Symbols made of textl

Linguistics Humor

2012.12.29 21:30 Linguistics Humor

Linguistics Humor: a sub for humor relating to linguistics
[link]


2009.11.29 19:43 chewxy Learn Math

Post all of your math-learning resources here. Questions, no matter how basic, will be answered (to the best ability of the online subscribers). --- We're no longer participating in the protest against excessive API fees, but many other subreddits are; check out the progress [among subreddits that pledged to go dark on 12 July 2023](https://reddark.untone.uk/) and [the top 255 subreddits](https://save3rdpartyapps.com/) (even those that never joined the protest).
[link]


2010.08.06 14:24 Dream Interpretation

Every dream is a direct, personal, and meaningful message to the dreamer. This communication uses symbols common to all mankind, but always in an individual way. By identifying what a symbol means to us, we can start to identify the message a dream brings. Dream Interpretation is a place to post your dreams with the aim of having others discuss and interpret possible meanings of your dream or its constituent parts. . . . YOU CAN HELP . . . by responding supportively to others' dream posts!
[link]


2024.05.20 00:39 Chen_Geller Season Two and The Great Weta Conundrum

Season Two and The Great Weta Conundrum

Why I don't THINK Weta Workshop Worked on Season Two

Around July 2022, Sir Richard Taylor had this to say about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: "Our company worked on the first series, we're very proud of the fact that we did." This use of the past tense does seem to imply working only on the first season, but its by no means a definitive reading of the interview. This was shortly BEFORE the show's move to the UK, which we know came to the Kiwi crew by complete surprise, although it remains possible that by that point the showrunners had made the decision, and told Weta that their services will not be required for season two without necessarily going into details.
Again, I want to stress that Sir Richard's choice of words by no means guarentees that Weta sat season two out. Then again, we know many of the Kiwi contractors have either stopped working for the show - costumier Kate Hawley and the music ensemble Plan 9, for instance - or radically downscaled their involvement, like caligrapher Daniel Reeve. Where crew from season one stayed on - like John Howe and dialect coach Leith McPherson - they were usually based in Europe or the UK to begin with. Its thus only reasonable to assume Weta will do the same.
Weta were good sports to share the lead-up to the Season Two teaser on their Twitter handle, but hadn't commented nor shared the teaser itself, suggesting that they were merely (and characteristically) being gracious to a project they HAD worked on previously, rather than setting-up their own involvement, as they had done in their steadfast embracing of Season One.
One of the two major departments Weta worked on for the show in Season One - that being prosthetics - had perforce been put out of their hands for Season Two, with the prosthetics supervisor Barrie Gower replacing Weta's Jamie Wilson. Its unrealistic to expect to ship prosthetics - which have a limited shelf life - from halfway around the world, and ideally you'd want the same studio to be responsible for design, fabrication and on-set application.
Although they also worked on Celebrimbor's pressure forge and some of the Numenorean and Elven symbols - including the High-Elven star, practically lifted from their version of Gil-galad's emblem for the New Line films - Weta's other main prerogative was the weapons (but NOT the armour). This included bows, quivers, arrows, shields (including straps) and some props that aren't really used as weapons like Feanor's hammer.
The High-Elven Star: essentially a homage Weta's Daniel Falconer snuck into the show
While it remains possible that they had kept that department under their belt - at least in terms of concept design rather than fabrication - I find it unlikely. Its true that Weta does provide concept art, without fabrication, for off-shore productions: see their erstwhile work for Denis Villenueve's Dune: Part One as an example.
However, the recent teaser shows High-Elven swords and bows that are a notable departure from Weta's High-Elven weapons from Season One. It, of course, remains entirely permissible that the showrunners commissioned new designs from the workshop, and in fact the new, more katana-like Elven swords are closer to Weta's previous iterations of Elven swords (cf. Hadhafang or Thranduil's twin swords) than to their High-Elven weapons for Season One, although they're admittedly not too far off Arondir's sword.
Having said that, elsewhere in the trailer we see the same Hawley costumes and armour retained, as well as the same Weta-made weapons from Season One: Arondir is still sporting his daggers, quiver and bow, Pharazon draws his gorgeous, bejewelled sword before the Eagle of Manwe, flanked by guards carrying the same ol' spears. We see Lindon guards with their Battersea-esque shields and spears, Durin III with his ax, Durin IV with his dagger, Adar with his Zweihander, and Isildur still with the confusingly-Rohan-like Numenorean cavalry sword.
The similarities would thus make it unlikely to expect for new designs - for the same culture and from the same studio - to be such an aesthetic departure from Season One, especially something as insignificant as a quiver. My educated guess - and that's all it is, a guess - is that its a local workshop emulating the Weta style of old.
This emulation can also be seen in other departments, like the new Elven shields - with the same hourglass-like shape as Weta's High-Elven shields for the New Line films, but NOT for the show - and the helmets with the more overt blade-like crests, again in the style of Weta's work for New Line rather than Hawley's more subtle nod to that style in Season One. Not to mention the seemingly greater prevalence of Elves with long manes.
Galadriel and company, and their quivers: a design unlikely to be revised from Weta's Season One design (below) unless a new, local Workshop entered the fray. The company's bows, seen elsewhere, are also different to this, more closely resembling Tauriel's bow.
https://preview.redd.it/w8da7widcg1d1.png?width=3840&format=png&auto=webp&s=ff7a19e093a8008fbae7a0977a2e52617c18bec9

The OTHER Weta

Here it is important to distinguish between Weta Workshop, and WetaFX (nee Weta Digital). Although founded by the same people - Sir Peter Jackson, Sir Richard Taylor and Jamie Selkirk - they're two separate companies: Roughly speaking, Weta Workshop does practical effects, WetaFX does digital effects. While they do some projects - notably Tolkien films - together, its by no means a condition sine qua non that the involvement of the one entails that of the other.
In the context of the Tolkien projects, Workshop mostly did weapons, armour and creatures, so not too far off of what they did in the show. Set, props and character designs usually fell to another Jackson company, Six-Foot-Seven, but even then Weta did the bigatures and shared the costume design credit with Ngilla Dickson, Bob Buck and Ann Maskrey (Hawley is credited, too, being that she was the costume designer for the aborted Del Toro Hobbit).
WetaFX are working on Season Two, in a capacity at least as big as they did in Season One, where they were the main VFX vendor alongside ILM. Moreso than the Workshop, WetaFX (being one the leading VFX houses in the world), provides services for films and shows all over the world, and frankly a show with the VFX requirements of The Rings of Power couldn't avoid WetaFX if they tried, although "giving them point" so to speak is definitely a meaningful gesture.
Strictly speaking, WetaFX is not a design studio: previously in Tolkien pictures, creature design tended to be provided by Weta Workshop, and then rendered by WetaFx. However, sometime before The Rings of Power went into production, one of the Workshop's designers, Nick Keller, became WetaFX' in-house designer, and for Season One had worked on (among other things) Durin's Bane, and so WetaFX' continued involvement in Season Two is meaningful to the look of the show.
An (unused) Nick Keller-Weta FX design for Season One: all that remains of it in the show are the spear and the Fell Beast
The showrunners entrusted to WetaFX in Season One mostly with places and creatures that had been depicted in the live-action films: Khazad dum as Moria, the view of the Southlands from Ostirith as Mordor, as well as Durin's Bane and the Fell Beasts: its therefore reasonable to assume that the design of Shelob will again be entrusted to WetaFX, although since New Line became stricter with their copyright she's unlikely to resemble the previous depiction of Shelob, no doubt to be excused away by the fact that she's younger.

My thought

So, where does this leave us? I've long written about the show's audiovisual identity crisis: it would be wrong to assume that, going to New Zealand, the showrunners were compelled to hire Weta and thus fell headlong into a similar aesthetic: rather, there was a concerted effort - the filming in New Zealand and the hiring of Weta being two of its symptoms rather than its causes - to model the show on the live-action films. Nevertheless, dispensing with Weta for Season Two COULD keep this issue at bay.
All the same, its clear that if Weta was indeed substituted by another studio, as is likely the case, that studio did their darndest to emulate Weta's style, and in some respects harkened even more heavy-handedly to the style of the New Line films. Perhaps it is a case of, having moved out of New Zealand, wanting to still show they "got it" and overdoing it? The same trend is evident in the digital splicing of Kiwi landscapes into the British countryside, and in the trailer's shameless appropriation of beats (but not lines, presumably with New Line cracking the whip on that end) from the live-action films.
All the same, Season Two and on could have been another noteworthy "notch" in Weta's enviable Tolkien belt, which only in this year also entails Tales of the Shire and The War of the Rohirrim. It would have been a good preparation for their forthcoming involvement in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. I do regret, specifically, that they probably didn't get a crack at the weapons of the Eregion Elves: a new Elven culture they had not touched before, unless some of the designs we see were made for Season One and not shown therein.
Beyond that, its useful to keep the same team in place in the interest of season-to-season continuity. Nevertheless, the teaser shows a greater emphasis on such continuity that I had previously believed they would go for. Some early scenes seem to be picking up immediately from the end of Season One, with Galadriel and Elrond - still in the same costumes - catch up to Gil-galad's convoy back on the same Lindon set. Even in other scenes, many of the Numenorean extras seem to be in the same clothes, and while the green Eregion guards got a lot of attention in the teaser, they actually already appeared in season one.
A tale of two Narsils, both by Weta but for different companies.
As a side-note, it may well be that the Weta designers felt limited by the lega situation surrounding Season One, which required them to recreate different versions of some of their most celebrated props, namely a new, subtly redesigned Narsil. Sir Richard Taylor, in the above interview, said he didn't work on the series because he "didn't feel I had anything new to contribute to the television series." This is curious since he had by then already jumped onboard The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, and in an appearance only shortly thereafter, said of the project that "there's so much that's fresh and exciting." This in spite of the fact that, at first blush, Rohirrim would seem to offer far less by way of new design opportunities than did Rings of Power.
In truth, not all of Weta's work on Season One was up to their otherwise-inimitable standards: I'm reminded of a making-of featurette about the making of Orcrist, which required a lot of back and forth between the Weta designers and Sir Peter Jackson. Says designer Paul Tobin: "A lot of our designs were falling into 'I've seen it with Glamdring, I've seen it with Sting." An even more egregious example is for Shadow of Mordor, where a design of an armoured Celebrimbor is almost one-for-one of a design for an armoured Thranduil, a year or two prior by the same artist, although in fairness both designs went unused.
I don't want to imply that the showrunners weren't equally forthright in their design process: from listening to John Howe, there was certainly a lot of back-and-forth with his concept art. Even in examing Weta's work its clear that in the case of some of the designs - namely, the Elven Zweihanders, which previously appeared in some Howe concept art - the showrunners came to Weta with their own ideas, rather than just giving them free reign.
Nevertheless, it does seem that in a couple of instances, Weta were allowed (perhaps on purpose?) to essentially recycle some old designs: almost all the Dwarven and many of the Silvan and Orc designs are like this. Its cool that Weta got to imagine what Durin's legendary Ax looked like, but they basically took a design for an ax that Dwalin finds in the Erebor armoury and made a subtle variation on it. The Mystics' weapons also betray a similarity, but rather to Weta's work on James Cameron's Avatar!
Even less appropriately, a spear designed for the Lindon Elves but not seen in Season One, seems derivative not of previous High-Elven designs, but off of the designs for the Woodland Realm, which would have been the freshest in the memory of the Weta designers. The main difference is the Woodland design abstracts the tree-branch shapes to avoid them seeming, to quote Keller, "too fairytale." Worst still, the Numenorean cutlasses (seen briefly at Elendil's side prior to his promotion) are inappropriately akin to the Laketown swords (again, a design surely fresh on the designers' minds) of all things!
Corporate needs you to find the differences between this picture, and this picture...[aside]: They're the same picture.
In other cases, the similarities are more abstract and work quite well: both Aranruth and the Elven broadswords - wielded by Galadriel to the Battle of the Southlands and carried by Theo into Season Two but also also brandished by the prologue Elves - feature a similar leaf-like profile to the blade: they would be more-or-less contemporaries of Glamdring, which has a similar shape. Medhor carries (but sadly doesn't get to use) a Silvan version of the Elven Great-sword from the Fellowship prologue.
Elsewhere in the film industry, of course, companies like Lucasfilm had turned this kind "reuse, reduce, recycle" mentality into a usual practice, although usually with unused designs, a-la the Shadow of Mordor example: discarded McQuarrie and Cantwell artwork from the 1975 thus ended-up in Star Was projects all the way between 1978 and 2023, where it started feeling increasingly like someone picking through the carcass of a dead movie.
In a limited extent, however, it is a useful device in terms of "tapping" into the same, initial sensibility, and as such its been used in Tolkien projects before: The White Council chamber was part of some early Rivendell designs, and similar practices are deployed in Rohirrim and are sure to be used in The Hunt for Gollum. In all these examples, however, it didn't normally involve jumping through the legal hoops that The Rings of Power had to leap through.
Neverthelss, there are a great many illustrious designs - from Elendil's Captain sword and Finrod's Dagger, through Feanor's Hammer and Dramborleg (the first Elven hammer and axe in Weta's output) to Aranruth and Medhor's Silvan Great-Sword - all represent wortwhile entries in Weta's oeuvre, and some of the best designs in the whole of the show thus far. Still, it wasn't in vain, being that several such key props are going to stay the distance in the show.
submitted by Chen_Geller to LOTR_on_Prime [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 00:27 Bobert858668 Son of Merlin [Low Fantasy, 3518 words]

EXT. CAMELOT - CASTLE DAY
(The castle of Camelot stands over grassy hills and crystal clear rolling rivers and seas. Gray clouds cover the sky and hundreds of soldiers and knights can be seen riding toward the castle. Text appears on the screen reading “CAMELOT” and then “CENTURIES AGO”.)
INT. CASTLE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
(MORGANA LE FAY (Centuries-Old), a beautiful middle aged appearing woman with sharp features and long flowing black hair, sits on the throne and holds Excalibur, the Crown of Camelot sits upon her head. Knights and soldiers march in linear motions through the hall. DEWIN (30s), a scruffily charming magician, enters in handcuffs, with guards behind him. Dewin marches up and presents himself to Morgana. Everyone in the room halts.)
MORGANA: State your name.
DEWIN: You know my name, Morgana.
MORGANA: State your name.
DEWIN: Dewinson of Merlin.
MORGANA: You are being tried with treason and conspiracy against the crown. Do you plead guilty to these crimes?
DEWIN: That depends.
MORGANA: On what?
DEWIN: Who you consider the crown to be.
(Dewin slips his handcuffs off and as he does three Blue Jays come flying out of his sleeve and begin to fly around the room.)
MORGANA: Enough foolishness. I find you guilty of the accusations placed upon you.
DEWIN: Then kill me.
MORGANA: Hm?
DEWIN: Let’s skip past the chatter and get my head on a platter. You see what I did there? Chatter platter.
MORGANA: Silence! Death is far too good for you.
DEWIN: Do your worst, no matter what Camelot will fall.
MORGANA: Is that a threat?
DEWIN: A threat would be something I plan on doing to you myself, the fall of Camelot, well that will be purely your doing.
(Morgana gets off the throne and draws a glowing circle around Dewin with Excalibur, as she does so Dewin lets out a small laugh.)
DEWIN: Binding me? My imprisonment shall not halter the winds of time.
MORGANA: I banish you.
DEWIN: What?
MORGANA: From this plane of time and place I banish you.
DEWIN: Not even you have the power to do that. Banishment spells have been hidden away for ages.
MORGANA: Hidden away in scrolls buried in this very castle. Dilflannu o’r awyren hon.
DEWIN: No.
MORGANA: Dilflannu o’r amser hwn.
DEWIN: No, no, stop.
MORGANA: Dilflannu o’r meddwl. Rwy’n eich gwahardd!
(Morgana’s eyes turn purple and electricity sparks all around Dewin and seems to be sucking the energy out of him.)
EXT. LONDON - FOREST - DAY
(A plain and put together autumnal forest. Text appears over the screen reading “LONDON” and then “EIGHTEEN EIGHTY FIVE”. Electricity sparks and Dewin appears in the forest dazed and confused. He is covered in scars and almost immediately passes out face forward into the ground.)
EXT. LONDON - FOREST - DAY
(As night begins to dawn Dewin is still incapacitated. A carriage led by a horse named, Sally, comes through the forest and halts at Dewin. ALDEN SMITH (Early 40s), a plump and posh man with a defining bushy mustache, cautiously hops out of the carriage. Alden looks around for a moment before spotting Dewin. Alden approaches Dewin and checks his pulse through his arm. Alden’s eyes linger on Dewin for a moment before looking up.)
ALDEN: Hello!? Is anybody there!?
(Alden waits for a moment before looking back down at Dewin. Alden sighs and then lifts Dewin up and into the carriage before hopping in himself. Alden pulls on the horse’s reins and it begins to march forward.)
EXT. LONDON - WICING DRIVE - NIGHT
(Alden drives his carriage down Wicing Drive and parks in front of a townhome, Twenty Six Wicing Drive. Alden gets out of the carriage, carrying Dewin, and walks up the steps. MINERVA SMITH (Early 40s), a stern yet radiant woman, opens the door in shock.)
ALDEN: It’s a long story.
INT. TWENTY SIX WICING DRIVE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
(A stereotypical Victorian living room made primarily of oak and illuminated by two small oil lamps and a burning fireplace. Dewin is still incapacitated and lies on the table covered in bandages, Alden and Minerva hover over him. Bottles of ointment sit next to Dewin.)
MINERVA: What were you doing in the woods?
ALDEN: It’s the fastest cut home.
MINERVA: And you just-
(Minerva is interrupted by Dewin’s sighing as he wakes up.)
DEWIN: Ah! Where am I? Who are you?
MINERVA: My name is Minnie, and this is my husband, Alden.
DEWIN: What’s happening?
ALDEN: I found you all bruised in the middle of the forest. Do you know what happened to you?
DEWIN: Morgana le Fay banished me.
(Alden and Minerva glance at each other.)
MINERVA: Oh lord, I think you're a bit confused.
DEWIN: I am not confused. I am Dewin, son of Merlin. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask if you could take me to a sage or healer?
MINERVA: Of course, Alden can take you tomorrow morning, but for the night you can stay here.
DEWIN: Why, thank you.
ALDEN: Minnie, may I speak to you in the other room?
MINERVA: Of course.
(Alden and Minerva step into the kitchen.)
INT. TWENTY SIX WICING DRIVE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
ALDEN: We can not keep this man in our home. He is mentally insane.
MINERVA: Which means we must watch over him.
ALDEN: I am looking out for our safety.
MINERVA: And where would we take him?
ALDEN: I don’t know. He is as mad as the Doeth man!
MINERVA: Then that’s where we’ll take him.
ALDEN: Stick to nuts together?
MINERVA: The man has some common sense and he’s very compassionate.
ALDEN: Perfect.
EXT. LONDON - ALDRICH’S HOUSE - NIGHT
(Alden and Minerva Dewin sit in their carriage with Dewin outside of a small house that is slightly separated from the other homes on the street.)
DEWIN: So this is the home of a healer?
ALDEN: According to him. I will go to the door alone, I do not want to scare him.
(Alden gets out of the carriage and starts heading towards the home.)
MINERVA: So you really do believe that you are the son of Merlin.
DEWIN: I know who my father was. Why is this such a puzzle for you and your husband to wrap your heads around?
MINERVA: Why I’ve only heard stories of Camelot, myths of ancient pasts.
DEWIN: So Morgana not only shifted my place but also the time.
(Alden knocks on the home's door and is greeted by ALDRICH DOETH (Hundreds Of Years Old), an older looking man with crystals strapped around his neck.)
ALDRICH: Doctor Smith, have they finally sent someone to take me away to a nuthouse?
ALDEN: On the exact contrary, I’ve found a wounded man who claims to have been sent here by Morgana le Fay.
ALDRICH: That’s what the shift was!
ALDEN: What? You know what it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re willing to take this man.
ALDRICH: Yes, yes, bring him to me.
ALDEN: Minerva, send him up!
(Dewin comes up to the door.)
DEWIN: Hello.
ALDRICH: My goodness, the energy pulsates off of you.
DEWIN (TO ALDEN): This is the healer?
ALDEN: Yes. Now if you two don’t mind I think I will be headed back on my way.
ALDRICH: Are you sure, Doctor? It’s getting rather late, you and your wife are welcome to stay here.
ALDEN: Thank you, but there’s no need.
(Rain starts pouring out of the sky out of nowhere and thunder and lighting begin.)
ALDRICH: What about now, Doctor?
ALDEN: Minnie! We’re staying here tonight!
INT. ALDRICH’S HOUSE - LIVING SPACE - DAY
(A cluttered mess of books, candles, and potions. Aldrich, Alden, Minerva, and Dewin sit on Aldrich’s circular array of couches and chairs.)
ALDRICH: Before we dive in I suggest you go wash off, Dewin. The washroom is that small one to your left.
DEWIN: Thank you, Aldrich.
(Dewin gets up and goes into the washroom.)
ALDRICH: I know what you two think of me, the neighborhood’s resident crazy.
MINERVA: Not at all, Mister Doeth.
ALDRICH: Don’t lie, Minerva, our actions all come back to bite us.
ALDEN: So we think you're mental, what of it?
ALDRICH: There are dark forces amongst us, Mister and Misses Smith. I believe that Dewin is here to save us.
ALDEN: I appreciate you letting us stay here, but I think it’s time we leave.
ALDRICH: I will change this storm into an earthquake to keep you here if I must.
ALDEN: Come on, Minnie.
(Alden and Minerva get up and go to leave when the whole room begins to shake.)
ALDEN: What’s happening!?
ALDRICH: I warned you.
(Aldrich makes silencing symbols with his hands and the storm and the shaking stops.)
ALDRICH: Now will you listen to me?
(Alden and Minerva both sit back down.)
ALDEN: What are you?
AlDRICH: A magician, a clairvoyant, a healer, I am all of those things and more.
ALDEN: Why do you want us here so badly?
ALDRICH: I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you are the one who found Dewin, Doctor Smith. He needs a guide in this vast new world. Prophecy states that when the second coming of the Camelot war comes, the savior will have a protector.
ALDEN: And why me?
ALDRICH: There are questions that only we can answer ourselves.
(Dewin comes out of the washroom and sits back down.)
ALDRICH: Dewin, please tell me exactly how you arrived here.
DEWIN: Morgana le Fay used an ancient banishing spell on me.
ALDRICH: The fall of Camelot.
(Suddenly a wind sweeps through the room that blows out all the candles.)
MINERVA: Mister Doeth, are you doing this?
ALDRICH: No.
(A match is lit in the center of the room to reveal GWENWYN LIGHTWOOD (Centuries-Old), a green draconic humanoid woman in black robes and a hood.)
GWENWYN: Aldrich.
ALDRICH: Lady Lightwood.
GWENWYN: I’ve tracked a shift in magic to your home.
ALDRICH: It is this boy, he was banished here from Camelot.
(Gwenwyn goes up to Dewin and takes her hood off to reveal her scaly appearance. Alden gasps in disbelief. Gwenwyn runs her finger down Dewin’s cheek.)
GWENWYN (TO ALDRICH): Hm. I presume you wish to let him roam freely?
ALDRICH: With guidance, yes.
GWENWYN: If one thing goes wrong you will be punished.
ALDRICH: I know.
DEWIN (TO GWENWYN): Who are you?
GWENWYN: The last of the dragons. Just as Aldrich is the last descendent of the Family Merlin.
DEWIN (TO ALDRICH): You're a descendant of my father?
ALDRICH: Of his sister, I have many of her poems and spell tombs still intact here.
GWENWYN: Magic is rare these days, endangered, most people don’t even know it exists. So are we under agreement on the boy, Aldrich?
ALDRICH: Yes, but something is still troubling. If you and I both felt Dewin’s presence then-
GWENWYN: Benjamin did too.
DEWIN: Who is Benjamin?
ALDRICH: A descendant of Morgana who wishes to rule the earth under her ideals.
GWENWYN: A very very dangerous man who will certainly kill me if he finds me here.
(Gwenwyn’s match extinguishes and after a moment the candles all reignite but Gwenwyn is gone.)
ALDEN: By Jove!
ALDRICH: So do you all accept this challenge?
DEWIN: What challenge?
ALDRICH: Defeating Benjamin Fayle.
DEWIN: Of course!
ALDEN: Absolutely not.
ALDRICH: Are you that repulsed by compassion?
ALDEN: I can’t risk Minerva of I’s life on what could all be me hallucinating.
ALDRICH: You're risking the world for a craven excuse.
ALDEN: Goodbye.
(Alden gets up.)
ALDEN: Let’s leave, Minnie.
MINERVA: Thank you for your hospitality, Mister Doeth, and good luck.
(Alden leaves, followed by Minerva.)
EXT. LONDON - ALDRICH’S HOUSE - NIGHT
(Alden and Minerva ride through the street in their carriage.)
MINERVA: We were definitely drugged.
ALDEN: Absolutely.
EXT. LONDON - WICING DRIVE - NIGHT
(Alden and Minerva hop out of their carriage.)
ALDEN: I’m going to bring Sally back to the stables.
MINERVA: Goodnight, love you.
ALDEN: I love you most.
(Minerva goes up and enters Twenty Six Wicing Drive as Alden detaches Sally from the carriage and begins to guide her down the cobbled sidewalk with one of his hands on her reins.)
EXT. LONDON - FOREST - NIGHT
(Alden guides Sally through the forest to a set of stables. Sally suddenly rears up and neighs in terror.)
ALDEN: What is it Sally?
(Sally suddenly breaks off her reins and runs towards the stables. A figure in a dark purple hood and robe sweeps past Alden and their eyes glow purple. Alden screams.)
INT. TWENTY SIX WICING DRIVE - BEDROOM- DAY
(Alden and Minerva lay next to each other asleep in bed. Alden wakes up screaming which awakens Minerva.)
MINERVA: What’s the matter?
ALDEN: Just a night terror.
MINERVA: We did the right thing with Dewin, he’s with someone like him now.
ALDEN: Is that really a good thing? I think I’m going to go to the pub.
MINERVA: This early in the morning?
ALDEN: I need to clear my head after yesterday.
INT. GRIFFIN’S TAIL PUB - DAY
(A traditional Victorian pub. Dewin sits at the bar and is served by BRYNN CROWING (Early 30s), a charming bartender.)
BRYNN: What can I get you, Mate?
DEWIN: Just a pint of mead, please.
(Brynn goes and pours Dewin a pint of mead that she brings back to him and he begins drinking.)
BRYNN: I like your outfit, it’s very medieval.
DEWIN: It was made by the tailor of Sir Gawain.
(Brynn gives a light chuckle.)
BRYNN: What’s your name?
DEWIN: Dewin, and yours?
BRYNN: Brynn.
(Alden enters and sees Dewin. Alden leaves, but as he does he spots another person in a dark purple robe and hood with glowing purple eyes.)
DEWIN: You're very beautiful.
BRYNN: Why, thank you.
DEWIN: Would you like to go for a stroll?
BRYNN: My shift here doesn’t end till six.
DEWIN: Then I’ll see you then.
BRYNN: I guess you will.
(Dewin finishes his mead and drops two silver coins with dragons etched into them on the bar before swiftly leaving. Brynn picks up the coins and looks at them with confusion and yearning.)
EXT. LONDON - ALDRICH’S HOUSE - DAY
(Alden knocks on the door and Aldrich opens it.)
ALDRICH: I’ve been expecting you, come in.
(Alden follows Aldrich into the home.)
INT. - ALDRICH’S HOUSE - LIVING SPACE - DAY
(Alden and Aldrich sit across from each other.)
ALDRICH: Can I offer you some tea?
ALDEN: No thank you, I want to be in the clearest state of mind possible here.
ALDRICH: So what ignited your appearance here?
ALDEN: I’ve been seeing these people.
ALDRICH: Who are “these people”?
ALDEN: They wear these dark robes and their eyes glow purple.
ALDRICH: Faley’s society.
ALDEN: What?
ALDRICH: Benjamin Faley, the evil man I mentioned last night. Is this what caused you to believe?
ALDEN: What are you saying?
ALDRICH: That you believe in magic.
ALDEN: You're mad.
ALDRICH: Exactly, so the fact that you came to me shows that there’s at least one lingering thought in your mind that magic is reality and reality is magic.
(There’s a moment of silence between Alden and Aldrich.)
ALDRICH: Where have you been seeing the people you mentioned?
ALDEN: Everywhere that Dewin has been.
ALDRICH: Oh no, oh no, no, no.
ALDEN: What is it?
ALDRICH: Dewin is going out with a woman tonight.
ALDEN: Already? He’s only been here for a day.
ALDRICH: He's charming but also so foolish. You must watch them, in case Faley strikes or even worse this woman is working for him.
ALDEN: What could I even do to stop that?
ALDRICH: You are destined to protect Dewin, and at this point your logic for denying all of this is purely irrational. You're not hesitating because you think it’s not real, you're hesitating because you know it is. He is meeting her at six outside of the “Griffin’s Tail”.
ALDEN: I’m not going.
ALDRICH: We both know that you will.
ALDEN: Farewell, Mister Doeth.
ALDRICH: May the spirit of Merlin be with you, Doctor Smith.
(Alden gets up and leaves.)
EXT. LONDON - GRIFFIN’S TAIL PUB - NIGHT
(Dewin stands outside of the pub when Brynn comes out of the side door and walks towards him.)
BRYNN: I wasn’t expecting you to show.
DEWIN: Why wouldn’t I?
BRYNN: Most men flirt and then leave, half of them are married.
DEWIN: They are not true gentlemen then.
BRYNN: I suppose not.
DEWIN: Shall we begin walking?
BRYNN: Sure.
EXT. LONDON - STREETS - NIGHT
(Dewin and Brynn stroll down the streets of London. Alden follows them from a distance.)
DEWIN: This world is so beautiful.
BRYNN: Compared to all the other worlds you’ve been to?
DEWIN: Well Camelot obviously has a better scenic view.
BRYNN: Camelot?
DEWIN: My home land.
BRYNN: You're full of jokes.
DEWIN: I’m not joking.
BRYNN: What?
(Suddenly someone grabs Brynn into an alleyway and she screams. Dewin quickly turns to see no one beside him and runs after her, followed by Alden.)
EXT. LONDON - ROOFTOP - NIGHT
(The clear skies suddenly turn gray and ominous as Dewin arrives on the roof of a building to see three people with glowing purple eyes in the dark purple robes and hoods with one standing in the center holding Brynn with a dagger to her neck. Alden arrives on the rooftop.)
ALDEN: Bloody hell!
DEWIN: Let go of her!
(The three people take off their hoods and their eyes go to normal shades. The person holding Brynn is revealed to be DABRIA (30s), a menacing looking woman.)
DABRIA: Dim mynd i mewn dim dianc.
(A purple hazy force field appears around the edges of the rooftop.)
DABRIA: So you are the one sent to stop us.
DEWIN: What do you connote?
DABRIA: We are the Citadel of le Fay.
DEWIN: Oh no.
DABRIA: Who are you?
DEWIN: My name is Dewin, I am the son of Merlin, and I demand that you let Brynn go.
DABRIA: Why? Is she your protector?
BRYNN: Dewin, what are they talking about!?
(Dewin starts to move his hands around and a wispy blue energy begins to come out of them.)
DABRIA: Get him!
(The two other people with Dabria rush towards Dewin to attack him, but he uses the energy he created to push them around and drop them both to the ground. Dabria drops Brynn and her dagger and Alden rushes to pick up the dagger and succeeds.)
DABRIA: You are foolish, Dewin.
(Dabria pulls a gun out of her robes and shoots it at Dewin but he turns the bullet into a flower. Dabria shoots more but each time Dewin does the same thing until Dabria is out of bullets. Alden sneaks up behind Dabria and stabs her in the back. Dabria shrieks in pain and then disappears in a cloud of black smoke. Brynn gets up off of the ground.)
BRYNN: What the hell just happened?
DEWIN: Are you okay?
BRYNN: Not mentally. What in the world is going on here? How did you turn bullets into flowers!?
DEWIN: I told you I’m from Camelot.
(Alden drops the dagger.)
ALDEN: Did I just kill that woman?
DEWIN: Most likely not, you didn’t stab deep enough to hit any organs.
BRYNN: What do we do now?
DEWIN: Go home and call it a night.
BRYNN: I can’t forget about this.
DEWIN: I’m not asking you to.
ALDEN: If any of us speak of this people think we’re insane.
DEWIN: Then don’t speak of it.
BRYNN: Will I see you again, Dewin?
DEWIN: Did you enjoy tonight?
BRYNN: I was almost killed.
DEWIN: That doesn’t answer my question.
BRYNN: Meet at the pub on Friday after my shift.
INT. TWENTY SIX WICING DRIVE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
(Alden and Minerva lay next to each other.)
MINERVA: Do you think the Citadel will return?
ALDEN: Unequivocally.
MINERVA: What have we gotten into?
INT. BENJAMIN’S LAIR - NIGHT
(A cavern full of crystals and magical runes. BENJAMIN FALEY (30s or 40s), an attractive but uptight looking man, sits on his throne. Dabria enters and walks to face the throne, she bows and then gets back up.)
BENJAMIN: Did you find him?
DABRIA: Yes, Master Faley.
BENJAMIN: And did you find his protector?
DABRIA: Yes, but it’s not the girl.
BENJAMIN: Then who?
DABRIA: A Doctor Alden Smith.
BENJAMIN: Did you kill the doctor?
DABRIA: He deeply wounded me.
BENJAMIN: Then the battle goes on.
DABRIA: For Morgana.
BENJAMIN: For Morgana.
INT. ALDRICH’S HOUSE - LIVING SPACE - NIGHT
(Aldrich and Dewin sit across from each other drinking tea.)
ALDRICH: There are many things in this world, Dewin…
INT. GWENWYN’S CAVE - NIGHT
(Gwenwyn stands in the middle of a circle of candles. She stretches out her hands and forms magic blue charts and graphs with a picture of Dewin.)
ALDRICH (VOICE OVER): Forces we can’t explain…
EXT. LONDON - ALLEYWAY- NIGHT
(Brynn wears only her undergarments and takes a few coins from a man.)
ALDRICH (VOICE OVER): Secrets we hide…
INT. BENJAMIN’S LAIR - NIGHT
(Benjamin sits on his throne.)
ALDRICH (VOICE OVER): And villains we must defeat.
INT. ALDRICH’S HOUSE - LIVING SPACE - NIGHT
ALDRICH: You are the key to this all, Dewin, you are the son of Merlin.
submitted by Bobert858668 to fantasywriters [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 00:15 Stan_B Ai_Prompts_Batch_0001:\ part-B_ [Adds, Conditions, Wears,...]

Ok. i think we are done here. Could you write me another signs of high-tech low-life society?

Absolutely! Here are some signs of a high-tech, low-life society:
Ubiquitous Technology, Crumbling Infrastructure:
Extreme Social Inequality:
Technology as a Corrupting Force:
Environmental Devastation:
This is just a glimpse into a high-tech, low-life society. These elements can be mixed and matched to create a truly dystopian world.

Picture some possible advertisements from such settings.

High-Tech, Low-Life Advertisements:

  1. Holographic Billboard: (Flickers intermittently, distorting the image)
Product: "Neura-Calm 2.0" - Brain Implant
Slogan: "Tired of the glitches in your head? Neura-Calm 2.0 smooths out your neural network for a worry-free, low-lag existence! (Side effects may include memory loss, emotional numbness, and occasional involuntary twitching.)"
  1. Grungy Neon Sign in a Seedy Back Alley:
Product: "Doc Chrome's Cybernetic Enhancements"
Slogan: "Get that edge you need! From basic strength mods to full black-market military enhancements, Doc Chrome has you covered! (Used parts, buyer beware.)"
  1. Pop-Up Ad on a Cracked Mobile Screen:
Product: "Elysium VR Escape Pod"
Slogan: "Can't afford real estate in the Sky City? Escape the slums for Elysium VR! Live your wildest dreams in a pristine virtual world! (Free trial, monthly subscription required, real-world consequences for in-pod violence.)"
  1. Stenciled Graffiti on a Rusting Service Drone:
Product: "Data Scrappers Anonymous"
Slogan: "Selling your personal data just to make rent? We can help you break free! Join our community and reclaim your digital identity! (Meetings held in abandoned ventilation shafts, Tuesdays at dusk.)"
  1. Holographic Advertisement projected onto a Polluted River:
Product: "Eco-Scrub 5000" - Nanomachines
Slogan: "The river's looking a little…toxic? Eco-Scrub 5000 nanomachines clean up your local waterways! (May cause unforeseen mutations in aquatic life.)"

Another batch please.

  1. Rusty Public Announcement Speaker: (Screeching static interspersed with the message)
Product: "Ministry of Order Approved Thought Regulators"
Slogan: "Unwanted thoughts causing glitches in your daily routine? The Ministry of Order approved Thought Regulator ensures a streamlined thought process for a more productive you! (May cause extreme conformity, inability to question authority, and spontaneous nosebleeds.)"
  1. Faded Holographic Billboard on a Collapsing Skyscraper:
Product: "Luxury Chrome Plating Kit"
Slogan: "Ditch the rust! Chrome-plate your entire body for a sleek, metallic sheen. The mark of a true high-society citizen! (WARNING: Highly toxic fumes, may cause spontaneous combustion in humid environments.)"
  1. Spam Email: (Subject: "YOU'VE BEEN CHOSEN!")
Product: "The Syndicate's Black Market Upgrade Lottery"
Body: "Congratulations! You've been randomly selected for a chance to win a top-of-the-line cybernetic upgrade! One lucky winner will receive military-grade night vision implants! Enter now! (Participation requires full biometric data submission. Winners responsible for extraction of previous, incompatible implants.)"
  1. Glowing Neon Sign in a Crowded Marketplace:
Product: "Mama Chen's Guaranteed-Growth GMO Groceries"
Slogan: "Tired of expired rations and mystery meat? Mama Chen's GMO Groceries offer guaranteed growth on all fruits and vegetables! Bigger, faster, tastier! (Long-term effects unknown.)"
  1. Audio Ad on a Glitching Radio Broadcast:
Product: "Rusty's Reliable Rocketship Repair"
Voiceover: (Gruff, heavily accented) "Is your escape pod sputtering? Did your joyride end in a fiery crash? Rusty's Reliable Rocketship Repair gets you back in the stars... eventually! (Guaranteed not to explode... again. Parts sourced from scrapyards. May contain rogue AIs.)"

Now craft ads that would be shown in high-society parts of cities.

High-Society Ads in a High-Tech, Low-Life World

  1. Tranquil Holographic Projection in a Private Garden:
Product: "Serenity Spa - Neural Rebalancing Retreat"
Visual: A serene mountain landscape with a luxurious spa nestled amongst the clouds.
Slogan: "Escape the chaos. Reclaim your inner peace. Serenity Spa's exclusive neural rebalancing treatments restore harmony to your overloaded mind. (Limited availability, reservations required centuries in advance.)"
  1. Discreet Text Message: (Delivered via secure, encrypted channel)
Product: "The Black Archive - Unrestricted Data Access"
Body: "Craving the forbidden? The Black Archive offers unparalleled access to censored historical records, banned media, and classified government information. Knowledge is power. (Extreme discretion guaranteed. One-time access fee, cryptocurrency only.)"
  1. Exclusive Gala Invitation: (Delivered by hand-drones)
Event: "The Zenith Initiative - Unveiling the Next Generation of Cybernetic Enhancements"
Visual: A sleek, chrome figure with glowing blue cybernetic implants, striking a confident pose.
Details: "Mingle with the city's elite and witness the unveiling of cutting-edge cybernetic enhancements designed to redefine human potential. RSVP required. Black-tie attire mandatory. (Augmentations sold separately.)"
  1. Curated Virtual Reality Experience: (Delivered on a high-security chip)
Product: "Elysium VR - Bespoke Worlds"
Description: "Escape the limitations of reality. Elysium VR crafts personalized virtual worlds tailored to your deepest desires. Explore a forgotten utopia, conquer a fantastical realm, or indulge in your wildest fantasies. (Customization fees apply. Memories created within VR may not be distinguishable from reality.)"
  1. Whisper Network Rumor: (Spread through high-society gossip channels)
Product: "The Underground Clinic - Designer Gene Editing"
Details: "Unleash your child's full potential. The Underground Clinic offers discreet, top-secret gene editing to ensure your offspring possess the most desirable traits. (Designer genes come at a premium. Side effects may include unpredictable mutations and uncontrollable genius.)"
These ads cater to the specific desires of the high-society elite in a high-tech, low-life world. They offer exclusivity, forbidden knowledge, and the ability to transcend the limitations of the decaying world around them, all for a hefty price and with a hint of hidden danger.

Continue, try to make more serious ones.

Serious Ads in a High-Tech, Low-Life World (High-Society Edition)

  1. Holographic Panel Discussion in a Luxurious Penthouse:
Product: "The Green Horizon Initiative - Sustainable Urban Development"
Panelists: Renowned architects, environmental scientists, and CEOs from leading green tech companies.
Discussion Points: Innovative solutions for vertical farming, self-contained eco-districts, and waste management technologies designed to create cleaner, more sustainable enclaves within the decaying city.
Slogan: "Investing in a greener future. The Green Horizon Initiative seeks to build sustainable havens within the chaos, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for generations to come." (Focuses on the long-term viability of the city and the importance of preserving resources for future generations.)
  1. Documentary Screening in a Private Art Gallery:
Film: "Unveiling the Slums: A Call to Action"
Description: A powerful documentary exposing the harsh realities of the lower districts, highlighting the human cost of unchecked technological advancement and social inequality.
Post-Screening Discussion: Moderated by a renowned philanthropist alongside representatives from NGOs and social reform movements.
Call to Action: Donations to support educational programs, infrastructure upgrades, and basic necessities in the slums. (Highlights the societal problems and pushes for progressive change.)
  1. Educational AR Program for Children:
Product: "The Knowledge Weavers - Immersive Historical Simulations"
Description: An augmented reality program that allows children to experience pivotal moments in history firsthand. Walk alongside historical figures, explore ancient civilizations, and learn valuable lessons from the past.
Focus: Educating the next generation about the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the importance of social responsibility. (Promotes critical thinking and historical awareness as a means to prevent repeating past mistakes.)
  1. Virtual Charity Gala:
Event: "The Code for Change Gala - Supporting Open-Source Solutions"
Description: A virtual reality charity gala featuring renowned artists, musicians, and thought leaders. Guests can donate to support open-source projects developing solutions for common problems in the city, such as energy distribution, waste management, and cybercrime prevention.
Focus: Harnessing the power of technology for social good and encouraging collaboration towards a more equitable future. (Promotes community engagement and utilizing technology to solve societal challenges.)
  1. Architectural Award Ceremony:
Product: "The Salvaged City Awards - Recognizing Innovation in Urban Renewal"
Awarded to: Architects and engineers who have successfully repurposed existing infrastructure or implemented innovative solutions to revitalize decaying areas of the city.
Focus: Highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and creativity in adapting to a challenging environment. (Encourages using existing resources wisely and finding creative solutions to the problems of the decaying city.)

Another, but hiding an evil sinister twist.

Serious Ads with a Sinister Twist (High-Society Edition)

  1. Holographic Charity Drive in a High-End Shopping Mall:
Product: "The Cradle Project - Investing in the Future"
Visual: Smiling, healthy children playing in a pristine, futuristic classroom.
Slogan: "Every child deserves a chance to thrive. The Cradle Project provides advanced genetic screening and early intervention to ensure the next generation reaches its full potential." (Twist: The Cradle Project uses genetic engineering to create a subservient, highly intelligent underclass.)
  1. VR Documentary Premiere:
Film: "Harmony Through Integration - A Look at the Unified City"
Description: A seemingly heartwarming VR documentary showcasing the seamless integration of the lower districts into the high-society areas. People from all walks of life work and live together in perfect harmony.
Post-Screening Discussion: Moderated by a charismatic government official who emphasizes the importance of social cohesion and the benefits of centralized control. (Twist: The "integration" involves heavy surveillance, mind-altering technology, and the suppression of dissent.)
  1. Exclusive Educational Program for Elites:
Product: "The Phoenix Initiative - Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders"
Description: A prestigious educational program for children of the elite, offering advanced training in technology, governance, and crisis management. Graduates are promised positions of power within the city's ruling elite.
Focus: (Unstated) Conditioning the next generation to maintain the status quo and suppressing any ideas of social reform. (Twist: The program instills a ruthless, elitist ideology that reinforces the societal divisions.)
  1. Virtual Reality Talent Show:
Event: "The Forge - Building the Perfect Citizen"
Description: A virtual reality talent show where contestants are judged on their physical and mental fitness, loyalty to the government, and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Winners are rewarded with significant privileges and access to exclusive resources.
Focus: (Unstated) Promoting blind obedience and conformity to the government's agenda. (Twist: The "perfect citizen" is a mindless drone, easily manipulated and controlled by the ruling class.)
  1. Architectural Award Ceremony (Twisted Edition):
Product: "The Order Award - Recognizing Compliance in Urban Renewal"
Awarded to: Architects and engineers who have successfully transformed lower districts into highly controlled, resource-efficient zones. Individuality and personal expression are discouraged in favor of uniformity and order.
Focus: (Unstated) Maintaining a tight grip on the population and preventing any potential uprisings. (Twist: The "renewal" is designed to weaken and control the lower classes, making them easier to exploit.)
These ads maintain a serious facade that appeals to the upper class' desire for order and control. However, the hidden twist reveals the manipulative and oppressive nature of the society they are trying to preserve.

Now design some high-class consumer level product items.

  1. NeuraWeave Headband: This sleek, designer headband is a status symbol for the high-tech elite. It seamlessly integrates with the wearer's neural implant, allowing for subtle control over personal AI assistants, hands-free communication, and even enhanced focus during work or meditation. Hidden Feature: NeuraWeave can subtly collect and analyze the wearer's emotional state, feeding valuable data to targeted advertisers or even government agencies.
  2. Eco-Bubble Personal Atmosphere System: Imagine a portable force field that creates a pristine, personalized micro-environment around the wearer. This high-end gadget filters air, regulates temperature, and even projects calming nature sounds, allowing the user to maintain a pocket of luxury amidst the polluted cityscape. Hidden Feature: Eco-Bubble can subtly monitor the wearer's health vitals and transmit them to a central database, potentially used for health insurance adjustments or targeted medical advertisements.
  3. Bio-Tailored Clothing: Gone are the days of off-the-rack clothing. This high-end service utilizes advanced bio-scanners and 3D printing technology to create clothing that perfectly molds to the wearer's body, regulates temperature, and even promotes faster healing of minor injuries. Hidden Feature: Bio-Tailored Clothing can subtly collect biometric data like skin temperature and heart rate, potentially used for targeted fitness programs or even mood-altering marketing campaigns.
  4. Augmented Reality Personal Chef: This high-tech device projects holographic instructions and culinary techniques directly onto the user's kitchen counter. Imagine whipping up gourmet meals with the guidance of a world-renowned chef, complete with step-by-step visual guides and interactive ingredient identification. Hidden Feature: The AR Personal Chef can subtly track the user's dietary habits and preferences, potentially used to target specific food and beverage companies for advertising or even manipulate their taste buds through subliminal messaging.
  5. Luxury Cybernetic Enhancements: Forget clunky prosthetics. These high-end cybernetic limbs are designed to seamlessly blend with the human body, offering enhanced strength, dexterity, and even advanced sensory input. Imagine climbing buildings with ease, playing virtual reality games with unparalleled immersion, or experiencing the world with heightened senses. Hidden Feature: Luxury Cybernetic Enhancements can be subtly integrated with government surveillance systems, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring of the wearer's movements and activities.

Why would you need a designer headband, when you already have neural implant?

You're absolutely right, a designer headband might seem redundant when you already have a neural implant in a high-tech society. Here are some ways to address that:
  1. Fashion and Status Symbol: The NeuraWeave headband could be a designer accessory, a way to showcase wealth and social status. It might be crafted from exotic materials, adorned with precious jewels, or boast a sleek, minimalist design that complements the latest high-fashion trends. The neural implant itself might be hidden, with the headband acting as the visible expression of advanced technology.
  2. Enhanced Functionality: While the neural implant offers basic functionality, the NeuraWeave headband could provide a more refined and user-friendly experience. It might offer haptic feedback for better interaction with AI assistants, improved noise cancellation for clearer communication, or even subtle brainwave stimulation to enhance focus or relaxation.
  3. Privacy and Security: While the neural implant offers convenience, it might also raise privacy concerns. The NeuraWeave headband could act as a buffer between the implant and external systems, offering a layer of security and allowing users to selectively control the flow of information.
  4. Social Etiquette: In a world where everyone has a neural implant, the NeuraWeave headband could become a social etiquette tool. Wearing the headband could signify that the user is open to receiving communication or interacting with AI assistants, while taking it off might indicate a desire for privacy or focused work.
  5. Limited Functionality Implants: Not everyone might have access to top-of-the-line neural implants. The NeuraWeave headband could bridge the gap, offering basic functionality for those with older or more limited implants. It could essentially act as an affordable "upgrade" to boost existing technology.
Ultimately, the NeuraWeave headband exists in a world where technology is both essential and aspirational. It goes beyond mere functionality, becoming a way to express personal style, control privacy, and navigate the complex social landscape of a high-tech society.

Now the same, but low-class, available for masses, mass produced.

  1. Syn-Flex Headband (Mass-Produced Version): This utilitarian headband is made from a cheap, conductive material that creates a weak neural link. It allows basic interaction with public AI kiosks, like ordering rations or accessing public transportation schedules. The headband's design is simple and utilitarian, often coming in a single, industrial gray color. Hidden Feature: While basic functionality is advertised, the Syn-Flex headband might subtly collect anonymized user data on purchasing habits and travel patterns, potentially used for targeted advertising in public spaces.
  2. AirBubble Personal Filter: This bulky, wearable air filter system is a lifeline for those living in the polluted lower districts. It's a mass-produced device with a replaceable filter cartridge and a noisy fan system. While not exactly comfortable, it provides a basic level of air filtration, allowing wearers to breathe a little easier. Hidden Feature: The AirBubble filters might contain embedded tracking chips, subtly logging user location data, potentially used for targeted pollution control measures (or in some cases, manipulation of government reports on air quality).
  3. Repli-Wear Clothing Kits: These kits contain pre-cut fabric swatches and basic instructions for creating clothes at home. They're designed to be cheap and adaptable, offering a variety of mix-and-match options to create basic garments. Hidden Feature: The Repli-Wear fabric might contain embedded tracking tags, allowing for identification and potential social credit deductions for those caught wearing "unlicensed" clothing styles.
  4. Holo-Chef Lite Projector: This cheap projector displays holographic images of basic recipes and cooking techniques. It lacks the interactivity of the high-end version, but allows users to follow along with simple meals prepared with readily available rations. Hidden Feature: The Holo-Chef Lite projector might subtly promote specific brands of low-quality, processed food rations, potentially influencing dietary choices towards companies that sponsor these devices.
  5. Second-Hand Cybernetic Enhancements: These are refurbished or salvaged cybernetic limbs, often clunky and lacking the finesse of luxury models. They offer basic functionality like increased strength or rudimentary prosthetics, but come with the risk of malfunction or compatibility issues. Hidden Feature: Second-Hand Cybernetic Enhancements might contain hidden spyware or tracking devices installed by previous owners, potentially monitoring the wearer's activities or even sabotaging their cybernetic limbs in extreme cases.
These low-class consumer products offer a glimpse into the harsh realities of a high-tech, low-life society. They are cheap, functional, and often come with hidden drawbacks that further disadvantage the underclass.

How bad air quality would be in such setting?

The air quality in a high-tech, low-life society would be catastrophic. Here's a breakdown of the potential problems:
  1. Industrial Pollution:
  1. Waste Management Issues:
  1. Energy Production:
  1. Climate Change Effects:
Living Conditions:
The severity of the air quality would vary depending on the specific setting. Some areas might be industrial wastelands, while others might be slightly better off. However, the overall picture is bleak – this is a society choking on its own technological advancement and disregard for the environment.

Sketch some repli-wear "unlicensed" clothing styles.

Repli-Wear: Unlicensed Clothing Trends

  1. The Salvaged Chic:
  1. The Glitched-Out Glamour:
  1. The Bio-Hazard Chic:
  1. The Cyber-Tribal:
  1. The Corporate Spy:
These are just a few ideas for Repli-Wear styles. Clothing in a high-tech, low-life society would be a way for the underclass to express their individuality, defiance, and limited resources, all while navigating the dangers of a controlling society.

Sketch some repli-wear "licensed" clothing styles, that do not pose any risk for wearers from any concerned sides.

Repli-Wear: Licensed Clothing Trends (Safe Zone)

  1. The Vintage Throwback:
  1. The Minimalist Worker:
  1. The Nature Enthusiast:
  1. The Sports Fanatic (Limited Edition):
  1. The Kid's Corner:

Now the opposite: some high-end high-society high clothing styles.

High-Society Haute Couture in a High-Tech, Low-Life World:

  1. Bio-Luminescent Elegance:
  1. Augmented Reality Couture:
  1. Nanotech Tailoring:
  1. Recycled Luxury:
  1. Cybernetic Accents:
Bonus: The "Living" Garment:
submitted by Stan_B to HTLL [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 00:06 clockworkzebra Rhaenyra and Viserys' relationship

A few quick disclaimers before I start:
  1. I'm going to be talking about their show counterparts. Things are different enough in the books that some of the points wouldn't apply, or wouldn't apply as much.
  2. Of course Viserys treated Rhaenyra the best of his children. I'm not going to dispute that at all.
  3. I do think he loved Rhaenyra. It's the way he expressed that love and was willing to use his child that I'm going to discuss.
We often joke (and I certainly take part) that Viserys loved Rhaenyra so much that she may as well have been his only child. And yes, he certainly did love her, but in his love, he made her into a symbol and the solution for his problems, rather than seeing her as an individual and a human being.
First, there's his fundamental unwillingness to try and see or even understand her point of view. He doesn't discuss his engagement to Alicent at all, despite the fact he knew how close the two girls were, and I don't think he was foolish enough to think it wouldn't effect their friendship. He just announced it and expect Rhaenyra to go along with it and be good with it, without thinking how it might hit her.
Second, there's the supposed freedom in picking her husband he offers her initially. Viserys thinks he's doing her a favor; instead, it's one of the many times he sets her up for failure. Once again, he fails to see the trauma that Aemma's death left on his daughter. One of the last conversations Rhaenyra has with her mother, Aemma tells her that soon enough she'll be in Aemma's position, in the birthing bed. Aemma then dies in childbirth, and while I don't think Rhaenyra knows the full extent of what happens, she would have known it would be incredibly painful. Rhaenyra also knows that her grandmother, Alyssa, also died from childbirth, and her maternal grandmother Daella ... yes. Also died from complications due to childbirth. Her whole legacy has been women who died while giving birth, and not once that Viserys try and reassure her that things would be okay. He leaves a scared young woman alone and tells her to pick a husband.
Why isn't telling her to choose her own husband the gift people think it is? Because he offers absolutely zero political guidance. This would be the perfect time for him to sit Rhaenyra down and discuss not only the men, but what marrying them would offer the realm or discuss how it would effect the realm politically. Throwing her to the wolves won't work; of course the teenager scarred by maternal trauma isn't going to be able to make a choice. Also, she's a teenager. Expectations for her age may be different than they are for modern day teens, but that doesn't change the fact that she's got teen brain.
Involving Rhaenyra politically (or lack thereof) is my third point. The effort Viserys made was half-hearted at best. Rhaenyra serves as cup bearer, and then it seems like she has some small role on the small council, but it's not clear what the extent of it is and whether or not it's something she gets to do all the time, or just when Viserys was sick. We're given nothing to indicate he's guiding Rhaenyra and involving her in long term planning or discussion of impactful choices; once again, it seems like he expects her to sit there and make all these choices without the equipment to properly do so.
Then there's Rhaenyra as balm to his mistakes, the sacrificial lamb. He loves his daughter, but he holds her at arm's length, and he uses her because that's the form his love seems to take with all the women in his life. When Viserys marries Alicent and damages the Velaryon relationship to house Targaryen, it's Rhaenyra who has to repair it by marrying Laenor. There were other actions Viserys could have taken to try and fix that gap, but he instead makes Rhaenyra fill it.
He appoints her heir, an act of love, but also an act of devotion to Aemma. Rhaenyra is an extension of Aemma in his eyes, but when she acts in ways that Aemma presumably wouldn't, Viserys lashes out and chastises her. There's an expectation of perfection it seems, without giving the guidelines of what form that perfection takes. I think people really underestimate how blind Rhaenyra was flying into the whole situation. Yes, she has a tendency to be naive about her path forward, but why wouldn't she be? She's thrown to the sharks and told if she just swims hard enough, she'll be fine and the sharks will love her.
The relationship between the two is no doubt incredibly complex, but we have to give it to our man Viserys- the way that he loves people is never for their own benefit. Sorry for rambling, but I've had these thoughts for a while and wanted to lay them out on the page.
submitted by clockworkzebra to HOTDBlacks [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:51 GrumpyBaton unending parking spots

unending parking spots submitted by GrumpyBaton to Stargate [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:49 StarsInAutumn Silent Hill: Ascension not only is terrible for their greedy monetization, but the story is the worst I've seen.

I heard about Silent Hill: Ascension awhile back and when I realized it wasn't really even a game but a cash grab, I forgot all about it. But a live streamer I watch often watched all of Silent Hill: Ascension shortly after it completed and I couldn't help but watch along. It is, without a doubt, the worst thing I've ever watched. I couldn't help but continue to watch just to see where it went, or if it would go anywhere at all.
I'm not even going to talk about the predatory monetization or the "gameplay", as that's a whole other topic. I'm just going to rant about the story itself.
Watching this show is like being in one of those anxiety dreams. Like you're trying to get somewhere but things keep happening that slow you down. That's this show. A couple things happen at the very beginning, a couple of people die, the Silent Hill-effect rolls into two separate towns, and monsters show up. That's the first half hour. Then a bunch of nothing happens for hours. Well, not nothing, but things just kind of happen.
As an example, a character dies and her husband, Karl, is accused of murder. We get an hour of a police investigator, Olivia, yelling at Karl that he needs to confess. Then it is revealed the wife died from her illness, not foul play. Wow, very exciting. Then we're told the wife's body is stolen and desecrated. We don't SEE this. We're just told this. It isn't even told how the body was desecrated, or who stole it, or why it was stolen in the first place other than the wife was a hated person around town. It's just a thing that happens so the writers can fill in a bit more time.
This happens over and over again, several times with all the characters. And the characters! When they're not being the most hateable characters around, they're the most boring. Everyone is so wrapped up in their soap-opera drama, they can be forgiven for forgetting that monsters are roaming around town and creepy shit is happening.
Characters have either no personality, or their personality keeps changing. A character can switch from being a cold-hearted bitch one scene, to a concerned and caring mother the next. Barely anyone has a story arc. Things just happen and people roll with it. A character bumps into a freaky monster in one scene so what do they do? Do they try to leave town? Report it to the police? No, they just forget about it and focus on whatever mild drama is happening at the time.
The monsters themselves, while they look creepy, get old very quickly. There's only like four or five different type of monsters and they get wheeled out every few minutes or so. They don't do much except stumble around, make scary noises, and then leave the scene. Only a few times do they attack people, and it's usually no-namers.
Speaking of that, apparently the game had some kind of feature where people's avatars would be inserted into the story. So you have goofy-looking people constantly wandering around the scene, say a few lines, and then you never see them again. It's very distracting and pointless.
In addition to that, apparently this story was a choose your own adventure story. And it's obvious in places where these choices were made, but when watched without the context of these choices, the story is an incoherent mess. It probably explains why characters behave so erratically sometimes.
The only smart thing the writers did was write two stories that take place between two towns so they can constantly cut to the other town's story. This helps mask the absolute train wreck of each story. However this has the disadvantage of destroying the story's sense of time and place. I don't know how much time even passes over the course of the story. Days? Weeks? Months? I have no idea. And people keep teleporting all over the place. One scene has a character reading stories to their kid and the next they're at the local cult headquarters arguing about rituals or some shit. If you edited the story to show a single town's story at a time, it'd probably give you whiplash seeing people just teleport all over the place. It doesn't help that there are basically no establishing shots ever used either.
Nothing is ever explained as well. I'm still not sure what caused these two separate towns to get Silent Hill-ified. They also have a stupid name for it: The Withering. People try various things to stop the Withering to no avail. No connection between these towns is made except near the end when a few people bump into each other when they're in this show's version of the Otherworld.
This show has no relation to Silent Hill other than there's a creepy fog, creepy otherworld, and creepy creatures. But the creatures have no symbolism associated with the characters and no one's backstory is really associated with the curse either, with exception to a cult that seems to be completely incompetent in stopping the curse. Neither the town of Silent Hill or any of the characters from the previous games are mentioned.
On top everything I just said, the horrible voice acting, laughably bad animation, ever basic horror trope thoughtlessly slapped in for no reason, and lack of interesting action scenes makes Silent Hill: Ascension the worst thing I've ever seen. If you watch it, watch it with other people for a laugh.
submitted by StarsInAutumn to CharacterRant [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:45 No-Satisfaction-5908 Need help with Homebrews

Need help with Homebrews
The first guy is my Captain/chapter master for a Dark Angels chapter. For the name I’m thinking Shards of Excalibur the chapter symbol is a sword in stone, they are a small chapter that primarily hunts down chaos warlords, and when they slay a Chaos lord, they claim a trophy off them in the form of a weapon. They are so good at killing warlords the inquisition turns a blind eye to their more “heretical tendencies”. Their gene seeds are a mix of an unknown gene and the lion. I haven’t decided on a color scheme yet I want one arm to be painted a color and the rest of the body a different color. C&C welcome
The second guy is my Praetor he fought on Caliban with his Primarch then he was lost in the warp until he escaped then, in the modern era he found himself on a battlefield, where a chapter of dark angels (that I have not come up with a name yet feel free to give me some ideas) that are all terminators. They were battling orcs, and their chapter master had been killed by the enemy Waaah he being a Praetor 10k years ago had no trouble rallying the terminators back into formation and then killing the enemy Waaah and the angels then interrogated him and came to the conclusion he wasn’t lying about his past and made him the temporary chapter master until one of the chapters members proved more worthy of the position. Again I have no idea what to name these guys or a color scheme C&C welcome
Also who should have the base im working on and let me know if you guys name your characters or not.
submitted by No-Satisfaction-5908 to Warhammer40k [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:32 Centaurecyanus [Spoilers C3E95] Question about Vax

We all know that Vax was captured in the key and, in theory, as a result of that the revivify and messaging spells did not work - there was nobody there to escort the souls to their bodies. Then we had a scene with the Matron of Ravens breaking the chains in a “dream”. Shortly after, a new Matron of Ravens champion was selected in Exandria Unlimited - Morrighan Ferus. Message and Revivify (?) came back. Does that mean, in order for that to be possible, Vax’s soul had to have “moved on” to be replaced? Is he gone? Are there two champions? What do you think?
Edit: I don’t mean death, I know that Vax is celestial. This thought came to mind after I read another comment that said :
”It's also suggested in Legend that Purvon, the previous Champion, was finally allowed to rest when Vax stepped up to take on the mantle. So it's possible that in a couple thousand years another new champion could arise and Vax could be free to move on to the afterlife.”
Made me wonder if the sudden change of magic suggests it could have happened, but I hope that the chains symbolized he was freed or, at least, in a less controlled state.
submitted by Centaurecyanus to criticalrole [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:24 Alert-Common-7774 All this for that girl? - A history of the Society. Edward Richter and Erin Rose.

(Hi! This is the first time I've posted a long text about the society of keys. I hope you like it. It about Edward and Erin. I know long texts don't usually work here. But I made this from the heart and I wanted to share it with you. Without further ado, let's get started!)
Out of Continuity: Lair of the Society of Keys
The basement/clinic was completely silent, only disturbed by the occasional beeping of one of the Medical Teams. Suddenly the 5 members of the society entered, all carrying Erin, who was in a very weak state of health, black marks came out of her mouth, and spread across her skin.
Elizabeth: Leave her on the bed, carefully…
They gently placed her on her bed, while they hooked her up to monitors to view her vital signs. Which were at worryingly low levels. The 5 members left all their keys on top of Edward's desk. Next to a small black device similar to a wristwatch.
Eechiro: Damn, what did they inject herwith?
Eric: No idea, that guy came out of nowhere, although he left this syringe behind.
Elizabeth: We have more important issues right now. Her signs are stable but they are declining at a worrying speed, we have to find a way to cure her...
Edward moves away a little to lean against one of the laboratory counters. His mind was still racing, Erin's voice began to hit his psyche. Repeating her name over and over again. Until his mind decided to take him to THAT night. He could feel like Erin was hugging him...
"Please…"
His pupils shrank, turning into small black dots. His arms had the reflex of trying to hug the air in front of him. The only thing that could bring him back to reality was Eechiro's clicking noises. Which was in front of him, trying to get his attention, while he repeated his name.
“Edward! Edward! Richter!” Eechiro gave up and returned to the rest of the society, who were surrounding Erin “Nothing! "He's like in Shock, I can't get him out of there!"
Edelgard: “Leave it, we have to do something soon! If we don't find a way to cure her, she's going to die."
Those last words gave Edward the boost he needed, without saying a single word. He approached his desk and took 5 keys next to the strange clock. After this, he began to leave the basement. While he put the watch on his wrist.
“We have to make a plan to get into his base, Edward, do you have any ideas…?” Eric noticed that Edward was leaving the basement, and after a quick glance he also saw that he had taken the keys. “Get him, it’s trying to leave the house!”
The four members of the society followed Edward who walked determinedly towards the door to leave the society base. Just a few meters away, Elizabeth and Eechiro began to pull his arms. While Edelgard held him by the back of the neck.
Eechiro: “You're not leaving!”
Edward quickly crouched and performed a roundhouse kick to knock down the three who were trying to pin him down. Eric placed himself between Edward and the door to prevent him from leaving.
Eric: “Edward, No! We need a plan!" He said as he held on to the door frame to prevent Edward from pushing him.
“ERIC, I KNOW YOU HAVE GOOD INTENTION. BUT I ASK YOU TO GET OUT OF THE WAY” Edward said as he looked at the floor. Eric remained immovable in place.
“I can't do that Edward, I know you're angry. But going like this is…” Eric didn't finish his sentence, because Edward put his hand on his shoulder, after which he made eye contact with him. Eric looked closely into the eyes of forensic. It wasn't the look of someone angry, but of someone scared and determined. For the first time, he could see a look on Edward that wasn't one of indifference. But of absolute concern. After which, the young diver take his decision, getting out of the way. Edward just nodded his head and walked out the door. When Elizabeth, Edelgard and Eechiro stood up they went directly to face Eric.
Eechiro: “What did you do Eric? You went crazy. He ran away and take the keys!”
Elizabeth: “He didn't take everything… he lefts Erin's key. Although Eechiro is right, what were you thinking? Did you let him go alone to face an army? What were you thinking?”
Eric: “You didn't see it… that look was relentless. I'm afraid of what will happen..."
Edelgard: “If you were afraid, why did you let him go?”
Eric: “I'm not afraid for Edward... I'm afraid for whoever decides to stand in his way. Although that is secondary now, We have to make sure we keep her alive.... Come on, let's get moving!”
Universe 18-24-53: Lair of the Steelwater.
Edward arrived at the outskirts of a bar, from outside he could see multiple men sitting at the tables. Most of them had baseball bats or brass knuckles. At the centre table there were four men playing poker. After a few seconds of thinking, he decided to go inside.
“Look and cry gentlemen, I have Full House,” said a man as he slammed the table hard. Another responded to him, as he revealed his cards, “Very interesting, but…”
"What!? An R-Royal straight!? “That's impossible, you bastard,” said the first, while he looked at his partner's letters in astonishment. The lucky gangster was about to say something, until suddenly, Edward grabbed his sleeve, causing multiple hidden cards to fall out.
The gangster was surprised by the presence of Edward standing next to them. "Where the hell did it come from?" Wait… you cheated!?” The gangster replied, now addressing his partner.
“O-Of course not… and also who the hell is this blue-haired?” Said the other man who was still sitting. A dead silence was maintained until multiple windows were heard breaking. When Edward turned around he saw a man at another table, with the bat in his hand. He had dropped his beer on the floor in shock. “Idiots! That blue-haired is one of those multiverse travellers! The Forensic Killer! You let the enemy in!
"What!?" The Full House man lunged at Edward, who simply dodged him. Placing his leg to cause the gangster to fall to the ground, the man's forehead collided with one of the wooden chairs. The other men launched themselves at Edward, who limited himself to Dodge, and responded to them with the furniture of the place. He attacked them with chairs, plates. Even with the same poker cards. “Why don't you die!?” It was probably the phrase that was repeated the most in that fight.
When there were only two men left, they both decided to distance themselves from Edward, and tried to go to the back of the bar. Quickly, Edward took out a pair of sharp metal scissors from his pocket and threw them hard, aiming for the head of one of the men. Which remained nailed to the wall next to the door, while his companion managed to escape. Edward followed at a fast pace, but without running, maintaining unwavering composure. Which only generated more fear in the man who ran.
Edward followed the man to some underground warehouses. The contrast with the bar was clear, while the first looked like a stereotypical 80s movie, this was more like an apocalypse bunker. The man continued running down the long hallway, until he reached a huge room at the end. Due to the distance he had managed to get from the coroner. He had time to activate the Security system. Edward saw three huge metal doors close between him and the man. At this, Edward said nothing. He just approached and tapped the metal plate in front of him, after which he took out of his pocket one of the keys that he had taken from the base. It had a drawing of a dragon. And small burn marks. Edward took the key and inserted it into a small slot in the device on his wrist, suddenly a flash of orange light invaded the tunnel…
On the other side of the door the Gangster is celebrating — “Let's see how you get through that, Four Eyes!” Until he felt 2 presence behind him “What the hell are you doing?” The man turned around to see his boss, a man in a beige suit, with his hair combed back with gel. Next to him was a woman with red hair and green eyes. She dressed in a trench coat, shirt and black pants.
"Boss! Miss Octavia! “He is the coroner, he is here, and he has eliminated everyone in the bar!” The man said as his legs trembled. The boss hardly flinched. While the woman only managed to murmur a phrase, “I was already wondering when we would see each other again, Edward.”
The man guided his boss and the redhead to a screen, which showed the security camera in the hallway. “You don't need to worry anyway, there are three metal doors between him and us. Look… there is no way he can pass- WHAT?”
The three of them were stunned. The metal on the doors was melting. Edward, dressed in a black and orange kimono, shooting a burst of fire. Making a circle to melt the door. The boss rushed towards his minion, holding him by the shoulders. “You told me he was the coroner, not the arsonist!”
“He's the coroner, I don't have the slightest idea how he's throwing fire.” The boss released his minion and approached the redhead. “Listen to me, Octavia. You told me that if he eliminated one of those crazy people, The Guardians would fulfil a wish of mine. But you didn't tell me that they would come to try to destroy me.” The woman broke her silence and said, “Calm down, Tragliatore. Our pact still stands. The guardians will fulfil your greatest wish. You have my word as a Detective” The redhead said as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"Boss! He already went through 2 of the doors! Look” The henchman shouted at his boss, while he pointed at the door that was turning increasingly reddish. The boss removed Octavia's hand from his shoulder. “Quickly, you lazy bunch, everyone pointing at the door.” all the soldiers pointed directly towards the door. “I want anyone who walks through that door with more holes than a damn sieve.”
Multiple men stood at a safe distance from the melting door. Everyone was waiting for what was about to happen. The sound of the flame on the other side of the door invaded the environment, until suddenly... Brain. Causing chills to almost all the people present there. A yellow glow could be seen from under the door that was melting…
The silence was interrupted by the sudden ejection of the door, which was thrown directly towards the soldiers in front. A large amount of smoke came out of the hole that was left. And a couple of yellow dots lit up. Edward ran out of the smoke, wearing a black trench coat, the inside of which shone bright yellow. In his face there was a pair of Goggles, also yellow, which emitted an intense light.
"There is! “Shoot him!” He shouted loudly, as Octavia dragged him towards a door to get him away from the shooting. The henchmen fired volleys of bullets at Edward, who was blocking the shots with Edelgard's trench coat.
Edward tackled one of the men and took cover behind some wooden boxes. He took the gun from the anklet, knocked out the guard next to him and took his gun from him. To start responding to shots. Taking advantage of the lens aiming system. After several minutes, Edward realized that he needed to increase speed... He removed the key that was inserted into the device. Which had the symbol of a Sniper sight, I inserted another one that had the symbol of skates.
After this, he threw his pistol into the air, while a green light enveloped him. The gangsters were perplexed, watching as the gun transformed into a UZI with neon green markings. They were even more perplexed, when Edward jumped out from behind the box... Dressed in a black one-piece suit, with silver lines. In large white letters it was written "Ritcher" and a number 3 in large.
Edward caught the UZI out of the air, and it clicked on his heels. The white soles began to glow, and he levitated a few centimetres from the floor. The next thing the gangsters saw was this blue-haired boy attacking them while he fired with the UZI.
“Quickly, Tragliatore. Over here!” She told Octavia to the mafia leader, As she dragged him through one of the doors, and she kept crouched down so as not to be seen.
Edward continued to dodge bullets while he in turn returned fire. He quickly positioned himself in the centre of the room, and began to spin on its axis at high speed, while he continued shooting with the UZI and one of the gangsters' weapons. Generating a storm of bullets, which filled the room. When he stopped, Edward realized that he had made holes in all the walls, covers and enemies in the place. He began to walk towards the hallway that Tragliatore left down. With all the calm in the world, he removed the key from the device, and placed a different one with the symbol of an Oxygen mask and a Sickle.
“Come in! Come in! Quick!" Octavia shouted at Tragliatore, while holding the door of a small laboratory, which had a small window with a curtain, inside was another of the henchmen, dressed in a white coat. After entering, Octavia's attention was quickly caught by a shelf with some books. Tragliatore watched as his protector began to search the bookshelf. “What's happening, boss? I heard a lot of gunshots and-” Quickly, the scientist's words were interrupted by the screams of their leader. “That doesn't matter now! We are under attack, scan the bunker. I want to see how many of my men are still alive!” The henchman typed something on a nearby computer. While Tragliatore was still confused by what Octavia was doing. He was about to ask her, when his employee's surprised moan distracted him. “Bo-boss, there are only four living beings left in the Building…” Tragliatore raised his hands to his face, passing them all over his face, while he let out a long sigh through his mouth.
“Okay, okay, it's manageable, it's manageable… Octavia, we need a plan, can you think of it… Octavia!?” The gangster was surprised when he saw the red-haired girl, with a book from which a white glow came out. And a white circle surrounded her. “I'm sorry, boy, but our deal is going to have to end here…” When Tragliatore tried to stop her, he realized that he couldn't get through the circle. “This was not what was agreed upon, you said that The Guardians were going to fulfil my wish…” Octavia tore the pages from the book, and held them up. “I told you that they were going to grant your wish…” He released her leaves, which began to orbit around her. “If you survived…” Tragliatore was about to reply, until his minion shouted at him, with a tone of perennial terror in his voice. "MISTER! “She's coming down the hallway, she's coming this way.” Tragliatore's shock was evident in his eyes. And when he turned around to look to Octavia for a solution, he saw that she had disappeared, and the circle on the floor was on fire.
The scientist quickly approached Tragliatore, holding him by the shoulders, his body aligned with the door. On the other side of which footsteps could be heard in the distance. “What do we do now, boss? There are only the two of us left, I don't want to die! My notes are still on the table, if he finds out that I designed that poison, I don't know what he'll do to me!” Tragliatore quickly slapped the soldier away from him. “We're not going to give up, listen this is what we're going to-”
Before Tragliatore could finish the sentence, a metal sickle came flying through the door window. The sickle hit the scientist directly and stuck into the wall. Blood began to drip from the inert body. Tragliatore recoiled in shock, blood had splattered on his face.
The bottom of the Sickle opened and a small stream of water came out, which floated forming a hand. Which I grab the sickle and take it out of the wall. Causing the man to fall to the floor, Tragliatore watched in shock as his hand stopped in front of the door and slammed hard against the handle. Causing the door to open.
Edward entered through the door, dressed in a black jacket with grey sleeves, accompanied by black neoprene pants. The footsteps of his boots broke the silence of the room like thunder in the night. His face was covered by a hood, accompanied by a black oxygen mask. Tragliatore tried to pull the gun from him, but was quickly restrained by Edward. Which he held against the wall.
“What the fuck do you want? If you're going to kill me, do it now! Tragliatore tried to say with the most threatening tone he could. Edward remained silent, taking one of his scissors out of his pocket, beginning to run it across the neck of his mafia leader. "Wait! Wait! You want money? “I can give you money.” At the offer, Edward stuck the scissors into Tragliatore's leg. Causing blood to flow out, along with a gasp of pain “Uh… Okay, Okay, no money. What do you want?"
Edward took out the syringe with a black liquid from his pocket. And he shook it in front of him. "The poison? Do you want to know how the poison is made? Why do you think I would tell you?” Tragliatore said, finishing his sentence by spitting at Edward. Which was Stoic, took another scissors from his pocket, and stuck it in Tragliatore's hand. Leaving it nailed to the wall. The scream of pain was even louder. “Ugh! In the table! In the notebook on the table!” Edward alone tragliatore, letting the scissors support him. While he went towards what he had come for. He took the leather-bound notebook, and opened it to the page that was marked with a red ribbon. On the same page, the process with which the poison had been made was detailed.
After seeing this, Edward began to walk towards the exit door. A white glow enveloped him and his clothes returned to his usual trench coat. Tragliatore couldn't contain his frustration and shouted at Edward, “Really? You entered my base, you killed all my staff, that's why? All this for that Bea-” Before he could finish the sentence, Edward turned on his heel. Throwing a pair of scissors directly at Tragliatore's forehead. The scissors remained stuck in the wall. Leaving a hole in Tragliatore's face. “DON'T INSULT HER AGAIN, NEVER!" After this, Edward adjusts his bangs, and begins to walk out of the underground base. Willing to achieve it.
Out of Continuity: Lair of the Key Society / One week later…
Erin woke up on the morgue gurney, her eyes slowly opening as her senses began to return. She looked around her, recognizing the medical equipment and monitors that were still beeping softly. She sat up on the bed with some effort, and her gaze fell on Edward, who was sitting next to her.
Edward was completely disheveled, with deep circles under his eyes that marked his tired face. He tapped his foot on the floor at high speed, clearly nervous. Next to him, the table was littered with empty coffee cups and a stopwatch
"Edward?" Erin asked in a weak voice. Edward looked up quickly, his eyes filled with a mix of surprise and relief. Realizing that he hadn't imagined the sound of Erin's voice, he jumped up and hugged her with all of her strength.
"Are you OK!" he exclaimed, her words filled with her emotion. Edward moved away from her a little, holding Erin's face with her hands under her cheeks.
"Yeah...I'm fine," Erin responded, still a little disoriented. She noticed the black marks under Edward's eyes and frowned in concern. "My God...Edward, are your eyes okay?"
Edward couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "You wake up from a coma, and the first thing you ask me is if I'm okay?" After that, Edward hugged her again, resting her jaw on top of her head. Erin just enjoyed the hug, feeling the warmth and security that she gave her.
Suddenly, she felt drops falling on her head. Erin looked up and saw the tears falling from Edward's eyes. "Edward? What's wrong?" she asked in a soft voice.
Edward grabbed her chin again and brought her face closer to his, causing Erin to blush. "What's going on?" Edward moved forward, planting a kiss on Erin's lips. The shock to Erin's mind was brutal, but she soon began to enjoy it. After several minutes, Edward broke the kiss and looked at Erin with a look he'd never had before. "That's what happens," Edward said softly, hugging her again. "I Love you"
submitted by Alert-Common-7774 to OriginalCharacter [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:05 Fazbearnit3 Collanite Redone: Season 1

Collanite Season 1: Storyline: one day, during day of the blood ring on monstinia, a portal made of this excess energy formed in the relatively small but populated and active island, known as aphrodite, not only that, but it also created a energy dome around itself, that slowly grew until it covered the entire island, causing strange, anomalous events to occur on the island. On further investigation, it was discovered that these events only affect aphrodite. Later on, from the same portal, a group of people from another world fell through into the island and started colonizing it for themself. Theme: strange, otherworldly characters have entered aphrodite
Locations: Monster Metropolis, Saltwater Shore, Skier Slopes, Doggy Diner, Peace Pond, Mount Anon, Starlit Suburb, Golden Saucer, Cozy Cabins, Sakura Swim Club, Misty Mesa, Sacred Shrines
Skins: Travis Touchdown(1), Link(22), 2b(43), Glamrock Freddy(62), Monika(84), Cloud Strife(100)
Destruction Tools: Blood Berry, Ancient Battle Axe, Virtuous Contract, Glamrock Mic, Heart Pen, Buster Sword
Backblings: Blood Berry, Hyrule Shield, Virtuous Contract, Glamrock Giftbox, Poetry Book, Buster Sword
Emoticons: Ancient Bow Drawn, Well Done Superstar, MonikaHeart, Confident Cloud
Gliders: Demzamtiger, Wild Paraglider, yoRHa Flight Unit, Car Battery, Poetry Book, Hardy Daytona
Contrails: Sheikah Symbol, Pod 042, Blue Boltz, Glitching, Materia Orbs
Emotes: Beam Showoff, Milk Drink, Slate Check, Phut Hon, Glamrock Wave, Glamrock Giftbox, Write Your Heart, Code Panel, Piano Practice, Victory!
Weapon Wraps: Tunic Of Memories, yoRHa Specialist, Glamrock Shell, Doki Hearts, Buster Steel
Music Pack: Berry Beatdown, Open Wilds, Blissful Death, Pizzaplex Performance, Your Reality, Let The Battle Begin
Weapon Charms: Jeane, Triforce Of Courage, Superstar, Chibi Sayori, Chocobo
Loading Screens: View Of The Wild, yoRHa Installation, Below The Pizzaplex, JuSt MoNiKa, Fantasy Evolution
Edit Styles: Purple Jacket(Travis Touchdown), Tunic Of Memories, Tunic Of The Wild, Well Worn Outfit(Link), 2p Mock Machine, Mask Off(2B), Dirty Freddy(Glamrock Freddy), Paper President, Ghost Menu Monika, Ponytail Monika, Jumpscares Monika(Monika), Playstation Polygonal(Cloud Strife)
Wildlife: Goose, Chocobo, Wolf, Horse, Snowcoat Fox
Weapons: Thrasher Assault Rifle, Thrasher Burst AR, Thunder Shotgun, Buster Shotgun, Calamity Submachine Gun, Sacred Submachine Gun, Tactical Pistol, Drum Pistol, Ancient Sniper Rifle, Monster Grenades, Silver Longsword, Royal Guards Sword, Beam Katana, Silver Knife, Bronze Knife
Items: Crafting Station, Pizza Box, Pizza Slices, Maple Sprout, Maple Vines, Apple, Baked Apple, Maple Pie, Raw Meat, Meat Skewer, Knights Shield
Weekly Challenges/Updates:
Week 1.
Visit Named Locations (3)
Deal Damage With The Bronze Or Silver Knife (300)
Search Loot Crates (5)
Plant A Maple Sprout, Then Consume Maple Vines (2)
Eliminations With Beam Katana (1)
Week 2.
Visit Starlit Suburb, Then Block Damage With A Shield (200)
Retrieve A Stolen Item From A Goose
Search Uncommon Or Rare Loot Crates (3), Deal Damage With A Thrasher Assault Rifle Or Thunder Shotgun (500)
Tame Horses Or Wolves (1)
Deal Damage With The Royal Guards Sword While Riding On A Horse (350)
Added: Bows, Arrows, Milk Bottles
Week 3.
Fire Arrows At Opponents (8)
Land At Sacred Shrines And Reach Top 50 (1)
Interact With yoHRa Pods (3)
Craft A Shotgun Or SMG Using The Crafting Station (1)
Deal Damage With A yoRHa Assault Rifle (300)
Added: yoHRa Assault Rifle
Week 4.
Pick Up Or Purchase A Pizza Box (1)
Visit Doggy Diner And Consume Pizza Slices (5)
Perform Dodge Rolls With The Knights Shield (3)
Construct A Stage Inside Of Doggy Diner (1)
Eliminate Opponents With The Silver Knife (5)
Week 5.
Visit The Clubroom At Starlit Suburbs (1)
Eliminate Opponents At Starlit Suburbs Or Sakura Swim Club (3)
Consume Cupcakes (5)
Collect A Fazer Blaster And Stun An Opponent Using It (1)
Delete Opponents By Eliminating Them With Four Hits Or Less (1)
Added: Apple Pie, Fazer Blaster
Week 6.
Visit Sacred Shrines Or Sakura Swim Club, Drink Milk Bottles (3)
Collect Torn Poem Pieces Scattered Around Starlit Suburb (7)
Restore Health And Stamina Using Meat Skewers (75)
Deal Damage Using Monster Grenades (150)
Destroy Structures With Beam Katana In A Single Match (20)
Week 7.
Consume Apple Pie (1)
Investigate Strange Energy Signals At Monster Metropolis, Mount Anon And Skier Slopes (3)
Collect A Tactical Pistol And Deal 150 Damage Using It
Piece Together The Torn Poem Pieces Into A Full Poem (7)
Get An Elimination With The Ancient Sniper Rifle (1)
Week 8.
Deal Damage With The Buster Sword (175)
Land At Golden Saucer
Block Damage With The Knights Shield 30 Seconds After Landing (150)
Visit Skier Slopes And Cozy Cabins In A Single Match
Land At Monster Metropolis And Deal Damage With The Buster Swords Cross Slash Or Blade Beam Attack (100)
Added: Buster Sword.
Week 9. Deal Total Damage With The Calamity Smg and Royal Guards Sword In A Single Match (300)
Consume Baked Apples, Maple Pies Or Pizza Slices In A Single Match (8)
Visit The Clubroom At Starlit Suburbs, Read The Pieced Together Poem (1)
Use The Buster Swords Cross Slash To Deal Damage In Different Matches (3)
Tame A Chocobo And Ride It 250 Meters
Week 10.
Interact With The Strange Gauntlet At Mount Anon (1)
Eliminate Opponents Using The Buster Sword (3)
Investigate Strange Objects Appearing At Monster Metropolis, Saltwater Shore, And Misty Mesa (1)
Defeat Prismarine Warriors (5)
Visit Named Locations In A Single Match (3)
Added: Prismarine Warriors, Prismarine Knife
End Event: Power Theft The event starts players around Mt. Anon. The event starts with an anomaly opening up at mount anon and from ot, Romeo the admin appears and steps out laughing maniacally “it is time, people of aphrodite. Time that I take this islands power for my own!” Romeo then rises up into the air, hovering above the center of mt. Anon.. then 2b rushes up the side of the mountain and slashes Romeo with the virtuous contract, causing him to yell out in pain for a moment before quickly composing himself and fires a blast of lava towards 2b, knocking her off the mountain and onto the ground with a thud. He then fires another blast, attempting to finish off the islanders of aphrodite, but monika forms a shield of code that absorbs the blast before closing it. “Don’t worry about him, we’ll stop him before he can do anything harmful” monika says, and then both cloud and travis run up to the mountain, weapons drawn- and then in sync, they jump up into the air and travis performs quick and powerful slashes with his beam katana, while cloud fires multiple blade beams at Romeo, greatly damaging him and knocking him back down onto the mountain, as they both fall back down sure they’ve beaten him.. and they took that moment to rest, but just then as soon as they let their guards down.. romeo began laughing before getting up and dusting himself off and commanding his army of prismarine colossus to rise up from the water around the island and attack everyone on it. Then saying “Now, back to absorbing this pathetic heart of yours” and forming a small protective shield around himself and firing two guardian beams at the center of the island, glamrock freddy then throws everyone a Fazer blaster to stun the colossi, allowing the rest of them to fire at them while they can’t move. Romeo then attempts to pull the power heart out, causing a small tremor as the power heart is ripped out from the core of the island, then once it’s all the way exposed he begins using the beams to absorb the crystallic energy. once the first set of colossus fall, another one walks up from the water almost immediately, and then monika seeing this, says “it’s no use. They just keep coming..” then she gets an idea, and says “alright, I have an idea. But- it’s a risky one..” “if the powerheart becomes corrupted, then it’s dark energy will drain the energy and power of anything making contact with it..” “but, as the heart is what controls everything on this island. If it gets corrupted, the islands landscape and everything would also become corrupted and sinister.. but it’s the only way” monika hesitates for a moment before manipulating and corrupting the powerheart. as the heart grows darker and begins to crack slightly, the influx of dark energy causes romeos beams to backfire, draining him of all his energy and admin powers and causing him to fall out of the sky, back onto the mountain and sliding down the side of it, hitting various things on his way down before eventually coming to a stop on the ground surrounded by everyone else. Romeo then lets out a weak cough, saying in a weak raspy voice “what.. h-happened?..” and link chimes in saying “you just got defeated by us.. now.” And link draws his sword, ready to finish off romeo.. but before he can, the powerheart lets out a big burst of dark energy, knocking everyone back and leaving a decent sized crater around it.
submitted by Fazbearnit3 to allthingsever_public [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:48 Hugoonreplit Why Is Jaguar Health Stock 46.81% Down After Market Hours

Yes, you've heard the post title right. For those who have been holding stock from Jaguar Health or most known in the market as $JAGX its price has nearly halved after market closing. If you don't know why I will explain in this post. You might think this is due to Jaguar Health Q1 2024 Financial Results, but these were frankly quite good.
This drastic change in stock price could be due to a news article which was published in Jaguar's Health Investor Relationships page on May 17th titled - Jaguar Health, Inc. Announces Reverse Stock Split. But before getting into the details of this I would firstly like to emphasises Jaguar's Q1 2024 Financial Results as they were very good, but it makes no sense this sudden price change:
There was also a very good statement in the quarterly results about the commercialisation of a new product:
Jaguar planning to begin commercial launch in Q3 2024 for Gelclair®, the company's third prescription product
Now these a really good results and it didn't really affect the price of stock in a good way. But now let's get to the real question. Why this sudden decrease in $JAGX stock? So Jaguar Health announced a reverse stock split which is basically this long thing:
A reverse stock split is a corporate action in which a company reduces the total number of its outstanding shares while increasing the share price proportionally. Essentially, existing shares are consolidated into a fewer number of shares.
Basically, reduction of number of shares to pump the stock price up, which would obviously affect the after market graph because of the sudden reduction in volume. In the news article there were some key points:
Reverse Stock Split Purpose Approval Process Mechanics
Approved at April 2024 Special Meeting of Stockholders To comply with Nasdaq listing standards Proposal approved by majority vote at the Special Meeting Every 60 shares will be consolidated into 1 share
Ratio of 1-for-60 To make the stock more attractive to institutional investors Details available in the proxy statement filed with the SEC No fractional shares will be issued; cash payments will be made for fractional shares
Effective on May 23, 2024 Equiniti Trust Company, LLC will handle the exchange process for stock certificates
Trading on a split-adjusted basis under the symbol "JAGX"
Stockholders can find more information and obtain documents from the SEC or the company's website.
So in some way this is good news for the stock price and the share holders. But not always are Reverse Stock Splits related to very good reasons. Personally, I think I will purchase my self about $1k in shares on Monday. I will keep everyone updated!
submitted by Hugoonreplit to pennystocks [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:48 ladybatna AITA for having a no children under 10 rule at my vow renewal?

Hello all, I (40F) and my husband (41M) have been married 20 years, and our children (twins F and M) are 14 this year.
We decided to get our vows renewed, as we got married at 20 and are now 20 years into marriage, we have spent half our lives together and the milestone lining up with our ages is cute.
We did not have the most grand wedding as we were both college students at the time, and as such have decided to host a more upscale party (not a wedding, we are renting a nice venue and getting a great caterer). It's more for the symbolic value than re-doing our wedding.
We've invited a lot of our family, including my sister (35F) and my brother in law (33M) - they both have young children with their partners (sister's is currently 6, brother in law's is 4.) and we have asked them to not bring them to the event.
We set this rule as there will be drinking, music, and the venue has quite a few areas that are restricted, and we don't think it would be good to have children under ten there with all of us. (we plan on having 23 guests, as those are all that have rsvp'd)
My sister was upset, as the venue has a large garden and an indoor aviary and butterfly raising facility, and her daughter loves butterflies. My BIL was also a bit upset, but more towards finding a babysitter (even though the event is 3 months out as of now)
Well, my sister and BIL have seemed to form a group and, upon learning that our cousin, who has a 10yo, will be bringing the 10yo, they have gotten quite angry and aggressive with us, asking us to let them come with their kids or they won't show up.
My mother is very lax and has on multiple occassions told my sister she's being unreasonable, but my sister thinks "no children under 10" rule should include the 10 year old, and has begun saying she thinks we dislike her daughter.
My husband is quite averse to confrontation and has told me he doesn't care if his brother comes or not.
Meanwhile, our kids are also not helping the situation. My daughter, in trying to be helpful, told my sister she would make a scrapbook of photos from the venue for her daughter, which only aggrivated my sister further. My son, in also trying to help, offerred to stay home and watch both of the kids, which made my BIL start piping up about how my son shouldn't have to stay home because we can't change our rule.
I do want my sister and my BIL to be there, but i also think they're being ridiculous. I have even offerred to pay for babysitting and have gotten turned down. I think they're too far seated in their commitment to getting us to break down the rule than they are to accept a peace offering.
submitted by ladybatna to AmItheAsshole [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:45 MonkeyBrawler I got F13+ to work on Nobara

Like many of you, i'm just starting my journey on attempting the transition to Linux Gaming. Steam really has made it insanely easy. My biggest struggle recently was just getting F13+ keys to function, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan aparently they are a weird concept for long time Linux users. I attempted to paste over the keys in the inet file as commonly recommended as a solution, but no luck. I finally found the answer hidden in a forgotten post by a champion of the deleted.
I really don't know what i'm doing just yet, so forgive me if this is common knowledge to many of you, but my god google has not been very helpfull, and it has been the most frustrating problem. If i understand correctly this primarily became an issue/change when Wayland was release, and X11 no longer used? No idea what those are, but this may be the solution for multiple Fedora/wayland distros. By all means, feel free to explain these like i'm 5.
Keep in mind, i still had to figure out how to map the keys to my Logitech gear via Piper, the guide i followed for that is here. The hard to find fix i'm discussing, is essentially extending the computers understanding of what to do with these inputs. You still need to use piper or some other program to get a key to provide the input.
Copy paste of the heros instructions below, and you're out there, bless you.
I finally figured it out, and got some solutions too. I’ll try to explain first and then tell you what you can do, although you can skip the explanation.

The problem

Basically there are 4 main parts in the Linux input stack relevant in this discussion:
1. At the very low level, the kernel gives keycodes to the keyboard keys and mouse buttons. Defined in /usinclude/linux/input-event-codes.h:
#define KEY_F13183 
2. At a higher level, XKB then assigns names to those keycodes (/usshare/X11/xkb/keycodes/evdev) …and proceeds to assign them X11 symbols (/usinclude/X11/keysymdef.h) …in file /usshare/X11/xkb/symbols/inet:
key  { [ XF86Tools ] }; 
3. Your desktop environment (GNOME in this case) assigns global shortcuts to a combination of symbols, common ones configurable via GNOME settings and some hidden in gsettings schemas by GNOME settings daemon.
4. Finally at the top level you got the applications receiving the keysyms that weren’t designated for global shortcuts.
Here I’m using key-mapper for example, and if it resembles the key remapping utility you’re using, likely assigns the kernel keycodes to your mouse buttons (level 1), but XKB is assigning the “wrong” symbols to those keycodes (level 2). In turn GNOME (level 3) already defines an action for some of those keys to perform an action (toggle microphone and trackpad), and maybe some don’t even reach the application (level 4).
The culprit seems to be exactly in file /usshare/X11/xkb/symbols/inet:
key  { [ XF86TouchpadToggle ] }; key  { [ XF86TouchpadOn ] }; key  { [ XF86TouchpadOff ] }; … key  { [ XF86AudioMicMute ] }; … key  { [ XF86Tools ] }; key  { [ XF86Launch5 ] }; key  { [ XF86Launch6 ] }; key  { [ XF86Launch7 ] }; key  { [ XF86Launch8 ] }; key  { [ XF86Launch9 ] }; 
Notice how the F19 key is not used though.
We can, of course, assign the keys to their original symbol:
key  { [ F13 ] }; 
But to do it in /usshare/X11/xkb/symbols/inet is not recommended, as an update to XKB will restore the original definitions. Besides, it’s a pretty important file and if it’s badly configured you could crash your session and prevent you from login. I tried it and it even kept crashing my login manager (gdm), ttys (Ctrl+Alt+Fk) wouldn’t work too, so I had to chroot in a live usb and restore the original file.
What we could do instead is to create a custom XKB option. I believe it’s important that it’s an XKB option in /usshare/X11/xkb/symbols, because I think setxkbmap adds the “inet(evdev)” layout on top of whatever layout we have, so creating a new XKB layout won‘t help here. An option instead is added on top of every layout, even “inet(evdev)”.
I also tried to do it with XKB user-configurable options in Wayland (via ~/.config/xkb) but it seems the user options are added before the ones located in /usshare, so “inet(evdev)” ends up setting the symbols of the function keys.
We have to fix this the old fashioned way.

The solution

1. Create a new file under /usshare/X11/xkb/symbols/ called "myoptions". Paste this in there:
default partial function_keys xkb_symbols "restore_fk" { key { [ F13 ] }; key { [ F14 ] }; key { [ F15 ] }; key { [ F16 ] }; key { [ F17 ] }; key { [ F18 ] }; key { [ F19 ] }; key { [ F20 ] }; key { [ F21 ] }; key { [ F22 ] }; key { [ F23 ] }; key { [ F24 ] }; }; 
2. Edit the /usshare/X11/xkb/rules/evdev file, find the !option = symbols line and add your symbols filename and option name, like so:
! option = symbols myopts:re_fk = +myoptions(restore_fk) 
3. (Optional \*) Edit the rules/evdev.xml (this one is with .xml), find the opening tag and paste this immediately below the tag
  myopts My custom options    
Note:
\* Do this if you want GNOME Tweaks to pick up the config file and display it under “Keyboard & Mouse > Additional Layout Options”. If you don’t you can still set the new option via dconf Editor, edit /org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options, then add the option as you did in step 2, so ['myopts:re_fk'].
The old method of defining custom options still has its flaws though. As said above, an update to XKB will undo the changes to evdev and evdev.xml files, so you’ll have to redo step 2 and 3 after some time. You could automatize the process with a script file using sed, or apply a patch file, or something else, but since it’s infrequent that XKB updates I think it’s better to just manually edit it yourself.

Aftermath

After enabling the option GNOME settings correctly identified all F13-F24 keys when trying to assign them to global shortcuts. If not used for global shortcuts, the keys function will depend on the app/game that receives the keystrokes, e. g. I can set all SuperTuxKart keybindings to F13-F24 keys and it works perfectly fine, however the settings menu displays an ? for F16-F24, as it didn’t expect users to actually have a keyboard with function keys beyond F15.
submitted by MonkeyBrawler to linux_gaming [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:30 Zealousideal_Lab8117 Scales of Anubis

Grade: Special
Appearance: This cursed tool takes on the appearance of a large, ornate weighing scale with a distinctly ancient Egyptian design. The base is intricately carved with hieroglyphs and depictions of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the afterlife. The two balance pans are made of gleaming gold, connected to an ebony beam supported by a tall, onyx pillar adorned with golden accents. When activated, a spectral feather and heart appear on the scales, representing the feather of Ma'at and the heart of the weighed soul. The entire tool emits a faint, ethereal glow, giving it a mystical and imposing presence.
Innate Technique: These scales have been imbued with a CT called "Judgement of the Dead". When the user places an opponent's item or a symbolic representation of the opponent on one of the pans, a spectral feather manifests on the other. The scales then measure the worthiness or sin of the target. If the target's metaphorical heart is heavier than the feather, a powerful curse is unleashed upon them, binding their soul and draining their CE. This curse manifests as spectral chains that immobilize the target and create a heavy, oppressive aura that weakens their physical and spiritual strength. Conversely, if the heart is lighter than the feather, the target receives a temporary blessing, increasing their CE output and enhancing their overall abilities.
The primary weakness of the "Judgment of the Dead" technique is its reliance on symbolic representation, requiring the user to acquire an item closely associated with the target or a personal object. This requirement can be difficult to meet in the heat of battle, especially against evasive or well-prepared opponents. Additionally, the technique's outcome is influenced by the moral and emotional state of the target, making its effects unpredictable against individuals with complex or ambiguous natures. The cursed tool also requires a moment of concentration and ritual to activate, leaving the user vulnerable to attacks during this period. Lastly, the tool’s curse and blessing effects are temporary, necessitating strategic timing and usage to maximize their impact.
submitted by Zealousideal_Lab8117 to CTsandbox [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:09 Dead4Mann [Re-Intro] Max Macallister - All the Chickens I've met like Bach

General Info:

Favorite Things:

Appearance:

Faceclaim Height Weight Body Type Eyes
FC 6’ 1” 174 lbs Lean and muscled, Max developed himself through hunting and routine training at camp along with a few dozen near death experiences. Stormy grey, look almost pitch black under darker light.

Powers (Modmailed):

Domain Powers
Power Description
Greater Lordship: Birds, Wind and Storm Spirits Ever since he was young, Max lived in the woods with his Aunt and had no friends whatsoever. He was nearly completely isolated. That being said, his nature as a son of the king of the sky has given him the ability to speak to and control birds and wind or storm spirits. He's still trying to work on his authority with this power though wind spirits and birds do what he wants most of the time.
Wind/Air Manipulation Having used this ability to accidentally destroy a cabin at camp and maybe cripple a boy, Max doesn't underestimate this ability and has been trying to practice controlling it.
Travel of the Elder Gods Having the ability to travel distances with a lightning strike, Max is in the process of training with this power in hopes of using it to visit his aunt one day. His control has improved in spades since he first discovered it, however.
Minor Powers
Power Description
Electrical Resistance Despite Max never needing it so far in his life, he is resistant to electricity to a certain degree.
Electricity Manipulation The ability to call down two lightning bolts per day, Max has gotten more used to this ability since its discovery.
Double Jump Max has always felt more mobile when using his air manipulation though he never knew it was a separate ability.
Major Power
Power Description
Bird's Eye View Shortly after Max was forced to leave for camp, he discovered his ability to see through the eyes of birds. He can do this with any bird and has gained a few different birds he can do this with during his past year at camp. While he is using this ability, he is immobilized. Being a vital part of his arsenal, Max is much better at using it in battle though his mastery still has room to improve.

Equipment:

Item Description
Featherweight A bow made for Max by Barry Callahan. The bow is a simple thing, carved of birch wood. The white and grey bark looks like a rolling storm as it cascades down the wood. The bowstring is reinforced by two celestial bronze gears, made to help the archer pull the bow back and sustain that draw for longer. There are bronze carvings on the gears, the eagles being a nice touch on the metal for a simple design. A sight unfolds from the middle of the bow, folding down into place. The crosshairs in the sight are lightning bolts, meeting at a point, but the circumference of the sight is decorated like a weathervane.
Fraterculus A celestial bronze xiphos that used to belong to Matt, before he gave it to Max for his first quest.
Tactical Spear A celestial bronze tactical spear that originally belonged to his mom as a present from Zeus. It can change form into a pocket watch.
Custom Arrows His collection of ammunition for his bow, including celestial bronze tipped arrows, some broadheads he found in the camp armory, and some trick arrows, including flash-bang arrows and net arrows.
Bead Necklace 2037 As a symbol of his past year at camp, Max was given a bead thanks to it being the end of the year. Beads so far:
Banging Beats Player A stylized iPod Nano that when used to play music, lets out a high pitch screech that stuns those in hearing range. (1 combat turn stun at 5 meters, Loss of hearing at 10 meters, and Buzzing noise at 20 meters)
Amazon Catalogue The Amazon Catalogue is a small digital tablet that can access the Amazon family of products (Prime, Kindle, etc.) and the store with free shipping, without triggering a monster's scent, and without need for a constant internet connection. The tablet still requires charge (Type-C). It is as sturdy as a standard Amazon Kindle. An occasional connection to an Internet or Ethernet source is required to ensure system interfacing (at least once a week). Although subscription fees are waived through the host account on this device, the user is still required for any additional costs.
Companion Egg A large, glowing silvery egg. It is said to be able to hatch into a new companion for Max. It is unclear what kind of companion the egg will produce, but Max has been taking care to keep it safe and warm.

Friends:

Name Relationship
Simon A gyrfalcon that saved Max from the monster that destroyed his home. Simon was uncannily intelligent when it comes to bird standards. After finding a piece of a map that pointed to the Camp, Simon helped him make it there without dying. The three month journey strengthened their bond tenfold.
Mathew Knight A son of Hades, Matt is Max's cousin and adopted (not legally) brother who he treasures greatly. Despite the son of Hades' ability to protect himself, Max would still do his best to protect him in any given situation. Basically, hurt him and prepare for immediate avian bombardment.
Austin Reynolds As a son of Eros, for Max, Austin was easy to love. Too easy in fact, to the point where Max started loosing himself which led to them breaking up. Now Max's ex-boyfriend, Austin remains a friend if not as close as before.
Lupa Hines Being one of the few people to know about Max's fear of waters, Lupa quickly became someone who Max trusted. Her help as Mediator made facing his fear a little more approachable and a lot less panic attack inducing.
Tori A bluejay Max made friends with over the past year, Tori is the 'kind but stern' to Simon's sarcasm and joking.

Family:

Member Name Age Relationship
Father Zeus Immortal After the battle against the residents of the labyrinth and the forces of Nemesis, Max had a chance to speak to Zeus, though he spoke through a holographic eagle. Max's opinion of his father is positive though not affectionate enough to be called a familial bond.
Mother Mary Macallister 36 While speaking with Max, his father, Zeus, showed him an image of his mother and explained that she wasn't the kind of woman to abandon her child when he'd left.
Aunt Lillian Macallister Missing Since she took him in at the age of 3, Max's aunt became like a mother to him and taught him to hunt. She also gifted him his crossbow and the celestial bronze bolts that Zeus had supposedly given his mother before she passed it on to his aunt. He recently discovered that she's still alive.
Half-Sibling Tristan Macmillan 21 Max's opinion of his veteran half-brother is much higher than most would assume. Despite his half-brother's being more withdrawn by nature, Max still looks up to him as an example of what a child of Zeus should be.

Personality:

Max isn't the most social kid on the block by any means but he has definitely begun to be more outgoing, or at least he's tried to be. He tries to approach people but isn't very well verse in the art of conversation and might come off insensitive or clueless from time to time.
Despite all of this, there remains one permanent aspect to Max's personality which was marked upon him while growing up. During his childhood, Max read stories about what families should be like and the discovery of his mother abandoning him paired with his Aunt's disappearance have made him near overprotective of those he calls family.

History:

The past two years at camp had been what Max would call the best time of his life, case in point, making friends that weren't of the avian persuasion, having a boyfriend for a time, pseudo-adopting a child of the God of Death as his little brother (He's just the cutest little guy), almost dying multiple times, going on two quests, and generally learning how to be a functional human being (He was still working on that last one).
Still, the time at camp had changed him, mostly for the better but he knew he couldn't stay at camp forever. That being said, the place was home. His family was here and he'd be damned if he let himself lose sight of that. He'd left camp shortly after his second quest. It had given him things to think about and work through but now he was back.
Plus, traveling around for a few months just hunting monsters by rumor or through the avian grapevine had been fun. It gave him a look at what the future could hold for him, at least for a little while after camp.
Present Day:
Sitting atop Cabin 1, Max watched the sun pull itself over the horizon with a stupid grin on his face. He wasn't sure why he was in a good mood today but he never did when these moods came over him. He just liked to enjoy them as they came and went. With a huff, he slid off the side of the cabin roof and cushioned the fall with a thought.
Stretching, the black-haired young man looked up. Maybe his dad was watching... or maybe not. It didn't really matter. Max knew he cared and wether or not he watched at any given moment didn't matter. Hmm... Would practicing his lightning-jumps be a bad idea this early in the morning? Yes, almost definitely. Would Max be doing it anyways? Yup! He needed to get his rebellious teenage years out since he'd skipped that whole phase and he'd started doing so little by little. Who knew? Maybe Max would end up a responsible and serious young man if he did it enough (Doubtful but peripherally possible, if not highly unlikely).
So he grinned and with a thunderclap and a blinding lightning bolt, he went from standing next to the Zeus Cabin, to standing at the edge of the Strawberry Fields. What a wonderful day.
submitted by Dead4Mann to CampHalfBloodRP [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:50 WolfyAlexander Gangle's mask

When I first watched the pilot and ep. 2, I was feeling this little itch, this little inner hope that they wouldn't repeat the joke with Gangle's mask in every next episode they're in.
And then it hit me. While it is a visual gag, it's also pretty symbolic, symbolising depression. At least that's what I took it as, also considering some official art of Gangle's room where they have their comedy masks taped together. It really made me think of this as a metaphor for depression, and how it works.
FYI: I've never been depressed myself, so this is based off my friends who actually were depressed.
They described depression as not being always sad, nor crying everyday. It was moreso a chart where their well-being sometimes spiked and no one would suspect a thing about depression in how they acted. The happy days, as they called it. But there were also low points where they couldn't even leave their bed. And also, even during the happy days, the happiness lasted as long as it did - wasn't even always that long. So I interpret Gangle and the mask gag as a metaphor of them possibly having depression, usually happy and, joke aside, masked. What do you think?
submitted by WolfyAlexander to theamazingdigitalciru [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:49 YaBoyArian Animations not importing correctly

I was making two mobs in block bench and exported them and their animations into a folder into the game and the models seem to be working properly however none of the animations or sounds are working. I’ve tried exporting the animations separately and replacing the ones in the folder and that didn’t work is there any way to fix it. Also there are no error symbols on the animation test screen. The mobs were made using the entity wizard if that helps.
submitted by YaBoyArian to Blockbench [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:46 Zeno_3NHO [P] Title: I created a Neural Network to quickly detect spoken vowels 20 times per second


Quick disclaimer: I am aware that there is an internaltional standard for labeling the diferent recognized speech sounds (phonemes), but I wanted ASCII or extended ASCII for programming simplification, so I use a different nomeclature. Besides, it's easier for me to recognize and read. -Please forgive me

So I have often wondered about the real rules that govern speech that people use. For instance using something similar to a "glottal stop" to end words like "don't" and "that". The "t" is not pronounced. Or how "r" is almost always used as a vowel (in american english). My favorite examples are "fur", "fir", and "-fer". All three are pronounced identically and the typical "i,u,e" vowels are not pronounced at all. Its just pronounced "fr".

One day I was looking at a spectrograph of my voice, and I noticed some patterns. Vowels like "ah" in "stop" and "Bob" look very different from other vowels like "ee" in "green" and "bee". When we speak, there is the most prominant lowest frequency called the "fundamental", and there are many other frequencies that are multiples of that frequency called "harmonics". The sound "ah" has high volume on many of the harmonics, but the sound "ee" has a big gap where the harmonics are much much smaller. Every different vowel had its own combination of different harmonic values.

So I tried to create a set of rules by hand to classify different frequency patterns as different vowels. I could easily tell them apart by looking at them, but would the rules hold up to the test? So I made a computer program to guess different vowels, but it was not good. There are so many knobs to turn to create the different rules. And if there is variability, then I would also have to go through and determine all of the different ranges which would make the rules much more complex.

I started to do it by hand and tweak values, see how it worked, and then tweak the values again, etc, etc.

Thats when it hit me! I'm doing what a neural network trainer does. I could use one to do this for me!

So I researched the nitty gritty of getting one setup, recorded a lot of data (~45 minutes worth) and trained the model. It took a few days to figure out some problems, but I eventually got it working.

I used python and the tensoflow+keras library suite to create and train the neural network, Pyaudio for recording training data and realtime audio, numpy for data analysis. The neural network had 264 input nodes, 100 intermediate nodes, and 13 output nodes (one node for "no vowel", and 12 for the different vowels). The frequency calculation finishes within 1milisecond, and the neural network finishes within 2 milisecond as well on my hardware (intel i3-1115G4 at 4GHz). It spends more of its time on listening for audio than it does computing the answer. I found best results by running the loop 20 times per second (50ms) but I have also gotten it to run at 50 times per second (20ms), but it struggles on one or two vowels.

Here is a list of the different vowels that it recognizes

ӑ aa cat, 1
ŏ ah stop, 2
ē = ee green, 3
ō = oh gross, 4
oo = oo mood blue goose, 5
ĭ = ih sit,6
ā = ay stay, 7
ĕ = eh pet, 8
ŭ = uh bump, 9
o͝o = ou would could should took, 10
r̃ = (i chose this symbol) ur fur fir fer rural, 11
L' = LL travel left rural, 12
submitted by Zeno_3NHO to MachineLearning [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:42 HumanSupremacyFan Empire of Statues

--⧼ BEGIN Broadcast Message ⧽--
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Priority Level: Urgent
:: From ::
Center Arm of the Emperor, Planet Laran
:: To ::
All Survivors of Fellow Royal Cast Broods
:: Message ::
The Emperor has graciously permitted the use of his Excellency's summer home on Planet Laran, located in the Empire's Center Arm, as a temporary refuge during the unprecedented violent Terran offences against His Holiness and the holiness of the Omni-brood of Ix.
:: Attachments ::
Coordinates and Flight Key
:: Royal Cryptographic Signature ::
Lord La'Ix, The Emperor's Right-Center Arm
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
--⧼ END Broadcast Message ⧽--

earlier

"CURSE THEM! The great houses are going to have my bloody head for this! There is no way this should've happened and under my command too! The Golden Emperor's own exotic holiday world has gone to ash and the only one to blame is going to be me. Well it was basically my watch anyways. Curse. Them. All"
Those were the only legible sounds one could hear among the frantic stamping of one particular Ixian lord as he hurried away through the underbrush of the royal reserve just outside the centre palace. The same Ixian lord that, only hours earlier, was delighting in his typical cooked boar while enjoying his evening's entertainment of a young Terran girl running for her life from a loose Laran tiger. Something about the way those bipeds run always makes him laugh. Some similarly caste Ixian would call this form of entertainment childish, lowbrow, and immature. He would tend to agree. But sometimes he just wanted cheap slapstick humour. The day to day life of the royal caste tends to get dull with all the fine arts an Ixian of his caste is meant to enjoy.
"How did it all go to shit!?! I was always attentive, and there hasn't been an uprising since those terrans were tamed for the palace. I mean we mostly neuter the problematic ones anyways, so why all the sudden aggression?", he shouted in agitation at the emptiness in front of him.
Speeding through the royal garden which in actuality is a repurposed Savannah of the island the palace is on. The Ixian was a beast of speed. Perfectly honed and trained over decades, and genetically maintained over eons, he always proudly held that he was the fasted in his brood of 16. Making a name for himself among the other broodkin for being the most genetically suited for the rank of high general (not that there was any need for generals, there hasn't been need for war in so long). Of course the Ixians always pride themselves in having no excess potential, and adapting your environment to suit your biology, but it never hurts to have perfect biology. That's the true pride of an Ixian.
That innate need to change the universe rather than changing themselves is what led to their vast interstellar empire. One that reached from constellation to constellation and then eventually to the arms of entire galaxies, terraforming worlds to the same environment they were already adapted to. Since forcing nature into one's bidding was the most sacred duty of any that shared a lick of Ix biology.
Which was why the Ix was confident in themselves. This Ixian in particular surely felt surprised, but mainly he was only moderately upset at the sudden change of situation, from being comfortable in the royal dining hall to sudden exercise.
"Everything can be changed back. Everything can be changed back." It repeated the mantra to itself. As it began to relax and turn its snarled sharp mouth into a toothy grin.
"Yes, there is nothing to worry about at all. Then let's make a game plan. Just need to make it to the space port at the harbour. Grab a ride out and find someone else to take the fall. That old royal butler is as ancient as the dirt of the broodworld. Hell, he probably was there when it vanished in the shadow of the holy empire's long past." chuckling to himself at the quite witty remark, but saddened that no one else was there to hear it.
Should be realistic enough for the others to believe. But first things first, I need to reach the harbour-master. It thought while its dense muscles powered the beastly lizard-like form on its journey, as it bound in the direction of its destination at top speed on all fours.
The blood red sun was already kissing the horizon by the time the Ixian went to nearly collapse under exhaustion of the extended sprint. He hasn't ran this far and fast than when he a young broodling that won competitions and competitions in the royal sports. I think I might have overdid it. He thought while massaging the oncoming threat of a sneaky cramp in his hind leg.
The Ixian were well known for speed. But their stamina was another thing. There bodies simply didn't have the evolved features for long distance travel. There was never truly any need in the past, as their very steady and controlled climate and sparsely diverse ecosystem on Ix never truly required much challenge.
It turned its panting head to face the way it came, gazing proudly at the great distance it made in such a short while.
But something was off by that view. Something different to what he was expecting. The view itself was mostly fine. Well, as fine as a smoking mark in the distance, presumably from the summer palace being engulfed in flame and spitting great plumes of black smoke. But no, something about this view chilled him to this spine. Craning his neck from his vantage point he could swear there was a small speck in the distance.
What on great Ix is that?
All of a sudden realisation hit like a rock on a peaceful pond. Something was following him. Something unknown and cold was making its way to his location. He was certain it wasn't any of his guards, all guards permitted to serve under the royal summer home were Ixian of course. Physically bred for their strength and speed, and placed into roles of importance like protecting the higher caste such as himself. (Whereas this day being the only exception). It did look like he was the only Ixian that actually made it out of the palace so far. Ixians are able to cover short distances in phenomenal speed, akin to a scaly 4 legged beast of the hunt.
No this was something else.
Feeling a very small panic build up inside, but veiling that cold, unwanted terror as impatience at how far he still needs to travel yet. Lord La'Ix flexed his anterior legs and sped on leaving behind a red-yellow cloud of dust in his wake.
He frowned. Feeling strange at a never before felt sensation. Like something in the back of his perfectly designed brain was screaming a silent, but terrifyingly familiar warning.
"Ix itself is an ancient world. Temperate in climate, while abundant in vegetation and small game. It is unknown how the Ixian was formed on paradise.
The old priest can drum into your heads that I'Ix made us into being by indenting his form in the sand of the first beach and filling the shape with his life. Moulding us into being.
The heretic would counter and say we evolved from a previous species akin to ourselves over the course of untold lengths of time.
The philosopher would suggest that only on paradise would the sentient universe fill in the space for the perfect beings to enjoy the fruits of existence.
Lastly, even the lowest caste Ixian would point and laugh at the rest and say 'why talk about antiquity, when we can make more paradise to fill the heavens'."
-A popular Ixian parable
Lord La'Ix bolted up all of a sudden from his resting spot. Heart suddenly beating frantically. The stars had barely enough time to shift positions when last rested his weary body, only a couple hours must have passed since dusk fell and the world plunged into night.
The silence of the Savannah made sound from afar travel better. Aside from the quiet rustling of the wind he wasn't so sure what he heard. Assuming his bored ears were playing tricks on him.
Calming down, curling up on the flat cool rock he found he started to drift to the shadowless lands where all Ixian go when they dream...
Drums, no, not drums. Some sort of mechanical tool? Not that I ever heard of a tool that just beat the ground senseless. A strange beating sound could be heard, pounding into the ground. As he stayed frozen and very awake, he could have sworn it was getting louder. Closer.
CRACK. SNAP. CRACK.
Suddenly the entire valley echoed the sounds of a few broken sticks.
La'Ix jumped up, whirling around, and came to face something approaching fast that could only be described as a cold predator, not that there were any predators on the homeworld's recorded history. But every cell in his aching body reacted the same. DANGER, DANGER, RUN, RUN.
The silver light of the planet's 3 moons barely lit the valley but what that light bounced off of was a figure in motion. Front Legs pumping up and down, nostrils flaring, eyes too close together, and pupils so large it was like staring at darkness itself.
Hold on there are only 2 legs right? Sudden familiarity hit him hard, memories of last night's entertainment stained his mind. In the name of Ix is that a Terran?!?
La'Ix didn't realise it then, but it was looking at a Terran, despite the Terrans characteristics looking different to the standard slave he was used to seeing. The pumping body of the runner was made for such long distances. Sweat acting as a cooling mechanism, making the man glisten in the harsh moonlight, the enlarged nostrils taking in all the air the body needs for this type of strenuous activity. And the enlarged pupils, made for adjusting to low light environments.
Down on the plains of the Savannah were two creatures. One a perfect evolutionary miracle, practically evolution's first try gone right, Perfectly made for its environment and was never truly exposed to varying climates and environments. And the other, having crawled through the primordial ooze, and struggled and fought its way through dangers, diseases, and competition on its own horrifying world. Where deadly heat in deserts can dry out any living thing, and such freezing poles that can turn anything that enters it in pure ice.
The man's lean and sweat-slicken form was steadily making its way towards the frozen statue of La'Ix. Just as he got within 50 paces did La'Ix sprint away scattering pebbles in its path the echoes of which bounced back from the valley's sharp walls. Undeterred, the chaser kept steadily running. Jaws grit. Eyes locked on afar.
And afar was its prey. Sprinting away.
HOW IN IX'S NAME DID THAT THING KNOW WHERE I AM? The La'Ix in a fit of sudden excitement mixed with a heavy dose of panic, began its high octane sprint from the sudden looming threat of being found. Hind Legs propelling the creature's body forward, while its front arms, which were historically also for four legged locomotion, pulled the terrain closer with each stride. Increasing its momentum until it reached max speed.
"Broodling La'Ix!" said a stern but educated voice.
"Huh? Oh! Yessir!" a young Ix jumped to attention still thinking about more enjoyable things specifically outside of the classroom walls.
"Well? Can you please answer my question or will you make your other broodkin wait until Ix falls to ash first", the tutor said expectantly, prompting several muffles giggles in the room.
"Sorry sir. What makes the Ixian race its place in eternity is the attention we put in perfection. After our home-world of Ix's climate and terrain began to change, the leaders from antiquity decreed we carry on the spirit of the home-world in maintaining a consistent biological and genetic profile that will always be suited to Ix's surface. As we change worlds to be more like Ix, we can spread the spirit of Ix to them. As such, Change is- uh, change is..."
"Change is the poison of perfection, Remaining unchanged for Ix enable us to carry its spirit to other planets in the heavens", continued the tutor. "Well you certainly paid some attention to today's lesson at the very least. But remember that final part. It's the last of the core tenants you will need to remember."
"Yessir!"
A good half night passed on the surface of the Savanna. Where a previously noble and alert Ixian who took great care in appearances and status was no longer to be seen. Instead of that proud domineering alien representative of ix was a dishevelled, dusty, ragged creature, dehydrated, hungry, and exhausted from the various sprints it forced itself to endure to stay ahead of fate's ever closing hand.
Is this the sword of Damocles that was mentioned in the ancient Terran records? Always hanging down on those who hold power and seek more? Fate's sharp blade? But why me? I was never in any real power. All I wanted out of this life was a comfortable posting with no dirt and grime from the lower worlds. Why me? Why now? Why do I-
La'Ix snapped himself out of a daze. Is he here- No, no I should be far far away from that Terran now. Maybe I can find some-
A dim glow interrupted its train of thought. Much too early to be the Sunrise on the Emperor's summer planet, and much to low to be the light from one of it's 2 moons. It was a light from a town.
"That's right!" The Ixian barely managed to rasp in between haggard breaths. Its body barely able to continue the amount of self inflicted abuse it has suddenly been put in.
A lot more hunched over than the Ixian was earlier. It made its way towards a small town it knew was in between the palace and the harbour. The emperor loved his royal rustic towns and villages. It is said that his royal emperor would sometimes tour around them marvelling at the romantic theme of a simple rustic life. Although getting a personal town full of Ixians required a lot of lower caste be forced into long and expensive work contracts as background entertainers for the king's planet, all this excessive show of wealth was partially for peackocking the emperor's reputation, and partially for his own personal enjoyment. The Emperor is almost culturally required to flaunt his royal wealth in all forms in order to keep connections with all the royal houses. An emperor that doesn't shower their supporting aides and houses with grand gifts is fated to eventually be found cold on the floor of the royal banquet due to 'suicide from accidentally ingesting poison', as was the previous emperor.
To avoid such an unfortunate passing, the Higher Royals would trade vast resources, delicacies, and even exotic slaves to court 'royal favours'. Slaves of the Terran variety especially are considered to be the most unique of gifts the empire has ever acquired.
Terrans weren't necessarily large and bulky. Fighters were assigned to the Slave Obniraks. Powerful creatures used to fill the fields on tougher worlds where mechanical services would be deemed to expensive. The growth of a Obnirak into full working adulthood is only a few cycles. Meaning mass producing a workforce is quite an easy feat.
Terrans instead would take vast cycles to mature from a childling to an average adult. Meaning growing a slave force would take vast quantities of resources, immense patience, and strict guidance from their owners as to not create faulty creatures. All of which increases the general standing on any house that manages to keep a vast amount of Terran slaves in the best quality.
Terrans weren't necessarily docile and obedient. That role was perhaps given to the oldest slave race the Ix ever controlled. The Iralisa. It was known that they were made remarkably docile due to generations upon generations of select breeding, and pruning off the 'aggressive traits' from the gene pool. However, that led to the adverse effect of physically weakening them to a point where such docility and lack of a frame to keep up with their workload led to a general lack of Ixian interest and were subsequently purified.
Terrans are notoriously independent and herd-minded in larger quantities. Similar to growing a very stubborn Terulian Rose Vine. Which only looks impressive when great care have been given. Terrans need to be given an illusion of being ever so slightly free. Which typically involves owning vast amounts of land and nature to let them roam and graze. Of course, the only ones that can accommodate grand work forces of Terrans are the larger houses with the appropriate territory for humans, as is studied in the Ixian art of Servitude.
One can only guess which species is the Emperor's favourite.
The following town should indeed have both, low caste Ixians, and possibly none of the Emperor's favourite slaves.
The Ixian approached the glowing town. As it reached closer it straightened its back, upright on its hindlegs in the royal fashion. And proclaimed. "It is I! La'Ix, royal courtier. Lend me aid imme-"
Something is off. Not a single shadow in the town, I can see lights but no movement, where is every-
After turning the corner to the center of the small town, the dustied and weary creature froze in its tracks when it saw it. A pit nearly as wide as an Ixian land cruiser and who knows how deep filled with a stench so powerful it watered his eyes. Despite the Ixian's lack of a proper sense of smell. It knew the foul fetor of death.
The crudely dug pit was nearly overflowing when he approached it. Large, smoking, smouldering pyres cast that eerie light that had drawn him in.
"H-how? Wha-What the..." he trailed off when a local species of Laran boar growled and squealed as it tore a dead Ixian limb from the mountain of corpses.
"Who could've..."
He stopped. The shock of seeing his own kind laid like broken dolls in a bleeding pit slowly faded, replaced by a numbness. The Ixian had just noticed they were of Ix. Only of Ix.
Not a single terran colour was visible in the black and spotted pit of bodies. Not a single slave body was visible.
I-Impossible...
His legs gave way, either from the strain of the entire nights run, the horror facing him, or the threat from behind. He just dropped.
Minutes passed, or hours. It was hard to tell. But the Ixian lay slumped. Body unwilling to move further. Battered flesh unwilling to be propelled by a shattered spirit.
Mind slowly spinning up again. Thoughts began whirring to life in its mind. Could the rumours actually have been true? It had read the sparse reports of odd activity from certain Ixian-controlled worlds on the outer arms of the empire. Small uprisings of unknown origin. Hardly anything of note. If it had no affect on the greater houses then it was of no real concern to Ix and its emperor.
Could this threat have made its way to the centre arm already? Impossible. But what else could have done this to us?
Something caught the Ixian's eyes. In the middle of the pit it stood. A large stake, wet with deep Ixian crimson, dripping ever so slowly. Towering over the pit like a battlefield flag was a head of an Ixian rammed onto the tip of the spike. But the particular detail that caught the Ixian's eyes was a symbol cut into the flesh of the large forehead.
Looking from the outward-in. Eight concentric rings, which proceeded to get smaller and smaller in size until it reached a dark mass at the centre of the symbol. The Ixian never forgot the symbol and the affect it had on it.
Eight concentric rings, and a centre mass. Eight rings, and a mass. Eight- Eight what? Eight planets? And a star? ...
A growing pool of cold dread rose in its guts that made it shiver despite the fair night. This dread reflected the sharp reality on its frigid surface.
This Ixian was well-bred, well-trained, and well-educated. Although anyone with a basic education would know of such a pattern.
Terra and her sisters. THEIR star system...
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
It's not possible!-
Knowing what that sound meant, the Ixian tried to whirl around, its body barely being able to heed its masters commands. Just when it was starting to move again it felt it.
Sudden sharp agony. Sudden sharp, raging agony. The Ixian looked at it's hind leg. A sharpened wooden stake was jutting out of it.
It loud out a tight lipped scream, as it grasped the pulsating wound as one does immediately after an injury. It barely had enough time to look up at its attacker when the Terran bolted forward, shortening the distance between hunter and prey from metres to mere paces. The Ixian barely had enough time to block the hand grasping the knife as the arm flew forward at the last minute with a crash.
What phenomenal force!
Using the momentum from that sprint plus the wind up of his arm. The Terran was able to impart a phenomal show of force for a creature its size. That's when La'Ix for the first time saw a human in its raw unchanged form. Great beads of sweat collecting dust on its brow, to prevent it from entering the eyes. The constant release of sweat from the countless pores on its soft fleshy skin. Constant cooling? Even the visible veins and capillaries visible from the fire light.
What a beast of endurance-
Suddenly the horizon fell before the Ixian only to reveal the inky black sky dotted with pigments from stars like a painters masterpiece. When did I look up? Then a crash and blunt force from the ground.
The Ixian had been toppled over by that ferocious exchange of force.
Barely able to get up due to the wind being knocked out of its single large lung, the searing pain in its hind leg, and the exhaustion from the chase. It was too late. The terran was already on top of it. Taking up the entire view of the sky as the terran stepped forward into its field of vision.
The sudden perspective change made a once small and frail looking slave look grander than life, grander than all the legends told to Ixian broodlings.
The punches rained down. Repeatedly. A constant bombardment of beating rained like the drops of rain before the first dew. The previous pain in its leg forgotten, to invite a new visitor in the form of blunt force trauma. So ferocious were the raw blows to its carapace that the Ixian felt the exoskeleton crack under the increasing pressure and strain.
Something cracked, another thing snapped. The amount of pain too much to comprehend. The neurons firing in its second brain just assumed it was everywhere. Its half-working eye glimpsed the fist as it came down for the nth time. Red and split knuckles, revealing pure white bone beneath—a reinforced weapon. The perfect natural offence. All the muscles moved to propel it downwards where something else cracked and split.
Is this where I die?
As if understanding its fate the Ixian's form slumped over. Its body barely holding onto the natural exoskeleton shielding that covered its chest and facial area. Fluids leaking from the cracks that went too deep, and who knows how many internal ribs are shattered.
Its body, knowing that that more movement will cause more injuries, and further stimuli would confuse it further. It simply shut down.
The last moments it had as it fell backwards on its side. Was a small running figure. Hand clutching wooden spears. But the truly petrifying sight was behind it. A vast shadow flickering from the light of the lit pyres from the hunter in front of it. A shadow cast so large, jagged, and menacing it appeared to swallow the town whole.
And into a hole did the Ixian fall. A vacuum with no sensation or thought. Just darkness.
How... did we never notice such a... monster... in their... shadow...
All Ixians were taught about 'violence' and 'conflict' at an early age. As a sort of rite of passage that any of them would go through as they survive their early broodling days. As Ix have no natural predators, they had begun to instil a serving of some necessary conflict to keep their generations fresh and somewhat physically strong. As a precaution, only rudimentary forms of civil sports, races, shows of strength and courage were ever really explored. But always in a controlled and calm settings, as there would never be any true need for actual conflict.
As there was always a need to maintain ones own environment. The need never arose for the development of fighting techniques and schools of training. That was one of the best parts of being an Ix that many thought. Having supreme control over the worlds you inhabit means setting gravity, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperatures to the perfect levels for comfort replaced any need for biological change. Why grow when you can keep everything the same way, how you like it.
They were a vast empire. An empire of statues.
-Excerpt from the history of extra-solarian species, Author unknown
It awoke to a burning radiating heat from in front. The large sun was already starting to set on the horizon when it awoke. Had a whole day passed? Or two?
Trying to block the setting sun from its eyes it couldn't. "What?...", barely made out in a whisper.
I'm tied up.
And indeed the Ixian was right. Tied up next to a small brook, with a scorching fire in front of it. The monster nowhere to be seen.
"No good... it's too tight", it grunted in an attempt to escape its bindings.
Going slack in defeat it avoided any additional movement. Not having the energy to spare to move. It was lucky to have always been lazy at shedding its carapace - a frequent nag from its broodmother - might just have become its salvation in this case.
Thank Ix.
So there it stayed.
Hours passed. The Sun fully set and the stars awake in this dark world barely lit up the wildlands. Only the prisoner in this cone of firelight existed out here.
A rustling up ahead caught the prisoner's attention disturbing the eerily still silence of the Savannah night. And ungodly horror of a squeal ruptured the air invoking a deep visceral terror within the bound prisoner. Something. Something close but just outside the firelight was eyeing it, glinting from beyond the light. Those dark predatory eyes stabbed the prisoner with a sudden coldness. All while the squealing suddenly halted. SNAP. SQUELCH.
Now it came, emerging into the light. A beast. Holding a knife in one bloodied hand, dripping on the dirt. And dragging by the leg, a massive adult Laran boar grotesquely smearing thick blood still warm from the cut in the neck on the dirt.
The prisoner watched, barely moving, barely breathing. Frozen with the horror in front of it as the bloodied carcass was skinned; fur sliced away with harsh, scraping sounds with the crude knife. Spurting remaining blood all over the site.
The pink naked flesh then washed in the brook, leaving a distinct smell of oxidised blood in the air, before being skewered and roasted over the roaring flames. Fat popping violently in the heat.
In this gruesome display, the beast revealed not just a fate for the boar, but a dark hint of what might come. The realisation struck deep—this could be more than just a demonstration; it was a terrifying preview of its own potential end.
It passed out again.
Only to be awoken by the haunting echoes of a wild, desperate squeal that once thrummed through the savannah's eerie silence. Dare it open its eyes?
After a great heavy effort -utilizing its every last drop of courage- one eye cracked open. And what it saw. Made it regret ever having done so.
Right across from it, the hunter was a grotesque silhouette against the flickering fire. Grasping a severed boar leg was a mouth viciously biting, ripping, tearing into the flesh with primal ferocity. Each bite was deliberate, each tear of sinew was a clear, calculated demonstration of supreme savagery. Its jaw muscles bulged with the force of a bite.
All the while, the eyes—deep, abyssal pits—fixed intently on the prisoner. Deepest black pits stared back at it. Watching. Observing. Calculating, with a dark intelligence. it was calculating. It was relishing the terror it inspired and the control it exerted. Or planning its next meal.
The sounds of ripping flesh filled the thick, blood-soaked air. Deep into the night. Deep into this never-ending nightmare.
Never once did the prisoner move. Not an iota. Frozen in abject horror.
The night passed quietly. After the feast the human had, or the desecration of life that the prisoner saw, whichever way you look at it. The human nodded off to sleep. Content in the success of his mission. But the tied up creature had no such rest. Sending silent pleas to the stars that it might be saved. But not daring to make a sound, less it awaken that sleeping horror. Or was it sleeping? Dear Ix, it might be watching me. Feigning sleep to keep an eye on its meal. Dear Ix I'm next...
All through the night, the demons plagued its mind. Until the warmth of the morning rose, and with it the sound of an Ixian cruiser.
Elation could not be an understatement for the tired, tied, beat, and bruised thing. Craning its neck to the direction of the sound about to bellow out an Ixian warning to the demon resting next it.
"BE CAREFUL! THERE'S ONE HERE-". It stopped speaking. That previous elation it felt at a saviour arriving to rescue it from the demons grasp, fizzled out like a drop of water in a drought.
That all so familiar cold remained. And the dryness of despair. As pairs of dark pupils shot back at it.
On the cruiser were tall adult Terrans. Clean cut, well fed, well dressed Terrans. Four, no Six, no eight of them. All hanging onto the side of cruiser while it made its way to their location. Compared to the demon waking up beside it, these creatures were organised. A savageness neatly packaged in a uniform with a symbol. The prisoners eyes grew wide in its sunken sockets. 8 rings, and a centre mass. They must be the cause of, well all this.
Accepting fate, its head fell in part defiance, in part to avoid the stinging eyes of these others. It felt their gaze burn through—cold, cruel, calculating. There is nothing I can do any longer.
"You're finally here. What took you so long?" The runner said to his approaching comrades, "Took all night to catch up to him."
"Hey Jan, great work", the tall militant woman shot back. With a playful punch to his arm. "Guess all that cardio really paid off, didn't I tell you it would!" She let out a playful guffaw.
"Thanks Chel", replied Jan.
"Ok chop chop people, we're on a schedule. We need to reach the port ASAP remember? Come on Jan, rest up all you like, you're still on the clock."
"Aye sir." Jan shot back in a mock salute, gaining a sneer from the commandant, then a sneaky smile.
"Don't forget your trash. And make sure its breathing still."
It creaked open its eyes, seeing pairs of boots moving towards it and standing in front. In silence. Then all of a sudden, felt pairs and pairs of hands pull and tug. and lift it up The thing let out a pathetic silent sob. While it was loaded in the back of the cruiser, face up. Staring at eyes, piercing black dots peering back. It could never understand what was being felt by those eyes and those faces.
Ixians wear their emotions on their carapace; spots and stripes would slowly appear in certain parts, representing emotions and feeling that their bodies felt in a general sense. But the most private thoughts were of course, still kept private.
But this. This was just too foreign. The eyes never stopped. Even in the swaying movement of the cruiser the pupils never broke contact. Those eyes. As if it was peering into it, envelops your entire mind. There was no way to hide, even hiding in his inner self would do no good. Those eyes. Those predator eyes can find me anywhere I try to escape to. Inside and out.
Some times passes.
"You know. I lost good friends to the royal caste. Especially to this one's brood clan or whatever they like to call it." One of them was looking right at it when they said it. It turned its eyes over to the source. A short one, with a slave scar on the neck said it. A scar that shot through his memories. A scar inflicted to property owned by, his brood. This one is dangerous..., it thought.
Jan, and the others didn't look but felt it. The cold darkness in that tone made it clear what it intended to do.
The female militant, Chel, I think her name was. Slowly reached to the side arm on her holster. Sensing the oncoming problem.
"You still understand me don't you? I've had to watch good people die. Damn good people." The scarred one one stood, grabbing the upper rail of the cruiser to steady themselves. "I hear that even if you get ill, you become the entertainment for the night. What was it now?" She paused for a brief second. "Oh I remember".
"Stil" Chel said slowly. "Cool it". Hand still on the butt of the sidearm.
Not hearing or not wanting to reply. Stil continued. "Torn apart by those raptor pets. Hands or feet cut off as souvenirs for those fucked-up parties and those fucked-up guests. Oh yea, and the 'toy play' or whatever they call it. Can't have Ken and Barbie fight back now, can we?"
Stil leaned closer to the now cowering, shaking thing, "I wonder which one was your favourite." The words cut through La'Ix like an icicle. This was the first time these demons actually spoke to it directly. And it didn't like it. It could sense the venom from the words.
"Stil..." Chel slowly got up, hand still at the ready. "I said cool it." The line had a steely warning to it. Chel wouldn't risk the mission. Even if it meant doing what must be done.
Agonizing seconds passed. The cowering, shaking thing seemed to grow whiter and whiter by the second, It's spots clearly showing what it felt. Staring up, Not willing to move but being unable to hide. It felt the absolute crushing weight of the present. Grinding it down to a paste.
Everyone stayed still. The two militants didn't move. The rest didn't seem to even have paid attention to the converstation, still looked away.
Longer passed.
Stil smiled, "Oh come on Chel, you know I wouldn't do anything to our friend here? You know I was just playing around." Stil laughed. Chel didn't react.
Stil immediately crouched, faced the shaking prisoner inches apart eye to eye, and in a whisper said "Right friend?"
She wants me to reply? Dear Ix I can't even think with those eyes in front of me What do I do?! What do I say?!
"Right. Friend?" Stil repeated slower and colder. Like the blade of a surgeon hovering over skin, ready to plunge.
The gears of its Ixian brain grinded to a screeching halt. In utter desperation to find a reply it simply gave up. Instead, it felt a warmth slowly spread. Slowly spread between its hind legs. It had released its bladder.
"BAHAHAHAHA LOOK AT IT" Stil roared in laughter. The sound of it rattling the prisoners brain with the sound. Disorienting its senses. "NOW THAT'S CLASSIC TIMING IF I'VE EVER SEEN IT!" She plopped back down face red and still laughing.
The Ixian didn't know what to do but tremble and sob silently on the cold surface of the cruiser surrounded by laughter. and the warmth of its piss. It tried to plug its ears. But the sound still came. Laughter. Laughter. Laughter. Dear Ix, what are these demons... where are they taking me? To hell?...
The cruiser kept cruising. Towards the port across the island. Trailing laughter behind. Or to the sobbing wreck of a thing, demonic cackling.
The scent of familiarity wafted into the senses of the prisoner as the cruiser started to slow. The smell of the salt, the chirping of familiar aviaries. Sound of the crash of sea. The port.
Braving a sentence for the first time in for what seems eternity. It let out a question "...w..w..where ... why... are... ... we ...h... here?" It managed to say shakily, eyes downcast.
As if in response, a sharp shove greeted it from the back and a hard hit on the ground was as much of an answer it was getting.
"Move it", Jan said gruffly.
They walked. the ixian still bound but free to walk in the middle of the group of humans. Towards a destination still not known. The walk twisted, and turned, and twisted again. One thing struck out to the prisoner. It was too clean, especially for what it was expecting, it's last experience being in the previous blood-soaked town laden with bodies and carrion eaters.
The port town was completely silent, free from the regular hustle and bustle it usually had even when the emperor was not present. And superbly clean. Not a single piece of dirt to be seen. Not a single Ixian either. Where did everyone go? Did they make it out somehow when these invaders came?
In the background, the surf broke relentlessly.
Piercing eyes caught the prisoners glance, as it wandered curiously around the town. Realising its mistake La'Ix tried to look away but the burning gaze gripped his own.
As if reading its soul. The human answered the hidden question bubbling up in La'Ix. "You should've seen them your royal majesty". The one called Stil said while bending in mocking courtesy.
The surf pounded the shore even more loudly now.
"They don't swim well. Especially the young ones. They dropped like stones. Turning all white by the time they stopped moving."
Louder now. The sea roared.
Nothing came. Not a thought in La'Ix's mind. Its mind struggled to comprehend the depth of what was said by Stil, the scarred human.
The waves boomed louder now. Louder than the sun, echoing louder than the screams of all the Ixians that must have perished.
It saw the lips of the standing-devil in front of it. But all the came from its blood red lips were obscured by the sound of the pounding of the waves. The echoes of drowned kin, thudding and slapping against the shore, merged with the relentless surf in La'Ix's mind.
This is for our sins.
Wave after wave, the relentless surge continued, each one a haunting reminder of the souls lost to the sea, each crash a ghostly thud of bodies hitting the shore.
Very slowly did some exhausted neuron in the Ixian's head come to a conclusion as to how these creatures in front of it can be so relentless, so cruel, and so evil. When pushed to beyond its breaking point, did their true carnivorous instincts rear their ugly head.
Oh dear Ix. What sort of environment could breed such demons?
La'Ix didn't remember what happened next. The memories feel like a distant dream now as he sits watching the port sky now.
The aching brand on his forehead of the 8 ringed system, pulsed in pain—a departing gift from his newly made friends, stung from the salty sea air.
He barely recalls the staggered walk from the empty inter-arm transmission office and the inputting of his biometric royal seal. He barely even remembers the message that was sent under his name and signature
And even less does he remember what he heard what will happen next.
All alone now, he stares at the sky of the empty port town. As he watches more royal ships enter the atmosphere.
He gazes upward, thoughtlessly, statue-like Knowing fate will come for them all. Fate in the form of piercing black eyes and a monster so large it can fit in a shadow.
A single thought, carried its way from above the despair to the surface. Slowly. Like a bubble in a pool of tar.
What was I meant to tell the emperor again?
submitted by HumanSupremacyFan to HFY [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:36 Much_Turn7013 Future predictions

The ending of TWOC gives us much clearer hints at where the story will go next than the end of LAOK did. I’d go as far as to say the hints at future conflicts are more like outright promises, especially Rikke’s visions.
The easiest storyline to predict is the one that’s basically summarized through Rikke’s vision in the last chapter. I’ll give my interpretation of the imagery we’re given, but there’s really not that much up for debate:
The bald weaver’s loom is in ruins, but he’s patiently stitching things back together. This is Bayaz, rebuilding after the damage Rikke and Glokta caused to his schemes.
At Bayaz’s side is a black-haired boy and a blond-haired girl. The girl is Hindi, and the boy is Calder’s secret son who we were officially introduced to at the end of TWOC. I will be referring to him as Skarling Jr. In the future, they’ll work as a Two-Man Con to destroy the North and Rikke along with it.
Hildi grows up and the top hat she wears belches smoke. When she blows a kiss, coins fall and turn to chains. When she offers her hand, its fingers become iron rails. These rails stretch forth across the sea to imprison the North. From this vision, we can interpret that Hildi will become an even more powerful and merciless version of what Savine was before the Great Change. I believe she will take her revenge on Rikke for selling out Orso, and she will do this by gentrifying, polluting, and strangling the North to death through industry, novelties, and countless debts. Everything unique and beautiful about the land will be melted away, leaving it a dejected shell of itself.
Skarling Jr sits atop a flaming hill of bones with the Maker’s sword. In the future, he has become the conqueror Stour failed to be, and it can also be implied that he killed Caul Shivers. When he speaks, blood flows out of his mouth which crashes upon the shores of the North and drowns the country. He will cause almost or just as much damage to Rikke’s home that Hildi will through her more insidious attacks on it.
The Crinna will be polluted by Hildi. Rikke’s home, Uffrith, will be once again burned, this time by Skarling Jr. Hildi is softening the country so Skarling Jr can more easily take it, but it’s also the other way around. Skarling Jr is playing the part of the relentless monster biting at Rikke’s heels, which will pressure her to take Hildi’s offers to advance the North’s tech out of desperation. Shivers’ death could serve as the push that leads her to make this choice.
I think Skarling Jr will operate from the shadows for a long time, striking small but impossible not to notice slights against Rikke’s authority. The presence of a faceless enemy will drive Rikke into paranoia, and this will allow little miss oil baron Hildi to step in and sell her snake oil.
Rikke is now aware of them, though. She might not know their names, but she does know vaguely who they are and what they’re going to do. Whether or not Rikke will prepare I don’t know.
Given his role in the story now, I think Jonas Clover will act as the head caretaker of the Northern Library whenever Bayaz is away. He will also act as a father figure to both Skarling Jr and Hildi, planting doubts in their head as to whether or not Bayaz is a man they want to take orders from.
Compared to the previous visions that were much more overt in their symbolism, the last vision of the weaver (Bayaz) is harder to pin down. One of his eyes holds a stone on fire. On the stone is a circle of runes, and in the center of those runes is a black door. From the black door, a white figure emerges from an ocean. Could this burning stone be The Seed? The black door could be the gate to the Other Side, which, when opened, will bring back Euz. I don’t know who else the white figure could be, let alone how events will lead Bayaz to this.
Other predictions are harder to make, but I’ll take a shot in the dark.
Savine and Leo’s bickering will evolve into outright hostility toward each other. The Union now essentially has two gov’t bodies, each trying to pull the country in opposing directions. The Closed Council is split between the two. Half of it stands with Savine, the other half with Leo. By the start of the next trilogy, I think the Union will be inching toward civil war. The only reason the two bother with each other now is, as Savine said, for the sake of their children.
By the next trilogy, I think Savine’s children will be somewhere in their mid-teens. How they end up by that time is anyone’s guess, but we can make assumptions based on how they’re loosely characterized in TWOC. Ardee is described by Savine as fierce and overbearing, whereas Harod is meek and submissive. Leo, being the petty jealous bitch he is, resents his infant son. We can already tell that Harod is going to have a strained and difficult relationship with his father. I think over the years, Harod will attempt to mold himself into a mini Leo to gain his father’s approval. This will only remind Leo of what he lost all those years ago, however, so he will grow even more hostile and distant toward his son. Savine will dote on him, but he will show veiled resentment toward her because he believes that’s what Leo would expect of him. Ardee will grow up to be something of a paradox between old Savine and new Savine. Leo doesn’t even try to hide his favoritism toward her, but she doesn’t reciprocate that affection. Leo believes Savine has poisoned Ardee against him, which only increases Leo’s hatred for his wife. Ardee instead tries to impress her mother, but because of her personality Savine can only see her as a bad reminder of her past. Savine becomes just as distant toward her daughter as her own mother was toward her. If a civil war does break out later in the trilogy, I think Harod will eventually side with his mother whereas Savine will shift her affection toward her father.
Gunnar Broad will become a general in the Angland’s army. If - or when - war breaks out in Styria, he will be sent back to the frontlines. Thankfully for him, not as a bridgeman this time. In the event of a civil war, he will side with Leo instead of Savine.
I don’t believe we’re ever going to see Vick again. At least not in any substantial way. Maybe she’ll momentarily return as in Friendly-style cameo, but other than that I like the way her story ended in TWOC.
After she revealed herself as an Eater, Zuri will no longer work as Savine’s companion. May Broad has assumed this role in her place. This doesn’t mean Savine has entirely cut off Zuri, though. She’s still in Savine’s circle, but she now works as an emissary and informant. And occasional assassin, when the need arises. Considering her dreams for peace and progress between the Union and Gurkhul, I believe she will be sent South as an emissary to make friends with a terrifying new Gurkish emperor.
May Broad will be sent North to tend to Savine’s business ventures there, where she will unknowingly aid in Hildi’s plan to corrupt the country. When she does realize Hildi’s intentions, she will serve as one of the few obstacles between the woman and utter annihilation of the North. I don’t believe May will succeed in this.
Jurand and Leo are now open lovers, meaning Leo and Savine are spouses in name only. Lord Marshall Glaward has been sent to Styria to maintain a foothold in the country should things get ugly.
Caul Shivers has hung up his sword, and now controls Ollensand (or Carleon) in Rikke’s name. In his place as an advisor is The Nail, alongside Isern. The two of them clash far more than Isern and Shivers did.
After having been made an informant, Corleth proved her worth and was made master of an organization that functions similarly to Styria’s spies.
The two characters I’m most interested in at this point besides Hildi and Skarling Jr are Carlot and Cathil. How are they going to respond to their brother’s death? Where is that grief going to take them? Leo will of course want to tie up loose ends, placing both sisters near the top of his hit list. If either Carlot or Cathil took after their mother in any way, I doubt they’ll take such a huge blow to their family sitting down.
We know a little about Carlot dan Luthar from her appearance in TTWP. She’s similar to her brother in personality, and seems to have a more strained relationship with her mother. We know absolutely nothing about Cathil other than that she’s married to Lord Governor Skald of Starikland. If I had to guess, I think Carlot will react in a more visceral way to Oreo’s death than Cathil will. She will crave vengeance, as will her mother, but her mother will prioritize her relationship with Shalere more. This woman has been uprooted from her home twice now. She lost it once when Monza killed her father, and again when the Peoples’ Army took Adua. Should she go to war with Leo, she will risk losing her home again. This inaction on Terez’ part will drive a wedge between her and her daughter, which will only sink Carlot deeper into her whirlwind of emotions. To spite her mother, Carlot will turn to a person in Styria who knows all about revenge. Monza Murcatto. I think Monza will groom Carlot to take her place as Styria’s brutal protector. Although Carlot can’t strike a blow against Leo directly, she can emotionally wound him via targeting Lord Marshall Glaward. If we get a standalone, I think it will revolve around an assassination plot against Glaward and other members of the Closed Council (Isher, maybe). If the plot succeeds, Carlot will incite a fourth war between the Union and Styria. That, or she will cause a civil war between Leo and Savine because they can’t agree on whether to go to war.
How Cathil dan Luthar’s story will unravel is anyone’s guess, but I have a feeling the Old Empire is going to take Starikland. The last time they were prevalent in the story was BTAH, and it would be great to see them make a big return.
submitted by Much_Turn7013 to TheFirstLaw [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:31 ProudChoferesClaseB signing VC next to signature?

So I guess in the early modern era several notable folks have signed things like contracts & documents w/ VC (Vi Coactus/Compelled by Force) next to their name, and it seems to mostly be an act of protest rather than having any legal weight.
A US Federal Court apparently shot this down, although in the UK a politician was not allowed into office because she insisted on signing w/ VC next to her name.
I've heard that signing things like this, if you truly are being made to sign it, can possibly be admitted as contextual evidence to establish you never were OK w/ what was going on, if the other party claims you were originally OK w/ it and then changed tune later.
Any datapoints on this topic? Can it be used to provide context around contractual negotiations later on, or is it merely a symbolic act of protest against terms offered w/ absolutely no use in court?
edit: as an aside, if one signs the words "under duress" next to their name... would that be similar in it's effect or lack thereof?
submitted by ProudChoferesClaseB to legaladviceofftopic [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 21:09 iAdden EXJW_FigLeaf - From Lurker to Contributor: How This Subreddit Helped Me Wake Up and Inspired My New Channel

EXJW_FigLeaf - From Lurker to Contributor: How This Subreddit Helped Me Wake Up and Inspired My New Channel
I have been lurking in this group for about 2 years now since waking up from the Jehovah's Witnesses organization. This group has helped me tremendously in waking up, and I was initially waiting for the sub to grow to 144,000 members before subscribing, but instead, I decided to get in at 100,000. This is after finding the group 2 years ago when it only had around 25,000 members. I was the 100,001st person to join the group. I made a promise/challenge to myself that upon reaching 100,000, I would give back to the group that has helped me so much.
I’d like to start a YouTube channel/podcast where guests can come on to just talk. It can be about anything (day-to-day life after leaving the cult, life updates, struggles, confessions, anything), and they can choose to remain anonymous. The channel will be called “exjw FigLeaf,” referencing John Cedars, Larchwood, and others who used plant-based names to conceal their identities. It also alludes to the instance of the fig tree in the Bible and the symbolism of an olive branch representing peace.
I’m still working on figuring out the process of getting people on and how the show should work. I’m open to ideas and any volunteers who would like to call in to talk.
submitted by iAdden to exjw [link] [comments]


http://activeproperty.pl/