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The Tales Of The Brotherhood
2023.06.02 17:35 RTRvera The Tales Of The Brotherhood
The city of Caligo, capital of the magical kingdom Luminis Obscurum, sat nestled at the heart of a labyrinthine mountain range. Its ominous silhouette sprawled in every direction, its myriad structures draped in dark violet hues, gleaming under the eerie light of a moon perpetually shrouded by a veil of foreboding crimson clouds. The city was surrounded by an intricate lacework of floating islands, shrouded in perpetual twilight, held aloft by a blend of mystical forces and practical alchemy. Like a thousand demon eyes, the lights of Caligo blinked and twinkled in the perpetual night.
At the center of the city rose the Coliseum Arcanum, a gargantuan amphitheater that dominated the skyline. Its impossibly tall spires pierced the heavens, each adorned with statues and banners that howled in the ceaseless wind. Built from dark obsidian stone that seemed to drink in the light, the coliseum was the heart of the city, pulsating with the rhythm of the wild and brutal contests it hosted.
The air was thick with anticipation as the annual Grand Arcana Tournament was about to begin. Warriors from every corner of the kingdom and beyond had gathered to partake in a ruthless test of strength, endurance, and arcane mastery. The stakes were high, for the winner would be granted one wish — any request within the realm of possibility, as promised by the arcane potentates who ruled Luminis Obscurum.
And so, five extraordinary individuals found themselves on the cusp of the city, overlooking the sprawling urban expanse. The depth of their bond was reflected in the aura of resilience they radiated, a testament to the hardships they had weathered together.
Askari, the warrior monk, was the group's spiritual compass, guiding them through their trials with an unwavering determination reminiscent of his celestial forebear, Sun Wukong. His build was sinewy, every muscle carved from a lifetime of discipline and dedication. He carried the Ruyi Jingu Bang, an unyielding staff as flexible in combat as the very air, a symbol of his birthright and testament to his strength.
Skyblitz, an Aarakocra of intimidating stature, stood beside him. His feathers were as sharp as razors, their metallic sheen reflecting the enigmatic moonlight. He was a master of the turbulent winds, manipulating the very air around him into deadly weapons or sturdy shields. His eyes held a hint of wisdom that belied his avian wildness.
Next stood Redroot, the Goliath, towering over his companions. His skin bore the weathered marks of the mountain he hailed from, and the deep, unyielding roots that had fostered him. His magic was as much a part of him as the very rock he could command — sturdy, unwavering, and titanic in its ferocity.
Joneson, the Oathbreaker, was a stark contrast to the rest. A former Paladin who had turned his back on his sacred vows, he was a mystery, even to his closest friends. The void he mastered was as perplexing and enigmatic as the man himself. His aura was dark, pulsating with an energy that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest.
Lastly, there was IraTater, the Poison Dragonborn, a creature of mischief and mayhem. His scales shimmered an iridescent green under the glow of the distant city, a signal of the deadly toxin that coursed through his veins. His crooked grin revealed rows of sharp teeth, a sign of his nonchalant attitude towards the world and its troubles.
Their gazes were collectively locked on the imposing structure at the heart of the city, an ominous sense of destiny pervading their silence.
"Y'all ready for this?" IraTater broke the silence, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Skyblitz responded with a solemn nod, his avian eyes reflecting a hardened resolve. "It's why we're here, isn't it?" His voice was calm, a lull in the storm.
Redroot's massive hand came to rest on the Aarakocra's shoulder, his deep voice rumbling like a landslide. "We face this together. As always."
Askari turned towards Joneson, his eyes searching the Paladin's shrouded countenance. "What of you, Joneson? Are you prepared to stand with us once again?"
The Oathbreaker turned his gaze away from the city, looking into the eyes of his comrades. His eyes held a profound sadness, but beneath it lay a flicker of defiance. "The void in my past may never be filled. But today, I fight for you, my brothers. For us."
A shared grin spread among them, and they extended their hands into a joint fist bump, their pact reaffirmed. They had faced challenges before, but the battles that lay ahead were unlike any they had experienced. The stakes were high, the odds were daunting, but the strength of their bond held firm.
As the first rays of false dawn cast their ethereal light on the city of Caligo, the friends stepped onto the path leading into the heart of Luminis Obscurum, their hearts aflame with determination and camaraderie. The Grand Arcana Tournament awaited, and the fate of five friends was about to intertwine with the destiny of an entire kingdom.
Having traversed the twisted maze of Caligo's cobblestone streets, the friends found themselves at the foot of the Coliseum Arcanum. Up close, its enormity was almost incomprehensible, the structure dwarfing everything around it.
The surrounding area was a riotous carnival, alive with an intoxicating mix of excitement and dread. Vibrant market stalls, whimsical parades, and arcane showcases adorned the streets, a tumultuous celebration of the upcoming bloodshed. Over the cacophony of jubilations, the friends could hear the roar of the crowd within the coliseum, their excitement a palpable force in the air.
As they entered the coliseum, a servile goblin ushered them to a preparation chamber. The room was dimly lit, the air saturated with the metallic tang of past battles and the musk of warriors preparing for combat.
"The matches will be one on one," the goblin's voice crackled, his eyes filled with a strange blend of fear and respect. "You'll be facing the Revenant Reapers. They're a brutal team—"
"No need to worry, friend," IraTater interrupted, flashing the goblin a toothy grin. "We can handle a bit of brutality."
The goblin nodded nervously, taking a few steps back before scurrying away.
"The Revenant Reapers, huh?" Skyblitz murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse. "I've heard rumors. They're supposed to be ruthless."
"Most competitors here are," Redroot rumbled, his massive hands balling into fists. "But so are we."
Askari nodded, the warrior monk's eyes reflecting a deep-seated determination. "We will face this challenge as we have faced all others - together."
The air in the chamber vibrated with their shared resolve. The friends began to prepare for the upcoming fight, the sounds of their armor and weapons echoing in the chamber.
---
Meanwhile, in a similar chamber on the opposite side of the coliseum, a team of formidable warriors prepared for combat. The Revenant Reapers, a team as ruthless as their moniker suggested, were eager to engage in the deadly dance of the tournament.
There was Grimmhilt, a necromancer dwarf whose powers had brought him an unsettling semblance of immortality. Aridorn, an Elven sorcerer with the essence of elemental fire at his fingertips. Shifty Snigg, a halfling rogue with a penchant for bloodshed. Zul'Kur, an Orc shaman capable of summoning the wrath of the ancients. And finally, Galros, a tiefling warlock whose pact with a powerful demon endowed him with a frightening array of dark magic.
"Got our match-ups for the first round," Grimmhilt's gravelly voice resonated in the chamber, his hands holding a piece of parchment. "I've got Askari, the warrior monk. Aridorn, you're up against Skyblitz, the bird-man. Snigg, you'll take the Goliath, Redroot. Zul'Kur, you have the Oathbreaker, Joneson. And Galros, you get to play with the poison Dragonborn, IraTater."
A chorus of anticipatory laughter echoed through the chamber. These were fighters who lived for the thrill of the fight, the rush of blood, and the sweet taste of victory.
---
The time for the first match approached, and an electric tension filled the air. As the friends exited their preparation chamber, they stepped into the staggering expanse of the Coliseum Arcanum.
High above them, in a throne overlooking the entirety of the Coliseum, sat the announcer, an eccentric gnome by the name of Razzle Fizzlebop. With a voice amplified by magical means, he welcomed the crowd to the grand spectacle about to unfold.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Arcana Tournament!" His voice boomed across the Coliseum, echoing off the obsidian walls. "In this corner, a team like no other, bonded by courage, a quintet of outstanding warriors: Askari, Skyblitz, Redroot, Joneson, and IraTater! And in the other corner, a ruthless band of hardened fighters, known for their merciless tactics: the Revenant Reapers!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the spectators as the two teams stepped into the arena, each fighter sizing up their respective opponent.
"May the best team prevail!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice rang out, a signal of the brutal spectacle to come. "Let the Grand Arcana Tournament commence!"
The friends shared a final look of camaraderie, each promising the other that no matter what happened, they would face it together.
As the echoes of the crowd's cheers filled the air, the friends braced themselves. The stage was set. The dance of death was about to begin.
With the commencement of the tournament, the atmosphere within the Coliseum Arcanum transformed. The anticipation reached fever pitch, the audience holding their collective breath as the first combatants took center stage.
"IraTater of the Brotherhood!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice resonated through the coliseum, his enthusiastic tone whipping the crowd into a frenzy. "Versus Galros of the Revenant Reapers! A venomous dance with the flames of the inferno!"
IraTater walked into the spotlight, his scales shimmering like deadly emeralds. He offered the crowd a cheeky wave, his usual levity on full display despite the high stakes.
Across the battlefield, Galros stood, a menacing figure swathed in a cloak of shadowy flames. His eyes glowed with a fiery intensity, a visual testament to the infernal pact that fueled his magic.
"As per the rules of the Grand Arcana Tournament," Razzle continued, "The fight will go on until one fighter yields, is incapacitated, or… worse."
IraTater couldn't help but roll his eyes at the gnome's dramatic flair. "Alright, big guy," he called to Galros, "Let's give 'em a show."
The tiefling merely smirked, his hands beginning to dance in the intricate patterns of arcane sigils, summoning the deadly magic of his infernal pact.
The match began in earnest, Galros opening with a volley of "Hellfire Bolts", flaming projectiles that exploded upon impact. IraTater nimbly evaded, his agile form a blur on the battlefield.
With a growl, IraTater retaliated with a "Venomous Torrent," a wave of toxic energy that radiated from his outstretched claws. Galros, however, was quick to erect an "Infernal Barrier," absorbing the brunt of the toxic assault.
The two continued to exchange blows, Galros utilizing destructive pyromancy, while IraTater countered with his unique blend of agility and venomous magic. Despite his playful demeanor, IraTater's prowess was undeniable, his movements punctuated by fluidity and precision.
However, as the battle progressed, it became apparent to IraTater that he was gradually being outmatched. Galros' infernal magic was relentless, and while IraTater's agility and venom-based attacks were formidable, they were not enough to keep up with Galros' fiery onslaught.
Spotting his opportunity, Galros decided to play dirty, casting a "Shadow Bind," an underhanded spell designed to immobilize his opponent by exploiting a moment of weakness. The crowd gasped as dark tendrils snaked from Galros' fingers, aiming to entrap IraTater.
But the Dragonborn was not so easily subdued. A deep, guttural growl escaped him as he looked into Galros' smirking face. "You want to play dirty?" He hissed, his scales standing on end as a surge of poisonous energy coursed through his veins.
Embracing his raw power, IraTater unleashed his "Basilisk Strike." His form became a blur, moving with such speed that it seemed to split into multiple images. In the blink of an eye, he closed the gap between him and Galros, his claw striking true. A potent burst of venomous energy erupted from his fingertips, the impact rocking the entire arena.
Galros' smirk was wiped clean off his face as he was thrown backward, crashing into the arena's boundary with an impact that left a crater in the obsidian. The tiefling's body was immobile, his defeat unmistakable.
"And the first round goes to IraTater!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice echoed throughout the Coliseum Arcanum, the crowd erupting into cheers.
In the shadows of the entrance to the arena, Askari watched with a stormy expression. His fists clenched at his sides, his gaze fixed on the incapacitated form of Galros. He had always believed in the sanctity of honorable combat, and Galros' underhanded tactic had struck a nerve.
As Razzle Fizzlebop announced the next match - Askari versus Grimmhilt - the warrior monk stepped onto the battlefield, his gaze determined and unwavering. He had always held himself to a code of honor, and this fight would be no different. He would win for his friends, and he would do it with dignity.
And so, as the crowd's cheers echoed through the grand Coliseum, the stage was set for the next deadly dance in the Grand Arcana Tournament.
A tense hush fell over the spectators as the next combatants were announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, the next duel in the Grand Arcana Tournament," Razzle Fizzlebop's voice rang out, clear and resonant. "Askari of the Brotherhood versus Grimmhilt of the Revenant Reapers!"
Askari moved to center stage, his warrior monk training evident in his fluid grace. The crowd watched in anticipation as an ethereal golden aura shimmered around him, an echo of his inherent power. Even from a distance, the intensity of his aura was palpable, a testament to his descent from the legendary Sun Wukong.
Opposite him stood Grimmhilt, a dwarf necromancer shrouded in an aura of decay and death. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light as he prepared his formidable defenses.
"Hey, Grimmhilt," Askari called out, his voice carrying over the silence of the coliseum. "I hope you're prepared. Because I plan to end this quickly."
A sinister grin spread across Grimmhilt's face, his voice raspy with cruel amusement. "We'll see about that, monkey boy."
With a resounding gong, the duel began. As expected, Grimmhilt wasted no time in erecting his "Undead Bastion," a towering barrier of necrotic energy intended to shield him from Askari's attacks.
However, Askari was not deterred. With a deep breath, he centered himself, focusing his energy as he had been taught in the monasteries of his homeland. His aura shimmered and intensified, the spiritual energy forming a colossal image of a multi-armed deity, an embodiment of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion.
Grimmhilt's grin faltered as he beheld the spectacle. But before he could react, Askari launched his attack.
"Avalokiteshvara Strike!" Askari roared, the ethereal deity mimicking his movements as they launched a barrage of attacks. Each strike was a concentrated blast of his aura, a devastating assault that battered Grimmhilt's barrier.
The "Undead Bastion," despite its formidable defenses, crumbled under the onslaught. Grimmhilt, robbed of his protective shield, was at the mercy of Askari's barrage. The warrior monk's assault was relentless and in an instant, it was over.
Grimmhilt was left sprawled on the ground, his defenses shattered, his energy depleted. The crowd erupted into cheers as Razzle Fizzlebop announced Askari's victory. "Askari of the Brotherhood is the winner!"
As Askari made his way back to his friends, he was met with high fives and words of praise. The victory, however, brought him no joy. His face remained stern, his mind already on the upcoming battles.
As Skyblitz stepped forward to take the stage, Askari extended his fist to his oldest friend. Skyblitz bumped it with his own, a silent promise of the fight to come. Askari could only hope that the rest of their battles would be fought with honor, for the sake of their brotherhood and the sacred principles they upheld.
"Prepare yourselves, for the gust of competition is about to take flight!" Razzle Fizzlebop's enthusiastic proclamation echoed throughout the coliseum, whipping the spectators into a whirlwind of anticipation. "Skyblitz of the Brotherhood versus Aridorn of the Revenant Reapers!"
Skyblitz emerged onto the battlefield, the embodiment of avian majesty and power. His feathered form shimmered as a warm gust swirled around him, a tangible display of his command over wind magic.
His opponent, Aridorn, carried an imposing aura of his own. His silver hair seemed to flow like mercury, capturing the ominous sheen of his cold eyes. As an Elf warrior, he drew upon the arcane forces at his command, his body language exuding icy determination.
As the starting signal echoed across the coliseum, the tension morphed into a dazzling spectacle of magical prowess. Aridorn was swift, initiating the duel with a "Frost Edge" attack that transformed his longsword into a chilling blade of freezing energy.
Skyblitz, ever the master of the wind, reacted with perfect timing. His "Wind Blade" took form, a blade of compressed air that met Aridorn's icy onslaught head-on. The crowd erupted into cheers, the sheer display of magical mastery a feast for their eyes.
The battle raged on, morphing into an intense back-and-forth between the two combatants. Aridorn kept on the offensive, wielding his chilling magic to launch a series of potent attacks. His "Glacial Wall" forced Skyblitz to keep his distance, while his "Frost Spears" kept the Aarakocra on his talons.
Skyblitz was not to be outdone. His mastery over wind magic was a spectacle in itself. His agile movements, augmented by "Gale Dash," allowed him to evade Aridorn's icy attacks with an effortless grace that seemed almost choreographed. His "Tempest Cyclone" countered Aridorn's defenses, the swirling vortex of wind magic breaking through the icy wall Aridorn had erected.
This thrilling exchange of magic and martial prowess continued, each warrior holding his ground. The crowd watched, breathless, as the two powerhouses collided, each new clash raising the stakes.
Eventually, however, Skyblitz decided it was time to end the match. Channeling his wind magic, he executed his final move, an attack he had perfected over years of rigorous training. "Twister Throw!" he bellowed, the powerful shout resonating across the coliseum.
In a swift, fluid motion, Skyblitz seized Aridorn, his powerful wings carrying them high above the arena. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he summoned a powerful tornado around them, his wind magic swirling with an intensity that left everyone breathless.
The force of the wind spun them around, accelerating until Aridorn was a mere blur in the eye of the storm. With a final, powerful shout, Skyblitz threw Aridorn, propelling him with the force of the swirling wind.
Aridorn plummeted to the ground, his descent marked by a tailwind of force. The impact echoed throughout the coliseum, the ground quaking beneath the force. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view as the crowd held its breath.
When the dust finally settled, Aridorn was revealed, unconscious and defeated, cradled in the heart of a massive crater. Skyblitz landed elegantly on the battlefield, his victory secured.
"Victory to Skyblitz of the Brotherhood!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice echoed around the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, their exhilaration shaking the coliseum.
Skyblitz, despite his victory, did not celebrate. His expression was serious, his gaze focused. His mind was already on the battles to come. The Grand Arcana Tournament was far from over, and the Brotherhood was ready to face whatever came next.
As the dust from the previous battle cleared, the Brotherhood gathered in a huddle. Their attention was fixated on Redroot, the Goliath, whose presence was as sturdy and intimidating as a fortress of stone.
"Redroot," Askari began, looking up at his towering friend. "We've seen you hold back, always opting to shield rather than strike. This time, let them witness your true power. Be the landslide, not just the mountain."
Skyblitz joined in, a spark of anticipation illuminating his avian eyes. "You've got this, Red. Make the ground tremble beneath your might."
Redroot nodded solemnly, acknowledging the encouraging words of his companions. "The earth shall quake in my honor."
The crowd's excited chatter fell silent as Razzle Fizzlebop made the next announcement. "Step forward, Redroot of the Brotherhood and Snigg of the Revenant Reapers!"
Snigg, a small yet wiry goblin, walked onto the battlefield, an air of dark magic surrounding him. Redroot followed, his imposing figure causing a wave of silence to sweep across the spectators. The air around him rippled with earth magic, projecting an image that was equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying.
With a mighty roar, Redroot charged at Snigg, his fist colliding with Snigg's in a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves pulsing through the coliseum. It was a clash of raw strength against potent magic, and the crowd watched in awe as the battle unfolded.
Snigg was swift and cunning, employing his dark magic with a surprising finesse. His "Shadow Warp" allowed him to dodge Redroot's massive strikes and retaliate with "Abyssal Shards." However, Redroot was no easy target. His earth magic countered Snigg's attacks, his "Stone Fist" shattering Snigg's dark energy projectiles while his "Earth Shield" offered unyielding defense.
Despite Snigg's agility and cunning, Redroot stood firm, countering with powerful attacks of his own. He used his "Granite Grasp" to trap Snigg, while his "Boulder Bash" sent the goblin sprawling across the battlefield.
The back-and-forth continued, each fighter displaying their unique set of skills to the fullest. Snigg continued to exploit his nimbleness and dark magic, but Redroot remained a formidable opponent, his resolve as unshakeable as the earth he commanded.
As the battle reached a fever pitch, Redroot decided to end the duel. Gathering his earth magic, he channeled it into a final, devastating attack. With a roar that echoed throughout the coliseum, Redroot slammed his fists into the ground, calling out, "Tectonic Rupture!"
The ground beneath them trembled and shook, a wave of stone and earth erupting beneath Snigg. The goblin had no time to react as the force of the attack knocked him off his feet, sending him crashing onto the battlefield.
When the dust finally settled, Snigg lay unconscious, the aftermath of Redroot's attack evident in the crater surrounding him. Razzle Fizzlebop's announcement of Redroot's victory echoed across the coliseum, met with a deafening roar of approval from the crowd.
The Brotherhood cheered for their friend, their voices drowned out by the thunderous applause. Despite his victory, Redroot remained humble, a gentle smile playing on his lips. His victory wasn't for himself; it was for his friends and the bond they shared. For the Brotherhood, this was just the beginning, and they were ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
As the dust from Redroot's battle settled, the Brotherhood gathered once more. This time, their focus was on Joneson, the Paladin oathbreaker, a man whose past was filled with guilt and redemption, and whose power stemmed from the void itself.
His fellow warriors gave him a solid, reassuring clap on the shoulder. "You've got this, Joneson. You're a Paladin, through and through. Oathbreaker or not, you uphold honor and justice like no other," Skyblitz said, his avian eyes flicking with a hint of admiration.
The others nodded in agreement. Redroot’s gravelly voice echoed Skyblitz's sentiment. "You're not just a warrior, Joneson. You’re a protector. That's your strength."
The air filled with anticipation as Razzle Fizzlebop's voice once again echoed across the coliseum. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final bout of this round. Step forward, Joneson of the Brotherhood and Zul'Kur of the Revenant Reapers!"
Zul'Kur was a towering figure, adorned with intricate tribal tattoos glowing with an arcane energy. He was an orc shaman, known for his potent spirit magic. A formidable opponent, one who had won his previous battles with a ruthless and savage efficiency.
Joneson walked onto the battlefield, his aura of void energy cloaking him like a shadow. Despite the cheering crowd, a sense of stillness enveloped him. His expression was calm, his gaze steady, the air around him seeming to warp slightly as his void magic reacted to his focused state of mind.
The fight began with a massive clash of magic, Joneson's void energy colliding with Zul'Kur's spirit magic. The crowd gasped as the arena filled with a blinding light, both fighters' powers creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Joneson was adept with his void magic, utilizing "Void Shield" to block Zul'Kur's spirit attacks, retaliating with his own "Shadow Strike." Zul'Kur was equally skilled, his spirit magic taking the form of ancestral warriors through his "Spirit Summon," each one engaging Joneson with ruthless ferocity.
Back and forth they went, each clash more intense than the last. Zul'Kur’s spirit magic was relentless, but Joneson’s void manipulation allowed him to absorb and deflect the attacks with increasing ease.
However, as the battle wore on, Joneson's void energy started to dominate the field. His "Abyssal Chains" attack ensnared Zul'Kur's spirit warriors, dissolving them into nothingness. His "Black Hole Strike" pulled Zul'Kur off balance, allowing Joneson to land a decisive "Void Punch."
Just as it seemed that Joneson was gaining the upper hand, a commotion stirred from the sidelines. The previously defeated members of The Revenant Reapers rushed into the arena, their expressions desperate and wild.
The crowd gasped as Galros, Grimmhilt, Aridorn, and Snigg stood beside Zul'Kur, their powers radiating menacingly. The odds had abruptly shifted. Joneson, though strong, was now standing against the full force of The Revenant Reapers.
The anticipation was thick as the crowd watched in shocked silence. The Brotherhood stood at the sidelines, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. The stage was set for a showdown like no other, the true test of the Brotherhood's unity and strength yet to come.
The Revenant Reapers' aggressive entrance onto the stage was met with mixed reactions from the crowd, the Brotherhood, and most interestingly, from Joneson himself. The Reapers exuded a sinister, dark energy as they joined Zul'Kur in facing Joneson.
In the Brotherhood's corner, Skyblitz was already halfway into his takeoff, his wings ruffling in anticipation, ready to swoop down and help Joneson. Redroot had tightened his grip on his massive boulder hammer, his eyes reflecting a fierce determination.
But, it was Askari who raised his hand, signaling them to halt. His eyes were locked onto the scene unfolding before them, a calm yet intense look etched onto his face.
"This is his fight," Askari's voice cut through the rising tension. The words were met with immediate confusion and even protest.
"But they're outnumbering him, Askari," IraTater argued, his draconic eyes glaring towards the spectacle in the arena.
Askari, however, was resolute. "Joneson has a strength we've not yet seen. He's been holding back, for reasons only he knows," he continued, his gaze never leaving the center of the coliseum.
There was a pause before Askari recounted a tale, one of a Paladin who had broken his oath to protect those he loved. It was a tale of guilt and redemption, of strength and love. The tale of Joneson, their comrade, their brother in arms. The Brotherhood listened in silence, their eyes now understanding the depth of Joneson's power that lay dormant.
Back in the arena, Joneson stood steady, his gaze meeting Askari's. There was a silent communication, a nod of acknowledgement, and an understanding. It was time.
Without breaking his gaze from the Reapers, Joneson muttered an incantation under his breath. As the words left his lips, the air around him started to warp, and a cold chill swept across the coliseum. His eyes began to gleam with an ethereal light as the Oathbreaker's Seal began to break.
"Void Infinity," he whispered. The two words carried a weight, a promise, and a threat. The darkness swallowed the arena, blotting out the light and encasing the battleground in an impenetrable shroud. The Reapers, about to attack, found themselves in a sea of uncertainty.
Out of the engulfing void emerged figures, formless yet formidable, each a living embodiment of void energy. With every word of Joneson's continued incantation, they grew stronger, their presence more intimidating.
The Reapers tried to retaliate, but their attacks were swallowed by the void. The shadowy figures closed in, a relentless storm of dark energy that crushed their resistance and drowned their cries. The sheer force of the onslaught sent shockwaves through the arena, causing the crowd to gasp in awe.
When the darkness finally receded, the scene that emerged was one of utter devastation. The Reapers lay strewn across the battleground, their energies depleted, their pride shattered.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the echo of "Joneson" resonating throughout the arena. As the Brotherhood rushed to join their victorious comrade in the center, their smiles were as wide as they were proud.
With his friends surrounding him, Joneson looked at each one of them, his eyes softening. The void magic around him faded, replaced by a warm aura. This was more than just a victory. It was a testament of their friendship, their trust, and their unyielding brotherhood. They had emerged triumphant, and for the time being, they could bask in their victory.
It was a powerful conclusion to a stunning display of magic and camaraderie. The Grand Arcana Tournament was far from over, but the Brotherhood had made their mark, and they were ready for whatever came next.
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At the center of the city rose the Coliseum Arcanum, a gargantuan amphitheater that dominated the skyline. Its impossibly tall spires pierced the heavens, each adorned with statues and banners that howled in the ceaseless wind. Built from dark obsidian stone that seemed to drink in the light, the coliseum was the heart of the city, pulsating with the rhythm of the wild and brutal contests it hosted.
The air was thick with anticipation as the annual Grand Arcana Tournament was about to begin. Warriors from every corner of the kingdom and beyond had gathered to partake in a ruthless test of strength, endurance, and arcane mastery. The stakes were high, for the winner would be granted one wish — any request within the realm of possibility, as promised by the arcane potentates who ruled Luminis Obscurum.
And so, five extraordinary individuals found themselves on the cusp of the city, overlooking the sprawling urban expanse. The depth of their bond was reflected in the aura of resilience they radiated, a testament to the hardships they had weathered together.
Askari, the warrior monk, was the group's spiritual compass, guiding them through their trials with an unwavering determination reminiscent of his celestial forebear, Sun Wukong. His build was sinewy, every muscle carved from a lifetime of discipline and dedication. He carried the Ruyi Jingu Bang, an unyielding staff as flexible in combat as the very air, a symbol of his birthright and testament to his strength.
Skyblitz, an Aarakocra of intimidating stature, stood beside him. His feathers were as sharp as razors, their metallic sheen reflecting the enigmatic moonlight. He was a master of the turbulent winds, manipulating the very air around him into deadly weapons or sturdy shields. His eyes held a hint of wisdom that belied his avian wildness.
Next stood Redroot, the Goliath, towering over his companions. His skin bore the weathered marks of the mountain he hailed from, and the deep, unyielding roots that had fostered him. His magic was as much a part of him as the very rock he could command — sturdy, unwavering, and titanic in its ferocity.
Joneson, the Oathbreaker, was a stark contrast to the rest. A former Paladin who had turned his back on his sacred vows, he was a mystery, even to his closest friends. The void he mastered was as perplexing and enigmatic as the man himself. His aura was dark, pulsating with an energy that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest.
Lastly, there was IraTater, the Poison Dragonborn, a creature of mischief and mayhem. His scales shimmered an iridescent green under the glow of the distant city, a signal of the deadly toxin that coursed through his veins. His crooked grin revealed rows of sharp teeth, a sign of his nonchalant attitude towards the world and its troubles.
Their gazes were collectively locked on the imposing structure at the heart of the city, an ominous sense of destiny pervading their silence.
"Y'all ready for this?" IraTater broke the silence, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Skyblitz responded with a solemn nod, his avian eyes reflecting a hardened resolve. "It's why we're here, isn't it?" His voice was calm, a lull in the storm.
Redroot's massive hand came to rest on the Aarakocra's shoulder, his deep voice rumbling like a landslide. "We face this together. As always."
Askari turned towards Joneson, his eyes searching the Paladin's shrouded countenance. "What of you, Joneson? Are you prepared to stand with us once again?"
The Oathbreaker turned his gaze away from the city, looking into the eyes of his comrades. His eyes held a profound sadness, but beneath it lay a flicker of defiance. "The void in my past may never be filled. But today, I fight for you, my brothers. For us."
A shared grin spread among them, and they extended their hands into a joint fist bump, their pact reaffirmed. They had faced challenges before, but the battles that lay ahead were unlike any they had experienced. The stakes were high, the odds were daunting, but the strength of their bond held firm.
As the first rays of false dawn cast their ethereal light on the city of Caligo, the friends stepped onto the path leading into the heart of Luminis Obscurum, their hearts aflame with determination and camaraderie. The Grand Arcana Tournament awaited, and the fate of five friends was about to intertwine with the destiny of an entire kingdom.
Having traversed the twisted maze of Caligo's cobblestone streets, the friends found themselves at the foot of the Coliseum Arcanum. Up close, its enormity was almost incomprehensible, the structure dwarfing everything around it.
The surrounding area was a riotous carnival, alive with an intoxicating mix of excitement and dread. Vibrant market stalls, whimsical parades, and arcane showcases adorned the streets, a tumultuous celebration of the upcoming bloodshed. Over the cacophony of jubilations, the friends could hear the roar of the crowd within the coliseum, their excitement a palpable force in the air.
As they entered the coliseum, a servile goblin ushered them to a preparation chamber. The room was dimly lit, the air saturated with the metallic tang of past battles and the musk of warriors preparing for combat.
"The matches will be one on one," the goblin's voice crackled, his eyes filled with a strange blend of fear and respect. "You'll be facing the Revenant Reapers. They're a brutal team—"
"No need to worry, friend," IraTater interrupted, flashing the goblin a toothy grin. "We can handle a bit of brutality."
The goblin nodded nervously, taking a few steps back before scurrying away.
"The Revenant Reapers, huh?" Skyblitz murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse. "I've heard rumors. They're supposed to be ruthless."
"Most competitors here are," Redroot rumbled, his massive hands balling into fists. "But so are we."
Askari nodded, the warrior monk's eyes reflecting a deep-seated determination. "We will face this challenge as we have faced all others - together."
The air in the chamber vibrated with their shared resolve. The friends began to prepare for the upcoming fight, the sounds of their armor and weapons echoing in the chamber.
---
Meanwhile, in a similar chamber on the opposite side of the coliseum, a team of formidable warriors prepared for combat. The Revenant Reapers, a team as ruthless as their moniker suggested, were eager to engage in the deadly dance of the tournament.
There was Grimmhilt, a necromancer dwarf whose powers had brought him an unsettling semblance of immortality. Aridorn, an Elven sorcerer with the essence of elemental fire at his fingertips. Shifty Snigg, a halfling rogue with a penchant for bloodshed. Zul'Kur, an Orc shaman capable of summoning the wrath of the ancients. And finally, Galros, a tiefling warlock whose pact with a powerful demon endowed him with a frightening array of dark magic.
"Got our match-ups for the first round," Grimmhilt's gravelly voice resonated in the chamber, his hands holding a piece of parchment. "I've got Askari, the warrior monk. Aridorn, you're up against Skyblitz, the bird-man. Snigg, you'll take the Goliath, Redroot. Zul'Kur, you have the Oathbreaker, Joneson. And Galros, you get to play with the poison Dragonborn, IraTater."
A chorus of anticipatory laughter echoed through the chamber. These were fighters who lived for the thrill of the fight, the rush of blood, and the sweet taste of victory.
---
The time for the first match approached, and an electric tension filled the air. As the friends exited their preparation chamber, they stepped into the staggering expanse of the Coliseum Arcanum.
High above them, in a throne overlooking the entirety of the Coliseum, sat the announcer, an eccentric gnome by the name of Razzle Fizzlebop. With a voice amplified by magical means, he welcomed the crowd to the grand spectacle about to unfold.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Arcana Tournament!" His voice boomed across the Coliseum, echoing off the obsidian walls. "In this corner, a team like no other, bonded by courage, a quintet of outstanding warriors: Askari, Skyblitz, Redroot, Joneson, and IraTater! And in the other corner, a ruthless band of hardened fighters, known for their merciless tactics: the Revenant Reapers!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the spectators as the two teams stepped into the arena, each fighter sizing up their respective opponent.
"May the best team prevail!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice rang out, a signal of the brutal spectacle to come. "Let the Grand Arcana Tournament commence!"
The friends shared a final look of camaraderie, each promising the other that no matter what happened, they would face it together.
As the echoes of the crowd's cheers filled the air, the friends braced themselves. The stage was set. The dance of death was about to begin.
With the commencement of the tournament, the atmosphere within the Coliseum Arcanum transformed. The anticipation reached fever pitch, the audience holding their collective breath as the first combatants took center stage.
"IraTater of the Brotherhood!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice resonated through the coliseum, his enthusiastic tone whipping the crowd into a frenzy. "Versus Galros of the Revenant Reapers! A venomous dance with the flames of the inferno!"
IraTater walked into the spotlight, his scales shimmering like deadly emeralds. He offered the crowd a cheeky wave, his usual levity on full display despite the high stakes.
Across the battlefield, Galros stood, a menacing figure swathed in a cloak of shadowy flames. His eyes glowed with a fiery intensity, a visual testament to the infernal pact that fueled his magic.
"As per the rules of the Grand Arcana Tournament," Razzle continued, "The fight will go on until one fighter yields, is incapacitated, or… worse."
IraTater couldn't help but roll his eyes at the gnome's dramatic flair. "Alright, big guy," he called to Galros, "Let's give 'em a show."
The tiefling merely smirked, his hands beginning to dance in the intricate patterns of arcane sigils, summoning the deadly magic of his infernal pact.
The match began in earnest, Galros opening with a volley of "Hellfire Bolts", flaming projectiles that exploded upon impact. IraTater nimbly evaded, his agile form a blur on the battlefield.
With a growl, IraTater retaliated with a "Venomous Torrent," a wave of toxic energy that radiated from his outstretched claws. Galros, however, was quick to erect an "Infernal Barrier," absorbing the brunt of the toxic assault.
The two continued to exchange blows, Galros utilizing destructive pyromancy, while IraTater countered with his unique blend of agility and venomous magic. Despite his playful demeanor, IraTater's prowess was undeniable, his movements punctuated by fluidity and precision.
However, as the battle progressed, it became apparent to IraTater that he was gradually being outmatched. Galros' infernal magic was relentless, and while IraTater's agility and venom-based attacks were formidable, they were not enough to keep up with Galros' fiery onslaught.
Spotting his opportunity, Galros decided to play dirty, casting a "Shadow Bind," an underhanded spell designed to immobilize his opponent by exploiting a moment of weakness. The crowd gasped as dark tendrils snaked from Galros' fingers, aiming to entrap IraTater.
But the Dragonborn was not so easily subdued. A deep, guttural growl escaped him as he looked into Galros' smirking face. "You want to play dirty?" He hissed, his scales standing on end as a surge of poisonous energy coursed through his veins.
Embracing his raw power, IraTater unleashed his "Basilisk Strike." His form became a blur, moving with such speed that it seemed to split into multiple images. In the blink of an eye, he closed the gap between him and Galros, his claw striking true. A potent burst of venomous energy erupted from his fingertips, the impact rocking the entire arena.
Galros' smirk was wiped clean off his face as he was thrown backward, crashing into the arena's boundary with an impact that left a crater in the obsidian. The tiefling's body was immobile, his defeat unmistakable.
"And the first round goes to IraTater!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice echoed throughout the Coliseum Arcanum, the crowd erupting into cheers.
In the shadows of the entrance to the arena, Askari watched with a stormy expression. His fists clenched at his sides, his gaze fixed on the incapacitated form of Galros. He had always believed in the sanctity of honorable combat, and Galros' underhanded tactic had struck a nerve.
As Razzle Fizzlebop announced the next match - Askari versus Grimmhilt - the warrior monk stepped onto the battlefield, his gaze determined and unwavering. He had always held himself to a code of honor, and this fight would be no different. He would win for his friends, and he would do it with dignity.
And so, as the crowd's cheers echoed through the grand Coliseum, the stage was set for the next deadly dance in the Grand Arcana Tournament.
A tense hush fell over the spectators as the next combatants were announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, the next duel in the Grand Arcana Tournament," Razzle Fizzlebop's voice rang out, clear and resonant. "Askari of the Brotherhood versus Grimmhilt of the Revenant Reapers!"
Askari moved to center stage, his warrior monk training evident in his fluid grace. The crowd watched in anticipation as an ethereal golden aura shimmered around him, an echo of his inherent power. Even from a distance, the intensity of his aura was palpable, a testament to his descent from the legendary Sun Wukong.
Opposite him stood Grimmhilt, a dwarf necromancer shrouded in an aura of decay and death. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light as he prepared his formidable defenses.
"Hey, Grimmhilt," Askari called out, his voice carrying over the silence of the coliseum. "I hope you're prepared. Because I plan to end this quickly."
A sinister grin spread across Grimmhilt's face, his voice raspy with cruel amusement. "We'll see about that, monkey boy."
With a resounding gong, the duel began. As expected, Grimmhilt wasted no time in erecting his "Undead Bastion," a towering barrier of necrotic energy intended to shield him from Askari's attacks.
However, Askari was not deterred. With a deep breath, he centered himself, focusing his energy as he had been taught in the monasteries of his homeland. His aura shimmered and intensified, the spiritual energy forming a colossal image of a multi-armed deity, an embodiment of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion.
Grimmhilt's grin faltered as he beheld the spectacle. But before he could react, Askari launched his attack.
"Avalokiteshvara Strike!" Askari roared, the ethereal deity mimicking his movements as they launched a barrage of attacks. Each strike was a concentrated blast of his aura, a devastating assault that battered Grimmhilt's barrier.
The "Undead Bastion," despite its formidable defenses, crumbled under the onslaught. Grimmhilt, robbed of his protective shield, was at the mercy of Askari's barrage. The warrior monk's assault was relentless and in an instant, it was over.
Grimmhilt was left sprawled on the ground, his defenses shattered, his energy depleted. The crowd erupted into cheers as Razzle Fizzlebop announced Askari's victory. "Askari of the Brotherhood is the winner!"
As Askari made his way back to his friends, he was met with high fives and words of praise. The victory, however, brought him no joy. His face remained stern, his mind already on the upcoming battles.
As Skyblitz stepped forward to take the stage, Askari extended his fist to his oldest friend. Skyblitz bumped it with his own, a silent promise of the fight to come. Askari could only hope that the rest of their battles would be fought with honor, for the sake of their brotherhood and the sacred principles they upheld.
"Prepare yourselves, for the gust of competition is about to take flight!" Razzle Fizzlebop's enthusiastic proclamation echoed throughout the coliseum, whipping the spectators into a whirlwind of anticipation. "Skyblitz of the Brotherhood versus Aridorn of the Revenant Reapers!"
Skyblitz emerged onto the battlefield, the embodiment of avian majesty and power. His feathered form shimmered as a warm gust swirled around him, a tangible display of his command over wind magic.
His opponent, Aridorn, carried an imposing aura of his own. His silver hair seemed to flow like mercury, capturing the ominous sheen of his cold eyes. As an Elf warrior, he drew upon the arcane forces at his command, his body language exuding icy determination.
As the starting signal echoed across the coliseum, the tension morphed into a dazzling spectacle of magical prowess. Aridorn was swift, initiating the duel with a "Frost Edge" attack that transformed his longsword into a chilling blade of freezing energy.
Skyblitz, ever the master of the wind, reacted with perfect timing. His "Wind Blade" took form, a blade of compressed air that met Aridorn's icy onslaught head-on. The crowd erupted into cheers, the sheer display of magical mastery a feast for their eyes.
The battle raged on, morphing into an intense back-and-forth between the two combatants. Aridorn kept on the offensive, wielding his chilling magic to launch a series of potent attacks. His "Glacial Wall" forced Skyblitz to keep his distance, while his "Frost Spears" kept the Aarakocra on his talons.
Skyblitz was not to be outdone. His mastery over wind magic was a spectacle in itself. His agile movements, augmented by "Gale Dash," allowed him to evade Aridorn's icy attacks with an effortless grace that seemed almost choreographed. His "Tempest Cyclone" countered Aridorn's defenses, the swirling vortex of wind magic breaking through the icy wall Aridorn had erected.
This thrilling exchange of magic and martial prowess continued, each warrior holding his ground. The crowd watched, breathless, as the two powerhouses collided, each new clash raising the stakes.
Eventually, however, Skyblitz decided it was time to end the match. Channeling his wind magic, he executed his final move, an attack he had perfected over years of rigorous training. "Twister Throw!" he bellowed, the powerful shout resonating across the coliseum.
In a swift, fluid motion, Skyblitz seized Aridorn, his powerful wings carrying them high above the arena. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he summoned a powerful tornado around them, his wind magic swirling with an intensity that left everyone breathless.
The force of the wind spun them around, accelerating until Aridorn was a mere blur in the eye of the storm. With a final, powerful shout, Skyblitz threw Aridorn, propelling him with the force of the swirling wind.
Aridorn plummeted to the ground, his descent marked by a tailwind of force. The impact echoed throughout the coliseum, the ground quaking beneath the force. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view as the crowd held its breath.
When the dust finally settled, Aridorn was revealed, unconscious and defeated, cradled in the heart of a massive crater. Skyblitz landed elegantly on the battlefield, his victory secured.
"Victory to Skyblitz of the Brotherhood!" Razzle Fizzlebop's voice echoed around the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, their exhilaration shaking the coliseum.
Skyblitz, despite his victory, did not celebrate. His expression was serious, his gaze focused. His mind was already on the battles to come. The Grand Arcana Tournament was far from over, and the Brotherhood was ready to face whatever came next.
As the dust from the previous battle cleared, the Brotherhood gathered in a huddle. Their attention was fixated on Redroot, the Goliath, whose presence was as sturdy and intimidating as a fortress of stone.
"Redroot," Askari began, looking up at his towering friend. "We've seen you hold back, always opting to shield rather than strike. This time, let them witness your true power. Be the landslide, not just the mountain."
Skyblitz joined in, a spark of anticipation illuminating his avian eyes. "You've got this, Red. Make the ground tremble beneath your might."
Redroot nodded solemnly, acknowledging the encouraging words of his companions. "The earth shall quake in my honor."
The crowd's excited chatter fell silent as Razzle Fizzlebop made the next announcement. "Step forward, Redroot of the Brotherhood and Snigg of the Revenant Reapers!"
Snigg, a small yet wiry goblin, walked onto the battlefield, an air of dark magic surrounding him. Redroot followed, his imposing figure causing a wave of silence to sweep across the spectators. The air around him rippled with earth magic, projecting an image that was equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying.
With a mighty roar, Redroot charged at Snigg, his fist colliding with Snigg's in a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves pulsing through the coliseum. It was a clash of raw strength against potent magic, and the crowd watched in awe as the battle unfolded.
Snigg was swift and cunning, employing his dark magic with a surprising finesse. His "Shadow Warp" allowed him to dodge Redroot's massive strikes and retaliate with "Abyssal Shards." However, Redroot was no easy target. His earth magic countered Snigg's attacks, his "Stone Fist" shattering Snigg's dark energy projectiles while his "Earth Shield" offered unyielding defense.
Despite Snigg's agility and cunning, Redroot stood firm, countering with powerful attacks of his own. He used his "Granite Grasp" to trap Snigg, while his "Boulder Bash" sent the goblin sprawling across the battlefield.
The back-and-forth continued, each fighter displaying their unique set of skills to the fullest. Snigg continued to exploit his nimbleness and dark magic, but Redroot remained a formidable opponent, his resolve as unshakeable as the earth he commanded.
As the battle reached a fever pitch, Redroot decided to end the duel. Gathering his earth magic, he channeled it into a final, devastating attack. With a roar that echoed throughout the coliseum, Redroot slammed his fists into the ground, calling out, "Tectonic Rupture!"
The ground beneath them trembled and shook, a wave of stone and earth erupting beneath Snigg. The goblin had no time to react as the force of the attack knocked him off his feet, sending him crashing onto the battlefield.
When the dust finally settled, Snigg lay unconscious, the aftermath of Redroot's attack evident in the crater surrounding him. Razzle Fizzlebop's announcement of Redroot's victory echoed across the coliseum, met with a deafening roar of approval from the crowd.
The Brotherhood cheered for their friend, their voices drowned out by the thunderous applause. Despite his victory, Redroot remained humble, a gentle smile playing on his lips. His victory wasn't for himself; it was for his friends and the bond they shared. For the Brotherhood, this was just the beginning, and they were ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
As the dust from Redroot's battle settled, the Brotherhood gathered once more. This time, their focus was on Joneson, the Paladin oathbreaker, a man whose past was filled with guilt and redemption, and whose power stemmed from the void itself.
His fellow warriors gave him a solid, reassuring clap on the shoulder. "You've got this, Joneson. You're a Paladin, through and through. Oathbreaker or not, you uphold honor and justice like no other," Skyblitz said, his avian eyes flicking with a hint of admiration.
The others nodded in agreement. Redroot’s gravelly voice echoed Skyblitz's sentiment. "You're not just a warrior, Joneson. You’re a protector. That's your strength."
The air filled with anticipation as Razzle Fizzlebop's voice once again echoed across the coliseum. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final bout of this round. Step forward, Joneson of the Brotherhood and Zul'Kur of the Revenant Reapers!"
Zul'Kur was a towering figure, adorned with intricate tribal tattoos glowing with an arcane energy. He was an orc shaman, known for his potent spirit magic. A formidable opponent, one who had won his previous battles with a ruthless and savage efficiency.
Joneson walked onto the battlefield, his aura of void energy cloaking him like a shadow. Despite the cheering crowd, a sense of stillness enveloped him. His expression was calm, his gaze steady, the air around him seeming to warp slightly as his void magic reacted to his focused state of mind.
The fight began with a massive clash of magic, Joneson's void energy colliding with Zul'Kur's spirit magic. The crowd gasped as the arena filled with a blinding light, both fighters' powers creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Joneson was adept with his void magic, utilizing "Void Shield" to block Zul'Kur's spirit attacks, retaliating with his own "Shadow Strike." Zul'Kur was equally skilled, his spirit magic taking the form of ancestral warriors through his "Spirit Summon," each one engaging Joneson with ruthless ferocity.
Back and forth they went, each clash more intense than the last. Zul'Kur’s spirit magic was relentless, but Joneson’s void manipulation allowed him to absorb and deflect the attacks with increasing ease.
However, as the battle wore on, Joneson's void energy started to dominate the field. His "Abyssal Chains" attack ensnared Zul'Kur's spirit warriors, dissolving them into nothingness. His "Black Hole Strike" pulled Zul'Kur off balance, allowing Joneson to land a decisive "Void Punch."
Just as it seemed that Joneson was gaining the upper hand, a commotion stirred from the sidelines. The previously defeated members of The Revenant Reapers rushed into the arena, their expressions desperate and wild.
The crowd gasped as Galros, Grimmhilt, Aridorn, and Snigg stood beside Zul'Kur, their powers radiating menacingly. The odds had abruptly shifted. Joneson, though strong, was now standing against the full force of The Revenant Reapers.
The anticipation was thick as the crowd watched in shocked silence. The Brotherhood stood at the sidelines, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. The stage was set for a showdown like no other, the true test of the Brotherhood's unity and strength yet to come.
The Revenant Reapers' aggressive entrance onto the stage was met with mixed reactions from the crowd, the Brotherhood, and most interestingly, from Joneson himself. The Reapers exuded a sinister, dark energy as they joined Zul'Kur in facing Joneson.
In the Brotherhood's corner, Skyblitz was already halfway into his takeoff, his wings ruffling in anticipation, ready to swoop down and help Joneson. Redroot had tightened his grip on his massive boulder hammer, his eyes reflecting a fierce determination.
But, it was Askari who raised his hand, signaling them to halt. His eyes were locked onto the scene unfolding before them, a calm yet intense look etched onto his face.
"This is his fight," Askari's voice cut through the rising tension. The words were met with immediate confusion and even protest.
"But they're outnumbering him, Askari," IraTater argued, his draconic eyes glaring towards the spectacle in the arena.
Askari, however, was resolute. "Joneson has a strength we've not yet seen. He's been holding back, for reasons only he knows," he continued, his gaze never leaving the center of the coliseum.
There was a pause before Askari recounted a tale, one of a Paladin who had broken his oath to protect those he loved. It was a tale of guilt and redemption, of strength and love. The tale of Joneson, their comrade, their brother in arms. The Brotherhood listened in silence, their eyes now understanding the depth of Joneson's power that lay dormant.
Back in the arena, Joneson stood steady, his gaze meeting Askari's. There was a silent communication, a nod of acknowledgement, and an understanding. It was time.
Without breaking his gaze from the Reapers, Joneson muttered an incantation under his breath. As the words left his lips, the air around him started to warp, and a cold chill swept across the coliseum. His eyes began to gleam with an ethereal light as the Oathbreaker's Seal began to break.
"Void Infinity," he whispered. The two words carried a weight, a promise, and a threat. The darkness swallowed the arena, blotting out the light and encasing the battleground in an impenetrable shroud. The Reapers, about to attack, found themselves in a sea of uncertainty.
Out of the engulfing void emerged figures, formless yet formidable, each a living embodiment of void energy. With every word of Joneson's continued incantation, they grew stronger, their presence more intimidating.
The Reapers tried to retaliate, but their attacks were swallowed by the void. The shadowy figures closed in, a relentless storm of dark energy that crushed their resistance and drowned their cries. The sheer force of the onslaught sent shockwaves through the arena, causing the crowd to gasp in awe.
When the darkness finally receded, the scene that emerged was one of utter devastation. The Reapers lay strewn across the battleground, their energies depleted, their pride shattered.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the echo of "Joneson" resonating throughout the arena. As the Brotherhood rushed to join their victorious comrade in the center, their smiles were as wide as they were proud.
With his friends surrounding him, Joneson looked at each one of them, his eyes softening. The void magic around him faded, replaced by a warm aura. This was more than just a victory. It was a testament of their friendship, their trust, and their unyielding brotherhood. They had emerged triumphant, and for the time being, they could bask in their victory.
It was a powerful conclusion to a stunning display of magic and camaraderie. The Grand Arcana Tournament was far from over, but the Brotherhood had made their mark, and they were ready for whatever came next.
2023.06.02 17:30 Twinkysheep Druid - Animal Friends build
Just because I'm sure there will be other folks out there who want to bring their fluffy, feathery and thorny friends along...
Do not sleep on hard maxing Creeper as fast as you can, and find yourself a legendary weapon with the Wearbear skill triggers 300% poison damage nuke (The Aspect is way tf down in the bottom west of the world map, good luck getting down there to do the dungeon early. Fish for a weapon roll via Obels). Storm basic with Vuln chance, Pulverise with Stun (Must be healthy, easy to do with a shielding ability like-), Bulwark with Unstoppable, Wolves with Fortify on hit (Attack speed is fine, you'll be looking out for crit at 40+ anyway), Raven with Vulnerable (Storm basic also works but this is AoE, ranged, fast and no RNG), Creeper with 3 extra seconds of active poison ramps the damage, then take I, II and III of +10% Companion skill damage. Ignore ultimate skills for the time being, upon reaching the bottom tree take the 30% damage boost wearbear option. Proceed to absolutely nuke things with Raven>Creeper>Pulverise>Wolf. Two handed weapons appear to offer the best damage option.
When completing the druid spirit class quest, all other Boons are personal taste but make sure you have the 20% chance on crit to reset all Companion ability skills boon. With crit on gear, I've managed to line up 3 consecutive Raven>Creeper>Pulverise>Wolf combos. Wolves are also a great tool for clicking on an archer that's bothering you and watching it vanish.
Build Vulnerable, Overpower, Companion and Poison damage boosts, but prioritise crit chance whereever you can feasibly get it. Taking % crit talents in the ability tree is highly recommended. Obviously take any gear that boosts Companion skills, but Creeper especially as this is your big nuke.
Enjoy the word vomit. I realise there are likely more effective builds out there for Druid, this is for the other Animal Friends players specifically. If you have any recommendations to add, feel free.
submitted by Twinkysheep to diablo4 [link] [comments]
Do not sleep on hard maxing Creeper as fast as you can, and find yourself a legendary weapon with the Wearbear skill triggers 300% poison damage nuke (The Aspect is way tf down in the bottom west of the world map, good luck getting down there to do the dungeon early. Fish for a weapon roll via Obels). Storm basic with Vuln chance, Pulverise with Stun (Must be healthy, easy to do with a shielding ability like-), Bulwark with Unstoppable, Wolves with Fortify on hit (Attack speed is fine, you'll be looking out for crit at 40+ anyway), Raven with Vulnerable (Storm basic also works but this is AoE, ranged, fast and no RNG), Creeper with 3 extra seconds of active poison ramps the damage, then take I, II and III of +10% Companion skill damage. Ignore ultimate skills for the time being, upon reaching the bottom tree take the 30% damage boost wearbear option. Proceed to absolutely nuke things with Raven>Creeper>Pulverise>Wolf. Two handed weapons appear to offer the best damage option.
When completing the druid spirit class quest, all other Boons are personal taste but make sure you have the 20% chance on crit to reset all Companion ability skills boon. With crit on gear, I've managed to line up 3 consecutive Raven>Creeper>Pulverise>Wolf combos. Wolves are also a great tool for clicking on an archer that's bothering you and watching it vanish.
Build Vulnerable, Overpower, Companion and Poison damage boosts, but prioritise crit chance whereever you can feasibly get it. Taking % crit talents in the ability tree is highly recommended. Obviously take any gear that boosts Companion skills, but Creeper especially as this is your big nuke.
Enjoy the word vomit. I realise there are likely more effective builds out there for Druid, this is for the other Animal Friends players specifically. If you have any recommendations to add, feel free.
2023.06.02 17:28 trollthumper [Comics] I'm With Stupid: Marvel's Civil War
So, we already discussed what DC was doing to match the tenor of the early years of the War on Terror: A grim, smarter-than-it-thinks miniseries full of gratuitous rape that was meant to take the shine off the Silver Age by showing the darker side of its greatest heroes. Marvel, on the other hand, was trying to find a way to capture the zeitgeist of a post-9/11 era of existential threats, constant government surveillance, and the idea that if you weren’t with America, you were against it. A Captain America storyline saw Cap wrestle with the very concept of Guantanamo Bay; like any story arc that involves Cap doubting whether America lives up to its ideals, this made certain conservatives pissy, to the point that bad movie cataloguer Michael Medved wrote an entire article asking if Cap was a traitor. Avengers Disassembled briefly saw the Avengers face down their demons, as the Scarlet Witch goes crazy (again) and starts killing team members, her reality manipulations causing fault lines to form among Marvel’s greatest superteam. But there hadn’t yet been a storyline that would tie the entire Marvel Universe together with the burning question, “Which side are you on?”
Yeah, it’s got nothing to do with the Sokovia Accords. We’d be a lot better off if it did.
Part 1: Mark Millar’s March to the C-Word
Content Warning: Sexual assault. None of this is germane to the topic of the drama, so feel free to skip ahead to Part 1.5 if you don’t want to deal with this. Tl;dr: Mark Millar, the writer of the event, has a near pathological need to be a 3edgy5u contrarian.
Every comics crossover is ultimately a chance for one creative in the stable to shine or falter. The editors pick a writer who has turned out dependable work and give them a chance to try to alter the status quo but good. And for Civil War, Marvel’s EiC Joe Quesada decided the best person to lead the charge was Ultimates writer Mark Millar.
But who is Millar? Well, we could say “edgelord” and leave it at that, but we’re trying to dig deeper. Millar came up in comics alongside fellow Scot Grant Morrison, long before Morrison said the only time they want to bump into Millar on the streets of Glasgow is while going at 100 miles per hour. This antipathy is alleged to have stemmed from Millar copping several ideas from Morrison that went into Superman: Red Son. But after getting a start on Superman Adventures and as a cowriter on parts of Morrison’s JLA run, Millar soon branched out to WildStorm, where he took over The Authority from departing creatowritesex pest Warren Ellis.
The reason I bring up Red Son (for those non-geeks, an alternative universe comic premised on “What if Superman’s rocket had landed in Soviet Russia?”) is to frame a constant refrain about Mark Millar. He has good high-concept ideas… which often get trammeled up in an almost Pavlovian urge to shock, disturb, and/or titillate the reader. For instance, in The Authority, Ellis had introduced Apollo and Midnighter, two close companions who just happened to share the rough power sets and demeanors of Superman and Batman, with a few tweaks. Then he revealed they were boyfriends, which was a pretty bold move for a late Nineties comic book full of widescreen action and lovingly-rendered eviscerations.
In Millar’s first arc on the title, centered on a villainous Jack Kirby clone sending out a team of baddies who totally aren’t the Avengers, Apollo is subdued and is strongly implied to have been raped by someone who’s not Captain America. Apollo gets revenge by destroying EvilCap’s spinal column with his laser vision, then leaving him to the tender mercies of Midnighter, who is strongly implied to have sodomized him with a jackhammer.
In case you can’t tell, Millar loved him some rape. And it kept showing up in his creator-owned titles as well, all of which were basically written as Hollywood pitch docs. Wanted asks the question, “What if the supervillains won and secretly ruled the world from behind the scenes?” Well, an Eminem clone would take the opportunity to step into his dead villainous dad’s shoes and commit a lot of rape (yeah, there’s a reason the movie version replaced this with basically the Euthanatos from Mage: the Ascension getting orders from a magic loom). Chosen asks the question, “What if Jesus were born today?” Well, in a blatantly obvious twist, it turns out he’s actually the Antichrist, and part of his journey into realizing his evil nature involves being raped by all the demons of Hell.
It’s not that Millar can’t write innocent or restrained; he got started on the Superman: the Animated Series comic spin-off, and some of his titles such as Huck and Starlight have been praised for being relatively wholesome (keep in mind Huck is basically “What if Superman was Forrest Gump?” when I say “relatively”). And, as mentioned above, his works are made for high-concept log lines. You might recognize some of his various pitch docs: Kick-Ass, The Secret Service (source for the Kingsman movies), and, as mentioned above, Wanted. It’s just there’s this unctuous contrarian streak to a lot of his titles, a tendency to focus on venality, grotesquerie, and sodomy, with an air of pop culture edge. This also leaked into his image outside of his writing, with comments like “Games are for pedos” and ventures like the creator-owned comics periodical CLiNT (yes, the kerning is intentional). This streak continues to this day, as The Magic Order, a title that emerged from his deal with Netflix, features a magical escapologist who, she feels it very important to tell the reader in a direct monologue, escaped her own abortion. Bottom line, Millar has a sense of vision, but it’s betrayed at times by this reflexive desire to prove he’s smarter than the reader, to rub your face in the contradictions and make you a party to the artifice of it all. Usually with a dash of rape.
But at Marvel, Millar was riding the lightning of the Ultimate Universe. His Ultimates title was drawing on the wide-screen action image of JLA and The Authority, creating the cinematic language that would come to define the MCU. The choice to fantasy cast Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury is why we have Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. He also painted the Hulk as a cannibalistic monster, cemented Hank Pym’s reputation as a wifebeater, and gave us Captain America yelling “Surrender? Do you think this A on my head stands for France?”, so let’s just keep that in perspective.
But the Ultimate Universe was its own pocket universe. Millar was being tapped to write a story for Earth-616, the main Marvel Universe. And he had a vision:
Part 1.5: What Has Come Before
Ultimately, the crux of Civil War is something that has been explored lightly in the past at Marvel: The idea that, instead of being unlicensed vigilantes who decide the best solution of societal issues is to beat up assholes in spandex, superheroes become licensed government officers that register their true identities with Uncle Sam and solve societal issues by beating up assholes in spandex. In Marvel’s history, it hasn’t gone well. The reality of government liaisons to superhero bodies has ranged from Valerie Cooper, who worked with government mutant team X-Factor but still found herself backing the genocidal Sentinel program as a big “Yeah, but what if…?”, to Henry Peter Gyrich, an inflamed obstructionist asshole who had to be held back from flipping a switch that would depower every superhuman individual on Earth. The idea of heroes themselves bristling against a government they disagreed with had a long history, as there was a period where Steve Rogers quit being Captain America, and the government had to find a replacement while he rode around on a motorcycle in a surprisingly slutty costume. But the idea of registering with the government has usually ended up on the “No” side due to one big cohort at Marvel: Mutants.
Ever since the days of Chris Claremont, a general conceit of the Marvel Universe is that mutants are a stand-in for your minority group of choice. Hated and feared, born different and feeling alienated, painted as an existential menace and threat to the status quo. Of course, it’s long been pointed out that the metaphor breaks down on the general grounds that, say, gays can’t shoot laser beams out of their eyes. I have my thoughts on that which I might share in the comments if someone pokes me hard enough, but it’s been general editorial consensus that people with powers, especially those of persecuted minorities, being compelled to share their true names, addresses, and natures with the federal government is a “That train’s never late!” move. Not only that, it’s a slippery slope. The classic X-Men story “Days of Future Past” is entirely premised on the idea that a government program of genocidal robots built to wipe out mutants will eventually run out of mutants… and then start turning on humans who could give birth to mutants, and then it’s Skynet all over again.
Another running meme in the Marvel Universe is that the X-Men usually exist in a Schrodinger’s cat situation with the rest of the superhero universe, both coexisting and in their own worlds. Yes, mutants have served on the Avengers, and yes, Thor intervened when the Morlocks were nearly wiped out in the sewers under New York. But Captain America, for all his proud statements of living up to America’s ideals, has a habit of missing the plot whenever the US government (or Canada, seat of all the Marvel Universe’s governmental evils - no, really) decides it’s Genocide O’Clock. And when the mutant nation of Genosha was completely wiped out by said murder robots, the Avengers seemed to be all “New phone who dis?” But when the two do intersect, there’s usually support for the mutants. One story in Fantastic Four had Reed Richards - Mr. Fantastic, stretchy man, greatest genius in the Marvel Universe, guy who’s probably being cucked by a fish-man - get tapped by the US government to make a device that detects mutants and other people with powers. He does… and then uses it to show why the government probably doesn’t want it, as it pings several members of Congress as having just enough genetic variation to qualify as “mutants,” even if they don’t have powers.
All in all, while the argument has some merit, for years, Marvel has come down on the position that asking people with powers to reveal their identities to the federal government is something that could go really bad if somebody with a hate-on for superheroes ends up in power. Something that would never happen oh yeah it totally did. But before it all went to Hell, Civil War at least gave an opportunity to reexamine the concept and see if it had merit.
It might have. But not with this argument.
Part 1.75: What Else Has Happened Before?
And now, some things that will ultimately give context for what happens next:
The big kick-off for Civil War involves the New Warriors, a team of teen heroes who have, as of a recently canceled series, been trying to make it big as reality TV stars. They get in a fight with a bunch of villains in the small town of Stamford, CT, when exploding villain Nitro goes positively nuclear, resulting in a blast much bigger than any he’s generated. [1] Not only does this mostly wipe out the New Warriors (save for kinetic energy-absorbing goofball Speedball), but it also happens to hit a nearby school. In the end, 612 people are dead, many of them children, and the nation wants answers.
With public opinion turning against the New Warriors, former member Hindsight starts leaking secret identities to get the heat off his back. This only makes things worse. Secret identities have only recently stopped being a thing for some heroes: Captain America only came out a few years ago, it was only recently that Tony Stark stopped pretending Iron Man was his bodyguard, and Daredevil was almost outed in the pages of his book. But something needs to be done, so Tony helps work with Congress to pass the Super Human Registration Act, which requires that all people with powers or working as vigilantes register their identities with the government to receive training and oversight. If you don’t? Believe it or not, jail, right away.
Fault lines quickly develop in the superhero community. While Tony is leading the “pro” side, alongside Reed Richards (yeah, we’ll get to that), Captain America, usually painted as the embodiment of the dream of America despite its compromised history and many sins, is against it. He’s lived through Richard Nixon being a secret fascist and shooting himself in the head after being fingered as mastermind of a vast criminal conspiracy (yes, that happened ); he knows how badly this could go in the wrong hands. Needless to say, Maria Hill and SHIELD hear his concerns, understand his problems with it, and are willing to iron out the kinks through reasoned debate.
Just kidding. Before the law has even been signed, Maria sics SHIELD’s elite Cape-Killers squad on Cap with the intent of getting him behind bars. Cap swiftly goes underground and starts his own group of anti-registration superheroes.
The fight continues for the next few issues. Spider-Man, caught in the middle, reveals himself to be Peter Parker at a press conference, declaring his support for the SHRA. Doctor Strange is so powerful that he tells the government to fuck off, and somehow, Maria Hill doesn’t decide to go charging up his asshole. Ben Grimm, the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing, is so sick of all the conflict he goes to France. But things are still at a stalemate, and while SHIELD may be acting like a bunch of merry assholes, it seems like there’s a debate to be had that could still be resolved reasonably… except for one key factor.
Part 3: I Fought the Law, and the Law… Huh?
No one ever really defined what the Super Human Registration Act, the legislation that tore the Marvel Universe’s superhero community asunder, did. Every book that had an issue that touched on the event seemed to have a different understanding of its principles, as well as just how fascist it might be in the long run. In the pages of She-Hulk, attorney Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk argues the law is a net good, as it gives heroes the backing and resources they need to not have to go it alone, while also having some measure of government oversight. In the pages of Civil War Frontline (oh, and we’ll get back to Civil War Frontline, don’t you worry), Wonder Man is told by the government that he needs to do a job for them, and if he refuses, well, one thousand years dungeon.
Which then leads into the other issue behind the SHRA. Namely, that everyone in favor was either starting to swing towards fascism or embracing bootlicking as a lifestyle, not a kink. In the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, Peter asks Reed Richards, who has always bucked authority and once stopped the US government from doing something just like this with mutants, why he’s pro-registration. Reed then reveals that an uncle who has never been mentioned before was called before HUAC; he refused to name names, his career was ruined, and he killed himself. From this, Reed - the man who stole a rocketship because the government said “no” to his planned space voyage - has learned that the government is always right, especially when they could step on your neck (this was received so badly that a later comic revealed he’d actually borrowed the concept of psychohistory from Asimov’s Foundation, he’d made it work somehow, and his calculations showed that this was the only way to avoid a greater disaster). This comic also revealed that people who were in violation of the SHRA were sent to a literal extradimensional Gitmo, a prison in the Negative Zone that later comics would reveal was overseen by… Captain Marvel. No, not that one. No, not that one. The Kree superhero Captain Mar-Vell, who had famously died of cancer decades before. How did he come back from the dead? Fuck if we know.
This “the law says what you want it to say” approach spread across various books and miniseries meant to cross over into the event. In the pages of a crossover mini between the Runaways and the Young Avengers, this meant SHIELD Cape-Killer squads were using lethal force against teenagers. The second-to-last issue of the mini ends with several members of both teams in extradimensional Gitmo, about to be dissected by a guy who’s horny for torture. The fact that all the captive heroes were the queer members of both teams? Total coincidence. Honestly.
So, it quickly becomes clear that the editorial control on this event is less than cohesive. There are different ideas all over as to what the SHRA does, and some of those ideas are tacking pretty fashy. But if the law is being painted as that bad, then clearly, there must be some greater statement of freedom vs. security. Maybe Millar’s really painting a subversive picture of what happens when you trade liberty for control, right?
Part 4: Why Do You Hate the Good Thing?
After the publication of Civil War #3, Millar would say in an interview he was actually pro-registration. I can’t find that interview, but here’s a similar sentiment shared years later:
So here’s what happens in the pages of Civil War #3 to sell the audience on the SHRA:
Part 5: Yadda, Yadda, Yadda
The next few issues of Civil War might best be described as “They fight, and fight, and fight and fight and fight.” The anti-registration side picks up The Punisher, Marvel’s most avowed murderer of criminals - and Cap is somewhat shocked but not entirely surprised when two minor villains join the anti-registration side and Frank promptly kills them on sight. Spider-Man starts realizing things are weird on the pro-reg side and defects, after he has set his entire life on fire. The X-Men have continued to stay out of this whole mess. In the lead-up, Emma Frost called Tony out on the Avengers’ complete absence when Genosha got nuked. Later, Carol Danvers (then Ms. Marvel, now Captain Marvel) will show up at the Xavier School to pitch the SHRA just after a massive terrorist attack kills dozens of students. Emma responds by telepathically dogwalking her.
By the final issue of the miniseries, the SHRA has expanded out into the Fifty States Initiative, wherein each state gets its own superteam. There’s a big final battle, Hercules kills Robo-Thor, and Cap nearly takes out Tony, only to be stopped by… the heroes of 9/11. No shit, Captain America is subdued by cops, firefighters, and paramedics. And when that happens, Cap finally takes a look around, realizes their big ideological street brawl has resulted in collateral damage, and surrenders. The SHRA wins, though Tony feels a little bad about it. Cap is ready to stand trial and to argue that, while he may have done something wrong, he did it for the right reasons.
Once again: Yeah. About that.
Part 6: MySpace Tom Didn’t Die For This
Running alongside Civil War is Civil War Frontline, a street-level book written by Paul Jenkins that managed to capture this world-breaking conflict through the eyes of people on the street. Though it has side stories, its main leads are Ben Urich, Peter Parker’s journalist buddy at The Daily Bugle, and the aforementioned Sally Floyd. Throughout the series, they start to realize there’s a story underneath the SHRA, as if somebody is playing the angles.
Before we talk about that conclusion, let’s talk about a side story. Remember how we said part of the comics community saw Identity Crisis as a driven effort to make things less “wacky” and intentionally darken the DCU? Well, that same tonal approach led to one of the more laughable moments of a pretty laughable arc. See, despite the fact that, as established, it was Nitro who blew up Stamford, it’s Speedball, the only survivor of the New Warriors, that views himself as responsible and is held up as a scapegoat by the general public. In addition, the blast screwed up his powers. Now, he doesn’t absorb and reflect kinetic energy; rather, he generates energy based on pain. So, he builds himself a new, extreme outfit lined with 612 spikes, one for each person who died in Stamford. This will drive his crusade to make things right - not as Speedball… but as Penance.
It was so laughably DeviantArt “OC do not steal” that no one could take it seriously. Look what you did, you took a perfectly good goofball and gave him an emo streak. The turn is swiftly mocked in other Marvel books, and it’s eventually revealed that Speedball still had his original powerset and always intended to put Nitro in the Goofy Suit of Dark Inner Torment as punishment for his crimes. But this turn gives you a sense of the tone and heft Jenkins was bringing to the proceedings.
Anyway, back to the main plot. Ben and Sally follow the thread as Namor, as he is wont to do, declares war on the surface world after an Atlantean diplomat is shot. But it turns out the assassination was arranged by Norman Osborn, who decided it was better to beg forgiveness than ask permission and manipulated Atlantis into war so that Tony could have another piece of evidence for getting superhumans on a leash. And the two journalists deduce that, on some level, Tony had to know this would be an inevitable outcome of giving state backing to an unhinged mogul who dresses like a Power Rangers villain. Weighing what to do with this information, Ben and Sally, who are kind of sick of the collateral damage by this point, sit on it while they go in for an interview with Captain America, now in custody and willing to tell his side of the story.
And then. And then. The monologue. If you want a lesson in how to assassinate a character in 30 seconds or less, this monologue is a great example. Sally Floyd calls Captain America out as completely divorced from American values. Now, again, Captain America has long served as the beating liberal heart of the Marvel Universe. He has always represented an America that reckons with its legacy of things like internment camps, Manifest Destiny, and Jim Crow, in order to transcend these scars and embody the promise offered by Emma Lazarus’s New Colossus, carved on the side of the Statue of Liberty. Why is he out of touch with Americans at the dawn of the 21st century?
Well, he’s never heard of MySpace. [2] He doesn’t watch NASCAR. He doesn’t follow American Idol. There are pop culture moments that have aged like milk; this one had all the permanence of an ice cream cone in a blast furnace. But despite the inanity of Floyd’s argument - and trust me, there are fan edits dedicated to Cap pointing out how full of shit this argument is - it’s clear it represents something else. This is a post-9/11 world. Fuck civil liberties, we have a no-fly list and Gitmo, and if the American people really cared, they’d do something other than watch Simon Cowell read aspiring singers to filth. What does Captain America stand for in this moment of crisis?
Nothing. Because he just looks away from Sally Floyd. No doubt thinking, “Oh my God this bitch.” But to underline the argument in question, Sally storms out of the interview, Ben in tow. She still has that information on Norman Osborn’s false flag operation… and while she and Ben confront Tony on everything that went down, they decide the story should never see the light of day. Because they wouldn’t dare jeopardize the SHRA, because security is more important than the truth.
Oh. And then Cap gets shot. And dies. He totally dies (except he doesn’t but we’ll get to that). If ever there was an unintentional thesis statement for this event, running in the late stages of the Bush era, it would be this: “It’s better to trust that the powers that be who oversee the new America will keep you safe, even when they stage false flag operations, stick you in a gulag, and put their trust in monsters. All that civil liberty stuff was the old America. And the old America was hopeless. It wasn’t even on MySpace.”
Epilogue: Consequences Keep Consequencing
As you can tell from that last paragraph, a lot of the fan reception to Civil War likely had a lot to do with the period. This was the Bush era, a time where you were for America or against it. We were in the shadow of the Patriot Act, Gitmo, and widespread wiretaps, paranoid about what civil liberty we’d be asked to put on the pyre next in the name of Freedom. A story all about the warm, clenching fist of government control that tells you to ignore the collateral damage… well, it wasn’t great for the cultural moment.
The ideas of Civil War aren’t necessarily bad ones. I frame Cap as the liberal dream of what America could be, but there are good arguments to be made that America has never been that and Cap is just copium for liberals. His most recent title, Sentinel of Liberty, opens with Steve saying he is out of touch with the average American - not because he doesn’t watch NASCAR, but because he’s a WWII veteran who looks maybe 30 years old at most and whose best friends are all superheroes or spies. A narrative that has him on the wrong side of the issue and detonates his beliefs isn’t impossible, but it probably shouldn’t be one where people who got powers due to a fluke of birth or a radiation accident are told by the government, “Join with us or we’ll send supervillains after you.” Hell, as the Civil War movie proves, there is a way to tell a story about a superhero community torn in half by the idea of mandatory registration as government-controlled actors, and just why people would think that could be a bad idea (“Hey, remember when a good chunk of our intelligence apparatus turned out to be Nazi stay behinds?”).
But in the context of the era, and coupled with the execution, Civil War felt like a hard sell, and you could feel the thumb pressing on the scale every second while reading it. The moral center of the Marvel Universe is wrong, the winning side employs sadistic murderers and has an extradimensional Gitmo, and the writer is telling you that any sane individual would be on Team Green Goblin Employer.
So how did that all work out? Well…
[1] This is eventually explored in the pages of Wolverine, of all books, as Wolverine decides maybe somebody should track down the person who actually killed hundreds of children. It’s revealed that Nitro was given power-boosting drugs by the CEO of Damage Control, Marvel’s designated “clean up after the super-battle” corporation, as a way of generating business. In a sign of how little this matters, Wolverine tells Maria Hill to her face that the person responsible for a mass casualty event is the pawn of a powerful conspiracy, and she basically says, “Not my problem.” Cobie Smulders must thank the gods that her Maria Hill is written as somebody with basic human decency.
[2] Hilariously, when Sally Floyd was brought back during Nick Spencer’s Captain America run because no one had piled enough dung on her corpse, this line was retconned to her asking him about Twitter. Given everything Elon’s been doing lately, we’ll see if that ages just as poorly.
submitted by trollthumper to HobbyDrama [link] [comments]
Yeah, it’s got nothing to do with the Sokovia Accords. We’d be a lot better off if it did.
Part 1: Mark Millar’s March to the C-Word
Content Warning: Sexual assault. None of this is germane to the topic of the drama, so feel free to skip ahead to Part 1.5 if you don’t want to deal with this. Tl;dr: Mark Millar, the writer of the event, has a near pathological need to be a 3edgy5u contrarian.
Every comics crossover is ultimately a chance for one creative in the stable to shine or falter. The editors pick a writer who has turned out dependable work and give them a chance to try to alter the status quo but good. And for Civil War, Marvel’s EiC Joe Quesada decided the best person to lead the charge was Ultimates writer Mark Millar.
But who is Millar? Well, we could say “edgelord” and leave it at that, but we’re trying to dig deeper. Millar came up in comics alongside fellow Scot Grant Morrison, long before Morrison said the only time they want to bump into Millar on the streets of Glasgow is while going at 100 miles per hour. This antipathy is alleged to have stemmed from Millar copping several ideas from Morrison that went into Superman: Red Son. But after getting a start on Superman Adventures and as a cowriter on parts of Morrison’s JLA run, Millar soon branched out to WildStorm, where he took over The Authority from departing creatowritesex pest Warren Ellis.
The reason I bring up Red Son (for those non-geeks, an alternative universe comic premised on “What if Superman’s rocket had landed in Soviet Russia?”) is to frame a constant refrain about Mark Millar. He has good high-concept ideas… which often get trammeled up in an almost Pavlovian urge to shock, disturb, and/or titillate the reader. For instance, in The Authority, Ellis had introduced Apollo and Midnighter, two close companions who just happened to share the rough power sets and demeanors of Superman and Batman, with a few tweaks. Then he revealed they were boyfriends, which was a pretty bold move for a late Nineties comic book full of widescreen action and lovingly-rendered eviscerations.
In Millar’s first arc on the title, centered on a villainous Jack Kirby clone sending out a team of baddies who totally aren’t the Avengers, Apollo is subdued and is strongly implied to have been raped by someone who’s not Captain America. Apollo gets revenge by destroying EvilCap’s spinal column with his laser vision, then leaving him to the tender mercies of Midnighter, who is strongly implied to have sodomized him with a jackhammer.
In case you can’t tell, Millar loved him some rape. And it kept showing up in his creator-owned titles as well, all of which were basically written as Hollywood pitch docs. Wanted asks the question, “What if the supervillains won and secretly ruled the world from behind the scenes?” Well, an Eminem clone would take the opportunity to step into his dead villainous dad’s shoes and commit a lot of rape (yeah, there’s a reason the movie version replaced this with basically the Euthanatos from Mage: the Ascension getting orders from a magic loom). Chosen asks the question, “What if Jesus were born today?” Well, in a blatantly obvious twist, it turns out he’s actually the Antichrist, and part of his journey into realizing his evil nature involves being raped by all the demons of Hell.
It’s not that Millar can’t write innocent or restrained; he got started on the Superman: the Animated Series comic spin-off, and some of his titles such as Huck and Starlight have been praised for being relatively wholesome (keep in mind Huck is basically “What if Superman was Forrest Gump?” when I say “relatively”). And, as mentioned above, his works are made for high-concept log lines. You might recognize some of his various pitch docs: Kick-Ass, The Secret Service (source for the Kingsman movies), and, as mentioned above, Wanted. It’s just there’s this unctuous contrarian streak to a lot of his titles, a tendency to focus on venality, grotesquerie, and sodomy, with an air of pop culture edge. This also leaked into his image outside of his writing, with comments like “Games are for pedos” and ventures like the creator-owned comics periodical CLiNT (yes, the kerning is intentional). This streak continues to this day, as The Magic Order, a title that emerged from his deal with Netflix, features a magical escapologist who, she feels it very important to tell the reader in a direct monologue, escaped her own abortion. Bottom line, Millar has a sense of vision, but it’s betrayed at times by this reflexive desire to prove he’s smarter than the reader, to rub your face in the contradictions and make you a party to the artifice of it all. Usually with a dash of rape.
But at Marvel, Millar was riding the lightning of the Ultimate Universe. His Ultimates title was drawing on the wide-screen action image of JLA and The Authority, creating the cinematic language that would come to define the MCU. The choice to fantasy cast Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury is why we have Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. He also painted the Hulk as a cannibalistic monster, cemented Hank Pym’s reputation as a wifebeater, and gave us Captain America yelling “Surrender? Do you think this A on my head stands for France?”, so let’s just keep that in perspective.
But the Ultimate Universe was its own pocket universe. Millar was being tapped to write a story for Earth-616, the main Marvel Universe. And he had a vision:
“I opted instead for making the superhero dilemma something a little different. People thought they were dangerous, but they did not want a ban. What they wanted was superheroes paid by the federal government like cops and open to the same kind of scrutiny. It was the perfect solution and nobody, as far as I'm aware, has done this before.”Yeah. About that.
Part 1.5: What Has Come Before
Ultimately, the crux of Civil War is something that has been explored lightly in the past at Marvel: The idea that, instead of being unlicensed vigilantes who decide the best solution of societal issues is to beat up assholes in spandex, superheroes become licensed government officers that register their true identities with Uncle Sam and solve societal issues by beating up assholes in spandex. In Marvel’s history, it hasn’t gone well. The reality of government liaisons to superhero bodies has ranged from Valerie Cooper, who worked with government mutant team X-Factor but still found herself backing the genocidal Sentinel program as a big “Yeah, but what if…?”, to Henry Peter Gyrich, an inflamed obstructionist asshole who had to be held back from flipping a switch that would depower every superhuman individual on Earth. The idea of heroes themselves bristling against a government they disagreed with had a long history, as there was a period where Steve Rogers quit being Captain America, and the government had to find a replacement while he rode around on a motorcycle in a surprisingly slutty costume. But the idea of registering with the government has usually ended up on the “No” side due to one big cohort at Marvel: Mutants.
Ever since the days of Chris Claremont, a general conceit of the Marvel Universe is that mutants are a stand-in for your minority group of choice. Hated and feared, born different and feeling alienated, painted as an existential menace and threat to the status quo. Of course, it’s long been pointed out that the metaphor breaks down on the general grounds that, say, gays can’t shoot laser beams out of their eyes. I have my thoughts on that which I might share in the comments if someone pokes me hard enough, but it’s been general editorial consensus that people with powers, especially those of persecuted minorities, being compelled to share their true names, addresses, and natures with the federal government is a “That train’s never late!” move. Not only that, it’s a slippery slope. The classic X-Men story “Days of Future Past” is entirely premised on the idea that a government program of genocidal robots built to wipe out mutants will eventually run out of mutants… and then start turning on humans who could give birth to mutants, and then it’s Skynet all over again.
Another running meme in the Marvel Universe is that the X-Men usually exist in a Schrodinger’s cat situation with the rest of the superhero universe, both coexisting and in their own worlds. Yes, mutants have served on the Avengers, and yes, Thor intervened when the Morlocks were nearly wiped out in the sewers under New York. But Captain America, for all his proud statements of living up to America’s ideals, has a habit of missing the plot whenever the US government (or Canada, seat of all the Marvel Universe’s governmental evils - no, really) decides it’s Genocide O’Clock. And when the mutant nation of Genosha was completely wiped out by said murder robots, the Avengers seemed to be all “New phone who dis?” But when the two do intersect, there’s usually support for the mutants. One story in Fantastic Four had Reed Richards - Mr. Fantastic, stretchy man, greatest genius in the Marvel Universe, guy who’s probably being cucked by a fish-man - get tapped by the US government to make a device that detects mutants and other people with powers. He does… and then uses it to show why the government probably doesn’t want it, as it pings several members of Congress as having just enough genetic variation to qualify as “mutants,” even if they don’t have powers.
All in all, while the argument has some merit, for years, Marvel has come down on the position that asking people with powers to reveal their identities to the federal government is something that could go really bad if somebody with a hate-on for superheroes ends up in power. Something that would never happen oh yeah it totally did. But before it all went to Hell, Civil War at least gave an opportunity to reexamine the concept and see if it had merit.
It might have. But not with this argument.
Part 1.75: What Else Has Happened Before?
And now, some things that will ultimately give context for what happens next:
- In the pages of Thor, all of Asgard eventually runs headlong into Ragnarok. Thor and the rest of the Asgardians give their lives to save the earth, taking Thor off the board… for now.
- As mentioned above, the Avengers experience a critical fault due to Wanda going batshit (a common lament). With Avengers Mansion destroyed and the team at odds, it is eventually reunited under Tony Stark, who put the Avengers up in a tower he built.
- Nick Fury has vanished due to doing some skullduggery in the pages of the miniseries Secret War (no, not Secret Wars, this is different). Acting head of SHIELD, the all-purpose super spy squad of Marvel, is Maria Hill, who can’t seem to draw her pistol without shooting herself in the foot.
- Due to Wanda continuing to go batshit, the House of M crossover event ends with her casting a spell: “No more mutants.” While the damage is staunched, Earth-616’s population of mutants (which was recently established to be somewhere around 16 million) is reduced to 200, the rest being depowered or dying as a result of being depowered. This was because, as Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada said, the idea of mutants being everywhere made them “boring.” The fact that mutants were starting to be written less as a minority stand-in and more as an actual minority group with fashion, culture, music, and neighborhoods might have had something to do with that. From the wake of this event emerges Sally Floyd, a journalist whose own mutant daughter died before the mass depowering due to having a power that was more curse than blessing. The series Generation M follows her as the viewpoint character as she investigates the stories of former mutants.
The big kick-off for Civil War involves the New Warriors, a team of teen heroes who have, as of a recently canceled series, been trying to make it big as reality TV stars. They get in a fight with a bunch of villains in the small town of Stamford, CT, when exploding villain Nitro goes positively nuclear, resulting in a blast much bigger than any he’s generated. [1] Not only does this mostly wipe out the New Warriors (save for kinetic energy-absorbing goofball Speedball), but it also happens to hit a nearby school. In the end, 612 people are dead, many of them children, and the nation wants answers.
With public opinion turning against the New Warriors, former member Hindsight starts leaking secret identities to get the heat off his back. This only makes things worse. Secret identities have only recently stopped being a thing for some heroes: Captain America only came out a few years ago, it was only recently that Tony Stark stopped pretending Iron Man was his bodyguard, and Daredevil was almost outed in the pages of his book. But something needs to be done, so Tony helps work with Congress to pass the Super Human Registration Act, which requires that all people with powers or working as vigilantes register their identities with the government to receive training and oversight. If you don’t? Believe it or not, jail, right away.
Fault lines quickly develop in the superhero community. While Tony is leading the “pro” side, alongside Reed Richards (yeah, we’ll get to that), Captain America, usually painted as the embodiment of the dream of America despite its compromised history and many sins, is against it. He’s lived through Richard Nixon being a secret fascist and shooting himself in the head after being fingered as mastermind of a vast criminal conspiracy (yes, that happened ); he knows how badly this could go in the wrong hands. Needless to say, Maria Hill and SHIELD hear his concerns, understand his problems with it, and are willing to iron out the kinks through reasoned debate.
Just kidding. Before the law has even been signed, Maria sics SHIELD’s elite Cape-Killers squad on Cap with the intent of getting him behind bars. Cap swiftly goes underground and starts his own group of anti-registration superheroes.
The fight continues for the next few issues. Spider-Man, caught in the middle, reveals himself to be Peter Parker at a press conference, declaring his support for the SHRA. Doctor Strange is so powerful that he tells the government to fuck off, and somehow, Maria Hill doesn’t decide to go charging up his asshole. Ben Grimm, the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing, is so sick of all the conflict he goes to France. But things are still at a stalemate, and while SHIELD may be acting like a bunch of merry assholes, it seems like there’s a debate to be had that could still be resolved reasonably… except for one key factor.
Part 3: I Fought the Law, and the Law… Huh?
No one ever really defined what the Super Human Registration Act, the legislation that tore the Marvel Universe’s superhero community asunder, did. Every book that had an issue that touched on the event seemed to have a different understanding of its principles, as well as just how fascist it might be in the long run. In the pages of She-Hulk, attorney Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk argues the law is a net good, as it gives heroes the backing and resources they need to not have to go it alone, while also having some measure of government oversight. In the pages of Civil War Frontline (oh, and we’ll get back to Civil War Frontline, don’t you worry), Wonder Man is told by the government that he needs to do a job for them, and if he refuses, well, one thousand years dungeon.
Which then leads into the other issue behind the SHRA. Namely, that everyone in favor was either starting to swing towards fascism or embracing bootlicking as a lifestyle, not a kink. In the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, Peter asks Reed Richards, who has always bucked authority and once stopped the US government from doing something just like this with mutants, why he’s pro-registration. Reed then reveals that an uncle who has never been mentioned before was called before HUAC; he refused to name names, his career was ruined, and he killed himself. From this, Reed - the man who stole a rocketship because the government said “no” to his planned space voyage - has learned that the government is always right, especially when they could step on your neck (this was received so badly that a later comic revealed he’d actually borrowed the concept of psychohistory from Asimov’s Foundation, he’d made it work somehow, and his calculations showed that this was the only way to avoid a greater disaster). This comic also revealed that people who were in violation of the SHRA were sent to a literal extradimensional Gitmo, a prison in the Negative Zone that later comics would reveal was overseen by… Captain Marvel. No, not that one. No, not that one. The Kree superhero Captain Mar-Vell, who had famously died of cancer decades before. How did he come back from the dead? Fuck if we know.
This “the law says what you want it to say” approach spread across various books and miniseries meant to cross over into the event. In the pages of a crossover mini between the Runaways and the Young Avengers, this meant SHIELD Cape-Killer squads were using lethal force against teenagers. The second-to-last issue of the mini ends with several members of both teams in extradimensional Gitmo, about to be dissected by a guy who’s horny for torture. The fact that all the captive heroes were the queer members of both teams? Total coincidence. Honestly.
So, it quickly becomes clear that the editorial control on this event is less than cohesive. There are different ideas all over as to what the SHRA does, and some of those ideas are tacking pretty fashy. But if the law is being painted as that bad, then clearly, there must be some greater statement of freedom vs. security. Maybe Millar’s really painting a subversive picture of what happens when you trade liberty for control, right?
Part 4: Why Do You Hate the Good Thing?
After the publication of Civil War #3, Millar would say in an interview he was actually pro-registration. I can’t find that interview, but here’s a similar sentiment shared years later:
“Weirdly, some of the other writers would often make Tony the bad guy, which I thought was a strange choice because I was actually on Tony’s side... In the real world, if somebody had superpowers, I’d like them to be registered in the same way that somebody who has a gun has to carry a license. But a gun can kill several people while a superhero can kill several thousands of people, so on a pragmatic level I’m 100% on Tony’s side. Maybe on a romantic level, Cap’s position makes sense but I don’t think anybody in the real world would really want that."”And again, here’s the thing: He’s not entirely wrong. As said above, the idea of civil liberties for all and “free to me you and me” falls down a little when one of your neighbors can blow up a city block by thinking real hard. But Millar is fighting against years of ideological inertia in the Marvel Universe, as well as painting Captain America, the guy who has always embodied the ideal of a righteous, just America, as in the wrong. He needs to make one hell of an argument.
So here’s what happens in the pages of Civil War #3 to sell the audience on the SHRA:
- Thor comes back from the dead… and he’s on Tony’s side! Well, not really. Tony and Reed both realized that having one of the most beloved gods of the Marvel Universe come out on their side would be a big win… if only he wasn’t dead. So, they cloned him. Or rather, they T-800’d him, putting cloned divine flesh on a robot skeleton. But I’m sure he’s perfectly under control, and - oh, he just killed Goliath. In the next issue, one of Marvel’s black male heroes, frozen at the size of a small townhouse in death, will be buried in a gigantic ditch, wrapped in a tarp and chains. You’d think Hank Pym could grow a large enough coffin, at least.
- With Cap and the anti-registration side escaping once again, Tony decides he needs a dedicated team that can track down fugitive superhumans. To do so, he creates a new version of the Thunderbolts, a concept long associated with “villains acting like heroes.” And who does he put on this team? Venom, the Spider-Man villain who eats people’s brains; Bullseye, the Daredevil villain who will kill anyone for the lulz; and Norman Osborn, a.k.a. The Green Goblin, who famously murdered Spider-Man’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.
Part 5: Yadda, Yadda, Yadda
The next few issues of Civil War might best be described as “They fight, and fight, and fight and fight and fight.” The anti-registration side picks up The Punisher, Marvel’s most avowed murderer of criminals - and Cap is somewhat shocked but not entirely surprised when two minor villains join the anti-registration side and Frank promptly kills them on sight. Spider-Man starts realizing things are weird on the pro-reg side and defects, after he has set his entire life on fire. The X-Men have continued to stay out of this whole mess. In the lead-up, Emma Frost called Tony out on the Avengers’ complete absence when Genosha got nuked. Later, Carol Danvers (then Ms. Marvel, now Captain Marvel) will show up at the Xavier School to pitch the SHRA just after a massive terrorist attack kills dozens of students. Emma responds by telepathically dogwalking her.
By the final issue of the miniseries, the SHRA has expanded out into the Fifty States Initiative, wherein each state gets its own superteam. There’s a big final battle, Hercules kills Robo-Thor, and Cap nearly takes out Tony, only to be stopped by… the heroes of 9/11. No shit, Captain America is subdued by cops, firefighters, and paramedics. And when that happens, Cap finally takes a look around, realizes their big ideological street brawl has resulted in collateral damage, and surrenders. The SHRA wins, though Tony feels a little bad about it. Cap is ready to stand trial and to argue that, while he may have done something wrong, he did it for the right reasons.
Once again: Yeah. About that.
Part 6: MySpace Tom Didn’t Die For This
Running alongside Civil War is Civil War Frontline, a street-level book written by Paul Jenkins that managed to capture this world-breaking conflict through the eyes of people on the street. Though it has side stories, its main leads are Ben Urich, Peter Parker’s journalist buddy at The Daily Bugle, and the aforementioned Sally Floyd. Throughout the series, they start to realize there’s a story underneath the SHRA, as if somebody is playing the angles.
Before we talk about that conclusion, let’s talk about a side story. Remember how we said part of the comics community saw Identity Crisis as a driven effort to make things less “wacky” and intentionally darken the DCU? Well, that same tonal approach led to one of the more laughable moments of a pretty laughable arc. See, despite the fact that, as established, it was Nitro who blew up Stamford, it’s Speedball, the only survivor of the New Warriors, that views himself as responsible and is held up as a scapegoat by the general public. In addition, the blast screwed up his powers. Now, he doesn’t absorb and reflect kinetic energy; rather, he generates energy based on pain. So, he builds himself a new, extreme outfit lined with 612 spikes, one for each person who died in Stamford. This will drive his crusade to make things right - not as Speedball… but as Penance.
It was so laughably DeviantArt “OC do not steal” that no one could take it seriously. Look what you did, you took a perfectly good goofball and gave him an emo streak. The turn is swiftly mocked in other Marvel books, and it’s eventually revealed that Speedball still had his original powerset and always intended to put Nitro in the Goofy Suit of Dark Inner Torment as punishment for his crimes. But this turn gives you a sense of the tone and heft Jenkins was bringing to the proceedings.
Anyway, back to the main plot. Ben and Sally follow the thread as Namor, as he is wont to do, declares war on the surface world after an Atlantean diplomat is shot. But it turns out the assassination was arranged by Norman Osborn, who decided it was better to beg forgiveness than ask permission and manipulated Atlantis into war so that Tony could have another piece of evidence for getting superhumans on a leash. And the two journalists deduce that, on some level, Tony had to know this would be an inevitable outcome of giving state backing to an unhinged mogul who dresses like a Power Rangers villain. Weighing what to do with this information, Ben and Sally, who are kind of sick of the collateral damage by this point, sit on it while they go in for an interview with Captain America, now in custody and willing to tell his side of the story.
And then. And then. The monologue. If you want a lesson in how to assassinate a character in 30 seconds or less, this monologue is a great example. Sally Floyd calls Captain America out as completely divorced from American values. Now, again, Captain America has long served as the beating liberal heart of the Marvel Universe. He has always represented an America that reckons with its legacy of things like internment camps, Manifest Destiny, and Jim Crow, in order to transcend these scars and embody the promise offered by Emma Lazarus’s New Colossus, carved on the side of the Statue of Liberty. Why is he out of touch with Americans at the dawn of the 21st century?
Well, he’s never heard of MySpace. [2] He doesn’t watch NASCAR. He doesn’t follow American Idol. There are pop culture moments that have aged like milk; this one had all the permanence of an ice cream cone in a blast furnace. But despite the inanity of Floyd’s argument - and trust me, there are fan edits dedicated to Cap pointing out how full of shit this argument is - it’s clear it represents something else. This is a post-9/11 world. Fuck civil liberties, we have a no-fly list and Gitmo, and if the American people really cared, they’d do something other than watch Simon Cowell read aspiring singers to filth. What does Captain America stand for in this moment of crisis?
Nothing. Because he just looks away from Sally Floyd. No doubt thinking, “Oh my God this bitch.” But to underline the argument in question, Sally storms out of the interview, Ben in tow. She still has that information on Norman Osborn’s false flag operation… and while she and Ben confront Tony on everything that went down, they decide the story should never see the light of day. Because they wouldn’t dare jeopardize the SHRA, because security is more important than the truth.
Oh. And then Cap gets shot. And dies. He totally dies (except he doesn’t but we’ll get to that). If ever there was an unintentional thesis statement for this event, running in the late stages of the Bush era, it would be this: “It’s better to trust that the powers that be who oversee the new America will keep you safe, even when they stage false flag operations, stick you in a gulag, and put their trust in monsters. All that civil liberty stuff was the old America. And the old America was hopeless. It wasn’t even on MySpace.”
Epilogue: Consequences Keep Consequencing
As you can tell from that last paragraph, a lot of the fan reception to Civil War likely had a lot to do with the period. This was the Bush era, a time where you were for America or against it. We were in the shadow of the Patriot Act, Gitmo, and widespread wiretaps, paranoid about what civil liberty we’d be asked to put on the pyre next in the name of Freedom. A story all about the warm, clenching fist of government control that tells you to ignore the collateral damage… well, it wasn’t great for the cultural moment.
The ideas of Civil War aren’t necessarily bad ones. I frame Cap as the liberal dream of what America could be, but there are good arguments to be made that America has never been that and Cap is just copium for liberals. His most recent title, Sentinel of Liberty, opens with Steve saying he is out of touch with the average American - not because he doesn’t watch NASCAR, but because he’s a WWII veteran who looks maybe 30 years old at most and whose best friends are all superheroes or spies. A narrative that has him on the wrong side of the issue and detonates his beliefs isn’t impossible, but it probably shouldn’t be one where people who got powers due to a fluke of birth or a radiation accident are told by the government, “Join with us or we’ll send supervillains after you.” Hell, as the Civil War movie proves, there is a way to tell a story about a superhero community torn in half by the idea of mandatory registration as government-controlled actors, and just why people would think that could be a bad idea (“Hey, remember when a good chunk of our intelligence apparatus turned out to be Nazi stay behinds?”).
But in the context of the era, and coupled with the execution, Civil War felt like a hard sell, and you could feel the thumb pressing on the scale every second while reading it. The moral center of the Marvel Universe is wrong, the winning side employs sadistic murderers and has an extradimensional Gitmo, and the writer is telling you that any sane individual would be on Team Green Goblin Employer.
So how did that all work out? Well…
- With Cap seemingly dead, shot by his brainwashed love interest Sharon Carter as part of a plot by the Red Skull, Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier becomes the new Cap. Only it turns out Steve wasn’t killed, but shot with a time bullet that Billy Pilgrims his ass. He eventually comes back.
- Thor comes back, finds out what Tony did, and beats his ass all the way across post-Katrina New Orleans.
- The Secret Invasion event happens next, which leads to Skrull infiltrators hitting everything (this is also the explanation for Captain Mar-Vell’s miraculous resurrection: He was a Skrull all along). With Tony caught with his pants down and Norman Osborn seeming to save the day, Norman - who has been losing his shit for some time - takes over the Initiative and forms his own fascist cabal, HAMMER. To try and stop Norman from learning everything on every hero ever, Tony goes on the run and actually starts deleting his own brain, which he then reassembles with a backup from before anyone even thought of the SHRA. The fact that getting rid of Tony’s “Oops I did a fascism” period came out alongside Iron Man hitting theaters is a coincidence, I’m sure.
[1] This is eventually explored in the pages of Wolverine, of all books, as Wolverine decides maybe somebody should track down the person who actually killed hundreds of children. It’s revealed that Nitro was given power-boosting drugs by the CEO of Damage Control, Marvel’s designated “clean up after the super-battle” corporation, as a way of generating business. In a sign of how little this matters, Wolverine tells Maria Hill to her face that the person responsible for a mass casualty event is the pawn of a powerful conspiracy, and she basically says, “Not my problem.” Cobie Smulders must thank the gods that her Maria Hill is written as somebody with basic human decency.
[2] Hilariously, when Sally Floyd was brought back during Nick Spencer’s Captain America run because no one had piled enough dung on her corpse, this line was retconned to her asking him about Twitter. Given everything Elon’s been doing lately, we’ll see if that ages just as poorly.
2023.06.02 17:06 totairiku [Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!
'Totairiku' is a new Worldbuilding project that seeks to combine Indian, Japanese, and other Asian cultures in a Medieval Fantasy Game of Thrones styled world.
Introducing the Nerabudi Clan!
As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty.
Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching”
Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago)
History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night.
Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries.
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submitted by totairiku to FantasyWorldbuilding [link] [comments]
Introducing the Nerabudi Clan!
As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty.
Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching”
Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago)
History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night.
Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries.
See This Post with Pictures: https://snapt.io/FbyNI
Enjoying our content?
View The Rest Of Our Exhibition: https://snapt.io/NXNUd
Check Out The World Map: https://snapt.io/feIqp
Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/totairiku
Note: We use Snapt.io to count the number of clicks to see our user engagement. Each link hosted on Snapt.io is verified by their team to make sure the content is safe to click on!
2023.06.02 17:03 Apprehensive_Site129 Missing person. Last seen Monday around 7pm in the South Shields area, wearing a blue t-shirt and black leggings.
MISSING The family of Sunderland woman Danielle Best have issued a heartfelt plea for information – in the hopes of bringing her home safely.
Danielle, 36, was reported as missing around 6pm on Tuesday after failing to make contact with her family.She hadn’t been seen since the Monday night the disappearance is highly out of character for Danielle, who is from the Eden Vale area of the city.
An investigation was launched and searches to bring Danielle home safely have been ongoing since her family reported her as missing.
Today Danielle’s parents, Jeanette and Jeff Best, have issued an urgent appeal for information and are asking anyone with information to get in touch, as they grow increasingly worried about her.
🗣 In a statement they said: “Danielle is extremely vulnerable and alone. She’s got no money or way of contacting anyone and we don’t know if she’s had any food or water.
“We’ve not heard anything for a few days and this is not like Danielle at all. We’re getting more and more worried as the days go on and we just need to know that she’s OK.
“Danielle, if you are reading this and don’t want to speak to us, that’s fine, but please can you let someone know that you are OK? If anyone has seen Danielle or has information about please speak to the police.”
It's believed that Danielle, who also has links to the Wallsend and North Shields areas, may have travelled towards Roker or Seaburn seafront.
We have have also issued fresh CCTV which captured Danielle as she walked past the Harbour View, on Marine Walk at 7.13pm on Monday. She was wearing a blue T-shirt and black leggings.
We echo Danielle's family and ask the public once again to please get in touch with any information, no matter how small it may seem, so we can help bring her home safely.
Danielle is described as 5’5 tall with medium length straight purple hair and has a local accent. She has two distinctive dove tattoos on her right upper arm, a butterfly tattoo on her left shoulder and a tribal tattoo on her lower back.
Anyone with information that can assist the search is asked to contact police via 999 or 101 quoting log NP-20230530-0960.
2023.06.02 16:58 hey-mr-curiosity 常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Meditation Practice
常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Meditation Practice
佛陀所指的開悟究竟是什麼？ What exactly did the Buddha mean by enlightenment?
開悟是指透過冥想來解脫一切潛意識對顯意識的束縛，包括本能、情緒和慾望等等後， 最後達到對自己意識有極致的覺知和平等的境界，因腦中分泌大量DMT後進入一種特殊意識狀態， 名為「涅槃」。超越涅槃後可證名為「阿羅漢果」的境界，而佛陀也是這個境界。Enlightenment refers to the liberation of all subconscious bindings on conscious awareness through meditation, including instincts, emotions, desires, etc., ultimately achieving ultimate awareness and an equal state of mind. This is achieved by entering a special state of consciousness called “Nirvana” after the secretion of a large amount of DMT in the brain. Beyond Nirvana is a state called “Arhat,” which is the same state that Buddha achieved.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
禪修是思想或邏輯上的活動，還是身體或意識層面的活動？ Is meditation a mental or logical activity, or a physical or conscious activity?M
意識層面的活動。Conscious activity
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
比如我邏輯上可以接受或相信，我們所看到的世界都是幻想，世界的真相也許就是類似《黑客帝國 Matrix》的世界。但我沒有身體上的感受，也沒有看到或感受到那個我認為的真實世界，這樣算不算開悟？ For example, I can logically accept or believe that the world we see is all an illusion and that the truth of the world may be similar to the world in The Matrix. But I don’t have the physical sensation, nor have I seen or felt the reality that I think exists. Would this count as enlightenment?
不算，不僅是邏輯上的理解，還要有感性的體會。對世界一切事物是虛幻的理解和體會是為了幫助解決一些在冥想禪修當中遇到的問題，例如以對世界空性的體會來放下執著等等。一切的道理和思想工具都只是是單純地為了幫助冥想禪修。而開悟只能透過禪修冥想來實現。Understanding the concept that all things in the world are illusory requires not only logical comprehension but also perceptual understanding. This understanding and perception is meant to help solve issues encountered during meditation and mindfulness practices, such as letting go of attachment through a realization of the emptiness of the world. All principles and thought tools are simply meant to aid meditation and mindfulness practices. Enlightenment can only be achieved through meditation and mindfulness practices.
「大道至簡」: 禪修就是單純對意識的理解與體會的融合
冥想（打坐）是否能開悟？ Can meditation lead to enlightenment?
可以。《道德經》和《太平經》所指的守一、莊子的坐忘、佛教的「觀自在」、「止觀」與「定慧」等等都是「冥想」，並提出透過冥想來解脫潛意識對顯意識的依附和影響。Certainly. The “Oneness” referred to in the Tao Te Ching and the Tai Ping Jing, the “Zuo Wang” of Zhuangzi, and the “Samadhi,” “Vipassana,” and “Samatha-Vipassana” of Buddhism, all refer to “meditation,” and suggest that through meditation, one can liberate oneself from the attachment and influence of the subconscious on the conscious mind.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）的目的是什麼？ What is the purpose of meditation?
讓顯意識獲得所有控制權，潛意識被清空的狀態。最後超越潛意識的最後抵抗造成的瀕死（被稱為「涅槃」，被認為是一種死亡的考驗）後成為覺悟者（阿羅漢 ）。狀態類似《清靜經》中所指的極致的靜。The purpose is to allow the conscious mind to gain complete control while the subconscious mind is emptied. Eventually, one surpasses the final resistance from the subconscious mind, leading to a state of near-death (Nirvana, which is considered a test of death), and becomes an awakened one (Arhat). This state is similar to the ultimate stillness referred to in the “Qing Jing Jing” (Sutra of Pure and Tranquil Mind).
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
《太上老君常說清靜經》The Classic of Always Being Pure and Tranquil (Qingjing Jing), Spoken by Laozi of the Highest Clarity－正統原始道教冥想修行之法 The Meditation Method of Authentic Primitive Taoist Practice
神通是否存在？ Does supernatural power exist?
神通只存在於意識層面，在對肉體的脫離的狀態下才會顯現。Supernatural power only exists in the realm of consciousness and will only manifest when one is detached from the physical body.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通更類似於禪定中的幻覺？ Is supernatural power more like an illusion in meditation?
是副作用。在禪修當中出現的種種異像只是一些多餘的大腦訊息，更甚會令人因為異像而自我滿足後造成境界停滯。It is a side effect. The various illusions that appear during meditation are only some unnecessary signals in the brain, which may cause one to become stagnant in their practice due to self-satisfaction from illusion.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通是自己大腦偽造出來的嗎？ Is supernatural power something that the brain creates?
視乎當時人的情況。有可能是幻覺，但你無從分辨，既然無法分辨就捨棄這些似幻似真的感覺。It depends on the situation of the individual. It could be an illusion, but since it is impossible to distinguish, it is best to abandon these seemingly illusory feelings.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
如何能看到或感受到佛教所指的「真實」？How can one see or feel the “truth” that Buddhism refers to?
不被潛意識影響， 讓顯意識完全顯露。超越本能和潛意識對顯意識的限制 （情緒、慾望甚至對死亡的恐懼）。By not being influenced by the subconscious mind and allowing the conscious mind to fully manifest. To transcend instincts (limitations of emotions, desires, and even fear of death).
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
透過冥想（打坐）實現開悟的唯一條件是「抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾」？ Is the only condition for achieving enlightenment by meditation is “abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts”?
沒錯，在純意識層面抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾。Yes, it is to completely abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts in a purely conscious realm.
原始佛法本為「意識學」為何佛法卻常常被誤解成「哲學」或「心靈雞湯」甚至「宗教」Why is it that the original Buddhist teachings, which were meant to be a study of consciousness, are often misunderstood as “philosophy”, “inspirational literature”, or even “religion”?
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）初學者常常感受到自己被自己的思維束縛，並未進入潛意識世界，甚至感受不到潛意識的存在，該如何理解潛意識對顯意識的束縛？Beginner meditators often feel that their thoughts are holding them back from entering the subconscious world, and may not even sense the presence of their subconscious. How should we understand the subconscious’s hold on the conscious mind?
其實這是典型對自己意識運作缺乏深刻認識而形成的誤解和錯誤判斷。被思維「束縛」其實和顯意識（理性）無關，「束縛」其實是一種「力」去驅動和影響顯意識去思考。例如你的潛意識不斷給你念頭，你又不斷投入念想去思考，然後又排洩出一些情緒和慾望（自我感覺良好，好奇慾，對未知的執著等等）。這些情緒和慾望又反過來鼓勵你不斷投入思考，這種情況就等於你的顯意識被潛意識在背後驅動和控制，潛意識在背後偽裝成顯意識的行為，讓人感覺不到潛意識的存在，因為潛意識最怕是被「覺知」。要理解潛意識和顯意識之間的關係和運作，必須要先抽離後以第三身角度觀察內在意識運作，盡可能先分離潛意識對顯意識依附，再分別進行觀察和體會。In fact, this is a misunderstanding and a misjudgment that arises from a lack of profound understanding of one’s own consciousness. Being “held back” by thoughts is actually not related to the conscious mind (reason), but rather a “force” that drives and influences the conscious mind to think. For example, if your subconscious keeps giving you thoughts, and you keep investing in thinking about them, and then releasing some emotions and desires (feeling good, curiosity, attachment to the unknown, etc.), these emotions and desires will encourage you to keep thinking. This situation is equivalent to your conscious mind being driven and controlled by the subconscious mind behind the scenes. The subconscious mind disguises itself as the behavior of the conscious mind, making it difficult to sense its presence, because the subconscious mind is most afraid of being “aware”. To understand the relationship and operation between the subconscious and conscious mind, one must first detach and observe the inner consciousness from a third-person perspective, try to separate the attachment of the subconscious to the conscious mind, and then observe them separately to gain insight.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
避免陷入因對世界的過度好奇而產生的思考消耗與疲勞 Avoid the mental exhaustion and fatigue that comes from being overly curious about the world
冥想打座會否「走火入魔」？ Will meditating lead to “possession by spirits” (or being “crazy”)?
坊間流傳有很多種冥想方法， 不論古時流傳在各種宗教經典當中的方法， 例如原始道教中的「守一」、莊子的「坐忘」、佛教的「定慧」（或稱「止觀」）、《清靜經》的內觀方法和《太乙金華宗旨》提及的「回光之法」等等，現代在互聯網上也有很多各式各樣的自我催眠或者冥想方法，例如「阿卡西紀錄」冥想法、薩滿心靈動物冥想法、氣功觀身冥想法、神像觀修法、「地獄旅遊」等等新興的冥想甚至「通靈」方法，例如基督靈恩教派的「聖靈擊倒與方言」、巫術宗教文化的「僮身法」等等。 的確， 有部份人沒有了解過自己的意識運作之前就嘗試各式各樣的冥想方法最後導致出現一些嚴重的精神問題，甚至出現被認為是「鬼附」的現象求助各類型宗教的法師為其作出驅鬼行為， 甚至因此流傳冥想打座前需要設定「結界」或進行一些宗教儀式如曬聖水、在一個受神保護的地方進行冥想等等，不然就如打開身體的「門」後被鬼所附體。導致這些意識上的問題其根本原因是「錯誤的冥想方法和動機」。There are many types of meditation methods that have been passed down through various religious scriptures throughout history, such as the “guarding the one” method in original Taoism, the “sitting and forgetting” method in Zhuangzi, the “samadhi and prajna” (or “stopping and seeing”) method in Buddhism, the introspective method in the “Qingjing Jing,” and the “method of returning light” mentioned in the “Taiyi Jinhua Zongzhi,” etc. Nowadays, there are also many different self-hypnosis or meditation methods available on the internet, such as the “Akashic Records” meditation method, the shamanic animal spirit meditation method, the qigong visualization meditation method, the statue contemplation method, the “hell travel” meditation, and even “mediumship” methods e.g. the “falling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues” in the Pentecostal denomination, and the “possession ceremony” in witchcraft religious culture, and so on. However, some people who have not understood how their consciousness works have tried various meditation methods without proper guidance, resulting in serious mental problems and even phenomena believed to be “possession by spirits,” leading them to seek help from various religious masters to perform exorcism rituals. Therefore, it is said that one needs to set up a “boundary” or perform some religious rituals such as sunning holy water or meditating in a place protected by gods before meditating, otherwise, one may be possessed by spirits like opening the door to one’s body. The root cause of these conscious problems is “wrong meditation methods and motivations.”
根據本人了解，很多所謂「錯誤的冥想」行為導致精神失常的情況大概有以下幾點： Based on my understanding, there are several factors that can lead to mental disorders caused by so-called “wrong meditation” practices:
- 帶著過度的情緒慾望和一些不切實際的期待和執著進行冥想行為。例如為了看見死去的親人、為了到地獄旅行、為了開自己的「第三眼」、為了知道自己的所謂「心靈動物」等等奇怪的目的進行冥想打座行為。帶著大量的情緒慾望和執著去冥想打座是非常危險的行為。 Engaging in meditation with excessive emotional desires and unrealistic expectations and attachments, such as meditating to see deceased relatives, travel to hell, open one’s “third eye,” or know one’s so-called “spirit animal.” Meditating with a lot of emotional desires and attachments is a very dangerous behaviour.
- 過度投入到自己潛意識的幻象。即使身體出現一點點「異常（副作用）」也會對其異常執著；也會有人看到很多潛意識所提供的「畫面」， 並主動地投入和窮追一些在冥想期間潛意識製造的虛幻的處境當中， 不能自拔。 Overly indulging in illusions of one’s subconscious mind. Even if the body experiences a little “abnormality (side effect),” some people will be extremely attached to it. Some may see a lot of “images” provided by their subconsciousness and actively immerse themselves in and pursue some illusory situations created by their subconsciousness during meditation, unable to extricate themselves.
- 在冥想打座期間一遇到任何問題馬上主動放棄顯意識的控制，完全交出自己意識的所有控制權給潛意識，導致潛意識當中儲存的「垃圾」大量湧現，例如童年陰影、情緒慾望等等。在冥想期間完全放棄顯意識對潛意識的覺知和平等心，甘願被潛意識吞噬是對自己非常不負責任和消極的行為，這也是大多數人冥想後出現精神異常的主要原因。 Giving up conscious control at the slightest problem during the meditation period and completely surrendering all control of one’s consciousness to the subconsciousness, leads to a large amount of “garbage” stored in the subconsciousness emerging, such as childhood shadows, emotional desires, etc. Completely giving up the awareness and equanimity of the conscious mind towards the subconsciousness and willingly being swallowed up by the subconsciousness is very irresponsible and passive behaviour oneself, and it is also the main reason why most people experience mental abnormalities after meditation.
Meditation is a practice that trains the conscious with equanimity and mindfulness, to get rid of subconscious attachment to conscious. It is like sailing on the ocean, where thoughts, emotions, and desires are like various conditions on the sea. Sometimes there are calm winds and smooth sailing, while other times there are storms and rough waters. Through this practice, we train ourselves to face the changing conditions of the sea with equanimity and mindfulness, so that we do not capsize and sink into the ocean. This is meditation.
正確的禪修狀態必然是顯意識活躍，人會進入異常清醒明朗和極度專注的狀態，潛意識在這期間的控制權會被大大削弱，所以是完全沒有理由需要擔心任何外來或內在的原因導致因冥想而突然精神失常 。 開始冥想之前不要對冥想有太大期望，想從冥想得到某種神通和智慧，或者期望冥想一定能帶給你平靜喜悅，這會對冥想產生執著。冥想也是有無常起伏，可能進行冥想幾個月也體會不到明顯個人變化，但不要太執著階段性的結果及過去的冥想經驗，每日堅持一步步來，靜看花開，在冥想當中體驗當下每一刻。
The correct state of meditation necessarily involves active consciousness. People will enter a state of abnormal clarity and extreme focus, and the control of the subconscious will be greatly weakened during this period. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to worry about any external or internal factors causing sudden mental illness due to meditation. Before starting meditation, do not have high expectations for it, such as wanting to gain supernatural powers and wisdom, or expecting meditation to bring you peace and joy. This will lead to attachment in your practice. Meditation has ups and downs; you may not notice significant personal changes even after months of practice. Don’t be too attached to the results or past meditation experiences. Persist in taking it one step at a time, quietly observing the blossoming of flowers and experiencing every moment in your practice.
原始佛教「止觀雙運」(或稱「定慧雙修」）冥想打坐和控制情緒慾望方法詳解 In-depth explanation of the primitive Buddhism’s “Samatha-Vipassana” meditation, emotion and desire control
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
2023.06.02 16:58 totairiku [Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!
![[Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!](https://a.thumbs.redditmedia.com/EvsPptlRST1lyK48m87Vsc5t2M4IKx_5Mnxv55VTXe0.jpg "[Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!") | 'Totairiku' is a new Worldbuilding project that seeks to combine Indian, Japanese, and other Asian cultures in a Medieval Fantasy Game of Thrones styled world. submitted by totairiku to IndianHistory [link] [comments] Introducing the Nerabudi Clan! As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty. Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching” Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago) History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night. Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries. Enjoying our content? View The Rest Of Our Exhibition: https://snapt.io/NXNUd Check Out The World Map: https://snapt.io/feIqp Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/totairiku Note: We use Snapt.io to count the number of clicks to see our user engagement. Each link hosted on Snapt.io is verified by their team to make sure the content is safe to click on! Nerabudi 'Mon' (Emblem) The Serpent Castle Jomo Ulara |
2023.06.02 16:57 hey-mr-curiosity 常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Meditation Practice
常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Meditation Practice
佛陀所指的開悟究竟是什麼？ What exactly did the Buddha mean by enlightenment?
開悟是指透過冥想來解脫一切潛意識對顯意識的束縛，包括本能、情緒和慾望等等後， 最後達到對自己意識有極致的覺知和平等的境界，因腦中分泌大量DMT後進入一種特殊意識狀態， 名為「涅槃」。超越涅槃後可證名為「阿羅漢果」的境界，而佛陀也是這個境界。Enlightenment refers to the liberation of all subconscious bindings on conscious awareness through meditation, including instincts, emotions, desires, etc., ultimately achieving ultimate awareness and an equal state of mind. This is achieved by entering a special state of consciousness called “Nirvana” after the secretion of a large amount of DMT in the brain. Beyond Nirvana is a state called “Arhat,” which is the same state that Buddha achieved.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
禪修是思想或邏輯上的活動，還是身體或意識層面的活動？ Is meditation a mental or logical activity, or a physical or conscious activity?M
意識層面的活動。Conscious activity
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
比如我邏輯上可以接受或相信，我們所看到的世界都是幻想，世界的真相也許就是類似《黑客帝國 Matrix》的世界。但我沒有身體上的感受，也沒有看到或感受到那個我認為的真實世界，這樣算不算開悟？ For example, I can logically accept or believe that the world we see is all an illusion and that the truth of the world may be similar to the world in The Matrix. But I don’t have the physical sensation, nor have I seen or felt the reality that I think exists. Would this count as enlightenment?
不算，不僅是邏輯上的理解，還要有感性的體會。對世界一切事物是虛幻的理解和體會是為了幫助解決一些在冥想禪修當中遇到的問題，例如以對世界空性的體會來放下執著等等。一切的道理和思想工具都只是是單純地為了幫助冥想禪修。而開悟只能透過禪修冥想來實現。Understanding the concept that all things in the world are illusory requires not only logical comprehension but also perceptual understanding. This understanding and perception is meant to help solve issues encountered during meditation and mindfulness practices, such as letting go of attachment through a realization of the emptiness of the world. All principles and thought tools are simply meant to aid meditation and mindfulness practices. Enlightenment can only be achieved through meditation and mindfulness practices.
「大道至簡」: 禪修就是單純對意識的理解與體會的融合
冥想（打坐）是否能開悟？ Can meditation lead to enlightenment?
可以。《道德經》和《太平經》所指的守一、莊子的坐忘、佛教的「觀自在」、「止觀」與「定慧」等等都是「冥想」，並提出透過冥想來解脫潛意識對顯意識的依附和影響。Certainly. The “Oneness” referred to in the Tao Te Ching and the Tai Ping Jing, the “Zuo Wang” of Zhuangzi, and the “Samadhi,” “Vipassana,” and “Samatha-Vipassana” of Buddhism, all refer to “meditation,” and suggest that through meditation, one can liberate oneself from the attachment and influence of the subconscious on the conscious mind.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）的目的是什麼？ What is the purpose of meditation?
讓顯意識獲得所有控制權，潛意識被清空的狀態。最後超越潛意識的最後抵抗造成的瀕死（被稱為「涅槃」，被認為是一種死亡的考驗）後成為覺悟者（阿羅漢 ）。狀態類似《清靜經》中所指的極致的靜。The purpose is to allow the conscious mind to gain complete control while the subconscious mind is emptied. Eventually, one surpasses the final resistance from the subconscious mind, leading to a state of near-death (Nirvana, which is considered a test of death), and becomes an awakened one (Arhat). This state is similar to the ultimate stillness referred to in the “Qing Jing Jing” (Sutra of Pure and Tranquil Mind).
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
《太上老君常說清靜經》The Classic of Always Being Pure and Tranquil (Qingjing Jing), Spoken by Laozi of the Highest Clarity－正統原始道教冥想修行之法 The Meditation Method of Authentic Primitive Taoist Practice
神通是否存在？ Does supernatural power exist?
神通只存在於意識層面，在對肉體的脫離的狀態下才會顯現。Supernatural power only exists in the realm of consciousness and will only manifest when one is detached from the physical body.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通更類似於禪定中的幻覺？ Is supernatural power more like an illusion in meditation?
是副作用。在禪修當中出現的種種異像只是一些多餘的大腦訊息，更甚會令人因為異像而自我滿足後造成境界停滯。It is a side effect. The various illusions that appear during meditation are only some unnecessary signals in the brain, which may cause one to become stagnant in their practice due to self-satisfaction from illusion.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通是自己大腦偽造出來的嗎？ Is supernatural power something that the brain creates?
視乎當時人的情況。有可能是幻覺，但你無從分辨，既然無法分辨就捨棄這些似幻似真的感覺。It depends on the situation of the individual. It could be an illusion, but since it is impossible to distinguish, it is best to abandon these seemingly illusory feelings.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
如何能看到或感受到佛教所指的「真實」？How can one see or feel the “truth” that Buddhism refers to?
不被潛意識影響， 讓顯意識完全顯露。超越本能和潛意識對顯意識的限制 （情緒、慾望甚至對死亡的恐懼）。By not being influenced by the subconscious mind and allowing the conscious mind to fully manifest. To transcend instincts (limitations of emotions, desires, and even fear of death).
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
透過冥想（打坐）實現開悟的唯一條件是「抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾」？ Is the only condition for achieving enlightenment by meditation is “abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts”?
沒錯，在純意識層面抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾。Yes, it is to completely abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts in a purely conscious realm.
原始佛法本為「意識學」為何佛法卻常常被誤解成「哲學」或「心靈雞湯」甚至「宗教」Why is it that the original Buddhist teachings, which were meant to be a study of consciousness, are often misunderstood as “philosophy”, “inspirational literature”, or even “religion”?
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）初學者常常感受到自己被自己的思維束縛，並未進入潛意識世界，甚至感受不到潛意識的存在，該如何理解潛意識對顯意識的束縛？Beginner meditators often feel that their thoughts are holding them back from entering the subconscious world, and may not even sense the presence of their subconscious. How should we understand the subconscious’s hold on the conscious mind?
其實這是典型對自己意識運作缺乏深刻認識而形成的誤解和錯誤判斷。被思維「束縛」其實和顯意識（理性）無關，「束縛」其實是一種「力」去驅動和影響顯意識去思考。例如你的潛意識不斷給你念頭，你又不斷投入念想去思考，然後又排洩出一些情緒和慾望（自我感覺良好，好奇慾，對未知的執著等等）。這些情緒和慾望又反過來鼓勵你不斷投入思考，這種情況就等於你的顯意識被潛意識在背後驅動和控制，潛意識在背後偽裝成顯意識的行為，讓人感覺不到潛意識的存在，因為潛意識最怕是被「覺知」。要理解潛意識和顯意識之間的關係和運作，必須要先抽離後以第三身角度觀察內在意識運作，盡可能先分離潛意識對顯意識依附，再分別進行觀察和體會。In fact, this is a misunderstanding and a misjudgment that arises from a lack of profound understanding of one’s own consciousness. Being “held back” by thoughts is actually not related to the conscious mind (reason), but rather a “force” that drives and influences the conscious mind to think. For example, if your subconscious keeps giving you thoughts, and you keep investing in thinking about them, and then releasing some emotions and desires (feeling good, curiosity, attachment to the unknown, etc.), these emotions and desires will encourage you to keep thinking. This situation is equivalent to your conscious mind being driven and controlled by the subconscious mind behind the scenes. The subconscious mind disguises itself as the behavior of the conscious mind, making it difficult to sense its presence, because the subconscious mind is most afraid of being “aware”. To understand the relationship and operation between the subconscious and conscious mind, one must first detach and observe the inner consciousness from a third-person perspective, try to separate the attachment of the subconscious to the conscious mind, and then observe them separately to gain insight.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
避免陷入因對世界的過度好奇而產生的思考消耗與疲勞 Avoid the mental exhaustion and fatigue that comes from being overly curious about the world
冥想打座會否「走火入魔」？ Will meditating lead to “possession by spirits” (or being “crazy”)?
坊間流傳有很多種冥想方法， 不論古時流傳在各種宗教經典當中的方法， 例如原始道教中的「守一」、莊子的「坐忘」、佛教的「定慧」（或稱「止觀」）、《清靜經》的內觀方法和《太乙金華宗旨》提及的「回光之法」等等，現代在互聯網上也有很多各式各樣的自我催眠或者冥想方法，例如「阿卡西紀錄」冥想法、薩滿心靈動物冥想法、氣功觀身冥想法、神像觀修法、「地獄旅遊」等等新興的冥想甚至「通靈」方法，例如基督靈恩教派的「聖靈擊倒與方言」、巫術宗教文化的「僮身法」等等。 的確， 有部份人沒有了解過自己的意識運作之前就嘗試各式各樣的冥想方法最後導致出現一些嚴重的精神問題，甚至出現被認為是「鬼附」的現象求助各類型宗教的法師為其作出驅鬼行為， 甚至因此流傳冥想打座前需要設定「結界」或進行一些宗教儀式如曬聖水、在一個受神保護的地方進行冥想等等，不然就如打開身體的「門」後被鬼所附體。導致這些意識上的問題其根本原因是「錯誤的冥想方法和動機」。There are many types of meditation methods that have been passed down through various religious scriptures throughout history, such as the “guarding the one” method in original Taoism, the “sitting and forgetting” method in Zhuangzi, the “samadhi and prajna” (or “stopping and seeing”) method in Buddhism, the introspective method in the “Qingjing Jing,” and the “method of returning light” mentioned in the “Taiyi Jinhua Zongzhi,” etc. Nowadays, there are also many different self-hypnosis or meditation methods available on the internet, such as the “Akashic Records” meditation method, the shamanic animal spirit meditation method, the qigong visualization meditation method, the statue contemplation method, the “hell travel” meditation, and even “mediumship” methods e.g. the “falling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues” in the Pentecostal denomination, and the “possession ceremony” in witchcraft religious culture, and so on. However, some people who have not understood how their consciousness works have tried various meditation methods without proper guidance, resulting in serious mental problems and even phenomena believed to be “possession by spirits,” leading them to seek help from various religious masters to perform exorcism rituals. Therefore, it is said that one needs to set up a “boundary” or perform some religious rituals such as sunning holy water or meditating in a place protected by gods before meditating, otherwise, one may be possessed by spirits like opening the door to one’s body. The root cause of these conscious problems is “wrong meditation methods and motivations.”
根據本人了解，很多所謂「錯誤的冥想」行為導致精神失常的情況大概有以下幾點： Based on my understanding, there are several factors that can lead to mental disorders caused by so-called “wrong meditation” practices:
- 帶著過度的情緒慾望和一些不切實際的期待和執著進行冥想行為。例如為了看見死去的親人、為了到地獄旅行、為了開自己的「第三眼」、為了知道自己的所謂「心靈動物」等等奇怪的目的進行冥想打座行為。帶著大量的情緒慾望和執著去冥想打座是非常危險的行為。 Engaging in meditation with excessive emotional desires and unrealistic expectations and attachments, such as meditating to see deceased relatives, travel to hell, open one’s “third eye,” or know one’s so-called “spirit animal.” Meditating with a lot of emotional desires and attachments is a very dangerous behaviour.
- 過度投入到自己潛意識的幻象。即使身體出現一點點「異常（副作用）」也會對其異常執著；也會有人看到很多潛意識所提供的「畫面」， 並主動地投入和窮追一些在冥想期間潛意識製造的虛幻的處境當中， 不能自拔。 Overly indulging in illusions of one’s subconscious mind. Even if the body experiences a little “abnormality (side effect),” some people will be extremely attached to it. Some may see a lot of “images” provided by their subconsciousness and actively immerse themselves in and pursue some illusory situations created by their subconsciousness during meditation, unable to extricate themselves.
- 在冥想打座期間一遇到任何問題馬上主動放棄顯意識的控制，完全交出自己意識的所有控制權給潛意識，導致潛意識當中儲存的「垃圾」大量湧現，例如童年陰影、情緒慾望等等。在冥想期間完全放棄顯意識對潛意識的覺知和平等心，甘願被潛意識吞噬是對自己非常不負責任和消極的行為，這也是大多數人冥想後出現精神異常的主要原因。 Giving up conscious control at the slightest problem during the meditation period and completely surrendering all control of one’s consciousness to the subconsciousness, leads to a large amount of “garbage” stored in the subconsciousness emerging, such as childhood shadows, emotional desires, etc. Completely giving up the awareness and equanimity of the conscious mind towards the subconsciousness and willingly being swallowed up by the subconsciousness is very irresponsible and passive behaviour oneself, and it is also the main reason why most people experience mental abnormalities after meditation.
Meditation is a practice that trains the conscious with equanimity and mindfulness, to get rid of subconscious attachment to conscious. It is like sailing on the ocean, where thoughts, emotions, and desires are like various conditions on the sea. Sometimes there are calm winds and smooth sailing, while other times there are storms and rough waters. Through this practice, we train ourselves to face the changing conditions of the sea with equanimity and mindfulness, so that we do not capsize and sink into the ocean. This is meditation.
正確的禪修狀態必然是顯意識活躍，人會進入異常清醒明朗和極度專注的狀態，潛意識在這期間的控制權會被大大削弱，所以是完全沒有理由需要擔心任何外來或內在的原因導致因冥想而突然精神失常 。 開始冥想之前不要對冥想有太大期望，想從冥想得到某種神通和智慧，或者期望冥想一定能帶給你平靜喜悅，這會對冥想產生執著。冥想也是有無常起伏，可能進行冥想幾個月也體會不到明顯個人變化，但不要太執著階段性的結果及過去的冥想經驗，每日堅持一步步來，靜看花開，在冥想當中體驗當下每一刻。
The correct state of meditation necessarily involves active consciousness. People will enter a state of abnormal clarity and extreme focus, and the control of the subconscious will be greatly weakened during this period. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to worry about any external or internal factors causing sudden mental illness due to meditation. Before starting meditation, do not have high expectations for it, such as wanting to gain supernatural powers and wisdom, or expecting meditation to bring you peace and joy. This will lead to attachment in your practice. Meditation has ups and downs; you may not notice significant personal changes even after months of practice. Don’t be too attached to the results or past meditation experiences. Persist in taking it one step at a time, quietly observing the blossoming of flowers and experiencing every moment in your practice.
原始佛教「止觀雙運」(或稱「定慧雙修」）冥想打坐和控制情緒慾望方法詳解 In-depth explanation of the primitive Buddhism’s “Samatha-Vipassana” meditation, emotion and desire control
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
2023.06.02 16:57 hey-mr-curiosity 常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Mediation Practice
常見佛教冥想修行 Q&A Common Q&A on Buddhist Meditation Practice
佛陀所指的開悟究竟是什麼？ What exactly did the Buddha mean by enlightenment?
開悟是指透過冥想來解脫一切潛意識對顯意識的束縛，包括本能、情緒和慾望等等後， 最後達到對自己意識有極致的覺知和平等的境界，因腦中分泌大量DMT後進入一種特殊意識狀態， 名為「涅槃」。超越涅槃後可證名為「阿羅漢果」的境界，而佛陀也是這個境界。Enlightenment refers to the liberation of all subconscious bindings on conscious awareness through meditation, including instincts, emotions, desires, etc., ultimately achieving ultimate awareness and an equal state of mind. This is achieved by entering a special state of consciousness called “Nirvana” after the secretion of a large amount of DMT in the brain. Beyond Nirvana is a state called “Arhat,” which is the same state that Buddha achieved.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
禪修是思想或邏輯上的活動，還是身體或意識層面的活動？ Is meditation a mental or logical activity, or a physical or conscious activity?M
意識層面的活動。Conscious activity
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
比如我邏輯上可以接受或相信，我們所看到的世界都是幻想，世界的真相也許就是類似《黑客帝國 Matrix》的世界。但我沒有身體上的感受，也沒有看到或感受到那個我認為的真實世界，這樣算不算開悟？ For example, I can logically accept or believe that the world we see is all an illusion and that the truth of the world may be similar to the world in The Matrix. But I don’t have the physical sensation, nor have I seen or felt the reality that I think exists. Would this count as enlightenment?
不算，不僅是邏輯上的理解，還要有感性的體會。對世界一切事物是虛幻的理解和體會是為了幫助解決一些在冥想禪修當中遇到的問題，例如以對世界空性的體會來放下執著等等。一切的道理和思想工具都只是是單純地為了幫助冥想禪修。而開悟只能透過禪修冥想來實現。Understanding the concept that all things in the world are illusory requires not only logical comprehension but also perceptual understanding. This understanding and perception is meant to help solve issues encountered during meditation and mindfulness practices, such as letting go of attachment through a realization of the emptiness of the world. All principles and thought tools are simply meant to aid meditation and mindfulness practices. Enlightenment can only be achieved through meditation and mindfulness practices.
「大道至簡」: 禪修就是單純對意識的理解與體會的融合
冥想（打坐）是否能開悟？ Can meditation lead to enlightenment?
可以。《道德經》和《太平經》所指的守一、莊子的坐忘、佛教的「觀自在」、「止觀」與「定慧」等等都是「冥想」，並提出透過冥想來解脫潛意識對顯意識的依附和影響。Certainly. The “Oneness” referred to in the Tao Te Ching and the Tai Ping Jing, the “Zuo Wang” of Zhuangzi, and the “Samadhi,” “Vipassana,” and “Samatha-Vipassana” of Buddhism, all refer to “meditation,” and suggest that through meditation, one can liberate oneself from the attachment and influence of the subconscious on the conscious mind.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）的目的是什麼？ What is the purpose of meditation?
讓顯意識獲得所有控制權，潛意識被清空的狀態。最後超越潛意識的最後抵抗造成的瀕死（被稱為「涅槃」，被認為是一種死亡的考驗）後成為覺悟者（阿羅漢 ）。狀態類似《清靜經》中所指的極致的靜。The purpose is to allow the conscious mind to gain complete control while the subconscious mind is emptied. Eventually, one surpasses the final resistance from the subconscious mind, leading to a state of near-death (Nirvana, which is considered a test of death), and becomes an awakened one (Arhat). This state is similar to the ultimate stillness referred to in the “Qing Jing Jing” (Sutra of Pure and Tranquil Mind).
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
《太上老君常說清靜經》The Classic of Always Being Pure and Tranquil (Qingjing Jing), Spoken by Laozi of the Highest Clarity－正統原始道教冥想修行之法 The Meditation Method of Authentic Primitive Taoist Practice
神通是否存在？ Does supernatural power exist?
神通只存在於意識層面，在對肉體的脫離的狀態下才會顯現。Supernatural power only exists in the realm of consciousness and will only manifest when one is detached from the physical body.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通更類似於禪定中的幻覺？ Is supernatural power more like an illusion in meditation?
是副作用。在禪修當中出現的種種異像只是一些多餘的大腦訊息，更甚會令人因為異像而自我滿足後造成境界停滯。It is a side effect. The various illusions that appear during meditation are only some unnecessary signals in the brain, which may cause one to become stagnant in their practice due to self-satisfaction from illusion.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
神通是自己大腦偽造出來的嗎？ Is supernatural power something that the brain creates?
視乎當時人的情況。有可能是幻覺，但你無從分辨，既然無法分辨就捨棄這些似幻似真的感覺。It depends on the situation of the individual. It could be an illusion, but since it is impossible to distinguish, it is best to abandon these seemingly illusory feelings.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
如何能看到或感受到佛教所指的「真實」？How can one see or feel the “truth” that Buddhism refers to?
不被潛意識影響， 讓顯意識完全顯露。超越本能和潛意識對顯意識的限制 （情緒、慾望甚至對死亡的恐懼）。By not being influenced by the subconscious mind and allowing the conscious mind to fully manifest. To transcend instincts (limitations of emotions, desires, and even fear of death).
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
透過冥想（打坐）實現開悟的唯一條件是「抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾」？ Is the only condition for achieving enlightenment by meditation is “abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts”?
沒錯，在純意識層面抛棄掉所有感官與思維的干擾。Yes, it is to completely abandon all interference from the senses and thoughts in a purely conscious realm.
原始佛法本為「意識學」為何佛法卻常常被誤解成「哲學」或「心靈雞湯」甚至「宗教」Why is it that the original Buddhist teachings, which were meant to be a study of consciousness, are often misunderstood as “philosophy”, “inspirational literature”, or even “religion”?
原始佛教的本質 The Essence of Primitive Buddhism — 唯一正確摩訶般若波羅密多心經詳解 A detailed and correct explanation of the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita
冥想（打坐）初學者常常感受到自己被自己的思維束縛，並未進入潛意識世界，甚至感受不到潛意識的存在，該如何理解潛意識對顯意識的束縛？Beginner meditators often feel that their thoughts are holding them back from entering the subconscious world, and may not even sense the presence of their subconscious. How should we understand the subconscious’s hold on the conscious mind?
其實這是典型對自己意識運作缺乏深刻認識而形成的誤解和錯誤判斷。被思維「束縛」其實和顯意識（理性）無關，「束縛」其實是一種「力」去驅動和影響顯意識去思考。例如你的潛意識不斷給你念頭，你又不斷投入念想去思考，然後又排洩出一些情緒和慾望（自我感覺良好，好奇慾，對未知的執著等等）。這些情緒和慾望又反過來鼓勵你不斷投入思考，這種情況就等於你的顯意識被潛意識在背後驅動和控制，潛意識在背後偽裝成顯意識的行為，讓人感覺不到潛意識的存在，因為潛意識最怕是被「覺知」。要理解潛意識和顯意識之間的關係和運作，必須要先抽離後以第三身角度觀察內在意識運作，盡可能先分離潛意識對顯意識依附，再分別進行觀察和體會。In fact, this is a misunderstanding and a misjudgment that arises from a lack of profound understanding of one’s own consciousness. Being “held back” by thoughts is actually not related to the conscious mind (reason), but rather a “force” that drives and influences the conscious mind to think. For example, if your subconscious keeps giving you thoughts, and you keep investing in thinking about them, and then releasing some emotions and desires (feeling good, curiosity, attachment to the unknown, etc.), these emotions and desires will encourage you to keep thinking. This situation is equivalent to your conscious mind being driven and controlled by the subconscious mind behind the scenes. The subconscious mind disguises itself as the behavior of the conscious mind, making it difficult to sense its presence, because the subconscious mind is most afraid of being “aware”. To understand the relationship and operation between the subconscious and conscious mind, one must first detach and observe the inner consciousness from a third-person perspective, try to separate the attachment of the subconscious to the conscious mind, and then observe them separately to gain insight.
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
避免陷入因對世界的過度好奇而產生的思考消耗與疲勞 Avoid the mental exhaustion and fatigue that comes from being overly curious about the world
冥想打座會否「走火入魔」？ Will meditating lead to “possession by spirits” (or being “crazy”)?
坊間流傳有很多種冥想方法， 不論古時流傳在各種宗教經典當中的方法， 例如原始道教中的「守一」、莊子的「坐忘」、佛教的「定慧」（或稱「止觀」）、《清靜經》的內觀方法和《太乙金華宗旨》提及的「回光之法」等等，現代在互聯網上也有很多各式各樣的自我催眠或者冥想方法，例如「阿卡西紀錄」冥想法、薩滿心靈動物冥想法、氣功觀身冥想法、神像觀修法、「地獄旅遊」等等新興的冥想甚至「通靈」方法，例如基督靈恩教派的「聖靈擊倒與方言」、巫術宗教文化的「僮身法」等等。 的確， 有部份人沒有了解過自己的意識運作之前就嘗試各式各樣的冥想方法最後導致出現一些嚴重的精神問題，甚至出現被認為是「鬼附」的現象求助各類型宗教的法師為其作出驅鬼行為， 甚至因此流傳冥想打座前需要設定「結界」或進行一些宗教儀式如曬聖水、在一個受神保護的地方進行冥想等等，不然就如打開身體的「門」後被鬼所附體。導致這些意識上的問題其根本原因是「錯誤的冥想方法和動機」。There are many types of meditation methods that have been passed down through various religious scriptures throughout history, such as the “guarding the one” method in original Taoism, the “sitting and forgetting” method in Zhuangzi, the “samadhi and prajna” (or “stopping and seeing”) method in Buddhism, the introspective method in the “Qingjing Jing,” and the “method of returning light” mentioned in the “Taiyi Jinhua Zongzhi,” etc. Nowadays, there are also many different self-hypnosis or meditation methods available on the internet, such as the “Akashic Records” meditation method, the shamanic animal spirit meditation method, the qigong visualization meditation method, the statue contemplation method, the “hell travel” meditation, and even “mediumship” methods e.g. the “falling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues” in the Pentecostal denomination, and the “possession ceremony” in witchcraft religious culture, and so on. However, some people who have not understood how their consciousness works have tried various meditation methods without proper guidance, resulting in serious mental problems and even phenomena believed to be “possession by spirits,” leading them to seek help from various religious masters to perform exorcism rituals. Therefore, it is said that one needs to set up a “boundary” or perform some religious rituals such as sunning holy water or meditating in a place protected by gods before meditating, otherwise, one may be possessed by spirits like opening the door to one’s body. The root cause of these conscious problems is “wrong meditation methods and motivations.”
根據本人了解，很多所謂「錯誤的冥想」行為導致精神失常的情況大概有以下幾點： Based on my understanding, there are several factors that can lead to mental disorders caused by so-called “wrong meditation” practices:
- 帶著過度的情緒慾望和一些不切實際的期待和執著進行冥想行為。例如為了看見死去的親人、為了到地獄旅行、為了開自己的「第三眼」、為了知道自己的所謂「心靈動物」等等奇怪的目的進行冥想打座行為。帶著大量的情緒慾望和執著去冥想打座是非常危險的行為。 Engaging in meditation with excessive emotional desires and unrealistic expectations and attachments, such as meditating to see deceased relatives, travel to hell, open one’s “third eye,” or know one’s so-called “spirit animal.” Meditating with a lot of emotional desires and attachments is a very dangerous behaviour.
- 過度投入到自己潛意識的幻象。即使身體出現一點點「異常（副作用）」也會對其異常執著；也會有人看到很多潛意識所提供的「畫面」， 並主動地投入和窮追一些在冥想期間潛意識製造的虛幻的處境當中， 不能自拔。 Overly indulging in illusions of one’s subconscious mind. Even if the body experiences a little “abnormality (side effect),” some people will be extremely attached to it. Some may see a lot of “images” provided by their subconsciousness and actively immerse themselves in and pursue some illusory situations created by their subconsciousness during meditation, unable to extricate themselves.
- 在冥想打座期間一遇到任何問題馬上主動放棄顯意識的控制，完全交出自己意識的所有控制權給潛意識，導致潛意識當中儲存的「垃圾」大量湧現，例如童年陰影、情緒慾望等等。在冥想期間完全放棄顯意識對潛意識的覺知和平等心，甘願被潛意識吞噬是對自己非常不負責任和消極的行為，這也是大多數人冥想後出現精神異常的主要原因。 Giving up conscious control at the slightest problem during the meditation period and completely surrendering all control of one’s consciousness to the subconsciousness, leads to a large amount of “garbage” stored in the subconsciousness emerging, such as childhood shadows, emotional desires, etc. Completely giving up the awareness and equanimity of the conscious mind towards the subconsciousness and willingly being swallowed up by the subconsciousness is very irresponsible and passive behaviour oneself, and it is also the main reason why most people experience mental abnormalities after meditation.
Meditation is a practice that trains the conscious with equanimity and mindfulness, to get rid of subconscious attachment to conscious. It is like sailing on the ocean, where thoughts, emotions, and desires are like various conditions on the sea. Sometimes there are calm winds and smooth sailing, while other times there are storms and rough waters. Through this practice, we train ourselves to face the changing conditions of the sea with equanimity and mindfulness, so that we do not capsize and sink into the ocean. This is meditation.
正確的禪修狀態必然是顯意識活躍，人會進入異常清醒明朗和極度專注的狀態，潛意識在這期間的控制權會被大大削弱，所以是完全沒有理由需要擔心任何外來或內在的原因導致因冥想而突然精神失常 。 開始冥想之前不要對冥想有太大期望，想從冥想得到某種神通和智慧，或者期望冥想一定能帶給你平靜喜悅，這會對冥想產生執著。冥想也是有無常起伏，可能進行冥想幾個月也體會不到明顯個人變化，但不要太執著階段性的結果及過去的冥想經驗，每日堅持一步步來，靜看花開，在冥想當中體驗當下每一刻。
The correct state of meditation necessarily involves active consciousness. People will enter a state of abnormal clarity and extreme focus, and the control of the subconscious will be greatly weakened during this period. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to worry about any external or internal factors causing sudden mental illness due to meditation. Before starting meditation, do not have high expectations for it, such as wanting to gain supernatural powers and wisdom, or expecting meditation to bring you peace and joy. This will lead to attachment in your practice. Meditation has ups and downs; you may not notice significant personal changes even after months of practice. Don’t be too attached to the results or past meditation experiences. Persist in taking it one step at a time, quietly observing the blossoming of flowers and experiencing every moment in your practice.
原始佛教「止觀雙運」(或稱「定慧雙修」）冥想打坐和控制情緒慾望方法詳解 In-depth explanation of the primitive Buddhism’s “Samatha-Vipassana” meditation, emotion and desire control
認識禪修冥想當中可能出現的意識訊號 （副作用）和極大地提升情緒控制和禪修冥想效率的方法Understanding the consciousness signals (“side effects”) that may arise during Zen meditation and greatly improving emotional control and the efficiency of Zen meditation.
正確原始佛法修行目的與方向－「阿耨多羅三藐三菩提」亦即是「無上正等正覺」The correct purpose and direction of original Buddhist practice is to attain “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which is also known as “supreme perfect enlightenment and equality”
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2023.06.02 16:53 GideonGleeful95 The conversation about unit and faction variety: an analysis
First: I want to say this isn't so much a criticism and more of an analysis of the arguments I've been seeing about Pharaoh and the mixed feelings.
Ok so one of the big conversations right now is that that one of Pharaoh's weaknesses is the lack of unit variety. A lot of people point out that ultimately Shogun 2 also didn't have that much variety between factions and its widely regarded as one of the best total war games. I think part of the issue isn't so much "between faction variety" as "within faction variety" in addition to both familiarity with the setting and the extent of the scope.
Using Shogun 2 as an example, in that game you had spearmen/pikemen, archers, glaives (naginata), halberdiers, swordsmen, light cavalry, heavy cavalry, ranged cavalry, mangonels, canons, gunner, firebombers and rocket troops.
In Pharaoh, it seems like most factions will have spearmen, archers, slingers, chariots, axemen, clubmen, swordsmen. Yes there will be heavy and light versions of them as well, and like two handed axemen vs axe and shield etc.
These may differ greatly between the three cultures we have, but this is where another factor comes in: Familiarity. Ultimately, Napoleon also didn't have much variety between factions. Everyone had line infantry, cavalry, cannons etc. Same with Empire for the most part with some exceptions like the Maratha elephants. Hell, even in Medieval 2 and Rome 2, a large chunk of the factions shared many units. How many factions had Mailed Knights or Citizen Cavalry?
So why does it feel worse in something like Pharaoh for a lot of people? I think it's because a lot of people just aren't as familiar with the time frame. For Shogun 2, people are at least somewhat familiar with the idea of Samurai and there was a waring states period. As such, people at least had a vague idea what they were going to get with the game, and most people would expect most of the factions to be fairly similar, and that's kind of what we got. Reasonably, they couldn't do much more than that given the game was about that.
For Pharaoh, people just aren't as familiar with warfare in this time period, and to be honest aren't as invested in it. Ancient Egypt is almost as popular a historical subject as Feudal Japan in general, but tbh I think casual history fans in west (TW's primary market) focus on different things in Egypt. For Japan, the "coolness factor" is the Samurai and Castles. For Ancient Egypt, it's Pharaohs and Pyramids and Ancient Egyptian Gods. You, the individual, may think bronze age warfare is amazing, I'm generalising here.
As such, to the casual history fan, if you see a game about Samurai Warfare and everyone has Samurai: Awesome, makes sense See a game about bronze age warfare: Everyone basically just has the same units, it's just Hittite chariots vs Egyptian chariots. Not exciting.
Is this argument logical, does it make sense, is it fair: Not really. However, games are, at the end of the day, entertainment designed to give an emotional response. There is a potential logical argument that ultimately there were more types of units in Shogun 2 and by that time in history the technology had improved so that battles will be more dynamic and interesting by default. I'm not entirely sure how true this.
What I do know is that watching the battle replays on YouTube, to a lot of people it feels like there is less unit variety than Shogun 2 even though there is, in reality, more because each culture will have its own units. I can't defend this argument as logical, but I also can't deny that I also feel it.
Another factor at play is the game's scope, and this one goes back to what you could expect from a game in a particular time period. Let's go back to Shogun 2. It's a game all about warfare in Feudal Japan. What will be included in that map: the main Japanese islands, probably excluding Hokkaido because it was still mostly Ainu at that time.
What's Pharaoh going to be about? Warfare in at the tail end of the Bronze Age. Ok, so you'd expect the map to cover the overarching area most of those civilisations... except we only get three of them at the start: Egypt, Canaan and the Hittites. No Assyria, Babylon, Mycenaeans, Elam or Kush? Yes, they could be added later as DLC, and yes this game is clearly more about the eastern Mediterranean civilisations, but these other groups had a lot of interactions with those civilisations so it feels weird they're not there at the start.
I'll give an example of how it feels: Imagine if when Thrones of Britannia launched it didn't include Ireland. Well, the game is clearly just about the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Celtic realms of Wales and Scotland. Yeah, but Ireland's also right there and it's factions had a lot of interaction with the other main factions in the game. It would feel weird if it was left out.
This feel of missing out a big chunk of the game's potential scope confounds with the lack of familiarity: "Well, I don't really know about the units and warfare in this time period, so ultimately they seem kind of samey, even though that might not be fair. Well, they could make up for that by exploring as many cultures as they can in the time period and then showing how they are different. That way we'd get 6 or 7 different unit rosters and really get the opportunity to explore and conquer the whole Bronze Age near east... oh we only got three at the start... huh..."
This is why faction variety matters more in time periods people are less familiar with. I personally would love for CA to explore more time periods and regions like like India, Southeast Asia, Africa and so on. However, when exploring those time periods it will be important to try and get as many of the big players as possible because most of their audience won't be as familiar with that time period.
There is ultimately one other thing which I think has impacted Pharaoh's hype: timing. I think if this had been announced after Med 3 or Empire 2 or something similar to that, people would be more hyped. The reason is that for many historical fans, they are most familiar with history post 1000 AD in Europe. Again, it's not really fair, and I personally think other parts of the world are equally interesting.
The other thing is that they have been waiting for many years for a BIG historical game to come after Warhammer. I don't doubt that if a Medieval game had been announced and it just focused on Western Europe (eg. Hundred Years War: Total War), a lot of people would still have been disappointed.
However, for Pharaoh it's actually worse. The factors I mentioned above like the unfamiliarity of the time period and the fact that a big chunk of the potential factions are missing at launch mean that even though it covers a fairly sizable area of map, bigger than Shogun 2, it feels small to a lot of people. Incidentally, this is where a lot of the arguments that it's basically a saga game without the saga title come from.
Now, is it logical to think that after working on WH3 there would be a big game coming as the next title? Not really. However, I can't help but feel if CA had released something saying "hey we've got a big historical title coming in 2024 you've been waiting and we've got another surprise historical one in the meantime", the reactions would be less mixed.
Anyway, these are my thoughts and thanks for reading this far, feel free to add your own thoughts below.
submitted by GideonGleeful95 to totalwar [link] [comments]
Ok so one of the big conversations right now is that that one of Pharaoh's weaknesses is the lack of unit variety. A lot of people point out that ultimately Shogun 2 also didn't have that much variety between factions and its widely regarded as one of the best total war games. I think part of the issue isn't so much "between faction variety" as "within faction variety" in addition to both familiarity with the setting and the extent of the scope.
Using Shogun 2 as an example, in that game you had spearmen/pikemen, archers, glaives (naginata), halberdiers, swordsmen, light cavalry, heavy cavalry, ranged cavalry, mangonels, canons, gunner, firebombers and rocket troops.
In Pharaoh, it seems like most factions will have spearmen, archers, slingers, chariots, axemen, clubmen, swordsmen. Yes there will be heavy and light versions of them as well, and like two handed axemen vs axe and shield etc.
These may differ greatly between the three cultures we have, but this is where another factor comes in: Familiarity. Ultimately, Napoleon also didn't have much variety between factions. Everyone had line infantry, cavalry, cannons etc. Same with Empire for the most part with some exceptions like the Maratha elephants. Hell, even in Medieval 2 and Rome 2, a large chunk of the factions shared many units. How many factions had Mailed Knights or Citizen Cavalry?
So why does it feel worse in something like Pharaoh for a lot of people? I think it's because a lot of people just aren't as familiar with the time frame. For Shogun 2, people are at least somewhat familiar with the idea of Samurai and there was a waring states period. As such, people at least had a vague idea what they were going to get with the game, and most people would expect most of the factions to be fairly similar, and that's kind of what we got. Reasonably, they couldn't do much more than that given the game was about that.
For Pharaoh, people just aren't as familiar with warfare in this time period, and to be honest aren't as invested in it. Ancient Egypt is almost as popular a historical subject as Feudal Japan in general, but tbh I think casual history fans in west (TW's primary market) focus on different things in Egypt. For Japan, the "coolness factor" is the Samurai and Castles. For Ancient Egypt, it's Pharaohs and Pyramids and Ancient Egyptian Gods. You, the individual, may think bronze age warfare is amazing, I'm generalising here.
As such, to the casual history fan, if you see a game about Samurai Warfare and everyone has Samurai: Awesome, makes sense See a game about bronze age warfare: Everyone basically just has the same units, it's just Hittite chariots vs Egyptian chariots. Not exciting.
Is this argument logical, does it make sense, is it fair: Not really. However, games are, at the end of the day, entertainment designed to give an emotional response. There is a potential logical argument that ultimately there were more types of units in Shogun 2 and by that time in history the technology had improved so that battles will be more dynamic and interesting by default. I'm not entirely sure how true this.
What I do know is that watching the battle replays on YouTube, to a lot of people it feels like there is less unit variety than Shogun 2 even though there is, in reality, more because each culture will have its own units. I can't defend this argument as logical, but I also can't deny that I also feel it.
Another factor at play is the game's scope, and this one goes back to what you could expect from a game in a particular time period. Let's go back to Shogun 2. It's a game all about warfare in Feudal Japan. What will be included in that map: the main Japanese islands, probably excluding Hokkaido because it was still mostly Ainu at that time.
What's Pharaoh going to be about? Warfare in at the tail end of the Bronze Age. Ok, so you'd expect the map to cover the overarching area most of those civilisations... except we only get three of them at the start: Egypt, Canaan and the Hittites. No Assyria, Babylon, Mycenaeans, Elam or Kush? Yes, they could be added later as DLC, and yes this game is clearly more about the eastern Mediterranean civilisations, but these other groups had a lot of interactions with those civilisations so it feels weird they're not there at the start.
I'll give an example of how it feels: Imagine if when Thrones of Britannia launched it didn't include Ireland. Well, the game is clearly just about the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Celtic realms of Wales and Scotland. Yeah, but Ireland's also right there and it's factions had a lot of interaction with the other main factions in the game. It would feel weird if it was left out.
This feel of missing out a big chunk of the game's potential scope confounds with the lack of familiarity: "Well, I don't really know about the units and warfare in this time period, so ultimately they seem kind of samey, even though that might not be fair. Well, they could make up for that by exploring as many cultures as they can in the time period and then showing how they are different. That way we'd get 6 or 7 different unit rosters and really get the opportunity to explore and conquer the whole Bronze Age near east... oh we only got three at the start... huh..."
This is why faction variety matters more in time periods people are less familiar with. I personally would love for CA to explore more time periods and regions like like India, Southeast Asia, Africa and so on. However, when exploring those time periods it will be important to try and get as many of the big players as possible because most of their audience won't be as familiar with that time period.
There is ultimately one other thing which I think has impacted Pharaoh's hype: timing. I think if this had been announced after Med 3 or Empire 2 or something similar to that, people would be more hyped. The reason is that for many historical fans, they are most familiar with history post 1000 AD in Europe. Again, it's not really fair, and I personally think other parts of the world are equally interesting.
The other thing is that they have been waiting for many years for a BIG historical game to come after Warhammer. I don't doubt that if a Medieval game had been announced and it just focused on Western Europe (eg. Hundred Years War: Total War), a lot of people would still have been disappointed.
However, for Pharaoh it's actually worse. The factors I mentioned above like the unfamiliarity of the time period and the fact that a big chunk of the potential factions are missing at launch mean that even though it covers a fairly sizable area of map, bigger than Shogun 2, it feels small to a lot of people. Incidentally, this is where a lot of the arguments that it's basically a saga game without the saga title come from.
Now, is it logical to think that after working on WH3 there would be a big game coming as the next title? Not really. However, I can't help but feel if CA had released something saying "hey we've got a big historical title coming in 2024 you've been waiting and we've got another surprise historical one in the meantime", the reactions would be less mixed.
Anyway, these are my thoughts and thanks for reading this far, feel free to add your own thoughts below.
2023.06.02 16:50 totairiku [Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!
![[Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/W4arcsZMT4HDMiP_skSU61Ijn-6HnFrv-aFNG7jn8jQ.jpg "[Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!") | 'Totairiku' is a new Worldbuilding project that seeks to combine Indian, Japanese, and other Asian cultures in a Medieval Fantasy Game of Thrones styled world. submitted by totairiku to JapaneseHistory [link] [comments] Introducing the Nerabudi Clan! As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty. Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching” Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago) History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night. Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries. Enjoying our content? View The Rest Of Our Exhibition: https://snapt.io/NXNUd Check Out The World Map: https://snapt.io/feIqp Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/totairiku Note: We use Snapt.io to count the number of clicks to see our user engagement. Each link hosted on Snapt.io is verified by their team to make sure the content is safe to click on! Nerabudi 'Mon' (Emblem) The Serpent Castle Jomo Ulara |
2023.06.02 16:46 Piranha_Plant123 First successful 32 heat run, to think Aphrodite was my least favorite god when I started playing and now she was the key for this clear lol
 | submitted by Piranha_Plant123 to HadesTheGame [link] [comments] |
2023.06.02 16:44 zordonking optic to a shield plus, is it a good idea.
I recently added an holosun 507k x2 (cos it best suits my astigmatism) on my shield plus with a dpp plate. After a few rounds at the range to test it out I saw that the red dot has a shadow. As in the borders of the lens are all lit up red. Not sure if a optic on a small barreled firearm like this is a good idea.
submitted by zordonking to SmithAndWesson [link] [comments]
2023.06.02 16:42 Snapships4life Rodey Champion Concept-Flank-1,900 HP
Primary A-Shoot an SMG with no bloom and SLIGHT tracking
Primary B-Shoot an RPG with seeking that applies an effect called "Disorientation" (explained in stats)
Secondary A-Switch to your RPG for one shot
Secondary B-Switch back to your SMG if you don't fire the RPG
Ability One-Dash backwards and put up a weak shield that slows enemies passing through it
Ability Two-Strafe in the direction of your current movement and take less damage
Ultimate-Instantly teleport nearby enemies to you and blast them outward dealing heavy damage
Talent One-Strafe now makes you ethereal while strafing but have a longer cooldown
Talent Two-Now have two RPG shots (requires reload)
Talent Three-Your ability one now snares instead of slowing
Statistics:
Primary A-45 damage every 0.05 seconds with 45 ammo and a 1 second reload time. Tracking is 2.5 degrees per 0.01 seconds traveled, although it travels really fast so it's best at long range. Damage falloff is at 75 units and has a max falloff (300 units) of -75% damage.
Primary B-150 units per second speed, 10 degrees every 0.1 seconds after 1 second, works in a 90 degree cone in front of the rocket. Deals 1,000 damage and "disorients". Disorientation blinds you for 0.5 seconds and during that time turns you to face in a random direction, including upwards. Upon firing it automatically switches back to SMG and reloads itself.
Secondary A-Switches in 1.5 seconds, lasts forever until firing, 12-second CD.
Secondary B-While RPG is out this will instantly switch to SMG and half the cooldown of secondary A.
Ability One-Dash back a short to moderate distance (further when held down), and make a shield where you dashed from. The shield is half as small as atlass' shield and has 551 Health. Enemies passing through it get -75% speed for 3.2 seconds. The shield lasts 3.6 seconds. 11-second CD.
Ability Two-Short distance, takes 0.5 seconds, take 50% less damage, 2-second CD, can't use abilities or shoot while dashing.
Ultimate-All enemies in a moderately large radius get teleported to you in 0 seconds and blasted outwards randomly with a force enough to push them around 110 units on flat ground. It deals 1,799 damage and charges 50% faster than other ultimates.
Talent One-Now take no damage while strafing, doesn't cleanse effects, 3.5-second CD.
Talent Two-Reload takes 2.5 seconds.
Talent Three-Snares for 3.2 seconds completely.
Made in Heroforge.com
RPG Tiiiime!!!!
submitted by Snapships4life to Paladins [link] [comments]
Primary B-Shoot an RPG with seeking that applies an effect called "Disorientation" (explained in stats)
Secondary A-Switch to your RPG for one shot
Secondary B-Switch back to your SMG if you don't fire the RPG
Ability One-Dash backwards and put up a weak shield that slows enemies passing through it
Ability Two-Strafe in the direction of your current movement and take less damage
Ultimate-Instantly teleport nearby enemies to you and blast them outward dealing heavy damage
Talent One-Strafe now makes you ethereal while strafing but have a longer cooldown
Talent Two-Now have two RPG shots (requires reload)
Talent Three-Your ability one now snares instead of slowing
Statistics:
Primary A-45 damage every 0.05 seconds with 45 ammo and a 1 second reload time. Tracking is 2.5 degrees per 0.01 seconds traveled, although it travels really fast so it's best at long range. Damage falloff is at 75 units and has a max falloff (300 units) of -75% damage.
Primary B-150 units per second speed, 10 degrees every 0.1 seconds after 1 second, works in a 90 degree cone in front of the rocket. Deals 1,000 damage and "disorients". Disorientation blinds you for 0.5 seconds and during that time turns you to face in a random direction, including upwards. Upon firing it automatically switches back to SMG and reloads itself.
Secondary A-Switches in 1.5 seconds, lasts forever until firing, 12-second CD.
Secondary B-While RPG is out this will instantly switch to SMG and half the cooldown of secondary A.
Ability One-Dash back a short to moderate distance (further when held down), and make a shield where you dashed from. The shield is half as small as atlass' shield and has 551 Health. Enemies passing through it get -75% speed for 3.2 seconds. The shield lasts 3.6 seconds. 11-second CD.
Ability Two-Short distance, takes 0.5 seconds, take 50% less damage, 2-second CD, can't use abilities or shoot while dashing.
Ultimate-All enemies in a moderately large radius get teleported to you in 0 seconds and blasted outwards randomly with a force enough to push them around 110 units on flat ground. It deals 1,799 damage and charges 50% faster than other ultimates.
Talent One-Now take no damage while strafing, doesn't cleanse effects, 3.5-second CD.
Talent Two-Reload takes 2.5 seconds.
Talent Three-Snares for 3.2 seconds completely.
Made in Heroforge.com
RPG Tiiiime!!!!
2023.06.02 16:38 totairiku [Totairiku Series] Introducing The Nerabudi Clan!
'Totairiku' is a new Worldbuilding project that seeks to combine Indian, Japanese, and other Asian cultures in a Medieval Fantasy Game of Thrones styled world.
Introducing the Nerabudi Clan!
As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty.
Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching”
Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago)
History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night.
Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries.
See This Post with Pictures: https://snapt.io/FbyNI
Enjoying our content?
View The Rest Of Our Exhibition: https://snapt.io/NXNUd
Check Out The World Map: https://snapt.io/feIqp
Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/totairiku
Note: We use Snapt.io to count the number of clicks to see our user engagement. Each link hosted on Snapt.io is verified by their team to make sure the content is safe to click on!
submitted by totairiku to worldbuilding [link] [comments]
Introducing the Nerabudi Clan!
As vassals to the Ulara Clan (The Archipelago Daimyo), the Nerabudi Clan resides in the Serpent Tower. Their founding story is one of love & duty.
Motto: “Shields in the Darkness” and “Always Watching”
Residence: The Serpent Tower by the Wanryu Straits leading into Wanryu Lagoon, protecting Shuri City and the Red Serpent Palace of the Ulara Clan (Daimyo of the Archipelago)
History: The Nerabudi Clan is known to be an offshoot of the Ulara Clan, related by the blood of a male ancestor. The son of the Queen of the Archipelago at the time, Jomo Ulara, had expressed his desire to marry a common girl of Shuri City. His parents disapproved of this due to their plans to marry him to a princess of the Timura Clan. Thus, they gave him the ultimatum of either fulfilling his duties to the family or being disowned if he were to go through with the marriage. He was heartbroken in having to decide between duty and love, but ultimately chose love. Knowing of his responsibilities, he decided to begin his own vassal-house called ‘Nerabudi’ (the Heballian-Goghullian word for ‘Balance’), and erected a castle tower on an island in the center of the Wanryu straits. Doing his best to fulfill his duties, this castle tower protected the inhabitants of the lagoon (including his relatives of the Ulara Clan) from the region’s infamous pirates by keeping a watchful eye day and night.
Entry through the straits is limited to the gates in the two thick walls connecting the Serpent Tower to the edges of the lagoon. The Nerabudi Clan has repelled invaders and protected the Wanryu Lagoon for centuries.
See This Post with Pictures: https://snapt.io/FbyNI
Enjoying our content?
View The Rest Of Our Exhibition: https://snapt.io/NXNUd
Check Out The World Map: https://snapt.io/feIqp
Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/totairiku
Note: We use Snapt.io to count the number of clicks to see our user engagement. Each link hosted on Snapt.io is verified by their team to make sure the content is safe to click on!
2023.06.02 16:36 subahsharmaseo What are Some Features that a Good BCA College in Haryana Must Have?
 | https://preview.redd.it/opdy0scj8m3b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8eb739c0fe51f4c507cac2fab8c150abba977db8 submitted by subahsharmaseo to u/subahsharmaseo [link] [comments] As already said, computer applications are seeing high demand in various aspects of technology. Many students are applying for BCA colleges as the field has a promising future with a good salary. As a result, many colleges are introducing this course. You need to look for the following features in a good college before you apply. A digitalized campus that is up to date with modern technology You are applying for a computer application course that has a high demand in the digital technology area. You can find out about the course and teaching quality of a college with the type of college infrastructure. The college should have advanced infrastructure, superior faculty and best teaching methods. Being a pro in the computer application field requires a lot of practical knowledge. It will give you the right amount of skills and qualifications you would need to put on your resume in the future. The best MCA College in Haryana must have an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system so that the students can get the best quality computer application knowledge, which is not primitive. It should also be equipped with the newest computer versions and digital classrooms to create an innovative and modern technological atmosphere around you. If you become familiar with the modern versions of technology from an early stage, it will definitely be a boost to your career path. Course Structure You must go to a college that has a diverse course structure. Computer applications have several branches, and a good college must cover them all. The computer application study must include detailed learning of Java, Python, C programming, Android designing, MySQL, Machine and Coding and their uses in the information technology field as well. Graduation must not be the limit to study; the college must also offer post-graduation or MBA programs in case you want to do a higher study for a better qualification on your resume. Placement facilities The best MCA college in Haryana must come with placement opportunities. Computer application has various uses in various technology departments, and you want to enhance your computer application skills ultimately for a job in a popular company. The college must have major companies recruiting freshly graduated students with all the right qualifications required for the job. For this, the faculty must focus on not only the theoretical or practical computer application courses but also your overall personality growth. They must help you to boost your self-confidence, provide you with many tips for a fantastic self-introduction session and enhance your reading, speaking, and writing skills. They should also focus on your language proficiency abilities along with basic etiquette and invite guest lecturers and conduct mock interviews to help you stay confident during interviews.
The college website must come with a complete and clear fee structure so that you may take some time to go through it all and make financial decisions before you apply for the college. Conclusion The best way to find a good BCA college in Haryana is to research them online. Some additional features would include faculty qualification, campus security, and student reviews which will help you to make your decision. TIMT is a good BCA and MCA college in Haryana that is a brand that provides student loans along with a reasonable fee structure. With its newest technology infrastructure and highly qualified staff, it is definitely a good college for you to apply to. |
2023.06.02 16:35 Draakonys Let's have a talk - Guide to Choosing the Best Plex Server for You
Introduction:
I'm writing this tutorial to accommodate beginners and experienced users alike. If you would like to skip the introductory part and get right to the point, just look for the chapter entitled “My list of the best Plex Server devices”.Next, I ask the subreddit admins not to remove this post and move it to the Builds megatread; have mercy.
Note: further down the line, I will refer to Plex Media Server as Plex Server and Plex Client Apps as Plex Client(s).
Plex Server vs Plex Client Overview:
When we talk about Plex, we cannot talk about the Plex Server without also talking about the Plex Clients. Both sides are equally important. However, they serve different purposes.
- Plex Server: This is the server component of Plex. It organizes and streams your videos, audio files, and photos from your computer or online sources to your client applications. The server software is available on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, certain models of NAS devices; heck, even Raspberry Pi can run Plex Server. Once installed, it catalogs your media, fetches metadata from the internet to provide additional information about your media such as cover art, summaries, ratings, etc. It also has the capability to transcode (convert on-the-fly) your media to a format that is compatible with the client device you're streaming to, making it very versatile.Finally, what makes a good Plex server is its ability to hardware transcode media content in as many streams as possible.That's what we're trying to do as cheaply as possible. Find more about the transcoding process here and know it by heart, it will be important later.
- Plex Clients: These are the applications you use to access your Plex Media Server. They can be installed on various devices like smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices (AppleTV, Nvidia Shield Pro, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Cube, etc.), gaming consoles, web browsers, and even desktop PCs. These clients fetch the content from the Plex Media Server and display it to the user. They allow you to stream your content, browse your libraries, create playlists, etc. Each Plex Client has a different set of supported video/audio codecs (formats). Why different set? Codec support depends on the underlying hardware, for example, the Nvidia Shield Pro will have a different set of supported video/audio codecs than the Amazon Fire TV Stick or LG Smart TV
To summarize, when we talk about Plex Clients, we are primarily talking about price and supported video/audio codecs (formats). The logic here is that the more expensive the client, the more audio/video codecs it supports.On the other hand, when we talk about the Plex servers, we talk primarily about price and performance (power).
Similar to Plex Clients, the more expensive the Plex Server, the more powerful it will typically be. This relationship is not always straight forward and we will talk more about this later.
Simple Plex Setup
The simplest Plex setup would be one Plex Server and one Plex client.The simplest Plex setup is also a perfect Plex setup. If you only have one Plex Client, you can customize your audio/video media to perfectly match the codec(s) supported by that Plex Client. In such a setup, Plex Server will never need to do any transcoding because Plex Client will also play fully supported media formats.
If your Plex server is never used for transcoding, then a Raspberry Pi can also be used as a good Plex server.
If this is the case, why is hardly anyone talking about using Raspberry Pi as a Plex Server at all? Because what I call a simple and perfect Plex setup is just wishful thinking. We, end users, we always connect more then one Plex Client.
Realistic Plex Setup
A more realistic setup may include many different Plex Clients, like Plex Web Client, Plex TV Client, Plex Mobile/Table Client, and more frequently, Plex clients for the streaming box devices.Now remember, even if your current Plex Client device fully supports your media content, if you add another Plex Client device, it may or may not have the same codec (video/audio) support. Thus you may encounter the need for transcoding. This is no longer a simply process and devices like Raspberyy Pi will not be able to handle transcoding tasks.
This is the root of our problem and the main reason for this article. You should expect that some of your media files will require transcoding, and for video transcoding you need a machine capable enough of handling this process. More importantly, you want a machine that can hardware transcode your content, which means your Plex Server must have a dedicated hardware transcoding component. Likewise, there's a software transcoding process that requires pure CPU power, but you would be lucky to get 1-2 4K transcoding streams with modern Intel i7 or i9 CPUs. We want to avoid software transcoding, as hardware transcoding can do much more for a fraction of the power of software transcoding. For example, a 10th generation Intel i7 CPU can handle one 4K software transcoding task or 10+ 4K hardware transcoding tasks; that’s a huge difference.
And before anyone comments, yes, we could make sure we only stream video/audio files that are fully (mostly) supported by all Plex Clients, but that would limit us in size, quality, and most importantly, the time it takes to make sure all the files meet the exact video/audio requirements.
Understanding Plex Server Requirements
Okay, so we've got a good handle on the importance of Plex Servers, what Plex HW transcoding is and why it's important. But now you might be asking, 'What do I need to make sure my Plex server can handle all this HW transcoding business?' Great question! Let's dive into that.Remember, your Plex server is the heart of your Plex ecosystem. It's where all your media lives, and it's the place that's doing all the hard work when it comes to streaming to your devices.When it comes to Plex server requirements, there are four main things to consider: CPU, GPU, power consumption, and storage.
- First, the CPU. The CPU is probably the most important component for HW transcoding, and when we talk about the CPUs we will primarily talk about the Intel-based CPUs with integrated GPUs (to be more precise, QuickSync-enabled iGPUs). Yes, AMD CPUs and Apple M1/M2 CPUs can also handle HW transcoding tasks, but AMD CPUs are not officially supported and Apple CPUs or Apple hardware in general are not cheap.Overall, Intel CPUs with QuickSync iGPUs provide a dedicated hardware solution for efficient and accelerated video transcoding, making them highly valuable for Plex servers that require hardware transcoding capabilities.The newer the Intel CPU generation, the better the QuickSync technology is likely to be for Plex hardware transcoding. The advancements in each generation have brought improvements in performance, quality, codec support, and energy efficiency, enabling more efficient and higher-quality hardware transcoding experiences on newer CPUs. Any 7th generation or newer Intel CPU with iGPU will be able to HW transcode both H.264 and H.265 video codecs (more or less 99% of today's modern video media). 10th generation of Intel CPUs have even better performance with H.264 and H.265 video encoding/decoding. Intel CPUs with iGPU, 12th generation or above is required if you require hardware AV1 video codec support.Finally, do not use Intel CPUs whos version name ends with F; they lack iGPU.In summary, CPUs are important because they provide excellent HW transcoding performance at low power consumption.
- Second, the GPU. The GPU is probably as important as the CPU, and in some cases more important, and when we talk about GPUs we will primarily talk about Nvidia GPUs as they are officialy supported by the Plex team.NVIDIA GPUs are important for Plex hardware transcoding due to their dedicated video encoding/decoding units, superior performance, wide codec support, improved video quality, reduced CPU load, power efficiency. They offer a powerful hardware acceleration solution that can greatly enhance the transcoding capabilities of a Plex server. It's also important to note that Nvidia GPUs require a patch to unlock the number of HW transcoding streams.Dedicated GPUs are large pieces of hardware and have their place in desktop PCs. However, they can also be used with mini-PCs by using an external GPU enclosure.
- Third, power consumption. Plex Server will run 24/7 as a general rule. The larger the device used for Plex Server, the more power it will consume. Usually. Desktop PCs consume more power than NAS devices, which consume more power than mini PCs paired with NVME drives.
- Fourth, Storage. Each Plex Server requires dedicated media storage. Desktop PCs and NAS devices have enough space for several HDDs, while mini PCs require external storage like DAS (or even NAS devices). Although, mini PCs can avoid external storage with NVME drives (expensive approach, but small enough for mini PC integration).
To summarize, we’re looking for:
- Mini PCs with any Intel-based CPU based on QuickSync-enabled iGPU.
- Desktop PC with Intel-based CPU based on QuickSync-enabled iGPU
- Desktop PC with any AMD CPU as long it runs Nvidia-based GPU (minimum GTX 1050 or bettenewer)
- Intel-based NAS (Synology, QNAP ....) as long Intel-based CPU is based on QuickSync-enabled iGPU (even Celerons will do)
- Intel-based Apple Mac Mini or M1/M2 Mac Mini if available
Desktop PC vs Mini PC vs NAS
- Desktop PC
- Power Consumption: Large desktop and gaming computers use between 200 and 500 watts of electricity on average. Using a computer for 8 hours per day will use about 12.2 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and 146 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year (This is not my calculation so I may update it over time).
- Cost: Desktop PCs are typically the most expensive setup due to component costs and high power consumption over time.
- Performance: Desktop PCs in general offer the best performance and quality if paired with dedicated GPUs
- Mini PC
- Power Consumption: A basic Intel NUC, a type of mini PC, will use around 30 watt-hours per hour, or 0.03 kilowatt-hours per hour. A high-end model will use more, up to around 0.5 kilowatt-hours per hour on average.
- Cost: Mini PCs are usually the most cost-effective devices if paired with NVME drives. This is somewhat blured if external DAS storage is used, or worse if NAS devices are used for strage.
- Performance: Excluding dedicated GPU, Mini PCs offer similar if not identical performance to their bigger desktop PC siblings.
- NAS (e.g., Synology)
- Power Consumption: Power consumption for a Synology NAS device like the DS1621+ is not specified in terms of watts, but it's generally understood to be quite low, as these devices are designed to be energy-efficient.
- Cost: Depending on a setup, running NAS as a Plex Server and storage can also be a good cost-effective alternative
- Performance: Usually the less powerful compared to desktop PCs and mini PCs. Still powerful enough to run multiple 4K HW transcodings thanks to the QuickSync-based Intel CPU.
My list of the best Plex Server devices:
Keep in mind that this is my list, and as such it is completely subjective. If you know of another device, mention it in the comments and I may add it to this list. Even better if you elaborate your view.Note: Below links do not hold any tracking numbers or references.
- Intel NUC Mini PCs:
Intel Nuc 11 NUC11ATKC4 - $208 (11th gen Celeron N5105 with 8GB DDR4 and 256GB SSD)
Intel Nuc NUC11PAHi5 - $449 (11th gen i5 with 16GB DDR4 and 512 SSD)
- Beelink/Minisforum Mini PCs:
Beelink N100 - $189 (12th gen Celeron N100 with 16GB DDR4 and 500GB SSD)
Beelink Sei12 - $449 (12th gen i5 with 16GB DDR4 and 500GB NVME)
Minisforum TH80 - $384 (11th gen i7 with 16GB of DDR4 and )
- Dell Optiplex Desktop PC:
Refurbished DELL Optiplex 7060 - $179 (8th gen i5-8500 with 16GB DDR4 and 256GB SSD)
Refurbished DELL Optiplex 5060 - $299 (8th gen i7-8700 with 16GB DDR4 and 500GB SSD)
- Synology DS423+, Synology DS920+, QNAP TS-453be NAS’
Synology DS423 - $370 (Intel J4125 Celeron with 2GB DDR4)
Synology DS920 - Deprecated but still a fan-favorite. DS923+ switched to AMD-based CPU without iGPU so it should not be considered as a Plex Server.
QNAP TS-464 - $589 (Intel N5105 Celeron + 11th gen iGPU with 8GB DDR4)
- Any custom-made Desktop PC
Here's a benchmark for Nvidia GPU transcoding capabilities.
- Mac Mini (Intel or Arm-based)
Mac Mini 2018 - $402 (8th gen i5 with 8GB DDR4 and 256GB SSD)
Mac Mini M1 - $430 (8GB memory and 256GG SSD)
2023.06.02 16:30 Drakyem Best TIP to take good pictures for the compendium (weapons & shields)
If you like taking those kind of pics in Link's house (where Zonai weapons/shields show the special effect when hanged) but the pics are dark, take them while wearing the Miner outfit. Unlike brightblooms, the light will also illuminate weapons and shields, while brightbloom's light doesn't.
Edit: you can use a hover stone stand on it to take the picture while standing right in front of the weapon/shield, so the picture doesn't look angled from below.
If you have more tips to take good pictures for the compedium, share them here!
submitted by Drakyem to tearsofthekingdom [link] [comments]
Edit: you can use a hover stone stand on it to take the picture while standing right in front of the weapon/shield, so the picture doesn't look angled from below.
If you have more tips to take good pictures for the compedium, share them here!
2023.06.02 16:29 Jams7747 Another AC question
Our whole house central AC is not keeping up and we've checked everything we know how to (filters/fuses/etc), notified our LL, and given him access to inspect the whole unit. At this point he's declining to have a professional look at it because he simply says it's old and doing it's best and "many people don't even have AC". He is not in the trades so his inspection does not replace that of a professional, in our opinion, and the fact that others don't even have AC does not seem a reasonable excuse to not service the amenity.
We've checked our lease and AC is not explicitly mentioned with the appliances, however it was listed in the rental ad as we have an infant and only considered places with AC. Any advice on what to do/say to get our LL to service the AC properly?
submitted by Jams7747 to OntarioLandlord [link] [comments]
We've checked our lease and AC is not explicitly mentioned with the appliances, however it was listed in the rental ad as we have an infant and only considered places with AC. Any advice on what to do/say to get our LL to service the AC properly?
2023.06.02 16:09 Safe-Company3038 Your Trusted Car Rental Service in Islamabad:
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A car rental company will use sanitizer to disinfect important areas between rentals in addition to vacuuming and sweeping. These features are present in the mirrors, the steering wheel and column, the console with cupholders, the seats, and the audi for rent in islamabad doors' interior. The air conditioning and vents might even be cleaned by some rental companies.
submitted by Safe-Company3038 to u/Safe-Company3038 [link] [comments]
Last but not least, the business can generate revenue by charging fees to customers. This includes GPS navigation, EZ-Pass services, and insurance policies. Additionally, some businesses may charge service fees for tagging a vehicle with tolls that the driver did not use. This is a significant method for increasing the pay and efficiency of a car rental company.
Administration to Clients Vehicle rental organizations have a stand-out chance to separate themselves from the opposition by offering extraordinary client care. How Might Hiring a Car Help? This infers ensuring that clients can converse with taught staff immediately, 365 days of the year, 24 hours each day, whether they book a vehicle through the association's site, versatile application, rental seller, air terminal counter, or rental delegate.
Additionally, this indicates that a pre-arranged staff can instruct customers on a variety of topics, including how to comprehend flexible applications and in-vehicle features, as well as the booking framework and reservation estimation.
On-demand benefits are being tested by numerous major car rental companies to cut down on total rental time. In order to provide vehicle pick-up and drop-off on demand from hotels and other city locations, they are combining personalization and rental cars in islamabad automation.
They are also working on branded mobile applications that give reservations agents access with just a tap. Since it permits clients to return to their lives rapidly and keep away from long queues at the typical counter, giving this degree of client care can assist the brand with building trust and relentlessness. Excellent customer service also contributes to the reduction of negative research and information.
A company that rents cars to the general public for brief periods of time is known as a vehicle rental help. More often than not, you'll track down these organizations in air terminals or occupied urban communities.
Through the loyalty programs of rental car companies, customers can also take advantage of perks like e-returns and avoiding the counter. These advantages can make renting a car simpler and less expensive.
Comfort Many rental car companies charge an additional fee in addition to the daily rate for certain kinds of vehicles, like SUVs or trucks. Hardware rentals like ski racks or GPS devices, as well as additional drivers (some car rental companies won't let drivers under the age of 21), are additional costs. It's important to read everything in your rental agreement limousine car rent price in islamabad before you leave in your car.
The rise of distributed vehicle sharing may be one of the most significant shifts in the rental car industry. Venture and Zipcar are expanding their strategies by collaborating with ride-sharing apps, organizing events, and eventually entering the car deals market.
The expansion of progression, which will also improve the overall customer experience, is another huge change. Organizations will want to actually keep an eye on vehicles all the time and fix any problems right away before they become a problem for customers because of these new innovations. As a result of these advancements, businesses and customers alike will benefit from lower operating costs. These changes will significantly improve car rental services in the future. Keep tuned! The organization is changing quickly.
Utilizing vehicle rental services can help individuals become more adaptable. As a result, they are the best option for people who would rather not have to worry about buying and maintaining a car. The market is meeting this demand by offering spic and span membership plans that let customers replace their vehicles on a regular basis. For instance, Sixt+ provides a monthly rate that covers costs associated with vehicles.
Some businesses offer customers additional benefits mercedes for rent in islamabad like limits and prizes in addition to a wide selection of vehicles. For instance, customers who lease automobiles from American Express receive exceptional "card part rates."
Additionally, a variety of services are available to those with specific requirements. For instance, a vehicle that is accessible to wheelchair users may be offered by some organizations. This is a straightforward option for those who require wheelchair accessibility. Basically, parents who need to take their kids to the secondary lounge will get a car with a kid sponsor seat from different organizations. As a result, all travelers will be shielded, and guardians will want to keep their hands free.
Safety: For those who require temporary transportation, a dependable and secure car rental service is an option. They have severe rules for how to clean and sanitize their vehicles for every client. In addition, they use online enrollment and payment to reduce contact and risk. Additionally, a lot of businesses offer gloves and facial coverings to customers traveling in their vehicles.
A car rental company will use sanitizer to disinfect important areas between rentals in addition to vacuuming and sweeping. These features are present in the mirrors, the steering wheel and column, the console with cupholders, the seats, and the audi for rent in islamabad doors' interior. The air conditioning and vents might even be cleaned by some rental companies.
2023.06.02 16:09 T0TALfps BATTLEFIELD 2042 UPDATE #5.0.0
 | Hey Everyone, submitted by T0TALfps to battlefield2042 [link] [comments] Season 5 for Battlefield™ 2042 deploys across all platforms on Wednesday, June 7 at 12:00 UTC, while Update 5.0.0 goes live at 08:00 UTC. https://preview.redd.it/7jxh480mpl3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b59ab13929a2efaacda03dc444f53f33e54e9ab What’s new in Season 5? Here is an overview of the new content in the Season 5 Update, alongside highlights for changes and improvements:
Once Update 5.0.0 is available for play you will be able to jump into our latest map, Reclaimed via 24/7 playlists on both Conquest and Breakthrough. Once the Season is live later on that day, you’ll be able to unlock the Battle Pass contents where the all-new Weapons, Gadgets and cosmetics await you. //The Battlefield Team Stay Informed Follow us on the @BattlefieldComm Twitter account to stay informed on the roll out of our updates. You can also follow along with our tracking of Known Issues and further game changes we’re making via our Battlefield forums. ___________________________________________________What’s New?https://preview.redd.it/2t9u8zjspl3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6740ef676a6a5e1ef494ce2f7a6f7cdaf336a954 New Map: ReclaimedWar has descended upon an abandoned industrial facility, slowly being reclaimed by nature in the Czechian region. Fight in and amongst derailed trains, abandoned turbines and warehouses as you work towards secrets hidden within the mountains.View our Reclaimed Flythrough Here: https://youtu.be/isg409g3d24 The Crash Site, featuring the derailed train, is designed primarily as a vehicle combat area, with the Landing Zone an area of forest providing a circular area that will enable close-quarters combat and new sightlines opening up when trees are destroyed. https://preview.redd.it/ayr7gml0ql3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f0929adafa2e558166dd7f9888ab795f2b4c88a You may see the inspiration we’ve taken for the Abandoned Turbine and Military Warehouse. The indoor space of the Abandoned Turbine will enable crossfires due to its verticality and cover. While the Military Warehouse’s floors will no doubt attract snipers and a range of gunplay experiences due to the narrow layout. https://preview.redd.it/co8mioq2ql3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19259d1daaf6bc24780e0247f64ecbd3c236a07e Hidden inside the nearby mountain lies The Bunker, forgotten and made up of a central room whose linear space will bring intense, short-range, close-quarters combat. In comparison to this, The Silos is another outdoor area set up for vehicle combat with its generous roads perfect for tank battles. Easy to spot due to its four towers rising up from the ground, The Silos also provides plenty of elevated areas for infantry to get a shot at vehicles dominating the ground. https://preview.redd.it/pabp7bj4ql3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e4e0ddc6d2f9ad2d39c806105eb60c064fc29c96 New Weapons: BFP.50, XCE Bar, GEW-46The weapons arsenal is expanding this Season with not only new weapons, but also further much community requested improvements to Vault Weapons.BFP.50 The BFP.50 is a powerful hand cannon, giving you another sidearm that dishes out heavy damage at close range. Anticipated to become a highly popular choice due to its size, sound and power, we just know you’re going to love this updated version for The World of 2042! https://preview.redd.it/9td7zpfiql3b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=3956c1d9c838ab24b4e5c97b15a99da6030d0ab0 GEW-46 The GEW-46 assault rifle offers high stability with short-burst fire. Great for the medium-range environments that you’ll experience across the Reclaimed map. https://preview.redd.it/fvgtdvemql3b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=889956787d599e124d4372750b1425c426c1d254 XCE Bar The XCE Bar is a high-precision bolt action rifle. It has expanded attachment capability to accompany its stopping power, allowing you to quickly swap through attachment options to engage the enemy at various distances. https://preview.redd.it/zz0683zoql3b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=d10317789d3d63bb78297c16725426b915d29dcd New Gadgets: Spring Grenade, Anti-Tank Grenade, Mini Grenade & RPG-7V2https://preview.redd.it/ko7te42sql3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5749ffb7bb967c9c71281cc2098e4a42ce9e32cf Anti-tank Grenade A bundle of grenades that will detonate on impact against vehicles while dealing substantial damage. Mini Grenade An anti-personnel grenade that can be thrown a longer distance, and after a short delay explodes across a small area. Spring Grenade An old familiar projectile behavior as seen before in the form of the S-Mine or Bouncing Betty. It operates through a spring-activated thruster to reach head-height altitude before imminent explosive detonation. RPG-7V2 Veterans of the franchise will be familiar with this much loved gadget, and we’ve heard your requests to bring this boomstick through to All-Out Warfare from Battlefield Portal. With Season 5, you’ll now have access to use this fan favorite gadget however you see fit! https://preview.redd.it/gmodm37uql3b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=aa892cfc461d7b2e997d476216b1116dbb1d5e8a New Battle PassSeason 5 brings with it two factions - one that’s cutting-edge, calculating and professional versus a more survivalist group who are savage, independent and ruthless.You’ll see this in the cosmetics available as you play through the Battle Pass, some of the best we feel we’ve ever brought to Battlefield! From Falck’s ‘Regenerator’ Skin at Tier 0, to Dozer’s ‘Overthrower’ Skin at Tier 100. https://preview.redd.it/ia6h6gayql3b1.jpg?width=3840&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eab85f779658e6f1495a4ee347f8cef2467cac6c There’s a whole load of items to unlock across 100 tiers of the Free and Premium Battle Pass including cosmetics, XP boosters, and the new premium Seasonal Booster! Additionally, those that were Year 1 pass holders will also receive an Epic Skin and XP booster during the first two weeks of Season 5, as a thanks for continuing to play.* Lastly, we’re continuing to work on the game beyond Season 5. We are committed to continuing the Battlefield 2042 journey and are working through the best ways to bring new content and experiences for you all. Expect to hear more from us on what’s planned later in Season 5. Quality of Life ImprovementsVault Weapon Attachments & Universal Cosmeticshttps://i.redd.it/1j3epbg5rl3b1.gif We will be adapting Vault Weapons for use with All-Out Warfare attachments during Season 5. To start, we’ll focus on Assault Rifles and Sniper Rifles with attachments for the M16A3, A-91, M416, MTAR-21, AEK-971 and the GOL Sniper Magnum. We’ll continue to provide attachment support for Vault Weapons in subsequent updates. https://i.redd.it/rz04rst7rl3b1.gif With Season 5, we will also be introducing Universal Cosmetics for all Vault Weapons, from Forest Multi-terrain (Unlocked at Rank 0) to Desert Technical (Unlocked at Rank 19) and more. You’ll now be able to decide not only the attachments and versatility of your Vault Weapons, but the look of them too. We’ll also be extending Universal Cosmetic support to Battlefield Portal! Tune in to our Inside Battlefield Podcast, or read our latest Dev Notes blog for full details. Reworking Vehicle LoadoutsWe’re restructuring vehicle loadouts to ensure their combat roles are clearly defined and to reduce prevalence of explosive weaponry. This will also add further readability on the battlefield to ensure you know what to expect from vehicles when you encounter them.The restructuring of loadouts primarily focuses on our ground vehicles, and we’ll both remove and add weapons to each available vehicle loadout. For example, explosives will no longer be an option for all vehicles, and overall you’ll find more choice through a larger selection of weapons available to you. Let’s use the LATV4 Recon as an example of what that looks like. The LATV4 Recon is one of the most used vehicles in the game, and having explosive weaponry readily available pushed it outside of its intended role as a transport. We’re removing all its explosives, such as the 30mm, 50mm and Grenade Launcher, and will replace them with anti-infantry weaponry instead. https://i.redd.it/j184rmacrl3b1.gif Tune in to our Inside Battlefield Podcast, or read our latest Dev Notes blog for full details. Specialist ImprovementsDozer and Irish will receive improvements to ensure they provide similar gameplay experiences as others within their class.Dozer For Dozer we will be enhancing his movement and animations when using the SOB-8 Ballistic Shield. You will now be able to strafe, rotate and pitch with your shield more quickly than previously, as well as being able to traverse ziplines with your shield equipped! Lastly, we’ll also be including two new XP Events to reward further acts of teamplay when playing with Dozer. https://i.redd.it/yazxm1wfrl3b1.gif https://i.redd.it/lr57zuklrl3b1.gif On the receiving end when firing at his shield, we will be increasing its spread and introducing more bullet trajectory upon hitting his shield. This will ensure that during these encounters you still have a fighting chance, and at the very least, won’t be as impacted by your own bullets as before. https://i.redd.it/2n9xpwaxrl3b1.gif Irish Irish will receive a balancing pass to the capabilities of his APS-36 Shootdown Sentinel. We’re doing that by having it cycle through new intercept and recharge states alongside an added short cooldown, versus its previous always-on state. https://i.redd.it/ohe3pnp3sl3b1.gif https://i.redd.it/5bjv1dy5sl3b1.gif We’ve also improved its audio, alongside adding new colors to help you identify which state the APS-36 is currently in. Tune in to our Inside Battlefield Podcast, or read our latest Dev Notes blog for full details. Squad Management ImprovementsAlongside the Season update we’re also adding improvements to the current Squad functionality. https://preview.redd.it/jnt24yt9sl3b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0fb247cecc0cb470fb9894a30fc3b822fe7e678 Squads and Players The Squad Menu is now separated to give you a full overview of all squads on your team. In this menu you can make someone else the leader, and see how many players or friends are in a squad. It also shows class icons so you know how to best complement a squad before joining it. And to add some personal flavor, leaders can also show off their Player Card Tag as the squad icon. We also worked with the narrative team to come up with code names for each squad for that additional personal touch. One of our personal favorites is Gravedigger -- surely the Gravediggers know how to PTFO. We definitely don’t mess with that squad! Create and Join At any time you’ll be able to create or join a new squad directly via the Squad Menu. Previously you could only switch to a random squad, and only from the deploy screen. If you create a new squad then we’ve also added a short waiting period before other players can matchmake into your squad to ensure you can play together with your friends. Easy navigation The Squad Menu was created to make it easier and faster to manage and navigate through squads on your team. While before it was unclear when and how to change squads, you’ll now be able to do that at any time and with only a few clicks. We hope that with this new improved Squad Management experience you feel that you have the control over who you’d like to play with during a match. Once this is in your hands, please stay in touch and give us your feedback about how you feel about it! Later during Season 5 we’ll also add Squad Orders functionality which allows you to work together as a squad to receive increased XP rewards. In short, PTFO - and get rewarded! Tune in to our Inside Battlefield Podcast, or read our latest Dev Notes blog for full details. Other Areas of ImprovementDamage Unit FunctionalityAs part of Season 5, you will now be able to decide if you wish to show damage units at the bottom of your screen, at the side of your crosshair, or not at all. This new functionality can be defined to your liking via Options > Display > HUD General > Damage Numbers. Accuracy & Dispersion Changes Since Launch, our Level Design team has been reworking our maps to react to feedback on cover opportunities, and traversal improvements. These changes have also resulted in alterations to combat distances, and our weapons were tuned for these previous distances and combat scenarios in mind. Over time, this has resulted in feedback from you about several weapons being too accurate at long ranges without penalty. With Season 5, we aim to address this gap with balancing the accuracy and dispersion of several categories of weapons. Assault Rifles from All-Out Warfare and their Vault Weapon counterparts will be the first to receive this treatment. You will notice that the maximum dispersion has been increased by an average of 15-20%, and the weapons will now reach that maximum dispersion level when they reach half of the magazine while on full auto, and full spray mode! This should encourage everyone to do smaller bursts instead of prolonged fire towards a moving target, and in consideration with the map rework should increase survivability at longer ranges to encourage further up close and personal combat. We will be assessing your feedback to this change over time and continue to make necessary changes in future updates. New Unlock Requirements for Lis, Crawford, Zain and Blasco Lis, Crawford, Zain and Blasco will now be available as rewards as you gradually gain Player Levels through earning XP. Their previous unlock requirements are no longer available. Go get ‘em! Camera Sprint Movement We have made adjustments to the Camera Movement when sprinting in Battlefield 2042. This change is meant to add physicality to sprinting by introducing more immersive camera movement dependent upon the type of weapon and sprint type that you may be using at that time. You will notice a different amount when using an Assault Rifle compared to an RPG for example. We hope you enjoy this new sense of weight and body motion through the camera. For accessibility you may turn off the new motion in the accessibility options. On top of that, there are also some golden rules to camera motion in FPS games that ensure your understanding of where you are in space, aligned with what the camera tells you, and we have taken the opportunity to improve that further by focusing on rotations rather than translations in space. We look forward to hearing your thoughts! Aim Down Sight Field of View is now active for all players. Normally a scope will adjust your field of view. With this option set to “On”, the field of view will instead be taken from the field of view you chose in general, in your display settings. Some weapons will not be affected if they have specifically been designed to have a certain field of view that should not be changed. Why is this important? The amount of input it takes for your aim to move across screen space changes when field of view changes. Uniform Soldier Aiming calculates your aim rate to take the same amount of pixel distance on screen for a given physical movement of the mouse. In 4.2 we set Uniform Soldier Aiming to On by default (see our Dev Note for further detail). Setting ADS field of view to On, ensures the consistency achieved by Uniform Soldier Aiming remains the same across various scopes since your field of view will not change when zooming. Like Uniform Soldier Aiming, this will help to build muscle memory, which is essential to aiming in first person shooters. ____________________________________________________ ChangelogGeneral Fixes and Options
All Recon Specialists will now be able to use the Concussion Grenade. We have also made substantial changes to how the Concussion Grenade works in a couple of areas, based on distance to the player and in comparing the direction of the player upon grenade detonation. The effects of the Concussion Grenade are defined by Near, Far and Frontal scenarios. When it detonates within close range it will heighten the duration and intensity at the point of detonation. Beyond that near range, it will lead to a lessened duration and intensity. This effect is also decided and impacted by if the detonation takes place in front of the player.
Through telemetry and community sentiment, since moving the Prox Sensor out of the throwable slot and into the Gadget Selection field we have seen this gadget decline in relevance compared to the TUGs and other viable gadgets. We have made some adjustments to allow for the Prox Sensor to be an equally viable choice as part of your loadout.
Casper
Zain
Progression
M5C Bolte
LATV4 Recon
This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible. |