tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72817143437477993322024-02-25T16:15:21.366-05:00The_LivewireMatthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-61155659222389780512023-06-29T21:57:00.005-04:002023-06-29T21:57:50.779-04:00The hypocrisy of Virtue Signalling.<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A rant about ‘Appropriation’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So listening to a Real Play podcast for Pathfinder (not
saying whom, not calling them out specifically) and in the height of 2020/2021
they went on the cultural sensitivity bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It kind of annoyed me, especially as at least two of them are self-professed
historians. Two of their tangents went off on really annoyed me, in part
because their hairshirts made no sense to me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The discussion of the Mwangi Adventure Path is the first I’ll
address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a discussion of the
culture of the Mwangi and how they got ‘Diverse voices’ to write it, to represent
the culture. Um, ignoring the fact that you can’t get Pathfinder dwarves to
write the dwarf sections, <a href="https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6shqk">the blog</a> gives a diverse
set of voices, but no more diverse than any other book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some claim African Heritage, but none were
born in Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the ‘diversity’
guideline, Elon Musk is more qualified to write about African culture and
upbringing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This doesn’t even count that Africa isn’t some homogeneous group
of people because the color of their skin is a darker hue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ethiopian culture is different than Zulu, and
both are different than Senegal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
ignore Netflix’s belief that Cleopatra was black as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Pathfinder does a fairly good job of this
even in first edition, Geb, Nex, the tribes in the ‘Mwangi’ jungle, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we’re all gamers, stepping into other
shoes, but for some reason we have to be ‘careful’ to respect Mwangi culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d assume they’d gnash their respective
teeth on playing Tian characters.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I find this darkly humorous (yes, pun intended); most
players casually treat Europe as the same homogeneous group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one worries about offending the people of
Scandanavia when they roll up a Ulfen Skald. Or lament the bad Russian accents
for Irrisen characters, or bad Italian accents for Cheliax, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do players feel they aren’t ‘white enough’ to
play an Ulfen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ignoring the
absurdity of playing a non-human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
have to be “This tall” to play a halfling? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other grumble I have is a well tread one, Agents of
Edgewatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Paizo put on their
sensitivity glasses and <a href="https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sh9r">muttered
the platitudes</a> of “Black Lies Matter” The fact remains that the hypocrisy
of Paizo is hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They published,
prior to this, an AP where the protagonists were Evil (Hell’s Vengeance),
Pirates (Skull and Shackles) Admittedly Sanctioned Tomb Robbers (Mummy’s Mask) and
outsiders conquering lands (Kingmaker) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s
not get into some of the less than good actions you have to take in the others
APs (Freeing Baba Yaga, deceit, espionage, etc) and that the core conceit of
the game is killing people and taking their stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But despite that, making the heroes of one AP
police officers was a step too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
podcasters have played Skull and Shackles and Mummy’s Mask yet they gnash their
teeth that the good guys might be police officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Side note, did Paizo make a statement and donate money to <a href="https://scifi.radio/2020/05/31/uncle-hugos-science-fiction-bookstore-attacked-burned-to-the-ground-in-minneapolis-riots/#:~:text=Uncle%20Hugo%E2%80%99s%20Science%20Fiction%20Bookstore%20was%20the%20oldest,following%20the%20murder%20of%20George%20Floyd%20by%20police.">Uncle
Hugo’s</a>? If they did, I missed it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe they will call a pirate, a tomb raider, or a
Pathfinder (but I repeat myself) next time they’re faced with a situation where
a police officer is needed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Virtue signalers forget… <i>This is a game.</i> Playing bad
guys or even questionably good guys doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you want to argue all GMs are as evil
as the NPCs they portray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you’re
clamoring to play Hell’s Vengeance; if your favorite nation is Nidal; and then
if you argue that playing police officers is a bridge too far, then really,
what does that say about you as a person?<o:p></o:p></p>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-308832955584589252022-07-17T17:13:00.000-04:002022-07-17T17:13:33.564-04:00In Memoriam: Eric Flint<p> Life comes at you fast.</p><p><br /></p><p>It must have been 25 years ago that I'd heard of Eric Flint. I got him confused with Kenneth Flint, who's Riders of the Sidhe I read as a kid.</p><p>Of his works, the two series I was/am most familiar with were the Ring of Fire series, and of couse the Belisarius series. The later because of Baen Books and David Drake. </p><p>I'm working on a pure gaming <a href="https://davric.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> for my world and creations inspired largely by the works or Eric Flint and David Drake. It was just this morning, in a burst of creativity that the world got its name "Davric" taken from their first names. I was hoping to have more content on the blog before I wrote to both men to thank them for its inspiration. Not to ask them to read it, I don't feel pretentious enough to ask professional authors to read my scribblings. Just to say, "You inspired this. Thank you." Today was the day I started. The day I moved from notes in a facebook group to actually organizing the thoughts and dreams.</p><p>Now I will never get to send him that e-mail. </p><p>The world is wonderful. I've corresponded with various authors over the years, and a few actors as well. I'm sure their replies are minor to them, but that they took the time to reply means a lot to this old hermit.</p><p>So rest in peace, Mr. Flint. Your work inspired me, and I am sure countless others. The world is lessened by your passing.</p>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-26735208681606175632021-05-14T21:47:00.001-04:002021-05-14T21:47:33.089-04:00Losing the battle, but the war continues.<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">I lost the battle today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had a PTSD flashback after a call yesterday. Shook me up, but I kept
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Woke up this morning feeling ‘off’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dove into work hoping I could get my head
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No joy, took a couple of my emergency
‘anti-panic attack’ meds and it didn’t help either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept working and trying to push it away,
but my heart kept racing and I started shaking.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had to bail out and take the attendance hit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This hasn’t happened in over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time it was when I was in the hospital,
in the dark, and became obsessed with how scared Becca must have felt being
alone without me there, losing the battle with the melanoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I discovered that hydroxyzine helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
out of the house and drove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
even know what time it was when I left work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Picked up Tea and then we drove some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still not at 100%, heck, I’m at 10% maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping and praying this weekend will allow
me to build up some strength and I can hunt down and kill what ever is
triggering the anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And yes, <span style="color: red;">rage</span> can override
the anxiety for a while, but it isn’t good for me, and not constructive at
work, or at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tea and Tank both can
tell when I’m running on rage, and it doesn’t do them any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have to rely on <span style="color: #70ad47; mso-themecolor: accent6;">will</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something I’m short of, having spent most of it today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s the problem with chronic mental illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somedays I lose, most days I win, for
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The battle is over, the war goes
on.<o:p></o:p></p>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-85228073613976398762020-11-11T10:05:00.000-05:002020-11-11T10:05:33.011-05:00So, the election.<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">My prediction was pretty much on the nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President Trump would win election night,
then enough votes would be ‘found’ to pull Biden over the finish line.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sure enough…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
votes were ‘found’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Larry Corriea, who
was an accountant among other hats before he became a professional author,
lists a number of them <a href="https://monsterhunternation.com/2020/11/09/election-2020-the-more-fuckery-update/">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In case it was missed, all these statistical
anomalies point in one direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So not
only are there an improbable number of anomalies, they all benefit Biden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To someone who isn’t a screaming partisan, it
should raise eyebrows. That’s before the <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesOKeefeIII/status/1326323334800437248">videos</a>…
Tangent, let’s not forget <a href="https://twitter.com/Elaijuh/status/1325951446374887425/photo/1">why</a>
the Democrats wanted the Green Party off the ballot.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So these anomalies need to be investigated,
will they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OF course not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 105% precinct for Obama weren’t contested
by Mitt Romney, the GOPe bends over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why people voted for President Trump he fights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proving fraud is easy, we’ve the affidavits
and the video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proving fraud enough to
shift popular opinion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s hard
enough when the media and your own party <i>aren’t</i> wanting you out of
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I think we’re stuck with
President Harris.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or as I’ll call her, “President Cock Holster.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey, no one was outraged when Bill Maher
called President Trump that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair’s
fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course that she actually was
Willie Browns mistress…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some people have compared President Trump to Ronald Magnus,
but I think a historic President has some more similarities, President John
Tyler.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Both President Trump and President Tyler came to power
unexpectedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were not accepted by
their party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In President Tyler’s case
he was cast out, in President Trump’s case, he was just held at arm’s length by
the establishment, what has been called “GOPe”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both men were States Rights, and, ironically, like President Tyler,
President Trump’s greatest victories came from foreign policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting NATO allies to pay closer to their
fair share, sanctions against Russia, tariffs on China, and spreading peace,
both in Europe and the Middle East, are examples of President Trump’s
successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice how they didn’t make
big news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President Trump changed the
world, for the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also how many
conflicts have been initiated in the past 4 years by the US?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So what do we have to look forward to with President
Harris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing good I fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We’ll see the removal of due process in
universities.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Young men like Paul
Nungesser will continue to be persecuted with no process, no right to see their
accusers or evidence on university grounds.</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We’re already seeing a return to “No worse ally,
no better enemy,” foreign policy.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The
talk of treating the PLO like they aren’t a terrorist organization, rejoining
the farce of an Iran treaty.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Terrorists
are </span><a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/2020/11/iran-backed-terrorist-groups-in-iraq-cheer-prospect-of-biden-presidency/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">celebrating</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Due process is just the beginning. President
Cock Holster is on record to wanting to use EOs to seize guns, her persecution
of journalists as AG in California is </span><a href="https://www.westernjournal.com/judge-drops-5-felony-charges-journalist-exposed-planned-parenthood-baby-body-parts-case/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">well
documented</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, as is the left’s assaults on religious freedom.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">From singling out churches in California, to
the persecution of the </span><a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/2020/11/while-thousands-packed-into-times-square-for-anti-trump-celebrations-brooklyn-jewish-shop-owner-harassed-for-preparing-craft-kits/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Jewish</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
citizens of New York, the only amendment the left likes is the 5</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If (big if, considering the </span><a href="https://tennesseestar.com/2020/11/10/democrats-invite-voters-to-exploit-georgias-weak-residency-rules-to-stuff-ballot-boxes-in-runoff-elections/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">efforts</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
by the Democrat machine) the Republicans can hold Georgia, then </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">at least the destruction of the Republic can
be slowed.</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Enemies lists.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We’re already seeing the howls from elected officials, </span><a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/2020/11/cnns-jake-tapper-makes-not-so-thinly-veiled-threat-about-not-accepting-a-joe-biden-victory/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">and</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><a href="https://tennesseestar.com/2020/11/10/democrats-invite-voters-to-exploit-georgias-weak-residency-rules-to-stuff-ballot-boxes-in-runoff-elections/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">others</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">,
to ‘hold accountable’ people who worked in the current administration, or even
supported them.</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Rewriting of history.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Already the </span><a href="https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2020/11/10/but-seriously-folks-bloomberg-notes-this-is-the-first-time-in-american-history-an-effort-has-been-made-to-taint-an-election/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Media</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
is </span><a href="https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2020/11/10/ap-reporter-reminisces-about-witnessing-four-years-ago-the-peaceful-transition-of-power-from-obama-to-trump/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">pretending</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
that 2000 and 2016 never happened. Gay groups are </span><a href="https://twitchy.com/sarahd-313035/2020/11/10/richard-grenell-wants-to-know-why-twitter-hasnt-fact-checked-this-straight-up-lie-about-americas-first-out-gay-cabinet-official/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">erasing</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
Richard Grenell and falsely claiming Biden is the first President to support gay
marriage before taking office.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/nevadas-clark-county-elections-chief-has-reports-of-voter-fraud-wont-investigate-until-counting-complete" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Celebrities</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
are pretending there was no vitriol aimed at President Trump</span></li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">So we’re facing fraud, persecution
and gaslighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can we do?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stay engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both with each other and with your local politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones you can reach, be civil, even when
you strongly disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones who don’t
reply, to quote Maxine Waters “get in their faces, make them uncomfortable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My former congressional Rep, Joyce Beatty, is
an anti-Semite and won’t denounce her fellow bigots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My former state congresswoman, Mary Lightbody
is a liberal democrat, but one who will at least listen to her constituents’
concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This holds true down to the
town level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get involved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to tow meetings, meet and greets with
politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be visible, but polite.</li><li>Stay engaged with each other Facebook and
Twitter are compromised, so make sure you keep other methods, <a href="https://mewe.com/myworld">MeWe</a>, <a href="https://parler.com/feed">Parler</a>,
<a href="https://gab.com/">Gab</a> are all less censory than FB or Twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus there’s phones, <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep circulating the tapes.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Don’t let the victors get away with rewriting
history.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Guard your privacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now more than ever, VPNs and encrypted e-mail
are a boon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use <a href="https://protonmail.com/">Protonmail</a> and <a href="https://protonvpn.com/">ProtonVPN</a> and fully support their efforts.</li><li>Remember, we’re not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>70 million people voted for peace and
prosperity, in the face of a relentless onslaught of how a dementia patient and
an anti-free press, anti free speech, anti-Constitution VP pick would be
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be a warrior, but a happy
warrior.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-65570368763788159022020-10-15T22:20:00.005-04:002020-10-15T22:20:53.078-04:00Well, we’re two weeks into the new home, and no regrets.<p>It still needs a lot of work, we had to replace the stairs
on the deck, good enough to fool the FHA inspector, but they fell apart and
almost took out Tea’s good ankle. Guy did
good work though. We’ve some issues with
the plumbing we’re going to address, and the electric is going to be overhauled
to get up to my specifications. (I run a lot of electronics of course and want
an upgraded fuse box to handle the load.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ve had some setbacks, we didn’t realize the garage was
all on one circuit, so we lost some meat in the chest freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, Jasper seems to have a skill for
stepping on Tea’s bad ankle, though he feels bad about it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s also been a bit less social towards the
neighbor dogs, I’m planning to work more on socializing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve a playground next door I can take him
to run around and work on the nails.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’re slowly getting the place into shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In having the electric done, I’ve decided the
office will have an old style push button switch instead of a flip switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also ordered faux brass plate covers for
the outlet and light switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the
idea of my office having those early 20<sup>th</sup> century touches, while
holding all the 21<sup>st</sup> century hardware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, we’re replacing some of the bulbs
in the lights with smart bulbs, again because of the age of the house and
locations of switches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll need to
have another Dot or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I’m
done the Wi-Fi will reach the Garage and they’re perfect for intercoms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teaera’s brought her own unique set of skills to making this
a home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a much better housekeeper
than I (A low bar I know) and she’s a skill in comparison shopping I lack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good to be able to stretch our food
budget, and she’s an eye for deals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
also excited to help put the home touches on and renovate the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we’re presentable, there will be
pictures, promise.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to take a moment to thank people who made this possible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeslieNealRealtor/">Leslie
Neal</a>, who helped me sell the condo and close that chapter of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a learning experience for us both. If
you’re buying or selling in Central Ohio, look her up and tell her I sent you.
Of course we’ve known each other for 40 years or so…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tonynorrisrealtor/">Tony
Norris</a>, who helped me find this place after the previous SE Ohio realtor I
used flaked out on me. If you’re looking for a place in South East Ohio, look
him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice guy, wears many hats and
works his aft off.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tim and Jen and Clan Rickey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Guys, we couldn’t have made that last push w/o you, and I still owe you
that dinner in Zanesville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just pick a
Sunday and we’ll do it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tony and Kim McFarland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two more of my dearest friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
never expected you to foister the lummox for so long and will be glad to bring
him home and take him off your hands.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John and Angie Greener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you for fostering the Asscat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll be back soon to pick him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And of course, my dearly departed Rebecca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asked why I called the move, Operation:
Thanos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was of course for us to
start our new lives post cancer together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My life didn’t end with hers, but I wished it had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d promised her I’d go on, get out of the
condo, get our family back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did it
dear, but it cost me… <a href="https://youtu.be/ehcp_lI5CAc">everything</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-72431518611268460362019-12-01T00:18:00.002-05:002019-12-01T00:18:59.020-05:00Family<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose.
When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without
flinching--they are your family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
― Jim Butcher, Proven Guilty<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t do the ‘things to be thankful’ social media
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I wanted to talk about family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am blessed with loving parents and with siblings, both
natural and step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has it been
perfect?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is life, not a Brady Bunch episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have our ups and downs, marriages and
divorces, feuds and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
they’re my family, and I love them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m blessed though, in that I have brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who have stood with me when things have
gone to hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in the spirit of
thanksgiving, I wanted to thank them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just don’t know how.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim and Jen, my oldest friends and the parents to five
wonderful children and now young adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you for letting me be your brother, their Godfather and for being
there when I needed you, even when I didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love you both more than I can ever express.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tony and Kim, We met in college, but that seems like a lifetime
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve not been the best of friend
over the years, disappearing for months if not years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are family to me, if you’d called I’d
have been there, as you have been for me countless times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you both.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally John and Angie. What can I say? 8 years seems like
not much, but you both welcomed me, and later Becca with open arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You let me share one of the most joyous
moments of your life, and you were there for the darkest moments of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Beth, I can’t forget you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What began as “Operation Poodle rescue” blossomed
into a friendship and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are my
sister, and through thick and thin, I know we’ll be there for each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yes, even with the pain of my loss, I’m blessed to have
two families, who will be there for me, and I’ll be there for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When everything goes to hell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s nothing that makes you more insane than family. Or
more happy. Or more exasperated. Or more . . . secure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
― Jim Butcher <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-71982989721389902872018-09-30T18:32:00.000-04:002018-09-30T18:32:12.441-04:00Why do we play what we do?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, after reading yet another ‘powergamer is ruining my game’
thread on Facebook, I got to thinking about how I play, and why.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know some in our local Society can find my play
disruptive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I’m not outgoing, and
am definitely not a fast talker, my characters often are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some, like Miroslav and Ksenia, are enjoyable
for shock value, their ‘fish out of water nature’ is fun to play in a party.
(for those of you who don’t follow Pathfinder, while both characters are on the
‘good’ side of the alignment box, the environment they came from is known for
its casual inhumanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you’re a
great grandchild of THE <a href="https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Baba_Yaga" target="_blank">Baba Yaga</a>, the being who won’t become a god because it
would be a demotion, the being who every hundred years comes back and harvests
her daughter and grandchildren and plops a new ruler on the throne, you tend to
have a ‘skewed’ version of morality) Others, like Shankar and Mayim are my
flirty sex on a stick characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I save
them for adult tables, because their sense of adventure is not appropriate for
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still others, like Samiel and
Kiril, are the ‘mobsters with hearts of gold.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wear a variety of hats as a player, and a few others as a GM.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now this isn’t what is ‘disruptive’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite trying to send a GM to therapy with
Mayim, and egged on by another player or three in doing so, I can tone them
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually what some folks find ‘disrupting’
is my non-conventional tactics when the fight breaks out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer debuffs, trips, disarms, entangle,
well I’m known as Tanglefoot Matt for a reason, and buffs like bard song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, make the party better and the bad
guys worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For added amusement, I also
like spells like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://legacy.aonprd.com/ultimateMagic/spells/murderousCommand.html#murderous-command" target="_blank">murderous command</a></i> and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Unnatural%20Lust" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unnatural lust</a></i>, depending on the
character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always have my <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy8x9f?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Condition-Cards" target="_blank">ConditionCards</a> handy, and have joked about getting the entangled card blown up and
printed on a shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of my
characters are also skill builds, also known as ‘skill monkeys’ so I’m also the
one telling them what the bad guys’ weaknesses are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yeah, I’m making it more challenging than ‘he hits me, I
hit him’ but the reason is above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m making the party better at what they
want to do.</i> The player who loves his high damage build, is going to enjoy
more that the bad guy is easier to hit, or is coming to him to cop a feel
rather than standing back and shooting a bow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The player who loves multiple attacks is going to love the to hit and
damage boost from bardsong, as well as that the badguys are easier to hit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The role player who doesn’t want to use player
knowledge is going to be grateful that his character doesn’t have to run
through the golf bag of weapons because of my character going. “Just cave its
head in with the golf club!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This also
means that I’m not stealing anyone’s spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. “High damage meele” doesn’t have to worry about my character out
punching him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss “I’m the healbot” can
heal all the nicks and scratches without me whipping out a wand of cure on my
utility belt, I can save that for later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside: I played a game where my slayer (think a stealthy
fighter) had higher ranks in knowledge religion than his cleric and Paladin
co-adventurers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Paladin of
<a href="https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Iomedae" target="_blank">Iomedae</a> (a Lawful Good deity) is fine with you administering the last rites of
<a href="https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Lissala" target="_blank">Lissala</a> (Lawful Evil deity) on the dead people you find, that’s hilarious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And remember, this is my preferred playstyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have my moment to shine when the skill
roles are needed, or when local campaign fluff is needed. (I have a decent
memory for game world, lore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of my
love of skill monkeys.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m perfectly
happy to let everyone play to their strengths, and help them do so. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m also the guy with
the utility belt I mentioned above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need
an alchemical item?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step right up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need a trap disarmed, sure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need a door unlocked, yup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need the guard distracted while the rest of
the party cases the place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the method of distraction will vary,
from fast talking by Miroslav, to um, other things of Mayim and Shankar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need a scroll of control weather when the
storm comes up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I don’t normally
care one, but the look on the GMs face when I said “I reach for my scroll of
<i>control weather</i>” was priceless. (When I said, no, I don’t have one. His reply
was “If anyone at this table would, it would be you!”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now all that said, it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">also</i>
part of my play-style to step aside and let the other skill monkey shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of my characters can do some decent
damage if they have to cut loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Samiel
is an archerologist (archer archaeologist) and with him buffing himself, the
damage he can do is not inconsiderable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Miroslav and Shankar are both melee fighters if need be, and Ksenia,
well, she is a full spell caster, not just a hex casting machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a GM learn that first hand when I cut
loose with her higher-level spells and turned the battlefield into a nightmare
for the melee types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, My ‘annoying
playstyle’ by debuffing, buffing, and skill monkeying, is designed around
making everyone else’s time better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
want me to go up front?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can, but I’ll
let you go first if you don’t mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside the second, I was playing Shankar in a trap filled
scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to take out the first
trap, and the person playing the ninja said she wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped back and let her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She proceeded, through mostly bad dice rolls,
to set of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every single trap</i> in the
scenario she tried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we came across
the last one, she was worried that she couldn’t disarm it and let me try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at that point she found out that my
die modifier was almost twice hers. Trap easily disarmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she asked me why I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let</i> her set off all the traps I said “Hey, I don’t step on other
players’ toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wanted to be the one
to disarm the traps, I’m not going to deny you the die rolls and chance to
shine in the spotlight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So in closing, I’d ask… What’s your playstyle, and how is it
‘disruptive’?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-69077858237365060662018-08-26T19:57:00.000-04:002018-08-27T10:45:02.098-04:00Playtest II, Rogue Bugaloo<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just got home from playing the Pathfinder 2e playest module “Doomsday
Dawn” Since my first playtest was lost to the ether, I figured I’d write my
notes while the memories were hot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Character Creation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Went much easier this time, building a human rogue rather than a half
elven bard. Without having to worry about spells (and the weird not right spell
list of the bard) character creation was easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went for two rogue feats, since I felt trap sense was essential (more
on that later).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The multiclassing rules, well ‘archetypes’ as they’re called,
caught my eye, so rather than build a character for the scenario, I went with a character I'd play through higher levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose human this time,
because of wanting essentially an extra feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a result, I built this character with both intelligence 16 (for the
archetype) and dexterity 16 (because he’s a rogue, duh).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stats ended up being like this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Strength 12, Dexterity 16, Constitution 12, Intelligence 16,
Wisdom 10, Charisma 12<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not ‘optimal’ (by comparison, the iconic Rogue has all 12s
except for an 18 dexterity) but enough for my needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next came that <s>Race</s>, er <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ancestry</i>
feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose General Training to get
feather step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then took the street
urchin background, as the idea of a kid alone on the streets being taken in by
a wizard fit the background I was going for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we went on to class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rogue is surprisingly straightforward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the ‘feat and skill monkey’ class, more
so than even the bard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I love my bards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an intelligence of 16, my rogue has 13
skills he can be proficient in. By comparison there are 18 skills in Pathfinder
2e (not counting the subset of lore, which can get rather trivial.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add in underworld lore from the background I start
at 14 skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, having taken all the roguey skills (acrobatics,
athletics, craft, deception, diplomacy, intimidation performance, society, stealth
and thievery), I moved on to what to do with my three remaining skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well since I was going to multiclass wizard,
arcana makes sense. (see below) I added in survival, to help represent the time
he lived on the street, and finally Medicine, because why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the only skills my rogue is not trained in
are religion, occult, and nature (and all the subsets of lore, he’s not a
jeopardy champ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a city boy after
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now we go on to the class feats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned above, Trap Spotter seemed to
be a must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With traps being more lethal
and disarming them a must, I thought the ‘danger sense’ aspect of trap sense
was a must have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is gives bonuses
to disarm and spot traps is even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other first level feats pale in comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I get a free ‘skill feat,’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rogue gets one of these at every level. Going
with my “rogue working for a wizard” concept, I took arcane sense, a feat that
allows me to detect magic at will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, the idea is that he can break into another wizard’s room and
quickly find “the good stuff”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think in some ways ‘feats’ is going to be to Pathfinder 2e
what ‘level’ is to old school Dungeons and Dragons (see, <a href="http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0012.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this cartoon</a>, for what I mean).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><s>Race</s>, er, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ancestry</i> feats, class feats, general feats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be a feat to keep track of which is
which.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m of mixed feelings on skill
feats. On the one hand they open up new possibilities, like battle medic giving
an alternative to magical healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
the other, things that were part of a skill in first edition Pathfinder have
become feats in second edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, survival has a section of skill on surviving in the wild, but then the
forager feat just means you can do more at higher levels, which you could do in
first edition with a simple skill roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not a big deal, but I do worry that feats will come along in the future
that make it so things you assumed were always possible, suddenly become
impossible without the feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A term from
the 3.X days of D&D was FSBNBNN “Feats should be nice, but not necessary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Equipment is pretty straightforward, hand crossbow, short
sword and main gauche as weapons, studded leather armor and thieves tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most all weapons have properties now, and my
choice of melee weapons allowed me to add dexterity to damage and add a bonus
to my armor class for an action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nicked
most of my starting kit from the iconic rogue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having been listening to “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” I named him Tan
Staafl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voila one complete character to
run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Now for the adventure and game play.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The party ran through part one of Doomsday Dawn, a multipoint
module allowing for playtest at low to mid levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our group consisted of my rogue, an iconic
cleric, a monk, and a fighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
exception of the iconic cleric, all the other PCs were created by the players
(with the help of their parents).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
didn’t use the backgrounds in the module, but if we had, I’d have taken
mindquake survivor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first combat was the most lethal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no darkvision and only one light source,
combined with some incredible rolls, knocked most all the party down to single
digits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it through, barely, but
burned out the cleric’s healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
our humbled adventurers headed back to the town to heal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Combat is much more swingy than first edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the new level of critical damage, and
the new critical rules, a hot streak of rolls can wipe out a party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stealth is a must, and darkvision is even
better than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, goblins
and dwarves are the only ones to have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trap sense was well worth it, as the traps in the scenario were picked
up by the free perception check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
healing and other magic being more limited, play smarter, not harder, looks to
be the rule for second edition. Teamwork is going to be your friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Initiative is also going to take some getting used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perception is the initiative modifier now, with
some situational exceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it is
a wisdom based skill, it means that clerics and druids will be the faster characters
when the fight breaks out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Speed of
cleric.” Is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Combat is simple with
the ‘three actions and a reaction’ rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also makes fights more challenging for characters like bards and
other casters with concentration-based effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Concentration is an action to maintain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if your bard casts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bane,</i>
and does bardic performance first round, that’s all three actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that it is two actions, one to maintain
inspire courage, one to concentrate on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bane</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This leaves a move or attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decisions, decisions. It makes it more tactical and faster. Bonuses are rarer now, which is good and bad. Good in that it simplifies and speeds turns. Bad in that it is hard to be really good at something. A first level character with +6 to +7 in skills is not unheard of in First Edition, but is impossible in Second. Makes a first level rogue nervous with only a +3 or 4 to stealth. Skills run on a d20 + level + attribute modifier + proficiency. Making it a toss up between equal level characters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In closing, Pathfinder Second Edition looks, in this beta,
to be the difference between a Dodge Charger L-body and a Dodge Charger
LX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have the same name, and look
similar, but have many years of refinements and differences under the
hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will Pathfinder Second Edition be
an Edsel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m cautiously optimistic, but still love my
First Edition.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The Pathfinder open beta is currently a free download on Paizo.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-27153389608482220372018-08-18T22:38:00.000-04:002018-08-18T22:40:37.009-04:00Saturday Battletech, Careful with that Axe, Marcus,A little background.<br />
<br />
I played Battletech with my best friends and my little brother back in High School. Like any teenager, I tinkered with designs. And, like now, I loved my joke names. I decided early on one of my Mechwarriors was going to be a son of a pair of historians. While the bad fiction I wrote has been lost to the mists of time (for the better I'm sure) I remember the first lines I wrote about Marcus.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My name is Marcus Aurelius Borden. Marcus Aurelius, because my parents were historians by trade. Borden, because my family maintains the tradition of a family name. One of my ancient ancestors achieved a level of infamy, and I named my 'Mech after her.</blockquote>
Cheesy I know. But it stuck with me. So of course his Mech's name was Lizzy. (If you don't get it, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4SEDzynMiQ?start=59%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allow=%22autoplay;%20encrypted-media%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">google it</a> and complain to your American History Teacher). I've played Lizzy in one form or another for 30 years now. So now I share her with my few readers. Happy Gaming!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-bold" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Field Testing Summation: </span></b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prototype
Hatchetman HCT-3F refit designated HCT-3B<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-bold" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Producer/Site: </span></b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">New
Avalon Institute of Science, New Avalon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-bold" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Supervising Technician: </span></b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Marcus
Aurelius Borden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-bold" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Project Start Date: </span></b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3029<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriadpro-bold" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Non-Production Equipment Analysis:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "myriadpro-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">None<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriad pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Overview<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Lizzy”
was a reconstruction project supervised by the graduating class of 3029, but
her ‘final exam came in the defense of the NAIS by the cadets and staff, and of
course First Prince Hanse Davion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While severely
damaged in the fight, she was later rebuilt and became the personal ride of the
newly graduated Leftenant Marcus Aurelius Borden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘Mech takes her name from an ancestor of
Leftenant Borden’s<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The frame
of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hatchetman</i> was rebuilt around
a DAV 225 fusion engine, and the larger gyro taken from an “Avenging Angel” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vindicator</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make room the Defiance Killer Autocannon
was replaced with a ChrisComp 43 Special large laser, “donated” from a wrecked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enforcer</i>, along with additional heat
sinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The communication and electronics
systems were replaced with components from captured <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ravens</i>, giving her better communications than the standard model
This required removing the Ares-8a and the sensors were replaced with a
spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Defiance B3M medium laser was moved from
the right arm to the left, which helped the balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, armor was increased almost 50%, making
her as well armored as ‘Mechs 10 tons heavier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Limitations of the frame meant that the jump capacity remained 120
meters but the resulting increase in ground speed remained the biggest surprise
to opponents expecting a ‘regular’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hatchetman</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Combat History</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Marcus Borden
and Lizzy served with distinction along the Federated Suns/Capellan
Confederatuib prior to thewar of 3039.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the 3039 war escalated Marcus was rotated to the Draconis March,
where the combination of superior speed and ammunition independency made for an
ideal raider and hunter killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
teamed with other <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hatchetmen</i> or slower
Medium units, Marcus would play the role of “wounded bird” holding back and
using his medium lasers to lure foes closer, thinking he was simply out of
autoncannon ammunition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would then use
his ‘Mech’s superior speed to get to the flank of his foes, when he would fire
all his weapons and use the hatchet, only to jump away to quickly cool down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marcus was eventually promoted to command a
fire support company, where he often would keep his speed equal to a standard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hatchetman</i>’s 64.8 KPH maximum, only to
suddenly shoot ahead and provide spotting or a surprise physical assault to the
enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When asked about the risk in his
tactics, Marcus replied “When you’re facing down close to 120 long range
missiles and multiple PPCs, a medium ‘Mech with a stick seems a slightly lower
threat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Notes: If playing with advanced rules, Lizzy has a full head ejection system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lizzy has the following quirks. Improved
Communications, Spotlight, Difficult to Maintain.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Type: Hatchetman HCT-3B “Lizzy”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Introductory)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Equipment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Mass<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Internal Structure:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4.5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Engine:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">DAV 225<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Walking MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Running MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jumping MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat Sinks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Gyro:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Cockpit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Armor Factor:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">152<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">9.5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Internal Structure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Armor Value<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Center Torso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Center Torso (rear)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Torso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Torso (rear)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Arm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Leg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Weapons and Ammo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Location<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Critical<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tonnage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Medium Lasers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">LA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Large Laser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">5.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hatchet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">RA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jump Jets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">LL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jump Jets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">RL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
Heatsinks are in the left arm, left torso, center torso and right torso respectively.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, the Battletech Universe belongs to Topps. (unless I win the Powerball, then we'll talk) Marcus Aurelius Borden however is mine</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-36974324006946484892018-08-11T23:37:00.001-04:002018-08-11T23:37:39.864-04:00Saturday Mechwarrior New design SDR-8N NagainaA brief overview.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://bg.battletech.com/" target="_blank">Battletech</a> the game system has existed since the 80's. While not quick playing by itself, (though there are apps that can speed the rolling up, one of my favorites is <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.boredrobot.btdice" target="_blank">here</a>) it is a game that I've fond memories of. There's even the popular unofficial version of the game, <a href="https://megamek.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megamek</a>. There are official computer based RPGs; Mechwarrior Online and Hairbrained Schemes Battletech. These articles won't be touching those, since a) I can't run them on my old machine and b) they don't have the customization that the tabletop (and Megamek) has. So I'll be posting some custom designs and if anyone wants to use them, great, just let me know if you enjoy them.<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: Battletech and all its associated trade dress, trademarks and logos are property of Topps Company Inc, and this does not challenge that. Frosch Military Technologies, Kabaker Agricultural Technologies, the names and places created for these articles are property of me. Also, if you want to play me on Megamek or table top, drop me a line.<br />
<br />
So without further rambling, I give you the Nagaina!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Bold;">Field Testing Summation: </span></b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Prototype
Spider SDR-8R refit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Bold;">Producer/Site: </span></b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Frosh
Military Technologies, Summerstide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Bold;">Supervising Technician: </span></b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Sally
Frosh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Bold;">Project Start Date: </span></b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">3074<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Bold;">Non-Production Equipment Analysis:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Engine
Supercharger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Partial
Wing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "MyriadPro-Regular",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Small
X-Pulse Laser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: EurostileLTStd-BoldEx2;">Overview<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Nagaina
began as the personal ride of Lieutenant Gina Taklachak. A former AFFC mechwarrior, she operated an
independent command of light hunter mechs.
She found her ride was too short ranged for her preferred style of being
able to provide cover for her command.
The pulse lasers, while highly accurate, just did not have the range
needed. Clan made pulse lasers would
have been too expensive, and too difficult to maintain. The answer came with a shipment of Magna extended
range medium lasers. The initial plans
to replace the two pulse lasers with four of the extended range lasers were scrapped when she realized the heat
burden would quickly overwhelm the Spider’s cooling system. Instead she planned to install just two, with
the extra weight to electronics. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">An ambush by a Word of Blake infantry battalion changed those plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scout lance was able to extradite
themselves from the ambush and route the Blakests in good order, but she
realized she also would need the anti-infantry abilities a flamer, machine gun,
or small pulse laser would provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The answer came with the arrival of an FMT repair and refit team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technicians of Frosch Military
Technologies were able to provide a compromise that filled all of Lieutenant Taklachak’s
needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">By replacing the paired pulse lasers with paired extended range medium
lasers, the Nagaina’s range doubled, with a slight reduction in damage potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diminished accuracy was compensated for
in part by the installation of a Suns made targeting computer, which was
installed in the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, to help
deal with the threat of infantry and fast moving targets, an expensive FMT Small
X-Pulse laser was added to the right arm, mimicking the placement of the flamer
on the original 5D variant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The end result, a longer ranged and still cool running light ‘Mech,
suited Lt. Taklachak’s style of leadership perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can often be seen leaping from skirmish
to skirmish on the battlefield, using the 300 meter jump distance (in normal
atmospheric pressure) to dictate the range of one on one combat, or to suddenly
support a member of her scout lance with well placed laser fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever units her lance might be supporting,
many have found the sight of the brilliantly painted red and gold Spider a
welcome sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Type: Spider<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Equipment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Mass<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Internal Structure:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Endo Steel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1.5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Engine:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">240 XL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Walking MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Running MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jumping MP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">8(10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat Sinks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10(20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Gyro:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Cockpit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Armor Factor:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">104<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6.5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Internal Structure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Armor Value<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Center Torso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Center Torso (rear)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Torso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Torso (rear)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Arm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.25pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">R/L Leg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 69.25pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.75pt;" valign="top" width="64">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .5in;" valign="top" width="48">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Weapons and Ammo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Location<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Critical<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tonnage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2 ER Medium Laser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Small X-Pulse Laser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">RA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Targeting Computer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">H<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Partial Wing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">LT/RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4 LT/4 RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jump Jets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">LT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jump Jets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2.0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.85pt;" valign="top" width="156">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.4pt;" valign="top" width="78">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 103.5pt;" valign="top" width="138">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-31849925058647109432018-07-29T20:48:00.000-04:002018-07-29T20:48:52.301-04:00[Empires Aflame] Terran Supremacy before 3095<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terran Supremacy before 3095<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, <a href="https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-adventures-empires-aflame-pdf">Empires
Aflame</a> gave us a bare bones campaign setting, a ‘what if’ Battletech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ve some loose thoughts on how we got
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>First Succession War.</b><b> </b>
There are two major events in the opening salvos of the FSW. The first is the seizing of the systems ‘within
60 light years’ of Terra. Per Sarna’s <a href="http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Terra_Neighbors.png">lovely map</a> and <a href="http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Terra#Nearby_Systems">Wiki entry</a>, we see
that this was 54 systems, 55 including the Sol system. Per Liberation of Terra II roughly 1K
regiments of combined arms and Comstar has 170.
We’ll assume that 128 defected to the great houses, but I’d say it is
maybe half that, with DeChevallier and Blake welding the SLDF together with charisma
and rage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And of course 414 warships of varying sizes and ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So 55 systems could be ‘seized’ quickly with
those forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second event is the first shots in the FSW took place
differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we can spitball 114
or so Mech Regiments in the SLDF/Comstar makeup, that put them on par with the
other Successor states. I would say the simultaneous attacking of the FWL armies
and the DCMS armies had help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either by
tossing around nukes, orbital bombardment or subterfuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, more likely, D) all of the above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Operation Black Shield, as mentioned above,
allowed the Terran Supremacy to hold planets and most importantly… heal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The interdictions of Black Shield played to the TSDF’s strengths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Great Houses suddenly both had to worry
about if their neighbors were also interdicted or if they could take advantage
of the blackout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also meant that they
couldn’t concentrate their forces in any one place, for fear that someone would
move elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allowed the
Supremacy to bring their numbers to bear in force, overwhelming unprepared
troops by two or more to one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also
allowed for ‘removing’ some of the rogue units who had pledged to the Great
Houses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What resources aren’t spent stabilizing the budding
Supremacy are spent rebuilding it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless
of the timeline, the planets of the former Hegonomy/future Supremacy were devastated
by war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the breathing space provided
by Black Shield, the Supremacy would focus on repairing the environmental, physical,
and financial losses of the war. Mental as well as physical health would be essential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the Kerensky boys, and Jennifer Winson/Jez
Cole seem to be better adjusted in this reality Not being cooped up on the dropships and warships of the Exodus seems to have meant that they, and likely other SLDF soldiers got the help they need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
also seems to be the Jennifer adopted by Aaron DeChevallier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amusingly this could mean that a Cameron
leads the Terran Supremacy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adventure Seeds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Repo Men: The players are SLDF troops. Someone has decided to take his services, and
his PHX-1c, to the Capellan Confederation.
You’re sent to stop him. Oh, did
they mention he took his entire lance? </li>
<li>Kentares Redux: The
players are on Kentares IV providing relief when they receive word of the
assassination of Minoru Kurita. They’re
hearing rumors of refugees being rounded up and slaughtered. Then a transmission come in with a plea to
get video off world. Can the players get
the news of the Kentares massacre out to the Terran Supremacy? Or do they engage on a mission of revenge on
their own?</li>
<li>Should I stay or should I go? The players are a diplomatic
corps, sent to the Magistracy of Canopus to establish relations between the Supremacy
and the state. Things are going well,
too well in fact. Is Stephan Ebon
exceeding the mandate given by the Terran Supremacy?</li>
<li>The Nightwings: The players are SLDF special forces. They have the latest in light armor, the
Nighthawk Mk. XXX. So what could go
wrong in a HALO drop into Atreus? Did we
mention it is an assassination mission, with the target to be revealed once on
the ground?</li>
<li>Black Shield/Black Sword: Another special ops mission. An unscrupulous tech has made off with several
Supremacy designs, including the schematics for the advanced SLDF neurohelmets. With Black Shield going on he can’t send the
plans over the HPG net, not even encrypted, so he’s on a dropship, making its
way to Tharkad. Can the players recover
the plans and eliminate the threat without causing a major diplomatic incident?</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-88787285089877465602018-06-18T22:59:00.000-04:002018-06-18T23:09:02.143-04:00Visiting the Pound, or why I hate humanity.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, we’re on a quest for a new Service dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Becca needs something bigger than a Jasper
for mobility work so we’ve been looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s been thinking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Mastiff">Mastiff</a>, I’ve been
hoping for something smaller, and admittedly fluffier, like a <a href="https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/m/mastidoodle.htm">Mastidoodle</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, it would be a tight fit in the
Hermitage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course we’ve kept our options open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_Rites_(The_Dresden_Files)">The
Dresden Files</a>, I know how this ends with a Mastiff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thomas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did you buy Large Breed puppy food?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To that end we’ve been checking the animal shelters in <a href="http://franklincountydogs.com/">Franklin</a>, <a href="https://www.lchspets.org/">Licking,</a> <a href="http://www.co.delaware.oh.us/index.php/dog-shelter">Delaware</a>, and <a href="https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/dog/">Fairfield</a> Counties looking for suitable
dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Becca thinks she found one so back
to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, where almost four years ago, we brought
Jasper into our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt the anxiety hit me as soon as we stepped into the
shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were there, we saw at least two
surrenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One may have a happy
ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man had to return a dog because he
didn’t get along with his girlfriend’s dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fate had it that a couple of guys were there who were interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So hopefully Scooby will have a new
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still got to be traumatic for
the poor dog.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so many dogs who have the odds stacked against
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a couple that looked to
meet the size/weight minimums, but they were too old (too long to train vs use)
or too hostile (couldn’t be around kids or pets) or in one case, one guy who
was happy and cute, but had a broken leg before, meaning we’d have to worry
about weight bearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">may</i> have found a suitable dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not Mastiff sized, but strong and
smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is, is he Jasper compatible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch this space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What overwhelmed me was the cruelty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in the shelter, the cages were clean, the
staff nice and polite, and you can see they care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know what it is like for these poor
dogs, and their possible fates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
the cruelty of people who would abandon their dogs to be locked up in the
shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking with the staff, I found
most of the chipped dogs they find, aren’t picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally, people abandoning these beings
that rely on them, that their world revolves around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could no more abandon Jasper than I could
cut off my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Losing Rocky was just as
painful as losing his mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could I’d
save them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what can I do
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t release all the dogs to
roam the streets, we can’t take them all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And their previous owners don’t want or don’t deserve them for the hell
they’ve been placed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can these
dogs not be traumatized to see people every day, and not go home with
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve spent maybe <i>thirty six thousand
years </i>breeding socializing and training them to function alongside us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we turn our backs on them?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What kind of monster drags their pets off to be
incarcerated, lost in the system, or destroyed, with some lucky few like Jasper
who find the homes they need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
reminded again of a quote from an old TV show, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094578/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2">War of the Worlds</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has stayed with me for years, and as a
card carrying mutant I think of it often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“I have nothing really against humans. Some of my best
friends are humans. But as a group, they stink, and you know it. I say, kill
them all.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prove me wrong, donate to an animal shelter, or a service
dog support group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or go for yourself
and see them and take them into your home, even only one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t expect the county to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-79445503405233126552018-06-17T22:56:00.000-04:002018-06-17T22:57:26.214-04:00Origins and Endings.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well Origins 2018 is over, now begins the ritual detox from
soda (had to tap the Mt. Dew) and regaining of sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To quote <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO3YmT2d-8k">Murtaugh</a> “I’m too old
for this shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This also looks to be
the last Origins for me, unless there are changes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First and foremost, let me start with the good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The </span><a href="https://columbusconventions.com/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Columbus
Convention Center</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> continues to be a great venue.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Spacious, clean and welcoming. I lost my phone
(bad) Hyatt security found it (good) and held it for me.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of course this blew my sleep schedule to
hell, and I quickly became one of the walking dead (see above quote)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><a href="http://paizo.com/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Paizo</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> and our
local </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/ohiopfs.org" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pathfinder/Starfinder Society</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> continue to do a
bang up job of support.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of course we have
several out of state GMs, Venture Officers and others to help run things, but a
lot of the set up falls on our local core of people, as well as the
breakdown.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of course without the player
base, we’d all have nothing to do.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Also
kudos to Crystal Frazier</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The dealer room.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">While full of dealers, stores, publishers and other vendors, I didn’t
feel crowded or overwhelmed on Friday (Wasn’t there to report on Saturday)</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of course I visited </span><a href="http://www.ironwindmetals.com/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Iron Wind Metals</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> and </span><a href="https://bg.battletech.com/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Catalyst Games</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Very enjoyable meeting, we talked minis at Iron
Wind, and economics of scale, which Becca would have enjoyed.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I also cursed Harmony Gold, and wished they
die in a dumpster fire.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Becca and Beth.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">For hauling my fat aft back and forth to Origins and the like.</span></li>
</ul>
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Of course there’s also the bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Paizo.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Seriously guys, what the hell?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We
get apparently record breaking tables and you don’t have a booth?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“Oh, you enjoyed the game and want to buy our
stuff?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ummm, I’m sure someone down there
will have it, good luck!”</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Timing.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Having Origins on Pride weekend just makes traffic a mess.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Factoring in VP Pence’s visit on top of it…
Glad I wasn’t there Saturday (aside, guys he wasn’t there to rain on your
rainbow party.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You want to keep calling
the first president who was for Gay marriage before he became president, the man
who nominated Richard Grenell ambasador to Germany, the man who said he “will
do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and
oppression of a hateful foreign ideology” (and looks like he means it with
Iran) anti-gay.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Go ahead.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I’ll keep laughing at you.)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Lack of sleep.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Yeah I could have used more.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there’s the ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reason I won’t be going back to Origins, and that Becca didn’t go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those of you who understand conventions, there are
guests of honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, Origins
invited <a href="http://monsterhunternation.com/">Larry Correia</a>, a
successful writer, gamer, and gun nut who has his own game coming out soon (we couldn’t
afford to join the kickstarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
social justice whiners started badmouthing him, John Ward disinvited him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note, he didn’t call up the man he invited,
nor did he even do his research himself, he just caved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hell, my knee put up more of a fight when it went out from
under me and the tendon was shredded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This isn’t the first time the cowards have shouted down people they don’t
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ConCarolinas and John Ringo came
to an agreement that he wouldn’t come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the people who said that he made them uncomfortable were
threatening violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course at the
end of the Con the staff apologized to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/concarolinas/permalink/10157152092094460/">John
Ringo</a>. The same cowards who threatened to disrupt the Con put up a petition
to have the management removed, it got as of this writing a measly 107
signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David Weber’s petition for
free speech and assembly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks to be
closed, but already had <a href="https://www.change.org/p/concarolinas-ensure-freedom-of-speech-assembly-at-concarolinas">3704
signers</a>, including me, in a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s 3704 people who put their names where there mouth is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When <a href="https://www.facebook.com/david.weber.5621/posts/1922877941079166">David
Weber</a> and Eric Flint (and Jim Butcher and Sarah Hoyt and Salena Zito and
David Gerrold ….) say you fucked up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
done fucked up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was looking forward to meeting Larry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So was Becca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I even have a copy of book one of the Grimnoir here, that I was hoping
he’d sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, Origins pulled a
bait and switch, giving in to cowards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing to think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>107 anonymous
signatures, vs 3704 public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the
kind of fuck up they caused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only
that the people supporting them outnumber those who don’t 30+ to 1, but those
3704 aren’t afraid to hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside, I
wish I’d seen those numbers before tonight, as I’d have raised them to <a href="https://twitter.com/PaizoOrgPlay">Tonya Woldridge</a>, when I told her
why this was likely my last game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason is all of the above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Origins dis-invited without warning an award
winning author and gamer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When called
out, they double down and said there were threats of behavior as protest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Larry himself breaks it down <a href="http://monsterhunternation.com/2018/05/30/origins-sent-out-yet-another-message-about-me-and-my-response/">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all nice and vague “some fans” “disruptive”
nothing solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was there, nothing
of the sort happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But John Ward
basically called me (a fan of Larry, and his work) unwelcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well fine, I’m unwelcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went this year because I’d promised to GM,
and, unlike Origins apparently, I honour my commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did protest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I proudly wore my <a href="https://www.cafepress.com/monster_hunters.567501158">Monster Hunter’s
International hat</a> and had my <a href="https://www.cafepress.com/mf/58875701/bspmh1-3-x-3_sticker?productId=1070083517">Professional
Monster Hunters</a> sticker on my laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t make a scene, I didn’t yell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Indeed, I met other fans of MHI who recognized my hat and we talked
about the books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained calmly that
it was my ‘protest hat’ and what I was protesting and why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal of catching a picture of me and John Ward
together with my hat on was a goal unfulfilled, but I at least educated some
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether they take action or not
I can’t control, but at least they’re aware.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, today, I told Tonya that I enjoyed it as always,
but this was my last Origins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
explained I loved GMing at conventions, stress and all, but I won’t be
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she asked why, I tapped my
hat, then explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her what I said
above on why I still came at all, but can’t do it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she was surprised, likely thought I
was insane but we left on good terms as far as I can tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
continue to play, I’ll continue to support Paizo, even though they’re way to the
left of me as a whole, because I can talk to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Origins?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they don’t want Larry, if they’re happy that David Weber won’t be
accepting any guests of honor positions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah I look around and I’m in good company.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew C. Morris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-91798865305988159152015-03-30T10:41:00.000-04:002015-03-30T10:41:30.922-04:00Lent sacrifice, a heretic's POV<div class="MsoNormal">
I've heard that a lot from people of late, because I've
chosen to give up television (and Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Prime) for Lent. With one morale related lapse (my house was
down, so I ordered a Guardians of the Galaxy Night) and assuming my willpower
won’t erode in the next 6 days, I’ll have done it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But why? While most Lutherans (and I do still consider
myself a Lutheran, albeit a heretic, and not ELCA) do observe Lent, I do not
remember ever giving up anything for Lent.
Nor do I remember non-Catholic friends giving up anything, but Catholic
friends, yes. I remember a friend who
gave up pizza for lent in High School, but then we were on a fieldt rip on a paddle
wheeler, and all we had was pizza…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why this year?
Well, part of it is a matter of <span style="color: lime;">Will</span>.
I am a heretic, if a well read one.
I’m looking at old practices and rituals, to bring me closer to
G_d. I wanted to see if I could make a
commitment to Him and myself, and give up something that is common and
everyday. It has been enlightening on
many levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First few days were, of course, the hardest. To (maybe incorrectly) use the term from Judaism,
my <i>yetzer ra</i>, was trying loopholes. “You
could watch Prime on the computer, that’s not breaking it… Catholics eat meat on Fridays…” and I was
tempted. As I’m fond of saying, I’m a
Hermit, not a Saint. Then, it got
easier. I listened to audiobooks and the
radio. I've been listening to the Bible
as well, I read more. The temptation was
still there, but I resisted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more I did, the more I realized what the purpose of the
sacrifice was to me. It started as
proving I could do it, but it evolved into something more. A realization that I didn't *need* what I
gave up. A separation from the
distraction and the ensnarements of the mortal world. Does that sound vaguely Gnostic? Maybe, but I don’t know that I’m in a hurry
to catch up on The Flash, Agents of Shield, or any of the other shows I enjoy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I joked years ago, I gave up organized religion for
Lent. It’s not far from the truth, I
left the ELCA years ago, in part because of their stance on Israel, and in part
because they seemed to be embodying the worst aspects of a hierarchy. Checking over the ELCA webpage, the repeating
of the lies of Ferguson, their condemnation of Israel’s right to build in their
own lands, and other official documents do not make me regret this choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this past Lenten season has gone from a challenge to a
revelation, and has strengthened myself in a dark time. He has again shown me the Way, and maybe a new
view in the complexities of how His will, self-determination, and the promise
of His Son all interact into one greater whole.
So while it is a time of great grief, amplified for me with the upcoming
anniversary of losing Donna, it’s been a quite time of revelation as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-37828860005067935552013-09-24T21:56:00.000-04:002013-09-24T21:56:02.734-04:00
<br />
Long strange trip to Florida.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that was a jaunt. We left at 8:45 Sunday morning, stopping
just for gas and leg stretching. Rocky got bored after a bit and
tried to crawl into my lap. The phrase, “Are we there yet?” was
clear in his eyes.<br />
<br />
If G_d was my copilot, and Rocky was sidekick, then Bear McCreary
was on morale duty. Except for the We are the Fallen CD in the first
queue, it was all Battlestar. If not for traffic, I'd have made it
to Macon just on BSG. Thanks to traffic I came into the hotel
parking lot to the sweet sounds of Caprica.<br />
<br />
Slept well once the room got to “Ohio Habittable” conditions
(meaning turning the AC up to full blast). We launched about 9:00
Monday morning, and got gas at a Kroger's. Felt nostalgic. Krogers,
Supercuts, GNC store all in one strip mall. Could have been Ohio.
:-)<br />
<br />
Then things went to hell. More construction as we left G_d
forsaken Georgia (No, really. We should burn Atlanta every 10 years
or so.) First, more construction. Then the rain. Gods above the
rain! In addition to my MPG going to hell, I got all the cloud cover
of Ohio, with all the heat and humidity of Florida. Rocky isn't
happy with all the thunder.
<br />
<br />
Fortunately the rain seems to have broken. I have to run tomorrow
morning to get Beggin Strips and maybe some benedryl for Rocky. At
least now that I have the correct GPS in the phone I can find my way
back.<br />
<br />
I needed a couple of pairs of shorts, so we hunted down the local Big or Tall shop. Sheryl picked up a couple of shirts for dad and paid for mine. So of course when I ran to get dinner I paid for it. Yes they'll be mad. They'll live.<br />
<br />
Even though I left the big camera at home, I hope to get some
photos. If not here, then on the trip to the Space Coast and on the
way home.<br />
<br />
<br />
Enough for now, more tomorrow.<br />
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-88302023075598201872013-06-09T12:08:00.002-04:002013-06-09T12:08:55.631-04:00Trust? I'd rather verify, thanks.<div class="MsoNormal">
By now, most of my friends have (hopefully) read the
articles about the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasi">Stasi</a></i>-like levels of
survelance on American citizens, by their own Government. The official reply of the President of the
United States is “Trust us, it’s for your own good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder if they tested saying it is the “Shield and Sword
of the Party.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obama said “<a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-nobody-listening-your-telephone-calls_733987.html">nobody
is listening to your phone calls</a>.” Not surprisingly… this too is a <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/08/guardian-prism-collection-directly-from-the-servers/">lie</a>. And a strawman, of course. No one was accusing the NSA of listening to
everyone’s phone calls, but now we know they do ‘accidentally’ listen to our
phone calls.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big concern is “Metadata”. This isn’t listening to your calls, it’s
collecting data on <i>who</i> you call. The <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/06/verizon-nsa-metadata-surveillance-problem.html">New
Yorker</a> ran an excellent article on this.
To sum up, patterns can be drawn from who you call and where your cell
phone is. One example given is, your
phone shows you at the oncologist. It
then displays calls of 15+ minutes length to your sister, parents, and your
PCP. What can be inferred from that
data, gathered over the course of a couple hours?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now apply this to other aspects of your life. Are you a TEA party member? Well they can tell who you call and how long
you talk (assuming they don’t ‘accidentally’ listen in). Then they can tell who the people you talk to
talked to, etc. etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But “Trust us” is the answer to critics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is only half the story.
The other half is <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/08/guardian-prism-collection-directly-from-the-servers/">PRISM</a>
and its undisclosed relations. Unlike the suspiciously specific denials of the
NSA on the not ‘intentionally’ listening in, PRISM *does* collect and gather
information. As detailed <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/06/breaking-fbi-nsa-massively-collecting-data-from-9-internet-companies/">here</a>,
among other sources, our e-mails are being read, skyping being monitored, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does this mean for the average innocent American? Plenty.
Ever accidentally mistyped a URL and gone to a porn site? Ever intentionally gone to a porn site? Ever
sent your SO risqué pictures while he’s on a long distance trip? Ever ridden
the <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/06/good-news-governments-recording-your-conversations-on-the-bus-too/">bus</a>?
That data could very well be sitting in some server in Utah.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps most importantly, <i>does this make us safer?</i> It
doesn’t appear so, <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/07/report-internet-spying-foiled-09-planned-attack-on-subway/">despite
claims to the contrary</a>. The data on
the Boston Bombers was there, and not acted on.
The data on the Ft. Hood terrorist attack was there, and not acted
on. But don’t worry, the government will
be right on top of that, right after they get done <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/08/irs-employee-washington-showed-unprecedented-interest-in-tea-party-groups/">persecuting
Americans for their beliefs</a>, leaking information <a href="http://freebeacon.com/senators-question-epa-leak-of-private-farmer-info/">on
farmers to environmental groups</a>, and <a href="http://www.nomblog.com/35132">leaking
tax returns</a> to political oppponents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can trust us,” Says Obama. I prefer to follow Reagan’s mantra. “Trust, but verify.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-7465256704398373932013-06-02T19:57:00.003-04:002013-06-02T19:57:30.352-04:00Technological asideAmazon's free app of the day today was the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trellisys-net-Pvt-Ltd-Survival-Guide/dp/B006VZ1B24/ref=pd_sim_mas_1" target="_blank">SAS Survival Guide</a>. I grabbed it and was amused. "Gee," I thought, "this would help in the zombie apocalypse, clear up until the battery in my kindle died."<br />
<br />
Then I thought. "No way..."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/External-Universal-Charging-E-readers-Smartphones/dp/B004GVIZC4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1370217350&sr=1-2&keywords=solar+powered+micro+usb+charger" target="_blank">Way</a>.<br />
<br />
This just amuses me.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-12788084400559003092013-05-25T10:59:00.001-04:002013-05-25T10:59:38.266-04:00Wonder Woman pt V - And Steve Trevor…Alas, poor Steve.
Writers never seem to know what to do with him. If a cast without any men is called a ‘sausage
fest’ what is a cast with no men? A <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0549652/">Lesbian Spank Inferno</a>?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Steve provides the primary male component to a mostly
female cast. Yay diversity! But who is Steve Trevor? He is in some ways, the hardest character to
get a handle on in an ensemble, harder than Diana even. You don’t want him to be just comic relief,
or (ironically) reduced to a Damsel in Distress for Diana to rescue ever
week. Likewise, the show’s based around
Wonder Woman, and not called “Steve Trevor and his breastacular friends,” So he
can’t save the day every time. Balancing his role and gender in this is a
tricky act, and one many writers have failed on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Steve Trevor is in his 40’s, a career officer. While he can, and will, be overwhelmed by the
things he encounters weekly, he will be almost unflappable in a British
way. Think of Sir <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0009610/">Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart</a>,
played by the amazing, and sorely missed, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0183944/">Nicholas Courtney</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clearly this is going to cause tension between him and the
rest of the cast. And clearly he’ll
change his viewpoints over time. He may
be able to protect Etta and Donna, but Diana?
Seriously?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside, stealing from James Robinson’s wonderful Earth-2
work, the word ‘Superhero’ doesn't exist on my show. Instead any sort of costumed being is called
a ‘Wonder’ as Wonder Woman is the first more than human character seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So who plays Steve Trevor?
He’s going to be the eldest of the cast, a man in his 40’s. In my dream world, it’s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/?ref_=tt_cl_t1" target="_blank">Chris O’Donnell</a>. He’s matured a lot as an actor, and he works
good in an Ensemble, like NCIS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up next? The big girl
herself, and the one person I think can play her.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-49499455538547625002013-05-17T14:33:00.000-04:002013-05-17T14:34:33.225-04:00Wonder Woman IV - Who is Donna Troy?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of us who are familiar with the comics, this is a loaded question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little background to bring people up to speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the Golden Age of comics, Wonder Woman would have adventures with her younger selves, Wonder Girl and Wonder Tot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comics were clear that they were Wonder Woman at previous stages of her life. Editorial forgot that little fact, and thus was Wonder Girl became a full-fledged character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Troy#Introduction"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately the character has suffered from the sketchy background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many attempts have been made over the past 40+ years to give her a background rather than ‘teen Wonder Woman’ with mixed results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donna has been tossed into limbo with the DC reboot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the original question remains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is Donna Troy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my series, Donna’s still an orphan, in her teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mom is Etta, rather than being a foundling discovered by Diana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would quickly develop a sort of hero worship for Diana, leading to some friction between Diana and Etta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also would be the one to play off Diana’s lack of modern culture, allowing for some humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Donna is working on school work, and says “It’s Greek to me.” Diana would be the one to straight-faced say, “No, that appears to be English.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donna does not have (initially) any superhuman powers, though the idea of her ‘borrowing’ artifacts to give her powers for an episode are not out of reach (this would also be a nod to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassie_Sandsmark"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cassie Sandsmark</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">’s original origin). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plays</i> Donna Troy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve two people in mind, given that the role (and actress) would invariably grow older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want a younger Donna, I’d cast </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4825013/?ref_=tt_cl_t7"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kiara Glasco</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This young actress blew me away in Copper, and I’d love to see her in a more heroic character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a more mature Donna (late teens) I’d cast </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1505370/?ref_=tt_cl_t12"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hanna Leigh</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This 17 year old caught my attention in an episode of Body of Proof, and her ‘innocent to psycho in 10 seconds’ act made me want to see her in a regular role. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Ms. Glasco, I’d likely tease her getting superpowers (including the Cassie Sandsmark reference above) and stretch out the tease over a few seasons, to let the actress mature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Ms. Leigh, I’d go with her being exposed to the Amazon’s Purple ray at the beginning of season 2, and ‘officially’ make her Wonder Girl in season 3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-80025599673943192132013-04-20T16:27:00.000-04:002013-04-20T16:27:11.274-04:00Equal protection.Watching a thing on Pot growing in California. I don't smoke it myself, and I'm not in California, but I am bothered by the mentality of the California cops on the show. "I can't bust you, but I can bring the feds in and bust you," is wrong. Growing drugs, food, making items etc, for yourself shouldn't be a Federal issue, and I am upset at the idea of state police calling in the feds because they can't prosecute people they disagree with. Especially in California, where they make an effort to impede the feds in their actual duties. "I don't like you, so I'm going to call the feds to bust you if you can't." flies in the face of "You're breaking the state and federal laws, and we're going to keep them from arresting you."Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-42260480466993946852013-04-19T22:00:00.001-04:002013-04-19T22:00:45.984-04:00Wonder Woman III, fleshing out the castMaking a show with a strong female lead is not as alien now
as it was in the ‘70’s. That said, lets
start with some of the other cast.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Etta Kandi. Etta is a
‘modern woman’. She’s strong and
military trained, but took a civilian position.
Why she left the military is something we can reveal later in the series. She’s also a scholar. She starts somewhat as the Scully of the
group, always looking for a scientific reasoning for what happens. She’s hard to nail down, as you want her to
be a competent woman, but overshadowed by Diana in combat, and diplomacy. She knows, for example, more languages and
cultures than Diana, and is clearly going to be more technologically savy, but
she’ll be overwhelmed by the things she can’t explain. For another way of looking at her, think
crossing Samantha Carter and Elizabeth Weir from Stargate, but without the
experience of either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who would play her?
In my dream world, the lovely <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565973/">Kandyse McClure</a>. In addition to being the right age for a
vet/up and coming diplomat, she deserves more exposure.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-43644244613180822712013-04-19T10:33:00.001-04:002013-04-19T10:34:23.588-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taking a break from Pazio, not the Society,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I find myself needing to take a break from the Pathfinder Society boards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coming changes have stirred up a hornet’s nest of contempt, and seem to have exacerbated other feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m taking a break, so I can still enjoy the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the past few weeks I’ve been accused directly and indirectly, of being a bad GM for…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wanting to run new scenarios rather than the same scenario over and over, so I can apply GM credit/gain boons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, how dare I want to run through scenarios/modules/adventures I’ve bought and paid for to get the full value out of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daring to ‘fudge’ a die roll so that a first time player doesn’t get to watch his character die to a lucky roll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not sponsoring a ‘community attitude’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been also accused of being a bad player for:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Opposing a proposed system that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">encourages</i> not ‘taking one for the team’ and playing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most annoyingly, by someone who doesn’t go to scenarios/games that ‘don’t interest him’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m a bad guy for showing up and not wanting to play down, but he’s not for just not going at all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> GMing to split a table, instead of playing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between that and the attitude I see of people arguing from authority that ‘the community’ agrees with them, or saying ‘We feel’… I’m taking a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care if you have 5 stars, I don’t care if you started playing RPGs at Gary Gygax’s table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care if you’re a writer, a Venture Lieutenant or a Venture Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your ‘authority’ is exactly the same as mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you’ve a mouse in your pocket, or voices in your head, you aren’t speaking for the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re likely just talking out your aft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve an emotional interest in Paizo in general, and personal interest in the success of the Society as a community as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got back at the table, playing a 4 hour session exhausted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rocking forwards and back (a sign that my Social Anxiety is about to hit critical mass) by the end, and I was exhausted the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I can take the stress (and it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> stressful) of <strong>GMing</strong>, and run full day events, with little effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m stronger <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> of my interactions with the local community, and I’ve met some good people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to testing my endurance (and meeting more people) in two months at Origins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The local community can’t generalize, or marginalize me as part of a faceless group that matches their stereotypes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re real people who interact with me, warts and all, every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want the actions of a loud closed minded minority to drive me away from the real people I’ve met and been to their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People I interact with may not like me, but they don’t like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">me</b> not some easily dismissed pseudo-real person they can pretend matches their notions, because I make them uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So why am I posting this on the Hermit-blog?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m not conceited enough to post a long rant on the Paizo site saying why I’m leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This however, is my blog, and I’ll say whatever the frak I want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-18548431513353537442013-01-24T19:48:00.001-05:002013-01-24T19:48:50.798-05:00Free Speech and Double Standards.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yup, it’s another political post. Recently, Debe Terhar posted a picture from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USMCHELLHOUNDS?fref=ts">Uncle Sam’s Misguided
Children</a> to her personal Facebook page (now deleted). It attributes a quote
of questionable sourcing to Adolf Hitler about disarming a populace to conquer them. So of course Ohio Dems got their knickers in
a twist demanding she be fired. She
knuckled under, apologizing for the post (made on her personal facebook page,
and not in her position as head of the Ohio School Board. Both her and Gov Kasich shouldn’t have backed
down. But I’ll give the Governor credit,
he’s (professionally) telling the Dems to get stuffed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I'm not going to get into the accurate sourcing of the quote, except to say some historians doubt the validity of the attribution. It *is* undeniably true that he approved of the disarming of the Jews. And the <a href="http://free%20speech%20and%20double%20standards./" target="_blank">Warsaw Ghetto Uprising</a> would have gone much better for the Nazis if they'd been kind enough to disarm.</div>
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A couple things.
First, she has a method of being ‘fired’ it’s called an <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/01/24/kasich-rejects-calls-for-terhars-ouster.html">election</a>. Y’know, part of that democracy thing. Second, if the Ohio Democrats didn’t have
double standards, they’d have none. </div>
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After all, the whining is that the post compares Obama to Hitler. Yet I didn’t hear any condemnations from the
left of things like <a href="http://2presspapers.northcoastnow.com/files/2011/03/0309-sb-5-protest-feb-28-protesters-outside-by-wysochanski-300x225.jpg">this</a>,
or <a href="http://www.ohioconstitution.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Protesters-SB-5.jpg">this</a>,
or <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/image/2011/09/29/800x600_b1cCM/Ryan-Bunch-sign.jpg">this</a>. Or maybe some of these classic hits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ohio Democrat party leader <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zau30MRT-yg">Chris Redfern</a> (language
warning) Or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dnV57FGI10">Ted Strickland</a> Or how
about Sherrod Brown’s <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/10/20/Top-10-Sherrod-Brown-Lies-Ignored-by-PolitiFact-Ohio">greatest
lies</a>. I could go on, but I won’t. Funny, since these examples <b>are</b> the Ohio officials speaking in
their official positions, and the Democrats are silent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Point is, I’ll take the whining Ohio Democrats seriously
when they live up to what they demand of others. If it wasn’t for double standards, they’d
have no standards at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-23167416616494586512013-01-22T16:05:00.002-05:002013-06-04T08:29:06.853-04:00Wonder Woman II – What is Paradise Island in my reboot?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One question that is raised in my reboot concept is why Paradise Island exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly it existed in the 30’s and 40’s for a place to put ‘perfect’ women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t quite fit with modern sensibilities, so how do we use the island in the reboot?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We repurpose it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I mentioned in my previous post, Paradise Island holds/held various magical artifacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some, if not most of those artifacts are going to be Greek in origin, some aren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the background information, Paradise Island is meant as a vault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A storehouse of items connected to the ‘old gods’ left behind in the Amazons’ protection in The Great Compact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Amazons then were (initially) the chosen guardians, blessed with superior strength, speed and longevity as long as they stood vigil. Basically Paradise Island is 'neutral ground'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since we’re talking thousands of years of time, we can ‘diversify’ the Amazons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically small groups of Amazons would go into ‘Man’s World’ both to see how the world has changed, and to find the occasional ‘recruit’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legends of the Valkyrie, Amazons, Boudica, Joan of Arc, and others, can either be explained by Amazons, or maybe they were recruited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allows an ethnically, if not gender-based, diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would also allow for a number of different fighting styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a Sikh Amazon with a tulwar, or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a Zulu Amazon with a iklwa sparring in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the second time I’ve mentioned The Great Compact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I guess I’d better describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially the plot point is that the gods ‘backed off’ the world as humanity expanded, rather than see the earth destroyed through deity level conflict. Without their direct influence, magic faded, and that’s why these artifacts are so powerful. This does then imply that every religious conflict in history wasn’t the fault of the gods, rather it was people. *shrug* (I’d also specifically avoid having JudeoChristian items on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It neatly sidesteps the protesters, and allows for a Christian ‘WMD stockpile’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Templars, anyone?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘Powerful’ is a subjective term too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gauntlet that projects fire through a mouth is powerful, capable of immolating a hoplite, but it is powerful and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unique</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hook it to a backpack, and it’s a flame thrower, we’ve a lot of those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise Dianna can block bullets with her bracelets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEAT"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HEAT</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> round is still going to blow her into bloody chunks, no matter if her bracelets are in the way or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For TV, Wonder Woman is still more than human, but not Comic Book levels of invulnerability. (Plus, if she was Superman level bulletproof, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why does she need the bracers</i>?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, Dianna’s bracers are lightweight and effectively indestructible, but could be scienced away with “titanium nanotubes” (no, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganic_nanotube#Properties_and_potential_applications"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">really</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically the show plays hard and fast with Clarke’s </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_law"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Third Law</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. (Kind of like Warehouse 13)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things are going to be outside the realm of recognizable technology, like if one of the artifacts was Athena’s </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aegis</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, for example.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281714343747799332.post-26455486304168471342013-01-09T20:23:00.003-05:002013-01-09T20:23:47.789-05:00Dry Run<br />
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I’ve asked for Feb 15<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> off
of work. If I can get the time off, I’ll
be heading up to Toledo to run Pathfinder events at a <a href="http://www.bashcon.com/">convention</a>.
It will be my first Convention since 2009, and the first one I’ve ran
official events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As most people who know me know, I had a nervous break down
in 2004. It’s kept in check with
medication, but I still don’t like crowds.
I’ve a finite amount of tolerance for crowds, and strangers, before I
have to run away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My first Pathfinder Society game in 2011 I almost didn’t
make it. By the time we were done, I
caught myself rocking back and forth (a sign that my stress levels are too
high), and spent most of the next day asleep.
It was mentally exhausting. And a
blast.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since then I’ve been able to fun games, and stay out all
day. January is stressful for me because I’m on the phones. Not because I can’t do customer service (I
can likely do any job at work). Because
I don’t <i>want</i> to. But I’ve done it
before and I’ll do it again. So after the stress of this month, I’ll be putting
myself in a different challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet this is a dry run for what is to come. If I can handle the stress in Toledo, I’ll e
running events at <a href="http://www.originsgamefair.com/">Origins</a>. Much bigger convention. And if I can handle Origins…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know I’ll never be as I was before the breakdown. Hells, there are parts of me I don’t <b>want</b> to be ever again. But I’ll keep moving forward and be the best
I can be.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531047215298484632noreply@blogger.com2