#don't be modest copper

[malamiteltd]

Day 9 – I’m Not a Hero

Copper and Broom were sitting at one of the benches near the Pond. Broom was playing a game on an odd-looking handheld – it seemed to play the same cartridges as the console in the Game House – and Copper was watching over his shoulder, intrigued at the game being played. But soon they heard someone approaching, and the game was paused. It was Sketch and Heather, walking to a neighboring bench.

"Hey guys!" said Sketch, waving to the pair. "Everything alright?"

Broom and Copper waved back. "Everything's good!" Broom replied. He held up the handheld he was playing. "Just been checking out some of the games in that house. I found this in there and decided to try it out. Copper joined me not too long ago and he's been watching."

Copper nodded silently.

"I remember seeing devices kinda like that back in Utopia," said Sketch. "They do seem to need a lot of batteries to keep them running."

Broom nodded. "Most do. But I'm kinda surprised by this thing. Honestly, I've played on this for well over four hours and there's been no sign that the batteries are on low charge." He looked at the back of the handheld and suddenly looked confused. "Huh. It…doesn't even look like there's any battery compartment. But how does this thing work?"

Heather shrugged. "If it were me, I'd just chalk it up to the typical reason – this place is weird."

"Sounds good," said Copper. "So what brings you guys here?"

Sketch scratched at one of his eyebrows. "Well, Heather and I got acquainted with Broom the other day, and he used something called Clarity to kinda show us what he's all about, and learn about us in exchange."

Copper looked concerned. "Okay…"

"After that meet-up," Sketch continued, "I had been thinking about some of the stuff I saw in all those memories…and you were in a few of them, Copper."

"And we were kinda surprised at what we saw," Heather added. "There was a distinct memory where Broom and some large fella were trapped and unable to move, and right in front was you, facing a group of weird goopy aliens with dart guns of some kind!"

Copper started to blush. "I-I…"

"And you suddenly flicked away all their darts and dashed towards them, tearing away their guns and scaring them off! Was that really you?"

Broom was shocked. He turned to Copper. "Wait, you never told them about the abduction?!"

Copper looked away. "I…I didn't want to…"

"But why not?!" Broom exclaimed. "You were practically our hero! We weren't sure what was gonna happen to us after those aliens took us on their ship! You were pretty much the only one able to do anything!"

Copper looked a bit flustered. "Broom, please…"

"Not to mention those aliens captured so many others before! Since they abandoned the ship, it allowed authorities to investigate it and find the homeworld where the other captives were being experimented on! They probably wouldn't have survived all that, and thanks to you they were able to go back to their homes!"

Copper placed both hands atop his head, rubbing anxiously. "Broom! Please don't!"

Sketch and Heather were looking worried. "You okay, Copper?"

But Broom kept pouring on praise. "I honestly assumed you would've used that amazing speed to take one of the escape pods back home! But you stood your ground and terrified those creatures! You even broke us out of those capsules!"

Copper gritted his teeth, rubbing his head furiously. "STOP!!"

Broom looked shocked. "…Copper?"

Copper was breathing heavily for almost a minute. "…I'm not a hero."

The others were baffled.

"But…we saw what you did," Heather said to Copper. "I gotta say, it looked very impressive. You're not proud of what you did?"

"I…the…" Copper was struggling to speak at the moment. But after a minute he finally found the words. "…You don't…honestly think I did that just to be a hero."

Sketch scratched his head. "Not sure what you mean by that, bud."

Copper sighed. "I…I was panicking. A lot was happening to me since I got on that ship. I didn't know where I was, why I was locked up…my clothes were missing and I was with two strangers who were stuck in the same situation… 

He looked at his hands. "And then I was starting to realize my fervor, and I somehow unlocked my own cell door…the aliens knocked me out and strapped me to a chair, I was surrounded by scary…tools? Machines? I found a way to get out, and then I got cornered by the aliens while Broom and Husker were locked up tight in capsules behind me…

He started furiously rubbing his knees, looking to the ground. "I didn't know what to do…they started shooting at me, but the darts seemed to be going super-slow, I wasn't sure what was happening…I was getting upset! I…I don't know, I guess some instinct started piloting my brain and I was just charging head-on at those aliens. As soon as I got in one of their…faces?…I had to decide what to do… Killing them was definitely an option, but…I couldn't accept it! So I activated the ship's self-destruct program, if just to scare them away. And they were scared…they all ran to their escape pods and left the ship. After they did, I turned the self-destruct thing off and…I had to stop for a moment."

Broom patted Copper on the back. "Yeah, I guess it was all kinda overwhelming, huh? I suppose you couldn't have planned all that out considering…"

"But you did manage to pull through," added Sketch. "And you didn't kill anyone! That seems like the work of a hero to me."

"No!" Copper shook his head. "Once I began to learn what my fervor could do, it just seemed to cause more trouble!"

Broom was confused. "Wait, what do you mean?"

Copper turned to Broom with a mad look. "You're kidding! You don't remember what happened to you?!"

"What happened to–" Broom suddenly realized something. "Oh! Ohhhh…."

Heather tilted her head. "Wait, what are you guys talking about?"

Copper turned his attention to Sketch and Heather. "So…after the abduction, I was asked to undergo some tests to see what my fervor was capable of. They didn't really have any Teijru capable of doing such things before. And they made note of my abilities for…other purposes."

"Were they bad purposes?" asked Sketch.

"I mean…I don't think so. But those notes were probably the reason they approached me for what they called an 'important assignment.' Kheji had allies from Lir, a nearby planet in our system. They provided our world with a planetary barrier and other technology in exchange for mineral mining rights. Well, the allies were having difficulties with a criminal organization that was hacking into their funding, and they wanted that stopped one way or the other."

Heather looked surprised when hearing this. "This is starting to sound like some kind of espionage mission! You mean to tell me they sent you off to do that?!"

"Well, actually there was another guy, by the name of Graphite. He's the big hero of Kheji, with insane power. He thwarted a lot of hostile confrontations single-handedly, and spearheaded the charge against a space station that was planning to destroy the planet for resources to keep it alive. He was asked to do the mission, but they wanted me to go with him because the criminal group was stationed in some high-security place and they figured I could help Graphite get in with my abilities."

Sketch's eyes widened. "Wow."

"I'll admit, I was hesitant to accept the offer, even when they promised a decent reward for my assistance. But Graphite convinced me that I'd be safe, that nothing would happen to me. And…eventually I agreed. We went to the group's high-tech base and I helped Graphite get around the various locked doors and traps as we went to their main computer, where all the hacking was being done."

"Nice!" Sketch nodded. "And Graphite kept you safe the whole time?"

"Yeah…but as we were almost finished, Graphite got nabbed by a big robot-arm-thing. Not sure what it was for, maybe for construction or something…but in any case, the bad guys wanted to make sure Graphite didn't succeed in the mission. I was lucky not to have been spotted, but Graphite was getting squeezed by the big arm…and he looked like he was in excruciating pain. The bad guys stood by and watched him struggle…they even laughed at him once he started yelling in agony! I was panicking as I watched it all happen. Part of me wanted to run away, but Graphite's pained screams…I…

Copper let out a deep breath as he rubbed his head. "Well…I ended up placing both my hands on the main computer and just jolted the thing. And suddenly everything went dark…kinda like the blackout that other day. Everyone was confused at what happened, but I ran to the big arm undetected and forced it to let Graphite go, and…well, he took care of the rest."

"Still sounds like you were a hero to me," said Sketch.

Copper looked upset. "No! I'm…not exactly done with the story. Sure, after all that, we stopped their hacking business, and they even used the same computer to locate and capture most of the bad guys." He raised a finger. "Most of them. There were still two that they didn't find…the ringleader being one of them, and the hacker being the other. They kept a mental note of my name and what I looked like, as well as what I managed to do. And…" Copper took a deep breath. "…they apparently wanted revenge."

Heather covered her mouth with a concerned expression. "What did they do to you?"

"To me? Nothing." Copper looked to Broom, who looked just as concerned. "But they learned about my friend from Keshly'm, and decided to make use of him."

Broom's eyes widened. "Wait, I remember! This one guy kicked in the door of my house and knocked me out, and the next thing I knew I woke up trapped in some horrible torture device…thing. THAT'S what that was about?!"

Copper turned away. "They…sent a message to Kheji asking to confront them about a…'business proposition,' if I wanted you to remain alive. They showed an image of you trapped in a horrible machine. You were unconscious, but your arms and legs were already being stretched out in the picture. I was scared…I felt like my mission with Graphite threw me into a lot of danger, and…and you were dragged into it in the process…"

Sketch thought about this for a moment, recollecting some of the other memories Broom showed him. "I see, now… that explains the other instance Broom was in danger. And the guy even had a knife held up to Broom's throat, and you were standing there shaking… you were obviously very worried."

Copper nodded. "The guy told me they'd let Broom live if I were to cooperate with them. I'd essentially be a henchman, using my fervor to help out with their criminal work. I…I saw Broom trembling as the knife was held to him, and I…I wasn't sure what to do. They could've killed him…I didn't feel like I had a lot of time to do anything, and I worried if I made a false move, Broom was really gonna get hurt."

Heather recalled the memories too. "And then you made your move."

"I don't know what I was thinking at the time," said Copper, sounding like he was about to panic again. "I just quickly dashed up to the guy with the knife. I was quick enough to startle him, and…the scare caused him to let go of the knife. And as soon as I saw it leave his hand…I grabbed it and threw it as far as I could. Which wasn't far, but apparently got embedded into a wall and couldn't get pulled out."

"Nice!" said Sketch.

Copper winced as he continued his story. "But then I got a hold of the guy. I channeled a lot of my fervor into him. His breathing…his heart…they all stopped for a moment. His nerves fought to even struggle. I was…I was FURIOUS. I wanted it all to stop. I wanted HIM to stop." He covered his face. "I…was probably gonna kill him…"

Everyone was quiet.

Copper sniffled. "Then I heard Broom. He spoke my name…and asked if I was alright. When I heard that, I let the guy go. He was out cold, but his breathing and his heart started again. It was a partial relief, I guess…but…"

Broom hugged Copper. "It's okay."

"No it isn't!" Copper replied, sounding both angry and sad. "If I didn't get involved in that mission, you wouldn't have been put in danger! I…you claimed that I was a hero even then, but I was the reason you were kidnapped!"

"Copper, I'm not mad at you! I…I understand it was all scary. We were both scared! But I…I admit I was scared for you more than I was for me. I could see that angry stare you gave the guy…and I was worried what you were gonna do."

Heather scratched her head. "I recall seeing some other fella in that memory, who looked kinda like Copper in a dark coat."

Copper wiped his eyes. "Y-yeah, that would be Graphite. During that moment he actually snuck into the scene waiting for a chance to strike, but…even he wasn't prepared for what I did to the guy. He managed to take down the bad guys while I released Broom from the machine. It was hard to feel proud or happy about the situation, even though Broom seemed willing to thank me."

Sketch nodded. "I understand, bud. The whole thing about being called a hero…you don't think you deserve it because of all the little details…all the thoughts and emotions that were swarming your mind in those scary situations. But you always had a chance to choose…and in each of those moments, I think you did the right thing. And I think that's what makes you a hero."

Heather nodded in agreement. "People can think a lot of things in a situation. Some of those thoughts can be bad…scary, even. But it's the actions you took despite those thoughts…that convinces me you're not a bad person. You could've killed that guy, those aliens…you could've left Graphite or Broom to die…but whether it was instinct or something else, you opted to do something to fix the problem, even though it was something no one expected. And I think that's pretty cool!"

Copper was silent. He was blushing a bright purple.

"You ARE pretty cool," said Broom. "That's why I'm proud to call you my friend. I mean….I wouldn't have imagined you were what put me in that scary situation…but you managed to step up and get me right back out!"

Copper looked to Broom. "B-but…I…the guy…"

Broom nodded. "Like I said, I could tell things were getting overwhelming. So I…well, I want to say I was able to help you when you needed it. And I still do…after all that's happened, I feel like it's the least I can do."

Copper couldn't think of anything to say. He just nodded.

"I can tell you're a good friend of his," Sketch said to Broom.

"I learned a lot about him when we performed Clarity on that alien ship," Broom replied. "I…guess I never got to learn how he was feeling after the events afterward." He turned to Copper and held up his hand. "Would it be okay?"

Copper hesitated. "I…Not right now, Broom. I'm sorry."

Broom lowered his hand, then nodded in understanding. "Alright. I'll leave it be for now."

Sketch decided it was time to change the subject. "Incidentally, what's the game you're playing?"

Broom and Copper turned to the handheld. "Oh! The game? It's a bit of an action puzzler. You move dice around and connect them together to clear them off the board. Wanna try?"

Sketch scratched his head. "Why don't you show me first? I get the feeling I won't do so hot without some example to follow."

Broom nodded, smiling. "Sure thing!"

Sketch and Heather walked up behind Broom, and they and Copper all spectated Broom's game as he explained how things worked…

[whereisthedamndaddymanual]

I always kinda laughed at the different types of lives our parents came from

Well educated social media analyst (once only *shrugs*)

Poor brilliant devil (if not crazy and wrapped up in hedonism....especially with sex)

A south and a north. The one in the north(fuck you north is still north even easterly which is west)

[satancopilotsmytardis]

How about a royalty au?

Immediately, Endeavor started by changing his kingdom's laws to say that a premature baby, by nature of being born weak, cannot be the heir to the throne. When Natsuo and Fuyumi are born and he discovers they don't have the magic he was trying to breed into either of them, he arranges an 'accident' for Natsuo (killing Dabi's only other support), and immediately sells Fuyumi off to be wed as soon as she's 13 to gain more land/power and not have to deal with her.

When a border dispute comes up between the Demon King's territory and Endeavor's, Endeavor goes to negotiate and settle things with the Demon Prince who has been sent as a representative. After a long, tense talk, they come to an agreement, and seeing an opportunity to get rid of another problem, Endeavor also offers up Dabi to the Prince as a gift to do with him what he pleases (Be that a human sacrifice, slavery, whatever) and the Prince accepts.

Dabi is, of course, not happy about this whole deal and is pretty worried he's gonna get killed when he gets taken back to the other kingdom. He is extremely confused when he's treated like a revered guest and given fine things and pampered constantly, with Shigaraki promising that no matter his request, he will have it done for him. He proceeds to be extremely standoffish and rude until he finally finds out that their understanding of demon culture is all wrong, and by Endeavor giving him Dabi as a gift, he essentially entered Dabi into a contract with Shigaraki. Shig will someday get Dabi's eternal soul, but he has to complete a request the universe deems equivalent before he can collect.

Once that's illuminated Dabi moves out of the palace and learns how to be a farmer or other kind of modest worker because he never wants to find out what would be considered equivalent to someone as broken as he is (as he has been told his entire life). But the prince comes to see him every day, and eventually convinces Dabi to move back into the summer palace, but getting him to 'buy' it for a handful of gold he made on his first harvest since if it's a transaction, it can't be seen as equivalent to his soul.

Cue Shigaraki blatantly falling in love with Dabi over the course of the story and every romantic gesture always coming with some kind of small transaction. Whenever he wants to do something for Dabi or give him something, he demands a small price. He buys a first-edition copy of Dabi's favorite novel that was signed by the author? He sells it to Dabi for a copper. Shigaraki kills Fuyumi's husband and frees her from that contract? He insists that Dabi owes him dinner. Eventually, Dabi tells Shigaraki he wants to get married, and Shig's heart fucking breaks, but he simply says that Dabi will have to pay him the same amount that he spends on the ring for his betrothed once he finds them in order to be free of his contract and able to live out the rest of his days in peace. Dabi insists that he doesn't want to pay for the ring and that it is his request that Shigaraki gives him one instead, which is the best confession he can manage. He trades his soul for Shigaraki's heart and Shigaraki keeps Dabi by his side forever. (Even centuries later, it's said in quiet moments you can hear them bartering with one another asking for grapes or figs in exchange for kisses)

[thecoiledserpent]

what would your advice be for a saturn dominant person? i hate my life it always feels like everyone gets life easy but me

welp, struggle is the saturnian way my darling. there are several things i would say to this but the things with most foreigners or people who are unfamiliar with indian culture is that they wish to understand it, but they are most often not willing to understand the amount of control and limitation in our lifestyles. regardless, here are a few most useful tips.

avoid coffee, tea, weed, cigarette or addiction of any sorts.

avoid eating too much fatty / sweet food. just keep a modest balance in eating habits

avoid wearing the colour black, especially on saturday

wear silver jewellery, even a simple chain works. or a bangle, anything.

help the elderly, if there are any around you.

be of proper conduct and avoid any display of a loose character

if you're a hindu, offer black sesame seed oil to shani (saturn); and black cloth.

never buy items related to saturn on auspicious days.

i recommend praying to the sun god for saturn related problems, for he is saturn's father, and the death of darkness. even waking up early (somewhat around 6, 5 if you can), making your bed and bowing to the sun with devotion in one's heart is an appreciable gesture.

if you are a hindu, offer water to the sun god in a copper vessel while looking in his direction to the best of your possibility (don't burn your eyes or smth) and chant 'om suryaya namah'

after everything, i can still not assure you that saturn will be very pleased, or that life will be easier. but increasing the influence of the sun in your life revitalizes hope and energy. and most important of all is patience, especially with saturn in watch. they say it takes from 3 seconds to 3 years for a vedic remedy to work; let's be glad it's not 3 decades!

[syn4k]

Pix was up late again as he often was, especially when the seasons changed to spring. The night flowers that bloomed in the Capital were especially nice, and perfumed the air gently while he shined his flashlight on a bit of dirt near the Catacombs.

Nearby, gravel crunched.

Pix kept poking around in the dirt. There were a lot of night creatures around here after all, and Winchester, who he was letting roam about tonight. He didn't have any meetings planned, after all. The gravel crunched again.

"Hello?"

Pix looked up at the sound of his own voice.

"Oh, hello," he said automatically, standing up and brushing the dirt off of his jeans. "Uh, can I help you?"

"You have my voice," said the other man in a tone that was a good mix of suspicion, wariness, and wonder. Well as he might.

"And you have mine," said Pix. "Please don't tell me your name is also Pixlriffs and you're an archaeologist."

"Well, you got the name right," said the other Riffs, scratching the back of his head. "Not an archaeologist, though."

"Thank the gods," said Pix. "Well, I was working on something, but if you need a place to stay for the night-"

"Oh, no," said Riffs hastily. "I don't want to bother whatever you've got going on here. I just sort of wandered in, and I'd like directions."

"Bother?" asked Pix, looking a bit closer. "Dude, you have no idea how rare it is to just randomly be met with another version of..." he waved one hand vaguely, "whatever this is. Besides, trust me, I have had much bigger bothers than whatever you may be. I can get you a map, but most of the server is incredibly dangerous at night. You can stay out here if you want, but I'm making some tea."

Pix turned around and walked towards the entrance to the Catacombs, half hoping that this Pix would follow him, half hoping he wouldn't. This was definitely not something they taught you how to manage in college. Something was definitely a bit off about this guy, but Pix figured that if he was anything like him (which he probably was), he'd like some tea at least.

In the lower levels of the Catacombs, Pix had a small electric kettle/coffee maker and a modest but well-kept kitchen. He may be sleeping in a literal crypt, but he preferred to have power for simple things like this. Putting some water in from a sink nearby and humming as he filled in the kettle and grabbed a teabag from the cabinet, he heard quiet tentative footsteps coming down the stone steps.

"Welcome to my humble abode," he said without turning around. "I have a few extra cups- if you're fine with a mug, all my teacups are dirty. I have a couple small containers of instant coffee, some chamomile tea, Earl Grey, black tea..."

"I mean, if you insist," said Riffs from behind him, sitting in one of the chairs surrounding a small wooden table. "I don't plan on staying for long." His voice was tinged with something strange, maybe guilt, maybe grief, and that was a tone so strange to hear in his own voice that Pix finally turned around to get a good look at his doppelgänger.

Pix didn't look in the mirror a lot, but he knew enough about his own face to see that this man had basically the exact same one as his, albeit a bit thinner in the cheekbones. Actually, he was a lot thinner everywhere. He wore a long sand-covered cloak embroidered carefully with- was that copper thread? alongside simple brown khakis, a light blue shirt and a set of wayworn brown leather sandals.

Riffs was looking at the table despite sitting sideways in his chair, and Pix figured it wasn't worth the trouble to try and make eye contact.

"So," he said, folding his arms and leaning back against the counter as the water behind began to steam. "What brings you here?"

Riffs shrugged, a small, embarrassed thing. "I wander around a lot," he replied. "Sometimes I end up in some... strange places."

"Well, clearly," said Pix. "It'd take a lot of strangeness for you to end up here of all places. Caffeinated or non-caffeinated tea?"

"Either works," said Riffs, looking up for the first time during the conversation. "I'm used to staying up late anyways." His eyes were a dark, stormy grey. Pix nodded and turned back to his tea, wondering if this was all some elaborate prank. Joel's work, probably.

Then again, Pix wasn't sure that Joel had the power to bring dead men back from the history books.

"My map's somewhere in the other room, but I can give you a brief," he said as he dropped the teabags into the cups. "Sugar?"

"No thanks."

Pix nodded. "You're currently in the Ancient Capital, which is essentially where I poke around in the dirt for fun and store a bunch of old artifacts in crumbling buildings. To the east is Gobland, headed by Emperor Fwhip-"

"Fwhip?" asked Riffs.

"Yeah," said Pix. He sighed. "And I have a feeling you might recognize some of the other names here as well, although most of them don't really care for history."

"Thank the sands," muttered Riffs under his breath. Pix, ignoring that, took the teabags out of the cups. Walking over to the table, he set them down- one for him, one for Riffs.

"Thank you," said Riffs, nodding before taking a sip. Pix nodded back and took a sip himself. There was a quite awkward silence of about 20 seconds as both men clearly tried to figure out how to start what was sure to be a mortifying conversation.

"So," started Riffs slowly. "You're obviously me, but also not me. You're different somehow."

"I've noticed," said Pix, taking another sip.

Riffs sighed and ran his fingers through his (rather short) hair. "How do you even talk about things like this?" he asked with a short laugh. "It's like, 12am. I'm not entirely convinced this isn't a fever dream of some sort."

"I think both of us are awake," said Pix, pinching his own arm lightly just to make sure. "I do have a question for you, though."

"Go ahead."

"Care to explain how the Copper King of Pixandria ended up 12,000 miles from this location in the dead of night when he's been dead in this world for over two thousand years?"

Riffs raised his eyebrows, but managed to keep his drink down. Impressive. "How did you figure me out so fast?"

"How about we exchange answers. I'm curious."

Riffs laughed again, a quieter thing this time. "Alright. When I said I was wandering, I meant the desert. I uh, did a thing I'm not too proud of, so I decided to go on a hike to think things over."

This sounded familiar. "A very long hike, hmm?" answered Pix.

"Okay, you answer me now."

"Well," started Pix, putting his cup down, "I've been studying you for roughly fifteen years now. There are records, you know, and I've translated them. I know about the demon. I know about the ancient emperors. I'm not sure if it's just some cosmic coincidence that the guy who ruled the Desert Empire happens to share my name and face, but I do think this may have happened for a reason."

"You, my good sir, are terrifying," said Riffs matter-of-factly.

Pix shrugged. "I try not to be. I call it being direct. I'm sorry if I'm pressing too hard," he said with a small laugh of his own. "It's just not every day that you meet the Copper King in the flesh. It goes against my nature to not ask you a bajillion questions."

"I mean, that's fair," said Riffs with a shrug. "But, fill me in a little. What do your books tell you?"

"Records are scarce and often very damaged," said Pix, "but those that exist say that the Copper King mysteriously vanished from his empire about 5 years after its height."

"And after that?" Riffs asked quietly.

"It faded completely into oblivion," said Pix. "All mentions of it had completely ceased by the time the Fall rolled around."

There was a silence of about a minute then, in which Riffs looked at the countertop, then the ceiling, then the countertop again, then the mug, wearing the expression of a man who had been wrestling with something very large for very long. Pix kept his eyes down.

"I'm sorry," he said eventually.

"No," said Riffs, looking up and looking him clearly in the eye. "I'm the one who asked. Would you like to know the real meaning behind that 'mysterious dissapearance'?"

"Fill me in," said Pix, leaning back.

"The Copper King," said Riffs in a grandiose but unfathomably bitter tone, "exiled himself 5 years after his kingdom entered its golden age for the harm he'd done to his people and his Vigil, deeming himself unfit to walk in its light, and never once looked back." He drained his cup of tea.

So that was it.

"Well, I'd need a citation for that," said Pix, "but that'd look great in a thesis paper."

"We even have the same humor," said Riffs, exasperated. "How did we turn out so differently?"

Pix took a good, long look at the man sitting across from him at the table, perpendicular to the counter. His voice was indeed filled with both shame and grief, but another thing now too- loathing. That was a question Pix could not answer over one cup of tea, anyways, but he did have an inkling.

"Records also say," he said softly, "that the people of Pixandria looked for their king years after his dissapearance, right up until the collapse of the government. Since official records end there, there's a good chance they kept going later than that."

"Did they ever say why?" asked Riffs, staring at the ceiling.

"Every year, it is told, they added another candle to his pile in the Vigil."

Riffs continued looking at the ceiling.

"If you're looking for closure, you won't find it here," said Pix. "I've got my own life going on. I can point you in the right direction, but not much more than that. Seldom do the annals of the past give satisfying conclusions to present problems, but sometimes they can give people ideas."

Riffs sighed and sat back up in his chair, hunching forwards a bit now. "Wise words," he said. "I'm glad you've found your peace here. I, in the meanwhile, am still looking for mine. Maybe I'm destined to wander forever, who knows?"

"If you end up popping up back here in another 20 or so years, me and my kettle will be waiting for you," said Pix. Riffs nodded.

"The uh, the map's in the room one level up and to the left in an item frame," said Pix. "You can keep it. I can always make another one."

Riffs nodded and stood up, looking up the stairs then back at Pix. "Well, this is goodbye then."

"Yep."

"See you around, maybe?"

"See you around perhaps, and may the stars light your journey well."

Riffs gave him a smile, the first one Pix had seen from him all evening and, with a rustle of fabric up the stairs, he was gone.

[alexanderwales]

Game Review: Factorio: Space Age (pt 2)

This is the second part of my review of Factorio: Space Age, covering the planets. This will have more spoilers than the previous section, but also include more cohesive thoughts on the expansion as a whole.

Vulcanus

Once you've built a spaceship, you have a choice of three planets to go to, and you can do them in any order you'd like. Each planet comes with its own researchable rewards, which require you to build up a base on the planet capable of making a science pack and shipping it into space (or alternately, to remake all sciences on the planet, but this is stupid and pointless given what lies further down the tech tree).

I chose Vulcanus first. There are five resources here, three of which can't be found anywhere else: coal, sulfuric acid, calcite, tungsten ore, and lava. Lava gets used to make anything having to do with copper and iron using the foundry, which is most of the things in Factorio. Sulfuric acid gets used with calcite to make water, which is one of the notable things missing from Vulcanus, along with oil. Plastic requires a long chain to make: coal liquefaction into heavy oil into light oil into petroleum into plastic. Because rockets require plastic twice (LDS and blue chips), you eventually need to set up a fairly sizeable build for this.

I didn't find any of this to be too interesting. Infinite resources are at least different, but there was nothing that fundamentally changed how I view the game, and I ended up setting up a bus with more fluids than usual, mostly making on-site plates, pipes, steel, etc. The art for it is cool, and impassable lava is at least a little constraining, but I didn't feel like it was all that great.

Tungsten ore is the main material from Vulcanus, and it's defended by the other major thing that makes the place unique, the worms. Each worm has a territory, and until you've killed your first worm, you don't have access to a tungsten ore patch, only loose scraps that have been laying around.

The worms are long and segmented, very distinct from the biters. They disable electronics with their attacks, making fountains of lava beneath you, and overall I think they're cool ... except that they're a little too easy to defeat. I set up a grid of 50 turrets with armor-piercing ammo, and that proved sufficient.

This is a boring solution. I wish it didn't work. It was the first thing I tried, and afterward I thought ... well, what was the point of that? I don't have a good solution to what you'd want to do to stop this from working, but I do think this is sort of bad design, since it's a "more dakka" solution. I've also seen that you can build a tank and take one out with a single uranium shell, which is even worse design. What I wanted was a fight were I needed to use poison capsules, land mines, strategically placed turrets, etc., some kind of mixed-asset offensive package, and what I got was fifty turrets in a stupid grid. I really do try to not be one of those players that optimizes myself out of having fun, but it's hard to motivate myself to do something the pointlessly hard way when there's something simple, easy, and foolproof.

The other thing about demolishers is that they have their own territory, and that territory never changes. This means that if you want to expand beyond a relatively modest starting patch, you need to kill them ... but unless you're going for a megabase, you don't need to kill more than three or four of them across the entire time playing the game, and since they only attack if you build in their territory, those worm encounters become like 1% of the Vulcanus experience.

I would have liked if the worm territories changed. I think it would have been cool if they fought each other for dominance over an area in a way you could capitalize on, or if they would expand into places that no one had claimed, or places a dead rival had left behind. It would have been cool to require the player to build up some do-nothing machines or other infrastructure to keep the worms back, like a sort of "build this at the edge of your territory to be in constant motion to convince the worms that it's occupied" type of thing. But instead, you just kill the worms and that's that, you never see them again unless you go hunting them. According to my end-of-game statistics, I killed 8 small demolishers and 2 medium demolishers, which was probably 5 more worms than I needed to kill, since I ended up with a lot of empty space I didn't do anything with.

So overall, Vulcanus is the weakest of the planets for me, and I think that's at least partly down to the under-use of the worms and the simplicity of the "new" mechanics.

Fulgora

Fulgora contains the ruins of a vast civilization, and there are no resources except the heavy oil between islands and the scrap that's left behind. Solar is terrible on Fulgora, but there are lightning storms at night, and lightning towers can collect it into accumulators to power your base.

Scrap gets "recycled" into a bunch of different things, and so it quickly because a nightmare of sorting things out, dealing with excess products, and turning complex materials into simple ones. There are no iron plates, those need to be recycled from iron gears. There are no copper platers, those need to be recycled from copper wire. Blue chips, which in any other circumstance need to be jealously guarded, are found in abundance.

I found this to be great fun. The challenge is certainly unique, turning the production chain on its head, but it has a nice "ramp" to it, as first you get a pile of crap, then you turn it into things, then you uncover excesses that are gumming it up, and the problems keep coming, but they usually come after you've solved some other problem.

When I started, I did a sushi belt (ed. - a sushi belt is a belt that contains multiple unsorted good, controlled by circuit conditions which allow certain limits of each item to go by, named after conveyor belt sushi restuarants), which was good enough for the short term and got me all the basic technologies, but ran into all the problems that come with a sushi belt, and switched over to a belt-based sorting system of splitters that could handle two full green belts of scrap input.

There is, for me, one big miss on Fulgora, which is that the lightning storms are basically not a challenge at all. You set up a grid of substations, each with a lightning rod, and that protects your base. You set up accumulator fields on one tip of the island, and this is a pretty boring solution. If you went to Gleba first, you can instead set up heating towers that burn the fuel you get from scrap, but this doesn't seem like it saves terribly much more space, and either way you need the lightning towers, so I'm not sure it's worth anything, and I never implemented that plan.

One of the other big challenges of Fulgora is that it's a set of islands, and there's no way to place anything on the oil sands. Additionally, there are two types of islands, one with a fair amount of space and minimal scrap, the other with tons of scrap and almost no room. In theory, this encourages a rail world, but in practice, the first island I plopped down on was the one I stayed on the entire time, and my rail network, such as it was, extended to only two of the smaller islands to guarantee all the scrap I would ever need. I think I rolled high on one of those islands: 63M scrap is a ton, but that's what I ended up with on default settings. With the drills from Vulcanus, expected output is double that, and with the legendary drills I can now produce, it would be 787M. There's simply not a need to place rails elsewhere.

I do feel that Fulgora would have benefitted from some enemies of some kind, either those that lived on the oil fields, so you'd have to build defenses on the edges of the islands, or some kind of robot enemy that you needed to kill to take islands from. Given the setup of an abandoned high-tech planet, and the electrical weapons you unlock there, it would have been nice to have some reason or chance to use them. I've definitely played Factorio scenarios with bot opponents and buildings that can be captured after the AI's defenses have been breached.

Still, the scrap sorting puzzle was a good one, with many solutions, and Fulgora was a ton of fun.

Gleba

Gleba is a swampy fungi planet. There are no conventional resources except for stone, and pretty much everything else is derived from two plants, jellynut and yamako, that get broken down.

The main mechanic of the planet is spoilage, where materials break down over time. Jellynut and yamako last for about an hour, the products you get from them are much less, a material made from both of them, bioflux, lasts a lot longer, and nutrients, which are fed to the new building, the biochamber, last hardly any time at all.

Spoilage is cool because it requires a very different mindset. Normally in Factorio, you're building up big buffers to minimize downtime. On Gleba, you want as little buffer as possible, just constant rivers of materials flowing by to be as fresh as possible, because if anything stays still for too long, there's a chance it'll spoil, which will stop the machine trying to take the ingredient, which can create a spoilage cascade.

My initial plan was to have some kind of circuit-based just-in-time system, where every machine would be monitored in order to see what ingredients it needed, and everything would be made fresh-to-order.

I ended up not doing this, mostly because demand stays relatively constant, and where it doesn't stay constant, you can just eat the spoilage costs. There's so much abundance that you really don't need to care about half your crops going to waste.

The other reason I didn't end up going with this is because unfortunately, the "river of goods" solution has essentially no complications to it, and you can simply dump everything into a recycler/incinerator at the end. In some of the Factorio overhaul mods, this concept is called "voiding", a way of dealing with byproducts, and if you make voiding easy, you essentially remove a logistical challenge, which means less gameplay. I kind of get why they made this easy, but ... I don't know. I did kind of want something that would require a big, complicated solution, a factory that dances on the edge of clogging itself up.

I ended up with a completely belt-based system, with a belt of jelly and mash, then a belt of bioflux, all nutrients made on demand, and production lines in defined blocks. The final build does 520 science/minute, which becomes 2Ks/m with full-prod biolabs, most of which goes into the trash, since it's not actually consumed all the time.

One of my favorite little puzzles of Gleba was the metals, which are produced with bacteria that spoil in a minute, becoming ore. There's a process, with bioflux, of having bacteria make more bacteria, but if the bacteria ever stop flowing (if, for example, you have enough ore), then they spoil and die, and the whole production line stops. So you need to build in a little kickstart system that will inject new bacteria if it's needed, and I found that to be delightful to work on.

The other major thing on Gleba are the enemies, which are pentapods. Pentapod eggs are necessary to make biochambers and science, but after you have one, you can set up breeding, which is dangerous given they can make more of themselves, but definitely the way to go. There are three forms of pentapod, all with their own weaknesses, and ...

Look, I went to Gleba last, but I put up a defensive wall fairly early on using only materials that I had gotten from Gleba, and then basically never had any cause to think about the pentapods again. Because I slapped this down with blueprints, it took all of ten minutes, most of which was spent fixing the kind of scuffed corners (skill issue). So I would say the amount that I actually got to experience the pentapods was pretty minimal. I also shipped in four artillery turrets that are crowded around a box of ammo, supplied by site-made shells using imported tungsten, and the circle almost entirely contains my pollution cloud, so in theory it's just an easily solved problem.

It might have been different if I had gone to Gleba first, I don't know and can't say without actually doing that, but I would have liked a little more of a challenge, and this might be where being a veteran hinders me.

Overall, I really enjoyed Gleba, the mechanics were new and unique, the little puzzles inherent in design were interesting, and I thought that overall it had the best art direction of the four planets, which is saying something, because I think they're all great on the front.

Aquilo

On every other planet, a "cold start" is possible, building up from just what you find laying around. Aquilo is different: it's a planet with ammonia oceans and some scattered liquid vents, and part of the point of it is that you need materials from outside, including anything made from iron, copper, or stone. You can't softlock on other planets, but you can softlock on Aquilo.

Aside from requiring pretty solid planetary logistics, Aquilo's main mechanic is heat. It's cold enough there that bots don't work very well, and everything has to have a heat pipe near it for it to function, including pipes and belts. To heat up a heat pipe takes either nuclear, fusion, or the heat towers that burn up fuel, and if the heat ever stops flowing, everything will seize up, requiring heroic efforts to get running again.

There's not all that much to Aquilo. You pull up slurry from the ocean, split it into ammonia and ice, use them together to make ice platforms, import concrete, and then combine oil and ammonia to make rocket fuel, which is used to both launch rockets and to toss into heating towers for power and heat to keep everything running.

The science pack is easy, though it require imported holmium plate, and my entire 200 science per minute production line was run off a tiny cluster of buildings that would have been pretty trivial to expand.

It seems to me that Aquilo is at least partly inspired by Seablock, an infamous mod where you start with almost nothing on a tiny island that you have to expand with the mineral sludge you dredge up with an offshore pump. But Seablock is a very long mod, one that typically takes hundreds of hours, and here ... well, there are a handful of challenges, and they're not all that challenging. I think I could probably list them out now.

Making ammonia also makes ice. You can void excess ice through repeated recycling, but ammonia can't be voided except by combining it with crude oil to make solid fuel, which can then be put in an incinerator. I solved this problem with a simple circuit condition.

Science and some crafting uses coolant, which must be cooled back down after use. If you just keep making coolant, eventually the system will seize up, since you won't be able to put more hot coolant into the system. But because this is a lossy cycle (you lose half the coolant) you can just hook a pump up to a tank and only inject more hot coolant into the system when below a threshold.

Outposts need their own heating for the pumps to work, and those outposts are, on default settings, quite far away. This requires setting up a self-sufficient little heating module that's either serviced by train or which runs entirely with materials found at the outpost. I ended up doing two different modules, one for oil outposts and the other for everywhere else ... but I never actually had to use them, because there were sufficient resources for tens of thousands of resources right next to the starting area.

As the "final boss", I am underwhelmed, and even as one of four planets I find myself a little underwhelmed. I don't know how much postgame stuff I'm going to do, but I can't see that there's going to be much challenge in going large on Aquilo, except that I might have to build another ship for moving in materials (as currently I have a single ship that makes a circuit of the solar system for materials and also handles shipments of science).

There is also, again, a lack of enemy. Once the rocket fuel setup was done, I had a single scare when ammonia backed up and stopped ice production, which shut down the water chem plant, which killed the turbines and stopped power to the entire base. But that didn't even freeze anything out, and it was fixed pretty easily from a restart module I'd built earlier, and after that, the ammonia issue was fixed to never have that problem again. If the cold is the enemy, it's not enough of one for my tastes.

Integration

With each planet you conquer, you get a new science pack, which opens up new technologies, and in theory you, can use them on other planets. These buildings are very powerful, and so there's some incentive to return to old factories, rip up old designs, and install new ones using the better buildings.

I did eventually do this, but I'm not sure how much I actually needed to. My furnace stacks were replaced by the foundries from Vulcanus, supplies by a hauler ship exclusively for calcite, though I did make an abortive attempt to just harvest calcite from space using a stationary space platform.

(I made four of them before giving up on the project, and found out only later that asteroid spawn rates depend on how many chunks large the ship is, so the ideal build has asteroid collectors on very long arms, and there's nothing in the game that tells you about the asteroid spawning thing, so ... whatever, it's opaque and very gamey hidden stuff, of the kind that I hate.)

I replaced my circuit production areas with the EMP, which saved vast quantities of resources and also made more circuits at a much faster rate within the same blueprint. I upgraded most belts to green.

I didn't end up using the biochambers much, in part because they need nutrients to run, and 50% prod with more module slots is great, but not so great that I wanted to set up a biter egg farm that could potentially blow up in my face.

Cryochambers just came too late for me to implement them anywhere, though I probably would if I kept playing to the megabase stage, or if I'm gunning for an achievement that requires updating Nauvis.

So I think, strangely, when considering how the planets impact each other, they ... kind of don't all that much? Yes, having foundries on Gleba means that you can make all your belts and things at a fraction of the cost, but how much doesn't that really impact anything? It meant that my ore production areas could be smaller, I guess. Is that worth anything? I kind of don't think so, if I'm considering the main gameplay to be in terms of design and decisions. Foundries saved me from having to lay down a furnace stack. EMPs saved me from having to have expansive red circuit lines to get the blue chips necessary for rocket launches.

Ideally, I would have liked one or two killer techs that mostly work through combining each planet's "thing". Like imagine that there was a combination recycler and foundry that melted down whatever was put into it, giving you molten copper and iron in exchange, creating a whole new kind of problem in exchange for ... I don't know, much much faster recycling, or less loss from recycling, or maybe a recipe that allowed true voiding. Or if you went to Gleba and then Vulcanus, and were able to bring biochambers that would allow the cultivation of some new specimen specific to that environment, maybe something that would allow better plastic production, or could pull water out of the air, both of which are kind of a pain in the ass on Vulcanus. Couldn't there be some kind of new bacteria swimming in the oil sands of Fulgora? Not something that would trivialize any challenge, something that would be a reward for having two flavors of research from two different planets. Ideally, there'd be six of these in total, allowing for each pair to benefit each other pair, but at that point I start to feel like I'm just asking for new content.

I cracked my game back open to check the tech tree, and all the Aquilo techs require all three planets. The are two techs that require mixed packs: Rail Support Foundations, which simplify rails for Fulgora, and Railgun Damage, which increases the power of the railgun. That's it. This screams missed opportunity to me.

So in terms of how the planets and their mechanics interact with each other ... I would say that they mostly don't, which is a bit of a shame. The biochamber in particular requires nutrients, which makes it effectively unusable on Vulcanus and Fulgora ... unless you're shipping in heroic quantities of bioflux, I guess, though I don't think that I could ever see myself doing that. I guess maybe on Vulcanus, which has the aforementioned plastics problem? But it feels like the kind of thing that would mostly be done for a stunt rather than because it was actually the right thing to do. And potentially on Nauvis, but it does seem like a megabase thing to do, rather than normal play. I will have to do the math, this too might be a skill issue.

(Real quick: 1 Bioflux makes 8 nutrients in a standard biochamber, which is 12 with prod, which is 24 MJ. A biochamber consumes 500kW, so with no spoilage nutrients allow 2 crafts of the 2 second oil cracking recipes, which means that every Bioflux can, at most, turn 960 heavy oil into 1080 light oil rather than the 720 light oil it would normally crack into. But obviously since the Bioflux has to be shipped in, it ends up being less than that. This is obviously more effective than shipping over oil itself, but ... man, I don't know, this seems very weak, even with adding in productivity to other steps. I guess the use case in Nauvis, where you're in theory shipping Bioflux anyway in order to feed captive biters, but that's still premised on an oil shortage that I never actually experienced.)

I do also want to say that quality had very little impact on my play. I tended to carry around some high quality quality modules and use them when crafting infrastructure, but in most cases it just wasn't much to write home about. It's most important for the ships, and for personal stuff, but it never felt that important.

And finally, I do want to give a shoutout to how easy and effective remote viewing was. One of the things I'm going to eventually do, after a Factorio break, is the 40 hour achievement run, and I have to imagine that a lot of that is just landing on a planet, doing the unlocks, building a rocket to get back, then having starter bots do all the actual base building for me, which is pretty cool.

Conclusion

Space Age took me about 140 hours, and I would say that about 10 of that was idle time while I was waiting for legendary ship parts or for a buildup of materials. The Jacknape-class ships have an issue with ammo production where they can more or less keep up with rockets, but the belt buffer goes from the front of the ship to the back, meaning that it empties from where it's needed most, rather than emptying where it's needed least, and yeah, having a fully stacked buffer takes a hot minute of waiting. Similarly, the quality module I made works over sufficient time scales, but especially while waiting on quality quality modules, there's a real temptation to just leave it running rather than actively playing.

130 hours for a veteran player is a long time for an expansion, much longer than I would have expected, even knowing what I knew about the expansion going in. Some of that time I don't count as expansion time, like all the parts where I was just doing normal Factorio stuff, and I did end up building adapted malls on each of the planets, which added on more time that could have been cut out by making an effective blueprint the first go-around, and which I don't really count as expansion time, because there's not much that's unique about making the new malls. But even if I'm arbitrarily cutting things out, that's still a ton of time.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with it, and I think I'll be more happy with it once there's another round of iteration, QoL, changes based on feedback, and modding. The modding scene for Factorio is really really good, and I have to imagine that the expansion is only going to make it better, particularly some of the changes that were made to implementation.

But I do think that it could have been more, and maybe this is just coming from a guy with more than a thousand hours in this game and multiple overhaul mods under his belt. It's very possible I would have had a better time with it if I'd chosen a higher difficulty, though of course that's very hard to know ahead of time. Certainly there were some design misses for me, and at least some of that is because I have enough experience that I can fix things with circuitry, plan a base that doesn't immediately become spaghetti, and see the deadlocks coming. I'm not saying that it wasn't hard, because parts of it certainly were, and I'm not saying that I made a bunch of perfect bases with no major flaws, because there were designs that needed to be ripped out and belts that needed to squeak through. But I think I would have preferred more complexity, more problems, more more more, and I'll have to hope that mods can give it to me.

All that said, this is the best expansion I've ever played, they put a ton of work into making sure that every planet was truly different from the others artistically and mechanically, and it's a 10/10 from me.

(I do plan on getting all achievements ... eventually. The "win in 40 hour" achievement seems very doable, and that's the hardest of the lot, though the others might take some significant time. It took me multiple years to finally getting around to doing the last green chip achievement, so I'm in no rush.)

[mariana-oconnor]

The Red Circle pt 1

What is the red circle? Who is the red circle? Why is the red circle?

“Well, Mrs. Warren, I cannot see that you have any particular cause for uneasiness, nor do I understand why I, whose time is of some value, should interfere in the matter. I really have other things to engage me.” So spoke Sherlock Holmes and turned back to the great scrapbook in which he was arranging and indexing some of his recent material.

I might be wrong, but I think this is the first time in the stories we've seen Holmes be dismissive and kind of rude to a client without having seen them give him a reason. And we can't even say that Mrs Warren hasn't given him a reason at this point, because the story starts in the middle of the conversation. She might have been a right arsehole prior to this.

But this story does start out with far more of the vibe of adaptations than I'm used to.

Scrapbooking is vitally important, though. Not to be interrupted.

But the landlady had the pertinacity and also the cunning of her sex.

Watson ensuring that we are reminded that sexism exists.

The following little speech Mrs Warren gives doesn't indicate that she was being terrible before this story started, so I guess Holmes really was just Like That here.

"Why, bless you, Mrs. Warren, if I were your lodger you often would not see me for weeks on end.” “No doubt, sir; but this is different. It frightens me, Mr. Holmes. I can't sleep for fright. To hear his quick step moving here and moving there from early morning to late at night, and yet never to catch so much as a glimpse of him—it's more than I can stand."

No, that's exactly what it would be like to have Holmes as a lodger. Only punctuated with strange people running up and down the stairs and with the occasional threat of violence against your property.

But maybe this guy is just a ghost. Ghosts deserve privacy, too.

“He asked my terms, sir. I said fifty shillings a week. There is a small sitting-room and bedroom, and all complete, at the top of the house.” “Well?” “He said, ‘I'll pay you five pounds a week if I can have it on my own terms.’

Alright, now I'm suspicious. 50 shillings a week is £250, roughly. And £5 is twice that. Anyone who is willing to pay double for something is automatically suspicious. He's just handing out the equivalent of £100 in cash every fortnight. It's like the Copper Beeches all over again.

“It was his particular direction that we should always, when he rang, leave his meal upon a chair, outside his door. Then he rings again when he has finished, and we take it down from the same chair. If he wants anything else he prints it on a slip of paper and leaves it.”

OK... I've got to assume at this point that the man in the rooms is not the man who rented the rooms. He went out, other guy came back. There's no other reason that no one would have seen him at all. Someone's hiding from something up there.

"What can it matter to him that his landlady should have a word of his writing? Still, it may be as you say. Then, again, why such laconic messages?”

Doesn't speak English and his first language is not written in the Roman alphabet, I'd guess. Single words mean not needing to construct sentences, printing would be easier for someone not used to the alphabet. This coupled with the title of the story makes me think Russia.

“But surely you or the girl enter his room of a morning?” “No, sir; he looks after himself entirely.” “Dear me! that is certainly remarkable."

What? A man who can look after himself?

The sexism, it cuts both ways!

"But, dear me! this cigarette stub is certainly remarkable. The gentleman was bearded and moustached, you say?” “Yes, sir.” “I don't understand that. I should say that only a clean-shaven man could have smoked this."

So it is a different man - or woman, I guess.

or he shaved.

"Why, Watson, even your modest moustache would have been singed.”

This feels like shade. Like something you'd say to your friend if he was doing Movember and couldn't grow a moustache to save his life, but you were actually a Victorian gentleman. It's just got such a tone of 'even your moustache, Watson. Even yours.'

Drag him, Sherlock.

"We have no excuse for an intrusion upon his privacy until we have some reason to think that there is a guilty reason for it."

What a revolutionary concept! I wonder if the modern world could learn anything from this. Probably not.

"I can imagine that the word was taken out of a dictionary, which would give the noun but not the plural."

Rubbish dictionary.

"‘Surely Jimmy will not break his mother's heart’—that appears to be irrelevant."

I beg to differ. I need to know if Jimmy broke his mother's heart. How could you Jimmy? You should be ashamed of yourself. Your poor mother worried half to death and you're out there requiring her to take out ads in the newspaper to try to reach you. Callus boy! Cruel boy!

"‘Be patient. Will find some sure means of communications. Meanwhile, this column. G.’"

That is significantly less cryptic than I thought it would be. Do these conspirators have no sense of style. Why doesn't the caged whale know nothing of the mighty deeps? Does the ill-built tower not tremble mightily at the butterfly's passage? Can no one say hooray hooray for the spinster's sister's daughter these days? Pathetic. Put some effort into your clandestine communications.

"‘The path is clearing. If I find chance signal message remember code agreed—One A, two B, and so on. You will hear soon. G.’"

Seriously, you're going to publish your code in the paper. Not that it even matters. You're doing a simple substitution encryption of numbers for letters, and you're not even offsetting the numbers at all. These people are very obviously not professional spies. I am ashamed for them.

Willing to bet there is a significant number of people in London who have been following these ads with glee like an Edwardian soap opera, eagerly awaiting the next instalment. There's no way no one has been paying attention to this.

"Mr. Warren is a timekeeper at Morton and Waylight's, in Tottenham Court Road. He has to be out of the house before seven. Well, this morning he had not gone ten paces down the road when two men came up behind him, threw a coat over his head, and bundled him into a cab that was beside the curb. They drove him an hour, and then opened the door and shot him out."

Did not expect the husband to be involved.

In Mystery Lodger's defence, there's nothing connecting them to this abduction. Although the coincidence seems unlikely. Why would they need the husband out of the way, though? Unless they thought the husband was the person hiding?

"What I did not foresee is that we should find a woman, and no ordinary woman, Watson.”

Gender prejudices causing problems again. I did foresee that, which is why I've been trying to use gender neutral terms for the replacement.

What does Holmes mean by 'no ordinary woman' though? I don't understand that.

Also, this makes the people mistaking Mr Warren for her even less believable. I doubt they look very alike, particularly given the fashions of the time and the stricter adherence to expected gender 'norms'.

"The printed messages, as is now evident, were to prevent her sex being discovered by her writing."

"The attack upon Mr. Warren further shows that the enemy, whoever they are, are themselves not aware of the substitution of the female lodger for the male."

Oh, we're actually addressing that? Thank you. It made no sense. But it does make things more convoluted. So only Holmes and Watson know that the woman has replaced the man.

“Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last."

Does he mean death? Is the implication that as you die you think 'well, this was an important lesson for me to learn. Now I know that if I do that, then I die. 😵"

Is she on the run from family? A cruel husband? A cruel would-be husband? A gang? A government?

"A single flash—that is A, surely. Now, then. How many did you make it? Twenty. Do did In. That should mean T."

The substitution cypher is with flashing lights?

That's a terrible idea. That's the worst idea I've ever seen. What if she blinks? What if she loses count? There are twenty six letters. If I had to sit and count twenty six flashes I would go mad. T is one of the most common letters and, as you said, that's 20. This is the least efficient way of doing anything. Morse code exists, and I bet you could get a little printed guide for it that the woman could have had. Or you could have written it down for her. And then you wouldn't have needed to spell it out in the newspaper.

This is the worst. I hate it.

They came more rapidly than before—so rapid that it was hard to follow them.

And by hard you mean fucking impossible. WORST CODE EVER.

P is already 16 flashes, and that's the first letter you've got. Then you've got an R in there? Why? This is torture. I bet the guy was cut off by someone who wanted to put him out of his misery. You know why he was cut off mid word? BECAUSE IT TOOK HIM FIFTEEN MINUTES TO SAY ONE WORD.

Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash [BREAK] Flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash-flash

So for that one word, that's 93 flashes. I cannot be arsed counting that long. I'm sorry. I can't. Guess I'm just going to die or whatever then.

eta: just realised that the 'man who looks after himself? Impossible!' thing is a clue. Oh boy. Of course it's a woman, a man would never be able to cope on his own. 🙄

[vivifriend]

WIP Wednesday

It's still Wednesday in my part of the world. I was tagged by the lovely @thequeenofthewinter

As I got to this later than usual (I think) I shall not tag anyone. However, if you read this and want to share, please do. ^_^

I did finally get around to starting the edits on a Snowflake's Chance chapter. So, without further ado, have some from Lewin's pov.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Serana moved easily at his side, not bothering to talk to him as they ran until he shifted again.

"Something wrong?" she asked, slowing to match the new pace.

"Not this time. I just wanted to move in this form for a bit."

"I see. You're powerful for a werewolf," she noted.

"I know."

She laughed without breaking stride. "You're not very modest though, are you?"

"What's the point?" he wondered. "We both know I'm stronger than the average wolf. I don't see the point in denying it."

"Then why mute your presence the way you did yesterday?"

"You noticed that?" Suppose it's something a vampire could do.

"Copper did."

Huh.

"An odd ability for them to have. I'm intrigued," his wolf remarked.

As am I.

"Tell me about them?" he asked.

"I might be persuaded to tell you a little, but answer the question first."

"It's to put other werewolves at ease," he explained. "They tend to get uncomfortable if I don't." Especially the weaker ones.

"My father would say that hiding power is a sign of your own weakness."

He snorted. "Your father is vile, and I barely know anything about him."

She laughed. "An astute observation. Why are you curious about Copper?"

"They're intriguing. And I've never met a non-werewolf who can tell when I've muted my power."

"That's not my story to tell," she said. "Anything else?"

"Were they trained as a moth priest?" 

"No."

He frowned. "They took a gamble then. They could've been blinded by the scrolls or driven mad. And they managed three in a row?" What possessed them to take such a risk?

"It was necessary," she said, hesitation and irritation souring her scent. "I'd be happier if my father hadn't overheard the whole thing."

[stellacartography]

My AO3 tabs this week*

*no guarantee that this will be a weekly thing but hey... worth a shot

Borderland by @keirgreeneyes and @hubblegleeflower

Rated E, Original Work, One-shot

Original works on AO3? It's more likely than you think. And this one is lovely and heartbreaking.

Peter and Emile, friends since boyhood, meet on opposite sides of the Great War. They steal one night to explore what might have been...

La Bête by @vulpesmellifera

Rated E, Mystrade (Sherlock Fandom), 13/23 chapters

Are you not following along with this Mystrade meets Beauty and the Beast based on Eros and Psyche? It's haunting and angst-ridden and boasts the tag "ENOUGH PINING TO FILL A CANADIAN WILDERNESS". I love reading WIPs; they're all the fun of weekly episodic television without the queerbaiting.

When Baron Mycroft Holmes violated the Law of Hospitality and angered a goddess, he was cursed to live his days as a beast... Gregory Lestrade is more than he seems, and it could be that he's hiding a curse of his own.

Don't Tell Mama by @amuseoffyre

Rated E, Our Flag Means Death, 136/139 chapters

Fyre's SMAU Burlesque Club AU is nearly at an end and now is a great time to start reading. Fyre's Stede and Ed are delightful.

When Stede Bonnet's marriage falls apart, he throws caution to the wind and follow a yearning to be a cabaret MC. Only, he's not quite ready to tell his family. What's a man to do? Well, lie and say he's invested in real estate on the other of the world, that's what!

Jim's Song by @copperplatebeech

Rated G, Good Omens (spoilers for season 2 if that's a concern), One-shot

The inestimable Copper is back with a little piece about everyone's favourite (?) retired archangel. Jim has no memory of Before, and these are his memories of After.

Everyone wants to leave a record, however modest or brief, of their existence. This is Jim's.

The Hayloft by @ewebie

Rated E, Mystrade, 34/38 chapters

The Farm AU in which Greg Lestrade is a French farmhand, has a cat named Terr, a fiesty friend named Camille, and tends the land that once belonged to Mycroft's Uncle Rudy and his partner René Faucher. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll be launched back to the days of high school French class. You'll want to visit the French countryside.

Greg watched the sky change through the trees, the sun dropping closer to the horizon. It lit the clouds with dramatic streaks of vivid colour. The cool damp of the air carried a whiff of the germinating seeds, the spring creeping into the grounds. At any other time, it would be his favourite season. He dropped down on his haunches and picked up a handful of the topsoil. It was ready. Nearly twenty years of work, and this was the year.

[luchadorbard]

Fame, fortune and legacy (A D&D OC short story)

(CW: Violence, gore)

(Authors note: Highly recommend you read part 1 and part 2 of these short stories of this character.)

"The arena should be finished by the end of the month, my Empress." The page averted his gaze when Archrazaiel turned to look at him. "B-baring any unforeseen interruptions of course. "

"Good." She said as she continued her inspection of mosaic before her. The Dwarven warriors red hair still bright as bonfire even after the centuries. The deception of Talwynn wasn't perfect but it captured the Dwarf Gladatrix visage well enough, built for battle with patchwork of scars that covered her entire body.

A skilled warrior and even better performer, seeing her once was a blessing. She recalled that day so clearly, that trip to capital to watch the games was one her few bright spots of her 20th summer. Mothers mercurial moods thankfully didn't ruin that day. She traced her thick fingers on the weathered stone allowing herself to fall back into that memory, a warm wave of nostalgia empowering the revere.

---

"Hear me! Sons and Daughters of Bael Turath, the games start soon! Present your token to the Golems before you enter, lest you be added to the games!" The barker used magic to carry his voice across the tide of citizens who slowly made there way to the Grand Arena. Ana glanced at the sights of the sounds of capital of the Empire; performers dancing and singing for coppers, street vendors hawking meat skewers and fried bread stuffed with filling, Infernal emissaries speaking with Imperial officials.

"Don't look too impressed." Avitus smiled as he patted Ana on the shoulder. "You're a solider of the Empire, not a barbarian seeing civilization for the first time."

"Cynicism does you no credit. Surely this must have moved you at once point?" Ana adjusted her shoulder-pads, her uniform already drawing her many looks from the crowd as well a respectful distance in the street.

"The only thing that the capital 'moves me' to is a bigger villa once I've got my pay and a new front to do battle in." Scarred Tiefling chuckled as his tail swayed with his rolling laughter. Ana rolled her eyes, and quickly tossed a silver mark to near by merchant who exchanged it for a skewer of spiced meat.

"Besides, our seats aren't anywhere good enough to warrant any deference. Even less so while I'm rubbing elbows with these fucking plebeians." As Avitus spoke a poor soul accidentally bumped into him, his worried reaction growing tenfold when he saw crest of rank on tunic. The human quickly babbled out a hundred different apologies in heavily accented Infernal

Avitus kept up his scowl until the passerby had scampered away and then the laughter returned.

"Still, being a Legionnaire has some benefit."

Ana's tail twitched as she watched the human run out of sight, munching on her snack before she wordlessly continued down the concourse to the arena proper.

As the lower classes filtered there way through the many stairways to the upper seats. Avitus and Ana followed with the other soldiers, Magistrater's Apprentices tried and failed to make themselves more important then they were, merchants and foreigners of note haggled and wagered who would win what of the many games and contests that awaited them.

Each one ahead of them presented there lead token before the massive golem's passive visage. The only sign of assent from the stone constructs was they did not react when you crossed the threshold of the door and continued on.

Anna licked her fingers clean of grease and presented her token, hesitating as her feet crossed the threshold before she quickened her pace to keep up with her cohort.

"Quickly, bastard!" Avitus teased. "We may yet miss the opening at this rate!"

He cackled again and raced her to there seats, a modest slab of marble shared in a long row with a dozen other souls eager for blood and sport. For bread and games.

The voice the crowd unified when finally settle on to there part of the bench. As if one being rising and falling, a roiling choir of vulgar chants, cheers, jeers and singing. Ana felt the same familiar atmosphere of marching in formation, of training and drills with her fellow legionnaires.

"SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BAEL TURATH." The master of games bellowed, his voice echoing through out the Arena. "Bear witness to the 59th Grand Games of the Empire!" The crowd erupted in delight, eager to begin. The ornate Master of games gestured and the musicians began, the many gates slowly opening as the Elven dancers sashayed and undulated to the music. Men and Women both with silk scarfs and tassels moving to the pipes and strings.

Like a cobra's swaying, the movements were enrapturing to the raucous crowd as they most fell silent. Some shouted bawdy insults and offerings to the dancers as they all gathered in the center, moving as one. Like birds in flight they rose and fell with the hammering of the drums before they all fell still and silence reigned.

The crowds voice returned, roaring and clapping at the display as some threw flowers and offerings to the slaves as the Elves quickly gathered what they could and then fled through one of the awaiting gates.

"To honor the victories of our brave Legionnaires recent victory against the Barbarians of the North, we offer you this, the Empire's mercy to law breakers."

Avitus grinned and pointed as the shackled prisoners were herded out of another gate. "This is us, Ana! Our hard work on display." He singled out a thin pale waif of a human. "That one! That's the one I captured in last battle! Offered him a choice between this or my Spatha."

The boy down there couldn't have been any older than 19 summers. His eyes wide in a sunken face as he looked like a lost lamb; he glanced to his fellow sullen prisoners for support and found nothing.

"It would have been cleaner to kill him then and there." Ana found herself speaking her thoughts aloud.

Avitus shrugged. "Not as fun, though."

"To those who survive! Your path to freedom begins! And to those who die! The Nine Hells will judge you justly!" The game master snapped his fingers as the prisoners were freed from there shackles and the pit gates opened.

The Saber-tooth tiger's growl could have shaken the heavens as it prowled out, the prisoners scattering. Some looking for weapons, others waiting for the beast to make the first move while some simply froze. Avitus' waif was one of them.

Almost a blur the creature took flight and then leapt at its target! The first, A dwarf, had his head separated with a single all mighty swing of its paw, blood and viscera staining his beard and the sand below in spraying crimson arc. The waifish man was next. He simply stood there as the beast leapt and its fangs found its mark, on his shoulder, then his chest and then his gut. The red bands spilling forth and spraying in every direction and his innards flopped around like eels out of water in the frenzy. If he screamed Ana didn't hear it as the creature feasted on its prey.

Avitus howled with laughter, clapping his hands in delight as watched the carnage unfold before him, his fellow spectators mirroring his reaction for the most part. While the beast gorged itself, the other prisoners rallied for there ploys of survival. Some found broken weapons or sharpened bones among the sands, while some foolish leapt with fists at the ready. Ana felt nothing as she watched the great cat tear apart the prisoners with single swings of its paws. It was hardly a contest of any skill so it lacked anything worth watching and the desperation made it so unseemly and unimpressive.

It's justice i suppose. The enemies of the Empire treated as they should be. Still, she wondered if crucifixion at the sight of their rebellion might have been a mercy for these men and women. The bloodbath ended with one of the prisoners, a hulking half giant, found a dagger amongst the rubble and found the Tiger's neck. His muscles tensing as he slammed down like a smith forging iron atop the cat's back until it fell still. The crowd was split between disappointment of the barbarians survival and delight at his unlikely victory as he raised his fists into the air.

"We have our winner! The first of many should he wish for freedom!" The Game master summoned the guards to escort the victor away, blood still caking his entire frame.

"When do actually warriors preform?" An edge crept into Ana's voice as she glanced at her cohort.

Avitus caught a loaf of bred being hurled into the crowd from the bakers cart near the edge of the floor. "Soon enough, bastard. Fear not." He tore a hunk and offered it to Ana who accepted it and savored its warmth. "The fun's just starting."

The other acts that followed at least didn't leave a sour taste in Ana's mouth. Mummers skits mocking disgraced Emperors of the past or foreign leaders. A chariot race between two teams sponsored by the members of the Triumvirate, as the navy once again defeated the army. Finally a performance of both actors and slaves to recreate Empress Tibera Severus victory over returning Elves from the flight from the Fey Wild. It was amusing performance but hardly real history or anything approaching a real battle.

The gongs signaled the half way break of the festivities as the pair rose to there feet and stretched there legs. The pair slowly made there way through the crowded throngs away from the seats. Awaiting like buzzards over a kill where prostitutes, hornless Tieflings and smattering of other races. Men and woman attempting to draw the attention of the milling crowd. Silver and gold exchanged hands and couples slinked away to find privacy, while others coupled openly in the shadow of the Arena. Avitus' eyes lingered on what was on offer before he seemed to think better of it and simply exited building proper.

Ana needed to be away from it all, a place where her thoughts didn't push against the bloodshed and sex, at least for the time being. Her feet had to take her around what felt like half the length of the oval, until the echoing sounds seemed to finally die down. With one deep inhaling breath she felt like she could finally hear herself think. Her time in the capital had left her with much to think on and not all of it good.

The prisoners deserved a cleaner death than spectacle. She thought back to that younger prisoner who simply stood there as the beast killed him. Lawbreakers, rebels one and all and yet this cruelty that served no purpose. Kill them and be done with it. Some of the capital still had its charms. The Imperial library for one, finally allowing her truly read of Bael Turath's history; and the food was far better than both from home and travel rations.

"Is that one of them?" A high pitched voice in perfect Infernal asked from behind her.

"She's not a whore, you idiot. Look at those horns. And the armor." Another deep voice rumbled out in reply. Ana furrowed her brow, her hand reflexively reaching for the hilt of her spatha as she turned to see who just insulted her.

Her eyes went wide as two Devils marched closer towards her. A wiry Hamatula, a Barbed Devil in the Common tongue, flanked a towering Osyluth, or Bone Devil, both clad in the hell forged armor of Avernus.

"You! Solider!" The Osyluth barked as Ana. "We seek mortals of pleasure. Where are they?" She felt her self freeze her hand quickly withdrew from her weapon. The insect like outsider studying Anna with a growing impatience as his gosimar winged fluttered with each step as his scorpion tail lurked behind him like a snake waiting to strike.

The Barbed devil's spines twitched. "Maybe she doesn't understand Infernal?" His nasally voice also twinged with irritation.

"A-a thousand pardons." Ana quickly gave a deep bow to the pair of them. "Most prostitutes are on the lower concourse. Some silver is all that's needed."

The Osyluth snorted, as he took a step closer to keep inspecting the Tiefling woman before him. "We don't seek cheap flesh. We wish for higher quality entertainment. Where are the proper bordellos? An establishment with a roof and walls. Not back ally whores."

Ana felt her throat tighten as her eyes darted between the two Devils. Each her social superior. A void opened within her gut, helpless plummeting down and down as her legs felt heavy and leaden and her arms seemed to freeze.

"Well?!" The towering Devil demanded an answer as his scorpion tail curled behind him, as if ready to strike. Light footfalls echoed through the structure as another being approached.

"...Told you both it isn't necessary." Another Tiefling approached flanked by several armed guards. "I don't require to be coddled when it comes to such things. If I wanted..." He stopped dead in her tracks as he saw the scene in front of him.

"Ana? Is that you?"

"Galvus?" Ana's narrowed her eyes and focused to look at the small man in front of her. Galvus Pious. The man who would become Emperor. He was almost just as Ana remembered him. His skin an lighter shade of red that bordered on pink. Sleek horns that resemble that of a Ibex and a thin, wispy tail.

"I didn't know you were...Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you again." Galvus walked forward as his Praetorian Guard moved with him. The masked warriors towering everyone save the Osyluth. One having the broad shoulders of a Half-Orc while the other clearly a Dragonborn.

"I did not know you were at the games." Ana looked between the heir and Devils who looked puzzled, exchanging looks. Galvus suddenly remembered the Devils present and furrowed his brow.

"I reiterate my prior question. Why are you doing this despite my insistence?"

"We apologies your grace." The Barbed Devil scratched his the back of his neck. "But if our superior gives us orders for your well being, then we must follow them."

"Well, as future Emperor I order you to cease. I can find my own pleasure at my own time." Despite his confidence, his features still didn't match what an Emperor should look like. He still looks like a child playing at command.

The Bone Devil rolled its eyes, backing away as Galvus closed the gap, Ana's heart finally starting to beat at a normal rate as the Outsiders drew away.

"Here to enjoy the games?" He asked as his expression softened to that shy smile. Anna nodded as she glanced back at the two Devil conversing in hushed tones.

"Aye. With my fellow Legionnaires before our next tour."

"You should join us! I'm sure my booth is far more comfortable than the seats you would share with the average citizen."

Ana opened her mouth to reject the offer before her mind went back to those days she shared in Galvus' company and his entourage. Days shared with her.

"If you are offering, your grace?"

"Consider it an order from the future Emperor of Bael Turath." He turned to leave and waited for Ana to follow, her footsteps hesitant at first but she eventually followed with the two Devils skulking behind.

Luckily the group found Avitus on the return trip, confused at Anna's sudden escort but eager to join alongside the sudden elevation in social status.

"The two new guests are with me." Galvus spoke to the two Iron golem that guarded his box, there visages fixating on the pair of newcomers but accenting to there passage into the private booth.

Akin to stepping into a new world, from the common people stands. Cushioned seats with animated cooling fans, with small personal grills charring meat to perfection. Bowls of chilled treats and stuffed dates hovered around the chairs.

Inside there was a woman that resembled a human. Clad in a dark green low cut dress showing her alabaster skin. She might have been beautiful save for the insect like eyes that framed her face and thin gossamer wings that hung from her back.

An Erinyes, from Maladomini maybe? Outside of there full-plate it was harder to tell but Anna knew enough to treat the Devil with even greater respect, even with Galvus present.

Her heart skipped a beat when she her. Still dressed in long flowing robes, her lighting bolt horns surging forward from her head as the featureless mask covered everything save her lips.

"Claudia." Anna muttered under breath as she tried her hardest not to stare at the woman.

"My future Emperor, you return!" The Erinyes turned to see the guests and furrowed her brow. "And you bring...friends back with you?"

"I do indeed, Kelthala." Galuvs took his seat and gestured for Anna to sit next to him. "I spent time at Ana's family villa during my education."

She could feel the mild disgust the Devil had even lacking more expressive eyes as she then forced a smile. "Then they are welcome within the booth."

"Wonderful to see you again, Ana." Claudia tone was soft and breathy, and it almost started the legionnaire.

"Likewise." She returned perhaps a touch too quickly. "I missed our chats on theology."

"Indeed? I would be happy to continue them with you once if we find spare time."

Ana cleared her throat as she felt her heart ringing in her ears, she merely nodded in agreement, as the social pain stopped whatever cluttered words were about to spill forth from her lips.

Avitus quickly helped himself to the stuffed dates, his hands hesitating on each new one he took for fear would dire the ire of there host.

The games resumed with all the pomp and ceremony as there beginnings. Grand performances of several dozen member bands, and many more Elven dancers. More mummery followed, this time being actual plays rather than satire, something Ana was grateful for.

Then came the main event, the crowds anticipation reaching a frenzy as they chanted and cheered.

"We welcome, two of the finest dealers of death this arena has ever seen!" One gate slowly opened, like the yawning maw of a great beast. "He stands taller than any human! The blood of the north coursing through his veins! He is. Bjron Half giant!" Hair flowing like liquid gold, the human strode forth, a two battle axes in hand.

"And next the crowds favorite! With hair that burns like fire, as impassable as the mountains! The champion of this arena, victor over man and beast! Talwynn the Defiant!" The crowd chanted her name with a fervor that Ana had only ever seen reserved for Generals after victories.

"We thank the generous Triumvirate for sponsoring these games." The master of ceremony gestured to three seated Tieflings, all of whom rising to give curt waves to the masses. "Fighters! Ten paces away and then begin!"

The two Gladiators met each others stares before they turned to move.

"Whose has your money, bastard?" Avitus asked as he wiped the honey on his fingers on his tunic. "Mine's on the half giant."

"The Dwarf." Anna replied as she helped herself to a date, glancing at the devils in the booth who seemed to be making similar wages of there own. Avitus grinned and fished out a handful of silver and Anna reciprocated.

The Gladiators had finished there pacing and the mighty gong rang, they sprang into movement! Despite his height and size the human moved like a jungle cat, keeping low to the ground as closed the gap. Talywnn's warpick gave her reach, allowing her to swing and slash, forcing her attacker back, denying him his twin weapons there true target.

Ana found herself leaning forward in her cushioned seat, fixated on the back forth dance between the combatants, her fingers twitching as she tried to perceive every feint and parry the two engaged with. Finally, actually warriors.

The battle axes came down and met the steel of the pick, sparks flew in every direction as he tried again to hammer another blow, before the Dwarf, quickly gave ground to adjust her weapon to block another, and then another!

In another burst of speed that belied her stocky body, the Dwarf went shoulder first into the human's gut and chest, winding him as his axes flailed in every direction, denying Talwynn the chance to follow through.

One single solid blow and this can be over. The crowds investment in the bloodshed grew ever more belligerent, driving the warriors before them to do more. A brief pause as the human looked over his foe and then leapt back into battle!

The ringing of steel echoed through out the arena, no doubt more unseen mages using magic to amplify the spectacles, as they two grew more familiar with each swing and slash. Like a rising crescendo the battle grew faster and faster, the footwork of both combatant kicking up dust and sand as they moved almost with one mind.

Then it came! An opening and the Half-giant leapt with an axe raised high, but the Dwarf drove her head squarely into his chest to end his attack before it could connect, a single hooking swipe of the warpick and down he went with a thunderous crash!

She pinned him to the ground with a foot and leveled the blade, ready to swing down as she glanced to the Triumvirate in the stands. The Military pointed his thumb up while the Magisterium pointed it down, all eyes on the Navy as she slowly got to her feet.

She leveled her thumb, letting the high drama linger before slowly twisted it upward to the thunderous roar of the crowd! The Dwarf stepped away and let the warrior back to his feet.

"And there you have it sons and daughter of Bael Turath! Talwynn with another victory for the She-Dwarf!"

Avitus sneered as he tossed the jingling coin purse to Anna. Folding his arms and pouting.

"SHE-DWARF! SHE-DWARF! SHE-DWARF!" The crowd chanted in unison as the memory started to slowly fade and Anna found herself in the present once again.

---

Meet me again in that field of wheat...

Archrazaiel ground her jaw as she finally stepped away from the mosaic and returned to reality. It won't be in that field of wheat but I shall see her again. I vow it.

Glanced around at the Fire Giant building the new arena in her unliving city, aided by the skeletal workers. A new arena would stand, but its crowd would be the ghosts of the past rather than the masses of the present.

But the Gladiators who stride forward to do battle now would be no less famous, no less remembered.

Fame is eternal.

---

(As always I'm open to feedback and I hope you enjoyed. My next short stories on this character are going to actually be something overarching.)

[starboundanon]

anakin’s night routine (eating spiders?) while obi-wan is sleeping from ragnarlothcats devil’s in the details

Ah, a fav. Devil's In the Details by RagnarLothcat.

Send me a missing scene!

The intruder sleeps soundly in his presence, a vile insult.

Anakin watches with brimstone eyes, cataloguing the gentle rise and fall of his sturdy chest, the way his slow breaths tickle the copper hairs curled around his lips. The sight draws him closer, perching on the bed, pleased when his pretty pest twists away from the heat of his smoldering body. Good, he thinks, exhaling smoke from tar black lungs. That's what you get, entering my domain uninvited!

He keeps the man fast asleep, a wave of his clawed hand over that pale face, sowing dark dreams into a surprisingly resilient psyche. Handsome brows furrow in despair as his imagination turns cruel, feeding Anakin's power, his might.

A cold smile crosses his face as he fills that intriguing mind with gorgeous thoughts, blood and viscera and melodic screams, a tapestry of his skill and prowess, a harrowing sight. This man will know whose house he has attempted to steal, come the morning. He will make sure of it.

The moon drifts overhead in a graceful arch as the hours tick by. Curiously, Anakin doesn't move. He should be looming by now, bent over his new prey to ensure he sees nothing but blood red eyes when he jolts awake from his gifted nightmares, but he stays where he is, lingering at his side.

It gives him the best view of that masculine profile, the slender slope of his nose, the cut of his jaw. He is a demon; he has no need for vanity. Yet the landscape of this thief's bearded face is... pleasant. And Anakin has never denied himself pleasure in all the long millennia of his life.

He can indulge for one night, he decides. Tomorrow, he'll begin the ritual of tearing this man's mental state down brick by metaphorical brick. Tonight, he will simply observe. It's his house, thank-you-very-much. He can do as he likes.

An impressive specimen creeps from beneath the man's bed, sneaking across his sinfully soft mattress. Anakin watches it lazily, reading the spider's thoughts of caution danger predator stay in the dark in its modest, inarticulate arachnese. Eight long legs move in symmetrical unison as it climbs his guest's body like a shivering mountain, over toned arms and broad shoulders.

It's large, by this house's standards. It crawls slowly up the pale column of the slumbering thief's throat, tickling his facial hair, making him twitch. Anakin listens and watches intently as the dark dreams he had graciously bestowed on his new plaything's mind take a different shape, a different color. The violence he meticulously crafted shudders and scatters into a thousand baby spiders, an entire hoard, scurrying in all directions, blotting out his hard work.

Rude!

The spider inches up up up, until at last it rests on the man's sculpted cheek, two back legs brushing against the corner of his lips. Its body is large enough to cover his face from eyes to mouth — a mother, Anakin realizes, likely inspecting their newest intruder much the same way he is — but he is irked by her presence all the same. He has a job to do, here. Those were his handcrafted nightmares she just overwrote!

Irritated, he plucks the offending beast from his guest's face, trading insults through her prosaic language before opening his mouth and swallowing her whole. Immediately the man relaxes, his shivers dying out to calm stillness, the darkness of his dreams swept away to nothing. A neutral, grey mist.

He purposefully does not delve deeper into the satisfaction he feels in that moment. Yes, this man's fear and torment is his ultimate goal, his untimely death an inevitable part of the game. But Anakin himself will be the only one toying with this mysterious stranger in his own house, and if the creepy-crawlies watching them from the shadows don't like it, they'll just have to get used to the infinite liminal space of smoke and flame that is his belly. Serves them right.

Because this man, his newest and prettiest plaything, is his.

[popculturebuffet]

Indy Prelude: Carl Barks; The Seven Cities of Cibola! (Comissioned by WeirdKev27)

Hello all you happy adventuerers!

Since I last covered duck comics. While Disney Ducks built this fine institution the fact is other disney properties, other cartoons and comics in general, and general nonsense have simply take up more of my time. But it's always good to return home and just in time as this is also a prelude to something duck adjacent. a franchise that may not exist without good ole scrooge mcduck.

Yup just in time for Dial of Destiny we're taking a look at the indiana jones film quintology! From one of the most loved films of all time with too many quotable lines to count and more nazi's turned to goo than you can shake a staff of ra at, to it's divsive followup featuring the most iconic heart ripping in human history, a future oscar winner, and the directors wife, to the film almost as iconic as the original with sir sean connery, holy grails and more nazis, and all the way into that fourth film what people don't like to talk about with nuclear explosions, greasers, communists and actual cannibal Shia Lebouf, cumulating in a film I.. don't have a ton of antedotes about because it hasn't come out yet? Indy punches a protester and deals with the horrifying consequences of age and america working with the nazis? I dunno, i'm just excited, kev's excited and hopefully you are.

I'm dead serious about Scrooge being part of the reason Indy exists though. While sadly not coming up in the fablemans, though likely because it might've been a bit too much of a LOOK LOOK SEE THE THING THAT WILL MAKE HIM FAMOUS LATER moment the film honestly avoided so I can respect the decision, Young Stevie was a huge fan of Scrooge McDuck, to the point his future succesful self did a forward for one of the many carl barks collections. It's not the only influence and i'm sure as I research Raiders, i'll no doubt find tons more direct ones, but it is a notable one that gets brought up quite a bit and it's easy to see why: Scrooge too is a globetrotting adventurer who has a successful day job (If a far less modest one), cares deeply about the history of what he finds, is a tad gruff, verbally pars with most love intrests, and takes the quick solution when it makes sense, so it's easy to see the compassions. The two are still different enough: Indy isn't in it for the money, generally adventures because he has to not for the thrill like scrooge, and Scrooge's only child we know of isn't a massive embarrassment, but you can still see how it left a mark and see Barks attention to culture, love of slow adventure, and humor in Indy.

That and one certain scene we'll get into in the comic is the direct inspiration for one of the most iconic scenes in film history.. but we'll get for that. For now we're taking a look at one fo the most legendary stories in the duck canon and seeing how it holds up, this is the Seven Citeis of Cibola!

We begin with what you all came to see

It's a neat enough visual gag and a reminder to me that most scrooge stories.. really didn't open with the big splash pages i'm used to in comics nor an actual story title

Though Barks still makes the best of it with the sight gag of Scrooge lieterally bathing in money. The setup to this one is brilliant too: Scrooge reflects on the fact he's got his feathers in just about every industry imaginable. Cannaries, Fisheries, Newspapers, Horse Races, Bibble Removal, Steam Cleaning, Steamed Hams, baseball, both kinds of football, mega football, calvinball, horeshoes, unicorn shoes, abestos, tabacco, cultural apporiation, robots, Goat Cheese Pizza, getting the cool shoeshine universal solvent, fishmobabywhirlmagigs, Spam, Crackers and Milk, Breaking Cat News, allen wrenches, gerbil feeders, toilet seats, electric heaters, trash compactors, juice extractor, shower rods, water meters, walke-talkies, copper wires, saftey googles, radial tiers, bb pellets, rubber mallets, fans , dehumidifiers, picture hangers, paper cutters, waffle irons, window shutters, paint removers, window louves, masking tape, plastic gutters, kitchen faucets, folding tables, weather stripping, jumper cables, hooks and tackle, grout and spackle, power fogers, spoons and ladles, pesticides for fumigation, high peformance lubircation, metal roofing, water proofing, multi purpose insulation, air compressors, brass connectors, wrecking chisels, smoke detectors, tire gagues, hamster cages, thermostats, bug deflectors, trailer hitch demagntizers, automatic circumciers, tennis rackets, angle brackets, Duracells and energizers, soffit panels, circuit brakers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, calculators, generators, maatching salt and pepper shakers, horse dewormer, fighting gold, repulsor technology, pym particles, Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosiiiiiiiissssssss, flying pigs, wild pigs, pigssssss innnnnn spaccceeeeeee, wilkins coffee, islands that walk like men, mood slime, chainsaws, saftey films, toner, donald duck abuse, Yoghurt Platinum, Clubmarine, Saltweens, Disco Dairy, Disco Duck, Lard, Trash Bag Wrestling, Superfast Jellyfish, The Gizmonic Institute, Cloning deboning, dethroning, stupid nintendo games, Rusty Shackleford, Molten Boron, SCTV, Squakabilly Taxi's, An Automatic Man, Wells for Boys, Flight Rings, decoder rings, olvatine, Krakoan Gates, Sealabs, Underwater Motor Scooters, Sex Bombs, Good Guy Dolls, The Last cult, Krustyburger,Chalk Tablet Towers, nerderotica, underwear, money, fat, hank.

The problem is he's got no more worlds to conquer: He's invested in everything, and thus can't make money on a NEW venture. Barks gets some great gags out of this too with Scrooge trying and failing to buy Gyro's newest gadget and a peanut stand, only to find out he OWNS both. It really shows that despite his horrifying wealth and influence.. scrooge can't ENJOY it. To him the fun's in the chase. The having's nice too, but the world just dosen't feel the same if there isn't another rainbow to chase, something I get as a book and film collector. It's great to have, but the looking is just as fun. It's something i'm sure most can relate to especially us nerds.

Thankfully Donald and the Boys just happen to drive by: their hunting arrow heads for 50 cents a piece over in the desert for Crazy Harry's House of Cultural Approritaion. That's Crazy Harry, the man with a snake on his face.

As you can guess this story has some dated bits: while Arrowheads are still treasured, I have one my grandpa gave me, it's not nearly as kosher to sell artifacts of someones' culture for fun and profit. Even as far back as 1980 Indy himself was doing it more for the joy of history and famously said it belongs in a museum.. and evne that's starting to slip as I saw on John Oliver last year. You can find his piece bellow.

And of course they use the i word instead of native americans or indegenous peoples.

Which is annoying , but not suprising.

So our heroes go looking for Arrowheads out in the generic desert. Weirdly for Carl Barks this Desert.. isn't a specific place. There's just suddenly a giant desert outside Duckburg. I didn't notice when reading the story for this review as Barks still packs in nice detail and makes it feel real, with our heroes having to conserve water, brave dust storms and track using realistic methods where tribes may of hunted their game. For the record it was the Pueblo who were linked to this, primarily settling in new mexico. I normally woudln't be this harsh on research, I got that bit from wikipedia after all, but given both how much Barks was lauded for it and how much care he usually puts in, it's weird to see him drop the ball a bit

At any rate our heroes soon find a trail and along it some treasures they take in to town to get examined. The curator there reveals their from The Seven Cities of Cibola, seven cities made of gold and gleaming with treasure, similar to EL Dorado, based on real life rumors about lost cities that turned out to be adobe huts, something Donald brings up. Barks does find a clever way for the myth to still be true, and a shockingly modern one: given the people who found it were conquistadors and heard it through rumors, it makes sense that the people they were conquering and mistreating wouldn't tell them where the city REALLY was. It's not phrased that way, but it's still brilliant.

So our heroes decide, well Scrooge and the Boys decide Donald is just sorta swept along by the tide as usual, to go after the city, figuring the trail leads there. THey stop at a diner for some nondescript hamburgers.. and end up evedroppsed on as nearbye the Beagle Boys are kicked out of an Aid for the Poor Center for welfare fraud and are told hey hey why don't you get a job, which has aged like fine milk on the sidewalk. They naturally follow scrooge smelling money and trail our heroes. I do like the Beagle Boys Inc t-shirts they wear in this shirt, before beagle boys inc was bought by feel good inc in the mid 2000's.

Once our heroes get going Barks DOES make up for his previous non-descriptness as he cites actual locations along the trail such as big bluff and the colorado river. We also get a nice tone: normally the adventure is scrooge dragging our heroes along and being a real dick but here there's a real sense of camradery and excitment ala ducktales 2017. The boys gladly use their guidebook to help while Scrooge uses his experince, the guidebook finding them shade. Eventaully it can only go so far and they end up lost, as do their persuers. They refill the canteens but eventuallyt heir dry. It's a nice showing of the dangers of the desret and the realisim Barks really likes to use in his stories. These may be cartoon ducks but they can die just like anyone else… except of old age but you know

Our heroes fortunes don't get better when the beagles blindsight them.. but plan to just up and leave, having had enough fo the desert and having NOT stocked up on water due to being too busy persuing scrooge, leaving our heroes free to persue the cities unabated.. but near death if they do'nt find water soon. Thankfully they find an old spanish galleon and more importantly

That said I do love Donald's expression here. Barks is a master at those. It does provide our heroes with a way forward, as the logbook details both the ships survivors meeting people clad in gold and a clue about the way the ships pointing at long last our heroes reach the seven cities.. and the sight is truly gorgeous.

And inside are countless treasures, a great sequence as we see pools of coins, ruby arrowheads and most importantly an emerald statue.. set on a trap. Yes this is where the parts Indy homages come in, as it's also on a weight trap, though a far more elaborate one that will destroy the city if activated. IT's clever adn I can see why speilberg and lucas reused it and i'ts diffrent enoguh in the indy version to work as Indy tries to actually take the statue and uses clever manuvering.

At any rate we get to the climax and.. this is where the story falls apart for me: it starts well enough: the beagle boys show up, throw our heroes in a bricked up prison and star tlooting..a nd naturally stupidly trigger the trap leading to the second half of the equation for INdy's iconic opening

But again done diffrently.. with indy we actaully SEE it chase him, so Speilberg got the clear diffrence between inspiration and outright theft. He took the basic idea but made something fresh with it.

The ending… is what really weakens the story for me: everyone gets amnesia, no one remembers and the city remains buried, with scrooge not willing to go back for measly arrowheads. This ending… is all kinds of dumb. For one Scrooge talked to the professor man, he might follow up, and two.. ther'es no real reason for it. I get not wanting a white idiot to loot a fantastic city, that part's fine. Everything about the climax works … except the amnesia part. Yes scrooge could dig, but he could also damage everything or there could be nothing left. The amnesia seems tacked on because Barks coudln't be bothered to come up with an actual reason why Scrooge woudln't go back, when the trail coudl've been lost in a storm or something or the beagle boys destroyed it on the way so while Scrooge gets resuced, he has no way back. There are other ways.

Overall the Seven Cities of Cibola is a decent outing. It has a LOT of good stuff, the slow methodical apporach with little action but a lot of intrigue, the gorgeous city, and the threat not being fantastic traps or anythin gbut simply the heat and environment, and the comedy is on point, with Scrooge going from hunting arrowheads to hunting a lost city all wrapping together. Again it's really the amnesia ending that hurts it: without it this would easily be one of my favirotie scrooge tales, a well done caper that again is shockingly slow paced, but in a delebrate well done way. The ending just drops it a few knotchs in my eyes. It's still worth a look, just temper your expectations>

Next Time: Dun dunnn dunn dunn dunn, dun dunn dunn dun dun dun dun dunnn dunn dunn da da da da, da da da da dun dun dun dun da da da, dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnn!

[petermonarch]

{CUT}

[ANALYSIS IN PROGRESS... AND... ACTION!]

Brandon wakes up on a beach. He turns in all directions to try to find his way, but nothing seems to be familiar to him. And yet... he feels that this place is of paramount importance.

- L-Laīka? It's you who...

- Yeah, it's me. Don't worry, this hospice just serves as a reference point. Don't dwell on it too much. Not that it is dangerous since there is nothing for the moment, but because this place has no significant importance in your history.

- Uh... ok. But if it's not important to me then why am I here then?

- Oh you know... the paperwork and everything and everything.

- The paperwork-?!

Brandon is startled when he sees a man in black, come out of nowhere. He even gives the impression that he was there from the beginning. He had a black hat, a black trench coat, black gloves, black pants, black shoes, a black tie, a black suitcase... everything black... except the skin. He also wore a pair of round glasses, which gave this man an even more disturbing look. Yet a certain sadness emanates from this individual. He looks at Laīka in an annoyed way. He clearly doesn't seem to appreciate his presence.

- Hi Alex! So how are you? You and the stars?

- What do you want, cosmic error?

- Ah ah always so insightful tells me. I came with the other pole there. Could you open a door for us please?

- Hmm... what is he?

- What do you mean? I am a human being. Like you... right?

- Huh huh... I see. So I'm sorry for you Mr. Parsh.

- Sorry but why? And I don't remember telling you my name?

- These questions won't help you cope, Brandon. Please take this door.

A door gusting from the sands, which didn't seem to impress Brandon surprisingly. It is a white painted wooden door, with a tired copper handle and a lock blocked by cardboard.

- And make sure to make me leave the view of this... thing.

- Hey! The thing is still there huh!?

- This door... I knew it... it's the one in my first apartment.

- Cool. I had always wondered what Mr. Parsh's first apartment looked like. Let's go see!

Laīka opened with curiosity mixed with impatience, the door of an apartment that Brandon had long abandoned for another.

Laīka took the cartoonist's hand and dragged him into the door.

The apartment is modest. The cracked gray paint, the furniture covered in dust, a broken sofa bed, a messy desk, a damaged console... a real little world that Brandon lived.

- Now that I see it like this... this apartment was more of a slum than an apartment. You surprise me that I moved.

- Is that really why you left?

- Yes... and also because... I...

- If you don't want to say it, don't say it, you know.

- A heartate. It was for a heartach that I left.

- Ouch. What happened?

- Well... I'm not sure-

The front door opens abruptly. An effeminate man with a angry step, slaps Brandon so violently that he falls on his back to the ground. He didn't expect it. Laīka did not move. He observes the scene with an attentive eye.

- BRAD! You motherfucker! You promised me not to start again! But what the fuck took you!?

- Huh? B-what are you talking about, Gaël?

- Ah! Don't you see what I'm talking about?! I'll show you it will be easier I think.

Gaël goes with clenched fists towards the desk of the messy cartoonist. He violently opens the lower shelf of the furniture. And he took out a board that Brandon had finished. He looked at him carefully. And seemed even more enraged. He then went to the library. He took out a comic strip from the furniture and came to land in front of Brandon sitting, who was holding his painful cheek. He planted an inquisitive look at her, opened the comic on a page. He showed the board and the said page to Brandon.

- And there? You still don't see the problem honey?

- There may be some similarities but...

- It's decaled Brad! Stupid and nasty copy and paste!

- It's just a reference darling. Nothing stupid or mean. Nothing in any case to get angry like that.

- If I get angry like that, it's because they canceled our series!

- What?! B-but they don't have the right... w-why?

- W-w-w-why!? But for exactly the same reason that I come to put you under your stupid nose! They also discovered how much you were a cheater and less than nothing!

- Hey... wait... that's not at all what he told me...

- A grumbling selfish shit who is not fucked up to open a book to properly learn human anatomy!

- That's enough...

- You suck as a cartoonist, you suck as a graphic designer, you suck as an author, you suck at the bed, you're a zero point Brad!

- SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Brandon unhooked a right hook to Gaël's face. The blow was brutal enough and surprising that Brad's colleague, not having seen it coming, fell upside down, hitting his back skull on the edge of the desk. It seems half in the vapors, because these eyelids are still open.

- I'm probably not famous in just about everything you've noticed... but believe me that I'm very clearly not going to miss THAT. At the same time, any human can do THAT.

Brandon took a knife in the kitchen, grabbing it fiercely with both hands, he plunged the blade into Gaël's throat. But to the surprise of a bloodthirsty Brandon, he noticed that the blood that expected to spring from Gaël's throat... is not coming. Even the blow given seemed hollow by the way. As if we had hit a bag of soil.

But the most worrying thing was to see that Gaël was completely out of phase by this forbidden act.

- But look at me how proud my brave cheater is. Cheater and murderer. You're ashamed of nothing pal.

- Fuck off. You never loved me... but only the success and notoriety that I can enjoy. As if you didn't give a shit that I cheat or not. As long as it can end up in your wallet. Sad for you because in what fucking world a cartoonist can have a decent life and so money ?

- Maybe... but the murder attitude worries me a little too much all the same.

- Don't be stupid, Gaël. Or rather should I say false Gaël. Everything around me doesn't exist. I never took my hand or worse, on you. Even if sometimes I want it so much believe me.

- What has prevented you from doing so far?

-... Love.

- Huh huh I see. Bon finito for this part.

- Huh?

Gaël gets up illico presto, grabbing the knife planted in his throat. He withdrew with difficulty because like a latex disguise, Gaël's face was completely torn into pieces. Leaving room for that of Laīka.

- So? Brad... we'll have to calm down these murderous impulses.

- I just told to Ga... to you that I will never get into such manners like this. In reality anyway.

- Yeah... Well, we'll take stock later, okay?

- Okay as you wish.

- Brandon…

- Yes?

- Do you... Do you lo... No nothing.

-...

- End of the [CUT]

[angiehomes83]

The Art of Sculpture: A Timeless Masterpiece for Your Home

Sculpture is one of the most seasoned and most adored types of workmanship, going back millennia. This fine art goes past two-layered limits, offering an unmistakable portrayal of a craftsman's vision. Whether made of stone, metal, wood, or ceramic, sculptures act as immortal bits of workmanship that can change the tasteful of any space. In this blog, we'll investigate the universe of sculpture, how to integrate it into your home style, and why it's a beneficial venture.

The Historical backdrop of Sculpture

Sculpture has been a noticeable type of articulation in practically every human progress. From the traditional sculptures of Antiquated Greece to the mind boggling carvings of Indian sanctuaries, sculptures have consistently held social and strict importance. All things considered, sculptures were utilized to portray divine beings, legendary animals, and verifiable occasions. In present day times, they have developed to incorporate dynamic structures and contemporary plans, taking care of different imaginative preferences.

Kinds of Sculptures

Sculptures can be sorted in light of their material, style, and reason. Here are a few normal sorts:

1. Stone Sculptures

Maybe the most notorious kind of sculpture, stone sculptures have been a piece of mankind's set of experiences for centuries. Produced using marble, rock, or limestone, these sculptures are known for their solidness and magnificence. Stone sculptures can go from huge, great sculptures to more modest, complex carvings ideal for home style.

2. Metal Sculptures

Metal sculptures, produced using materials like bronze, copper, or hardened steel, offer a cutting edge and modern tasteful. They are flexible and can be cleaned for a smooth completion or left provincial for a more regular look. Metal sculptures are usually utilized in contemporary and moderate homes.

3. Wooden Sculptures

Wooden sculptures bring warmth and a characteristic, natural feel to any space. Frequently hand-cut, they can include complicated subtleties and craftsmanship. Wooden sculptures can be both natural and rich, making them a flexible choice for various home styles.

4. Clay Sculptures

Clay sculptures are many times more fragile and are ideal for indoor settings. Their shiny, beautiful completions make them stick out, and they are great for adding a bit of imaginative appeal to your living spaces.

5. Theoretical Sculptures

Theoretical sculptures center around structure and development as opposed to sensible portrayal. These cutting edge sculptures can add an interesting imaginative energy to any space, splitting away from conventional plans and offering intense visual proclamations.

Why Integrate Sculptures into Your Home Style?

Sculptures offer a degree of profundity and surface that different types of workmanship basically can't accomplish. The following are a couple of motivations behind why adding sculptures to your home style is really smart:

1. Adds Aspect

Not at all like canvases or wall workmanship, sculptures are three-layered. This permits them to make profundity and volume in your living spaces, quickly lifting the room's tasteful.

2. Ageless Allure

Sculptures, particularly those produced using stone or metal, convey an immortal class. They don't become unfashionable, making them a savvy, long haul speculation for your home style.

3. Individual Articulation

Each sculpture is remarkable, offering an opportunity to grandstand your own taste and style. Whether you favor traditional sculptures, conceptual structures, or present day plans, sculptures offer you the chance to imaginatively put yourself out there.

4. Flexibility

Sculptures can be shown in different pieces of your home, from the lounge to the nursery. Whether you're searching for a highlight for your lounge area or an inconspicuous complement for your shelves, there's a sculpture that meets your requirements.

The most effective method to Style Sculptures in Your Home

Integrating sculptures into your home stylistic layout can appear to be overwhelming, yet with the right methodology, they can mix flawlessly into any space. The following are a couple of tips:

1. Pick a Point of convergence

Sculptures work best when they are the point of convergence of a room. Place an enormous, explanation piece in a noticeable region like the parlor or foyer. Assuming that you're working with more modest sculptures, assemble them to make an eye-getting show.

2. Match Your Style

Guarantee that the sculpture supplements the general stylistic layout of your home. For present day insides, dynamic or metal sculptures function admirably, while customary homes could profit from stone or wooden pieces.

3. Lighting Matters

Legitimate lighting can upgrade the magnificence of a sculpture. Use spotlights or regular light to feature the surface, shadows, and subtleties of the piece, making it stand apart significantly more.

4. Play with Level

Blend sculptures of fluctuating levels to make a dynamic and intriguing visual piece. For example, match a tall sculpture with a more modest one for equilibrium and difference.

Why Sculptures Are a Beneficial Venture

Sculptures not just improve the stylish worth of your home yet in addition hold long haul monetary worth. As interesting masterpieces, they frequently value over the long run, particularly when made by eminent craftsmen. Furthermore, sculptures require insignificant support, making them a down to earth yet lavish expansion to your home.

Whether you're hoping to add an imaginative touch to your lounge or offer a strong expression in your nursery, sculptures offer vast potential outcomes. Investigate a scope of perfect pieces that can lift your home's style.

Shop now and find the ideal sculpture for your space.

Integrate the immortal magnificence of sculptures into your home and change your stylistic layout into a show-stopper. Whether you favor exemplary structures or contemporary plans, sculptures bring polish, surface, and a one of a kind individual touch to any space.

[stevensaus]

As I'm preparing to launch a campaign-style 5e D&D campaign with The Black Talons, it occurred to me that I'll need to pay (pun intended) more attention to the in-world economics of the world. In 5e, there's an abstraction for ongoing "living expenses" so that you don't have to spend all your time bookkeeping. It gives eight different "levels" of socioeconomic status ranging from "Wretched" to "Aristocratic". I wanted to get a "feel" of what that roughly translated to in modern US dollars. Looking at the descriptions, I thought it would be most effective to orient around Poor, Modest, and Comfortable. Poor. A poor lifestyle means going without the comforts available in a stable community. Simple food and lodgings, threadbare clothing, and unpredictable conditions result in a sufficient, though probably unpleasant, experience. 0.2 gp (gold pieces) per day, 6gp/month. Modest. A modest lifestyle keeps you out of the slums and ensures that you can maintain your equipment. You live in an older part of town, renting a room in a boarding house, inn, or temple. You don’t go hungry or thirsty, and your living conditions are clean, if simple. 1 gp/day, 30gp/month. Comfortable. Choosing a comfortable lifestyle means that you can afford nicer clothing and can easily maintain your equipment. You live in a small cottage in a middle-­class neighborhood or in a private room at a fine inn. 2gp/day, 60gp/month. At first I tried to tie "poor" to the US poverty line (or the federal minimum wage) of $7.25 an hour, and did some ratios: $7.25 : 0.2gp = X : 1gp That makes the "modest" lifestyle (which pretty much describes a living wage) equivalent to $36.25/hour, and "comfortable" a massive $72.50/hr, or an annual salary of $150,800, which is a more than a little bit above "comfortable." The math also doesn't feel right if you make minimum wage equivalent to "modest"; that makes "comfortable" $17.50 an hour. For context, Ohio's living wage is $19.40/hour. If you swap the ratio around and plug in the living wage and solve for X, like so: $7.25 : 0.2gp = 19.40 : X then you get that the living wage is roughly equivalent to half a gold piece a day (0.54), not 1 like it says in the rules. So instead I swapped the numbers around and solved for the "poor" condition (since I'm literally using the US poverty level here): $7.25 : X = 19.40 : 1 which results in the actual cost of the "poor" lifestyle nearly doubling to 0.37 gp a day (three silver, 7 copper). Using that same ratio also results in the "comfortable" lifestyle equating $38.8/hr, which does feel about right. While this was really interesting (for me), while doing my research I ran across D&D Alley's much more thorough exploration of the same topic, which is a pretty interesting (and nuanced) read. That was where I found this absolutely genius conversion that really made it hit: there's an easy way to quickly convert prices into (dollars): 1 cp = $1 1 sp = $10 1 gp = $100 Not only does the math pretty well work out there, it also provides a visceral gut-punch about how much stuff costs. Suddenly that 25gp mastiff is a freaking investment, let alone a 75gp riding horse. Particularly if you're in a low-magic world (like the one I run), then it makes craftsmanship a lot more valuable. That 1gp bedroll seems super expensive until you think that it's the medieval equivalent of a fancy sleeping bag. Even in our industrial and mass-produced society, a quality sleeping bag will run you $25 - $65, and since it's all hand-made, having it be two to four times as expensive makes sense. Likewise, tents may be as cheap as $25, but it's not difficult to find quality tents costing over $150 in the modern day, so having a good two-person tent costing 2gp (or $200) in a pre-industrial society is completely reasonable. With all that in mind, "lifestyle" becomes a lot more useful without adding any real overhead in terms of mechanics. It also gives the characters an additional reason to do things.

.. and lets you, as a GM, appropriately set both the price and frequency of the missions your characters go on. https://ideatrash.net/2024/07/converting-dungeons-and-dragons-living-expenses-to-real-life-money.html?feed_id=255&_unique_id=66a6e3402e2ce

[revanthraj01]

Introduction: In the domain of inside plan, everything about. From the shade of the walls to the furniture game plan, every component assumes a urgent part in forming the vibe of your home. One frequently neglected at this point key component is the sink. Whether it's in your kitchen, washroom, or utility room, the sink fills both practical and tasteful needs. In the event that you're in Chennai, a city known for its one of a kind mix of custom and advancement, choosing the right sink model can hoist the style and usefulness of your space.

Functionality meets Style: With regards to picking a sink model for your Chennai home, there are a few elements to consider. Right off the bat, contemplate the usefulness. Is it true or not that you are searching for a sink that can endure weighty use in the kitchen? Or on the other hand maybe you want a smooth and up-to-date choice for your washroom vanity? Understanding your particular necessities will assist with reducing your choices.

For a kitchen sink, strength and simplicity of support are central. Tempered steel sinks are a well known decision for Chennai homes because of their protection from consumption and intensity. They are likewise simple to clean, making them ideal for occupied families. Moreover, stone composite sinks offer a cutting edge look while being extraordinarily solid and scratch-safe.

In the restroom, you could select a fired or porcelain sink for a work of art and rich feel. These materials are smart as well as simple to clean, making them ideal for washrooms where cleanliness is a main concern. In the event that you're tight on space, consider a wall-mounted sink to expand floor space and make a smooth, moderate look.

Consider the Aesthetic: Aside from usefulness, the tasteful allure of the sink is similarly significant. Chennai is a city saturated with culture and custom, and numerous mortgage holders like to integrate components of South Indian plan into their insides. Consider picking a sink model that supplements the general stylish of your home.

For a conventional touch, you could settle on a copper or metal sink with multifaceted specifying. These materials age wonderfully and add warmth to any space. On the other hand, in the event that your style is more contemporary, a smooth, moderate sink with clean lines and a matte completion could be the ideal decision.

Don't Forget About Size and Configuration: While choosing a sink model for your Chennai home, taking into account the size and design of your space is fundamental. In the kitchen, contemplate the size of your ledges and cupboards to guarantee the sink fits consistently into the design. For more modest kitchens, a solitary bowl sink may be more useful, while bigger kitchens can oblige twofold bowl sinks for added comfort.

In the restroom, consider the size of your vanity and the accessible ledge space. On the off chance that you have a reduced washroom, a platform sink or a corner sink can assist with boosting space without settling for less on style.

Conclusion: Picking the right sink model for your Chennai home is a choice that ought not be messed with. By taking into account factors like usefulness, tasteful allure, size, and setup, you can choose a sink that meets your functional requirements as well as upgrades the general look and feel of your space. Whether you favor a conventional South Indian plan or a more contemporary stylish, there are a lot of choices accessible to suit each taste and style. So why pause? Plunge into the universe of sink models and raise the magnificence of your Chennai home today!