly platform.

Key Features & Improvements Over M16A2:

Flat-Top Receiver with Picatinny Rail – Allowed for easy mounting of optics, scopes, and accessories, unlike the fixed carry handle of the M16A2.

Removable Carry Handle – Featured adjustable iron sights but could be detached for mounting optics like the ACOG (widely used by U.S. Marines).

Three-Round Burst Mode – Retained the safe-semi-burst firing modes from the M16A2 (no full-auto, unlike the M16A3).

Knight’s Armament M5 RAS (Rail Adapter System) – Allowed attachment of foregrips, lasers, flashlights, and grenade launchers (M203/M320).

Heavy Barrel – Improved accuracy and heat resistance for sustained fire.

30-Round STANAG Magazine – Standardized across NATO forces.

Combat Use & Replacement:

Widely used in the Iraq War (2003–2011) and Afghanistan War (2001–2021) by U.S. Marines.

Phased out in favor of the M4A1 carbine, which offered greater mobility in urban warfare.

Still in use by Marine reserves and allied forces worldwide.

🎈CARBINE FAMILY

The AR-15 carbine family includes a wide range of compact, lightweight rifles derived from the original AR-15/M16 platform. Carbines typically have shorter barrels (14.5 inches or less) and are designed for mobility, versatility, and close-quarters combat (CQC).they has evolved into one of the most widely used and modular weapon platforms worldwide, serving military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters.

COLT CAR-15 (XM177E2 Model)

The First Of The Family The Colt CAR-15 was a family of compact, lightweight rifles and carbines developed in the 1960s as shortened versions of the M16/AR-15 platform. The name CAR-15 ("Colt Automatic Rifle-15") was originally an umbrella term for Colt’s modular rifle system, but it later became associated specifically with short-barreled carbines.

Key Features of XM177E2 ("Colt Commando")

Most famous CAR-15 carbines Variant, issued to MACV-SOG, Navy SEALs, and Green Berets in Vietnam.

11.5-inch barrel for better velocity and reliability.

Iconic Moderator (flash and sound suppressor) to reduce muzzle flash and noise.

Used extensively in close-quarters jungle warfare.

Legacy & Evolution

The CAR-15 series evolved into the M4 Carbine, which became the U.S. military's standard rifle.

Though retired, CAR-15 remain iconic for their role in Vietnam and special operations history.

Colt M733 ("Commando")

The Colt Model 733, commonly known as the Colt M733 Commando, is a compact carbine developed in the 1980s as part of the CAR-15 / M16 family. It was designed for special operations, law enforcement, and close-quarters combat (CQC). (Thank you for @r-jayden For the Pose!)

Key Features of the Colt M733:

Short Barrel (11.5 inches)

More compact than the M16A2 (20 inches) and M4 (14.5 inches).

Balances maneuverability and effective range.

Fixed Carry Handle & A2 Sights

Uses M16A2-style rear sights, improving long-range accuracy.

Full-Auto or 3-Round Burst

Available in safe-semi-burst (like the M16A2) or safe-semi-full auto (like the M16A3).

A1 Lower Receiver & A2 Upper Receiver

Mixed features from M16A1 (simpler controls) and M16A2 (better sights & barrel twist).

Flash Hider & Handguards

Uses an A2-style flash suppressor to reduce muzzle flash.

Short round handguards, unlike the triangular ones on early CAR-15 models.

Combat Use & Operators

Used by U.S. Special Forces, including Delta Force, Navy SEALs, and Army Rangers.

Deployed in conflicts like:

Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989)

Gulf War (1991)

Somali Civil War (1993, Battle of Mogadishu)

Popular among law enforcement SWAT teams.

Legacy & Influence

The M733 inspired the M4 Carbine, which became the U.S. military’s standard service rifle.

Still used by law enforcement, private security, and some military units.

Its compact size, reliability, and firepower made it a favorite for close-quarters combat (CQC).

COLT M4A1 Carbine

The Colt M4A1 is a fully automatic, compact, and modular carbine developed as an improvement over the M4 Carbine. It has been the standard-issue rifle for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) since the early 2000s, and it is widely used by military and law enforcement worldwide. (Thank you for @plazasims For Unique Costume!)

Key Features of the Colt M4A1

1. Barrel & Accuracy

14.5-inch barrel (shorter than the M16A4’s 20-inch barrel).

Heavy barrel profile (since 2015) for better durability and accuracy.

1:7 rifling twist, optimized for 5.56×45mm NATO M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds.

2. Full-Auto Fire Mode

Unlike the M4 (which has a 3-round burst mode), the M4A1 features full-auto capability.

This makes it preferred for special operations where rapid fire is needed.

3. Modular Rail System

Uses the Knight’s Armament RAS (Rail Adapter System) or Daniel Defense RIS II (used in SOPMOD Block upgrades).

Supports optics, grips, PEQ laser designators, suppressors, and grenade launchers (M203/M320).

4. Flat-Top Upper Receiver

Picatinny rail instead of a fixed carry handle, allowing ACOGs, EOTechs, Aimpoints, and NVGs.

The backup iron sights (BUIS) are removable.

5. Telescoping Stock

6-position collapsible stock, making it adjustable for different users and gear setups.

More maneuverable than the fixed stock of the M16A4.

Combat History & Use

The M4A1 has been the primary weapon of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) since the Global War on Terror (GWOT), replacing the CAR-15, M16A2/A4, and early M4s. It has seen combat in:

Afghanistan War (2001–2021)

Iraq War (2003–2011)

Operation Neptune Spear (Bin Laden Raid, 2011)

Syrian Civil War (2014–Present)

Users:

U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Army Rangers, and Marine Raiders.

Standard issue for U.S. Army and Marines (replacing M16A4 in infantry units).

Used by NATO and allied forces worldwide.

Modernization & Future

The M4A1+ program introduced features like free-floating handguards and ambidextrous controls.

Being replaced in some roles by the Sig Sauer XM7 (NGSW Program), but still widely used.

COLT MK18 MOD 0/M4 CQBR

The Colt Mk18 Mod 0 is a compact and highly modular 5.56×45mm NATO carbine, designed for close-quarters battle (CQB), special operations, and maritime missions. Developed as part of the U.S. Navy's SOPMOD program, it is essentially a short-barreled version of the M4A1, optimized for special forces, vehicle crews, and hostage rescue units.

Key Features of the Colt Mk18 Mod 0

1. Ultra-Compact 10.3-Inch Barrel

Shorter than the M4A1’s 14.5-inch barrel, making it ideal for CQB and vehicle operations.

Uses a heavy barrel profile for durability.

Often paired with a suppressor (e.g., Knights Armament NT4 or SureFire SOCOM556-RC) to reduce noise and flash.

2. Flat-Top Upper Receiver (Picatinny Rail)

Unlike earlier Colt carbines with fixed carry handles, the Mk18 Mod 0 has a flat-top rail, allowing optics like:

EOTech EXPS-3 / Aimpoint T2

ACOG TA31 (for mid-range engagements)

PEQ-15 / MAWL Lasers (for night ops with NVGs).

3. Rail Interface System (RIS)

Uses the Knights Armament RAS handguard for mounting:

Foregrips (TangoDown, BCM, Magpul)

Weapon lights (SureFire M600 Scout)

Suppressors and lasers (PEQ-15, DBAL, MAWL)

This early version (Mod 0) still used the KAC RAS, while later Mk18 Mod 1 versions switched to the Daniel Defense RIS II.

4. Full-Auto Fire Mode (Unlike M4)

The Mk18 Mod 0 is select-fire (safe/semi/full-auto), making it more effective in high-intensity CQB situations.

Later models were built with Colt’s M4A1 lower receiver, which shares the same fire control system.

5. SOPMOD Block 1 Compatibility

Issued with SOCOM’s Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit, including:

Suppressors (Knight’s Armament NT4, later SureFire SOCOM)

Optics (EOTechs, Aimpoints, ACOGs)

PEQ-15 / AN/PEQ-16 laser/IR systems

Enhanced stocks (LMT Crane SOPMOD Stock, B5 Systems, Magpul CTR)

Combat History & Operators

The Mk18 Mod 0 became the go-to CQB weapon for U.S. Special Forces, particularly Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Army Rangers, and Marine Raiders. It has been widely used in:

Iraq War (2003–2011)

Afghanistan War (2001–2021)

Operation Neptune Spear (Bin Laden Raid, 2011)

Syria & Anti-ISIS Operations (2014–Present)

Other users include:

FBI HRT (Hostage Rescue Team)

DEA FAST Teams

British SAS & SBS

Various European and Middle Eastern special forces

Legacy & Influence

The Mk18 Mod 0 set the standard for modern CQB rifles, inspiring later models like the Mk18 Mod 1 and civilian AR pistols (Colt 6933, Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW, BCM CQB-10).

Even as the U.S. shifts to the XM7 (Sig MCX Spear), the Mk18 remains a favorite in SOF circles due to its compact size, reliability, and versatility.

SPECIALIZED VARIANTS

This Part Will covered the Unconventional Layout Of AR-15 Rifle something that Slightly Deviated with Their Original Mainstream M16 Or M4 Guidelines.

Colt 9mm SMG (Colt RO635)

The Colt 9mm SMG, also known as the Colt Model 635, is a submachine gun (SMG) chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, designed as a pistol-caliber variant of the M16/AR-15 platform. It was developed in the 1980s for law enforcement, special forces, and security personnel who needed a compact, controllable firearm for close-quarters combat (CQC).

Key Features of the Colt 9mm SMG (Model 635)

1. 9mm Blowback Operation (No Gas System)

Unlike the M4/M16’s gas-operated system, the Colt 9mm SMG uses a simple blowback mechanism.

Lacks a gas tube, gas block, or forward assist, making it simpler and more reliable with 9mm ammo.

2. Shorter 10.5-Inch Barrel

More compact than the M16 (20 inches) or M4 (14.5 inches).

Perfect for CQB, SWAT, and VIP protection.

Often fitted with a threaded barrel for suppressors.

3. 32-Round Stick Magazine

Uses a curved 32-round magazine, similar in appearance to Uzi magazines, but modified for the AR platform.

Feeds from Colt’s proprietary SMG lower receiver, not interchangeable with standard AR-15/M4 lowers.

4. Fixed Carry Handle (A1-Style)

Standard M16A1-style upper receiver, with integrated iron sights and no Picatinny rail (early versions).

Some later versions feature flat-top Picatinny rails for optics.

5. Fire Selector: Safe-Semi-Full Auto (Model 635)

Model 635 (Standard SMG): Full-auto (Safe/Semi/Auto)

Later law enforcement models (RO995, RO699, etc.) have semi-auto configurations.

Combat Use & Operators

Though not widely adopted by the military, the Colt 9mm SMG became popular among:

FBI SWAT & HRT (Hostage Rescue Team)

DEA, ATF, and Secret Service

U.S. Navy SEALs (limited use in the 1980s–1990s before transitioning to MP5s & HK416s)

Foreign law enforcement agencies (e.g., Colombia, Mexico, Middle Eastern special units)

Colt CM901 (Colt Modular Carbine 901)

The Colt CM901 (Colt Modular Carbine 901) is a multi-caliber, modular battle rifle, designed to bridge the gap between 5.56×45mm NATO (M4/M16) and 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) rifles. Developed by Colt Defense, it was unveiled in 2010 as a highly adaptable AR-platform weapon for special forces, designated marksmen, and infantry roles.

Key Features of the Colt CM901

1. Multi-Caliber Compatibility (7.62 NATO & 5.56 NATO)

Primary caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO (battle rifle performance, extended range).

Can quickly convert to 5.56×45mm NATO by swapping the upper receiver and using a magazine adapter.

Compatible with standard AR-15/M4 uppers, making it one of the most versatile battle rifles on the market.

2. Monolithic Upper Receiver

The CM901 features a one-piece, free-floating monolithic upper receiver, improving:

Accuracy (more rigid than two-piece designs).

Optic mounting (full-length Picatinny rail).

Accessory attachment (foregrips, lasers, bipods).

Provides a seamless rail system similar to the LMT MWS and KAC SR-25.

3. Shorter 16-Inch Barrel (Battle Rifle in a Carbine Package)

Compact for a 7.62 NATO rifle, giving it more maneuverability than traditional battle rifles like the M14 or SCAR-H.

Available in various barrel lengths (13”, 16”, and 20”) for different mission needs.

4. Ambidextrous Controls

Features ambidextrous safety selector, magazine release, and bolt catch, making it ideal for left-handed shooters.

A big improvement over standard AR-10 platforms, which typically lack full ambidextrous controls.

5. Battle-Proven Reliability

Uses a reinforced lower receiver to handle the power of 7.62 NATO rounds, while still functioning smoothly with 5.56 NATO conversions.

Built to military durability standards, making it rugged and reliable for combat use.

Why the CM901 Didn't Fully Replace the M4/M16

Heavier than standard M4 carbines (even with a 5.56 upper).

7.62 NATO recoil & ammo weight limit its role in CQB settings.

SCAR-H and HK417 were preferred for SOF battle rifle roles.

Military demand for a dedicated 7.62 platform (SR-25, M110) outweighed the need for a modular hybrid.

[codenamesazanka]

In Chapter 88, when All Might confronts the League, Shigaraki makes yet another declaration to destroy:

Viz translates it as "Justice this and peace that... All these vague things have kept a lid on our society's filthy underbelly... we're smashing through, through... And to do that, we're removing you from the picture, All Might."

The bolded ("kept a lid", "we're smashing through") is what's highlighted in red in the panel above. 'Futa' translates to lid/cover; 'bukkowasu' translates to destroy, a word that Shigaraki is fond of.

At this moment in time in the story, Shigaraki does not have his memories back yet. But he knows that he's dissatisfied with the world, that he and villains have been ignored and hidden away by society; and he seeks to destroy that cover.

In Chapter 281, with all his memories back, what Shigaraki seeks remains the same, though he's able to articulate it much clearer:

Viz translates this speech as "For generations… you pretended not to see those you couldn't protect… and swept their pain under the rug."

It's correct, though a more literal translation would be: "The things you couldn't protect, you pretended not to see... put a lid over their pain."

And, of course, a few pages later, Shigaraki vows to destroy all of this - Heroes, the system they've built, the society it's housed in. It's still his goal, as he states in Chapter 379, when he broke out of AFO's control, and in Chapter 410, when he tells Deku he'll sink the entire country.

In latest Chapter 412, "destroying the lid" is brought up again, though this time by Deku, as he thinks back to exactly what Shigaraki was saying back in Jaku about Heroes ignoring pain of unsaved victims:

Lit. translation: "That lid, until it's destroyed, I won't stop striking at it." The same words Shigaraki uses.

The scanlation has rendered it as "shredding the rug," which is correct and trying to match with the Viz translation, but I think that loses the slight nuance in this thread of "destroying the lid/cover" that can be traced all the way back to Chapter 88.

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It sounds a bit like Deku and Shigaraki are actually on the same page now? Getting rid of the cover that hides the failures of Hero Society is all well and good, but what would it entail? Shigaraki has decided it means getting rid of everything. Obviously that's bad. I wonder what Deku would propose instead.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive (Updated daily!)

Researchers report that a new AI tool enhances the diagnostic process, potentially identifying more individuals who need care. Previous diagnostic studies estimated that 7 percent of the population suffers from long COVID. However, a new study using an AI tool developed by Mass General Brigham indicates a significantly higher rate of 22.8 percent.

The AI-based tool can sift through electronic health records to help clinicians identify cases of long COVID. The often-mysterious condition can encompass a litany of enduring symptoms, including fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog after infection from SARS-CoV-2.

The algorithm used was developed by drawing de-identified patient data from the clinical records of nearly 300,000 patients across 14 hospitals and 20 community health centers in the Mass General Brigham system. The results, published in the journal Med, could identify more people who should be receiving care for this potentially debilitating condition.

“Our AI tool could turn a foggy diagnostic process into something sharp and focused, giving clinicians the power to make sense of a challenging condition,” said senior author Hossein Estiri, head of AI Research at the Center for AI and Biomedical Informatics of the Learning Healthcare System (CAIBILS) at MGB and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “With this work, we may finally be able to see long COVID for what it truly is — and more importantly, how to treat it.”

For the purposes of their study, Estiri and colleagues defined long COVID as a diagnosis of exclusion that is also infection-associated. That means the diagnosis could not be explained in the patient’s unique medical record but was associated with a COVID infection. In addition, the diagnosis needed to have persisted for two months or longer in a 12-month follow-up window.

Precision Phenotyping: A Novel Approach The novel method developed by Estiri and colleagues, called “precision phenotyping,” sifts through individual records to identify symptoms and conditions linked to COVID-19 to track symptoms over time in order to differentiate them from other illnesses. For example, the algorithm can detect if shortness of breath results from pre-existing conditions like heart failure or asthma rather than long COVID. Only when every other possibility was exhausted would the tool flag the patient as having long COVID.

“Physicians are often faced with having to wade through a tangled web of symptoms and medical histories, unsure of which threads to pull, while balancing busy caseloads. Having a tool powered by AI that can methodically do it for them could be a game-changer,” said Alaleh Azhir, co-lead author and an internal medicine resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.

The new tool’s patient-centered diagnoses may also help alleviate biases built into current diagnostics for long COVID, said researchers, who noted diagnoses with the official ICD-10 diagnostic code for long COVID trend toward those with easier access to healthcare.

The researchers said their tool is about 3 percent more accurate than the data ICD-10 codes capture, while being less biased. Specifically, their study demonstrated that the individuals they identified as having long COVID mirror the broader demographic makeup of Massachusetts, unlike long COVID algorithms that rely on a single diagnostic code or individual clinical encounters, skewing results toward certain populations such as those with more access to care.

“This broader scope ensures that marginalized communities, often sidelined in clinical studies, are no longer invisible,” said Estiri.

Limitations and Future Directions Limitations of the study and AI tool include the fact that health record data the algorithm uses to account for long COVID symptoms may be less complete than the data physicians capture in post-visit clinical notes. Another limitation was the algorithm did not capture the possible worsening of a prior condition that may have been a long COVID symptom. For example, if a patient had COPD that worsened before they developed COVID-19, the algorithm might have removed the episodes even if they were long COVID indicators. Declines in COVID-19 testing in recent years also makes it difficult to identify when a patient may have first gotten COVID-19.

The study was limited to patients in Massachusetts.

Future studies may explore the algorithm in cohorts of patients with specific conditions, like COPD or diabetes. The researchers also plan to release this algorithm publicly on open access so physicians and healthcare systems globally can use it in their patient populations.

In addition to opening the door to better clinical care, this work may lay the foundation for future research into the genetic and biochemical factors behind long COVID’s various subtypes. “Questions about the true burden of long COVID — questions that have thus far remained elusive — now seem more within reach,” said Estiri.

Reference: “Precision phenotyping for curating research cohorts of patients with unexplained post-acute sequelae of COVID-19” by Alaleh Azhir, Jonas Hügel, Jiazi Tian, Jingya Cheng, Ingrid V. Bassett, Douglas S. Bell, Elmer V. Bernstam, Maha R. Farhat, Darren W. Henderson, Emily S. Lau, Michele Morris, Yevgeniy R. Semenov, Virginia A. Triant, Shyam Visweswaran, Zachary H. Strasser, Jeffrey G. Klann, Shawn N. Murphy and Hossein Estiri, 8 November 2024, Med. DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.10.009 www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(24)00407-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666634024004070%3Fshowall%3Dtrue