#operation basalt

[nettlestonenell]

Operation Basalt: Sark WW2 commando raid remembered

[enpr-ss]

Hermitcraft charity stream 2022 Highlights:

- 25k goal being broken by the Australians even before the event started, and the jokes about ending the stream there and seeing them next year

- Getting Martyn to do the donation readouts is GENIUS. He makes it actually entertaining to listen to!

- Martyn listening to Ren the most lol

- The bell bringing back Techno money bell memories

- Basalt Assault being broken by too much boomification (as predicted by Bdubs)

- Doc falling into Dunk Tank in the final winner-take-all round

- All the goofy skins (especially Grian’s cursed skins) and IRL costumes (Pearl’s old man mask, and Tango’s millions of hats)

- Every time Etho is confused about his fanbase

- Grian finishing backwards because “it’s the only way he can see” with his built-in rear view mirror

- Pearl getting to keep her horse from Horse Course!

- “Coming in not least but last” - Bdubs

- Scar actually doing so well on all the games actually?! I didn’t realize he was second on Horse Course

- “MY BLADDER’S FULL OF URINE” - Bdubs

- “While we were on our pee-pee break for the weak bladder people” - Doc

- Etho’s elytra glitching, with Cleo and Grian hitting him around

- Racers stealing other boats. Tango and Cub winning the race by a mile through switching drivers at the bubblevator

- Jevin fell down the powdered snow section LOL!

- Iskall fixing the Hermit Incentives redstone by just moving the dispenser and the button

- The speed at which Doc’s diamonds DISAPPEARED and then all the subsequent mocking just as a 5k soon came through

- Ren: “Nothing will calm your nerves more than Grian’s gong”

Grian: screaming “LALALALALAAAAAL” as he smashes the gong repeatedly (twice)

- Bdubs being spleefed by Tango (VIA PREINSTALLED REDSTONE) into a hole and Doc not caring because he doesn’t have any diamonds. And then Etho punching Tango into the same hole.

- Grian: “I need everyone to take a really nice deep breath in through the nose-”

Everyone: *exaggerated gasps and choking noises*

Grian: “We’re doing that again because everyone FAILED at breathing”

Doc’s panicked breathing and getting TNT to blow everyone up

Scar: “Can I get another dong real quick?”

Grian: “With a g, yes you can.”

- Scar made Panda Resue (lol) in ONE NIGHT?!?! But with no pandas lol

- Doc on strike until he gets his diamonds back

- Bucket rush more entertaining than expected and Scar absolutely killing it

- Hermits interpreting the 350k goal as returning Doc’s diamonds (THEN GRIAN RESTEALING THEM AND SETTING 400K AS THE GOAL FOR THE RETURN LOL)

- All the lore that I’m getting it discover as a new fan!!!

- How the hermits are perfectly quiet whenever another is explaining game rules or when Martyn is reading out donos.

- Impulse being absolutely on the ball with all the drumrolls

- Etho and his pvp player head + item collection mechanics

- Scar absolutely bowspamming yellow team, and Red Team continuing to kill for the spawn mechanics lol. ALMOST WINNING BY 1 POINT!!!

- Martyn with the stellar Battle Bane commentary!

- Scar donating on behalf on those who cannot donate, and apparently this is a common thing with him??? Amazing.

- The carts will have hermitcraft plaques!!

- Glasgow family’s 1k dono: Donated in memory of Technoblade.

- All the smooth backend operations by fans and others! Nothing broken amazingly.

- Doc still asking about the diamonds and Martyn announcing that he had them in a plot twist and logging out

- Only 1 week of prep??!! Insane

- $425k raised!!!! Incredible!!!!!

- Bro when Ren and Tango said Joe’s beard had legos and pinballs in it THEY WERE NOT JOKING. Omg. I genuinely thought the mechanical part was like part of his microphone set up. A SIX DOLLAR HUNTING KNIFE?!???? FROM THE GROCERY OUTLET??? WITH BRASS KNUCKLES??? FOR PIZZA???? This is my first time watching a Joe stream. is he always like this. His transparent facecam overlay is also cool; I like it better than the usual corner ones. HE ACTUALLY WENT WITH THE CRAYOLA SCISSORS??? No mirror only OBS??? His concern with accidentally hurting himself is not being able to talk and violating TOS LOL. HES GOING TO FILTER OUT THE BLOOD SO THAT TWITCH DOESNT BAN HIM. He’s doing it in the worst way possible as a commitment to the bit. He’s so hostile to capitalism it’s great. All after an 8 hour driver from Chicago. MUMBO COSPLAY LOL

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from EcoWatch:

Swiss company Climeworks has opened the biggest operational direct air capture (DAC) plant in the world to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Mammoth plant, located in Iceland, is nearly ten times bigger than Orca, its second-largest plant.

“Starting operations of our Mammoth plant is another proof point in Climeworks’ scale-up journey to megaton capacity by 2030 and gigaton by 2050,” said Jan Wurzbacher, Climeworks co-founder and co-CEO, in a press release from Climeworks.

The DAC process sucks carbon from the air and stores it, most often underground, where it can no longer contribute to global heating.

With global efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions inadequate to prevent the worsening effects of climate change, United Nations scientists have estimated that carbon dioxide in the billions of tons will need to be removed to meet climate targets, reported Reuters.

Climeworks’ new DAC plant has an annual carbon capture capacity of 36,000 metric tons. The Mammoth plant, begun in 2022, will be completed by the end of this year.

The company’s first commercial DAC project was also in Iceland — the Orca plant — and has an annual capacity of 4,000 metric tons.

“Mammoth has successfully started to capture its first CO₂. Climeworks uses renewable energy to power its direct air capture process, which requires low-temperature heat like boiling water. The geothermal energy partner ON Power in Iceland provides the energy necessary for this process,” Climeworks said. “Once the CO₂ is released from the filters, storage partner Carbfix transports the CO₂ underground, where it reacts with basaltic rock through a natural process, which transforms into stone, and remains permanently stored.”

Critics of carbon capture technology argue that it uses an enormous amount of energy, is expensive and that focusing on the removal of carbon from the atmosphere could encourage companies to continue burning fossil fuels rather than lowering their emissions. Many critics also emphasize that its effectiveness has not been proven.

Speaking about carbon capture in general, Lili Fuhr, Center for International Environmental Law’s fossil economy program director, said the technology “is fraught with uncertainties and ecological risks,” as CNN reported.

The total carbon removal capacity on Earth can only remove roughly 0.01 million metric tons per year of the 70 million tons that would need to be removed by the end of the decade to meet worldwide climate goals, the International Energy Agency said.

Climeworks — which does not have ties to fossil fuel companies — said it is looking to lower the costs of DAC technology to $400 to $600 per ton by the end of the decade and $200 to $350 a ton by 2040, reported Reuters.

Development is currently in the works for megaton Climeworks hubs in the United States, the press release said.

[teratocrat]

Alala, third planet of the star Areëos, was first logged by the survey ship I Would Be River Water as supporting life, and certainly it does, but not much of it. Mats of xanthophyllic algae descended from that brought by the Goldsowers approximately 12.4 mya coat the shores of its shallow oceans, and lichenous yellow splotches march across the land, chewing basalts and olivines into primordial soil, but multicellular heterotrophic life seems limited to various gelatinous worms burrowing through the oceanic silt. Alala is young, as planets go, and its crust thin; fumaroles dot its surface, and in and around their chimneys extremophilic bacteria breed, hitch rides on the glittering sooty plumes of volcanic gases that tidal forces from Alala's single moon, Carnyx, coax out as it passes overhead, and are then whipped into the howling 500kmph winds that gave the planet its name. Other features of note in the Areëos system include the Ring of Keres, an asteroid belt seven or eight times denser than that of Sol, likely the remains of a planet torn apart by the gas giant Homados, as well as Homados itself and its host of moons - of greatest interest to I Would Be River Water and later ships Becoming The Glass Castle and Intransigent Star was Bástya, the large and rocky base of operations for the Goldsowers as they began the work of habitiforming Alala for their own purposes. The ruins here are of the Late Goldsower Style, very well preserved in Bástya's thin atmosphere and the plymatter only just beginning to show signs of deviation. Still requiring further study are many of the other moons of Homados and its brother Kratos, as well as the planets beyond them, and indeed the planets inward of Alala as well.

[jhokey]

Heart of the volcano

In Minecraft, the heart of the ocean provides benefits underwater, but to be honest, it's not used all that much.. Instead, it would be more useful if there were a volcano's heart operating through basalt, granting advantages against fire in the Nether!

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

ESA-DLR lunar analogue facility inaugurated 

LUNA, Europe’s new ‘Moon on Earth’, is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of lunar exploration. 

The inauguration of LUNA, the lunar analogue facility operated jointly by ESA and the German Aerospace Agency (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR), took place on 25 September in Cologne, Germany.

The facility, which is designed to recreate the lunar surface, is located next to ESA’s European Astronaut Centre and will be used to prepare astronauts, scientists, engineers and mission experts for living and working on the Moon. 

It will facilitate research, development and integrated testing of space technology under realistic conditions, providing valuable insights for upcoming lunar missions, such as NASA's Artemis programme, which will send astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. 

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said, "The opening of LUNA marks a significant milestone in Europe’s space exploration efforts. This unique facility, with its ability to replicate lunar conditions, advances our understanding of the Moon and prepares us for future missions. We are proud to lead this project, which positions Europe at the forefront of lunar exploration and beyond, while also fostering international collaboration in space research.” 

Guests from the space sector and governmental officials attended the inauguration of Europe’s cutting-edge space research facility, including ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, Chair of the DLR Executive Board Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia Hendrik Wüst, alongside Deputy Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia Mona Neubaur and the Federal Government Coordinator for German Aerospace Anna Christmann, as well as representatives of NASA. 

"LUNA will contribute to optimising our preparations for activities on the lunar surface through research into technologies and innovation for space exploration. This involves robotics as well as artificial intelligence, the utilisation of local resources and resource-conserving cycles all the way through to regenerative energy systems. LUNA provides a unique array of elements for scientific research and technological development under one roof. In its role as the ‘Moon on Earth’, LUNA will sustainably support activities on the Moon from Germany," says Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board.

"LUNA represents a major leap forward in our efforts to prepare for human exploration of the Moon and beyond. By replicating the lunar surface and providing vital insights into surface operations, this facility will help us address the challenges of future space missions. Partnering with DLR on this project highlights the power of international collaboration and our shared commitment to advancing space exploration together," commented ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander.

  LUNA features a 700-square-metre area that replicates the Moon’s surface using 900 tonnes of basalt-derived volcanic grains and rocks, processed to create a material known as ‘regolith simulant’, providing a unique testing environment.

A deep floor area will allow for drilling and sampling up to three metres below the surface, enabling research on regolith including frozen lunar soil.

Meanwhile, a Sun simulator mimics the day and night cycles on the Moon, including the challenging lighting conditions found at lunar polar regions. 

Advanced control rooms are linked in real-time to mission control centres in Germany and worldwide. In the future, the analogue facility will also be connected to the Lunar Gateway, or even the Moon itself for seamless mission simulations.

Additional features will soon be implemented such as a gravity offloading system to simulate the Moon’s one-sixth of Earth gravity and an adjustable ramp for testing mobility on lunar slopes.

LUNA is designed as an open hub, available to space agencies, academia, researchers, space industry, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises from all over the world. 

[spacenutspod]

For a little over a month now, the Earth has been joined by a new ‘mini-moon.’ The object is an asteroid that has been temporarily accompanying Earth on its journey around the Sun. By 25th November it will have departed but before then, astronomers across the world have been turning their telescopes to study it. A new paper of 2024 PT5 reveals its basaltic nature – similar to volcanic rocks on Earth – with a composition that makes it similar to lunar material. There have been many close encounters to Earth allowing many of its secrets to be unveiled. The Moon is perhaps one of the most well known astronomical objects. It’s Earth’s only permanent natural satellite and has been in orbit since early in the planet’s history. It lies approximately 384,400 kilometres away and has played a crucial part in stabilising are axial tilt and regulating the climate and seasons. In addition to the Moon we are occasionally joined by asteroids that briefly orbit around the Earth before continuing their journey through the Solar System.  The partial lunar eclipse from October 2023 as seen from Oxfordshire UK. Credit: Mary McIntyre FRAS. 2024 PT5 is a small asteroid that has served as a temporary “mini-moon” for Earth, orbiting near the planet for about six weeks. Analysis has revealed that the asteroid spins rapidly, completing one full rotation in under an hour and measures no more than 15 metres across. While it will leave Earth’s vicinity in just a few days, its brief presence has offered valuable insight and data on the properties of near-Earth objects. Space agencies like NASA and ESA are both exploring commercial space operations to support the growing global space economy. Exploring and mining asteroids is an activity that is well suited to this endeavour. Asteroids like 2024 PT5 which is in close proximity to Earth is well suited to this. The paper that has been published in Astronomy & Astrophysics and was authored by R. de la Fuente Marcos and a team of Spanish astronomers. The asteroid Dimorphos was captured by NASA’s DART mission just two seconds before the spacecraft struck its surface on Sept. 26, 2022. Observations of the asteroid before and after impact suggest it is a loosely packed “rubble pile” object. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL The study focussed attention on changes to the short-term orbital properties and used N-body simulations (a technique to simulate a dynamic system under other physical forces such as the force of gravity.) They also explored the spectral class of the asteroid from reflectance spectra analysis obtained with the OSIRIS spectrograph and assessed its rotational properties. The team confirmed that 2024 PT5 is a natural object (thankfully) that has a spectra which is consisted with the so called Sv-type asteroid, similar to breccia found in the Lunar mare. Assessment of its rotational properties revealed it is completing one rotation in less than an hour. They could not rule out whether the asteroid was tumbling in an erratic fashion, further analysis is needed. Finally through astrometric observations the team concluded that the orbits of 2024 PT5 and 2022 NX1 (another near Earth asteroid which is just 10 metres across) are very similar.  Both ESA and NASA now consider a cost-effective strategy for NEO missions essential with a focus on small body science and planetary defence. The approach includes reusing and active missions and identifying accessible objects like 2022 NX1 and 2024 PT5 using ground-based observatories.   Source : Basaltic mini-moon: Characterizing 2024 PT5 with the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias and the Two-meter Twin Telescope The post Here’s What We Know About Earth’s Temporary Mini-Moon appeared first on Universe Today.

[tethysresort]

Inspired by a poll, everyone who follows me gets to look at a rock per day for the month of October! 

Day 29:  Today’s rock is a piece of greenstone from the Sutter Gold Mine in California!  Greenstone is an interesting sort of rock – the green comes from the minerals epidote and chlorite.  They are formed when basalts are put under heat and pressure in a subduction zone (like the Cascade Mountains or along the coast of Chile)!  The old subduction zone along the coast of California is long gone but the heat and pressure changed the rocks at the base of the Sierra Nevada (like the mariposite and serpentine from Days 11 and 8) and added gold! 

The Sutter Gold Mine is an active gold mine.  When I went it was years ago and the price of gold was too low for them to bother mining.  Greenstone is very hard, so even though there is vast amounts of gold in veins and pockets in the rocks, it costs a lot to mine there.  So instead they offered tours to keep the mine operational!  We wore safety gear and helmets and were given a whole safety lecture (don’t walk under the ductwork it’s rusted and might fall, don’t lean on any rails, stay with the group...) before going into the mine.  We walked through the damp dark, listening to the lecture on the mine’s history, and even got to see a gold vein that they had carefully cordoned off for us to see. 

When I asked if I could take a rock or two from the tailings pile, they shrugged and said, “The waste rock is in the tailings.  Take as much as you want.” 

Out of curiosity I checked, and the mine is operational again!  (I guess gold prices got high enough.)

[eopederson]

Fresh Flows Across Iceland

"Lava poured from a volcanic fissure near the town of Grindavík, Iceland, in spring 2024. The eruption, which began on March 16 and remained active over two weeks later, was the largest in a string of four volcanic events on the Reykjanes peninsula starting in December 2023. 

The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured this image of the ongoing eruption on March 30, 2024. The natural color scene is overlaid with an infrared signal to help distinguish the lava’s heat signature. The active part of the fissure and the origin of a volcanic plume are apparent. While the eruption was still active at this time, additional satellite and ground observations indicated it was likely waning. 

The eruption began at 8:23 p.m. local time on March 16, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported. A fissure nearly 3 kilometers (2 miles) long quickly opened in a similar location to the February 2024 eruption. Hundreds of people at the Blue Lagoon, as well as a small number in Grindavík, were evacuated within about 30 minutes of the eruption starting. 

In the days that followed, lava flowed toward infrastructure such as water pipes and roads, the town of Grindavík, and the ocean. Human-constructed barriers of earth and rock diverted lava away from town, although a flow extended across one road. Officials were initially concerned that lava would reach the coast and cool rapidly upon contacting water. This could have posed additional hazards such as the production of hydrogen chloride gas, but the flow stopped short.

This Landsat image comparison shows the recent changes on the Reykjanes peninsula. In September 2023 (left), the area was quiet volcanically. By February 10, 2024 (center), three separate fissure eruptions had occurred. The footprint of new basaltic rock grew in March 2024 (right) as new lava spanned nearly 6 square kilometers (2.3 square miles), according to the IMO. 

Like the eruptions that preceded it, the spring 2024 event was effusive, not explosive. Effusive eruptions tend to emit minimal ash, and their plumes typically contain water vapor, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other volcanic gases. 

This eruption did not disrupt air travel, but sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions were hazardous locally at times. Workers evacuated the power plant north of Grindavík on March 18 due to gas pollution, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reported. The SO2 emissions from this eruption were forecast to drift across the United Kingdom and northern Europe, according to models based on satellite observations, but at an altitude too high to affect surface air quality. 

Unlike the other recent eruptions in this region, the springtime event stretched out over weeks rather than a couple of days. The reason for the relatively prolonged eruption may be that magma now has an easier path to the surface, experts suggested in news reports. Others think that magma is no longer accumulating in the shallow magma chamber beneath the area and that this eruption could be the last in the longer cycle. 

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann."

And to think we were there in September about the time the first photo was made! The main road connecting Grindavik to the remainder of Iceland has been cut in two places. According to their website, the popular tourist attraction Blue Lagoon is closed due to "unfavourable air quality" but is scheduled to reopen tomorrow 11 April.

Wish I could hop on a plane to see this in person, but other obligations preclude such a trip anytime soon.

[menzoberranzans-historian]

Shops & Activities in Menzoberranzan's districts:

THE BRAERYN:

The Wan Hag

Information Broker

During the Time of Troubles era and the beginning of the War of the Spider Queen, an information broker named Smylla Nathos operated in the Braeryn. A human, she captured the attention of a drow slaver aid on the surface world and returned to Menzoberranzan as something more than a slave and less than an honored guest of House Faen Tlabbar. For a time, she used her skill as a sorcerer and diviner-as well as her drow like poise, charm, and ruthlessness to serve as an advisor to Matron Ghenni'tiroth. But when she fell ill, and healing magic failed to offer remedy, her sickness was viewed as a curse inflicted by Lolth.

Escaping assassination by her former benefactors, Smylla fled to the Braeryn to eke out a new life among the dregs of drow society. Although her illness left her withered and weak, the Wan Hag, as she came to be known, employed her eldritch talents to cobble together a formidable web of informants and spies. However, by the beginning of the War of the Spider Queen, her illness had robbed her even of her divination talents, and she was soon killed by Ryld Argith.

Quaggoth Drool

Tavern

The Stench streets is notorious for its déclassé “drinking pits" those crude establishments where drow of every station go to forget about caste and rank for a few hours, guzzle raw spirits, and watch lesser creatures slaughter one another in bloody contests. One such place is the Quaggoth Drool. As is common inn such pits, revelers must surrender all weapons when they enter the tavern. Then they can get as drunk as they want, shout, argue, talk, and have a good fight. Priestesses often use magic to eavesdrop in such ruinous places, listening for treachery, plans for attacks on houses, or other business being discussed. The entertainment focuses on the sunken arena at the center of the common room where patrons wager heavily on brutal and often lethal pit matches.

DUTHCLOIM:

The Cathlyre

Exotic Bird Aviary

Anchored to a sweeping battlement of stalactites along the Clawrift's easternmost perimeter is a spectacular latticework enclosure crafted of basalt support beams and a mesh of calcified webbing. Within the free flight structure, soar countless types of avians from the World Above, including many exotic species (among them the namesake peacock-like cathlyre). From the large shop, perched along the ledge of the Clawrift, the birds are sold as pets, live targets, or roasted alive before the customer's eyes-a hot meal seasoned and done to order.

Rhauvais' Arms

Munitions Supplier

Proprietor Rhauvais del'Ygana, a tall and strong female drow, specializes in discreet manufacture and sale of exotic, high-quality ranged weapons and ammunition for her noble clientele. Specialty armaments of her design include “the spinagon” (a repeating hand crossbow), "the kocrachon” (a hovering, envenomed, dart-like projectile that strikes upona triggered condition), and "the hamatula” (a basilisk-hide bandolier that magically recalls any dagger thrown from its pockets); all are named after devils of the Nine Hells.

The Bazaar

The ever-changing, never-sleeping Bazaar is the commercial heart of Menzoberranzan. This circle of bare bedrock about 750 feet in diameter is a crowded, untidy labyrinth of stalls and hagglers. The ongoing trade fair attracts merchants and goods from all over Faerûn, and the drow go there to buy and sell almost everything imaginable.

Warriors training at the Academy patrol the Bazaar heavily. The patrols are performed to keep a lid on the violence, but they do not interfere with haggling, arguments, or fraudulent dealing. The merchants suffer the patrols to keep the house nobles in line. The Ruling Council maintains the patrols to prevent giving the merchants a reason to hire large numbers of guards that could grow into private armies.

By decree of the Ruling Council, the Bazaar contains no permanent structures. No stall can remain in one spot longer than 66 days. The law is intended to keep the Bazaar from dwindling away aspermanent buildings replace the stalls. Also, the constant shuffling forces buyers to tour the Bazaar, searching for favored stalls or merchants.

Fights and covert sabotage are common since vendors jostle for more space for their booths or try to avoid being relegated to a bad location. While merchants are not allowed to openly sell their space at the Bazaar, wise merchants arrange to trade spots with other established vendors for favors.

Merchants of all races and lands are welcome in the Bazaar, and shoppers can get almost anything they desire in its curtained booths and stalls, given enough patience and money. The stalls carry goods and services that range from the mundane to the wondrous. Tailors, potters, and crafters of every stripe can be found in the twisting paths of the Bazaar. Surgeons, potions, and herbal medicines can also be found there by those who want to avoid seeking healing from the priestesses of Lolth. Some vendors even sell wines, cheeses, and other exotics from the surface lands, and one is able to send and receive messages to and from the world above.

Living commodities can also be purchased in the Bazaar, and many drow go there to hire mercenaries and outlander wizards. While slaves can be bought there, most purchasers looking for such goods go to the Braeryn to fill those needs.

Bhaelundryn's Bestiary

Underdark Hostler

Heavily guarded by a dozen drow guards and gnoll overseers, this stall provides pack lizards and riding-lizard mounts, including the harnesses, goads, leadlines, and carrying frames for the creatures. VhurnBhaelundryn, an old, fat, affable, and heavilyscarred drow warrior, always has one of each sort oflizard harnessed and ready, but the cost is astronomical The fee does include immediate help from the overseers, however, in delaying pursuit, patrols, and anything up to angry high priestesses. In addition tobeasts, Vhurn sells "underdark packs" for adventur-ing in the Underdark and is knowledgeable about places to buy other gear and weapons.

Dhode's Fine Piwafwis

Tailor and Clothier

Dhode Lu’orz is a tailor who sells all manner of clothing cut in drow fashions, but he specializes in making piwafwis. He staffs this stall with six apprentices who he treats as little more than slaves. Dhode has a number of contacts in Sorcere willing to add enchantments to a piwafwi if the price is right.

Quild's Mobile Parlor

Information Broker

This stall is little more than a bench and a cart full of cheap trinkets. Quild, a wiry, muscled male drow, moves his cart and bench regularly to follow shifts in traffic around the Bazaar. He engages non-drow and other males with nonstop chatter while he works but is quiet and submissive before female drow. Quild is an excellent source for rumors and gossip, and he can give direction to most locales in and around the city. Of course, generous tips greatly enhance the accuracy of the information.

Sense of Sensuous Scents

Perfumery

The mixture of scents wafting on the light breeze of Menzoberranzan ensures that shoppers smell this stall long before they see it. Rauva Zoldyth, a female drow, sells a wide variety of incense, from bricks that burn in braziers to sticks that smolder slowly. She also sells oils and candles, most of which are treated to burn with a low eldritch-colored flame that won't hurt sensitive drow eyes. Rauva notes which priestesses buy what incense and how much, and discreetly sells this information to those who might be interested in knowing what houses are preparing certain rituals.

Shimmerdark's Decanter

Vintner & Alchemist

Named for its handsome, charming (and smart-mouthed) young drow proprietor, this stall stocks rare and fine potables from all over the Realms. Daelein Shimmerdark carries a wide selection, from fortified wines of the Sword Coast to hard liquors made by the dwarves. Daelein offers love potions and sleep poison to rich and discreet shoppers. For a small fee,he will also provide directions on the best places to sell stolen goods.

Whispers in the Dark

Courier

A human wizard named Fethlorn Kelapanch set up shop in the Bazaar late in the Spellplague era,specializing in delivering messages around the city. Young drow commoners, especially orphans, camp outside his stall, waiting for a chance to run a message and make a few coins. Fethlorn also has connections with many caravan masters and can arrange for messages to be delivered to far-off locations in the Underdark or even to the surface. He can also arrange for messengers to run the missive directly, but this is ruinously expensive. A number of spells and rituals for magical communication are at his disposal, allowing him to contact virtually anyone in Faerûn, including in the World Above.

EASTMYR:

Battered Beholder

Arms and Hardware

The inside of this weapons shop is almost as battered as the beholder (said to be Many Eyes) on the sign at the store front. The inventory varies widely from day to day.and the shop fences goods with no questions asked. A male dwarf named Olask Dhauluin runs the Beholder. Olask came to Menzoberranzan shortly after the War of the Spider Queen and remains there throughout the Spellplague era, which is a good indicator of his caution and deviousness. Olask lives in the floors above the shop, using monsters to guard it during non-business hours, when they are allowed to roam freely.

Calask's Hands

Hairstylist

This hair salon is named for the male human who founded the business during the Sable Years, Myrlyth Calask. His shop survived him, passing to a male drow commoner named Filraen after the War of the Spider Queen. The clientele claims that Filraen's delicate drow fingers are much better than Calask's, but Filraen keeps the name because of its novelty, which attracts customers. Filraen is secretly a spy for Bregan D'aerthe. He relays messages to other agents and reports on what he overhears. He never takes any action that could expose his cover.

Darkled Depths

Tavern

Located across from the abandoned House Kenaf incompound is the Darkled Depths, one of the most popular taverns in the city. The depth is a higher-class establishment than the drinking pits, though it does admit non-drow. It is renowned for its glowing drinks made from phosphorescent lichen and a wide variety of stuffed mushrooms. The tavern fills four floors carved from the interior of a stalagmite. One wide winding stair connects the floors, but several open locations allow drow to levitate from one floor to another. In addition to music and singing, the depths' features shadow plays performed on an illuminated canvas. The owner is a commoner drow female named Kialara, who oversees an almostentirely male staff.

Dylchanta's Furfeathers

Massage House

The best massage house in Eastmyr, Dylchanta's Furfeathers regularly hosts massage parties for large groups. The parlor is run by Dylchanta, a female drow commoner, who is assisted by a staff of a dozen masseuses evenly split between genders. Dylchantahas no aspirations for nobility, only for the wealth as successful business can bring and the influence that wealth can buy. Some in Eastmyr whisper that she ensures that Furfeathers remains the only good massage house in Eastmyr through threats and violence, but nothing has ever been proven. Her principal clients are members of House Hunzrin, but on any given day, members of any of the lesser houses and common families can be found there.

Narbondel's Shadow

Rooming House

Narbondel's Shadow is one of the two surviving rooming houses that cater to non-drow visitors in the city. Narbondel's Shadow is very expensive, but the service is excellent. Rates include all meals, basic drink, stabling, and a private room with a magical light source. A human adventurer named Morl founded the rooming house shortly before the Time of Troubles. He left the place to his son, but in the late Spellplague era, it is run by a halfling named Dalfred Noakes.

Dalfred had a violent encounter with a young Hunzrin noble, which left him scarred and without his left ear. He has never forgotten or forgiven the noble. To this day, he makes full use the rooming house's prime location overlooking the Clawrift, and a connected small cave system that does not join up with Dark Dominion, to smuggle goods and hide people fleeing angry drow nobles. Dalfred also has contacts throughout Eastmyr and Braeryn for clients looking to discreetly hire or purchase needed magic, healing, weapons, and other gear. He plays a dangerous game that will likely get him killed in the near future.

NARBONDELLYN:

Red Tears

Cartel of Gem-Cutters & Moneylenders

Red Tears is a secretive consortium of lesser merchants that have banded together against the most conspicuous and haughty merchant houses of Menzoberranzan. This cartel of “dealers in the shadows”was formed in the Year of the Vitriolic Sage (1047DR) by a sardonic one-eyed drow known as Farseeing Phurn. Phurn is credited by those in the know for fomenting the bitter rivalry between prominent gem-cutting Houses Belek'tyr and Shadalun-a feud that has resulted in countless assassinations and significant loss of profits over the decades. Today, Red Tears is an expansive criminal organization with a coterie of smugglers, fences, racketeers, thugs, and cut throats operating throughout much of the city. Phurn governs his illicit empire from his compound in central Narbondellyn, carved from the ruins of House Tuin'Tarl. The organization takes its name from a rare teardrop-shaped gemstone of unusually-vivid, blood-crimson hue in Phurn's possession.

Brothers Jaszarr

Perfumers

Narbondellyn is home to the wealthiest (and most expensive) perfumers in the city. In the crowded,damp underground, perfuming is an art born of necessity. The best drow scents mingle with less desirable smells to mute everything into a pleasurable background. The brothers Dhellorn and Dirziir Jaszarr are together regarded as the finest purveyors of perfume in the city. Sold only to the finest drow of high society, their scents are woven with magical compulsions that make them more than simple cosmetics. In the right hands, such a perfume is the key to power and influence-two of every drow's favorite things. Unknown to all but a discreet clientele, the talents of the brothers Jaszarr extend to the crafting of toxic potions and ointments as well. For a hefty sum, these poisons-often seamlessly blended into their exotic perfumes-can cripple or slay a rival with little chance of detection.

Feathered Masqueax

Theater and Festhall

Unlike most playhouses in the city, which stage low-brow comedies, the Feathered Masqueax prides itself on hosting only innovative, well-acted dramas. Mostastonishing for revelers in attendance is the fact that many of the actors in the troupe are, in fact, undead; Their performances flawless and eerily lifelike. At show's end, privileged clientele are welcomed back-stage to enjoy food, libations, and the company of performers they fancy.

The owner and proprietor of the theatre company is an enigmatic male drow named Phaless. Nearly seven feet tall and always shrouded in a dark, blood-splattered robe resembling a funeral shroud, Phaless strikes an imposing figure. A tiny animated skeleton pendant pinned to his robe reveals to those in the know that the drow is a deathsinger, a rare bardic practitioner renowned for songs of dark glory and necromancy.

Black Sapphire Bath

Public Bathhouse

One of a dozen public baths scattered about the city,the Black Sapphire Bath is primarily a gathering place for males seeking to rid themselves of a day's sweat and grime, not to mention a place to socialize and relax in leisurely comfort away from the over-bearing presence of females. Patrons can be bathed by servants or left alone as they wish. Many fires keep the octagonal pools warm, its steaming mineral water scented with a choice of fragrances. Although not a festhall, there are no rules against guests enjoying more amorous activities with each other or with the bathing staff if additional coin is forthcoming.

WEST WALL:

Elstearn's Escorts

Hireling Agency

As one of the few businesses that has flourished in West Wall, Elstearn's Escorts provides carte-blanch services of intelligent, well-groomed, and attractive drow of either gender to its discerning clientele. Although some clients avail themselves of the agency for simple carnal pleasures, the escort service's pool of diverse hirelings has a wide variety of skillsets useful to Menzoberranyr social climbers. Many are hired as well-spoken and charismatic escorts for social functions; others as guides and interpreters of outlanders visiting the city. Some even seek out Elstearn's Escorts for well-trained bodyguards when business takes them to dangerous parts of the city or for quick excursions into the surrounding Underdark.

Xeva's Den

Gaming Pavilion & Tavern

The common room of this drinking establishment offers its discerning patrons a quiet place to enjoy a relaxing game of sava, table dice (backgammon), or oldmen's bones (pick-up sticks). Gamers looking to make wagers can do so in Xeva's private rooms. Elderboy Aumon Baenre is a frequent guest at Xeva's, sometimes gambling away hundreds of platinum in an evening.

Source:

[mixing0]

Ideas for a potential (and ideal for my tastes) Kirby Party game!!

This'll be long, obviously, so I'm leaving everything under the cut.

At its core, the game is a literal copy-and-paste of classic Mario Party. Everyone moves around the board, gathering more of a select item than their competitors to win, with minigames sprinkled throughout. No differences there. The difference comes from what the objects are, in this case.

On the topic of stars:

Here, stars are replaced with food items, given out by Kawasaki who replaces Toad. Whenever Kawasaki is moved, through any means, he prepares a new, unique food item.

When you get to Kawasaki, you can spend 20 point-stars (the Kirby equivalent of coins) for whatever he offers. Or you could spend 25 point-stars to get a different food selected at random.

Why does this matter? Because you can eat these food items for special bonuses, offering a nice helping of strategy to the established norm. Eating them means you lose a point, however, so it should be used very carefully to be effective.

Outside of those, at least one food is offered that has no stat effects and is just your bog standard.

On the topic of items:

Originally, I had planned for most of the items to come straight from Mario Party 2, but after looking more closely into the item system of Parties 5-7 (mainly 6 because it serves as another big influence on the project), I fell in love with the nuance and strategy that could be employed.

With that in mind, I was thinking about revamping the item system and number of items to better fall in line with this style. However, I'll still share the old item lineup, just for personal reference:

Wheelies act as mushrooms, letting you roll two dice blocks, while Rex Wheelies let you roll three.

Warp Stars act as, well, Warp Blocks, letting you swap places with a random player.

The Dimension Mirror allows you to move backward along a board when used. (And this will be more costly, so as not to be absolutely broken like the Reverse Mushroom was.)

The Vat-luck moves Kawasaki to a different space.

The Noddy Network calls Nightmare upon a player of your choosing.

The Enticing Cheese calls Daroach, while the Stinky Cheese prevents Daroach from stealing from you.

The Dinner Bell warps you straight to Kawasaki.

The Invisibility Stone lets you walk through alternate pathways.

The Nebula Chest steals a random item.

The Dueler's Sword... is self-explanatory.

On the topic of boards:

I conceptualized 12 main boards for the game. At the moment, they are:

Augmented Area (Technology-themed.)

Foody Feilds (Grassland, Food-centric theming.)

Corruption Cavern (Mining cave theme.)

Dusky Drawings (Spooky Mansion + Art theme)

Basalt Boulevard (Fire/Lava theme)

Royalty Ring (Castle theme)

Headstrong Honky-tonk (A casino in Merry Magoland.)

Galvanized Garden

Sanguine Sands (Western theme)

Mauve Mountain

Impeccable Iceberg

Nightmare's Nexus (Space Theme)

I may end up removing some of these, adding more, or changing a few of these ideas around.

On the topic of characters:

The roster includes:

Kirby

King Dedede

Meta Knight

Bandana Dee

Marx

Gooey

Adeleine

Ribbon

Magolor

Taranza

Susie

Elfilin

With the following making an appearance as non-playable characters:

Kawasaki (as the host.)

Nightmare (filling Bowser's role.)

Escargoon (who owns the bank.)

Daroach (filling in for Boo.)

Mr. Shine and Mr. Bright (who operate the day/night cycle.)

and other well-known enemies (who serve the other roles as needed.)

Each playable character will have a unique outfit for every board except for two. No one will have a unique outfit on Basalt Boulevard, and everyone will have a unique outfit on Nightmare's Nexus.

The character that does not have a unique outfit on the given board plays an integral role at the end if they lose, triggering a boss fight that acts as a final minigame (sort of similar to the boss minigames in Mario Party 9).

And that's everything I had! I hope you guys like my ideas!

Oh, and be sure to look out for the art I'll be making for this in the future. I've already made a few things for it, but they're all so old now that I feel like revamping them.

[ratasum]

The Lion's Arch Free Traders [CADS]

Something of a unique guild, the Lion's Arch Free Traders operate under the mark of the infamous smuggler queen, Lady Makko. While all agents are independent and operate their own businesses, Makko has opened the Hammerhead Salon as a means for others in similar veins to her unique line of work to network and form alliances as necessary.

Marked by the possession of a basalt pin inset with small rubies and delicate lines of orichalcum, members of the guild gain access to the use of the salon, early access to and discounts on Makko's vast array of "difficult to obtain" goods, and the ability to share client lists among those who wish to do so.

More than anything else, however, the Lion's Arch Free Traders serves as protection. A gathering of powerful criminals has its disadvantages, but it also makes for a strong alliance, discouraging fellows from selling out guildmates to the Lionguard for their own benefit and strongly frowning on backstabbing. As a united front, they can present one another as "legitimate" businessfolk when necessary, allowing members to operate free of harassment.

The guild's co-founder is the dramatic owner of the Bayside Boutique, Oskar Garoldsen, Makko's long time friend and occasional business partner.

[belfasttransfersandtours]

Journey to the Giant's Causeway: A Belfast Day Trip

There are a ton of things to do in Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The RMS Titanic was built in Belfast, and the city is probably best remembered for the bloodshed and suffering that occurred there during The Troubles in the latter half of the 20th century. The Titanic saga has captivated Belfast for more than a century. 

The enormous hulk of the ship formerly towered over the docks in east Belfast during the years it was being built, and it is believed that on the day of launch, the entire city partied and celebrated. A business called Belfast Walking Tour provides a selection of escorted walking tours in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Local experts who are passionate about the city and its history lead their trips. There are several excursions available from Belfast Walking excursions, including the following:

The Titanic Quarter, City Hall, and St. George's Market are just a few of the major sights included on the Best of Belfast Highlights Tour.

The Troubles and the Titanic disaster are just two examples of the city's difficult past that are covered in the tour "A History of Terror."

Visit some of the filming locations for the well-known television program Game of Thrones on this tour.

During this trip, passengers ride in a vintage black taxi cab as the driver tells them about the history and culture of the city.

It is highly recommended that you choose Belfast Transfers and Tours if you are considering visiting Belfast. It's a fantastic way to discover the city's past, present, and attractions.

The Typical Crucial Elements of Belfast Walking Tours

Typically, these tours are led by knowledgeable guides who give anecdotes, information, and viewpoints regarding Belfast's past and present. They give guests a fun and instructive experience and can deepen their awareness of the history and culture of the city. You may find numerous tour companies in the city that provide various tour kinds to fit your tastes if you're interested in taking a Belfast Walking Tour. 

Cultural Tours

The history of Belfast, particularly its industrial past, the Troubles (a time of unrest in Northern Ireland), and the city's contribution to shipbuilding, most famously the Titanic, are topics that are covered on many walking tours in Belfast.

Historical Tours

Some excursions place a strong emphasis on Belfast's cultural highlights, including its thriving music, artistic, and literary scenes.

Campaign Tours

Some tours in Belfast examine the political aspects of the city, including murals and locations connected to the Troubles, in light of the city's history of political struggle and peace-building initiatives.

Theme-Based Tours

Belfast Walking Tours might be thematic, concentrating on certain subjects like cuisine, architecture, or the city's nautical heritage.

Personalized Tours 

Several tour operators provide bespoke excursions to allow customers to customize their trip to their interests.

Tour of Belfast and Giants Causeway: The Best of Northern Ireland

A geological feature called the Giant's Causeway is made up of more than 40,000 interconnecting basalt columns. Over 60 million years ago, a volcanic eruption is thought to have produced it. The various sizes and styles of the columns combine to form a truly extraordinary and breathtaking scene. 

The Belfast to Giants Causeway Tour is a full-day excursion that transports tourists from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, a site that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, the trip frequently makes stops at additional sites such as the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This tour is a fantastic way to explore some of Northern Ireland's most stunning and well-known sights. 

This tour is appropriate for visitors of all ages and interests. These excursions offer a wonderful chance to take in Northern Ireland's natural beauty, learn about its geological history, and immerse in the local mythology and culture. They are a well-liked option for travelers wanting to experience the area's breathtaking coastline and distinctive geological treasures.

[blueiscoool]

U.S. Citizens Arrested in Guatemala for Smuggling Ancient Mayan Artifacts

A raid of the couple's home uncovered archaeological objects, and significant works in jade and basalt.

An American ex-pat couple in Guatemala is facing charges of smuggling historic artifacts—which could mean five to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Stephanie Allison Jolluck first fell under suspicion on November 10, when she was stopped at Guatemala City airport, the Associated Press reported. Her luggage was quite heavy, triggering an inspection. Inside, officials found two large Maya stone carvings, dating to 600 and 900 C.E. Jolluck claimed to have purchased them at a market in Antigua, where she lives.

It now appears that those sculptures were just the tip of the iceberg. Three days later, police stopped Jolluck in her car, and found 166 more historic artifacts. (A judge had already released her from custody.)

Jolluck was with another American, Giorgio Salvador Rossilli, and both claimed the artworks were worthless reproductions. (Rossilli also claimed that he had restored some of the artifacts found in their car for their owner, and had been returning them when he was arrested.)

“They argued that, because they are foreigners, they cannot tell one piece from another,” prosecutor Jorge Alberto de León told the AP. “They told the judge that because they were pieces of stone they had seen sold at the markets, they never imagined that they were ancient archeological pieces.”

Guatemala’s Culture Ministry begged to differ, finding 90 percent of the objects to be Pre-Hispanic originals. The country believes the couple is operating a network for the illicit trafficking of Maya artifacts and other cultural heritage.

Nonetheless, Judge Sherly Figueroa released Jolluck and Rossilli on $6,400 bail on Monday, prohibiting them from leaving the country and requiring a biweekly check-in with prosecutors.

Then came the raid of their home, conducted by the Office of the Prosecutor for Crimes against the Cultural Heritage of the Nation. The search turned up an astonishing 1,222 archaeological artifacts, 722 significant works in materials such as jade and basalt, as well as 500 smaller pieces.

Other objects seized by the police include computers, books, and a vibrantly colored stuffed bird that may be a quetzal. The General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Sports has taken custody of the artifacts for analysis, according to the nation’s Ministerio Público.

Jolluck, age 49, is a photographer and designer, while the AP described 62-year-old Rossilli as “a connoisseur of Mayan [sic] folk art.” She wrote on her website that she “has always been fascinated by Indigenous cultures. As a lover of ethnographic art, antiques, and handicrafts, I enjoy shopping markets around the world.”

By Sarah Cascone.

[melbmemories]

1920 /30s - The old Quarry the Sunshine Plaza is built on which previously was used by Massey-Ferguson/HV McKay as a dumping pit for Foundry and machinery waste.

The Sunshine Harvester Works quarry was located on the corner of Service and George Streets, Sunshine. This site was originally a commercially-operated basalt quarry which extracted blue metal to construct roads, railways and concrete. The size of the quarry was 1.5 acres and approximately 100 ft. deep. The company purchased the quarry from Mr. W.T Roberts in 1951 and used it to dump waste.

[mudaship39]

Lysander/Luciana Norwood

Base of Operations:

Castle inside a fortress as the High Elder of a Guardian Guild, a Knight Order and Paladin Order. Small buildings populate the grounds as dwellings for workers of the fortress. There are structures outside the bastion that offer a safe home to all those in need. A handful of waterfalls flow into various small rivers and provide the precious farm fields of farmers outside the castle with needed water. Lush fields of crops surround the castle walls and provide the inhabitants with food all year round. Various large houses are scattered outside the castle gates. Surprisingly the rich and middle class are comfortable with living outside the gates as well.  The walls of the bastion have openings for artillery, archers, & anti-siege weaponry. Trees grow close to the castle gates and provide it with valuable wood for all sorts of purposes. Stylish grand windows are scattered here and there around the walls of the castle in seemingly perfect symmetrical patterns. Fifteen thin square towers are a decoration aspect of this elegant castle. The castle is defended by towering four colossal round outposts made out of granite that form a protective barrier all around the castle. The outposts of this citadel are surrounded by eight guard posts made of obsidian. The guard posts have been built on various tactical spots for an ideal defense. The guard posts of this castle are each surrounded by fifteen guard towers. The guard towers dominate the skyline of these guard posts and are connected by tall thick walls made of basalt and stone. The fortress itself is defended by ten forts. Huge statues of heroes of the past decorate the castle inside. They are memories of glories of the past. The castle is built into a mountain surrounded by a forest. The forest was defended by magical creatures. The guard posts, guard towers, forts, & outposts that protect the castle are built into plains, hills, valleys, and fields. Huge dragon bones litter the forests and small wyvern and drake carcasses litter the fields and hills outside the castle. This castle has clearly been around for at least a thousand years. But it doesn't seem like it will collapse any time soon. This castle has clearly stood the test of time. This castle has been improved and improved over the ages. Some parts of the castle are clearly newer than others. The inhabitants are determined to keep their castle as modern as possible. This castle shows signs of expansion as some parts are clearly built more recently than others. The inhabitants are already working on another part and hope to keep expanding. The fortress has a huge gate with a vast gate with huge metal doors connected to a draw bridge built over a moat filled with aquatic magical animals that protects the bastion. These strong defenses give a safe place to rest in this forest stronghold. It's the only easy way in for any other side would be futile. Six strong square towers form a protective barrier all around the fortress. They are connected by towering, thin walls made of obsidian. Wide windows are scattered here and there across the fortress walls in an asymmetric pattern along with symmetric holes for archers, anti-siege weapons, and artillery. A sizable gate with giant metal doors, a regular bridge and various artillery equipment guards the last stronghold along this shoreline that the fortress is built into. But it's not the only way in when you know the fortress’s secret passages. Remnants of broken siege engines litter the area outside the fortress. Bodies, broken swords and shields, & dead mounts litter the fields outside. As a painful reminder of a past war. This fortress is relatively new but so far it stood its ground with ease and it'll likely do so for ages to come.

Vanguard Guild Hall as the Guild Grandmaster of Vanguard an S rank Adventuring Guild and Guild Order.  The Vanguard Guild had an emblem of swords and rifles in front of a sigil of a shield. This guild is designed expressly for those who battle monsters, hunt treasure in dungeons, and go on quests. The guild’s members were trained at a university founded by the guild. This guild will be dynamic. They are always looking for new opportunities. It may be willing to back more risky ventures in return for a share of the profits. It may even sponsor adventuring parties. The guild hall of the guild included a reception desk, a meeting room, training room, meeting room for guild leaders and VIP like royalty and other important people, treasury, market, dorms for apprentices and trainees, trading hall with traders, trophy room, war room, an arena, a library, workbenches, a brothel, barracks, chemistry lab for alchemists, offices for guild staff, magical lab for scientists, workshop, amphitheatre, common room, forge for blacksmiths and artificers, furnace, conference room for guild staff, emporium with merchants, auction room, a quest board, a bank, a notice board, hospital, pub for associates who aren’t members of the guild, mount stable, aviary, game room, archive room, mess hall, rooms with private wardrobes, storage room, warehouse, a tavern bar, kitchen, an armory, shrine for warlocks, chapel for clerics, & a dungeon for temporary prisoners. The guild had a grand hall. In the grand hall of the guild was a charter which is essentially a list of rules or values outlining the guild’s purpose and mission. The guild had a code of ethics. This addressed the overall behavior of a member, business practices, & product quality. In the reception hall of the guild was a list of requirements for admission and initiation. The guild’s standing and reputation in the community was excellent. The guild hall was a place where the guild showed off its accumulated power and wealth. The guild building had lodging and work areas for guild members and adventurers. It had a grand hall with ornate architecture and high ceilings. It was an obvious way for a powerful organization to quietly brag to all those who witnessed it. Tapestries hung on the walls in the color of the guild. The guild hall was three stories tall. The skylights at the top let light filter in the guild grand hall giving dramatic ambiance at any time of day. The guild had an underground room for secret meetings. The guild is led by a single president and overseen by a group of board members. An adventurers guild is an excellent spot for members to relax, share tales of their exploits, pick up rumors of missions within the city, hear gossip of loot in dungeons, and meet with prospective employers. Many people looking to hire adventurers come to an adventurers guild first. People can easily acquire adventuring hirelings or cohorts through the guild or hire freelance mercenaries through a mercenary company. The guild keeps track of its members' abilities. They often direct potential employers to the guild member or adventurer party that best fits their needs. Members must keep the guild apprised of their abilities and notify the guild when they are undertaking an adventure or quest. They are not required to accept any job offers the guild might point their way, but constant refusal of employment might eventually upset the guild grandmasters. Finally, members must be willing, if asked, to embark on a quest to rescue missing guild members. Finally, all members are expected to pay the guild 10% of the value of any treasure or goods they find on their adventures. In addition to the regular monthly dues. A guild is an organization formed to protect the interests and pursuits of people involved in the same general trade or activity. Within that broad definition a guild can appear in countless different forms. Such as large or small, weak or powerful, & public or secretive. Joining a guild is a simple enough prospect. One simply approaches it and petitions for membership. There you can find other information about the guild, such as its general membership requirements, operating procedures, and so on. A more covert association, such as a thieves or assassins guild, might require more investigation. Some secret societies are so well hidden that the party must seek out clues through investigation and adventuring. It is also possible that if someone has obtained fame that the relevant guild might approach them directly themselves through a representative. This is a relatively rare occurrence. Some guilds have additional requirements such as passing initiation rites or being a certain rank. Most guilds gain the bulk of their income through entry fees and membership dues. Most guilds provide a standard set of benefits available to all members. While they might vary slightly in specifics. They are generally the same from one guild to the next.  A guild subsidizes the cost of goods, supplies, and services related to its chosen field. Thereby reducing the price to a member by 10 to 15%. A guild can provide monetary loans to members who have fallen on hard times. Should they fail to meet the deadline. Then they are suspended or on probation at the very least or at the most expelled from the guild. The most obvious drawback to guild membership is the monthly dues. While most adventurers should have little problem earning this much money, a slow month can cause problems. A member in good standing might be given one month's leeway, but if they fail to pay their dues including back-dues by then they are suspended and put on probation. A member in bad standing after failing to pay back dues several times is expelled. Additionally, many guilds have enemies or rivals among the other guilds of the city. Guild members have certain responsibilities which they must perform in order to maintain their standing. In some cases these are fairly minor. Such as keeping the guild apprised of certain topics. In others, this responsibility might involve donating a percentage of earnings as membership dues. Other times it is seeking guild permission to undertake certain actions. An individual who fails to pay their dues or perform their duties for more than two consecutive months is expelled from the guild. Similarly, a member who compromises the guild in some manner is also expelled. Expulsion results in the immediate loss of all benefits gained from the guild. Guilds have a lot of power and influence. Guild membership can be an attractive prospect. Though most small guilds appeal only to characters who stand to gain from belonging, rather than the adventuring party as a whole. Small and weak guilds often do little more than provide members with a place to belong and perhaps a bit of financial support). Influential and powerful guilds control entire economic markets and might even guide the course of their local government. The municipal government cannot afford to alienate the guild giving it substantial leverage to make demands. A guild that becomes this powerful often fixes prices, drafts legislation favorable to it, or dominates markets otherwise unrelated to its pursuits. They played an integral part in magical society. They play a big part in the economies of the cities, counties, & countries that they inhabit. Guilds can provide so much more than a healthy economy and a prosperous working class. Guilds have had an enormous impact on the economy of the territory it covered. These are the organizations that can offer experience and resources. They can be a benevolent ally, a training ground, or a client. A guild is a corporation, a union, & a cartel. This guild has a bureaucratic setup. The best way to hide a glyph of protection is by sheer scale. This is done through facets of a planned city such as walls, streets, lights, sewers, & buildings. This glyph of protection goes through the entire country. This glyph of protection protects the town, city, & kingdom that the Guild Order is inside of. The symbol passes unnoticed to all but only to a select few of powerful magic users who are grand magisters. It is later forgotten completely by the general public. It is discovered in blueprints and through birds eye view of airships, planes, or flying mounts. It is geometric magic that is hidden in plain sight that is a protection spell for the location. Built alongside the glyph of protection is a giant magic circle that channels energy for the magic users of the guild and adventuring guild.

Hidden away beyond the mountains in a kingdom in the clouds held up by magic is his/her/their own personal magic tower as a grand magister of the circle of magi, magical society, and the magic council. A Circle of Magi consists primarily of spellcasters, but occasionally boasts non-casting members such as alchemists. Magicians, wizards, sorcerers, witches, necromancers, & warlocks make up most of the members. These magical councils offer comfortable and well-stocked libraries for research, and laboratories for experimentation. Perhaps more important is that they offer an environment where casters can exchange ideas and theories. Or simply a place where they can interact with those who actually understand them. The Circle of Magi is a magocracy and faction. A magocracy is a form of government where only those with ability in magic could wield power and influence. The magocracy of the Circle of Magi is a bureaucratic organization that touches nearly every corner of the Federation of Aehinara of the Alliance and the Legion. It is essentially a government in a government. Its citizens are the billions of users of magic in the Federation. Arcane councils are also valuable as political leverage in cities where governments or common folk love magic as magical humans, homo magi, & Indigenous magical humans make up a magical society. The circle of magi is a faction of an esoteric society of arcane spellcasters governed by a magical council. The magical council easily rivals the rulers. The Circle of Magi is the main ruling body of the entire magical world of Homo Magi, magical humans, & Indigenous magical humans. The Circle of Magi is the primary governing body of many of the kingdoms, empires, & nations of the Federation of Aehinara. The Circle of Magi magical council acts as a leading government. The magical council is governed by a magical parliament and magical congress of a house of representatives and senate. The magical parliament consists of a house of commons of a council of elders and a house of lords of a council of high elders. This magical government is led by an executive branch of a Grand Magister. These 11 high elders are elites that specialize within the schools of magic. Such as abjuration, alteration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, evocation, illusion, necromancy, transfiguration, and transmutation. The 11 high elders are indifferent to the thoughts and concerns of non magicals. The magical council's laws are made to suit the powerful and magical. They enforce a powerful monopoly on key aspects of magical society. The nobility of Aehinara often have magical or sorcerous bloodlines. Many of the past and present 11 of the magical council high elders have come from the bickering magical noble families. Many elders who are council members are looking for ways to increase their power, influence, control, & supremacy over the 11 high elder members of the Magical Council. The 11 high elders gained their positions of the magical council through various means. Some through the lineage of well known magical ancestors. Some through being an apprentice of an old master. Others were valedictorians of magical academies. Others were heroes in wars as magical users. The magical council became an arm of the rulers’ of the magical human kingdoms and leaders of the Indigenous magical human nations power base as a separate branch of the military. They provide intelligence, security, and act as a branch of the military as magical soldiers. The Circle of Magi is a governing body of the magical community. They are responsible for regulating and enforcing laws for the magical community. They are responsible for keeping the magical community safe from the non magical community. On the ground it has several bastions that protect it from invasion. The forts themselves are protected by outposts, guard posts, & guard towers. The magical tower has an unique design and layout tailored to his/her/their personality. The magical tower has an alchemist laboratory where alchemists can brew potions, concoctions, potions, & elixirs. It has a workshop for artificers. The magic tower comes with a personal study for wizards. It has a witch cauldron for a witch coven to brew and concoct elixirs, potions, antidotes, brews, & concoctions. It has a large collection of magical lore. It has an archive of magical artifacts. It has a large library of scrolls, manuscripts, parchments, tomes, & books. It has an arena for duels between magic users. It has a stable for mounts. It has an arena for duels between fighters. It has a training arena for apprentices. It has an astronomy tower with an observatory. It has apartments and homes for workers. It has a herbology garden. It has a maze with stone, rock, & metal golem guards. It has secret passages. It has a garden protected by a wood elemental, stone elemental, & nature elemental. It has a crafting lab to craft, repair, and upgrade equipment. It has an armory with weapons, armor, & shields. It has a treasure room with loot that he/she/they found from inside dungeons as an adventurer and quests as a guild member. It has a factory to create automatons. It has a viewing room magic mirror to scry on others. It has a room with a table with a crystal ball and tarot cards for cartomancy and divination for fortune telling. It has a summoning and banishing room for his/her/their patron as a warlock. It is even bigger on the inside because of spatial magic. It is interconnected with other spires that connect to other magical towers. The magic tower is hidden away by illusions. The only way to reach it is by a portal network system. When an intruder attempts to access the portal when they aren’t supposed to it seals access from the portal network off. The magical tower is built on a magical leyline. It is built with a defense matrix. The magic tower is full of traps that deal with intruders. The magic tower has a room with magically bound guard monsters. The magic tower is defended against magic users with anti magic fields. The magical tower itself is protected by wards and charms and attacks intruders with hexes and curses. High King/High Queen of the Alliance and Coalition and leader of the Federation of Ahinara. The Alliance or Coalition represents everything good, lawful, tolerant, and progressive in the world. Self-proclaimed or otherwise. This is both an alliance between species and a coalition between nations. The ideals of the alliance are freedom, prosperity, and the security of its people. The alliance was organized by the heroic and righteous High King of the magical humans and Indigenous magical humans and the wise Dark Elven Empress of the Elven Empire. Who gets to define who’s good, lawful, and civilized in the world is an entirely different matter as history written by the victors and truth is defined by the powerful.