#top deck builders

[thesecretlivesofdreams]

Roof Extensions - Deck Mid-sized craftsman backyard deck design with an addition to the roof.

[twenty-flight-rock]

Roof Extensions - Deck

Mid-sized craftsman backyard deck design with an addition to the roof.

[itsjonmackey]

Craftsman Deck - Deck Mid-sized craftsman backyard deck design with an addition to the roof.

[britneyparallax]

Rune Age

I wish Rune Age from Fantasy Flight Games had gotten as many expansions as Dominion or Star Realms. To this day it remains my favorite deck builder, though those two games aren't far behind.

[pergola-company-in-dubai]

Can Pergolas be Used During All Seasons, Including Dubai’s Hot Summers?

Introduction:

Pergolas are not only aesthetic additions to outdoor spaces but also functional structures that offer shade and shelter. However, in regions with extreme temperatures like Dubai, there’s often a question: can pergolas be used during all seasons, including the scorching summers? As the top pergola developer, manufacturer and construction company in Dubai, 800Pergola is committed to providing innovative outdoor solutions that cater to the unique needs of our clients. Let’s explore the possibilities and considerations for maximizing pergola usage throughout the year in Dubai’s climate.

Understanding Pergolas:

Pergolas are versatile outdoor structures consisting of vertical posts supporting cross-beams and an open lattice roof. Traditionally, they’re designed to provide partial shade while allowing air circulation. In Dubai, where summers are hot and dry, pergolas offer a retreat from the intense sun while still allowing residents to enjoy outdoor living. This is made possible by the innovative design and construction of modern pergolas, which are engineered to provide shade and comfort even in the most extreme temperatures.

Summer Challenges:

Dubai’s summers are characterized by high temperatures, often exceeding 40°C (104°F), accompanied by intense sunlight. These conditions pose challenges for outdoor activities and structures. One of the key advantages of pergolas is their versatility in adapting to different seasons. Pergolas, with their open design, may seem less suitable for providing relief from the heat. By incorporating adjustable louvers or retractable canopies, homeowners can control the amount of sunlight and ventilation, ensuring a comfortable outdoor experience even in the peak of summer.

Bioclimatic Design:

One solution for making pergolas suitable for Dubai’s hot summers is incorporating bioclimatic design principles. Bioclimatic pergolas, by Dubai’s best Pergola Company, feature adjustable louvers or slats that can be angled to control sunlight penetration and airflow. By adjusting the louvers, residents can optimize shade while allowing airflow, creating a more comfortable outdoor environment even in the heat of summer.

Shade Solutions:

Another approach to enhancing pergola usability in summer is by adding retractable awnings, fabric shades, or climbing plants. These additions provide additional shade when needed, offering respite from the direct sun. Retractable awnings, in particular, allow for flexibility, as they can be extended or retracted based on the sun’s position throughout the day.

Winter Warmth:

Contrary to popular belief, pergolas can also be enjoyed during Dubai’s mild winters. By adding outdoor heaters or fire pits, you can create a cozy atmosphere that encourages outdoor gatherings and relaxation, even on chilly evenings. This flexibility ensures that pergolas can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the season.

Cooling Options:

To further enhance comfort, cooling features can be integrated into pergola designs. Misting systems or fans can be installed to reduce ambient temperatures and create a refreshing breeze. These additions help counteract the heat, making the outdoor space more enjoyable even during the hottest months.

Durability and Maintenance:

Choosing the right materials is crucial for ensuring pergola durability and comfort in Dubai’s climate. High-quality, weather-resistant materials such as aluminum and UV-resistant fabric are commonly employed by top pergola construction companies in Dubai. Additionally, selecting light-colored materials helps reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption. At 800Pergola, we use high-quality materials and craftsmanship to ensure that our pergolas withstand the test of time and require minimal upkeep, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor oasis year-round without worrying about deterioration or damage. When investing in a pergola, durability and low maintenance are essential factors to consider, especially in Dubai’s harsh climate

Conclusion:

In conclusion, pergolas can indeed be used during all seasons, including Dubai’s hot summers, with the right design considerations and enhancements. Pergolas can offer a comfortable outdoor retreat by incorporating bioclimatic design features, shade solutions, cooling options, and appropriate materials. Even in extreme heat, these elements work together to create a comfortable environment. With careful planning and maintenance, residents can enjoy their pergolas year-round, enhancing their outdoor living experience in Dubai’s climate.

Ready to experience the benefits of a pergola in all seasons? Contact 800Pergola, the leading pergola builders in Dubai, at 800-737-4652 for expert advice and customized outdoor solutions. Let us help you create the perfect outdoor retreat for year-round enjoyment.

OFFICE Address –

RATW, DY 21, Al Jadaf, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Toll Free No: 800-737-4652

Mobile: 055 380 5148

Email: inquiry@800pergola.com

Website - https://800pergola.com/

Our Social Media Presence –

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/800pergola

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/800pergola/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/800pergola

[outdoormakeovers]

The Benefits of Hiring Top Deck Builders for Your Atlanta Home

If you want to enhance the beauty and functionality of your Atlanta home, hiring  professional deck builders is a wise decision. Whether you want to create an outdoor oasis or add value to your property, top deck builders in Atlanta can help you achieve your goals.

Let's learn some essential benefits of hiring deck builders:

1. Expertise and Experience: Top Deck builders in Atlanta have the expertise and experience needed to design and build a deck tailored to your specific needs and preferences. They are familiar with local building codes, ensuring compliance and safety.

2. High-Quality Materials: Hiring professionals guarantees the use of high-quality materials, ensuring a durable and long-lasting deck. They have access to a wide range of materials, providing you with various options to choose from.

3. Customized Design: Professional deck builders can create a deck design that complements your home's architecture and suits your lifestyle. They take into consideration factors such as space, layout, and your individual preferences.

4. Time and Cost-Efficiency: Hiring experts save you time and money. They have the skills and tools necessary to complete the project efficiently, minimizing delays and costly mistakes.

Wrapping it up

Investing in top deck builders for your Atlanta home offers numerous benefits. For exceptional deck-building services in Atlanta, you can consider Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces. Their team of experts is dedicated to transforming your vision into a reality, ensuring that your deck is not just a space but an experience.

[pierceconstructionandrepair]

Pierce Construction & Repair offers Best Deck & Porch Repair & Installation in Fullerton, California. Go through the top Deck Builder & contractors in Fullerton. CA. Call us today.

[leog4u]

Game Design and Porn Pt. 1

or, How To Fuck Up The Best Intrinsic Reward Ever

Hi, I'm Leo G, veteran pervert. One time while chatting in a server exclusively made of porn artists, I brought up the game design of a porn game I enjoyed. One of them laughed, saying "Who cares, it's just a porn game?" Being unwell, I never let this go. Since then, I have played many adult games and took each one as serious products made by professionals. Fast forward to today, and the demo for my porn game, Joker's Trip, is nearing completion. I also have some sci-fi erotica you should check out.

So you wanna make a porn game. You heard they make money, and hey what’s more fun than making a video game AND porn? But you don’t know where to begin! Well don’t worry, Leo’s got you covered. We’re gonna walk through the line of thinking you should have when designing your porn game. There's gonna be at least three parts to this, with part 1 focusing on how to reward your player.

Define "porn game" for me, Leo.

There are porn games, and then games with porn in them. A porn game is a game where you won’t last 5 minutes, where everything exists solely to meet and, subsequently, fuck. A game with porn in it is a game where everything exists for the purpose of the game, and also, you fuck. Fate Stay Night, for example, is a VN with a story that just so happens to have some CGs where the protagonist rails Saber, but is mainly about Shirou and the Holy Grail War. Much like how I would call Castlevania a game with horror in it, but not a horror game.

Porn games are a lot like horror games. They both get a bad rap for being cheap to make, appealing to base instincts, and generally being low quality. They're also both not actual genres of games, but genres of content. Think about it, if I asked you what a horror game is, you'd say a game that's scary. But what's the actual game part? The unfortunate answer would most likely be "walking sim," but there are a lot of examples that are FPSes, puzzles, driving sims, platformers, deck builders, the list goes on.

The most common genres of game I see for porn games these days are by far RPG Maker RPGs and VNs. I won’t be talking about VNs because they’re closer to writing than game design, which isn’t a flaw but a feature. What used to be everywhere, in days of old, were breakout games, where the more bricks and levels were cleared, the more of the sexy image would be revealed in the background. Other arcadey type deals like shoot ‘em ups and mahjong were also around, and had a similar “strip ‘em down until you have sex” gameplay loop.

Okay, so what’s an intrinsic reward?

There’s intrinsic rewards, and there're extrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards, generally, are the number go up rewards. Things that make your character stronger, or give you more resources to buy new gear or whatever. Intrinsic rewards in games can cover a large swathe of things. It can be the feeling of satisfaction of completing a puzzle, a piece of lore or world building, or a new dialogue option with a character you want to fuck.

I like fucking characters, are we talking about porn now?

Yes! I’m of the opinion that you literally can’t make a better intrinsic reward than pornography. On top of setting the tone for the entirety of the game., at its best it can add to a story, add to someone’s character development, or be a beautiful piece of art to look at. AND you can jack off to it! Unfortunately, that’s at its best. Let’s talk about how porn is delivered in a theoretical RPG porn game. (As a head’s up, there will be talk of “bad end” scenes, but this is under the assumption that the player is the one consenting.)

So you’re playing an RPG and get into a fight. Maybe you were underleveled or too cumbrained to remember to buy healing potions. Then your HP goes to zero, and instead of going back to the title screen, you’re getting fucked by orcs. That’s right, let’s talk about Game Over CGs.

You get to watch porn when you lose?

To someone making a porn game with a battle system, this delivery method makes sense. The characters in this world are driven primarily by lust, this is just the obvious conclusion. And it doesn’t even have to be non-consensual! Games like Future Fragments show that it can be presented as a sexy inconvenience rather than anything uncomfortable for the player or our hero. Game Over CGs even have the benefit of softening the blow of defeat, by giving the player a chance to reflect on their defeat and jerk off. Even better if losing a fight isn’t lost progress, but rather a bump in the road. However, there’s a problem here. The player is a dog, and we’re rewarding bad behavior.

The porn is an intrinsic reward, so why are we giving it to the player for losing? Incentivizing losing on purpose isn’t just bad game design, but a waste of time. And to that end, a lot of porn games try to give solutions to this. One being a kill button on the keyboard or a skill that instantly KOs our hero to get to the lose screen faster. What might seem like a convenience is really just expediting failure.

What it says is that the gameplay doesn’t actually matter. You’re just here for the porn, right? In that case there’s plenty of places I can go to see a chick with huge knockers get railed by an orc, with the added bonus of not having to play forgettable and mid turn based combat!

Another solution I’ve seen is the game outright telling you, “hey don’t bother killing yourself to see the porn. Once you beat the game all of the scenes you missed will be unlocked!” At first this seems like a reasonable way to go about it, but it comes with another problem: your game better be fucking good to make me play through the entire thing before getting to see cock. Like I said earlier, porn at its best can reveal things about the world and drive character development. I uh. Just beat the game. I don’t care anymore. Showing me a scene that’s taken out of context by a factor of 5 hours or more isn’t what I’d call great game design or story telling. It’s also too little, too late.

What if we made the porn actual rewards?

Now we’re getting somewhere! Let’s make the reward…a reward! What if, every time the player beats a level, we get some porn? If we tie the CG to beating the boss, we’ll be tying the reward to game progression. That’s good right? So now, on top of the extrinsic rewards you’d normally get for beating a boss (a lot of EXP, better gear, opened areas) we also get that sweet dopamine rush of pornography! So we’re good, right?

There’s 1142 words left in this post, so I’m assuming no.

Well. It’s a start. It has the problem of predictability. If not handled properly, it comes off as lazy. As a game designer, one of your goals is to not constantly remind your player that they’re playing a video game. Get through the level, get porn. It feels a little too “mouse in a maze looking for cheese” for my taste. And much like the game over method, if the actual game itself is mid, the player will start to question if the reward is worth it, and might be afflicted with the worst condition a player could receive: boredom.

Of course there are exceptions. In puzzle or arcade type games where you don’t get extrinsic rewards, giving the player porn as another form of reward per level or whatever is perfectly reasonable (though it does have the issue of being predictable.) This is a perfectly good way of doing it if your game is short, or if the game is, y’know, good and fun to play. Bad Color’s game, Heroine Conquest, is a level based puzzle game with porn as the reward, but only when you do good. Combining the actual challenge of mastering the game, with a genuinely unique game loop makes for a feeling of accomplishment when beating a level. Pair that up with a sex cutscene, and the dopamine rush will hit.

So! Let’s combine giving the player a power trip, with a less rigid structure for giving the player porn. Instead of tying the porn to purely progression gates, let’s tie it to the progression.

Plot milestones

In Third Crisis, sex scenes are peppered throughout the regular game’s plot, starting with some lesbian bondage before introducing the protagonist, who goes through a tutorial before having their own horny encounters. It’s not just given when you win or lose, but is a natural part of the game. Beating bosses, losing to enemies, and exploring dialogue options in sidequests all lead to unlocking new CGs.

Now what’s nice about that, is that the sex isn’t placed somewhere extremely predictable. It isn’t just a reward for beating The Boss Of Forest Zone, Now Go To Ice Zone And Beat The Ice Boss For More Cock. Because that’s the biggest issue of predictable rewards, you know you’re not getting anything until that checkpoint, which will make the player weigh whether or not it’s even worth continuing. This is fine, again, for an arcade type game, not an RPG or adventure game. By sprinkling sex throughout the plot itself, the player will not only want to progress, but their curiosity will have them wondering “what else is out there?”

Rewarding exploration

By putting sex scenes behind optional side quests or encounters, the dog that is the player will scour every single corner of the map, and leave no pixel unturned. Personally, that’s more exciting to me than what you’ll get in the main progression route. In Future Fragments the player can find their rival Faye in sexual situations if they explore the map enough. These are completely optional, and don’t give any direct rewards like more HP or an item, but they’re by far what motivates me to explore the maps as thoroughly as possible, more so than the plot macguffins the game is named after!

So now the player is excited. Sex can happen anywhere. Maybe that daunting off road path with stronger monsters isn’t just hiding a secret, but a sexy secret! They’ll be more likely to venture down those optional paths you painstakingly made.

If we’re using sex in game overs, boss fights, and just randos, why not put it everywhere?

So now I want to talk about the concept of a “sex stat”. It’s not a bad idea! Say, the higher the player’s sex stat is, the more opportunities you unlock for fucking. It could even be tied to the player character’s personality, and affect the story! Instead of using a sword and shield, they’ll end any conflict with sass and sex. They open their eyes to the horny world around them and stop being a hero, and instead become a succubus, and the ending is a massive cum filled orgy.

That sounds excessive

Yeah, it does, doesn’t it.

I’m not a fan of “corruption” systems in porn games. Corruption as a kink is totally fine, and having it be a part of the story lets you incorporate more sexuality into the plot. But as I alluded to, it snowballs pretty fast (and I’m not talking about spitting in someone’s mouth). It ends up being like a cheat code, where you’re bypassing parts of the game for no cost. It stops being a reward, it stops being unexpected, and it stops it from being sexy.

Wait, what? Stops being sexy? What’s not sexy about a succubus orgy?

Alright, listen, we gotta rein it in for a minute. This isn’t so much about game design as it is about writing erotica, but if you have a world where everyone’s fucking and sucking 24/7, there’s no contrast to make what would normally be a hot taboo a hot taboo. If everybody’s naked, nobody’s naked. The aforementioned snowball effect of a corruption system can be seen if you play literally any game that has one. It won’t take long to not have to engage with any combat or adventuring system if you can just press the “Submit to the big dick warlock” button and watch porn to progress.

Which, now that I said that, is exactly the problem. Imagine any other rpg you’ve ever played. Now imagine if every encounter and dialogue option had an option to just watch a short cutscene to skip the encounter. That would suck ass, right? Literally no difference here.

It would. Hey, I’m sort of lost now.

Don’t worry, we’re wrapping this up.

So what did we learn? We learned game over CGs have a critical design flaw that shouldn’t be relied on. We learned that predictable rewards can lead to boredom. We learned to keep sex as a reward and not devalue it.

To summarize, here’s a neat trick to know where to put your porn scenes.

”Would I put an Xbox Live achievement here?”

It’s that easy. “Lose to Goblins for the first time,” that’s an achievement. “Beat orc commander,” that’s an achievement. “Find Hubert the Magical Dickhead,” that’s an achievement. Using that as a guideline is foolproof. Almost.

This sounds like it’d take a lot of resources

It sure does! But don’t worry. I’ll cover that in the next post talking all about how to deal with the resource management of a porn game.

(Shoutout to Taylor, my guy for editing!)

[biggaybunny]

Games I Don't Hear Anyone Talk About, So I'm Going To Talk About Them

There's no rhyme or reason to the order here, and maybe these games do have fanbases I've just missed! But that's the premise, here we go:

The vibes to me are like, if Celeste were a metroidvania. It has exceptional platforming mechanics that are easy to learn, hard to master, and a colorful and expansive map that rewards exploration. The characters are all adorable too.

A horde survival game a la vampire survivors with a stark and effective color palette. It has tons of atmosphere and the characters offer actual differences in playstyle from one another. I admittedly haven't put too many hours into this because it's tough as nails, but I still recommend it.

A choose-your-own-adventure VN with a light card battling element, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist was both comfy and a little melancholic about finding happiness and meaning in times of change and strife. It'll take you some time to uncover the full story, and I found myself doing four or five repeat playthroughs without feeling the repetition because there are so many branching routes to take. Also, while you can opt out of the card battling to focus on the story experience, mastering it is a lot of fun!

Have you ever thought to yourself "The only thing wrong with XCOM is that I wasn't playing as a group of weird superpowered teens, also I need the plot to be more JRPG, also there weren't enough auxiliary mechanics for me to get lost in"? Have you ever wanted to see a teenage girl roundhouse kick a man so hard he catches fire?

What if SimCity was set in the future, and also made by insane people? I admit, this game has a learning curve, and is niche. But if you're as much a fan of citybuilders as I am, this is a gem. This isn't a sandbox city builder, but doesn't follow the format of traditional guided city builders. But if you do succeed, the art style and level of detail makes regarding your successful metropolis all the more rewarding

It's part battle chess and part deck builder, and all fun. Lots of combat styles to pick from as you work your way through ridiculous odds. Not much plot, but a good game for people who like games like Slay The Spire and Monster Train.

I think those are my top games I don't see talked about. Hope someone finds this interesting, but tbh, I just had fun talking about these. There's more I could add, but I could be here all day if I wanted to. There's just so much out there, I don't know why anyone's buying price-gouging triple-a games when you can get hundreds of hours out of a title asking less than twenty bucks.

[i-l0v3-b00ks]

Gally head cannon

♡Fem reader♡

♡Fluff♡

*summary: u and gally fight at the bonfire, and u get injured*

He’s relatively gentle with you. Goes easy.

He’s not about to let you win, but he won’t shove you from the ring with full force either. Your track record tells him you’d end up back with the Med Jacks if he did.

Once the match begins, it takes him two seconds to push you out.You demand to go again.

He says you’ve had your turn but the others back you, telling him to give you another shot.

So he does, with the same result.

“Satisfied?”

But you’re not. You ask for one more try.

There’s something about your perseverance that makes him smirk.“Fine. Last round.”

“Last round.” You agree.

He likes the determination in your eyes, but it won’t amount to anything.

Once the match begins, he does exactly the same as before. He lunges with arms outstretched to grip your shoulders to shove you.

But as his hands connect, you catch his wrists then hit the deck. The momentum pulls him forwards before you kick him in the gut, sending him hurtling over the top of you.

He’s stunned by what you’ve just accomplished.

But then again, he isn’t the Keeper of the Builders for nothing and he certainly won’t let a greenie beat him in the ring.

Using your own move against you, he hits the ground with a loud thump but keeps the momentum going.

Using shoulder-muscles built from three year’s hard labour, he hurls his arms forwards.

You can’t release his wrists fast enough so the wound-up momentum sends you flying.

He hears you scream as you launch into the crowd of onlookers, then a hard THWACK as you hit the floor.

He’s quietly impressed by you, and winded, but those feelings fall by the wayside when he hears someone saying, ‘man, she hit her head pretty hard. Is she okay?’

With a grunt, he drags himself up, clutching at his ribs from where he landed, but his attention is on you.

You’re on your back. You’re not moving.

Shuck, why did he fight you off like that? He's been keeping you out of danger for weeks and then he goes and—

The sound of your laughter cuts him short.

The other gladers start clapping, then they’re laughing with you, then they’re helping you onto your feet. You’re unsteady, but you’re smiling. You’re grinning.

“That was fantastic,” you say with delight, sounding shocked that it happened and dazed from the fall.

Gally can only laugh with a strange sense of relief.

Thank shuck you’re okay. You’re okay. You’re—…hang on.

“Is that blood?”

He barely gives you time to put your fingers to your forehead and see the red before he charges towards you, shouting for Clint.

You can tell him you’re fine all you want but he’s still taking you to medical.

No, it's not just an excuse to pick you up and carry you.

It’s not.

He just wants to make sure you aren’t a problem for anyone else in the Glade.

You’re his problem, and his alone.

[convexicalcrow]

Slabbed Wels; holo Impulse, Zed, Beef and Joe; signed Falsie; rare Iskall, Joe, Xisuma, Doc, TFC, Gem, and Cub. :D

They’re SO PRETTY oml. I got a builder/farm/pvp starter deck but I’m not even thinking of deck building yet. Tiny Nephew is coming over soon for a sleepover so I’ll leave this for later. Everything’s in penny sleeves and the rares are also in top loaders for extra protection. I’ll stash them in my deck box for now.

I also got a common Cub so when my alt art cards arrive I’ll have all the Cub cards. :D I just need to trade for a rare Scar and I’ll have all the Scars as well. :D

[sharks-n-bones]

Psst hey guys guess what

Guess what time it is

If you guessed Clay time then

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IT'S CLAY TIME BABY I FINALLY FISHED HIS STORY BIT LET'S GO

When the flood hit, Clay was suspicious. He kept track of when the rivers usually flooded and other such events so their little village of survivors would be prepared for everything. That being said, the rivers shouldn't be flooding. It was too late in the year for it to be from snow on the mountains melting, and it hadn't rained recently enough for that to be the cause. There were no dams that could've burst to cause such a flood (he'd checked. Like mentioned earlier, this man wanted to make sure their village was prepared for anything), so the rivers overflowing immediately made him wary

Even still, they followed the safety protocols they had for floods. They made sure all gaps and cracks and entrances to the old Bergen golf course were sealed off and patched so no water would seep through. During their time there, they'd also built the walls that surrounded the golf course higher to be on the safe side. He hoped figured that as they usually did, the flood would recede in a few days time, a week or two tops

However, after the first week, the flood showed no signs of stopping. Clay wouldn't have been too concerned, but the water was rising more than it ever had before and showed no signs of stopping. What's worse, is huge storms had begun rolling in. Clay immediately warned Viva of the situation, saying how he didn't think it'd be safe enough for them to stay in the village much longer

Viva seemed reluctant a first, but once Clay explained and showed her everything he'd been keeping an eye on, she agreed with him. They warned the other putt putt trolls together, instructing everyone to split into groups and start building boats

Everyone started building boats and rafts of various sizes, but all were structurally sound. Clay and Viva made sure of that. The putt putt trolls were talented builders and survivalists. They'd all worked together to make the old Bergen golf course their safe haven — a safe haven they would now have to leave behind

It was a race against time. The rain was already causing their village to flood, but they didn't finish building by the time the flood started pouring over the walls of the resort, they'd all drown. Everyone worked day and night, taking shifts to make sure the construction never stopped or slowed

Luckily, they'd all finished building just in time. Everyone loaded all their supplies and belongings into their respective boats and boarded just as the water from outside spilled over the walls and began filling the place they'd called home for so long

Clay had cried softly when he watched everything they'd built, the place they'd called home for so many years, drown beneath the flood. Viva had hugged him tightly as they both peered over the edge of their ship as their home was washed away by waves of rushing water. Clay was sad to see it go, but he couldn't even imagine how Viva must've felt. She'd poured her heart and soul into that place, and now it was gone. They comforted each other through it all

Clay and Viva and a few other putt putt trolls shared a ship together. It was a damn good ship, if Clay said so himself. Enough bedrooms for everyone, plenty of storage space, a large kitchen and common room, and a large garden on the main deck. Overall, he was proud of their ship. They'd all worked hard on it, and now it was time to put it to the test on the water

Over the next few months, the ship held up remarkably well!! The water eventually stopped rising, but by that point, even the tallest mountains had been turned into islands too small to sustain a village. So, they stuck to their little fleet of ships. They stayed together, going from island to island, avoiding Bergen ships, and surviving as they always have

Occasionally, some trolls unlike anything they'd ever seen would poke their heads above the water and offer their assistance. They seemed to glow, even in the daylight, and had fins in place of legs. They had glowing hearts on their chests, the light pulsing with their heartbeats. They said they were called techno trolls, which amazed him. Clay didn't know there were other kinds of trolls besides pop, and judging from the awed but wary looks from Viva and the others, they didn't know either

They accepted the help from the techno trolls, and while they were there, Clay asked about them. They shared some of their music with them, they told them how they lived in the ocean long before the world flooded. They told them about the rock apocalypse, and how the queen of pop by the name of Poppy saved all of troll kind from being turned into rock zombies

At the mention of the queen of pop, Clay heard Viva gasp. She asked more about the queen of pop, how she was doing, what she was like. The techno trolls explained what they could about her, and it was only after seeing how happy Viva was to hear about the queen of pop that Clay realized that must've been the sister she'd told Clay about. He smiled softly and placed his hand on her shoulder. Maybe they'd end up running into Queen Poppy as they sailed

It was a few months after the water stopped rising that a rash had swept across their ships. One after another, suddenly almost everyone had developed rashes on their necks. Those with medical experience tried remedy after remedy, but nothing worked. It, thankfully, didn't seem to be anything serious. No fevers popped up, no fatigue, no other symptoms besides the rash. Well, and some dry skin, but a quick dip in the water fixed that up and that would last a couple days

The next time some techno trolls popped their heads above the water to offer assistance, Clay and Viva asked if they knew any remedies that would help the rash that had spread. One techno troll, presumably a medical judging by the bag he was carrying, took a look at the rash on Clay and Viva’s necks before asking to see their hands. They shared a confused look before complying. The medic sighed and gave them what seemed to be a reassuring smile, and informed them it was nothing harmful to them

He say them down and explained what was happening. How sirens existed and were locked away by techno trolls until recently, how they'd caused the flood, how they'd pumped the ocean that now covered the majority of their planet with magic so ancient and powerful it could transform people. He explained that their theory was that the sirens granted a mercy with the flood by pumping the water full of an ancient magic that would eventually transform everyone into sirens, or at least something similar

Clay asked how they figured that just based off their rashes, and the medic took his hand again. He made him spread his fingers, and that was when Clay finally noticed that the webbing between his fingers seemed longer. He asked if they'd noticed their skin drying out more the longer they’re out of the water, despite using any lotion they may have had. Clay had nodded. The medic asked if they'd noticed their voices becoming more melodic when they sang. Clay nodded again. The medic said they'd noticed these things happening to folks on many other ships. Trolls, Vacationers, Bergens, everyone

At the mention of Bergens also becoming siren-like, the putt putt trolls started panicking. Shouting questions of what they were going to do, how they would avoid them in the ocean, and other such things. The techno trolls seemed confused by their panic. Another techno troll asked what was so bad about Bergens, said they'd interacted with many Bergen ships and they were nothing but kind

Confusion replaced the panic. Viva had asked what she meant by that. The techno woman said how they'd seen trolls and bergens on the same ships, and how they seem to get along swimmingly (hehe). She said how she'd seen them sing and dance together, smiling and laughing and joking around like friends. Clay was dumbfounded. Bergens and Trolls as friends? That was insane. Bergens ate trolls to feel happy, and he'd said as much. The techno troll seemed a bit dumbfounded at that, and said when she'd visited their ships, there was no fear like that on board

Clay didn't know how to respond to that. He'd always thought it was impossible to live alongside Bergens peacefully. Hell, that's why they'd made the putt putt village to begin with! They'd kept themselves cooped inside the old bergen golf course for over a decade! The techno troll spoke up again, saying that she didn't know much about the situation since all the troll genres were still separated at that point, but she'd heard that a few years ago the queen of pop and a grey pop troll had gone to rescue some friends that were kidnapped by bergens, and had somehow shown bergens how to be happy without eating trolls in the process

Clay heard Viva gasp and turned to face her. He could see so many emotions flitting across her face, it was hard to keep track of them all. If the stories were accurate, he believes this would've been the second time Viva’s sister had been directly involved in a historical event and saved troll kind. Clay knew that if it were one of his brothers that had done that, he'd be worried out of his mind. The thought about the bergens stuck with him, too. Were they really safe from them now? Could they finally stop hiding? He looked around and could see a lot of the others thinking the same things

After that, things became a lot more serious and real for most of them. When Clay wasn't making sure everything was shipshape, he was thinking about what the techno trolls had said. He often caught himself glancing at his hands, at the webbing between his fingers. He began to notice the changes more after that conversation. At one point, he'd been thinking hard and bit his lip lightly, only to hiss in pain soon after. He'd brought his hand to his lip, and when he pulled it away, a light dot of blood rested on his finger. He went to the closest mirror to see the damage, only to gasp when he saw his teeth

His canines had sharpened considerably, and he noticed the rest of his teeth seemed a bit sharper too. He'd gently traced his fingers over his teeth in awe and slight horror. He couldn't help but wonder what he'd look like when the mutation was complete. He looked out a nearby window, spotting the other putt putt ships, an expression that walked the line of curious and concerned etched on his features. He wondered how the rest of their small fleet of ships would take it, and in the back of his mind, he silently hoped his brothers were alright and handling this better than he was

[patchwork-crow-writes]

What Is Magnificus's Endgame?

Heavy Inscryption spoilers under the Read More - you have been warned.

The four Scrybes of Inscryption are all after the OLD_DATA, and each has their reasoning for trying to gain access to it. P03 wants to spread itself across the internet and ensure its domination over the other Scrybes somewhere; Grimora wants to erase the entire game along with the OLD_DATA, to ensure it can never fall into the wrong hands; and Leshy just... wants to chill and play an immersive card game in his cabin.

But we are never given a reason why Magnificus wants the OLD_DATA. The only hint we are ever given is by Rebecha, the bridge-builder NPC in Acts 2 and 3, who mentions that his intentions are "too terrible to say", and never elaborates on that, or even brings it up ever again. Everything surrounding the Scrybe of Magics is intentionally cryptic and ambiguous, from his abilities of precognition, his randomly disappearing mid-sentence, and the... questionable treatment of his pupils.

But we can discern clues from these scattered fragments, along with a few secrets unearthed in the Console ARG, to piece together a possible motivation.

Let's start with Magnificus himself. As mentioned previously, he is the Scrybe of Magics, and his inscryption tool is a paintbrush, with which he can apply and remove sigils from existing cards. We can therefore understand him as an artistic soul, with a flair for the dramatic and producing the maximum possible impact from his works. He holds high expectations of those who would study under or challenge him, as we can see by the harsh treatment of his pupils.

Magnificus has three mages under his tutelege, who we know as Goobert, Amber and the Lonely Wizard. Each of them are vying for a coveted place in their master's deck, and have been subjected to various trials to prove themselves worthy, with Goobert being turned into literal goo, Amber existing as a head impaled upon a pike, and the Lonely Wizard deprived of all sensory experience. In each case, their suffering is commented upon and is demonstrated to be very real. On top of this, the three of them have been sealed away in their own pocket dimensions, completely isolated from the rest of the world.

You would expect Magnificus himself to comment upon them - to at least congratulate you for besting his students. But he never mentions them at all. You might be forgiven for thinking he had forgotten about them entirely, or even for holding them in utter contempt. His treatment of a picture painted by Goobert, where the two of them are happily embracing, is indicative of this attitude, with Goobert being completely whited-out from the picture.

The question is, why does Magnificus treat his pupils this way? What possible reason could there be to subject them to such horrific treatments, other than to ensure that they suffer in the worst possible ways? Could that suffering actually be integral to his process - his way to ensure that the "best" art is created? Much is said of the relationship between art and suffering, with the trope of the "tortured artist", and numerous quotes attributed to different artists linking the two. Of particular note is this quote attributed to Aldous Huxley:

"Perhaps it's good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he's happy? Would he ever want to do anything? What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?"

Perhaps Magnificus believes it is a necessary precondition to suffer in order to produce the best art, the best cards, the best possible creative output. The greater the suffering, the greater the resulting work... and in fact, thanks to the Console ARG, we know this suffering is exactly what Magnificus is after.

The "Console ARG" is a secret exclusively found in the console releases of Inscryption, where through a series of puzzles players can discover the existence of a character called James Cobb. Further delving tells us that he was once a pupil of Magnificus, and that his trial involved his body warping and changing into different forms. But Magnificus was displeased with his protegee and got rid of him... which we discover is because Cobb actually seemed to enjoy what was happening to him. He wasn't suffering, so the Scrybe of Magics found him wanting. This tells us that the suffering of his pupils - who it should be remembered are to become the subjects of his paintings - is absolutely vital for his method of inscryption.

So then, all that remains is to link this knowledge with the OLD_DATA, and then try and discern what Magnificus wants to accomplish with it. So let's look at what the OLD_DATA actually is... or rather, what it's rumoured to be.

The OLD_DATA is intrinsically linked with the Karnoffel Code, which was supposedly a sequence of Karnoffel cards found in Adolf Hitler's breast pocket after his death, which contained the activation key for some sort of doomsday device. According to Kaycee's notes hidden in her Mod, she reckons device could potentially have the power to wipe Europe off the face of the map. And this doesn't even touch on the data's more supernatural aspects, including its seeming ability to grant sapience to the digital inhabitants of Inscryption, or that it may very well be an aspect of the Devil himself.

Consider the sheer scale of descruction that could be unleashed by the contents of the OLD_DATA, should it fall into the hands of someone willing to utilise it. Consider the sheer amount of suffering such an event would cause. Consider Magnificus's seeming devotion to have his subjects suffer for the sake of his art...

And so, we come to our answer. The reason that Maginificus has for pursuing the OLD_DATA, the reason that's "too terrible to say", is so that he can cause an event that unleashes untold suffering upon the world... for as his past and present actions show, there can be no true art without suffering.

And the greater the suffering... the greater the masterpiece.

[istumpysk]

to bad lady stoneheart will crown arya in robb’s crown leading her to be queen of the north at least sansa can enjoy her life with her two timing husband in the vale 😌

Top 10 Funniest Ship Girl Foreshadowing

10. Gendry's very important question.

He looked dubious. "Did you ever sail a boat?" "You put up the sail," she said, "and the wind pushes it." "What if the wind is blowing the wrong way?" "Then there's oars to row." - Arya II, ASOS

9. Excellent names!

I mean to use your second son as well. He will take Lady Marya across the narrow sea, to Braavos and the other Free Cities, to deliver other letters to the men who rule there. - Davos I, ACOK

x

"Just so. Your father was oarmaster on a galley. When your mother died, he took you off to sea with him. Then he died as well, and his captain had no use for you, so he put you off the ship in Braavos. And what was the name of the ship?" "Nymeria," she said at once. - Arya II, AFFC

8. Hey, what's with this Stark they keep telling us about.

That's a Brandon, the tall one with the dreamy face, he was Brandon the Shipwright, because he loved the sea. His tomb is empty. He tried to sail west across the Sunset Sea and was never seen again. - Bran VII, AGOT

x

It was Bran's turn to tell a story, so he told them about another Brandon Stark, the one called Brandon the Shipwright, who had sailed off beyond the Sunset Sea. - Bran III, ASOS

7. Arya spells it out.

Only Braavosi were permitted use of the Purple Harbor, from the Drowned Town and the Sealord's Palace; ships from her sister cities and the rest of the wide world had to use the Ragman's Harbor, a poorer, rougher, dirtier port than the Purple. It was noisier as well, as sailors and traders from half a hundred lands crowded its wharves and alleys, mingling with those who served and preyed on them. Cat liked it best of any place in Braavos. She liked the noise and the strange smells, and seeing what ships had come in on the evening tide and what ships had departed. She liked the sailors too; the boisterous Tyroshi with their booming voices and dyed whiskers; the fair-haired Lyseni, always trying to niggle down her prices; the squat, hairy sailors from the Port of Ibben, growling curses in low, raspy voices. Her favorites were the Summer Islanders, with their skins as smooth and dark as teak. They wore feathered cloaks of red and green and yellow, and the tall masts and white sails of their swan ships were magnificent. - Cat of the Canals, AFFC

6. Arya spells it out again.

Arya bit her lip. She had crossed the narrow sea to get here, but if the captain had asked she would have told him she wanted to stay aboard the Titan’s Daughter. Salty was too small to man an oar, she knew that now, but she could learn to splice ropes and reef the sails and steer a course across the great salt seas. Denyo had taken her up to the crow’s nest once, and she hadn’t been afraid at all, though the deck had seemed a tiny thing below her. I can do sums too, and keep a cabin neat. - Arya I, AFFC

5. Arya spells it out one more time. (Plus one more, because she's so generous!)

It made her think of the sea. Maybe that was the way out. Old Nan used to tell stories of boys who stowed away on trading galleys and sailed off into all kinds of adventures. Maybe Arya could do that too. - Arya V, AGOT

x

"It won’t be so bad, Sansa," Arya said. "We're going to sail on a galley. It will be an adventure - Sansa III, AGOT

4. Ned Stark makes a bizarre prediction about the future of one of his children.

"No," Ned said. He saw no use in lying to her. "Yet someday he may be the lord of a great holdfast and sit on the king's council. He might raise castles like Brandon the Builder, or sail a ship across the Sunset Sea, or enter your mother’s Faith and become the High Septon." - Eddard II, AGOT

3. An entire fandom forgets what made Nymeria famous.

He sang of Jonquil and Florian, of Prince Aemon the Dragonknight and his love for his brother's queen, of Nymeria's ten thousand ships. - Sansa VI, ACOK

x

He had not noticed that before, no more than he had noticed the picture on the tapestry, a scene of Nymeria and her ten thousand ships. - The Soiled Knight, AFFC

x

That is Nymeria's star, burning bright, and that milky band behind her, those are ten thousand ships. - The Queenmaker, AFFC

2. They could be like Nymeria, and sail beyond the Sunset Sea.

Lord Gylbert began to speak. He told of a wondrous land beyond the Sunset Sea, a land without winter or want, where death had no dominion. "Make me your king, and I shall lead you there," he cried. "We will build ten thousand ships as Nymeria once did and take sail with all our people to the land beyond the sunset. There every man shall be a king and every wife a queen." - The Drowned Man, AFFC

A marriage is arranged between Arya and Elmar. El mar. The sea.

"Also, if your sister Arya is returned to us safely, it is agreed that she will marry Lord Walder's youngest son, Elmar, when the two of them come of age." - Catelyn IX, AGOT

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[dark-falz]

so is playing pso card game good? i always see you posting gifs from it and it makes me wanna try it but i am afraid.. tell me something more if you can? i always prefer oppinions about things from ppl who actually are fans..

ahhhhhhh is c.a.r.d. "good?" ........welllllll.......I'm gonna be so blunt with what I remember........back in the day......most PSO fans would say no, but I think this is mostly because it was so different.

I have a hyperfixation on the lore and connections of magic science and divine of the series, so this is all stuff I can put up with. BUT like there's some huge things I need to address rn too

As someone who confidently played Yugioh semi-competitively a few years back, I'm so ass at c.a.r.d. revolution it'll walk us right into my next point (I have a habit of over complicating every other card game tho ._.;)

late game gifs of the game are not my gameplay, but my favorite person's/partner's, via private stream (they knew I was recording/making gifs)

haven't seen end game of the Arkz side yet or all the character's stories

The issue with the game was watching them get soft locked for turns being unable to move for a sped up 20+ minutes just because "the cards don't play right". Map layout and double battles can increase the chances of this happening.

I find it worth mentioning you must talk to all the characters before heading off and playing cards as them. This is how you get story missions. However, doing some character's requested story missions will cancel out other character's requested story missions. There are guides on PSO-world for this, but it does seem slow moving with the way that you have to properly play through the game over and over to see the big picture with all playable characters.

There's a lot of reading to it as well, like on top of already being a deck builder if that would be an issue. I've always found the game comfy though :3