"Music explains itself. It is the road and the map that shows the road."
"Can you explain how music works without using music?"
That brought me up short.

"The majority of important things cannot be said outright," Elodin said. "They cannot be made explicit. They can only be implied." He looked... around the lecture hall. "Name something that cannot be explained."
...
"Naming?" Fenton asked.
"That is a cheap answer Re'lar," Elodin said with a hint of reproach. "But you correctly anticipate the theme of my lecture so we will let it slide." He pointed at me.
"There isn't anything that can't be explained," I said firmly. "If something can be understood, it can be explained. A person might not be able to do a good job of explaining it. But that just means it's hard, not that it's impossible."
Elodin held up a finger. "Not hard or impossible. Merely pointless. Some things can only be inferred." He gave me an infuriating smile. "By the way, your answer should have been music."
"Music explains itself," I said. "It is the road and it is the map that shows the road. It is both together."
"But can you explain how music works?" Elodin asked.
"Of course," I said. Though I wasn't sure of any such thing.
"Can you explain how music works without using music?"
That brought me up short.

...he added a small, frightened silence to the larger, hollow one. They made an alloy of sorts, a harmony.
"...and the final ring was without name."

...my mind used the first door [the door of sleep] to numb the pain. The wound was covered until the proper time for healing could come. In self-defense, a good portion of my mind simply stopped working - went to sleep, if you will.
Of course I played. It was my only solace.
Eventually I could play from when I woke until the time I slept.
I began to play something other than songs... I would play until I got the feeling right.
I remember spending three whole days trying to capture Wind Turning a Leaf.
Somewhere in the third month, I stopped looking outside and started looking inside for things to play.

He looked at me. His dark eyes steadied me somewhat. Slowed the storm inside me. "Aerlevsedi," he said. "Say it."
"What?" Simmon said somewhere in the distant background. "Wind?"
"Aerlevsedi" Elodin repeated patiently, his dark eyes intent upon my face.
"Aerlevsedi," I said numbly.
...
His eyes caught mine. The numbness faded, but the storm still turned inside my head. Then Elodin's eyes changed. He stopped looking toward me and looked into me. ... He leaned forward and his lips brushed my ear. I felt his breath. He spoke... and the storm stilled. I found a place to land."

"With my lute back in my hands, the rest of my life slid easily back into balance.

"Offstage I worry and sweat. Onstage I am calm as a windless winter night."

"What is the purpose of the Lethani?" Tempi asked.
"To give us a path to follow?" I replied.
"No," Tempi said sternly. "The Lethani is not a path."
"What is the purpose of the Lethani, Tempi?"
"To guide us in our actions. By following the Lethani, you act rightly."
"Is this not a path?"
"No. The Lethani is what helps us choose a path."

1. Local Workshops and Fabrication Labs: Establish centers equipped with tools for woodworking, metalworking, and other crafts, offering hands-on training and preserving traditional skills.
2. Material Banks: Create repositories for storing materials like wood, stone, and metal, sourced from local environments, promoting recycling and sustainable use. These materials can be purchased locally for cheap using Community Currency.
3. Tool Lending Libraries: Implement lending programs for essential tools and machinery, ensuring access for all community members.

• Offense: Heavy Screen Dependent Rushing Attack with handoff play opportunity.
• Defense: Heavy Screen Defense that is highly reliant on efficient player marking and restricting opponent player movement.

• Bretonnia is a rushing attack focused offense. They cannot reliably utilize a passing scheme on offense without substantial skill improvements to Blitzers. In most cases the opportunity cost associated with specializing passing Blitzers is too high to consider, as there are far more valuable skills available. You will be scoring touchdowns by forcing gaps in an opponents secondary and creating protected running lanes.
• The closest to a passing attack that Bretonnian teams have is the Blitzer handoff. Utilizing the catch skill, Blitzers can reliably hand off the ball to other blitzers to exploit massive running lanes if set up correctly. A handoff play has potential to cover 18 squares of space if utilized to full extent.
• Mobility is all important. You do not want your players marking an opponent unnecessarily. Freedom of movement lets you sustain your screen and drive the ball reliably. If your opponent is able to successfully box you in, Bretonnia has few reliable options to escape, this will result in stalled drives or turnovers. Prioritize freedom of movement for your players whenever possible.
• Unlike more bashier teams, you will find that the standard 4 player cage, slowly advancing up the field, will prove ineffective on offense. The Bretonnian roster simply is not strong enough, or durable enough, to do this without sacrificing players. Resorting to traditional 4 player cages on offense will result in your opponent boxing you in and smothering you.
• Effective screening will focus on establishing a wedge in the pitch between you and your opponent. All Bretonnian offensive moves should be focused on shifting this wedge / line in relation to the drive. If performed correctly, there should be a clear line made up of your players that divides the pitch. Your objective is to bottle your opponent on the far side of the pitch away from your ball carrier. As the drive progresses, this line will move and shift. A line should always extend past blitz threat of your opponent to your ball carrier. This line does not need to be constant. You can effectively keep two space gaps between your players and maintain an effective screen. (At the risk of being two die blitzed)
• Bretonnia is highly dependent on pitch control, maintaining a solid offensive line, utilizing tackle zones properly, and taking strategic 2 die blocks with your blitzers. With the skills Fend and Wrestle, your positionals can prevent your opponent from breaking your line or blitzing around an exposed wing.
• Pace of game is highly important in all bloodbowl games. If playing skaven team, Bretonnian teams do not want to score quickly. If playing dwarves, the risk of an opponent td is less. Game Pace changes each match and should be considered in all scoring decisions.
• Bretonnian Average Score per match: 1.00

• A defensive screen is your primary defensive scheme. A guide to Defensive Screens in Bloodbowl: Here is a link detailing the inns and outs of defensive screens in Bloodbowl. There are other resources available too and some helpful videos easily available on youtube. Just search them. Screening can also be called Tackle Zone Defense. Essentially, Bretonnian defense is focused on maintaining 1 square gap distance from opponents when possible or unless it would be better to engage. (such as putting a guard blocker on a line enabling support for two blocks) Bretonnian Defensive scheme should focus on forcing your opponent to play patient and account for your tackle zones. Eventually they will make a mistake or leave an opening. When this oppening presents itself, you can exploit it with a blitz from a Blitzer.
• Cage Breaking is difficult until sufficient guard is on the team. Instead, you will likely attack the ball carrier using gap blitzes from your blitzers. With MA 7 these players, at the right time, can often manuever around an entire cage and hit the ball carrier.
• If you have an opening to attack the ball carrier with a blitzer or blocker, it is probably a good idea to do so even on a one die block. If you break a cage and free the ball, it is often a good idea to push opponent players onto the ball to scatter is. Low AGI teams might scatter the ball all the way to your line. At best this incites chaos.
• Despite wanting to bash, Bretonnian teams should take a page from elf playbooks. On defense you should limit blocks sustained at all times. You are not a high armor team especially starting out. All positionals have value and a removal impacts your teams ability to play defense.
• For passing scheme teams, it is adviseable that Bretonnian teams prioritize deep threat receivers when possible. Without much tackle, and with many catchers having access to blodge, these players can withstand multiple blocks and can easily dodge away at high probability roles. It is probably more efficient to remove a threatened receiver than it is to hit a high value player that is not impacting the current play. If a block is not possible, mark them on top and bottom to impose maximum tackle zones. Blockers are effective blitzers against blodge/dodge ball carriers.
• You must walk the tight rope of being too aggressive and too cautious with Blitzers. You must use them to win, however, if youre too aggressive they can be swallowed up and removed, either from injury or from marking. Additionally, you cannot be too cautious with them because the other two positionals are not enough to win on their own. Aggressively take optimal blitzes with your blitzers, and pull them back into a place where they have support.
• Blitzers make excellent safeties due to their movement. Always keep at least one safety and swing that safety as the offense shifts. If your opponent is attacking a wing, move your safety to the second furthest square to discourage dodge dive bombs. On the subject of safeties, it will not cost you the game if you decided to be extra cautious and pull a second safety when needed.
• Do not over extend players. Focus on maintaining your screen and coordinating with all other players on the team. No one is a lone hero for this team. What might look like an open gap to your opponents backline might instead be a trap hoping to isolate your invaluable blitzer. Remember, piece removal is not only in injury or casualty. If a zombie pins my blitzer against a sideline preventing me from standing him up and moving or else he will be pushed out, that is as good as a knock out or at the least a stun that might last multiple turns.
• Mobility is key to Bretonnian defense. Free players enable you to adjust the screen.
• A very common Bretonnian tactic is using lineman to foul players at optimal times. A stun on a ghoul in exchange for a 40k lineman is an efficient trade. This requires having one free lineman linebacker.

• On Offense, if you are reliably able to control the center 5 spaces of the pitch you should always do so when a drive starts. Unless it’s a bashier team, you will probably have the opportunity to two die block the 3 lineman your opponent has setup. Always take these 3 free blocks if you can. Always stay put when blocking to maintain your line.
• Center pitch control is vital until you have selected a running lane or identified a weakness in your opponents defense.
• Your focus on ball protection is on screening. Start thinking about your players as their 9 square tackle zones instead of their one space they occupy. It is far more valuable to screen a wing, or secure a section of the pitch with your tackle zones than sacrificing them to cage up. (This of course has exceptions).
• Utilize your blockers effectively to set up two die blocks on running lane gaps (e.g. blitzing this player on the wing frees up a lane).
• If you have secured your rushing lane and can reliably send lineman, blitzers, or blockers through it to lock down more pitch, you should do so. Your focus should always be on mobility and freedom of movement, which means you must secure the necessary pitch area to ensure you can move forward.
• When a running lane has been exploited, if you have available players you should take marks that limit mobility of opposing players ability to react to your shift.

• You do not want to be rolling dice unnecessarily. You should only be taking 1-2 blocks a play on average unless you are more risk taking. These blocks should always be two-die blocks made with either a blocker or a blitzer. (This is probably just general bloodbowl advice)
• Be aware of how your players will be pushing the opponent. Do not push opponents into your teammates unless it’s a strategic decision (such as securing the two die or eliminating a player from moving). The last thing you want to do is lock up a blocker or a lineman because you made a mistake in your push. It is usually better to stay put on a block than follow up.
• Having your player free for its next move is far more important than marking a player or getting into a scrum where you are not actually contributing to block strength. It might sound like common sense but its important especially for Bretonnian teams.

• Your blitzer is your primary ball carrier, blitzer, big guy blocker, and overall work horse for your team. It is hard to express how valuable they are to Bretonnian teams in a quantifiable way. Id say you would have a 5-10% increased chance of losing that compounds with each Blitzer you lose. Losing a Blitzer is also not just to removal. As I said earlier, if you overextend a Blitzer and get him stuck in the backfield or on the other side of the pitch trapped by opponents, that is a removal. (You should always view it this way). I have over-extended my Blitzers multiple times, it has always cost me the drive. (Recency bias be damned)
• Your Blitzers will consume all of your teams SPP. In Warhammer lore the questing knight is consumed with dreams of glory and honor and is full of pomp and swagger. This is true of Bloodbowl Blitzers too. Try to balance out SPP gain if you can, but eventually your true star player will emerge. And one day nuffle will take him from you. Below I talk about leveling the Blitzer. You can specialize them if you want.
• Far more important than taking blocks with them, or taking marks, is making sure they are highly mobile and in the game. They should be positioned in spaces that allow the Blitzer to always have an impact on the game, be it a key block or a blitz on the ball carrier, or even acting caustiously and dropping back into a safety role. If your Blitzer is marked on an opposing player and he does not have a 2 die block, or he is not supporting another block, he is out of position. With dodge, you can escape more reliably, but until then, Dodge actions are high risk maneuvers for Bretonnian teams. Do not let your Blitzer be caught. If they lock you up, they are playing you well. (As you all are probably aware, you will certainly fail that dodge re-roll that you needed to pass. Im pretty sure its in the source code of the game. )
• It is imperative that you always put your Blitzer in a position where he can be supported, or he can withdraw into protection. There may be times where you feel you have access to a wing that allows you to deep blitz your Blitzer behind their lines. This is almost always a trap. (Unless its not ). Do not run a single unprotected blitzer behind lines to threaten the ball unless it’s a meaningful threat. Do not move a blitzer into a zone where he is going to receive a 2 die standing block immediately next turn. Be selective about this. They are AV 8 so they are relatively durable, and they will get dodge after a few games making them durable, but you really cannot afford to lose a Blitzer. That should be seared into your mind.
• Dauntless is the most fun skill in the game. Who cares if its not as efficient as 4 str. It kicks ass and you should always expect to succeed a Dauntless check. (Provided you have block support. Don’t throw a dauntless block on a 6 str player by yourself). You effectively have 4-5 Str with Blitzers. Not on defense, but as we said earlier, you wont need to worry about that if you play them right. Your Blitzers are confident, swagged out, glory hogs. You know they would never doubt that Dauntless check, you shouldn't either.
• Catch is a mostly useless skill, until its not. And boy oh boy is it impactful when you utilize it. Catch unlocks the Blitzer handoff. Unlock some elf bullshit on your team by properly spacing blitzers and initiating a handoff. You can cover 18 squares in a turn. A point of order, always hand-off, never throw. Don’t rush your blitzer into the endzone in hopes of catching a pass. Hand off the ball first then run into the endzone.
• Blitzers are excellent Safeties. If youre line is breaking down, pull a blitzer back 3-4 squares. His MA lets him get back if you need him too. When in doubt, pull back into safety position.
• Blitzers are not great against dodge teams or stunty. You will just push them around. When blitzing dodge ball carriers, use a blocker.
• Powing a troll, or a mummy, or an opponents big guy is extremely useful. Don’t forget you have dauntless. (Worth restating)
• I rarely see players do this, but don’t forget you can blitz with the ball carrier. Blitzers can handle themselves. If you need to create separation from a mark, blitz the opposing player, and move away. Remember you cannot throw or hand off after a blitz.
• Take Block / Wrestle blocks first, before unskilled blocks.

• These guys are the squires to your questing knights (blitzers). What do squires do? They support the knights. That’s what Blockers will mostly be doing. You will really start cooking when you get 3-4 guard on them. Blockers should always be kept free if possible, and then moved into a position to support a two die block. If you can avoid marking a player to keep freedom of movement, that will often serve you better. Blockers are like NFL Guards. Pull them and force open a lane on a wing with their support. Here is some Terron Armstead highlights to inspire your pulling and blocking ideas..
• They are Strength tree level ups, which means you will instinctively want to pow with them. Mighty Blow is right there! You need to grab it. Temper that urge. These guys primary use is supporting blocks. A one die block with them is not nearly as useful as setting the edge of a wing, or forward securing a running lane, or providing their support to essential blocks that open lanes. Additional level ups should focus on improving their ability to set an edge or form a line or a screen or support a block. Something like stand firm to control pitch, or Grab to move an opponent into an ideal tackle zone. Or even Fend, the thematic skill of Bretonnia. (More in level up guide below)
• 8 Armor is serviceable. After your first few games which had more lineman, when you have a full roster of Blitzers and Blockers your survivability will increase dramatically. You should no longer be experiencing 2-4 removals once your Blocker depth chart is filled. If you get the chance to Armor up, id highly consider it. You can plant your guard armor up on the line and hes a black orc.
• If your opponents ball carrier is a dodge/stunty, your blockers shift priority. Wrestle counters dodge and block. Blockers should be used for agi team ball carrier blitzes. It might also be worth keeping a blocker safety in these cases. They arent as fast as Blitzers, so just keep that in mind.
• That one die block with wrestle is overall somewhat safe. I regularly skull re-roll into skull, but it is what it is. If you need to take it, take it.
• General Advice: Take Block / Wrestle blocks first, before unskilled blocks.

• The lowly Peasant. Only 40k Price Point. My initial thought was man these guys suck ass. That was 10 games ago. These are actually extremely useful positionals. Yes they are low armor. Yes they have 2 agility. But Fend is a skill that no-one thinks to take, but I promise it will frustrate your opponent. Lineman are great for cages. They are great for forward securing a running lane. They are great on the line of an initial turn 1 drive. If they survive the block, they will be free to move afterwards and you can begin setting your edge or building a screen.
• One tip I find regularly is to use lineman as foulers. 40k is often a great trade for an opposing player if a foul can remove a piece or stun them. (A stun is a 1 turn removal). If youre of the fouling disposition, keep a lineman as a linebacker with free movement and use a foul at the end of your turn. (Foul all ghouls on site). I personally did not make them foulers, I tend to prefer a mark or block support.
• I provided level up guides below, but honestly, I imagine each bretonnian player uses lineman differently. Be explorative with them.
• I love using lineman to forward block segments of the pitch I want to run to. If the opponent left a wing open that you can exploit, send a lineman up there and secure 9 spaces of tackle zones for your team. If they blitz the lineman, fend will stop them and you will still have the pitch area to your self.
• Under no circumstances use a lineman as a ball carrier, receiver, or blitzer for essential blocks unless you must. They are called peasants in tabletop. Peasants cant handle that responsibility.
• I keep 1-2 extra lineman in reserve on my roster. I remove them if I need to lower petty cash for opponent. Its easy to buy them back. Having full 11 man roster is worth it, even if they arent especially skilled.
• A 40k peasant marking a valuable opponent piece on the edge of a map is an extremely efficient piece trade. If an opponent deep line blitzed you or sent a lone player down a lane, mark it with a lineman in the best way possible. If you can keep that player there multiple turns, you are winning the efficiency battle.

1. 4 Blitzers
2. 2 Blockers
3. 5 Linemen
4. 3 Re-Rolls
5. 1 Fan Factor
6. No Apothecary

• You want to purchase all the Blitzers you can at the first TV 1000 setup. The Blitzers are the most essential piece. You can make due with 2 blockers and 5 lineman for your first game or two. Your first game has the potential to be expensive if nuffle blesses you with an injured/killed blitzer. If that’s what happens, it was Nuffles will.
• With 5 lineman you will be quite fragile. Mighty Blow teams like Undead with the Mummy will cause a casualty on most pows. Expect to lose 2-4 players on average. If you are confident in your screening, offense first might be ideal. You will get more resilient as you build your roster, these first games are tough.
• Remember not to isolate your Blitzers or leave them in a position to be blocked. If you lose a Blitzer with this starting roster, or even get him trapped on the wrong side of the pitch marked, your team will lose significant effectiveness. (cannot be understated) If you are questioning if your move will leave you in a position that has a likely chance of impacting your Blitzer, you should opt for the more conservative approach. (I.e. There is nothing wrong with moving a Blitzer back as a safety instead of getting him in a scrum.) Blitzers have 7 MA, so they can reliably swing to each side of the pitch if needed. When you take your blitz, if there’s an opportunity to move back and hide behind a screen, you should do so.
• For teams with ball carriers with dodge or block, do not forget the value of Wrestle. Normally you wont be blitzing with blockers, however, if you need to sack a ball carrier with block or dodge, it is better to blitz with wrestle.
• In this starting roster you only have 2 blockers. These players are actually extremely valuable. They don’t have guard yet, but they are the only players outside of blitzers that have a safe block (both down doesn’t result in turnover). They also have more armor than lineman. Keep them center pitch, keep them in positions where they can move into a 2 die support. Try to get them in a position where they can take a standing two die block. You want these guys leveling up as soon as you can so you can start getting guard.
• Lineman are effective cages/screens due to fend. Two lineman on a cage that is along the sideline will reliably protect the ball carrier. Feel confident in moving a lineman into an open pitch area to secure a running lane. If they cant support a two die block, they should be in a screen position. Do not put them in a scrum unless the mark is benefiting the block. (e.g. if you move into a square with two adjacent opponents, recognize that you aren’t adding any value).
• A proper screen is two squares away from another player. Two lineman two squares apart protect 18 squares just between those two, and with fend you can reliably put them in positions without support. A lineman is extremely valuable despite its price point. Start thinking in tackle zones and you will exploit their strength.
• In these starting games you will often be in a position to throw a 2 die block without wrestle/block. This is actually riskier than you think. If there is an essential block that needs to happen for your move to work, throw that block before you use your re-roll. Always take blocks with players with block/wrestle before unskilled blocks.
• A free lineman can be an efficient use of a foul. At 40k price they should be cheaper than all players on pitch. If there is a ghoul in your back line, or a wardancer that failed a leap, a 72% chance foul could be extremely valuable. Just be sure its your last move.
• On offense, be aware of your Blitzers positioning. In the event you need it, the bretonnian handoff is a great play that can result in 18 squares of movement if you need it. If you push your blitzer ball carrier up a wing, and your opponent reacts well enough that you are doubtful of your lane, do not hesitate to move backwards. If you can keep a blitzer within 7 squares of your ball carrier, they are a reliable dump off escape. This is the reason the catchers have catch.
• Cannot be overstated – Blitzers are life.
• On defense, despite being built as a bashy team, they should be played like elves. Endeavor to keep 1 square distance between you and your opponent. If you can keep your opponent to one block per turn (blitz) you are playing efficiently.
• Dauntless is one of the most fun skills in the game. Blitzers with dauntless can reliably take down 4-5 str opponents with only one supporting player on the block. It is ok to use re-rolls on dauntless. When playing an undead team you can make their mummy’s lives hell all game. You will reliably succeed on a dauntless role against 4 str opponents. With one support that is a two die block. Dauntless is offense only. Do not forget that.
• When you are attempting a dodge, take a deep breath and look at your field. Did you pick up everyone? Have you taken all wrestle/block 2 die blocks? Are your running lanes secured? Do you have a safety that can hit the left or right wing reliably? Are your blitzers in a good position? Have you taken all low risk moves? If yes to all this, attempt the dodge (it will fail all the time lmao) This is good advice for all risky moves actually.

1. All blitzers should get dodge as their first skill.
2. Sidestep on your ball carrier is such a badass skill. Sidelines are now safe. You can protect your ball carrier with a 2 person cage on a sideline with sidestep.
3. I put Sure Hands on my primary ball carrier. Dodge and Sure Hands make contested free balls a tasty opportunity to capitalize on.
4. You should specialize your blitzers if you can. Ball Carry Specialization, Blitz Specialization, Ball-Carrier Attack Specialization, Safety / Deep Blitzing Specialization. These are all possibilities. (I haven’t gotten past level 4 on my main blitzer, these are untested and just thoughts)

• Ball Carry: Dodge, Sidestep, Sure Hands
• Blitz: Dodge, Frenzy, Tackle, Jump Up
• Safety: Dodge, Diving Tackle/Tackle, Sure Feet, Jump Up/Sprint
• Ball Carrier Attack: Dodge, Sidestep, Tackle, Strip Ball

1. Theres also nothing wrong with 2-3 blitzers with dodge and tackle. Bread and butter wins games. All depends on your league.
2. If you roll doubles or get a characteristic up you should prioritize: Str+, MA+, Mighty Blow (on blitz specialty). I have seen piling on but I don’t like the thought of putting a blitzer on the ground willingly.

1. a. Blocker Standard: Guard, Stand Firm / Grab / Fend / Dauntless. For the second skill it just your preference – do you prefer pitch control or blocking.
2. i. I would probably go Guard, Dauntless, Fend but I have not tested.
3. ii. For Doubles, etc: Str+, Ar+, Dodge
4. b. All blockers first skill should be Guard.

1. a. There are a lot of things you can do with linman if youre lucky with an MVP or injury. There is no standard choice, with lineman you should kinda go with your gut.
2. b. If you use your lineman to foul, pick up sneaky git or dirty player, whichever your preference (just be sure you are using it!).
3. c. I personally went with Kick/Wrestle on one, and Block on another. The block has been useful for pows.
4. d. Kick is sneaky useful, however, it throws off standard defense formations as you need your lineman off the line and not in a wing. This makes you place a blocker on the line, a high risk block unfortunately. Overall I think the tradeoff has been worth it in my season. If you hit lvl 3 on a lineman, you have been playing a while and idk, do what you think is best.

• First purchase is Apothecary. Scrutanize its use carefully. Never use it on a lineman. Rarely use it on a blocker (I had to apo my guard blocker cause he would have lost an armor. That is an acceptable apo). Apothecary’s should be used on Blitzers. I think its safe to use it even if no permanent injury to keep your team at 4 blitzers per match. You of course risk losing another blitzer at another point in game, but that’s nuffle’s will. You also risk the re-roll into death which has happened in our league twice in 5 seasons.
• Prioritize recruitment of blockers. You want to fully fill the team with blockers.
• * I sift between a bench of 1-2 lineman extra. I will sell it against a non-bash team to reduce TV, or I will buy an extra against Bashy teams expecting removals. I have only needed more than 2 reserves one time. It adds 80k TV to have two which are babes or a re-roll or wizard if your opponent dips into his treasury. 2 reserves feels good for TV 1000-1600 (I am 1640)
• TV Management is tough for Bretonnian teams. I personally purchased a 4th re-roll for 140k. I like re-rolls. You can make do with 3. I wouldn’t do less than that. You should be mitigating petty cash to your opponent at all times.
• Keep a reserve of 80-150k at all times. Nuffle will one day take from you a beloved blitzer. You need to replace it by the next game.
• I haven’t upgraded my stadium. Idk if its worth 200k investment.
• I don’t really see benefit of cheerleaders or coaching staff. If anyone can claim otherwise, please comment.

• I have played multiple seasons of Wood Elves and Bretonnian. I find Bretonnian more satisfying. Their player noises are hilarious. Their aesthetic is badass (The blitzers have full body length tassels from their helmets).
• Their playstyle is not straight forward and is rewarding if you execute.
• The team is not the highest tier, it doesn’t take advantage of game mechanics or feel cheap.
• Opponents never feel like they are in an unfair game or that im overpowered.
• Bretonnian don’t get many injuries or player removals, but the offset of that is my opponents are always in a good mood throughout the game. (Usually)
• Dauntless is the most satisfying skill in the game.
• Their offensive scheme of Rushing Attack Screens scratches all my NFL itches. True blocking and tackling and running. It feels great when you forward think a move that leads to a running lane you can exploit.
• Don’t read into internet hate on the team. Its not really that bad.
• These are just my opinions and shouldnt be taken as gospel. I havent won my league championship yet, so what do I know. It was just an attempt to put a guide out there since there arent many.**

• 1949-1953: Main difference is that during this era there weren't any western attempts at overthrowing Hoxha (yet). These years see successful economic development and mass modernisation of the country. Albania is strongly pro-Soviet, however its importance compared to OTL is lesser as Greece is also socialist.
• May 1949: Show trial and execution of Koçi Xoxe. Hoxha’s power strengthened, relations with Yugoslavia fell apart.

• On the 15 July 1949 death of Dimitrov, Valko Chervenkov became general secretary. Hardline Stalinists Bulgaria’s “Little Stalin” – repression (large part of BKP purged), consolidation of power, Soviet inspired culture, development of heavy industry, collectivisation. Since death of Vasil Kolarov also as the prime minister (23.1. 1950)
• 1949: Traicho Kostov with other prominent moderate members of BKP executed after a show trial.
• Failure of the First Five Year Plan as it did not met all targets (1949-1953), large scale industry build-up achieved.

• Soviet economic control trough Sov-Rom companies
• 1948 leading communist politician Lucrețiu Pătrășcanu was arrested (after Soviets demanded), accused of titoism. Persecution of opposition and anti-communist resistance active in Carpathians.
• 1949 start of construction of the Danube–Black Sea Canal, start of gradual collectivisation, start of development of heavy industry (success in development of steel, petrochem and machinery industries). 1951-1955 first five-year plan.
• Power struggle between “Muscovite” and “Prisoners” faction within Romanian Workers Party – Ana Pauker a stalinist, who multiple times defied Stalin’s policy (allowing Jews migrate to Israel, opposing collectivisation efforts) was still slowly losing favour of Stalin, in January 1952 Gheorghiu-Dej requested Stalin’s approval for purge of Muscovite faction, however unlike our reality (and this is main shift) this is initiative is opposed (due to lesser extent of Stalin’s antisemitic campaign, that would be only beginning by that time, lobbing of Molotov and Beria for them ), instead Stalin pressures Romania for show trial with Pătrășcanu, which in this timeline see Stalin as failure of Gheorghiu-Dej.
• 3.6. 1952, Petru Groza stepped down as prime minister -> instead of centralising power in Gheorghiu-Dej’s hands, soviet-aligned Iosif Chișinevschi was pushed by soviet “advisors” to this position.
• Show trial with Pătrășcanu and his suspected associates 28 April to 2 May 1953.

• 16-24 October 1949 Process with László Rajk – as in our reality, “titoist spies” influential to other trials. Inter opposition to Rákosi purged. 15 executed, 78 imprisoned. Other purges and show trials in the military during 1951. Trial with Jews is not planned.
• Rákosi builds the most repressive regime from the socialist bloc states, a cult of personality modelled after Stalin.
• Economy: focused on expansion of heavy industry, collectivised agriculture. However, like in other states without Korean war, shifts to military sector primacy doesn’t happen, resulting in more supply of consumer goods, but Hungary still faces shortages, but the economic situation is little bit better overall.
• 14.8. 1952 Rákosi further centralised power in his hands by becoming chairman of the council of ministers.

• October 1948: Gomulka and other proponents of sovereign stance purged; 1951 Gomulka arrested. March 1948 Witold Pilecki show trial.
• 22.12. 1948 creation of Polish United Workers Party.
• High soviet control: Konstantin Rokossovsky as polish defence minister (49-56), influence of “advisor” Ivan Serov
• Catholic Church keeps influential position -> conflict after 22.7. 1952 constitution that declares Polish People’s Republic as a secular state, closing of Church schools etc. Trial with Cracow Curia (1953)
• 1950-1956 Six-Year Plan – changes as in other states from our reality, it is not focused on rapid accelerated industrialisation, instead on increase in heavy industry, while also investing in services, food, construction, and consumer goods. Result is less developed heavy industry, but better economic situation of population and less shortages (but Poland would still experience some). As the plan was more modest, it was successfully completed in 1956. As in our reality, mass increase in urbanisation and general national income (that would be bit lesser due to less heavy industry being developed)
• Warsaw that was less damaged was still largely reconstructed in socialist realism

• 1948-1949: wave of exile to the American zone in Germany. Due to Czechoslovakia not being (in years 1948-1956) on the Iron Curtain, there are way less cases of illegally trying to flee across borders (since the only way is to another socialist state GDR), emigrants mostly try to get to Western Austria through Eastern Austria.
• In 1948 consolidation, start of collectivisation and final wave of nationalisations (majority of industry already nationalised during the Third republic), ČSSD merged (annexed) into KSČ. Law 231/1948 (law on the protection of the people’s democratic republic) passed, enabling persecution of political opponents (6.10.1948), “bourgeois” societal organisations (like Sokol) banned.
• 1949 the first political process with general Píka. 1950: Under Soviet pressure organisation of mass political process with “Group of Milada Horáková” (31 May-8 June 1950, non-communist intelligence). 1952 process with “Green International” – catholic intelligence.
• 1949 start of construction of Stalin’s monument in Prague.
• 1949-1953: The First Five Year Plan – centrally planned economy, focused on industrialisation of Slovakia
• Massive changes due to different international situations! – first 5year plan was focused since 1951 on militarisation due to Korean War and Cold War tensions, this period is radically different and much more calm , so this doesn’t happen, instead plan remains focused on mechanisation of agriculture, growth and development of consumer industry prioritised over the heavy industry -> this has positive effect on economy and plan is successful (this has influence down the line in 1953), economic situation is better compared to our reality, more goods to buy are available. Main target of propaganda of that era is the United Kingdom and its Imperialism, TATO, Yugoslavia and in Czechoslovakia especially Western Austria and Habsburgs, not American Imperialism. Also the infamous campaign against “the American beetle” doesn’t exist, campaign against the potato beetle yes, but it is not presented as a CIA operation to destroy Czechoslovak potatoes.
• Process with a conspiracy centre of Otto Šling and Jan Šverma – 20. January 1953
  • Slánský process without Slánský. This is another major shift, the Slánský process had major antisemitic undertones and Slánský being Jew was a major factor in choosing him. This antisemitism is missing as 1952 is the year where first antisemitic campaigns only started in the USSR, instead it is focused solely on “titoists”, while other people are grouped with them. Everything was organised by Soviet “advisors''.
  • Jan Šverma, who survived during the Slovak National Uprising, served as the Deputy Prime Minister (1948-1951) and Deputy General Secretary of KSČ (1945-1951), together with Otto Šling (leader of KSČ in Brno) were accused of being heads of made-up conspiracy led by Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom. They were executed. Other people persecuted (some are different): Karel Šváb, Vladimír Clementis, Osvald Závodský, Bedřich Reicin, André Simone and Josef Frank (executions), Marie Švermová, Arthur London, Vavro Hajdů, Mikuláš Landa, Jarmila Taussigová (life sentences) and others. People who were persecuted due to them being Jewish or having ties with Israel are not affected in this timeline.
• Process with bourgeois nationalists – June 1954, it was a follow-up to the process with Šverma, delayed to the period after Stalin’s death as Husák refused to confess. He was given “only” life sentence, others 20-10 years in prison. Oher follow-up “Process with regional secretaries” doesn’t take place; these people are already convicted in the main process.
• In 1953 Stalin had died, so did Klement Gottwald (14.3.1953)

• Anti-communist political leader arrested in 1949: Hans Hedtoft, H. C. Hansen and others October 1949 process with members of anti-communist MI6 affiliated group “Firmaet”, however political leaders weren’t put on trial due to Larsen’s opposition to such mass trial.
• 1949: approved the first five-year plan: focus mainly on modernisation of agriculture, shipbuilding, light industry and only in minority in heavy industry and started voluntary and gradual collectivisation, all against wishes of soviet “advisors”, continuous diplomatic relations with Nordic countries (+large immigration wave to Sweden, established tough border security) -> as we establish Stalin loses trust in Larsen already in 1947 and his further opposition to Stalin’s plans and Tito-Stalin split (even if Larsen officially denounced Tito, he himself wanted to develop “Danish Way to Socialism” as campaigned before power consolidation) leads eventually to his downfall, despite pleasing Stalin with established of several Soviet military bases in Denmark and obeying all Informbyro directives.
• 15 February 1951 Central Committee of DFSP announced resignation of Larsen from all positions “due to health and personal reasons” he was replaced by Knud Jespersen as the general secretary and by Alfred Jensen as the prime minister. Several days later, Larsen was purged from the party and secretly arrested. On 12 March statement of the CC of DFSP on “Errors and Rightist Deviations under leadership of Aksel Larsen” was released, denouncing Larsen for Titoism, working also as party’s “self-critique” and devoting its leadership to upheld Marxism-Leninism. Party was purged of “Titotists”, many of them arrested. On 4 May also president Mogens Fog was forced to resign and put under house arrest, the presidency was abolished and replaced by a collective organ.
• New directives were issued regarding collectivisation, the process was “speeded up” and peasants were forced to join collective farms by economic pressure (high quotas), but still a more moderate agricultural policy based on Germany and Austria was promoted. Those in opposition were arrested. The Five Year Plan was reworked with help of Soviet experts giving primacy to construction of new metallurgy.
• Stalin wished to stage a large show trial with Larsen, as message to other leaders in socialist bloc, so between 20 to 26 April 1952 “Trial of the Anti-Party Conspiracy Revisionist Centre headed by Aksel Larsen” was held, it became shock worldwide (and paranoia to all socialist leaders) and only time past communist leader was executed, next to Larsen another 10 people were executed and 15 sentenced to long time in prison.
• By 1953 collectivisation rates increased from 15% in 1951 to 50%, targets of the 5 year plan were not met, Danish economy was however still in a relatively good shape.

• Worse isolation and economic hardships compared to our reality, as the non-interventionist United States don’t really want to help Yugoslavia and Britain has few resources to spare.
• 1949: Andrija Hebrang, Sreten Žujović and other pro-soviet leader purged, executed, arrested or forced to flee.1948-1950 attempted coup, insurrection of anti-Titoists in several places
• Immediately after the split, Yugoslav economy suffered problems due to the Soviet embargo, and Tito moved the country towards self-sufficiency. Investments in the military. Special measures introduced in 1948 (third shifts, mobilisation of workforce and ratios) to combat problems.
• In 1948 trade between Yugoslavia and the West was restored, soon socialist bloc imports were replaced by Western ones, but at unfavourable prices. In 1949 IMF and World Bank approved loans to Yugoslavia, however due to Americans not lobbying for Tito, interest rates were unfavourable and got Yugoslavia to huge debt. Unlike OTL, desperate Tito abandoned claims on Trieste and managed to obtain British aid in 1951.
• Economic hardship forced Yugoslav leadership to seek economic reform and thus the beginning of Yugoslav socialist self-management (market socialism) was born. Introduced by Tito, Milovan Đilas and Edvard Kardelj in 1950. It led to partial stabilisation of the dire economic situation.
• Threat of possible Soviet invasion increased in 1951 with communist victory in Greece. However, unlike in our reality Yugoslavia did not turned to United States, Greece and Turkey, but to TATO as an alliance, Yugoslavia entered negotiations with TATO that resulted into singing of the Turkish-Yugoslav Agreement on 28.12.1952, in which countries pledged to defend each other against Soviet or Greek invasion and opened possibility of Yugoslav membership, it is connected with increase of relations with USA after American “New Foreign Policy Doctrine” of 1951.
• 2.-7.11. 1952 VI. Congress of Communist Party of Yugoslavia: Party renamed to League of Communists of Yugoslavia, peak of political liberalisation, decentralisation state and of party structure, separation of party and government functions, socialist self-management officially approved as economic policy, economic and political discussion promoted, emphasis of creation of socialist democracy, “democratic centralism” abolished. Changes resulted in 13.1.1953 Yugoslavia passed constitutional reforms – Yugoslavia declared “socialist, democratic, federal state of sovereign and equal nations”, a new legislative Federal People's Assembly was established, giving more power to republics. Liberalisation also brough artistic freedom.
  GREECE
  

• 1951: communist consolidation of Greece, beginning of anti-communist insurgencies (active to mid-1960s). Sweeping radical socialist reforms: nationalisation of all industries, beginning of collectivisation. Repression of suspected royalist sympathisers (Campaign Against Reactionary Saboteurs), creation of soviet-modelled powerful Ministry of Public Security (November 1951) that led these repressions. Autumn 1951 mass arrests and purges in various fields. Large wave of emigration. Paranoia and fear of British invasion, start of military build-up reorganisation of DSA into the Greek People’s Army, Airforce and Navy.
• In November 1951 Zachariadis consolidated his grip over the military by purging war hero and prominent commander Markos Vafeiadis after accusations of him being Yugoslav spy and royalist, this move was unpopular for people and regular party members. Stalinism, creation of personality cult around Zachariadis. Purge of Vafeiadis’s allies.
• 6 December 1951 “Bloody Day of Saint Nicholas” execution of many prominent “bourgeois intellectuals and politicians” that supported royalists during the civil war after a show trial.
• 1952: IX. Congress of KKE (11.3.) – position of Zachariadis confirmed, toning down of repressions, election (2.6.) – only one-party ticket and “Democratic Front for National Reunification”. Campaign for international recognition (socialist states did already before 1951), Zachariadis retreats from the position of prime minister, Nikos Ploumpidis takes this position. Creation of the People's Assembly that passes the new constitution (August). Greece joins CMEA.
• Relationship with church: As majority of Greek people are religious, approach like in Poland, trying to make agreement, however persecution of many priests, who are connected with anti-communist groups.
• The most militarised (maybe after USSR…) in socialist bloc at the time, had very tense relations with TATO.
• 1953 (later about it, since it belongs more to the 1953-1956 period): Despite the death of Stalin Greek Stalinism itself continues…

• Rump British puppet state, wikibox accurate for now only everything is moved by a year
• September 1951 to March 1952 “Rhodos government period” – state is ruled basically by military, very unstable state, uprisings and rebellions mainly in Crete. White terror and repressions start against populations many suspected communists executed, massacres.
• March 1952 Papagos comes to power (officially), gains extraordinary powers (basically becomes a dictator) – in next month intensification of repression and eventual defeat of all insurgencies and opposition against exile Kingdom, stabilisation and formation of working authoritarian state apparatus. Seat of government moved to Crete.
• In December 1952 a fraudulent election was held, victory of Papagos’es Greek Rally against the Liberal Party -> it marks transition to façade democracy and limited liberalisation.
• Papagos' government continues to represent Greece in the UN.

• After its formation, several left-wing reforms were passed: nationalisation of industry, creation of a centrally planned economy (1st five-year plan 1951), moderate collectivisation of agriculture. Similar to (real and TTL) Germany, East Austria suffers problems with Republikflucht towards the Western part. In 1952 federal states were abolished and East Austria became a unitary state. General secretary and president Koplening, prime minister Franz Honner (wikibox here accurate), elected in 1951 with “National Unity Front” list.
• Fight with Catholic Church, prominent institution in Austria, seen as representation of old reactionary Empire and sympathisers with the Western part (especially after the proclamation of Archduchy). Promotion of a new Austrian identity based on the labour movement, the first Austrian republic (which DRÖ claims to be a continuation) and strongly opposed to pan-Germanism and the old Austrian Habsburg empire. East Austria presents itself as the only sole legitimate Austrian state.
• Compared to other states, political climate is lighter, there are no show trials, however in 1952 part of VSAPÖ (Vereinigte Sozialistische Arbeiterpartei Österreichs – United Socialist Workers Party of Austria – aforementioned union of SPÖ with KPÖ) is purged and catholic leaders often face persecution with many of them imprisoned

• Head of the first West Austrian government was Julius Raab, while Leopold Figl served as State-President.
• Why the hell is Austria Archduchy again you may ask? Since 1919 Habsburgs were banished from Austria, however here Winston Churchill comes to change situation, as West Austria was created under large British influence, Churchill went to propose to Raab to restore Habsburgs in order to boost public support and to continue historical line from the Habsburg Austria and to have greater legitimacy as the true successor. As the National Council was dominated by ÖVP, Raab agreed to the proposition. From August to November (1950) discussions were held between Otto and Raab on restoration of monarchy. Newly proposed changes to the constitution were discussed in the National Council. Eventually supporters of restoration prevailed and on 11 January 1951 the Habsburg Law was revoked.
• Otto von Habsburg returned to the country already in January 1950, was greeted by cheering crowds, but also with demonstrations. Monarchy is going to remain a polarising question amongst West Austrians. In the East this was greatly condemned.
• The March 1951 election resulted in another majority of ÖVP, the new National Council drafted and approved a new constitution making the country a constitutional monarchy, 26 June 1951. 3rd December 1951 Otto’s coronation ceremony, reining name as Otto II.
• Economically and politically West Austria is close with Italy and the United Kingdom, it also took an American loan in 1952.
• In 1951 Western Austria also introduced Gruber Doctrine (after foreign minister Karl Gruber), emphasising its position as the only sole legitimate Austria state, stating that Salzburg cuts relations with any country that has diplomatic relations with East-Vienna.

• Last time we left, the German Democratic Republic was proclaimed in May 1950 and occupational troops started to leave the country, that wouldn’t be finished until late September. Until that time DDR could not fully project its authority outside the Soviet zone. As Germany was disarmed it had to rely on its Volkspolizei.
• Some reforms were already started by the German Economic Commission and Occupation Authority, like nationalisation of nazi and pro-nazi owned industries and expropriation of various assets. In May 1950 a major nationalisation decree (that affected all parts of Germany, excluding the UN zone) was issued by the Reiman government, together with promised land reforms and voluntary formations of collectives.
• In September Länderat was dispersed by German authorities. During October CSU was forced to join Democratic Bloc, while Bavarian Party was banned for promoting separatism, many right-wing parties for its real or imaginary connection with Nazism. By the end of the year control over the American zone was achieved, however the governments of Baden and Wurttemberg still opposed the government. In March 1951 administrative reform was passed by SED, weakening the power of opposition by merging Baden with Wurttemberg and changing the borders of Franconia. New election was declared for October 1951, both state and federal (justified by “need to take into account political and legislative changes”), despite vocal protests of many deputies Democratic Bloc, now renamed Democratic Front for National Unity (DFE) put only one united candidate with possibility of a blank ballot. Democracy ended (29 October 1951). As elections were also held in the UN zone, here the blank ballots actually won 76% of the votes as part of a large protest initiative. Before the election on 5th of May 1951 III. SED congress was held, Walter Ulbricht was elected general secretary, major reorganisation on the lines of socialist bloc mass parties.
• 1952: The First Five Year Plan was launched focused on reconstruction, collectivisation of agriculture – everything like in real life East Germany (thus also similar to East Austria). Plan set high targets, resulting in high quotas for workers. (Germany economy was still in very bad state), persecution of opposition (connected with Nazism and declared saboteurs), Stasi created and eventually by end of the year thanks to facing large exodus (similar to East Germany) inner-German border (with UN) was closed (December 1952).
• Germany internationally still appeared as a neutral state and also had relations with Yugoslavia, however, they took pro-Soviet positions all the time: recognition of PRC and Greece.
• Nazi resistance existed in very limited numbers, some soldiers hiding in the woods and fighting long-lost war, no mass nazi underground. But as German propaganda pushed that idea and it also entered popular discourse.

• First attempted customs unions from 1951 failed, but a free trade agreement (3.8.51) between Norway and Sweden was signed, this treaty also established open borders. Upon free travel was expanded in 1952 and later in 1954 with creation of Nordic Passport Union (SWE, NOR, FIN, ICE, later Faroe Islands joined too) – open borders and free movement.
• 1.7. 1951 Swedish-Norwegian Defence Treaty was signed (negotiations began already in 1949 after change of American foreign policy) – countries established a military alliance.
• 12.2.1953 Nordic Council – largest project – was created between Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Faroe Islands.

nothing but the truth

• the experts all agree! it's a baby in the womb! the experts include physicians groups, numerous best-selling authors of pregnancy books, and as well as the authors of the standard textbooks on embryology, obstetrics, and gynecology. even women who shout their abortions use the word baby, and so do abortionists. just because abortion advocates don't think it's a baby, that simply does not make it true. if an abortion advocate has a penchant for being pedantic and refuses to acknowledge colloquial and everyday language, that's a personal problem for them to sort out by themselves.
• abortion advocates don't often believe the science, but do they believe abortionists? the fact that abortion kills a baby is something that not even abortionists deny! so where do low information debaters get the idea that abortion doesn't kill anyone from?
• on low information debaters and kill pills. one reason as to why abortion advocates might claim that abortion doesn't kill a baby is because they believe that the kill pills do not directly harm the unborn baby. but the science says this is false. the kill pills first and foremost deprive the child of oxygen and nourishment. moreover, if it's a "direct attack" that abortion advocates are seeking, then the kill pills directly attack the unborn child in more ways than one. studies show that traces of the kill pills are found within the body of the unborn child as early as 30 minutes of the woman ingesting them. the first of the kill pills inhibits the placenta, a fetal organ, from producing the essential hormones that are necessary for survival. the second of the kill pills directly damage the vasculature of the unborn child through uterine contractions.
• science confirms that an unborn baby's heart begins to beat within three weeks of conception. the abortion industry is working in tandem with the mainstream media to execute their disinformation campaigns against the "heartbeat" laws that protect life after the detection of cardiac activity. they claim that it's not really a heartbeat, but rather "electrical activity." and that it's not really a heart, but something that will become a heart. but are you going to believe the abortion industry over your own eyes and ears?
• pictures and videos of real babies in early development can help bring to light the humanity of the unborn.
• pictures of victims of abortion can also help bring to light the atrocities that are currently ongoing.
• here is a list of fetal pain reviews to keep in handy to use against low information debaters. researchers on both sides of the abortion debate agree that the baby can probably feel pain as early as 12 weeks gestation.
• abortion advocates claim that most later abortions are done for tragic reasons such as the mother's health being in danger or the unborn child has severe defects. but this is a lie. don't let abortion advocates get away with a lie. the truth is that most later abortions are done for the same selfish, convenience reasons as earlier abortions.

arguments against abortion

1. the moral basis for rights: our rational nature. who said it, an 18th century slaver or a modern day abortion advocate?: "not all human beings are persons deserving of rights." i just threw up in my mouth writing that. the most powerful pro-life argument is the argument from equality: all human beings are persons deserving of rights. either we treat all human beings with equal respect, or we don't. any criteria that excludes a class of human beings from equal protections contradicts any notion of human equality. but the question as to why we value human beings is important. human beings have a rational nature, from which flow their capacities. human beings have a natural capacity for rationality and this entails a flourishing unlike any other animal. the equal opportunity to flourish is also the moral basis of equal rights. the topic also includes a takedown of the sophist's consciousness argument.
2. but suppose for a moment the abortion advocate rejects the notion of human equality altogether. we can still show that unborn child has a right to life and abortion is immoral by utilizing the deprivation of a "future like ours" argument, which was made by don marquis. this argument sidesteps the question of personhood altogether. marquis correctly points out that killing us wrong isn't because of nonsensical reasons such as death being a painful experience, or because we'd suffer, or that our interests or desires would be thwarted, or because of the impact our deaths would have on others and society. instead, killing us is wrong because we are deprived of our valuable future experiences. these experiences include friendships, pursuit of various goals, aesthetic experiences, pleasures, etc. essentially, our future experiences include the things that make life worth living. so when we die or are killed, we are deprived of these opportunities and experiences. marquis' argument against abortion is quite simple and intuitive: killing you and me is immoral because we are deprived of our valuable future experiences. for the same reason, killing the baby is also immoral because he is also deprived of a valuable future like ours. hence, abortion is immoral. this topic also includes arguments against the scientific illiterate belief that we were once sperm or ova, that masturbation kills little humans, or that the use contraception would be immoral under this argument.

• abortion advocates often present us with a trolley problem: do we save 10 frozen embryos or one newborn? if we choose the newborn, then, the abortion advocate reasons, we do not really see the embryos as equal to the newborn. but that is non-sequitur. just because you may choose to save one group over the other doesn't mean that the other group never were persons deserving of rights to begin with. for what reasons might someone save the single newborn over 10 frozen embryos? there are many reasons. in typical triage cases, we direct resources to the patients that have the most likelihood of survival. as it turns out, in this regard, the newborn and the embryos are not comparable at all. for this argument to work, we would have to stipulate that, like the embryos, a) the newborn would have to be unconscious and frozen in a container, b) he would have to have poor chances of survival after being thawed (ivf failure rates), c) he would then need to be attached to the body of his mother for nine months (the embryos would need to be gestated), and d) even then there's no guarantee the toddler would survive (the survival rate should be similar to the high rates of miscarriage). only under those equal conditions would it make sense to choose the embryos over the newborn. given the generally poor survival rates of embryos overall, it makes sense to choose the newborn.
• dehumanization: then and now. sometimes, it's good to hold a mirror up to the face of an abortion advocate. the same dehumanization language used by bigots of the past is now being used by abortion advocates.
• the sophist's consciousness argument often rests on metaphysical confusions. isn't it odd that abortion advocates claim to value consciousness, but not the being that is conscious? as it turns out, many of them don't believe that the unborn child is the one and the same entity that later becomes conscious. for example, they'll claim that they are a "mind" and not an organism (e.g., a human being), and that abortion isn't actually killing "someone," but rather it's just killing a clump of cells that will later become inhabited by "someone," i.e., that the body is simply a "vessel" for the person that later emerges. similarly, they argue that impairing a fetus is wrong only because it affects a future being, which they identify as the person. but these are just fairy tale beliefs that abortion advocates hold. there is no actual evidence of another being emerging at the onset of consciousness. it should not lost on us that abortion advocates want to impose their fairy tale beliefs on the unborn. nonetheless, if we are to persuade people to stop killing innocent babies, we need to clear up the conceptual confusions in matters related to personal identity. this topic also includes a debunking of the "brain death symmetry" argument in which abortion advocates try to find a symmetry between the end of life (brain death) and beginning of life, which they wrong believe happens when the brain becomes "active."
• the sophist's consciousness argument also often rests on scientific illiteracy. abortion advocates will often cite studies that purport to show that the unborn child isn't conscious at least until the late second trimester, or around 24-28 weeks gestation, when the thalamocortical connections in the brain develop. but these studies are not based on any tested conclusions, but rather unproven assumptions that a developed cerebral cortex is necessary for consciousness. we know from multiple studies of decorticate children (i.e., children born without their cerebra) that they are still conscious, albeit at a rudimentary level, and that they can feel love, pain, joy, bond with others, and have desires. the cerebrum is not the seat of consciousness, but the brainstem likely seems to be. the brainstem develops much earlier than the cerebral cortex, which has profound implications on the abortion debate.

bodily rights

1. the truth is that "my body, my choice" is a child neglect argument. low information debaters claim that pregnancy is akin to forced organ donations, but this is inaccurate. there are no organ/blood/bone marrow transplants involved in pregnancy. saying pregnancy involves organ donations is no different than saying breastfeeding involves mammary gland transplants. pregnancy is the ordinary means of providing nourishment and a healthy living environment to the unborn child. this something parents are required to provide for all of their children. denying your child adequate nourishment and a healthy living environment is a form of child neglect. the unborn child has a right to be in his mother's womb given the obligations parents have towards their children. we know from several child neglect cases that women have been prosecuted for starving their children when they could have instead breastfed them. should a woman who is capable of breastfeeding be allowed to let her newborn starve if there are no other alternative sources of food? answer: no.
2. on what grounds can we say we have a right to our bodies? none of us are responsible for the fact that our bodies are ours. we did not do anything to acquire our bodies in the first place. we did not choose our bodies, nor did our mothers choose our bodies or choose their own bodies. whatever gives a pregnant woman any claim to her body—a relationship to her body that she acquired through unbidden and contingent means—also gives the unborn child the same right to his mother's body since his relationship with his mother's body was also acquired through the same unbidden and contingent means. think of conjoined twins that share multiple organs—which twin has a right to what? both acquired their "bodies" through the same unbidden and contingent means, and thus neither can claim an exclusive right to the shared bodies and organs. if we have any right to our own bodies—biological equipment that a) is necessary for our flourishing and b) was only acquired through contingency and necessity—then the unborn child has a right to his mother's body for the same reason.
3. lastly, even if there is a right to bodily autonomy, we can deny the exercise of that right since it would involve killing an innocent unborn child. there are no situations where one is allowed to exercise any of their rights to kill an innocent human being. if i have a right to bear arms, i cannot exercise that right to kill an innocent human being. if i have a right to property, i cannot exercise that right and expel an innocent human being off my private yacht in the middle of the ocean. if i have a right of way on the road, i cannot run over a pedestrian who might be in the way. if i have a right to religious liberty, i cannot kill an innocent human being to make a ritual sacrifice. can abortion advocates name any other scenario in which one is allowed to exercise a right if it involves the killing of an innocent human being? no. what they really want is special rights for the woman, namely the right to kill her unborn child.

• who said it, a deadbeat dad or an abortion advocate? "i consented to the sex, i ain't consent to a child or obligations! abortion advocates often act shocked when pro-lifers tell women to take responsibility for their actions. they claim that pro-lifers want to punish women for having sex, and they want to inflict pain and suffering on women for suggesting that they be forced to care for their children. but for some reason, abortion advocates have no issues with punishing men for the same act that led to the child. they want to inflict pain and suffering on men by forcing them to support a child they did not consent to. forced labor—forcing one to work for another's benefit—is a textbook violation of bodily autonomy. worse yet, men who refuse to support their children are sent to jail—a serious violation of their liberties. and yet abortion advocates have no qualms with these violations of fundamental rights. why can't the man say "my wallet, my choice"? why does the man have responsibilities to a child he did not consent to but a pregnant woman doesn't have responsibilities to the same child because she does not consent? or consider the cases of women who abandon their newborns in the woods or in the bathrooms of hotels. they obviously do not consent to their newborns, so then why do they get charged and tried for child neglect and child abandonment? where did these responsibilities come from? parental obligations aren't based on consent (why would they be obligations?). low information debaters claim that there parental obligations are optional because you could put the child up for adoption or drop him off at a safe haven box. but this is a confused account. the fact you can transfer the obligations and responsibilities of a child to another party doesn't mean you never had obligations to that child to begin with. for how you can give up something you never had? nonetheless, this is a red herring. you can't kill the child at any point before transferring the legal obligations to the child. moreover, whether or not the unborn child is unwanted or isn't consented to is irrelevant if he has a right to be in his mother's womb.

miscellanea

• how to discuss rape cases, both for and against.
• david oderberg's argument against euthanasia. if i'm a drug addict and i ask you to shoot heroin into my arms so that i can numb my pain, would you do it? if not, why would you allow me inflict an even greater harm to myself through euthanasia?
• the next great legal battle over abortion will be on whether the unborn are persons deserving of equal protection under the 14th amendment. recently, some esteemed legal scholars have answered that question in the affirmative. the term "person" was and still is used interchangeably with "human being."
• abortion advocates are right when they say that corpses have more rights than some living human beings. they're just wrong about which human beings. destructive embryonic stem cell research involves killing nascent human beings and harvesting their body parts without their consent!
• there is no international right to an abortion, but there certainly is international recognition of the unborn child.

memes

you can never lose now!

• his eyes a shocking, vibrant green
  
• Then he saw Kvothe’s eyes. They had deepened to a green so dark they were nearly black.
  
• “It suits you,” she said. “The color brings out your eyes. Not that they need it. They’re the greenest thing I’ve seen today. Like a piece of spring.”
  
• But your eyes really do change color. Normally they’re bright green with a ring of gold around the inside. . . .” “I got them from my mother,” I said. “But I’ve been watching. When you broke the pump handle yesterday they went dull green, muddy. And when the swineherd made that comment about the Ruh they went dark for just a moment. I thought it was just the light, but now I can see it’s not.” “I’m surprised you noticed,” I said. “The only other person to ever point it out was an old teacher of mine. And he was an arcanist, which means it’s pretty much his job to notice things.” “Well, it’s my job to notice things about you.” She cocked her head a bit. “People probably are distracted by your hair. It’s so bright. It’s pretty . . . pretty distracting. And your face is really expressive. You’re always in control of it, even the way your eyes behave. But not the color.” She gave a faint smile. “They’re pale now. Like green frost. You must be terribly afraid.”
  
• Kote - There was a rhythm to it, but no music, and the innkeeper’s eyes were distant and joyless, so pale a green they almost could have passed for grey.
  
• His eyes were sharp and bright, green as a blade of grass.
  
• Mola looked at me. “They’re dark,” she said, sounding surprised. “Dark green. Like a pine bough.” Wil continued. “Don’t argue with him when his eyes go dark like that. No good comes of it.” “It’s like the noise a rattlesnake makes,” Sim said. “More like hackles on a dog,” Wilem corrected. “It shows when he’s ready to bite.” “All of you can go straight to hell,” I said. “Or you can give me a mirror so I can see what you’re talking about. I don’t care which.”
  

• striking blue eyes
  
• The eyes that watched Chronicler were still a striking ocean blue, but now they showed themselves to be all one color, like gems or deep forest pools
  
• Bast’s eyes were now the pale blue-white of lightning, his voice tight and fierce.
  
• Bast leaned closer until their faces were mere inches apart, his eyes gone white as opal, white as a full-bellied moon.
  
• Bast’s dark eyes were hollow and hopeless.
  

• Her eyes were green with a ring of gold around the pupil.

• Except his eyes. They were black like a goat’s but with no iris. His eyes were like his sword, and neither one reflected the light of the fire or the setting sun.
  
• matte-black eyes
  
• hollow eyes
  
• black eyes
  
• nightmare eyes
  
• empty eyes
  
• His eyes, black as beads of ink.
  
• pure black
  
• coal-black eyes
  

• Trapis said as he put down one of the babies and picked up the other. It looked around owlishly with wide, dark eyes, but seemed unable to support its own head.

• He stood proud and tall, with coal-black hair and eyes.

• “Try no tricks, dark one. Speak no lies,” Tehlu said sternly, his eyes as dark and hard as the iron of the wheel.

• an old man with eyes like diamonds
  
• “Did I,” his voice rolled out slowly, like dark honey, “hear someone say Lanre?” He looked directly at me, his blue eyes clear and sharp.
  
• diamond-blue eyes
  
• bright eyes dancing
  
• sparkling eyes
  

• Selitos saw nothing but emptiness behind his eyes.
  
• “Will you kill me to cure me, old friend?” Lanre laughed again, terrible and wild. Then he looked at Selitos with sudden, desperate hope in his hollow eyes.
  

• Selitos, his eyes unveiled, looked at his friend.

• burning eyes

• He was lean, with sunken eyes that smoldered like half hidden coals.

• characteristic ruddy complexion and dark hair and eyes.

• Severe dark eyes, lean face, short black beard.

• Elodin was younger than the others by at least a dozen years. Clean-shaven with deep eyes.
  
• dark eyes
  
• Then Elodin’s eyes changed. He stopped looking toward me and looked into me. That is the only way I can describe it. He looked deep into me, not into my eyes, but through my eyes. His gaze went into me and settled solidly in my chest, as if he had both his hands inside me, feeling the shape of my lungs, the movement of my heart, the heat of my anger, the pattern of the storm that thundered inside me.
  
• But that was nothing compared to when he met my eyes. For a heartbeat it was simply unsettling. Then it almost felt like the light on the stairway grew dim. Or that I was suddenly being thrust deep underwater and the pressure was keeping me from drawing a full breath.
  
• Elodin’s eyes were green, sharp, and mocking.
  

• She was strikingly beautiful with long, dark hair and clear, bright eyes.

• A man with the body of a sparrow and the eyes of a hawk.

• half-lidded eyes

• She had green eyes that stood out in her pale face.
  
• striking green eyes
  

• but a grin shone in his dark eyes

• I could see the clear blue of her eyes from where I sat some thirty feet away.
  
• the soft blue of her gown was a reflection of the deep blue of her eyes.
  

• Her eyes were dark. Dark as chocolate, dark as coffee, dark as the polished wood of my father’s lute.
  
• dark eyes
  
• I’d remembered the shape of her eyes, but not the weight of them. Their darkness, but not their depth.
  
• All except her eyes. They were dark and deep, the color of coffee and chocolate. Her eyes were dancing with amusement, full of laughter.
  
• deep brown of her eyes
  
• I looked deeply into her eyes. They were like dark pools.
  

• It stopped just inside the circle of firelight. Its dark eyes shone red, and there was red on its scales. [Note: the red appears to be from the reflected fire]

• Her eyes were hollow and dark, as if she had been crying, or missing sleep, or both.

• His eyes were dark and sunken, as if he hadn’t slept in days.

• She was talking to a young man who was…the best word I can think of is pretty. He had a sweet, clean-shaven face with wide, dark eyes.

• Her lips were wet, her pale blue eyes intense.

• young woman with bright blue eyes and honey-colored hair

• dark eyes

• bright blue eyes

• remarkable grey eyes

• His eyes too, seemed to belie his age. They were clear grey, clever and piercing. They were not the eyes of an old man.
  
• sharp grey eyes
  
• eyes were hard as flint
  

• The woman was perhaps thirty, with dark eyes and an elegant, wicked mouth

• As he sat there, peering at me with his lively brown eyes, he reminded me of an owl.
  
• curious brown
  
• dark eyes crinkling with amusement.
  

• My eyes wandered over maddeningly familiar features. Might I have met her at the Eolian? That didn’t seem likely. I would have remembered. She was strikingly lovely, with a strong jaw and dark brown eyes.
  
• Her dark brown eyes were gravely serious.
  

• He was fair-skinned with light hair and pale grey eyes.

• Her eyes a bright, dangerous green.
  
• bright emerald eyes
  

• Her eyes were dark and wise, her smile was full and knowing.

• Her closed eyelids were patterned like a butterfly’s wings, swept in whorls of deep purple and black with traceries of pale gold that blended to the color of her skin. As her eyes moved gently in sleep, the pattern shifted, as if the butterfly fanned its wings.
  
• Felurian slowly relaxed out of her stretch and looked at me with ancient eyes. Eyes unlike anything I had ever seen. They were a striking color … The summer dusk was in her eyes … a sort of twilight blue. They were fascinating. In fact … With lids of winged butterflies … there wasn’t any white to them at all….
  
• Flashing moon silver, midnight blue her eyes The lids were subtle-colored butterflies.
  

• dark eyes
  
• Felurian’s eyes were black in the dim light.
  
• her eyes began to brighten from their customary twilight purple to a deep-water blue.
  
• Her eyes were still changing, brightening to a bluish-white.
  

• “this shaper of the dark and changing eye stretched out his hand against the pure black sky. he pulled the moon, but could not make her stay. so now she moves ’twixt mortal and the fae.

• leaf-green eyes

• She had a sweet face and clear blue eyes.

• I turned to see an older woman with the characteristic pale grey eyes of the Adem.

• along with the pale, creamy complexion and grey eyes. Her hair was lighter than Tempi’s by a fine shade, and she wore it pulled back into a horsetail.

• Her grey eyes were huge in her tiny face.

• They were huge in her small face, slightly darker grey than usual. They were so bright and clear that when she smiled, the sight of it almost broke my heart.

• Her eyes were like Elodin’s. Not in any of the details. Elodin’s eyes were green, sharp, and mocking. Magwyn’s were the familiar Adem grey, slightly watery and red around the edges. No, the similarity was in how she looked at me. Elodin was the only other person I had met who could look at you like that, as if you were a book he was idly thumbing through. When Magwyn met my eyes for the first time, I felt like all the air had been sucked out of me. For the barest of moments I thought she might be startled by what she saw, but that was probably just my anxiety. I had come to the edge of disaster too often lately, and despite how well my recent test had gone, part of me was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

• Her eyes were like knives.
  
• Those angers were pale candles compared to the forge fire burning in Carceret’s eyes.
  

• but her blue eyes were wide and vacant.

• To my surprise, she opened her eyes and stared at me. Not the marble stare she had given me before, she looked at me with the dark eyes of a young Denna.
  
• Her eyes had gone to flint as she watched Alleg.
  
• serious dark eyes
  

“Pandora opened a jar left in her care containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world. Though she hastened to close the container, only one thing was left behind – usually translated as Hope, though it could also have the pessimistic meaning of "deceptive expectation". [...] Pandora's box is a metaphor for something that brings about great troubles or misfortune, but also holds hope. In Greek mythology, Pandora's box was a gift from the gods to Pandora, the first woman on Earth. It contained all the evils of the world, which were released when Pandora opened the box. However, it also contained hope, which remained inside the box. Symbolically, the box represents the curiosity and desire for knowledge that can lead to both negative consequences and positive outcomes. The evils inside the box can be seen as the challenges and difficulties of life, while the hope represents the optimism and resilience to overcome those challenges.”

“After the battle was finished and the enemy was set beyond the doors of stone”

“What’s inside it?” [...] “Something precious,” Alveron said. [...] “Who can say?” “But you lock up precious things,” Alveron pointed out. “Precisely.” I held up the box, displaying its smooth face. “This isn’t locked up. In fact, it might be locked away. It may be something dangerous.” “Why would you say that?” Alveron asked curiously. “Why go through this trouble?” Meluan protested. “Why save something dangerous? If something is dangerous, you destroy it.” She seemed to answer her own question as soon as she had voiced it. “Unless it was precious as well as dangerous.” “Perhaps it was too useful to destroy,” Alveron suggested. “Perhaps it couldn’t be destroyed,” I said.

In a box, no lid or locks/ Lackless keeps her husband’s rocks. The child’s skipping rhyme ran madly through my head.