#this will be a trend

[letsplaydcttrpg]

Strangers in Paradise pt 2 - Diplomacy Time

Start this module here!

Previous part here!

Links to all posts for this module in the pinned post!

Block Shots: With a rebellious shout, you streak forward, your cape billowing behind you. You fly into the air above the arena, maneuvering between the gunman and his ambassador target. Above the murmuring of the crowd, your ears make out the distinctive crack of rifle fire. A veritable rain of bullets hurtles toward you and you brace yourself for the impact of intercepting them.

Time for a check! It's STR and DEX, which are 20 and 26 respectively, because we're Wonder Woman. So we only need a 4 to succeed.

Deflect Bullets: You whip your bracelets through the air with dazzling speed. A hail of bullets crashes into them, sending a jarring shock through your arms and into your body. Mortals may find your "Flashing Thunder" demonstrations riveting but you still find them drastically unnerving. With a speed born of indignation, you intercept each bullet, sending them all hurling off into the open air above the arena. During the barrage, you still manage to glimpse the would-be assassin: a heavyset man with dark skin and black hair who wears workman's coveralls. The gunman looks surprised, startled by your unexpected appearance in the path of his bullets. Realizing his predicament, he drops his rifle and bolts toward the arena's exit ramp. You sail towards him and pick him up as he reaches a nearby stairwell. You swing him forcibly into the wall, knocking the wind out of him. You then deposit the gunman in the arms of the arena's security force, which is finally responding to the alarm.

Okay here's the thing. I think this is a mistake in the book. The section it directs us to is an exact copy of the another section, which refers to someone being murdered. Except all three pathways that lead to this duplicate section section (including this one) specifically reference the assassination attempt being thwarted. So: we definitely did thwart the attempt and no one died, but the module is slightly messed up.

Dead Attache II [[only not?]] You return to the stage, where the emcee is valiantly trying to keep the audience members in their seats. "Please...please, everyone," the emcee please, "remain calm. Everything is under control. Everything's fine." Taking the microphone from the emcee's hands, you plead a different case. "No. Nothing is fine." you say. "A man just [[almost]] murdered another man! I do not know which set of tensions resulted in this horror but such hostilities are exactly why I am here. Millennia ago, when men fought with mere bronze swords, the Amazons came to men with the doctrine of peace. Today, when those swords have given way to guns and bombs, our message is especially vital." The audience rises to its feet in a sudden outburst of cheering and applause. You are slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm of their reaction. You wonder silently, [Why is it so hard to bring peace to the world when so many people are so hungry for it?] Selection Process: You finish the lecture on a triumphant note and return to the cool darkness backstage where you are welcomed by your closest friends on Man's World: Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, Julia Kapatelis, and her daughter, Vanessa. "You were great!" Vanessa gushes, giving you an impulsive hug. "Good ad lib," Steve says with a smile, leading you along the backstage corridors. "You really got them where they live, Diana." "I'm very proud of you, dear," Julia says. "But now comes the hard part: a task I've been wondering if even one possessed of the powers of the Greek gods can handle." As Julia opens the nearby door, you hear the cacophonous babble of a hundred squabbling ambassadors. In the course of the ensuing day, you meet with dozens of people, each eager to represent his nation on a journey to Themyscira. With the consultation of Julia, Steve, and Etta, you quickly narrow down the list of applicants. During the meeting, the arena security force informs you that the gunman has been identified as a hired killer, paid by an anonymous backer to assassinate the entire delegation from the Emirate of Kabul. The assassin has not yet been linked to any political faction, which does not keep the Kabulian ambassador from making his own conclusions regarding the employer's identity. "Obviously a terrorist from Fujara!" the Kabulian ambassador shouts. "We are extremely familiar with the backstabbing ways of our notorious mid-east 'neighbor'!" "You are just trying to gain sympathy for your own traitorous country!" the Fujaran ambassador shouts stridently. "This is nothing but a cheap ploy to generate publicity out of a tragic event!" You stride over to the pair and level a calm but steely gaze at them. They turn and look at you. "And what is this to you?" the Kabulian ambassador hisses. "A woman...and an outsider at that!"

We gotta do a Charisma check with a penalty because they're hostile, but luckily we are very charismatic so we only need a 7.

Mediation: "Gentlemen," you begin. "If you have a disagreement, there are ways to solve it other than clashing like this." "Hah!" the Fujaran representative shouts emphatically. "WIth this mountain ape there is no option!" "The Fujarans never listen to reason," the Kabulian responds. "They have heads of brick!" "Quiet, both of you!" you say, cutting the argument short. "If you cannot respect on another, simply avoid further contact." "We are certain the gunman was from Fujara!" protests the Kabulian. "We demand a formal apology!" "That is an important matter, I agree," you reply firmly. "However, it is one which should be resolved at a more appropriate time. My purpose here is to select ambassadors to Themyscira, not to mediate international affairs." The two men grumble briefly but soon separate to distant corners of the room. You return to Julia, Steve, and Etta, who smile at you and compliment your success at resolving the immediate situation. Information: "Tell me about the ambassadors," you say. "They're from two small mid-east nations," Steve Trevor replies, "Fujara and the Emirate of Kabul." "The feud you saw today has its origins as far back as the middle ages," Julia adds. "And they still dispute their bordering territories." "Fujara is nominally allied with the United States while the Emirate has ties with the Soviet Union," Etta says thoughtfully. "The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. used to exert some influence over them and could normally keep the two nations from fighting. Unfortunately, Fujara and the Emirate won't listen to either side anymore." Steve frowns, continuing. "Ever since the two superpowers nearly destroyed the world during the Ares Affair, they lost a lot of credibility with their allies." "But that was all due to Ares' manipulations," you protest. "I know that and you know that, Princess," Steve replies. "But most of the world remains skeptical about the actual existence of your gods. Nevertheless, since the Ares Affair, these two nations have been at each other's throat, just looking for an excuse to declare war. And it seems there's nothing anyone can do about it." "Don't be so sure about that," Julia interrupts. "Diana, if you invited those two ambassadors to Themyscira, they just might learn some important lessons, don't you agree?" "What?!" Steve asks, incredulous. "Diana, you can only bring five ambassadors," Etta interjects. "Are they really the sort you'd want to invite?" "Etta's point is well taken, dear," Julia adds. "These two could benefit greatly from the visit...or they could ruin it all. And think of your Amazon sisters. If the visit goes poorly, they may not accept any more visitors. That would be a high price to pay. "It's your decision, Diana," Julia continues, solemnly. "Consider wisely, as I know you will."

(Bet y'all weren't expecting so much international diplomacy right out the gate, huh?)

[puppyeared]

filipina miku!! my mom helped me with her outfit ^_^

[bumblingbabooshka]

Vulcan teen on Vulcan [tiktok] saying "I have just lost track of my father in the grocery store." The camera turns to show the viewers the grocery store in which almost every single older middle-aged man has a bowlcut and long robes. Camera turns back to show the teen's face which is expressionless and yet communicates all it needs to.

[nerdy-arty]

Venezuelan Miku!!

[mendely]

Vatican Miku... priest Miku...

[bluebeesknees]

18th 19th century german noble’s dress but it’s Hatsune Miku

[nando161mando]

A perfect snapshot of America in the trending articles from 12/6/24

[beastwhimsy]

"I should draw Māori Miku!" I said to myself. "Just a fun sketch, it shouldn't take me long" I said to myself. Six hours later I come to with this in front of me and a wrist begging for mercy but holy fuck worth it. I love this trend this was so much fun

PLEASE DON'T REPOST ON OTHER SITES!!! ASK ME FIRST!!!!!

DISCLAIMERS AND NOTES ETC.... I'm Pākehā, meaning I am not of Māori descent. I hold so much respect for Māori people, for their values and traditions, and for the fierce pride with which kapa haka is performed. I thought if I was going to design a Māori Miku, it makes sense to dress her in a kapa haka kākahu, as her whole thing is singing and dancing!!! The moko kauae is not based off any real person's. I referenced the temporary moko kauae a lot of kapa haka performers wear!! Was tricky finding out whether or not depicting her with a moko kauae was a good idea, so I went the safe route- showing an aspect of Māori culture without stepping over any boundaries!! Brown eyed Miku is everything to me shout out brown eyed Miku.... I referenced like seven different outfits to put hers together!! I really hope this looks accurate or at least passable. Thanks to adorkastock for the pose ref!!

[stimmingandstruggling]

more good news from tiktok: they’ve started blocking celebrities.

they’re calling it block party 2024. just blocking and ignoring countless celebrities who havent said shit about palestine. influencers, actors, anyone who went to the met gala, whatever, they’re getting blocked. and people keep talking about how cathartic it is, how good it feels, how they never realized they could DO that. there was some kind of subconscious law against blocking famous people, but it’s broken, and people are LOVING it. and it’s WORKING. a social media/digital advertising coordinator was talking about how ad companies are PANICKING, because they can’t accurately target anymore. so many big influencers, including fucking LIZZO started talking about palestine the MOMENT their follower counts started going down. and the best part? no one is forgiving them. lizzo posted a tiktok asking people to donate to palestinian families, and all the comments just said you’re a multimillionaire. put your money where your mouth is. blocked.

i feel like i’m witnessing the downfall of celebrity culture, right here right now. people are waking up.

[depressedlochnessmess]

im sure this has been done already but uh mimiku

[can-of-w0rmz]

Celtic Miku!!

[spooksier]

young artist posting your work online, heed my warning. im holding your face so gently in my hands, you have to stop caring about numbers right now and start caring about making the weirdest and most self-indulgent art you possibly can

[xzyumi]

tang dynasty miku

[frenchublog]

kosovo miku

[almondpiglet]

ppl were drawing mikus from all over so heres habesha miku and her lil twin sibs rin and len!!