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The Rise of the Soulmancer pt6: Graduation
2024.05.14 16:48 MathsGuy1 The Rise of the Soulmancer pt6: Graduation
 | /uw context: part5 submitted by MathsGuy1 to wizardposting [link] [comments] /rw Months had slipped away as Deamor delved deeper and deeper into the intricacies of soulmancy. While still nowhere near the proficiency required to start to meddle with his Spirit to completely solve his affinity problems, he still made a significant progress in understanding how Souls and Soul magic worked. Moreover, it seemed his book treated not only about soulmancy, but also contained plenty useful tips about magic in general. This newfound insight into inner workings of magic allowed him to excel in many of his classes. While he still couldn't channel as much power as them, his ability to manipulate and use mana greatly improved. He got rid of many flaws and inefficiencies in the way he cast spells. This process would normally be done through years of honing a particular spell, but combining his Mana Vision with his newly acquired Soul Vision allowed him to quickly spot many of his shortcomings. Although he couldn't quite master spells from the get-go, of course, the learning curve was significantly shortened. Over time, the prices of potion ingredients and potions themselves stabilized, reverting to the pre-crisis levels. Consequently, Deamor required considerably less coin to buy his supply of mana elixirs. Thanks to that, he had to undertake the "special jobs" far less often. The fact that he become a quite skilled burglar also meant that his pay was incomparably greater than before. He now could stick to merely doing relatively low-risk missions every now and then, which left him with plenty of time to further his study of soulmancy or to simply rest and enjoy life. This was an abstract concept to him so far and thus he made sure to relish it while he could. In the end he opted not to tell Kate and Markus about his illegal activities nor about his secret studies. He was sure his friends suspected the former anyways, they just respected him enough not to breach the subject. As former waifs as him, they understood him well. They knew that even if they offered help, he would refuse. As for soulmancy, he decided that it would bring far too much risk for both them and himself. This school of magic was dangerous to even have knowledge of, not to mention pursue it. Perhaps he would tell them at some point, but in the current circumstances it was far too risky. For now, he just relished in the extra free time he had and used it to finally have some fun together with his friends at the various bars and taverns in the Capital. The years went by peacefully, however the more Deamor delved into the secrets of the art of divination, the more anxious he felt. Initially it was hard to notice, but now it became clear. The results of any divinations related to his person, or things closely related to him, would be extremely vague or often even downright wrong. In theory the opposite should be true - the closer an object was related to the caster, the more precise the visions should be. When he tried to divine the location of his parents, he found something particularly distressing. In reality, they were supposed to be lying in the graves for almost a decade, yet more than half of the time his visions shown them to be in their old house or other places they frequented back when they were alive. It shouldn't have been possible! He saw their bodies being buried with his own two eyes! Divination was a fickle art, true, but it shouldn't have be so wrong so consistently in such simple matters. Deamor checked all of the places his visions have shown him, multiple times even, yet there were never any traces of his parents there. He even employed his Soul Vision, to see if maybe the Souls of his parents lingered in this world as ghosts, but he hadn't spotted anything out of the ordinary. At first he considered consulting his professors, but in the end he refrained from doing so. There was a chance he would end up as a test subject for some experiments and the increased scrutiny might end up uncovering his other secrets. The only two people he trusted enough to confide in were his friends. They confirmed his results, but even though they were less talented in divination than him, paradoxically their results were wrong less often. Deamor spent days pouring over tomes about divination anomalies, however he struggled to find anything similar to his predicament. The existence of spells and curses that could impede divination was widely known, but something that would work only sometimes and which was more pronounced the more someone was skilled at divination was extremely weird and unheard of. Not to mention that this anomaly, spell, curse or whatever else this was must have been quite powerful, as it affected not only him but even people and objects related to him and was seemingly permanent. He was puzzled, as he couldn't think of any reason why somebody or something would target him. Apart from his secret soulmancy book, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him. Perhaps that book was the key? Eventually, he decided that there was no point in dwelling on the mystery. There was little he could do about it for now. Furthermore, his "divination protection" could be not only a curse, but a boon as well - it might protect him from his enemies and hide his secrets. When faced with uncontrollable circumstances, seeking opportunities in them rather than surrendering to defeat was paramount. The remainder of his time at the Academy was fairly uneventful, until the end of his studies grew near. A major exam was supposed to take place and only those that passed would be allowed to bear the title of an official trained wizard. Thanks to countless cups of coffee and other... stronger brews, he managed to rank among the top ten scores in his two favorite subjects: abjuration and divination. His knowledge of soulmancy helped him in many other subjects, such as necromancy, enchantment and transmutation. Not just his spellcasting was examined though - he was tested on subjects such as history, mathematics, rhetoric, martial arts and even etiquette. As his weak Spirit didn't hinder him in these areas, he did fairly well. By far the hardest test for him was the evocation exam, as it required constant channeling of plenty of high-tier spells. Fortunately, he managed to pass, if barely. Many others weren't so lucky, however. Only about two thirds of the students that started along with him were still around by then and the exam brought that percentage down even further. In particular, out of around 70 commoner students that were admitted, only 24 remained. Fortunately his friends were among them. Following the exams, a ceremony conferred special pendants upon successful candidates, symbolizing their new status. Afterwards, a grand ball was held to celebrate this event, with many high-ranking nobles, powerful wizards and other important figures present. Even the Emperor himself came and congratulated the young wizards. Deamor used this time to make new connections, hoping to perhaps enter some fruitful partnerships in the future. Despite his low birth, graduation from the Academy elevated his status similar to that of a minor noble. Given how influential the mages were in the Empire, attempting to gain favor of the promising graduates was a common practice. Deamor quickly grew tired of the fake smiles and formal introductions. Engaging in polite conversation with powerful nobles, where he had to consider his every word, proved more taxing than casting even the most complex spells. Well, at least he managed to invite Kate to dance and the wine here was better than anything he's ever tasted. Still, he wished he could simply get drunk with his friends instead of sitting here. Nonetheless, he recognized the rarity of the opportunity such as this ball and persevered. After hours of the ordeal, he managed to catch a moment of respite. He gazed through a grand window, surveying the sprawling city below. Sipping wine, he reminisced about his past. He has entered the Academy as a naive, 15 year old waif, barely knowing how to read, write and cast a few simple cantrips. Now, eight years later, he was a full-fledged wizard, member of the high society, master of the arcane and graduate of the most prestigious magic school in the known world. He has learned much during his time here, but not just in terms of knowledge. His interactions with classmates, his friends, as well as his involvement in the criminal underworld has allowed him to see the worst and best the humanity had to offer. Or at least so he thought. Deamor had only precious few moments to celebrate his accomplishments though. It was finally time to pay back his debt. He would soon be joining the Imperial Army. "But first, a few more hours of entertaining these stuck-up fools. Well, at least the wine is good." - Deamor mused as he rejoined the festivities. /Uw Thanks for reading, tell me what you think! Sorry for the wait, the next chapter - "The Battle of Hjor's Ford" should be out pretty soon this time. The story happens thousands of years in the past, so it's not really interactive. |
2024.05.14 15:25 OrganizationGreat248 Unlucky Isekai Life (Part 2 of 6)
Ruby groaned as the alarm went off signaling that one of her charges had arrived back from their mission. While troublesome in its own right, what really got under her skin was that she only had one charge at the moment, and that edge lord piece of shit wasn’t supposed to complete his task for AT LEAST another 4 deca-cycles according to the prediction algorithm. Grumbling to herself, she rolled out of bed and poured herself a glass of water to offset the hangover she was trying to recover from.
A few moments later she was gliding down the hall to the meeting room. She knew Jason was going to pitch a fit that she had left him waiting, the self-entitled brat always did think the world revolved around him; but perhaps he should have thought about that before freaking dying so early. If he wanted her to be there to meet him upon death, he could at least have the decency to not die the morning after one of her binges.
Other staff members gave her a wide berth, even if it was a hollow title, she was still technically far above basically anyone else in the pecking order, at least those who had a physical presence within the Agency. She knew they all mocked her behind her back, even divine beings were sadly prone towards gossip. She put the anger at her subordinates/coworkers out of her mind for now; even if she didn’t particularly LIKE Jason, he still didn’t deserve her coming in with baggage.
Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed that she’d arrived in front of the conference room door. She had been mulling over her thoughts, just staring into nothingness, for several minutes before she finally snapped back to the present. With a soft rap on the door, she opened it and floated inside. Jason was lounging, sprawled out on the regally padded chair throne he so fancied.
They exchanged pleasantries before she sat down to go over the mission summary. Upon seeing the cause of death, she had regrettably lost her composure and started to laugh uncontrollably. Her mighty subordinate had been felled by a goblin?! The mighty Jason Alexander Coyle, “mercenary extraordinaire”, had gotten his shit kicked in by a lowly goblin using what looked like a shiny butter knife. Oh, it was just too rich to not laugh at the absurdity.
It took her much longer than she would like to admit, to stop laughing. Jason of course wore a sour look through the entire endeavor. She shrugged it off, she had little doubt that if the same thing had happened to someone else, he would have been right beside her doubled over in laughter. Hell, once he was in a less pissy mood, she might even be able to get him to laugh about it later.
As luck would have it, it appeared that Jason’s actions had been enough to alter the tides of the war. The kingdom, and its divinity, would still lose many to the battles ahead, but Jason had done enough that the Agency could still bill the client for services rendered. As she spoke, she could see the disdain the man had for her, he always complained that she was drunk and reeked of liquor. Sure, that was often true, but he didn’t need to be such a stick in the mud about it all.
She went ahead and authorized the transfer of credits to Jason’s account. As soon as she did so, he opened up the store page and tuned her out. She watched him open up the back-channel site and purchase something, a small part of her wondered who was going to get roasted over the coals this time for allowing their admin privileges to be hacked. She toyed with the idea of bringing up his illegal actions, but truth be told she didn’t really give a shit. The other divinities were far too lax with their security, it had been child's play for one of her previous wards to hack into the Agency’s system and build the black site.
She’d ask him once about the whole thing, didn’t really grasp as much as she would have liked, but basically it functioned by spoofing a handler's credentials. This allowed the user to gain access to encrypted parts of the network, specifically access to certain privileged services that handlers enjoyed and most importantly, access to the mission assignment database. Users could buy and sell restricted or banned goods, and a part of the profits would be siphoned off to her ward’s personal account.
With Jason’s attention otherwise occupied, Ruby went ahead and reviewed the logs for his previous mission. Something about it was nagging at her. She couldn’t put it into words; however, the whole series of events just didn’t feel like ‘bad luck’. Using her divine authority, she rewound events, watching Jason’s lungs unfill with blood and refill with air.
The goblin skulked back to its den of corpses, resheathing the dagger at its hips, and reburied itself underneath the bodies. She let it rewind another few moments before stopping the feed and letting it run at normal time. She watched the goblin, slowly shifting the bodies out of the way, making sure they made no noise when it moved them. Slowly, carefully, it began to creep towards Jason’s exposed back. It drew the blade, again slowly and quietly. It closed the distance making sure to never let Jason see it or to give him any reason to think someone was behind him. Then in a flash of movement it leapt, burying the dagger right into a joint in Jason’s armor. The placement was perfect, no resistance, so the blade sank to the hilt. Allowing it to puncture Jason’s right lung.
Ruby rewound the log once more. This was wrong, very wrong. The goblin was way too good to just be some random grunt. Its movements were too smooth, its aim too precise. No, she was sure of it now, this was not a normal goblin. She focused her attention on the thing, aiming to scan the goblin for abnormalities, the dust covering it offering a surprising level of resistance to her scan. Not enough to stop her from doing what she wanted, but more resistance than she felt was reasonable for the anti-magic powder.
When she finally gained access to the monster’s stat block, her suspicions were proven correct. That was no normal goblin, that was a Redcap, a Redcap assassin no less. What in the dozen hells was a Redcap assassin doing in the middle of a freaking battlefield?! Such a valuable unit wouldn’t be used on the front lines, their skill set was terribly suited for the chaos that was an active battle. No, something was very wrong here and Ruby was going to figure out what.
As her mind raced trying to puzzle out what the actual fuck was going on, something else about the goblin flagged in her mind. It had come out of the corpse pile with the dagger already in its possession. She highlighted the various bodies that had made up the goblin's hidey hole, and then rewound the scene back. Every time one of the highlighted bodies met their fate, she froze the moment and pulled the scene into a separate window. It took a few minutes, but she eventually had all of the corpses frozen in the heartbeat before their deaths. She went through and scanned every single individual. Not a single one had been equipped with a magic disruptor blade. “So, where the fuck did the Redcap get a kingdom issued disruptor?”
Looking up, she saw that Jason was still fiddling with whatever it was that he bought. She tried to make idle conversation with the man, but he had gone full auto pilot, giving curt one-to-two word answers when asked a question or having to respond to a comment. She rolled her eyes, as much as she and him butted heads, she did have to admit that she did kind of like the guy. He had been going a little too hard into the whole dark and brooding edge lord thing recently, but that was hardly his fault. The human soul was ill suited to withstand the trauma of death, much less multiple deaths. The Agency usually did a memory scrub every couple missions, to prevent that kind of issue, but Jason had been dodging the screenings. For a moment she considered just letting sleeping dogs lie. Jason was dead and the mission was over regardless of what she might find, but the whole thing just rubbed her the wrong way.
Taking a little nip from her pocket flask, she once more focuses her attention on the Redcap. After scrubbing through the last several months of the creature’s life, she finally finds what she was looking for. The blade had come from one of Jason’s personal guards.
Ruby did a deep dive on the guard, and what came back made her blood run cold. The man had recently lost his lover. Jason had ordered a company to mop up a fleeing enemy force, before it could regroup and cause more issues. The entire thing had been a ruse and the company had been slaughtered to the last. The guard's lover had been part of that company. The loss had hit the man hard, driving him to the only rock left in his life. His deep belief in the kingdom’s divinity.
And wouldn’t you know it, apparently the kingdom’s divinity had some issues with Jason that it couldn’t be bothered to address through the proper channels. So instead of letting Ruby handle the trainwreck that was Jason’s social skills, this little scum lord of a God, had taken upon themself to deal with the issue. Several months of holy visions were enough to convince the grieving widow to betray everyone and everything he had ever known.
Once the guard had been properly brainwashed into turning his coat, it had been a simple matter to worm his way on to all of Jason’s post-fight surveys of the battlefield. The magic scanners that were exclusive to Jason’s retinue, had allowed him to see that Jason’s inhuman ability to avoid taking damage was really just a creative use of high-level magic. High-level magic that could have easily been used to save many of the kingdom’s soldiers. But of course, Jason believed himself too good to give the common man a means to protect themselves and those they loved. All this knowledge was of course worthless to the guard, he was nowhere near skilled enough to actually challenge Jason. But wouldn’t you know it, the divinity had thought of that too.
The podunk worm had brokered a secret deal with the enemy he’d contracted the Agency to deal with. In exchange for getting rid of a thorn in the God’s side, it would use its powers to scale back the war. Instead of facing a war of eradication, the enemy would be allowed to keep some of the land it had conquered.
At the urging of his God, the guard held a series of clandestine meetings with the Redcap. Imparting all the information he had learned in the months of shadowing Jason. He also gave the beast two gifts, the first was a Disruptor blade the guard had swiped from a fellow honor guard; when Jason’s corpse was found the blade would be traced back to the unfortunate guard instead of the traitor. The second was a satchel of Grarothian powder that had been blessed by the divinity, to ensure that Jason wouldn’t see the attack coming. It had worked of course; Jason hadn’t even known he was in danger till the blade was already buried in his lung. Oh, she was going to have the wannabe God’s head on a pike after this.
It pained her to admit it, but Jason deserved the final say in how this was all going to go down. She attempted to grab his attention, but the man was lost in his own little world. She tried waving her hands, ignored. She tried snapping her fingers in his ears, ignored. She even went so far as to beat her wings, blasting his face with the wind force of just under a category 1 hurricane; again ignored. Her rage was starting to reach fever pitch. So, she defaulted to the most tried and true method of stress reduction she had in her arsenal. She decided the only way for herself and Jason, once he knew the truth, to calm down would be to relax with a drink of the finest Earth treats.
With a heavy heart she opened up her most beloved extra planer storage space. This place was used for the only two things Ruby really cared about anymore. It was where she kept her most prized and coveted liquor, and where she kept the last few mementos, she possessed of her fallen wards. Her eyes scanned the room, she needed to pick the right apology gift. As she carefully made her way towards the back, she saw it. Tucked in about two thirds of the way to the back wall, stood a single hogshead of ancient scotch whiskey. The second to last gift she had received from one of her dearest friends, all those years ago.
Yes, this was the correct one. She felt it deep within her chest, a proper atonement requires a proper level of sacrifice. With a heavy heart she lifted the barrel over her head and began to stride out of the extra dimensional space. As she neared the opening, the soft clink of something falling and a flash of gold caught her eye. Sitting on a tiny end table was a small pouch of coins, one of which had somehow gotten loose and tumbled face up onto the polished table face.
For a moment she hesitated, she knew exactly what those coins were; and knew how much trouble she would get into if upper management found out she had them. That said, she also knew a sign when she saw one. The artifacts that she held within this place were the last remnants of those she had failed most of all. She pondered the meaning behind the fact that two of her previous charges seemed to have taken a shine to Jason, offering up to him their most precious of gifts. With a heavy heart and a plea to those long lost, she grabbed the coin before closing the pocket dimension.
With a loud *CLUNK* She set the hogshead down. Apparently, the sound of the barrel had finally made enough noise to draw Jason’s attention away from his screen. From a much smaller storage pocket she produced two crystal glasses. Pouring a hefty serving into each glass, she set one down in front of herself and the other in front of Jason. Locking eyes with the man, she said a single word.
“Drink”
The man twisted his face up in disgust at the sight of the liquor.
“Thanks, but no thanks, I’m not inclined to degr...”
“I said, DRINK!” Ruby growl bellows, casting the Command spell on the last word. Jason, despite his best efforts to ignore the compulsion, is forced to do as he is told, and takes a hearty swig of his hundred-year-old Scotch. With a smile on her lips, Ruby takes the opportunity to sip the illustrious gift. The hours melt away as they both sip and savor the deep complex flavors of this legendary brew.
As the drink flows her recollection of events becomes just a tad bit hazy. She can’t really remember how long it takes, but she does eventually come clean about the reason for this impromptu bout of drinking. It comes as little shock that Jason is... less than pleased to learn about the events that led to his death. He downs the rest of his drink in a single gulp, a waste of grand booze in Ruby’s opinion, and demands she fill his next one to the brim. For the first time in FAR too long, Ruby gets to see the Jason she had known all those years ago was still in there.
As the festivities carried on, she would occasionally catch him fiddling with the token he had bought. Curiosity finally getting the better of her, she decided to ask him about it, deciding to NOT mention that she knew it was illicitly purchased. He was cagey about it at first, but eventually loosened up and told her the truth.
He had grown bored with the usual missions that he had been assigned. He was sick of always having to play support, always cleaning up someone else’s messes, always laying the groundwork for someone else’s story. So, he had decided to cash in his points, and finally make use of the vacation time he had accrued. He had picked out what looked to be a pretty basic Isekai mission. Ruby suggested not mentioning his luck to anyone else, even she was aware how rare and coveted those missions were.
As the night wound to a close, they said their goodbyes. Before taking her leave, Ruby remembered the other present she had for Jason. A sharp whistle was the only warning she gave him before flicking the coin at his head. Even drunk, the man’s senses were still a thing to marvel at as he caught it in midair .
“The fuck is this?”
“Think of it as a gift.” She snorts.
“Oh, how generous of you. A whole gold coin, whatever will I spend it on.” Jason responds as he jangles the large coin pouch at his hip.
“Oh, fuck off. I’ll take it back if you’re going to be a brat about it.”
Jason drops the coin into his wallet and shakes it again for good measure. “Oops, too late now. Guess you’ll just have to let me keep it.” He gives her a smug grin.
She scoffed before turning around and making for the door. She could hear him activate the token as she closed the door behind her. As she wandered down the hallways back to her room, she pondered the events of the day. The rogue client would need to be dealt with, but she still wasn’t sure if burying him in legal paperwork for the next millennia or two, or just giving him a good old fashion human curb stomping, was the better punishment for his actions.
The choices bounced around in her head till she finally reached her residence. Having made no real progress in deciding her actions, she elected to just table the decision till she woke up next. The God was small time, so it wasn’t like it was going anywhere.
She took her time getting ready to sleep. Being a divine being herself, she didn’t actually NEED to sleep, but she did so enjoy the human customs surrounding the whole process. She took a long hot bath to unwind, before summoning a pair of adorable pajamas. Her body clean, and her mind at peace she laid down in her oversized excessively fluffy bed.
She had barely closed her eyes and began to drift off to blissful sleep, before she was awoken once again by the sound of her alarm going off.
“You have got to be shitting me. HOW?!?!”
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A few moments later she was gliding down the hall to the meeting room. She knew Jason was going to pitch a fit that she had left him waiting, the self-entitled brat always did think the world revolved around him; but perhaps he should have thought about that before freaking dying so early. If he wanted her to be there to meet him upon death, he could at least have the decency to not die the morning after one of her binges.
Other staff members gave her a wide berth, even if it was a hollow title, she was still technically far above basically anyone else in the pecking order, at least those who had a physical presence within the Agency. She knew they all mocked her behind her back, even divine beings were sadly prone towards gossip. She put the anger at her subordinates/coworkers out of her mind for now; even if she didn’t particularly LIKE Jason, he still didn’t deserve her coming in with baggage.
Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed that she’d arrived in front of the conference room door. She had been mulling over her thoughts, just staring into nothingness, for several minutes before she finally snapped back to the present. With a soft rap on the door, she opened it and floated inside. Jason was lounging, sprawled out on the regally padded chair throne he so fancied.
They exchanged pleasantries before she sat down to go over the mission summary. Upon seeing the cause of death, she had regrettably lost her composure and started to laugh uncontrollably. Her mighty subordinate had been felled by a goblin?! The mighty Jason Alexander Coyle, “mercenary extraordinaire”, had gotten his shit kicked in by a lowly goblin using what looked like a shiny butter knife. Oh, it was just too rich to not laugh at the absurdity.
It took her much longer than she would like to admit, to stop laughing. Jason of course wore a sour look through the entire endeavor. She shrugged it off, she had little doubt that if the same thing had happened to someone else, he would have been right beside her doubled over in laughter. Hell, once he was in a less pissy mood, she might even be able to get him to laugh about it later.
As luck would have it, it appeared that Jason’s actions had been enough to alter the tides of the war. The kingdom, and its divinity, would still lose many to the battles ahead, but Jason had done enough that the Agency could still bill the client for services rendered. As she spoke, she could see the disdain the man had for her, he always complained that she was drunk and reeked of liquor. Sure, that was often true, but he didn’t need to be such a stick in the mud about it all.
She went ahead and authorized the transfer of credits to Jason’s account. As soon as she did so, he opened up the store page and tuned her out. She watched him open up the back-channel site and purchase something, a small part of her wondered who was going to get roasted over the coals this time for allowing their admin privileges to be hacked. She toyed with the idea of bringing up his illegal actions, but truth be told she didn’t really give a shit. The other divinities were far too lax with their security, it had been child's play for one of her previous wards to hack into the Agency’s system and build the black site.
She’d ask him once about the whole thing, didn’t really grasp as much as she would have liked, but basically it functioned by spoofing a handler's credentials. This allowed the user to gain access to encrypted parts of the network, specifically access to certain privileged services that handlers enjoyed and most importantly, access to the mission assignment database. Users could buy and sell restricted or banned goods, and a part of the profits would be siphoned off to her ward’s personal account.
With Jason’s attention otherwise occupied, Ruby went ahead and reviewed the logs for his previous mission. Something about it was nagging at her. She couldn’t put it into words; however, the whole series of events just didn’t feel like ‘bad luck’. Using her divine authority, she rewound events, watching Jason’s lungs unfill with blood and refill with air.
The goblin skulked back to its den of corpses, resheathing the dagger at its hips, and reburied itself underneath the bodies. She let it rewind another few moments before stopping the feed and letting it run at normal time. She watched the goblin, slowly shifting the bodies out of the way, making sure they made no noise when it moved them. Slowly, carefully, it began to creep towards Jason’s exposed back. It drew the blade, again slowly and quietly. It closed the distance making sure to never let Jason see it or to give him any reason to think someone was behind him. Then in a flash of movement it leapt, burying the dagger right into a joint in Jason’s armor. The placement was perfect, no resistance, so the blade sank to the hilt. Allowing it to puncture Jason’s right lung.
Ruby rewound the log once more. This was wrong, very wrong. The goblin was way too good to just be some random grunt. Its movements were too smooth, its aim too precise. No, she was sure of it now, this was not a normal goblin. She focused her attention on the thing, aiming to scan the goblin for abnormalities, the dust covering it offering a surprising level of resistance to her scan. Not enough to stop her from doing what she wanted, but more resistance than she felt was reasonable for the anti-magic powder.
When she finally gained access to the monster’s stat block, her suspicions were proven correct. That was no normal goblin, that was a Redcap, a Redcap assassin no less. What in the dozen hells was a Redcap assassin doing in the middle of a freaking battlefield?! Such a valuable unit wouldn’t be used on the front lines, their skill set was terribly suited for the chaos that was an active battle. No, something was very wrong here and Ruby was going to figure out what.
As her mind raced trying to puzzle out what the actual fuck was going on, something else about the goblin flagged in her mind. It had come out of the corpse pile with the dagger already in its possession. She highlighted the various bodies that had made up the goblin's hidey hole, and then rewound the scene back. Every time one of the highlighted bodies met their fate, she froze the moment and pulled the scene into a separate window. It took a few minutes, but she eventually had all of the corpses frozen in the heartbeat before their deaths. She went through and scanned every single individual. Not a single one had been equipped with a magic disruptor blade. “So, where the fuck did the Redcap get a kingdom issued disruptor?”
Looking up, she saw that Jason was still fiddling with whatever it was that he bought. She tried to make idle conversation with the man, but he had gone full auto pilot, giving curt one-to-two word answers when asked a question or having to respond to a comment. She rolled her eyes, as much as she and him butted heads, she did have to admit that she did kind of like the guy. He had been going a little too hard into the whole dark and brooding edge lord thing recently, but that was hardly his fault. The human soul was ill suited to withstand the trauma of death, much less multiple deaths. The Agency usually did a memory scrub every couple missions, to prevent that kind of issue, but Jason had been dodging the screenings. For a moment she considered just letting sleeping dogs lie. Jason was dead and the mission was over regardless of what she might find, but the whole thing just rubbed her the wrong way.
Taking a little nip from her pocket flask, she once more focuses her attention on the Redcap. After scrubbing through the last several months of the creature’s life, she finally finds what she was looking for. The blade had come from one of Jason’s personal guards.
Ruby did a deep dive on the guard, and what came back made her blood run cold. The man had recently lost his lover. Jason had ordered a company to mop up a fleeing enemy force, before it could regroup and cause more issues. The entire thing had been a ruse and the company had been slaughtered to the last. The guard's lover had been part of that company. The loss had hit the man hard, driving him to the only rock left in his life. His deep belief in the kingdom’s divinity.
And wouldn’t you know it, apparently the kingdom’s divinity had some issues with Jason that it couldn’t be bothered to address through the proper channels. So instead of letting Ruby handle the trainwreck that was Jason’s social skills, this little scum lord of a God, had taken upon themself to deal with the issue. Several months of holy visions were enough to convince the grieving widow to betray everyone and everything he had ever known.
Once the guard had been properly brainwashed into turning his coat, it had been a simple matter to worm his way on to all of Jason’s post-fight surveys of the battlefield. The magic scanners that were exclusive to Jason’s retinue, had allowed him to see that Jason’s inhuman ability to avoid taking damage was really just a creative use of high-level magic. High-level magic that could have easily been used to save many of the kingdom’s soldiers. But of course, Jason believed himself too good to give the common man a means to protect themselves and those they loved. All this knowledge was of course worthless to the guard, he was nowhere near skilled enough to actually challenge Jason. But wouldn’t you know it, the divinity had thought of that too.
The podunk worm had brokered a secret deal with the enemy he’d contracted the Agency to deal with. In exchange for getting rid of a thorn in the God’s side, it would use its powers to scale back the war. Instead of facing a war of eradication, the enemy would be allowed to keep some of the land it had conquered.
At the urging of his God, the guard held a series of clandestine meetings with the Redcap. Imparting all the information he had learned in the months of shadowing Jason. He also gave the beast two gifts, the first was a Disruptor blade the guard had swiped from a fellow honor guard; when Jason’s corpse was found the blade would be traced back to the unfortunate guard instead of the traitor. The second was a satchel of Grarothian powder that had been blessed by the divinity, to ensure that Jason wouldn’t see the attack coming. It had worked of course; Jason hadn’t even known he was in danger till the blade was already buried in his lung. Oh, she was going to have the wannabe God’s head on a pike after this.
It pained her to admit it, but Jason deserved the final say in how this was all going to go down. She attempted to grab his attention, but the man was lost in his own little world. She tried waving her hands, ignored. She tried snapping her fingers in his ears, ignored. She even went so far as to beat her wings, blasting his face with the wind force of just under a category 1 hurricane; again ignored. Her rage was starting to reach fever pitch. So, she defaulted to the most tried and true method of stress reduction she had in her arsenal. She decided the only way for herself and Jason, once he knew the truth, to calm down would be to relax with a drink of the finest Earth treats.
With a heavy heart she opened up her most beloved extra planer storage space. This place was used for the only two things Ruby really cared about anymore. It was where she kept her most prized and coveted liquor, and where she kept the last few mementos, she possessed of her fallen wards. Her eyes scanned the room, she needed to pick the right apology gift. As she carefully made her way towards the back, she saw it. Tucked in about two thirds of the way to the back wall, stood a single hogshead of ancient scotch whiskey. The second to last gift she had received from one of her dearest friends, all those years ago.
Yes, this was the correct one. She felt it deep within her chest, a proper atonement requires a proper level of sacrifice. With a heavy heart she lifted the barrel over her head and began to stride out of the extra dimensional space. As she neared the opening, the soft clink of something falling and a flash of gold caught her eye. Sitting on a tiny end table was a small pouch of coins, one of which had somehow gotten loose and tumbled face up onto the polished table face.
For a moment she hesitated, she knew exactly what those coins were; and knew how much trouble she would get into if upper management found out she had them. That said, she also knew a sign when she saw one. The artifacts that she held within this place were the last remnants of those she had failed most of all. She pondered the meaning behind the fact that two of her previous charges seemed to have taken a shine to Jason, offering up to him their most precious of gifts. With a heavy heart and a plea to those long lost, she grabbed the coin before closing the pocket dimension.
With a loud *CLUNK* She set the hogshead down. Apparently, the sound of the barrel had finally made enough noise to draw Jason’s attention away from his screen. From a much smaller storage pocket she produced two crystal glasses. Pouring a hefty serving into each glass, she set one down in front of herself and the other in front of Jason. Locking eyes with the man, she said a single word.
“Drink”
The man twisted his face up in disgust at the sight of the liquor.
“Thanks, but no thanks, I’m not inclined to degr...”
“I said, DRINK!” Ruby growl bellows, casting the Command spell on the last word. Jason, despite his best efforts to ignore the compulsion, is forced to do as he is told, and takes a hearty swig of his hundred-year-old Scotch. With a smile on her lips, Ruby takes the opportunity to sip the illustrious gift. The hours melt away as they both sip and savor the deep complex flavors of this legendary brew.
As the drink flows her recollection of events becomes just a tad bit hazy. She can’t really remember how long it takes, but she does eventually come clean about the reason for this impromptu bout of drinking. It comes as little shock that Jason is... less than pleased to learn about the events that led to his death. He downs the rest of his drink in a single gulp, a waste of grand booze in Ruby’s opinion, and demands she fill his next one to the brim. For the first time in FAR too long, Ruby gets to see the Jason she had known all those years ago was still in there.
As the festivities carried on, she would occasionally catch him fiddling with the token he had bought. Curiosity finally getting the better of her, she decided to ask him about it, deciding to NOT mention that she knew it was illicitly purchased. He was cagey about it at first, but eventually loosened up and told her the truth.
He had grown bored with the usual missions that he had been assigned. He was sick of always having to play support, always cleaning up someone else’s messes, always laying the groundwork for someone else’s story. So, he had decided to cash in his points, and finally make use of the vacation time he had accrued. He had picked out what looked to be a pretty basic Isekai mission. Ruby suggested not mentioning his luck to anyone else, even she was aware how rare and coveted those missions were.
As the night wound to a close, they said their goodbyes. Before taking her leave, Ruby remembered the other present she had for Jason. A sharp whistle was the only warning she gave him before flicking the coin at his head. Even drunk, the man’s senses were still a thing to marvel at as he caught it in midair .
“The fuck is this?”
“Think of it as a gift.” She snorts.
“Oh, how generous of you. A whole gold coin, whatever will I spend it on.” Jason responds as he jangles the large coin pouch at his hip.
“Oh, fuck off. I’ll take it back if you’re going to be a brat about it.”
Jason drops the coin into his wallet and shakes it again for good measure. “Oops, too late now. Guess you’ll just have to let me keep it.” He gives her a smug grin.
She scoffed before turning around and making for the door. She could hear him activate the token as she closed the door behind her. As she wandered down the hallways back to her room, she pondered the events of the day. The rogue client would need to be dealt with, but she still wasn’t sure if burying him in legal paperwork for the next millennia or two, or just giving him a good old fashion human curb stomping, was the better punishment for his actions.
The choices bounced around in her head till she finally reached her residence. Having made no real progress in deciding her actions, she elected to just table the decision till she woke up next. The God was small time, so it wasn’t like it was going anywhere.
She took her time getting ready to sleep. Being a divine being herself, she didn’t actually NEED to sleep, but she did so enjoy the human customs surrounding the whole process. She took a long hot bath to unwind, before summoning a pair of adorable pajamas. Her body clean, and her mind at peace she laid down in her oversized excessively fluffy bed.
She had barely closed her eyes and began to drift off to blissful sleep, before she was awoken once again by the sound of her alarm going off.
“You have got to be shitting me. HOW?!?!”
2024.05.14 14:48 djosephm [WTS] Silver Silver Silver! ASE Rolls
Proof
2009 sold
2010 sold
2013
2016
2020
$620 per roll plus $5 shipping per roll. Venmo only please. All coins sigma verified.
Got 5 ase rolls up for sale. One of the coins from all rolls has toning as noted in the photo. Great condition!
submitted by djosephm to Pmsforsale [link] [comments]
2009 sold
2010 sold
2013
2016
2020
$620 per roll plus $5 shipping per roll. Venmo only please. All coins sigma verified.
Got 5 ase rolls up for sale. One of the coins from all rolls has toning as noted in the photo. Great condition!
2024.05.14 12:27 Flamewakerr To EA and whom it may concern, sincerely, from one of us
Hey everyone, amidst the thousands of rants, in light of Nick's movement, I think it's time for me to say something, maybe no one cares, I don't have a major platform to get my word out, but I still think that it's good to get these things out here and perhaps the best thing all of this can do is change the way we perceive the game as a player base. This will be long, so those of you willing to, bear with me.
Let me tell you something from a point of view of someone who loved the game for a long time. We're a bunch of very versatile people from all over the place and maybe it can also teach us a lesson or two. On one hand, you have kids who play it for the same reason I played it some good 15 years ago, and you've got us, the older players, who loved the game for what it was growing up because it was the best football themed game out there in many aspects, although FIFA entries weren't the only good thing about that era (shoutout to PES 2006 and 2010). It's a game that I used to enjoy because I love football as a sport, I used to play it basically on a professional level, this is the best "active" form for me to engage with the game. I'm probably too stupid for Football Manager though I believe it's only a matter of watchin a few videos to get into it and understand the in-depth mechanics. I always tried playing it and got lost in the menus within 5 minutes. But for what it's worth, I understood FIFA, I understood FUT and the shell of what it once was, the grind was fun to me, using players from past and present that I like, well, until it all got burned to the fucking ground within a year. I was never an Elite div or Rank 1 or even Rank 2 player. But I had certain results, I would get 9 to 11 wins most of the time and with enough free time I could always climb to atleast div 2 in Rivals. Sure, many of you are better and I realize that, but it's not about that. To me it was always about getting better at the game for myself, on my own terms, there would be some progression to it and getting better throughout the years always made me happy. Adult life is adult life and it's very individual, some of us have more free time on our hands, others don't. In my case, I barely have time to do my daily play matches, some SBCs and play Champs on the weekend because of work.
But the question is - how can I consistently enjoy the game if:
Sorry for the long post, I guess I just felt like I needed to tell someone.
submitted by Flamewakerr to fut [link] [comments]
Let me tell you something from a point of view of someone who loved the game for a long time. We're a bunch of very versatile people from all over the place and maybe it can also teach us a lesson or two. On one hand, you have kids who play it for the same reason I played it some good 15 years ago, and you've got us, the older players, who loved the game for what it was growing up because it was the best football themed game out there in many aspects, although FIFA entries weren't the only good thing about that era (shoutout to PES 2006 and 2010). It's a game that I used to enjoy because I love football as a sport, I used to play it basically on a professional level, this is the best "active" form for me to engage with the game. I'm probably too stupid for Football Manager though I believe it's only a matter of watchin a few videos to get into it and understand the in-depth mechanics. I always tried playing it and got lost in the menus within 5 minutes. But for what it's worth, I understood FIFA, I understood FUT and the shell of what it once was, the grind was fun to me, using players from past and present that I like, well, until it all got burned to the fucking ground within a year. I was never an Elite div or Rank 1 or even Rank 2 player. But I had certain results, I would get 9 to 11 wins most of the time and with enough free time I could always climb to atleast div 2 in Rivals. Sure, many of you are better and I realize that, but it's not about that. To me it was always about getting better at the game for myself, on my own terms, there would be some progression to it and getting better throughout the years always made me happy. Adult life is adult life and it's very individual, some of us have more free time on our hands, others don't. In my case, I barely have time to do my daily play matches, some SBCs and play Champs on the weekend because of work.
But the question is - how can I consistently enjoy the game if:
- a) every single thing and tactic that I figure out, gets nerfed within a few months - and I'm not talking about ratty shit, I'm talking things like finesse shots, trivelas, some useful passes, just gameplay stuff
- b) they don't do shit to fix broken things in-game, like OP cutbacks, I came to peace with them, but still, it's too OP, or doing things to somehow nerf or balance situations when people pass between the GK and CB from the 70th minute onwards. Idk how many of you were around when they banned Kurt, but they pulled up a whole statement about policies regarding in-game toxicity for building towards a fun experience for everyone, yet they don't do shit with the game itself.
- c) the game itself wants you to feel bad about your gameplay and even tries to pass off DDA as skill issue. Of course, at times it really comes down to your skills, but how often do you hear the commentators praise you? At times even when you're leading, they keep repeating how it's a matter of time until you concede an equalizer. You know those graphics on the pitch itself? The win probability stuff. It shows up only when you're losing, even if you are let's say one goal behind and it's the 65th minute, they'll show you a whole statistic all over the fucking pitch, telling you that you have a 2% chance to win the game. To demoralize you. To make you feel like you need to keep upgrading and upgrading and upgrading and once you run out of fodder and luck, to go dump your money into store packs. And even that doesn't help you, the pack weight is shit, you just get quick fodder for unreasonable money, and the theories that spending money on the game improves your gameplay, it's all bogus. To put it simple, if you achieve something, you will not see anything positive. No congratulations screen, just infographics, but when you do something bad, God forbid, you will get fact-bombed about how shit you are. From a psychological point of view, this game is toxic to it's core and it's very, very, very unhealthy for one's mental health. If you're an adult, trying to relax after tons of stressful shit in your daily life, this is not the place for proverbial relaxation. If you're a kid who's going through your teen years, those years are stressful for many reasons and once again, this cannot possibly help you. I hold no grudge towards many players as I am aware that many players are very young (less than 18) and perhaps that generation is simply like that and there's nothing we can do about it. I'm talking only about FUT, I believe that Pro Clubs are probably way more lighthearted and fun and I treat Career Mode which has been abandoned, as a separate game basically.
- d) Obvious gambling issues. Enough has been said. I am one of the minority in thinking that there is nothing wrong with buying a pack here or there if you're an adult and if it doesn't impact serious aspects of your life. If you earn money, it's entirely up to you how you spend it. Some people like fine dining and dump money on food. Some people collect stuff and dump money on collectibles. Some people overspend to impress their s/o. So, in theory, there is nothing wrong with spending money on or within a game as a concept. But what is wrong is how it works in this game in particular. You get new packs over and over again, the store is full of things to spend money on, but the core game itself is neglected gameplay-wise. Content is okay, SBCs are okay, with exchanges and stuff, it's really good actually. I am one of those who actually enjoy both the menus and the gameplay itself, equally. All of it is a part of the experience. But you have really bad things going on with your games and the only thing that you do as a dev is dump packs? And even those packs, the pack weight is absolute shit, it's turned into a casino, a slot machine, because it's all rigged towards you ending on a loss, thus having the psychological effect of you not getting your dopamine shot of packing something nice, often you're not in a situation to buy another one, so this will linger in the back of your head, that you didn't complete the process and you need to see if next time you'll finally get something good. Or, you bought it with coins and now you lost a good amount of coins, so you think of buying the next one with FP, or even worse, you can afford it and you just successfully gave them twice the intended amount of money. This is a serious, self-destructive behavioral pattern, take it from someone who has some education in a field very close to all of that. Teach children that and you can legitimately ruin their lives. Say, if you knew what you're getting, exactly what, or atleast if you knew that there is a smaller pool of what you can pack, or guaranteed something for a symbolic amount of money, I'd say it is what it is, since we truly do live in an era full of microtransactions and that's just something that's a part of online gaming nowadays. The bad part is overspending on something that will just not reward you anyhow or grant you any sort of benefit. Even games with battle passes have better options in this regard. You're getting better progression in exchange for a symbolic amount of money.
- e) The game itself doesn't work properly! You're getting DNFs left and right, you can't even navigate through SBCs and your club without the game freezing multiple times. EA keeps fucking up with "unintended rewards" first it was Messi, I did the SBC, got nothing, life goes on. Several times I had issues where objectives didn't count, whatever, life goes on, it's a game. Or some rewards got bugged and fucked me over multiple times, whatever, life goes on. This most recent L1 red pick stuff, that was honestly the last straw, not even the fact that I didn't get them simply because I have a life and don't camp in front of my console each Friday to sweat my ass off for the very start of the Champs Finals, but because they finally spilled the beans, told us we were never supposed to get good cards out of it with a decent percentage and on top of that, they ruined the small amount of fun I had playing with Paletools between meetings at work (by that I mean killing the droprate and nerfing pack weight).
Sorry for the long post, I guess I just felt like I needed to tell someone.
2024.05.14 09:48 Node-Runner Crypto Howls as Circuit Breakers Restrain Red-Hot GameStop Rally
 | GameStop (GME) stock was halted multiple times amid a huge surge on Monday, drawing laughter from crypto fans. submitted by Node-Runner to SolanaKommand [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/9clcpxjgkc0d1.png?width=712&format=png&auto=webp&s=6354c274e8e0463671ad43f977f87b94016462a4 Crypto goes 24/7 without any circuit breakers, unlike the stock market. GameStop (GME) is yet again the stock of the day, soaring Monday due to support from traders gripped by meme-stock fever. But it was a stilted rally, halted repeated by the U.S. stock market's famous – or infamous, depending on one's perspective – system of "circuit breakers" designed to prevent prices from getting out of control. And that has enthusiasts of cryptocurrencies, where markets go 24/7 with no circuit breakers (except for the occasional exchange malfunction), laughing. The U.S. stock market got circuit breakers in stages following the harrowing crash of October 1987, initially set up as a brief whole-market shutdown in case of a rapid collapse and then later, following the so-called flash crash of May 2010, more tailored toward restraining individual stocks. These are government-mandated things. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady is credited with inventing the marketwide one after the 1987 crash. "The circuit breaker that I invented restores calm," he told a CoinDesk reporter at a prior job. Yet there are criticisms. If markets plunge but they're frozen, traders can't immediately swoop in and buy, driving prices back up. After Ethereum's ether (ETH) plunged to 10 cents from $317.81 in less than a second back in June 2017, Coinbase said it was considering introducing circuit breakers. It never did. Within 10 seconds, it was back above $300, an executive said at the time in an interview with Bloomberg. Back in 2024, everything from bitcoin (BTC) to dogwifhat (WIF) kept chugging along Monday as GameStop was temporarily stuck. |
2024.05.14 04:11 cockandballionaire This was from 7 years ago, can y’all help me update it?
Bitches always on my d-ck, I wear a condom when I shit.
• On & On
Shittin on niggas like a nigga was still a baby.
• The Come Up
Motherfucker, I'm the shit, I pass gas when I feel.
• Sky Boy
Aye this is big shit poppin', you gon' need a plunger.
• Heartache
They say I'm like the human body, I produce my own shit.
• Royal Flush
They light a fire under my ass nigga my shit hot, even if you squatted under volcanoes nigga your shit not.
• Waterbreak
These niggas thinking they the shit and they ain't even farted yet.
• Last Call
I be shitting on my niggas and my dough be farting.
• The One
Nigga, eat a d-ck, we the shit, no flushing.
• Disgusting
You wanna know how I know I'm the shit? 'Cause I keep clogging up the toilet.
• Disgusting
I'm on that shit as if I was the flies.
• Premeditated Murder
I potty train niggas, yeah, this that teach you 'how to shit'.
• Bun B For President
I'm the shit, you the stools.
• Wireless Festival 2010 Freestyle
You the shit only cause I digested you niggas.
• See It To Believe It
I let you feel like you the shit, but boy you can't out-fart me.
• Dollar & A Dream III
Swallowed the key to my cell, which means, I got an impossible lock to pick, And if you want my spot you gotta go through lots of shit.
• The Cure
Now they tell me “man you like the realest shit I ever smelt."
• The Cure
f--k is that smell? I smell bullshyt, it must be an election year.
• Get Free
I'm the shit you the shit stains.
• Backstage verse at Kendrick Lamar show
Grew up in this bitch without a pot to piss, no toilet, how ironic, I took a lot of shit
• Tears For ODB
She put up with this shit like she work at the zoo, true
• Sparks Will Fly
If your shit don't stink, nigga, my ship won't sink
• Revenge Of The Dreamers
Straight shitting on these piss poor rappers, I'm back
• Everybody Dies
What's that smell, where's your diaper shit here
• She's Mine Pt. 2
submitted by cockandballionaire to Jcole [link] [comments]
• On & On
Shittin on niggas like a nigga was still a baby.
• The Come Up
Motherfucker, I'm the shit, I pass gas when I feel.
• Sky Boy
Aye this is big shit poppin', you gon' need a plunger.
• Heartache
They say I'm like the human body, I produce my own shit.
• Royal Flush
They light a fire under my ass nigga my shit hot, even if you squatted under volcanoes nigga your shit not.
• Waterbreak
These niggas thinking they the shit and they ain't even farted yet.
• Last Call
I be shitting on my niggas and my dough be farting.
• The One
Nigga, eat a d-ck, we the shit, no flushing.
• Disgusting
You wanna know how I know I'm the shit? 'Cause I keep clogging up the toilet.
• Disgusting
I'm on that shit as if I was the flies.
• Premeditated Murder
I potty train niggas, yeah, this that teach you 'how to shit'.
• Bun B For President
I'm the shit, you the stools.
• Wireless Festival 2010 Freestyle
You the shit only cause I digested you niggas.
• See It To Believe It
I let you feel like you the shit, but boy you can't out-fart me.
• Dollar & A Dream III
Swallowed the key to my cell, which means, I got an impossible lock to pick, And if you want my spot you gotta go through lots of shit.
• The Cure
Now they tell me “man you like the realest shit I ever smelt."
• The Cure
f--k is that smell? I smell bullshyt, it must be an election year.
• Get Free
I'm the shit you the shit stains.
• Backstage verse at Kendrick Lamar show
Grew up in this bitch without a pot to piss, no toilet, how ironic, I took a lot of shit
• Tears For ODB
She put up with this shit like she work at the zoo, true
• Sparks Will Fly
If your shit don't stink, nigga, my ship won't sink
• Revenge Of The Dreamers
Straight shitting on these piss poor rappers, I'm back
• Everybody Dies
What's that smell, where's your diaper shit here
• She's Mine Pt. 2
2024.05.14 02:43 Correct_Maximum7990 Should I get teq gohan or should I just save up my festival coins
 | submitted by Correct_Maximum7990 to DBZDokkanBattle [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 23:34 MingusTheClown Darrell Grant Quartet: MJ New - Thursday, June 13, 2024 at The Sound Room, Oakland
Darrell Grant Quartet: MJ New - Thursday, June 13, 2024 at The Sound Room, Oakland
Darrell Grant's MJ New takes audiences on a journey from the heart of the HarlemRenaissance to Vienna, Brazil, and back again. Skillfully marrying classical counterpoint and the blues with refined swing inspired by their namesake, the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, the group illuminates the diverse traditions of Black American Music.
Formed by Darrell Grant in 2013, MJ New brings together four storied West Coast scene-makers. Portland-based pianist/bandleader Darrell Grant is a veteran of the bands of Betty Carter, Tony Williams, and Roy Haynes. Since the release of his debut album Black Art, one of the New York Times'top ten jazz CDs, Grant has built an international reputation as a pianist, composer, and educator who channels the power of music to make change. He is the recipient of a Northwest Regional Emmy,Oregon Arts Commission Fellowship, MAP Fund grant, and the Governor’s Arts Award, his state’s highest arts honor. He is a Professor of Music at Portland State University, where he directs the Artist as Citizen Initiative.
Bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader Marcus Shelby is a figure synonymous with Bay Area jazz and the spirit of collaboration. A recipient of the Charles Mingus Scholarship, Shelby attended Cal Arts and studied with Charlie Haden and James Newton while working simultaneously with the all-star jazz ensemble Black/Note, who released a series of highly regarded albums in the1990s. Since moving to the Bay Area, he has led a highly regarded jazz orchestra and many smallgroups, with large-scale commissions focused on the history,present, and future of the African-American experience.
Vibraphonist Mike Horsfall has performed with Chuck Redd and Leroy Vinegar. He has recorded with Pink Martini, Nu Shooz Orchestra, and Tall Jazz, a trio he co-founded in 1989 which was voted into the Jazz Society of Oregon’s 2010 Hall ofFame. He serves on the music faculty at Willamette University.
Drummer Cecil Brooks III has recorded and toured with Stanley Turrentine, John Hicks, Geri Allen, and Pharoah Sanders. In addition to several albums as a leader and session work in both hard bop and bebop settings, Brooks is an award-winning producer of over 50 albums on the Savoy, Muse, & 32 Jazz labels and is the founder and proprietor of the celebrated New Jersey jazz club Cecil’s. He relocated to LosAngeles in 2010 a frequent performer at West Coast venues and festivals
Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/896351871577?aff=oddtdtcreator
submitted by MingusTheClown to BayAreaJazz [link] [comments]
Darrell Grant's MJ New takes audiences on a journey from the heart of the HarlemRenaissance to Vienna, Brazil, and back again. Skillfully marrying classical counterpoint and the blues with refined swing inspired by their namesake, the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, the group illuminates the diverse traditions of Black American Music.
Formed by Darrell Grant in 2013, MJ New brings together four storied West Coast scene-makers. Portland-based pianist/bandleader Darrell Grant is a veteran of the bands of Betty Carter, Tony Williams, and Roy Haynes. Since the release of his debut album Black Art, one of the New York Times'top ten jazz CDs, Grant has built an international reputation as a pianist, composer, and educator who channels the power of music to make change. He is the recipient of a Northwest Regional Emmy,Oregon Arts Commission Fellowship, MAP Fund grant, and the Governor’s Arts Award, his state’s highest arts honor. He is a Professor of Music at Portland State University, where he directs the Artist as Citizen Initiative.
Bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader Marcus Shelby is a figure synonymous with Bay Area jazz and the spirit of collaboration. A recipient of the Charles Mingus Scholarship, Shelby attended Cal Arts and studied with Charlie Haden and James Newton while working simultaneously with the all-star jazz ensemble Black/Note, who released a series of highly regarded albums in the1990s. Since moving to the Bay Area, he has led a highly regarded jazz orchestra and many smallgroups, with large-scale commissions focused on the history,present, and future of the African-American experience.
Vibraphonist Mike Horsfall has performed with Chuck Redd and Leroy Vinegar. He has recorded with Pink Martini, Nu Shooz Orchestra, and Tall Jazz, a trio he co-founded in 1989 which was voted into the Jazz Society of Oregon’s 2010 Hall ofFame. He serves on the music faculty at Willamette University.
Drummer Cecil Brooks III has recorded and toured with Stanley Turrentine, John Hicks, Geri Allen, and Pharoah Sanders. In addition to several albums as a leader and session work in both hard bop and bebop settings, Brooks is an award-winning producer of over 50 albums on the Savoy, Muse, & 32 Jazz labels and is the founder and proprietor of the celebrated New Jersey jazz club Cecil’s. He relocated to LosAngeles in 2010 a frequent performer at West Coast venues and festivals
Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/896351871577?aff=oddtdtcreator
2024.05.13 20:32 Little_Mountain73 ISO NGC or PCGS MS-70 2010 1oz silver
Howdie folks. SSIA for the most part. I’m looking for my next coin. 2010 1 oz silver graded MS-70 by either PCGS or NGC. Preferably NGC at this point, as my 2011-2023 MS-70 series is all NGC. Thanks.
submitted by Little_Mountain73 to LibertadCoins [link] [comments]
2024.05.13 20:03 SignificanceBulky329 Four and Five star trades??! 🙃 I swear this game will break me 😂
 | Let me know if the screenshots are too small submitted by SignificanceBulky329 to MonopolyGoTrading [link] [comments] Play MONOPOLY GO! with me! Download it here: https://mply.io/7gVDJQ |
2024.05.13 18:22 TripleThreat05 Need Help
 | submitted by TripleThreat05 to Monopoly_GO [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 18:13 SoftCommunity1654 Trade for these 2?
 | submitted by SoftCommunity1654 to Monopoly_GO [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 15:26 ActEqual2775 Have making history or don't wait up or others to trade
 | submitted by ActEqual2775 to Monopoly_GO [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 14:47 Current_Weird_1363 The Top Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs to Look Out For
 | The Top Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs to Look Out For submitted by Current_Weird_1363 to mydeardesign [link] [comments] Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs are the epitome of sophistication and charm, hailing from the town of Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh, India. They showcase impeccable artistry, crafted with utmost care, and adorned with either block print or hand-painted motifs for a personalized touch. The combination of silk and golden Zari threads lends Chanderi Silk its ethereal and sheer texture, making it highly sought-after for weddings and festive events due to its airy feel and lustrous appearance. https://www.mydeardesign.com/chanderi-silk-lehenga-designs-for-2023/ Delving into the world of Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs, this article will illuminate the evolution of these garments from their historical origins to present-day top designs. Along with gaining a deep understanding of the various styles and patterns available, readers will also discover tips for styling Chanderi Silk Lehengas for occasions, explore how they stand out among other silk fabrics, and learn about proper care and maintenance. This journey showcases not only the exquisite beauty of Chanderi Silk Lehengas but also their flexibility in customization to cater to a range of body sizes and fashion preferences. Chanderi Silk's History and Origin Chanderi Silk Lehengas have a fascinating history, intertwined with the diverse cultural influences and changing eras of India. This luxurious fabric hails from Chanderi, a charming town located in Madhya Pradesh. It is woven from a delicate combination of silk and golden Zari threads, prized for its ethereal quality and feather-light texture. According to historical records, Chanderi fabric dates back to the Vedic era and was introduced by Shishupal, the cousin of Lord Krishna. In the 7th or 2nd century BC, Chanderi established a weaving center, which marked the beginning of its journey to become a major trade hub. Chanderi sarees were often featured in ceremonial robes gifted by emperors like Aurangzeb during the 12th and 13th centuries AD. A delicate weave and intricate design made the fabric immensely popular among queens during the Mughal era. A Chanderi fabric has a sheer texture and glossy finish due to the use of extra-fine yarns that undergo minimal processing. It has been available for centuries in three primary types: pure silk, pure cotton, and silk-cotton blend, each of which has its own unique texture and visual appeal. Chanderi fabric is adorned with motifs that range from traditional coins to peacocks and florals, adding to its opulence and elegance. Chanderi weaving experienced periods of decline, but saw significant revivals in 1910 and 1920, when the Scindia royal family reintroduced the fabric with renewed enthusiasm. Chanderi Silk Lehengas continue to symbolize luxury and tradition today, coveted for their lightweight, breezy qualities and ability to embody the rich cultural heritage of India. The top Chanderi Silk Lehenga Designs for 2023 Styles and trends available Combining traditional and contemporary designs, Chanderi Silk Lehengas appeal to a wide range of women. Lehengas can be paired with Angrakha Style Tops for a distinctive and stylish look. Lehengas are versatile with various dupattas, designs, and embroideries, allowing for individual customization. |
2024.05.13 14:44 Cryptocointrade 🍕1 BTC Pizza Day with BYDFi
 | https://preview.redd.it/v62qv4i2w60d1.png?width=1042&format=png&auto=webp&s=76a8e004d0d539b132e3d89e6d36b1942e98a260 submitted by Cryptocointrade to CryptoTradingContents [link] [comments] Source: https://support.bydfi.com/hc/en-us/articles/9695531584783-Celebrate-Bitcoin-Pizza-Day-with-BYDFi-to-Share-1-BTC-Prize-Pool-2024-05-09 Get a $300 Deposit Bonus with BYDFi from Cryptocointrade.com 🍕🎉 It's that time of the year again - the legendary Bitcoin Pizza Day! Join us as we commemorate the first-ever real-world Bitcoin transaction, where 10,000 BTC was spent on two pizzas. To mark this historic event, we're hosting an exciting promotion just for you! 🎉🍕 📅 Event Duration: 2024/05/09 00:00:00 ~ 2024/05/31 23:59:59 (UTC+8) 🚀 Event Details: Event 1: Deposit BTC, Get 10% Reward
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Don't miss out on the festivities! Join us to celebrate BTC Pizza Day in style. Get ready to indulge in the spirit of crypto history! 📝 Terms:
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2024.05.13 14:17 IcyCommunication2485 A little help
 | I have 400 red coin should I take picolo jr or keep saving for buutenks or vegito submitted by IcyCommunication2485 to DokkanBattleCommunity [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 14:03 iTrippin246 What I have vs what I need.
 | submitted by iTrippin246 to Monopoly_GO [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 12:59 Gangiskhan Artist #92 Grouplove
Bio from The Festival Voice
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Scheduled: Friday
Songs & Sets:
Grouplove - Tongue Tied
Grouplove - "Ways to Go"
Grouplove - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
Grouplove: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert From The Archives
Have you seen Grouplove before? Please share your experience and favorite songs.
Link to previous AotD post
submitted by Gangiskhan to bonnaroo [link] [comments]
Artist Biography by Daniel Karasek
Grouplove is a Los Angeles-based indie rock outfit that formed in the late 2000s around the talents of Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Sean Gadd, Ryan Rabin who is the son of Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, and Andrew Wessen. The whole gang met and bonded at an art residency in Greece on the island of Crete. Before leaving the island, the five former strangers agreed to meet up and record some of the music they had already worked on. The group recorded in Ryan's Los Angeles studio and created the band Grouplove. The group's self-titled debut EP arrived in 2010 and helped get them an opening tour slot with Florence + the Machine the following year. In 2011, Grouplove released their debut album Never Trust a Happy Song which peaked at number 75 on the Billboard 200 with four singles including "Tongue Tied" This single became number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart. The band's second album Spreading Rumours came out in 2013 and hit number 21 on the Billboard 200 as well as number seven on the Top Rock Albums Chart. Their next album Big Mess arrived in 2016 and also charted well reaching number 40 on the Billboard 200. In 2020, Grouplove released their four album Healer which peaked at number five on Billboard's Alternative Albums Chart. Their next album came the next year titled This is This. This album was self-produced by the band and featured the single "Deadline" which hit number 28 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay Chart. Grouplove's latest album was 2023's I Want It All Right Now which got a deluxe tuneup in 2024.
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Scheduled: Friday
Songs & Sets:
Grouplove - Tongue Tied
Grouplove - "Ways to Go"
Grouplove - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
Grouplove: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert From The Archives
Have you seen Grouplove before? Please share your experience and favorite songs.
Days Until Bonnaroo: 31
Remember to drink water and warm up those high fives!Link to previous AotD post
2024.05.13 11:51 donutgettrapped Low Star Trade
 | submitted by donutgettrapped to Monopoly_GO [link] [comments] |
2024.05.13 10:25 compasstourspk Discovering the Enchanting Hunza Valley: A Comprehensive Guide
Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan, the Hunza Valley is a gem awaiting exploration. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this enchanting destination, encompassing travel logistics, cultural richness, trekking adventures, and more.
Getting There
The journey to Hunza typically begins with a flight to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. From Islamabad, a domestic flight can take you to Gilgit, the gateway to the Hunza Valley. Alternatively, embark on a scenic drive from Islamabad to Gilgit, reveling in the breathtaking landscapes that pave the way to your destination.
Best Time to Visit
Choosing the right time to visit is crucial for an optimal experience. Late spring to early autumn, spanning from April to October, offers mild temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant hues. This period is ideal for trekking, sightseeing, and immersing yourself in the local culture. On the other hand, the winter months from November to March bring heavy snowfall, making many areas inaccessible. However, if you're an adventure enthusiast and enjoy snowscapes, winter can offer a unique charm.
Attractions
Hunza Valley is a haven for trekkers, boasting a variety of trails catering to different skill levels. Whether you opt for the challenging Rakaposhi Base Camp trek or the more accessible Passu Cones trek, the landscapes unfolding before you will be nothing short of awe-inspiring. Engaging local guides is advisable not only for safety but also to delve deeper into the cultural and natural significance of the routes.
Cultural Highlights
Beyond its natural wonders, Hunza Valley is steeped in a rich cultural tapestry. Take the time to engage with the locals, participate in festivals, and witness age-old traditions. The annual Shishar Nashini festival, celebrated in autumn, is a colorful spectacle showcasing the vibrancy of Hunza's culture.
Accommodation
Hunza caters to a diverse range of travelers with its varied accommodation offerings. For those seeking luxury, Luxus Hunza, situated on the bank of Attabad Lake, stands out with its upscale amenities and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Serena Hotel, a renowned international chain, offers a blend of sophistication and local charm, providing a comfortable retreat with its well-appointed rooms and exquisite dining options.
Alternatively, for travelers on a budget, guesthouses like Roomy in Karimabad offer a cozy and affordable stay, often run by friendly locals eager to share insights about the region. The Khunjerab View Homes, reflecting traditional Hunza architecture, provide a unique homestay experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local culture.
For those craving a more adventurous stay, camping sites along the Hunza River offer a chance to reconnect with nature under the starlit skies. Whether opting for luxury hotels, charming guesthouses, or immersive homestays, the accommodation options in Hunza ensure that every traveler finds a suitable haven to complement their exploration of this enchanting region.
Local Cuisine
The local cuisine of Hunza, deeply rooted in the region's rich cultural heritage, offers a delightful array of flavors and unique dishes. Traditional Hunza fare revolves around wholesome ingredients, reflecting the harsh mountainous terrain. Staple dishes include "Chapshuro," a hearty flatbread stuffed with minced meat, and "Harissa," a savory porridge made from wheat and meat, slow-cooked to perfection. Local fruits such as apricots play a significant role in Hunza's culinary scene, with dishes like "Apricot Halwa" and "Apricot Soup" showcasing the versatility of this indigenous fruit. Additionally, "Yak Meat" dishes provide a taste of the high-altitude lifestyle, offering a lean and flavorful alternative. The use of local herbs and spices, along with the incorporation of dairy products like yak cheese, adds a distinctive touch to Hunza's gastronomic offerings. Dining in Hunza is not just a culinary experience; it's a cultural journey, allowing visitors to savor the unique flavors that have evolved over generations amid the stunning landscapes of the Karakoram Range.
Respect Local Customs
As a responsible traveler, it's crucial to respect local customs and traditions. Dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious or culturally significant sites. Seek permission before photographing locals, as some may prefer not to be photographed due to cultural or personal reasons.
Safety and Health
Hunza Valley's high-altitude terrain requires acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness. Travelers should take it slow upon arrival, stay hydrated, and be mindful of their physical condition. Packing essentials like water, sunscreen, and warm clothing is imperative, especially for those engaging in outdoor activities.
Responsible Tourism
Embrace the principles of responsible tourism by minimizing your environmental impact. Avoid littering, follow the Leave No Trace principles, and support local businesses and artisans. Contributing positively to the local community enhances the sustainability of tourism in the region.
Hunza Valley beckons with its unparalleled beauty, cultural richness, and adventure opportunities. This guide serves as a starting point for your journey into this captivating destination, but remember, the true essence of Hunza can only be fully appreciated by immersing yourself in its landscapes and connecting with its people.
submitted by compasstourspk to Pakistanwithcompass [link] [comments]
Getting There
The journey to Hunza typically begins with a flight to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. From Islamabad, a domestic flight can take you to Gilgit, the gateway to the Hunza Valley. Alternatively, embark on a scenic drive from Islamabad to Gilgit, reveling in the breathtaking landscapes that pave the way to your destination.
Best Time to Visit
Choosing the right time to visit is crucial for an optimal experience. Late spring to early autumn, spanning from April to October, offers mild temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant hues. This period is ideal for trekking, sightseeing, and immersing yourself in the local culture. On the other hand, the winter months from November to March bring heavy snowfall, making many areas inaccessible. However, if you're an adventure enthusiast and enjoy snowscapes, winter can offer a unique charm.
Attractions
- Karimabad: Karimabad, nestled in the heart of the Hunza Valley against the backdrop of the Karakoram Range, is a captivating town that serves as the gateway to some of the world's highest peaks. Steeped in history, it boasts landmarks such as the ancient Karimabad Fort, perched atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The town itself exudes a charming blend of traditional architecture, bustling bazaars, and warm hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring the wonders of northern Pakistan.
- Rakaposhi View Point: The Rakaposhi View Point, situated along the Karakoram Highway, provides an awe-inspiring panorama of Rakaposhi, the 12th highest mountain globally, standing majestically in the distance. This vantage point allows visitors to marvel at the snow-capped peaks and lush valleys that define the landscape. The scenic beauty combined with the crisp mountain air creates a mesmerizing experience, making the Rakaposhi View Point a highlight for travelers seeking the grandeur of the Karakoram Range.
- Hopper Glacier: Nestled in the enchanting Nagar Valley, Hopper Glacier offers a glacial spectacle surrounded by rugged mountains. Trekkers and adventure enthusiasts are drawn to this pristine landscape, where shimmering ice formations contrast against the rocky terrain. The journey to Hopper Glacier is an immersive experience, allowing visitors to witness the raw beauty of nature while traversing through the captivating landscapes of the Karakoram.
- Baltit Fort and Altit Fort: Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, perched on hilltops in the Hunza Valley, are architectural marvels that narrate the region's cultural history. Baltit Fort, with its Tibetan-influenced design, provides breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, while Altit Fort, one of the oldest in the region, reflects over 900 years of Hunza's heritage. Both forts stand as testaments to the architectural and historical richness of this mountainous landscape.
- Attabad Lake: Formed in 2010 after a massive landslide dammed the Hunza River, Attabad Lake is a stunning turquoise gem nestled amidst the Karakoram Range. The vivid blue waters, surrounded by towering mountains, create a surreal landscape. Boating on the lake offers a unique perspective, allowing visitors to appreciate the contrast between the vibrant waters and the stark, rocky cliffs that encapsulate the beauty of Attabad Lake.
- Khunjerab Pass: Khunjerab Pass, standing at an elevation of 4,693 meters, is the highest paved international border crossing, connecting Pakistan and China. This mountain pass not only offers breathtaking views of the Karakoram Range but also serves as a significant point on the ancient Silk Road. Visitors can experience the dramatic changes in landscapes as they traverse this high-altitude pass, immersing themselves in the historical and natural wonders of the region.
- Borith Lake: Nestled in the serene surroundings of Pakistan's Upper Hunza region, Borith Lake is a high-altitude freshwater lake known for its crystal-clear waters. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lake offers a picturesque setting, attracting nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Its tranquil ambiance and reflections of the surrounding mountains make Borith Lake a captivating destination in the Karakoram Range.
- Hussaini Suspension Bridge: Hussaini Suspension Bridge, spanning the Hunza River, is renowned as one of the world's most thrilling footbridges, with missing planks and a swaying structure. Adventurous travelers brave the crossing to access the remote village of Hussaini, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Karakoram. The bridge provides not only a means of passage but also an exhilarating experience, showcasing the intersection of human ingenuity and nature's grandeur.
Hunza Valley is a haven for trekkers, boasting a variety of trails catering to different skill levels. Whether you opt for the challenging Rakaposhi Base Camp trek or the more accessible Passu Cones trek, the landscapes unfolding before you will be nothing short of awe-inspiring. Engaging local guides is advisable not only for safety but also to delve deeper into the cultural and natural significance of the routes.
Cultural Highlights
Beyond its natural wonders, Hunza Valley is steeped in a rich cultural tapestry. Take the time to engage with the locals, participate in festivals, and witness age-old traditions. The annual Shishar Nashini festival, celebrated in autumn, is a colorful spectacle showcasing the vibrancy of Hunza's culture.
Accommodation
Hunza caters to a diverse range of travelers with its varied accommodation offerings. For those seeking luxury, Luxus Hunza, situated on the bank of Attabad Lake, stands out with its upscale amenities and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Serena Hotel, a renowned international chain, offers a blend of sophistication and local charm, providing a comfortable retreat with its well-appointed rooms and exquisite dining options.
Alternatively, for travelers on a budget, guesthouses like Roomy in Karimabad offer a cozy and affordable stay, often run by friendly locals eager to share insights about the region. The Khunjerab View Homes, reflecting traditional Hunza architecture, provide a unique homestay experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local culture.
For those craving a more adventurous stay, camping sites along the Hunza River offer a chance to reconnect with nature under the starlit skies. Whether opting for luxury hotels, charming guesthouses, or immersive homestays, the accommodation options in Hunza ensure that every traveler finds a suitable haven to complement their exploration of this enchanting region.
Local Cuisine
The local cuisine of Hunza, deeply rooted in the region's rich cultural heritage, offers a delightful array of flavors and unique dishes. Traditional Hunza fare revolves around wholesome ingredients, reflecting the harsh mountainous terrain. Staple dishes include "Chapshuro," a hearty flatbread stuffed with minced meat, and "Harissa," a savory porridge made from wheat and meat, slow-cooked to perfection. Local fruits such as apricots play a significant role in Hunza's culinary scene, with dishes like "Apricot Halwa" and "Apricot Soup" showcasing the versatility of this indigenous fruit. Additionally, "Yak Meat" dishes provide a taste of the high-altitude lifestyle, offering a lean and flavorful alternative. The use of local herbs and spices, along with the incorporation of dairy products like yak cheese, adds a distinctive touch to Hunza's gastronomic offerings. Dining in Hunza is not just a culinary experience; it's a cultural journey, allowing visitors to savor the unique flavors that have evolved over generations amid the stunning landscapes of the Karakoram Range.
Respect Local Customs
As a responsible traveler, it's crucial to respect local customs and traditions. Dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious or culturally significant sites. Seek permission before photographing locals, as some may prefer not to be photographed due to cultural or personal reasons.
Safety and Health
Hunza Valley's high-altitude terrain requires acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness. Travelers should take it slow upon arrival, stay hydrated, and be mindful of their physical condition. Packing essentials like water, sunscreen, and warm clothing is imperative, especially for those engaging in outdoor activities.
Responsible Tourism
Embrace the principles of responsible tourism by minimizing your environmental impact. Avoid littering, follow the Leave No Trace principles, and support local businesses and artisans. Contributing positively to the local community enhances the sustainability of tourism in the region.
Hunza Valley beckons with its unparalleled beauty, cultural richness, and adventure opportunities. This guide serves as a starting point for your journey into this captivating destination, but remember, the true essence of Hunza can only be fully appreciated by immersing yourself in its landscapes and connecting with its people.
2024.05.13 09:20 myreddit333 KINews Update Montag 13.5.2024
Apple bald mit ChatGPT als bessere Siri?
submitted by myreddit333 to KI_Welt [link] [comments]
- Vertragsabschluss nahe: Apple nähert sich einer Vereinbarung mit OpenAI zur Integration von ChatGPT in iOS 18.
- Weitere Verhandlungen: Gespräche mit Google über die Lizenzierung des Gemini Chatbots laufen noch.
- Bedeutung der Integration: Die Integration von ChatGPT würde Apples KI-Funktionen signifikant erweitern.
- Marktwachstum: Die künstliche Intelligenz in der Telekommunikation wird zwischen 2024 und 2031 voraussichtlich um 40,6 % wachsen.
- Technologieeinsatz: KI wird zur Optimierung von Netzwerken und zur Verbesserung der Servicequalität eingesetzt.
- Innovationsführer: Unternehmen wie Infosys führen mit Initiativen wie Infosys Topaz den Markt an.
- NVIDIA AI-Agents zielen darauf ab, den Personalmangel im Gesundheitswesen zu bekämpfen und die Patientenversorgung zu verbessern.
- Diese Systeme können Termine planen, einfache Gesundheitsfragen beantworten und Medikationserinnerungen senden.
- NVIDIA ist einer der führenden Entwickler solcher Technologien.
- Gründung und Ziele: DeepMind wurde 2010 ins Leben gerufen mit dem Ziel, eine künstliche allgemeine Intelligenz (AGI) zu entwickeln.
- Einsatzbereiche: Die Technologien von DeepMind werden in realen Szenarien in den Bereichen Gesundheit, Wissenschaft und Technik eingesetzt.
- Unterschiede zu anderen KI-Unternehmen: Im Gegensatz zu eng fokussierten KI-Systemen strebt DeepMind eine universelle, menschenähnliche Intelligenz an.
- Technologieeinsatz: Firmen aller Größen setzen KI ein, um Arbeitsprozesse zu automatisieren und Entscheidungsfindungen zu unterstützen.
- Jobveränderungen: Während einige Berufe durch Automatisierung bedroht sind, entstehen auch neue Karrieremöglichkeiten in der KI-Entwicklung und -Wartung.
- Fähigkeitenanforderungen: Die Nachfrage nach KI-Kompetenzen steigt, was bestehende Mitarbeiter vor die Herausforderung stellt, sich fortzubilden.
- Veranstaltungsort und -zeit: 2. Internationales Filmfestival für Künstliche Intelligenz, Downtown Los Angeles
- Veranstalter: Runway, ein Start-up für KI-Videotechnologie aus New York
- Unterstützung: Tribeca Film Festival und Genfer Internationales Filmfestival
- Bedeutung: Markiert einen Wendepunkt für KI-gestützte Filme in Hollywood
- Fokus auf Halluzinationen: Vision-Language Modelle können inkorrekte, aber plausible Details generieren, die in kritischen Anwendungen irreführend sein können.
- Neues Bewertungssystem THRONE: Entwickelt, um Halluzinationen in offenen Antwortformaten zu erkennen, die detaillierte Bildbeschreibungen erfordern.
- Verwendung öffentlich zugänglicher Modelle: THRONE nutzt existierende Sprachmodelle zur Evaluation und verbessert damit die Zugänglichkeit und Vergleichbarkeit der Ergebnisse.
- Forscherteam: Wissenschaftler aus der University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UChicago und UC Berkeley.
- Problemstellung: Halluzinationen in KI-Texten, d.h., falsche oder irrelevante Informationen, die dennoch als korrekt präsentiert werden.
- Methodik: KnowHalu verwendet einen zweiphasigen Prozess mit einer Kombination aus internen Konsistenzprüfungen und externer Faktenüberprüfung.
- Neuer Ansatz: Tsinghua-Universität ADELIET steht für “Aligning large language moDELs on Information Extraction” und nutzt die Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), um große Sprachmodelle an die Anforderungen menschlicher Aufgaben anzupassen.
- Spezialisiertes Training: Die Kombination von spezifischen IE-Daten und allgemeinen Sprachdaten im Training ermöglicht eine beibehaltene sprachliche Vielseitigkeit bei gleichzeitig gesteigerter Leistung in spezialisierten IE-Aufgaben.
- Datenbasis: IEInstruct umfasst über 83.000 Datensätze verschiedener IE-Formate, was eine breite Basis für das Training und die Optimierung bietet.
- Prozedurale InhaltsGenerierung: GPT-Modelle automatisieren und verbessern den kreativen Prozess bei der Entwicklung von Spielinhalten.
- Interaktives SpielDesign: Durch die Integration von KI in Spielmechaniken wird die Interaktion und Immersion der Spieler signifikant bereichert.
- Dynamische Spielanpassung: KI-Modelle reagieren in Echtzeit auf die Aktionen der Spieler, um das Spielerlebnis individuell anzupassen und zu verbessern.
- Anthropic hat ein Tool entwickelt, das Nutzern ermöglicht, effektive Prompts für die Nutzung ihrer KI-Tools zu generieren.
- Die Bedeutung des prompt engineering wächst, da es zentral für die Optimierung der Ergebnisse generativer KI-Systeme ist.
- Das Tool ist einfach zu bedienen: Benutzer erstellen ein Konto, wählen die Option zur Generierung eines Prompts und geben ihre Ziele ein.
- Leistungsstärke: In umfassenden Benchmarks übertrafen die Granite-Code-Modelle regelmäßig größere Open-Source-Modelle um bis zu 12 Prozentpunkte.
- Vielfältigkeit: Die Modelle sind in Varianten von 3 bis 34 Milliarden Parametern verfügbar, passend für unterschiedliche Unternehmensbedürfnisse.
- Innovative Entwicklung: Durch den Einsatz von Depth Upscaling erreichte IBM eine höhere Modellkapazität und -effizienz.
- Adobe hat mit “Skip the Photoshoot” eine Werbekampagne für seine KI-Technologie Firefly gestartet.
- Die Kampagne sieht vor, traditionelle Fotografie durch KI-generierte Bilder zu ersetzen.
- Viele langjährige Adobe-Kunden, hauptsächlich Fotografen, fühlen sich durch die Kampagne bedroht.
- Microsoft GeckOpt optimiert die Ressourcennutzung in Sprachmodellen und senkt die Betriebskosten erheblich.
- Google DeepMind NExT verbessert das Verständnis von Programmcode durch Sprachmodelle und erleichtert das Finden und Beheben von Fehlern.
- Neural Flow Diffusion Models (NFDM) erzielen Spitzenwerte bei der Dichteschätzung und erweitern die Möglichkeiten des generativen Lernens.
- Adobe VideoGigaGAN ermöglicht eine beeindruckende Verbesserung der Videoauflösung ohne sichtbare Artefakte.
- Profluent hat mit KI-generierten Gen-Editoren erfolgreich menschliche DNA editiert und damit neue Möglichkeiten in der Genforschung eröffnet.
- Apple OpenELM gibt einen Ausblick auf leistungsfähige On-Device-KI in zukünftigen iOS-Versionen.
- DPO optimiert Sprachmodelle durch direkte Präferenzoptimierung und ermöglicht feinere Anpassungen und bessere Ergebnisse.
- TriForce von Meta kombiniert effiziente Modelle und Caching-Techniken, um die Verarbeitung langer Texte zu beschleunigen.
- AgentKit ermöglicht die Erstellung von KI-Agenten ohne Programmierkenntnisse durch natürlichsprachliche Prompts.
- Amazon CoT-Forschung nutzt kleine und große Sprachmodelle zur Optimierung von Aufgabenbearbeitungen.
- Infini-attention ermöglicht es Transformern, unbegrenzt lange Texte zu verarbeiten und reduziert den Speicherbedarf.
- Eine neue Studie zeigt, dass KI-Systeme aufgrund ihrer Analysefähigkeit und Neutralität emotionale Hinweise besser erkennen können als Menschen.
- Amazon Chronos ist ein leistungsstarkes KI-Framework für präzise Zeitreihenprognosen in Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft.
2024.05.13 07:13 thinkingstranger May 12, 2024
I write a lot about how the Biden-Harris administration is working to restore the principles of the period between 1933 and 1981, when members of both political parties widely shared the belief that the government should regulate business, provide a basic social safety net, promote infrastructure, and protect civil rights. And I write about how that so-called liberal consensus broke down as extremists used the Reconstruction-era image of the American cowboy—who, according to myth, wanted nothing from the government but to be left alone—to stand against what they insisted was creeping socialism that stole tax dollars from hardworking white men in order to give handouts to lazy minorities and women.
But five major stories over the past several days made me realize that I’ve never written about how Trump and his loyalists have distorted the cowboy image until it has become a poisonous caricature of the values its recent defenders have claimed to champion.
The cowboy myth originated during the Reconstruction era as a response to the idea that a government that defended Black rights was “socialist” and that the tax dollars required to pay bureaucrats and army officers would break hardworking white men.
This weekend, on Saturday, May 11, Paul Kiel of ProPublica and Russ Buettner of the New York Times teamed up to deliver a deep investigation into what Trump was talking about when he insisted that he must break tradition and refuse to release his tax returns when he ran for office in 2016 and 2020, citing an audit.
The New York Times had already reported that one of the reasons the Internal Revenue Service was auditing Trump’s taxes was that, beginning in 2010, he began to claim a $72.9 million tax refund because of huge losses from his failing casinos.
Kiel and Buettner followed the convoluted web of Trump’s finances to find another issue with his tax history. They concluded that Trump’s Chicago skyscraper, his last major construction project, was “a vast money loser.” He claimed losses as high as $651 million on it in 2008. But then he appears to have moved ownership of the building in 2010 from one entity to a new one—the authors describe it as “like moving coins from one pocket to another”—and used that move to claim another $168 million in losses, thereby double-dipping.
The experts the authors consulted said that if he loses the audit battle, Trump could owe the IRS more than $100 million. University of Baltimore law professor Walter Schwidetzky, who is an expert on partnership taxation, told the authors: “I think he ripped off the tax system.”
The cowboy myth emphasized dominance over the Indigenous Americans and Mexicans allegedly attacking white settlers from the East. On Friday an impressive piece of reporting from Jude Joffe-Block at NPR untangled the origins of a story pushed by Republicans that Democrats were encouraging asylum seekers to vote illegally for President Joe Biden in 2024, revealing that the story was entirely made up.
The story broke on X, formerly Twitter, on April 15, when the investigative arm of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, which promises to provide “aggressive oversight” of the Biden administration, posted photos of what it claimed were flyers from inside portable toilets at a migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, that said in broken Spanish: “Reminder to vote for President Biden when you are in the United States. We need another four years of his term to stay open.” The tweet thread got more than 9 million views and was boosted by Elon Musk, X’s owner.
But the story was fabricated. The flyer used the name of a small organization that helps asylum seekers, along with the name of the woman who runs the organization. She is a U.S. citizen and told Joffe-Block that her organization has “never encouraged people to vote for anyone.” Indeed, it has never come up because everyone knows noncitizens are not eligible to vote. The flyer had outdated phone numbers and addresses, and its Spanish was full of errors. Migrants who are staying at the encampment as they wait for their appointments to enter the U.S. say they have never seen such flyers, and no one has urged them to vote for Biden.
Digging showed that the flyer was “discovered” by the right-wing video site Muckraker, which specializes in “undercover” escapades. The founder of Muckraker, Anthony Rubin, and his brother, Joshua Rubin, had shown up at the organization’s headquarters in Matamoros asking to become volunteers for the organization; they and their conversation were captured on video, and signs point to the conclusion that they planted the flyers.
Nonetheless, Republicans ran with the story. Within 12 hours after the fake flyer appeared on X, Republican representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Dan Bishop (R-NC) brought posters of it to Congress, and Republicans made it a centerpiece of their insistence that Congress must pass a new law against noncitizen voting. Rather than being protected by modern-day cowboys, the woman who ran the organization that helps asylum seekers got death threats.
The cowboy image emphasized the masculinity of the independent men it championed, but the testimony of Stephanie Clifford, the adult film actress also known as Stormy Daniels, in Trump’s criminal trial for falsifying business records to cover up his payments to Clifford to keep her story of their sexual encounter secret before the 2016 election, turns Trump’s aggressive dominance into sad weakness. Covering Clifford’s testimony, Maureen Dowd of the New York Times yesterday wrote that “Trump came across as a loser in her account—a narcissist, cheater, sad Hugh Hefner wannabe, trading his satin pajamas for a dress shirt and trousers (and, later, boxers) as soon as Stormy mocked him.”
In the literature of the cowboy myth, the young champion of the underdog is eventually supposed to settle down and take care of his family, who adore him. But the news of the past week has caricatured that shift, too. On Wednesday, May 8, the Republican Party of Florida announced that it had picked Trump’s youngest son, 18-year-old Barron, as one of the state’s at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, along with Trump’s other sons, Eric and Donald Jr.; Don Jr.’s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle; and Trump’s second daughter, Tiffany, and her husband.
On Friday, May 10, Trump’s current wife and Barron’s mother, former first lady Melania Trump, issued a statement saying: “While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments.” It is hard not to interpret this extraordinary snub from his own wife and son as a chilly response to the past month of testimony about his extramarital escapades while Barron was an infant.
Finally, there was the eye-popping story broken by Josh Dawsey and Maxine Joselow in the Washington Post on Thursday, revealing that last month, at a private meeting with about two dozen top oil executives at Mar-a-Lago, Trump offered to reverse President Joe Biden’s environmental rules designed to combat climate change and to stop any new ones from being enacted in exchange for a $1 billion donation.
Trump has promised his supporters that he would be an outsider, using his knowledge of business to defend ordinary Americans against those elites who don’t care about them. Now he has been revealed as being willing to sell us out—to sell humanity out—for the bargain basement price of $1 billion (with about 8 billion people in the world, this would make us each worth about 12 and a half cents).
Chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration Richard Painter wrote: “This is called bribery. It’s a felony.” He followed up with “Even a candidate who loses can be prosecuted for bribery. That includes the former guy asking for a billion dollars in campaign cash from oil companies in exchange for rolling back environmental laws.”
The cowboy myth was always a political image, designed to undermine the idea of a government that worked for ordinary Americans. It was powerful after the Civil War but faded into the past in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s as Americans realized that their lives depended on government regulation and a basic social safety net. The American cowboy burst back into prominence with the advent of the Marlboro Man in 1954, the year of the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, and the idea of an individual white man who worked hard, wanted nothing from the government but to be left alone, was a sex symbol, and protected his women became a central myth in the rise of politicians determined to overturn the liberal consensus.
Now it seems the myth has come full circle, with the party led by a man whose wife rejects him and whose lovers ridicule him, who makes up stories about dangerous “others,” cheats on his taxes, solicits bribes, and tries to sell out his followers for cash—the very caricature the mythological cowboy was invented to fight.
—
Notes:
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-irs-audit-chicago-hotel-taxes
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/10
/1248599505/migrants-vote-biden-conspiracy-theory-social-media
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/10/1250585392/takeaways-migration-biden-flyer-matamoros
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/opinion/trump-stormy-daniels-trial.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/barron-trump-florida-delegate-republican-national-convention-rcna151388
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/barron-trump-declines-invitation-delegate-republican-convention-rcna151761
Twitter (X):
rwpusa/status/1789632040054165516
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-12-2024
submitted by thinkingstranger to HeatherCoxRichardson [link] [comments]
But five major stories over the past several days made me realize that I’ve never written about how Trump and his loyalists have distorted the cowboy image until it has become a poisonous caricature of the values its recent defenders have claimed to champion.
The cowboy myth originated during the Reconstruction era as a response to the idea that a government that defended Black rights was “socialist” and that the tax dollars required to pay bureaucrats and army officers would break hardworking white men.
This weekend, on Saturday, May 11, Paul Kiel of ProPublica and Russ Buettner of the New York Times teamed up to deliver a deep investigation into what Trump was talking about when he insisted that he must break tradition and refuse to release his tax returns when he ran for office in 2016 and 2020, citing an audit.
The New York Times had already reported that one of the reasons the Internal Revenue Service was auditing Trump’s taxes was that, beginning in 2010, he began to claim a $72.9 million tax refund because of huge losses from his failing casinos.
Kiel and Buettner followed the convoluted web of Trump’s finances to find another issue with his tax history. They concluded that Trump’s Chicago skyscraper, his last major construction project, was “a vast money loser.” He claimed losses as high as $651 million on it in 2008. But then he appears to have moved ownership of the building in 2010 from one entity to a new one—the authors describe it as “like moving coins from one pocket to another”—and used that move to claim another $168 million in losses, thereby double-dipping.
The experts the authors consulted said that if he loses the audit battle, Trump could owe the IRS more than $100 million. University of Baltimore law professor Walter Schwidetzky, who is an expert on partnership taxation, told the authors: “I think he ripped off the tax system.”
The cowboy myth emphasized dominance over the Indigenous Americans and Mexicans allegedly attacking white settlers from the East. On Friday an impressive piece of reporting from Jude Joffe-Block at NPR untangled the origins of a story pushed by Republicans that Democrats were encouraging asylum seekers to vote illegally for President Joe Biden in 2024, revealing that the story was entirely made up.
The story broke on X, formerly Twitter, on April 15, when the investigative arm of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, which promises to provide “aggressive oversight” of the Biden administration, posted photos of what it claimed were flyers from inside portable toilets at a migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, that said in broken Spanish: “Reminder to vote for President Biden when you are in the United States. We need another four years of his term to stay open.” The tweet thread got more than 9 million views and was boosted by Elon Musk, X’s owner.
But the story was fabricated. The flyer used the name of a small organization that helps asylum seekers, along with the name of the woman who runs the organization. She is a U.S. citizen and told Joffe-Block that her organization has “never encouraged people to vote for anyone.” Indeed, it has never come up because everyone knows noncitizens are not eligible to vote. The flyer had outdated phone numbers and addresses, and its Spanish was full of errors. Migrants who are staying at the encampment as they wait for their appointments to enter the U.S. say they have never seen such flyers, and no one has urged them to vote for Biden.
Digging showed that the flyer was “discovered” by the right-wing video site Muckraker, which specializes in “undercover” escapades. The founder of Muckraker, Anthony Rubin, and his brother, Joshua Rubin, had shown up at the organization’s headquarters in Matamoros asking to become volunteers for the organization; they and their conversation were captured on video, and signs point to the conclusion that they planted the flyers.
Nonetheless, Republicans ran with the story. Within 12 hours after the fake flyer appeared on X, Republican representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Dan Bishop (R-NC) brought posters of it to Congress, and Republicans made it a centerpiece of their insistence that Congress must pass a new law against noncitizen voting. Rather than being protected by modern-day cowboys, the woman who ran the organization that helps asylum seekers got death threats.
The cowboy image emphasized the masculinity of the independent men it championed, but the testimony of Stephanie Clifford, the adult film actress also known as Stormy Daniels, in Trump’s criminal trial for falsifying business records to cover up his payments to Clifford to keep her story of their sexual encounter secret before the 2016 election, turns Trump’s aggressive dominance into sad weakness. Covering Clifford’s testimony, Maureen Dowd of the New York Times yesterday wrote that “Trump came across as a loser in her account—a narcissist, cheater, sad Hugh Hefner wannabe, trading his satin pajamas for a dress shirt and trousers (and, later, boxers) as soon as Stormy mocked him.”
In the literature of the cowboy myth, the young champion of the underdog is eventually supposed to settle down and take care of his family, who adore him. But the news of the past week has caricatured that shift, too. On Wednesday, May 8, the Republican Party of Florida announced that it had picked Trump’s youngest son, 18-year-old Barron, as one of the state’s at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, along with Trump’s other sons, Eric and Donald Jr.; Don Jr.’s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle; and Trump’s second daughter, Tiffany, and her husband.
On Friday, May 10, Trump’s current wife and Barron’s mother, former first lady Melania Trump, issued a statement saying: “While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments.” It is hard not to interpret this extraordinary snub from his own wife and son as a chilly response to the past month of testimony about his extramarital escapades while Barron was an infant.
Finally, there was the eye-popping story broken by Josh Dawsey and Maxine Joselow in the Washington Post on Thursday, revealing that last month, at a private meeting with about two dozen top oil executives at Mar-a-Lago, Trump offered to reverse President Joe Biden’s environmental rules designed to combat climate change and to stop any new ones from being enacted in exchange for a $1 billion donation.
Trump has promised his supporters that he would be an outsider, using his knowledge of business to defend ordinary Americans against those elites who don’t care about them. Now he has been revealed as being willing to sell us out—to sell humanity out—for the bargain basement price of $1 billion (with about 8 billion people in the world, this would make us each worth about 12 and a half cents).
Chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration Richard Painter wrote: “This is called bribery. It’s a felony.” He followed up with “Even a candidate who loses can be prosecuted for bribery. That includes the former guy asking for a billion dollars in campaign cash from oil companies in exchange for rolling back environmental laws.”
The cowboy myth was always a political image, designed to undermine the idea of a government that worked for ordinary Americans. It was powerful after the Civil War but faded into the past in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s as Americans realized that their lives depended on government regulation and a basic social safety net. The American cowboy burst back into prominence with the advent of the Marlboro Man in 1954, the year of the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, and the idea of an individual white man who worked hard, wanted nothing from the government but to be left alone, was a sex symbol, and protected his women became a central myth in the rise of politicians determined to overturn the liberal consensus.
Now it seems the myth has come full circle, with the party led by a man whose wife rejects him and whose lovers ridicule him, who makes up stories about dangerous “others,” cheats on his taxes, solicits bribes, and tries to sell out his followers for cash—the very caricature the mythological cowboy was invented to fight.
—
Notes:
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-irs-audit-chicago-hotel-taxes
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/10
/1248599505/migrants-vote-biden-conspiracy-theory-social-media
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/10/1250585392/takeaways-migration-biden-flyer-matamoros
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/opinion/trump-stormy-daniels-trial.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/barron-trump-florida-delegate-republican-national-convention-rcna151388
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/barron-trump-declines-invitation-delegate-republican-convention-rcna151761
Twitter (X):
rwpusa/status/1789632040054165516
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-12-2024