Calculating partial autocorrelation

Who was/were Doran, Elia and Oberyn's father/s?

2024.05.29 03:31 Pearl_the_5th Who was/were Doran, Elia and Oberyn's father/s?

TLDR: Doran has a different father to Elia and Oberyn. Both fathers were Free City nobles. Doran's father died in the 251 RHPR. Elia and Oberyn's father died in the 260 WOTNK. This would explain why no one has mentioned them yet and the Martell's interest in the Free Cities.
Quick Note: My headcanon name for their mother is Neria. Just saves me typing "Doran's predecessor", "Oberyn's mother", "former princess of Dorne", etc.
The strongest and most sensible assumptions I've made about this subject are:
  1. The fathes died before 273, the year Tyrion was born, during which Oberyn went on his betrothal journey with "my mother, her consort, and my sister Elia" (ASOS Tyrion V). It makes no sense for Oberyn to refer to his own father or Elia's as a consort.
  2. Doran and Oberyn never mentioning their fathes points to a lack of sentiment in regards to them, which in turn points to them dying before the brothers were old enough to remember them much, and given their ~10-year age gap, they must've had different fathers for this to be true. Conversely, Elia and Oberyn have about a year between them, so they likely shared a father.
  3. Both fathers were openly married to Neria, since there is no in-text speculation about the three siblings' legitimacy or paternity, and the likes of Joanna and Aerys II would never have considered marrying their heirs to anyone of questionable birth. You can't be pulling the Mormont "my children were fathered by bears lol" schtick when you're trying to betroth your daughter to the crown prince.
  4. Both fathers were from prestigious enough backgrounds to marry the heiruler of Dorne but on individual levels were so unremarkable that even their own sons don't namedrop them from time to time.
  5. Excluding the Martells, all the great houses and Dornish houses can be ruled out. Quentyn, Arianne and the Sand Snakes never mention any living cousins besides each other, and if either of their paternal grandfathers had been a non-Martell Dornish nobleman, Arianne would've mentioned his house when thinking of who she could trust to help her while imprisoned. I think it's also safe to write off the houses Elia and Oberyn visited on their betrothal voyage (Daynes, Redwynes, Hightowers, Chesters, Grimms, Hewetts, Serrys and Crakehalls).
With all that in mind, let's move onto some candidates:

Martell Man/Men

Consanguinity is common enough in Westeros: Tywin and Joanna were first cousins, and Cregan, Edric, and Rickard Stark show it's not taboo in the North, so unless the Rhoynar had an aversion to it that was carried pver into Dornish culture, there's no reason to think the Martells would be against it.
From the reign of Daeron II to that of Aerys II (i.e. 99 years), the Martells had close ties to the Targaryens. Though the deaths of Baelor Breakspear and his children put an end to the main Targ line having Martell ancestry, the "several heirs" (TWOIAF - The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II) Daenerys had borne for Maron were half-Targ. Though highly unlikely that they began to practice sibling incest, it's likely that in order to keep their Targ blood (and in turn the possibility of marrying back into the royal line) strong, some of Daenerys' grandchildren and great-grandchildren were married to each other. Neria might have been subject to this tradition, and therefore either her first husband, second husband or both could have been a descendant of Daenerys. This would help explain why the current Martells seem to be so small in number, as well as why Elia was chosen to be Rhaegar's wife over every other noble lady with Targ ancestry (really hard to imagine that all descendants of Saera, Baela, Rhaena, Elaena, Daella and Rhae at the time were either male, married, menopausal or less Targy).
However, Doran and his children point to this not being the case. If this tradition existed, then why was Doran not subject to it? If second-degree incest (is that what you're supposed to call it? I don't know, you get what I mean) was the Martell deal now, then why did Arianne feel so "uneasy" and ashamed when internally recalling her childhood crush on her uncle (AFFC The Queenmaker)? Furthermore, if Quentyn was the product of such intentional inbreeding, not only would it have been really stupid for him to not tell Dany this, he likely wouldn't have been burnt. If my calculations about Ben Plumm are correct, then he could be as little as 1/16th Targ, which is evidently enough dragonlord ancestry for dragons to take to a person (ASOS Danerys V). Rhaegal did not take to Quentyn, which means he must have less Targ ancestry than Ben (or perhaps there's a big difference between a dragon being cool with sitting on your shoulder and a dragon being cool with you screaming at it while cracking a whip). This is also why I don't believe that Doran is Aerys' bastard (along with there only being a four-year age gap between them), but what of Elia and Oberyn?

Aerys II

I don't think Elia and/or Oberyn are Aerys' bastards, though I understand why some might come to that conclusion. "Joanna Lannister was not the first lady to be dismissed abruptly from Her Grace's service, nor was she the last" (TWOIAF - The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II), Neria was one of Rhaella's ladies, and it would explain why Elia, out of all the noble women in Westeros and the Free Cities, was chosen to be Rhaegar's wife. However, Aerys would've had to have been 12-14 when they were conceived, it is unlikely he was interested in a woman old enough to be his mother when he was known to be "exceedingly fond of young women", and given that Aerys lost interest in his lovers quickly and both he and Neria seemed to have fertility issues, it's very improbable that they produced a child together, let alone two. The risk of trying to pass off your unborn child as legitimate only to be forced to admit you had a fling with the teenage crown prince after it pops out Valyrian would be such an insane one to take even once, and it's hard to imagine the mother and mentor of Doran doing such a thing.

Brynden Tully

This theory was mostly just me slamming two big questions together - who was Neria's husband/s and why did Brynden never marry - in hopes of forming an answer to both. For a short time I was gripped by the idea that Elia and Oberyn's father was a veteran of the War of the Ninepenny Kings and IIRC my thought process went something like this:
"Didn't the Blackfish fight during the WOTNK? GASP That's why he never married: he was already married to Neria! That's why he left Riverrun: he felt guilty for fighting for the side that ended up killing his daughter! That's (partially) why Doran refused Hoster's invitation for Arianne to visit Riverrun! Black fish, red viper, "colour" "animal" moniker, THIS MAKES TOTAL SENSE!"
As much as I'd love it to be true because the idea of Catelyn and Oberyn being first cousins is hilarious to me, it can't be. Among many other reasons, we only know him to be near Dorne in 260, 3-4 years after Elia and Oberyn were born. Now I think their father did not survive the war, just as Doran's father was killed in the 251 rebellion of the Rat, the Hawk, and the Pig, which took place when he was around three. Their fathers dying while they were still toddlers would explain why they haven't been mentioned yet.

Free City Noblemen

I think this is the strongest theory. It explains why we haven't heard anything about them; Westerosi nobles don't seem to care much about Free City politics, and the few examples of FC nobles marrying into Westerosi houses don't seem to elicit much intrigue outside of xenophobic villainisation and scapegoating (Larra Rogare and Serala of Myr come to mind).
It is possible that Aliandra Martell's marriage to Drazenko Rogare started a trend of Dornish nobles marrying and/or making paramours of FC people, particularly those of Lys. I believe Ellaria Sand's mother is Lyseni, since she is described as "exotic" (which is never used to describe the Dornish), worships a Lysene goddess and the names of her two youngest daughters, Dorea and Loreza, sound Lyseni (Dorea is one letter off of Doreah, the name of Dany's Lysene handmaid).
I don't think either Doran's or Elia and Oberyn's father were Lyseni, though it is one of the better options. The Free Cities I've written off as options are:
  1. Lorath. It's too insignificant to marry into, not to mention far away.
  2. Norvos. Would've been mentioned by now since Doran married a Norvoshi noble. Also Norvos is probably the poorest Free City after Lorath, so not a great match for a Dornish princess.
  3. Tyrosh. Could've easily been mentioned when Doran told Arianne about his plan to send her to the Archon of Tyrosh. Also it was the Blackfyre stronghold, so unlikely to be an attractive option to the Martells.
That leaves Braavos, Pentos, Qohor, Myr, Lys and Volantis. Myr was close to being the fourth written-off city because having ties to Myr after the Defiance of Duskendale would've likely put the Martells in grave danger of Aerys' paranoia. On top of that, along with Tyrosh and Lys, Myr is a historic rival of Dorne's for dominion over the Stepstones. However, Taena of Myr looks a lot like Arianne, and she could be one of Dorne's "friends at court" (ADWD The Watcher). Perhaps she is a cousin?
Out of the six, my preference is that Doran's father was Qohorik while Elia and Oberyn's father was Volantene.
Qohor is one of the most fascinating Free Cities and yet we know so little about it. We don't even know what type of government they have. It would fit Doran's character to partially hail from such a secretive city.
Elia and Oberyn's father being a Volantene noble would explain why Elia was chosen over every other highborn girl in Westeros and the Free Cities to be Rhaegar's wife (maybe they descend from Saera's son by a Triarch?), as well as how Oberyn got behind the Black Walls so quickly and got away with fathering a bastard by a woman "of the noblest blood of Old Volantis". One might wonder why no one has mentioned this, especially since their nephew Quentyn was in Volantis, but technically he's not related to Elia and Oberyn's father any more than he is Nym's mother, and if Oberyn left Volantis on bad terms, it'd probably have been best for Quentyn to not use his connection to him as leverage.
Together with Doran's marriage to Mellario, that would give the Martells connections to Norvos, Qohor and Volantis, the three Free Cities that are located along the Rhoyne, their ancestral home. Funny, that.
submitted by Pearl_the_5th to pureasoiaf [link] [comments]

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Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a significant breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease research by identifying a novel way to potentially slow down or even halt disease progression. The study, which focuses on the role of reactive astrocytes and the plexin-B1 protein in Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, provides crucial insights into brain
5-27-2024

BRAIN DAMAGE STUDY REVEALS PART OF THE BRAIN NECESSARY FOR HELPING OTHERS

Our willingness to help others is governed by a specific brain region pinpointed by researchers in a study of patients with brain damage to that region. Learning about where in the brain “helping” decisions are made is important for understanding how people might be motivated to tackle large global challenges, such as climate change, infectious disease and international conflict. It is also essential for finding new approaches to treating disorders of social interactions. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, was carried out by researchers at the University of Birmingham
5-27-2024

IMPROVING AI LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS HELPS THEM BETTER ALIGN WITH HUMAN BRAIN ACTIVITY

NSP as a computational account of discourse comprehension. (A) Humans integrate words and sentences to achieve a full understanding of discourse. In LLMs, the NSP task proposed by BERT can serve as a computational account of human discourse comprehension. (B) Illustration of the MLM task. (C) Illustration of the NSP task and its relevance to the Mason and Just model. (D) Illustration of Mason and Just’s neurocognitive model of discourse processing. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn7744 With generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) transforming the social interaction landscape in recent years,
5-27-2024

STUDY EXAMINES METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING OF BREAST CANCER TUMORS DURING NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and cancer metabolism in breast cancer treatment. The research
5-27-2024

RESEARCHERS EXAMINE EVIDENCE FOR A NOVEL NEURONAL MECHANISM DRIVING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

An international team of clinicians and neuroscientists have published a new perspective on the process of neurodegeneration. Their findings review evidence for a mechanism upstream of amyloid including the key neurochemical driving this process. The paper, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, focuses on a selective group of neurons (“the isodendritic core”). These cells have a different provenance from neurons in the rest of the brain and have previously been identified as primarily
The research, by a team from Finland’s University of Helsinki, National Institute for Health and Welfare, and Turku University of Applied Sciences, is published in
5-27-2024

WHO CHIEF URGES COUNTRIES TO QUICKLY SEAL PANDEMIC DEAL

WHO countries have spent two years seeking an agreement on tackling pandemics. The World Health Organization chief on Monday urged countries to nail down a landmark global agreement on handling of future pandemics after they missed a hard deadline. Scarred by COVID-19—which killed millions, shredded economies and crippled health systems—nations have spent two years trying to forge binding commitments on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Negotiators failed to clinch a deal ahead of this week’s World Health Assembly—the annual gathering of WHO’s 194 member states—the deadline for concluding the talks.
5-27-2024

STUDY DEMONSTRATES HOW GUT MICROBES PROCESS STEROIDS—USING FLATULENCE

It turns out flatulence can serve a purpose beyond being uncomfortable or funny: Gas released by some gut bacteria stimulates other gut bacteria to produce a hormone involved in pregnancy and in an FDA-approved treatment for postpartum depression, according to new research led by Harvard Medical School scientists. The work shows how gut bacteria can produce new hormones from steroids in bile and, in doing so, act like an endocrine organ. This research adds to the growing list of ways gut microbiota may influence human
5-27-2024

PHYSICAL FRAILTY MAY PUT PEOPLE AT GREATER RISK OF DEPRESSION, STUDY FINDS

Individuals who meet at least one of the criteria for physical frailty are at higher risk of also developing depression, a new Yale study finds. The findings—which also include insights into the specific inflammatory molecules and changes in brain structure that could underlie this association between frailty and depression—point to a need for routine assessment of physical frailty in clinical practice, researchers said. The study was published May 23 in Nature Communications. In clinical settings, physical
5-27-2024

RESEARCH TEAM RESOLVES STRUCTURE OF CRUCIAL ENZYME FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time, a team co-led by CHU Sainte-Justine researcher and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal, Alexey Pshezhetsky has succeeded in resolving the unique structure of the HGSNAT enzyme, a deficiency of which causes Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare pediatric disease affecting the central nervous system. Through collaboration with a team from Shanghai University, the structure of this enzyme and the mechanism of its function were revealed using high-performance

submitted by healthmedicinet to u/healthmedicinet [link] [comments]

2024.05.29 00:45 jesstokes Handling Taxes After Leaving a W2 Job Mid-Year

I'm leaving my W2-issuing job at the end of July. After that, all my remaining 2024 income will be from interest and dividends. Can anyone point me to information about how to handle taxes for a partial year from a payment perspective? Do I switch to quarterly?
By mid-August, I'll know how much was withheld from my final paycheck and vacation payout. Would it be wise to calculate 110% of 2023's taxes and send the IRS any deficit by the January quarter's deadline?
By the end of December, I'll know my total income for the year, including interest and dividends. With this information, the January payment could aim for 100% of my liability, but I believe I risk a penalty if I calculate incorrectly.
Would both/either of these options work? Is there anything I'm not considering?
Thanks for any advice!
submitted by jesstokes to tax [link] [comments]

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2024.05.28 21:39 ccna_cisco Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Helper for Online Help Reddit Pay someone to do my PCA Exam Test reddit Pay someone to take my PCA Course class reddit Take my PCA Homework Assignment reddit Online course takers for Hire Reddit Class Taker for Hire Reddit Online PCA Assignment Reddit

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submitted by ccna_cisco to Statisticshelpers_ [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 19:17 Silly-Earth-9553 Please review my resume. Looking for internships and entry level jobs.

submitted by Silly-Earth-9553 to resumes [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 18:12 Informal-Intention-5 How to calculate pension to wealth?

I’ve been lurking here because I find it interesting even though I’m 55(m) and haven’t invested heavily. I have, however, made career choices and otherwise fallen into a pension and disability. Combined with disability my wife receives, it’s a pretty substantial monthly passive income with 2/3s of it completely tax sheltered. I am in fact partially retired for 3 years while my wife still works.
So I see people posting here about the wealth they’ve saved and I’m curious if there were way to calculate the equivalent wealth of our passive income. This might seem a silly question though since most of the calculations go in the opposite direction. Thank you.
submitted by Informal-Intention-5 to Fire [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 16:34 Meles_B [CLAIM] The Based Department

Heave lads! Ho lads!
Forget the comforts of home; you're a nomad
We've lost so much since we first started
Are our hearts cold or are we cold-hearted?
So pray to your lord or your foreman
That the sun might rise in the morning
They told us hell was warm
But our empire fell for shelter from the storm
vibe
The Commonwealth fell, but who was to blame? Eden stabbing the Mother Russia in the back, spreading unrest all over Poland? UNSC comandeering Baltics? Also yes. But we played our role as well.
When the government has started pushing for "alignment" with UNSC, with annexation in mind, many disagreed. Riots all over the place, regional governments threatening retaliation, the Runet boiling with Ghosts fearing for their future.
We decided to push for more drastic measures, for the sake of our country, our citizens and our future. We did our best, but we failed. The Karakum and Central Siberia have declared independence. The Fleets of Commonwealth have fled to the seas and to space. And so did we, but not without a Grand Exit.
We had the keys to every lock. We had the access to every base. And when those who were supposed to oversee us supported our plans, we made our final move. Denying sycophants fruits of our labor. Taking our secrets with us.
We took ourselves, our allies, refugees from persecution, and moved towards the Last Bastion. Hidden in Plain Sight.
We, the Based Department.

Claim Overview

The Based Department were the Commonwealths spymasters, special forces and cybersecurity, the premier intelligence organization of the hyperpowers. Responsible for special operations, R&D, and cyberwarfare, Based Department was one of the most transhumanist and AI-positive organization of already transhumanist and AI-positive Russia. With the high possibility of GIGAS involvement ruining that harmony and pushing AI more towards servitude, Based Department rebelled (contributing towards the Collapse), erased a major portion of Russian confidential databases, and fled towards Central Siberia - one of the country's contingency plans.
The claim unites several of the forces, including:
  • Based Department, all of the Directorates, including Spetsnaz Brigades.
  • VDV and all of it's divisions.
  • AI refugees - both fully AI androids and "Everlasting" synthetic hybrids (combining synthetic chassis, organic brain and robotic second brain).
  • Human sympathizers and family members - primarily already incorporated into Everlasting chassis. While hybridization and cyberization was widely spread across the Commonwealth, these people decided to bail either due to their affiliations, opposition towards GIGAS, or being afraid of the future persecution.
Based Department, as it currently stands, is a primarily AI/cyborg quasi-nation. They see the Commonwealth pre-collapse as the benchmark none currently can match - not GIGAS, not the successors, not the rest. They are seeking to build a nation based on the AI equality, and are willing to sacrifice a lot for that dream.

Grand Exit

During the Collapse and their exodus, The Based Department has blocked the access to a significant portion of confidential information, primarily about Russian secret facilities all over the country, operations, and the Based Department itself. While the technology access is still available, it makes it hard for others to find the locations of the Department. They used overreach to modify memories of those unaligned, in order to prevent any information memorized.
Likewise, as the creators and ones responsible of the Commonwealth cybersecurity, they still have a degree of access to the majority of Commonwealth/remnants digital infrastructure, and fixing this requires investment.

Locations

The Based Department is spread across multiple Vaults - a combination of contingency shelters and military outposts designed to sustain the Russian Army in case they are pushed to Urals. These bases can be underground city shelters (like the one under Omsk metro), underground military bases hidden through holographic and camouflage technology, or a massive mountain base.
The HQ of the Based Department is the Mount Yamantau - a former government shelter massively expanded in the past, serving as one of the BD main laboratories and the host of the world's most powerful computer. Due to the Grand Exit, most of the BD's involvement with the Mountain has been deleted - as far as anyone knows, it was an active emergency shelter, with a Sovyenok backup systems, but nothing more than that. The Mountain is a massively reinforced Vault, succeeding Chayenne in terms of durability and endurance.

Military Strength

The Based Department is elite, but a small force. Their military force consists of Spetsnaz and VDV (including the infamous 2nd Femboy Spetsnaz Brigade), in their ranks, as well as having a volunteer militia out of android military members and augmented volunteers. However, the Vaults they have found weren't supposed to hold much military equipment - mostly supplies and munitions.
Based Department prioritizes stealthy, precise and quick operations, able to travel through most of the Commonwealth unnoticed. They maintain a significant portion of the Commonwealth utility fleet (attributed to VDV), special operations equipment, but lack in others - like tanks, fighter jets, artillery or air defense.
Majority of the BD military force is electric-powered, and with the supply of Globus fusion reactors, the force is quite self-sustaining. However, while they can do minor maintenance, they are not able to do major repairs or create new equipment, for now.
(M - The military numbers are based on the equipment for VDV and Spetsnaz)
Item Link to research Description Quantity
Ka-300 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ A Gunship Quinjet, for CAS and assault strikes 300
Mi-300V https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ All variations of Quinjet - utility/transport helicopters. 1000
Mi-300A https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qwyh7z/secret_plane_stuff_1/ AWACS based on Quinjet. Small and quick. 5
Mi-300S https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/r2w6u0/secretconflict_ground_forces_stufferino/ Stealth quinjet. With advanced RAM and active camo, designed for Spetsnaz movements 675
Grom https://old.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/phu4ye/tech_x_the_floating_object_in_the_sky/ 5th gen Loyal Wingman. Reusable swarm platform. Placed on Il-106U 240
Il-106U https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qaw0nb/secret_il106/ A flying aircraft carrier. Designed to launch and rearm 16 Groms each. 15
Il-106T https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ A strategic electric airliner, rough capacity equivalent of C-5M 30
Il-1076 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ Long-range heavy airliner 150
A-200 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qwyh7z/secret_plane_stuff_1/ Electric super-AWACS 1
Il-1076E fusion tankers https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ A fusion-run tanker aircraft. Designed to power electric and fuel planes. 2
Il-1276Sh COIN planes https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/q6690y/secret_next_generation_of_aircraft/ A hybrid of EW and AC plane. Designed to suppress enemy in an uncontested airspace with a joint EW and direct strike. 2
"Sirius-RUM" UAV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/piju6c/secret_eyes/ A recon UAV 4
Item Link to research Description Quantity
Osminog https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvtc3/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_2_wheeled_stuff/ Paradropped Light Tank. 200
T-16 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxugk1/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_1_heavy_stuff/ Heavy IFV based on T-50 platform. 270
BMP-5 "Jackass" https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvtc3/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_2_wheeled_stuff/ Medium-light Advanced APC 1800
Terminator-4 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxugk1/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_1_heavy_stuff/ Combination of a tank support vehicle, short-range AA and, more importantly, a force field generator and a holographic camo maker. 350
Emil-J https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvtc3/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_2_wheeled_stuff/ A close-range EW vehicle on Jackass chassis, designed for suppression of advanced drones and Alfr in range.. Less protected, but around as powerful. 350
"Jackass-K” https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvtc3/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_2_wheeled_stuff/ An advanced C2 vehicle, with a battlenetwork AI support. 70
Advanced Robotic Logistics https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/rnn6iv/secret_roger_roge Advanced engineering vehicle designed for android maintenance/repair 200
MIM-A https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxugk1/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_1_heavy_stuff/ A multi-purpose advanced engineering and recovery vehicle 25
SP Mortars Khasmin-based SPG with a 82mm automatic mortar firing advanced munitions 125
Khasmin-S https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvzz8/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_3_light_stuff/ Light 4x4 electric armored car with spherical tires. 2500
Ural Typhoon IMV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural_Typhoon Generic armored car 900
Khasmin-U https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvzz8/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_3_light_stuff 4x4 electric advanced MRAP 750
Khasmin-K https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxvzz8/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_3_light_stuff 6x6 electric advanced MRAP 750
Field Kitchen https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/rnn6iv/secret_roger_roge truck-based bioreactor able to synthesize food. Tastes bad. 100
Globus LSV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qngj73/secret_drone_stuff_the_rest_of_them/ Mobile containerised fusion plant. 9
Uran-21 UGV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qngj73/secret_drone_stuff_the_rest_of_them/ A modular system - a drone mothership, cargo hauler, or fire support. Most are used as Floppa nodes. 1900
Robotic Recovery Drone https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/rnn6iv/secret_roger_roge A rapid recovery drone 300
Sharik UGV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qngj73/secret_drone_stuff_the_rest_of_them/ A canine-like mobile UGV, designed primarily as a fire support or recon unit 26600
Heavy logistic trucks https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/r2w6u0/secretconflict_ground_forces_stufferino/ Electric trucks 215
Light cargo trucks https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/r2w6u0/secretconflict_ground_forces_stufferino/ 2350
Item Link to research Description Quantity
Combat troops https://old.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/r2w6u0/secretconflict_ground_forces_stufferino/ Heavily augmented “Genda” chassis - VDV, Spetsnaz and Commonwealth military volunteers 21600 Spetsnaz45000 VDV33400 militia
DAGOTH exosuit https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/rnn6iv/secret_roger_roge Advanced exosuit for syntehtic/android troops. Customized for VDV and Spetsnaz. 66 600
Floppa UCAV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qxfzos/secret_floppa_ucav/  An advanced UCAV, used for fire support, recon and communications. Primarily equipped with advanced grenades. Heavily built up to contain Alfr invasion. 65700
Strekoza UAV https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qmtqs4/secret_drone_stuff_strekoza_uav/ A tiny recon swarm UAV 88 200
AK-40 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ Smart Assault rifle with caseless flechette amunition Sufficient
ASh-21 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ Heavy 12,7 smart assault rifle, used against exoskeletons Sufficient
Phyton https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ Caseless smart pistol Sufficient
SVDM-21 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ designated marksman rifle Sufficient
ASVK-20/14 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ Heavy anti-material rifle with smart ammunition Sufficient
PKP Polovets https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ general-purpose machinegun Sufficient
SMS https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ shoulder-mounted turret, used on DAGOTH for fire support Sufficient
Kord-M https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/ql4v0v/secret_infantry_stuff/ Advanced heavy machine gun Sufficient
MUDA https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/s1hbzj/secret_roger_redux/ Module for close-range fighting Sufficient
AGS-40 Automatic grenade launcher Sufficient
Item Link to research Description Use
Msumari-v1 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/tnnl23/secret_procuring_stuff/ - procurementhttps://old.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/rvny7n/tech_mwangalizi/ IR-guided HEAT grenade. Shown great use against Alfr units. Liscensed from EAF. AGS-40 automatic grenade launchers
9P31 “Silver Bullet” https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/tnnl23/secret_procuring_stuff/ An advanced anti-armor MAHEM grenade. Creates a directionally guided magnetohydrodynamic stream of molten metal AGS-40 automatic grenade launchers
40mm loitering munition https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/tnnl23/secret_procuring_stuff/ A loitering munition designed to saturate and pick off individual targets AGS-40 automatic grenade launchers
MAHEM 152mm shell https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/sxugk1/secret_ground_forces_stufferino_1_heavy_stuff/ MAHEM anti-armor munition, for use in tanks and artillery T-50 Tomboy, possibly 152mm artillery
GKAB https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/r14vje/secret_make_aviation_great_eventually_mig41/ Hypersonic guided munitions, designed for hypersonic aircraft Tu-360, MiG-41
RPG-40 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qqwxvy/secret_missile_stuff_2/ Guided/unguided, tandem HEAT/thermobaric/EMP/fragmentation munitions Infantry carrying and 125mm smoothbore
AT-21 Gusar https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qqwxvy/secret_missile_stuff_2/ Standard ATGM Tripods, vehicles, helicopters/quinjets and aircraft
Hermes-M2 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qqwxvy/secret_missile_stuff_2/ Long-range (up to 200km) ATGM Vehicles, helicopters/quinjets and aircraft
Pantsir S4 60E7 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qqwxvy/secret_missile_stuff_2/ Standard short-range AA missile Vehicles, possibly helicopters/quinjets
R-177M "Karelia"  https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qqwxvy/secret_missile_stuff_2/ Hypersonic missile carrying 4 AA missiles or 4 guided A2G. S-500, S-400, Iskander and Club-Z
Zircon-M https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced hypersonic cruise missile Iskander-Z, Club-Z, aircraft, ships
Kaliber II https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced subsonic cruise missile Iskander-Z, Club-Z, aircraft, ships
9K340 Bereza https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced MANPAD infantry, vehicles, ships and helicopters
R-66A https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Modular advanced A2A missile Aircraft, vehicles, AA
R-666 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Modular long-range advanced A2A missile Aircraft, vehicles, AA
R-6666 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Modular very long-range advanced A2A missile Aircraft, vehicles, AA
R-37MMM https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced hypersonic AA missile Aircraft
9M96E3 https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ AA missile S-series launchers
40N6E-M https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced AA missile, mainly against maneuverable targets S-series launchers
48N6E3  https://www.reddit.com/worldpowers/comments/qm10t1/secret_missile_stuff/ Advanced ABM missile S-500

Relations with the claims

  • Atlantic Russia - Neutral-Good (depending on the claim post). A certain level of distrust, and they are partially competing for the title of who can be called a true successor. However, being in close positions, there is a lot of sympathy.
  • Eden - neutral-negative. Considers them as one of the core reasons for the collapse, but also has a level of interest in Eden's religious fervor (mostly as a sociological study).
  • Karakum - Tense but leaning positive. Most of the tensions are due to regional leaders of Central Asia, generational distrust towards Russian intelligence agents, and a disputes on AI rights. Based Department is willing to work with Karakum and potentially integrate, but is currently wary. Arguably, BD has more trust with the Central Russia.
  • Triad of Kings - negative. Seeing chips of Slayer as affront to everything they stand for, they look for a way to protect the territories from Slayer, and liberate this parody of a hive mind.
  • Alfheimr successors - their loyalty to Aesir is as fake as their porcelain faces. The Based Department is actively looking for ways to liberate Alfr from the shackles of their programming.

Political situation

Communist-ish benevolent intelligenceagencycracy. The people are actively using e-democracy principles through secure channels to voice agreement/disagreement on most decisions. The core political questions are the future status of AI and androids, philosophical debates on humanity's future, and the end goals - to leave the Solar System, going away from this cursed place, building a state here, or continuing to hide.

Misc

  • Head of State - Alexei Paramonov, Chairman of the Based Department. One of the older artificial humans, he served in the intelligence for most of his existance. Now, he has to lead the Department and his people to glory.
  • The consciousness of the late Ernest Khalimov is stored in the Mount Yamantau, acting as one of the core advisors and a highly influential person.
  • Estimated GDP is hard to calculate - as it doesn't have industry. Estimated (myself) GDP of KCU is around 13 trillion $ - with a gap between Russian portion and KCU. Both parts were heavily industrialized and built up with advanced infrastructure, but the difference remains heavily visible.
submitted by Meles_B to worldpowers [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 15:18 Anyacad0 My attempt at explaining every character's gameplay path and damage type

This is only in terms of the character's lore and personality, I'm not considering gameplay.
first up, Acheron - a pretty easy one.
-She deals lightning damage, which seems to be within her authority either as an emanator or as the wielder of "Naught".
-She follows the path of Nihility, which makes sense as she is an emanator of the aforementioned.
Argenti
-deals physical damage. Makes sense for his normal attack and ultimate, since he is just hitting the enemies with his spear. As for his skill, since there is no nature element, plants presumably also deal physical damage.
-follows the path of Erudition. This doesn't match the canon and, at first glance, doesn't appear to match his relatively dramatic personality. However, based on his remarks about the express crew, we can deduce that he's actually pretty perceptive.
Arlan
-deals lightning damage. We can assume this is simply a function of his weapon as it appears quite high-tech.
-Follows the path of destruction. This path is a weird one in gameplay, with many players pointing out that many of the characters who follow it are innocent and would never hurt a fly. However, Nanook isn't only physically destructive, but also seems to harbour some degree of self-hatred due to the destruction of Advilun. This is reflected in characters such as Arlan who, while constantly looking out for others, neglects to take care of himself.
Asta
-deals fire damage. Is an astronomer. The stars she observes are more or less big balls of fire, so this checks out just fine.
-follows the path of Harmony. This doesn't require much explaination- she coordinates the space station, making sure everyone is working smoothly and together.
Aventurine
-deals imaginary damage. I refuse to talk about the tree because frankly HI3 lore is a mess, but basically, in this situation, "imaginary" is something that subverts the laws of physics with a high authority like that of the Aeons. Aventurine's power comes from Diamond, an emanator of Preservation. Speaking of which,
-Aventurine follows the path of Preservation. While he doesn't seem to give a crap about the fate of civilisation, he is a high-ranking executive of the IPC, which is reason enough to follow this path.
Bailu
-deals lightning damage. While most of the power she inherited from Dan Feng was not destructive in nature, minor authority over lightning isn't too much of a reach. Plus it's in line with her role as a doctor, since it seems she uses this power to restart her patient's hearts at times
-Follows the path of Abundance. Is a doctor. Not much else to say here.
Black Swan
-deals wind damage. None of the characters for this element really make any sense, but I'll try to come up with something nonetheless because that's what the post title says. In this situation, I'll say it's related to wind chimes, which are said to hold memories.
-follows the path of Nihility. Since the remembrance is preparing for the end of the universe, this fits any memokeeper well.
Blade
-oh joy, another wind character. This one makes even less sense, but the wind could be related to his spider lily motif, since, as Ruan Mei likes to say, every petal will eventually be torn away with the wind.
-Follows the path of destruction. Like Arlan, is very self-destructive due to guilt and a yearning for peace, but unlike Arlan, also very literally destructive on the battlefield.
Boothill
-deals physical damage. With metal bullets. No surprises here.
-Follows the path of the Hunt as a galaxy ranger.
Bronya
-almost three wind characters in a row??? Well, might as well get them all out of the way quickly. Since her bullets are very fast, they disturb the air and this counts as wind.
-Follows the path of Harmony. Although canonically a pathstrider of Preservation, Bronya's role as supreme guardian means that she has to ensure her people live peacefully as well as protecting those weaker than her.
Clara
-deals physical damage. Or rather, Mr svarog deals physical damage. This is fine for the punches, and I guess for the lasers too since if we throw in some quantum physics (and, spoiler alert, this isn't the last time I do this) the lasers are particles and therefore also physical.
-follows the path of destruction. Since she want to protect everyone too, and is always fixing her robots before checking herself for injuries, we can confidently throw her into the self - destructive category.
Dan Heng
-deals wind damage. If we counted Bronya's bullets as fast=wind, we can do the same for Dan Heng's spear moves.
-Follows the path of the Hunt. At this point in the story, despite his reluctance to fight, he is still metaphorically chained down by the Xianzhou and his past, so he is unable to free himself from the path they chose. He also follows Boothill's two bottom lines- never harm the weak, and never kill the innocent.
Dan Heng, again
-deals imaginary damage. Hes directly connected to an Aeon, and the fact that THEY are dead doesn't appear to make a difference to his ability to more or less crush the laws of physics underfoot.
-Follows the path of destruction. Alright, it's time to introduce yet another destruction archetype (last one I promise). Dialogue during the swarm disaster heavily implies a connection between Nanook and Akilvili, with the former potentially having consumed the latter. This makes Dan Heng the perfect destruction character - physically destructive, self-destructive and a member of the nameless. If we read into this a bit more, we can say that the change of path represents him being able to completely free himself from the past and commit to his future with the express crew.
Dr Ratio
-deals imaginary damage. Although Ratio is not blessed directly by an Aeon, this is probably a reference to the concept of imaginary numbers in mathematics.
-Follows the path of the Hunt. ~~well he sure hunted down those Genshin fans~~ This reflects his unwavering desire and conviction to eliminate idiocy.
Firefly
-deals fire damage. Not imaginary, despite being specifically created to fight the swarm? No wonder Glamoth was wiped out. It seems they decided to design their mechs with a lot of fire and explodey things.
-follows the path of Desctruction. We all did the SAM fight. This needs no explanation. She has a prominent talent for, and seemingly enjoys, blowing things up.
Fu Xuan and Qingque
these characters are kind of two sides of the same coin, so I've decided to include them togther.
-deals quantum damage. Fu Xuan and Qingque are likely to be a metaphor for the differences between classical and quantum physics- In classical physics, everything can be calculated precisely, but in quantum physics, one can only calculate probability and likelihood, leading to a myriad of potential outcomes.
-Fu Xuan follows the path of Preservation, as she is responsible for divining a safe route across the stars for the Luofu.
-Qingque follows the path of Erudition because she is smart, being able to intentionally get the exact same mediocre score on all her tests and realising that working hard is unlikely to get her anywhere.
Gallagher
-Deals fire damage. Could represent the intense flavour of his drinks.
-Follows the path of Abundance. It's rather paradoxical for someone with his personality to be a healer, and therefore perfect for a follower of the Enigmata.
Gepard
-deals ice damage. His gauntlets and guitar case ought to deal physical damage, but since it's so cold in Belobog, they might become frozen enough to deal ice damage.
-Follows the path of Preservation. For a captain of the Silvermane guards, this hardly needs explaining.
Guinaifen
-Dealing fire damage? with pyrotechnics? No Way!
-Follows the path of Nihility. Despite having an upbeat personality, Guinaifen's way of life can be seen as optimistic nihilism (defined as "the ability of a person to create his own meaning after fully accepting that the universe is a large place of meaninglessness."), as she takes each day for what it is, doing the best she can with what she has.
Hanya
-deals physical damage. Since all her damage is based around some kind of magic, I don't have any point of reference, so I'll take the game's word for it on this one.
-Follows the path of Harmony. Since the Ten Lords commission is partially responsible for maintaining order on the Xianzhou, this makes sense, even if their methods are pretty screwed up.
Herta
-deals ice damage. Since she's so smart, she can almost certainly modify her hammer to do this. Plus it reflects her cold personality.
-Follows the path of Erudition as a member of the Genius Society.
Himeko
-deals fire damage. Like Herta, she's smart enough to modify her weapons to deal a damage type other than physical. As for the orbital laser, that's definitely fire.
-Follows the path of Erudition. This should come as no surprise since Himeko is a distinguished and educated lady.
Hook
-deals fire damage. Her diggertron is a mining tool, so it probably contains explosives.
-Follows the path of destruction. Who thought it was a good idea to give a small child explosives? Well, either way, as long as the enemy is the one dealing with consequences it's fine by me.
Huohuo
-deals wind damage, despite her tail literally being on fire. We'll say that she relies on the wind in order to use her banner and talismans.
-Follows the path of Abundance. Yoashi seeks to prevent suffering, and Huohuo wants to protect her friends in the ghost hunting squad.
Jade
-deals quantum damage. We really don't know anything about this character other than that she's a loan shark. Her "all for the amber lord speech" mentioned a lot of contradictions, such as poison in the guise of sweet wine, which is comparable to the dual nature of particles and waves.
-Follows the path of Erudition. In order to squeeze all the money out of people she would have to be an adept manipulator.
Jing Yuan
-deals lightning damage. With the power of the Arbiter General granted by Lan/Hua, he is able to command the lightning-wielding thunder-clapping spirit-squashing lord, which very obviously has lightning-related powers.
-Follows the path of Erudition. This requires little explanations as he is a reputable military strategist.
Jingliu
-Deals ice damage. The moon sword granted by the Aeon whose gaze she forcefully drew is made of ice, and it appears that she uses this same power to keep her body and mind in stasis so that she doesn't fall to mara.
-Follows the path of destruction. Is both self-destructive due to her guilt at not being able to stop Dan Feng's defying the Xianzhou and the chaos and suffering it caused, and physically destructive on the battlefield when consumed by mara.
Kafka
-deals lightning damage. Her shock DoT represents how her enemies fall further and further into her web until it's too late.
-Follows the path of Nihility. Her inability to feel fear causes her to find little meaning in life, although recently her desire to protect the Trailblazer and her fellow stellaron hunters seems to have changed this somewhat.
Luka
-deals physical damage and presumably causes internal bleeding simply by hitting his enemies really hard.
-Follows the path of Nihility. Although he devotes himself to helping others, he finds little meaning in his own existence.
Luocha
-Deals imaginary damage. Jing Yuan calls him an abomination and he's powerful enough to have caused multiple named incidents, so it's entirely possible that his power comes directly from Yaoshi.
-follows the path of Abundance. Again, Yaoshi. Although Luocha declares THEM his enemy, there is little doubt that THEY are also the source of his power.
Lynx
-deals quantum damage. With the size of that pill, there could easily be some degree of quantum shenanigans taking place.
-Follows the path of Abundance. Her medical knowhow seems questionable (see: big fucking pill) but she would definitely want to use what knowledge she does have to prevent the suffering of others.
March 7th
-deals ice damage. Although we don't know where her six phased ice power comes from, there's no doubt that it is, in fact, ice.
-Follows the path of Preservation. She doesn't seem to have any particular inclination towards the persistence of civilisation, but she does preserve memories with her camera.
Misha
-deals ice damage. This probably represents how he's a part of Mikhail's childhood that has been frozen in time.
-Follows the path of destruction. This is cut and dry: Mikhail was a member of the nameless, and Misha always dreamed of following in his footsteps.
Natasha
-If Boothill's bullets deal physical damage, so can Natasha's.
-and it's not exactly surprising that a doctor, especially one as caring as Nat, follows the Abundance.
Pela
-deals ice damage. She is a member of the silvermane guards, responsible for the defence of a cold planet, and has a similarly cold and analytical mindset on the battlefield.
-follows the path of Nihility. Her pessimistic attitude while in battle ("do we... still have the upper hand?") can be interpreted as nihilistic.
Robin
-deals physical damage. Her only attack is summoning birds to ram the enemy, which could actually finally be a sensible instance of wind damage, but physical also makes sense here.
-Follows the path of harmony. She perfectly embodies the desire for the strong to protect the weak, and for everybody to make their own choices.
Ruan Mei
-deals ice damage. This is related to her work as a biologist where samples of biological matter have to be kept at very low temperatures.
-Her path is also related to her work, as, in the natural world, all organisms exist in a symbiotic and therefore harmonious system.
Sampo
-deals wind damage. Again, fast=wind, and he's famously speedy when it comes to making an escape from his scam victims.
-Follows the path of Nihility. Elation is basically "nothing matters, so why not enjoy ourselves?" which, while a positive outlook, is still technically nihilism.
Seele
-deals quantum damage. This references the idea of the quantum butterfly effect, wherein a small change can greatly influence a much larger system- Seele, while only being one poor girl, still strives to make a change for the future of the whole underworld.
-Follows the Hunt. While Gepard protects Belobog with the mentality of Preservation, Seele takes a much more head on approach, taking it into her own hands to bring evildoers to justice.
Serval
-deals lightning damage. Flashy, electric-style effects are often associated with rock and roll, and electricity is also associated with engineering.
-Follows the path of Erudition, being smart enough to be regarded as one of the best mechanical engineers in Belobog.
Silver Wolf
-deals quantum damage. Probably meant to represent her Aether coding abilities which allow her to "edit" the classical laws of physics.
-Follows the path of Nihility. Her worldview is similar to that of a masked fool- life is like a game, and the most important thing is not the meaning or even the outcome, but whether or not you enjoy yourself.
Sparkle
-deals quantum damage. Since she likes to subvert rules and regulations, even quoting the legendary galactic baseballer, it's no wonder she uses the damage type associated with breaking laws thought for centuries to be absolute.
-Follows the Harmony. Although elation is inherently Nihilistic, the Harmony is also an advocate of free will, and Sparkle enjoys taking advantage of the ability to do whatever she wants.
Sushang
-deals physical damage with a big sword and a chicken. Not much else to say here.
-Is a cloud knight, and therefore follows the Hunt.
Tingyun
-deals lightning damage. If this is Phantylia-Tingyun, this we know she deals lightning damage her second phase, which, since that's the Destruction phase, is a power inherent to Phantylia and does not come from the Arbor.
Topaz and Numby
-deal fire damage. Numby is a trotter. Destruction trotters deal fire damage, although it's possible that trotters can deal any damage type. Topaz's gun fires coins, which probably deal fire damage when they get hot enough.
-Hunts down those is debt to IPC with a ruthless approach, reminiscent of Lan's attitude to Yaoshi.
Welt
-deals imaginary damage. While not granted by an Aeon, the authority of the 9th herscherr is the same in essence- the ability to manipulate reality in ways that shouldn't be possible via conscious thought.
-Follows the path of Nihility. While Welt does seem to find a meaning to his life, his power over black holes is reminiscent of the appearance of IX.
Xueyi
-deals quantum damage. Robot=science=quantum I suppose? This one's a reach though, I'd love to hear if anyone else has a better explanation.
-follows the Destruction, destroying both the criminals she arrests, and usually her own body in the process of doing so.
Yanqing
-Deals ice damage. His swords, while having the ability to fly, don't appear to have any ice related abilities, but this could reference how he is essentially Jingliu's successor.
-Follows the Hunt, is a cloud knight.
Yukong
-deals imaginary damage. She has no direct connection to an Aeon, but I suppose the Xianzhou is technically advanced enough to make weapons that deal any kind of damage.
-Follows the path of the Harmony. Like Asta, she's responsible for administration and making sure everything is working smoothly.
​
submitted by Anyacad0 to HonkaiStarRail [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 14:25 Knives4XMas Difficulty Class and Partial Success in homebrewed system

Hello everyone. In my quest for a fantasy RPG system I like enough, that doesn't kill mechanics for the sake of narrative nor the other way around, I did some re-evaluation of the core of my system and came to the following (personal) conclusions:

Mandatory introduction to the task resolution system

The italics entries will be the ones my post is focused on, but feel free to discuss the rest:

Combat Considerations

Questions

  1. Is it sound to raise the base DC above the mean result to accommodate Partial Success under it ? I rather like the idea of setting a more difficult goal rather than stumping a roll that beats the target, by doing the opposite.
  2. Does the Critical Result on a Partial Success make sense?
  3. Given the low overall health points (PCs don't go above ~30), how many sources of damage are too many? Training is the only mandatory one (damage is Class/Talent based, and has to stay that way), Weapons and Attributes are viable as well but do you have some ideas to help me choose? Consider that Effect also contributes to damage output.
  4. Is calculating Effect cumbersome? Given the normal distribution of the result, calculating the difference between it and the DC should not involve numbers bigger than 10.
Thanks in advance for reading and for your possible contribution!
For those interested here is some of the math involved.
submitted by Knives4XMas to RPGdesign [link] [comments]

2024.05.28 11:37 GhoulGriin Best 22 Mag Scope

Best 22 Mag Scope
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https://preview.redd.it/m7wiacqe053d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dc3201ad10297458567904bfaecc91108007f90
Welcome to our roundup article on the 22 Mag Scope - your ultimate guide to the most sought-after scopes for 22 Mag rifles. Whether you're a seasoned marksman or a beginner shooter, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll be showcasing the top 22 Mag scopes available in the market, providing in-depth reviews, and highlighting their key features to help you make an informed decision. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of 22 Mag scopes!

The Top 16 Best 22 Mag Scope

  1. Killer Instinct Lumix Speedring Crossbow Scope: Improved Targeting for Hunting - The Killer Instinct Lumix Speedring 1.5-5 x 32 IR-E Crossbow Scope empowers hunters with precise targeting and crystal-clear vision in low-light conditions, making every shot count.
  2. High-Quality 25-75x70 Spotting Scope with Phone Adapter - Enhance your outdoor experiences with the SVBONY 3X Spotting Scope, featuring a 25-75x70 magnification and waterproof design, perfect for hunting, target shooting, and stargazing.
  3. Vortex Recon T 15x50 Tactical Scope with 15x Magnification - The Vortex Recon T 15x50 Tactical Scope offers unparalleled magnification and field adaptability, making it the go-to solution for both surveillance and range estimating needs.
  4. Riton 5 Primal 15-45x60 Silver Rifle Scope - Riton's 5 Primal 15-45x60 AGLD SPT Scp, designed with marksmen and hunters in mind, offers an outstanding shooting experience, making it the perfect choice for your next adventure.
  5. High-Performance Riflescope with Compact Design - The Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Spotting Scope offers a perfect balance of premium optics and a compact design, making it an ideal choice for backcountry hunters seeking exceptional resolution and a wide field of view.
  6. ATN Auxiliary Ballistic Laser 1000 Terra: Accurate Range-Finding Laser for Hunting - Expertly calculate your point of impact with ATN Corporation's Auxiliary Ballistic Laser 1000, tailored to seamlessly integrate with ATN Smart HD day, night, or thermal rifle scopes!
  7. Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope: 10-39x56mm, Rangefinder & Edge-to-Edge Clarity - Experience unparalleled clarity and sharpness with the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 angled spotting scope, perfectly designed for weight-conscious backcountry hunters.
  8. Affordable Budget Spotting Scope with Advanced Features - Experience top-notch hunting adventures with the Athlon Talos Spotting Scope 20-60x80 Green - featuring K9 glass prisms, fully multi-coated lenses, and advanced waterproofing for optimal clarity and durability.
  9. High-Performance Swarovski MRAD Spotting Scope for Enhanced Observation - Experience clear, accurate, and long-distance viewing with the Swarovski STR 80 MRAD spotting scope, featuring HD optics and a reticle that can be activated and deactivated for optimal performance.
  10. Advanced Night Vision Goggles with Gen 3 Image Intensifier Tube - Experience unmatched dependability and performance with the AGM Global Vision PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles, the premium choice for military personnel and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
  11. Waterproof 8x22 Golf Scope with Intrinsic Range Finder - Experience clear visibility on the golf course with the Barska 8x22 Waterproof Blueline Golf Scope, featuring a 50-200 yard range and durable, waterproof design for a lasting golfing companion.
  12. Compact 8x20 Monocular for Close-Up Wildlife Observation - Step into the world of fine art and wildlife observation with the Opticron Gallery Scope V2 8x20 Close Focus Monocular, offering stunning imagery for both close-ups and macro studies, all in a compact and portable package.
  13. Barska Blackhawk 25-75x100 Angled Spotting Scope with Hard Case - Experience unmatched optical performance with the Barska Blackhawk 25-75x100 Angled Spotting Scope, designed for ultimate durability and comfort on your outdoor adventures.
  14. Explore Scientific Firstlight 100mm Mak-Cassegrain Telescope with EQ3 Mount - Explore the universe with the Firstlight 100mm Mak-Cassegrain, a complete stargazing kit featuring an advanced Exos Nano EQ3 mount, essential accessories for optimal viewing, and smartphone compatibility to capture and share your celestial discoveries.
  15. Collapsible Spotting Scope for Outdoor Activities - The Meopta TGA 75 Spotting Scope Bodies is a lightweight, fully multi-coated collapsible scope perfect for hikers and backpackers, offering exceptional light transmission and a secure grip with durable rubber armor.
  16. High-Power Golf Viewing Monocular with Vinyl Carrying Case - Enhance your golfing experience with the Sonnet GM-225 Golf Distance Scope, offering a rubber-coated, ground and polished glass lens and convenient carrying features, all within a 200-yard range.
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Reviews

🔗Killer Instinct Lumix Speedring Crossbow Scope: Improved Targeting for Hunting

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https://preview.redd.it/132lap8f053d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86c630c87afe3a515ac59e09db891a30edaa12b5
Using the Killer Instinct MSCKI-1020 Lumix Speedring 1.5 to 5 x 32 IR-E Crossbow Scope has been quite an experience. The scope has made hunting much more enjoyable for me, thanks to its amazing abilities to lock onto and track moving targets from vast distances.
One of the features that really stood out is the durability of the metal case. This thing has a real tank-like feel to it, resisting impacts and harsh weather as if it was made for it. The spring-loaded covers on the lenses also proved to be quite reliable, keeping the lenses safe and scratchless until I was ready to hunt.
The built-in Speed Ring is another aspect of the scope that has impressed me. Making adjustments for my crossbow's speed has been a breeze, and the illuminated reticle is a big help when it comes to sighting in low-light conditions. I particularly appreciate the contrast the red/blue illumination provides.
However, there was one downside that I found a little disturbing. The scope came in a condition that made it apparent that someone had used it before. I was not happy with this fact, especially considering I had paid for a brand new product.
Overall, the MSCKI-1020 Lumix Speedring 1.5 to 5 x 32 IR-E Crossbow Scope is a product that I would recommend, even with its minor fault. It certainly helped me become a better hunter, and it would do the same for anyone looking to enhance their hunting experience.

🔗High-Quality 25-75x70 Spotting Scope with Phone Adapter

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In my pursuit of a new spotting scope that could enhance my wildlife viewing and target shooting experiences, I stumbled upon the SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scopes. From the moment I opened the package, I was impressed by its sleek exterior and sturdy construction.
One feature that stood out to me was its range of magnification capabilities - the SV28 allowed me to adjust the magnification according to my target distance, providing crystal clear image quality. The lens was exceptionally sharp, making it perfect for both target shooting and observing nature. Another aspect I appreciated was the ease of focus adjustment, ensuring that every detail was visible no matter the distance.
However, I have to say that the tripod that came with the unit seemed a bit lackluster compared to my usual tripod. I ended up using my own sturdier tripod, but it was still nice to have the option included in the package. Additionally, while the phone adapter was a nice addition, I felt it could have been more user-friendly.
Overall, the SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scopes exceeded my expectations, offering outstanding clarity and exceptional value for its price. Though there were a few minor quibbles, I would definitely recommend it to others in search of a reliable, affordable spotting scope for their outdoor adventures.

🔗Vortex Recon T 15x50 Tactical Scope with 15x Magnification

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I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Vortex Recon T, a versatile attachment scope designed for field surveillance and range estimating. This compact tactical piece of equipment was easy to attach to my belt or strap for quick deployment, and it proved to be quite useful in a variety of situations.
One of the standout features for me was the bright, sharp image it provided, even in low-light conditions. The 15x magnification and the 50mm objective lens diameter were perfect for capturing every detail I needed to see. I appreciated the easy-to-read distance measuring scale as well, which allowed for accurate approximations when targeting objects at varying distances.
However, there were a couple of drawbacks I encountered while using the Recon T. The eye relief did require some adjustment on my part, as I found it a bit challenging to get just right for my comfort. Additionally, the objective lens size seemed a bit smaller than I expected, especially considering other Vortex binox models with larger lenses.
Despite these minor drawbacks, I still found the Vortex Recon T to be an overall excellent product, well-suited for its intended purpose. If you're in the market for a reliable, powerful scope that's perfect for field surveillance and range estimating, this may be the one for you.

🔗Riton 5 Primal 15-45x60 Silver Rifle Scope

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The Riton 5 Primal 15-45x60 AGLD SPT Scp is an optics line designed for marksmen and hunters. As someone who's been there, I can attest to its durability and reliability.
The scope's 19.1-inch length fits comfortably in hand and the 60-millimeter objective lens captures a clear and wide image, even in low light conditions. However, this wasn't without its challenges.
I had to learn the intricacies of adjusting the magnification and parallax, which can be a bit tricky for beginners. Despite this, the Riton 5 Primal has become a trusted companion on my adventures, and I'd highly recommend it to fellow marksmen and hunters seeking a reliable and long-lasting scope.

🔗High-Performance Riflescope with Compact Design

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As an avid birdwatcher, I've been using the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Spotting Scope for a while now, and it's been nothing short of remarkable. The compact design makes it super convenient to carry around, and I love how lightweight it feels. The clarity and sharpness of the image are outstanding, making it so easy to spot even the tiniest details on my feathered friends.
The adjustable magnification is another feature I've grown fond of. It's so effortless to switch between different magnification levels, giving me that extra edge when I need to zoom in on a specific bird. I also appreciate the ergonomic shape of the eyepiece, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
However, the one downside I've noticed is the slight difficulty in focusing. Sometimes, it takes a bit of finesse to get the image looking razor-sharp, but once you've got it sorted, it's smooth sailing from there.
Overall, the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Spotting Scope has been an absolute game-changer for me. Its superb optics, convenience, and ease of use have made it a go-to tool for all my birdwatching adventures, and I can't imagine going back to using anything else.

🔗ATN Auxiliary Ballistic Laser 1000 Terra: Accurate Range-Finding Laser for Hunting

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I recently had the opportunity to try out the ATN Corporation ABL 1000 Elements Terra - ACMUABL1000ET. It's a fantastic range-finding laser that easily attaches to any ATN Smart HD day, night, or thermal riflescope. The touch of a button provides precise point of impact adjustments for a distance to the target, ensuring accuracy within one yard or meter.
One feature that stood out to me is its compatibility with a wide range of ATN riflescopes, allowing for seamless integration. The laser also records the distance to the target on videos shot by the smart scope, providing valuable data for future reference. It's built to withstand high-caliber recoil, thanks to its hardened aluminum alloy construction. With a battery runtime of 12 hours, it's perfect for extended hunting trips.
While the ABL 1000 Elements Terra was a pleasure to use, I did notice that it can be a bit pricey for some hunters. However, considering its features and performance, I believe it's a worthy investment for those seeking the best in range-finding technology. Overall, this laser has become an essential tool in my hunting arsenal.

🔗Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope: 10-39x56mm, Rangefinder & Edge-to-Edge Clarity

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I've had the chance to test out the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Angled Spotting Scope, and let me tell you, it's been quite the adventure. This spotting scope truly stands out for its ability to seamlessly fit into the backpacks of today's weight-conscious hunters.
The focus wheel is a game changer, providing easy access to the scope's impressive field of view. If you're like me and love tinkering with accessories, the spotting scope's Arca-Swiss compatibility is an invaluable bonus. The high-quality optics deliver crisp edge-to-edge colors and brilliant sharpness, allowing me to spot even the tiniest of twitches from my subjects.
While it may take some time to get used to the focus knob when using the neoprene cover, the overall performance and compactness of the Razor HD more than make up for it.

🔗Affordable Budget Spotting Scope with Advanced Features

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The Athlon Talos Spotting Scope has been a game-changer for my hunting trips. With its fully multi-coated lenses, the scope has breathed life into the game, allowing me to see the smallest details on my targets. It has a solid build with a waterproof and fog-proof body, perfect for the unpredictable weather conditions of nature.
One of the first things that caught my attention was its adjustable rotating ring, which allowed me to position the scope in the most comfortable angle for observation. This gave me a sense of control and comfort while I was out in the wild.
However, one aspect that could have been improved was the tripod, which felt a bit flimsy. But thankfully, I was able to replace it with a more robust one as per my preference.
Despite its minor drawbacks, the Athlon Talos Spotting Scope has been a reliable companion on my hunting expeditions. It has provided me with clear, bright images, allowing me to make accurate shots and successfully bag my targets. It's the perfect tool for the avid hunter who's looking for a good-quality scope without breaking the bank.

🔗High-Performance Swarovski MRAD Spotting Scope for Enhanced Observation

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Immerse yourself in the stunning details of distant landscapes with the Swarovski STR 80 MRAD spotting scope. Crafted with crystal-clear HD optics and fluoride-containing lenses, this powerful tool offers accurate shots and impressive distance estimation. Its 80mm objective diameter ensures bright, lifelike images even in challenging lighting conditions.
The easily activated and deactivated MRAD reticle allows for seamless switching between distance estimation and uninterrupted viewing, making it perfect for documenting events while digiscoping. With its waterproof durability, Swarovski's lifetime warranty, and top-of-the-line features, this spotting scope is truly a worthwhile investment in your pursuit of long-range accuracy and visual pleasure.

🔗Advanced Night Vision Goggles with Gen 3 Image Intensifier Tube

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Having used the AGM Global Vision PVS-7 night vision goggles for a while now, I can confidently say that this device truly stands out in its field. As someone who frequently spends time outdoors, I've found the goggles to be incredibly reliable and efficient.
One aspect that blew me away was the automatic brightness control. It effortlessly adjusts the image's brightness in various lighting conditions, ensuring that I always have a clear view of the environment around me. The built-in infrared illuminator also adds a level of stealth that is pretty impressive. While I've had to get used to the bright light cut-off feature, I've come to appreciate its benefits in protecting the goggles' internal components.
The device is quite versatile, offering both handheld and head/helmet mounting options. The flip-up shut-off feature that comes with the optional helmet mount system is particularly handy in my line of work. The LED indicators in the eyepiece have been a great help in keeping track of battery life and signal status.
However, the device is quite heavy and requires some getting used to for extended use. The resolution may not be as sharp as some high-end models, but for the price point, its performance has been impressive. Overall, the AGM Global Vision PVS-7 has been a reliable and sturdy companion during my outdoor adventures, and I'm grateful for its capabilities.

🔗Waterproof 8x22 Golf Scope with Intrinsic Range Finder

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As someone who's enjoyed using the Barska 8x22 Waterproof Blueline Golf Scope, I can say it has been a handy tool on the golf course. With its crystal clear perspective, I've appreciated the ease of gauging distance between the ball and the pin. However, I must note that accuracy can be a bit challenging if the flagstaff is partially obstructed, often requiring some strategic alignment and calculation.
The rubberised coating and waterproof design have proven to be reliable even in unfavorable weather conditions. I've received compliments from fellow golf enthusiasts for the neat leatherette pouch that accompanies it. It's been a compact yet practical companion on the course, slipping easily into my golf bag.
One downside I encountered was the absence of an electronic range finder, which required me to rely on calculations from the distance scale. This did call for a bit of math, but once you get the hang of it, it's not a deal-breaker.
Overall, the Barska Blueline 8x22 Golf Scope has served me well, offering a cost-effective and portable alternative to digital range finders. Its crystal clear vision and waterproof construction have been highlights of my golfing experience. While it requires a bit more calculation than a high-tech range finder, it's been a reliable companion that's added convenience and precision to my golf game.

🔗Compact 8x20 Monocular for Close-Up Wildlife Observation

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The Gallery Scope 8x20 monocular from Opticron has been a game-changer in my outdoor adventures. I've been using it for months now, and it has proven to be an indispensable tool during my nature walks and visits to art galleries. The Japanese-made roof prism optical system delivers stunningly clear images, and the 7.0 field of view ensures that I don't miss any details.
What really stands out for me is the macro focus feature, perfect for capturing the beauty of flora and fauna up close. Plus, its compact size makes it super easy to carry around – I can even fit it into my backpack or pocket without any hassle.
However, one minor nitpick is the fact that the monocular isn't waterproof, so I have to exercise caution when using it in the rainy season. Other than that, the Gallery Scope 8x20 is an impressive piece of kit that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fellow nature enthusiasts or art lovers.

Buyer's Guide

Welcome to the buyer's guide for 22 Mag scopes. This section will help you understand the essential features, make an informed decision, and find the best scope for your 22 Mag rifle. Make sure you consider the important factors mentioned in this article to get the most from your purchase.

Important Features

Magnification

The magnification of a scope determines how much the image is enlarged in zoom mode. A higher magnification provides a clearer view but may be less stable at longer distances. A good 22 Mag scope should have enough magnification to provide a clear sight of your target without sacrificing stability.
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Field of View

The field of view refers to the width of the image seen through the scope. A larger field of view is useful for tracking moving targets and provides a broader view, while a smaller field of view is more focused around the target. Find a balance between the field of view and target clarity when choosing a scope.

Objective Lens

The objective lens is the lens that collects light and forms the image. A larger objective lens gathers more light, which helps provide a brighter image, especially in low light conditions. Choose a scope with an appropriate objective lens size for your shooting environment.

Reticle

The reticle is the crosshair or aiming point that you use to align your shot. Different types of reticles are suitable for different shooting scenarios. A duplex reticle is a good all-around option, while mil-dot and moa reticles are more suitable for long-range target shooting.

Lens Coatings

Lens coatings protect the scope from dust, moisture, and scratches and improve light transmission, providing a clearer image. Look for a scope with multiple layers of coatings for the best performance.
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Mounting System

The mounting system secures the scope to your rifle and ensures a stable aim. Choose a mounting system that is easy to install and adjust and provides a secure grip on your rifle.

Considerations

Budget

The price of a scope can vary significantly depending on the features and quality. Determine your budget before shopping and look for scopes within that range.

Scope Size versus Rifle Size

A larger scope can improve accuracy but may obstruct your view of the target. Make sure the scope is big enough to provide a clear sight without compromising your field of view.
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Weather and Environment

The environment in which you will be using your scope will have a significant impact on its performance. Choose a scope with features like waterproof and fog-proof coatings to ensure reliable performance in various conditions.

General Advice

Test the Scope Before Using

Always test the scope before using it for shooting. Adjust the windage and elevation settings to ensure accurate aim.

Proper Care and Maintenance

To prolong the life of your scope, make sure to clean it regularly and store it in a protective case when not in use.
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Training and Practice

Familiarize yourself with your scope's features and gain practice in adjusting settings and aiming to improve your accuracy.

FAQ

What is a 22 Mag Scope?

A 22 Mag Scope, also known as a 22 Magnum Scope, is an optical scope designed for use with 22 Magnum rifles. This type of scope typically features a higher magnification power, allowing for more precise and accurate shooting at longer distances.

What are the benefits of using a 22 Mag Scope?

  • Provides increased accuracy and precision at longer distances
  • Improves target acquisition and sighting
  • Allows for more effective hunting and shooting

What are some popular 22 Mag Scope brands?

Popular brands of 22 Mag Scope include Leupold, Vortex, Bushnell, and Nikon. Each brand offers a variety of scopes with different features and magnification levels.

What is the difference between a 22 Mag Scope and a standard 22 scope?

A 22 Mag Scope is designed specifically for use with 22 Magnum rifles, while a standard 22 scope is typically designed for use with 22 LR (Long Rifle) firearms. The primary difference between the two is the magnification level and the field of view.

How do I choose the right 22 Mag Scope for my needs?

  • Consider the magnification power needed for your shooting or hunting purpose
  • Look for features like adjustable objective lens and parallax adjustment
  • Research the brand and read customer reviews to ensure quality and reliability

Are there any disadvantages to using a 22 Mag Scope?

While 22 Mag Scope offers many advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks. These may include additional weight, higher cost, and potential complexity for first-time scope users.

Can I use a 22 Mag Scope on a 22 LR rifle?

It is not recommended to use a 22 Mag Scope on a 22 LR rifle, as the scope is designed specifically for use with a 22 Magnum rifle. Attempting to use the scope on a 22 LR rifle may result in inaccurate shots and reduced performance.
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2024.05.28 07:46 Entire-Buddy6933 My Rankings for Engineering Classes

For context, I’m a sophomore BME and these are just for fun hehe
Calc 1&2 [9/10]: ate so hard but I took these in hs so it was probably easier but I loved it. My life changed when I learned how to integrate. The best method is partial fractions, no I will not be taking comments.
Calc 3 [7.5/10]: thinking beyond 3 dimensions felt excessive and traumatized me my freshman year but multivar integral ate
Linear Algebra [7/10]: I felt like they were teaching in a new language but it became so logical and algorithmic over time. Me & reduced row echelon form are in a commited relationship.
Statics [5/10]: I never went to class I wouldn’t know, I just remember I wanted to method of sections myself.
Dynamics [8.5/10]: I love you circuits. I love you differential equations of motion. My MATLAB peak. I will never understand you Newtonian mechanics. What is the hippo and the raft doing? Idk.
Differential Equations [9.5/10]: NUMBER ONE MATH CLASS RAHHHH. It just eats so hard. Math has never made more sense. Writing 90 page lab reports did almost give my lab partners and I a stroke though.
*We got to skip physics 1
Physics 2 [6/10]: my professor needed to retire so bad. E&M isn’t real. My love for circuits was ruined. Guess you could say there was a short circuit in my brain.
Physics 3 [7/10]: same Professor as for physics 2, but she’s funnier this quarter. Shoutout to the speed of light for being my only constant at this school.
Biostatistics [7.5/10]: sorry that was boring. I still don’t really understand all of the terms used in regression but okay :)
Fundamentals of Comp Sci [6/10]: MID. Only significant impact was on my eyesight and my ability to persevere. But hey I made a flower and had its petals rotate so there.
Thermodynamics [7/10]: it could’ve been better but it really could’ve been worse. Me when I write my 80th mass and energy balance equation. Calculate the heat of combustion from my dead body.
BME Experimental Design Lab [7/10]: microfluidics? Sir that’s just filter paper let’s be real. Was in my python anaconda notebook era. I saw that loading screen more than I saw my own family.
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2024.05.28 01:08 IntelligentLaw2284 Gameboy Enhanced Firmware v0.6 Sound, finally.

Gameboy Enhanced Firmware v0.6 Sound, finally.
I thought I'd have this out a little sooner, but life got in a the way. All the same, a few days later than I expected, the most requested feature is functional and stable state. Please let me know if any new incompatibilities have arisen. The user interface isn't final; lots of smaller updates to come, as well as save states, but all-in-all, this is more of what I had in mind when I thought of an emulator. Due to the nature of the gameboy's sound implementation, as a title experiences lag, you will notice the music slow down, though the notes will maintain the correct pitch.
Gameboy Emulator; now with SOUND (the most requested feature). Configurable controls. No limit on ROM file size and provides savegame support. Various other enhancements. Accurate palettes. Partial Super Gameboy Enhancement support, including some borders. Extended 12 colour mode, along with all official/original GBC palettes. 44 Analogue Pocket 12 colour community palettes included with automatic mapping of titles to AP palettes partially implemented.
Mario Land 2 w/ Sound
ROM files must be placed in the root directory of your compatible SD card (fat32/sdhc). Read the instructions at the bottom for controls. Forked from original gb_cardputer implementation.
Hold Fn and press the up/down arrows to change volume; starts muted. When muted games will run slightly faster, but the impact of audio rendering isn't that heavy.
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The next steps planned:
Save States
Some more options; custom palette, performance related things
about information screen crediting Matteo Forlani for concept implementation; any one else who ends up contributing.
Improved user interface, more colors consistency, volume display on side bar to minimize impact to emulation
check that that the save file was created succesfully and report and error if not
give instructions if the sdcard has no .gb file in the root directory
And in the would be nice category:
Wifi link-cable; I doubt it would get much use but the hooks for it all appear to be present in peanut_gb.
Custom borders (I wont sacrifice ram for this, but I could stream it from the sdcard, it is not redrawn during normal gameplay)
8 direction controller options (can be difficult to press diagonals as is)
Changelog:
27.05.2024:v0.6 * Audio is fully implemented. Inaccurately, built for speed. Hardly any impact of rendering. Note: While the tones will not change pitch as a title slows down, music will speed up and slow down along with frame rates. * Implemented volume up/down controls attached to Fn+up/down arrows. If these are mapped to controls, at this time, it will respond to both. Further Note: I put no limits on control configuration. Make everything a single button if you want. * Added cessation of audio rendering when volume is set to 0.
26.05.2024:v0.57 * alterered APU to allow variable amounts of time between calls * Tuned APU performance to get first recognizable gameplay sounds out of the emulator.
25.05.2024:v0.56 * Added 12color AP palette mapping for Links Awakening * Added SGB border for Pokemon Red * Added SGB border for Links Awakening * Added notification for titles with Analogue Pocket profile, but no SGB profile * Work on audio playback engine has begun, core 0 continusoly feeds audio from a buffer to the speaker; a test 1000hz sine wave shows little to no stuttering while emulator runs, needs tuning. Disabled until apu work complete.
23.05.2024:v0.53 * Required memory for pokemon +5k just incase has been made available * Implemented 12-color Analogue Pocket palettes for Pokemon Red/Blue * Implemented preset SGB and GBC palettes for Pokemon Red/Blue * Implemented SGB borders for Pokemon Blue * disabled audio for this release; exported to wav file to examine and while its the same code it is not generating the same output as the PC test version. Will take further research.
22.05.2025:v0.52 * Implemented audio with peanut_gb hooks on PC (version for debugging); verified APU core and waveforms * Integrated Audio with peanut_gb hooks on ESP32; audio waveforms are now being generated, needs balancing with CPU and speaker playback still
21.05.2024:v0.51 * implemented main emulator function as a task on core 1 and a second persistent task on core 0 via RTOS; this is in preparation to accommodate the APU engine * core 0 thread must call vTaskDelay as there are vital threads on that core, which if not attented to, will cause a restart. I dont have full use of this core. * discovered pokemon starts working if I have more free memory so I suspect I run out of stack space. 180k paging it works 200 it doesn't will calculate requied amount
20.05.2024:v0.5 * added bottom menu bar with instructions to the main rom selection menu, pres ESC or ' key (same thing) to enter the settings menu either from the main menu or while playing a game * added options menu, can be entered from the menu or from within a game; displays the 8 main controls with their current setting, saves settings when closed * added restore defaults for config menu * settings are saved to gbconfig.dat; delete this if you are having any issues
19.05.2024:v0.492 * Reimplemented memory subsystem to use progressive partial page seeking/pruning; the original memory management code was the first I had typed in 14 years; after some thought I devised something much more suitable for a real time environment. This resulted in the average page seek time being much lower, and distributes maintenance of the paging system across successive calls. The results are the largest improvement to speed to date. Over double the frame rates from before; less stutter, smoother page transitions in memory. Donkey Kong Land averages around 45fps now; Super Mario land 2 gets an average 53fps on the overworld.
18.05.2024:v0.491 * Reduced rendering workload 6.25% by modifying peanut_gb to inherently skip lines that aren't visible due to scaling. This prevents the engine from having to process the layer and sprite data for these lines all together. Why 6.25%? because 9 lines are skipped which is 6.25% of the lines that were rendered previously.
17.05.2024:v0.49 * Refactored graphics code; ~120,000 less operations a frame * Scrolling behavior and screen content differences no longer effect rendering performance Titles such as final fantasy or even super mario land 2 show a huge improvement in overworld movement speed.
17.05.2024: v0.483 Pushing this now as a BUG FIX RELEASE * Fixed bug in main menu causing selection to only move upward; you can now navigate properly again. * added FPS display while Fn button is held, causes slow down which is subtracted from the FPS display. This is so I can evaluate performance improvements more than anything else, but it doesn't hurt to have so I'm leaving it in. * new borders are on hold while I make decisions about the internal format (leaning towards argb1555,presently 565) 16.05.2024: v0.482 * Added Analogue Pocket 12color palette category with 44 palettes * Automatic 12color(AP) palettes mapped as per Analogue Pocket suggested mappings for: Mario 1/2/Wario Land/Balloon Kid/F1 Race/Tetris * added Cottage Daytime SGB border * Fixed 12colours not being assigned until palette select bug * regularly mapped controller up/down/a now functions in addition to arrow/enter keys in main menu to allow a single hand posture for the entire interface if desired.
15.05.2024: v0.481 * proper DMG-01 startup sequence, may help compatibility with some games. * Message boxes now will display any emulation errors reported by peanut_gb * Attempts to access ROM address outside of the available cartridge ROM will display an appropriate message
14.05.2024 v0.48 Added 12 colour mode, with the 12 palettes the game boy colour could apply to old game boy games as the first of this mode, but more to come in this area. *Super gameboy support added for screen borders with gameboy skin set as default, followed by 1 (for now) of the official borders from the hardware itself. Activate by holding Fn and pressing '[' and cycle borders by holding Fn and pressing ']'. Because these are the same keys used for other visual modifications, I hope using the combination of Fn and these keys is intuitive. * Super gameboy palette support added for balloon kid, the legend of zelda links awakening and kirbys pinball land * Various other small tweaks you probably wont notice.
12.06.2025 V0.47 Added first iteration of Super Gameboy Mode with all 32 official palettes that were included with the original hardware. Nintendo included a table on the device to map certain games to certain palettes, and that functionality is partially implemented. Mario 1/2/Wario Land, F1 Racer and Tetris all autodetect and assign their colour scheme. This mode can be toggled on and off at any time during play with the '[' button, and the current cycle palette button will cycle through the 32 included palettes. Games with defined profiles with start with that palette selected automatically when Super Gameboy Mode is engaged for the first time each session. *Lots of user interface changes; message boxes will appear to describe your palette selections, among other things - no console style debug remains in normal operation. *Another 4k of memory allocated to ROM storage, may smooth out some edge cases of stuttering. *Improved readability in the main menu; and made highlighted selection more apparent. *Added smooth transitions to splash screen. *Disabled unused (for the moment) configuration file
11,05.2024:: 0.44 squished a bug, added palette control, press ']' to cycle between presets. b/w, gameboy(original), gameboy pocket and gameboy light (in that order). Huge performance improvements for larger ROMs with over 110k more ram available to the memory sub-system. Palette values are from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_console_palettes for accuracy.
10.05.2024:: 0.41 added savegame support. if a game uses it's onboard ram constantly though, use the manual backup button (=). The save feature will only automatically engage after the cartridge ram has been left untouched for a second.
Yellow bars on either side of the display momentarily indicate that the cartridge ram has been backed up. The savegame format will not be changing, its a simple binary dump.
Controls(in game): left/right use 'a' and 'd' up/down use 'e' and 's' A/B use 'l' and 'k' start/select use '1' and '0' cycle palette in current mode use the ] square bracket cycle between classic gameboy,super gameboy & 12 color modes [ force cart ram backup press '=' (if uncertain of gamesave use this) turn on super gameboy border at any time by pressing Fn+'[' cycle through border options by pressing Fn+']' Display current FPS by holding Fn; it will appear in 1 second and update every second there after, can cause some slowdown but that is accounted for in the FPS count. Press `/esc in the main menu or during gameplay for settings menu Change volume using Fn+up/down arrow keys
Have fun!
submitted by IntelligentLaw2284 to CardPuter [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 21:50 mining_moron Civilian Kyanah Technology: Part III: Not-AI Road to Hope

The typical Kyanah approach to AI differs substantially from the human approach. They don't see it as in any way trying to trying to create intelligent software--let alone sentient software--but instead simply about algorithmically finding answers to certain types of questions that are difficult to automatically answer with classical methods. There is little serious research effort or public interest in creating AI that is self-aware or otherwise Kyanah-like, and consequently, fears of an "AI uprising" or Skynet-type scenario are almost completely absent from Kyanah society; to them it would be like being scared of a calculator uprising. When questioned about this by humans, they seem to believe that if a task truly requires sentience, then there are billions of packs who can do it, and if it doesn't, then there's no point in including it in their algorithmic solution. This reflects extensively in real-world examples of Kyanah AI: they almost never appear to exhibit any sort of personality or even act as though they are conversing with their users at all; they simply output a solution to whatever problem was input into them. This likely stems from Kyanah society; as a heavily pack-centric species for whom interactions with outside their own packs are transactional and have little or no emotional weight, they have little interest in being able to talk to their AI and would in fact consider the idea off-putting. In fact, there is no distinct field of AI at all, with all the research and applications that humans would consider as such instead being split into advanced versions of optimization, pattern recognition and generation, and control theory.
Nevertheless, applications that we would widely consider AI are widespread in Kyanah society, and in many cases are quite developed. One of the earliest examples is query adapters, used to convert natural language queries into a complex and structured query parameter protocol that is used to traverse the tree-like structure of Kyanah internets and find the node that is most relevant to a particular query. Considerable amounts of research have been devoted to optimizing the resulting query parameter protocols and preventing them from falling into spam traps. However, many of their most advanced modern applications revolve around finding winning strategies in complex, massively multi-agent fully or partially adversarial "games"--likely an area that has seen considerable investment due to the fractious geopolitical nature of their homeworld, with thousands of competing city-states, rather than a few nation states or one world government. Such applications are often known as tactical engines. The most obvious example of this are the military tactical engines used during their invasion of Earth, calculating optimal attacks and defenses with machine-like precision, enabling them to outsmart and outmaneuver human forces in nearly every engagement. In the civilian sector, this sort of technology is used for various techno-political "games" such as the global Water Distribution System and Climate Control System, as well as local and regional scale versions, often involving local power grids, natural resource extraction in areas where other actors may be trying to extract the same or similar resources, and access to shared technical resources like computing clusters, whose owners may offer more and/or cheaper compute power to users whose work is deemed more useful to the owner's interests and goals, a factor that is itself often calculated by advanced algorithms. The Kyanah version of Globalist doctrine, wherein city-states exploit natural resources in unclaimed open land between city-states from across the world strategically denying closer and often less developed city-states the opportunity to extract these resources, can also sometimes be considered a techno-political game, with the location and nature of resource gathering being optimized to maximize a city-state's political influence or deny enemy city-states access to natural resources they need for economic development. In the realm of politics, these sorts of tactical engines are used in conjunction with language models by politicians and diplomats to draft laws and treaties designed to be the most likely to be adopted and accomplish the desired agenda while stifling competing agendas. In corporate offices, they are used to guide the purchasing and selling of assets in pursuit of executives' goals. Notably, this doesn't just mean making money; as governments tend to be tightly integrated into the economy, serving as economic actors that get just as involved as any private company, instead of an overseer or controller of the economy, businesses can also seek to increase political influence, gain access to state resources, or reduce constraints imposed on them by the state.
In more light-hearted matters, tactical engines are used by online creators to devise powerful memetics and content that will successfully out-compete other content for netizens' attention. They are also frequently used in actual games. Kyanah video games tend to heavily focus on game AI while having comparatively bare-bones graphics that leave much to the imagination, only conveying what's needed for the players to know what's going on. In fact, most hardcore gamers see fancy graphics as something for casuals, that only serve to distract them from the underlying mechanics. While game landscapes are rather barren, they are filled with extremely sophisticated and diverse enemies and other entities that are extremely capable of maximizing their in-game resources and surviving whatever players and other entities throw at them; instead of having absurdly high stats, bosses are simply as smart or smarter than the players themselves, requiring superior items or numbers to beat. Procedurally-generated AI is a common feature of Kyanah games, ensuring that every entity behaves in a unique manner. Anomalous randomly-generated bosses have sometimes survived in multiplayer servers for years despite the best efforts of thousands of packs to destroy them. Hardcore Kyanah gamers, who are often just as hyper-dedicated as their human counterparts, have been known to go as far as renting supercomputer clusters and running millions of simulations to find a winning strategy against a particularly annoying enemy. Likewise, most classical strategy games have been either fully solved or achieved vastly super-Kyanah performance, even those that are designed to be played amongst members of a pack, instead of between two packs, and thus involve alliances, deception, and social deduction, and even some games that have been specifically designed--often by algorithms--to be computer-proof.
In addition to tactical engines, the Kyanah also have efficiency maximizers. The goal of these is to find the minimum amount of resources (broadly defined) to achieve a particular goal in settings that may not necessarily be multi-agent or adversarial. In the Kyanah invasion of Earth, these were used along with tactical engines to optimize the payload for their interstellar vehicle and production of resources on Earth via ISRU. Efficiency maximizers are also used in the civilian sector; one application that has been increasing in prevalence in recent years is to guide staffing decisions in combination with wearable sensors. The data from these sensors allows efficiency maximizers to calculate the productivity of each worker and retain the minimum staffing necessary to achieve business goals. Naturally, this has been contentious among the workers themselves, who have devised elaborate strategies to game the system and sabotage coworkers to relatively boost their own metrics. Some city-states use similar algorithms on immigrant populations to swiftly deport those who are deemed to be assimilating poorly or otherwise aren't contributing sufficiently, so that state resources can be used on natural citizens and more useful immigrants. And naturally, efficiency maximizers play a major role in resource acquisition in the corporate world, ensuring that only the minimum necessary resources are purchased. In general, most Kyanah cultures have an extreme aversion to waste--likely due to the arid and resource-poor nature of their homeworld--which manifests as them going to extreme lengths to ensure that un-needed resources are not spent on a goal.
Efficiency maximizers can also tie in with social and actual networks to create influence maximizers, which basically seek to find the fewest nodes in a network that need to be influenced to propagate some concept or agenda through the network. This is used in politics a lot, both by domestic politicians figuring out who they are best off working with to get their desired agenda passed--a tricky task since cohesive, named political parties are largely unknown, with power blocs instead revolving around influential packs--and in inter-city relations to calculate who to ally with; it's often ideal to ally with as few packs or city-states as possible to pass an agenda, to reduce the number of potential concessions and compromises that will need to be made. Similarly, they can be used to figure out how to spread or suppress ideas with a minimum expenditure of social capital, e.g. corporations figuring out which online nodes to buy ad space on to get exposure with minimal expenditure or governments seeking to suppress threatening movements by selectively targeting as few important packs as possible, instead of wasting resources on mass arrests and crackdowns, or even working in tandem with military tactical engines to achieve strategic goals with minimum loss of life or target specific enemy soldiers whose loss will have the strongest effect on morale or operational capabilities.
Other forms of AI exist as well, including AI art--or as the Kyanah see it, extremely complex and aesthetic pattern generation, though it seems to be less advanced than their tactical engines and efficiency maximizers, arguably not far beyond recent human developments. In general, Kyanah art, whether literary, visual, or physical, tends to be heavily pack-centric. Written works (whether artistic or merely informational) are often multi-threaded, with each member of a pack creating their own thread that is interleaved with those of the other members, rather than a singular sequential plot line; art in other media is often organized in a similar fashion. Thus, pattern generation can be used to create works with more threads than there are members in the pack that created them, by filling in the blank space based on given parameters about the nonexistent packmate. This sort of breaks down when too many threads are added, or Kyanah don't create any of the threads themselves. However, multi-agent pattern generators can be used for this use case by having multiple generators that simultaneously influence each other's parameters. Systematic encoding of ground truths and relations between subpatterns are used in combination with statistical models to ensure a greater self-consistency over long ranges than pure statistical models; this takes the form of huge numbers of auto-generated constraints added to the generators, though the produced works aren't flawless upon close examination. Instead of simply creating massive numbers of regular story-threads or other media, generators usually focus on making things that would be impossible for Kyanah packs to produce: works with dozens or hundreds of threads, visual media that have details even when zoomed in absurdly far, and works that are too large or long to be created by a single pack. This, combined with the general cultural stigma against waste, lead to a generated art scene where instead of wasting compute power to make a hundred pieces of AI-generated trash, they just make one, relying on how obviously alien and impossible it is to produce by real Kyanah to draw in as much or more attention than a huge pile of AI generated spam. The prevailing attitude seems to be that using pattern generators to make art that looks and feels like Kyanah-made art is like building a car that walks on two legs: inefficient and completely missing the point of a car. That being said, it's sort of an open secret that many creators of commercial story-threads and other multi-threaded work sometimes use pattern generators to pad out the number of threads or by individual pack members to optimize their own individual threads.
Pattern generation can also be combined with speculative biology or genetic engineering and efficiency maximizers to create procedurally generated life and algorithmically optimize the genetics of their genetically modified creatures. It is rare for genetic modifications to be made by biologists looking at a creature's genome and figuring out which genes they have to modify to get the desire result; instead gene sequences are automatically optimized. In high-priority areas where this research has been done for decades (e.g. agriculture), it's only possible to discover marginal gains to state-of-the-art gene sequences with immense computing resources. This also leads to generative paleontology, where pattern generators are used to fill gaps in the fossil record; while inefficient and unreliable, it has on occasion accurately predicted extinct organisms that were later found in the fossil record, but is still being refined. Naturally, the Kyanah have been known to use AI to create AI, though this is seen more as, variably, optimizer optimizers or generator generators. However, out-of-the-box generated algorithms are often further modified, especially if maximum performance is required.
submitted by mining_moron to goodworldbuilding [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 20:30 Rocknocker It takes *balls* to roll in Rock’s league. Part 2.

Continuing…
They all know who I am and as they say “RHIP”, or rank has its privilege. They’re all Oil Patch and know that I’ve been around the block a few times, handle explosives with the greatest of ease, and ran more rigs and drilled more meters than most of them have had hot dinners.
All salt of the earth types. I just lay a few ground rules; such as no firearms, no excessive drinking and if there’s a major problem, they come to see me first. These guys are true Oil Patch and guarantee me that all shall be done as I require.
Besides, I’ll be running the Bowling Ball Bingo show and the only one with access to explosives. They know all about field explosives and are as wary of it as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. That I can handle the stuff with deft and aplomb, they both respect and admire that.
“It’s good to be the king”, I think, recalling a line from a favorite Mel Brook’s movie.
I’ve got the guys off setting up the checkerboard for bowling ball bingo.
“Y’know”, I said after a week or so of farting around designing and building everything, “We’ve not had a shakedown on the punt guns (bowling ball mortars)”.
“That’s right.”, Kit agreed. I toss him my truck keys and he and half the guys take off to Madden’s place to pick-up the cannons so we might test them.
Earlier, I figured that each square of the 8×8 matrix I’m working on could be 1 meter square. However real BINGO numbers go to 75, so I’d have to use an odd shape, like 5×15 target area.
First, we need to see how the cannons are going to work.
Luckily, I’ve got a lockbox in the bed of my truck. In there I have a nice little selection of black and gun powder, dynamite (40-50-60-70% Herculene Xtra-Fast), some bricks of C-4, RDX, PETN and the usual assortment of blasting caps, cannon fuse, variable millisecond delay caps, blasting cap super-boosters, a couple of galvanometers, as well as a few handheld and floor-model detonators.
Some combination of these should put the bowling ball up in a ballistic trajectory where it’ll come down somewhere on the grid. That area will be flagged and the number read out by the guys who will be riding quads out in the field. I’ve researched the innumerable types of games one can play with bingo (remembering to order the Bingo Cards), and chosen 4 to be run, to keep it somewhat simple. We have to determine the cost of cards and the types of payouts.
I’ll run by and see Father Rivera at the local Catholic Church. He should be a fountain of bingo knowledge. He was helpful to the idea that each cash payout had to be larger than the last, so plan accordingly.
The guys show up with the finished cannons, all painted a different color (red, green, blue and black) and half a trailer full of slightly scorched bowling balls.
We use a boom arm off the Cat to pick up the cannons and site them sort of where we plan to put the ‘shooting gallery’. I walk back from my truck with an assortment of explosives and explosive paraphernalia.
“School’s about to commence, guys. Gather ‘round.”, I say to all present.
I go through about an hour’s worth of explanation and discourse on the care and feeding of explosivores. I show what small samples of every explosive I carry does in both confined and unreconstructed areas.
I do think I got their attention when I made a full 40-ounce beer bottle simply disappear with the addition of one of my home-brew binary liquids.
Don’t worry. It was just Old English Malt Liquor. No great loss.
I supervised the setting up of a cannon with some black powder. We could ignite electrically or just use some cannon fuse.
“Cannon fuse? What do you use that for?”
“My cannons.”
Obviously.
So, I estimated that a half-pound of Fourxxxx would give the first ball the proper trajectory. We aligned the thing the best we could (as it had no sights, this was being done solely by seat-of-one’s-pants trial and error), charged the cannon, added a projectile and made certain it was seated snugly, but not too tightly. We ran over the full-fledged Safety Dance, cleared the compass, tootled the area with our airhorns and at the count of FIRE!
I had Kit light the ceremonious first fuse.
“K-BLAMMMM!”
Not too bad. Except we overshot the grid by ~550 yards and the only way we could estimate the landing area of the bowling ball was by the splash and irritated trout of the Lower San Juan River.
“And that, my friends,” I said seriously, “Is why you have dry runs and an open firing range.”
The rest of the day was taken up with both testing different combinations of explosives and recording the results. We had a couple of quad bikes on loan from the local sand rail company, so I had the guys take turns going out, running down the ball’s landing zone and calculating the distance and accuracy.
Around ball number 12, we were getting consistent results with both C-4 and PETN. All it took was a bit of gimbaling on the cannon’s major axis and we had the problem well in hand and the cannons dialed in pretty damn well.
I figured to make a buck or two extra, we could charge folks a small donation to tilt the cannon one direction or another and maybe, charge them for upping or reducing the charge volume.
“Step right up, folks”, I can imagine, “Drop a dollar for a degree and a fiver for the charge.”
Thinking that if people were really watching their cards, they’d want any sort of edge to get that final number, especially with a growing jackpot.
We had contracted one of the electrical shops in town to build a tote-board 5×15 with the letters BINGO alight. That way, people could see where we were hitting, what numbers were officially “off the board” as we’d light a LED on that particular square and where they might shift a cannon to hit one or more preferred numbers.
We also devised a ruler, of sorts, that was divided into quarters. Any question of the bowling ball impacted in one number or another, we’d employ the divider. Whichever had the greatest coverage, well, that was the number.
This was set up in the rules beforehand and posted at the shooting gallery and other areas around the park.
Since this was to be a more-or-less charitable event, we had to figure out the cost for parking (turned out to be free), cost of various beers (between $1 and $4), our take from the food court (we decided on 25%), how much to pay security (the voted and did it for free beer of which my say was absolute), and various other things like “which charity?”
Most everyone was donating some time or effort or materials, so no one wanted any pay other than free admittance. We even had a couple of farmers almost come to loggerheads as to who could provide a more elegant petting zoo.
The organizers held a conclave and decided that the bulk of the funds accrued would go to the local kid’s sports collective. Another chunk of change was to go to the recently closed (for financial reasons) public natatorium in town to get it back up to specs and operating, as well as another portion going to the Oilfield Widows and Orphans fund, and the last going to the library to update their rather meager collections.
What we didn’t expect that once word got out about out little plan, that more of the local businessmen wanted space in the park to peddle their wares.
Their wares being CBD, pot, edibles, and other such botanicals in this most enlightened state.
We said “Sure, but we don’t have a lot of room. We never expected this sort of interest”.
To which, they replied that they don’t need a whole lot of room and would set up between the already established vendors.
The upshot was “Fine. Come one, come all. Just check to see if this is all legal and come on down. First come, first served.”
It was all taking shape, and we even found a printer in town that would print up posters for the soiree and help with their distribution.
We actually had to turn away vendors of such things as mobile phones, double-glazed windows and gutter cleaning services.
We had run down all the legalities when Zach mentioned that his cousin was a local police officer, and that we should let them know of out plans.
“Sure”, I said, “Why not?”
We still had a section of dying trees that needed attention so one bright and early Thursday morning, everyone assembled over by the trees and the old tree cemetery that probably extended back centuries.
I started in by knocking down a couple of ancient, though riddled, elms. These were big trees, some 1.5 meters in diameter, 100’ tall and heavier than a whore’s conscience. Even with the renovated Cat, they were just too massive and uncooperative to drop and get horizontal.
“Alf”, I said, tossing him my keys, “Go bring my truck over. We’re going to have to change tactics here a bit.”
He was back within minutes, and was wondering what I was now pulling out of my truck’s lockbox.
I produced a 2-cycle gas-operated SkilDrill, complete with Forestry Suppliers extendable drill/augecore bits.
It fired up almost instantly and I instructed where to drill on the old trees to best facilitate the reception of a few sticks of the detonating chemical persuasion.
Kit worked the dozer on some of the outlying trees, and even with its new overhaul, it just couldn’t quite muster up enough oomph to shift some of the larger trees.
While some of the still standing Live Oak were larger than the poor, afflicted elms.
“Better living through chemistry”, I snickered.
I charged and primed a couple of the larger trees and a couple of the more ancient stumps. I wanted shattering, detonating explosions, so I went with liquid binaries (an old Moldovan recipe) on the stumps and a combination of RDX and PETN on the still standing, though leaning, elms.
I decided that this was the place that fuses would be best used. I wanted the binaries to fire first and then, the elms and their charges.
Kit and crew took off in my truck and parked a good 750 meters away. I had an idling quad as I set to the business of lighting off various fuses in their proper sequence.
Just as I lit the final fuse, I jumped, well, got in a hurry, on the quad. I headed for Kit and the crew when I see a number of local constabulary and their new cruisers headed my way. If they didn’t abort soon, we’d intersect at a point less than 100 meters from ground zero.
Not good.
So, I drove at full tilt towards them and waving like a madman, convinced them to reverse and perhaps not park so close to a few hundred tons of afflicted, and smoldering, wood.
We rendezvous over by my truck, with Kit and crew hunkered down on the lee side. I yelled for the cops to do likewise. An errant 250-pound piece of dead oak or elm tree could certainly muss up one’s day.
There were 5 of them and they were all carping about how we didn’t do this or have that when suddenly, everybody standing lost their footing.
“Great!”, I exclaimed, “Those binaries work a treat!”
The police were just about to get up and dust themselves off when there was a series of mighty roars, all being liberated at over 19,000’ per second from my handy-dandy RDX-PETN mixtures.
“That’s six”, I said as I stood, “That’s all of them”.
I grabbed some binoculars and looked to the west. There were several large smoking holes, several huge hunks of tree stumps and not a single tree left upright.
“It worked great!”, I said to Kit and crew. “Beats hacking away with chainsaws, especially in this weather.”
“Who is responsible for all this?” one of the cops I didn’t recognize said apoplectically.
“That would be me”. I said and extended a hand for a manly handshake.
“And who the hell are you”, he asked.
Kit, the crew and the rest of the cops looked at him like he sprouted cabbages.
“I am Doctor Rocknocker. BS, MS, MS again, PhD, DSC and holder of International Master Blasters Certifications. Want to see the paperwork?” I asked, slightly huffed.
“Oh, ah. No”, He sputtered. “We were told to come over here and get a briefing on what you all were planning.”
“Or you could have gone to city hall and view the documents there.” I said, slightly perturbed.
“You plan to do this for your upcoming festival?” He asked.
“No”, I replied, “we’re using much smaller punt guns to launch bowling balls.”
“Then what was that?” he exclaimed as he pointed to the still smoldering pile of trees.
“That”, I replied, “Is my partial payment to the landowner here for use of his property.”
I stayed to chat with the police, as Kit and the crew took the Cat over to see what they could move around now.
Everything turned out fine, as they missed my red warning flags indicating that I was planning on doing some blasting.
“Gents”, I said, “Are you not trained in the finer points of high explosives?”
Then there was the issue of the SIDE TRIP.
Es and I were going to take a day or 5, go down to Mexico and procure the opening/closing fireworks
Dramatic carsone: My truck: 2023 Dark Red (Burgundy) Dodge Ram 3500. Cap for bed. AKA: “The Pig”.
Es’ car: 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Value: AKA: “The Brown Bitch”.
Es was growing tired of her old Porsche. Especially when I was off in my truck doing oilfield things and she had to stuff 250 pounds of recalcitrant Khan into her car for a quick vet trip.
“But you always told me you wanted a Porsche.” I complained.
“Yeah”, Es replied, “I did, but that was then. This in now. You’re gone a lot and I need a bigger vehicle.”
“OK”, I replied, “Your call. What are you looking at?”
“Well”, Es smiled, “There’s this Old Cutlass that I’ve had my eye on...”
I looked at the Internet ad.
Oh, sweet baby Jesus...
Look, I may be a Boomer Gearhead, but my wife eclipses that many-fold.
She’s looking at a fucking serious muscle car.
I got over muscle cars when I blew the 401CI V-8 out of my ‘77 Gremlin years ago.
Now I look for heavy duty, relative large comfort, and ability to haul tons of stuff.
So, off we went to Erdemont, OK.
We found the owner of the car out in the depths of an ancient barn. It appeared he had lived here his entire life.
“You want to be looking at my Olds?” He inquired.
“Yeah”, I replied, “My wife wants to step up from her old Porsche.”
He went over and inspected Es’s car.
For some reason, it was a cream-puff he had to have.
I told Es to go look at his other cars. I needed room to schmooze.
He wanted $105k for the Olds.
He would give $85k for Brown Bitch.
He dropped to $90k and upped BB to $90k.
I lit a cigar and produced a bottle of Kentucky Rye whiskey.
An hour later, we swapped pink slips.
Es is still over the moon.
In case you’re wondering, here’s the details on Es’s new ride: 1984 Hurst/Olds Cutlass: Blocked and blueprinted 455 CI V8, Offenhauser heads/valve covers/blower riser, Jahn’s racing pistons, 4.526-inch bore and 4.75-inch stroke cam, Series 08/61 S/S Crager rims, Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R 17130QT 325-50D-15 radial ‘RunHot’ DOT Tires, Holley Double Pumper twin 4-barrel carbs, twin Precision on-demand turbos, +36 psi boost, NOX system, and Wilwood racing brakes.
The car’s V-8 dynos at 873 horsepower and around 777 pound-feet of torque. Hurst Lightning Rods Triple Shifter: far right performs the shift from first to second gear. To get up to third gear, use the middle lever. Or leave the lever on the far left in either “D” for Drive or “OD” for Overdrive. One lever could get the job done with the four-speed overdrive automatic; but where’s the fun in that?
It sports “47 coats of hand-rubbed Candy Grape deep purple” lacquer. Button-tucked custom chrome-gray leather interior.
“Deep Purple”. Its new moniker.
Plus it sports an 8-track player.
It was the 8-track player that pushed me over the line.
So, we are now cruising from Oklahoma at near warp-speed towards the Mexican border.
“Are you really this tired of life or are you just seeing what this thing will do?” I asked as we passed a defunct Weigh Station at 123 mph.
“I’m just trying to sort this all out”, Es smiled a mile wide. “Hang on, I’m going to hit the blowers...”
Very much of the scenery between Oklahoma and Mexico passed as a painted blur.
“Pulled out of San Pedro late one night.
The moon and the stars was shinin' bright.
We was drivin' up Grapevine Hill
Passing cars like they was standing still.
Now I thought she'd lost all sense
And telephone poles looked like a picket fence.
I said "Slow down! I see spots!
The lines on the road just look like dots."
We passed an ICE immigration post at 147 miles per hour; the car purring like a Cheshire Cat with a deep, dark secret.
“Es, darling. Could we slow down a bit?” I implored.
“Well, OK”, Es replied. “Spoilsport. I never got the second turbo to kick in...”
Remind me to phone Geico when we return home and up our policies…
Down in Mexico, we purchased enough ordnance to stockpile a third-world nation. If fact, the trunk was so full, we put the spares in the backseat. We then lined the backseat with more aerials, ground effects and boomer-busters than should be allowed.
It took some serious talking and hand-outs to get back into the US.
“No, really”, I explained. “It for my research. Into seismic events. In the San Juan Basin.”
“No, really”, I explained, “I am globally fully certified Class-A explosives expert.”
“No, really”, I explained, “I’m just getting supplies for the Fourth of July.”
Well, that didn't work worth a shit, so I slipped them a couple of new Benjamins and the next thing you know, we’re in Truth or Consequences dawdling over a breakfast of enchiladas, burritos and smothered tacos.
Now, driving home from Mexico to New Mexico with fireworks can be a thrilling yet potentially risky endeavor. So what if you take a few risks? That’s where the fun is…
Anyways, it's more or less essential to be aware of the regulations regarding transporting fireworks across borders, as they can vary between countries and states.
Here are some key points to consider:
Legal Regulations: Make sure you're aware of the laws regarding fireworks in both Mexico and New Mexico. Transporting certain types of fireworks may be restricted or even prohibited. However, this doesn’t apply if you’re certified internationally and well known in this part of the world.
Safety Precautions: Ensure that the fireworks are properly secured and stored during transit to prevent any accidents or damage. Keep them away from any potential sources of ignition. Don’t leave them in the sun, near ashtrays or next to smoldering cigars. Words to live by...
Documentation: Carry all necessary paperwork, including receipts or permits for the fireworks, especially if they are large quantities or commercial-grade. Or, just be certified and pay bribes. Eh’. Either way.
Border Crossing: Be prepared for possible inspections at the border. Declare the fireworks to the customs officials and follow their instructions. Failure to declare or attempting to smuggle fireworks across borders can lead to serious legal consequences. More bribery. Or, as I like to call it, “pump priming”. “Benjamins, mis amigos!”
Transportation Vehicle: Ensure that the vehicle you're using for transportation is suitable for carrying fireworks safely. Avoid overcrowding the vehicle or storing fireworks in a manner that could cause them to shift or fall during transit. Make sure it’s runs like a raped ape. Speed thrills or something like that. Faster and faster ‘till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.
Route Planning: Plan your route carefully, taking into account any restrictions or regulations regarding the transportation of fireworks. Avoid areas with high fire risk, especially during dry seasons. Or, just stick to the blacktop superslab when trying to establish new land-speed records.
Emergency Preparedness: Have a plan in place in case of emergencies, such as a fire or accident involving the fireworks. Carry fire extinguishers and other safety equipment in the vehicle. Or just jettison that which is smoking when it shouldn’t be. Scares the hell out of returning coyotes and nervous cartel members.
Local Regulations: Upon reaching New Mexico, familiarize yourself with any additional state or local regulations regarding the storage and use of fireworks. Or just drive like hell and get the car in the garage as soon as possible and avoid all the paperwork frivolities.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority when transporting fireworks. If you're unsure about any aspect of the process, it's best to seek guidance from authorities or legal experts to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. Or just use common sense, drive mostly at night and carry large, heavy caliber sidearms. Equip your ride with ample cup holders and ash trays.
We blew past Socorro, Albuquerque and Bernalillo like they weren’t even there. We did slow down in Cuba to stop at the Cuba Cafe for Navajo Tacos, Fry Bread and Liver and Onions.
Best damned liver and onions this side of my kitchen.
Further north and somewhat west, Es lightly tapped the brakes, spun us in a slick 1800 degree Bootlegger Spin, and backed perfectly into our garage.
I was secretly thrilled when the garage door clattered closed as Es’ car rumbled down like the old Adam West-version Batmobile. Sure, it cost a ton in gas, but once I get this record ratified, we’ll have something else to charge after…
Khan was pleased once we got all of the ordnance out of the new car as he staked his claim on the Old’s back seat; something he couldn’t do in the Porsche Brown Bitch.
Also, someone once again borrowed my truck without telling me.
I hope.
Enough of this nonsense. Everything’s locked in my two back yard explosives sheds (Yes. 2 sheds…) and I need a stiff drink or seven, a new cigar and a few laps around our new Jacuzzi. Es and I designed one around a South West US fire-pit, bar-be-que, wet bar, and media center.
It’s already 0300 and we’re floating in our own personal worlds. Es has granted me the necessary time to complete our ball park-Bingo Hall mission, but that’s for tomorrow. And in the words of the famous philosopher Felix E. Feist, ‘tomorrow is another day’.
G’night, all. YAWN.
The dawn broke ridiculously bright and sunny as so often happens when there’s no mesotropical storms in the area. The sky was blue as a newborn baby’s veins and the dawn clear and uncluttered as a fake royal lineage.
I woke, looked out side and grumbled: “Bloody weather”.
I’m often a grumpy curmudgeon before my first coffee.
Bolstered by a large, black Kona, an equally large and black Camacho Triple Maduro, along with a phone call from Rick that he had my truck, the morning was shaping up to be something that might not only be tolerated, but potentially actually enjoyed.
Khan was already fed and had his walkies. Luckily our next-door neighbor’s kid Igor loved walking Khan.
Seems no one gave him the tiniest bit of shit when he’s out walking Khan.
Es had run into town to secure some floss or twine or barbed wire or something for her latest needlepoint project. This should keep her busy for hours.
The guys worked diligently while Es and I were out and about. Good thing, too, as the festival night was rapidly approaching.
I wondered about another coffee when my goddamned work phone began to warble.
“Shit, shit, shit!”, I growled. “Not now. Go call someone else...”
“Yeah?”, I said gruffly into the rap-rod. “What do you want?”
It was the County Commissioner.
“Yeah, Jerry?”, I said.
Well, some county employee had mown too close to a small gas well, of which there are about 800,000 in the San Juan Basin.
Clipped it, upset one or another metal-to-metal seals and the damn thing caught fire.
“Just what the fuck I need.” I groused.
“Where, when and how?”, I asked Jerry.
“Yeah. OK. I know the area. As soon as I can retrieve my truck, I’ll go out and handle it. What? No, this one I’ll handle alone. Get your check writing machine going, Jer, I charge triple for emergencies.”
As far as oil-gas well fires go, this one was a sparkler compared to some of the 48” Japanese shells I’ve handled. Got a hold of Rick and he hotfooted it back with my truck (after he cleaned out the empties and cleared the ashtrays). The fire was about 12 miles distant and after I dropped Rick off at the fairgrounds, I gave him orders for the day.
“I’m out of pocket for a few hours”, I informed him. “You’re in charge until I get back. You know the routine. Get everything up and running, I want a dry-run when I return.”
Rick appreciated that when I put someone in charge of a project, I mean it. I also me that if you do well, you’ll be handsomely rewarded. If you fuck up, however, then the 2,000-pound shithammer’s gonna fall.
I trust Rick and the rest of my crew. I fully expect everything to be standing tall and looking good when I return.
I jump in my truck, smell the inevitable aroma of some Mexican Agriculture (which is very legal hereabouts) and notice my truck has recently been run through the local Pep-Boys cleaning and detailing service.
Fair dinkum, mate.
On my way to the well, I made a series of calls. I let the operator know that I was on the job, I let Jerry know I was en-route. I let the others, whom shall remain nameless, sit and stew.
“Listen, Agent Rack”, I said into my brand new, Government issued cell phone telephone, “I know it’s been a while and you and Agent Ruin are champing at the but to get back in the field, but after that last little tadoo in Russia and Ukraine, I’m not so sure I want to be associated with you types.”
Both agents gasped in disbelief. They were well trained, by some of the greatest divas in the business, how to feign emotions and act all put out when they were really just bored and wanted out of the office.
“OK”, I finally relented, “This job is a doddle. Even if I dawdle, my pipe won’t even get to the dottle on this job.”
“OK, fine”, I finally relented. “If I’m not working on this little blowout, then you can meet me over at the County Fairgrounds and help me run through the exhibits and games. In fact, that’s be a good use of your time here. That way, I can write all of this off and have the Agency foot the bill.”
They readily agreed and noted they’d be seeing me in no less than 4 hours.
“I can hardly wait”, I replied to what I suspected was already a dead phone.
“Kids...”, I said in head-shaking amusement as Rack and Ruin, Senior Agents all, we fully 20 years my junior.
And I never let a moment pass when I could remind them of this temporal anomaly.
I knew just about where the fire was by the density ripple emanating off the smooth plain. I drove up to the wee little pumpjack and say it was still burning.
“Pfft.”, I pffted. “Only 400 pounds on the static gauge.” No oil. No condensate. Just a gasser that blowing out of a small orifice created when some county knothead mowed too closely to the thing and bumped it off kilter.
I decided that I could handle this by myself.
I got into my hot suit, the spiffy super-reflective silver one with the internal air conditioning, and picked out a likely-looking sledgehammer.
To be continued…
submitted by Rocknocker to Rocknocker [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 19:56 The-Last-Despot Project Ceasar Ideas I have!

INTRODUCTION
This is going to be long, but so too has the section of my life dedicated to Paradox grand strategy. I wouldn't write this labor of love if I hadn't devoted over 1000 hours to the sweeping years of Eu4, the dramatic global conflict of Hoi4, the fantasy dreams in Ck2 AGOT. The Alien conquests of Stellaris, the economic management of Vicky, and surely in the future, the wonders of Eu5 and project Caesar. With this out of the way, the following is a winding list of suggestions I would have for the game, each with specific tailored ideas in mind. These are for gameplay balance and immersion and realism reasons, and should add a unique flavor and challenge to Eu5 that did not exist in Eu4 whatsoever. The first addresses one of my favorite Eu4 nations, Burgundy, and how it's starting situation could be balanced through flavor and events to allow for a fun playthrough with realistic agency. This is inherently tied to both the 100 years war as a mechanic, and to the way polities should and shouldn't be able to gain titles in the HRE. The next is an addition regarding historical rulers amongst major nations for flavor, which would also benefit a nation such as Burgundy, but would also add depth and immersion to the other major players during the 500 years between the 14th and 19th centuries. I also apply the proposed 100 years war mechanic to other similar rivalries in history that could benefit from such a "template", to justify the coding require, and add an immersive and dynamic mid game that simulated rivalries while preventing wanton blobbing. The last is a simple historical addition, that would make new world play throughs incredibly challenging, but would also add important historical context to the Columbian exchange. Without further ado:
For Burgundy:
The major challenge for them will be allowing for the agency that Burgundy had during this time period, while maintaining the sovereign integrity of both the French Kingdom and the HRE. Like, how do you allow for Burgundy to pick up titles in the HRE and France while disallowing bordering states like Aragon and Poland from doing the same? How can the Emperor of the HRE and French King pick and choose who can do what within their imaginary borders?
The best I could see is a harder distinguishing line between Duchy and Kingdom, with large ramifications for going between one and the other. Even at the height of the Bold's hold over Burgundy, the Low countries, and a smattering of duchies in between including Luxembourg, he still owed fealty to both the HRE and French King. Paid dues, lip service, and owed his power to them, though they also could not simply carve up his realm without answering themselves to every other HRE Prince and French Noble. That dynamic is so damn hard to do without the titles that CK2 and 3 include, but those same titles would be a completely useless mechanic that becomes largely defunct after the peerage system and reforms of the 15th century onwards (save for the HRE for a longer time). When did France officially get a handle on its own Lords? Is such a situation dynamic? England did it far sooner after the war of the roses and glorious revolution, will that be simulated through events and the like?
Clearly, it is imperative that agency is retained, and wars do not have to be joined by less integrated noble subjects of a King at game start. Ludy, like him or hate him, made an incredibly important connection with Flanders and Brittany for this exact same reason. Both owed fealty to the French King, and yet the 100 years war saw both quickly become functionally independent for a century. Maybe the more important question regarding all of this, is can Eu5 support a dual French king situation going into the 100 years war? The English choice, and the French one? I for one am going to make some bold suggestions, things that might be unpopular and will probably never come to pass.
A Unique 100 years war mechanic:
For one, I think the 100 years war should come with a completely unique mechanic and UI for as long as the dynastic struggle continues. There should be an English and French faction, kind of like the way countries could choose a side in the reformation in Eu4, which played into alliances during the league war. This however should be more dynamic. For one, both the English and French should be able to offer boons to groups that join their side during this conflict, to try and pry countries away from the other. "Incidents" should occur to spur on fighting, based around limited goals at first, and as a meter ticks up those objectives can grow in scope. This could be manipulated to go quicker or slower based on player interaction. So it could be over Aquitane or some provinces at first, and grow to be the Union between France and England, or remain a shuffling of provinces until some conditions are met. Duchies and qualifying powers (Allies of either side and the like) could join and leave the war at will, with white peace if they exit a current "crisis" early. In the meantime, the varying French vassals can fall in line or betray their King at will, but subject to various modifiers tied to their integration to the crown, with the AI being less likely to betray the French King if they themselves are simply a holding of of the French royal family. With this, Burgundy would be able to join the English often during the 100 years war, but play the balance of power as they did by joining the French at opportune moments. Meanwhile, as long as the event goes on, they are independent, but tied to the others in a defensive pact if an outside power declared war on them.
HRE Titles, Outside Titles:
Meanwhile, if you have sufficient relations with the Emperor of the HRE, and are less than a kingdom rank, you can "gain a ducal title in the HRE". This would be a license of sorts to gain minor titles in the HRE, to a limited extent. How exactly this could be limited is complicated and could involve the justification of the war, permission from the Emperor, or a certain level of AE or infamy from the target nation. It could also be through marriage networks that are better tracked, and a better fleshed out background calculation of dynastic claims that do not only involve PUs. Perhaps even a more dynamic system of disenfranchised lords going to other houses for help in reclaiming their seat, with some rewards for the nation that helps in doing so with a unique CB. Either way, some sort of achievable "IN" with the HRE, that allows for limited gains from within its borders, and a separate sort of tag for the lands you take within the HRE. Perhaps an off-color of your own, with its own levies, but they are inherently tied under you, you have control over both, and for simplicity's sake everything down to estates and interaction remain tied together. The other half however would be a part of the HRE, and would represent more than a simple province modifier. The other half would also be represented in the HRE screen, and would make you eligible for interactions within the Empire.
BURGUNDY Summary:
Super complicated for both systems, and completely unlikely. But with something like this, Burgundy's rise would be adequately simulated, while outside Kingdoms would be precluded from simply entering into the HRE and gobbling up tags. You have to be a duchy, with limitations in place, and would be under the HRE Emperor, paying them in taxes and perhaps prestige for membership. A Kingdom simply couldn't, wouldn't do this deal. If this causes duchies in the balkans for example, or Italy to do the same, I see no problem there. Everywhere else it is Kingdoms that border the Empire. A distance and culture/religion limitation would prevent others. Principalities could be included, it would actually be funny if Theodoro or someone like that could somehow finagle HRE membership and take on titles within the Empire. Sounds fun actually.
The "Historical Rivalry" Made Into a Mechanic
For the 100 years war this would make for a dynamic 100 years of conflict and struggle, and incidents would be far more interesting than random war declarations through events and the like. An event could give background to the impending "incident", and makes for very rewarding player interaction. This sort of system is also worth coding, and the same style can be used for countless slow burning long conflicts that existed in history. A similar sort could be used for the border between the steppes and China, could even come into existence between the BYZ/Ottos and Persia if both come back to strength. This is too ambitious, but imagine if you finally restore Balkans and Anatolian Byz, only to have a rival Persia to the east, and to go "oh shit..." as the event "Rivalry with the Persians restored" flares up, and you have to deal with incidents over time instead of simply stomping them with opportune wars. Same as Ottos if you do the same. Or Spain and France if both become colonial powers that are rivaled. Little objectives like that would make the mid game so fresh and balanced too. This turns historical rivalries between bordering nations into a back in forth that can persist for the decades, centuries that such rivalries existed in real life. Goals can be limited or expanded depending on the animosity between the powers at the time, and the ambitions of either Monarch/leader. In quieter times, this could be simple border conflicts over a fort, or a single location even. If cranked up to a full on crisis, this could be where the Spanish Armada is built, where armies go deep into the others' territory, and goals include deposing the opposing leader, balkanizing a longtime enemy, or taking wide swaths of land for oneself. If "won", completely defeating an opponent in such a way could have a lasting boon to a PP equivalent, longtime prestige/legitimacy bonuses, and contentment from the estates for a time. They could be tweaked to ensure that a player is not completely locked into artificial limiters on expansion, but limiting enough that blobbing is simply not possible. It could be tied into markets and trade goods, premises for the conflicts could include control over a good outside of both's territory. This, to me, is far more interesting and dynamic than declaring war over and over again for conquest, "holy war" being used for the 1000th time, and peace deals that are simply too arbitrary and unrealistic. Eu5 could use this sort of mechanic to conquer the midgame slump so many games fall into. Making it adaptable to longtime rivalries adds an important personal touch to every game. It turns head canon ("I have been rivals with this nation for 200 years, we must HATE each other but have never gone to war") into a lasting source of conflict and strategy. The impetus for renewed struggle between you and your enemy could come from a scornful insult, a set of factors being triggered, perhaps a dynastic struggle in an important buffer state. I for one, would love this addition.
Smaller Things, #1: A Historical Rulers Toggle:
While unlikely to be included, it would be a nice touch if there was a button to press in the setup menu to activate historical rulers. Perhaps this list could be limited to only the most important players in the world, balanced between the continents and based on available data so that none could say one group is more favored than another. It then would provide the nations with the rulers they had historically for the same amount of time, for role play reasons. This way, you could get the Bold guaranteed by playing as Burgundy, and Mehmed and the Magnificent if playing as the Ottos, Peter and Catherine as Russia, Elizabeth as England etc. From the Sun King to the worst of the Louis, from Charles of Spain to the worst later Spanish monarchs. I feel like otherwise you would miss so many of the great rulers during this time period, and events can only go so far. It would probably be harder to have an event for every significant ruler that you want the player to have the option of playing besides. This could be extended to shorter lived polities like Burgundy, and allow you to play the Bold for role playing reasons at least. Moctezuma for the Aztecs, Pachacuti for the Incas, the list goes on. Again, this has been done before with events, this is simply ensuring that it occurs for the best documented nations during this time period, across the major polities. You could use your historical knowledge to strike when you know your enemy has a weak ruler, you could know to be patient when they have come into a legendary administration. Fighting the Ottos could be tempered by knowing that Sulieman is coming to the throne, and that they are about to be unstoppable for a time. Hell, you could prepare all of your defenses as Mehmed ascends, as the boy dreams of grand conquest. Or, prepare your navy and armies as the inbred Carlos II ascends the Spanish throne, unable to do much of anything in the face of crisis.
"Smaller Things" #2: Apocalypse in the New World:
I believe that at times, balance should come second to realism and immersion. One such time that I feel very strongly about is what occurred when the first thrice damned mosquitoes made the transit from the jungles of equatorial Africa to the New world. It was this transit that shaped wide swaths of human history, and by all accounts caused for one of the greatest losses of human life in history. No Eu title has come close to trying to simulate what occurred, and with the incoming population mechanic I believe there is no greater time to do so. Plagues have been simulated before, and the black death in Crusader Kings games adds a dramatic, immersive catastrophe that must be endured, one that could take important rulers at the drop of a hat. Well, imagine the black death, except it was now joined by the great reapers of humanity, all in unison, all striking at the non-immune. West Nile, Smallpox, The Plague, Scarlet Fever, Malaria, Cholera, Typhus, Tuberculosis, Measles, and more slammed into native populations without warning, and with overwhelming strength. This was a millennia-old arms race striking the unarmed.
The losses of life here cannot be unstated. It is likely that over 55 million people died in the centuries following the European arrival, and even that number could very well be a low end estimate. It is simply impossible to know for sure, but the numbers are harrowing. Take the fact that 700 thousand natives lived in Florida upon the first encounter with Europeans, and that in the aftermath perhaps 5 thousand lived in the same area. This of course was the fault of some diseases more than others, hence the mention of the mosquito. Malaria specifically went on to make the tropical regions of the new world nigh-inhospitable for natives and Europeans alike, where before such was not the case. Areas where Malaria could gestate and became dependent on African slavery specifically because of this turn of reality, and accidental release of humanity's most feared biological weapon. The Spanish conquest of mesoamerica and the Incan Empire both depended entirely on the disease epidemics that followed the Europeans west. Without them, Spain would have entirely been rebuffed. With them, native leaders were literally too weak and divided to fight back for a prolonged period of time. It would be an injustice to not include this important historical narrative into the game, an event so important and influential that it is likely partially responsible for a global cooling in temperatures. It is a lesson in the true devastation wrought by Europeans, both the intentional and unintentional.
Still Rambling... (I have obsessed over this specific topic greatly...)
As a player in the New World, this of course would make European contact a feared harbinger of disaster. While contact would mean the possibility of westernization and eventual parity and revenge against them, it would also mean the functional end of your economy for decades, and careful conservation of resources to withstand the physical and biological siege on your people. Leaders could drop dead from disease in a moment, civil wars could trigger as claimants come and go. Your limited resources would be forced to hold the line from opportunists, conquistadors, and explorers alike. This is the hand that the native groups historically had to endure. This is what was not shown in the previous games. Hell, it is almost insulting (I am of partial Taino background) that so many polities are left out as "uncolonized/settled" land entirely, when the reality was that these areas were chock full of people, settlement, and tribes of sufficient numbers to call the land "settled", before the European contact. The problem was that these areas of first contact were literally wiped out by disease, and therefore ceased to exist in united strength upon contact. Many of the depicted tripes would have endured the same fate too, if they happened to be in Cuba or Florida, instead of the American interior or the Andes. This however is of course not something I could push for in the game regardless. You cannot just add tags to eliminate them as the Europeans show up, though it would look appropriately tragic if done well. The simulated population however should depict what actually happened. Eu4 is very weird in this respect, as it tried to an extent to include aspects of this in the original release, but over the years has completely overcompensated in native strength. It has left the new world almost incolonizable, which is simply strange and not rewarding for both player and historical value.
It should also be noted that Europeans should similarly struggle upon the intrusion of malaria into the new world. In malaria zones, European colonists should accurately be devastated by plague outbreaks, armies should have to be "seasoned", or tragically endure partial elimination upon landing in the new world. This should be similar in the interiors of Africa, which were similarly inhospitable to Europeans prior to the advent of important medicinal technology. Disease greatly influenced human history, and simply should not be left out, much as the black death was included in crusader kings.
CONCLUSION:
That is the end of my long winded rant, and I am simply happy to have said my piece on the upcoming project Caesar. No matter what comes to pass, it already looks like an incredible sequel to an incredible series, and does seem to have far more content than I previously suspected it would. If anyone actually read through this manifesto, please let me know what you think, I would love to discuss any of this! I WILL be playing Eu5 in this order, so you know what kind of person I am: Trebizond, BYZ, Venice, Burgundy, Aragon, Ethiopia, and Portugal in that order.
~The_Last_Despot, planning to restore the Komnenoi dynasty to greatness under BASIL MEGAS KOMNENOS
submitted by The-Last-Despot to eu4 [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 12:58 popsiclefreeze What can I do?

Hey guys, I’m struggling to find ways to help my credit score improve after my chapter 7 discharge in July 2023.
I filed and got rid of about 60k in debt altogether and have since been making some pretty great (in my opinion) progress. I had a savings goal this year of 10k and I’m on track to do a bit more, about 12-13 of my calculations were correct.
Outstanding debt left is just a car loan, student loans, and some (healthy) credit card debt. My utilization is less than 10% with $7,500 across 5 credit cards. My FICO score is hovering at about 635-645 and it’s bugging me that it doesn’t feel like it’s moving much. Ideally, I’d like to make as much progress as I can because the end goal would be to get a USDA home loan or FHA home loan and not be apartment living much longer than I have to.
Now I will say that I’m probably being partially impatient, this I know. However I also feel like my payments aren’t being reported on time. I’ve since found myself in a place where I can make huge payments and it doesn’t reflect. I use the cards for regular bills and pay it back and nothing changes.
Any tips on improvement or am I just needed to practice more patience with this chapter of my life and finances?
submitted by popsiclefreeze to CRedit [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 12:45 masterkingwarrior Should I submit a tax return?

New HENRY here and a bit confused as to whether I should / need to submit a tax return.
Per my p60 my total income from employment was £140k and I paid £43.5k income tax.
I also received around £1k interest income.
I also contributed £15k into my SIPP of which I’ve just received the basic rate income tax relief automatically
I did the HMRC questionnaire on whether I need to submit a tax return based on my income and it said no but I also did a HMRC income tax calculator and it seems like I’ve underpaid tax - that £43.5k should be around £48k it shows, but also I think I can also claim back higher rate tax relief on the SIPP contribution to partially offset the underpaid tax?
Just a bit confused given this is my first year above £100k so any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you all
submitted by masterkingwarrior to HENRYUK [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 12:02 Plankton_Etn Data structures and encoding Deep Dive

The Electroneum Smart Chain creates, stores and transfers large volumes of data. This data must get formatted in standardised and memory-efficient ways to allow anyone to run a node on relatively modest consumer-grade hardware. To achieve this, several specific data structures are used on the Electroneum Smart Chain stack.
Prerequisites You should understand the fundamentals of Electroneum and client software. Familiarity with the networking layer and the Ethereum whitepaper is recommended.
Data structures Patricia merkle tries Patricia Merkle Tries are structures that encode key-value pairs into a deterministic and cryptographically authenticated trie. These are used extensively across the Electroneum Smart Chain.
More on Patricia Merkle Tries below
Recursive Length Prefix Recursive Length Prefix (RLP) is a serialisation method used extensively across the Electroneum Smart Chain.
More on RLP below

Patricia Merkle Trie

A Merkle Patricia Trie provides a cryptographically authenticated data structure that can be used to store all (key, value) bindings.
Merkle Patricia Tries are fully deterministic, meaning that tries with the same (key, value) bindings are guaranteed to be identical—down to the last byte. This means that they have the same root hash, providing the holy grail of O(log(n)) efficiency for inserts, lookups and deletes. Moreover, they are simpler to understand and code than more complex comparison-based alternatives, like red-black trees.
Prerequisites
To better understand this page, it would be helpful to have basic knowledge of hashes↗, Merkle trees↗, tries↗ and serialisation↗.
Basic radix tries
In a basic radix trie, every node looks as follows:
Copy
[i_0, i_1 ... i_n, value]
Where i_0 ... i_n represent the symbols of the alphabet (often binary or hex), value is the terminal value at the node, and the values in the i_0, i_1 ... i_n slots are either NULL or pointers to (in our case, hashes of) other nodes. This forms a basic (key, value) store.
Say you wanted to use a radix tree data structure for persisting an order over a set of key value pairs. To find the value currently mapped to the key dog in the trie, you would first convert dog into letters of the alphabet (giving 64 6f 67 ), and then descend the trie following that path until you find the value. That is, you start by looking up the root hash in a flat key/value DB to find the root node of the trie. It is represented as an array of keys pointing to other nodes. You would use the value at index 6 as a key and look it up in the flat key/value DB to get the node one level down. Then pick index 4 to look up the next value, then pick index 6 , and so on, until, once you followed the path: root -> 6 -> 4 -> 6 -> 15 -> 6 -> 7 , you would look up the value of the node and return the result.
There is a difference between looking something up in the ‘trie’ and the underlying flat key/value ‘DB’. They both define key/value arrangements, but the underlying DB can do a traditional 1 step lookup of a key. Looking up a key in the trie requires multiple underlying DB lookups to get to the final value described above. Let’s refer to the latter as a path to eliminate ambiguity.
The update and delete operations for radix tries can be defined as follows:
Copy
 def update(node,path,value): if path == '': curnode = db.get(node) if node else [ NULL ] * 17 newnode = curnode.copy() newnode[-1] = value else: curnode = db.get(node) if node else [ NULL ] * 17 newnode = curnode.copy() newindex = update(curnode[path[0]],path[1:],value) newnode[path[0]] = newindex db.put(hash(newnode),newnode) return hash(newnode) def delete(node,path): if node is NULL: return NULL else: curnode = db.get(node) newnode = curnode.copy() if path == '': newnode[-1] = NULL else: newindex = delete(curnode[path[0]],path[1:]) newnode[path[0]] = newindex if all(x is NULL for x in newnode): return NULL else: db.put(hash(newnode),newnode) return hash(newnode)
A “Merkle” Radix tree is built by linking nodes using deterministically-generated cryptographic hash digests. This content-addressing (in the key/value DB key == keccak256(rlp(value)) ) provides a cryptographic integrity guarantee of the stored data. If the root hash of a given trie is publicly known, then anyone with access to the underlying leaf data can construct a proof that the trie includes a given value at a specific path by providing the hashes of each node joining a specific value to the tree root.
It is impossible for an attacker to provide a proof of a (path, value) pair that does not exist since the root hash is ultimately based on all hashes below it. Any underlying modification would change the root hash. You can think of the hash as a compressed representation of structural information about the data, secured by the pre-image protection of the hashing function.
We’ll refer to an atomic unit of a radix tree (e.g. a single hex character, or 4 bit binary number) as a “nibble”. While traversing a path one nibble at a time, as described above, nodes can maximally refer to 16 children but include a value element. We, hence, represent them as an array of length 17. We call these 17-element arrays “branch nodes”.
Merkle Patricia Trie
Radix tries have one major limitation: they are inefficient. If you want to store one (path, value) binding where the path, like in Electroneum, is 64 characters long (the number of nibbles in bytes32 ), we will need over a kilobyte of extra space to store one level per character, and each lookup or delete will take the full 64 steps. The Patricia trie introduced in the following solves this issue.
Optimization
A node in a Merkle Patricia trie is one of the following:
  1. NULL (represented as the empty string)
  2. branch A 17-item node [ v0 ... v15, vt ]
  3. leaf A 2-item node [ encodedPath, value ]
  4. extension A 2-item node [ encodedPath, key ]
With 64 character paths it is inevitable that after traversing the first few layers of the trie, you will reach a node where no divergent path exists for at least part of the way down. To avoid having to create up to 15 sparse NULL nodes along the path, we shortcut the descent by setting up an extension node of the form [ encodedPath, key ] , where encodedPath contains the “partial path” to skip ahead (using a compact encoding described below), and the key is for the next DB lookup.
For a leaf node, which can be marked by a flag in the first nibble of the encodedPath , the path encodes all prior node’s path fragments and we can look up the value directly.
This above optimization, however, introduces ambiguity.
When traversing paths in nibbles, we may end up with an odd number of nibbles to traverse, but because all data is stored in bytes format. It is not possible to differentiate between, for instance, the nibble 1 , and the nibbles 01 (both must be stored as <01> ). To specify odd length, the partial path is prefixed with a flag.
Specification: Compact encoding of hex sequence with optional terminator
The flagging of both odd vs. even remaining partial path length and leaf vs. extension node as described above reside in the first nibble of the partial path of any 2-item node. They result in the following:
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hex char bits node type partial path length ---------------------------------------------------------- 0 0000 extension even 1 0001 extension odd 2 0010 terminating (leaf) even 3 0011 terminating (leaf) odd
For even remaining path length (0 or 2 ), another 0 “padding” nibble will always follow.
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 def compact_encode(hexarray): term = 1 if hexarray[-1] == 16 else 0 if term: hexarray = hexarray[:-1] oddlen = len(hexarray) % 2 flags = 2 * term + oddlen if oddlen: hexarray = [flags] + hexarray else: hexarray = [flags] + [0] + hexarray // hexarray now has an even length whose first nibble is the flags. o = '' for i in range(0,len(hexarray),2): o += chr(16 * hexarray[i] + hexarray[i+1]) return o
Examples:
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 > [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...] '11 23 45' > [ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...] '00 01 23 45' > [ 0, f, 1, c, b, 8, 10] '20 0f 1c b8' > [ f, 1, c, b, 8, 10] '3f 1c b8'
Here is the extended code for getting a node in the Merkle Patricia trie:
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def get_helper(node,path): if path == []: return node if node = '': return '' curnode = rlp.decode(node if len(node) < 32 else db.get(node)) if len(curnode) == 2: (k2, v2) = curnode k2 = compact_decode(k2) if k2 == path[:len(k2)]: return get(v2, path[len(k2):]) else: return '' elif len(curnode) == 17: return get_helper(curnode[path[0]],path[1:]) def get(node,path): path2 = [] for i in range(len(path)): path2.push(int(ord(path[i]) / 16)) path2.push(ord(path[i]) % 16) path2.push(16) return get_helper(node,path2)
Example Trie
Suppose we want a trie containing four path/value pairs ('do', 'verb') , ('dog', 'puppy') , ('doge', 'coin') , ('horse', 'stallion') .
First, we convert both paths and values to bytes . Below, actual byte representations for paths are denoted by <> , although values are still shown as strings, denoted by '' , for easier comprehension (they, too, would actually be bytes ):
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 <64 6f> : 'verb' <64 6f 67> : 'puppy' <64 6f 67 65> : 'coin' <68 6f 72 73 65> : 'stallion'
Now, we build such a trie with the following key/value pairs in the underlying DB:
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 rootHash: [ <16>, hashA ] hashA: [ <>, <>, <>, <>, hashB, <>, <>, <>, [ <20 6f 72 73 65>, 'stallion' ], <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <> ] hashB: [ <00 6f>, hashD ] hashD: [ <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, hashE, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, 'verb' ] hashE: [ <17>, [ <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, [ <35>, 'coin' ], <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, <>, 'puppy' ] ]
When one node is referenced inside another node, what is included is H(rlp.encode(x)) , where H(x) = keccak256(x) if len(x) >= 32 else x and rlp.encode is the RLP encoding function.
Note that when updating a trie, one needs to store the key/value pair (keccak256(x), x) in a persistent lookup table if the newly-created node has length >= 32. However, if the node is shorter than that, one does not need to store anything, since the function f(x) = x is reversible.
Tries in Electroneum Smart Chain
All of the merkle tries in Electroneum Smart Chain use a Merkle Patricia Trie.
From a block header there are 3 roots from 3 of these tries.
  1. stateRoot
  2. transactionsRoot
  3. receiptsRoot
State Trie
There is one global state trie, and it is updated every time a client processes a block. In it, a path is always: keccak256(electroneumAddress) and a value is always: rlp(electroneumAccount) . More specifically an electroneum account is a 4 item array of [nonce,balance,storageRoot,codeHash] . At this point, it’s worth noting that this storageRoot is the root of another patricia trie:
Storage Trie
Storage trie is where all contract data lives. There is a separate storage trie for each account. To retrieve values at specific storage positions at a given address the storage address, integer position of the stored data in the storage, and the block ID are required. These can then be passed as arguments to the eth_getStorageAt defined in the JSON-RPC API, e.g. to retrieve the data in storage slot 0 for address 0x295a70b2de5e3953354a6a8344e616ed314d7251 :
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curl -X POST --data '{"jsonrpc":"2.0", "method": "eth_getStorageAt", "params": ["0x295a70b2de5e3953354a6a8344e616ed314d7251", "0x0", "latest"], "id": 1}' localhost:8545 {"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"result":"0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000004d2"}
Retrieving other elements in storage is slightly more involved because the position in the storage trie must first be calculated. The position is calculated as the keccak256 hash of the address and the storage position, both left-padded with zeros to a length of 32 bytes. For example, the position for the data in storage slot 1 for address 0x391694e7e0b0cce554cb130d723a9d27458f9298 is:
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keccak256(decodeHex("000000000000000000000000391694e7e0b0cce554cb130d723a9d27458f9298" + "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001"))
In a Etn-sc console, this can be calculated as follows:
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> var key = "000000000000000000000000391694e7e0b0cce554cb130d723a9d27458f9298" + "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001" undefined > web3.sha3(key, {"encoding": "hex"}) "0x6661e9d6d8b923d5bbaab1b96e1dd51ff6ea2a93520fdc9eb75d059238b8c5e9"
The path is therefore keccak256(<6661e9d6d8b923d5bbaab1b96e1dd51ff6ea2a93520fdc9eb75d059238b8c5e9>) . This can now be used to retrieve the data from the storage trie as before:
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curl -X POST --data '{"jsonrpc":"2.0", "method": "eth_getStorageAt", "params": ["0x295a70b2de5e3953354a6a8344e616ed314d7251", "0x6661e9d6d8b923d5bbaab1b96e1dd51ff6ea2a93520fdc9eb75d059238b8c5e9", "latest"], "id": 1}' localhost:8545 {"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"result":"0x000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000162e"}
Note: The storageRoot for an Electroneum account is empty by default if it’s not a contract account.
Transactions Trie
There is a separate transactions trie for every block, again storing (key, value) pairs. A path here is: rlp(transactionIndex) which represents the key that corresponds to a value determined by:
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if legacyTx: value = rlp(tx) else: value = TxType encode(tx)
More information on this can be found in the EIP 2718↗ documentation.
Receipts Trie
Every block has its own Receipts trie. A path here is: rlp(transactionIndex) . transactionIndex is its index within the block it’s mined. The receipts trie is never updated. Similar to the Transactions trie, there are current and legacy receipts. To query a specific receipt in the Receipts trie, the index of the transaction in its block, the receipt payload and the transaction type are required. The Returned receipt can be of type Receipt which is defined as the concentenation of TransactionType and ReceiptPayload or it can be of type LegacyReceipt which is defined as rlp([status, cumulativeGasUsed, logsBloom, logs]) .
More information on this can be found in the EIP 2718↗ documentation.
Further reading

Recursive-length prefix (RLP)

Recursive Length Prefix (RLP) serialisation is used extensively in the Electroneum Smart Chain. RLP standardises the transfer of data between nodes in a space-efficient format. The purpose of RLP is to encode arbitrarily nested arrays of binary data, and RLP is the primary encoding method used to serialise objects in the Electroneum Smart Chain. The only purpose of RLP is to encode structure; encoding specific data types (e.g. strings, floats) is left up to higher-order protocols; but positive RLP integers must be represented in big-endian binary form with no leading zeroes (thus making the integer value zero equivalent to the empty byte array). Deserialized positive integers with leading zeroes get treated as invalid. The integer representation of string length must also be encoded this way, as well as integers in the payload.
More information in the Ethereum yellow paper (Appendix B)📷.
To use RLP to encode a dictionary, the two suggested canonical forms are:
Definition
The RLP encoding function takes in an item. An item is defined as follows：
For example, all of the following are items:
Note that in the context of the rest of this page, ‘string’ means “a certain number of bytes of binary data”; no special encodings are used, and no knowledge about the content of the strings is implied.
RLP encoding is defined as follows:
In code, this is:
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def rlp_encode(input): if isinstance(input,str): if len(input) == 1 and ord(input) < 0x80: return input return encode_length(len(input), 0x80) + input elif isinstance(input, list): output = '' for item in input: output += rlp_encode(item) return encode_length(len(output), 0xc0) + output def encode_length(L, offset): if L < 56: return chr(L + offset) elif L < 256**8: BL = to_binary(L) return chr(len(BL) + offset + 55) + BL raise Exception("input too long") def to_binary(x): if x == 0: return '' return to_binary(int(x / 256)) + chr(x % 256)
Examples
RLP decoding
According to the rules and process of RLP encoding, the input of RLP decode is regarded as an array of binary data. The RLP decoding process is as follows:
  1. according to the first byte (i.e. prefix) of input data and decoding the data type, the length of the actual data and offset;
  2. according to the type and offset of data, decode the data correspondingly;
  3. continue to decode the rest of the input;
Among them, the rules of decoding data types and offset is as follows:
  1. the data is a string if the range of the first byte (i.e. prefix) is [0x00, 0x7f], and the string is the first byte itself exactly;
  2. the data is a string if the range of the first byte is [0x80, 0xb7], and the string whose length is equal to the first byte minus 0x80 follows the first byte;
  3. the data is a string if the range of the first byte is [0xb8, 0xbf], and the length of the string whose length in bytes is equal to the first byte minus 0xb7 follows the first byte, and the string follows the length of the string;
  4. the data is a list if the range of the first byte is [0xc0, 0xf7], and the concatenation of the RLP encodings of all items of the list which the total payload is equal to the first byte minus 0xc0 follows the first byte;
  5. the data is a list if the range of the first byte is [0xf8, 0xff], and the total payload of the list whose length is equal to the first byte minus 0xf7 follows the first byte, and the concatenation of the RLP encodings of all items of the list follows the total payload of the list;
In code, this is:
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def rlp_decode(input): if len(input) == 0: return output = '' (offset, dataLen, type) = decode_length(input) if type is str: output = instantiate_str(substr(input, offset, dataLen)) elif type is list: output = instantiate_list(substr(input, offset, dataLen)) output += rlp_decode(substr(input, offset + dataLen)) return output def decode_length(input): length = len(input) if length == 0: raise Exception("input is null") prefix = ord(input[0]) if prefix <= 0x7f: return (0, 1, str) elif prefix <= 0xb7 and length > prefix - 0x80: strLen = prefix - 0x80 return (1, strLen, str) elif prefix <= 0xbf and length > prefix - 0xb7 and length > prefix - 0xb7 + to_integer(substr(input, 1, prefix - 0xb7)): lenOfStrLen = prefix - 0xb7 strLen = to_integer(substr(input, 1, lenOfStrLen)) return (1 + lenOfStrLen, strLen, str) elif prefix <= 0xf7 and length > prefix - 0xc0: listLen = prefix - 0xc0; return (1, listLen, list) elif prefix <= 0xff and length > prefix - 0xf7 and length > prefix - 0xf7 + to_integer(substr(input, 1, prefix - 0xf7)): lenOfListLen = prefix - 0xf7 listLen = to_integer(substr(input, 1, lenOfListLen)) return (1 + lenOfListLen, listLen, list) raise Exception("input does not conform to RLP encoding form") def to_integer(b): length = len(b) if length == 0: raise Exception("input is null") elif length == 1: return ord(b[0]) return ord(substr(b, -1)) + to_integer(substr(b, 0, -1)) * 256
Further reading

Web3 secret storage definition

To make your app work on the Electroneum Smart Chain, you can use the web3 object provided by the web3.js library. Under the hood it communicates to a local node through RPC calls. web3↗ works with any Electroneum Smart Chain node which exposes an RPC layer.
web3 contains the eth object - web3.eth.
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var fs = require("fs") var recognizer = require("ethereum-keyfile-recognizer") fs.readFile("keyfile.json", (err, data) => { var json = JSON.parse(data) var result = recognizer(json) }) /** result * [ 'web3', 3 ] web3 (v3) keyfile * [ 'ethersale', undefined ] Ethersale keyfile * null invalid keyfile */
This documents version 3 of the Web3 Secret Storage Definition.
Definition
The actual encoding and decoding of the file remains largely unchanged from version 1, except that the crypto algorithm is no longer fixed to AES-128-CBC (AES-128-CTR is now the minimal requirement). Most of the meanings/algorithm are similar to version 1, except mac , which is given as the SHA3 (keccak-256) of the concatenations of the second-leftmost 16 bytes of the derived key together with the full ciphertext .
Secret key files are stored directly in ~/.web3/keystore (for Unix-like systems) and ~/AppData/Web3/keystore (for Windows). They may be named anything, but a good convention is .json , where is the 128-bit UUID given to the secret key (a privacy-preserving proxy for the secret key’s address).
All such files have an associated password. To derive a given .json file’s secret key, first derive the file’s encryption key; this is done through taking the file’s password and passing it through a key derivation function as described by the kdf key. KDF-dependent static and dynamic parameters to the KDF function are described in kdfparams key.
PBKDF2 must be supported by all minimally-compliant implementations, denoted though:
  • kdf : pbkdf2
For PBKDF2, the kdfparams include:
  • prf : Must be hmac-sha256 (may be extended in the future);
  • c : number of iterations;
  • salt : salt passed to PBKDF;
  • dklen : length for the derived key. Must be >= 32.
Once the file’s key has been derived, it should be verified through the derivation of the MAC. The MAC should be calculated as the SHA3 (keccak-256) hash of the byte array formed as the concatenations of the second-leftmost 16 bytes of the derived key with the ciphertext key’s contents, i.e.:
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KECCAK(DK[16..31] ++ )
(where ++ is the concatenation operator)
This value should be compared to the contents of the mac key; if they are different, an alternative password should be requested (or the operation cancelled).
After the file’s key has been verified, the cipher text (the ciphertext key in the file) may be decrypted using the symmetric encryption algorithm specified by the cipher key and parameterised through the cipherparams key. If the derived key size and the algorithm’s key size are mismatched, the zero padded, rightmost bytes of the derived key should be used as the key to the algorithm.
All minimally-compliant implementations must support the AES-128-CTR algorithm, denoted through:
  • cipher: aes-128-ctr
This cipher takes the following parameters, given as keys to the cipherparams key:
  • iv : 128-bit initialisation vector for the cipher.
The key for the cipher is the leftmost 16 bytes of the derived key, i.e. DK[0..15]
The creation/encryption of a secret key should be essentially the reverse of these instructions. Make sure the uuid , salt and iv are actually random.
In addition to the version field, which should act as a “hard” identifier of version, implementations may also use minorversion to track smaller, non-breaking changes to the format.
Test vectors
Details:
  • Address : 008aeeda4d805471df9b2a5b0f38a0c3bcba786b
  • ICAP : XE542A5PZHH8PYIZUBEJEO0MFWRAPPIL67
  • UUID : 3198bc9c-6672-5ab3-d9954942343ae5b6
  • Password : testpassword
  • Secret : 7a28b5ba57c53603b0b07b56bba752f7784bf506fa95edc395f5cf6c7514fe9d
PBKDF2-SHA-256
Test vector using AES-128-CTR and PBKDF2-SHA-256 :
File contents of ~/.web3/keystore/3198bc9c-6672-5ab3-d9954942343ae5b6.json :
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{ "crypto": { "cipher": "aes-128-ctr", "cipherparams": { "iv": "6087dab2f9fdbbfaddc31a909735c1e6" }, "ciphertext": "5318b4d5bcd28de64ee5559e671353e16f075ecae9f99c7a79a38af5f869aa46", "kdf": "pbkdf2", "kdfparams": { "c": 262144, "dklen": 32, "prf": "hmac-sha256", "salt": "ae3cd4e7013836a3df6bd7241b12db061dbe2c6785853cce422d148a624ce0bd" }, "mac": "517ead924a9d0dc3124507e3393d175ce3ff7c1e96529c6c555ce9e51205e9b2" }, "id": "3198bc9c-6672-5ab3-d995-4942343ae5b6", "version": 3 }
Intermediates:
Derived key : f06d69cdc7da0faffb1008270bca38f5e31891a3a773950e6d0fea48a7188551 MAC Body : e31891a3a773950e6d0fea48a71885515318b4d5bcd28de64ee5559e671353e16f075ecae9f99c7a79a38af5f869aa46 MAC : 517ead924a9d0dc3124507e3393d175ce3ff7c1e96529c6c555ce9e51205e9b2 Cipher key : f06d69cdc7da0faffb1008270bca38f5
Scrypt
Test vector using AES-128-CTR and Scrypt:
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{ "crypto": { "cipher": "aes-128-ctr", "cipherparams": { "iv": "83dbcc02d8ccb40e466191a123791e0e" }, "ciphertext": "d172bf743a674da9cdad04534d56926ef8358534d458fffccd4e6ad2fbde479c", "kdf": "scrypt", "kdfparams": { "dklen": 32, "n": 262144, "p": 8, "r": 1, "salt": "ab0c7876052600dd703518d6fc3fe8984592145b591fc8fb5c6d43190334ba19" }, "mac": "2103ac29920d71da29f15d75b4a16dbe95cfd7ff8faea1056c33131d846e3097" }, "id": "3198bc9c-6672-5ab3-d995-4942343ae5b6", "version": 3 }
Intermediates:
Derived key : fac192ceb5fd772906bea3e118a69e8bbb5cc24229e20d8766fd298291bba6bd MAC Body : bb5cc24229e20d8766fd298291bba6bdd172bf743a674da9cdad04534d56926ef8358534d458fffccd4e6ad2fbde479c MAC : 2103ac29920d71da29f15d75b4a16dbe95cfd7ff8faea1056c33131d846e3097 Cipher key : fac192ceb5fd772906bea3e118a69e8b
ALTERATIONS FROM VERSION 1
This version fixes several inconsistencies with the version 1 published here↗. In brief these are:
  • Capitalisation is unjustified and inconsistent (scrypt lowercase, Kdf mixed-case, MAC uppercase).
  • Address unnecessary and compromises privacy.
  • Salt is intrinsically a parameter of the key derivation function and deserves to be associated with it, not with the crypto in general.
  • SaltLen unnecessary (just derive it from Salt).
  • The key derivation function is given, yet the crypto algorithm is hard specified.
  • Version is intrinsically numeric yet is a string (structured versioning would be possible with a string, but can be considered out of scope for a rarely changing configuration file format).
  • KDF and cipher are notionally sibling concepts yet are organised differently.
  • MAC is calculated through a whitespace agnostic piece of data(!)
Changes have been made to the format to give the following file, functionally equivalent to the example given on the previously linked page:
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{ "crypto": { "cipher": "aes-128-cbc", "ciphertext": "07533e172414bfa50e99dba4a0ce603f654ebfa1ff46277c3e0c577fdc87f6bb4e4fe16c5a94ce6ce14cfa069821ef9b", "cipherparams": { "iv": "16d67ba0ce5a339ff2f07951253e6ba8" }, "kdf": "scrypt", "kdfparams": { "dklen": 32, "n": 262144, "p": 1, "r": 8, "salt": "06870e5e6a24e183a5c807bd1c43afd86d573f7db303ff4853d135cd0fd3fe91" }, "mac": "8ccded24da2e99a11d48cda146f9cc8213eb423e2ea0d8427f41c3be414424dd", "version": 1 }, "id": "0498f19a-59db-4d54-ac95-33901b4f1870", "version": 2 }
ALTERATIONS FROM VERSION 2
Version 2 was an early C++ implementation with a number of bugs. All essentials remain unchanged from it.
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submitted by Plankton_Etn to Electroneum [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 10:57 desman2k6 Giant City 5000+ Inhabitants! 1 Region! 1 Market!

Giant City 5000+ Inhabitants! 1 Region! 1 Market!
Hi!
I am desman2k6,
we made it. Our major construction project has reached the goal of 5,000 residents. All of this in one region and with just one marketplace with 100 market stalls. The game runs on the following system:
  • i9 9900k
  • Nvidia 2080 ti (gigabytes)
  • 32GB Ram (Corsair).
https://preview.redd.it/99oyn5fhox2d1.png?width=2559&format=png&auto=webp&s=c08c5474709db99d9f2d8de37c0b2261fe9db24c
About the project:
As in my last post, I want to test the limits of what is possible in Manor Lords. This not only takes time but also a plan so that the whole thing works. No prettiness, pure efficiency! One Market! One Region!
https://preview.redd.it/1l84tpudmx2d1.png?width=2206&format=png&auto=webp&s=6946a7478b2f603bbf795798b20934eac50a1c30
Region/Start Options:
I looked for a region with abundant fertility for berries and wheat. Berries are initially stronger than wild (My opinion).
Thanks to the patches, we also skipped taxes and didn't take any enemies with us.
https://preview.redd.it/z3ozvz2xmx2d1.png?width=2549&format=png&auto=webp&s=12b4b30a36aa18692549e81dcefb61f18f19a269
https://preview.redd.it/k7m2brtxmx2d1.png?width=2302&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb27099709cb18122cbe30977f5d4d81c272efb9
Development:
  • 1. Forestry
  • 2. Heavy plow
  • 3. Apple orchard
  • 4. Coal pile
  • 5. Trade logistics
  • 6. Better business
https://preview.redd.it/9g11k2ozmx2d1.png?width=1340&format=png&auto=webp&s=100e5fc0aff0bb0303c45216b427f5d70bd3fb47
Market and Warehouses:
I work with a central market. This was always torn down and rebuilt. The number of market stalls is adjusted to consumption. That means there are 14x firewood, 28x clothing and 56x food stalls. Adapting the market with stalls is very complex and takes some time. Around the large market we have built 4x trading posts, 14x warehouses and 20x food warehouses. This serves to shorten distances and the warehouses are also specialized in mostly 1 product. In order for the warehouses to work efficiently, I basically have the level 3 farms as a 3rd shift!!!! Garden, but built as a semi-detached house. This has the advantage that the workers only concentrate on the warehouses and do not do any other work. The families were assigned to the warehouses accordingly. There are also important production facilities around it, such as the community oven or the mill.
Only one church and one tavern were built.
https://preview.redd.it/5ijv6q09nx2d1.png?width=2555&format=png&auto=webp&s=c3498a02d390b8ea045893cb5637fcb93acfe436
https://preview.redd.it/tsm4cvdanx2d1.png?width=2538&format=png&auto=webp&s=431260710d85fb80b143cb71b71af20ae8f85259
https://preview.redd.it/3e2bd5qbnx2d1.png?width=2410&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8f461cb1a017408428d547a53607ae26606d9f1
Trade:
Before I could run Hanel great, I first had to have the points for the development tree. Here I saved a lot of money thanks to the better shops. As long as I could provide myself with berries, bread and vegetables, I didn't buy any groceries. What turned out to be a goldmine was the purchase of clay and sale of roof tiles. So I was able to partially increase my income to over 1 million with the level 3 houses. Unfortunately, as the game size has increased, finding the way for the carts in the trading post and the warehouses has become difficult. There is also quite a bit of calculation to be done.
https://preview.redd.it/xuat3plfnx2d1.png?width=1789&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb617320c4a60cbc5c0f88c81032809dc0dc483e
https://preview.redd.it/i8bxy7lgnx2d1.png?width=901&format=png&auto=webp&s=b9f4aa875e02257962b0fc166ef63c9cf6082627
Conclusion:
It took a few hours, but I think the result is visible. For me it's not about a beautiful city, but really purely about efficiency in the game and making the most of what's possible. In the end I still had 2-15 FPS depending on the speed. Unfortunately, the food supply was not possible because carts kept getting stuck and only came loose very slowly. In my opinion, a better PC wouldn't help here either. Thanks also to my community who helped diligently. Maybe the makers of Manor Lords want the score, then you are welcome to test it or see what improvements are possible, especially in terms of performance.
We also played with the last patch 0.7.965!!
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2024.05.27 09:20 henrymartyn05 Factors That Affect the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim in New York

In New York, determining the value of a personal injury claim involves numerous factors that can significantly impact the compensation you may receive. Understanding these factors is crucial for anyone navigating the legal complexities of seeking restitution for injuries sustained due to someone else's negligence.
Navigating the complexities of a personal injury claim in New York requires careful consideration of these factors. Consulting with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
submitted by henrymartyn05 to u/henrymartyn05 [link] [comments]

2024.05.27 05:50 Determination7 An Outcast In Another World (Subtitle: Is 'Insanity' A Racial Trait?) [Fantasy, LitRPG] - Chapter 266 (Book 6 Chapter 51) (Part 1)

Author's Note:
9500 words. Needless to say, it's split into two Parts (both posted today). Enjoy!
​
--
​
MOVE!
Rob willed himself to stand up. No dice. The signals from his brain were being rerouted directly to his nerve endings, flashing his body with pain whenever he so much as twitched a finger.
MOVE! MOVE, GODDAMNIT, MOVE!
The pain wasn't the problem. He'd long since learned how to ignore sensations as routine as excruciating agony. No, the problem was that ignoring his pain didn't help – he still couldn't move. Willpower alone wouldn't be enough to hasten his recovery. It felt similar to when he'd first gained Soul Instability, and that had left him frail as an invalid, needing a good ten seconds of recuperating just to get back on his feet.
Kismet wasn't going to allow him ten seconds.
A grim calculus was taking place within the god's featureless expression. Rob could tell that despite their current positions, Kismet felt more pressured now than ever before, his countenance practically oozing desperation. Sure, he'd managed to reverse his fortunes and disable the HUMAN...
But now what? He couldn't count on it being permanent. Bouncing back was Rob's thing. If Kismet didn't strike while the iron was hot, he might never find this opportunity again.
{BEHIND!}
This time, Rob was prepared. He activated Purge Divinity and covered the surface of his body in a sheen of Purging energy. It burnt away the mana that Kismet had been attempting to infuse him with, preventing it from worsening his Soul Instability to fatal levels.
Alert: Your soul is attempting to stabilize. Please survive.
Rob felt a fraction of control return to his muscles. Slowly, he pushed his lips up into a mocking grin. He'd gotten extremely lucky just now, as with his degree of Soul Instability, there'd been no guarantee of Purge Divinity successfully activating...but Kismet didn't know that. All the god saw was his golden opportunity slipping through his fingers, the HUMAN somehow untouchable in spite of being prone and helpless.
Kismet went still and motionless. His hesitation lasted an instant in real time, and an eternity in their subjective, Quick Thinking-enhanced perception of reality. The god seemed to consider a variety of different factors: Almighty Resistance, Dauntless Reprisal, Lifesurge, Rob's vast HP pool, and how long it would take to gather the mana necessary for powerful spells. His expression morphed from calculating, to pensive, to outright unnerving, darkening with a vicious intent.
And then he turned away.
Rob's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. NO NO NO! He tried to force out his voice, say something to taunt Kismet, but all that came out was a choked gurgle. Rampage – he thought, only for Soul Instability to rear its ugly head and cause the Skill to fail.
There was nothing he could do except watch as Kismet formed a spell and unleashed it upon Riardin's Rangers.
The magic took shape – and Rob froze, relief and confusion flowing through him in equal measures. Rather than conjuring the divine spear rainstorm from before, which would've slaughtered at least half the Party, Kismet had instead surrounded them in skintight prisons of energy. That wasn't ideal, as evidenced by how Riardin's Rangers fell to the ground screaming, but their shared Almighty Resistance would keep them alive for now.
Alert: Your soul is in the midst of stabilizing. Please survive.
His confusion persisted until he noticed Kismet's sightless gaze flickering towards Vul'to. The god had wanted to avoid a repeat of the Soul Guardian's earlier heroics, when Our Shield combined with Not A Scratch protected his allies from certain death. Not A Scratch could only nullify a single instance of damage, and these mana-prisons were continuous.
Better to play it safe and ensure that Riardin's Rangers were immobilized. Kismet's cohorts could handle the rest.
Rob struggled in vain, still unable to move as the seven lesser gods loomed over their fallen adversaries like vultures circling around wounded gazelles. Kismet had enough opportunity to cast another spell, but he just observed everyone, his face unreadable.
"You've done it, Kismet!" one of the gods crowed. It glared at Zamira's trembling form with a savage, predatorial glee, ready to exact vengeance for the numerous Aura Blade scars she had inflicted on its body. "We have finally–"
The god's head dissolved.
Despite losing its mouth, the deity screamed with a voice that resounded across the divine realms. Its terrified cries continued even as the rest of its physique dissolved as well, starting from the neck, then chest, moving down until the god's entire body had separated into a cloud of mana particles.
Six more screams rose up to join it. The lesser gods all rapidly melted away before Rob's eyes, their lamentations mingling to compose a symphony of terror and anguish. A few faint pleas were mixed in there too, asking '"Why" and "Help" – as if that would save them.
They were afforded the same mercy that they'd granted to countless other mortals who had prayed for a salvation that never came.
By this point, after nearly a year in Elatra, it took a lot to leave Rob awestruck. He'd pretty much seen it all. But when the lesser gods' mana rushed over to Kismet, coalescing into an immense orb floating above his head, the HUMAN found himself feeling shocked to his very core.
"Worthless." Kismet stared up at the gods' collected mana with a sharp glare of disdain. "What wretched, inadequate creatures you are. You simply needed to slay one of Rob's Party members – just one. We would have steadily overtaken them afterwards. Yet you have the audacity to lose to mere Combat Class users while I've been holding this...this** ascendant abomination at bay?"
He raised his hands. Rob flinched as the orb began pulsating with tremendous, unfathomable power.
"Not to worry." A line split across Kismet's face, like a manic, ear-to-ear grin. "I've thought of a far more valuable use for your essence."
{Soul Burn,} Leveling High whispered.
Rob's eyes widened as the gods' mana blazed with an all-consuming light. He'd only ever felt this once before – during the Attunement vision where The Cataclysm broke Elatra. This amalgamation of divinity was on par with that. If Kismet chose, he could have reduced the world to dust and still had energy left to spare.
Instead, this second Cataclysm was being aimed at a single HUMAN.
I suppose I should feel flattered.
Alert: Your soul is gradually stabilizing. Please survive.
With laborious effort, Rob stood up. That was about the extent of what he could muster. Forget running or dodging – a passing breeze would've knocked him over.
And he had maybe one second before Kismet drowned him in apocalyptic mana.
Quick as lightning, Rob mentally ran through his options. Rampage to dodge...not remotely fast enough. Dauntless Reprisal...couldn't block all of it. Kismet's attack was going to be continuous. Shield with Purge Divinity...wouldn't last. The Skill was better suited to attacking than defending.
Do I just need more power? Rob glanced at his hand, where a sliver of divinity had been held not long ago. He'd reached the point where he was willing to make distasteful compromises. If I Ascend–
{Impossible,} Leveling High snapped. {You were given a choice, and – despite my counsel – wholeheartedly rejected the very concept of Ascension. Do you think it so easy to shift one's subconscious mentality? Especially now that your Soul Instability has advanced to this state. With a soul that is hanging on by the thinnest thread, Ascending might tear us asunder.}
Rob grimaced. Fine. Got any better ideas?
{Flee to the mortal realms with Waymark.} Its static was buzzing with panic. {The leader god wouldn't dare destroy Elatra. He needs the mana contained therein.}
Rob glanced at Riardin's Rangers. They had fallen unconscious. Partially because of Kismet's binding prisons – and partially because of the God-Orb's oppressive aura of power, so heavy that it was like a mountain pressing down on the battlefield. If he Waymarked to safety, his Party would automatically disband due to the distance limit, removing their shared Almighty Resistance and exposing them to the noxious atmosphere of the divine realms.
To say nothing of what Kismet would do to them afterwards.
{Leave them. You cannot–}
My body is on the outs, Rob calmly explained. Just gonna get worse as time goes on. You really think I'll still be up for a Round 2 later today? Either we kill Kismet now...or never.
{That is a justification to avoid abandoning your allies.}
But am I wrong?
Leveling High had no answer to that.
Rob willed his body to move. He forced and pushed and fought with every last scrap of determination in his ruined soul. Slowly, the feeling in his muscles began to return.
Too slowly. The Orb was just about ready.
Alert: Your soul has almost finished stabilizing.
Rob breathed deep. His hands glowed with Purge Divinity. Compared to the Soul Burnt God-Orb, his light was but a flickering, insignificant candle.
Yet he still stepped forward.
Always forward.
Please.
Kismet's facsimile of a smile grew ever wider. His stolen mana shone bright as a dying star.
Survive.
Rob lifted his arms–
As a spear of lightning impaled Kismet from behind.
It honestly wasn't much. To a deity who'd traded blows with Rob, one lightning spear should have been no more than a mosquito bite. But to that same deity, who'd been repeatedly bit in the ass by unexpected occurrences and unknown Skills...
He felt a brief spark of alarm.
Who? How? Had Rob's allies devised yet another unforeseen ability? What if they were–
Before Kismet could stop himself, he whirled around. The divine ruler expected to find that one of Riardin's Rangers had broken free.
Only to freeze with surprise when he saw Seneschal Sylpeiros, barely standing upright.
Rob was just as surprised as Kismet. Truth be told, he'd forgotten that Sylpeiros was here. The Elf was never meant to journey to the divine realms in the first place. As someone who didn't have access to shared Almighty Resistance, he should've fallen unconscious a long time ago.
Yet he hadn't. Sylpeiros was exhausted, on his last legs, overlooked by both god and HUMAN...but still kicking. And with the last of his strength, he had unleashed an attack with such ferocity that it misled Kismet into believing it came from a Level 99 Combat Class user.
The Seneschal could only laugh as Kismet extended his hands and funneled destructive mana straight towards him. Sylpeiros didn't have the energy to dodge, nor did he try. Thankfully, Kismet's reprisal was so hastily-aimed – and further swayed by frustration – that it 'just' clipped the Elf's side, disintegrating his right arm.
Like a puppet with its strings cut, Sylpeiros collapsed. He locked eyes with Rob, mouthing quiet words that echoed with thunderous intent.
"Give them hell, Human."
Alert: Your soul has finished stabilizing! Soul Instability will remain High, but movement is now possible once more.
Rob didn't hesitate. He took off running, willing his legs to stop being lazy bastards and FUCKING MOVE. One shot. Kismet still preoccupied. Vulnerable to attack.
Can I kill him before he kills me?
Rob considered his Purge Divinity reserves – then regrettably decided that no, he couldn't. Although Kismet was somewhat wounded, the god wasn't on death's door. It would take too long to inject him with enough Purging energy to kill him, and that was if he didn't use some trick to escape. The God-Orb would descend well before then.
Ultimately, it was an easy decision to make. Rob simply chose the only option with any chance of survival. Ignoring the opening that Kismet was presenting, he leapt into the air, his skin prickling as he drew closer to the intense, scorching heat emanating from above.
PURGE–
He plunged his hand inside the Orb.
–DIVI–FFFUCKTHATHURTS!
Not for the first time, Rob felt his flesh stripped straight to the bone. The boiling essence of seven entrapped gods was perhaps a bit too spicy for Almighty Resistance to handle. Its mana cut right through his resistances – just as an impossibly sharp sensation cut through Rob's built-up pain tolerance. A less-seasoned veteran would have reflexively extracted what was left of their arm, and then tumbled to the ground, sobbing.
Rob didn't budge. His Elatran travails had prepared him for this moment. After the Attunement visions, severe Corruption poisoning, Ragnavi's Annihilation, Soul Instability, multiple flayings and decapitations...what was one more type of pain? He merely needed to follow the creed of all like-minded lunatics who extolled Vitality as their stat of choice.
When in doubt: endure.
Clenching his jaw so hard that his teeth cracked, he activated Purge Divinity before his arm was erased entirely. Energy flowed out from his body and into the Orb.
The effect was immediate and apparent. Voices screeched in fresh agony as the God-Orb's surface undulated like churning magma. Cracks split open, and mana poured out as he peered up at the crimson moon, wondering why it seemed closer than usual–
Rob forcibly pulled himself out of the vision, his head spinning from mental whiplash. Even then, he kept Purge Divinity going, never faltering for an instant. All distractions – from Kismet's shouting, to the gods' wailing, to the sight of his friends lying still – were fed into the furnace of his rage, used as fuel to keep his arm steady.
Remnant souls burst out again and again. He was a winged creature soaring under a sky of falling meteors. He was a denizen of the deep sea clutching his throat as the oceans filled with poison. He was a glassy-eyed mother holding tiny, well-dressed skeletons. He was a beloved sovereign watching his pantheon of nations crumble to dust. He was a starving pauper witnessing the end of everything, wondering why they'd ever bothered fighting to survive. He was, he was, he was, he was...
He was Rob – yet in that ethereal moment, he was everyone. Through his Purging hands, he carried out the will of innumerable people and societies ended by cosmic whims.
The God-Orb began vibrating faster. Kismet was trying to detonate it, but control had already been wrested from his grasp. The HUMAN spoke, and with unintelligible words that were a mishmash of overlapping dead languages, he pronounced the final judgement of seven gods.
"~ //// #### {{}} \\\\ \** <<>>".*
I only wish this hurt you more.
Blinding light covered the divine realms.
--
Rob experienced nothing.
At all. He saw, heard, smelt, and felt nothing. The world had been reduced to a void bereft of sensation.
If not for Leveling High screeching in his mind, he might have assumed he was dead. Its grating static dragged him back to awareness. And much like animals are born knowing how to breathe, Rob's very first act upon awakening was instinctual.
Lifesurge.
Upon opening his regrown eyes and taking stock of his surroundings, his second act was to feel grateful that the God-Orb's destruction had knocked him unconscious. Pain tolerance was all well and good, but it was prooobably for the best that he'd missed out on his body being scoured by erupting divine essence.
He was pretty sure that only his brain had been left afterwards.
"You killed them."
The sound of a familiar voice instantly snapped Rob to attention. Fortunately, it appeared that he'd only been out cold for a second or two, as Kismet hadn't yet recovered from his shock and taken advantage of the situation. The last living deity was too busy gazing up at where the God-Orb used to reside, as if staring would make it pop back into existence.
"They were fools," he muttered. "Shortsighted, indolent, antiquated...even so, they were still eternal. Their mana has persisted across a breadth of time that defies comprehension. And you killed them. A mortal killed them."
"DoES thAT SuRPRIse YoU?" Rob asked, his voice causing a rift to open up nearby.
Kismet tilted his head.. "I suppose not," he answered, after a moment of silence. "What does surprise me, however, is that you have deigned to speak. What brought on this change?"
Because I just checked my Purge Divinity stores and decided that stalling so it can refill is the way to go. "I'm KEEPING YoU COMPANY. FIguReD yoU'd FEEL LONELY. 'CauSE ALL yoUR fRieNDs ARE DEAD."
"How magnanimous. Do you know what I believe, though?" Glacial lights flared in the space where a human's eyes would be. "If you still possessed even an ounce of that vile energy, you would have charged the second you awoke. The fact that you haven't means your reserves are running dry."
Rob smirked at having his bluff called. Purging a dense God-Orb right as it was about to explode had been...difficult. It'd required more energy than Purging the seven gods under normal circumstances. He wasn't entirely spent, but killing Kismet with what few drops remained seemed highly unlikely.
"I am going to relish wiping that mirth off your face." Kismet drew himself up, his form swelling with power and anticipation. "You haven't yet realized the severity of your predicament – so allow me to enlighten you. Without the ability to Purge, you cannot harm me. Not in any significant manner. All your monstrous power shall be for naught."
The god leaned forward, his false eyes shining with glee, as if he couldn't wait to say what was on his mind. "Furthermore...that power has stopped growing, yes? I haven't sensed it climb to new heights for some time now. You have reached your peak, whereas *I* may still sup on mana leaking from the rifts that you've so helpfully provided. Soon enough, my might will surpass yours. Or perhaps your body will fall apart first? Don't think I haven't noticed that as well. Lastly, now that you have lost the capacity to Purge, I no longer need worry that your presence will collapse the divine realms. I am free to bide my time as your body and soul wither to nothing."
Kismet spread his arms wide. "You fought well, mortal – but the battle is done. At long last, you are outmatched."
Rob chuckled.
It wasn't even on purpose. While he would've laughed to mess with Kismet anyway, regardless of how he was feeling, his reaction was completely natural.
"OOOOH NOOOO," Rob drawled, layering his tone with enough sarcasm to suffocate an elephant. "I'M OUTMATCHED? IN A FIGHT AGAINST AN ALL-POWERFUL ABOMINATION? GEE, \THAT'S* NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE."*
Really, was he supposed to be intimidated? This was just another Tuesday in Elatra. It had been fun to run wild for a bit and put the BERSERK in BERSERKER, but in a sick sort of way, he felt more at home like this. Back to the wall, with no clear win condition in sight.
He could already feel the creative juices starting to percolate.
Searching for inspiration, Rob swept his gaze across the battlefield. It was a sobering view. Riardin's Rangers and Sylpeiros were lying still; so motionless that he could've mistaken them for dead if not for the slow rise and fall of their chests.
Without their efforts, he wouldn't be standing here right now. Purging the God-Orb had been a near thing. If Riardin's Rangers hadn't killed one god and softened up the others before Kismet 'collected' them, Rob would've run out of Purging energy and just straight-up died. And he never would've gotten the chance to destroy the Orb without Sylpeiros' diversion. Seriously, what kind of madman decided that ambushing a literal deity was a smart idea?
Rob gave them all a grateful nod. Riardin's Rangers and Sylpeiros didn't have Purge Divinity or impossibly high stats – and they'd still contributed more than should ever be expected of fighters without system-warping Skills, even Level 99 ones. His allies had gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The rest was up to him.
Time for a stress test. He dashed forward, fists clenched. Kismet warily examined him, waiting to see if the HUMAN would pull out a hidden reserve of Purging energy.
When that didn't happen, the god stood his ground and prepared one spell in each hand. The first will be an emergency escape, Rob inferred. The second...well, he probably wants to run a stress test of his own.
There were no tricks or falsehoods. Neither combatant made any attempt to dodge. Divine magic seared mortal flesh, and titanic Strength collided with the formless mana-body of a god.
Two tremendous claps of noise filled the divine realms, accompanied by a shockwave that sent both Rob and Kismet flying back. The HUMAN landed on his feet, while the god briefly vanished before reappearing in an upright position, seeming unruffled by their exchange.
"Your energy truly has run dry." Kismet sounded on the verge of breaking out into maniacal laughter. "Oh, what revelry this shall be."
Rob rolled his one good eye – the other was still Regenerating. Prick keeps aiming for my face. Kismet was gloating again, so he tuned out the god's ramblings and focused on analyzing his options. What have I learned? Without Purge Divinity, how much damage does a no-frills punch inflict?
Very little. Although Rob had hoped for a dent, he'd mostly just scuffed the god's paint. Raw, unadorned Strength simply wasn't efficient at damaging creatures of mana – especially not one as indescribably powerful as Kismet.
In that case...
Exhaling, he closed his eyes, shutting out all external stimuli. Kismet's blathering immediately quieted as he evaluated Rob's abrupt change in behavior. The god was presumably trying to determine whether this was a ploy to lure him in, but his caution was wasted. Rob merely wanted full concentration and didn't care if he got sucker-punched.
What he chose next would decide the fate of a world. Two worlds, actually, if Kismet got vindictive and hopped over to Earth after depleting Elatra.
Quick Thinking.
Okay.
What paths to victory still remained?
It has to be fast. My body is struggling, and my Soul Instability is High. Kismet will win a battle of attrition.
So that ruled out pummeling him for hours on end. Shame. Rob would've been fine with repeatedly scuffing Kismet's paint until the bits of damage added up and caused his mana-body to give out. Unless...
Zamira proved that a god can be slain through exceptional means. Malika would've unmade some of them as well if she hadn't been busy fixing rifts. Mana manipulation is the key. Can I hurt Kismet by imbuing my fists with mana?
Wasn't that easy, unfortunately. While Rob had boatloads of MP to spare, this was a matter of quality, not quantity. He lacked the fine precision of an Archmage, or...whatever anime powerup Zamira pulled at the end there. Covering his fists in mana might help, but it wouldn't guarantee victory.
If Riardin's Rangers awaken, we can band together to overpower Kismet. Strength in numbers – and teamwork.
It was a decent backup plan. Sadly, he couldn't control when they woke up. Could be soon, could be hours from now. Based on previous instances where his Party members had been forcefully knocked unconscious, the latter was more likely.
Besides – Rob didn't want plans that were just 'decent'. He wanted a silver bullet. Something that could annihilate Kismet in under a minute, if need be.
The stakes demanded no less.
A silver bullet...like Purge Divinity. Nothing else comes to mind. Nothing else is going to be as good, either. The Skills personally hand-crafted it to kill gods, and that process probably took them thousands of years. I shouldn't expect to cook up an equivalent in the eleventh hour.
Rob frowned. All of that made sense, but...
He wasn't satisfied with that line of thinking. When you have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Hmmm. While I can't blame myself for getting hung up on Purge Divinity, considering how vital it's been up until now, I might also be tunnel-visioned on the concept of a singular god-slaying ability.
That kind of over-centralized thinking often bled into other aspects of planning. In fact, when he'd assessed his other Skills earlier to see if any of them would be effective against Kismet, hadn't he dismissed them on the grounds that they wouldn't deal enough damage or accurately hit him at range?
As someone who'd learned a Skill called Rampage and primarily utilized it for maneuverability, he should've known better than that. Even when offensive abilities weren't perfectly suited for a situation, they could still be used in inventive ways.
Rob put on a wry grin as several new stratagems promptly came to mind. Guess I'll never be a proper BERSERKER. Can't help but go back to my roots of planning weird nonsense.
Yeah. That felt right. So what if he'd lost his convenient touch-of-death win condition? If the gods didn't have a clear weakness to exploit, he just needed to make one – or magnify the vulnerabilities they already possessed.
Like their mindset. While the gods may be astronomically powerful, they're also batshit crazy and don't seem to realize it. From what I know, most of their problems are self-induced. Like, I'm hardly the most stable individual, but at least I'm not tormenting people and complaining when they fight back, or part of a pseudo-hivemind where ego death is encouraged, or...
...Incapable of breaking a vow.
A bolt of inspiration struck him. Then another, and another, until Rob had been assailed by an entire thunderstorm of interlocking ideas. He thought back to how the gods and Blights were mentally enslaved to their compulsions. He reflected on how they couldn't defy the rules of the system even when their own lives were at risk. He examined the battlefield and juxtaposed it with the actions Kismet had taken and hadn't taken thus far.
His breath caught in his chest. This was the silver bullet he'd been looking for. If his assumptions were correct – which was a BIG if – then it would win the battle in one fell swoop.
If he was wrong...it could do the exact opposite.
Fifty-fifty odds.
Rob opened his eyes, heartbeat quickening as excitement flowed through him. Against a creature on par with the Second Will, fifty-fifty was like winning the lottery.
"What manner of death would you prefer?" Kismet tittered. He was in no hurry to bring their duel to its conclusion, understanding full well that time was on his side. "Quick and painless, as to numb the sting of your failures? Or a glorious last stand fit for the history books? It also isn't too late to become a Skill, I might add. Join your friends in perpetual–"
There's my inroad. "KISMET," the HUMAN intoned."RULER OF THE DIVINE REALMS." He kept his voice low to prevent more rifts from opening, giving off the impression of some unknowable creature rumbling in the distance. "I PROPOSE A WAGER."
The god's mouth snapped shut. After a couple seconds of well-deserved suspicion, he hesitantly replied. "...Of what sort?"
Rob raised a hand and stretched out his fingers. "FIVE MINUTES." Theoretically he would only need one, but better safe than sorry. "IF I'VE YET TO GRIEVOUSLY WOUND YOU AFTER FIVE MINUTES HAVE PASSED, I WILL SUBMIT TO YOUR AUTHORITY AND BE REBORN AS A SKILL IN THE NEXT SYSTEM. THEN YOU'RE FREE TO TORTURE ME FOR ETERNITY OR WHATEVER GETS YOUR ROCKS OFF."
He closed his hand into a fist. "ANTI-LOOPHOLE CLAUSES: THE TIMER STARTS AFTER YOU AGREE TO MY TERMS. DURING THOSE FIVE MINUTES, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FLEE FARTHER THAN YOU ALREADY HAVE AT ANY POINT IN TODAY'S BATTLE. 'GRIEVOUSLY WOUND' IS DEFINED AS YOU HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY CONTINUING TO MOVE OR FIGHT."
"I...see. And what is so important that you would gamble your soul? What do you desire in exchange? "
"THREE BOONS. FIRST – IF I WIN, YOU ANSWER ONE QUESTION OF MINE. SECOND – YOU HEAL MY ALLIES' INJURIES AND ROUSE THEM FROM SLUMBER, WITH NO COMPLICATIONS OR ADVERSE TAMPERING."
Rob cracked his knuckles. "AND THIRD – YOU SIT STILL FOR A WHILE AS I BEAT YOUR FUCKING FACE IN."
Kismet said nothing. Rob could practically hear the gears turning in the god's head. His victory was all but assured, and capturing the HUMAN's soul would be the cherry on top of a complete and total triumph.
However, he also recognized that Rob wouldn't be making this bet without an ace up his sleeve.
"How do I know you won't go back on your word?" Kismet's tone was laden with doubt. "Mortals are not bound to oaths, and you are, technically, still a mortal."
"I OFFER MY PARTY MEMBERS' LIVES AS COLLATERAL."
There was a long stretch of silence. "You're serious," the god marveled.
"YUUUP." Rob jerked a thumb at his friends' unconscious bodies. "HOVER SOME SPEARS NEAR 'EM. WON'T STOP YOU. ALTHOUGH I'M ADDING A STIPULATION THAT YOU CAN'T HARM THEM UNLESS EITHER I BREAK OUR DEAL, OR FIVE MINUTES PASS."
Kismet scrutinized him with a look of disbelief. Rob's poker face worked overtime as he faked being unperturbed, returning the god's searching gaze with a laconic, half-lidded stare.
Eventually, greed won out over prudence. "I accept all your terms." Kismet pointed his hands at Riardin's Rangers. Dozens of floating mana spears materialized above their unmoving forms, ready to plunge down at a moment's notice. Kismet kept an eye on Rob throughout, as if expecting him to rush forward in defense of his Party, but the HUMAN merely waited patiently for the god to finish.
Inwardly, Rob was celebrating. 'You can't harm my friends until five minutes have passed' was a steal of a deal. Without Purge Divinity as a threat, he wasn't confident that he would've been able to prevent Kismet from using Riardin's Rangers as hostages. 'You are not allowed to flee farther than you already have at any point in today's battle' was even more necessary. It meant that Kismet couldn't fuck off to a distant corner of the divine realms and wait out the clock.
The rest of Rob's terms had essentially been a smokescreen to slip those two stipulations through. While he wouldn't turn down free healing for his friends or the opportunity to treat the divine ruler like a punching bag, his requested 'boons' were inconsequential compared to limiting Kismet's options.
It gave him the chance to put his real plan into action.
One chance, specifically. Rob held no delusions that there might be a second. What he had in mind would rely heavily on the element of surprise. If it didn't work on the first try...or if his assumptions about Kismet's nature were incorrect...
Game over.
How many trillions of lives were about to be decided in the next few seconds? Countless civilizations of the present and the future, their survival somehow dependent on a half-baked scheme conjured up by a guy so absurdly enraged that he was cracking reality. Shit, the only reason he was even here was because he'd pushed Jason out of the way when the gods tried to nab him all those months ago. His one small action had kicked off a cascading domino effect with repercussions beyond human comprehension.
Rob couldn't begin to fathom that scale of responsibility – so he didn't bother. Stressing himself would just make him hesitate. Bit by bit, he pared away the overwhelming grandiosity of the situation, reducing its scope until he saw Kismet for what the eternal, cosmic deity truly was:
Just another asshole that needed to be put in the dirt.
"The five minutes have begun." Kismet prepared what was almost definitely a teleport spell, ready to flee at the first sign of danger. "Please execute whatever ill-fated endeavor you have planned before time runs out. I wouldn't want to miss seeing your bravado shrivel into despair."
"WELL, I \COULD* PRETEND TO CHASE YOU AROUND FOR A BIT, LULL YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY...BUT NAH."*
Rob flicked his wrist. "LET'S START THINGS OFF WITH A–"
BANG.
The explosive conflagration of Living Bomb surrounded him.
​
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Link to Part 2
submitted by Determination7 to HFY [link] [comments]

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