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Mighty Morphin' Face Morphers!

2014.01.31 19:25 ThatNordicGuy Mighty Morphin' Face Morphers!

A place for sharing and admiring face morphs of all shapes and sizes.
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2024.05.20 02:40 Purple_Ad3714 29 ways demons Enter

Common Channeling- 29 Ways Demons Enter

  1. Ouija Board-Reputable spiritual leaders and experts have long warned against using Ouija Boards and their variants, as they can potentially expose individuals to malevolent forces. The idea of “safe” communication with angels through these boards is often a deceptive marketing ploy.
  2. Angel Boards—While proponents may claim that Angel Boards provide a safe and spiritual way to connect with the divine, these devices can open the door to potential dangers. The use of such boards has been linked to occult practices and the summoning of entities that may not have our best interests in mind.
  3. Consulting spiritual mediums—Spirit mediums claim to communicate with the dead. In a world of uncertainty, many people turn to spirit mediums for guidance, closure, and a connection to the beyond. These individuals claim to be able to communicate with the dead, see into the future, and uncover hidden truths. But are these abilities genuine or merely an elaborate illusion? However, the validity of these claims has long been a subject of skepticism and debate.
  4. Consulting psychics – Delving into the realm of the occult, where demonic forces are said to hold sway, carries with it a weight of spiritual and moral consequence that should not be taken lightly. As rational beings, we must carefully examine the claims made by those who purport to possess the ability to peer into the future and question the true source of their knowledge.
  5. Demon Teleaphaty – The mechanics of this demonic telepathy are not fully understood, but it is believed to operate on a metaphysical level beyond the normal bounds of the physical world. The demon’s consciousness somehow intertwines with the host’s, allowing for the seamless injection of foreign thoughts and urges. This creates an intimate, parasitic connection that the victim may be powerless to resist or expel.
  6. Spells – These carefully crafted incantations are more than words – they are the fabric of enchantment, woven together to manifest desired outcomes.
  7. Curses – These spoken words of harm or punishment, imbued with the power of magic, have the potential to wreak havoc on the lives of their targets
  8. Fortunetelling – Whether through interpreting dreams, reading tarot cards, or analyzing astrological patterns, the art of foretelling offers a unique perspective on the unfolding of events.
  9. Spirit guides – Through channeling, we can summon spirit guides that are aligned with our unique needs and highest good. These guides come in many forms – from departed loved ones to angelic beings to ascended masters – each offering a distinct perspective and specialized knowledge.
  10. Satanism – Satanism is not about worshipping a literal Satan but rather an extreme form of individualism and self-worship. Satanists believe in taking responsibility for their own actions and pursuing their desires without guilt or shame.
  11. Witchcraft involves harnessing the natural energies of the world around us and using them to manifest our desires. Whether casting a spell to attract abundance, performing a ritual to enhance personal growth, or simply connecting with the earth’s rhythms.
  12. Automatic handwriting involves the spirit or energy of a deceased individual taking control of the subject’s hand and guiding the pen across the page to convey their thoughts and wisdom.
  13. Astral Projections -This out-of-body experience allows the astral body to explore the spiritual dimensions beyond our physical world.
  14. Generational Demons – These “generational demons” are dark patterns and destructive tendencies that seep into our lives through our bloodline. While it may feel like an inescapable fate, we have the power to break these cycles of darkness.
  15. Spiritual Husband or Wife plaguing unsuspecting individuals – the rise of the “spirit spouse” or “spirit husband/wife.” This demonic entity assumes the identity of a person’s spouse, infiltrating their lives and relationships with the sole purpose of spiritual and emotional destruction. Sexual demons
  16. Physical sex-straight or gay

Negative Emotions

Negative emotions can serve as a gateway for demonic influences to take hold in our lives. It’s essential to be aware of how these toxic feelings can open the door for malevolent forces to infiltrate our existence.
Emotions like anger, fear, resentment, and jealousy can act as conduits for demons to enter and wreak havoc. Unresolved trauma, addictions, and unhealthy attachments also make us vulnerable to potential demonic possession.
We must be vigilant in addressing and overcoming these negative emotional states. Failure to do so can pave the way for dark energies to take root and cause untold damage. By cultivating positivity, self-awareness, and spiritual fortitude, we can safeguard ourselves against the insidious influence of demonic forces that seek to prey upon our weaknesses.

Understanding the Connection Between Demons and Negative Emotions

By understanding the connection between negative emotions and demonic presence, individuals can take proactive steps to safeguard their mental and spiritual well-being. Cultivating positive thoughts and emotions is crucial to creating a protective shield against these malevolent forces. Through forgiveness, mindfulness, self-reflection, and spiritual practices, we can fortify our defenses and reclaim our lives from the grip of these unwanted entities.
Anger, fear, resentment, jealousy, and other toxic feelings open the door for these malevolent forces to infiltrate our lives. Unresolved trauma, addictions, and unhealthy attachments also make us vulnerable to demonic possession.
By understanding the connection between negative emotions and demonic presence, individuals can take proactive steps to safeguard their mental and spiritual well-being. Cultivating positive thoughts and emotions is crucial to creating a protective shield against these malevolent forces. Through mindfulness, self-reflection, and spiritual practices, we can fortify our defenses and reclaim our lives from the grip of these unwanted entities.

Common types of negative emotions intensified by demons:

  1. fear (all types)
  2. Suicide
  3. Jealousy
  4. Bitterness
  5. Strife
  6. Depression
  7. worry
  8. pride
  9. fatigue
  10. Addictions
  11. Gluttony
  12. Generational bloodline Detecting these generational bloodline demons is no easy task as they remain hidden, subtly shaping one’s emotional state over time. The transfer of these demons through bloodlines perpetuates a cycle of negativity that persists until confronted and cast out. Understanding and addressing these vulnerable moments is crucial in breaking free from their grip and reclaiming emotional well-being for oneself and future generations.

Christians Can Have a Demon

Christians have a Demon because they sin. What are some other reasons Christians can have a demon?
In addition, Christians can have a demon if they invite a demon to direct communication. Christians participating in channeling activities can have demons because they have violated a very important spiritual law. This spiritual law states God does not want anyone to communicate with other spirits.
This is a common reason that all Christians have a demon because they sin and do not repent. In reality, many Christians can have demons because they do not believe in the devil or know how to protect themselves from the devil.
God does not force Christians to follow Him alone. If a Christian invites a demon to communicate, God will permit the demon’s entrance. Even if the person wants the demon to leave, the demon will stay unless it is cast out by self-deliverance (for Christians), self-exorcism, or exorcism with a deliverance team.
submitted by Purple_Ad3714 to aboutdemons [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:35 VibingTerrorist [EARTHMOVER] turns your life around.

Stand name: Earthmover
Stand user: André
Namesake: Earthmover from the album "Deathconsciousness" by Have a Nice Life
Appearance: Earthmover is a non-sentient, semi-humanoid stand that manifests as a cyan colored robotic entity with no legs. Instead, there are four tendril-shaped appendages jutting out of its torso and digging into the ground. Earthmover has no facial features except for a set of gritted teeth, on its forehead, it has a long, slim cannon which resembles the barrel of a sniper rifle.
Ability: Earthmover can shoot out small glass marbles at very long distances, they might seem harmless at first, but their special ability is that anything that comes in contact with the marbles will immediately bounce in a certain direction that was already predetermined by André. They then will ricochet against any surface they hit.
But that's where the true power of Earthmover comes in..If the object that is currently bouncing touches another object, the latter will be propelled and begin to ricochet with even more force than the last, and the cycle goes on until you've got a deadly chain reaction.
Stand stats:
Destructive power: C
Speed: A
Durability: D
Range: A
Precision: B
tell me in the comments if you wanna see this stand drawn or not idk
submitted by VibingTerrorist to fanStands [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:13 speedyBoi96240 Round 4: the phantom-weight champion versus the exalted seraph

Round 4: the phantom-weight champion versus the exalted seraph
Spitfire slumped over and trudged out of the arena.
His worldview had been altered severely.
Not once in his life had he ever thought about giving an opponent respect on their deathbed.
But there was just something about that fight that shook his head for him.
He ended his round the least injured of anyone before him.
An incredible feat considering the two before him were amongst the strongest skylanders.
But not only that, round 3 had left the arena in the best state so far.
Not many wounds lay upon the battlefield this time giving the cleaners a well deserved break after the catastrophic damage caused in the first 2 rounds.
Ambush sat in the stands blown away by what he had just witnessed, other skylanders, mabu and greebles were loudly discussing the outcome.
A large and intimidating figure loomed towards ambush.
When it reached him a gruff yet booming voice greeted him.
“AMBUSH MY GOOD FRIEND ITS NICE TO SEE YOU, WHAT DID I MISS?” Is what the man said.
Ambush slightly startled turned to the man knowing exactly who he was.
“Tri tip… ive told you countless times that you need to use your inside voice more often” ambush responded.
“BUT AMBUSH MY GOOD FRIEND, THIS IS NO TIME FOR SILENCE, THIS IS TIME FOR UPROAR!” Tri tip countered.
“Yes yes i suppose an event this exhilarating doesnt happen every day… now you asked what you missed correct?”.
“YEYUP”.
“Well that spitfire just turned our fellow miss boom bloom into past tense”.
“WHAT?”.
“I forget you're not the brightest… ahem, boom bloom is dead, spitfire killed her”.
“WOAH, SOMEONE ACTUALLY BEAT A SENSEI? AMAZING!” tri tip seemed very happy for someone who had just lost a colleague and friend.
“Disturbing priorities aside how is king pen doing?”.
“OH YEAH I JUST SAW HIM, HE SHOULD BE SHIP SHAPE BY THE END OF THE NEXT ROUND HE SAID”.
“Brilliant, i may have to fight again soon, i dont want him in the hospital for that”.
“SO WHO’S UP NEXT?” Tri tip questioned.
“Well if you had ever learnt to read you would see the notice board over there” ambush pointed to a large board hovering above the arena as if by magic.
“WHEN ONE IS AS IN TOUCH WITH THE POWER OF THE CLUB AS I AM READING PALES IN COMPARISON MY FRIEND”.
“Oh no doubt” ambush mocked “well it says the next to fight are night shift and knight light”.
Tri tips eyes widened “NO WAY! THE KNIGHT LIGHT? YOU MEAN…”.
“I do… the only knight i have ever trained, to surpass me…”.
“WOW! I MEAN JUST WOW! WITH A MAN LIKE THAT FIGHTING MY CLUB WANES FOR MY ROUND EVEN MORE!” Tri tips joy could not be contained and exploded out into a destructive little dance that he performed so carelessly that he accidentally trampled a mabu or two yet failed to notice.
Suddenly a voice echoed throughout the stadium.
“ATTENTION VIEWERS OF THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT EXTRAVAGANZA TO GRACE THIS WORLD IN CENTURIES!” The voice seemed to be coming from speakers placed around the stands.
“ROUND 4 OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL BEGIN SHORTLY! DONT FORGET TO PLACE YOUR BETS AND PLEASE MAKE SURE ANY CHILDREN WITHIN THE VICINITY ARE VACATED IMMEDIATELY”.
“That’s the que tri tip…” ambush said.
tri tip abruptly stopped his dance and swung himself onto one of the benches and yelled “OH SWEET! I CANT WAIT”.
“No need to, looks like the fighters are already stepping up to the plate” ambush pointed out.
“BRILLIANT! THEY REALLY DID MEAN SHORTLY WHEN THEY SAID SHORTLY!”.
“Excellent observation…” ambush said as he rolled his eyes.
Before anyone knew it the fighters of round 4 were staring each other down just like the six others before them.
Knight light brandished his traptanium scimitar with a stoic expression on his face and night shift was shadow boxing the air inbetween the both of them.
Both fighters took their professions before becoming skylanders very seriously.
One was an all star in the ring, revered and highly admired amongst the viewership.
The other was a knight like no other, an angelic swordsman that wore armour fashioned by the most esteemed blacksmiths and craftsmen skylands had ever known.
Even with all of this being popular lore amongst skylands, no one could have forseen what would take place the millisecond the bell rang, no one except the two in the ring.
Thats right, a ring, the very place night shift was the reigning champion in for most of his life, until he was forced out due to the officals having to ban his signature techniques.
Thats right, they had to ban his fighting style to give anyone a chance.
But in this ring…
He was free.
He could do anything he wanted to the man that stood before him.
And night shift displayed his understanding of this once the bell rang…
The vampiric boxer opened with a swift chomp to knight lights shoulder.
And to everyones suprise…
It broke through his armour…
The same armour that had never been pierced, not even by the most divine weapons in skylands.
Knight light was the only person who was unfazed.
“Impressive…” Knight light praised.
“You’re impressed by this, boy? Trust me this is nothing compared to what you have yet to see…” night shift stated condescendingly but truthfully.
“Is that so? Then please, show me…” Knight light said confidently.
Night shift smiled and responded with a technique he liked to call the over underhand.
A powerful attack that ended 86% of his fights during his hayday.
This involves throwing a simple over hand punch at range, then when the opponent least expects it, using his teleportation he would instantly move in close and throw a powerful under hand strike that embodies the true damage of the technique as opposed to the diversion the first hit is meant to be.
So when he performed this on knight light you best believe it did some real damage.
Knight light attempted a block on the over hand like so many did in the past.
However he simply could not react to the under hand just like everyone else.
The resulting damage from the attack left a boxing glove sized hole in knight lights armour revealing his stomach.
“Remarkable, i never thoug-” knight light started before being interupted by a lightning fast barrage of punches that were thrown at him.
Each punch dented his armour and spread cracks across its surface.
Just after a few seconds of the barrage happening knight light had decided that he had had enough…
He lifted his hand and bent his fingers like he was holding a sphere before launching a bright flash of light at night shift.
“Fighting dirty are we? I can do that too…” knight light said as his opponent was violently blinded.
Night shift still had his guard up however, so when knight light swung his scimitar with enough strength to cleave a mountain in two it was not a lethal blow.
His knuckle had a chip in it and a tear in one of his coveted gloves was made but overall no problematic damage was taken.
An impressive display of a boxing champions instinct that shocked the crowd.
“WOW! THIS SHIFTY GUY HAS SOME REAL SKILLS” tri tip yelled to ambush over the cheering audience.
“Indeed, however knight light isnt even attempting to win yet…” ambush responded.
“WHAT!? THIS IS LITERALLY A FIGHT TO THE DEATH WHAT COULD HE BE WAITING FOR??” tri tip replied in a perplexed manner.
“He knows that night shift is not just all stats”.
“WHAT?”.
Sigh night shift has a trump card and knight light is trying to bait it out” ambush explained.
“AHHH SO HE’S USING HIS BRAIN TO FIGHT! I NEVER REALLY GOT USED TO THAT” tri tip said honestly.
“That is unfortunately excruciatingly evident…”.
“YEAH WELL YOUR BIG FANCY WORDS HAVE NOTHING ON MY CLUB!” Tri tip yelled defensively.
“Yes im sure thats the case, now lets just focus on the match” ambush redirected.
“FINE! BUT ONLY BECAUSE THAT ONES THROWING A HAYMAKER!!”.
and sure enough if you were watching the fight in that very moment you would see a still blinded night shift throw a devestatingly powerful punch that made a perfect connection with the skull of his opponent.
A large shockwave was created by the impact and the tiles of the arena crumbled but more importantly knight lights helmet shattered into a thousand pieces.
The man who's face had not been seen ever since his duty of protecting the starlight began…
Had eyes cast upon that very face for the first time since then.
Underneath he was not a gruff viking or an ascended immortal, instead he was just a person, like everyone else.
All of the legends that were told about him had clouded everyones view of such a figure.
The revealing of his face made knight light feel more human, it grounded him for the first time in a while, like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
So the act came off, the veil was lifted and he spoke… “you shitty old man…”.
At the very sight of hearing such words from this man the crowd silenced themselves.
“Do you really think anything you have done so far is impressive?” He continued
“Do you really think someone like me could ever be compared to you?”
“Well… i thought those things too, until that punch just now” knight light smiled a comforting smile
“All of my battles and feats placed me on a pedestal that i wasnt worthy of in my eyes”
“But you have just brought me down into a sport”
“A place i can be myself and not the stoic hero everyone thinks i am”
“So for that i thank you”
“Ya done squirt?” Night shift grumbled obviously just regaining his eyesight.
“I am” knight light responded.
“Good, because all of this character development is real nice n’ all but i want to know why, even after everything i’ve thrown at you…”
“You’re still in the same spot you started the match in”
The crowd remained silent but in response to night shifts statement the silence grew louder.
No one had realised it but even after taking hits that easily broke his armour not once had knight lights feet ever left the ground, not once had he ever been knocked backwards, not once had he cried out in pain and whats more? Not once had he bled.
“Well you see… my armour is moreso for theatrics, batman has his outfit, superman has his and so does wonder woman” knight light answered.
“Are you sassing me compadre?” Night shift snarled.
“Not at all! It is strong armour no doubt but my armour is never what made me strong, no no you see my bones and muscles were enhanced by the starlight itself, after a millenia within its proximity, intern granting me enormous power”.
“You talk like your blood is gold and honestly that makes my blood boil but what you're telling me scares me…”.
“Why’s that?”.
“Because if what you said was true that means… that swing you took at me whilst i was blind, was your absolute weakest possible attack”.
“Atleast it wasn’t obvious” knight light chuckled.
The crowd began getting loud at the changing tides, this fight just went from fairly even to a massive mismatch.
However an interesting development in knight lights demeanour was noticeable as it was no longer pompous and gallant but he was a lot more lax despite still displaying faint hints of those aforementioned traits.
“Since a funeral is gonna have to happen soon its best we get back to the fight” night shift yawned.
“We probably should but don’t dig your own grave like that, its unbecoming of a champion”.
“Oh i wasn’t talking about me pal… ive got no one to attend my funeral”.
“Ah a lonely road you’ve paved i take it?”.
Night shifts eye twitched with irritation “let’s just box, im sick of hearing shakespear”.
“As you wish” knight light obliged and opened with a brutal yet glamorous attack.
This attack wasn’t even initiated by so little as a gesture.
It simply started with light pouring out of knight lights body.
This light was very water like and flowed gracefully before sharpening and becoming rigid.
Once solid it wrapped around night shift before he had any hope of reacting to such an attack.
It then pulled him towards knight light who began to charge up a special type of swing.
One that follows through beyond all the way.
This technique was one that had slain many elderitch horrors in the past and its name was “the celestial vortex”.
Once night shift was stunned, helpless and in range knight light let loose…
He swung his scimitar, but not just regularly, like i said, beyond all the way.
The second half of the celestial vortex consists of a 1080 degree spin with the traptanium scimitar.
This means the attack encompasses the full area around knight light and strikes three seperate times with powerful blows.
And so that is exactly what happened to night shift…
The first hit ripped through his ghastly body, the second shattered his mortal bones and the third killed him.
Or so everyone thought because although his body laid lifeless on the ground moments after the incredible attack, a coffin manifested around it out of nowhere.
This coffin had an ominous aura that swirled in demonic fury around it.
But not long after appearing it burst open and a good as new night shift was there ready to settle the score.
“Suprise, im immortal” he said with an astonishing amount of hubris for a man who just got diced in three seperate ways.
“So thats it is it?” Knight light in the arena and ambush in the audience understood the event at the same time and prefaced this with the exact same words.
“THATS GOTTA BREAK SOME KIND OF RULE RIGHT!?” tri tip roared in signature sportsfan fashion.
“Well surely an opponent that can’t die has a supreme advantage in a battle to the death yes, however there may be ways around it we are currently unaware of” ambush tried to approach the situation with logic and reason.
“NA THIS GUY IS GONNA WIN THE ENTIRE THING, THIS JUST GOT BORING IM OUT” tri tip angrily hopped out of his seat and turned to leave the stadium.
Instead he bumped into an individual almost as large as himself.
It was king pen, still bandaged up a tad but overall he seemed in good health.
“Now now tri tip, did the club not teach you patience?” King pen persuaded.
“WHA- KING PEN YOU’RE BACK UP AND RUNNING ALREADY!?” Tri tip was startled by the sudden appearance of his leader, mentor and friend.
“Why yes i am, and im glad to say i did not miss too much of this spectacular match”.
“BUT YOU SAID YOU’D BE READY BY THE END OF ROUND 4”.
“Oh silly tri tip, always being so dense, thats what i love about you, theres no bigger picture in your mind. Can’t you see the round is already coming to a close?” His words sounded harsh but they were comforting and professional in a strange way.
“I- IT IS?”.
“Just watch, my friend” king pen put a hand on the shoulder tri tip did not have his club over and guided him back into his seat then sat peacefully beside him.
Night shift was still, his guard was raised and his eyes were focused.
Knight light was obviously brain storming, desperately trying to find a way he could overcome immortality.
But it wasn’t possible…
There isn’t a way to kill an opponent that can’t die…
All he could do was smile softly.
“There may be nothing i can do to you vampire… however! I will put up my very best against you!” He said confidently.
“Id expect nothing less” night shift replied in agreement with his philosophy.
And so knight light engaged with a heavy swing downwards onto night shift who swiftly teleported out of the way.
Knight light spun around with another ferocious swing that again was dodged easily.
The powerful shockwaves from these attacks tore apart the arena violently.
Many more swings were performed and each successive one had more power than the last.
After 12 or so more attacks night shift performed his final dodge.
Not to say he got hit no, he simply began charging up a powerful punch in response to knight lights onslought.
This was no ordinary punch however.
The way he tensed his phantom muscles was very unique.
He held the power that he would normally release into one of his jabs.
This subsequently multiplied the force that the punch would exert.
But the main problem was that he had to hold the punch for a while.
A feat that wasn’t easy with an actively attacking opponent.
So when knight light began another swing, night shift tapped into a power that would majorly help him.
This power allowed him to constantly teleport to every location simultaneously within a small area around knight light.
This made him virtually unhittable.
He called it “the ghost gods ring”.
Knight light was completely perplexed by the sight of such an ability.
His attacks halted and his brain was scattered in thought.
But again everything has a downside and this technique drained night shifts stamina incredibly fast.
At the very least he had to throw this powerful punch with enough energy to not make it a dud.
However he only had this one chance to do it…
It was an all or nothing approach but it was the only way he could ever hope to win.
So he channelled both techniques for an entire minute.
A minute is what he assumed to be the perfect amount of time but really he had no clue.
A constant minute of being omnipresent in a specific section of the arena…
A constant minute of having his very internal forces gestate and multiply within his muscles…
This was an incredibly risky play to make, if he didnt end this with this attack he was absolutely done for.
His body would be destroyed internally and he would be forced to die over and over again until he had regained enough energy to try it again.
But now was the time to launch it…
He methodically stopped his rapid teleportation behind knight light.
Then he released all of the pent up force he had been holding in, into a full fledged super punch.
The punch radiated power, it generated shockwaves just by existing.
Reality warped and light bended around it.
The size of the fist grew to a humongous size as if by the will of the universe.
This attack was called “The pinnacle of punches” and it ended 1% of night shifts matches back in the day.
It came into contact with knight light before he even realised what was happening.
Steam was being let off in every direction and the surrounding section of the arena was levelled completely with nothing built by mabu remaining.
Knight lights last few pieces of armour turned to dust.
All that survived was his boots and his pants.
Night shift struggled to keep the punch thrown.
His vision swayed and his energy dwindled but he kept holding out for the win.
Well he did until…
His fist exploded.
The sheer pressure of the clash was too much for his hand to take.
Everyone including both fighters were absolutely gobsmacked with this development in the fight.
But what they were to see next would set the precedent…
that this fight was unwinnable…
Knight light appeared to have taken zero damage from that attack.
And whats worse was the fact that his feet were still in the exact same spot they had been in the entire fight.
The first person to realise the match was a lost cause was none other than night shift himself.
“So thats it huh…” he said in a hushed tone
“You are one hell of a guy”
“You took the best i had…”
“And you’re not just still standing…”
“You didn’t even budge, you didn’t even bruise”
“The only one who got hurt by that hit was me”
“And honestly i’d be pissed if it didn’t…”
“That was the strongest punch i have ever thrown and im proud of it”
“But more importantly im concerned about this match now…”
“Neither of us can kill the other, i can’t put a dent on ya and you can’t put me down for good”
“So what’re we gon’ do?” He finished
“While i appreciate your praise and your power i actually did think of a way to kill you” knight light confessed.
If everyone wasn’t already silent from shock they were now.
“You did?” Night shift asked intrigued.
“Yeah but before i show you i just wanted to say a few things”
“I’ve never had such an intense fight”
“Its been a real rollercoaster and to be quite honest at the beginning i thought you were just a grumpy old fart”
“But you exceeded every expectation i had of you”
“And just for you im gonna try to talk normally from now on” he finished the sentence with one last comforting smile
“Hehe… i’d say your doing a great job, i understood every word you said just fine” night shift chuckled.
The whole crowd was dying to know what knight light had in store for them.
No one could believe a way to kill the unkillable existed.
But little did they know…
Knight light was about to invent one…
“Alright!” He yelled to gather everyones attention
“Observe! For you won’t see a more impressive attack as long as you venture within this realm!” He said raising his arms, one holding his scimitar
“So much for talking normally…” night shift mumbled.
All of the spectators viewed intently only to see…
Knight light doing the unthinkable before doing the even more unthinkable.
He stepped forward…
For the first time in this match he had moved out of his starting position.
A thing that would be commonplace in any other fight had become suprising to see in this one.
But he didn’t step forward for no reason no, he took a stance with his scimitar over his head in the air.
He was slightly crouched and he held his free hand outwards like he was stopping someone.
His wings outstretched themselves as if ready to take flight.
Now that all of the preparation was done he inhaled slowly then exhaled even slower…
Suddenly a pool of light formed around his feet and expanded to encompass a large area around him.
Then his body began to glow with a radiant light, like that of the sun.
The very same light encircled his sword and began to wrap around it like a web that flexed and vibrated in a helix pattern.
“Your fighting style reminded me of something…” he began
“The way you made yourself seem numerous and the fact that every punch you threw was stunningly beautiful”
“It just brought stars to my mind”
“And what was around before the stars?”
“Nothing”
“So thats exactly what this attack will do”
“Not nothing, but it will completely erase anything in its path, wiping anything from the face of reality”
The crowd loudly discussed this revelation.
Ofcourse it was so simple yet no one else had ever thought of it.
The crowd seemed to understand the weight of these statements.
But one question was asked numerous times within their discussions.
Could an attack really remove something from the world for good?
Well…
Knight light would be about to answer that question…
For when he swings his blade…
The truth will be evident.
“In a way this attack will be named after you…” knight light was still talking as the attack was charging
“You inspired it…” the light danced around him in the air and shimmered on his body
“And Im going to name it after the inspiration” his scimitar was glowing with a very volatile and unstable light that shifted tones so much no one could determine its colour
“It must be an honour having to be killed this way…” his muscles tensed in response to the light moving on his body as if they were soaking it in like a plant
“Likewise its an honour having to kill you this way…” the very air in the stadium began to sparkle like glitter
“That’s why im calling this ability, the highest possible grade of attack that can ever be reached, “the brightest constellation” as soon as he finished those words knight light jumped into the air
“I couldn’t have had a better opponent in this here match today… thank you” night shift heroically stood proud ready to embrace death as he said his final words.
The jump knight light performed broke the sound barrier and created a sonic boom that sent people in the stadium flying off of their seats.
The liquid light that covered the floor of the arena attempted to follow him up into the sky, this created a bunch of pillars that were formed out of this light.
Once knight light reached the apex of his jump he began hovering in place with his wings.
“I thank you too…” he muttered knowing that only he could hear anything he had to say.
Then he readied his scimitar and began a skydive back down to the arena.
Light encompassed his body like a cacoon.
It swirled enchantingly around him.
On the otherhand the light on his blade began to erupt with an unsettling degree of colour.
Before he knew it he was nearing the ground.
In preparation he held his sword in the swinging position.
Then when he was within the boundaries of the stadium again he swung his blade horizontally towards night shift with the momentum of his skydive included.
All of the light within his blade, surrounding him and on the floor of the arena shot at night shift.
He landed shortly after.
Before reaching night shift the light transformed into stars that were linked together by lines, they resembled constellations incredibly well.
But they didn’t last long because shortly after coming into creation they detonated and discharged a beyond blinding amount of light.
Everyone in the audience could not see as a result of this.
The attack was the mother of all flashbangs and everyone going wild in the stands proved it.
The fact that they could not see meant they could not know what happened to night shift.
And that was the main focus right in this moment.
Everyone NEEDED to know what had happened.
But no one would get an answer until the first few viewers regained their eyesight.
After 19 excruciatingly long and chaotic minutes the very first people able to see again witnessed the state the arena was in.
The entire third of the arena night shift was stood in…
Had been decimated…
It looked as though it had been carved right down to nothing, it boasted a weirdly smooth and eerie shape.
Almost like within a radius of that attack, things had indeed been set to zero.
But no one knew how.
No one except knight light.
Who was smiling with a tear in his eye.
he grimly said with a catch in his throat “i’ll come to your funeral night shift…”.
THE WINNER OF THIS BOUT IS KNIGHT LIGHT, THE EXALTED SERAPH!
submitted by speedyBoi96240 to skylanders [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:09 companionspecies My party is in an airship that's about to crash, and they just found out the escape pods are gone. What are some ways they could save themselves?

My party is in an airship that is flying high over the ocean, and it's about to be attacked by dragons. Beneath the ship, on the surface of the water, is a massive teleportation circle to another plane, meant to spirit away anyone not killed in the attack. Long story short-this attack is an act of political sabotage, as the ship is full of politicians, nobles, dignitaries from a nearby kingdom.
I want to open doors for my party to save themselves, not die, and not get teleported if they can help it. This means prepping some possible ways they might A: fall safely and B: keep control of the situation during the attack, in the air, and on the ocean. I want the attack to be part of the game, not an unwinnable scenario, so I want to give them breadcrumbs toward saving themselves.
I want to prep some descriptions of what OTHER guests are during the attack, as a way to give the party some ideas. The other guests are powerful people, so they'd likely have ways of protecting themselves and fleeing, like Wild Shape, Feather Fall, or Fly. Though this doesn't solve what to do for defense or once they hit the water- the dragons will likely attack there as well
submitted by companionspecies to DMAcademy [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:03 LatterWoodpecker7631 Doctor in Whales/Scotland with healing powers via cannibalism of morgue

The book takes place in a creepy old clinic/hospital on a knoll in either Scotland or Whales.
The main character was an Indian man who had a picture similar to that building and was looking for it. He was searching for a venerated religious figure/incarnation of some kind, and got a job as a maintenance guy at the clinic. The job was also somehow related to the morgue of the clinic.
The other characters were the doctor of the clinic and some other Indian guy he had angst with because he was part of a different group with contrasting dietary restrictions, and who he called a "filthy fish eater''.
The plot gets going when the doctor palpates a man's cancerous prostate gland and parts of the tumor disappear in the shape of fingers. A fuss starts up because the doctor is healing people; the doctor's wife's leg cancer goes away, more people start showing up to be healed.
It turns out the doctor is eating the flesh of cadavers in the morgue to maintain his powers. The doctor either dies or takes off and the powers start to fade.
The book ends with the doctor's wife feeling pain in her leg, and the resolution is that all the healing power held up by the cannibalism is going to start to fade away.
Fiction, probably written pre-2000s, read in English, and was a book my mom read a good long time ago but could never find again, and I'm hoping to be able to find it to give to her as a birthday gift.
submitted by LatterWoodpecker7631 to whatsthatbook [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:59 ChiriVulpes I’ve been working on an item manager since Season of the Haunted

Once upon a time, I made a GitHub issue for a feature I wanted in DIM, and it was declined. A day later I started working with the API, and two years later (oh god) I have an app that maybe a dozen people use, while having many features that other item managers don’t have (or have, but do in more annoying ways.)
I have spent probably between 2k and 3k hours on this app, so I figured enough was enough, I need to just stop worrying about having the perfect first impression and tell people about it. My greatest hope here is that there are other people this can be useful for so that all the time I’ve spent on it isn’t a waste anymore >.<
Before I go any further, I’m going to link it, if you’d like to check it out: deepsight.gg
But for everyone else, here's a list of features: - UI emulating the aesthetic of in-game - Basic item management - Fully customisable sort - Filtering via input with highlighting & buttons to insert suggested filters - Collections view (also sort & filterable) - Seeing encounters things drop from in extra item tooltip information, when they’re currently available - Wishlisting any number of perk combinations on collections items via UI - Player overview over all three characters, showing power overview (current and maximum), stats overview (armour) - Pattern icon on weapons is based on current pattern progress (orange = this is shaped, black = random roll now useless because pattern unlocked, white = still need pattern progress) - Bookmark icon on items indicating in a loadout - Second tooltip showing more information like available perks, or for shaped weapons the levels you’ll be able to reshape perks on at, or for enhanced weapons, the tier they need to be at - Setting a custom targeted stat distribution (ie, I want mobility at 2 for group 1, and resilience and recovery as high as possible) - Full support for D2Clarity perk info (including some features other apps don’t bother to support) - Spying on other guardians’ stuff — note that this is a new feature that still needs polishing - For other third party developers, a suite of my own automatically generated manifests made use of by deepsight and usable by you, too!
Features I haven’t gotten to yet: - Loadouts support - Optimising armour stats - Subclass support - Artifact support - Full mobile support - Further improving performance (I stg this is so complicated with the size of the D2 manifest)
I probably missed some features, but oh well, that’s most everything. :p
deepsight.gg is completely open source, licensed MIT, and if anyone has any issues or requests I’d love to see them there or in the Discord server.
If you give it a shot, or even if you just read through the post, thank you! It means a lot.
submitted by ChiriVulpes to DestinyTheGame [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:57 Soninetz Top 3 Wrike Alternatives: Feature Comparison Guide

Top 3 Wrike Alternatives: Feature Comparison Guide
Seeking viable alternatives to Wrike for your project management needs, especially for multiple projects, complex projects, gantt charts, and time tracking? In today's fast-paced digital landscape, having the right tools, such as robust project management and analytics, is crucial for success. As technology evolves, so do the options available to streamline your workflows and boost productivity through automation and project management tools. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, finding the perfect Wrike alternative task management tool can make all the difference in achieving your work management goals efficiently and effectively, especially when working on projects.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial

Key Takeaways

  • When exploring Wrike alternatives, consider the specific needs and requirements of your team, projects, project managers, and project management features to find the best fit.
  • Conduct a detailed feature and functionality comparison between Wrike and its alternatives, project management tools, to identify the solution that aligns most closely with your workflow and projects.
  • Take a close look at the pricing plans of different project management tools to ensure you get the best value for your investment in projects, gantt, teams, and time.
  • Summarize the pros and cons of each alternative to have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the options available.
  • To make an informed decision, prioritize factors such as ease of use, scalability, customer support, integration capabilities, and features.
  • By carefully evaluating these aspects, you can confidently choose a Wrike alternative that enhances your team's productivity and collaboration in work management tools.

Exploring Wrike Alternatives

ClickUp

ClickUp offers teams a comprehensive set of tools like Gantt charts, task management, and team collaboration. It stands out for its customizability, features, and ability to cater to various work styles and teams. The tool is ideal for agile project management and suits teams working on multiple projects simultaneously.

Asana

Asana focuses on providing intuitive workflows and streamlined task management. Its strength lies in facilitating project tracking and enhancing team collaboration. Asana is popular among teams looking for a user-friendly interface and efficient time tracking capabilities.
https://preview.redd.it/aq7rx6mq1h1d1.png?width=919&format=png&auto=webp&s=203ec85415aa491ddee1f0d713ff571aa396448f
Smarter teamwork starts here! 🧠 Try Wrike free and see the difference it makes.

Monday.com

Monday.com excels in offering visually appealing workflows and robust project management solutions. It is known for its emphasis on simplifying complex processes and enhancing team productivity. This tool targets project managers seeking a platform that can streamline their tasks efficiently, features a wrike alternative.

Feature and Functionality Comparison

Customization Options

ClickUp provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the platform to their specific needs. From custom fields to unique workflows, ClickUp offers a high level of flexibility.

Task Management Features

When comparing Asana and Monday.com, it's evident that both platforms excel in task management features. Asana focuses on detailed task assignments and progress tracking, while Monday.com emphasizes visual project organization.

User Interface and High-Level Views

Monday.com stands out for its intuitive user interface and diverse high-level views. Users can easily navigate through projects using multiple views like timeline, calendar, or Kanban boards, enhancing overall project visibility.

Overview of Pricing Plans

ClickUp Pricing Tiers

ClickUp offers a Free Forever Plan ideal for small teams with basic project management needs. The Unlimited Plan caters to growing teams with advanced features, while the Business Plan targets larger organizations requiring enhanced customization. ClickUp AI, their latest offering, integrates artificial intelligence to streamline workflows and boost productivity.

Asana Pricing Structures

Asana provides a range of plans including the Personal, Starter, and Advanced tiers. The Personal Plan is suitable for individuals managing personal projects, while the Starter Plan caters to small teams with essential project management tools. The Advanced Plan, powered by Wrike, offers advanced features for larger teams or organizations with complex project requirements.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial

Monday.com Cost Implications

Monday.com's pricing includes the Basic, Standard, Pro, and Enterprise plans. The Basic Plan is budget-friendly, suitable for small teams looking for essential project management features. The Standard Plan offers additional functionalities for growing teams, while the Pro Plan caters to larger organizations needing more customization options. Finally, the Enterprise Plan is tailored for extensive customization and enterprise-level support.

Pros and Cons Summary

ClickUp

Pros:
  • Customizable views allow users to tailor their workspace according to their preferences.
  • Custom fields enable users to add specific details and categorize tasks efficiently.
  • Templates provide ready-made structures for recurring projects, saving time and effort.

Asana

Strengths:
  • Known for its ease of use, Asana offers a user-friendly interface suitable for all team members.
  • Simplifies project management with its straightforward approach, making it an ideal choice for teams seeking a simple and efficient tool.

Monday.com

Cons:
  • While Monday.com offers a visually appealing platform, some users find its features not as in-depth compared to other alternatives like Wrike.

Making an Informed Decision

Project Needs

When selecting Wrike alternatives, consider your project's specific information and reporting requirements. Evaluate if the alternative offers robust communication tools and efficient scheduling features.

Team Size and Complexity

Take into account your team size and the complexity of your projects. Some alternatives may be more suitable for smaller teams with simpler workflows, while others cater to larger teams with intricate project structures.

Budget Constraints and Trial Periods

Factor in your budget constraints when exploring alternatives. Look for options that provide value for money without compromising on essential features. Prioritize platforms that offer trial periods or demos to test their suitability before committing.

Closing Thoughts

After exploring various Wrike alternatives, comparing their features, functionalities, pricing plans, and weighing the pros and cons, you are now equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs. Each alternative offers unique benefits and drawbacks, so consider what matters most to you in a project management tool.
Remember to prioritize your requirements, whether it's advanced task management capabilities, intuitive user interface, or budget-friendly options. Your choice should streamline your workflow, enhance collaboration among team members, and ultimately boost productivity. Take the time to evaluate which alternative best fits your workflow and team dynamics. Your decision today will shape how efficiently you manage projects in the future.
Drive success with ease! 🏆 Sign up for Wrike's free trial and watch your goals soar!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features to consider when looking for Wrike alternatives?

When searching for Wrike alternatives, focus on features like task management, collaboration tools, integrations with other software, reporting capabilities, and ease of use. Evaluate how these features align with your team's specific needs and workflows.

How do pricing plans for Wrike alternatives typically compare?

Pricing plans for Wrike alternatives vary based on factors like the number of users, feature set, and additional services offered. Compare different alternatives to find a balance between cost and value that best suits your budget and requirements.

What are the pros of using Wrike alternatives over Wrike itself?

Wrike alternatives may offer unique features, better pricing options, enhanced customization capabilities, or improved customer support compared to Wrike. Consider these advantages to determine if switching to an alternative solution could better address your project management needs.

Are there any cons to using Wrike alternatives instead of sticking with Wrike?

While Wrike alternatives may provide benefits, they can also have drawbacks such as learning curve issues for transitioning users, potential integration challenges with existing systems, or differences in user interface that require adjustment. Assess these potential downsides before making a decision.

How can I make an informed decision when choosing among different Wrike alternatives?

To make an informed decision about selecting a Wrike alternative, create a list of your organization's priorities and requirements. Conduct thorough research on each option's features, pricing structures, customer reviews, and support services. Consider running trials or demos to experience the platforms firsthand before committing.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial
submitted by Soninetz to AllPromos [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:50 cporter202 Navigating Global Market Research: ChatGPT's Role in Translation & Localization Challenges

In today's interconnected world, market research is more critical than ever. With the trend towards globalization, businesses strive to gain insight into consumer habits and preferences across different regions and cultures. The challenge? Overcoming language barriers and local nuances to ensure that the research is relevant and accurate. Enter ChatGPT—a powerful AI language model that's shaping the future of translation and localization in market research.
ChatGPT's capabilities go far beyond simple text translation. It understands context and cultural subtleties, making it an invaluable tool for businesses looking to adapt their market research strategies to global audiences. With its advanced natural language processing abilities, it can maintain the nuances of colloquial speech and regional dialects, ensuring that surveys, questionnaires, and interviews resonate with the target demographic.
But it's not just about accurate translations. Localization involves adapting content to meet the cultural, legal, and linguistic requirements of a specific country or region. This is where ChatGPT's role becomes even more significant. By employing this AI, businesses can avoid common pitfalls such as cultural misunderstandings or offensive content that might alienate potential customers.
ChatGPT can also help streamline the market research process by automating the initial translation and localization steps. This allows human experts to focus on fine-tuning and ensuring that the final content reflects local customs and expectations.
However, while ChatGPT offers numerous benefits, businesses should also be aware of its limitations. It's not a silver bullet, and human oversight is crucial to navigating the complexities of local markets. Cultural sensitivity and understanding cannot be entirely replicated by AI, and the human touch remains essential in creating meaningful connections with consumers around the globe.
What are your thoughts on the integration of AI like ChatGPT in global market research? Do you see it as an indispensable tool for overcoming language and localization barriers, or do you think it can lead to over-reliance on technology, risking the loss of the human element in market analysis? Let's discuss the potential and the challenges of leveraging AI to navigate global market research effectively.
submitted by cporter202 to ChatGPTautomation [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:39 Soninetz Octane AI Alternative: Top 13 Competitors

Octane AI Alternative: Top 13 Competitors
Did you know that businesses using AI-powered tools achieve 47% higher conversion rates in email campaigns and marketing platform? If you're seeking an octane ai alternative to supercharge your marketing efforts, look no further to increase conversion rates, leads, email campaigns, and brands. Discover a cutting-edge solution that offers advanced automation, personalized customer interactions, and robust analytics. Stay ahead of the curve with a versatile platform designed to elevate your digital marketing strategies and increase conversion rates through social media, landing pages, and campaigns. Unleash the power of AI without breaking the bank. Embrace innovation and efficiency with a game-changing octane ai alternative today.
Useful Links:
  1. Octane AI LifeTime Deal
  2. Octane AI Free Trial

Key Takeaways

  • When considering alternatives to Octane AI for marketing platform, it's essential to understand the specific needs and requirements of your business, customers, and brands to make an informed decision.
  • Exploring a variety of options, such as the 13 alternatives mentioned in the article, can provide a comprehensive view of the available choices.
  • Evaluating key features and pricing structures of different platforms is crucial in determining the best fit for your business goals and budget.
  • User reviews and comparisons offer valuable insights into the real-world experiences of users, helping you gauge the performance and reliability of each alternative.
  • To make the best choice, weigh all the information gathered, including user feedback, features, and pricing, to ensure that the selected alternative aligns with your business objectives.
  • Taking the time to research and compare alternatives can lead to a more tailored and effective solution for your specific needs.

Understanding the Need for Alternatives

Limitations of Relying Solely on Octane AI

Limited Customization: Octane AI may not offer the level of personalization needed for specific business requirements to meet customers' mobile needs, hindering optimal performance.
Scalability Concerns: Businesses experiencing rapid growth may find Octane AI's scalability limitations restrictive in accommodating increasing demands from customers at rates over time.
https://preview.redd.it/mnl6092gyg1d1.png?width=948&format=png&auto=webp&s=25dace5938eb974a14394c9996a1e0b49246d2b6
Skyrocket your sales with interactive quizzes! 🚀 Free trial available!
Cost Prohibitive: The pricing rates structure of Octane AI might be prohibitive for small to medium-sized businesses, impacting their budget allocation for other essential areas.

Importance of Exploring Alternative Solutions

Exploring alternative AI tools is crucial to ensure a comprehensive approach to conversions and customer engagement. By diversifying options, businesses can adapt to changing market trends effectively.

Benefits of Diversifying AI Tools

  1. Enhanced Flexibility: Utilizing multiple AI tools allows businesses to tailor strategies according to diverse needs and preferences of customers, leads, shopping, and website.
  2. Improved Performance: Diversification minimizes reliance on a single tool, reducing the risk of performance issues or disruptions.
  3. Increased Innovation: Accessing a variety of AI solutions fosters innovation by experimenting with different features and functionalities.

Exploring 13 Options

RetentionX

RetentionX stands out as a top choice among octane ai alternatives, offering comprehensive AI-driven data analysis tools on its website for customers' experience. Businesses can leverage its capabilities to enhance customer retention strategies effectively.
With RetentionX, companies can delve into intricate design options and explore a wide range of features tailored to their specific needs for customers on their website. The platform's intuitive interface simplifies the process, allowing users to navigate effortlessly.

Admetrics

For those looking to maximize ad performance through AI, Admetrics emerges as a game-changer in the industry. By utilizing advanced algorithms, businesses can optimize their ad campaigns across multiple channels, ensuring maximum reach and engagement.
One of the key advantages of Admetrics is its ability to provide real-time insights that enable quick adjustments based on performance metrics. This proactive approach significantly enhances marketing strategies and boosts ROI.

Seery

Seery offers a user-friendly solution for businesses seeking predictive analytics without extensive resources. This accessible app provides a streamlined way for companies to forecast trends and make informed decisions.
Useful Links:
  1. Octane AI LifeTime Deal
  2. Octane AI Free Trial

Key Features and Pricing

Chatfuel vs. Init.ai

Chatfuel offers customizable templates and a user-friendly interface for creating AI chatbots, ideal for brands seeking efficient messaging channels. In contrast, Init.ai focuses on capturing leads with its robust form capabilities, making it a preferred choice for teams looking to streamline lead generation.

Captain Growth and Dialogue Pricing

Captain Growth stands out for its cost-effective approach, offering competitive pricing plans tailored to businesses of all sizes. On the other hand, Dialogue provides revenue-focused solutions with flexible pricing structures that cater to varying business needs for customers.

involve.me and Meya Engagement Features

involve.me excels in providing AI-powered interactive forms, enabling brands to enhance customer engagement through personalized interactions with customers. Meya, on the other hand, offers advanced features for creating dynamic conversational experiences for customers, making it a top choice for businesses looking to elevate their customer engagement strategies.

User Reviews and Comparisons

RetentionX and Admetrics

Customer experiences with RetentionX highlight its intuitive interface and robust analytics capabilities, enhancing customer satisfaction. Users praise its personalized recommendations, optimizing their shopping experiences on websites. In contrast, Admetrics stands out for its seamless integration with various platforms, improving overall customer experience for customers.

Seery and Chatfuel Comparison

Users favor Seery for its user-friendly interface and efficient customer engagement, providing a smooth website browsing experience. On the other hand, Chatfuel excels in simplifying customer journeys, offering interactive features like quizzes to enhance user interaction for customers.

Pros and Cons of Init.ai and Captain Growth

Init.ai

  • Pros:
    • Advanced analytics for tracking customer engagement
    • Streamlined customer journey mapping
  • Cons:
    • Limited social proof integration
    • Complex setup process impacting visitor rates

Captain Growth

  • Pros:
    • Comprehensive social media integration
    • Interactive quizzes enhancing shopping experiences
  • Cons:
    • Lack of in-depth analytics
    • Challenges in retaining visitors long-term

Making an Informed Decision

User Reviews

When evaluating engagement tools like Octane AI, consider user reviews from customers for insights on real-world business applications. Look for feedback on campaign performance, ease of content creation, and overall satisfaction.

Feature Comparisons

To make a well-informed choice, delve into feature comparisons between Octane AI and its alternatives. Analyze functionalities such as message personalization, delivery options, and time-saving automation capabilities.

Business Needs

Consider your specific business requirements, including customers, when selecting an AI tool. Evaluate whether the alternative offers a great way to enhance customer interactions and streamline operations. Assess if it provides an easy integration process and aligns with your long-term goals.

Closing Thoughts

You've delved into the world of Octane AI alternatives, understanding the need for diverse options, exploring various choices, dissecting key features and pricing, and even comparing user reviews. Now armed with valuable insights, you're ready to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique requirements.
As you navigate through the plethora of alternatives available, remember to prioritize what matters most to your business and customers. Seek a solution that not only meets your current needs but also scales with your future aspirations. Stay informed, stay discerning, and choose a platform that empowers your growth and enhances your customer interactions with customers. Your choice today will shape your tomorrow.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of exploring alternatives to Octane AI?

Exploring alternatives to Octane AI is crucial to ensure you find the best fit for your specific needs, budget, and goals. It allows you to make a well-informed decision based on comparison and evaluation.

How many options are covered in the blog post "Exploring 13 Options"?

The blog post delves into 13 alternative options to Octane AI. Each option is briefly discussed, highlighting key features, pricing structures, and potential benefits, providing a comprehensive overview for readers seeking alternatives.

What are some key features and pricing aspects discussed in the blog post?

The blog post outlines essential features offered by various alternatives to Octane AI, such as chatbot capabilities, integrations, analytics tools, and more. It provides insights into pricing models, helping customers assess cost-effectiveness.

How can user reviews and comparisons aid in decision-making regarding Octane AI alternatives?

User reviews offer valuable insights into real-world experiences with different platforms, aiding readers in understanding usability, customer support quality, and overall satisfaction levels. Comparisons help evaluate strengths and weaknesses to make an informed choice.

Why is making an informed decision crucial when selecting an alternative to Octane AI?

Making an informed decision ensures that you choose the most suitable alternative that aligns with your business requirements. By considering factors like features, pricing, user feedback, and comparisons provided in the blog post, you can optimize your selection process effectively.
Useful Links:
  1. Octane AI LifeTime Deal
  2. Octane AI Free Trial
submitted by Soninetz to AllPromos [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:37 Mental-Elk9270 I dont mean to offend anyone. But is there any scripture that says Kshetriyas can eat meat.

I know a lot of people use kings hunting for example. Here is what I found
This is what Valmiki Ramayan says:
तस्मिन्निति सूखे काले धनुष्मानिषुमान रथी व्यायामकृतसंकल्प: सरयूमन्वगान्नदीम
' व्यायामकृतसंकल्प: ' means with the aim of exercise.
He says that it was a good day,hence i went to the banks of Sarayu River to do some exercise.
So one thing is clear,he was there to exercise,and not to hunt or kill any animal.
Now lets see what follows:
अथान्धकारेत्वश्रौष जले कुम्भस्य पूर्यत: अचक्षुर्विषये घोष वारणस्येवनर्दत:
It was dark at that time,i was not able to see clearly. Then i heard a voice of an animal,i thought its an elephant.
Now where is Hunting and Deer written here? Nowhere…its just TV serials show.
Kings used to catch and capture elephants for their army. Dashrath also wanted to capture that elephant,and he shot an arrow which by mistake hit Shravan Kumar. He had poisoned arrows which could make the elephant lose his senses,but it hit a human,who could not bear its poison.
This is what Ayodhyakand,Valmiki Ramayan says:
ततोअहम शरमुध्दत्य दीप्तमाशीविषोपमम शब्द प्रति गजप्रेप्सुरभिलक्ष्यमपातयम
तत्र वागुषसि व्यक्ता प्रादुरासीव्दनौकस: हां हेति पततस्तोये वाणाद्व्यथितमर्मण:
Dashrath says-”Then to get the elephant i shot a poisoned arrow.I heard a crying voice of a human from the direction in which i shot the arrow.”
So please start to read Valmiki Ramayan,don't waste your lives in lies and TV serials.
Thanks.
Next many people say that hinduism doesent allow or disallow meat.
Yes.
The Sanatana Dharma Teaches First That We should not Kill Animals Or Eat Any Type of Meat.
References -
Quotes that disapprove, even denounce, meat-eating
Rig Veda:
“One who partakes of human flesh, the flesh of a horse or of another animal, and deprives others of milk by slaughtering cows, O King, if such a fiend does not desist by other means, then you should not hesitate to cut off his head.”
Rig-veda (10.87.16)
Do the Vedic literature allow meat-eating? Did Hinduism adopt vegetarianism from Buddhism? - The Spiritual Scientist
Manu-Samhita:
“Meat can never be obtained without injury to living creatures, and injury to sentient beings is detrimental to the attainment of heavenly bliss; let him therefore shun the use of meat. Having well considered the disgusting origin of flesh and the cruelty of fettering and slaying corporeal beings, let him entirely abstain from eating flesh.”
(Manu-samhita 5.48-49) “He who permits the slaughter of an animal, he who cuts it up, he who kills it, he who buys or sells meat, he who cooks it, he who serves it up, and he who eats it, must all be considered as the slayers of the animal. There is no greater sinner than that man who though not worshiping the gods or the ancestors, seeks to increase the bulk of his own flesh by the flesh of other beings.” (Manu-samhita 5.51-52)
“If he has a strong desire (for meat) he may make an animal of clarified butter or one of flour (and eat that); but let him never seek to destroy an animal without a (lawful) reason. As many hairs as the slain beast has, so often indeed will he who killed it without a (lawful) reason suffer a violent death in future births.” (Manu-samhita 5.37-38)
“He who injures harmless creatures from a wish to give himself pleasure, never finds happiness in this life or the next.” (Manu-samhita 5.45)
“By subsisting on pure fruits and roots, and by eating food fit for ascetics in the forest, one does not gain so great a reward as by entirely avoiding the use of flesh. Me he [mam sah] will devour in the next world, whose flesh I eat in this life; the wise declare this to be the real meaning of the word ‘flesh’ [mam sah].” (Manu-samhita 5.54-55)
“He who does not seek to cause the sufferings of bonds and death to living creatures, (but) desires the good of all (beings), obtains endless bliss. He who does not injure any (creature) attains without an effort what he thinks of, what he undertakes, and what he fixes his mind on.” (Manu-samhita 5.46-47)
“By not killing any living being, one becomes fit for salvation.” (Manu-samhita 6.60)
Do the Vedic literature allow meat-eating? Did Hinduism adopt vegetarianism from Buddhism? - The Spiritual Scientist
Mahabharata
  1. “He who desires to augment his own flesh by eating the flesh of other creatures, lives in misery in whatever species he may take his [next] birth.” (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.47)
  2. “The purchaser of flesh performs violence by his wealth; he who eats flesh does so by enjoying its taste; the killer does violence by actually tying and killing the animal. Thus, there are three forms of killing. He who brings flesh or sends for it, he who cuts off the limbs of an animal, and he who purchases, sells, or cooks flesh and eats it–all these are to be considered meat-eaters.” (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.40)
  3. “The sins generated by violence curtail the life of the perpetrator. Therefore, even those who are anxious for their own welfare should abstain from meat-eating.” (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.33)
  4. Bhishma started, “Numberless discourses took place between the Rishis on this subject, O scion of Kuru’s race. Listen, O Yudhisthira, what their opinion was. (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.7)
  5. “The highly wise seven celestial Rishis, the Valakshillyas, and those Rishis who drink the rays of the sun, all speak highly of abstention from meat.
  6. The self-created Manu has said that the man who does not eat meat, or who does not kill living creatures, or who does not cause them to be killed, is a friend of all creatures. Such a man is incapable of being oppressed by any creature. He enjoys the confidence of all living beings. He always enjoys the praise of the pious. The virtuous Narada has said that that man who wishes to multiply his own flesh by eating the flesh of other creatures meets with disaster. (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.9-12)
  7. “That man, who having eaten meat, gives it up afterwards wins merit by such a deed that is so great that a study of all the Vedas or a performance, O Bharata, of all the sacrifices [Vedic rituals], cannot give its like. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.16)
  8. “That learned person who gives to all living creatures the gift of complete assurance is forsooth regarded as the giver of lifebreaths in this world. (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.18)
  9. “Men gifted with intelligence and purified souls should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated. It is seen that even those men who are endued with learning and who seek to acquire the greatest good in the shape of liberation, are not free of the fear of death. (Mahabharata, Anu. 115.20)
  10. “What necessity be said of those innocent and healthy creatures gifted with love of life, when they are sought to be killed by sinful wretches living by slaughter? Therefore, O King, know that the discarding of meat is the highest refuge of religion, of the celestial region, and of happiness. Abstention of injury [to others] is the highest religion. It is, again, the highest penance. It is also the highest truth from which all duty emanates. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.21-23)
  11. “Flesh cannot be had from grass or wood or stone. Unless a living creature is killed it cannot be procured. Hence is the fault of eating flesh. The celestials who live upon Svaha, Svadha, and nectar, are given to truth and sincerity. Those persons, however, who are for satisfying the sensation of taste, should be known as Rakshasas [flesh-eating demons] pervaded by the quality of Darkness. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.24-25)
  12. “If there were nobody who ate flesh, then there would be nobody to slay living creatures. The man who slays living creatures kills them for the sake of the person who eats flesh. If flesh were not considered as food, there would then be no destruction of living creatures. It is for the sake of the eater that the destruction of living entities is carried on in the world. Since, O you of great splendor, the period of life is shortened by persons who kill living creatures or cause them to be killed, it is clear that the person who seeks his own good should give up meat altogether. Those dreadful persons who are engaged in the destruction of living beings never find protectors when they are in need. Such persons should always be molested and punished even as beast of prey. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.29-32)
  13. “That man who seeks to multiply his own flesh by (eating) the flesh of others has to live in this world in great anxiety, and after death has to take birth in indifferent races and families. High Rishis given to the observance of vows and self-control have said that abstention from meat is worthy of praise, productive of fame and Heaven, and a great satisfaction itself. This I heard formerly, O son of Kunti, from Markandeya when that Rishi discoursed on the sins of eating flesh. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.34-36)
  14. “He who purchases flesh, kills living creatures through his money. He who eats flesh, kills living beings through his eating. He who binds or seizes and actually kills living creatures is the slaughterer. These are the three sorts of slaughter through each of these acts. He who does not himself eat flesh but approves of an act of slaughter, becomes stained with the sin of slaughter. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.38-39)
  15. “That wretched man who kills living creatures for the sake of those who would eat them commits great sin. The eater’s sin is not as great. That wretched man who, following the path of religious rites and sacrifices as laid down in the Vedas, would kill a living creature from a desire to eats its flesh, will certainly go to hell. That man who having eaten flesh abstains from it afterwards acquires great merit on account of such abstention from sin. He who arranges for obtaining flesh, he who approves of those arrangements, he who kills, he who buys or sells, he who cooks, and he who eats it, [acquire the sin of those who] are all considered as eaters of flesh. [Therefore] that man who wishes to avoid disaster should abstain from the meat of every living creature. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.44-48)
16 . “Listen to me, O king of kings, as I tell you this, O sinless one, there is absolute happiness in abstaining from meat, O king. He who practices severe austerities for a century, and he who abstains from meat, are both equally meritorious. This is my opinion. (Mahabharata, Anu.115.52-53)
  1. “Yudhisthira said: Alas, those cruel men who, not caring for various other sorts of food, want only flesh, are really like great Rakshasas [meat-eating demons]. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.1)
  2. “Bhishma said: That man who wishes to increase his own flesh by the meat of another living creature is such that there is none meaner and more cruel than he. In this world there is nothing that is dearer to a creature than his life. Hence, one should show mercy to the lives of others as he does to his own life. Forsooth, O son, flesh has its origin in the vital seed. There is great sin attached to its eating, as, indeed, there is merit in abstaining from it. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.11-13)
  3. “There is nothing, O delighter of the Kurus, that is equal in point of merit, either in this world or in the next, to the practice of mercy to all living creatures. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.19)
  4. “Hence a person of purified soul should be merciful to all living creatures. That man, O king, who abstains from every kind of meat from his birth forsooth, acquires a large space in the celestial region. They who eat the flesh of animals who are desirous of life, are themselves [later] eaten by the animals they eat. This is my opinion. Since he has eaten me, I shall eat him in return. This, O Bharata, forms the character as Mamsah [meaning flesh] of Mamsah [me he, or “me he” will eat for having eaten him]. The destroyer is always slain. After him the eater meets with the same fate. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.32-35)
  5. “He who acts with hostility towards another becomes victim of similar deeds done by that other. Whatever acts one does in whatever bodies, he has to suffer the consequences thereof in those bodies. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.36-37)
  6. “Abstention from cruelty is the highest Religion. Abstention from cruelty is the greatest self-restraint. Abstention from cruelty is the highest gift. Abstention from cruelty is the highest penance. Abstention from cruelty is the highest sacrifice. Abstention from cruelty is the highest power. Abstention from cruelty is the greatest friend. Abstention from cruelty is the greatest happiness. (Mahabharata, Anu.116.38-39)
  7. “Gifts made in all sacrifices [rituals], ablutions performed in all sacred water, and the merit which one acquires from making all kinds of gifts mentioned in the scriptures, all these do not equal in merit abstention from cruelty.” (Mahabharata, Anu.116.40)
Do the Vedic literature allow meat-eating? Did Hinduism adopt vegetarianism from Buddhism? - The Spiritual Scientist
Bhagavata Purana:
“Those who are ignorant of real dharma and, though wicked and haughty, account themselves virtuous, kill animals without any feeling of remorse or fear of punishment. Further, in their next lives, such sinful persons will be eaten by the same creatures they have killed in this world.” (Bhagavata Purana 11.5.14)
The real purpose of a sacrifice was not to replace a slaughterhouse but to test a Vedic mantra by giving an animal new life. Animals were used to test the power of Vedic mantras, not for meat. - Srimad Bhagavatam 4.4.6 purport
Do the Vedic literature allow meat-eating? Did Hinduism adopt vegetarianism from Buddhism? - The Spiritual Scientist
Cow Sacrifice ? Not At All :
Besides References,Here’s What Supreme Lord Saying About Sacrifice -
CC Ādi 17.158 — As a learned scholar, the Kazi challenged Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “In Your Vedic scriptures there is an injunction for killing a cow. On the strength of this injunction, great sages performed sacrifices involving cow-killing.”
CC Ādi 17.159 — Refuting the Kazi’s statement, the Lord immediately replied, “The Vedas clearly enjoin that cows should not be killed. Therefore every Hindu, whoever he may be, avoids indulging in cow-killing.
CC Ādi 17.160 — “In the Vedas and Purāṇas there are injunctions declaring that if one can revive a living being, one can kill it for experimental purposes.
CC Ādi 17.161 — “Therefore the great sages sometimes killed old cows, and by chanting Vedic hymns they brought them back to life for perfection.
CC Ādi 17.162 — “The killing and rejuvenation of such old and invalid cows was not truly killing but an act of great benefit.
CC Ādi 17.163 — “Formerly there were powerful brāhmaṇas who could make such experiments using Vedic hymns, but now, because of the Kali-yuga, brāhmaṇas are not so powerful. Therefore the killing of cows and bulls for rejuvenation is forbidden.
—Ādi 17: The Pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His Youth
Srila Prabhupada Says - So killing, killing is very bad, but killing for the sake of right cause of fighting, or killing in the sacrifice, they are not sinful. Sometimes in the Vedas killing is recommended, just like in the fight or in the sacrifice, but that is not sinful. Sometimes a brāhmaṇa is sacrificing, offering, performing great sacrifice, and the animal is put into the fire just to give him renovated, new life, not for killing, just to test how Vedic mantras are being properly pronounced. That will be test. When sacrifice is done, the fire is there, and old animal is put into the sacrifice, and he comes out with a new body. That means the Vedic mantras are being pronounced very properly, and it is being carried out. This is the experiment, not for killing. Although in the Vedas there are recommendation that paśu-vadha system... Just like in the modern age also, when some experiment is made, it is made on the life of the animal. But they are killed. But when there is recommendation of putting an animal in the fire, that is not for killing; that is to see that this animal has got a new body.
Lecture on BG 2.14 -- London, August 20, 1973
Pradyumna: Aśvamedha-yajñas or gomedha-yajñas, or the sacrifices in which a horse or a bull is sacrificed, were not, of course, for the purpose of killing the animals. Lord Caitanya said that such animalssacrificed on the altar of yajña were rejuvenated and a new life was given to them. It was just to prove the efficacy of the hymns of the Vedas. By recitation of the hymns of the Vedas in the proper way, certainly the performer gets relief from the reactions of sins. But in case of such sacrifices not properly done under expert management, certainly one has to become responsible for animal sacrifice."
Prabhupāda: This is a long subject matter. But the sacrifice in yajña, recommended, that is not for killing the animal, but it is a testing, how the Vedic mantras are being properly chanted. Because an oldanimal put into the fire, by Vedic mantras he would come out again with young life. That is sacrifice of animals in the yajña. Therefore in this age there is no such expert brāhmaṇa who can chant the mantras properly or he can behave because the life is very abominable. Therefore, because there is no expert brāhmaṇa, so these sacrifices are forbidden in this age. Kalau pañca vivarjayet aśvamedhaṁ gavālambhaṁ devareṇa sutotpattiṁ sannyāsam (CC Adi 17.164). These things are forbidden in this age, because there is no proper men to conduct.
Lecture on SB 1.8.52 -- Los Angeles, May 14, 1973
The purpose of the Vedas is to establish such principles under the order of the Supreme Lord, and the Lord directly orders, at the end of the Gītā, that the highest principle of religion is to surrender unto Him only, and nothing more. The Vedic principles push one towards complete surrender unto Him; and whenever such principles are disturbed by the demoniac, the Lord appears. From the Bhāgavatam we understand that Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa who appeared when materialism was rampant and materialists were using the pretext of the authority of the Vedas. Although there are certain restrictive rules and regulations regarding animal sacrifice for particular purposes in the Vedas, people of demonic tendency still took to animal sacrifice without reference to the Vedic principles. Lord Buddha appeared to stop this nonsense and to establish the Vedic principles of nonviolence.
BG 4.7, Purport
Lord Buddha, a powerful incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, appeared in the province of Gayā (Bihar) as the son of Añjanā, and he preached his own conception of nonviolence and deprecated even the animal sacrifices sanctioned in the Vedas. At the time when Lord Buddha appeared, the people in general were atheistic and preferred animal flesh to anything else. On the plea of Vedic sacrifice, every place was practically turned into a slaughterhouse, and animal-killing was indulged in unrestrictedly. Lord Buddha preached nonviolence, taking pity on the poor animals. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing. Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God. Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him.
SB 1.3.24, Purport
The horse sacrifice yajña or cow sacrifice yajña performed by the Vedic regulations shouldn't be misunderstood as a process of killing animals. On the contrary, animals offered for the yajña were rejuvenated to a new span of life by the transcendental power of chanting the Vedic hymns, which, if properly chanted, are different from what is understood by the common layman. The Veda-mantras are all practical, and the proof is rejuvenation of the sacrificed animal.
SB 1.12.34, Purport
According to sacrificial rituals, animals are sometimes sacrificed in the yajña arena. Such animals are sacrificed not to kill them but to give them new life. Such action was an experiment to observe whether the Vedic mantras were being properly pronounced. Sometimes small animals are killed in a medical laboratory to investigate therapeutic effects. In a medical clinic, the animals are not revived, but in the yajña arena, when animals were sacrificed, they were again given life by the potency of Vedic mantras. The word śipi-viṣṭāya appears in this verse. Śipi means "the flames of the sacrifice." In the sacrificial fire if the oblations are offered into the flames, then Lord Viṣṇu is situated there in the form of the flames. Therefore Lord Viṣṇu is known as Śipiviṣṭa.
SB 4.13.35, Purport
You can read more about the same:
Do the Vedic literature allow meat-eating? Did Hinduism adopt vegetarianism from Buddhism? - The Spiritual Scientist
Thank you.
submitted by Mental-Elk9270 to hindu [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:37 Lordfindogask I wish the Scourge being Optimus theory was canon.

This is one of those times in which I dig a fan theory, and with some small tweaks to RotB plot, it could have fit nicely.
Quoting the TF wiki, Unicron is referred to as a Multiversal singularity, capable of destroying entire universes, and that so far he destroyed something like 22% of known Universes. So, ignoring the effort of Nexus Prime to cease these singularities from existing, it wouldn't have been too difficult to connect the Bayverse and new universe. The fact that Megatronus Prime joined Unicron means that even Primes can be corrupt and the unhinged, destructive version of Optimus from the Bayverse would be a perfect candidate. Heck, he saved Unicron from being killed, maybe the god of destruction could be "thankful" in his own way? XD (Also, I don't buy the whole "let's go back to cybertron and take care of it now" at the end of TLK).
Below are the main changes.
Aesthetic changes first:
KEEP MORE AUTOBOTS DESIGNS FROM THE BUMBLEBEE MOVIE! Specifically Wheeljack. No moustache for Stratosphere. Furthermore, Optimus with a face plate always on would be nice. In both cases, you're saving resources by reusing assets and skipping Optimus' mouth animation, and you get happier fans, it's a win-win. Lastly, Bumblebee has his voicebox repaired between Bumblebee and RotB. We had enough beep-boop Bee.
Plot changes:
No need for wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff. The Maximals go straight up to another universe. Their whole reality is likely obliterated by Unicron, but it will be briefly implied that either they thought Unicron died long ago or that this Unicron is different. So to starve Unicron they had to seal him into a universe to prevent him from continuing his endless path of destruction.
Now to give the fan theory some thematic importance, let's make the new Optimus and old Optimus different and by that I mean let's establish that the new Optimus won't enter the same path Bayverse Optimus took.
When Ariazor meets the Autobots, after Bumblebee is deactivated, she explains they come from a different universe, one in which Autobots and Decepticons set their differences aside and evolved into Maximals and Predacons (the Predacons we see at the beginning are rogues that joined Scourge). But when Unicron came, all their attempts failed, even using the Matrix of their own Universe wasn't enough to stop him. With their Universe now doomed, the Maximals tried to seal him away, but failed, and crashlanded on Earth. The transwarp key was lost in the process and they only recently found out it was broken in two parts.
Optimus will still say he wants to take off Scourge's head, only this time some of his fellow Autobots will remark that they never saw him like that.
Instead of shooting an infecting device to corrupt Ariazor, Scourge will fire a red beam from his chest, but he has his back to the audience so we don't see exactly what he used, for now.
When facing Scourge and corrupt Ariazor, Optimus Primal asks how did he manage to break the seal between universes, only to be interrupted by a furious Optimus Prime who shouts Scourge's name and say he's going to rip out his spark. Scourge sends Ariazor to deal with them and Primal is forced to kill her.
Primal addresses shortly after that Prime is taking a dangerous path (I know it's pretty basic "hatred leads to dark side" stuff).
Battling Mirage, Scourge doesn't lose his mask/helmet, but it's just partially crooked. He quickly readjusts it.
Later, Bumblebee is resurrected, but Optimus still seems to be bent on revenge, fighting with rage, which only seems to amuse Scourge. Optimus still cuts both of Scourge's arms but rather than "Time to show you the real power of a Prime!" he says something more similar to Bayverse Prime. He then either tries to rip Scourge's head off or just repeatedly punches it in a fit of rage and as a result the helmet falls off, revealing the twisted but still recognizable shape of Bayverse Prime. Optimus is taken aback by the realization that Scourge is a Prime from another universe. Scourges opens his chest, revealing that the red glow throughout the film was coming from his Anti-Matrix, basically a red Bayverse Matrix after he became corrupt, (that's what made this Unicron stronger). He uses the Anti-Matrix to fire a beam that hurts Optimus and pushes him back, and then to attract a couple of nearby Terrorcons that quickly transform into replacements for Scourge's arms.
REVENGEANCE HOMAGE INCOMING
Scourges says he could kill Optimus but he sees potential and offers him to join them (join me or die, fits Bayverse Prime), promising that Unicron will spare the lives of his comrades / grant them more power than ever imagined / cease all conflicts in all universes (kind of true in a twisted way).
At that moment, while the corruption is slowly spreading over his body, Optimus stands up again and says "I now see how wrong I was". Scourge's eyes glow and an evil grin appears on his face. Optimus slowly walks closer to Scourge and says that he now realizes he has been following the wrong path. While Optimus is referring to the path of revenge, Scourges thinks Optimus is really going to switch sides, so he opens his chest again, ready to corrupt Optimus' Matrix. In the meantime, the Maximals and Autobots look horrified, Primal even begs Optimus to resist, but seemingly to no avail. Optimus extends his hands, and Scourges happily shakes it. Optimus gets closer, pats Scourge's shoulder, and then finally says "This belongs to a friend of mine!" and rips Autobot's symbol from Scourge. Scourge is like "WHAT?!", still shocked. Optimus kicks him and then says "Time to show you the real power of a Prime", opens his chest and uses his Matrix to destroy Scourge's Anti-Matrix. Scourge is furious, but Unicron is even more. Without the power of the Anti-Matrix, Scourge is finally outmatched by Optimus, as he's kicked into Unicron's vortex and disappears.
The last change is that when Unicron offers Optimus anything he wants Optimus says "then, begone!" and uses the power of the Matrix to light their darkest hour and destroy the transwarp key.
submitted by Lordfindogask to transformers [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:36 Fine_Distribution568 God and Lucid dreaming, is there a connections between the two?

Ever had a lucid dream where you did some really questionable or even immoral stuff? In those dreams, you probably noticed that normal ideas of right and wrong just don't matter. That’s because, when you're lucid dreaming, you’re in control, kind of like playing god. You get to create and shape everything in your dream world.
This made me think a lot about life and the idea of a higher power. If there’s a god, why is our world so full of challenges, suffering, and cruelty? Why would a divine creator make life so hard for us?
After diving into lucid dreaming, I started wondering: what if we're just characters in some grand, divine dream? Maybe we’re like the subconscious creations of a higher consciousness. Just like the characters in our dreams are part of our subconscious, maybe we are part of a divine subconscious.
This idea made me think about what reality really is and our place in it. If we are part of a divine dream, it could explain why life feels so random and harsh. Our struggles and experiences might be pieces of a bigger, unknowable plan, just like events in a dream are part of a story made by the dreamer.
Maybe god gave us the ability to lucid dream to demonstrate that he can do whatever he wants and there is no reason behind it. he just have the power to do it so he does it just like us in a lucid dreams.
submitted by Fine_Distribution568 to LucidDreaming [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:27 HellfireBrB BUT ACCORDING TO THE NOVEL: "proceeds to pass misinformation" and why i'm sick of people making stuff up about the novels and directors commentaries (very long post)

BUT ACCORDING TO THE NOVEL:
Introduction as of recently for the past 4 days i have noticed a large divide across most of the discussions regarding the monsterverse cannon mostly duo to a large discrepancy between what is a what isn't common information, and how much of the community does not seen to have the time or resources to actually fact check extremely specific information the result of this is a continuous spread of misinformation, constant claims and lies about lore and movie scenes that are intentionally taken out of context or shape, or just straight up didn't happen or weren't neither stated or confirmed.
the point of this post is to both criticize this stupid way to discuss information while at the same time debunking some of the current biggest misinformation being passed across the subreddit and other grounds of conversation about the MV
Disclaimer: i do not as of now own neither a copy of GvK or GxK's novelizations that are in English (as mine are on my native language; Portuguese) as such many of the information provided following will be a combination of prints and translations taken from various sources, i apologize for that in advance as i have no workaround such a problem other than pirating a product i already own, such a thing i refuse to do.

Starting from the big: the Egypt fight, and why all the things you were told happened in there... didn't actually happen

one of the first points of discussion that sens to generate this kind of issue is the entirety of the Egypt fight, more specifically the status of can or cannot Kong beat or kill Godzilla on his own (he can't we have a whole ass movie about this, move on), this resulted in a considerable amount of misinformation in regard to the novel mostly quoting things that did not happen, or that are taken out of context to the extreme as a start:
Kong did(not) knock Godzilla unconscious the entire discussion from the start revolves just around ghost arguments about things that truly no one cares and in general, that in general despite knowing this will offends certain groups of people; was only started because certain loud minorities of Kong fans still can't accept Kong loses and as such need to use any escuse to justify a Kong victory and create their own version of "Godzilla was plying around" as such for the actual fight lets start from the movie
as in the following image on the right you can see the exact last frame in which Godzilla's face is last fully visible visible, and in the left this is the last frame in which Godzilla and Kong are in any way visible (duo to the motion blur I've market a crude shape of Godzilla's head and Kong's hand for batter clarity however i do recommend you go and watch the scene at a slower speed to get batter clarity on your own about it)
pay close attention to Godzilla's head position in relationship to the last frame, and how Godzilla moves to to his side as Kong's fist slides towards his left of his cheek his eyes are also open in the last frame in which they are visible
the biggest argument towards Godzilla being unconscious is that after Godzilla was hit the movie simply "cut" to after Godzilla woke up, however this is very easily debunked, starting by the images above you can notice Godzilla's position in relationship to Kong, him being on his back with his dorsal plates accommodated to his left and his head spinning to his right after being hit
this is the progression of Godzilla's recovery process pay attention to Godzilla's eye position
as per the second sequence of images, Godzilla feel to his side belly down, with his body slightly pending towards his right showing that Kong didn't move his body before dragging him, but he simply feel already on such position. and as per the very first frame in which his face is visible (first image) his eyes are open and facing the same direction they were before Kong last hit him, them less than 4 frames latter his eye position shifts towards the sand were you can clearly see his claw moving toward, and in the third image about 2 frames latter he can be seen moving his head and eyes towards his hand before his claws hit the ground covering his face with sand again. and in the 4 slide the very first frame in which his eyes are visible again, they have completely bend back to the point you can see their white as Godzilla starts turning his head towards Kong
as per the movie, there is no cut or clear view of Godzilla being either knocked out or unconscious Kong simply punched Godzilla back into his belly and there is full continuity of one scene to the other it is preposterous to claim Godzilla simply shrug off such a hit when he clearly is moaning in pain, and took several seconds for him to fully recover from the strike and go back to charging his breath (exactly 11 seconds the exact frame Kong's fist connects to his face, and the exact frame we can hear his charge)
and no, the novel does not contradict or change anything of this scene
per the novel Kong simply does not understand why Godzilla is even on the floor it is neither stated to be unconscious or dazed, simply \"still... not dead\"
it also like the movie fails the state any amount of time or distance in-between scenes simply stating the exact same progression Kong hits Godzilla, > starts dragging> Shooting
the movie even has a continuity error with Godzilla somehow being closer to the city despite it being on the opposite direction of the portal, AND falling backwards to the city meaning both Kong and Godzilla teleport backwards trough that sequence
The fight was (NOT) a draw, and Kong was (NOT) holding back, and the beast glove can('t) block Godzilla's breath
this is the sequence of words you often see in these discussions stating that this fight is not valid because Kong was holding back (often being followed by Kong could have killed Godzilla if he wanted, or kong could've bashed godzilla's head if he wanted) and that even if mothra didn't interview it would end there, and that the director commentary backs this up however once more this is untrue
as i can't provide video prof of the commentary duo to the formatting of the post what adam actually stated is that kong held back from fighting godzilla as he had grown past their rivalry and that is not his intentions, however kong did lose his temper and went out of his way not only mad at godzilla, but also trying to take revenge for Hong kong, something the novels even backs up:
the novel not only states the same, but also goes out of its way to say kong was gratified with striking godzilla
so now that is clarified what was going on on kong's mind, yes godzilla won, and kong was not only saved once, he was saved TWICE, because as per the same commentary, godzilla stepping on kong only didn't kill him as it did in GvK because kong fell on flat sand which he sunk in you can actually see that when godzilla first steps on kong trough the fight than comes the argumentation that kong was going to block the breath and move out however this is also untrue
the novel goes in great detail that that kong could never escape before godzilla hit him, and while kong indeed block with his arm, he did not even know if it was going to work or not something you can once again actually see in the movie
Conclusion: THE EGYPT FIGHT IS THE EXACT SAME IN ALL SOURCES

Shimo, a class in tell not show, and why she is the potential man of the monsterverse

image made by u/drywall9
the second issue with these discussions is shimo and the amount of things she is "told" but never show to be able to do, while at the same time being backed up with an ungodly amount of arguments placing her as the strongest titan in the monsterverse.... while that is completely and utterly untrue
Shimo didn't beat godzilla in the past... no that is not what the novel said, and why Bernie, and Illene are the most unreliable sources in the monsterverse
this is a heated topic, mostly being about people not having an actual firm stating point to place shimo and how strong she actually is in relationship to other titans (mostly godzilla and ghidorah) a great deal of people firmly believing she is the most powerful titan in the monsterverse, something that has sparked a good amount of discussion after adam stated that firmly she and godzilla are equals something that is contradicted by the novels stating that shimo was "dominating" in ancient times, and that she beat and froze ghidorah.... except the novels don't say that, nor does it confirm anything, in fact both these claims are just Illene tossing stuff at a wall to see what sticks and Bernie does what Bernie does, spit his own conspiracies into the thing until he gets something right out of pure luck
this is what illene and bernie actually say
she simply remarks monarch had cave paintings of shimo from before the events of the movie, and that some of those paintings depicted shimo being stronger than godzilla something even bernie thinks is hard to imagine
illene than proceeds to talk about jia and the iwi before the discussion rolls back to Shimo where she says:
she than proceeds to detail other interactions before pondering how much of it is true, and how much of it are the person making the paintings projecting his own emotions into the fight
BUT SHE TOOK GODZILLA'S ATTOMICH BREATH LIKE IT WAS NOTHING? isn't actually new
several times godzilla's breath and similar power attacks (such as ghidorah beams) has show to be survivable in one way or another, be it because of raw durability, or other countermeasures, what is surprising here is not that shimo can take it, but that illene is surprised she can. even mechagodzilla one of the least durable monster in the MV is confirmed to be able to survive it (albeit not for long)
Shimo (didn't) freeze Ghidorah (at least not directly)
this is actually the main reason for the existence of this post, my tiredness with the endless debates that shimo 100% beat and froze ghidorah, with endless claims that the novel completely confirms it and that despite being contradicted by SEVERAL other sources they are disregarded as "Retconned" despite not being contradicted at all, and the only point towards shimo and ghidorah being involved neither confirms or denies anything, it is a combination of inconclusive discussions between bernie and illene, asking several questions that are not bothered to be answered. this is the actual discussion:
what she says is that the same crystal formations found within shimo ice ages created by shimo were found ACROSS Antarctica in a localized event, which is also where ghidorah was found than after being asked by bernie she simply shrugs it off as if she does not know the answer
she never states that shimo is involved in any way with ghidorah, just that at some point shimo was at Antarctica possible freezing it in an event separate from the ice age she created during the titan war this is backed up by our previous sources on how ghidorah was frozen
back in GvK's novel it is stated that it is unknown what happened to ghidorah just that they know ice quickly melted around him and them even quicker froze itself back imprisoning him
this might cause you to believe this is prof. that ghidorah was beaten and or frozen by shimo however there is ONE CORE information that is missing in both these situations, that simply contradict this point
in both occasions, THE HUMANS ARE COMPLETELLY UNAWARE OF GODZILLA'S INVOLMENT WITH GHIDORAH, not their fights, NOT their rivalry but godzilla's involvement with the freezing of ghidorah, as that is information provided only to us the viewer of the monsterverse, and thus why in BOTH OCASIONS the humans do not mention him (they have no ideia), and proceed to acknowledge shimo in place of him trough the events this is further proven by the original takes on how ghidorah was frozen
ghidorah himself broke off and melted the ice as he feel from the sky sub-sequentially getting stuck in it
there is also a tweet of him confirming godzilla battled godzilla 1v1 but since it is a 2019 post i have failed to have the mental power to go trough 5+ years of replies just to get one print you got the point
case and point the "Novel does not state shimo froze or was involved" with ghidorah, nor did it retcon anything from previous information we have, godzilla simply had a 1v1 fight with ghidorah in Antarctica while a localized shimo storm (like in rio) was happening, godzilla than beat ghidorah which ended in ghidorah being stuck in ice and melted water that quickly froze him before godzilla left the dragon for dead
the reasons for the storm are unknown, the time shimo created it unknown in relationship to the godzilla vs ghidorah fight is unknown, and the extend of how intentional it was from any of the parts involvement is unknown. any points outside that is no more than headcanom, theory-craft and is NOT CONFIRMED
submitted by HellfireBrB to Monsterverse [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:26 FakeElectionMaker Calles expected Garrido Canabal to be his puppet, but the new president, a totalitarian puritan in spite of his violent atheism, eventually purged the Callistas, closed their brothels and casinos, and replaced them with loyal Garridistas.

Calles expected Garrido Canabal to be his puppet, but the new president, a totalitarian puritan in spite of his violent atheism, eventually purged the Callistas, closed their brothels and casinos, and replaced them with loyal Garridistas.
The brothels were turned into hospitals and the casinos into schools, while the Red Shirts sentenced prostitutes into "redemption through labour" in state-owned factories and systematically executed pimps. In 1937, Garrido Canabal introduced alcohol prohibition into Mexico, four years after its repeal in the US, but revoked it in 1942 due to the same negative outcomes happening down south.
In 1936, PEMEX was founded as a state-owned company with a monopoly on the production, refinement and distribution of oil, with the property of foreign oil companies being expropriated without compensation. This led to substantial tensions between Mexico and the US, and Garrido Canabal stationed two infantry corps near the northern border to defend the country against an American invasion. He also began a military buildup, purchasing weapons from the Soviet Union, Denmark and Czechoslovakia and seeking to develop a national armaments industry.
The ferocious religious persecution previously seen in Tabasco extended to all of Mexico. The Red Shirts carried out large-scale violence against priests, lay clergy and landowners, who faced torture, murder and humiliation for their beliefs and social class. One of the President's first acts after coming to power was introducing Rationalist education to all Mexican schools, massively broadening public education, and abolishing private education. At the same time, Garrido Canabal began a cult of personality; his ideological writings were published on a large-scale, the government wrote songs and plays about him, and his portraits shaped public buildings and were carried by the Red Shirts in military parades.
In 1936, Garrido Canabal launched the first of Mexico's Five-Year Plans, taking the Soviet Union's Five-Year Plans as a model and focusing on education, healthcare, electricity, transportation and alimentation; however, during the American invasion, the plan's funding was redirected to the military. After the United States withdrawal, industrialisation continued as Mexico supplied oil to the Allies.
submitted by FakeElectionMaker to GustavosAltUniverses [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:23 jsimait1 Reva Rann: The Next Spaceknight

Chapter 1: The Shadow of a Legend

The planet Galador mourned the loss of one of its greatest heroes, ROM the Spaceknight. His valor and sacrifice had saved countless lives, but his death left a void that seemed impossible to fill. Among those who felt his absence most keenly was his niece, Reva Rann. From a young age, Reva idolized her uncle and aspired to follow in his footsteps as a protector of the galaxy.
Reva was determined to become a Spaceknight, a legendary warrior capable of defending Galador and its people. She possessed not only physical prowess but also a keen intellect, maintaining a GPA of 4.5. Her brilliance was recognized early on, and she was accepted into the Spaceknight Academy. However, despite her academic achievements, her instructors found her lacking in the combat skills and discipline they deemed essential for a Spaceknight. After several attempts to prove herself, Reva was expelled from the Academy.

Chapter 2: The Birth of a New Spaceknight

Undeterred by her expulsion, Reva decided to forge her own path. She delved into her studies, focusing on engineering and advanced technologies. With her exceptional intellect, she designed and constructed a new suit of armor, one far superior to the traditional Spaceknight suits. She named it "Lumina Vortex."
The Lumina Vortex was a marvel of engineering and a testament to Reva's ingenuity. It was equipped with the following advanced capabilities:
  1. **Adaptive Armor:** The suit could change its composition to adapt to different types of attacks, whether energy-based, physical, or elemental.
  2. **Photon Blades:** Energy blades that could cut through nearly any material and be retracted when not in use.
  3. **Quantum Shielding:** A protective barrier that could deflect projectiles and absorb energy attacks, converting them into power for the suit.
  4. **Warp Drive:** A built-in teleportation system allowing Reva to travel vast distances instantaneously.
  5. **AI Integration:** An advanced artificial intelligence named "Orion" that assisted Reva with tactical analysis, combat strategy, and suit management.
  6. **Stealth Mode:** The ability to become invisible to both visual and electronic detection systems.
With Lumina Vortex, Reva was more than a match for any Spaceknight.

Chapter 3: The Dire Wraith Threat

While Reva honed her skills and tested her new suit, a sinister threat was looming. The Dire Wraiths, sworn enemies of the Spaceknights, had not been idle. They had regrouped under a new leader, a being of immense power and cunning. This new adversary was Raxia, niece of Hybrid, a powerful and malevolent Dire Wraith who had been a formidable foe to ROM.
Raxia was a Dire Wraith of exceptional ability, possessing both the shape-shifting prowess of her kind and unique psionic powers inherited from her uncle. She was determined to avenge her uncle's defeats and destroy Galador once and for all. Under her leadership, the Dire Wraiths launched a series of attacks across the galaxy, leaving destruction in their wake.

Chapter 4: The Clash of Legacies

Reva learned of the Dire Wraith threat and knew she had to act. Donning her Lumina Vortex armor, she embarked on a mission to stop Raxia and her forces. Her first encounter with Raxia was brutal. Raxia's psionic powers and combat skills made her a formidable opponent. However, Reva's adaptive armor and Orion's strategic support allowed her to hold her ground.
As their battles continued, Reva began to uncover more about Raxia's plans. The Dire Wraith leader intended to use a cosmic artifact known as the "Starheart" to enhance her powers and make her armies unstoppable. Reva realized that she had to prevent Raxia from obtaining the Starheart at all costs.

Chapter 5: The Final Confrontation

The final showdown took place on the barren moon of Xandar Prime, where the Starheart was hidden. Reva and Raxia faced each other in a titanic battle. The moon's desolate landscape echoed with the sounds of their combat, energy blasts lighting up the dark sky.
Raxia unleashed her full psionic fury, but Reva's Lumina Vortex adapted to every assault. Using her photon blades and warp drive, Reva outmaneuvered Raxia, landing critical blows. In a climactic moment, Reva activated the quantum shielding to absorb a devastating psionic attack, redirecting the energy back at Raxia.
Weakened and defeated, Raxia attempted to flee, but Reva, with the help of Orion, disabled her escape route. Capturing Raxia, Reva secured the Starheart and brought it back to Galador, ensuring it would never fall into the wrong hands.

Epilogue: A New Dawn

Reva returned to Galador a hero. Her bravery and ingenuity had saved the galaxy from a dire threat. Though she had not been accepted by the Spaceknight Academy, she had proven herself as a true Spaceknight in her own right.
The people of Galador celebrated her as "Reva the Resilient," honoring her determination and spirit. Inspired by her example, a new generation of Spaceknights began to emerge, combining traditional combat skills with innovative technologies.
Reva continued her work, always vigilant, ready to defend the galaxy from any threat. In her heart, she carried the legacy of her uncle, ROM, knowing that she had lived up to the promise of a Spaceknight.
And so, the legend of Reva Rann, the niece of ROM, grew, a beacon of hope and resilience in the ever-expanding universe.
submitted by jsimait1 to MarvelFanStory [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:20 hemlockandhoney {F4A} Medieval, Western, The Boys, The Witcher, V:TM Prompts

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.
submitted by hemlockandhoney to roleplaying [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:12 MrAwesome Steam Deck Mega FAQ. Start here before you ask!

TL;DR

"I'm not reading all that, get to the point!"
Yes you should buy one, check ProtonDB to see if the game will work on the Deck and how to run it, yes the LCD is fine but also yes the OLED is better, don't go overboard with accessories or tweaking unless you know you need it, and we've already recommended games / given advice for the specific situation you're asking about so please search the subreddit first before you ask your question!

Purchasing / Accessories

"Should I buy a Steam Deck?"
Do you have the money? Yes.
"Should I buy a Steam Deck, or a ROG DoodooPeepee, or a Lenovo PoopooDookie?"
Look where you are. We're going to tell you to get the Deck, and we're going to be right. It's not perfect, it's a little janky, but it's absolutely amazing.
"Should I get the OLED or LCD?"
It depends. If money is an issue, or someone is offering you one at a huge discount, the LCD is perfectly fine! It's still an amazing system, and any FOMO is misplaced unless you really need better battery life.
The OLED is strictly better (better screen, better battery life, etc), but the overall experience is not that far off and they can run all of the same games at ~effectively the same fps.
"Should I get the official Dock?"
NO. It has a horrible bug with HDMI that will haunt your dreams. There are plenty of alternate docks that work perfectly, just Google "steam deck docks" and pick one. The JSAUX one is spoken of highly, and I can attest that my old UGREEN USB-C hub works perfectly as a dock.
"What accessories should I get?"
Overall... You don't need much, the Deck is great the way it is.
If you plan to play on a TV, definitely get a nice dock/hub.
A standard power bank with at least 45w charging is great for long plane/train rides.
A "ground loop isolator" is nice for getting rid of the loud buzz on wired headphones when charging.
Beyond that, just search the subreddit for "accessories" and you'll get tons of answers!
"What controller should I get?"
Do you want gyro?
If not, just any old controller is fine. XBox controllers seem affordable and high quality these days, and are well-supported.
If so, then check out DualShock 4, DualSense, 8BitDo Pro 2, and Switch Pro.
If you want back paddles and gyro, you'll want to check out the 8BitDo Pro 2 and the (pricey but amazing) DualSense Edge.
"What games should I buy?"
Search the subreddit! This is probably the most-asked question we get here, and there are literally thousands of threads full of great answers.
"I have a long flight coming up, what games should I buy?"
Search the subreddit! (Balatro.)
"What games are good for keeping battery use low?"
Search the subreddit! (Balatro. And/or streaming via Moonlight or Remote Play.)
"What games are good for playing in bed that don't spin the fan too loudly and wake up my partner?"
Search the subreddit! (Balatro. And/or streaming via Moonlight or Remote Play.)
"I'm on a really tight budget, what games can I buy for the deck?"
Search the subreddit! (Holocure. It's free.)
"I just bought my Deck, how long will it take to arrive?"
It depends, but 1-2 weeks is a safe bet.

Tweaking / Compatibility

"What should I tweak before I start playing games?"
Nothing. Don't change things until you're clear why you want to change it.
"Will run on the Deck?"
Check out ProtonDB.
"How can I get better performance on ?"
Check out ProtonDB.
Google it! "steam deck performance " will get you so many great threads and spreadsheets. If it runs, someone has tweaked it.
"Should I overclock my Deck? Should I enable PeePeePooPoo Ultra Performance Utils?"
No.
"How can I run my games from Epic/GOG/Ubisoft/EA?"
Check out ProtonDB, and search the subreddit/Google.
The answer is likely going to be Lutris or Heroic Launcher. Once you have the game set up there, both launchers have an "Add to Steam" option that should work perfectly.
"How can I use the Nintendo button layout?"
You, as a supreme ultrachad of taste and elegance, should simply go to the main menu, look under Controller, and select "Use Nintendo Button Layout".
(Note: this should work out of the box for essentially all games using Steam Input, and will swap the button glyphs in-game for most games. The only issue you'll have is that the Steam Deck UI will still show the actual physical button glyphs, instead of the superior-layout buttons that you expect (so X/Y and A/B will be backwards from what you want).)
"Can I swap the physical buttons to match the superior Nintendo layout stored in my galaxy-sized brain?"
Unfortunately not, or at least not without getting custom buttons. The buttons on the deck are differently-shaped, and would feel very weird out of position.

Tips & Tricks

"How do I bring up the on-screen keyboard?"
STEAM + X.
(Or, for those giga-brained among you using the Nintendo layout, STEAM + Y.)
Note: the on-screen keyboard won't work in Desktop Mode if Steam isn't running in the background!
"The left trackpad scrolling doesn't work right in Desktop Mode!"
It's a scroll wheel. Rub counterclockwise to scroll up, clockwise for down.
"That's dumb. How do I change the controls for Desktop Mode?"
Open up Steam, then Settings > Controller > Desktop Configuration.
"I want to play Red Dead Redemption 2 or on a plane!"
LAUNCH THE GAME BEFORE YOU GET ON THAT PLANE, MY FRIEND. Make sure you can get all the way to the game itself. Many games require you to be connected to the internet either the first time the game launches, or the first time you've launched the game in a while.
"I hate trying to aim / use the mouse with the joysticks/pads!"
USE GYRO. USE GYRO. USE GYRO.
Go into the controller settings for your game, turn on gyro "As Mouse", and set it to activate on "Right Stick Touch" and/or "Right Pad Touch". Your console gaming life will never be the same.
"How can I type faster on the on-screen keyboard?"
Try using the trackpads. The left pad controls the left half of the keyboard, the right pad controls the right half. Takes some getting used to, but it's decently quick and doesn't require taking your hands off the sides to type on-screen.
"How can I switch the controls to gamepad mode (or back) in Desktop Mode?"
Hold the menu [...] button!
"I want custom menus, more button options, perfectly-tweaked joystick/gyro controls, etc."
Go to the controller settings for your game and look through community layouts!
If that's not good enough, customize one of them or make your own. Steam Input is ridiculously flexible.
(My favorite thing to do is to create an Action Layer called "util", set one of the back paddles to "Hold Action Layer - util", and then rebind a bunch of buttons in that Action Layer to essentially 2x the number of buttons on the Deck. Just hold down the paddle, press whatever buttons you need, and let go when you're done.)
"I want to open up my Deck to replace the . Anything I should know?"
TAKE OUT THE SD CARD FIRST.

Troubleshooting

"It's hanging forever after a reboot, what do I do?"
Either connect it to Ethernet with the dock, get near a known wifi network (doesn't always work), or turn it off and then hold the [...] button while you press the power button and then select the second option in the list that appears on the screen.
"After an update, I'm seeing an error that says 'Something went wrong while displaying this content'!"
Decky, or one of your Decky plugins is not updated yet and is broken. If you can open Decky, try to update your plugins or disable them one-by-one to figure out which one is broken. If you can't open it, go to desktop mode and update/uninstall Decky by running the installer again. If you're still struggling, search the subreddit for "decky broken" and see what other people have done to fix it.
This can also happen if you're using the Beta channel. I believe Decky has their own beta/prerelease channel that makes this happen less often.
"When streaming on my OLED deck with Moonlight or Steam Remote Play, I randomly get periods of really intense lag!"
It's a long-running networking bug that has inexplicably never been fixed. Just restart Moonlight, or turn wifi off and on again.
"My wifi is slow on the Deck!"
Check that you're using the 5Ghz band, if possible.
"Game downloads/updates are really slow!"
Go to "Downloads" in the main settings menu and make sure "Download region" is near you.
"I can't connect my Deck to my TV via HDMI with the official dock, it just shows a black screen and doesn't connect!"
You will need to _unplug every cord_ except HDMI from the dock, connect to the TV, and then plug everything else back in. Every single time. I'm so sorry. You may want to just get a better dock. They still haven't fixed this and I don't think anyone knows why.
"Oh God my Deck shows an error when I boot what do I do?"
Search the error, but the likely answer will be to do a full system recovery: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3
submitted by MrAwesome to SteamDeck [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:08 Stan_B Ai_Prompts_Batch_0001:\ part-E_ [ Resultset (\) ]

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:
  1. The Glitching Holographic Ring:
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:
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:
  1. The Hacksawed Hearth Stove:
  1. The Hacksawed Hearth Hologram:
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:
  1. The Hacksawed Heart Pendant (Metaphorical):
  1. The Hacksawed Heart Hologram:
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:
  1. The Cracked Terrain Model:
  1. The Fractured Hologram:
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:
For the Elite:
A Different Perspective:
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:
  1. The Neural Network Spire:
  1. The Glimmering Hand (Data Hand):
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:
  1. The Glitching Gear:
  1. The Broken Wing:
  1. The Hacked Flower:
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.
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2024.05.20 00:56 orangeplr I believed in fairies as a kid. I think something terrible happened to me

I believed in fairies as a kid. More than believed in them. I think something terrible happened to me, and I've just buried it until now.
Call me a typical emotion-bottling man, but I have never considered therapy. No matter what I went through, no matter how many times I thought to myself, verbatim, that I should talk to someone about this, I just never thought of it as an option. It simply wasn't on my roster. It was just one of those things that existed on a separate plane of existence than I was living in, never to cross paths or interact lest the universe collapse in on itself.
I have no problem with therapy, don't get me wrong. It isn't like I don't understand the overall appeal. I have plenty of friends who swear by it, swear it has helped them tremendously, including my wife. It just wasn't ever something I thought was in my cards.
"I just never really thought about it," I told Alice one evening, when she had brought the topic up once again after dinner.
There was a serene sense of peace wafting through the entire house that day, and I was feeling content. It was a Sunday, and swimming season, so we had dropped Emmie off that morning at the public pool for practice and gone straight to our favorite breakfast place. The rest of the day was filled with all the conversation that had built up over the week, all the topics we couldn't fully dig into with each other while babysitting our eight year old, and lounging, all crammed in between sporadic bursts of housework and paperwork we had to catch up on. It was the perfect day, in my humble opinion. It was a lovely moment of peace in the midst of a chaotic life, as is life with kids. And now the sounds of Mario Kart drifted in from the living room, Emmie's squeals cutting through the cheery music every now and then, causing Alice and I to share small smiles of acknowledgement.
Oh, to be a child again. Still a little drenched from a post-swimming shower, full of chili, eyes glowing with the reflection of a television screen.
"Well, maybe you should." My wife was scooping leftover chili into a Tupperware with a ladle. Her hair had been tied up like it was every day after dinner, as if she planned to run a marathon rather than do the cleaning up. She wasn't looking at me, dialed into the task at hand.
It's crazy how some parts of my memory could be so good, and others nonexistent.
I reached over from where I stood before the dishwasher, sliding my arm around her waist. She gave me a look, like, what?
"I just don't think it's for me, babe," I muttered, resting my mouth on her shoulder as if I was trying to skip her ears and speak right through her skin. "You know those things make me uncomfortable sometimes."
She let out a half groan, half sigh, setting down the container and the ladle and turning to face me, draping her arms over my shoulders.
"Everything makes you uncomfortable, John."
I smiled, letting my hands fall to her hips. I knew her frustrated act was just that, an act, at least for the most part.
"It's good for you," she continued pointedly, reaching up to tap her pointer finger against my forehead as I swayed her back and forth to a nonexistent tune. "Like medicine. And I know for a fact there are some things you need to work through."
I feigned offense. "You think I'm some kind of nut job?"
"Everyone needs therapy," she snarled, pulling out of my arms, but she didn't resist when I reached out and drew her back in. "Not just nut jobs."
And that was how most of those conversations went. Some got a little more heated, ending with a lightly slammed door (so as not to wake our daughter) and a whisper-shout of "this is why you need therapy!"
I feel I'm making it sound bad, but it wasn't. Even our more serious fights never quite felt like fights. They felt like playing. We were like two cats, biting and tackling and swishing our tails, but never baring our teeth to hiss. I never felt genuine, full-bodied anger towards her, and I knew she felt the same. It sounds sappy, but we were just very in love. I sometimes felt that we had never actually left the honeymoon phase.
I'm also making it sound like that conversation was incredibly common, and it wasn't. It came up maybe once every few months. I knew she was just looking out for me. She knew me better than anyone.
We had met through mutual friends, and we had initially bonded over our terrible childhoods. We both had moms who were out of the picture, and over emotional, over compensating dads, although this manifested in vastly different ways. Alice's mother left her father for a D-list rockstar type, following him on his state wide tour. She would sometimes send Alice letters or postcards from the road, although her dad wouldn't always let her keep them if they seemed to be stained with blood or seemed to have made contact with any strange white powders.
Her dad coped with anger. He never laid a hand on her, but his shouting and the sounds of glass bottles smashing against the walls kept her up almost every night. During the days he'd take her out, buy her things, go mini golfing and bowling and to the movies. Anything to seem more fun than her mother.
My mother passed away on my seventh birthday. She was driving home from work, which was at a law firm half an hour away from our house, when it began to rain. She was texting my dad her ETA when she ran a red light and a semi truck T-boned her, completely obliterating her car.
After that, everything changed. My seventh birthday could've been my twenty-first. At night it was the worst. I remember sitting with my dad as he cried, curled up in a sobbing ball on the filthy living room carpet, whimpering like a kicked puppy. He would scream and wail so loud the walls shook. He would say, over and over as if I wasn't hearing him, sometimes mumbling and sometimes shrieking, "She was cut in half. I'm sorry sir, she's gone. No, there's no chance she survived, she was completely cut in half."
The days were almost worse. During the day, when he could decrease the helpless wails into weeping at the very least, his attention turned to me. He tried to get something out of me, almost silently begging me to break down with him. Every other second it was, "How are you feeling, son? Do you understand what's happening? You poor thing, you must be devastated, your mommy is gone... Don't you want to cry?"
But I couldn't indulge, and I didn't want to. I had to wash the sheets, because he'd pissed them again, and I didn't want him to sleep in it and smell like pee when he took me to school the next day. I had to vacuum the carpet, so the next time he curled up on it and begged God to take him too, when he finally stood up, his cheek wouldn't be caked in crumbs and dust.
I don't know if I ever truly mourned. My mother's death was more like an absence, as if someone had taken a pair of scissors and carved a chunk out of my side, or snipped off a limb. I could still feel her, I could still talk to her, but all I got back was a deep ache and a crushing silence.
I hated how people reacted when I told them my mom was dead, and had been since I was a little boy. I hated the looks on their faces when they asked how she died, and when I told them. How their mouths fell open dumbly and their eyebrows twisted and contorted in sympathetic horror. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know," they said, as if there was vomit rising in their throats, and I wanted to say, "Well, you fucking asked, didn't you?"
Alice never reacted like that. In fact, she never really even asked me what happened. We were on our second date, nursing beers while leaning against the pool table a a dingy speakeasy, when she told me about her own mom. It was the first time in a long time I actually felt like the conversation was open, like I could respond and she would listen and care, but not too much. Not an uncomfortable amount. When I told her about my parents she didn't say anything, and her pretty face didn't contort. She leaned over the corner of the pool table and kissed me on the cheek, took my hand.
The day she found out she was pregnant, we promised each other to be better, to not let our child ever have to grieve alone or feel the very specific hopeless terror that only a parent can cause.
So maybe I should have listened to her. Maybe I should have gone to therapy the first time she brought it up, the first time she told me how it had helped her get through her own terrible memories. But if I'm being honest, I didn't think I had anything to get through. I had left it in the past, I had coped so far in my own somewhat crooked way, I didn't want to dig any of that back up. I didn't want to be put back in that place where I was expected to talk, to cry, to open up. It made my skin crawl just thinking about it.
"I was always the therapist," I would say to her with a crooked grin. "And I like it that way."
Then, the dreams started.
I could tell you I don't know what triggered them, I don't know why it was now. But that wouldn't be the truth. I know exactly why I started to remember.
At first, they were brief. Nightmares that I couldn't quite recall or explain, waking up disoriented and a little sick. The rest of my day would feel strange, like I was surrounded by a thick fog. Eventually, they started to wake me up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat and screaming, scaring the shit out of my wife. Once I ran to the bathroom and threw up, barely making it to the toilet. That was when the word "therapy" came up again.
It feels like I've been in a coma for twenty years, and I'm just waking up now.
It's so strange how different the world looks to a child.
I believed in fairies as a kid. Laugh it up if you want. When I turned four, my aunt brought me this book - we've all had one, I think. It was one of those huge hardcover books filled with information about something mythical, with little patches of fabric to simulate a mermaid's scales or a dragon's claw.
Mine was about fairies, and it was so real to me. My mom would sit up with me later than she probably should have, reading to me, placing my hand on the textures to feel. I wanted to know everything about them, I became obsessed, and naturally, my parents played along. They bought me toys, books... every year I had a fae themed birthday cake, and any kid who dared to giggle behind their hands weren't invited to next year's celebration.
When I was old enough to use the internet, supervised of course, I began further research. My mom helped me navigate Wikipedia first, and they had plenty of information to sustain me for a while. My interest turned from wings and magical powers to different types of fae from every corner of the earth, mushroom rings and their alleged distaste for iron. While I still wasn't very good at reading, I would just look at the pictures until she got home from work.
When my mom died, the fairy memorabilia began to amp up. My aunt bought me new books, gave them to me wrapped and tied with ribbons with tear filled eyes, and my dad brought them up whenever he thought I needed comforting and felt strong enough to leave the house. "Wanna go look in the forest for fairies, son?"
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I began to worship the fairies. I was convinced they lived in the forest behind my house, just behind each tree I looked at, hiding from me. I would spend my weekends escaping into the woods with a bucket and a cheap pair of binoculars, positive that this time, this day, I would see one.
At night, when my dad finally passed out in his own puddle of tears and other bodily fluids, I would pray to them. I never believed in God, we weren't a particularly religious family, and besides, I had seen what good He had done for my dad thus far. But I believed in the fairies.
I asked them for help with my father. I asked them for peace. I asked them to bring her back to me.
They never answered.
Until they did.
It was a Friday. I remember now, I'm not sure how I could have forgotten. After school I had sprinted into the shade of the trees before my dad could stop me, gripping the hem of my shirt in my fist, the thin fabric bearing the weight of two handfuls of the shiniest silverware and most colorful buttons I could find in our dusty cabinets.
I had a plan that day. I was going to lure them to me.
My path began in a clearing where I thought a ring of mushrooms may have begun to grow... but even without that, it was just the perfect spot for fairies. I could picture them flitting between the trees, chirping to each other happily, picking wildflowers to weave into flower crowns.
I walked backwards all the way back to my bedroom window, dropping another item every few steps. When I got inside and looked out my window, I could see my trail of shiny things curve through the overgrown grass in our backyard and disappear into the trees.
I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. Tonight, surely, they would come to me. They would show themselves, and they would help me. But after another few late hours of coddling my father, finally convincing him to drink some water and get in bed, I was exhausted. I completely forgot about my plan. When I got to my room I collapsed on my mattress, not even bothering to undress before I closed my eyes.
Then I heard it. The scratching.
I opened my eyes. The moonlight shining through my bedroom window casted strange shadows across my ceiling, shadows of the swaying grass and the creaking trees.
It was strangely silent, other than the sound. Usually there was lots of noise, or at the very least a few crickets, but not tonight. Tonight, I realized, I couldn't even hear the wind.
I sat up slowly, as if in a dream, and looked toward my window. I couldn't see anything out there, nothing glaringly obvious at least, that could be making that noise.
The scratching turned to a tap. Tap tap tap, like a fingernail against a glass. It had a playful air to it, like someone was saying, look over here!
I stood, rubbing my eyes, and stumbled over. The tapping stopped abruptly when I got to the window and peered outside, out to the dark yard, pitch black if not for the moon's glow. The grass didn't sway, the trees didn't creak. I frowned and unlatched the window, sliding it up above my head.
I was right, there was no wind. Not even a gust. Everything was still outside, like it was frozen. I actually started to believe it was frozen, that time had stopped completely somehow, before I saw it.
My trail of silverware and buttons. Sparkling softly in the moonlight.
Disappearing.
It began where the path met the trees, curving off where I couldn't follow it anymore. A fork disappeared right before my eyes, right on the edge. Just vanished, as if someone who was invisible had picked it up and stuffed it in a pocket very quickly.
Then another went, a spoon. Then a particularly large gold button. Whatever was taking them was doing what I had wanted, it was taking my bait, it was coming to me. And it was as if whatever had tapped at my window had wanted me to see this, wanted to show me.
But something felt very, very wrong.
This wasn't how I had pictured it. There was no twinkling, tiny winged thing at my window, winking at me before dashing back into the safety of the trees. There were no secrets being whispered in my ear, no fairy dust or promises of better things.
Something about this wasn't right. It felt like a mimicry, almost a mockery, of what I had imagined. Like something was trying to give me what I wanted, but was rusty at it.
I didn't want this anymore.
My stomach twisted and my hands shook as I pulled the window back down slowly, watching more glittery things disappear from the grass, growing closer and closer. As soon as it was closed I quickly locked it and pulled the blinds shut, turning my back to the window as if something would happen that I didn't want to see.
Nothing happened. The deafening silence continued for a few seconds as my ears strained to hear anything else happening outside. Then the wind picked up, and the sounds of crickets, muffled by my closed window, filled the night air.
I don't remember when I fell asleep that night, I just know I felt unnerved and jumpy for a while. I woke up the next morning feeling guilty. Had the fairies really come last night? Maybe they had come to talk to me, to bring me gifts, favors, and what had I done? I had closed my window on them. I felt ungrateful. Why had I even been scared? Because it was dark outside? What was I, a baby?
When I opened my window and peered outside, I gasped. The trail of silverware and buttons was completely gone, all the way up to the last one, which I had placed on my windowsill. In its place was a shoe. I didn't know what kind of shoe it was, but it looked sort of nice, fancy. I remember smiling out the window as I opened it, as if they were looking, and taking my gift.
How could I forget that night? How could I have forgotten what happened after? I feel crazy, either like I made it all up or like I've made up everything since then, like my life isn't truly my own.
I remember telling my dad. I remember saying, "Dad, the fairies came last night!" and the absent smile he gave me.
Until I showed him their gift. The shoe. Instantly his face went pale and he snatched it from my hands, staring at me as if I was something unholy.
"Where did you get this, Johnny?"
"The fairies, dad, I told you!"
He didn't respond. Just gave me another long, solemn look, before turning away from me, still holding the present I received close to his chest. I was upset, but I knew better than throwing a tantrum. That would be too much emotion anyways, too uncomfortable. Even back then, I didn't know how to handle those things.
I didn't show him their gifts after that. I didn't want to risk having them taken away. I tried not to be scared of the fairies, even though they always came at night, but I didn't go to my window when they came anymore. I read everywhere that fairies didn't particularly like to be seen, even though this one seemed to want to be. It always began with tapping, but otherwise complete silence that almost felt like it was swallowing me... and eventually the tapping would stop, the silence would pass, and I would fall asleep. In the morning there was always another gift for me, sitting on my window sill. A sparkly gold ring, the other matching shoe, a hat... I smiled when I took every one, wanting them to know I was grateful. And I would leave things for them too, little sweets or shiny things like coins or paperclips that I found on the ground at school.
Things seemed to get better with my dad for a while. He kept to himself more, he was quieter. At night he would cry softly in his room, rather than his uproarious wails that I used to have to quell so the neighbors wouldn't come knocking. During the day, he would talk to me, but more casually. He didn't ask me how I was feeling anymore, or tell me to let it out.
I hoped this was the fairies. I felt invincible, like I had a secret superpower that no one knew about. I was friends with fairies.
Then one night, everything changed.
It started with the tapping, as always. That night I was fast asleep, catching up on well earned rest since the nightly therapy sessions had ceased.
The tapping woke me. It was that loud. It was louder than usual... but it seemed like it stopped abruptly as soon as I raised my head to look.
That was different...
That night, I had left my blinds up and my window open by accident. Since that first night, even though I wasn't scared anymore, I had always closed them... but this time, I must have forgotten.
It was silent outside. It seemed darker than usual. I could almost make out something, a shape, way on the other side of the yard, but it was too dark and I was too far away to tell.
That feeling from that first night retuned. A twisting like a hand reaching into my stomach and mixing things around, a heavy feeling in my chest like someone had stolen all of the air from my room, even though the window was open. The silence seemed to crush me, bearing down on me from every angle, making my ribs hurt.
The feeling that something was very wrong.
I don't remember deciding to stand: looking back, I have no idea why I would do that in my state of fight or flight. I don't know if I consciously chose to. I don't remember walking over, but I remember getting there, my hands on the windowsill and my head poking out into the completely still night air.
There was something there. On the edge of the trees. Right where I had seen that first fork disappear into thin air. I squinted, leaning further into the darkness to try and make out what it was.
When I finally did, the outline taking shape as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I began to shake uncontrollably. I remember that I tried to scream, but no sound would come. I couldn't move, couldn't do anything but stare.
Two legs stood in front of the trees, facing me. Two legs, a blood-soaked pair of slacks, no shoes on the purple, swollen feet. And a jagged, violent rip in the torso where the rest of my mother's body had been severed from its lower half.
It took me a while to realize that the legs weren't standing on their own. They began to move, jerking clumsily toward the window, like something I couldn't see was struggling to hold them up. I finally forced myself out of my trance and fell to my carpet, vomiting.
I don't remember much else about that night yet. My dad came running when I started crying, I'm sure, but he didn't see what I saw. My mom's legs were gone, or hidden. Because they weren't for him.
They were for me.
We moved after that. Before now if you had asked me why we moved so far away so suddenly, I probably would have mumbled something about the grief, and it being too hard to stay where my mother had died. But I remember why now.
It was because the next morning, when I checked my windowsill, there was a hand. My mother's hand. Purple and stiff, and missing her gold wedding ring. Reaching, fingers rested against the glass, like it was trying to get in.
Like it had been tapping.
I don't want to think about what else it might have brought, had we stayed.
That thing, whatever it was, wasn't my mother, and it wasn't a fairy. I had invited something else with all my praying, with all my naive and innocent beliefs, and with all my bottled up emotions. I had invited it, and I had let it in.
And then I had forgotten everything. Maybe I bottled that up, too.
Now I remember. Now I'm having nightmares, and waking up with that sick feeling in my gut, my eyes jumping to our closed bedroom window.
Because a week ago, my daughter woke me up very early in the morning my jumping on our bed. A week ago, she shook me awake, her eager smile stretching all the way across her face. A week ago, she told me, "Dad, the fairies came last night!"
She showed me a doll, a ballerina, with a pink tutu and beautiful long blonde hair.
And now, with all these terrible memories hitting me like cold water to the face, only one keeps me awake at night.
I asked them for help with my father. I asked them for peace. I asked them to bring her back to me.
It has granted two of my wishes, in its own twisted way. My father grew distant from me and my mother was brought back in pieces.
I'm happy now. But I don't have peace. I don't think I'll ever fully have peace, at least not with a child and a wife to try and provide for, and not with all of these memories.
So what has it come back for?
submitted by orangeplr to nosleep [link] [comments]


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.
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2024.05.20 00:34 DragonKnov Kunlun Sect's Weakest Disciple: Chapter 20

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Qin Bai's grin stretched wide, baring his teeth as he bellowed, "Fire Snake!" The forceful shout reverberated through the air. Strange glowing words materialized before him, pulsing with an ethereal light as they drew wisps of qi from his body like tendril sof smoke.

An engulfing blaze erupted forth, contorting itself into the unmistakable shape of a serpent's head - its maw agape, fangs bared menacingly.

The fiery construct was roughly the size of a human palm but radiated intense heat, causing the air around it to shimmer and distort.

It shot towards Ji Wuye, covering the distance of two zhang separating them, neither sluggishly nor with blinding speed due to their close proximity.

However…

[!] Your passive skill, Quick Adaptation(F), has been triggered! 

A shimmering screen flickered into existence before Ji Wuye's eyes as his passive Quick Adaptation skill triggered. Time itself seemed to slow to a crawl around him.

‘A skill called Fire Snake, huh...’ Ji Wuye mused inwardly, his gaze coolly assessing the blazing serpent.

Based on its name and arcane appearance, it was evident this strange ability had been obtained from the Tower. A pity that Qin Bai had squandered nearly all his funds on such an unfamiliar skill.

As the fiery snake wound its way inexorably towards Ji Wuye, its form resolved into countless flickering particles, each tendril of flame etched vividly into his mind's eye.

He could easily trace its trajectory back to the source - Qin Bai's sneering visage. Though malice flashed in his opponent's eyes, Ji Wuye remained unmoved, his expression an impassive mask.

Focusing intently on the immediate threat, he rapidly calculated vectors and angles. The serpent aimed squarely for his head, no doubt hoping to gain an early advantage through shock or injury.

While its core burned with the hottest, most Qi-dense flames, it also betrayed weaknesses.

To slash directly at it and attempt to dissipate its force risked revealing that he had already formed his Lower Dantians, elevating him beyond the first realm - knowledge he wished to keep concealed for now.

Rolling to dodge was possible but would put him at a further positional disadvantage within the sect's grounds.

As for parrying, the simple wooden sword would never withstand the scorching heat, inevitably leading to burns on his palm.

Ji Wuye watched the sinuous dance of the flames, tuning his mind to their hypnotic rhythm until he noticed a fleeting opening - not a hasty flicker but an intentional, calculated lull in the serpent's movements.

By harmonizing with that timing rather than opposing force with force, he could seamlessly redirect its momentum.

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Ji Wuye's lips as a strategy took shape. Before facing this unorthodox 'test,' it would be prudent to maintain his low profile.

The fiery construct closed the gap with a searing rush of air -

SWOOSH!

Despite himself, Ji Wuye felt a bead of sweat trickle down his brow as the intense heat washed over his skin.

An involuntary step back, a momentary lapse of balance, and he stumbled, falling backwards to land firmly on his rear - the tip of his wooden sword angling skyward as he did so.

With an abrupt STAB of flame, the fire snake struck the upraised blade and dissipated in a blinding flare, the attack fizzling out mere inches from Ji Wuye's face.

WHOSP-!

[>>[QUICK ADAPTATION(F)]<<] The proficiency of your passive skill has been increased by 0.01%! 

[>>[QUICK ADAPTATION(F)]<<] The proficiency of your passive skill has been increased by 0.01%! 

[>>[QUICK ADAPTATION(F)]<<] The proficiency of your passive skill has been increased by 0.01%! 

Gasps of shock and confusion rippled through the gathered crowd as they witnessed Qin Bai's use of strange, hidden art - and the unexpected, almost nonchalant way Ji Wuye had deflected the blazing attack merely by falling in an apparently clumsy manner.

"What?!" Qin Bai himself was momentarily struck dumb, blinking in disbelief. But the combative haze swiftly reasserted itself and he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Lucky bastard..." he muttered beneath his breath.

Annoyed by Ji Wuye's seeming stroke of dumb luck, Qin Bai's face flushed an angry crimson. Seizing on his opponent's moment of confusion from the dissipated fire snake, he rushed forward with reckless abandon.

"Heh! Know your place, weakling!" Qin Bai sneered, shifting into the opening stance of the Meridian March form - the same move and posture he had used to brutally attack Song Jia earlier.

His wooden blade slashed down in a vertical line as he launched himself into the air, aiming to capitalize on Ji Wuye's disadvantageous position.

"Eh?" But to Qin Bai's surprise, Ji Wuye seemed to anticipate the attack. With a slight sidestep to the right, he deftly evaded the wooden sword's whistling descent.

THUD!

Before Qin Bai could even land from his leaping strike, the seemingly clueless Ji Wuye began smoothly rising to his feet from the ground.

In a cruel twist of fate, Ji Wuye's head ended up directly beneath Qin Bai's exposed chin as the larger boy dropped awkwardly from his botched attack.

"F*ck!" Qin Bai's curses reverberated through the Outer Disciple courtyard as he foresaw his chin about to collide squarely with the crown of Ji Wuye's skull.

THUD-!

With a sickening impact, Qin Bai's body crumpled bonelessly, the wooden sword tumbling from his limp grasp to clatter uselessly on the hard-packed earth.

"Eh? Brother Qin?" Ji Wuye blinked in apparent confusion, looking perfectly unharmed as he gazed down at Qin Bai's unconscious form, eyes rolled back.

"Ji Wuye, the winner!" Wu Gao's declaration rang out, unleashing a collective gasp of disbelief from the gathered crowd before a rising tide of raucous cheers and excited chatter erupted.

"Wow! Junior Ji actually won!"

"Heheh, just as I expected from my esteemed Junior Brother!" A giggling female disciple trilled happily, seemingly unconcerned about the finer details and focused solely on the outcome.

"What in the heavens actually happened there??"

"Amazing! Brother Qin, your techniques looked so impressive. We should definitely try obtaining some of those secret art from that Tower!"

The male disciples were clearly divided - some continuing to tease Ji Wuye about his apparent beginner's luck, while others marveled admiringly at the powerful skills apparently available from the Tower.

In the midst of the celebratory hubbub, Ji Wuye found himself unexpectedly surrounded by a throng of delighted female disciples congratulating him on his victory and expressing concern for any injuries.

But his attention was quickly diverted by a subtle shift in the crowd's energy as a new presence arrived.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the Elder who had been observing from the staircase had silently departed during the ruckus.

‘This should be enough to fool them for now...’ A faint, satisfied smile played across Ji Wuye's lips as he contemplated the events to come.

Lost in his thoughts, the bustling sounds and animated chatter around him abruptly fell to an awed hush. Ji Wuye snapped back to alertness, his gaze falling upon a striking figure striding towards him with measured, purposeful steps.

It was a young woman who exuded an aura of quiet strength and poise. The disciples surrounding Ji Wuye immediately backed away with deferential murmurs, their expressions a mix of deep respect and thinly-veiled trepidation.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Mu!"
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2024.05.20 00:23 daveinmidwest Painting the porch

Painting the porch
I am considering sprucing up my front porch, and by that I mean painting the metal posts/railings as well as the wood.
I bought the house in 2022, but I am not sure when the porch was constructed. It was in rough shape when I moved in and other than the occasional power wash I have not done much to upkeep it. The current paint is peeling in a could of areas. The metal posts/railings have random stains (and even random areas of paint not used anywhere else) on them.
My questions are: 1. Do I need to sand the entire porch before repainting or just the areas where the old paint is peeling and 2. What product works best for the metal railings?
submitted by daveinmidwest to DIY [link] [comments]


http://rodzice.org/