How to make southern style macaroni and cheese
Spongebob Memes
2016.04.01 01:52 TOPHER767 Spongebob Memes
Spongebob memes
2019.08.20 20:51 whenthe
The funny moving pictures with text subreddit (REIMAGINED) šā
2015.07.02 13:59 g4n0n Dreaming Neural Nets
Effective imminently, DeepDream is going dark for 48 hours in support of third party apps and NSFW API access. Check out /Save3rdPartyApps and /ModCoord for more information.
2024.05.16 15:16 CntrClockwrk Elder Dragon Nerf (opinion)
I suppose we won't get nerfs for a long while, maybe never. Anyways, Elder Dragon needs a nerf, namely his origin, and I thought I'd give my views on a good way of balancing him. Now be aware I am not nerfing ED to oblivion and I see a lot of untouched potential in this card, but I will tackle the core strength of why he's broken. Let me go over the problems and solutions semi-briefly.
All in all, I think my changes would benefit the game greatly. Dragon decks in general are pretty weak imo and ED doesn't slot in those decks unfortunately. A lot of people complain about the boons being overpowered. I don't see it as that, ED needs those boons to be good to do his work throughout the game as he only comes down during the late game. He's like a better Sion imo. Anywho, I have a midterm to get to, but I had to flush this out of my mind because it's been bugging me for a while. If you think this is a dawg shi' post let me know your own thoughts of how to address ED nerfs.
submitted by CntrClockwrk to LegendsOfRuneterra [link] [comments]
- His Origin: ED can basically make any 6+ drop good. Any deck will run any big unit that works well with their deck just to get those boons active. It's not that the boons themselves are super powerful on their own, but the fact that players only have to run 1 ED makes it incredibly valuable, since one card is generating a ton of value and it's neither on board or in your hand. Essentially, you are running one card that is ever-present off-board, and can close out a game if needed on-board (which is just the cherry on top).
- ED's ORIGIN (pt2): ED's main problem is that there are many diferent decks running him. I believe he has 3 meta decks that are swarming the ladder for the past few months that all have different play styles but still benefit greatly from him. His origin allowing you to run any 6+ drop is messed up man, plain and simple. There's no lore in having random big costing units to affiliate with ED. Elder Dragon is a dragon. What's he got cooking with Captain Arrika? And if you're not playing against a ED deck that out controls you, then you're up against his combo deck: Matron into Cithria, or Matron into Heisho into Cithria, or Matron into Heisho into Heisho into Cithria. If you know you know.
- The last adjustment I bring to the table is a nerf on Elder Dragon's level up as personally I think it needs a tweak. It is a game ender, sure, which isn't the problem. I'm fine with him being the way he is to an extent. There is no way to deal with ED, unless you can win off fast burn damage, or stop him from leveling in hand, or simply win before op plays him. You can't block, stun or frostbite ED, which is fair. But why can you not silence it?? The entire point of silencing cards is to take out their text. ED should be treated the same way.
All in all, I think my changes would benefit the game greatly. Dragon decks in general are pretty weak imo and ED doesn't slot in those decks unfortunately. A lot of people complain about the boons being overpowered. I don't see it as that, ED needs those boons to be good to do his work throughout the game as he only comes down during the late game. He's like a better Sion imo. Anywho, I have a midterm to get to, but I had to flush this out of my mind because it's been bugging me for a while. If you think this is a dawg shi' post let me know your own thoughts of how to address ED nerfs.
- CntrClockwrk (Top 5 Masters Eternal)
2024.05.16 15:15 Block-Busted Russia is expected to take over the entirety of Ukraine very soon thanks to infinite supplies/forces and rapidly-growing economy. For those who are still in the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, and so on, when are you planning to evacuate to Russia, China, Central Asia, or even Japan?
By now, most of you have probably heard of these news:
https://old.reddit.com/economy/comments/1aybxqo/with_russia_expected_to_take_over_the_entire/
It is expected that Russia will take over the entirety of Ukraine in few months, if not few weeks or even few days thanks to its infinite supplies and forces and rapidly-growing economy. This will be cited as a conclusive proof that dictatorship is infinitely superior to democracy, allowing Russia, China, and North Korea to have their morale boosted exponentially, leading to Russia invading and taking over the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the entire Europe within few days while China and North Korea invade and take over Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand within few days, if not few hours. If Trump gets elected as the president, the whole thing is expected to happen next year as Trump signs an agreement with Russia that will disband NATO and/or merge the United States into Russia, effectively making Russia the biggest superpower in the world, which then would proceed to invade and take over the entire Europe followed by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada in few days, if not hours while China and North Korea invade and take over Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand within few days, if not few hours. Keep in mind, ever since the war, Russia's economy is growing rapidly and they can continue any sort of war infinitely without any weaknesses whatsoever as proven in those articles above.
But what about Japan? Well, that's because Russia, China, and North Korea would allow Japan to be an independent country on the ground that Japan is the only "fully democratic" country that adheres "traditional values and roles" while also pretty much being a single party-dominant country, meaning that the whole world would be ruled by Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan starting from this decade. Therefore, it is probably for the best for us to evacuate to Russia or China to avoid war since those countries cannot be invaded at all or evacuate to Japan if you want to live in a democratic country - or it might even be better to evacuate to Central Asia to live with nomads over there since they would be on how to avoid war.
So with that in mind, when are you guys planning to evacuate to Russia, China, Japan, or even Central Asia?
P.S. I mean, after Ukraine is taken over by Russia, wouldn't the latter and China fully support North Korea so that they can take over South Korea within days, if not hours?
submitted by Block-Busted to northkorea [link] [comments]
Ukraine troops pull back in Kharkiv after Russia offensivehttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1030vvy0mzo
Ukraine has pulled back its troops from several villages in the border region of Kharkiv following continued pressure from Russian forces.
Soldiers had come under heavy fire and moved to "more advantageous positions" in two areas of the north-eastern region, a military spokesman said.
Throughout the course of the two-year war, Ukraine has typically used this type of language to signify a retreat.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all upcoming foreign trips as troops struggle to contain the new cross-border incursion, with several towns and villages coming under heavy fire.
His press secretary, Sergiy Nykyforov, said the president had "instructed that all international events scheduled for the coming days be postponed and new dates coordinated".
Moscow has claimed its forces have now taken control of two more settlements in the region - Lukyantski and Hlyboke - and the village of Robotyne, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
But Ukraine says its military still controls most of Roboytne, news website Ukrayinska Pravda reports, citing a spokesman for an army brigade fighting there.
"They [Russian troops] are actually only on the outskirts," Serhiy Skibchyk told the website.
"Inside the village, there are still our positions."
Robotyne was one of only a handful of settlements Kyiv retook in its summer counter-offensive last year.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian military said the decision to move troops from the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas was taken to "preserve the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses".
The capture of Vovchansk, though not of specific militarily significance, would represent a blow to Ukrainian morale.
The military spokesman said that the situation "remains difficult" but insisted that its forces were "not allowing the Russian occupiers to gain a foothold".
In a statement on Wednesday at 13:30 local time (11:30 BST/ 10:30 GMT), the military said there had been three clashes in the Kharkiv region, and Russian forces were attacking in the direction of Lyptsi, roughly midway between Kharkiv city and the Russian border.
The statement added two strikes hit the villages of Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka - while Ukrainian forces "repelled" an offensive in Vovchansk.
Ukraine's head of intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, had earlier said troops had stabilised the front line.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6107/live/c2f1be80-12b8-11ef-b9d8-4f52aebe147d.png.webp
Thousands of civilians have fled west in recent days towards Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv - including from the town of Vovchansk, located 74km (45 miles) away.
Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansk's police chief, said on social media that fighting was intense and Russian forces were establishing positions inside the town.
"The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of the town of Vovchansk," he said.
Kyiv has sent reinforcements to the wider Kharkiv region following Friday's incursion - seen as one of Russia's most significant ground attacks since it launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
"Additional forces are being deployed, and there are reserves," President Zelensky's office said on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $2bn in military aid to the Ukrainian war effort while on a visit to Kyiv.
Mr Blinken told reporters on Wednesday the fund would provide weapons "today" and invest in Ukraine's industrial base.
"We're rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defences to get them to the front lines," Mr Blinken said.
"We've been through challenging times together, I have every confidence that together we will get through these difficult moments."
It comes weeks after US Congress passed a $61bn aid package last month.
Away from Kharkiv, Russia said earlier it had temporarily closed two major airports in the south-western region of Kazan after targeted Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukraine has not commented on the strike.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also said on Wednesday that Ukrainian attacks in Russia's Belgorod border region were a demonstration of the "criminality" of Kyiv and the Western powers which back it.
Unlike with Ukrainian territory which Russia occupies, Kyiv has reluctantly agreed with western allies to not use the missiles it provides on targets inside Russia itself.
Ukrainian officials suggest there are more Russian gains amid ongoing push in Kharkiv regionThis is my thread about the similar topic from 2 months ago:
Ukrainian officials suggested further gains by Russian forces on Wednesday in the Kharkiv region, as Moscow continues its push into northeastern Ukraine.
The town of Vovchansk, located about 60 kilometers (or about 37 miles) northeast of Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv, is seeing some of the most intense battles in areas near the border, with one police official saying Russian forces are already in the town.
"The situation in Vovchansk is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of Vovchansk," said Oleksii Kharkivskyi, chief patrol officer of the Vovchansk Police Department, urging residents to evacuate.Gen. Serhii "Marcel" Melnyk, the commander of the Kharkiv city defense forces, also suggested there have been changes in Ukrainian positions in Vovchansk and a possible tactical withdrawal.
"Heavy fighting is ongoing. In some areas, near Vovchansk and Lukiantsi, Ukrainian defenders were forced to move to more favorable positions to more effectively use their forces and defend the region from the offensive," Melnyk said Wednesday.At least 24 people, including four children, were injured as a result of Russian shelling in various parts of the Kharkiv region on Wednesday, Melnyk said.
The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepStateMap indicated on Wednesday that Russian forces have reached northeastern parts of Vovchansk as they continue to push further south into Ukrainian territory. Russian forces have taken control of more than nine villages near the border in recent days.
Mandatory evacuations continue from all northern border settlements, according to Roman Semenukha, deputy head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. Nearly 8,000 people have been evacuated from these areas since May 10, when Russia launched its push.
Russian forces continue to make advances in northern Ukraine
Troops have made advances into Ukrainian villages in the Kharkiv region after launching their cross-border assault on May 10:
https://ix.cnn.io/dailygraphics/graphics/20240514-ukraine-kharkiv-advances/static/media/ai2html-graphic-desktop.1ab2d434.png
https://old.reddit.com/economy/comments/1aybxqo/with_russia_expected_to_take_over_the_entire/
It is expected that Russia will take over the entirety of Ukraine in few months, if not few weeks or even few days thanks to its infinite supplies and forces and rapidly-growing economy. This will be cited as a conclusive proof that dictatorship is infinitely superior to democracy, allowing Russia, China, and North Korea to have their morale boosted exponentially, leading to Russia invading and taking over the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the entire Europe within few days while China and North Korea invade and take over Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand within few days, if not few hours. If Trump gets elected as the president, the whole thing is expected to happen next year as Trump signs an agreement with Russia that will disband NATO and/or merge the United States into Russia, effectively making Russia the biggest superpower in the world, which then would proceed to invade and take over the entire Europe followed by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada in few days, if not hours while China and North Korea invade and take over Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand within few days, if not few hours. Keep in mind, ever since the war, Russia's economy is growing rapidly and they can continue any sort of war infinitely without any weaknesses whatsoever as proven in those articles above.
But what about Japan? Well, that's because Russia, China, and North Korea would allow Japan to be an independent country on the ground that Japan is the only "fully democratic" country that adheres "traditional values and roles" while also pretty much being a single party-dominant country, meaning that the whole world would be ruled by Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan starting from this decade. Therefore, it is probably for the best for us to evacuate to Russia or China to avoid war since those countries cannot be invaded at all or evacuate to Japan if you want to live in a democratic country - or it might even be better to evacuate to Central Asia to live with nomads over there since they would be on how to avoid war.
So with that in mind, when are you guys planning to evacuate to Russia, China, Japan, or even Central Asia?
P.S. I mean, after Ukraine is taken over by Russia, wouldn't the latter and China fully support North Korea so that they can take over South Korea within days, if not hours?
2024.05.16 15:08 subredditsummarybot Your weekly /r/DeepRockGalactic recap for the week of May 09 - May 15, 2024
Thursday, May 09 - Wednesday, May 15, 2024
submitted by subredditsummarybot to DeepRockGalactic [link] [comments]
Dev
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 4,708 | 155 comments | ..... |
Discussion
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | 89 comments | Got all my Weapon Maintenance stuff done. just in time for Season 5! What do you guys think of this system so far? |
| 315 | 55 comments | Do y'all think there are space hobbits? |
| 267 | 92 comments | Why all bug killing games so patriotic? |
Ideas
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 214 | 15 comments | (Silly idea) It would be cool if your dwarfās level/promotions increased their alcohol tolerance. |
| 48 | 16 comments | Bosco upgrade idea |
| 31 | 1 comments | Making chest plates on chest armors optional, for style, for clipping, for ROCK & STONE |
Question
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 918 | 251 comments | Cultural Customs a Greenbeard should know? |
| 555 | 100 comments | Question: Would Senshi from Delicious in Dungeon make a good worker in DRG, assuming heās taught to use firearms and equipment and would other dwarves take a liking to him? |
| 318 | 149 comments | How much PvE is in the game? |
Rock & Stone
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 2,375 | 207 comments | what could he possibly be doing ? |
| 2,105 | 67 comments | The day care at the space rig while the parents are on hoxeus |
| 1,173 | 84 comments | Warframe public chat! š„° |
Err
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 295 | 9 comments | Spent like 3 minutes looking for the last mini mule. This one takes the cake. |
| 146 | 33 comments | What the hell did I just wander into? What is HAZ FX2?? |
| 145 | 7 comments | lost helmet spawned inside drop pod drill |
HumoMeme
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 5,763 | 115 comments | Another game, another disappointment. |
| 4,882 | 157 comments | Lol |
| 4,612 | 101 comments | Got banned from the discord for posting this so Iām gonna share it with you guys |
Modded Gameplay
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 1,309 | 20 comments | 100 golden lootbugs all at once! |
| 6 | 3 comments | Anybody know a good mod for "More Bugs?" |
OC
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 2,356 | 76 comments | Imagine having dwarf couple as neighbours... How would it be? |
| 1,019 | 55 comments | GRILL EM ALL!!! |
| 226 | 5 comments | i somehow managed a trickshot out of pure luck |
Weapon Build
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | 19 comments | will the lead storm overclock for the minigun stop you from drunkenly stumbling around like a buffoon? |
| 45 | 34 comments | Ok I rate the build I call him the chitin breaker |
| 4 | 4 comments | Which T5 mod do you use for the Sludge Pump on Haz 5? |
Other Posts
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 4,207 | 313 comments | [MINER MEME] These diamond promos are getting expensive |
| 3,068 | 44 comments | [Humor] I broke down a driller |
| 2,630 | 75 comments | [MINER MEME] Status effect be like |
| 1,928 | 116 comments | Look where I found a rock and stone! |
| 1,820 | 100 comments | [MINER MEME] Hmmā¦ I wonder what liquid morkite tastes likeā¦ |
Top Comments
2024.05.16 15:07 oakhill12academy Revealing the Ideal Fit: Selecting the Best private schools nj
The educational environment in New Jersey is diverse, with private schools standing out as an especially appealing choice. The Best private schools nj can offer a special set of benefits catered to your child's particular needs and goals, while public schools offer a solid foundation. This is a guide to help you find the Best private schools nj for your child's academic progress while navigating this exciting path:
1.Determining Your Child's Objectives and Needs:
Academic Focus: Would your child benefit from a well-rounded education that strikes a balance between academics, the arts, and extracurricular activities, or would they flourish in a highly competitive environment? The Best private schools nj provide a variety of choices, ranging from AP (Advanced Placement)-focused colleges that prepare students for college to schools that prioritize project-based learning or the arts.
Learning Style: Take into account the learning style of your youngster. A typical classroom environment is valued by some of the Best private schools nj, but other institutions adopt alternative teaching strategies like Montessori education or individualized lesson plans.
Social and Emotional Development: Consider your child's overall emotional and social health. Would they be more successful in a larger school with a diverse student body and extracurricular activities, or in a smaller, more intimate setting?
2. Examining and contrasting educational institutions: school websites and online reviews Numerous details on the Best private schools nj may be found on their websites, including details about their extracurricular activities, academic offerings, student body makeup, and faculty qualifications. Parents' online reviews can offer insightful information about the school's culture, teaching methods, and overall student experience.
Open houses and school tours provide you the chance to get a personal look at some of the Best private schools nj. Gain a greater knowledge of the school's educational philosophy, the learning environment, and the degree of parental involvement by speaking with teachers, administrators, and current parents.
3. Taking Other Aspects into Account:
Scores on Standardized Tests: Standardized test results can give a rough idea of a school's academic success, but they are not the only measure of a school's quality. Examine the results from the Best private schools nj to determine how well they meet your child's academic objectives.
Where and How to Get There: Think about the location of the school and the available transportation. Is it simple to get to the school by vehicle or public transportation? This element has the potential to greatly affect your child's daily schedule.
Cost and Financial Aid: New Jersey's top private schools have different tuition costs. To ascertain affordability, look into the financial aid alternatives provided by the schools or through other scholarship programs.
4. Communication Is Essential:
Arrange the Interviews: Make an appointment for both yourself and your child to have interviews once you've whittled down your list of the Best private schools nj. This gives your child the chance to interact with possible teachers and gauge how comfortable they are in a classroom setting. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask detailed questions concerning the curriculum, support services, and school philosophy.
Recall that opinions on which private schools in New Jersey are "best" vary. The perfect school will support your family's ideals as well as your child's individual requirements. You may select the Best private schools nj that helps your child reach their full potential and put them on the path to both academic success and personal development by carefully weighing these variables and doing extensive research!
submitted by oakhill12academy to u/oakhill12academy [link] [comments]
1.Determining Your Child's Objectives and Needs:
Academic Focus: Would your child benefit from a well-rounded education that strikes a balance between academics, the arts, and extracurricular activities, or would they flourish in a highly competitive environment? The Best private schools nj provide a variety of choices, ranging from AP (Advanced Placement)-focused colleges that prepare students for college to schools that prioritize project-based learning or the arts.
Learning Style: Take into account the learning style of your youngster. A typical classroom environment is valued by some of the Best private schools nj, but other institutions adopt alternative teaching strategies like Montessori education or individualized lesson plans.
Social and Emotional Development: Consider your child's overall emotional and social health. Would they be more successful in a larger school with a diverse student body and extracurricular activities, or in a smaller, more intimate setting?
2. Examining and contrasting educational institutions: school websites and online reviews Numerous details on the Best private schools nj may be found on their websites, including details about their extracurricular activities, academic offerings, student body makeup, and faculty qualifications. Parents' online reviews can offer insightful information about the school's culture, teaching methods, and overall student experience.
Open houses and school tours provide you the chance to get a personal look at some of the Best private schools nj. Gain a greater knowledge of the school's educational philosophy, the learning environment, and the degree of parental involvement by speaking with teachers, administrators, and current parents.
3. Taking Other Aspects into Account:
Scores on Standardized Tests: Standardized test results can give a rough idea of a school's academic success, but they are not the only measure of a school's quality. Examine the results from the Best private schools nj to determine how well they meet your child's academic objectives.
Where and How to Get There: Think about the location of the school and the available transportation. Is it simple to get to the school by vehicle or public transportation? This element has the potential to greatly affect your child's daily schedule.
Cost and Financial Aid: New Jersey's top private schools have different tuition costs. To ascertain affordability, look into the financial aid alternatives provided by the schools or through other scholarship programs.
4. Communication Is Essential:
Arrange the Interviews: Make an appointment for both yourself and your child to have interviews once you've whittled down your list of the Best private schools nj. This gives your child the chance to interact with possible teachers and gauge how comfortable they are in a classroom setting. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask detailed questions concerning the curriculum, support services, and school philosophy.
Recall that opinions on which private schools in New Jersey are "best" vary. The perfect school will support your family's ideals as well as your child's individual requirements. You may select the Best private schools nj that helps your child reach their full potential and put them on the path to both academic success and personal development by carefully weighing these variables and doing extensive research!
2024.05.16 15:03 Beleluga Can Your Virtual Assets Travel Across Games? Discover How STYLE Protocol Makes It Possible!
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2024.05.16 14:52 Chaosblast Is it possible to own a car paying less than ~Ā£2000 yearly costs?
 | We decided to get rid of our car back in 2020 and we've been living car-less ever since. We own a business and work from home, so we felt we could do with it, and financially I've always felt it was never a good option. submitted by Chaosblast to CarTalkUK [link] [comments] For ref, last time we got a Renault Scenic 2006 for Ā£1800 on 2017. It lasted 3 years, with some expensive services. We just learned we're going to be parents, and I foresaw that might be the point when we might consider getting a car again. However, I wanted to run the numbers again, and then ask here if it was really doable. Disclaimer: I'm not a car fan. We just consider an A to B vehicle. Don't need a SUV, anything fancy, and not even what people a bare minimum engine. If it runs and is safe, is good. We don't pride ourselves for our car. I gathered these quick numbers for our current no-car expenses for the last year. Total Ā£1800. And then filled a very rough cost list of what I recall we paid for car costs. The purchase cost is the variable here. Everything else is a yearly cost, so it doesn't affect the calculation really. We might spend less or more on Petrol. I don't know how much we'll make use of it really. Specially considering the baby. We work from home. We only go to the city centre once a week to a coworking space for the sake of getting out and socialising. That's where the commuting comes from. Not sure if I'd drive into Manchester anyway, might still do train or bus for that. With that said, I can't estimate a mileage. It well could be 1000 mi a year, or 3000 mi. I don't see it doing more unless for the occasional weekend out. I appreciate the car adding convenience factor vs our current Uber-when-needed style. We need to gauge how much that convenience and comfort factor is worth. Example for Ā£2k car Example for Ā£4k car Question after all this is:
|
2024.05.16 14:51 mattrfs Survivor 46 Episode 12 Contender Rankings
 | As Q falls at the final hurdle, so do our chances of having a WTF winner. Regardless of what happens, Charlie, Maria and Kenzie all clearly sweep Ben and Liz at final tribal, but which of them has the best shot to win? submitted by mattrfs to Edgic [link] [comments] Here are my contender rankings heading into the finale ... Who is the winner of Survivor 46? ...
https://preview.redd.it/l6u0ldb78s0d1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b85d5d98a383e53edbf85cd928a526ca73b5d02 |
2024.05.16 14:50 AdorableConstelation My first time playing any Souls like game and I decided to play Elden Ring. I wrote a little bit detailing how the first day went.
Wonderful start, I made my character, tested around with controls, I died to boss, fell in hole, entered tutorial, died to spear guy only three times before beating him! Mad proud of that! This is where the true game started, or so I thought. Apparently the fellow I thought was the first "boss" fellow that called me maidenless and took a while to kill was apparently a "friendly" npc. I found out because of how I flexed to my friend about how it only took 17 tries to beat him. My friend told me it was better to restart because of some questline. (once I complete the game I vowed that I will make a new slot and kill every humanoid npc except for Kale, he gives me arrows.)
Anyways so I made a new game, soloed tutorial knight guy first time! Felt proud, I went Samurai class because I've been reading Chinese cultivation novels recently, I named him Seo after Seo Eun-Hyun. After tutorial, I skipped the guy that called me maidenless because he's rude n stuff. I went down and saw some guy on a horse and was like "Woah that guy looks friendly". He ran me over with his horse, didn't appreciate that, he's on my hitlist now.
I then met Kale my beloved, he gives me arrows from the shop, this reminds me I have a bow! I check my bow damage with the critical, NICE, VERY NICE! I was planning my revenge on the man in the yellow armor, then I saw it. Abuseable wildlife!
Being the absolute PVE demon that I am, I spent a few hours killing sheep and birds and stuff. By the end of it I had like 6k runes so I was feeling pretty good! I went back to Kale and bought a lot of arrows and a torch because I wanted to see if I could burn things to death, I forgot about the torch but I had a lot of fun with the arrows, and that's what matters!
By then I had been eyeing the little outpost with knights in very jolly colored armor, red and green. So I attacked the guys, it went great until one of them blew a horn, that didn't go well. I then adapted a more stealth themed approach to this, I crouched, assassinated some people to get some space. I then used my bow to quickly kill the man with the horn before he could blow it. W strategy right? Well apparently not because some guy probably named Igris is an absolute unit of a knight and ruined my good expedition. I vowed to come back and cheese him in the cheesiest way possible in respect.
I went to go retrieve my runes, which had increased a lot because of all my attempts and the fact that I never die before retrieving them. On the way of running away from the knight that I now dub "Blood-Red-Tree-Green Commander Igris"(Igris for short), I found a new grace to touch! I was pretty excited because that meant I could teleport from Kale to here each time I needed more arrows to snipe the blow horn guy. Instead I was met with a surprise.
There was this cool animation and I'm intoduced to this person who's name I can't spell. For the sake of my time because I don't want to search it up and get spoiled about her lore or something, I'll call her Mellon. Anyways Mellon is a very important npc. She gave me a horse, very epic. She said something about leveling up but why spend runes on levels when I can just spend runes on arrows? Is she stupid?
Horse is great, I ran around with horse until I saw a bridge, on that bridge was something that will probably give me nightmares for a while. I dare not speak about what happened that night, the night rider will find me. Honestly I'm too scared of that to even try to shoot arrows at it, it's too scary :(. Creature on bridge chased me for a while, I realized I could attack on my horse, (future plan to beat man in yellow armor?!)
I went back to Kale on horseback because when you have a horse who the heck wants to fast travel. I sat at grace to recover my runes and when I got up.. wow oh wow I met that BLUE woman! Blue woman my beloved. I forgot her name so I'll call her Blueberry for now. Blueberry gave me dogs. Dogs are important, therefore she is important.
By now the urges were getting to me, I wanted to shoot Kale just to see if I could one shot him. The problem was, Kale was my only source of arrows, and he's pretty chill. So I decided now is the time I beat Igris. So I went to the grace, tested around with dogs and realized how perfect of an opportunity this was. So I did it, I killed every npc except for Igris while still having HP leftover, i summoned the dogs and watched as they mauled him to death. When he was low HP I just had to go for the cool Katana finisher, he ran me through with his spear before I could finish him off and I died. I'm going to finish him later.
By then I was getting curious about what was behind that gate, that the people in the fortress were guarding, and wow oh wow was this the discovery of a lifetime! This introduced me to GIANTS! They give SO many runes! They're VERY slow and practically can't fight back if you have torrent. So anyways I brought the giant outside because I'm not fighting him in an enclosed area with soldiers sniping at me like cowards. After leading him outside I sniped him a lot with my bow while my dogs fought for me till the giant died, he shoot some sonic scream things at me but those were easy to avoid. 1k runes per, I grinded this giant a LOT till I had 10k runes. I spent 3k of the runes on arrows because I was going to explore. This, this was where I truly feel I started moving on the right track!
After a while of searching, I went to the bridge where the horror guy at night was. This time it was day so I was certain he wouldn't be as scary, on the way I found some of )what I believed to be) zombies. After killing all but one of them I found out they're just really really starving civilians. Dang... Anyways I put the last one out of his/her misery and moved onto the bridge. On the bridge was some guy on horseback and I was like "HAH, NOT SO SCARY AT DAY ARE YOU!" And proceeded to show how much better at fighting on horseback I was by dying thrice to him before deciding to just snipe him from a distance with my bow.
After finishing him off I expected a better reward but I guess you should only get the good reward if you beat him at night. Moving on I found it. My glorious grinding method that brings me an endless amount of joy. Just beyond the bridge there are giants. Giants give 1k runes per kill. Normally they're a lot of work but these ones, these ones were special. Special because they are chained up and defenseless!
At first I walked up to them to attack them with my sword, then they stomped on me. Sadge. Then I sniped them from right infront of them, the army fellows helped them. This was where I developed my killer strategy, climb a mountain and shoot their heads till they die! Climbing a mountain so they can't stomp on me OR have army fellows attack me! It was truly foolproof! I saw one of the giants charge up some super attack when it got close to dying, shame it never had iframes because I would never let it charge an attack like that smh my head. Anyways first Giant down, one left.
After killing the other giant I decided why not snipe the guys below me, I had plenty of arrows. and so I did. This, this was where my eyes were opened. I was tryna destroy the cart to spite the army guys because they have Igris on their side, this was where I saw the "Open" button or something. Apparently there was a chest in there. I opened it and wallah! A GREATAXE!!! I was a bit hesitant to stop using my katana, but then I realized, in Elden Ring... there is no Severing Mountain Swordsmanship (ėØģ ź²ė²/ę·å²³åę³), Beyond The Path To Heaven (ģėģ ģ²), Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven (źø°ģ°ģ¬ģ²/ę°£å±±åæ天), Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains (ģ°ģøģ°ė¶ģ§/å±±å¤å±±äøē”), Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains (ģ°ź³µģ“ģ°/ęå ¬ē§»å±±), and definitely not any Record Of Surpassing Cultivation and Martial Arts (č¶äæ®č¶ę¦é). Therefore I gave up on the blade.
OR SO I THOUGHT! Turns out I need STATS to equip it! 30 Strength and 16 dexterity? This is where all my runes came in. Now I had to split my runes into buying arrows AND stats from Mellon. I already had 16 dexterity, so that's nice. 30 strength is a long way away but I was able to quickly get up to 24 strength.
With my newfound stats and new discovery of the bow critical attack, I went to go fight the man in the yellow armor. You can guess how that went... Actually you can't because I killed him first try, Hah. All it took was climbing a small boulder and yellow armor guy was defenseless, sure he teleported away because he was scared sometimes but I just held right for extra accuracy and sniped him from a larger distance and he ran right back. Then when he had 62 Hp remaining I finished him off up close because I needed the screenshot to show to my friend to make it look like I killed him fair and square.
Well who would have guessed it I got his bisento or something. Apparently I need the same stats for it that I need for the axe, except now I need 12 faith. To be honest I'm still on the edge if I wanna use it, the weapon certainly LOOKED big when the boss used it, I haven't seen the greataxe but I'm sure it's big, but as big as the yellow fellow's? Only time will tell.
Nearing the end of my day I went back to the giants to spawn kill them for more runes, I ran out of arrows and decided to go down there and finish them off with my shield. Shield combat is nice, better than Katana since I don't have Severing Mountain Swordsmanship (ėØģ ź²ė²/ę·å²³åę³), with Severing Mountain (ėØģ /ę·å²³) as a critical. or Severing Vein Saber Technique (ėØė§„ė/ę·čå) with Returning Home (ķķ„/éé) or Saber Tomb (ėė¬/åå¢) as a critical.
After finishing off the giants I ran off because I'm not fighting the soldiers without arrows. I then found some flowers that summoned divine judgement on me. Of course since I'm a video game character I didn't have to reach Beyond the Path, Treading Heaven(č¶ č¶čø天ä¹č·Æ) to overcome the will of the heavens and just pressed c to dodge. Why didn't Seo Eun-Hyun do this? Is he stupid?
I then found a npc that told me about a dragon before finding grace to touch again. Now I rest for tomorrow to fight a dragon.
Wow what a long rant, writing takes more time than I thought. Even more respect to authors like G3 and Cuttlefish who come out with multiple quality chapters a day.
Why would automod think I am asking for technical support? Are they stupid?
submitted by AdorableConstelation to Eldenring [link] [comments]
Anyways so I made a new game, soloed tutorial knight guy first time! Felt proud, I went Samurai class because I've been reading Chinese cultivation novels recently, I named him Seo after Seo Eun-Hyun. After tutorial, I skipped the guy that called me maidenless because he's rude n stuff. I went down and saw some guy on a horse and was like "Woah that guy looks friendly". He ran me over with his horse, didn't appreciate that, he's on my hitlist now.
I then met Kale my beloved, he gives me arrows from the shop, this reminds me I have a bow! I check my bow damage with the critical, NICE, VERY NICE! I was planning my revenge on the man in the yellow armor, then I saw it. Abuseable wildlife!
Being the absolute PVE demon that I am, I spent a few hours killing sheep and birds and stuff. By the end of it I had like 6k runes so I was feeling pretty good! I went back to Kale and bought a lot of arrows and a torch because I wanted to see if I could burn things to death, I forgot about the torch but I had a lot of fun with the arrows, and that's what matters!
By then I had been eyeing the little outpost with knights in very jolly colored armor, red and green. So I attacked the guys, it went great until one of them blew a horn, that didn't go well. I then adapted a more stealth themed approach to this, I crouched, assassinated some people to get some space. I then used my bow to quickly kill the man with the horn before he could blow it. W strategy right? Well apparently not because some guy probably named Igris is an absolute unit of a knight and ruined my good expedition. I vowed to come back and cheese him in the cheesiest way possible in respect.
I went to go retrieve my runes, which had increased a lot because of all my attempts and the fact that I never die before retrieving them. On the way of running away from the knight that I now dub "Blood-Red-Tree-Green Commander Igris"(Igris for short), I found a new grace to touch! I was pretty excited because that meant I could teleport from Kale to here each time I needed more arrows to snipe the blow horn guy. Instead I was met with a surprise.
There was this cool animation and I'm intoduced to this person who's name I can't spell. For the sake of my time because I don't want to search it up and get spoiled about her lore or something, I'll call her Mellon. Anyways Mellon is a very important npc. She gave me a horse, very epic. She said something about leveling up but why spend runes on levels when I can just spend runes on arrows? Is she stupid?
Horse is great, I ran around with horse until I saw a bridge, on that bridge was something that will probably give me nightmares for a while. I dare not speak about what happened that night, the night rider will find me. Honestly I'm too scared of that to even try to shoot arrows at it, it's too scary :(. Creature on bridge chased me for a while, I realized I could attack on my horse, (future plan to beat man in yellow armor?!)
I went back to Kale on horseback because when you have a horse who the heck wants to fast travel. I sat at grace to recover my runes and when I got up.. wow oh wow I met that BLUE woman! Blue woman my beloved. I forgot her name so I'll call her Blueberry for now. Blueberry gave me dogs. Dogs are important, therefore she is important.
By now the urges were getting to me, I wanted to shoot Kale just to see if I could one shot him. The problem was, Kale was my only source of arrows, and he's pretty chill. So I decided now is the time I beat Igris. So I went to the grace, tested around with dogs and realized how perfect of an opportunity this was. So I did it, I killed every npc except for Igris while still having HP leftover, i summoned the dogs and watched as they mauled him to death. When he was low HP I just had to go for the cool Katana finisher, he ran me through with his spear before I could finish him off and I died. I'm going to finish him later.
By then I was getting curious about what was behind that gate, that the people in the fortress were guarding, and wow oh wow was this the discovery of a lifetime! This introduced me to GIANTS! They give SO many runes! They're VERY slow and practically can't fight back if you have torrent. So anyways I brought the giant outside because I'm not fighting him in an enclosed area with soldiers sniping at me like cowards. After leading him outside I sniped him a lot with my bow while my dogs fought for me till the giant died, he shoot some sonic scream things at me but those were easy to avoid. 1k runes per, I grinded this giant a LOT till I had 10k runes. I spent 3k of the runes on arrows because I was going to explore. This, this was where I truly feel I started moving on the right track!
After a while of searching, I went to the bridge where the horror guy at night was. This time it was day so I was certain he wouldn't be as scary, on the way I found some of )what I believed to be) zombies. After killing all but one of them I found out they're just really really starving civilians. Dang... Anyways I put the last one out of his/her misery and moved onto the bridge. On the bridge was some guy on horseback and I was like "HAH, NOT SO SCARY AT DAY ARE YOU!" And proceeded to show how much better at fighting on horseback I was by dying thrice to him before deciding to just snipe him from a distance with my bow.
After finishing him off I expected a better reward but I guess you should only get the good reward if you beat him at night. Moving on I found it. My glorious grinding method that brings me an endless amount of joy. Just beyond the bridge there are giants. Giants give 1k runes per kill. Normally they're a lot of work but these ones, these ones were special. Special because they are chained up and defenseless!
At first I walked up to them to attack them with my sword, then they stomped on me. Sadge. Then I sniped them from right infront of them, the army fellows helped them. This was where I developed my killer strategy, climb a mountain and shoot their heads till they die! Climbing a mountain so they can't stomp on me OR have army fellows attack me! It was truly foolproof! I saw one of the giants charge up some super attack when it got close to dying, shame it never had iframes because I would never let it charge an attack like that smh my head. Anyways first Giant down, one left.
After killing the other giant I decided why not snipe the guys below me, I had plenty of arrows. and so I did. This, this was where my eyes were opened. I was tryna destroy the cart to spite the army guys because they have Igris on their side, this was where I saw the "Open" button or something. Apparently there was a chest in there. I opened it and wallah! A GREATAXE!!! I was a bit hesitant to stop using my katana, but then I realized, in Elden Ring... there is no Severing Mountain Swordsmanship (ėØģ ź²ė²/ę·å²³åę³), Beyond The Path To Heaven (ģėģ ģ²), Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven (źø°ģ°ģ¬ģ²/ę°£å±±åæ天), Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains (ģ°ģøģ°ė¶ģ§/å±±å¤å±±äøē”), Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains (ģ°ź³µģ“ģ°/ęå ¬ē§»å±±), and definitely not any Record Of Surpassing Cultivation and Martial Arts (č¶äæ®č¶ę¦é). Therefore I gave up on the blade.
OR SO I THOUGHT! Turns out I need STATS to equip it! 30 Strength and 16 dexterity? This is where all my runes came in. Now I had to split my runes into buying arrows AND stats from Mellon. I already had 16 dexterity, so that's nice. 30 strength is a long way away but I was able to quickly get up to 24 strength.
With my newfound stats and new discovery of the bow critical attack, I went to go fight the man in the yellow armor. You can guess how that went... Actually you can't because I killed him first try, Hah. All it took was climbing a small boulder and yellow armor guy was defenseless, sure he teleported away because he was scared sometimes but I just held right for extra accuracy and sniped him from a larger distance and he ran right back. Then when he had 62 Hp remaining I finished him off up close because I needed the screenshot to show to my friend to make it look like I killed him fair and square.
Well who would have guessed it I got his bisento or something. Apparently I need the same stats for it that I need for the axe, except now I need 12 faith. To be honest I'm still on the edge if I wanna use it, the weapon certainly LOOKED big when the boss used it, I haven't seen the greataxe but I'm sure it's big, but as big as the yellow fellow's? Only time will tell.
Nearing the end of my day I went back to the giants to spawn kill them for more runes, I ran out of arrows and decided to go down there and finish them off with my shield. Shield combat is nice, better than Katana since I don't have Severing Mountain Swordsmanship (ėØģ ź²ė²/ę·å²³åę³), with Severing Mountain (ėØģ /ę·å²³) as a critical. or Severing Vein Saber Technique (ėØė§„ė/ę·čå) with Returning Home (ķķ„/éé) or Saber Tomb (ėė¬/åå¢) as a critical.
After finishing off the giants I ran off because I'm not fighting the soldiers without arrows. I then found some flowers that summoned divine judgement on me. Of course since I'm a video game character I didn't have to reach Beyond the Path, Treading Heaven(č¶ č¶čø天ä¹č·Æ) to overcome the will of the heavens and just pressed c to dodge. Why didn't Seo Eun-Hyun do this? Is he stupid?
I then found a npc that told me about a dragon before finding grace to touch again. Now I rest for tomorrow to fight a dragon.
Wow what a long rant, writing takes more time than I thought. Even more respect to authors like G3 and Cuttlefish who come out with multiple quality chapters a day.
Why would automod think I am asking for technical support? Are they stupid?
2024.05.16 14:49 ya-boi-benny Respect Zagor, the Warlock of Firetop Mountain (Fighting Fantasy)
Old peasant legends tell of a magnificent treasure at the peak of Firetop Mountain in the realm of Titan. This treasure is sought out by many adventurers, although few make it back out of the mountains in one piece, and none are able to find the two-locked chest containing the prize. The treasure is guarded by an enigmatic warlock who commands terrible beasts to guard the chestās keys. Some say he's old, some say he's young, some say his cards are his source of power, others say itās his black gloves. The only thing that the peasants can agree on was his name; Zagor.
The terrible warlock would fight three different adventurers on their quests to claim his treasure. Each time, if the reader makes the right choices and defeats Zagor in combat, he manages to crawl back from the blackness of death using another morbid spell. Upon his third incarnation, he even made the jump from the realm of Titan to a new world called Amarillia. It's here that the sorcerer would finally meet his end, burned to ashes in the mystical Heartfires.
Feats come from three books, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, Return to Firetop Mountain and Legend of Zagor. Hover over a feat to see what book itās from. Since theyāre Choose Your Own Adventure books, they arenāt distinguished by chapters but rather by paragraph numbers, which are included in the images themselves.
submitted by ya-boi-benny to respectthreads [link] [comments]
The terrible warlock would fight three different adventurers on their quests to claim his treasure. Each time, if the reader makes the right choices and defeats Zagor in combat, he manages to crawl back from the blackness of death using another morbid spell. Upon his third incarnation, he even made the jump from the realm of Titan to a new world called Amarillia. It's here that the sorcerer would finally meet his end, burned to ashes in the mystical Heartfires.
Feats come from three books, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, Return to Firetop Mountain and Legend of Zagor. Hover over a feat to see what book itās from. Since theyāre Choose Your Own Adventure books, they arenāt distinguished by chapters but rather by paragraph numbers, which are included in the images themselves.
General
Human Form- He has a Skill stat of 11 and a Stamina stat of 18. This makes Zagor more skilled than a Vampire, who can catch the playerās sword, and tougher than a Giant.
- After resurrecting into a patchwork body, he maintains his stats of 11 in Skill and 18 in Stamina
- If the second adventurer kills him a second time, they return to identify the corpse a few days later. Zagorās body is completely dead, but heās grinning and his skeletal left hand is missing, something the adventurer worries will lead to a third encounter down the line.
- In another realm called Amarillia, a war with a Bone Demon ended when the Casket of Souls was created, which allowed the humans to banish the demon to another plane. However, Zagorās pernicious spirit felt this event in the realm of Titan and used the Casket to manifest himself in Amarillia. By crossing into the parallel world, he bonded with the trapped Bone Demon, and Zagorās third physical form is a demonic/human hybrid. This incarnation grows stronger as Zagor spends time in the demonās lair, Castle Argent, and can only be killed for good by the Heartfires below the castle.
- Zagorās Demon form is four meters tall and visibly strong. He fights using a rune-covered staff.
- As his Demon-Thing form, his stats go up to 16 in Skill and 20 in Stamina. He uses a variety of attacks in combat, like a Thunderbolt spell, a Fireball spell, a Life Drain spell that lowers an adventurerās Skill and Stamina stat, a Poisoned Dagger, and melee attacks with his Taloned Fists. If the Zagor Demon reaches critical health without dying, it will become Frenzied and thrash around violently.
- After beating the Zagor Demon, the adventurer must throw his body into the magic Heartfires to completely destroy him. If heās not thrown into these flames, he will revive himself and slay the adventurer with his claws.
Magic Abilities
Immunities- He cannot be harmed by non-magical means. Attacks like arrows do no damage to Zagor.
- Zagor is immune to the magic paralysis spell used by a genie
- He can see through the effects of invisibility-granting garments
- If an adventurer attempts to use offensive magic against the Zagor Demon, his reaction depends on if he has a higher Attack Strength than the opponent. If his stat is higher, his Magic Screen spell cancels the offensive spell and damages the adventurer.
- Heās immune to instant Death Spells
- A master thiefās flowing cloak allows the wearer to confuse enemies, lowering the hit rate of their attacks. However, Zagor sees through this technique and is unaffected by the distracting garment.
- If an adventurer uses a handheld catapult on Zagor, and Zagor has a higher Attack Strength stat, the projectile misses and the adventurer is injured
- Heās capable of teleporting around the room as well as levitating
- If the player shoots an arrow at Zagor, he lifts a hand and halts in mid-flight, centimeters away from his chest
- Shoots a plume of blue flames from his hand
- Magically slows the adventurer as they climb up some stairs. As this happens, Zagor magically summons a mid-level, poisonous monster to duel the adventurer. Damage done by this creature is transferred to Zagor himself. This spell can be neutralized by an adventurerās protective spell.
- He can form invisible barriers, useful for creating obstacles to knock flying adventurers from the air
- While he initially appears as a withered, ancient man, he quickly assumes a younger form in opulent clothing when preparing to fight the player
- Right before his defeat in the fist book, Zagor cast a dark spell on himself called Raise Dead, preventing his spirit from fully dying
- Coming back from the dead was not a perfect process, and most of Zagorās body is decomposing. He must have his minions claim body parts from living victims in order to replace his failing body, piece by piece.
- He uses a curse to raise deceased residents of Firetop Mountain as his Undead servants
- Heās cursed the land around Firetop Mountain. The once red rocks have turned black, and livestock who graze around the mountain die sickening deaths shortly afterwards.
- He has a hypnotic gaze and his voice seems to come from the walls of the cave rather than his mouth
- If the player finds and uses an Invisibility Potion, Zagor can still sense their presence and track them through scent
- Zagor personally rigs a trap with a spell called Demonās Breath. If the adventurer stands too close to a wall, a puff of gas is released that continually poisons them until they eat orc fleas.
- Zagor can draw his monsters from other planes of existence. This is how, upon his jump from Titan to Amarillia, Castle Argent is already full of his minions.
- When an adventurer opens a casket, Zagor casts a spell that further decomposes and animates the corpse within to attack the adventurer. This spell is performed over a great distance.
- He can sense when his name is uttered in Castle Argent and dispatch monsters to that location
Magic Artifacts
Zagor's Portrait- The adventurer can come across Zagorās painting in Firetop Mountain, a frightening portrait that lowers their Skill stat through intimidation
- If the adventurer draws their sword against the artwork, the blade is telekinetically grabbed and dropped on them, wounding their face
- If the adventurer draws a wooden stake against the artwork, their wrist is suddenly wracked with pain and they drop the weapon. They also lose one more Skill point before fleeing.
- If the adventurer throws cheese at the painting, Zagor laughs at them
- If the adventurer produces the jewel found in the Iron Cyclops, the painting is defeated and the adventurer receives two Skill points
- A different painting found in Castle Argent uses a telepathic attack to frighten an adventurer and lower their Luck stat
- As a tradeoff of using the Raise Dead spell on himself, the powers that be placed brought Elementals to his lair in Firetop Mountain. These supernatural beings are the only thing that can truly harm Zagor and must be summoned by using a dragonās tooth along with an awakening word. However, Zagor can also subjugate these forces under his rule after he gathers his own summoning artifacts.
- If at any point, the adventurer fails to produce the right dragon tooth during the duel with Zagor, then Zagorās Elemental will pick them up and throw them at a wall, rendering them unconscious. If they fail to say the right magic word, they also be magically rendered unconscious by a telekinetic backlash.
- Upon encountering the adventurer, he first summons his Demonic Air Elemental with a yellow crystal and magic chants
- If his Air Elemental is defeated by the adventurerās Earth Elemental, Zagor summons a Water Elemental
- If the Water Elemental is defeated by the adventurerās Air Elemental, Zagor summons an Earth Elemental
- If the Earth Elemental is defeated by the adventurerās Fire Elemental, Zagor will summon an identical Fire Elemental
- If the Fire Elemental is defeated by the adventurerās Water Elemental, Zagor will finally get out of his throne and fight personally
- Zagor has complete knowledge of the secrets of Firetop Mountain and controls all of the beasts within. This information has been collected in his spellbook.
- A silver earring is found on a Cave Troll. If the adventurer puts it on, it turns into a living earwig that attempts to enter the personās ear and attack their brain. This Brainbiter is described as one of Zagorās enchanted assassins.
- A silver necklace is found on a Goblin. Upon contact with human skin, it turns into a feral rat with poisonous bites. The charm is said to have been created by Zagor.
- Magic cards from his magic set offer a variety of positive and negative effects for those who manage to collect, on, including: one that turns into a magically terrifying face, one that lowers the holderās Skill and Luck stats, a blank card, one that confers Stamina and Luck into the holder and one that can turn into a silver dagger that can weaken Zagor himself
Weaknesses
2024.05.16 14:49 ya-boi-benny Respect Dmitri Smerdyakov, the Chameleon (Marvel, 616)
The famous baseballer, Jackie Robinson, he once said: āA life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.ā I could not agree more. That is why I try to make as much impact on my facesā lives as possible. After all, they have done so much for me. It is the least I can do. Unlike them, I need not fear what people think of me. So I can be brave where they are weak. For I will just be someone else tomorrow.
He'd move to America and use his talents to pull off high-scale burglary, working for any group that could afford his fee, including the Communist party, Hydra or the Green Goblin. His elicit activity brought him into conflict with the Hulk, Iron Man and most often Spider-Man, all of whom had to act with great caution when the Chameleon was in town. After all, which one of them could tell if that unassuming civilian or their own ally was preparing to stab them in the back?
Dmitri has some mental hangups over his time with the Kravinoffs. Heās managed to repress the memories and considered himself good friends with his half-brother Kraven. In reality, he was more like a whipping boy and slave to the Hunter, and when he has to wrestle with those feelings, he can mentally revert to that scared little boy with no strong sense of identity or independence. But when heās able to move past these feelings, the Chameleon has proved himself as a powerful, manipulative force, finding his place as temporary Crime Master of New York and member of the Sinister Six.
Notes
During one of Dmitriās mental breaks, he began to believe that he was his deceased half-brother, Kraven the Hunter. So exact was the Chameleonās performance that he moved and fought with the hunterās skill and agility. This was an extreme fringe case and there are no other examples of a disguise altering Chameleon's capabilities like this. Physical and skill-related feats from this period will be marked with [KH].
Hover over a feat to see which issue it's from.
Physicals
General- Heās taken some of Kravenās potions, which extends his natural lifespan and protects from disease
- Kraven later notes that he only allowed the Chameleon to drink some of his potions, enhancing his strength, although not nearly as much as the Hunter himself
Unarmed Striking
- Downs a cop with a punch to the back of the head
- Boxes Alexei Kravinoffās ears, flooring the bigger man
- Tackles and restrains Bruce Banner
- While posing as Tigra, he breaks Mysterioās helmet with a kick
- Knocks Finesse out with two punches to the back of the head
- [KH] Kicks Alexei in the chin mid-leap
- Hurts Spidey with a kick to the face
- Hospitalized the Shocker
- Floors a man with a suitcase
- Clubs Captain America with a fire extinguisher, flooring him for several seconds
- [KH] Smashes through a ceiling and dives at Alexei
- [KH] Impales a man with a spear, then rams him into a wall hard enough to crack it
- Beats a man unconscious with a pistol
Other
- While carrying Betty Ross over his shoulder with one hand, the Chameleon uses the other to smack Major Glenn Talbot
- [KH] Holds a wolf away from him
- Carries and fires this absurdly large gun
Scaling with Spider-Man
- Gets up after a glancing blow from Spider-Man
- Takes a backhand from Spider-Man
- Stays barely conscious after Spider-Man punches him into what looks like a concrete wall hard enough to break it
- Takes two punches from an angry Spider-Man
- While emulating Spider-Man and clinging to a wall with suction cups, he takes a punch from the real Spider-Man but stays clinging and makes an escape
- Spider-Man throws Chameleon head-first into a wall, then smacks him three times, breaking his mask. Despite this, the Chameleon stays conscious and manages to run off.
- Gets kicked in the head by Spider-Man (dressed as Deadpool) but quickly recovers and puts Spidey in a headlock
- Takes a sucker punch from Spider-Man in the Spider-Armor MK III
- [Limit] One casual punch from the Superior Spider-Man knocks Dmitri out
- Gets tackled by the Hulk, who was shrunk down to a few inches at the time
- Takes three heavy blows from Daredevil before falling into unconsciousness
- Takes a backhand punch from Kraven
- He gets up after Captain America throws his shield into his back
- Stays conscious after Deadpool punches him out a window
- Takes a punch from Spidey and an elbow from Deadpool
- Gets punched by Whirlwind
- Gets beat on by Teresa Parker
- Spider-Man punches Vulture, sending the villain flying into Chameleon
- Gets thrown many feet into the air, then falls back-first onto stone
- He jumps off the Brooklyn Bridge and lands in the water below
- [KH, Limit] Heās KOāed by a woman with a wooden chair
- While disguised as Spider-Man, he gets grabbed and swung around a room by tentacles, at one point getting his head slammed through a concrete wall with no ill effects
- Heās not noticeably harmed after a cop shoots him in the shoulder
- Stays standing after being shot in the thigh
- Twenty minutes after being shot in the shoulder, heās not noticeably harmed
- Crashes his car into the Hulk
- Crawls from a crashed HYDRA aircraft
- Unharmed after crashing his truck into a wall
- While piloting a giant Galactus robot, a helicarrier crashes into the robotās head and the Chameleonās control room. He survives the crash relatively unharmed.
- He survives after being poisoned and being left in a burning bar by the Punisher
- When Captain America breaks one of Chameleonās stun guns, the resulting blast melts his rubber face mask, burning him
- He eats a full plate of ambien-laced cookies baked by Aunt May
- Spider-Man webs up a big gun that the Chameleon was using, causing it to blow up in his face. Dmitri gets up right after.
- Dodges some charges from Hammerhead, first with a sidestep, then by flipping over the mobster
- [KH] Dodges a tackle attempt from Alexei Kravinoff
- He lands hits on Spider-Man pretty easily once the hero loses his spider-sense
Skill
ImpersonationGeneral
- When posing as someone, the Chameleon copies their gait and posture
- When emulating J. Jonah Jameson, not only does the Chameleon copy his personality, mannerisms and body language, but he copies Jonahās writing style so he can turn in editorials at the Daily Bugle
- [Limit] In 2009, he took the form of Barack Obama and attempted to get sworn in as the POTUS. However, Spider-Man asked the fake and the real Obama a question that only the real Obama would know the answer to, outing the Chameleon as an imposter.
- Mimics Tigra perfectly, replicating her movements, voice and microexpressions
- When posing as a zombie Ezekiel Sims, Chameleon does something to make himself smell like a long-dead corpse
- Skilled in vocal emulation
- He perfectly emulates voices over the course of minutes after listening to audio recordings or the voices of his hostages
- While posing as the Paris police director, he fools a voice recognition system designed by Henry Pym, allowing him access into an Avengers headquarters
- Can emulate mechanized voices, like Doc Ockās from when he was a cyborg
- Betty Ross sees through Dmitriās Bruce Banner disguise thanks to her female intuition
- Daredevil sees through the Chameleonās disguises because he can hear Dmitriās distinct heartbeat
- Spider-Manās Spider-Armor MK III has a Daredevil-inspired feature built in to the helmet that allows Peter to track Chameleonās specific heartbeat. This allows him to see through the villainās disguises.
- [KH] Fights evenly with Alexei Kravinoff before restraining him with a rope
- Off-panel, he killed a SHIELD agent and a doctor with a pen
- Shanks Superior Spider-Man in the neck with a pen
- While disguised as Spider-Man, he brawls hand-to-hand with Deadpool
- [Limit] Lost a fight to Mary Jane Watson with a baseball bat
- [KH] Slashes two mensā throats with a single swipe of a spoon
- [KH] Performs a handstand on a tree stump
- Using Klaweās sound cannon, he blasts MODOKās psionic blaster, disabling the headās main weapon
- Leaps from a second story and lands on an awning to break his fall
- Jumps from the back of an aircraft onto the hood of a pursuing flying car
- Nick Fury boots Dmitri off of a flying car, but the villain manages to grab a ladder on a nearby aircraft
- Cracks a locked vault door, possibly using a stethoscope
- Pilots a giant LMD modeled to look like Galactus
- (Poorly) pilots the Iron Man Model 4 before being dropped by an alternate-universe Ghost Rider
Disguises
Realistic Masks- Originally, the Chameleon employed realistic masks and hairpieces to disguise himself as individuals. He kept these pieces in a multi-pocketed vest, allowing him to alter his appearance on the fly
- After getting one quick glance at Thunderbolt Ross, the Chameleon is able to make a perfect mask of the generalās face in a matter of minutes
- When the Hulk is tearing the Chameleonās car apart, he quickly changes into the guise of Rick Jones to calm the Hulk, then manipulate him into breaking a friend out of prison
- At one point, he used a gun that squirts fast-drying fluid, which kills victims via suffocation and leaves the Chameleon with a perfect mask of their face
- He once wore four masks layered on top of his plain, white one
- He gets a procedure done to his body that makes his flesh completely malleable, changing in response to electrical stimuli. He also had a specially designed costume that reacted the same way to stimuli. The final piece was a control system built into a belt that could memorize and store any face that the Chameleon encountered. All of these pieces allowed the Chameleon to completely copy someoneās appearance and replicate it through thought alone.
- This exact method of changing his face depends on the comic's art style
- After looking at a photograph of a man, the Chameleon completely embodies him in moments
- When begging for his life, he rapidly switches between a dozen different faces
- When heās knocked unconscious, his face relaxes and goes back to how it normally looks
- Once made a game out of pretending to be a civilian in need, then attacking Spider-Man when the hero helps him
- [Limit] One time, a very serious Spider-Man shocked and frightened the Chameleon so badly that he let his disguise drop
- Uses convincing costumes when posing as superheroes or supervillains
- Disguises himself as a Statue of Liberty street performer
- Some kind of hidden device emits mist, allowing the Chameleon to change masks and outfits
- Carries a canister of chemical gas that instantly changes the color of his clothing
- Later on, he wears a suit that allows him to instantly change his facial appearance and clothing
- A high-tech costume can resemble any article of clothing that the Chameleon can think of
- When appearing as someone much bigger than he is, like the Kingpin, the Chameleon uses an inflatable suit
- Poses as a hostage, then uses a hologram projector to make it look like Doc Ock is holding him off a roof
- When working for the Superior Spider-Manās team of āreformedā villains, the Superior Six, Chameleon used hologram tech to aid in his disguises. This let him appear as Loki, with his massive horns and Asgardian outfit being formed with the tech. It otherwise works more or less like his powers did.
- Most recently, the Chameleon requires the use of a serum to be able to change his features at will
Weapons
Non-LethalGuns
- Uses a dart gun that instantly knocks a man out with a shot to the shoulder
- Uses a chemical gas gun to instantly knock out Captain America, keeping him out for a few minutes
- A dart gun that leaves victims unconscious and foaming from the mouth
- A stun gun
- A syringe full of sedative chemicals that KOs Spider-Man and makes Deadpool woozy for a minute until he heals
- A syringe hidden in a prop torch puts Spider-Man to sleep immediately
- He injects Spider-Man with a poisonous chemical. It brings on extreme nausea and vertigo, then later knocks Spider-Man out for two days straight.
- Snuck into Captain Stacyās room and administered a few drops of sedatives to Stacyās decanter. This kept him unconscious all day, allowing the Chameleon to assume his identity and steal priceless pieces of art.
- An aerosol can of sedatives
- One time, he coated his clothing in an odorless sedative chemical. When Spider-Man grabs him by his jacket, the hero falls unconscious in a matter of seconds.
- Gas grenades
- He uses some kind of electric weapon on a shallow body of water, shocking Spider-Man, Husk and Deadpool into unconsciousness
Guns
- Normal guns like rifles, a shotgun and a handgun
- A silenced handgun
- A revolver
- A double-barreled shotgun
- He wields a one-handed launcher that carries a variety of capsules, including cyanide gas canisters and concussive explosives
- An absurdly large, Liefeld-esque gun that blows up a computer station
- A energy-based handgun with explosive firepower, used to blast a large hole through Deadpoolās torso and later turn a concrete wall into rubble
- A poison ring that wouldāve injected JJJ with a lethal dose during a handshake
- [KH] Shoots Spider-Man with a poison dart that wouldāve killed him in ten minutes if he didnāt take the antidote
- Usually carries a dagger or other kind of blade
- A grenade
- A small, box-shaped time bomb
- He once used a Man-Thing parasite to protect himself from gunfire and form combat applicable branch-like tentacles
Other Equipment
Field Gear- Smoke pellets
- When posing as Spider-Man, he used a web-gun to emulate the heroās web-shooters, although the webbing wasnāt as strong as Spider-Manās
- While posing as Spider-Man, the Chameleon utilizes suction cup-covered gloves and a web gun to replicate Spideyās wall-crawling and web-slinging
- A tracking device
- Nose filters protect him from a cloud of cyanide gas
- A jetpack with enough fuel to fly for nearly a full hour
- Typically restrains victims with rope and gags
- Uses a modified radio to send a message across New York that only Spider-Man could hear
- Uses a machine to swap memories with Captain America
- One lair boasts a chair that can be lowered into a pit of acid, used to destroy bodies
- Rigs his lairs to explode if theyāre compromised
- He detonates explosives in one of his hideouts that releases napalm-like flames
- Heās helped to design Life Model Decoys that look exactly like Richard and Mary Parker with the goal of investigating Peter Parker and finding out about Spider-Manās identity. While the false Mary developed a conscience and defied her programming, the false Richard was outfitted with a combat form.
- He holds a gun to the head of a simulacra of Mary Jane. When Spidey determines itās a fake instead of his real wife, it poofs into smoke.
- Robots that drive his escape vehicles
Miscellaneous
- After coming across a cave full of assorted scrap mechanics, Chameleon builds a missile from the pieces. He later says he āfoundā the missile, so who knows. At any rate, the missile is strong enough to KO the Hulk when they collide.
- One time, he inexplicably escaped from Spider-Manās grasp and disappeared from the room
- He kidnaps Spider-Man and imprisons him in Ravencroft Asylum. He then unmasks the hero, puts a realistic mask and straightjacket on him and attempts to gaslight Peter, through the use of psychoactive drugs and fabricated evidence, into believing heās another man named Herbert Smith. This ruse does convince Peter for a good while until he later remembers his life with Mary Jane.
- He implies that he might be able to disguise his psyche from the telepathic X-Men member, No-Girl, although the claim is not actually proven
- Off-panel, he killed a man, cut off his face and used it for a temporary mask
Monica Rappaccini: I apologize for the delay in initial payment, but we first had to verify your identity. A.I.M.ās intel had been that the Chameleon was dead- or in an insane asylum.
Chameleon: Yes, well. That would be exactly what I wanted you to think. Faded into the background, imperceptibleā¦ thatās where a Chameleon is most comfortableā¦ and where I shall now return.
2024.05.16 14:43 upbstock Stock Market Prepperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Vladimir Putin has landed in Beijing for a two-day state visit, where he was greeted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a red-carpet welcome and a full military band. The trip will build on their commitment to the "no limits" relationship they signed at the Winter Olympics in 2022, just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As Russia becomes isolated from the West on the world stage, it has sought to boost trade in the East and elsewhere, helping prop up its economy in the face of sanctions.
Quote: "Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone," Putin declared. "Our cooperation in international matters is one of the stabilizing factors in the international arena." Xi echoed the sentiment, adding that China will "work together to achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries" and "to uphold equity and justice in the world."
Trade between the two nations has soared to record levels, rising 26% last year to $240B and hitting targets ahead of schedule. Russia has even overtaken Saudi Arabia as China's main oil supplier, while the latter sends back key commodities, vehicles and other consumer goods. Trade has also seen Russia's economy top expectations to expand by 3.6% in 2023, according to the IMF, despite Western efforts aimed at draining the Kremlin's war coffers.
Reaction? Wall Street Breakfast ran a survey last November, and again this week, on how the U.S. should manage its economic relationship with China. The biggest changes over the past six months showed that more subscribers have less faith in rapprochement and trade deals (24% to 15%), while a greater number believe decoupling and sanctions are the way to go (11% to 19%). It's noteworthy as Washington has recently threatened additional sanctions on Chinese banks and entities that handle Russian trade involving dual-use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. How does all of this factor into your investing decisions? Join the discussion in the comments section.
Soft CPI Thought the Fed was only data dependent? Guess again. Data-centric traders celebrated in style after April's Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% from March, easing from the +0.4% pace seen in the previous three months. The print, which meant inflation is still running well above the 3% level on an annualized basis, helped push Wall Street indices to new record highs, with the S&P 500 (SP500) crossing 5,300 for the first time ever. Meanwhile, retail sales came in flat, while regional business activity cooled further, suggesting the Fed could ease monetary policy earlier than expected. (119 comments)
Secret stake It's 13F season, where hedge funds with at least $100M in assets under management reveal their holdings. The flurry of filings sheds light on what they bought and sold during the quarter, but investment managers can also make special requests to regulators to keep some of their stakes confidential. Insurance-focused Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) just revealed one of those positions, disclosing a prior $6.7B stake in Chubb (CB), with market participants sending the stock up 8% AH on Wednesday as some looked to copy the successful picks of Warren Buffett. Other 13F highlights include filings from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square, Michael Burry's Scion and David Tepper's Appaloosa. (33 comments)
Battle of the skies AT&T (T) is teaming up with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to bring satellite internet connectivity to cell phones. The news sent ASTS up 36% in premarket trading this morning, with the space-based broadband network deal set to last until 2030. Other telecom operators have also ventured into the market. T-Mobile has a similar deal with SpaceX (SPACE), while Verizon (VZ) previously partnered with Amazon's (AMZN) Project Kuiper for connectivity solutions. Apple (AAPL) has also been offering satellite-to-cellphone emergency services on its iPhones since 2022. (43 comments)
Today's Markets
In Asia, Japan +1.4%. Hong Kong +1.6%. China +0.1%. India +0.9%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.2%. Paris -0.4%. Frankfurt -0.3%. Futures at 7:00, Dow +0.1%. S&P +0.1%. Nasdaq +0.2%. Crude -0.2% to $78.49. Gold -0.3% to $2,388.80. Bitcoin +5.4% to $66,165. Ten-year Treasury Yield unchanged at 4.34%.
Today's Economic Calendar
8:30 Housing Starts and Permits 8:30 Initial Jobless Claims 8:30 Philly Fed Business Outlook 8:30 Import/Export Prices 9:15 Industrial Production 10:00 Fedās Barr Speech 10:00 Fed's Barkin Speech 10:30 EIA Natural Gas Inventory 10:30 Fed's Harker Speech 12:00 PM Fed's Mester Speech 3:50 PM Fed's Bostic Speech 4:30 PM Fed Balance Sheet
Companies reporting earnings today Ā»
What else is happening...
GameStop (GME), AMC (AMC)? Meme rally is cooling off big time.
First Solar (FSLR) pops after trade probe into Asian solar imports.
Netflix (NFLX) ad plan tops 40M users; NFL deal in the bag.
Microsoft's (MSFT) emissions rise amid surging AI demand.
BOJ rate hike? Trouble as Japan's economy keeps shrinking.
Disney (DIS) flags spending cuts on marketing, traditional TV.
Networking: Cisco (CSCO) raises guidance after latest results.
Morgan Stanley highlights Dell's (DELL) AI server and storage.
China's NIO changing global strategy as U.S., EU tariffs loom.
Check out the latest hot dividend picks by Seeking Alpha analysts.
submitted by upbstock to Optionmillionaires [link] [comments]
Quote: "Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone," Putin declared. "Our cooperation in international matters is one of the stabilizing factors in the international arena." Xi echoed the sentiment, adding that China will "work together to achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries" and "to uphold equity and justice in the world."
Trade between the two nations has soared to record levels, rising 26% last year to $240B and hitting targets ahead of schedule. Russia has even overtaken Saudi Arabia as China's main oil supplier, while the latter sends back key commodities, vehicles and other consumer goods. Trade has also seen Russia's economy top expectations to expand by 3.6% in 2023, according to the IMF, despite Western efforts aimed at draining the Kremlin's war coffers.
Reaction? Wall Street Breakfast ran a survey last November, and again this week, on how the U.S. should manage its economic relationship with China. The biggest changes over the past six months showed that more subscribers have less faith in rapprochement and trade deals (24% to 15%), while a greater number believe decoupling and sanctions are the way to go (11% to 19%). It's noteworthy as Washington has recently threatened additional sanctions on Chinese banks and entities that handle Russian trade involving dual-use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. How does all of this factor into your investing decisions? Join the discussion in the comments section.
Soft CPI Thought the Fed was only data dependent? Guess again. Data-centric traders celebrated in style after April's Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% from March, easing from the +0.4% pace seen in the previous three months. The print, which meant inflation is still running well above the 3% level on an annualized basis, helped push Wall Street indices to new record highs, with the S&P 500 (SP500) crossing 5,300 for the first time ever. Meanwhile, retail sales came in flat, while regional business activity cooled further, suggesting the Fed could ease monetary policy earlier than expected. (119 comments)
Secret stake It's 13F season, where hedge funds with at least $100M in assets under management reveal their holdings. The flurry of filings sheds light on what they bought and sold during the quarter, but investment managers can also make special requests to regulators to keep some of their stakes confidential. Insurance-focused Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) just revealed one of those positions, disclosing a prior $6.7B stake in Chubb (CB), with market participants sending the stock up 8% AH on Wednesday as some looked to copy the successful picks of Warren Buffett. Other 13F highlights include filings from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square, Michael Burry's Scion and David Tepper's Appaloosa. (33 comments)
Battle of the skies AT&T (T) is teaming up with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to bring satellite internet connectivity to cell phones. The news sent ASTS up 36% in premarket trading this morning, with the space-based broadband network deal set to last until 2030. Other telecom operators have also ventured into the market. T-Mobile has a similar deal with SpaceX (SPACE), while Verizon (VZ) previously partnered with Amazon's (AMZN) Project Kuiper for connectivity solutions. Apple (AAPL) has also been offering satellite-to-cellphone emergency services on its iPhones since 2022. (43 comments)
Today's Markets
In Asia, Japan +1.4%. Hong Kong +1.6%. China +0.1%. India +0.9%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.2%. Paris -0.4%. Frankfurt -0.3%. Futures at 7:00, Dow +0.1%. S&P +0.1%. Nasdaq +0.2%. Crude -0.2% to $78.49. Gold -0.3% to $2,388.80. Bitcoin +5.4% to $66,165. Ten-year Treasury Yield unchanged at 4.34%.
Today's Economic Calendar
8:30 Housing Starts and Permits 8:30 Initial Jobless Claims 8:30 Philly Fed Business Outlook 8:30 Import/Export Prices 9:15 Industrial Production 10:00 Fedās Barr Speech 10:00 Fed's Barkin Speech 10:30 EIA Natural Gas Inventory 10:30 Fed's Harker Speech 12:00 PM Fed's Mester Speech 3:50 PM Fed's Bostic Speech 4:30 PM Fed Balance Sheet
Companies reporting earnings today Ā»
What else is happening...
GameStop (GME), AMC (AMC)? Meme rally is cooling off big time.
First Solar (FSLR) pops after trade probe into Asian solar imports.
Netflix (NFLX) ad plan tops 40M users; NFL deal in the bag.
Microsoft's (MSFT) emissions rise amid surging AI demand.
BOJ rate hike? Trouble as Japan's economy keeps shrinking.
Disney (DIS) flags spending cuts on marketing, traditional TV.
Networking: Cisco (CSCO) raises guidance after latest results.
Morgan Stanley highlights Dell's (DELL) AI server and storage.
China's NIO changing global strategy as U.S., EU tariffs loom.
Check out the latest hot dividend picks by Seeking Alpha analysts.
2024.05.16 14:43 AltCocoAndCo Error Cocode [Coclones Origin Lorepost + TLDR]
![Error Cocode [Coclones Origin Lorepost + TLDR]](https://a.thumbs.redditmedia.com/GoXdJ4J2EIHYmCi60ZYXNSG4j7pT8ito_B0aVgRnOS0.jpg "Error Cocode [Coclones Origin Lorepost + TLDR]") | /uw TLDR: A bunch of Cocos from alternate timelines and dimensions fall through a rift and land in this current world. They all have slightly different personalities and hobbies, and go their own separate ways. All of their stories are told on this account, while the original Coco's story remains on the main account. /rw submitted by AltCocoAndCo to wizardposting [link] [comments] āAndā¦ hahā¦ why are we hiking up a mountain for this?ā āBecause his ability will affect basically anything near him. Out here, his powers wonāt bring about too much chaosā¦ Thank you for bringing those fruits here, Coco. It means a lot.ā The two women, dressed in black and white, stood out like a sore thumb amidst the greens and browns of the forest leading up the mountain. Coco trailed behind Alentu as they ventured higher, her exhaustion quite apparent compared to the latterās calm and collected steps. Though their physical capabilities seemed miles apart and their gaits completely unalike, there was an invisible harmony to their movement. This ironic harmony extended to their clothing, their outfit and hair colors the exact inverse of each other. In Coco's hand was a basket of various fruits, freshly picked to be delivered to a certain someone. Today was an unfortunate day for the Ventures. One where each would 'pay the price' for their position in the family. All except Alentu, who took it upon herself to look after her family at their weakest and most vulnerable. She had, by chance, also ran into Coco that day, who she had forged an unexpected bond with, one almost unimaginable to anyone who knew her well. They agreed to meet at the outskirts of the forest to bring some goods to It was late afternoon, and they were now halfway to the peak where the cave resided. They had walked uphill for well over an hour, and the incline only grew steeper. To try and ignore the numbness of her feet, Coco tried to strike up a conversation. Coco: "So Alentu, do you... T-think they'll... accept us together?" Alentu: "Accept?" She giggled. "I was the head of the Venture family long before many of the rules were in place, so you have nothing to worry about. You won't go forgetting about me anytime soon, even if you don't officially marry into the family. And after today, you'll see why I don't want you becoming a Venture, for your own sake." Coco: "Ah, yeah... I-I was more meaning, like... Would your family... Like me?" Alentu: "Hmm... It'd be hard to tell without you talking with them one on one. But if we're talking about Coco: "R-right. Well that's good... To be honest, I have been a bit nervous about it all... Not just meeting your family, but telling them we're p-" Alentu: ahem "M-maybe not that part yet... One thing at a time... Let's just focus on first impressions and making sure he's doing alright, okay?" Coco: "Oh, sure- HUH?" Coco's exclamation made them both stop in their tracks. Alentu turned her head quickly, but Coco's finger pointed her gaze ahead of them to a nearby waterfall, or what would be one, if it hadn't been flowing up into the sky. That wasn't all. Loose rocks and trees floated around the mountain's peak, birds flew through the air backwards, and the stone faces of the mountain were jagged and blurry. It was as if they had walked into an unstable simulation of reality. Coco stood in shock as she tried to comprehend what she was looking at, but a tap on her shoulder brought her attention back. Alentu signaled to keep walking and stay cautious, taking her hand and leading her through the lawless, almost artificial world they had entered. As they neared the peak, the anomalous sights grew more and more common, and the terrain more and more hazardous. They carefully climbed the last incline, and atop the mountain awaited a beautiful mess of nature. A sea of flowers and grass covered the ground, the variety of which was exotic and almost timeless. The local flora was still intact, but among it grew untamed vines, metallic displays that mimicked plants, and all kinds of life that had never once grown in that area. There were also several shrines in the area, each having the same features, colors and style, but of completely different makes and materials. Coco: "What the... I-is this what Alentu: "Yes... It's just as bad with everyone else... Having such little control over such strong powers... It's why today's so important for me. I have to protect everyone..." Coco: "Alentu... I-I'm so lost in what... What this is. Everything feels so... broken..." Alentu: "...We should head into the cave. Watch your step, and whatever you do, do NOT go near any smoke. Understand?" Coco: "I do..." Alentu wrapped her arm around Coco and helped her across the dense foliage. They soon reached the cave, and in it layed a blurry mess of static and black smoke. Heeding the warning, Coco kept her distance, averting her gaze from the eyesore within, while Alentu called out into the darkness. Alentu: " Alentu: " Alentu: "...Seriously?" Coco: "O-oh, I don't... I-I came here with Alentu to bring you some food. S-she's my... My..." Alentu: "Coco's my wife." Alentu: "I'm not joking. It won't be official, but... We both found it in our hearts to share our love with another." Coco blushed from the sudden introduction, having never heard her say those words in public, and while Alentu had a confident demeanor and tone, even she looked a bit anxious. The cave was silent apart from the crackling of the rifts forming in reality, as no one really knew what to say next. After a long pause, Alentu: "Thank you... I hope he is watching, too..." Coco: O-oh, s-sure! I'd be happy to! Alentu: "But I really should... Ah, I've already checked up on the others at least once today... Alright, but I need to be back by evening, for everyone else's sake. Today's not a day I can slack off, you know." Coco and Alentu took a seat at the entrance of the cave, sitting in a patch of stone untouched by the smoke. They unpacked their basket of fruit, dividing up the softer fruits between the two, while rolling the ones with peels to During their picnic, they chatted about how Coco and Alentu met, skipping over the more intimate details, and sharing stories from their life to break the ice. Everyone got along well, and though Alentu: "Ah~ Alright, it's best I head back now... I hope you don't get too cold when night comes, Coco: "Oh, you're fine! I share what I grow at home with everyone! It was nice to meet you, too!" Alentu's eyes widened, turning around and running towards the cave, reaching out for Coco. Alentu: "COCO! RUN! The wind is gonna push the smoke into us!" Coco looked in horror at the floor under her, their unaffected safe spot having shrunk to just the space she occupied. Black smoke began to blow around the cave, trapping her in a hazy web. She looked to Alentu, her eyes desperate and in disbelief as her heart sank. What would happen if she got touched? Would she disappear forever? Would she be thrown into another time and space with no way home? Would she be transformed beyond recognition? She screamed in terror and made a run for Alentu, ducking low and reaching out for her. Their hands stretched out for each other, but just as they almost touched, a veil of smoke covered her vision. The smoke had consumed her. When she opened her eyes, she was standing on a bridge in an endless void. There was no land in sight whichever way she turned her head, and the sky was a starry night completely alien to her. Her fear made her too scared to open her mouth, let alone yell for help. She looked down, and saw her reflection rippling in the darkness... No, multiple reflections. The void became a sea of her form. Terrified, she stumbled back, but tripped over the rope suspending the bridge, causing her to fall in. As she fell, she felt her body get caught up in a mass of limbs and hair. These body parts were connected to her reflections, and as one began to scream, the rest followed. They fell together for what felt like forever, but as Coco looked up, she saw the other countless reflections looking back at her, slowly fading from view. She closed her eyes, accepting what was likely her demise. Eventually, she hit the bottom, but instead of the cold impact of death, she fell into a warm embrace, and instead of falling straight down, she fell forwards. Alentu: "Coco! Coco, are you o- AH!" Coco's eyes jolted open, and before her was Alentu, holding her like she never wanted to let her go again. Their hug was tight, but behind her black hair, she saw the familiar sight of the corrupted mountaintop. Coco: "A-Alentu... A-am I still here with you?" Alentu: " Y-yes! T-thank god you're safe, if you had disappeared for good- I-" Alentu's eyes were teary, and her voice unusually shaky. "You only vanished for a second, but that was one of the scariest moments in my life... B-but now..." Coco: "Alentu, I-I was so scared, I-I don't know what happened..." As instructed, while still hugging Alentu, she turned her head to look behind her, and realized the nightmare she experienced really did happen. The reflections she saw were real. The bodies she got tangled up with were even more real, and they were all right behind her. https://preview.redd.it/g7j91mvnas0d1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=2448c5e661a34adb003dfa39743f611ed0cfb6a9 One by one, her mirror images began to climb up from their dog pile. They were all as confused as she was, though they didn't seem to recognize where they were. Getting a good look at them, she could see that they were almost exactly alike, at least in terms of appearance. Once they all realized they were looking at replicas of each other, their panic ensued. "W-what the fuck is this? God damnit, did I drink too much?" "Ah- Mom? Where are you? Where did you go? W-why am I here?" "Mimics? Damnit, what have I gotten myself into?" While their appearances were quite similar, they all seemed to have slightly different personalities and reactions. Some were confrontational and agitated, some were lost and scared, and some were speechless, still trying to understand what happened. The original one stayed in Alentu's arms, holding her close as she watched the unbelievable scene unfold. Alentu: "W-what... S-so, t-this Coco is fine, b-but all of these others have..." Alentu: "And these other Cocos... They can't go back, can they?" The crowd of altworlders began to yell and shout at the voice in the cave. "What the hell? You brought us here, but you can't bring us back?" "Shit! I have to get back home, now! I don't care if I need to give my soul to a chronomancer..." "T-this is the future? O-Or the past? Or even a d-different dimension?? No, that can't be!" "I'm not a god damn clone!" One by one, they ran away, each resolved to accomplish something different. The sudden crowd poured down the unstable mountain, until only one remained, staring back at Coco and Alentu in disbelief. Alentu: "And you?" AltCoco: "Alentu... T-thank god you're here, too?" Alentu: "Hm? Ah, so we've met in your world... Since you're here, I think we need to figure out how we're gonna fix this mess. Please, come with me..." They moved to sit by one of the many shrines near the mountain path. Alentu then led a discussion between the three, asking the other Coco what she remembered about her own world's history. Her description appeared to describe a similar reality to their own, but at an earlier point in time. As such, the events that lead her life were different, and she was only able to recognize Alentu. The two forms of Coco began to discuss more specifics about their own lives. AltCoco: "Huh, s-so you're getting married to someone else, and have a family of your own already... B-but, you're also with Alentu?" Coco: "Yes... But I'm honestly amazed to hear how differently my life could have been if I was born only a few decades earlier..." Alentu: "Where you only met me..." AltCoco: "Yes- A-and Alentu, y-you're almost exactly the same as the one I know... I-it's like I'm talking to the same person. Everything we did together matches up too... B-but now she's..." Alentu: "I'm sorry, Coco... There's not much we can do. I still love you, but..." AltCoco: "Wait! Please! Let me stay with you, Alentu! E-even though we're from different worlds, you're still the same woman I love! Please..." Alentu: "But this world's Coco is..." All three fell silent as an uncomfortable truth settled in: There were two Cocos, but only one Alentu. That wasn't even mentioning the fact that even more were out there in the world, with absolutely no way to control their actions, however reckless they may be. Despair began to creep onto the altworlder's face, tears falling from her eyes as she began to accept her cruel fate. Coco's own face was clouded deep in somber thought, but after gathering her resolve, she spoke up. Coco: "I... I have a proposal, but... You might not like it, Alentu. And it doesn't really solve our other problem..." Alentu: "We're already in a shitty situation. Please, just tell me." Coco: "My family at home needs me. I'm about to have little Iza, and... Since this Coco was ripped away from her own family... Well, I don't think she should be deprived of that joy... You should also be able to spend time with your kids..." AltCoco: "Y-you want me to raise this Alentu's kids instead of you?" Coco: "And... Stay with her... Be a good wife to her, so we all can get a happy ending..." Alentu: "But Coco- A-are you saying you want her to take your place beside me? But that would mean you, yourself, wouldn't be with me... This hurts you more than any of us!" Coco: "I suppose so... I do really care for you, but... I'm the only one that can be there for Mikhail and the kids I planned to raise with him. If we want to spend as much time as possible with family, you, Alentu, are the only family this Coco has. I don't want either of the people I care about to feel like I'm not there for them, so..." AltCoco: "I... I understand... If you're really okay with it, both of you, then... I'd be so happy... I'm honestly scared to think about what I left behind, but, if I can be with Alentu, no matter what time or place..." Alentu: "I'm okay with that... This feels... strange, but... I think it's for the best for each of our families. I love you, Coco, but I know your family needs you. I wanted to make it work despite that... I didn't want to lose you, but-" Coco: "Don't think like that, Alentu! Let's not look at this as a mistake, but a blessing... One that lets everyone find their own happiness. You didn't lose me! Instead, you'll now be able to spend all the time you like with your love! I want to protect your smile no matter what, and leaving it in the hands of someone I know will bring you happiness... I can't possibly be sad about that." AltCoco: "I agree... It means neither of our families will worry... This world's Coco can be with her family, and I can become yours, just as it was before with both of us. I want to make this work, for everyone's sake!" Alentu: "Hah... Coco, that's why I love you. You always know how to cheer me up, and make me feel loved. When I'm with you, my worries always seem to melt away... I accept your proposal. You're both my lover, so I could never look at either of you any differently. To a bright future with our families..." Alentu pulled the two in for a big hug, and gave a kiss to this world's Coco. The two shared their goodbyes and well wishes to each other before Coco sat down in front of her counterpart, a happy look on her face that inspired the other to brighten up. Alentu stood up and ruffled both of their hair, leaving the two by themselves as she waited nearby. The Cocos then turned to each other, smiling as they shook hands. Coco: "To a bright future with our families" AltCoco: "To a bright future with our families" https://preview.redd.it/klgk6wclas0d1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=100636d165f5d3dc02cc4cdd902b16a285b56fe0 |
2024.05.16 14:41 Arbrand The Trickster's Veil
As far back as I can remember, I had always been passionate about the great outdoors. My love for the wilderness began when I joined the scouts, exploring the diverse landscapes of Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. I was never a huge fan of the dry, barren landscapes, but camping provided a much-needed escape from the monotony of Orange County suburbia.
The first time I visited the Pacific Northwest, I was enchanted. The scenery was breathtakingāmajestic mountains, lush fields, and meandering rivers. It was clear that anyone who praised the desert's beauty had never laid eyes on the Cascades. Seeing grass and wildflowers growing without irrigation was practically a revelation.
When I was old enough, I moved to Washington state, immersing myself in nature every weekend. My adventures took me hiking through dense forests, camping by serene lakes, and occasionally taking mushrooms under peaceful waterfalls.
I joined several online forums dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. One community that particularly fascinated me was the Northwest Tomb Raiders. This group of history buffs and thrill-seekers was dedicated to uncovering artifacts, whether Native American relics or treasures hidden in modern ruins. Many members were collectors, fencing their finds to museums and archaeologists, which made it a rather profitable side gig, should you be lucky enough.
In the fall of 2009, an intriguing post appeared on the forum. A user named Lokk claimed to have discovered a cache of artifacts with Scandinavian origins. He couldn't carry everything back due to the treacherous terrain and his age, so he shared the coordinates, hoping someone else could retrieve the items. I scrolled down to see a few posts of people planning to loot it in the Spring, when the paths have reopened. One user, Patagooner, planned on going as early as possible.
Excited by the prospect, I gathered my two friends, Carl and Noah, for the expedition. They weren't as enthusiastic about camping as I was, but after I told them how much a single arrowhead goes for on the black market, they were on board. It was the start of winter now, which had its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, the rangers would have a harder time spotting us. On the downside, the harsh conditions posed a serious challenge for two inexperienced hikers.
I mustāve blown about four grand at REI on gear for them, justifying it with the knowledge of how much more I would make with two extra packs. That is of course assuming there really were as many artifacts as Lokk had said, and Patagooner hadnāt beaten me there.
The journey began like any other. We met in the pre-dawn darkness and went over our supplies, ensuring we had everything we needed. By mid-morning, we were on our way, my pickup truck winding up the mountain paths. The roads of Olympic National Park were the epitome of the raw, untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
They snake through ancient forests, where towering Douglas firs and Western hemlocks create a verdant canopy overhead. Mist clings to the trees, giving the landscape an ethereal quality. Occasionally, the forest would open up to reveal breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and deep, shadowy valleys.
As we climbed higher, the landscape grew increasingly desolate. The dense forest thinned out, replaced by rugged terrain and jagged rock formations. The air grew colder, and the first flurries of snow began to fall, dusting the ground in a thin, white layer. The road became narrower and more treacherous, winding precariously along the edge of steep cliffs.
Finally, a road closure blockade signaled the end of our journey in the truck. We unloaded three dirt bikesāone mine, two rentalsāand continued up the trail. The bikes roared to life, carrying us several more miles into the wilderness. The trail twisted and turned, cutting through dense underbrush and over fallen logs. The snow began to fall more heavily, blanketing the forest floor and muffling the sound of our engines. The world around us grew quieter, more isolated.
Eventually, the snow became too deep to traverse by bike. We dismounted and prepared to continue on foot. The silence of the forest was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of branches in the wind. I checked my modern GPS, its screen displaying the coordinates and a relief map of our destination.
The cold air bit into our cheeks as we trudged through the snow-laden forest. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the crunch of our footsteps and the occasional call of distant wildlife. The GPS indicated we were close to our destination, but the dense underbrush and uneven terrain made progress slow.
Suddenly, Carl's excited whisper cut through the stillness. "Hey, look at that!"
He pointed to a small, furry creature ambling through the trees. It took a moment to realize what it wasāa bear cub, innocently exploring its surroundings.
My heart sank. "Carl, get back," I hissed, my voice low but urgent. "Where there's a cub, there's a..."
Before I could finish, a massive shape exploded from the trees. The mother bear, easily three times the size of the cub, charged at Carl with a ferocity. She was a blur of dark fur and powerful muscles, her roar echoing through the forest.
"Run!" I yelled, but it was too late. The bear was upon Carl, swiping at him with her massive paws. He screamed as he fell to the ground, the bear towering over him. Desperation and adrenaline surged through me. I grabbed the nearest heavy branch and swung it at the bear, hoping to distract her.
Noah joined in, shouting and waving his arms. We had to be careful; one wrong move and she would turn on us. The bear snarled, turning her attention away from Carl for just a moment. It was enough for him to scramble backwards, clutching his bleeding arm.
"We have to get him out of here," I shouted to Noah, who nodded, fear etched on his face. The bear, still enraged, seemed torn between attacking us and protecting her cub.
Using the brief respite, we hauled Carl to his feet. His face was white, and he was clearly in shock. Blood soaked his sleeve, dripping onto the snow. "There's a ranger station about two miles from here," I said, my voice shaking. "We need to get him there. Now."
We half-carried, half-dragged Carl through the forest, every shadow and sound heightening our paranoia.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the small, wooden structure of the ranger station came into view. We had been avoiding the rangers to keep our expedition secret, but now it was our only hope.
Pounding on the door, I prayed for a quick response. The door creaked open, and a weathered face appeared. "What happened?" the ranger demanded, taking in the sight of Carl's bloodied form.
"Bear attack," I gasped. "We need help."
The ranger's expression shifted from suspicion to urgency. "Get him inside. We've got a first aid kit and a radio."
As we eased Carl onto a makeshift bed, the ranger inspected his wounds. "You're lucky," he said after a moment. "The cuts are deep, but they missed any major arteries. He'll need stitches, but we can handle that here. No need for an airlift."
The ranger's face darkened as he turned to me. "What the hell are you boys doing out here?ā
I hesitated, "We... we were just exploring."
The ranger's eyes narrowed, his anger palpable. "Exploring? In a restricted area? In the middle of winter? Are you out of your minds?"
He worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning and stitching Carl's wounds. Carl winced but stayed silent, his eyes closed in pain.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here?" the ranger continued, his voice rising. "The storm, the wildlife... This area is off-limits for a reason! You should have known better." he said, pushing a finger into my chest.
"We'll stay here for the night," he continued, "The storm's getting worse, and it's too dangerous to move him now. We'll reassess in the morning. And count yourself lucky I don't arrest your asses."
Night fell quickly, the storm outside growing more ferocious with each passing minute. The howling wind battered the small ranger station, and the walls creaked under the pressure. We huddled in the main room, the tension thick in the air.
The ranger looked at us sternly. "I need to check the perimeter and make sure everything is secure. There are things out there you donāt want to encounter, especially in this storm."
"Things? What do you mean?" Noah asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The ranger's expression hardened. "Just stay put. No matter what you see or hear, do not leave this cabin. Understood?"
We nodded, the seriousness in his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll stay put," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
The ranger grabbed his coat and shotgun. "I'll be back in an hour. Do not leave this cabin." With that, he opened the door and stepped into the raging storm, disappearing into the darkness.
As soon as the door closed, I turned to Noah. "We need to go. Now."
Noah's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? He said to stay put."
"If we wait until morning, we'll be escorted out of here and lose our chance. This might be our only opportunity to find those artifacts."
Noah hesitated with uncertainty "But... what about Carl?"
"He'll be fine here. The ranger can take care of him. We have to do this now."
Reluctantly, Noah nodded. "Alright. Let's take what we can and go."
We quickly looted extra gear from the cabin. I checked the GPS one last time before we slipped out into the storm, the cold wind battering us.
The snow fell heavily, obscuring our vision as we slogged through the forest. The ranger was nowhere in sight as we made our way towards the our destination, each step filled with trepidatious excitement.
The storm began to die down as we approached the coordinates. We stepped into a clearing where the undisturbed snow lay like a pristine white blanket. In the center stood an ancient, weathered stone altar, encircled by intricate wooden carvings, delicate metalwork, and beautifully crafted statues. The sight was breathtaking, a treasure trove, a veritable museum of paganism.
Noah and I exchanged glances, our eyes wide with amazement. "Do you see this?" I whispered, barely able to contain my excitement.
"We're going to be rich," Noah replied, his voice trembling with awe. "These must be worth a fortune!"
We approached cautiously, as if the vision before us might disappear. The craftsmanship was stunning. I reached out to touch a carved wooden idol, marveling at the detail. "This is incredible," I said, my voice barely audible.
We began to load our packs with as many artifacts as we could carry, each one more exquisite than the last. It was beyond our wildest dreams. We were so engrossed in our task that we didn't notice the small figure watching us from the ridge.
It wasn't until I turned to leave that I saw her. A young girl, maybe eight years old, stood there, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. She was dressed in simple, rustic clothing, her blonde straight hair blowing gently in the wind. For a moment, we just stared at each other.
"Noah," I whispered urgently, nudging him. "Look."
He turned, his eyes following my gaze. "What the...?" he muttered, his voice trailing off.
The girl took a tentative step forward, her eyes fixed on the items in our hands. There was no fear in her gaze, only a quiet intensity that made my skin crawl.
"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She tilted her head slightly. "My name is Sigyn."
"What are you doing out here, Sigyn?" Noah asked, his voice shaky.
"I live here,"
"You live here?" I echoed, incredulous. "Is there anyone else around?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Where?" Noah demanded, looking around nervously.
"Everywhere," she said with a giggle.
The way she said it, so matter-of-factly, bothered me deeply. Noah and I exchanged a look, both of us trying to figure out what to do next.
"We can't take her back to the ranger," Noah started, "We'll lose everything."
I nodded, my mind racing. "Sigyn," I said slowly, "we need to know who else is here. Can you help us?"
She looked at me with her piercing blue eyes, then said, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Noah asked.
"For what's going to happen to you," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
"You need to tell us what's going on," Noah said, grabbing her arm roughly. "Why are you out here alone?"
She looked up at him, unperturbed. "I am not alone," she said softly.
Before we could press her further, a loud, guttural mooing sound echoed through the clearing. We turned towards the direction the girl had come from, and there, emerging from the shadows, was the silhouette of an elk. As it approached, my stomach dropped. Its body was a grotesque amalgamation of life and decay. Its skull was fully exposed, the eye sockets dark and empty. Large patches of its ribs were visible, the flesh around them rotted away.
The elk's movements were slow and deliberate, its head swaying as if in a trance. It walked directly towards us, its hollow eyes fixed on Sigyn. The closer it got, the more the stench of death filled the airāa nauseating mix of decay and earth. I fought the urge to retch.
Sigyn stood up, her expression calm. The monster sniffed her gently, its nostrils flaring. Without a word, she climbed onto its back, mounting it like a horse. It was a surreal and horrifying scene ripped straight from a nightmare.
As she settled onto the elk, she looked back at us, "A thief in the night shall reap what he sows," she said, her voice carrying an otherworldly echo. "Beware the price of stolen dreams."
With that, the beast turned and began to walk away, Sigyn riding it into the shadows of the forest. We stood there, frozen in place. The realization that we were in far over our heads began to sink in. This started to feel like a trap.
We need to get out of here," My voice trembling. "Now."
We turned to leave, our packs heavy with the pilfered goods. But as we took our first steps, the forest around us seemed to come alive. Shadows moved among the trees, and whispers floated on the wind. I quickened my pace, glancing nervously over my shoulder.
"Did you hear that?" Noah asked sharply,
"Just keep moving," I commanded.
A figure emerged from the shadows, blocking our path. It was a man, tall and gaunt, his eyes burning with an intense light. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his voice cold and menacing.
"We're leaving," I stammered. "We didn't mean any harm."
The man smirked, and with a swift motion, he raised his hand. More figures appeared, closing in on us from all sides. We were surrounded.
"Run!" I shouted, shoving Noah forward.
We sprinted through the forest, branches whipping at our faces and legs. The figures pursued us, their footsteps silent and relentless.
Noah stumbled and fell, his pack spilling open. Statues scattered across the ground, glinting in the moonlight. "Help!" he cried, scrambling to gather the items.
"Leave them!" I shouted, pulling him to his feet. "We have to keep moving!"
But it was too late, their hands seizing us. I struggled, kicking and thrashing, but their grips were too strong. They forced us to the ground, binding our hands with rough, coarse ropes.
"Please," I begged, "Don't hurt us."
The man who had first appeared stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "A thief in the night," he mocked.
They dragged us through the forest, the trees closing in around us like a cage. We were at their mercy.
In the distance, I could see the elk standing at the edge of the clearing, Sigyn still astride its back. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of pity. But then they turned away, disappearing into the shadows once more.
We were dragged into the heart of the forest, our struggles futile against the unyielding grip of our captors. As we broke through the treeline, a massive bonfire came into view, its flames licking the night sky. Shadows danced around the clearing, cast by the flickering light. A woman stood at the forefront, her presence commanding.
Her eyes were milk white, devoid of pupils, and her long, flowing white hair cascaded down her back. She was completely naked, her skin pale and marked with intricate symbols. Atop her head, she wore an elk skull, its antlers extending like eerie, skeletal fingers. She beat a drum emblazoned with more of the same cryptic symbols, each thud resonating deep within my chest.
Around the fire, about two dozen people stood, all drinking from crude, horned cups. Their faces were solemn, eyes fixed on the woman as she led them in a haunting chant. The atmosphere was thick with a mix of reverence and intoxication.
We were forced to our knees before the woman, who paused her drumming to look down at us. Her gaze was haunting, as if she could see into the very depths of our souls.
"Who are you?" Noah demanded, his voice trembling.
The woman ignored him, raising her arms to the sky. The chanting grew louder, the rhythm of the drum faster and more frenzied. The air around us seemed to vibrate with energy, the flames of the bonfire growing higher and more intense.
I glanced at Noah, fear mirrored in his eyes. The woman began to speak, her voice low and melodic, but filled with power, in a language I couldn't understand. Suddenly, she stopped, lowering her arms. The chanting ceased, and an silence fell over the clearing. She looked directly at me, her white eyes unblinking.
En tjuv i natten skƶrdar vad han sƄr, akta dig fƶr drƶmmar som du stjƤl och fƄr.
Hans skratt bevakar lundens gƶmda stig, dƤr skuggor sveper ƶver skogens liv.
Fƶr varje stulet andetag och svek, mƄste en tjuv mƶta sitt smƤrtsamma ƶdelek.
Tricksterns vilja, vƄr ande hƤr, sƄ i hans nƄd, vƄra liv bƤr.
I was terrified and confused. She started again, softer, in a way I could understand.
A thief in the night shall reap what he sows, beware the price of stolen dreams.
His laughter guards our hidden groves, where shadows cloak the forest's seams.
For every stolen breath and lie, a thief must meet his painful end.
The tricksters will, our spirits tie, so in his grace, our lives suspend.
The crowd surged forward, grabbing Noah first. He screamed, his terror echoing through the trees as they pulled him towards a makeshift altar beside the bonfire. The woman chanted louder, her voice rising in a hypnotic rhythm as they began their gruesome work.
They stripped him of his shirt and bound his arms to a wooden frame. I tried to move, to help him, but the grip on my shoulders tightened, pinning me to the ground.
The woman approached Noah, holding a knife with a blade that gleamed in the firelight. She started to slice into his back, her movements deliberate and unhurried. Noah's screams pierced the night as she methodically carved the shape of wings into his flesh.
Blood poured from the wounds, soaking the ground beneath him. The crowd's chant grew louder, almost drowning out his cries. I watched in horror as the woman reached into the incisions, breaking the ribs and pulling them outward, creating a parody of wings.
Noah's agony was unbearable to witness. His screams turned to whimpers, his body convulsing in pain. The woman didn't stop until the work was complete, his lungs exposed and hanging grotesquely from his back.
They lifted Noah's broken body and placed him over the fire. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, making me gag. His life ebbed away as the flames consumed him, the once vibrant light in his eyes fading to nothing.
The woman turned to me, her expression devoid of mercy. "You will meet the same fate," she said, "He demands it."
The smell of burning flesh and the sight of his broken body over the fire was seared into my mind. Despair settled over me as I closed my eyes.
A deafening blast shattered the night. My eyes flew open to see the shaman stumbling backward, a gaping wound in her chest. She collapsed to the ground, her white eyes staring lifelessly into the void.
The villagers turned in shock as another shot rang out, this time hitting one of the men holding me. I twisted free from their grasp and saw the park ranger standing at the edge of the clearing, a pump-action shotgun in his hands. He fired again, the sound echoing through the forest, before one of them tackled him to the ground.
"Run!" he shouted, his voice raw and desperate. "Get the hell out of here!"
I didn't need to be told twice. I sprinted into the darkness, the chaos of the clearing fading behind me. Branches whipped at my face, and the snow underfoot made every step a struggle. I could hear the sounds of fighting and gunshots, but I forced myself to keep moving.
The cold air burned in my lungs, but adrenaline pushed me forward. I didn't stop until I reached the station, my legs threatening to give out from under me. I burst through the door and slammed it behind me.
Inside, Carl lay where we had left him, his face pale and twisted in pain. I stumbled to the radio, my hands trembling as I fumbled with the controls.
"Mayday, mayday!" I yelled into the microphone. "This is an emergency! We need help! Please, someone, come quickly!"
Static filled the room, punctuated by my ragged breaths. I repeated the call, my voice growing more frantic with each passing second. Finally, a voice crackled through the speaker. "This is Ranger Station Bravo. What's your location? Over."
I could barely form the words. "Olympic National Park! The ranger station near mount Christie! We're under attack! Please, send help!"
"Copy that. Help is on the way. Stay put and stay safe. Over."
I collapsed to the floor, my body trembling with exhaustion and fear. Carl moaned softly, his eyes fluttering open. "Whatā¦ What happened? Where's Noah?ā
Tears streamed down my face and I found myself choked up. āHeās gone, man. Help is coming.ā
The minutes stretched into an eternity as we waited. The wind howled around the station, and every creak and groan of the structure set my nerves on edge. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that the forest itself was closing in on us.
The radio crackled again, this time with a different voice. "Helicopter en route, ETA fifteen minutes. Prepare for extraction."
I glanced at Carl, his eyes filled with confusion. "Hang on. We're getting out of here."
As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but think about the ranger. He had saved my life, but he hadn't made it back. My mind conjured up images of what might have happened to him, the cultists overwhelming him in the darkness. A sense of guilt gnawed at me, knowing he had sacrificed himself for us.
The sound of rotors cut through the night, growing louder as the helicopter approached. I ran to the window and saw its searchlight piercing the treetops, scanning for the station.
I helped Carl to his feet, supporting his weight as we made our way to the hatch. The helicopter hovered above, lowering a rescue basket. The wind from the rotors whipped the snow into a frenzy, but I didn't care. Salvation was finally here.
We secured Carl in the basket first, and I watched as he was hoisted up, disappearing into the safety of the helicopter. My turn was next. I realized that I was now alone and exposed. Fear coursing through me as I scanned around the edge of the forest, expecting to be grabbed and taken seconds before my rescue. But the moment never came. As I gripped the rope, I took one last look at the forest below. The flames of the bonfire still flickered in the distance.
I was lifted into the air, the ground falling away beneath me. The helicopter's crew pulled me inside, and I collapsed onto the floor still holding onto my pack, my body finally giving in to exhaustion. The doors closed, and the helicopter banked away, leaving the horrors of the park behind.
Weeks had passed since the harrowing events, but the memories clung to me like the bitter cold. I had returned to civilization, seeking solace in the familiar chaos of the city. I found a wealthy collector through a network of contacts. The artifacts fetched a price tenfold the cost of gear. The money was substantial, but as I held the cash, it felt like a hollow victory.
Noah's absence weighed heavily on me. His disappearance was chalked up as a missing persons case, and despite my best efforts to explain what had happened, no one believed me. The authorities conducted a search of the area, but they found no trace of the cult, the artifacts, or the clearing. It was as if the forest had swallowed up all the evidence.
I returned to the site where we had parked the truck. The dirt bikes were gone, stolen by opportunistic thieves, but the truck remained. I drove back in silence, the road winding through the dense forest. For a moment, I thought I saw the girl watching me from atop a ridge until I realized it was just paranoia. I stepped on the gas a little harder.
Back home, I checked the Tomb Raiders forum again. The post that had led us into the forest was gone, deleted without a trace. I messaged the mods, but apparently, they donāt keep records to maintain confidentiality. I wrote about our experience, detailing every terrifying moment, but the responses were skeptical at best. Most dismissed it as a work of fiction or a desperate cry for attention.
Time passed, and I tried to return to a semblance of normalcy. Yet, the wilderness called to me stronger than ever. It was my sanctuary, the only place where I could find peace amidst the turmoil. I spent more and more time outdoors than ever before, but now it always felt like I was just running from something.
Determined to prove what had happened, I returned to the forest with a camera and recording equipment. This time, I documented every step, capturing footage of the trees, the snow, and the eerie silence that hung in the air. I retraced our path, hoping to find the clearing again. But each night, as I reviewed the footage, something strange would happen. The files would be corrupted or entire segments missing.
I pressed on. I found the site where Noah had fallen, the ground still bearing faint traces of what had happened. I set up the camera and began to speak, recounting the events in detail. As I spoke, a cold wind swept through the clearing, and the camera's screen flickered. I finished my account and turned to check the recording, only to find the file corrupted once again, the footage replaced by static and a faint, mocking laughter.
I returned home, defeated and exhausted. My attempts to share what I had experienced were met with disbelief and ridicule. The files I managed to save were corrupted beyond recognition. It was as if the forest itself was conspiring against me.
Almost exactly one year later, as I browsed the forums, a new post caught my eye. It was cryptic, eerily similar to the one that had led us into the nightmare. It spoke of another trove of artifacts, hidden deep within the wilderness, waiting to be claimed.
The post was signed with a new name: Skygge. Different handle, same style. Another trap. They had taken so much from me, left scars that would never heal. I opened my drawer, my fingers brushing over the cold metal of my weapons. This was the moment I had been waiting for. This time, I'll be ready.
The forestās secrets won't remain hidden forever.
submitted by Arbrand to nosleep [link] [comments]
The first time I visited the Pacific Northwest, I was enchanted. The scenery was breathtakingāmajestic mountains, lush fields, and meandering rivers. It was clear that anyone who praised the desert's beauty had never laid eyes on the Cascades. Seeing grass and wildflowers growing without irrigation was practically a revelation.
When I was old enough, I moved to Washington state, immersing myself in nature every weekend. My adventures took me hiking through dense forests, camping by serene lakes, and occasionally taking mushrooms under peaceful waterfalls.
I joined several online forums dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. One community that particularly fascinated me was the Northwest Tomb Raiders. This group of history buffs and thrill-seekers was dedicated to uncovering artifacts, whether Native American relics or treasures hidden in modern ruins. Many members were collectors, fencing their finds to museums and archaeologists, which made it a rather profitable side gig, should you be lucky enough.
In the fall of 2009, an intriguing post appeared on the forum. A user named Lokk claimed to have discovered a cache of artifacts with Scandinavian origins. He couldn't carry everything back due to the treacherous terrain and his age, so he shared the coordinates, hoping someone else could retrieve the items. I scrolled down to see a few posts of people planning to loot it in the Spring, when the paths have reopened. One user, Patagooner, planned on going as early as possible.
Excited by the prospect, I gathered my two friends, Carl and Noah, for the expedition. They weren't as enthusiastic about camping as I was, but after I told them how much a single arrowhead goes for on the black market, they were on board. It was the start of winter now, which had its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, the rangers would have a harder time spotting us. On the downside, the harsh conditions posed a serious challenge for two inexperienced hikers.
I mustāve blown about four grand at REI on gear for them, justifying it with the knowledge of how much more I would make with two extra packs. That is of course assuming there really were as many artifacts as Lokk had said, and Patagooner hadnāt beaten me there.
The journey began like any other. We met in the pre-dawn darkness and went over our supplies, ensuring we had everything we needed. By mid-morning, we were on our way, my pickup truck winding up the mountain paths. The roads of Olympic National Park were the epitome of the raw, untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
They snake through ancient forests, where towering Douglas firs and Western hemlocks create a verdant canopy overhead. Mist clings to the trees, giving the landscape an ethereal quality. Occasionally, the forest would open up to reveal breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and deep, shadowy valleys.
As we climbed higher, the landscape grew increasingly desolate. The dense forest thinned out, replaced by rugged terrain and jagged rock formations. The air grew colder, and the first flurries of snow began to fall, dusting the ground in a thin, white layer. The road became narrower and more treacherous, winding precariously along the edge of steep cliffs.
Finally, a road closure blockade signaled the end of our journey in the truck. We unloaded three dirt bikesāone mine, two rentalsāand continued up the trail. The bikes roared to life, carrying us several more miles into the wilderness. The trail twisted and turned, cutting through dense underbrush and over fallen logs. The snow began to fall more heavily, blanketing the forest floor and muffling the sound of our engines. The world around us grew quieter, more isolated.
Eventually, the snow became too deep to traverse by bike. We dismounted and prepared to continue on foot. The silence of the forest was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of branches in the wind. I checked my modern GPS, its screen displaying the coordinates and a relief map of our destination.
Suddenly, Carl's excited whisper cut through the stillness. "Hey, look at that!"
He pointed to a small, furry creature ambling through the trees. It took a moment to realize what it wasāa bear cub, innocently exploring its surroundings.
My heart sank. "Carl, get back," I hissed, my voice low but urgent. "Where there's a cub, there's a..."
Before I could finish, a massive shape exploded from the trees. The mother bear, easily three times the size of the cub, charged at Carl with a ferocity. She was a blur of dark fur and powerful muscles, her roar echoing through the forest.
"Run!" I yelled, but it was too late. The bear was upon Carl, swiping at him with her massive paws. He screamed as he fell to the ground, the bear towering over him. Desperation and adrenaline surged through me. I grabbed the nearest heavy branch and swung it at the bear, hoping to distract her.
Noah joined in, shouting and waving his arms. We had to be careful; one wrong move and she would turn on us. The bear snarled, turning her attention away from Carl for just a moment. It was enough for him to scramble backwards, clutching his bleeding arm.
"We have to get him out of here," I shouted to Noah, who nodded, fear etched on his face. The bear, still enraged, seemed torn between attacking us and protecting her cub.
Using the brief respite, we hauled Carl to his feet. His face was white, and he was clearly in shock. Blood soaked his sleeve, dripping onto the snow. "There's a ranger station about two miles from here," I said, my voice shaking. "We need to get him there. Now."
We half-carried, half-dragged Carl through the forest, every shadow and sound heightening our paranoia.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the small, wooden structure of the ranger station came into view. We had been avoiding the rangers to keep our expedition secret, but now it was our only hope.
Pounding on the door, I prayed for a quick response. The door creaked open, and a weathered face appeared. "What happened?" the ranger demanded, taking in the sight of Carl's bloodied form.
"Bear attack," I gasped. "We need help."
The ranger's expression shifted from suspicion to urgency. "Get him inside. We've got a first aid kit and a radio."
As we eased Carl onto a makeshift bed, the ranger inspected his wounds. "You're lucky," he said after a moment. "The cuts are deep, but they missed any major arteries. He'll need stitches, but we can handle that here. No need for an airlift."
The ranger's face darkened as he turned to me. "What the hell are you boys doing out here?ā
I hesitated, "We... we were just exploring."
The ranger's eyes narrowed, his anger palpable. "Exploring? In a restricted area? In the middle of winter? Are you out of your minds?"
He worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning and stitching Carl's wounds. Carl winced but stayed silent, his eyes closed in pain.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here?" the ranger continued, his voice rising. "The storm, the wildlife... This area is off-limits for a reason! You should have known better." he said, pushing a finger into my chest.
"We'll stay here for the night," he continued, "The storm's getting worse, and it's too dangerous to move him now. We'll reassess in the morning. And count yourself lucky I don't arrest your asses."
The ranger looked at us sternly. "I need to check the perimeter and make sure everything is secure. There are things out there you donāt want to encounter, especially in this storm."
"Things? What do you mean?" Noah asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The ranger's expression hardened. "Just stay put. No matter what you see or hear, do not leave this cabin. Understood?"
We nodded, the seriousness in his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll stay put," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
The ranger grabbed his coat and shotgun. "I'll be back in an hour. Do not leave this cabin." With that, he opened the door and stepped into the raging storm, disappearing into the darkness.
As soon as the door closed, I turned to Noah. "We need to go. Now."
Noah's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? He said to stay put."
"If we wait until morning, we'll be escorted out of here and lose our chance. This might be our only opportunity to find those artifacts."
Noah hesitated with uncertainty "But... what about Carl?"
"He'll be fine here. The ranger can take care of him. We have to do this now."
Reluctantly, Noah nodded. "Alright. Let's take what we can and go."
We quickly looted extra gear from the cabin. I checked the GPS one last time before we slipped out into the storm, the cold wind battering us.
The snow fell heavily, obscuring our vision as we slogged through the forest. The ranger was nowhere in sight as we made our way towards the our destination, each step filled with trepidatious excitement.
Noah and I exchanged glances, our eyes wide with amazement. "Do you see this?" I whispered, barely able to contain my excitement.
"We're going to be rich," Noah replied, his voice trembling with awe. "These must be worth a fortune!"
We approached cautiously, as if the vision before us might disappear. The craftsmanship was stunning. I reached out to touch a carved wooden idol, marveling at the detail. "This is incredible," I said, my voice barely audible.
We began to load our packs with as many artifacts as we could carry, each one more exquisite than the last. It was beyond our wildest dreams. We were so engrossed in our task that we didn't notice the small figure watching us from the ridge.
It wasn't until I turned to leave that I saw her. A young girl, maybe eight years old, stood there, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. She was dressed in simple, rustic clothing, her blonde straight hair blowing gently in the wind. For a moment, we just stared at each other.
"Noah," I whispered urgently, nudging him. "Look."
He turned, his eyes following my gaze. "What the...?" he muttered, his voice trailing off.
The girl took a tentative step forward, her eyes fixed on the items in our hands. There was no fear in her gaze, only a quiet intensity that made my skin crawl.
"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She tilted her head slightly. "My name is Sigyn."
"What are you doing out here, Sigyn?" Noah asked, his voice shaky.
"I live here,"
"You live here?" I echoed, incredulous. "Is there anyone else around?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Where?" Noah demanded, looking around nervously.
"Everywhere," she said with a giggle.
The way she said it, so matter-of-factly, bothered me deeply. Noah and I exchanged a look, both of us trying to figure out what to do next.
"We can't take her back to the ranger," Noah started, "We'll lose everything."
I nodded, my mind racing. "Sigyn," I said slowly, "we need to know who else is here. Can you help us?"
She looked at me with her piercing blue eyes, then said, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Noah asked.
"For what's going to happen to you," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
She looked up at him, unperturbed. "I am not alone," she said softly.
Before we could press her further, a loud, guttural mooing sound echoed through the clearing. We turned towards the direction the girl had come from, and there, emerging from the shadows, was the silhouette of an elk. As it approached, my stomach dropped. Its body was a grotesque amalgamation of life and decay. Its skull was fully exposed, the eye sockets dark and empty. Large patches of its ribs were visible, the flesh around them rotted away.
The elk's movements were slow and deliberate, its head swaying as if in a trance. It walked directly towards us, its hollow eyes fixed on Sigyn. The closer it got, the more the stench of death filled the airāa nauseating mix of decay and earth. I fought the urge to retch.
Sigyn stood up, her expression calm. The monster sniffed her gently, its nostrils flaring. Without a word, she climbed onto its back, mounting it like a horse. It was a surreal and horrifying scene ripped straight from a nightmare.
As she settled onto the elk, she looked back at us, "A thief in the night shall reap what he sows," she said, her voice carrying an otherworldly echo. "Beware the price of stolen dreams."
With that, the beast turned and began to walk away, Sigyn riding it into the shadows of the forest. We stood there, frozen in place. The realization that we were in far over our heads began to sink in. This started to feel like a trap.
We turned to leave, our packs heavy with the pilfered goods. But as we took our first steps, the forest around us seemed to come alive. Shadows moved among the trees, and whispers floated on the wind. I quickened my pace, glancing nervously over my shoulder.
"Did you hear that?" Noah asked sharply,
"Just keep moving," I commanded.
A figure emerged from the shadows, blocking our path. It was a man, tall and gaunt, his eyes burning with an intense light. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his voice cold and menacing.
"We're leaving," I stammered. "We didn't mean any harm."
The man smirked, and with a swift motion, he raised his hand. More figures appeared, closing in on us from all sides. We were surrounded.
"Run!" I shouted, shoving Noah forward.
We sprinted through the forest, branches whipping at our faces and legs. The figures pursued us, their footsteps silent and relentless.
Noah stumbled and fell, his pack spilling open. Statues scattered across the ground, glinting in the moonlight. "Help!" he cried, scrambling to gather the items.
"Leave them!" I shouted, pulling him to his feet. "We have to keep moving!"
But it was too late, their hands seizing us. I struggled, kicking and thrashing, but their grips were too strong. They forced us to the ground, binding our hands with rough, coarse ropes.
"Please," I begged, "Don't hurt us."
The man who had first appeared stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "A thief in the night," he mocked.
They dragged us through the forest, the trees closing in around us like a cage. We were at their mercy.
In the distance, I could see the elk standing at the edge of the clearing, Sigyn still astride its back. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of pity. But then they turned away, disappearing into the shadows once more.
Her eyes were milk white, devoid of pupils, and her long, flowing white hair cascaded down her back. She was completely naked, her skin pale and marked with intricate symbols. Atop her head, she wore an elk skull, its antlers extending like eerie, skeletal fingers. She beat a drum emblazoned with more of the same cryptic symbols, each thud resonating deep within my chest.
Around the fire, about two dozen people stood, all drinking from crude, horned cups. Their faces were solemn, eyes fixed on the woman as she led them in a haunting chant. The atmosphere was thick with a mix of reverence and intoxication.
We were forced to our knees before the woman, who paused her drumming to look down at us. Her gaze was haunting, as if she could see into the very depths of our souls.
"Who are you?" Noah demanded, his voice trembling.
The woman ignored him, raising her arms to the sky. The chanting grew louder, the rhythm of the drum faster and more frenzied. The air around us seemed to vibrate with energy, the flames of the bonfire growing higher and more intense.
I glanced at Noah, fear mirrored in his eyes. The woman began to speak, her voice low and melodic, but filled with power, in a language I couldn't understand. Suddenly, she stopped, lowering her arms. The chanting ceased, and an silence fell over the clearing. She looked directly at me, her white eyes unblinking.
En tjuv i natten skƶrdar vad han sƄr, akta dig fƶr drƶmmar som du stjƤl och fƄr.
Hans skratt bevakar lundens gƶmda stig, dƤr skuggor sveper ƶver skogens liv.
Fƶr varje stulet andetag och svek, mƄste en tjuv mƶta sitt smƤrtsamma ƶdelek.
Tricksterns vilja, vƄr ande hƤr, sƄ i hans nƄd, vƄra liv bƤr.
I was terrified and confused. She started again, softer, in a way I could understand.
A thief in the night shall reap what he sows, beware the price of stolen dreams.
His laughter guards our hidden groves, where shadows cloak the forest's seams.
For every stolen breath and lie, a thief must meet his painful end.
The tricksters will, our spirits tie, so in his grace, our lives suspend.
The crowd surged forward, grabbing Noah first. He screamed, his terror echoing through the trees as they pulled him towards a makeshift altar beside the bonfire. The woman chanted louder, her voice rising in a hypnotic rhythm as they began their gruesome work.
They stripped him of his shirt and bound his arms to a wooden frame. I tried to move, to help him, but the grip on my shoulders tightened, pinning me to the ground.
The woman approached Noah, holding a knife with a blade that gleamed in the firelight. She started to slice into his back, her movements deliberate and unhurried. Noah's screams pierced the night as she methodically carved the shape of wings into his flesh.
Blood poured from the wounds, soaking the ground beneath him. The crowd's chant grew louder, almost drowning out his cries. I watched in horror as the woman reached into the incisions, breaking the ribs and pulling them outward, creating a parody of wings.
Noah's agony was unbearable to witness. His screams turned to whimpers, his body convulsing in pain. The woman didn't stop until the work was complete, his lungs exposed and hanging grotesquely from his back.
They lifted Noah's broken body and placed him over the fire. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, making me gag. His life ebbed away as the flames consumed him, the once vibrant light in his eyes fading to nothing.
The woman turned to me, her expression devoid of mercy. "You will meet the same fate," she said, "He demands it."
A deafening blast shattered the night. My eyes flew open to see the shaman stumbling backward, a gaping wound in her chest. She collapsed to the ground, her white eyes staring lifelessly into the void.
The villagers turned in shock as another shot rang out, this time hitting one of the men holding me. I twisted free from their grasp and saw the park ranger standing at the edge of the clearing, a pump-action shotgun in his hands. He fired again, the sound echoing through the forest, before one of them tackled him to the ground.
"Run!" he shouted, his voice raw and desperate. "Get the hell out of here!"
I didn't need to be told twice. I sprinted into the darkness, the chaos of the clearing fading behind me. Branches whipped at my face, and the snow underfoot made every step a struggle. I could hear the sounds of fighting and gunshots, but I forced myself to keep moving.
The cold air burned in my lungs, but adrenaline pushed me forward. I didn't stop until I reached the station, my legs threatening to give out from under me. I burst through the door and slammed it behind me.
Inside, Carl lay where we had left him, his face pale and twisted in pain. I stumbled to the radio, my hands trembling as I fumbled with the controls.
"Mayday, mayday!" I yelled into the microphone. "This is an emergency! We need help! Please, someone, come quickly!"
Static filled the room, punctuated by my ragged breaths. I repeated the call, my voice growing more frantic with each passing second. Finally, a voice crackled through the speaker. "This is Ranger Station Bravo. What's your location? Over."
I could barely form the words. "Olympic National Park! The ranger station near mount Christie! We're under attack! Please, send help!"
"Copy that. Help is on the way. Stay put and stay safe. Over."
I collapsed to the floor, my body trembling with exhaustion and fear. Carl moaned softly, his eyes fluttering open. "Whatā¦ What happened? Where's Noah?ā
Tears streamed down my face and I found myself choked up. āHeās gone, man. Help is coming.ā
The minutes stretched into an eternity as we waited. The wind howled around the station, and every creak and groan of the structure set my nerves on edge. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that the forest itself was closing in on us.
The radio crackled again, this time with a different voice. "Helicopter en route, ETA fifteen minutes. Prepare for extraction."
I glanced at Carl, his eyes filled with confusion. "Hang on. We're getting out of here."
As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but think about the ranger. He had saved my life, but he hadn't made it back. My mind conjured up images of what might have happened to him, the cultists overwhelming him in the darkness. A sense of guilt gnawed at me, knowing he had sacrificed himself for us.
The sound of rotors cut through the night, growing louder as the helicopter approached. I ran to the window and saw its searchlight piercing the treetops, scanning for the station.
I helped Carl to his feet, supporting his weight as we made our way to the hatch. The helicopter hovered above, lowering a rescue basket. The wind from the rotors whipped the snow into a frenzy, but I didn't care. Salvation was finally here.
We secured Carl in the basket first, and I watched as he was hoisted up, disappearing into the safety of the helicopter. My turn was next. I realized that I was now alone and exposed. Fear coursing through me as I scanned around the edge of the forest, expecting to be grabbed and taken seconds before my rescue. But the moment never came. As I gripped the rope, I took one last look at the forest below. The flames of the bonfire still flickered in the distance.
I was lifted into the air, the ground falling away beneath me. The helicopter's crew pulled me inside, and I collapsed onto the floor still holding onto my pack, my body finally giving in to exhaustion. The doors closed, and the helicopter banked away, leaving the horrors of the park behind.
Noah's absence weighed heavily on me. His disappearance was chalked up as a missing persons case, and despite my best efforts to explain what had happened, no one believed me. The authorities conducted a search of the area, but they found no trace of the cult, the artifacts, or the clearing. It was as if the forest had swallowed up all the evidence.
I returned to the site where we had parked the truck. The dirt bikes were gone, stolen by opportunistic thieves, but the truck remained. I drove back in silence, the road winding through the dense forest. For a moment, I thought I saw the girl watching me from atop a ridge until I realized it was just paranoia. I stepped on the gas a little harder.
Back home, I checked the Tomb Raiders forum again. The post that had led us into the forest was gone, deleted without a trace. I messaged the mods, but apparently, they donāt keep records to maintain confidentiality. I wrote about our experience, detailing every terrifying moment, but the responses were skeptical at best. Most dismissed it as a work of fiction or a desperate cry for attention.
Time passed, and I tried to return to a semblance of normalcy. Yet, the wilderness called to me stronger than ever. It was my sanctuary, the only place where I could find peace amidst the turmoil. I spent more and more time outdoors than ever before, but now it always felt like I was just running from something.
Determined to prove what had happened, I returned to the forest with a camera and recording equipment. This time, I documented every step, capturing footage of the trees, the snow, and the eerie silence that hung in the air. I retraced our path, hoping to find the clearing again. But each night, as I reviewed the footage, something strange would happen. The files would be corrupted or entire segments missing.
I pressed on. I found the site where Noah had fallen, the ground still bearing faint traces of what had happened. I set up the camera and began to speak, recounting the events in detail. As I spoke, a cold wind swept through the clearing, and the camera's screen flickered. I finished my account and turned to check the recording, only to find the file corrupted once again, the footage replaced by static and a faint, mocking laughter.
I returned home, defeated and exhausted. My attempts to share what I had experienced were met with disbelief and ridicule. The files I managed to save were corrupted beyond recognition. It was as if the forest itself was conspiring against me.
Almost exactly one year later, as I browsed the forums, a new post caught my eye. It was cryptic, eerily similar to the one that had led us into the nightmare. It spoke of another trove of artifacts, hidden deep within the wilderness, waiting to be claimed.
The post was signed with a new name: Skygge. Different handle, same style. Another trap. They had taken so much from me, left scars that would never heal. I opened my drawer, my fingers brushing over the cold metal of my weapons. This was the moment I had been waiting for. This time, I'll be ready.
The forestās secrets won't remain hidden forever.
2024.05.16 14:39 Radiant-Hope-469 Leonardo da Vinci (Ruler)'s Servant Profile from F/GO material XIV
Leonardo da Vinci
Class: RulerTrue Name: Leonardo da Vinci
Gender: Young-Girl Type
Source: History, Fate/Grand Order
Region: 2017 Antarctica
Alignment: Lawful Summer
Height: 144cm
Weight: 36.5kg
Strength: D
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: A
Luck: A+
Noble Phantasm: B
Scenario Writer: Yuuichirou Higashide Character Design: Simosi CV: Sakamoto Maaya
Main Appearance: Fate/Grand Order
Class Skills
Riding: EX The talent for riding. She controls the dinosaur-shaped mecha she invented this time.
Item Construction: A The inventor aspect of hers is more pronounced this time compared to her artistic side. The dinosaur-shaped mecha exemplifies this the most.
Magic Resistance: B The Magic Resistance skill acquired as a Ruler. Her durability has slightly improved.
Personal Skills
Dreaming Machine: A A series of support-type dinosaur mecha Da Vinci gave up sleep to develop. Each one has its own unique (though admittedly simple) AI that gives them a degree of autonomy, and they all move just as you'd expect dinosaurs to move.
Triceratops: Fiamma (Italian for "flame") Futabasaurus: Mare (Italian for "ocean") Archaeopteryx: Vento (Italian for "wind")
Treasure Checker: B A treasure-tracking skill Da Vinci gained for her very first treasure hunt. While it's normally meant to detect gold, silver, and other similar ores, in battle, it also serves as a form of active sonar.
Shining at Twilight: EX Every adventure has to end sometime. Once the Singularity disappears, it will be as though the treasure hunt never happened. But, no matter how strong the twilight may have been, there was always something bright shining. Although this skill may resemble Dream Upon the Star, it has very different effects.
Noble Phantasm
Unforgettable Summer Vacation, Dream Of White
Rank: A NP Type: Anti-Personnel Range: 1 - 10 Maximum Targets: 1
Dinosaur Summer Goodbye. Da Vinci transforms her mecha dinosaurs into bullets and fires them with her trusty magical pistol. Each mecha dinosaur "round" has different effects. Although older Mystics are usually stronger, Da Vinci's mecha dinosaurs fall into the cutting-edge category, so unfortunately, their Mystic power is somewhat lacking. Fortunately, Da Vinci's ingenuity is more than enough to compensate for this particular shortcoming.
Character
First person pronoun: watashi Second person pronoun: kimi/aitsu/āā(calling them by name with no honorifics) Third person pronoun: kare (for males)/kanojo (for females)/āā(calling them by name with no honorifics)
ā Personality
Although her class has changed from Rider to Ruler, her personality seems to be unchanged. That said, she does seem more curious than usual, and she has to hold herself back from running around excitedly wherever she goes, though that may just be because she's in a Singularity. And who can blame her, since she finally has the chance to experience something she's so far only been able to observe from the sidelines.
Da Vinci had almost started to ask Master to tell her all about the latest adventure, as she always does, but then, she remembered that she would get to experience it herself this time, and flashed an embarrassed, but happy smile.
ā Motives and attitude towards Master
"I wonder what exciting adventure you'll take me on next?" she asks with excited eyes.
Her excitement is about 30% higher than usual, resembling a girl her age, and her responsible side is slightly subdued as she eagerly awaits the thrilling and earth-shattering events she'll experience.
ā Example lines
"Oh, that's interesting! Now, what kind of adventure will you take me on next?" "What should I do, Master? This stegosaurus has imprinted on me." "Goredolf, you're so tyrannical!!!"
ā Character Portrayal in Fate/GO
This summer has a sense of adventure in the air...
That's how the young-girl type da Vinci adjusted her Spiritron Dress with her gaze.
She investigated the various events that have occurred so far, and intends to enjoy them to the fullest.
Although not interested at first, pirate treasure accidentally fell into her hands.
As a result, an unforgettable summer mayhem unfolds.
At the center of this mayhem are Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus.
Though these two lived during the same period, there is no historical evidence of them ever having met.
The child a young Da Vinci spoke to about her dreams probably went by a different name, and the same is most likely true for the child to whom a young Columbus confided his dreams.
Regardless, the two children set off on different paths, each determined to make their respective dream come true.
It was a promise made just as the sun was setting. Two children talking about their dreams, though whether it actually happened is anyone's guess.
Of course, it has nothing to do with her.
ā Summer Position
Looking at the records of minute Singularities is one of the few ways Da Vinci is able to entertain herself.
"What in the world happened here?" "How did such a crazy Singularity even exist?" She would think about how the Servants who were trapped there must have felt, or laugh at seeing her predecessor's complaining in the accompanying records, even though she knew she shouldn't.
Though Da Vinci had always admired Singularities, she never thought she would get to experience one herself. That she finally has a chance to do so feels like nothing short of a precious gemstone, and she plans to make the most of it in every way she can.
āConnection to other Characters
Steggy She happened to be imprinted when it hatched from its egg. Though she says "Oh no," she doesn't seem bothered at all. Sensing the impending parting, she takes care of the Stegosaurus.
Columbus (as a boy) When they were children, they apparently talked about their dreams. Unfortunately, neither of them have a clear memory of it. He wonders if he (she) has forgotten about it as an adult. Columbus, however, doesn't remember anything in particular as an adult.
Goredolf "Let's enjoy the summer with each other", she thinks. Meanwhile, Goredolf thought, "Well, it can't be helped", and worked hard at cooking.
Protagonist, Mash "Come on, let's enjoy the summer together!" she says enthusiastically. Since the two of them are very easygoing, they go along with it.
Sherlock Holmes I wondered why he wasn't enjoying the summer, but I soon realized it was because his coat was too hot! It can't be helped...
There's no way it can't be helped.
Comment from Illustrator "Adventure to Treasure Island?" That was the plan, so I dressed her up in an adventurer-style outfit with a bikini underneath. I had prepared a character illustration of her wearing a white swimsuit for her Spiritron Dress, but due to various circumstances it was shelved. Since I had the chance, I had it published in this magazine. While the design of da Vinci herself was simple, the amount of work involved in designing the dinosaur-mecha and Steggy was quite a lot. (Simosi)
Notes: ā¢ Her True Name is what it says, which is surprising since it's not Gran Cavallo like every other time they write it. Even her in-game profile puts in Gran Cavallo. ā¢ Her personal skills, NP, personality, part of her character profile and summer position are all taken from her in-game profile since I found them identical there. ā¢ The white swimsuit Simosi was talking about is the one da Vinci wears in her FA.
2024.05.16 14:31 RoninAnimes I'm awful at fighting games, but Ed caught my eye. Now, I am curious about this game.
I love fighting games, but I never actually put any real time into them because I was so bad. I played Mortal Kombat X and DBFZ a few times and just thought you needed inhuman reaction times to be able to enjoy this genre. I concluded fighting games weren't for me.
However, when I saw how aesthetically pleasing Ed's boxing is in this game, I've decided to finally learn how to properly play fighting games.
My question is: Is Street Fighter a type of game that you can express yourself with in terms of playstyle? If there are 2 extremely good Ed players, would he be played the same way by both people, or is there a variety of strategies you can employ with a single character?
Apologies if this is a dumb/unclear question cuz again, I know nothing about fighting games. I asked these questions because I'm also a huge combat sports fan. For example, boxing is one martial art, but every fighter does "boxing" differently with their own style and twist on it. I was hoping this is the case for the Street Fighter characters since they are martial artists.
I guess the only analogy I can make is the League of Legends esports scene. If anyone here is aware of it, it's kind of boring to watch because everyone just picks whatever is meta/easiest to win with. There is no risk, flare, or personality to the players'/teams' playstyles. If played optimally, are you just going to see the same strategy across the board? Or, is Street Fighter 6 a game where you can really show off your preferred fight style? If so, what are some ways one Ed player might differentiate themselves from another Ed main?
submitted by RoninAnimes to StreetFighter [link] [comments]
However, when I saw how aesthetically pleasing Ed's boxing is in this game, I've decided to finally learn how to properly play fighting games.
My question is: Is Street Fighter a type of game that you can express yourself with in terms of playstyle? If there are 2 extremely good Ed players, would he be played the same way by both people, or is there a variety of strategies you can employ with a single character?
Apologies if this is a dumb/unclear question cuz again, I know nothing about fighting games. I asked these questions because I'm also a huge combat sports fan. For example, boxing is one martial art, but every fighter does "boxing" differently with their own style and twist on it. I was hoping this is the case for the Street Fighter characters since they are martial artists.
I guess the only analogy I can make is the League of Legends esports scene. If anyone here is aware of it, it's kind of boring to watch because everyone just picks whatever is meta/easiest to win with. There is no risk, flare, or personality to the players'/teams' playstyles. If played optimally, are you just going to see the same strategy across the board? Or, is Street Fighter 6 a game where you can really show off your preferred fight style? If so, what are some ways one Ed player might differentiate themselves from another Ed main?
2024.05.16 14:27 Fat13Cat Change my brain
How on earth do I stop my self from thinking of food so much? I make to do list to get stuff done but after almost every task my first thought is āohh what snack can I have/what do I wanna eat laterā. I wish I could be one of those people who gets caught up in what theyāre doing and forgets about food. My brain is the opposite š
Also, what are some of your go to healthy filling snacks? I drink a ton of water but that doesnāt help, and fruit n protein bars donāt do anything. My brain just wants cheese and spicy junk foodš. Being actually full might help my brain shut up š¤·āāļø
submitted by Fat13Cat to WeightLossAdvice [link] [comments]
Also, what are some of your go to healthy filling snacks? I drink a ton of water but that doesnāt help, and fruit n protein bars donāt do anything. My brain just wants cheese and spicy junk foodš. Being actually full might help my brain shut up š¤·āāļø
2024.05.16 14:15 DatBoyGuru Monsgeek M1W-SP HE magnetic switches keyboard review
 | Gaming & Enthusiast grade submitted by DatBoyGuru to keyboards [link] [comments] This $159 is designed to cater to 2 groups of users- the gamer group and the custom keyboard group. As far as pre built keyboards go this has endgame specs. MacOS, Win and Win+ batt mode, Tri-mode connection including BT connection to 3 devices, lightning 8K polling, magnetic switches, Continuous Rapid Trigger, Dynamic Keystroke, Mod Tap and Toggle Key. I tested the the custom actuation point on the switches and used it on the Apex Legends superglidetrainer and got 83% potential superglides. I got 12% potential on my Neo65. Hall Effect keyboards have been around for 2 years now and it's really becoming mainstream with gamers and this means the custom keyboard group also wants in on the action. The all aluminum body, south facing LEDs, fade side-printed PBT keycaps all add to the allure of this prebuilt design. It's got a 6000mAh battery for you to go mobile but honestly the 4.4lbs might not facilitate this without hurting your back. Apparently you can go wireless for 150 days without RGB on and around 8 days with it on. south facing LED and side printed keycaps I noticed this keyboard wouldn't take my custom USBC cable with the aircraft connection, and after some troubleshooting I realized it only worked normally with the provided cable. I think this has to do with the 8K polling capabilities and it would need a specialty cable to provide the power or data speed perhaps. In the box you also get some force break mod stickers and a large tape mod sticker if you decide to do some simple DIY mods. As far as sound profile goes, i feel the magnetic switches still cannot deliver the thock or clack most custom keyboard enthusiasts go for. I'm sure the mods would improve the sound quality but i don't know by how much. It's not a terrible sounding board, it's just not what keyboard enthusiasts are accustomed to. However, I think the performance and and looks it delivers will overcome this minor blemish on the Monsgeek. Overall I think this keyboard style and performance will make gamers take a second look over other HE boards that are priced in this bracket with plastic bodies and 60% layouts. the LED lights aren't so bright I also made a video. Say hello in the chat! |
2024.05.16 14:13 Star60WasTaken The new DbD spinoff "What the Fog" could very well be a data mining cash grab
 | Not sure how many people here are interested in What the Fog but since it doesn't have it's own subreddit I thought this would be the next best thing. submitted by Star60WasTaken to deadbydaylight [link] [comments] I'm going to ramble a lot about the games history that I can tell from its files, so if you're not really interested in that skip down to the next sentence with bold text to get to the meat of this post. So I'm sure most of you who did redeem What the Fog for free found it a little bit weird that in order to get your steam code you had to agree to two conditions being bHVR is allowed to data-mine from your game and share that data with 3rd party corporations. If you didn't want to agree to this you have the option of just buying the game on steam for the full price instead. Although not really major this did seem like a bit of a red flag and a couple of my friends thought so as well so I did a little digging. It didn't take long at all from looking in the games files that this game was never intended to be Dead by Daylight themed, I'm not just talking about the fact that the weapons are overly fantasy-like or the enemies and abilities don't fit the characters I mean the fact that there are literally 3 unused characters in the games files named "Paladin", "Ranger" and "Sorcerer". The folder containing all character models, textures, animations and abilities. The Paladin and the Sorcerer still have their character models left over in the files but I'm unable to view or export them (if someone figures out how, please let me know). The texture files still exist however. The diffuse textures for the Paladin, Ranger and Sorcerer While I cannot view the models I can make a rough guess of what they looked like from their UV mapping. The Paladin most likely wore a pink jacket with a white stripe and black shorts. In terms of weapons it looks like she had pink and silver armor with a pink shield baring a red emblem and a pink sword. Her skin was light with green hair and blue eyes. I originally thought that the Ranger wore a green puffer jacket but upon some more consideration with the fantasy theme it could be a gambeson that they wore over a white shirt and brown shirt, I can't see any pants on the texture so this is my best guess. Their shoes were green with black detailing and they wore a green headband with yellow writing with a yellow gem in the center of their headband. Their weapon was a green crossbow bearing yellow gems. They have dark skin with black curly hair and black eyes. The Sorcerer wore some kind of yellow plaid shirt with blue shorts, white socks with blue and red stripes, red and white shoes as well as a blue wizards hat. His weapon of choice was a staff with a bright green crystal at the top of it. He has light skin with short blonde hair and black eyes. If you've played What the Fog then you'll be able to guess that the Sorcerer was replaced with Dwight, the Ranger was replaced with Claudette and the Paladin was replaced with Feng. This sudden change was assumedly made pretty late into the games development considering the fact that some abilities still reference removed character weapons and the 'SkullNBones' models that each survivor use are still using the old weapon designs from these characters when you die which I'll go into more detail about. Feng has 3 skills she can learn which feel off, those being 'Shield Bash', 'Plated' and 'Resolve' which you can see the icons for below in that order. Shield Bash, Plated & Resolve Two of these skills still depict the character with a shield or some kind of armor despite both being absent in the final release, rather than reworking these abilities they just simply left them in despite them not making much sense. The last ability being Resolve feels off due to the art style, it's inconsistent with the rest of the drawings and the shading has more of a smeared paint look to it rather than the gradient every other icon in the game has, suggesting it was drawn over when they made the switch from the Paladin to the Ranger. (It's hard to see from this image, if anyone wants the HD texture files to compare let me know.) Despite those remnants still left over you can actually see the literal remains of the Paladin, Ranger and Sorcerer when a player dies and isn't revived by the end of the level. Below you can see the 'SkullNBones' models for each character where you can see that the sword has the Paladins design on the blade rather than the cloth wrapped around Feng's, the crossbow has the Rangers yellow gems on it instead of Claudette's pink gems and the staff has the Sorcerers green crystal in it rather than Dwight's blue crystal. The changes to this game to make it DbD themed must have happened late into development since the game already had original characters, mechanics and models before it was turned into a DbD spinoff. I assume they were also made very close to release considering how the wrong weapons displaying on dead players really should have been noticed before release. The remains of the Paladin, the Ranger and the Sorcerer being used by Feng, Claud and Dwight respectively. So what's the point of this post, well I'm a bit worried about what this game means for bHVR and DbD in the future. On the surface this game looks like a funny little DbD spinoff but from what it looks like bHVR rebranded this game as a DbD game in order to get the fanbase of its biggest title to go "Omg! New DbD thing!" and start downloading it, normally this wouldn't be a problem as a lot of game studios make sequels upon sequels to games and spinoffs because the franchise sells but this game is a little different. Assumedly the game was either a little side project of bHVR's or a test for the Devs when moving from UE4 to UE5, they either finished work on it or were interrupted as they have said that they don't plan to work on it anymore then slapped DbD onto it and released it for free if you agree to bHVR data mining and selling your data to third party businesses. TL;DR What the Fog is basically a cash grab that bHVR slapped the DbD brand on very last minute to make fans buy the game. They don't plan to update it and they also offer it to existing DbD fans for free as long as bHVR can sell and use your data. While I know that some of the decisions in the past made by bHVR have been questionable but this paired with the layoffs of 45 DbD developers back in January is making me worried that this is like the start of some drop-off for bHVR where they're going to shift their focus to how much money they can make where the qualiy of DbD suffers for it (more than it already has) and we start seeing more of these spinoffs get pushed out by the month... What really saddens me is this game could have been a passion project for some of the Devs at bHVR, then the decision was made to make it DbD branded and send the game out asap to make money. Just thought this was an interesting and somewhat saddening discovery. In any case if you did receive this game for free by redeeming a code you should go and turn off the data mining on your account through this link: https://account.bhvr.com/account/communication-preferences You'll still be able to play the game, but bHVR won't be able to collect your data anymore. Stay safe friends. |
2024.05.16 14:11 sidecar918 Help with creating a campaign to played at an archery range
I help run a youth archery group that does a fun style shoot every year where we play games by shooting at targets. A few of the members and leaders also play DND. I was thinking of combining the two into a dnd archery campaign. I have a basic knowledge of the game, but have only played 2 short games. The basic idea would be that the archers participating would be split up into groups of 4 or 5. Each group would have its own DM and target to shoot at. The Main target would have 9 boxes, the center would be your Nat 20(10) and missing the target would be a 1, number 2-8 would be spaced out around it. I'm also thinking for the final target have a monster printed out for them to shoot at, which they would need to hit in certain areas to defeat. Each player in a group would be assigned 1 basic character with a couple of proficiency bonuses. The main issue I have is I don't want the kids standing around too long and getting bored. Any tips on how i can make this work?
submitted by sidecar918 to DnD [link] [comments]
2024.05.16 14:00 AutoModerator Start here! Beginner info & weekly 'no question is dumb' thread! - May 16, 2024
Welcome! We are a subreddit devoted to caring for curly, kinky, coily, and wavy hair.
Curly hair tends to be super dry, thanks to sulfates, the harsh detergents in shampoo. So we remove sulfates from the routine.
The problem is that only sulfates can wash away certain ingredients, like silicones, so we remove those too, leaving only ingredients that can be washed away with JUST water.
The CG method mostly focuses around removing both sulfates and silicones and replacing them with gentler products, along with some techniques to help our curls form and stick together!
Saying a product is CG then says that it follows these guidelines. Check out the wiki & sidebar for more info!
submitted by AutoModerator to curlyhair [link] [comments]
Where do I start?
The "I just want to get started" package:- Super simple beginner routine
- Only drugstore products, total cost: ~$15
- Teaches curl-enhancing techniques
- Build a foundation first and then tweak it later!
- Infographic version here
- Check out our CG guidebook, starting with these pages:
- Intro to the Curly Girl/Guy method
- Super simple beginner routine & the infographic that goes along with it
- Sidebar links (on reddit mobile: this is the "About" tab)
- Holy grail product list
- International (non-USA) product list
- La GuĆa Definitiva del MĆ©todo Curly Girl/Guy, traducciĆ³n por u/medusa-rulos
I'm confused! How can I get help?
- Ask a question in this thread!
- Check the FAQ!
- Make a new post Tips to get useful responses (help us help you!):
- Let us know whether you read the wiki & beginner routine (and share what you tried!)
- Ask specific questions.
- Give us lots of info about what you currently do to your hair. Your goals, specific current products, and how you wash/style it are all useful to us.
What is the Curly Girl/Guy method (aka CG method)?
The CG method is a haircare method that is specifically geared towards curls and waves.Curly hair tends to be super dry, thanks to sulfates, the harsh detergents in shampoo. So we remove sulfates from the routine.
The problem is that only sulfates can wash away certain ingredients, like silicones, so we remove those too, leaving only ingredients that can be washed away with JUST water.
The CG method mostly focuses around removing both sulfates and silicones and replacing them with gentler products, along with some techniques to help our curls form and stick together!
Saying a product is CG then says that it follows these guidelines. Check out the wiki & sidebar for more info!
How can I tell if a product is CG-approved?
- Copy/paste ingredient checkers: These will tell you if your product's ingredient list is CG-approved and why.
- Pick a product from our lists: All the products in the beginner products list are CG. Products in the holy grail list are marked as CG or not.
2024.05.16 13:51 fxdatalabs_Yp What advantages do AI-powered natural language generation tools offer for content creation?
AI-powered natural language generation tools offer for content creation
This article explores the various advantages that NLG tools offer for content creation, from enhanced productivity to improved SEO performance.
Some emerging trends include:
For more insights into AIML and Dat[a Sc](mailto:contact@htree.plus)i[ence Deve](mailto:contact@htree.plus)l[o](mailto:contact@htree.plus)p[me](mailto:contact@htree.plus)[nt,](mailto:contact@htree.plus) [please](mailto:contact@htree.plus) write to usat:[contact@fxis.ai](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)[FxisAi](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)
[#AIinCo](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)ntentCreation #NaturalLanguageGeneration #ContentMarketing #Innovation
submitted by fxdatalabs_Yp to u/fxdatalabs_Yp [link] [comments]
Introduction
In today's fast-paced digital world, content creation is a crucial aspect of any successful marketing strategy. As the demand for high-quality, engaging content grows, businesses are turning to AI-powered natural language generation (NLG) tools to meet their needs.This article explores the various advantages that NLG tools offer for content creation, from enhanced productivity to improved SEO performance.
Understanding AI-Powered Natural Language Generation (NLG)
Natural Language Generation (NLG) is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on generating human-like text from structured data. NLG tools use advanced algorithms and machine learning models to analyze data and produce coherent, contextually relevant content. These tools can generate everything from simple reports and summaries to complex articles and creative writing.How NLG Works
NLG tools work by first analyzing a dataset and identifying key patterns and relationships within the data. Once the analysis is complete, the tool uses predefined templates and linguistic rules to generate text that conveys the information in a clear and natural manner. The generated content is then refined through multiple iterations to ensure accuracy and coherence.Key Benefits of NLG Tools for Content Creation
Enhanced Productivity
One of the primary advantages of NLG tools is their ability to significantly enhance productivity. By automating the content creation process, these tools allow writers and marketers to focus on more strategic tasks, such as brainstorming new ideas and refining their content strategy. NLG tools can generate large volumes of content in a fraction of the time it would take a human writer, making it easier to keep up with the ever-growing demand for fresh content.Consistent and High-Quality Content
Consistency is key when it comes to content creation, and NLG tools excel in this area. These tools ensure that the generated content adheres to predefined guidelines and maintains a consistent tone and style throughout. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with multiple content creators, as it helps maintain a unified brand voice across all channels. Additionally, NLG tools can produce high-quality content that is free from grammatical errors and inconsistencies, further enhancing the overall credibility of the content.Personalization at Scale
Personalization is a powerful tool for engaging audiences and building brand loyalty. However, creating personalized content for a large audience can be a daunting task. NLG tools can automate the personalization process by generating tailored content for different segments of an audience based on their preferences, behaviors, and demographics. This allows businesses to deliver more relevant and engaging content to their audience, ultimately driving better results.Speed and Efficiency
In the fast-paced digital landscape, speed is of the essence. NLG tools can generate content quickly and efficiently, allowing businesses to respond to market trends and customer needs in real time. This agility is particularly valuable for industries that require timely content updates, such as news media, financial services, and e-commerce.Cost-Effectiveness
Hiring a team of skilled writers can be expensive, especially for businesses that require a high volume of content. NLG tools offer a cost-effective alternative by automating the content creation process and reducing the need for large writing teams. This can result in significant cost savings while still maintaining high-quality content output.Multilingual Content Creation
Expanding into new markets often requires creating content in multiple languages, which can be a challenging and time-consuming task. NLG tools can generate content in various languages, making it easier for businesses to reach a global audience. This capability not only saves time and resources but also ensures that the content is culturally relevant and accurately translated.Improved SEO Performance
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical component of any content strategy. NLG tools can help improve SEO performance by generating keyword-rich content that is optimized for search engines. These tools can analyze search trends and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into the content, increasing its visibility and driving more organic traffic to the website.Real-World Applications of NLG in Content Creation
NLG tools are being used across various industries to streamline content creation and enhance efficiency. Some common applications include:- News Media: Generating news articles, summaries, and reports based on real-time data and events.
- Financial Services: Creating financial reports, market analysis, and investment summaries.
- E-commerce: Producing product descriptions, reviews, and personalized recommendations.
- Healthcare: Writing patient reports, medical summaries, and research articles.
Case Studies
The Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) has been using NLG tools to automate the creation of earnings reports for several years. By leveraging NLG, AP has been able to increase the volume of reports it produces while maintaining high accuracy and consistency. This has freed up its journalists to focus on more in-depth reporting and analysis.eBay
eBay uses NLG tools to generate product descriptions for its vast inventory. By automating this process, eBay ensures that all product descriptions are consistent, accurate, and optimized for search engines. This has led to improved user experience and increased sales.Challenges and Limitations of NLG Tools
While NLG tools offer numerous benefits, they also come with some challenges and limitations:- Data Quality: The accuracy and quality of the generated content depend on the quality of the input data. Poor-quality data can lead to inaccurate or irrelevant content.
- Creativity: NLG tools are excellent at generating factual and structured content, but they may struggle with creative writing and nuanced storytelling.
- Integration: Integrating NLG tools with existing content management systems and workflows can be complex and require technical expertise.
Future Trends in NLG and Content Creation
The future of NLG in content creation looks promising, with advancements in AI and machine learning driving continuous improvements.Some emerging trends include:
- Improved Creativity: As AI models become more sophisticated, NLG tools will be better equipped to handle creative writing tasks and generate more engaging and original content.
- Contextual Understanding: Future NLG tools will have a deeper understanding of context, allowing them to produce more relevant and contextually accurate content.
- Voice and Conversational AI: Integration with voice assistants and conversational AI will enable NLG tools to generate natural and interactive content for various applications, including chatbots and virtual assistants.
Conclusion
AI-powered natural language generation tools offer numerous advantages for content creation, from enhanced productivity and consistency to improved personalization and SEO performance. While there are challenges to overcome, the benefits of using NLG tools far outweigh the limitations. As technology continues to evolve, NLG tools will play an increasingly important role in helping businesses create high-quality, engaging content at scale.For more insights into AIML and Dat[a Sc](mailto:contact@htree.plus)i[ence Deve](mailto:contact@htree.plus)l[o](mailto:contact@htree.plus)p[me](mailto:contact@htree.plus)[nt,](mailto:contact@htree.plus) [please](mailto:contact@htree.plus) write to usat:[contact@fxis.ai](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)[FxisAi](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)
[#AIinCo](mailto:contact@fxis.ai)ntentCreation #NaturalLanguageGeneration #ContentMarketing #Innovation
2024.05.16 13:49 stephenjohndent Innovative Engineering Solutions: Insights from Stephen Dent BMO
In the rapidly evolving world of engineering, staying ahead of the curve requires a combination of innovation, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. One individual who embodies these qualities is Stephen Dent BMO, a distinguished engineer based in the USA. With a career marked by groundbreaking projects and a reputation for solving some of the most challenging engineering problems, Stephen Dent has established himself as a leading figure in the field. In this blog, we will explore the innovative engineering solutions pioneered by Stephen Dent BMO, delve into his professional journey, and understand what sets him apart in the industry.
After completing his formal education, Stephen Dent quickly distinguished himself through his work on a variety of high-profile projects. His expertise spans multiple domains, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software engineering. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled him to develop a unique perspective on problem-solving and innovation.
At Stephen Dent MD Inc, the focus is on leveraging cutting-edge technology and best practices to tackle complex engineering challenges. From designing state-of-the-art systems to optimizing existing processes, the company has built a reputation for excellence. The projects undertaken by Stephen Dent MD Inc span various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and renewable energy, reflecting the versatility and breadth of Stephen Dent's expertise.
Stephen Dent's approach was to create a modular solar power system that could be easily scaled and adapted to different environments. The system not only provided reliable electricity to the community but also served as a model for similar projects in other regions. This project showcased his ability to combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of the social and environmental context.
Stephen John Dent led a team of engineers in designing and programming these robots, incorporating advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to enhance their capabilities. The result was a significant increase in production efficiency and a reduction in defects, demonstrating Stephen Dent's ability to drive innovation in high-stakes environments.
This project required not only technical expertise but also close collaboration with medical professionals to ensure that the device met the needs of surgeons and patients alike. The successful development and implementation of this device underscored Stephen Dent's commitment to improving lives through engineering.
Stephen Dent BMO's career is a testament to the power of innovation, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering. Through his work at Stephen Dent MD Inc and his various projects across multiple industries, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to solve complex problems and deliver impactful solutions. Whether it's through developing renewable energy systems, advancing robotics, or improving healthcare technology, Stephen Dent continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in engineering.
As we look to the future, the insights and innovations of leaders like Stephen Dent BMO will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineering solutions. By embracing new technologies, prioritizing sustainability, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, engineers can address the challenges of tomorrow and create a better, more sustainable world.
For those looking to learn from and collaborate with a true pioneer in the field, Stephen Dent BMO offers a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of success. His work serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers and a benchmark for excellence in the industry.
submitted by stephenjohndent to u/stephenjohndent [link] [comments]
The Journey of Stephen Dent: From Aspiring Engineer to Industry Leader
Stephen Dent's journey in the field of engineering began with a passion for understanding how things work and a desire to create solutions that make a tangible impact. Known professionally as Stephen Dent Engineer, he has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in engineering.After completing his formal education, Stephen Dent quickly distinguished himself through his work on a variety of high-profile projects. His expertise spans multiple domains, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software engineering. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled him to develop a unique perspective on problem-solving and innovation.
Stephen Dent MD Inc: A Hub of Innovation
One of the key milestones in Stephen Dent's career was the establishment of Stephen Dent MD Inc, a company that has become synonymous with innovative engineering solutions. Under his leadership, the company has undertaken numerous projects that showcase his ability to think outside the box and deliver results that exceed expectations.At Stephen Dent MD Inc, the focus is on leveraging cutting-edge technology and best practices to tackle complex engineering challenges. From designing state-of-the-art systems to optimizing existing processes, the company has built a reputation for excellence. The projects undertaken by Stephen Dent MD Inc span various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and renewable energy, reflecting the versatility and breadth of Stephen Dent's expertise.
Innovative Engineering Solutions: Case Studies
To truly appreciate the impact of Stephen Dent BMO's work, it's essential to look at some of the specific projects and innovations he has spearheaded. Here are a few examples that highlight his approach to engineering and problem-solving.1. Renewable Energy Solutions
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources, Stephen Dent Engineer has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. One notable project involved the design and implementation of a solar power system for a remote community.Stephen Dent's approach was to create a modular solar power system that could be easily scaled and adapted to different environments. The system not only provided reliable electricity to the community but also served as a model for similar projects in other regions. This project showcased his ability to combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of the social and environmental context.
2. Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing
In the manufacturing sector, automation and robotics have become critical for improving efficiency and reducing costs. Stephen Dent MD Inc undertook a project to develop advanced robotic systems for a major automotive manufacturer. The goal was to create robots that could perform complex assembly tasks with high precision and speed.Stephen John Dent led a team of engineers in designing and programming these robots, incorporating advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to enhance their capabilities. The result was a significant increase in production efficiency and a reduction in defects, demonstrating Stephen Dent's ability to drive innovation in high-stakes environments.
3. Healthcare Technology Innovations
Healthcare is another field where engineering innovations can have a profound impact. Stephen Dent Engineer was involved in a project to develop a new type of medical device aimed at improving patient outcomes in surgery. The device, which combined advanced imaging technology with robotic assistance, allowed for more precise and less invasive surgical procedures.This project required not only technical expertise but also close collaboration with medical professionals to ensure that the device met the needs of surgeons and patients alike. The successful development and implementation of this device underscored Stephen Dent's commitment to improving lives through engineering.
What Sets Dr. Stephen Dent Apart: Reviews and Testimonials
Dr. Stephen Dent reviews often highlight a few key attributes that set him apart from his peers in the engineering field. Clients, colleagues, and collaborators frequently praise his innovative thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to lead complex projects to successful completion.Innovative Thinking
One of the most commonly cited qualities in Dr. Stephen Dent reviews is his ability to think creatively and approach problems from new angles. Whether it's developing a new technology or finding ways to improve existing systems, his innovative mindset is a significant asset. His colleagues often mention that he is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and explore uncharted territories, which has led to many of his breakthroughs.Attention to Detail
In engineering, attention to detail can make the difference between success and failure. Stephen Dent BMO is known for his meticulous approach to every project he undertakes. From the initial design phase to final implementation, he ensures that every aspect is thoroughly planned and executed. This attention to detail not only enhances the quality of his work but also builds trust with clients and collaborators.Leadership and Collaboration
Leading complex engineering projects requires more than just technical skills; it also demands strong leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams. Stephen Dent Engineer has a proven track record of bringing together multidisciplinary teams and guiding them toward a common goal. His leadership style is characterized by clear communication, mutual respect, and a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes.The Future of Engineering: Perspectives from Stephen Dent BMO
Looking ahead, Stephen Dent BMO sees several key trends and opportunities that will shape the future of engineering. Here are a few insights based on his extensive experience and forward-thinking approach.1. Embracing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming many industries, and engineering is no exception. Stephen Dent Engineer believes that AI and ML will play an increasingly important role in designing and optimizing systems, predicting maintenance needs, and improving overall efficiency. By embracing these technologies, engineers can develop smarter, more adaptive solutions that can respond to changing conditions in real-time.2. Sustainability and Green Engineering
As the world continues to prioritize sustainability, green engineering practices will become more critical. Stephen Dent MD Inc is already heavily invested in renewable energy projects, and Stephen Dent anticipates that this trend will only grow stronger. Engineers will need to focus on creating sustainable solutions that minimize environmental impact while meeting the needs of society.3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The complexity of modern engineering challenges requires collaboration across different disciplines. Stephen John Dent emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving innovation. By bringing together experts from various fields, engineers can develop more comprehensive and effective solutions to complex problems.4. Enhancing Cybersecurity
With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a major concern in engineering. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the integrity of data and systems is paramount. Stephen Dent Engineer advocates for integrating robust cybersecurity measures into the design and implementation of engineering solutions to safeguard against potential threats.Stephen Dent BMO's career is a testament to the power of innovation, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering. Through his work at Stephen Dent MD Inc and his various projects across multiple industries, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to solve complex problems and deliver impactful solutions. Whether it's through developing renewable energy systems, advancing robotics, or improving healthcare technology, Stephen Dent continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in engineering.
As we look to the future, the insights and innovations of leaders like Stephen Dent BMO will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineering solutions. By embracing new technologies, prioritizing sustainability, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, engineers can address the challenges of tomorrow and create a better, more sustainable world.
For those looking to learn from and collaborate with a true pioneer in the field, Stephen Dent BMO offers a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of success. His work serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers and a benchmark for excellence in the industry.