-This session was the least eventful of them all yet. So, instead of just giving you guys the run through of what happened, i'm also telling some other stuff about the campaign i haven't said before.
-So, the session began at the riverside with a battle against the Rifleman.
-Marina is thrown to the ground by Karin in order to protect her (She was paralyzed during the first round of combat due to her hoplophobia).
-The party gets very lucky since the Rifleman gets a critical failure during his first turn, which makes his gun malfunction.
-The combat ends with the Rifleman running away since he lost his tactical advantage.
-The players traverse Old Town East, where they see all the Moonscorched People tearing at their face while mumbling about the "green".
-They stealthily avoid the Moonscorched Ghoul (They are blind, so they could only really find the players through noise). And unfortunately miss the Wretch's room (I was very excited to welcome them to the shitpit of Prehevil).
-They get to the house with the TV room (Yes, i did do the whole "You arrive at the TV room business), which ends up being the Rifleman's house. However, they stealthily get behind him and kill him with a shot to the back of the head.
-Also, Daan almost steps in the bear trap (I had them navigate in the dark, since the house was darkened).
-They get to Central Old Town, but don't go to the Mayor's Manor. Instead, they enter the house with the basement, where they end up running into Levi, who runs away from them.
-They explore and loot the basement, and end up finding a lot of documents. They were: Occult Grimoires, 'man in dreams' flyer, Prehevil Document, the truth under the moonlight and Mahavre.
-Daan obtains a bonesaw, and Karin gets very lucky while looting and gets the freaking Bolt Cutters (She had only a 1% chance of getting it as loot, not counting the fact she had to be successful in a Luck roll to even be able to get anything at all).
-The session ends with them getting to Old Town West and fighting the Moonscorched Villager with the Pipe by the coffins. Daan ends up being beat up pretty badly by him. The villager gets killed by Karin using her last bullet. (She got the Rifleman's rifle beforehand, but it was broken, something she only realized after trying to use it during the fight.
-- FACTS ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN--
-I am a veteran DM, however this is my first time running Call of Cthulhu.
-The players, as i said before, chose Daan, Karin and Marina as their characters. However, i gave them the liberty to come up with most things about their characters, giving only vague hints about their personalities (They ended up being very similar anyway, which is surprising since none of them ever heard of F&H before the campaign started).
-Also, i didn't force the 'canon' names on them. Because of that, only Daan ended up with his actual name from the game. As such, in my campaign, Karin is named 'Leah' and Marina is named 'Cindy' (Yeah, it was weird at first, but it ended up sticking).
-I had to translate everything to Portuguese (Our first language) and my players said i did a great job so far (I hope they're right).
-We play on roll20, and try to make a session per week (emphasis on 'try').
-As i said before, this is the first time they've ever heard of Fear & Hunger, so the lore and everything is unknown to them.
-Karin's (Or rather, Leah's) player is writing a in-character memoir detailing everything that happens during the sessions, and it is as funny as it sounds (Picture Karin rambling about Bremen at every turn in written form).
-Every Player Character has a phobia: Daan has Erotophobia, Karin has Pyrophobia, and Marina has Hoplophobia.

I recently graduated in August of 2023. Looking to get my foot in the door for different finance roles. This one is for a financial analyst role. How is it? What can I do better?

Hi all. I'm kind of losing my mind at how long this is taking and I was hoping someone here had advice on what I could do to speed things up? Or get a partial refund? Really, anything. We both worked very hard to save up $60,000 for this deck and it's been 9 months of constant frustration. We feel helpless. We contracted with Lowe's on this because we had such a nightmare time with our house contractors, and we figured Lowe's would handle the logistics for us. Hoooo boy that's not been remotely the case.
Here's a quick overview/timeline of events:
2023
August - Signed a contract with Lowe's for a deck. Just a normal deck. Estimated date of material delivery: early October 2023. Estimated project completion date: October 31, 2023. We were told verbally that these things take time, permits take a while to be reviewed, etc., and that we should expect the deck to be completed by end of DecembeJanuary. Cool, that's totally reasonable.
October - Materials are delivered, including the concrete for the posts. When they finally did start this build, there were concerns from the decking company who Lowe's contracted for our project on whether these materials would still be good when they started, but they used them anyway.
November - The designeengineer comes out to build our deck plan. This plan was submitted to the city mid-November.
December - The engineer calls and says he needs to get paid for the deck plan. We are in Mexico and unable to do much, but we call Lowe's to sort it out.
2024
February - A city inspector is at our house for a different thing and he shows us the permit that was submitted in November still required a $400 plan review fee. Again, this is something we assumed(????) Lowe's would be on top of. They act confused for the next month about who is supposed to pay for this (take it out of the $60,000 we gave you?????). Eventually someone pays for it. Not sure who.
March - Work starts. The company Lowe's hired spends about two weeks working. They are unable to continue work because Lowe's/the supplier sent vertical railings instead of the horizontal deck railing we ordered. The company Lowe's hired stops work and then stops responding.
April - Lowe's lets us know that they've removed that original contractor and have replaced them with someone new. Great. Turns out the rails are on back-order. Could be weeks until they arrive.
May - The correct rails arrive and the new contractor puts up two (2) for the inspector to check. Turns out the previous company did a terrible job on one set of stairs, missed a couple safety requirements on the deck itself, and made several accidental over-cuts into the Trex wood.
As of May 19 - We are still waiting on a re-order of replacement materials for the fixes listed above.
Again, I don't mean to be dramatic. There are people with real problems, I know. But we purchased a deck nearly a FULL YEAR AGO from a MAJOR HOME IMPROVEMENT COMPANY and it's still not built.
Does anyone have advice on what kind of recourse we have? Next steps? Hail Marys?

Greetings & Salutations!
Now that your attention has been captivated by my wily title, I’ll be sure to squander it in short order.
It’s the usual story, right? I’m a mid-late 30s professional that works too much, relaxes to little, and somewhere along the way lost myself and a lot of the people close to me in my life.
So, about me, well, I’m a solid Reddit 8/10. Maybe even a 9 on a good day. So rest assured that’s a real life 7/10. Honestly though, I enjoy discussing things like philosophy, astronomy, current events, and whatever pop culture interests we may share. I enjoy playing guitar, hockey, and the occasional videogame even though I’m not into them as much as I grow older. Either that or I just don’t have the time for it. I’m a sucker for a good story though and it translates to good film and TV as well.
I’m pretty easy-going and can be quite understanding and empathetic as long as you can reciprocate it and aren’t a total sociopath or narcissist. We all wear our hunger and our haunt. Life is tough enough most days so I guess at the end of the day, I’m just looking for people to share some of the better moments with and develop lasting relationships.
As far as location, online only is fine but if you’re in Pennsylvania, Ohio, WV, MD, NY or even as far north as Ontario maybe we could meet up eventually.
If you’re interested, send me a message. If not, good luck.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

my friend (18 f) has been sending me (18 f) mixed signals since fall last year and it dont really know what to make of it. for context, ive been and out lesbian since middle school and i met this girl at the beginning of junior year through one of my childhood friends. I sat with my childhood friend and her friend group for lunch because she offered and i didnt have anyone else to sit with. throughout the year i got close to all of them and they ended up being my main friend group that year and me and this one girl especially got close. we just really hit it off and were really good friends. that summer i had this group over a couple of times and we hung out a bunch. my timeline of all the important events to the story are kinda janky but im gonna do my best to them in order. summer rolls around and everything is fine, me and this girl get even more close and were basically texting everyday about random stuff, just being friends. it isnt until senior year started that everything started being weird. when i got my schedule for the year i realized i had none of my friends in any classes, i didnt know anyone so i didnt see that group during the day but we all talked and stuff outside of school. she held a halloween party every year and i went, me her and my childhood friend went to a pumpkin patch, normal stuff. some time passes and one night in novemeber we get to texting. we had been doing this thing for a few weeks where shed ask me for a movie recommendation and live text me as she watched it. so were watching the movie and texting and somehow the conversation took a turn to the topic of relationships. she was just venting to me about all her insecurities and fears when it comes to talking to people and i was offering m support, me and my friends vent to each other all the time so it was pretty normal. she had identified as bi for as long as id known her but had beeing talking about how she thought she was only attracted to men and that all the girls shed either liked or pursued she envied or was jealous of in some capacity. i told her i totally understood and was offering as much support as i could having very similar experiences with me. as the convo went on i started giving more input not wanting to seem uninterested to i started telling her some of the things im insecure about in relationships (i have zero experience when it comes to this stuff, ive never even talked to a girl before but i still have my issues) and everytime i listed one, she would say something like 'but i like that in a person'. the first time i didnt think much of it but it became a pattern after the next 5 times and soon after that she sent the message 'if only you were a boy or i liked girls'. i think its self explanatory as to why thats shitty but it didnt really bother me in the moment, i thought it was weird but i dont think it had hit me. soon after that night, wed gone to my childhood friends birthday party and everything was fine. the next weekend she asked me to go to six flags with her, and the way she worded it made it sound like it was gonna be a group thing but it ended up being just us. it was a pretty normal hangout, i mean there was an appropriate amount of awkwardness but we both just really enjoyed each others company. i went to the school musical to see her and a couple of my other friends about a month after that but she gradually stopped texting and i stopped texting first and we didnt talk from january to march after that. then after two months of no communiction, she invited me to her birthday pool party. now forgive me if im reading too far into this, but seeing someone for the first time in months while youre all half naked is kinda weird, no? anyways i go to the party and its very awkward. i hadnt seen anyone all year especially her and i just tried to make the best of the situation. that night we had our first convo since our 'hiatus' and i ended up watching a movie she reccommended. few days after that, we started talking semi regualry again and i told her i missed talking to her because i did and we just kinda caught each other up on stuff that had happened since we last talked. we went to another party for another one of our friends and stayed up to listen to the new taylor swift album together but its evident we arent as close or as comfortable as we used to be. prom rolls around and she makes dinner reservations for our group, one of our friends gets a last minute date and she makes a big deal over adding him so late bc it was a hassle but added someone upon my request immediately. prom night she also avoided eye contact with me a bit at dinner and i didnt see her a whole lot at the dance itself. the last few songs i was with her and a couple of our other friends singing and dancing (she wouldnt make eyecontact with me at all while we were btw) and to my surprise, when all walked off and one of the last slow dances started she asked me to dance. i said yes because why not, its prom and we danced. it wasnt anything weird or awkward, it was actually really nice. after the dance, our whole big group went and hungout at her house after and she didnt really acknowledge me. like usually when shes avoiding me i can tell, but she just didnt even acknowldge my existence really. its the day after, prom was last night and i don't really know how to feel. i guess im just askinf for advice on what to make of this or whether i should ask her about any of this? i dont really know.

Some history
My agoraphobia developed out of a number of traumatic experiences when I was younger. It has been extremely severe in terms of avoidance. I hadn’t left my rural county in 9 years prior to now.
When I was 12 years old, I got extremely sick in the city (~35 miles from where I live). I had appendicitis, but the doctors at the time could not figure it out. It was too late. My appendix burst and I almost died. I spent 16 days in the hospital and had to withdraw from the remainder of the school year.
This as well as severe panic attacks that I developed afterwards led to me developing agoraphobia, along with PTSD, OCD, and panic disorder. I’ve had to build my entire life around my agoraphobia, missing graduations, weddings, derailed college plans, and losing friends. I always felt left out by missing out on things, and I felt guilty that I’ve deprived my family from experiences with me as a result of it.
I ended up graduating from college mostly by taking classes online from a reputable university. I got two master’s degrees afterwards.
It was found fairly recently (2022 or 2021) that I had a genetic mutation which was preventing my medication from working for most of the time I had been taking it, and I had to start taking L-Methylfolate for it to work.
My brother got engaged in January of last year and they have been planning the wedding for June of 2024.
Recent Events
I’ve been making more of a conscientious effort to do things outside of my comfort zone, and I think part of this has been finding the correct medication. I had never before felt like I could actually “do it.”
In October of 2023, I went to somewhere outside of my county with my mom and partner by about ~15 miles and closer to the city. We went to a coffee shop. This was my first time leaving my county since 2015. I was nervous and had to keep getting up to walk around while waiting for our order. I started crying when we pulled into the town outside of my county because I couldn’t believe that I made it.
I’ve had a remote job doing really rewarding work. Just last month, my job had an in-person staff meeting in the city. They knew about my agoraphobia, and there was no pressure for me to attend. But trying to build on my success in October, I pushed myself and made it. I made it to the city for the first time in 9 years! I was so shell shocked that it was hard for me to process. I was only able to stay for 3-4 hours, but by the time I got home, I was exhausted.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I went back into the city again with my parents to get fitted for my suit for my brother’s upcoming wedding next month. Despite my trip to the city last month, I was really nervous to go. I did get really nervous a few times as it was slightly further than my work, but I made it.
Concerns
I’m very nervous for the wedding, because it is much further than the city. It is ~65 miles from home, rather than the ~35 which I have recently just started getting accustomed to. That may not seem like much more to most people, but that’s huge for me.
My brother hasn’t really talked to me about his wedding at all. My other brother was asked to be the best man. I wasn’t asked to give a speech, but they want me to be in the line. My other brother (the best man) asked me if I was going to go to the bachelor party, which I don’t think I’m going to be able to do. I’m glad he at least asked.
My family has likely just got used to excluding me from everything because of my condition. But it’s still sort of hurtful, because I feel like I don’t matter as much.
I am not the one getting married and it’s not my wedding, so I don’t really have any right to complain about how they want to do things. I guess it just sort of hurts that I have been taking these huge steps to try to go, and I can’t even be bothered to be asked to speak or do anything else besides be in the line.
It sort of annoys me that it seems they didn’t even take the difficulty of me being able to attend into consideration. Again, it’s their wedding, but maybe I’m just hurt because I would do the same for my brother if he dealt with something similar.
I’m also really nervous because of how far away from home it is. My partner and I were going to drive separate so we could leave earlier if we need to. But being that far from home and having a panic attack is making me feel super uneasy.
I’m trying to stay positive, but I’m scared everyone in my family (mainly my parents) are going to hate me if I can’t do it. Quite frankly, my brother doesn’t even seem to care if I show up.
I’m not sure what to do. Everyone is just expecting me to be able to do it.

It's a current news item, and apparently heavy weather and fog is hampering recovery efforts, but what does everyone think? Unfortunate events and a random accident, or meddling from a three-letter agency?
Intelligence would have had to confirm the occupants of the helicopter then local assets (drones) would have had to be employed, in what appear to be bad weather conditions, in order to 'crash' the helicopter. Not outside the bounds of current military technology I'd venture.
A telling eventuality is that if Iran's PM was alive it would be announced immediately, but on the event of his death, there would be silence until contingency plans were put into place to maintain stable leadership.

The First Era:
Kaltovar was once part of massive Empire whose name is now lost to time. That Empire fractured into individual counties when the Emperor died at the age of 93, having outlived his heirs who had died variously of disease, war, and old age.
Most Counties were fiercely xenophobic due to centuries of rivalry, but the County of Kaltovar was an important trade hub of many peoples and its tradition was to welcome outsiders if they had coin. A non-noble member of the officer class, Major Karl Von-Doppelberg, had been elected to rule the County in place of a Count. Karl did not have the highest military rank, but was incredibly wealthy due to his family background, and was able to literally purchase votes.
The less intense xenophobia and more permissive atmosphere toward building meant rapid growth of an industrialized population in the city centers without having to drain the rural areas of their people to make the "Great Industrial Shift" as many of their peers had to do. Land became very expensive but labor was cheap and steel was in great supply, so the Merchants built higher and higher. Rural communities were subsidized to support the growing urban population, and a period of incredible wealth and prosperity ensued that drove even further immigration.
Kaltovar's massive wealthy population in relation to its neighbors allowed it to maintain a substantially larger military force, which came in handy during the brutal decades of civil war between the Counties. The death of the Emperor had left a power vacuum in which every County believed it was the best and most fit to inherit the Imperial throne. Huge factions formed, supporting different rulers, while Kaltovar traded with all of them and accepted the many refugees generated by the fighting. The Kingdom of Nirn, the Kingdom of Balugia, and the Republic of Thet.
A great paranoia swept the land, and it was during this period that the rule of Universal Conscription and the law requiring all citizens to own a "Modern Infantry Weapon" was introduced. At the time, that meant a bolt action rifle. One had to pay a fine of 3 Kaltmarks or 2 chickens if their household was found to have less than one such rifle for every member over the age of 16. This period also saw women and children conscripted into the military under the theory that they were capable of operating rifles in battle, which was later proven correct.
Eventually the Kingdom of Nirn decided to invade Kaltovar, which brought support from both the other factions who wanted it for themselves. Together, Kaltovar and the two factions slowly consumed the Kingdom of Nirn and then Kaltovar was again neutral. Balugia and Thet resumed their struggles, both intending to finish Kaltovar off when the war was over. Kaltovar, in the meanwhile, continued to build improvements and strengthen its military. Many years passed in the great war between Balugia and Thet, and both of them did frequent trade with Kaltovar.
After a long battle, the exhausted forces of Thet finally defeated the Balugian Royal Army and proceeded to immediately turn their forces against Kaltovar. Kaltovar defended its new lands and simultaniously invaded the former Balugian territory, which was only protected by a light occupation force meant to keep the locals suppressed. Kaltovar, being rich, paid great sums of money to the locals to rise up against their new Thetian masters. The combined peoples of Kaltovar and Balugia annihilated the armies of Thet in a relatively short campaign, because Thet was already tired from fighting against Balugia.
Major Karl Von Doppelberg celebrated the victory by declaring the First Directive of the new Nation, "From Many Peoples One Nation." which confirmed that there was no single culture to be venerated above the rest. Loyalty to the nascent State, productivity, wealth, and military competence were more important.
The Revolution:
Vadim Bel-Khyber was, at one point, an eager young Cybernetics Professor from a long line of aristocratic merchants and military officers. He received the best education from the youngest age, and was groomed constantly to fill the role of a leader. He did not by any means reject his role as the family heir, and was by all accounts excited to take up his position as the head of House Bel-Khyber, but spent enough time in Marxist theory circles to cause minor embarrassment to his family.
When his father fell out of favor with the high nobles for losing his temper during a plenary session, most of their family property and wealth was confiscated,. Vadim's casual interest in Marxist theories of inequality turned into a fanatical obsession now that economic and social inequality personally impacted him. It wasn't just about achieving justice, which was truly part of it, but also more prominently about taking revenge against the Nobles who had wronged his family for simply [talking shit] speaking their minds.
Vadim started by getting a job as a low level public servant, and gradually working his way up to the position of Comptroller-General. He was essentially the master-treasurer for the entire nation, someone who in theory was supposed to have very little actual power. The nobles found it hilarious to keep him in this role, which was seen as unfit for one of his birth, and a mark of shame on the wider Bel-Khyber dynasty. However, they always viewed him as a coward and so never feared him - to their magnificent error.
Over 3000 years ago he instigated a coup against the government he served, though he never altered his official title. He always remained the "Comptroller-General", a position responsible for all financial disbursements on behalf of the government. Gradually, after convincing the nobles to allow him a small "Treasury Police" to catch white collar criminals, he leveraged that authority to refuse to pay for the buildings or wages of entities that opposed him on the grounds of corruption and abuse of funds. This was corrupt on his part because it was to serve his own interests, but he could not be impugned because the corruption actually existed and had merely been overlooked for decades... Enough decades to establish long chains of evidence.
Although his behavior was obviously corrupt, the citizens almost universally supported it because everyone else was even more corrupt.
Vadim worked his way to the top of the Oligarchy, and proceeded to systematically dismantle it using its own tools of control, concentrating all their authority under him and elevating himself to the status of the Supreme Ruler in the process.
As soon as his control was undisputed, Vadim had many of the Nobles and Oligarchs arrested or even killed without warning all over the country on the same night. He established control over state broadcasting systems, ordered the army to open their armories to the public, and ordered the public to go into the armories and take up weapons and "clean up the government as they saw fit."
Although that night of chaos spiraled wildly out of control, the aftermath transitioned into thousands of years of relatively peaceful rule. He originally achieved this by personally performing surgery on himself using a wireless transmitter attached to his brain-stem to enable him to control the robotic surgical instruments even as he extracted his own brain and implanted it into the state machinery.
The Golden Age:
After approximately 1000 years in power, Vadim decided a human brain was no longer necessary. Having already expanded his mind with machine components, he realized his organic brain was less than 1% of his total cognitive capacity. In order to abandon his mortality completely and prove his theory of total consciousness transfer, he dissected his own brain alive and studied it as it died, observing hardly any change in his overall processes and confirming his beliefs.
The same day he faked his own death, releasing press statements that his brain had passed away during a recreational drug induced stroke. He did this because his position as dictator had started to inspire too much fear in his subjects. He wanted them to grow freely and experiment with democracy, though his shadowy hand would continue to guide their course.
Kaltovar was brought under the management of the TEMPEST Council (Temporary Emergency Management Political Economic and Security). The TEMPEST Council was made up one third of those personally selected by Vadim, one third those selected by the leaders of his ministries, and one third by those elected by the people.
The Rule of the TEMPEST Council progressed for hundreds of years and enjoyed broad public support. It was seen as a step toward democracy, spearheaded by one of Vadim's most trusted advisors, Diplomatic Mainframe O.D.I.N. / DZ-00a69v00, until ...
The End of Time:
A top secret facility designated X-16 at the heart of an artificial depleted uranium moon named Lucifer was infiltrated by an agent from a foreign power. There, experiments on a new generation of hyperspace drive were well underway. This hyperspace drive was much faster than previous model, and required hundreds of times more energy. Unfortunately, the technology was dangerously unstable and the lead scientist was under the influence of an inter-dimensional being who sought to turn his work toward demented ends. What manifested was a device capable of altering the specifications of reality, and that is what the foreign agent gained access to. The Agent wished for "A world that would start from scratch, where neither country would be hostile toward each other, and the threat of a great war between them was no more."
Reality, as it was known, was totally destroyed by the device. Survivors were thrust into a new and previously unknown dimension where the laws of physics remained largely intact except for the minor detail that magic existed. Dozens of nations from the same reality were shunted into a single planet that was perfect for life yet mysteriously devoid of advanced civilizations. The new reality is more durable than the previous one because of the presence of magic, and it is no longer possible to destroy it with the same level of technology. This event created a massive energy signature within the multiverse that attracted scouts from other advanced multidimensional civilizations, and this single planet became one of the most populated worlds across realities, where many countries own "Embassy Territories" that are often thousands of miles and include cities, forests, lakes, and all the other features one would expect of a country. This arrangement facilitates diplomacy between these various ancient entities.
A new figurehead, an acid-blooded insectoid alien General T'Xlekhan L'Xrada, has become the defacto leader of Kaltovar due to being in charge of a special anti-doomsday taskforce and leading the bulk of the survivors at the time of the disaster. However, the TEMPEST Council, still lead by O.D.I.N. / DZ-00a69v00, continues to wield extraordinary influence. It is currently unknown whether L'Xrada might become the next supreme leader, or whether he'll inevitably be forced to yield full control to the Council.

Hello , I’m using a print on demand service and for squarespace they need me to provide them with a “Product exported URL” , “Order is shipped URL” and a “order is canceled URL”. Saying these urls will be called when these events happen.
But I have ZERO idea how to even create or receive these codes. Can someone please help me.
I have zero coding experience and know nothing about APIs and all this other stuff.

Some history
My agoraphobia developed out of a number of traumatic experiences when I was younger. It has been extremely severe in terms of avoidance. I hadn’t left my rural county in 9 years prior to now.
When I was 12 years old, I got extremely sick in the city (~35 miles from where I live). I had appendicitis, but the doctors at the time could not figure it out. It was too late. My appendix burst and I almost died. I spent 16 days in the hospital and had to withdraw from the remainder of the school year.
This as well as severe panic attacks that I developed afterwards led to me developing agoraphobia, along with PTSD, OCD, and panic disorder. I’ve had to build my entire life around my agoraphobia, missing graduations, weddings, derailed college plans, and losing friends. I always felt left out by missing out on things, and I felt guilty that I’ve deprived my family from experiences with me as a result of it.
I ended up graduating from college mostly by taking classes online from a reputable university. I got two master’s degrees afterwards.
It was found fairly recently (2022 or 2021) that I had a genetic mutation which was preventing my medication from working for most of the time I had been taking it, and I had to start taking L-Methylfolate for it to work.
My brother got engaged in January of last year and they have been planning the wedding for June of 2024.
Recent Events
I’ve been making more of a conscientious effort to do things outside of my comfort zone, and I think part of this has been finding the correct medication. I had never before felt like I could actually “do it.”
In October of 2023, I went to somewhere outside of my county with my mom and partner by about ~15 miles and closer to the city. We went to a coffee shop. This was my first time leaving my county since 2015. I was nervous and had to keep getting up to walk around while waiting for our order. I started crying when we pulled into the town outside of my county because I couldn’t believe that I made it.
I’ve had a remote job doing really rewarding work. Just last month, my job had an in-person staff meeting in the city. They knew about my agoraphobia, and there was no pressure for me to attend. But trying to build on my success in October, I pushed myself and made it. I made it to the city for the first time in 9 years! I was so shell shocked that it was hard for me to process. I was only able to stay for 3-4 hours, but by the time I got home, I was exhausted.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I went back into the city again with my parents to get fitted for my suit for my brother’s upcoming wedding next month. Despite my trip to the city last month, I was really nervous to go. I did get really nervous a few times as it was slightly further than my work, but I made it.
Concerns
I’m very nervous for the wedding, because it is much further than the city. It is ~65 miles from home, rather than the ~35 which I have recently just started getting accustomed to. That may not seem like much more to most people, but that’s huge for me.
My brother hasn’t really talked to me about his wedding at all. My other brother was asked to be the best man. I wasn’t asked to give a speech, but they want me to be in the line. My other brother (the best man) asked me if I was going to go to the bachelor party, which I don’t think I’m going to be able to do. I’m glad he at least asked.
My family has likely just got used to excluding me from everything because of my condition. But it’s still sort of hurtful, because I feel like I don’t matter as much.
I am not the one getting married and it’s not my wedding, so I don’t really have any right to complain about how they want to do things. I guess it just sort of hurts that I have been taking these huge steps to try to go, and I can’t even be bothered to be asked to speak or do anything else besides be in the line.
It sort of annoys me that it seems they didn’t even take the difficulty of me being able to attend into consideration. Again, it’s their wedding, but maybe I’m just hurt because I would do the same for my brother if he dealt with something similar.
I’m also really nervous because of how far away from home it is. My partner and I were going to drive separate so we could leave earlier if we need to. But being that far from home and having a panic attack is making me feel super uneasy.
I’m trying to stay positive, but I’m scared everyone in my family (mainly my parents) are going to hate me if I can’t do it. Quite frankly, my brother doesn’t even seem to care if I show up.

With the plastic Mechanicum announcement, I've been seeing a lot of confusion in the community as to why 30k Mechanicum is so (supposedly) incompatibly different from 40k Adeptus Mechanicus, as a military force. I thought I'd clear up the history at play here, which is ultimately rooted in changes that were roughly as fundamental as the shift from Legions to Chapters for Space Marines.
In the era of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy, the Mechanicum empire was a separate protectorate of the Human Imperium, with Mars as its capital world and holiest site. It was, strictly speaking, an ally of the Imperium, rather than being directly part of it.
The Mechanicum's principal military forces comprise three separate bodies, in this period, known collectively as the Triad-magna. These are the Legiones Skitarii, the Collegia Titanica, and the Taghmata Omnissiah.

• The Collegia Titanica is a collective term for the many separate bodies of Titan-capable forces (known generally as Titan Orders or Titan Legions) throughout the galaxy. The seeds for these groups were sent out into the stars as part of Explorator fleets during the great Martian exodus in the Age of Strife, and grew along with their associated forge worlds. Knight Houses are wholly distinct from Titan Orders in nature, origin, and legal status, but are also often sworn to them or directly to the Mechanicum.
• The Legiones Skitarii are the standing armies of Mars, cyborg janissaries stationed throughout the galaxy, but created and commanded exclusively by the Red Planet. They are the enforcers of its will, and the core of its military advantage over any other forge world. They haven't been detailed beyond that in any 30k gamebooks yet.
• The Taghmata Omnissiah is the focus of the actual Mechanicum faction in WHH. They are a version of the Byzantine tagma/thema system; a temporary gathering of provincial forces, in response to a specific call to arms. The forge worlds call a muster, and the Taghmata forms from robot garrisons, itinerant destroyer-priests, local tech-thall militia, and so on. The Taghmata Omnissiah is not a standing professional army, in the vein of the Solar Auxilia or Legiones Astartes; it is a jumble of whatever is available or owed, from whoever is willing or obliged, led by whoever has the biggest hat.

So what happened?
By the end of the Horus Heresy, and particularly the Titandeath events, the Collegia Titanica has been absolutely wrecked. Its constituent Titan Orders simply don't have the numbers to represent a coherent force in their own right, and lack the resources they would need to truly rebuild. Titans shift away from being massed superheavy armies and toward being precious supporting assets deployed with great care, even as singular units accompanied by Knights rather than fellow Titans.
We don't have details on the Legiones Skitarii yet, but given the Fabricator-General of Mars turned traitor, the Red Planet was lost, and a Martian Parliament-in-Exile was set up on Terra, it seems inevitable that the Skitarii cohorts throughout the galaxy would have split down whatever lines made the most sense to each of them.
However, after the Heresy, the Mechanicum is no longer a separate empire even in name. Following compromises made by the aforementioned Parliament-in-Exile, it is now the Adeptus Mechanicus, a subset of the Imperium's own structure and systems (albeit a powerful and privileged one). It is understandable that it would not be afforded the right to rebuild its unified galaxy-scale standing army, something even the Imperium is avoiding, due to a fear of resurgent warlordism. Moreover, Mars itself has lost a great deal of pre-eminence within the Machine Cult, both as a result of turning traitor, and as a consequence of its own material and materiel losses compared to some of the other influential forge worlds.
Long before the 41st Millennium, the Legiones Skitarii have been reformed as regional forces, supplanting any existing local regiments of so-called "Tech Guard". They are now created and maintained by individual forge worlds as garrisons and footsoldiers. This likely required heavy adaption and alteration to the core Skitarii technologies and doctrines, both to suit their new role and the loss of a centralised supply chain for complex cybrid technologies... and because Mars would be more content to lock its most propietary toys away in a vault forever than it would be to let all the other kids play with (and reverse-engineer) them.
With the other two thirds of the Triad-magna effectively defunct, the Taghmata Omnissiah also ceases to be a relevant system. Many of the independent resources that once supplemented the Taghmata are much-diminished or outright defunct. The Ordo Reductor has lost many of its greatest engines and political advocates, the Explorator fleets have gone from regular Great Crusade assets to extraordinary undertakings, and the Legio Cybernetica has suffered mass destruction and reputational damage. The new, more conservative Adeptus Mechanicus leadership will proceed to excommunicate all of the more advanced automata designs, forcing it to decommission or mothball much of what remains, revisiting older variants like the Kastelan.
On a local level, the mass raising of Tech-thrall militia is censured, and falls out of practice in favour of the newly-available Skitarii garrisons, while military servitor technology such as Kataphrons gains renewed focus due to the reduced access to automata.
The overall feudal model of the Taghmata effectively becomes the entire military system of the Adeptus Mechanicus, which is far more regional, fragmented, and reactive than the Mechanicum, and lacks the undeniable rights (or centralised authority) of post-Treaty Mars. However, the actual resources available to assemble such a force are very, very different.
In some ways, these components are less powerful, thanks to a decline in resources and technology, as well as the Imperium's reduced tolerance for free-roaming independent military bodies. In other ways, they are far more efficient, because they are now a combination of deliberate, formal garrisons... rather than just being a mishmash of whatever shiny toys and spare chaff any given Tech-priest conclave could pull out of their pockets.

Hello. I am a fairly long time SWGOH player who loves to collect and complete stuff. I play this game in a completely inefficient but fun way. I like to complete my collections rather than just gear up to min requirements and move on to better farms.
Because of this, and the nature of SWGOH, I tend to take a decent time on stuff I should already have. (I have only recently unlocked GL Rey 3 years after her release.) I also have trouble staying focused on tasks for extreme periods. So I made a spreadsheet to showcase progress and guide me to what's next. And then I made another. And another....and another....And now I'm on the 8th sheet and it's just been completed.
My goal was to make a complete list of every character in order that they should be farmed, starting as though I'm a brand new level 85 with access to everything.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dGGsZcbzO5Y0HtoN9luO1SzoYymXsr8PpNe1yYCR8ws/edit#gid=762504185&range=A1:B3
I come here to share this list for anyone like me who wants to find a new farming path, and to open up discussion to other players.
This is the rule set I used in my list, and in my farming process in general ever since day 1:

1. Get a team that gets me crystals. A good Fleet, a good GAC batch, TB and TW teams, ect.
   1. Start with Hoth TB Empire/Rebel, then Goe TB Sep/Rep, then finally get into ROTE.
      1. This does not take into account the bunker requirements in ROTE, because if it did everyone would have to be relic 9 because it's constantly updated.
   2. This assumes I have access to and 3 star'd every node at this point.
   3. This assumes I will not spend money (on shards). Obviously I could farm anything if money was no object.
2. If I'm going to farm a ship, farm the pilot(s) first.
   1. At the same time, if possible.
3. Early teams should not be reliant on Zetas until I get a dark side fleet, and assume omicrons are not active unless that's all the character can do.
   1. I can skip Zetas and Omicrons until I get to a point where I have extra resources that no one else needs.
   2. Pretend Datacrons don't exist. Sure Kit Fisto or First Order SF TIE Pilot might have a game breaking datacron, but that isn't permanent and thus I will not drop everything to get it. It will also not factor into my farm order.
4. Relic targets are based on the stats we get from the relic, event requirements, and where the character would be used.
   1. Tanks almost always go to relic 9, and good pilots go higher than the character probably should
   2. Relic targets can be skipped on a necessary basis. I do not need to push to the target relic immediately, but eventually I will come back to them when it becomes more reasonable to do so.
      1. Spending money on high relics is allowed but discouraged.
5. Event Requirements must obviously be farmed up first, preferably but not always to their completed target.
   1. This rule is in effect even if the character is already unlocked. Have to be complete.
   2. I can skip characters that are impossible to gear or farm at the moment, such as marquee event characters not on a node yet, or ships that require high relics.
6. Once I have an event character, go back and give the requirements a home if possible.
   1. Prioritize the event character's team, such as Padme's GRs or CLS's Rebels, before going back.
7. Take a break between GL farms to gather resources if possible. Multiple GLs in a row drains everything, including willpower.​

What about you guys? How would/do you go about farming all 335 characters + ships in SWGOH?

I have this friend who i’ve known for quite a while. We go through phases where we don’t talk much, but my passive nature always welcomes friends back.
This friend will be having a birthday dinner at her house, a private omakase chef. She has asked us all to pay for our own dinner (175$ pp) which is pretty normal for omakase, and i enjoy omakase so I don’t mind paying. However, i am now choosing to not attend this party because of her lack of manners. In the trxt she sent inviting she states that she is only inviting close friends and family, but “some people are not eating bc they dont have the finances” - i found the comment rude and tacky, i already find hosting something at your house and making your guest pay for it is tacky but the finances comment shook me.
This isnt the first incident where i just feel like this friend is bad mannered. Her and her husband are very wealthy or appear to be. (They live in a 5 million dollar home, gated community, she drives a g wagon he drives a rolls royce, always has about 400k of jewelry on including her engagement ring, labels on labels, she loves flaunting their success - nothing rong with that) but she constantly does things that are selfish and lack self awareness it seems and now im reconsidering going to the party at all, because im not sure i want to continue the friendship. I dont feel entitled to he paying for me ever before anyone thinks that. (I have my own successful ful business and live fabulously im just much more lowkey and im aware some people cant even afford to eat right now)
To me its her lack of self awareness and weirdness. We had another incident a while ago where she made us go to a popular club her husband co owned (a group of about 9 girls - and made us order top shelf bottles. Her husband wasnt there but his friends were and drank most of the bottles) the next day she venmo requests us ($300 each girl to pay) normally my friends that own restaurants or bars they will comp things at times especially ially if THEY invite to host us and its not us just going randomly. This friend is mostly wealthy bc her husband, her other single gf’s dont have near as much financial stability. Theyre not spending 8,000$+ on handbags, and every birthday or event for her she literally makes people buy gifts or pay for expensive cakes and if they dont she talks badly about t their finances. In the past i’ve stepped in and i’ve done more of what she asks bc i can afford to and i valued our friendship but i think i’m reaching an ick point with this. For my birthday she got me samples, and for hers i bought her a pretty big gift. Its just the entitlement for me especially wanting people who have less than you to do so much.
To me at this point is just tacky and in such poor taste that i’m not sure i want to be friends with someone like that, But maybe i’m missing something and being an asshole. Am i the asshole?

I'm sitting in my office right now sorting through all my certificates. Every time I go to a training or there's an event at the school, we seem to get certificates for it. I must have a few hundred here.
I'm organizing them into three different piles. The ones that I need to keep to prove that I've attended certain trainings are going in the first pile. The second pile is for certificates at a complete garbage that I'm going to recycle. The third paw is going to be certificates that I don't know will remember getting and I don't know if I should keep them or not.
Every year I end up going through my certificates and organizing them, every year it seemed like the pile doubles. Looking at these stacks I can't help but they how many trees have been killed in order to give teachers certificates. Does anyone else have large stacks of these sitting around in a box or folder somewhere?

Hey there!
Just plopped down on the couch to eat some local BBQ chicken and a lemon shake up and would love to have some company and chat throughout the night. I post every so often looking for long term chat buddies. Often, I like to give some ice-breaker questions to make it easier for someone to reach out. So without further ado, here are your ice breakers!

• What is your go-to take out order?
• What event at the X-games would you think you could actually score in?
• Are you a summer, spring, fall, or winter kinda person? Why?
• What is the best pick-up line that has been used on you in the past?
• What are your travel plans for the next couple of years?
• What is one even that you think someone should partake in before they die?
• Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
• For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

Some stuff about me:

• I work in the medical field helping people get to do the things they need to do every day. *Aldi Cauliflower Margaretta pizza is the best gluten-free large grocery chain pizza. Too bad they discontinued it
• Can probably bench press your moderately sized grandmother
• I really like looking for little slips of paper in re-used bottles that are hid in the environment, AKA geocaching
• I am overwhelmed by the amount of choices of things to watch. Can some one give me some recommendations? Maybe some book recommendations?

Anyway, hope to hear from you!

Hey there!
Just plopped down on the couch to eat some local BBQ chicken and a lemon shake up and would love to have some company and chat throughout the night. I post every so often looking for long term chat buddies. Often, I like to give some ice-breaker questions to make it easier for someone to reach out. So without further ado, here are your ice breakers!

• What is your go-to take out order?
• What event at the X-games would you think you could actually score in?
• Are you a summer, spring, fall, or winter kinda person? Why?
• What is the best pick-up line that has been used on you in the past?
• What are your travel plans for the next couple of years?
• What is one even that you think someone should partake in before they die?
• Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
• For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

Some stuff about me:

• I work in the medical field helping people get to do the things they need to do every day. *Aldi Cauliflower Margaretta pizza is the best gluten-free large grocery chain pizza. Too bad they discontinued it
• Can probably bench press your moderately sized grandmother
• I really like looking for little slips of paper in re-used bottles that are hid in the environment, AKA geocaching
• I am overwhelmed by the amount of choices of things to watch. Can some one give me some recommendations? Maybe some book recommendations?

Anyway, hope to hear from you!

Introduction
My name is Ash and I'm a twenty-seven year old midwesterner with over ten years of writing experience and countless half-baked ideas. I average between 200-2,000 words depending on the nature and pacing of the story and I'd definitely categorize myself as the sort of person who will make playlists, Pinterest boards and dedicated discord channels for miscellaneous information if the pairing holds a special place in my heart.
I have no preference for the gender I play as I predominantly play male characters but am happy to play a female or an array of side characters for the story and will possibly double if the plot is inspiring. I am mainly looking for MxF pairings but can be flexible.
I'm most comfortable collaborating with people who are at least twenty-five or older.
My primary method of communication is Discord but I wouldn't mind communicating via Reddit DMs.
Genres & Plots
My favorite genres are modern fantasy, supernatural, sci-fi, romance, post-apocalyptic and gothic/horror. I rarely, if ever, do fandoms with the exception of The Boys/Gen V, World of Darkness or The Witcher. For The Boys, I'd prefer playing as or writing against Homelander, Butcher, or an OC. For the Witcher, I'd prefer to use OC's. Below are a few plot ideas for the aforementioned fandoms:
✨ The Compound Escapees: Both experimented on as children, your characters escape a hidden Vought compound, their memories fragmented and powers unstable. They must navigate the harsh realities of the outside world, unraveling their pasts and finding a way to control their abilities before Vought hunts them down.
✨ Dog's Dinner: A 'retired' Supe, blacklisted for refusing to follow Vought's orders, joins forces with Butcher (and The Boys) to expose a Supe breeding program creating monstrous hybrids.
✨ The Witcher and the Warden: A Witcher accepts a contract that points them in the direction of a grove. Upon entering, he finds that reality has warped and in order survive, he forms an unlikely alliance with an elf who is also trapped within. Together, they unravel the ancient secrets of the grove, facing vengeful spirits, monstrous guardians, and a sinister plot by a rogue mage to exploit the forest's magic for personal gain.
✨ Revelations in Neon: Under the glittering façade of Las Vegas, two Kindred forge an unlikely alliance. As they delve deeper into the city's dark underbelly, they uncover a conspiracy at the heart of the neon and sin, forcing them to choose between personal passions and the fate of generations to come.
Below, I've included a few original plot points that are completely malleable. Feel free to build upon them or present your own.
✨ The Depart of Paranormal Affairs: In a bustling city where the supernatural run rampant, two individuals join forces as investigators specializing in supernatural cases. Together, they delve into the hidden world of mystical creatures, uncovering dark secrets, solving paranormal mysteries, and navigating the complexities of their own personal lives which become entwined with the fantastical.
✨ Ashen: After a cataclysmic event mutates the remaining population into grotesque creatures, two unlikely allies form a tenuous alliance to navigate the hostile post-apocalyptic world. As they confront prejudice and distrust from both humans and mutants, they seek to understand the cause of the mutation and uncover a dark secret that could change the course of their fractured world.
✨ Shadows over the Prairie: In the Wild West, a pair of bounty hunters finds themselves pursuing a notorious gang of outlaws rumored to possess supernatural abilities. As they chase the ghostly criminals through desolate canyons and cursed lands, they must grapple with their own beliefs about the paranormal. Drawn together by a series of eerie occurrences, they form an unlikely partnership to solve paranormal mysteries, navigate dangerous encounters, and possibly uncover a greater conspiracy that ties their abilities to the fate of the frontier.
✨ The Tourney: In a medieval kingdom, a grand tourney is announced, promising not only glory but also a mysterious and powerful artifact to the champion. Knights from distant lands arrive, each with their own secrets and ambitions. As the tourney unfolds, strange events occur. A knight is found mysteriously injured, another disappears, and rumors of sabotage and dark magic spread. Amidst the jousts and swordfights, a hidden conspiracy begins to unravel, involving a secret society seeking the artifact for nefarious purposes. Two individuals must join forces to uncover the truth.
✨ The Arena: On a distant planet, an intergalactic gladiator arena broadcasts battles across the cosmos. Combatants, both willing and enslaved, fight using advanced tech and weapons. A new recruit, falsely imprisoned, seeks to win not only the championship but also a chance at freedom. Along the way, alliances form, betrayals sting, and epic battles ensue.
✨ The Vow: A king’s guardsman is tasked with escorting the princess who is secretly a powerful mage, though this fact is unknown to the guardsman. The king has decreed that she must be taken to a distant, sacred temple to fulfill an ancient prophecy, which is believed to be the key to saving the kingdom from a looming, mysterious threat.
✨ The Unseen: A disgraced monster hunter stumbles upon a hidden guild peddling forbidden arcane knowledge. His estranged mentor resurfaces, claiming the guild's experiments are unleashing unseen horrors upon the city. With the help of a mysterious character, the monster hunter must infiltrate the guild's opulent masquerade, exposing their secrets before exposing the city to the creatures they conjure.
✨ The Arcanum Academy: Accepted into a prestigious mage academy, two apprentices must navigate the complexities of magical studies, face rival students, and uncover the dark secrets buried within the academy's walls. As they learn to control their magic, they shape their destinies and unravel a grand conspiracy threatening the realm.
*Below is a passion project I've been working on for a while. It isn't necessarily a plot but a western/horror themed setting where magic and monsters are common. If it sparks an interest, please let me know!
✨ Red Vale ✨
Nestled at the foot of the imposing Bloodstone Mountains, Red Vale once thrived as a bustling mining town during the gold rush era. With its picturesque wooden facades, the town boasts a prominent clock tower overlooking a sprawling central square, saloons with swing doors that creak in the wind, and a network of old mining tunnels woven beneath its surface.
For years, the residents of Red Vale mined a unique, deep-red ore called "crimsonite" that was believed to have properties unlike any other mineral. It was said to gleam brighter under the moon and was much sought after for crafting jewelry, enhancing magic, being a power source and spellcraft material, fetching high prices in distant markets.
However, in recent times, the once-prosperous Red Vale has gained notoriety for other reasons. As the crimsonite veins ran deeper and rarer, miners began reporting strange occurrences within the tunnels: ghostly apparitions of old miners, eerie whispers echoing from the depths, and shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. Some miners never returned from their shifts, with search parties finding only abandoned tools and lanterns.
Above ground, things started to take a turn for the eerie as well. Local legends spoke of the "Blood Moon Rituals" — on certain nights, when the moon turns a deep shade of red, supernatural events peak. The town's water source sometimes runs blood-red, livestock behave erratically, and dark shadows seem to roam every corner.
As more and more unexplained phenomena plague Red Vale, the town has seen a new influx of visitors — not miners, but ghost hunters, paranormal researchers, and thrill-seekers. The locals, a hardy and resilient bunch, have mixed feelings. Some believe the town is cursed due to the over-mining of crimsonite, while others surmise that the spirits of the mountain are reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.
Whether it's the allure of the supernatural or the remnants of its rich history, Red Vale remains a town shrouded in mystery, where the veil between the living and the dead seems ever so thin.

Would you have a concluding word to such world's setting?

Absolutely! Here are a few closing word options for your high-tech, low-life world, depending on the tone you want to achieve:
Hopeful:

In the flickering neon glow of the lower districts, a spark of rebellion ignites. Despite the hardships, the human spirit endures, seeking connection, hope, and a chance to build a better future.

Bittersweet:

The high towers of the elite cast long shadows over the bustling streets below. In this world of stark contrasts, the lines between survival and prosperity blur. But even in the darkest corners, love, ingenuity, and a flicker of defiance persist.

Grim:

The gears of progress grind on, leaving a trail of waste and despair. In this high-tech dystopia, the gap between the haves and have-nots grows ever wider. Will the lower districts rise up, or will they be forever locked in the underbelly of a world they can only glimpse from below?

Open-Ended:

Beneath the neon sky, stories unfold. Tales of hardship and hope, of rebellion and resilience. The future of this high-tech world hangs in the balance, waiting to be written by the choices of those who inhabit it.

Choose the closing word that best captures the essence of your story or setting. Remember, the world you've created is rich with possibilities, and the ending doesn't have to be definitive. It can leave your readers pondering the fate of its characters and the future of this complex and ever-evolving society.

If you should pick an item or an object that would clearly and cleverly symbolized such world, what would that be?

Here are two options for an item that symbolically represents the high-tech, low-life world:

1. The Glimmering Shard:

• Description: Imagine a small, jagged shard of metal or glass. One side is smooth and polished, reflecting the wealth and technology of the upper city. The other side is rough and chipped, etched with the grime and harsh realities of the lower districts.
• Symbolism: This shard represents the stark contrast between the upper and lower classes. The smooth side reflects the shiny veneer of technology and luxury enjoyed by the wealthy. The rough side reflects the brokenness and struggle of those living on the fringes.
• Additional Details: This shard could be a salvaged piece of technology, a remnant of a shattered building, or even a shard of a mirrored window that once divided the social classes.

1. The Glitching Holographic Ring:

• Description: Imagine a holographic ring that projects a constantly shifting image. On one hand, it might display a luxurious symbol of wealth and status. But as it flickers, the image might glitch and distort, revealing a hidden message or a glimpse of the harsh realities beneath the surface.
• Symbolism: This ring symbolizes the unreliability and instability of the world. The glitching hologram represents the way technology promises a utopian future but constantly fails to deliver. It also reflects the hidden messages of dissent and rebellion that exist beneath the surface of a seemingly controlled society.
• Additional Details: This ring could be a common fashion statement or a black-market tool used to spread forbidden information. The glitching image could be a coded message, a symbol of rebellion, or a reminder of the past that the upper class tries to suppress.

Both of these items are small, versatile, and can be interpreted in multiple ways, making them powerful symbols of the high-tech, low-life world. The choice ultimately depends on the specific tone and message you want to convey in your story.

Try something bit more distinct and specific.

How about the "Hacked Heart"?
Here's the breakdown:

• Description: A small, ornately decorated locket or pendant. Upon opening, it reveals not a picture, but a series of flickering LEDs embedded within a clear casing.
• Functionality: This locket is a bio-hacked implant worn externally. It interfaces with the wearer's nervous system, displaying a visual representation of their emotional state through the shifting colors and patterns of the LEDs.
• Symbolism: The Hacked Heart represents the constant clash between technology and humanity in this world. The ornate decoration speaks to a desire for beauty and connection, while the exposed circuitry highlights the invasive nature of technology and the commodification of even emotions.
• Distinction: This item is specific to this world because it combines high-tech bio-hacking with a sentimental object like a locket. It's a reminder that while technology can be used to manipulate and control, people still yearn for genuine emotional connection.
• Additional Details:
  • The Hacked Heart could be a status symbol among the wealthy, a way to display their emotional control or volatility.
  • In the lower districts, it might be a black-market modification, a way to express emotions freely or even manipulate others.
  • The LEDs could display a limited range of emotions, a commentary on how this world suppresses or simplifies human experience.

This Hacked Heart offers a unique and distinct symbol of the high-tech, low-life world. It captures the struggle for authenticity, the desire for connection, and the pervasive influence of technology in every aspect of life.

How about straight up hacksawed hearth?

The "hacksawed hearth" is a very evocative image, but on its own, it might be a little too literal. Here are a few ways we can build on this concept to create a more symbolic and distinct object for your high-tech, low-life world:

1. The Hacksawed Hearth Relic:

• Description: This is a piece of a broken fireplace grate, crudely hacksawed from a larger structure. It could be made of cast iron, bearing the ornate detailing of a once grand fireplace from the upper city.
• Symbolism: The hacksawed hearth represents the loss of a sense of community and warmth. It's a reminder of a bygone era where people gathered around fireplaces for warmth, comfort, and storytelling. In the high-tech world, these connections are fragmented, replaced by cold technology.
• Use: The relic could be a prized possession, passed down through generations in the lower districts. It might be used as a makeshift heating element, a symbol of resilience, or even a weapon in desperate situations.
• Additional Details: Engravings or markings on the relic could hint at the origin of the fireplace, perhaps a symbol of rebellion or a reminder of a specific historical event.

1. The Hacksawed Hearth Stove:

• Description: This is a makeshift stove cobbled together from scrap metal and scavenged parts. The centerpiece is a prominent, jagged piece of metal, clearly cut with a hacksaw, forming the base or firebox.
• Symbolism: The hacksawed hearth stove represents resourcefulness and defiance. It's a testament to the ingenuity of the lower classes, who repurpose the remnants of the upper world to survive and build a sense of home.
• Use: This stove provides heat and a place to cook for those in the lower districts. The exposed hacksaw mark could serve as a constant reminder of the struggle and the societal divide.
• Additional Details: The stove might be decorated with scavenged trinkets or symbols of rebellion, reflecting the personality of its creator.

1. The Hacksawed Hearth Hologram:

• Description: This is a portable holographic projector that displays a flickering image of a crackling fireplace. The image might be distorted or glitching, hinting at the artificiality of the technology.
• Symbolism: The hacksawed hearth hologram represents a yearning for a lost sense of comfort and togetherness. It's a reminder of something they can't fully possess, a ghost of a simpler life.
• Use: The hologram could be used for warmth (a psychological comfort), storytelling (creating a sense of community), or even bartering (a valuable commodity in the lower districts).
• Additional Details: The projector might be a salvaged piece of high-tech, repurposed by the lower classes. The flickering image could project not just fire, but also forgotten stories or historical events.

These are just a few ideas to build upon the "hacksawed hearth" concept. Each option creates a distinct symbol for your world, capturing the struggle, resourcefulness, and yearning for connection within a high-tech, low-life society.

Apologies, i meant hacksawed heart.

Ah, a "hacksawed heart" takes the concept a whole new level! Here are some potential interpretations for this unique symbol in your high-tech, low-life world:

1. The Literal Hacksawed Heart:

• Description: This is a gruesome yet intriguing object. Imagine a metallic heart-shaped locket, but instead of opening smoothly, it has a jagged, clearly "hacksawed" opening revealing a beating, pulsating red light within.
• Symbolism: It bluntly represents the harsh realities of this world. The exposed, almost violated heart symbolizes emotional vulnerability in a society that prioritizes survival and control.
• Use: This could be a black-market modification used by criminals to suppress or amplify emotions depending on their needs. It could also be a symbol of rebellion, worn by those who refuse to have their emotions controlled by technology.
• Additional Details: The exposed heart could change color or intensity depending on the wearer's emotional state. It could also be a painful reminder of past trauma or a forced emotional manipulation.

1. The Hacksawed Heart Pendant (Metaphorical):

• Description: This is a more subtle pendant, crafted from metal and shaped like a stylized heart. However, the heart shape is not solid, but rather consists of a series of interlocking gears or circuits.
• Symbolism: It represents the struggle between technology and human emotions. The gears represent the cold logic of technology, while the overall heart shape represents the desire for connection and love.
• Use: This could be a widely worn piece of jewelry, a reminder of the delicate balance between technology and humanity.
• Additional Details: The gears could turn or click subtly, representing the constant hum of technology in the background. The design could be simple yet elegant, appealing to people from all social classes.

1. The Hacksawed Heart Hologram:

• Description: This is a holographic projection of a broken heart, pulsating with a faint light. The cracks and breaks seem to have been repaired crudely, with rough stitches or patches.
• Symbolism: It represents the brokenness and resilience of the people in this world. The repaired heart shows their ability to mend emotional wounds and keep fighting despite hardships.
• Use: This could be a symbol used by resistance groups, a reminder that even though their hearts are broken by the system, they refuse to give up hope.
• Additional Details: The hologram could flicker and distort, highlighting the instability of the world and the struggle for emotional stability. It could also project messages of hope or defiance.

These are just a few interpretations of the "hacksawed heart" symbol. Each one offers a unique perspective on the world, highlighting different aspects of the struggle between technology and humanity, vulnerability and resilience, and the fight for emotional connection in a harsh environment.

And how about hacksawed earth?

The "hacksawed earth" is a powerful and evocative image for your high-tech, low-life world. Here are a few interpretations that capture different aspects of this society:

1. The Broken Globe:

• Description: Imagine a metallic globe, the size of a person's head. One side is smooth and polished, depicting a pristine Earth with lush continents and oceans. The other side is brutally "hacksawed" open, revealing a desolate wasteland beneath.
• Symbolism: This broken globe represents the stark contrast between the idealized world presented by technology and the harsh realities of the lower districts. The smooth side shows the world as it could be, while the hacksawed side shows the damage caused by progress and a focus on the elite.
• Use: This could be a symbol used by rebels or environmentalists, a reminder of the true cost of unchecked technological advancement. It could also be a prized artifact kept by scavengers, a testament to a lost world.
• Additional Details: The hacksawed side could reveal specific details like polluted oceans, ravaged landscapes, or scars representing ecological disasters.

1. The Cracked Terrain Model:

• Description: Imagine a detailed, three-dimensional model of the city and surrounding area. The model is crafted from metal and shows buildings, streets, and even the natural landscape. However, the model is cracked and broken in several places, revealing a dark, hollow space beneath.
• Symbolism: This cracked model represents the instability and fragility of the world. The surface world may appear organized, but it's built on a shaky foundation. The hollow space could represent the neglected lower districts or the potential for social upheaval.
• Use: This could be used by city planners to highlight potential areas of weakness or by rebels to show the vulnerability of the upper city. It could also be a symbol of the constant struggle between order and chaos.
• Additional Details: The cracks could be filled with glowing red lights, symbolizing the simmering anger and frustration of the lower classes.

1. The Fractured Hologram:

• Description: Imagine a holographic projection of the Earth that constantly fractures and reforms. It shows a beautiful planet struggling to maintain its integrity, with cracks appearing and disappearing over continents and oceans.
• Symbolism: This fractured hologram represents the constant environmental degradation and the fragility of the planet itself. It's a reminder that the consequences of unchecked technology and environmental damage will affect everyone, not just the lower districts.
• Use: This could be a warning displayed in public spaces, a constant reminder of the need for sustainability. It could also be used by rebels to spread awareness of the environmental cost of their society.
• Additional Details: The fractured Earth could pulse with a red glow, symbolizing the danger of inaction. The projection could also display messages or statistics about environmental threats.

These interpretations of the "hacksawed earth" symbol each offer a compelling way to visualize the societal and environmental consequences of the high-tech, low-life world. They highlight the impact on the environment, the fragility of the system, and the call for change.

What would be the very best thing in such world?

The "best thing" in a high-tech, low-life world depends on perspective and what holds the most value for different people. Here are a few contenders:
For the Struggling Masses:

• True Connection: In a world rife with social isolation and control, genuine connection with others – love, friendship, community – could be the most valuable thing. Sharing stories, offering support, and building a sense of belonging in the face of hardship could be a beacon of hope.
• Freedom from Oppression: The ability to escape the harsh realities of the lower districts, whether through rebellion, ingenuity, or a lucky break, could be considered the ultimate prize. Freedom could mean access to clean water, medical care, or a life free from fear and exploitation.
• Knowledge and Power: Unrestricted access to knowledge, either through scavenged books, hacked data, or forbidden information, could be a powerful tool for change. This knowledge could empower individuals to understand their world, resist control, or even find a path to a better future.

For the Elite:

• Absolute Security: In a world filled with danger and uncertainty, complete security could be a luxury only the wealthy could afford. It could involve advanced security systems, fortified enclaves, or even enhanced bodies that ensure their safety from threats in the lower districts.
• Unlimited Luxury: Unfettered access to the latest technology, exotic pleasures, and the ability to indulge in every whim could be the ultimate goal for some. However, such a luxurious life might feel hollow in a world so divided.
• Power and Control: Maintaining absolute control over society and ensuring their dominance could be the ultimate prize for some in the elite. This control could involve advanced technology, manipulation of information, or even a form of social engineering that keeps the lower districts docile.

A Different Perspective:

• A Spark of Change: Perhaps the most valuable thing wouldn't be a physical object or individual benefit, but the hope for a better future. It could be a growing sense of defiance, a technological breakthrough that could benefit everyone, or a leader who inspires change. Even in a harsh world, the potential for a brighter future could be the most valuable thing of all.

Ultimately, the best thing in this world depends on your story and the characters' values. What are they fighting for? What would make their lives better? By exploring these questions, you can create a compelling world where the "best thing" is a powerful motivator for your characters and a reflection of the themes you want to explore.

What would be the best possible symbol for high-tech-based dominance?

Here are a few options for a symbol of high-tech dominance in your world, each capturing a different aspect of technological control:

1. The Augmented Eye:

• Description: Imagine a stylized eye, perhaps metallic or with glowing circuitry. This symbol could be worn as a piece of jewelry, incorporated into clothing, or even projected as a hologram.
• Symbolism: The Augmented Eye represents the constant surveillance and monitoring of the population by the elite. It signifies the loss of privacy and the ability of the ruling class to see and control everything.
• Additional Details: The eye could have multiple pupils or flicker with different colors, representing the vast amount of data being collected and analyzed. It could also be embedded with a tiny camera, blurring the line between symbol and surveillance tool.

1. The Neural Network Spire:

• Description: A towering structure, resembling a branching network of wires or organic neural pathways, reaching towards the sky. This spire could be located in the heart of the elite district, a visible symbol of their technological prowess.
• Symbolism: The Neural Network Spire represents the vast computational power and interconnectedness of the elite's technology. It suggests their ability to access information, control communication, and manipulate minds.
• Additional Details: The spire could emit a faint hum or glow, hinting at the constant processing power it represents. Its intricate design could be both awe-inspiring and intimidating, reflecting the duality of technology.

1. The Glimmering Hand (Data Hand):

• Description: A stylized metallic hand, outstretched with its fingers spread wide. Each fingertip could have a different symbol or icon, representing different forms of data (statistics, surveillance footage, code).
• Symbolism: The Glimmering Hand represents the elite's ability to manipulate and control data. It signifies their power to shape information, influence perception, and control resources through technology.
• Additional Details: The hand could be made of a smooth, reflective metal, symbolizing the cold logic of data analysis. It could also emit faint streams of data or project holographic information, further emphasizing its control over information flow.

These symbols all offer a distinct way to represent the dominance of high-tech in your world. Consider the specific aspects of technology you want to highlight and the message you want to convey. These options provide a starting point to create a powerful symbol that embodies the oppressive yet awe-inspiring nature of technology in a high-tech, low-life society.

What would be the best set of symbols for resistance movements within such high-tech low-life settings?

In a high-tech, low-life world, symbols for a resistance movement need to be subtle, easily hidden, and adaptable to a world saturated with technology. Here are a few options that capture the spirit of rebellion in this unique setting:

1. The Flickering Flame:

• Description: A simple flickering flame, either a physical lighter or a stylized image. This could be a tattoo, a graffiti tag, or a hidden symbol incorporated into clothing or tools.
• Symbolism: The flickering flame represents hope and defiance against the cold, sterile control of the high-tech world. It symbolizes a yearning for a simpler life and the potential for change.
• Additional Details: The flame could be accompanied by a simple inscription or code that only members of the resistance understand. It could also be a specific color, like blue or orange, that signifies defiance.

1. The Glitching Gear:

• Description: A stylized gear symbol, but with a section that appears to glitch or malfunction. This could be displayed on a data pad, worn as a pendant, or even etched onto tools or scavenged materials.
• Symbolism: The glitching gear represents the disruption of the established order. It signifies the resistance's ability to exploit the flaws in the high-tech system and their fight for a more organic, less controlled society.
• Additional Details: The glitching portion of the gear could flicker or change colors, representing the unpredictable nature of the resistance and their ability to adapt to new situations.

1. The Broken Wing:

• Description: An image of a bird's wing, either broken or only partially formed. This could be a symbol of freedom yearning to be achieved, or the struggle of the resistance against the oppressive technological cage that confines them.
• Symbolism: The broken wing represents the desire for liberation and the belief that the people can rise above the control of the elite. It signifies the hope for a better future where freedom and autonomy are attainable.
• Additional Details: The broken wing could be depicted with feathers falling away, symbolizing the sacrifices made by the resistance. It could also be paired with an image of a rising sun, symbolizing a new dawn for society.

1. The Hacked Flower:

• Description: A simple flower image, but with its petals made of circuit boards or technological components. This symbol represents the fusion of nature and technology, hinting at the resistance's fight for a more balanced future.
• Symbolism: The hacked flower represents the reclamation of beauty and nature in a world dominated by technology. It signifies the hope for a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
• Additional Details: The flower could be a specific species native to the area before the rise of high-tech dominance. It could also be a symbol of a specific leader or movement within the resistance.

These symbols are just a starting point – get creative and consider the specific values and goals of your resistance movement. Remember, the best symbols are those that resonate with the characters and the audience, conveying the essence of rebellion in a way that is both meaningful and visually striking.