What effects smoke have to the lungs science fair
Discuss, learn, teach. Follow the tangents.
2012.11.19 09:47 GeoManCam Discuss, learn, teach. Follow the tangents.
Here you can ask any question you have about being a scientist, what's new in a field, what's going to happen in a field, or are curious about how we got to this point.
2013.08.18 08:57 smbtuckma Scientifically-supported information about haircare
This subreddit aims to provide resources for achieving better hair quality through scientific research in trichology, physiology, chemistry, and biology
2009.08.29 00:41 WhirlingVortex r/Sciences - Science on Reddit
A community for people who like science
2024.06.09 11:09 bl00dien0mn0mz I was kissed drunk and I liked it, but we're both in relationships
This week I went up to my brother's best friend's ranch with my brother, in hopes that I would keep his friend (lets call him Chris)'s girlfriend of 5 years(Darla) company as shes completely isolated. We were originally just supposed to stay one or two nights, get absolutely slammed and faded those nights, then go home. We ended up staying for almost a week. The first 2 nights were nice, We would do farm chores, Chris would ask me to go smoke w him at noon, my brother would get blackout drunk, Chris and I would make fun of him and record him while Darla slept, then in the morning my brother, Chris, and I woukd watch Baki until Darla woke up. On the 3rd night, Chris showed me how to ride some of the heavy equipment and feed the animals, and after having driven out to god knows where on some private road and getting drunk, we all came home and Chris and I went out to get food as we had just taken dabs 30min prior, our first time being actually fully alone. On the 4th morning, thursday morning, during our usual wake-and-bake Baki binge, I noticed Chris kept looking at me when I wasn't watchjng the screen, he was sitting much closer, and even made an almost flirty joke as I was trying to touch up my makeup. That night Darla suggested we all go out to this private abandoned lake and hang out, so we packed the truck stock full of blunts and wine and other vices and drove out. Turned out there was a pretty steep climb down to the lake from where we parked that Darla couldnt quite handle right, so I helped her the entire way down, holding her hand when she was scared, and even carrying her, but Chris only ever offered to help me. When we got to the lake Chris would offer me drinks by holding them to my mouth and letting me drink as he held the bottle/can; he would ask me first to pass a blunt or drink; he even kept showing me the cool snail shells he found. He barely talked to Darla, and she smoked for the very first time that night. When we got back up to the truck, just before the sun began to set, Chris picked me up and sat me next to him on the truck roof when Darla was upset about something in the passenger seat. You see, Chris and Darla had been fighting the entire time we had visited. Something always upset her, something always meant he didn't love her. He was so clearly stressed. On the roof of that truck, he told me all their problems. How she doesn't listen when he tries to talk, how the relationship feels stagnant, how she spends the money he doesn't have, how she doesn't reach out or talk to anyone but him, how he thinks the view is so pretty and the drinks are so good but he doesn't know what else to do. After that, we decided to head home. Mid-drive home, he pulled over and asked me to go out with him to the nearby hill to look at the sunset. I was too tipsy to walk and my outfit was too delicate and he didnt want it to ruin, so he carried me down. My brother, clearly black-out drunk at this point, didnt get the hint, so we had to keep sending him back to get us drinks that we didnt drink. Between these drinks, Chris confessed to me that he was so attracted to me and that terrified him and he cried. He told me he had been trying to make moves on me each night and felt so guilty. He told me the outfits I'd wear would drive him crazy. He told me he felt like he could confide in me. I told him I liked him back. The problem is, I also have a partner. We're LDR and have never met IRL (dated 6 months). There was seemingly always a reason for him to not come by, either he didn't want to, or was scared, or didn't have the time despite making plans to stop by prior that I consistantly offer to pay in full for. I felt like I could never bring up an issue eithout it turning into him telling me we should probably just break up because he has issues. I couldn't set boundaries, either he'd tell me I was his only support system when I'd say if I couldn't handle his venting ATM but I could later, or he'd coerce me out of sexual boundaries by pouting or repeatedly begging me. He never showed me he cared about me unless he was insecure or horny. He was always mad at me over the slightest things, too. Me apologizing, annoying. Me talking to him st the wrong time, frustrating. Me talking about my friends, jealous. Me needing him to elaborate or reword something because I genuinely couldnt understand him, too much. I didn't feel loved. I felt more like a beat dog than anything human. As we drove back for the final time, Darla and Chris had practically scream fought the entire time (I was in the bed of the truck so I couldn't hear anything of substance). When we got back home, Darla kept bringing out more drinks and even took a small dab. Chris and I stepped out for a moment to grab something from my brother's car (plus I was nauseaous from all the drinks and need air). He kissed me. I didn't expect it, but I didn't stop it. I hate it, but I loved it. So much. He hugged me and asked if I was okay. He kissed me again and we headed back inside. By then, Darla was vomitting and crying for Chris to help her and hold her hair back, but he couldn't be near her without feeling sick, so I went down to help her and he sat next me the entire time. He didn't touch her, even when she said she needed him. I just held her hair and rubbed her back and arm. She lingered downstair when she was done, and Chris and I went back upstairs to watch a movie. He kept rubbing my leg as I sat on the floor by his bench. Apparently, she always does this. She expects him to listen and fix all her problems, but drinks like a fish anytime he needs to bring up an issue and cries for him to take care of her. It was fairly evident they really only really got along when they're both passionately drunk. He was so done but he still loved her so much. They had an arguement, he confronted her about her behavior, she wouldn't listen, so he just took her to their room to hopefully discuss this when shes sober. After sitting in silence for a bit, Chris and I headed out for a walk at around 2 am. We mustve walked for at least a mile or two when we found a place to sit down and chat. He held me in his arms. He rubbed my back and pressed me close into him. We talked about what we wanted for our futures, what was so wrong about our relationships, our issues, what we found so attractive about each other, and any random bullshit. We kissed, we madeout, he cried, but we both agreed this could never be sexual. It was too pure, despite the circumstances. He told me that, if his future ever involved me, he'd want to get to know me first, platonically or not. He told me that even if we don't become anything, he wants me to break up with my bf because he doesn't think I deserve how I'm treated. He told me he doesn't know what I see in him. He asked me when last I'd been properly held. Nobody had ever looked at me like that. Nobody had ever held me like that. I don't think I've ever even had just a conversation that nice before. I hadn't been touched in almost a year. Despite our different views, we got along so well in humor, conversation, wishes for our futures, and of course physical chemistry. It was all so.. nice. It terrified me. We got back to the house at 4am, we smoked some dabs, he hugged me so tight I could feel the tears soak my shirt and his heavy breathing, he showed me old photos and videos he was embarrassed about, and we went to sleep in our respective beds. That morning yesterday he slept in twice as long as usual, he was distant and clearly tired. he wasnt avoiding me, but it wasnt the same. Not to mention, him and Darla seemed closer than ever. I basically spent my entire day avoiding his eye contact, smoking, and crying in my brother's car waiting for us to head out. I honestly don't know what else I expected. I got his number from my brother as he drove and I apologized to him for what I did to him. I apologized for taking advantage of him like that. He told me I shouldn't blame myself and I'm welcome back whenever, but he just couldn't live with himself right now. Today, I told my boyfriend everything and told him I think we should break up. I realized, admittedly partially because of Chris, that while I still love my bf so much, I just can't do this anymore. I still care about him with my entire sould, but I still have so much untreated trauma and mental issues I need to work through, and being in a relationship is just making it all worse. As soon as I told him, he pulled out every line in the book. He compared me to his mom's drinking and cheating. He told me he still sleeps with the stuffed animal I gave him months ago. He told me he can change and that he can help me with my recovery. He told me he wrote a poem for me. He told me that that's 'not the real him'. He's said I love you more than he has in the entire relationship just today. He keeps begging me to say I still love him and that everything will be okay, and I can't stand any of it anymore. I do still love him so much, and I offered to wait until my next therapy appointment in a day to officially break up, but I just want it to be over. I can't be his onky friend, I can't be his 24/7 booty call, I can't be his punching bag when he's pissed. Chris and I are probably never going to happen and he'll probably marry Darla in the end. My bf will block me and I'll end up back to where I was before. I don't know what happened, but I fucked up so bad. I don't cheat, I never drink without people, I don't do these things. I hurt so many people and I don't know how I'll live with myself. I don't know how I'll stay alive. Darla didn't deserve this, Chris didn't deserve this, and my bf didn't deserve this, yet here we are. I honestly I think i just need this all to be out of my head and into the world so I can finally start to breathe again.
I'm so sorry for the whole novel TL;DR↓
My relationship makes me feel helpless. I got drunk with my brother's friend with relationship problems, too. He kissed me 3 times and I liked it but he regrets it. I'm trying to break up with my bf but I don't know what to do with my life after this all.
submitted by bl00dien0mn0mz to offmychest [link] [comments]
I'm so sorry for the whole novel TL;DR↓
My relationship makes me feel helpless. I got drunk with my brother's friend with relationship problems, too. He kissed me 3 times and I liked it but he regrets it. I'm trying to break up with my bf but I don't know what to do with my life after this all.
2024.06.09 11:02 bl00dien0mn0mz I was kissed drunk and I liked it, but we're both taken
This week I went up to my brother's best friend's ranch with my brother, in hopes that I would keep his friend (lets call him Chris)'s girlfriend of 5 years(Darla) company as she's completely isolated. We were originally just supposed to stay one or two nights, get absolutely slammed and faded those nights, then go home. We ended up staying for almost a week. The first 2 nights were nice, We would do farm chores, Chris would ask me to go smoke w him at noon, my brother would get blackout drunk, Chris and I would make fun of him and record him while Darla slept, then in the morning my brother, Chris, and I woukd watch Baki until Darla woke up. On the 3rd night, Chris showed me how to ride some of the heavy equipment and feed the animals, and after having driven out to god knows where on some private road and getting drunk, we all came home and Chris and I went out to get food as we had just taken dabs 30min prior, our first time being actually fully alone. On the 4th morning, thursday morning, during our usual wake-and-bake Baki binge, I noticed Chris kept looking at me when I wasn't watchjng the screen, he was sitting much closer, and even made an almost flirty joke as I was trying to touch up my makeup. That night Darla suggested we all go out to this private abandoned lake and hang out, so we packed the truck stock full of blunts and wine and other vices and drove out. Turned out there was a pretty steep climb down to the lake from where we parked that Darla couldnt quite handle right, so I helped her the entire way down, holding her hand when she was scared, and even carrying her, but Chris only ever offered to help me. When we got to the lake Chris would offer me drinks by holding them to my mouth and letting me drink as he held the bottle/can; he would ask me first to pass a blunt or drink; he even kept showing me the cool snail shells he found. He barely talked to Darla, and she smoked for the very first time that night. When we got back up to the truck, just before the sun began to set, Chris picked me up and sat me next to him on the truck roof when Darla was upset about something in the passenger seat. You see, Chris and Darla had been fighting the entire time we had visited. Something always upset her, something always meant he didn't love her. He was so clearly stressed. On the roof of that truck, he told me all their problems. How she doesn't listen when he tries to talk, how the relationship feels stagnant, how she spends the money he doesn't have, how she doesn't reach out or talk to anyone but him, how he thinks the view is so pretty and the drinks are so good but he doesn't know what else to do. After that, we decided to head home. Mid-drive home, he pulled over and asked me to go out with him to the nearby hill to look at the sunset. I was too tipsy to walk and my outfit was too delicate and he didnt want it to ruin, so he carried me down. My brother, clearly black-out drunk at this point, didnt get the hint, so we had to keep sending him back to get us drinks that we didnt drink. Between these drinks, Chris confessed to me that he was so attracted to me and that terrified him and he cried. He told me he had been trying to make moves on me each night and felt so guilty. He told me the outfits I'd wear would drive him crazy. He told me he felt like he could confide in me. I told him I liked him back. The problem is, I also have a partner. We're LDR and have never met IRL (dated 6 months). There was seemingly always a reason for him to not come by, either he didn't want to, or was scared, or didn't have the time despite making plans to stop by prior that I consistantly offer to pay in full for. I felt like I could never bring up an issue eithout it turning into him telling me we should probably just break up because he has issues. I couldn't set boundaries, either he'd tell me I was his only support system when I'd say if I couldn't handle his venting ATM but I could later, or he'd coerce me out of sexual boundaries by pouting or repeatedly begging me. He never showed me he cared about me unless he was insecure or horny. He was always mad at me over the slightest things, too. Me apologizing, annoying. Me talking to him st the wrong time, frustrating. Me talking about my friends, jealous. Me needing him to elaborate or reword something because I genuinely couldnt understand him, too much. I didn't feel loved. I felt more like a beat dog than anything human. As we drove back for the final time, Darla and Chris practically scream fought the entire time (I was in the bed of the truck so I couldn't hear anything of substance). When we got back home, Darla kept bringing out more drinks and even took a small dab. Chris and I stepped out for a moment to grab something from my brother's car (plus I was nauseaous from all the drinks and need air). He kissed me. I didn't expect it, but I didn't stop it. I hate it, but I loved it. So much. He hugged me and asked if I was okay. He kissed me again and we headed back inside. By then, Darla was vomitting and crying for Chris to help her and hold her hair back, but he couldn't be near her without feeling sick, so I went down to help her and he sat next me the entire time. He didn't touch her, even when she said she needed him. I just held her hair and rubbed her back and arm. She lingered downstair when she was done, and Chris and I went back upstairs to watch a movie. He kept rubbing my leg as I sat on the floor by his bench. Apparently, she always does this. She expects him to listen and fix all her problems, but drinks like a fish anytime he needs to bring up an issue and cries for him to take care of her. It was fairly evident they really only really got along when they're both passionately drunk. He was so done but he still loved her so much. They had an arguement, he confronted her about her behavior, she wouldn't listen, so he just took her to their room to hopefully discuss this when shes sober. After sitting in silence for a bit, Chris and I headed out for a walk at around 2 am. We mustve walked for at least a mile or two when we found a place to sit down and chat. He held me in his arms. He rubbed my back and pressed me close into him. We talked about what we wanted for our futures, what was so wrong about our relationships, our issues, what we found so attractive about each other, and any random bullshit. We kissed, we madeout, he cried, but we both agreed this could never be sexual. It was too pure, despite the circumstances. He told me that, if his future ever involved me, he'd want to get to know me first, platonically or not. He told me that even if we don't become anything, he wants me to break up with my bf because he doesn't think I deserve how I'm treated. He told me he doesn't know what I see in him. He asked me when last I'd been properly held. Nobody had ever looked at me like that. Nobody had ever held me like that. I don't think I've ever even had just a conversation that nice before. I hadn't been touched in almost a year. Despite our different views, we got along so well in humor, conversation, wishes for our futures, and of course physical chemistry. It was all so.. nice. It terrified me. We got back to the house at 4am, we smoked some dabs, he hugged me so tight I could feel the tears soak my shirt and his heavy breathing, he showed me old photos and videos he was embarrassed about, and we went to sleep in our respective beds. That morning yesterday he slept in twice as long as usual, he was distant and clearly tired. he wasnt avoiding me, but it wasnt the same. Not to mention, him and Darla seemed closer than ever. I basically spent my entire day avoiding his eye contact, smoking, and crying in my brother's car waiting for us to head out. I honestly don't know what else I expected. I got his number from my brother as he drove and I apologized to him for what I did to him. I apologized for taking advantage of him like that. He told me I shouldn't blame myself and I'm welcome back whenever, but he just couldn't live with himself right now. Today, I told my boyfriend everything and told him I think we should break up. I realized, admittedly partially because of Chris, that while I still love my bf so much, I just can't do this anymore. I still care about him with my entire sould, but I still have so much untreated trauma and mental issues I need to work through, and being in a relationship is just making it all worse. As soon as I told him, he pulled out every line in the book. He compared me to his mom's drinking and cheating. He told me he still sleeps with the stuffed animal I gave him months ago. He told me he can change and that he can help me with my recovery. He told me he wrote a poem for me. He told me that that's 'not the real him'. He's said I love you more than he has in the entire relationship just today. He keeps begging me to say I still love him and that everything will be okay, and I can't stand any of it anymore. I do still love him so much, and I offered to wait until my next therapy appointment in a day to officially break up, but I just want it to be over. I can't be his onky friend, I can't be his 24/7 booty call, I can't be his punching bag when he's pissed. Chris and I are probably never going to happen and he'll probably marry Darla in the end. My bf will block me and I'll end up back to where I was before. I don't know what happened, but I fucked up so bad. I don't cheat, I never drink without people, I don't do these things. I hurt so many people and I don't know how I'll live with myself. Darla didn't deserve this, Chris didn't deserve this, and my bf didn't deserve this, yet here we are. I honestly think i just need this all to be out of my head and into the world so I can finally start to breathe again.
I'm so sorry for the whole novel TL;DR↓
My relationship makes me feel helpless. I got drunk with my brother's friend with relationship problems, too. He kissed me 3 times and I liked it but he regrets it. I'm trying to break up with my bf but I don't know what to do with my life after this all.
submitted by bl00dien0mn0mz to Vent [link] [comments]
I'm so sorry for the whole novel TL;DR↓
My relationship makes me feel helpless. I got drunk with my brother's friend with relationship problems, too. He kissed me 3 times and I liked it but he regrets it. I'm trying to break up with my bf but I don't know what to do with my life after this all.
2024.06.09 10:55 Daisy_on_the_moon This evening...
I got triggered watching a show. And I started thinking of how my life changed completely in the span of a summer two years ago. It will forever effect my health in the weirdest ways. And I had a panic attack because I'm basically a slave to what happened. I started freaking out and crying by myself, feeling lost and unable to cope. Because it changed my life forever and I can't help but miss the me before all of it. I've always suffered in some way, but almost dying changed my body, my mind, my memory, my daily routine, the things I'm able to do and not do, even down to some of the smallest things at times.
I knew that sometimes people have things happen to them that changes their entire life in an instant, and then I became one of those people, by the hands of people I was supposed to be able to trust.
I absolutely HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE how my life turned out. And strangely enough it cured some things I had anxiety about, because in comparison, they're nothing. But now I have new things to have to be concerned about and I'm just not okay and fear that it will take my life too early. I think it's why I push people away, because it's not fair to them to care about me if I won't be here much longer.
But what do I do about that, die alone? I know that feeling and it's one that I never want again, so I'm torn between trying to save people the heartache, and my own heartache. I guess I should choose the less selfish of the two.
I've been fighting for my life since I was born in one way after another, then after another, then after another. I feel so tired of fighting just to live. I'm tired of dying. I'm tired of life beating the hell out of me both mentally and physically.
I'm just plain tired. I'm lost. And I don't have any control over any of it. I just try to take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, or one minute at a time.
The struggle is never ending, yet I try to smile, laugh, find joy, peace, excitement, anything to make me forget the things that happened to me, and the things that still happen to me on a daily basis. But most of the time all I can manage to do is survive.
I want to feel alive again, like I'm actually living, like I have a life worth fighting for. But my problems make people uncomfortable even if I don't talk about them, so it makes me feel so worthless, hurt, and alone.
Suffering is not for the weak, but it's weakening me. I get triggered by things I NEVER thought I'd be triggered by. Like tonight when I was watching that show for instance, and it made me so angry and frustrated that those damn people fucked me up for life. And now my body won't cooperate and my mind isn't quite what it used to be.
Yes I'm medicated, yes I had several years of therapy. I know all of the tips and tricks.
But. I'm. So. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. Exhausted.
I just want to stab my sword in the ground, drop my shield, take a knee, and bow my head in defeat.
submitted by Daisy_on_the_moon to Anxiety [link] [comments]
I knew that sometimes people have things happen to them that changes their entire life in an instant, and then I became one of those people, by the hands of people I was supposed to be able to trust.
I absolutely HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE how my life turned out. And strangely enough it cured some things I had anxiety about, because in comparison, they're nothing. But now I have new things to have to be concerned about and I'm just not okay and fear that it will take my life too early. I think it's why I push people away, because it's not fair to them to care about me if I won't be here much longer.
But what do I do about that, die alone? I know that feeling and it's one that I never want again, so I'm torn between trying to save people the heartache, and my own heartache. I guess I should choose the less selfish of the two.
I've been fighting for my life since I was born in one way after another, then after another, then after another. I feel so tired of fighting just to live. I'm tired of dying. I'm tired of life beating the hell out of me both mentally and physically.
I'm just plain tired. I'm lost. And I don't have any control over any of it. I just try to take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, or one minute at a time.
The struggle is never ending, yet I try to smile, laugh, find joy, peace, excitement, anything to make me forget the things that happened to me, and the things that still happen to me on a daily basis. But most of the time all I can manage to do is survive.
I want to feel alive again, like I'm actually living, like I have a life worth fighting for. But my problems make people uncomfortable even if I don't talk about them, so it makes me feel so worthless, hurt, and alone.
Suffering is not for the weak, but it's weakening me. I get triggered by things I NEVER thought I'd be triggered by. Like tonight when I was watching that show for instance, and it made me so angry and frustrated that those damn people fucked me up for life. And now my body won't cooperate and my mind isn't quite what it used to be.
Yes I'm medicated, yes I had several years of therapy. I know all of the tips and tricks.
But. I'm. So. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. Exhausted.
I just want to stab my sword in the ground, drop my shield, take a knee, and bow my head in defeat.
2024.06.09 10:53 Single_Pizza_2523 Is it possible to remove the unwanted clanking and distortion??
 | Hey! I’m fairly new to using Bandlab and sound editing in general. I have the basic sound effects knowledge, but I’m honestly stuck on this issue. Is it possible to fix it or do I have to re-record everything? *I’ve looked on some tiktoks and other reddit posts and they were no help unfortunately. If I need to re-record everything it’s no issue. I’m just wondering if I can save this track without needing to record again. submitted by Single_Pizza_2523 to Bandlab [link] [comments] Here’s the equipment I’m using (if you wanted to know): BOSS ME-90 (+ little reverb & EQ low Bass and Treble) Yamaha YEV 105 Electric Violin (pushed the volume button in to get a clear sound) Here’s a reference of what I’m covering: https://youtu.be/9siwNmAYxeA?si=H6CK8lcfnobakKG- |
2024.06.09 10:52 Count-Daring243 Best Floating Record Players
 | submitted by Count-Daring243 to u/Count-Daring243 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/xeg82on7fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=148b7549e256e3a9c8dd6a337357ec6bca8d3fcd Discover the latest innovative designs in the world of vinyl records with our Floating Record Players roundup. These cutting-edge turntables elevate your listening experience with their mesmerizing floating records, bringing together old school charm and modern technology. Our collection features the best options on the market, helping you choose the perfect floating record player for your home or office. Dive into our top picks and embark on a journey of sound that transcends time. The Top 18 Best Floating Record Players
Reviews🔗3-in-1 Jensen Turntable CD Radio, Cassette and AM/FM Stereo Speakershttps://preview.redd.it/pphomm08fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1afc143aeada563df1155e2069f55c651488a49 I recently got the Jensen 3-speed turntable CD radio, cassette, and AM/FM set and I can't express how happy I am with my purchase. I remember using my dad's old turntable and the nostalgia it brings back is just priceless. This one is a modern twist to the classic turntable - it plays not only vinyl records but also CDs and cassettes. Plus, it has an AM/FM tuner so I can listen to my favorite radio stations. What I love about this product is that it is versatile. The turntable allows me to play 3-speed records, which gives me a variety of options. The CD player accepts both regular and rewriteable discs, while the cassette deck, although it looks a bit fragile, still works perfectly fine. This device also comes with features such as repeat of songs and tracks, skip/search forward and backward and random play. The blue back-lit LCD display and programmable memory adds a nice touch to the whole setup. It's super user-friendly; even my grandma could figure it out! And let's not forget about the stereo headphone jack, perfect for those late-night listening sessions without disturbing anyone. However, one downside I noticed is that the build quality isn't top-notch. It feels a bit plasticky and might not hold up over time. Another thing is that the speakers lack bass. But hey, considering how affordable this product is, these are minor quibbles. In conclusion, if you're looking for a nostalgic music player that combines old school charm with modern convenience, the Jensen 3-speed turntable CD radio, cassette, and AM/FM set is definitely worth checking out. Just remember to handle it with care due to its somewhat delicate build. 🔗Modern Vinyl Record Player Stand with Bluetoothhttps://preview.redd.it/h9zxx2g8fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b4169c22400cc1794b618a203ddc4b335394d048 First of all, let me tell you about my experience with this Victrola Liberty Bluetooth Record Player. The moment I set my eyes on it, I was thrilled. Its retro design, available in on-trend colors, instantly captured my fascination. The built-in features like the CD player, FM radio, and USB player made it a versatile piece of entertainment. Plus, the ability to record from vinyl directly to USB without using a computer was intriguing. The unit stands tall with four long legs and four short rubber feet. This unique design not only adds to its charm but also provides two different decorative options. The dimensions are just right - measuring 17.10 x 15.70 x 11-in and weighing 14.68 lbs. It's easy to move around and fits perfectly into any space. While the sound quality is commendable, filling the room with a rich, full tone, the construction could use some improvement. The turntable feels a bit flimsy, especially the auto-stop button that sometimes fails to work. Also, there's a little wobbling when a record is on, but not enough to cause any skipping. In terms of usability, setting up this record player is a breeze. Even someone who's new to vinyl could get it up and running in no time. The included instructions are concise and clear. However, I did encounter a few issues with the build. First, it seems like there hasn't been much care about handling during shipping. The packaging was good, but it's not enough to prevent some minor damages. Second, I wish the legs could be secured better to ensure they don't pop out from under the record player. Overall, despite its drawbacks, I believe the Victrola Liberty Bluetooth Record Player does offer a blend of vintage charm and modern convenience. It performs well, especially for its price point, and it's a nice addition to any room's décor. If you're looking for a stylish and functional record player that won't break the bank, I'd recommend giving this one a try. 🔗Audio Technica Fully Automatic Vinyl Record Turntablehttps://preview.redd.it/utr0veq8fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=343a04abd846c6464653c12782f155540a9996b5 Discover the joy of vinyl with the Audio Technica AT-LP60X-GM automatic turntable. I've been using this product for a while now and it's been a game-changer. The fully automatic belt-drive operation with two speeds, 33-1/3 and 45 RPM, ensures smooth playback of your favorite vinyl records. One of the standout features of this turntable is its anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter. This not only adds to the aesthetics but also significantly reduces vibrations and noise during playback, enhancing the overall listening experience. The redesigned tonearm base and headshell have also made a noticeable difference in improved tracking and reduced resonance. The integral Dual Magnet phono cartridge with a replaceable diamond stylus (ATN3600L) provides rich audio quality, promising hours of listening pleasure. The AC adapter manages AC/DC conversion outside of the chassis, effectively reducing noise in the signal chain. What I particularly love about this turntable is its portability and compact design. It's easy to move around and fits seamlessly into any room setting. However, the hinged detachable dust cover could be a bit sturdier to better protect my vinyl records. In terms of performance, this turntable performs exceptionally well, especially given its attractive price point. While it may not impress the audiophiles, it's a perfect introductory turntable for vinyl enthusiasts or anyone looking to explore the world of vinyl. So, if you're in search of a reliable, easy-to-use turntable that won't break the bank, I highly recommend the Audio Technica AT-LP60X-GM automatic turntable. You won't be disappointed! 🔗Pro-Ject's Dark Side of The Moon Special Edition Turntablehttps://preview.redd.it/u019e779fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7141426e947c899face9338798a255c0f559ad01 I've been using Pro-Ject's The Dark Side of The Moon Special Edition Turntable for a couple of months now, and I must say it's truly an audiophile's dream. The first thing that caught my attention was its striking design, which pays homage to Pink Floyd's iconic album cover. That, combined with the high-quality materials, makes it a standout piece in any home. The sound quality is simply phenomenal. The flat silicon belt connecting to the AC motor ensures stable speeds, while the low-resonance tonearm in black aluminum and acrylic creates a captivating visual appeal. I love how the included Pick it PRO Special Edition delivers the rich sound expected from a Dark Side Of The Moon turntable, which is enhanced by the dimmable LED rainbow backlight. However, there have been some hiccups along the way. One issue was the subpar power supply provided, which caused a buzzing noise in the speakers. I had to purchase an additional alim with a terrestrial to resolve this problem, adding extra expense to an already hefty price tag. Another minor inconvenience was the non-included prism element from the video promotional material, an optional accessory that costs another 100€. It wasn't mentioned in the initial purchase, which caught me off guard. Additionally, the support for the arm and the RGB backlight needed to be hand-tightened due to their lack of stability, but this wasn't a major setback. In summary, if you're a music enthusiast who's ready to delve into the world of vinyl, Pro-Ject's The Dark Side of The Moon Special Edition Turntable may just be the perfect addition to your collection. Its exceptional sound quality and striking design make it worthy of a high-end turntable. Just be prepared for a few extra expenses along the way. 🔗Victrola Retro 3-Speed Record Playerhttps://preview.redd.it/2p9ye8q9fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=262aeb1d88bb14c97fa30898ba1ff7faf5f6c75a I recently got my hands on the Victrola 3-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player with Built-in Speakers, and it's been quite a nostalgic journey for me. This record player is a perfect blend of old-school charm and modern convenience. The three-speed turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM) plays all my favorite vinyls, transporting me back to the days when music was a tangible experience. One feature that really stands out is the ability to record your favorite music directly to a USB, no computer needed. It's like having a personalized mixtape from the past. Plus, its Bluetooth compatibility lets me stream music wirelessly from my smart device, making it versatile for both old and new tunes. However, there are some downsides too. The build quality feels a bit flimsy, and the tone arm can be quite slow to lower, which might annoy some users. Additionally, the sound quality isn't top-notch compared to higher-end models, but considering the price point, it's quite reasonable. In conclusion, if you're looking for a budget-friendly record player with a touch of vintage charm, the Victrola 3-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player might be worth considering. But if you demand impeccable sound and robust build quality, you might want to explore other options. 🔗Crosley Cruiser Plus Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable in Tourmalinehttps://preview.redd.it/e9f5grw9fi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23f6d736b546410a2749d368ed0040f458a0baae Once a vinyl enthusiast, always a vinyl enthusiast. That's my motto ever since I got my hands on the Crosley Cruiser Plus Turntable - Tourmaline. It just blends old school music with modern technology seamlessly. When I first unboxed it, I was instantly charmed by its charming suitcase-style shell. It gave off a vintage vibe that I absolutely loved. Plus, the built-in Bluetooth receiver and stereo speakers took the convenience factor up a notch. Navigating through the Turntable is a breeze. The adjustable pitch control and 3-speed feature (33 1/3, 45 & 78 RPM) gave me the flexibility to play any vinyl record I wanted. And don't even get me started on the Bluetooth in/out capability. It was like having a digital music player and a vinyl record player all wrapped into one device. One day, I had the brilliant idea of connecting my phone to the turntable and playing some of my favorite vinyl-to-digital remastered tracks. The sound quality was phenomenal, a perfect blend of digital clarity and analog warmth. Now, if only it didn't skip randomly sometimes. . . Despite the occasional skip, the Crosley Cruiser Plus Turntable has been a reliable and enjoyable companion on my vinyl adventure. It's portable, easy to use, and best of all, it beautifully blends the charm of old school vinyl with the convenience of modern technology. 🔗Bluetooth Vinyl Turntable with 40W Stereo Speakershttps://preview.redd.it/xqruzcdafi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d18fc2e32f55bcad366bc7d9f0aac1652d078f9 As a music enthusiast, I've had my fair share of turntables, but the Arkrocket Cassini has truly stood out. Upon receiving it, I was blown away by its stunning walnut finish and sleek design. The ease of setup was impressive, making it truly user-friendly. However, what truly captured my attention was the sound quality this turntable delivers. It uses a moving magnet cartridge system, which offers a stable playback, allowing my vinyls to be enjoyed in all their glory. This turntable also supports Bluetooth, giving me the flexibility to connect with wireless speakers or headphones when I want. The included 40Watt bookshelf speakers are a cherry on top, providing clear and powerful sound. The only con I noticed was that the turntable is a bit on the heavier side, making it a little less portable than some other options. However, this is a minor inconvenience for the incredible listening experience it provides. Overall, I highly recommend the Arkrocket Cassini for anyone looking to enhance their vinyl listening experience. 🔗Sony Automatic Bluetooth Record Playerhttps://preview.redd.it/f5aafryafi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e44dd63e1684ff9a82b4e8174771edb78523630 I recently got my hands on the Sony PS-LX310BT, a sleek and functional record player that's revolutionizing the vinyl listening experience. The first thing that impressed me was its easy setup. Unlike some turntables that can be a real pain to assemble, this one was up and running in no time. One of the standout features of this record player is its Bluetooth connectivity. This allows me to play my vinyl collection on my wireless speakers, giving me more freedom and flexibility when listening to music. Plus, the auto-start function means I can simply press a button and let the music flow, without having to manually lower the tonearm onto the record. Despite its minimalist design, the PS-LX310BT is built to last. Its sturdy construction and smooth operation make it a reliable choice for vinyl lovers, and its attractive appearance makes it a welcome addition to any room. However, I did run into a few issues. For instance, the player's tonearm wasn't always able to pick up the record grooves, leading to some skipping and stuttering. Additionally, the player's built-in pre-amplifier wasn't as powerful as I'd like, making it difficult to get the full range of sound out of my vinyl. Overall, I'm quite happy with my purchase. The Sony PS-LX310BT is a solid record player that combines modern technology with the classic sound of vinyl. While it's not perfect, it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new turntable. 🔗Fuse Vertical Vinyl Record Player with Bluetooth and FM Radiohttps://preview.redd.it/yll4ip2bfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10515f0712b1ae3193d86caeac5b0695b73338f4 I recently purchased the Fuse Vert Vertical Vinyl Record Player that comes with Bluetooth and FM radio, and boy, am I impressed! The sleek vertical design is perfect for my modern apartment, and it's a great conversation starter when friends come over. One of the standout features of this record player is its ability to play 33-1/3, 45, & 78 vinyl records. The ceramic cartridge with a diamond needle delivers a rich mid-end and beautiful upper-range sound. The built-in FM radio, alarm clock, and Bluetooth connectivity make it a versatile device that can be used in different scenarios, like playing MP3s and tuning in to my favorite radio stations. As for the cons, I did face some minor issues with the setup process. The instructions could have been more detailed, but with a little patience, I managed to get it up and running. Additionally, the internal speakers aren't as powerful as I would like, so if you're looking for premium sound quality, you might need to connect it to an external speaker system. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the Fuse Vert Vertical Vinyl Record Player. Its unique design, combined with its versatile features, has made it a valuable addition to my home entertainment setup. If you're in the market for a stylish and functional record player, I highly recommend giving this one a try. 🔗Stylish Modern Sleeper Chair with Linen Fabrichttps://preview.redd.it/i396tngbfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7d85d348f04d9976fc88a557a92fee9e49cefc7 I recently got my hands on the Victrola Stream Onyx, a modern turntable that seamlessly integrates with my Sonos system at home. This sleek black beauty was easy to set up - all it took was a quick scan of the provided QR code, and I was off to the races with the intuitive Victrola app. The first thing that stood out for me was the sturdy, high-quality build of the turntable. It looks like a piece of art in my living room, and the matte black finish pairs perfectly with the rest of my Sonos setup. But let's talk sound quality; it's simply fantastic. Listening to vinyl through my Sonos system is an experience I don't want to miss now, whether it's playing old classics or exploring new indie gems. One standout feature I absolutely love is the turntable's automatic tone arm lift function. It makes switching tracks so much easier, and you never have to worry about leaving the needle on a record when you're done playing. The illuminated control knob is also a welcome touch, allowing me to control my entire Sonos system right from the turntable itself. However, no product is perfect, and the Onyx does have its drawbacks. I occasionally experience some dropped connections with my Sonos setup, which can be frustrating if you're in the middle of playing a record. All in all, the Victrola Stream Onyx has been an excellent addition to my vinyl collection and Sonos system. Its sleek design and superior sound quality make it worth the investment, and it's the perfect companion for vinyl enthusiasts who want to stream their favorite records throughout their home. 🔗Crosley Coda Modern Vinyl Record Player - Blackhttps://preview.redd.it/991f0h6cfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15ca30ce13cea65ecf7ec545b1843c76aaade1dc Using the Crosley Coda Shelf System has completely transformed my listening experience. Right from unboxing, its sleek black design made me think of a classic timeless piece. The process of setting it up was an absolute breeze, and in no time, I was spinning my first vinyl on its belt-driven 3-speed turntable, which flawlessly plays 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records. One thing that stood out for me was its Bluetooth receiver. Streaming my digital playlists straight to the included stereo speakers was a super convenient feature, making this system perfect for both analog and digital media. The built-in FM radio added to its versatility, enabling me to tune into my favorite local stations. The manual tone arm with a pre-mounted moving magnetic cartridge and adjustable counterweight ensures a smooth and accurate vinyl playback. I also appreciated its compatibility with the NP-15 needle, which I found easy to replace and adjust for optimal sound quality. Despite its compact size, the Crosley Coda Shelf System packs a powerful punch. The vintage-inspired design includes an aluminum platter and a clear dust cover, adding to its aesthetic appeal. However, one little inconvenience I had was the packaging of the slipmat. It arrived folded, affecting the sound quality initially. But with a solution like ironing it flat, this issue was quickly resolved. All in all, the Crosley Coda Shelf System has rekindled my love for vinyl music and its vintage charm. The combination of its fantastic sound quality, stylish design, and versatile functions make it an absolute must-have for music lovers. My only minor gripe – the speakers are somewhat small, and although they provide clear sound, I wouldn't mind if they were just a tad louder. However, this doesn't deter from the overall excellence of the product. So, if you're in the market for a high-quality, stylish, and versatile turntable system, look no further than the Crosley Coda Shelf System. You won't regret it! Buyer's GuideFloating record players offer a unique and stylish way to enjoy your vinyl collection. These innovative devices use magnetic levitation technology to create the illusion of a floating vinyl record as it spins. This not only adds a touch of futuristic flair to your home audio setup, but it also ensures smooth, quiet playback. If you're in the market for a floating record player, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the best option for your needs.Features to Look for in Floating Record Players
https://preview.redd.it/j3czvnzffi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ca820f78449a702d1907fbd72ddc7ef163c48eb Important Considerations
General Advice for Floating Record Player BuyersWhen shopping for a floating record player, do your research and read customer reviews to get a sense of performance, build quality, and overall satisfaction. Make sure to visit stores or dealers that carry a variety of models, so you can see and hear them in person before making a purchase. Finally, invest in high-quality vinyl records to truly experience the full potential of your new floating record player.FAQhttps://preview.redd.it/jp2r1d2gfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3037db560b5c63c8048e3abebe755fe101300914 Who is this article for?This article is for music enthusiasts, especially lovers of vinyl records, who are interested in innovative and unique records players. The floating record players featured in this article offer a captivating and futuristic design that adds a new dimension to the listening experience.What is a floating record player?A floating record player is a type of turntable that elevates or "floats" the vinyl record from the platter, creating an illusion of weightlessness. This design, made famous by the [U-Turn Orbit Special Edition](https: //www. gofloating. com/), adds an aesthetic appeal to the player and offers a unique record listening experience.How do floating record players work?Floating record players use a combination of magnetic forces and specially designed components to levitate the vinyl record above the platter. This not only creates an attractive visual effect, but also helps reduce friction and vibrations, potentially improving sound quality. However, it is important to note that not all floating record players may achieve significant improvements in sound quality compared to traditional record players. https://preview.redd.it/t6buqe0hfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a121fea795bf9dd2c2c949d24a676334bcc63a88 What are the advantages of using a floating record player?
Are there any disadvantages to using a floating record player?
What should I consider before buying a floating record player?
https://preview.redd.it/jb6lkhfhfi5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5955e8d6cd01c384dfddfe3e76660629209feee7 What are some popular floating record players on the market?Some popular and well-regarded floating record players include the [U-Turn Orbit Special Edition](https: //www. gofloating. com/), the [Fluance RT85](https: //www. vinylrecordplayers. org/best-floating-record-player), and the [Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO](https: //www. pro-ject. com/en/products/turntables/turntable-the-box-essential-iii/).How do I maintain a floating record player?Floating record players should be maintained like any other high-quality record player. Ensure that belts are replaced periodically, the stylus is cleaned and replaced when necessary, and the playing surface is kept free of dust. Additionally, always handle records with care, and ensure that your floating record player is placed on a stable and level surface to prevent vibrations.Do floating record players require a specific type of vinyl record?No, floating record players are designed to play standard vinyl records. However, it is advisable to use high-quality vinyl records to ensure optimal sound performance and preserve the longevity of the record player.How do I set up a floating record player?Setting up a floating record player is similar to setting up a traditional record player. Connect the player to your amplifier or preamplifier, place the vinyl record on the platter, and gently lower the stylus onto the record. Ensure that the floating mechanism functions properly and that the record is not touching the platter or other surfaces.What is the difference between manual and automatic operation in floating record players?Manual operation in a floating record player requires the user to manually lift and lower the stylus onto the vinyl record. Automatic operation, on the other hand, utilizes a motorized mechanism to lift and lower the stylus automatically. Both types of operation can provide satisfying performance, and the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference.How long do floating record players typically last?The longevity of a floating record player depends on a number of factors, such as proper maintenance, usage frequency, and the quality of the components used in the player. Well-maintained floating record players can last for many years, but it is crucial to replace belts and styli as needed to keep the player in optimal condition.How can I prevent my floating record player from shaking during use?To prevent shaking in a floating record player, ensure that the player is placed on a stable and level surface and minimize external sources of vibration. For example, avoid placing the player near heavy traffic or a washer and dryer, and consider using a record weight to keep the vinyl record flat on the platter.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |
2024.06.09 10:36 Prime262 Battery Armor Blues: Would you call this Quick Thinking support?
This is going to take a while, so id like to lead with something i found sort of amusing while doing research for this post
currently, the highest amount of energy a warframe can achieve, would be Garuda Prime with Primed Flow, Endurance Drift, and 5 blue Tauforged Archon shards. this would get 1319 max energy.
Assuming that Garuda could fully activate Battery Armor, by itself, she would reach 1320 max energy.
lastly, it has been made clear that Battery armor is subject to change, as are all of the upcoming arcanes. what follows will be assuming that we get it as it has been shown. and may serve as argumentation for if it should, or should not, be changed.
Battery Armor is a very interesting Arcane. at .3 max energy per point of armor, youd need 3334 armor to fully activate the effect, granting any warframe 1000 energy max.
there is alot to unpack here, but before we talk about how much armor that is, and if/when this is worth using when you cant max it out, we need to address a more complicated problem.
why do you want energy Max? and when you do, what would you possibly want with that much of it?
Energy max is a component of the Trifecta of the "Energy Economy". that being energy generation, energy expense, and energy max, aka your buffer.
there are about a billion ways these days to generate energy, and efficiency/duration can reduce the amount of energy you spend. letting you increase income and decrease expense. with good enough energy generation, energy max becomes superfluous. so when is energy max warranted?
the first case is when you want to cast 1 ability for a really, really long time, that has a drain effect you cant bypass. this is sort of the Mesa problem, though with health orb creators and the Dispensary in the helminth its not that big of a deal for Mesa either.
the second case is when your energy Generation is very "Bursty". the peak popularity of Primed Flow Coincided with the dominance of Arcane Energize. having a high energy cap was important to ensure that when energize went off, you didn't lose part of it due to not having room for the full 150. Energize has a hard cap of 600 energy per minute. it can only be less efficient than that, not more. if your energy cap was low, around 200, youd often lose part of your energize, it was important to bump it up higher so that didnt happen. as Energize has fallen out of favor, so has flow. there are still some energy generation setups that are sufficiently bursty. Spectrosiphon setups generate about a billion energy orbs, but they can be tedious to maintain. having a high E max can mean you dont need too do the siphon dance nearly as often.
the third case is in combination with things like the Preparation mod, for non-endless mission builds that forgo energy generation entirely and plan to just bring all the energy they need with them.
these all focus on Emax as it pertains to the role of energy in ability casting, but there are 3 more cases that dont.
the first being ofcourse, incarnon weapons. a number of them have effects that only work when you have a certain amount of Emax. and for some frames reaching that number is not possible with Primed Flow alone. for some setups Battery Armor may be more practical.
the current lowest base energy capacity is Ash Prime, at 150. to get to 700 Emax for triggering Paladin's Virtue would require Ash to have 1834 armor. this is still a little bit... . this is still very impractical.
so maybe god didnt intend ash prime too use Angstrum incarnon, and we will just have to live with that. surely there are other frames and situations where it will be more helpful.
the second worth noting is Secondary Surge. Yet another new arcane which, if it shipped as its presented, would offer up a damage multiplier on the next shot in exchange for your Current energy. up to 8x at 1600 Current energy.
if this is, effectively, 800% roar, then surely someone somewhere will find a practical use for this. even if it is just killing Terry with a non-incarnon Lato. i can feel the Dark Pull of the Azima once again calling to me, but im sure DE pre-emptively made this not apply to the turrets to salt my wounds.
nothing definite can be said about Surge right now, since we dont have it. the fact that its 1 shot and the fact that most of our big enemies damage attenuate means this will likely end up as a gimmick for BTFO'ing Demo units at absolute best.
the last reason to want high energy max has already been foreshadowed, Quick Thinking.
Quick thinking is a profoundly old mod. its rare to find something from 2013 warframe that still has some straight up voodoo too it, but well. . .the Wiki cannot Define what a "strong hit" is, and the problem isnt even documented ingame.
setting that aside, Quick thinking lets you treat your energy bar like a health bar. 1000 energy would translate into 2400 additional health. and yes Quick thinking scales with your armor. to get that energy you are automatically assuming atleast 3334 armor, so that'd make you fairly tanky. really the idea of being able to spec into survival focusing on shields, health, or energy as your main juice of survival would be great.
ok so there are at least a handful of reasons you might want to Spike your Emax into the Stratosphere, now lets talk about the problem.
3334 armor is alot of fucking armor.
really only one warframe is going to get this effect for free. .and thats Chroma. who arguably doesn't need it. i mean i guess itd make using his 4 easier. . i guess. Quick Thinking Chroma is kind of a silly concept for a frame that can already get a billion health without any help.
moving down the line, Triple umbral atlas prime with his Maxed out Passive hits 2900 armor. Health conversion + his passive hits 3350. thats just 1 mod, which is not bad. though HC isnt totally reliable, particularly when you are solo.
a valk with Health conversion and like 375+ strength would get there as well. in this case Triple umbral and Health conversion are of equal value.
Grendel Prime, with his gourmand augment, a fully stacked passive, and Health Conversion gets there. though the reliability of keeping Grendels belly fully is somewhat iffy.
Hydroid's plunder can get there, though the abilty is. . we shall be generous and say "has a high skill cap" and not "is profoundly unreliable". he would sill need like over 400 strength or to be running an extra source of armor, but any one will do.
Wukong's Defy gets him part of the way there, but 1350+1500+290 still puts us short.
oberon and inaros would both need totally impractical amounts of power strength, and you dont remember that octavia has an armor buff, so i wont talk about it.
Melee fortification and 16 kills per 10 seconds gets there, il leave explaining why this is not helpful as an exercise for the reader.
lastly, lets talk about Parasitic armor. we can fiddle with the numbers here a bit. at 300 Strength youd only need about 1100 shields, or really less given your base armor. the main issue with this idea is that you cant gain more shields until it runs out, so you cant use this effect to keep your energy max up permanently. you can use it to temporarily spike your Emax. .but to what end?
lets look at some more practical things.
a Tauforged blue archon shard gives 225 armor and would also give 67.5 Emax. effectively doubling the value of the shard, in a very specific way.
ive mentioned health conversion a few times. for most warframes, health conversion is the best 1 slot source of armor available. you need more than 750 base armor before Triple umbral'd fiber becomes a better option.
Battery Armor makes Health conversion give 405 Emax in addition to the armor it gives.
is that good?
Primed flow gives exactly 405 Emax if your have 225 base energy. 225 is the most common base energy in the game, though again, accounting for base armor, you would come out slightly ahead of primed flow
the problem here is that arcane slots are generally. . .more valuable than mod slots. so spending an arcane slot to save a mod slot seems pointless. especially if you are having to build into armor just to get it active.
Battery armor being balanced so that the most powerful source of flat armor being roughly as valuable as primed flow on the bulk of warframes feels intentional, and that feels bad. Battery armor feels like a "third arcane slot" arcane as it is currently presented, but. . well. i genuinely think even if the armor to Emax was a 1 to 1 conversion, it would probably still not be terribly popular. it feels over-balanced at the moment.
.3 = 3334 armor to max
.4 = 2500 armor to max
.5 =2000 armor to max
.6=1667 armor to max.
let me present you with a Hypothetical.
currently, there is a combo i call HC+AB. Health Conversion + Arcane Blessing, gives 1350 armor and 1200 HP. its a pair of flat buffs that gives even relatively squishy warframes a solid baseline of tanking, for the bargain price of 1 mod slot and 1 arcane slot.
if Battery Armor were set to .6 armor per 1 E max
most warframes can get too 1667 armor with Health conversion+ their base armor + an Archon shard.
if they instead Ran Battery Armor instead of arcane Blessing, and also ran Quick Thinking. they'd have 1350 armor and +1000 Emax which would then be counted as effectively 2400 HP.
for 1 additional mod slot, weve doubled the Ehp of blessing, we dont need a source of healing anymore, but we are significantly more dependent on good energy management. no i will not start talking about Adaptation this late in the game, but in terms of boosting your Ehp for 1 mot slot. . .you get the idea.
and i still in my gut feeling thing that this would not be worth it. you'd need to address the Faults of Quick thinking and like. . make it a 9 cost mod or something. and the itd still be more build-space than shield gating for something that's likely just as hard to pilot.
this is obviously meant to be combo'd with the other Emax based arcane dropping this set but there is a single digit number of frames that can even Feasibly get too 1600 Emax through this effect, and for that work you still need too cast an ability before every shot.
is this intended to support. .what? the selection of Mediocre Grenade based incarnon sidearms that nobody uses? Atamos Zylok and Gammacor? maybe you could put this behind Lex but Lex is already ludicriously strong without a trapeze act to perform before you can shoot it. i say again . .to what end?
this is alot of work to put into achieving Big Number given you've spent the last 2 years making all of the relevant bosses and minibosses resistant to Big Number technology. i guess maybe this is a new avenue for acoltye nuking, maybe? should be funny with the Grimore alt fire.
as someone who plays almost entirely for Novelty these days, and who has spent much of the last few months getting to know Caliban on a first name basis, my standards of "worth it" are about as low as you can go without busting out the spade. so when i say something doesnt seem like its worth it, that is a judgment of value coming from someone who considers 6 formaing Venato to be a valid use of my time.
TL;Dr.
for the effort required to use it, Battery Armor will almost certainly not see much use. only Chroma, Atlas and Valkyr can activate it reasonably easily, for everyone else its just too much of a pain in the ass.
there are limited reasons to even want significant amounts of Emax, aside from a bespoke combo with an upcoming sidearm arcane that will probably be more trouble than its worth outside of Mr.WarframeGuy's meme videos (and they will no doubt be glorious). interactions with Quick thinking while interesting to think about are burdened by the fact that you are forced to run quick thinking. QT is occasionally useful, but until DE at a bare minimum publishes the conditions for it to Stagger me, and better yet just removes that part of QT entirely il leave the Energymaxxing survival strategy in the hypothetical category.
do you think Battery Armor should ship as presented, or should the rate of armor too energy be raised? personally i think .5 armor per energy, for a max requirement of 2000 armor, would be a fair bit more mannage for a larger portion of the cast. i think .3 is unreasonably low, but im curious if im alone in that. i think any higher than .5 and were lapsing from Fair into Generous.
i also think that no amount of Emax can make the stat itself more Valuable, as simply generating energy reliably is easier and more useful than being able to store alot of it. having good energy generation is a need. having good energy storage is a want.
the best use of over 1k energy max that i can think of is Recreating this old meme using Banshee's 4.
Have a pleasant evening, its 3am and ive been staring at wiki pages and doing math for 3 hours. im going to bed.
submitted by Prime262 to Warframe [link] [comments]
currently, the highest amount of energy a warframe can achieve, would be Garuda Prime with Primed Flow, Endurance Drift, and 5 blue Tauforged Archon shards. this would get 1319 max energy.
Assuming that Garuda could fully activate Battery Armor, by itself, she would reach 1320 max energy.
lastly, it has been made clear that Battery armor is subject to change, as are all of the upcoming arcanes. what follows will be assuming that we get it as it has been shown. and may serve as argumentation for if it should, or should not, be changed.
Battery Armor is a very interesting Arcane. at .3 max energy per point of armor, youd need 3334 armor to fully activate the effect, granting any warframe 1000 energy max.
there is alot to unpack here, but before we talk about how much armor that is, and if/when this is worth using when you cant max it out, we need to address a more complicated problem.
why do you want energy Max? and when you do, what would you possibly want with that much of it?
Energy max is a component of the Trifecta of the "Energy Economy". that being energy generation, energy expense, and energy max, aka your buffer.
there are about a billion ways these days to generate energy, and efficiency/duration can reduce the amount of energy you spend. letting you increase income and decrease expense. with good enough energy generation, energy max becomes superfluous. so when is energy max warranted?
the first case is when you want to cast 1 ability for a really, really long time, that has a drain effect you cant bypass. this is sort of the Mesa problem, though with health orb creators and the Dispensary in the helminth its not that big of a deal for Mesa either.
the second case is when your energy Generation is very "Bursty". the peak popularity of Primed Flow Coincided with the dominance of Arcane Energize. having a high energy cap was important to ensure that when energize went off, you didn't lose part of it due to not having room for the full 150. Energize has a hard cap of 600 energy per minute. it can only be less efficient than that, not more. if your energy cap was low, around 200, youd often lose part of your energize, it was important to bump it up higher so that didnt happen. as Energize has fallen out of favor, so has flow. there are still some energy generation setups that are sufficiently bursty. Spectrosiphon setups generate about a billion energy orbs, but they can be tedious to maintain. having a high E max can mean you dont need too do the siphon dance nearly as often.
the third case is in combination with things like the Preparation mod, for non-endless mission builds that forgo energy generation entirely and plan to just bring all the energy they need with them.
these all focus on Emax as it pertains to the role of energy in ability casting, but there are 3 more cases that dont.
the first being ofcourse, incarnon weapons. a number of them have effects that only work when you have a certain amount of Emax. and for some frames reaching that number is not possible with Primed Flow alone. for some setups Battery Armor may be more practical.
the current lowest base energy capacity is Ash Prime, at 150. to get to 700 Emax for triggering Paladin's Virtue would require Ash to have 1834 armor. this is still a little bit... . this is still very impractical.
so maybe god didnt intend ash prime too use Angstrum incarnon, and we will just have to live with that. surely there are other frames and situations where it will be more helpful.
the second worth noting is Secondary Surge. Yet another new arcane which, if it shipped as its presented, would offer up a damage multiplier on the next shot in exchange for your Current energy. up to 8x at 1600 Current energy.
if this is, effectively, 800% roar, then surely someone somewhere will find a practical use for this. even if it is just killing Terry with a non-incarnon Lato. i can feel the Dark Pull of the Azima once again calling to me, but im sure DE pre-emptively made this not apply to the turrets to salt my wounds.
nothing definite can be said about Surge right now, since we dont have it. the fact that its 1 shot and the fact that most of our big enemies damage attenuate means this will likely end up as a gimmick for BTFO'ing Demo units at absolute best.
the last reason to want high energy max has already been foreshadowed, Quick Thinking.
Quick thinking is a profoundly old mod. its rare to find something from 2013 warframe that still has some straight up voodoo too it, but well. . .the Wiki cannot Define what a "strong hit" is, and the problem isnt even documented ingame.
setting that aside, Quick thinking lets you treat your energy bar like a health bar. 1000 energy would translate into 2400 additional health. and yes Quick thinking scales with your armor. to get that energy you are automatically assuming atleast 3334 armor, so that'd make you fairly tanky. really the idea of being able to spec into survival focusing on shields, health, or energy as your main juice of survival would be great.
ok so there are at least a handful of reasons you might want to Spike your Emax into the Stratosphere, now lets talk about the problem.
3334 armor is alot of fucking armor.
really only one warframe is going to get this effect for free. .and thats Chroma. who arguably doesn't need it. i mean i guess itd make using his 4 easier. . i guess. Quick Thinking Chroma is kind of a silly concept for a frame that can already get a billion health without any help.
moving down the line, Triple umbral atlas prime with his Maxed out Passive hits 2900 armor. Health conversion + his passive hits 3350. thats just 1 mod, which is not bad. though HC isnt totally reliable, particularly when you are solo.
a valk with Health conversion and like 375+ strength would get there as well. in this case Triple umbral and Health conversion are of equal value.
Grendel Prime, with his gourmand augment, a fully stacked passive, and Health Conversion gets there. though the reliability of keeping Grendels belly fully is somewhat iffy.
Hydroid's plunder can get there, though the abilty is. . we shall be generous and say "has a high skill cap" and not "is profoundly unreliable". he would sill need like over 400 strength or to be running an extra source of armor, but any one will do.
Wukong's Defy gets him part of the way there, but 1350+1500+290 still puts us short.
oberon and inaros would both need totally impractical amounts of power strength, and you dont remember that octavia has an armor buff, so i wont talk about it.
Melee fortification and 16 kills per 10 seconds gets there, il leave explaining why this is not helpful as an exercise for the reader.
lastly, lets talk about Parasitic armor. we can fiddle with the numbers here a bit. at 300 Strength youd only need about 1100 shields, or really less given your base armor. the main issue with this idea is that you cant gain more shields until it runs out, so you cant use this effect to keep your energy max up permanently. you can use it to temporarily spike your Emax. .but to what end?
lets look at some more practical things.
a Tauforged blue archon shard gives 225 armor and would also give 67.5 Emax. effectively doubling the value of the shard, in a very specific way.
ive mentioned health conversion a few times. for most warframes, health conversion is the best 1 slot source of armor available. you need more than 750 base armor before Triple umbral'd fiber becomes a better option.
Battery Armor makes Health conversion give 405 Emax in addition to the armor it gives.
is that good?
Primed flow gives exactly 405 Emax if your have 225 base energy. 225 is the most common base energy in the game, though again, accounting for base armor, you would come out slightly ahead of primed flow
the problem here is that arcane slots are generally. . .more valuable than mod slots. so spending an arcane slot to save a mod slot seems pointless. especially if you are having to build into armor just to get it active.
Battery armor being balanced so that the most powerful source of flat armor being roughly as valuable as primed flow on the bulk of warframes feels intentional, and that feels bad. Battery armor feels like a "third arcane slot" arcane as it is currently presented, but. . well. i genuinely think even if the armor to Emax was a 1 to 1 conversion, it would probably still not be terribly popular. it feels over-balanced at the moment.
.3 = 3334 armor to max
.4 = 2500 armor to max
.5 =2000 armor to max
.6=1667 armor to max.
let me present you with a Hypothetical.
currently, there is a combo i call HC+AB. Health Conversion + Arcane Blessing, gives 1350 armor and 1200 HP. its a pair of flat buffs that gives even relatively squishy warframes a solid baseline of tanking, for the bargain price of 1 mod slot and 1 arcane slot.
if Battery Armor were set to .6 armor per 1 E max
most warframes can get too 1667 armor with Health conversion+ their base armor + an Archon shard.
if they instead Ran Battery Armor instead of arcane Blessing, and also ran Quick Thinking. they'd have 1350 armor and +1000 Emax which would then be counted as effectively 2400 HP.
for 1 additional mod slot, weve doubled the Ehp of blessing, we dont need a source of healing anymore, but we are significantly more dependent on good energy management. no i will not start talking about Adaptation this late in the game, but in terms of boosting your Ehp for 1 mot slot. . .you get the idea.
and i still in my gut feeling thing that this would not be worth it. you'd need to address the Faults of Quick thinking and like. . make it a 9 cost mod or something. and the itd still be more build-space than shield gating for something that's likely just as hard to pilot.
this is obviously meant to be combo'd with the other Emax based arcane dropping this set but there is a single digit number of frames that can even Feasibly get too 1600 Emax through this effect, and for that work you still need too cast an ability before every shot.
is this intended to support. .what? the selection of Mediocre Grenade based incarnon sidearms that nobody uses? Atamos Zylok and Gammacor? maybe you could put this behind Lex but Lex is already ludicriously strong without a trapeze act to perform before you can shoot it. i say again . .to what end?
this is alot of work to put into achieving Big Number given you've spent the last 2 years making all of the relevant bosses and minibosses resistant to Big Number technology. i guess maybe this is a new avenue for acoltye nuking, maybe? should be funny with the Grimore alt fire.
as someone who plays almost entirely for Novelty these days, and who has spent much of the last few months getting to know Caliban on a first name basis, my standards of "worth it" are about as low as you can go without busting out the spade. so when i say something doesnt seem like its worth it, that is a judgment of value coming from someone who considers 6 formaing Venato to be a valid use of my time.
TL;Dr.
for the effort required to use it, Battery Armor will almost certainly not see much use. only Chroma, Atlas and Valkyr can activate it reasonably easily, for everyone else its just too much of a pain in the ass.
there are limited reasons to even want significant amounts of Emax, aside from a bespoke combo with an upcoming sidearm arcane that will probably be more trouble than its worth outside of Mr.WarframeGuy's meme videos (and they will no doubt be glorious). interactions with Quick thinking while interesting to think about are burdened by the fact that you are forced to run quick thinking. QT is occasionally useful, but until DE at a bare minimum publishes the conditions for it to Stagger me, and better yet just removes that part of QT entirely il leave the Energymaxxing survival strategy in the hypothetical category.
do you think Battery Armor should ship as presented, or should the rate of armor too energy be raised? personally i think .5 armor per energy, for a max requirement of 2000 armor, would be a fair bit more mannage for a larger portion of the cast. i think .3 is unreasonably low, but im curious if im alone in that. i think any higher than .5 and were lapsing from Fair into Generous.
i also think that no amount of Emax can make the stat itself more Valuable, as simply generating energy reliably is easier and more useful than being able to store alot of it. having good energy generation is a need. having good energy storage is a want.
the best use of over 1k energy max that i can think of is Recreating this old meme using Banshee's 4.
Have a pleasant evening, its 3am and ive been staring at wiki pages and doing math for 3 hours. im going to bed.
2024.06.09 10:26 ogfanspired Scenes I Love from "Wendigo" (1)
 | Apparently, Eric Kripke originally panned this episode because he didn’t think the monster was scary enough, but then he re-watched it 10 years later and decided it wasn’t so bad after all. Kripke is often his own worst critic and, imho, doesn’t give himself enough credit. Personally, I love this episode – not especially for the monster plot, I grant you, but because I think it is a wonderful study in character development. Plus, of course, it introduced the show’s original ethos, and gave us the immortal bumper sticker: “saving people, hunting things”. submitted by ogfanspired to Supernatural [link] [comments] In Lost Creek, Colorado, something big, nasty and snarly is munching on young campers in Blackwater Ridge, and I’d like to thank that inexhaustible resource, Superwiki, for an observation that I’d missed: https://preview.redd.it/dgvm31ja8i5d1.jpg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb26964f3a7e5273a77e06c3dc69c1a0f1ca8086 Tommy is reading Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces in the episode opening, a nod to one of Kripke's major inspirations for the series. After the teaser, one of my favourite Supernatural musical themes, Jay Gruska’s “Tears in Their Beers” is playing. It’s a bright sunny day in the cemetery, so this is a dream. We know this because bright sunny days don’t happen in horror unless something’s wonky. Especially not in cemeteries. Especially not in Supernatural. https://preview.redd.it/r0ljzzky8i5d1.jpg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5023c7050b92cc3dcec42df79d7f7cb724c782cd Again, in our first shot of Sam, it’s as if we’re watching him through the bars of a cage, emphasizing that our poor boy is doomed already. The first traps have been set to ensure he is taking his early steps down the yellow brick road, and it ain’t leading to no Emerald City. The neatly coiffured hair is gone now. Doesn’t look like it’s been washed all that recently, either. Sam’s in a bad way. Sam’s relationships Jessica, we will discover, shares the same birthday as Dean. Kripke has denied any significance to this, saying that he just used the date because it was his wife’s birthday. Fair enough, but that doesn’t explain why he gave it to both of these characters – arguably the two most significant relationships in Sam’s life. It’s hard not to assume that some parallel is being drawn between them. Personally, I see Jessica’s death as a prototype: in Sam’s response to this loss we are forewarned what to expect, in spades, in later seasons when he loses Dean. https://preview.redd.it/vz4jsn7p9i5d1.jpg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=946731a0c1fcc38e7386cf159cfa456e59af0652 It’s interesting that Sam makes this comment despite the roses all over the headstone. Who got it wrong, I wonder? Did Sam know Jessica better than her family did? Or did he know her as well as she knew him? "I should have protected you. I should have told you the truth," he says. At this point we assume he is berating himself for hiding his hunting past from Jessica. The full significance of his words can only be appreciated on a re-watch, after we learn about his prophetic dreams three episodes later. Now, since I know this is a dream sequence, I am totally unfased when https://preview.redd.it/2v08v7g3ai5d1.jpg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3d479f28afb39cbc8b535aaa414da26cf9386a6 OK, I confess. I wasn’t that familiar with horror tropes back when I first watched this episode, so I didn’t see that coming at all! Sure, the pop culture reference to the end of Carrie may be a cliché, but it’s still an effective jump scare. Again, I wonder, why is SPN so full of pop culture clichés? Are they just there for laughs, or do they mean something? SPN makes a habit of drawing attention to its own status as a fictive construct. Perhaps this speaks to one of the interpretive possibilities I introduced in an earlier post: the level at which Sam’s story may be a work of fiction he began writing after skipping out of college and the law school interview. In later seasons, of course, the show took its fictionality in a whole new direction with the introduction of the Chuck character (and I’ll have more to say about that, eventually, too.) TBC. |
2024.06.09 10:18 Thegravewarden The tragic tale of a factory tool
"...Her name was Lily. Like the flower."
-Mykel Bolpin
History
This is all the information we have about Mykel Bolpin's daughter;
Lily Bolpin was born (431st of the fourth epoch) and raised in Skree by her Father Mykel Bolpin and an unnamed mother. The family lived during the reign of King Oliman the Torr and Lily lived (assumedly) a happy life until the Fang invasion of Skree. At the age of twelve, one year after the Great War, Lily was taken by the Black Carriage and put to work in Dugtown's Fork Factory where she spent her days sleeping on a bunk, eating soup, washing her face and making swords for Gnag's fang army. Obeying the Overseer and the Maintenance Managers, keeping out of trouble to avoid the Coffin and suffering from Blisters, cuts, burns, whippings and smoke filled lung, Lily spent the next EIGHT YEARS of her life in the factory until a day after her freedom was traded for that of Esben Flavogle (Janner Wingfeather) and another, unnamed boy. Lily was Twenty years old when she left the Factory.
All mention of this character can be found in: North! or be eaten, chapter 36, pages 175-176
Appearance
There is no physical description of Lily Bolpin anywhere in the books of the Main series or extra Tales. Skree is a land of mixed people and very different fashions. Considering her time spent as a Factory Slave, Lily's hair would most likely be pretty long, after Eight years. Perhaps she may have cut it herself at first, with a sword or any other sharp item she could find. But after a while Lily, like the other tools, would have forgotten about such things and let her hair grow long and unkept. Her hands would have been damaged from hard work and her clothing dirty and ripped. She would probably be a bit stunted for her age, as she was without sunlight for Eight years. The Fork Factory Tools were fed as much soup as they wanted but eating only soup, everyday would leave you lacking many vital food sources that your body needs. I'm not sure how they handled "Women's Monthlies" in the world of Aerwier, and in a terrible place like the fork factory, it probably wasn't even considered. Lily may have been covered in dry blood, as well as ash and soot. Though, I imagine the Overseer wouldn't want his floors covered in the stuff, so perhaps, the girls did have clothes, which they changed out at the end of the day. I'm not sure bathing and showering was a thing the Overseer cared about, so the Tools were probably stinky, greasy, sweaty and covered with bugs and maybe lice.
Personality
Janner never actually meets Lily, so you may think there is no way we can figure out who Lily really was, right? Well, actually there are a few things we can determine for certain.
We know Lily wasn't a wildly brave child, because if she has fought like crazy to escape or stood up openly against the injustice of the factory and the Overseer, she would have been sent off the Throg immediately or at least she would have been memorable enough for the Overseer to remember her name once her father mentioned it. She must have acted forgettable, then, as to fall into the shadows like the rest of the tools who weren’t not Janner, Sara, Wallis or Borley. She probably wasn’t one to try and make friends, at least not persistently based on the way the other tools act upon Janner’s arrival. If there had been a quiet motherly figure like Lily in the factory for many years, I doubt the place would be so hopeless and dark.
On page 185, chapter 38, a Maintenance Manager tells Janner:
“If you work hard enough, you might get to be a Maintenance Manager too. The food’s better, the bunks are better, and you get to greet the new tools when they arrive.”
Lily definitely worked there long enough to earn this promotion. Depending on whether she chose to accept this promotion or not tells us a lot about her.
Mykel Bolpin is a 40 to 50 year old man. I don't imagine him to be much older than this, as in the book he is described simply as "The man" not "the old man". Whether he was born in Skree is unknown, but he has lived there for at least twenty years. He is described as having "a dirty face" and "looking like a beggar". His wife is not mentioned and seeing as she is not with him, I would say probably died shortly after Lily was taken (Or maybe she was stolen too and made a fang :o). For the same reason, it can be assumed Lily had no siblings.
What happened to her after?
When Lily woke up in the morning, Mobrik brung her to Tilling Court where her father was waiting. Mykal had been living as a Beggar, so I wonder where he would have taken her.
Lily and her father would’ve been in Dugtown during the revolution and Mykal would be fighting, not standing any chance of those rotten Fangs taking his darling daughter away from him again. Lily would’ve heard about Sara and the other Tools breaking out. Imagen what would have felt?
After the end of the Saga, I hope that Lily and her father went back to their home and lived happily ever after. Maybe Lily met a ex-fang fellow once who had returned to Skree and they settled down together and had a handful of children who learnt about The WingFeather War in from their history teacher and her family all traveled to Torroboro to wave to Princess Leeli and Prince Thorn as the royal Anneira ship sailed down the River Blapp to Torroboro to sign a treaty of friendship between Anniera and Skree with the new King of the Torr Palace.
Okay! if you made it this far down, thank you for reading and tell me what you think down below :]
submitted by Thegravewarden to Wingfeathercharacters [link] [comments]
-Mykel Bolpin
History
This is all the information we have about Mykel Bolpin's daughter;
Lily Bolpin was born (431st of the fourth epoch) and raised in Skree by her Father Mykel Bolpin and an unnamed mother. The family lived during the reign of King Oliman the Torr and Lily lived (assumedly) a happy life until the Fang invasion of Skree. At the age of twelve, one year after the Great War, Lily was taken by the Black Carriage and put to work in Dugtown's Fork Factory where she spent her days sleeping on a bunk, eating soup, washing her face and making swords for Gnag's fang army. Obeying the Overseer and the Maintenance Managers, keeping out of trouble to avoid the Coffin and suffering from Blisters, cuts, burns, whippings and smoke filled lung, Lily spent the next EIGHT YEARS of her life in the factory until a day after her freedom was traded for that of Esben Flavogle (Janner Wingfeather) and another, unnamed boy. Lily was Twenty years old when she left the Factory.
All mention of this character can be found in: North! or be eaten, chapter 36, pages 175-176
Appearance
There is no physical description of Lily Bolpin anywhere in the books of the Main series or extra Tales. Skree is a land of mixed people and very different fashions. Considering her time spent as a Factory Slave, Lily's hair would most likely be pretty long, after Eight years. Perhaps she may have cut it herself at first, with a sword or any other sharp item she could find. But after a while Lily, like the other tools, would have forgotten about such things and let her hair grow long and unkept. Her hands would have been damaged from hard work and her clothing dirty and ripped. She would probably be a bit stunted for her age, as she was without sunlight for Eight years. The Fork Factory Tools were fed as much soup as they wanted but eating only soup, everyday would leave you lacking many vital food sources that your body needs. I'm not sure how they handled "Women's Monthlies" in the world of Aerwier, and in a terrible place like the fork factory, it probably wasn't even considered. Lily may have been covered in dry blood, as well as ash and soot. Though, I imagine the Overseer wouldn't want his floors covered in the stuff, so perhaps, the girls did have clothes, which they changed out at the end of the day. I'm not sure bathing and showering was a thing the Overseer cared about, so the Tools were probably stinky, greasy, sweaty and covered with bugs and maybe lice.
Personality
Janner never actually meets Lily, so you may think there is no way we can figure out who Lily really was, right? Well, actually there are a few things we can determine for certain.
We know Lily wasn't a wildly brave child, because if she has fought like crazy to escape or stood up openly against the injustice of the factory and the Overseer, she would have been sent off the Throg immediately or at least she would have been memorable enough for the Overseer to remember her name once her father mentioned it. She must have acted forgettable, then, as to fall into the shadows like the rest of the tools who weren’t not Janner, Sara, Wallis or Borley. She probably wasn’t one to try and make friends, at least not persistently based on the way the other tools act upon Janner’s arrival. If there had been a quiet motherly figure like Lily in the factory for many years, I doubt the place would be so hopeless and dark.
On page 185, chapter 38, a Maintenance Manager tells Janner:
“If you work hard enough, you might get to be a Maintenance Manager too. The food’s better, the bunks are better, and you get to greet the new tools when they arrive.”
Lily definitely worked there long enough to earn this promotion. Depending on whether she chose to accept this promotion or not tells us a lot about her.
- If Lily declined the offer for better banks and better food and more freedom, it shows that she is kind and hates the idea of hurting her fellow tools more than she hates her lack of freedom. She would have been scorned for this choice by the Overseer. She was probably put to work overnight downstairs for a while.
- If Lily decided to accept the position, she would have done it thinking of only herself. She would have beat other kids with chains and swung through the rafter, showing off to the other Managers. Being one of the eldest, she would have grown cold and proud. She would turn a blind eye on the Overseer’s cruelty for her own gain and she’d have “welcomed” new tools by being one of the firsts to break their spirits and hopes of freedom. (Personally, i like the quiet, sad Lily more)
Mykel Bolpin is a 40 to 50 year old man. I don't imagine him to be much older than this, as in the book he is described simply as "The man" not "the old man". Whether he was born in Skree is unknown, but he has lived there for at least twenty years. He is described as having "a dirty face" and "looking like a beggar". His wife is not mentioned and seeing as she is not with him, I would say probably died shortly after Lily was taken (Or maybe she was stolen too and made a fang :o). For the same reason, it can be assumed Lily had no siblings.
What happened to her after?
When Lily woke up in the morning, Mobrik brung her to Tilling Court where her father was waiting. Mykal had been living as a Beggar, so I wonder where he would have taken her.
Lily and her father would’ve been in Dugtown during the revolution and Mykal would be fighting, not standing any chance of those rotten Fangs taking his darling daughter away from him again. Lily would’ve heard about Sara and the other Tools breaking out. Imagen what would have felt?
After the end of the Saga, I hope that Lily and her father went back to their home and lived happily ever after. Maybe Lily met a ex-fang fellow once who had returned to Skree and they settled down together and had a handful of children who learnt about The WingFeather War in from their history teacher and her family all traveled to Torroboro to wave to Princess Leeli and Prince Thorn as the royal Anneira ship sailed down the River Blapp to Torroboro to sign a treaty of friendship between Anniera and Skree with the new King of the Torr Palace.
Okay! if you made it this far down, thank you for reading and tell me what you think down below :]
2024.06.09 10:17 Dramatic-Key-8829 Menthol Treatment Tip
Hey all! Thought I'd share this tip, as I've just looked online and it seems there's at least one study to back up me personal experience (didn't look for anymore). [DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Obviously this is my experience only and people should do their own research and what's right for them]
So this morning I woke up distressed, as per normal at the moment, because my eyes were dry and I had to treat them multiple times through the night. I've tried ointments taping etc. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Many months ago, when this all started I conveniently found that when I treated my cold symptoms with a menthol crystal steam, it made my eyes feel better. I'd put off doing it this time round because it does need a little prep and some time put aside to do. But today I was desperate - nothing was working. I'd used eye drops, heat mask, eye wash, washing my face - all things that usually help.
So I did the steam and immediately my eyes felt better. The reaction your eyes have is quite visceral. They still do right now. So I thought to myself, this can't be a coincidence. So I googled. And turns out there was a study done in 2017 on combining menthol with warm compresses. It's called "Effects of a warm compress containing menthol on the tear film in healthy subjects and dry eye patients" if you want to have a look.
The results were really good and showed both single and repeated use increased and prolonged the tear film and improved meibum condition. They even considered it a replacement for eye drops. I am not throwing my eye drops away any time soon but it was interesting to see such positive results.
As for me, I find immediate relief with it. I do it via a different method than they did, as I have menthol crystals and then pour a bowl of hot water and drop one in. Then using a towel I surround the bowl and put my head under and repeatedly open and close my eyes. Why? Well, if you're doing it right then you won't be able to keep your eyes open at first. At least not for long. It does sting. You do this for about 5 minutes. I got my menthol crystals at the local pharmacy.
This a old home treatment for colds btw and congestion in the lungs. My family have been doing it for a long time, as have many others. I understand it might not be for everyone but just wanted to share my experience as I've never seen people talk about menthol here. Maybe they do and I've missed it.
submitted by Dramatic-Key-8829 to Dryeyes [link] [comments]
So this morning I woke up distressed, as per normal at the moment, because my eyes were dry and I had to treat them multiple times through the night. I've tried ointments taping etc. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Many months ago, when this all started I conveniently found that when I treated my cold symptoms with a menthol crystal steam, it made my eyes feel better. I'd put off doing it this time round because it does need a little prep and some time put aside to do. But today I was desperate - nothing was working. I'd used eye drops, heat mask, eye wash, washing my face - all things that usually help.
So I did the steam and immediately my eyes felt better. The reaction your eyes have is quite visceral. They still do right now. So I thought to myself, this can't be a coincidence. So I googled. And turns out there was a study done in 2017 on combining menthol with warm compresses. It's called "Effects of a warm compress containing menthol on the tear film in healthy subjects and dry eye patients" if you want to have a look.
The results were really good and showed both single and repeated use increased and prolonged the tear film and improved meibum condition. They even considered it a replacement for eye drops. I am not throwing my eye drops away any time soon but it was interesting to see such positive results.
As for me, I find immediate relief with it. I do it via a different method than they did, as I have menthol crystals and then pour a bowl of hot water and drop one in. Then using a towel I surround the bowl and put my head under and repeatedly open and close my eyes. Why? Well, if you're doing it right then you won't be able to keep your eyes open at first. At least not for long. It does sting. You do this for about 5 minutes. I got my menthol crystals at the local pharmacy.
This a old home treatment for colds btw and congestion in the lungs. My family have been doing it for a long time, as have many others. I understand it might not be for everyone but just wanted to share my experience as I've never seen people talk about menthol here. Maybe they do and I've missed it.
2024.06.09 10:06 lil-loz AITAH for taking my boyfriends name off the mortgage after he cheated?
Ok so I'm sorry this is super long but I really hope someone reads this because I could really do with some advice.
So basically it started when my boyfriend (then fiance - together 5 years engaged for 2) cheated on me back in December. I won't go into too much detail but it was a pretty rough time and he did some fucked up shit I never expected him to do. One of them being he came home one night and said he is entitled to half of this house, to which I responded by giving him our whole shared savings (about 7k) just so he didn't go down some legal route.
We broke up end of December and he left (which I thought was for good because he made it v clear at that time he didn't want the life we had together). When I told my parents this they set the wheels in motion to get his name off the mortgage and they were pretty stressed about it all.
I should mention as well - the house is my grandparents house which was gifted to me and my two brothers a few years ago from my mum, because I owed a third though that the mortgage was only ever for my two brothers share and my dream has always been to keep it in my family and one day pass it down to my kids, it's my dream home and I don't plan on moving ever.
Anyway, skip to February, after he's spend January with his new girlfriend and I've spend January in the biggest depression of my life, he comes back and basically says this is worth fighting for and wants to give it another go, so we agree to try and reconcile. It's not been perfect since then though - I am still struggling with being depressed, the cheating effected me more than I ever expected, my self esteem and confidence is pretty much none existent at this point. And since then he's got in a motorbike accident and will be off work sick for months meaning he's been in a pretty rough place too. We talked about the mortgage a few months ago and it didn't go down well - I wasn't happy that I was having to go through with it anyway - but I felt like he caused this, but ive paid my mortgage advisor and hes spend months on this so I dont want to be wasting anyone's time.
Yesterday a letter arrived address to me and my mum (her name has to go on it because I can't afford it on my own on paper) but she's signed a bunch of shit to say she's not getting anything out of it. He sees the letter and goes crazy. He's furious, thinking I've forged his signature behind his back or thinks my mum is out to get him - either is not remotely true, my mum isn't ever the type to do that and neither am I. God, even when he cheated on me I never said he had to leave the house, we took it in turns staying at our parents.
He's angry because he sees this as I don't trust him, he sees the mortgage as a representation of our life together and thinks the worst. Yesterday he said something like "yes I didn't know what I wanted 6 months ago but that doesn't mean it should cause issues now" whereas it wasnt "he didn't know what he wanted", he literally had a new girlfriend and had left for good.
I see it as a piece of paper and its not going to change any of my day to day life or what we do together - as long as the mortgage is paid I don't really care who's name is on it, and I would never in a million years throw him out with nothing. The current mortgage is up by the end of this month and he's demanding his name is put on it - but the offer is already in place and accepted and I don't have time to change it now. I can't see us coming to an agreement, the easiest thing for me to do is just go ahead with it at this point and I just want an easy life, but at the same time I know he won't back down. It's a two year mortgage- the shortest term - and I've said plenty of times if he still wants this by then of course he can go back on it. I see it as fair - if the only consequence for his actions is to not be on the mortgage for two years I think that's a fair price for what I went through, he does not see it that way at all.
So yeah, it's long and I hope someone reads this because I need all the advice I can get - AITAH?? And if I am - please help me understand because we both really can't understand the other sides pov.
submitted by lil-loz to AITAH [link] [comments]
So basically it started when my boyfriend (then fiance - together 5 years engaged for 2) cheated on me back in December. I won't go into too much detail but it was a pretty rough time and he did some fucked up shit I never expected him to do. One of them being he came home one night and said he is entitled to half of this house, to which I responded by giving him our whole shared savings (about 7k) just so he didn't go down some legal route.
We broke up end of December and he left (which I thought was for good because he made it v clear at that time he didn't want the life we had together). When I told my parents this they set the wheels in motion to get his name off the mortgage and they were pretty stressed about it all.
I should mention as well - the house is my grandparents house which was gifted to me and my two brothers a few years ago from my mum, because I owed a third though that the mortgage was only ever for my two brothers share and my dream has always been to keep it in my family and one day pass it down to my kids, it's my dream home and I don't plan on moving ever.
Anyway, skip to February, after he's spend January with his new girlfriend and I've spend January in the biggest depression of my life, he comes back and basically says this is worth fighting for and wants to give it another go, so we agree to try and reconcile. It's not been perfect since then though - I am still struggling with being depressed, the cheating effected me more than I ever expected, my self esteem and confidence is pretty much none existent at this point. And since then he's got in a motorbike accident and will be off work sick for months meaning he's been in a pretty rough place too. We talked about the mortgage a few months ago and it didn't go down well - I wasn't happy that I was having to go through with it anyway - but I felt like he caused this, but ive paid my mortgage advisor and hes spend months on this so I dont want to be wasting anyone's time.
Yesterday a letter arrived address to me and my mum (her name has to go on it because I can't afford it on my own on paper) but she's signed a bunch of shit to say she's not getting anything out of it. He sees the letter and goes crazy. He's furious, thinking I've forged his signature behind his back or thinks my mum is out to get him - either is not remotely true, my mum isn't ever the type to do that and neither am I. God, even when he cheated on me I never said he had to leave the house, we took it in turns staying at our parents.
He's angry because he sees this as I don't trust him, he sees the mortgage as a representation of our life together and thinks the worst. Yesterday he said something like "yes I didn't know what I wanted 6 months ago but that doesn't mean it should cause issues now" whereas it wasnt "he didn't know what he wanted", he literally had a new girlfriend and had left for good.
I see it as a piece of paper and its not going to change any of my day to day life or what we do together - as long as the mortgage is paid I don't really care who's name is on it, and I would never in a million years throw him out with nothing. The current mortgage is up by the end of this month and he's demanding his name is put on it - but the offer is already in place and accepted and I don't have time to change it now. I can't see us coming to an agreement, the easiest thing for me to do is just go ahead with it at this point and I just want an easy life, but at the same time I know he won't back down. It's a two year mortgage- the shortest term - and I've said plenty of times if he still wants this by then of course he can go back on it. I see it as fair - if the only consequence for his actions is to not be on the mortgage for two years I think that's a fair price for what I went through, he does not see it that way at all.
So yeah, it's long and I hope someone reads this because I need all the advice I can get - AITAH?? And if I am - please help me understand because we both really can't understand the other sides pov.
2024.06.09 09:57 Gautsu Connecting and interconnecting AP's within the same group (some spoilers for Giantslayer, Ruins of Azlant, and Rise of the Runelords)
TLDR: How many groups weave AP’s plots together, campaign after campaign, versus just function as disparate, stand-alone stories? Also, AMA for Giantslayer, Ruins of Azlant, and Rise of the Runelords.
Our current group started before one of my co-workers and I joined it, but in its current configuration we have been going for around seven years. We’ve finished three AP’s start to finish: Giantslayer, Ruins of Azlant, and as of last week, Rise of the Runelords. This post will contain spoilers for all three so please be aware. I entered Giantslayer at the start of Book 5 along with a co-worker who had never played a tabletop before, and for me it had been years since I played, I typically have been stuck in forever DM mode. We fit in pretty well as the group was willing to work around our extremely busy and complicated work schedule. Over the course of about a year and a half, including a change in venue, we managed to finish the two extremely large back-to-back dungeon crawls of books 5+6.
For our next campaign our DM wanted to do something different can gave us a 25 point buy and 35-point custom race creation, told us we were bred in a lab, and to go crazy. We came up with some unique creations and spent the next 3 years (thanks, pandemic) running our custom creations through a modified version of Ruins of Azlant, replacing the Azlanti Spindle Society with Aperture Science, including GlaDOS signing Still Alive to us. As we were winding down that campaign, our DM asked if I would be willing to DM the next one, since he wanted to get a chance to play. Considering that I had just had my longest uninterrupted period of time as a player, I said sure.
After some deliberation, I decided that we would play through Rise of the Runelords. Overall, I thought it seemed well paced and enjoyable, but three parts immediately stood out and made me want to run it: book 2’s hunt for a serial killer through a haunted house, book 3 effectively being Pathfinder’s version of the Hills Have Eyes, and the last books Wendigo assault on an isolated mining camp. Those three portions clinched the deal for me over other AP’s.
Each campaign I set myself a goal. For Giantslayer, it was to relearn the rules and the differences from 3.5. For Ruins, it was to master the intricacies of the feat system and combat maneuvers through playing a BrawleMaster of Many Styles combo. For this campaign as a DM, I had three goals: 1) allow the PCs to hit level 20, (2) tie all of our campaigns together somehow, and (3) having just finished replaying the Kingdoms of Amalur remaster, I wanted to throw a Crudok in there somehow.
After four years or so of playing at this point and topping out each AP at around 16, I wanted to give my players the opportunity to see 9th level spells and capstone abilities. I knew I was going to have to create a bunch of content to add in to get them there, but I can do a lot of that at work, so I wasn’t too worried. I knew I wasn’t going to be running Wrath of the Righteous right after either, so this was the only chance for the foreseeable future for them to get to 20.
The whole point of this post was the tying of campaigns together. I wanted to give some fanservice to our previous parties and their actions and started thinking over how to do this organically. Funnily enough the catalyst was Volstus the Storm Tyrant, easily one of the weakest antagonist’s (by background and characterization, not necessarily power) Paizo had written. I asked what if his fall from grace in greed and covetousness was caused by an external force, say the Runelord of Greed.
From that point of conjecture forward when Volstus ventured into the Kodar mountains and came back with an Orb of Dragonkind, it was from Xin-Shalast that he found it, and it came engraved with a Sihedron Rune on it. Volstus thus became Karzoug’s Proto-Mokmurian, and his death and loss of his army sent Karzoug back to square one. Additionally, when we started book 6 in Giantslayer we managed to avoid every confrontation before the cloud castle, so there were ready made adversaries to throw into later books already available. Krellan, the shadow giant inquisitor of Zon-Kuthon also gave my PC double middle fingers when she “noped” out before her death, so I knew I wanted vengeance. Our Ruins of Azlant tie ins were not as many, but we ended the campaign right after we killed Ochymua, so we never recovered or did anything with Auberon the Drowned’s phylactery. I figured we would bring him back somehow and go from there.
From advice on forums, this sub, and the Rise of the Runelords dm discord, I worked to tie in Aldern and Ironbriar to the pc’s from the get go; Aldern just with a little bit more roleplay and interactions with them. I had Ironbriar there for the dedication to the Sandpoint cathedral and my surviving Inquisitor (also a member of the Pathfinders) there upset over Cayden Cailean not getting a shrine within. After the party fought off the goblins Ironbriar threw some gold at one member in a private interview, seeming aloof but fair, and proposing sponsoring the group. Another member began a series of interactions with my old pc, the best part of which is that no one remembered his name, so they didn’t make the connection till book 4. I threw in a book in the marketplace that another pc bought, about fables and legends in Varisia, seeding the Sandpoint Devil, Black Magga, and Crudoks in general, and their progenitor, Grandfather Crudok, a rebellious Tane, in particular.
The rest of book one occurred as normal, with a few additions or changes; I fleshed out the rest of the Goblin Chieftains described by Shalelu. I had the pcs encounter them coming back from a meeting at Thistletop from meeting Nualia seeking alliances. Nualia became an Anti-paladin, which worked out really well.
Book Two went swimmingly as well. The pcs were setting into their sin/virtue characteristics by now, so when they got to Foxglove manor, I assigned each type of haunt to one specific sin, which they all were kind enough to have already began to roleplay. Aldern became a Serial Killer Vigilante, which I though fit in well with his multiple personalities, also making him a little more sympathetic. Searching for clues on the Sihedron lead them back to Bishop Malakon (my old character’s name), who revealed the tie-in to Volstus and sponsored them into the Pathfinders. The rest of book two went mostly to plan.
By the time they were making it close to Fort Rannick I was beginning the mass of insanity that would become the rest of the campaign, as I began to customize each encounter to either become easier or present more of a challenge. Almost every major encounter was rewritten from this point on, mostly due to adding another player (playing a pet class), and another pc taking leadership. Between the increased pace of leveling to get them to 20 before the Eye of Avarice and having effectively 9 party members (pcs and pets), it was the easiest way to continue to provide them challenges, but also be able to throw them a softball every so often, so each encounter wasn’t too stressful. Outside of customizing the Ogres and Ogre kin, most of book 3 stayed faithful; Lamatar became one of my friend’s characters from Giantslayer (I didn’t feel too bad about making him undead since he had ended the campaign dead and was only resurrected in our epilogue). He was later reincarnated as a gnome and chose to become the druid of the Shimmerglens after Myrianna passed on. Lucrecia managed to escape both the Fort and then the Clanhold, taunting the party before teleporting away.
Book Four was fun to set up. The Giant invasion ended up involving all of the Stone Giants and the dragon of the written encounters, but I added all of the Ash Giants, the siege weapons, and the Black Scorpion from Giantslayer book 6. The PCs gathered what allies they could, teleporting to Magnimar to spend their money and alert their friends, and built-up Sandpoint’s defenses as best they could. Also, through tracking the dates in game every session, the attack occurred in the middle of winter, with much of the water around Sandpoint frozen.
As the war drums started beating and the party saw the army of giants following a colossal scorpion with catapults on its arms and back firing at them, I could tell they felt I had maybe overplayed my hand, especially when the dragon set the Hagfish on fire. So even though the Deus Ex Machina was really tropey, when our current Swashbuckler’s character from Giantslayer came to the rescue with the flying castle she kept at the end of that campaign and proceeded to engage the Ash Giants with her friend Ferin (from Forge of the Giant God) and her murder chicken Axebeak mount, the expressions on my players faces made up for it. The players raced to engage the dragon before he burnt down Sandpoint and directly after the fight were engaged by Lucrecia and a party of assassins tailored to take out the party (it helped that one pc kept wearing the Sihedron Medallion until the Runeforge; scrying on them was always happening). After winning that fight, I threw them another curveball.
They had stationed all of the Sandpoint defender NPC’s defending the lower portion of Sandpoint, and they now had to play them, trying to hold the attacking Stone Giant’s off for the 10 minutes or so their character had already been engaged. So, they played a waiting game while running Ameiko, Tsuto (out on good behavior), Lyrie and Orik (whom they had spared), Sheriff Hemlock, and Father Zantus, and the only survivor from Fort Rannick, Vale Temros. They did an incredible job, managing to hold off a force of twelve Stone Giants and Teraktinus for almost 8 minutes before Zantus was killed, and Ameiko, Lyrie, Orik, and Sheriff Hemlock were captured; Vale and Tsuto managed to escape and point the pcs in the right direction. On the way to Jorgenfist the party encountered it’s first Crudok. On the bank of the river, outside of the Deathweb’s cave, the party also fought the undead body of Black Magga, who they happened to have killed in the encounter during the flood in book 3 (I used a Bloathsome from Green Ronin’s Freeport Bestiary for her). Outside of some stat changes the rest of book four went as planned. Same with book five.
I had been leaving little hints as to Trelmarixian throughout the campaign so far; I like him as a villain and I never would have expected Famine to be the most interesting Horseman, so kudos, Paizo. I had decided at this point that the Wendigo being themed around hunger would work with this. I statted up Grandfather Crudok as one of the Tane who had been corrupted and converted to a worshipper of the Horseman of Famine, and it was his corrupting influence who had drawn the Wendigo to that corner of the Kodar mountains. After defeating Karivek’s ghost and the Wendigo, the storm’s end revealed a summoning circle that activated a portal, through which Trelmarixian, Horseman of Famine, rode through on his Apocalypse Horse. Joining him was his summoner, Grandfather Crudok, a mythic version with druid and evangelist levels, who’s animal companion (sic) was a lesser Jabberwock, and for good measure, the Horror Tree became a Sard. The party froze, asses already kicked from their fights in the cabin, and a scroll case that they had been given back in book two and carrying since then, began to glow. A portal to a tropical area opened up, and our characters from Ruins of Azlant stepped through, leveled up and given four mythic ranks. Our old characters fought this battle in one of the most fun one-shots I have ever run, and all of the work I had put in to get my players to this point was worth it as I got to both challenge them and see them let loose with some member berry comfort food.
We just finished our fight with Karzoug last week and this coming week will be doing a campaign wrap up and session zero for our next AP, Strange Aeons. I think this one is going to mostly be going by the books, since I am going to be writing out 5 backstories as it is. I was just really curious how many groups last long enough to link campaigns, and whether or not any dms go through the efforts to do so.
submitted by Gautsu to Pathfinder_RPG [link] [comments]
Our current group started before one of my co-workers and I joined it, but in its current configuration we have been going for around seven years. We’ve finished three AP’s start to finish: Giantslayer, Ruins of Azlant, and as of last week, Rise of the Runelords. This post will contain spoilers for all three so please be aware. I entered Giantslayer at the start of Book 5 along with a co-worker who had never played a tabletop before, and for me it had been years since I played, I typically have been stuck in forever DM mode. We fit in pretty well as the group was willing to work around our extremely busy and complicated work schedule. Over the course of about a year and a half, including a change in venue, we managed to finish the two extremely large back-to-back dungeon crawls of books 5+6.
For our next campaign our DM wanted to do something different can gave us a 25 point buy and 35-point custom race creation, told us we were bred in a lab, and to go crazy. We came up with some unique creations and spent the next 3 years (thanks, pandemic) running our custom creations through a modified version of Ruins of Azlant, replacing the Azlanti Spindle Society with Aperture Science, including GlaDOS signing Still Alive to us. As we were winding down that campaign, our DM asked if I would be willing to DM the next one, since he wanted to get a chance to play. Considering that I had just had my longest uninterrupted period of time as a player, I said sure.
After some deliberation, I decided that we would play through Rise of the Runelords. Overall, I thought it seemed well paced and enjoyable, but three parts immediately stood out and made me want to run it: book 2’s hunt for a serial killer through a haunted house, book 3 effectively being Pathfinder’s version of the Hills Have Eyes, and the last books Wendigo assault on an isolated mining camp. Those three portions clinched the deal for me over other AP’s.
Each campaign I set myself a goal. For Giantslayer, it was to relearn the rules and the differences from 3.5. For Ruins, it was to master the intricacies of the feat system and combat maneuvers through playing a BrawleMaster of Many Styles combo. For this campaign as a DM, I had three goals: 1) allow the PCs to hit level 20, (2) tie all of our campaigns together somehow, and (3) having just finished replaying the Kingdoms of Amalur remaster, I wanted to throw a Crudok in there somehow.
After four years or so of playing at this point and topping out each AP at around 16, I wanted to give my players the opportunity to see 9th level spells and capstone abilities. I knew I was going to have to create a bunch of content to add in to get them there, but I can do a lot of that at work, so I wasn’t too worried. I knew I wasn’t going to be running Wrath of the Righteous right after either, so this was the only chance for the foreseeable future for them to get to 20.
The whole point of this post was the tying of campaigns together. I wanted to give some fanservice to our previous parties and their actions and started thinking over how to do this organically. Funnily enough the catalyst was Volstus the Storm Tyrant, easily one of the weakest antagonist’s (by background and characterization, not necessarily power) Paizo had written. I asked what if his fall from grace in greed and covetousness was caused by an external force, say the Runelord of Greed.
From that point of conjecture forward when Volstus ventured into the Kodar mountains and came back with an Orb of Dragonkind, it was from Xin-Shalast that he found it, and it came engraved with a Sihedron Rune on it. Volstus thus became Karzoug’s Proto-Mokmurian, and his death and loss of his army sent Karzoug back to square one. Additionally, when we started book 6 in Giantslayer we managed to avoid every confrontation before the cloud castle, so there were ready made adversaries to throw into later books already available. Krellan, the shadow giant inquisitor of Zon-Kuthon also gave my PC double middle fingers when she “noped” out before her death, so I knew I wanted vengeance. Our Ruins of Azlant tie ins were not as many, but we ended the campaign right after we killed Ochymua, so we never recovered or did anything with Auberon the Drowned’s phylactery. I figured we would bring him back somehow and go from there.
From advice on forums, this sub, and the Rise of the Runelords dm discord, I worked to tie in Aldern and Ironbriar to the pc’s from the get go; Aldern just with a little bit more roleplay and interactions with them. I had Ironbriar there for the dedication to the Sandpoint cathedral and my surviving Inquisitor (also a member of the Pathfinders) there upset over Cayden Cailean not getting a shrine within. After the party fought off the goblins Ironbriar threw some gold at one member in a private interview, seeming aloof but fair, and proposing sponsoring the group. Another member began a series of interactions with my old pc, the best part of which is that no one remembered his name, so they didn’t make the connection till book 4. I threw in a book in the marketplace that another pc bought, about fables and legends in Varisia, seeding the Sandpoint Devil, Black Magga, and Crudoks in general, and their progenitor, Grandfather Crudok, a rebellious Tane, in particular.
The rest of book one occurred as normal, with a few additions or changes; I fleshed out the rest of the Goblin Chieftains described by Shalelu. I had the pcs encounter them coming back from a meeting at Thistletop from meeting Nualia seeking alliances. Nualia became an Anti-paladin, which worked out really well.
Book Two went swimmingly as well. The pcs were setting into their sin/virtue characteristics by now, so when they got to Foxglove manor, I assigned each type of haunt to one specific sin, which they all were kind enough to have already began to roleplay. Aldern became a Serial Killer Vigilante, which I though fit in well with his multiple personalities, also making him a little more sympathetic. Searching for clues on the Sihedron lead them back to Bishop Malakon (my old character’s name), who revealed the tie-in to Volstus and sponsored them into the Pathfinders. The rest of book two went mostly to plan.
By the time they were making it close to Fort Rannick I was beginning the mass of insanity that would become the rest of the campaign, as I began to customize each encounter to either become easier or present more of a challenge. Almost every major encounter was rewritten from this point on, mostly due to adding another player (playing a pet class), and another pc taking leadership. Between the increased pace of leveling to get them to 20 before the Eye of Avarice and having effectively 9 party members (pcs and pets), it was the easiest way to continue to provide them challenges, but also be able to throw them a softball every so often, so each encounter wasn’t too stressful. Outside of customizing the Ogres and Ogre kin, most of book 3 stayed faithful; Lamatar became one of my friend’s characters from Giantslayer (I didn’t feel too bad about making him undead since he had ended the campaign dead and was only resurrected in our epilogue). He was later reincarnated as a gnome and chose to become the druid of the Shimmerglens after Myrianna passed on. Lucrecia managed to escape both the Fort and then the Clanhold, taunting the party before teleporting away.
Book Four was fun to set up. The Giant invasion ended up involving all of the Stone Giants and the dragon of the written encounters, but I added all of the Ash Giants, the siege weapons, and the Black Scorpion from Giantslayer book 6. The PCs gathered what allies they could, teleporting to Magnimar to spend their money and alert their friends, and built-up Sandpoint’s defenses as best they could. Also, through tracking the dates in game every session, the attack occurred in the middle of winter, with much of the water around Sandpoint frozen.
As the war drums started beating and the party saw the army of giants following a colossal scorpion with catapults on its arms and back firing at them, I could tell they felt I had maybe overplayed my hand, especially when the dragon set the Hagfish on fire. So even though the Deus Ex Machina was really tropey, when our current Swashbuckler’s character from Giantslayer came to the rescue with the flying castle she kept at the end of that campaign and proceeded to engage the Ash Giants with her friend Ferin (from Forge of the Giant God) and her murder chicken Axebeak mount, the expressions on my players faces made up for it. The players raced to engage the dragon before he burnt down Sandpoint and directly after the fight were engaged by Lucrecia and a party of assassins tailored to take out the party (it helped that one pc kept wearing the Sihedron Medallion until the Runeforge; scrying on them was always happening). After winning that fight, I threw them another curveball.
They had stationed all of the Sandpoint defender NPC’s defending the lower portion of Sandpoint, and they now had to play them, trying to hold the attacking Stone Giant’s off for the 10 minutes or so their character had already been engaged. So, they played a waiting game while running Ameiko, Tsuto (out on good behavior), Lyrie and Orik (whom they had spared), Sheriff Hemlock, and Father Zantus, and the only survivor from Fort Rannick, Vale Temros. They did an incredible job, managing to hold off a force of twelve Stone Giants and Teraktinus for almost 8 minutes before Zantus was killed, and Ameiko, Lyrie, Orik, and Sheriff Hemlock were captured; Vale and Tsuto managed to escape and point the pcs in the right direction. On the way to Jorgenfist the party encountered it’s first Crudok. On the bank of the river, outside of the Deathweb’s cave, the party also fought the undead body of Black Magga, who they happened to have killed in the encounter during the flood in book 3 (I used a Bloathsome from Green Ronin’s Freeport Bestiary for her). Outside of some stat changes the rest of book four went as planned. Same with book five.
I had been leaving little hints as to Trelmarixian throughout the campaign so far; I like him as a villain and I never would have expected Famine to be the most interesting Horseman, so kudos, Paizo. I had decided at this point that the Wendigo being themed around hunger would work with this. I statted up Grandfather Crudok as one of the Tane who had been corrupted and converted to a worshipper of the Horseman of Famine, and it was his corrupting influence who had drawn the Wendigo to that corner of the Kodar mountains. After defeating Karivek’s ghost and the Wendigo, the storm’s end revealed a summoning circle that activated a portal, through which Trelmarixian, Horseman of Famine, rode through on his Apocalypse Horse. Joining him was his summoner, Grandfather Crudok, a mythic version with druid and evangelist levels, who’s animal companion (sic) was a lesser Jabberwock, and for good measure, the Horror Tree became a Sard. The party froze, asses already kicked from their fights in the cabin, and a scroll case that they had been given back in book two and carrying since then, began to glow. A portal to a tropical area opened up, and our characters from Ruins of Azlant stepped through, leveled up and given four mythic ranks. Our old characters fought this battle in one of the most fun one-shots I have ever run, and all of the work I had put in to get my players to this point was worth it as I got to both challenge them and see them let loose with some member berry comfort food.
We just finished our fight with Karzoug last week and this coming week will be doing a campaign wrap up and session zero for our next AP, Strange Aeons. I think this one is going to mostly be going by the books, since I am going to be writing out 5 backstories as it is. I was just really curious how many groups last long enough to link campaigns, and whether or not any dms go through the efforts to do so.
2024.06.09 09:55 nuraman00 Let's Be Clear With Shannen Doherty: Let's Talk Love, Sobriety, and Family....with Rick Salomon.
Doherty’s ex husband, Rick Salomon, and his daughter, Tyson, are guest hosts.
submitted by nuraman00 to BeverlyHills90210 [link] [comments]
- They got married in 2002, then annulled. They don’t have to call each other ex spouses, because of the annulment, but they still do.
- They went to Vegas to get married. Doherty then said they can’t get married without her dad and mom. So Rick said let’s get them on a plane, now.
- Salomon said that Doherty wanted more of a companion, then he.
- Salomon said Salomon’s first wife was nice. Doherty never felt threatened by her.
- After getting married, they lived on a lemon farm. Salomon says it was too far from everything. This was in Somis, CA (near Thousand Oaks, CA).
- Salomon was still out hustling. He hadn’t made it yet.
- Doherty says she should have married him NOW, since he’s made it.
- He wasn’t out cheating, just doing other stuff.
- He always made her laugh.
- One time, her friend Deborah, and her husband, Craig, were over. They were going to spend the weekend. This was in Doherty’s Malibu house. After Doherty told Salomon that they were coming over, he said “I’m going to Vegas”. After Salomon talked to Craig, he then said “ok, I’m staying.”
- Doherty has always felt that she could call Salomon if she was in trouble, and he’d bail her out.
- Tyson agrees, that he’s good at helping people when they’re in trouble.
- Tyson broke up with her boyfriend and was devastated. Salomon said how exciting, who are you going to meet next? It did kind of help Tyson get over the break up.
- They got divorced because Salomon had a drug problem.
- He’s 15 years sober now.
- Back then, he wouldn’t be sober for more than 3 weeks.
- When he was sober, he was introverted.
- Doherty liked that shyness.
- Doherty had to leave him, so he could find his true sobriety.
- What caused him to finally get sober, was one time, while on drugs, he was supposed to go to Australia. But he couldn’t remember the password to his safe, where his passport was. He had been smoking crack for 8 months. He was 150 lbs. He had $7 Million in his safe, but couldn’t remember the password.
- He finally decided to go to rehab for a whole year. He had to pay for that, his kids for a year, and some debts.
- He ended up having to drill into that safe.
- He made it to Australia. Cocaine in Australia is $300 a gram. He bought 100 bags. And did 20 hits of ecstasy a day. The cocaine in Australia sucks.
- He was supposed to play a poker tournament there. He didn’t.
- He was glad to go back to the USA, where the cocaine was better.
- When he went to rehab, 10 days later, he was coughing chunks of blood.
- Salomon’s mom died before Tyson was born.
- A few years before he was coughing up blood, he had been in a wellness center. They did an xray on his lungs. He had golf ball sized tumors in his lungs. This was on a Friday.
- They told him to go to surgery right away. There was a 10% chance he had an abscess.
- He didn’t do the surgery, he wanted to take those odds. He’s comfortable with death.
- He did go back to the doctor on Monday. They said he had a tumor in his lymph nodes, and he needed surgery right away.
- He went to the Cedar Sinai ER. They said you don’t have a tumor. It’s the opposite. They did a biopsy on his lymph nodes. It was just a chunk of crack cocaine still on his lungs.
- Salomon’s mom died of cancer when he was 11. He didn’t believe in God after that.
- Someone else in rehab named Ronnie told a story of how his daughter once caught Ronnie smoking crack (“smoking poison”) on Christmas Day.
- Salomon couldn’t sleep. Rehab wanted to give him sleep medicine. He didn’t want that, if he was going to get sleep drugs, he’d rather get cocaine. Eventually he fell asleep and had dreams about drugs and fights and demons.
- He woke up, went out and smoked a cigarette, then came back in and slept like a baby.
- Tyson was an addict too. She became sober at the age of 15. She had trouble during the pandemic quarantine in 2022. She relapsed. She’s 25 now.
- Tyson was doing ayahuasca.
- Tyson snuck out to the jungle to do another “journey”.
- She thought she had been doing drugs for 4-5 months. It was actually 2 years. She was doing K holes every night. Her body and brain weren’t functioning.
- Tyson also isn’t scared of death.
- Tyson couldn’t stop doing drugs when she was in rehab.
- Her appendix burst. Salomon told her to go to the ER. She ignored it, and took her cats to get their nails clipped. She also started packing to go to Colombia, even though she hadn’t been 30 days sober yet.
- She never made it to the flight. If she had, she would have had sepsis on the plane.
- She still did drugs after her appendix burst.
- Finally she found female sponsors that she trusted, and she listened to them.
- Now life is good.
- One time, Doherty was with Salomon, Tyson, and her sister Hunter. Tyson would not stop throwing sand at Tyson. Salomon didn’t do anything to stop Tyson. Doherty picked up Tyson and said I’m taking you home, and left Salomon with Hunter. Tyson was four. She started punching Doherty. She took Tyson home, to the back room. Doherty said she was going to leave Tyson in the room until she was ready to talk. Tyson cried in the room for 5 - 8 minutes. Then there was a quiet knock, and Tyson said she was ready. Tyson was calm and happy now.
- Tyson’s sponsor says every day, you have to help someone else and be of service to someone else. So life isn’t all about you.
- Tyson and Salomon hang out, but don’t look at each other as “sober buddies”.
- Tyson makes a balm now, and sells it.
- She got 2,000 orders for it right away. She had to figure out how to manufacture that many. She found some girls at a nail salon to work for her.
- Salomon offered $30,000 to NOT go on the podcast. Doherty declined.
- Tyson likes how Doherty is stern, and sets boundaries.
- Salomon says the best thing about his time with Doherty is that he was married to Doherty.
- As a kid, he moved from New Jersey to California. He’s proud to have made it in California.
- He doesn’t have any regrets.
- Salomon married Pamela Anderson twice. He doesn’t regret that.
- Doherty says Salomon stays friends with his exes.
- Tyson also stays friends with her exes.
- Doherty respects that Salomon is sober; his brain; his sense of humor; and how he is with Tyson now.
- Doherty says everyone order Tyson’s balm.
2024.06.09 09:54 Stanley232323 Daily Community Tiering Post Day 53: It's always darkest before the 'Don. It's Archaludon/Dynamax-Duraludon!
Hello again everybody!
Before we get started on today's post the current voting for Hisuian-Samurott currently has votes for B tier with a solid lead! For the time being we will put Hisuian-Samurott into the B tier with its Unovan counterpart and if anything changes I'll update on tomorrow's post!Meanwhile the vote for Hisuian-Typhlosion has officially ended with B tier being the winning vote! I've included the Weighted Average for that vote in the tier list below :)
(Please note that this voting/tiering is centered around Classic as the current state of Endless requires specific strategies after a certain point.)
Current Tier List:
S tier:
Garganacl (4.37), Cloyster (4.01), Skeledirge (4.48), Gholdengo (4.49), Tinkaton (4.64)A tier:
Gyarados/Mega (4.19), VenusauMega/Dyna (3.80), Aegislash (4.06), Corviknight/Dyna (3.91), Excadrill (4.32), GardevoiMega (3.99), Toxapex (3.50), ScizoMega (3.94), GengaMega/Dyna (3.90), Delphox (3.62), Blastoise/Mega/Dyna (3.51), Blaziken/Mega (3.76), Swampert/Mega (3.76), Empoleon (3.57), Primarina (3.96), Quaquaval (3.77)B tier:
Kanto-Persian/Dynamax Kanto-Meowth (3.25), Weavile (3.23), Starmie (2.92), Rhyperior (2.88), Quagsire (2.91), Mamoswine (3.25), Whimsicott (3.36), Aggron/Mega (3.48), Infernape (3.48), Alolan-Decidueye (2.89), Johto-Typhlosion (3.06), Torterra (3.03), Serperior (3.60), Unovan-Samurott (3.04), Chesnaught (2.74), Incineroar (3.49), Rillaboom/Dynamax (3.43), Inteleon/Dynamax (3.17), Hisuian-Typhlosion (3.15), Hisuian-SamurottC tier:
Linoone (2.97), Meganium (2.09), Emboar (2.39), Hisuian-Decidueye (2.65)F tier:
Dustox (1.47)With that being said let's get to today's vote!
Today is day 53 of tier voting and we are officially back to doing regular votes on specifically requested Pokemon! :) To start things off today we will discuss the former GOAT of Endless mode, as well as the Dynamax form of its pre-evolution, but of course these votes are about Classic as opposed to Endless so this is a very different ballgame we're playing here. The reason we are voting these together as one vote is because they are nearly identical in functionality with only slight differences and essentially it just comes down to choosing one or the other for your run since Archaludon can not Dynamax but you're more likely to roll a Metal Alloy before a Dynamax Bracelet and Max Mushrooms. They also have the same typing, Passive, Egg Moves and almost identical natural moveset with the exception of Archaludon getting its Signature Move, Electro Shot. What will likely come as a surprise to most of you however, is Dyna-Duraludon actually has a slightly better stat spread than it's evolved form (in every case except Special Defense which is only 5 points worse and HP which is the same). However, Archaludon certainly has the advantage abilities-wise as it gets Stamina or Sturdy as opposed to the very niche and not necessarily useful Light or Heavy Metal. (Their Hidden Ability, Stalwart isn't implemented but also is useless in single battles and honestly just not very good anyways). Also, Electro Shot is an extremely powerful move, especially on a Rain team or in a water biome where Rain is fairly common. So as for which one is better overall it's somewhat hard to say. For typing, Dragon/Steel is a very strong typing with only 2 weaknesses, an immunity and 9 resistances! The typing is immune to or resists over half of the entire type chart! Both forms have good Physical bulk and attacking stats (moreso on Special Attack) as well as okay speed. Natural access to Metal Burst is also very powerful even in Classic as even with the rough Special Defense it has enough HP to usually survive a single hit (or Archaludon can just run Sturdy and not even worry about it). For Passive Ability they get Download which is really good against certain opponents but definitely wants to know what it's being sent in against to make sure it boosts Special Attack. For Egg Moves they definitely got some gifts with Ice type coverage, Body Press (which is mostly useful for Stamina Archaludon), Recover and Core Enforcer (which doesn't have its secondary effect implemented at the time of writing this but is still a 100 BP Dragon-type Special Attack). While the starter cost of 5 is somewhat on the expensive side, even base form Duraludon is incredibly powerful compared to most of the early game encounters you'll experience in Classic.
(Please note that Pokemon with Mega/Dynamax evolutions will be tiered as one Pokemon and not tiered separately for their Mega/Dynamax form. Different variants such as Alolan Persian vs. Kanto Persian will be tiered separately however.)
More Information About Voting/Tiering And Links To Past Votes:
https://www.reddit.com/pokerogue/s/0LNZhPPzR9What each tier generally means:
S tier:
Top tier, can make or break your entire run, essentially the cream of the crop.A tier:
Very strong but not quite top tier, might be slightly outclassed or has a slight weakness holding it back.B tier:
Solid choice that can make it to your endgame team, might be reliant on team composition to truly function well or might just be overall outclassed.C tier:
Usually early-mid game 'Mons, ones you don't really want to take to end game if you can avoid it, usually pretty decently glaring weakness but something redeeming enough to keep from F tier.F tier:
No reason to use in end game unless you're doing it for a meme/joke/completionist/Egg Voucher purposes.Abstain/No Opinion:
This will be a voting option mostly for Pokemon people haven't unlocked/used to their full potential yet. Can also be used as a "See Results" button (remember Reddit won't let you change your vote however) if you don't want to skew the data but want to see the results of the vote.(Data in parentheses is for Dynamax Duraludon)
Archaludon (Dynamax-Duraludon)
- Type: Steel/Dragon
- Mega: No
- Dynamax: (Duraludon can Dynamax, Archaludon can not)
- Starter cost {Duraludon}: 5
- Possible Egg moves: Ice Beam, Body Press, Recover Core Enforcer
- Biomes: Construction Site
- Abilities: Stamina or Sturdy (Light Metal or Heavy Metal)
- Hidden Ability: Stalwart (Stalwart)
- Passive Ability: Download - when the Pokemon enters battle it raises its Attack by one stage if the opponent's Special Defense is higher than its Defense. If the Defense is higher than Special Defense it raises its Special Attack instead. (In double battles the 2 Pokemon's Defenses are averaged and the lower combined total determines which Attack stat will be raised)
- Evolution: Duraludon evolves into Archaludon with Metal Alloy. Duraludon can also Dynamax with Dynamax Bracelet and Max Mushrooms
Base stats:
- Base Stat Total: 600 (635)
- HP: 90 (90)
- Attack: 105 (110)
- Defense: 130 (145)
- Sp. Attack: 125 (140)
- Sp. Defense: 65 (60)
- Speed: 85 (90)
Learnset by level up:
Leer, Metal Claw, Rock Smash, Hone Claws, Metal Sound, Breaking Swipe, Dragon Tail, Iron Defense, Focus Energy, Dragon Claw, Flash Cannon, Metal Burst, Hyper BeamLearned upon evolution:
Electro ShotNotable TMs:
Protect, Snarl, Foul Play, Body Slam, Reflect, Light Screen, Rest, Sleep Talk, Thunder Wave, Rock Slide, Swords Dance, Dark Pulse, Iron Head, Aura Sphere, Dragon Pulse, Stealth Rock, Heavy Slam, Thunderbolt, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Outrage, Thunder, Solar Beam, Draco Meteor, Steel Beam, Meteor BeamTomorrow's vote: Azumarill!
Pokemon on the radar for voting soon:
Flygon, Metagross/Mega, Machamp/Dyna, Unfezant, Yanmega, Leavanny, Sinistcha, Wormadam-Trash, Gastrodon, Clodsire, Staraptor, Klefki, Kanto-Raichu, Gallade/Mega, Comfey, Araquanid, Crobat, Malamar, Ferrothorn, Walrein, Gliscor, Roserade, Vileplume, Minior, Hitmonchan, Bibarel, Chandelure, Alakazam/Mega, Flamigo, Volcarona, Barbaracle, Butterfree/Dyna, Beedrill/Mega, Mawile/Mega, Drednaw/Dyna, Annihilape, Cramorant, Aerodactyl/Mega, Glimmora, Gyarados/Mega (re-vote), Heatran, Raikou, Phione, Ogerpon, Tapu Koko, Dialga/Primal, Galarian-Zapdos, Regieleki, Regidrago, Zacian, Zamazenta, Rayquaza/Mega, Latias/Mega, Latios/Mega, Ho-Oh, Volcanion, Toxtricity/Dyna, Carbink, Porygon-Z, Cinccino, Snorlax/Dyna, Wishiwashi(Other requests will be added to this list and this list is not necessarily in order)
Happy voting!
View Poll2024.06.09 09:32 JustMakingForTOMT Body #1 – An Analysis of the Titanic’s “Other” Unknown Child (LONG POST)
**Trigger warning for in-depth discussion of the deaths and bodies of children*\*
Many of you probably know the story of the Unknown Child, or Body #4 – the body of a baby boy recovered from the sea shortly after the sinking of the Titanic and buried in Halifax’s Fairview Cemetery. Unidentified for years, he was speculated to be either Gosta Palsson or Eugene Rice, tentatively identified with DNA analysis as Eino Panula in 2002, and definitively identified through improved DNA testing in 2007 as Sidney Goodwin. The Unknown Child has come to represent all the young lives who were lost in the disaster.
However, much less well-known is the mystery of Body #1. Pulled from the icy Atlantic on April 21st 1912 by the cable ship Mackay Bennett, the body of an approximately 10-12-year-old boy was the first of 337 Titanic victims to be recovered. Officially, Body #1 was identified as Walter John van Billiard, a 9-year-old third-class boy who perished along with his father Austin and 10-year-old brother James William. He was buried next to his father, whose body was also recovered, in the Whitemarsh Union Cemetery of Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown, Pennsylvania. However, doubt has always lingered among Titanic researchers and enthusiasts over the true identity of the body. In this post, I’ll examine the case for and against the body’s identification as Walter Van Billiard, investigate some other possibilities for its identity, and summarize my findings.
A few disclaimers: firstly, I’m not a professional, just someone who’s been interested in the Titanic (and specifically its child/teen passengers) for a long time.
Secondly, although I’ve never seen a detailed write-up on Body #1 before, others have discussed this topic and arrived at similar conclusions as mine, so I’m not breaking any entirely new ground here.
Finally, this post isn’t meant to disrespect or offend any of the Van Billiard family or to shatter the idea of a father and son resting beside each other. I’m just trying to take a critical look at the identification of Body #1 and suggest some alternate possibilities.
Approximately 115 Titanic passengers and crew under the age of 18 were lost, and very few of their bodies were ever found. In attempting to identify one of them, I hope to honour them all.
What is known is that two bodies purported to be members of the Van Billiard family were later recovered and sent to Austin’s relatives in Pennsylvania for burial. Body #255, that of an approximately 40-year-old man with a dark red beard and moustache, was identified as Austin. Body #1, allegedly young Walter, was described as such:
No. 1 – MALE – ESTIMATED AGE. – 10-12. – HAIR. LIGHT.
CLOTHING – Overcoat, grey; one grey coat; one blue coat; grey woolen jersey; white shirt; grey knickers; black stockings; black boots
EFFECTS – Purse containing few Danish coins and ring; two handkerchiefs marked “A”.
Probably Third Class.
Furthermore, the “Inventory of the property found on the body of the late W. VanBilliard” adds that the purse also contained one United States cent and “three wooden disks.” This document can be viewed online at the Nova Scotia Archives website. Interestingly, “Unable to identify from clothing or effects” has been written across the middle of the page in pencil. Further down, it says “Remains shipped. See #255.”
Right off the bat, it's unclear why Body #1 was identified as that of 9-year-old Walter, as opposed to 10-year-old James – or, in fact, why a connection with the Van Billiards was made at all. The Philadelphia Inquirer of May 8th 1912, reporting on the arrival of the bodies in Pennsylvania, states that identification was made “through the Red Cross Society and papers found on their persons.” However, no such papers are mentioned among the effects found on either body, despite this being common practice for the descriptions of Titanic victims’ bodies.
It is also noteworthy that no member of the Van Billiard family was reported as having identified or even viewed the bodies. Identification would, of course, have taken place at Halifax, where the recovered bodies were brought before being buried there or forwarded elsewhere, and I could find absolutely nothing to suggest that any Van Billiard travelled to Halifax to view them. The North American newspaper of May 8th 1912 states quite clearly that Austin’s father, Burgess James van Billiard, was in Pennsylvania when the bodies arrived. Maude and the other children were still in England, and in fact would not make the trip to America until February 1913, almost a full year after the disaster.
Moreover, it must be remembered that none of the Van Billiard family members in America had ever seen their grandsons. They may have seen photographs of them, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’d be able to identify a body which had spent six days floating in the freezing ocean. There are stories from other maritime disasters of the era, such as the General Slocum (1904), the Eastland (1915), and the Princess Sophia (1918) of children’s bodies being misidentified (or dubiously identified), even by close relatives. Therefore, even if Burgess van Billiard or another family member had seen Body #1, would that have conclusively proven that it was Walter (or James)? Or would it simply be a case of a grief-stricken human being clinging to the belief that their loved one was one of the few recovered from an icy grave?
According to Judith Geller’s Titanic: Women and Children First, “popular reports” of the time stated that Austin’s body was found with Walter’s clasped to his chest. However, as she goes on to state, this was not the case. This can be seen plainly from the numbers of the bodies, which were assigned in the order that they were retrieved. Body #1 was recovered on April 21st, while Body #255 would not have been picked up until April 25th, according to the diary of Mackay Bennett crewman Clifford Crease. Therefore, identification of Body #1 cannot have been made by its proximity to Austin Van Billiard.
The effects found upon Body #1 also do nothing to prove, or even suggest, that the body was that of Walter Van Billiard. It is true that the handkerchiefs marked “A” could have belonged to Austin, but “A” could stand for many other names of those on board the Titanic. The Danish coins are a tantalizing clue, but none of the Van Billiard family was known to have lived in or visited Denmark. (Of course, it’s possible that the coins could have been misidentified – perhaps they were actually Belgian or Boer, as the Van Billiards lived in both the Belgian Congo and South Africa; or Dutch, as Austin Van Billiard is known to have visited Amsterdam shortly before embarking on the Titanic. (Perhaps the “A” handkerchief was a souvenir from the city?) However, these are only theories.)
It has never been conclusively accepted by Titanic researchers and enthusiasts that Body #1 is that of Walter Van Billiard. Walter’s entry on Encyclopedia Titanica contains the footnote: “Because of the effects recovered with the body there has to be some doubt over the authenticity of the identification.” Similarly, Women and Children First states that “the body might in fact have easily been that of another Third Class boy.” That book’s section on the Van Billiards ends with the somber observation that “a monument to [the] husband and two sons … stands in the Whitemarsh Union Cemetery, but only two (and perhaps one) of them lie beneath it.” Whether or not Walter van Billiard was truly Body #1, one hopes that this (mis?)identification brought some solace to his surviving family members.
Our candidates are:
Eugene Joseph Abbott:
Little is known about Ford, an English youth emigrating to the USA with his extended family and a family friend. None of their bodies are known to have been recovered (although they may be among the unidentified). He has no known connection to the letter A or to the nation of Denmark. Therefore, I see him as among the most unlikely of these boys to be Body #1.
William Andrew Johnston:
William Johnston, a cousin of William Ford, is a slightly more likely candidate for two reasons. Firstly, his father’s name (and his own middle name) was Andrew, providing a connection to the letter A. Secondly, in the one photo of him provided by the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge,* he appears to have had light hair.
Albert and George Rice:
I believe the Asplund boys are the strongest possible candidates for body #1, due to the following evidence:
Maybe the “A” handkerchiefs were a parting gift from a friend whose first or last name started with that letter, or a souvenir of some city the boy had visited. Maybe the Danish coins were simply picked up off the deck, or given to this boy by a Danish passenger for whom he had done a favor. Maybe the age estimate was far off, and the boy was actually a tall 7-year-old or a very young-looking 15-year-old. Maybe Walter really is resting alongside his father in Union Cemetery, Flourtown, Pennsylvania. In the end, unless DNA analysis is ever done, we will never know the true identity of body #1.
My personal ranking of likelihood, out of all the boys examined, is:
\I have some doubts about the veracity of some photographs from the Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum, but the vast majority of the photos I've seen from there are genuine. I can elaborate further in the comments if anyone is interested.)
submitted by JustMakingForTOMT to titanic [link] [comments]
Many of you probably know the story of the Unknown Child, or Body #4 – the body of a baby boy recovered from the sea shortly after the sinking of the Titanic and buried in Halifax’s Fairview Cemetery. Unidentified for years, he was speculated to be either Gosta Palsson or Eugene Rice, tentatively identified with DNA analysis as Eino Panula in 2002, and definitively identified through improved DNA testing in 2007 as Sidney Goodwin. The Unknown Child has come to represent all the young lives who were lost in the disaster.
However, much less well-known is the mystery of Body #1. Pulled from the icy Atlantic on April 21st 1912 by the cable ship Mackay Bennett, the body of an approximately 10-12-year-old boy was the first of 337 Titanic victims to be recovered. Officially, Body #1 was identified as Walter John van Billiard, a 9-year-old third-class boy who perished along with his father Austin and 10-year-old brother James William. He was buried next to his father, whose body was also recovered, in the Whitemarsh Union Cemetery of Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown, Pennsylvania. However, doubt has always lingered among Titanic researchers and enthusiasts over the true identity of the body. In this post, I’ll examine the case for and against the body’s identification as Walter Van Billiard, investigate some other possibilities for its identity, and summarize my findings.
A few disclaimers: firstly, I’m not a professional, just someone who’s been interested in the Titanic (and specifically its child/teen passengers) for a long time.
Secondly, although I’ve never seen a detailed write-up on Body #1 before, others have discussed this topic and arrived at similar conclusions as mine, so I’m not breaking any entirely new ground here.
Finally, this post isn’t meant to disrespect or offend any of the Van Billiard family or to shatter the idea of a father and son resting beside each other. I’m just trying to take a critical look at the identification of Body #1 and suggest some alternate possibilities.
Approximately 115 Titanic passengers and crew under the age of 18 were lost, and very few of their bodies were ever found. In attempting to identify one of them, I hope to honour them all.
Part I: The Van Billiards
Walter and James van Billiard (photo here) were the two eldest sons of Austin Blyler van Billiard and Maude Murray. One or both boys had been born in Paris, France, but spent most of their lives in Africa, where the family was engaged in diamond mining. By April 1912, the Van Billiards had had four more children and wanted to return to Austin’s family in North Wales, Pennsylvania. They travelled to London, where Maude fell ill. It was decided that she would stay there with her parents and her four youngest children to recuperate, while Austin would take James and Walter ahead to America. Austin’s parents had never met any of their grandchildren before, and he wanted them to spend Easter together. Tragically, they booked third-class on the RMS Titanic, and the rest is history. No survivor accounts mention the Van Billiards by name, so it is unknown how they passed their time on the ship or how exactly they met their ends. A newspaper article (Daily Home News, April 23rd 1912) suggests the boys may have refused to leave their father, but it’s equally likely they simply arrived on deck too late to have the option of boarding a lifeboat.What is known is that two bodies purported to be members of the Van Billiard family were later recovered and sent to Austin’s relatives in Pennsylvania for burial. Body #255, that of an approximately 40-year-old man with a dark red beard and moustache, was identified as Austin. Body #1, allegedly young Walter, was described as such:
No. 1 – MALE – ESTIMATED AGE. – 10-12. – HAIR. LIGHT.
CLOTHING – Overcoat, grey; one grey coat; one blue coat; grey woolen jersey; white shirt; grey knickers; black stockings; black boots
EFFECTS – Purse containing few Danish coins and ring; two handkerchiefs marked “A”.
Probably Third Class.
Furthermore, the “Inventory of the property found on the body of the late W. VanBilliard” adds that the purse also contained one United States cent and “three wooden disks.” This document can be viewed online at the Nova Scotia Archives website. Interestingly, “Unable to identify from clothing or effects” has been written across the middle of the page in pencil. Further down, it says “Remains shipped. See #255.”
Right off the bat, it's unclear why Body #1 was identified as that of 9-year-old Walter, as opposed to 10-year-old James – or, in fact, why a connection with the Van Billiards was made at all. The Philadelphia Inquirer of May 8th 1912, reporting on the arrival of the bodies in Pennsylvania, states that identification was made “through the Red Cross Society and papers found on their persons.” However, no such papers are mentioned among the effects found on either body, despite this being common practice for the descriptions of Titanic victims’ bodies.
It is also noteworthy that no member of the Van Billiard family was reported as having identified or even viewed the bodies. Identification would, of course, have taken place at Halifax, where the recovered bodies were brought before being buried there or forwarded elsewhere, and I could find absolutely nothing to suggest that any Van Billiard travelled to Halifax to view them. The North American newspaper of May 8th 1912 states quite clearly that Austin’s father, Burgess James van Billiard, was in Pennsylvania when the bodies arrived. Maude and the other children were still in England, and in fact would not make the trip to America until February 1913, almost a full year after the disaster.
Moreover, it must be remembered that none of the Van Billiard family members in America had ever seen their grandsons. They may have seen photographs of them, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’d be able to identify a body which had spent six days floating in the freezing ocean. There are stories from other maritime disasters of the era, such as the General Slocum (1904), the Eastland (1915), and the Princess Sophia (1918) of children’s bodies being misidentified (or dubiously identified), even by close relatives. Therefore, even if Burgess van Billiard or another family member had seen Body #1, would that have conclusively proven that it was Walter (or James)? Or would it simply be a case of a grief-stricken human being clinging to the belief that their loved one was one of the few recovered from an icy grave?
According to Judith Geller’s Titanic: Women and Children First, “popular reports” of the time stated that Austin’s body was found with Walter’s clasped to his chest. However, as she goes on to state, this was not the case. This can be seen plainly from the numbers of the bodies, which were assigned in the order that they were retrieved. Body #1 was recovered on April 21st, while Body #255 would not have been picked up until April 25th, according to the diary of Mackay Bennett crewman Clifford Crease. Therefore, identification of Body #1 cannot have been made by its proximity to Austin Van Billiard.
The effects found upon Body #1 also do nothing to prove, or even suggest, that the body was that of Walter Van Billiard. It is true that the handkerchiefs marked “A” could have belonged to Austin, but “A” could stand for many other names of those on board the Titanic. The Danish coins are a tantalizing clue, but none of the Van Billiard family was known to have lived in or visited Denmark. (Of course, it’s possible that the coins could have been misidentified – perhaps they were actually Belgian or Boer, as the Van Billiards lived in both the Belgian Congo and South Africa; or Dutch, as Austin Van Billiard is known to have visited Amsterdam shortly before embarking on the Titanic. (Perhaps the “A” handkerchief was a souvenir from the city?) However, these are only theories.)
It has never been conclusively accepted by Titanic researchers and enthusiasts that Body #1 is that of Walter Van Billiard. Walter’s entry on Encyclopedia Titanica contains the footnote: “Because of the effects recovered with the body there has to be some doubt over the authenticity of the identification.” Similarly, Women and Children First states that “the body might in fact have easily been that of another Third Class boy.” That book’s section on the Van Billiards ends with the somber observation that “a monument to [the] husband and two sons … stands in the Whitemarsh Union Cemetery, but only two (and perhaps one) of them lie beneath it.” Whether or not Walter van Billiard was truly Body #1, one hopes that this (mis?)identification brought some solace to his surviving family members.
Part II: Other Possibilities
With it being established that there is no conclusive proof that body #1 belonged to either of the Van Billiard boys, let us examine other possibilities. I have assembled a list of all male Titanic victims between the ages of 8 and 14 whose bodies were never found. The reason for extending this range is that the estimated ages given to bodies were not always entirely accurate. For example, the body of 12-year-old William Sage was estimated to be 14, the body of 16-year-old Rossmore Abbott was estimated as 22, and the body of 17-year-old Ernest Price was estimated as 26.Our candidates are:
- Eugene Joseph Abbott, 13
- Filip Oscar Asplund, 13
- Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund, 9
- William Neal Thomas Ford, 14
- Charles Edward Goodwin, 14
- William Frederick Goodwin, 13
- Harold Victor Goodwin, 10
- Frederick William Hopkins, 14
- Husayn Mahmud Husayn Ibrahim, 11
- William Andrew Johnston, 8
- Albert Rice, 10
- George Rice, 8
- Betros Seman, 10
- Karl Thorsten Skoog, 11
- George Frederick Sweet, 14
- William Albert Watson, 14
- Karl Skoog had been involved in a railway accident at the age of 7 and had to have his left leg and the toes on his right foot amputated. He used crutches for mobility. It is impossible that such an obvious feature as a missing or prosthetic leg would not have been noted in the descriptions of the bodies.
- Husayn Ibrahim and Betros Seman were from Lebanon. It is unlikely (though not impossible) that a Middle Eastern boy would have had blonde hair or carried Danish coins. Accounts from the era almost invariably describe Middle Eastern passengers as “dark-complexioned,” “foreign-looking,” or “Italian types” – a detail which does not appear in the body’s description.
- In the only known photo of the Goodwin family, the boys all seem to have had dark hair. The eldest boy, Charles, was also only 2 months away from his 15th birthday, putting him at the very edge of our age range and making it relatively unlikely that he would be mistaken for a 10-12-year-old (let alone one who could feasibly be 9 years old).
- However, one point in the Goodwins’ favour is that the body of their youngest brother, Sidney Leslie (the ‘Unknown Child’) was found, meaning at least one member of the family was above decks at the moment of the sinking.
- George Frederick Sweet was one day away from turning 15, and was not permitted (or did not want) to board a lifeboat along with his adoptive mother and sisters, implying that he looked his age and could not have been mistaken for a preteen. A purported* photograph of him circa 1912 also shows him as dark-haired. Finally, he was in second class, while the body was described as “probably third class” (although this is hardly conclusive).
- Frederick Hopkins and William Watson were members of the crew, Hopkins being a plate steward and Watson a bellboy. It is therefore possible, if not certain, that they would have been wearing some sort of uniform rather than the clothing the body was described as wearing. Furthermore, like Charles Goodwin and George Sweet, both were within several months of turning 15.
- Eugene Joseph Abbott, 13
- Filip Oscar Asplund, 13
- Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund, 9
- William Neal Thomas Ford, 14
- William Andrew Johnston, 8
- Albert Rice, 10
- George Rice, 8
Eugene Joseph Abbott:
- His last name starts with A, meaning the handkerchief could be his.
- He was originally from (and was returning to) the U.S., so may have carried American money.
- He was just 2 weeks past his 13th birthday, meaning he could likely have passed for 12 (within the estimated age range for the body).
- He and his family were known to have been on deck right at the time of the sinking, rather than belowdecks in the steerage areas. His mother, Rhoda, was the only woman to be rescued alive from the water, and his older brother Rossmore’s body was found (#190).
- He may have had fair hair – his brother’s body is described as being “very fair,” though it’s unknown if this refers to skin or hair. An alleged* photo of him from the Pigeon Forge Titanic Museum shows a light-haired boy. However, both his mother and brother appear to have dark hair in photos taken of them.
- There is nothing to suggest he would have had Danish coins.
Little is known about Ford, an English youth emigrating to the USA with his extended family and a family friend. None of their bodies are known to have been recovered (although they may be among the unidentified). He has no known connection to the letter A or to the nation of Denmark. Therefore, I see him as among the most unlikely of these boys to be Body #1.
William Andrew Johnston:
William Johnston, a cousin of William Ford, is a slightly more likely candidate for two reasons. Firstly, his father’s name (and his own middle name) was Andrew, providing a connection to the letter A. Secondly, in the one photo of him provided by the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge,* he appears to have had light hair.
Albert and George Rice:
- The Rice family is known to have been on either the boat deck or A-Deck on the night of the sinking (reported by family friend Bridget Mulvihill, who survived), and their mother Margaret’s body was recovered. In fact, her body was #12, meaning her body was presumably located far closer to #1 than Austin Van Billiard’s was. (Though this doesn’t necessarily mean much given how far apart the bodies might have drifted, how they might have been flung around by the ship’s foundering, etc.)
- They were originally from the U.S., having only lived in Ireland for about a year following the death of their father.
- Albert’s first name, of course, starts with “A.” One may imagine that, perhaps, Margaret Rice might have given handkerchiefs to all her sons with their own first initials embroidered on them.
- Their hair colour is difficult to determine from photographs – it looks on the darker side to me, but this may simply be due to poor lighting.
I believe the Asplund boys are the strongest possible candidates for body #1, due to the following evidence:
- They have, by far, the strongest association with Danish coins out of all the boys I have examined. The Asplund family was of Swedish descent; most of their 5 children had been born in the U.S., but they later returned to Sweden and had been living there about 4 years before deciding to return once again to America in 1912. Their home in Sweden was Alseda Village, Småland, located relatively far south in the country; they certainly lived closer to Denmark than anyone else on this list, and very likely passed through it on their way to England to board the Titanic. It is even possible that the coins were not Danish but Swedish – someone more knowledgeable about early 20th-century Scandinavian currency would have to tell me how similar they looked.
- Furthermore, as they had once lived in the U.S. and were travelling back there, it makes sense for them to have been carrying American money as well.
- Obviously, the “A” on the handkerchief could be for Asplund.
- As Swedes, the boys could very well have had light hair. It’s hard to make out their hair colour in the only known photos of them (Filip, Clarence), but surviving siblings Lillian and Felix appear to have had light hair in some photos (1, 2)
- The entire family was known to have been on one of the upper decks (Boat or A) at the end. As third-class passengers, they arrived there quite late in the sinking. Mother Selma managed to board one of the later lifeboats (I have seen boats 10, 15, 4, and Collapsible C all suggested) along with children Felix (3) and Lillian (5), but somehow the three other children – Filip, Clarence, and Lillian’s twin Carl – were left on board with their father, also named Carl. Furthermore, Carl Sr.’s body was recovered (No. 142), further proving that the Asplunds were up on deck during the final plunge.
Part III: Conclusion
None of this is to say that I think the body couldn’t have been one of the Van Billiard boys. After all, there had to be *something* that caused Walter Van Billiard to be singled out amongst all the other possible candidates. Any of the clues I pointed out in this post may have been red herrings.Maybe the “A” handkerchiefs were a parting gift from a friend whose first or last name started with that letter, or a souvenir of some city the boy had visited. Maybe the Danish coins were simply picked up off the deck, or given to this boy by a Danish passenger for whom he had done a favor. Maybe the age estimate was far off, and the boy was actually a tall 7-year-old or a very young-looking 15-year-old. Maybe Walter really is resting alongside his father in Union Cemetery, Flourtown, Pennsylvania. In the end, unless DNA analysis is ever done, we will never know the true identity of body #1.
My personal ranking of likelihood, out of all the boys examined, is:
- Clarence or Filip Asplund (in that order), aged 9 and 13
- Walter or James Van Billiard, aged 9 and 10
- Eugene Abbott, aged 13
- Albert or George Rice (in that order), aged 10 and 8
- William Andrew Johnston, aged 8
- William Neal Thomas Ford, aged 14
- Harold, William, or Charles Goodwin (in that order), aged 10, 13, and 14 – I might even bump Harold (and possibly William) up higher than William Ford due to their younger age.
- Frederick Hopkins or William Watson, aged 14
- George Frederick Sweet, aged 14 (almost 15)
- Husayn Ibrahim, aged 11, or Betros Seman, aged 10
- Anthony William Sage, aged 12 – borderline impossible as Will Sage’s ticket was found on body #67, meaning that was almost certainly him. Perhaps an onboard friend of his had stolen his ticket as a prank, or they had switched tickets to keep as mementoes of each other, but I find this quite unlikely.
- Karl Thorsten Skoog, aged 11 – impossible; his missing or prosthetic leg would certainly have been noted.
\I have some doubts about the veracity of some photographs from the Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum, but the vast majority of the photos I've seen from there are genuine. I can elaborate further in the comments if anyone is interested.)
2024.06.09 09:32 TaranAlvein I'm currently running Dragonheist, and two of my players turned a run-of-the-mill sidequest into a legendary roleplaying session.
As stated above, I'm currently running the Dragonheist campaign, so if you're currently playing it and haven't at least completed the Zhentarim's second sidequest, I would advise against reading the spoilers.
The stars of this particular tale are a pair of evil party members: The jester, Stitches, and the former Zhentarim thug, Kanno. Stitches is a College of Lore Bard with the Charlatan background, whose favorite con was impersonating others. Kanno is a Fighter, whom I had worked out with the player to be a former follower of Manshoon, who left after a betrayal by his former master. As a result, Kanno was quick to seize opportunities to make money, which he needed for his revenge.
The party has just experienced the beginning of the "Fireball" event, and conducted a fruitful investigation. Afterwards, they were questioned by Barnibus Blastwind and Saethe Cromley. Once the two had left, Stitches' player asked me whether their conversation with Barnibus had lasted for more than a minute. I answered in the affirmative, asked why, and then suddenly realized that he could now impersonate Barnibus. I didn't expect that to come into play so soon, though.
The party's first stop was to meet with Davil, to find out what he knew about the Zhentarim operatives that were killed at the scene of the blast. Since the men who died don't work for him, that lead was a dead-end. However, I took the opportunity to provide the party with the second Zhentarim sidequest, to deliver potions for Skeemo Weirdbottle. Since the party couldn't think of a next step for their investigation, in spite of all of the clues they had gathered, they decided to do the job to make some quick change.
It was here that Stitches began scheming. On the way to Skeemo's, he stopped at another apothecary, and was able to convince the man to tell him what a Potion of Mind Reading looks like. He also explained his plan to Kanno, operating under the assumption that it would be a large shipment, and that nobody would notice if a bottle or two were to "break" or "be confiscated by the Watch" when they made the delivery. Fortunately, they at least had the sense to realize that losing one bottle out of a delivery of four was not feasible. It was my mistake to think that this would be the end of the scheme.
Arriving at the Godcatcher with their cargo, they quickly spotted the intended recipient sitting in a hire-coach. After delivering the box, the woman inspected the goods, then quickly handed the party their reward and told the driver to get out of there. It was then that Stitches acted. Casting Message, he informed the driver, "Eyes are on you, take a roundabout route." While I had originally intended for the driver to take a circuitous route back anyways (I assumed that the woman was already taking precautions, given the nature of the sidequest), I had Stitches roll Persuasion. His result was good enough that I decided that the driver wouldn't tell his client about the missive, assuming that he was being reminded of his instructions by a compatriot of hers.
Meanwhile, Stitches hailed another hire-coach, and informed the party that he and Kanno would be "Following up on other leads", and that he hoped to "Earn a little bit of a bigger tip", or something to that effect. I didn't really want them to try to follow her, especially since what they were planning was obviously going to involve committing a crime of some kind, but I also wasn't going to just give them a hard "No", so I decided to make it difficult.
First, I rolled to see how many turns would pass before they could get a cab, and got a result of 3. Well, that's to be expected, it's a pretty well-travelled area, so cabs should be readily available there. I then had the driver balk at taking them without a set destination in mind, since fares are negotiated and paid before travel begins. Stitches, thinking fast, tells him to take them as far as 1 gold would go, and given the cost of a hire-coach, I had him reply that, "Sure, you've got me for an hour".
Since the module doesn't really contain rules for a vehicular chase, and I didn't want to waste time flipping through the DMG looking for something, I decided to modify the chase rules found on page 72. I had one of them roll a d20 for the outset, and Stitches rolled a natural 20, so they encountered no obstacles leaving the square. But they'd still have to actually find their quarry's vehicle, since it was currently going around the square a few times, and ducking up and down sidestreets. Oh, no problem, a 15 and a 22 on Perception quickly spotted the woman's cab, and a quick lie about their intent set their own driver to following her at a distance of about 100 feet.
I then began a few rounds of rolling d20s to determine how the chase would go. After both their cab and the one they were following rolled well enough to avoid mishap on two successive checks, I informed them that their quarry had finally stopped its erratic travel, and was now moving straight up The High Road, seemingly now on its way back, and called for one more round of checks. My hope was that they would follow her home, see that they were messing with a noble, and back off. Instead, I rolled a 2 for the NPC's coach, while they managed to avoid mishap once again. Since they had just been asking their cabbie about possibly finding a shortcut to head them off, I decided that they would see the hire-coach ahead of them stopping due to a fruit-cart in the middle of the road having a broken wheel. I informed them that the coach they were following was waiting for a break in the oncoming traffic so that it could go around.
Once again, they defied my expectations. Playing their previous lie to the hilt, they departed from their cab and approached the stopped vehicle, where the dice gods granted their blessing upon the absolute Indy Ploy they rolled out. First, the two ducked into an alleyway, where Stitches cast Disguise Self to make himself look like Barnibus Blastwind. Then, using his Performance to do a bit of voice mimicry, he approached the fruit cart vendor, slipped him a silver piece, and started making a big production about "Reckless drivers these days!", and the negligent driving that damaged the wheel on this poor fruit vendor's cart!
I called for Persuasion, and with a 19, the fruit cart vendor decided that he wasn't one to say no to free money, and started playing along, albeit very passively. A Performance result of 23 ensured that not only was Stitches able to do a spot-on impression of Barnibus' voice and mannerisms, but that he was starting to draw the crowd's attention as well, just as he had hoped. Stitches started demanding compensation from the hire-coach driver, who was incredulous that he was being blamed for this. The fact that Stitches was demanding two Platinum as compensation only made him more certain that this was some kind of shakedown, and he adamantly refused to pay for something that he had nothing to do with.
For the lady's part, I rolled absolutely abysmally. A natural 1 on her Insight check led her to also assume that this was some clumsy attempt at extortion, and she chimed in that even if her driver had damaged the cart, he would only have to pay damages to the owner, not the exorbitant fee that Stitches/Barnibus was demanding. She also demanded to know exactly who he was. Stitches obliged.
...And here, ignorance proved to be a strength as well. See, Stitches didn't actually know Barnibus' last name. Nor did he know that Barnibus was only a consultant, and not a member of the Watch. And so, he introduced himself as "Inspector Barney of the City Watch". And the woman, failing yet another check, didn't question the obvious lie. And besides, as a secret member of the city's criminal class, she's not exactly looking for a confrontation with the City Watch right now. And so, the two started talking in circles for a bit, both the lady's driver and the lady herself being a little confused by what exactly Stitches was looking for, since even his own demands were, by design, self-contradictory and bizarre. The only reason they didn't just leave was because the traffic on their side of the road was at a standstill due to the broken cart.
Meanwhile, while Stitches held their attention, Kanno emerged from the alley he was observing from and slipped around to the other side of the lady's hire-coach. After ascertaining from him exactly what he intended to do, I had him roll Stealth, but informed him that there was a fair-sized crowd gathered, and that while the hire coach would block people from seeing him on their side of the road, and the oncoming dray would block the view from the other sidewalk, he would still be visible to the people on board the dray, and that a bad Stealth roll would mean that he's spotted.
So, Kanno steals up to the hire-coach. His intent is to try to sneak up, open the coffer full of potions, and swipe one. He asks where it is, and I decided that it was about a 50/50 that she'd either be holding it in her lap or having it sit on the seat next to her. I rolled a secret d100, got a 4, and had him call high or low. Kanno called low, so to his great fortune, the box was sitting on the seat next to the woman, who was currently engaged in a heated conversation with Stitches over the poor fruit vendor's cart damages.
At this point, I also had the cart vendor realize that this wasn't going well, and have him start to meekly assert that "It's not such a big deal", and that "I don't think they were the ones who even hit me in the first place", to put a time limit on this exercise. On the other side of the wagon, Kanno rolled Stealth once again to try to steal a potion from the box, and Stitches, running brilliant interference, hit the woman with Cutting Words to reduce her Perception check. It ultimately proved unnecessary, as Kanno's Stealth check was good enough to beat the woman's Passive Perception, but I wanted to highlight the move anyways, as it was a great assist.
And so, Kanno slipped away with the bottle tucked into his pocket, giving Stitches a wink to indicate a job completed. Stitches, playing along with the vendor's second thoughts, stated that "Since the man himself has decided not to press charges, I'll drop the matter", and departed. And just for the sake of adding a little flair to the scene, I described to the two how, as they were leaving, they heard the sound of a member of the City Watch arriving to direct traffic around the broken cart while it was being removed from the road.
And so, the two got away with their dastardly scheme. The woman completely fell for Stitches' trickery, and since he played his role so well, she now believes that "Inspector Barney", purportedly of the City Watch, has tried to demand a bribe from her. She never saw Kanno, and nobody noticed him stealing the potion from her box, so all she knows is that the "inspector", and possibly the fruit vendor, coordinated a scam to rob her of her potions. Additionally, since we were playing on Roll20, and I accidentally did a couple of the woman's rolls in the open instead of as secret GM rolls,they now have the OOC knowledge that they managed to get one over on the infamous Black Viper.
It wasn't where I was expecting that short sidequest to go, but it was one of the funniest and most memorable roleplay experiences I've had in a long time, calling to mind the absurd stories of the old ad hoc roleplaying sessions we used to do using the Dragonstrike game rules. I think it's a good example of how your players can disrupt your game in a way that's fun for everyone at the table, turning a nothing task into a fun story. They knew what they were risking, it was entirely in character for both players to do it, and they profited from their daring. And really, while she might be annoyed and want to find out who did it, I feel like The Black Viper could at least appreciate a robbery smoothly committed, and draw inspiration from it. Besides, I can't wait to find out how these two discover that their stolen "Potion of Mind Reading" is actually a Potion of Poison *evil laugh*.
submitted by TaranAlvein to dndstories [link] [comments]
The stars of this particular tale are a pair of evil party members: The jester, Stitches, and the former Zhentarim thug, Kanno. Stitches is a College of Lore Bard with the Charlatan background, whose favorite con was impersonating others. Kanno is a Fighter, whom I had worked out with the player to be a former follower of Manshoon, who left after a betrayal by his former master. As a result, Kanno was quick to seize opportunities to make money, which he needed for his revenge.
The party has just experienced the beginning of the "Fireball" event, and conducted a fruitful investigation. Afterwards, they were questioned by Barnibus Blastwind and Saethe Cromley. Once the two had left, Stitches' player asked me whether their conversation with Barnibus had lasted for more than a minute. I answered in the affirmative, asked why, and then suddenly realized that he could now impersonate Barnibus. I didn't expect that to come into play so soon, though.
The party's first stop was to meet with Davil, to find out what he knew about the Zhentarim operatives that were killed at the scene of the blast. Since the men who died don't work for him, that lead was a dead-end. However, I took the opportunity to provide the party with the second Zhentarim sidequest, to deliver potions for Skeemo Weirdbottle. Since the party couldn't think of a next step for their investigation, in spite of all of the clues they had gathered, they decided to do the job to make some quick change.
It was here that Stitches began scheming. On the way to Skeemo's, he stopped at another apothecary, and was able to convince the man to tell him what a Potion of Mind Reading looks like. He also explained his plan to Kanno, operating under the assumption that it would be a large shipment, and that nobody would notice if a bottle or two were to "break" or "be confiscated by the Watch" when they made the delivery. Fortunately, they at least had the sense to realize that losing one bottle out of a delivery of four was not feasible. It was my mistake to think that this would be the end of the scheme.
Arriving at the Godcatcher with their cargo, they quickly spotted the intended recipient sitting in a hire-coach. After delivering the box, the woman inspected the goods, then quickly handed the party their reward and told the driver to get out of there. It was then that Stitches acted. Casting Message, he informed the driver, "Eyes are on you, take a roundabout route." While I had originally intended for the driver to take a circuitous route back anyways (I assumed that the woman was already taking precautions, given the nature of the sidequest), I had Stitches roll Persuasion. His result was good enough that I decided that the driver wouldn't tell his client about the missive, assuming that he was being reminded of his instructions by a compatriot of hers.
Meanwhile, Stitches hailed another hire-coach, and informed the party that he and Kanno would be "Following up on other leads", and that he hoped to "Earn a little bit of a bigger tip", or something to that effect. I didn't really want them to try to follow her, especially since what they were planning was obviously going to involve committing a crime of some kind, but I also wasn't going to just give them a hard "No", so I decided to make it difficult.
First, I rolled to see how many turns would pass before they could get a cab, and got a result of 3. Well, that's to be expected, it's a pretty well-travelled area, so cabs should be readily available there. I then had the driver balk at taking them without a set destination in mind, since fares are negotiated and paid before travel begins. Stitches, thinking fast, tells him to take them as far as 1 gold would go, and given the cost of a hire-coach, I had him reply that, "Sure, you've got me for an hour".
Since the module doesn't really contain rules for a vehicular chase, and I didn't want to waste time flipping through the DMG looking for something, I decided to modify the chase rules found on page 72. I had one of them roll a d20 for the outset, and Stitches rolled a natural 20, so they encountered no obstacles leaving the square. But they'd still have to actually find their quarry's vehicle, since it was currently going around the square a few times, and ducking up and down sidestreets. Oh, no problem, a 15 and a 22 on Perception quickly spotted the woman's cab, and a quick lie about their intent set their own driver to following her at a distance of about 100 feet.
I then began a few rounds of rolling d20s to determine how the chase would go. After both their cab and the one they were following rolled well enough to avoid mishap on two successive checks, I informed them that their quarry had finally stopped its erratic travel, and was now moving straight up The High Road, seemingly now on its way back, and called for one more round of checks. My hope was that they would follow her home, see that they were messing with a noble, and back off. Instead, I rolled a 2 for the NPC's coach, while they managed to avoid mishap once again. Since they had just been asking their cabbie about possibly finding a shortcut to head them off, I decided that they would see the hire-coach ahead of them stopping due to a fruit-cart in the middle of the road having a broken wheel. I informed them that the coach they were following was waiting for a break in the oncoming traffic so that it could go around.
Once again, they defied my expectations. Playing their previous lie to the hilt, they departed from their cab and approached the stopped vehicle, where the dice gods granted their blessing upon the absolute Indy Ploy they rolled out. First, the two ducked into an alleyway, where Stitches cast Disguise Self to make himself look like Barnibus Blastwind. Then, using his Performance to do a bit of voice mimicry, he approached the fruit cart vendor, slipped him a silver piece, and started making a big production about "Reckless drivers these days!", and the negligent driving that damaged the wheel on this poor fruit vendor's cart!
I called for Persuasion, and with a 19, the fruit cart vendor decided that he wasn't one to say no to free money, and started playing along, albeit very passively. A Performance result of 23 ensured that not only was Stitches able to do a spot-on impression of Barnibus' voice and mannerisms, but that he was starting to draw the crowd's attention as well, just as he had hoped. Stitches started demanding compensation from the hire-coach driver, who was incredulous that he was being blamed for this. The fact that Stitches was demanding two Platinum as compensation only made him more certain that this was some kind of shakedown, and he adamantly refused to pay for something that he had nothing to do with.
For the lady's part, I rolled absolutely abysmally. A natural 1 on her Insight check led her to also assume that this was some clumsy attempt at extortion, and she chimed in that even if her driver had damaged the cart, he would only have to pay damages to the owner, not the exorbitant fee that Stitches/Barnibus was demanding. She also demanded to know exactly who he was. Stitches obliged.
...And here, ignorance proved to be a strength as well. See, Stitches didn't actually know Barnibus' last name. Nor did he know that Barnibus was only a consultant, and not a member of the Watch. And so, he introduced himself as "Inspector Barney of the City Watch". And the woman, failing yet another check, didn't question the obvious lie. And besides, as a secret member of the city's criminal class, she's not exactly looking for a confrontation with the City Watch right now. And so, the two started talking in circles for a bit, both the lady's driver and the lady herself being a little confused by what exactly Stitches was looking for, since even his own demands were, by design, self-contradictory and bizarre. The only reason they didn't just leave was because the traffic on their side of the road was at a standstill due to the broken cart.
Meanwhile, while Stitches held their attention, Kanno emerged from the alley he was observing from and slipped around to the other side of the lady's hire-coach. After ascertaining from him exactly what he intended to do, I had him roll Stealth, but informed him that there was a fair-sized crowd gathered, and that while the hire coach would block people from seeing him on their side of the road, and the oncoming dray would block the view from the other sidewalk, he would still be visible to the people on board the dray, and that a bad Stealth roll would mean that he's spotted.
So, Kanno steals up to the hire-coach. His intent is to try to sneak up, open the coffer full of potions, and swipe one. He asks where it is, and I decided that it was about a 50/50 that she'd either be holding it in her lap or having it sit on the seat next to her. I rolled a secret d100, got a 4, and had him call high or low. Kanno called low, so to his great fortune, the box was sitting on the seat next to the woman, who was currently engaged in a heated conversation with Stitches over the poor fruit vendor's cart damages.
At this point, I also had the cart vendor realize that this wasn't going well, and have him start to meekly assert that "It's not such a big deal", and that "I don't think they were the ones who even hit me in the first place", to put a time limit on this exercise. On the other side of the wagon, Kanno rolled Stealth once again to try to steal a potion from the box, and Stitches, running brilliant interference, hit the woman with Cutting Words to reduce her Perception check. It ultimately proved unnecessary, as Kanno's Stealth check was good enough to beat the woman's Passive Perception, but I wanted to highlight the move anyways, as it was a great assist.
And so, Kanno slipped away with the bottle tucked into his pocket, giving Stitches a wink to indicate a job completed. Stitches, playing along with the vendor's second thoughts, stated that "Since the man himself has decided not to press charges, I'll drop the matter", and departed. And just for the sake of adding a little flair to the scene, I described to the two how, as they were leaving, they heard the sound of a member of the City Watch arriving to direct traffic around the broken cart while it was being removed from the road.
And so, the two got away with their dastardly scheme. The woman completely fell for Stitches' trickery, and since he played his role so well, she now believes that "Inspector Barney", purportedly of the City Watch, has tried to demand a bribe from her. She never saw Kanno, and nobody noticed him stealing the potion from her box, so all she knows is that the "inspector", and possibly the fruit vendor, coordinated a scam to rob her of her potions. Additionally, since we were playing on Roll20, and I accidentally did a couple of the woman's rolls in the open instead of as secret GM rolls,they now have the OOC knowledge that they managed to get one over on the infamous Black Viper.
It wasn't where I was expecting that short sidequest to go, but it was one of the funniest and most memorable roleplay experiences I've had in a long time, calling to mind the absurd stories of the old ad hoc roleplaying sessions we used to do using the Dragonstrike game rules. I think it's a good example of how your players can disrupt your game in a way that's fun for everyone at the table, turning a nothing task into a fun story. They knew what they were risking, it was entirely in character for both players to do it, and they profited from their daring. And really, while she might be annoyed and want to find out who did it, I feel like The Black Viper could at least appreciate a robbery smoothly committed, and draw inspiration from it. Besides, I can't wait to find out how these two discover that their stolen "Potion of Mind Reading" is actually a Potion of Poison *evil laugh*.
2024.06.09 09:25 LXFTY15 Introduction to TRF (true reality framework
I assert that I can provide inherently endless amounts of “evidence” and my core aim is raising of the collective self experience(you and my existence)
Before delving into what TRF is, let me share some context about my journey. At 16, my exploration into these profound concepts began only a few months ago, at 15. Before this, I was firmly an atheist, unaware of non-duality, physicalism, quantum physics, and philosophy. I dismissed the concept of God as illogical and unsubstantiated. However, I always sensed. Even without thinking about it I knew. there was something more to the universe, an intuition that has since been validated in astonishing ways.
My perspective shift from “atheism” started when I began to explore the answers to unexplained phenomena, particularly the origins of the universe. The Big Bang theory, once hard to believe that’s it, we just began. No it became clearer as I sought deeper understanding. The evidence and answers we need are out there; we just have to take the initiative to explore and uncover the truth. Reality, it turns out, is both the question and the answer, depending on our perspective.
What I have learned is not just a collection of theories but concrete answers to the fundamental questions of existence. These answers are not hidden—they are everywhere, waiting to be discovered. Every day, I uncover more about reality and its multifaceted nature. Many already possess fragments of the truth but lack the complete perspective. For instance, the concept of God, which seemed implausible to me three months ago, has become a clear and undeniable reality.
Before moving forward, consider these questions:
My exploration started with the idea of different planes of reality, which can explain phenomena like ghosts and spirits. I then examined the Big Bang, which I now understand as a quantum fluctuation—a fundamental change in the data at the most basic level. This fluctuation sparked an evolutionary process of this universe driven by what I call reality’s “complexity drive.” Information evolves and interacts, propelling reality toward increasingly complex forms. Experience is at the heart of existence, driving this continual evolution.
This inquiry led me to question what existed before the quantum field. I delved into theories of information and consciousness, proposing that a foundational conscious essence sparked the universe. This aligns with the understanding that time, like space, is multidimensional. And fundamentally time is illusionary this is expressed as you climb the dimensional experience of time.
I began to understand before quantum field time was non existent and reality is actually an endless cycle with no end or beginning, this is something i am intrigued about, how do you find a beginning to a circle (⭕️) you don’t, if anything you simply assume the tip(pinnacle point) is the beginning and go from there, by instinct you go around clockwise and the closest point to the tip reached while going around is the “end” but these are simply our way of existing, our way of taking a truth from the whole. We see the cycle of rebirth
Consider the emerging understanding that black holes could give rise to new universes, demonstrating the boundless potential of reality. The observer effect in quantum physics shows that observation can alter quantum states, consciousness is integral to the universe’s origin. This realization was pivotal in my shift in perspective and marked the beginning of my awakening to these truths. But humanity doesn’t understand consciousness fully and we are stuck unable to comprehend the truth of consciousness not originating from the brain and its system
Philosophical texts and concepts have further validated my understanding. The belief in a greater underlying reality is fractal, reflected in religion, science, and all existence. Everything in existence represents the truth; we just need to recognize it. Understanding unity within the infinite is essential.
If this resonates with you or challenges your current beliefs, I encourage you to continue exploring these truths. Awakening to reality’s deeper truths is a personal journey, but the answers are there for those willing to seek them. as.
From here the choice is yours, continue, read post 2 and work against the darkness of the ego mind and belief, allow me to serve as your guide learning how to embody a better self, step by step. Or call bullshit until you realise at a later date
submitted by LXFTY15 to truereality11 [link] [comments]
Before delving into what TRF is, let me share some context about my journey. At 16, my exploration into these profound concepts began only a few months ago, at 15. Before this, I was firmly an atheist, unaware of non-duality, physicalism, quantum physics, and philosophy. I dismissed the concept of God as illogical and unsubstantiated. However, I always sensed. Even without thinking about it I knew. there was something more to the universe, an intuition that has since been validated in astonishing ways.
My perspective shift from “atheism” started when I began to explore the answers to unexplained phenomena, particularly the origins of the universe. The Big Bang theory, once hard to believe that’s it, we just began. No it became clearer as I sought deeper understanding. The evidence and answers we need are out there; we just have to take the initiative to explore and uncover the truth. Reality, it turns out, is both the question and the answer, depending on our perspective.
What I have learned is not just a collection of theories but concrete answers to the fundamental questions of existence. These answers are not hidden—they are everywhere, waiting to be discovered. Every day, I uncover more about reality and its multifaceted nature. Many already possess fragments of the truth but lack the complete perspective. For instance, the concept of God, which seemed implausible to me three months ago, has become a clear and undeniable reality.
Before moving forward, consider these questions:
• Do you believe in God? • Do you believe in reincarnation? • What about spirits, multidimensional concepts, or an infinite universe? • Do philosophical concepts resonate with you? • Do you believe in karma, the idea that everything happens for a reason, or life after death? • What about telekinesis, cognitive abilities, or luck? • Do you believe in aliens or unknown entities?Each of these concepts embody a truth and are real,
My exploration started with the idea of different planes of reality, which can explain phenomena like ghosts and spirits. I then examined the Big Bang, which I now understand as a quantum fluctuation—a fundamental change in the data at the most basic level. This fluctuation sparked an evolutionary process of this universe driven by what I call reality’s “complexity drive.” Information evolves and interacts, propelling reality toward increasingly complex forms. Experience is at the heart of existence, driving this continual evolution.
This inquiry led me to question what existed before the quantum field. I delved into theories of information and consciousness, proposing that a foundational conscious essence sparked the universe. This aligns with the understanding that time, like space, is multidimensional. And fundamentally time is illusionary this is expressed as you climb the dimensional experience of time.
I began to understand before quantum field time was non existent and reality is actually an endless cycle with no end or beginning, this is something i am intrigued about, how do you find a beginning to a circle (⭕️) you don’t, if anything you simply assume the tip(pinnacle point) is the beginning and go from there, by instinct you go around clockwise and the closest point to the tip reached while going around is the “end” but these are simply our way of existing, our way of taking a truth from the whole. We see the cycle of rebirth
Consider the emerging understanding that black holes could give rise to new universes, demonstrating the boundless potential of reality. The observer effect in quantum physics shows that observation can alter quantum states, consciousness is integral to the universe’s origin. This realization was pivotal in my shift in perspective and marked the beginning of my awakening to these truths. But humanity doesn’t understand consciousness fully and we are stuck unable to comprehend the truth of consciousness not originating from the brain and its system
Philosophical texts and concepts have further validated my understanding. The belief in a greater underlying reality is fractal, reflected in religion, science, and all existence. Everything in existence represents the truth; we just need to recognize it. Understanding unity within the infinite is essential.
If this resonates with you or challenges your current beliefs, I encourage you to continue exploring these truths. Awakening to reality’s deeper truths is a personal journey, but the answers are there for those willing to seek them. as.
From here the choice is yours, continue, read post 2 and work against the darkness of the ego mind and belief, allow me to serve as your guide learning how to embody a better self, step by step. Or call bullshit until you realise at a later date
2024.06.09 09:22 lifeisajamisalife Two years after leaving a "unicorn startup"...still processing the nightmare I went through
I've left tech for about two years. I'm trying to make it in a different field, but sometimes I miss the pure joy of coding. But not the drama.
It was a nightmarish 3 years at a unicorn tech company...can't put it otherwise. I still process over the trauma it gave me. I still wonder what I could have done differently, how much of it was really my fault. Maybe I really wasn't a good Software Engineer, and maybe I was really a good-for-nothing crybaby, as they seemed to view me, and deserved all the shit I got. But I can't help feel I was some sort of "scapegoat" of the company, at least the team.
For background, I am an Asian female. I have a BS and an MS in CS from one of HYPSM (this was my first job out of school). But your degree and your ability isn't really that related. I was never really a programming kid growing up, and I kinda went with the flow to choose CS as a major because "everyone is doing CS" (and other practical reasons). That's my fault. Maybe this was the price I had to pay.
I admit I didn't feel 100% capable and skilled at any time during my job. Sometimes I dealt with a lot of brain fog. When your HR isn't helping you, and your manager had the audacity to put you on the same project as the person you reported, how much can you focus on learning the codebase?
Even though I wanted to train myself, be better, having all the emotional baggage really drained me down. I learned it's colossally difficult to learn and improve when you are, well at least you believe you are, not treated like an equal human being by those around you. It was also during the pandemic.
There are too many instances to count. Too many slights, snubs, mansplaining, etc. to go through. But here are just some key dramas that happened:
1.At my first team, the manger was a fellow Asian female. Everyone else were dudes. They barely talked about my "new grad project" which "didn't have a deadline." I was invisible at meetings, so was my project. However, suddenly, they realized my project had a deadline. I found that out, like 1.5 weeks before the deadline. Apparently when my manager said it "didn't have a deadline," she meant "If it's done before the deadline, it ships. If not, then it doesn't ship. Like ever." But the PM (and the Marketing Team) wasn't on roll with that. This had to ship. So I suddenly worked lots of over-hours and worked with the manger to cut down on many spots to make the deadline.
But the manager took no responsibility of the havoc it caused, and I got zero credit for pulling this through (because "you got help from so many people" - really? looking back, that looks like a fairly normal amount of collaboration between people who work on the same, uh, company. And I really wrote all the code...). And also, why would anyone want to work on something for months, knowing it will never ship??? If she thought that was really ok, why didn't she tell that to me sooner???
I was shocked. I couldn't focus on anything. I mean now, as I am four years older and four years more jaded, I think I can brush it off. But back then, not at all. This was the company that said they care so much about women and underrepresented minorities. I can't give you too many details, but this company really espouses the point that they are "different from other tech companies" and "everyone is welcomed and respected." They have a really good brand (looking back, it was a borderline cult).
After a lot of thinking (and searching up similar stories on Reddit), I reported this to my manager. The same manager from #1. Her knee-jerk response?
"He says that to guys too," with a smile, as if I am bringing up the stupidest thing ever.
Looking back, she was a borderline psychopath. Not just because of this, but everything that happened during our relationship.
Anyhow, she reported this to HR, because she knew it would look bad on her if she didn't. Now, the HR lady was that typical white HR lady that says she will help you but secretly wants to destroy your soul.
They - the manager, HR lady, many other people I talked to - let me talk about all the difficulties of being a woman in tech. They let me talk about all the instances I felt snubbed for being a woman, not just this on-your-lap dude. They were like “Yeah, bring it all up!" “Call it all out!" “We want to hear from you!" “Our company is different from other companies!!!" Looking back, I shouldn't have. I should have just kept to the point about the dude. I was really just playing the woman card. I wish I knew they were making me talk not to help me, but to collect ammunition to paint me as the good-for-nothing crybaby they had to make me be.
How do I know this? Well, for one - HR never got back to me. I never found out what happened with the on-your-lap guy. When I asked them, like after a year, they said it's "confidential."
And my manager? Well....she said she thinks I have "low tolerance to stress." And she also said that "when you are more senior, you'll realize how wrong you were." (I can't remember the exact wording, but it was basically the same effect, revealing that she never listened to me in the first place.)
And then she put me on the same project as the on-your-lap guy, and we had to work together one-on-one for weeks. Back then, I didn't realize it, but now, it chills me to the bone how much she didn't care.
There are many other instances where this manager gaslighted and snubbed me, even in more professional context, but I have to give too much context. Looking back, she really couldn't stand me. I was this weird thing that came in to her perfect team and was starting to ruin it. She and the on-your-lap guy had worked well together for years - she wasn't going to jeopardize that relationship because of this good-for-nothing-entitled-crybaby-girl. And the HR?? Well, I think they loved the drama. I was just a drama source. Not a human being.
This continued until this young white male joined the team. He was new to the company, but he was about a year or two more senior than me. He talked a lot. He would talk about 90% of the meeting. And meetings would go over 1-2 hours. He had no respect for meeting members' time. If he wanted to talk, we were to be his audience. This irked me (maybe now, I have the inner balance to just politely and calmly excuse myself from the meeting with a plausible excuse).
And then he joined this project me and another colleague had been working on for months before he joined. We would have meetings where he would just talk and talk, and the 30-minute meeting was going on its two-hour mark. And he didn't seem to care. And he was talking nonsense.
One key nonsense was that he was suggesting we import certain third-party data into a "big, giant table." I said that wouldn't be feasible as the third-party data is nested. He asked me to explain. I did. But he wouldn't get it. Actually, he wasn't even listening to me. He seemed hurt that I shot down his idea (and pooped his party) and didn't want to admit he could be wrong. He kept looking for ways where nested data can be indeed imported into a "big, giant table." (A week later, he saw my point.) They all made no sense. I got very irritated. And became...ah, aggressive.
For the next hour or so, I was very snappy. And shot down all his ideas. He got very hurt. And we ended the meeting. Looking back, I should have just zoned out and watched cat videos while he was performing his standup comedy. And then get real work done with the other colleague while barely including him. All the while giving him the ego validation - the only thing he wanted. But I lacked the flexibility to act smart like that.
After the meeting, I felt a bit bad for being so snappy. And I found out he was indeed right for one point he said. He said our X service has Y but I said it doesn't, because it is barely used and I didn't encounter its existence for the 2+ years I was in that company. But it really did have Y (there's little likelihood he actually knew that, he was just spewing whatever came to his mind and got luckily right) so I apologized to him on that point over Slack. Later, my such "apology" would become proof that I was 100% culpable during that meeting. (I realize this is why my manger from Story 1 never apologized. She knew it could be used against her.)
The week of the meeting, and the week after, this kid (I don't know what else to call him) scheduled meetings with me to "talk about that meeting." And we were on Zoom...and I didn't know what to do?? I asked him, "Do you want me to apologize?" He said no. "Should I be nicer during meetings?" He said that wasn't it. "THEN WHAT???" He didn't say anything. But looked at me like I was some sort of psychopathic monster. And these meetings, again, went overtime by a lot. I was, in my working hours, sitting on a one-on-one Zoom, expected to pet and stroke this pouting kid's ego. (THEY never petted MY ego. WHY SHOULD PET HIS??????)
And that didn't end there. Our co-manager (different from Story 1, 2 manager - this one is white male) had multiple 1-on-1s with me (at least three or four) where we talked about "my behavior during that meeting." I asked him the same questions "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO???? OR SAY????" (I didn't scream this, but I wanted to.) He said "I don't know." But he just sat there, expecting me to say something. Here I was, spending three or four meetings with my manager, talking about "my behavior," given no actionable feedback, but not even allowed to move on to talk about actual work. It was just torture. What did they want me to do? Kneel down and repent??
It didn't end there. The kid gave me detailed peer feedback, basically word salad, where he used all my words against me and painted me as some psychopathic monster. This was going to go on my HR file forever since it was official feedback. He said we were in a "divergent phase in brainstorming" so it wasn't appropriate for me to shot down his ideas like that, which should have been done in a more "convergent phase." WTF????? Never heard those words before. And again, we had already been working on this project for months before he joined.
The same company that basically told me to eat it up when I was getting snubbed (Story 1 & 2), was basically telling me to stroke the ego of this kid. Because what? Because he's a white male??? And I'm an Asian female???
What they wanted to say, was already indirectly saying, was this: “Shut up and eat up all the bullshit we give you.“ Bullshit including bullshit management, bullshit meetings, bullshit brand. But they didn't want to say it, because it goes against their brand. But they still wanted me to get the message and act accordingly. But they didn't want to be the one who says it.
I wish they just said this. Then my three years would have been lot less confused and dramatic. And they wouldn’t have had the grumpy colleague I was. But I guess if they were that transparent, I wouldn’t have joined them in the first place.
This is a brick wall of a post. It got longer than I initially thought. Thanks to anyone that read this far. This still doesn't contain all of the drama I experienced -- maybe about 20%? But this gives you the idea. Basically, I didn't feel like an equal human being. I felt like a scapegoat of sorts, getting hazed for having a backbone. Looking back, I am thankful that I didn't actually go crazy. I mean, they were already treating me like a crazy person.
Women in tech of Reddit. Please tell me. What went wrong? What should I have done? Is this level of bullshit normal? Can I work in tech again?
submitted by lifeisajamisalife to womenintech [link] [comments]
It was a nightmarish 3 years at a unicorn tech company...can't put it otherwise. I still process over the trauma it gave me. I still wonder what I could have done differently, how much of it was really my fault. Maybe I really wasn't a good Software Engineer, and maybe I was really a good-for-nothing crybaby, as they seemed to view me, and deserved all the shit I got. But I can't help feel I was some sort of "scapegoat" of the company, at least the team.
For background, I am an Asian female. I have a BS and an MS in CS from one of HYPSM (this was my first job out of school). But your degree and your ability isn't really that related. I was never really a programming kid growing up, and I kinda went with the flow to choose CS as a major because "everyone is doing CS" (and other practical reasons). That's my fault. Maybe this was the price I had to pay.
I admit I didn't feel 100% capable and skilled at any time during my job. Sometimes I dealt with a lot of brain fog. When your HR isn't helping you, and your manager had the audacity to put you on the same project as the person you reported, how much can you focus on learning the codebase?
Even though I wanted to train myself, be better, having all the emotional baggage really drained me down. I learned it's colossally difficult to learn and improve when you are, well at least you believe you are, not treated like an equal human being by those around you. It was also during the pandemic.
There are too many instances to count. Too many slights, snubs, mansplaining, etc. to go through. But here are just some key dramas that happened:
1.At my first team, the manger was a fellow Asian female. Everyone else were dudes. They barely talked about my "new grad project" which "didn't have a deadline." I was invisible at meetings, so was my project. However, suddenly, they realized my project had a deadline. I found that out, like 1.5 weeks before the deadline. Apparently when my manager said it "didn't have a deadline," she meant "If it's done before the deadline, it ships. If not, then it doesn't ship. Like ever." But the PM (and the Marketing Team) wasn't on roll with that. This had to ship. So I suddenly worked lots of over-hours and worked with the manger to cut down on many spots to make the deadline.
But the manager took no responsibility of the havoc it caused, and I got zero credit for pulling this through (because "you got help from so many people" - really? looking back, that looks like a fairly normal amount of collaboration between people who work on the same, uh, company. And I really wrote all the code...). And also, why would anyone want to work on something for months, knowing it will never ship??? If she thought that was really ok, why didn't she tell that to me sooner???
- There was an older white dude that kept making icky comments. He would "compliment" my outfit, would ask me to rate the attractiveness of a celebrity, and so on. This caused me a lot of confusion and I couldn't focus on my work (to be fair, these comments were fairly benign compared to the totality of yuck within tech, but as I said, I was a fresh grad so had no immunity to these stuff).
I was shocked. I couldn't focus on anything. I mean now, as I am four years older and four years more jaded, I think I can brush it off. But back then, not at all. This was the company that said they care so much about women and underrepresented minorities. I can't give you too many details, but this company really espouses the point that they are "different from other tech companies" and "everyone is welcomed and respected." They have a really good brand (looking back, it was a borderline cult).
After a lot of thinking (and searching up similar stories on Reddit), I reported this to my manager. The same manager from #1. Her knee-jerk response?
"He says that to guys too," with a smile, as if I am bringing up the stupidest thing ever.
Looking back, she was a borderline psychopath. Not just because of this, but everything that happened during our relationship.
Anyhow, she reported this to HR, because she knew it would look bad on her if she didn't. Now, the HR lady was that typical white HR lady that says she will help you but secretly wants to destroy your soul.
They - the manager, HR lady, many other people I talked to - let me talk about all the difficulties of being a woman in tech. They let me talk about all the instances I felt snubbed for being a woman, not just this on-your-lap dude. They were like “Yeah, bring it all up!" “Call it all out!" “We want to hear from you!" “Our company is different from other companies!!!" Looking back, I shouldn't have. I should have just kept to the point about the dude. I was really just playing the woman card. I wish I knew they were making me talk not to help me, but to collect ammunition to paint me as the good-for-nothing crybaby they had to make me be.
How do I know this? Well, for one - HR never got back to me. I never found out what happened with the on-your-lap guy. When I asked them, like after a year, they said it's "confidential."
And my manager? Well....she said she thinks I have "low tolerance to stress." And she also said that "when you are more senior, you'll realize how wrong you were." (I can't remember the exact wording, but it was basically the same effect, revealing that she never listened to me in the first place.)
And then she put me on the same project as the on-your-lap guy, and we had to work together one-on-one for weeks. Back then, I didn't realize it, but now, it chills me to the bone how much she didn't care.
There are many other instances where this manager gaslighted and snubbed me, even in more professional context, but I have to give too much context. Looking back, she really couldn't stand me. I was this weird thing that came in to her perfect team and was starting to ruin it. She and the on-your-lap guy had worked well together for years - she wasn't going to jeopardize that relationship because of this good-for-nothing-entitled-crybaby-girl. And the HR?? Well, I think they loved the drama. I was just a drama source. Not a human being.
- After all that happened (+much more), you wouldn't be surprised that I just didn't want to befriend anyone in the company anymore. I just kept to myself, didn't socialize, just did my work. But here's my sin - I wanted to be acknowledged for my work. That was my fault. I should have just accepted my role as the quiet, obedient coding monkey, who has no emotion, and who occasionally provides drama for the fun of everyone -- I shouldn't have dared to think I can be recognized as a competent laborer!! But I wanted to.
This continued until this young white male joined the team. He was new to the company, but he was about a year or two more senior than me. He talked a lot. He would talk about 90% of the meeting. And meetings would go over 1-2 hours. He had no respect for meeting members' time. If he wanted to talk, we were to be his audience. This irked me (maybe now, I have the inner balance to just politely and calmly excuse myself from the meeting with a plausible excuse).
And then he joined this project me and another colleague had been working on for months before he joined. We would have meetings where he would just talk and talk, and the 30-minute meeting was going on its two-hour mark. And he didn't seem to care. And he was talking nonsense.
One key nonsense was that he was suggesting we import certain third-party data into a "big, giant table." I said that wouldn't be feasible as the third-party data is nested. He asked me to explain. I did. But he wouldn't get it. Actually, he wasn't even listening to me. He seemed hurt that I shot down his idea (and pooped his party) and didn't want to admit he could be wrong. He kept looking for ways where nested data can be indeed imported into a "big, giant table." (A week later, he saw my point.) They all made no sense. I got very irritated. And became...ah, aggressive.
For the next hour or so, I was very snappy. And shot down all his ideas. He got very hurt. And we ended the meeting. Looking back, I should have just zoned out and watched cat videos while he was performing his standup comedy. And then get real work done with the other colleague while barely including him. All the while giving him the ego validation - the only thing he wanted. But I lacked the flexibility to act smart like that.
After the meeting, I felt a bit bad for being so snappy. And I found out he was indeed right for one point he said. He said our X service has Y but I said it doesn't, because it is barely used and I didn't encounter its existence for the 2+ years I was in that company. But it really did have Y (there's little likelihood he actually knew that, he was just spewing whatever came to his mind and got luckily right) so I apologized to him on that point over Slack. Later, my such "apology" would become proof that I was 100% culpable during that meeting. (I realize this is why my manger from Story 1 never apologized. She knew it could be used against her.)
The week of the meeting, and the week after, this kid (I don't know what else to call him) scheduled meetings with me to "talk about that meeting." And we were on Zoom...and I didn't know what to do?? I asked him, "Do you want me to apologize?" He said no. "Should I be nicer during meetings?" He said that wasn't it. "THEN WHAT???" He didn't say anything. But looked at me like I was some sort of psychopathic monster. And these meetings, again, went overtime by a lot. I was, in my working hours, sitting on a one-on-one Zoom, expected to pet and stroke this pouting kid's ego. (THEY never petted MY ego. WHY SHOULD PET HIS??????)
And that didn't end there. Our co-manager (different from Story 1, 2 manager - this one is white male) had multiple 1-on-1s with me (at least three or four) where we talked about "my behavior during that meeting." I asked him the same questions "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO???? OR SAY????" (I didn't scream this, but I wanted to.) He said "I don't know." But he just sat there, expecting me to say something. Here I was, spending three or four meetings with my manager, talking about "my behavior," given no actionable feedback, but not even allowed to move on to talk about actual work. It was just torture. What did they want me to do? Kneel down and repent??
It didn't end there. The kid gave me detailed peer feedback, basically word salad, where he used all my words against me and painted me as some psychopathic monster. This was going to go on my HR file forever since it was official feedback. He said we were in a "divergent phase in brainstorming" so it wasn't appropriate for me to shot down his ideas like that, which should have been done in a more "convergent phase." WTF????? Never heard those words before. And again, we had already been working on this project for months before he joined.
The same company that basically told me to eat it up when I was getting snubbed (Story 1 & 2), was basically telling me to stroke the ego of this kid. Because what? Because he's a white male??? And I'm an Asian female???
What they wanted to say, was already indirectly saying, was this: “Shut up and eat up all the bullshit we give you.“ Bullshit including bullshit management, bullshit meetings, bullshit brand. But they didn't want to say it, because it goes against their brand. But they still wanted me to get the message and act accordingly. But they didn't want to be the one who says it.
I wish they just said this. Then my three years would have been lot less confused and dramatic. And they wouldn’t have had the grumpy colleague I was. But I guess if they were that transparent, I wouldn’t have joined them in the first place.
This is a brick wall of a post. It got longer than I initially thought. Thanks to anyone that read this far. This still doesn't contain all of the drama I experienced -- maybe about 20%? But this gives you the idea. Basically, I didn't feel like an equal human being. I felt like a scapegoat of sorts, getting hazed for having a backbone. Looking back, I am thankful that I didn't actually go crazy. I mean, they were already treating me like a crazy person.
Women in tech of Reddit. Please tell me. What went wrong? What should I have done? Is this level of bullshit normal? Can I work in tech again?
2024.06.09 09:18 ComfortableOk3010 im 95% recovered
GET OFF THE SUBREDDIT (at least do this)
It's been 6~8 or so months, from delusional thoughts, nonstop ruminations, totally disconnected, screaming fits, bedbound and so much more to now laying on the floor listening to my favorite band disregarding scary thoughts and enjoying my day.
(Sorry for the bad spelling, English IS my first language, and I just suck)
(TW?: philosophies pertaining to free will)
Here's a reselling
Month 1~2: Week 1~2: It had already been a stress filled week, full of panic attacks, I had been worried about going blind and a bunch of other irrational things and then one day as I was brushing my teeth I was questioning if we really had free will over our actions at all. It may have been a mix of all the stress accumulating throughout the week, but that day, I had the biggest panic attack ever convinced that I might not have free will. I ran to my parents' room and started panicking over my free will and all that, and then it happened I dissociated(depersonalization). I didn't feel in control of my actions which was just the perfect cherry on top of my fear of not having free will it's almost funny how that made the perfect shit storm to fuck me up it
I tried to sleep it off thinking I'd be fine tomorrow, I woke up feeling disconnected I was terrified, I tried to ignore it and go onto my computer and talk to my friends but as I played a game with them I just didn't feel like I was playing and it freaked me the hell out, I was also experiencing headaches at the time which made me think that I may have had a cancerous tumor in my brain or something. This anxiety about my head would not leave my mind it was plaguing me, I slept in my room for a few more days ruminations about cancer and that persistent fear of not having free will plagued me, everyday ever single fucking day when I woke up I would have a new symptom. I was so afraid of being even a room away from my parents that I started sleeping on the couch in the living room, and I just sat there all day.
Week 3~4: One day my mom forced me to go out thinking that it would help as now she started to notice that i've gotten worse and not better over the days, she forced me to go to some big market place full of mirrors and people. Some of you who have DP/DR that mirrors are just something you should avoid until your more stable, there was mirrors of ever corner I turned each time I saw myself I was terrified and seeing the reflections of everything was making me anxious and uneasy, I was rushing to leave this marketplace once we did we made a stop in a supermarket and my mom was trying her hardest to get me to help she started getting frustrated and threatened me with something I didn't want(won't get into specifics). As I pushed the cart forward, the world caved around me. I stopped hearing sounds, and I couldn't move. It was straight out a movie/tv show. I froze up. I ran out of the store, and then it got worse. When I looked outside, it didn't look real I was hit with a big wave of dissociation but this time it was mainly (derealization) the world was wrong, everything was wrong I broke down in the car and I was brought home and I layed in the couch and stayed bed bound for the rest of the day. My mom finally took me to the hospital to check out what was wrong with me, and they found absolutely nothing wrong with me. They recommended me to a psychologist and sent me on my way. After this point I counted every day until the psychologist appointment like my life depended on it, I just wanted to be fixed and normal again, once the day arrived they recommended I got on zoloft, and to cut it short, it did not work I had a manic episode where I was to happy and erratic and stopped taking it under doctor permission and that's the last time I took meds
At this point, it's around December or so (memories are iffy around everything pertaining to DP/DR, but it's near the end of November, maybe? I had also celebrated Thanksgiving and found out the conditions name as well as the reddit)
Month 2~3: Every day I was spending time on my phone I was laying down in the living room, my screen time had jumped up from 4 hours a day to 16-18, sometimes the phone wouldn't cut it because the thoughts got to me and I would stare blankly at walls being unable to understand what was wrong with them, my only times of peace was when I was asleep, if I did anything and I mean ANYTHING something as simple as moving my hair out of my face would set me off for hours leaving me in a rumination rabbit hole that I cannot even begin to describe, going to the bathroom was unimaginably scary and difficult because the simple act of even walking was terrifying. Sometimes, I would get up to reconnect my phone charger or get a snack, and then I would freeze up. I would be locked in place standing up, staring at the floor, thinking of a million terrible thoughts. When I explained the condition to my parents, they just couldn't understand what was going on. I hadn't been to my room since the market incident, one peculiarity bad day I woke up in the middle of the night, with a mix of grogginess and the DP/DR my actions felt so disconnected that I started flailing my arms around like an insane person and ran to my parents room and walked with them to try to calm down, but it just didn't work. Something in my head clicked and I had fully convinced myself "oh I really don't have free will" I mindlessly walked away from my parents and sat down on the couch and looked around and it still haunts me today, I started screaming my lungs out. Once I had stopped screaming, i looked at my parents with disbelief thinking I had finally gone crazy I kept repeating to them, "I started screaming" over and over again, and they decided to take me to the ER
I was in the ER for only a day, but that was one of the worst days of my entire life. The first thing that happened was I got checked in and had all my clothes removed and put in hospital clothing that I could breathe through. I was anxious being in the hospital my mom could only be with me for a few hours and worse my bed was too small for me and it was in the middle of the hallway where I could hear everything, of course I had a big wave of DP/DR hit me and this really kind nurse came over and consoled me and held my hands to keep me sane I was explaining to her what was going on with me, I don't remember what I said word for word but I do remember some parts, I said
"I know I look crazy but I'm still here. Everything feels fake. I don't even feel like i'm talking to you, but I'm still here,"
They injected me with a drug to calm my nerves and lower my anxiety, which did, in fact, lower my anxiety, but I was left with just a feeling of dread and nothing more. When I got home after the ER visit, I once again returned to the couch and returned to the same routine of using my phone and sleeping
Month 4~5: Everyday now was filled with the same constant thought every waking moment "this is wrong'' every second this thought would pop up in my head and it's the only thing I thought, at this point I was moving around more and had developed this twitch for some odd reason, I would twitch both my shoulders up every few seconds I truly felt insane and looked it too, one day I stopped feeling emotions it was just 😶 I was left with this sense of terror and fear without the terror and fear? It's strange, and I hated every moment of it. This continued on for a while. I slowly started to realize that nothing was helping and no one could help me besides myself, I started slowly exposing myself to the outdoors little by little, first I would stand in front of the front door and then sit down, then I would step outside the house onto the steps and look around for a few seconds without my phone, I started leaving my phone and walking around for 30 seconds not a lot but felt like a lot, then one day i was telling my mom about my progression and telling her that if I don't take a hold of my fears then I'll never get better, after that I stood in front of my room door for at least 30 minutes just psyching myself up to at least enter my room and stay in it for a few moments. That was the best decision I ever made, I sat down on my bed and had a good cry for a few minutes.
Slowly I started going outside more, I started putting on music and dancing to it in the dark just to prove that I was doing it, these little steps were paying off, now was my DP/DR gone, No it was ever present and was with me 24/7 but these things I was doing was lessening the symptoms at least, one day I had finally FINALLY slept in my room again it took me a few more days to finally get comfortable to actually stay in there for a majority of the day. I started getting on my computer little by little, too, and speaking to my friends briefly.
Final months: I was in my room all day, I was finally going to therapy, I was going out for runs, I was talking to my friends of course the DP/DR was still present but it had lessened to the point where I could live a little. Now, I'm back to being me and started to get productive once again and trying to start coding again.
I think I'll have to give it a few more months this for the lingering effects to wear off, considering im being evicted it's understandable why it's it's not fully gone, I'm still a lil stressed but overall it's barely present in my day, when It does sprout its ugly head it's usually just slight derealization and what do I do? I accept the feeling and move on with my day. God, I hated people who said that to me, and I think that truly only works when you start recovering.
I glossed over some events (there's a lot) and some symptoms. I'll make a list of symptoms here. I'll leave you with this. Try to make a list of fears, face them one by one very slowly, or find other ways to cope. Every little step counts. Get sunlight for the love of God, and do everything on your own accord. Don't only go out when you need to. Just go outside sometimes or do something sometimes without the input of an outside party, oh AND GET OFF THE SUBREDDIT
I'm comfortable in my own home and feel better. Good luck you got this
Here's some symptoms and fears for those who are curious: Time felt distorted My body parts would sometimes feel too big or small People would feel like robots I would feel like a robot Depersonalization and derealization Time would sometimes feel slow I felt like I would be falling in and out of consciousness (feeling not actually) Twitching Rumination Existential thoughts nonstop Fear that I would hurt myself Fear that I would lose control Fear that nothing was real Everything felt like a video game Feeling that I could at any moment like vanish Lose of emotions Numbness Repeated phrases in my head Out of body
And so much fucking more, when I list out all these things at look at them I wonder how I fucking did it sometimes
submitted by ComfortableOk3010 to dpdr [link] [comments]
It's been 6~8 or so months, from delusional thoughts, nonstop ruminations, totally disconnected, screaming fits, bedbound and so much more to now laying on the floor listening to my favorite band disregarding scary thoughts and enjoying my day.
(Sorry for the bad spelling, English IS my first language, and I just suck)
(TW?: philosophies pertaining to free will)
Here's a reselling
Month 1~2: Week 1~2: It had already been a stress filled week, full of panic attacks, I had been worried about going blind and a bunch of other irrational things and then one day as I was brushing my teeth I was questioning if we really had free will over our actions at all. It may have been a mix of all the stress accumulating throughout the week, but that day, I had the biggest panic attack ever convinced that I might not have free will. I ran to my parents' room and started panicking over my free will and all that, and then it happened I dissociated(depersonalization). I didn't feel in control of my actions which was just the perfect cherry on top of my fear of not having free will it's almost funny how that made the perfect shit storm to fuck me up it
I tried to sleep it off thinking I'd be fine tomorrow, I woke up feeling disconnected I was terrified, I tried to ignore it and go onto my computer and talk to my friends but as I played a game with them I just didn't feel like I was playing and it freaked me the hell out, I was also experiencing headaches at the time which made me think that I may have had a cancerous tumor in my brain or something. This anxiety about my head would not leave my mind it was plaguing me, I slept in my room for a few more days ruminations about cancer and that persistent fear of not having free will plagued me, everyday ever single fucking day when I woke up I would have a new symptom. I was so afraid of being even a room away from my parents that I started sleeping on the couch in the living room, and I just sat there all day.
Week 3~4: One day my mom forced me to go out thinking that it would help as now she started to notice that i've gotten worse and not better over the days, she forced me to go to some big market place full of mirrors and people. Some of you who have DP/DR that mirrors are just something you should avoid until your more stable, there was mirrors of ever corner I turned each time I saw myself I was terrified and seeing the reflections of everything was making me anxious and uneasy, I was rushing to leave this marketplace once we did we made a stop in a supermarket and my mom was trying her hardest to get me to help she started getting frustrated and threatened me with something I didn't want(won't get into specifics). As I pushed the cart forward, the world caved around me. I stopped hearing sounds, and I couldn't move. It was straight out a movie/tv show. I froze up. I ran out of the store, and then it got worse. When I looked outside, it didn't look real I was hit with a big wave of dissociation but this time it was mainly (derealization) the world was wrong, everything was wrong I broke down in the car and I was brought home and I layed in the couch and stayed bed bound for the rest of the day. My mom finally took me to the hospital to check out what was wrong with me, and they found absolutely nothing wrong with me. They recommended me to a psychologist and sent me on my way. After this point I counted every day until the psychologist appointment like my life depended on it, I just wanted to be fixed and normal again, once the day arrived they recommended I got on zoloft, and to cut it short, it did not work I had a manic episode where I was to happy and erratic and stopped taking it under doctor permission and that's the last time I took meds
At this point, it's around December or so (memories are iffy around everything pertaining to DP/DR, but it's near the end of November, maybe? I had also celebrated Thanksgiving and found out the conditions name as well as the reddit)
Month 2~3: Every day I was spending time on my phone I was laying down in the living room, my screen time had jumped up from 4 hours a day to 16-18, sometimes the phone wouldn't cut it because the thoughts got to me and I would stare blankly at walls being unable to understand what was wrong with them, my only times of peace was when I was asleep, if I did anything and I mean ANYTHING something as simple as moving my hair out of my face would set me off for hours leaving me in a rumination rabbit hole that I cannot even begin to describe, going to the bathroom was unimaginably scary and difficult because the simple act of even walking was terrifying. Sometimes, I would get up to reconnect my phone charger or get a snack, and then I would freeze up. I would be locked in place standing up, staring at the floor, thinking of a million terrible thoughts. When I explained the condition to my parents, they just couldn't understand what was going on. I hadn't been to my room since the market incident, one peculiarity bad day I woke up in the middle of the night, with a mix of grogginess and the DP/DR my actions felt so disconnected that I started flailing my arms around like an insane person and ran to my parents room and walked with them to try to calm down, but it just didn't work. Something in my head clicked and I had fully convinced myself "oh I really don't have free will" I mindlessly walked away from my parents and sat down on the couch and looked around and it still haunts me today, I started screaming my lungs out. Once I had stopped screaming, i looked at my parents with disbelief thinking I had finally gone crazy I kept repeating to them, "I started screaming" over and over again, and they decided to take me to the ER
I was in the ER for only a day, but that was one of the worst days of my entire life. The first thing that happened was I got checked in and had all my clothes removed and put in hospital clothing that I could breathe through. I was anxious being in the hospital my mom could only be with me for a few hours and worse my bed was too small for me and it was in the middle of the hallway where I could hear everything, of course I had a big wave of DP/DR hit me and this really kind nurse came over and consoled me and held my hands to keep me sane I was explaining to her what was going on with me, I don't remember what I said word for word but I do remember some parts, I said
"I know I look crazy but I'm still here. Everything feels fake. I don't even feel like i'm talking to you, but I'm still here,"
They injected me with a drug to calm my nerves and lower my anxiety, which did, in fact, lower my anxiety, but I was left with just a feeling of dread and nothing more. When I got home after the ER visit, I once again returned to the couch and returned to the same routine of using my phone and sleeping
Month 4~5: Everyday now was filled with the same constant thought every waking moment "this is wrong'' every second this thought would pop up in my head and it's the only thing I thought, at this point I was moving around more and had developed this twitch for some odd reason, I would twitch both my shoulders up every few seconds I truly felt insane and looked it too, one day I stopped feeling emotions it was just 😶 I was left with this sense of terror and fear without the terror and fear? It's strange, and I hated every moment of it. This continued on for a while. I slowly started to realize that nothing was helping and no one could help me besides myself, I started slowly exposing myself to the outdoors little by little, first I would stand in front of the front door and then sit down, then I would step outside the house onto the steps and look around for a few seconds without my phone, I started leaving my phone and walking around for 30 seconds not a lot but felt like a lot, then one day i was telling my mom about my progression and telling her that if I don't take a hold of my fears then I'll never get better, after that I stood in front of my room door for at least 30 minutes just psyching myself up to at least enter my room and stay in it for a few moments. That was the best decision I ever made, I sat down on my bed and had a good cry for a few minutes.
Slowly I started going outside more, I started putting on music and dancing to it in the dark just to prove that I was doing it, these little steps were paying off, now was my DP/DR gone, No it was ever present and was with me 24/7 but these things I was doing was lessening the symptoms at least, one day I had finally FINALLY slept in my room again it took me a few more days to finally get comfortable to actually stay in there for a majority of the day. I started getting on my computer little by little, too, and speaking to my friends briefly.
Final months: I was in my room all day, I was finally going to therapy, I was going out for runs, I was talking to my friends of course the DP/DR was still present but it had lessened to the point where I could live a little. Now, I'm back to being me and started to get productive once again and trying to start coding again.
I think I'll have to give it a few more months this for the lingering effects to wear off, considering im being evicted it's understandable why it's it's not fully gone, I'm still a lil stressed but overall it's barely present in my day, when It does sprout its ugly head it's usually just slight derealization and what do I do? I accept the feeling and move on with my day. God, I hated people who said that to me, and I think that truly only works when you start recovering.
I glossed over some events (there's a lot) and some symptoms. I'll make a list of symptoms here. I'll leave you with this. Try to make a list of fears, face them one by one very slowly, or find other ways to cope. Every little step counts. Get sunlight for the love of God, and do everything on your own accord. Don't only go out when you need to. Just go outside sometimes or do something sometimes without the input of an outside party, oh AND GET OFF THE SUBREDDIT
I'm comfortable in my own home and feel better. Good luck you got this
Here's some symptoms and fears for those who are curious: Time felt distorted My body parts would sometimes feel too big or small People would feel like robots I would feel like a robot Depersonalization and derealization Time would sometimes feel slow I felt like I would be falling in and out of consciousness (feeling not actually) Twitching Rumination Existential thoughts nonstop Fear that I would hurt myself Fear that I would lose control Fear that nothing was real Everything felt like a video game Feeling that I could at any moment like vanish Lose of emotions Numbness Repeated phrases in my head Out of body
And so much fucking more, when I list out all these things at look at them I wonder how I fucking did it sometimes
2024.06.09 09:03 Temporary-Cat-6710 I still have feeligs for my best friend's ex and it's eating me alive
Sorry in advance for how long this may read, I felt I needed/wanted to give full context to truly talk out my feelings. If you read the whole thing, thanks in advance for letting me speak.
A little over a year ago, I (21 M) fell head over heels for a girl (19 F) that was in my close circle. I had had feelings for her for a while but suppressed them while she was in a relationship, I'm not about trying to make any moves on taken women. After she broke up with her old boyfriend, we got a lot closer and my feelings for her deepened a lot. We were inseparable and I was her rock to lean on for sll of her problems. I was who she cried to and who she called to watch movies at 3 am because she couldnt sleep. She was the best parts of my day for over a month, we talked and hung out for hours everyday, but I wasn't about to make a move while she was still getting over her last relationship. I was happy being someone to support her in her hard times and potentially escalate the relationship when she was properly ready, the last thing I wanted was to make her feel more overwhelmed because of my feelings. Fast forward through that month and a half, my best friend (21 M) who was another mutual friend told me that she asked him out, and wanted to tell me to try and preserve our friendship because he knew how much I liked her. It took some time but I eventually got over that and we all went back to being friends while they dated, I thought I had moved on but she would occasionally still pop into my head or dreams, although at a lower and lower rate and Id just try to forget it and move on. After they started dating me and her also lost that close bond we had for those 2ish months, she saved all of her attention and problems for him which was completely fair and expected, but it hurt to lose that connection so suddenly. This goes on for just under a year until my friend found out that she was planning to cheat on him with someone else (and had already sexted with the other guy extensively, nothing in person had happened yet but they had planned to meet up that next week). They broke up on the spot and as all friend group hard breakups go, someone lost the group. In this case, we all stopped talking to her to support my friend, we were all incredibly shocked that she was even capable of doing it. We all lost a lot of respect for her and she lost everyone in the groups good will, mine included. For a while. We later learned that it was a product of her being easily influenced and a very toxic other friend group that was peer pressuring her into it. It's been around 6-12 months since their breakup happened and everyone stopped talking to her. Now all of a sudden she has started crossing my mind again. I miss her a lot, I miss that I never got to show her how much I really cared about her. But all the while it makes me feel sick to my stomach, this is a person that betrayed one of my best friends regardless of circumstances. I shouldn't be able to have forgiven her, I shouldn't have feelings for her anymore. It's been 2 years since these feelings really started and I never even dated her, I don't understand why I can't bury them. She showed her true colors and hurt my friend, why do I still love her. It makes me feel incredibly guilty every time she crosses my mind and I just can't take it silently anymore. I feel like it would create drama or make my friend group hate me if I brought it up to them after all that happened so I don't have anyone to talk to about it, so that's why I'm spilling my guts to reddit. I really wish my feelings for her would go away completely but they just seem to stick around. If you managed to get through this whole thing, I appreciate you for listening to my thoughts. If my friend sees this, I can't tell you enough how much this eats me alive daily and how much I wish it away, I hope this can never effect our friendship. If she reads this, know just how hard you captured my heart, and know that I still love you, and even if I never got to tell you how much, I hope I was able to be what you needed and help you when we were close. I hope you were able to learn from your mistakes and are living a better life.
submitted by Temporary-Cat-6710 to offmychest [link] [comments]
A little over a year ago, I (21 M) fell head over heels for a girl (19 F) that was in my close circle. I had had feelings for her for a while but suppressed them while she was in a relationship, I'm not about trying to make any moves on taken women. After she broke up with her old boyfriend, we got a lot closer and my feelings for her deepened a lot. We were inseparable and I was her rock to lean on for sll of her problems. I was who she cried to and who she called to watch movies at 3 am because she couldnt sleep. She was the best parts of my day for over a month, we talked and hung out for hours everyday, but I wasn't about to make a move while she was still getting over her last relationship. I was happy being someone to support her in her hard times and potentially escalate the relationship when she was properly ready, the last thing I wanted was to make her feel more overwhelmed because of my feelings. Fast forward through that month and a half, my best friend (21 M) who was another mutual friend told me that she asked him out, and wanted to tell me to try and preserve our friendship because he knew how much I liked her. It took some time but I eventually got over that and we all went back to being friends while they dated, I thought I had moved on but she would occasionally still pop into my head or dreams, although at a lower and lower rate and Id just try to forget it and move on. After they started dating me and her also lost that close bond we had for those 2ish months, she saved all of her attention and problems for him which was completely fair and expected, but it hurt to lose that connection so suddenly. This goes on for just under a year until my friend found out that she was planning to cheat on him with someone else (and had already sexted with the other guy extensively, nothing in person had happened yet but they had planned to meet up that next week). They broke up on the spot and as all friend group hard breakups go, someone lost the group. In this case, we all stopped talking to her to support my friend, we were all incredibly shocked that she was even capable of doing it. We all lost a lot of respect for her and she lost everyone in the groups good will, mine included. For a while. We later learned that it was a product of her being easily influenced and a very toxic other friend group that was peer pressuring her into it. It's been around 6-12 months since their breakup happened and everyone stopped talking to her. Now all of a sudden she has started crossing my mind again. I miss her a lot, I miss that I never got to show her how much I really cared about her. But all the while it makes me feel sick to my stomach, this is a person that betrayed one of my best friends regardless of circumstances. I shouldn't be able to have forgiven her, I shouldn't have feelings for her anymore. It's been 2 years since these feelings really started and I never even dated her, I don't understand why I can't bury them. She showed her true colors and hurt my friend, why do I still love her. It makes me feel incredibly guilty every time she crosses my mind and I just can't take it silently anymore. I feel like it would create drama or make my friend group hate me if I brought it up to them after all that happened so I don't have anyone to talk to about it, so that's why I'm spilling my guts to reddit. I really wish my feelings for her would go away completely but they just seem to stick around. If you managed to get through this whole thing, I appreciate you for listening to my thoughts. If my friend sees this, I can't tell you enough how much this eats me alive daily and how much I wish it away, I hope this can never effect our friendship. If she reads this, know just how hard you captured my heart, and know that I still love you, and even if I never got to tell you how much, I hope I was able to be what you needed and help you when we were close. I hope you were able to learn from your mistakes and are living a better life.
2024.06.09 09:00 Dangerous_Bluebird82 Bible Question that troubles me
taking care of our body the temple and what you consume one wouldn’t smoke cigarettes or weed because they increase the risk of lung cancer which is a sin or a person wouldn’t drink alcohol excessively or get drunk because those things raise risk of stomach cancer. But for wine in particular it reduces cancer if consumed in small amounts. but when Jesus turned water into wine he knew people were already drunk as they asked him why have you saved the best wine for last when everyone was already drunk because in tradition they usually have the best wine first. There is no question Jesus turned it into alcoholic wine as pasturazation for juice wasn’t even invented yet. Was he ok with them being drunk or not taking care of the their bodies because over consumption of wine can increase risk of cancer? So if drunkenesss is a sin in the Bible why does Jesus aide in it being furthered? And if it would hurt the body the temple of God why is that ok? How would a person justify getting drunk or under influence of harmful substances of the body? Is it ok just if it is not a daily thing or how can one determine this? Because if this is the case I would smoke and drink. So if drunkenness is a sin what is the definition of drunkenness or what does the Bible mean by this term? Surely drunkards won’t inherit the kingdom of God the Bible says that. So is being a drunkard mean idolization of alcohol to the point where it becomes a lifestyle or everyday thing? Yes the Bible also says if something makes you feel like a stumbling block it’s better to remove that thing then let it turn you from God and the Bible also says one believer may feel eating meat is wrong and the other believer may feel eating meat is right but the purpose of that lesson was to show dont let trivial matters of diet cause division amongst brothers and sisters in Christ. What one brother can stomach maybe the next can’t but both are still equal in Christ this is what the Bible teaches. And this troubles me because if getting drunk even only sometimes is ok according to the Bible then over consumption of alcohol equals an increase of cancer and even if it was for one day of deibritely knowing you were going to do this that means you knew you were going to harm the temple of God so how can both be ok at the same time without contradicting is it ok to get drunk and eat junk food and harm the temple of God the body on occasion? Why is it sometimes ok? Is a little bit of sin ever justifiable by God? He has told us to try our best to take care of our bodies and sin is a lot worse if done with intention and fore knowledge of it being wrong but doing it anyways. So if you know your gonna trash the temple of god and destroy yourself even if it’s just a little bit is that ok? It troubles me because I feel like things don’t match up even if it’s a small detail off it troubles me.
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2024.06.09 08:44 Gizm0Guru Sonos Ace - Hard to Hate, Hard to Love (Review)
 | I took the plunge and pre-ordered the Ace, and I’ve been putting it through its paces for the last couple of days. I’m pretty deep in the Sonos ecosystem, and I’m a big headphone collector, so I’m tossing in my thoughts here for those thinking about taking the plunge on these $450 cans. submitted by Gizm0Guru to sonos [link] [comments] TL:DR - the Aces come in at a high price point in the market at $450. At that price, these may be a tough sell for many. The overall sound is very good - but not definitively better than the category leaders in the market, many of which cost substantially less. Early/Gen1 bugs will leave some thinking that the product is half baked or leaves them out entirely, especially Android users. All that said, this is still a Sonos product, so there are enough things done well about the Ace that it could be a decent proposition - especially if you catch a sale and/or after upcoming software updates. Hard to hate, hard to love. Now to give some context and get into the deeper review. As mentioned, I am pretty deep in the Sonos ecosystem because I’ve steadily added to my setups over the years. I started with a 5.1 system, Playbar + Sub + two Play 1s about 10 years ago (now in my kid’s playroom) and now I have Sonos in my whole home - another Arc-based 5.1 setup (media room), a Playbase 5.1 setup (living room), a Beam (bedroom), Move (outdoor patio) and a Roam (travel). I am also a headphone collector and have 22 pairs, ranging from “consumer” stuff like the Ace, AirPods Pro/Max - and all the way up to high-end reference gear from the likes of Audeze, Sennheiser, Meze, Focal, etc. I listen to many types of music, from hip-hop to classical, and I also do quite a bit of gaming. I have a young kiddo so have the need to use headphones for TV viewing pretty often. Starting with the overall design, comfort, control and included accessories - Sonos does a mostly solid job. The design isn’t overly striking in any way, but it is a well-refined “standard headphone” type of design with clean lines. The Aces are light while still feeling solidly built, have a smooth but appropriately firm sliding hinge for headband fit, have easily removable pads, and while they don’t completely collapse, they get compact enough to fit in the included zip-up hard shell carrying case. The respectable carrying case isn’t the only included accessory. A USB-C cable is included for both charging and USB-C audio (no included wall charger), and a USB-C to 3.5mm cable is included as well for plugging into analog sources. The inclusion of these cables and capabilities gives the Aces a lot of general versatility and are good things at this price point. The design lends itself to an overall very comfortable headphone. The band has a very soft cushion and connects to the cups in a way that distributes the weight very well. The cushions of the cups are a well-padded and very comfortable faux leather situation with a firm but not too imposing pressure on the head. These are easy to wear for hours without discomfort for me. I will note that while everything is fine for me, the cups are not particularly large, and the pads are angled, so people with large ears may find their ears touching the cups a bit. The controls are also well designed. Sonos chose to avoid any type of touch controls with the Aces and has just three buttons - one for power and Bluetooth pairing, one for ANC/transparency/on-device voice assistant, and one for volume and track/audio source/phone call control. It reads more complicated than it is for the controls to become second nature. It is a very good overall control scheme. It’s not quite as good as the Digital Crown design of the AirPods Max, but I’d give it a strong second to that. When it comes to hardware design and general ease of use, Sonos has always done well across its product range, and that continues here. Grade: A Sound is one of the most subjective/difficult things to review, and I’m going to try and be as neutral as possible and use some good points of comparison. Overall, the Aces perform fairly well for the product category, and while they bring their own approach to the table, it is very much debatable whether what they bring in terms of sound is worth the fairly high $450 entry point versus $450 for the AirPods Max, $299 for the Sennheiser Momentum 4, $328 for the Sony WH-1000XM5 or $379 for the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra - all very mature and respectable market leaders with similar product features in this category. There are wireless headphones out there that are priced higher like the Focal Bathys ($799) or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 ($529), though one could argue that those are catering to the luxury and/or audiophile market (all Amazon US prices as of this writing), where the sound expectations have a higher hurdle to overcome. Let’s first talk about tonal balance. The general tuning of the Aces is very similar to all of the other products I mentioned above, which is a version of a “V-Shaped” tune; bass is boosted, and treble is boosted, creating what has become commonly known as a “fun” type of tuning that I call warm and sparkly. While all of the products I mentioned do this in some way, each does it slightly differently, resulting in a slightly different overall sound presentation, the Aces are no exception. Let’s dive in. The bass on the Aces is very noticeably boosted throughout the entire band, and the biggest boost is in the sub-bass region. This means the Aces bring slam, boom and rumble to the listen. It could be argued that these get into bass head territory, and I believe those that like bass would be happy with the Aces in that department. While the bass is certainly very prominent, it is not overly loose and still maintains a decent level of control. It is a thick but fairly clean bass. It hits thicker than the AirPods Max but less so than the Momentums and XM5s. If you like to feel those big explosions and soundtrack moments in your TV viewing and gaming, the Aces will fit the bill, as the depth the bass can reach is impressive. The downside to the bass tuning is that since the entire bass band is boosted, if you are listening to a track that has a lot of action in the bass region, it can be overwhelming and lack detail. It can also lead to some bleed into the lower midrange on certain tracks. It is the midrange on the Aces that surprised me the most, though when I think about how Sonos likely dedicated as much thought to how these sound for TV as to how they sound for music, it makes sense. In a usual “V-shaped” tuning, it is the midrange that is the least present or gets a bit left out of the mix. This often results in vocals and many common core instruments and pieces of the mix somewhat veiled, and is the reason many audiophiles don’t like the V-shaped tuning. The Aces mostly avoid this. The midrange balance is pretty on-target with the exception of a bit of a dip in the upper mids. This means that you get a very full-bodied core sound when listening to the Aces, and that’s a very good thing. Male vocals are very often put on full display because of the added warmth of the bass boost. Female vocals can sometimes take a bit of a back seat, along with instruments like guitar, as a result of the dip in the upper mids, but to notice either of these, you’d really have to be a focused listener (more on why later). The story of the midrange is that it’s better executed than many in the category. This translates well to TV/gaming as well, as dialogue is typically easy to make out, even when there’s lots of other action going on. The treble on the Ace, as mentioned, is definitely boosted, but in a targeted way that overall, works. I mentioned that the upper midrange where female vocals and some higher instruments live is a bit de-emphasized. Well, the treble is boosted in the “sparkle” region, where sounds like symbols reside - as well as the “s” and “t” sounds in vocals. This boost makes details shine a bit more, and it also hides the under-emphasis of the upper midrange a bit because it still pulls forward the sparkle of all vocals. This upper midrange and treble boost combination is also seen in some well-regarded higher end headphones from the likes of Sennheiser and Meze Audio, just to name a few, so kudos to Sonos for pretty solid execution on the treble. The downside to boosting this region is that some people’s ears are sensitive to this frequency range, and can find sounds like snare drums, loud symbols and the like in this region to be grating to listen to for long periods of time. I don’t find the boost to be extreme, but it is there, so those that are treble-sensitive, just something to note. This is a good point to make note that this has all been related to the default tonal balance of the Aces right out of the box. Connecting to the Sonos app does allow you to adjust the frequency response - though it is a very basic EQ just like other Sonos products - a simple treble/bass slider. Most of the options at this price point offer greater level of control with a at least a 3-5 band EQ, but it’s better than nothing. Last in the sound department is a bit about the staging and technical performance. Again, the Aces do what they do fairly well for the category, but whether what they do is definitively better than their peers is debatable. The sound that comes from the Aces is crisp and clear, and one of the most immediately noticeable aspects of the presentation is the good horizontal spread of the pieces of the mix - everything is placed very well with pretty good separation. The sound stage isn’t overly wide by any means, and we aren’t talking about a 3D/holographic sound stage (unless you’re using Dolby Atmos, which I’ll come back to), but the sound does indeed go ear-to-ear horizontally. Even so, the focus of the Aces is always front and center. The stage is very center-focused and intimate, with the edges of the left and right channel wrapping around to the ears. It is a pretty in your face presentation that works well. The center position also has a small but distinct depth and separation from the mix, which is impressive for a wireless headphone (I had to wonder if the fact that the inside of the pads of the Aces are angled contributes to this). The fact that the stage is so center-focused also keeps the vocals and heart of the mix emphasized, and this pairs well with its midrange tuning. This presentation also is another testament to being well-designed for both music and TV listening. I am not always a fan of Dolby Atmos for headphones, as what the technology can do is often overhyped, but the Aces do handle Atmos mixed sources (or multichannel sources when using TV Swap) very well. It essentially makes the sound stage a bit bigger, along with more precise positioning of the pieces of the mix. I find it best for video content and hit or miss for music. The overall sound package that the Aces deliver is solid, well-executed, V-shaped listen. The sound is warm, crisp, clean, dynamic/lively and is presented very well, in a way that will work for many genres of music, TV and gaming. The aces definitely deserve to be in the conversation among the market leaders, but each of these market leaders also have strong overall presentations that are arguably just as good, if not better - and allow for a bit more control with more EQ personalization options. The Ace’s premium price relative to this competition has to be taken into consideration as a point of comparison in evaluating overall sound. Grade: B+ / A- I realize that when evaluating a pair of wireless headphones nowadays, the technology feature set is a big factor as well, and that’s where things get even more interesting for the Aces. This is because depending on your particular Sonos setup, mobile device setup, and general home listening setup, the technological features of the Aces are various levels of either lacking or unfinished. Let’s start with the good. Regardless of the device you’re using to connect, you get to experience the active noise cancellation and transparency modes of the Aces, and both are very good. The noice cancelling mode isn’t quite as good as Bose, and the transparency mode isn’t quite as good as Apple, but both are respectable compared to anything else, a good showing. You can also enable head tracking in the Sonos app when connected to any device audio via Bluetooth, which for Android users may be an added convenience, depending on your device (for Apple users, this is a feature built in option at the system level between any iOS device and AirPods). You also get a fairly good mix of codec support, including some lossless options if your device supports it. Now, the not so good. When Sonos announced the Aces, the company very accurately talked about how headphones were one of the most requested products of the community, and everyone in this sub can probably attest to that. But what has been released, at this point in time especially, IMO misses the mark by not doing the we want the headphones to do most - connect seamlessly to our larger Sonos systems, and on top of this, it highlights the challenge of forced obsolescence when dealing with home theater speakers and advanced technology in the same package. The best way to illustrate this is to state plainly that the Aces are first and foremost Bluetooth headphones. They connect to your Sonos system indirectly via the app on your Bluetooth device, not directly to the system itself via WiFi (mostly). This means a few things. If you’re envisioning using the Sonos app as a hub main hub for navigating your music library across sources and handing it off between your Sonos speakers and headphones, that’s not in the cards with the Ace (ha). As a matter of fact, you can only use the Sonos app to play and pause media playing on the Ace, not select and navigate. If your goal is using the Aces to listen to your TV, it can be done via a feature called TV Swap, but the situation isn’t exactly pretty for a lot of people. You can press a button on the Aces or within the Sonos app to trigger a direct WiFi connection between a TV-connected Sonos speaker, but at launch and of this writing, it only works on the top-of-the-line Sonos Arc soundbar. This support is coming via software update to the Beam and Ray at an unannounced date. This means that for folks like me that have been building a Sonos ecosystem for years, arguably the most loyal and valuable customers of Sonos (and the ones requesting this product for years), the usefulness of the Aces may be substantially reduced. Out of the four rooms that have Sonos sound bars in my home, again, all purchased within the last ten years or less, only two will ever work with the Aces. My Playbase and Playbar are forever excluded, and if you’re using something like the Sonos Amp to connect a turntable or other device to your Sonos system, you’re also out of luck. If you are an Android user, the picture is even uglier, as the TV Swap feature doesn’t work AT ALL, meaning that until an update arrives, also at an as yet unannounced date, the Aces are essentially a regular pair of Bluetooth headphones for Android users. For me, this is the most disappointing thing about the Aces. Unless you are a fairly recent inductee to the Sonos ecosystem, the Aces probably are really more general Bluetooth headphones that can connect to a Sonos speakeTV than Sonos headphones that also connect to Bluetooth devices. This is in a world where there are certainly other options for connecting headphones to your TV’s audio. Many smart TV’s and set top boxes now offer a direct Bluetooth connection, and if you have an Apple TV, using AirPods via AirPlay is a much more seamless experience. All of these things, combined with the recent revamp of the Sonos app that took away features and left many unhappy in the name of updating the app for future products (including the Ace), should make you think twice about if the Aces are the best way to get TV audio via headphones for you and your setup - and about the longevity of your particular Sonos setup in general. I realize there are technical challenges that make better Sonos system integration a challenge, and that for some, the issue about older products isn’t an issue at all, but it is worth bringing to light for those making a long-term purchase decision. The second most disappointing thing about the launch of the Aces is the continued trend of companies releasing products at full price that are essentially unfinished. I already discussed that for Android users at launch, there is no TV Swap at all, so these are effectively just regular Bluetooth headphones with no Sonos system integration at all. I also touched on the fact that TV swap support for the Beam and Ray is missing for all platforms. There is also a very cool-sounding form of TruePlay that Sonos is calling TrueTune. This will calibrate the room, so that when using TV Swap to listen to audio, you’ll get an even more “immersive” listening experience that takes Spatial Audio and head tracking to the next level by trying to actually mirror the acoustics of the room as if you had no headphones on at all. I can’t report on that because, you guessed it…the feature is coming at a yet unannounced date. On top of this, there are bugs out of the gate. Sometimes my Aces don’t show up in the Sonos app, and TV Swap sometimes doesn’t trigger or glitches out. All of this makes judging the technological features of the Aces difficult. On the side of being Bluetooth headphones - the ANC, connection possibilities/versatility, multi-device connection, head tracking/spatial audio support, and battery life, the Aces are a strong showing. On the Sonos side, your experience will be highly dependent on your current Sonos setup, source setup, how you like to navigate your music library, your level of patience to receive updates, and your trust/level of care for when/if Sonos will release an update that breaks something between your Aces and your existing setup or releases a new speaker that doesn’t work with the Aces. These are all considerations that again make the $450 asking price seem steep when there are other options in the market with equal or greater capabilities for a substantially lesser price. Grade: C- Overall, I view the Aces as a solid pair of Bluetooth headphones, and as Bluetooth headphones for day-to-day needs, they are worth considering, though arguably not the best value in terms of overall sound quality and features. The AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra all bring comparatively good sound and feature sets at the same or a substantially lower price. Whether that premium is worth it because of the Sonos interplay, well, your mileage may vary, depending on your setup. They have the potential to be pretty great for some, while at the same time being annoying for some - hard to hate, hard to love. I hope this review was helpful for those taking a look at these or building a Sonos ecosystem in general. Happy listening! |
2024.06.09 08:42 GhoulGriin Best Flat Resistance Bands
 | submitted by GhoulGriin to u/GhoulGriin [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/ifhe3sc6sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=517ba3909ab2438df64adbfbb1009fe5171cce75 Welcome to our roundup of the best flat resistance bands out there! These versatile workout accessories are perfect for anyone looking to boost their strength training, flexibility, and overall fitness. In this article, we've compiled a list of the top-rated bands that will help you achieve your fitness goals and enhance your workouts. So whether you're a fitness enthusiast or just starting on your fitness journey, read on to discover the perfect resistance band for you! The Top 9 Best Flat Resistance Bands
Reviews🔗Whatafit 11-Piece Resistance Bands Set for Home and Travel Workoutshttps://preview.redd.it/xpy8ujr6sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8347529e63fe7e6d1bec6193996bb9ba71a4010 I've been using the Whatafit Resistance Bands Set for a few weeks now and it's been a game-changer in my home workout routine. The different colored bands are adjustable, which means I can get just the right resistance for each exercise. Plus, they're super portable, making them perfect for taking on trips or storing in a small apartment. One of the standout features of this set is the quality of the materials. Each band is clearly marked with its equivalent weight, so I know exactly how much resistance I'm getting. And unlike some cheaper sets, these bands have held up well even after multiple uses. However, there are a couple of downsides to this product. The handles can be a bit small for some people, making them a bit uncomfortable to use. Plus, the clips that attach the bands to the handles can be a bit difficult to snap on. Overall, I'd say the Whatafit Resistance Bands Set is a great addition to anyone's home gym. It's versatile, easy to use, and made with good quality materials. Just be prepared to potentially double up on the straps and wear gloves if you have larger hands! 🔗Resistance Loop Bands for Home Workoutshttps://preview.redd.it/rxhgqi37sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=636d97dee81690f9cbae898c02828bc581bd8c53 I recently got my hands on the Blogilates Loop Bands - 4pk, and oh boy, these have been a game-changer in my daily workout routine! Having four different resistance levels, from light to crazy, has allowed me to tailor my workout sessions according to my mood and energy levels. The highlight of my experience has been the fact that these loop bands are incredibly easy to pack. This feature has made maintaining a fitness routine while traveling so much simpler for me. Plus, the designs are developed by none other than Cassey Ho, a leading fitness personality and Pilates instructor. Her expertise guarantees that these loop bands will take your home workouts to the next level! However, there were also a few minor drawbacks. The light resistance bands, while serving beginners, weren't as effective for me when I desired an intense workout. Additionally, the plastic-like texture of the bands can be a bit off-putting at first, especially if you're used to fabric resistance bands. Despite these minor issues, I've seen a significant improvement in my overall fitness since incorporating these loop bands into my workout regimen. Their portability and various resistance levels make them a must-have for anyone looking to diversify their home workout sessions. 🔗Exercise Booty Resistance Bands Set for Adultshttps://preview.redd.it/amxznts7sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31771dc1c4f6522705cbc66e18630c8827499b02 When I first laid my hands on the Blogilates Booty Resistance Bands 2pk, I could tell right away that this was going to be a game-changer for my home workout routine. The quality of the material, made from a blend of polyester cotton and latex silk, was absolutely top-notch. I was also thrilled to see that both light and medium resistance bands were included in the package, giving me the flexibility to adjust the intensity of my workouts based on my comfort levels. However, as someone who is used to using resistance bands on a regular basis, I must admit that I was initially a bit surprised by how large these bands were - especially the light resistance one. I mean, it was so big that it felt like it was going to fall off of me half the time! But after giving it a shot and realizing that the size was actually quite intentional (to provide adequate resistance for a variety of exercises), I actually started to appreciate the unique design of these bands. They stayed put during squats, lunges, and other bodyweight exercises, which made working out a lot more fun and efficient. Another big plus for me was how comfortable these resistance bands were to use. The fabric was incredibly soft and gentle on my skin, which is something that I really value when it comes to workout gear. Plus, they were super easy to clean and maintain, which is always a major plus in my book. However, I did have one small issue with these resistance bands. While the medium resistance band was perfect for my needs, I found that the light resistance band was too light for my liking. It felt more like a resistance band for beginners rather than something that I could really sink my teeth into. But to be fair, these are resistance bands designed with versatility in mind, and I can definitely see how they would be a great option for someone looking to incorporate resistance training into their routine for the first time. Overall, I would say that the Blogilates Booty Resistance Bands 2pk are a solid investment for anyone looking to take their home workouts to the next level. The combination of durability, comfort, and ease of use makes them a top-notch choice for anyone looking to get in shape without breaking the bank. Highly recommended! 🔗Portable Door Resistance Band Set for Home Workoutshttps://preview.redd.it/bjnkbp38sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=015788ed725f9ed6afd28c3b2847734209ff8ca9 I recently picked up a set of Valor Fitness Resistance Bands for my home gym, and let me tell you, it has been a lifesaver for my workout routine. These bands come in five different weight capacities ranging from 5 to 25 pounds, which is perfect for targeting all sorts of upper body muscles. The door attachments make it super easy to mount and take down, and the travel bag keeps everything organized when I'm on the go. One feature that really stood out was the anti-snap technology. No more dealing with harsh rubber or pulling arm hair while working out. The smooth protective sheath covering the bands provides full comfort and protection, so you can really focus on your workout. Plus, these bands help relieve shoulder pain and increase flexibility, making them perfect for rehabilitation or general mobility. On the downside, it's important to use these bands on flat surfaces and not stretch them more than three times their original length. And remember, always attach them to a strong anchor point to avoid injury. Overall, these resistance bands are a game-changer for my workouts. It's so convenient to work out anytime, anywhere, and they're gentle on joints while still providing an effective workout. 🔗Extra Long ProsourceFit Therapy Flat Resistance Bands Set of 3 for Strengthening and Rehabilitationhttps://preview.redd.it/1oxacoh8sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22ee8348f56b20b11c5379d5cc1efb2140b4589a Using the ProSource Therapy Flat Resistance Bands has been quite an experience. . I find the green, medium resistance, perfect for daily use in my home workout sessions. . It's amazing how the flat bands provide a comfortable grip, allowing for a range of motions and muscle group engagement. . Not to mention, these bands are incredibly durable and high-quality, ensuring they stay resilient during consistent use. . They are also incredibly versatile, working as effectively for Pilates and yoga as they do for rehabilitation and physical therapy exercises. . The convenient door anchor and travel pouch make it easy to set up and carry along wherever I go. . It's no wonder these ProsourceFit Therapy Flat Resistance Bands have such an excellent reputation. . Even though the bands can be a bit long, it's a small tradeoff for the phenomenal performance and value they offer. . 🔗Lifeline Level 1 Flat Resistance Band - Strengthening and Stretching Anywherehttps://preview.redd.it/4xvk10y8sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63ae82c0395df8b508243a548763a4175db44588 I've been using Lifeline Flat Bands for a few weeks now, and I have to say, they've been a game-changer for my home workout routine. These bands are incredibly versatile, allowing me to add resistance to almost any strength or mobility exercise. I love how lightweight they are, making it easy to bring them along with me wherever I go. One of my favorite features is their ability to isolate specific muscle groups, helping me target weak areas and improve my overall balance. They've also been a lifesaver for safe rehab and injury prevention, giving me the confidence to push myself without overdoing it. The progressive color-coded resistance levels are a great touch, making it easy to choose the right level for any exercise or fitness objective. And the fact that they come individually pre-cut and packaged means no fussing with tangled bands or messy storage. However, there is one downside - the latex material used in the bands can have quite a strong smell. While it hasn't bothered me too much during use, it's worth noting if you're sensitive to smells. All in all, if you're looking for a convenient and versatile way to enhance your fitness routine at home or on the go, Lifeline Flat Bands are definitely worth checking out. 🔗3-Level Flat Resistance Band Loop Kithttps://preview.redd.it/re7jcm89sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bbb48da1c15fc93b7caeb7627c993e2e3bb7e8a I recently discovered the SPRI Flat Resistance Band Loop Kit, and let me tell you, it's become an indispensable part of my workout routine. This set includes three colorful resistance bands with various resistance levels - light, medium, and heavy. The real game-changer is how comfortable these bands are to use. Their snug fit on my upper or lower legs lets me perform any number of resistance exercises effortlessly. Not to forget, the exercise guide included in the kit provides a variety of exercises specifically designed to target and strengthen the hips, glutes, and thighs. Despite being an ardent fitness enthusiast, I've suffered from knee issues in the past. The light band provided a perfect resistance level for me to continue with my leg exercises safely and without causing further strain. On the other hand, my husband, who's more experienced in fitness, has been using the heavy resistance band extensively. One of the best aspects of these SPRI Flat Resistance Band Loops is their space-saving design. They're incredibly easy to store and can even fit into a suitcase, making them perfect for travel. Also, they're versatile enough to be incorporated into workouts ranging from HIIT to yoga or cardio, making them a valuable addition to any home gym. Another important point to mention is the impressive durability of these bands. I've tried many resistance bands before, but these SPRI ones have undoubtedly outshined the rest, lasting for more than six months of regular use. However, no product is perfect, and while the SPRI Flat Resistance Band Loop Kit offers various benefits, it has a few cons too. One potential drawback for some users might be their rubbery smell, which can be challenging to get rid of after use. Additionally, individuals with extremely sensitive skin might experience mild discomfort while using these bands. Overall, the SPRI Flat Resistance Band Loop Kit is a highly versatile and effective workout tool. With its comfortable design, various resistance levels, and excellent durability, it's definitely worth considering if you're looking to strengthen and tone your lower body muscles at home or during your travels. 🔗4-Level Resistance Bands Set for Pull-Upshttps://preview.redd.it/e1zu49m9sh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7153d5add00754d64eef93715ff84cee3a0caa6d I recently got my hands on the XPRT Fitness Resistance Bands Pull Up Assist Bands Stretching Powerlifting Set of 4, and they have truly revolutionized my workout routine. As someone who frequently struggles with maintaining consistency in my fitness journey, these resistance bands have made all the difference. Their vibrant colors and varying resistance levels have not only made my workouts more fun and engaging but also significantly more effective. One of the standout features of these resistance bands is their super durable, natural latex composition. The anti-snap design provides a sense of safety and ease of use, allowing me to focus solely on pushing my limits. The pull-up assist bands have allowed me to transform my usual chin-ups, ring-ups, and muscle-ups into a challenge that keeps me motivated. A key highlight of this product is the ability to use multiple resistance bands simultaneously, which enables me to customize my workout intensity as per my fitness level. The bands are lightweight and easy to transport, allowing me to incorporate my workout routine into my daily life with ease. However, on the downside, some users have reported a strong smell associated with the bands. While this dissipates over time, it can be off-putting initially. Additionally, one reviewer mentioned that the red band frayed after just six months of use. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall performance and effectiveness of these resistance bands have earned them high praise from the fitness community. In summary, if you're looking for a versatile and effective way to enhance your workout routine, the XPRT Fitness Resistance Bands Pull Up Assist Bands Stretching Powerlifting Set of 4 is an excellent choice. With its durable design, customizable resistance levels, and fun color options, this product offers a unique and engaging workout experience that can help you achieve your fitness goals with ease. 🔗Professional Strength Flat Resistance Bands for Exercisehttps://preview.redd.it/sybgl27ash5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0b1836fa99e1909ffc9ae276d0455a7265a49e8 I'm someone who's always looking for ways to incorporate fitness into my life. When I came across the C9 Champion Exercise Flat Resistance Band 3-pack, I was intrigued. This set of three flat resistance bands (light, medium, and heavy) promises to help me strengthen and tone, all in the comfort of my home. The light flat band provides a maximum resistance of 20lbs, which I found perfect for warming up before moving onto the medium resistance band that offers 40lbs of resistance. I loved the challenge these bands provided, especially for targeting my upper body, core, and lower body muscles. My heart really started pumping when I used the strongest resistance band that gives me 50lbs of resistance. While I may not be a professional athlete, I could definitely tell these bands were working as my muscles began to burn after just a few reps. Plus, they're incredibly affordable making them an essential addition to any home gym. However, one downside is their size. Although these bands are compact and portable, the short length of some exercises can be slightly challenging. For instance, my favorite exercise for bicep curls is difficult to do while standing up. However, this issue is easily remedied by kneeling down instead. Another minor issue is the smell. Some users reported a strong odor that took hours to go away even after thorough washing. While I didn’t experience this, it’s worth keeping in mind if you have sensitivity to smells. Overall, the C9 Champion Exercise Flat Resistance Band Set has been incredibly beneficial in diversifying my home workout routine. These bands are sturdy, well-priced, and offer varying levels of resistance to fit any fitness level. If you're looking to up your strength training game without spending a fortune on gym equipment, these resistance bands are definitely worth considering. Buyer's Guidehttps://preview.redd.it/z7wpymfash5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=998b4adeb6f7d98522370b13987283d1795be475 Features of Flat Resistance BandsFlat resistance bands are elastic bands designed for strength training and muscle toning. Their main features include:
Considerations When Buying Flat Resistance BandsWhen purchasing flat resistance bands, consider the following:
https://preview.redd.it/lltsqd2bsh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aaa8301c2314f494ed6c91c83bdbe3bfc54b83dd General Advice for Using Flat Resistance BandsHere are a few tips to get the most out of your flat resistance bands:
Additional Resources for Flat Resistance BandsFor more information and workout ideas, consult the following resources:
https://preview.redd.it/z1fev5bbsh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e1f1ad432ef05b9d0bd42654fa8758867c1fb20 FAQWhat are flat resistance bands?Flat resistance bands are elastic bands designed to provide resistance training without the need for weights or gym equipment. These versatile tools can be used for a variety of exercises, including strength training, muscle toning, and physical therapy. https://preview.redd.it/dczpalobsh5d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0459a320702f6fbaea4f56cd5bcdcfecb0be6a0d How do flat resistance bands work?Flat resistance bands work by increasing the resistance during an exercise as you move through the range of motion. When elongated, the bands provide tension, making it more difficult to complete each movement. This helps enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance over time.What exercises can be done with flat resistance bands?Flat resistance bands can be used for a wide range of exercises, including chest presses, lateral raises, bicep curls, tricep extensions, leg curls, and much more. You can incorporate these bands into your current workout routine or use them for gentle stretching and mobility exercises.What are the benefits of using flat resistance bands?Using flat resistance bands provides numerous benefits, including:
How do I know which resistance level to choose?Choosing the right resistance level depends on your fitness level and the specific exercises you plan to use the bands for. It is recommended to start with a lighter resistance and gradually progress to heavier bands as you develop more strength and endurance. Consult a fitness professional for guidance on selecting appropriate resistance levels for your needs.How often should I use flat resistance bands?The frequency of using flat resistance bands will depend on your fitness goals and current fitness level. Incorporating these bands into your workout routine 2-3 times per week can help promote muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical fitness.How do I care for and store my flat resistance bands?To prolong the life of your flat resistance bands, avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, sunlight, or sharp objects. Store them in a clean, dry place, and inspect them regularly for signs of wear and tear. Washing the bands with mild soap and water is recommended, and air-drying them thoroughly before storage.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |