Scioto valley guardian

A place for Portland Metro D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer and more

2019.08.31 22:08 rebelvixen A place for Portland Metro D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer and more

If you're in the PDX area and looking for a group, your friendly local game store, recommendations, or just to post about D&D/Pathfindethat dope new mini you just got with people you know are in your timezone, this is the place.
[link]

2010.12.27 20:42 permaculturemedia We cultivate land where we're not supposed to.

Guerrilla gardening is gardening on another person's land without permission, making your city more beautiful to live in. We cultivate land, where we're not supposed to.
[link]

2013.09.11 21:06 NiceTryNSA NSA Leaks

A place to find & discuss all of Snowden's revelations in an uncensored environment
[link]

2023.05.28 01:16 BrotherAJC Hyperborea (read description)

Hyperborea (read description)
Hyperborea is the mythical land of the people “beyond the North Wind” in Greek lore. It is mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus as a continent-bound land from Egyptian legend, bordered by the river Oceanus. Eridanos was the main river that flowed through it, home to white swans and lined with poplar trees that would weep amber. At one point, it had been blessed with eternal spring, resulting in a double harvest of grain per year, with most of the countryside covered in forests called the Garden of Apollo. When it was destroyed by ice, its people were believed to have migrated to lands in the south. According to Greek legend, the land of Hyperborea is a place of total perfection, with sunlight 24 hours a day. The people never suffered from disease or old age, nor did they have to labor or fight in any wars or battles.
Hyperborea is believed to have been far north of Thrace, and in modern times would be considered to be located within the Arctic Circle. The actual location of Hyperborea is a mystery, however, and according to the Greek Poet Pindar, the road to the Hyperboreans could not be found by ship or on foot.
Several legends point to the snow-covered Riphean Mountains, next to the Black Sea, as the location of Hyperborea, far beyond the realm of Boreas, ruler of the North Wind. Different philosophers and poets have placed Hyperborea in different areas, adding to the mystery. Homer believed Boreas to be in Thrace, claiming that Hyperborea was located in the region of Dacia, now an area north of the Balkan Mountains. Aristotle wrote that the Riphean Mountains were on the border of Scythia, with Hyperborea being even further north. And Hecataeus of Abdera believed that Hyperborea was in the area of what is now called Britain. Although Hyperborea is also described as being north of the Celts, at the time, Celtic society was in Europe and only became restricted to Britannia after the death of Christ. In Hecataeus’ account, griffins inhabited the peaks of the mountains near Hyperborea, and the valleys surrounding them held the one-eyed tribe of Arimaspoi.
The Greeks believed that Boreas, god of the North Wind, lived in Thrace, and may have been part of a Celtic tribe, such as the Helvetii. They built a sacred province dedicated to Apollo and adorned the temple they constructed with spherical offerings; some scholars believe this temple to be Stonehenge. The people of Hyperborea could have been either of Gaulish origin (modern-day France) or possibly Northern European (Scandinavian) descent. One of the most legendary of the Hyperborean people was a healer known as Abaris, who is described by Herodotus as a sage and priest of Apollo.
Hyperborea was best known as a land where people never grew old, were blessed with disease-free bodies, and were untouched by war and hardship. Apollo’s priests ruled Hyperborea as a theocratic society. The three kings who ruled it in his honor were the Boreades, sons of the North Wind, Boreas.
The Hyperboreans worshipped Apollo, who was believed to live among them. They would pack mysterious gifts in straw and pass them from one tribe to the next until they completed the journey to the temple on Delos.
Several notable myths and figures arose from Hyperborea, including great healers, founders of shrines, and trials of mortals set upon them by the gods.
Abaris the Healer traveled around the world on a magical arrow meant to symbolize Apollo, eating no food as he journeyed, and performing miracles wherever he went. The arrow he flew on was the same arrow Apollo used to slay the Cyclopes, and it had been hidden beneath a Hyperborean mountain before being found by Abaris. He practiced healing of the soul as well as the body through incantations, and also had a gift for prophecy. He wore simple Scythian clothing and was held in high regard in Greece for his honesty and simplicity. Abaris learned his healing skills after fleeing a plague at Caucasus in his homeland of Hyperborea. With what he learned from the experience, he was able to purify Sparta and Knossos and several other cities. His ability to reason and his persuasive manner helped him to steer a former tyrant, Phalaris, towards a virtuous life after a long discussion of divine matters. Abaris was able to read omens and predict future events by examining the entrails of animals, and his deeds are mentioned in the Scythian Oracles.
Several of the mortal children of the gods visited the land of Hyperborea. Phaethon, in an attempt to prove to his friends he was the son of Helios, tried to drive the sun chariot. He could not control it, however, and, given no other choice, Zeus struck him down to prevent the scorching of the Earth. In flames, his body fell into the River Eridanos. The Helidaes, his sisters, transformed into amber-weeping poplar trees in their grief over Phaethon, and his friend Kyknos was transformed into a swan. The Hyperboreans, when they began to reach old age, would leap into the lake created by Phaethon’s fall, and would themselves become white swans in commemoration of the tragedy.
Perseus, who was the son of Zeus, traveled to Hyperborea. Here he went in search of the Nymphs who were the guardians to the gods’ treasures. He was entertained by the people of Hyperborea and would go on to find the Graiai, who were swan-bodied crones who knew the location of Medusa. Heracles, a descendant of Perseus, would also make this journey in search of Artemis’ golden-horned deer. He would return to Hyperborea searching for the golden apples of Heserides, and also to find Atlas.
The people of Hyperborea are mentioned in the founding of the Olympic games, when Heracles began a festival for Zeus’ honor he made a pilgrimage to Hyperborea to take sacred wild olives for the shrine.
Leto, a female Titan, traveled to the island of Delos from Hyperborea along with her pack of wolves to give birth to Apollo, with aid from Eileithyia who came from the northern realm. The Hyperboreans sent five men and several female priestesses as pilgrims to the island to form a shrine, but the maidens were raped and killed, which caused the Hyperboreans to end the pilgrimage and choose to deliver offerings and messages through neighboring tribes instead. The oracle of Apollo at Delphi is another major shrine in Hyperborea. The Hyperboreans made the temples located at the shrine from beeswax and feathers. At the time the Gauls attempted to sack the temple, phantom spirits of the pilgrim prophets appeared and chased the army from Hyperborea.
Modern-day Scandinavians have been frequently identified with the Hyperboreans, especially in 17th century Sweden where the Goths believed the Scandinavian Peninsula to contain both Atlantis and the land of Hyperborea. Western European culture also self-identifies with the Hyperboreans, through European scholars in the 19th century in works of literature. To this day, the term Hyperborean is used to refer to people who inhabit a cold climate and is also associated with the languages of peoples indigenous to the Arctic Circle.
https://mythology.net/greek/mortals/hyperborea/
submitted by BrotherAJC to SaturnStormCube [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 21:09 PritchettRobert506 [HIRING] 25 Jobs in NV Hiring Now!

Company Name Title City
Jack in the Box Store Worker Carson City
Jack in the Box Shop Hand Carson City
Guardian Flight EMR Pilot Dayton
Guardian Flight Pilot Dayton
Thriveworks LCSW Henderson
CSAA Insurance Group PIP Adjuster Las Vegas
Cox Communications Cold Caller Las Vegas
Guardian Flight EMR Pilot Washoe Valley
Allied Universal® Armed Security Officer Carson City
Allied Universal® Security Guard - Hiring Immediately Fallon
Allied Universal® Security Officer - Weekly Pay Fallon
Allied Universal® Security Officer - Overnight Fallon
Allied Universal® Security Guard Minden
Allied Universal® Allied Universal Security Officer Minden
Allied Universal® Armed Security Officer All Shifts Sparks
Allied Universal® Allied Universal Security Officer Sparks
Allied Universal® Security Guard - Hiring Immediately Winnemucca
Allied Universal® Watchman Winnemucca
Allied Universal® Security Guard – Allied Universal? Winnemucca
Community Health Development Partners Certified Surgical Technologist Elko
Community Health Development Partners Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Tech Elko
Community Health Development Partners Cardiac Catheterization Lab RN Elko
Proud Moments Full Time Center RBT Henderson
Proud Moments BCBA Henderson
4wall Entertainment Accounts Payable or Receivable Specialist Las Vegas
Hey guys, here are some recent job openings in nv. Feel free to comment here or send me a private message if you have any questions, I'm at the community's disposal! If you encounter any problems with any of these job openings please let me know that I will modify the table accordingly. Thanks!
submitted by PritchettRobert506 to NevadaJobs [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 19:58 Gunzerker832270 [USA-TX] [H] Nintendo Switch Collection, Gamecube Collection, DS Collection, PS2 Games, Elden Ring PS5 Collectors Edition and Xbox One Games PS4 Games available in the Comments [W] PayPal F&F

More Games In the Comments! Feel free to throw out offers if its reasonable ill make a deal! also not everything can fit in my post so please check the comment for more items as they will be listed there! Shipping is $4 on games/bundled games for consoles its $8
https://imgur.com/a/cdidFl4
Game Boy Advance
Classic NES Series: The Adventure of Link (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Tx1fjeJ $110.00
Dragon Ball: Advance Adventure (CO) https://imgur.com/a/8Xks6xo $100.00
Gameboy Advance Console (Missing Backplate) https://imgur.com/a/yl4jFy6 $55.00
Mario Kart Super Circuit (CO) $20.00
Pokemon Emerald Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/xSEQKRy $185.00
Pokemon Ruby Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/GetLY4n $75.00
Pokemon Sapphire Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/ANQ3SQt $75.00
Game Boy
Pokemon Blue (CO) https://imgur.com/a/M33bjn6 $50.00
Pokemon Gold (CO) (NO LABEL) https://imgur.com/a/8Xks6xo $35.00
Pokemon Silver (CO) https://imgur.com/a/0Yj7wle $50.00
Nintendo Entertainment System
- NES Classic Edition Console (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/xpVjmR2 $140.00
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition (NEW) $150.00
Gamecube
Legend of Zelda Four Swords Adventure (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NK9b3DP $95.00
Legend of Zelda Four Swords Adventure (DISK ONLY) https://imgur.com/a/LjYStvI $60.00
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T5fViX4 $110.00
Legend of Zelda The Windwaker (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5RlZrlY $70.00
Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker (CIB NO MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/g8dlggF $55.00
Mario Kart Double Dash (CIB NO MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/Znd2CrX $75.00
Mario Party 7 (CIB TEAR ON MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/p368GaZ $58.00
Metroid Prime (CIB NO MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/iFVJs99 $20.00
Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bXbFudy $115.00
NBA Street (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pHzQoIL $15.00
NBA Street Vol. 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ojCb4p0 $28.00
Sonic 2 Adventure Battle (DISK ONLY HAS 3 SMALL DENTS SEEN IN PHOTOS, STILL WORKS) https://imgur.com/a/t1CHtJ1 $25.00
Super Mario Sunshine (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Pmjhfe $40.00
Nintendo Switch
2k Battle Grounds (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hmFkIrI $15.00
Aegis Defenders (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mLcAvE5 $30.00
AfterParty (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Mk5WzcV $32.00
Atelier DuskTriology Deluxe Pack (CIB) NEW https://imgur.com/a/9SMInnE $100.00
Baldo The Guardian Owls The Three Fairies Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a35Dv6f $25.00
Baldurs Gate & Baldurs Gate II Enhanced Editions (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PksoMPb $45.00
The Banner Saga Trilogy (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HA3o0pS $12.00
Battle Chasers Night War (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/t1HthQz $18.00
Bendy and the Ink Machine (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eMTz28x $25.00
Big Brain Academy Brain Vs Brain (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dHoUKaa $25.00
BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GvkLW0K $42.00
The Caligula Effect Overdose (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Ga6JAgV $80.00
Carto (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0TpJ5y7 $40.00
Cat Quest (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pPvnxTX $15.00
Cave Story (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5KNZtk3 $35.00
Celeste (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Dx1hBD $85.00
Chasm (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/V5GrCBQ $39.00
Child of Light Ultimate Edition + Valiant Hearts the Great War (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PX3rrrk $38.00
Children of Morta (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dbZciM7 $20.00
Citizens Unite (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Uy9Y0UR $35.00
Civilization VI (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yrsJex8 $11.00
The Classic Collection DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kpzFWWD $40.00
ClubHouse 51 Games Worlwide Classics (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/44Y105w $28.00
Crash Bandicoot 4 Its about Time (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3XSqbdG $19.00
Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iwX0RDv $18.00
Creaks (CIB) (SUPER RARE GAME SEAL IS BROKEN) https://imgur.com/a/z94UHI5 $49.00
Crypt of The Necrodancer Switch Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/K0CBQGO $18.00
Darksiders War Mastered Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nBFuqw9 $23.00
Darksiders: War Mastered Edition (CIB) (BLACK SPINE MISPRINT) https://imgur.com/a/1WYriyB $55.00
Darq Complete edition (CIB) $21.00
Deaths Door (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/oe2xri3 $30.00
Disgaea 5 Complete (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jDWj9rD $28.00
Disgaea (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FqIoidp $30.00
Disney Classic Games Collection Aladdin-Lion King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2c0Ld8Q $10.00
Divinity II Original Sin Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HplD9ST $125.00
DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9pGCWjh $28.00
DOOM 64 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pTdw1Tr $32.00
Dragon Ball Fighter Z (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Ol5BomI $17.00
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot A New Power Awakens Set (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tB30opu $30.00
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/1pCc7np $15.00
Dragons Dogma Dark Ariser (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/DRciiSv $18.00
Dragon Quest Builders (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LdD33Us $70.00
Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age S Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iykQyfD $42.00
Eastward Japanese Version (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4Tq3ayn $20.00
Eastward (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8JwoQZ4 $25.00
Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Q2FsiAK $40.00
Fifa 18 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/KmTLH6T $10.00
FIST Forged In Shadow Torch (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VJr4fh5 $25.00
Forager (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/osTqpsA $20.00
For the King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gUzijUk $25.00
Forgotten Anne (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/u1YzEKP $45.00
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gBRi03a $30.00
Game Builder Garage (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eamEEjr $12.00
Ghostbusters The Video Game Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xkg4FR1 $18.00
God Eater 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/6LpIT1k $17.00
Hello Neighbor (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dynNpS8 $10.00
Hyrule Wariors Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/S5W12wz $60.00
Katamari Damacy Reroll (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/rQs0uQo $10.00
The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/6zbUcAy $8.00
Little Inferno (CIB SEALED IN SUPER RARE PACKAGE) NEW https://imgur.com/a/WZG5nZa $50.00
Maneater (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/r3MuYuZ $18.00
Mary Skelter 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tsguMcv $50.00
Max the Curse of Brotherhood (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kihAUGy $20.00
Metro Redux (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/zcMcq16 $18.00
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bOkLg3h $55.00
Monster Hunter Rise (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pWL7AMR $19.00
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FI9xp55 $20.00
Moonlighter (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bCHKLzT $14.00
Moving Out (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HIudHBb $19.00
Mud Runner American Wilds (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/XRhLN9k $20.00
Mutant Year Zero Road to Eden (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/IneqNPO $13.00
My Friend Pedro (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZdBwiyI $25.00
My Hero Ones Justice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HZinClR $8.00
NBA 2K Playgound 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vO8XnXI $10.00
NBA 2K18 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ckD9Rzs $5.00
Neo the World Ends with You (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cUQtpW7 $19.00
Neon Abyss (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bfyfLtN $35.00
Nier Automata The End of Yorha Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/x8LQqrR $28.00
Nintendo Switch Adjustable Charging Stand (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9RgpFwe $15.00
Nintendo Switch Fortnite Wildcat Bundle NO DLC CODE (Like New CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TbgUlA2 $230.00
Nintendo Switch The Legend of Zelda Skyword Sword Joycons (SEALED NEW) https://imgur.com/a/GAn3Qz8 $115.00
Oddworld Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xsQtT21 $23.00
Overcooked 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NcAiK3w $12.00
Pathway (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nfFIXhe $28.00
Persona 5 Royal (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/msTpm8D $38.00
Planescape:Torment & Icewind Dale:Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZjHq7ZZ $21.00
Portal Knights (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/7CnsKzt $16.00
Quake (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4Mi9u5d $29.00
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GNGdkt1 $17.00
RBI 19 Baseball (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0QgUJ1Z $18.00
Resident Evil Origins Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GDJiG2G $21.00
Resident Evil Triple Pack (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kLVKRvX $31.00
Return of the Obra Dinn (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Gi9OElv $43.00
River City Girls ZERO (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8hRlS7q $45.00
Ruiner (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Ro0PDev $44.00
Rustler (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BNanSSh $15.00
Saints Row the Third The Full Package (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/c4k0WI4 $16.00
Samurai Shodown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/J7mvVLJ $120.00
Sega Genisis Classics (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LRajpJz $24.00
Scott Pilgrim VS the World: the Game Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/D5wFwgx $24.00
Scribblenauts Mega Pack (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4DqC5QG $13.00
Scibblenauts Showdown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/sQ2OcJm $10.00
Shin Megami Tensei V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/njpBs7W $27.00
Shinning Resonance Refrain Draconic Launch Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tVMEZbg $40.00
Shiren the Wanderer The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jxgUi7o $41.00
Shovel Knight Treasure Trove (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Zjum6eB $29.00
Sine Mora FX (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BYJXW9o $13.00
SnipperClips Plus (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cwDtIYV $23.00
Snow Runner (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5xEgVRg $28.00
Sonic Mania Plus (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/SBWJHpe $37.00
Sparklite (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/K06Zow0 $18.00
Splatoon 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/j1QmVRc $15.00
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9vS30oD $15.00
Streets of rage 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cznNyWs $25.00
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/b38hz1H $61.00
Steam World Dig 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HoCfPSZ $33.00
Story of Season Friends of Mineral Town (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vhQw7N7 $20.00
Story of Seasons Pioneers of Olive Town (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VoAcpF8 $22.00
Super DragonBall Heroes: World Mission (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EVJ2wQs $25.00
Super Mario Party (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9GNQ68N $33.00
Super Meat Boy Forever (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cXhABWX $28.00
Tactics Ogre Reborn (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gH8kxoV $33.00
Tails of Iron Crimson Knight Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cpoMKRe $25.00
The Takeover (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/x2Xf2Yd $33.00
Tiny Barbarian DX (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mm65oo8 $25.00
Tiny Metal Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xTFXMDi $45.00
Tokyo 2020 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yYYpTz1 $13.00
Trials Rising Gold Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/KZwA4xz $14.00
Trine Ultimate Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jscrkZo $19.00
Ultra Street Fighter II The Final Challengers (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LGvfkL0 $31.00
Undertale (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8o4D2GL $29.00
Untitled Goose Game (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/c5MB7lX $21.00
Valkyria Chronicles 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FtM6Az2 $28.00
valkyria Chronicles 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TzkD03X $28.00
Windjammers (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/lSngDJo $29.00
WindJammers 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dlQHJcr $25.00
Witcher III Complete edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8Nvjs8S $31.00
Wizard of Legend (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/j0xn64y $40.00
WonderBoy the Dragons Trap (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/1oYHdks $29.00
Wonderful 101 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eFFM0dS $13.00
Yonder The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/R7pU8pl $20.00
Zombies Ate my Neighbors + Ghoul Patrol (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/p6nxsYy $42.00
Game & Watch Color Screen The Legend of Zelda (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/TLkOkTU $50.00
Game & Watch Color Screen Super Mario Bros (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/bGDIRhm $50.00
Sega Genesis Mini (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/aC1htyv $120.00
Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS Console Pink (No stylus comes with charger) https://imgur.com/a/mH0rTZH $45.00
Nintendo DSi XL Dark Red (No Stylus Comes with Charger) https://imgur.com/a/VpnC5sC $80.00
Pokemon Soulsilver (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/hTfPhZ7 $105.00
Pokemon Platinum (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/Ox5vump $80.00
​
Xbox One
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/h2qZWFp $15.00
Alan Wake Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/P2mDv2v $15.00
Among Us Crewmate Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kILJy72 $10.00
Assassins Creed IV Black Flag (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iNxWlZY $10.00
Assassins Creed III Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0ETrE50 $15.00
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/f7tYN75 $20.00
Assassins Creed Origins (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gbvWztt $6.00
Assassins Creed Odyssey (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Y3m8sS4 $15.00
Assassins Creed Rogue Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RzEQM7b $25.00
Assassins Creed Syndicate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/H7zuwGc $10.00
Assassins Creed Unity (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/OsqErFB $10.00
Assasins Creed Valhalla (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/sVcyvfC $20.00
Baldurs Gate & Baldurs Gate II: Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BKUd5qZ $25.00
The Banner Saga Trilogy:Bonus Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T03LtT6 $12.00
Battle Chasers: Nightwar (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9XS6gcb $5.00
Battlefield 1 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a87qHTa $5.00
Battlefield 1 Revolution (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wXSlydj $10.00
Battlefield 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ILycZuA $10.00
Battlefield V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wMC2rwe $3.00
Bayonetta and Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dMDh5CN $12.00
Blasphemous (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RJZvW7C $25.00
BioShock The Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8wYQcij $15.00
Bloodstained Ritual of the Night (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/e5d4PfI $15.00
Bully Scholarship Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/k2JlYcE $20.00
Cyberpunk 2077 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/osm8Y1o $20.00
Disney Classic Games Collection: The Jungle Book-The Lion King-Aladdin (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FjD3ZyO $15.00
Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin-Lion King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VQ9NFQI $10.00
The Division 2 Gold Edition Steelbook (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a8NtxBS $15.00
Disco Elysium The Final Cut (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/urWuxgq $12.00
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4SjBLXq $15.00
DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Ukz9Q7 $15.00
Desperados III (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/p0vySj0 $10.00
Destroy All Humans! (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Vxhec0r $10.00
Diablo III Eternal Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/R6iOjOp $15.00
DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/slPQRI3 $5.00
DOOM Slayers Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3wvTHOE $15.00
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Anniversary Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EDHOeDA $25.00
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9UgO2M0 $15.00
The Evil Within 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nAaIjId $5.00
Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cm4i5g4 $12.00
Farcry 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/X3du6SM $5.00
Far Cry 5 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RvEnmbS $10.00
Far Cry Primal (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/quAhrG5 $12.00
FIFA 20 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9bOI7hm $5.00
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GmDv43w $25.00
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/SVSfexg $10.00
Football PES 2021 Season Update (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/41yq69p $5.00
Football PES 2020 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vEWCGsa $5.00
Forza Horizon 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tAQKXOf $12.00
Forza Horizon 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/l0OImhr $20.00
Forza Horizon 5 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/425VG1H $42.00
Gears 5 Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tChmYok $35.00
Gears Tactics (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0smhLOS $10.00
Grand Theft Auto IV (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ro1TuSV $15.00
Grand Theft Auto V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/lPgear7 $20.00
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eg67Hd2 $15.00
Greak: Memories of Azur (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hcBTifb $5.00
Hades (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gaelV8D $10.00
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Aqrg2sY $20.00
Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/F47pyxe $20.00
HITMAN 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/QN8THgW $14.00
The Hunter Call of the Wild (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/98guW0W $30.00
Immortal Fenyx Rising (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PYUMMNl $5.00
Injustice 2 Legendary Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AoPaOYU $10.00
Inside + Limbo (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EhbXNSM $12.00
It Takes Two (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/fOF026t $23.00
John Wick Hex (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3sCiGwS $12.00
Just Cause 3 (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/WANDo0y $15.00
Just Cause 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LmZqmoY $10.00
Just Cause 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/YfSWCIP $10.00
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PyAErdZ $10.00
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dVvDZv2 $10.00
Kingdom Hearts III (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/UKq4CA7 $10.00
The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mK6sWBY $15.00
Maneater (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/OXi4loK $10.00
Mafia: Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/55Jitt0 $15.00
Mafia Trilogy (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/zi0yqJu $20.00
Metro Exodus Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NCKcZJo $15.00
MLB The Show 2021 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T3pqFxH $5.00
MLB the Show 2022 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AJossE3 $15.00
Modern Warfare Trilogy (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/sNz7rDF $25.00
Monster Hunter: World Iceborne Master Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pS0KlSo $16.00
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iMcIPMO $22.00
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Mutant Road to Eden Deluxe Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2d1QWkT $10.00
NBA 2k Playgrounds 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/117I6s2 $5.00
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Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TaNJTeV $15.00
Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vufFWHl $15.00
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Planescape Torment and Icewind Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gCf7hUn $10.00
Planet Coaster: Console Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LI4CBXL $15.00
Quantum Break (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/G2AYDGY $5.00
Rare Replay One Epic Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5ssCc0I $5.00
Rayman Legends (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/DLFWqiJ $12.00
Rise of the Tomb Raider (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Qpc3EWz $10.00
Red Dead Redemtion II (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9X10dKx $20.00
Resident Evil 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/YgmjQB8 $15.00
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Resident Evil 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iOQrXKU $20.00
Resident Evil 5 HD (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/UkVLZt8 $15.00
Resident Evil 6 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PQnX4E0 $20.00
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hBXZG1D $15.00
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VBBYsuU $20.00
Resident Evil Village Deluxe Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/29oJxE4 $30.00
Resident Evil Origins Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RSmAio5 $17.00
Resident Evil Revelation (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9hza08p $15.00
Resident Evil Revelations 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/upQJe9s $12.00
Rustler (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4A7G0jM $10.00
Saints Row the Third Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RYBCUkZ $15.00
Samurai Shodown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jr3RjJx $15.00
Scribblenaughts Showdown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yoW0HZ2 $8.00
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZJ3cVfk $30.00
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AypqTPk $30.00
Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wY9GxPc $10.00
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LA1tFNP $25.00
Shenmue I and II (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/1u7rbRb $12.00
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/XtZdRxF $20.00
Sonic Mania (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/DMSg7OA $15.00
Stardew Valley Collectors Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/zzKFvRP $15.00
Star Wars Battlefront II (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/7EBpN1U $10.00
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/royE9Ki $15.00
Star Wars Squadrons (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PN2Yfvr $10.00
State of Decay 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wiHQoAM $10.00
Sunset Overdrive (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/IG19uho $5.00
Tails of Iron (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/fJWxywZ $15.00
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/CKLm4yU $15.00
Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0AekNeI $15.00
Tony Hawks Pros Skater 1 + 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Fqlh4oh $15.00
Watch Dogs 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/oBx28Bb $5.00
Watch Dogs Legion (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BEq1D24 $10.00
Wasteland 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2XtXMEw $15.00
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LAs12lr $15.00
WWE 2K Battlegrounds (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mWYnIFa $5.00
World War Z (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Aq89Kgp $10.00
World War Z Aftermath (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/23o4XBB $15.00
XCOM 2 Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/E1ajIy8 $11.00
Yakuza Like a Dragon Steelbook Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mVT2xWO $15.00
Zoo Tycoon Ultimate Animal Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/6X19iKy $10.00
submitted by Gunzerker832270 to GameSale [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 17:36 HumbertoBrunoSilva My second time brewing and taking Ayahuasca

My second time brewing and taking Ayahuasca
This was not the first time I made or drank Ayahuasca, but it was certainly the most remarkable one so far. To begin with, I must say that I was already familiar with the long and exhausting production process. There are three batches of three hours each, plus a few hours to reduce the final liquid.
The exhaustive and long production
For production I used 300g of Mimoa Hostilis root, the Sagrada Jurema; and 500g of Jagube (Benisteriopsis Caapi). At the end of the process I had around 1.8 liters of Jurema extraction and something close to 2.3 liters of jagube. After a whole day dedicated only to this process, I left the bottles vertically in the fridge with the intention of sedimenting any remaining solids from the plants. The next day I reduced, to facilitate the dosages and not need to ingest so much liquid. After 4 hours reducing very carefully, with the intention of avoiding boiling and the possible loss of alkaloids, I finally reached a satisfactory amount, something around 750ml of Jurema and a little more than 1 liter of Jagube.
Despite the long hours that require full dedication, despite the pain that is left in my back from being on my feet all day, despite all this, it was a very satisfying experience to do all that alchemy. I knew I was doing something powerful, capable of taking me to deep and meaningful experiences. While I was doing all that, I listened to a series of lectures by Lucia Helena Galvão talking about the Caibalion and explaining all those universal laws, and also a lecture by Terence Mckenna dedicated to the same subject. I have read it in different forums and several shamans and ayahuasqueiros also say about the importance of the intentions of those who produce the sacred tea. I decided that this was the topic I wanted to keep in mind and also what I wanted to reflect on during my ayahuasca experiences.
A Consideration of Pre-Ayahuasca Restrictions
I know that, in general, all Ayahuasca users undergo spiritual and physical preparation, such as giving up meat, stopping sexual activities, etc. I must admit I didn't do any of these, I didn't feel it was necessary considering my goals. I would not see the point of living a life that is not mine for a week and with habits that are not mine, I wanted to present myself to experience as I really am and not an ideal that is not yet part of my everyday reality. But I understand that other groups have different ways of relating to sacred tea.
The experience
 The First Dose - Hyperspace and the Purge
It was finally time for me to have tea. My intention was to experience the DMT itself rather than the shamanic experience commonly associated with Ayahuasca. I fasted for 6 hours, as usual when consuming psychedelics orally, and started the experience at midnight. I started by taking half a glass of super concentrated jagube. The taste wasn't pleasant at all, but it went down well. After 40 minutes I felt it was time to drink the Mimosa and really start the psychedelic experience. I served a little less than half the glass with the Mimosa, which was also super concentrated. It tasted even worse, but I sent it back without a second thought.
In a matter of 10 minutes the effects were already starting to come in, the music started to get more interesting and the sounds deeper. It seemed that my ego was slowly disintegrating and I found myself further away from my identity and closer to an overview of things. In those first moments I was seeing several very psychedelic visions, I saw a serpent walking towards me, I saw paths and galleries of hyperspace and these almost indescribable things. I had prepared a playlist that started with songs related to Santo Daime, shamanism and this purer, naturalistic and sacred vision of Ayah. Until there came a time where I planned to launch myself completely into hyperspace through Psytrance. I chose the most psychedelic tracks I could find.
I really like the idea of being an interdimensional traveler, a psychonaut in the most literal sense of the word. And that's exactly what happened, all this psychedelia threw me into hyperspace and I saw indescribable space landscapes, I traveled inter galaxies in the depths of my mind. It was all of infinite beauty. I don't think I even have the skills to describe all that. However, despite all that beauty, I was feeling thrown into space, and just as astronauts commonly have some difficulty with the force of gravity acting on their bodies, I also felt something similar. It was like a feeling that the inside of my body was being pulled up. I must admit that this scared me a little and I decided to put on some calmer music and slow down the experience a little.
I started listening to some more shamanic music again, and then I started to see some sinister images. They were like some more bestialized demons, full of horns and many eyes, but that didn't seem too scary at the time. I began to feel a nausea that intensified more and more. It was as if mother Ayah was absorbing all the bad energies that were inside me and preparing for purge.
After 5 minutes the nausea was already unbearable, and for the first time I had to get everything out, which was actually very quick and light. As soon as I was done throwing up, the purging started to come via the defecation route, and off I went to the bathroom to start cleaning myself again. When I finished this second purge, I already felt completely renewed and much lighter.
Then I returned to the place where I was lying and rested for a while until I felt good again to take another dose.
The Second Dose - Meditation and Creeds
I had it for the second time, half a glass with Jurema and also a little bit of Jagube. I lay down to wait for the force to come. I was feeling that my playlist was empty of meaning and narrative, something that always accompanied me when taking high dosage of psychedelics. The strength was already coming very intense, so I decided to put on a guided meditation that I always use when I feel that the experience is going to be challenging. This meditation allowed me to raise the depth of the journey even further. For the second time I had contact with a force, like that of a female entity that was full of love and that has different teachings to pass on. I had already had contact with it once when I took 1200ug of LSD, and now with Ayahuasca something very similar was repeated.
After the meditation, I let spotify follow its own directions, something that made the trip much more meaningful, it seemed that the songs had a logical sequence and told a story, taking me through a narrative full of learnings and teachings. This playlist went through Catholic prayers, umbanda points, Hindu mantras, shamanic songs and all these variations of religious experience. And in each of them I felt totally immersed, they all complemented each other and brought me the best of the energies and teachings of each.
This lasted for about two hours, until I felt nauseous again and the need to purge. But this time it wasn't just the purging of what was bad energy in me, I felt that I was pulling all the bad that was in the people I had lived with in the last few days, as if by accessing the collective unconscious I would also become capable of absorb and clear the collective energy. What followed was an even more intense purge. Purging all of this was excessively exhausting, but I knew I would endure, I was not alone in that moment, and my guardian angel was accompanying me through this dark valley of feeling and letting it all out.
After I finished I was already completely exhausted, and the effect of the tea was almost nonexistent. So I lay down to rest, now I was feeling much lighter, and somehow I felt that I had done my duty, even though I didn't even know I had any commitment to it all. But I can say that there was a lot of gratitude and a lot of learning over the next few hours.
After an hour just trying to process it all, I decided it was time to go to sleep, it was still early in the morning and the effect was completely gone. Then I went back to bed and slept very lightly.
What did I take away from it all?
This experience with Ayahuasca was very intense and challenging, and also very pleasurable, I must admit. I learned a lot, despite the mega exhausting purges. I can say that I achieved my main goal, which was the exploration of hyperspace, although it was short-lived when compared to the hours I had purging in these religious experiences. I must say that it was something very similar to the experience of 1200ug of LSD that I had, although Ayah has its peculiarities, for example, during the trip I felt several times the alternation of the feminine force of Jurema alternating with the masculine force of Jagube through the image from Jiboia.
In the future I intend to do a session entirely focused on psytrance, in an attempt to get to know hyperspace more deeply.
Finally, a lot of gratitude for Mama Ayah for granting me all this divine experience and a lot of gratitude to God for the pure and very existence.
submitted by HumbertoBrunoSilva to Ayahuasca [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 17:13 AutoNewspaperAdmin [UK] - Halifax thrilled to be new mecca for movie makers after Happy Valley success Guardian

[UK] - Halifax thrilled to be new mecca for movie makers after Happy Valley success Guardian submitted by AutoNewspaperAdmin to AutoNewspaper [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 16:08 resurrective Chapter 16 - The trial of body

Chapter 16 - The trial of body
The white mist – the ubiquitous substance of the highest levels of arcane world-bending, powered by the force of divinity – it was but a veil to what was to come. Barely had the party of five passed through the shrouded barrier before they witnessed a new sight. It was a realm of endless sunset, shining above a bleached city. The sight was astounding – kilometers upon kilometers of the colorless buildings, erected not from stone, but salt.
“Girls? Everyone’s still here?” Keyaruga asked, afraid to lose his senses in this accursed fog. Even if it subsided a little, one could still be trapped in its obscurity. He turned around, fully expecting to find himself separated from his group. At least, his golden egg was still with him.
“Setsuna’s here!” Ellen reported, holding onto her new glorified anti-stress toy. Which was just as endearing, as it was strange. After all, where are the rest?
“Freia? Eve?” The man yelled, grabbing the she-wolf by her wrist, just to keep her and his ‘sister’ near.
“Dissipare!” Well, that didn’t last long. Not only did the sorceress notify everyone about her presence with a loud chant, she also slammed the salty pavement with her staff. The wave of gold rippled across the vicinity, dissipating every last trace of the veil that Caladrius had placed on them. “Huh, finally! We’ve been seeking you for hours…” The heroine lamented, holding Eve by her hand.
“Hours? We’ve just entered this…” The healer mused, but he couldn’t finish the line, as the black-winged girl towards on him, hugging his torso, barely holding her tears.
“I thought… I’ve lost you forever!” The verdant woman exclaimed, her eyes wet with unshed tears, unwilling to let go of the red-eyed lad.
“Heh, welcome to hell, kids! I suggest we all hold our hands, so that this plague-spitter can’t bamboozle us anymore.
“Uh-huh. Good plan.” The wolf girl agreed, making sure the man’s grip on her wrist wouldn’t waver.
“I don’t like this place already. This thing… this realm – even time itself doesn’t flow properly here.” The elder princess complained, who was now holding onto Eve, who, in turn, wouldn’t let go of Keyaruga.
“Well, that’s a good start, don’t you think?” The hero scoffed, activating his jade eye. Everyone was here, but nobody smiled at his sarcastic joke. Not really surprising, seeing as Caladrius almost succeeded in cutting off Freia, the only one who possessed the proper insight about pocket dimensions, and substantial firepower enough to actually oppose the feathered deity. “Alright, let’s keep it this way. Setsuna, I need your senses. I need your eyes and ears in case I miss something here.” The man, being a cold-blooded leader, shared his first order.
“Uh-huh, already doing it.” The huntress responded, giving a brief glance over at Ellen, who frantically looked around. She recalled the last night, thought about it. The two of them weren’t truly lovers, they weren’t even friends. Setsuna just found herself to be a pillar of the princess’ emotional stability. There wasn’t love, like that between her and Keyaruga, nor the camaraderie that she and Freia shared. All she did was to not deny Ellen’s passion, that’s all.
“Good. Freia, use your heat vision, just in case.” Then, there was the second instruction from the lad. Although this one…
“I already did. Aside from us, there’s nothing, no sources of heat. Either we’re alone here… or whatever can live here doesn’t produce warmth.” The magician assumed, constantly draining magic with her staff. Absorbing energy here felt like breathing in the mountains… “The mana is thin here, so be careful about that too.”
“Hmm… I guess, Ellen was right. Caladrius indeed drains everything around her.” Eve deadpanned, sounding a little depressed. It was her trial, and yet, it awoke nothing but primal fear in her soul.
“I can’t hear anything.” The ice warrior reported calmly. Now, with the fog being blown away by Freia’s power, only the eerie cold void surrounded them under the fixed sun. No enemies to fight, no voices to be heard, only the empty towers of salt loomed above the contenders.
“I sure hope we haven’t messed up with the date.” Keyaruga contemplated, moving across the seemingly endless street. “As for now, I suppose, we have nothing better to do than just walk through that avenue.”
“What else can we do? Seems like this pigeon’s just being shy.” The younger princess chuckled, looking around her. The buildings, although made from the same material, were of eras long before the present day. Their architecture betrayed the early culture of the southern Jioral lands, Tarnia, the ancient kingdom to the west of it, some belonged to the lands of Garalis, but for the most part – it seemed like someone went and stole the buildings, or entire districts even, from the various regions of Tenanulic. “Heh, seems like our prey is a serious connoisseur of improvised urban development projects. Too bad nobody told her laying everything in a single pile, with all the buildings overlapping each other, is unaesthetic at the very least.” Ellen commented with a mix of awe for the highly detailed recreations, and outright mockery for the lack of originality.
“Well, at least we won’t get tired of the view anytime soon.” Freia tried alleviating the situation with some light humor, and this one had worked much better than Keyaruga’s sneering.
“I’d rather we get out of here.” Well, almost. Eve still felt incredibly uncomfortable: the weight of responsibilities, the stress, the shame for the previous night, when she failed to satisfy her guardian – all of that weighed on the shoulders of the queen-to-be in this dead city.
“Don’t be sad, birdie. As long as we stay together, we can handle it.” Keyaruga said, facing the girl with his the right eye closed. His eyeball rolled inside, making sure the supreme god of these lands wouldn’t steal his companions without the lad noticing.
“I hope…” Eve muttered, averting her gaze from the man’s face. After all, the thick nerve bulged though his shut eyelid.
…
Two hours. Two hours of unending walking throughout the endless maze of salt which ultimately lead them to nowhere. The road was still there, but the architecture seemed more and more obscure. No longer were the buildings layered on top of one another some sort of bizarre exception, as every house the party had come across was seemingly the work of a twisted genius, that defied not only common sense, but the rules of the physical universe themselves. Inverted structures, mosaics of unimaginable forms, some of them even seemed as if they were something from a different dimension entirely.
“Well, girls? What do you make of it?” Keyaruga, getting mentally tired of the unending walking, asked of his allies, right as Freia gave each of them a cup of water she had conjured.
“I think, it’s something right out of our dreams. In all honesty, aside from the mortal danger, I like this place.” Freia, being a beacon of enthusiasm, voiced her excitement. To her, this was a place of learning and perpetual astonishment.
“Ye-e-eah! I know a few archaeologists, who’d kill just to visit here.” Ellen added, trying to keep her own curiosity in check. After all, who could guarantee that she’d find a way back after leaving the road? “Too bad it belongs to the worst pigeon I’ve ever known.”
“Her name is Caladrius.” Eve spoke sternly, cautious of disrespecting the god in her own domain. “And she’s…”
“She’s trying to starve us.” Setsuna concluded, stomping on the salty pavement under her feet.
“That’s right. We won’t attain anything just by loitering around.” The fallen warlady judged, approaching her elder sibling. “Sister, break this illusion already! I’m getting tired of this crap!”
“Hm… Keyaruga, what would you say?” The sorceress, uneager to make hasty decisions based on Ellen’s bias, asked the most reasonable man around (and the only one as well).
“Do it, Freia. We need to find the god bird anyway.” He responded sternly. His jade eye worked as intended, but it showed nothing but an endless wasteland of salt and mist.
“Be ready.” Setsuna spoke to Eve, holding her shoulder now.
“He-heh… Ready…” The kokuyoku scion muttered, expecting to face her doom. Well, at least it would be swift, unlike this endless marching under a still sun.
The Hero of Magic stuck her staff into the ground and began chanting. Her words, unlike regular spells, were practically indistinguishable from each other, more like the blabbering of a mindless old hag one would think of when imagining a stereotypical witch rather than what Freia actually was. The plane began to ripple, the salt – crack, revealing the glimpses of the real world, its mountains and the morning luminary.
“Oh shit…” Ellen cursed with a nervous grin on her face. Right as the valley began crumbling in on itself, the mist thickened, dark clouds began forming above the party. “FREIA! MAGPIE! SHIELD US!!!” The princess screamed. Although it was still only slightly cold, a peculiar snow began falling from the sky.
“Finally!” The healer spat through his teeth, casting a green sphere with a brand of a blue bird above it. He was the first to react, thus covering his party with the dome of protection, but the ground began to rumble, completely breaking the sorceress from her concentration, as now she struggled to stand on her feet.
“Keyaruga, look!” Eve yelled, pointing on the tower rising in front of them. No, not tower… “It’s Kinacrith!” The entire city emerged on top of the ruins, erupting from the earth itself in a deafening roar.
“We must get over there quickly!” Ellen deadpanned, pointing at the mighty citadel of the Obsidian Throne. Or, at least, its copy. The harbinger of plague decorated her realm based on the lands she brought to peril, and now, she had a proof of that – her white feathers brought doom to this city in the first world. “There she… Auch!”
“Tch! I know!” Keyaruga exclaimed, grabbing Ellen underneath his armpit. Now, under the snowfall of death, they had to act fast. After all, the man couldn’t hold off the diseased flakes, their corruption overtook his barrier, spreading through his right arm to the rest of the body.
“Keyaruga, you’re dying!” Eve stressed, looking at the lad’s pale face. He, Freia, Setsuna, and the queen-to-be ran forward, but it seemed like Caladrius specifically targeted the hero, trying to break his defense.
“I’m fine! Georgius helps…” The man replied, although it wasn’t his usual voice that left his bluish lips. It was a growl, a wheeze, a…
His immunity didn’t work. Panakea blessed him with invulnerability to all poisons and maladies, but this was something else. A divine plague, an aliment of legends which shifted its form every second, preventing any attempts at getting used to its ruinous effects.
In the end, Keyaruga’s barrier fell, corroded by the godly affliction, and the piles of snow, which, upon a closer look, turned out to be ash, now were about to fall onto the rest of the group. Georgius, his disembodied divine armament, had run out of ambient mana, and so, the man had crumbled, and with him – Ellen now crawled on the ground, calling for him, but her words were silent for the healer.
“R… ru…” And then, his vision got dark. This time, the death came for him for sure. This time…
“Venite in auxilium nostrum, o magnus ventus Aquilonis!” Freia yelled, waving her staff of the blood tree above her head. Through the breach she conjured into this world, the sorceress summoned a great spirit of northern wind to swipe the poisoned powder out of the air. The mighty storm formed a vortex above the party, allowing for the brief respite.
“Come on, get up!” Eve snarled, working with Setsuna to pick the lad up.
“Now, fast! I can’t keep it up for long!” The heroine alerted, tossing a potion of green and red to Ellen. “Drink it, Elly! We’ve got much running ahead of us!”
“Pfeh, as if I don’t see that.” The crimson-haired girl scoffed, heading after the rest of the group.
The snowfall and the storm, the flakes of plague, suppressed by the great element of air accompanied the contenders on their path toward Kinacrith’s copy, erected from the salt.
“Ghh… I… how long-?..” Keyaruga woke up soon afterwards. With the immaterial gauntlet having healed his poisoned body, he found himself among a city comprised of proper forms and shapes, but his vision was still blurry.
“Keyaruga?.. HE’S ALIVE!!!” Eve yelled, obviously trying to outcry the tempest. Unfortunately, though, the girls had no time to celebrate, as all of them had to outrun the time itself, making sure the snowfall of death wouldn’t bury them underneath.
“Setsuna… Eve…” When the lad completely came back to his senses, he found out that he was actually being carried by these two, but his legs were dragging along the floor. “It’s alright! I can run myself!” He broke free, regaining his leading position in this mortal race.
“HOW DO WE STOP IT?!” The black-winged prodigy loudly asked… well, whoever could hear it in this deafening hell of wind and plague.
“Haa… Haa… THE TOWER! ABOVE IT!!!” Ellen pointed out, spotting a small white ball on top of Kinacrith’s peak. “IT’S HER!!! SHOOT THE FUCKER!!!” The princess urged, demanding destruction. As much as this order was born out of fear and confusion, there was a logical reason behind it. After all, if this was a test, then surely the cruel mistress of this place desired to be found.
“A-A-A-A-AGH!!! HURRY!!! THE WIND IS GETTING WEAKER!!!” Freia cried, barely holding her staff in the air with her trembling arm. Another few seconds, and the ambient mana would make it explode into bloody pieces.
“EVE!!!” The Hero of Healing yawped, sending beam after beam of light magic into the sphere. Most of the projectiles, sent by the man, couldn’t hit the spot. The ones that did, though, only chipped away its shining shell.
“HASTA LUMINIS!!!” The girl joined the bombardment. She joined forces with her guardian, and together, they brought enough firepower to just barely break through whatever protection the creature had set off. As Setsuna prepared to raise a dome of ice, and Ellen just silently prayed for her team, the hero and his queen finally succeeded. Finally…
The bright and powerful explosion destroyed not only the sphere, the endless city of salt and void crumbled into nothingness. It was as if the glass dome began scattering in the wind, and with it, all the clouds and ruinous snow. The illusion was broken, and now, all five of them stood amidst the rocky valley. And from above the cliff, basked in the light of morning sun, a giant white bird, clad in gold and jewels, gazed upon them with her four eyes.
Caladrius, the true goddess of plague and rejuvenation now loomed above the party. What was even more hilarious, though, was the party found themselves not really far from where their two raptors were waiting for them, they could even spot Kelly and Patty on the horizon.
“You performed marvelously in overcoming the Trial of Body, little ones…” The grandiose bird stated, as her eyes began glowing in gold.
“KILL IT, SISTER!!! BURN IT WITH FIRE-E-E-E!!!”
“…now, it is time for the Trial of Heart!”
Alas, Ellen’s hysteria proved useless, as Freia hadn’t even a single extra second to aim, let alone properly chant a spell. Caladrius spread her grandeur wings, and everyone found themselves trapped in the dark.
…
He travelled through a pitch black, unending void. With no sound, nor light to orient himself around, the red-haired lad had to walk in a seemingly random direction. Not even the jade eye could pierce through this veil of emptiness, though.
“Girls? You there?” Despite his concern over his companions, Keyaruga sensed none of them. If Caladrius failed to separate them the first time, then now she definitely succeeded.
If your heart is weak, you can’t pass, such were the words of Mil, and, honestly, the oppressive solitude was unsettling all by itself. But then…
“I HATE YOU!”
“BASTARD!”
“PADARA (faggot)!”
“YOU! I LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF YOU!”
“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!”
“TANOUTUR (murderer)!”
“CURSED HERETIC!”
Voices, dozens, hundreds, united in their refined hostility and contempt toward the Hero of Healing. Those he killed, those he trampled upon, those who he tortured to death. From raging bulls to soldiers the boy had to silence upon his escape, slavers and raiders, black dogs and Norn’s spearmen, thugs and robbers.
“YOU’VE STOLEN MY FLARE!!!” Leonard, the despicable sadist covered in blood, roared, running with his sword, ready to cut down the one who murdered him. He… “A-A-A-A-A-A-AH!!! MY A-A-A-ARM!!!” …was disarmed instantly. The black blood of his tainted soul now painted Keyaruga’s saber, as he…
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-a!!!” …laughed like a mad man. Oh, the realization came to him. These were the ones whose lives he had taken with his own hand. The hero had to fall under the weight of his sins, supposedly. Did that stop him from beheading the one, who took his family? Oh no! No-o-o!
“YOU CAN’T KILL ME NOW, YOU LITTLE SHIT!” Even when the thug in royal armor rose from a pool of his own blood, Keyaruga never stopped grinning. When the dead souls began charging at him, wave after wave, he rejoiced. These were the challengers, eager to avenge their deaths…
“AHA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!” Keyaruga loudly chuckled. He chopped through Leonard’s head like a melon, grabbed the slaver, who sold him Setsuna, by his neck, crushed his balls with a knee, tossed his body into the crowd, slashed a soldier, kicked the fanatic, who oversaw the execution of his fellow villagers, crushed his nasty skull under his boot… “THANK YOU!!!” …grabbed his blade, dragged it, soaked it in his own blood, while the wailing mongrels stabbed and slashed him. It’s okay, when he swung, when the heroic blood fell upon them, they cried in pain, bursting like the enormous abscesses they were. “THANK YOU, MOMMY CALADRIUS, FOR THIS MAJESTIC PLAYGROUND!!!”
The man yelled, chuckled, smiled… He ran across the dome of darkness, he lightened it with shining entrails; he burned his enemies with waves of fire, incinerated them with the lightning arcs. He killed, stomped, disgraced, disfigured, amputated, slammed, cut, broke bones, ripped hearts, took heads, and clubbed the poor bastards with their own severed limbs. They died, but rose again to take another chance at killing their tormentor, and everything started anew. This was the vicious circle of vengeance that the man enjoyed so very much and in it…
​
https://preview.redd.it/b79v5vcxsd2b1.jpg?width=704&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c1be7745e22851362ffeaaf773bce24d38dbfdb
“NONE OF YOU DESERVE MY MERCY!!!”
Was he right, though? Aside from various monsters, rushing into the carnival of gore, two people watched the lad’s brutality closely. Their eyes were full of despair… and disappointment.
…
While Keyaruga relished in his trial, Eve had to thread her path of emptiness with nothing and nobody to rely on. No enemies, no curses, no violence, no dark blood. Instead, she was met… by shadows.
“Ni-ni-ni-ni-ni (no-no-no-no-no)!” She once again walked along the infinite road, but this time, no ally accompanied her, there was no friendship to call upon, no love to rely on. Only them – two columns of her brethren, bowing before their queen. Kneeling… to fade into her shining feathers. “Yoku shia horka in (don’t come into my wings)!” The verdant woman covered her teary eyes, waved off her subjects, she even tried shielding herself by pathetically embracing her wings. But there was no stopping it. Her friends, parents, guardians, servants, elders – dozens upon dozens of those, who chose her to be the vessel of their souls, were now stuck in this life.
Soon, all of the shadows went inside Eve’s feathers. None of them harbored any grudge against her, and even if they did, their spiritual form had no mouths to properly voice them.
But even so, Eve wasn’t allowed to get out of this hellish dome just yet.
Step. Step. Step.
A massive figure, slightly higher then two meters tall, emerged between the kneeling girl. A leonine figure carrying a long, bloodied stick, it was skinned, and his own pelt rested on his armored shoulders. He came to conquer. He…
“Ushi, orna saikalla, setoan (you belong to me, woman)!” The demon, the bestial figure, humans tended to generalize ma-zok people to be, said, grabbing the Me-ua kahul by her chin with his clawed paw. “Yau ma, orn wor tanoute (how dare you murder me)?” The dead soul accused Eve, pushing her to the ephemeral ground.
“…” She was scared, Eve couldn’t even move a muscle, couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe – the queen-to-be knew this man, she didn’t know, how, but she just knew! He was the one Keyaruga hinted at, when lamenting her lost family. He was…
“C… Cor… nar…” …the husband the ascended Me-ua had in the first world. Someone she saw as a soulmate, someone who blessed her with many victories and two beautiful children, someone… “Soguri (stand back)!” …the kokuyoku prodigy feared and hated, but had no will to oppose him back there. And now…
“Orna kalla (you’re mine)!” The skinned lion spoke, pulling off his pants, revealing a disgustingly dismembered spiked penis. The black blood flowed out of it, as some intangible force cramped Eve’s mind with memories. They were her own, from another life, another timeline, but they were there, and they shackled her will. Even… Even if she wanted to fight back.
Keyaruga wouldn’t do that to her! Keyaruga wouldn’t rape her! Keyaruga wouldn’t berate her! Keyaruga wouldn’t belittle her! Keyaruga wouldn’t do that! Keyaruga!.. Keya… ru…
“KEYARU!!! KEYA-A-A-A-RU-U!!! SAVE ME-E-E!!!” Eve screamed, fruitlessly trying to punch the undead monstrosity.
You can’t just kick a god to death, though.
Yes… Yes! But he wasn’t a god! He was!..
“Marno (it’s useless). Oma pora kanbu (I’m gonna rape you).” The nightmare spoke, outright choking the girl. She had no strength to…
Why? There’s magic, there’s might, there’s so much… So much…
A call resounded inside Eve’s very being. An urge, a wish, an order. She had the power, a little army, which desired to be called upon.
N-no, I can’t!
She had to. The flow of time itself stopped, just to give the future queen this chance. Outside of it, nothing but doom and misery awaited her.
I… Don’t want…
No matter what she wanted, there were people who truly wished her good. People, who loved her for real… Her new family.
K… Keya… Keyaruga!
That’s right. A flux of power rose from within her, a load of motivation, a surge to overpower fear and regret. Time resumed its movement. And with it…
“UO-O-O-O-O-O!!!” A shadowy figure flew across the black dome, leaving a giant hole inside the rapist’s chest. A savior came to Eve, and she looked familiar.
“M… MOM!!!” Eve, released from her fear, charged forward to hug her mother, but alas, Cornar came back from the dead, standing on his paws once more, he pushed the ghost woman away, and resumed his march toward the kokuyoku scion. But she wasn’t just a descendant of this tribe, Eve Reese was its righteous princess! The one and only queen! “How dare you do this to me?! How dare you claim me?!” As she spoke, more and more shadows emerged from within her wings to assault the perpetrator. It doesn’t matter if he remembered their erased future, doesn’t matter if he had a relationship with the ruler of the Confederation. Right now, he was just a threat, an enemy of the queen.
And what does the royal guard do to enemies of their monarch?
They kill them!
Is this… what it’s like to be you, Keyaruga?
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2023.05.27 07:04 VampiricDemon The account of Ivan Mackerle's 1998 Expedition to find the man-eating tree of Madagascar (google -translated)

Shipping details:Date: 10.7.1998 to 6.8.1998 (by air to Antananarivo and then by all-terrain vehicle Mitsubichi Pajero)
Members of the expedition: Ivan Mackerle, Jiří Skupien, Danny Mackerle, Jaroslav ProkopecGuide and translator: Pascal Guy (Malgas living in the Czech Republic)Driver: Dada (Malagasy), Car: Mitsubichi Pajero 4x4
Expedition route:1st part (north) Antananarivo – Maevatanana – Mahajunga – (transport across the bay) – Mitsinjo – Ananalava – and back to Antananarivo (traveled 1920 km).
2nd part (South)Antananarivo – Ampitatresik (bridge) - Ifandana (rock) – Ambavala – Ifandana – Ihosy – Tulear – Androka – Reakaly – Ambovombe – Betroka – Ihosy - and back to Antananarivo (3090 km driven) Total 5010 km driven.
Expedition Objectives:To verify reports of the man-eating Tepe tree and find it. Find out if the elephant bird Aepyornis still survives there. Find outmore about the mythical creatures, dwarf kalonura .
​
---
I have always been passionately interested in the monsters and monsters of the animal kingdom, hiding in the remote and unexplored parts of our country. I knew it was not at all easy to track them down, but I still tried many times. When I once read about a man-eating tree from the forests of Madagascar, unknown to science until now, which can trap a person in its branches and then gradually devour a person, I cheered. This is not an animal that can hide from me. After all, the tree always grows in the same place, so it cannot escape me. I was sure that this time I would solve the mystery and find this green monster.
In the eastern part of the valley, whose altitude was only about one hundred meters, lay a deep lake with a diameter of less than two kilometres. Its oily water flowed lazily into a reed-lined channel leading into the dark forest. The natives led us along a narrow path along the stream, right into a seemingly impenetrable wall of trees. My companion and interpreter, Hendrick, walked right in front of me, and at the end of the procession went the women and children. After a while, everyone stopped and started shouting, “Tep! Tepe!” The brook meandered here, and in one of its bends in a clearing stood the strangest tree I had ever seen in my life.
Its trunk, seemingly as hard as steel, looked like a two-and-a-half-meter-tall, dark cinnamon-colored pineapple. From a conical crown with a diameter of at least half a meter, eight stalk-like leaves resembling agaves, but about three meters long, bent down to the ground. At their thickest point, they were about two feet thick and almost a meter wide. They tapered towards the end to a sharp point like a cow's horn, but were slightly concave on the outside and convex on the inside. The surface of the concave side was covered with many hook-shaped thorns. The leaves hung limply, as if lifeless, even though there was great power hidden within them. It was dripping from the top of the tree sticky juice, and there were some two-meter hairy tentacles sticking out in all directions, still frozen. Above them, six white, almost transparent tentacles rose into the sky, constantly moving and vibrating like the bodies of snakes. The natives, grouped around the tree, suddenly began to scream and shout in loud voices. Hendrick explained to me that this was their hymn of sorts, singing the great devil tree. Singing incessantly, they surrounded one young woman, pushed her against a tree with spears and forced her to climb up the trunk to the crown. When the woman, with terror in her eyes, finally stood on the summit next to the quivering tentacles, they started shouting at her "Tsik! Tsik!” (Drink! Drink!). The poor woman bent down and began to lick the honey-like liquid that slowly oozed from the crown. At that the tree came to life. In a flash, the tentacles angled towards the woman, hovering above her head for a moment, then, as if driven by a demonic intelligence, wrapped around her neck. The desperate cry of the woman was immediately interrupted by the loud shouts of the excited natives. But the terrible theatre is not over yet. The hitherto stiff tentacles of the tree moved, and one by one they slowly curled towards their victim. She bound her like a ball of snakes with brutal force. And then slowly, like the arms of a crane began lift stiff leaves. They formed a sort of gigantic flower and silently closed around the struggling woman. With tremendous force, they pressed together tighter and tighter, and after a while, a trickle of red liquid began to flow down the trunk. It was a mixture of a woman's blood and the honey-like sap of a man-eating tree. The screaming natives were now crawling to the bloodied tree trunk, grabbing and licking the precious liquid. They pushed each other away and crowded around the trunk to taste the hideous drink. Excitement reached its peak and unimaginable orgies ensued. The leaves of the Tepe tree did not open until ten days later, and again bent gracefully down to the ground. Only the white skeleton that fell from them to the ground reminded of the horrible theater that had recently taken place here.
This is how the German traveller Karl Liche described his eyewitness in a letter to the Polish scholar dr. Omelius Fredlowski at the end of the last century. The letter was printed in several newspapers and magazines, and attracted a lot of attention. It was first published in 1878 by the popular magazine Gräfe und Walter in Karlsruhe, and the Indian Mail, published in Madras. The New York World and the Australian Register followed in 1880, and a year later the Antanarivo Annual and Madagascar Magazine, published by missionaries in Madagascar, reported the incident . However, no botanist or traveller went in search of the man-eating tree at that time, and it was gradually forgotten.

The search is on

A new wave of interest was sparked by an article in the Sunday supplement of the American newspaper American Weekly dated September 26, 1920. But he didn't bring any new information about the tree, he just dusted off and somewhat dramatized Liche's letter, adding a cartoon picture of a naked blonde hugging the thorny leaves of a horrible tree. This article inspired Michigan Governor Chase Salmon Osborne to travel to Madagascar to investigate this botanical mystery. Osborn travelled all over Madagascar, but unfortunately he couldn't find the tree anywhere. However, all the natives he met told him about the tree. The experiences of his trip were published again by the American Weekly in October 1924. And for the third time, the American Weekly returned to this topic in January 1925. In an article entitled Escape from the clutches of a man-eating tree described the expedition of the traveller WC Bryant to the island of the Philippines, where in the jungle he came across human skeletons in the branches of a strange unknown tree.
The reaction of botanists to these articles was sharp. "Carnivorous plants only hunt and consume insects up to a few millimetres in size," they fumed. "Man or a larger animal cannot by any means become their prey."American Botanist Science Magazine he concluded his unsparing criticism by saying: “Fields and forests certainly do not abound in poisonous plants and animals. They are much safer than the streets of most cities. If there is such a tree as described in some of the tabloids, we offer a reward of ten thousand dollars for its living specimen." It is difficult to say whether it was the sight of this reward or just a desire for adventure that led to the search for the man-eating tree in 1935 to the forests of Madagascar by former British army officer L. Hearst. Although he did not find natives of the Mkodo dwarf tribe who would lead him to their revered tree on the island, he was not completely unsuccessful. He met a black hunter who confirmed to him. that "devil trees" do grow there, and deep in the forests, religious ceremonies involving human sacrifices to these trees are still secretly practised today. Encouraged, Hearst spent four months searching the island and finally came upon the huge carnivorous plants. The revered man-eating Tepe tree was hidden from him by the natives, but Hearst brought back photographs of large lizards swallowing small rodents and pictures of some unknown trees, under which lay the skeletons of larger animals. Of course, he couldn't import live specimens of trees, he would need at least a truck for that. But scientists did not recognize his photos as evidence and suspected him of forgery. So Hearst went into the woods again, but this time he didn't come back. He died under mysterious circumstances somewhere in the groves of succulent harpagophytes in the southeastern region of the island. That's also where our search began. The revered man-eating Tepe tree was hidden from him by the natives, but Hearst brought back photographs of large lizards swallowing small rodents and pictures of some unknown trees, under which lay the skeletons of larger animals. Of course, he couldn't import live specimens of trees, he would need at least a truck for that. But scientists did not recognize his photos as evidence and suspected him of forgery.
We thought that there was a green impenetrable jungle waiting for us there, like in Africa, but the dry thorny bush we got into was perhaps even worse and more impassable. It is dominated by raffia palms, which tolerate drought well, and massive baobab trees, scattered among thickets of thorn bushes. The landscape looks completely unearthly. Prickly giants grow out of the sharp red sand, whether they are thorn bushes with thirty-centimetre thorns, or strange didiera trees, whose flexible branches are so covered with thorns that the leaves between them are almost not visible at all. Traversing this landscape with a machete is extremely difficult. The spines will immediately tear your clothes and injure your body. After walking a few tens of meters in this terrible vegetation, you have to come back covered in blood. That is why many unknown plants are still hidden here today. Indeed, carnivorous plants also grow here. They are mainly so-called pitcher plants with peculiar sac-like pots in which they trap their prey. It is attracted by the sweet nectar secreted on the lid and elsewhere on the surface of the tube, and as soon as it reaches the slippery surface, it falls into the tube from where there is no return. It drowns in a slimy liquid and is gradually broken down by the plant's digestive juices. However, the legs of the well-known Madagascar carnivores are a maximum of 30 cm long, so their usual prey is really only insects. What's more, the trapping system of these plants is only passive. However, the traveller was describing to Liche. that the man-eating tree Tepe was actively catching its prey. By its rapid capture by some growths and subsequent pinching of the leaves. Rather, it resembled carnivores from the family of flycatchers, or sundews. However, they also hunt only insects.

Surrounded by insidious thugs

In the south of the island, where the searcher of the man-eating tree Hearst mysteriously disappeared, but we can come across plants that are dangerous to larger animals and even to humans. Not that they will eat him, but they can bind him and trap him in their branches. They are very strange plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. They hide in the thorn bush that covers most of the area. They lurk among spiky house-sized cactus-like succulents and thickets with huge thorns and razor-sharp leaves. They really lurk because they need to sink their hooks into the skin of a living creature. I repeat, not to suck his blood like a vampire, but to disperse their seeds. One of them is the very rare plant Harpagophytum grandidieri. The natives call her andrindritra, or tree with claws. It has very long and flexible branches, hanging in a massive bunch down to the ground, at the end of which pods with seeds grow. The capsules are egg-shaped and have very sharp, reverse hooks. Unlike our thistles, which cling to clothes but do not injure the skin, harpagophyte pods easily pierce the skin as well. When the seeds are ripe, the pod easily falls off and the animal it attaches to carries it away. At the same time, he suffers a lot of pain, because the hooks mercilessly scratch his skin with every movement. But until the seeds are ripe, the pods hold firmly on the branches. If the branches are swayed by the wind, they can wrap themselves perfectly around a random animal or person. If the victim tries to free himself, he ends up like a fly in a spider's web. He gets even more tangled and more hooks get stuck in him. He is trapped in a painful grip and unless outside help comes he will perish.
However, we were looking for a tree that would not only imprison its victim, but also gradually devour it. When meeting the natives, we did not miss a single opportunity not to ask about him. But they just shrugged. Of course, "devil trees" dangerous to humans grow here, but they are mostly "fady". Fady is the Malagasy term for a taboo, i.e. a kind of restriction or prohibition, the violation of which is punished by means of supernatural forces. The place where such a tree grows is sacred and no white man is allowed to enter there. Fortunately, our Malagasy guide Pascal was university educated and not afraid of ghosts. He was very good with the local natives and often managed to skilfully extract valuable information from them.
Our jeep bounced along the tree roots and deep potholes of the narrow road in the middle of the forest. It was already dark and we were getting nervous. It was not very wise to enter the sacred territory of the natives at night. Despite the noise of the engine, we suddenly heard a sharp scream from outside. It sounded like a high-pitched woman's wail, but we already knew it was bad. It was the battle cry of the Antandroy tribe. We sharpened our attention and soon white shadows flashed between the trees. Immediately figures in white robes and spears in hand ran out onto the road. Our guide Pascal encouraged the Malagasy driver to drive faster, but the broken road did not allow it. Screaming figures ran alongside our car and two managed to jump onto the rear bumper. Through the back window we looked into their grinning faces. Fortunately, a straighter section of the road came, the driver increased his speed and our pursuers had to jump off. After a while they disappeared back into the darkness.
The sacred territory into which we penetrated without the permission of the natives was protected by one of the "devil trees". It was a tree, surrounded by many legends and worshipped by the natives in a wide area. Many years ago, the spirit of the former local king incarnated in his tribe and it is said that he still sometimes demands a human sacrifice. Inexplicable phenomena and even mysterious deaths occur with him. Isn't it the legendary "cannibal tree" that we've been searching for weeks in vain? After another quarter of an hour of driving through the dark forest, the trees thinned out a bit. And then we saw him. He was standing in the middle of the plain and looked truly spooky. Its dark forked silhouette with unnaturally twisted branches loomed against the moonlit sky. However, we immediately recognized that it was not a man-eating tree unknown to science, but an ordinary baobab. Although a rare tree, growing only here in Madagascar, but apart from its unusual appearance and ability to live to an incredibly old age, the tree is not at all mysterious. It is in no way dangerous to humans, let alone carnivorous. We explained the death of a man, whose body was recently found torn to pieces here, as an attack by the worshippers of the tree and the guardians of the sacred territory, who threatened us a while ago. It was getting close to midnight, and strange screams and voices started coming from the forest behind us. I guess it wasn't just harmless lemurs, because both Pascal and the Malagasy driver got nervous. They say it's high time to get out of here.
"Among the devil trees we worship here are some that can actually kill a person, and sometimes from a distance," a white-haired old man from a small village told us. "How is that possible?" we wondered. "Go to Kinkony Lake, there you will learn their secret," he replied with an enigmatic smile.
The journey there was horrible. Deep holes, boulders and incredibly steep climbs. In the village of Ananalava, consisting of a few huts with a reed roof, the villagers ran around us and dozens of black hands began to touch us curiously. There probably weren't many white people here before us. Pascal asked about the devil trees and the faces of the natives suddenly turned to stone. We took out the presents. Cheap jewellery, T-shirts, pens. After a while, everything was fine and the natives were talking again. The trees are called Kumanga and they are said to be very dangerous indeed. Although they do not eat people or animals, they are so poisonous that they can kill even from a distance. Especially when they are blooming. The layer of poisoned air from the flowers is said to reach quite far when there is no wind. Birds that sit among their leaves fall dead to the ground, and animals that want to hide in their shade immediately perish. Jirka Skupien, the photographer of the expedition, just smiled sceptically. The man standing right next to him noticed this and nodded his head: "Many unbelieving Thomases have already paid the price for their haughty carelessness. They sniffed heroically at the flowers and soon lost consciousness.” It occurred to me that perhaps the occasional discovery of the skeletons of people who had carelessly laid down in the shade of a poisonous tree had given some natives the idea that the tree had seized its victim, eaten it, and then thrown the skeleton out.
When we asked them to show us the way to the nearest Kumanga, they shook their heads telling us not to go there. It might not turn out well. We explained to them that it was because of these trees that we came here from a far country, and that we can protect ourselves from them. That was indeed true. Danny, the expedition's diver, decided to go close to the dangerous tree with a mask and breathing apparatus. We take out more gifts, and finally a young native gets into our car after all. He will lead us to the tree.
The sandy road twists and turns in dense green vegetation and we have to switch on the four-wheel drive a few times. The car bravely digs through the sand further and further, but in the end we still have to continue on foot. A few quick sips of warm water, bagels on the back and off we go. On the way, the native gives us one last lesson. When we are at the tree, we are not to drink or eat. Unfortunately, he doesn't know if the tree is currently blooming. He had not been with him for a long time. We are burning with impatience and we discuss again how we will proceed with the tree.
And then we are finally there. The green crown of the Kumanga peeks out from behind a group of palm trees. We probably wouldn't really recognize her ourselves. I pull out my binoculars and scan her branches. I don't see flowers anywhere. There is therefore no immediate danger. We approach cautiously and constantly sniff around. The air is clean, no hint of the slightest scent. The mask can remain in the bagel. Two bird carcasses are rotting under a tree, and a little further away lies the shell of a turtle with its spine peeking out. I would like to find skeletons of larger animals here, but no luck. I guess instinct warned them of the danger in time. The native bends the branch and shows us the large hard pods. These were recently deadly flowers. I tear one as a souvenir and store it in a microtene bag. All around is calm, no drama is happening. I expected us to be putting our lives on the line here. I was a little disappointed. We would have to wait a few months for the next flowers and deadly atmosphere. But even the natives themselves do not know exactly when the tree blooms. It is said to be irregular and depends on the rains. But Kumanga is fiercely poisonous even now. We have to be careful and not touch her too much. Not even on leaves. A year ago, cows from the village wandered here and grazed on the juicy leaves from the branches. They were dead in a few moments. The natives therefore decided to get rid of the murderous trees once and for all. They came to burn them. We saw the work of destruction with our own eyes in the adjacent clearing. Burnt, blackened logs stuck sadly up to the cloudless sky. Maybe we were some of the last white people who saw the legendary killer trees with our own eyes and filmed them. They don't grow anywhere else. Even here in Madagascar there are a few last specimens only in this area. And so we actually felt sorry for those dreaded "devils" in the end. And the man-eating tree? Maybe he met the same fate.
Ivan Mackerle
Fantastic Facts No. 1/99 and 2/99
submitted by VampiricDemon to cryptobotany [link] [comments]

2023.05.27 03:45 Present_Ad_1207 Theory of everything

I got some theory about the will of D and the Gods and IM-sama, sorry for the wrong grammar I'm not actually good at english. i dont know if theres someone who same theory as i am because this is my first time post and read discussion here in reddit.
What if the ancient kingdom is a kingdom of God the place where the Sun of God, Sun of earth, sun of Rain and sun of forest lives. Sun of god - meaning he is the one who fights for freedom ( during the fight jimbei vs whos whos, whoswhos said that ancient people in prison pray for sun god to free them.) God of earth - maybe he is the one who created red line and among other islands God of rain - the places that need na most of water like alabasta (may this is the reasons why queen lily of alabasta quit to become a celestial dragon) because these gods rain and forest give alabasta places to live and develop their kingdom.
The will of D are the descendants of the gods, they are the successor to a devil fruit. Maybe the 4 gods are siblings. The 3 gods are the most famous, respectful and powerful unlike the other 1 god is different. He is envy to his siblings, and he is the one who wants to be the most powerful ( just like xebec ), this is the reason why the devil fruit is eaten by different people, because one or more of the descendants and former god is given it to them to help them to fight against the ancient kingdom the remaining or loyal descendants and 3 gods as a reward they make him a God (celestial dragons). At the empty throne they keep them secret is to hide that the remaining God is with them. And no one will be seated on the throne but God. And IM-sama maybe he is a descendant or a God from the ancient kingdom.
All these things you'll realize maybe roger knows that he cannot destroy the world government but to helped them at God valley because he knows that only God can kill a God. And he realized maybe the one who surpass them is the one who will destroy the world government. Before the ancient times the dark dark fruit recently used by marshall d teach was used by famous ancient people. he used it to extract the devil fruit to those who are going to die and the extracted devil fruit given to the successor of the family.
big question why iron giant go to the red line and attack mary geoise? The ancient iron giant is the guardian of the ancient kingdom, and one of a guard of the Gods maybe thats why iron giant climb up to red line to follow where his master was. he is not actually going to attack the mary geoise at that time. Maybe after the void century is the time when mary geoise is created.
Thank you so much 😊😊😊 This is only a theory everybody knows oda will ruin our theory HAHAHA!!
submitted by Present_Ad_1207 to OnePiece [link] [comments]

2023.05.26 20:31 CookieDemons [TotK] Theory: Tears of the Kingdom is Breath of the Wild's alternate/opposite/parallel world.

I'm reposting this from Zelda just because I felt like there could be a little more discussion around the idea.
The general idea or theory was that Tears of the Kingdom's Hyrule is Breath of the Wild's direct mirror universe and that the Link you play in TotK is not the Link of BotW, the same going for all the other characters and by extension, all the event's that took place in Breath of the Wild have not happened in TotK.
I felt there was more to the Depths than it just being "underground" and that the Chasms that appear aren't holes in the ground, but rips in space time allowing Link to travel through to the alternate world, but is somehow unable to recognize it for whatever reason.
I've collated a bunch of "evidence" to support this theory based on observations. *Though I do admit, it's very possible that I may have missed vital pieces of dialogue that explains away some of these points or just misremembered.
Each point has been spoiler-tagged just in case.
Tech/Powers:
NPCs:
Environment:
Misc/Incidental:
submitted by CookieDemons to truezelda [link] [comments]

2023.05.26 17:45 NintendoSales [USA] [H] Nintendo and SEGA Collectible Games, Guides, Amiibo, and Gen 1 Switch Console System. NIB, CIB, and Excellent Condition Items [W] PayPal F&F

Hi All,
Selling collectible Nintendo and SEGA games, Amiibo, and Switch console system. Items are new in box (NIB), complete in box (CIB), or in very good to excellent condition. Items were carefully cared for and are described and pictured :-) Shipping costs are INCLUDED in the price (free shipping to the continental USA). Feel free to make an offer on multiple items. Only taking PayPal F&F. Time-stamped image of all items available: https://imgur.com/a/7ILksnp
Nintendo Switch Console System
  1. Nintendo Switch 1st Generation Grey Console System (https://imgur.com/a/VDm3X7r) - Like new, complete in box (CIB), screen protector applied at box opening (zero bubbles, dust, scratches). Includes everything from initial purchase, including dock and cables. Includes box with all contents. More photos will be added to the link soon - $289
​
Nintendo Switch
  1. Astral Chain (https://imgur.com/a/UwUeuUc) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $59
  2. Celeste Limited Run Games #23 Special Foil Edition (https://imgur.com/a/lEmfi4j) - Brand new, sealed, includes collector card, includes protective case - $109
  3. Fire Emblem Three Houses (https://imgur.com/a/rL61vrF) - Very good, complete in box (CIB), 1st print, includes protective case - $39
  4. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (https://imgur.com/a/z9lYh67) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $54
  5. Mario Strikers Battle League (https://imgur.com/a/E1WyMy5) - Case only, very good, includes protective case - $12
  6. SEGA Genesis Classics (https://imgur.com/a/xbgUNJ1) - Like new, still has plastic wrap, includes protective case - $32
  7. Splatoon 2 Bonus Strategy Guide Special Edition (https://imgur.com/a/8w4goZG) - Brand new, sealed - $79
  8. Stardew Valley (https://imgur.com/a/ntrT7Rd) - Brand new, sealed, special 1.5 patch sticker, includes protective case - $32
​
Nintendo Amiibo
  1. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (https://imgur.com/a/sJxlorH) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $49
  2. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Zelda & Loftwing (https://imgur.com/a/M0QpkeO) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $20
  3. Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker 30th Edition Toon Link & Zelda 2-Pack (https://imgur.com/a/Ubo1Osi) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $69
  4. Super Mario Odyssey Wedding Mario, Peach, & Bowser 3-Pack (https://imgur.com/a/2HLNObz) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case- $119
​
Nintendo Wii U
  1. Wii Party U (https://imgur.com/a/px1HEEg) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $149
​
Nintendo 3DS
  1. Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (https://imgur.com/a/gu59q31) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), includes protective case and sleeves - $49
  2. Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (https://imgur.com/a/MyeMZqF) - Collector’s quality, case and complete inserts only, includes protective case - $12
  3. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (https://imgur.com/a/h8WZQmx) - Collector’s quality, case and complete inserts only, includes protective case - $14
  4. Metroid: Samus Returns (https://imgur.com/a/McgqeA7) - Brand new, sealed, includes protective case - $49
​
Nintendo DS
  1. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (https://imgur.com/a/SsZQ3kI) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), includes protective case and sleeves - $89
  2. Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (https://imgur.com/a/7iXV1fZ) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), includes protective case and sleeves - $119
​
Nintendo GameBoy Advance (GBA)
  1. Final Fantasy VI Advance (Final Fantasy III) (https://imgur.com/a/4wBmFiF) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), includes protective case and sleeves - $199
  2. Metroid: Fusion (https://imgur.com/a/1wZMTHu) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), SEAL still partially intact (top carefully opened), flash memory for saves (not a battery that’ll go bad), includes protective case and sleeves - $349
  3. Metroid: Zero Mission (https://imgur.com/a/tac3scf) - Collector's quality, complete in box (CIB), rare flash memory for saves (not a battery that’ll go bad), includes protective case and sleeves - $329
​
Nintendo Strategy Guides
  1. Final Fantasy III (https://imgur.com/a/lyFwFY2) for SNES - Collector's quality, complete, no writing, sleeved - $149
  2. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (https://imgur.com/a/Teyfuqy) for GBA - Collector's quality, complete, no writing, sleeved - $34
  3. Final Fantasy V Advance (https://imgur.com/a/UXaWJw8) for GBA - Very good, complete, no writing, sleeved - $49
  4. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Advance / Four Swords (https://imgur.com/a/ufzrs6q) for GBA - Collector's quality, complete, no writing, sleeved - $34
  5. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (https://imgur.com/a/uxJxCoM) for GBA - Collector's quality, complete, no writing, sleeved - $29
​
Nintendo Posters
  1. Metroid Dread (https://imgur.com/a/OvxSbii) for Switch - Brand new, sealed, official My Nintendo poster - $34
​
SEGA Saturn
  1. Guardian Heroes (https://imgur.com/a/06tFASM) - Collector’s quality, complete in box (CIB), no cracks to case or scratches to disc (never resurfaced), original foam, registration card intact with no writing, ALL inserts included, protective case included. You will never find a better opened copy - $369
​
SEGA CD
  1. SEGA CD Classics Ecco the Dolphin Not For Resale Edition (https://imgur.com/a/JubzdYN) - Very good, complete in box (CIB), includes protective case - $44
  2. Shining Force CD (https://imgur.com/a/BwHp9K4) - Collector’s quality, complete in box (CIB), no cracks to case with only extremely minor, hard-to-see, short hairline scratches to disc, original foam, registration card intact with no writing, protective case included. You may never find a better copy - $389
​
SEGA Genesis
  1. ToeJam & Earl (https://imgur.com/a/RKQmi4c) - Collector’s quality, complete in box (CIB) including poster from Sonic, protective case included - $89
​
SEGA Master System
  1. Golvellius: Valley of Doom (https://imgur.com/a/Ysd1UsO) - Collector’s quality, complete in box (CIB) , protective case included - $89
submitted by NintendoSales to GameSale [link] [comments]

2023.05.26 15:42 DrumbumX So where do we go from here then?

From the discord.
“-No mention of Xivu Arath in TFS -Rhulk or Nezarec leads the taken in the Schism -Returning places a la revelations from BO3 zombies -The Final Shape is the collapsing of all times and space into each other -Cayde-6 acts as our guide in the "Valley"; only returns inside of the Time Valley. It's a sendoff to his character but he won't be an actual character. -The raid has a 3 phase boss: the Witness, with different forms. One of the Witness's phase is similar to noface from the bathouse in Spirited Away. -The Witness isn't killed in the raid, but rather a 12 man epilogue style mission where we rip it out of the Darkness -The epilogue mission is weekly, where we recover memories of frozen guardians from the Time Valley. There's also Frozen Oryx. The Time Valley is called "Entropy". The tower is at the center of it and needs to be unfrozen. -2 new factions, one of which are tormentors that look like Rhulk -We lose to the Witness in the end, but specifically us. -The new destination is called "Schism" All confirmed”
Specifically the part that says we lose to the witness. If we lose and they win, that would imply they get the final shape. How do go on from there? What could be after if that happens?
submitted by DrumbumX to Destiny2Leaks [link] [comments]

2023.05.25 20:52 Nik-Yura Moneta. Part 2 - Guardian and protectress

Moneta. Part 2 - Guardian and protectress
The Demon of Death who appeared to Fedmahn Kassad in the valley of the Time Tombs - surprisingly resembles the Gorgon Medusa:
In Greek mythology, Medusa (/mɪˈdjuːzə, -sə/; Ancient Greek: Μέδουσα, romanized: Médousa, lit. 'guardian, protectress'),also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone. Was beheaded by the hero Perseus. [1]
Guardian and protectress!
There were also terrible Gorgons in this country. Their entire bodies were covered with scales as glistening and hard as steel. No sword could cut through these scales, only the curved sword of Hermes. The Gorgons had huge copper hands with sharp steel claws. On their heads, instead of hair, venomous snakes moved, hissing. The faces of the Gorgons, with their fangs as sharp as daggers, their lips as red as blood, and their eyes burning with rage, were filled with such malice, were so terrible that everyone turned to stone at the very sight of the Gorgons. [2]
​
...blood drips on her flesh, her pale flesh, reflective now, flesh as cold as dead metal... ...he watches through passion - dimmed eyes as Moneta’s lips wither and curl back, revealing rows of steel blades where teeth had been... her eyes... ...her eyes like red jewels, blazing with a mad heat... ...Kassad slams both hands against the soil, lifts himself away from her... from it... his strength insane but not enough as terrible gravities press them together... sucking like a lamprfey’s mouth as he threatens to explode, looks in her eyes... the death of worlds! [3]
​
On wings with golden glittering feathers, the Gorgons flew rapidly through the air. [2]
​
- How did I land? Suspensor field? Parachute? - You descended under a wing of gold foil. [3]
​
According to myths, the Gorgons lived "on the Western edge of the earth, the country where the goddess Night and the God of death Thanatos reigns" [2] (i.e., where the Sun hides - in the Kingdom of the dead). Thanatos - one of the prototypes of the Shrike, but the goddess of Night...
​
- The HTN stuff doesn’t simulate, - whined Cadet Radinski, the best AI expert Kassad could find and bribe to explain, - it dreams, dreams with the best historical accuracy in the Web - way beyond the sum of its parts cause it plugs in holistic insight as well as facts - and when it dreams, it lets us dream with it. Kassad had not understood but he had believed. And then she came again. In the First U.S. Vietnam War they made love in the aftermath of an ambush during the darkness and terror of a night patrol. Kassad wore rough camouflage clothes - with no underwear because of the jungle crotch rot - and a steel helmet not much more advanced than those at Agincourt. She wore black pajamas and sandals, the universal garb of the Southeast Asian peasant. And the Viet Cong. Then neither of them wore anything as they made love standing in the night, her back against a tree and her legs wrapped around him, while beyond them the world exploded in the green glow of perimeter flares and the sputter-crack of claymores. She came to him on the second day of Gettysburg and again at Borodino, where the clouds of powder smoke hung above the piles of bodies like a vapor congealed from departing souls. They made love in the shattered hulk of an AFC in Hellas Basin while the hovertank battle still raged and the red dust of the approaching simoon scraped and shrieked at the titanium hull. “Tell me your name", - he had whispered in Standard. She shook her head. "Are you real - outside the simulation?" - he asked in the Japanese-English of that era. She had nodded and leaned closer to kiss him. They lay together in a sheltered place among the ruins of Brasilia while deathbeams from Chinese EMVs played like blue searchlights on broken ceramic walls. During an unnamed battle after a siege of a forgotten tower city on the Russian steppes, he pulled her back into the shattered room where they had made love, and he whispered: "I want to stay with you." She touched his lips with a finger and shook her head. After the evacuation of New Chicago, as they lay on the hundredth-floor balcony where Kassad had set his sniper’s nest for the last U.S. Presidents hopeless rear-guard action, he placed his hand on the warm flesh between her breasts and said: "Can you ever join me… out there?" She touched his cheek with her palm and smiled. ... Kassad dreamed of her often. He had never learned her name, she had never spoken, but he could have recognized her touch and scent in total darkness among a thousand others. He thought of her as Mystery. When other young officers went whoring or seeking girlfriends in the indigenie populations, Kassad would remain on base or take long walks through strange cities. He kept his obsession with Mystery secret, knowing full well how it would read on a psych report. Sometimes, on bivouac under multiple moons or in the womblike zero-g of a troop transport hold, Kassad would realize how insane his love affair with a phantom truly was. But then he would recall the small mole under her left breast which he had kissed one night, feeling her heartbeat under his lips as the ground itself shook from the firing of the big guns near Verdun. He would remember the impatient gesture with which she brushed back her hair as her cheek rested on his thigh. ... On the night before the Ouster retreat, Kassad left the command conference on the HS Brazil, farcast to his HQ in the Indelibies north of the Hyne Valley, and took his command car to the summit to watch the final bombardment. The nearest of the tactical nuclear strikes was forty-five kilometers away. The plasma bombs blossomed like orange and blood-red flowers planted in a perfect grid. Kassad counted more than two hundred dancing columns of green light as the hellwhip lances ripped the broad plateau to shreds. And even before he slept, while he sat on the flare skirt of the EMV and shook pale afterimages from his eyes, she came. She wore a pale blue dress and walked lightly between the dead burr-root plants on the hillside. The breeze lifted the hem of the soft fabric of her dress. Her face and arms were pale, almost translucent. She called his name - he could almost hear the words - and then the second wave of bombardment rolled in across the plain below him and everything was lost in noise and flame. [3]
​
Nyx (/nɪks/ NIX; Ancient Greek: Νύξ Nýx, [nýks], "Night") is the Greek goddess and personification of night. A shadowy figure, Nyx stood at or near the beginning of creation and mothered other personified deities, such as Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death), with Erebus (Darkness). She is the first child of Chaos. She is typically portrayed as either a winged goddess with a dark cloud halo or dressed in black surrounded by dark mist.Her Roman equivalent is Nox (Night). [1]
Her appearances are sparse in surviving mythology, but reveal her as a figure of such exceptional power and beauty that she is feared by Zeus himself.In Hesiod's Theogony, Nyx is born of Chaos. With Erebus (Darkness), Nyx gives birth to Aether (Brightness) and Hemera (Day). Later, on her own, Nyx gives birth to Moros (Doom, Destiny), the Keres (Destruction, Death), Thanatos (Death), Hypnos (Sleep), the Oneiroi (Dreams), Momus (Blame), Oizys (Pain, Distress), the Hesperides, the Moirai (Fates), Nemesis (Indignation, Retribution), Apate (Deceit), Philotes (Friendship), Geras (Old Age), and Eris (Strife).
Now it is clear how and with whose help the Moneta appeared to Fedmahn Kassad in his dreams?
​
In a kylix by the painter Aison (circa 425 to circa 410 BCE) Theseus drags the Minotaur from a temple-like labyrinth, yet the goddess who attends him in this Attic representation is Athena. [1]
Athena[b] or Athene,[c] often given the epithet Pallas,[d] is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft.As Athena Promachos, she was believed to lead soldiers into battle. Athena represented the disciplined, strategic side of war, in contrast to her brother Ares, the patron of violence, bloodlust, and slaughter - "the raw force of war". Athena was believed to only support those fighting for a just cause and was thought to view war primarily as a means to resolve conflict. As the patroness of heroes and warriors, Athena was believed to favor those who used cunning and intelligence rather than brute strength. [1]
​
The New Bushido Code which governed Colonel Kassad’s life had evolved out of the necessity for the military class to survive. After the obscenities of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries on Old Earth, when military leaders had committed their nations to strategies wherein entire civilian populations were legitimate targets while their uniformed executioners sat safe in self-contained bunkers fifty meters under the earth, the repugnance of the surviving civilians was so great that for more than a century the word “military” was an invitation to a lynching. As the New Bushido evolved it combined the age-old concepts of honor and individual courage with the need to spare civilians whenever possible. It also saw the wisdom of returning to the pre-Napoleonic concepts of small, “nontotal” wars with defined goals and proscribed excesses. The Code demanded a forsaking of nuclear weapons and strategic bombing campaigns in all but the most extreme cases but, more than that, it demanded a return to Old Earth medieval concepts of set battles between small, professional forces at a mutually agreed-upon time in a place where destruction of public and private property would be kept to a minimum. ... From his first minutes on South Bressia, Kassad realized that the New Bushido was dead. Eighty thousand superbly armed and trained FORCE:ground troops advanced from their staging areas, seeking battle in an unpopulated place. Ouster forces retreated behind a line of scorched earth, leaving only booby traps and dead civilians. FORCE used farcasters to outmaneuver the enemy, to force him to fight. The Ousters responded with a barrage of nuclear and plasma weapons, pinning the ground troops under forcefields while the Ouster infantry retreated to prepared defenses around cities and drop-ship staging areas. What had been forecast as a two-day battle ground on for thirty days, then sixty. Warfare had been thrown back to the twentieth or twenty-first century: long, grim campaigns fought through the brick dust of ruined cities over the corpses of civilians. The eighty thousand original FORCE troops were ground up, reinforced with a hundred thousand more, and were still being decimated when the call went out for two hundred thousand more. Only the grim resolve of Meina Gladstone and a dozen other determined senators kept the war alive and the troops dying while the billions of voices of the All Thing and the AI Advisory Council called for disengagement. Kassad had understood the change of tactics almost at once. His street-fighting instincts had risen to the forefront even before most of his division was wiped out in the Battle of the Stoneheap. While other FORCE commanders were all but ceasing to function, frozen into indecision by this violation of the New Bushido, Kassad—in command of his regiment and in temporary command of his division after the nuking of Command Group Delta—was trading men for time and calling for the release of fusion weapons to spearhead his own counterattack. By the time the Ousters withdrew ninety-seven days after the FORCE “rescue” of Bressia, Kassad had earned the double-edged nickname of the Butcher of South Bressia. It was rumored that even his own troops were afraid of him. And Kassad dreamed of her with dreams that were more—and less—than dreams. On the last night of the Battle for Stoneheap, in the maze of dark tunnels where Kassad and his hunter-killer groups used sonics and T-5 gas to flush out the last warrens of Ouster commandos, the Colonel fell asleep amid the flame and screams and felt the touch of her long fingers on his cheek and the soft compression of her breasts against him. When they entered New Vienna on the morning after the space strike Kassad had called in, the troops following the glass-smooth, twenty-meter-wide burn grooves into the lanced city, Kassad had stared without blinking at the rows of human heads lying on the pavement, carefully lined up as if to welcome the rescuing FORCE troops with their accusatory stares. Kassad had returned to his command EMV, closed the hatches, and—curling up in the warm darkness smelling of rubber, heated plastics, charged ions—had heard her Whispers over the babble of the C3 channels and implant coding. On the night before the Ouster retreat, Kassad left the command conference on the HS Brazil, farcast to his HQ in the Indelibies north of the Hyne Valley, and took his command car to the summit to watch the final bombardment. The nearest of the tactical nuclear strikes was forty-five kilometers away. The plasma bombs blossomed like orange and blood-red flowers planted in a perfect grid. Kassad counted more than two hundred dancing columns of green light as the hellwhip lances ripped the broad plateau to shreds. And even before he slept, while he sat on the flare skirt of the EMV and shook pale afterimages from his eyes, she came. She wore a pale blue dress and walked lightly between the dead burr-root plants on the hillside. The breeze lifted the hem of the soft fabric of her dress. Her face and arms were pale, almost translucent. She called his name—he could almost hear the words—and then the second wave of bombardment rolled in across the plain below him and everything was lost in noise and flame. [3]
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Athena is associated with the myth of Perseus and the Gorgon Medusa. However, in the myth, the role of Athena is unsightly - she herself turned the beautiful Medusa into a monster, and then arranged Perseus' campaign to kill Medusa. In "Hyperion Cantos" there is no such turnover. The conflict unfolds in the inner world of Fedmahn Kassad: when He turns to the methods of warfare of Ares, the demon Medusa takes the place of the goddess Athena.
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And finally - it is impossible not to recall such a prototype of Moneta as Valkyrie. And specifically - the leader of the valkyries - Freyja.
In Norse paganism, Freyja (Old Norse "(the) Lady") is a goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seiðr (magic for seeing and influencing the future). Freyja is the owner of the necklace Brísingamen, rides a chariot pulled by two cats, is accompanied by the boar Hildisvíni, and possesses a cloak of falcon feathers. By her husband Óðr, she is the mother of two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi. Along with her twin brother Freyr, her father Njörðr, and her mother (Njörðr's sister, unnamed in sources), she is a member of the Vanir. Stemming from Old Norse Freyja, modern forms of the name include Freya, Freyia, and Freja.
Freyja rules over her heavenly field, Fólkvangr, where she receives half of those who die in battle. The other half go to the god Odin's hall, Valhalla. Within Fólkvangr lies her hall, Sessrúmnir. [2]
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Later, in the carnage of the valley, Moneta and a few others of the Chosen Warriors found Kassad’s body still wrapped in a death embrace with the battered Shrike. They removed Kassad with care, carried him to a waiting tent in the valley, washed and tended to his ravaged body, and bore him through the multitudes to the Crystal Monolith. There the body of Colonel Fedmahn Kassad was laid on a bier of white marble, and weapons were set at his feet. In the valley, a great bonfire filled the air with light. All up and down the valley, men and women moved with torches while other people descended through the lapis lazuli sky, some in flying craft as insubstantial as molded bubbles, others on wings of energy or wrapped in circles of green and gold. Later, when the stars were in place burning bright and cold above the light-filled valley, Moneta made her farewells and entered the Sphinx. The multitudes sang. In the fields beyond, small rodents poked among fallen pennants and the scattered remnants of carapace and armor, metal blade and melted steel. Toward midnight, the crowd stopped singing, gasped, and moved back. The Time Tombs glowed. Fierce tides of anti-entropic force drove the crowds farther back—to the entrance of the valley, across the battlefield, back to the city glowing softly in the night. In the valley, the great Tombs shimmered, faded from gold to bronze, and started their long voyage back. [3]
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Konstantin Vasilyev, \"Valkyrie over a Fallen Warrior\"
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And a poetic addition. Sorry for the big quote:
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To Kassad’s left, the Valley of the Time Tombs stretched away as always, only the cliff walls were toppled now, worn down by erosion or landslide and carpeted with high grass. The Tombs themselves looked new, only recently constructed, with workmen’s scaffolds still in place around the Obelisk and Monolith. Each of the aboveground Tombs glowed bright gold, as if bound and burnished in the precious metal. The doors and entrances were sealed. Heavy and inscrutable machinery sat around the Tombs, ringing the Sphinx, with massive cables and wire-slender booms running to and fro. Kassad knew at once that he was in the future—perhaps centuries or millennia in the future—and that the Tombs were on the verge of being launched back to his own time and beyond. Kassad looked behind him. Several thousand men and women stood in row upon row along the grassy hillside where once a cliff had been. They were totally silent, armed, and arrayed facing Kassad like a battle line awaiting its leader. Skinsuit fields flickered around some, but others wore only the fur, wings, scales, exotic weapons, and elaborate colorations which Kassad had seen in his earlier visit with Moneta, to the place/time where he had been healed. Moneta. She stood between Kassad and the multitudes, her skinsuit field shimmering about her waist but also wearing a soft jumpsuit which looked to be made of black velvet. A red scarf was tied around her neck. A rod-thin weapon was slung over her shoulder. Her gaze was fixed on Kassad. He weaved slightly, feeling the seriousness of his wounds beneath the skinsuit, but also seeing something in Moneta’s eyes which made him weak with surprise. She did not know him. Her face mirrored the surprise, wonder … awe? … which the rows of other faces showed. The valley was silent except for the occasional snap of pennant on pike or the low rustle of wind in the grass as Kassad gazed at Moneta and she stared back, Kassad looked over his shoulder. The Shrike stood immobile as a metal sculpture, ten meters away. Tall grass grew almost to its barbed and bladed knees. Behind the Shrike, across the head of the valley near where the dark band of elegant trees began, hordes of other Shrikes, legions of Shrikes, row upon row of Shrikes, stood gleaming scalpel-sharp in the low sunlight. Kassad recognized his Shrike, the Shrike, only because of its proximity and the presence of his own blood on the thing’s claws and carapace. The creature’s eyes pulsed crimson. “You are the one, aren’t you?” asked a soft voice behind him. Kassad whirled, feeling the vertigo assail him for an instant. Moneta had stopped only a few feet away. Her hair was as short as he remembered from their first meeting, her skin as soft-looking, her eyes as mysterious with their depths of brown-specked green. Kassad had the urge to lift his palm and gently touch her cheekbone, run a curled finger along the familiar curve of her lower lip. He did not. “You’re the one,” Moneta said again, and this time it was not a question. “The warrior I’ve prophesied to the people.” “You don’t know me, Moneta?” Several of Kassad’s wounds had cut close to bone, but none hurt as much as this moment. She shook her head, flipped her hair off her forehead with a painfully familiar movement. “Moneta. It means both ‘Daughter of Memory’ and ‘admonisher.’ That is a good name.” “It’s not yours?” She smiled. Kassad remembered that smile in the forest glen the first time they had made love. “No,” she said softly. “Not yet. I’ve just arrived here. My voyage and guardianship have not yet begun.” She told him her name. Kassad blinked, raised his hand, and set his palm along her cheek. “We were lovers,” he said. “We met on battlefields lost in memory. You were with me everywhere.” He looked around. “It all leads to this, doesn’t it.” “Yes,” said Moneta. Kassad turned to stare at the army of Shrikes across the valley. “Is this a war? A few thousand against a few thousand?” “A war,” said Moneta. “A few thousand against a few thousand on ten million worlds.” Kassad closed his eyes and nodded. The skinsuit served as sutures, field dressings, and ultramorph injector for him, but the pain and weakness from terrible wounds could not be kept at bay for much longer. “Ten million worlds,” he said and opened his eyes. “A final battle, then?” “Yes.” “And the winner claims the Tombs?” Moneta glanced at the valley. “The winner determines whether the Shrike already entombed there goes alone to pave the way for others … ” She nodded toward the army of Shrikes. “Or whether humankind has a say in our past and future.” “I don’t understand,” said Kassad, his voice tight, “but soldiers rarely understand the political situation.” He leaned forward, kissed the surprised Moneta, and removed her red scarf. “I love you,” he said as he tied the bit of cloth to the barrel of his assault rifle. Telltales showed that half his pulse charge and ammunition remained. Fedmahn Kassad strode forward five paces, turned his back on the Shrike, raised his arms to the people, still silent on the hillside, and shouted, “For liberty!” Three thousand voices cried back, “For liberty!” The roar did not end with the final word. Kassad turned, keeping the rifle and pennant high. The Shrike moved forward half a step, opened its stance, and unfolded fingerblades. Kassad shouted and attacked. Behind him, Moneta followed, weapon held high. Thousands followed. [3]
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Conquistador in iron armor, Pursuing gaily my own star; I walk through precipice and canyon, And only rest in joyful lands.
The fog grows grim in starless skies. But I am silent and I wait; And I have faith — I’ll find my love. Conquistador in iron armor.
If stars can hear no sunlit words, I shall create my own bright dream; And charm it with the songs of battle.
A brother I to storm and chasm, But to my battle dress I add The star of fields — a fleur de lys.
Nikolay Gumilev
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[1] - quotes from Wikipedia
[2] - quotes from N.A.Kun "Legends and myths of Ancient Greece"
[3] - quotes from "Hyperion Cantos"
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2023.05.25 20:38 MenaraHolidays Setti Fatma And the Seven Waterfalls in Marrakech

Setti Fatma And the Seven Waterfalls in Marrakech
Setti Fatma And the Seven Waterfalls in Marrakech
Setti Fatma is the last douar accessible by road from Marrakech. It is also the starting point for daily excursions and hikes.
Some tourists come to see the seven waterfalls.And others come to experience the hikes of its mountainous trails.
But everyone agrees that this is a must visit when you are in Morocco.
Setti Fatma was the ascetic daughter of a well known scholar of his time. People remember this lady as a righteous and agreed-upon guardian of religious traditions.
She was a bright student of the scholars of her time. Her distinguished intellect emerged in various jurisprudential sciences. Even more, her enthusiasm and energy qualified her to teach.
Some sources reported that she used to wear clothes that resembled men's clothes.
This unusual attitude led to many harassments against the pious lady.
To escape people, she used to move between villages on the periphery of Marrakesh.
Finally, Setti Fatma settled in one of the valleys of the Ourika Valley. And this valley became known as the Zawiya of Siti Fatma.
She then got married and made her home a refuge for the poor, the needy, and the stranger. She spent her money and time helping travelers, sicks, and orphans.
Also, she played a significant role in reconciling personal and tribal disputes.
Her house earned a powerful influence on the religious, social, and political life. It was a minaret of wisdom in the whole region.
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2023.05.25 20:09 Spartawolf Galactic High (Chapter 71)

First/Previous
The faint, cool breeze gently whistling through the window began to stir the sleeping figure awake, stiff muscles subconsciously reaching for a blanket that wasn’t there. Slowly, the familiar sounds of home enticed the Stygian to begin the slow process of returning back to the realm of the awoken.
As she opened her eyes, the first thing Nya noticed was the dark grey, chiselled stone ceiling above her, with several faint lights to illuminate the cavern. She blinked a few times, trying to clear her vision before she realised that she was lying in the Healing Caves.
She was home.
Nya tried to get up from the stone slab she had been lying on. Her muscles felt rough and sore as she groaned in pain, before she heard a familiar voice echo from nearby.
“Nya. How do you feel?”
“Rena?” The Stygian asked as she redoubled her efforts and got up, closing her eyes as a ripple of pain erupted from her heavily bandaged chest. “I’ve been better…”
“You’re lucky to be alive.” Her friend chided her as the Vulsta moved into view. “You overextended yourself again.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Nya growled in anger, before she took a deep breath and calmed herself down, rhythmically breathing in and out as she began to feel more alert. “How bad?”
“Grandmaster Ilvella led the efforts to heal your body.” Rena calmly informed her. “You won’t be able to return to your other half for a while but your cover is intact. However rumours of Devil’s Daughter’s death have been circulating, and Svaartal claimed your staff. I believe it’s now in the hands of his Drow masters.”
“Shit!” Nya cursed as she slammed a fist into the wall in anger, immediately regretting it. “I need to get it back.”
“You need to approach this with a clear mind.” Rena slowly explained, and Nya quickly realised that she was right. “From what Grandmaster Ilvella has been led to believe you picked a fight with Svaartal and lost in single combat. Facing both him and House Mal’Kar would be much worse, especially if you are caught by the Drow…”
“I have a ritual I can use to make things easier to get it back.” Nya argued before sighing. “But you’re right.”
“The Grandmaster is displeased.” Rena then added. “He wanted to speak to you the moment you awoke.”
“Of course he does.” Nya sighed as she tentatively cast a quick spell to block out the pain. “He doesn’t know what I saw.”
“What happened?” Rena asked curiously. “Why would you attack Svaartal in the middle of a defence against the Klowns?”
“I saw the staff, Rena.” Nya looked at her friend unblinking. “The one from Grandmaster Ilvella’s memories. I underestimated that bastard Svaartal, but I had to act!””
“By the gods…” Rena gasped. “No wonder you went after him!”
“Svaarti had the staff.” Nya groaned as she tried to stand up, with Rena supporting her. “And Svaartal had the sword. No doubt about it that I found the weapons of our Savior.”
“We need to get you to the Grandmaster, now.” Rena told her in a tone that allowed for no debate. “He questioned me extensively about Svaartal, I don’t know what his plans are.”
“Alright. Let’s take the scenic route.” Nya grunted as she began moving. “I can get another staff from my quarters on the way to the Monastery. I can’t walk like this and I need the fresh air. The Healing Caves can only help me so much.”
“Of course.” Rena nodded as she supported her friend, walking out of the empty cave into a chiselled corridor that branched off to other similar healing chambers, though from the look of things they were not currently in use. Either a significant amount of time had passed since the Klown attack, or more likely they had remained undetected. They were a few hundred miles from Naganai after all…
Walking out of the cave entrance and stopping for a moment, Nya took a moment to take in the view as the light of the day warmed her face.
Deep in the heart of the uncharted wilderness and far from any known civilization, their hidden monastery had flourished over the years. The primarily Stygian community had been blessed with an abundance of natural resources and excellent land for cultivation that had allowed them to thrive in their isolated existence.
Not to mention its great beauty.
The centrepiece of their hidden community was the magnificent waterfall that cascaded down from the cliffs above, providing a constant source of freshwater, and creating the soothing ambiance that dominated the local atmosphere. Both Rena and Nya had spent many a childhood afternoon swimming and fishing in the lake formed underneath, which fed into a winding river that snaked all through the heart of their enclave, providing the vital source of nourishment for the local farmland.
Grandmaster Ilvella had discovered the location shortly after fleeing the Demonfire War, following the Stygian Awakening with several of his followers, and had been the master of this place since, bringing in many Stygians and other like-minded individuals over the years before moving to more lofty ambitions.
The valley below was a hub of activity, as groups of monks went about their daily chores, either cleaning, tending to the gardens or fishing along the river. Several more figures nearby sat in quiet, deep meditation at prepared spots along the path downwards to the river below, who the two girls passed without comment, not wishing to disturb them.
“No doubt we’ll be joining them soon.” Nya quipped to Rena. “Though you’ve always been far better at that than I have.”
“I have always known that the way of the monk has been my calling.” Rena pointed out. “Ever since Grandmaster Ilvella found and adopted me into the monastery as a child I knew I wished to follow in his footsteps.” The Vulsta then gave Nya a rare smile. “Besides, at least one of us has to keep a clear mind.”
“True.” Nya shyly smiled back as the slowly walked down the pristine slopes. “I guess I’ve always been more focused on my sorcery, but I do try.”
“The Grandmaster seeks perfection in all of his students.” Rena told her, as she had done many times before. “But-”
“But perfection is impossible, so he seeks to make us the best version of ourselves.” Nya finished for her with an uncharacteristic smirk. “Believe it or not but I have learned a few things here.”
Making it to the bottom of the slope they passed a monk that was lighting incense at one of the well-maintained shrines, giving them a quick greeting as they made their way to their quarters. Sliding the thin door open to her room, Nya quickly grabbed some warm robes to put over her bare bandaged skin from a freshly laundered pile one of the monks had left for her and went to a nearby cupboard that was adorned with ancient patterns she had recovered while on a mission. Though she could likely select one of the staves from the Monastery armoury, she had kept a few spares for herself. Passing by a gnarled treebranch that had been used by a militant druid that had targeted innocent farmers and a pale white she had recovered from the vault of a corrupt executive, she eventually settled on a rod or red crystal which hummed with power as she took it from its stand. With a thought she activated the innate power of the staff, witnessing the powerful magic changing the colour to purple, then to blue, then back to red.
It was far more than just a fancy colour scheme….
“This will even the odds for next time.” Nya grimly whispered.
“Is that the one you took from the Malificar?” Rena asked, sounding worried. “That tried to bind a Nazraji?”
“Yes.” Nya nodded grimly. “I can use it for now. It will require me to adapt my style but I think I may be stronger for it. Versatility is Svaartal’s strength. I must match it with my own next time I face him.”
“As you say.” Rena nodded, patting the Stygian on the shoulder with a yellow paw. “I imagine you will wish to train with it as well?”
“Yes.” Nya nodded as she steadied her thoughts. “There is much riding on me to be successful, I have to be ready.”
“Shall we see the Grandmaster now?” Rena prompted.
“No putting it off any more.” Nya sighed, composing herself. “Let’s go.”
The two quickly left their living quarters, pacing purposefully down the dirt path to where it met the main linear path of ancient cobblestone, turning towards the waterfall that overlooked the main monastery complex built into the side of the cliff, an extensive network of chambers that dwarfed their surface territory. Just outside there was a well treated courtyard that usually served either as a ‘town square’ or as the Grandmaster’s ‘classroom’ on good days.
Right now however, several of the masters were conducting smaller classes with groups of younger students, either guiding them through weapon’s training, or harnessing their sorcerous power against several targets. Waiting for a gap to appear the two crossed the courtyard and passed the open gates of the complex.
Though both had entered the building many times they could not help but feel the sense of awe and reverence on entering the huge entryway. All throughout the building, channels of water were flowing freely, along the sides of the rooms, and directly in the center, criss-crossing to eventually flow down to the lake outside, creating a calming and tranquil atmosphere that was perfect for meditation. As the weather outside was clear and warm, the entrance chamber was empty of classes and prayers, allowing the two to slowly make their way to the Grandmaster’s Office, occasionally meeting a junior monk that was cleaning along the way.
Eventually they found themselves at a thick set of intricately carved wooden doors depicting scenes from ancient religious texts that predated their community at the heart of the monastery, the personal chambers of the Grandmaster. Nya reached out a hand to knock but before she could a voice from within called “Enter Nya. Rena, remain outside.”
As Rena bowed to the voice and turned to guard the chambers from eavesdroppers, Nya tentatively opened the door and respectfully walked in.
In the center of the small room, there was a desk, carved from a single slab of blood-red crystal that had already been present when Grandmaster Ilvella first discovered the monastery, and was large enough to accommodate the many books and scrolls that the Grandmaster used in his constant studies. Behind the desk, there was a tall, ornate chair, upholstered in rich red velvet and adorned with silver trim.
Though many monasteries discouraged a materialistic existence, and insisted that adherents to their Path lived a simple lifestyle, Grandmaster Ilvella did not abide by that philosophy himself, considering it unnatural and unrealistic. He taught that it was only natural to become attached to material possessions, and that many of the greatest powers in the galaxy utilised opulence as a valid tool to command respect in negotiations and shadow work. He did however warn his students not to let the lust of desire consume them, and that a perfect balance was to have possessions, but not to let them possess you.
To the left of the desk was a large bookshelf that Nya knew was filled with ancient tomes and manuscripts that taught rare and forgotten techniques that the Grandmaster had discovered. The shelves were meticulously organised, and the Stygian knew that Grandmaster Ilvella often reread the contents as if trying to sift every last drop of knowledge from their contents.
On the right side of the room was where the Grandmaster sat in a meditation circle, several scented candles burning brightly all throughout the room. At first glance it would appear that the Grandmaster was relaxed, but Nya knew that behind all the grandfatherly demeanour was a highly potent, sharp and calculating intellect that knew few rivals.
Nya quietly strode forward, knowing what was expected, before sitting down cross legged in front of her master, and closing her eyes. As her astral form rose out of her body to meet that of her master, her thoughts immediately turned to what had happened that night.
“Rena has told me much.” The venerable Stygian told Nya in a cold tone. “However I would witness your memories of the event itself, and the context leading to it.”
“Yes Grandmaster.” Nya quickly nodded as the astral form of her master reached out and placed a hand on her forehead. She tried not to recoil in pain as Grandmaster Ilvella scoured though her mind and absorbed her memories of the events. Though much had deteriorated, she would hide nothing.
“I see.” Her master finally nodded. “Yes, this confirms Rena’s account but I wished to clarify several details. The Outsider saved you after you were able to teleport away. You were right to alert me of him the moment you first encountered him. He’s one to watch.”
“He is a good person, Master.” Nya added. “We could-”
“No.” Ilvella dismissed. “While he is not necessarily our enemy he is dangerous and unpredictable. The Cult of the Destroyer even thought he was their prophesied Hero, though fortunately it appears that they were mistaken. I must say I was surprised when he was able to see through my Obfuscation, even though Rena informed me of his ability to see her during the attack. Retain your cover and continue to monitor him for now. If you can get closer to him and his friend group without compromising yourself, do so.”
“As you say Grandmaster.” Nya bowed. “I already consider them friends anyway.”
“However, the more pressing issue…” Ilvella continued. “You were right about the staff, it belonged to our Savior. Seeing the sword too confirms it.”
Nya nodded in acknowledgement, knowing her master was not finished.
“However, despite that you were reckless.” His voice was cold, but angry. “You are meant to be a symbol for the Stygian people to rally behind, and you were defeated! Publicly! The galaxy despises us! Many of us can’t cope with the freedom we were given, and some even went straight back to the mindless beasts that we were before we were all saved!”
Nya kept her head bowed. She had heard this many times before.
“We are here to build and secure the existence of our species Nya, and Devil’s Daughter is vital to that goal. You are to be a hero blessed by a god that will be born to shelter our species, continuing a noble legacy” He bowed his head. “I will not see everything she fought for be for nothing.”
“The Saviour…”
“Yes.” Ilvella replied sadly. “It was by her hand that your staff was made, binding the fragments of the shattered Demon Core of Azazel, Lord of Torment and our hated creator into an artefact entrusted to my safekeeping, and bestowed upon you, my finest student.”
“I’ll get it back.” Nya nodded with determination.
“Yes, you must get it back in time.” Ilvella agreed. “But in the right way. Left for too long in the wrong hands may have disastrous consequences, but moving too soon may be worse.”
The Grandmaster paused for a moment, as if considering something.
“That Nirah that defeated you. I know nothing of them for sure aside from your memories, and it never even hinted at his skill level. I do not blame you for your defeat.” He sighed, though Nya suspected he was hiding something from her. “You may go for now. I will call a conclave tonight. Everyone is to attend. I have shown you all many tales of our ‘Saviour’ over the years. It’s time you all know my full story of what happened that night.”
Nya had spent her time over the next few hours pondering those words as she completed her homework and recovered her strength. What had changed? Her master had shared many memories of his adventures with the Savior and her retinue, but Nya had always felt like it had been curated, like he placed her on a pedestal and wouldn’t allow any negativity to surround her image.
Her and Rena were sat cross-legged among the several hundred or so acolytes in the main courtyard of the monastery, waiting for the Grandmaster to complete his ritual. All Stygians were present, with only a few of the community of other species missing to stand guard with summoned creatures.
The sharing of memories was an important tradition established by Grandmaster Ilvella, as a way to foster culture and camaraderie with the Stygians he was able to convince to join him, eventually extending it to the rest of his students, though Nya knew it also unofficially served as a security measure. Though every student present, even the littlest ones were disciplined and silent, it felt as if the very air itself stilled the moment his Second, Master Merrin, lifted her hand to call for order.
“Students.” Grandmaster Ilvella began, sitting cross-legged and facing them all, flanked by the other masters. “Long have I shared many memories with you, helping to guide your growth into the exceptional individuals you are today. Today, I am going to show you a story I have kept from you until now. Perhaps I should have shown you from the start, however it is a memory that pains me to this very day. Though I have been your master for many years, and shown you much, I haven’t shown you the moment we defeated Azazel, Lord of Torment, and what happened after.”
He took a deep breath.
“You know her as ‘The Saviour’ because ultimately, that is who she is to all of us. However to me, a Firstborn, possibly the first among our kind to achieve both sapience and free will while under the thrall of Azazel through the discipline and willpower I now train you all in, she was the first person to place her trust in me when she had no reason to do so. She was my dearest friend that saved me from being killed immediately on sight by the Red Legion, and ultimately led to me following the Path and helping her defeat Azazel and freeing the rest of our people.”
He paused for a moment as he let his words sink in.
“Svaarvali was an exceptional woman, strong in both magic and might, but her greatest strength was her kind soul. She always wanted to help out whoever she could and make lives better for everybody, and it was only a matter of time before she was chosen as an active Hero by Astara, the Goddess of Justice, undergoing the Rite of Heroism and leading the efforts to eliminate Azazel once and for all.”
Ilvella smiled as he recalled the memory, as a tear ran down his eye.
“We were successful.”
Extending a hand, the area around Nya shimmered and faded away, as the Grandmaster revealed his memory to his students.
Accompanied by feelings of deep, primal fear and unease, a cavern of volcanic rock was revealed, softly illuminated by a foul red glow ahead. The air was thick with the putrid stench of decay, and the sounds of tortured cries echoed throughout the foreboding chamber.
The sound of heavy footsteps approached, as a towering figure emerged from the shadows - a grotesque demonic creature with bulging muscles and twisted bird-like wings. Its three crimson eyes gleamed with malice as its sharp maw gnarled into a wicked smile.
“Impressive that your impudent Legion made it this far and was able to distract my Core Guardians.” The beast growled. “Though that will not save you from me.”
“You think so highly of yourself!” a confident voice challenged, and Nya could make out the confident, grinning figure pacing forward without fear. “I have made it through your dungeon and defeated your horrors. This is the end for you, Azazel! The Red Legion has defeated you and your forces!”
The helmetless Nirah was clad in radiant, crimson scale heavy armour that did little to impede her movements. Many magical effects shimmered around her, and she was ready for battle! With an assured wave of her arms and a cocky grin she summoned her Golden Staff and Spellstriker Sword, one in each hand.
“My forces are expendable, I already have what I need from this plane of existence.” Azazel snarled. “You’re too late.”
“I’m sure my friends and I would love to hear your extensively prepared monologue while your Guardians shit themselves coming to your rescue…” Svaarvali daringly smiled with dangerously narrowed eyes. “But I think we’d rather shut you up for good.”
Blinking forward in a charge, Svaarvali lunged forward to meet the Demon Lord at close range as Nya saw a younger Grandmaster Ilvella and others spread out to surround them. Two of the companions went straight for the source of red light, but were suddenly cut off by a mass of black tentacles that quickly ensnared and tore them to pieces.
“It’s another Core Guardian!” One of the companions yelled out, lurching back and stepping onto a pressure plate, sending a flurry of black arrows to cut them down before they even realised the danger. Another tentacle lashed out at Ilvella, but the monk leapt up into the air with a spin, avoiding the attack and countering with a powerful strike infused with magic, blasting the tentacle apart with kinetic force.
“Boriah!” Svaarvali yelled as she levelled the Golden Staff at Azazel’s chest. The cone of cold smashed into the Demon Lord in a devastating strike and sent him stumbling back, before he quickly regained his footing.
The two combatants circled each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly the Demon Lord leaped forward with incredible speed as Svaarvali quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack as she retaliated with a forceful slash of her sword, tearing a gaping slice through one of the wings as the beam of energy continued through and severed another at the base. Roaring in blind rage Azazel charged and swung wildly with its claws, smashing into the cavern wall as Svaarvali blinked away just in time, before following through with a wicked swipe at the ankle of the Demon Lord.
Now hobbled, the Demon Lord lashed out with his own magic, sending a fork of chain lightning at Svarvali who cried out as she absorbed the blow, before the bolts of electricity jumped and smashed into two of her nearby companions, striking them dead.
Roaring in righteous anger, Svaarvali lashed out with a barrage of magical attacks, sending several fireballs smashing into the hulking form, flinging chunks of nearby rock out into the air. Now that the Demon Lord was staggered, Svaarvali’s instincts kicked in as she raised her staff and sword, focusing all of her energy and willpower into a single, devastating spell. A beam of dark ice shot out from the tip of her staff, striking the Demon Lord in their already wounded chest. Azazel howled in agony as the ice solidified into a spear that pinned them in place, as powerful magics drained them of more and more energy…
“Destroy the Core!” A voice of one of their companions called as the sounds of portals could be heard, bringing more and more enemies into the room.
They would not survive much longer…
Blinking and dashing forward as fast as she could, Svaarvali slashed out with her sword, striking down any enemy that tried to impede her path towards the dark red light ahead. Imps and gargoyles desperately tried to hold her back as Azazel roared, putting all of his strength into smashing apart the Ice Lance and giving chase. Equally desperate, Svaarvali threw a quick wall of ice behind her that barely stopped the Demon Lord as she made it to the steps of the small ziggurat that housed the Core at the top.
Using what remained of her energy to get to the top, Svaarvali didn’t hesitate to strike the evil Demon Core with her sword, sending a ripple of energy through the Demon Lord’s minions that caused them to recoil in pain as the final magical protections were ripped apart. Allowing one quick glance behind her, Svaarvali could see that most of her companions were dead, with only a scant few making their last stands below. Cursing herself for the split-second she hesitated, Svaarvali placed her hand on the Demon Core, and began the greatest struggle of her life as she put all of her magical energy into its destruction…
Ilvella snarled as he took a bolt of plasma to the chest, only just managing to twist and twirl his body in time to avoid a mortal blow. He would stay in the fight for as long as he could to give Svaarvali a chance. Seeing his Xarak companion fall from behind him, Ilvella knew he was the last man standing as a spear jabbed out from the side to lance him in the shoulder, just as he grabbed at the shaft to blunt its momentum enough to stay alive.
But with that blow he was pinned as he saw the claw come for his face.
This is a good day to die as a free man… He thought to himself before the gargoyle suddenly crumbled to dust in front of him. Others followed suit a split second later as a pulse lashed out from where a shattering sound could be heard from the ziggurat as the limp form of the Nirah clattered down the stairs.
She had done it.
They had won.
“Listen Ilvella…” Svaarvali groaned quietly to Ilvalla as he helped her stand up and move to the scattered shards of the core. They were the only two left still alive. All of their friends and companions had fallen in the battle beyond recovery. “You will need to act quickly and leave Red Legion lands with as many of your freed people as you can the moment you get the opportunity to do so. The minds of the Stygian people are free from Azazel’s influence, though I fear that this has driven many of your people to insanity, and the fighting will continue in many places. This war is not over yet, but I swear in the name of all the gods I will speak on the Stygian’s behalf to the Red Legion and petition that all of you of sound and able mind be supported and rehabilitated into society, but I cannot promise that my word will be enough.”
“Were you able to….” Ilvella began before Svaarvali quickly nodded.
“I was able to smash the essence of Azazel into a million pieces.” She confirmed. “However I fear that Azazel may have been telling the truth, and had contingencies in play.”
“So what do we do?” Ilvella asked. “If he is able to somehow return…”
Svaarvali said nothing as she raised her staff and begun chanting. The shattered pieces of the Demon Core began to float into the air and piece themselves back together as Ilvella began to panic, but stopped on seeing the pieces form into a staff. Eventually Svaarvali shuddered, and the newly magical staff of dark, demonic obsidian dropped into her hands, before she turned and presented it to Ilvella.
“Take this when you go and make sure it gets put to good use.” The Nirah smiled warmly. “I know you’ll do what’s best.”
“I…” Ilvella began. “I can’t take this! It’s yours by right! There is no way the Red Legion will let-”
“This is my gift to you Ilvella.” Svaarvali gently interrupted as she placed a hand on Ilvella’s shoulder. “Use it to give your people a future. And speaking of the future, I would love for you to meet my children some day when all of this settles, I’m sure you’d get along famously!”
Svaarvali’s expression grew serious for a moment, as they heard the distant sounds of friendly troops approaching. “I lost a lot of power destroying that Demon Core, and for all I know I may no longer be fit to be Astara’s Hero. It would be good to retire from fighting and settle down in a peaceful Galaxy. I’ve been away from my children for too long…”
The scene faded away as the memory ended, with the grim senses of the demonic dungeon once again being replaced by the cool evening air of the night sky above them.
“That was the last time I saw or spoke to Svaarvali.” Grandmaster Ilvella finally spoke up, as the tears flowed. “I did as she asked, and got as many out of Red Legion space as I could, later learning that what Stygians had surrendered to the Red Legion were exiled and scattered around the Galaxy, with many unable to cope and returning to a dark nature - the closest thing they have to a connection with Azazel. For years I had hoped I would hear from my friend once again. There were places and codes we used, and I left all the signs I could, but I received no word.”
The Grandmaster sighed as Master Merrin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Nya was shocked. She had never seen the usually stoic, confident and respected Ilvella reduced to this before.
“I have always told you that our Saviour sacrificed themselves to defeat Azazel.” Ilvella continued after taking several calm breaths. “And that is what Red Legion history would tell you. I do not know what happened, but I believe my friend is dead…”
He took more deep breaths to compose himself again.
“Svaarvali leaves behind a heroic legacy that I can only hope to try and emulate and teach you all.”
Though he was addressing everybody, Nya could see his gaze subtly meet hers.
“And we shall honour that legacy.”
*****
First/Previous
Welp....this is bound to go well...
If you're impatient for the next chapter, why not check out my previous series?
Some pictures have been added to The Galactic High Info Sheet! If you have any fanart or any pictures you think might fit one of the entries, please let us know on the discord!
Don't forget! You all have the ability to leave comments and notes to the entries, which I encourage you to do!
As always I love to see the comments on what you guys think!
Don't forget to join the discussion with us on Discord, and consider checking me out on Youtube if you haven't already! Until next week, it's goodbye for now!
submitted by Spartawolf to HFY [link] [comments]

2023.05.25 19:13 Kojinoba A Glimpse into the Unknown: The Valley of Light (A Final Shape theory)

During the teaser trailer for Final Shape, many wondered about the intriguing glimpses we caught, particularly involving our beloved Hunter, Cayde-6. But where did this interaction take place? Let me share two essential pieces of lore that might shed some light on the matter.
In the vast expanse of the universe, the Traveler stands as an incomprehensible marvel. The first lore piece comes from Balthazar, a Ghost without a Guardian. In the Difference of Opinion lore, Balthazar presents an interesting perspective on the Traveler: “Imagine a cosmos inside a bottle. Trillions of stars orbiting each other in a complex weave. But they aren't stars. Perhaps a better word would be… souls. Souls, dancing in an infinite space enclosed within a celestial egg”.
Each soul, akin to a flickering flame, might add to the vibrant brilliance of the Traveler. As we began to delve deeper into the mystery of the Traveler and the Light, we started to grasp the profound connection it shares with the very fabric of existence.
This interconnectedness binds us to something greater than ourselves. As Ikora expresses in Visions of Light: “When we channel the light, we connect to something much bigger than any one of us. Even departed sparks – like Cayde's – still leave a trace in this luminous web we call the Light”.
So I believe that within the depths of the Traveler, the luminous web of the Light materializes into a tangible form. It represents a convergence of paracausal energies, embodying the intricate web that unites us all. Thus, we arrive at a compelling realization: the portal that has been luring us leads to a place I dubbed the Valley of Light.
This Valley of Light exists as an eternal sanctuary, a haven for departed souls where their essence continues to resonate and live on. Within this transcendent realm, Cayde's spirit, along with countless other Guardians, thrive and contribute to the luminous aura that saturates the valley.
submitted by Kojinoba to DestinyLore [link] [comments]

2023.05.25 18:19 CapMinimum [H] Steam Keys, Humble, Fanatical, etc [W] Wishlist, offers, TF2

[H]
Steam:
12 is Better Than 6
911 Operator
A New Beginning - Final Cut
Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders
Alcatraz Builder
Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Anomaly 2
Anomaly Defenders
Arcade Paradise - Arcade Paradise EP
BARRIER X
Beholder
Between the Stars
Bionic Commando
Black Book
Black Moon Chronicles
Bot World
Breathedge
Bridge Constructor
Bridge Constructor Medieval
Bridge Constructor Stunts
Bridge Constructor - Trains - Expansion Pack
Broken Age
Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons
Cities in Motion 2
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising
Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!
Corridor Z
Crysis 2 Maximum Edition
Curse: The Eye of Isis
Dark Jungle
Darkstone
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
DEPLOYMENT
Deponia
Disciples: Liberation
DOOM (1993)
DOOM 64
Draw Slasher
Drawful 2
Driftland: The Magic Revival
Duke of Alpha Centauri
Dungeon Adventure
Dungeon of Elements
EarthX
FALLBACK
Field of Glory II
Figment
Flashback
Fractal: Make Blooms Not War
Freeze the time
Fury Unleashed
GameGuru Classic
Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
Gem Deeps
Glittering sword
Go Home Dinosaurs!
Going Under
Gotham City Impostors Free to Play: Professional Impostor Kit
Hexologic
Hidden Post-Apocalyptic 4 Top-Down 3D
HOARD
Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!
Hue
I’m not a Monster
In Between
Indivisible
Infommi
Inner Call
Iron Danger
Iron Fisticle
Jack Lumber
Jessika
Journey of a Roach
Kero Blaster
KHOLAT
Kingdom Defense
Kingdom Rush
Lair of the Clockwork God
Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
Leviathan
Leviathan: Warships
LIBERATED
Lila’s Sky Ark
Lornsword Winter Chronicle
Majesty 2 Collection
MegaRace 1
MegaRace 2
Möbius Front '83
Monaco
Monster Slayers
Moon Hunters
My Darkest Witch
My Time At Portia
Myasoid
Necromunda: Hired Gun
Neverout
Nex Machina
Nihilumbra
Orbital Racer
Out of Reach: Treasure Royale
Overgrowth
Particula
Pawnbarian
PAYDAY 2
Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic
Pixplode
Post Void
Radio Commander
Red points
Red Risk
Red Solstice 2: Survivors
Rescue Operation
Roarr! Jurassic Edition
Roboquest
Rogue Stormers Deluxe
+ Rogue Stormers
Rune Lord
Rustler
Ruthless Safari
Saviour of Humanity
Say No! More
Serious Sam 3: BFE
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice
shapez
shapez - Puzzle DLC
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter
Shiba Army
Shing!
Slain: Back from Hell
Slash It
Slinger VR
Solar 2
Soulblight
Space Redemption
Space Theory
Splasher
Splice
Starman in space
Steel Rats
Still Life
STONE
Super Golf 2018
Super Robolom
SWINE HD Remaster
Syberia
System Shock: Enhanced Edition
Telefrag VR
Tesla Force
The Amazing American Circus
The Doorbreaker
The Indie Mixtape
The Innsmouth Case
The Invisible Hand
The Last Hope: Atomic Bomb - Crypto War
The Nightmare Cooperative
The Showdown Effect
The Trigger
The Whispered World Special Edition
The Wild Eight
This War of Mine
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove
Toki
Tooth and Tail
Tower of Fate
Trine 2
Tumblestone
Wanderlust: Travel Stories
Wandersong
War of the Roses: Kingmaker
Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide
WarriOrb
We are alright (Wszystko z nami w porządku)
West of Dead
Windjammers 2
X-Morph: Defense
XPock
Yoku's Island Express
Z Runaway
ΔV: Rings of Saturn
GOG
Liberated
Wanderlust Travel Stories
Desura
Humble Frozen Synapse Bundle
Humble Indie Bundle #2
Humble Indie Bundle #3
EVE Online: Rifter Ship Skin
EVE Online: Trial Key
Gratuitous Space Battles Multiplayer
Epic Games Store
Sifu Deluxe Edition Upgrade Bundle
Populous (Origin)
Nebuchandnezzar
Populous
​
[W]
Dark Souls games, games on my wishlist (either via link or the list below).
Steam wishlist - https://store.steampowered.com/wishlist/profiles/76561198322931293/#sort=order
Metroidvanias, open world survival (like Subnautica, No Man's Sky, Astroneer, etc) games are high on my wants.
1BITDRAGON
30 Birds
A Frog's Tale
A Little to the Left
A Most Extraordinary Gnome
After Death
Aka
ANIMAL WELL
Antivine
Backpack Hero
Bear and Breakfast
Beyond Blue
Beyond the Long Night
Big Farm Story
Birth
Bits & Bops
Born of Bread
Botany Manor
Bramble: The Mountain King
Bread & Fred
Cat Goes Fishing
Chasing the Unseen
Chicken Journey
Children of Silentown: Prologue
Choo-Choo Charles
Chronicles of Deeps
Coromon
Critter Crops
Crowkart
Crowsworn
Curse of the Sea Rats
Dagon - The Little Glass Bottle DLC
DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin
DARK SOULS III
DARK SOULS: REMASTERED
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Death in the Water 2
Desta: The Memories Between
Dinkum
Dirge
Dordogne
DREDGE
Duck Season
Dune: Awakening
Eastward
Europa
Fall of Porcupine
Feed All Monsters
Flotsam
Forever Skies
FREERIDE: The Personality Test
Frogsong
Frogun
Garden in!
Garden of the Sea
Garden Witch Life
Gaucho and the Grassland
GOODBYE WORLD
Gordian Rooms 2: A curious island
Hades II
Hamster on Rails
Hello Kitty and Sanrio Friends Racing
Here Comes Niko!
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Horticular
House Flipper 2
House Flipper - Farm DLC
House Flipper - Garden DLC
House Flipper - HGTV DLC
House Flipper - Luxury DLC
House Flipper - Pets DLC
How to Say Goodbye
I Am Dead
Immortal Life
Imp of the Sun
Inked: A Tale of Love
Inscryption
ISLAND_NAME_HERE
Islands & Trains
Jet Set Radio
Journey To The Savage Planet
Jump King
Jumplight Odyssey
Killer Frequency
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game
Kity Builder
Kokopa's Atlas
Labyrinthine
Lemon Cake
Lies Of P
Little Astronaut
Little Kitty, Big City
Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland
Little Witch in the Woods
Loddlenaut
Lonesome Village
Loretta
Lost Twins 2
Love, Ghostie
Love Shore
LumbearJack
Lumione
Mail Time
Martha Is Dead
Measurement Problem
Melatonin
Mika and The Witch's Mountain
Mineko's Night Market
Miska
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
My Time at Sandrock
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
Naiad
Nine Sols
ODDADA
Oddventure
Olliefrog Toad Skater
One Lonely Outpost
ONI : Road to be the Mightiest Oni
Ooblets (happy to take an Epic or Switch key for this one)
Otter Chaos
Otter of My Life
Our Passing Thoughts
Outer Wilds - Echoes of the Eye
Paper Animal RPG
Paper Trail
Paradise Marsh
ParanormalHK
Pekoe
Penko Park
Pepper Grinder
Petit Island
Pixelshire
Planet of Lana
Reka
Resident Evil Village - Winters’ Expansion
Rhythm Doctor
Ribby: The Game
Rift of the NecroDancer
River Tails: Stronger Together
Romancelvania
Rune Fencer Illyia
Sail Forth
Sally
san Zoolin
Satisfactory
Schim
SCP : Secret Files
Sea of Stars
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sephonie
Shumi Come Home
SIGNALIS
SILENT HILL 2
Silent Santicado
SILT
Sinking Simulator
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
Solarpunk
Soulitaire
Spirit Swap
Spirittea
SPOOKWARE
Squirrel with a Gun
Star Stuff
Stars In The Trash
Stranded Deep
Sun Haven
Super Dark Deception
Tales of Herring Lake
Tchia
Terra Nil
The Callisto Protocol
The Closing Shift 閉店事件
The Courier
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me
The Darkest Tales
The Dot
The Garden Path
The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time
The Last Clockwinder
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum™
The Outbound Ghost
The Pathless
The Planet Crafter
The Solus Project
Thymesia
Time on Frog Island
Tiny Bookshop
Tiny Glade
Tiny Witch
To The Rescue!
Toroa
Townseek
Tracks of Thought
Trash Sailors
Umami Grove
UNDYING
ValleyPeaks
Way To The Woods
Wayward Strand
We Are OFK
Wholesome - Out and About
Wild Light: Darkest Isles
Wildmender
Witchy Life Story
Wobbledogs
We Were Here Forever
​
https://old.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/11bwk99/8bitbakas\_igs\_rep\_page/
https://www.steamtrades.com/trade/Brz3x/steam-origin-gog-etc-key-trades-spirit-hunter-shadow-tactics-doom-unmetal-etc#eb5Ju3F
https://steamcommunity.com/id/8bitbaka/
https://barter.vg8c8a/t/
submitted by CapMinimum to indiegameswap [link] [comments]

2023.05.25 11:51 TerraTorment I am Brainstorming a new campaign. I was hoping to get some feedback.

I love the game mechanically and most of the setting, but I feel it could use just a little twinkle of light. I was inspired to look into this game because I wanted something that was a tabletop RPG but also like Diablo 2: with fast combat, cool loot, and darkness. Even in Diablo though, there are good guys and angelic forces, they are still jerks mind you, but they ain't all bad. There is the problem of what TvTropes called “Too Bleak, Stopped Caring” or what I call “Walking Dead” syndrome.
There's a lore character named Astrid who is what TvTropes calls a Crystal Dragon Jesus. Of course, this being a grimdark setting, that church is full of jerks and there's more to the story than meets the eye according to Exquisite Agony. I think I am going to change that last bit. Taking inspiration from archmasters from Mage the Awakening, on death, Astrid ascended, rebelled against Diabolus, and forged a realm through the void called "The Golden Road" which connects to a higher reality, and she sends avatars of herself to help mortals find a way to escape the Shadow of the Demonlord, which is what this campaign is about.
Somewhere in the world, there is a valley with ruins of a forgotten civilization. Some cultists, acting on orders of a demon posing as an evil wizard I haven't come up with a name for yet, have a bunch of slaves in chains looking for those ruins. Only people with The Potential can open up the ruins. That's where the PCs come in. One of the slaves is also Astrid in disguise who is looking to find just the right heroes who will make their escape and free the other ones and fulfill what she wants, which is delivering the world from evil. To avoid her becoming a GM PC I would have her die horribly in the first session but maybe reappear in a later session as a Sage if the players don’t hate her. She has this curse when she is on Urth where her avatars always die horribly and gruesomely if she manifests an avatar there which is why she wouldn’t adventure with the PCs.
From there, the PCs would have a valley to explore at their leisure and maybe adopt a small town. I am using guidelines for building a small region I heard about on YouTube.
The region contains 3 dungeons, one level each. Clearing the 3 dungeons opens teleporters between them and a fourth level that opens up only after all of the dungeons have been mastered. Finally, there is a dark world, a hidden kingdom that the PCs must infiltrate, call it hell if you want. We’ll detail it later.
The first 3 dungeons have three different themes. They are ancient ruins sure, but they have a gameplay gimmick. The fourth combines all of the gimmicks. The villain is an agent of either The Demonlord who wants the power of the valley for himself to prevent humanity from being liberated while the dungeons of the valley have their guardians. One is guarded by fey, one is guarded by undead, and one is guarded by the Demons from Hell. The fourth dungeon, unlocked by defeating the other three, is related to the void and guarded by creatures from the void.
My question is, is this not dark enough? Am I doing this badly? Is the proposed storyline consistent with the tone and setting of Demonlord? Should I revise my ideas? Should I make them darker? What do you think? I am aware I am the Game Master but I always like feedback on whether an idea will be well received.
submitted by TerraTorment to shadowofthedemonlord [link] [comments]

2023.05.24 23:27 margwa_ Going Back to the Confirmed Destiny 2 The Final Shape leaks

With the new playstation showcase, the teaser for the upcoming expansion "The Final Shape" was shown. It showed Cayde-6, a long-time dead character. This however was leaked awhile ago by leakers Liz (D2Leaks), Xenomarvel (BungieLeaks), and Elliot (D2Datamines), along side a myriad of other information:
-No mention of Xivu Arath in TFS
-Rhulk or Nezarec leads the taken in the Schism
-Returning places a la revelations from BO3 zombies
-The final shape is the collapsing of all times and space into each other
-Cayde-6 acts as our guide in the "Valley"; only returns inside of the Time Valley. It's a sendoff to his character but he won't be an actual character.
-The raid has a 3 phase boss: the Witness, with different forms. One of the Witness's phase is similar to noface from the bathouse in Spirited Away.
-The Witness isn't killed in the raid, but rather a 12 man epilogue style mission where we rip it out of the Darkness
-The epilogue mission is weekly, where we recover memories of frozen guardians from the Time Valley. There's also Frozen Oryx. The Time Valley is called "Entropy". The tower is at the center of it and needs to be unfrozen.
-2 new factions, one of which are tormentors that look like Rhulk
-We lose to the Witness in the end, but specifically us.
-The new destination is called "Schism"
Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/11af6gu/destiny\_2\_ligthfall\_and\_final\_shape\_leaks\_majo
submitted by margwa_ to GamingLeaksAndRumours [link] [comments]

2023.05.24 01:04 CookieDemons [TotK] Theory: Tears of the Kingdom is Breath of the Wild's alternate/parallel world.

I was running around in the Depths finishing up exploring after post game and I had a thought.
What if the Depths aren't "underground" at all, it's actually this game's version of the Dark World. Then I immediately followed up with "What if /this/ Link isn't the same Link from Breath of the Wild." What if This Link and Zelda and all the characters of this game are actually Breath of the Wild's Parallel opposites and the "Depths" is actually Breath of the Wild's Hyrule but distorted and unrecognizable to this Link. Not jumping into holes in the ground, but through rips in space-time.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense and the more lined up, so below are a bunch of ideas that support the theory.
**Major spoilers past this point**
*Updated/Edited 24/04 for clarity/formatting
(Also I admit I haven't played through everything in the game, so it's very possible that some of this stuff is explained through dialogue I have not seen. Also feel free to counter any mistake I make, I'm genuinely curious about this)
Tech/Powers:
NPCs:
Environment:
Misc/Incidental:
submitted by CookieDemons to zelda [link] [comments]

2023.05.23 20:40 Good_Royal_9659 What if James combined all his animated movie studio rankings?

  1. Whisper Of The Heart (S+)
  2. The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (S+)
  3. Spirited Away (S+)
  4. The Prince Of Egypt (S+)
  5. The Incredibles (S+)
  6. Beauty And The Beast (S+)
  7. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (S+)
  8. Ratatouille (S+)
  9. The Lion King (S+)
  10. Shrek 2 (S+)
  11. Toy Story 2 (S+)
  12. Hercules (S)
  13. How To Train Your Dragon (S)
  14. Kiki’s Delivery Service (S)
  15. Kung Fu Panda (S)
  16. Monsters, Inc. (S)
  17. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (S)
  18. Only Yesterday (S)
  19. Encanto (S)
  20. Moana (S)
  21. Toy Story 3 (S)
  22. Grave Of The Fireflies (S)
  23. The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (S)
  24. WALL-E (S)
  25. Lilo & Stitch (S)
  26. Princess Mononoke (S)
  27. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (S)
  28. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (S)
  29. The Little Mermaid (S)
  30. When Marnie Was There (S-)
  31. The Great Mouse Detective (S-)
  32. Alice In Wonderland (S-)
  33. My Neighbour Totoro (S-)
  34. Spirit (A+)
  35. The Mitchells VS The Machines (A+)
  36. Coco (A+)
  37. Wreck-It Ralph (A+)
  38. Kung Fu Panda 2 (A+)
  39. Megamind (A+)
  40. Soul (A+)
  41. Tangled (A+)
  42. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (A+)
  43. Arthur Christmas (A+)
  44. Wallace & Gromit: COTWR (A+)
  45. The Emperor’s New Groove (A)
  46. Luca (A)
  47. From Up On Poppy Hill (A)
  48. Shrek Forever After (A)
  49. Fantasia (A)
  50. Shrek (A)
  51. The Pirates In An Adventure With Scientists (A-)
  52. Aladdin (A-)
  53. Toy Story 4 (A-)
  54. Rise Of The Guardians (A-)
  55. Ponyo (A-)
  56. Peter Pan (A-)
  57. Surf’s Up (A-)
  58. Fantasia 2000 (A-)
  59. Inside Out (A-)
  60. Mr. Peabody & Sherman (A-)
  61. Mulan (B+)
  62. Porco Rosso (B+)
  63. 101 Dalmatians (B+)
  64. The Angry Birds Movie 2 (B+)
  65. Tarzan (B+)
  66. Despicable Me (B+)
  67. Castle In The Sky (B+)
  68. The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad (B+)
  69. Kung Fu Panda 3 (B+)
  70. Nausicaa: The Valley Of The Wind (B+)
  71. Meet The Robinsons (B+)
  72. Over The Hedge (B+)
  73. The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh (B)
  74. Goosebumps (B)
  75. Sleeping Beauty (B)
  76. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (B)
  77. Robin Hood (B)
  78. Zootopia (B)
  79. How To Train Your Dragon 2 (B)
  80. Finding Nemo (B)
  81. The Fox And The Hound (B)
  82. Spies In Disguise (B)
  83. Up (B)
  84. Bee Movie (B)
  85. The Cat Returns (B)
  86. Finding Dory (B)
  87. The Peanuts Movie (B)
  88. The Road To El Dorado (B)
  89. Vivo (B-)
  90. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (B-)
  91. The Croods 2 (B-)
  92. Toy Story (B-)
  93. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (B-)
  94. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (B-)
  95. The Secret World Of Arrietty (B-)
  96. Ice Age (B-)
  97. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (B-)
  98. Flushed Away (B-)
  99. My Neighbours The Yamadas (B-)
  100. A Bug’s Life (B-)
  101. The Princess And The Frog (C+)
  102. The Wind Rises (C+)
  103. The Penguins Of Madagascar (C+)
  104. Robots (C+)
  105. Hotel Transylvania 2 (C+)
  106. Treasure Planet (C+)
  107. Cars 3 (C+)
  108. Abominable (C+)
  109. Winnie The Pooh (C+)
  110. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (C+)
  111. Wish Dragon (C+)
  112. Monsters University (C+)
  113. Frozen (C)
  114. Pom Poko (C)
  115. Chicken Run (C)
  116. The Rescuers (C)
  117. Madagascar (C)
  118. The Rescuers (C)
  119. The Aristocats (C)
  120. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (C)
  121. Saludos Amigos (C)
  122. Puss In Boots (C)
  123. Pinocchio (C)
  124. Sing 2 (C)
  125. Incredibles II (C)
  126. Antz (C)
  127. Peter Rabbit (C)
  128. Howl’s Moving Castle (C)
  129. Dumbo (C)
  130. Turning Red (C)
  131. Antz (C)
  132. The Jungle Book (C)
  133. Bambi (C)
  134. Ice age: The Meltdown (C)
  135. Hotel Transylvania (C)
  136. The Bad Guys (C)
  137. Frozen II (C)
  138. Big Hero 6 (C)
  139. Make Mine Music (C)
  140. Home (C-)
  141. Onward (C-)
  142. Cars (C-)
  143. Strange World (C-)
  144. Lightyear (C-)
  145. Sinbad (C-)
  146. Despicable Me 2 (C-)
  147. Rio (C-)
  148. Rio 2 (C-)
  149. The Croods (C-)
  150. Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (C-)
  151. Monsters VS Aliens (C-)
  152. Brother Bear (D+)
  153. Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (D+)
  154. The Rescuers Down Under (D+)
  155. Sing (D+)
  156. Lady And The Tramp (D+)
  157. Minions: The Rise Of Gru (D+)
  158. Oliver & Company (D+)
  159. The 3 Caballeros (D+)
  160. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (D+)
  161. The Sword In The Stone (D)
  162. Bolt (D)
  163. Cinderella (D)
  164. Ferdinand (D)
  165. Horton Hears A Who (D)
  166. Despicable Me 3 (D)
  167. Home On The Range (D)
  168. Trolls (D)
  169. Raya And The Last Dragon (D)
  170. Open Season (D)
  171. Shark Tale (D)
  172. Ice Age: Continental Drift (D)
  173. Open Season: Scared Silly (D)
  174. The Black Cauldron (D)
  175. Ocean Waves (D)
  176. Melody Time (D)
  177. Ralph Breaks The Internet (D-)
  178. The Secret Life Of Pets (D-)
  179. Pocahontas (D-)
  180. Fun & Fancy Free (D-)
  181. The Good Dinosaur (D-)
  182. Brave (D-)
  183. Tales From Earthsea (D-)
  184. Epic (D-)
  185. Trolls: World Tour (D-)
  186. The Lorax (F+)
  187. The Boss Baby (F+)
  188. Ice Age: Collision Course (F+)
  189. Smurfs: The Lost Village (F+)
  190. The Star (F+)
  191. Shrek The Third (F)
  192. Turbo (F)
  193. Minions (F)
  194. The Emoji Movie (F)
  195. Cars 2 (F)
  196. Open Season 2 (F)
  197. The Secret Life Of Pets 2 (F)
  198. Chicken Little (F)
  199. Dinosaur (F)
  200. Earwig And The Witch (F)
  201. The Smurfs 2 (F)
  202. The Smurfs (F)
  203. The Grinch (F)
  204. Open Season 3 (F-)
  205. Hop (F-)
  206. Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania (F-)
submitted by Good_Royal_9659 to Schaffrillas [link] [comments]

2023.05.23 18:08 MC_MC-MC_MC June 2023 at No Fun in Troy NY. Lots of highlights Highlights worth the drive up! Clubdrugs / Jonathan Toubin / WITCH (Zambia) / Frankie Rose / DAN DEACON! / Chk Chk Chk / Surprise Chef (Australia) / VAPERROR & PowerPCME. June 2023 Playlist on Spotify (search nofuntroy). GO TO SHOWS!

June 2023 at No Fun in Troy NY. Lots of highlights Highlights worth the drive up! Clubdrugs / Jonathan Toubin / WITCH (Zambia) / Frankie Rose / DAN DEACON! / Chk Chk Chk / Surprise Chef (Australia) / VAPERROR & PowerPCME. June 2023 Playlist on Spotify (search nofuntroy). GO TO SHOWS! submitted by MC_MC-MC_MC to Upstate_NYHC [link] [comments]