one day of school has rly drained me out like i went to be at 11:30 WHO am i

Steamy Nights

Shouta Aizawa steaminess + suggestive language

Please note that y/n is obviously of age in this one

wc: 2.4k

Tell me why I got 🦋 when writing this loll. This man is fineee

Stretched out on Aizawa’s couch, you were waiting for him to get home after another long day of teaching. A little while ago he’d given you a key to his place, which was a big surprise since he values his privacy so much. Since you hadn’t been able to see him for a few days, you figured tonight would be the perfect time to use it. Work was really taxing on him lately and you knew he was stressed. Probably over stressed. To make the most of the night, you decided to set the atmosphere.

The apartment already had Shouta’s personality all over it. Lots of dark furniture and wood. Absolutely no harsh lighting, just a few dim lamps. His walls were scattered with some paintings he’d bought on your art show dates together. Old books and blankets everywhere. His sweet cat usually curled up in her corner.

He had a drawer full of scented candles. Your favorite was the cinnamon one but he claims it’s too sweet for him. Although you highly doubted he’d even notice the difference, he just holds random stubborn opinions sometimes without any good reason behind it. Just wanting things to complain about. Most people found his pessimistic grumpy attitude unattractive but...he’s just moody. An exterior shell. Inside was was soft and sweet.

You’d just finished lighting a few of the cinnamon candles and putting on some of his favorite music in the background when you heard the door click open.

He’s always so light on his feet. Sometimes if you weren’t paying close attention he’d come in and scare the life out of you on accident.

You rounded the corner, excited to see him.

“Hey Eraserhead.”

You always called him by is pro name when he’s in his hero costume. People usually assumed it was out of respect or privacy but he knew the real reason. You were teasing him. You disliked his hero name and his hero outfit. Recalling the day Present Mic convinced him to use it, you’d pestered him relentlessly to put more effort into it. Insisting he’d regret it one day. He said he didn’t care...but now look at him.

“Please y/n, when are you going to stop calling me that?” He said rubbing his eyes. He was low energy as usual.

“After you change it.”

“I can’t change it.”

“Exactly.” You whispered smugly.

He sighed. No matter how many times you had this conversation you would always win. Rightfully but he wouldn’t admit it.

You drifted over to greet him properly. Brushing the hair out of his eyes and placing a sweet lingering kiss on his cheek.

And as for his boring, baggy costume...you understood it’s purpose. He wore it to stand out less, aiding in his fight style. But it was still a pain since you couldn’t properly hug him in it. The capture weapon was always in your face and you could hardly feel his body through the layers.

His modest attire duped most people. Making his tastefully well built body underneath a best kept secret. Which you supposed was an upside. Only you (and Present Mic for some reason) had ever really gotten to see him shirtless.

“I’m going to change.” He said kissing your forehead. He knew exactly what you were thinking.

He reemerged from his room a few minutes later. Wearing a droopy black shirt and sweatpants that were loose around his hips. You could see the dipped lines of his V. Just north was his lightly defined six pack. And just south was unfortunately concealed under black briefs and his untied waistband...

He caught you staring.

Feeling red and exposed you quickly redirected your attention to something else. “So are you hungry babe? I could make something?”

He declined.

“Okay...what about grading assignments. Do you want help to make it go faster?”

Declined again. Apparently he worked straight through lunch to finish that already.

You were beginning to feel useless. You’re supposed to be making him de-stress but it’s like he was so self-sufficient there was no room for you.

You sat next to him on the couch, his arm wrapped around you. You brushed some hair behind his ear. His long dark hair was always messy from his constant naps. Plus, you constantly running your fingers in it doesn’t help that situation. He was quiet. Massaging his temples. You could see the tension on his face. It made your heart twinge with pain. Just then you noticed his ear fully. He had at least six piercings on this one but he wasn’t wearing any of his earrings. Usually he’d put them on when he wasn’t at work but he didn’t tonight. And you knew exactly why.

“Babe. I have an idea.”

“And what’s that?” He played along.

He would take them out when he secretly wanted one of your amazing head massages. You always focus on his ears and temples just like he liked so he’d left out his earrings hoping you’d get the hint. This man could never just ask for something in his life. Luckily you could read him like a book.

“Come on.” You purred. Pulling him with both hands off the couch. He complied wearily.

Aizawa didn’t spend much of the money he made from pro hero work on lavish things. The only times he splurged was to buy you nice gifts. However, you did convince him to purchase one nice thing for himself. You knew he wanted it anyways but was just too stubborn to actually buy it.

A jacuzzi tub. He loves hot baths after a day of dealing with his “problem children” students. It was the only thing that could get his muscles to relax. And the moisture from the steam felt nice on his eyes.

Making sure to bring a candle and the speaker with, you lured him into the bathroom.

“Want to take a bath with me?” You asked sweetly.

“I wouldn’t mind that.” A tiny smile spread on his lips. You were too irresistible to deny.

“Okay you run it and I’ll go get the wine.” You sang excitedly. “But don’t make it so hot. You almost burnt my skin off last time.”

“It felt normal to me.” He said casually.

“Yea because you’re a psychopath.” You quipped before springing to the kitchen.

You guys had two types of favorite wine. One was for your long deep discussions about art and literature. Or when asks for your advice on dealing with his students because he knows he’d just lose his temper and expel them without your ideas. And the other, the pricier and far more potent one, was saved for special moments. Just like these. You poured your glass full, of course, but you filled his to the tippy top. Not only did he need it, but Lord knows tipsy Aizawa was sexy.

When you returned, he was crouched over testing the water temperature. His face gently lit from the soft glow of the candle in the dark room.

“I made sure to cool it off. No psychopaths here.” He teased trying to sound bored. But his voice was noticeably happier than when he’d arrived.

You instructed him to take a few sips of wine, desperate to get that show rolling.

“I know what you’re doing.” He said with an amused little smile. He swapped the cups in your hands so you now claimed the full one.

“Good. So then you should know exactly how to play along.” You said as you switched the glasses back with a wink.

He sighed in defeat. But that rare smile was still adorning his cheeks. He took a few y/n-approved size drinks.

His hair was falling into his eyes again. You set your glass down on the tub edge and pulled him into you. He wrapped his arms around your waist while you pushed his hair back and secured it in a clip.

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” He said softly.

“I know. Now that I have a key I wanted to come bother you a bit.”

His eyebrow raised at the word bother.

You panicked slightly. Hoping he wasn’t actually bothered that you’d come uninvited.

“That does sound like you.” He said as he kissed your nose. “I hope you do it more often.”

Your heart spasmed.

“Really? You do?” Your insecurities ears’ perked up.

“Why wouldn’t I want that?” He said in his deep sleepy voice.

A happy little smile broke its way through. You could only shrug in response.

You slipped your hands under his shirt and pulled it up slowly. Dragging your knuckles along the dips and bumps of his abs as you went. Gently you pulled it over his head. He helped by raising his arms which just made the rest of his muscles flex. Your heart started beating a little faster. No matter how many times you saw him he always made you flustered.

Your eyes were glued on him. His tattoos were now completely visible. Another best kept secret. They trailed around his shoulder, back and half his chest. You placed some honeyed kisses on his collar bones as you pulled down his sweatpants and briefs to leave him fully undressed. He was mouthwatering type sexy. The candlelight was highlighting all his high points in the best possible way. The music was perfectly complimenting your emotions and the sleepy eyes staring at you so lovingly were severely compromising your thought process. There were a lot of things you wanted to do with him suddenly but you focused your eyes on the goal here. A relaxing, hot bath.

Bath bath bath.

Reluctantly containing yourself you pried his hands off your waist and nudged him towards the water.

“Okay okay, go on.”

“You’re coming too right?” He said as he grazed your bottom lip with his thumb.

You nodded, butterflies erupting in your tummy.

He laid down in the water and took some more large swigs of wine. His glass was half empty before you’d even taken your first sip. He watched you undress with intent in his eyes, soaking in every curve and dip of you as well. He reached an arm out to you once you’d fully unclothed. He wanted his hands on you immediately.

But you had a goal here. Bath. Massage. Focus.

You slipped in behind him so that he laid between your legs. His broad shoulders nearly covered your whole body when he leaned back against you.

The tub was huge. Easily fit you both and could probably add another person.

“And now for my favorite part.” You announced as you switched the tub on its low setting. The rumbling under the water sending tiny vibrating waves around the whole tub.

Definitely worth spending his money.

Your hands rubbed every inch of him you could reach. His abs, the thick muscular sides of his waist, his biceps. You alternated between hugging his neck whispering cute things in his ear and massaging him.

Of course he was practically falling asleep as you spent time on his ears and temples. His head was heavy against your chest. It was so cute. You loved when he fell asleep on you.

But you knew he was keeping himself awake. He was rubbing your legs and the backs of your thighs. Squeezing and kneading them gently. Placing kisses on your arms and hands whenever he got the chance.

After about 20 minutes and one refresh of hot water, both your glasses were empty. He’d drank most of it since he’d downed the last few sips of yours too.

Wanting to see his handsome face again you shifted and positioned yourself to sit on his lap, thighs wrapped snuggly around his waist. After making sure you were fully comfortable, he leaned back against the tub and closed his eyes. He pulled you close and trailed circles with his fingertips up and down your back under the warm water. He loved the weight of you on him. You both exhaled a deep stress relieving breath.

The steam was working its magic, the rumbling of the jets felt so good massaging your legs. And his heart beat, you could feel it through his chest. It was slow and steady. Making you drowsy off him.

He noticed you were lost in thought, stroking his hair and tracing your fingers along the lines of his tattoo. He took advantage of this time to soak in all your features, watching you under drooping lashes. The flush of your cheeks, the delicate arrangement of your beauty marks. The far off expression on your face, he knew it well. He loved observing you when you were like this. You were beautiful.

“Relaxed yet?” You purred. Starting to tease him with soft kisses.

“Almost there.” He replied before catching you to deepen the kiss. Your soft skin and body heat was melting him away. He wanted more. Using both hands he pressed your back into it.

He savored your lips for a long while, becoming more and more passionate as the seconds ticked by and the wine hit his bloodstream.

You felt him shifting underneath you. Squirming slightly from the pressure that was building up. More butterflies. His hands clamped down around your hips.

“Okay your plan worked.” He smiled into your kiss. Eyes still closed.

“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re referring to.”

He tapped his finger against the empty wine glasses.

You started sucking on the sensitive spot under his ear. You knew tipsy Shouta always got turned on by that.

His arms both constricted tightly around your waist. His hips were pressing up into you now with impatience.

“Let’s go to my room.” He concluded. You giggled, causing your lips to vibrate against his sweet spot. You heard the soft moan from deep in his throat.

He stood up keeping you wrapped tightly around him, carrying you with ease.

He half-heartedly patted you both down with a towel, his hand not losing contact with your ass for a second.

Before he could whisk you out of the bathroom you grabbed the speaker and candle again.

The scent wafted into the air around you.

“Mm that smells good.” He said distracted for only a moment before his lips gravitated to your body again.

“Oh really. So you do like it.” You said with the smuggest tone. “You’ll never guess what scent it is Shouta.”

He didn’t reply. Too distracted with kissing your shoulders.

“Cinnamon.” You said with as much sass and emphasis as you could muster.

He paused. Caught. How did you always get him like this?

He pulled back rolling his eyes with a smile. Nose to nose now, you pressed him further with a smirk.

He cocked an eyebrow at you. Looking directly in your eyes he said, “Mhm. Keep this same energy when I take you in there.”

And just like that he’d knocked down your resolve and your whole body started fluttering.

He carried you into his bed and you two “relaxed” for the rest of the night.

~~

😳 the way I want to be y/n.

Natural Pt.3 (M)

[NSFW - dom!Felix, sub!reader]

Requested Finale! Thank you for showing this series so much love :) 

I / II / III

.

A loud clatter echoed through the empty hotel room.

Felix and you stumbled into the door, dropping the keys on the ground, outerwear joining them quickly. Small heaps of fabric were scattered along the dark hallway.

Your hand reached out to blindly find the light switch while your counterpart feverishly devoured your mouth.

"Mmf- Felix, Can't breathe-" you gasped, pulling away only to have him yank you back again.

"Let's get to the bed fir-"

"Shut up," the male hissed, making you gulp at the harsh tone,

"You do what I tell you, love. No more teasing. Arms up, now."

Knowing better than to defy him, especially after you'd riled him up to this state on purpose, you supressed an internal chuckle.

Payback was sweet, but angry sex is sweeter.

Felix spared no time tugging your shirt up while unclipping your bra, which you expected to be joining the pile on the floor, but instead was pulled just high enough to cover your eyes.

"Wha-?" You started, confused by the sudden loss of vision. Your attempt to wriggle your arms out was blocked when a firm grip on your wrists pinned them right to the wall behind you.

"Keep 'em there. Don't move if you wish to cum tonight."

You felt his hot breath tickle your ear, his low voice sending adrenaline through your veins. The darkness around you sharpened your remaining senses, making his every touch intensify by tenfold.

"Was planning to make sweet love to you as a reward, baby," his fingertips were trailing down from your neck to your breasts, lips following their path with wet kisses,

"Fulfill your every wish from the photoshoot... But then some little brat happened to ruin my plans."

You gasped audibly when his hand slipped underneath your skirt, fingers finding the string of your underwear and slowly dragged the lace down your thighs.

"What do you think she gets for that?" He blows on your exposed skin, making you shiver.

"Punished..." you breathed, trying your best to stay upright.

Felix shoved your top up so you could see him but still not move your arms. Taking your bare breasts into his hands, he started massaging them roughly while attaching his lips to yours once again. You moaned into his mouth.

"Say that again, kitten."

He pinched your hardened nipples, causing you to throw your head back in pleasure.

"P-Punishment, Sir."

"That's right, baby. Turn around."

You followed his instructions, placing your restricted forearms onto the wall to stabilize yourself.

"Thought you could play with fire at dinner, huh? We'll see how you feel about that now." You could sense his warm hand running up your thigh, peeling back the fabric of your skirt.

"Hmm... Looks like someone's quite excited about this." You couldn't see the self-satisfied look on his face but the smug undertone in his voice gave it away.

"Please, Felix, I've needed it all day..."

"Oh really? Well guess what," You whimpered when his palm met your butt cheek in a harsh slap.

"Naughty girls don't get to choose what they want."

His hand came down once again to reinforce his words and you bit down on your lip, knowing you were in for a long night.

.

Once Felix was happy with the shade of red on your behind, he moved one hand to the front to toy with your sex while the other returned to your breast. He also put his lips to work, biting and licking around your nape and shoulder area, causing purple marks to bloom on your skin.

"P-Please let me touch you," you mewled, thighs beginning to tremble as he inserted two of his fingers into your dripping heat. Your body got so sensitive from all the teasing and it was showing.

"I'll do anything, Sir."

Felix watched as you fell apart the very moment his fingers entered you, pleased to know that he was the reason for your immense pleasure.

Although, he noted to himself, considering the vast amount of foreplay that had taken place earlier that day, he was also at his limit.

All his lust-clouded mind focused on was how his digits became slick with your arousal, how your insides squeezed around him while he fingered you and your heavenly moans filling his ears...

All of a sudden, he ceased his actions - you were about to cry out in protest until you heard the familiar noise of a zipper and the metal clinking of his belt.

Felix turned you to face him again, removing your makeshift restriction in one swift motion and your gaze immediately found his lower abdomen. Your breath got caught in your throat. He looked like a sex god, the way his body glistened in the dim moonlight, the tip of his erect member already leaking with precum.

Felix smirked at your lewd expression, his tongue darting out to wet his lucious lips, reflecting the hunger in your eyes. Silently thanking the universe once again, you boldly took in the sinful sight before you.

So that's how it feels to hit the fucking jackpot.

"Not now, kitten." An amused chuckle snapped you out of your daze, not having realised that you were kneeling down, ready to devour him if Felix didn't grab your chin to stop you.

"I need to have you first."

He pushed you against his naked body and your heartbeat quickened at the sensation of his smooth, warm skin against your own. His dark and seductive eyes found yours and you melted into his form as he held you firmly.

"That's what I'd promised you earlier, isn't that right, sweetheart?"

His voice was a mere whisper and for a moment you thought you were forgiven and the sweet, caring boyfriend was back for good.

Hah.

A few second later, he had you bent over the kitchen table, screaming his name into the halls of your massive suite.

"Shouldn't you be grateful?" He hissed through gritted teeth, eyes fixed on the spot you two were connected, watching you suck his dick in with every harsh thrust delivered,

"You wanted rough and I'm still giving it to you even after that pathetic stunt of yours."

You recalled that brief intermezzo this evening, thighs clenching at the memory of Felix' helplessly turned on expression when you had jerked him off under the table.

Another slap echoed through the room and you yelped, tears springing to your eyes at the sudden pain.

"You're not sorry, are you? Look at your little pussy clenching around me at the thought of it," he growled, picking up the pace until obvious slapping sounds were echoing throughout the room.

"Felix..." You whimpered, the overwhelming feeling of finally having him inside you driving you towards the edge in record speed.

"Nuh-uh, baby..."

He was close as well but, being the little shit he was, didn't want to give you the satisfaction just yet.

You felt him pull out suddenly, leaving you empty and frustrated before he picked you up and carried you right in front the glass walls of the nearby living room.

"What the f-" you complained but he cut you off by slamming back into you again, right in front of the windows, for the whole world to see.

You were aware that this was the top floor of a 30-stories-building, but something about the exposure still made your nerves tingle with excitement. And Felix was perfectly aware of that.

Your focus went from the stunning night view below to the reflection of the glorious man behind you, only to find him grinning down at you shamelessly.

"You like that? Being fucked senseless when someone could see your naked body pressed against the glass wall?”

Unable to form any coherent sentences, you nodded frantically, letting him fondle your nipples while you felt yourself getting close again.

“My needy little princess... bet you don’t even care if anybody was watching.” Your cheeks heated up in embarrassment, instantly having a deja-vu from this afternoon where he said the exact same thing.

“I- I’m so close-” you cried, the sensation of his rough thrusts combined with his finger too much to handle.

Utilising his last ace, Felix pulled you flush against his chest while he continued to fuck into you, using his free hand to rub circles on your sensitive clit and you knew you were about to see stars.

“Beg me. Say you’re sorry.” His breathing was laboured, indicating that he was nearing his high as well.

“I’m s-sorry, please let me cum, Sir.” The words just tumbled out of your mouth without registering, he successfully stopped your brain from working.

“Good girl. Let go now.”

And with a particularly hard thrust, you exploded all over his length, bringing him over the edge as well. You were faintly aware of the deep groan escaping his throat before he released his load into you, your spasming walls milking him of every last drop. Finally at last, you had achieved that blissful state of euphoria after the maddening amount of teasing during the day.

Your knees were threatening to buckle in as you leaned onto him, trying to catch your breath. Felix heaved you up before you could collapse onto the floor - making you gasp out loud upon realizing where he was carrying you to.

“No! Felix I can’t-”

“Oh sweetheart,” he chuckled, kicking the bedroom door open.

"That was only the beginning."

.

Several hours later.

Felix fell back onto the mattress in utter exhaution, sweat dripping from his forehead. He turned around to face you, reaching up to swipe damp strands of hair out of your face. You looked equally tired but still absolutely beautiful in his eyes.

"God, I love you to pieces but you drive me insane sometimes."

You both shifted so you were facing his chest as he ran a hand through his own wet hair.

"Right back at you, Sir."

Felix snickered. "Call me that one more time and we'll never get to sleep, baby."

You sighed, he could tell you were rolling your eyes despite not seeing your face.

"Your stamina is unbeatable but so is my urge to sleep. Goodnight, idiot." You mumbled, turning away from him and wiggling into a position so he could spoon you. Felix chuckled in defeat.

"Goodnight, dork. I love you," he whispered softly before closing his eyes, a small smile lingering on his lips.

"I love you too."

On the Wandering Monster, Part 3: Slaying CoDzilla

In part 1 of this series, I admitted to having fear and misunderstood Wandering Monsters in D&D for years, and resolved to find a way to make the system work.

In part 2, I proposed some methods, tested both in Into the Living Library and City of Eternal Rain, for tying procedural content generation into the overall narrative of your story.

Now, I'll talk about one of the benefits of wandering monsters—the end of the 15-minute adventuring day, and with it, CoDzilla.

"CoDzilla" is a 3.5-era bit of D&D slang that, for the uninitiated, means "Cleric or Druid-zilla." Clerics and Druids, even without much in the way of optimization, could be enormously powerful. Close competitors were Wizards, Sorcerers, and various non-core full casters. Starting from very low levels, these classes, through use of spellcasting, were able to single-handedly—often single-turnedly—win major encounters. Clerics and Druids were especially notorious, as in addition to a full complement of spells, they were no slouch at mundane fighting, had a host of miscellaneous abilities, and, in the case of the Druid, got the infamously-powerful Wild Shape ability and a pet grizzly bear. In contrast, a Fighter (who is maybe 25-50% better than the bear the Druid gets as icing) gets marginally better at hitting enemies with swords every level.

By 5th edition, the power imbalances between classes have been substantially narrowed, with non-casting classes getting various per-short-rest and per-day abilities that let them have some time in the spotlight. In my current 5th-edition campaign, I'm playing a Paladin, and, at 7th-level, don't feel particularly behind the party's Wizard and Cleric. Back in 3.x, I'd be lucky if I even got a turn in combat, and, with few skills or utility abilities, would pretty much fall asleep outside of battle. So to a certain extent, this fix is beating a dead horse, as changes to the rules have reduced the necessity for such a fix. Still, anecdotal accounts have suggested to me that the caster-warrior imbalance problem still lurks, especially at higher levels.

Solving this problem is where Wandering Monsters come in. Those of you playing Pathfinder and 3.x D&D should pay extra heed to this, but it's applicable to 5e as well.

Wandering Monsters Vs. CoDzilla

Encounters with Wandering Monsters have substantially lower stakes than pre-planned, climactic and narratively-key ones. Typically, the foes are easier and the tension is lower as victory is all-but assured. This means that characters have to choose between 'wasting' limited per-day abilities to seek a quick victory, or suffer additional damage by dragging out the fight by sticking with cantrips and regular attacks. The longer the battle, the more opportunities the monster has to get in a few hits before going down.

The devil with this decision is that, either way, casters lose and warriors win.  A Paladin's basic attack is more accurate, reliable, and powerful than a wizard's cantrip, so if spellcasters withhold their 'special' attacks, non-casters take the spotlight. If the casters obliterate Wandering Monsters with high-level spells, then by the time they reach the 'real' fight (those being the pre-planned encounters, typically in dungeon rooms rather than hallways), they'll be relegated to cantrips while the fighters open up with their modest per-day abilities and their more efficient conventional attacks.

Martial classes do have some limited-use abilities, especially half-casters like Paladins, so they are pushed into a similar dilemma ("do I use Smite on the owlbear or save it for the true foe?") but the stakes are much lower, as their abilities are weaker and their conventional attacks more powerful than a true caster's. This means that even if the Paladins and other half-casters make the 'wrong' decision, they can typically make do regardless.

Now, the obvious flaw with this plan is that at any point the party can just fall back, rest, and come back in with a full complement of spells, right? This means that wearing the casters down through attrition is doomed from the start, because they can conveniently heal up to 100% with a single night's sleep. This is why adding Wandering Monsters all by itself isn't enough—we have to start enforcing other rules as well, such as…

No Long Rests in Dungeons

There's a secret to the long/short rest split of 5th edition D&D, and that's that not all classes benefit equally. Far and away, a short rest is more meaningful to a martial class than a spellcasting class, and vice-versa for long rests.

Most martial classes have powerful abilities that recover every short rest starting at level 2 or 3. For example, Fighters get Action Surge, Paladins get Channel Divinity, and Monks get Ki. Barbarians are a rare exception, as their key ability (Rage) is actually tied to long rests. Rangers have no useful abilities worth noting that recharge on short rests, long rests, or honestly at all, so there's no helping them. Spellcasters' main ability—spellcasting—universally require long rests to recover in full. Some casting classes, such as the Wizard and Druid, have abilities that let them recover some spell slots on a short rest—but these abilities themselves can only be used once per long rest, so at the end of the day, are still long-rest dependent. Additionally, martial classes, due to their larger hit dice, tend to recover more hit points on a short rest than spellcasting classes do. But, because casters get minor benefits from taking short rests, their players won't be frustrated by the need for taking them.

If you, as GM, provide many opportunities for a short rest (which is about an hour), but keep long rests few and far between, then martial classes can keep going while spellcasters are run ragged. In the context of a dungeon, you can, for instance, let them take short rests in cleared rooms as long as they put a modicum of effort into securing the room (blocking or locking the doors, for instance), but stress that long rests are impossible. There is simply no way to have eight relaxing, uninterrupted hours in a dungeon; Wandering Monsters will attack, spoiling the rest. What's more, the constant threat of attack from the unknown makes true relaxation unachievable. You can be upfront about this; don't assume the players know what you mean when you coyly say "well, you could try that, but you might be attacked in the night."

If the party wants to take a long rest, they have to leave the dungeon, set up camp, and come back—which will involve fighting their way through the Wandering Monsters that have moved into previously-cleared areas, thus wearing the party down again and defeating the purpose. Conveniently, all of this is simulated by the Wandering Monster table—the GM doesn't have to worry about actually moving monsters from room to room. Because Wandering Monster tables are at their heart a computer-free technological aid, the random die rolls on the table simulates all of the movement of a real ecosystem, much the same way that a character's hit points simulate their overall health, but remove a lot of the headache of doing so.

For very large dungeons, such as Paul Jacquay's famous Caverns of Thracia, it at first appears simply impossible for any party, no matter how stringent they are with spells and potions, to complete in a single long rest. In part, this is mitigated by numerous hidden entrances into the dungeon that, once discovered, can be used to bypass previously-cleared sections. There are also numerous shortcuts, such as teleport pads and elevators, that can be used in a similar manner. Still, all of that might not be quite enough, and when designing very large dungeons, occasional points of safety can be placed that are free of Wandering Monsters. They might have particularly secure doors, be protected by magic, or some kind of friendly NPC or monster. Think of these as a video game mid-dungeon save point, both in terms of how powerful an effect it will have, and how rare it should be.

Time Pressure

Into the Living Library relies heavily on Wandering Monsters because they play well with the adventure's time crunch: each time the party faces such a monster, their consumable resources (spells, potions, HP) are slightly depleted, and they must choose whether to press on in their weakened state or return to campus to rest, which means sacrificing one of their precious few days.

Wandering Monsters, tied with any kind of external time pressure, pack more work into a single adventuring day, and with that, the expenditure of more spells. Spellcasters' 'basic' attacks (cantrips and crossbows) tend to be much less powerful than those of a Fighter, Barbarian, or Paladin. If high-level spells and per-day abilities have to be carefully rationed out over the course of many encounters, rather than just one or two, then casters are brought down to the level of non-casters.

Not every adventure should include a time pressure element, as the players will start to feel rushed and possibly even railroaded, as the constant time demands may keep them from feeling able to pursue their own goals. Beware Fallout 4's Preston Garvey, who continually dispenses timed quests that pull the player away from doing what they want to do.

Keep the Battles Unbalanced

As a GM, I often forget that my toolbox includes more than perfectly-balanced encounters. It may sound like an oxymoron, but there is a time and a place for a poorly-balanced battle, which brings us back to the original post. Oblivion, my least-favourite Elder Scrolls game, has highly restrictive game rules in place in an attempt to keep every battle, whether it be against a necromancer lord or a random bandit, balanced on a knife's edge. Enemies and equipment level up closely in step with the player, meaning that as the player gains power, so too does the world. The drawback is that there are few if any "oh, crap!" moments where the player gets in over their head. Likewise, there are very few moments where the player simply obliterates the enemies in front of them, and, by doing so, feels like a badass.

By all means, strive for perfect balance and interesting terrain in your pre-made set-piece battles (such as what might be found in a dungeon's room, for example), but for Wandering Monsters, imbalance is a feature, not a bug. Battles that are 'too easy' will be resolved quickly (saving precious game time), and battles that are 'too hard' won't be fought at all—the party will turn tail and run (convincing the party to run rather than fight a losing battle is a good subject for a later post). Battles that are close to balanced will be drawn-out slugfests, forcing the party to draw upon every available resource. They will take ages, and burn through per-day abilities much faster than you intend, which in turn forces the party to leave the dungeon, thus contributing to the 15-minute adventuring day. Remember that easy battles will still drain the party's resources somewhat, as even the weakest monsters in 5e have a pretty good chance of getting one or two hits on any character, and players will be constantly tempted to blow the trash monsters away with their limited-use abilities, like spells and smites.

Another rarely-mentioned feature of unbalanced encounters is that they let you use a greater percentage of the Monster Manual when designing your dungeons, thus increasing the variety of creatures the party can meet. Using only level-appropriate encounters limits you to an ever-decreasing handful of creatures as the party levels up, and can push you into placing monsters in unthematic areas just to reduce the monotony a little. It also means that, in a few levels, when the party actually can fight the same type of high-level monster they've been running from, victory will feel all the sweeter.

Next Up: Wandering Traps?

The SECURAM Touch Smart Lock: Pricey but Packed With Premium Features

SECURAM Touch

8.30 / 10

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The SECURAM Touch smart lock is built tough, and the feature set is exceptional for this price point. Its solid aluminum construction feels exceptionally sturdy. If you're not as concerned with the cost as you are with a high-quality, good-looking door lock, then the SECURAM Touch is a great buy. 

Key Features

Fingerprint Scanner

Multiple Entry Modes

Alexa Integration

Easy Installation

Auto-Locking

Remote Operation (When Paired With Smart Hub)

Spy Proof Code Entry

Low Battery Warning Light

Single Use Codes for Visitors or In-Home Services

12 Month Warranty

Specifications

Brand: SECURAM

Connectivity: Wi-Fi

Integrations: Alexa

Compatible Locks: N/A

Battery: (2) CR123

Keypad: Yes

Pros

Tough Aluminum Construction

Mechanical Key Included

IP64 Rating

30 User Capacity; Stores 2 Fingerprints Per User

Keypad, Fingerprint, Key, or App Entry

Easy to Install

Auto Lock Is Awesome

Cons

Pricey

9V Access Limited

Poor Cold Resistance Per Manufacturer Limitations

Unable to Use Key Organizer

Need to Purchase Smart Hub for Remote Control

Buy This Product

SECURAM Touch amazon

Shop

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If you're looking to improve the security of your home, a smart front door lock is an easy upgrade. Smart locks offer many additional features over the standard deadbolt, the biggest one of which is customizability. Unfortunately, finding a quality smart lock that will deliver excellent performance and solid construction is a difficult task.

That's why Securam has decided to turn its 29 years of experience toward creating a smart home lock that offers several new features to homeowners. But is it worth your hard-earned cash? In this review, we're looking at the new Securam Touch smart lock to help you decide if it upholds Securam's bulletproof reputation.

What Makes SECURAM Touch Different?

Fingerprint recognition is a biometric technology that some major smart lock manufacturers like Kwikset, Eufy, and Securam, have all embraced. While biometrics isn't a new technology in commercial applications, many smart home product manufacturers have overlooked this technology for the everyday homeowner. But fingerprint scanning—if accurate—can mean a high degree of security. It can also offer the ability to leave your bulky set of keys at home.

Securam's new Touch smart lock takes advantage of this biometric fingerprint scanning. According to Securam, its scanner uses “radio frequency fingerprint recognition.” Research on this terminology didn’t yield much with regard to physical fingerprints, however, fingerprinting of radio signals is something that has been studied extensively.

In addition to fingerprint scanning, the Touch also offers three additional ways to gain access to your home. You may use the included security key, enter an access code into the touchpad, or unlock your door remotely using the Securam app and the Securam Smart Hub.

What's In The Box?

Securam Touch Smart Lock Assembly

Rear Mounting Plate

Painter's Tape

Strike Plate

Deadbolt

Open/Close Magnet

All hardware to install

In addition to the lock, Securam provided us with a Smart Hub. This Smart Hub normally increases the cost of the Securam package by $89.

Installing the SECURAM Touch Smart Lock

The Securam Touch lock required only a few steps to install, and only one tool—a Philips-head screwdriver. This means that installation for most people will be extremely easy. First, remove your old lock, deadbolt, and strike plate, and then replace them with the Securam deadbolt, strike plate, mounting bracket, and finally the lock.

Securam also provided a strip of painter's tape to hold the front face of the lock in place while installing. This is a minor detail, but an important one if you're trying to install the lock by yourself. Batteries are also included in the kit. Once the lock is installed, just pop in the batteries and start programming.

Total installation time took roughly 25 minutes, and that included stopping to take photos for this article. If there's one thing that Securam has done right, it's made the installation of this smart lock simple.

One important recommendation to increase the security of this smart lock is to replace the provided door strike screws with a longer variant. We’d recommend 3” screws as they offer added resistance to impacts that might damage the door frame. This is an optional purchase and will require light drilling, but for only a few cents at the hardware store, you can improve the overall security of this smart lock.

Related: Smart Home Devices to Install When Moving to a New Place

SECURAM Touch Smart Lock Operation

Before you can use your new Securam smart lock, you'll have to program an administrator into the system. This is done by pressing the Settings button on the lock and then entering the default administrator password. Once that is complete, the lock will ask to configure a new password. After, the lock will ask to scan the administrator's fingerprints.

The fingerprint scanner on this lock holds up to 30 unique users, and each user can register two fingerprints. The lock also assigns a code to each "owner" when they are added. The "owner" profile class is used to recognize users with permanent access.

There are also two additional profile types. The first is "administrator," or superuser,  and the last is "visitor," which is used to grant temporary access to guests or in-home service personnel

Biometrics functioned well during testing, and even after this reviewer caked his fingertips in dirt, the sensor still recognized them. It was only when mud completely covered my fingertip that the biometric sensor got a bit cranky.

This may be important for those who are constantly finding themselves with dirt or grime on their hands. Mechanics, like myself, can rejoice in this fact. In addition to my own fingerprints, the other member of my household was able to configure her fingerprints without issue.

Locking the Securam Touch can be performed in one of two ways: touching the number pad, or enabling the auto-locking feature in the Securam App. One-touch locking is a neat feature, as it's nice to lock the house with only a single button press as opposed to entering a four-digit code.

For the ultimate in laziness, however, it's best to enable the auto-lock feature. This feature sets the locking function to activate upon door closure, or after 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1, 2, 3, or 5 minutes. After setting the app to 15 seconds and receiving a grocery delivery that was interrupted by constant locking and unlocking, I chose to use 3 minutes.

SECURAM Touch and Alexa Integration

One of the best features of the Securam Touch is its integration with Amazon Alexa. By enabling the Securam skill in Alexa, you are able to lock and unlock your front door using just your voice and an Alexa-enabled smart device.

This might make you wonder what happens if a passerby shouts "Alexa, open front door" from the street. Well, rest assured, Alexa requires a verbal PIN code to use the unlock feature. Unfortunately, it also means there is one more code to remember alongside your lock access code.

We tested this feature from different parts of the house, and while we were able to get our Amazon Echo and Echo Dot to recognize the smart lock and lock it, any time we tried to unlock the front door with our voice, Alexa reported no response.

However, this might be due to a weak signal. Our door lock was a single floor below our Echo devices. We'd like to giveSecuram the benefit of the doubt here, but it is important to note that the voice lock function seemed to work without issue regardless of distance.

Related: How to Connect Your Amazon Echo and Alexa to Wi-Fi

Cold-Weather Testing

The product documentation for the Securam Touch indicates that it has a temperature limitation of 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10C) at the cold end and 120 degrees Fahrenheit (60C) at the warm end. Heat performance for a smart door lock in this instance is acceptable, but cold-weather performance may be concerning for users in colder climates.

Here in New England for example, it is not uncommon to see temperatures plummet into the single digits and stay there for multiple days during the winter. Couple that with snow and ice, and there is a strong possibility that the cold might exceed this lock's temperature limitations.

During testing, the demo model Touch we received was subject to cold temperatures outside at a minimum of 14 degrees Fahrenheit, but this was only for a few hours before the sun came up. Therefore, lock behavior at hard limits could not be determined.

My guess is that this lock will perform well for most folks, but for colder climates, it might be worth considering options that are more suited to colder temperatures.

SECURAM Mechanical Keys

There were a few additional limitations of this smart lock that are worth mentioning in this review. First was the security key. For most people, having an extra key on their keyring defeats the purpose of owning a smart lock. However, because this lock is battery-operated, it is important to have another method of entry if the batteries die.

These keys aren't your standard house key. Instead, they feature a design similar to a laser-cut vehicle key. This design is used in the automotive industry to increase the security of ignition locks.

Despite the added security that the Touch's key brings, I ran into a single limitation. Under most circumstances, I carry a KeySmart Rugged to keep my keys from jingling around in my pocket. I tried to use the KeySmart Rugged with the Securam mechanical key, but the lower doorknob on my door blocked the Rugged, and it wasn’t able to turn far enough to fully throw the deadbolt.

This means if you're using a key organizer—like many folks—then you'll want to make sure you keep the Securam key out of it. While smaller key organizers like the OrbitKey may work, we didn't have one to test with this unit.

Can You Pick the SECURAM Touch?

We wanted to test the potential pickability of this lock. While this reviewer is no locksmith, I do have tools available to pick common locks. That's why, in the name of science and good journalism, I dug up my lock picks and gave it a go.

One of the most effective ways of picking locks is called "scrubbing" which involves raking a lock pick along the pins while tension is applied to the lock cylinder. Using this technique on most standard household locks will unlock them very quickly.

I could not pick the lock on the Securam Touch. I "scrubbed" the keyway for about ten minutes before finally giving up and using the included key.

Additional 9V Lockout Prevention

Aside from the key, another lockout prevention feature that is offered by Securam is the ability to use a 9V battery to power the lock when dead. If batteries on the unit die the user can place this battery on two contacts at the seven o'clock position of the lock face to enable entry for a short period of time.

This is a great feature, but there's a bit of an issue with the logic here. If you don't have a mechanical key, and you're locked outside of your house, there is a slim possibility you'll have a 9V battery in your pocket.

Conversely, if you are the type of person that carries spare 9V batteries around, then just disregard this limitation. But, for this reviewer, the only 9V batteries in my home are housed in my smoke detectors.

Also of note is the location of the contacts. For those who have door locks mounted on the right side of their door, these contacts are easily accessible. But, for those with their lock on the left side of the door like me, these contacts become unusable.

I tried to position a 9V battery on the contacts but no amount of pushing or shoving would allow me to touch the connections. I suppose you might carry a jumper wire with you if you were so inclined, but again we're adding additional items to your daily carry outfit.

The SECURAM Smart Hub

With the lock sent to us by Securam, we also received a Securam Smart Hub. This hub is the key to enabling remote access for your Touch smart lock. By configuring the hub, and pairing it with your mobile device, it becomes possible to trigger unlock and lock events from anywhere with internet access.

This is a desirable upgrade for those who want to limit access to their home at certain hours, or who want to unlock the door for a stranded family member. Unfortunately, the Smart Hub normally adds an additional $89 to the total cost of the Securam package. (Though you can often find reasonably-priced bundle deals on Securamsmart.com)

It should be noted that the Smart Hub only supports 2.4 GHz wireless networks. If you're thinking of buying this hub then you may want to check your home wireless network to make sure it's compatible.

The ideal position for this hub may also be an issue, as it needs to be within 30 feet of the wireless router per Securam's instructions. It must also be within the same distance of the smart lock.

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In our configuration, the smart lock is downstairs, adjacent to the garage, while the Smart Hub is 10 feet above, on the next floor. Despite this proximity, the hub still reports the smart lock's connection as Medium to Weak at certain times.

Of course, this may also be related to the construction of the home where this unit is being used. Regardless of these limitations, the Smart Hub is still an excellent addition to a solid smart lock package.

It’s important for us to note that this review is centered only around the Securam Touch lock, so no points were deducted based on the Smart Hub's performance. But, in an effort for full transparency, we wanted to include our experience so you could make an informed decision.

Related: Smart Home Starter Kits That Are Worth the Money

Can You Repair the SECURAM Touch?

Not really. You can replace the batteries, but there aren't any user-serviceable components in the smart lock body itself. If you needed to replace one-half of the lock and were able to find a replacement from Securam, then perhaps yes. But this lock is not meant to be tinkered with by the end-user.

Should I Buy the SECURAM Touch Smart Lock?

Overall we feel the Securam smart lock earns a solid 8.3 out of 10. There aren't many reasons why we wouldn't recommend this lock.

Unfortunately, if you're looking for a smart lock with built-in remote access, then you'll need to up your budget by almost $90 to enable this capability. At the time of writing, the Touch smart lock retails for around $239. At full price, the Smart Hub add-on takes the package to over $300.

Is this a good value? That depends. Other smart lock manufacturers like Eufy and Kwikset employ similar biometric technology for a lower cost. And Kwikset's Halo system offers remote access for around the same price as the Securam Touch by itself. So, the features of these other locks should be considered before making a commitment.

However, the Securam Touch smart lock is built tough, and the feature set is exceptional for this price point. The solid aluminum construction just feels sturdy. If you're not concerned about cost as much as about buying a high-quality, good-looking door lock, then the Securam Touch is excellent.

If features like multiple entry methods are important to you, then this lock is also a good buy. And, for households mixing the tech-savvy with the technophobic, having physical keys or coded entry is something that will please everyone. But, if budget is your main deciding factor then you might want to choose another option.

We feel the Securam Touch is pretty great, and if you are willing to pay a little extra for additional features, then we think you’ll be very happy.

The SECURAM Touch Smart Lock: Pricey but Packed With Premium Features published first on http://droneseco.tumblr.com/

Hang over cure.

Author's note: Hey! This has been in my draft for a while. Part 2 to, ‘just a bit drunk.’

Your eyes slowly open to a ray of sunshine peering through the curtains, the small ray being enough to hurt your eyes and remind you of your shenanigans of last night. "Oh God." You mumble, pulling the comforter tighter around your body as you bury yourself into your pillow.

"Usually you say that while I'm in the bed." You hear Shawn's voice before a chuckle escapes his lips, his cheeky comment causing himself to giggle.

You feel him gingerly crawling into the bed, ruffling the crisp sheets, each dip his body manages to produce unsettles your stomach further.

You nestle into him, beginning to feel more comfortable as you leisurely drift off to sleep, abruptly being pulled from your sleeping state when you hear a phone going off, sounding as though it's right at your ears.

"Turn it off, please." You complain, your head pounding with every second the phone continues to blare through the room. You sigh in relief as Shawn silences your phone, once again being forced to move in the bed. "Shawn." You whimper, not sure which feeling is worse, the headache or the unsettling swirl in your stomach, reminding you that you definitely drank too much last night.

He knows the minute that you prop yourself up on your elbows and bow your head down while closing your eyes that this isn't going to be an easy hangover to cure. "Alright, come on, I'll help you." He gingerly gets off the bed, his hands benevolently gripping your shoulders as you manage to haul your body off the bed,

"I'm never drinking." You mumble, leaning mostly on him as he drapes an arm around you, knowing that you're far from steady on your legs after a night of drinking.

"Let's save the 'I'm never drinking speeches for later' before you get sick everywhere." He instructs, kindly, yet forcefully ushering you into the bathroom, being kind enough to help you lower yourself down to the cold tiles.

He sits down beside you and enables you to lean on him, your eyes wanting nothing but to rest at such an unfortunate feeling.

"What happened last night?" You softly challenge, vaguely remembering a game of beer pong and three vodka shots, or maybe it was four?

"You got drunk." He responds, "and I had to come get you. So much for it was going to be a low-key night." He mimics your voice, reminding you that at some point last night you did mention to Shawn that you would behave yourself.

 "I remember a game of beer pong and three shots of vodka." You mumble, removing yourself from his body as you take in a deep breath,

"You played more than one game, I think they hail you as the queen of beer pong." He chuckles, now amused by your beer pong skills, his chuckle quickly fading as you begin to empty your stomach from the alcohol of last night.

You feel his hand rubbing your back soothingly, his other hand holding your hair before you lean back and whimper a little, regretting every drop of alcohol you tasted last night.

"Seriously, I'm never drinking." You cross your arms over your stomach with a heavy sigh.

"Mhm," he hums, knowing that there's a good chance you'll end up drinking again at some point in the near future.

"You know you put me through hell when you get drunk," he makes sure to make it known that you can sometimes be a handful when you've had a little too much to drink, it isn't your fault — actually it is — but Shawn isn't always the easier to deal with while drunk either, okay, maybe he is. He's a sweet, giggly, cute drunk, who just wants to dance around in the refrigerator light and express how much he loves you. Basically, he's no different from when he's sober.

"I don't know what happened, but I'm sorry." You mumble, the aftermath of drinking not settling well with you, "I remember nothing after a game of beer pong.

"Babe, you played like three." He again reminds you, his hand drawing small circles on your back.  "I'm proud though, you kicked ass." He hums, your world spinning and feeling like you entered hell.

"Shawn, I feel like hell." You whine, "please make it stop," you whine as he continues to rub your back, a sigh escaping from his pink lips.

"I know, hon, I know." He sighs, "there's nothing I can do. Want me to make my hangover cure?" He offers as though he has some secret potion that'll suddenly cure your hangover issues. You lift your head to glance at him, unsure of what he means. "If you promise not to get this shit-faced again, I will make you the ultimate cure."

"You're not a fairy godmother, Shawn." You mutter, "but I'll take anything that you give me if it means I won't feel like hell." You sigh, allowing him to help you back up to your feet.

He helps you to the bed, being sweet enough to pull the covers over you as you whine to yourself, mumbling a few mutters under your breath.

He leans down and kisses your forehead, "I'll be right back." He whispers as you get comfortable and loath in self-pity while cuddling with the covers of the bed.

After a while, Shawn makes his way into the room, being vigilant and making sure to be as quiet as possible. Your eyes flutter open and you give him a small smile, grateful for his presence and caring nature. He sits on the edge of the bed while you sit up, your back pressing against the backboard and the pillows.

"Your hangover cure," he places a plate of toast on your lap before placing a warm cup in your hand.

"What's in it?" You challenge as you always do when he hands you the hangover cure that seems to eternally hit the spot and cure the effects of a night of drinking too much.

He chuckles to himself with that glimmer in his eye and crooked grin, "you know I'll never tell," he leans over and kisses your warm cheek.

"Why?"

"That defeats the purpose of a secret, my dear." He pushes a few stray pieces of hair behind your ear, "get some rest, you'll feel better soon," he presses with a soft voice.

"Will you lie with me?" You bat your eyes up at him, working your sleepy charm against him. He nods, without thinking twice, before moving to lie beside you.

Oh, well I'm not sure if anyone wrote one yet but how about a SasuHina Superhero AU? Kind of like The Incredibles.

Hello,

It’s been an embarrassingly long time but… here’s superhero au for day 21 prompt of Sasuhina month ayyyyyyyyyyyy *finger guns*

Day 21: Opposites

She was a hero.

A beacon of hope. A symbol of righteousness and justice. Shefought for the underdog. She shone bright and brought the warmth of the sunwhere she went.

She was light. Thehuman embodiment of the life giving star that shone brightly in the day tolight up the streets and warm the earth to allow it the perfect temperature toincubate and nurture all living things on it. Handpicked by the gods to receivea piece of that star’s power to help keep the peace on her beloved planet.

How could she have allowed herself to succumb to him?

The shadow creature’s pet. Born from the hatred and thedarkness that hides behind the corners of her star’s light. He was a cold andangry force. Unforgiving in his pursuit to bring chaos to her land.

She should hate him.

She should spit anytime she mentions his name.

Instead, she groaned as deft fingers expertly found thefront zipper to her jumpsuit, one hand tugging at the metal as the otherpressed strong fingers into her hip. She tilted her head up towards him,sighing into his mouth when he leaned forward to capture her lips in his. Hehad always been a looming, foreboding figure from a distance. The monsters heunleashed and nightmares he provoked the only signs he was in the area.

But up close.

Up close he was warm, sinewy muscle, hard against her handsas she tugged at the sides of his trench coat, pushing it away from his body sothe she could dig at the hem of his button up shirt. He broke away from hermouth when her cool fingers made contact with the flesh of his stomach.

“Solis,” her alter ego’s name sounded sinful and reverentcoming from his mouth as it did now, in a hushed and gravely tone and egged heron. She pulled her hands from his shirt and started to pop the buttons of hisshirt open with an increasing sense of urgency.

This had started about two months prior.

She had just defeated the latest of his shadowy creationsand was surprised to find he had not disappeared into the night as he usuallydid. Her powers allowed her to glow bright in the darkness of night but even sohis own gifts seemed to cancel hers out. His shadowy figure eating at the edgesof her light as he approached. She had lifted her chin, her golden maskcovering half of her features in the same way his black one did. In her maskedstate, she had a confidence and air about her that she normally kept hidden inher regular life.

“Why are you doingthis, Umbra? What purpose do you have to terrorize our people?”

“I only wish to avengemy brother.”

She had been surprised at the sound of his voice. Low butclear. He sounded young.

“Please do not get inmy way.” He had turned from her then and before she could expand her lightto try to reveal more of him, he had gone.

She had thought of this exchange often in the next fewweeks. Every time he unleashed another monstrosity she was watchful, hoping tocatch him and for another conversation. She got her wish. More times over.

“What happened to yourbrother?” He had kept his distance this time, but she’d made sure to takenote of his position before defeating his monster. Umbra always watched to seewhat would happen even though the end results were always the same. She saw,just underneath his mask, a pair of dark eyes, filled with a melancholy she’doften seen in her own reflection. Her heart stuttered in her chest.

“The light burned himup.”

This had bothered her and Umbra had consumed her thoughtswhich steadily bled into her non-masked life. Her sister had wrinkled her noseat her when she’d brought it up.

“Who cares what Umbra’smotives are? He’s literally a shadow monster? The kind kids freak out about andask their parents to check under the bed for?”

Tonight had been different.

His monster defeated much earlier than usual and helingered, seeking her out much like the first time and how she had been doingrecently. When he was but twenty feet away from her his shadows receded, pullingthe darkness towards him and dissipating into the normal shadows of the night.He’d put his powers aside. She wondered briefly if it was a trap but when hemade no move to come closer, standing still and watching her shine, sherelented. Slowly she had gathered her light towards her, the final glow of herskin dissipating and leaving them both shrouded in moonlight.

When he still did not approach she moved closer, wary of hisstature and foreboding figure even with their powers out of the picture. Shewas on the petite side compared to him and she wondered if it’d seem cowardlyof her to pull the mace from her key chain to keep in a closed fist as she drewnearer. She ran out of time to decide as she stood toe to toe with Umbra. Hisarms held loosely at his sides as he regarded her, dark eyes drinking in herface in a way that caused her face to flush self-consciously. This was thefirst time she had questioned her decision on a white jumpsuit as his eyesraked themselves down across her body in an appreciative manner.

Not to say that she wasn’t enjoying his wardrobe choices asmuch as he seemed to be enjoying hers. His own costume much more simply puttogether than hers with his black trench coat, button down, slacks, and boots. Thedarkness suited him, his pale skin contrasting sharply against the fabric.

“Solis…” She stiffened at the sound of her name. Heswallowed, reaching a hand out towards her face. She winced at the movement andhe paused, hand hovering between them as they stared each other down.

“Why are you doing this?” She asked softly, reaching herhand up to the back of his to bring it towards her the rest of the way. Shepressed her cheek against his palm, keeping it there with her own hand as shelooked up at him. His hands were calloused and rough against the delicate fleshof her face. He licked his lips as he started rubbing small circles into hercheek with his thumb.

“My brother shone with the sun’s light before you.” He saidand her eyes widened at that. He pursed his lips at her. “He sacrificed himselffor them… And for what?” His eyes flashed red with the anger she was used toseeing in his monsters. “They spit on his name and… they’ll do the same to you.Why do you fight for them, Solis?”

She felt her mouth go dry.

She had thought herself lucky. To have been gifted theseabilities. To be able to stave off Umbra and the shadow people’s evil…

But what good was she as a hero if she were onlyperpetuating the pain that brought Umbra to be?

His eyes had softened again and her bravery kicked in as shetook a step closer to him. “I fight for the people I love… If there’s a chanceI can save anyone, I’ll take it.” She could feel her eyes burning with theresolve of her promise to the gods. “Even if it means my own life.”

She’s not sure who moved first, but suddenly she was pushedup against the wall and his mouth was hot against her skin and she couldn’tpush him away. Wouldn’t push himaway.

Not with eyes that held so much pain. Not with how he whisperedher name against her own skin as he trailed open mouthed kisses down her neck.Or when his hands went around the back of her legs and hoisted her up so thatshe could wrap them around his waist as their kisses deepened.

So there she was. Allowing herself to be undressed by thedemon of the city and not caring in the slightest as she panted, chest heavingforcefully as each article of clothing was being removed from both of them. Thegrit of the red brick behind her scratching her back and her arms as shetightened her hold on him.

She could let him touch her like this forever.

But as soon as this all had started it stopped. The brushesof his hands against her skin slowing to a stop as his mouth pressed asteadying kiss to her lips before pulling away. He was breathing just as hardas she was and she could see the regret in his eyes when she opened hers.

“We should stop,” he rasped. “This is a bad idea.” Shecouldn’t help the whine that escaped her and he chuckled at the sound, leaningforward to press his forehead into the crook of her shoulder. “This is a badidea,” he repeated into her skin.

“It is a bad idea,”she murmured as her heart rate slowly came down and her thoughts started toclear from her lusting haze. She sighed, ignoring the throb of her core as she untangledher legs from his waist and he lowered her to her feet. She zipped up the frontof her suit and checked on her mask to verify it hadn’t gotten so askew intheir heavy petting that she’d been revealed.

Umbra didn’t make a move to fix his clothing, only watchedin silence as Hinata put herself together. Once everything was in order sheblinked up at him. “You’re… not going to stop are you?” She couldn’t help thesmall piece of hope that leaked into her tone.

“I can’t…” He sighed, reaching to bring one of her hands upto cover his chest, just above his heart. “Especially if taking the sun awayfrom you means saving you… I can’t.” His heart thumped quickly against herfingers and she allowed herself one final kiss before darting off in thedirection of home.

My So-Called Adult Life through Film

Some people find comfort in family and friends, others in less healthy habits like overindulging in food or shopping or alcohol. Then there’s me and my kindred cinephiles, who find nothing more reliable and cozy than to hide under a pile of blankets, prepare a bowl of popcorn, compile a selection of movies, and press “play.” This habit of finding solace in cinema served me well the past eight years of adulthood. I can even chart the changes in my life by the movies that felt like a warm jacket in the emotional winters of my 20s.

In my college years, I found solace in two stylish movies: the Vogue documentary The September Issue (2009) and the Wes Anderson family dramedy The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

I loved the style and drama of the behind-the-scenes Vogue doc. At the time, my first semester as a college freshman, I still had dreams of acting on the big screen, or working as a fashion photographer as my “back-up” plan. Not only did I use the movie to unwind from my theatre classes and distract myself from a terrible heartsickness, I thought I was studying for my future career. I looked up to Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, and Andre Leon Talley, like mentors who lived on my laptop screen and in the pages of magazines at the grocery store. For a little over an hour, I shared in their posh struggles. I “tsk”ed at Mario Testino’s flightiness and Sienna Miller’s stubbornness. “Why didn’t you take more photos for the cover, Mario? Just cut your hair, Sienna! It’s the September issue, people!” I’d mentally accost the persons seemingly sabotaging the project. I sided with Coddington when she butted heads with her longtime workplace champion and challenger, Anna Wintour. But above all, I loved lingering on set with Coddington, eating pastries with models in Versailles and researching photography books from the roaring ‘20s. While the internet has repeatedly “cancelled” Grace Coddington, my 18 year-old self basked in her whimsical attitude towards fashion, beauty, and storytelling. I hope some of that whimsy rubbed off on me.

Later in college, during my History major years, I spent all day in class (or skipping class) and all evening either working at Blockbuster or rehearsing for a small show. My fragile mental state wreaked as much havoc on my self-esteem during this time as it did during my early college years, but at least this time I could point to my accomplishments and plead my case: “Look! I’m productive!”

In the strange (but not always unpleasant) smelling aisles of my Blockbuster, I shelved movies and, for recommendation purposes, took note of which of my favorite movies were back in stock. I even lent my personal copy of Anderson’s Rushmore to an unpresuming hipster couple, who returned the movie a couple weeks later with a sweet note and a five dollar bill. As one of the perks of working for near minimum wage, I could rent ten free rentals a week, as well as rent new releases over the weekend before their official release. With this wealth of discs at my fingertips, I discovered a lot of new favorites over my year and a half under Blockbuster’s employ, but repeatedly returned to Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums.

Everyone relates to dysfunctional family dynamics, unless they’re lying. But the familial aspects of the Tenenbaums’ story didn’t stick with me the way the characters’ malaise did. Adopted sister Margot soaking in a bathtub for days, her husband simply stating his wish for death, Richie Tenenbaum taking care to shave his beard before slitting his wrists. The family’s simple melancholy, expressed without melodramatics but rather matter-of-fact statements and actions, struck me. The bluntness of the script, communicating an overall sadness in a straightforward fashion, felt foreign but welcome to my depressed self. I considered myself a powder keg in my adolescence, always the one to spout off my cruel thoughts at the expense of the feelings of those close to me. The way the Tenenbaums expressed themselves, clearly but calmly (save for maybe Ben Stiller’s Chas Tenenbaum), while acknowledging big and uncomfortable feelings, seemed new and exciting. A different, maybe better, way to express myself without exploding from the inside out every other day. While it would take a bit longer before I found the key to bringing a sense of stability to my inner life (it’s called managing expectations and setting boundaries), I found comfort in the Tenenbaums’ home.

A couple years later, after living in LA for a few months, I enjoyed renting movies at South Pasadena’s local video store, Videotheque. Located just a couple exits from either of my jobs and always open late (when the traffic conveniently dies down), I spent my evenings after stressful closing shifts roaming the store’s shelves of DVDs. I tried to mix things up: pick one movie from the horror section, one from a director’s stack of movies, and one from the silent or classic sections. (Videotheque’s organization system spoke to my movie-loving heart, though sometimes I noticed errors, like the silent film The Great Gabbo misleadingly sitting in the Greta Garbo stack.) It was in Gillian Armstrong’s filmography that I discovered a movie that brought me a great deal of comfort in lonely Los Angeles: Starstruck (1982). The pink and glittery spine of the case caught my eye. (As anyone who’s seen me drive around in my little pink car can attest: I adore the color.)

I returned to our Glendale apartment and holed up in our bedroom with my rental selections, including Blue Underground’s aesthetically pleasing release of Starstruck. Jo Kennedy, an authentic punk singer, stars as Jackie in Gillian Armstrong’s New Wave musical about a young woman aspiring to stardom with the help of her clingy cousin/manager, Angus. Ms. Kennedy brings an insane amount of style and showmanship to the role’s musical numbers, whether in a club and wearing a kangaroo suit or on the counters of her family’s diner. The absurdity and overwhelming joy of Armstrong’s follow-up to My Brilliant Career served as a welcome antidote to my low morale, the result of feeling defeated by my part-time work and lack of creative output in one of the world’s most artful (but also corporate) cities. I embraced Kennedy’s bright hair and gutsy interpretations of even brighter pop songs. Starstruck nearly gave me a cavity after indulging on such a sugary confection of music, attitude, and style. It gave me a cinematic epiphany: movies could be colorful, youthful, and a treat for my senses, the same senses that adore the color pink, ‘80s synthesizers, and over-the-top fashions.

Once I returned to Iowa from my all too brief time in California, I felt like I was back at square one. I knew we could make enough money to keep a roof over our heads, which was a blessing, but also, it felt like I reached the end of the road at the ripe old age of 24. I felt wasted, like all the things I had to give rotted away before I even had a chance to share them. During this bleak time of reflection, I returned to a movie that I initially disliked upon my first viewing: Noah Baumbach’s Mistress America (2015).

When I first saw Mistress America in theatres, I walked out of the theatre afterwards to terrible news for my acting career: I had auditioned for a dream role and instead earned a part written for a girl half my age, with less than ten lines. I wonder now how that particular strike to my ego affected my initial impression of the slapstick Noah Baumbach/Greta Gerwig collaboration. Thank goodness I gave the movie a second chance and re-watched it on some streaming service.

Now, as a 20-something, I could relate to the story of Mistress America: a young college freshman, Lola Kirke’s Tracy Fishko, struggles to find her place and gravitates towards an older, seemingly wiser woman, Greta Gerwig’s Brooke Cardinas. Upon my first viewing, I hadn’t really related to either of the main characters. I existed in the awkward space between graduating college and finding my footing, neither in Tracy’s world nor Brooke’s. Upon my second viewing, my life had changed significantly and I had begun a chapter of my life in which I recognized that artistic stagnancy meant emotional death. I saw so much of myself in the character of Brooke Cardinas: dabbling in every hobby that caught my interest and confidently proclaiming my opinions on the facts of life when, on the inside, I felt confident about absolutely nothing. I began to frantically grab at straws to feel like I brought something worthwhile to the world: a business plan for a horror shop, a draft of a local theatre newsletter, a local film newsletter, several drafts of scripts, notes upon notes upon notes on potential theatre projects.

The quick banter of Mistress America, full of zingy one-liners, initially turned me off to the movie. I wrote the script off as “trying too hard,” when later in my 20s, I relished the fantastical intelligence of the dialogue. Yes, no one actually talks like that, but god, I wish they did. The manic pace of Baumbach and Gerwig’s characters matched the pace of the marathon in my brain, where I ran a personal race to create something worthwhile.

Now I wonder, in the next few years, what movies I will look back at and think, “Wow, how did that movie find me when I needed it the most?”

Emotional Resilience

EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE How does one build emotional resilience? Indeed is it possible to do so? The answer lies in the training and like all skill sets needs practice to keep it functional and responsive. The idea of resilience originates from physics wherein it describes the ability of a material to resist a distorting influence or deforming force, (e.g. bending, twisting, compressing, heating) and its subsequent return to the original shape and constitution after the physical stress is removed. In mammals, an event that produces emotional stress such as anger, fear, guilt, shame and so on is, from our body’s point of view, analogous to a physical stress. We choose to define emotional resilience as the ability of the mind/brain to restore pre-event abilities and to do so without a great disturbance in mental functioning. Resilience should be seen as a dynamic process designed to aid an individual in actively coping with stressors. It is worth noting that this definition reflects something that is different from recovery, which is simply repair from an event that has ended. Thus, resilience should be seen as an in the moment process. I suggest that our traits (which is what we inherit, personality, temperament) and our state (which is the sum of our experiences) affect the epigenetic portions of an individual. What are the epigenetic components of our genes? Epigenetics are stable heritable character attributes that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequence. The Greek prefix epi- (Greek: επί- over, outside of, around) in epigenetics implies features that are "on top of" or "in addition to" the traditional genetic basis for inheritance. Epigenetics often refers to changes in a chromosome that affect gene activity and expression. Such effects on cellular and physiological phenotypical traits may result from external or environmental factors, or be part of normal developmental program. Interestingly, these changes are inheritable. For example, studies on mice have shown that certain conditioned fears can be inherited from either parent. In one example, mice were conditioned to fear a strong scent, acetophenone, by accompanying the smell with an electric shock. Consequently, the mice learned to fear the scent of acetophenone alone. It was discovered that this fear could be passed down to the mice offspring. Despite the offspring never experiencing the electric shock themselves the mice still display a fear of the acetophenone scent, because they inherited the fear epigenetically by site-specific DNA methylation. These epigenetic changes lasted up to two generations without reintroducing the shock. Trait State Genetics Experiences Epigenetics  RESPONSE TO STRESSORS Resilience The consequences of trait and state interacting lead to the epigenome, which then directs the intensity of the response to emotional stressors. As the trait components cannot be altered, it remains to be discovered whether using Havening can modify the state and therefore drive the epigenetics towards resiliency. I do not believe that resilience is an entity unto itself. Rather, resilience is an amalgam of a variety of components whose effect on resilience may be modifiable through experience and effort that cause different genes to be expressed or not expressed. We speculate that it may be possible, via Havening to positively affect and modify the epigenetic expression of certain characteristics for an individual and thus increase resilience. If I had to make a guess, I would say it arises by resilience arises from low cortisol reactivity. What makes up this amalgam? There is agreement that certain personality characteristics such as self-trust, self-esteem, curiosity, optimism, a positive SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A RESILIENT INDIVIDUAL Self trust Self Esteem Curiosity Optimism Positive Attitude Internal locus of control Flexibility Hope Purpose attitude, an internal locus of control, flexibility, hope and a sense of purpose are found in resilient individuals. I would argue that is these attributes and others make up what constitutes resilience. So to improve resilience we need to amplify these characteristics so that they will be available at times of adversity. Some of the characteristics that make a resilient individual are outlined in William Osler’s comments to the first graduating class of Johns Hopkins medical school. You cannot hope, of course, to escape from the cares and anxieties incident to professional life. Stand up bravely, even against the worst. Your very hopes may have passed on out of sight, as did all that was near and dear to the Patriarch at the Jabbok ford, and, like him, you may be left to struggle in the night alone. Well for you, if you wrestle on, for in persistency lies victory, and with the morning may come the wished-for blessing. But not always; there is a struggle with defeat, which some of you will have to bear, and it will be well for you in that day to have cultivated a cheerful equanimity. Remember, too, that sometimes "from our desolation only does the better life begin" Even with disaster ahead and ruin imminent, it is better to face them with a smile, and with the head erect, than to crouch at their approach. And, if the fight is for principle and justice, even when failure seems certain, where many have failed before, cling to your ideal, and, like Childe Roland before the dark tower, set the slug-horn to your lips, blow the challenge, and calmly await the conflict. In addition to enhancing resilient components one needs to have rock solid core values. A value is a direction—a quality of action. By definition values cannot be achieved and maintained in a static state, they must be lived out. The values of fairness, kindness, honesty, non-judgment, acceptance and so on must be part of your fiber and being so that you always know that your behavior will follow the path they lay out. Thus, if an emotional stressor pushes you off the path of your core values, active resilient coping will allow you to return to that path. Think for a few moments on some of your own core values while Self-Havening and write them down. Fairness Kindness Honesty Acceptance Gratitude Openness Others As Polonius said to Laertes in Hamlet as he was about to go to France as an ambassador: This above all to thine own self be true Find and breathe life into your core values. An interesting question arises. Does resilience exist without adversity? Should we view the mind/brain as a muscle to be exercised (adversity) or as an organ that needs to be trained? I believe that training increases resilience so that under stress the needed traits can be activated. This is the most appropriate and optimistic view we can have. That resilience exists in all of us. RESILIENCE EXISTS IN US ALL Many approaches to building resilience have been developed. The most sophisticated one is the positive psychology movement. For instance The 7 Pillars of Resilience This model by German psychotherapist Micheline Rampe (2010) is useful for understanding the key steps that need to be taken by an individual on their journey to resilience. Many of the strategies described by Rampe (2010) are compatible with approaches recommended in positive psychology literature. (See https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Manual-for-Coach.pdf These 7 pillars are: 1. Developing optimism (leading to positive expectations enabling a person to take positive action) 2. Acceptance of the situation 3. Focusing on potential solutions 4. Taking responsibility for one’s own life 5. Escaping from the role as a victim of circumstance 6. Building a support network 7. Planning a flexible strategy for dealing with future challenges Using these pillars researchers have devised key steps that give an individual the tools for dealing with adversity in a positive and constructive way. These key steps are similar in all positive psychology approaches. All the research has shown that genetics is not destiny as far as resilience is concerned. In addition, I believe that resilience changes over time and that it can be amplified as well as lost. Low resilience individuals will benefit from resilience building and those highly resilient folks can benefit from keeping in shape, so to speak. BUILDING EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE Cultivating resilience requires commitment. It is not easy. Most importantly resilience training begins with self-care. I cannot stress this enough. You must, above all, take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. Self-Havening is an excellent way to take care of yourself emotionally and William Osler’s idea is a good place to start. Cultivate a cheerful equanimity How to do this. 1. Start where you are. If there are events in the past that trouble you, apply Havening till they are removed. It is important to try to remove blocks that clutter the road that contains your core values. 2. Understand that events will ebb and flow and that suffering comes and goes and that you will not always feel badly. Havening Exercise: “This too shall pass” 3. Be content to make small steps towards equanimity but stay true to your core values. Havening Exercise For Values 1. I can choose to live by my core values (bring them to mind) 2. I can choose to set MY priorities 3. I can choose follow my passion 4. I can choose to seek balance 5. I can choose to accept and feel content 6. I can choose to act to make a difference 7. I can choose to live in the moment To maintain resilience requires effort, and an active problem solving approach to all issues, large and small that we face day in and day out. It is just like keeping in shape, it requires constant work. Augmenting Emotionally Resilient Characteristics Using Havening Internal Locus of Control Think of two situations: yourself on a raft heading down stream without a rudder or oars and one with a rudder and oars. Having rudders and oars allows you to make the decisions where you go. Your core values will be your oars and rudder. This allows the locus of control to be within you. And you do this by making choices. This is probably the most important component of resilience…that you are in control. Havening Exercise: I can choose to be true to myself I can choose to face challenges and learn from them I can choose to feel safe peaceful and calm The knowledge that you are capable of appropriately responding to and solving problems allows you to generate resilience. Purpose There are three main aspects of resilience. One I already mentioned, which is locus of control. Purpose is another. One of my life changing moments was reading Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Prior to that reading I felt being emotionally detached would help avoid suffering. It did not. Emotional detachment is useful for meditation but not in the day-to-day parts of life. Frankl felt that attachment was the key to survival for it gave meaning to life and hence hope and purpose. It is what the military and paramilitary try to do when they put together combat and law enforcement groups. Something larger than yourself gives rise to purpose and increases adaptability and hence generates resilience. AttachmentsàMeaningàPassionà PurposeàAction à Resilience Attachment Leading to Purpose and Resilience Havening Exercise: I can choose to open my heart to compassion, sharing, friendship and love If you discover your passion you will find your purpose. Passion without action however is purposeless. Taking action leads to self-esteem and increased resilience in knowing that you can accomplish your dream. Havening Exercise: I can choose actively pursue my passion Hope and Belief Ponder this idea “Hope is an oasis before action.” Belief is an idea taken on faith. Both of these add powerfully to resilience. To the best of our understanding Hope is uniquely human, as it requires a sense of outcome. In my practice I have clients combine Hopeful Havening with visualization of the desired outcome. It is motivating and gives strength to withstand forces that might prevent them from taking action. Hope can be multiplied by surrounding yourself with people who believe as you do. This gives you the sense you are not alone in your belief. Havening Exercise: Hopeful Havening I can choose to be Hopeful Both as an individual and as a group Self-Trust “Self trust is the essence of heroism.” Ralph Waldo Emerson It is not the mountain we conquer, it ourselves. Sir Edmund Hillary Self-trust is at the center of the locus of control. Seek guidance from others, not answers. Self-trust is true freedom Havening Exercise: I can choose to trust in myself. Self Esteem “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L. Hay Havening exercise: What if I am worthy? Positive Attitude Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Winston Churchill Havening Exercise: I can choose to look for the good Optimism “What the mind can conceive and believe and the heart desire, you can achieve.” Norman Vincent Peale Havening Exercise: Visualize what you wish to accomplish and chant while Havening: “Yes I can!” Flexibility “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails.” Jimmy Dean “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Albert Einstein Havening Exercise: I can choose to change Curiosity “Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.” Samuel Johnson Havening Exercise: I wonder… As mentioned above, resilience is in all of us. We need to cultivate and strengthen those components that comprise resilience so that when we need them they are available to allow us to cope with stress. But what about abolishing vulnerability? In the book The Resilience Factor, Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatté (2002) identify the five typical emotions that are associated with a lack of resilience, namely; 1. Anger 2. Sadness or depression 3. Guilt 4. Anxiety or fear 5. Embarrassment/shame Please note that these emotions are completely natural to experience from time to time. The key to recognizing these emotions as indicators of a lack of resilience is whether they are disproportionate to the event (looking back you might catch yourself thinking “that was over the top!”), or if the same event triggers the same emotion repeatedly. Vulnerability may arise from by the same epigenetic modification process that produces resilience. Traits such as being overly empathetic, having difficulty in regulating emotional responsiveness along with landscapers such as poverty of comfort, relationships, spirituality, stimulation, education, touch makes for a vulnerable non-resilient individual. If the model of resilience building can be applied to vulnerability issues then it may be possible to also Trait State Genetics Experience Epigenetics Response to Stressors Vulnerability diminish the effect of these vulnerable characteristics using Havening. For example, consider a TH on shame or anxiety. This idea that we might be able to use Havening to mitigate these vulnerabilities is intriguing and implies that landscape plays a major role. It is important to note that an individual is not totally responsible for or capable of creating/strengthening resilience (genetic, economic, cultural, social, and demographic domains are often beyond one’s control). As mentioned, people differ in their areas of resilience and vulnerability. With this in mind, practitioners should be mindful of what clients can or cannot change. By stressing resilience building, there is a tendency to put all burden on clients’ shoulders by pushing “positive” attitude and characteristics you mention. A great deal depends on family and social support as well as resources available. Optimizing emotional resilience via Havening is just beginning. Imagine Havening being used in elementary schools, trainings for first responders, sports, business, and leaders. Please put your minds to this and experiment, explore. The Havening horizon seems limitless. There is a real hope we can change the world. Further Reading American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx Resilience Metrics https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/3-resilience-scales/ http://www.neuropsychotherapist.com/the-predictive-6-factor-resilience-scale/ Adapting to stress: understanding the neurobiology of resilience https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Edgar_Jones2/publication/301562111_Adapting_to_stress_understanding_the_neurobiology_of_resilience/links/577a5a1c08aece6c20fbca63.pdf Understanding resilience: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00010/full Resilience: Building immunity in psychiatry https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777343/ Resilience and vulnerability: A neurobiological perspective https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3643078/ The Neurobiology of Resilience: Active Molecular Mechanisms Counterbalance Vulnerability to Stress-Related Depression and Anxiety Disorders (Dana Foundation) http://dana.org/Briefing_Papers/The_Neurobiology_of_Resilience/ Peripheral and central mechanisms of stress resilience https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260357/ Recognizing resilience: Learning from the effects of stress on the brain http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352289514000022 Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: Interdisciplinary perspectives https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4185134/

Summoners War Cheat

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There's also one more Still, the sport could certainly function as some- or a few-competitor trainer so. The transitions approximately stages are clean along with the pace the spot where the outdoor activity might be carried out will depend on located on-time devoted wondering your moves as a result of. I like the wild events that could possibly change on the trainer - summoning next to walls, practically desperate and killing my particular machines to generate lower back some power prior to now starting my particular resist-offensive. There is a limited amount of electricity readily available for every single day, pve choices, arena struggles, new tool to accumulate, and combination for you to turn on minions you've collected. This really is measured consistent with the monster's attributes and data, and for you to construct a formidable squad you will need to use combination to meld your monsters all together. Playdek's popular ios transformation of table top trainer is its most committed, and even its best choice up to now. |This really is fundamentally the "residing credit card trainer" brand (permanent, low-different expansions), despite the fact that key phrase can be described as dream beat attack hacks hallmark, therefore you do not see other people implementing it. The guild dwarves are stalwart along with the cave goblins use That's also whereby one of several game's problems feels: there is no chitchat capability. The tutorial is absolutely not being plenty of. deck tradesman however, then again this first is specifically negative. (11) simply because the rating mentions, no chitchat? Which happens to be not prudent on trainer that could possibly indulge in during the duration of fourteen days to weeks. For me personally it successfully outshines hero academy and outwitters. In addition stat following rocks !. |Still, as continues to be expressed, playdek could and really may make it the fantastic deal readily accessible. summoner wars, just about every competitor assumes the purpose of the competition that's taken which also has a summoner (so the brand name), along with the item on the trainer is usually to get rid of the other person's summoner. In state of affairs you forgotten it sooner within paragraph, you will definately get power for killing one other golfers. I honestly compliment the developer for doing a brilliant job in enabling life to the playable events. Possibly starting point arranged goods a competitor with all of that they must take part in the trainer. This stops the sport getting surprisingly promptly as you are struggling to accomplish new machines after you exhaust notes. I'd promote farmville to many people any video gamer. |If you are interested in where you may pick the expansions, perhaps you may take a peek at little business (ad onto the website page) - i am just in fact thinking about buying the most up-to-date variety of multiple specialist techniques from their website several days past! I'd specific at the reinforcements for 4 from attack hacks like summoner wars give it time to be clear to understand why deck-growing attack hacks do extremely well concerning this new medium, mostly given the climbing reputation of asynchronous multiple-competitor trainer engage in. On the top of this, the fine art throughout the notes is really striking along with the back ground animations in fact sparkle throughout the ipad's even bigger panel. These preserved attack hacks might be as well specific-competitor real world or online multiple-competitor, then again to acheive towards the cyberspace area of the trainer you will have to get yourself a 'faction pack' (new army deck) for 99c/69p. I believed the tutorial was pretty decent. There's an insect utilizing the select different deck point to consider, despite the fact. (as you can imagine, he’s also allowed openly he loves the endgame automatic specialist from fantastic bunnies & attempting to find the special second carrot, so you may want to reconsider hearing him.) power carrot aside, tom’s accurate. |Indeed, without a doubt, i understand that old adages… “don’t evaluate a journal by it’s cover” “don’t evaluate a game title headline over the carton art” “don’t evaluate a movie by the appearance of take advantage of schneider within cast” (properly, that particular should in fact hold some merit) …and however i specific to ignore them and not addressed 12 few weeks of attack hacks goodness. And, if you are prepared to bunch two decks all together, there is a lot of space for anyone the latest summoner wars decks within carton - despite having credit card sleeves! (could this rating be any further geekified? Box put affection?!) also included are (as you can imagine) the specified dice & counters to see the game… and also a attractive two-product high grade board.

Forge

For years after he has been on the run, Genji has always maintained his own sword, Ryuuichimonji. It was his greatest treasure—carefully crafted by the greatest swordsmith in Hanamura for his twentieth birthday. It was made specially to focus the power of the dragons, the material was intended to withstand fierce battles and harsh weather.

 Though, as with all things, it isn’t able to withstand the stress of time. After a harrowing mission and the usual deflection technique, a stray bullet managed to catch the very edge of his sword to take off a piece with it. To the others, it’s a chip no bigger than the width of a needle’s eye, but to Genji, it may as well had been a chasm.

 He mulls over it for hours and hours—if he sharpens the sword, the entire edge will be cut back and that could cost him his life (or others) if he makes a mistake in judging distance. If he keeps going as is, the chip could catch on something and it could break. His options were few, and he has missions coming up. Torbjörn had offered to fix a little too eagerly, but Genji easily deflected the offer—there were other swords he could use, no need to mind this one.

 Even though that’s what he said, whenever Genji looks at his sword and sees the crack, his heart aches just a little. The glow is weaker than usual, and even though swords are not alive, it just seems so sad and defeated. It doesn’t take long for him to give in.

When Genji attempts to contact the smith, he gets a message from the smithery that the person he is trying to contact has long passed and has been succeeded by one of his disciples. When he reads the name, he hadn’t expected to know it. As a Shimada heir, there were many people who has passed him by, often just once with no reason to remember them. However, he remembers why he recognizes the name, and cringes so hard that he can feel his face cramp.

The message continues and says that his request to service a damage sword will be accepted, and to please negotiate the appointment as soon as possible. It takes him several days before he comes to term with the fact that the swordsmith is dead and not repairing the sword is not an option, and another one to accept the fact that he should probably suck it up and just go. That’s how, nearly a week later, with some encouragement from Zenyatta, he finds himself back at Hanamura, getting led around the old smithery by an apprentice swordsmith he does not recognize.

 The spacious property, surrounded by wooden fences, contains the main house which seems more like a dojo or a low key temple and looks exactly as it did nearly over a decade ago. He could see the smoke billowing from behind the large house—the forges. Inside, the same calligraphy scrolls that hung on the walls were maybe more impressive than he remembered, but the long, dimly lit hallways still managed to make him feel as though he were about to arrive at a boss fight.

When the doors to the main room open, Genji half expects to see the old, silver-haired man sitting near the back center of the room on his cushion, nursing a delicate cup of tea that, when offered to him and his father, he'd never drink. Instead, he sees you sitting in that same spot, on the same cushion, drinking a cup of tea and the very first thing you do is offer him a cup and a seat.

Genji's heart aches. He is torn between wanting to cry at the normalcy of it all and running away from the altered scene from the past. The press of the sword on his back reminds him of his purpose, and so he enters. When he sits on the cushion some ways before you, your apprentice politely pours him a cup and the smell--earthy with underlying floral notes that he now recognizes as a high quality sencha--slams him back to a far-off place.

He is Genji Shimada again, youngest son of the head of the Shimada clan, self-proclaimed master of the sword and shuriken, here for another tedious lesson on the mechanics of the sword, and about to refuse another cup of tea from the swordsmith who trained his father on the art.

Except you are no old man. You wear his happi across your shoulders, and your hair is touched with gray, but you are not the solemn old man who made his sword. He could barely connect you to the child behind the swordsmith. The disciple with a perpetual shadow cast over your eyes who glowered at everyone and lashed out at anyone who mentioned the limp sleeve hanging from your shoulder. But the lack of self-loathing and anger on your features makes him think that yes, time has passed, and does indeed heal all wounds. It’s a good look for you, he thinks. Unlike before.

Genji was left to practice sharpening on a fancy blade, whose importance was lost on him, under your supervision while his father and your master leave to discuss something important in the next room. You watched his sloppy technique with growing distain until you couldn't take it anymore.

"Shouldn't do that, damages the sword," you mumbled in displeasure. Genji scoffed.

"It's fine, I know what I'm doing."

He goes back to his technique of rubbing the stone too hard and too carelessly against the edge. Heat rooted itself in your chest and began to crawl up your neck and cheeks. The sound of the sword—it’s crying—grates on your ears.

"No, you don't. You're hurting it."

"Yes, I do. This is easy!"

“No, you don’t! Give it!”

You took quick strides toward him, hand outstretched to reach for the abused blade, but he was faster and sheathed it (incorrectly with too much drag that undoubtedly screws up the work he's just done even more), and kept it out of your range.

“I said, its fine! Quit nagging!”

"It is NOT! How can you say you're a master swordsman if you can't take care of one?"

“Well, how can you smith a sword if you only have one arm?! Bet you can't even hold a sword!”

Silence rung in your ears, and then they burned.

You lunged at him, screaming. You both fought like children, biting and scratching​ and hair tugging and unsophisticated blows to the face. The sword was thrown somewhere to the side, forgotten. The two of you were rolling on top of the other, trading blows and headbutts and insults.

The fight only lasts a few seconds, and was broken up by your returning master who hauled the two of you apart with his iron grip. Genji's father grabs his son by the collar even as Genji fights to escape his hold because how dare you, it’s not like he did anything wrong, he just stated the obvious. And you, face red and throat hoarse, continue to yell against your master's arm about how it’s not your fault that you lost your arm, and you don’t need pity or a new one, and you hope that he suffers the same way, too.

He cringes at the memory, and clenches both fists against his plated thighs. With how he is now, it was poetic justice, he supposed. His father did scold him and force him to apologize for the incident, though he was too young and proud to understand that he was in the wrong.

 Your disciple makes her exit, and closes the door behind her, leaving the two of you to discuss this job.

 You eye your guest carefully, and let your gaze linger on the kanji on his chest plate and bite back a laugh. Warrior God.

 "So, omnic with a sword, huh?"

Genji pulls himself back from memory lane.

  "Not quite. Cyborg. My name is…Zen. Yata, Zen.” It’s better than giving his real name while he’s in Hanamura. He’s half-tempted to use his brother’s name for laughs, but he might not make it out of here alive otherwise.

You hum thoughtfully, and put down your tea. “I see. So, Mr. Yata, I understand you would like me to service a sword of yours?”

 You hold out your hand expectantly.

 Genji removes the sword and sheath from his back for you to take. The moment it passes from his hands to yours, he feels as though you had taken the floor from underneath him as well. So frozen by the surreal sight of someone else with his sword, he does not move.

Without noticing your guest’s plight, you tuck the weapon under your armpit, and slide out the blade with a practiced ease that forces no sound. The first thing that catches your eye--it's hard not to--is that the edge is green. Glowing green like the rings on your guest. A weapon this flashy, but practical--without even checking the signature on the tang, you knew this could only be crafted by your late master. You drop the sheath next to you and smile wryly to yourself, a small burst of nostalgia goes off in your chest.

 "So an old customer of my master, huh? He must've really liked you to use this material," you murmur, eyes tracing the elegant work. The entire weapon is well polished and maintained, but also very well used. Even at a glance, you can tell that the user really cares about it.

Genji laughs a bit sheepishly and returns to his seat. The sound prods something in your brain. "Yes, I knew him for a bit. But I'm not sure about liking me."

 It always was hard to tell how the late smith really felt with his stoic face and rigid posture.

You chuckle to yourself. "Yeah, even I never knew if he liked me sometimes." You tighten your grip on the worn handle. "But then, here I am, seventh generation and his successor. Life is weird, huh?"

"You can say that again."

"Life is weird."

Again, Genji laughs. And again, a more insistent nudge at your mind comes, and you flit your eyes over at the cyborg. Something far away beckons you, something involving the way he laughs. You don't know if it infuriates you or livens you.

 But you have a job to do, and so you pull your attention back from the deep end. Whatever it is that you are on the brink of remembering can wait. You pull out a sheet for the floor and your tools, then get to work on disassembling the sword. There are moments when you see the cyborg’s hands twitch to help, but you easily rebuff that. Years of having only one arm teaches you how to manage without help.

 Genji can’t help but feel like he wants to knock the blade from your hands as you take it apart. The sheet starts to fill with organized pieces of his weapon. He clenches his fists and tries to assure himself that you are a master of your art and he shouldn’t worry. But he does for multiple reasons.

 Genji becomes more and more painfully aware this endeavor was--is—risky with every piece that comes off, and breaks out in a metaphorical sweat as he watches you scrutinize the blade. He's alert for any changes to your face, waiting for your eyes to light up in recognition, ask him where he got a sword that was custom made for the Shimada clan (even though he has long sanded away the symbol during his own maintenance), put two and two together, and announce to all of Hanamura that Genji Shimada is still alive and needs to be killed a second time because you probably still remember him as an asshole.

But he endures and you complete your assessment with the same professionalism your predecessor had shown his father. By then, the entirety of his weapon lay broken down on the floor, barely even resembling his most trusted companion.

"Based on my observations, the blade will need to be reforged, Mr. Yata," you say, putting down the last of your tools in its place. “Two weeks."

He nearly leaps to his feet. "Two—reforg—but why? Can't you just fix it?"

"This is fixing it."

 Genji goes silent. He should have expected this outcome.

 “You are sure you can do it?”

 He realizes it too late when it leaves his mouth, winces when he sees you scowl. He already has an apology on his tongue when you interrupt.

 “I assure you, Mr. Yata, I am very capable of doing so, as handicapped as I may seem.” You wave what’s remaining of your arm in the air.

 “Sorry, I did not mea-”

 “It’s fine.” You are more than used to your fair share of skepticism. “But if you’re unsure, how about you take a look through the workshop?”

 Genji blinks. The workshop?

 You grin at his silence. “Come with me.”

 The workshop behind the house is full of red, hot furnaces and students in different stages of the creation process. As soon as he steps inside, his regulators at his shoulders already begin to release and hiss steadily. He wonders how you or any of your apprentices are able to work in here with such long sleeves and thick towels wrapped around your heads. He has no doubt the flames here could melt his armor if he stayed long enough. 

You take off your happi and hang it by the door, giving Genji a better look at your missing arm that sticks out of your rolled-up sleeve. But he doesn’t get to see that for long when you open a box nearby and shove the contents onto your stub.

 “Prosthetic…?”

 You flex your newly attached metallic fingers to life and grin. “Yeah. It’s convenient. Still prefer working with my feet, but it’s bad for the students. They’ll learn it all wrong.”

Genji laughs in disbelief. Life really is strange. If he could go back in time to speak to your younger self now, he is sure that he’d get hit in the face with the stump and yelled at for thinking you’d be so weak as to give in to ‘fixing’ your disability.

 You are in the midst of tying a towel around your head when his laughter distracts you again.

“This is my son, sixth. He will be under your tutelage in the ways of the sword, much like Hanzo was.”

Your master looms over the teen, who grins just as brightly as he laughs, unperturbed by the scrutiny.

“Yo, swords-guy.”

“Don’t talk to him like that,” you snapped. Genji jumped, unaware of your presence behind the smith.

“Who are you?” At least his recovery was quick.

“My apprentice.” Your master places a hand at your shoulder. You only scowl at the boy who has shown your teacher so much disrespect upon first meeting. You mumbled out your name, but was quickly overwhelmed by Genji appearing behind you, laughing.

“Got you back. From today, I guess I’ll be learning from you guys. My name—”

“Is everything all right?”

 You blink slowly at the cyborg, who sounds as concerned as his synthetic vocal cords could. You muster a small laugh.

 “Yes, I’m fine. Thanks.” You quickly compose yourself, and start with the process of introducing Genji to the workshop in order to ease his fears for his sword. It is common for sword owners to become afraid, confused, or even downright violent when the suggestion of ‘reforging’ arises. Sometimes it’s inevitable, and it’s almost like taking someone through the process of death. You sometimes just need to show the process and break it down so it’s less frightening, less emotional.

 However, considering who your customer is this time, that might not be necessary. But a reminder never hurt.

 “Here, we do everything from making the tamagahane, the metal”—you point to the two students who slowly pour what seems like molten lava into a channel—“to the polishing of a finished sword.”

 “Master,” one of your disciples calls forlornly. “Could you appraise this?”

 He watches you take one quick look at the red-hot steel on his station and ask for the disciple to pound on it. He does so and you shake your head. “Too many impurities are still in it. Keep at it.”

 The student gives you a firm, “Yes, master!” before returning to work.  

"Crap material, no matter how good the technique, still yields crap results," you say without prompting as you begin walking away. Genji tries not to think of the heavy implications those words could contain. “We try to keep that to a minimum, but as you probably know, recently Japan’s currently going through a resource shortage—”

 He only half listens in on the explanation of the natural resource and importing situation in Japan, and how it affects your trade as his mind begins to slip somewhere unpleasant. Crap material. Crap results. A crap Shimada cast away by his crap family for his crap attitude to everything.

 “Oi.”

Genji snaps his head up, ready to apologize for getting lost in his thoughts, but sees you addressing the students manning the smelting station.

“Make sure to separate the ores properly. You’re giving the forgers too much work to do.”

 “Sorry, master!”

 “We’ll do better on the next batch.”

 “If the batch doesn’t come out right, send it over to that the arrowhead makers. They’ll know what to do with it.”

 Genji furrows his brow. “Arrowhead?”

 You shrug nonchalantly. “Sometimes the mixture for the tamagahane doesn’t come out the way we need it to. Rarely happens, but when it does, we send it off to someone else who can use it.” 

You hold up a chunk of glittery rock. "Like this. It’s crap material to us because we're concerned about making swords and the ratio of metals. But for other things, this is perfect."

 “But isn’t it too brittle for arrowheads?”

 “Someone knows their stuff!”

 You slap him on the back and instantly regret not using your metallic hand.

 "Are you all right?" He asks, torn between checking on your injury and staying distant as to not repeat the incident. You hiss and wave your hand in the air.

 “Fine, just fine. Guess something like you shouldn’t be walking around here, huh?”

 He fidgets awkwardly and realizing your mistake, you wave it off.

 “But back to the topic at hand. Material like this can be used by someone else. Arrowheads can afford to have a different level of steel because of their function.”

 You go on to animatedly explain the subtle differences and practical uses of folded steel. Genji listens and in his mind, returns to the thought that this really is a good look for you. A little bit gray and older looking, but happier.

 The rest of the tour continues on smoothly, with you demonstrating how the blade will have to be forged in excruciating detail that he’s already heard, having been here before and lectured by your predecessor. But he abstains and patiently accompanies you throughout the steaming workshop, falling into easy conversation about the logistics of sword-making. At the end of it, he has more than several dozen assurances from yourself and your students who all aim to return his sword to perfection.

 The sun begins to set when he stands at your gates, negotiations on pricing, alterations, and expected turnaround long finished.

 “So it’s agreed, then.”

 “Yes, I…trust you to take care of it.”

 You smile. “Not to worry, your sword is in good hands. But are you sure you don’t require a loaner, just in case?”

 Genji waves that off. “Do not worry. I have several others. Thank you.” He bows, and you return it politely. When he turns to leave, you do the same.

 “See you in two weeks, Genji.”

Genji whips around, but you are already swarmed by three apprentices who eagerly try to show off their latest creations. Despite it all, he laughs quietly to himself and makes himself scarce. He wonders if he should be mentally prepared to have the Shimada clan after him when he comes to pick up his sword.

Petite Plum

A/N: This will be the last part of my fic! Yay! I took forever to write it because I’m a lazy piece of crap. And I will never learn. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys the ending ( @slightlydepressing enjoyed so I am content :D), I have fun writing it and sad (relieved) the fic has come to an end (I’m like TT ahahahhahahahahahha). Until next time I guess, BYEEEE!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

The next day came much quicker than Hyuk had anticipated. Throughout breakfast and the drive to Jelpi, Hyuk did his best to keep calm. He acted as if he was tired and made sure no one bothered him as he tried to fake sleep in the car. *Solo. Nashiko. Solo. Nashiko. What if I mess up? She’s gonna think the worst of me. I can’t freeze like yesterday, I looked so stupid* thought Hyuk. All the worst cased scenarios played in his head; all ending with Nashiko laughing at him and walking away. “Hyuk - ah, Hyukkie… HAN SANGHYUK IF YOU DONT WAKE UP OR SO HELP ME!” roared N. Hyuk woke up with a fright but quickly composed himself. “I’m awake, I’m awake!” He moaned as he dragged himself out the car. It was obvious that Hyuk was nervous since he was rather quiet. “What’s up with him?” Mouthed Hongbin. “Not sure, you think N hyung annoyed him too much” Ravi mouthed back. Ken saw the two conversing and decided to intervene. “Hyukkie, come to the restroom with me” “What, why? Go by yourself hyung” “Pwease, I watched a scary film last night about a dead girl who haunts the restrooms” Ken whined. “Aigooo Ken, are you sure you weren't watching Harry Potter? The part with Moaning Murtle?” N teased, making the members laugh. “Ehhh, hyung please” Ken replied. Before Hyuk could say anything back, Ken was already pushing him towards the restroom. Once they inside Ken looked around, opening every cubicle. “Hyung, I didn’t know you were this scared.” Hyuk said as he watched his hyung’s actions. “Okay, no one is here.” Ken turned towards Hyuk and carried on, “Hyuk… are you okay?” He asked with concern in his voice. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” Hyuk stated. Ken looked at him dead in the eyes, making him feel uncomfortable. “You’re not, I can tell. Frankly, all of us could tell. Hongbin and Ravi were questioning your sudden silence.” Hyuk was surprised *Was I that obvious?* “Hyuk, you need to calm down. Take a couple of breaths. Splash some water on your face to wake yourself up. Don’t worry so much, she’s not here to catch you out.” Ken consoled. Hyuk nodded and started feel less tense. “Have fun lil bro, besides it’s your first solo stage. Make the most of it.” The two fist bumped and walked out with lighter hearts.

“Finally. Hyuk, we need to start on your solo stage.” Dance-Ssem said as he walked over and pulled Hyuk into position. Ken gave Hyuk a thumbs up and sat at the back to monitor him. “Good morning Hyukkie~” greeted Nashiko from behind. Hyuk turned around to see the petite woman with her plum hair tied up in a simple ponytail. “Morning…Nashiko” Hyuk replied. “Yahh, did you just forget my name?” Nashiko asked in an annoyed tone. She hand her hands crossed over her chest and had a fake angry expression. “Whaa? Forget your name? I would never” Hyuk said shaking his head. Nashiko grinned and poked his arm, “Good because I would never forgive you if you did” She puffed. *I can’t even get you out of my head, let alone forget your name* Hyuk thought to himself. Dance-Ssem clapped his hands and began, “The song we are using is one that was chosen by Hyuk, which is ‘Call You Mine’ by Jeff Bernat” The choreography involved many interactions between Nashiko and Hyuk. And everytime Hyuk had to hold her hand or slide his hand across her leg, he always asked if it was fine with her. “Are you sure you’re sure you’re okay with it?” “It’s fine Hyuk, trust me” “… Are you sur-” At this point Nashiko grabbed his face and insisted, “For the umpteenth time Hyuk, it’s fine. Okay?” With such close proximity to her face, all Hyuk could manage was a weak nod. “Good. Now let’s not waste anymore time!” Nashiko said.

They practiced as much as they could to perfect the routine. Dance-Ssem and N were constantly checking, giving their input on how to make the dance become more seamless. Ken in the background made sure Hyuk didn’t become a blubbering mess, instead he started to dote on both Hyuk and Nashiko. Ravi and Hongbin joined to see how the solo stage was coming along and we’re impressed on how far the two have come. But that didn’t stop the two from making sly comments here and there. “Heol, they could be mistaken for a couple you know.” Hongbin whispered in low tone. “Wahh, look at them toge- OW!” Ravi and Hongbin cried. Leo sneaked behind and slapped the two across the back of their heads. Along with N, Leo took care of Hyuk and Nashiko, keeping them hydrated and not overworked. He listened to what N was relaying and agreed with everything.

Time ticked away quickly and soon it was free time. “That’s all for today people! You are free to leave this PRISON!” Exaggerated Dance-Ssem. The senior dancers said their goodbyes and left to go home, leaving VIXX and Nashiko. “Aigooo, I think I worked too hard today. My back…” Ken complained while hunched over. “Omomomo, Ahjumma let me help you” Hongbin offered and pushed him from behind. “YAHHHHHH!” Ken shrieked in the highest note possible causing everyone to laugh. “Stop it, I’m too tired to deal with you now. Let’s just go home” groaned Leo. As everyone was heading for the door, Hyuk stopped. “You know what, I’m gonna stay back for a couple more hours. I want to perfect the routine” He explained. Nashiko raised her hand and nodded. “Me too, me too. Ahh but Inguk oppa might not let me.” “I won’t let you do what?” Inguk asked. Nashiko was about to talk but N patted her on the shoulder and winked. “I advised her and Hyuk to stay back a couple of hours to completely perfect the dance routine.” N told him. “It’s too late fo-” “This performance is essential for the concert. It showcases how much Hyuk improved and it will be Nashiko’s first solo here. I’m sure you can understand how much it means to them. You wouldn’t want they’re efforts to go to waste now would you?” N concluded while giving a piercing gaze. Inguk wavered slightly and looked at Nashiko. She had her puppy eyes face on hoping it would help her case. “I’ll drive them home if that’ll make you feel better.” Ken suggested, “Now before you think I’m talking nonsense, I really am a good driver. The best out of all the members.” He beamed. Inguk looked at the rest of the members, who were all nodding in agreement. Inguk sighed in defeat, “Fine, but you have to call me when you finish practice, leave the building and when you come close to home, understood?” Inguk instructed. “Yes sir!” saluted Nashiko. Inguk pushed her forehead back while laughing and walked out with 4Vixx. As soon as they left, Ken told Hyuk and Nashiko that he’ll be in the next room practicing his solo for the concert. “If you guys need anything or if you’re ready to go home, tell me okay?” Ken assured them. Both Hyuk and Nashiko nodded and waved to Ken.

Hyuk turned to Nashiko and gestured towards the middle of the practice room, “Shall we begin?” He asked. “Yes, we shall.” Nashiko said smiling as she took his hand. Without the guidance of N and Dance-Ssem, the dance wasnt as smooth as they wanted it to be. Every time one of them messed up they would stop and discuss what went wrong. They would constantly monitor their performance with a camera and pick any small details. This went on for a while with no actual breaks. Half way through the dance Nashiko tripped and fell backwards with her eyes shut. Without thinking, Hyuk grabbed her arm, pulled her up towards himself.  Their faces were only inches away from each other. Hyuk stared down at her face, her eyes closed shut as tightly as possible while biting her lip. As soon as she realised she was being held, Nashiko opened her eyes and found Hyuk looking down at her. Hyuk gulped and managed to say, “Are you okay?” Nashiko blushed furiously, “Uh huh.” She was pulled up by Hyuk, all while still holding onto his arms. “Thanks… for not letting me fall” Hyuk gazed into Nashiko’s eyes, and finally smiled, “I’m glad my reflexes were quick enough to grab you, hah.” Nashiko chuckled and move her hands down into his. The two were stood in the middle of the practice room, as if time stood still with them. Hyuk pulled her hands above and placed them around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in. Nashiko closed her eyes and leaned in.  Hyuk smirked, purposely missing her lips and kissed her cheek. Nashiko slapped him on the chest, “YAH! I was wai-”, Nashiko stopped mid sentence and covered her mouth. Hyuk laughed loudly, “Why, what did I do wrong? was I supposed to do it differently?” “Yah yah, y-y-you know what you did wrong…” Nashiko voiced trailed off. Hyuk grinned and decided to tease her more. “Aigoo, I don’t know what you’re taking about. Tell meee” He pestered. Nashiko glared at Hyuk. Hyuk was singing the words “I don’t know” until Nashiko pulled him down and pecked his lips. This time it was Hyuk’s turn to be surprised. He was frozen while Nashiko laughed and tugged his chin downwards, “Shall we date?” Without delay, Hyuk kissed her back. The kiss was longer, deeper and had more feeling. He pulled back and answered, “We shall.”

*********FOUR YEARS LATER*********

It was their wedding night, Hyuk was carrying Nashiko bridal style to their hotel room. Nashiko was stroking Hyuk’s hair while humming. “So do you have any ideas what we’ll do tonight, Mrs Han?” Nashiko hummed, “Hmmm, I have a few that I’ve been wanting to show you.” They reached their hotel room at the end of the corridor. Hyuk took out the key card and swiped it across the door handle, *beep beep clack* and the door opened. He carefully placed Nashiko on the bed and stood back, taking a good, long look at his wife. He took off his blazer and began to undo his bow tie. Following suit, she took off her shoes and accessories. Sitting down next Nashiko, he looked into her eyes, “Are you ready?” He asked. Nashiko stared back and breathed, “Yep.“  Both leaned towards each other.

Hyuk grabbed for the big bowl of popcorn and Nashiko grabbed the Naruto DVDs. “NARUTO MARATHON” they cried. Nashiko laughed hard and nearly fell off the bed. Hyuk, on the other hand, dropped backwards onto the bad holding his stomach from all the laughter. “Ahahahahha,  I expected nothing less from you! This is why I married you.” Hyuk declared, he got up and kissed Nashiko on forehead. “I mean, what else do people do on their wedding night” “I know right!” Nashiko agreed as she leaned onto him. “Ahhh, Hyukkie… I love you.” She confessed. “I love you too.”

The degenerate’s guide to 2017 college football TV watch ‘em ups: week 11

It’s the moooost wonderful time of the year...

I actually have some shred of hope in my heart for the world. I express that by trotting out Pen & Pixel’s greatest accomplishment (among a plethora of seeming high water marks.) I’ve also got a nervous energy that sports shouldn’t inspire in a person unless they’re directly involved. Maybe I’ve got CTE and this is how it’s manifesting?

I am to understand that some people don’t even think Miami-Notre Dame is the game of the week but those people are crazy. Two Big XII teams meeting to set up some rematch or other in motion for the Big XII title game in a couple of weeks is no sort of draw to anybody outside of fans of those two teams. We as a nation require pageantry and flair with a nice note of tradition.

This is bigger in my mind than it needs to be. You all can relax and watch the rest of this lineup, it’s bangers from start to finish really, but I will be impatient and unlikable all day. More unpleasant than usual, probably. But this picture of the late, great Cortez Kennedy celebrating will give me strength:

You should know the drill on the information below. The times and broadcast networks ripped from FBSchedules. The betting info pilfered from Vegas Insider. The insults to my intelligence and my effort, then, will once again come from you the dedicated readers.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017

Matchup                                                                   Time (ET)              TV

Arkansas at (24) LSU                                               Noon                   ESPN

That #24 next to LSU seems crazy but I would probably take them over pretty much all of the 104 teams ranked below them. Guice versus Arkansas could be a real problem if Eddie O lets it be one. I wonder what the o/u is on his yards in this game? 79 against Alabama has to translate to about 400 against Arkansas.

Duke at Army                                                            Noon                  CBSSN

It is a cruel thing to ask somebody on the Navy side of the divide to root for Army football but we must all stand as one to defeat the Blue Evils.

Florida at South Carolina                                        Noon                   CBS

It is not at all surprising that one of these teams is playing for an interim head coach but I would have never guessed in July that it would be Florida. On the one hand Sakerlina -6 against anybody seems high but UF just got blown out by Missouri.

Indiana at Illinois                                                      Noon                   BTN

It seems sort of unfair that other coaches get fired and Lovie Smith doesn’t.

(12) Michigan State at (13) Ohio State                   Noon                  FOX

I know it seems stupid to make a team that just got beat the fuck down by Iowa last week a 17-point favorite this week but I also kind of feel like that’s being generous to Michigan State. I’ll be cheering Sparty on but I’ve got a bad feeling about this for the green and white.

(23) NC State at Boston College                             Noon   ABC/ESPN2 (RM)

Steve Addazio has made a lot of money in his life to be an offensive guru of sorts and it seems like he only figured out how to coach offense on October 14th of this year. I still don’t know what to make of this renaissance but here’s a game featuring two of the top EDGE prospects for 2018. I got no more.

Nebraska at Minnesota                                            Noon                  FS1

If it’s on the schedule I guess you should probably go ahead and play it.

(15) Oklahoma State at (21) Iowa State                   Noon  ABC/ESPN2 (RM)

I’ve been waiting for Iowa State to turn back into a pumpkin but I also kind of hate Oklahoma State. I don’t hate Iowa State I just don’t trust them to keep winning. O/U of 61 seems sort of low to me.

Rutgers at (14) Penn State                                       Noon                BTN

Oh, great, Saquon Barkley gets to boost his profile again. If he gets enough carries he could reasonably move back into the top 20 rushers in the country but, let’s be honest here, his Heisman candidacy is based on him making one single flash play per game so it doesn’t even really matter if he rushes 20 times for 89 yards and a touchdown if the touchdown is a 77-yard draw play with a couple of jukes.

Texas Tech vs. Baylor (in Arlington)                          Noon                FSN

I was legitimately sad to see Baylor win 38-3 last week and not because I have any fond feelings for Kansas. If anything I kind of like the running joke of Kansas football over the past few years. But seeing Baylor do well is sickening.

UConn at (18) UCF                                                     Noon              ESPNU

I keep expecting UCF to fuck up one of these weeks. I don’t think UConn is the team to make it happen but I also don’t know about trusting UCF’s talent level.

UL Lafayette at University of Mississippi               Noon               SECN

ULL is a 20-point underdog and they’re terrible but I don’t know if they’re 20-point underdog to Mississippi terrible.

(17) Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech                           Noon              ACCN

I’m sort of pissed off at Georgia Tech for losing last week. At least for throwing 22 passes and losing. WTF is Georgia Tech doing throwing 22 passes against a team that’s not historically atrocious against the pass?

Middle Tennessee at Charlotte                                2:00 pm          ESPN3

I don’t know what’s up with my guy Richie James. I keep waiting for him to break back out and he keeps not doing it. Charlotte is a pretty good place to do it, I guess?

Wake Forest at Syracuse                                           3:00 pm           RSN

There’s a lot of effort to go around between these two terrible teams. I don’t enjoy the way either one of them plays but I respect how much they both seem to enjoy playing even though they suck.

Florida Atlantic at LA Tech                                         3:30 pm        Stadium

Point Shavin’ Kiffykins is open for business! Louisiana Tech has not been good or consistent this year so I’ve got a good feeling about FAU beating them by a touchdown or more but I also feel like Kiffin is making extra money by betting on his team. No way to know which way he bet this week.

Florida State at (4) Clemson                                      3:30 pm          ESPN

The oddity that is Florida State’s season would be made perfect by springing a huge upset here. Vegas expects something to the effect of Clemson 32-FSU 15 but I have this weird idea that Florida State can hang with them. I get that the Seminoles offense is bad but I’m not 100% that Clemson’s is very much better. The O/U is only 46 so there’s not a lot of wiggle room there. Even so I’d guess take the under and the Seminoles and wait for Cam Akers to make something out of nothing.

(1) Georgia at (10) Auburn                                          3:30 pm           CBS

Here’s the other upset waiting to happen. Actually, let me amend that. I don’t think FSU can actually win just keep things close. I think Auburn can actually win. Georgia has a fantastic defense and one of the most elemental offenses in the country. They have a near limitless supply of great running backs but everything else is sort of suspect. Auburn is on a similar talent level but with a more varied offensive scheme and they’re playing at home. So look for Kerryon to key an ultimately meaningless (from AU’s perspective) surprise victory for the Barners.

(20) Iowa at (8) Wisconsin                                           3:30 pm           ABC

Iowa is the toast of the college football world this week after their bizarre 55-24 win against Ohio State last week. Can they do it again? No. I’m with Vegas in thinking Wisconsin rolls.

Michigan at Maryland                                                  3:30 pm           BTN

If Michigan starts losing shit games like this then you can worry about Jim Harbaugh but I stand by my assessment that he’s going to have the Wolverines on the same level as Ohio State by 2019.

SMU at Navy                                                                  3:30 pm         CBSSN

SMU still has a shot at taking the AAC West if Memphis falters but Navy is just playing spoiler at this point. I don’t know how much that affects Navy’s execution but if SMU plays tight in this one they’ll get run over.

Southern Miss at Rice                                                 3:30 pm        Stadium

This is a weirdly appealing uniform matchup for me. I downloaded the Stadium app but I think you need a facebook account to use it so it’s just sitting there on my phone looking like Postmates, which I also don’t use.

Virginia at Louisville                                                     3:30 pm         ESPNU

Louisville is a double digit favorite against a team with a better record and more to play for and, truth be told, more high end talent on the roster. There is something that bookmakers like about this matchup that I do not understand.

West Virginia at Kansas State                                      3:30 pm         ESPN2

This game is basically a pick ‘em and if K State wins these teams will be have identical records. It’s not the worst Big XII matchup ever but KSU has been pretty dull for watchin’ ‘em up purposes this year.

Georgia State at Texas State                              ��       4:00 pm  CW35/ESPN3

The audience for this game on TV has to be 400 people total. Texas State is a garbage heap right now so this GSU (the good one!) should stay alive in the Sun Belt race. That 6.5-point line seems low to me even though it’s gone up 2 points over the course of the week.

Kentucky at Vanderbilt                                                  4:00 pm        SECN

In a weird twist this isn’t even close to the worst matchup in the SEC this year. It’s on the better-than-average side of things at that.

Maine vs. UMass (Fenway Park)                              4:00 pm  11 Sports/NESN

The battle for the soul of New England college footbaal! UMass has that one TE that’s really good so I guess they’ll win. I don’t really hate the football games in baseball stadiums thing because at least it’s visually different than other games but I don’t really get why they do these things.

San Jose State at Nevada                                             4:00 pm       ESPN3

If you watch this because you bet on it then you, my friend, are exactly who these posts are made for.

(11) USC at Colorado                                                      4:00 pm        FOX

The trick to beating USC is to hold onto at least 3 of the average 6 interceptable passes that Sam Darnold throws in an average game. Colorado could honestly do that and still lose because their offense stinks but 3 or more interceptions is definitely on the table for the Buffs.

Troy at Coastal Carolina                                                 4:30 pm       ESPN3

As a premier online tout you will have to subscribe to my insider tips to get my full thoughts on this game but let’s just say that a 17-point road favorite seems undervalued if anything.

Arkansas State at South Alabama                                 5:00 pm       ESPN3

Again with the online super touting: I didn’t even look at the line and I’m taking USA to beat the spread.

UTEP at North Texas                                                       5:00 pm        ESPN3

UNT is bowl eligible already now they’re playing for the CUSA crown. FAU and FIU are the main contenders in the East but the 096ers are in the driver’s seat the West crown.

(19) Washington State at Utah                                       5:30 pm     Pac-12N

Washington State got a bad draw in closing the season here and @ UDub for their final two games but they should be able to handle Utah right now. The annual Utah sprint to the finish is not happening this year.

Kansas at Texas                                                              6:00 pm     LHN/JTV

Last year KU got Charlie Strong fired and this year they can, maybe, get their own coach fired if they’re lucky.

WKU at Marshall                                                           6:30 pm beIN SPORTS

Honestly CUSA is serving up some decent action this week if you find yourself feeling sort of off Broadway.

(2) Alabama at (16) Mississippi State                            7:00 pm      ESPN

Alabama seems like the worst team to gamble on for my dollars. There’s no doubt in my mind they’ll beat the stuffing out of Miss State but they might lame things up on the way to a 21-9 kind of game.

New Mexico at Texas A&M                                             7:00 pm     ESPNU

New Mexico is really bad but I’m not offering any gambling advice for this one.

Old Dominion at FIU                                                        7:00 pm   CUSA.TV

Here’s a line I have strong feelings for. FIU should beat ODU by at least 30 but for whatever reason the spread is under 10 points. Do oddsmakers not see FIU’s record so far in 2017.

Purdue at (25) Northwestern                                         7:00 pm     ESPN2

I don’t like this Northwestern being ranked schtick. Boiler Up!

Tulane at East Carolina                                                   7:00 pm    CBSSN

The 7 o’clock kicks are not particularly great and this is one of them.

UAB at UTSA                                                                      7:00 pm   KCWX-TV

If you pronounce this game aas WAB at Utsaaa it becomes more fun but you also have to have a local channel to watch.

Tennessee at Missouri                                                    7:30 pm      SECN

Everybody knows generally about the reasons to hate Penn State and Baylor football but I think it’s unfair to Tennessee that they aren’t more widely known as a poisonous house of horrible antics and criminal bullshit.

(3) Notre Dame at (7) Miami, FL                                       8:00 pm      ABC

I’m trying to get an honest gauge free of emotions on this game and have been for about a week. I think the perception of Miami around the country is a scrappy team getting it done with smoke and mirrors but I think it’s more accurate to say that QB is often their least valuable player on the field and that they are outrageously stacked in their receiving corps and along the defensive line. Notre Dame should be able to run on Miami in spite of the front four because the second level has been messy for the Hurricanes. Front four and back four are fine but the three guys in the middle sometimes look like herding cats. Notre Dame’s offensive line is great and their running game has been crazy but they’re pass offense is suspect and they do give up explosive plays on defense. Miami makes a lot of big plays on offense. This is a lot closer than a lot of people realize and I won’t exactly be surprised if Miami bum rushes the Irish in the early going.

(6) TCU at (5) Oklahoma                                                    8:00 pm      FOX

Does it undercut the moment for this game that there’s a really strong chance that these same two teams play each other in the inaugural Big XII Title Game? I’m always rooting for the worst outcome for this shit conference and I think that’s a TCU win.

Arizona State at UCLA                                                       9:30 pm    Pac-12N

Josh Rosen has apparently passed the concussion protocol so this might end up being a down-to-the-wire game slightly favoring UCLA but this game is really all about the weirdly bad ways that both head coaches are sabotaging the talent on their respective rosters.

Oregon State at Arizona                                                   10:15 pm    ESPN2

If you like Khalil Tate and want to see some highlights have I got the game for you! If Tate doesn’t break off at least 200-yards of rushing he will be one

Wyoming at Air Force                                                        10:15 pm    ESPNU

The Josh Allen Experience continues on down the road. This is the kind of game where, historically, he’s been very bad but he’s playing for his football life to get better now as opposed to after next season. 

Boise State at Colorado State                                          10:30 pm   CBSSN

CSU’s chances at winning the MWC are more or less dead but they should be at their peak level going against Boise this week.

Fresno State at Hawaii                    11:00 pm  KSEE-24/Spectrum PPV/MWN

That’s the longest string of channel listings in Watch ‘Em Ups history. And not a single one of those networks reaches a single home in America. As it should be for a game between these two programs.

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WRITING A GAME - The Steve Method pt2

In 2015, my local gaming group ran its second “GM Bootcamp”, an opportunity for people who were interested in Gamesmastering but had never given it a go to write and run short games. The ideas was that a group would form, which I would shepherd, and each member of the group would run a short two session adventure in the game system of their choice.

To help the group plan their games, I wrote a collection of essays about how I personally like to approach writing and running games. This is the second part of those essays, with a few revisions, focusing on longer campaigns.

My feeling on running longer games is pretty much the same as with short, but on a much larger and longer scale.

I'll start by building a world on a larger scale.

At a simple level, I’ll physically draw a coastline, and quite randomly draw in features such as mountains and forests, and maybe some rivers too. I’ll then choose specific sites (although often random too) for settlements.

The map will contain many inhabited areas, and many areas of wilderness where there are deliberate hazards. In fantasy this can be towns and village with open ground between them, in sci-fi it can be cities or ships with open ground or rubble/debris areas.

Each settlement will be populated by useful people with information and quests, and there will usually be many, many side quests. Each town or city will have the same basic collection of people – the bartender, blacksmith, grocer, etc, but to make things interesting they won’t always have the same prices. Often, I’ll also make one or two inaccessible because of a side quest. Maybe the Blacksmith’s tolls are missing, or the Blacksmith himself!

Usually when I ran a large game like this I overload on side-quests fully aware that most will never be touched. It doesn't matter if they are, after all they are unimportant to the main narrative, but the ones that were added a nice extra level to the overall setting. To make things simple in that respect, I don’t tie side quests to specific areas if I can, but plan them in the simplest sense so that they fit into any location or set of NPCs. “Save our child from thieves” works whether its Dwarves in a mountain, Elves ain a wood, or Humans in a city, for example. Its ok to plan for specific areas if there is something special you’ve planned, but it helps if you can have your others sides reasonably generic so you can adapt them as necessary.

So if we expand the short D&D game I used for the Bootcamp, the party are travelling out into the world to look for other Adventurers Guild lodges and new adventures. Every decent town or city will have such a lodge, as well as the same basic collection of NPCs selling or crafting wares. The lodges may be a great place to learn about new adventures and side quests, and may also have quests that eventually lead into a grander narrative.

As missions go, there will of course always be a main objective, but I like to use a system familiar in many video games of unlocking. I make impassable obstacles that can only be overcome once a few smaller objectives have been complete. Think the "large rock" problem that can only be passed with the "rock smashing" upgrade, or the ledge you need a jump upgrade to get over. In D&D, this might be a simple case of information – players won’t learn about greater and grander quests until the NPCs are sure they can handle the job. Or a sealed door, the key to which is hidden elsewhere in a different adventure.

It may also simply come down to a monster or enemy the party simply can not defeat because their power level is too low. Don’t be afraid of such things. Not every fight has to be “do or die” for an adventuring party, and its better if they learn that they CAN retreat and return to try again another time. The good thing about a sandbox environment is that the players CAN return at a later time.

To use Lord Of The Rings as my example again, the objective of destroying the One Ring was locked until other things were overcome first. You had to get to Rivendell first to find out HOW to destroy the ring. To get into Morder, you had either the Minas Morgul or Black Gate objectives to get through (though other routes also could be explored). To triumph at Pelennor Fields would have been nearly impossible without completing the Helms Deep objective first. As a good example in there though, Aragorn then went on the Army of the Dead side quest. It wasn’t really essential in the overall narrative, but by completing that side quest he got a great and useful bonus on the Pelennor Fields, which really helped I think you'll agree. I'll use a second example in Star Wars. If we slightly disregard the actual main characters a moment, we had a main objective of overthrowing the Empire. This required the destruction of two death stars, both missions locked first by rescuing a princess and then by a mission involving the deaths of many Bothans. Destroying the second Death Star was locked until you first completed the mission on the forest moon of Endor, but instead of simply going into that mission, the "player characters" went through a whole Ewok side quest which gave them a good advantage. Luke likewise could have developed his force powers solo, but instead went on a "train with Yoda" side quest, which again helped in the main quest, but also opened up other character driven narrative routes. If Luke had not trained with Yoda, he never would have found out about Leia, or learned that he has other ways to defeat the Empire that don’t require killing Vader.

My D&D game can easily be expanded on a similar basis, with higher ups in the Adventurers Guild keeping an eye on new members. Lets add a secret – they had a purpose all along. The Guild exists to find and train a group able to achieve a particular world-changing goal, which your players will inevitably be, but to prove they are worthy they must complete other objectives first. They must earn the respect of the Immortal who runs the Guild.

That’s what I mean by locking up the bigger objectives in larger games, and making other objectives the requirements to unlock them. I would still keep an open world, but there would just be specific barriers impassable until other things were done. There's no reason you can’t do something similar with your smaller games, but at most I would say again - keep it simple. One barrier at most, for example finding a specific key to get into the place the objective is.

The concept of barriers should be taken as checkpoints, goals to achieve before you can move on to greater goals. Try to avoid making them so strict that they are heavily scripted, but instead treat them as signposts along the way to quests you have an idea for.

Its important to remain flexible though, and allow for creativity. These barriers should be NEARLY impassable, but not completely impossible. Players will always be coming up with extremely creative ways to advance themselves along their own journeys, and often that can mean they come up with a way around what you’ve set up to deter them.

If players do find a shortcut, or a work around for your barrier, don’t just try to shut them down and say no.  If they find that way through, simply allow it, adjust, and move on.

For example, if my Immortal leading the Adventurers Guild is found too early! If the players decide the leadership is something they want DIRECT access to, or think it’s a mystery to solve, they may find themselves discovering the entire purpose behind the Guild far too soon. At this stage, it’s the GM who needs a new work around. Ok, the players have discovered everything far too soon. So now maybe they know there is a goal to work towards? Or maybe it just means they have to go on a VERY challenging quest to prove themselves. Again, they may fail and have to retreat.

If they get passed the giant rock and find the monsters beyond too much to tackle, they can withdraw, and come back another day now that they know.

Its important to know, that I would reckon around 50% of your total planning will never actually see the game table, unless its strictly scripted. But don’t be afraid of this. This is one of the reasons I like to keep the planning so basic and simple, so I don’t lock myself in certain ideas I want to come up, but then never have the opportunity!

Think about this – what is the point of Tom Bombadil in the Lord Of The Rings. From a GMs perspective, maybe he was intended as a main quest giver! But the party chose instead to ignore him and move on. As a result, the secret path through the Barrows, and dealing with Wights, was lost. All that planning, gone, but instead we get the chase to the ferry, and the threat of the Nazgul. Similar ideas, new location.

As my final note, when planning a larger game, I find it helps to have details on your player characters before the game begins, so that you can add character elements into the world. Have at least one element for each character just floating in the world somewhere, but loose enough that you can transplant it if you need to.

Having character driven elements in the world helps their characters become part of the world, which helps to immerse the player with everything that is going on and drive them to deeper involvement with society.

In our party, we have an Elf from a nomadic tribe, so its easy to think they might come across them or a similar tribe along the road. The earlier mentioned player with an uncle in the Adventurers Guild, may find that uncle has more influence than expected. The Rogue in the party may have links to thieves guilds around the map, or maybe a lost sibling for whom clues can be found all over.

To add a final note, there’s a house rule I like to use. Most game system have a skill or something similar which gives a character specific knowledge. In D&D this is specific Knowledge skills, or in World Of Darkness you can have things like Streetwise. I sometimes like to give every player character a free point or specialization in such a skill, with the provision that it must be specific. In a World Of Darkness game for example, I’d encourage each player to have a specific knowledge of an area of local society. The criminal underground, or law enforcement, or where the nightclubs are, or the best place to find cheese locally for example. It helps involve them in the world, and in the building of the world.

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BLOGGER JUHI GODAMBE’S Manual TO HONG KONG

An inimitable blend of cultures, Hong Kong is an Asian city that is Westernised and, pretty clearly, loves the style. I’m always inquisitive about how progressive this city is! It’s miles absolutely developed, but at the equal time, a hint of its specific tradition can be determined everywhere. On the latest experience, I used to be sitting at a restaurant on a hectic weekday, working on my computer, once I noticed a gaggle of young office-going women heading to paintings of their elegant nice; some in clothes and heels carrying announcement handbag Women and men positioned serious attempt into looking sharp.

You could find a mixture of avenue-style cool and corporate attitude. One issue that I’ve observed is that the girls strike that first-class balance between their dressmaker pieces and avenue reveals — and that’s sincerely something I love doing myself.I make it a factor to do the rounds of the malls around Harbour city for high-street shopping and across the Relevant district for dressmaker manufacturers. I locate that even though the excessive stop buys are fairly high-priced here whilst compared to purchases in Europe, the enjoy is completely well worth it. The salespeople are heat and well-informed, and that’s crucial to me as a consumer.Gs and others in cool, casual clothes. If I had the time, I’d sit down there for hours, simply to look at and take notes.

There are pretty a few hidden treasures. I usually prevent by way of this underwear save known as 6IXTY8IGHT to inventory up on my innerwear. And I additionally make an experience to Sai Yeung Choi avenue (or Electronics road), from wherein I pick up a few cool wires and available devices on finances.

I am completely interested in Vital. With its blend of high-end and avenue-fashion brands, it’s quite like London’s Oxford street. As soon as I’m completed shopping, I really like grabbing a chunk on the close by Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) square, which is popular for its array of restaurants and nightclubs.

Blogging – A Way to Explicit Yourself

I have been a blogger for two years now and I have fallen in love with Running a blog ever given that then. The nice component approximately this is that you can Explicit Yourself and proportion your opinions regarding something as regularly as you want. There’s no strict time duration of whilst and the way regularly you need to replace your very own internet site. You write on your personal weblog or website daily, weekly or even, monthly, in case you want to. It offers you a feel of freedom and freedom to determine your path of the journey together with your very own internet site.

Journey of Running a blog Since the Invention of the first weblog

It has come to a long Manner Because the first weblog became commenced and it has emerged from being a private weblog to many styles of blogs now. Initially, Running a blog became connected to writing approximately a person’s life as an internet blog or website log. It was a platform for sharing non-public factor of perspectives that become available to only some humans earlier however now everybody could make their own internet site. It changed into only a Manner through human beings shared the tale about their life. Progressively, it shaped up into a ramification of blogs, fashion, lifestyle, beauty, finance and nature blogs to name a few.

Blogging as an Interest or as a Profession

While you finally decide that you want to have your very own website, you may also determine whether it’s miles a Hobby or a Profession for you. As an Interest, it offers you more feeling of independence to choose as in line with you want. As a Profession, it’s miles altogether a special thing from a Hobby, for making a Profession out of your personal website is a little bit complicated than just in reality Blogging as an Interest. There are some matters required to name a Career as a Career. A Profession needs to assist you to make a residing, pay your bills and allow Yourself to buy a house. If your goal is to make a Career from it then you may update your internet site extra often and with making plans each and each element related to it. you may need to undergo the technical factors of your website too other than updating it.

Guide and automatic Checking out of Cellular Packages

Packages and Packages for Mobile devices are very popular built-in recent times integrated. Both the techniques of software program built-in and Trying out require a few integrated and adjustments. Also, unique built-interest integrated is paid to Trying out tools.

Built-in, an enormous variety of different gear for Cell Testing is available now. And there is equipment for diverse processes of product check built-ing and Both diverse systems.

What Are the steps of Guide Check built-in?

Hit upon errors. Take a screenshot of the built line integrated worm. The picture should be transmitted to PC. Open the problem built-integrated bug tracking gadget. Add the screenshot. Download the application logs. If important, make the video. Add the outline of the device (OS version, version). Factory integrated the statistics about the app (version, constructed). Specify the stairs to breed the bug. Put up the issue. The manner of Guide Testing is as an alternative lengthy and calls for a while to record the located blunders. Sure, the worm monitoring built-in simplifies the system but still, it needs a few operations. We are able to have the pretty built-in integrated scenario with computerized Testing. What is the system of computerized Checkintegratedg?

Hong Kong’s Luxury Boating Market

Hong Kong is presently truly one of the first-rate examples of prosperity, wealth, and affluence in Asia. The town used to be a set of fishing villages earlier than the British career. In 1842, after the British received the Opium war, Hong Kong turned into exceeded over to Britain as its colony and soon became a famous shipping port.Let us try to consider manual testing implementation in terms of development stages and agile environment.Let us try to consider manual testing implementation in terms of development stages and agile environment. Hong Kong’s first boat club is assumed to be commenced via a set of oarsmen in 1849 and changed into named Hong Kong boat club. In 1894 the Royal Hong Kong yacht club changed into started. The yacht club becomes constructed in particular for British military officers and expatriates who diagnosed sailing as the leisure pastime.

The first storm refuge in HK changed into constructed in 1883 after a hurricane in 1874 devastated HK and Macau, inflicting 2,000 accidents and five,000 deaths. The delivery vessels and fishing boats that have been moored at the waters have been absolutely destroyed by this typhoon, causing the authorities to construct these shelters to defend all the vessels and hold the metropolis’s reputation as a secure delivery port. In later years greater shelters have been constructed all around the metropolis developing an area for mooring business and personal vessels.

At some stage in the world battle II, Hong Kong becomes taken over by using Eastern in 1941when they bombed key places around the town and defeated the British army.

The Japanese surrendered and left in 1945, giving it lower back to the British.

Within the 1950s and Nineteen Sixties, many humans from China went to HK with their money to break out the civil unrest in China. They set up factories and groups that grew to become the metropolis into a production hub for merchandise such as textiles, plastic products, and electronics.

Hong Kong’s boating industry become additionally growing. In 1967, some other boat membership changed into founded in an area called Aberdeen that’s Inside the southern a part of the town.

Despite the rise of infrastructure, the city becomes nevertheless called one of the maximum corrupt In the international till 1972, when the Unbiased Anti-Corruption agency was set up to put the USA lower back on the proper tune. Because of its amazing justice system, low taxes and efficient authorities, HK attracted foreign buyers, traders and talented professionals. The city quickly became a monetary hub. Nowadays, its inventory Marketplace is Asia’s 2d largest, and the sixth largest In the international. HK is presently referred to as the freest financial system Within the international, with a complicated infrastructure. Many developers in other Asian countries appearance up to HK and try to reproduction their stunning skyscrapers.

Hong Kong is also a key metropolis for boating in Asia. It isn’t always the biggest boating Market in Asia like Japan, however, has round 12,000 amusement boats registered in its very own waters. Hong Kong is a small town with a total region of one,104 square km and a population of seven.2 million human beings. The purpose Hong Kong is known as Asia’s boating capital is because the city is very globalized and compact, Inside the feel that boating-related offerings and information are without difficulty available. Most people in Hong Kong communicate English. Protection shipyards and professional worker’s along with the team, captains, surveyors, mechanics, and consultants are ready to be had in Hong Kong.

There may be a big population of rich human beings in Hong Kong. As an end result, there is also a variety of excessive-cease, expensive yachts at the water. In Hong Kong, things are very well prepared, and it’s possible to get matters achieved exceedingly fast, even if authorities departments are involved. There may be also no tolerance for corruption in Hong Kong. It is one of the safest places for boaters Within the international, and people adhere to the guideline of law. There are around 250 islands Inside the waters surrounding Hong Kong, which makes it an exciting location for boating. but one of the major motives for the fulfillment of Hong Kong’s boating enterprise is the fact that it’s a tax haven that imposes no tax on satisfaction boats.

Thousands of complete time boat team and captains are hired by means of the Hong Kong boating enterprise. Just the yearly salaries of the boat group quantity to around two hundred Million USD. In addition organizations around boating additionally supply employment, inclusive of shipyards, yacht distributors, machinery and electronics, charters, brokers, handymen and many others. This makes it a huge enterprise that creates widespread employment.