I grabbed my neighbor's Craftsman weed Wacker 25cc out of his garbage to try and fix it. Kept getting deeper and deeper and found the top of the piston is destroyed. I can't seem to find the exact new piston. Do you think any piston that's the same size (34mm I think) will work?
The Craftsman model is 316.740820.

Hey guys, I have a Craftsman WS210 which is running a 25cc engine from MTD. The other day, I noticed the following symptoms before it died. First trim of the season, it felt like it was running sluggish. I spilled some oil/gas on it and smelled a burning plastic smell after it dried off. I figured that was the oil. It's now quit altogether and will not fire, even when I put ether in it. In the air, the plug sparks. I've replaced the plug already and am trying to get at the ignition module. Are these symptoms consistent with a failed/failing ignition module?

19-minute read.

Armenian ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan about the events leading to the 1915 genocide:

LTP (1995 speech): The Armenian Genocide was a political program to defend the state interests of the Ottoman Empire. After the liberation of the Balkan people, the Armenian question became an international topic by the will of European superpowers. It became part of the Article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin [after Russia defeated the Ottomans], as a reform plan in the Armenian provinces of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey understood that one more war would mean the loss of Armenian territories as well. The only way to prevent that was to physically exterminate the Armenian population, which the Turkish authorities carried out methodically in 1878-1915.
Sultan Hamid and the government of Young Turks bear the entire responsibility for the organization and execution of the plan to exterminate Armenians. This was a joint effort that began in 1878 and ended [or intensified] in 1915.
The European superpowers - England, France, Germany, and Russia - not only took no practical steps to implement the reforms in the Ottoman Empire's Armenian provinces, but with their uncoordinated interventions, they created a direct threat to the physical existence of Armenians.
In other words, with the internationalization of the Armenian question, the superpowers irritated the Ottoman Empire with complete disregard for elementary conditions for Armenian survival. This is what measures their moral responsibility, and in the case of Germany - the direct responsibility - for the genocide. //
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Turkey must pay Armenians 70-100 billion dollars in reparations for the genocide: expert

SUREN MANUKYAN: It is possible to calculate the property loss and damage caused by the suffering, by using the Paris Peace Conference information. As of 2014, the figure was $41.5 billion. After adjusting for inflation and lost revenue, the total sum will be $100 billion.
The economic component played a big role at the time because Ottoman authorities were very jealous of the Armenian economic dominance. Armenians of Constantinople were very rich and were major players representing international trade. Armenians were also involved in arts and crafts.
The Ottoman employment record shows that Armenians controlled 29.3% of the craft economy. A craftsman was not necessarily a low-income person. There were many jewelers, gunpowder producers, and others who were supplying products to the Ottoman army and nobility.
The Ottoman regime lied to Armenians during the mass deportations, claiming they would be returned to their homes. They used this to convince Armenians to itemize their properties and submit the list to local Turkish authorities along with the keys to their houses. That's what many Armenians did.
Then a few months later a new law was passed about "abandoned properties". The regime knew these Armenians would never return home. They used this law to redistribute the Armenian properties among Young Turk party leaders. The best Armenian houses in a community were given to the local ruling party leaders or generals. The less lucrative properties were distributed to their [Turkish] neighbors. Sometimes there were auctions that sold Armenian properties at discount prices.
In 1919 the Armenian political delegation visited Paris to participate in the meeting of states to decide the results of WW1. Avetis Aharonyan [Eastern Armenian rep.] and Poghos Nubar Pasha [Western Armenian rep.] demanded a specific sum, which included the factories, houses, and other properties taken from Armenians. It was worth 10 billion francs - a massive sum for that period. Sadly the Treaty of Sevres was not materialized beyond paper and there was no reparation.
In 2015 there was an attempt to recalculate, including the lost income. In 1949 and 1952 Germany paid Jews for the Holocaust and it included calculations for unearned income caused by the loss. A similar calculation exists for Armenians.
The Ottomans took steps to destroy the Armenian culture in addition to physical extermination. They destroyed Armenian churches during the massacres of the Adana and Hamidian period and the genocide. A group of Armenians sheltered in Urfa church, thinking it would be safe. They just torched down the church, killing those inside. Numerous churches were plundered and destroyed. Armenian churches were quite rich and had valuable items. During the raids by crowds to kill Armenians, churches were one of the first targets of the plunderers.
After the extermination of Armenians, they began to destroy the churches and cemeteries to use the stones as construction materials. The churches were also being destroyed for being part of another culture; the perpetrators were often recorded mocking Armenian churchmen saying that God would come and help during the destruction process if it really existed.
Another method for wiping out the Armenian culture was the conversion of churches into mosques. The mother cathedral of Kars had its cross removed and replaced with a crescent, and a minaret was built. To this day, the main mosque of Kars is the converted Armenian church.
In later years, in the 1960s, Turkey began using Armenian churches for target practice for its army's artillery units. Many photos of destroyed churches that we have today show the destruction caused in the 1960s-70s, not 1915.
The next component of cultural genocide was to rename Armenian settlements. Many settlements were Armenian for thousands of years and even maintained their Armenian names after the Ottoman occupation. The now-Republic of Turkey formed a special commission to travel around and rename every Armenian community. They would often pick names that sounded close to Armenian ones.
In the 90s when more tourists began to visit [eastern] Turkey, the authorities realized they could use the Armenian heritage for financial gain, so they began to rebuild many churches and castles. However, they would always wipe out the Armenian trace during the reconstruction. For example, the gates of Ani always had Armenian symbols -the leopard and the cross. After the reconstruction, they kept the leopard but erased the cross. If you visit this area today, the tourist sign says "Ani - the capital of the state of Bagratuni", but they never call it "Armenian". Someone with no knowledge of history won't know what Bagratuni is.
In the 90s and 00s, they began to remove all mention of Armenia. They went as far as to rename the families of plants and animals that contained Armenian elements. For example, to rename the Armenian fox, they contacted relevant institutions to rename it to "Anatolian" fox.
They did everything to exclude the use of "Armenian Highland", which was used in international papers. Turkey began to rename Armenian Highland to Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia. It's unnatural and repetitive because anatolia itself means "east". Eastern Anatolia means Eastern East. Anatolia was the Asia Minor, and Eastern Anatolia was the Armenian Highland.
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interview with journalist-historian Tatul Hakobyan: Genocide, reasons & contributing factors, post-independence policies, episodes from First Republic, Tavush

REPORTER: We fought for decades for the US to use the term genocide. It did. And? Did it change anything?
TATUL: It's important for Turkey, the legal successor of the perpetrator, to accept it, but since Turkey refused to do so, Armenians launched a global campaign in the 1960s to have it recognized. We didn't know what we wanted in the end, how many states should recognize it, and whether there would be demands for land or reparation. Turks spoke more about those topics; they say if you demand recognition now, you will demand something else tomorrow. Every Armenian government has insisted that the recognition of the genocide is not a precondition for normalization of AM-TR relations, and every government denied having other intentions.
The topic of the Armenian genocide was used as a tool to pressure Turkey. Various Armenian governments have used this tragedy of the Armenian people in an attempt to pressure Turkey to end the blockade on Armenia, establish relations, and not be as pro-Azerbaijan in the AM-AZ conflict. However, history shows that this policy didn't bring much to Armenia. It was a mistake to weaponize the tragedy.
REPORTER: ... Netanyahu himself doesn't recognize the Armenian genocide but uses it to attack Erdogan.
TATUL: Exactly. Morally, only Armenia has the right to use this rhetoric. France also did that every time they had a conflict with Turkey.
REPORTER: A diaspora-Armenia commission was formed in 2015 on the 100th anniversary. They even adopted a declaration. Nobody remembers about this commission today.
TATUL: Because it didn't provide a clear roadmap of actions to take. The [Serj administration's] soccer diplomacy of 2008-2010 contradicted this 2015 declaration.
REPORTER: Are we left with anger and a torchlight march today?
TATUL: The Armenian genocide will be fully recognized only when Turkey recognizes it.
REPORTER: Erdogan says there were massacres of Armenians and Turks. Is this a step forward or an attempt to muddy things?
TATUL: It's better than not acknowledging the suffering but it's still a denial of genocide. We should have used the opportunities and adopted a policy of taking mutual steps. History shows that bringing the genocide issue to the field of foreign policy ended with the proposal to create a "group of historians" or "intergovernmental group". Let's remember the policies of the Armenian governments. In the 1990s Levon Ter-Petrosyan had a clear policy: we accept it was a genocide, Turkey says it was not a genocide, we agree to disagree and we move forward. But when the government escalated the genocide agenda, (1) it led to foreign states using it as a tool against Turkey during periods of strained relations, (2) in 2005 Erdogan offered Kocharyan to create a commission of historians. The Armenian government rejected it but offered to create an intergovernmental commission, which, in the end, through the two Zurich protocols [presumably now under Serj], essentially turned into the same commission of historians that Turkey wanted. So perhaps the topic of the Armenian genocide should not have been made part of Armenia's foreign policy. Armenia has not gained much from this process.
REPORTER: Church members say the genocide happened because of traditional political parties, and had Armenians been led by the church, there wouldn't be genocide.
TATUL: The genocide was a policy enacted by the Ottoman Empire, and they are responsible for it, but it is time for us to discuss our mistakes and the steps we didn't take to prevent the genocide or to minimize its scale. This has always been a taboo topic in Armenia. As soon as you speak about it you're accused of treason or "questioning the genocide". We need to understand why this mass extermination took place. Let's see what the two most famous Armenian figures of those years had to say: Aram Manukyan (co-founder of the Republic) and Hovhannes Kajaznuni (first PM). They both wrote that the formation of voluntary units was a mistake and brought disaster upon the Armenian people. Go ahead and accuse me of promoting the Turkish thesis, but this isn't that, this is an attempt to understand why a disaster of this scale happened.
The ARF Dashnaktsutyun, at the time the biggest party in Eastern and Western Armenia, organized a summit in Erzrum in 1914. The Young Turks sent a delegation and urged the ARF not to join the Russians to fight against the Turks. The ARF promised not to do that, and that it would "remain loyal to Ottoman Empire". I'm using their words, passed to us through personal notes. But then they all went to Tiflis, the Russian Tsar came, etc., the church, then 8 voluntary units were formed, and a disaster... I'm not saying there would be no tragedy without the voluntary units, but we need to understand the reasons behind the scale of the tragedy. The genocide was part of the Ottoman Empire's strategy.
REPORTER: Ottomans had suffered defeat in one font and were afraid to lose on the Armenian front as well.
TATUL: That's another topic that isn't being discussed in Armenia today. Many people say the genocide lasted until 1923. What about 1918-1920 [first republic]? Are you including it in that period? After all, Armenia and the Ottoman Empire had diplomatic relations and official visits. Ottomans were the first to recognize the independence. It's another topic. Anyways, where was I...
REPORTER: Turks lost in the Balkans and were afraid to lose Armenian territories.
TATUL: Turks suffered a huge tragedy as well by losing a large portion of their territories. They were afraid. The question is, did Armenians do enough to be able to come out with minimal losses from the situation? We didn't do enough.
REPORTER: What about today?
TATUL: We must talk with Turkey directly. It is a dangerous force in the region. We must not repeat the mistake of relying on Russia or the West. Today certain developments are unfolding in Tavush. Let's recall the events in 1920 when the Turkish army captured Alexandrapol for the second time. After the capture, the Armenian parliament held a session led by PM Hamo Ohanjanyan, who viewed Russia as an enemy. Ex-PMs Kajaznuni and Khatisyan were also present, and the latter believed Armenia had lost the war and the population didn't want to fight, so they suggested capitulating and accepting every single Turkish ultimatum no matter how difficult. But the other opinion prevailed, about the need to continue the struggle, so the war resumed. Armenia went on to forcefully sign a ceasefire with terms that were much worse - we signed the Treaty of Alexandrapol.
Today, I don't want the government to make a decision in Tavush that will lead to another war. Last year we were urging for Nagorno-Karabakh authorities to make concessions and negotiate with Azeris to avoid the worst-case scenario. The worst-case scenario happened. Today the public domain is dominated by opposition and government voices, while the topic should be the steps that must be taken to address the safety concerns of the border villages. Look at the 1976 Soviet General Staff map and Google Maps; they are identical in this region. I don't want to look like a clown by telling you that Kheyrimli or Khizil-Hjili is Armenian. I want to discuss solutions...
REPORTER: The opposition is offering a solution. These are our historical papenakan lands. We will amend ties with Russia and they will help us protect these lands. The Friday agreement was welcomed by the West and NATO, and only Russia has remained silent.
TATUL: There was an Armenian-Russian agreement signed in 1920. It was an agreement with Russia because Azerbaijan was part of Bolshevik Russia and the AM-AZ border conflicts were resolved between Armenia and Russia. The Armenian representatives Artashes Babalian (ARF govt) and Arshak Jamalyan (ambassador to Tiflis) signed an agreement with Russian's Boris Legrant according to which this Tavush border line is exactly the same. So what are we even talking about? [regarding asking Russia for help to keep the villages] We need to discuss the future delimitation steps and risks instead of saying these are our historical papenakan lands. When the rhetoric shifts to "historical papenakan", it is no longer about solutions, it is propaganda and empty patriotism that will be short-lived. We need to think about long-term solutions. You can't generate political points with long-term solutions. We need to discuss the security risks and long-term solutions.
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PM Pashinyan's message on the occasion of the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide:

Today we commemorate the memory of 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Meds Yeghern, who were put to the sword in the Ottoman Empire since 1915 for being Armenians.
This large-scale tragedy took place during the years of the World War I, and the Armenian people, who had no statehood, had lost their statehood centuries ago, and essentially had forgotten the tradition of statehood, became victims of geopolitical intrigues and false promises, lacking first of all a political mind capable of making the world and its rules understandable.
Meds Yeghern became a nationwide tragedy and grief for us, and without exaggeration, is a predetermining factor for our socio-psychology. Even today, we perceive the world, our environment, ourselves under the dominant influence of the mental trauma of the Meds Yeghern, and we have not overcome that trauma.
This means that, being an internationally recognized state, we often relate and compete with other countries and the international community in a state of mental trauma, and for this reason, sometimes we cannot correctly distinguish the realities and factors, historical processes and projected horizons.
Maybe this is also the reason why we get new shocks, reliving the trauma of the Armenian Genocide as a legacy and as a tradition.
In this sense, I consider the internal Armenisation of the Meds Yeghern extremely important. When talking about the Armenian Genocide, the Meds Yeghern, we always cite the outside world, talk to the outside world, but our internal conversation never takes place on this topic.
What should we do and what should we not do in order to overcome the trauma of genocide and exclude it as a threat? These are questions that should be the key subject of discussion in our political and philosophical thinking, but this kind of point of view of dealing with the fact of the Meds Yeghern is not common among us.
This is an imperative, an urgent imperative, and we must evaluate the relations between the Meds Yeghern and the First Republic of Armenia, we must relate the perception of the Meds Yeghern with the vital interests of the Republic of Armenia, our national statehood.
Meds Yeghern, deprivation of homeland is not a verdict for us, which we have to bear as a continuous search for a lost homeland. We must stop the searches of a homeland, because we have found that homeland, our Promised Land, where milk and honey flow. For us, the commemoration of the martyrs of the Meds Yeghern should not symbolize the lost homeland, but the found and real homeland, in the person of the Republic of Armenia, whose competitive, legitimate, thoughtful and creative policies can exclude a repetition.
Never again. We should not say this to others, but to ourselves. And this is not an accusation against us at all, but a point of view where we, only we, are responsible and the director of our destiny and we are obliged to have enough mind, will, depth and knowledge to carry that responsibility in the domain of our sovereign decisions and perceptions.
May the martyrs of Meds Yeghern and all our other martyrs be consoled in their permanent sleep by the Republic of Armenia.
And long live the Republic of Armenia.
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Armenia's foreign ministry about the Genocide:

This crime committed against Armenians became the basis for the definition of the international convention “On the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”. Unfortunately, despite the consequent efforts, the threat of genocide is still present in the world.
In 2020-2023, we faced new manifestations and consequences of the policy of ethnic cleansing. More than 150,000 Armenians were forcibly displaced and forced to leave their historical homeland because of war, xenophobia, crimes based on identity, siege and consistent acts of intimidation against the population.
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Livestream from Yerevan's Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial Complex

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the concert dedicated to the memory of the genocide victims

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top quality journalistic headline of the day award goes to...

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Statement by President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day:

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern—the Armenian genocide—and renew our pledge to never forget.
The campaign of cruelty began on April 24, 1915, when Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. In the days, months, and years that followed, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths—leaving families forever broken, and generations forever changed.
As we mourn this tragedy, we also honor the resilience of the Armenian people. After enduring one of the darkest chapters in human history, survivors began forging a better future for our world. With courage and commitment, they rebuilt their lives. They preserved their culture. They strengthened the fabric of nations around the world—including our own. And they told their stories to ensure that the mass atrocities that began on this day 109 years ago are never again repeated.
This remains our solemn vow. Today—and every day—the United States will continue to stand up for human rights and speak out against intolerance. We will continue to meet hate and horror with hope and healing. And, we will continue to stand with all those who seek a future where everyone can live with dignity, security, and respect.
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French President Macron commemorates 109th anniversary of Armenian Genocide

MACRON: Today, France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Let us keep alive the memory of the victims of massacres, deportations and persecutions. Do not forget. French and Armenians are forever linked.
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statement by Russian embassy in Armenia:

April 24 is the day of remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. We mourn together with the Armenian people.
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statement by Foreign Minister of Belgium

HADJA LAHBIB: We honour the memory of lives lost. This dark chapter in history reminds us of the need to fight discrimination and violence, and to promote peace and tolerance. //
FM Lahbib attended a candlelight vigil held at an Armenian church in Brussels.
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statement by the President of Greece

Katerina Sakellaropoulou: It is 109 years since the beginning of the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians during the last period of the Ottoman Empire. It is a genocide that almost wiped out an ancient people, a thriving Christian nucleus in the southern part of the Caucasus. The recognition of such tragic events, as well as the constant vigilance against violence and hatred against our fellow human beings, are a necessary condition for the non-repetition of similar crimes and the peaceful coexistence of nations and peoples. The victims of the Armenian Genocide must never be forgotten.
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Greek Defense Minister commemorates victims of Genocide

NIKOS DENDIAS: Thinking of the Armenians in Greece and around the world, today we honor the memory of the victims of the Genocide.
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Bulgarian Parliament held a minute of silence for victims of Armenian Genocide

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statement by the foreign ministry of Argentina:

On the Day of Action for Tolerance and Respect among Peoples, we remember and commemorate the genocide of which the Armenian people were victims. Their memory is a permanent lesson about the steps of the present and the goals of our future.
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statement by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau:

Today, we join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world to mark Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. We reflect on this dark chapter in history. Twenty years ago, the Government of Canada joined members of the international community in officially recognizing the historic and tragic reality of the Armenian Genocide.
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We must ensure the names and stories of Armenians killed in 1915 genocide are never forgotten: Canadian FM

FM JOLY: In 1915, over 1.5 million Armenians were killed. Today, we continue to honor the lives stolen during the genocide against Armenians and reflect on the trauma that many still endure. We must ensure their names and stories are never forgotten.
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march was organized in Beirut, Lebanon, in memory of Genocide victims: VIDEO

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Turkish president Erdogan expresses but doesn't call it a "genocide"

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statements & memorial visits by other countries and international figures

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Russian Senate leader rebukes Armenian parliament leader after he gave a speech in Europe in which he listed the countries illegally occupied by Russia and Turkey, and said Armenia recognizes their territorial integrity

Context and Alen Simonyan's speech in April 22 news digest. Simonyan said Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Cyprus, and accused Russia and Azerbaijan of waging a "hybrid war" against Armenia.
ALEN SIMONYAN: Azerbaijan has used various media and social networks to gradually occupy Armenian territories. By posting fake videos purporting to show the movement of Armenian troops, Azerbaijan seeks to portray Armenia as the aggressor in order to prepare ground for attack and justify its own aggression. Azerbaijan is not alone in its use of technology. Russia is organizing a campaign of threats and disinformation. It is worrying that many officials of the Russian government dare to dictate the interests of Armenia and speak on behalf of the Armenian people.
MATVIENKO VALENTINA (Russia): I want to ask my colleague [Alen Simonyan], on whose behalf did he make those statements? Of course, not on behalf of the Armenian people, with whom Russia has centuries-old friendship. We cannot leave such anti-Russian speech without attention. I would send a written request to the Armenian Parliament to ask on whose behalf he spoke and whether the Armenian Parliament shares the assessments made during this meeting. [Russian Senate sent the letter later on Wednesday.]//
Armenian politician from ex-PM Aram Sargsyan's party responds:
ANI KHACHATRYAN: Two years ago [after the Ukraine war] Valentina Matvienko discovered that Russia can't even produce nails, and from that day on, her body has suffered from severe iron deficiency. As you know, iron deficiency leads to sudden mood swings, depression, and in certain cases - intellectual disability. Does Aliyev's and other Azerbaijani officials' recognition of Ukraine's territorial integrity never bother anyone in Russia? Does Russia not consider those as anti-Russia moves? I'm waiting for our 5th column to step in and say «Бьет значит любит!!» (if she beats you, she loves you). Իմացի հերդ ա, դիմացի Ցոլակ ջան. //
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UK Parliament discussed the attempts by Israeli businessman and police to hijack part of the Armenian district of Jerusalem

MP Edward Leigh: Has the Church taken steps to support the Armenian church in the old city of Jerusalem?
British Church Estates Commissioner: The Bishop of Southwark has raised this issue repeatedly in the other place over the past six months, and it remains an ongoing and very concerning issue. Only 15 days ago, an unlawful eviction was led by the Israeli police within the premises of the Armenian Patriarchate, with no court orders or permits presented.
MP Edward Leigh: Those of us who are good friends of Israel need to call out the violent activities of the settler movement. The Armenian Christians have enjoyed the best part of 2,000 years in their part of the old city in tranquillity. The appalling incident on 3 April was led not just by thugs but by an Israeli officer called Assaf Harel. Frankly, there was downright intimidation and an attempt to force out Armenian Christians. The Christian population in the old city has declined from 25% a century ago to just 1%.
British Church Estates Commissioner: It would be an absolute tragedy if there were to be no Christians left in the Holy Land. The House will have heard the figures that he has just presented. The pressures facing the Armenian church exemplify those faced by other churches in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem is one of the custodians of the Holy Land and overseers of the four quarters of the city. The Church of England is absolutely clear that the historic settlement and the status quo of Jerusalem need to be maintained. The lack of any call for restraint from the Israeli Government is escalating tensions in Jerusalem, and that remains a great concern.
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police arrested 5 protesters in Tavush after a physical confrontation with people who were trying to cross the blocked road

AUTHORITIES: The incident happened in Noyemberyan on April 23, when a group of individuals shut down the road. Two citizens were trying to pass through the road but were unable to do so. During the argument, the suspects kicked and punched the two citizens, causing bodily injuries. An hour later, another citizen attempted to pass through the road; the suspects kicked and punched the vehicle. Another person sustained injuries during the incident. Five suspects have been arrested. //
11 people have been arrested since April 21 on various roads. One member of a nationalist paramilitary group is charged with crimes at the moment. 96 members of the ultranationalist group BEVER (Sasna Tsrer) were detained on Wednesday after closing streets in Yerevan.
Context in Tuesday report.
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newly-unearthed photo may reveal the iceberg that sunk the Titanic

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The Mackay-Bennett was one of the first ships to reach the wreck site. The undertaker on board decided to take a photo of this iceberg. The photo is expected to fetch between $5,000 and $8,500 in an auction.
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Hey
So I saw an article explaining why a BB sequel would be a terrible idea and would kill the established Walt and Saul arcs... But that article actually gave me a great idea for a sequel
The story takes place 25 years after BB, and Saul has died in prison. The heroine is a young Holly White (now Holly Lambert), who is an up-and-coming prosecutor working with her PI brother Walt Jr. (who still loves breakfast...) to catch criminals and build a case.
Meanwhile, there is one Salamanca left - Tuco's sister had a child (let's call him Mateo for this writeup's sake) with Gonzo before Gonzo died (this is the only Salamanca that could exist with Gus's perimeters, given that his last name would not be Salamanca while Gus is alive) and as the show begins he is a student at UNM with an interest in science and a keen sense of justice, who decides to fight to reclaim his families' legacy while believing that his family were at least capable of presenting order unlike the chaos in the current scene which paradoxically causes much more damage.
Over the seasons we see Mateo slowly rebuild the family empire (with his personality being essentially a cross between Walt and Lalo) while Holly and Walt Jr try to catch him - until at one point after a confrontation Holly gets convinced by Mateo and the two begin a relationship.
Meanwhile Mr Porter (Jesse) is having a beautiful life in Alaska working as a craftsman and a part-time artist, and has even found a Mrs Porterand had 4 kids named Brock, Patrick, Kaylee and Drew - but all along he is smarting that he broke his word to Walt (which is his bond) and when he hears about Salamanca's exploits he realises that this can be his opportunity... So he uses the guise of an art show in the region to get down to ABQ and join the plot
If anyone has any ideas let me know :) Also if someone can get this to some of the creators and/or actors I would really appreciate it

Auto-translated (I've only cleaned up the contestant and team names)

The three teams that advanced to the finals of Mnet's survival show 'Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival' (hereinafter referred to as 'Build Up') shared their thoughts.
'Build-up', which is about to birth a complete four-member vocal boy group, only has the long-awaited finals left. The members of the three finalist teams, who had built up from two-member groups to three-member groups to four-member groups and were about to take the final stage, directly shared their feelings and determination heading into the finals.
1st place in the semi-finals, self-proclaimed all-rounder 'Hunminjaybit' The Hunminjaybit team, made up of Jay Chang, Bitsaeon, Seunghun, and Kim Minseo, is a group of all-rounders who placed 1st in the semi-finals and advanced to the finals. Jay Chang, who formed the team, said, “The members I wanted gathered together to create a team, and it feels like a dream to advance to the final stage with this team.” Kim Minseo, who is the youngest member of the Hunminjaybit team and also attracted attention as a 'Dex look-alike' trainee, expressed his ambition, saying, "I definitely want to debut and show an even better stage with my brothers in the future." As they took first place in the previous semifinals, curiosity is gathering about the final stage as well. Bitsaeon predicted an emotional stage containing the stories of the team members, saying, “It is a stage where we can show a new side that is different from the stages our team showed previously.” Seunghun also hinted, “This is a song that contains lyrics about difficult times in life.”
The unexpected drama of an automatically formed team, 'WATERFIRE' WATERFIRE is a team that was automatically formed from the last remaining members from the 'team rebuilding' period, when it was possible to maintain and reorganize the team. They keep trying to get things together and are showing off their terrible intentions. Kang Hayoon expressed his thoughts and determination to advance to the finals, saying, “When I applied for the program, I never imagined I would be able to make it to the finals. I will take the time to know how to enjoy the stage at least this time.” Wumuti also said, “I want to enjoy and share this happiness with my teammates, fans, and everyone on site.” Since they were the only ones to perform a ballad performance in the last semi-finals, expectations are high on what kind of performance they will show in the finals. Sunyoul hinted, “We have prepared a stage with a different color from the stages that Waterfire has shown so far.” Choi Suhwan expressed his determination, saying, “I will show you that our Water Fire is the team with the best build-up.”
The four color 'partners' with an unlimited spectrum are a team of Park Jeup, an unrivaled high-pitched craftsman, Lee Donghun, an appealing and emotional vocalist, Bain, owner of excellent stage control, and Jeon Woong, a talented vocalist and talented singer. Bain, a member of the 4-member, 4-color team whose strength is diversity, expressed gratitude to those who gave enthusiastic support, saying, “I don’t think I would have come this far without the support of the fans and viewers who have supported and loved me from the beginning.” reported. Jeon Woong expressed his emotions, saying, “It was really overwhelming to advance to the finals with great members, and I became even more desperate to be in the final debut group.” Park Jeup expressed his confidence, saying, “It’s the genre I’m best at, and the song I’ve wanted to sing for so long.” He added, “I will show you a performance with confidence that doesn’t leave you feeling disappointed.” Lee Donghun strengthened his determination, saying, “I will pour everything I have accumulated so far into the finals so that the hearts of the fans who support me will not be in vain.”
The 'Build Up' final will be broadcast live at 10:10 pm on the 29th.

Not sure, but I would think HMJB ballad, WATERFIRE non-ballad, PARTNERS ballad/rock-ballad?

DM looking for short answers.
My necromancer player raised skeletons (using all spell slots available) to summon an “army” to repair Argynvostholt’s wall (spider area) & re-build/ repair / re-man the ballistas at the top of the keep.
He sent the skeletons to clear the keep interior, fetch wood & stone from the surrounding area, and then build the wall + repair ballista, and the skeletons have had several in-game days to work on it. (5 days, non stop labor. He had 40+ skeletons working for all the days, more on the succeeding days.)
Strahd has his own attack strategy prepared to assault the keep.
I’m wondering if skeletons (prior guards/previous army of Argynvostholt from long ago) raised from the premises would be able to rebuild the ballista, and how long it takes to build them. (Player arguing that skeletons are fairly intelligent undead, and in armies, it’s expected that you can repair / have knowledge of what weapons you use on a daily basis.)
Is the only barrier having the craftsman tools to make it?

Welcome to "That Pokémon Survivor: Mt. Faraway"! 🏔️ In this season, pairs of rivals must put aside their differences and work together within each tribe. Will they seek revenge or find common ground? With the added twist of Redemption Island, eliminated castaways get a chance to reenter the game, adding an extra layer of drama. Join us as alliances are tested, rivalries flare up, and only one emerges victorious! 🌸

Watch the season here!

I hope you enjoy it and please give your thoughts so I can know if you like this series!
--

Cast:

Orun Tribe:

• From Oddity Cave, Marlene (5th Place) and Sage-Rage (Co-Runner-up) harbored a deep-seated rivalry, which simmered throughout their journey. Marlene relentlessly attempted to vote out Sage-Rage on numerous occasions, only to be thwarted each time. Ultimately, Sage-Rage emerged victorious in this internal conflict, yet fell short of claiming the ultimate prize.
• Bubutoh (Hypno) - Bubutoh is a mysterious figure, cryptic and weird, who speaks in tongues. Despite this, he possesses remarkable wisdom, spending most of his time reading and meditating. Submitted by: u/BunnyBoiEthos
• Espurr (Meowstic - female) - Espurr is a director who has created amazing movies in the Pokestar Studio. However, her recent films have been criticized for feeling too "inorganic." She joins the show to prove she can direct organic things like the game itself. Submitted by: u/TEARSOFDESPAIR
• Hikōki (Fletchling) - Despite her small size and weak power, Hikōki is a Fletchling with great speed. She often finds herself in fights and arguments due to her sassy personality, developed from growing up with many siblings. Submitted by: u/Dull_Sir_8462
• Keaton (Druddigon) - Keaton, a well-known rock climber, has inspired many others despite having lost his leg at a young age. With a robotic leg, he's determined to conquer the competition and prove himself. Submitted by: u/IdkWhatToDoHere-
• Parsley (Cacnea) - Born into a rugged family in a desert, Parsley has always fancied himself as a survivalist. Despite being viewed as the baby of the family, he aims to prove himself in the game. Submitted by: u/TEARSOFDESPAIR
• Suki (Alolan Ninetales) - Suki is a dignified and graceful Pokémon with a "superiority complex." While competitive, she can be nice outside of competition. Submitted by: u/Hi-Shinx
• Vitus (Corviknight) - Vitus is a popular ghost hunter who leads his own investigation team. Despite initial skepticism, he's ready to leave his past behind and compete to win. Submitted by: u/IdkWhatToDoHere-

Yvy Tribe:

• From Fantasy Strait, Wormy (5th Place) and Ecolie (2nd Runner-up) found themselves unable to reconcile their differences, despite Lucian's earnest attempts to foster cooperation. Their failure to unite allowed the final forms to triumph over the initial ones. While Ecolie emerged triumphant in this clash, akin to Sage-Rage, victory in the overall game eluded her grasp.
• Astrid (Haxorus) - Astrid prides herself on her strength as a boxing champion. She sees others as beneath her and is solely focused on advancing her own interests. Submitted by: u/Yellower_
• Blopos (Beheeyem) - Blopos is an alien Beheeyem curious about Pokémon on Earth. Naive and easily fooled, Blopos hopes to gather information by joining the show. Submitted by: u/Dull_Sir_8462
• Erin (Mareanie) - Unlike a typical Mareanie, Erin is kind and social, ready to make friends and enjoy her time in the game. Submitted by: u/BunnyBoiEthos
• Joy (Plusle) - Joy is upbeat, bright, and full of life. She aims to bring positivity to the game and be universally loved. Submitted by: u/FrieNads
• Lorne (Tauros) - Lorne is a hot-headed bully who seeks power and dominance. He plans to control the tribe through intimidation and manipulation. Submitted by: u/FrieNads
• Quayle (Farfetch'd) - Quayle is portrayed as incompetent and disliked by everyone. He is warned against holding any power due to his abusive tendencies. Submitted by: u/Hi-Shinx
• Rhodes (Mismagius) - Rhodes wants to break out of his parents' shadow and prove his worth by winning the game. He is driven by the desire to show he's more than just his parents' son. Submitted by: u/Yellower_

---
Season summary:
Chapter 1: "The New Leaders Around"
In the vast expanse of Mt. Faraway, anticipation hung thick in the air as fourteen strangers embarked on a chopper for an adventure of a lifetime. As the chopper touched down, the arrival of another helicopter carrying four additional players added to the intrigue. Among the newcomers were Marlene and Sage-Rage, long-standing adversaries from Oddity Type, and Wormy and Ecolie, bitter rivals from Fantasy Strait. Their presence promised a clash of old grudges and the challenge of forging new alliances. But the surprises didn't end there. The contestants learned of a game-changing twist: eliminated players would have a shot at redemption. Sent to Redemption Island, they would await the next ousted player for a chance to battle for reentry. The stakes were higher than ever, with the winner securing a lifeline back into the competition.
As the tribes settled into their camps, dynamics began to shift. Relationships blossomed amidst a backdrop of both camaraderie and tension. At the first Immunity Challenge, Yvy tribe, led by Ecolie and Wormy, clinched victory, securing their safety for the time being. However, conflict brewed at the Orun camp as Suki vented her frustration over their loss, sparking a heated confrontation with Marlene. Meanwhile, Espurr's skill in fire-making impressed her tribe mates, while alliances began to form, with Sage-Rage plotting alongside Espurr and Vitus. While strategizing, Keaton eyed Bubutoh as a target, redirecting attention toward the enigmatic player. Vitus initially targeted Hikōki but shifted focus upon discovering Bubutoh's plans against them, leading to a decisive vote against Bubutoh at the tribal council. Across Yvy Tribe, Wormy forged alliances with Erin, who she got surprisingly close, Lorne, and Rhodes, countering Quayle's suggestion to oust the returnees. Wormy's impassioned defense of their second chance resonated, solidifying his position as a leader within the tribe. In a tense tribal council, Bubutoh's torch was snuffed out in a 7-2 vote against Hikōki, leaving Parsley as his sole supporter.
​
Chapter 2: "Owning The Vote"
Immediately after his elimination at the Orun tribe, Bubutoh found himself stranded on Redemption Island, stunned by the unraveling of his plans against Vitus. Meanwhile, back at Orun, Marlene's struggles to forge alliances brewed discontent among tribe members. Over at the Yvy tribe, Wormy's attempts at social integration faltered, but she found solace in her alliance with Erin, a formidable social player. Ecolie adopted a low-key strategy, flying under the radar. In the second Immunity Challenge, the Yvy tribe emerged victorious once more. At Orun, Sage-Rage sought to assert control despite their losing streak, cozying up to power player Suki. A rift formed between Vitus and Hikōki during a food-gathering mission, leading Espurr and Sage-Rage to distance themselves from Vitus due to their combative behavior. Sage-Rage, Suki, and Parsley formed a new alliance, capitalizing on Parsley's outsider status from the previous tribal council. Unaware of his dwindling support, Vitus targeted Hikōki, while Suki set her sights on Keaton, who had grown increasingly bossy. As tensions simmered at the Ivy camp, Quayle's irritating behavior sparked conflict with Blopos, while Rhodes grew disillusioned with her alliance's dynamics and chose to leave it. At the Orun tribal council, Espurr's criticism of Vitus's aggressive tendencies incited their wrath, but Suki remained steadfast in her plan to eliminate Keaton. Despite Vitus's last-ditch effort to flip the vote, Keaton was ultimately ousted in a 6-2 decision against Espurr.
​
Chapter 3: "Hope To Move On"
Following his blindside at Orun, Keaton arrives at Redemption Island to find Bubutoh, equally stunned by the turn of events. Keaton questions why his rival Vitus remains in the game. Meanwhile, back at Orun, Espurr's controversial actions at Tribal Council draw scrutiny from her tribemates. As the two ousted players prepare for their impending duel, they receive a note from Tree Mail, signaling the start of their showdown. Meanwhile, both tribes are instructed to send representatives to spectate the duel. Bubutoh emerges victorious in the challenge, securing his place in the game as Keaton's journey comes to an end. During the Immunity challenge, Orun secures their first victory, winning comfort items in addition to immunity. However, tensions within the tribe escalate as Suki blames Hikoki for nearly costing them the challenge, leading to a major meltdown. Espurr's attempts to comfort Suki only result in a small fight, exacerbating the situation. Meanwhile, Sage-Rage severs ties with Espurr and realigns with Vitus and Parsley, who are eager to establish a majority alliance after a shaky start. At the Yvy camp, interpersonal conflicts arise between Blopos and Erin, Blopos is comforted by Wormy. While Erin seeks to rebuild her alliance with Rhodes. Blopos rallies the tribe against Quayle, while Astrid targets Ecolie for her strategic prowess. At tribal council, Quayle becomes the target, ultimately being voted out in a 7-2 decision against Ecolie, who grapples with the failure of her strategic maneuvers.
​
Chapter 4: "Working Together"
Surprised by Quayle's arrival at Redemption Island, Bubutoh finds himself facing unexpected company. Meanwhile, back at the Orun camp, complex relationships intertwine, but Sage-Rage and Parsley emerge as the dominant figures, with Suki and Vitus aligning as their satellite allies. Over at Yvy, Wormy assumes control, bolstered by her strong bond with Erin. At Redemption Island, Castaways compete in a block-stacking challenge, with Quayle emerging victorious while Bubutoh falls short. The Immunity Challenge sees tribes utilizing tools from their Craftsman tool kit in a multifaceted obstacle course. Yvy clinches victory, securing immunity and a lavish barbecue feast. Back at Orun camp, Suki and Vitus reflect on their dynamics within the tribe, leading them to form a strategic duo. Espurr strives to redeem herself and rallies support against Hikōki, who retaliates by targeting her. Marlene directs her anger towards Parsley for the tribe's losses, but finds little support for his ousting. Meanwhile, at Yvy, Écolie discovers the Hidden Immunity Idol, leveraging it to strengthen her position and build trust with Wormy. At tribal council, Hikōki is voted out in a 5-2 decision against Espurr, with Marlene siding with her in the vote.
​
Chapter 5: "Tribal Royalty and Commoners"
Upon Hikōki's arrival at Redemption Island, a frustrated Quayle awakens to the news. At the Orun camp, Suki's discovery of the Hidden Immunity idol boosts her confidence in her ability to control the game, especially with her unbreakable bond with Vitus. Meanwhile, at Yvy, Wormy confides in Erin about Écolie possessing the tribe's idol. In the Redemption Island challenge, Quayle emerges victorious, while Hikōki's hopes are dashed as she fails to complete the puzzle in time, leading to her elimination. The Immunity Challenge sees Yvy securing their fourth win of the season, along with a bounty of coffee, tea, pastries, and more. Back at Orun, tensions rise as Parsley once again faces blame for the tribe's loss. Sage-Rage's agreement ignites a fiery confrontation with Parsley, leading to a meltdown. Marlene perceives Suki as Parsley's protector and seeks to target her, but Espurr proposes voting out Parsley instead, citing his targeting of Marlene. Vitus intervenes, warning against targeting their allies, and shifts the focus to Espurr. At Yvy, a clash between Joy and Astrid erupts, stemming from Astrid's dismissive attitude towards Joy's positivity. Lorne seizes the opportunity to target Joy, prompting Erin and Wormy to reconsider their alliance with him. At tribal council, Espurr is unanimously voted out, surprising Marlene.
​
Chapter 6: "The Leaf-Headed Stepchild"
Espurr's arrival at Redemption Island surprises Quayle, who had assumed she was in the majority at Orun Tribe. Meanwhile, tensions at the Orun camp escalate as Sage-Rage and Parsley's conflict remains unresolved, leaving them to begrudgingly coexist due to limited options within the tribe. In the Redemption Island challenge, Quayle secures victory once again, while Espurr falls short, unable to complete the challenge in time. At the Immunity challenge, Yvy triumphs, securing immunity and a scenic trip to Mt. Faraway along with a picnic lunch. Back at Orun camp, the tribe is surprised by Parsley's unexpected contribution to the challenge. However, Sage-Rage and Suki struggle to reach a consensus on how to handle Parsley, ultimately deciding to sever ties with him. As tensions rise, Suki and Marlene find themselves at odds, each targeting the other for elimination. Despite Parsley's belief that Sage-Rage should be the target, Marlene finds herself on the outs of the tribe, with no one willing to save her. At the Yvy tribe, Écolie continues to work on her social game, forming a bond with Rhodes and confiding in her about possessing the tribe's idol. Meanwhile, Blopos and Wormy share a heartfelt conversation about feeling out of place outside the game. Concerned about Lorne's potential as a floater, Erin suggests incorporating him into their alliance to Rhodes. At Orun tribal council, Marlene is voted out in a 4-1 decision against Parsley, marking the fifth elimination for the tribe.
​
Chapter 7: "The Fall Of The Smart One"
Fueled by anger and a desire for revenge, Marlene arrives at Redemption Island, ready to face her opponents. In the memory challenge, contestants must match pairs of symbols to score points. Marlene emerges victorious, while Quayle, frustrated by his inability to prove himself, exits the game. At the Immunity challenge, tribes must navigate obstacles to collect balls and shoot them into a basket. Yvy triumphs, securing immunity and a volcano-top picnic. Back to Orun camp, Suki and Vitus engage in strategic discussions until Sage-Rage's cry for help interrupts them. Parsley has collapsed and is medically evacuated from the game. Over at Yvy, Blopos delves into Rhodes' life story, seeking to understand his fellow players better. Wormy and Erin clash over aligning with Lorne, prompting Erin to reassess their alliance with Rhodes.
​
Chapter 8: "Respect For Big Moves"
Marlene wakes up on Redemption Island to find no new arrivals, realizing Parsley's medical evacuation has halted the competition. With the number of remaining castaways equaling the number of winners, Marlene is allowed to return to the game. A new tribe, Oyvyrun, is formed, marking the transition to the individual phase of the game. At the Immunity challenge, contestants must balance balls on wooden disks while standing on small logs. Astrid emerges victorious, securing immunity for herself. Back at camp, alliances are tested as players navigate the shift to individual gameplay. While targeting an Orun tribe member seems like the obvious choice, the Yvy tribe struggles to align. Lorne and Rhodes attempt to strategize, but disagreements prevent them from reaching a consensus. With immunity in hand, Astrid sets her sights on Écolie, aiming to make a significant move. However, discussions within the tribe lead some alliances to target Blopos, viewing him as a weak link from the Yvy tribe. Meanwhile, Rhodes discusses voting out Joy with Erin, suggesting they could secure Lorne's vote. At tribal council, Écolie, feeling paranoid about being targeted, plays her idol, nullifying four votes. Despite this, Blopos is voted out in a 5-3 decision against Joy, with the four returnees and Joy casting their votes against him.
​
Chapter 9: "All-In" Part I
Écolie is frustrated that she didn't have to use her idol, despite having it as a safety net. However, she's relieved that her alliance had the majority vote. Meanwhile, despite being in the minority, Suki remains confident, thanks to her possession of an idol and strong relationships with Vitus and Sage-Rage, while sensing the dysfunction within the Yvy Tribe. At the Immunity challenge, contestants must dig for a club to smash a tile, with the top six advancing to the next round where they submerge their heads in water to fill a tube by spitting into it. The top three move to the final round, solving a block puzzle, with Astrid emerging victorious once again. Back at camp, dynamics shift as Ecolie bonds with Rhodes, while Lorne and Vitus have a disagreement about their next move. Suki identifies Wormy as a potential leader in the Yvy tribe and aligns herself closely with her. Meanwhile, Astrid, emboldened by her immunity win, begins rallying votes against Joy, holding her accountable for Blopos' elimination. Despite considering other targets like Marlene and Écolie, all alliances converge on Joy. At tribal council, everyone is surprised that not only Joy is voted out, but she is unanimously voted out in a 9-1 decision against Écolie.
​
Chapter 9: "All-In" Part II
Back at camp, the unanimous vote surprises everyone, leaving Astrid feeling proud of her strategic prowess. However, Rhodes isn't pleased with Astrid's dominance in controlling the votes. During the Immunity challenge, contestants must hang from a bar for as long as possible, shifting to using only their legs after twenty minutes. Vitus emerges victorious, securing immunity for himself. Back at camp, Sage-Rage and Vitus discuss the opportunity to solidify alliances within the Orun tribe to target the remaining Yvy members. Rhodes initiates a campaign against Astrid, highlighting Astrid's dominance in challenges and her influential role in tribe decisions, particularly targeting Écolie. Once again, all alliances align on a single target: Astrid. At tribal council, Astrid is blindsided by the vote, shocked to find herself ousted in an 8-1 decision against Écolie. Despite her anticipation of making another big move, Astrid's game comes to an unexpected end.
​
Chapter 10: "Berry Wars"
The Orun tribe members, except Marlene, maintain strong bonds, while the Yvy members face internal conflicts within the merged tribe. Astrid's arrival at Redemption Island brings joy to Blopos and Joy as they eagerly await her. In the challenge, contestants must use 150 wooden tiles to construct a house of cards. Joy and Blopos secure their spots by finishing first and second, respectively, while Astrid is eliminated. At the Immunity challenge, Lorne emerges victorious, securing immunity. Back at camp, Ecolie and Sage-Rage discuss the returnees' tendency to protect each other, while Lorne and Marlene clash over the remaining berries. Vitus capitalizes on the tension between Marlene and Lorne to target Marlene, perceived as an outsider among the original Orun tribe members. Suki suggests targeting Ecolie instead, leading to conflicting opinions within the tribe. Erin observes the dynamics within the Orun tribe and proposes targeting an Orun tribe member, preferably Vitus. With numerous small alliances and conflicting strategies, the vote is chaotic, with options split between Vitus, Ecolie, and Marlene. At tribal council, anticipating chaos, Suki plays her idol on Vitus to nullify the votes against him. With four votes remaining, Marlene is voted out in a 3-1 decision against Ecolie.
​
Chapter 11: "A Mystery Package"
After several days with the merged tribe, new bonds form among the castaways. Erin finds herself unexpectedly closer to Écolie, while Wormy forges a strong connection with Suki. At the Redemption Island challenge, competitors aim to land their pucks in the end zone, with Blopos and Marlene securing their spots, and Joy being eliminated. In the Immunity challenge, castaways are randomly paired for a log-rolling competition, with Ecolie emerging victorious. She shares her reward of a chocolate cake with Erin and Rhodes. Meanwhile, Suki grapples with the fallout of Marlene's elimination, feeling disoriented after using her idol. Fortunately, Écolie and Wormy contemplate forming an alliance with the returnees, including Suki. The tribe alliances deliberates over the vote, torn between targeting Lorne or Vitus. During tribal council, the discovery of a mysterious box adds intrigue to the proceedings. Vitus is ultimately voted out in a 5-3 decision against Lorne, with the Yvy tribe members leading the charge. Following the vote, the box reveals a twist: a second immunity challenge and vote. In the subsequent challenge, requiring memory recall of symbols, Ecolie secures immunity once again. t tribal council, the timing constraints lead to a rushed discussion. Despite this, Lorne is blindsided in a 4-3 vote against Suki, as Wormy and Écolie opt to save her over Lorne.
​
Chapter 12: "Mangled Nets"
As Blopos and Marlene welcome two new players to Redemption Island, tensions rise at the camp. Suki expresses gratitude for her unexpected survival, while Erin and Rhodes fret over their exclusion from the Lorne vote. Wormy revels in her newfound power, wielding strong alliances and unbreakable relationships. In the Redemption Island challenge, the castaways engage in the first-ever four-person duel, aiming to break four tiles with a metal ball. Blopos secures victory, earning a visit from a loved one, which he decides to keep for himself. Vitus is eliminated from the game. At the immunity challenge, contestants race to assemble a staircase puzzle, with Écolie clinching her third consecutive immunity win. Back at camp, Erin's concern for her position prompts her to search for the hidden immunity idol, which she successfully finds. Meanwhile, Sage-Rage falls ill, and despite Suki's attempts to help with medicinal berries, her condition worsens. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the game doctors intervene, determining that Sage-Rage requires professional medical care. Consequently, she is evacuated from the game.
​
Chapter 13: "Too Close for Comfort"
No new arrivals grace Redemption Island, leaving the trio of castaways to battle it out for survival. However, their showdown is cut short as the competition is canceled due to the equal number of remaining contestants and available spots in the game. Meanwhile, at the Immunity Challenge, castaways are tasked with solving a challenging fish skeleton puzzle while hindered by having one arm tied behind their back. With determination, Suki emerges victorious, securing both immunity and a tantalizing three-course meal delivered straight to camp. She selects Wormy to share in the feast, fostering a closer bond between them as they indulge in the luxury. As the endgame approaches, tensions rise among the remaining players. Exhausted by the relentless gameplay, Erin finds herself at a crossroads, torn between loyalty to her allies and the need for strategic moves to ensure her own survival. Écolie, equally apprehensive about her position, seeks solace in a conversation with Erin, contemplating their next move. Rhodes, eager to secure her safety, attempts to sway the vote towards Écolie, citing past betrayals. However, Suki sees Erin as the target. In a pivotal moment, Wormy holds the deciding vote, torn between personal revenge for the past and strategic gameplay voting alongside his 3 players alliance with Écolie and Suki who are siming for Rhodes. Ultimately, she aligns with Erin, resulting in Écolie's blindside with a vote of 3-2 against Rhodes.
​
Chapter Finale Intro:
Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of That Pokémon Survivor: Mt. Faraway. As we embark on the finale chapter, the stakes have never been higher with four formidable players remaining in the game.
First, there's Erin, a social powerhouse who has forged strong alliances with key players throughout the season. Despite facing adversity, Erin's strategic prowess has been highlighted by her recent acquisition of an idol, ensuring her survival in these critical final rounds. Rhodes, on the other hand, has flown under the radar, strategically cultivating a close friendship with Erin from the outset. This alliance has proven instrumental in guiding Rhodes to the top four, showcasing her adept gameplay and strategic acumen. Suki emerges as the lone survivor from her struggling tribe, a testament to her resilience and strategic prowess. By forging alliances and orchestrating game-changing moves, Suki has deftly positioned herself as a force to be reckoned with in the final stages of the game. Lastly, Wormy stands as the final returnee remaining, having played an aggressive social game marked by the formation of unbreakable connections and strategic alliances. Wormy's cunning gameplay has positioned her as a formidable contender for the ultimate prize. But amidst the suspense of the finale, Redemption Island looms large, where four ousted players await their chance at redemption and a shot at re-entering the game.
With so much at stake, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown to determine who will emerge victorious and claim the title of sole survivor. Who will seize the moment and etch their name in Survivor history?
​
Chapter Finale Part I:
Upon the desolate shores of Redemption Island, Ecolie and her fellow castaways—Blopos, Lorne, and Marlene—face a harrowing challenge for their shot at redemption. Balanced on a seesaw, they fight to keep a delicate ceramic vase from tumbling into oblivion, but one by one, they fall until only Ecolie remains standing, victorious she receives a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. With a flicker of doubt, she chooses to defy fate, casting the parchment into the flames, a testament to her resolve to rely on her own strength and cunning rather than luck. Returning to the game, Ecolie finds herself amidst a formidable final four, where alliances run deep and trust is scarce. At the Immunity challenge, the castaways race along a precarious balance beam, collecting numbered tiles with precision and speed. In a display of sheer determination, Ecolie emerges victorious once again, solidifying her dominance in the physical realm. As the tribe gathers, admiration for Ecolie's prowess is palpable, but strategic minds begin to churn. Ecolie seizes the opportunity to strategize with Erin, recognizing Suki as the biggest threat looming over their path to victory. At tribal council, tension mounts as Erin plays her idol for safety, but it is Suki who ultimately falls victim to the strategic machinations of the group, ousted in a decisive 4-1 vote against Rhodes, becoming the 8th member of the jury.
​
Chapter Finale Part II:
In the wake of her triumphant return to the game, Écolie finds herself riding a wave of newfound confidence, bolstered by the unshakeable bonds she's forged with the remaining players. As the final community challenge of the season unfolds, tension hangs thick in the air as each castaway navigates the maze with determination, driven by the prospect of securing immunity and a shot at the ultimate prize. In a surprising turn of events, it's Wormy who emerges victorious, claiming immunity and a precious opportunity to sway the jury in her favor. With a keen awareness of Écolie's formidable threat, Wormy wastes no time rallying the remaining players to her cause, advocating for Écolie's elimination to prevent her from reaching the final two once again. Amidst whispered strategizing and lingering uncertainty, the tribe gathers for the pivotal tribal council. Despite Écolie's valiant efforts to plead her case, the numbers ultimately align against her, and she is voted out in a resounding 4-1 decision against Rhodes, sealing her fate as the final member of the jury.
​
Final Tribal Council
As the finalists arrive to plead their case to the jury, each one presents a compelling narrative of their journey throughout the season. Erin takes the stage first, highlighting her formidable social game and the deep connections she forged with her fellow players. She emphasizes her ability to navigate the intricate web of alliances and friendships, ultimately avoiding the chopping block and earning the respect of her peers. Rhodes follows with a surprising departure from game talk, delving into her personal struggles and the journey of self-discovery she embarked upon during the game. Her heartfelt speech resonates with some jury members, stirring up emotions and leaving a lasting impact. Then it's Wormy's turn to address the jury, acknowledging the challenges she faced as a returning player with a target on her back. She emphasizes her strategic prowess and willingness to make bold moves, positioning herself as a formidable contender for the title. As the jury deliberates, it becomes clear that they are divided in their opinions, praising the finalists' social gameplay while lamenting the lack of strategic gameplay.
When the votes are tallied, a shocking 3-3-3 tie emerges, leaving everyone stunned and uncertain of what comes next. In a surprising twist, it's revealed that a fire-making challenge will determine the ultimate winner. Tensions run high as the finalists face off in a battle of skill and determination. In the end, Erin emerges victorious, her steady hand and unwavering resolve propelling her to victory and solidifying her status as the deserving champion of That Pokémon Survivor: Mt. Faraway.
​
Reunion:
During the reunion, the cast gathers to relive the intense moments of the fire-making challenge, marveling at Erin's triumph and the nail-biting finish. As the tension eases, the fan-favorite of the season is announced, with Suki earning the title for her remarkable underdog journey and resilience in the face of adversity. Next, the production prizes are unveiled, honoring the most strategic players of the season. Vitus earns third place for his bold and fearless gameplay, while Rhodes surprises everyone by claiming the second spot with her astute understanding of the game's dynamics. The audience erupts into applause as Suki is crowned the ultimate strategic player, her adaptability and prowess making her a formidable force throughout the season.
​
Winner: _____Erin_____
Co-Runner-Up: _____Rhodes______
Co-Runner-Up: _____Wormy____
Fan Favorite: _____Suki_____
​
My thoughts: I was really surprised by this season positively, RI is usually one of Survivor most disliked seasons and twists, but here it merged very well with the theming, the returning players were very interesting to follow in their seek for redemption, while the new players added a lot of interesting personalities. I usually prefer a more balanced season than a tribe losing all the challenges, but this time I didn't mind so much. Both tribes were interesting and had interesting dynamics despite that, and the merge was quite unpredictable. Lorne's elimination was quite iconic. I loved seeing Écolie and Wormy's relationship here, they went from enemies to friends to enemies once again. Marlene and Sage-Rage didn't interact as much, but they were nice to follow as well. I also hated the tie in the end but after a while, I realized it fit very well the season an it's dynamics, also it's something that never happened in the real show.
With the awards ceremony concluded, the focus shifts to the announcement of the next season. Excitement fills the air as it's revealed to be a One World season, promising a fresh and dynamic twist to the game. As the cast members reflect on their experiences and eagerly anticipate the new season, the reunion draws to a close, marking the end of an unforgettable chapter in the history of That Pokémon Survivor.

​

1. Magi: Imuchakk arc (8,23)
   
2. Naruto Shippuden: Akatsuki Suppression Mission arc (8,23)
   
3. Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun: First Term Final Exams arc (8,23)
   
4. When They Cry: Wataakashi-hen arc (8,23)
   
5. Mushoku Tensei: Home Tutor arc (8,22)
   
6. When They Cry: Tatariakashi-hen arc (8,22)
   
7. Beastars: Meteor Festival arc (8,21)
   
8. Bleach: Arrancar: Downfall arc (8,21)
   
9. Food Wars: Promotion Exams arc (8,21)
   
10. Hunter x Hunter: Chimera Ant arc (8,21)
    
11. Kingdom: Sei Kyou's Rebellion arc (8,21)
    
12. Black Clover: Royal Knight's arc (8,20)
    
13. Demon Slayer: Final Selection arc (8,20)
    
14. Dr. Stone: New America City arc (8,20)
    
15. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Scar of Ishval arc (8,20)
    
16. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Search for the Philosopher's Stone arc (8,20)
    
17. Haikyuu: Karasuno High Team Formation arc (8,20)
    
18. Hajime no Ippo: Rocky of Naniwa arc (8,20)
    
19. Hajime no Ippo: Submarine Wars arc (8,20)
    
20. Magi: Zagan arc (8,20)
    
21. Spy x Family: Doggy Crisis arc (8,20)
    
22. Tsukimonogatari: Yotsugi Doll arc (8,20)
    
23. Yona of the Dawn: Dragons arc (8,20)
    
24. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Inajitsu arc (8,19)
    
25. Hajime no Ippo: Proof of Power arc (8,19)
    
26. Magi: Balbadd arc (8,19)
    
27. Magi: Magnostadt arc (8,19)
    
28. Slam Dunk: Shohoku vs Ryonan 1st Match arc (8,19)
    
29. Black Clover: Eye of the Midnight Sun Encounter arc (8,18)
    
30. Code Geass: Journey to the West arc (8,18)
    
31. Dr. Stone: Kingdom of Science arc (8,18)
    
32. Death Note: Yotsuba arc (8,17)
    
33. Dr. Stone: Age of Exploration arc (8,17)
    
34. Boruto: Vs. Momoshiki arc (8,16)
    
35. Food Wars: Central arc (8,16)
    
36. Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter Inferno arc (8,16)
    
37. World Trigger: Black Trigger Capture arc (8,16)
    
38. Dr. Stone: Treasure Island arc (8,15)
    
39. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: D'arby the Player arc (8,15)
    
40. Monster: Episodic arc (8,15)
    
41. One Punch Man: Super Fight arc (8,15)
    
42. Owarimonogatari: Shinobu Mail arc (8,15)
    
43. Seven Deadly Sins: Albion arc (8,15)
    
44. When They Cry: Matsuribayashi-hen arc (8,15)
    
45. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Akikawa arc (8,14)
    
46. Bakemonogatari: Tsubasa arc (8,14)
    
47. Bleach: The Past arc (8,14)
    
48. Monster: Dusseldorf arc (8,14)
    
49. World Trigger: B-Rank Wars arc (8,14)
    
50. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Kokudokan arc (8,13)
    
51. Black Clover: Seabed Temple arc (8,13)
    
52. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003): Separate Ways arc (8,13)
    
53. Grand Blue: Okinawa arc (8,13)
    
54. Golden Kamuy: Return to Karafuto arc (8,13)
    
55. Magi: Sindria arc (8,13)
    
56. Mononoke: Bakeneko arc (8,13)
    
57. Naruto: Sasuke Recovery Mission arc (8,13)
    
58. One Piece: Arabasta arc (8,13)
    
59. Quintessential Quintruplets: Second Yeat Last Exam arc (8,13)
    
60. Re:Zero: Return to the Royal Capital arc (8,13)
    
61. Spy x Family: Cruise Adventure arc (8,13)
    
62. Ya Boy Kongming: MC Battle arc (8,13)
    
63. Demon Slayer: Rehabilitation Training arc (8,12)
    
64. Dragon Ball Z: Frieza arc (8,12)
    
65. Dragon Ball Z: Trunks arc (8,12)
    
66. Golden Kamuy: Con Artists arc (8,12)
    
67. Hell's Paradise: Island arc (8,12)
    
68. Code Geass: Reintroduction arc (8,11)
    
69. Fumetsu no Anata E: Renril arc (8,11)
    
70. My Hero Academia: U.A. Sport Festival arc (8,11)
    
71. One Piece: Water 7 arc (8,11)
    
72. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Yakushi arc (8,10)
    
73. Code Geass: Mao arc (8,10)
    
74. Fairy Tail: Avatar arc (8,10)
    
75. Golden Kamuy: Return to Hokkaido arc (8,10)
    
76. Gurren Lagann: Part 3 (8,10)
    
77. Mushoku Tensei: Entry-Level Adventurer arc (8,10)
    
78. One Piece: Arlong Park arc (8,10)
    
79. World Trigger: Border Enlistment arc (8,10)
    
80. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Briggs arc (8,09)
    
81. Gurren Lagann: Part 2 (8,09)
    
82. Legend of Galactic Heroes: Part 2 (8,09)
    
83. World Trigger: Large-Scale Invasion arc (8,09)
    
84. Yona of the Dawn: Awa arc (8,09)
    
85. Fire Force: Hajima Industries arc (8,08)
    
86. Fire Force: Joint Investigation arc (8,08)
    
87. Hajime no Ippo: Early Days and Debute arc (8,08)
    
88. Overlord: The Witch of the Falling Kingdom arc (8,08)
    
89. Rising of the Shield Hero: Third Wave arc (8,08)
    
90. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Secret of Guard Westwood arc (8,07)
    
91. Legend of Galactic Heroes: Part 1 (8,07)
    
92. Mob Psycho 100: Awakening Lab arc (8,07)
    
93. Noragami: Rabou arc (8,07)
    
94. Overlord: The Invaders of the Large Tomb arc (8,07)
    
95. Parasyte the Maxim: School Massacre arc (8,07)
    
96. Re:Zero: The Tumultuous First Day arc (8,07)
    
97. Toradora: Christams arc (8,07)
    
98. Tower of God: Crown Game arc (8,07)
    
99. Yona of the Dawn: Fugitive arc (8,07)
    
100. Yona of the Dawn: Prophecy arc (8,07)
     
101. Beelzebub: Tohoshinki arc (8,06)
     
102. Black Clover: Royal Capital Assault arc (8,06)
     
103. Bleach: Arrancar vs Shinigami arc (8,06)
     
104. Fairy Tail: Tartaros arc (8,06)
     
105. Houseki no Kuni: Natural Historian arc (8,06)
     
106. My Dress-Up Darling: Shizuku Kuroe arc (8,06)
     
107. Beastars: Murder Incident Solution arc (8,05)
     
108. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003): Dublith arc (8,04)
     
109. God of Highschool: Nationals arc (8,04)
     
110. Overlord: The Magic Caster of Destruction arc (8,04)
     
111. Ace of the Diamond: Yakushi vs Ichidai Sankou arc (8,03)
     
112. Ao Ashi: Fullback Training arc (8,03)
     
113. Black Lagoon: Bloodsport Fairy Tale arc (8,03)
     
114. Bungo Stray Dogs: The Guild arc (8,03)
     
115. Case Study of Vanitas: Bal Masque arc (8,03)
     
116. Case Study of Vanitas: Hunters of the Dark arc (8,03)
     
117. Food Wars: Introduction arc (8,03)
     
118. Gintama: Fuyo arc (8,03)
     
119. Hajime no Ippo: Speed Star arc (8,03)
     
120. Oshi no Ko: The First Concert arc (8,03)
     
121. Spy x Family: Stella Star arc (8,03)
     
122. Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun: End of Final Days arc (8,03)
     
123. Black Clover: Dungeon Exploration arc (8,02)
     
124. D-Gray Man: Suman Dark's Fallen arc (8,02)
     
125. Magi: World Exploration arc (8,02)
     
126. One Piece: Amazon Lily arc (8,02)
     
127. YuYu Hakusho: Finals arc (8,02)
     
128. Dragon Ball Z: Captain Ginyu arc (8,01)
     
129. Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Xenos arc (8,01)
     
130. One Piece: Impel Down arc (8,01)
     
131. Tokyo Revengers: Black Dragon arc (8,01)
     
132. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Osaka Kiryuu arc (8,00)
     
133. Black Butler: Circus arc (8,00)
     
134. Fairy Tail: Grand Magic Games arc (8,00)
     
135. Fumetsu no Anata E: Bennett Church arc (8,00)
     
136. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Judgement arc (8,00)
     
137. Monster: Arrest arc (8,00)
     
138. One Piece: Loguetown arc (8,00)
     
139. One Piece: Post-War arc (8,00)
     
140. Quintessential Quintuplets: Seven Goodbyes arc (8,00)
     
141. Sword Art Online: War of the Underworld arc (8,00)
     
142. Toradora: Election arc (8,00)
     
143. Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun: Babyls Enrollment arc (8,00)
     
144. Black Clover: Elf Reincarnation arc (7,99)
     
145. Black Clover: Witches' Forest arc (7,99)
     
146. Re:Zero: The Turbulent Week arc (7,99)
     
147. D-Gray Man: Invasion of the Black Order arc (7,98)
     
148. Gintama: Renho arc (7,98)
     
149. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: July 15th arc (7,98)
     
150. One Piece: Baratie arc (7,98)
     
151. Rising of the Shield Hero: Rebuilding arc 1 (7,98)
     
152. Seven Deadly Sins: Vaizel Fight Festival arc (7,98)
     
153. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Walpurgis arc (7,98)
     
154. Ya Boy Kongming: Battle of 109 arc (7,98)
     
155. Bungo Stray Dogs: Fifteen arc (7,97)
     
156. D-Gray Man: Ghost of Mater arc (7,97)
     
157. Fairy Tail: Sun Village arc (7,97)
     
158. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003): Search for the Philosopher's Stone arc (7,97)
     
159. Gintama: Correspondence arc (7,97)
     
160. Magi: Artemyra arc (7,97)
     
161. My Hero Academia: Battle Trial arc (7,97)
     
162. Seraph of the End: Nagoya arc (7,97)
     
163. Seven Deadly Sins: Capital of the Dead arc (7,97)
     
164. Skip Beat: Prisoner arc (7,97)
     
165. Beelzebub: Saint Ishiyama Academy arc (7,96)
     
166. Bleach: Arrancar: The Fierce Fight arc (7,96)
     
167. Boruto: Ao arc (7,96)
     
168. Dragon Ball Super: Universe Survival arc (7,96)
     
169. Dragon Ball Z: Vegeta arc (7,96)
     
170. Fruits Basket: Introduction arc (7,96)
     
171. Gintama: Diviner arc (7,96)
     
172. My Hero Academia: Final Exams arc (7,96)
     
173. Naruto Shippuden: Itachi Pursuit Mission arc (7,96)
     
174. Dragon Ball Z: Namek arc (7,95)
     
175. Fire Force: Fifth Pillar arc (7,95)
     
176. Golden Kamuy: Boutarou the Pirate arc (7,95)
     
177. My Hero Academia: Entrance Exam arc (7,95)
     
178. Code Geass: The Great Game of Chess arc (7,94)
     
179. Fairy Tail: Phantom Lord arc (7,94)
     
180. Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island arc (7,94)
     
181. One Piece: Drum Island arc (7,94)
     
182. Quintessential Quintuplets: School Camping Trip arc (7,94)
     
183. Classroom of the Elite: Second Semester's Final Exam arc (7,93)
     
184. Dr. Stone: Vs. Tsukasa arc (7,93)
     
185. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Nijimura Brothers arc (7,93)
     
186. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Pillar Man, Santana arc (7,93)
     
187. Rising of The Shield Hero: Cal Mira Island arc (7,93)
     
188. Soul Eater: A Fight to the Death at the Big Bash arc (7,93)
     
189. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Orc Lord arc (7,93)
     
190. Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun: Akudol Kuromu-chan arc (7,93)
     
191. Darling in the Franxx: Squad 13 vs Klaxosaurus arc (7,92)
     
192. Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter Sanctuary arc (7,92)
     
193. Slam Dunk: Shohoku vs Miuradai arc (7,92)
     
194. Bleach: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc (7,91)
     
195. Hunter x Hunter: The Hunter Exam arc (7,91)
     
196. One Piece: Skypiea arc (7,91)
     
197. One Piece: Thiller Bark arc (7,91)
     
198. Rising of the Shield Hero: Devil of the Shield arc (7,91)
     
199. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Sensen arc (7,90)
     
200. Akame ga Kill: Religious Organization arc (7,90)
     
201. Bakemonogatari: Suruga arc (7,90)
     
202. D-Gray Man: The Vampire of the Old Castle arc (7,90)
     
203. Dragon Ball Z: Raditz arc (7,90)
     
204. Fairy Tail: Tenrou Island arc (7,90)
     
205. Fire Force: Vulcan's Workshop arc (7,90)
     
206. Initial D: White Ghost of Akina arc (7,90)
     
207. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Lovers arc (7,90)
     
208. Kuroko's Basket: Interhigh arc (7,90)
     
209. My Hero Academia: Pro Hero arc (7,90)
     
210. My Hero Academia: Vs. Hero Killer arc (7,90)
     
211. Parasyte the Maxim: The Detective arc (7,90)
     
212. Seraph of the End: Shinjuku arc (7,90)
     
213. Toradora: Culture Festival arc (7,90)
     
214. Fairy Tail: Tower of Heaven arc (7,89)
     
215. One Piece: Jaya arc (7,89)
     
216. Saint Seiya: Sanctuary arc (7,89)
     
217. Ao Ashi: Selection Exams arc (7,88)
     
218. Code Geass: Operation Downfall arc (7,88)
     
219. Mushoku Tensei: Mid-Level Adventurer arc (7,88)
     
220. Naruto Shippude: Fourth Shinobi War: Countdown arc (7,88)
     
221. Naruto Shippuden: Kazekage Rescue Mission arc (7,88)
     
222. Nisemonogatari: Tsukihi Phoenix arc (7,88)
     
223. Noragami: Yukine arc (7,88)
     
224. One Piece: Whisky Peak arc (7,88)
     
225. Overlord: The Bloody Valkyrie arc (7,88)
     
226. Parasyte the Maxim: Silent Invasion arc (7,88)
     
227. D-Gray Man: Edo and Asian Branch arc (7,87)
     
228. Made in Abyss: Seeker Camp arc (7,87)
     
229. Magi: Dungeon arc (7,87)
     
230. Misfit of Demon King Academy: Great Spirit arc (7,87)
     
231. Promised Neverland: Promised Forest arc (7,87)
     
232. Inuyasha: The Jewel of the Four Souls arc (7,86)
     
233. Mushoku Tensei: University arc 2 (7,86)
     
234. Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun: Battler Party arc (7,86)
     
235. Dragon Ball Z: Babidi arc (7,85)
     
236. Fairy Tail: The Battle of Fairy Tail arc (7,85)
     
237. God of Highschool: Tournament Preliminaries arc (7,85)
     
238. Great Pretender: Snow of London arc (7,85)
     
239. Magi: Pirates arc (7,85)
     
240. My Hero Academia: Quirk Apprehension Test arc (7,85)
     
241. Revolutionary Girl Utena: Akio Ohtori arc (7,85)
     
242. Death Note: Final arc (7,84)
     
243. Inuyasha: Kikyou and Naraku arc (7,84)
     
244. My Hero Academia: Provisional Hero License Exam arc (7,84)
     
245. Fire Force: Introduction arc (7,83)
     
246. Gintama: Ghost Ryokan arc (7,83)
     
247. Overlord: The Craftsman of Dwarf arc (7,83)
     
248. When They Cry: Meakashi-hen arc (7,83)
     
249. Beastars: Drama Club arc (7,82)
     
250. Beelzebub: Prince En arc (7,82)
     
251. Bleach: Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry arc (7,82)
     
252. Dragon Ball Super: Future Trunks arc (7,82)
     
253. Food Wars: BLUE arc (7,82)
     
254. Great Pretender: Los Angeles Connection arc (7,82)
     
255. Mashle: Magia Lupus arc (7,82)
     
256. Mushoku Tensei: Voyage arc (7,82)
     
257. Naruto Shippuden: Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation arc (7,82)
     
258. Overlord: The Dark Warrior arc (7,82)
     
259. Dragon Ball: Commander Red arc (7,81)
     
260. Dragon Ball Z: Androids arc (7,81)
     
261. Revolutionary Girl Utena: Black Rose arc (7,81)
     
262. The World God Only Knows: Old Conquest arc (7,81)
     
263. Ace of the Diamond: Seido vs Yakushi 2 arc: (7,80)
     
264. Bakemonogatari: Mayoi arc (7,80)
     
265. Code Geass: Introduction arc (7,80)
     
266. D-Gray Man: Introduction arc (7,80)
     
267. Darling in the Franxx: Squad 13 Alone arc (7,80)
     
268. Grand Blue: Introduction arc (7,80)
     
269. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo arc (7,80)
     
270. One Piece: Romance Dawn arc (7,80)
     
271. Sword Art Online: Anicrad arc (7,80)
     
272. Ascendance of a Bookworm: Daughter of a Soldier arc (7,79)
     
273. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Prologue arc (7,79)
     
274. World Trigger: Introduction arc (7,79)
     
275. YuYu Hakusho: Quarter Finals arc (7,79)
     
276. Black Lagoon: Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise arc (7,78)
     
277. Bungo Stray Dogs: The Guild Aftermath arc (7,78)
     
278. Fire Force: Chinese Peninsula arc (7,78)
     
279. Golden Kamuy: Kazuo Henmi arc (7,78)
     
280. Naruto: Search for Tsunade arc (7,78)
     
281. Naruto Shippuden: Five Kage Summit arc (7,78)
     
282. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Action arc (7,78)
     
283. One Piece: Zou arc (7,78)
     
284. Oshi no Ko: Show Business arc (7,78)
     
285. Sword Art Online: Project Alicization arc (7,78)
     
286. Beelzebub: Akumano Academy arc (7,77)
     
287. Claymore: Awakened Being Hunt arc (7,77)
     
288. Dragon Ball Z: Kid Buu arc (7,77)
     
289. Fire Force: VS. Special Fire Force Company 5 arc (7,77)
     
290. Hajime no Ippo: First Rounder arc (7,77)
     
291. Konosuba: Beldia arc (7,77)
     
292. Seraph of the End: Post-Shinjuku arc (7,77)
     
293. D-Gray Man: The Rewinding City arc (7,76)
     
294. Spy x Family: Campbelldon Tennis arc (7,76)
     
295. Classroom of the Elite: Deserted Island Special Test arc (7,75)
     
296. Demon Slayer: Tsuzumi Mansion arc (7,75)
     
297. Dragon Ball: Piccolo Jr. arc (7,75)
     
298. Golden Kamuy: Escape King arc (7,75)
     
299. Hunter x Hunter: Zoldyck Family arc (7,75)
     
300. Konosuba: Alcanretia arc (7,75)
     

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Today ends my 3rd of 4 weeks in Japan! 1 week from today I will be back in America. Here’s my trip this week:
Day 1 (Friday March 15) Went to Teamlabs Borderless. The art exhibits were pretty awesome, and complemented by smell in a couple areas! Otherwise this is a big instagram photo spot. Please be warned that if you have sensory issues or issues with flashing lights that you may want to skip this experience. There’s no real place to escape while there.
Day 2: Went to the Shinjuku national garden, and marveled at the landscaping. Afterwards went to Small Worlds where I got to see 2 rocket launches!!! Oh, and there’s an Evangelion exhibit. All models were detailed and they were everywhere! Ordered my most unique souvenir:a 1/35 scale model of myself! Shipping back home was more than the figure though lol.
Day 3:
Boarded my first ever domestic-international flight and flew to Naha! I thought it was nice that security gives you a pair of saddles to wear, though I wish I knew I didn’t have to dump my coke. In Naha I had a spam and egg onigiri! The Hotel Palm Royal Naha is central to everything, and has an soten, which has come quite handy at night.
Day 4:
Walked to Shuri Castle and took the Old Stone Road up. I didn’t know that the castle burned down in 2019, but it was pretty amazing seeing the work the Okinawan craftsman were undertaking to rebuild it. It’s still worth a visit.
From there I walked up to Urasoe Castle ruins and accidentally found the location of Hacksaw Ridge. The castle ruins weren't substantial on most sides, but still pretty cool.
I took Yui Rail back after this adventure.
Day 5:
I walked to the prefecture museum and had lunch. It was intetesting Okinawa showcase their previous role as a center for chinese and japanese allegiance, even going so far as paying tribute to both countries! The items in the museum are pretty amazing too.
From there I took Yui Rail/my feet to the Former Japanese Navy Underground bunker. The Okinawans showed the sequence of battle, some of the hardships the Okinawans had to face, and overall carried an antiwar message. If I had been here 2-3 weeks later, I would’ve had some additional context from the WW2 in Real Time YouTube series.
On my walk back I verified that you can only use Okika and not Suica/Pasmo, and booked myself on a tour.
Day 6:
I visited Cape Manzamo, Ocean Park, Nakijin Castle Ruins, and Pinapple Park with Okinawa Bus. I enjoyed the tour, but be warned-after April 1 they will no longer stop at Pinapple Park.
Cape Manzamo:a beautiful spot worth getting a photo at.
Ocean Park: I wish I had more time here. The aquarium was amazing. I have never seen Manta Rays that big, and they even had a whale! The dolphin tank and sea turtle tank in front seemed small, but it turns out they have rehabilitated several types of animals (including turtles), so they seem to know what they’re doing and want to care for marine life in general.
Nankajin Ruins: My 2nd favorite castle ruins after Shuri. I am 100% convinced BOTW was based on the landscaping and ruins found here.
Pinapple Park: I never thought about a Pinapple themed tourist trap before. The exhibits were corny (sorry, pinapply), and for some reason had dinosaurs. I loved the wine.
Day 7:
I purchased souvenirs and relaxed!
Day 8 (Friday March 22):
I took the ferry to Zamami for the day! This was honestly I highlight for me-I wish I planned a full night here. I hiked up to Takasuki first, and hit the remaining observatories in about 3 hours total (8 miles). Whatever observatory you visit will reward you with breathtaking views, and the road will showcase birds chirping and butterflies! I even saw a whale!
I didn’t get to do any snorkeling, which is one of my big regrets while leaving this island.
Overall: A success! Tokyo’s fun and all, but you gotta see other stuff in Japan too. I’m really glad I stayed as long as I have in Okinawa.

It felt like the Lord Talent.
Whether it was the Ink inside of him, the echoes of Aspreay's knowledge residing within his Talent, or pure, animalistic instinct he could not tell – and it hardly mattered. A mere glance was enough to make the power before him appear as certain and deadly as an oncoming storm.
Much like a Lord could turn his wish into a natural law for those inside his Realm, so could the Genius refuse nature's very laws. It's the same type of Talent…no, it's different. This is the most supreme state a Talent can manifest itself. A brilliant sort of arrogance, his irreverent desire incarnated into a small Realm; not unlike the invisible Walls that surrounded Penumbria.
Yet this one was small. About five feet, give or take, a translucent box of incarnated ego surrounding Eric.
And it altered the very foundations of his Talent.
"Welcome to the Realm of Genius, monsters!" he shouted, unleashing manic laughter alongside a storm of pens. Each object shot forward one at a time, as fast and suddenly as a bullet, the sound of their displacement trailing behind their movement. "Die for me!"
There were so many that anyone would have been forgiven for mistaking them for arrows. Each pen fell with startling speed, trailed by a faint blue glow and Eric's cackling. A first they were grouped together – until suddenly splitting apart, as if violently repelled by each other's presence.
Then, one-by-one, the pens locked on to their targets. They zipped to the sides, homing in on different monsters with pinpoint accuracy.
Cacophonous explosions resounded soon after.
"What the hell," Adam muttered, "is that?"
There were so many that anyone would've been forgiven for mistaking them for arrows. Each pen fell with startling speed, trailed by a faint blue glow and Eric's manic laughter. A first they were grouped together – until suddenly splitting apart, as if violently repelled by each other's presence.
Then, one-by-one, the pens locked on to their targets. They zipped to the sides, homing in on different monsters with pinpoint accuracy.
Cacophonous explosions resounded soon after.
"What the hell," Adam muttered, "is that?"
Clouds of dust arose from every point of impact, like a cluster of meteorites had struck the monsters simultaneously. Where there'd once been shambling abominations, there were now just corpses. The city was bereft of life – even its grotesque mockeries.
Although his ship was flying too high for Adam to witness the massacre in detail, he knew one thing for sure. It was a fact he understood in his very bones. Eric hadn't just been attacking those creatures with his pens.
Something else was being prepared.
As if predicting his thoughts, the Hangman started to speak, projecting his voice. "That's right, Adam. You can only use paintings, right? Pity. Still impressive, of course! But me...I can do so much more."
Eric stretched out his hands, his fingers dancing independently from each other. They pulled at invisible strings, conducting an inaudible orchestra, seeming to spawn nothing at all. However, Adam knew better. He recognized those motions, and that flicker of concentration in Eric's eyes.
The Hangman was painting.
"I can use abstract art!" A proud smile spread across Eric's face. "It doesn't even have to be good! That's all it takes for me to steal someone's soul!"
Tenver, who had been fruitlessly calling out to his friend for some time now, suddenly grasped Adam's shoulder. "What's going on?"
"Eric uses abstract art," he muttered, absently. "It's different from my skill."
Solara stepped up beside him. "In what ways?"
"Abstract art can be drawn a lot faster than a painting...or a sketch. Doesn't matter how quickly I try to draw – no way I can beat that speed."
Adam bit his lip when he noticed it was trembling slightly. Steady. "Technically, anything can count as abstract art, even literal garbage. Only...well, usually it has to be good to amount to something. Except Eric just said – the bastard outright admitted that it doesn't have to be!"
He smashed his fist against the wall. Frustration welled up inside of him, and not merely because of how dire the difference in their talents could prove to be. Don't let it get to you. You know it isn't what you should be focusing on. I know that, goddamn it!
Even so, he couldn't stop himself from cursing louder as the clouds of dust from Eric's attack gradually dissipated. I have to make sure!
"My lord, what are you–?" Tenver cut his own question short, then nodded. "Ah. Information gathering?"
"Yeah." Adam called upon his Talent of Captain. He could feel the ship's path at his fingertips. Carefully, he closed his fist, bringing the ship closer to the city. "It probably won't help us much if Eric tries to pull something, but...I have to know. Stupid or not, there's some things you just gotta–"
Solara interrupted him by laying a hand on his other shoulder. "You needn't explain yourself," she assured. "Do as you please, and gather information if you can. If that man truly has a Genius, it's even worse than if he was a regular Hangman."
So they call his ability a 'Genius' too? Adam spared each of them an apologetic glance. Wonder how long they'll put up with me before they get tired of my shit, he thought.
A moment later, he angrily shook his head. This wasn't the time for self-pity! He'd been doing better about those kinds of thoughts lately; stopping now of all times would be the worst goddamn thing he could do. Stay positive. You are strong. You are the Lord of Penumbria.
He found strength and comfort in this last bit. Remembering he was the lord of a city – that so many people depended on him – allowed him to pit his sense of responsibility against his self-hatred.
Responsibility won out. "Stay here," he warned the two.
Solara shook her head. "But–"
"That's an order!" he shouted, before exiting the room and running towards the ship's deck. Catching a glimpse of Eric's 'abstract art' was his sole priority right now. Adam needed to know if his assumptions were correct.
Back on Earth, Eric had never shown much interest in anything besides traditional painting. In contrast, Adam had wanted to learn about every kind of art, but soon discovered that he was extremely bad at creating things, from sculpting to art installations. Even drawing was a skill he'd only acquired because he could narrow it down to a near-science.
It's one thing to understand the mechanics of something – another to actually give it meaning. The moment I have to communicate intent with my art, everything breaks down. That's always been my weakness. I know that. I accepted it.
But you...
You...
It was beautiful.
There were dozens of dead monsters below. Each corpse was arranged so beautifully as to be its own painting, a parade of macabre backdrops for the darkest of festivals. Adam looked at a deformed hawk monster laying dead on a blue creature, the white of its eye contrasting the red blood staining its torso, dyeing the scene in tragedy.
Upon observing it, Adam felt an emotion and theme flow into his mind. It was too effective of an art piece when based on creatures Eric shouldn't have known about before. That was it – the Hangman must be able to immediately understand the monsters' pasts. The Stained were an amalgamation of souls, so if he knew even one of them, that would be enough for him to 'paint' their portrait.
Here, the theme appeared to be the death of freedom...which was generic enough that Adam couldn't help but wonder if his conclusion was too hasty. Maybe Eric was just painting any generic feelings that came to mind, figuring they would land against one of the many souls eaten by the Stained. Like a shotgun approach to creating art.
That thought was somehow more unnerving than the alternative.
"Hey there," Eric said, casually flying down to the deck, descending like a bird returning to its nest. "How did you like my show?"
"You lied," Adam muttered.
Eric's face fell. "Hey man, the hell? I went out of my way to show you all my powers so that you couldn't say I was hiding shit, and you–"
"Earlier, you said that abstract art doesn't have to be good for your Talent to work." Adam peered down over the edge of the ship. "But every single one of those pieces is fantastic."
At that, the Hangman grinned broadly. "Ha, yeah, I mean...maybe it does have to be good. Don't know. Been half-assing it every time I used it."
THAT'S THE PROBLEM, ERIC!
Even during his slump in college, even when he'd put in so much less effort than Adam...Eric was simply good. It was infuriating to watch him set his sights so low, barely try at all, yet produce a mediocrity brighter than the most beautiful star Adam's art could conjure.
The stunning arrangement pictured below was a perfect example. Eric was one of those people who'd never taken abstract art seriously. He'd always disliked it, mocked it – even laughed at the very concept.
Yet he was still this good at it.
That's just...so cruel, isn't it?
Eric sighed deeply and loudly, enough so that Adam would look up at him. To his surprise, the Hangman appeared genuinely saddened and annoyed. Strangely, that annoyance appeared directed at himself.
"Listen...man..." Eric rubbed the back of his head. "I understand why you don't trust me. Might take some time to rebuild everything – I get it. Really, I do! Guess I was hoping that if I laid all my cards on the table, you'd maybe believe me. I honestly am sorry about how everything played out."
Looking at Eric then was harder than fighting the Ghost of Waters, crueler than matching wits against Belmordo, more painful than living beneath Aspreay's rule. Those were trivial compared to staring into the eyes of the man he'd once called his best friend, finding despair in his gaze, and not reaching out to help him.
He, he's lying. Don't trust him. He said it himself, this is a show of force so I don't do anything stupid. This is all just manipulative bullshit so I'm easier to deal with. It's–
"I miss it a lot, you know?" Eric asked, hands behind his head and eyes to the sky. "Spending all those late hours working with you, practicing our art, passing it back and forth...might sound unbelievable after everything, but those really were the best nights of my life."
"Me too." Adam let out a weak laugh. His cheeks twitched involuntarily, and he had to push the hysteria back down his throat lest it reach his voice. "That's what makes me so fucking pissed off at you. Know why we don't have that anymore? Because of what you pulled!"
"It was for your own good!" Eric cried out.
"Bullshit!" Adam screamed. You were jealous of me. For the first time, I created something you weren't able to – and you couldn't stand that! This conversation had to stop, Adam realized. Every passing second soothed his anger and strengthened his nostalgia. His memories of their time together was like deadly poison eating away at his resolve. Even now, more than anything else, he wanted to trust Eric.
The Hangman shook his head. "C'mon man. Let's do it again, just like old times. It would be great!" His words almost seemed comical. Speaking of the good ol' days when they were currently on the deck of a flying ship, overlooking a destroyed city, was too absurd to be taken seriously. "I messed up, I know. Even if it was for your sake, I should've talked to you first – filled you in. Maybe if we'd decided that we should've come here as a team..."
Inside Adam, a war raged within. His commanders were debating fiercely. The General of Distrust argued to walk away saying nothing, for Eric was a backstabber that meant not a single word he uttered. The General of Loneliness shouted back that Eric was a good friend once, and might be telling the truth here. Perhaps there was no ill will at all; just miscommunication. Worst of all, this second General was beginning to sound more convincing than the first. No, no, he's trying to trick me, I know that–
Another voice spoke up in his mind. This was no General. A captain, at most. He was not among the leaders of Adam's mind, yet his arrival to the Painted World had necessitated an abrupt promotion, as this young upstart was responsible for most of Lord Adam of Penumbria's decisions.
The General of Opportunism, so he claimed.
"Fine," Adam muttered. "How about...we start here? Let's see how awkward it feels. Take a look – I drew this up earlier."
The other leaders in his mind named him the General of Cowardice.
"Yeah, of course!" Eric replied promptly, grinning. "Haven't seen your art in a while...man, you've got me feeling all nostalgic. Last thing I saw of yours was that shitty drawing you left for the Belmorto fella. C'mon, let me see what you've been cooking up."
Adam withdrew his tablet from his pocket, keeping his expression as blank as possible. He'd prepared a few paintings in advance – each drawn with different explanations and themes of why Eric had betrayed him. Most of them he'd created soon after arriving in the Painted World, the pain of betrayal still fresh on his mind.
If any of those is right...I'll take your soul. If you're telling the truth, then no harm, no foul, right?
"You've dipped into abstract styles since coming to this world, huh?" Eric laughed as he rested a hand on Adam's shoulder, glancing at the tablet. "No idea what this one means."
It was a painting meant to symbolize Eric's jealousy and betrayal. A really good one at that, in Adam's opinion. It also seemed to be having no effect whatsoever. I'm not gambling any skills on these paintings, so they'd need to be very good portraits of his soul to work. Still...if he betrayed me out of jealousy, this one should've worked. "How about this one?"
Eric squinted his eyes. "You've gotten a lot better since I last saw you," he laughed, tightening his grip around Adam's shoulder. "Don't remember you shading like that before. Your coloring used to be kinda shit, if you don't mind me saying it."
This painting focused on Eric hating Adam. It elicited no reaction from either the man or his soul. "Well – what about this one?"
"I like the composition," the Hangman muttered thoughtfully. "Can I see your sketches?"
Which meant 'Anger at something Adam had done' also wasn't the motive. That was fine...he had plenty of drawings. Plenty of theories. One of them would have to be right. "Yeah, of course," Adam said, forcing himself to smile. "Let's go over a few more of them."
Each failed painting drove a dagger of guilt into his canvas, the doubt within him starting to shift from Eric to his own heart. If Eric wasn't guilty of any betrayal, then showing him these paintings was nothing short of attempted murder. Conflicting thoughts exploded inside of the Painter as he cycled through his prepared portraits. 'Please, don't be guilty, give me a reason to believe you,' fought for his headspace with, 'Please–be guilty–justify my feelings. Tell me that this hatred has reason.'
The merciless reaper called time marched on, every painting becoming another scythe.
It wasn't jealousy.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't that Eric wanted revenge.
It wasn't that they were never friends.
It wasn't that Eric needed the prize money.
It wasn't that Eric was dying and needed to make a name for himself.
It wasn't that Eric thought he could never make a piece of art that good.
It wasn't that Eric wanted to drive Adam to suicide.
It wasn't that Eric never cared about Adam.
It wasn't that Eric never wanted Adam around him.
WHAT IS IT THEN? Adam screamed in his mind as he kept his face friendly. WHAT MADE YOU DO IT?
Eric threw his head back and laughed, so suddenly and so loudly that Adam nearly jerked back out of instinct. His friend's arm – former friend, he reminded himself – was draped around his neck, keeping him from moving too far. "Thank you," Eric muttered, slowly. "It's been too long. I know this doesn't mean you trust me yet...but it's a start. Maybe you'll have a little more faith in me after we meet with the Emperor, yeah? There's a nice reward waiting for you, by the way."
"Really?" Adam asked, trying to sound interested. "How do you know?"
"Got a letter recently from him," Eric said, producing the envelope from his pocket and handing it over. "Haven't reported to him myself, but I guess it makes sense that he has his sources everywhere. He heard rumors of you slaying the Ghost. Says that if those reports are true, you'll be promoted to Lord – maybe even Duke! – and I'll be promoted to Hangman of Grey for bringing you over to him. Thanks for the free promotion, by the way, being a Hangman of White sucks. Pay is terrible."
Adam nodded absently. Normally, he'd be devouring every detail, theorizing about the structure of the Hangmen, and trying to verify the veracity of Eric's letter. But now, he found it difficult enough just to talk without revealing the crushing depression he felt welling up inside of him. I'm a terrible friend. I tried to steal his soul. I...
If Eric picked up on his feelings, he didn't show it. "God, can you imagine if you and I end up as bigshot generals or something in this world?"
"Can't imagine it," Adam said, with great effort. "Sounds...crazy."
"Right?" The Hangman laughed again, but his smile fell as he shifted his gaze back towards the city of monsters. "That said, much as I'd like to do this all day, we'd better get going. There's a reason why the Emperor doesn't just send Hangmen to clear these cities – more monsters should be coming here soon. And this city is among the worst of them."
This was interesting enough for Adam to shift his attention away from his self-recrimination. At that moment, he would've taken anything for a distraction. "Why is this one so bad? Any particular monsters causing issues?"
"You could say that," Eric said, wincing briefly. "You know how the Stained are born, right? A living creature gets taken over by the Rot, eats other living things, then melts together into a rotten cluster of souls..."
The Hangman shuddered. "Fucking disgusting. It's like thinking about a spider on your shoulder or something, gives me chills every time."
"I'm aware," Adam replied, in a weak voice. It was almost unfair – he'd run himself ragged to pry that information from the Grandmaster's clutches, yet Eric had presumably been hand-gifted it by Lawrence before even arriving here. "So what?"
"Well, I heard that one of the monsters roaming around this area has eaten a Puppet's corpse. And not just any Puppet. One of the originals from the Age of Dragons."
Eric grimaced, a hint of bitterness suddenly entering his tone. "My good old captain apparently went to Scaled Rock to try to reclaim it for the Emperor. He nearly razed the whole thing to the ground trying to kill that monster – and it didn't even work. Did scatter a few Stained though...think that's what made this one start walking around here."
"Scaled Rock..." Adam slowly repeated the words, sounding them out. Where had he heard that name?
With a shrug, Eric's grimace faded. "Anyway, I'm gonna head to bed. You uh, might want to get us flying higher soon." He glanced nervously at the fallen city. "In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have attacked it. We would've been in trouble if that monster was already in the city."
In spite of himself, Adam laughed. "Goddamn it, Eric." Why couldn't he stop himself from grinning? Why? "For once in your life, could you just stop and think before you act? You're gonna get us killed someday."
Eric smiled. "Not a chance." Watching him smile started to push away Adam's doubt even further, and drive the steel of guilt deeper into his flesh. "Don't worry though, even if that happened, we wouldn't be in danger. I'm sure I could handle it. You saw my Genius back there."
That didn't seem like a bluff. Eric sure felt like he could handle just about anything Adam had seen in this world so far, with maybe the exception of the Grandmaster. I need to find out more about what 'Genius' means, Adam thought. Is it a stronger kind of Talent? Something different? Finding that out should have been his top priority.
Instead, he found himself asking, "Then why are you so bothered about the idea of that Stained monster showing up?"
"The Emperor is waiting for us. Don't want him to get a bad impression of you." Eric laughed again, then tapped Adam on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's get going. We've wasted enough time as it is."
"You go ahead," Adam replied, staring out over the deck at their surroundings. "I'm still getting used to the Captain Talent. Being able to see everything as I move the ship helps. Our destination is set, but the altitude–"
Eric started walking away without waiting for Adam to finish. "Suit yourself," he said, his back turned and waving his left hand. "We'll be there in about a day. Don't overwork yourself."
A coil of tension remained in Adam's chest until he saw Eric completely disappear into the ship. What he'd said earlier was partially true – he really did think it was better to observe the ship's altitude with his own eyes. But more than anything else...
He just wanted time to think.
Adam gazed down at the fallen city, viewing it through the omnipresent blue hue that colored the Painted World. What had once been Aspreay's hometown was now a shadow of its former self. Perhaps it was beautiful some time ago, yet now its once-sturdy buildings lay chipped and scarred by endless battles. Tumorous flesh grew from every cobblestone, and screeching dying monsters shambled about, some falling to their last rest, others collapsing onto others and devouring what they could to keep going.
It mirrored the storm raging within him.
I'm such a piece of shit.
The longer the thought, the more things he felt guilty about. Not only had he tried to steal Eric's soul, but apparently, Eric himself never even considered that outcome as a possibility. Despite understanding how the Painting Talent worked, he hadn't hesitated to look directly at Adam's drawings.
Maybe his Talent outranked Adam's to the point of being immune? The Painted World's magic worked that way sometimes. But...the Painting Talent has always bypassed that rule. Eric would know it too, since he presumably stole his Hangman Talent.
Maybe Eric was being reckless and not considering the risk of it all. No, even he isn't that impulsive...I think. Or is he?
Maybe he was just supremely confident that Adam didn't understand him. Well, he'd be right there.
Maybe he trusted Adam to never try to take his soul, no matter how angry the Painter was. That...
That thought was frighteningly possible, and it ate at him. After everything he'd gone through, all the sleepless nights wishing for revenge, if Adam turned out to be the one who'd betrayed his best friend's trust...how was he supposed to live with himself?
What a waste of oxygen. His father had been right all along – not the fraud masquerading as his father these days, but the real one, the man who'd shown his true feelings when he believed the two of them weren't related. Maybe he really should just follow his father's drunken advice and jump–
STOP!
Adam shook his head and withdrew his tablet, his rituals taking over before his thoughts could land anywhere. Draw something. Anything. Keep your mind blank. Keep your–
His tablet did not help, and whether a coincidence or the act of the unknown being that brought him into this world, he knew not. Right now, what stared at him was a message.
Dear Painter, well done! You have become rich of purse and strong of mind. Now I offer you advice: put the bonds of comradery to ink, and those who are inked shall be able to borrow the Talent of the subject! This is no easy achievement...yet you have enough Orbs to become a Viscount of painting, yes?
Adam wasn't sure what felt more like a taunt – how the instructions had given up on pretense and were addressing him directly now, or that the person writing them must've been the same person that brought him to this world. Even worse was the fact that this skill was, in theory, extremely useful. Having brief access to Solara or Tenver's abilities would be a huge advantage moving forward. He just needed to raise the Painter Talent to the level of Viscount for it to work.
The Orbs cost for that wouldn't be too bad. Adam had recently acquired 20 million Orbs from the Puppet Grandmaster. At a minimum, he needed ϕ5,050,000 Orbs to keep his citizens alive. Although the exact numbers were probably slightly different, and varied year-to-year. He hadn't been able to speak with Esteban at length about it.
Still, it was a solid estimate. Even in a hypothetical worst case scenario, Adam could comfortably assume that Penumbria would survive the winter as long as he set aside ϕ6 Million in advance.
That said...considering how miserable his citizens were living under Aspreay's dying economy, maybe he should spend a bit more on them. Enough to help them get to a point where their dignity as humans would be respected. Enough for them not to have to suffer.
There's no way I'll be satisfied with just letting them survive. I want them to live, goddamn it.
He needed to find a balance between supporting Penumbria and upgrading his Talents. Currently, Adam also had around 2 million Orbs from his personal coffers. While that could help, he should probably exercise caution and set those funds aside.
For safety's sake, I'll reserve the rest of my treasury for emergencies or non-essential city purchases. Means I can only strengthen my Talents with the 20 million from the Grandmaster.
'Only'. 20 million was a lot. Just half of that would cover his upgrades. He could dip into those funds without feeling as if he was shortchanging Penumbria.
And frankly speaking...ensuring his own survival was an investment the city needed.
Adam had four Talents worth mentioning: Painter, Stained Ink, Lord, and Ship Captain. While he also possessed the Ghost of Flames, he shouldn't strengthen that until he was certain it wouldn't backfire in some way. Empowering a living curse inhabiting his soul seemed rather ill-advised.
Out of the four relevant talents, the first two were Talents of an Apprentice level, and the other two were of a Viscount. Nodding to himself, Adam opened up his tablet's calculator app. It had been a while since he'd needed to use it, but years of living paycheck-to-paycheck had taught him that money was a cruel taskmaster that didn't tolerate mistakes.
Cost to Upgrade:Apprentice to Craftsman: ϕ61,250Craftsman to Lord: ϕ214,375Lord to Baron ϕ750,312.50Baron to Viscount ϕ2,626,093.00Viscount to Count ϕ9,191,328.00
Talents to Consider:Painter (Apprentice)Stained Ink (Apprentice)Lord (Viscount)Ship Captain (Viscount)
He contemplated his options. Upgrading Ship Captain from Viscount to Count was far too expensive to prioritize. Baltsar's ship was a highly useful tool, but Adam wouldn't be basing his entire livelihood around it. In comparison, while upgrading his Lord Talent would be similarly pricey, it had saved his life when fighting the Ghost of Water. Improving it by one more tier couldn't hurt.
Then there's my Painter Talent. Whatever brought me to this world...no, whoever is writing these messages...they want me to improve it. Their intent is obvious enough it almost feels like a trap.
Not that it was a trap he could afford to avoid. Well, he could afford it, which was exactly the point. His Painter Talent was still at Apprentice, meaning upgrading it multiple times would be relatively cheap. He shouldn't neglect one of his most important abilities out of paranoia – regardless of how justified that paranoia was.
Adam typed into his calculator, added up the costs of his potential upgrades.
Orb to Spend: ϕ20,000,000 Lord Talent: Viscount to Count for ϕ9,191,328.00 Stained Ink: Apprentice to Craftsman for ϕ61,250 Painter: Apprentice to Craftsman for ϕ61,250 Painter: Craftsman to Lord: ϕ214,375 Painter: Lord to Baron ϕ750,312.50 Painter: Baron to Viscount ϕ2,626,093.00
If he spent all those...he would still have ϕ6,559,454 left. When counting his personal Orbs, that left ϕ8,559,454 to spend on city affairs. That should leave Penumbria safe and maximize his chances of a favorable meeting with the Emperor – after all, negotiating from a position of power was always better.
Adam hesitated with his finger hovering over the metaphorical button. With just a thought, he could set all those upgrades in motion and raise his Painter Talent to the level of Viscount. It was what he knew he should do. This was an ideal time to strengthen himself, especially his Painting Talent, which was the source of much of his soft power. Aside from his status as Lord, people mostly gave him respect because they feared the artist who stole souls.
Except...he would only gain the ability to borrow his allies' powers if he believed in them. 'Put the bonds of comradery to ink', the description had said.
And Adam couldn't imagine himself trusting anyone at the moment.
He had thought he trusted Solara, but now found himself second-guessing that feeling. I only decided I could trust her because she risked her life by letting me paint her soul. Even now, I'm only starting to question my distrust of Eric because my art told me so. Since when have I been like this?
Since when have I trusted my art more than people?
Maybe he'd never actually put his faith in Solara, either. It was just easy to tell himself that at the time. Felt like he'd made progress on how he felt about people. But what if that wasn't true? If Adam looked at everything objectively...it wasn't that he believed in her.
Adam believed his art.
And his art said that Solara was trustworthy. For the moment.
Until his next painting of her failed, at least.
No, no, that's not why I–
Wasn't that the very reason why he couldn't fully trust Tenver, despite everything they'd been through together? Even after finding out the Puppet's secret, Adam couldn't help but wonder if there was something else he was missing. There wasn't anything legitimately concerning that Solara or Tenver had done to provoke this degree of suspicion, and to be blunt, aligning with Adam was pragmatic for both of them. Betraying him at this juncture would be political suicide.
Yet...he hadn't seen Eric's betrayal coming. What if he was missing something here, too?
"I'm such a piece of shit," Adam muttered, sinking his head into his hands. "What's wrong with me?"
"Not sure."
Solara suddenly appeared beside him, leaning against the railing. She eyed him with a questioning gaze. "But if it helps, whatever the case – you're probably still more functional of a person than me."
Adam barked a low laugh. "As if. You have no idea how fucked up my thoughts are."
"Wise words, my lord. Dare I suggest you apply them to yourself? You have little idea of what goes inside my head, either." Solara made it sound like a bitter joke, one that gave her amusement and disdain in equal measure. "No one can know exactly what transpires in the fortress of someone else's mind. Their hearts are a treasured chest, locked by a key you cannot ever wield."
He smiled. "Maybe so...but you can still glimpse inside it, with enough patience and persistence."
"Such as?" she asked, with a challenging edge to her voice.
"I know you well enough by now to recognize that you hate formalities. This pattern of speech – calling me 'lord', rambling in metaphors – isn't how you like to talk. But it is what you fall back on when you're putting on the mask of the Heiress of Gama."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Why is that mask on right now? What feelings are you hiding?"
She gave a stiff smile in response. "Does my lord mistrust me?"
"No, I'm worried!" Adam fired back.
The words left his lips too quickly for him to overthink them, racing fast enough to dodge his doubts. Ah. So that's how I feel, huh?
A sense of surety settled over him. He was worried, and paradoxically, that brought relief. No matter what tale his scars might spin, in the end, his heart's concern was strong and firm.
"I know how much you've been through," Adam continued. "For you to be acting like this – well, I assume something bad must've happened."
Even his most anxious paranoias couldn't deny this feeling. And if he was truly worried about her, if he truly cared...
Then maybe there was a part of him that trusted her beyond just his art.
"My lord is too kind." Solara's tone was evasive, but there was a smirk on her lips. "I have grown accustomed to traversing through hell by myself. Forgive me – voicing those thoughts aloud does not come easy."
"You needn't force yourself."
"A kind lie, that one. But a lie nonetheless." She laughed. "Aye, it would be easier to do so. Sometimes the safe road will simply not take you to where you want to go."
Adam shuffled closer to her and raised an eyebrow. "And where do you wish to go?" He was genuinely curious about this. "I thought revenge was your endgame."
"The grandest of ambitions," she said, with a wistful air. "One day I shall turn it into a reality. Yet glory and peace for my kind will not make long nights any less silent, nor busy feasts any less unnerving. I know not how to live among others."
He nodded. "Being trapped in that tower for so long...I can't imagine how lonely you must've been."
"Oh, but you can, my lord. That painting of yours, the one that drove the Ghost of Flames from my body, showed as much." Solara smiled at him, sadly at first, then sincerely at the end. "People's hearts are in a treasure box, locked away – but you can commit them to ink."
She let out a mischievous laughter. "Is that not what you always tell me art is?"
"You actually listen when I rant?" Adam said, with a grin of pleasant surprise. "Thank you. Truly."
He sighed. "And I...do agree. But sometimes, I feel like if I can't commit a feeling to ink...then I can't trust it at all. There's no such a thing as a person who can predict everyone's thoughts and emotions. Even if you do your best to understand their position, put yourself in their shoes, no one's enough of a genius to know everything that goes on inside someone's head. You could have biases you aren't aware of, or simply be incapable, lacking in skill. It's not a matter of just wanting it.
Heaven knows that Adam wasn't always capable of it, despite how much he wanted. He did his best nonetheless.
"Committing a feeling to my art helps," he muttered. "It goes beyond the rules of Painting. If I can narrow something down to logical terms, portray it as an element of nature instead of a vague, unseen thought...then I can trust it. I think I've been like this for a while now, even before I got my Talent."
Adam grimaced. "But what am I supposed to do when I can't be sure I've gotten it right?"
"Your best." Solara looked him in the eye, with a gaze that was both gentle and firm. "Isn't that fine? To stumble, fall, and get up again?"
Her sudden pause spoke of her awareness of the difficulty in that task, and her shattering of its silence spoke of her belief in its importance. "I know not what happened between you and the Hangman. In truth, there is little I know about you, my lord. But what I do know tells me you will be fine."
"We understand so little of people, don't we?" Adam stared at the fallen city as it became smaller and smaller in the distance. "Would Aspreay have become a good lord if I hadn't trapped his soul? Would Belmordo have worked together with your family if I let him live? Would Baltsar have redeemed his sins if I allowed him to try?"
He shook his head slowly. "I don't know. I really don't. I only know my art. That's it."
Unsaid in his words was the ultimate question – 'Will Eric betray me again if I give him the chance?'
"Your distinction between your art and yourself is fascinating," Solara remarked. "My lord, loath as I am to presume much about the topic you've dedicated your life to...art hardly spawns into existence fully formed, yes?"
"Of course it doesn't."
"Just so. It is conjured up by the most insane of sorcerers," she said, smirking at him. "The universe is captured through your senses, and your magic gives it shape. That which you embodied with your art – my experiences at the tower, Lord Aspreay's faded ideals, the Captain's regrets – was done by you. My lord – ADAM."
Solara shouted, giving power to his name. "It is fine if you trust your art, for it is not a separate being from yourself. "Isn't your art just 'you'? Does the ink on your canvas not resemble how your eyes color the world?"
"But I could be wrong," he fired back. "If I paint a soul and see it fly inside my painting, then at that point, it's clear my interpretation of the world was correct. Without that–"
"Without that," Solara cut him off, "you'd still be correct most of the time. Tell me, Adam – what do you think is plaguing me right now?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, giving the matter thought. "I think you aren't sure what to do," he plainly stated. "You want revenge against the Emperor, you want to make sure no elf suffers like you again...but you don't know what to do with your life outside of that. It's not like you can think of revenge every hour of the day. Sometimes you just want to laugh with friends, or kill time with a passion or hobby. Problem is – you don't know how."
She didn't stop and correct him, which encouraged Adam to continue. "I'd wager that the Puppet Mines also shook your beliefs. Until now, you've spoken of Puppets like...well, like some speak of elves. After meeting them, you realized that is not a belief you can hold anymore. It's making you question what little you knew of yourself."
Solara stood there beneath that cold night sky, not saying a word. She stayed in contemplative silence for a long while. Eventually, after an indeterminable amount of time, she responded.
"You have a talent for understanding people, my lord. That is why your art has feeling in it." She flicked her hair and laughed. "So hesitate not. Whatever your past might be – whatever limitations your power has – think it through, then decide whether or not to trust the Hangman. And know that the Puppet – that Lord Tenver and I will stand with, regardless of what decision you make."
Adam smiled at her. "That makes this weight on my shoulders not so heavy, somehow," he said, sort of wistfully. "Thank you. I was starting to get inside my head too much. It's not a great place to be."
"Really?" Solara asked, a parody of shock on her expression. "I would never have guessed." After a brief moment of indecision, she added with a smirk, "Mayhap you'd care to show me its contents sometime."
"I promise," Adam immediately answered. "I will."
He looked out over the horizon, waiting for the Imperial City to come into focus. It had yet to show itself, but the time would come soon.
Then...they would meet with the Emperor. The man who'd slain Tenver's father. The man who'd ordered the massacre of Solara's people, The man who could easily order the death of Adam's city.
Now let's see, he thought, calmly, can I trust Eric? Our chances of survival will change greatly depending on my answer to that question.
With that understanding, Adam made his decision and planned accordingly.
​
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Thanks for reading!
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Next Chapter

Hello Greenworks folks. I use a regular rider around our house due to size, hills, and my health problems. However, I use also a regular old gas push mower for mowing all the areas the tractor won't fit, around obstacles, etc, which I'd estimate is about a half hour or less actual runtime.
The deck of my old gas Craftsman 21" is rotted out and I was looking at the Greenworks 16" 17" or even the little 13" 24v to replace it. Being small might actually be easier than my gas mower to maneuver in the areas I need it which would be a plus and light weight would be easier on my physical disabilities.
My concern is the advertised runtimes (45 minutes for the 16" and 17") and my past experience with other things being far less than advertised. Second batteries are big bucks. Even though I'm almost 60 and been rebuilding engines for over 45 years, I kind of like the idea of trying cordless electric, and a trim mower might be a good place to try it out.
I can't use corded due to the spread out distances of the areas I need it.
Thanks in advance!

I have very little detail left in my memory of this, but I do recall loving the description of Draco as a craftsman.
The set up is that Draco is the only one able to repair this arch (was it the veil? Possibly), and I believe he was confined to the Manor so all the work was done there. I think some research had been done on it and failed in an explosive way, hence the need for extensive rebuild/repair.
Once repaired, there was a journey through the arch and some bargains/fighting with death; HEA was definitely a thing tho.
Full disclosure lovely people - I believe this was Dramione but there is a non zero chance it was drarry 🤷🏻‍♀️. Thanks for any help you all can offer!

I have been thinking about replacing two worn-out Craftsman 1/2" ratchets with the Icon one, and I want some feedback. The Craftsman ones have major problems, and probably need new rebuild kits (and I am not sure if it's just a "gunk" problem or actual damage), which, coincidentally, are going to cost about the same. Another thing for the Icon version I have is warranty--if I break it, HFT will give me a new one. I have not been impressed by the feel of the modern Craftsman ratchets (even if Lowe's would replace the two messed up ones with new ones) as they are hard to hold.

Hello! In past games of D&D I often wrote up little backgrounds the players can choose from during character creation. They are small seeds that help them be curious and motivated to join the campaign story. Have you done anything similar?
I have written up a set for Raven's Purge and would love feedback or suggestions. And of course if you like these feel free to use. Thanks!

1. (Human) The substance Mog is rumoured to be a powerful agent of transformation and power. You must learn everything you can of it, acquire a sample and become something greater than you are now. (Find Zytera)
2. (Not Elf) You found a ruby and it has become precious to you. Since you found it you dream of a wise elf that gives you life advice. (Elf can push them to find the crown)
3. A member of your family was taken by the Rust Brothers as a blood sacrafice to preserve the safety of the village. You believe they are not dead and can be saved from this grim fate. (Find Hagglers Host and save them)
4. A few times in your life the same stranger has interrupted your life, appearing from nowhere. They claim to be a great bard and is in fact your parent. So far you have refused to listen to them. (Child of Merigall!)
5. You have a great love of songs and the bards that sing them. Once the greatest bard you have ever heard wooed you. The two of you spent the best night of your life. In the morning they were gone, their name missing from your memory. But you are determined to find them and love them again. (Lover of Merigall!)
6. Your grandfather was your best friend as a child. On a fatefull trip from the village a demon ambushed you, killing him. Since then you have sworn to find the kill every demon you hear of. One day you will track down the rumoured Prince of Demons and kill him too. (Hate demons and want to kill Krysella)
7. Your ancestors were trapped in a village when the bloodmist came. Only a few families prayed to the Raven god. Most others prayed to Rust and Heme. Over 300 years every family devoted to Raven was killed, cast out or sacraficed. Only you and yours kept the secret that long. Now that the Blood Mist is gone you want to find others who follow Raven and learn what you could not in secret. (Learn of Raven and Sisters, hate Rust brothers)
8. Your small village was prospering in first year after the Blood Mist, until the day that a demonic suit of armor, filled with fire, appeared and burned it all down. Your sleep is haunted with nightmares of that day. Only destroying this creature will bring you peace. (Kill Teramalda)
9. One day a group of passing horseman stopped for food and rest at your village. They were magnificent! The stories they told gave you a compulsion to find adventure. Their leader was the legendary Zertorme. You want nothing more than to find him and pledge your loyalty to him. (Want to ally with Zertorme)
10. The great dwarven city of Vond fell in the Alder Wars. Every member of your family, on their deathbeds, has made their kin swear to take it back or else to make their children swear it. Your mother has just died and you have continued this vengeful tradition. (Want to ally with Arvia)
11. (Elf or Dwarf) Unlike most of your kin you have a deep sorrow for the way the Orcs were abandoned by your ancestors. You have, in small ways, tried to help the Orcs but its not enough. Now you want to find the greatest of the Orcs and help them achieve a standing equal to your kin. (Want to help Orcs and find Soria)
12. In your village was the most beautiful yet somehow mysterious woman. She mostly kept to herself, and most who grew close to her would leave the village. Yet your unrequited love could not be stayed. In a night of passion you learned her secret. She was an orc woman passing as human. She fled the village. Since you have sworn to find her and win her back. (Love of female Orcs, want to find them)
13. Your noble family sheltered from the Blood Mist a great castle with a great name. For generations they protected all inside the walls and were well loved by their people. In the first year after the Blood Mist a violent group of Aslene/Orcs/Wolfkin/Demons/Rust Brothers sieged it and destroyed it. Your life's work will be to rebuild that great home again. (Build a stronghold!)
14. The old crone who lived in your village would help with healing and advice. She worked tirelessly to save your child from complications during childbirth. When a group of Rust Brothers visited they offered a large sum to betray any followers of Raven. When the crone disspeared that night you realized she was a witch of the Raven Sisters. You wish to find them and learn what you can of their power. (Become a Raven Sister)
15. You have an aptitude for magic of wind and water. Yet you have never seen a river wider than a horse or a lake that you could not raft across in an hour. But the stories of the endless waters to the East make your thirst to see it. By Wail and Flow you pledge to see this Ocean. (Go west to Pelagia)
16. (Not Elf) The Elves are a mysterious and alluring kin. Your brothers often teased you for often you would dress up and play "elf" as a child. As you have grown you know the Elves are the one true and great kin. You want to join them and see them take their place at the head of table among all. (Love Elves, maybe join Redrunners)
17. (Not Dwarf) In your village you are an accomplished craftsman, proud of your work until a small group of Dwarves came through. The masterworks they carried! You must find their teachers and learn from them. (Seek out Dwarves and learn)
18. Your closest friends went on a hunt last year. You woke up with a sniffle and stayed home. They never returned. When you were well enough you found their last camp, and evidence they were not killed but kidnapped by slavers. Your guilt and honor mean you will find and liberate them. (Save friends from Grindbone)