This post would not have come to my mind had it not been for this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJbYgqlH6H4
The important parts are essentially just a rehash of the main point of that video. I highly recommend watching it, it is very well made.
You will not see one main timeline post from this little series I have going here, as I think posts like that are filled with fluff and waste time. When reviewing timelines, people really only care about a few key issues, and I will only care to discuss those issues that are actually relevant. If you want a summary of the general series of events, there are millions ready to be read/watched.
Here is everything I plan to talk about in my little ramblings:
Death Order(This post)
Midnight Motorist
Book Canonicity
Golden Freddy(And by proxy, The One, Cassidy, and Andrew)
Crying Child
The Mimic
I feel this is the best order in which to tackle the main points of contention which currently plague the community, while also wasting the least time covering topics that mostly everyone already agrees upon.
Here is the order in which I believe the early deaths of the series happen:
Crying Child, Elizabeth, The Missing Children, Charlotte
When looking at this issue, I found that analyzing how the novels depict this early segment of the timeline provides a nice baseline. The novels are very specific about William's motivations when it comes to almost every death in the series. In fairness, I have not read them in a while, but as I recall his motivation for killing Charlotte is never properly said. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, though.
Novels' William's Story
Since many people completely misunderstand Afton's motives in these books, thanks in part to not having read them, I will quickly lay out William's story arc; the parts of his arc that are not relevant to this post will not be included.
After seeing Henry's newly created Robot Charlie, William becomes obsessed with recreating the spark that had resulted in Robot Charlie's creation. That spark of life that made her so real is what Afton wanted for the duration of the book trilogy. It is why he stole the final, adult Robot Charlie and crafted her into Circus Baby. But, after Elizabeth's death at the hands of Baby, William noticed her consciousness was preserved in the robot, and she was able to think as herself freely. This made William take a detour in his research, as he wanted to now recreate the "accident" of Baby's possession. This is why he killed the missing children, and stuffed their bodies into the animatronics.
This also connects to why Afton wants to become one of the animatronics; they represent his end goal. He wants his consciousness to be preserved in an immortal animatronic body, he's just too much of a pussy to do it himself. That's why he has Elizabeth slowly removing chunks of his body and inserting them into the amalgamation in The Fourth Closet.
With that quick summary out of the way, you can hopefully see why this provides such an important context for the death order in the games. Assuming Games' William has a similar story arc, we can actually confidently place many of the early deaths.

The Afton Deaths

I think I can confidently say Crying Child dies first. Since Robot Charlie isn't a game character, William would need that initial motivation into the spark of life, or some sort of similar concept. Crying Child fits that perfectly, as we know William was attempting to recreate his experiences with the nightmare chambers depicted in Sister Location and Dittophobia. Dittophobia further tells us that William was specifically analyzing fear, most likely as a result of his observations of Crying Child's intense fear leading up to his death. Assuming William is the Fredbear Plush, or is in some way connected to him on a symbolic level, he would've seen everything that had happened to the Crying Child leading up to his death and his promise to put him back together. We know that line in particular originates from William in the games, as Michael states that William asked him to do the same thing to Elizabeth at the end of Sister Location.
In the novels, William was attempting to recreate Charlie's spark, while in the games he was attempting to recreate the events leading to Crying Child's death in order to put him back together. I'll talk more about what that even means when I discuss the Crying Child, but for now it's just important to acknowedge that Crying Child's death is what caused the gas chambers and nightmare experiments to begin, which would coincide with the creation of the Funtime animatronics as there are no other experiments we know of that would require kidnapping kids. This follows the novels' series of events nicely, as Elizabeth's death to the Funtime animatronics would redirect William's studies into remnant and recreating possession, just like it did in the novels, and lead to the MCI.
This is, of course, all speculation, but it fits nicely with the fact that Circus Baby's existed at a time when springlock suits were still around, thanks to the suit on night 4 of that game. The timeline in general fits together very cleanly with this novel-based theory model, and you could even argue that the suit on night 4 is the one that caused the multiple simultaneous springlock failures.

Charlotte, and "a wound first inflicted on me"

The main criticism that I'm sure this order is going to get is the widely held belief that Charlotte was William's first victim. This is what happens in the novels, and Henry states that the wound William inflicted on the world was "first inflicted on [Henry]." I have thoughts about both of these pieces of evidence, as well as my own evidence suggesting Charlotte is the last death of the games. There's an extremely good chance you've heard all of this before, but I hope to present my case in as thorough and convincing a way as possible regardless.
The first point of Charlotte dying in the novels is easy enough to counter. This theory model already posits that Crying Child dying first ticks off all the narrative boxes that Charlotte dying first in the novels does. I think the theory so far should show that the story is actually closer to the novels' narrative if Crying Child dies first. You could argue that Charlotte dying before Crying Child doesn't affect this theory, and you'd be mostly right, but at that point her dying first would be pointless. There's no reason to assume she dies before Crying Child, so I'm not going to assume that she does without evidence(I know Midnight Motorist could be used as a point if certain theories are true, but Midnight Motorist is getting its own post).
The major piece of evidence that many fans point to which "proves" Charlotte is William's first victim is the aforementioned line from Henry's speech in the Insanity Ending. I will counter this evidence with evidence of my own, suggesting that Susie was actually William's first kill.
As I'm sure you know, in Ultimate Custom Night Withered Chica can sometimes say "I was the first, I have seen everything" when she kills you. Many people write this off as her just being the first MCI victim, but I don't buy that. Knowing that would be useless to fans' understanding of the narrative at that time. Knowing that she was William's first victim overall, however, is much more impactful to the story, and is frankly a much more meaningful and intuitive interpretation of that line. With Henry's line, it can be easily interpreted to be referencing between William and Henry personally rather than having to be an indirect wound on Henry caused from Charlotte's death. The alternative explanation for that line is much easier to get behind than the alternative explanation for Chica's line.
Additionally, Help Wanted 2 recently gave us another hint at a potential death order. In Princess Quest 4, lighting the 6 graves in the correct order leads to the Bonnie mask secret. Charlotte's grave is the last to be lit, and Susie's is the first to be lit. I don't think that it's a coincidence that Susie is the first once again.
That sums up my thoughts on the early death order. I'll get to work on verbalizing my thoughts on Midnight Motorist soon.
(Reddit was being fucky and irritating when writing this and stuff got deleted a lot, apologies if parts don't make sense as a result of that)

Seasonal Allergies Immunotherapy
Hi I’m planning on applying for OCS when I graduate in May. But im currently taking allergy shots for my seasonal allergies. I would have no problem pausing them during basic etc. Resuming when I’m past training, but is this something I have to do? Is it worth having to get a medical waiver for it? Do I need to tell my recruiter?
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Currently in the process of reenlisting as a prior service who was chaptered out in AIT for SI. Submitted and turned over all my paperwork to my recruiter and awaiting MEPS. My recruiter said this is the longest part of the waiting game from his experience. How long should I be expecting to wait realistically? I would ask my recruiter but I feel like I've bothered him enough over the past few weeks lmao. - Thanks!
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Hey guys l need some advice so i'm gonna get straight to the point. I am 20 and a junior in college. I ship in June and i have 3 Mos choices so far. 19D, 11b and 19k. Which do y’all recommend?I'm hardworking and not lazy so yeah. I am joining for many reasons but one of the main reasons is travel. Would I get to do tha much? Thank you
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Hey guys, I enlisted with an airborne contract that has my first assignment at Fort Liberty. How likely is it that I get assigned to the 82nd?
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Weight loss
I'm currently 5% body fat over for the arms 2.0. I'm eating way better and consuming 12-1,500 calories and losing an average of 3,000 calories a day. I've been running/walking 2 miles a day of hill terrain. My recruiter said I need to lose 10 pounds by May 17. I need tips and tricks on how to lose those pounds by then
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Army National Guard recruiter says at MEPS you can choose from several dates to start basic. Is that accurate?
If so, typically how many dates are there to choose from and how far in the future? I have a great civilian job, so would like to know my date as far in advance as possible.
Edit: would go on to traditional state OCS (yea, I know the internet’s opinions on it but it fits my life really well) afterwards.
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I've got 4 years active and 3 years guard under my belt and I've always put in to my tsp to get the match. I know you need 8 years to keep the matching, but my unit has drained what little motivation I had left for the army, and I've decided I'm done. I'm curious if anyone can help me figure out if there's any option that will help me keep my tsp matching besides a 1 year extension. I doubt the IRR counts towards 8 years, and from what I understand, the inactive guard is simply a pause button. So instead of pushing me to 8 years, it's just delaying my 7th till next year or something. I'm also wondering if a future federal job would contribute to that 8 years or if it has to be all concurrent. Thank you for any help or any resources or links yall can send me to figure this out.
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I was wondering if I could join the army with depression, anxiety, and OCD. All diagnosed. I have no suicide attempts or anything like that, no inpatient care either. All of these are somewhat mild and manageable, and I haven't been on any medication. But that was another concern of mine, if I was to get on any medication, would that disqualify me? Thanks a lot.
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Im currently a senior in high school trying to enlist in the army since December but I’m at a loss of what to do. I took the asvab scored a 61 but autism came up on my records from when I was a kid. I had to get a full medical Record for meps then they wanted my pharmacy record and now they want some more records my recruiter made me sign a form for my old doctors to get it from them about a month and a week ago. I called him the earlier this week and he said he Kentucky or Kansas (I didn’t hear him well and forgot) doing some training I honestly just don’t know what to do I’ll graduate from high school in a few weeks and I probably have a month after that before my parents kick me out any advice?
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Hey all, I wanted to get some insight on whether you all think I would be able to enlist with Crohn's. I've seen online that it's generally marked as an "unwaivable medical condition" but sometimes goes on a case by case basis. My IBD is very mild, I honestly forget that I even have the damn disease because it doesnt effect my daily life at all. I have it managed by taking an 8-week biologic but have gone on extended breaks from it before due to insurance reasons (roughly 2-3 months without any meds) and had no flare ups or any issues of the sort. However, my doctor is thinking of switching me to a daily pill (Rinvoq). I don't have any food sensitivities like a lot of Crohn's patients have (caffeine, alcohol, dairy, etc.) and have never had any surgeries nor does my GI doctor think i'll ever need one. I wanted to enlist for a 17C contract as im already in college for tech anyhow, I'm not sure if that would effect my standing. However, dream MOS is 18X but I figure that may be tougher to get by a recruiter. Any advice or thoughts? Army has been my dream forever and I don't want to have to give it up, so I'd really do anything haha.
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I have 2 non violent felonies from 2011 and PTD from 2022 for possession. I've been upfront and honest with my recruiter. He sent me to test today and I scored 63 on Asvab and GT of 113. Is there a chance for me? Thanks in advance. 30 and in great health and shape.
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What bases would you do bmt if your in cyber security and aviation mechanics?
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I ship out in a week. Went to meps and signed in March. Can I change my MOS? Or is it too late ?? I want something language related because I’m fluent in Arabic (already passed DLPT)
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For anyone that has done OSUT at Fort Moore, how long does it typically take before they’ll tell you where your FDS is?
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I have read a few horror stories where someone enlisted with X,Y, or Z in their contract, but after basic they where told something else and could not confirm the original. For example, someone claims they had a specific location through Option 19, only to later be told they are going somewhere else.
My first question is: has this happened to anyone here, and if so and how was it resolved?
My second question is: after signing your contract, how do you gain acess to it later? Do you receive a physical copy for yourself? Can you download a copy? Is there someone you can ask in the Army to retrieve it for you? Will it be acessable on a portal of somekind?
I am considering enlisting with option 19 and the location is very important to me. Thank you!
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Is phone use in BCT only delegated to calls? Also does phone use depend on what phase you're in, like, red phase 20 minutes, blue 30 minutes? Going to jackson
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Not the best time to swear in, waivers
I have all of my waivers approved, however, I won’t be swearing in due to job circumstances. If things change, can I still go back into the army or will I blocked out of it forever?
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I have an AAM and 3 COAs which S1 has been tracking for months but which have yet to reflect on my PPW. Do I have any recourse?
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my recruiter says that I can't get option 4 in my 35W contract but I really want to be airborne as a 35p/m so I have a higher chance of having my skills be put to use. Can i put in for airborne at DLI or AIT? what is the earliest I can do this and how would I go about it? I just went through the normal MEPS process not the airborne physical fyi
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Is a bonus worth choosing the Army over the AF?
In general, I’ve heard that the army’s QoL is less than that of the Air Force. However, the army has way more jobs w bonuses that I’d be interested in. And it’s the same or similar jobs as the Air Force, but w a bonus. I know the Basic Training for army is also longer, but a bonus can be convincing. I have the same question, but in regards to joining the navy as well. I want to focus on my education during my enlistment & get my bachelors & id also like travel opportunities. I haven’t taken my ASVAB yet, it’s scheduled the 16th. I scored rlly well on the PiCAT, and according to those scores I qualify for some army jobs w a bonus. I know it’s not as simple as that, and it’s a whole process & based on what’s available. Just want some opinions on if I was offered an army job w a bonus as opposed to the same/ similar Air Force job without, would you consider it worth it based on your experience?
I already got some answers from a post I made about this, but moderator deleted it and said to comment here. But any additional info/ insight is greatly appreciated. I want to make the best choice for my future in the case that I don't want to do 20 years.
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I'm joining up rn and working with a recruiter. We've got my waivers and everything. Pretty much just have to pick a job. For background I was an IET separation back in 2009. From what I've read and what me and my recruiter have gone over I am glossary non-prior service. I could have sworn I read (albeit a while ago) that business rules did not apply to GNPS, so I should be free to pick my MOS. However, I talked to my recruiter earlier today and he wants me to sit with his 1SG and go over the job options available for prior service. Am I wrong and I just get what I get?
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Please help!
I was looking to join the guard but in my medical records it shows I had Guillan barre. I was feeling some numbness in my legs, but looking back at it, it was very cold outside and I was just a bitch who would try to get out of school by any means possible. They did a spinal tap and never found any trace of the disease however. I was in the hospital for a couple of days, the gave me immunoglobulin and then I went home and nothing ever came of it. I am currently completely asymptomatic This was when I was 12 or 13 years old. Now I’m 18 and want to join but my recruiter said I have to get all the records and stuff. What is the chance that I will still be able to join? I tried looking it up online but I couldn’t find an answer. Also if I’m able to join, will I need a medical waiver?
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My MOS is 68W, I'm shipping out in June and I'm taking the OPAT in a couple of weeks. I'm 5'2 and 115ish pounds. I'm pretty fit. My biggest worry is the standing long jump. I want to pass the OPAT with flying colors and keep my MOS. Is there any advice or tips y'all can give me?
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I’m looking to graduate and enlist in a month but can’t decide on what MOS I want. I think 11B because I don’t want to individuate and do army shit or 68W but I’m not sure if I can get advanced combative training or other schools I want. I want to do something that’s “high speed” and meaningful while working my way towards Ranger reg. Is the 82nd Airborne a good pathway to that? How is civil affairs? Can you enlist directly into it while being active duty?
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Thinking about reenlisting to army with 8.5 PS in USMC. Been out < 5years. Will I have to repeat AIT if I keep my same MOS? I know this is the wrong channel for USMC feedback but also considering going back there if it would mean not repeating AlT. Thanks in advance!
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Hi everyone! I’m a high school student planning on joining the military. I’m Muslim, so I want to be sure that whichever branch I join is accommodating to Muslim needs. If it changes anything, I’m planning joining through the ROTC route.
My main concerns are, does the Army give beard waivers for Muslims? Is it possible to take short breaks throughout the day to pray? Can you fast during Ramadan? Can you be provided with halal (no pork/no alcohol) food?
Also, I’m interested in infantry or armor (or any kind of ground forces officer in general). Would these accommodations interfere with being selected for these careers or being mission ready? (Such as a beard, fasting, etc.)
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i’m a current nasty girl and i’m looking to transfer to Active duty. i understand i need a conditional release in order to sign a new contract and need my G-1 to sign off on it. i’m looking for info on the process from someone who’s gone through the process.
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What are the odds of getting a waiver for ulcerative colitis? I was EPTS’d out in march 2023 after being diagnosed while I was at 30th AG. My GI said I was in remission as of jan of this year. I take 4 Lialda pills a day and get an entyvio infusion every 2 months. I feel perfectly fine now though. Scored a 74 on the asvab.
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Medical record
In the navy currently and getting out in a year. I had a back injury prior to enlisting that I didn’t disclose. I plan on entering the army after my contract. If this comes up will my discharge from the navy be lowered or my benefits revoked?
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So my recruiter told me that I have to get a lease first, but the thing is, is that we don't have one with our landlord. It's more like an oral lease and he's a slumlord who never tries to communicate with any of us. That being said, my recruiter then said that I should find a lease online and edit it to where I state that I'm paying the rent to my sister instead (who has a valid ID) He also stated that my sister and I have to go to a check-cashing place to get it notarized. Is this all ok to do and will the BHA be approved? Also if it's approved, does this mean that the rent we pay which is $1,365.50, is going to be paid for while I'm away and how exactly??
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Can I enlist if I have a Mexican highschool diploma? (I am american, just finished highschool in mexico) And don't have a address in the USA???
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I am thinking of finishing up my bachelors and joining as an officer, my question was whether it was possible or not to guarantee mos 17c in the army if I join as an officer.
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I just got told that I cant enlist for 2 years after my waiver got denied for a history of depression. I stopped feeling depressed last August but got officially cleared into remission in February. I was told theres no point in a consult and the most I can do is reach out to a congressman. Other than reaching out to a congressman, is there really nothing I can do?
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Questions about Virginia National Guard
I want to do OCS! Now here’s my confusion. My recruiter is saying that the moment I swear in is the moment my contract is going to start and will count towards that 6 year! So, if he is right, I will basically complete 2 years training if I do state OCS. But I would like to have more control on what branch I get! My top 3 are: cyber warfare, signal, and intel. Should I do accelerated in that case? Also how likely am I to get one of those aforementioned three if I do state OCS of 18 months? My bachelor was in Computer Engineering, and I am currently enrolled in ASU for master’s pursuing Computer Science! Will I get that 24k a year tuition fee because he said there’s a possibility I might get it since it’s fully online? Can I get tuition assistance and loan repayment both? Does getting either one incur additional service time?
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im thinking of joining as a officer and going into ocs, what is the best branch for a well paying civilian job after completing my service, for context my major right now is relg studies plus maybe bio.
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I leave for Future Soldier Preparatory Course for the fitness aspect on the 21st, has anyone gone through it recently? There’s not a whole lot of information on it online, I was just wondering what it’s like, and what to expect. Do you get issued all of your gear since you will be going to bmt after? What is reception like? Any and all information and tips is greatly appreciated!
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So my husband is going to meps next week. he has 2 different sets of scars on his left arm. He works at a mobile home plant building houses. One was from when he got caught on a nail so it's a little deeper looking and another was from some sheet metal at work. He didn't disclose it to his boss because he works on a line and it would've put his team behind so he just put some bandaids on it and went about his day and cleaned it up when he got home. This was about 1-2 years ago. What is his meps experience going to be like? They aren't self harm obviously but we've heard horror stories about the doctors at meps not believing people and DQ them. He honestly forgot about telling his recruiter and his recruiter has already sent in all his medical history and got him scheduled for meps. Should he still go ahead and tell his recruiter or just wait and disclose it at meps?
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Should i go in as 17c or try my luck at ocs?
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I'm currently in process Enlisting in the Reserve, while holding an associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology, with some side education in programming. While I am working towards my bachelor's degree, I'm looking to pick an MOS that will help my career, or at the very least, be interesting. I don't remember my scores, but my Recruiter told me whatever I pick, my score won't be the limiting factor.
Top of the list for career jobs is 15 series, from what I've heard from currently enlisted in my friend group, wrenching on aircraft in general is a fast track to a cushy job on the outside with my education. 25 series looks boring but useful as anything IT/electrical complements my degree. On the more interesting side, I was looking at 91 series, either 91F or 91P.
Am I going anywhere wrong with any of these jobs? Anything I should be keeping in mind?
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25D or 35T I just wonder which MOS would be better for career. I am really interested in IT. I know 25D is not entry MOS. Let’s say you meet requirements for both MOS. If you stay as enlisted side, what would you recommend?
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I’m heading to ait now at fort Moore for 91M do I get my phone and am I in a dorm how is that like
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Hi all,
I am a permanent resident here is the US, and last week I finished my ASVAB mock test with a 95 on my AFQT. The recruiter says I am eligible for everything that doesn't require a security clearance which is kind of a problem as my dream MOS are the 35-series and 17-series (As both of these are locked behind clearance requirement)
After some thinking, I narrow down to the following, but there are still too many so I hope I can get your feedback on what I am doing. My aims are: a/I want something that will translate into the civilian world well if my time in the army doesn't go well, b/I want an MOS that can advanced through warrant or becoming a commission officer if my time in the army does go well, and c/I want to push myself to the limit and break out of my comfort zone to see where I can go. If I sound arrogant, please forgive for that: I am just trying to be as careful as possible. I am nearly reaching my thirty, and I want to take deliberate steps because I no longer have the luxury of youth and family to try and fail.
The MOS are:
11-series, 12B and 12D: I have a soft spot for these despite knowing they don't translate into the civilian world. But in my heart somewhere is a wild child that wants to test my physical prowess and wants to blow things up. I do know my knees and lower back will hate me for picking this.
15 series: With exceptions to 15C, 15J, and other works related to flying or being mechanics of sensitive equipment, I can be an aircraft technicians. I read that there are demands for airplane mechanics but I don't know much about this field other than a/I got to repair planes, b/people seem to hate it because you have to sign a long contract if you become a warrant.
68A: I did see this MOS getting recommended a lot but after reading its description, I am not very sure if I want to do it either both in the army or afterwards. I must also admit I don't have a good insights onto the day to day life of this job. Can someone shed some light about this MOS for me?
68C: Becoming a nurse seems like a very safe choice out of the military given that the BLS projects nurse to be in high demand and being able to take care of your family sounds like a big plus to me; however, I don't know if I like being a nurse. My parents were doctors, and having seen the hospital environment I can say I am not a fan. I also look into 68A but BLS prospect for it didn't seem good, and the training on 68E, 68D, and 68V look a little bit too short. Do you really become a dental assistant just with 10 weeks of training?
68W: I must admit, I have a soft spot for 68W as it allows me to be both learn some medical skills and be on the field. However, I do notice that 68W only translates to paramedic/EMT post-army, while 68C translates to becoming a nurse (which is more valued and regarded as "better" than paramedic or EMT and thus in higher demand)
88H, 92A, 92F, and 92Y: I pick these because, according to BLS, there is a projected increase need for people in warehousing and transportation. From my limited understanding of the fields, you will be in charge of handling logistics such as maintaining unit inventory, ordering supplies and weapons for your units, etc. but I am not very sure on the difference between, say, 92Y and 92A.
So, can you give me a suggestions? May anyone who has been in these MOS share their experience to help me pick? What are some of the MOS I miss?
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
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Is the 09m program ending at the end of may?
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How does one secure a religious exemption before basic training? My recruiter said we would talk about it down the line but it’s getting down to the wire and I’d rather it not get forgotten.
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Hi my duty station is at JBLM I’ll hopefully be there around May of 2025. I still have too go through basic and AIT but I was hoping that I could get some info about the barracks and hopefully get in touch with some of the people that are getting stationed/ already stationed There that are aviation, specifically 15Y. Thank you
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How can i improve my chances of success after the military?
I'm going to meps in 2 weeks and im shooting for a 25 series mos. 25H was what was available at the recruiters after i took my practice asvab. I'm not the brightest bulb but, hey, I'll take it. Aside from college ,which i want to continue to pursue throughout my time in the army (or after depending on my mental fortitude once i'm actually in,) how can i set myself up for success in the civilian world? Any input from past 25h or 25 series who somehow translated their career into decent paying jobs will be much appreciated.
I'll add I'm only joining the army for the college benefits and free training as i come from a poor household and have no other feasible way to pay for it.
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Hello everyone,
I was recently laid off from a $64k job, and honestly, I'm not too upset. I was already feeling burnt out and unhappy, staying primarily for the promised educational benefits to facilitate a career change, which obviously fell through with the job loss. Now, I'm considering my options and the military as a new path has been sounding appealing to an extent. The VA loan and GI Bill are particularly enticing because they would help me pursue a degree without getting into debt, and enabling the career change I've been considering. And the thought of being able to buy a house at this age/economy seems awesome.
At 28, I'm weighing the implications of joining now, especially considering the pay cut and spending four years AD without the guarantee of going overseas which for me would make it much more worthwhile. Also, I'd likely be one of the older members among younger peers, which is another factor to consider. My entry rank would be E3 due to my associate degree told by the Air force recruiter I met, but I'll need a moral waiver for a misdemeanor I had at 18, which might limit my job options not to mention she told me I would have to be at the disposal of whatever the Air Force wanted me to do? Which I am assuming means that I could enlist for one thing that they tell me nope get your doing this.The Air Force recruiter told me that I would be just fine and I would be able to get in as long as my ASVAB score is high enough.
I'm torn about whether to commit to AD and save myself or a longer term in the military via reserves but still stuck in the same loop of feeling in fulfilled, unable to afford university and in a place I would rather leave. Insights from anyone who joined the military later or faced similar decisions would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks for any advice!
P.S I am also ok with the idea of the military as a career as I would still be able to retire earlier than many of my peers if I pursue the 20 year route..
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I’m reenlisting at the end of this month (was NG but going active). My husband is also active and I was wondering how likely is it that I can be in the same battalion as my husband? I know married couples aren’t supposed to work directly together but would that still be considered “working together”?
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Hi All, I'm 23F graduating college with my bachelor's in international relations at the end of July. I speak intermediate Spanish and would be open to learning more languages. I am looking for a mos that doesn't restrict me to behind a desk or sitting on my ass all day. I was thinking of something intelligence related. I would appreciate any advice/help.
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So i have hemorrhoids right now and I go to MEPS monday. I have a Drs visit from about 2 years ago where she prescribed me the cream to use. The cream says to only use it when you have hemorrhoids. I still have the cream. Will I pass MEPS if I bring that the Dr visit. or should I get a new one the day before? It's Saturday so my recruiter won't answer.
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So I enlisted on Friday. (25H) and I ship to BT in August. I’ve made my mind up before enlisting that I was going to make a career out of it. So now I’m here before you all to ask… what’s some advice you could give someone looking to do 20. Like what’s steps would you take if you could go back to make the most of your Army career? I remember my dad who served in the navy would always say “choose your rate choose your fate” and I think I started off on the right foot. Any suggestions to help make the correct steps in my new career path?
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Going back in. Needing some suggestions on different MOS.
So when I was in the first time I was a 25U. I was 16 when I swore in to secure my mos and left at 18YO. I’ve decicided to go back in. Im picking between 19 jobs, I qualify for all of them as I keep my old asvab scores. I scored over a 105 in everything so I have a pretty big list to pick from. These jobs have good jobs outside of the army and that’s my angle, I know 25U translates to a good job outside of the army but it’s not my cup of tea. So any info on the jobs in the army and civilian life for these mos would be greatly appreciate. The jobs are: 68L 68X (specifically because I want to help vets who are/have suffered) 88H 35F 25B 35M 35G 35L 88K 88N 88U 27D 31E 12M 15Q 15N 25U 88L 88M
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Already signed my contract but I really really wanna change my MOS by the time I ship out for BCT in mid-July, what would be the best way to approach and ask my recruiter to change my MOS? The one that I want is really in demand (19K) so maybe that might help?
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Background: Greencard holder, 6yr+ experience in IT field. No degree. Married.
Always wanted to join the military and finally have the opportunity to do so.
What I want to experience from the military;
I want the opportunity to grow in the IT field and have military experience and later on attain a contractor job in overseas installations. Very interested in being able to move overseas for a few years specially Japan.
My biggest interest is to grow in my career + experience other countries.
Recruits have also told me that for active duty they are allowing first duty station to be chosen because the army apparently has a shortage of people joining so they want to motivate people to join by allowing them to choose duty stations. This has made me consider going active IF they aren't lying about this + the job security has always been a plus to me.
My primary plan was :
Going reserve, getting my citizenship while in basic training, changing my mos to 25B then finding government contracting job overseas preferably (Japan) and changing my unit to Japan to drill there (Camp Zama). Overall my biggest goal is to move overseas and be in the IT field.
What is the best route? Advice is greatly appreciated in advance:)
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I want to enlist as a 19D Wont be for a year or so still but trying to do my research and evrything and make sure this is what i want, So far it looks like it is but i have a couple of questions that i need answering before i decided to enlist. 1. as a 19D with 19C coming will 19D still be manning Bradleys 2. What are my chances of being assigned to a cav unit i really dont wanna be assigned to an infantry or god knows what else 3. Am i able to enlist as active at 17?
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Is it hard to get a self harm waiver? It happened one time three years ago. My recruiter is pushing for it now
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I'm going to MEPS this week and I was told that the Job I'm really interested in (12w) is rare and to not get my hopes up. I'll be doing research about some other jobs, but if I really want that job should I just wait for a slot to open up or go with alternate choices?
Does anyone have any experience with this job and how often slots show up?
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Vision Waiver Acceptance Probability
So I’m wanting to enlist as an 11x OP 4in the army, went to MEPS a few weeks ago, and am currently waiting on a current injury to be waived. I’m just kind of worrying about my vision waiver. Recruiter said we have to wait for this to be cleared first, then we can launch the vision waiver.
What’s the probability that a vision waiver will be accepted with Visual Acuity of 20/30 20/50 corrected vision. I understand everything is case to case, I’m just kind of worrying that it’ll end up being denied.
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Is there a list of all the different Options in contracts? Like Option 40, Option 4, Option 19, etc?
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In the process of renegotiating my contract before shipping out and I'm seriously considering 19K (M1 Armor Crewman). Recruiter told me that anyone can volunteer to go to airborne school at BCT and I really want to go airborne but it seems like 19Ks don't really do it as much as other MOS's. Is it true that i will have the opportunity to volunteer myself for airborne school at basic? If not, how can I attend Airborne or any other specialized school as a tanker?
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Leaving for BT in 2wks. First stop Ft Lenwood and then ft sill for AIT. Then off to Ft Drum for my 1st duty station. Can anyone offer insight on what to expect at each location/stage? 13F if it matters. Much appreciated.
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Just reserved mos 88L Water craft engineer.
Was excited at first as I’ve e heard a lot of good things about this mos, but i have a wife, 6yr old and another on the way and am worried that i wont be home that often given this mos. Im supposed to go to meps in 4 days and swear in. Im really not trying to be away from my family all that often. Is this mos bad for family life? Have i made a mistake? Or should i keep it and roll with it. Any recommendations on what i should do?
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Hello, I’m in ROTC right now but I’m about to go to CST. I have been looking into branches as much as possible and am pretty set on ADA but I wanted to ask if anyone here has been on a HIMAD or SHORAD deployment that can give me some insight on what it’s like, more specifically SHORAD but I do want to hear both sides.
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Joining the army
hi, I am 17 turning 18F, and im joining the army and going to boot camp soon. What are some advice or anything you would tell someone before they go to boot camp or thinking about joining the army?
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Hello, I'm currently a high school senior who is interested in joining the ROTC. I've reached out to ROTC recruiters in the colleges that I will be attending however, they never picked up their phones nor responded to their emails after multiple attempts. I've also scheduled appointments with them only for them to not show up multiple times. I've also called the army and they said they would have someone call me but they never did either. I was wondering if anyone could help me get in touch with an ROTC recruiter as I got a few questions about the Army ROTC as well as the process to proceed.
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Can you go to an maritime academy before your service then get it paid when you join? Can you take maritime academy while active duty?
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What are possible first duty stations for Army officers out of ROTC by MOS?
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Seasonal Allergies Immunotherapy
Hi I’m planning on applying for OCS when I graduate in May. But im currently taking allergy shots for my seasonal allergies. I would have no problem pausing them during basic etc. Resuming when I’m past training, but is this something I have to do? Is it worth having to get a medical waiver for it? Do I need to tell my recruiter?
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Currently in the process of reenlisting as a prior service who was chaptered out in AIT for SI. Submitted and turned over all my paperwork to my recruiter and awaiting MEPS. My recruiter said this is the longest part of the waiting game from his experience. How long should I be expecting to wait realistically? I would ask my recruiter but I feel like I've bothered him enough over the past few weeks lmao. - Thanks!
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Hey guys l need some advice so i'm gonna get straight to the point. I am 20 and a junior in college. I ship in June and i have 3 Mos choices so far. 19D, 11b and 19k. Which do y’all recommend?I'm hardworking and not lazy so yeah. I am joining for many reasons but one of the main reasons is travel. Would I get to do tha much? Thank you
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Hey guys, I enlisted with an airborne contract that has my first assignment at Fort Liberty. How likely is it that I get assigned to the 82nd?
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Weight loss
I'm currently 5% body fat over for the arms 2.0. I'm eating way better and consuming 12-1,500 calories and losing an average of 3,000 calories a day. I've been running/walking 2 miles a day of hill terrain. My recruiter said I need to lose 10 pounds by May 17. I need tips and tricks on how to lose those pounds by then
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Army National Guard recruiter says at MEPS you can choose from several dates to start basic. Is that accurate?
If so, typically how many dates are there to choose from and how far in the future? I have a great civilian job, so would like to know my date as far in advance as possible.
Edit: would go on to traditional state OCS (yea, I know the internet’s opinions on it but it fits my life really well) afterwards.
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I've got 4 years active and 3 years guard under my belt and I've always put in to my tsp to get the match. I know you need 8 years to keep the matching, but my unit has drained what little motivation I had left for the army, and I've decided I'm done. I'm curious if anyone can help me figure out if there's any option that will help me keep my tsp matching besides a 1 year extension. I doubt the IRR counts towards 8 years, and from what I understand, the inactive guard is simply a pause button. So instead of pushing me to 8 years, it's just delaying my 7th till next year or something. I'm also wondering if a future federal job would contribute to that 8 years or if it has to be all concurrent. Thank you for any help or any resources or links yall can send me to figure this out.
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I was wondering if I could join the army with depression, anxiety, and OCD. All diagnosed. I have no suicide attempts or anything like that, no inpatient care either. All of these are somewhat mild and manageable, and I haven't been on any medication. But that was another concern of mine, if I was to get on any medication, would that disqualify me? Thanks a lot.
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Im currently a senior in high school trying to enlist in the army since December but I’m at a loss of what to do. I took the asvab scored a 61 but autism came up on my records from when I was a kid. I had to get a full medical Record for meps then they wanted my pharmacy record and now they want some more records my recruiter made me sign a form for my old doctors to get it from them about a month and a week ago. I called him the earlier this week and he said he Kentucky or Kansas (I didn’t hear him well and forgot) doing some training I honestly just don’t know what to do I’ll graduate from high school in a few weeks and I probably have a month after that before my parents kick me out any advice?
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Hey all, I wanted to get some insight on whether you all think I would be able to enlist with Crohn's. I've seen online that it's generally marked as an "unwaivable medical condition" but sometimes goes on a case by case basis. My IBD is very mild, I honestly forget that I even have the damn disease because it doesnt effect my daily life at all. I have it managed by taking an 8-week biologic but have gone on extended breaks from it before due to insurance reasons (roughly 2-3 months without any meds) and had no flare ups or any issues of the sort. However, my doctor is thinking of switching me to a daily pill (Rinvoq). I don't have any food sensitivities like a lot of Crohn's patients have (caffeine, alcohol, dairy, etc.) and have never had any surgeries nor does my GI doctor think i'll ever need one. I wanted to enlist for a 17C contract as im already in college for tech anyhow, I'm not sure if that would effect my standing. However, dream MOS is 18X but I figure that may be tougher to get by a recruiter. Any advice or thoughts? Army has been my dream forever and I don't want to have to give it up, so I'd really do anything haha.
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I have 2 non violent felonies from 2011 and PTD from 2022 for possession. I've been upfront and honest with my recruiter. He sent me to test today and I scored 63 on Asvab and GT of 113. Is there a chance for me? Thanks in advance. 30 and in great health and shape.
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What bases would you do bmt if your in cyber security and aviation mechanics?
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I ship out in a week. Went to meps and signed in March. Can I change my MOS? Or is it too late ?? I want something language related because I’m fluent in Arabic (already passed DLPT)
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For anyone that has done OSUT at Fort Moore, how long does it typically take before they’ll tell you where your FDS is?
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I have read a few horror stories where someone enlisted with X,Y, or Z in their contract, but after basic they where told something else and could not confirm the original. For example, someone claims they had a specific location through Option 19, only to later be told they are going somewhere else.
My first question is: has this happened to anyone here, and if so and how was it resolved?
My second question is: after signing your contract, how do you gain acess to it later? Do you receive a physical copy for yourself? Can you download a copy? Is there someone you can ask in the Army to retrieve it for you? Will it be acessable on a portal of somekind?
I am considering enlisting with option 19 and the location is very important to me. Thank you!
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Is phone use in BCT only delegated to calls? Also does phone use depend on what phase you're in, like, red phase 20 minutes, blue 30 minutes? Going to jackson
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Not the best time to swear in, waivers
I have all of my waivers approved, however, I won’t be swearing in due to job circumstances. If things change, can I still go back into the army or will I blocked out of it forever?
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I have an AAM and 3 COAs which S1 has been tracking for months but which have yet to reflect on my PPW. Do I have any recourse?
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my recruiter says that I can't get option 4 in my 35W contract but I really want to be airborne as a 35p/m so I have a higher chance of having my skills be put to use. Can i put in for airborne at DLI or AIT? what is the earliest I can do this and how would I go about it? I just went through the normal MEPS process not the airborne physical fyi
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Is a bonus worth choosing the Army over the AF?
In general, I’ve heard that the army’s QoL is less than that of the Air Force. However, the army has way more jobs w bonuses that I’d be interested in. And it’s the same or similar jobs as the Air Force, but w a bonus. I know the Basic Training for army is also longer, but a bonus can be convincing. I have the same question, but in regards to joining the navy as well. I want to focus on my education during my enlistment & get my bachelors & id also like travel opportunities. I haven’t taken my ASVAB yet, it’s scheduled the 16th. I scored rlly well on the PiCAT, and according to those scores I qualify for some army jobs w a bonus. I know it’s not as simple as that, and it’s a whole process & based on what’s available. Just want some opinions on if I was offered an army job w a bonus as opposed to the same/ similar Air Force job without, would you consider it worth it based on your experience?
I already got some answers from a post I made about this, but moderator deleted it and said to comment here. But any additional info/ insight is greatly appreciated. I want to make the best choice for my future in the case that I don't want to do 20 years.
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I'm joining up rn and working with a recruiter. We've got my waivers and everything. Pretty much just have to pick a job. For background I was an IET separation back in 2009. From what I've read and what me and my recruiter have gone over I am glossary non-prior service. I could have sworn I read (albeit a while ago) that business rules did not apply to GNPS, so I should be free to pick my MOS. However, I talked to my recruiter earlier today and he wants me to sit with his 1SG and go over the job options available for prior service. Am I wrong and I just get what I get?
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Please help!
I was looking to join the guard but in my medical records it shows I had Guillan barre. I was feeling some numbness in my legs, but looking back at it, it was very cold outside and I was just a bitch who would try to get out of school by any means possible. They did a spinal tap and never found any trace of the disease however. I was in the hospital for a couple of days, the gave me immunoglobulin and then I went home and nothing ever came of it. I am currently completely asymptomatic This was when I was 12 or 13 years old. Now I’m 18 and want to join but my recruiter said I have to get all the records and stuff. What is the chance that I will still be able to join? I tried looking it up online but I couldn’t find an answer. Also if I’m able to join, will I need a medical waiver?
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My MOS is 68W, I'm shipping out in June and I'm taking the OPAT in a couple of weeks. I'm 5'2 and 115ish pounds. I'm pretty fit. My biggest worry is the standing long jump. I want to pass the OPAT with flying colors and keep my MOS. Is there any advice or tips y'all can give me?
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I’m looking to graduate and enlist in a month but can’t decide on what MOS I want. I think 11B because I don’t want to individuate and do army shit or 68W but I’m not sure if I can get advanced combative training or other schools I want. I want to do something that’s “high speed” and meaningful while working my way towards Ranger reg. Is the 82nd Airborne a good pathway to that? How is civil affairs? Can you enlist directly into it while being active duty?
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Thinking about reenlisting to army with 8.5 PS in USMC. Been out < 5years. Will I have to repeat AIT if I keep my same MOS? I know this is the wrong channel for USMC feedback but also considering going back there if it would mean not repeating AlT. Thanks in advance!
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Hi everyone! I’m a high school student planning on joining the military. I’m Muslim, so I want to be sure that whichever branch I join is accommodating to Muslim needs. If it changes anything, I’m planning joining through the ROTC route.
My main concerns are, does the Army give beard waivers for Muslims? Is it possible to take short breaks throughout the day to pray? Can you fast during Ramadan? Can you be provided with halal (no pork/no alcohol) food?
Also, I’m interested in infantry or armor (or any kind of ground forces officer in general). Would these accommodations interfere with being selected for these careers or being mission ready? (Such as a beard, fasting, etc.)
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i’m a current nasty girl and i’m looking to transfer to Active duty. i understand i need a conditional release in order to sign a new contract and need my G-1 to sign off on it. i’m looking for info on the process from someone who’s gone through the process.
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What are the odds of getting a waiver for ulcerative colitis? I was EPTS’d out in march 2023 after being diagnosed while I was at 30th AG. My GI said I was in remission as of jan of this year. I take 4 Lialda pills a day and get an entyvio infusion every 2 months. I feel perfectly fine now though. Scored a 74 on the asvab.
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Medical record
In the navy currently and getting out in a year. I had a back injury prior to enlisting that I didn’t disclose. I plan on entering the army after my contract. If this comes up will my discharge from the navy be lowered or my benefits revoked?
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So my recruiter told me that I have to get a lease first, but the thing is, is that we don't have one with our landlord. It's more like an oral lease and he's a slumlord who never tries to communicate with any of us. That being said, my recruiter then said that I should find a lease online and edit it to where I state that I'm paying the rent to my sister instead (who has a valid ID) He also stated that my sister and I have to go to a check-cashing place to get it notarized. Is this all ok to do and will the BHA be approved? Also if it's approved, does this mean that the rent we pay which is $1,365.50, is going to be paid for while I'm away and how exactly??
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Can I enlist if I have a Mexican highschool diploma? (I am american, just finished highschool in mexico) And don't have a address in the USA???
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I am thinking of finishing up my bachelors and joining as an officer, my question was whether it was possible or not to guarantee mos 17c in the army if I join as an officer.
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I just got told that I cant enlist for 2 years after my waiver got denied for a history of depression. I stopped feeling depressed last August but got officially cleared into remission in February. I was told theres no point in a consult and the most I can do is reach out to a congressman. Other than reaching out to a congressman, is there really nothing I can do?
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Questions about Virginia National Guard
I want to do OCS! Now here’s my confusion. My recruiter is saying that the moment I swear in is the moment my contract is going to start and will count towards that 6 year! So, if he is right, I will basically complete 2 years training if I do state OCS. But I would like to have more control on what branch I get! My top 3 are: cyber warfare, signal, and intel. Should I do accelerated in that case? Also how likely am I to get one of those aforementioned three if I do state OCS of 18 months? My bachelor was in Computer Engineering, and I am currently enrolled in ASU for master’s pursuing Computer Science! Will I get that 24k a year tuition fee because he said there’s a possibility I might get it since it’s fully online? Can I get tuition assistance and loan repayment both? Does getting either one incur additional service time?
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im thinking of joining as a officer and going into ocs, what is the best branch for a well paying civilian job after completing my service, for context my major right now is relg studies plus maybe bio.
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I leave for Future Soldier Preparatory Course for the fitness aspect on the 21st, has anyone gone through it recently? There’s not a whole lot of information on it online, I was just wondering what it’s like, and what to expect. Do you get issued all of your gear since you will be going to bmt after? What is reception like? Any and all information and tips is greatly appreciated!
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So my husband is going to meps next week. he has 2 different sets of scars on his left arm. He works at a mobile home plant building houses. One was from when he got caught on a nail so it's a little deeper looking and another was from some sheet metal at work. He didn't disclose it to his boss because he works on a line and it would've put his team behind so he just put some bandaids on it and went about his day and cleaned it up when he got home. This was about 1-2 years ago. What is his meps experience going to be like? They aren't self harm obviously but we've heard horror stories about the doctors at meps not believing people and DQ them. He honestly forgot about telling his recruiter and his recruiter has already sent in all his medical history and got him scheduled for meps. Should he still go ahead and tell his recruiter or just wait and disclose it at meps?
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Should i go in as 17c or try my luck at ocs?
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I'm currently in process Enlisting in the Reserve, while holding an associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology, with some side education in programming. While I am working towards my bachelor's degree, I'm looking to pick an MOS that will help my career, or at the very least, be interesting. I don't remember my scores, but my Recruiter told me whatever I pick, my score won't be the limiting factor.
Top of the list for career jobs is 15 series, from what I've heard from currently enlisted in my friend group, wrenching on aircraft in general is a fast track to a cushy job on the outside with my education. 25 series looks boring but useful as anything IT/electrical complements my degree. On the more interesting side, I was looking at 91 series, either 91F or 91P.
Am I going anywhere wrong with any of these jobs? Anything I should be keeping in mind?
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25D or 35T I just wonder which MOS would be better for career. I am really interested in IT. I know 25D is not entry MOS. Let’s say you meet requirements for both MOS. If you stay as enlisted side, what would you recommend?
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I’m heading to ait now at fort Moore for 91M do I get my phone and am I in a dorm how is that like
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Hi all,
I am a permanent resident here is the US, and last week I finished my ASVAB mock test with a 95 on my AFQT. The recruiter says I am eligible for everything that doesn't require a security clearance which is kind of a problem as my dream MOS are the 35-series and 17-series (As both of these are locked behind clearance requirement)
After some thinking, I narrow down to the following, but there are still too many so I hope I can get your feedback on what I am doing. My aims are: a/I want something that will translate into the civilian world well if my time in the army doesn't go well, b/I want an MOS that can advanced through warrant or becoming a commission officer if my time in the army does go well, and c/I want to push myself to the limit and break out of my comfort zone to see where I can go. If I sound arrogant, please forgive for that: I am just trying to be as careful as possible. I am nearly reaching my thirty, and I want to take deliberate steps because I no longer have the luxury of youth and family to try and fail.
The MOS are:
11-series, 12B and 12D: I have a soft spot for these despite knowing they don't translate into the civilian world. But in my heart somewhere is a wild child that wants to test my physical prowess and wants to blow things up. I do know my knees and lower back will hate me for picking this.
15 series: With exceptions to 15C, 15J, and other works related to flying or being mechanics of sensitive equipment, I can be an aircraft technicians. I read that there are demands for airplane mechanics but I don't know much about this field other than a/I got to repair planes, b/people seem to hate it because you have to sign a long contract if you become a warrant.
68A: I did see this MOS getting recommended a lot but after reading its description, I am not very sure if I want to do it either both in the army or afterwards. I must also admit I don't have a good insights onto the day to day life of this job. Can someone shed some light about this MOS for me?
68C: Becoming a nurse seems like a very safe choice out of the military given that the BLS projects nurse to be in high demand and being able to take care of your family sounds like a big plus to me; however, I don't know if I like being a nurse. My parents were doctors, and having seen the hospital environment I can say I am not a fan. I also look into 68A but BLS prospect for it didn't seem good, and the training on 68E, 68D, and 68V look a little bit too short. Do you really become a dental assistant just with 10 weeks of training?
68W: I must admit, I have a soft spot for 68W as it allows me to be both learn some medical skills and be on the field. However, I do notice that 68W only translates to paramedic/EMT post-army, while 68C translates to becoming a nurse (which is more valued and regarded as "better" than paramedic or EMT and thus in higher demand)
88H, 92A, 92F, and 92Y: I pick these because, according to BLS, there is a projected increase need for people in warehousing and transportation. From my limited understanding of the fields, you will be in charge of handling logistics such as maintaining unit inventory, ordering supplies and weapons for your units, etc. but I am not very sure on the difference between, say, 92Y and 92A.
So, can you give me a suggestions? May anyone who has been in these MOS share their experience to help me pick? What are some of the MOS I miss?
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
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Is the 09m program ending at the end of may?
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How does one secure a religious exemption before basic training? My recruiter said we would talk about it down the line but it’s getting down to the wire and I’d rather it not get forgotten.
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Hi my duty station is at JBLM I’ll hopefully be there around May of 2025. I still have too go through basic and AIT but I was hoping that I could get some info about the barracks and hopefully get in touch with some of the people that are getting stationed/ already stationed There that are aviation, specifically 15Y. Thank you
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How can i improve my chances of success after the military?
I'm going to meps in 2 weeks and im shooting for a 25 series mos. 25H was what was available at the recruiters after i took my practice asvab. I'm not the brightest bulb but, hey, I'll take it. Aside from college ,which i want to continue to pursue throughout my time in the army (or after depending on my mental fortitude once i'm actually in,) how can i set myself up for success in the civilian world? Any input from past 25h or 25 series who somehow translated their career into decent paying jobs will be much appreciated.
I'll add I'm only joining the army for the college benefits and free training as i come from a poor household and have no other feasible way to pay for it.
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Hello everyone,
I was recently laid off from a $64k job, and honestly, I'm not too upset. I was already feeling burnt out and unhappy, staying primarily for the promised educational benefits to facilitate a career change, which obviously fell through with the job loss. Now, I'm considering my options and the military as a new path has been sounding appealing to an extent. The VA loan and GI Bill are particularly enticing because they would help me pursue a degree without getting into debt, and enabling the career change I've been considering. And the thought of being able to buy a house at this age/economy seems awesome.
At 28, I'm weighing the implications of joining now, especially considering the pay cut and spending four years AD without the guarantee of going overseas which for me would make it much more worthwhile. Also, I'd likely be one of the older members among younger peers, which is another factor to consider. My entry rank would be E3 due to my associate degree told by the Air force recruiter I met, but I'll need a moral waiver for a misdemeanor I had at 18, which might limit my job options not to mention she told me I would have to be at the disposal of whatever the Air Force wanted me to do? Which I am assuming means that I could enlist for one thing that they tell me nope get your doing this.The Air Force recruiter told me that I would be just fine and I would be able to get in as long as my ASVAB score is high enough.
I'm torn about whether to commit to AD and save myself or a longer term in the military via reserves but still stuck in the same loop of feeling in fulfilled, unable to afford university and in a place I would rather leave. Insights from anyone who joined the military later or faced similar decisions would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks for any advice!
P.S I am also ok with the idea of the military as a career as I would still be able to retire earlier than many of my peers if I pursue the 20 year route..
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I’m reenlisting at the end of this month (was NG but going active). My husband is also active and I was wondering how likely is it that I can be in the same battalion as my husband? I know married couples aren’t supposed to work directly together but would that still be considered “working together”?
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Hi All, I'm 23F graduating college with my bachelor's in international relations at the end of July. I speak intermediate Spanish and would be open to learning more languages. I am looking for a mos that doesn't restrict me to behind a desk or sitting on my ass all day. I was thinking of something intelligence related. I would appreciate any advice/help.
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So i have hemorrhoids right now and I go to MEPS monday. I have a Drs visit from about 2 years ago where she prescribed me the cream to use. The cream says to only use it when you have hemorrhoids. I still have the cream. Will I pass MEPS if I bring that the Dr visit. or should I get a new one the day before? It's Saturday so my recruiter won't answer.
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So I enlisted on Friday. (25H) and I ship to BT in August. I’ve made my mind up before enlisting that I was going to make a career out of it. So now I’m here before you all to ask… what’s some advice you could give someone looking to do 20. Like what’s steps would you take if you could go back to make the most of your Army career? I remember my dad who served in the navy would always say “choose your rate choose your fate” and I think I started off on the right foot. Any suggestions to help make the correct steps in my new career path?
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Going back in. Needing some suggestions on different MOS.
So when I was in the first time I was a 25U. I was 16 when I swore in to secure my mos and left at 18YO. I’ve decicided to go back in. Im picking between 19 jobs, I qualify for all of them as I keep my old asvab scores. I scored over a 105 in everything so I have a pretty big list to pick from. These jobs have good jobs outside of the army and that’s my angle, I know 25U translates to a good job outside of the army but it’s not my cup of tea. So any info on the jobs in the army and civilian life for these mos would be greatly appreciate. The jobs are: 68L 68X (specifically because I want to help vets who are/have suffered) 88H 35F 25B 35M 35G 35L 88K 88N 88U 27D 31E 12M 15Q 15N 25U 88L 88M
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Already signed my contract but I really really wanna change my MOS by the time I ship out for BCT in mid-July, what would be the best way to approach and ask my recruiter to change my MOS? The one that I want is really in demand (19K) so maybe that might help?
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Background: Greencard holder, 6yr+ experience in IT field. No degree. Married.
Always wanted to join the military and finally have the opportunity to do so.
What I want to experience from the military;
I want the opportunity to grow in the IT field and have military experience and later on attain a contractor job in overseas installations. Very interested in being able to move overseas for a few years specially Japan.
My biggest interest is to grow in my career + experience other countries.
Recruits have also told me that for active duty they are allowing first duty station to be chosen because the army apparently has a shortage of people joining so they want to motivate people to join by allowing them to choose duty stations. This has made me consider going active IF they aren't lying about this + the job security has always been a plus to me.
My primary plan was :
Going reserve, getting my citizenship while in basic training, changing my mos to 25B then finding government contracting job overseas preferably (Japan) and changing my unit to Japan to drill there (Camp Zama). Overall my biggest goal is to move overseas and be in the IT field.
What is the best route? Advice is greatly appreciated in advance:)
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I want to enlist as a 19D Wont be for a year or so still but trying to do my research and evrything and make sure this is what i want, So far it looks like it is but i have a couple of questions that i need answering before i decided to enlist. 1. as a 19D with 19C coming will 19D still be manning Bradleys 2. What are my chances of being assigned to a cav unit i really dont wanna be assigned to an infantry or god knows what else 3. Am i able to enlist as active at 17?
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Is it hard to get a self harm waiver? It happened one time three years ago. My recruiter is pushing for it now
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I'm going to MEPS this week and I was told that the Job I'm really interested in (12w) is rare and to not get my hopes up. I'll be doing research about some other jobs, but if I really want that job should I just wait for a slot to open up or go with alternate choices?
Does anyone have any experience with this job and how often slots show up?
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Vision Waiver Acceptance Probability
So I’m wanting to enlist as an 11x OP 4in the army, went to MEPS a few weeks ago, and am currently waiting on a current injury to be waived. I’m just kind of worrying about my vision waiver. Recruiter said we have to wait for this to be cleared first, then we can launch the vision waiver.
What’s the probability that a vision waiver will be accepted with Visual Acuity of 20/30 20/50 corrected vision. I understand everything is case to case, I’m just kind of worrying that it’ll end up being denied.
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Is there a list of all the different Options in contracts? Like Option 40, Option 4, Option 19, etc?
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In the process of renegotiating my contract before shipping out and I'm seriously considering 19K (M1 Armor Crewman). Recruiter told me that anyone can volunteer to go to airborne school at BCT and I really want to go airborne but it seems like 19Ks don't really do it as much as other MOS's. Is it true that i will have the opportunity to volunteer myself for airborne school at basic? If not, how can I attend Airborne or any other specialized school as a tanker?
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Leaving for BT in 2wks. First stop Ft Lenwood and then ft sill for AIT. Then off to Ft Drum for my 1st duty station. Can anyone offer insight on what to expect at each location/stage? 13F if it matters. Much appreciated.
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Just reserved mos 88L Water craft engineer.
Was excited at first as I’ve e heard a lot of good things about this mos, but i have a wife, 6yr old and another on the way and am worried that i wont be home that often given this mos. Im supposed to go to meps in 4 days and swear in. Im really not trying to be away from my family all that often. Is this mos bad for family life? Have i made a mistake? Or should i keep it and roll with it. Any recommendations on what i should do?
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Hello, I’m in ROTC right now but I’m about to go to CST. I have been looking into branches as much as possible and am pretty set on ADA but I wanted to ask if anyone here has been on a HIMAD or SHORAD deployment that can give me some insight on what it’s like, more specifically SHORAD but I do want to hear both sides.
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Joining the army
hi, I am 17 turning 18F, and im joining the army and going to boot camp soon. What are some advice or anything you would tell someone before they go to boot camp or thinking about joining the army?
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Hello, I'm currently a high school senior who is interested in joining the ROTC. I've reached out to ROTC recruiters in the colleges that I will be attending however, they never picked up their phones nor responded to their emails after multiple attempts. I've also scheduled appointments with them only for them to not show up multiple times. I've also called the army and they said they would have someone call me but they never did either. I was wondering if anyone could help me get in touch with an ROTC recruiter as I got a few questions about the Army ROTC as well as the process to proceed.
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Can you go to an maritime academy before your service then get it paid when you join? Can you take maritime academy while active duty?
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What are possible first duty stations for Army officers out of ROTC by MOS?
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Welcome to Reading The Big Book of Cyberpunk!
Each week we (u/FarragutCircle and u/fanny_bertram) will be reading 5-ish stories from Jared Shurin’s The Big Book of Cyberpunk, which includes a curated selection of cyberpunk stories written from 1950 to 2022! We’ll include synopses of the stories along with links to any legally available online versions we can find. Feel free to read along with us or just stop by and hear our thoughts about some cyberpunk stories to decide if any of them sound interesting to you.
Every once in a while, we reach out to people who have more insight, due to being fans of the author or have some additional context for the story. (Or we just tricked them into it.) So please welcome u/happy_book_bee who will be sharing their thoughts on "The Last American" by John Kessel!
“The Last American” by John Kessel (published 2007; also available in his collection The Baum Plan for Financial Independence and Other Stories) (link to story (audio))
A review of a future book about Andrew Steele, last president of the United States, and his varied career as war criminal, artist, cult leader, and president.

• Special Guest Happy_Book_Bee: Like a lot of cyberpunk stories, this short story felt incredibly (and horribly) possible. The Last American, Andrew Steele is a well realized person, incredibly flawed and incredibly realistic. I feel like I have met this person, unfortunately. You can't help but feel sorry for him as you hate what he represents and what he has done. Kessel's choice to make this short story as a review, giving us just a little hint of this particular dystopia. I am not entirely sure if I enjoyed this short story, but it did feel prophetic.
  
• Farragut’s thoughts: Kessel has won several awards, including the Nebula multiple times. This was an interesting structure for a story, being a lengthy review of a biography about Steele, a super messed up guy. One might be tempted to see a certain president in the character, but the story is too early for that comparison. I don’t think Kessel’s use of “Steele” was a coincidence, though, as Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s own name means Steel. I’ve read one other Kessel story (“The Dark Ride,” a bizarre combination of lunar legends, a carnival ride, and the McKinley assassination) and he’s definitely got a fun sense of history. As the editor said in his introduction for this section, this story doesn’t really do much more than end, but again reading between the lines, one can read lots of pain and torment in Steele’s life.
  
• fanny’s thoughts: I have read one of Kessel’s novels and liked it, so I expected to like this and did! It was interesting to read a review as a short story and it is a unique framing device. The documentary/book is a fully immersive experience, which I guess is the cyber part. The character of Steele feels like a mash up of many historical figures. Steele starts out as a sympathetic figure with a lot of pain in his past and then he progresses to cult/world leader.
  

“Earth Hour” by Ken MacLeod (2011) (link to story)
In a future where there is a cold war heating up between two global factions, Angus is nearly assassinated but figuring out who gains from assassinating an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and charlatan?

• Farragut: MacLeod is a Scottish immortal who can only be killed by cutting his head off–oh wait, this is Ken, not Connor MacLeod. Well that’s awkward. This MacLeod is a Scottish socialist (former Trotskyite?). I really liked this story, even if I’m not as sure about the conclusion as Angus and the author are. We don’t even start out from Angus’s perspective at first, but from the assassin, which offered an interesting look at this future. It’s a political thriller, and if it has any fault, it’s probably the fact that the stakes and Angus’s solution at the end seemed a bit nebulous by the end–but fun to read!
  
• fanny: This story messes with perspective in an interesting way. We observe events from both “the assassin’s” and Angus’ perspective which gives a depth to everything. I am not entirely sure the message came across. The technology aspect is utilized narrowly and the story is much more thriller. About the only technology use is putting heads on ice buckets to regrow them. It was different, but I am not sure I liked it. Angus didn't seem important enough to try to assassinate until after the attempt.
  

“Violation of the TrueNet Security Act” by Taiyo Fujii (2013, translated from Japanese by Jim Hubbert) (link to story)
Minami hunts for “zombie” sites in a world where the TrueNet must be protected from the Lockout that destroyed the Internet from use, but others have plans for what took down the last computer era.

• Farragut: Fujii is a Japanese writer who had a very successful novel Gene Mapper. I really enjoyed this one–Minami was a fun programmer to follow, though he’s mostly used for grunt work since his previous Internet skills are useless without the old Internet. He goes on quite a journey morally and I’m not sure about the conclusions that he and his comrade drew at the end of the story. Apparently computer programmers have a strong streak of “but I want to see it happen” that probably explains a lot about how our world is today. [fanny’s note: Ummm yeah a lot of them just do]
  
• fanny: I really liked this story and the way it played with computer algorithms. There are zombie websites that must be kept away from TrueNet and Minami cannot bear to part with one of his creations. I can fully believe this would happen. Watching Minami develop through this story was my favorite part. He is a grunt worker who gets involved in Anonymous. Then he is presented with a few moral dilemmas where I am not sure he ever makes the right choice. He definitely doesn't seem to understand the motives. The Quantum algorithms that are evolving are the coolest too.
  

“Twelve Minutes to Vinh Quang” by T. R. Napper (2015)
Lynn makes an illegal deal to help resettle some Vietnamese families in Australia but things start to go wrong with 12 minutes left to complete the money transfer.

• Farragut: Napper is an Australian who worked as an aid worker in Southeast Asia for a decade. Lynn is a ruthless protagonist, though I loved seeing her getting one past the immigration agents, especially given Australia’s terrible record with refugees in the real world, let alone the context of the story. Obviously a good fit for this section’s particular theme of challenge, and I’d certainly be open to reading more techno-criminal systems like this story presents.
  
• fanny: Lynn is one of the most intriguing characters I have seen in this anthology. She is absolutely ruthless towards those against her and will do anything to help refugees. She stands up to the immigration agents and has so much loyalty from her people. This story touches on fascism and treatment of refugees while showing how technology can be used by “criminals”. Now Nguyen I agree is a criminal, but it is harder to think of Lynn that way.
  

“Operation Daniel” by Kahlid Kaki (2016, translated from Arabic by Adam Talib; also available in the anthology Iraq +100 edited by Hassan Blasim)
RBS89, aka Rashid, is a subversive who loves the old music of Kirkuk before China took over and made all non-Mandarin languages illegal.

• Farragut: Kaki is an Iraqi writer and poet from Kirkuk, where this story took place, though he now lives in Spain. I quite liked the style of the story, though I probably have a self-protective streak that Rashid didn’t have. I really liked the concluding paragraphs to the story, it ended up being more hopeful than I expected given the new form Rashid is given.
  
• fanny: In this alternate future the city of Kirkuk has been taken over by China and so much of the culture has been banned. I liked this story a lot. I appreciated the thoughts on RBS89’s head about not wanting to go outside since he was unidentified in his apartment. Details like that added a lot to the sneaking out to sing and the risks they were taking. RBS89 had no self-protection instincts left. The last thought this story leaves with you is reverberations through a gem and that matches the whole story so well.
  

That’s it for this week! Check back the same time next week where we’ll be reading and discussing "fallenangel.dll" by Brandon O'Brien, "CRISPR Than You" by Ganzeer, "Wi-Fi Dreams" by Fabio Fernandes, "Juicy Ghost" by Rudy Rucker, and "Abeokuta52" by Wole Talabi.
Also posted on Bochord Online.

Introduction
1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

• No, I have a Dachshund (13M). I trained (positive reinforcement & relationship building) my dog and train family’s dogs.

2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?

• No preference!

3) Describe your ideal dog.

• My dog is my hobby and friend. I thoroughly enjoy troubleshooting training and working with my dog. Potentially security dog. However, I want my dog to be a comforting presence for me if I’m having a bad day.

4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

• 45-115ish lbs? I want a playful/energetic dog that is able to communicate with other animals well. Dogs that enjoy being outside, or enjoy being given tasks.

5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

• Sit, heel, recall, bark, gentle, drop, ignore, relax, play.

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

• No, though I’ll likely be getting a service dog in the future.

Care Commitments
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

• For specifically active play, training, and exercise, ~6 hours.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

• 3 hours. Walking (a LOT), fetch, dog park, training. I have this large field I love running in with my animals too.

9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

• I can do it all but plan on using my current groomer. I plan on brushing every day,

Personal Preferences
10) What size dog are you looking for?

• 24-36”, 45-115lbs. So medium to large.

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

• All of it!!

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

• I plan on building a fence but my current dog is trained to never leave and I always watch him.

Dog Personality and Behavior
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

• bit of both, snuggly, but has boundaries and can tell me when I’m a bit too needy.

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

• again, eager to please but is willing to take a break and do his own thing.

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

• My dog is trained to ignore unless it’s a stranger, that’s 2 barks. Only greets if I say it’s okay and that the person is safe. I like this method and plan on keeping it.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

• Honestly, it’d be a struggle. I need a dog that is okay with cats, and doesn’t have to love people, but can tolerate them being present occasionally.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

• Aggressive biting or chasing.

Lifestyle
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

• 5am-11am roughly. Their morning routine will be with mine, this has worked best for my past dogs and cats.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

• Only me in the house!

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

• One dog (dachshund) but I won’t be getting a new dog till he’s passed away. I would like to get 2 cats, and even further in the future (10 years?) get a service dog.

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

• No

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

• No

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

• No

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

• 25-40°F in winter, 70-90°F in summer.

Additional Information and Questions
25) Additional information you feel may be relevant.

• I volunteer at farms & wildlife sanctuaries and am used to bad smells and stuff haha. I have had several cats and small mammals before. My house has a large backyard and I have a doggy door outside.

26) Feel free to ask any questions below.

Amid all the doomsaying, I reckon there's been a fair bit of good stuff that's happened this season so made a list to highlight these and get the good feels flowing.
Feel free to comment with any others.

1. Record ALW total attendance (actually set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history)
   
2. Highest ALM total attendance since 2018/19 season
   
3. 9 ALM clubs recorded higher regular season attendances than 2022/23 season (amid a per capita recession no less)
   
4. TV ratings up: ALM up 16% on broadcast TV, 33% on 10 Play and 53% on Paramount+. ALW up 114% on 10 Play and 125% on Paramount+.
   
5. Record ALM player sales revenue
   
6. Record individual ALW player sale (Macey Fraser from Nix to Utah)
   
7. Mariners won the AFC Cup + $2.3 million prize money
   
8. Mariners were allowed to host the Grand Final in their actual home ground (and it was spectacular)
   
9. Wellington sold-out The Cake Tin for the first time in their history
   
10. Highest rate of goals per game in ALM history
    
11. Western United finally have an appropriately sized home ground in their actual catchment area
    
12. Auckland FC officially awarded a licence to join the league next season
    

# Today In Phishstory - May 27th Brought to you by tiph-bot. Beep.
All data extracted via The Phishnet API.

Phish

Phish, Friday 05/27/2022 (2 years ago) The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 2022 Spring Tour
Set 1 : Twist > Halley's Comet > Sand , The Old Home Place , Martian Monster , Dogs Stole Things , Halfway to the Moon , Stash , Shade , I Never Needed You Like This Before , Bathtub Gin
Set 2 : Llama ¹ , Soul Planet -> Quadrophonic Toppling -> Soul Planet > Ghost -> Scents and Subtle Sounds -> Chalk Dust Torture , Loving Cup
Encore : Waste , Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
1 Performed in an alternate arrangement.
Jamchart Notes:
Soul Planet - A handful of peaks scattered about a casual stroll through multiple musical ideas, both major and minor. Towards the back end, the jam becomes upbeat and bubbly and segues -> into "Quadrophonic Toppling".
Quadrophonic Toppling - Emerges -> out "Soul Planet's" jam for only its second full-throated performance alongside a bevy of Fish's samples and -> back to "Soul Planet".
Soul Planet - -> from "Quadrophonic Toppling" to bookend "Soul Planet's" jam.
Chalk Dust Torture - -> out of "SaSS". Goes grimy and effects-laden right out of the verses, Mike stepping to the forefront, then moves into a low-key upbeat groove. Things grow hazy and warm, almost ambient, and Fish picks up the pace to change the tenor of the jam. Page lays on the synths thick and heavy and something out of a monster movie soundtrack emerges, before Trey steers the jam back to "CDT" for the ending. Heavy stuff.
Show Notes:
Llama was performed in an alternate arrangement. Quadrophonic Toppling was performed for the first time since December 31, 1999 (606 shows). Mike teased Dueling Banjos in Chalk Dust Torture. During the soundcheck, Mike quoted Got My Mojo Working in the jam and Trey quoted My Shot after The Final Hurrah as well as Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 in Gumbo.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Friday 05/27/2011 (13 years ago) Bethel Woods, Bethel, NY, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 2011 Early Summer Tour
Set 1 : Tweezer > My Friend, My Friend , Poor Heart , Roses Are Free > Funky Bitch , Wolfman's Brother -> Walk Away , Stash , Bouncing Around the Room , Kill Devil Falls , Bold As Love
Set 2 : Carini > Back on the Train > Boogie On Reggae Woman > Waves > Prince Caspian > Crosseyed and Painless > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Possum , The Squirming Coil
Encore : Julius
Jamchart Notes:
Walk Away - Following a super -> from "Wolfman's Brother", Trey wastes no time choosing his line, and powers the band through an incredibly strong and spirited version.
Kill Devil Falls - A real hybrid that combines suave major mode playing with the expected minor rock.
Back on the Train - Great version with building energy and nice back and forth between Page and Trey.
Boogie On Reggae Woman - Staccato jamming gives way to a "Type II" slowed down, effects-laden outro and > into "Waves".
Waves - Fantastic playing by Trey in the jam proper. Beautiful, lush and serene outro jam. In many ways the polar opposite of the haunting outro from "IT." Transitions to a solid "Prince Caspian."
Prince Caspian - > in from a great version of "Waves." Although shorter, this version suggests the band's willingness to take the jam segment in new and different directions, with subtle and cohesive playing. > to "C&P.;"
Show Notes:
Wolfman's contained a Streets of Cairo tease from Trey. Before Stash, Trey teased The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) by Yes.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Friday 05/27/1994 (30 years ago) Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1994 Spring Tour
Set 1 : Wilson > Runaway Jim , Foam , Bouncing Around the Room > David Bowie , If I Could , Punch You in the Eye > Harry Hood , Golgi Apparatus
Set 2 : Suzy Greenberg > Peaches en Regalia > My Friend, My Friend > Reba ¹ , The Lizards , Julius , Nellie Kane ² , My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own ² , Mike's Song -> Simple ³ > Mike's Song > Simple -> O Mio Babbino Caro ⁴ , Possum ⁵
Encore : Fire ⁵
1 No whistling. 2 Morgan Fichter on fiddle. Acoustic and without microphones. 3 Debut. 4 Phish debut; Andrea Baker singing unmiced. [5] Audience shaking boxes of macaroni and cheese.
Jamchart Notes:
David Bowie - Even though most of the jam is technically "Type I," this is an intense, thriller. Don't overlook.
Harry Hood - Mike gets into this really great groove starting at about 8:00 that everyone else plays off. Even as Fish, Trey and Page bring the heat, Mike keeps the licks of this groove rolling. And the ending section is just smoking hot.
Reba - Sweet jam featuring truly dynamic modulation and really awesome playing from Trey. The sort of version you could listen to all day. (Or at least Four times. Focusing upon each musician, independently.) Trey alights upon a great theme - accented by cool playing from Fish - before the jam swings through a build both measured and melodic to, in time, become explosive.
Simple - Crazy debut version, out of "Mike's Song," naturally.
Possum - Extended hi-hat intro with the crowd shaking macaroni boxes and "Flintstones Theme" tease. Fish: "Shake your macaroni!"
Show Notes:
This show marked the debut of Simple and the Phish debut of O Mio Babbino Caro. Suzy and Possum contained Flintstones theme teases. Reba did not have the whistling ending. Nellie Kane and My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own were performed acoustic with guest fiddler Morgan Fichter. O Mio Babbino Caro, a Puccini aria, featured opera singer Andrea Baker singing unmiced. Before Possum, the band handed out boxes of Flintstones macaroni and cheese for the audience to shake along with Possum and Fire.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Saturday 05/27/1989 (35 years ago) Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Hartford, CT, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1989 Tour
Set 1 : AC/DC Bag , Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove , Funky Bitch , Fee , You Enjoy Myself , Take the 'A' Train , Fluffhead , Bathtub Gin , Good Times Bad Times
Show Notes:
This setlist is incomplete.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, 1988-05-27 The Front, Burlington, VT, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/phish-may-27-1988-the-front-burlington-vt-usa.html
Tour: 1988 Tour
Show Notes:

Trey Anastasio

Trey Anastasio Band, 2003-05-27 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/trey-anastasio-may-27-2003-hammerstein-ballroom-new-york-ny-usa.html
Tour: TAB - The Dectet Summer 2003 Tour
Show Notes: Warren Haynes sat in on a second guitar for "Gotta Jibboo" and "Sand." This show featured the TAB debut of The Maytals' "Sweet and Dandy" and the debut of the Anastasio/Marshall original, "Undermind." "Sand" contained an "Eleanor Rigby" tease.

John Fishman

Jazz Mandolin Project, 2004-05-27 Webster Theater, Hartford, CT, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-may-27-2004-webster-theater-hartford-ct-usa.html
Tour: Fish - Jazz Mandolin Project Summer 2004 Tour
Show Notes: Al and the Transamericans opened. Gordon Stone sat in on pedal steel guitar for "Ballad for Trio." Al Schiner sat in on guitar for the "Oh Yeah!" segment.

EDIT: What Are Wall Street Analysts Missing in Rocket Lab's Growth Story? series:

1. Mapping the Rocket Lab's global empire
2. The analysis of questions asked by analysts during the last earnings call
3. A multi billion contract with Amazon
4. Reaction Wheels Megaconstellation Customer confirmed by the CEO

The Q1 2024 earnings call had only 2 of 23 questions relating to the Rocket Lab's military business despite the fact that more than half of value of all Rocket Lab's enforceable contracts (also known as the backlog) come from the US military and Rocket Lab is the DoD prime contract. Let's take a look at the Rocket Lab's military business.
This relationship started in 2009 with the launch of Ātea-1, the Rocket Lab's very first rocket, from New Zealand. This launch impressed the United States Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In 2010 DARPA invited Peter Beck, the Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, to meet with them, which resulted in a contract to develop "a rocket-based system for flying a camera high into the sky at a moment's notice. The year was 2010, and commercial drones that could be chucked up into the air by schoolchildren did not yet exist." The name of the project was "Instant Eyes". Rocket Lab's demo of this product for the DoD was in 2011 and it started to sell in 2012.
Following DARPA's lead, Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORSO) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded more Rocket Lab's projects including the viscous liquid monopropellant (VLM). After successfully producing the VLM, Rocket Lab took this even further by aiming to "put it inside a Rocket Lab-made version of the US military's AIM-9 Sidewinder missile." Further according to Vance, the transition from the military rocket to Electron development went as follows: "DARPA initially gave Rocket Lab money to produce prototypes of the technology and then, liking what is saw, cut Rocket Lab another check to go ahead and fly the thing. [...] The following day, the test bolstered the case for those who had supported Beck. Rocket Lab had hoped to build a machine that outperformed the US military's state-of-the-art technology - and it did exactly that. [...] Not long after the demonstration, Beck held an all-hands meeting in Rocket Lab's tiny IRL office. A handful of twentysomethings watched as he unveiled what the company would do next. [...] He was going to fly to Silicon Valley, and he was not going to come back without a big bag of cash. Rocket Lab was going to make a real rocket."
In 2020, Michael Griffith has joined the Board of Directors: "Griffin served as Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, overseeing the establishment of the Space Development Agency (SDA). In this role he was responsible for research, development, and prototyping activities across the DoD enterprise, mandated with ensuring technological superiority for the Department of Defense. He also oversaw the activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Strategic Capabilities Office, the DoD Laboratory enterprise, and the Under Secretariate staff focused on developing advanced technology and capability for the U.S. military. Griffin also served as the 11th NASA Administrator, a role in which he initiated the first development of commercial cargo delivery service to Earth orbit in the agency’s history."
In 2021, United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded $24 million to Rocket Lab for the Neutron's upper stage development. Rocket Lab commented on that as follows: "awarding of this contract recognizes Rocket Lab as a potential NSSL Phase 3 Launch provider from 2025".
In 2023, Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, former United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF), has joined the Board of Directors: "Lt. Gen. Armagno joins the Rocket Lab Board after serving more than 35 years in leadership positions for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. During her service in the U.S. Armed Forces, she served as the Director of Plans & Policy for the U.S. Strategic Command and as the Director for Space Programs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition for the Air Force. She was the first lieutenant general officer appointed to, and Director of Staff for, the Space Force where she established the first new military branch in 72 years, before retiring from active duty in July 2023. She had previously commanded the 30^thand 45^th Space Wings, the 21^st Operations Group, and the 6^th Space Warning Squadron."
In 2024, New Zealand got unilaterally included under the military trade law without New Zealand even knowing about it, which may release Rocket Lab's stuff from ITAR restrictions? Here' the excerpt from the article: "The US has included New Zealand under a military trade law that exists to "support [the] national security objectives of the United States" - without the New Zealand government's involvement. [...] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US Congress acted on its own initiative. [...] The US Embassy spokesperson said the process of amending the law was transparent. Including New Zealand "allowed the continuation of existing technological cooperation, and... also ensured that developing bilateral space cooperation was possible", they said. A Congress explainer said the NTIB was about "supplying military operations; conducting advanced R&D and systems development to ensure technological superiority of the US Armed Forces; securing reliable sources of critical materials; and developing industrial preparedness to support operations in wartime or during a national emergency". Members have been involved in F-35 joint strike fighter programme and the Pentagon is only allowed to buy satellite "star trackers" and certain naval components from approved NTIB manufacturers. Dual-use technologies that also have non-military uses are a focus. [...] He told RNZ he was not surprised New Zealand got added without fanfare to the NTIB. "I sincerely doubt there were any discussions with your government before Congress acted," he said by email. "The idea in essence is that if we can trust these countries with some of the US most significant secrets, we should also be able to trust them with less stringent security information about weapon systems development, production and operations. New Zealand probably registered little change, he said. However, aligning the NTIB with Five Eyes had helped the US Congress accept the rationale of giving its allies a break from export controls, a move required to implement the Aukus pact, Greenwalt said."
The above has happened after the USSF SSC assessed New Zealand's (i.e. Rocket Lab's) capability to help with rapid rocket and satellite launches if war breaks out in space: "The United States has been assessing New Zealand's capability to help with rapid rocket and satellite launches if war breaks out in space. US Space Command has also asked New Zealand to join an international operation to deter space-enabled attack, focused on China and Russia. [...] Congressional records showed the US Congress ordered the Secretaries of Defence and State last year to produce "an assessment of the benefits of leveraging allied and partner spaceports for responsive launch. New Zealand launches more rockets than any other US ally in the Five Eyes intelligence group. It is in an elite group of five regular successful rocket launch countries, along with the US, China, Russia and India. [...] A "responsive" launch - as referred to by Congress - was a rapid one "during a conflict or a crisis", according to Rocket Lab. To test this, the NZ-US company is due to put up a satellite next year that will chase another company's satellite, under a $50m Pentagon contract to "showcase the ability to maneuver from a real-time threat". While New Zealand had no military launch capability, the NZDF had just set up a ground-based Pacific "cell" at the US's invitation, to monitor civilian and military satellite activity. Documents say this was partly to guard against a surprise space-enabled attack on US assets. [...] The Pentagon was poised "to sign agreements with commercial space companies that go far beyond the usual contractor relationships" to embed private sector equipment into military units, a US space website reported this week. The 2023 report to Congress was also aimed to assess US plans to engage with allies over such things as repairing or augmenting satellites, and an assessment of what shared costs and technology "could be considered for allied spaceports". The US Embassy did not address those "shared costs", nor did it address the invite to New Zealand to join the US-led international Operation Olympic Defender."
Let's take a look at space systems and Electron/HASTE launches with military payloads (i.e. excluding national non-military payloads such as NASA's payloads) and other relating information to date, which I've been able to find*:
2010

• DARPA's Instant Eyes

2012

• DoD's VLM
• DARPA's classified rocket using VLM

2019:

• 5th Electron launch - Northrop Grumman's payload for DARPA's R3D2.
• 6th Electron launch - US Air Force's Rapid Agile Launch Initiative (RALI)

2020:

• 11th Electron launch - National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract launch (NROL-151) and UNSW Canberra Space/Royal Australian Air Force's M2 Pathfinder
• Michael Griffin joins the Board of Directors

2021

• U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command pays for the development of the Neutron's upper stage
• 21st Electron launch - US Air Force Research Laboratory's Monolith

2022

• DARPA's Mandrake-2
• Coverglass Interconnected solar Cell (CIC) assemblies for the three Lockheed Martin Next Gen OPIR GEO (NGG) satellites for the United States Space Force (USSF)
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the DoD's United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
• Satellite separation systems for SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) satellites
• Responsive Space Program
• USSF SSC Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John Shaw, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commander Major J. Cupit, and Technical Advisor Marcus Shaw visited Rocket Lab Headquarters in Long Beach, California, USA to showcase Rocket Lab's capabilities supporting national defense
• 28th Electron launch - NRO's RASR-2 (NROL-162)
• 29th Electron launch - NRO's RASR-3 (NROL-199)

2023

• Introduction of the HASTE rocket for DoD hypersonic tests
• 1st HASTE launch - Leidos' DYNAMO-A for Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC)'s MACH-TB
• New HASTE contract signed with a confidential customer
• Contract with Leidos to fly 4 HASTE missions for the DoD
• Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, former USAF and USSF, joins the Rocket Lab's Board of Directors
• Contract for the HASTE launch for DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)'s hypersonic and high-cadence testing mission (HyCat)

2024

• $515 million prime contract with the DoD's Space Development Agency (SDA) to design and build 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport Satellites (T2TL - Beta)
• 45th Electron launch - 4 NRO's classified payloads
• Contract with the USSF SSC for an Electron launch of the Space Test Program-30 (STP-S30)'s DISKSat satellite
• Contract with the USSF SSC to deliver the VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission
• USSF SSC assesses New Zealand's launch capability to assist with rapid launches
• New Zealand included under the US military trade law

If supposed analysts were familiar with established relations between the DoD and Rocket Lab, would they still ask Rocket Lab, the DoD prime contractor with the fresh $515 million SDA contract, whether the Baltimore bridge incident had an impact on their business (none), if their $565 million in cash includes net proceeds of the recent capital raise (what else could it be?) or what is the Rocket Lab's runway (that's actually an insult to the fresh DoD prime contractor) instead of diligently poking around the Rocket Lab's military business and their lobbying? Analysts' questions suggest the lack of awareness of what's going on inside Rocket Lab's business segment, which comprises more than 60% of value of their enforceable contracts (aka backlog in the language of Rocket Lab).
*I might have missed some information related to the Rocket Lab's military business segment. If you know them, feel free to mention them in the comments below. I read all your comments.
Sources:
Rocket Lab's early history: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62050244-when-the-heavens-went-on-sale
Michael Griffin: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/michael-griffin-joins-rocket-lab-board-of-directors/
USSF SCC grant for the Neutron's upper stage development: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-wins-24m-u-s-space-force-contract-to-develop-neutron-upper-stage/
Mandrake-2: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-supports-significant-milestone-for-darpa-and-space-development-agency-on-the-mandrake-2-mission/
CIC for NGG: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-to-supply-solar-power-for-united-states-space-forces-new-missile-warning-satellites/
CRADA for USTRANSCOM: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-signs-agreement-with-ustranscom-to-explore-using-neutron-and-electron-rockets-to-deliver-cargo-around-the-world/
SDA's T1TL: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-awarded-14m-in-contracts-to-supply-satellite-separation-systems-for-space-development-agencys-tranche-1-transport-laye
Responsive Space Program: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-introduces-responsive-space-program/
Responsive Space Missions for NRO: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-responsive-space-missions-for-national-reconnaissance-office/
USSF SSC officers visit Rocket Lab: https://x.com/rocketlab/status/1552771169010348032?s=46R3D2:
R3D2 launch: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-r3d2-satellite-for-darpa/
RALI: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-three-r-and-d-satellites-to-orbit-for-the-u-s-air-force/
M2 Pathfinder: https://www.unsw.edu.au/canberra/our-research/research-centres-institutes/unsw-canberra-space/missions/m2-pathfinder
Monolith: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/u-s-space-force-awards-rocket-lab-launch-contract-for-space-test-program-stp-s30/
First payload from MARS, Wallops: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-opens-launch-complex-2-confirms-u-s-air-force-payload-as-first-electron-mission-from-u-s-soil/
RASR: https://www.nro.gov/Launches/launch-nrol-151/
RASR-2: https://www.nro.gov/Launches/launch-nrol-162/
RASR-3: https://www.nro.gov/Launches/launch-nrol-199/
Introduction of the HASTE rocket: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-introduces-suborbital-testbed-rocket-selected-for-hypersonic-test-flights/
1st HASTE launch: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/missions-launched/scouts-arrow/
New HASTE contract: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-inks-new-deal-to-launch-haste-mission-from-virginia/
Leidos contract for 4 missions: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-signs-deal-with-leidos-to-launch-four-haste-missions/
Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-welcomes-lt-gen-nina-armagno-to-board-of-directors/
DIU's HASTE HyCat mission: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-adds-new-haste-launch-from-virginia-for-the-department-of-defenses-defense-innovation-unit/
SDA's T2TL - Beta contract: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-makes-its-defense-prime-debut-with-0-5-billion-contract-to-design-and-build-satellite-constellation-for-space-development-agency/
Rocket Lab selects subcontractors for the SDA's T2TL - Beta contract: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-selects-subcontractors-to-support-sda-satellite-constellation-development/
NRO's NROL-123: https://www.nro.gov/Launches/launch-nrol-123/
USSF SCC's STP-S30 DISKSat launch contract: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/u-s-space-force-awards-rocket-lab-launch-contract-for-space-test-program-stp-s30/
USSF SCC's VICTUS HAZE TacRS mission contract: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-selected-by-space-systems-command-to-build-and-launch-spacecraft-for-tactically-responsive-space-tacrs-mission/
The US has included New Zealand under a military trade law that exists to "support [the] national security objectives of the United States" - without the New Zealand government's involvement: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517453/new-zealand-quietly-added-to-us-military-trade-law
War in space: US assesses NZ's ability to quickly launch satellites: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517559/war-in-space-us-assesses-nz-s-ability-to-quickly-launch-satellites
Not a financial advice, do your own research.

Australian government UFO Report from 1960, hosted on the Australian official National Archives. This is a true, validated government document. (this is a repost with additional info; originally from July 2021 in another subreddit).
This is one of the most comprehensive write-ups on factual official real validated government UFO evidence I have ever seen. I am just sharing the work and analysis this mystery person did two years ago.
Again: this OFFICIAL Australian government evidence/proof has NEVER been debunked.
It is literally on the Australian equivalent of the USA's National Archives.

• https://naa.gov.au/
• https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=30030606&S=1

Summary:

1. AU government states as fact the USA conceals UFOs.
2. AU government states as fact the USA has official "ridicule" protocols.
3. The Australian government released these materials freely.
4. They have never been debunked, and apparently cannot given this.
5. They are official AU government defense department reports held valid.
6. They are were accepted and classified, and the AU government has not disputed them.

The Australian government says:

"By erecting a facade of ridicule, the U.S. hoped to allay public alarm, reduce the possibility of the Soviet taking advantage of UFO mass sightings for either psychological or actual warfare purposes, and act as a cover for the real U.S. programme of developing vehicles that emulate UFO performance. The RAAF together with many other countries of the world give credence only to the USAF public facade and appear to have uncritically accepted the associated information. This information has been discredited by retired U.S. service personnel formerly engaged on UFO investigations, as well as by scientists and private citizens."

Earliest appearances?

Earlier references, 2011:

• https://tottnews.com/2013/07/28/10000-pages-of-declassified-australian-ufo-documents-compiled/

The National Archives of Australia holds a number of records relating to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), flying saucers and other unidentified aerial sightings. Most of these records date from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, when public interest in UFOs was high and many sightings were reported to Commonwealth authorities.

Here is the material on the Black Vault site:

• https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/ufos/australia/A13693_3092-2-000_30030606.pdf

A still-redacted section that needs your attention:

Read this comment chain: (archive)

I wonder what #4 was all about (PDF page 37). It seems to have been covered or erased. I think I see mention of case #339 which refers to the gun that had to be dropped, but can't make out much more of the text.
https://imgur.com/a/x7dVApP

In that thread, they managed to partially undo the AU governments continued censorship, revealing hypnosis, a gun and paralysis data:

• https://archive.is/WyANY

The 2021 detailed Reddit post:

This was originally posted here by a now [deleted] user:

• https://www.reddit.com/aliens/comments/odein5/australian_ufo_report_declassified_in_2021/

Earlier /UFOs posts:

• https://old.reddit.com/UFOs/comments/1b9maxe/australian_government_declassified_ufo_document/

Archive org:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20240000000000*/https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=30030606&S=1

Here is this persons post in full, taken from the "source" option on the Reddit post. More links/data below that. The only editing is minor formatting changes to make it easier to read. Additions will be large section headers in [bold] and some indenting/fixing quotes/bullet points for flow:

"Australian UFO Report declassified in 2021, submitted 2 years ago by [deleted]"

Report contents ranging from 1957-1971, released/declassified in 2008

• https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=30030606&S=1

(Will have the former gov official to help decipher the cursive and governmentese in the comments and documentation soon)
Spoiler: Extra-terrestrial/Nonhuman/Aliens is indirectly confirmed
The report is really easy to read/understand and won't take long so to the people who might not want to invest too much time into it this is for you.
Revelations I've found: (send me some more I might've missed

• Project Bluebook
  
• https://preview.redd.it/diinyu7005971.png?width=983&format=png&auto=webp&s=d04f0fdcc93ed7951a27700e4ce9e3bd5281c6dd
  

Wow what the f**k:

• Cat-like faced aliens pg. 27

[Detailed UFO/NHI encounters]

Page 32 notable encounters:

1. Case 82, Denmark - 50m from object, witness paralyzed (also birds and cows). Four handsome men with brown skin emerge with translucent helmets.
2. Case 144, France - When Dewilde attempted to intercept two dwarfs, a strong orange light was emitted from object on rail tracks about 20' away. Lorenzen's account says light as powerful as a Mg flare from a square opening. Dewilde lost use of speech and legs until beam was switched off.
3. Case 147, France - Riding a bicycle, witness felt a prickling or itching sensation over whole body like electric shocks. On alighting, prickling continued as well as paralysis. Very small man then came and touched him on shoulder, then left in nearby craft, whereupon paralysis left.
4. Case 162, France - Craft 50m away; 3 figures emerge from the light as witness felt paralysed, then lost consciousness.
5. Case 165, France - Witness, already under partial hypnosis, approaches man in overalls and helmet, who is holding a metal rod and had a light projector on his chest. The man appeared suddenly at 30ft distance near a floating dome. Witness felt paralyzed along with 7 others. Man, and soon after, the craft as well, vanished. Paralysis leaves. Witness had insomnia, headaches, loss of appetite for about a week.
6. Case 171, France - Man and dog paralyzed as object dives towards them and climbs again.
7. Case 197, France - When near object, employees felt "pricklings and a sort of paralysis". Object flew off.
8. Case 208, France - Witness sees 8' diam. object and feels paralysed, also grasping for air.
9. Case 221, France - Riding bicycle, witness stopped as figure in diving suit with bright eyes and hairy chest aimed a double beam of light from two vertical headlights on front of suit, paralysed.

[US Involvement timeline since 1947:]

• part1
• part2
• part3
• part4
• part5

[OP conversation with Australian official(s) about documents]

EDIT: I added my conversations with a former AUS gov official and clearing up any misconceptions:
I was contacted today by a former Australian federal government official today. He worked in relevant agencies from 1980-2015. I'm unsure of whether he wants his reddit username known so I'll keep it anonymous (for now) around
The 'bulk' of the document is a minute paper + attachments from a gov official named 'O.H. Turner' who had written this report in order to request expenditure (money/resources) in order to make further investigation.
Essentially, the cases listed in the report were from Jacques Vallée and J. Allen Hynek. Vallée alone had collected around 1,000 encounters of which had no discernible explanation and his book here contains many of the sightings/encounters listed in the report. However, we are unsure how he had specific connections to Vallée or Hynek which caused him to get earlier access to the documentation/encounters. However, don't discredit the reported sightings just because of this. For O.H. Turner to write a report and include these sightings in it means that he was risking his entire career putting in these encounters.
The former official, and another knowledgable redditor u/Worth-Ad5356 as well as myself concluded that the behind-the-scenes information or whatever information he had received was so compelling and enthralling that he was willing to essentially, destroy his career, due to the harsh stigma that any official would receive if they brought it up during that time. The way he details the interactions and decisions of various US Government and military organizations in full confidence was because he had special access to US case files and/or was working on shared project(s) with US counterparts.
Something many missed in the report there was a comment on one of the pages from the the CO of RAAF Pearce (north of Perth) along the lines of "what do you expect me to do about it?"
What the former government official said regarding this, and I quote:

"My gut feeling is that the Australian Govt did not have the resources nor the inclination to do anything other than pass the buck to our allies."

Just 5 days ago, in an interview with Ross Coulthard (an extremely respected journalist in Australia), new information had surfaced through an interview. After submitting this exact report, apparently the agency in charge of handling it had forwarded it to the USAF and apparently did not like what was written inside of it and O.H. Turner had gotten blacklisted and had told the agency in charge of Turner to have him removed. Interview with Ross Coulthard (they talk about it starting at around 1:13) credit to u/Worth-Ad5356.

[Final words:]

Former Gov: Just as a by the by, when reading these old government files they read generally from last page to front. They were cardboard folders and new documents were attached on top of older documents usually on a big split pin type of thing. However when a multi page document was added, it was put in in one go. If the file got too big a new volume would be created. Everyone was referred to back then by their title usually in the form of an acronym and the bookings on the front of the file reflected these. Ahhh memories.
This is not special knowledge by any means, anyone my vintage or older who worked in or around government would know about these type of files.

[Handwritten notes section]

And as I said before, the interesting stuff is often in the handwritten notes!
(Handwritten notes, cursive, governmentese will be deciphered within the coming day(s))
Handwritten notes: (Thank you u/On_Tippytoes )
​

1. https://preview.redd.it/r16b1dlhmd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=67a981f30f036c366128dbe21f7344c04f3544ae
2. https://preview.redd.it/17g6mdb808971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=88baf02e26b7eb0d14ade74e4509d3224554545f
3. https://preview.redd.it/8agirhkc08971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=7a6928dcaf8d2f20476a746f8876022d2b424887
4. https://preview.redd.it/00c2ztmd08971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=f008a78061e767b3642b5b3fdb11541c1335f45a
5. https://preview.redd.it/1lm3t06emd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=38c5e7c43b026e9f91e2a55a4c82a17e99136ade
6. https://preview.redd.it/lej6v2simd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=6cfc686e9357bc84450fa1dcd5edbe4b0cb788a5
7. https://preview.redd.it/5a7x1bhkmd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c357d93226453fd030bfc073562ed07ee17f311
8. https://preview.redd.it/i3zwet4lmd971.png?width=760&format=png&auto=webp&s=474453c9e766f326b24bc9ae20878c97f60a1a0b
9. https://preview.redd.it/cmanf0kmmd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=4f93d86381b00eee145c95fc5a9abec24463af1a
10. https://preview.redd.it/gcbjv3tnmd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=96eccf33209094552936ce767cb65e6749a6a847
11. https://preview.redd.it/ku9t9hfomd971.png?width=760&format=png&auto=webp&s=cda74fbbba612dd4d431f876d175b5082648e702
12. https://preview.redd.it/iwtnbzepmd971.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=cd623f6ac2dfdcb9acbccb8340613d5904ad6101

​
My UFOs post: https://www.reddit.com/UFOs/comments/oda5ye/australian_government_ufo_report_from_the_70s_naa/
EDIT: Credit to u/daynomate for making it into a pdf version: https://ia800203.us.archive.org/24/items/AustralianUFOFiles/A13693_3092-2-000_30030606.pdf
EDIT 4: Clearing up some misconceptions adding new information as well
EDIT 5: Note that this former official has no special knowledge nor has worked in the DoD.
EDIT 6: 2021 changed to 2008 (thanks for finding this) and also added / fixed some of the notes
EXPECT: Handwritten notes/cursive to be deciphered within the coming day(s)

That's it, that's the material.

Archives of this post itself on /UFOs:

1. https://archive.is/z8ch8
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20240525171139/https://old.reddit.com/UFOs/comments/1d0gmns/australian_government_ufo_report_from_1960_hosted/

Prologue First Previous Next HBD Got Memed: Memeing Every Fic I've Read Excluding Oneshots [Day 83] (Arbachoo))
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internal.cpi.gov/AlexandriaCacheArchives/search?=“interdimensional+expiditionary+corps+-+E98%20%”Gm[Umcj5v1n]Xhu7{{JGiF^-@SpmWpv1Ze_#N)dHCu]x1LRfGerOm=9]!6ze!Z"Z++id?q=“yoMd!DO_[z$Xo[l:Yv5m[??Ax`GJq=6L”++secure?yyn=T++//e\
Access granted: IEC (Interdimensional Expeditionary Corps) // CPI (CPI) // L3 Gen +//+ [L2 IEC +//+ L2 CPI] +++ Need-to-know;
All information gathered within this database is under strictly confidential wraps until the security level is lowered. This information can only be accessed on a need-to-know basis. Any violation of such important state secrets may cause a Broken Masquerade scenario. Efforts are underway to solve the following files and allow public access.
Note: See document [Link: level 4 secure, type redacted] for more details. To summarize, The consequences involving some of the contents of this file set are an unfortunate side effect to the Site-43 solution to the Cogni War. Efforts are underway to subvert or replace the solution to no longer be potentially detrimental to the innocent and unaffiliated [redacted].
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Memory transcription subject (non-standard): Dr. Timothy King, Human, SUoTS Professor; Sydney, Australia.
Date [standardized human time]: October 16, 2136
Date: [General Mattian Time]: 0654.4.3.6
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It was ironic how we’d always looked for First Contact. It was always First Contact. Movies, fictions, TV shows, even dreams. First Contact, or we were already part of a community and it was well above contact number ten. But when it was First Contact, we saved them or they saved us.
By the time we finally found First Contact, we thought that we had done it. We’d succeeded. Then, it turned on us. Our dream was summarily crushed as the interstellarly-inescapable game of politics played out before us, out of our favour.
For every time someone won, at least one other someone always had to lose. It was our turn on the losing side.
Then, there was the reason I was rushing down the hall of the still-occupied astronomical research wing. Second contact, as best as we could tell.
A last hope that had sprung out of nowhere.
I burst into the conference room, greeted by a scene of multiple astrophysicists at a virtual conference with the United Nations, an aged secretary with spectacles looking at the camera with a face that was both paying rapt attention and also tired. “Are you sure you don’t want to take a space shuttle out to New York, doctor?”
“It depends, honestly.” Sandy, a colleague of mine, replied. “Is there anyone else you want instead?”
“You, Doctor Rederik, or Doctor King.”
“That’s…” Sandy turned to me. “I’m staying here. Do you want to go, Tim?”
I thought over the offer. While it wasn’t permanent, it was indefinite, and nothing was as permanent as a temporary solution. Then again, I was going to New York. I could do with a change of location for a little while. Besides, if all went poorly, then it would only be a very short timeframe.
As much as I wanted to see my wife for the end of the world, I also could try my best to simply not end it.
“All expenses paid for, right?” I asked.
“We’ll be in charge of your accommodations, yes.” The reply came back.
I made my decision. “Alright, then. I’ll go.”
“The shuttle will pick you up in half an hour from Sydney’s northern spaceport. Be there with your bags. It departs at ten.” The UN representative instructed me. “You get two carry ons and one check-in. Don’t worry about security, we’ll take care of that for you.”
“Um, that sounds - Half an hour? It’ll take that long just to get to my house and back, I’ll have no time to pack.”
On screen, the representative shrugged. “It’s when the shuttle’s scheduled to depart, doctor. We need you here urgently.”
“That’s… understood.” I glanced at my phone. Thirty-six minutes. “I have to get going, then.”
The video caller nodded. “I’ll see you soon, doctor, um...”
“King,” I answered.
I left the room with a brisk pace, which turned into a jog as I headed back for my desk. By the time I’d left the building, I was in a full-blown sprint to just barely make the taxi I’d pinged when packing up my things. The good thing about on-call taxis is that they were fast, if a bit more costly than other options.
In the taxi, I called my wife, Helena, and asked her to pack my bags for me. I didn’t need much, just some toiletries, a couple changes of clothes, and my gaming laptop.
Anything else I could just buy in New York when I needed it.
I stopped by my house, asked the on-call taxi to wait a minute, grabbed my stuff that Helena had placed at the front door, and ran back to the taxi. A backpack and a work bag in hand, I entered the spaceport with just four minutes to clear the security line.
Following a whirl of things I didn’t understand after showing security my ID, I was rushedly boarding the small space shuttle headed for New York exactly on schedule. Inside, several eight people were sitting, already buckled in and ready to go. Most were easily identifiable as military types, but there were two others in the small shuttle that weren’t.
I’d barely strapped myself into one of the few remaining seats when the door was slammed shut and I could hear the engines begin to heat up. Even in the tiny shuttle, the pilots still had a separated cockpit, so I couldn’t hear what they were saying. Once the telltale rumble hum of the rocket engines began the whirl higher in pitch despite the extremely heavy traffic the spaceport was under, I knew that we’d at least gotten high-priority clearance.
Probably because of the whole new-aliens thing.
Sometime during the spool-up, the gravitic plating on the formerly Venlil shuttle had kicked in silently. If it did make noise, I couldn’t hear any of it because the small shuttle was noisy. Very noisy. The humming had both a whirling and a rattling laid on top of it as we pushed up and away from Sydney.
The single, small-slit window on the door was behind me, but I twisted myself around in my undersized seat to look through it. I could just barely make out the city shrinking through the window, the much larger west spaceport slipping out of view as the shuttle began to tilt to the east, headed for New York. The shuttle shot through the sparse cloud cover, climbing higher and higher as it did.
The discomfort of trying to twist out of my seat caught up with me, and I twisted myself back into a much less painful position, though I could tell that an ache in my back would stay there at least until we landed.
The rattle began to die out as we continued to ascend, the air above us no longer pushing back as hard. In response, the pilots had tiled us even further to the east. At least, I assumed they had, though given that I wasn’t looking out of the window anymore I couldn’t tell.
Gravitic plating that doubled as inertial dampeners was an amazing thing.
Shortly after the rattling had ended, the shaking started. I became acutely aware that we’d switched into the descent phase, so fast the seatbelt sign hadn’t ever been turned off. The shaking eased up before getting worse again, inconsistently hitting the shuttle like turbulence. Probably because it was turbulence, though I was an astrophysicist and not a rocket trajectory calculator. The professions were similar, but I still had no clue if the shaking was normal or not.
The shuttle’s military passengers didn’t seem to care, which helped a bit. But it didn’t even matter, because soon enough the shaking stopped, the rattling resumed, and the shuttle returned to Earth from its extremely short-lived jaunt into space. Or the upper atmosphere. The ride was so short, I wasn’t sure how high it had actually gone.
Roughly twenty minutes after I’d left the ground, I returned to it on the other side of the world, surrounded by panicked pre-dawn traffic and the whistle of a subway departing the station below the terminal. The entire shuttle was waved past customs, a move I didn’t even know was a thing, and set free on the city. Or in my case, the subway I’d just missed.
The next one arrived fast enough, and I was soon rocketing towards the United Nations headquarters as fast as Line Nine could take me.
Less than an hour after being called, I entered the United Nations headquarters, Australian passport in hand, ready for the next line of security screenings. Which this time did include waiting in a thankfully fast-moving and short line, going through security scanners, and getting my ID verified. Following that, I was given instructions to head to a conference room and left to my own devices.
A quick ask for a map later, and I descended through staircases and crossed stretched halls, watching the numbers on each room tick by. ‘NOP-184’ turned into ‘E-621.’ I passed several wings, too, and kept double-checking the map to make sure I was on the correct route. After passing the ‘GOC Wing’ and ‘CPI Wing,’ the room identifiers eventually turned into the numbers I was looking for.
Pushing open the doors, I was met with an assortment of other professors. I vaguely recognized some of them, but I didn’t know anyone’s names. Neither did they know each others’ as beyond a small group of three individuals passionately arguing over some random topic, the room appeared to be filled with only small talk.
“Doctor King,” Somebody greeted me. A somebody I recognized from the call an hour earlier. “I’m Mrs. Emhart. I’m supposed to be briefing all of you, but until the last one arrives you’re going to have to wait a little longer.”
She retreated back to a laptop set up in a corner of the room. Looking around, I counted roughly fifteen or twenty people in the room, including the group of debaters that had now grown to four.
“So, um, Doctor King… astrophysicist, right?” A woman wearing labcoat attire asked me in a Swedish accent.
“Um, yeah.” I nodded. “Just call me Tim, though.”
She nodded back, extending a hand for me to shake. “I’m Kathy Rache, quantum and subspace specialist. Nice to meet you.”
I shook her hand. “You worked on the Odyssey?”
“Yep.” She nodded again. “Didn’t do any designing or anything, just calculations.”
“How long have you been working in FTL research?”
“I mean, if you count quantum entanglement as part of faster-than-light, then most of my career. If not, then I was in the second wave of recruits for the program. Enough about me, though, you’re the one looking for alien life at the stars the whole time.”
I shook my head. “You’re thinking of astronomers, not astrophysicists, but I did work with my fair share of them. Didn’t get to do much with the Odyssey; As much as Australia’s the best place to look at Gliese 581, I wasn’t assigned to it, and just about anyone can see Proxima Centauri.”
“What were you on, then?”
“Antimatter, black holes, neutron stars, that kind of thing. Gravity and density and all that.” I replied. “Was mostly theory, did a bit of stuff trying for gravity plating back in the early ‘20s, but it didn’t work out. Took up teaching after that.”
Kathy nodded along. “Yeah, that makes sense. Say, did-”
Another person entered the room, looking as lost as I most likely did when I first entered. Instantly, Mrs. Emhart was at the door, quickly greeting him before ushering us all to sit down. The group of debaters quickly broke up and we gathered around the conference table, with Mrs. Emhart at one end.
“So, I know I’ve kept you all waiting for a while now, but how that all nineteen of you are here, I can give you the debrief.
“Sometime recently, an alien vessel the size of a small moon appeared around the moon in moon-geostationary orbit. They jumped right into it, without needing to reach a system limit. The United Nations are in a call with them right now asking for military aid, but to get a basic level of communication and interoperability between us we need people to run an information exchange. And while we could us AI, it’s best if we use people for now.
“So with that out of the way, um, you’ve been given access to their data-dumped files. Have fun.”
The secretary handed each of us a tablet, opened to a file structure with translated names. I noticed that other controls on the tablet were locked; we were only allowed to view the files. But that was fine by me; After all, I’d just gotten my hands on some alien knowledge - as much as the shuttle I’d just flown on was also alien, this knowledge was from new aliens. Who hopefully wanted us dead less.
And I planned to learn it.
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Memory transcription subject (non-standard): Evinv, Lun, Board Member, DU Department of Research and Education; Rejine, Mattia; Hoard type: Events.
Date [standardized human time]: October 16, 2136
Date: [General Mattian Time]: 0654.4.3.6
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“We did what?” I stared at the screen’s message not fully believing that it was accurate. “We made first contact?”
“How are you not aware? They’ve been broadcasting for the better part of a quarter-immitaat now!” Sushi, a fellow board member, asked me.
I let my tablet slide onto the thin metal table with a dull clang that still managed to echo around the room. “I was sleeping!”
“Sleeping during all of this?” She waved a claw towards the adjacent projected display, currently showing piles of missiles beaming down upon Rejine. “And then waking up the moment you got an email notification?”
“Well, when else should I? It’s Lord Fulzo’s fault for assigning the Department of Research and Education into supplementing the Department of Public Works. I haven’t slept in literal days, Sushi.”
“Yeah, that’s Lord Fulzo’s fault.” He agreed. “Still, you could at least drink that miviossa you love so much and stay up a little longer.”
“I already did that.” I groaned.
“Cut it out you two.” Fen cut in. “Now that we have been officially notified of First Contact, it means that we can begin getting into action. This is no doubt the largest opportunity of discovery out there - so let’s take advantage of it.”
“Opportunity?” I asked. “I think without any action from us at all, we would still receive an overwhelming amount of data.”
“It’s a bit hard to process and compile that data when there’s nobody left to run the Isikeal computational complexes.” Fen explained.
“Or, for that matter, when the Department Of Warfare seizes the entire processing allocation for themselves.” In a quiet corner of the room, watching on as he always did, Sephe chipped in. He’d pulled out his tablet and was glancing down at it frequently, despite both broadcasts being projected to our small ‘board room’ in the Fourteenth Rejine Bunker.
“They did what?” Fen asked, confused. “Why would they ever need it?”
“They’ve seized as much processing power as they can without bringing down essential systems.” Sephe continued. “Actually, the Quantum Communications Stabilization is running extremely high as well. Those are pretty much the only two things left on the network right now, beyond the broadcast, but that’s one-way.”
Fen prodded Sephe to get back on track. “Get back to the vast majority of our computational power being ‘donated’ to the Department Of Warfare, please.”
Sephe took a longer look at their tablet. He replied with a half-perplexed, half-uncaring tone. “Well… they’re just using it. Screen isn’t showing me what they’re doing with it, only that they have priority for it.”
Fen walked over to look at Sephe’s tablet. “Maybe it’s for trajectory calcu-”
“And look who’s distracted from First Contact now.” I cut in, picking my tablet back up from the table. “If you let me continue reading, we’ll be able to actually take action.”
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DU Department Of Administration, DU Department of Logistics and Communications to DU Department of Logistics and Communications DU Department of Research and Education, DU Department Of Administration, DU Department Of Warfare, DU Department Of Regulations, and Dragonic Union.
Priority One: First Contact (via internal memo).
While on mission as outlined by the Savior Resistance, the DU A Hole In Reality has encountered an alien species. Due to mission goals and constraints, the DU A Hole In Reality has initiated First Contact before receiving confirmation from the Department of Logistics and Communications. Due to those same circumstances and the potential for additional complications now that proceedings are underway, the DU A Hole In Reality is expected to continue violating standard wait-for-confirmation protocol under the exceptional circumstances exception. The exception has been determined valid.
However, the advent of First Contact remains. The Department of Logistics and Communications is requesting that each pinged Department prepare representatives with official El5 or higher training in diplomacy. The representative required varies by Department, and the number of representatives selected is flexible. It is also recommended that one member of each Department Board be selected.

• Department of Logistics and Communications:
  • Top linguistics specialists.
• Department of Research and Education:
  • Top linguistics specialists.
  • Top researchers.
  • Top FTL specialists.
  • A selection of all-subject general teachers.
• Department Of Administration:
  • DU Reserve Representative Renav Fior.
  • Top official diplomats.
    • Their current assigned position is insignificant. The Department of Logistics and Communications board backs a proposal to the Department Of Administration to strip the top diplomats of their former positions and federalize them for full titles, privileges, and representation. The appropriate paperwork has already been filed.
• Department Of Warfare:
  • Top strategists.
  • Combat analysts.
• Department Of Regulations:
  • Top safety analysts.
  • Top inspectors.

The appropriate persons should be prepared, notified, and prepared to leave their bunkers within six immitaats. The Department Of Administration is expected to proceed with a to-be-decided course of action then, regardless of representative preparedness.
If, for any reason, the bunkers are unlocked, opened prematurely, or compromised, all representatives are to attempt to achieve orbit and set a trajectory course for the DU C-Flim in Outer Yamaware. The consequences of failure to dock with the Cityship within two Cremacs will depend on their circumstances the Dragonic Union finds itself under.
This is a Priority One memo,
Dragonic Union Department of Logistics and Communications, Internal Messaging Division.
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DU Department Of Administration, DU Department of Logistics and Communications, DU Department Of Warfare to DU Department of Research and Education, DU Department of Public Works.
Priority One: FTL Test Cores (via memo).
The Department Of Administration and the Department of Warfare are inquiring into the state of any and all spare FTL testing cores, as well as the parts, machinery, and overall capabilities towards repairing or manufacturing new ones.
Both Departments are aware that the current Wormhole Drive is undergoing rapid iteration, field testing, and improvement, but the need for an FTL-capable vessel that can travel the distance to First Contact as quickly as possible is even higher. The Department of Public Works is expected to step in and aid the Department of Research and Education in this endeavour to build a ship as fast as the universe will allow it.
In addition, any weaponizable potential of the new engine or weaponizable potential of the manufacturing process should be reported back to the Department Of Warfare immediately, via the Department of Logistics and Communications, as protocol.
Further plans for ship construction, should completion not be deemed viable within a ten-immitaat timeframe, should be brought to the attention of the Department Of Administration.
This is a Priority One memo,
Dragonic Union Department of Logistics and Communications, Internal Messaging Division.
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DU Department of Logistics and Communications, DU Department of Research and Education board.
Priority Two: Daily checkups, Emergency virtual meeting.
We need to coordinate several topics urgently. Everything pertaining to the ongoing battle as of right now has been taken care of, but that may change.
In addition, due to recent disruptions, the DU DLC Internal Messaging Division has fallen behind due to resource shuffling. Our daily progress-checkups are overdue. Your calendar has been booked for a checkup - note that the time will most likely change multiple times due to complicating factors.
Do not respond with confirmation that you have received this message.
This is a Priority Two message,
Dragonic Union Department of Logistics and Communications, Internal Messaging Division.
-----
By the time I was done reading our Priority messages, most of a gendrid had already passed. Looking up at the screens I’d managed to somehow completely block out of my mind, it became pretty apparent that the battle had reached a critical turning point and was now changing rapidly.
Where before there had been drones and counter-drones, exchanges of missile salvos and the clashing of plasma and lasers, there was now debris and ships. The map had shown that our wall of fire keeping the aliens-
The feed cut, the projection going black before displaying the default Dragonic Union’s flag. It then stopped, merging into the First Contact stream, which was now projected twice in our meeting room.
We stared at the new feed silently as it projected to both sides of the room.
Sushi walked up to one of the feeds, turning it off.
“That… what even happened?” He asked.
Sephe shook his head. “I don’t know, it looks like the stream just ended, but who in their right mind would do that?”
“Maybe the Department Of Warfare stole half of the streams’ processing allocation?” Fen suggested.
“It… the readings just look weird. Isikeal at one hundred percent usage but the Department’s allocation has backed down to eighty-three percent, it’s just… it doesn’t make any sense.”
Just a couple seconds later, the remaining video feed about First Contact also cut out, replaced with static. Instead of a replacement of the Dragonic Union’s logo, what replaced them was much worse.
“Error 0-00: Infonet offline.”
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CPI recovered non-standard translation index (order: encountered first):
Mattia: Homeworld (Direct translation: Treasure Region).
Mattian: Sapient native of Mattia. The Lun, Lynwer, and Beora.
Immitaat: Timefrome, roughly equal to one hour forty-two minutes Terran Standard Time. One tenth of a day on Mattia.
Miviossa: Caffeine stimulant drink, made by extracting the juices of several plants and mixing them. Cheaper versions use artificial caffeine.
Isikeal: The second planet from Mattia’s star.
Yamaware system: The solar system that Mattia inhabits.
Cremac: A ten-day mattain ‘week.’
Gendrid: Common slang: Timeframe, made of ten mictigs. Roughly equal to one minute.
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Prologue First Previous Next HBD Got Memed: Memeing Every Fic I've Read Excluding Oneshots [Day 83] (Arbachoo))
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A/N:
So I adopted the wonderful world and story premise of Here Be Dragons from u/ImaginationSea3679. An obligatory thank you to u/SpacePaladin15 for his The Nature Of Predators world that inspired this fanfic and so many others. You can check it out over on hfy and RoyalRoad, plus his Patreon which I'm not going to link to not get in trouble.
It has been 5 months since I last released a chapter of Here Be Dragons. I'm sorry for the delay; a combination of laziness, life, and other things got in the way. No excueses, that's on me, and I definitely won't be able to resume a weekly schedule, but I should get the next chapter out before the end of June... emphasis on should.
[22571] characters including CPI labels, and [20367] characters of actual story text (memory transcript labels excluded). In total, [583105] characters including CPI labels and [525727] without. Both numbers exclude Authors Notes and the next/previous links.
The first bit of this story's Memory Transcription lore has leaked.

And so it seems, he's the best pirate I've ever seen.
Previous part: 7.
For those new to this series or who have lost which part or place they're on, check out The Jonsie Burrows: Help Wanted 2: Tables of contents to find where you want to go! If you haven't seen any of my stuff before then...
Hello, this is something you might have missed in Help Wanted 2.
Previously Post Interesting things:

1. Our main character, HW Jeremy, Cassie's dad, is already wearing the Security Mask before we even start the game. This means Glitchtrap has access to his mind and body. As for what that entails...
2. Help Wanted 2's AMask-on version of the FNAF6 Pizzaria might be based on Micheal's canonical look for it near the end of Pizzaria Simulator.
3. After completing each minigame, a party hat, plate, and cup will appear on the table next to you. Whose party are we attending as a guest?
4. The protagonist of Help Wanted 2 is HW Jeremy, discovered through the color blue items which are prominent in the game and used for his name and shirt in Ruin. Jeremy was a former employee of Circus Baby's Entertainment and Rental and may have been present during the events of Sister Location.
5. In the First Aid minigame of Help Wanted 2, the "GET WELL SOON!" drawings depict Baby's life as seen through Vanny's eyes, hinting towards the game's secret ending. These drawings also reveal that Baby's data card from Sister Location was inside Helpy in Pizzeria Simulator and survived the fire. As a result, her programming was eventually absorbed into the Pizzaplex's Network, leading to her appearance in Help Wanted 2.
6. Glitchtrap may have collected the souls and memories of the original dead kids into the Pizzaplex's Network and in this game, Jeremy is going into Glitchtrap's memories.
7. Help Wanted 2's Fizz Faz minigame's location is the same but different location in Security Breach. They both have identical objects placed in the exact place as each other, giving evidence to the fact that Jeremy is physically moving to certain locations in the Pizzaplex when clicking on the minigames.
8. Helpi in this game is indeed Glitchtrap in disguise. Unlike Ruin, Helpi is not his own entity in this game because we're not connected to the V.A.N.N.I. network due to being in the FNAF6 pizzeria. The V.A.N.N.I. network only covers the entire Pizzaplex but doesn't go past the door to the underground in Roxy Raceway. Glitchtrap has a preference for using proxies and decoys to communicate with the unsuspected to get them to do what he wants.
9. The Daycare Attendant is constantly in the Network by way of personality switches. No matter which of personalities is dominant, the other would still be active in the Network itself and can move freely within it. Whether it means Moon taking orders and interacting with Glitchtrap and Vanny through it or Sun being a witness to all that Moon does. Since Moon is the one who seems to be aware of Jeremy's presence in HW2, and Sun shows no signs of such awareness, it means that Sun is currently the dominant personality in the real world while Moon is in the Network, keeping an eye on Jeremy.
10. There is a connection between the Carousel minigame in HW2 and the Corn Maze in Help Wanted through the lantern on the haystack. The Dreadbear DLC might hold some importance to HW2, but what that is unknown.

Now back to our unregularly scheduled series!
Well actually, before we start I want to ride a couple of trains of thoughts to see where they go. Don't worry, they're quick trains.
First, is the Security Mask. Something that's been bothering me, is its presence in the lore of the new-era games. I mean think about where it first showed up, Help Wanted's Dreadbear DLC. And since then, it has shown up in every single game afterward, yes I'm counting its appearance in Security Breach's early trailers as its Security Breach cameo as we know stuff was cut from the game surrounding its gameplay and story.
When looking at the mask from that perspective, its importance and lore relevance suddenly become much more enormous, even without the knowledge provided about it by Ruin. But from that very same perspective, its origins become mysterious and weird when put under more scrutiny.
Like it just there, in a basement after finding all five keys and unlocking the cellar. So I decided to take a brief but closer look at Help Wanted and its DLC as I got a hunch that there's something we missed.
But unfortunately, I haven't found anything conclusive. Well, except for this odd box in the Corn Maze. As I stared at this mysterious box, my mind couldn't help but think of that other one. You know, that one mystery box in this franchise that all theorists will instantly recall if mentioned. The FNAF4 locked box.
No matter which way I looked at it, my mind kept telling me that it was and wasn't that same box. I mean, the general shape was spot-on, and the colors and look were seriously close as if it was an aged and dirty redesign based on the FNAF 4 one.
Even the fact that you could find one of them on top of a safe, could hint that this was box was something meant to keep something safe and hidden.
Then I thought that maybe this was an open treasure chest, as there was a Foxy Log Ride minigame in this DLC too, so maybe it was related to that. But nope! There are actually multiple boxes like it on the Corn Maze map and I found one that was closed and showed what the lid to this box looked like.
That is way too close in design to be a coincidence, it had to be the same box right?! Steel Wool has given Scott-era things a slight redesign before, could this be one of them?
But before I let my excitement cloud my judgment and jump the gun to make a post about it, I had to make sure of something. Does the box have two locks on it?
That is where this box fails to meet expectations. There aren't any signs on the box that it looks like it requires two locks, contrary to that idea, it seems to need only one as you can maybe see from this picture.
I'll admit, it's close, really close, but I don't think it's a remade FNAF4 Box. It's hard to see the exact design of it from other people's videos, especially because they aren't focusing on it, so I could be wrong about it needing only one lock. But I've had no luck in finding someone examining the box in 4k video quality.
So far now, I'm calling them two different boxes and leaving it up to you all to take a closer look at that box in Dreadbear's Corn Maze minigame, in case you beg to differ. But before we completely move on from this, I have to say that the box along with this red object on the ground with a glowing green dot makes them together suspicious and lore teasing. But it could be nothing.
And finally, the Security Mask, or the Vanny Mask, or the Strange Mask, or simply the Mask. I'm starting to suspect this Mask has even greater importance than we all realize.
Has anyone ever stopped and wondered about this Mask being in the game? Seriously, think about it. Help Wanted, the game, exists in-universe right?
But this Mask has not only been bothered to be modeled into the game but is also an interactable object for the player. Was this Vanny's doing? Did she model her proto-mask into the game itself as she finished completing it?
Going through her Help Wanted Dreadbear dialogue, she says the following: "Yes, I have it, I made it myself." "I think you would like it."
I and many others thought she was referring to the Mask in this dialogue. While that could still be the case, It could also be referring to her complete costume we see in Security Breach, not the Mask. And thinking about it more, I'm starting to have serious doubts about it.
It seems unlikely that Glitchtrap could have influenced Fazbear Entertainment to use Vanny's proto-mask design for their Faz technicians, especially if the Mask was created by an unknown third party. It's more probable that the company would have designed the mask in-house rather than adopting an external design.
Remember, Vanessa was with a different company when she got infected with Glitchtrap and made her mask and or costume, and didn't become a true Fazbear employee until the Pizzaplex was up and running.
And not once, since Vanny and the Mask were introduced together to us have they been seen together.
I believe most of us thought Vanny's Security Breach Mask was just the Help Wanted Mask remade or updated. Pretty much being one and the same. It's the reason why we were all shocked to see the Help Wanted mask again in Ruin.
The fact that Ruin informs us that the Security Mask is not actually the Help Wanted Mask but a mass-produced copy for the Pizzaplex technicians throws things into a more confusing loop.
There's got to be something I'm missing here, but what? You know, what is the mask actually called in Help Wanted game files? Maybe there's a clue there. Huh, it's actually called Strange Mask, neat.
That doesn't actually tell me anything... wait hold on. We find the Strange Mask hidden in the basement cellar in the middle of the Corn Maze. It sits on a candle in an opened prize box... The Strange Mask is the prize... There's a hatchet embedded into the table and a destroyed banner...
The Fall-Fest depicted in Dreadbear is 1983 and by the tone of all the breathing we hear throughout the Corn Maze, the character we're playing in that minigame is distinctly male.
Holy! The Strange Mask in Help Wanted isn't Vanny's it's Williams! That's why when we put on the mask, we immediately steady our breathing and become calm. This is referencing one of William character's traits in the Silver Eyes trilogy!
Wearing the Spring Bonnie Mask gives William the confidence to speak to Charlie and the gang after being knocked out and tied up.
Now since I don't have the Silver Eyes trilogy and pictures of graphic novels don't exactly give a description of Williams's feelings during this scene, I'm going to have to find some way of acquiring the exact passage of this scene in the books online.
Luckily, and thanks to u/L0rem-Ipsum-Docet from the FNAFtheories subreddit, who posted an analysis of this scene, including the exact wording used for it from the books, we have the book's passage, if a bit fragmented, of this scene. Yep, that's right! I'm going to analyze an analysis! Inception (movie) style!
So to help fill out the gaps posted by u/L0rem-Ipsum-Docet, I'll be using what's shown in the graphic novel. So let's see what's going on with William after he wakes up and is confronted.
His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. After a moment, he became still again, so still that Charlie reluctantly pressed her fingers to his neck to check for a pulse
After being introduced to John's first, William looks at the Spring Bonnie mask that sits nearby. Something that Charlie notices.
“That's it? You want that?” Charlie stood and approached the [Springbonnie] mask. “You need this?” she added in a whisper.
Charlie puts the Spring Bonnie mask on William and asks a question of hers that needs an answer.
My dad trusted you,” Charlie said. (...) “What did you do to him?” Her voice broke.
“I helped him create.”
“We both wanted to love,” he said in those melodious tones. “Your father loved. And now I have loved.”
Now, after this, there's a bit more dialogue back and forth between William and the Charlie gang, but I feel this is what I need to get the point across. But I want to bring up something said by u/L0rem-Ipsum-Docet in their analysis as it relates to what we are discussing here.
"And that's already a problem for me. William has never shown such a strong attachment to his costume. In NO other scene than this one does he need the mask to speak, no matter how difficult the situation is."
You see something that is missed here, is that William, for all that he might seemed calm and collected, is actually in a state of panic.
His secret is out, he's surrounded, tied up, and has nowhere to go. But instead of freaking out in hysteria or struggling to break himself free, he remains still. Human beings, or really almost all living things, have a natural survival mechanism when under threat which is a fight or flight response.
Now, William is not under a serious physical threat at the beginning of this scene but rather a psychological one, as the signs of stress are clear by this reaction.
His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. After a moment, he became still again.
Like being caught by your parents in a serious lie that will have consequences for you, you're stressed and panicking. But not at the level of a fight or flight response, so you pick the other lesser option out of the two extremes, and you do nothing.
You clam up to try to figure out a way to get out of the situation. But for William, the time to come up with something is short as next, he's hit by John, and from the way the graphic novel depicts it, it was a good meaty punch to the face that had spit flying.
Now, anyway plans or words he had thought up, would be wiped away and clouded by the rush of adrenaline and the added stress of being hit. In William's stunned state of panic, he claims up even further.
But it's here where William finds a way out from all that build-up stress, a way to cope with it in a way that allows him to finally speak and destress. The Mask, Spring Bonnie's mask in the case of the Siver Eyes.
Something that has been wordlessly conveyed in the Scott games but has now been back by the Silver Eyes trilogy, is that the Spring Bonnie suit is a source of strength for William, psychologically.
In FNAF3, when stopped by the ghost of the dead five, William is straight up in flight mode in his response to the situation, but once he's in the suit he's calm. Calm enough, that despite being confronted by freaking ghosts, he's confident enough to laugh.
In The Silver Eyes, once Charlie puts the mask on him, he's calm, and confident even, as he responds to her question, not just in a plain tone, but in a melodious one.
For those who don't know what that word means and don't want to bother googling it, it's basically saying he's talking in a tuneful or pleasant-sounding voice. Which is very ill-fitting for him in this situation when all the cards are in Charlie and the gang's hands.
And now here we are in Help Wanted's DLC, with a mysterious man in a corn maze, who running from death and finds refuge in the form of a rabbit mask on a homemade altar. There was no reason for the Mask to be lying on top of a candle unless it was someone's prized possession.
Oh wow, I just realized that the FNAF4 house that appears in the distant background for the main hub world of the DLC is trying to hint at the DLC being somewhat about William Afton in 1983.
Good lord! I've even made a connection with Grimm Foxy! Recently, I've been wondering about him and his odd presence in the Princess Quest 3 minigame. But it's his name! His name is the clue!
He's called Grimm Foxy. Grim could mean Grim Reaper, as in Death, exactly what William fears as told by the Silver Eyes trilogy! Grimm Foxy's designs even invoke this idea by having his hook hand replaced by a sickle!
And what the meaning of a sickle is in folklore, is that it's an image that is meant to remind us that Death will come to harvest us like we harvest crops in a field. And corn, by the way, is a crop. This makes this entire Corn Maze minigame an allegory for William escaping death.
But wait! This is even more to connect here!
Grimm here is spelled with a double m instead of the usual singular m, which means this particular word is actually referring to the Germanic word Grimm instead of Grim, which changes the meaning from extremely bad, unpleasant, and depressing to rage, fury, and wraith.
And what's the iconic phrase that appears in the notorious GAME WON! barn easter egg after throwing a dart at three clowns? "I T M E!". Something synonymous with one golden animatronic who is confirmed to be inhabited by one particular spirit that we meet in UCN, a game starring the one and only William Afton.
Vengeful Spirit
Does this mean Grimm Foxy is Vengeful Spirit?! I don't know, but this could be a case of Vengeful Spirit using another form as an extension of itself to torment Willliam.
But Geez, I'm going to have to pause this. I apologize, but I truly thought that this train of thought was going to be quick. But I just kept finding and connecting stuff in Help Wanted and now we're practically in the middle of this part and I haven't written a single word concerning Help Wanted 2!
I haven't even gotten deeper into the Vanny/Vanessa portion of my thoughts where I finally talk about a theory that I've had since the final Ruin "Prove It!" post called Double-V, but that can wait until Vanny or something about her appears later in Help Wanted 2.
Thankfully, this little detour was worth it, but ugh! This means I'm going to have to do a deep dive on the first Help Wanted if stuff like this is what we all missed about it!
But to sum up my current thoughts as of now about the Strange Mask and any ideas about it. It's William's old mask before Spring Bonnie was made and might've been used when he killed Charlie or someone outside the restaurants. I think it was a regular mask, not something like its Security Mask iteration. Oh, and I had a thought that maybe it was in FNAF4's locked box.
And one more thing, something else might've happened in 1983 considering Golden Freddy's "It's Me" cameo. Maybe it had something to do with CC's death since that was the year of the bite? Or maybe the year holds importance to William? Nope, stop right there.
We'll maybe talk about this more at a later date. Shoot! I'm going to have to make a post about this.
Now let's really get into Help Wanted 2!
​
"Shoot the targets to get a high score!"
This was the first time you were given only one set of instructions for what you were about to do. You felt apprehensive about that since it seemed too simple and easy but despite your misgivings, you pressed the "START" button and solider on into darkness before you found yourself sitting in a floating seat on a water ride with wooden double doors with an emblem on both doors that was Foxy's head with crossed cutlass behind him.
"Welcome to CAPTAIN FOXY's COWBOY ADVENTURE."
Hearing the voice of Foxy over the sounds of water shifting below you, snapped your attention to said animatronic with a pirate hat and baby-blue captain jacket standing on the right side platform near you.
"Use them there hand cannons to shoot anything that moves!"
At first, you panic because nothing is preventing Foxy from getting you. But as he kept talking, you realized he was one of those old-school animatronics that were bolted in place and couldn't actually move. You didn't see his bolted feet but you had a feeling that they were because of the strategically placed crate preventing anyone from seeing his feet.
With no danger currently present, you took the chance to take a look around.
To your right, with light coming through it, was a long wall that might've been simple wallpaper with spotlights shining through it to simulate daylight in the room you were in. The wallpaper depicts an indoor room with an ordinate chair a desk with an unfurled scroll on it in front of it and five windows behind it showing an ocean outside of it and red curtains above it.
In front of the wallpaper, and actually in the room with you, was the right-side platform. On it, along with Cptn. Foxy and his feet-hiding crate, was a large treasure chest, a cutlass which you thought was a prop, a swivel chair, a table with a globe and what you think is a small treasure chest, another swivel chair, and a couple of sandbags.
"Aim to get a high score or I'll give ye the ol cactus keel haul!"
Behind you was the back wall with a wall-mounted candle, a black flag with a skull and crossbones, another set of double doors just like the ones in front of you, and a pole standing on the left side platform with some kind of sign hanging from it with it's back facing you.
To your left was the left wall which had wallpaper depicting a wall-hanging tapestry and two shelves full of books and other items like a candle holder, scrolls, a crown, and a globe.
On the platform to the left were a couple of chairs, another large treasure chest, a desk, and more sandbags.
"Have a rootin' tootin' time, Yee Harr!!"
Inside your little log seat in front of you, was what must've been the hand canon inside holster in the middle of two scoreboards. With that, you've seen just about everything that was in this area and felt that you were ready for the ride as pulled out your hand canon.
Suddenly with the sound of moving water, you felt a brief sense of inertia as your seat started to move forward as the double doors in front of you opened to welcome you into a dark cave with a hanging lamp.
"Keep yer hands and feet inside the ride at all times, or ye end up like me!"
Before you fully entered the cave, you looked behind to look at Foxy. You immediately notice, that he's looking back at you, and more importantly, his feet do not, in fact, look like it's bolted to the floor. At all.
As he disappeared from your view the further you went into the darkness of the cave, you didn't feel as safe as you once were.
​
All right, I'm giving you guys a heads up as I'm not going to jot down every single detail of everything that happens in this minigame. Frankly, it will absolutely kill the pacing with me having to describe the varied locations in it which in itself will bump the word count into splitting post territory. So to save time, I'm only going to write anything of lore interest.
Nevermind! I just got done watching six people play this one level and my goodness, The level is huge, has lore references, and also has many diverging paths. Unfortunately for me, the paths themselves are a huge lore hint that wouldn't make sense to you dear reader unless I write it down. So, here's the plan, I'm going to streamline it because there's not much interest in the details of the locations themselves.
Oh, and apparently you can see the doors to the alternate paths in transitional darkness between locations in this minigame. But once again, it's way too dark for me to make out anything in the videos.
​
After exiting the cave of darkness, you were now in an area that looked like the deck of a ship. In the brief time that you were there, you shot all nine targets and were onto the next area which was a more western theme location with a building up ahead called Brightstone.
(If you listen closely when near the Brightstone zone, you hear either a rendition of or the actual Help Wanted Dreadbear Main Hub theme. Good thing I did a brief look into that game earlier or I wouldn't made that connection to it. This confirms something for me, but I'll wait till after we beat this minigame to mention it.)
You shot most of the targets there but missed quite a few when you moved on to the next location, which was a small tunnel that had a sun on the left side of an half circular board between two clouds on either side of it. There were no targets to shoot at and you passed this place by rather quickly.
The next location was themed after a western train station during the day. You shot at the targets you could and managed to nail them all in the surprisingly short area before you were onto the next. Which happens to be the theme after a robbery inside the train.
The place surprisingly had some dirt or rumble under some of the train seats, though you weren't sure if it was because of a robbery underway or the general state of the ride. But while you were shooting at the targets in this area, you spotted some curious items on the seats before you went to the next area. Three candle lanterns, two gardening hats, and two potted flowers...
​
Audible sigh. You know, when I said the Vanny/Vanessa stuff could wait until later, I meant in a different future part! Don't get me wrong, this is an exciting discovery! But this part is going to be absolutely stuffed to talk about, so I might just have to split it.
Hello there! This is future Bonjonsie! I've come to the decision to split this up in the end. I mean, this would've been out yesterday if I had decided to split it here, but somehow despite how many times I've done this, I managed to convince myself that I could fit everything into one post and finish it before the weekend.
Oh, doing a brief deep-dive into Help Wanted and its DLC won't take long because I'm probably overthinking about the mask. Oh, there's nothing important in Foxy Log Ride besides its alternate route, I'll be done with it faster than you can say Freddy Fazbear! Oh, I can probably complete the next minigame along with Foxy Log Ride!
But oh joy, is this part turning out to be the densest part I've posted ever. Not in times of lengthiness as Ruin's Bonnie Bowl is still crown king in that regard (though this might compete for the crown because I haven't finished Foxy's Log Ride), but in terms of new discoveries! Seriously, I thought two discoveries were the record and upper limit in terms of what can be found in a part(I group the parts along with their .5, etc.) But this part has doubled that record.
It only goes to show that the real treasure was just more treasures.

A Recap of AskHistorians 2024-05-17 to 2024-05-23

A bright day dawns on your inbox, for yet another fantastic edition of the AskHistorians newsletter!
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Popular This Week: You might have clicked too early, so here are the responses to some of the most upvoted questions from the past week:

• Why did Rome import so much grain from Egypt instead of growing it in Europe? Isn't Europe a relatively fertile region? With answers from HYDRAlives, xacriimony, Aithiopika and others!
  
• Why do we use a native name (Pharaoh) for Egyptian kings, but not for other civilizations? Featuring a bunch of discussion.
  
• Why is Ice Cream such a big part of 50’s Americana? Treat yourself to some soft serve, courtesy of jbdyer.
  
• Why did they name Washington state “Washington” when Washington D.C. had been founded nearly a century before.? It’s a simple State-ment from juxlus.
  
• Was 17th century Japan as brutal as portrayed in Shogun TV show? Fijure96 kicked off discussion for us.
  

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Things You Probably Missed: Great stuff flies under the radar every week! Here is a selection of responses the Mod Team enjoyed, but didn't get the attention they deserved:

• Why did pretty much all military of the West believed there was no way for the Vietnamese to bring up artillery into Dien Bien Phu? had a fantastic response from thestoryteller69.
  
• How did the Holy Roman Empire break up into hundreds of smaller states? Featured a great post from MolotovCollective.
  
• Did the Aztecs actually do human sacrifices? Heart aching for good history? Check out jezreelite!
  
• Leave it to Beaver in the 90s, Ghostbusters in the 2010s… the entertainment industry has been relaunching IPs decades after they were beloved for a while now. How old is this practice? Did renaissance playwrights write sequel plays for adults that they would have remembered seeing as kids? Femme-Fatale has us covered!
  
• During the "Viking raids era", were there significant cultural, political, linguistic, socio-economical or religious differences between Danes, Swedes, Geats, Norwegians? sagathain comes raiding in!
  
• Why was the Western frontier such a big threat against American settlers and colonizers ? And why other native people like Indigenous Siberians , Aboriginal Australians ,.... weren't to their respective colonizers? Check out this post from robot-downey-jnr.
  

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Still Looking for an Answer: Sometimes great questions don't get answered. Yet. Maybe you have the chops to give these the answer they deserve though?

• I am a cavalry horse in 17th-century Western Europe (let's say France). What does my life/career path look like?
  
• I'm a 15th century craftswoman defending a besieged European town. What am I wearing to battle?
  
• How have you dealt with scientific communication and the public's misconceptions on your field of study (aside from answering on this subreddit)? What were/are the challenges, both generally and specifically to your specialization?
  
• And if you have only a few minutes to kill, be sure to check this week's "Short Answers to Simple Questions” thread, as you might see something you can help with!
  

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Flair Profile of the Week: Looking for some old classics to read? This week the randomly selected flair profile is that of zuzahin flaired for “19th c. Photography American Revolutionary War'. If a picture is worth a thousand words, there’s a lot of answers worth pictures here.
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Features You Might Have Missed:

• 2024-05-21: Tuesday Trivia: Pacific & Oceania! This thread has relaxed standards—we invite everyone to participate!
  
• 2024-05-22: AMA: Interwar Period U.S. Army, 1919-1941 with the_howling_cow.
  
• 2024-05-23: Mods are humans and mistakes and that is okay ,what is not okay is the mods not holding themselves to the same standard. A very active META thread for the week.
  
• As always, don't forget to say "Hi" in Today's Friday Free-for-All
  

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Features Coming Up:

• 2024-05-28: The coming week’s theme, and the Tuesday Trivia casual thread, will be about LGBTQ History! So bring all your best questions and get your write ups ready for the TT thread!
  
• 2024-06-11: AMA with Daniel Melleno!
  

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Critter Corner
Enjoy this pint sized polar bear.
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Plenty more you might have missed though, so as always, don't forget to check out the most recent Sunday Digest or else to follow us on Twitter! For a complete archive of past newsletters, check out /BestOfAskHistorians.
If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from the AskHistorians Newsletter, please reply with !unsubscribe.

I want to share my story. I am a 37 year old disabled female. I am an artist and a birdwatching and mineralogy enthusiast. I was raised by a two narcissistic patents always fighting for attention and my mother had munchausen by proxy which later turned into just munchausens, making herself sick for attention, when I could no longer be abused. I am not a healthy person. I have kyphoscoliosis, cPTSD, OCD, chronic pain, AuDHD, anxiety, MCAS, degenerative disc disease, PCOS, GERD, and a rare sun allergy caused by MCAS, and hella depression. Basically I am just not meant to be alive yet somehow I persist.
(Trigger warning: child abuse, sexual abuse. And I know it may be tacky to air your dirty laundry on social media but I’ve just been in such a dark place these past eight months I just want to be heard, especially if I die soon)
As I said above I have a crooked spine disordered called kyphoscoliosis. With that comes a lots of torn discs and mind altering pain. Ive been in a bad MCAS flare for eight months and this one comes with a rare allergy to the sun (MCAS is basically being allergic to everything and it effecgs ever organ of the body).
I used to be a runner but the past five years my spinal issues have progressed so rapidly that I can hardly walk without an aid. I cannot stand without pain, at all. I’ve always had scoliosis but now it’s extra crappy. And all my life I’ve had strange health issues and never knew what they were… GI issues, acid reflux issues, headaches, heart palpitations, joint pain, urinary issues, reproductive issues, migraines, exercise induced asthma, POTS, hives, extreme photosensitivity, eczema, you name it I’ve had it.
But it wasn’t until I reconnected with my manipulative opioid addicted mother that I finally got some answers and connected all my symptoms. I reached out to her because I was so sick and desperate for motherly affection that it triggered her memory and she said “oh yeah you were diagnosed with mast cell instability as a kid at Johns Hopkins university in Baltimore. They said you were allergic to damn near everything. The hives sound just like when you were little.” After I confronted her on why she never got me treatment she said “the hives would sometimes go away and you were fine.” I wasn’t. I suffered off and on my whole life. I missed many normal childhood things due to back pain, joint pain, heartburn, urinary issues, stomach issues, hives, maddeningly itchy eczema, behavioral issues, depression, unpredictable heart palpitations. I wasn’t “fine.” Doctors wanted to treat me but she said she “didn’t want me being some Guinea pig and I didn’t like needles” What kid does?! Doctors also wanted to correct my scoliosis but she said “i isn’t that bad” well when I finished puberty I had a permanently stupid gait.
My mother never took me to the doctors for anything serious. If it was a long term issues that was “my problem” as a child. My grandmother tried to sneak me to the ER a few times but if I had a “cough” or complained about my back pain and we’d go to the doctors so she could get pills. I was addicted to pain pills as a teenager because of this. I believe my mom was sleeping with my “doctor” to get opioids. So I’d have codine syrup if my throat hurt but my spine was twisting and my organs and bones were obtaining permanent damage from not treating the mast cell instability. Two therapists say that is munchausen by proxy via neglect. She liked me staying sick. She liked pulling me out of school. I would feel FINE but I was “too sick” to go to a school dance or even ride my bike. I hardly had any friends. I wasn’t allowed to do anything but use the computer and watch TV basically. I was regularly fed foods I was allergic too. But I digress…
I am still gaslit to this day that any symptoms or any of my childhood physical and emotional abuse occurred. They make me question my sanity. My father would hit my ass and lower back so hard I’d loose control over my bladder and sometimes bowels. This occurred until I was around 13. The fear was always there. He was a body builder of whom I suspect was using substances that made his temper worse. He’d rip doors off of hinges, appliances out of walls, and brag about the all fights he was in. He would also brag about taking peoples lives and “that’s just what he had do to growing up in inner city Baltimore.” Both of my parents were starved of attention as children so if any of that was true or not I don’t know. I often had nightmares (even now as an adult) of my “spankings.” No wonder I hold all my pain in my lower back. My father was also inappropriate with me several times. One night he was drunk and I climbed into their bed because I was scared of a thunderstorm. He mistook me for my mother when I was in the forth grade. He stopped touching me all over when he got to my chest and realized nothing was there and it was me, not my mother. Never once has he acknowledged it or apologized. He always smacked my ass the same way he did my mothers well into adulthood. As an adult he has grabbed my breasts as well. The last time was just a few years ago and he said “sorry I don’t know why I did that they’re just there” I guess that was an apology? He never once hit or touched my sister. My sister is strong, smart, and independent. She threatened to call the cops, she more mentally there than me I guess. It’s taken me my whole life to unpack that the people I thought were my heros were my abusers and the reason I am such a mess today. I’m still naïve and hope they’ll magically change. But I know they will die soon and I will never get that apology. There is so much more but maybe I’ll save that for a book… but I believe I was preyed on by both my parents because I was weaker. I was stupid, naive, and easier to manipulate I guess. And because I was wear they took their life of trauma out on me.
For years I was so mean to my sister because of horrible things my mother put in my head about her. I couldn’t see their faults if my sister and I were always at odds. I lost a lot of time with her because of this. These are just small slivers of things I wish I would get an apology for. I would let everything go if my father would just apologize for how he recently treated my sister after having not seen her for almost a decade. He caused my sister and I to run from our childhood home in tears as my grandmother lie dying upstairs and all I want is an apology for hurting her and stealing time from saying goodbye to my grandmother…. When I tell him the hurt he has caused he simply says “oh come on!” And reminds me of how crazy and dramatic I am being. His last words to be were “geez you’re really fucked up and need help,” hmmm I wonder why.
What I dont understand is why they think because I had my basic needs met, food, shelter, etc that I am supposed to just take abuse. I am being ungrateful because I had gifts on Christmas when I bring up disrespect. I don’t understand the correlation. They created me so it’s their responsibility to make sure I was relatively healthy and safe at least until I am 18. Right? It was always MY fault for existing… I did not ask to exist.
So on top of a childhood with an emotionally and physically abusive father and emotionally immature narcissistic parents; my mother knew of this rare diagnosis and did nothing. Just to reiterate; she kept me sick. She basically fed me my triggers, ignored all my symptoms, ignored my back pain, never took me to the doctor unless it was for her to get her pills, I was called dramatic whenever I was too sick to clean or function well in school, got yelled at for being so sleepy all the time (MCAS causes Extreme fatigue) and as an adult she watched me for well over a decade spend thousands of dollars on various doctors and testing to find out wtf is wrong with me. I thought I had lupus so I wasted a lot of money with rheumatologists. SO many doctors and not a single one could find answers or take me seriously. SO many years of begging to be heard by doctors and just told to loose some weight or told over and over again it’s all psychosomatic due to trauma and depression. Once you have any mental illness on your record you are always treated differently by doctors… iTs aLL iN YoUr HeAd.
I do find myself giving my mother grace because she herself suffered a lot. She was abused in childhood by people she was meant to trust, i.e. her parents and by leaders of the Catholic Church in Baltimore as a kid. I suspect she also has cPTSD from working EMS disaster relief (mainly hurricane Katrina relief) and from various assaults she has told me. And possible abuse from my father. My father also suffered as a child. He went though inner city poverty, abuse, and loosing his father when he was just a kid. And of course my heart aches for them but being a victim doesn’t excuse their behavior. It explains it, but it doesn’t excuse it. It’s not my responsibility to fix them or hope they will fix themselves any longer. I chose to not have kids for fear of continuing this cycle. But my sister has beautiful children and she doesn’t abuse them. She has gone on to become a therapist specializing in drug and alcohol abuse. What a beautiful way to take that trauma and flip it to help others. She is breaking that cycle and she is my hero.
I don’t want to sound completely ungrateful because I did have my basic needs met as a child and I do appreciate how hard they worked for the roof over my head and the lavish Christmases we had but monetary stuff aside I think it’s perfectly acceptable to need emotional support. I’d give all the toys, electronics, and jewelry I once had up for just one “I am proud of you” or one “I am sorry we were not emotionally present for you” or an even better “I am sorry we failed you.” I spent many weekends and sometimes weeks with my grandmother and her free spirit and kindness often made up for what was lacking at home. I have many wonderful childhood memories because of that woman. She was my home.
But because they refused to get therapy for their demons (honestly it was just unheard of for their generation) I shouldn’t have to carry theirs on-top of mine. I am middle aged, I should’ve have these issues. My fear of making people upset cripples me now. I should be a functioning adult with my own family. I should be able to call and chit chat with my parents. And it isn’t for me not trying… every time I am on that phone it ends up with being talked to like I am an asshole or never once being asked “how are you?” I’ve lived in my home for well over a decade and they’ve never visited. Why? I live just 30 minutes away. My sister has a child they will never meet nor care to meet. My sister lives 5,000 miles away and has seen my house several times. Why do they not care about us? We were not their abusers. We didn’t ask to be born.
Anyways my family always had an inkling that my mother had Munchhausen syndrome because she often would make herself sick for attention, she’d purposely eat things she was allergic too, over dose on pills or at least tell us she did for sympathy, “fall” all the time… and she very well could also have MCAS because the symptoms are there but the difference between us is I WANT to get better she gave up decades ago and chose drugs to cope. Benzos and opioids. My father chooses alcohol to cope.
My grandmother always said my mom gave up and to not let that be me. I’m trying… But it wasn’t until a recent break through in therapy that I realized I was a Munchhausen by proxy kid via this medical neglect. I remember my older sister begging my mother to take me to the doctors as a kid and it fell on deaf ears. I would self harm a lot as a kid probably because of emotional neglect and my sister would beg for my parents to get me help. My dad would just threaten to “put me away somewhere” and belittle me for being “sick in the head.” I did get taken to some doctors, like I said earlier. One was my moms pill supplier and one was a pediatric doctor in downtown Charleston that she worked in same building of. She would she take me see him and he is who gave me my ADHD diagnosis as a kid… but she would just drop me off to be seen alone and I guess because predators can sniff out prey he often was inappropriate with me. It was about the fourth and fifth grade era for me. My mom pulled me out of school a lot and I would just hang out at her work or “go see Dr.S.” For some reason, through his slacks, he would drag his erection all over my legs and hands while examining me all over like normal procedure… like putting that scope in my ear or using a stethoscope but this erection constantly bumping me was just this unavoidable thing that it was an accident I guess. I didn’t know what it was at the time but I knew no other doctor did it but hey at least it wasn’t any worse. I do vaguely remember a pelvic exam but the memory is foggy as it could’ve been a legit pelvic exam that I needed idk. Perhaps that’s why I am so afraid of doctors today. I’ve gotten much better with it but for a whole decade of my 20s, when I was on my own, I never went to a doctor.
My grandmother or various friends would randomly take me to the ER whenever my folks thought I was being dramatic and things got too much. I remember the mothers of the various romantic partners I had as a teen trying to help me when my own parents ignored me. One boyfriends mom would buy me tampons and razors because I got yelled at by my parents for “needing them again?!” I constantly panic about being wasteful because it’s just ingrained in me. I honestly still cry if I spill something because of the spankings or yelling that came after. Spankings from a coke and or roided out body builder just hit different I guess. I’ve actually pissed myself in fear because of my father chasing me up the stairs once.
So back to my medical crap… Because of all the medical neglect I have permanent bone and organ damage. I often wonder if my scoliosis wouldn’t have progressed so badly had my parents got me the corrective surgery and just had me on the right antihistamines and vitamins when I was little. Maybe I wouldn’t have the spine of an 80 year old now at age 37… had I been in a calm loving stress free environment would I even have mast cell activation disorder to begin with? They say stress is the main cause. Would I not be this mentally stunted? MCAS effects every organ… the brain fog makes me feel like I’m loosing my grip on reality.
All that being said I recently took this new mast cell info to my dermatologist that was helping me navigate my sudden sun allergy and she said “well everything makes sense now, that’s it! It’s mast cell!” and an old family friend that worked at JH confirmed remembering how I was in and out of testing (But I have yet to reach out to JH for old records). And all the symptoms make so much sense. I had urinary, heart, bone, and gastric issues for years thinking they were all separate! I also met with an allergy specialist who confirmed it as well and has me on a strict medication regiment. I think it’s helping but I digress.
So at least I finally have answers but that doesn’t fix the heartache of yearning for parents that care about you. I am still trying to find the right combination of vitamins and meds to get this flare under control. So far I am on twice daily Zyrtec, twice daily quercetin, once nightly Hydroxyzine, restasis, once or twice daily fexofenadine (depending if I leave the house), Pepcid, as needed benedryl if have a reaction, omeprazole, vitamins B12, D, and tapioca based vitamin C as I am now allergic to any citrus based C and am still in a flare. And I can’t take anything for pain because I have ulcers. It sucks. I see the doctor at the end of the month to reconfigure things again and potentially start IV treatments.
So moral of the story; love your kids and be gentle with your kids so they don’t turn out like me.
I honestly can’t believe I am sober.🤷🏻‍♀️ If you’ve made it this far thanks for listening and I wish you well. ❤️

Hey there, I'm EST, but I am running a really complex homebrew PF1e game in the middle of the night Tuesday morning 3am-5am my time, so I'm looking for players in the Australian, New Zealand, and similar Oceania time zones. One (1) of our six players just had to drop because of a theater commitment -- the new player would be coming in on session 4.
This is a classic high fantasy game in a homebrew world influenced/inspired by Hickman and Weiss properties like Sovereign Stone and Dragonlance.
The main set up is five elementally-aligned continents with god-dragon chromatic dragon rulers (Red for the 'fire' continent, etc.). The twist in this world is that the chromatic dragons have dual elemental or para/quasi-elemental affiliations -- fire/earth aspected red dragons; wood/ash aspected green dragons, etc. There's a artifact mcguffin quest involving a trinity of magical swords created by an ancient elven civilization. The beginning locale is an isolated township near the edge of a plateau, the base of which is a desert. The plateau is the former domain of an evil grey elf empire that still nominally controls some former territories. The nearby area has recently been afflicted by raids from the forces of the Legion of Thorns -- an army of goblinoids directed by a trio of half watehalf-earth elemental green dragon dragon lords.
Here's a summary of the initial set-up:
The isolated settlement known as the Township of Gryphonton was founded on the periphery of the fallen Serene and Implacable Grey Elven Empire of Thasmudyan*. The Grey Elf cabals who founded the empire were the previous masters of the region, and ruled cruelly as emissaries of the* Serpent or Deceiver*, a mysterious god of deception, hidden knowledge, and tyranny who wishes to dominate all mortal life. The* Township of Gryphonton was built on the ruins of an ancient avalari/avalarai (high elf/sun elf) city known as Tyr-Haishen*. The remnants of the monumental architecture of the avalari metropolis still dot the countryside and farms surrounding the* Township of Gryphonton*.* Tyr-Haishen was sacked by the legions of Thasmudyan during its third period of expansion.
The Township of Gryphonton is situated in a hinterland region on the edge of the elevated plateau that contains the Inland Sea of Helacar*, also known as the* Crescent Sea or the Scimitar Sea*, which comprised the former heartlands of the* Empire of Thasmudyan*. The* Peninsula of Charcardon and the Lordship Isle of Charachon in the Crescent Sea were the site of the former Imperial Capital known as the Iron City of Chararcheron*.
The empire of the grey elves fell in a civil war between the three greatest cabals of the Grey Elves -- the* Cabal of Purity*, the* Cabal of Majesty*, and the* Cabal of Mysteries*. The* Cabal of Mysteries attempted to replace the hereditary human and half-orc janissary and mamluk corps of the empire with more pliable legions of troll helots. The resulting conflict tore the empire into competing factions that were finally disbanded by the assault of the Legion of Thorns*, a vast army of goblinoids directed by the* Venom Pact -- a triune of ancient Green Dragons -- against the Iron City of Chararcheron*. The* Iron City of Chararcheron was sacked, as well as many important cities of the north shore of the Inland Sea. The grey elves (sub-races of which are known as the sable elves, stone elves, or mist elves) abandoned the Iron City of Chararcheron and established a new, hidden enclave in the Marshes of Chalimbar known as the Hidden City of Cinsex*.*
The grey elf cabals of the Hidden City of Cinsex still dispatch armed battalions to collect the Imperial Levy from former dependencies, including the Township of Gryphonton*. Despite the merchant clans having overthrown the hereditary nobility of the region, the assessors of the new capital have regularly dispatched companies of* Emerald Drake Mercenaries*, accompanied and directed by an* Imperial Mesmerist and a Serpentine Inquisitor of the Deceiver*, to levy taxes on the settlement. One such detachment is currently present in the* Township of Gryphonton*.*
The ruined Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*, a relic of the* Kingdom of Ceradalor*, a human and half-elf successor state of the avalari realm centered on* Tyr-Haishen*, has recently become the subject of considerable speculation. The old keep overlooks the streets of the* Township of Gryphonton from it's perch atop Thunderclap Bluff, a jagged massif that arises violently from the surrounding Forest of Talons*. Travelers along the winding* Road of Lammashedu*, an ancient pathway through the forests which is made of an immense quantity of some kind of enchanted mountain ash piled one story in height and some forty feet in breadth, have claimed that lights have been seen in the heights of* Dolor's Peak*, the highest pinnacle of* Thunderclap Bluff from which rise the foundations of the Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*. The talk of the* Dancing Ogre Inn beside the Quickwash River in the Milk District of Gryphonton is that the old fort has been reoccupied by goblinoid forces associated with the Legion of Thorns -- purportedly a tribe that has specifically devoted themselves to Venrimthaargamanix*, the most deceitful and acquisitive member of the trinity of green dragons known as the* Venom Pact*.* Venrimthaargamanix*, also known as the* Prince of Poison*, has purportedly directed his forces to occupy the ancient citadel for unknown ends...*
The chief patron deities of Grypthonton are the temples of the solar dragon goddesses of sunrise (Selys-Satra-Satama), midday (Xylynyn-Aoil), and sunset (Zulidrasamra-Xezyn) are remnants of the ancient avalari culture. The three temples of the Three -- all daughters of the Dragon God of Light, Goodness, and Glory Kheryth-Khatar Brahamasramanachamarama-Bahmut*. Their greatest festival occurs during the* Blessed Month of Ti-Akooman*, a holy period of 27 days in the sacred calendar which separates the springtide months of* Harvesttide and Brightblossom in the Daleshaart calendar of the Southern Daleshires of the Charcaradon Peninsula*. The greatest rite of this sacred month is the* Festival of Fortune's Full Favor in honor of the goddess of the noonday sun Xylynyn-Aoil*. The procession of the khopesh (egyptian sickle-sword) of the sun-elf hero-ancestor* Daiklantanes Sungleam upon a heavily ornamented palanquin is the high point of the festival. A collection of unlikely heroes observed the procession and the startling theft of the relic by a mysterious woman with a slave brand from the Citadel of Tarim*, who disappeared after assuming a verminous wereform. Her escape was covered by the appearance of hobgoblin troops from the sewers of Gryphonton, presumably servants of the* Venom Pact*. The proceedings were watched with suspicious intent by the Imperial Mesmerist Sebastien D'zantir, a half-elf dispatched by the savants of the Cabal of the Mysteries in the Hidden City of Cinsex. The hobgoblin raiders lit several fires to cover their retreat. The heroes then consulted the local high priestess of* Xylynyn-Aoil*, one* Ankhsunammun p'ten Ahamkhashara*, one of the so-called 'dragonchildren' who possess the blood of their sacred patron and her children. The priestess hypothesized that the relic had been seized by a mysterious alliance of the savants of the* Virtuous and the forces of the Venom Pact -- perhaps the high hierophants of the cabal sought to make common cause with their purported enemy to bring about the downfall of their rivals for rule of the former imperial territories and the matchless spires of the Hidden City*? In any event, the truth of the matter could only be plumbed by descending into the vast underworks of* Gryphonton known as the Veins of the Griffon*. An unlikely collection of heroes descended into the sewers and defeated several powerful giant mantis shrimp...*
Rules Stuff:
Mechanically, there are a boatload of mechanical adumbrations to the magic and combat system -- Path of War, Akasha from Dreamscarred Press and Advanced Arcana from Necromancers of the Northwest (the former adds new subsystems, while the latter hugely expands what the 'base' spellcasting classes can do with spells). Consequently, this won't be a good game for those new to the system unless you have a lot of experience with ttrpgs and can make a character largely on your own by reading a rule book. I'm intending to have a session 0 that covers setting up whatever VTT is used and going over plot/world details -- it won't be 6-8 hrs of making characters step by step as a group; the expectation would be that players are able to do that almost entirely on their own. Other rules items are things like feat-tax adjustments, gestalt, path of war 'sparking', 5e style split movement, parry as a basic combat option.
Primarily looking for players that would be satisfied basically playing core rule book and near core rule book races -- elves, half-elves, gnomes, dwarves, half-orcs, orcs, humans, halflings -- I'm open to variations on these like unusual subraces, as long as it doesn't end up with a party of drow nobles. I'd also be open to a limited number of anthropomorphic animal people like otterkin, but, again, I don't want a whole party of kitsune -- like 1-2 of these kinds of 'unusual' races in a party of 6. For dragon-like races, only kobolds with dragon-aspirant kinds of classes or maybe half-dragons of some kind -- I don't want dragon pcs or anything like that.
For a VTT, b/c of the home brew elements, and the difficulty of getting that into a VTT, I'm just using it to move tokens. It would be too difficult to program home brew rules into something like Foundry. I try to have nice, full-color maps for most things, but there is no drag-and drop functionality with compendia of spells and items. The format is going to be everyone using an excel sheet character sheet and rolling dice either with a Discord bot or in a 3d dice room. I'm planning on initially using Tableplop, and maybe supplementing with Foundry, with perhaps with a 3d option like Talespire or Rpg Stories for some scenes (I'd just stream that if I did it so everyone wouldn't have to purchase it). I set up battlemaps like a Warhammer board instead of 5ft squares -- instead, I use a 1ft=1square grid so you can move in increments other than 5', and AoO zones can overlap in more complex ways. I use a square template around the the tokens to designate AoO and reach zones.
The other format elements are voice on Discord or Zoom (no cameras), along with some audio-visual props like mood music and mood images.
My style tends to be highly sandbox -- I have an overall idea of a story, but the campaign has the general shape of an ubisoft open world game or an MMO. There's a 'major story arc', but also a high level of sandbox site-based activities. This kind of game works best for players that are fairly self-motivated and are able to develop goals for their characters -- setting up a shop, establishing a temple etc.
I prefer playing with players that are fairly self motivated/active instead of sort of trying to follow a predetermined plot arc of some kind and have a more passive approach. If that sounds interesting to you, send me a DM and we'll chat further.
I am looking for one more player for this game. The current party is:
Human Bloodrager 1 / Fighter (Free Hand) 3 / Ninja (Yokai Scion) Human Marksman (Spearman) 3 / Soulknife (Soulbolt) Dwarf S Class Monk 3/ S Class Fighter (High Guardian/Mutation Warrior) Samsaran VizieS Class Arcanist (player that has to drop) Ancient Lorekeeper S-Class Oracle/Virtious Bravo S-Class Paladin Human Soulknife//Psychic Warrior

Hey there, I'm EST, but I am running a really complex homebrew PF1e game in the middle of the night Tuesday morning 3am-5am my time, so I'm looking for players in the Australian, New Zealand, and similar Oceania time zones. One (1) of our six players just had to drop because of a theater commitment -- the new player would be coming in on session 4.
This is a classic high fantasy game in a homebrew world influenced/inspired by Hickman and Weiss properties like Sovereign Stone and Dragonlance.
The main set up is five elementally-aligned continents with god-dragon chromatic dragon rulers (Red for the 'fire' continent, etc.). The twist in this world is that the chromatic dragons have dual elemental or para/quasi-elemental affiliations -- fire/earth aspected red dragons; wood/ash aspected green dragons, etc. There's a artifact mcguffin quest involving a trinity of magical swords created by an ancient elven civilization. The beginning locale is an isolated township near the edge of a plateau, the base of which is a desert. The plateau is the former domain of an evil grey elf empire that still nominally controls some former territories. The nearby area has recently been afflicted by raids from the forces of the Legion of Thorns -- an army of goblinoids directed by a trio of half watehalf-earth elemental green dragon dragon lords.
Here's a summary of the initial set-up:
The isolated settlement known as the Township of Gryphonton was founded on the periphery of the fallen Serene and Implacable Grey Elven Empire of Thasmudyan*. The Grey Elf cabals who founded the empire were the previous masters of the region, and ruled cruelly as emissaries of the* Serpent or Deceiver*, a mysterious god of deception, hidden knowledge, and tyranny who wishes to dominate all mortal life. The* Township of Gryphonton was built on the ruins of an ancient avalari/avalarai (high elf/sun elf) city known as Tyr-Haishen*. The remnants of the monumental architecture of the avalari metropolis still dot the countryside and farms surrounding the* Township of Gryphonton*.* Tyr-Haishen was sacked by the legions of Thasmudyan during its third period of expansion.
The Township of Gryphonton is situated in a hinterland region on the edge of the elevated plateau that contains the Inland Sea of Helacar*, also known as the* Crescent Sea or the Scimitar Sea*, which comprised the former heartlands of the* Empire of Thasmudyan*. The* Peninsula of Charcardon and the Lordship Isle of Charachon in the Crescent Sea were the site of the former Imperial Capital known as the Iron City of Chararcheron*.
The empire of the grey elves fell in a civil war between the three greatest cabals of the Grey Elves -- the* Cabal of Purity*, the* Cabal of Majesty*, and the* Cabal of Mysteries*. The* Cabal of Mysteries attempted to replace the hereditary human and half-orc janissary and mamluk corps of the empire with more pliable legions of troll helots. The resulting conflict tore the empire into competing factions that were finally disbanded by the assault of the Legion of Thorns*, a vast army of goblinoids directed by the* Venom Pact -- a triune of ancient Green Dragons -- against the Iron City of Chararcheron*. The* Iron City of Chararcheron was sacked, as well as many important cities of the north shore of the Inland Sea. The grey elves (sub-races of which are known as the sable elves, stone elves, or mist elves) abandoned the Iron City of Chararcheron and established a new, hidden enclave in the Marshes of Chalimbar known as the Hidden City of Cinsex*.\*
The grey elf cabals of the Hidden City of Cinsex still dispatch armed battalions to collect the Imperial Levy from former dependencies, including the Township of Gryphonton*. Despite the merchant clans having overthrown the hereditary nobility of the region, the assessors of the new capital have regularly dispatched companies of* Emerald Drake Mercenaries*, accompanied and directed by an* Imperial Mesmerist and a Serpentine Inquisitor of the Deceiver*, to levy taxes on the settlement. One such detachment is currently present in the* Township of Gryphonton*.\*
The ruined Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*, a relic of the* Kingdom of Ceradalor*, a human and half-elf successor state of the avalari realm centered on* Tyr-Haishen*, has recently become the subject of considerable speculation. The old keep overlooks the streets of the* Township of Gryphonton from it's perch atop Thunderclap Bluff, a jagged massif that arises violently from the surrounding Forest of Talons*. Travelers along the winding* Road of Lammashedu*, an ancient pathway through the forests which is made of an immense quantity of some kind of enchanted mountain ash piled one story in height and some forty feet in breadth, have claimed that lights have been seen in the heights of* Dolor's Peak*, the highest pinnacle of* Thunderclap Bluff from which rise the foundations of the Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*. The talk of the* Dancing Ogre Inn beside the Quickwash River in the Milk District of Gryphonton is that the old fort has been reoccupied by goblinoid forces associated with the Legion of Thorns -- purportedly a tribe that has specifically devoted themselves to Venrimthaargamanix*, the most deceitful and acquisitive member of the trinity of green dragons known as the* Venom Pact*.* Venrimthaargamanix*, also known as the* Prince of Poison*, has purportedly directed his forces to occupy the ancient citadel for unknown ends...\*
The chief patron deities of Grypthonton are the temples of the solar dragon goddesses of sunrise (Selys-Satra-Satama), midday (Xylynyn-Aoil), and sunset (Zulidrasamra-Xezyn) are remnants of the ancient avalari culture. The three temples of the Three -- all daughters of the Dragon God of Light, Goodness, and Glory Kheryth-Khatar Brahamasramanachamarama-Bahmut*. Their greatest festival occurs during the* Blessed Month of Ti-Akooman*, a holy period of 27 days in the sacred calendar which separates the springtide months of* Harvesttide and Brightblossom in the Daleshaart calendar of the Southern Daleshires of the Charcaradon Peninsula*. The greatest rite of this sacred month is the* Festival of Fortune's Full Favor in honor of the goddess of the noonday sun Xylynyn-Aoil*. The procession of the khopesh (egyptian sickle-sword) of the sun-elf hero-ancestor* Daiklantanes Sungleam upon a heavily ornamented palanquin is the high point of the festival. A collection of unlikely heroes observed the procession and the startling theft of the relic by a mysterious woman with a slave brand from the Citadel of Tarim*, who disappeared after assuming a verminous wereform. Her escape was covered by the appearance of hobgoblin troops from the sewers of Gryphonton, presumably servants of the* Venom Pact*. The proceedings were watched with suspicious intent by the Imperial Mesmerist Sebastien D'zantir, a half-elf dispatched by the savants of the Cabal of the Mysteries in the Hidden City of Cinsex. The hobgoblin raiders lit several fires to cover their retreat. The heroes then consulted the local high priestess of* Xylynyn-Aoil*, one* Ankhsunammun p'ten Ahamkhashara*, one of the so-called 'dragonchildren' who possess the blood of their sacred patron and her children. The priestess hypothesized that the relic had been seized by a mysterious alliance of the savants of the* Virtuous and the forces of the Venom Pact -- perhaps the high hierophants of the cabal sought to make common cause with their purported enemy to bring about the downfall of their rivals for rule of the former imperial territories and the matchless spires of the Hidden City*? In any event, the truth of the matter could only be plumbed by descending into the vast underworks of* Gryphonton known as the Veins of the Griffon*. An unlikely collection of heroes descended into the sewers and defeated several powerful giant mantis shrimp...\*
Rules Stuff:
Mechanically, there are a boatload of mechanical adumbrations to the magic and combat system -- Path of War, Akasha from Dreamscarred Press and Advanced Arcana from Necromancers of the Northwest (the former adds new subsystems, while the latter hugely expands what the 'base' spellcasting classes can do with spells). Consequently, this won't be a good game for those new to the system unless you have a lot of experience with ttrpgs and can make a character largely on your own by reading a rule book. I'm intending to have a session 0 that covers setting up whatever VTT is used and going over plot/world details -- it won't be 6-8 hrs of making characters step by step as a group; the expectation would be that players are able to do that almost entirely on their own. Other rules items are things like feat-tax adjustments, gestalt, path of war 'sparking', 5e style split movement, parry as a basic combat option.
Primarily looking for players that would be satisfied basically playing core rule book and near core rule book races -- elves, half-elves, gnomes, dwarves, half-orcs, orcs, humans, halflings -- I'm open to variations on these like unusual subraces, as long as it doesn't end up with a party of drow nobles. I'd also be open to a limited number of anthropomorphic animal people like otterkin, but, again, I don't want a whole party of kitsune -- like 1-2 of these kinds of 'unusual' races in a party of 6. For dragon-like races, only kobolds with dragon-aspirant kinds of classes or maybe half-dragons of some kind -- I don't want dragon pcs or anything like that.
For a VTT, b/c of the home brew elements, and the difficulty of getting that into a VTT, I'm just using it to move tokens. It would be too difficult to program home brew rules into something like Foundry. I try to have nice, full-color maps for most things, but there is no drag-and drop functionality with compendia of spells and items. The format is going to be everyone using an excel sheet character sheet and rolling dice either with a Discord bot or in a 3d dice room. I'm planning on initially using Tableplop, and maybe supplementing with Foundry, with perhaps with a 3d option like Talespire or Rpg Stories for some scenes (I'd just stream that if I did it so everyone wouldn't have to purchase it). I set up battlemaps like a Warhammer board instead of 5ft squares -- instead, I use a 1ft=1square grid so you can move in increments other than 5', and AoO zones can overlap in more complex ways. I use a square template around the the tokens to designate AoO and reach zones.
The other format elements are voice on Discord or Zoom (no cameras), along with some audio-visual props like mood music and mood images.
My style tends to be highly sandbox -- I have an overall idea of a story, but the campaign has the general shape of an ubisoft open world game or an MMO. There's a 'major story arc', but also a high level of sandbox site-based activities. This kind of game works best for players that are fairly self-motivated and are able to develop goals for their characters -- setting up a shop, establishing a temple etc.
I prefer playing with players that are fairly self motivated/active instead of sort of trying to follow a predetermined plot arc of some kind and have a more passive approach. If that sounds interesting to you, send me a DM and we'll chat further.
I am looking for one more player for this game. The current party is:
Human Bloodrager 1 / Fighter (Free Hand) 3 / Ninja (Yokai Scion) Human Marksman (Spearman) 3 / Soulknife (Soulbolt) Dwarf S Class Monk 3/ S Class Fighter (High Guardian/Mutation Warrior) Samsaran VizieS Class Arcanist (player that has to drop) Ancient Lorekeeper S-Class Oracle/Virtious Bravo S-Class Paladin Human Soulknife//Psychic Warrior

Hey there, I'm EST, but I am running a really complex homebrew PF1e game in the middle of the night Tuesday morning 3am-5am my time, so I'm looking for players in the Australian, New Zealand, and similar Oceania time zones. One (1) of our six players just had to drop because of a theater commitment -- the new player would be coming in on session 4.
This is a classic high fantasy game in a homebrew world influenced/inspired by Hickman and Weiss properties like Sovereign Stone and Dragonlance.
The main set up is five elementally-aligned continents with god-dragon chromatic dragon rulers (Red for the 'fire' continent, etc.). The twist in this world is that the chromatic dragons have dual elemental or para/quasi-elemental affiliations -- fire/earth aspected red dragons; wood/ash aspected green dragons, etc. There's a artifact mcguffin quest involving a trinity of magical swords created by an ancient elven civilization. The beginning locale is an isolated township near the edge of a plateau, the base of which is a desert. The plateau is the former domain of an evil grey elf empire that still nominally controls some former territories. The nearby area has recently been afflicted by raids from the forces of the Legion of Thorns -- an army of goblinoids directed by a trio of half watehalf-earth elemental green dragon dragon lords.
Here's a summary of the initial set-up:
The isolated settlement known as the Township of Gryphonton was founded on the periphery of the fallen Serene and Implacable Grey Elven Empire of Thasmudyan*. The Grey Elf cabals who founded the empire were the previous masters of the region, and ruled cruelly as emissaries of the* Serpent or Deceiver*, a mysterious god of deception, hidden knowledge, and tyranny who wishes to dominate all mortal life. The* Township of Gryphonton was built on the ruins of an ancient avalari/avalarai (high elf/sun elf) city known as Tyr-Haishen*. The remnants of the monumental architecture of the avalari metropolis still dot the countryside and farms surrounding the* Township of Gryphonton*.* Tyr-Haishen was sacked by the legions of Thasmudyan during its third period of expansion.
The Township of Gryphonton is situated in a hinterland region on the edge of the elevated plateau that contains the Inland Sea of Helacar*, also known as the* Crescent Sea or the Scimitar Sea*, which comprised the former heartlands of the* Empire of Thasmudyan*. The* Peninsula of Charcardon and the Lordship Isle of Charachon in the Crescent Sea were the site of the former Imperial Capital known as the Iron City of Chararcheron*.
The empire of the grey elves fell in a civil war between the three greatest cabals of the Grey Elves -- the* Cabal of Purity*, the* Cabal of Majesty*, and the* Cabal of Mysteries*. The* Cabal of Mysteries attempted to replace the hereditary human and half-orc janissary and mamluk corps of the empire with more pliable legions of troll helots. The resulting conflict tore the empire into competing factions that were finally disbanded by the assault of the Legion of Thorns*, a vast army of goblinoids directed by the* Venom Pact -- a triune of ancient Green Dragons -- against the Iron City of Chararcheron*. The* Iron City of Chararcheron was sacked, as well as many important cities of the north shore of the Inland Sea. The grey elves (sub-races of which are known as the sable elves, stone elves, or mist elves) abandoned the Iron City of Chararcheron and established a new, hidden enclave in the Marshes of Chalimbar known as the Hidden City of Cinsex*.*
The grey elf cabals of the Hidden City of Cinsex still dispatch armed battalions to collect the Imperial Levy from former dependencies, including the Township of Gryphonton*. Despite the merchant clans having overthrown the hereditary nobility of the region, the assessors of the new capital have regularly dispatched companies of* Emerald Drake Mercenaries*, accompanied and directed by an* Imperial Mesmerist and a Serpentine Inquisitor of the Deceiver*, to levy taxes on the settlement. One such detachment is currently present in the* Township of Gryphonton*.*
The ruined Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*, a relic of the* Kingdom of Ceradalor*, a human and half-elf successor state of the avalari realm centered on* Tyr-Haishen*, has recently become the subject of considerable speculation. The old keep overlooks the streets of the* Township of Gryphonton from it's perch atop Thunderclap Bluff, a jagged massif that arises violently from the surrounding Forest of Talons*. Travelers along the winding* Road of Lammashedu*, an ancient pathway through the forests which is made of an immense quantity of some kind of enchanted mountain ash piled one story in height and some forty feet in breadth, have claimed that lights have been seen in the heights of* Dolor's Peak*, the highest pinnacle of* Thunderclap Bluff from which rise the foundations of the Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*. The talk of the* Dancing Ogre Inn beside the Quickwash River in the Milk District of Gryphonton is that the old fort has been reoccupied by goblinoid forces associated with the Legion of Thorns -- purportedly a tribe that has specifically devoted themselves to Venrimthaargamanix*, the most deceitful and acquisitive member of the trinity of green dragons known as the* Venom Pact*.* Venrimthaargamanix*, also known as the* Prince of Poison*, has purportedly directed his forces to occupy the ancient citadel for unknown ends...*
The chief patron deities of Grypthonton are the temples of the solar dragon goddesses of sunrise (Selys-Satra-Satama), midday (Xylynyn-Aoil), and sunset (Zulidrasamra-Xezyn) are remnants of the ancient avalari culture. The three temples of the Three -- all daughters of the Dragon God of Light, Goodness, and Glory Kheryth-Khatar Brahamasramanachamarama-Bahmut*. Their greatest festival occurs during the* Blessed Month of Ti-Akooman*, a holy period of 27 days in the sacred calendar which separates the springtide months of* Harvesttide and Brightblossom in the Daleshaart calendar of the Southern Daleshires of the Charcaradon Peninsula*. The greatest rite of this sacred month is the* Festival of Fortune's Full Favor in honor of the goddess of the noonday sun Xylynyn-Aoil*. The procession of the khopesh (egyptian sickle-sword) of the sun-elf hero-ancestor* Daiklantanes Sungleam upon a heavily ornamented palanquin is the high point of the festival. A collection of unlikely heroes observed the procession and the startling theft of the relic by a mysterious woman with a slave brand from the Citadel of Tarim*, who disappeared after assuming a verminous wereform. Her escape was covered by the appearance of hobgoblin troops from the sewers of Gryphonton, presumably servants of the* Venom Pact*. The proceedings were watched with suspicious intent by the Imperial Mesmerist Sebastien D'zantir, a half-elf dispatched by the savants of the Cabal of the Mysteries in the Hidden City of Cinsex. The hobgoblin raiders lit several fires to cover their retreat. The heroes then consulted the local high priestess of* Xylynyn-Aoil*, one* Ankhsunammun p'ten Ahamkhashara*, one of the so-called 'dragonchildren' who possess the blood of their sacred patron and her children. The priestess hypothesized that the relic had been seized by a mysterious alliance of the savants of the* Virtuous and the forces of the Venom Pact -- perhaps the high hierophants of the cabal sought to make common cause with their purported enemy to bring about the downfall of their rivals for rule of the former imperial territories and the matchless spires of the Hidden City*? In any event, the truth of the matter could only be plumbed by descending into the vast underworks of* Gryphonton known as the Veins of the Griffon*. An unlikely collection of heroes descended into the sewers and defeated several powerful giant mantis shrimp...*
Rules Stuff:
Mechanically, there are a boatload of mechanical adumbrations to the magic and combat system -- Path of War, Akasha from Dreamscarred Press and Advanced Arcana from Necromancers of the Northwest (the former adds new subsystems, while the latter hugely expands what the 'base' spellcasting classes can do with spells). Consequently, this won't be a good game for those new to the system unless you have a lot of experience with ttrpgs and can make a character largely on your own by reading a rule book. I'm intending to have a session 0 that covers setting up whatever VTT is used and going over plot/world details -- it won't be 6-8 hrs of making characters step by step as a group; the expectation would be that players are able to do that almost entirely on their own. Other rules items are things like feat-tax adjustments, gestalt, path of war 'sparking', 5e style split movement, parry as a basic combat option.
Primarily looking for players that would be satisfied basically playing core rule book and near core rule book races -- elves, half-elves, gnomes, dwarves, half-orcs, orcs, humans, halflings -- I'm open to variations on these like unusual subraces, as long as it doesn't end up with a party of drow nobles. I'd also be open to a limited number of anthropomorphic animal people like otterkin, but, again, I don't want a whole party of kitsune -- like 1-2 of these kinds of 'unusual' races in a party of 6. For dragon-like races, only kobolds with dragon-aspirant kinds of classes or maybe half-dragons of some kind -- I don't want dragon pcs or anything like that.
For a VTT, b/c of the home brew elements, and the difficulty of getting that into a VTT, I'm just using it to move tokens. It would be too difficult to program home brew rules into something like Foundry. I try to have nice, full-color maps for most things, but there is no drag-and drop functionality with compendia of spells and items. The format is going to be everyone using an excel sheet character sheet and rolling dice either with a Discord bot or in a 3d dice room. I'm planning on initially using Tableplop, and maybe supplementing with Foundry, with perhaps with a 3d option like Talespire or Rpg Stories for some scenes (I'd just stream that if I did it so everyone wouldn't have to purchase it). I set up battlemaps like a Warhammer board instead of 5ft squares -- instead, I use a 1ft=1square grid so you can move in increments other than 5', and AoO zones can overlap in more complex ways. I use a square template around the the tokens to designate AoO and reach zones.
The other format elements are voice on Discord or Zoom (no cameras), along with some audio-visual props like mood music and mood images.
My style tends to be highly sandbox -- I have an overall idea of a story, but the campaign has the general shape of an ubisoft open world game or an MMO. There's a 'major story arc', but also a high level of sandbox site-based activities. This kind of game works best for players that are fairly self-motivated and are able to develop goals for their characters -- setting up a shop, establishing a temple etc.
I prefer playing with players that are fairly self motivated/active instead of sort of trying to follow a predetermined plot arc of some kind and have a more passive approach. If that sounds interesting to you, send me a DM and we'll chat further.
I am looking for one more player for this game. The current party is:
Human Bloodrager 1 / Fighter (Free Hand) 3 / Ninja (Yokai Scion) Human Marksman (Spearman) 3 / Soulknife (Soulbolt) Dwarf S Class Monk 3/ S Class Fighter (High Guardian/Mutation Warrior) Samsaran VizieS Class Arcanist (player that has to drop) Ancient Lorekeeper S-Class Oracle/Virtious Bravo S-Class Paladin Human Soulknife//Psychic Warrior

Hey there, I'm EST, but I am running a really complex homebrew PF1e game in the middle of the night Tuesday morning 3am-5am my time, so I'm looking for players in the Australian, New Zealand, and similar Oceania time zones. One (1) of our six players just had to drop because of a theater commitment -- the new player would be coming in on session 4.
This is a classic high fantasy game in a homebrew world influenced/inspired by Hickman and Weiss properties like Sovereign Stone and Dragonlance.
The main set up is five elementally-aligned continents with god-dragon chromatic dragon rulers (Red for the 'fire' continent, etc.). The twist in this world is that the chromatic dragons have dual elemental or para/quasi-elemental affiliations -- fire/earth aspected red dragons; wood/ash aspected green dragons, etc. There's a artifact mcguffin quest involving a trinity of magical swords created by an ancient elven civilization. The beginning locale is an isolated township near the edge of a plateau, the base of which is a desert. The plateau is the former domain of an evil grey elf empire that still nominally controls some former territories. The nearby area has recently been afflicted by raids from the forces of the Legion of Thorns -- an army of goblinoids directed by a trio of half watehalf-earth elemental green dragon dragon lords.
Here's a summary of the initial set-up:
The isolated settlement known as the Township of Gryphonton was founded on the periphery of the fallen Serene and Implacable Grey Elven Empire of Thasmudyan*. The Grey Elf cabals who founded the empire were the previous masters of the region, and ruled cruelly as emissaries of the* Serpent or Deceiver*, a mysterious god of deception, hidden knowledge, and tyranny who wishes to dominate all mortal life. The* Township of Gryphonton was built on the ruins of an ancient avalari/avalarai (high elf/sun elf) city known as Tyr-Haishen*. The remnants of the monumental architecture of the avalari metropolis still dot the countryside and farms surrounding the* Township of Gryphonton*.* Tyr-Haishen was sacked by the legions of Thasmudyan during its third period of expansion.
The Township of Gryphonton is situated in a hinterland region on the edge of the elevated plateau that contains the Inland Sea of Helacar*, also known as the* Crescent Sea or the Scimitar Sea*, which comprised the former heartlands of the* Empire of Thasmudyan*. The* Peninsula of Charcardon and the Lordship Isle of Charachon in the Crescent Sea were the site of the former Imperial Capital known as the Iron City of Chararcheron*.
The empire of the grey elves fell in a civil war between the three greatest cabals of the Grey Elves -- the* Cabal of Purity*, the* Cabal of Majesty*, and the* Cabal of Mysteries*. The* Cabal of Mysteries attempted to replace the hereditary human and half-orc janissary and mamluk corps of the empire with more pliable legions of troll helots. The resulting conflict tore the empire into competing factions that were finally disbanded by the assault of the Legion of Thorns*, a vast army of goblinoids directed by the* Venom Pact -- a triune of ancient Green Dragons -- against the Iron City of Chararcheron*. The* Iron City of Chararcheron was sacked, as well as many important cities of the north shore of the Inland Sea. The grey elves (sub-races of which are known as the sable elves, stone elves, or mist elves) abandoned the Iron City of Chararcheron and established a new, hidden enclave in the Marshes of Chalimbar known as the Hidden City of Cinsex*.*
The grey elf cabals of the Hidden City of Cinsex still dispatch armed battalions to collect the Imperial Levy from former dependencies, including the Township of Gryphonton*. Despite the merchant clans having overthrown the hereditary nobility of the region, the assessors of the new capital have regularly dispatched companies of* Emerald Drake Mercenaries*, accompanied and directed by an* Imperial Mesmerist and a Serpentine Inquisitor of the Deceiver*, to levy taxes on the settlement. One such detachment is currently present in the* Township of Gryphonton*.*
The ruined Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*, a relic of the* Kingdom of Ceradalor*, a human and half-elf successor state of the avalari realm centered on* Tyr-Haishen*, has recently become the subject of considerable speculation. The old keep overlooks the streets of the* Township of Gryphonton from it's perch atop Thunderclap Bluff, a jagged massif that arises violently from the surrounding Forest of Talons*. Travelers along the winding* Road of Lammashedu*, an ancient pathway through the forests which is made of an immense quantity of some kind of enchanted mountain ash piled one story in height and some forty feet in breadth, have claimed that lights have been seen in the heights of* Dolor's Peak*, the highest pinnacle of* Thunderclap Bluff from which rise the foundations of the Fortress of Byrones' Sighs*. The talk of the* Dancing Ogre Inn beside the Quickwash River in the Milk District of Gryphonton is that the old fort has been reoccupied by goblinoid forces associated with the Legion of Thorns -- purportedly a tribe that has specifically devoted themselves to Venrimthaargamanix*, the most deceitful and acquisitive member of the trinity of green dragons known as the* Venom Pact*.* Venrimthaargamanix*, also known as the* Prince of Poison*, has purportedly directed his forces to occupy the ancient citadel for unknown ends...*
The chief patron deities of Grypthonton are the temples of the solar dragon goddesses of sunrise (Selys-Satra-Satama), midday (Xylynyn-Aoil), and sunset (Zulidrasamra-Xezyn) are remnants of the ancient avalari culture. The three temples of the Three -- all daughters of the Dragon God of Light, Goodness, and Glory Kheryth-Khatar Brahamasramanachamarama-Bahmut*. Their greatest festival occurs during the* Blessed Month of Ti-Akooman*, a holy period of 27 days in the sacred calendar which separates the springtide months of* Harvesttide and Brightblossom in the Daleshaart calendar of the Southern Daleshires of the Charcaradon Peninsula*. The greatest rite of this sacred month is the* Festival of Fortune's Full Favor in honor of the goddess of the noonday sun Xylynyn-Aoil*. The procession of the khopesh (egyptian sickle-sword) of the sun-elf hero-ancestor* Daiklantanes Sungleam upon a heavily ornamented palanquin is the high point of the festival. A collection of unlikely heroes observed the procession and the startling theft of the relic by a mysterious woman with a slave brand from the Citadel of Tarim*, who disappeared after assuming a verminous wereform. Her escape was covered by the appearance of hobgoblin troops from the sewers of Gryphonton, presumably servants of the* Venom Pact*. The proceedings were watched with suspicious intent by the Imperial Mesmerist Sebastien D'zantir, a half-elf dispatched by the savants of the Cabal of the Mysteries in the Hidden City of Cinsex. The hobgoblin raiders lit several fires to cover their retreat. The heroes then consulted the local high priestess of* Xylynyn-Aoil*, one* Ankhsunammun p'ten Ahamkhashara*, one of the so-called 'dragonchildren' who possess the blood of their sacred patron and her children. The priestess hypothesized that the relic had been seized by a mysterious alliance of the savants of the* Virtuous and the forces of the Venom Pact -- perhaps the high hierophants of the cabal sought to make common cause with their purported enemy to bring about the downfall of their rivals for rule of the former imperial territories and the matchless spires of the Hidden City*? In any event, the truth of the matter could only be plumbed by descending into the vast underworks of* Gryphonton known as the Veins of the Griffon*. An unlikely collection of heroes descended into the sewers and defeated several powerful giant mantis shrimp...*
Rules Stuff:
Mechanically, there are a boatload of mechanical adumbrations to the magic and combat system -- Path of War, Akasha from Dreamscarred Press and Advanced Arcana from Necromancers of the Northwest (the former adds new subsystems, while the latter hugely expands what the 'base' spellcasting classes can do with spells). Consequently, this won't be a good game for those new to the system unless you have a lot of experience with ttrpgs and can make a character largely on your own by reading a rule book. I'm intending to have a session 0 that covers setting up whatever VTT is used and going over plot/world details -- it won't be 6-8 hrs of making characters step by step as a group; the expectation would be that players are able to do that almost entirely on their own. Other rules items are things like feat-tax adjustments, gestalt, path of war 'sparking', 5e style split movement, parry as a basic combat option.
Primarily looking for players that would be satisfied basically playing core rule book and near core rule book races -- elves, half-elves, gnomes, dwarves, half-orcs, orcs, humans, halflings -- I'm open to variations on these like unusual subraces, as long as it doesn't end up with a party of drow nobles. I'd also be open to a limited number of anthropomorphic animal people like otterkin, but, again, I don't want a whole party of kitsune -- like 1-2 of these kinds of 'unusual' races in a party of 6. For dragon-like races, only kobolds with dragon-aspirant kinds of classes or maybe half-dragons of some kind -- I don't want dragon pcs or anything like that.
For a VTT, b/c of the home brew elements, and the difficulty of getting that into a VTT, I'm just using it to move tokens. It would be too difficult to program home brew rules into something like Foundry. I try to have nice, full-color maps for most things, but there is no drag-and drop functionality with compendia of spells and items. The format is going to be everyone using an excel sheet character sheet and rolling dice either with a Discord bot or in a 3d dice room. I'm planning on initially using Tableplop, and maybe supplementing with Foundry, with perhaps with a 3d option like Talespire or Rpg Stories for some scenes (I'd just stream that if I did it so everyone wouldn't have to purchase it). I set up battlemaps like a Warhammer board instead of 5ft squares -- instead, I use a 1ft=1square grid so you can move in increments other than 5', and AoO zones can overlap in more complex ways. I use a square template around the the tokens to designate AoO and reach zones.
The other format elements are voice on Discord or Zoom (no cameras), along with some audio-visual props like mood music and mood images.
My style tends to be highly sandbox -- I have an overall idea of a story, but the campaign has the general shape of an ubisoft open world game or an MMO. There's a 'major story arc', but also a high level of sandbox site-based activities. This kind of game works best for players that are fairly self-motivated and are able to develop goals for their characters -- setting up a shop, establishing a temple etc.
I prefer playing with players that are fairly self motivated/active instead of sort of trying to follow a predetermined plot arc of some kind and have a more passive approach. If that sounds interesting to you, send me a DM and we'll chat further.
I am looking for one more player for this game. The current party is:
Human Bloodrager 1 / Fighter (Free Hand) 3 / Ninja (Yokai Scion) Human Marksman (Spearman) 3 / Soulknife (Soulbolt) Dwarf S Class Monk 3/ S Class Fighter (High Guardian/Mutation Warrior) Samsaran VizieS Class Arcanist (player that has to drop) Ancient Lorekeeper S-Class Oracle/Virtious Bravo S-Class Paladin Human Soulknife//Psychic Warrior
​

I posted this in other LGBTQ+ subreddits, but not this one. Also, since pride month is coming up, it made me think of this again. I'd also like to know about who you think of when it comes to closeted characters.
When I look back at some of the shows and movies I watched as a kid, I realize that some characters weren't straight, or didn't seem straight. A lot of things that I couldn't understand at the time, like innuendos, were easily missed because I wasn't exposed to LGBTQ+ stuff at the time. I didn't even know gay people existed until 2011 when I started high school and further didn't know that some of my friends were closeted before that. They all might not be confirmed though, but are for speculation. So looking back, I can think of some characters from a few shows and movies. If you have any or want to talk about what I responded with, feel free to reply.
Notes: 1) I’m not adding Velma because there is a current lesbian Velma post-2015 and she was confirmed to be queer-coded in previous incarnations. But for the sake of Velma, there are instances where she is with Daphne and checks her out even though she crushes on male characters in the shows. In the 2002 movie, Scooby Doo, Velma and Daphne kiss, but it’s taken out of the movie to keep it PG. 2) For the same reason, I won’t add Korra and Asami as there is a confirmation in The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars. 3) Examples that don’t have some level of a firm confirmation, or that are a longer series, will have more detailed explanations so if you want the TLDR, just bolded titles. 4) Also not adding Marceline and Bonnibel Bubblegum because they've been confirmed
Mulan (1998): Li Shang - biromantic.
Li Shang develops romantic feelings for “Ping” until realizing he’s a woman and gets disappointed. Later on, he develops romantic feelings for Mulan. I didn’t realize it until someone pointed it out later on some time on social media. Like most Disney films, the attraction between them tends to build in the middle of the movie before the climax or during the rising action. In the movie, when they are training, Li Shang pays more attention to “Ping” than he does to the other soldiers. This happens at the same time when the romance normally starts in Disney movies as I mentioned earlier, during the rising action and before the climax. If we’re going to look for the most possible straight explanation for this, he was impressed by the skills “Ping” demonstrated. Eventually, he was disappointed that “Ping” was really a woman named Mulan; and with her being a woman, it wasn’t right for her to be in the army. But in the end, he falls for her anyway and they get married in Mulan II. Some people like to say that his disappointment in knowing the true gender was that he was upset about thinking he was falling for a man, but was really falling for a woman. The normal reaction would probably be shock instead of disappointment.
Victorious (2010 - 2013): Jade and Tori - questioning, heteroflexible, biromantic/bisexual
This will be my longest because it has the most potential examples, probably due to being the longest running of these. With this one, I didn't realize until earlier this month. I think everyone was completely straight except these two. I thought that maybe Jade probably developed some sort of feelings for Tori because of her ability to handle Jade’s behavior and the fact that she’s the first to stand up to her and yet still show Jade kindness. This is the classic enemies-to-lovers trope and it’s seen in some other Nickelodeon shows: Josh and Mindy from Drake & Josh (2004 – 2007), Sam and Freddie from iCarly (2007 – 2012) [however, this one wasn’t great because this relationship was short, toxic, and was only fueled by passion], and Logan and Quinn from Zoey 101 (2005 – 2008) and Zoey 102 (2023). But the likely reason behind this not happening is due to them being girls and this show not having seasons in the later years when gay marriage was legalized. However, on June 25th, 2021, one of Nickelodeon’s YouTube channels called NickRewind posted a video titled “Should Tori Vega Date Jade West Bae or Nay 🖤💔NickRewind”. This shows that Nickelodeon’s staff is aware of the fact that this could’ve and should’ve been a thing, that fans have shipped them, and that the two characters have to at least be bi since this was during Pride Month and it would’ve happened if there were more seasons after 2015.
Beck is the only other person who isn’t Tori who actively challenges Jade and puts her in her place. That may be something that she likes in a person. She seems to like someone who stands up for themselves against her and can match her energy. The only other character Jade crushes on, along with Cat and Tori, is Moose in the episode “Three Girls and a Moose” but he’s the only one of Jade’s romantic interests who doesn’t challenge her because she doesn’t antagonize him. In many instances, Jade mocks Tori using a Southern Belle accent or a 1940s movie star accent. Tori usually defends herself by saying she doesn’t talk like that. This interaction implies that they don't like each other. But, this could provide Jade some sort of enjoyment for a few reasons: 1) mocking someone like what she does with Cat sometimes when she laughs, and/or 2) the fact that she knows Tori will defend herself might be a turn-on for Jade, which would then lead to 3) Jade does this because she secretly views Tori as someone sweet, popular, and attractive. The fact that Tori doesn’t get everyone else to turn on Jade, which very much could’ve happened if she wanted to as she is very likable and has gained the loyalty of the majority of the group, shows Tori cares enough about Jade to want to be her friend. Eventually, they respect each other to the point of helping each other and Jade somewhat admits that Tori is a friend of hers. This shows that Tori’s persistence and general nice nature worked on Jade of all people. This is the classic enemies-to-friends trope. But it felt like there was more between these two that I didn’t realize until now.
(Jade and Tori helping each other [Mainly Jade needing Tori’s help])
Jade goes to Tori for help whether or not Beck is an option as it seems she allows herself to be vulnerable around her despite claiming Tori as her rival that she doesn’t like (although, the rivalry is one-sided). Jade could go to anyone when she’s upset and needs help but usually chooses Tori. Tori is the person Jade goes to especially when it’s about Beck. One would assume that she would go to André because he is the level-headed one of the group and is Beck’s best friend, which could mean he would know Beck more to help her about their relationship issues. Another assumption would be that she could also go to Cat for help seeing as she is her best female friend in the beginning of the show (mainly because she can’t see Cat as a threat) but Cat is a very ditzy person and might not be as helpful. She could even go to her own boyfriend unless it’s about him. If she hates Tori so much and nobody else would be available, she could go to Robbie; but similar to Cat, he might not be much help. Jade and Tori also push each other to do things that benefit them when they don’t think they can. In “Jade Dumps Beck” Jade comes to Tori’s house and uses a broken kite as a metaphor for her problem and that Tori is the one she needs to go to in order to fix it. In “Freak the Freak Out” Jade, along with Cat, need Tori to defeat Hayley and Tara. This was also Jade’s plan and not necessarily Cat’s, but Cat agreed that it was a good one. In “Wok Star,” Jade needs Tori’s help again because of Jade’s play and her dad. She even hugs Tori after she receives help because she felt that she couldn’t deny Tori’s request for a hug. Tori prevents Sheema from brutally hurting Jade any further in “Locked Up!” This also shows that while Jade can insult people, she can’t fight. Ironically, she needs Tori, who is visibly skinnier than her and not aggressive at all, to protect her.
(Jade and Tori interacting well)
Throughout the show, we slowly see them become less hostile to each other. At the end of the “Stage Fighting” episode, they work together to clean up the set. This is probably due to Jade’s inability to accept the fact that she could owe Tori a favor and some level of guilt because Tori took all of the blame while knowing Jade lied. When Tori is trying to figure out what to give Trina in “The Birthweek Song”, Jade suggests some talent. This could be interpreted as Jade acknowledging Tori has talent, but she didn’t say that Tori should give some of her talent; and therefore, this might just be her way of saying Trina is untalented. Jade also doesn’t get as bothered as before about being touched when Tori does it in later episodes like in “Survival of the Hottest/Trapped in an RV” and in that episode, Jade and Tori share the last drop of water from a water bottle. In “Beck’s Big Break,” Jade tries to stop Tori from correcting Melinda Murray. This may be because she doesn’t want Tori to get in trouble even though that seems out of character for Jade. The other possibility is the fear that Beck would get fired because she cares for her boyfriend. They also work together to destroy a car in “The Wood” even though it ends with them damaging Festus’ car. They end up singing “Forever Baby” in both English and Spanish on cue. Also, in one of the segments for The Slap, there’s a request that someone gives to Tori to have someone who she doesn’t like very much peel dry glue that Tori should pour onto one of her hands while playing “Make It Shine” in the background. She picks Jade, who also doesn’t want to be with her; but in the end, they are enjoying themselves.
(Romantic/suggestive moments)
In “The Wood” after Jade tells Tori about her things in her room, she does a weird smirk and growl at her. Although it seems very confusing, it still implies that Jade was interested enough to want to go into her room. Although Jade made a growl like noise to Tori, Tori is confused. One would think that Jade making that comment implies Tori has things like sex toys. But Tori would’ve be embarrassed instead of confused. In “Tori Gets Stuck” when Tori is woozy, Jade offers to take her off Tori’s dress as an attempt to try to take the lead role from Tori in the Steamboat Suzy play. It’s obvious that she wants the lead role; but on top of nearly killing her in this episode, she is also willing to remove her clothes without shame. Then in the next episode, “Prom Wrecker” when Tori licks Jade’s can of Wahoo Punch out of anger for Jade ruining the Prome and Jade still continues to drink out of it either because she doesn’t care or because it’s the closest opportunity Jade will have to “kissing” Tori. They also wear similar dresses, but in different colors which can be seen as an obsession Jade has over Tori. Jade’s side of the story in “Who did it to Trina?” involves Tori asking “Why can’t I be pretty like you?” and Jade further goes along with the idea of Tori thinking she’s pretty by responding to Tori’s comment about Jade being demented with “Oh, so you think I’m pretty and demented?” which is something she probably longs for Tori to tell her (the pretty part). Jade also insults her in a way that also makes Tori seem perfect like she usually does. Tori points at Jade when she says “Baby, til you believe” during the “365 Days” performance in “Jade Gets Crushed. Jade knows that Tori isn’t pointing at Beck because she traces the finger to her left and looks that way and sees Lane dancing and probably assumes it was for him or that she was randomly pointing. Jade doesn’t assume Tori would point at her because Jade probably can’t fathom Tori being into her after their interactions. Then the next line is “It’s not just a phase.” Many people can associate this phrase with people who are openly LGBTQ+ and Tori pointed at Jade, so that could be another hint. This could’ve been some way for Tori to try to express feelings towards Jade without being so obvious. In “A Christmas Tori” there are a few instances of Jade’s potential crush on Tori. When Cat gives Jade a pair of scissors from “The Scissoring” Tori asks if it’s the movie about the girl who comes back from the dead and uses a pair of scissors on her two best friends. Beck replies with “Yep.” Jade, while staring at Tori, responds with “Starting with the pretty girl.” This implies that she thinks that Tori is pretty. Before revealing that she is Tori’s secret Santa, Jade allows Tori to pat her down to check if she has her new scissors on her. Keep in mind that Jade has stated that she hates being touched. While doing a pat down, Tori glances at Jade’s breasts twice (it’s possible this could’ve been Victoria Justice’s own intention in the moment, but still). As for Jade’s present to Tori, an idea for André’s project, there are moments in the choreographed performance where Tori touches Jade twice, on her nose and then on her back directly above her butt. Also, the “Jack Frost nipping at your nose” lyrics are accompanied with Tori touching Jade’s nose and then Jade growls. Keep in mind that this is Jade’s present to Tori. Therefore, the touching and every other choreographed part had to have been Jade’s idea, the same girl who supposedly hates being touched. It’s also worth mentioning that earlier in the episode Jade is upset that she has to be Tori’s secret Santa and begs for Sikowitz to assign her anyone else. Either she hates Tori and can’t stand the idea of giving her a gift, or she is secretly in love Tori and is afraid to give Tori a meaningful gift and potentially reveal her feelings towards Tori. So for her gift, this could be her attempt in this assignment to not only give Tori a present, but to exchange physical contact. She could’ve realized that she could avoid giving Tori something that reveals her feelings by instead turning it into an opportunity for Tori to help André. Beck has mentioned in “Jade Dumps Beck” that the only thing Jade has given him for one of his birthdays was a can of lemonade. This brings another question: If she had anyone else, what would she give? Is she a bad gift giver? Beck is her boyfriend and she couldn’t even find an appropriate gift for him on his birthday. With André’s dilemma, she could’ve helped him with his project. She basically did considering her gift to Tori was an idea for his presentation. Considering Beck’s dilemma, she could’ve found a way to catch and/or kill the cricket. That leaves 2 other people, Robbie and Cat. She probably could’ve helped Robbie or Cat by getting them to finally confess their feelings and become a couple. This episode would’ve probably made her learn how to give a meaningful gift either way. But the question remains, why was she so against the idea of being her secret Santa? What would she do if André didn’t need help and Tori found a way to give him a meaningful gift? Is it her hate for Tori that makes her not want to give her a gift? Does she have romantic feelings for Tori and therefore her giving her a gift will flood her mind with thoughts of Tori and frustrate Jade more? “Tori and Jade’s Playdate” shows that Jade finally receives the wish of being called pretty by Tori. After complaining about each other, Tori suggests that they have a conversation and compliment each other. Jade says to Tori that her singing isn’t awful. Tori then says she admires that Jade isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. Jade then awkwardly says that Tori is pretty at certain angles. Tori genuinely smiles after hearing that. But when Jade wants Tori to tell her that she is pretty, Tori does so and they become silent. Their reactions upon being called pretty from each other made it seem like Jade always wanted to hear Tori call her pretty and Tori always wanted to hear Jade call her pretty. Simultaneously, it seemed like they both wanted to call each other pretty. But when it happens, they don't know how to respond. One thing that gets noticed is that Tori wears a necklace that somehow gets worn by Jade after the episode. This implies that Tori gave it to her, or she stole it. But it wouldn’t really add up. That necklace has been with Tori for a while. Why would she suddenly give it to Jade if no feelings were involved? Was she being nice and gifted it to her? Why would Jade specifically choose to wear that necklace later on? How did Jade get it? Could she have stolen it? Or did she feel some way for her? In “Tori Goes Platinum,” while Jade says that she looks like an idiot, Tori replies with “A … pretty pink idiot … with a thing on her head.” This is another moment where Tori calls Jade pretty, but this time without being asked to. In the episode “Brain Squeezers” after attempting to lie to Tori to get on Tori’s team and failing, Jade grabs Tori’s shirt before threatening her and then glances inside it looking at Tori’s bra/breasts as she does so. (Again, can’t tell if this was Elizabeth’s wandering eyes thing or a Jade thing). While it was an April Fools’ episode, in “April Fools Blank” Jade tickles Tori and Tori invites it by lifting up her shirt in a way that looks suggestive.
(Moments where they have to or unintentionally act like a couple)
They have had to act like a couple in “Helen Back Again” for a lesson about subtext with Cat being their daughter. In “Car, Rain & Fire” they unintentionally act like a tired, married couple who take their annoying daughter somewhere. In this case, Cat is the “daughter” again. Tori even reminds Jade about soaking in the fumes of Mona Patterson. Tori is sitting shotgun instead of Cat, the person who wanted to do this, and when Cat starts to cry, Tori tells Jade “Just drive the child to San Diego.” And in the “Tori and Jade’s Playdate” episode, they play a couple. I think the writers poke fun at the idea of them being a couple, but all it does is make fans want more and it comes off as queer baiting.
(Others)
In “Crazy Ponnie” Jade is interested in getting a Tori doll similar to the one in the episode, possibly because it’s Tori or the fact that it said it was evil. In “The Hambone King” Jade is the first to point out that Tori won.
(TheSlap)
On a picture titled "Jade all prettied up" in Tori's Freak the Freak Out Gallery she tagged it as "Jade looks hot in this pic but don't tell her I said so. She doesn't like when I compliment her cuz it takes all the fun out of insulting me." Tori compliments Jade’s new look even though Jade hypothetically wouldn’t want it. Tori admits that Jade dressed pretty for the Prome. On Jade’s birthday, Tori was the only one to respond. When Jade talks about going to an abandoned mall and asking if anyone wants to come, Tori responds with a yes. Most of this just seems like Tori’s one-sided desire for Jade, whether it be physical attraction or friendship.
Kill la Kill (2013 - 2014): Ryuko and Mako - lesbians.
Mako would always have those moments where she would be near Ryuko and do some weird thing that involved touching her a lot in different places. In the last episode, she admits to Ryuko that she wants to date her and even kisses her in one of her weird moments where she says that she wants to go on a date with Ryuko when everything is done. Ryuko, under the influence of Junketsu, kisses Nui. Controlled or not, she still decided to kiss a girl. Ryuko does go on that date with Mako, even though Satsuki accompanies them. Some people argue that Ryuko and Mako aren’t lesbians and try to say that all of this is platonic. It’s probably because they, usually the homophobic ones, don’t like to admit that characters in one of their favorite shows can be gay. Also, Mako is the only one who can calm Ryuko down at times. This is either because she’s Ryuko’s friend, or maybe because Ryuko feels romantic feelings for Mako. Also, maybe the scissors are an innuendo. Yet there isn’t really a confirmation of this by the creators for some reason.

Today's anniversaries are:
2011

• Neal Morse - Testimony 2 (progressive rock)

2012

• Gorod - A Perfect Absolution (death metal, metal, pestilence, France)
  
• Heathen Beast - The Drowning of the Elephant God (black metal, death metal, extreme metal, metal, heavy metal, Kolkata)
  
• ハイスイノナサ (Haisuinonasa) - 動物の身体 (Dōbutsu no karada) (alternative, japan, japanese, electronic, post-rock, rock, Japan)
  

2015

• The Aristocrats - Tres caballeros (Rock)

2017

• Anal Trump - If You Wanted to Qualify for Health Insurance, Then Maybe You Shouldn't Have Gotten Raped? (metal, rob crow, anal cunt, grindcore, travis ryan, trump, trumpcore, San Diego)
  
• Anubis - The Second Hand (alternative, art rock, cinematic rock, prog, progressive rock, rock, cinematic, concept album, progressive metal, Sydney)
  
• Highrock - The Concept of Eternity (alternative, progressive rock, rock, ambeint, ambient, dark ambient, doomy, post-rock, progressive, psychedelic, Truro)
  
• The Voices - A Glimpse into the Absurd (a cappella, avant-garde, choir, experimental, Italy)
  

2018

• Anubis - Different Stories (art rock, cinematic rock, prog, progressive rock, rock, prog folk, Sydney)
  
• Away to Die - Walls of Suffering (black metal, death metal, deathcore, metal, metalcore, hardcore, melodic death metal, Canada)
  
• Darshan Pulse - Olive Moksha (buddhist rock, concept albums, progressive, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock, art rock, concept album, instrumental, instrumental rock, rock in opposition, Missoula)
  
• Mouse on the Keys - Tres (math rock, experimental, instrumental, piano, post rock, progressive, Tokyo)
  
• The Alex Jones Prison Planet - Super Heavy Galactic Stuff (metal, beatdown, brutal death metal, death metal, groove metal, super heavy galactic stuff, Waterbury)
  
• འབྲུག་མོ་རྒྱལ། ('Abruga mo rgyala / Drukmo Gyal Dakini) - བོད་ཀྱི་འདོན་དབྱངས། (Boda kyi 'adona dabyangasa / Tibetan Healing Chants, Ancient Mind Protection from Himalayas) (healing mantras and prayers., tibetan mantras, tibetan music, world, Tallinn)
  

2019

• Dead Robot - We Create the Machine (drum & bass, jazz, electronic music, modern jazz, Madrid) Read our review.
  
• Kenner - 8-Ball City (funk, fusion, jazz, rock, snarky puppy, vulfpeck, berklee college of music, cory henry, gentle giant, herbie hancock, jacob collier, knower, New York)
  
• Lake Saint-John Power & Paper Cie. - L'Odyssée des bâtisseurs (doom, montréal, rock, rock franco, stoner rock, Montreal)
  
• Lowercase Numbers - No Songs about Girls (rock, emo, instrumental, math pop, math rock, prog rock, Boone)
  
• Var - The Never-Ending Year (alternative, dream pop, icelandic music, indie, indie rock, post-rock, power pop, shoegaze, Iceland)
  
• ゴタンダ (Gotanda) - Almost Free Jazz for Totally Busy People (experimental, metal, progressive rock, russia, saxophone, Nizhny Novgorod) Read our review.
  

2020

• Jin Jellic - Tonic (math rock, jazz fusion)
  
• Rob Magill's Human Resources Dance Ensemble - Sonics (experimental jazz)
  
• Roland Dahinden, Hildegard Kleeb, and Cameron Harris - Dancing a Stone (free improvisation)
  
• 洪蒙 (Hùng mùng) & Roman Stolyar - 逆境出人才 (Nìjìng chū réncái / Adversity Yields Flair) (experimental jazz)
  

2022

• Demersal, Piet Onthel, Letterbombs, and Vientre - 4-Way Split (grindcore)
  
• Homeskin - Fixated on an Image (atmospheric black metal)
  
• Hothouse - Light Was Brighter (post-punk)
  
• Katharos ⅩⅢ - Chthonian Transmissions (atmospheric doom metal, dark jazz)
  
• Oscob - Praise the Sun God (vaporwave)
  
• Rubber Tea - Greenhouse Session (progressive rock)
  
• Slamadeus - Slamphony № 1 (brutal death metal)
  
• The Mango Furs - Brain Drain (psychedelic rock)
  
• Unstoppable Sweeties Show - Sleep Less (experimental rock)
  

2023

• Anarchy - Retching Necropolis (progressive thrash metal)
  
• Terminal Sleep - Chapter 2: Elicit Fear (hardcore)
  
• ᚢᚾᛗᚢᛏᛖ (Unmute) - ᚢᚾᛗᚢᛏᛖ (Unmute) (free improvisation)
  

I've been thinking about the socio-political landscape Marvel's new Ultimate Universe is playing in and I wanted to Green Lantern to do the same. Let me know what you think or what ideas you have, for any character!
I'll begin by outlining a return to concept for the mythos and expansion of it, the Green Lantern mythos will feel very Silver Age mixed with Earth One.
The Lanterns are an order of wandering space knights/lone space rangers, they have little to no contact with the Guardians of Oa who are in tune with a sort of cosmic Dharma. The Guardians' enigmatic ways are only briefly illuminated when they contact one of their agents to dispatch them on a particular mission of import.
The Lanterns are powerful, few and far between, whose heroic deeds and championship of the oppressed are welcome to some and rebuffed by others but are nonetheless legendary among the spaceways.
A Green Lantern can do anything. They wield the ultimate tool capable of turning thought into reality, a magical wishing ring with a sci-fi coat of paint. The green energy is just that, energy, not "willpower in energy form", not a part of an emotional spectrum. The ring harnesses the energy and it is controlled by the user's will; a simple, elegant concept, as intended. Anyone can use the ring. Everyone has will, everyone has to capacity to dream and wish for a better tomorrow. Anyone can pick up and use the ring.
Rings don't fly out and choose bearers, although the Lanterns can select their own successors if they wish. The idea is that rings can be lost to history or that anyone can come across a fallen Green Lantern and take the ring if they desire to. Their mettle will be judged by the Guardians, who one might assume would care if their artifacts go missing, but their ways are so esoteric and their vision so grand that one cannot assume anything.
Some themes or ideas that I think would be prevalent are: action vs inaction, choice, the horror but also the liberation that comes with the revelation that you have to fight for the future you want, and ultimately, hope.
Touchstones: Jonathan Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man, Deniz Camp's The Ultimates, Immortal Thor by Al Ewing, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Star Trek The Original Series, Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (lonely humans escape an Earth ravaged by capitalism and war and attempt to colonize Mars by not addressing their faults and recreating the world they left behind)
The Ultimate/Absolute Green Lantern is the prime opportunity to create a brand new character but I do want to focus on reimagining Hal Jordan for this as I think he fits the mold of the space knight/space ranger quite well.
Hal loves space, flight and science. But he is alienated, isolated, an disillusioned in the modern world - I'm not sure if it should just straight up be the world we live in but stripped of all pretense and dialled up to 11 or some sort of proxy like Earth 6160. He hates that society has turned away from science and exploration, what neoliberalism and capitalism has done, how corporations and the wealthy few stamp on the rest of society while relying on them to fuel their profits. This is a world of constant consumption and empty symbols of progress to distract people from that fact that things will never improve for them or for their children. This is a truly decadent world that is slowly devouring itself. Wars are waged and lives stolen over the most pointless of things. The Amazon rainforest is being cut down, the icecaps are melting, the oceans are acidifying, the Earth is warming but no-one cares. They don't care or they can't care because it's too much or it isn't in their field of view, not in their immediate future. The rich and powerful will gladly sacrifice the world of tomorrow if it means their coffers are a little heavier today. But you'd be surprised at how soon tomorrow arrives.
Hal laments the squandering of the human spirit - which is maybe what he represents - the desire to be free and with purpose, to be able to wander and explore, to know what's beyond the next horizon.
I'd liken Hal to Alex from The Last Starfighter, a kid with big dreams but he can't cut it or he hasn't been given the opportunity, at least not in this society.
Hal's father was a pilot in the military and died fighting in yet another 'war' (conflict breeds innovation! Buy, buy, buy!). Hal dislikes the US military and isn't won over by the government providing the bare minimum support for his mother and his brothers, which dribbles down to nothing over time. Hal has always wanted to be an astronaut but his want takes a hit when the military later co-ops NASA, subsuming it into the American war machine. But it's still his dream to work in space, to work with and fly cutting edge technology, so he has to pursue that even if it means joining the military, even if it tears his soul in half. But even then, they still hurt him because he isn't accepted when he gives a truthful answer in testing: he wouldn't shoot down an enemy plane, he would not take a life.
Hal goes to university for an aerospace engineering degree but finds himself out of work. Turns out telling everyone to get a STEM degree because those fields of work are where the most lucrative opportunities are found leaves you with an oversaturated demographic of graduates looking for jobs that don't exist.
It's over. The dream is dying. And then he is chosen.
Abin Sur crashes on Earth. Knowing he is not long for this world, he wishes to find a successor.
My ring was drawn to a man from Earth whose spirit of adventure and quest for knowledge outstripped even my own. A man of tremendous conviction and a passion for justice. This last deed, then, would be my legacy.

• JLA: Secret Origins (2002) #1

Hal is summoned to Abin who explains his cause but even in his awe, even though his soul screams to accept the offer, he hesitates. To adapt a quote from The Last Starfighter:
"Listen, Abin, I'm not like you or any of those guys. I'm just a kid who couldn't cut it."
"If that's what you think, then that's all you'll ever be!"
Hal is chosen and it is cathartic.

• DC: The New Frontier (2004) #5

The Green Lantern represents a chance to realize not just individual desires but a revolution for humanity. Open now is the door of possibility; the understanding that we are not alone; to ability to question what are we doing and why are we living like this?
Now we have the tools to help.

• Green Lantern: Earth One (2018) vol. 1

I'm tired of the idea that heroes can't facilitate change. I don't want more fighting just to restore the status quo. There is a difference between strongarming the governments and corporations into submission, thereby enforcing your will onto others, and being an equalizing force for the people to actually have the chance to say what they want and do what's best for them.
Making the world a better place should by priority #1 for Hal and perhaps once he's on that path or has made significant leeway then he is contacted by the Guardians of Oa - who reveal they have been observing the entire time to determine what kind of Green Lantern Hal might be, if he has "the right stuff" - to welcome him among the Corps and Earth among the free worlds of the galaxy.
From here, Hal is out there protecting and exploring the cosmos, not just for himself but for humanity as well. He gets to fulfil that childhood dream of being an astronaut and pioneer as he relays his findings back to Earth's scientific community. Hal's adventures follow the tone of Star Trek The Original Series, Doctor Who, even The Twilight Zone and convey a sense of vastness, isolation, and exploration; around every corner is something new (but also ancient) and the awe and terror of the unknown is real. There are so many genres to play with, from space opera to space fantasy to hard sci-fi to cosmic horror, Hal is an intergalactic lawman placed in morality plays and ethical allegories. Maybe a nascent spacefaring humanity can join Hal among the stars aboard an exploration vessel so that he has a consistent (or semi-consistent depending on how independent they might want to be) supporting cast of characters.
Also, Hal's costume (and the Lanterns in general?) should totally be pseudo-astronaut suits.
Art by YLWastronaut