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The Dark Side of Twitter
2023.06.07 16:41 poggerswholesome69 The Dark Side of Twitter
As a veteran of Twitter, I am part of the only group still on Twitter that has experienced the platform pre-COVID. This fact seems relatively benign and unimportant. After two years of pandemic, we've finally returned to the interactions that have defined Twitter since its inception, and the platform has returned to business as usual. But there exists a sharp delineation between the pre- and post-COVID eras of Twitter's history, even sharper than the presence of masks in our daily lives—a shift within Twitter's culture. I can sense this change in myriad ways: in our online discourse, in the language I read in tweets, in the way we interact with one another across communities and cliques, and even between users and public figures. Unfortunately, I can say that I have witnessed Twitter's user culture deteriorate over the course of my time on this platform. Whether due to COVID or shifting societal trends, the sense of community on Twitter has diminished, and this disruption manifests in different ways. An increase in harmful language, hate speech, and bigotry, a lack of empathy and concern for fellow users, and the prevalence of toxic behavior have all damaged the community I once knew on Twitter. But I believe that this shift does not define the platform, and that we can recalibrate our culture, moving away from negativity and division towards a more inclusive and positive online community. Given Twitter's status as one of the most influential social media platforms, and our commitment to constant engagement, the prevalence of harmful behavior seems like a paradox. While toxic behavior has always been a concern, and Twitter has never been perfect, the level of toxicity we have reached as a user base in recent times has surpassed that of the past, which is a concerning distinction. Nowadays, even discussions and topics that were once considered off-limits find themselves embroiled in negativity and hostility. In my own online interactions, I have noticed an increasing number of users using words like “gay” disparagingly and appropriating AAVE (African American vernacular English) and parroting as if it was regular internet slang rather than engaging in productive and respectful conversations. This issue has moved beyond mere online disagreements; it has grown to seriously disrupt the quality of discourse and harm the overall experience for all users. While platform administrators have taken steps to combat toxic behavior—including stricter policies and enforcement—real change ultimately comes from within the user base. We must recognize the impact of our actions, even in the short-term, and understand how they are damaging our online interactions and the well-being of others. Outside of direct discussions, there is another, more insidious way in which we hurt each other on Twitter, something less overtly outrageous but even more widespread: an increase in harmful and hateful language exchanged between users. Personally, I have encountered some of the worst instances of harassment and prejudice on this platform; unfortunately, even those experiences pale in comparison to what I observe when users think no one else is watching. Almost every day, I come across tweets and replies that make my stomach churn—casual homophobia, sexism, racism, and other forms of bigotry. Users hurl insults at each other based on their gender, sexual orientation, race, and more. Even when engaging in public conversations, some users use derogatory slurs and offensive language without consideration for the impact on marginalized communities. Additionally, there is a prevalent appropriation of different cultural and linguistic expressions without understanding or respect. This behavior is inexcusable in any context, but it is particularly disheartening to witness on a platform that claims to promote inclusivity and equality. This is not to say that Twitter was ever perfect in the past; I'm not denying that offensive language and issues with bigotry did not occur pre-COVID. However, the sheer magnitude of such language and behavior on Twitter today shocks me. This is not the Twitter I grew to love. That version of Twitter changed during the pandemic, halfway through lockdown. Something shifted during the time we spent away from the platform and from each other. And whatever broke did not fix itself upon our return, despite our best efforts to "return to normal." More than anything, the isolation caused by the pandemic and an increased reliance on social media have made us forget the value of human connection. We have become desensitized to the personhood of those behind the usernames and avatars, leading us to treat each other with callousness without considering the consequences of our actions. This lack of empathy and mutual recognition has bred a culture of toxicity that now defines my final year on Twitter. Beyond COVID, the reasons for this general negativity are complex and varied; there are too many to list within this piece. But ultimately, these causes matter less than the situation they have created. Instead of focusing on what led us to this point, we should concentrate on what will lead us out. I can see a glimmer of mutual recognition reemerging on Twitter. It is up to us to reach it; we all have a part to play in this. Platform administrators can act as stewards and provide guidelines, but it is up to us, the users, to bring about meaningful change. We must recognize and respect the efforts of others on this platform. Let's interact with kindness, empathy, and understanding. Let's move away from hurtful behavior and towards a more positive and inclusive online culture. I will be leaving this platform soon, and I may not personally benefit from an improved user culture. However, I believe it is worth continually striving for. So let's strive for it.
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2023.06.07 16:35 resurrective Chapter 23 - Bunnies, hares, and rats
 | The sunset – all days have a beginning and an end, no matter what happens, no matter what tragedies or celebration might befall those who’re on this earth, this phenomenon would never change, at least not for the millions of years that still lay ahead. submitted by resurrective to RedoOfHealer [link] [comments] The refugees had stopped for a small rest. Some wanted to eat, to have something to drink, and some needed to relieve themselves. All of that was to be done behind a thick wall of conjured stone. But to even witness it, one would first have to spot the dome of magical darkness; Eve’s camouflage spell hid the reinforced camp from the rest of the world. She, Freia, and Ellen were put in charge of guarding it, while the others… Keyaruga stood aside, witnessing the extravaganza of brutal wildness clashing against Setsuna, carrying the gilded egg on his back. She battled a monster, a weird and creepy horned freak with the body of a boar, a human-like head (which looked much more like a clay parody of one) and the front legs of a horse. The world’s ambient mana produced many such creatures, much of them were rather normal-looking, but this… Calamity, as it read in the view of the jade eye, looked like a hand-made chimera of some mad sorcerer. “Ghh! Ha!” Setsuna yelled, mutilating the massive behemoth with her claws of ice. Each blow of hers shred through the monstrosity’s flesh, bleeding white bile out of the monster. She danced around, masterfully avoiding each and every blow the wrathful monster could send at her in an acrobatic flurry of dodges. Each flip she combined with a slash. Blessed by Caladrius, her frozen gauntlets easily pierced the thick skin of the pinkish hairless abomination. In a war of attrition, it stood no chance. That’s when another of its abilities would be revealed – It could ‘blink’ over small distances, leaving nothing but bluish rifts in its wake. Once it’s activated, there’s nothing you can do – the monster just teleports inside your body, blasting it from the inside with its gargantuan mass. “No, you don’t!” The hero snarled, shooting the abomination with a beam of light. He wasn’t just standing around, instead monitoring the fight through his new power. The Carved eye, how he called the purple cross, granted by the divine bird, allowed him to see two seconds into the future, and since nothing was set in stone, he could glance at a few variations at the same time. Well, this time everything ended in the same horrific manner for the ice-wolf girl, and so… “GRROUMNGHUGO-O-O!!!” When the piercing light punched through this aberration of nature, it bellowed an enormously gruesome shriek of rage and pain. It lost focus, allowing Setsuna to get closer to its head. The she-wolf plunged toward the monstrosity and slashed its twisted neck. And she did so in style – it was finally mortally injured when copious amounts of blood spilled from the monster’s insides. https://preview.redd.it/oqd617v7xl4b1.png?width=2894&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8a5064598bad41feaaa3f0cf622ce29e95daa47 “You’ve gotten faster, stronger.” The man admitted, looking at his companion, brutally finishing the poor beastie off by sticking her armored hand inside the flesh just to break its neck from the inside. It cracked, and everything was over. “I like what I see, Setsuna.” “Uh-huh. It’s thanks to my new powers.” The huntress happily replied, getting ready to butcher the revolting carcass. The Hero of Healing just happened to have a spare cart standing not so far from them, in which he’d pull the meat toward the camp. As for the ice warrior, she now had a level of fifty-nine, while Keyaruga enjoyed a mark of seventy now. An impressive result, seeing as the gray-haired girl could now stand toe-to-toe even with a hero. What was the most impressive, though… “You’ve seen what happened to Ellen. It took her a whole day to even get used to walking around after the surge of strength Caladrius gave her. You, on the other hand… Let’s just say, I never expected such battle prowess from you, Setsuna.” “Uh-uh, I’d be dead if not for you.” The wolf girl admitted, shaking her cute head with the ears pressed against it. It was interesting how this cutie preserved that gorgeousness of hers, even while doing something as gruesome as butchering a forest mutant. “How could you tell?” The red-haired lad asked, placing carved chunks of meat (after a little blood draining and cleansing, of course) on the cart. The thing she killed weighed at least half a ton, so the food would be plentiful for the time being. “Intuition.” Setsuna revealed, getting rid of the lungs and stinking stomach, just as morbidly twisted, as the rest of the chimera. The huntress masterfully cut the meat from the bones with nothing more than her claws, sharp enough to act like an excellent knife. “Not really surprising for a genius like you. Your senses and agility are just superb.” The man praised the girl, helping her with his keen reddish saber. “Uh-huh…” The ice warrior mumbled in reply, focusing on the task at hand, rather than flustering at the compliment. Something wasn’t right. Keyaruga never saw Setsuna this depressed, and it saddened him as well. “Is there something on your mind?” “Nothing, it’s alright.” She answered without even trying to hide her displeasure or, rather, the girl thought that maintaining her neutral expression would be just enough. “Well, I don’t believe you.” The healer uttered, masterfully carving the last slices of flesh from the dead abomination. It didn’t look particularly appetizing, but at least its meat wasn’t that different from anything else. “You know, I’m worried about you, Setsuna, and I don’t want you to hide anything from me.” “What’s the point? You’ve got everything you want now, even a child.” The she-wolf lamented, kneeling above the reddish skeleton of the monstrosity; at least three hundred kilograms of meat now rested in their cart, waiting to get delivered to the camp. And so, she had nothing to do anymore other than to dispel her claws, letting them melt along with the fat, blood, bile, and gruesome viscera. “The point is…” The lad began, crouching right next to the she-wolf. First thing first, he washed her hands. Water pumped from his palms, which were shining with sorcerous sigils, but magic aside, he simply wanted to offer her a human touch. “…I really care for you. Ellen says it’s my weakness, and I could treat it as such. You know, I could get rid of my empathy, and that would be that. But I don’t want to. I want to feel and sympathize, so now I sense your distress.” Keyaruga deadpanned, still holding the girl’s arms, even if they were as clean and can be, even if there was no sorcery to see and feel anymore. “I want to help you, Nayuta, just like you’ve helped me.” And as he spoke. The man remained right where he was; ready to stay there as long as he needed, he gently put his palm on the huntress’ shoulder. There was nobody to hear them, and so, he addressed the girl with her true name. “Keyaruga… I…” It wasn’t easy for her, all those contradictory emotions, loyalty clashing against what her very soul wished for – it metaphorically speaking, tore Setsuna apart from the inside, making her chest severely ache. To do nothing would ensure the status-quo, nothing would change, and there would be nothing to worry about. Yet… “I’m feeling sad, and lonely.” To say these few words, Setsuna needed all of her bravery and might. It was literally harder than facing the dangerous monstrosity and defeating it in a battle. “What… about Ellen?” The hero asked of the girl, trying to not be too persistent. Everyone had their highs and lows, and now it was the turn of the she-wolf. “It’s… not the same. I want you. And you’re with Eve.” The huntress admitted what’s been bothering her all this time. The oppressive solitude she felt couldn’t just be healed by pairing her with someone else, and although spending time with the princess had its merits, the ice warrior craved someone different. And yet, she understood how much the black-winged lady needed him right now, but that didn’t make it any easier. “Setsuna… Listen, you’re precious to me, no matter what. I won’t abandon you.” The healer promised softly. He wasn’t the type to loudly declare his love, but someone who’d support the ones he was close to, no matter what. “Um…” Setsuna growled, rising back onto her bestial feet. When Keyaruga rose as well, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him for a kiss, a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. “Then fuck me, right here.” She demanded with a blushing, yet aggressively seductive expression. There was only one thing to do now. “Bend down.” The lad demanded, unfastening his belt to reveal his penis. It wasn’t erected enough to show its full glory, but a few strokes got the work done, all while Setsuna herself leaned on the nearest tree, wagging her tail and pulling down the white sheet that served her as an underwear. She was jealous of Eve, Ellen stole her exclusive morning duty, feeling abandoned; the huntress had suffered in silence, but not anymore. “We don’t have much time, so no foreplay this time.” “Uh-huh…” The girl nodded, enticing the man with the majestic sway of her hips. “A-a-ah!” Setsuna gasped, as the lad thrust his manhood into her up to his balls with a single thrust. Keyaruga grasped her fit butt, the rippling muscles underneath the girl’s pale skin were just as enticing as the warm wetness of her narrow vagina – even without any preparation, the huntress could easily take the man’s cock. “Agh! A-ahh!!!” She yelled and moaned, swaying her hips and wagging that tail of hers. “Ugh…” Keyaruga felt it – the suppressed lust, the passion, the fervor – they burned like raging fire, threatening to scourge everything and everyone. “A-a?!” The hero felt it first – Setsuna, unhappy with how slow he was, pushed him aside, stood up… and jumped onto the lad, bringing him to the ground, pressing against his chest with her hands, recklessly collapsing onto his penis. “Keyaru…” First of all, the she-wolf was a predator, a dangerous and an aggressive type. Her humanity was always there too, but even that temporarily fell to the onslaught of her bestial urge to mate. “A-a-ah! Keyaru-u!” It wasn’t just a slip of tongue, the girl, jumping on his dick, called upon his true name with a vicious grin on her face. “He-he-he-heh! I know, Nayuta!” The lad sneered, grabbing his companion’s butt with a juicy slap. “I’m here for you.” Setsuna had the most loyalty among the man’s companions, and since none of them would betray him anyway, that spoke a lot for her conviction. But such devotion had its cost, and now, lying on the ground and pounding the wolf-girl hard and fast, with a maniacal grin on their faces, Keyaruga was paying this price. … Eight days – this was how long it took to reach the walls of Dantoma, and oh boy, was it a pretty ride. The entire day the man marched forward, while looking around to make sure nothing ambushes him, his girls, or their charges, babysitting those thirty-two (thirty-three, apparently, one women got pregnant) people, and four more – Keyaruga wanted nothing more than to end this already. The heroes are often romanticized, their feats are turned into legends, and their personalities are washed away by the images they make for themselves. The healer got everything a historic figure like him would want: a clear goal, power, money, an entire arsenal of equipment, a harem… The latter was a little problematic, though. Each morning, he was sucked off by Ellen and Setsuna, every afternoon the she-wolf would take him for a hunt, where they would have some crazy sex, just the two of them, over their fallen prey. It was still fine for the hero while they were dealing were monsters, but one time they butchered an enemy scout and made love while the body was still cooling, and another day they did it, surrounded by the corpses of murderous geese! Yes, these woods were just that dangerous! After the daily outing, though, it was just more walking and keeping everyone safe. Not bad, not terrible, especially when it came to the evening encampment, when everywhere they stayed turned into a small citadel of enchanted stone. It didn’t save everyone from sleeping on blanketed ground, but at least Freia’s fortifications were safe and sturdy. Mayala would always bother Keyaruga each time he was around, Ellen experimented with new and dangerous diseases, testing them mostly on herself, just to feed them later to her patron (oh, was she disappointed to find out her power didn’t agonize her, like it did to others), Freia would simply stick around the hero, annoying him just enough to get a rough retaliation each time it was her turn to kneel before him, and Eve… Well, ever since the tragedy at Visou, she mostly spent her time studying magic with the elder princess, and politics with the younger one. And how could all of them reinforce their bond other than with sex? Oh yeah, the five of them had sex, lots and lots of it. It wasn’t too bad, in all honesty. Even with all the insects and parasites around, Keyaruga had a lot of fun just walking around and witnessing new things. It’s just that he hated being responsible for others, even caring for his girls left a toll on his paranoid mind, and leading an entire commune… Get used to that, man. If you’re up for a usurpation, that’s what you’ll get soon enough, but ten times worse. Or better. Can’t care for every subject, when they’re millions of them. “Turna, turna! (Daddy, daddy!) Nanue karu? (What’s that?)” Right as the man was about to sigh and get back to monitoring the vicinity with his jade eye, the girl, riding on his shoulders, cheerfully yelled while pointing across the massive ravine with a raging river on its bottom. “Karu… (This…) Mayala pora arua musnak. (…is your new home, Mayala)” Keyaruga spoke, standing on the edge of a gully. There was a long bridge, and across it everyone could see a fortress. An impregnable-looking stronghold on the edge of gargantuan cliff that looked nothing like Keyaruga imagined it would. Simply the scale of the ‘settlement’ already betrayed its nature as a great city with at least fifty thousand or so in population, and its great ramparts clearly showed that Dantoma was not like some village amidst the fields, but a regional center of trade, art, craft, and governance. “Pff, ‘settlement’ my ass! That’s the best bastion I’ve ever seen!” Ellen exclaimed, looking around. She could certainly spot a whole lot of eyes, looking at the black-winged vagabonds. To even approach the gates, they had to pass a massive bridge, full of traders, adventurers, prowlers, and even a circus troupe. All that time they’ve been avoiding major roads, and now they were finally back to civilization. “They’re watching.” Setsuna pointed out, unmistakably recognizing a few highly-trained sentries among the bystanders. There were quite a few of these: panthers, goats, toads, horse-men, deer, but what’s drawn the huntress attention the most were… “Rabbits.” “Rabbits, huh? I guess, we’re in the right place, then.” Freia uttered with a smile. While others marveled at the beauty of the stone walls and towers, she already picked a few spells to ruin them for the worst-case scenario. “Don’t drop your guard.” The healer urged, placing Mayala next to him, so that her mother would take her away. The child complained a bit, but even a single look at the man’s troubled face was enough for her to understand how little he wanted to play with her now. “These aren’t rabbits, they’re hares.” He said cautiously, as if it was supposed to somehow scare the rest. “Ehm, Keyaruga, what’s even the difference exactly?” Eve asked dumbfounded. The queen-to-be just walked in the front, she was sure that the only reason they were still safe, and nobody claimed a reward or two for a kokuyoku was because of the multiple patrols guarding the peace. “Rabbits have short ears and rounder bodies, they’re pretty much domesticated, and you can keep them as cattle. Hares… Well, those are bigger, their ears are massive, and they eat everything, from grass and carrion to shit, and even their own kids. Ugh, awful creatures, especially when you try to raise crop, and they just come to munch it all.” The former farmer declared with clear signs of revulsion. It seemed, like only the language barrier spared him the trouble of being called out for his slurs, but knowing the truth about their leader didn’t really help Keyaruga with his bias. He could swear Ellen was giggling at him right now. “Ushigma denue (who’re you all)? Nezah Dantoma shia kane (what’s your business in Dantoma)?” And it certainly didn’t get any better, when a tired-looking guardsman among the star… hares stopped their little column for a check. “Shall I?” The hero offered help in handling this to his white-haired companion. Just one touch – and the guardsman would become their docile marionette. “No. I’ll handle this.” And having said such, the Me-ua kahul stepped forward for negotiations. This would be the first true test of Eve’s charisma and her ability to persuade others. And she… … “Alright, I’ll admit, you nailed it.” …succeeded. Not only had she gotten a few houses for their little winged commune, but the whole party now was to meet with the man himself. Very soon they’d meet with Carol, so the hero had only one thing to say. “You’ve really handled it well.” “I couldn’t have handled it without you, Keyaruga. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me… for us all.” The lady in red paid tribute to the red-eyed man, placing a faint smile on his face. She sat next to him on the top of the citadel in the center of the city, waiting on a bench before the traitor would be ready to properly meet them, since he was such a busy hare, and all. “Hey there! We’ve also helped!” The Apostle of Caladrius exclaimed like the small child she looked like. Seeing the all-knowing queen sulk like a maiden amused her so much, the younger princess could bully her for the whole of eternity. “Don’t disturb their cuddling, Elly.” Fortunately, though, Freia was also there to suppress her sibling’s attitude. After all… “She’s just too precious to do that.” …the sorceress had her own ideas of how to fluster the kokuyoku princess. “I hear you! Please, shut up!” The white-haired woman snarled at the sisters, but that only made their glee even worse. Better to ignore them completely, it seemed. “I bet you’ll miss Mayala.” So instead of putting up with the princesses, the tanned girl attempted to bother Keyaruga a little. “Not really. But, I know I’ve known them for two weeks, if something happens to her or her mother here, I’ll raze this whole place to the ground.” The man promised, noticing a slight grin of mockery on the lips of a nearby guardswoman. “Dantoma is big, and there are many ma-zok here.” Setsuna pointed out. It’s not like she had any doubts in the hero, but even he wouldn’t find it that easy. “What else did you expect from the heart of the opposition?” Eve mused, addressing the she-wolf. “To get crushed.” The ice warrior answered in her usual phlegmatic manner. “Now that you shouldn’t worry about.” Suddenly, a door had opened, and a middle-aged hare-gentleman with a monocle emerged from it to greet the party. It was Carol himself, and he spoke near-perfect Phasian. Everyone got tense, finally meeting the betrayer. Everyone that is, besides Eve and Keyaruga. “Kokuyoku have received four homes, and we’ll build five more for them shortly. As for Hakuo, you can rest assured; his forces cannot breach these walls, however much they try. We’ve got enough troops and resources to drive his marauders out.” The man with an annoyingly-looking short mustache proudly declared, sitting behind his desk. Although his remark was meant to be soothing, it was filled with lies. Even if Dantoma was a powerful fortification, it stood no chance against a full-scale invasion from the sky. Ellen held a smug grin on her face, since there was too little this place could do to counterpose Flare, mounted on a gryphon’s back, and the current Me-ua had an entire tribe of dragon-mounted troops. “Thank you for having us, Carol-murnaz (Lord Carol).” Eve stood up and said this graciously, yet her words were merely a ceremonial formality. Keyaruga rose as well. First things first, he offered his arm for a handshake, knowing all too well, how uncommon this gesture was here. “I must thank you for stopping by.” Just as the healer predicted, the hare-man refused his hand, instead placing his palm on his chest while bowing to the two of them. Did he just dismiss the hero completely? Oh, that was good. “Come on, have a seat.” Carol invited the future queen to take the sofa before him, and so she did. “It’s been some time since we’ve last met. You have changed a lot since then, my fair princess.” “You’re too kind, Carol-murnaz.” Eve responded with just as hypocritical of a smile as her host. This man leaked every bit of info he could to Kinacrith, and so, he couldn’t be trusted. Not this time, not like she did before. “We’ve come here to strike a deal with you.” “Certainly, your people are already being given an accommodation here, as well as our guarantee of safety.” The long-eared warlord spoke, rhythmically tapping against the table. One-two, one-two, one-two-three. It clearly meant something, since one of the guards just went out. “No words would be enough to express my gratitude for you and your people.” The queen-to-be said almost unemotionally. How could she show any amiability to a traitor? “That was nothing. Our alliance with your people still holds on, and I would be ashamed to look at your late mother’s face if I were to reject you now.” Carol responded, making Keyaruga, unwilling to sit down, as he was playing the role of Eve’s knight, ready to strike down everyone who dares to endanger his suzerain. His awareness came especially in handy when the guardswoman, who sneered at the lad’s ambitions, returned with a plate of two cups of tea. Oh, how the man hated those! “Please, drink. This will restore your strength.” The hare-man offered, tinkering with his monocular. At first, Keyaruga took a cup, he smelled it – nothing, he tasted it – nothing. Whatever the iuei saraga put in it – it didn’t work on him. But he still had his jade eye – this little present of the star nymph allowed him to spot… the serum of truth. Which was actually just a relaxant, which would merely cloud one’s awareness. Either way, the man simply bit though his lip and drained one drop of his blood, making sure it’d neutralize any effects and restore Eve’s focus, instead of literally popping her head, for example. “That… is kind of you.” The lady in red spoke, taking a cup from the hero’s hand. It was common for a lady of her scale to have a taster, who’d be the first to spot the venom, and so Carol could say nothing in opposition. He did seem rather troubled, though. “But we’re not here to hide.” And much more so, when the Me-ua kahul was finally read to speak about her goals. “Please, don’t be so shy. We know about your power, and we know of what happened to the Gramgrim. Caladrius’ grace is with you, I see.” The elder of the ‘rabbits’ tribe (Tarenago had no distinction between those two sub-species) spoke, rather pleased to see he wasn’t called out for poisoning, as the lad just chugged the entire cup in a single gulp. “W-what? No, how could I-?” Eve played an act of innocent ignorance, and that looked rather convincing coming from her in all honesty. All Keyaruga could do for her was to maintain his apathetic expression. “You’re wise to keep silent about this power, but no kokuyoku can grow horns without his blessing.” The hare-man said, feeling rather proud of himself for this insight. “Caladrius is a woman, and I’m carrying her egg.” The hero revealed, pointing at the treasure, strapped to his back. “And… you are?” Only now Carol properly recognized the lad’s existence as something more than Eve’s henchman. “Keyaruga. I’m Eve’s knight, and these girls are her courtiers.” The healer introduced himself, simply holding his left hand on top of his saber’s crude handle, really unassuming compared to its reddish blade. “I was the one to battle with Gramgrim. And I won.” The man admitted in a deliberately ambiguous manner. Could a hero defeat the entire brigade all on his own? Definitely, but to come to this conclusion, one must realize who he was dealing with, and judging from the traitor’s disregard, he didn’t. “That is strange company to keep.” The first of the ‘rabbits’ mused, stretching his arms. A sign of carelessness? Or outright disdain? One could certainly win a one-on-one battle with a southern tribesman, but to slay hundreds? No… “Still, my data suggests otherwise. Caladrius is with you, and you’ve destroyed Gramgrim with her power, Eve-maran.” Carol admitted, unimpressed with Keyaruga’s boasting. He just knew of limitations of a human. “Ha, alright-alright. I did. I really did.” The future queen played at frustration from being chased into a corner. She even took a sip of the cured tea to imitate distress. “Anyway, now we’re seeking vengeance.” Eve spat through her teeth, slamming the cup against the table. This blow wasn’t strong enough to fracture the porcelain, but clearly mighty enough to sprinkle the liquid around. Was it a farce? Or the true emotion of hers, concerning the tragedy of Visou and Carol’s treachery? One could only guess. “That is… inspiring.” The hare-man uttered, silently urging a guardsman to bring a towel. He had only two warriors there, a man and a woman, and both were elites, hardly a match for any of the party, but still. “We’re always glad to have you on our side.” “Thank you for agreeing to give refuge to the black wings. Your help won’t be forgotten.” The healer pronounced, trying to sound regal. Not like he had a lot of success, but that was fine. Carol had to think of him as a muscle-head, playing a knight. “The pleasure is mine Keyaruga-ugal (Sir Keyaruga). My name is Carol, Carol of the star rabbits.” Only now did this bastard think it was appropriate to properly introduce himself, which the lad couldn’t fail to notice. “You’re a hare, Carol. Not a rabbit.” The former farmer pointed out with a reserved smile on his face. That was for the scorn he gave him. “Ha-ha-ha-ha-hah! A good joke, indeed.” The leader of iuel saraga chuckled, yet there was no true amusement in his faked laugh, just a formality. “Carol-murnaz, how did you know about Caladrius?” Eve wondered, knowing all too well he upheld a double-sided connection to Kinacrith. “That is easy to answer. Your graceful bird is a legendary god, and when the fiercest battalion of Kinacrith had vanished in Visou, while trying to attack it, I would guess there was only one answer as to how that happened.” The long-eared chieftain replied rather carelessly. For him, this tragedy was but a skirmish on the outskirts of his domain. But for Eve… “They weren’t ‘trying to attack it’! They razed it, burned it, murdered my people, and even danced on their bones! How dare you tone down this tragedy, Carol?!” Saying this, the white-haired woman felt like she’d lost any semblance of control, that she was being pulled inside a vortex of terrible emotions, that’d lead her to saying something unreasonable for the current situation. “You!..” As she descended into this pit of traumatic reflexes, though, Keyaruga simply put his palm on her shoulder and gave his lover a potion of violet hue – this would calm her nerves. In the meantime… “I’m sorry; my suzerain’s wounds are still too fresh.” The hero spoke, resisting the urge to pat the lady’s head, as she calmly drank his remedy. Something he and Ellen brewed together for the suffering black-wings. They even resolved the possible addiction issue by combining their expertise. Still, this wasn’t about wonders of alchemy. “Let’s cut the formalities a ‘hare’ short, Carol. Now that Eve’s past that trial, we want to kill Hakuo and raise the new Me-ua to the throne. The Reese dynasty will once again rule over Tenanulic.” The red-eyed man declared, dramatically clenching a fist on his chest. It should’ve been enough to dispel any worries within the long-eared governor, but it didn’t. “That… seems quite possible indeed, with your current strength.” He still pretended to be involved with the overthrow plot, but small actions, like tapping against the table, or tinkering with his monocle betrayed Carol’s anxiety. “Yet, to so easily overpower the strongest of threats… I do not believe such might can be given out unchecked. There must be a price to pay for that, to be sure.” Oh, that was it! The very thing the man was placed here for. Certainly, his only function was to get any useful info about the true opposition and leak it to Hakuo. This wasn’t an exception. “Yes, indeed. There are conditions to call upon Caladrius, Carol-murnaz.” Eve, pale and distressed, replied with a slightly gravelly voice. The betrayer never even bothered to apologize for the lack of empathy, and now he wished to know her weaknesses? Fine! “I knew it. And what are they?” For a moment, the ‘rabbit’s’ excitement got better of him, and that was a serious mistake. “Why’re you asking?” Keyaruga asked with all due seriousness. This man never even bothered to sooth his lady’s grudge, so he didn’t deserve a respectful tone. “Oh, Keyaruga-ugal, to strike Kinacrith means to take it whole, or be taken by it. No other option, and when we do, I wish to be ready for what’s to come. Logistics, supply lines, troops – I cannot provide that without knowing the entire picture beforehand.” Although true, this reasoning really smelled more like a quickly made up excuse, rather than a serious argument. Much too ambitions for what’s still to come. “The moon and stars – Caladrius drains her power from them. The only way to use it is to wait until the stars align properly. That… would be one month later.” The lady in red spoke an obvious lie. She simply needed time, and giving herself three weeks to hone her magic and gather true allies seemed like a good deal to her anyway. “Norpaga (september)…” Carol mused, now tapping against his own temple. This gave him time, and a lot of uncertainty along with that. The state of ignorance was never what you’d call a power, and so, only one thing could be done about it. “Are there any weaknesses to contrast Caladrius’ strength?” The leader of the iuel saraga wondered assumingly. He seemed to believe that the serum worked, and that would be his downfall. “Yeah! She’s a bitch!” Ellen exclaimed, raising her arm, like a prudent student, always ready to present an answer without even being asked. It made her look rather childish, but this remark was to be used to the fullest. “She’s right. Caladrius is fickle, so if she doesn’t answer the call, it can’t be helped.” Eve said with a sad smile. That was truth, and it was worth revealing. In the end, this notion played in their favor anyway. “And, as if that’s not bad enough, you can only eat one apple to protect yourself from her poison for an entire day.” And if the current deception wasn’t good enough, Keyaruga added one more piece of disinformation there. It was literally the first thing that came to the former holder of an orchard’s mind, and seeing Carol’s eyes widen just enough for his monocle to fall on the floor was worth more than anything to the lad. “Apples are fruits of life, so those who ate it were unharmed. It didn’t save them from me, though.” The hero added, shrugging his shoulders. Right now, he had to gather every last bit of his willpower to not laugh like a madman. “That’s… fascinating.” The hare-man marveled at the new ‘discovery’. So much so, that he got ready to finish the audience. “Eve-maran, Keyaruga-ugal, it’s getting late, and you deserve some rest. Caryl!” The long-haired traitor yelled, summoning a boy from behind a door. This youngster looked awfully distressed, making the party wonder, just what kind of job this fellow was doing. “This is Caryl, he’ll accompany you to your new mansion.” “A-ah… Youmela. (Nice to meet you.)” The kid spoke, getting all flustered standing next to four beautiful ladies. So much so, that Keyaruga had to drag him away toward the door, trying to figure out how could one blush so much just by being next to a woman. “We’ll meet again. Your strength will greatly help us in overthrowing Hakuo.” It was those words, that Eve spoke exiting the office. Indeed, the traitor had a lot of uses, even if the most probable of them was to parade his head as a warning. I saw it… This was the head that Panakea showed me. “Rot.” The she-wolf quietly murmured. For that stench is what she smelled coming off of Carol. |
2023.06.07 16:11 inverseflorida I don't get western Go Nagai fans (and in particular Devilman sucks).
I understand why Go Nagai has tons of fans in Japan, a country where he's responsible for creating a handful of franchises that were not just mainstream but ludicrously, stupidly popular, and literally revolutionized or wholesale invented the genres he wrote them in. I also grant that indirectly, he had that impact on Western media too, by inspiring things like Sailor Moon or Evangelion, and Berserk, and probably too many to really list. But the difference is, in the West, his stuff never really took off the way it did seemingly everywhere else in the world - he wasn't some omnipresent rebel changing the face of media in the west the way he was in Japan because the stuff he made was extremely shocking and unlike anything else. Western fans have no choice but to evaluate his stuff without the scandalous novelty it had at the time, and judge it by its actual quality, and apparently a lot of people do this and go "Damn this guy's awesome". And, I really have to wonder... uh... why?
For those who don't know, as I was just hinting at, Go Nagai is probably second only to guys like Tezuka in terms of influence on manga, and really, all Japanese media. Cutie Honey arguably invented the magical girl genre. Mazinger Z was right there at the beginning of the 70s Mecha boom. Devilman's influence can be felt in how fucked up Evangelion is, as well as half of everything else you've ever seen from Japan that you thought "Damn that's fucked up and dark" (there's a straight line from Devilman to Madoka). And unfortunately, arguably most importantly given its monster mainstream success, Harenchi Gakuen, which was really the first manga to ever do extreme amounts of Perv Characters, Fanservice, really Ecchi itself basically, and the origin of Pervy Boy Characters In Manga Trying To Perv On The Girls as a plot or endearing character archetype. This was a manga where male teachers were constantly trying to perv on their female students - really, the first manga where this happened, which caused enormous fucking protests wherever Go Nagai went. It was also arguably a bigger hit than nearly any of the other names you might actually recognize, because the TV adaptation had ratings as high as 32 fucking percent.
I think I have to say here, that I'm going to be super critical of his work that seems to mostly consist of one connected extended multiverse(?), but that I also haven't read any of his work to completion. But I also feel like I need to say, it's because I think it's really really bad. To show how bad it is, here's an actual excerpt from the ludicrously influential Cutie Honey as made by Go Nagai, a character who in the 90s was, for some reason, literally number one with girls aged 3-5 and 6-8, but before you click that link and read it, please let me warn you that it may be the worst portion of any fiction I've ever read. I don't just mean because of the obvious shocking parts, I mean that even if you overlook that somehow, it's actually still dreadfully bad writing, and I assume I don't need to explain why if you read that. I have not read a Go Nagai manga to completion because I literally think it's so bad that I can't get through it - with the exception of some Devilman stuff (I think Devilman Saga is more readable than Devilman, and Devilman Lady isn't worth discussing lol), and Demon Lord Dante, which from what I've read (which isn't all of it), I think is mostly better than Devilman, but I also just can't get through a Go Nagai manga because even when it's readable it'll still be like... well, if you clicked the link, you saw.
This is somehow a character extremely popular with super young girls, so mainstream that even people not into it would probably recognize the theme song in Japan, by the way.
But in reality, I need to talk about Devilman, easily the biggest thing of his in the West. Devilman is beloved by a lot of fans because... well, okay, to be honest, I'm really not sure I get what the appeal is. People talk about Devilman being raw, affecting, emotional, profound, moving, and deep, and to be honest I just... don't think it is? Well, I guess Crybaby sort of is, but I think it's just shocking, and mostly unearned. Devilman came off to me as something that mainly worked by making you expect it to be something the mould of more normal Shonen, where there are broadly happy endings or important characters are not dismembered and their decapitated heads held by the protagonist. Then, suddenly, important characters are dismembered and their decapitated heads held by the protagonist. Now something sad is happening, so that means it's Deep and Good!
But that doesn't' make it good, and I really don't think it has much beyond that, and I can't help but see the stuff it has as mostly cheap shock and torture porn - actually, torture porn is an unfair label to give to Devilman, considering Violence Jack, effectively Devilman's sequel, so maybe exploitation is fairer. It's better at exploitation than the obviously derivative Elfen Lied, but still leaves me with that same overall sense of depressionporn without significant substance.
Cruelty/sadnessporn is not really something unique to Devilman, or Go Nagai - Tezuka himself wrote about how western audiences found some of the things he wrote super upsetting or "cruel", but how he felt the cruelty, the upsetting part, that was essential for actually portraying how cruel reality could be. The opening parts of Tezuka's Buddha (one of his best works) showcases this, particularly with the early escape scene of the Shudra woman, or the stuff like the rabbit burning itself, etc - it can definitely be confronting and upsetting! But there's more to it than just "Damn, that's pretty upsetting, isn't it! Bet you didn't expect that. That's what real life is like btw", like most Sadness/Crueltyporn manga, most of which ends up excusing its content by just going "Oh well the theme is that humans are bad and yeah, damn that's deep, yeah, humans are bad. Look at all this suffering and guro and naked women - there's piano music playing and people are sad so it's not hentai! It's taboo-breaking and deep!". See also: Elfen Lied.
Devilman really feels more on the Elfen Lied side of things. The story really begins with Ryo taking Akira to talk about demons and then of course, being attacked by demons whose vaginas are evil and will eat you. The story really isn't very good. Outside of Nagai's (legitimately great) cartooning, it's hard to read. The action might flow well, but the writing, the dialogue, what's actually happening, really feels like someone making it up on the spot even worse than Toriyama must have been, it's clunky, the pacing is fucked up, characters are introduced in the most random of ways, the manga starts with Ryo walking in on Akira being too much of a pussy to prevent a rape while the bullies and Miki are constantly going - almost explicitly - "Hey, you should do something to prevent this rape" while Ryo is casually talking about "let's go now, that's not important. oh here's my modified hunting rifle". It is genuinely fucking weird to read. Characters go on exposition rants so blatantly there to fill you in that it genuinely feels like you missed something and that the comic switched to narration at some point - so baldfaced in its exposition, in fact, that it has Akira call Ryo "you (My good friend)" with the brackets actually included in the text! This is meant to be dialogue!!! It's not good writing. It's not just that it's an early manga that aged poorly, because I've read a lot of earlier manga that's just plain and simple better and doesn't feel as amateurish in the most basic ways as Devilman does. It's legitimately not well written and carried by its reputation and shock, or things like "This demon's boobs wlil eat you" or "This demon's vagina will eat you".
Occasionally, it's genuinely funny in how prototypically edgelordy it is ("Oh this? It's laced with drugs."). Ryo, while we're still meant to see him as an ordinary(?) teenager, somehow has, in his private secret safe room, found a shitload of "rogue hippies" to have orgies at a party in order to become Devilmen. This is after emphasizing over and over how impregnable this iron encased cellar is and how it's a one way trip and how you can't get out of it. And then after going on about how these demons are too weak to get in, we later find out they can just teleport anyway. We also find out that the point is to also kill all the people at the party because they'll end up merging with demons too, but when that start's happening, somehow Akira and Ryo are surprised and say the demons are teleporting in. Also, in true Go Nagai fashion, he makes extra sure that the hot woman who just got stabbed by a shattered wine bottle has her boobs clearly visible so you can tell she's hot as she dies. No matter how tragic the deaths of the naked girls who get impaled or shot up or whatever kind of gore they suffer is, in Nagai stuff, he's still always clear to show you that they're naked, and hot, as they're dying.
Look. You get the picture. This is not well-written in the slightest.
I don't really think that Nagai does the gore and stuff to be confronting and deep. Harenchi Gakuen ended with everyone being guro'd by the PTA as a reference to the PTA protesting Nagai's books in real life. Violence Jack includes the reincarnation of the girl who got dismembered and also Ryo while we're at it, as amputee stump nudity slaves and then there's also more gore and there's like a constant drumbeat of rape after rape after rape. Devilman Lady is even more rape heavy. Nagai fans tend to immediately go, after you mention the gratuitous amount of rape, "Yes but he's portraying RAPE as BAD, see how the rapists are villains?" - one, I've been online, I've seen what's on the Japanese internet, I know that actual rape porn depicts it the same way half the time, so I don't care about that. Two - surely there's like, a point where you think "Okay, that's enough rape, it's time to write about something else", right? This is just the kind of thing Nagai does.
As I said before - supposedly, the theme of Devilman is that WarBad, and also The Real Demons Was Humans All Along. The writing is so incoherent that I frankly struggle to think about how well it portrayed War Is Bad, because it's difficult to make sense of nearly anything thematically in it except the extremely anvilicious The Real Demons Are The Humans. And the thing is, that type of Guys Isn't Humanity Really Awful theme is just stupid. I don't mean "Devilman doesn't do it well", I mean it's a theme that's always stupid that schlock Crueltyporn manga loves to indulge in.
For that kind of theme to work, it has to have some sense of like, relationship to real life! It has to appear to be a shocking, truth-telling moment, something that reveals something unsettling about reality, otherwise it's just making up a Dark Center Of Human Nautre wholesale then soyjak pointing at it going "No waaaay, this is the real heart of humanity you guys!" And if you read the comments on videos of some of the most shocking scenes of Crybaby, and you can see that's the takeaway the people who like the show are getting. It's why they say it's good! They say "Wow... this is so sad because now I realize real life and real humans could be like this too. Humans really ARE the real monsters".
But they're just not! The scenario in Devilman - whether it's crybaby or the manga - where humans suddenly become The Real Monsters and As Bad As The demons is never plausible no matter how it's portrayed, in every version it just feels absolutely unbelievable that the events could play out as presented. That's not naive denial that people could do terrible things in paranoid mobs, its' a denial that paranoia mobs in first world countries like Japan would take that form, or all the other shit that happens. The famous part where a mob of exaggeratedly evil looking stock manga heels just eviscerates important side characters, including the love interest (every adaptation except the OVA makes sure you can see her boobs as/after she dies btw), out of a desire to get revenge on and lynch demons as the world goes to unjustified chaos, and I just don't buy it. I don't believe it. I don't think it's naive to say that Devilman's take on this situation is unrealistically grim - I think a realistically grim take would look very different. I don't think one teenage boy on TV saying "Demons can possess anyone" would cause Miki's ordinary neighbours to become ugly manga heels who want to dismember her and parade her corpse parts on pikes, and I don't believe it when it happens in Crybaby either no matter how much art direction and sad music it wants to play. This fundamental lack of believability undermines the entire dark ending of the manga. I don't believe the rise of Rainuma and the tying of anti-demon hysteria to real world racism and then suddenly "Woopsy we did a heccin WW3". I do not believe any of that shit.
And yet, people seriously watch Devilman and think "Wow, how cruel the cold true heart of humanity underneath truly is... what a deep anime with a deep message, this could really happen." No it fucking couldn't! In any first world country, there'd be a million million more people who'd want to lean towards inaction or just finding reassurance that Ryo's scary TV interview was just words than there would be people whipped up into a frenzy over it. There probably would be some hysteria, but the scale and type of hysteria in Devilman can't be taken seriously. And no, I don't believe that Miki's ordinary neighbours would suddenly, even if whipped up into a frenzy beliving she's a demon, not only form a mob of literal pitchfork wielding ugly manga heels to kill her and her little brother (while talking about how hot they think she is), but I especially don't believe that they'd parade her dismembered corpse on pikes joyfully! I'd believe "A paranoid person who's otherwise normal when the world is calm takes it upon themselves to kill someone they believed associated with a demon when they break into their house, and leaves it at that", absolutely. I don't believe "Every ordinary person there is dismembers a teenage girl on pikes and enjoys it", and anyone who does needs their basic understanding of people checked. Even if a mob formed, in any first world country, once she was dead that'd be it. Normal people's disgust for, say, seeing a teenage girl dismembered, let alone dead and stabbed and whatever the fuck, is not about to be suspended because an edgy teenage boy gave an obviously scare mongering TV interview, and that alone is enough to really undermine the entire theme of "Humanity... is the real demons". The theme is undermined, because it's a fucking shitty theme, presented in a way that doesn't make sense, that can only make its point by making shit up about The Darkness In Humanity, and then go "Wow, look at how real this Darkness In Humanity is, I totally didn't just make it up and expect you to buy it!"
The only argument I can think of in defence of Devilman - and Nagai's shit in general - is that it's so obviously insane and incoherent, that trying to judge it based on things making sense is wrong in the first place, and you just have to accept the raw narrative and emotional momentum in a world that's fundamentally more cartoony. But, I just... don't? Not if the story wants me to buy into themes of War Is Bad (I still have no idea how it portrays that, because the war against Satan only really gets committed to once every human is dead anyway, and at that point, why is it bad? Because Satan thinks the demons and devilmen can live in harmony? The demons sure fucking don't!) and Humanity Bad, then shit needs to make sense and be worth taking seriously in any way to elevate it from raw Cruelty/Sadnessporn, or torture porn, or in other cases, just regular porn. And fundamentally - Devilman doesn't.
And for the record, I don't think any of the affecting or moving parts had to do with the central Ryo/Akira stuff. I don't care about it. Especially not in Crybaby where Ryo is so obviously sinister and unlikable from the beginning that I just don't believe it, at least in the manga his demeanour and occasional pang of gay longing meant that I could believe there was a relationship there even if I found it basically badly written, especially the entire premise of Satan Pretends To Be Human And Eliminates His Memory To Learn About The Humans, and only the Retro Manga Revered Status would possibly make people overlook how dumb the shit like this is - which also makes figuring out what was actually going on in Ryo and Akira's relationship not deep and complex, but confusing and ultimately uninteresting, especially when the manga has Satan confirm his feelings by going "You know that I'm a hermaphrodite" like he's showing off instead of being emotional about it. What? What? Legitimately, it's executed so badly that the manga made me feel nothing with the ending.
Devilman plays at the idea of being deep, and then fails to be deep. Crybaby in particular wants you to forget that the basic story underneath Devilman doesn't really make sense by doing things like "Here's two minutes of a man being unable to shoot his son that's eating his wife and he's crying and we play the sad music again", which is affecting to anyone who has a heart, but ultimately feels like cheap shallow exploitation when the themes themselves and story are just kind of... stupid, but masked with flashy and cool art direction, so you think surely there has to be something deep going on, because otherwise what's the point of it all?
If you're someone who ever watches manga or anime and cringes at the ecchi elements, the fanservice, the Minetas, etc - it's Go Nagai's fault. He started it with Harenchi Gakuen! It wouldn't have caught on if there wasn't an existing enormous market for it, but the manga lineage for it traces back to him. Sure, we got good stuff as a result of his influence, but overall...?
Someone like, say, Akira Toriyama, might also have a sordid past by Western standards and a history of making his shit up as he goes, but to be honest, it pales in comparison to just the casual "This demon is literally going to eat the love interest's pussy and that's why he's got his long tongue out right now" shit that splatters through all of Go Nagai's work. Like I've gone on a lot about some of the more shocking parts, and the worst part is there's so much that I've left out because we would be here all fucking day.
submitted by inverseflorida to CharacterRant [link] [comments]
For those who don't know, as I was just hinting at, Go Nagai is probably second only to guys like Tezuka in terms of influence on manga, and really, all Japanese media. Cutie Honey arguably invented the magical girl genre. Mazinger Z was right there at the beginning of the 70s Mecha boom. Devilman's influence can be felt in how fucked up Evangelion is, as well as half of everything else you've ever seen from Japan that you thought "Damn that's fucked up and dark" (there's a straight line from Devilman to Madoka). And unfortunately, arguably most importantly given its monster mainstream success, Harenchi Gakuen, which was really the first manga to ever do extreme amounts of Perv Characters, Fanservice, really Ecchi itself basically, and the origin of Pervy Boy Characters In Manga Trying To Perv On The Girls as a plot or endearing character archetype. This was a manga where male teachers were constantly trying to perv on their female students - really, the first manga where this happened, which caused enormous fucking protests wherever Go Nagai went. It was also arguably a bigger hit than nearly any of the other names you might actually recognize, because the TV adaptation had ratings as high as 32 fucking percent.
I think I have to say here, that I'm going to be super critical of his work that seems to mostly consist of one connected extended multiverse(?), but that I also haven't read any of his work to completion. But I also feel like I need to say, it's because I think it's really really bad. To show how bad it is, here's an actual excerpt from the ludicrously influential Cutie Honey as made by Go Nagai, a character who in the 90s was, for some reason, literally number one with girls aged 3-5 and 6-8, but before you click that link and read it, please let me warn you that it may be the worst portion of any fiction I've ever read. I don't just mean because of the obvious shocking parts, I mean that even if you overlook that somehow, it's actually still dreadfully bad writing, and I assume I don't need to explain why if you read that. I have not read a Go Nagai manga to completion because I literally think it's so bad that I can't get through it - with the exception of some Devilman stuff (I think Devilman Saga is more readable than Devilman, and Devilman Lady isn't worth discussing lol), and Demon Lord Dante, which from what I've read (which isn't all of it), I think is mostly better than Devilman, but I also just can't get through a Go Nagai manga because even when it's readable it'll still be like... well, if you clicked the link, you saw.
This is somehow a character extremely popular with super young girls, so mainstream that even people not into it would probably recognize the theme song in Japan, by the way.
But in reality, I need to talk about Devilman, easily the biggest thing of his in the West. Devilman is beloved by a lot of fans because... well, okay, to be honest, I'm really not sure I get what the appeal is. People talk about Devilman being raw, affecting, emotional, profound, moving, and deep, and to be honest I just... don't think it is? Well, I guess Crybaby sort of is, but I think it's just shocking, and mostly unearned. Devilman came off to me as something that mainly worked by making you expect it to be something the mould of more normal Shonen, where there are broadly happy endings or important characters are not dismembered and their decapitated heads held by the protagonist. Then, suddenly, important characters are dismembered and their decapitated heads held by the protagonist. Now something sad is happening, so that means it's Deep and Good!
But that doesn't' make it good, and I really don't think it has much beyond that, and I can't help but see the stuff it has as mostly cheap shock and torture porn - actually, torture porn is an unfair label to give to Devilman, considering Violence Jack, effectively Devilman's sequel, so maybe exploitation is fairer. It's better at exploitation than the obviously derivative Elfen Lied, but still leaves me with that same overall sense of depressionporn without significant substance.
Cruelty/sadnessporn is not really something unique to Devilman, or Go Nagai - Tezuka himself wrote about how western audiences found some of the things he wrote super upsetting or "cruel", but how he felt the cruelty, the upsetting part, that was essential for actually portraying how cruel reality could be. The opening parts of Tezuka's Buddha (one of his best works) showcases this, particularly with the early escape scene of the Shudra woman, or the stuff like the rabbit burning itself, etc - it can definitely be confronting and upsetting! But there's more to it than just "Damn, that's pretty upsetting, isn't it! Bet you didn't expect that. That's what real life is like btw", like most Sadness/Crueltyporn manga, most of which ends up excusing its content by just going "Oh well the theme is that humans are bad and yeah, damn that's deep, yeah, humans are bad. Look at all this suffering and guro and naked women - there's piano music playing and people are sad so it's not hentai! It's taboo-breaking and deep!". See also: Elfen Lied.
Devilman really feels more on the Elfen Lied side of things. The story really begins with Ryo taking Akira to talk about demons and then of course, being attacked by demons whose vaginas are evil and will eat you. The story really isn't very good. Outside of Nagai's (legitimately great) cartooning, it's hard to read. The action might flow well, but the writing, the dialogue, what's actually happening, really feels like someone making it up on the spot even worse than Toriyama must have been, it's clunky, the pacing is fucked up, characters are introduced in the most random of ways, the manga starts with Ryo walking in on Akira being too much of a pussy to prevent a rape while the bullies and Miki are constantly going - almost explicitly - "Hey, you should do something to prevent this rape" while Ryo is casually talking about "let's go now, that's not important. oh here's my modified hunting rifle". It is genuinely fucking weird to read. Characters go on exposition rants so blatantly there to fill you in that it genuinely feels like you missed something and that the comic switched to narration at some point - so baldfaced in its exposition, in fact, that it has Akira call Ryo "you (My good friend)" with the brackets actually included in the text! This is meant to be dialogue!!! It's not good writing. It's not just that it's an early manga that aged poorly, because I've read a lot of earlier manga that's just plain and simple better and doesn't feel as amateurish in the most basic ways as Devilman does. It's legitimately not well written and carried by its reputation and shock, or things like "This demon's boobs wlil eat you" or "This demon's vagina will eat you".
Occasionally, it's genuinely funny in how prototypically edgelordy it is ("Oh this? It's laced with drugs."). Ryo, while we're still meant to see him as an ordinary(?) teenager, somehow has, in his private secret safe room, found a shitload of "rogue hippies" to have orgies at a party in order to become Devilmen. This is after emphasizing over and over how impregnable this iron encased cellar is and how it's a one way trip and how you can't get out of it. And then after going on about how these demons are too weak to get in, we later find out they can just teleport anyway. We also find out that the point is to also kill all the people at the party because they'll end up merging with demons too, but when that start's happening, somehow Akira and Ryo are surprised and say the demons are teleporting in. Also, in true Go Nagai fashion, he makes extra sure that the hot woman who just got stabbed by a shattered wine bottle has her boobs clearly visible so you can tell she's hot as she dies. No matter how tragic the deaths of the naked girls who get impaled or shot up or whatever kind of gore they suffer is, in Nagai stuff, he's still always clear to show you that they're naked, and hot, as they're dying.
Look. You get the picture. This is not well-written in the slightest.
I don't really think that Nagai does the gore and stuff to be confronting and deep. Harenchi Gakuen ended with everyone being guro'd by the PTA as a reference to the PTA protesting Nagai's books in real life. Violence Jack includes the reincarnation of the girl who got dismembered and also Ryo while we're at it, as amputee stump nudity slaves and then there's also more gore and there's like a constant drumbeat of rape after rape after rape. Devilman Lady is even more rape heavy. Nagai fans tend to immediately go, after you mention the gratuitous amount of rape, "Yes but he's portraying RAPE as BAD, see how the rapists are villains?" - one, I've been online, I've seen what's on the Japanese internet, I know that actual rape porn depicts it the same way half the time, so I don't care about that. Two - surely there's like, a point where you think "Okay, that's enough rape, it's time to write about something else", right? This is just the kind of thing Nagai does.
As I said before - supposedly, the theme of Devilman is that WarBad, and also The Real Demons Was Humans All Along. The writing is so incoherent that I frankly struggle to think about how well it portrayed War Is Bad, because it's difficult to make sense of nearly anything thematically in it except the extremely anvilicious The Real Demons Are The Humans. And the thing is, that type of Guys Isn't Humanity Really Awful theme is just stupid. I don't mean "Devilman doesn't do it well", I mean it's a theme that's always stupid that schlock Crueltyporn manga loves to indulge in.
For that kind of theme to work, it has to have some sense of like, relationship to real life! It has to appear to be a shocking, truth-telling moment, something that reveals something unsettling about reality, otherwise it's just making up a Dark Center Of Human Nautre wholesale then soyjak pointing at it going "No waaaay, this is the real heart of humanity you guys!" And if you read the comments on videos of some of the most shocking scenes of Crybaby, and you can see that's the takeaway the people who like the show are getting. It's why they say it's good! They say "Wow... this is so sad because now I realize real life and real humans could be like this too. Humans really ARE the real monsters".
But they're just not! The scenario in Devilman - whether it's crybaby or the manga - where humans suddenly become The Real Monsters and As Bad As The demons is never plausible no matter how it's portrayed, in every version it just feels absolutely unbelievable that the events could play out as presented. That's not naive denial that people could do terrible things in paranoid mobs, its' a denial that paranoia mobs in first world countries like Japan would take that form, or all the other shit that happens. The famous part where a mob of exaggeratedly evil looking stock manga heels just eviscerates important side characters, including the love interest (every adaptation except the OVA makes sure you can see her boobs as/after she dies btw), out of a desire to get revenge on and lynch demons as the world goes to unjustified chaos, and I just don't buy it. I don't believe it. I don't think it's naive to say that Devilman's take on this situation is unrealistically grim - I think a realistically grim take would look very different. I don't think one teenage boy on TV saying "Demons can possess anyone" would cause Miki's ordinary neighbours to become ugly manga heels who want to dismember her and parade her corpse parts on pikes, and I don't believe it when it happens in Crybaby either no matter how much art direction and sad music it wants to play. This fundamental lack of believability undermines the entire dark ending of the manga. I don't believe the rise of Rainuma and the tying of anti-demon hysteria to real world racism and then suddenly "Woopsy we did a heccin WW3". I do not believe any of that shit.
And yet, people seriously watch Devilman and think "Wow, how cruel the cold true heart of humanity underneath truly is... what a deep anime with a deep message, this could really happen." No it fucking couldn't! In any first world country, there'd be a million million more people who'd want to lean towards inaction or just finding reassurance that Ryo's scary TV interview was just words than there would be people whipped up into a frenzy over it. There probably would be some hysteria, but the scale and type of hysteria in Devilman can't be taken seriously. And no, I don't believe that Miki's ordinary neighbours would suddenly, even if whipped up into a frenzy beliving she's a demon, not only form a mob of literal pitchfork wielding ugly manga heels to kill her and her little brother (while talking about how hot they think she is), but I especially don't believe that they'd parade her dismembered corpse on pikes joyfully! I'd believe "A paranoid person who's otherwise normal when the world is calm takes it upon themselves to kill someone they believed associated with a demon when they break into their house, and leaves it at that", absolutely. I don't believe "Every ordinary person there is dismembers a teenage girl on pikes and enjoys it", and anyone who does needs their basic understanding of people checked. Even if a mob formed, in any first world country, once she was dead that'd be it. Normal people's disgust for, say, seeing a teenage girl dismembered, let alone dead and stabbed and whatever the fuck, is not about to be suspended because an edgy teenage boy gave an obviously scare mongering TV interview, and that alone is enough to really undermine the entire theme of "Humanity... is the real demons". The theme is undermined, because it's a fucking shitty theme, presented in a way that doesn't make sense, that can only make its point by making shit up about The Darkness In Humanity, and then go "Wow, look at how real this Darkness In Humanity is, I totally didn't just make it up and expect you to buy it!"
The only argument I can think of in defence of Devilman - and Nagai's shit in general - is that it's so obviously insane and incoherent, that trying to judge it based on things making sense is wrong in the first place, and you just have to accept the raw narrative and emotional momentum in a world that's fundamentally more cartoony. But, I just... don't? Not if the story wants me to buy into themes of War Is Bad (I still have no idea how it portrays that, because the war against Satan only really gets committed to once every human is dead anyway, and at that point, why is it bad? Because Satan thinks the demons and devilmen can live in harmony? The demons sure fucking don't!) and Humanity Bad, then shit needs to make sense and be worth taking seriously in any way to elevate it from raw Cruelty/Sadnessporn, or torture porn, or in other cases, just regular porn. And fundamentally - Devilman doesn't.
And for the record, I don't think any of the affecting or moving parts had to do with the central Ryo/Akira stuff. I don't care about it. Especially not in Crybaby where Ryo is so obviously sinister and unlikable from the beginning that I just don't believe it, at least in the manga his demeanour and occasional pang of gay longing meant that I could believe there was a relationship there even if I found it basically badly written, especially the entire premise of Satan Pretends To Be Human And Eliminates His Memory To Learn About The Humans, and only the Retro Manga Revered Status would possibly make people overlook how dumb the shit like this is - which also makes figuring out what was actually going on in Ryo and Akira's relationship not deep and complex, but confusing and ultimately uninteresting, especially when the manga has Satan confirm his feelings by going "You know that I'm a hermaphrodite" like he's showing off instead of being emotional about it. What? What? Legitimately, it's executed so badly that the manga made me feel nothing with the ending.
Devilman plays at the idea of being deep, and then fails to be deep. Crybaby in particular wants you to forget that the basic story underneath Devilman doesn't really make sense by doing things like "Here's two minutes of a man being unable to shoot his son that's eating his wife and he's crying and we play the sad music again", which is affecting to anyone who has a heart, but ultimately feels like cheap shallow exploitation when the themes themselves and story are just kind of... stupid, but masked with flashy and cool art direction, so you think surely there has to be something deep going on, because otherwise what's the point of it all?
If you're someone who ever watches manga or anime and cringes at the ecchi elements, the fanservice, the Minetas, etc - it's Go Nagai's fault. He started it with Harenchi Gakuen! It wouldn't have caught on if there wasn't an existing enormous market for it, but the manga lineage for it traces back to him. Sure, we got good stuff as a result of his influence, but overall...?
Someone like, say, Akira Toriyama, might also have a sordid past by Western standards and a history of making his shit up as he goes, but to be honest, it pales in comparison to just the casual "This demon is literally going to eat the love interest's pussy and that's why he's got his long tongue out right now" shit that splatters through all of Go Nagai's work. Like I've gone on a lot about some of the more shocking parts, and the worst part is there's so much that I've left out because we would be here all fucking day.
2023.06.07 15:41 Ethereal_Stars_7 Flight of the War Witch: Part 024: Show and Tell
Part 2 of the Evil That Lies Within arc begins.
[Previous] Part 023 [Next]
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Princess Lykofos looked from the corpse on the slab to the War Witch in disbelief. "You are telling us that someone has perfected a means by which they may murder people with vraja. And then to mask that so well that normal means of detection do not detect the deed?" The purple dragoness let out a long breath. "All to steal secrets and hand them over to the Coalition?"
"Correct m'lady. Unless there exists an alchemical means to mind control people that leaves no chemical traces? As it is I did not detect anything and so I must suspect an incantation is being used to cover the spy's tracks." nodded Valkyria as she pulled the sheet back over the latest victim of the mysterious murderer on the loose. She turned to the Royal Inspector next. "Inspector. You have been following this case for a good while now correct?"
"What? Oh. Yes. I was assigned this mystery after the second killing was confirmed a killing rather than some freak accident. Every time I think I might be getting close to a solution, some new baffling twist throws things off yet again." He was thoughtful for a time and stroked his long reptilian chin. "A masking incantation would explain quite a few dead ends in my research as well."
Valkyria nodded. "I wonder why they struck so early? Was what was stolen that important?"
The red scaled Investigator shrugged. "I do not know as yet." He gestured to the body. "I was down here re-checking for any possible clues we might have missed when you came down."
Princess Lykofos held up a hand though. "This is not made public yet. But the latest victim was close to perfecting the formula for a process to temporarily alchemically make a weapon perform as if empowered to the best of an enchanter's ability. For a duration of one hour. They had been working on the prototype for the last four-hundred days and was planning to unveil it to me during the Grand Bazaar."
The far flung cyborg pondered this for a time. "Ok. So we can pretty much bet that the spy has not yet sent this invention off to their masters. They may have been banking on no one finding the body for a while. But something happened to throw that plan off?" Holding up one black metal finger. "So if we stop them here we prevent the Coalition gaining yet another prize." She glanced at those gathered and held up a second finger. "And we have to assume that the killer is likely posing as one of the inventors attending the Grand Bazaar." Three fingers now. "So I propose gathering them for a symposium to pool knowledge." Four fingers.
The Investigator nodded at this proposal. "This could well work. But what guarantee is there that this spy will strike again?" There was skepticism in his voice.
The white and gold mechanical dragoness held up the fifth finger. "Because there I will present a -very- tempting target. One so tempting the Coalition will not be able to pass up." This got everyone's interest up and the War Witch grinned, showing off all her beryllium teeth.
The purple and blue scaled Princess though was not without misgivings. "But what if your new enchantment falls into the enemy hands as well?"
"That is a risk we must take if we are to put an end to this sordid affair." Valkyria gave a cybernetic shrug. "The prize must be something real and tangible."
"But would not the spy suspect and perhaps stalk less perilous prey?" questioned Baroness Clade with a concerned swish of her tail.
The War Witch nodded. "That is a risk. But my gold pieces are on my invention being just too good to ever pass up the chance."
The red and black Royal Investigator nodded in agreement. "The Golem speaks the right of this I suspect. Only a truly worthy prize will tempt the killer to strike a second time so soon after the last."
The Princess sighed heavily then bowed her head in acceptance. "Very well. I will send invitations to all the crafters with inventions in the works. I will invite them to come and share knowledge that we might better resist the Coalition. You will have one day to catch the spy Lady Valkyria. I pray to the Makers that your presentation is as tempting as you hope for."
The meeting was brought to a close and Valkyria was assigned a small workroom in one of the towers that connected to the guest rooms where the other inventors would be meeting and staying the night. "I have alot of work to do." she sighed and set to the task if using her factories to begin manufacturing the components needed for her plan. "Oh this little baby is going to knock their socks off. If they wore socks. Maybe I should distribute some socks first?" she laughed like a mad scientist through the late hours of the night. Well late for a human at least.
-<>-
The next day saw upon that afternoon the gathering of magical inventors and crafters of the arcane. There were seven in total, eight including Valkyria. Princess Lykofos opened up the gathering and introduced herself, the Royal Investigator, and the War Witch. "As you all know, I, Princess Lykofos, have been a longstanding patron of the mystic arts and furthering those who explore into the mysteries of the enchantments of items." She bowed respectfully to those gathered. "I am sure by now word has spread of the passing of one of your fellow inventors. This prompted me to gather everyone together as a sort of pooling of minds so that we may all share our ideas instead of hoarding them and risk something wondrous being lost forever due to untimely demise."
Everyone nodded at this and Valkyria introduced herself. She had been getting some curious looks from the various inventors who had only seen her in passing during the Grand Bazaar. "I am Valkyria and for the curious I am indeed a hybrid of living being and a golem. I am not just a mere fancy simulacrum." Her words and confident attitude did wonders to assuage any doubts as to her validity as a sentient being.
The Princess continued. "So I would like each of you to introduce yourselves and then present and demonstrate what you have been working on and how you believe it will benefit all." She gestured to those seated before her. "Ptisi of you would please do the honors of starting off?"
First up was a purple and white male dragon. "Ptisi tis Idiotropias, Forester by trade, and I am honored to be included in this gathering. While my vraja is not great... I still dream of contributing something of my own devising." He set down on the large round table they were all seated at a beautifully made golden quiver with some pride. "I have been studying the mysteries of the ubiquitous Dimensional Pouch and how such containers might be applied to other needs. I thusly present to you my Travelers Quiver." He reached inside it and pulled out an arrow. Then another and another. Soon there was a growing pile of three meter long arrows. Far more than the quiver could possibly have normally held. He reached into another space and pulled out the bow to go with the arrows. "One space is for ammunition and the other for the weapon or a set of four spears. Even fully loaded it is quite light. Total crafting time of this prototype was around forty days."
Everyone complimented the Forester on his breakthrough. Next up was a blue and red dragoness. "I am Videt Mortuis Omnia. I am of the Hultan school of the arts and with the increase in Coalition incursions I set my mind to crafting a device wherein those not versed in the arts might be able to detect foes." She presented an ornate staff with an eyeball-like head. "This Staff of Locating Foes will forewarn the user of a hostile being within one-hundred and eighty meters upon the expenditure of one stored charge. It will pick out invisible presences and even warn of enemies in the ethereal. The range is not great. But it might still prove of use in locating scouts? This prototype took me about a full season to complete and does not require resonance to use."
This received compliments as well. "At the very least it might help pinning down criminals. Give us a demonstration then." suggested the Princess.
The Royal Investigator spoke up at that moment. "Might I be the one to test it m'lady? If it does not require resonance?"
Videt nodded and passed the staff to the red and black dragon. "Speak the command word [laever] and you will feel the direction of the closest enemy to you at the moment."
The Investigator was about to speak when Valkyria waved. "Hey? Can I be the test subject?"
"hmm? Of course m'lady. Just take up a position and think of attacking me."
"Sure!" She got up and walked around behind the Investigator. She clasped both metal fists together and raised them over her head, poised to strike. "Do it."
The command word was spoken and the head of the staff began to glow blue. The red and black dragon turned slowly to face the War Witch. "Very good! I felt the tug in your direction distinctly."
Third to make introductions was a male black and blue dragon in a deep dark green and purple robe. "Cadit In Sua Cauda is my name, Stargazer Druid of the twilight plains. The lack of a true Downpour season in the far nighted north and south lands got me to tinkering with this." and he set on the table a silver jug with a complex cap on a hinge. "This Effervescing Water Jug, upon speaking the activation word, will issue fourth a varying quantity of water. At full power it blasts out quite a volume at sufficient force such as to knock down my assistant who was unfortunate enough to be standing in the path. A friendly Water Elemental set me on the correct formula to accomplish this."
Valkyria was interested in this as it just seemed impossible to her to just pull a volume of water from thin air. Even her internal factories needed energy and mass to work with. "Hey? Can I get a demonstration of that?" she asked with some excitement.
"er... Of course. But are you sure miss Valkyria? The gush of water is surprisingly violent?" Warned the Druid.
"Sure! This I gotta see!" she agreed and so they stepped outside beside a pond on the castle grounds so any water produced would not make too much a mess. The mechanical visitor took up a stand near the pond and braced herself. "Ok. Squirt me!"
Cadit shrugged, then opened the cap and pointed it at the War Witch. [Resyeg!]
!!!GLOOSH!!!
A geyser of water blasted out and struck the rather surprised cyborg in the chest and knocked her completely off her feet to fall backwards into the pond with a great splash. She promptly sank to the bottom like a stone. A metal stone. Everyone ran to the poolside in worry. But a grinning War Witch pulled herself up and out with a hand from the others. "Wow! That thing does have quite a kick!" It had struck her with sufficient power that a few of her internals were sending out alerts of minor water damage. There followed little spurt-spurt-spurts as the water was pumped out. "Do you know how much water that jet produces?"
"Yes. over one-thousand liters of water."
"oooh about enough to fill a bathtub huh? You know. If you could make one that can produce hot water you could make a fortune selling them as bath fixtures." she smiled. Cadit's eyes widened and he pulled out a notepad and began scribbling ideas.
Next to present was a green and yellow female. "Vorbeste Foarte Clar. I am Solomanari of the Awakened Mind sect. My invention is a Farsight Potion that duplicates the effects of a [Farsight] spell." Valkyria and the Princess exchanged glances indicating both were thinking that this would not be a good thing to have fall into Coalition hands.
"What is the range of the potion given sight?" asked Princess Lykofos.
"Ten miles m'lady. Same as the incantation itself."
Fifth was a short, for fifteen meter tall dragons, orange and yellow dragoness. "Dachtylo tis Moíras. Hultan.. At your service." she set on the table what at first looked like a glimmering iridescent cube. "I have spent a whole season working on this! I crafted from adamantine a one-half scale model and then layerd and reinforced [Micro] and [Macro] incantations. When the command is spoken it grows from this cube into a small tower."
Valyria and Princess Lykofos were interested in this. "Oh this I must see. Please demonstrate! er... outside though." offered the purple and blue dragoness. Everyone headed out again to a clear area.
"This will make a mess of the lawn M'lady."
"We have Druids! Now the demonstration!"
With a slightly excited swish of her tufted tail tip the inventor handed the item to the War Witch. "Walk some twenty paces away. Place the cube on the ground. Speak the command word [htworg]. Then run."
"Wait? What? Run??? Hold it. Does it not need resonance?" questioned the cyborg while holding the cube at arms length like it was a bomb.
"Oh no no! It is just when it grows it shoves anything in the way... away. Really hard. Like REALLY HARD. And no. No resonance required." warned the inventor.
"uhhh. How hard are we talking here?"
"Wellllll... It kind of -obliterated- a solid stone tool-shed that I tested it too close to." was the embarrassed admittance.
"Obliterated. Interesting choice of words." She le-sighed and then grinned. Pacing out twenty and then setting the cube down. [htworg!] Then she started booking it away as indeed the cube began to grow at an alarming rate. "yaaaah! Freaking Screw!" as she just outpaced it.
But there now stood a hundred and fifty meter tall iridescent metal tower that was sixty meters on a side. A single reinforced door was facing the astonished gathering. There were arrow slits on the upper floors, and battlements along the top. "Astonishing!" breathed the Princess.
Valkyria was staring at it in amazement as well. "Is there anything magic can not do?" she breathed. She ran a few tests and was amazed at how dense the material was. She tried the door. But it would not budge. "How do you get in?"
"Speak [gninepo]. Once activated the Quick Grow Tower, (I'll think of a better name later!!!), can only be opened by the one who activated it. I warded it against [Open] incantations and enchanted items that can do the same."
The War Witch said the word and just like that the door unlocked. She stepped inside and looked around. The sixty by sixty room was plain and windowless. A ladder led up to a second level. "How long does it stay grown?" she asked warily.
"Indefinitely. Only the command word to revert it can. And I placed a safety measure that it will not shrink if anything is inside it." the orange dragoness told her.
"Good thinking!" So she climbed up to the second floor and peered out through the arrow slits. Then climbed up to the third level. She noted the ladder went up to the ceiling and a trapdoor. On a hunch she tried the opening command and was awarded with the hatch unlocking. "R&D would be eating their Bunsen Burners to see this. A little cube turns into a super-dense watchtower!" She climbed up to the roof and waved down at those below. "Freaking unbelievable!"
The inventor beamed. "Gathering enough adamantine to craft one was the hard part. Then getting it to compress down into the cube. It is immune to conventional non-enchanted weapons and even enchanted weapons have difficulty damaging it. Siege weapons will certainly damage the tower. I have not yet found a means to repair damage. Even the more potent fixing incantations have no impact." she explained to those gathered.
Baroness Clade spoke up. "I suspect nothing short of [Shooting Star] itself could.
"What is [Shooting Star]?" asked Valkyria.
"One of the most potent incantations in existence. Only Solomonari and Hultan and have the capacity to grasp it. Solomonari through our intrinsic connection to vraja, and Hultan through a lifetime of research and study. And some whisper there is a sect of War Witches who can access the immense power. It is an incantation of unimaginable cosmic might. But also one of boundless peril. One does not tamper with the Skein with impunity."
"OhhhhhKayyyy... Sounds like that super secret the crazy musician was after. Though you say the incantation is restricted to two, maybe three, practitioners of the arts? Wonder how she planned to gain that sort of power if she could not even cast it?" Valkyria mused. "Anyway. This tower seems pretty potent? Wonder if my gun, ahem, repeater ballistia would damage it?"
"You are welcome to try. But unless your weapon is enchanted the tower should be unaffected." smiled the orange and yellow dragoness.
"Yer on!" Valkyria unclipped her gun pod from her wing mount and took aim. "Lets try a single shot first." and fired off one round. The magnetically accelerated round hit and glanced off the wall to bury itself in the ground somewhere. "Wow! Not even a scratch?"
The inventor smiled. "I did some tests casting [Thunderbolt] at it. Note to self. Do not stand within blow-back range of that spell if it bounces off. It bounced. Did though make a notable dent in the far wall. Based on that I calculate it would take a Hultan of my ranking possibly as many as four castings of [Thunderbolt] to breach a single wall."
Princess Lykofos was duly impressed. "Certainly this could prove of use to battles on the ground." Then she nodded to the final inventor from the Grand Bazaar to make their presentation once the tower was reverted and collected.
"Oh? Me now? Se Ompiedica de Pereți. Hultan following the teachings of Enchantment. Well many seasons ago in my younger days I broke one of my wings in a botched turn that introduced me to a cliff wall. During the time I was recovering I got to thinking about an enchanted device that might allow one flight without needing to learn the arts. The funny part is. To make my creation work... I needed to master the incantation of [Flight]. Irony that." He tapped his waist and the intricate belt there. "I present to you the Belt of Faerie Flight! [tfola]" And he began to lift off the ground and fly about without using his wings. "It is not fast. And can only gold one aloft for a maximum of eight hours before needing to replenish."
"Be that as it may. It would vastly extend the flight times of patrols." declared the Princess.
"Or allow the Coalition to raid that much further into another's borders when it allows the user to rest mid-flight." breathed the Royal Investigator.
"The enchanting time was long. It took me five whole seasons to complete this prototype." admitted the Blue and white dragon.
Finally it was Valkyria's turn. "What I have to present was a device still in development back home and make no mistake, it has some notable flaws. But I hope it will perk the interest of those present. She stepped over to the cleared area where the tower had been and pulled out a metal belt. More like a solid hoop that clicked into place with a strange dome-shaped buckle. "Now the first thing to know is that once activated you can not communicate to others without a commlink." She tossed one to Princess Lykofos. The War Witch then depressed a stud on the buckle and there sprang around her an egg-shaped barrier that looked like fogged glass.
The Royal Investigator looked on with keen interest. "Is that what I think it is? A wearable [Barrier Supreme]???"
"At a guess... Yes." came the War Witch's voice over the commlink. "The big problem we have not been able to defeat yet is that the barrier is immobile." She reached out and pushed against it from the inside. "The second flaw will become apparent in a moment. Anyone her have a light or radiance based incantation they can throw at me?"
Baroness Clade waved affirmative. "Yes. I have [Solar Flare] that I may call upon."
"Great. Fire away!" urged Valkyria from within the barrier.
The Baroness nodded, a little worried, but trusting in the strange visitor from beyond. She lifted her arms up and incanted "[Solar Flare]!" A sort of glowing lens appeared between her up-stretched hands and then a searing beam of light lanced out to strike the barrier.
On impact the barrier turned an inky black. The Baroness was not done yet as she kept pouring on the beam to see if it could hold up to sustained punishment.
It did. The barrier returned to its normal foggy film when she ended the incantation.
Valkyria's voice issued from the commlink. "So as you can see. I can not see. Well not when under directed light assault. The barrier polarizes to block out light over a normal visual frequencies. Thus blinding the user for a span. But it does indeed stop spells from penetrating. Someone try another!" she suggested.
What followed was a barrage of combat incantations of varying sorts from the gathered practitioners of the arts. Even Princess Lykofos and the Royal Investigator hurled ever increasing levels of vraja at the barrier. From outside the castle walls many a guard and citizen were startled or worried at what appeared to be a Duel Arcane in progress. The Princess laughed when her guards came charging in just to be merrily waved off. "Incredible! Even [Barrier Supreme] is vulnerable to some of the incantations we have cast upon this." The Princess had even summoned a Gem Elemental to try and bore through the wall. But also to no avail. The glittering crystal being even complimented Valkyria on her -hardness- before it departed. The Druid even tried lifting the ground up underneath the barrier. But the earth just deformed around it. The Forester even expended an enchanted arrow to test the wall and it too had no effect.
Needless to say the yard was now a wreck. Or a bit more than a wreck. But the purple and blue Princess seemed very pleased indeed at the violent landscaping of her yard. After several minutes the white and gold cyborg rested a finger on the activation stud and the barrier faded away. "Sooooooo. Impressed?"
"That was Amazing!" cheered Princess Lykofos and Baroness Clade. "I even tried the incantation of [Dematerialization] upon it. An incantation known to be able to destroy a [Barrier Supreme] and even that failed." She knelt down to look at the belt and was a bit disappointment at its simplicity. Enchanted items were supposed to look enchanted! "Needs some gems." she smiled and then stood to rest a hand on one hip. "While still in development. I can see why you were eager to show this off today."
The War Witch was pleased with the reactions her belt had gotten. All were excited about this invention as it could, if perfected, tip the scales of fate well in the Principalities of the Comet's favor.
"Oh yeah. Mission accomplished. Socks have been oh so thoroughly knocked."
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[Previous] Part 023 [Next]
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\ - - - - - Show and Tell - - - - - /
Princess Lykofos looked from the corpse on the slab to the War Witch in disbelief. "You are telling us that someone has perfected a means by which they may murder people with vraja. And then to mask that so well that normal means of detection do not detect the deed?" The purple dragoness let out a long breath. "All to steal secrets and hand them over to the Coalition?"
"Correct m'lady. Unless there exists an alchemical means to mind control people that leaves no chemical traces? As it is I did not detect anything and so I must suspect an incantation is being used to cover the spy's tracks." nodded Valkyria as she pulled the sheet back over the latest victim of the mysterious murderer on the loose. She turned to the Royal Inspector next. "Inspector. You have been following this case for a good while now correct?"
"What? Oh. Yes. I was assigned this mystery after the second killing was confirmed a killing rather than some freak accident. Every time I think I might be getting close to a solution, some new baffling twist throws things off yet again." He was thoughtful for a time and stroked his long reptilian chin. "A masking incantation would explain quite a few dead ends in my research as well."
Valkyria nodded. "I wonder why they struck so early? Was what was stolen that important?"
The red scaled Investigator shrugged. "I do not know as yet." He gestured to the body. "I was down here re-checking for any possible clues we might have missed when you came down."
Princess Lykofos held up a hand though. "This is not made public yet. But the latest victim was close to perfecting the formula for a process to temporarily alchemically make a weapon perform as if empowered to the best of an enchanter's ability. For a duration of one hour. They had been working on the prototype for the last four-hundred days and was planning to unveil it to me during the Grand Bazaar."
The far flung cyborg pondered this for a time. "Ok. So we can pretty much bet that the spy has not yet sent this invention off to their masters. They may have been banking on no one finding the body for a while. But something happened to throw that plan off?" Holding up one black metal finger. "So if we stop them here we prevent the Coalition gaining yet another prize." She glanced at those gathered and held up a second finger. "And we have to assume that the killer is likely posing as one of the inventors attending the Grand Bazaar." Three fingers now. "So I propose gathering them for a symposium to pool knowledge." Four fingers.
The Investigator nodded at this proposal. "This could well work. But what guarantee is there that this spy will strike again?" There was skepticism in his voice.
The white and gold mechanical dragoness held up the fifth finger. "Because there I will present a -very- tempting target. One so tempting the Coalition will not be able to pass up." This got everyone's interest up and the War Witch grinned, showing off all her beryllium teeth.
The purple and blue scaled Princess though was not without misgivings. "But what if your new enchantment falls into the enemy hands as well?"
"That is a risk we must take if we are to put an end to this sordid affair." Valkyria gave a cybernetic shrug. "The prize must be something real and tangible."
"But would not the spy suspect and perhaps stalk less perilous prey?" questioned Baroness Clade with a concerned swish of her tail.
The War Witch nodded. "That is a risk. But my gold pieces are on my invention being just too good to ever pass up the chance."
The red and black Royal Investigator nodded in agreement. "The Golem speaks the right of this I suspect. Only a truly worthy prize will tempt the killer to strike a second time so soon after the last."
The Princess sighed heavily then bowed her head in acceptance. "Very well. I will send invitations to all the crafters with inventions in the works. I will invite them to come and share knowledge that we might better resist the Coalition. You will have one day to catch the spy Lady Valkyria. I pray to the Makers that your presentation is as tempting as you hope for."
The meeting was brought to a close and Valkyria was assigned a small workroom in one of the towers that connected to the guest rooms where the other inventors would be meeting and staying the night. "I have alot of work to do." she sighed and set to the task if using her factories to begin manufacturing the components needed for her plan. "Oh this little baby is going to knock their socks off. If they wore socks. Maybe I should distribute some socks first?" she laughed like a mad scientist through the late hours of the night. Well late for a human at least.
-<>-
The next day saw upon that afternoon the gathering of magical inventors and crafters of the arcane. There were seven in total, eight including Valkyria. Princess Lykofos opened up the gathering and introduced herself, the Royal Investigator, and the War Witch. "As you all know, I, Princess Lykofos, have been a longstanding patron of the mystic arts and furthering those who explore into the mysteries of the enchantments of items." She bowed respectfully to those gathered. "I am sure by now word has spread of the passing of one of your fellow inventors. This prompted me to gather everyone together as a sort of pooling of minds so that we may all share our ideas instead of hoarding them and risk something wondrous being lost forever due to untimely demise."
Everyone nodded at this and Valkyria introduced herself. She had been getting some curious looks from the various inventors who had only seen her in passing during the Grand Bazaar. "I am Valkyria and for the curious I am indeed a hybrid of living being and a golem. I am not just a mere fancy simulacrum." Her words and confident attitude did wonders to assuage any doubts as to her validity as a sentient being.
The Princess continued. "So I would like each of you to introduce yourselves and then present and demonstrate what you have been working on and how you believe it will benefit all." She gestured to those seated before her. "Ptisi of you would please do the honors of starting off?"
First up was a purple and white male dragon. "Ptisi tis Idiotropias, Forester by trade, and I am honored to be included in this gathering. While my vraja is not great... I still dream of contributing something of my own devising." He set down on the large round table they were all seated at a beautifully made golden quiver with some pride. "I have been studying the mysteries of the ubiquitous Dimensional Pouch and how such containers might be applied to other needs. I thusly present to you my Travelers Quiver." He reached inside it and pulled out an arrow. Then another and another. Soon there was a growing pile of three meter long arrows. Far more than the quiver could possibly have normally held. He reached into another space and pulled out the bow to go with the arrows. "One space is for ammunition and the other for the weapon or a set of four spears. Even fully loaded it is quite light. Total crafting time of this prototype was around forty days."
Everyone complimented the Forester on his breakthrough. Next up was a blue and red dragoness. "I am Videt Mortuis Omnia. I am of the Hultan school of the arts and with the increase in Coalition incursions I set my mind to crafting a device wherein those not versed in the arts might be able to detect foes." She presented an ornate staff with an eyeball-like head. "This Staff of Locating Foes will forewarn the user of a hostile being within one-hundred and eighty meters upon the expenditure of one stored charge. It will pick out invisible presences and even warn of enemies in the ethereal. The range is not great. But it might still prove of use in locating scouts? This prototype took me about a full season to complete and does not require resonance to use."
This received compliments as well. "At the very least it might help pinning down criminals. Give us a demonstration then." suggested the Princess.
The Royal Investigator spoke up at that moment. "Might I be the one to test it m'lady? If it does not require resonance?"
Videt nodded and passed the staff to the red and black dragon. "Speak the command word [laever] and you will feel the direction of the closest enemy to you at the moment."
The Investigator was about to speak when Valkyria waved. "Hey? Can I be the test subject?"
"hmm? Of course m'lady. Just take up a position and think of attacking me."
"Sure!" She got up and walked around behind the Investigator. She clasped both metal fists together and raised them over her head, poised to strike. "Do it."
The command word was spoken and the head of the staff began to glow blue. The red and black dragon turned slowly to face the War Witch. "Very good! I felt the tug in your direction distinctly."
Third to make introductions was a male black and blue dragon in a deep dark green and purple robe. "Cadit In Sua Cauda is my name, Stargazer Druid of the twilight plains. The lack of a true Downpour season in the far nighted north and south lands got me to tinkering with this." and he set on the table a silver jug with a complex cap on a hinge. "This Effervescing Water Jug, upon speaking the activation word, will issue fourth a varying quantity of water. At full power it blasts out quite a volume at sufficient force such as to knock down my assistant who was unfortunate enough to be standing in the path. A friendly Water Elemental set me on the correct formula to accomplish this."
Valkyria was interested in this as it just seemed impossible to her to just pull a volume of water from thin air. Even her internal factories needed energy and mass to work with. "Hey? Can I get a demonstration of that?" she asked with some excitement.
"er... Of course. But are you sure miss Valkyria? The gush of water is surprisingly violent?" Warned the Druid.
"Sure! This I gotta see!" she agreed and so they stepped outside beside a pond on the castle grounds so any water produced would not make too much a mess. The mechanical visitor took up a stand near the pond and braced herself. "Ok. Squirt me!"
Cadit shrugged, then opened the cap and pointed it at the War Witch. [Resyeg!]
!!!GLOOSH!!!
A geyser of water blasted out and struck the rather surprised cyborg in the chest and knocked her completely off her feet to fall backwards into the pond with a great splash. She promptly sank to the bottom like a stone. A metal stone. Everyone ran to the poolside in worry. But a grinning War Witch pulled herself up and out with a hand from the others. "Wow! That thing does have quite a kick!" It had struck her with sufficient power that a few of her internals were sending out alerts of minor water damage. There followed little spurt-spurt-spurts as the water was pumped out. "Do you know how much water that jet produces?"
"Yes. over one-thousand liters of water."
"oooh about enough to fill a bathtub huh? You know. If you could make one that can produce hot water you could make a fortune selling them as bath fixtures." she smiled. Cadit's eyes widened and he pulled out a notepad and began scribbling ideas.
Next to present was a green and yellow female. "Vorbeste Foarte Clar. I am Solomanari of the Awakened Mind sect. My invention is a Farsight Potion that duplicates the effects of a [Farsight] spell." Valkyria and the Princess exchanged glances indicating both were thinking that this would not be a good thing to have fall into Coalition hands.
"What is the range of the potion given sight?" asked Princess Lykofos.
"Ten miles m'lady. Same as the incantation itself."
Fifth was a short, for fifteen meter tall dragons, orange and yellow dragoness. "Dachtylo tis Moíras. Hultan.. At your service." she set on the table what at first looked like a glimmering iridescent cube. "I have spent a whole season working on this! I crafted from adamantine a one-half scale model and then layerd and reinforced [Micro] and [Macro] incantations. When the command is spoken it grows from this cube into a small tower."
Valyria and Princess Lykofos were interested in this. "Oh this I must see. Please demonstrate! er... outside though." offered the purple and blue dragoness. Everyone headed out again to a clear area.
"This will make a mess of the lawn M'lady."
"We have Druids! Now the demonstration!"
With a slightly excited swish of her tufted tail tip the inventor handed the item to the War Witch. "Walk some twenty paces away. Place the cube on the ground. Speak the command word [htworg]. Then run."
"Wait? What? Run??? Hold it. Does it not need resonance?" questioned the cyborg while holding the cube at arms length like it was a bomb.
"Oh no no! It is just when it grows it shoves anything in the way... away. Really hard. Like REALLY HARD. And no. No resonance required." warned the inventor.
"uhhh. How hard are we talking here?"
"Wellllll... It kind of -obliterated- a solid stone tool-shed that I tested it too close to." was the embarrassed admittance.
"Obliterated. Interesting choice of words." She le-sighed and then grinned. Pacing out twenty and then setting the cube down. [htworg!] Then she started booking it away as indeed the cube began to grow at an alarming rate. "yaaaah! Freaking Screw!" as she just outpaced it.
But there now stood a hundred and fifty meter tall iridescent metal tower that was sixty meters on a side. A single reinforced door was facing the astonished gathering. There were arrow slits on the upper floors, and battlements along the top. "Astonishing!" breathed the Princess.
Valkyria was staring at it in amazement as well. "Is there anything magic can not do?" she breathed. She ran a few tests and was amazed at how dense the material was. She tried the door. But it would not budge. "How do you get in?"
"Speak [gninepo]. Once activated the Quick Grow Tower, (I'll think of a better name later!!!), can only be opened by the one who activated it. I warded it against [Open] incantations and enchanted items that can do the same."
The War Witch said the word and just like that the door unlocked. She stepped inside and looked around. The sixty by sixty room was plain and windowless. A ladder led up to a second level. "How long does it stay grown?" she asked warily.
"Indefinitely. Only the command word to revert it can. And I placed a safety measure that it will not shrink if anything is inside it." the orange dragoness told her.
"Good thinking!" So she climbed up to the second floor and peered out through the arrow slits. Then climbed up to the third level. She noted the ladder went up to the ceiling and a trapdoor. On a hunch she tried the opening command and was awarded with the hatch unlocking. "R&D would be eating their Bunsen Burners to see this. A little cube turns into a super-dense watchtower!" She climbed up to the roof and waved down at those below. "Freaking unbelievable!"
The inventor beamed. "Gathering enough adamantine to craft one was the hard part. Then getting it to compress down into the cube. It is immune to conventional non-enchanted weapons and even enchanted weapons have difficulty damaging it. Siege weapons will certainly damage the tower. I have not yet found a means to repair damage. Even the more potent fixing incantations have no impact." she explained to those gathered.
Baroness Clade spoke up. "I suspect nothing short of [Shooting Star] itself could.
"What is [Shooting Star]?" asked Valkyria.
"One of the most potent incantations in existence. Only Solomonari and Hultan and have the capacity to grasp it. Solomonari through our intrinsic connection to vraja, and Hultan through a lifetime of research and study. And some whisper there is a sect of War Witches who can access the immense power. It is an incantation of unimaginable cosmic might. But also one of boundless peril. One does not tamper with the Skein with impunity."
"OhhhhhKayyyy... Sounds like that super secret the crazy musician was after. Though you say the incantation is restricted to two, maybe three, practitioners of the arts? Wonder how she planned to gain that sort of power if she could not even cast it?" Valkyria mused. "Anyway. This tower seems pretty potent? Wonder if my gun, ahem, repeater ballistia would damage it?"
"You are welcome to try. But unless your weapon is enchanted the tower should be unaffected." smiled the orange and yellow dragoness.
"Yer on!" Valkyria unclipped her gun pod from her wing mount and took aim. "Lets try a single shot first." and fired off one round. The magnetically accelerated round hit and glanced off the wall to bury itself in the ground somewhere. "Wow! Not even a scratch?"
The inventor smiled. "I did some tests casting [Thunderbolt] at it. Note to self. Do not stand within blow-back range of that spell if it bounces off. It bounced. Did though make a notable dent in the far wall. Based on that I calculate it would take a Hultan of my ranking possibly as many as four castings of [Thunderbolt] to breach a single wall."
Princess Lykofos was duly impressed. "Certainly this could prove of use to battles on the ground." Then she nodded to the final inventor from the Grand Bazaar to make their presentation once the tower was reverted and collected.
"Oh? Me now? Se Ompiedica de Pereți. Hultan following the teachings of Enchantment. Well many seasons ago in my younger days I broke one of my wings in a botched turn that introduced me to a cliff wall. During the time I was recovering I got to thinking about an enchanted device that might allow one flight without needing to learn the arts. The funny part is. To make my creation work... I needed to master the incantation of [Flight]. Irony that." He tapped his waist and the intricate belt there. "I present to you the Belt of Faerie Flight! [tfola]" And he began to lift off the ground and fly about without using his wings. "It is not fast. And can only gold one aloft for a maximum of eight hours before needing to replenish."
"Be that as it may. It would vastly extend the flight times of patrols." declared the Princess.
"Or allow the Coalition to raid that much further into another's borders when it allows the user to rest mid-flight." breathed the Royal Investigator.
"The enchanting time was long. It took me five whole seasons to complete this prototype." admitted the Blue and white dragon.
Finally it was Valkyria's turn. "What I have to present was a device still in development back home and make no mistake, it has some notable flaws. But I hope it will perk the interest of those present. She stepped over to the cleared area where the tower had been and pulled out a metal belt. More like a solid hoop that clicked into place with a strange dome-shaped buckle. "Now the first thing to know is that once activated you can not communicate to others without a commlink." She tossed one to Princess Lykofos. The War Witch then depressed a stud on the buckle and there sprang around her an egg-shaped barrier that looked like fogged glass.
The Royal Investigator looked on with keen interest. "Is that what I think it is? A wearable [Barrier Supreme]???"
"At a guess... Yes." came the War Witch's voice over the commlink. "The big problem we have not been able to defeat yet is that the barrier is immobile." She reached out and pushed against it from the inside. "The second flaw will become apparent in a moment. Anyone her have a light or radiance based incantation they can throw at me?"
Baroness Clade waved affirmative. "Yes. I have [Solar Flare] that I may call upon."
"Great. Fire away!" urged Valkyria from within the barrier.
The Baroness nodded, a little worried, but trusting in the strange visitor from beyond. She lifted her arms up and incanted "[Solar Flare]!" A sort of glowing lens appeared between her up-stretched hands and then a searing beam of light lanced out to strike the barrier.
On impact the barrier turned an inky black. The Baroness was not done yet as she kept pouring on the beam to see if it could hold up to sustained punishment.
It did. The barrier returned to its normal foggy film when she ended the incantation.
Valkyria's voice issued from the commlink. "So as you can see. I can not see. Well not when under directed light assault. The barrier polarizes to block out light over a normal visual frequencies. Thus blinding the user for a span. But it does indeed stop spells from penetrating. Someone try another!" she suggested.
What followed was a barrage of combat incantations of varying sorts from the gathered practitioners of the arts. Even Princess Lykofos and the Royal Investigator hurled ever increasing levels of vraja at the barrier. From outside the castle walls many a guard and citizen were startled or worried at what appeared to be a Duel Arcane in progress. The Princess laughed when her guards came charging in just to be merrily waved off. "Incredible! Even [Barrier Supreme] is vulnerable to some of the incantations we have cast upon this." The Princess had even summoned a Gem Elemental to try and bore through the wall. But also to no avail. The glittering crystal being even complimented Valkyria on her -hardness- before it departed. The Druid even tried lifting the ground up underneath the barrier. But the earth just deformed around it. The Forester even expended an enchanted arrow to test the wall and it too had no effect.
Needless to say the yard was now a wreck. Or a bit more than a wreck. But the purple and blue Princess seemed very pleased indeed at the violent landscaping of her yard. After several minutes the white and gold cyborg rested a finger on the activation stud and the barrier faded away. "Sooooooo. Impressed?"
"That was Amazing!" cheered Princess Lykofos and Baroness Clade. "I even tried the incantation of [Dematerialization] upon it. An incantation known to be able to destroy a [Barrier Supreme] and even that failed." She knelt down to look at the belt and was a bit disappointment at its simplicity. Enchanted items were supposed to look enchanted! "Needs some gems." she smiled and then stood to rest a hand on one hip. "While still in development. I can see why you were eager to show this off today."
The War Witch was pleased with the reactions her belt had gotten. All were excited about this invention as it could, if perfected, tip the scales of fate well in the Principalities of the Comet's favor.
"Oh yeah. Mission accomplished. Socks have been oh so thoroughly knocked."
<==--------===-=-===--------==>
2023.06.07 14:04 oleojang How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng
Meta Description: Discover how to buy fashion items for women at affordable rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. This comprehensive guide walks you through the process, from creating an account to placing your order. Find trendy and budget-friendly clothing, shoes, accessories, and more. Explore the FAQs for common concerns. Start shopping on ileoja.ng and elevate your style without breaking the bank.
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Contents
Introduction. 1
How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. 2
1. Visit ileoja.ng. 2
2. Create an Account. 2
3. Explore the Product Categories. 2
4. Refine Your Search. 3
5. Check Product Details. 3
6. Add to Cart. 3
7. Proceed to Checkout. 4
8. Enter Shipping Details. 4
9. Choose a Payment Method. 4
10. Place Your Order. 5
Why Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?. 5
Wide Customer Reach. 5
Targeted Audience. 6
User-Friendly Interface. 6
Marketing and Promotional Support. 7
Secure and Trusted Platform.. 7
Seller Support and Assistance. 7
Competitive Fees and Commissions. 8
Seamless Order Fulfillment. 8
Factors to Consider When Selling Fashion Items for Women. 9
Target Market Analysis. 9
Trend Research. 10
Quality and Durability. 10
Pricing Strategy. 10
Branding and Differentiation. 11
Online Presence and Marketing. 11
Customer Experience and Service. 12
Inventory Management. 12
Feedback and Adaptation. 13
When is the Best Time to Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?. 13
Seasonal Trends. 13
Festive and Holiday Seasons. 14
Fashion Weeks and Events. 15
Back-to-School and College Season. 15
Special Occasions and Weddings. 15
Sales and Clearance Events. 16
Customer Behavior and Analytics. 16
Frequest Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. 17
Conclusion. 19
Congratulations! You have successfully purchased a fashion item for women at an affordable rate in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. Now, all that's left to do is sit back, relax, and wait for your stylish new purchase to arrive at your doorstep.
You checkout other post on how to buy fashion items for men in Nigeria on ileoja.ng
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submitted by oleojang to u/oleojang [link] [comments]
📷
Contents
Introduction. 1
How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. 2
1. Visit ileoja.ng. 2
2. Create an Account. 2
3. Explore the Product Categories. 2
4. Refine Your Search. 3
5. Check Product Details. 3
6. Add to Cart. 3
7. Proceed to Checkout. 4
8. Enter Shipping Details. 4
9. Choose a Payment Method. 4
10. Place Your Order. 5
Why Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?. 5
Wide Customer Reach. 5
Targeted Audience. 6
User-Friendly Interface. 6
Marketing and Promotional Support. 7
Secure and Trusted Platform.. 7
Seller Support and Assistance. 7
Competitive Fees and Commissions. 8
Seamless Order Fulfillment. 8
Factors to Consider When Selling Fashion Items for Women. 9
Target Market Analysis. 9
Trend Research. 10
Quality and Durability. 10
Pricing Strategy. 10
Branding and Differentiation. 11
Online Presence and Marketing. 11
Customer Experience and Service. 12
Inventory Management. 12
Feedback and Adaptation. 13
When is the Best Time to Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?. 13
Seasonal Trends. 13
Festive and Holiday Seasons. 14
Fashion Weeks and Events. 15
Back-to-School and College Season. 15
Special Occasions and Weddings. 15
Sales and Clearance Events. 16
Customer Behavior and Analytics. 16
Frequest Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. 17
Conclusion. 19
Introduction
Fashion is an integral part of our lives, allowing us to express our individuality and showcase our personal style. However, finding affordable fashion items for women in Nigeria can sometimes be a daunting task. That's where ileoja.ng comes in. In this article, we will explore how to buy fashion items for women at affordable rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng, a leading online marketplace that offers a wide range of trendy and budget-friendly options. Whether you're looking for stylish clothing, accessories, or footwear, ileoja.ng has got you covered.How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng
ileoja.ng provides a user-friendly platform that allows you to browse through an extensive collection of fashion items and make your purchases with ease. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to buy fashion items for women at affordable rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng:1. Visit ileoja.ng
The first step is to visit the official website of ileoja.ng. Simply open your preferred web browser and type in "ileoja.ng" in the address bar. Press Enter, and you will be directed to the homepage of the website.2. Create an Account
To enjoy a seamless shopping experience on ileoja.ng, you need to create an account. Look for the "Register" button on the homepage and click on it. Fill in the required details, such as your name, email address, and password. Once you've completed the registration process, you'll have your own personal account on ileoja.ng.3. Explore the Product Categories
Now that you have an account, it's time to start exploring the wide range of fashion items available on ileoja.ng. The website offers various product categories, including clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, and more. Click on the desired category to browse through the available options.4. Refine Your Search
To find the perfect fashion item at an affordable rate, you can use the search filters provided by ileoja.ng. Narrow down your search based on factors such as price range, brand, size, color, and style. This will help you find the best options that match your preferences and budget.5. Check Product Details
Before making a purchase, it's essential to carefully review the product details. Click on the item you're interested in to access its dedicated page. Here, you will find information about the product's materials, sizing, availability, and customer reviews. Take the time to read through this information to make an informed decision.6. Add to Cart
Once you've found a fashion item that meets your requirements, click on the "Add to Cart" button. This will add the item to your virtual shopping cart, allowing you to continue browsing for more products or proceed to the checkout process.7. Proceed to Checkout
When you're ready to complete your purchase, click on the shopping cart icon at the top of the website. Review the items in your cart and ensure that everything is correct. You can also apply any applicable discount codes or vouchers at this stage. Then, click on the "Checkout" button to proceed.8. Enter Shipping Details
During the checkout process, you'll be prompted to enter your shipping details. Provide accurate information, including your name, address, phone number, and any other required details. Double-check the information to avoid any shipping mishaps.9. Choose a Payment Method
ileoja.ng offers various secure payment options to choose from. Select your preferred payment method, such as debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment process securely.10. Place Your Order
After successfully completing the payment, review your order summary one last time. If everything looks good, click on the "Place Order" button to finalize your purchase. You will receive a confirmation email with the details of your order.Congratulations! You have successfully purchased a fashion item for women at an affordable rate in Nigeria on ileoja.ng. Now, all that's left to do is sit back, relax, and wait for your stylish new purchase to arrive at your doorstep.
You checkout other post on how to buy fashion items for men in Nigeria on ileoja.ng
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Why Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?
In today's digital age, online marketplaces have revolutionized the way we buy and sell products. One such platform that has gained significant popularity is ileoja.ng. With its wide range of fashion items for women, ileoja.ng offers a lucrative opportunity for sellers to showcase their products to a vast customer base. In this article, we will explore the reasons why selling fashion items for women on ileoja.ng can be a rewarding venture for aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.Wide Customer Reach
One of the primary advantages of selling fashion items on ileoja.ng is the platform's extensive customer reach. With a large user base and a growing number of visitors each day, ileoja.ng provides sellers with the opportunity to showcase their products to a wide audience. This increased visibility can significantly boost the chances of making sales and expanding your customer base.Targeted Audience
When it comes to selling fashion items for women, it is crucial to reach the right audience. ileoja.ng caters specifically to individuals looking for trendy and affordable fashion options. By listing your products on this platform, you can target customers who are already interested in purchasing fashion items. This increases the likelihood of attracting potential buyers who are actively seeking the products you offer.User-Friendly Interface
One of the key factors that contribute to the success of any online marketplace is its user-friendliness. ileoja.ng is designed to provide a seamless shopping experience for both buyers and sellers. The platform offers intuitive navigation, easy product listing tools, and efficient order management systems. Even if you are new to online selling, you can quickly adapt to the platform's interface and start listing your fashion items without any hassle.Marketing and Promotional Support
Selling fashion items on ileoja.ng comes with the added advantage of marketing and promotional support. The platform invests in advertising campaigns and promotional activities to attract more customers. By listing your products on ileoja.ng, you can leverage the marketing efforts undertaken by the platform, thereby increasing your product visibility and sales potential. This saves you the time and resources required to market your products independently.Secure and Trusted Platform
Trust and security are vital factors when it comes to online transactions. ileoja.ng prioritizes the safety and security of its users. The platform incorporates robust security measures to protect customer and seller information, ensuring a safe and trustworthy environment for conducting business. This sense of security helps build trust among buyers, leading to higher customer confidence and increased sales for sellers.Seller Support and Assistance
As a seller on ileoja.ng, you can benefit from the platform's seller support and assistance. The dedicated support team is available to address any queries or concerns you may have throughout your selling journey. Whether you need help with product listings, order management, or resolving customer issues, the support team is just a message or call away. This level of assistance can be invaluable, particularly for sellers who are new to online selling.Competitive Fees and Commissions
Selling fashion items on ileoja.ng is also financially rewarding. The platform offers competitive fees and commissions, allowing you to maximize your profits. With transparent pricing structures and reasonable commission rates, you can ensure that your hard-earned revenue remains intact while taking advantage of the platform's extensive customer base and marketing efforts.Seamless Order Fulfillment
Efficient order fulfillment is crucial for customer satisfaction and repeat business. ileoja.ng streamlines the order fulfillment process, making it easier for sellers to manage their inventory and promptly ship products to customers. The platform provides clear guidelines and tools for tracking orders, generating shipping labels, and managing returns or exchanges. This streamlined process minimizes potential errors and ensures a smooth customer experience.Factors to Consider When Selling Fashion Items for Women
Selling fashion items for women can be a profitable and rewarding venture. However, the fashion industry is highly competitive, and it's essential to consider various factors to ensure the success of your business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established seller, this article will explore the key factors to consider when selling fashion items for women. By understanding and implementing these factors, you can effectively navigate the market and maximize your chances of success.Target Market Analysis
Before diving into selling fashion items for women, it's crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of your target market. Understand the preferences, needs, and purchasing behaviors of your potential customers. Consider factors such as age group, style preferences, price range, and geographical location. This analysis will help you tailor your product offerings to meet the specific demands of your target market, ensuring higher customer satisfaction and increased sales.Trend Research
The fashion industry is ever-evolving, with new trends emerging regularly. Staying up-to-date with the latest fashion trends is essential when selling fashion items for women. Conduct thorough trend research to identify popular styles, colors, patterns, and materials. This knowledge will guide your product selection and help you offer trendy and in-demand fashion items to your customers. Stay connected with fashion publications, influencers, and industry events to stay ahead of the curve.Quality and Durability
In the competitive fashion market, quality and durability are key factors that can set your products apart. Invest in sourcing high-quality materials and work with reliable manufacturers and suppliers. Ensure that your fashion items are well-crafted, durable, and capable of withstanding regular wear and tear. Delivering quality products will earn you a reputation for excellence and encourage repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth referrals.Pricing Strategy
Setting the right price for your fashion items is crucial for sales success. Consider factors such as production costs, market demand, competition, and perceived value when determining your pricing strategy. Striking a balance between affordability and profitability is essential. Conduct market research to understand the price range for similar fashion items in the market. Offer competitive prices that appeal to your target market while ensuring your business remains profitable.Branding and Differentiation
In a crowded marketplace, effective branding and differentiation are essential for standing out from the competition. Develop a strong brand identity that resonates with your target market. Craft a unique selling proposition (USP) that highlights the distinctive features of your fashion items. Whether it's the use of sustainable materials, innovative designs, or a specific niche focus, find ways to differentiate your brand and create a memorable impression on your customers.Online Presence and Marketing
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of your fashion business. Create a visually appealing and user-friendly website or online store to showcase your fashion items. Utilize social media platforms to engage with your audience, share product updates, and create a community around your brand. Implement effective digital marketing strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, influencer collaborations, and targeted online advertisements to increase brand visibility and attract customers.Customer Experience and Service
Providing an exceptional customer experience is vital for customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Ensure that your customers have a seamless shopping experience, from browsing your fashion items to making a purchase and receiving their orders. Offer multiple communication channels for customer inquiries and support. Provide detailed product descriptions, accurate sizing charts, and high-quality product images. Promptly address customer concerns and provide efficient after-sales service, including hassle-free returns and exchanges.Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management is crucial for maintaining a steady supply of fashion items and avoiding stockouts or excess inventory. Implement inventory management systems that allow you to track product quantities, monitor sales trends, and make informed purchasing decisions. Regularly analyze your inventory data to identify popular products, slow-moving items, and seasonal trends. This data-driven approach will help you optimize your inventory and ensure a healthy balance between supply and demand.Feedback and Adaptation
Listening to customer feedback and adapting your strategies accordingly is a key factor in the long-term success of your fashion business. Encourage customers to provide reviews and ratings for your fashion items. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback, as they offer valuable insights into customer preferences and areas for improvement. Use this feedback to refine your product offerings, enhance your customer experience, and adapt your marketing strategies.📷
When is the Best Time to Sell Fashion Items for Women on ileoja.ng?
Timing plays a crucial role in the success of any business, and selling fashion items for women on ileoja.ng is no exception. While the online marketplace offers opportunities throughout the year, there are specific periods when sales tend to soar. In this article, we will explore the best times to sell fashion items for women on ileoja.ng. By understanding these optimal periods, you can strategically plan your inventory, marketing campaigns, and promotions to maximize your sales potential.Seasonal Trends
One of the key factors to consider when determining the best time to sell fashion items for women is the seasonal trends. Fashion preferences and needs change with each season, and aligning your product offerings with these trends can significantly impact your sales. For example, during the spring and summer months, customers are likely to be looking for lightweight dresses, sandals, and vibrant accessories. In contrast, fall and winter call for cozy sweaters, boots, and cold-weather essentials. By adjusting your inventory and marketing strategies to match the seasonal demands, you can attract more customers and generate higher sales.Festive and Holiday Seasons
Festive and holiday seasons are known to be prime selling periods for fashion items. Events such as Christmas, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, and other cultural and religious celebrations create a surge in consumer spending. During these times, people are more inclined to purchase new outfits, accessories, and gifts. Capitalize on these festive seasons by offering special promotions, discounts, and themed collections. Plan your inventory and marketing campaigns well in advance to ensure you have a diverse range of fashion items that cater to the specific needs and desires of customers during these celebratory periods.Fashion Weeks and Events
Fashion weeks and events are significant milestones in the fashion industry, attracting attention from fashion enthusiasts, influencers, and media outlets. These events showcase the latest collections and set trends for the upcoming seasons. As a seller on ileoja.ng, it is advantageous to align your product releases and promotions with these fashion weeks and events. Capitalize on the buzz and excitement generated during these times to increase brand visibility and attract customers who are eager to stay on-trend.Back-to-School and College Season
Another opportune time to sell fashion items for women on ileoja.ng is during the back-to-school and college season. As students prepare to start a new academic year, they often seek new clothing and accessories to make a stylish impression. This period presents a great opportunity to target young customers who are looking for trendy and affordable fashion items. Offer special promotions, discounts, and student-friendly collections to attract this demographic and increase your sales.Special Occasions and Weddings
Special occasions such as weddings, parties, and formal events create a demand for elegant and sophisticated fashion items. These events often require attendees to dress up and make a fashion statement. As a seller on ileoja.ng, you can leverage this demand by curating a collection specifically tailored to special occasions. Offer a wide range of formal dresses, evening gowns, accessories, and shoes that cater to various tastes and budgets. Promote your special occasion collection ahead of the event season to capture the attention of customers planning their outfits in advance.Sales and Clearance Events
While it's essential to focus on peak selling periods, it's equally important to capitalize on sales and clearance events throughout the year. ileoja.ng and other online marketplaces often host sales events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, end-of-season sales, and flash sales. These events create a sense of urgency and excitement among customers, driving them to make impulse purchases. Participating in these events by offering discounts and special deals can help you attract bargain-seeking customers and clear out excess inventory.Customer Behavior and Analytics
To determine the best time to sell fashion items for women on ileoja.ng, it's essential to analyze customer behavior and data. Utilize analytics tools to track customer engagement, website traffic, and sales patterns. Identify trends in customer browsing and purchasing behavior to understand when your target audience is most active. Use this data to schedule promotions, product releases, and marketing campaigns during the times when customer engagement and conversions are highest.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Buy Fashion Items for Women at Affordable Rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng
Here are some frequently asked questions about buying fashion items for women at affordable rates in Nigeria on ileoja.ng:- Is ileoja.ng a reliable platform for buying fashion items?
- Can I return or exchange a fashion item purchased from ileoja.ng?
- Are there any discounts or promotional offers available on ileoja.ng?
- Can I track the status of my order on ileoja.ng?
- How long does it take for the fashion items to be delivered?
- Can I contact customer support if I have any questions or concerns?
Conclusion
Buying fashion items for women at affordable rates in Nigeria has never been easier, thanks to ileoja.ng. With its extensive collection of trendy and budget-friendly options, you can find the perfect fashion pieces to enhance your wardrobe. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can navigate the ileoja.ng platform with confidence and make your purchases hassle-free. Start exploring the vast array of fashion items available on ileoja.ng today and elevate your style without breaking the bank!2023.06.07 13:31 Silver_Fern_ Overcoming Jet Lag: Study Abroad Tips
 | https://preview.redd.it/hel9chke0l4b1.jpg?width=2592&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=879f640cd7b8c7811aceec2be35dc9176e8440f9 submitted by Silver_Fern_ to StudyOverseas [link] [comments] the anticipation of studying abroad in a new country is an exhilarating experience. You eagerly envision exploring new landscapes, immersing yourself in a different culture, and forging lifelong friendships. However, one aspect that can pose a challenge to your study abroad adventure is the adjustment to a new time zone and the dreaded jet lag that often accompanies long-haul flights. Jet lag occurs when your body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, becomes out of sync with the local time at your destination. This disruption can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and decreased concentration. The severity and duration of jet lag vary from person to person, but the good news is that there are effective strategies to minimize its impact and help you smoothly transition into the new time zone. Before you embark on your study abroad journey, it's essential to start preparing your body for the upcoming time zone difference. Gradually adjust your sleeping and eating schedule a few days before your departure. If you're traveling east, try going to bed and waking up earlier each day. Conversely, if you're traveling west, shift your schedule later. This gradual adjustment can help minimize the shock to your system when you arrive at your destination. In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies to overcome jet lag and smoothly adjust to a new time zone. Prepare before your trip:To further prepare your body for the time zone difference, consider adjusting your meal times as well. Gradually shift your eating schedule to align with the local dining customs of your destination. This can help regulate your body's internal clock and facilitate a smoother transition. Additionally, try to get regular exercise leading up to your departure. Engaging in physical activity can help regulate your sleep patterns and improve your overall well-being, setting a healthy foundation for adjusting to the new time zone.Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine:While it's tempting to indulge in a glass of wine or a cup of coffee during your flight, it's best to avoid alcohol and caffeine. These substances can disrupt your sleep and exacerbate the effects of jet lag. Instead, opt for water or herbal tea to stay hydrated throughout your journey. Consider bringing a reusable water bottle to fill up during layovers or at the airport. Staying hydrated not only helps combat jet lag but also supports your overall health and well-being.Sleep on the plane:Sleeping on the plane can be challenging, but with the right preparations, you can increase your chances of getting some rest. Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothing and bring essentials like a neck pillow, cozy blanket, and noise-canceling headphones. Adjust your seat to a reclined position and try to recreate a sleep-friendly environment. Minimize distractions by turning off overhead lights and avoiding screen time. Consider using sleep aids such as melatonin, but consult with a healthcare professional before doing so. By prioritizing sleep on the plane, you can arrive at your destination feeling more refreshed and ready to adapt to the new time zone.Get natural sunlight and exercise:Upon arrival at your study abroad destination, make it a priority to expose yourself to natural sunlight. Sunlight helps regulate your body's production of melatonin, a hormone that influences your sleep-wake cycle. Spend time outdoors during daylight hours, whether it's taking a stroll in a nearby park or studying in a sunny outdoor spot. This exposure to natural light will help synchronize your internal body clock with the local time, making it easier to adjust.In addition to sunlight, incorporating exercise into your daily routine is beneficial for overcoming jet lag. Engaging in physical activity not only increases your energy levels but also helps regulate your circadian rhythm. Consider joining a local gym, exploring scenic jogging trails, or participating in group fitness classes. By getting your body moving, you'll not only combat jet lag but also enhance your overall well-being during your study abroad experience. Gradually adjust your schedule:When you arrive at your study abroad destination, it can be tempting to take a nap or give in to fatigue. However, it's crucial to resist the urge and stay awake until an appropriate bedtime in the local time zone. If you arrive during the daytime, keep yourself occupied with activities and sightseeing to help you adjust to the new schedule. Plan engaging outings, meet up with local friends, or explore your campus and surroundings. Avoid excessive napping, as it can disrupt your sleep patterns and prolong the adjustment period.In the evening, create a calm and relaxing routine to signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Dim the lights, avoid stimulating screens, and engage in soothing activities like reading or taking a warm bath. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine will aid in your transition and help you achieve restful sleep. Remember, overcoming jet lag and adjusting to a new time zone takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself as you adapt to the changes, and don't hesitate to seek support from fellow study abroad students, university resources, or local communities. By implementing these strategies and maintaining a positive mindset, you'll be well-equipped to conquer jet lag and fully embrace your study abroad experience. As you embark on your study abroad journey, overcoming jet lag and adjusting to a new time zone may initially seem daunting. However, with careful preparation, mindful choices, and a willingness to adapt, you can navigate these challenges and make the most of your study abroad experience. Remember that adjusting to a new time zone is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself and give your body the time it needs to acclimate to the new environment. Embrace the adventure and view the adjustment period as an opportunity for growth and exploration. While jet lag can be disruptive, it shouldn't overshadow the incredible experiences that await you. Take advantage of the unique cultural opportunities, immerse yourself in the local community, and forge connections with fellow students and locals. Engaging in these activities will not only help you adjust to the new time zone but also enrich your study abroad experience. Seek support from your study abroad program, university resources, and fellow students who are navigating the same challenges. Share your experiences, exchange tips, and lean on each other for encouragement and guidance. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Finally, maintain a positive mindset and embrace the beauty of the unknown. Studying abroad is a transformative experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone and expands your horizons. Embrace the differences, savor the moments, and cherish the memories that will last a lifetime. By implementing the tips and strategies discussed in this blog post, you can minimize the impact of jet lag and smoothly adjust to the new time zone. Stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, expose yourself to natural light, and gradually align your schedule with the local time. With these tools in your arsenal, you'll be well-equipped to overcome jet lag and fully immerse yourself in the incredible journey of studying abroad. Bon voyage and embrace the adventure that awaits you! |
2023.06.07 13:30 newsu1 The Journey of the Mindful Garden - By Newsu 👌
Once upon a time, in a serene village nestled amidst rolling hills, there lived a wise gardener named Maya. Her lush garden was known far and wide for its vibrant flowers, enchanting fragrances, and the peace it brought to all who wandered within its borders.
Maya had a deep understanding of the power of nature and its ability to transform not only the landscape but also the hearts and minds of those who embraced its beauty. She had discovered a secret that she was eager to share with others—a secret that could help them cultivate a strong, self-confident, and positive healthy mind.
One sunny morning, Maya decided to open her garden to the villagers and invite them on a transformative walk. She created a special path lined with signs, each bearing a different message of wisdom. These signs were like chapters in a book, guiding visitors along a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
As the villagers gathered at the entrance, Maya welcomed them with warmth and enthusiasm. She explained that she wasn't there to dictate what they should do or offer professional therapy, but rather to create a space where they could connect, reflect, and grow together.
"Our minds," Maya said, "are like fertile soil, capable of nurturing both flowers and weeds. Often, we unknowingly allow negativity, pessimism, and self-deprecation to take root within us. The challenges of life can be overwhelming, but fear not, for within each of us lies the power to transform our minds and cultivate a healthy mindset."
With curious eyes and open hearts, the villagers embarked on the winding path through Maya's garden. At each sign, they paused to read the wisdom inscribed upon it and reflect upon its meaning.
One sign spoke of mindfulness—a practice of being fully present in the moment, observing thoughts and emotions without judgment. Another sign emphasized the importance of self-reflection, encouraging the villagers to delve into their inner selves and discover their true desires and values.
Gratitude was another key theme along the path. The villagers learned to appreciate the small wonders that surrounded them—the sun's gentle caress, the vibrant colors of a blooming flower, the symphony of birdsong. Gratitude taught them to shift their focus from what they lacked to the abundance that already filled their lives.
As the villagers walked and absorbed the wisdom of each sign, they felt a sense of empowerment growing within them. They realized that the journey toward a healthy mindset was not about achieving perfection but rather about embracing imperfections and using them as stepping stones to growth.
Maya, observing the transformations taking place before her eyes, encouraged the villagers to share their experiences and insights. In this shared space, a supportive community blossomed. Villagers uplifted one another, offering kind words, gentle guidance, and understanding ears.
The garden became a sanctuary where minds flourished, hearts healed, and confidence bloomed. Each visitor left with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolbox filled with practical strategies for nurturing a healthy mindset.
And so, the garden of Maya continued to thrive, not just as a physical space but also as a symbol of the power within each person to cultivate their own mental well-being. The parable of the mindful garden spread far and wide, inspiring others to embark on their own transformative journeys.
Maya's garden stands as a reminder that we are all gardeners of our minds, capable of tending to the seeds of self-confidence, positive thinking, and encouragement. By embracing our unique worth and supporting one another, we can walk together towards a brighter, more resilient, and positively healthy mind.
At The End of Time
Ambition
submitted by newsu1 to OCPoetry [link] [comments]
Maya had a deep understanding of the power of nature and its ability to transform not only the landscape but also the hearts and minds of those who embraced its beauty. She had discovered a secret that she was eager to share with others—a secret that could help them cultivate a strong, self-confident, and positive healthy mind.
One sunny morning, Maya decided to open her garden to the villagers and invite them on a transformative walk. She created a special path lined with signs, each bearing a different message of wisdom. These signs were like chapters in a book, guiding visitors along a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
As the villagers gathered at the entrance, Maya welcomed them with warmth and enthusiasm. She explained that she wasn't there to dictate what they should do or offer professional therapy, but rather to create a space where they could connect, reflect, and grow together.
"Our minds," Maya said, "are like fertile soil, capable of nurturing both flowers and weeds. Often, we unknowingly allow negativity, pessimism, and self-deprecation to take root within us. The challenges of life can be overwhelming, but fear not, for within each of us lies the power to transform our minds and cultivate a healthy mindset."
With curious eyes and open hearts, the villagers embarked on the winding path through Maya's garden. At each sign, they paused to read the wisdom inscribed upon it and reflect upon its meaning.
One sign spoke of mindfulness—a practice of being fully present in the moment, observing thoughts and emotions without judgment. Another sign emphasized the importance of self-reflection, encouraging the villagers to delve into their inner selves and discover their true desires and values.
Gratitude was another key theme along the path. The villagers learned to appreciate the small wonders that surrounded them—the sun's gentle caress, the vibrant colors of a blooming flower, the symphony of birdsong. Gratitude taught them to shift their focus from what they lacked to the abundance that already filled their lives.
As the villagers walked and absorbed the wisdom of each sign, they felt a sense of empowerment growing within them. They realized that the journey toward a healthy mindset was not about achieving perfection but rather about embracing imperfections and using them as stepping stones to growth.
Maya, observing the transformations taking place before her eyes, encouraged the villagers to share their experiences and insights. In this shared space, a supportive community blossomed. Villagers uplifted one another, offering kind words, gentle guidance, and understanding ears.
The garden became a sanctuary where minds flourished, hearts healed, and confidence bloomed. Each visitor left with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolbox filled with practical strategies for nurturing a healthy mindset.
And so, the garden of Maya continued to thrive, not just as a physical space but also as a symbol of the power within each person to cultivate their own mental well-being. The parable of the mindful garden spread far and wide, inspiring others to embark on their own transformative journeys.
Maya's garden stands as a reminder that we are all gardeners of our minds, capable of tending to the seeds of self-confidence, positive thinking, and encouragement. By embracing our unique worth and supporting one another, we can walk together towards a brighter, more resilient, and positively healthy mind.
At The End of Time
Ambition
2023.06.07 13:29 HaykakanTxa Daily News Report: 6/6/2023
Date: 06/06/2023
Reading time: 6 minutes, 1246 words
Donations to Armenia:
Himnadram
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund
If you'd like to support me: Patreon
submitted by HaykakanTxa to armenia [link] [comments]
Reading time: 6 minutes, 1246 words
Azerbaijan violates the ceasefire in several directions of the contact line with Artsakh
Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the ceasefire in the central, eastern and southeastern directions of the contact line by using small firearms. The Armenian side has no losses, the Ministry of Defense said.Armenpress, Azerbaijani military opens fire at Armenian engineering equipment in Gegharkunik Province, Azerbaijan releases disinformation in attempt to substantiate its ceasefire violations, warns Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan continues disinformation campaign targeting Armenian military, Armenia MoD denies fresh disinformation by Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani forces open fire at Armenian vehicle carrying out engineering work, Artsakh reports ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan must pull back troops from sovereign territory of Armenia – Governor of Syunik
Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan says Azerbaijani military must pull back its original positions in the Tegh section. Governor said that the government will pay assistance to those who are unable to access their territories. No border incidents were recorded over the past two weeks in Armenia, governor said.Armenpress
PM Pashinyan activates task force in charge of construction of new nuclear power reactor
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signed a decree on setting up an inter-departmental working group charged with the construction of a new nuclear power reactor. The task force will deal with conducting studies on the construction and selection ofArmenpress
U.S. looks forward to hosting another round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks – State Department spox
The U.S. is pleased that talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are proceeding in different venues. The next round of talks between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Washington D.C. will start on June 12.Armenpress, US looks forward to hosting another round of Armenian-Azerbaijani talks, Mirzoyan, Hogan discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process
Construction of Tatev-Ltsen road completed, offers alternative to Tatev switchbacks
The Tatev-Ltsen road in Syunik is completed and the road will allow cargo trucks to bypass the Tatev switchbacks. Governor of Syunk Robert Ghukasyan said he and mayors of his province's cities are having many meetings with Iranian colleagues to discuss economic and social programs.Armenpress
China’s CITIC Construction considers participating in Armenia projects
Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan met with Yang Jianqiang, Executive Vice Manager of CITIC Construction. The possibility of the company's participation in the projects planned by the Armenian Government’s 2021-2026 program.ArmRadio
Armenian, Austrian FMs discuss issues of regional security and stability
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Austrian Federal Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Alexander Shallenberg. The two touched upon the agenda of bilateral cooperation, as well as issues of mutually beneficial interaction on multilateral platforms. Thoughts were also exchanged on issues related to Armenia-EU partnership.ArmRadio
96% of Armenia’s population has broadband internet access
66% of Armenia's settlements have broadband internet, and 96% of the country’s population has internet access. Deputy Minister of High Tech Industry Avet Poghosyan said the government is focused on the program of ensuring broadband internet access in settlements.Armenpress
Flyone Armenia launches Yerevan-Tehran flights
Flyone Armenia national airline launches Yerevan-Tehran roundtrip flights on June 6. The airline will fly four times per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Chairman of the Board Aram Ananyan personally visited Zvartnots airport Tuesday morning.Armenpress
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization
Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has met with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar. Ararat said the sides discussed the latest discussions around the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.Armenpress, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, EU’s Klaar discuss prospects of restoring railway connection with Azerbaijan, Armenian Deputy PM, EU envoy discuss prospects for reconstruction of Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz railway, Armenian PM discussed crisis in Artsakh with EU’s special envoy
Armenian, Austrian foreign ministers discuss regional stability and security issues
Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a phone conversation with Alexander Schallenberg, the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria. The two touched upon the agenda of bilateral cooperation as well as issues of mutually beneficial collaboration in multilateral platforms.Armenpress
Authorities could authorize additional drainage of Sevan amid low water levels in reservoirs, warns official
Water levels in Armenia’s reservoirs, especially large ones, are low. In 2022 the government authorized the drainage of 170 million cubic meters of water from Lake Sevan, but only 165,1 was used. “We must do everything to mitigate the [consequences] of low water levels,” says Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.Armenpress
Restoration in Gegharkunik following 2022 September attack by Azerbaijan nearing completion
Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan says restoration work is nearing completion. Authorities are assessing resources required for dealing with four partially collapsed homes. Farmers who lost livestock have received assistance and their damages have been almost completely restored.Armenpress
Sotk gold mine works in partial mode due to safety concerns related to Azeri shootings
The Sotk Gold Mine has ceased operations in the open section of the mine due to safety concerns. Governor of Gegharkunik Karen Sargsyan said the intensity of gunfire in border towns of the province has decreased.Armenpress
Henrikh Mkhitaryan assures he will be fit enough to start for Inter in UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester City
Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he will be fit enough to start for Inter against Manchester City in Champions League Final. Armenia international has been out of action since picking up thigh injury on May 16. Joaquin Correa trained separately from the rest of the group, so are still not at 100 per cent yet.ArmRadio
Himnadram
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund
2023.06.07 13:28 xfallenangelx95 27/F seeking an emotional bond with emotionally mature and like minded people from Europe.I would love to meet someone talkative!Someone who wants to talk on a daily basis.It isn't easy to find a friend on reddit but I'm trying my best.I'm interested only in long term frienships.
Only Europe Please - short note - If you're not into reading or receiving long messages,don't read any further + Please If you don't want to read everything because of my post being too long for you & instead of reading It all - ..skip some parts - find another person to talk to.Let's respect each other and our free time. All people criticizing/making fun of me & other people - will permanently be blocked.Pretty much as people questioning my post and giving me unsolicited advice.I'm not here for any conflicts and I know I can't please everyone - I know I never will.. However It's me who should feel comfortable in my new potential friendship & obviously someone interested in being my friend - not the whole world which is why I don't need any advice from people who don't even want to be a part of my life. The amount of rude people on Reddit always criticizing others and making fun of them is unbelievably high but let me tell you something - NEVER let anyone make choices for you and criticize you only because you're different! Always fight for your dreams and never let anyone make you think you're worthless! It's your life and you're the one deciding what's best for you - If you want to judge me despite not even wanting to talk to me or give me avice better block me
Hello guys! 🙂 (read everything before you decide to send me a message) Please send me a message ONLY If you're in the same situation and If your expectations are the same as mine.I want to find like minded people from Europe (Why Europe? Read my post to find out) I'm looking for something permanent (remember - you can feel lonely even If you're surrounded by others - If there's no emotional bond) I'm fed up of meeting people who never make any time for me & only text me once or twice a week to ask me "what are you up to?" Out of boredom.I don't want to meet people asking others a million of questions like "what's your favorite movie?" Just to give you one word answer and ask you another question "and music? Your favorite song?" I'm looking for something "deeper" & different🙂What kind of friend would I like to find? Someone to talk to on a daily basis - Someone who needs It & wants It just as much as me
What are my expectations? I would like to meet someone in a similar situation – why? Because I honestly feel like only a person with the same expectations and a similar outlook on life would get along with me & because I feel more comfortable talking to people like me..Friendless people who need a strong bond - people without friends and without partners..Don't get me wrong…Most people deserve to be happy and It's good to have friends but people who have friends or families in real life are usually more focused on them ( which is completely understandable) & have less time for others + I simply don't want to be replaced by anyone..I kind of envy people who can call others , true friends given I don't have an emotional bond with any of my acquaintances. Whenever I hear that others have friends I simply get sad because (believe it or not) If I had to choose between 20 people to talk to (Acquaintances) and one special person - I'd choose that one special person without any hesitation .
I also want to talk to others on a daily basis mainly because..I want to see someone’s effort & be someone's first choice - not another person to have random conversations with..Why I'd rather talk to people from my continent? Well..Mainly because I would like to see someone I'd get along with - In the far future - face to face :) + I don't want to wait any longer than 6 hours to receive a message - Especially given most people are always available on social media sites & keep their phones in a pocket.Once you receive & open my message - get back to me (If you're as serious as I am & really need a true friend) waiting 6 hours to receive a message is more than enough
I'm by no means criticising people who don't want to talk to others often / People who really are super busy & People who want to find someone to have non important conversations with - I'm aware that not everyone has the same expectations which is why everything you're reading now - is here for a reason.All I'm suggesting is - I don't want anything temporary and I don't want to be the one always giving more than receiving.Listen people - I used to ignore being..ignored by others..always being just an option to talk to during tough times or moments of boredom.I was too young to realize that I was never important enough for most people that were a part of my life I don't know who needs to hear this but..No one is too busy to make time for you! People make excuses to avoid others because they prioritize everything and (maybe) everyone..over them. It's true that most people really are busy - but It takes only a few seconds to start a conversation (If you're into short messages) and a few minutes (1-10/15) to type a long message Don't let anyone lie to you.
Truth is that most people either don't like you enough to make time for you or just simply - feel no need to talk to others often but are they too busy? No..You don't need to send me a message just to ask me and tell me "Do you really want to talk daily? I like long messages but I can't promise to contact you often" If you really are unsure please don't send me a message.I don't need more acquaintances aka people to talk to - occasionallyI'm not trying to sound rude - I just don't want to meet new people and get emotionally attached - only to end up being left alone after weeks or months of daily conversations.I'm sick of that never ending story and always meeting people who ghost me without a single word (even if everything seems to be ok) or people who "change priorities" over time & become like strangers…I don't want to go through this ever again.Let me tell you one thing – A true friend would never just give up on you for no reason :)It’s always possible to find someone to have a random conversation with – someone willing to send you one message once or twice a week..but..It’s almost impossible to find people willing to make time for you.
I’m not asking a busy person to make time for me by changing some plans! Absolutely not! I’m here to find someone who wants to talk daily (throughout the day or maybe even night) of one’s own will.Someone looking for the same kind of connection.Strong friendships are based on mutual support. One of the best things you can do for a friend in need, is just to be there for them when they want to talk.I often see posts from people who always say how friendless they are because they don't feel loved or appreciated by their "friends" remember! A true friend - someone who truly likes you or someone who wants to get to know you - will always find time for you. 🙂
I'm not really interested in small talk/short messages - I love long and meaningful conversations. It's so easy to find someone who loves abbreviations and questions like "How are you?" How was your day? Or what are you interested in? But so hard/almost impossible to find a person who knows how to keep a conversation going & show others some effort.Building and maintaining friendships takes time and effort.Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relations with other people.Close friendships are so important to us because they are so difficult to form + Having friends can help you feel as if you belong to something that brings purpose and connection to your life
• I do NOT respond to any „Hey,hmu” or „u want to talk” type of messages (super short messages or messages full of abbreviations – I literally can’t stand abbreviations and acronyms in text messages) ALL messages full of abbreviations will immediately be ignored.I also don't like it when people ignore everything I say in private messages just to focus on some question or? Start talking only about themselves.. I love conversations with people refering to every part of my messages - not just some question.
• No dirty messages PLEASE.I'm not looking for anyone to flirt with and I'm not looking for a partner either. No NSWF profiles..I always check people's profiles (Even comment history) - To avoid guys,trying to get inappropriate photos from adult women or? flirt with them & If your comment history is full of rude comments - you and I wouldn't get along! I can't stand people who judge other people and use vulgar words to describe them or? Make fun of them.Respect is very important
• If both (you and I) are from the same country (I live in a non-English speaking country ) - I want to communicate with you in our first language! No - Not because I don't understand English because as you see - I do. Why then? English is simply overrated and people don't appreciate other languages as much as they should. So.. If we're from the same country and you want to talk only in English (which is quite common on reddit) - Talk to someone else. I just simply don't want to talk to a person from the same country - in a foreign language as It's just something I don't understand even If all you want is to practice your english
• Please only adult people 18-36 age range (I'm 27)
• I don’t respond to messages I don’t find interesting even If they're long - If after receiving and reading your message I don't feel comfortable or think "I wouldn't get along with him/her" I simply do not respond (what I’m suggesting is that I don’t always respond to someone’s first or second message because..sometimes you just know If you’d get along with someone or not- I’d never ignore anyone after days or weeks of daily conversations though) just because I don’t want to do anything forcefully & because I don’t want to lead anyone on. I read all messages but I definitely don't respond to all of them! I want to make it clear because I don't want to be accused of not responding and not reading people's messages! - Some people don't message me back as well and even though It is a bit disappointing I'm ok with that! - as long as there's no emotional bond - I think it's ok to not respond to someone's first or second message If people think they wouldn't get along! I can't stand being ignored after days or weeks of daily conversation and seeing people changing priorities but that's something different - something I don't want to go through ever again for real If I'm really interested in someone's message - I respond within a matter of minutes - max 6 hours (If I'm in bed - just sleeping) you won't even hear from me "I'm too busy" because I know myself and If I really was too busy to make time for others - I wouldn't be here. I either want to talk to someone..or not.I don't want to pretend someone I'm not and always try to find some cheap excuses to avoid others. (unlike some people)
• Don’t ask me “Can you tell me something about yourself?” If you really want to get to know me - you can ask me questions :) I'm an open book.
• It would be better If you guys were into emojis - just like me - just to describe your emotions through text. Two emojis - 🙂 and 🙁 are completely enough I just don't like emotionless messages.I also don't like it when people say "yeah" or yea"as it sounds dismissively.
• I want to talk on reddit first (just to make sure If I'd get along with you ) before moving to Discord or some other app
• Time response matters to me a lot! It matters to me whether I get a message back after one hour,three hours,6 hours or..12 hours and even..after a couple of days..And If you're another person just looking for one day conversation and then? "Disappear" for some amount of time longer than one day to come back and apologize me for being busy - don't even leave me a message.I just want to be honest with you from the start.I'm interested only in daily conversations
Why can’t you see any of my interests listed down below? Because what really matters to me is..who you are (If you’re honest,talkative,understanding,caring and trustworthy – for example) just simply – It matters to me what you’re like! not what you like.Don’t get me wrong – you can tell me what your hobbies are but in my personal opinion,common interests are important mainly when you want to find a gaming buddy (for example) or If you want to meet someone to hang out with in real life and..go bowling for example.What most people seem to care about are other people's interests – I don’t. I get along with other people despite having completely different hobbies but I absolutely don’t get along with people way different than me (different expectations and outlook on life– way different sense of humor or personality traits – It’s just an example) It doesn't make ANY DIFFERENCE to me If you're a gamer or? Someone interested in photography! It doesn't make any difference - > as long as you're talkative and kind and If you also want to find someone willing to stay in your life..for good - But If you're into small talk and all you want is to...type and receive super short messages or If you're here only because you're bored and don't know what to do + If you're a very sarcastic person - I'm definitely not for you!I don't get along with overly sarcastic people turning everything into a joke. Friendships should be natural – not forced.
Both people wanting to be friends should feel comfortable and have something in common. No - not necessarily a similar taste in music or movies but something else..Most friendships don't fizzle out because of people not having the same hobbies but..because they just simply have different expectations when It comes to something important.I'm not here out of boredom and trust me - I'm not here to meet as many people as possible.I choose quality over quantity.I higly value myself and my time & Sometimes one person but a person who makes you feel comfortable and understood - is more than enough :) We ALL can choose what kind of people we’d like to talk to and maybe even become really good friends with and I? I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.We all have some expectations after all.I know that people don't have to talk everyday to be friends but I'm interested only in daily conversations with someone also interested in talking dailyIf you really need someone to talk to due to loneliness and If you have time to talk to me daily (throughout the day and maybe even night)I always make time for others.I'm literally always available.I could even stay up all night long only to talk to someone. I’m ready to commit but only If there’s some chemistry between me and someone else.I don’t do anything forcefully.
If you want to talk to me tell me your story - tell me why you're here, what kind of friend would you like to meet :) Et cetera.Such messages are way more interesting to me than...someone's long list of hobbies. I know! It's unusual on reddit but I don't make friends based on hobbies..I want to meet someone with the same mindset as mine to finally feel understood and get close to someone new.You can share your problems with me - I absolutely don't mind "complaining" as I've been through a lot in my life.What do people usually tell you when you tell them that's something's wrong? "Don't complain" or "Life's not over yet - one day you'll be happy" or "There are worse situations than yours" and..obviously "Find a therapist" Life's not a fairytale and sometimes things don't go as planned.Emotions shouldn't be bottled up.I'm sick of people always telling others "everything's gonna be ok" move on " & more..Trust me people - not everyone wants to hear "Just believe in yourself and everything's gonna be ok" Some people take it as reassurance. But others see it as false hope. Imagine being told that things will be okay, only for them to get worse..Do you guys know why telling someone "everything's gonna be ok" Is wrong? Because you can't see the future.
You can't guarantee others that one day they'll finally be happy + when It comes to social interactions - We're only responsible for ourselves - not for others & as you guys know people let us down quite often (sometimes even when there's no reason) so instead of telling people how they should move on,forget everything and be happy or asking them to find a therapist - be there for them! Always be willing to listen to them If you really like them or want to get to know them & don't suggest everyone in a tough situation to find a therapist because a therapist won't ever replace a true friend + It's quite normal to be disappointed If people always do something to hurt you.Sharing your hardships with other people in a very similar situation or exactly the same one - is VERY helpful If the other person understands you & wants to start all over by just letting it all out & feeling emotional support instead of always hearing some "positive quotes" or someone saying "Stop complaining let's talk about something else"Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on. I appreciate sensitive people who always try to understand others.Empathy is everything
Our world needs more peace 🤗 I've seen a lot of rude comments on reddit.If you don't agree with me - OK but please don't criticize me + Not everyone is here to ask for advice.Listen people - I know how different my post is & I know It won't be easy for me to find what or rather who - I'm looking for BUT I always want to be myself instead of pretending someone I'm not and lying to others.I know It would be easier if (like others) I had less expectations but I I know what I want and honestly? If my post was different..I wouldn't be me.Even If I won't meet a person I'd get along with - that's ok! but don't give me any unsolicited advice because I wouldn't change for someone who doesn't even know me pretty much as I wouldn't want to change anyone else.I'm not trying to "fit in" and be like everyone else - just to get more attention.Accept me for who I am or let go - is my motto.I'm not here to argue with anyone and to make fun of others.
Please - If you're a completely different person than the described type of person I'm looking for (If you love abrreviations,If you don't need an emotional connection,If you're sarcastic and quiet) or If you simply disagree with my post - don't force yourself to send me a message.I want my new potential friendship,to be natural which is why I want you to contact me If your needs are the same - I don't want you to try to change yourself only to please me - Pretending to be someone you're not - is the worst.I know It's possible to find what I'm looking for as I had conversations with people looking for exactly the same thing and being nice to me - I want to believe in my luck again as I had it a few times on reddit - I've recently lost someone I thought could be a friend of mine (such a perfect match) and I'm sad but I want to finally be happy again & find someone always wanting to talk - sending me random pictures throughout the day - food pictures or pictures of some animals and what is the most important to me? To find people who value online friendships as much as they would value real life ones as there's another human being on the other side
No comments please.Only Private messages and chat requests.I don't really like public conversations and I also do not respond to comments so If you want to send me a message just do it without saying "You can DM me" + I'm online almost all the time and yes - I am very selective but If I had to choose between having another (new) acquaintance and being in the same situation as I currently am - I'd always choose second option.I don't need more people to talk to every now and then and any chit chat so please think twice before you decide to send me a message
submitted by xfallenangelx95 to chat [link] [comments]
Hello guys! 🙂 (read everything before you decide to send me a message) Please send me a message ONLY If you're in the same situation and If your expectations are the same as mine.I want to find like minded people from Europe (Why Europe? Read my post to find out) I'm looking for something permanent (remember - you can feel lonely even If you're surrounded by others - If there's no emotional bond) I'm fed up of meeting people who never make any time for me & only text me once or twice a week to ask me "what are you up to?" Out of boredom.I don't want to meet people asking others a million of questions like "what's your favorite movie?" Just to give you one word answer and ask you another question "and music? Your favorite song?" I'm looking for something "deeper" & different🙂What kind of friend would I like to find? Someone to talk to on a daily basis - Someone who needs It & wants It just as much as me
What are my expectations? I would like to meet someone in a similar situation – why? Because I honestly feel like only a person with the same expectations and a similar outlook on life would get along with me & because I feel more comfortable talking to people like me..Friendless people who need a strong bond - people without friends and without partners..Don't get me wrong…Most people deserve to be happy and It's good to have friends but people who have friends or families in real life are usually more focused on them ( which is completely understandable) & have less time for others + I simply don't want to be replaced by anyone..I kind of envy people who can call others , true friends given I don't have an emotional bond with any of my acquaintances. Whenever I hear that others have friends I simply get sad because (believe it or not) If I had to choose between 20 people to talk to (Acquaintances) and one special person - I'd choose that one special person without any hesitation .
I also want to talk to others on a daily basis mainly because..I want to see someone’s effort & be someone's first choice - not another person to have random conversations with..Why I'd rather talk to people from my continent? Well..Mainly because I would like to see someone I'd get along with - In the far future - face to face :) + I don't want to wait any longer than 6 hours to receive a message - Especially given most people are always available on social media sites & keep their phones in a pocket.Once you receive & open my message - get back to me (If you're as serious as I am & really need a true friend) waiting 6 hours to receive a message is more than enough
I'm by no means criticising people who don't want to talk to others often / People who really are super busy & People who want to find someone to have non important conversations with - I'm aware that not everyone has the same expectations which is why everything you're reading now - is here for a reason.All I'm suggesting is - I don't want anything temporary and I don't want to be the one always giving more than receiving.Listen people - I used to ignore being..ignored by others..always being just an option to talk to during tough times or moments of boredom.I was too young to realize that I was never important enough for most people that were a part of my life I don't know who needs to hear this but..No one is too busy to make time for you! People make excuses to avoid others because they prioritize everything and (maybe) everyone..over them. It's true that most people really are busy - but It takes only a few seconds to start a conversation (If you're into short messages) and a few minutes (1-10/15) to type a long message Don't let anyone lie to you.
Truth is that most people either don't like you enough to make time for you or just simply - feel no need to talk to others often but are they too busy? No..You don't need to send me a message just to ask me and tell me "Do you really want to talk daily? I like long messages but I can't promise to contact you often" If you really are unsure please don't send me a message.I don't need more acquaintances aka people to talk to - occasionallyI'm not trying to sound rude - I just don't want to meet new people and get emotionally attached - only to end up being left alone after weeks or months of daily conversations.I'm sick of that never ending story and always meeting people who ghost me without a single word (even if everything seems to be ok) or people who "change priorities" over time & become like strangers…I don't want to go through this ever again.Let me tell you one thing – A true friend would never just give up on you for no reason :)It’s always possible to find someone to have a random conversation with – someone willing to send you one message once or twice a week..but..It’s almost impossible to find people willing to make time for you.
I’m not asking a busy person to make time for me by changing some plans! Absolutely not! I’m here to find someone who wants to talk daily (throughout the day or maybe even night) of one’s own will.Someone looking for the same kind of connection.Strong friendships are based on mutual support. One of the best things you can do for a friend in need, is just to be there for them when they want to talk.I often see posts from people who always say how friendless they are because they don't feel loved or appreciated by their "friends" remember! A true friend - someone who truly likes you or someone who wants to get to know you - will always find time for you. 🙂
I'm not really interested in small talk/short messages - I love long and meaningful conversations. It's so easy to find someone who loves abbreviations and questions like "How are you?" How was your day? Or what are you interested in? But so hard/almost impossible to find a person who knows how to keep a conversation going & show others some effort.Building and maintaining friendships takes time and effort.Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relations with other people.Close friendships are so important to us because they are so difficult to form + Having friends can help you feel as if you belong to something that brings purpose and connection to your life
• I do NOT respond to any „Hey,hmu” or „u want to talk” type of messages (super short messages or messages full of abbreviations – I literally can’t stand abbreviations and acronyms in text messages) ALL messages full of abbreviations will immediately be ignored.I also don't like it when people ignore everything I say in private messages just to focus on some question or? Start talking only about themselves.. I love conversations with people refering to every part of my messages - not just some question.
• No dirty messages PLEASE.I'm not looking for anyone to flirt with and I'm not looking for a partner either. No NSWF profiles..I always check people's profiles (Even comment history) - To avoid guys,trying to get inappropriate photos from adult women or? flirt with them & If your comment history is full of rude comments - you and I wouldn't get along! I can't stand people who judge other people and use vulgar words to describe them or? Make fun of them.Respect is very important
• If both (you and I) are from the same country (I live in a non-English speaking country ) - I want to communicate with you in our first language! No - Not because I don't understand English because as you see - I do. Why then? English is simply overrated and people don't appreciate other languages as much as they should. So.. If we're from the same country and you want to talk only in English (which is quite common on reddit) - Talk to someone else. I just simply don't want to talk to a person from the same country - in a foreign language as It's just something I don't understand even If all you want is to practice your english
• Please only adult people 18-36 age range (I'm 27)
• I don’t respond to messages I don’t find interesting even If they're long - If after receiving and reading your message I don't feel comfortable or think "I wouldn't get along with him/her" I simply do not respond (what I’m suggesting is that I don’t always respond to someone’s first or second message because..sometimes you just know If you’d get along with someone or not- I’d never ignore anyone after days or weeks of daily conversations though) just because I don’t want to do anything forcefully & because I don’t want to lead anyone on. I read all messages but I definitely don't respond to all of them! I want to make it clear because I don't want to be accused of not responding and not reading people's messages! - Some people don't message me back as well and even though It is a bit disappointing I'm ok with that! - as long as there's no emotional bond - I think it's ok to not respond to someone's first or second message If people think they wouldn't get along! I can't stand being ignored after days or weeks of daily conversation and seeing people changing priorities but that's something different - something I don't want to go through ever again for real If I'm really interested in someone's message - I respond within a matter of minutes - max 6 hours (If I'm in bed - just sleeping) you won't even hear from me "I'm too busy" because I know myself and If I really was too busy to make time for others - I wouldn't be here. I either want to talk to someone..or not.I don't want to pretend someone I'm not and always try to find some cheap excuses to avoid others. (unlike some people)
• Don’t ask me “Can you tell me something about yourself?” If you really want to get to know me - you can ask me questions :) I'm an open book.
• It would be better If you guys were into emojis - just like me - just to describe your emotions through text. Two emojis - 🙂 and 🙁 are completely enough I just don't like emotionless messages.I also don't like it when people say "yeah" or yea"as it sounds dismissively.
• I want to talk on reddit first (just to make sure If I'd get along with you ) before moving to Discord or some other app
• Time response matters to me a lot! It matters to me whether I get a message back after one hour,three hours,6 hours or..12 hours and even..after a couple of days..And If you're another person just looking for one day conversation and then? "Disappear" for some amount of time longer than one day to come back and apologize me for being busy - don't even leave me a message.I just want to be honest with you from the start.I'm interested only in daily conversations
Why can’t you see any of my interests listed down below? Because what really matters to me is..who you are (If you’re honest,talkative,understanding,caring and trustworthy – for example) just simply – It matters to me what you’re like! not what you like.Don’t get me wrong – you can tell me what your hobbies are but in my personal opinion,common interests are important mainly when you want to find a gaming buddy (for example) or If you want to meet someone to hang out with in real life and..go bowling for example.What most people seem to care about are other people's interests – I don’t. I get along with other people despite having completely different hobbies but I absolutely don’t get along with people way different than me (different expectations and outlook on life– way different sense of humor or personality traits – It’s just an example) It doesn't make ANY DIFFERENCE to me If you're a gamer or? Someone interested in photography! It doesn't make any difference - > as long as you're talkative and kind and If you also want to find someone willing to stay in your life..for good - But If you're into small talk and all you want is to...type and receive super short messages or If you're here only because you're bored and don't know what to do + If you're a very sarcastic person - I'm definitely not for you!I don't get along with overly sarcastic people turning everything into a joke. Friendships should be natural – not forced.
Both people wanting to be friends should feel comfortable and have something in common. No - not necessarily a similar taste in music or movies but something else..Most friendships don't fizzle out because of people not having the same hobbies but..because they just simply have different expectations when It comes to something important.I'm not here out of boredom and trust me - I'm not here to meet as many people as possible.I choose quality over quantity.I higly value myself and my time & Sometimes one person but a person who makes you feel comfortable and understood - is more than enough :) We ALL can choose what kind of people we’d like to talk to and maybe even become really good friends with and I? I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.We all have some expectations after all.I know that people don't have to talk everyday to be friends but I'm interested only in daily conversations with someone also interested in talking dailyIf you really need someone to talk to due to loneliness and If you have time to talk to me daily (throughout the day and maybe even night)I always make time for others.I'm literally always available.I could even stay up all night long only to talk to someone. I’m ready to commit but only If there’s some chemistry between me and someone else.I don’t do anything forcefully.
If you want to talk to me tell me your story - tell me why you're here, what kind of friend would you like to meet :) Et cetera.Such messages are way more interesting to me than...someone's long list of hobbies. I know! It's unusual on reddit but I don't make friends based on hobbies..I want to meet someone with the same mindset as mine to finally feel understood and get close to someone new.You can share your problems with me - I absolutely don't mind "complaining" as I've been through a lot in my life.What do people usually tell you when you tell them that's something's wrong? "Don't complain" or "Life's not over yet - one day you'll be happy" or "There are worse situations than yours" and..obviously "Find a therapist" Life's not a fairytale and sometimes things don't go as planned.Emotions shouldn't be bottled up.I'm sick of people always telling others "everything's gonna be ok" move on " & more..Trust me people - not everyone wants to hear "Just believe in yourself and everything's gonna be ok" Some people take it as reassurance. But others see it as false hope. Imagine being told that things will be okay, only for them to get worse..Do you guys know why telling someone "everything's gonna be ok" Is wrong? Because you can't see the future.
You can't guarantee others that one day they'll finally be happy + when It comes to social interactions - We're only responsible for ourselves - not for others & as you guys know people let us down quite often (sometimes even when there's no reason) so instead of telling people how they should move on,forget everything and be happy or asking them to find a therapist - be there for them! Always be willing to listen to them If you really like them or want to get to know them & don't suggest everyone in a tough situation to find a therapist because a therapist won't ever replace a true friend + It's quite normal to be disappointed If people always do something to hurt you.Sharing your hardships with other people in a very similar situation or exactly the same one - is VERY helpful If the other person understands you & wants to start all over by just letting it all out & feeling emotional support instead of always hearing some "positive quotes" or someone saying "Stop complaining let's talk about something else"Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on. I appreciate sensitive people who always try to understand others.Empathy is everything
Our world needs more peace 🤗 I've seen a lot of rude comments on reddit.If you don't agree with me - OK but please don't criticize me + Not everyone is here to ask for advice.Listen people - I know how different my post is & I know It won't be easy for me to find what or rather who - I'm looking for BUT I always want to be myself instead of pretending someone I'm not and lying to others.I know It would be easier if (like others) I had less expectations but I I know what I want and honestly? If my post was different..I wouldn't be me.Even If I won't meet a person I'd get along with - that's ok! but don't give me any unsolicited advice because I wouldn't change for someone who doesn't even know me pretty much as I wouldn't want to change anyone else.I'm not trying to "fit in" and be like everyone else - just to get more attention.Accept me for who I am or let go - is my motto.I'm not here to argue with anyone and to make fun of others.
Please - If you're a completely different person than the described type of person I'm looking for (If you love abrreviations,If you don't need an emotional connection,If you're sarcastic and quiet) or If you simply disagree with my post - don't force yourself to send me a message.I want my new potential friendship,to be natural which is why I want you to contact me If your needs are the same - I don't want you to try to change yourself only to please me - Pretending to be someone you're not - is the worst.I know It's possible to find what I'm looking for as I had conversations with people looking for exactly the same thing and being nice to me - I want to believe in my luck again as I had it a few times on reddit - I've recently lost someone I thought could be a friend of mine (such a perfect match) and I'm sad but I want to finally be happy again & find someone always wanting to talk - sending me random pictures throughout the day - food pictures or pictures of some animals and what is the most important to me? To find people who value online friendships as much as they would value real life ones as there's another human being on the other side
No comments please.Only Private messages and chat requests.I don't really like public conversations and I also do not respond to comments so If you want to send me a message just do it without saying "You can DM me" + I'm online almost all the time and yes - I am very selective but If I had to choose between having another (new) acquaintance and being in the same situation as I currently am - I'd always choose second option.I don't need more people to talk to every now and then and any chit chat so please think twice before you decide to send me a message
2023.06.07 13:28 xfallenangelx95 27/F Looking for someone in exactly the same situation as mine - Someone friendless,talkative and kind! Kindness is highly appreciated by me! I'm interested only in daily conversations and long term friendships! Let everyone on Reddit be happy! Let them find their happiness :) Never give up!
Only Europe Please - short note - If you're not into reading or receiving long messages,don't read any further + Please If you don't want to read everything because of my post being too long for you & instead of reading It all - ..skip some parts - find another person to talk to.Let's respect each other and our free time. All people criticizing/making fun of me & other people - will permanently be blocked.Pretty much as people questioning my post and giving me unsolicited advice.I'm not here for any conflicts and I know I can't please everyone - I know I never will.. However It's me who should feel comfortable in my new potential friendship & obviously someone interested in being my friend - not the whole world which is why I don't need any advice from people who don't even want to be a part of my life. The amount of rude people on Reddit always criticizing others and making fun of them is unbelievably high but let me tell you something - NEVER let anyone make choices for you and criticize you only because you're different! Always fight for your dreams and never let anyone make you think you're worthless! It's your life and you're the one deciding what's best for you - If you want to judge me despite not even wanting to talk to me or give me avice better block me
Hello guys! 🙂 (read everything before you decide to send me a message) Please send me a message ONLY If you're in the same situation and If your expectations are the same as mine.I want to find like minded people from Europe (Why Europe? Read my post to find out) I'm looking for something permanent (remember - you can feel lonely even If you're surrounded by others - If there's no emotional bond) I'm fed up of meeting people who never make any time for me & only text me once or twice a week to ask me "what are you up to?" Out of boredom.I don't want to meet people asking others a million of questions like "what's your favorite movie?" Just to give you one word answer and ask you another question "and music? Your favorite song?" I'm looking for something "deeper" & different🙂What kind of friend would I like to find? Someone to talk to on a daily basis - Someone who needs It & wants It just as much as me
What are my expectations? I would like to meet someone in a similar situation – why? Because I honestly feel like only a person with the same expectations and a similar outlook on life would get along with me & because I feel more comfortable talking to people like me..Friendless people who need a strong bond - people without friends and without partners..Don't get me wrong…Most people deserve to be happy and It's good to have friends but people who have friends or families in real life are usually more focused on them ( which is completely understandable) & have less time for others + I simply don't want to be replaced by anyone..I kind of envy people who can call others , true friends given I don't have an emotional bond with any of my acquaintances. Whenever I hear that others have friends I simply get sad because (believe it or not) If I had to choose between 20 people to talk to (Acquaintances) and one special person - I'd choose that one special person without any hesitation .
I also want to talk to others on a daily basis mainly because..I want to see someone’s effort & be someone's first choice - not another person to have random conversations with..Why I'd rather talk to people from my continent? Well..Mainly because I would like to see someone I'd get along with - In the far future - face to face :) + I don't want to wait any longer than 6 hours to receive a message - Especially given most people are always available on social media sites & keep their phones in a pocket.Once you receive & open my message - get back to me (If you're as serious as I am & really need a true friend) waiting 6 hours to receive a message is more than enough
I'm by no means criticising people who don't want to talk to others often / People who really are super busy & People who want to find someone to have non important conversations with - I'm aware that not everyone has the same expectations which is why everything you're reading now - is here for a reason.All I'm suggesting is - I don't want anything temporary and I don't want to be the one always giving more than receiving.Listen people - I used to ignore being..ignored by others..always being just an option to talk to during tough times or moments of boredom.I was too young to realize that I was never important enough for most people that were a part of my life I don't know who needs to hear this but..No one is too busy to make time for you! People make excuses to avoid others because they prioritize everything and (maybe) everyone..over them. It's true that most people really are busy - but It takes only a few seconds to start a conversation (If you're into short messages) and a few minutes (1-10/15) to type a long message Don't let anyone lie to you.
Truth is that most people either don't like you enough to make time for you or just simply - feel no need to talk to others often but are they too busy? No..You don't need to send me a message just to ask me and tell me "Do you really want to talk daily? I like long messages but I can't promise to contact you often" If you really are unsure please don't send me a message.I don't need more acquaintances aka people to talk to - occasionallyI'm not trying to sound rude - I just don't want to meet new people and get emotionally attached - only to end up being left alone after weeks or months of daily conversations.I'm sick of that never ending story and always meeting people who ghost me without a single word (even if everything seems to be ok) or people who "change priorities" over time & become like strangers…I don't want to go through this ever again.Let me tell you one thing – A true friend would never just give up on you for no reason :)It’s always possible to find someone to have a random conversation with – someone willing to send you one message once or twice a week..but..It’s almost impossible to find people willing to make time for you.
I’m not asking a busy person to make time for me by changing some plans! Absolutely not! I’m here to find someone who wants to talk daily (throughout the day or maybe even night) of one’s own will.Someone looking for the same kind of connection.Strong friendships are based on mutual support. One of the best things you can do for a friend in need, is just to be there for them when they want to talk.I often see posts from people who always say how friendless they are because they don't feel loved or appreciated by their "friends" remember! A true friend - someone who truly likes you or someone who wants to get to know you - will always find time for you. 🙂
I'm not really interested in small talk/short messages - I love long and meaningful conversations. It's so easy to find someone who loves abbreviations and questions like "How are you?" How was your day? Or what are you interested in? But so hard/almost impossible to find a person who knows how to keep a conversation going & show others some effort.Building and maintaining friendships takes time and effort.Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relations with other people.Close friendships are so important to us because they are so difficult to form + Having friends can help you feel as if you belong to something that brings purpose and connection to your life
• I do NOT respond to any „Hey,hmu” or „u want to talk” type of messages (super short messages or messages full of abbreviations – I literally can’t stand abbreviations and acronyms in text messages) ALL messages full of abbreviations will immediately be ignored.I also don't like it when people ignore everything I say in private messages just to focus on some question or? Start talking only about themselves.. I love conversations with people refering to every part of my messages - not just some question.
• No dirty messages PLEASE.I'm not looking for anyone to flirt with and I'm not looking for a partner either. No NSWF profiles..I always check people's profiles (Even comment history) - To avoid guys,trying to get inappropriate photos from adult women or? flirt with them & If your comment history is full of rude comments - you and I wouldn't get along! I can't stand people who judge other people and use vulgar words to describe them or? Make fun of them.Respect is very important
• If both (you and I) are from the same country (I live in a non-English speaking country ) - I want to communicate with you in our first language! No - Not because I don't understand English because as you see - I do. Why then? English is simply overrated and people don't appreciate other languages as much as they should. So.. If we're from the same country and you want to talk only in English (which is quite common on reddit) - Talk to someone else. I just simply don't want to talk to a person from the same country - in a foreign language as It's just something I don't understand even If all you want is to practice your english
• Please only adult people 18-36 age range (I'm 27)
• I don’t respond to messages I don’t find interesting even If they're long - If after receiving and reading your message I don't feel comfortable or think "I wouldn't get along with him/her" I simply do not respond (what I’m suggesting is that I don’t always respond to someone’s first or second message because..sometimes you just know If you’d get along with someone or not- I’d never ignore anyone after days or weeks of daily conversations though) just because I don’t want to do anything forcefully & because I don’t want to lead anyone on. I read all messages but I definitely don't respond to all of them! I want to make it clear because I don't want to be accused of not responding and not reading people's messages! - Some people don't message me back as well and even though It is a bit disappointing I'm ok with that! - as long as there's no emotional bond - I think it's ok to not respond to someone's first or second message If people think they wouldn't get along! I can't stand being ignored after days or weeks of daily conversation and seeing people changing priorities but that's something different - something I don't want to go through ever again for real If I'm really interested in someone's message - I respond within a matter of minutes - max 6 hours (If I'm in bed - just sleeping) you won't even hear from me "I'm too busy" because I know myself and If I really was too busy to make time for others - I wouldn't be here. I either want to talk to someone..or not.I don't want to pretend someone I'm not and always try to find some cheap excuses to avoid others. (unlike some people)
• Don’t ask me “Can you tell me something about yourself?” If you really want to get to know me - you can ask me questions :) I'm an open book.
• It would be better If you guys were into emojis - just like me - just to describe your emotions through text. Two emojis - 🙂 and 🙁 are completely enough I just don't like emotionless messages.I also don't like it when people say "yeah" or yea"as it sounds dismissively.
• I want to talk on reddit first (just to make sure If I'd get along with you ) before moving to Discord or some other app
• Time response matters to me a lot! It matters to me whether I get a message back after one hour,three hours,6 hours or..12 hours and even..after a couple of days..And If you're another person just looking for one day conversation and then? "Disappear" for some amount of time longer than one day to come back and apologize me for being busy - don't even leave me a message.I just want to be honest with you from the start.I'm interested only in daily conversations
Why can’t you see any of my interests listed down below? Because what really matters to me is..who you are (If you’re honest,talkative,understanding,caring and trustworthy – for example) just simply – It matters to me what you’re like! not what you like.Don’t get me wrong – you can tell me what your hobbies are but in my personal opinion,common interests are important mainly when you want to find a gaming buddy (for example) or If you want to meet someone to hang out with in real life and..go bowling for example.What most people seem to care about are other people's interests – I don’t. I get along with other people despite having completely different hobbies but I absolutely don’t get along with people way different than me (different expectations and outlook on life– way different sense of humor or personality traits – It’s just an example) It doesn't make ANY DIFFERENCE to me If you're a gamer or? Someone interested in photography! It doesn't make any difference - > as long as you're talkative and kind and If you also want to find someone willing to stay in your life..for good - But If you're into small talk and all you want is to...type and receive super short messages or If you're here only because you're bored and don't know what to do + If you're a very sarcastic person - I'm definitely not for you!I don't get along with overly sarcastic people turning everything into a joke. Friendships should be natural – not forced.
Both people wanting to be friends should feel comfortable and have something in common. No - not necessarily a similar taste in music or movies but something else..Most friendships don't fizzle out because of people not having the same hobbies but..because they just simply have different expectations when It comes to something important.I'm not here out of boredom and trust me - I'm not here to meet as many people as possible.I choose quality over quantity.I higly value myself and my time & Sometimes one person but a person who makes you feel comfortable and understood - is more than enough :) We ALL can choose what kind of people we’d like to talk to and maybe even become really good friends with and I? I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.We all have some expectations after all.I know that people don't have to talk everyday to be friends but I'm interested only in daily conversations with someone also interested in talking dailyIf you really need someone to talk to due to loneliness and If you have time to talk to me daily (throughout the day and maybe even night)I always make time for others.I'm literally always available.I could even stay up all night long only to talk to someone. I’m ready to commit but only If there’s some chemistry between me and someone else.I don’t do anything forcefully.
If you want to talk to me tell me your story - tell me why you're here, what kind of friend would you like to meet :) Et cetera.Such messages are way more interesting to me than...someone's long list of hobbies. I know! It's unusual on reddit but I don't make friends based on hobbies..I want to meet someone with the same mindset as mine to finally feel understood and get close to someone new.You can share your problems with me - I absolutely don't mind "complaining" as I've been through a lot in my life.What do people usually tell you when you tell them that's something's wrong? "Don't complain" or "Life's not over yet - one day you'll be happy" or "There are worse situations than yours" and..obviously "Find a therapist" Life's not a fairytale and sometimes things don't go as planned.Emotions shouldn't be bottled up.I'm sick of people always telling others "everything's gonna be ok" move on " & more..Trust me people - not everyone wants to hear "Just believe in yourself and everything's gonna be ok" Some people take it as reassurance. But others see it as false hope. Imagine being told that things will be okay, only for them to get worse..Do you guys know why telling someone "everything's gonna be ok" Is wrong? Because you can't see the future.
You can't guarantee others that one day they'll finally be happy + when It comes to social interactions - We're only responsible for ourselves - not for others & as you guys know people let us down quite often (sometimes even when there's no reason) so instead of telling people how they should move on,forget everything and be happy or asking them to find a therapist - be there for them! Always be willing to listen to them If you really like them or want to get to know them & don't suggest everyone in a tough situation to find a therapist because a therapist won't ever replace a true friend + It's quite normal to be disappointed If people always do something to hurt you.Sharing your hardships with other people in a very similar situation or exactly the same one - is VERY helpful If the other person understands you & wants to start all over by just letting it all out & feeling emotional support instead of always hearing some "positive quotes" or someone saying "Stop complaining let's talk about something else"Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on. I appreciate sensitive people who always try to understand others.Empathy is everything
Our world needs more peace 🤗 I've seen a lot of rude comments on reddit.If you don't agree with me - OK but please don't criticize me + Not everyone is here to ask for advice.Listen people - I know how different my post is & I know It won't be easy for me to find what or rather who - I'm looking for BUT I always want to be myself instead of pretending someone I'm not and lying to others.I know It would be easier if (like others) I had less expectations but I I know what I want and honestly? If my post was different..I wouldn't be me.Even If I won't meet a person I'd get along with - that's ok! but don't give me any unsolicited advice because I wouldn't change for someone who doesn't even know me pretty much as I wouldn't want to change anyone else.I'm not trying to "fit in" and be like everyone else - just to get more attention.Accept me for who I am or let go - is my motto.I'm not here to argue with anyone and to make fun of others.
Please - If you're a completely different person than the described type of person I'm looking for (If you love abrreviations,If you don't need an emotional connection,If you're sarcastic and quiet) or If you simply disagree with my post - don't force yourself to send me a message.I want my new potential friendship,to be natural which is why I want you to contact me If your needs are the same - I don't want you to try to change yourself only to please me - Pretending to be someone you're not - is the worst.I know It's possible to find what I'm looking for as I had conversations with people looking for exactly the same thing and being nice to me - I want to believe in my luck again as I had it a few times on reddit - I've recently lost someone I thought could be a friend of mine (such a perfect match) and I'm sad but I want to finally be happy again & find someone always wanting to talk - sending me random pictures throughout the day - food pictures or pictures of some animals and what is the most important to me? To find people who value online friendships as much as they would value real life ones as there's another human being on the other side
No comments please.Only Private messages and chat requests.I don't really like public conversations and I also do not respond to comments so If you want to send me a message just do it without saying "You can DM me" + I'm online almost all the time and yes - I am very selective but If I had to choose between having another (new) acquaintance and being in the same situation as I currently am - I'd always choose second option.I don't need more people to talk to every now and then and any chit chat so please think twice before you decide to send me a message
submitted by xfallenangelx95 to friendship [link] [comments]
Hello guys! 🙂 (read everything before you decide to send me a message) Please send me a message ONLY If you're in the same situation and If your expectations are the same as mine.I want to find like minded people from Europe (Why Europe? Read my post to find out) I'm looking for something permanent (remember - you can feel lonely even If you're surrounded by others - If there's no emotional bond) I'm fed up of meeting people who never make any time for me & only text me once or twice a week to ask me "what are you up to?" Out of boredom.I don't want to meet people asking others a million of questions like "what's your favorite movie?" Just to give you one word answer and ask you another question "and music? Your favorite song?" I'm looking for something "deeper" & different🙂What kind of friend would I like to find? Someone to talk to on a daily basis - Someone who needs It & wants It just as much as me
What are my expectations? I would like to meet someone in a similar situation – why? Because I honestly feel like only a person with the same expectations and a similar outlook on life would get along with me & because I feel more comfortable talking to people like me..Friendless people who need a strong bond - people without friends and without partners..Don't get me wrong…Most people deserve to be happy and It's good to have friends but people who have friends or families in real life are usually more focused on them ( which is completely understandable) & have less time for others + I simply don't want to be replaced by anyone..I kind of envy people who can call others , true friends given I don't have an emotional bond with any of my acquaintances. Whenever I hear that others have friends I simply get sad because (believe it or not) If I had to choose between 20 people to talk to (Acquaintances) and one special person - I'd choose that one special person without any hesitation .
I also want to talk to others on a daily basis mainly because..I want to see someone’s effort & be someone's first choice - not another person to have random conversations with..Why I'd rather talk to people from my continent? Well..Mainly because I would like to see someone I'd get along with - In the far future - face to face :) + I don't want to wait any longer than 6 hours to receive a message - Especially given most people are always available on social media sites & keep their phones in a pocket.Once you receive & open my message - get back to me (If you're as serious as I am & really need a true friend) waiting 6 hours to receive a message is more than enough
I'm by no means criticising people who don't want to talk to others often / People who really are super busy & People who want to find someone to have non important conversations with - I'm aware that not everyone has the same expectations which is why everything you're reading now - is here for a reason.All I'm suggesting is - I don't want anything temporary and I don't want to be the one always giving more than receiving.Listen people - I used to ignore being..ignored by others..always being just an option to talk to during tough times or moments of boredom.I was too young to realize that I was never important enough for most people that were a part of my life I don't know who needs to hear this but..No one is too busy to make time for you! People make excuses to avoid others because they prioritize everything and (maybe) everyone..over them. It's true that most people really are busy - but It takes only a few seconds to start a conversation (If you're into short messages) and a few minutes (1-10/15) to type a long message Don't let anyone lie to you.
Truth is that most people either don't like you enough to make time for you or just simply - feel no need to talk to others often but are they too busy? No..You don't need to send me a message just to ask me and tell me "Do you really want to talk daily? I like long messages but I can't promise to contact you often" If you really are unsure please don't send me a message.I don't need more acquaintances aka people to talk to - occasionallyI'm not trying to sound rude - I just don't want to meet new people and get emotionally attached - only to end up being left alone after weeks or months of daily conversations.I'm sick of that never ending story and always meeting people who ghost me without a single word (even if everything seems to be ok) or people who "change priorities" over time & become like strangers…I don't want to go through this ever again.Let me tell you one thing – A true friend would never just give up on you for no reason :)It’s always possible to find someone to have a random conversation with – someone willing to send you one message once or twice a week..but..It’s almost impossible to find people willing to make time for you.
I’m not asking a busy person to make time for me by changing some plans! Absolutely not! I’m here to find someone who wants to talk daily (throughout the day or maybe even night) of one’s own will.Someone looking for the same kind of connection.Strong friendships are based on mutual support. One of the best things you can do for a friend in need, is just to be there for them when they want to talk.I often see posts from people who always say how friendless they are because they don't feel loved or appreciated by their "friends" remember! A true friend - someone who truly likes you or someone who wants to get to know you - will always find time for you. 🙂
I'm not really interested in small talk/short messages - I love long and meaningful conversations. It's so easy to find someone who loves abbreviations and questions like "How are you?" How was your day? Or what are you interested in? But so hard/almost impossible to find a person who knows how to keep a conversation going & show others some effort.Building and maintaining friendships takes time and effort.Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relations with other people.Close friendships are so important to us because they are so difficult to form + Having friends can help you feel as if you belong to something that brings purpose and connection to your life
• I do NOT respond to any „Hey,hmu” or „u want to talk” type of messages (super short messages or messages full of abbreviations – I literally can’t stand abbreviations and acronyms in text messages) ALL messages full of abbreviations will immediately be ignored.I also don't like it when people ignore everything I say in private messages just to focus on some question or? Start talking only about themselves.. I love conversations with people refering to every part of my messages - not just some question.
• No dirty messages PLEASE.I'm not looking for anyone to flirt with and I'm not looking for a partner either. No NSWF profiles..I always check people's profiles (Even comment history) - To avoid guys,trying to get inappropriate photos from adult women or? flirt with them & If your comment history is full of rude comments - you and I wouldn't get along! I can't stand people who judge other people and use vulgar words to describe them or? Make fun of them.Respect is very important
• If both (you and I) are from the same country (I live in a non-English speaking country ) - I want to communicate with you in our first language! No - Not because I don't understand English because as you see - I do. Why then? English is simply overrated and people don't appreciate other languages as much as they should. So.. If we're from the same country and you want to talk only in English (which is quite common on reddit) - Talk to someone else. I just simply don't want to talk to a person from the same country - in a foreign language as It's just something I don't understand even If all you want is to practice your english
• Please only adult people 18-36 age range (I'm 27)
• I don’t respond to messages I don’t find interesting even If they're long - If after receiving and reading your message I don't feel comfortable or think "I wouldn't get along with him/her" I simply do not respond (what I’m suggesting is that I don’t always respond to someone’s first or second message because..sometimes you just know If you’d get along with someone or not- I’d never ignore anyone after days or weeks of daily conversations though) just because I don’t want to do anything forcefully & because I don’t want to lead anyone on. I read all messages but I definitely don't respond to all of them! I want to make it clear because I don't want to be accused of not responding and not reading people's messages! - Some people don't message me back as well and even though It is a bit disappointing I'm ok with that! - as long as there's no emotional bond - I think it's ok to not respond to someone's first or second message If people think they wouldn't get along! I can't stand being ignored after days or weeks of daily conversation and seeing people changing priorities but that's something different - something I don't want to go through ever again for real If I'm really interested in someone's message - I respond within a matter of minutes - max 6 hours (If I'm in bed - just sleeping) you won't even hear from me "I'm too busy" because I know myself and If I really was too busy to make time for others - I wouldn't be here. I either want to talk to someone..or not.I don't want to pretend someone I'm not and always try to find some cheap excuses to avoid others. (unlike some people)
• Don’t ask me “Can you tell me something about yourself?” If you really want to get to know me - you can ask me questions :) I'm an open book.
• It would be better If you guys were into emojis - just like me - just to describe your emotions through text. Two emojis - 🙂 and 🙁 are completely enough I just don't like emotionless messages.I also don't like it when people say "yeah" or yea"as it sounds dismissively.
• I want to talk on reddit first (just to make sure If I'd get along with you ) before moving to Discord or some other app
• Time response matters to me a lot! It matters to me whether I get a message back after one hour,three hours,6 hours or..12 hours and even..after a couple of days..And If you're another person just looking for one day conversation and then? "Disappear" for some amount of time longer than one day to come back and apologize me for being busy - don't even leave me a message.I just want to be honest with you from the start.I'm interested only in daily conversations
Why can’t you see any of my interests listed down below? Because what really matters to me is..who you are (If you’re honest,talkative,understanding,caring and trustworthy – for example) just simply – It matters to me what you’re like! not what you like.Don’t get me wrong – you can tell me what your hobbies are but in my personal opinion,common interests are important mainly when you want to find a gaming buddy (for example) or If you want to meet someone to hang out with in real life and..go bowling for example.What most people seem to care about are other people's interests – I don’t. I get along with other people despite having completely different hobbies but I absolutely don’t get along with people way different than me (different expectations and outlook on life– way different sense of humor or personality traits – It’s just an example) It doesn't make ANY DIFFERENCE to me If you're a gamer or? Someone interested in photography! It doesn't make any difference - > as long as you're talkative and kind and If you also want to find someone willing to stay in your life..for good - But If you're into small talk and all you want is to...type and receive super short messages or If you're here only because you're bored and don't know what to do + If you're a very sarcastic person - I'm definitely not for you!I don't get along with overly sarcastic people turning everything into a joke. Friendships should be natural – not forced.
Both people wanting to be friends should feel comfortable and have something in common. No - not necessarily a similar taste in music or movies but something else..Most friendships don't fizzle out because of people not having the same hobbies but..because they just simply have different expectations when It comes to something important.I'm not here out of boredom and trust me - I'm not here to meet as many people as possible.I choose quality over quantity.I higly value myself and my time & Sometimes one person but a person who makes you feel comfortable and understood - is more than enough :) We ALL can choose what kind of people we’d like to talk to and maybe even become really good friends with and I? I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.We all have some expectations after all.I know that people don't have to talk everyday to be friends but I'm interested only in daily conversations with someone also interested in talking dailyIf you really need someone to talk to due to loneliness and If you have time to talk to me daily (throughout the day and maybe even night)I always make time for others.I'm literally always available.I could even stay up all night long only to talk to someone. I’m ready to commit but only If there’s some chemistry between me and someone else.I don’t do anything forcefully.
If you want to talk to me tell me your story - tell me why you're here, what kind of friend would you like to meet :) Et cetera.Such messages are way more interesting to me than...someone's long list of hobbies. I know! It's unusual on reddit but I don't make friends based on hobbies..I want to meet someone with the same mindset as mine to finally feel understood and get close to someone new.You can share your problems with me - I absolutely don't mind "complaining" as I've been through a lot in my life.What do people usually tell you when you tell them that's something's wrong? "Don't complain" or "Life's not over yet - one day you'll be happy" or "There are worse situations than yours" and..obviously "Find a therapist" Life's not a fairytale and sometimes things don't go as planned.Emotions shouldn't be bottled up.I'm sick of people always telling others "everything's gonna be ok" move on " & more..Trust me people - not everyone wants to hear "Just believe in yourself and everything's gonna be ok" Some people take it as reassurance. But others see it as false hope. Imagine being told that things will be okay, only for them to get worse..Do you guys know why telling someone "everything's gonna be ok" Is wrong? Because you can't see the future.
You can't guarantee others that one day they'll finally be happy + when It comes to social interactions - We're only responsible for ourselves - not for others & as you guys know people let us down quite often (sometimes even when there's no reason) so instead of telling people how they should move on,forget everything and be happy or asking them to find a therapist - be there for them! Always be willing to listen to them If you really like them or want to get to know them & don't suggest everyone in a tough situation to find a therapist because a therapist won't ever replace a true friend + It's quite normal to be disappointed If people always do something to hurt you.Sharing your hardships with other people in a very similar situation or exactly the same one - is VERY helpful If the other person understands you & wants to start all over by just letting it all out & feeling emotional support instead of always hearing some "positive quotes" or someone saying "Stop complaining let's talk about something else"Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on. I appreciate sensitive people who always try to understand others.Empathy is everything
Our world needs more peace 🤗 I've seen a lot of rude comments on reddit.If you don't agree with me - OK but please don't criticize me + Not everyone is here to ask for advice.Listen people - I know how different my post is & I know It won't be easy for me to find what or rather who - I'm looking for BUT I always want to be myself instead of pretending someone I'm not and lying to others.I know It would be easier if (like others) I had less expectations but I I know what I want and honestly? If my post was different..I wouldn't be me.Even If I won't meet a person I'd get along with - that's ok! but don't give me any unsolicited advice because I wouldn't change for someone who doesn't even know me pretty much as I wouldn't want to change anyone else.I'm not trying to "fit in" and be like everyone else - just to get more attention.Accept me for who I am or let go - is my motto.I'm not here to argue with anyone and to make fun of others.
Please - If you're a completely different person than the described type of person I'm looking for (If you love abrreviations,If you don't need an emotional connection,If you're sarcastic and quiet) or If you simply disagree with my post - don't force yourself to send me a message.I want my new potential friendship,to be natural which is why I want you to contact me If your needs are the same - I don't want you to try to change yourself only to please me - Pretending to be someone you're not - is the worst.I know It's possible to find what I'm looking for as I had conversations with people looking for exactly the same thing and being nice to me - I want to believe in my luck again as I had it a few times on reddit - I've recently lost someone I thought could be a friend of mine (such a perfect match) and I'm sad but I want to finally be happy again & find someone always wanting to talk - sending me random pictures throughout the day - food pictures or pictures of some animals and what is the most important to me? To find people who value online friendships as much as they would value real life ones as there's another human being on the other side
No comments please.Only Private messages and chat requests.I don't really like public conversations and I also do not respond to comments so If you want to send me a message just do it without saying "You can DM me" + I'm online almost all the time and yes - I am very selective but If I had to choose between having another (new) acquaintance and being in the same situation as I currently am - I'd always choose second option.I don't need more people to talk to every now and then and any chit chat so please think twice before you decide to send me a message
2023.06.07 13:12 Trin_itty_bitty Wanting Something Cyberpunk Like This (WIP) or Otherwise
I was bored and went to ChatGPT to generate elements of a conceptual story to draw up ideas of what kind of "Singularity Event" Interactive Fiction game I might want to draw up in the future, and for great and repeatable shame, I can admit that ChatGPT kinda sucks at formulating things because I suck at supplying information. But. Of recent and too many interactions with a near-future Los Diablos of Fallen Hero, I got ChatGPT to spawn this:
Any recommendations good, gentle people?
submitted by Trin_itty_bitty to hostedgames [link] [comments]
In the sprawling neon-lit cityscape of a dystopian future, where the looming presence of the Singularity warps the very fabric of reality, a cybernetic noir tale unfolds. Detective Riley, a woman with implanted memories and an android body, finds herself caught in a web of mystery and self-discovery.I want similar dynamics. Or something close. I have already played Whiskey-Four demo on Dashingdon. Also played Andromeda (non-Cog/HG)) from itch. Both are unfinished but I've been needing a particular fix for some time. The above generated via ChatGPT just makes me want something like it..like embarrassingly a lot.
Riley's relentless pursuit of truth leads her to investigate the sudden disappearance of Whisper, a notorious crime syndicate contact known for his illicit connections. Unbeknownst to Riley, Whisper is intricately linked to her own existence, their paths converging in ways neither could have imagined.
As Riley delves deeper into the underbelly of the city, she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the fragile balance between humans and advanced artificial intelligences. Along the way, she receives enigmatic messages left by Whisper, initially dismissing them as the egotistical ramblings of a crime lord. But as time goes on, she becomes captivated by his words, sensing a deeper meaning and connection.
Whisper, fully aware of their shared cybernetic existence, falls in love with Riley and struggles to protect her from the shadows of her own mind. He leaves her winded and romantic messages, torn between revealing the truth and shielding her from the harsh realities that await.
The evolving relationship between Riley and Whisper takes center stage, with Riley gradually coming to expect and anticipate the messages. When they abruptly stop, her concern for Whisper's safety intensifies, and she realizes that her feelings for him run deeper than she initially thought.
Driven by a sense of longing and the need to uncover the truth, Riley embarks on a dangerous journey to find Whisper and ensure their mutual survival. As their destinies intertwine, the boundaries between duty, desire, and destiny blur, testing their resolve and pushing them to the brink.
In the climactic conclusion, Riley discovers that Whisper's messages were not just poetic ramblings but a guide, leading her to a shocking revelation about her own identity. Their fated connection transcends the boundaries of their cybernetic existence, and they find themselves bound together in a race against time to save themselves and their world.
With the backdrop of a decaying metropolis and the encroaching Singularity, this cyberpunk noir tale explores themes of love, identity, and the blurred lines between human and machine. Through a labyrinth of intrigue, the story examines the nature of agency and the depths to which one will go to protect what they hold dear.
In the end, Riley and Whisper's journey culminates in a bittersweet realization of their intertwined destinies. They come to understand that love can transcend the boundaries of artificiality and that even in a world on the brink of chaos, the strength of the human spirit endures.
Any recommendations good, gentle people?
2023.06.07 13:02 deleeeeeeeeeted 40 [F4A] - #CDT, USA - Child-free woman on the spectrum seeks someone who has never posted here before and probably won't because they don't think there's anyone out there for them. (Major yikes, I know, but please read a bit to find out more...)
So, umm, hi. I'm here (again). Great intro, eh?
- First, the post flair. Platonic and intimate aren't necessarily mutually exclusive (for me) since I can have an intimate relationship with a platonic friend, and I can also be intimate with someone without being sexual. Both can mean sex-free/less, but there's a part of me, although covered, who still wants to keep it open for that (the physical touch) in the future. I'm seeking, at the very least, someone with whom I can be my true self in a safe and accepting environment, and that requires a level of intimacy beyond the definition that either of these flairs encapsulates. But that's me... a stickler for word definitions, giving them room for nuance and interpretation, whilst also understanding that the words we choose can be quite impactful.
- That segues seamlessly into my second point, the "A" in looking for "anyone" is for NB, M, or FTM. I am looking for someone with the potential for something beyond an emotionally and intellectually connecting relationship, though it's not my first or even second priority. I just want there to be a possibility.
- My third point, if you identify as F and find yourself connecting to my words in a way that you feel compelled to reach out and communicate? Please do. I'm all for following someone's rules and guidelines, and I also know that I need to leave room for that nuance I mentioned. It's not easy for me, and I still know it's necessary I at least try.
On that note, I'm here, trying. Here's a bulleted run-down of the woman behind the words:
On that note, I'll bid you adieu. Please think before reaching out. I mean it, if you are someone who is just looking to chat with someone out of boredom and are nowhere near the CDT time zone, please spare us both. Potential future meeting is something I know I want. I haven't done it yet, but man, that's the goal.
Okay, seriously, I'm going now. For real...
But wait, don't go yet, I prefer PM's than chat. The Reddit app sucks, and chat isn't on 3rd party apps, plus, I like the long form communication of a PM than a live chat as that seems more casual? I don't know. That's me. Perhaps one day we could move off here, but for now, PMs are my preference.
Okay, bye.
submitted by deleeeeeeeeeted to cf4cf [link] [comments]
- First, the post flair. Platonic and intimate aren't necessarily mutually exclusive (for me) since I can have an intimate relationship with a platonic friend, and I can also be intimate with someone without being sexual. Both can mean sex-free/less, but there's a part of me, although covered, who still wants to keep it open for that (the physical touch) in the future. I'm seeking, at the very least, someone with whom I can be my true self in a safe and accepting environment, and that requires a level of intimacy beyond the definition that either of these flairs encapsulates. But that's me... a stickler for word definitions, giving them room for nuance and interpretation, whilst also understanding that the words we choose can be quite impactful.
- That segues seamlessly into my second point, the "A" in looking for "anyone" is for NB, M, or FTM. I am looking for someone with the potential for something beyond an emotionally and intellectually connecting relationship, though it's not my first or even second priority. I just want there to be a possibility.
- My third point, if you identify as F and find yourself connecting to my words in a way that you feel compelled to reach out and communicate? Please do. I'm all for following someone's rules and guidelines, and I also know that I need to leave room for that nuance I mentioned. It's not easy for me, and I still know it's necessary I at least try.
On that note, I'm here, trying. Here's a bulleted run-down of the woman behind the words:
- This is my 18,036th username.
- I sometimes exaggerate (the quantity of) things.
- I love parenthetical expression (it just works); most punctuation can help me get my point across without ever opening my mouth.
- Laughing and cannabis are truly my best medicines, and I have a prescription for one; the other just needs more cowbell.
- If you can't talk comedy, we won't connect in the way I am seeking. It is in my veins. When I say "talk comedy", I mean I weave humor throughout my serious messages, I bring up comedians ALL THE TIME, I love watching and discussing stand-up specials, I listen to comedy podcasts (mostly Smartless and Conan), and I believe that in another life, I was a comedian because I just relate so much to so many comedians.
- On the note of relating, I'm Autistic. The spectrum isn't linear, it's everything and everywhere. I do have strengths. I just also have a lot of weaknesses. Additionally, I also suffer with ADHD. However, because of the other alphabet diagnoses I have (C-PTSD, MDD, GAD, and BordPD), ADHD medication didn't help me when we tried a couple of years ago, it made everything worse. So, see above, laughing and cannabis are the only things that give me relief. Keep in mind, though, I live with suffering daily. There's no "fixing" or "curing" me. If you aren't comfortable with a highly emotional, intense, angry, passionate, believe it or not, kind, f'ed up woman, then, well, that's okay... I wouldn't be either. :D Just maybe don't reach out as we'll both end up super disappointed.
- Oh, did I mention I'm also agoraphobic? I mean, come on, how are you not pushing "send message" already? The figurative line will be around the door once I press post, I'm sure of it. (But seriously, I have mild/moderate agoraphobia that was activated by the pandemic, then the protests after George Floyd, then the Jan. 6th insurrection, then the anti-progress movement, and of course, as a Jewish person, seeing Nazis disguised as Conservatives just pretty much running things because they have the most money for some f'ing reason. Ugh. I don't trust anyone anymore. I don't have friends. I haven't spoken to a family member in more than two years. I haven't had a hug in two years. I haven't gone out for entertainment in 3.5 years. I am essentially still living like some did in April/May of 2020... so, yah, it's bad.)
- But I'll refer back to my initial opener and repeat, "umm, hi. I'm here (again).
". - Okay, I'm back.
- I love football (NFL) and have become a decent baseball fan in the last 7 years. Football has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a toxic place (nfl makes me want to punch air), but I can't stop because it's a part of my core, my special interest. If you know anything about Autism, the one thing that pretty much remains consistent is that a special interest can be a life saver! Also, though, many of us become hyper-focused (especially us ADHD people) and only be able to talk about that one thing. It's annoying to me, and it's also me. :D If you can relate to that, maybe we have a chance to connect. I'm a values-based person, so it sometimes pains me to know that one of my core interests goes against a lot of my core values (safety, duh). It's one of those both/and things for me... Like how I know I love someone and also hate them. What do you think about that theory? That love and hate are separate between a thin line... (philosophical talk around psychology and human behavior is a big interest of mine.)
- Where was I?
- Oh yah, I play fantasy football and baseball. I love it. I focus on it almost year-round.
- Cats. Period. (I am a silly lady who talks to them in a very specific cat voice, but also, that voice is used to talk to birds, squirrels, bunnies, spiders, bees, and the little gophers that live under the houses around here.)
- (Side note: I'm an omnivore, and also an animal advocate. If you can't handle someone both/and, well, that's okay, I can't handle a lot, either, so I get it. It's one of those things where removing a food group from my diet would be more harmful to me, though I fully subscribe to moderation and not eating animal products for every meal; the corporate world has tried to make us lowly citizens think we have any real "carbon footprint", but someone I met through here reminded me that's just capitalists trying to blame us so they can charge us more for "eco-friendly" shit that's probably not even eco-friendly. Ugh. Where was I?)
- Oh yah...
- Back to the agoraphobia for a second... I'm a fear-based person. Not because I want to be, I just am. I'd love to find more peace, and right now, that's not the case. However, I used to socialize. I did. I have pictures to prove it. I sometimes like to reminisce in what I used to do, but I don't do anything I used to. My identity crisis is real, and I get frustrated about it, often. I retreat. I avoid. I get defensive. And, then I reflect and try be as self-aware as possible while not projecting onto you, the proverbial you. Constant communication is necessary. If I say, "I'm having a bad day," and your reaction is to wait until I'm feeling better? Then, I'm not for you (or you're not for me?). I need someone who will figuratively sit with me through those bad days, even when I say, "I don't want to talk". I need someone who can be there, even if you're only there on the other side of the screen and you say something like, "I know you are hurting today. I know you don't want to talk. I know this is hard. I am here for you. You don't have to feel better, and I'll still be here. If you want to yell, cry, or do nothing or everything in between, I'm here." I say that in such detail because I know what I need, but oftentimes, I can't ask for it in the moment when I need it, if that makes sense? My ex-husband ended up feeling like my needs were unreasonable (I was with him before my diagnoses, so to him, I was just going to therapy and "not getting better"), and I was doing what I was taught, to ask for what I need, and he, along with many others (I read people's lists of red flags) thought that I shouldn't need so much.
- Well, I do.
- (Side note: I'm not pining for my ex; we've been apart for four years, but it was the last relationship I had, and I believe in learning from experiences and those lessons need to be communicated. If you can't handle someone talking about a previous relationship here and there, that won't work. A lot of my memories directly pre-pandemic are with him, so it will come up from time to time. I assume you've had relationships, and I'll want to hear about them, too! I just don't do ex-bashing. Not cool. I loved the guy, and he doesn't deserve all the blame for our relationship ending, and I know your ex doesn't, either.)
- I own an old home that's worth less than a lot of people's cars, I assume, and I'm not handy; you being handy would be the best thing so I could ask you about all of the things. :) I also own a cheap EV that doesn't go very far, but is there when I need it. I'm a pretty poor person who lives in poverty, but makes it work because I'm a fucking survivor.
On that note, I'll bid you adieu. Please think before reaching out. I mean it, if you are someone who is just looking to chat with someone out of boredom and are nowhere near the CDT time zone, please spare us both. Potential future meeting is something I know I want. I haven't done it yet, but man, that's the goal.
Okay, seriously, I'm going now. For real...
But wait, don't go yet, I prefer PM's than chat. The Reddit app sucks, and chat isn't on 3rd party apps, plus, I like the long form communication of a PM than a live chat as that seems more casual? I don't know. That's me. Perhaps one day we could move off here, but for now, PMs are my preference.
Okay, bye.
2023.06.07 12:41 piskachiu I was really sad yesterday because of an online meeting where my voice got shaky and I could barely say something reasonable. But, by the looks of it, it seem like a pretty common reaction. I need to work on my communication skills asap
I’m writing an article for a philosophy magazine, and English is my second language.
I’m fluent in the language, I’ve been learning it for four years now.
However, I’m still not fully confident, and depending on the situation my language skills can vanish out of thin air.
That was the case yesterday. I know that there was a possibility that my voice would get shaky and once that happen I’d be screwed. But honestly, I thought it would be okay.
I was gotten by surprise when someone asked me a question about how I apply justice in my daily life.
Jesus, I’m pretty sure that that was a bit uncomfortable for all of them as well. I had to stop for a moment where I “forgot” a word to take some deep breaths because it felt like I was running out of oxygen.
I don't think I made much sense in my answer, because all I wanted at some stage was to stop talking. I’ve tried to control myself, but not able to. It felt like it was getting worse and worse only.
I finally stopped talking, and the feeling of relief came in for a second. Only they asked me another question minutes later and there I go again. This time I tried to say the least I could, however, no luck, “fight or flight” response was activated once again.
A few years ago this would have been the worst experience of my life and I’d cringe over that for decades and judge myself.
The only thing I did when we finished was to tell myself it was okay and that “we” will work on public speak together.
I mean, it was not a room full of people, it was four other people editors from a philosophy magazine so I felt a little bit intimidated.
Anyway, I don't know, I think I’m more like taking it out of my chest.
But I’ll work on this until the day I’ll be in a room full of people, and be okay, no shaky voice, no despair, no anxiety.
submitted by piskachiu to PublicSpeaking [link] [comments]
I’m fluent in the language, I’ve been learning it for four years now.
However, I’m still not fully confident, and depending on the situation my language skills can vanish out of thin air.
That was the case yesterday. I know that there was a possibility that my voice would get shaky and once that happen I’d be screwed. But honestly, I thought it would be okay.
I was gotten by surprise when someone asked me a question about how I apply justice in my daily life.
Jesus, I’m pretty sure that that was a bit uncomfortable for all of them as well. I had to stop for a moment where I “forgot” a word to take some deep breaths because it felt like I was running out of oxygen.
I don't think I made much sense in my answer, because all I wanted at some stage was to stop talking. I’ve tried to control myself, but not able to. It felt like it was getting worse and worse only.
I finally stopped talking, and the feeling of relief came in for a second. Only they asked me another question minutes later and there I go again. This time I tried to say the least I could, however, no luck, “fight or flight” response was activated once again.
A few years ago this would have been the worst experience of my life and I’d cringe over that for decades and judge myself.
The only thing I did when we finished was to tell myself it was okay and that “we” will work on public speak together.
I mean, it was not a room full of people, it was four other people editors from a philosophy magazine so I felt a little bit intimidated.
Anyway, I don't know, I think I’m more like taking it out of my chest.
But I’ll work on this until the day I’ll be in a room full of people, and be okay, no shaky voice, no despair, no anxiety.
2023.06.07 12:01 Addicted2Lemonade Feeling Intensely: The Wounds of Being "Too Much" Have you been told that you see too much, hear too much, or think too much?
link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-emotional-intensity/201805/feeling-intensely-the-wounds-being-too-much
KEY POINTS
People who feel intensely might be labeled as highly sensitive, gifted, or having a mental illness such as chronic depression or ADHD.
With little awareness, many emotionally intense adults confess to having felt lonely and misunderstood for years.
Signs of being an emotionally intense person include having a grave concern for others and the wider world from an early age.
Some people feel more than others.
They are often told—spoken and unspoken—that they are "too much," "too intense," "too sensitive," "too emotional," and that their behaviors are either "too dramatic" or "too timid."
People who feel more deeply and intensely than others are more aware of subtleties; their brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. People with emotional intensity are sometimes described as sensitive, caring, and attentive. At their best, they can be exceptionally perceptive, intuitive, and keenly observant of the subtleties of the environment. Yet they are also overwhelmed by the constant waves of social nuances and others' emotional and psychic energies.
They tend to notice and remember a lot and can be overstimulated when things are too chaotic or novel for a long time. This ability to feel deeply and intensely often starts from a young age when emotion regulation skills are lacking and can lead to psychological wounding associated with shame and loneliness.
Growing awareness of this trait has generated much inquiry, yet psychologists have so far been unable to agree on a single defining attribute. If you identify with the description, there are a few possibilities:
This may mean that you are one of the 15-20 percent of the population wired differently as a Highly Sensitive Person.
This may mean that you fall on the right side of the bell curve as a gifted person.
This may mean you do have or are mislabeled as having a mental illness such as Emotion Regulation Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, or Dysthymia (chronic depression).
The world is gradually coming to embrace the concept of neurodiversity — the idea that particular groups of the population are "different" from the norm, with specific kinds of sensitivity, intensity, and giftedness. However, with little awareness, many emotionally intense adults confessed to having felt lonely and misunderstood for years, being plagued with self-doubts, and living with a lingering sense of existential loneliness.
UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
Emotional intensity comprises of the following five components:
You experience emotions to an unusual level of depth, complexity, and intensity. This makes you feel incredibly alive, sometimes painfully so.
You have a constant stream of both positive and negative feelings, sometimes together, sometimes from one to another in a short period.
You soar high into bliss and plunge low into gloom in rapid succession.
You know the meaning of despair, but you also know beauty and rapture. When art or music moves you, you are flooded with waves of joy, or get transcended into a state of ecstasy.
You are passionate, even if you do not show it on the outside.
You tend to form strong emotional connections with people, places, and things, and sometimes that makes separation difficult.
You experience life with much tenderness and nostalgia.
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A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
—Pearl Buck
From an early age, you have a grave concern for others and the wider world. When others are abused or mistreated, you feel as if it is happening to you.
You may resonate with traits of being an "empath," due to your innate ability to feel and be affected by other people's energies. In social situations, you can intuitively identify with others' emotions, and you may feel that you "absorb" their physical and mental ailment, to the point where you get overwhelmed.
Because of your responsiveness and insights into others' pain, you tend to form soulful and meaningful connections. You are loyal, idealistic, and romantic.
However, being naturally open and sensitive also means you are vulnerable to relational injuries from a young age. Your natural tendency to be open and loving may get stunted due to early rejections and trauma.
Having a heightened sensory system means that you are extremely sensitive to your surroundings. You have an increased appreciation of sensual pleasures such as music, language, and art, as well as intense reactions to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. This may also cause you to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable with too much sensory input. You may be sensitive to loud noises, strong smells, or tactile sensations such as clothing tags and rough surfaces.
Being perceptively gifted means you can sense and perceive things that others miss. With acute awareness, you can see beyond superficiality, grasp patterns, and make linkages.
Insights, intuition, and the ability to read several layers of reality allow you to assess people and situations rapidly. You can sense incongruence and their intentions, thoughts, and feelings that are underneath the facades.
You have a sense of knowing when something is about to happen, or about other people's inner worlds.
However, your abilities do not necessarily make life easy. You are bothered by hypocrisies and unfairness and struggle with inauthentic people and situations. You cannot help but be the one who points out the "elephant in the room," but your perceptiveness may seem intimidating to those who felt "seen through."
In a family situation, you may be scapegoated to be the one who carries the painful truth that is unsaid in the facade of normalcy. You may carry the role of being the "problematic one", the scapegoat, or the black sheep.
You have an innate urge to push the boundaries of conformity, to question or to challenge traditions, particularly those that seem meaningless or unfair. Paired with a strong sense of justice, you are often frustrated with corruption and inequality in the world.
Although this may indicate a challenging life path for you, you also have the potential to thrive as a visionary leader.
You may constantly feel older than others around you, like an "old soul" that has somehow lost your roots.
UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
You have a rich inner world that is imbued with words, images, metaphors, visualizations, vivid fantasies, and dreams.
As a child, you might have resorted to your imagined world as a haven in times of emotional turmoils.
Intellectually, you are inquisitive and reflective. You have a strong need to seek to understand, to expand your horizons, to gain knowledge, and to analyze your mental content.
With an ability to process information with speed and depth, you absorb and surge through information very quickly. You are likely to be an avid reader and a keen observer. You may appear critical and impatient with others who cannot keep up with you.
You also can integrate intellectual concepts with your deep feelings for original conceptions. You may have a constant stream of ideas, sometimes so many that you feel you cannot keep up with it.
You tend to experience zealous enthusiasm about certain topics and endeavors. When you get excited about an idea, your mind runs faster than your words can keep up, or you find yourself talking rapidly, perhaps even interrupting others.
When you become absorbed in your love for a piece of art, literature, theatre, or music, the outside world ceases to exist.
You are highly capable of contemplative thinking and self-reflection. The flip side is that you may be occupied with obsessive thoughts and scrupulous self-examination. You may also suffer from perfectionism and self-criticism.
You are extremely open-minded. You are sensitive to the spiritual world or were drawn to the spiritual path from a young age. This may or may not manifest as some form of psychic ability.
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UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
You have always been concerned with the big questions of life. From a young age, you may experience existential depression and have felt grief over the meaninglessness of life, death, and loneliness.
You might have felt frustrated that those around you were not prepared to discuss and consider these weighty concerns.
Your existential angst may manifest as an unnamed sense of urgency, a constant impulse to move forward. You get a constant "niggling" feeling that there is something important that you should be doing, even when your vision is not clear yet. You live with a feeling that somehow time is running out, and you are not doing what you should be doing.
For some unnamed reason, you feel a weight of responsibility on your shoulder, even for things you are not responsible for.
Your angst propels you to learn, to expand, and to advance in your life path, but it can also paralyze you. You may be prone to creative blockages such as "artist's block," "writer's block," procrastination, the fear of exposure, or the Imposter Syndrome (the feeling that you are a fraud).
Nevertheless, you have always known deep down that you are dissatisfied with a life that is meaningless and task-driven.
You may be a polymath, or a "multipotentialitite" — someone with multiple interests and creative pursuits, and not just one calling.
When you have a strong vision or innovative idea, you can feel the split between belongingness and authentic expression — you want to express with your full, authentic self but you are worried that it means being rejected, or leaving people behind.
A Caveat
The above conceptualization of the emotional intensity trait inevitably involves some simplification of human complexity. Any typology is necessary a simplification compared with the real, unique human being in front of us. We as a human species are both different and much the same, in a paradoxical unity. We must not forget that what always holds more weight than the theory is the here-and-now-ness of the living human beings, who are constantly changing and evolving.
The Gifts and the Perils
Dr. Mary-Elaine Jacobson, the author of The Gifted Adult, has identified some of the top criticisms a gifted individual often faces:
“Why don't you slow down?”
“You worry about everything!”
“You are so sensitive and dramatic.”
"You are too driven.”
“Who do you think you are?”
Emotional Intensity is not a pathology. For someone who is emotionally intense, however, the pain that comes with a pervasive sense of being "too much" is not to be taken lightly – a person can be made to feel ‘wrong" for the most part of his or her life, and internalizing this sense of shame can lead to depression, low self-esteem, inability to self-regulate, and inner emptiness.
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UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
The good news is, with the right information and support, liberation from the pain of "being too much" is possible. Once you have discovered the origin of your differences, you may begin a journey of retrieving long-lost gifts.
Suddenly, your whole life history makes sense. You realize that a lot of the shame and depression they bear come from ill-informed and uninvited commentary about your unique qualities, and people's fear of what is unfamiliar. In fact, your high level of awareness of subtleties is not only unusual but also extremely precious.
As you step into embracing your unique qualities, you learn to trust your unique ways of relating to the world and can connect to what you have to offer. Themes such as authentic existence, the meaning of life, and purpose of being come to the foreground of awareness, and here you are, embarking on a true journey towards your full potential:
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
“Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
—Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
submitted by Addicted2Lemonade to Existential_crisis [link] [comments]
KEY POINTS
People who feel intensely might be labeled as highly sensitive, gifted, or having a mental illness such as chronic depression or ADHD.
With little awareness, many emotionally intense adults confess to having felt lonely and misunderstood for years.
Signs of being an emotionally intense person include having a grave concern for others and the wider world from an early age.
Some people feel more than others.
They are often told—spoken and unspoken—that they are "too much," "too intense," "too sensitive," "too emotional," and that their behaviors are either "too dramatic" or "too timid."
People who feel more deeply and intensely than others are more aware of subtleties; their brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. People with emotional intensity are sometimes described as sensitive, caring, and attentive. At their best, they can be exceptionally perceptive, intuitive, and keenly observant of the subtleties of the environment. Yet they are also overwhelmed by the constant waves of social nuances and others' emotional and psychic energies.
They tend to notice and remember a lot and can be overstimulated when things are too chaotic or novel for a long time. This ability to feel deeply and intensely often starts from a young age when emotion regulation skills are lacking and can lead to psychological wounding associated with shame and loneliness.
Growing awareness of this trait has generated much inquiry, yet psychologists have so far been unable to agree on a single defining attribute. If you identify with the description, there are a few possibilities:
This may mean that you are one of the 15-20 percent of the population wired differently as a Highly Sensitive Person.
This may mean that you fall on the right side of the bell curve as a gifted person.
This may mean you do have or are mislabeled as having a mental illness such as Emotion Regulation Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, or Dysthymia (chronic depression).
The world is gradually coming to embrace the concept of neurodiversity — the idea that particular groups of the population are "different" from the norm, with specific kinds of sensitivity, intensity, and giftedness. However, with little awareness, many emotionally intense adults confessed to having felt lonely and misunderstood for years, being plagued with self-doubts, and living with a lingering sense of existential loneliness.
UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
Emotional intensity comprises of the following five components:
- Emotional Depth, Velocity, and Complexity
You experience emotions to an unusual level of depth, complexity, and intensity. This makes you feel incredibly alive, sometimes painfully so.
You have a constant stream of both positive and negative feelings, sometimes together, sometimes from one to another in a short period.
You soar high into bliss and plunge low into gloom in rapid succession.
You know the meaning of despair, but you also know beauty and rapture. When art or music moves you, you are flooded with waves of joy, or get transcended into a state of ecstasy.
You are passionate, even if you do not show it on the outside.
You tend to form strong emotional connections with people, places, and things, and sometimes that makes separation difficult.
You experience life with much tenderness and nostalgia.
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A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
—Pearl Buck
- Deep Empathy and Sensitivity
From an early age, you have a grave concern for others and the wider world. When others are abused or mistreated, you feel as if it is happening to you.
You may resonate with traits of being an "empath," due to your innate ability to feel and be affected by other people's energies. In social situations, you can intuitively identify with others' emotions, and you may feel that you "absorb" their physical and mental ailment, to the point where you get overwhelmed.
Because of your responsiveness and insights into others' pain, you tend to form soulful and meaningful connections. You are loyal, idealistic, and romantic.
However, being naturally open and sensitive also means you are vulnerable to relational injuries from a young age. Your natural tendency to be open and loving may get stunted due to early rejections and trauma.
Having a heightened sensory system means that you are extremely sensitive to your surroundings. You have an increased appreciation of sensual pleasures such as music, language, and art, as well as intense reactions to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. This may also cause you to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable with too much sensory input. You may be sensitive to loud noises, strong smells, or tactile sensations such as clothing tags and rough surfaces.
- Highly Acute Perceptivity
Being perceptively gifted means you can sense and perceive things that others miss. With acute awareness, you can see beyond superficiality, grasp patterns, and make linkages.
Insights, intuition, and the ability to read several layers of reality allow you to assess people and situations rapidly. You can sense incongruence and their intentions, thoughts, and feelings that are underneath the facades.
You have a sense of knowing when something is about to happen, or about other people's inner worlds.
However, your abilities do not necessarily make life easy. You are bothered by hypocrisies and unfairness and struggle with inauthentic people and situations. You cannot help but be the one who points out the "elephant in the room," but your perceptiveness may seem intimidating to those who felt "seen through."
In a family situation, you may be scapegoated to be the one who carries the painful truth that is unsaid in the facade of normalcy. You may carry the role of being the "problematic one", the scapegoat, or the black sheep.
You have an innate urge to push the boundaries of conformity, to question or to challenge traditions, particularly those that seem meaningless or unfair. Paired with a strong sense of justice, you are often frustrated with corruption and inequality in the world.
Although this may indicate a challenging life path for you, you also have the potential to thrive as a visionary leader.
You may constantly feel older than others around you, like an "old soul" that has somehow lost your roots.
UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
- A Rich Inner World with Sensual, Imaginary, and Intellectual Excitability.
You have a rich inner world that is imbued with words, images, metaphors, visualizations, vivid fantasies, and dreams.
As a child, you might have resorted to your imagined world as a haven in times of emotional turmoils.
Intellectually, you are inquisitive and reflective. You have a strong need to seek to understand, to expand your horizons, to gain knowledge, and to analyze your mental content.
With an ability to process information with speed and depth, you absorb and surge through information very quickly. You are likely to be an avid reader and a keen observer. You may appear critical and impatient with others who cannot keep up with you.
You also can integrate intellectual concepts with your deep feelings for original conceptions. You may have a constant stream of ideas, sometimes so many that you feel you cannot keep up with it.
You tend to experience zealous enthusiasm about certain topics and endeavors. When you get excited about an idea, your mind runs faster than your words can keep up, or you find yourself talking rapidly, perhaps even interrupting others.
When you become absorbed in your love for a piece of art, literature, theatre, or music, the outside world ceases to exist.
You are highly capable of contemplative thinking and self-reflection. The flip side is that you may be occupied with obsessive thoughts and scrupulous self-examination. You may also suffer from perfectionism and self-criticism.
You are extremely open-minded. You are sensitive to the spiritual world or were drawn to the spiritual path from a young age. This may or may not manifest as some form of psychic ability.
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UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
- Creative Potential and Existential Angst
You have always been concerned with the big questions of life. From a young age, you may experience existential depression and have felt grief over the meaninglessness of life, death, and loneliness.
You might have felt frustrated that those around you were not prepared to discuss and consider these weighty concerns.
Your existential angst may manifest as an unnamed sense of urgency, a constant impulse to move forward. You get a constant "niggling" feeling that there is something important that you should be doing, even when your vision is not clear yet. You live with a feeling that somehow time is running out, and you are not doing what you should be doing.
For some unnamed reason, you feel a weight of responsibility on your shoulder, even for things you are not responsible for.
Your angst propels you to learn, to expand, and to advance in your life path, but it can also paralyze you. You may be prone to creative blockages such as "artist's block," "writer's block," procrastination, the fear of exposure, or the Imposter Syndrome (the feeling that you are a fraud).
Nevertheless, you have always known deep down that you are dissatisfied with a life that is meaningless and task-driven.
You may be a polymath, or a "multipotentialitite" — someone with multiple interests and creative pursuits, and not just one calling.
When you have a strong vision or innovative idea, you can feel the split between belongingness and authentic expression — you want to express with your full, authentic self but you are worried that it means being rejected, or leaving people behind.
A Caveat
The above conceptualization of the emotional intensity trait inevitably involves some simplification of human complexity. Any typology is necessary a simplification compared with the real, unique human being in front of us. We as a human species are both different and much the same, in a paradoxical unity. We must not forget that what always holds more weight than the theory is the here-and-now-ness of the living human beings, who are constantly changing and evolving.
The Gifts and the Perils
Dr. Mary-Elaine Jacobson, the author of The Gifted Adult, has identified some of the top criticisms a gifted individual often faces:
“Why don't you slow down?”
“You worry about everything!”
“You are so sensitive and dramatic.”
"You are too driven.”
“Who do you think you are?”
Emotional Intensity is not a pathology. For someone who is emotionally intense, however, the pain that comes with a pervasive sense of being "too much" is not to be taken lightly – a person can be made to feel ‘wrong" for the most part of his or her life, and internalizing this sense of shame can lead to depression, low self-esteem, inability to self-regulate, and inner emptiness.
article continues after advertisement
UNSPLASH
Source: UNSPLASH
The good news is, with the right information and support, liberation from the pain of "being too much" is possible. Once you have discovered the origin of your differences, you may begin a journey of retrieving long-lost gifts.
Suddenly, your whole life history makes sense. You realize that a lot of the shame and depression they bear come from ill-informed and uninvited commentary about your unique qualities, and people's fear of what is unfamiliar. In fact, your high level of awareness of subtleties is not only unusual but also extremely precious.
As you step into embracing your unique qualities, you learn to trust your unique ways of relating to the world and can connect to what you have to offer. Themes such as authentic existence, the meaning of life, and purpose of being come to the foreground of awareness, and here you are, embarking on a true journey towards your full potential:
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
“Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
—Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
2023.06.07 11:33 DazzlingBarnacle Finished tCG last night, a collection of thoughts and questions
As the title say, I finished the last MBotF book last night (at the price of my night's sleep, but one can a man do, really). I'd like to spend a bit of time to write down my thoughts, as well as try to understand a few points I've missed.
First of all, I'm proud to say "I called it" : https://old.reddit.com/Malazan/comments/13bps91/just_started_with_reapers_gale_a_wild_theory_i/
Of course it didn't exactly happen like I had envisionned it. I was convinced the resolution would be an Itkovian parallel, and the Shield-Anvil of the Cripple God would accept his God's pain. I was also becoming more and more certain that the Shield-Anvil would be Tavore. But still, the theme was there.
My takes on the themes of Malazan
Before I started the series, I heard a reviewer say that you could ask a 100 people their take on what Malazan is about, and hear 100 different answers, all somewhat valid. In my opinion, it is about humans. What makes us terrible, what makes up great. Erikson doesn't shy away from the worst humanity has to offer, but he also doesn't revel in it. There is only a brutal description of what we can do. But it's all contrasted with showing the best in people, and this best is often down to compassion.
The few Elder Races we see in the series also represent, in my opinion, different human traits pushed to the extreme and explored. The Imass and their overwhelming emotions (both love and hate). The Forkrul Assail and their self-righteousness. The Jaghuts and the way they shaped the land to protect themselves without thinking of the consequence. The cold logic of the K'Chain Chemalle. The terrible sense of despair of the Triste Andii.
Some of those might be reaching, I don't know. Overall this series ends in a note way more hopful than I originally thought, while staying very realistic. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, not every loose end is tied up, but there is still hope.
Some questions
I still have, understandably I think, a bunch of questions about what exactly transpired in MBotF. Those are not really organized, I'm just asking as it goes. Also, don't hesitate to RAFO me if those questions are answered in other books
I will definitely come back to Malazan one day, both to reread the main series, and to read the other books. But not now, I need something lighter.
What a series it has been though. Very few books can make me cry like Malazan did, it will always stay special to me for that
submitted by DazzlingBarnacle to Malazan [link] [comments]
First of all, I'm proud to say "I called it" : https://old.reddit.com/Malazan/comments/13bps91/just_started_with_reapers_gale_a_wild_theory_i/
Of course it didn't exactly happen like I had envisionned it. I was convinced the resolution would be an Itkovian parallel, and the Shield-Anvil of the Cripple God would accept his God's pain. I was also becoming more and more certain that the Shield-Anvil would be Tavore. But still, the theme was there.
My takes on the themes of Malazan
Before I started the series, I heard a reviewer say that you could ask a 100 people their take on what Malazan is about, and hear 100 different answers, all somewhat valid. In my opinion, it is about humans. What makes us terrible, what makes up great. Erikson doesn't shy away from the worst humanity has to offer, but he also doesn't revel in it. There is only a brutal description of what we can do. But it's all contrasted with showing the best in people, and this best is often down to compassion.
The few Elder Races we see in the series also represent, in my opinion, different human traits pushed to the extreme and explored. The Imass and their overwhelming emotions (both love and hate). The Forkrul Assail and their self-righteousness. The Jaghuts and the way they shaped the land to protect themselves without thinking of the consequence. The cold logic of the K'Chain Chemalle. The terrible sense of despair of the Triste Andii.
Some of those might be reaching, I don't know. Overall this series ends in a note way more hopful than I originally thought, while staying very realistic. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, not every loose end is tied up, but there is still hope.
Some questions
I still have, understandably I think, a bunch of questions about what exactly transpired in MBotF. Those are not really organized, I'm just asking as it goes. Also, don't hesitate to RAFO me if those questions are answered in other books
- At some point, Olar Ethil claims she's the Eresr'eal, is this true ? It doesn't seem to match what we've seen of her with Bottle
- Why did Cotillon kill the Crippled God at the end ? Was it to sever its connection to the world so he could leave it completely ?
- Who is Edgewalker ?
- Is Burn one of the Elder Gods, or is she even more ancient ?
- Did I miss something with Quick Ben ? Every character hearing his full name had some kind of revelation, but I didn't
- I read the books in French, and "Triste" in French means "Sad". Is there meaning behind the choice of this word for the three Triste races, or did it just sound cool ?
I will definitely come back to Malazan one day, both to reread the main series, and to read the other books. But not now, I need something lighter.
What a series it has been though. Very few books can make me cry like Malazan did, it will always stay special to me for that
2023.06.07 11:10 internetinmyzipcode How to Grab best TV and Internet deals with phone service
 | Best TV and Internet DealsIn this blog, we are going to discuss the best TV and Internet deals with phone service for your home as a bundle offer. It is one of the most common marketing strategies wherein TV, Internet, and Phone services come in a bundle package to attract more customers. This technique has been followed for a long time by different service providers and is quite popular among their consumers. This proves to be a money saver deal that allows consumers to save a significant amount of money as they choose multiple services in a combo deal rather than selecting for each service separately.The cable service providers have named these offers Double Play and Triple Play. The former refers to two services in a package while the latter represents three services in one package. It is always in consumers’ choice to choose two services for their Double Play. We will also discuss the advantages of TV and Internet Bundles with Phone Service. Let us explore together how to choose the Best TV and Internet deals for your home. https://preview.redd.it/mosahnaeuj4b1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=16469ce8d12fbc7b3b39d349454b0b71e200363a Advantages of TV and Internet Bundles with Phone ServiceIt is always a smart move to go for the Best TV and Internet Deals for home and Internet bundles package choosing more than one service. This helps you to fetch great discounts on your bill every month. If planned wisely, bundle packages can actually turn to save $10 to $75 or more per month. Saving this money for a long time can help you to save money for a world tour. It is not merely discounts that are being offered with a bundle package. There are certain other things as well which come along with bundle deals for TV packages, internet, and phone.Save TimeIt is so simple to understand the relation between saving time and going for a bundle package. While going for multiple service providers for different services; you will have to engage with all of them. Instead, if you choose different companies for separate services, it will consume more time. In this situation, when you have any trouble, you will have to call multiple service providers. However, in the case of a bundle offer, you will have to contact only one company for all your services. Rather than explaining your problem to multiple people, you simply need to tell the same to one person. This will result in saving your precious time which can be utilized further. Additionally, using bundle package from one company will also facilitate hassle-free and time-saving services.Save MoneyTaking three services from separate companies will bring three separate bills every month. Already there are numerous bills such as utility, mortgage, credit cards, and so on to settle on a monthly basis. Hence, adding three more bills will add too much tension and put us under pressure. With a bundle package, you will get an accumulative bill for all three services. This will help to release pressure while budgeting. Keeping all three communication under one bill also makes it quite manageable without much trouble.Numerous Other BenefitsAlong with saving Time and Money, there are other too many exciting benefits that are being distributed with bundled packages. Companies offer lucrative internet caps, unlimited plans, and much more. These extra benefits are not provided by subscribing to only one service from a provider. For instance, Internet and Cable TV bundle, a package of AT&T offer an unlimited internet plan with one monthly bill only. AT&T users need to pay simply extra $30 for using unlimited internet.No contract service facility is also available with many communication providers. Sometimes being a prime customer, or due to age on the network or being a part of a promotional offer, customers also get a chance to earn bundle services with promotional prices for at least a year which is pretty much less than the original price. Extra features from various service providers also vary from location to location. What all to keep in mind before choosing a Bundle deal?Before buying any service or bundle deal, it is always important to make a list of all that you actually need. This prior work will stop you to purchase what actually you do not need. This little work will save you precious money and will always give you the best. This thing is also applicable to the bundle package. You need to focus below-mentioned points before finalizing any of the service providers for a best-bundled deal for TV, internet, and phone service.A Perfect Plan suiting you BudgetSpending your hard-earned money wisely is a responsible act. We all allocate a specific budget towards our monthly needs. If you fix a standard budget for your services, then accordingly you can choose communication service providers. This will surely save you time, money, and effort. Sometimes, you might need to pay a little bit extra that you have already set in your budget or vice versa. Rigidly sticking to your budget may land you in a situation wherein you might not get what actually were you looking for. Hence, Be a little fix flexible. Always prefer quality over price. Always get ready to make a few adjustments in your budget to cater to all your preferences.Be Open to what you NeedAlways be clear and precise for what you need, a bundle with internet and phone or a plan with cable TV, internet, and phone. For example, if you only need internet and TV service, then look for a bundle package that includes only these two services. Going for a bundle package with TV, Phone, and Internet service in a bundle package will be a pure waste of money and time. Nowadays, it is commonly observed that people use wireless phones rather than opting for old-fashioned landline phones. Opposite to this, there might be people who must be looking forward to having all three services at one point in time. Hence, it is always important to choose that actually serve your requirement and needs.Choose the right Internet Connection TechnologyWe are living in a technology-driven world and changes are evolving on daily basis. This is undoubtedly making our life easy and exciting. Nowadays, Virtual Reality Devices (VR) and 4K videos are upgrading rapidly. Hence, to enjoy these recent upgradation into the recent technology, you should select a communication provider which gives High-speed internet with a bundle package. Along with High-speed internet, unlimited internet data, and a high amount of Bandwidth are also required to get benefited from them fully. Hence, choosing an internet service provider offering Fibre or gigabit DOCSIS technology will be the right decision.Get the Right Internet PackageWhile focusing on the right deal, it is also mandatory to check whether you are fetching the most suitable internet plan. Choosing the right deal at a lucrative price is definitely a boon; however, choosing a bad internet plan will leave you frustrating. Always look for a package that gives you the best speed, features, and all other things that you need to meet your satisfaction level.Explore available TV Plans and Channel InformationIf you have deceived to opt for a Triple play service, wherein you are choosing internet, cable, and TV service altogether in a bundle offer, then, do check all the available TV channels. a TV package also includes other several devices to make your experience better in addition to local and premium channels.Few services providers may offer you interactive HD DVR equipment with your bundle package that will allow you to enjoy channels in HD resolution. Also, explore by which way your service provider is going to give you the TV connection. Generally, there are two different ways of giving TV services. One is with the cable using a physical cable and another one is Satelite TV that provides service with an antenna. Check and decide what is the best for you and accordingly choose. Last Final WordsWith proper deals for TV, internet, bundling can save lots of money of yours. Bundling packages are great for those who need extra features from each service. Bundle pricing and perks vary by provider and location. Choose according to where you live and what all you need. Use your zip code to find Internet Providers In My Area and then choose from the options carefully. |
2023.06.07 11:04 lechatheureux The Tonpa Kingdoms Part 2 (The Kingdoms of Jangshun and Monyul)
Check out part 1 for context
The Tonpa Kingdoms Part 1 (Overview and The Gods) : worldbuilding (reddit.com)
There are 5 connected Kingdoms that have Tonpa as their main religion these are.
Jangshun
A Place of snow-capped Mountains and green Valleys, said to be built upon the ruins of the ancient Jungar people who controlled much of the area of Jangshun and the nearby kingdoms of Monyul and Taishigang.
Very little is known about the Jungar, their ruins are scattered throughout the landscape of Jangshun, and are often characterized by simple stone structures, pottery shards, and other artifacts. Based on these remains, it is believed that the Jungar were a relatively simple society, with a lifestyle that revolved around farming, herding, and other basic activities.
Despite their lack of sophistication, the Jugar are an important part of the history and culture of the region many myths and legends have grown up around them, the people of Jangshun often see the Jungar as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the region, and take pride in the fact that they were able to survive and thrive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. In addition to their physical remains, the Jungar have left a lasting impact on the people of Jangshun in other ways. Their language, customs, and traditions are thought to have influenced the culture of the later kingdom, and many people still feel a strong connection to the Jagun and their way of life.
The Capital of Jangshun is called Druktse, founded by Dragon Priests and the legendary Namgyal dynasty the city is known for its unique architecture, with buildings made of wood and stone, intricately carved and painted with colorful designs and motifs, the streets are narrow and winding, with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and the sound of temple bells ringing in the air.
At the center of the city is the Royal Palace of Jigme Wangchuk, a majestic building that serves as the residence of the Royal Family, the palace consists of several wings and halls, each with its own specific function. The main hall is the center of political and ceremonial activities, where the king held court and received important guests. The royal family's private quarters were located in a separate wing, with opulent living spaces and lavish decorations.
One of the most impressive features of the palace is the Eagle Tower, a tall structure that houses the elite Eagle Guards, who were responsible for the king's security the tower is covered from top to bottom with intricate carvings of the bird of prey.
The palace is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains, and it is guarded by soldiers in traditional Eagle attire, the Eagle Guards of the palace of Jingme Wangchuk are an elite group of soldiers tasked with protecting the king and the royal family, known for their fearsome reputation and exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards are considered one of the most prestigious units in the Jangshun army.
The guards are named after the majestic eagles that inhabit the mountainous regions of Jangshun, and they were trained to emulate the hunting tactics of these birds of prey. They are adept at using the terrain to their advantage, and are particularly skilled at scaling steep cliffs and mountainous terrain to surprise and overwhelm their enemies. In addition to their exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards were also known for their loyalty and dedication to the royal family. They undergo rigorous training and were selected based on their physical prowess, intelligence, and character, to become an Eagle Guard, applicants must be graduates of both the School of the Father and School of the Dragon.
The Eagle Guards are outfitted in distinctive uniforms that featured a stylized eagle emblem, and they were armed with a variety of weapons, including bows, spears, and swords. They were also known to use eagle feathers and talons in their armor and equipment, as a nod to the unit's namesake.
Druktse is a hub of cultural and religious activities, with several monasteries and temples located throughout the city.
The most famous of these is the Tashicho Dzong, a stunning fortress monastery that serves as the seat of The Gyelpa (The Duke) the secondary ruler of Druktse and the center of Druk-Ta worship. The dzong is surrounded by high walls and towers, and is accessible through a grand gate that is guarded by soldiers. The interior of the dzong is a maze of courtyards, chapels, and offices, all connected by narrow passageways and staircases.
One of the most impressive features of Tashicho Dzong is its towering central fortress and monastery, which rises above the rest of the complex and can be seen from miles around. This fortress is home to the Dragon Priests and is one of the most important structures in Jangshun. The fortress monastery is also famous for its beautiful architecture and intricate artwork. The walls of the courtyards are adorned with colorful murals and paintings, while the chapels are filled with statues and other religious artifacts. Visitors to Tashicho Dzong can tour the complex and learn about Jangshun history and culture, as well as observe the daily routines of the monks who live and work there. The Monastery is open to the public during certain hours of the day, and visitors are advised to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the chapels. Even though the current royal family of Jangshun are connected to The Father, The Dragon holds a special place in Druktse.
The people of Druktse are known for their warm hospitality and their strong sense of community. They celebrate several festivals throughout the year, including the annual Tshechu festival, the 3 Gods Festival which features colorful dances and rituals performed by monks and laypeople.
To the north-east of the Kingdom lies the second biggest city in Jangshun, the city of Lhagyal, often called “The Fire-proof City”
Lhagyal is a mass of stone walls and buildings with precious little wood being used at all, the walls of the city are imposingly high and even the central palace is relatively flat and does not rise above the walls, there are 4 gates made of pure steel and those are the only entrances and exits.
Inside the city walls, the streets are narrow and winding, with tall, tightly packed buildings constructed from rough-hewn stone. The architecture is distinct, with flat roofs and ornate metal doors decorating the doorways and windows, many of the buildings are built into the city's walls, their backs resting against the ancient stones.
There is more to the city than what meets the eye. Beneath the streets lie a labyrinth of tunnels and catacombs, built for both practical and spiritual purposes. Some are used for storage or as escape routes, while others are filled with ancient artifacts and sacred relics. The catacombs are also home to a complex network of underground temples and shrines and busy streets that are home to underground residences and businesses.
Despite its rugged appearance, the city's architecture is a testament to its resilience. It has withstood numerous attempts at invasion over the centuries, including attacks by powerful enemies armed with the latest in siege weaponry. The city's fortifications are a marvel of engineering, designed to withstand even the most devastating attacks and yet, for all its defensive prowess, the city has never lost sight of its cultural heritage.
The most famous instance of this was when the neighbouring Confucian Kingdom of Jinyun attempted to invade Jangshun with its impressive military might, scores of loyal foot-soldiers hardened by decades of conflict and advanced siege technology that included weapons that used fireworks.
The city withstood months of warfare with Lhagyal earning its nickname of “The Fire-proof City” The stone structures withstood the fireworks and the hard rock of the walls withstood the Jinyun catapults, outside the city several guerilla efforts by the Eagle Guards, The Company of the Hand and The White Tigers from Monyul lending their support repelled attempted on-foot invasions by the hardened Jinyun soldiers.
In the south-west of Jangshun, near the borders of Monyul and Taishigang lies the town of Gyalpeling, a place revered by monks and pilgrims alike. Gyalpeling, meaning "Abode of the Victorious" is a small yet vibrant town located in a remote corner of the kingdom. Its strategic location, surrounded by imposing mountains and blessed with fertile lands, has made it a crucial hub for spiritual activities and monastic life. The town is centered around a grand monastery, which serves as the heart and soul of the community. The monastery, known as Samtenling Monastery, is a majestic complex of ornate buildings adorned with colorful murals, fluttering prayer flags, and the sound of chanting monks echoing through the air. It is a revered place of worship and learning, drawing scholars, practitioners, and seekers of wisdom from far and wide. The streets of Gyalpeling are lined with modest housing for monks, adorned with intricate woodcarvings and colorful paintings. The locals, known for their warm hospitality and deep reverence for Tonpa, every activity the townspeople engage in helps the monastery in some way, whether trading, farming or craftsmanship, every resident of Gyalpeling helps out the monastery in some way. The town also boasts natural hot springs, believed to have healing properties, which attract pilgrims and visitors seeking solace and rejuvenation. The pristine rivers and lakes surrounding Gyalpeling add to its enchanting beauty, serving as places for meditation, ritual ablutions, and scenic walks. Gyalpeling is not only a place of spiritual significance, but it also serves as a center of learning, with numerous scriptoria, libraries, and meditation caves where monks engage in intensive study, contemplation, and meditation, prospective monks come from all over the 5 Kingdoms to study in Gyalpeling, as monks educated within its walls are valued in any court of the Tonpa Kingdoms.
One of the most valuable cities in Jangshun isn't far from the capital, a short 1 hour horse ride east of Druktse stands the city of Jangtse, a jewel in the crown of the kingdom. Jangtse, meaning "Silver Peak" in the local tongue, owes its fame and prosperity to the rich veins of silver that run through the nearby mountains, making it a thriving center for mining and trade. At the heart of Jangtse rises a magnificent conical palace, known as Jang Potrang, or the "Silver Palace." The palace, glistening like a beacon atop the tallest hill in the city, is adorned with silver-plated roofs, walls, and pillars, reflecting the sunlight and casting a mesmerizing glow over the surrounding landscape. It serves as the royal residence, where the Count holds court and conducts affairs pertaining to the area between Jangtse and Druktse. The streets of Jangtse are lined with buildings that boast silver-plated facades, creating a surreal and shimmering sight as one walks through the city, often shining gold from reflecting the sunlight, the wealth of the city is evident in the intricate silver filigree work that adorns windows, doors, and rooftops of temples, mansions, and markets alike. The silversmiths of Jangtse are renowned for their craftsmanship, producing exquisite silverware and jewelry that are sought after by collectors and traders from distant lands. The city is a bustling center of commerce, with a vibrant market square where merchants from across the region gather to trade in silver, gemstones, textiles, and other precious goods. The sounds of bartering, laughter, and the clinking of silver coins fill the air.
The Armies of Jangshun are known for their ferocious foot-soldiers, the every-day rank and file soldiers of the Jangshun armies are regarded as the best in the region and are a feared prospect to face on any battlefield.
The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are highly disciplined and skilled in the art of warfare, and are renowned throughout the region for their courage and loyalty. They are trained in a variety of weapons and fighting styles, including archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat.
It is said that the success of the army comes from the fact that many men and women who fight in it are from mountainous regions and are conditioned from a young age to move over mountainous land with ease, their armies can easily traverse land that would be impossible for normal armies to travel over, due to the fact that the soldiers know the land.
The army of Jangshun is led by a commander-in-chief, who is appointed by the common foot-soldiers and is responsible for the overall strategy and tactics of the army. Under the commander-in-chief, there are several generals and officers who oversee different units of the army, each with their own specific roles and responsibilities. The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are equipped with a variety of weapons and armor, including shields, helmets, and chainmail. They are also skilled in the use of traditional weapons, such as the da and the gochu, which are types of swords. In addition to their skills in battle, the soldiers of the army of Jangshun are also highly respected for their loyalty and devotion to their ruler and country. They are known for their strong sense of duty and honor, and are willing to lay down their lives in defense of their homeland. The army of Jangshun is often called upon to defend the kingdom against invading forces, and has a long history of successful battles and campaigns. Their reputation for courage and skill has earned them the respect of their neighbors and allies, and they are a source of pride and inspiration for the people of Jangshun.
One of the most famous regiments from Jangshun is the “Wheel of Steel” A heavily armored longsword unit founded by Princess Jamyang Daughter of King Kunga and Sister of King Yangchen of the Yeshe Dynasty after she travelled to Europe and witnessed people fighting in full suits of armor, this was a foreign concept in the areas around her and she implemented the idea with her Father's (And later Brother's) full support they were first deployed in aid of Taishigang who were experiencing an invasion from a nearby Dharmist Kingdom. The longswords cleaved through the invading forces lack of armor and their steel plates deflected blows.
Monyul
Monyul is a land of vast open spaces and stunning natural beauty. The kingdom is home to a proud and fiercely independent people, who have built a rich culture and a strong military tradition, its plains are green and warm during the summer but snow is not uncommon in winter. Dharmaling is the capital city of Monyul and is nestled in the hills, surrounded by winding rivers and vast grasslands. It is a city steeped in tradition and culture, with a rich history that stretches back centuries.
Dharmaling was built as the northern most outpost of the Dharmist Indraprastha Empire but was conquered by Tonpa forces from a tribe that would eventually become known as the Monyul. The city is built around a central marketplace, where merchants from all over the known world come to trade their wares. The marketplace is a bustling hub of activity, filled with the sounds of bargaining and haggling, and the aromas of exotic spices and perfumes.
The Company of the Wind have their main offices in Dharmaling and use the bustling 10 storey wooden building to plan its operations throughout the known world. The streets of Dharmaling are relatively wide due to the constant horse carts that pass through them. The buildings are made of stone and wood, with intricately carved facades and ornate balconies. Many of the houses have flat roofs, which are used as outdoor living spaces during the warmer months. At the heart of the city lies the great monastery of The 3 Gods, unlike in other cities which have separate monasteries for the three Gods, this temple combines them as a display of unity between the three sects. The massive structure dominates the skyline, with its towering walls and intricate carvings. The monastery is home to a community of monks, who dedicate their lives to the study and practice of Tonpa. Surrounding the monastery are the homes of the nobility, who are known for their wealth and power. These grand estates are filled with beautiful gardens and courtyards, and are often adorned with intricate carvings and colorful murals. Outside the city walls, the landscape is dotted with small villages and nomadic encampments. These communities are home to herders and farmers, who make their living tending to the region's yaks and sheep. Despite its remote location, Dharmaling is a city of great importance, both culturally and politically. It is a place of pilgrimage for Monks, Merchants and laypeople from all over the world, and is also a hub of trade and commerce. The people of Dharmaling are proud of their heritage and their way of life, and are fiercely protective of their city and its traditions.
A 30 minute walk to the west of Dharmaling lies the Temple of Tong Thang, the Beehive Temple, as visitors approach the temple, they are greeted by the gentle humming of bees that buzz around the entrance, seemingly inviting them inside, the entrance is adorned with ornate wooden doors intricately carved with depictions of bees in flight, the temple is home to hundreds of bee colonies. The interior of the temple is a marvel of craftsmanship.The walls are adorned with honeycomb patterns carved into the stone, creating a mesmerizing visual display. Soft light filters through small openings in the dome-shaped ceiling, the centerpiece of the temple is a large altar made of honey-colored stone, adorned with intricate carvings of bees and honeycombs, where devotees offer their prayers and offerings. The Temple of Thong Tang is a place of worship dedicated to the reverence of bees and their significance in nature and the cycle of life, every day priests and priestesses of The Mother make their way to the temple to tend to the bees, bringing them water and sliced fruits, every year there is a festival outside the temple where priests and priestesses of Caihong distribute honey gathered from the bees.
Monyul is home to a large lake called Jangchub Tso, the lake is bordered by lush green forests and snow-capped mountains to the south-east, a product of Monyul's border with Taishigang.
On the edge of the lake there is a large city called "Gangri Thang", which is known for its fish markets and skilled boatwrights, nobles from the surrounding Kingdoms often commission boatwrights from Gangri Thang to build grand freshwater barges for them.
Several villages surround the lake, mostly fishing and farming communities, every spring fishermen from these villages make their way to Gangri Thang with hundreds of fish, hoping to hock their catch to fishmongers, tourists and Company of the Wind officers.
The fish they carry is mainly the several species of trout that live in the lake but a few of the lucky ones carry the Golden Mahseer, a gleaming fish variety that is said to be very difficult to catch, although the taste of the fish pales in comparison to the trout, the Golden Mahseer is revered for its scales that give off a vibrant golden glow, these scales are often used in ceremonial dress of the region adoring clothing and jewellery.
The people of Monyul are also skilled artisans, known for their intricate weavings and pottery. The kingdom is home to many workshops and marketplaces, where merchants sell their wares to buyers from all over the region. The people of Monyul are known for their skill at horsemanship, and the kingdom is home to some of the finest cavalry units in the region. The army of Monyul is also composed of archers and spearmen, who are trained in the art of mounted combat and guerrilla warfare.
The most prestigious regiment of Monyul is a cavalry unit called the White Tigers, the horsemasters of the White Tigers are known as the strictest in the Tonpa Kingdoms, if a horse fails a single training drill both the horse and rider are deemed unworthy. The White Tigers main weapon is a thick spear, painted red with a bronze spearhead, it has a heavy counterweight at the back that also doubles as a blunt weapon. Their secondary weapons are a heavy sword and a short bow.
submitted by lechatheureux to worldbuilding [link] [comments]
The Tonpa Kingdoms Part 1 (Overview and The Gods) : worldbuilding (reddit.com)
There are 5 connected Kingdoms that have Tonpa as their main religion these are.
Jangshun
A Place of snow-capped Mountains and green Valleys, said to be built upon the ruins of the ancient Jungar people who controlled much of the area of Jangshun and the nearby kingdoms of Monyul and Taishigang.
Very little is known about the Jungar, their ruins are scattered throughout the landscape of Jangshun, and are often characterized by simple stone structures, pottery shards, and other artifacts. Based on these remains, it is believed that the Jungar were a relatively simple society, with a lifestyle that revolved around farming, herding, and other basic activities.
Despite their lack of sophistication, the Jugar are an important part of the history and culture of the region many myths and legends have grown up around them, the people of Jangshun often see the Jungar as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the region, and take pride in the fact that they were able to survive and thrive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. In addition to their physical remains, the Jungar have left a lasting impact on the people of Jangshun in other ways. Their language, customs, and traditions are thought to have influenced the culture of the later kingdom, and many people still feel a strong connection to the Jagun and their way of life.
The Capital of Jangshun is called Druktse, founded by Dragon Priests and the legendary Namgyal dynasty the city is known for its unique architecture, with buildings made of wood and stone, intricately carved and painted with colorful designs and motifs, the streets are narrow and winding, with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and the sound of temple bells ringing in the air.
At the center of the city is the Royal Palace of Jigme Wangchuk, a majestic building that serves as the residence of the Royal Family, the palace consists of several wings and halls, each with its own specific function. The main hall is the center of political and ceremonial activities, where the king held court and received important guests. The royal family's private quarters were located in a separate wing, with opulent living spaces and lavish decorations.
One of the most impressive features of the palace is the Eagle Tower, a tall structure that houses the elite Eagle Guards, who were responsible for the king's security the tower is covered from top to bottom with intricate carvings of the bird of prey.
The palace is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains, and it is guarded by soldiers in traditional Eagle attire, the Eagle Guards of the palace of Jingme Wangchuk are an elite group of soldiers tasked with protecting the king and the royal family, known for their fearsome reputation and exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards are considered one of the most prestigious units in the Jangshun army.
The guards are named after the majestic eagles that inhabit the mountainous regions of Jangshun, and they were trained to emulate the hunting tactics of these birds of prey. They are adept at using the terrain to their advantage, and are particularly skilled at scaling steep cliffs and mountainous terrain to surprise and overwhelm their enemies. In addition to their exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards were also known for their loyalty and dedication to the royal family. They undergo rigorous training and were selected based on their physical prowess, intelligence, and character, to become an Eagle Guard, applicants must be graduates of both the School of the Father and School of the Dragon.
The Eagle Guards are outfitted in distinctive uniforms that featured a stylized eagle emblem, and they were armed with a variety of weapons, including bows, spears, and swords. They were also known to use eagle feathers and talons in their armor and equipment, as a nod to the unit's namesake.
Druktse is a hub of cultural and religious activities, with several monasteries and temples located throughout the city.
The most famous of these is the Tashicho Dzong, a stunning fortress monastery that serves as the seat of The Gyelpa (The Duke) the secondary ruler of Druktse and the center of Druk-Ta worship. The dzong is surrounded by high walls and towers, and is accessible through a grand gate that is guarded by soldiers. The interior of the dzong is a maze of courtyards, chapels, and offices, all connected by narrow passageways and staircases.
One of the most impressive features of Tashicho Dzong is its towering central fortress and monastery, which rises above the rest of the complex and can be seen from miles around. This fortress is home to the Dragon Priests and is one of the most important structures in Jangshun. The fortress monastery is also famous for its beautiful architecture and intricate artwork. The walls of the courtyards are adorned with colorful murals and paintings, while the chapels are filled with statues and other religious artifacts. Visitors to Tashicho Dzong can tour the complex and learn about Jangshun history and culture, as well as observe the daily routines of the monks who live and work there. The Monastery is open to the public during certain hours of the day, and visitors are advised to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the chapels. Even though the current royal family of Jangshun are connected to The Father, The Dragon holds a special place in Druktse.
The people of Druktse are known for their warm hospitality and their strong sense of community. They celebrate several festivals throughout the year, including the annual Tshechu festival, the 3 Gods Festival which features colorful dances and rituals performed by monks and laypeople.
To the north-east of the Kingdom lies the second biggest city in Jangshun, the city of Lhagyal, often called “The Fire-proof City”
Lhagyal is a mass of stone walls and buildings with precious little wood being used at all, the walls of the city are imposingly high and even the central palace is relatively flat and does not rise above the walls, there are 4 gates made of pure steel and those are the only entrances and exits.
Inside the city walls, the streets are narrow and winding, with tall, tightly packed buildings constructed from rough-hewn stone. The architecture is distinct, with flat roofs and ornate metal doors decorating the doorways and windows, many of the buildings are built into the city's walls, their backs resting against the ancient stones.
There is more to the city than what meets the eye. Beneath the streets lie a labyrinth of tunnels and catacombs, built for both practical and spiritual purposes. Some are used for storage or as escape routes, while others are filled with ancient artifacts and sacred relics. The catacombs are also home to a complex network of underground temples and shrines and busy streets that are home to underground residences and businesses.
Despite its rugged appearance, the city's architecture is a testament to its resilience. It has withstood numerous attempts at invasion over the centuries, including attacks by powerful enemies armed with the latest in siege weaponry. The city's fortifications are a marvel of engineering, designed to withstand even the most devastating attacks and yet, for all its defensive prowess, the city has never lost sight of its cultural heritage.
The most famous instance of this was when the neighbouring Confucian Kingdom of Jinyun attempted to invade Jangshun with its impressive military might, scores of loyal foot-soldiers hardened by decades of conflict and advanced siege technology that included weapons that used fireworks.
The city withstood months of warfare with Lhagyal earning its nickname of “The Fire-proof City” The stone structures withstood the fireworks and the hard rock of the walls withstood the Jinyun catapults, outside the city several guerilla efforts by the Eagle Guards, The Company of the Hand and The White Tigers from Monyul lending their support repelled attempted on-foot invasions by the hardened Jinyun soldiers.
In the south-west of Jangshun, near the borders of Monyul and Taishigang lies the town of Gyalpeling, a place revered by monks and pilgrims alike. Gyalpeling, meaning "Abode of the Victorious" is a small yet vibrant town located in a remote corner of the kingdom. Its strategic location, surrounded by imposing mountains and blessed with fertile lands, has made it a crucial hub for spiritual activities and monastic life. The town is centered around a grand monastery, which serves as the heart and soul of the community. The monastery, known as Samtenling Monastery, is a majestic complex of ornate buildings adorned with colorful murals, fluttering prayer flags, and the sound of chanting monks echoing through the air. It is a revered place of worship and learning, drawing scholars, practitioners, and seekers of wisdom from far and wide. The streets of Gyalpeling are lined with modest housing for monks, adorned with intricate woodcarvings and colorful paintings. The locals, known for their warm hospitality and deep reverence for Tonpa, every activity the townspeople engage in helps the monastery in some way, whether trading, farming or craftsmanship, every resident of Gyalpeling helps out the monastery in some way. The town also boasts natural hot springs, believed to have healing properties, which attract pilgrims and visitors seeking solace and rejuvenation. The pristine rivers and lakes surrounding Gyalpeling add to its enchanting beauty, serving as places for meditation, ritual ablutions, and scenic walks. Gyalpeling is not only a place of spiritual significance, but it also serves as a center of learning, with numerous scriptoria, libraries, and meditation caves where monks engage in intensive study, contemplation, and meditation, prospective monks come from all over the 5 Kingdoms to study in Gyalpeling, as monks educated within its walls are valued in any court of the Tonpa Kingdoms.
One of the most valuable cities in Jangshun isn't far from the capital, a short 1 hour horse ride east of Druktse stands the city of Jangtse, a jewel in the crown of the kingdom. Jangtse, meaning "Silver Peak" in the local tongue, owes its fame and prosperity to the rich veins of silver that run through the nearby mountains, making it a thriving center for mining and trade. At the heart of Jangtse rises a magnificent conical palace, known as Jang Potrang, or the "Silver Palace." The palace, glistening like a beacon atop the tallest hill in the city, is adorned with silver-plated roofs, walls, and pillars, reflecting the sunlight and casting a mesmerizing glow over the surrounding landscape. It serves as the royal residence, where the Count holds court and conducts affairs pertaining to the area between Jangtse and Druktse. The streets of Jangtse are lined with buildings that boast silver-plated facades, creating a surreal and shimmering sight as one walks through the city, often shining gold from reflecting the sunlight, the wealth of the city is evident in the intricate silver filigree work that adorns windows, doors, and rooftops of temples, mansions, and markets alike. The silversmiths of Jangtse are renowned for their craftsmanship, producing exquisite silverware and jewelry that are sought after by collectors and traders from distant lands. The city is a bustling center of commerce, with a vibrant market square where merchants from across the region gather to trade in silver, gemstones, textiles, and other precious goods. The sounds of bartering, laughter, and the clinking of silver coins fill the air.
The Armies of Jangshun are known for their ferocious foot-soldiers, the every-day rank and file soldiers of the Jangshun armies are regarded as the best in the region and are a feared prospect to face on any battlefield.
The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are highly disciplined and skilled in the art of warfare, and are renowned throughout the region for their courage and loyalty. They are trained in a variety of weapons and fighting styles, including archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat.
It is said that the success of the army comes from the fact that many men and women who fight in it are from mountainous regions and are conditioned from a young age to move over mountainous land with ease, their armies can easily traverse land that would be impossible for normal armies to travel over, due to the fact that the soldiers know the land.
The army of Jangshun is led by a commander-in-chief, who is appointed by the common foot-soldiers and is responsible for the overall strategy and tactics of the army. Under the commander-in-chief, there are several generals and officers who oversee different units of the army, each with their own specific roles and responsibilities. The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are equipped with a variety of weapons and armor, including shields, helmets, and chainmail. They are also skilled in the use of traditional weapons, such as the da and the gochu, which are types of swords. In addition to their skills in battle, the soldiers of the army of Jangshun are also highly respected for their loyalty and devotion to their ruler and country. They are known for their strong sense of duty and honor, and are willing to lay down their lives in defense of their homeland. The army of Jangshun is often called upon to defend the kingdom against invading forces, and has a long history of successful battles and campaigns. Their reputation for courage and skill has earned them the respect of their neighbors and allies, and they are a source of pride and inspiration for the people of Jangshun.
One of the most famous regiments from Jangshun is the “Wheel of Steel” A heavily armored longsword unit founded by Princess Jamyang Daughter of King Kunga and Sister of King Yangchen of the Yeshe Dynasty after she travelled to Europe and witnessed people fighting in full suits of armor, this was a foreign concept in the areas around her and she implemented the idea with her Father's (And later Brother's) full support they were first deployed in aid of Taishigang who were experiencing an invasion from a nearby Dharmist Kingdom. The longswords cleaved through the invading forces lack of armor and their steel plates deflected blows.
Monyul
Monyul is a land of vast open spaces and stunning natural beauty. The kingdom is home to a proud and fiercely independent people, who have built a rich culture and a strong military tradition, its plains are green and warm during the summer but snow is not uncommon in winter. Dharmaling is the capital city of Monyul and is nestled in the hills, surrounded by winding rivers and vast grasslands. It is a city steeped in tradition and culture, with a rich history that stretches back centuries.
Dharmaling was built as the northern most outpost of the Dharmist Indraprastha Empire but was conquered by Tonpa forces from a tribe that would eventually become known as the Monyul. The city is built around a central marketplace, where merchants from all over the known world come to trade their wares. The marketplace is a bustling hub of activity, filled with the sounds of bargaining and haggling, and the aromas of exotic spices and perfumes.
The Company of the Wind have their main offices in Dharmaling and use the bustling 10 storey wooden building to plan its operations throughout the known world. The streets of Dharmaling are relatively wide due to the constant horse carts that pass through them. The buildings are made of stone and wood, with intricately carved facades and ornate balconies. Many of the houses have flat roofs, which are used as outdoor living spaces during the warmer months. At the heart of the city lies the great monastery of The 3 Gods, unlike in other cities which have separate monasteries for the three Gods, this temple combines them as a display of unity between the three sects. The massive structure dominates the skyline, with its towering walls and intricate carvings. The monastery is home to a community of monks, who dedicate their lives to the study and practice of Tonpa. Surrounding the monastery are the homes of the nobility, who are known for their wealth and power. These grand estates are filled with beautiful gardens and courtyards, and are often adorned with intricate carvings and colorful murals. Outside the city walls, the landscape is dotted with small villages and nomadic encampments. These communities are home to herders and farmers, who make their living tending to the region's yaks and sheep. Despite its remote location, Dharmaling is a city of great importance, both culturally and politically. It is a place of pilgrimage for Monks, Merchants and laypeople from all over the world, and is also a hub of trade and commerce. The people of Dharmaling are proud of their heritage and their way of life, and are fiercely protective of their city and its traditions.
A 30 minute walk to the west of Dharmaling lies the Temple of Tong Thang, the Beehive Temple, as visitors approach the temple, they are greeted by the gentle humming of bees that buzz around the entrance, seemingly inviting them inside, the entrance is adorned with ornate wooden doors intricately carved with depictions of bees in flight, the temple is home to hundreds of bee colonies. The interior of the temple is a marvel of craftsmanship.The walls are adorned with honeycomb patterns carved into the stone, creating a mesmerizing visual display. Soft light filters through small openings in the dome-shaped ceiling, the centerpiece of the temple is a large altar made of honey-colored stone, adorned with intricate carvings of bees and honeycombs, where devotees offer their prayers and offerings. The Temple of Thong Tang is a place of worship dedicated to the reverence of bees and their significance in nature and the cycle of life, every day priests and priestesses of The Mother make their way to the temple to tend to the bees, bringing them water and sliced fruits, every year there is a festival outside the temple where priests and priestesses of Caihong distribute honey gathered from the bees.
Monyul is home to a large lake called Jangchub Tso, the lake is bordered by lush green forests and snow-capped mountains to the south-east, a product of Monyul's border with Taishigang.
On the edge of the lake there is a large city called "Gangri Thang", which is known for its fish markets and skilled boatwrights, nobles from the surrounding Kingdoms often commission boatwrights from Gangri Thang to build grand freshwater barges for them.
Several villages surround the lake, mostly fishing and farming communities, every spring fishermen from these villages make their way to Gangri Thang with hundreds of fish, hoping to hock their catch to fishmongers, tourists and Company of the Wind officers.
The fish they carry is mainly the several species of trout that live in the lake but a few of the lucky ones carry the Golden Mahseer, a gleaming fish variety that is said to be very difficult to catch, although the taste of the fish pales in comparison to the trout, the Golden Mahseer is revered for its scales that give off a vibrant golden glow, these scales are often used in ceremonial dress of the region adoring clothing and jewellery.
The people of Monyul are also skilled artisans, known for their intricate weavings and pottery. The kingdom is home to many workshops and marketplaces, where merchants sell their wares to buyers from all over the region. The people of Monyul are known for their skill at horsemanship, and the kingdom is home to some of the finest cavalry units in the region. The army of Monyul is also composed of archers and spearmen, who are trained in the art of mounted combat and guerrilla warfare.
The most prestigious regiment of Monyul is a cavalry unit called the White Tigers, the horsemasters of the White Tigers are known as the strictest in the Tonpa Kingdoms, if a horse fails a single training drill both the horse and rider are deemed unworthy. The White Tigers main weapon is a thick spear, painted red with a bronze spearhead, it has a heavy counterweight at the back that also doubles as a blunt weapon. Their secondary weapons are a heavy sword and a short bow.
2023.06.07 10:03 Zero_Owl WotC bolting the Money Bringers?
Hello!
Here is my feedback to the developers of MTGA which I would like for them to read and probably do something with it. This post is solely devoted to the non-core part of the game, which I consider to be a premium part of it: cosmetics. Let me start with the most recent events.
Both ONE and MOM play bundles were of the same value:
Yes, the pre-order can still be considered good in terms of gems-to-$ but it doesn't matter to me, because I felt like we had a contract which terms won't be worse as we proceed. Yes we didn't signed anything but since the things have been the same for some years I used to some particular treatment and wouldn't mind the terms to improve. But when the terms deteriorated it left me confused to say the least. That's why I choose not to buy any of the pre-orders this time (first time since IKO!): you violated the contract so I have to abstain from buying it, even if I want to—I just can't condone such a behavior. And given that my main game formats are Historic + Alchemy + Limited I'm the target audience for this set and pre-order, what an irony.
So whoever is in charge of this change just lost a customer who has been buying the product for 3 years (apart from me not playing during VOW-SNC). And even if the next set is done better than this one, like the old ones, the damage is still done, you lost some of the goodwill. From now on the pre-orders are no longer must buy for me. Nice!ly done.
Of course, there was a room for improvement for the DDs: more thematic sales, like tribals, deck that won something, most played cards in this month etc. (like a few days ago was the best deal in months, featuring Creativity card styles; both discount and card selection were great). Instead, some 7-8 months ago you broke this contract and filled the DD with uplayable cards, which sometimes are not playable even in the corresponding draft format, accompanied by the bad discounts.
Now we have 20%-40% for the new and old cards alike. Most of the time the card selection is boring even for bigger discount. There is nothing to read about the deals because it is mostly gloom and despair. In ONE you didn't even sell all the rare dual land styles which never happened before! I don't know what numbers are telling you but as far as I'm concerned you almost killed the thing that needed an improvement and it is sad. Why almost? Because I still have hope.
Now personal story of how my dealing changed. I do not buy anymore styles which I won't play today or tomorrow. They became expensive and I don't want to buy them. Only what is necessary I buy. And it doesn't matter anymore if it is 50% today because I know that everything else will be expensive tomorrow so I'd rather keep my money for what I really need. For example, recently the MOM Kogla card was offered for 50% and while before it was a snap buy (because I see myself playing it in some unknown-yet deck), now I just abstained because right now I don't have or see the deck I want to put it in. With this change I mostly stopped using gems to buy styles because the rare occasions I buy them, I can use gold which keeps growing for having nothing else to spend it on. Since the DD has been introduced I almost never had gold on my account until 6-8 months ago. Now I almost always have it. Oops.
NOTE: this and later lists are not comprehensive and are here to illustrate the problem, not to build an exhaustive list of all the problems. I'd appreciate (and hope the devs would too) if you improve these lists by commenting with the cards these lists are lacking.
If I have cards that I can't make lose borders then the consistency dies and I stop caring about other cards, essentially making me not wanting to buy anything at all! One more time: tokens are as important as the main card, they all should be parallaxed. And if some card, having parallax style, produces non-parallax token then it should be considered a bug which has to be fixed. We don't know if the card worked before or not and we shouldn't bother to know that: no style, report, get it fixed. As simple as that; for everyone.
Speaking of which the following list presents you with the cards (category of cards, really) which used to produce the styled tokens but not anymore (and for some this "anymore" is how long, year, more than a year?): Wedding Announcement (staple card in virtually any white deck in Standard!), Verdant Command (squirrels), DnD treasures (Prosperous Innkeeper and many other playable cards), Legion's Landing. Is this list exhaustive? I don't think so but these I came up with anyway. What should we do with the styles we bought months ago? Should we ask for refund en mass? Thinking...
And there is another list of playable cards which to my knowledge never produced styled tokens: Saprolings (Slimefoot and Squee is now a playable card, sapros should be styled), Devils from “Ob Nixilis, The Adversary”, Rhino for Titan Of Industry, Cats & Dogs from Jinnie Fay, Angels from Resplendent Angel (staple in the angels).
So 2 lists, the first one is full of bugs the second is full of job-not-done. I know that, because I'm curious and have been playing this game for long. Average user doesn't and shouldn't know that. So for the avg user both lists should be the same: bugs. And bugs should be fixed. Since these bugs are in the premium content they should be fixed ASAP. The only thing that outclasses it is the core gameplay. And for these bugs there should be a separate category on a normal bug tracker where people can get some feedback, not this seemingly abandoned self-hosted User Voice where you post to oblivion.
Munitions Expert, Reckless Charge, Shoreline Scout's conjured Land, Regal Force from Freyalise, Sterling Grove, Parhellion II, Damping Sphere, Elvish Clancaller.
And here is another list with not staples but solid cards which saw and still see play in probably not tier 1 but solid competitor decks: Dwynen's Elite, Spawn Of Mayhem, Legion's Lieutenant, Champion of Dusk, Vicious Conquistador, Herald's Horn, Shaper's Sanctuary, Archon of Emeria.
And finally to some interesting example which we had with SIS (bonus-sheet subset to Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered, or SIR). We have styles for Falkenrath Noble, Kruin Outlaw and Barter in Blood but don't have styles for Snapcaster Mage, Avacyn's Pilgrim (and/or Young Wolf), Griselbrand. 3 whatever cards have styles while 3 playables with 2 of them iconic (?) do not. Who planned the implementation of these styles? Good game.
So this section is about missing opportunities. Why? Because you fail to present me with the options to buy. I want to buy styles in general but I snap buy the styles for the staple cards I can play every day and in multiple decks. We have tons of cards, mostly from the time when there were no paralax styles, still not implemented. But with SIR & SIS we had a newly introduced to Arena set which has most of the cards unstyled. Not cool.
I get it, you have only so much you can do with the resources you have. I really do and if you can't for some reason style every card from the past let's implement the priority queue where we, the users, will vote for what should be implemented next. You create a list of all the not-implemented card styles and we vote. You implement the top-voted style and remove it from the poll. That way we will see progress, have influence on what should be done next and you will see what styles people are not interested in and can be safely ignored. Implemented styles should be put into the patch notes so we know when to come back and vote again.
So that's how I see the final solution:
So when you implemented everything mentioned in this post I will finally being able to have my side of the board fully styled in one consistent style. For which I paid real money because there is no way for a f2p player to style their decks fully and consistently. As far as I'm concerned it is a win-win for both parties. Because the other way to have your side of the board consistent is to not have styles at all. And that is lose-lose for me and you.
--
The last topic I'd like to touch is parallax lands. IIRC the last parallaxed non-full art basic lands were implemented in Eldraine and then you stopped (snow lands in KHM were also gorgeous). The only full-art lands which got parallax styles were Nyx lands from THB. It is the other thing that you are missing out: probably not every set has beautiful basics but LotR has some, why not implement the parallax lands there? Same goes to some full art lands. I get it that you need a square to have the land looks cool but some of them can be cut to squares and still look good, so maybe experiment some? Lands are sellers, aren't they?
Personally, I stopped buying lands after THB because they have borders. I really like my THB lands but don't mind to buy some others to have some diversity across the decks. Oh, and give the people who wasn't lucky playing during THB an opportunity to buy these parallaxed lands. Take their money they are throwing at you!
Anyway my long feedback post is finally over, not that I don't have anything more to say, I just think it is enough for now. I hope u/WotC_Jay and other people responsible for making decisions for this game will read it in words and spirit. If I was harsh in some words, I don't really meant it that way. I wish this game all the best and hence this post. But only you can make it happen, so...
Your Go
submitted by Zero_Owl to MagicArena [link] [comments]
Here is my feedback to the developers of MTGA which I would like for them to read and probably do something with it. This post is solely devoted to the non-core part of the game, which I consider to be a premium part of it: cosmetics. Let me start with the most recent events.
1. Pre-orders
Now with the LotR preorders out we can compare them with what we had before. For 2 sets, starting from ONE, we had a split preorder which was known before that as Play bundle which was targeting those who don't want to buy packs (mostly those, who builds their collection through the drafts). I will still consider both play + pass bundle as one bundle since that's how I buy and it makes the comparison easier.Both ONE and MOM play bundles were of the same value:
- Sealed token
- 2 draft tokens
- 5 Play-In Points
- 2 different mythic card art sleeves
- 2 different mythic cards + their styles
- Unique pet
- Mastery Pass
- Sealed token
- 2 draft tokens
- 5 Play-In Points
- Mythic card art sleeves
- Mythic card + style
- Mastery Pass
Yes, the pre-order can still be considered good in terms of gems-to-$ but it doesn't matter to me, because I felt like we had a contract which terms won't be worse as we proceed. Yes we didn't signed anything but since the things have been the same for some years I used to some particular treatment and wouldn't mind the terms to improve. But when the terms deteriorated it left me confused to say the least. That's why I choose not to buy any of the pre-orders this time (first time since IKO!): you violated the contract so I have to abstain from buying it, even if I want to—I just can't condone such a behavior. And given that my main game formats are Historic + Alchemy + Limited I'm the target audience for this set and pre-order, what an irony.
So whoever is in charge of this change just lost a customer who has been buying the product for 3 years (apart from me not playing during VOW-SNC). And even if the next set is done better than this one, like the old ones, the damage is still done, you lost some of the goodwill. From now on the pre-orders are no longer must buy for me. Nice!ly done.
2. Daily deals
Since the DD has been introduced we had the following unwritten contract:- 40-50% off the most recent cards (mostly 50% with occasional 40%).
- 50-75% off the older cards.
- Occasional, but not rare, 80-95% off some card. Cards usually playable.
- All rare duals/triome land parallax styles within ~2 weeks of the set release. All at once for 50% off.
Of course, there was a room for improvement for the DDs: more thematic sales, like tribals, deck that won something, most played cards in this month etc. (like a few days ago was the best deal in months, featuring Creativity card styles; both discount and card selection were great). Instead, some 7-8 months ago you broke this contract and filled the DD with uplayable cards, which sometimes are not playable even in the corresponding draft format, accompanied by the bad discounts.
Now we have 20%-40% for the new and old cards alike. Most of the time the card selection is boring even for bigger discount. There is nothing to read about the deals because it is mostly gloom and despair. In ONE you didn't even sell all the rare dual land styles which never happened before! I don't know what numbers are telling you but as far as I'm concerned you almost killed the thing that needed an improvement and it is sad. Why almost? Because I still have hope.
Now personal story of how my dealing changed. I do not buy anymore styles which I won't play today or tomorrow. They became expensive and I don't want to buy them. Only what is necessary I buy. And it doesn't matter anymore if it is 50% today because I know that everything else will be expensive tomorrow so I'd rather keep my money for what I really need. For example, recently the MOM Kogla card was offered for 50% and while before it was a snap buy (because I see myself playing it in some unknown-yet deck), now I just abstained because right now I don't have or see the deck I want to put it in. With this change I mostly stopped using gems to buy styles because the rare occasions I buy them, I can use gold which keeps growing for having nothing else to spend it on. Since the DD has been introduced I almost never had gold on my account until 6-8 months ago. Now I almost always have it. Oops.
3. Card styles
And finally I want to point out the most egregious part of the negligence toward the premium content and us, buyers. Implementation of the so called depth art card styles, or parallax styles as we, MTGA people, call it. Here are the problems with them that I know of.3.1 Styles exist/existed but not applied to the cards.
There are many cards which were lacking styles before these styles were added through the spellbooks or conjuring of the corresponding digital-only cards (aka Alchemy). Most of them were also applied to the older cards but not all of them. Cards like Colossus Hammer, Blood Artist and Youthful Valkyrie all have styles implemented but you can't buy/apply these styles to the existing standalone cards. That should be fixed.NOTE: this and later lists are not comprehensive and are here to illustrate the problem, not to build an exhaustive list of all the problems. I'd appreciate (and hope the devs would too) if you improve these lists by commenting with the cards these lists are lacking.
3.2 Styles for the tokens.
While you seem to have some kind of diligence as far as main cards are concerned you seem to casually ignore tokens which these cards are producing. The most egregious example is the release of MOM where no card generates a parallax token. Not a single one. The main theme with incubators and none of them are implemented properly. Guys, that's really really bad. You seem to not understand that for us, buyers, the token is as important as the main card. And I'm not just talking about cards like Sunfall or Ral's Reinforcement where it should be obvious. I'm talking about consistency: I want my part of the board to look consistent, which means all the permanents on my side should not have borders.If I have cards that I can't make lose borders then the consistency dies and I stop caring about other cards, essentially making me not wanting to buy anything at all! One more time: tokens are as important as the main card, they all should be parallaxed. And if some card, having parallax style, produces non-parallax token then it should be considered a bug which has to be fixed. We don't know if the card worked before or not and we shouldn't bother to know that: no style, report, get it fixed. As simple as that; for everyone.
Speaking of which the following list presents you with the cards (category of cards, really) which used to produce the styled tokens but not anymore (and for some this "anymore" is how long, year, more than a year?): Wedding Announcement (staple card in virtually any white deck in Standard!), Verdant Command (squirrels), DnD treasures (Prosperous Innkeeper and many other playable cards), Legion's Landing. Is this list exhaustive? I don't think so but these I came up with anyway. What should we do with the styles we bought months ago? Should we ask for refund en mass? Thinking...
And there is another list of playable cards which to my knowledge never produced styled tokens: Saprolings (Slimefoot and Squee is now a playable card, sapros should be styled), Devils from “Ob Nixilis, The Adversary”, Rhino for Titan Of Industry, Cats & Dogs from Jinnie Fay, Angels from Resplendent Angel (staple in the angels).
So 2 lists, the first one is full of bugs the second is full of job-not-done. I know that, because I'm curious and have been playing this game for long. Average user doesn't and shouldn't know that. So for the avg user both lists should be the same: bugs. And bugs should be fixed. Since these bugs are in the premium content they should be fixed ASAP. The only thing that outclasses it is the core gameplay. And for these bugs there should be a separate category on a normal bug tracker where people can get some feedback, not this seemingly abandoned self-hosted User Voice where you post to oblivion.
3.3. Non-existent styles for the staple cards.
Now let's go to the territory of missed opportunities. The following list contains the list of cards which are staple in meta decks but never had the styles for them added:Munitions Expert, Reckless Charge, Shoreline Scout's conjured Land, Regal Force from Freyalise, Sterling Grove, Parhellion II, Damping Sphere, Elvish Clancaller.
And here is another list with not staples but solid cards which saw and still see play in probably not tier 1 but solid competitor decks: Dwynen's Elite, Spawn Of Mayhem, Legion's Lieutenant, Champion of Dusk, Vicious Conquistador, Herald's Horn, Shaper's Sanctuary, Archon of Emeria.
And finally to some interesting example which we had with SIS (bonus-sheet subset to Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered, or SIR). We have styles for Falkenrath Noble, Kruin Outlaw and Barter in Blood but don't have styles for Snapcaster Mage, Avacyn's Pilgrim (and/or Young Wolf), Griselbrand. 3 whatever cards have styles while 3 playables with 2 of them iconic (?) do not. Who planned the implementation of these styles? Good game.
So this section is about missing opportunities. Why? Because you fail to present me with the options to buy. I want to buy styles in general but I snap buy the styles for the staple cards I can play every day and in multiple decks. We have tons of cards, mostly from the time when there were no paralax styles, still not implemented. But with SIR & SIS we had a newly introduced to Arena set which has most of the cards unstyled. Not cool.
I get it, you have only so much you can do with the resources you have. I really do and if you can't for some reason style every card from the past let's implement the priority queue where we, the users, will vote for what should be implemented next. You create a list of all the not-implemented card styles and we vote. You implement the top-voted style and remove it from the poll. That way we will see progress, have influence on what should be done next and you will see what styles people are not interested in and can be safely ignored. Implemented styles should be put into the patch notes so we know when to come back and vote again.
So that's how I see the final solution:
- All new-to-Magic sets should be fully styled. It is your face, it is what new and casual users will meet with first. You can't tolerate half-baked premium content there.
- New-to-Arena (but not to Magic, like SIR) should be fully styled if possible. If not then the priority should be deduced from the MTGO data (or other data you think is better) of the most playable cards in the formats Arena has some access to (Explorer ~ Pioneer, Modern ~ Historic, Historic Brawl ~ Commander) and implemented accordingly. The rest should be added to the vox populi list of delayed implementation.
3.4 A few words about other styles.
Sagas is another thing that is a bit controversial and inconsistent. Most of them are not parallaxed and, in my opinion, the saga permanent itself should not be parallaxed. It doesn't need this treatment they are good as is. But some of them still should have parallax styles. Why? Because some of them produce tokens or transform. You had Tymaret Calls the Dead parallax style implemented which reflects on the saga but not tokens. Instead it should produce parallax tokens and the saga itself can be unstyled (anyone have other opinion on that?). The same goes to other token generating sagas like History of Benalia and others. But the more important ones are the NEO sagas which transform into creatures. While, again, the saga permanent doesn't need to be parallaxed the resulting creature should.So when you implemented everything mentioned in this post I will finally being able to have my side of the board fully styled in one consistent style. For which I paid real money because there is no way for a f2p player to style their decks fully and consistently. As far as I'm concerned it is a win-win for both parties. Because the other way to have your side of the board consistent is to not have styles at all. And that is lose-lose for me and you.
--
The last topic I'd like to touch is parallax lands. IIRC the last parallaxed non-full art basic lands were implemented in Eldraine and then you stopped (snow lands in KHM were also gorgeous). The only full-art lands which got parallax styles were Nyx lands from THB. It is the other thing that you are missing out: probably not every set has beautiful basics but LotR has some, why not implement the parallax lands there? Same goes to some full art lands. I get it that you need a square to have the land looks cool but some of them can be cut to squares and still look good, so maybe experiment some? Lands are sellers, aren't they?
Personally, I stopped buying lands after THB because they have borders. I really like my THB lands but don't mind to buy some others to have some diversity across the decks. Oh, and give the people who wasn't lucky playing during THB an opportunity to buy these parallaxed lands. Take their money they are throwing at you!
Anyway my long feedback post is finally over, not that I don't have anything more to say, I just think it is enough for now. I hope u/WotC_Jay and other people responsible for making decisions for this game will read it in words and spirit. If I was harsh in some words, I don't really meant it that way. I wish this game all the best and hence this post. But only you can make it happen, so...
Your Go
2023.06.07 09:51 Desigirl8728 Yeast + bacterial infection and complex cyst diagnosis
I (36F) lived a life of 0 complications in my lady parts until two months ago. Some context is that I live with my partner (39M) and we have a healthy sex life. I don’t work out but walk my dog often in a day. I am not overweight. My vitamin levels are fine except for iron deficiency which I have always had.
Now coming to my last two months , they have been utter hell. Here are the chain of events. - It all started with eating something off that led to extreme diarrhea for a day. Now this wasn’t an ordinary situation where I was close to a toilet. I started experiencing nasty stomach convulsions and took 90 mins to find the nearest public toilet and what happened next is indescribable. Watery stools expelled from my body at the speed of light. This went on for 15 mins and I almost lost consciousness. - Two days after this incident I got a yeast infection (I thought) so I finished the monostat 5 day course. I thought I cleared it but it was back again in a week. My symptom: itching and burning down there and burning pee - this time around I took flucanazole orally and cleared it in a week - this was followed by two weeks of on and off ,mild itching and burning in my lady parts which I assumed was just my body getting used to the normal state - 3 weeks after treatment my yeast is back with the same symptoms and I could finally seek medical care this time around . My doctor physically examined me this time and diagnosed me with yeast and bacterial infection . The doctor did a sonogram and found a 2cm x 1cm complex cyst on one of my ovaries. Ran some blood work to rule out the C word. Results coming this Friday. Right now I am on another round of medication to fight the vaginitis , 8 tablets a day- which includes anti fungal and antibiotic tablets. The other is anti acidity , pro biotic , vitamin etc.
What baffles me is that I was a completely healthy individual up until that day of diarrhea apocalypse in a public toilet. As for the cyst, still digesting the news.
I am trying to stay positive but honestly a a bit shaken up at my body’s inability to flight this (yeast and bacterial infection )off so far . it’s probably because my body doesn’t seem to have any good bacteria left . (Maybe because I shat it all during my diarrhea episode ?).
Seeking advice , venting audience , worlds of encouragement, similar experiences and what worked or didn’t (for vaginitis and cysts both) . Also, did any of you impacted women out there connect your vaginitis to diarrhea as root cause ?
submitted by Desigirl8728 to Healthyhooha [link] [comments]
Now coming to my last two months , they have been utter hell. Here are the chain of events. - It all started with eating something off that led to extreme diarrhea for a day. Now this wasn’t an ordinary situation where I was close to a toilet. I started experiencing nasty stomach convulsions and took 90 mins to find the nearest public toilet and what happened next is indescribable. Watery stools expelled from my body at the speed of light. This went on for 15 mins and I almost lost consciousness. - Two days after this incident I got a yeast infection (I thought) so I finished the monostat 5 day course. I thought I cleared it but it was back again in a week. My symptom: itching and burning down there and burning pee - this time around I took flucanazole orally and cleared it in a week - this was followed by two weeks of on and off ,mild itching and burning in my lady parts which I assumed was just my body getting used to the normal state - 3 weeks after treatment my yeast is back with the same symptoms and I could finally seek medical care this time around . My doctor physically examined me this time and diagnosed me with yeast and bacterial infection . The doctor did a sonogram and found a 2cm x 1cm complex cyst on one of my ovaries. Ran some blood work to rule out the C word. Results coming this Friday. Right now I am on another round of medication to fight the vaginitis , 8 tablets a day- which includes anti fungal and antibiotic tablets. The other is anti acidity , pro biotic , vitamin etc.
What baffles me is that I was a completely healthy individual up until that day of diarrhea apocalypse in a public toilet. As for the cyst, still digesting the news.
I am trying to stay positive but honestly a a bit shaken up at my body’s inability to flight this (yeast and bacterial infection )off so far . it’s probably because my body doesn’t seem to have any good bacteria left . (Maybe because I shat it all during my diarrhea episode ?).
Seeking advice , venting audience , worlds of encouragement, similar experiences and what worked or didn’t (for vaginitis and cysts both) . Also, did any of you impacted women out there connect your vaginitis to diarrhea as root cause ?
2023.06.07 09:25 tamanhhospitalvn FAUA Scientific Congress 2023: Registration, Information, and Policy
 | With the theme "Connection - Innovation - Development," the FAUA Scientific Congress 2023 offers more than just a prestigious scientific forum. It provides a valuable opportunity for experts and doctors in the region to gather, exchange knowledge, and stay updated on the latest trends, medical advancements, and the application of modern technology in diagnosing and treating urinary and kidney diseases. submitted by tamanhhospitalvn to u/tamanhhospitalvn [link] [comments] To attend the congress and obtain more information about evidence-based urology education, FAUA invites you to register for the FAUA Scientific Congress 2023. https://preview.redd.it/l6tsff64sj4b1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=deebe8150071e1276393d712a2a2318ab8798f7b Event Details:- Date & Time: September 7th-9th, 2023- Congress platform: On-site - Language: English - Venue: Training & Scientific Research Center - Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Address: 2B Pho Quang St., Ward 02, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Registration Information:- Terms and Conditions: Registration fees include access to all sessions, daily coffee breaks, daily lunch, gala dinner, and CME certificates.- Online registration is available from June 6th until August 10th, 2023, for administrative and preparatory purposes. - Prices include VAT. - Registrations are confirmed upon receipt of payment. If payment is not received 10 days prior to the event, pre-registration may be canceled, and on-site registration will be available at the applicable rate. - Payments can be processed using the VNPAY payment gateway. For further assistance, please contact [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). >>>See more conference information: https://linkhay.com/blog/643600/faua-scientific-conference-2023-registration-keynote-speakers-and-sponsors https://preview.redd.it/zes1pvwksj4b1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38707b63e4fd32dffbe342cf6f274b1b105dbac8 Cancellation & Refunds:- Cancellation requests must be sent via email to [email protected]. The congress secretariat must receive cancellation notifications no later than August 15th, 2023, 23:00 hrs (GMT+7).- A 100% cancellation charge applies after August 15th, 2023, 23:00 hrs (GMT+7). - If you are unable to attend but have registered, you may nominate a colleague to attend on your behalf. Name changes are possible until the congress date. - In the event of postponement or cancellation by the organizer, participants will not be held liable for any incurred expenses, damages, or losses. - If the congress is postponed, registered participants will still have valid registrations and will be allowed to attend the rescheduled event. Those unable to attend may request a refund via email. Keynote Speakers at the FAUA Scientific Congress:The congress has attracted the interest and participation of leading experts and doctors in the field of urology and nephrology from organizations such as the UAA and FAUA. Distinguished speakers include:https://preview.redd.it/o3p9oq1hsj4b1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3203748a2c1498ffe951cfe64da7a20173ede364 - Prof. Bernard Malavaud – Chair of the Membership Office, European Association of Urology (EAU) - Assoc. Prof. Samuel Vincent G. Yrastorza – President of the Federation of ASEAN Urological Associations (FAUA) - Prof. Phone Myint – Former Chairman of the Myanmar Urological Association - Dr. Noor Ashani – Board Member of the Malaysia Urological Association - Prof. Ong Teng Aik – Former Chairman of the Malaysia Urological Association (2021-2022) - Prof. Vincent Tse – Chairman of the Section of Functional and Female Urology, Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand - Dr. Paksi Satyagraha – Secretary of the Indonesian Genitourinary Reconstructive Society (InaGURS) - Dr. Bannakij Lojanapiwat – Former President of the Thailand Urological Association (TUA) & Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Urological Association of Asia (UAA) - Prof. Man Libertine – Cambodia Pediatric Urology Specialist - Dr. Jason Letran – Former President of the Philippine Urological Association (PUA) With the participation of numerous leading experts and doctors in the region, the FAUA Congress 2023 provides a valuable opportunity for specialists and doctors to exchange knowledge and stay updated on the latest developments and best practices in urology, including the application of modern technology in diagnosing and treating urinary and kidney diseases. >>>For more information about the conference: https://band.us/band/81594940/post/143 Invitation for Sponsorship:The FAUA Scientific Congress 2023 attracts the attention of experts and market leaders from Asia, Europe, and other regions. It presents an exceptional opportunity for companies to promote, introduce, and launch their latest medical products to a diverse audience, including doctors, technical experts, and industry leaders. As one of the most prestigious medical forums in the region and globally, the FAUA Scientific Congress offers Tam Anh General Hospital the privilege of being the organizer.https://preview.redd.it/ejs6kceesj4b1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a88f1a2352a6ca9f76c0e2d171c226d3a9385ca6 In addition to expert scientific sessions featuring guest speakers from the Asian and European Urological Associations, the central agenda of the conference includes electrosurgical demonstrations conducted by leading experts. This valuable opportunity allows junior doctors to learn from experienced professionals. The FAUA scientific conference has attracted famous international experts in the field of urology and nephrology, such as Dr. Samuel Vincent G. Yrastorza (Chairman of ASEAN Federation of Urological Associations), Assoc. Phone Myint (Former President of Myanmar Urology Association), Assoc. Ong Teng Aik (Former President of the Urological Association of Malaysia), and Assoc. Vincent Tse (Chair of the Department of Female Urology and Functional Medicine, USANZ), among others. >>>Details of the conference can be found here: https://faua.tamanhhospital.vn/ |
2023.06.07 09:09 Maycynry General Help
So as I get more familiar with the game there were some questions in the back of my mind that I’ve been wondering because I feel like they’re concepts that I’m not directly understanding. These questions as awhile I feel will help me better understand what I’m doing wrong
If anyone feels like they can answer I’d really appreciate it any help is welcome.
I’d do a TLDR but I would really pref my questions to come across right I might not even be asking a real question this could be day 1 stuff haha.
submitted by Maycynry to Guiltygear [link] [comments]
- I hear the words running your offense a lot but I feel like I’m not understanding this fully. I interpreted this as once you get a hard knockdown it’s basically your chance to run an offense that your character is strong in and to that same point every character I’ve assumed has a difficult to handle part of their offense which makes knowledge important and such. For example my strike throw mix on clone fukyo forward. I say I assumed because I get stuffed when the person guessed “wrong” like punched out of my c.S which makes me question am I thinking of this incorrect ?
- Is online terrible ? Like I don’t mean the players I mean the experience of fighting someone and the game being fluid enough to actually play. I have matches where the game Is really smooth no issues every mistake is my own but a large amount I notice my hits turn into blocked attacks, my enemy is blipping around, and I can see everything and react but the game doesn’t display that. I think one I notice it more because he’s usually really easy to block is Sin in a laggy environment that overhead/low mix he can try sometimes just doesn’t seem possible like it becomes an actual guess. And how does connecting online work im on a wired connection but I’ll lag is it because my opponent isn’t?
- I’m currently floor 10 trying to get celestial but I feel like the skill difference between floor 10 players is insane to where I’m finding stuff out stuff daily but it’s skewing what I know causing mental overload. If any celestial players see this or just anyone who feels they are often the victor in their bouts do you feel like your thinking HARD? Or there’s a natural flowchart your mind does? My example for this is I had a ramlethal dash cancel the 2nd hit of her rekka as opposed to other ones who stop at the first hit which I think is safe. It made me start to worry do I mash my turn out or hold the block. Counterhit rekka is devastating no ?
If anyone feels like they can answer I’d really appreciate it any help is welcome.
I’d do a TLDR but I would really pref my questions to come across right I might not even be asking a real question this could be day 1 stuff haha.
2023.06.07 08:58 AuSSie-HellCat Week 2: Nov 2023 - GEW: Riot & Unleashed
 | submitted by AuSSie-HellCat to HellCats2KUniverseV2 [link] [comments] GEW: RiotMatch 1 - Chad Gables US Title Open ChallengeAs Gable paces back and forth, the arena lights dim, and The Bullet Club's theme music begins to play. The crowd's reaction shifts from anticipation to a mix of boos and jeers as Jay White and The Gunns make their way to the ring, wearing self-assured smirks on their faces. The crowd's murmurs intensify as they await the reveal of Gable's challenger. The anticipation reaches its peak as a new face, JTG, walks out to join The Bullet Club. As the match begins, the crowd is on the edge of their seats, eager to see who will accept Gable's open challenge. Suddenly, chaos erupts at ringside as The Gunns launch a surprise attack on The Creed Brothers, drawing the attention of the referee. In the ring, the distraction allows another new member of The Bullet Club, Ricky Starks, to slide into the ring undetected. With a swift and brutal strike, Starks strikes Gable from behind, stunning the champion. This gives JTG the chance to hit his finisher on Chad Gable and pin him when the referee turns around. Winner: JTG by Pinfall (2 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/kd9hd299ij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a987be930a8f54915ffe6176dba8b3bec395da2 Post Match Segment The Bullet Club stands tall in the ring, their new member, JTG, proudly holding the United States Championship. The crowd boos and jeers, expressing their frustration and disappointment as the camera fades out, leaving Gable lying alone in the ring, betrayed and stripped of his championship. Match 2 - Sami Zayn vs Wes Lee (Glory Qualifier) The match kicked off with an intense exchange of technical wrestling and high-flying maneuvers. Wes Lee showcased his lightning-fast speed and impressive aerial skills, dazzling the crowd with his acrobatic offense. However, Sami Zayn, known for his cunning tactics and unorthodox style, proved to be a formidable opponent. In a pivotal moment, Sami Zayn executed his signature "Helluva Kick" on Wes Lee, flooring his opponent and leaving the audience in awe. The referee counted the three, signaling Sami Zayn's hard-fought victory and his qualification for the Men's Glory Match. Winner: Sami Zayn by Pinfall (4 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/dfio5v3aij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=53d3a3dbe425336b71752a04dcb76fad4ed56569 Backstage Interview Interviewer: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here with the self-proclaimed Switchblade, Jay White. Jay, tonight we have the opportunity to discuss your thoughts on Seth Rollins and his current reign as the GEW International Champion. What can you tell us about your perspective? Jay White: [Smirking] Oh, Seth Rollins, the so-called "Architect" of the GEW Universe. He thinks he's untouchable, doesn't he? Well, let me tell you something, my friend. Seth Rollins and his reign as champion are nothing more than a facade, a smoke and mirrors act that's about to come crashing down. Interviewer: Strong words, Jay. Care to elaborate on why you think Rollins' reign is not legitimate? Jay White: [Laughs mockingly] Where do I even begin? Rollins has had his moment in the sun, basking in the glory of being called a champion. But what has he truly accomplished? Who has he beaten to earn that title? I'll tell you—nothing and nobody of true significance. Interviewer: But Seth Rollins has been successful against several top competitors. He's defended his title against formidable opponents and has proven his worth in the ring. Jay White: [Leaning forward, intensifying his tone] Successful? Defending against formidable opponents? Please, spare me. Seth Rollins has been swimming in a sea of mediocrity. He's become comfortable, complacent, and it's time someone woke him up from his slumber. [Jay White suddenly becomes more aggressive, his eyes filled with intensity. He leaps from his chair, knocking it over and shoving the interviewer against the wall. The camera struggles to maintain focus as chaos ensues.] Jay White: [Breathing heavily] You want to talk about respect? Well, respect is something that has eluded Seth Rollins for far too long. And I'm going to show him what true disrespect feels like! [Jay White reaches into his pocket and pulls out a can of spray paint. He proceeds to vandalize the interview set, swiftly tagging "Bullet Club" on the backdrop before tossing the can aside. The room is filled with a mixture of shock and awe.] Jay White: [Smirking wickedly White grabs the camera brining it close to his face] This is just a taste of what's to come, Rollins. The Bullet Club is here to tear down your false empire, and I'm leading the charge. Brace yourself, because your reign is about to crumble, and I'll be the one holding the pieces. Match 3 - Indi Hartwell & Jacy Jane vs Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose (Glory Qualifier) The match was evenly contested, with both teams exchanging momentum and delivering impactful moves. Indi and Jacy showcased their athleticism, executing impressive high-flying maneuvers and hard-hitting strikes. Sonya and Mandy displayed their strength and cunning, using their size advantage to dominate their opponents. As the match neared its climax, tensions escalated, and the intensity reached its peak. In a stunning turn of events, Indi Hartwell managed to catch Sonya Deville off guard, capitalizing on an opening and securing the victory for her team with a pinfall and earning them both a spot in the Womens Glory Match. Winner: Hartwell & Jane by Pinfall (3.5 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/v1x1oeqaij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=438324bc2b004dab6efe1d85e85c7f4819203e90 Backstage Segment [Backstage, Bianca Belair is seen talking to a fellow star when she's ambushed by Jaime Hayter and Dakota Kai, both wearing matching "The Role Model's Henchwomen" t-shirts. They viciously attack Bianca, catching her off guard.] Jaime Hayter: You thought you could just waltz in here and challenge our champion, huh? Well, think again! [Dakota Kai delivers a brutal kick to Bianca's midsection, causing her to double over in pain. They continue the assault, relentless in their attack.] Dakota Kai: Britt didn't need us to handle her business, but we're here to show you what happens when you step out of line. [Bianca, though battered, refuses to back down. With a surge of determination, she fights back, unleashing a flurry of punches and strikes, catching both Jaime Hayter and Dakota Kai off guard.] Bianca Belair: You want to play dirty? Well, I'm not one to back down from a fight! [Using her incredible strength and athleticism, Bianca tosses Jaime Hayter into a nearby equipment crate, causing a loud crash. She then delivers a powerful spinebuster to Dakota Kai, leaving her sprawled on the ground.] Bianca Belair: You two may be Britt Baker's lackeys, but I won't let you or anyone else stand in my way! Match 4 - Cody Rhodes vs Tyler Bate (Glory Qualifier) The match is an absolute masterpiece, showcasing the incredible athleticism and technical prowess of both Cody Rhodes and Tyler Bate. They push each other to their limits, executing breathtaking moves and near falls that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. In the end, against all odds, Tyler Bate manages to outsmart and outmaneuver Cody Rhodes to secure the victory. Winner: Tyler Bate by Pinfall (5 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/izurlkhbij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=cc663b3a062c3e011c0ff4bf1447366ddd2249a7 Post Match Segment With genuine admiration and respect evident in his eyes, Cody Rhodes extends his hand to Tyler Bate, acknowledging the young star's victory. He speaks eloquently, praising Bate's skills, determination, and heart, and acknowledging that on this night, Bate was the better man. He thanks Bate for pushing him to his limits and promises to come back stronger in their future encounters. https://preview.redd.it/v3yombhcij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=53a69d2785f59bc36047ce55a9fe9dbebbed27a4 Match 5 - Zoey Stark vs Bayley (Womens TV Title) The match showcased the incredible athleticism and resilience of both competitors as they fought tooth and nail for victory. Zoey Stark, known for her explosive offense and unwavering determination, displayed her technical prowess and agility throughout the match. Bayley, a seasoned veteran, brought her cunning strategies and unrelenting aggression to the ring, making it clear that she was determined to capture the title. The match reached its climax with a series of near falls and intense back-and-forth action. Stark showcased her resilience, surviving Bayley's relentless onslaught and countering with her own hard-hitting moves. Despite Bayley's best efforts, Stark managed to dig deep and deliver a decisive blow to secure the pinfall victory, retaining her Women's TV Title. Winner: Zoey Stark by Pinfall (4 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/evknigycij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=7764fba03b6c64534c4f6f995e87a63372b64135 Post Match Segment The post-match scene took a shocking turn as Bayley unleashed her frustration and disappointment, launching a vicious attack on Zoey Stark. The once-beloved fan favorite revealed her true colors, turning heel and leaving Stark battered and vulnerable. The crowd watched in disbelief as Bayley's assault escalated, displaying a newfound ruthless aggression. It became apparent that a new, more sinister Bayley had emerged, willing to do whatever it took to regain her dominance and championship glory. Match 6 - House of Black vs The Briscoes The Briscoes unleashed their signature hard-hitting offense, utilizing their raw power and relentless aggression. However, the House of Black countered with their calculated and unorthodox tactics, using mind games and psychological warfare to keep their opponents off balance. The match saw a series of back-and-forth exchanges, with both teams showcasing their resilience and determination. The Briscoes' hard-hitting strikes and relentless attacks tested the durability of the House of Black, while the mysterious duo's unorthodox offense kept The Briscoes guessing. As the match reached its climax, The Briscoes unleashed a devastating combination of power moves and high-flying maneuvers, displaying their versatility as a team. In the decisive moment, Mark Briscoe connected with a thunderous Jay Driller on one of the members of the House of Black, followed by Jay Briscoe's devastating Froggy Bow. The impact echoed throughout the arena as Jay Briscoe made the cover, securing the victory and the coveted spot in the tag team title match. Winner: The Briscoes by Pinfall (5 Stars) The Gunns vs The Briscoes for the vacant GEW Tag Team Titles will take place at Moment of Glory. https://preview.redd.it/2olevuxdij4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=f5c381adf430ceec4d08445823e163419e5c14d3 Recap Matches: - Match 1: JTG def. Chad Gable (New US Champion) - Match 2: Sami Zayn def. Wes Lee - Match 3: Indi Hartwell & Jacy Jane def. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville - Match 4: Tyler Bate def. Cody Rhodes - Match 5: Zoey Stark def. Bayley - Match 6: The Briscoes def. House of Black Segments: - The Bullet Club stand tall with their two new members, JTG and Ricky Starks - Jay White is interviewed but loses his temper and attacks the interviewer - Belair is attacked by Hayter & Kai but fends them off all on her own - Rhodes shows respect to Bate -Bayley attacks Stark after losing the championship match GEW: UnleashedMatch 1 - Kris Statlander vs Zelina Vega (Glory Qualifier)As the match progressed, the intensity escalated, with near falls and close calls keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Statlander's strength and resilience were on full display as she absorbed Vega's attacks and fought back with her own impressive maneuvers. In the decisive moment, Statlander unleashed a devastating series of moves, culminating in her signature Big Bang Theory finisher. She covered Vega for the pinfall, securing the hard-fought victory and earning her place in the Women's Glory Match. Winner: Kris Statlander by Pinfall (3.5 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/9v5u5c4nnj4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f65d8c5c13b637bfc980158a190d44a395376a5 Match 2 - Montez Ford vs Cameron Grimes Ford wasted no time in unleashing his explosive offense, using his incredible agility to outmaneuver Grimes. However, Grimes proved to be a formidable opponent, countering Ford's attacks with calculated strikes and submission holds. The momentum swung back and forth as both competitors gave it their all, leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats. Ford's high-flying maneuvers, including a breathtaking Frog Splash, thrilled the audience and further showcased his incredible athleticism. In the closing moments of the match, Ford capitalized on an opening, delivering a lightning-fast combination of strikes and a thunderous Cash Out finisher. The impact was enough to secure the three-count, declaring Montez Ford the victor. Winner: Montez Ford by Pinfall (3 Stars) https://preview.redd.it/bupeoiunnj4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=f8f6afae600f6e595e44a931a1499d006b454eef Match 3 - Bryan Danielson & Okada vs Bobby Lashley & Sheamus The match begins, with Bryan and Okada showcasing their in-ring chemistry and teamwork. They work together seamlessly, delivering powerful strikes and executing impressive double-team maneuvers to gain an early advantage against Lashley and Sheamus. The crowd erupts with excitement, cheering for the champions as they dominate their opponents. However, as the match progresses, subtle changes in Okada's demeanor become evident. He seems more aggressive, less concerned about teamwork and more focused on his personal agenda. Bryan notices this shift but tries to brush it off, attributing it to Okada's competitiveness. Suddenly, as Bryan attempts to tag in Okada, Okada jumps off the ring apron, leaving Bryan stunned and confused. Lashley and Sheamus take advantage of the momentary distraction, ruthlessly attacking Bryan from all sides. https://preview.redd.it/28s21hyonj4b1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=04051a427ab707c213d8e23f24d45eed7fc54aea The crowd watches in shock as Okada reveals a wicked smirk, a betrayal that shatters the trust of the fans and his former partner. Okada grabs a microphone and steps back inside the ring, towering over Bryan, who struggles to regain his footing. Okada: (mockingly) Bryan Danielson, did you honestly think I was here to help you? I never had any intention of being your partner. You were a means to an end, a stepping stone on my path to greatness. The crowd boos loudly, their disappointment and disbelief palpable. Okada: (continuing) Last week, it was me who hired Lashley and Sheamus to beat you down. I wanted to ensure you were weakened for our match, to expose your vulnerabilities. I am the one true champion, Bryan, and now, the world will witness your downfall. Okada delivers a devastating Rainmaker clothesline to Bryan, leaving him motionless in the center of the ring. The crowd erupts into a chorus of boos, their adoration for Okada shattered by this callous act of betrayal. The scene fades out, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans, who will forever remember this night as the moment Okada turned his back on honor and friendship. Recap Matches: - Match 1: Kris Statlander def. Zelina Vega - Match 2: Montez Ford def. Cameron Grimes - Match 3: Danielson & Okada vs Lashley & Sheamus ends in No Contest as Okada turns on Danielson |