Aerrol's recent activity
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Comment on Does anyone use Ground News? in ~talk
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Comment on Bill Gates warns child deaths to rebound after Donald Trump-era funding cuts in ~society
Aerrol Link ParentThat's quite the leap to be making because he works in important non profits. I can easily flip it around. Say he gets enough funding to feed ten kids for another year out of it, but then enables...That's quite the leap to be making because he works in important non profits. I can easily flip it around. Say he gets enough funding to feed ten kids for another year out of it, but then enables Trump to have the political clout to separate and starve 100 more children from their parents for the crime of... Being not white. Is it still worth it?
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Comment on Bill Gates warns child deaths to rebound after Donald Trump-era funding cuts in ~society
Aerrol Link ParentBecause becoming a collaborator normalises the behaviour and sets us further down the slope of fascism and the death of democratic and legal norms. The Democratic Politicians who are currently...Because becoming a collaborator normalises the behaviour and sets us further down the slope of fascism and the death of democratic and legal norms. The Democratic Politicians who are currently being the most effective in getting actual resistance done are the ones you describe. The collaborators in the party are the ones undermining them and keeping us in this mess potentially long term. Example from today: Hakeem Jefferies calling Trump's pardons of a convicted foreign agent "exactly the right outcome.". This is absolute insanity and frankly even more disgusting to me than Trump's direct actions. At least he owns the hatred and disregard for law.
I can understand the desire to try and work with what you've got in front of you, but at a certain them appeasement and collaboration is simply assisting evil accomplish its goals, not minimizing damage. It's a fine line to walk but upon reflection I think showing up at fundraising dinners is past that line for me.
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Comment on Bill Gates warns child deaths to rebound after Donald Trump-era funding cuts in ~society
Aerrol LinkA bit tangential, but my immediate thought was 'Well why are you spending time attending his fucking dinners then you goddamn hypocrite?!' Which, rage aside, led me to wonder about the broader...A bit tangential, but my immediate thought was 'Well why are you spending time attending his fucking dinners then you goddamn hypocrite?!'
Which, rage aside, led me to wonder about the broader political/impact calculus of: what's better for helping your causes, standing a stand against evil or cozying up to said evil in order to try and mitigate it? I feel like the former for sure but it's emotional, not logical.
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Comment on Total War: MEDIEVAL III | Announce trailer in ~games
Aerrol LinkLol, pre production... So at least 5 years. Happy to see it, but way too far away đ˘Lol, pre production... So at least 5 years. Happy to see it, but way too far away đ˘
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Comment on Oxygen therapy chambers have led to horrific deaths. Why are influencers raving about them? in ~health
Aerrol Link Parentlol I just want to give you credit for doing the work after making a post about how it was too annoying to find these! Good work and much appreciated!lol I just want to give you credit for doing the work after making a post about how it was too annoying to find these! Good work and much appreciated!
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Comment on Do you feel like youâve had many lives so far? Why, why not? Which? in ~life
Aerrol Link ParentWhy is not changing a bit a bad thing? I'd view it as a positive - that you've always had a strong sense of self and the opportunities to follow a life path true to that self.Why is not changing a bit a bad thing? I'd view it as a positive - that you've always had a strong sense of self and the opportunities to follow a life path true to that self.
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Comment on How do you design your campaigns? in ~games.tabletop
Aerrol Link ParentThe last campaign I ran was for Legend of the 5 Rings 5th edition, which has its own 20 questions for the process of character creation. I added 2 more resulting in a lot more detail than most...The last campaign I ran was for Legend of the 5 Rings 5th edition, which has its own 20 questions for the process of character creation. I added 2 more resulting in a lot more detail than most campaigns need, but here it is:
Part I: Core Identity
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What Clan does your character belong to? (Core Book p. 41)
âRacesâ in this setting are split between Clan and Family. The Clan is your characterâs overarching political affiliation and background. -
What family does your character belong to? (Core Book p. 49)
âRacesâ in this setting are split between Clan and Family. The family is your characterâs place within your Clan.
Part II: Role and School
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What is your characterâs school? What role does that school fit in? (Core Book p. 56)
Generally speaking, you must choose a school that belongs to your Clan. Speak to me (the GM) if you would like to use a different school - we can probably work out a narrative to make it work, particularly if the two Clans are allies. âRoleâ speaks to the general categorization of the school: Bushi, Shugenja, Courtier, Shinobi, Artisan, Monk or Sage. -
How does your character stand out within their school? (Core Book p. 88)
Now weâre getting to the backstory/narrative flavour questions. Try and come up with a sentence or two describing what your character did.
Mechanically, you receive +1 to one Ring (Remember, max 3 in any one ring) of your choice:
Fire - creativity, passion, or drive; OR
Air - grace, eloquence, or empathy; OR
Water - adaptability, friendliness, or awareness; OR
Earth - thoroughness, patience, or calm; OR
Void: self-awareness, insight, or mysticism; ORPart III: Honour and Glory
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Who is your lord/lady and what is your characterâs duty to them? (Core Book p. 88)
The Core Book provides good details, but the short of it is: you need to specify who directly you serve. Rokugan is a very feudal society, so it is unlikely (though not at all impossible) that your character directly serves the Daimyo of your family. The mechanical element of this question is to create your âgiriâ or sworn duty. Your giri should be an overarching task that your character must see through. This can change over time if you manage to complete it, or your lord/lady changes what is asked of you. In our campaign, it is fair game to ask the GM if an Emerald Magistrate goal should instead be your giri. -
What does your character long for, and how might this impede their duty? (Core Book p. 90)
Again, see the Core Book for details, but this question chooses your âninjoâ or human feelings/deep personal desires. A core component of the L5R flavour is the tension between ninjo and giri, and how characters resolve that tension (or the outcomes of their failure). This question should be fairly broad, but can range from answers including: âfinding and marrying my true loveâ,âkilling the man who murdered my senseiâ, âretaking Toshi Ranbo for the Lionâ or âforging a magical ancestral blade for my familyâ. -
What is your characterâs relationship with their Clan? (Core Book p. 91)
It is not at all uncommon for characters not to fit in with the overarching worldview of their Clan. However, in a conformist society like Rokugan, this brings obvious drawbacks.
Mechanically, you get to choose one of the following:
+5 Glory if your character believes firmly in your Clan and its values; OR
1 rank in a skill which you have 0 ranks in a skill which represents a divergence from your Clanâs typical training or values.- What does your character think of Bushido? (Core Book p. 91)
The tenets of Bushido are discussed in greater length on page 301 of the Core Book. The 7 tenets are: Compassion (Jin), Courage (Yu), Courtesy (Rei), Duty and Loyalty (Chugi), Honour (Meiyo), Righteousness (Gi), and Sincerity (Makoto). Generally speaking, the Clans have the following views on the tenets of Bushido:
The Crab value Courage and dislike Courtesyâs restraints
The Crane value Courtesy and do not value the mistakes uncontrolled Courage can bring
The Dragon value Sincerity and question the dangers that unquestioned Loyalty can cause
The Lion value Honour and view Compassion as a source of weakness
The Phoenix value Righteousness and care little for Sincerity if it accompanies an evil act
The Scorpion place extreme value on Loyalty, and care not at all for Honour or Righteousness
The Unicorn value Compassion and do not respect Courtesyâs sneering disregard for customs outside of the ânormâ
The Mantis value Courage and dislike the restraints of traditional Rokugani âHonourâMechanically, gain one of the following:
+10 Honour if your character believes strongly in the tenets of Bushido; OR
Gain 1 rank in one of the âlowâ or trade skills normally left to the peasants: Commerce, Labour, Seafaring, Skulduggery, or Survival (GM note - Medicine is included in this list but I donât know why, lol. Medicine definitely isnât a âlowâ skill. If you really want Medicine, lets talk).Part IV: Strengths and Weaknesses.
Note: These questions give you your advantages and disadvantages. Advantages are split into Distinctions and Passions. Disadvantages are split into Adversities and Anxieties. A character may gain additional advantages and disadvantages through play: Distinctions (no cap), Passions (max 3), Adversities (no cap), Anxieties (max 3). Gaining these should always be significant narrative events and will be separate from normal âlevelling upâ. For more information on Advantages and Disadvantages, see the Core Book p. 99.-
What is your characterâs greatest accomplishment so far? (Core Book p. 92)
A fun backstory question. Mechanically, choose one Distinction Advantage that is related to this. Distinctions can be found in the following locations:
Core Book, page 100
Courts of Stone, page 99
Celestial Realms, page 89
Shadowlands, page 96
Emerald Empire, page 241
Path of the Waves, page 68 -
What holds your character back most in life? (Core Book p. 92)
This question gives you one Adversity Disadvantage. Very generally speaking, Adversities should be tied to something external, whether that be an enemy your character has made or a reaction people have to your character. Adversities can be found in the following locations:
Core Book, page 116
Courts of Stone, page 101
Celestial Realms, page 93
Shadowlands, page 97
Emerald Empire, page 245
Path of the Waves, page 71 -
What makes your character feel most at peace? (Core Book p. 92)
This question is more everyday than the ninjo/ deep personal feelings you decided upon in question 6. This question might generally be described as âwhat is your characterâs favourite hobby?â
As part of this question, gain one Passion Advantage. Passions can be found in the following locations:
Core Book, page 111
Courts of Stone, page 100
Celestial Realms, page 90
Shadowlands, page 98
Emerald Empire, page 243
Path of the Waves, page 70-
What concern, fear, or foible troubles your character the most? (Core Book p. 93)
This question gives you one Anxiety Disadvantage. Anxieties tend to be internal and mental. Anxieties can be found in the following locations:
Core Book, page 131
Courts of Stone, page 103
Celestial Realms, page 91
Shadowlands, page 97
Emerald Empire, page 246
Path of the Waves, page 73 -
Who has your character learned from most during their life? (Core Book p. 93)
This question gives your character a great teacher - a sensei, an informal mentor, a friend - or a painful learning experience.
Mechanically, choose one of the following:
One Advantage (Distinction or Passion) related to your characterâs mentor and their relationship; OR
One Disadvantage (Adversity or Anxiety) related to your characterâs mentor and their relationship plus 1 rank in a skill that your character developed as a result of your characterâs closest confidante and their relationship.Part V: Personality and Behaviour
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What do people notice first upon encountering your character? (Core Book p. 93)
This question is purely flavour, but I think itâs great for the GM to add flavour to the game. It can be an item, a physical feature, or a habit. -
How does your character react to stressful situations? (Core Book p. 94)
Another flavour question - this is meant to draw out what happens when you gain strife, and what happens when you âunmaskâ to remove all your strife and no longer be compromised. -
What are your characterâs pre-existing relationships with other Clans, Families, Organizations, and Traditions? (Core Book p. 94)
Given the highly political nature of Rokugan, itâs important that we establish where your character fits into the world at least. Itâs a large part of why I wrote this big guide. Choose at least two external groups that your character has some experience with to describe (this isnât mentioned in the book, but I think 1 isnât enough).
Mechanically, choose one item of rarity 7 or lower that your character received as a gift from one such group, took in battle fighting against them, or otherwise relates to or symbolizes your characterâs past/relationship with them.
Part VI: Ancestry and Immediate Family
- How would your characterâs parents describe them? (Core Book p. 95)
Like all East-Asian society, filial piety (devotion to oneâs parents and ancestors) is an expected aspect of life.
Mechanically, gain one rank of one skill in which your character has 0 ranks. Decide whether your parents approve or disapprove of this extracurricular interest.
- Who was your character named to honour? (Core Book p. 95)
This question implies that your character must be named to honour someone in the past. While thatâs certainly a very common outcome, I would say that itâs equally possible that your character was named or chose their âadultâ name at Gempukku (each clan varies on whether the child chooses their name or are granted one) to instead reflect a strength/concept or an aspirational goal. Feel free to go either route.
Mechanically, it asks you to roll a d10 twice for the Samurai Heritage Table, and pick one of your results as the ancestor/trait that relates to your character. You then may have to roll a d10 again to see what you get out of it. As a GM, I am not a fan of random rolls to determine your backstory in any way, so feel free to instead just pick one.
Samurai Heritage Tables can be found at:
Core Book, page 96
Courts of Stone, page 105
Celestial Realms, page 95
Shadowlands, page 101-
What is your characterâs personal/courtesy name? (Core Book p. 95)
Honestly, this is the only question I donât like. Having a personal name/nickname is indeed a common East-Asian historic practice, but itâs also really confusing. Feel free to ignore this one or work with it as you please. -
How should your character die? (Core Book p. 95)
I love this question. Purely flavour, but I think itâs a really interesting way to capture your characterâs personality and/or your imagined âarcâ for that character. Keep in mind, this could speak to how you want your character to change over time - they might be a coward now, but you want them to die a heroâs death.
EXTRA CAMPAIGN SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:
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Why did your character join the Emerald Magistrates?
Although the Leadership of Kakita Hojatsu has led to a remarkable rebound of the fortunes of the Emerald Magistrates in recent years, the Magistrates still have a mixed reputation at best, and many samurai continue to view them as annoying interlopers rather than authority figures. In particular, the Lion and especially the Crane have continued to ignore the Emerald Magistrates as best they can - the Lion remain incensed that Hojatsu halted their previous offensive against Toshi Ranbo, and the Crane continue to bear a grudge against the Kakita who forswore his duty to the Crane. The reasons your character joined may range from personal (maybe a desire to see justice restored in a chaotic Empire, with many suffering heimin?) to orders from above (perhaps your Daimyo wants to curry favour with the rising Emerald Champion). -
How did your character pass the entry exam for the Emerald Magistrates?
In this campaign, all of the Party will start as new recruits to the Emerald Magistrates. To join the Emerald Magistrates, all applicants must pass an entry exam: martial, magical, or scholarly. I have intentionally left this open ended, but consider this an early narrative opportunity to describe how your character stood out. Each party member will be describing how they passed the exam to the group as the first âRP questionâ - the assumption being that everyone took the test at the same time and would have witnessed each otherâs performances. The presumption is that you are all at the top of your class, but thatâs easily modified.
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Comment on Letter to a Liberal member of Parliament in ~enviro
Aerrol LinkA bit off topic but as a Canadian I feel compelled to note that the MOU causing all this panic is both non binding and explicitly says it will not proceed unless there is indigenous support and a...A bit off topic but as a Canadian I feel compelled to note that the MOU causing all this panic is both non binding and explicitly says it will not proceed unless there is indigenous support and a private sector proponent. So while continued pressure on Liberals is key, I think this is a lot of premature panic.
Moreover, a large part of the impetus of this effort is Alberta's government. Pushing for proportional representation and supporting Alberta's NDP in getting rid of the UCP are really key.
Ultimately all engagement is good and I hope you get good traction with your letter. Just wanted to provide some context and thoughts for someone obviously very engaged.
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Comment on Benjamin Netanyahu seeks pardon from Israel's president in ~society
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Comment on How do you design your campaigns? in ~games.tabletop
Aerrol LinkAs a forever DM/GM, I find I am most invested in my games with a lot of planning, most of it extraneous to the actual gameplay, where I build up the world and the characters involved. Without...As a forever DM/GM, I find I am most invested in my games with a lot of planning, most of it extraneous to the actual gameplay, where I build up the world and the characters involved. Without being excited about the various characters I'm going to be voicing, it's really hard for me to get motivated to run a game.
One particular thing I picked up in the last few years that's become essential is creating a custom campaign questionnaire for all players to answer as part of character creation. I've found that just providing a broad backstory and leaving it open ended for my players has led to really imbalanced engagement with the plot. By providing a set number of questions for them to all answer about how they got to the start of the adventure, it gives me a much more balanced set of plot hooks for everyone and gets all the players much more hyped about the story.
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Comment on Japan unveils human washing machine, now you can get washed like laundry in ~tech
Aerrol LinkBut how does it wash the part resting against the chair? If it's spraying you that sounds rather uncomfortable.But how does it wash the part resting against the chair? If it's spraying you that sounds rather uncomfortable.
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Comment on Ex-Barack Obama aide says Holocaust education is âconfusingâ young people into sympathizing with âweak, skinnyâ Palestinians in ~society
Aerrol LinkI've seen this clip already and I have to say I'm still just flabbergasted and depressed. I know sane folks live in Israel too, but I desperately need to believe they're just being silenced (or...I've seen this clip already and I have to say I'm still just flabbergasted and depressed.
I know sane folks live in Israel too, but I desperately need to believe they're just being silenced (or maybe not platformed) rather than becoming such a minority that this absolute evil is taking genocide mainstream.
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Comment on Can we maybe have an informal agreement to avoid posting articles that require you to sell your firstborn child to the devil just to read them? in ~tildes
Aerrol Link ParentYeah this is a hard no for me. If you're too lazy to open the comments to check for a an archive link, you're too lazy to be engaging with the post. Not only is supporting the few good journalist...Yeah this is a hard no for me. If you're too lazy to open the comments to check for a an archive link, you're too lazy to be engaging with the post.
Not only is supporting the few good journalist outlets left crucial, its increasingly a key part of ensuring its accurate.
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Comment on Why humanity needs a Lunar seed vault in ~space
Aerrol Link Parent... Are you suggesting that not having a perfectly reliable backup means you shouldn't try? Yes, we don't have seeds from millions of years ago. No, that doesn't mean it's useless. Biology is...... Are you suggesting that not having a perfectly reliable backup means you shouldn't try?
Yes, we don't have seeds from millions of years ago. No, that doesn't mean it's useless. Biology is highly variable and adaptable and I would bet good money that you could find crops that could adapt to that temperature change. For example, a crop grow in a hot, wet climate could be applied to a much warmer, wetter Pacific Northwest.
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Comment on Why humanity needs a Lunar seed vault in ~space
Aerrol Link ParentOh that's an easy one. Farming today is highly regimented and utilizes a tiny, tiny subset of the crops used throughout human history. There are tonnes of strains saved in the seed bank which may...Oh that's an easy one. Farming today is highly regimented and utilizes a tiny, tiny subset of the crops used throughout human history. There are tonnes of strains saved in the seed bank which may outperform (or be the only ones to survive) a major climate shift while still being edible for humans and able to be grown at scale.
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Comment on Boeing's Starliner to return to ISS in cargo-only capacity for now in ~space
Aerrol Link Parent...Lobbying? More seriously, I wish we'd stop propping them up and let them go bankrupt and splinter the IP/property. I know that has dramatic ripple effects on employment and the economy, but for......Lobbying? More seriously, I wish we'd stop propping them up and let them go bankrupt and splinter the IP/property. I know that has dramatic ripple effects on employment and the economy, but for God's sake they're an incompetent disaster machine at this point. It isn't capitalism if every major company is "too big to fail" by default. And if we're not doing capitalism, let's just friggin' worker or government take-over them so at least they have better incentives than "do every possible short-sighted method to stack up this quarter's financials".
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Comment on Voyager 1 is about to reach one light-day from Earth in ~space
Aerrol Link ParentI'll be honest, I had the same thought but also the article exists and I had no idea it was even close! So why not share, right?I'll be honest, I had the same thought but also the article exists and I had no idea it was even close! So why not share, right?
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Comment on Why humanity needs a Lunar seed vault in ~space
Aerrol Link ParentWow, great answers - basically what I would say. Only thing I'd add is I don't see this as a either-or scenario. I want another Earth backup to Svalbard ASAP + having this as a third backup that...Wow, great answers - basically what I would say. Only thing I'd add is I don't see this as a either-or scenario. I want another Earth backup to Svalbard ASAP + having this as a third backup that is hopefully better proofed against climate and more directly human induced catastrophe (nuclear reactor explosions, military conflict). Yes, someone might still attack the Moon but it's not really that likely in the coming decades.
And yes, as @patience_limited says - we have to sort our damn shit socially and get back onto a track of peaceful negotiation instead of posturing and god forbid even more open conflict.
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Comment on Views on over-posting? in ~tildes
Aerrol Link ParentDepending on how technical you want to get, Moon Monday is an incredible free blog on all-things Lunar. Jatan is almost impossibly up to speed on global Lunar research and I am so appreciative of...Depending on how technical you want to get, Moon Monday is an incredible free blog on all-things Lunar. Jatan is almost impossibly up to speed on global Lunar research and I am so appreciative of the work he does.
I don't use Ground News myself - I prefer to just pick my sources and email subscriptions - but I have a friend who swears by it as a great way to get sources.
For a more bite-sized form of kind of the same idea, I've enjoyed kagi news - it's sanitized summaries of what they estimate as the day's top stories. Here's the introductory blog post if you missed it when it was posted to tildes.