Below is the opening to my solo playthrough of Phandelver and Below. I've never played the module, but I was introduced to D&D through one of it's many actual plays, and I've always wanted to play the story myself. I thought it would be fun to use my semi-familiarity with the story to run a solo game, allowing me to simultaneously practice my writing. The opening is meant to detail how the Wave Echo Cave was found by the Rockseeker brothers, and explain why my characters are willing to help old Gundren. Below you'll find my version of how the cave was rediscovered and get introduced to my first PC, a young gnome with dreams of becoming a wizard, Erkyfrune 'Kyfrune' Filkor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it!

The Lost Mine of Phandelver
A Solo-Play RPG
Nundro Finds the Cave
Gundren Rockseeker finalized his order with Umphrey Baggort’s General Goods shortly before the midday bell. He had a few hours before he’d be meeting Sildar at The Widow’s Tankard to go over their planned route one last time. They were to leave for Phandalin in the morning. There he would reunite with his brothers, Nundro and Thardin, and return to Wave Echo Cave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He still found it hard to believe they had found it. Five-hundred years it remained hidden, and all it had taken to locate it was Nundro’s constant clumsiness. He’d tripped, seemingly over nothing, and rolled down the side of a cliff, crashing to a stop amongst an outcropping of large boulders. Gundrin and Thardin had rushed down to him, only to find Nundro laughing like a madman, the dripping blood from his broken nose smearing across his mouth and beard, making him look like a cannibalistic court jester.
“Listen!” He’d shouted, blood spraying from his lips. “The waves! Do you hear them?!”
Gundren, sure Nundro had finally cracked his head one too many times, was hearing nothing more than the sloshing of his own addled brains, but Thardin lowered himself to the stoney ground and pushed his ears against the boulders.
“He’s right, Gundren,” Thardin said, ear still pressed against the large stone, “It’s as if the very Shining Sea were trapped underfoot.”
Nundro stood there, smiling, dripping blood into the dust and stone. “Wave Echo Cave,” He whispered, “It’s ours!”
They’d camped there amongst the boulders, using their picks and shovels to chip away the ground around one of the boulders enough to get their pry bars wedged solidly underneath. It took all three of them, hanging and hopping from the bar like the rumored monkeys of Chult, but they managed to shift it enough that gravity took hold and yanked the giant stone down the embankment, where it shattered amongst the less regal hills surrounding the eastern edges of Phandalin.
It took all of the next day to clear away enough of the stoney ground to reveal the small tunnel entrance that had been buried beneath rubble, rock, and passing time. The sounds of crashing waves seemed enormous in the silence surrounding them.
“We can’t simply walk into there with lanterns and a few day’s rations,” Thardin had said. “We’ll need to set up an excavation camp, which will require a trip back to Neverwinter.”
None of the brothers wanted to leave, but Gundren and Thardin agreed Nundro deserved to stay, being the true locator of the legendary site. They flipped a coin. Thardin won, and Gundrin left the next morning for Neverwinter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He’d gotten nearly everything prepared for his departure. There was just one final order of business to take care of, adventurers willing to see the wagon safely to Barthen’s Provisions. And, if they proved capable and loyal, perhaps they could be hired on to clear out the cave on the inevitable creatures that had occupied it during its many forgotten years.
He listened as the final ring of the city bells reverberated into silence, then turned north, heading towards Filkor’s Gadgets and Repairs. There he knew he would find at least one willing adventurer, assuming the boy’s father would let him leave the safety of the shop.
Kyfrune
Erkyfrune Filkor sipped his tea while his father adjusted the small spring in his latest iteration of a years-long obsession.
“I’m telling you Erky, I am this close to figuring it out.” His father, Erkaline, said. The it in question being a nail clipper capable of transforming itself to meet the varying needs of any fingernail, claw, or talon. “Once I finally figure it out, we can move out of this dump and into a properly respectable district. It’s not right for the descendants of Elisytris Filkor to be living in squalor. He was quintessential to the Forge of Spells, you know!”
Erkyfrune, Kyfrune to anyone besides his father, knew this very well. He’d heard the story more times than he could count. Who knew if there was any truth in it, but he loved his father, and feigned interest again, if just so he would be able to concentrate on the story and let his fingers work their talented tinker’s magic.
His father was just getting to the part where Great-Grandfather Elisytris single-handedly took on a trio of raiding bandits and their evil wizard overseer when the three bells above the storefront sounded, signaling a customer, one Kyfrune and Erkaline knew well. Gundren and his brothers had been coming to them for years, always in need of some intricate tool or another to assist in a prospecting project. Kyfrune had always felt a spark of envy for their adventurous life, delving into the ruins of the past for lost treasures and tomes. The latter interested him in particular, for even though his father disapproved, Kyfrune wanted nothing more than to learn the mysteries of Mystra and her magical weave that permeated the very fabrics of reality. Already he’d learned a few spells, and had even recently conjured his first familiar, a celestial wolf spider, he lovingly referred to as Walter.
“Couldn’t you have conjured something less…disgusting? A cat would have at least had fur.” His father had grumbled when Kyfrune had shown him his new magical pet.
“Walter has fur,” Kyfrune had argued.
“Nothing with eight legs should have fur,” his father had replied, shaking his head and returning to one of his seemingly infinite projects. “You should focus more on your craft. One day, you’ll be the Filkor that the sign out front is referring to.”
Kyfrune wasn’t a terrible tinker, but he’d never be capable of the wonders his father could produce. Besides, tinkering was Erkaline’s thing. He never said this, of course. Being a good son was just as important to Kyfrune as learning to bend the energies of the multiverse to his whim.
“Gundren! What can I do for you my friend?” Erkaline asked, removing the magnifying glasses he wore when working. “Need some more of those explosive crickets? How’d that first batch work for you?”
“Howdy Mr. Filkor, Kyfrune, everything going well I hope?” Gundren asked, removing the floppy hat he’d always worn since Kyfrune had known him.
“Can’t say I can complain, anything that’s wrong I just haven’t gotten round to fixin’ yet, and what can’t be fixed, can be made anew” His father laughed at this old joke, and Gundren, the kind patron he was, laughed along as well, even though he’d heard this one probably every time he’d come to the shop.
“Too true Mr. Filkor, your capable hands are powered by an even more capable mind. I, ah, am not actually here for any services you’d normally provide. I’m actually wanting to offer Kyfrune a small job,” Gundren turns to the younger gnome, “I’ve heard you’ve a decent grasp of the weave, any truth in those rumors?”
Kyfrune, bringing the cup of tea to his mouth for another sip, was caught off guard by the unexpected question, and spilled most of his remaining tea over his work shirt. Rather than answer Gundren, which his ever-present social awkwardness would have caused him to stammer meekly through, he waved his hands over his sodden shirt and muttered a simple incantation. The tea, lemon ginger with lots of honey, simply faded, leaving his shirt dry and spotless.
“That’s quite the trick, any bandits or goblins with brains in their skulls would run screaming from such deadly powers,” Gundren laughed, not unkindly. “Seriously Kyf, do you think you could provide protection for a wagon of supplies I’ve ordered? It’s not going far, just down the High Road a ways and east along the Triboar Trail, to a small settlement called Phandalin. It’d need to be brought to a gentleman named Barthen. He owns Barthen’s Provisions, and will pay you 10 gold once you’ve delivered the wagon. Normally I’d go with it myself, but I’ve got to meet Nundro and Thardin as soon as possible,” he leans closer and whispers, “We’ve found something. Something pretty big. If you do well with the wagon, maybe I could bring you in on the excavation of a legendary site, thought to be lost to time.”
“You can’t mean-” Erkaline began, but Gundren cut him off with a curt wave.
“Best not to speak of anything now. Ears and eyes are known to be anywhere, and I’m not wanting any competition. What do you say Mr. Filkor, can you spare young Kyfrune for a week or so, two out the most?”
Kyfrune looked to his father, who rubbed his large nose and pulled at his forked beard, largely white now, with only a few streaks of the once inky black that had been its original color. He wasn’t going to beg or plead. He loved his father, and would do as he bid, but oh sweet Mystra, please let him say yes.
“I suppose, if you can promise it’d be no more than a week or so, I could spare my apprentice,” his father began, then turned to Kyfrune, “But Erkyfrune, you listen and listen good. I never liked your messing with this magic nonsense, but I understood your youth. Consider this your pilgrimage into the world of adventure. Upon your return, I expect you to set aside these childish fancies and start putting the work in that is necessary for you to take over the shop. Agreed?”
Kyfrune’s heart somehow managed to soar and plummet at the same time, leaving him with a momentary feeling of unsteadiness. To finally be given approval to venture forth into the world, a world that wanted him to wield his magical abilities, only to have the approval tethered to a promise to walk away from his dream. His father’s serious eyes looked at him expectantly.
“Yes, Father. Your terms are agreeable, and I thank you for allowing me to experience an adventure before settling into my destined path.”
His father’s gaze faltered momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure, turning to Gundren, “Well Gundren, it would seem you have yourself a wizard. You’re not planning on sending my boy out on the road alone are you?”
“Of course not, sir. He’ll be accompanied by at least two more souls, although I’m not sure of who they are as of yet.”
Erkaline smiled, “I’m sure the great city of Neverwinter will provide you with a couple more adventurers for your quest.”
Gundren nodded, then placed his hat upon his head. “I’ll need Kyfrune at The Widow’s Tankard by ninth bell,” he looked to Kyfrune, “ I’ll have the contract ready and’ll buy you dinner. I’ll show you the route you’ll need to take, and, perhaps, I’ll fill you in on more of the details.” His eyes glinted with excitement. “Be well Mr. Finkor,” he said, then walked out the door. The three bells above the door sounded very loud in the quiet shop. Kyfrune turned to his father, who was putting the magnifying glasses back into position and settling himself at his workbench.
“I suppose I should pack my things,” he said.
“I suppose you should son,” Erkaline looked up from the nail clippers that he hoped would change his and his son’s lot in life, “Be careful, okay. Take in the world, experience your adventure, heck, shoot off some of those spells you know, but please, be careful.”
Kyfrune walked around the bench and hugged his father tightly, then walked upstairs to his small room to pack. He’d never felt more excited in his entire life.

Hello Reddit! I want to cordially invite you to a fun, free weekend of activities at our local hackerspace, Skullspace!
We're a community of nerds, much like yourselves, and every year we have a fun hackerspace festival weekend where we open the doors up and let people enjoy 'hacker' culture. We love music, creating things, art, and more!
The full details and event schedule at our space at 374 Donald St in Winnipeg can be found here on our website for Hax: https://hax.skullspace.ca
On Saturday evening, we'll be having an amazing, free reception with cash bar and our 3 very talented artists who will be bringing their synthesisers, their analog breaks, and their voices to create a very fun chillout evening from 6-11PM! You don't want to miss this free event.
On Friday we have a fun ticketed event with cheap $10 tickets for sale - if you like house, techno, electronic music, trance, etc., then this is your event! If you like meeting interesting people, craft beer, 3d printing, free face painting, the lounge chillout area with couches with PS2, Genesis, Pac-Man, N64, and more, then this is your event! Tickets with pictures and video from our events this year in April and May are found here: https://www.showpass.com/preview/hax-50-festival-night/
Want to hang with us in real time? Join our free Discord server and chat about DIY house repairs, music, buy-sell-trade, memes, and more: https://discord.gg/Entc8Uuvd2

Hax 5.0: May 17 - May 19, 2024

Friday May 17, 2024

Anti-social featuring electronic music, dancing, frace painting, and gaming. 8pm-4am. Tickets, buy early for a discount.

Saturday May 18, 2024

Saturday afternoon, 11am-5:45pm: (free event)

Exhibits and gaming (workshop/lounge) 11am-5:45pm
Talks (see link for schedule). (classroom) 11am-5:45pm

Saturday Talks

11:30AM	Full disk encryption on a file server can be security theatre Mark Jenkins
12:45pm	VE4SIG The Least Boring Presentation on Ham Radio You Will Ever SeeJim Sutton
2PM	Straithe Open source community management video conference
3:15pm	Shibashis Bal -- double presentation: A dive into the NIST AI Framework (An exploration into how some Generative AIs meet the NIST AI Guidelines) Challenges on Challenging Disruptions to Our Watersheds (A report on how local communities have inquired against companies developing land on natural water sheds).
5:00pm	Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets - Software defined radio and the law video conference

Saturday evening:
6pm-11:00pm A free reception after the talks featuring Infyuthsion (chillout and synthwave) and kid missive (analog party breaks), DJing by dædbeat, and our Anti-social licensed bar.

Sunday May 19, 2024

Chill and open house day (free event)
noon-4pm
Exhibits and gaming (workshop/lounge/classroom)
Dinner break, 4pm-6:30pm space will be closed. Potentially there will be a group outing to a pub on foot. To be decided spontantouesly at the space
Movie night with Thor, 6:30pm. Featuring two documentaries until 9pm and possibly one bonus movie. In person in the lounge and online.

Exhibits

Exhibits are available for the public look at and/or play with during our free Saturday and Sunday hours.

A morse code tone practice generator on a VIC-20 connected to an Arduino based keyer -- Mark Jenkins. (attendant available Sunday only)
The Commander X16 development board -- Mark Jenkins (attendant available Sunday only)
A 3D printed part for an arm bar -- Edwin Amsler
Bambu Lab X1C w/ AMS (3D printer) -- Niko Marszal

Getting Lost in a Dark Fantasy

Dark fantasy art opens doors to worlds where the imagination is king and shadows dance. We go on an adventure through the eerie creatures and haunting landscapes of the dark fantasy genre with this comprehensive guide. Come along as we explore the mysteries surrounding this fascinating art form, from its enigmatic beginnings to the contemporary advancements that are redefining its limits.

Understanding Dark Fantasy Art: the Basics and Progression

The Garden of Earthly Delights
The shadows of myth and folklore, as well as the depths of human imagination, serve as inspiration for dark fantasy art. The fascination of the unknown has always drawn artists, who have used it to inspire works of art that straddle the border between nightmares and dreams.
Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights” is among the first and most famous works of dark fantasy art. This masterwork, a triptych painted in the late fifteenth century, shows a fantastical landscape full of strange creatures. Bosch’s vision, which takes viewers to places like the Garden of Eden and the flames of hell, dissolves the lines between reality and fantasy.
Through their surrealistic visions, artists such as Salvador Dali pushed the boundaries of dark fantasy art further in the 20th century. The eerie investigation of time and decay found in Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” is characterised by melting clocks and desolate scenes that inspire a sense of existential dread.

Essential Techniques for Drawing Dark Fantasy

Dark fantasy writing demands a combination of technical proficiency and limitless creativity to master. The following are some crucial methods to assist you in realising your sinister fantasies:
Understanding Light and Shadow: Dark fantasy is all about contrast, so understanding how light and shadow interact is essential. Try experimenting with various lighting configurations to produce striking effects and a feeling of depth and ambience.
Making Dynamic Compositions: The way your artwork is put together will determine how well it draws the viewer in and directs their attention. Try varying your viewpoints, angles, and focal points to produce compositions that are captivating and dynamic and entice the viewer into your gloomy world.
Examining Symbolism and Imagery: Mythology, folklore, and the occult provide a wealth of symbolism and imagery for dark fantasy art. Use symbolic elements in your artwork to entice viewers to explore the hidden depths of your imagination by adding layers of meaning and intrigue.
Embracing Texture and Detail: Texture gives your artwork depth and a tactile quality that entices the observer to enter its immersive world. Try experimenting with various drawing methods and mediums to produce textured, rich surfaces that beckon exploration — from the plush fur of mythological creatures to the rugged stone of ancient ruins.

Fun Drawing Exercise: Summoning Your Inner Creativity

With this entertaining drawing exercise, let’s set out on a voyage of artistic exploration. Take out your sketchbook and pencils, then do the following:
Setting the Scene: Shut your eyes and picture a twisted tree and crumbling ruins in a misted-over, bleak landscape. Imagine the unsettling sights and sounds of this dark fantasy world, and let your imagination run wild.
Selecting Your Topic: Who lives in this shadowy world? Is it an evil creature hiding in the shadows, a lone traveller daring the night, or something else entirely? Select your subject, then allow their tale to come to life on the page.
Drawing the Outline: Outline your subject’s form on the page using light, expressive strokes while keeping them in mind. Concentrate on drawing their silhouettes and basic forms, then let your creativity lead the way in bringing them to life.
Adding Textures and Details: After you’re satisfied with the composition, begin incorporating textures and details into your artwork. Try varying the shading methods you use to produce depth and ambiance, such as the harsh glare of a torchlight or the soft glow of a moonlit night.
Accepting the Dark Side: Accept the darkness with open arms! Play with shadows and highlights to add drama and tension to your artwork; dark fantasy art thrives on contrasts.
Finishing Touches: Complete your artwork by enhancing details and adding any last touches that will make it stand out from the rest. As you take a step back and admire what you’ve created, remember that you’ve called something genuinely magical out of your imagination.

Famous Dark Fantasy Art Pieces

Conan the Barbarian
There are many well-known pieces of dark fantasy art that have had a lasting influence on the genre. Here are a few noteworthy instances:
The eerie illustrations by Gustave Doré for Dante’s Inferno perfectly convey the terrifying scenery and tormented spirits found in Dante Alighieri’s epic poem. Dante’s trip through hell is vividly brought to life by Doré’s vision, which takes him from the flaming depths of hell to the icy wastes of Cocytus.
Conan the Barbarian paintings by Frank Frazetta: The fantasy genre’s visual aesthetic was shaped in part by Frank Frazetta’s famous Conan the Barbarian paintings. He established the bar for future generations of fantasy artists with his powerful heroes, vicious monsters, and grandiose landscapes.
Dark fantasy Art by Brom: Brom is well known for his atmospheric, gloomy fantasy artwork that combines elements of mythology, the paranormal, and horror. His vivid paintings teleport viewers to realms of forbidden magic and gloomy enchantment, where peril lurks around every corner.

The Rise of AI Art in Dark Fantasy

Artificial intelligence has become a potent tool in the art world in recent years. Large image databases can be analysed by AI algorithms, which can then produce incredibly lifelike dark fantasy artwork. While some art critics might object to the notion of AI producing art, others find the fusion of technology and creativity to be fascinating.
AI art explores new creative possibilities by utilising the computational power of machines, providing a distinct viewpoint on the genre. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can recognise patterns, themes, and visual motifs in thousands of dark fantasy artworks that may have escaped human artists. This process can result in the production of captivating works of art that stretch the bounds of our imagination and alter our ideas of what is conceivable in the field of dark fantasy.
But it’s crucial to understand that AI art is a supplement to conventional artistic techniques rather than their replacement. Even though AI is capable of producing beautiful images, it lacks the emotional nuance and human touch that come from the artistic vision and the artist’s life experiences. As artists, we imbue our work with meaning and resonance that artificial intelligence is unable to match by bringing our distinct viewpoints, feelings, and life experiences to it.
AI art, in my opinion, is not a threat but rather a useful instrument that can support artists with their research and inspiration. Artists can explore uncharted creative territory, try out novel styles and techniques, and expand their creative horizons by working with AI. In the end, dark fantasy art will continue to be relevant in the digital age thanks to the fusion of human creativity and technological innovation.

“In conclusion, let your creativity run wild.”

Creating dark fantasy art is an adventure into the unknown, where creativity is king and imagination is unbridled. Embrace the dark and let your imagination run wild, regardless of your level of experience as an artist or your level of curiosity. A little inspiration, the correct methods, and a hint of magic will allow you to craft works of dark fantasy art that will enthral and motivate viewers for years to come.
So, why do you hesitate? Explore the depths of dark fantasy and let your creative side out now!

My Dark Fantasy World

Hi there, fellow fans of dark fantasy! Thanks to your unflinching support, our blog — which is packed with tales and inspirations of dark fantasy — is making waves on TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. Even more thrilling is the fact that we’re creating a captivating Trading Card Game to further engross you in Twilight Citadel’s eerie mysteries. Explore the depths of the shadows with our website, where you can get eerie yet lovely phone wallpapers and posters. Furthermore, we’ve got you covered with free resources like desktop wallpapers and profile pictures to make sure your gadgets are brimming with eerie fantasy atmosphere. Come along with us on this surreal adventure, where fears come true and shadows dance. Are you prepared to welcome the gloom?

Let us not forget, this game has changed fundamentally many times over its lifespan. From choosing your opening hand of cards and slowly accruing your build over time, to the limited shop options, to being bogged down by so much copper you don’t know what you could even spend it on.
A handful of times that come to mind as some examples to get the brains flowing:

The Speedrun Era:

The earliest “meta” I can think of. Nearly every mobility card on launch was better than they are now. When running a handful of them together you could very easily outpace enemies and spawns alike.

The Nuclear Frag Era :

Running one copy of ‘Bomb Squad’ would grant the user +100% explosive damage. When used in conjunction with Improvised Explosives’ 75%, a mere green tier Frag could make most specials/bosses evaporate.

The Doors Fiasco

Upon release, you would be able to attract commons to you to break down otherwise alarmed doors. At some point this was changed to cause the alarm to be triggered even if commons were the ones to do so. After this lasted a couple months, doors were changed yet again to take no damage from Ridden at all.

The Reuse Era:

When using Magician’s Apprentice alongside old Heng, you would at times get 3-4 or even more uses out of the same item. Hengs old passive was only 5% on Magicians 10%. But it sure felt like a world of difference on an item spamming medic for instance.

The Broken Gadget Era:

For what felt like entirely too long, upon release certain gadgets did not have their intended CD. Enabling some numbingly easy runs to be done.

The Pyro/Pinata Era:

From Belgian/Highwayman Hoff, to the razor wire spam. Pyro/Pinata hoff was the quintessential crowd controller for a period of time. Spawning what could only be described as “an unnecessary amount” of items. Possibly still an enjoyable selection for holdouts akin to The Diner or Bar Room Blitz.

The Post-Mortem Era(current)

Not much to say that hasn’t been said. Infinite melee stamina, Tala being literally and figuratively broken, the abundance of supplies between the updated shop options and tunnels and crazy burn cards and card shrines (especially when copper isn’t nearly the concern it used to be) have sure turned the game from having a “progression” feeling to a “how incredibly broken can I become this run” feeling. Not that that’s inherently bad.

LINK

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbWBIneq5-J3-wU3ZLDWCCeuT-8bIqoG86mYh2kykYs/edit?usp=sharing

DISCLAIMER: Don't take this too seriously, it's meant to be more of a joke and exaggeration, started almost entirely by the mental image of three hardened criminals sitting in a bar, pondering that they still absolutely need to recruit a Catholic priest and some band guy or their next bank robbery just won't work. No offense intended towards any actual groups, nor to make light of any social issues. Also, I'm aware there's games with actual modernity-appropriate classes, but the absurdity of a nearly 1:1 port is exactly the point here. Finally, note that I play both D&D (various editions) and PF 1E and 2E, so expect a mixture of classes from either and some cherrypicking of interpretations.
FOREWORD: Style of play I'm imagining similar to Shadowrun or Cyberpunk, with a focus on the underworld, teams of specialists hired by fixers for various jobs of dubious legality, or vigilantism or hustling maybe. If one wanted to be extra absurd, it could also involve travelling the world in a camper van and taking on quests, or getting tasked with an important mission by a head of state (this may work better in a fictional modern-day setting instead of our own world). Class names are meant to be professional slang you'd see in that kind of environment, like Shadowrun's Street Samurai for example, thus justifying the existence of the classes themselves. But since it's supposed to be not cyberpunk, but the present, I deliberately tried to pick names that sound like they could be part of normal conversation too.
Magicless doesn't mean classes don't still have their powers and spells, just that they're explained differently, like by drugs or applied psychology or the like. Think a "wizard" (Pundit) casting a "fireball" by mentally calculating the exact angle they need to shoot a gas pipe to cause an explosion.
Without further ado, the...

CLASSES
Militant (Fighter): Skillful weapons specialists and fighting experts who can handle any threat and stare down the barrel of a gun without flinching. Many are (former) soldiers, mercenaries, or private security, less commonly also from a background in law enforcement or violent crime, but anyone with the right abilities can be a Militant.
Thrasher (Barbarian): Tough guys, muscleheads, and sometimes also bullies, who get what they want by utilizing brutality, fear, and a vicious temper. Thrashers are often gang members and thugs, bikers, delinquents, jocks, pro wrestlers, or particularly dedicated powerlifters. Frequently appearing as a part of highly insular social cliques, they are prone to adopting neotribal mindsets, symbols, and practices.
Blackbelt (Monk): Martial arts and/or ascetic masters (not just disciples or regular practitioners) with almost superhuman control over their own body. Despite the name, these adepts of the physical can pursue any martial arts tradition, as well as freestyle street fighting, pro wrestling, self defense courses, special forces training, parcours, extreme sports, and of course practices such as yoga. While some seek enlightenment or health benefits, others hunger to put their skills to the test in a manner only real combat can provide.
Outlander (Ranger): Armed and dangerous people who thrive in the wilderness. Survivalists, hunters, drifters, particularly experienced outdoorsmen, forest rangers, animal trainers, and sometimes preppers or guerillas are all common candidates. Many Outlanders hold strong convictions, in a cowboyish sort of way, and so they are also found among military special forces or police departments, particularly as handlers to service animals.
Jailbird (Rogue): Multi-talented if often dubious individuals, prized especially as infiltration and security specialists. While they needn't be actual criminals, just in possession of the right talents, many still are of a less than legal disposition, and a brief stint in prison can certainly lead to picking up useful new tricks. Common sub-groups include murderers and serial killers, cat burglars and pickpockets, home invaders, carjackers, hackers, scammers and con artists, smugglers of arms/drugs/etc., as well as urban partisans.
Ideological Crusader (Paladin/Antipaladin): Stalwart defenders and enforcers of a given idea of justice, a social code, or an organization, capable of backing their demands with violence if necessary. They are natural authority figures with an extra edge in doggedness stemming from their strong beliefs. The vast majority of Ideological Crusaders originate in law enforcement (particularly riot cops) or sometimes the fire department or military special forces, but some are revolutionaries, armed activists, or members of neighborhood watches or citizen militias. Should they go rogue and their beliefs end up becoming toxic, however, Ideological Crusaders tend to turn into dreaded hatemongers or terrorists.
Special Operative (Inquisitor): The quintessential experts in making problems disappear, Special Operatives achieve (preferably) noble goals using subtle, unorthodox and sometimes questionable means, resolving delicate matters with cunning rather than the Ideological Crusader's brute force. Usually belonging to and trained in special tactics by some kind of organization, most serve(d) in intelligence agencies or commando units, but they may also be detectives in the police department, professional hitmen, or hacktivists and leakers and the like.
Humanitarian (Cleric): Devoted souls who follow a philosophy or faith they believe will help humanity, often trained in a variety of useful medical and mental techniques. Their skills may vary depending on the content of their particular belief system, with some potentially being quite sinister, but overall, Humanitarians are still primarily experts at keeping their team alive with first aid and supporting them in whichever way is necessary. Most have a background as healthcare personell such as doctors, surgeons, and nurses, but there's also plenty of social and charity workers and sometimes therapists to be found.
Additionally, a strong link exists between Humanitarians and religion. While ordinary ministers will rarely just go out to take on legally questionable jobs or vigilante work, some do protect their flock that way, and more still may be trying to save the souls of the underworld's denizens or view themselves as exorcists battling demonic forces. This goes twice so for the recruiters, envoys and missionaries of cults, of which there is an abundance in the underworld.
New Ager (Druid): Masters of the natural world. Using herbs and drugs, New Agers achieve a number of altered states of consciousness, enabling them to excel at various tasks with ease almost as if they could wholly transform themselves. When not doing this, they support their allies with wilderness knowledge, patch them up with "alternative" medicine, or command and train animals. Besides actual New Agers (who can come from any background), the class also frequently attracts environmentalists, naturalists, animal breeders, and natural scientists.
Influencer (Bard): Often glamorous individuals for whom doors swing wide open and ears perk up. Influencers are communications specialists, charmers, and frequently powerful orators and motivational speakers, who also know and dabble in a little bit of everything as a result of their colorful lives. In spite of the name, most members of this class are not youtubers, but rather celebrities of every kind, starlets and media personalities, entertainers and performers, life coaches, as well as journalists and reporters. While the class also contains plenty of artists (not just of the performing but also of the creative arts), their profession alone does not make them members, rather the ability to influence and powerfully motivate others is what counts (and a heaping of fame certainly doesn't hurt either!).
Middleman (Warlock/Witch): Middlemen are, for good and for ill, deeply connected and indebted to a powerful organization or individual, usually in an extremely unequal manner. This so-called sponsor they can call on for favors. Some examples of sponsors include organized crime, cults, megacorporations, or shady political lobbies. What the Middleman may achieve depends on the sponsor in question, but the support is always highly useful, from receiving access to exclusive venues to getting to borrow bleeding edge technology. In turn, however, the sponsor has their own expectations and demands and will sometimes come to collect their due. If the expectations are not fulfilled, support will be cut off, if not far worse.
Besides their main sponsor, Middlemen also collect lesser contacts and knowledge on how to play social institutions and conventions to their advantage. This, for instance, enables them to shield their allies from the law. They make excellent fixers for similar reasons. Anyone who enters a Faustian bargain may become a Middleman, but it is particularly common among entrepreneurs, lawyers, politicians, and similar power players. Membership in the sponsoring organization is not required, but still fairly common, especially as a delegate or representative of sorts.
Pundit (Wizard): Providers of expert knowledge. Ensure their allies always have all necessary information about their surroundings and can devise uniquely ingenious ad-hoc solutions to problems based on their chosen field of study, known theorems, and subjects they have recently looked into. Usually academics and other well-educated types, often with an actual university degree or even a professorship, but some private scholars or hyper-dedicated hobby nerds, too. Many are programmers or scientists (frequently pursuing one of the "big three" fields: biology, chemistry, or physics), researching, inventing, and using technology and other fruits of scientific labor, sometimes even creating things themselves when mechanical skill is not central (i.e. mixing chemicals). However, every field has its ways of dealing with problems, from highly communicative media studies to wealth-multiplying economics, and while scientists are often associated with gadgets, what a Pundit's ad-hoc solution looks like can really vary wildly.
Many interdisciplinary Pundits also exist, but in the first place, all Pundits have mastered research. Therefore, fields of study are more about with what approach and level of difficulty a goal can be accomplished, rather than what the Pundit can or can't do at all (unless it's of an "opposed" field, i.e. a field that fills with the Pundit with dread and horrid memories of their school days).
(NOTE: I've considered a pure Scientist class, but I liked the idea of university humanities professors regularly getting into shootouts too much.)
Technician (ArtificeAlchemist/Inventor): Technology specialists who excel at the hands-on operation, modification, and construction of various types of hardware, in contrast to the more theory-focused and software-based leanings of other classes like the Pundit or Savant (though a Technician can still absolutely learn how to program and hack). Technicians may come from the ranks of engineers graduated from their university with highest honors just as much as humble car mechanics, passionate amateur craftsmen, or even certain construction workers. Besides these, other popular specializations include electricians, driving fanatics, fighter or drone pilots, gunsmiths, saboteurs, and demolitions specialists.
(NOTE: This is essentially a fusion between craftsmen and pilots/drivers. Doesn't necessarily make that much sense to lump them together, but it's really hard to find a role other than dedicated getaway driver to play for a standalone driver class and Shadowrun's Rigger archetype provided some inspiration and a connection point.)
Savant (Sorcerer): Counterparts to the Pundit with similar abilities. Savants appear to possess a natural affinity and passion for the things that fascinate them strong enough to put them on equal footing with academics who gained their skills by more traditional means.
(NOTE: The Savant stereotype doesn't align so well with Sorcerers making for good socialmancers, so maybe these should be INT instead of CHA casters?)
Miracle Worker (Favored Soul/Oracle): Counterparts to the Humanitarian with similar abilities. Zealots, self-proclaimed prophets, and sometimes cult leaders hoping to impress future followers, Miracle Workers make up for the Humanitarian's specialist training with sheer confidence in their own abilities, mystifying language, and oftentimes more than a little bit of madness.
Medicine Man (Spirit Shaman): Counterparts to the New Ager with similar abilities. Achieve their skills less through drugs and herbs and more by "letting the spirits guide them", which is to say, through a combination of religious practices, empathic emotional connections with their environment and unconscious imitation of others, as well as sometimes through culturally inherited or acquired knowledge. May actually have an indigeneous background, or just wish they did.
Adventurer (Swashbuckler): Even in this day and age, there are occasionally people whose life story reads like something straight out of a movie script. Skillful generalists with a lot of panache. For some reason, this class tends to attract archaeologists the most.
Investigator (Investigator): Whether as private eyes, police detectives, or sometimes scientific researchers, investigators do exactly what their name says, getting results with their ability to draw the right conclusions and pursue leads.

TEAM ROLES
A well-balanced team archetypically consists of at least one Muscle, Breacher, Medic, and Egghead.
Muscle / Combat Specialist: Keeps the team safe from danger and if necessary draws it towards themselves. Suitable for: Militants, Thrashers, Blackbelts, Ideological Crusaders, Outlanders, sometimes Technicians or Adventurers.
Breacher / Security Specialist: Bypasses security and gets the team in and out where they're not supposed to be, whether by social infiltration or an old-fashioned break-in. Suitable for: Jailbirds, Special Operatives, Influencers, sometimes Blackbelts, Outlanders, Investigators, or Adventurers.
Medic / Support Specialist: Helps everyone stay alive and keeps them at their best. Suitable for: Humanitarians, Miracle Workers, New Agers, Medicine Men, sometimes Outlanders or Ideological Crusaders.
Egghead / Knowledge Specialist: Solves more intellectual challenges and helps out in numerous ways, often roped into tech/science support even if it's not their specialization. Suitable for: Pundits, Savants, Technicians, sometimes Influencers, Middlemen, or Investigators.
Nerd/Hacker / Tech Specialist: Optional, for when not covered by the Breacher and the Egghead is severely allergic to the natural sciences. Deals with tech. Suitable for: Pundits, Savants, Technicians, sometimes Jailbirds or Special Operatives.
Face / Social Specialist: Optional, for when the Breacher isn't a social butterfly. Represents and oftentimes leads the team and does the talking where required. Suitable for: Influencers, Middlemen, Ideological Crusaders, sometimes Adventurers.
Manager (Earner, Mom, Greaser) / Resource & Public Relations Specialist: Optional, depending on overall team composition and Fixer. May also be split into the three separate roles of Earner, Mom, and Greaser. Earner and Mom are two sides of the same coin, the former managing the team's side-hustles and extra sources of income, as well as purchasing equipment, while the latter takes care of supply and gear maintenance and also of all matters related to hideouts and the team's general needs. The Greaser is the team's networking specialist and often also their lawyer, greasing the right palms and ensuring law enforcement and other factions turn a blind eye to the team's activities. Suitable for: Middlemen are practically born for this, but Jailbirds, Influencers, Technicians, Pundits, and Savants also do well at various aspects of the role.
Eyes & Ears / Research Specialist: Optional, for when it's not the Breacher's (or sometimes the Egghead's) thing. The Eyes & Ears continually gathers intel and gossip and keeps the team abreast of recent events, potential dangers, and new opportunities. Suitable for: Investigators, Jailbirds, Special Operatives, Influencers, sometimes Middlemen.
Wheelman / Driving Specialist: Optional, for when nobody else is a particularly good driver. Primarily the designated and getaway driver, may also take care of and perhaps upgrade the team vehicle. Suitable for: Technicians, Jailbirds, Special Operatives, Ideological Crusaders, Adventurers, sometimes Outlanders.
Deadeye / Sniping Specialist: Optional, for when the Muscle is a Blackbelt, Thrasher, or otherwise close-combat preferring fighter. Does ranged combat, that's it. Suitable for: Outlanders, Militants, Jailbirds, Special Operatives, sometimes Technicians.
Treehugger / Wilderness Specialist: Optional, for when the group heads into the great outdoors for a prolonged period of time. Helps them not die there. Suitable for: Outlanders, New Agers, Medicine Men.
Fixer: Provides the team with jobs from interested parties and may also double as the Manager. Could be a designated part of the team or a freelancer. Suitable for: Any class, but Middlemen are the most common.

1 chuck
i dont see a reason to pick him in heist, because even in heist there are better brawlers to use such as colt 8bit and jessie. Even in heist he is also average cuz he cant defend his own safe and he can be countered by simply ignoring him and go for a baserush.
2 bea
similarly, i dont understand how she is even remotely usable, the fact that she cannot spam shots unlike piper ,brock, or nani makes her sooooooo much worse than it seems, as a rank 30 nani main i always use a trick called return movement prediction(simply spam 2 shots in the same direction so that the target will come back to where the first shot went, and i have to say,i can always guarantee two hits if not full clipping my target with this trick). but the problem is that her shots are very slow and she only has 1 ammo bar ,so this trick is almost impossible, also unlike other sharpshooters, she has 0 defence against assassins,piper has the gadget and super ,nani has knockback super and brock has jump.

Anybody else feel that Heavy is pretty oppressive in the meta at the moment. After the recent FCAR nerfs they have the fastest TTK with the Lewis and m60.
A good stun with the light used to allow them to pick off the occasional heavy, and pre nerf FCAR could win trades with good aim but both of those got hit pretty hard.
No class can compete with the heavy in a gun fight. They have the highest health with the best TTK along with having great defense and offensive gadgets.
RPG absolutely deletes health bars. Especially considering they can hit lights with it even after being stunned and lights are so easy to see now with the invisibility nerfs.
I like the idea of rebalancing the RPG to do like 60 dmg but give it two rockets. This would encourage more use for destruction/dropping cash outs but wouldn’t just absolutely delete other teams with minimal counter-play.
I also think toning back the damage on the Lewis and m60 might be a little bit needed. The tank/bullet sponge shouldn’t also have the best killing power.
I’m pretty happy with the overall feel of heavy still. I think their specializations all have merit and are in a good place. The majority of their gadgets feel like they’re in a good spot too. RPG and their machine guns just give them away too much offensive dominance after all the nerfs last patch.
(Definelty not saying that stun gun and FCAR didn’t need nerfs, just commenting on the role of heavy after the nerfs.)

Hi ya'll!!
I wanted to share several tidbits of advice/some life hacks that I have found so helpful in the last several months!
I recently went to a psychologist to see if I had ADHD, and from her assessment of my self-reporting questionnaire and an automated testing system, she said in her professional opinion I do not have ADHD, but she thinks I have dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder, and that is what causes a decrease in my executive functioning abilities. ):
I am still unsure if that assessment is completely accurate, but I do agree that whatever I have, it sure does affect my daily functioning regardless, so these tips and tricks will work for anyone who may struggle similarly, regardless of if you're diagnosed; undiagnosed; self-diagnosed; struggling with depression; PTSD; etc.! (:
This subreddit has been a lifeline for me in so many ways, even though I don't know if I have ADHD. So I want to return the favor <3
Here they are!! Give me your suggestions in the comments! (:

1. Use baby food pouches as a quick and easy way to get your veggie/fruit intake.

Seriously! They're not only yummy, but also chock full of vitamins and minerals that you may be missing out on if you're like me, and live off of cheese and crackers most days.
My nutritionist said "Food is food, just because it's labeled as being for babies does not in any way mean you can't also use them."
She also suggested adding a pouch to pasta sauce; cream-based soups; etc. as a way to sneak more nutrients into dishes without having to taste the vegetables/fruits or deal with any sensory issues they may give you!! (:

2. Fill your purse/bag with travel-size EVERYTHING!

We've all been there-rushing out of the house, hair tangled; teeth unbrushed; eye crusties still crustie-ing; deodorant not applied.
But not anymore mwahahaha! Stop by the travel-size section of your local pharmacy/grocery store, and get a mini deodorant; dry shampoo; comb; hand wipes; mini teeth flossers; a pack of gum; hand sanitizer; face wipes; Advil/Tylenol; chapstick; body wipes; and any mini version of any product you use daily, and keep them in your purse/bag/whatever you use daily to carry your keys and wallet in!
You will feel so much lighter and less stressed out on those mornings when you're tumbling out of bed. Now you can pull out a flosser and a comb at a red light on your way to work and feel a little bit more put together! (:

3. Use the "Alarmy" wake-up app. Seriously.

Use this at your own risk, because it'll enrage you at how well it works-you'll never sleep past your alarm again, haha!!
It's an alarm app that has so many gadgets to make waking up early actually possible!! It has missions you have to complete in order to turn the alarm off, such as snapping a picture of your bathroom sink or the coffee maker, which helps you to kickstart your morning face-wash/teeth brushing or coffee-making! Or walking a certain number of steps. Or doing a couple math equations!
It also has wake-up checks in case you try to slip back into bed after the mission, haha, as well as sleep tracking; white noise/ASMR sounds to go to bed to; bedtime reminders; and customizable alarm sounds!! It's amazing!
It's available on iOS and Android, and it's free, but you can unlock all the gadgets if you pay for the subscription, which isn't too expensive, if I remember correctly! It pays for itself, by the amount of time you save, I think!!

4. Delete the social media apps. Just do it.

Now obviously this one is not for everyone, but if you're like me and find yourself doom-scrolling well into the night, going down the rabbit hole of fridge restocking videos on TikTok or funny cat reels on Instagram, log out of your account and delete the app from your home screen.
You can redownload at any time (maybe on the weekends?) but you'll find your mental health will improve and you also will have no choice but to search elsewhere for that dopamine hit in more productive ways--catching up on that show you always say you're going to start but never do; starting to knit or draw; finishing that book on your nightstand; taking a walk after dinner; or just going to bed earlier!
I deleted the Reddit app, so I have to log on from my browser, which is an extra step, and also not having it as accessible on my phone screen makes me forget to check it that much.
Even just logging onto social media through your browser instead of an app can help limit the amount of time you spend opening the apps over and over! (:

5. Soylent protein meal shakes. Heaven-sent!!

As an eating-disorder survivor, I know this can be a sensitive subject, so please skip this step if it's at all triggering <3 ////////////////////////////////////////
I have spent so much time and money trying out different protein bars; shakes; and drinks, and researching suggestions on Reddit and Google, but to no avail-the meal replacement shakes never fill me up, defeating the entire purpose; or they have a miniscule amount of protein or vitamins; or they taste like chalk-you name it.
Until I discovered Soylent shakes!!! They're high enough in calories to actually substitute a meal; full of important vitamins and minerals; incredible amount of plant-based protein (30 grams!!!); and they taste amazing!!!
You can find them in the energy drink aisle at Walmart; Target; or really any grocery store, I'm sure! (I'm not entirely sure if they're as readily available outside of the United States, but you can order directly from their website and Amazon, too!)
They have a variety of flavors (my favorite is the chocolate!) and they're not as expensive as some other really great shakes! They've been so helpful when I am running out the door without breakfast or without packing a lunch.
**Please remember, however, that you should ask your doctor and/or nutritionist before using these as a meal replacement, and listen to your body!! Fuel yourself, and please don't skip meals just to skip them-use this as a supplement, not a complete substitute every meal for every day, okay? <3

6. Splurge on the mini countertop dishwasher. Do it.

I actually created my Reddit account to post in here about a year ago, asking ya'll if anyone suggests one of these bad boys, and with your encouragement, I splurged and got one!
I moved into a place without an in-unit dishwasher, and washing my dishes my hand was an Olympic feat most days. Dishes piling up can make you feel even more defeated and ashamed, making you even more depressed, and the cycle just repeats viciously.
A mini countertop dishwasher saved me!!
They are pricey-about 200 to 300 bucks on Amazon-but I looked on Facebook Marketplace for one, and someone was selling their brand new one for a little bit less!! So check there first!!
It's a breeze to set up; even more of a breeze to load and run; and makes using dishes and after-dinner cleaning so much less stressful and intimidating.
Sometimes we have to splurge in the "now" to help our future selves out <3 Don't feel guilty doing what you need to do to make your life a little more bearable (:
*
*
*
I think I have several other tips, but can't think of them at the moment. But I hope these help at least one other person!!
Remember, one size does NOT fit all with these tips-if these don't work for you or you've tried these and had a different experience, that's totally okay!!
But I figured I should share the wealth of my neurodivergent brain with others in case they could help anyone at all.
Let me know if you try them!! <3 Mwah!!

Gadget bar

Source Engine

Hax 5.0: May 17 - May 19, 2024

Friday May 17, 2024

Saturday May 18, 2024

Sunday May 19, 2024

Exhibits

Getting Lost in a Dark Fantasy

Understanding Dark Fantasy Art: the Basics and Progression

Essential Techniques for Drawing Dark Fantasy

Fun Drawing Exercise: Summoning Your Inner Creativity

Famous Dark Fantasy Art Pieces

The Rise of AI Art in Dark Fantasy

“In conclusion, let your creativity run wild.”

My Dark Fantasy World

LINK

GAMES IN THE LINK

Winbuzz App

The most effective method to Access Winbuzz

Winbuzz: Join Interaction

Winbuzz Login Steps

Winbuzz Application

Highlights of the Winbuzz Application

Winbuzz Demo Id

Getting everything rolling: How to Access Winbuzz Demo ID

Enhance Your Audio Experience with the Built-in Subwoofer TV Sound Bar from Philips

Identifying a TV Sound Bar’s Subwoofer

The Benefits of using TV Soundbar with a Subwoofer

Benefits of Equipping a TV with a Soundbar and Subwoofer