I was going through my computer looking at .png files and literally stumbled upon a file called ManifestAppx and another one called Blocklog that had code written in them to take screenshots. Then I found a cache of screenshots from my cell phone on my MacBook that go all the way back to 2019. And they’re still updating to present, even though I’ve been logged out of iCloud on my MacBook for over a year.
My solution: I screen recorded me going through all the files and pointing out their names and dates created and sent it to a FISA lawyer. I’m filing IC3 reports daily now, with different information about my obvious hacking and flipper phone cloning and in person stalking and instagram middleman psyop bullshit. At the end of every report I remind them that I will be updating them every day until this FISA abuse case is resolved.
Fucks are gone. Only follow-ups.

I'm running the latest Nocturnal Phoenix build and all of my OS updates are up to date. Whenever i try loading in new assets (Forgotten Adventures, who would've guessed?) the program seizes almost instantly. It's not just the UI freezing as the resource allocation in the system monitor stops changing as well. That memory leak i keep hearing about doesn't happen as the memory usage never goes up. The advice I usually hear is to load assets 3 or 4 at a time but i can't even load one at a time. I assume this is the program having it's usual issues with thumbnail generation, and i would love to manually insert some thumbnails but i have no idea where those are stored on Linux. On the off chance it matters here's the system info:
System:
Kernel: 5.15.0-107-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4
tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: HP product: HP EliteBook 850 G6 v: N/A serial:
Chassis: type: 10 serial:
Mobo: HP model: 8549 v: KBC Version 52.5C.00 serial: UEFI: HP
v: R70 Ver. 01.04.06 date: 03/23/2020
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 28.5 Wh (63.3%) condition: 45.0/45.0 Wh (100.0%) volts: 12.9 min: 11.6
model: Hewlett-Packard Primary type: Li-ion serial: status: Charging
CPU:
Info: quad core model: Intel Core i7-8665U bits: 64 type: MT MCP smt: enabled
arch: Comet/Whiskey Lake note: check rev: C cache: L1: 256 KiB L2: 1024 KiB L3: 8 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 1316 high: 3189 min/max: 400/4800 cores: 1: 800 2: 800 3: 800 4: 800 5: 800
6: 1296 7: 3189 8: 2048 bogomips: 33599
Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel WhiskeyLake-U GT2 [UHD Graphics 620] vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: i915
v: kernel ports: active: eDP-1 empty: DP-1, DP-2, DP-3, HDMI-A-1, HDMI-A-2, HDMI-A-3
bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:3ea0 class-ID: 0300
Device-2: Quanta HP HD Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 1-9:3 chip-ID: 0408:5343
class-ID: 0e02 serial:
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa
gpu: i915 display-ID: :0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 508x285mm (20.0x11.2") s-diag: 582mm (22.9")
Monitor-1: eDP-1 model: AU Optronics res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 142
size: 344x194mm (13.5x7.6") diag: 395mm (15.5") modes: 1920x1080
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics 620 (WHL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 23.2.1-1ubuntu3.1~22.04.2
direct render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel Cannon Point-LP High Definition Audio vendor: Hewlett-Packard
driver: sof-audio-pci-intel-cnl bus-ID: 00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:9dc8 class-ID: 0401
Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-107-generic running: yes
Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes
Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.48 running: yes
Network:
Device-1: Intel Ethernet I219-LM vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: e1000e v: kernel port: N/A
bus-ID: 00:1f.6 chip-ID: 8086:15bd class-ID: 0200
IF: enp0s31f6 state: down mac:
Device-2: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel pcie: speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 1
bus-ID: 3a:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:2723 class-ID: 0280
IF: wlp58s0 state: up mac:
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Intel AX200 Bluetooth type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 1-10:4 chip-ID: 8087:0029
class-ID: e001
Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 0 state: up address: bt-v: 3.0 lmp-v: 5.2
sub-v: 237e hci-v: 5.2 rev: 237e
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 86.42 GiB (18.1%)
ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: KIOXIA model: N/A size: 476.94 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4
type: SSD serial: rev: AGHA5101 temp: 38.9 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 467.89 GiB used: 86.41 GiB (18.5%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2
ID-2: /boot/efi size: 511 MiB used: 6.1 MiB (1.2%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1
Swap:
ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 2 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 file: /swapfile
USB:
Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 12 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
Device-1: 1-8:2 info: Synaptics type: driver: N/A interfaces: 1 rev: 2.0
speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA chip-ID: 06cb:00b7 class-ID: ff00 serial:
Device-2: 1-9:3 info: Quanta HP HD Camera type: Video driver: uvcvideo interfaces: 4 rev: 2.0
speed: 480 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 0408:5343 class-ID: 0e02 serial:
Device-3: 1-10:4 info: Intel AX200 Bluetooth type: Bluetooth driver: btusb interfaces: 2
rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA chip-ID: 8087:0029 class-ID: e001
Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 6 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
class-ID: 0900
Hub-3: 3-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
Hub-4: 4-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 2 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
class-ID: 0900
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 41.0 C pch: 37.0 C mobo: 30.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos:
Packages: 2327 apt: 2303 flatpak: 24
No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/insync.list
1: deb http: //apt.insync.io/mint virginia non-free contrib
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com virginia main upstream import backport
2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
Info:
Processes: 305 Uptime: 18m wakeups: 1 Memory: 31.15 GiB used: 4.05 GiB (13.0%) Init: systemd
v: 249 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.4.0 alt: 11/12 Client: Cinnamon v: 6.0.4 inxi: 3.3.13
I don't know if there's some obscure driver or supplement i need to grab but any help would be appreciate as I'd like to be able to avoid taking my power sucking and too hot gaming laptop with me just to make a few maps over the weekend.

Hey everyone! I'm a 23y.o i just dropped out my masters in Law and i am looking for another one rn ! originally from the Middle East. The past 4 years have been a whirlwind of travel and adventure, and I'm hoping to find someone special to share the next chapter with.
A Bit About Me:
Looks: I'm a skinny guy with brown hair and dark eyes. My style is pretty laid-back and casual. Passions: I'm a huge music lover (jazz is my favorite, but I'm open to anything), a history and philosophy buff, and I'm always trying to learn new languages (currently Arabic, English, and some Turkish). Personality: I'm curious, open-minded, and always up for a good conversation. I love exploring new places, trying new foods, and meeting interesting people.
My Ideal Partner:
Someone who's intelligent, kind, and passionate about life. Bonus points if you love music, traveling, or have a quirky sense of humor. Location isn't important to me, but my preference is white.
What I'm Looking For:
I'm hoping to find a long-term relationship with someone who shares my love for learning, exploring, and deep conversations. If you're looking for a guy who can serenade you with jazz tunes and debate the meaning of life, I might be the one for you. :)
If you're interested, send me a message with your favorite song or book recommendation. Let's see where this adventure takes us!

🌟 Discover the Magic of "Tales of Thoughtfulness: A Kid's Guide to Happiness"! 📚
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As a dyslexic author and parent of two wonderful kids, I know the challenges that come with reading difficulties. That's why I created this book to be accessible and enjoyable for all readers, especially those with learning disabilities like dyslexia.
In "Tales of Thoughtfulness," your children will embark on adventures with characters from diverse backgrounds, learning important values such as gratitude, mindfulness, and kindness. Each story is crafted with simple language and clear structure, making it easy for kids to follow and understand.
This book isn't just about reading—it's about spreading joy and making a difference. I'm passionate about making these stories available to everyone, so I'm offering free digital and audio copies to disadvantaged families. Everyone deserves to experience the magic of storytelling, regardless of their circumstances.
Join us on this heartwarming journey and help your child discover the power of kindness, diversity, and understanding. Grab your copy today and let "Tales of Thoughtfulness" inspire your family. Together, we can make kindness the norm and spread love wherever we go.
Remember, in a world where you can be anything, be kind. ✨
Thank you for your support!
Liam Cotton

Ello!
Today me and my friends have finished the story as well, there is one strange thing not many people seem to notice and is kinda well hidden in the throne room after (or rather, during) we fight Eparch.
There is the EYE. OF. JANTHIR. in the throne room that disappears a bit after we defeat Eparch. We didn't notice it before the fight, but seemed to appear during the fight. It's kind of hard to spot due to the environment but it's there in the right "corner" at the wall next o the throne.
img: https://i.imgur.com/6SwZ0uW.png + https://i.imgur.com/g8YG38H.png ^{sorry for the bad quality, I took it from my recent stream}
Now there is kind of one hint that we kind of know that may actually now make sense for expac 5 possible location(s). Previously That_Shaman told us that the original filename of the teased picture we had of expac 5 was called "DeltaWildBog1920x1080"
We have one visible delta in the game, or at least one I know of that fits with this theory, which is near Janthir Bay. Well what a coincidence that we have a random Eye of Janthir show up after... such a long time to seemingly spy on the event going on between Peitha/us and Eparch and then vanish from the room. Almost like it is spying or something, honestly no clue but is really strange coincidence.
I firmly believe Isles of Janthir or Janthir Bay, even if not the isle, but the woodlands around the Bay itself would make sense as location for the next expansion, considering the "delta".
To add, there is a book during the library event in Amnytas (bastion of Knowledge), where there are options to pick a book (the right one for the event) and there is one book that isn't related to the event that is a "Recent reports on non-Kryptis activity near the Isle of Janthir" which means the astral ward has reported on non-kryptis (thank fudge) activity near that location before.
Tho I don't think we would really get anything related to the Mursaat considering now Lazarus and even Mabon is supposed to be dead, but as an oldie I'm still one curious as of what the purpose of the eye is and what is it being used now, but also WHO might be using it and for what reasons. Maybe we finally find the people who may have originally resided on the isles? Honestly, it can go many ways. A lot of things make sense to me now to connect it to that place in all honesty, especially with the eye now randomly appearing absolutely locks my mind to Isles of Janthir.
Either way, I believe we goin' to the Isles of Janthir in expac 5! Or... really close to it

Hi! I was wondering if anybody had heard anything lately about CN’s “Saving the Voices” program. The Cherokee Phoenix reported a year or so ago that several hundred hours of interviews with first language speakers had already been recorded and that they were booked full through the fall for more interviews. Curious if or when they are going to make the recordings publicly accessible. It will be a great resource, especially for second language learners. I’m trying not to be impatient but am looking forward to it - I’ve been listening to a lot of Dennis Sixkiller lately in addition to lessons!

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Welcome to my post!
Let's just cut to the chase. I'm an African-American female living in NYC. I am looking for a like-minded individual in hopes of establishing a friendship that blossoms into a long-term relationship with that special someone. If you believe that we would get along and connect- please put effort into your first message and give me an idea of who you are as a person.
About me:

• 29 years old.
• Average weight
• I'm a social worker in NYC.
• Graduated with my masters degree in public health.
• I enjoy ancient Greek/Roman history.
• Dry sense of humor.
• Long term goal is to visit all of the Smithsonian museums.
• I'm an avid podcast listener- enjoying various podcasts: We're Here to Help, Tigerbelly, Factually, etc.
• I enjoy video games! The first game I ever played was Pokemon Red for the GBC. Currently trying out Hades 2 on the PC. I also own a Nintendo Switch and a PS5.
• My long-term goal is to travel more- I have some trips planned for the rest of the year. I aim to go to Hawaii, Greece, Spain, Japan, & Italy hopefully next 5 years.
• I enjoy reading fiction novels, particularly anything mystery, adventure & romance genres. I also own a few comic books (mainly Marvel comics).

I'm looking to make memories & have lots of laughs with the right person.
Looking for:

• Male between the ages of 26-36 years of age.
• Resides in NYC/Long Island/Westchester OR JC/Hoboken/North Jersey area. NO LONG DISTANCE.
• Someone who has a good sense of humor.
• Has similar hobbies/commonalities as mine.
• Willing to explore the city (food/movies/culture/museums).
• Enjoys traveling.

If anything in my post sparks interest, please DM me with a blurb about yourself.

Given that information in other posts about available information(if looking for it perhaps, per se), regarding "alternative treatments" for the situation that may be associated with the idea of "depression" and or the other nutritional augmentation/modification related items are somewhat "lesser known" than more "conventional approaches"/"main stream approaches", why are the "main stream approaches" the "main stream approaches" as per majority of physicians etc., general public etc.?
One might argue that these specific referenced items of information in question being "less well known" than more "well trumpeted" items like pharmaceutical medications, etc., amounts to somewhat of a "betrayal" arguably; and hence one might be lead to ask one's self "who is involved" in the betrayal arguably? "What are the mechanisms" via which this "betrayal" is proliferated throughout society, in general?
Well, presumably, this betrayal would involve several key actors.
-Sources of Information,
and
-Framers of Information.
A "source" of said information could essentially be argued to entail/involve organizations like the main-stream-media and/or a run-of-the-mill mainstream medical providers arguably.
Hence one might wonder perhaps, where the source of said issue vis. there associated potential entities/individuals/there associated organizations may lie, perhaps.
To suss this out, one may be "well guided" to potentially asses the sources of revenue etc., for said organizations etc., as appropriate etc.; "Follow the Money", "Qui Bono" etc.(not necessarily always true but at times may be useful "guides" perhaps)
To work from the "ground up" one may hence be "well guided" to asses, for example, the revenue sources of Main Stream Media first, as this is most ubiquitous source for "medical advice" in general perhaps;
-Pharmaceutical companies within group of largest 5 ad spenders vis. main stream media;
https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/hey-big-spenders-pharma-ranks-top-five-industries-for-tv-media-spending-says-report
https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/which-pharma-brand-spends-the-most-on-tv
https://www.statista.com/statistics/953104/pharma-industry-tv-ad-spend-us/
-As is somewhat obvious media companies are in general, in some regard, directly or indirectly often effectively "advertising companies", in effect;
https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2014/03/26/revenue-sources-a-heavy-dependence-on-advertising/
Further, one can not truly reasonably expect to rely on main stream media coverage alone for decent medically oriented advice unfortunately perhaps in general.
None the less, fortuitously there are run of the mill health care providers. Hopefully they wouldn't have any conflicts of interest with financial behemoths like large pharmaceutical companies right?
Well, unfortunately pharmaceutical company money is very present in both the education of the average western-medicine oriented doctor, as well as in the environment which they may operate in, in a post college etc., "setting" if one will, etc.
For example;
Pharmaceutical companies' "presence" in Canadian medical schooling;
https://www.sootoday.com/around-ontario/canada-how-big-pharma-can-impact-the-education-of-med-school-students-1634906
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3778453/
In US, etc., as well;
https://time.com/6171999/big-pharma-clinical-data-doctors/
https://www.propublica.org/article/we-found-over-700-doctors-who-were-paid-more-than-a-million-dollars-by-drug-and-medical-device-companies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19723256/
Well, if pharmaceutical company money is potentially "creating" "conflicts of interest" within medical schools, and among run of the mill doctors, well, certainly, regulators would call them out if they did anything "inappropriate" right?
Unfortunately, there may also be potential "conflicts of interest" present within regulators potentially as well. For example, via the "revolving door", and other there associated phenomena, as well as through funding and other more direct financial conflicts of interest as well; as may be documented via the following perhaps;
https://www.science.org/content/article/hidden-conflicts-pharma-payments-fda-advisers-after-drug-approvals-spark-ethical
https://www.science.org/content/article/fda-and-nih-let-clinical-trial-sponsors-keep-results-secret-and-break-law
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/npr-news/npr-news/2016-09-28/a-look-at-how-the-revolving-door-spins-from-fda-to-industry
https://web.archive.org/web/20240415060010/https://www.science.org/content/article/fda-s-revolving-door-companies-often-hire-agency-staffers-who-managed-their-successful
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/how-corporate-funding-distorts-nih-research/2018/06/22/ad0260c8-7595-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html
Also, within there-associated research institutes/clinics/labs etc., the desire to secure sources-of-funding may also acutely draw in the influence of pharmaceutical companies into the "scientific research" process associated with the field of "medicine" if one will in general for example;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9302569/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19858802/
https://www.propublica.org/article/federally-funded-health-researchers-disclose-at-least-188-million-in-conflicts-of-interest-can-you-trust-their-findings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIsMldhzxns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y_EkKhs5BQ
Further, within research institutions and research at Universities etc., people would only, even if unduly influenced by pharmaceutical industry or other industry finances etc., directly or indirectly, none the less behave ethically, and in an up-standing and competent way in regards to conducting their research right? They certainly wouldn't produce dubious "scientific" or otherwise "academic" oriented research perhaps right? Surely, they would be concerned with being called out, and the there-associated consequence for doing as such etc. perhaps?
Well, it turns out that quite a lot of modern "scientific research", even if "fancy" and "rigorous" in its supposed "methodologies" "verbiage" etc., is actually of "dubious" origin, and representative of something less than "integrity" and "excellence" potentially, lets just say seemingly;
A large amount of "scientific research papers" submitted to "Academic Journals", are later retracted, etc.;
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/feb/03/the-situation-has-become-appalling-fake-scientific-papers-push-research-credibility-to-crisis-point?ref=labnotes.org
Many, if not most of the scientific, etc., papers that clear the review process and are published, are later found to be un-reproducible, vis. results etc., outcomes etc., for "whatever reason", seemingly;
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39054778
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cancer-biology-studies-research-replication-reproducibility
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replication_crisis
Hence, from the education, to the research, to the regulation of the "medical industry" in the US, etc., one may find, arguably, objectively speaking, a relatively profoundly large presence of "pharmaceutical industry" financial influence involved in practically every stage of the; research, review of the research(if the "research" is even somewhat "legit" to begin with), govt. institution associated actions(for example; "Approval", etc.) associated with said associated "research", and one can even see said same organizations(Ph. Companies) similarly being the leading contributors to the main-stream-media associated "coverage"/"discussions" of said associated items, both directly, via advertising, and indirectly vis. implicit bias of said profit driven or funding driven main-stream media outlets etc.
Hence, arguably, the "influence"-of pharmaceutical companies' "motivations" may have a disproportionate and relatively overwhelming per se, influence upon the "medical" information that is presented-to, and made-easily available to the average member of the public in the "Western World" in general perhaps.
As an aside obviously, if one will, there are many other books, articles, research papers etc., which may somehow none the less, "make it through" this net of biases and still somehow report on it, if one will; on this, there associated variety of topics in question, which one may further perhaps research and analyze as to one's own preferences perhaps.

I was hacked not long ago and all my items are gone. Does any1 know how I could get them back. I already pressed the report button in the trading history book but it was no help. Any ideas?

Reminder that this stuff is all speculation and we're still waiting on evidence to be revealed, but we can still speculate about other things in the meantime
If it does become a worst case scenario do you see Nijisanji doing anything or trying to ride out the "drama"? I think it could potentially end like that one member who was terminated before his debut (for allegedly wanting to creep on/dox female talents) but I wouldn't put much faith in Niji.
They're desperate for anything that'll help soften the drop in profit the June report will likely show. I could definitely see them ignoring it and continue trying their bad method of throwing talents at the wall to see who beats Gawr Gura. Though they might try and make him another example and black stream him like Selen. Only this time they think it could win them back in some people's books since it's someone who people dislike. Either way the next few weeks are gonna be some interesting times!

Okay so i finally got the book today and.......eh.......i can see what its trying to do but there's just this feeling of it all being orbs of locations suspended in a void with nothing between them and very little Vecna. And that gave me an idea of a way to run this adventure still using most of the locations aand setups it gives but just making it more dire.
Vecna Won
First off Vecnas the god of secrets, hell yeah he would keep his universe domination plan a secret as well so heroes cant get the hint and stop him. The first change therefore happens in chapter 1 when the party are disrupting the ritual.
First off this is THE ritual and its functionally complete, its one of many rituals taking place across the multiverse around those obelisks that came up a lot in 5e. The party are able to disrupt this ritual however they cant stop them all and Vecna still succeeds in rewriting the multiverse. However, now he misses a bit, the party themselves.
The party tumble through the 'crevice of dusk' and find themselves in the dark reflection of Neverwinter, however now its not the Shadowfell, its reality. Vecna is worshipped there as a god, characters the party met earlier are now twisted as Vecna wished and the universe is cataclysmically changed. If the party follow up on their backstories they are changed as well, close family members are now evil tyrants, all the heroics they performed are all for naught. Vecna won and made the universe as he wished and he wished for Evil!
The party are one of the few bastions of the old universe, missed by Vecnas reality rewrite by disrupting the ritual, and now they are Vecnas only Blindspot.
The Wizards three (actually three)
Once the setting is established as being Vecnas and the party have started causing a ruckus they are picked up by one of the last bastions of the old universe left, the wizards three but this time Mordenkainen is actually himself. The wizards have spotted them as not beloning to this new reality and are apparently relativly unoticed by Vecnas sight so far. Comparitivly the wizards three are trapped in their sigil sanctumn and under siege by vecnas forces. the three of them are tired and wearing thin, eventually they will give out but for now they can help the paarty by instructing them on restoring the universe by restoring the rod of seven parts.
The rod here is still an ultimate symbol of law, however it is a symbol of the old universes laws, all of them, enough to rebuild the universe as it was if these laws are restored. You can think of the rod as being like a blueprint of the universe before Vecna changed everything and if brought to the right place it could Re-establish its laws and restore the universe to its original form.
The rods pieces are trying to do their thing, maintaining pockets of the old reality within Vecnas new one, though Vecna wishes to obtain them to destroy it and some are held in the hands of some terribly powerful beings who don't want to see Vecna ruling the universe.
And so now the quest is set, collect the rod pieces before vecna can to restore a blueprint of the universe before Vecna changed it. The Wizards three can direct the party towards one of these places of stability where the first piece of the rod is but they don't have knowledge of the other pieces..
At a certain point in the adventure have the wizards sanctum finally be breached and Vecna himself destroy them easily, a final bastion of the old universe fallen to his might.
Between the pieces
This now gives us an opportunity to build what Vecnas universe is, have characters backstories twisted by his will so where one player was a noble guard captain, now he's seen as a corrupt tyrant. Another player who had a heroic father now looks upon a villain. This in between world is just the normal dnd world but now twisted for vecnas evil goals. Have characters within this world give the party clues on these other areas of stability so the party can try to reach them. Use the areas around the stability areas as setups for what vecnas done to the unuverse. It fills in the gaps between the set pieces of the adventures.
The rod pieces themselves
The rod pieces should all be protected by powerful beings who see their potential or work for Vecna to protect them. Maybe some pieces are held by villains who would rather stick it to Vecna than live in his world. I personally love the idea of Strahd in his castle fighting a siege war against Vecnas forces and the party have to infiltrate the castle to reach and convince him to give up his piece of the rod so they can destroy Vecna, only for Strahd to choose to accompany them to make sure of it.
Have new allies within these pockets of the old reality who can join them or aid them in their quest, villains who grant them boons, other great heroes who offer a heroic sacrifice so they can escape. These are the last threads of the old reality and every one of them wants to do a big hit against Vecnas new one that twisted their world into the monstrosity it is.
Kas
Okay so Kas has to be here but having him in a deception role seems......weak.....he's a powerful general and fighter, not a deception master. So lets have him be resistant to vecnas reality change the same as the party. H e is also on a quest to restore the rod of seven parts but he intends to use it to restore the universe to his specifications instead. He will still help the party collect rod pieces but with the condition that he gets to be there when they eventually fight vecna. I would also add in background fluff on him where Vecnas new reality constantly mocks him as a failure and there are monuments to Vecna beating him in battle and the like. Really making him hate Vecna more.
Vecna is a god, he's always here!
So Vecna himself, he's a god in this new reality and he enjoys it, often appearing to his greatest worshippers and giving them guidance, maybe striking the final blow on battles against the old reality and mopping up the remnants of some of the reality pockets. He cant enter them himself as he would be significantly weakened but he can still send his forces in from outside.
Vecna is also a God with a capital G. He doesn't have a stat block, he cant be killed by just being stabbed on the street, if a player tries to attack him they are just disintegrated on the spot with no hope of survival against a God. The only way to defeat Vecnas godhood is to begin restoring reality to how it was when he was only the god of Secrets
One bit that I'm not fully sold on but i think could work is that the party are 'Outside' his realm, they were missed in the spell so unless he directly looks at them and works out they aren't from his remade reality he doesn't know they exist. The party are his one blind spot caused through the pure luck of them disrupting a tiny part of his ritual. A fluke that will eventually bring him down. He may occasionally speak to the party and make his prescense known but unless the party give themselves away he remains unaware of their true goals until the end. The one secret he doesnt know himself.
Finale
Going into the finale, when the rod is rebuilt the party will now have the goal of reaching where Vecna originally cast the spell. Maybe they have allies from the other reality pockets, maybe the wizards three survived, maybe Kas is helping the party out. Whatever allies they have they infiltrate Vecnas lair and reach the birthplace of his universe. When they attempt to use the rod Vecna himself appears and the fight ensues. Vecna being within range of the rod when it irs restoring reality is weakend to just his god of secrets form but still can call in aid from his reality to help and exhibits enhanced power. Maybe the rod restores other heroes from the old reality to help, maybe the party bring their own horde of allies gathered over the campaign, theres lots of ways this can go.
Conclusion
Eventually Vecna will be defeated and the rod can do its thing, at this point each party member gets a perfect wish each to influence the restored universe...….and are then dropped off in the tavern where it all started, no-one else has any memory of what happened, Vecna himself doesn't even know he succeeded and follows other methods of ascension instead. The party have the choice of telling people what happened but the chance of vecna finding out this plan and trying it again is too much of a risk......... I guess the party need to keep it a secret to themselves...…
Roll Credits I don't know if this is actually a good campaign but it sounds like the kind of thing i would run if i was to do this campaign concept. Meanwhile I'm going to return to my Curse of Strahd sequel campaign where Strahd and Azalin are duking it out to rule the domains of Dread.
Thank you for reading

I reported it to rover, should I call? I really don’t want anyone else getting bit or going and booking it then getting bit later. I’m not sure if they will take my report seriously. It was an unfixed male pit 🙄 I shouldn’t have even given them my time or day but they mentioned how they loved my profile and were very interested, and hoped I could help. I didn’t think he was aggressive just hyper, but no this dog tried lunging at me a few times. She also literally said “he jumps bc he gets so happy” like no he is trying to bite me. They also didn’t even help me I literally had to go to the sink to rinse it off and ask for paper towel while my finger was bleeding. ALSO the dude gets down in the dogs face saying “you know better” and the dog is literally showing his teeth. I can not stand owners who don’t know how to train their dogs especially more aggressive dogs. Like she acted like he was such a sweet baby.

TL:DR
Some parts of the text was in Reddit-tables, but they got somehow lost.
This project began when someone on Reddit asked about the export speed of Rekordbox 7 compared to Rekordbox 6, prompting the entire initiative. My intention is not to "blame" or "shame" any company or its products. I approached these tests with an unbiased, open mind, taking great care to provide a level playing field for all tests conducted. This report reflects my impartial findings.
Test DateMay 16th - May 20th 2024 Report ReleaseMay 21st 2024 AuthorMixMasterG CompanyAnd The Groove Remains Production Team Websitewww.ATGR.nl
Publication of (sections) of this report is allowed, with full data source statement included.
Introduction:
Welcome to the real world Rekordbox 6/7 speed comparison test on macOS 2024.
When I began these tests, my initial goal was to quickly compare the speed difference between Rekordbox 6 and Rekordbox 7 on an Apple ARM computer for tasks that are notoriously slow, such as opening, exporting to USB, and analysis. I used my personal, extensive track collection for these tests. Due to unexpected results, I expanded the test to include several other macOS computers. As a reference, I decided to include Algoriddim djay Pro 5, the most optimized DJ software for macOS, and Serato, the second most popular DJ software on macOS.
Mandatory Rekordbox 7 analysis when exporting to USB
When I initiated the tests, the measured export times from Rekordbox 7 to USB were unreasonably long. Similar reports poured in from users of my applications in various settings. Identifying the cause of this sluggishness swiftly became my top priority. It turned out that Rekordbox 7's export process necessitated the analysis of tracks by RB7, even if those tracks were already fully analyzed in Rekordbox 6.8.5. When an artist updates from Rekordbox 6 to Rekordbox 7, RB7 silently analyzes the tracks before exporting, leading to excessively prolonged export times. Fortunately, RB7 analysis is a one-time requirement per track and can be manually initiated at times that its more convenient then minutes before a gig. I issued this short YouTube video to make users aware: Slow USB export from Rekordbox 7? This is why and how to fix!
I gave the full explanation and interpretation of the test results, together with performance tips in my weekly Ask Me Anything live stream for DJs, the video can be watched back here Ask Me Anything for DJs - Results of the Rekordbox 6 Vs Rekordbox 7 real world speed-test There is a time index in the first remark under the video.
All previous AMA livestreams, are available in this YouTube playlist: Ask Me Anything conversion & collection management for DJs past streams
The Test parameters:
Main collection managerMusic (the app formerly known as iTunes, will be referred to as iTunes) Total number of tracks in collection116.747 / 1.47 Tb Audio file formatMP3 preferred - 320 Kbs / 44.1 kHz / 16bit/CBR Location of audio filesexternal SSD, Samsung T7 2Tb / formatted macOS Extended Export driveexternal SSD, Samsung T7 2Tb each test run (FAT32 and HFS) started with a fresh formatted export drive Drive's connection to computeron all test systems USB-C
The software used:
Music (=iTunes)1.2.5 RB6Rekordbox 6.8.5 RB7Rekordbox 7.0 SeratoSerato 3.1.3 djaydjay Pro 5.1.7
Computer specifications
M1 = MacMini (2020) - M1 8 cores (4 efficiency 4 performance) - GPU 8 cores - RAM 8Gb - macOS Sonoma 14.4.1
i9 = Intel MacPro - i9 9900K u/3.6Ghz 8 cores - GPU AMD RX 580 8 Gb - RAM 16Gb - macOS Monterey 12.7.5
MBP = MacBookPro 14" (2021) - M1 8 cores (2 efficiency 6 performance) - GPU 14 cores - RAM 16Gb - macOS Monterey 12.7.1 because the similarity in times for Rekordbox 7.0 on the M1 and MBP, the Rekordbox 6.8.5 tests were skipped on the MBP.
Note: for the tasks that were tested, none of the DJ softwares utilizes the GPU
Test conditions
I aimed to standardize all test conditions as much as possible, including:

• Data for collection was stored on the internal drive, the audio files were stored on external storage.
• Each test used the exact same external drives, connected to the computer over USB-C, using the same cables.
• All collection data was identical across all systems, synchronized using Carbon Copy Cloner before the test.
• All computers were freshly rebooted prior to the test, with the "open windows from previous session" option disabled.
• No other applications were open besides an on-screen stopwatch.
• Wi-Fi was disabled, and network cables were disconnected.
• No screen capture applications were used; all video recording was done externally to avoid occupying system resources from the test.
• Between the various exports in a single test run, the export drive was not formatted (so each of the 3 exports added to the previous). Only after a full export run (sync1, sync2 and sync3) on a given computer, the drive was reformatted.
• The partitioning scheme used in both FAT32 and HFS (=macOS Extended journaled) was Master Boot Record.
• Analysis in Rekordbox was only performed for "Phrase" to maintain the converted Mixed in Key/Traktor values. Analysis requires at least one option to be checked, all other options (BPM/Grid, key etc) were disabled.
• In Serato DJ Pro analysis for BPM and Key were disabled
• In Rekordbox, the Sync Manager was enabled to synchronize all playlists from iTunes, ensuring the sync was up-to-date with no changes made to the iTunes collection during the test.
• All test playlists originate from iTunes and were accessed through the iTunes section of the DJ software.
• All (116.747) tracks from iTunes had been pre-analyzed in: Rekordbox 6, Serato, and djay Pro 5. In other words, the DJ software had a real and big collection of tracks. Since djay Pro 5 does not re-analyze already analyzed audio files, all djay analysis data was deleted from the system before running the analysis tests.
• Because iTunes sync can not be disabled in djay Pro, the values used for startup without iTunes are the same values from the test run with iTunes sync enabled.

Fault tolerance:
During computer speed testing, achieving 100% identical situations is unfeasible due to the unpredictable consumption of system resources by various OS-related operations. I estimate the fault tolerance in the measured times to be around 5%.
The iTunes playlist(folder) used for the tests:
Sync1
Playlist folderATGR Necessities Number of playlists in folder24 Total number of tracks 3823 / 45,93 Gb Export to USBSyncManager
Sync2
Flat playlist Top 40 2023 Total number of tracks 587 / 4,46 Gb Export to USBRight click playlist -> export
Sync3
Flat playlistTop 40 2024 Total number of tracks 283 / 2,17 Gb Export to USBRight click playlist -> export
https://preview.redd.it/hmajmvglru1d1.png?width=1497&format=png&auto=webp&s=108356518b3998c94ec848f07a78b545425b5d7f
https://preview.redd.it/eo3gvokqru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=4487f3193d07c5e98ff8a796cc56fc303042e58d
https://preview.redd.it/qzzzy78sru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=deffef82a834e3ad3ef13aa2a59bd705316a6ef1
https://preview.redd.it/hqed25ntru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=2fb3c7ba5283722e569a207d2faa242b3aa32e26
https://preview.redd.it/7ubiz7iuru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=2f2cb345cf718b30cd473cca3b9c1d8a33c714e1
https://preview.redd.it/zu5yiajvru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=df06eed0e2d8cea446469ed498cf32c341f064c7
https://preview.redd.it/mq1chq9wru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=cfa752e197d88b63bd6fbea2ff95f9b9b552cabc
https://preview.redd.it/7eu2rl1xru1d1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=863ce32b59be277fbc4a6d32b4b4cf90f8417213
Important conclusions and findings from these tests:

• Rekordbox 7 on macOS is not multithreading when it comes to analysis, hence the spikes in the tests. On Windows Rekordbox 7 utilizes all available CPU cores. Rekordbox 6.8.5 is also multithreading.
• Export to an HFS formatted USB is faster than a FAT32 formatted, especially after consecutive exports.
• Disabling iTunes integration in the SyncManager can improve startup times of Rekordbox considerably. Disabling iTunes sync can cause issues with exported USBs that were originally created using the SyncManager.
• Rekordbox 7 has a bug, where custom/edited BPM/Grids can be overwritten with mandatory analysis. Even when the BPM/Grid analysis is disabled!
• Export to USB using the SyncManager still shows 2 progress bars, where export through right click -> export only shows 1

(c) 2024 And The Groove Remains Production Team

CAPUT I
...
Know, therefore, that the purpose of this book is to describe the four kinds of spirit-men, namely, the water people, the mountain people, the fire people and the wind people. Included among these four kinds are the giants, the melusines, the Venusberg and what is similar to them.
...
How things are in relation to us will have to be described in the following order:
First, their creation and what they are;
second, their country and habitation, where they stay and what their mode of living is;
third, how they come to us and let themselves be seen, how they mix and have intercourse with us;
fourth, how they perform some miraculous works, such as Melusine, the Venusberg and similar stories;
fifth, the birth of the giants and their origin, and also their vanishing and return.
...
CAPUT SECUNDUM
...
The flesh must be understood thus that there are two: the flesh from Adam and that which is not from Adam. The flesh from Adam is a coarse flesh, for it is earthen and is nothing else but a flesh that can be bound and grasped like wood or a stone. The other flesh which is not from Adam, is a subtile flesh and can not be bound nor grasped, for it is not made from earth. Now, the flesh from Adam is the man from Adam. He is coarse like the earth which is compact. And, therefore, man cannot go through a wall. He must make a hole to slip through, because nothing recedes before him.
But before the flesh that is not from Adam, walls recede, which means that such flesh does not require doors nor holes; it goes through intact walls and does not break anything. They are both flesh, blood, bone and so on, whatever belongs to a man, and in their whole nature they are like man’s. But they are different in that they have a double origin like two cousins; they are in equal way like a spirit and like man. The spirit goes through all walls and nothing locks him out; man, however, not, for he is locked out by the bolt or the lock.
...
With all this, they bear children, talk and eat, drink and walk—things that spirits do not. Hence, they are like the spirits in speed, like man in gestures, figure and eating, and so they are people who have the character of spirits and also that of man, and both are one in them. Although they are both spirit and man, yet they are neither one nor the other. They cannot be men, since they are spiritlike in their behaviour. They cannot be spirits, since they eat and drink, have blood and flesh. Therefore, they are a creation of their own, outside the two,... It must be understood further that although they are spirit and man, yet they are neither. Man has a soul, the spirit not. The spirit has no soul, but man has one. This creature, however, is both, but has no soul, and yet is not identical with a spirit. For, the spirit does not die, but this creature dies. And so it is not like man, it has not the soul; it is a beast, yet higher than a beast.
...
Now, they are separated from us because they are not from Adam and do not participate in the same earth from which Adam was made, but God has decreed that we may see them miraculously, which has a particular meaning, as will be discussed in the last treatise. They have children and their children are their kind, not ours. They are witty, rich, clever, poor, dumb like we who are from Adam. They resemble us in every way. Just as one says: man is the image of God, that is, he has been made after his image—in the same way one can also say: these people are the image of man and made after his image.
...
And so they are men and people, die with the beasts, walk with the spirits, eat and drink with men. That is: like the beasts they die, so that nothing is left; and neither water nor fire harms them, like the spirits, and nobody can lock them up, like the spirits, but they reproduce like men and therewith share his nature. They have man’s diseases and his health but their medicine is not from the earth from which man is made, but from the element in which they live. They die like men, but are dead like the beasts. Their flesh rots like other flesh and their bones like other men’s bones and nothing remains of it. Their customs and behaviour are human, as is their way of talking, with all virtues, better and coarser, more subtile and rougher. The same applies to their figures : they are very different, like men. In food they are like men, eat and enjoy the product of their labor, spin and weave their own clothing. They know how to make use of things, have wisdom to govern, justice to preserve and protect. For although they are beasts, they have all the reason of man, except the soul.
...
TRACTATUS II - ABOUT THEIR ABODE
...
Their abode is of four kinds, namely, according to the four elements : one in the water, one in the air, one in the earth, one in the fire. Those in the water are nymphs, those in the air are sylphs, those in the earth are pygmies, those in the fire salamanders. These are not good names, but I use them nevertheless.
...
The name of the water people is also undina, and of the air people sylvestres, and of the mountain people gnomi, and of the fire people vulcani rather than salamandri.
...
Now you must know that if their regions have to be described, they must be divided into their parts. For the water people have no intercourse with the mountain people, nor the mountain people with them, nor the salamanders.
...
The undinae have their abode in water, and the water is given to them as to us the air, and just as we are astonished that they should live in water, they are astonished about our being in the air. The same applies to the gnomi in the mountains: the earth is their air and is their chaos. For everything lives in chaos, that is: everything has its abode in chaos, walks and stands therein. Now, the earth is not more than mere chaos to the mountain manikins. For they walk through solid walls, through rocks and stones, like a spirit; this is why these things are all mere chaos to them, that is, nothing. That amounts to: as little as we are hampered by the air, as little are they hampered by the mountain, by earth and rocks.
...
Since water is the fish’s air, the fish does not drown, and so the unda does not drown either. As in the water, so in the earth: the earth is air to the gnomi; hence they do not suffocate. They do not require our air, we do not theirs. Thus also with the salamanders: fire is their air, as our air our air is. And the sylvestres are closest to us, for they too maintain themselves in our air, and they are exposed to the same kind of death as we, namely: they burn in fire, and we too; they drown in water, and we too; they suffocate in the earth, and we too. For, each remains healthy in his chaos; in the others he dies.
...
Let us philosophize further, about their food ... The sylphs are like men, nourish themselves like men in the wilderness, on herbs in the woods. To the salamanders the soil is earth, their heaven is the air, and fire their chaos. Thus food grows to them from the earth and from fire, and the constellation from air is their heaven.
...
About their clothing: they are clothed and cover their genitalia, but not in the way of our world, in their own way. For they have modesty and similar qualities, as men must have, have law and similar institutions, have their authorities, [etc.] ... To the beasts clothing is inborn by nature, but not to these people. To them nothing is inborn by nature; they must work for it like man whom they resemble. Their work, like man’s work, is in the nature and kind of their own world and earth on which they live.
...
**About their figures, know that they are different. The water people look like men, both women and men. The sylvestres do not conform, but are cruder, coarser, longer and stronger than both. The mountain people are small, of about two spans. The salamanders are long, narrow and lean. Their place and abode are in their chaos, as was mentioned before. The nymphs live in water, in running brooks, etc., so close that they grasp the people who ride through or bathe therein. The mountain people are in the mountain chaos, and there they build their houses. This is why it often happens that one finds in the earth an attic, vaults, and similar structures, of the height of about a yard. They have been build by these people for their abode and dwellings.
The water people do the same in their various places. Know also that the mountain people live in the caves of the mountains and this is why strange structures occur and are found in such places. These are their work. Know also about the fire people whose yelling, hammering and working can be heard in volcanic mountains. It can also be heard when the elements are incinerated. For all these things are the same as with us, but according to their secret quality. Those who travel through wild regions learn the reason for such beings and obtain information. There these beings are found. In the mines also, close to good ore, etc. they are found, and in waters the same also, and the vulcans near the Aetna. And there are many more marvellous things, about their coins, payments and customs, which would be too long in this connection, but will be described in their place.**
TRACTATUS III - HOW THEY COME TO US AND BECOME VISIBLE TO US
All that God has created, he reveals to man and lets come before him, so that man has and attains knowledge of all happenings of the creatures.
...
And in order that we may have a good knowledge of things, the water people have not only been truly seen by man, but have married him and have born him children. Thus also, the mountain people have not only been seen, but people saw them, and talked to them, and received money from them and blows and similar things. The same happened with the forest people, as was mentioned before, the people saw them and dealt and walked with them. Thus also, with the vulcans, who also, as mentioned before, appeared to man, and revealed themselves essentially, who they were and what had to be understood of them all.
...
The nymphs, namely, become apparent to us, but not we to them, except in what they tell about us in their world, as a pilgrim would, who had been in foreign lands. They do not need such rapture, the way the mountain people enrapture us, or the water people. For they have no power over man, and their world is not such that they could adopt us. Man is not subtile in body, but coarse in body and subtile in chaos, while it is the contrary with them. Therefore, they can well stand our chaos, but not we theirs. Their element also is in itself their chaos, which to us may not be chaos. Thus they appear to us, stay with us, marry with us, die with us, and also bear children.
...
This happens with the water people. They come out of their waters to us, make themselves known, act and deal with us, go back to their water, come again—all this to allow man the contemplation of the divine works. Now, they are men, but on the animal side alone, without the soul. From this it follows that they marry men. A water woman takes a man from Adam, and keeps house for him, and gives birth to children. Of the children, we know that they follow after the father. Because the father is a man from Adam, a soul is given to the child, and it becomes like a regular man, who has an eternal soul. ... Just as the condition of these people is, when they are in union with man, so is the condition of man, when he is in union with God.
From this it follows that they woo man, and that they seek him assiduously and in secret. ... they seek love with man, so as to be in union with men. With them all intelligence and wisdom are outside the qualities of the soul, and not the soul.
...
One must also know that not all of them may be married to us. The water people come first; they are the closest to us. Next after them come the forest people, then the mountain and earth manikins who, however, rarely marry humans and are only obliged to serve them. The vulcans never attempt to enter into union with humans, and yet are apt to serve them. Know also that two of them, namely the earth manikins and vulcans, are considered spirits and not creatures, being looked upon as a mirage only, or as ghosts. You must know, however, that just as they appear, thus they are, flesh and blood like another man, and with that, quick and fast like a spirit, as was told in the beginning. They also know all future affairs, present affairs and the past, which are not apparent but are hidden. In that they can serve man, protect, warn, guide him, and such like. For they have reason in common with man (except in regard to the soul). They have knowledge and intelligence of the spirit (except in regard to God). Thus they are highly gifted, and they know and warn, so that man may learn about such things, and see them, and believe in such creatures.
...
It is said of the nymphs, that they come to us from the water, and sit on the banks of the brooks where they have their abode, where they are seen, taken also, caught, and married, as we said before. The forest people, however, are coarser than they. They do not talk, that is, they cannot talk although they have tongues and enough of all that is needed for speech. In this point they differ from the nymphs, for the nymphs can speak in the languages of the countries; the forest people, however, cannot but they learn easily.
The mountain manikins are endowed with speech like the nymphs, and the vulcans speak nothing, yet they can speak but roughly and rarely. The nymphs appear, as was said before, in human clothing, with human features and desires. The forest people are like men, but shy and fugitive. The mountain people are like men, not tall, short; sometimes they reach about half the size of man or so, sometimes more. Thus and in the same way, the vulcans appear, fiery, and fire is all over their features and clothing.
They are the ones of whom one says: a fire man or spirit is going through the house; there goes a burning soul, etc. It often happens that such figures are seen. They also are the flames that are frequently observed as glowing lights in meadows and fields, running through each other and towards each other. These are the vulcans, but they are not found living with man, on account of their fire. They are often found with old women, however, that is, with witches, wooing them.
...
You must know, however, that there is danger with the fire people, because they are commonly possessed, and the devil thus rages in them, which causes great harm to man. Know also that he equally takes possession of the mountain people and thus makes them subservient to him, and of the forest people also. He then can be found in the forest possessing sylphs and venturing to make love to women who live in forest regions. But they all become like lepers, scabby and mangy, and there is no help for them either.
When these beings are not possessed by the devil they are human and seek union as has been mentioned. But they keep the way of spirits, in that they disappear. One who has a nymph for a wife, should not let her get close to any water, or at least should not offend her while they are on water. And one who has a mountain manikin with him, should not offend him, particularly not at places where they get lost. But they are so much obliged to man and so closely bound to him, that they cannot get away from him, unless there is a reason for it, and this happens at the place from which they come. If one has a wife, she does not get away from him, unless she is provoked while they are on water. Otherwise she will not disappear and can be held. The mountain manikins also must keep their pledges, when they are in service and have been pledged.
But obligations to them must be kept also, in all that is due to them. If duties are kept as should be, they are honest, constant, and intent on their work. And one must know that they are particularly loyal to man and much inclined to spending money. For, the mountain people have money, because they themselves coin it. This is how it must be understood. What a spirit wishes to have, he has, and their wishing and desiring is thus: when a mountain manikin wishes or desires a sum of money, if there is need for it, he has it, and it is good money. Thus they give money to many people in the galleries of mountains, to make them get away; they buy them off. All this is divine order— that they thus appear to us and that we see what is incredible to tell. Man is the most earthbound of all creatures. What he must have and wants, he must make for himself, and he obtains nothing by wishing and desiring it. But those people have what they need and desire, and man does nothing for it. They have it without work.
TRACTATUS IV
As we came to the end of the treatise, we had sufficiently discussed the necessities of these beings, and how they come to man. You must now, furthermore, know about their disappearance from man, and about their doings with us, with many such tales and stories that have happened with them, in many queer ways.
...
It also happens that sirens are born. They are water women too, but live more on the water than in it. They are not split like fish, but are more like a virgin, yet their form is not quite that of a woman. They bear no children but are monsters, just as a strange human being can be born from two normal parents. I would like to put it thus: the water people reproduce themselves like humans, but when it happens that they produce a monster, these monsters are sirens that swim on the water, for they repudiate them and do not keep them. This is why they occur in many forms and figures, as it happens and is the case with all monsters.
Thus we marvel not only at the water people but also at the sirens, who have many strange features and are very different from people. Some can sing, some can whistle with reeds, some can do this and that. Monks are also born from nymphs, that is, a monster which is shaped just like a monk. This you must know, namely, that such growths that are comparable to men and are found in some places, come from men, that is, they come from water people, earth manikins and similar beings.
...
To continue the discussion of these beings, know that such people also convene and assemble in one place, where they may live together and seek intercourse with man, for they love him. ... There are more women than men in such groups, few men, many women; hence they are after men whenever they have a chance. From such people a group originated that is called the Venusberg. It consists of nothing else but a kind of nymphs, thrown together in a cave and hole of their world, yet not in their own chaos, in man’s chaos, but in their regionibus. Know about them that they reach a very old age, but you cannot notice it, because their appearance remains the same from beginning to end, and they die unchanged. Venus was a nymph and undine who excelled others and reigned for a long time, but she died and the succeeding Venus was not as endowed as she had been. She died in the course of time and her kingdom vanished. There are many tales about her.
...
There is a story about a different beginning. It tells of a queen who resided there and sank into the earth. It was a water woman who resided there. She went into the mountain, under the pond that was above her, in her region. There she took her abode, and for making love, she built a gallery, for her to get to the lads and they to her. Such strange things happened there that nobody was able to report about these beings, what they were or where they were from, until it came to an end. It is quite possible that this could happen again should another nymph come, equal to her.
...
There is also a true story of the nymph in Staufenberg who sat on the road in all her beauty and served the lord she had chosen. ... Our nymph was a water woman. She promised herself to von Staufenberg and stayed also with him, until he married another wife, and took her for a devil. Taking her for a devil and considering her such, he married another woman and thus broke his promise to her. Therefore, at the wedding, she gave him the sign, through the ceiling, during the banquet, and three days later, he was dead.
...
We must pay equally great attention to Melusine, for she was not what the theologians considered her, but a nympha. It is true, however, that she was possessed by the evil spirit, of which she would have freed herself if she had stayed with her husband to the end. For such is the devil that he transforms these beings into different shapes, as he also does with the witches, transforming them into cats and werewolves, dogs, etc. This happened to her also, for she never was free of witchcraft but had a part in it. A superstitious belief resulted, that on Saturdays she had to be a serpent. This was her pledge to the devil for his helping her in getting a man. Otherwise, she was a nympha, with flesh and blood, fertile and well built to have children. She came from the nymphs to the humans on earth and lived there. But then, as superstitio seduces and vexes all beings, she went away from her people in her superstitious belief, to the places where the seduced people come who are bewitched in superstitionibus and spell-bound. Mind you, she remained the same serpent to the end of her life, and God knows how long it lasted.
...
TRACTATUS V - DE GIGANTIBUS - On Giants
You must know further that there are two more kinds that belong to the kind of nymphs and pygmies, namely, the giants and dwarfs, who are not born from Adam. Although it is a fact that Saint Christopher was a giant, yet he took birth from human seed, and hence we shall not write about him. But we shall write about the other giants, referred to in the stories of Bern, Sigenott, Hiltbrant, Dittrich, etc., also about the dwarf Laurin and others. Such stories are frequently rejected, but you must know that the same people who reject them, reject also much more important truth.
...
To come to an end, know that such people, giants and dwarfs, may well make women from Adam pregnant, because same likes to meet same, and nature may permit it. Yet you must know that the monsters are not fertile, although they are monsters only so far as their strength and size is concerned; they are not misbuilt. But they have only one seed available, that is, they do not attain the third, fourth, etc. generation. Know also that when they get into man’s kind, the result is uncertain. If the child’s body takes after the mother it falls into her kind; if not, it becomes a beast like the father. It is not possible for it to become a mixed being because the seed of one of the two always prevails. It happens otherwise that both become one seed, but here not. And if it were one seed it would have to be qualified by the one partner who gives the soul. More is said about this subject in other philosophical treatises, and there is no need to tell it here. Their kind, however, has died out and they have left no descendants to replace them.
TRACTATUS VI - ON THE CAUSES OF SUCH CREATURES
Now that we must reflect in terms of natural philosophy about the causes of these creatures we must remember the facts, all the points, many of which have been discussed in the previous treatises. We need not repeat them here. Further causes that may be explored are these: namely, that God has set guardians over nature, for all things, and he left nothing unguarded.
Thus gnomes, pygmies and mami guard the treasures of the earth, the metals and similar treasures. Where they are, there are tremendous treasures, in tremendous quantities. They are guarded by such people, are kept hidden and secret so that they may not be found until the time for it has come. When they are found, people say: in times-of old there used to be mountain manikins, earth people here, but now they are gone. This means that now the time has come for the treasures to be revealed. The treasures of the earth are distributed in such a way that the metals, silver, gold, iron, etc., have been found from the beginning of the world on, and are being discovered by and by.
...
[Now of] the fire people. They too are guardians, of the fireplaces, in which they live. In these places the treasures, that others guard, are forged, prepared, made ready. When the fire is extinguished, it is the earth manikins’ turn to be on guard. And after the earth manikins’ guard, the treasures are revealed. It is the same with the air people. They guard the rocks that lie on the surface, that have been made by the fire people, and put at the place where they belong, from where they get into man’s hands. They guard them so long, until the time has come. Wherever there are treasures, such people are on hand. These are hidden treasures that must not be revealed yet.
...
The nymphs in the water are guardians of the great water treasures, that lie in the sea and other waters, that have also been melted and forged by the fire people. It is, therefore, commonly understood that where nymphs are, there are considerable treasures and minerals and similar matters which they guard. This is apparent in many ways.
...
The cause of the sirens, giants, dwarfs, also of the will-o’the-wisps, who are monsters of the fire people, is that they predict and indicate something new. They are not on guard, but signify that misfortune is threatening people. ... when this is going to happen, signs occur. These beings are such signs, as has been said, but not they alone; there are many more. You must know that the signs change each time. They do not appear in one way, but are hidden to our eyes.
And, finally, the last cause is unknown to us. But when the end of the world will come close, then all things will be revealed, from the smallest to the largest, from the first to the last, what everything has been and is, why it stood there and left, from what causes, and what its meaning was. And everything that is in the world will be disclosed and come to light. Then the fake scholars will be exposed, those who are highly learned in name only but know nothing by experience. Then, the thorough scholars and those who are mere talkers will be recognized for what they are, those who wrote truthfully and those who traded in lies, the thorough and the shallow ones. And to each will be measured according to his diligence, earnest endeavor and truth. At that place, not everyone will be or remain a master, or even a doctor, because there the tares will be separated from the wheat and the straw from the grain. He who now cries, will be quieted, and he who now counts the pages, will have his quills taken away. And all things will be revealed before the Day of Judgment breaks, order that it be found of all scholars, from the past to that very day, who had knowledge and who not, whose writings were right and whose wrong. Now, in my time, this is still unknown. Blessed will be the people, in those days, whose intelligence will be revealed, for what they produced will be revealed to all the people as if it were written on their foreheads. For that time I also recommend my writings for judgment, asking that nothing be withheld. Thus it will be, for God makes the light manifest, that is, everyone will see how it has shone.

Hi all, longtime listener, first-time caller. Please see my query and first 300 below.
My biggest question is this: 95% of the story takes place in 2014, but the book opens in 2020 when my main character receives a letter from the California Dept of Fair Housing & Employment informing her of an investigation into behavior at Chatpic. Receiving the letter spurs her to tell the story of what happened back then. The book checks back into 2020 in the middle as my MC tries to get more information about the investigation, and then it ends back in 2020 again when she decides what she wants to do about the letter.
The reason the story takes place in 2014 is because the time period--pre #MeToo/Donald Trump/the workplace reckoning of 2020--informs the decisions the MC makes back then, and she's looking back at it from a wiser perspective. If you've read The Rachel Incident, Caroline O'Donoghue does a similar thing as she retells a 2008 abortion story from the perspective of present day.
In the end, the investigation is not a driving force of the plot--so my question is how important is it that it's mentioned in the query? I ask because I've found that trying to add that piece to what I've already written starts to get convoluted, though obviously I can work at it. I think it's very clear once you read the first 300, but for agents who don't want a sample, is it clear in the blurb that this story is looking back to a time gone by?
Mostly looking for insight on this question specifically, but if you have further feedback about the letter for first 300, open to that as well. Thanks!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear [Agent],
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my query for TERMS OF SERVICE, a true-ish fictional story about a young woman in a nearly impossible workplace a la UNCANNY VALLEY meets THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (with shades of 9 TO 5). TERMS OF SERVICE is complete at 95,000 words.
It’s 2014 and down-and-out celebrity blogger Maggie Clarke is desperate for a fresh start. Not only is she broke in New York City, but at 31, she thought she’d be writing something a little less embarrassing than Justin Bieber listicles by now. When her longtime internet friend Aron York–recently named the world’s youngest billionaire–offers her a lucrative position at his massively popular social media app Chatpic that puts her at the center of his inner circle in Los Angeles, it’s exactly the step-up she’s been waiting for. As Maggie learns to manage the always-on hours, the slew of acronyms, and the unlimited access to free cold brew, she encounters another more complicated problem–the boys’ club. Except this isn’t the typical ham-fisted sexism she’s used to–this is the tech bro variety: insidious, inexorable, and infuriating. When she meets an ambitious young reporter who encourages her to speak out, Maggie has a shot at revenge. But in a world before mansplaining and microaggressions, is blowing the whistle worth the risk? And is anyone ready to hear it?
Like Maggie, I was also plucked from internet obscurity by the world’s (then) youngest billionaire, [redacted], to come work at his massively popular social media app, [redacted company]. I was a founding member of the company’s content team, and all I have to show for it is six footnotes in the [redacted company] biography [redacted title] and the brutal feminist awakening that inspired me to write this manuscript. Before that, I was a full-time writer in New York whose work has appeared on MTV, Rolling Stone and Elle. Currently I’m a content and editorial consultant in Chicago, and I’m also on TikTok where 21,000 people watch me rant about work and office culture. (It’s also where 2M people enjoyed my show-and-tell video about the “sentimental” stock certificates [redacted company previously mentioned] gave a few early employees–that were worth exactly $0.00.)
As the agent who represents [Author 1] and [Author 2], you have a strong list when it comes to complex female characters embroiled in complicated social dynamics. TERMS OF SERVICE would be a great addition to this track because, while similar themes of class and workplace are explored, my flavor of levity and sarcasm makes my work distinct from [Author 1] and [Author 2], bringing a new facet to your program.
If you are interested in reading TERMS OF SERVICE, I would be happy to forward a sample of any length you suggest. Thank you for your consideration!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
First 300:
Chapter 1
2020
A lot of people might revel in the idea of receiving a letter announcing an investigation into their ex-employer.
One might, for example, envision draping themselves in a mink stole, lighting the cigarette at the end of their old-timey cigarette holder, and dialing the investigator’s number from a rotary phone atop a solid wood desk under shadowy, film noir lights. One might then imagine whispering I knew this day would come into the receiver between bursts of psychotic, hysterical laughter as they rejoiced in the long overdue arrival of the long arm of the law.
But me, I wasn’t so sure. Maybe because I didn’t have a mink stole.
No, I was crouched on the ground of my parents’ musky basement in Des Plaines, Illinois, knee-deep in piles of old diaries and CDs when I received notice of one such letter. It was month four of COVID, and Dad and I were only halfway through his cleaning list. He was already a germaphobe so a global pandemic was all he needed to justify a top-to-bottom disinfection of the entire house. And since my routine trip home in the middle of March turned into a hapless extended stay when the world shut down, it was the perfect excuse to put me to work. Just like the good old days.
We wiped down every square inch of the place. We soaked the faucet heads in lemon juice, we scrubbed the coffee mugs with baking soda. We vacuumed the damn fridge.
Reorganizing the basement shelves was a beast. Every box was like a Russian nesting doll of useless crap: old TV Guides, corroded double-A batteries, dried-out cans of paint primer, an unsettling number of hand saws. I made decent headway through the “tools” and “electronics,” but I lost all steam when I got to my high school stuff—faded Polaroids and folded-up notes stopped me in my tracks.

⚔️Hello adventurers! We are two wanderers looking to join a (DnD 5e) game with heavy focus on roleplay!
🛡️ We're looking to join a party or form a party composed of 3 or 4 players and a DM.
⭐About us: I am 20F, started playing DnD in 2020 when I was 16. I Have played a total of 6 games, finished three, the other ones naturally fizzled out, one is on hiatus. I'd say I'm somewhat experienced! Typically play male characters but recently have been branching out and making female ones, I implement voices to all of them and enjoy creating interactive backstories. I'm thinking of playing a barbarian but nothing concrete yet. My partner is 25M, he owns almost all the books, has also played since he was 16, he is the kind of person who's ready to take charge and play lots of different roles. He usually likes playing more logical characters, with their own lore and goals. He is very experienced with the rules, races and spells. He is looking to play a wizard!
🧭We're fans of exploration, going in depth with our characters, being part of the world and of course, RP. We're into medieval, high fantasy, typical DnD-ish style of world. We're primarily looking to play a homebrew world!
🔮We're looking to play via Discord VC, keeping either all of the game there or also using a VTT! (like Roll20) We are all PST, availabe everyday besides Saturday, accepting any timezones that may work with ours. Our schedule tends to be very flexibe and at least one of us are usually awake most of the day.
🪄DM or comment if interested! Any questions are welcome. Thank you for reading, have a good day!

Hey guys, I recently started my internship and I haven’t been liking the work. I was working towards this for the past 6 months and was very happy when I finally got the internship offer, however, I now feel it was all redundant and meaningless. Based on my chart, what career will I eventually adopt and like? (I’m currently in product/program management). Furthermore, what will my financial situation be like? Money has always been an important criteria for me and I wanted more clarity about it.

Travel, Love, Adventure, the World!
If you enjoy Sword and Sorcery, which per Neil Gaiman is actually a term that Fritz Leiber coined for the genre, you're probably familiar with Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Over a span of 50+ years it became a magnificent collection of short stories featuring two different, yet compatible characters engaging in all types of adventures involving things like theft, revenge, magic, and much more. While I have very little experience with this area of Fantasy I will say that this book comes with my highest recommendation (whatever its worth lol). It is a lot of fun and shows the strength of short stories as a format of writing. Many authors reach their audience by creating vast epics that span thousands of pages, in which something that happened years ago in the lives of the characters is paid off for you, the reader, at the very end. The stories in Swords and Deviltry throw you into the lives of the titular characters, make you aware of whatever is ailing them, and sends them off on the path that will lead to a swift, satisfying conclusion. I think this is certainly the first book you should read in Leiber's work on the series, primarily because it features how the characters met and how they arrive at the exact place of their meeting. This book is excellent. There's really no other way to say it. Though I will say that if you wanted to read the third story, titled "ill Met in Lankhmar" first, it wouldn't be inappropriate. The reading would work either way in my opinion.

The Snow Women

Hold onto life. Think only of yourself. The worst always changes for the better -- or oblivion
This is the origin of Fafhrd, son of the Snow Clan with a history of disobedience. Fittingly, all of his problems in this story come from him bucking the traditions of his matriarchal clan, seeking to escape his domineering mother, his lover, and the memory of his deceased father.

The Unholy Grail

None can inflict suffering without enduring the same.
This is the origin of the Gray Mouser, who started as a simple Wizard's Apprentice named "Mouse". On returning from his latest mission for his Master he finds his Master's house burned down, his Master dead, and the girl he was in love with having fled. Unable to take his revenge on the perpetrator using a sword he delves into the realm of black magic, staining his soul and taking on the "Gray" character his Master warned him about.

ill Met In Lankhmar

Killing is murder, no matter what nice names you give. Just as eating is devouring and drinking guzzling.
Fafhrd and the Gray mouser meet, after their own initial adventures, and immediately hit it off. After sharing the spoils of a successful crime and looking into a task for Fafhrd's current lover they return to their abode the find both of their lovers dead. This spurs our two heroes on a classic rampage of revenge, which leaves them with their enemies dead, but feelings of emptiness and disgust with the city they are left in.

Thoughts

I think that the best short stories are complete tales that leave you satisfied, but still wanting more. Using that as a judging tool I think Leiber casually succeeds. I have gone back and forth trying to decide which story is my favorite. The first two especially convinced me that both Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser could very easily have been written as solo heroes in their own adventures or series. They are both interesting, relatable, and somewhat harsh scoundrels. They aren't lily white heroes of classic heroic fantasy. The term "Gray" is the perfect way to refer to both of them. Fafhrd outright abandons a woman he has wooed and impregnated and doesn't think anything of it. The Gray Mouser dabbles in dark magic that is actually treated as being evil within the series. In other stories these two might be villains to more traditional heroes because of their willingness to steal for their own benefit instead of some kind of greater goal. And it's all brilliant. The locations, the characters, the small details about how each is willing to call a weapon by a given name and still throw it away to get a new one, etc. It all makes for a very satisfying kind of tale that you can sit down, blow through in an afternoon, and then start another one because you were so satisfied by the first.

Hey there! 👋 I'm Daniel, a 24-year-old adventure junkie and tech enthusiast ready to dive into life's most thrilling experiences! 🌍✈️ From exploring new destinations to grooving to the latest beats 🎶, I live for excitement. I'm a movie and anime buff 🎬, with a soft spot for K-dramas! 🙈
When I'm not whipping up culinary masterpieces or hitting the road in my dream car (BMW 🚗), you'll find me exploring new hiking trails, chilling in cozy cafés with a book, or getting lost in captivating conversations. 💬
As a full-stack developer and Python programmer, I enjoy creating cool projects, including drawing with Python's turtle graphics. 🐍💻 Music fuels my soul, and I’m always on the lookout for new tunes to share. I’m friendly, funny, caring, and always up for an adventure. Non-smoker, non-drinker, and always ready to live life to the fullest. I’m looking for a serious relationship with someone who shares my zest for life. 😊
I’m a food lover and cooking enthusiast, dreaming of traveling the world. My favorite anime is Demon Slayer, and I’m hooked on thrillers, psychological, and horror K-dramas. I'm all in for a serious connection, so no ghosting, please! I’m super attentive and quick to reply.
Gaming is another passion of mine—I’m currently obsessed with Genshin Impact, and I love GTA 5, Valorant, PUBG Mobile, COD Warzone, AAA games, Fall Guys, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Let’s connect over our shared passions, geek out on tech, and make unforgettable memories together! Ready for an adventure? 🌟