#it’s about how some cultures practice cannibalism as a part of honor for the body and soul during death rites

[yourpaceangel]

It’s unfortunate that I say “oh wow I love cannibalism” and mean it as like “I love the symbolism of needing and wanting someone So Much that you have to have a part of them Inside Of You in a way that is stronger than a sexual need” or like “this is a form of holy communion” or like “this is one of the oldest ways to show desperation and fear and raw animalism with the consumption of another” and people just hear “I’m a weirdo that wants to eat someone”

[crooked-city]

The Flights and Their Treatment of the Dead

Note that individual clans will have their own culture and rituals, all of this is just sort of broad generalization

Earth: The dead are often kept at home if at all possible, old lairs often have several generations of skulls, skeletons, and sometimes even lovingly mummified dragons, rituals are often elaborate and loving, there are ceremonies to celebrate the beloved dead several times a year, and benevolent necromancy (of the divination-oriented kind) is very common, and even young hatchlings often know how to ask an ancestor many generations back for help through those methods.  Clans that are mostly Snappers will often have locations on their migratory routes where they keep their ancestral graves and will celebrate when they hit that point, excited to once more reunite with their ancestors and ancient heroes. (Rockbreaker’s Ceremony often coincides with many Snapper clans hitting these points in migration)

Fire: Cremation is HUGE for them for obvious reasons, their rituals full of song, though the song is often solemn. Often the funeral pyres are the same fires used to forge weapons, and those close to the honored dead, especially warriors, will often be granted weapons forged in the heat of those pyres, the bond between them believed to make the weapon strike true

Wind: Big community events, meant to celebrate the life of the fallen dragon, outsiders may even be drawn into the little festival of their life and told about how great the community’s lost friend is, and invited to celebrate them too. Some pockets perform sky burials, believing that birds will carry the souls of the dead on the winds with them, others have adopted cremation from the Fire flight so as to cast the ashes of the dead on the winds instead

Water: Solemn, Divination is often used to learn the wishes of the dead, large dragons like guardians are often cast to the depths to become something akin to whalefalls. In the Tidelord’s absence, dragons who have moved to The Sea of 1000 Currents from Earth are often asked to help through necromancy instead of traditional Water Divination. Ornate memorials are often made from shells, and offerings for the dead are often left there.

Lightning: Rituals are brief and to the point, thanking the dragon for their work, and the bodies are used for various kinds of scientific testing to further benefit the community and perhaps the entire flight. After all testing is done the remains are sometimes returned to the clan they came from (Especially if the dragon’s family hailed from a different flight and might have specific wishes for the bones or other preserved parts), but are often respectfully composted to feed gardens of useful plants.  Ridgebacks will often return “borrowed” items to the families (Or equivalent items if those have in turn been borrowed or used up)

Ice: Funerals often consist of regaling the dragon’s deeds, though not as celebratory in nature like Wind’s party funerals.  Bodies are often frozen and placed in Ice Catacombs to be easily visited, often with tablets recording their great deeds for the flight. Memorials for Tundras (and those who knew Tundras) often have personal possessions that carry the deceased’s scent so their friends and family can always recognize them. Gaolers and other honorable protectors and guards might have their frozen forms placed to guard important places from beyond the grave

Shadow: Similar party atmosphere to Wind, though more private. The dead’s possessions are often gambled for amongst attendees (And most dragons will look the other way if you cheat for something that’s of great personal importance to you). Graves are often marked by swathes of beautiful glowing mushrooms, one of the only flights that consistently buries their dead.  There’s always an empty seat at any game table at funerary events to allow the spirits of the dead to join in playing, their mischievous souls may feel spurned if they’re not also allowed to play, and if the dead win a game for their possessions those items are buried with them (And many dragons will attest to witnessing the dead play)

Light: The dead are mostly honored by meticulous record-keeping of their lives, academic and scholarly achievements being considered a point of great honor for residents of this flight. They tend to keep catacombs.  Dragons of great honor in any field often have their bones bejeweled like those of saints, and are sometimes displayed in libraries of their work.  A Pearlcatcher’s pearl (Or that of a dragon that was once a Pearlcatcher but changed breeds) can sometimes be found in these saintly displays, otherwise they are bequeathed to someone close to the dragon in question.

Plague: Bodies are generally left to be reclaimed by the land, though bones are often removed to be made into tools, and decorations granted to those close to the deceased. Sometimes hearts are preserved and given to a partner or dear friend of the deceased. Some pockets, mainly clans that mostly consist of Mirrors and/or Wildclaws, perform ritual cannibalism instead of leaving the meat to become part of the Scarred Wasteland, with the heart being consumed by someone particularly close to the beloved dead

Nature: Nearly identical to Plague, but with less bone toolmaking (Though it’s not particularly uncommon), heart preservation is far rarer here.  Burials that are used to form gardens are occasionally practiced, with slightly more intent put into it than letting the body be reclaimed by nature.

Arcane: Like in Light there’s a heavy focus on honoring a dragon’s scholarly pursuits, and on bejeweling the dead though rather than covering a corpse in gems, they prefer to straight up turn the dragon into a crystalline artifact. (Often displayed in observatories and libraries related to their work) Fae will often preserve their dead in amber instead of the usual crystallization

[rpmemesbyarat]

RP  meme from Werewolf: The Apocalypse "Black Furies" Tribebook (Revised Version) Ch 2 "Pegasus’ Flight"

"But how can you be here?"

"I’m sorry. I’m easily sidetracked. Where was I?"

"Every day the possibility exists that you will find some great treasure — a companion, a fetish, riches, secrets or whatever is important to you."

"Divine justice is not something that can be safely left in the hands of mortal men and women — or even certain sky goddesses, as Athena’s blindness showed."

"While limits and strictures are frightening to many, I take peace knowing that purposes exist for all things."

"The problem comes when limits become absolute."

"It’s a human mind-twister — and I love mind-twisters — that the only rule to which there is no exception is that there’s an exception to every rule."

"I said before I love mind-twisters, but it’s good to know when to stop twisting your mind."

"Change hurts."

"The questions do not always need to be answered, often just asking them is enough."

"If they lead only to more questions or to simple answers (I remember well learning the answer to “What do bees smell like?”), then that also is learning and therefore good."

"Laughter doesn’t have to be mirthful; it can be bitter or rueful as well."

"How many of these stories actually happened?"

"Take from a story the wisdom that is in it; one of humanity’s biggest problems, I think, is that many of them take their legends too seriously."

"Contemplation is good, but too much of it causes the topic to become irrelevant."

"Beautiful, isn’t it?"

"The average first-time mother can expect an ordeal of fourteen hours."

"Everyone agrees that breast milk is best for babies; doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and parenting gurus."

"I am sorry for your discomfort, but you can just suffer through it a bit longer."

"A woman’s sexuality is hers, and can be a closely guarded secret or a gift to the world, as she chooses."

"Only the weak deserve pity."

"And yet we’re still spit on as often as not. Unfair, isn’t it?"

"Sex and childbearing is all about responsibility."

"There is no honor in blood for blood’s sake."

"These assaults take place far from the eyes of humanity, and the large-scale ones are most frequently mistaken for natural disasters."

"First, while faith might be eternal, religion must evolve."

"The world is often random, and believing it to be loving and fair is just as false as believing it to be cruel."

"They aren’t thieves, mind you; they just seem to know where to find things."

"I’m quite sure you’ve heard it all. Stay awake and listen again. This is important stuff, you know."

"That kind of cruelty doesn’t really help anyone, does it?"

"Note that there’s a big difference between “breeding” and “having sex.”

"My opinion has always been that announcing one’s presence and intentions when entering another’s territory is polite and proper behavior."

"A predator sees any encroachment on her territory as a threat. If the intruder nears her den, expect her to become very violent."

"If you enter another’s territory and announce yourself, that doesn’t mean you can stay. The one who lives there can still tell you to leave, and you should respect her wishes."

"Be careful when traveling."

"Look, we’ve all got anger control problems. It’s part of who we are."

"If you’re hurt, quit."

"Die to be a hero if you want, but don’t die to prove you were right."

"When the challenge is over, when the winner is declared, accept the ruling and live with it."

"Challenges are serious business — never initiate one without good cause."

"Do not look away. I hardly need to explain what that will lead to."

"We all know why it isn’t good to eat humans; for one thing, their flesh is fouled by the chemicals they eat, and for another, we’re meant to protect and avenge them, not prey upon them."

"If it becomes necessary to kill humans, do so, but remember that you are what you eat."

"From the face you’re making, I can assume you find the notion of cannibalism to be truly repulsive."

"Find other ways to hide your action."

"The problem is that humans are resilient and tenacious, especially in fear or hatred."

"Sometimes, however, we must let go."

"When the time comes for me to die, assuming, of course, that I do not die in battle, I shall walk into the sea and let the waves take me on my last journey."

"They can’t be challenged if no one can find them."

"I’m not saying that the system is corrupt, only that it could be."

"Such a small place, yet so many differing cultures!"

"Any biologist will tell you that you may measure how well an area thrives by the diversity of life it supports."

"Women are, on average, not as physically strong as men. This means that they sometimes need protection. I hardly need to tell you who should provide it."

"Unless I missed a major theological event, there haven’t been any immaculate conceptions recently."

"No matter your personal feelings on men, they are and always have been one half of the equation."

"A man is not evil simply by dint of his sex; to believe so is no better than calling women “the weaker sex.”

"Weak people produce more weak people, and since humans have virtually no method of natural selection, it is up to us to try to correct their weaknesses as best we can."

"Something is urging the citizens towards these evils, for I cannot believe that they did this themselves."

"The idiot humans continue to think that if they could just clear away the trees, they’d have wonderful land for agriculture, never once realizing that it’s the forest itself that preserves the land."

"Tell me why you think you could do better."

"So many believe the courts will do nothing — and if their attackers are rich and privileged enough, that is sadly true."

"Celebrities and advertisements show thin and unhealthy looking women being adored and generally enjoying life. So, young girls are made to feel abnormal and loathe their bodies."

"The Church decries sexuality for any reason but procreation — and women learn to fear their sexual power."

"Time may dull the memory, but we still have blood on our claws."

"It’s harsh, but good exercise."

"Don’t let their foul behavior and mannerisms fool you. These bumpkins and slum-dwellers have contacts all over the city. I avoid them when possible, but when I am left with no other choice and need information in the city, I go to them. Of course, that information does not come cheaply."

"Some of them can get a little corny at times, I admit, but I’d rather have them with us than against us."

"A more serious bunch of assholes was never born."

"They are reprehensible dogs."

"They have money, they have places to stay, they know good places to party, and they have access to guns, and explosives, and body armor, and — well, you get the idea."

"They have a lot of hate, and the near-extinction of their species isn’t something that one just gets over."

"No one ever identifies herself as “evil.”

"You will get far more than you bargained for."

"Most national leaders are ridiculed without mercy, because every mistake they’ve ever made is on display for the world to see."

"Too much time spent mucking with forces beyond their control taints these people, if you ask me."

"Bloody opportunists."

"I’m not going to say they planned it that way, but they sure didn’t stop it either."

"Sure, they got fucked, but they’re still assholes."

"A quaint story, I thought, no more than a sort of urban legend."

"However, they do learn many secrets that we miss. Getting them to give up these secrets, however, is usually more trouble than it’s worth."

"Maybe they aren’t all dead?"

"Greek myths are replete with dragons; Ladon, Typhon, Python, Hydra, and so forth. They are never cast in favorable roles; most of them only exist for a hero to kill."

"I’ve never liked practical jokes, and I don’t like the notion of pushing someone’s buttons just to teach them not to respond. You can lose your head doing that to the wrong person."

"Other creatures share the unseen world with us, and it would behoove you to know something about them."

"The spirits of the dead do not always rest easily."

"The dead aren’t staying in the ground."

"Some of them are complete pigs, so I’m told, but even so, they can be quite seductive."

[eternalgirlscout]

Hi! What can you tell me about funerary cannibalism?

[ID: four more asks requesting that I talk about funerary cannibalism, from @no-one-look, @itsthenovelteafactor, @beyhobi, and one anonymous user]

Well! I’m honored to have so many people who not only read my tags but are genuinely interested in this topic that I think is cool.

I should start with an important disclaimer. I am none of the following: a historian, an anthropologist, a member of any cultures that traditionally practice funerary cannibalism (as far as I know), nor anything close to an expert on the topic. I just... think both cannibalism and funerary practices are neat, so I’m fascinated by the intersection.

[TWs: cannibalism (obvs), colonialism, racism and racist language, illness, death]

Funerary traditions wherein parts of the body of the deceased are consumed are usually referred to as endocannibalism--that is, eating someone who belongs to your own cultural or kinship group. There are a lot of different forms this can take, from straight up preparing and eating most parts of the body among a large group of people, to scorching bone marrow or bone and mixing the ash into a beverage, to any number of forms of consumption. There are as many symbolic meanings to this consumption as there are cultures that have practiced it, but broadly speaking it’s a form of veneration for the dead, or a way of keeping them alive within their loved ones.

That’s part of what I find so fascinating about funerary practices in general. The question, “what do we do with our dead?” has always been vital, both for pragmatic reasons (ie. what do we do with this corpse we have lying around, because it can’t stay here) and for personal and spiritual ones: how do we show respect for our dead? How do we signify what they meant to us in life? What meaning to we ascribe to what of them is left behind?

It’s hugely important to note that the narratives of endocannibalism that I, as a White, (mostly) monolingual, English-speaking American have access to are influenced if not outright determined by colonialism and racism. Most commonly-used examples of funerary cannibalism come from Indigenous and colonized cultural groups, and these practices are highly stigmatized in many accounts from European colonizers (including anthropologists). In fact (and warning for blatantly racist language), the English word “cannibal” itself comes from

Spanish canibal, caribal "a savage, cannibal," from Caniba, Christopher Columbus' rendition of the [Indigenous Caribbeans] name for themselves. [x]

Therefore, any discussion of anthropophagic practices must reckon with the history of violence and misrepresentation inherent in even the words we use to speak about them.

One fairly well-known example of endocannibalism existed, until the practice largely ended around the 1950′s, among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. There’s a good chance you’ve heard about kuru, a degenerative prion disease that can be transmitted by consumption of the brain matter of an infected person. The story was sensationalized, and the popular Western imagination painted this epidemic as mysterious and horrifying: people from some far off land who eat other humans and develop a deadly, shaking, trembling condition that slowly kills the victim. Its symptoms and its association with cannibalism, an act painted as an inhuman taboo, survive in popular culture, which is rarely sympathetic to the sufferer of the disease. The image of kuru calls to mind racist caricatures of violent, “uncivilized” people (a term arguably more loaded with malice than “cannibalism”).

In our media and our common thought, to this day, we dehumanize the cannibal and make them other. We perpetuate the legacy of Columbus’ derogatory canibal.

The truth is... both less sensationally frightening and much more tragic. It’s a horrific disease that mostly killed women and children. It’s a slow and agonizing death. And it came not from ~inhuman cannibals clambering to eat the bodies of unfortunate innocents they slew in ritual murder,~ but from a tradition of community mourning. That’s it. People got sick at funerals, and the more people died, the more dead there were to take care of, in the manner dictated by a given culture. If we have learned and can internalize anything in These Unprecedented Times™, let it be that illness is not a punishment nor an indicator of wrongdoing. Sometimes it just is. It’s a thing that happens, and blaming the sick for living their lives with whatever discrepancies, however big or small, from that of the healthy person on their high horse does no one any favors.

That tangent probably wasn’t what you all came to see, but I think it was an important one. There’s nothing wrong with a fascination with the macabre. However, it can be extremely easy (and I have certainly been guilty of this myself, lo these many years since being a goth teen) to, no pun intended, consume the stories of people who live in ways unfamiliar to us out of a desire for entertainment over a desire to understand others as fellow human beings.

TL;DR: I think funerary cannibalism is interesting because I think the questions at the core of funerary practices in general are interesting and worth thinking about, as well as the many different forms and significances there are to be found in what we incorrectly call the “ultimate taboo.” Like anything else when we look from the outside into the lives of people whose issues and triumphs, beliefs and doubts, worries and cares are unfamiliar to us, we should do it with empathy and humility.

Addendum: while this post is specifically about anthropophagy in funerary practices, I would be remiss if I didn’t link this fascinating article (which includes a mention of a couple books I am meaning to read) about medical cannibalism in Europe from the early modern to Victorian era.

Extra TL;DR: Humans have always been eating each other in many different ways and for many different reasons. Pretty cool, huh?

[talldarkandroguesome]

10th of Rain’s Hand, Loredas

Kuna took a while to be able to be convinced that it was safe to speak with the dead. I also had to explain to her about Dunmer funerary practices and why it is that we do not consume our dearly departed.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. I wonder if the poor servants in the house will recover from having a young mer railing against not cannibalizing the dead. The poor nurse who had been assigned to help care for Kuna, in particular, will need a temporary raise in wages after Kuna pointed at her and asked why we would not eat her corpse should she trip and fall down the stairs or be killed in a back alley.

I fear that Kuna’s brazen behavior, along with he nonchalant manner of speaking about death is likely a mark of her age and different cultural background, but it has made many of the staff uncomfortable and even fearful that there is a young cannibal in their midst.

No matter, we went to the Indoril crypt.

Uncle Tanval was surprisingly curious without judgemental comments. Perhaps being dead has finally allowed him to relax a bit. Cousin Garyn was very keen to meet Kuna and apologized that he could not play on account of being incorporeal. Enough to dampen any game he may have wished to play.

Knowing Nabine, Kuna is well acquainted with dead bodies, both animal and mer. She was curious about the way that we stored and decorated our ancestors.

I suppose having come from a tradition where the bones are made into keepsakes and the idea of consuming the flesh of those who have passed is a way to make them part of you and keep them with you, it is weird that we lock out dead away in stone buildings. Not that we do not also make use of the bones from time to time. But it’s still different.

Aunt Dieryra, the eldest of Mother’s siblings, was particularly taken with Kuna. She was very interested in her personality. I think perhaps they are not dissimilar. Aunt Dieryra is, of course, the sister of Mother’s who tore a rift betwixt her and uncle Tanval. The aunt which Mother never got over the loss of.

She was well known for her prowess in battle and became the Grandmaster of the clan very early in her life. Even in her final moments, she died a hero’s death, saving the lives of the mer in her charge using well planned tactics. And when it was clear that she would not be able to get the communications to the others in the army without a suicide run, she valiantly led the mer in her charge across the field, forcing the enemy to disclose their location to the rest of the army. And she took her mortal wound placing herself in the path of a shock that was meant for the captain of her guard.

Some say that they had planned to wed after the battle and that it was not only honor and House, but love as well, which she had laid down her life for.

I told Kuna the story after we had begun our way back to Mournhold and she immediately wanted to visit the tomb again to ask many more questions.

There was no time to do so, however, and I promised that next time we were in Davon’s Watch, we would visit if there were time to spare. She happily agreed.

It was wonderful to reunite with Nabine and Cariel. Mother assured me that they were in good hands and that there had been no trouble at all.

I was relieved. The girls immediately began to tell one another of what had happened to the other. Kuna made Nabine sit down and hear all about the strange ways of Dunmer funeral and burial rites. Cariel kept interrupting to ask questions and I had a large glass of brandy as I relaxed in the comfort of our being together once more.

Nabine and I made love throughout the evening after the children were in bed.

We slept little and spent the next day as a family making plans for how the feast after Kuna’s celebration should be decorated and what foods to have. Cariel and Kuna were both allowed to select foods to have on the menu. And I had the girls help me with the colors and decorative elements as best as I could allow. I tried to give them a list of appropriate choices and then have them select after an explanation of the meanings behind each choice. 

Cariel tended towards always choosing something green or blue, because they are her favorite colors. Kuna was more interested in the meanings, though I think there were times she tried to justify selecting gold or orange, simply because those are her favorite colors.

We managed some compromises and I told the girls that I would share with them the samples as soon as I had gotten all the materials and such together so that they could have a final opinion.

Nabine hates the whole fuss and pageantry of such events. She spent time carving a set of bone jewelry for both of the girls to wear for the occasion, laughing at our excitement over the whole thing. It was exactly what I expected and exactly what I needed.

Mother tells me that the House is demanding Sildras be in attendance. I made my case for my husband and the rest of the children to be there, at least. She said she would bring my request before the Council, but that I should not expect affirmation. They are trying to speed things along as best as possible and want to keep things more contained to those they thought it necessary for, regardless of the blatant discrimination involved. 

I hope that the House Council will see sense and choose reason over petty grievances. The only way to keep our traditions alive is if we are able to adapt to the changes of the world. Bend and you do not break, and all that.

I know it goes against everything our House wishes to stand for, but it is the way to a secure future. The Three make the Council choose what is right. I miss those I love have had not seen for so long so very, very much.

[moonlightmurder]

Favorite True Crime Books – part 2

John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster by Sam L. Amirante : “Sam, could you do me a favor?” Thus begins a story that has now become part of America’s true crime hall of fame. It is a gory, grotesque tale befitting a Stephen King novel. It is also a David and Goliath saga—the story of a young lawyer fresh from the Public Defender’s Office whose first client in private practice turns out to be the worst serial killer in our nation’s history.

Sam Amirante had just opened his first law practice when he got a phone call from his friend John Wayne Gacy, a well-known and well-liked community figure. Gacy was upset about what he called “police harassment” and asked Amirante for help. With the police following his every move in connection with the disappearance of a local teenager, Gacy eventually gives a drunken, dramatic, early morning confession—to his new lawyer. Gacy is eventually charged with murder and Amirante suddenly becomes the defense attorney for one of American’s most disturbing serial killers. It is his first case. This is a gripping narrative that reenacts the gruesome killings and the famous trial that shocked a nation.

American Legal Injustice: Behind the Scenes with an Expert Witness by Emanuel Tanay : Forensic psychiatrist Emanuel Tanay has testified in thousands of court cases as an expert witness, including such notorious cases as those of Jack Ruby, Sam Sheppard, and Theodore ‘Ted’ Bundy. Tanay walks the reader through his experiences in the courtroom, explaining the role of the forensic psychiatrist in the litigation process and providing a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of our criminal justice system, including individual chapters on some of his most interesting and infamous cases. Tanay also provides clear examples of the rampant injustice that he has witnessed and argues that the potential for injustice is built into our legal system in the form of incompetent lawyers, the imbalance of resources between the pricey defense lawyers hired by large corporations in civil trials and the inexperienced lawyers often hired by plaintiffs, and the political concerns of elected judges and prosecutors. American Legal Injustice: Behind the Scenes with an Expert Witness is a must-read for Law & Order, Court TV, and true crime enthusiasts.

The Last Victim: A True-Life Journey into the Mind of the Serial Killer by Jason Moss : It started with a college course assignment, then escalated into a dangerous obsession. Eighteen-year-old honor student Jason Moss wrote to men whose body counts had made criminal history: men named Dahmer, Manson, Ramirez, and Gacy.

Posing as their ideal victim, Jason seduced them with his words. One by one they wrote him back, showering him with their madness and violent fantasies. Then the game spun out of control. John Wayne Gacy revealed all to Jason — and invited his pen pal to visit him in prison…

It was an offer Jason couldn’t turn down. Even if it made him…

The book that has riveted the attention of the national media, this may be the most revealing look at serial killers ever recorded and the most illuminating study of the dark places of the human mind ever attempted.

The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror by James Presley : Set in the rowdy, often lawless town of Texarkana shortly after WWII, The Phantom Killer is the history of the most puzzling unsolved cases in the United States.

The salacious and scandalous murders of a series of couples on Texarkana’s “lovers lanes” in seemingly idyllic post-WWII America created a media maelstrom and cast a pall of fear over an entire region. What is even more surprising is that the case has remained cold for decades. Combining archival research and investigative journalism, Pulitzer Prize nominated historian James Presley reveals evidence that provides crucial keys to unlocking this decades-old puzzle.

Dubbed “the Phantom murders” by the press, these grisly crimes took place in an America before dial telephones, DNA science, and criminal profiling. Even pre-television, print and radio media stirred emotions to a fever pitch. The Phantom Killer, exhaustively researched, is the only definitive nonfiction book on the case, and includes details from an unpublished account by a survivor, and rare, never-before-published photographs.

Although the case lives on today on television, the Internet, a revived fictional movie and even an off-Broadway play, with so much of the investigation shrouded in mystery since 1946, rumors and fractured facts have distorted the reality. Now, for the first time, a careful examination of the archival record, personal interviews, and stubborn fact checking come together to produce new insights and revelations on the old slayings.

The Only Living Witness: The true story of serial sex killer Ted Bundy by Stephen Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth : Michaud and Aynesworth are a reporter and an investigator team who interviewed serial killer Ted Bundy while he was on death row in Florida. This volume chronicles his activities throughout several states but is at its best in a long section of transcripts from the interview in which, while he never admits his quilt, Bundy offers vivid details of the crimes and commentary on the mindset of a serial killer. This revised edition includes some additional information.

Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters by Peter Vronsky : In this unique book, Peter Vronsky documents the psychological, investigative, and cultural aspects of serial murder, beginning with its first recorded instance in Ancient Rome through fifteenth-century France on to such notorious contemporary cases as cannibal/necrophile Ed Kemper, the BTK killer, Henry Lee Lucas, Monte Ralph Rissell, Jerry Brudos, Richard Ramirez, “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, Ed Gein, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and the emergence of what he classifies as the “serial rampage killer” such as Andrew Cunanan, who murdered fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Vronsky not only offers sound theories on what makes a serial killer but also makes concrete suggestions on how to survive an encounter with one—from recognizing verbal warning signs to physical confrontational resistance. Exhaustively researched with transcripts of interviews with killers, and featuring up-to-date information on the apprehension and conviction of the Green River killer and the Beltway Snipers, Vronsky’s one-of-a-kind book covers every conceivable aspect of an endlessly riveting true crime phenomenon.

Escape from Alcatraz: The True Crime Classic by J. Campbell Bruce : In 1963, just weeks before the original publication of this book, the last prisoner was escorted off Devil’s Island and Alcatraz ceased to be a prison. Author J. Campbell Bruce chronicles in spellbinding detail the Rock’s transition from a Spanish fort to the maximum-security penitentiary that housed such infamous inmates as Robert Stroud, aka the Birdman of Alcatraz, and mobster Al “Scarface” Capone. The chapters describing the daring escape attempts by Frank Morris and two accomplices from this “inescapable” prison became the basis for the 1979 Clint Eastwood movie. Discover the intriguing and absorbing saga of Alcatraz, whose name is still synonymous with punitive isolation and deprivation, where America’s most violent and notorious prisoners resided in tortuous proximity to one of the world’s favorite cities.

Sins of the brother: The definitive story of Ivan Milat and the backpacker murders by Mark Whitaker and Les Kennedy : Seven young backpackers brutally murdered. A nationwide police hunt spanning three years and thousands of hours of forensic investigation. And finally, the capture and conviction of one man.Sins of the Brother tells the gripping story of road-worker Ivan Milat and the horrific Belanglo Forest murders that shocked the world and forever etched themselves into Australian criminal folklore. It explores a family culture so twisted and bizarre it would lead inexorably to a serial killing spree, scrutinises the police case – its successes and failures – and reveals the chilling mystery left behind.Told in novelistic style from interviews with the Milat family, key police investigators, Crown lawyers and the lucky souls who escaped with their lives, Sins of the Brother is a classic of crime literature – a psychological thriller come to life and a disturbing portrait of a man whose delusions became reality.’More than just the suspenseful story of some notoriously evil murders, this shocking and strangely seductive book is a painstaking examination of today’s society. This is Australia on the slab.’

[Part 1]

[dailyaudiobible]

05/11/2018 DAB Transcript

1 Samuel 10:1-11:15, John 6:43-71, Psalms 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3

Today is the 11th day of May. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is my honor and pleasure to have these minutes together as we take the next step forward, moving our way through the Scriptures. So, we've been reading from 1 Samuel in our Old Testament reading and we are entering the territory that will lead us into a new era with the Israelites as kingship is about to be introduced into their culture. And Samuel plays a pivotal role in that story. So we'll pick up where we left off yesterday. This week were reading from the New International Version. We'll read 1 Samuel chapters 10 and 11 today.

Commentary:

Okay. So, we covered a bunch of territory in our reading today. In the Old Testament, we now have a king. Israel has its first king, Saul. So, we have entered a new era and we need to watch as this unfolds. We're gonna learn a lot about ourselves from King Saul, or for that matter, from many of the kings. But this next patch that we're gonna move through in the Scriptures, we're (getting) an intimate look at King Saul and then we're gonna meet this guy named David. And we're gonna learn a lot about ourselves from him as well because he's gonna grow up to be king, too. And they are starkly contrasted, Saul and David. But their stories are deeply intertwined. And one of the first clues that we get about Saul, we see today in his coronation when God is selecting the person to be king from the different tribes and the different family clans. And once Saul is selected, he's nowhere to be found. He's hiding. In the New International Version that we're reading from this week, he's hiding in the supplies. Other translations have him hiding in the baggage. They essentially mean the same thing. They're the things that everyone who has come to this coronation have brought. But it gives us the opportunity to consider what baggage exactly it is that we are hiding in and are we able to rise up and be who we are created to be if we're gonna continue to hide in the baggage?

And then we get into the book of John. And we encounter what some would call the bread of life discourse. I always smile when we come through this territory cause to me, it's kind of like Jesus vampire monologue, where he tells everybody who's listening that they can't have hope in eternal life if they don't eat his flesh and drink his blood. And we see the people's reaction. They're a little freaked out about it, a little agitated about it. A lot of the people who had been following Jesus deserted him after that. So, he's willing to not grandstand. We see that in Jesus constantly. He's not trying to build an empire for himself by saying the things that people wanna hear. But it is curious enough for us to go, like what is he talking about? How can we eat his flesh and drink his blood? And are we talking about cannibalism here? Are we talking about...what are we dealing with? But because you'd think that some disturbed person, and there were plenty of disturbed people around Jesus. He set a lot of disturbed people free. But if you think about it in those terms, some disturbed person who would believe that literally would try to kill Jesus and eat him. And you can only imagine how he would defend himself in court and how that would play out on national television if it were in this day and age, right? So, if something like that were spoken in this day and age it would seem bizarre at best, which is how it appeared to the people Jesus was talking to. He was speaking primarily to a Jewish audience who had been taught by the Mosaic law not to drink blood and not to eat meat with blood in it, right? And, so, it's like Jesus is telling them to do exactly that, only to a human body. So, you can imagine why they're a little freaked out. But interpreting what Jesus actually means leads us to divergent theological schools of thought. And I have worked tirelessly, really really hard over the years, to not try to tell you what you are supposed to believe and do.  I believe that is the work of the Holy Spirit.  But when we do come to historically divergent things in the faith, we talk about them. So, for many over the centuries, this has referred to the Lord's table, to the eucharist or communion. And billions of people over thousands of years have held to that idea that in taking the eucharist, the elements become the flesh and blood of Jesus. They go inside and transform us spiritually and make us have eternal life. Other schools of thought equally as old, just as longstanding, have said, essentially, Jesus is not talking about the Lord's table or communion here. It hasn't even been instituted yet in the book of John. Jesus hasn't had his last supper yet. He hasn't passed the cup or the bread. He is speaking metaphorically about a spiritual reality in the same way with the woman at the well he talked about eternal water flowing from within to eternal life. And in the same passage that we read, Jesus seems to illuminate that by saying, the spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you they are full of the spirit and life. So, this has been wrestled with for a long time, going all the way back to the early church fathers. So, for example, St. Augustin of Hippo was very influential in some of the doctrines that we believe as Christians. Things like original sin, things like the doctrine of the trinity, he had a voice in all of that. Regarding this passage he summed it up by saying Believe and you have eaten. And this is because when we believe in Jesus, we enter into life with Jesus. And the apostle Paul would say it's no longer me who's living, it's Christ who lives in me, which would parallel what Jesus said.  Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. So, there's a couple of ways of looking at this passage. And I think we would pretty much agree that Jesus isn't inviting us to become cannibals or vampires. Although, this is exactly what the early church got accused of. And what brought a lot of marginalization to early Christians in the societies that they lived in and what brought on persecution.

And then we get to Proverbs. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. And that would submit that that's pretty self-explanatory, but pretty deeply penetrating into the ways that we interact. That proverb is worth committing to memory. It's worth remembering and calling to mind before any conversation is going to take place. Because knowing this verse after the fact, right? After things have already blown up and world war 3 is raging, well, it's a little late.  But walking into a situation knowing a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Knowing that going in changes how you communicate.  So we've covered some serious ground today.

Prayer:

And, Father, we invite you into it. It touches on a lot of different things.  It touches us theologically, it touches us practically, it touches us historically. All these things that they keep churning as we continue to move through your Word and you keep touching every part of our lives.  And that's what we want.  We want all of you, all that you have for us. And in return we give all that we are to you, which is such a lopsided trade. But it's what we have. We give our hearts, our minds our wills, our bodies, our spirits to you and invite your Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. And we ask expectantly, knowing that you will. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi everyone, it’s Karen in St. Louis. Hey, I just wanted to celebrate with Terry. It was so great to hear you calling him and also hearing all the others who have called in. And we have all been praying for you brother. And I totally agree with what Bob from Michigan said today and loved how we talked about doing the kill and fill. I try to pray for the Holy Spirit to fill me each day before I get out of bed but I never thought about killing that flesh. And, so, I just wanted to say thank you for that. And also, I want to lift up Hopeful. I heard your prayer request for a child and I will be praying for you. And God can do it. My best friend got pregnant when she was 42 years old after many years trying. And, so, I pray that you will just have peace in the waiting. And, oh gosh Brian, once again your commentary on Proverbs 14:30-31. I unplug from social media from time to time and as you all know the desire in my heart for having a husband and a family has never happened. And, so, as the years have gone on, I mean, I’ve celebrated with friends and family who’ve gotten married and had kids but, gosh, I just find it harder and harder. And envy has been an issue that I continually have to write down even had at our Good Friday service at church. We had to give a funeral and pick up flowers for one besetting sin. The one that I picked out was envy. And, so, I would just ask that you would all pray that the peace that surpasses all understanding would just fill my heart, every square inch of it, and that the Lord would take away this desire if it’s not his. But, anyway, thanks again Brian and I love you all. Bye-bye.

Hey, this is Blessed Like Me coming to you with a message of knowing who God is. Now, we all have our own idea who God is but one thing we can all agree on - denomination to denomination, reverend to layman - we can all agree that God is sovereign but sometimes we forget this and sometimes we try to play the position of God. We try to pull the strings that God does. We try to do the things that God does. That’s not the thing that we are to do. God has given us, gave us commandments and things to do. We are to love God with all our heart all our soul all our mind, but we are to know that God is sovereign. And when we know that God is sovereign there are certain things we don’t do, there are certain things we don’t do. And we don’t try to manipulate or try to change things that God has already ordained and put into place. Now, one thing He has placed for us to do is to go. And don’t want us to sit on our hands and be Christians that can’t do anything, but He also wants us to know that God is in control. He is in control. Our God is in control. Somebody needed this today. Somebody needed to know that God is in control. No matter how much you worry. No matter how much you contemplate. No matter how much you try to design and change things, God is in control, and know that your life will go so much easier in your Christian walk with Him. Remember you’re not walking in front of Him you’re walking with Him. And God wants us to be his children. And one thing children do is they know their father, they know their parents. So, He wants us to know Him and to know what He wants from us. Blessed Like Me coming to you from __ knowing God’s sovereignty. God is sovereign. He’s all sovereign. Love you guys. Miss you DAB family. I Love you so much. Thank you, Jill, and Brian for this ministry. Love you guys.

Hey DAB family. This is Jordan from Texas, first time caller. Been listening since the end of Deuteronomy. Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and let you guys know how blessed I am by this ministry and all of you guys prayers, poems, singing, it’s awesome. I just wanted to encourage a couple people that I’ve heard lately. Terry the truck driver, a lot of people been praying for you and giving you words of encouragement. Just wanted to say, aw man, you mentioned that you feel like God has given up on you and I just want to remind you about Jesus saying, you know, I want you…to His disciples saying...saying, you know, forgive those who sin against you 70×7 times in a day. And, you know, He did mean 490. He meant however many it took. And, so, if He required that of us, how much more is God willing to forgive you then. And, you know, it’s just a big fat lie that He has given up on you. So, be encouraged brother. I hope you are. I’m praying for you. Last person, if I have time here, Hopeful, just listened to yours, May 8th, desperately wanting children and the doctors saying you’re too old, 40, turning this year. I met a woman last year, she’s on her 12th child and she’s 50. So, it’s not too late for you and I just want to encourage you and let you know that I’m praying for you daily. So, all right, love you guys. It’s a blessing. So, have a good day.

Hi Fam. My name is Leah E. This is my second call. My first call was spoke so quickly and nervously I don’t think it was understandable. That was about a year ago. I’m calling today because 14 years ago the Lord found it fitting for me to leave a life of substance abuse and isolation. And over the last six years things got kind of rough. I lost my mother, my father, two close friends and my brother all in separate tragic incidents, incidents most of which I witnessed firsthand. Despite this, I stayed the course of sobriety. And I know now that’s because of prayers that begotten more prayers that begotten more prayers all started by a friend of mine who I love very dearly. Now that friend is struggling with substance abuse and depression and terrible seizures and that often terrify her children. Of course, she’s decided to call herself an atheist. The prayer chain she began reached thousands of people and blessed me with comfort and healing when I needed it the most. Also, another dear friend checked herself into the hospital today to keep from committing suicide. It’s a regular pattern that she can’t break alone. I know what that feels like and I know that God lifted these feelings from me as easily as He did the substance abuse, like peeling a glove off and exposing a clean hand. I know that with all of you out there praying my friend’s illnesses don’t stand a chance. Prayers are miracles and I can’t wait to see the miracles that He puts in place through you all. My friend’s names are Stacey M. and Mayly L. Thank you, family. Also, shout out to Slave of Jesus. Everything you do inspires me man. Thank you, guys. Bye.

[colonialsurfer]

SECULAR SURFACE Surfing The Nations / TEXT

Click here and download part 1 of this text as a pdf: SECULAR SURFACE - Surfing The Nations

In 1936, Walter Benjamin wrote the classic and often referenced text The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Boris Groys has more recent written Religion in the age of digital reproduction (2009).

The philosopher and the artist Groys writes, among other things, that religion and conspiracy theories are two things that really benefit from the Internet and the network community. He believes that the spread and rise of these have increased significantly with our digitized era. Religion is facing a renaissance through digital social media. New forms of religion and religiosity are being developed.

The Internet in its structure benefits private, unconditional and sovereign freedom before scientific, conditional, institutional freedom, or sharing of legitimized viewpoints and perspectives. It is the unconditional and not proven information that can more easily and without resistance spread through the Internet. I also want to point out that this goes on in the market-liberal economy. It is information that in a superficial way fits easier within different situations, this is because it’s not regulated and therefore becomes more fast-formulated. It becomes competitive in spite of its major shortcomings, and Groys’ declares it as survival of the fittest in accordance with a Darwinist perspective. It finds favorable positions, diversity of positions, precisely through how it is not anchored and thus can move unlimitedly.

(…)

During the prayer meeting, I placed a camera next to me and pressed the record button. It captures sound while standing and filming sneakily. Some minutes later, we do a prayer in which we pray for getting blessed with photographs and video material that will spread our message.

(…)

The reason for my work as a missionary for Surfing The Nations is that I see it as a performance work part of my art practice. There is nobody in place who knows about my intentions. My role could possibly be described in other ways than an artist. I'm there as a surfer. I'm there as a missionary. I'm there as an anthropologist. I'm there as a tourist. I'm there as a journalist. At the same time, none of these roles are true.

(…)

When I’m leaving the church and the area I feel a bit bestial. I write bestial (a beast) here with a link to how artists work with a context in real life, and then symbolically cannibalize on it to talk about something else. It’s a consumption of meaning, consumption of the environment and the people in order to be used as a representation. A violence that is close to hand within photographic and recording techniques. During our fairly personal conversation, I had placed a sound recorder switched on in a textile bag. Did I lie to this priest, I ask myself then? The priest who even may have baptized me at exactly on this spot in Onsala.

Honesty is honored within Christianity. You shall be true to yourself and you must be true to God. Within surf culture, it is important to be genuine and authentic. You are supposed to do things for real. Otherwise, you're just a poser.

Click here and download part 1 of this text as a pdf: SECULAR SURFACE - Surfing The Nations

(…)

Renovation

We get to hear from Niklas and Kristin that we are about to paint and renovate the village's hairdressing salon. The salon is very small but centrally located in Arugam Bay. What we are about to do is explained as extensive aid work. After an internal meeting in our compounds, we go to the barber to tell him about our plans.

Niklas talks to the hairdresser in an educating manner and tone. We listen behind him almost like supervision in the small room. The discussion is mostly, or almost extensively a monologue. The words get outspoken from Niklas in a slightly superior jargon. But he is also adapting the words to a kind of made-up slang English for someone who isn’t so good at the language. Niklas is seeking for approval while explaining in sweeping gestures about what he, or we, are about to do in the barbershop.

It goes on in a way that resembles how a seller tries to convince a potential customer. The technique is based on excluding other possible alternatives.

- Just think about it, you know, cause what we wanna do, we wanna paint inside and fix.

Paint outside, paint the door, paint everything. Says Niklas and continues.

(…)

- You know in America they sell shampoo and wax and

I know here different I know.

But we make shelves.

The stereo we put in the back so you can’t see.

Everything very nice looking, clean. And we wanna paint everything new, new curtains.

Paint this, paint everything really, really nice.

It´s ok for you or?

Since it´s not the hairdresser himself who owns the place, the decision requires the involvement of more people. But we are determined and have already decided. Within the group, we are told by Niklas and Kristin that we are going to do something very good, a good deed, and something that will affect the community in the right way. We are going to spread a positive message in the village.

Niklas to the hairdresser again:

- We wanna help to fix, but, we need to know.

We need to, we look in the shelves see how much money.

How much money cost.

We will see, cause we have very little money.

Not much money this year, so not much money.

But we wanna start with the painting.

It’s going to be obvious for everyone who passes that we are working in the room. At first, there is a curtain in the large window towards the street but we take it down. The hairdresser is someone that many from the village visit regularly. The plan is that the hairdresser's customers will see how the place has been painted and redone, and then stories will be told about our group. And from the street people will see us working.

One of Surfing the Nations many taglines, for example, used in their videos: Be the change you want to see in the world. This is explained as a Mahatma Gandhi quotation. It's an incorrect quote that has become viral on the internet. I don’t know exactly where it originates and how it began to spread. What Ghandi really said that gave rise to this is: We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.

Gandhi expressed something that is somewhat more complex, humble, listening to the environment and self-reflective criticism. It is about thinking about your own role and changing yourself, rather than focusing on changing the world through your deeds and your role. How we act in Sri Lanka and Arugam Bay, our way of thinking and our roles is supposed to change the surrounding place.

In proportion to the size of the hairdressing salon, we are way too many on-site working. The small room is full of our bodies in action. We begin our work by emptying the salon on things. For example, there is a large amount and variety of posters on the walls in organic patterns.

- Is it ok to tear these down? Is Kristin asking Niklas.

- Yes. Do Niklas answer frankly.

We tear down the posters from the walls, an act that makes them crumpled and torn apart. What these pictures mean or are of value to the hairdresser is nothing we really take into account. He might have collected these for years. Posters that soon lie in a pile on the floor.

At a rather late stage of the process, when we have already have decided the color, Kristin asks while the hairdresser is in the room if Niklas knows how the hairdresser actually wants it.

- Ask him. Niklas reply very card.

At this point, I think I've got some understanding of how Niklas thinks. As prejudice and pretext from me I think that Niklas doesn’t expect the hairdresser to answer something clearly. That is an argument from his side about why we should control and decide the design.

- What colors do you want in here? - Do you like green? Kristin says to the hairdresser. The barber doesn´t know this, but green is the color we’ve already chosen. The hairdresser shakes his head and expresses something far out with his eyes.

- Do you like orange?

He does not answer and Kristin continues.

- Black? Black everywhere?

- Black? No! Says the hairdresser.

When Kristin then asks about the hairdresser's favorite color, he points up at one of the walls and says blue. The cerise cold blue color in which the room is already painted in is the hairdresser's favorite color. It’s a pleasant tone in a place with a sunny, warm and hot climate.

Like I mentioned before, the argument raised about why we should paint in a different color, according to Niklas and Kristin, is because the hairdresser doesn’t have a strong opinion. He doesn’t know what he wants. We know the good taste and that is part of what we bring as our positive message. With scrapers, we slowly scratch away the blue color from the walls. There is no air conditioning in the room and we are not used to working in this heat. Sweat pours down our bodies while we work and many of the men in our group are dressed in surf-shorts and no top.

After a while, I'm told to stop scraping the paint off the walls. We are going to skip this step and paint directly on top of the old surface. This is an approach that every painter knows will lead to bad quality. A way of cheating that doesn’t get the paint to attach very well to the wall and will make it likely to fall off in the near future. At first, during the process of scraping, I protest and want to continue the work until it’s done. But I give up when Niklas explains that we won’t have enough time to complete our work. We don’t have time because we have other things to do here in Arugam Bay during our stay. In a few days, a surf contest will begin as part of the international surfing tour. We are aiming to attend the beach and spread the word about Surfing The Nations. In the barbershop, we fill up the worst holes in the room with putty knives before we start painting with a clear strong lime green color. The green is a bit similar to the color that usually appears on green screens.

We are then standing in a green room. A green-room within wave surfing is when you are in a good surf position inside a barreling wave. A reference in movie making is green rooms or green screens that are used to film things, or people so that the motive can be edited into any other visual context and background. A green room is also what you find backstage at a theater.

We also build a very simple wall in the room and put up simple self-made shelves on it. Once the room is painted completely green, we also add straight horizontal brown-orange and white stripes. We paint these across all the walls of the room. We make the brown-orange stripes wide and the white ones more narrow. If you compare with the free organic style from earlier with a lot of colorful posters on the walls, it is now possible to resemble the room more as a normative Ikea interior. But the room is quite a bit more exaggerated than the ones appearing in the IKEA catalogs. The stripes that go through all the walls of the room define the room and make it very definite. It is like an already set room and becomes a very closed body.

The stripes that are in the room now can be linked to sports culture. They look like typical sportswear patterns that for example appear on t-shirts, polo shirts or sport pants, etc. And a reference through us in the room is that it looks like something connected to wave surf culture. Such as minimalist painted landscapes, sea horizons, and sunsets. But the stripes and the contrast in colors also resemble borders in a sports playing field, such as a field for soccer, tennis, basketball and so on.

It is also noticeable how the pattern on the walls resembles the style of modernism painting, and then a lot of modernist abstract paintings in especially the late modernism era after World War II. In the 1930s radical modernist art provoked the Nazis.

And the Nazis adapted art they did not like, the modernism, as degenerated art and they persecuted designated artists. Artists had to flee from the Nazis.

After World War II, in late modernism, a lot of paintings were done with monochrome paint fields. Painting would then, within the dominant discourse that was pronounced through art criticism and theory, preferably only be surface and paint. Artists who were abstract expressionists and formalists were busy searching for the essence of the medium. At the same time, the artists often had magnificent existential or spiritual motives for their works. Those for the time radical but aesthetically rather simple works of color fields became very popular within the art scene in the 40s and 50s. It has been read historically, among other things, as a search for clean projection surfaces of a bright future after a devastating horrible and traumatizing world war. Today, it’s possible to see similar abstract aesthetics as something very common in commercial contexts, and as a pattern in modern contemporary architecture.

How those abstract color fields as an aesthetic expression in the contemporary are read as something apolitical is part of what makes them very popular nowadays I think. But monochrome painting and abstract expressionism in the 50s and 60s had a role in the Cold War. The CIA funded abstract expressionism and marketed American art to place the United States as a culturally free country. This was done without the artist’s active participation or knowledge and they became part of a propaganda machine. What matters for the CIA's choice of art genre to support economically were that the content of the abstract expressionism paintings themselves were insignificant political narratives.

Regardless of where the aesthetic originates from or how it is charged with meaning, it is now placed in this room to make a difference, it is said within our group that this aesthetic will lead to a change. Through my actions, it is being connected with a socially embedded art project. It becomes something to read as a representation, to be interpreted and examined symbolically. It is us who bring up stories and say our meanings. We are directing. What is then almost bluntly clear is that the pattern of the walls is the same color scheme as for Surfing The Nations headquarters in Hawaii. And the same goes for a large hand-painted Surfing The Nations sign at the organization's enclosed area here in Arugam Bay.

On the glass window, which is the wall facing the street, the name of the hairdressing salon is written, as well as other information, in colorful ornamental letters. It is written both in the Latin letters and with letters from the Sinhala alphabet. We are scraping away each part of those letters and words, carefully, as we renovate.

The village's artist and designer, who most probably has painted these letters as well, is saying that he wants to do the job with a new design and also a new sign. But Niklas and Kristin have decided that a girl from France will do the job. I never meet her, but the intended girl apparently works as an illustrator and a designer in her home country. The job here is probably something Surfing The Nations won't pay anything for. They will explain the contribution as a kind of voluntary aid work.

The village local artist doesn´t give up and he keep on trying to get the assignment. Then Niklas asks him to bring along a portfolio of what he´s done before. In this situation is a portfolio not something to take for granted and the question is a bit rude. The works he has done are placed around in the village of Arugam Bay. Niklas sound is snobbish like a blasé person in the art industry when an unknown artist wants to show his works. The artist then tries to show examples of his creativity without showing any traditional portfolio. A bit later he brings with him an old satellite dish which he explains that he can make a spectacular sign of putting on the ridge of the building. The weeks and even months while Surfing The Nations are in Arugam Bay, the letters we erased from the window aren´t getting replaced in any way. The surface remains clean.

When I arrive in Sri Lanka and for the first time meet the group from Surfing The Nations at the Airport in Colombo, I wear a silver crucifix in a thin silver chain around my neck. It´s a crucifix I received as a gift from my classmates at Konstfack when I turned 30 years old. That I would work with this project was a reason for giving me the crucifix. They wanted me to remember them and that I would rather think of art than of God and religion. However, they were worried that I would disappear into Surfing The Nations organization when I took a break from the studies at Konstfack for this.

Later on-site in Sri Lanka, I was told, by others in Surfing The Nations, to remove the crucifix from my neck. It was because a crucifix could make it more difficult to meet the locals and be seen friendly in Arugam Bay.

From the beginning, before we changed anything in the room, it was very organic in the aesthetics with posters hanging here and there is a variation on the walls. When we considered ourselves finished with the hairdressing salon a few days later, the room looks a bit like a more extreme IKEA interior. When I later show a video from our work in the hairdressing salon, it is a common response from the audience that they get a bad feeling in their gut and stomach. And what was done there in Sri Lanka can be seen and understood as a kind of abuse by design as a medium.

In the book Don´t waste your life, that I found in the organization's little Christian library in Arugam Bay, I read a criticism of postmodernism. It was a book that was popular to read in our group.  John Piper, who wrote the book, quotes the author C.S Lewis in a part where he is trying to explain why he thinks postmodernism is the wrong way to go:

You can ́t go on ”seeing through” things forever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it. It is good that the window should be transparent, because the street or garden beyond it is opaque. How if you saw through the garden too? It is no use trying to ”see through” first principles. If you see through everything, then everything is transparent. But a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ”see through” all things is the same as not to see.

Ideas about taste as true values ​​are common in our group. Our group is convinced that, objectively, it looks much better in the hairdressing salon after we repainted. Something that people who have been an audience for my video rarely agreed with. I have never heard anyone say: Wow! The Barbershop became really nice! Instead, I have heard expressions of uneasiness and unpleasant feelings. To understand the uneasy feeling and see why I think a deconstruction of the context is required here. I read the C.S. Lewis quote in this context as a simplification. A logic that is not at all transferable to the criticism of postmodernism and its way of deconstructing truths and values. Deconstructing something doesn´t mean that it ceases to exist or stops being meaningful. Instead, theoretical deconstructions help to make understandable what you see and why you understand it in a certain way. The world is out there and it is opaque in a lot of senses.

Click here and download part 1 of this text as a pdf: SECULAR SURFACE - Surfing The Nations

[shenanigumi]

The Demons: A Characterization Comparison (Stories vs KW)

Since people have prompted me for my opinions on various aspects of Kyoto Winds, I’ve been thinking a little more over the past week, and I think I may be ready to coherently explain the biggest problem I have the only way I know how: a ridiculously long essay with plenty of canon backup from both sides. Don’t get me wrong; I still think KW is a good game overall, and I still do like it as its own thing, but there are a few pretty significant reasons the KW continuity can never replace that of Stories for me as ‘ultimate canon’. And I can say with confidence that the sequel will fix nothing; as regards the biggest of those reasons, the damage has already been done.

Length, just so you know what you’re getting into: 16 paragraphs, 7 block quotes. Extra salt. (Insert Takeda joke here.)

Okay, so yeah, the translation was pretty subpar. And yeah, I loathe Iba’s route more than any other in any iteration of the game ever. I could talk all day about either or both of those. But the thing that bothers me most is actually relatively minor in comparison: the demons’ characterization.

In Stories, the demons are very much their own people. Being a demon is a part of who they are, and it is even a driving force for some of them, but it is never so significant that it takes over their entire identity. Sen governs her people kindly and wisely, but is isolated from the rest of the demon clans and is known to be somewhat lonely. Kazama is preoccupied with being an honorable demon, but he decides what that means, which is a part of why his personality varies route to route. It is that same ability to choose one’s own definition of what it means to be an honorable demon that causes Kodo and/or Kaoru to go astray. Amagiri prefers to live an honorable life as a person and as a warrior, while his role as demon is secondary to that. And Shiranui, simply put, doesn’t care in the slightest. All of them are fantastic characters driven by their own internal motivations, just like all the humans. The fact that they are demons may influence their personalities, but it never overrides them.

However, in KW, it seems that they’ve made being a demon a lot more significant, to the point that this emphasis starts eclipsing their personalities and even individuality as people. Sen is not only a princess of her own people, but is hinted to have some sort of authority over other clans. Amagiri and Shiranui are a lot more restrictive as regards Kazama’s attempts to kidnap Chizuru, actively preventing him from making a move on the streets of Kyoto (on Sakamoto’s route) as opposed to reluctantly cooperating—which in turn makes no sense, because this time around, they seem to alternately help and hinder with no explanation. The mention of ‘stray demons’, whom have deviated in some way from a never-before-mentioned code, is also introduced with reference to Kodo and Kaoru’s scheming (on Kazama’s route).

Sound familiar? It should, because Kyoto Winds has cannibalized itself trying to encompass the entire Hakuōki franchise in a single continuity… which unfortunately contains Demons’ Bond. DB as a prequel-spinoff of Hakuōki has never made sense to me in the first place, and it makes even less now. There’s just too much friction. I’ll own that in the Venn diagram of the two games, there is some overlap (the amount of which varies person to person and is very little for me personally), but there are still two separate circles in that diagram, objectively speaking. There are too many direct contradictions between Stories canon and DB canon for them to logically be set in the exact same universe with no changes.

However, to my dismay, KW seems to value DB highly enough as part of the continuity to sacrifice some of the very canon that originally contradicted it. The problem with this is that the reason I love Hakuōki is the original canon, because it explains just enough for everything to make sense without going into so much detail that any holes are readily recognizable. Since KW seems to alter that canon to try and accommodate DB, there are now too many in-universe alleged facts that do not add up. So, without further ado…

Although something had been bothering me in the back of my mind for some time, what first caused me to consciously realize the difference in the demons’ characterization is actually the contrast in Shiranui’s personality, because I love him enough that I am more sensitive to his quirks. In Stories, there’s an automatic bad ending on Ch4 of Harada’s route if you choose to run:

Shiranui: “Whoa, not so fast!”

I heard the crack of a gun firing, and my body shook as if I’d been punched… If I’d just been shot, then the wound should have healed itself already, but with every heartbeat, I could feel warm blood pouring out of my body.

Shiranui: “Even a demon can’t heal a shot through the heart… You’d run off and let a human fight your battles? You don’t have any pride at all, do you? I’m disappointed.”

But in KW, not only does trying to run have no effect (and in fact it seems implied to be the Right Decision this time???), but on an actual bad ending:

Shiranui: “What? You want some too? Sorry, but as it goes, female demons are a rare sight. So I can’t kill you just yet. Give it up.”

Then she runs off and someone else kills her, but that interaction still jarred me. Since when does Shiranui, of all demons, care? At all? Ever? Is this because “killing another demon is a punishable act that makes the offender a ‘stray demon’” [Kodo, KW Kazama Ch5]? But Shiranui is already breaking the code by interfering with human history, and besides that, he never values demonic culture more highly than what he himself thinks is right. He has a mind of his own—a wonderfully wayward mind. For him to suddenly decide “oh, you’re a Female Demon and that’s Really Important so I can’t kill you” completely undermines the fact that the issue of race is secondary to him. As far as he’s concerned, demons are better than humans, but he’ll still call demons assholes, and he’ll still befriend humans. Sparing Chizuru because she’s a female demon is something he would never do.

Now, back to the concept of interference with human history being taboo, because that was the biggest issue I had with DB, and it has now also seeped into KW (both the below quotes from Iba’s route):

Kimigiku: “Although demons are forbidden to interfere with human history… now that you have received the Demon’s Arm, you are no longer a human. You will receive no mercy from me.”

Sen: “…The life you had lived as a human would cease, for you cannot interfere with human history.”

If it is forbidden for demons to interfere directly in human history, and if Sen has the authority to banish demons (more on that later), then why does she permit Shiranui to continue fighting on behalf of Choshu when he is not acting to repay a debt, but according to his own will? Why does Sen not forcibly take Chizuru away to prevent her from getting caught up in human history, as she already has been? And besides all that, what are the consequences of being a ‘stray demon’—that is, why exactly does everyone consider it such a fearsome punishment? 

This is a direct contrast from Stories (“A Meeting of Demons” DLC):

The demons who’d settled in Yase had always been close to the emperor and the court from the moment they were granted permission to live at the base of the mountain. Those ties became stronger over the years, and from time to time, they worked in the shadows to advance the emperor’s agendas, starting during the reign of Emperor Go-Daigo. That had been the beginning of the Genkou era… Relations between Go-Daigo and the Kamakura shogunate had become strained. Eventually, they devolved into open conflict. The emperor and his supporters were driven from Kyoto and fled to Mount Hiei, where the demons of Yase protected them. As thanks for their loyalty in a time of need, the emperor granted them permanent exemption from land taxes, and granted special dispensation for some individuals to serve the emperor in times of emergency. Since then, the demons living in Yase had been inextricably tied to the imperial court. This meant that the village leader was expected to maintain relations with the court in addition to protecting the village. The demons of Yase had great respect for Princess Sen, the imperial court, and the emperor, for it was through them that they could live a life of relative peace and happiness.

And do you know what? That all makes sense! If Sen and her demons keep to themselves and expect all other demons to do the same, there would be no reason for Kimigiku to have undergone training to be an oiran in Shimabara. The point of that job is to gather information that can’t be easily obtained simply by listening to the gossip of the times. What point would there be in uncovering more confidential intel if demons are expected to live apart from humans and stay out of their conflicts? In Stories, it is because information is their trade in their service for the emperor. That’s a lovely little loop with no real holes.

Edit: Come to think of it, if demons are supposed to stay out of human matters, what reason does Sen have to come to Kyoto personally if she doesn’t already know about Chizuru? If she just wanted to hear the talk of the town, she could send other, less important people to listen in on conversation. And don’t tell me it’s because of her tomboyish personality, because one of her main points is that she weighs demonic custom much more highly than her own happiness. Or maybe they retconned that trait out of existence, too.

See, Stories paints a picture where demons and humans coexist (or don’t!) on their own terms, unique from clan to clan and demon to demon, practically symbolic of how and why conflict affects everyone, even those who are technically neutral—and it all hangs together. Even Kazama’s assertion at the end of his route that he will go back to living in the shadows is ultimately a personal decision, and although it is implied to be common-sense custom, it is never stated to be law. KW tries to squeeze all demons into the same mold, under a single overarching idea of What It Means to Be a Demon, which (in a hilariously bad line) Amagiri refers to as “the rules of being a demon”. There is no longer any room for individual interpretation, and although the writers removed that nuance, they did not remove some of its effects, such as Kimigiku having trained to be a geisha. There is no longer an adequate explanation for why the universe is the way it is, and it is very hard for me to suspend disbelief when I can see so many holes.

To circle back to the matter of Sen’s social standing, she and her predecessors are revealed (also in the “A Meeting of Demons” DLC) to have earned the title of ‘Princess’ because the clan has been led by female demons whom have protected Yase for generations, like any other clan leader. In other words, for Sen, ‘Princess’ is a title, not an even further elevated social status. In addition to her isolation, social and otherwise, this explains why she is not particularly famous among other demons. She has no authority over them; only over her own people. Suddenly saying that she has some kind of jurisdiction over other demons apart from her own village makes no sense, considering that several of them don’t seem to recognize her or her position. If she were really that powerful and well-to-do, you’d think she would be more influential. Instead, Kimigiku has to explain more precise details about who she is to Kazama on Heisuke’s route.

And that brings us to the retcon I hope to make infamous:

Sen: “Have you forgotten the law that we are not to become involved with human politics? …Using the power of demons to interfere with, if not destroy, the shogunate is out of the question. That means, of course, that attacking the men of the Shinsengumi with the intention of abducting this one here is out of line, as well.”

No, it’s not??? No, it literally isn’t. Kazama is working for the Satsuma to repay a debt, like the honorable demon he is. Attacking the Shinsengumi falls well within the lines of acceptable behavior as far as that debt goes, and nobody said anything about helping bring down the shogunate. In fact, Kazama tells her as much himself, but—without offering any legitimate counterargument—Sen simply says that even if leaves the service of the clan, it doesn’t excuse him from what he’s already done. Then she starts ranting at him about how she’s going to banish him and disband his clan if he doesn’t agree to leave Chizuru alone. (I’d include more of it in the block quote, but the translation was so shoddy I couldn’t stomach it.)

Now, keep in mind that Kazama barely knew who Sen was at the start of this conversation, and that she has never demonstrated the capacity to follow through with her authority. That is, even if she banished him and split his clan, who would carry out that command? And on what grounds? Yet, despite every reason to continue the argument or even attack, Kazama just… gives up. That’s right, Kazama. Gives. Up. For no comprehensible reason. At all. This interaction doesn’t hang together with anybody’s characterization as I understand it, not to mention the fact that Sen’s assertions don’t make sense. Furthermore, if she really can force Kazama to stand down like that, and his alleged crimes really are so grievous, why does she not confront Kazama and force him to stop pursuing Chizuru on every route? And, come to think of it, why doesn’t she do it earlier? Like, as soon as she knows who Chizuru is earlier?? This plot point doesn’t make sense to begin with, let alone as a replacement for its Stories equivalent:

Kazama: “I see. Well, if you will bear my child, then that is certainly more than I could hope for. However, I see no reason to abandon my current—” Sen: “You insolent, ungrateful knave! Know your place! …What clan could possibly offer you a more prestigious lineage than mine? Your child would be a descendant of Suzuka Gozen! You could take as many wives as you wished, but you would never sire the like again! To even consider any other woman as mother to your child is utter folly. You are the head of the Kazama clan. Surely, you have the foresight to see that.” Kazama: “You have an impertinent mouth… Nonetheless, this is an interesting proposition. I see you have not inherited the elegance of your predecessor, however. Very well. Once the Satsuma have overthrown the shogunate, I will come for you. I suspect that will be soon.”

See how Kazama now has an actual, specific incentive for leaving Chizuru alone—because Sen offered a sufficiently enticing alternative? See how he’s still not including himself among the Satsuma who will overthrow the shogunate? See how nobody mentions interfering with human history or what it means to be a demon? And do you see why I’m not just unhappy about this scene because it de-canonizes my OTP? Even if they choose to make KazaSen possible later, it will make even less sense in this already nonsensically altered context.

…And that reminds me of all my fears for the sequel in general. Because I know for a fact they’re including a certain CG in the sequel, Kazama will still be working with Heisuke and Chizuru, presumably to rescue Sen. Why would he rescue someone who earlier threatened to banish him and destroy his clan? Even if it’s only for the sake of saving a fellow demon and/or eliminating the furies, nothing could realistically entice him to work so closely with people he still considers enemies. His promise to leave Chizuru alone is extremely tenuous, since there is no longer an alternative proposition to attach him to Sen; only the threat of banishment keeps him in line this time. In fact, if Sen is indisposed and unable to enforce her threat, what exactly is keeping Kazama from taking Chizuru anyway?

Basically, the progression of Heisuke’s route—and Sen’s subplot in particular—relies on an incredibly delicate balance of characterization, which has now been upset because they removed the one factor that ties everything together. In general, KW appears to have significantly altered the basis of several interactions and added a few more explicit implications and undertones, but does not actually follow those changes and additions to their logical conclusions. Therefore, as far as demons are concerned, the game tries to shed more light on their culture, but that light creates more visible shadows where the newly created holes are.

In short, because of the changes KW has made to the demons’ culture and characterization, however minor they may be, the newest version of canon provides far more questions than answers—and therefore, I will always prefer the more complete, deeper, and better-translated Stories.

[scuttleboat]

If you're still up for it, i'm curious if you have any thoughts on what Bellamy's overall journey will be this season? Aside from, y'know, his whole (imo, unnecessary) redemption arc.

note: written after 406 

I think we’re in the middle of it, and one of the things that has been somewhat frustrating is that it’s kind of muddy what either Clarke or Bellamy’s character arcs are going to be. We’re halfway through, but neither of them have developed much or changed much since 403.  Octavia’s loss seemed like it would be significant but we still don’t know what the fallout will be for Bellamy.

Redemption in The 100

The concept of redemption is something that I think we as viewers have been hashing over since the first truly terrible things began to happen in season 2. We ask: 

Do these characters need to be redeemed? 

Is a redemption happening on screen?  

Even if we (the fans) may not think a “redemption arc” is required to like a character’s storyline, does that character themselves feel that they need to be redeemed in order to sleep at night?

What are the benchmarks of a “redemption arc” anyway, since it’s a thing that everyone talks about, yet seems to mean radically different things to different viewers.

Do we measure it by the religious ideas of penitence, atonement, etc? Or is there a pop fiction criteria for redemption that is unique to media, such as ‘feeling bad and doing something good so that the viewers are okay rooting for you again’?

Is a “redemption” possible in the accelerated timeline of the show, since on other series such a thing spans seasons or even the run of a series?

Why is everyone so sure that redemption arcs are happening or necessary?

And the one that gets to me:

Does the show even care about redemption as a storytelling trope, or is it enough in this world just to change one’s behavior?

That’s the one i think about a lot, wrt to characters like Bellamy, Lexa, Clarke, Kane, Jaha… who I’ll draw on since they’re some of the people with the highest body counts who are POV characters. With Clarke, she was devastated after 216, and she disappeared into the woods for 3 months. I think it was a conversation I had with @reblogginhood (so informative! she knows things.) last year about whether this period of forced isolation (similar to her year in the skybox) was her atonement for the deaths she allowed or caused in season 2.  In that case, her guilt was such that she seemed to need to punish herself, and the timeline of the series allowed for it.  

Lexa is a different case altogether: she tried to slaughter the kids at the dropship, she betrayed her allies and left them to be cannibalized, including the person she was falling in love with.  And yet, Lexa never displayed any indicators that she was undergoing a redemption arc, or even that she felt obligated to undergo one. I don’t think betraying Skaikru was a light decision for her by any means, and I think when she decided to protect them in s3 that it was a genuine move. Yet she never wept for the loss of life she caused, she never broke down and screamed and cried over her guilt…it wasn’t even clear that she felt any guilt at all. Responsibility yes, guilt no. She was a divine king doing what she need to protect her realm.  

Kane is another character who seems to feel, like Clarke, that atonement is required for ill deeds. He tries to sacrifice himself at the end of season 1, but Jaha “beats him to it”.  So Kane submits himself to the enemy in a dangerous self-sacrificing gesture in season 2, as his way to atone. That can be read as his redemption… maybe. Or is his redemption not the sacrifices, but actually the acts of good works that followed later? Was Kane’s redemption (for being part of a tyrranical Ark government) actually the choice to become a leader who acts in good faith, wisdom, and honor? Maybe he’s living that redemption every day, doing his best.

So maybe a character either thinks they need to atone or they don’t, what does “the narrative” think?  HA. TRICK QUESTION.  No one knows but JR and it’s up to us to read it and think it over. Fuck JR, go with “death of the author” if you want. In fact, I want to throw 2 definitions out here before I continue. These are, of course, overly simplistic explanations for complex theological and philosophical concepts, but it might help:

atonment - noun

satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

(sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.

Archaic. reconciliation; agreement.

redemption - noun

an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed.

deliverance; rescue.

Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.

atonement for guilt.

recovery by payment, as of something pledged.

For a lot of fans on a show this violent and this philosophical, there’s been discussion that a redemption comes “too soon” or isn’t “earned” if there isnt an act of atonement. Or sometimes people say the word “redemption” but they seem to be discussing atonement instead. paying for it, making amends, etc.  And often people talk as if the only way to “be redeemed” is by suffering.  There’s also, however, the concept that redemption comes through good works.  That we make amends for our misdeeds by choosing to do better. There are some acts that are too big to atone for, or there’s no one left to make amends to, and in that case one has to look instead to changing one’s behavior.  Making the choice to change.

And that’s brings me to Bellamy this season… [read more below the cut]

In 401 Kane told Bellamy to take it one day at a time (paraphrasing). Instead of obsessing about the past, make sure you do the right thing going forward, and this will ‘save’ you. While I know the Kane speech didn’t land well with everyone, in the abstract it’s a pretty well travelled philosophical idea. [[I don’t have the education to really get into it, but it’s a big part of some Christian dogma, for sure. I don’t have any education in Judaism but since JR is religious I’m sure that may factor in. And it’s part of American culture, which is where I (raging atheist) have absorbed it by osmosis.]]  When it comes to Bellamy’s character in season 4, especially with regards to a possible redemption… I think Bellamy wants very badly to atone. I think he has wanted that since 311-313 when he finally accepted that his actions were wrong according to his moral perspective. 

However, Bellamy is a very practical person. He doesn’t have time to run into the woods and atone in silent suffering. He doesn’t have time to go on a quest into the desert with 12 disciples looking for the promised land. Bellamy is cognizant of the immediate danger to his loved ones, so he’s going to act to protect them before he’s going to think about indulging in huge dramatic gestures of his sadness. Haters might want him to suffer but that’s just not realistic for this show. The most he can afford right now is to try to talk about his feelings (like to Riley and Echo in 405) or to put others before himself (like not wanting to be on the survivor list). There’s also the pressing matter that even if Bellamy were to do a big sacrificial gesture to atone and to earn redemption through suffering… that won’t help his sister live, and making sure Octavia survives matters a hell of a lot more to Bellamy than his self-image.

So is Bellamy going through a “redemption arc” right now?  Maybe. I don’t think he’s going through atonement, but I do think he’s trying to make wiser choices each day. I think he’s committing, as best he can, to save as many people he can each day (402), and he’s hoping that he’ll find some distant redemption by doing that. (if he’s even consciously thinking of it in those terms, which isn’t at all canon spoken, btw, so he might not be. He’s not trained in ethics or theology.)

What I think Bellamy is going through this season so far is a guilt arc.  He was in it for the back half of season 3, and he’s still in it. As things stand right now, I would like to think that his speech to Useless Riley in 405 was a wrap-up fo that. I felt guilt was pretty appropriate in 3B and starting season 4, since the writers have been trying to write their way back from their dumbfuck execution of his arc in 3a, but if he stays mired guilt for all season 4… that’s pretty one-note. I’m ready for that part of his character to move to the backburner. Not go away (lol this is The 100 after all), but no longer be the first bullet point on his character sheet every episode. I was with it up to a couple weeks ago, but this is mid season now!  I get it, Bellamy feels guilty.  Cool beans, BUT WHAT ELSE?  It’s definitely time for the writers to give him more to do emotionally.  As it is, though, I don’t think the show will let Bellamy move on until they let Octavia move on. That’s how it goes with the Blake siblings– when Octavia forgives Bellamy, he’ll be more able to forgive himself.  And that’s a totally fucked up thing to hinge one’s personal development on someone else…but these are the Blakes. They have a fucked up relationship. And before anyone asks, I’m not gonna get into whether it’s likely for Octavia to have or need a redemption arc because she’s is still in her emotional descent, and we don’t know what the other side is gonna be yet. Her collapse is in process.

To circle back around… I think one could make a really sound argument that  some characters see redemption as necessary (Clarke, Abby) and others don’t (Lexa, Murphy). So I don’t personally think that @the100writers feel it’s necessary every time. I think they’ve written a whole cast of people doing bad things, and some of those people are going to feel they have to make up for their mistakes, while others don’t. Whether or not that matches with what fans want to believe about their faves (Bellamy, Lexa, Murphy, Clarke) is always going to be up in the air.  IMO, it’s in-character for Bellamy to want to make amends, but it’s a fact of their world that he doesn’t have the opportunity. So he’s doing what he can one day at a time. Whether or not other fans think his actions require guilt or amends–and whether or not such things are being successfully shown on screen–is down to how we each interpret the show, and what unique circumstances we bring to our viewing experiences. In that vein, macro perspectives about whether giving a particular storyline to a particular character is an act of contributing to sex- or race-biased storytelling is also going to hugely depend on what what each viewer brings to the table, because not all of us see the same patterns at work.  And it runs into the storytelling reality that characters in spotlight roles means that they’re going to be faced with conflicts, negative circumstances, and ethical dilemmas. There’s supposedly no good guys on this show, so that means all of our faves are gonna do–and endure–terrible things.  Kill the idea that anyone here is a cupcake.*  People are going to die and people are going to kill, even people we think should be portrayed as noble or good. So it’s up to each viewer to look critically at a work of fiction, and talk about it, while at the same time understanding that at the end of the day no individual show or book or film is going to be everything we want, politically.  Whether or not we keep watching when a personal line is crossed is up to each of us to decide.

btw I think a lot of my opinions here about Bellamy’s s4 arc have been shaped by discussion I’ve had this season with other fans, so thanks for talking to me about Bellamy angst. Especially @mego42 and @storyskein and @velvet-tread, and more.  Talking to y’all is enlightening and makes me reconsider things all the time.

[kayawagner]

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Sewers exist from age to age, and could figure in an ancient setting as easily as a modern or future... 100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter Regular price: $1.49 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Welcome to the tenth title in Skirmisher Publishing’s popular and ongoing “100 Oddities” series! "100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter" is a thematic sourcebook that contains lists of 100 Items, 20 Places, and 30 People & Monsters that can be used separately or in conjunction with one another to add some evocative details to a Viking-themed encounter or to construct one from scratch. These elements routinely cross the line between actual mythological elements and meta-references to them, and storytellers can decide in any given case whether they are dealing with something legendary or merely reminiscent of it.  Oddities are things that stand out from the ordinary, and prompt both game masters and players to wonder about them. Oddities intrigue and&nbs... Fire Rooster (A Monster for 5th Edition) Regular price: $0.25 Bundle price: $0.33 Format: PDF In honor of the lunar Chinese New Year, Skirmisher Publishing is proud to announce the release of “Fire Rooster: A Monster for 5th Edition”!  Fire Roosters are elemental animals made of living metal that have glowing red metallic feathers, are studded with numerous small gems, and have low flames wreathing their bodies. Beyond the elemental planes that are their native homes, such creatures are most likely to be found in places like volcanoes and temple complexes of deities with which they are affiliated, where they typically serve as guardians or beloved pets. In cultures that observe the Lunar New Year and adhere to the Asian Zodiac, spellcasters often summon Fire Roosters to take part in annual celebrations, where they are displayed, doted on, fed treats, and directe... H.G. Wells' Little Orc Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF H.G. Wells’ Little Orc Wars is a fun, simple, fast-paced system that is designed to be quick to learn and easy to play, so that players can focus on concerns like strategy and having fun, rather than on mechanics. It includes both basic rules that can be used alone, plus a variety of optional rules that players can add as they see fit to take their games to the next level. These include guidelines for Giants, War Beasts, Undead, Dwarves, Elves, Amphibious and Aquatic Creatures, Elementals, Structures, Siege, Terrain, Boats, and Heroes like Champions (Paladins, Rangers), Priests (Clerics, Necromancers), and Wizards. As their name suggests, the rules contained in this booklet are based on and inspired by the rules and concepts presented by genius writer and game designer H.G.... H.G. Wells' Little Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF Originally written in 1913 by one of the greatest science fiction authors, this is a reprint of the book that gained H.G. Wells the title "Father of Modern Wargaming." Little Wars will appeal to science fiction fans, history buffs, students of politics and international affairs, wargamers, RPGers, and anyone else interested in the works of this great writer.  Skirmisher’s edition of Little Wars is divided into a Foreword, an Introduction, six Chapters, and an Appendix. Features of this edition include: Clear, authoritative, and entertaining text that reveals both the great mind and the sense of humor possessed by one of the world’s greatest science fiction authors. A complete miniatures wargame system that can be played as-is or used as the basis for other miniature... Insults & Injuries: A Pathfinder Sourcebook for Medical Maladies Regular price: $13.99 Bundle price: $3.99 Format: PDF You have never read a game book quite like this one! Written by a practicing medical doctor, Insults & Injuries presents real world illnesses in Pathfinder game terms. Why afflict characters with “filth fever” when you can give them rabies, the black plague, or the flu? Within this sourcebook, you will find dozens of sicknesses that your players already know and fear in a format that allows them to be easily and realistically brought into your games. You will also find expanded rules for more effective non-magical healing. This detailed book is divided into an introduction, 14 chapters, and six appendices and includes: * Rules for more than 50 diseases and disorders, their game effects, and how they can be treated by both mundane and magical means. * A chapt... Morlocks (Cardstock Characters™) Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Before there were Orcs there were Morlocks, the original cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers created by science fiction genius H.G. Wells! These grim humanoids first appeared in the post-apocalyptic classic The Time Machine. This set of miniatures follows the author's characterization of these creatures as cannibals, slavers, and the custodians of subterranean machinery and includes nine man-sized Morlocks, four juvenile Morlocks, and two large Morlock monstrosities, along with 10 weapon and equipment counters. These miniatures are designed to be compatible with other 25/30mm figures and can be printed out and assembled, as many times as desired. Two versions of each miniature are provided, one in full color and the other in black-and-white. H.G. Wells' Morlocks Mutant Race (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game) Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: PDF Crawling out from the wreckage of nuclear, biological, and chemical warzones, created in the laboratories of misguided geniuses, and spawning in realms contaminated by wild magic, mutants are both a race unto themselves and no race at all. Viewed with a mixture of contempt and pity by members of more clearly defined species, mutants are united in desperation by the abnormalities which separate them from other humanoids. As diverse — if not more so — in form and outlook as other humanoids, mutants display the best and worst characteristics evolution has to offer. This title contains guidelines for playing the Mutant Race as characters and includes details on physical appearance, society, relations with other races, alignment a... USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF In 2089, the universe is a cold, dangerous place. It’s up to the U.S. Space Marine Corps to secure the safety and security of U.S. interests in outer space through cutting edge tactics, training, and an armory full of high-tech firepower. USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations is a military-style field manual designed to read like an actual U.S. Space Marine Corps guide to boarding hostile spacecraft in 2089. Its author, Lt. Col. Oliver Cass, is an active-duty U.S. Army officer experienced in both real-world operations and manual writing. USSMC FM 7-22 is also the official publication of TerrorWerks, a heart-pounding live-action roleplaying experience. TerrorWerks players assume the roles of U.S. Space Marines, civilian engineers, and corporate execu... Warriors: A Comprehensive OGL Sourcebook for Fantasy Role-Playing Games Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $2.99 Format: PDF Warriors is a comprehensive OGL sourcebook for fantasy role-playing games that expands upon the description of the Warrior class in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. It is an invaluable resource both for game masters who want to expand the variety and realism of combat encounters and martial non-player characters and for players who want to enhance the military and combat capabilities of their own characters. Features include: 16 military prestige classes, including the Aerial Cavalryman, Charioteer, Combat Engineer, Executioner, Marine, Mechanist Infantry, Mountaineer, and Sheriff. More than 30 military subtypes, including archers, artillerists, cavalrymen, beast handlers, infantrymen, medics, pathfinders, peasant levies, and templars. Nine non-military subtypes, ... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3: High-Tech Weapons Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Like magical weapons in fantasy games, high-technology firearms are treasures that adventurers seek out with great eagerness in the post-apocalyptic world. No matter how cool a weapon is, however, players will always be looking for something better to use against the many hazards that populate the science fantasy post-apocalyptic wastes, and this third issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands is devoted to new toys that Game Masters can use to reward — or punish — their players. Several of the new weapons presented in this issue have the option of different types of ammunition, adding even more variety to a game. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and r... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #4: New Races Regular price: $0.99 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Even though some post-apocalyptic game worlds have only allowed Humans, mutants, mutant plants, and animals as characters, there has always been room to expand upon this. Mutant Future did an admirable job by introducing androids and other similarly “created” races but not enough to please many players and game masters. With that in mind, this issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands contains seven new “races” for players and GMs to use in their campaigns. Rules for dealing with robots are also included. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future R... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #9: High-Tech Weapons 2 Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF The second installment of our weapon-themed series, this issue picks up where Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3:High-Tech Weapons left off and presents more than a half-dozen new sorts of combat systems for both players’ and Mutant Lords’ enjoyment! Armaments covered include Antimatter Bombs, Bead Guns, Desiccators, EMP Weapons, Grenade Launchers, Plasma Projectors, and Screamers, along with one new associated condition. Wisdom from the Wastelands is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future RPG in particular. The material it contains are compatible with it and any ot...

Total value: $66.36 Special bundle price: $19.99 Savings of: $46.37 (70%)

Price: $66.36 Electrum Best Seller [BUNDLE] published first on https://supergalaxyrom.tumblr.com

[kayawagner]

Electrum Best Seller [BUNDLE]

Publisher: Skirmisher Publishing

This special 70% off bundle is Skirmisher Publishing's most electic and contains 15 of our most popular and bestselling titles! They include our universal Mythos Society Guide to New England and USMSC FM-22: Space Boarding Operations, two entries on our "Oddities" series, two sets of H.G. Wells tabletop wargaming rules, eight RPG supplements, and a set of miniatures. 

The Noble Wild Regular price: $9.99 Bundle price: $2.99 Format: PDF A 2008 ENnie Award Nominee! This exciting book introduces comprehensive rules for playing intelligent animals in a wide variety of game settings and situations. It will be popular with everyone from groups that want to try all-animal or mixed animal/humanoid parties, to players who want to expand the options for their animal companions and familiars, to game masters who are looking for interesting and unexpected foes to run against their players. Features of this "Animal Player’s Handbook" include: Statistics for more than 60 playable species of noble animal; Modifications and additions to existing classes, skills, and feats appropriate to animal characters; A new basic character class, the Greater Familiar; Eight new Prestige Classes, including the Man-Eater a... Mythos Society Guide to New England Regular price: $3.49 Bundle price: $1.99 Format: PDF The Mythos Society Guide to New England is an expansive universal sourcebook by veteran game designer Clint Staples that can be used to enhance any horror, mystery, or adventure roleplaying scenarios set in New England. It is particularly suited for Mythos-oriented games like Call of Cthulhu and Cthulhu Live. It is also a fun and provocative read for anyone interested in the esoteric history of New England, and a resource for stories or other projects that have horror or the weird as themes; are based on or inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft or other Cthulhu Mythos authors; or are set during the period between the two World Wars.  The Mythos Guide to New England provides a record of the land and its inhabitants, its prehistory and history, and its n... 100 Oddities for a Sewer Regular price: $1.99 Bundle price: $0.59 Format: PDF Welcome to “100 Oddities for a Sewer,” the eleventh entry in Skirmisher Publishing’s bestselling “100 Oddities” series of universal mini-sourcebooks! Sewers figure in a lot of roleplaying games, especially those set in or involving cities and, from the lowly rat-slaying forays of fledgling heroes to quests against monstrous beasts that dwell within them, they can keep adventurers busy. They also can allow travel below, to, or through intervening places (including those you might want to visit even less than the sewer itself). They might also be a haven for criminal elements or street folk, or a hideout for those who cannot stand scrutiny by the light of day. Sewers exist from age to age, and could figure in an ancient setting as easily as a modern or future... 100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter Regular price: $1.49 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Welcome to the tenth title in Skirmisher Publishing’s popular and ongoing “100 Oddities” series! "100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter" is a thematic sourcebook that contains lists of 100 Items, 20 Places, and 30 People & Monsters that can be used separately or in conjunction with one another to add some evocative details to a Viking-themed encounter or to construct one from scratch. These elements routinely cross the line between actual mythological elements and meta-references to them, and storytellers can decide in any given case whether they are dealing with something legendary or merely reminiscent of it.  Oddities are things that stand out from the ordinary, and prompt both game masters and players to wonder about them. Oddities intrigue and&nbs... Fire Rooster (A Monster for 5th Edition) Regular price: $0.25 Bundle price: $0.33 Format: PDF In honor of the lunar Chinese New Year, Skirmisher Publishing is proud to announce the release of “Fire Rooster: A Monster for 5th Edition”!  Fire Roosters are elemental animals made of living metal that have glowing red metallic feathers, are studded with numerous small gems, and have low flames wreathing their bodies. Beyond the elemental planes that are their native homes, such creatures are most likely to be found in places like volcanoes and temple complexes of deities with which they are affiliated, where they typically serve as guardians or beloved pets. In cultures that observe the Lunar New Year and adhere to the Asian Zodiac, spellcasters often summon Fire Roosters to take part in annual celebrations, where they are displayed, doted on, fed treats, and directe... H.G. Wells' Little Orc Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF H.G. Wells’ Little Orc Wars is a fun, simple, fast-paced system that is designed to be quick to learn and easy to play, so that players can focus on concerns like strategy and having fun, rather than on mechanics. It includes both basic rules that can be used alone, plus a variety of optional rules that players can add as they see fit to take their games to the next level. These include guidelines for Giants, War Beasts, Undead, Dwarves, Elves, Amphibious and Aquatic Creatures, Elementals, Structures, Siege, Terrain, Boats, and Heroes like Champions (Paladins, Rangers), Priests (Clerics, Necromancers), and Wizards. As their name suggests, the rules contained in this booklet are based on and inspired by the rules and concepts presented by genius writer and game designer H.G.... H.G. Wells' Little Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF Originally written in 1913 by one of the greatest science fiction authors, this is a reprint of the book that gained H.G. Wells the title "Father of Modern Wargaming." Little Wars will appeal to science fiction fans, history buffs, students of politics and international affairs, wargamers, RPGers, and anyone else interested in the works of this great writer.  Skirmisher’s edition of Little Wars is divided into a Foreword, an Introduction, six Chapters, and an Appendix. Features of this edition include: Clear, authoritative, and entertaining text that reveals both the great mind and the sense of humor possessed by one of the world’s greatest science fiction authors. A complete miniatures wargame system that can be played as-is or used as the basis for other miniature... Insults & Injuries: A Pathfinder Sourcebook for Medical Maladies Regular price: $13.99 Bundle price: $3.99 Format: PDF You have never read a game book quite like this one! Written by a practicing medical doctor, Insults & Injuries presents real world illnesses in Pathfinder game terms. Why afflict characters with “filth fever” when you can give them rabies, the black plague, or the flu? Within this sourcebook, you will find dozens of sicknesses that your players already know and fear in a format that allows them to be easily and realistically brought into your games. You will also find expanded rules for more effective non-magical healing. This detailed book is divided into an introduction, 14 chapters, and six appendices and includes: * Rules for more than 50 diseases and disorders, their game effects, and how they can be treated by both mundane and magical means. * A chapt... Morlocks (Cardstock Characters™) Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Before there were Orcs there were Morlocks, the original cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers created by science fiction genius H.G. Wells! These grim humanoids first appeared in the post-apocalyptic classic The Time Machine. This set of miniatures follows the author's characterization of these creatures as cannibals, slavers, and the custodians of subterranean machinery and includes nine man-sized Morlocks, four juvenile Morlocks, and two large Morlock monstrosities, along with 10 weapon and equipment counters. These miniatures are designed to be compatible with other 25/30mm figures and can be printed out and assembled, as many times as desired. Two versions of each miniature are provided, one in full color and the other in black-and-white. H.G. Wells' Morlocks Mutant Race (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game) Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: PDF Crawling out from the wreckage of nuclear, biological, and chemical warzones, created in the laboratories of misguided geniuses, and spawning in realms contaminated by wild magic, mutants are both a race unto themselves and no race at all. Viewed with a mixture of contempt and pity by members of more clearly defined species, mutants are united in desperation by the abnormalities which separate them from other humanoids. As diverse — if not more so — in form and outlook as other humanoids, mutants display the best and worst characteristics evolution has to offer. This title contains guidelines for playing the Mutant Race as characters and includes details on physical appearance, society, relations with other races, alignment a... USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF In 2089, the universe is a cold, dangerous place. It’s up to the U.S. Space Marine Corps to secure the safety and security of U.S. interests in outer space through cutting edge tactics, training, and an armory full of high-tech firepower. USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations is a military-style field manual designed to read like an actual U.S. Space Marine Corps guide to boarding hostile spacecraft in 2089. Its author, Lt. Col. Oliver Cass, is an active-duty U.S. Army officer experienced in both real-world operations and manual writing. USSMC FM 7-22 is also the official publication of TerrorWerks, a heart-pounding live-action roleplaying experience. TerrorWerks players assume the roles of U.S. Space Marines, civilian engineers, and corporate execu... Warriors: A Comprehensive OGL Sourcebook for Fantasy Role-Playing Games Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $2.99 Format: PDF Warriors is a comprehensive OGL sourcebook for fantasy role-playing games that expands upon the description of the Warrior class in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. It is an invaluable resource both for game masters who want to expand the variety and realism of combat encounters and martial non-player characters and for players who want to enhance the military and combat capabilities of their own characters. Features include: 16 military prestige classes, including the Aerial Cavalryman, Charioteer, Combat Engineer, Executioner, Marine, Mechanist Infantry, Mountaineer, and Sheriff. More than 30 military subtypes, including archers, artillerists, cavalrymen, beast handlers, infantrymen, medics, pathfinders, peasant levies, and templars. Nine non-military subtypes, ... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3: High-Tech Weapons Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Like magical weapons in fantasy games, high-technology firearms are treasures that adventurers seek out with great eagerness in the post-apocalyptic world. No matter how cool a weapon is, however, players will always be looking for something better to use against the many hazards that populate the science fantasy post-apocalyptic wastes, and this third issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands is devoted to new toys that Game Masters can use to reward — or punish — their players. Several of the new weapons presented in this issue have the option of different types of ammunition, adding even more variety to a game. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and r... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #4: New Races Regular price: $0.99 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Even though some post-apocalyptic game worlds have only allowed Humans, mutants, mutant plants, and animals as characters, there has always been room to expand upon this. Mutant Future did an admirable job by introducing androids and other similarly “created” races but not enough to please many players and game masters. With that in mind, this issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands contains seven new “races” for players and GMs to use in their campaigns. Rules for dealing with robots are also included. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future R... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #9: High-Tech Weapons 2 Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF The second installment of our weapon-themed series, this issue picks up where Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3:High-Tech Weapons left off and presents more than a half-dozen new sorts of combat systems for both players’ and Mutant Lords’ enjoyment! Armaments covered include Antimatter Bombs, Bead Guns, Desiccators, EMP Weapons, Grenade Launchers, Plasma Projectors, and Screamers, along with one new associated condition. Wisdom from the Wastelands is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future RPG in particular. The material it contains are compatible with it and any ot...

Total value: $66.36 Special bundle price: $19.99 Savings of: $46.37 (70%)

Price: $66.36 Electrum Best Seller [BUNDLE] published first on https://supergalaxyrom.tumblr.com

[kayawagner]

Electrum Best Seller [BUNDLE]

Publisher: Skirmisher Publishing

This special 70% off bundle is Skirmisher Publishing's most electic and contains 15 of our most popular and bestselling titles! They include our universal Mythos Society Guide to New England and USMSC FM-22: Space Boarding Operations, two entries on our "Oddities" series, two sets of H.G. Wells tabletop wargaming rules, eight RPG supplements, and a set of miniatures. 

The Noble Wild Regular price: $9.99 Bundle price: $2.99 Format: PDF A 2008 ENnie Award Nominee! This exciting book introduces comprehensive rules for playing intelligent animals in a wide variety of game settings and situations. It will be popular with everyone from groups that want to try all-animal or mixed animal/humanoid parties, to players who want to expand the options for their animal companions and familiars, to game masters who are looking for interesting and unexpected foes to run against their players. Features of this "Animal Player’s Handbook" include: Statistics for more than 60 playable species of noble animal; Modifications and additions to existing classes, skills, and feats appropriate to animal characters; A new basic character class, the Greater Familiar; Eight new Prestige Classes, including the Man-Eater a... Mythos Society Guide to New England Regular price: $3.49 Bundle price: $1.99 Format: PDF The Mythos Society Guide to New England is an expansive universal sourcebook by veteran game designer Clint Staples that can be used to enhance any horror, mystery, or adventure roleplaying scenarios set in New England. It is particularly suited for Mythos-oriented games like Call of Cthulhu and Cthulhu Live. It is also a fun and provocative read for anyone interested in the esoteric history of New England, and a resource for stories or other projects that have horror or the weird as themes; are based on or inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft or other Cthulhu Mythos authors; or are set during the period between the two World Wars.  The Mythos Guide to New England provides a record of the land and its inhabitants, its prehistory and history, and its n... 100 Oddities for a Sewer Regular price: $1.99 Bundle price: $0.59 Format: PDF Welcome to “100 Oddities for a Sewer,” the eleventh entry in Skirmisher Publishing’s bestselling “100 Oddities” series of universal mini-sourcebooks! Sewers figure in a lot of roleplaying games, especially those set in or involving cities and, from the lowly rat-slaying forays of fledgling heroes to quests against monstrous beasts that dwell within them, they can keep adventurers busy. They also can allow travel below, to, or through intervening places (including those you might want to visit even less than the sewer itself). They might also be a haven for criminal elements or street folk, or a hideout for those who cannot stand scrutiny by the light of day. Sewers exist from age to age, and could figure in an ancient setting as easily as a modern or future... 100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter Regular price: $1.49 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Welcome to the tenth title in Skirmisher Publishing’s popular and ongoing “100 Oddities” series! "100 Oddities for a Viking Encounter" is a thematic sourcebook that contains lists of 100 Items, 20 Places, and 30 People & Monsters that can be used separately or in conjunction with one another to add some evocative details to a Viking-themed encounter or to construct one from scratch. These elements routinely cross the line between actual mythological elements and meta-references to them, and storytellers can decide in any given case whether they are dealing with something legendary or merely reminiscent of it.  Oddities are things that stand out from the ordinary, and prompt both game masters and players to wonder about them. Oddities intrigue and&nbs... Fire Rooster (A Monster for 5th Edition) Regular price: $0.25 Bundle price: $0.33 Format: PDF In honor of the lunar Chinese New Year, Skirmisher Publishing is proud to announce the release of “Fire Rooster: A Monster for 5th Edition”!  Fire Roosters are elemental animals made of living metal that have glowing red metallic feathers, are studded with numerous small gems, and have low flames wreathing their bodies. Beyond the elemental planes that are their native homes, such creatures are most likely to be found in places like volcanoes and temple complexes of deities with which they are affiliated, where they typically serve as guardians or beloved pets. In cultures that observe the Lunar New Year and adhere to the Asian Zodiac, spellcasters often summon Fire Roosters to take part in annual celebrations, where they are displayed, doted on, fed treats, and directe... H.G. Wells' Little Orc Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF H.G. Wells’ Little Orc Wars is a fun, simple, fast-paced system that is designed to be quick to learn and easy to play, so that players can focus on concerns like strategy and having fun, rather than on mechanics. It includes both basic rules that can be used alone, plus a variety of optional rules that players can add as they see fit to take their games to the next level. These include guidelines for Giants, War Beasts, Undead, Dwarves, Elves, Amphibious and Aquatic Creatures, Elementals, Structures, Siege, Terrain, Boats, and Heroes like Champions (Paladins, Rangers), Priests (Clerics, Necromancers), and Wizards. As their name suggests, the rules contained in this booklet are based on and inspired by the rules and concepts presented by genius writer and game designer H.G.... H.G. Wells' Little Wars Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $1.49 Format: PDF Originally written in 1913 by one of the greatest science fiction authors, this is a reprint of the book that gained H.G. Wells the title "Father of Modern Wargaming." Little Wars will appeal to science fiction fans, history buffs, students of politics and international affairs, wargamers, RPGers, and anyone else interested in the works of this great writer.  Skirmisher’s edition of Little Wars is divided into a Foreword, an Introduction, six Chapters, and an Appendix. Features of this edition include: Clear, authoritative, and entertaining text that reveals both the great mind and the sense of humor possessed by one of the world’s greatest science fiction authors. A complete miniatures wargame system that can be played as-is or used as the basis for other miniature... Insults & Injuries: A Pathfinder Sourcebook for Medical Maladies Regular price: $13.99 Bundle price: $3.99 Format: PDF You have never read a game book quite like this one! Written by a practicing medical doctor, Insults & Injuries presents real world illnesses in Pathfinder game terms. Why afflict characters with “filth fever” when you can give them rabies, the black plague, or the flu? Within this sourcebook, you will find dozens of sicknesses that your players already know and fear in a format that allows them to be easily and realistically brought into your games. You will also find expanded rules for more effective non-magical healing. This detailed book is divided into an introduction, 14 chapters, and six appendices and includes: * Rules for more than 50 diseases and disorders, their game effects, and how they can be treated by both mundane and magical means. * A chapt... Morlocks (Cardstock Characters™) Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF Before there were Orcs there were Morlocks, the original cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers created by science fiction genius H.G. Wells! These grim humanoids first appeared in the post-apocalyptic classic The Time Machine. This set of miniatures follows the author's characterization of these creatures as cannibals, slavers, and the custodians of subterranean machinery and includes nine man-sized Morlocks, four juvenile Morlocks, and two large Morlock monstrosities, along with 10 weapon and equipment counters. These miniatures are designed to be compatible with other 25/30mm figures and can be printed out and assembled, as many times as desired. Two versions of each miniature are provided, one in full color and the other in black-and-white. H.G. Wells' Morlocks Mutant Race (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game) Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: PDF Crawling out from the wreckage of nuclear, biological, and chemical warzones, created in the laboratories of misguided geniuses, and spawning in realms contaminated by wild magic, mutants are both a race unto themselves and no race at all. Viewed with a mixture of contempt and pity by members of more clearly defined species, mutants are united in desperation by the abnormalities which separate them from other humanoids. As diverse — if not more so — in form and outlook as other humanoids, mutants display the best and worst characteristics evolution has to offer. This title contains guidelines for playing the Mutant Race as characters and includes details on physical appearance, society, relations with other races, alignment a... USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations Regular price: $2.99 Bundle price: $0.99 Format: PDF In 2089, the universe is a cold, dangerous place. It’s up to the U.S. Space Marine Corps to secure the safety and security of U.S. interests in outer space through cutting edge tactics, training, and an armory full of high-tech firepower. USSMC FM 7-22: Space Boarding Operations is a military-style field manual designed to read like an actual U.S. Space Marine Corps guide to boarding hostile spacecraft in 2089. Its author, Lt. Col. Oliver Cass, is an active-duty U.S. Army officer experienced in both real-world operations and manual writing. USSMC FM 7-22 is also the official publication of TerrorWerks, a heart-pounding live-action roleplaying experience. TerrorWerks players assume the roles of U.S. Space Marines, civilian engineers, and corporate execu... Warriors: A Comprehensive OGL Sourcebook for Fantasy Role-Playing Games Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $2.99 Format: PDF Warriors is a comprehensive OGL sourcebook for fantasy role-playing games that expands upon the description of the Warrior class in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. It is an invaluable resource both for game masters who want to expand the variety and realism of combat encounters and martial non-player characters and for players who want to enhance the military and combat capabilities of their own characters. Features include: 16 military prestige classes, including the Aerial Cavalryman, Charioteer, Combat Engineer, Executioner, Marine, Mechanist Infantry, Mountaineer, and Sheriff. More than 30 military subtypes, including archers, artillerists, cavalrymen, beast handlers, infantrymen, medics, pathfinders, peasant levies, and templars. Nine non-military subtypes, ... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3: High-Tech Weapons Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Like magical weapons in fantasy games, high-technology firearms are treasures that adventurers seek out with great eagerness in the post-apocalyptic world. No matter how cool a weapon is, however, players will always be looking for something better to use against the many hazards that populate the science fantasy post-apocalyptic wastes, and this third issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands is devoted to new toys that Game Masters can use to reward — or punish — their players. Several of the new weapons presented in this issue have the option of different types of ammunition, adding even more variety to a game. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and r... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #4: New Races Regular price: $0.99 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF Even though some post-apocalyptic game worlds have only allowed Humans, mutants, mutant plants, and animals as characters, there has always been room to expand upon this. Mutant Future did an admirable job by introducing androids and other similarly “created” races but not enough to please many players and game masters. With that in mind, this issue of Wisdom from the Wastelands contains seven new “races” for players and GMs to use in their campaigns. Rules for dealing with robots are also included. This publication is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future R... Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #9: High-Tech Weapons 2 Regular price: $0.50 Bundle price: $0.29 Format: Watermarked PDF The second installment of our weapon-themed series, this issue picks up where Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #3:High-Tech Weapons left off and presents more than a half-dozen new sorts of combat systems for both players’ and Mutant Lords’ enjoyment! Armaments covered include Antimatter Bombs, Bead Guns, Desiccators, EMP Weapons, Grenade Launchers, Plasma Projectors, and Screamers, along with one new associated condition. Wisdom from the Wastelands is dedicated to providing useful information, game content, and ideas to players of modern, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic table-top and role-playing games in general and to fans of Goblinoid Games’ Mutant Future RPG in particular. The material it contains are compatible with it and any ot...

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