#And today's entry's is a perfect example of this

[immediatebreakfast]

The entries of the demeter are the perfect example on how to convey horror in a few little pages, specially with something like the lenght of the logs, and the details described in them.

The captain starts his log in a very methodical and technical writing style that shows us how the demeter started, in what we can imply, another work journey across the sea. The captain writes about the cargo, the crew, the points that the ship must take to reach its destination, normal aspects that would be written in a working log. All of these are mentioned in a few sentences since everything else is irrelevant for now.

Then, the entry of July 14 is the first one that builds up the tension in the ship. This entry is longer than the others, we get no mention of where the demeter is so far, and the captain tells us that his crew is anxious about something. Moreover, the captain writes the detail that he has worked with this crew before, which indicates that the anxiety felt on the ship is not normal.

After that the following log entries are all about the mystery which is happening in the ship instead of the Demeter's progress in their work journey. The entries are longer than before, much more detailed in the recounting of the events. We now have some of the names of the crew, and they worry that builds up in the captain in each log. We know how the men feel about this weird mystery that does not let them do their job in peace.

Until one member of the crew is missing. A man is nowhere to be seen in a ship in the middle of the ocean. An unexpected situation that only helps to make the captain and his crew more anxious, and impatient about what is happening.

Then we get the first look of dracula in the ship, how he let himself be seen by one of the crew members in the same way he let himself be seen by Jonathan. Dracula is employing the same fear tactics used to terrorize Jonathan in the demeter's crew because he knows that they are effective.

After that, since the demeter's crew is only human, they decide to investigate everything in the ship so they can finally calm down, or prepare for the worst. They search the ship from top to bottom, and don't find anything strange. This means that their worries are a thing of the past because now they have proof that "nothing" is happening. The captain is relieved that nothing is wrong.

But we humans are stubborn, and even after having the "evidence" of nothing being wrong, we still have our doubts. So the first mate scowls.

#I rebloged a post that said how sailors were the perfect horror victims because of their supertitions #And today's entry's is a perfect example of this #dracula daily #the demeter

[nomiqbomi]

Updated designs for Fophid and Lepignito commissioned by my friend @plus-sizedscribe! Plus a new middle form, Impodster, and 4 distinct formes that Lepignito can take, based on the environment it evolves in.

More info under the tab!

Fophid are timid creatures with many predators. Their carapace has evolved to blend in perfectly with an arboreal environment. When provoked, it wields the branch-like appendage on its abdomen like a lance. It has no venom, it's quite sharp!

Impodster attaches itself firmly to tree limbs, disguising itself as a small branch. Once it has done this, it is impossible to detach until it evolves. (It would be much easier to take the entire branch with it!) It does not budge, even after being discovered. Individuals who have camouflaged themselves poorly can often be found with leaves full of holes, made by bird Pokemon that attempted to carry them away.

When Impodster evolves into Lepignito, it takes on a perfect likeness of its immediate environment. Four unique patternings, based the biomes it occurs in naturally, have been officially recorded; however, it is believed that new patterns could be created by evolving the pokemon in a unique environment.

Even when their immediate environment does not match the markings on their wings, they somehow still manage to obscure themselves from view. Many theories have been pose as to how they are able to do this, but none have been proven, as this behavior is quite difficult to observe.

It prefers to sit motionlessly and evade detection, but when provoked, it uses its stealth to confound opponents and catch them unawares. Once the opponent has become disoriented, it flies off into the shadows, never to be seen again.

---

The line is based on the Peppered Moth, which are a famous example of natural selection that has actually been observed and recorded in real-time. The moth originally evolved to camouflage against lightly-colored trees, but a melanic mutation became more genetically favorable during the industrial revolution, when the trees became blackened with soot. After environmental standards were introduced, the white variant became common again. Today both variations can be found, and they are often mistaken for different species!

Plussized-Scribe helped conceptually with the variations/typing, with his own rom-hack in mind. I may add more variations for my own fan project.

I had originally designed Fophid to camouflage with the forest floor, but during my redesign I found out that the peppered caterpillar camouflages itself as a tree branch. I thought that was neat, to I went with that angle instead.

I also added a middle form to make it a better counterpart for the Pareyeva line who use the opposite form of self defense!

Edit: @plus-sizedscribe wrote some really great Pokedex entries for his hack that he allowed me to share here as well:

"Unlike Sewaddle, the leafy bits Fophid sport are not fashion statements, but specialized organs for camouflage. In autumn, their bodies release chemicals to redden the organs and match the foliage.

The base of the headcrest pulls double duty as a third mandible. Thus, Fophid can chew better while also maintaining camouflage, as the shaking of the crest resembles a leaf trembling in the breeze."

"Having secured themselves on a sturdy tree trunk, Impodster steadfastly await evolution. Very little can dislodge these Pokémon, which are nearly helpless if they happen to end up on the ground.

Impodster with poor camouflage are often found with leaves full of holes. These are made by naïve bird Pokémon attempting to carry them away, only to realize they picked almost the worst prey they could."

"Some people claim to have fallen for a person who always wore a long coat, only for their lover to turn out to be a Lepignito. The veracity of these bizarre anecdotes is suspect, to say the least.

Lepignito live in trees whose bark match their wing patterns. They boast different patterns to blend in with the available types of trees in the regions they inhabit. At least 25 different varieties are known."

#would people like it if i made more comprehensive posts like this of fakemon I've already finished and posted? #I think some consistency would be nice #Pokemon #fakemon #bug type #moth #caterpillar #cocoon #character design #monster design #artists on tumblr #photoshop #digital art #writing #insects #pokemon chartreuse #no offense but ash forme is kind of mothman

[otomefiend]

Alfons Sylvatica

Collection Event: I want to know every inch of you

A very quick translation, so please forgive any errors/awkwardness. Here's to hoping Kate will manage to fluster this guy one day. Cause it ain't today.

~~~

Alfons: "Physical examination...?"

Kate: "Regular checks are performed as part of the Crown's healthcare system. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated."

When Victor asked me to collect everyone's details, I called Alfons to the infirmary.

Alfons: "If that's the case, then go ahead. Do as much research as you like."

Kate: "There are some red marks on your neck and chest that..."

Alfons: "Hmm... those could be scratches from a cat or a dog."

(... if he says so. I shouldn't pursue the matter further)

Alfons: "I get marked easily. Would you like to test it yourself?"

Alfons ran his hand over his skin invitingly.

Crimson flowers blooming on his pale skin drew my gaze. The sight unsettled me and made me avert my eyes.

Kate: "No need to concern yourself with me!"

Alfons: "Oh, I see. That's a shame..."

~~~

(All right, now that I've learned all I needed to know)

Kate: "The assessment is over. Thank you for your cooperation."

Alfons: "Please wait. It looks like some fields are still empty?"

His finger tapped the corner of the record sheet I was holding.

(Huh...? I thought I filled it all in)

Indeed, the last item was still left blank. What was there ---

Kate: "The most important entry... 'erogenous zones'!?"

Alfons: "My my, this seems like an interesting section, don't you agree?"

Kate: "It must be a mistake! I'll go ask Victor!"

Alfons: "Why don't you just measure it according to the instructions?"

Alfons: "If it's a mistake, you can erase it later."

Alfons: "Lord Victor is busy, that's why he left this task to you, am I right?"

Alfons: "I don't think it's worth wasting time confirming this..."

(Ugh... he's probably right)

Kate: "T-then... could you shed some light? On your erogenous zones that is..."

Alfons: "Now then, you want to know where they are?"

Kate: "Yes?"

Alfons: "Thinking about it, it's hard to pinpoint the exact location..."

Kate: "... every day you return at dawn and yet you don't know?"

Alfons: "Uh-huh, haven't got a clue. Can you help me find out, Kate?"

Alfons: "Touch my body... Try to find a place that makes me feel good."

(I really should refuse...)

(...but he's right, I need to complete the records properly)

After pondering on it for a moment, a wicked idea came to mind.

(... this could be a perfect opportunity to expose Alfons' weaknesses)

Up until now, I had always been at his mercy.

But if I had succeeded, this was going to provide a perfect opportunity for a payback.

Kate: "...... fine, I'll do it. It's part of my task after all. Please, sit on the chair."

He sat in silence as I reached towards his body.

Observing his reactions, my fingertips slowly traced his chest, then stomach and finally his waist.

Alfons: "Haa... haa... ah, this is good. Keep it up..."

(Such exaggerated noises... it's definitely an act)

(How can I find his erogenous zones...)

Kate: "Does it really feel good?"

Alfons: "Yes, of course. Your clumsy attempt is quite entertaining..."

Alfons: "Besides, it's enlightening to observe the way you touch me."

Kate: "Enlightening...?"

Alfons: "All of the areas you're touching in your search... might be the very spots you find pleasurable yourself."

Kate: "Ugh...... absolutely not. My... this has nothing to do with me!"

Alfons: "Oh, are you going to stop? If it doesn't matter, I don't see a problem with continuing..."

Kate: "I think I've done enough research already!"

Alfons: "There are places you haven't explored yet. For example... inside my mouth."

Kate: "Inside your mouth..."

My gaze lingered on his thin lips.

Alfons: "Stir it with your tongue, taste it, suck it... check if it feels good."

Kate: "Yeah, yeah, how typical."

Alfons: "Well, without it, the form will be incomplete."

Kate: "Ugh."

Alfons: "... this is only for research purposes, right? It's your job to investigate after all."

Kate: "Fine..."

It felt wrong. It set off my alarm bells since I knew those were devil's whispers ---.

Alfons: "... As expected, you're an excellent fairytale expert."

How was it possible that one piece of praise could bring me so much joy?

Kate: "Nn...."

I carefully placed my hand on Alfons' shoulder and pressed my lips to his.

Then I wrapped my tongue around his and tried my best to stimulate him.

(It's a decent try, but... does it really make him feel good?)

Preoccupied with kissing him, I had no chance to pay attention to how Alfons was doing.

Alfons: ".... You're such a pitiful girl."

I heard him mutter in a gentle tone of voice ---.

Kate: "Huh!? Mnn...."

This time, it was Alfons' tongue that entered my mouth.

My head was spinning from kisses so intense that my earlier ones seemed like child's play in comparison.

(This is ridiculous...)

(I was supposed to look for Alfons' erogenous zones, and yet it was me getting lost in pleasure...)

When our lips finally separated, I was the one who was exhausted and breathing heavily on his shoulder.

Alfons: "....many thanks for your efforts in the investigation. You've been very helpful."

Kate: "You're wel...."

Alfons: "After all... that debauched face of yours might be what excites me the most."

Alfons: "... well, please write in your report that my whole body is an erogenous zone."

Alfons: "If there's a need to write anything to begin with..."

(......what?)

Hearing his strange remark, I quickly looked at the form... and noticed that the last section was nowhere to be found.

(No way, Alfons' ability to change perception...!?)

When I looked up to give him a piece of my mind, he was already gone.

~~~

Alfons: "Heh,... you troubled thing, so serious and so completely fooled."

~~~

#ikemen villains #ikevil #alfons sylvatica #ikevil alfons #ikevil collection event #fan translation

[thecuriousquest]

You Look Handsome Today

Yandere Levi Ackerman x Fem!Reader

@palesweetscherryblossom Thank you for the inspiration!

Tag List: @issamomma @repostingmyfavs @chickennugnugnug

Warnings: Yandere themes, NSFW-ish, non con mentions, abuse mentions, revenge fic, death, it’s really short (that’s what she said), slight degradation mentions, Levi is touchy

Master List

—————————————————————————

You knock on Levi’s office door, holding a tray with tea settled comfortably on the surface, balanced on one arm as you open the door upon the captain granting you entry. Waltzing in, you set the trey down on his desk and give him a patient smile.

“Here is your tea, Captain.”

“Mmm, come sit on my lap while you fix it for me, cadet.”

You blush yet try to remain neutral with his advances. “Yes, sir.”

You pour tea into a cup, adding the elements that he enjoys while resting on his thigh. He feels the shape of your hips, fingers digging into the sides of your trousers.

You hide your disdain for him with such a docile smile.

“Captain, that tickles, please,” you laugh.

“Well, who would’ve thought my brat could be such a giggly little thing?”

Giggly…little. You internally groan and grimace at his words.

As soon as you finish preparing the tea, you give it to him, not to quick but with no hesitation. Your hands are as steady as a rock, and you lean against your captain, shifting in his lap so that you can look him in the eyes.

Everything that has happened to you from the first moment you met him comes bubbling up to the surface. All of the nights he has left you miserable, naked, and cold to sleep on the floor after he violated you. All of the days he made an example out of you during training. All of the beatings and whippings for even the slightest mistakes. All of the times he made you put your “bratty mouth” to “good use”.

You smile upon his first and second sip.

“Captain, I must say, you do look very handsome right now.” You play with his curtain bangs with the tips of your fingers.

“Thank you, brat.”

And, it is true. He is so handsome on the outside, but you know all too well the sadistic monster which hides underneath. “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” as they say.

“Such a handsome man…such a pity, a shame really to go to waste on someone with such ugly insides.”

He quirks an eyebrow at you and sets his teacup down on his desk. “Excuse me, pet? Who the hell do you think you’re talking to.”

“Oh, don’t worry yourself, Levi. I mean, it’s not like you’re going to be around for much longer anyway.”

“Cadet-“

You press a finger to his lips. “Levi, did you really think I enjoyed being…what was it you called me? A come whore? Did you think I liked being manhandled, abused, and raped every single night? I can still barely sit here on your knee from the pain in my ass. You always tell me how much I mean to you, how special I am for being able to take your rough treatment, how other girls would go insane from your insatiable desires. Well, I’ll tell you what, Captain, I am special because I’m truly just as sick as you are. Maybe even a little more vile.”

You wrap your arms around his neck.

Levi begins coughing. He puts a clenched fist up to his mouth. Withdrawing it afterwards, he sees the blood spattered across his knuckles. His eyes roam up to find yours, and he looks at you with disbelief, betrayal.

“Y/N, what did you do?”

“I’m surprised you know my real name with how often you call me ‘bitch’ and ‘pet’. There’s a plant not even half a mile from the base. It was a perfect opportunity if you think about it. Oh, poor sweet Captain Levi Ackerman died too soon. Boo hoo. I wonder who will cry at your funeral?”

You lean in so that you can whisper into his ear, “I can tell you it won’t be me.”

#yandere #yandere x you #yandere x reader #yandere x y/n #yandere x darling #yandere themes #triggering content #triggering themes #levi ackerman attack on titan #yandere attack on titan #attack on titan requests #levi attack on titan #attack on titan #captain levi #yandere levi ackerman #yandere levi x reader #aot levi #levi aot #snk levi #yandere levi ackerman x reader

[hekademia]

Journaling

Why journal? I am pretty sure by now, you have heard a thousand influencers tell you that you SHOULD journal because it is magically going to clean up the mess that is your brain, organize your life, make you happier, richer, prettier, and solve world hunger. And if you are not journaling, there's probably something wrong with you.

And they're right. Not the world hunger part, unfortunately. There is prolly something wrong with you and that something is Being A Human Being. It is a the most widespread condition with a 100% of the population being chronically affected and the only available cure is Death. But let me not digress. 

Unless you are one of those gifted people blessed with mounds of motivation and crates of consistency, it can be very difficult to start and even more difficult to continue a habit such as journaling. 

I am definitely not one of the chosen ones and Heaven knows I have more dead unfinished projects than I have pages of New Year Resolutions but allow me to audaciously claim that I have cracked the code! The trick is....Just Journal. 

 Hold on hold on, do not click away yet even though Yes I am going to say the exact same thing all the ‘motivators’ before me have said. Seriously, JUST DO IT! What stops us is the thought that it is not going to be 'perfect' or 'aesthetic' enough but puhleeeezeee, Life is Not a Pinterest board, even though I sure wish it was. Just write something. Anything! My first journal entry ( just like this article I am currently writing ) was written in the middle of a boring class. It went something like this ;

25 March 2019

I'm bored.......I could cry or die srsly. Should I just sleep?? What are they gonna serve in the dining hall today?

How original eh?

I was in boarding school then, thus the strange reference to a dining hall. That was all I needed to get started.I realized I did not need to make every sentence perfect and pretty and I could use abbreviations and unconventional punctuation. I was not accountable to anyone but myself!! I just put all my rambling messy unconnected thoughts as they came into my head. No one is going to check your spelling or punctuation or if you are using enough active verbs, whatever those are. So seriously just write. 

You find out stuff you did not even know about yourself. For example I found out that I do not hate writing, as much I thought I did. What I hate is the physical activity of moving my hand. It makes my hand hurt, not that I'm lazy, although that could also be true, don’t judge me......

So please, just write. It really is an interesting pastime and writing is such a useful skill. I could talk for days on end how useful writing is for your brain, your social life, your development both personal and intellectual. Pick up a pen ( one that doesn’t make your wrist hurt, please ) and scribble awayyyyy !!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

PS: I just got the greatest idea. Reblog with your first journal entry! It doesn’t have to be a physical journal. It could be on your phone; a notes app. Google docs, A journal app. Heck you can chisel your entry on a piece of rock, just make sure to write something!!

#rant post #litblr #journal #quote #personal #dark academia #cottagecore #books #quotes #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writers and poets #writblr #writing #poemblr #poetry

[celestialholz]

Today in meta: Mister Milquetoast himself.

Hassel, Brassius, if you could stay in your lovely lawnside Artazon house for TEN DAMN MINUTES whilst I talk about someone else, I'd appreciate that. Love you kings, stay gay, I'll be back for you real soon. <3

Instead, it's the Celestial meta debut of this bitch!

You know him, you love him, it's Larry, and I wish to strip him down to his ATOMS he's so interesting, but I'm going to start simple: birds. The dichotomy of birds.

Let's take a peek at his Elite Four squad - I'm not going to analyse the gym one, because it's half a team, but you'll see that it matters anyway in a minute.

This is his lovely team:

Now, you probably know what I've said before about the penultimate slot in a full team, and especially Hassel's - how it's meant to represent the heart and personality of the trainer. And that rings perfectly true for our favourite salaryman, too, if we take a look at Staraptor's Scarlet dex entry:

That's Larry, solitary and resilient against whatever the world throws at him. And of course, Staraptor is Normal/Flying, both of Larry's specialties. Even the Intimidate ability is relevant, as according to his official bio on the Pokemon website, Larry becomes 'unsettlingly still whenever he is lost in thought, much to the worry of people nearby.'

... But what intrigues me is the ace switch between teams. What was Staraptor's slot in the gym is now replaced with Flamigo - a lovely representation for Staraptor in that penultimate slot, certainly, but the birds themselves are a world apart.

If we take a quick glance at Flamigo here...

... We see that he is the entire opposite of Staraptor - he only flourishes in a group. And we see that in Larry, too - as lone wolf as he is, when does he truly come alive, hit his peak of battling strength? When he's surrounded by others - when the crowd gathers for his gym battle towards its conclusion, when Rika and Poppy watch on and support him in the Elite Four.

And so, pasting all this together, if the penultimate slot in the party is the heart of the trainer, what does that make the ace?

Potential; what the trainer could be... for better, or for worse.

If we take the examples I used before in the meta I linked above, of champions:

Cynthia's ace is the ultimate in trainer nightmare fuel, Garchomp. Without the goodness in her heart, without her academic curiosity for the ancient past being channelled into research... well, we know what happens. It's this fucker.

Cynthia has the potential to be this guy, and I think we're all pretty fucking thankful that she isn't...

Wallace's ace is a Milotic. Said to be the 'most beautiful of all Pokemon', and able to calm violence simply by its presence, Wallace without a League structure would be a Contest master, which is something he also excels at: and he's got the perfect pal to do it with. He values physical beauty, exuberance, and charm, it'd be a simple switch.

Steven's ace is a Metagross. Destined as he is to take over the Devon Corporation when his father eventually retires, without his battle prowess and fascination for fossils, in another life he'd run the technology company with quick intellect and good business sense.

Even in the very League Larry is part of, this checks. Poppy's is Tinkaton - a little girl, vastly too powerful for her size, has the potential to be an utter nightmare of a child without having an outlet for her strength; Hassel's Baxcalibur is him without Brassius - partly the emotional distance of Ice, and part the heritage of Dragons. It's no coincidence that Bax's signature move Glaive Rush bounces double damage back to itself the turn after - a deeply appropriate sentiment for the man who feels too much.

... And so, where does that leave us with Larry?

It leaves us with a man wearing a facade - unsurprising, when he gives you the TM for it. It leaves us with a man whose genius and vibrance is swallowed by corporate life, who actually LOVES the thrill of being cheered on. It leaves us with a man wants to overcome his own weakness, a man who wishes to Fight AND to Fly... it leaves us with a man whose ace has Scrappy, which will allow him to strike Ghosts - something his 'normal' team can't do. It leaves us with a showman, and...

... it leaves us kinda sad, really. This man is the only character in the series who has managed to master two separate types, and it's for the worst of reasons, but... we do see those glimmers of brilliance, and we do see a Terastillised Flamigo - a Pokemon known for silly movements and power, much like his masterful trainer with the very silly throw, who is now pure Flying.

Pay attention, Larry dear. Maybe you too can soar. <3

#larryposting #larry pokemon #mentions of many people including... #cynthia #hassel #brassius #wallace #steven stone #and even a little bit of #ephemeralartshipping #because it is even a celestial meta otherwise #pokemon scarlet and violet #team analysis #flying types! and I'm sad now!

[black-arcana]

POWERWOLF To Release New Studio Album, 'Wake Up The Wicked', In July

POWERWOLF will release a new studio album, "Wake Up The Wicked", on July 26, 2024 via Napalm Records.

"Wake Up The Wicked" — the highly anticipated follow-up to the extremely successful "Call Of The Wild" (2021) — will arrive just in time for the award-winning band's first-ever full North American tour, starting in August 2024, followed by their biggest European headline tour to date, the "Wolfsnächte 2024".

"Wake Up The Wicked" was once again produced by Joost Van Den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities and marks a new benchmark and undisputed career highlight for the band. The new album is hard, surprising and full of variety. While staying true to their established, loved sound, POWERWOLF go one step further and showcase a different facet of their deft musical and technical skills. This is evident, for example, on the outstanding single "1589", which is based on a true story from the 16th century.

20 years after their formation in 2004, POWERWOLF are expanding their repertoire with the highest quality and adding many future live hits to their extraordinary discography. "Wake Up The Wicked" is yet another statement cementing the status of the band as a leading force in the world of heavy metal

"Wake Up The Wicked" track listing:

01. Bless 'Em With The Blade 02. Sinners Of The Seven Seas 03. Kyrie Klitorem 04. Heretic Hunters 05. 1589 06. Viva Vulgata 07. Wake Up The Wicked 08. Joan Of Arc 09. Thunderpriest 10. We Don't Wanna Be No Saints 11. Vargamor

POWERWOLF are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and successful heavy metal bands of the last decade. Multiple No. 1 album chart entries, gold and platinum records, huge sold-out arena shows, as well as headline slots at the biggest festivals have paved their way. In less than 20 years of band history, POWERWOLF has made it to the very highest league of heavy metal.

POWERWOLF has conquered countless stages at the world's biggest summer festivals, and their last "Wolfsnächte" headline tours (2019, 2022),as well as their aforementioned North American debut in early 2023, were almost completely sold out — resulting in a massive triumph. They have performed headlining sets at Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze, as well as held premium slots at genre festival giants such as Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Masters Of Rock and many more, captivating enormous audiences. No other German metal band has been able to write a success story even remotely comparable in recent years.

Following their onslaught of North America, POWERWOLF will embark on their most impressive European tour yet in celebration of their highly anticipated 2024 studio album. Amid 16 shows in total, the tour will visit colossal venues in Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Hamburg and Antwerp. POWERWOLF will be accompanied by Swedish heavy metal legends HAMMERFALL as special guests, with support from viral rising stars, dwarven metallers WIND ROSE.

The story of the frontrunners of today's German metal scene, POWERWOLF, began in 2004 and only knows one direction: ever upwards. Their trajectory may seem like something out of a fairytale, but it is the result of the band embodying the highest quality of heavy metal in the universe. Outstanding album production, bombastic live shows and a tireless drive for perfection on and behind the stage are what this exceptional band is known for around the world.

Over the course of their career, the band has not only fascinated metal fans, but has also won over international press and critics. Countless cover stories in the most important magazines, critics' awards such as the Metal Hammer Award, and effusive album and concert reviews underpin POWERWOLF's outstanding international status.

POWERWOLF is:

Attila Dorn - vocals Falk Maria Schlegel - organ Charles Greywolf - guitar Matthew Greywolf - guitar Roel van Helden - drums

Photo credit: VDPictures

#powerwolf #wake up the wicked

[trans-lykanthropie]

Playing Card Master Infodump

Ok gang, let's talk about playing cards again.

I’m going to try and get through this as systematically as possible but I will inevitably end up repeating myself due to the interconnected nature of the whole thing. Also I’ll try putting in subheadings to make it more readable. Let’s crack on!

Mameluk Playing Cards

I mentioned in my first post that European playing cards are based on ones from Mameluk Egypt, so let’s see if we can find some historical examples.

From the Topkapu Sarayi Museum in Istanbul, an amazingly preserved set of Mameluk playing cards depicting the four suits

These cards are a perfect starting point. Dating from the 15th or 16th century, we’ll be seeing their influence percolate throughout playing card design throughout Europe. Here we see the suits that will directly influence Spanish and Italian playing cards: coins, cups, swords, and polo batons (a common sport of the ruling class). The court cards are King-Lieutenant-Second Lieutenant, the deck would’ve contained 52 cards (1-10 plus three court cards), and the illustrations are rich in detail and heavy with Islamic calligraphy. We will be tracing the evolution of European cards back to these ones as we go along, so it’s important to have an example of where it all started.

Spanish Patterns

The Islamic influence in southern Spain makes it the perfect entry point for playing cards to arrive in European material culture around the late 14th century. Spanish patterns follow the same suits as Mameluk ones (coins, cups, swords, and staffs), but a deck would contain only 48 cards, numbers 1-9 and three court cards. The court cards follow the Mameluk rankings but with a European twist, making it King-Knight-Page. Swords in Spanish cards are depicted straight, as opposed to Italian swords which are curved.

Old Catalan / Spanish National Pattern, modern day

Piacentine Pattern, found in Italy in Bourbon ruled Piacenza, shows remarked Spanish influence yet is the only Spanish pattern regularly sold today to feature reversible court cards

Some syncretism would occur with the intermediary Franco-Spanish pattern, as Spanish cards would arrive in France prior to the establishment of the French standard patterns. The use of Spanish suited cards continues in areas such as Brittany and the Vendee through the game of Aluette, however the original Franco-Spanish pattern is now extinct. These decks would also consist of 48 cards: 1-9 and three court cards, King-Knight-Page (Roi-Cavalier-Valet). The use of these patterns would directly influence French patterns to come

The court cards in the Franco-Spanish pattern showing Spanish suits

French Patterns

French patterns would begin with Spanish ones around the 14th Century, and would mesh with Germanic ones to produce something we would start to recognise as the Anglo-American pattern. The French suits (Hearts, Clovers (Clubs), Tiles (Diamonds), and Pikes (Spades)) are based on the Germanic suits (Hearts, Acorns, Bells, and Leaves respectively), however for a brief period a suit of Crescents was used instead of Tiles.

Cards celebrating the union of the kingdoms of Britanny and France, 1500, show the Spanish suits

An example of the short-lived Crescents suit, Lyon, late 15th century

The majority of Italian, Spanish, and Germanic patterns follow the Mameluk tradition of all male court cards, which causes French patterns to stand out with the inclusion of Queens in place of the Knights. Queens had appeared in decks in both Italy and Germany in the 15th century, but had mostly been dropped in non-tarot decks. The inclusion of Queens, however, continued in France where their inclusion replaced the Cavalier (Knight) with the Dame (Queen). The naming convention of Dame for Queen will also be seen in Germanic patterns.

The Paris pattern, as distinct from Anglo-American or Hamburg patterns (about which more anon), is unique in that each of the court cards reference a historical or biblical figure, and are so named even to this day in the portrait officiel pattern (a deck of 32 cards, however sometimes printed in 52-card deck variants). As an example, the Kings of the Paris pattern refer to Charlemagne (Hearts), Alexander the Great (Clovers), Julius Caesar (Tiles), and King David (Pikes). The use of Julius Caesar as the historical figure associated with the King of Tiles, and most known in the past by his depiction on Roman coins in profile, might explain why in the later Anglo-American pattern the King of Diamonds is the only King to be depicted standing in profile.

Belgian pattern cards are similar to Paris (portrait officiel) decks and likewise come in 32-card and 52 card variants.

Germanic patterns

The closest pattern to connect Germanic decks to French ones is the Hamburg pattern, which would directly influence the North German or Berlin pattern. Taking the suits that we know today (hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades) and beginning production in the early 19th century, a clear link to the Paris (portraits officiel) pattern is shown in the depiction of the King of Spades holding the Harp of King David, a reference to the association of King David with the suit of Pikes (Spades) in the Paris pattern, and the laurel wreath under the crown of the King of Diamonds (Julius Caesar, King of Tiles). Germanic patterns closely associated with the French patterns name the court cards as King-Lady-Farmer (König-Dame-Bauer)

The Kings from the North German pattern showing links to the Paris (portrait officiel) pattern conventions

Germanic pattern playing cards, however also predate the suits used in French patterns and had a direct influence on them. The Germanic suits of Hearts, Acorns, Bells, and Leaves became standard around 1450, where upon it would directly influence the French suits and finally the modern Anglo-American system of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades. Many packs using this system contain only 32 or 36 cards, as is appropriate for the kinds of games played in the areas where they are common, and the court cards are typical established as King-Over-Under (König-Ober Knabe-Unter Knabe) in the Mameluk style of a leader and two ranks of soldier. The Ace in Germanic suits is really, and was referred to in the past as, a Deuce (Daus in German), which is why the Ace in these decks, the highest card in many regional games, actually exhibits two suit symbols rather than one. In the William Tell pattern deck, the four Deuces represent the four seasons of the year, however this is not typical across Germanic decks, which typically depicted a boar or sow in older decks, a tradition that continues today only on the Deuce of Bells.

The Deuces (Daus) of Germanic decks

Saxon pattern

Polish-Silesian pattern for the game of Skat

Altenburg Doppelkopf pattern, exhibiting the North German pattern court cards of König-Dame-Bauer with the Germanic suits

Salzburg pattern showing non-reversible court cards typical of earlier patterns, and Franconian pattern showing reversible ones, typical of later patterns

A hybrid deck showing both Germanic and French suits, in this instance the Germanic pattern is listed as William Tell and the French as Viennese

Italian patterns

Italian patterns closely resemble Mameluk and Spanish patterns, and it is in Italy where the polo baton of the Mameluk deck was replaced with a staff, or baton or club, for an area where polo was not well known or played.

Trentine pattern, showing the Mameluk influence in both suits and court cards (King-Knight-Page)

In South Tyrol, a region acquired by Italy at the First World War, the Germanic Salzburg pattern is still used with Italian translations known as the Salisburghesi pattern.

It was in Italy that the first tarot decks were produced, where additional ‚trumps‘, known in Italian as trinofi, were added for more advanced card games. Typical to Northern Italy in the Italian suits, tarot cards for games such as Tarrochi, Tarock, and Scarto spread to France and Germanic areas whereupon there was further alterations made.

Tarot patterns

Tarot cards were never originally intended for Cartomancy, such associations came later in the 18th and 19th centuries, however there is a distinct split between Franco-Italian patterns and Germanic ones. A rare Italian deck serving as a progenitor of sorts to later 78-card tarot decks that now lost, was described in a letter from Milan in 1449 and supposedly consisted of a deck of 60 cards with only the four Kings as court cards, sixteen trump cards, and the suits as birds rather than any surviving system. Early 78-card decks replaced the court cards with classical figures and made the trump cards those of classical deities. Many of these early decks survive only as incomplete examples, damaged printing sheets, or in descriptions alone.

The Tarot of Marseilles is likely the first 78-card tarot deck to resemble the one we know today. The suits follow the Italian and Spanish patterns, synthesises the French and Spanish-Italian-Mameluk courts cards to give four in each suit: King-Queen-Knight-Page. The Major Arcana, or the trumps when ranked by value, are similar to modern tarot decks, albeit with some notable differences: the Magician is replaced by Le Bateleur (The Juggler), the High Priestess by Le Pances (The Popess, likely a reference to the myth of Pope Joan), and the Hierophant with Le Pape (The Pope). In Swiss tarot decks, the High Priestess is replaced by the classical deity Juno, and the Hierophant with Jupiter, in the style of the older historical Tarot de Besançon pattern.

Germanic tarot cards, however, are entirely different in nature. Trump cards in the Bourgeois Tarot pattern, with its sub-pattern the Tarot Nouveau, depict scenes rather than figures, and are split into groups of four (such as the times of day and the four elements), with the final three depicting Games (trump 20), the Collective (trump 21), and the Individual (trump 1)

Example Tarot Nouveau trumps, reversible but each scene depicting the card’s meaning

The trumps of the Industrie und Glück pattern, a standard tarot deck for games in the Germanic regions that uses the French suit system for value and court cards

One variation of tarot decks, known as Animal Tarot patterns, uses both real and fictional animals for the trump cards, and continues today only in the south German Adler Cego pattern

The End?

Honestly, this is all I have energy for at the moment, but I wanted to show just a hint of the huge variety of different playing card designs throughout the centuries and their effect on the modern decks of today. There is so much more I’d like to get into, so if you have some questions please please please ask!

#playing cards #infodump #history #history of playing cards

[blazescompendium]

Blaze's Compendium Entry #5:

What does the fox say? Ask Cironnup- Kamuy

Warning: Faith and religion are important real life topics, that tackles the culture and way of life of millions of real life people. It is a cultural expression, and must be respected by all means. Here, we use a video-game series only to ignite the flame of learning about the matter, using its art when well depicted, but we do this with all due respect to the cultures we talk here, grounded by real life sources, cultures and people. And i mean this with respect. Hope you all enjoy.

Let's get back to Japan once again, but this time to the northern Island of Hokkaido. There lives the Ainu people. Today we are not only talking about my favorite Megami Tensei creature, but also about very interesting entities, culture and people. Please, sit back and enjoy the ride.

(Please, note that i don't speak Japanese. I had to go over English sources as well use software to translate. If i got anything wrong, let me know!) This time, all sources will be available at the end of the post, since iv used them extensively, it got pretty messy to pin down the exact points, so will list them below)

Cironnup (Also called Chironnup or Chironnupu in Japan) in the Ainu tongue translates to ''Those who we kill many''. And it can be used to describe foxes in general, but also is referred to a Kamuy.

For us to understand what Cironnup is, we first need to dive in the meaning of the word Kamuy, which is very, very interesting.

In the Ainu tradition, Kamuy can be a complex term to translate. It can be defined as a sort of divine spirit, supernatural entity or even a god. The Foundation for Ainu Culture translated it as the word god, when i emailed them about the matter. Its similar to the word Kami, in Shinto Japan. It's a tricky word to translate that has no perfect match in English. But let's go with god.

Sometimes in the modern day Japan, the word can also be translated as Kami, or Hotoke (Spirit). But as their English counterparts, those words don't match 100% correctly the true meaning of the Kamuy word.

The Ainu belief system comes from their relationship with the Kamuy. This belief came from people who have a deep connection with nature, and helped them to survive and thrive in their environment, as well protect them from disasters and other calamities.

The Ainu belief system does not have a central scripture, like the Christians have the Bible. Their views of the Kamuy can be interpreted differently through time and place, but remain somewhat similar. It's good to remember the Ainu is a diverse group. Beliefs, customs and regional dialects can vary from region to region.

But ok, then what is a Kamuy? You ask.

The Kamuy description can vary, but they are spirits, supernatural entities, or gods. They can be attributed to many creatures and objects. In fact, there's Kamuy for diseases, earthquakes, fauna, flora, and more. It's like this belief system comes around the idea that everything and everyone has a soul.

There's not only natural occurred Kamuy, but also the ones that came from man-made objects, like spears, boats.

The relationship between Kamuy and Human are complex. Some Kamuy can provide for Humans, like animals that provide meat and fur, or plants that provide food and remedy. Others can protect and take care of Humans. There's also Kamuy who bring calamities, like diseases such as smallpox. (Sources where keen on Smallpox, it seems it got pretty common in Hokkaido some times.)

Some examples are like the Fire Kamuy, that not only provides heat and cooked food, but also hears Humans and take their pleads to other Kamuy in case they still have not answered. the owl related Kamuy remain outside villages looking after their people.

Another good and very specific example is the Salmon Kamuy. Known as Chep-Kamuy. Salmon was a much needed fish for the Ainu, so they often built their villages next to streams where they could find this fish. Thus the importance.

Kamuy are often portraied as free willed entities. They live their lifes just as we do, and they can be good or evil. Some times they are not eivl, but there can be a conflict of interests between Humans and Kamuy. Being good or bad, Kamuy would only come back to their world once their mission is accomplished in the Human world.

It is said that the Kamuy have their own relatives and friends in their world, so it is at least implied that are many instances of one Kamuy. For example, many Chep-Kamuy living in their world along many Cironnup-Kamuy. For this reason, when a good Kamuy is going home the Ainu offers them hospitality, food, drinks in rituals so they can either thank the entity for what was given.

This way, according to the Ainu, the Kamuy will come back home happy and satisfied, thankful for the Human hospitality. They will tell all their friends and family about how good they were treated on Earth. The Ainu believes that not only the hospitality offered to the Kamuy makes they wanting to come back, but also they could bring more Kamuy along, after telling their relatives about how good they were treated. This also make that specific Kamuy more respected in their world. Both sides having a mutual relationship.

In the case of bad Kamuy, like disease, the tactics were to run away from it. Some Ainu even erasing their own footprints in the snow so they can't be tracked by the malevolent entity. They were also treated with respect, but in more of a fearsome way.

The Kamuy often inhabited animals and plants, for example. So, in the case of wild animals the way a Kamuy go home is when the animal is killed. Hunting deprives a creature of their life, but it is necessary for survival. This act is seen as the Humans liberating a Kamuy back to their world, after have killed their carcass. (In the case of wild animals)

One of the more famous, and important of those rituals were related to the Bear Kamuy. (Kin Un Kamuy) I wont go too deep into it, because it's complex, but basically the Ainu took care of a bear cub for a whole year, even living among them as another member of their society, before slaughtering it with arrows, and eating its meat. This way, the Ainu hope the Kamuy goes to its world grateful for the hospitality and the time it spent with Humans.

-You can remember Teddie from Persona 4 kinda having this motif in his Persona ''Kamuy''.

As you can see, the Kamuy is a fascinating subject. They can be good, bad, they are multitudes, they have families and lifes, their own personalities and interests just like Humans. They can be humble, hateful, have pride or a good sense of humor. They can be related to natural phenomena, animals, plants. There's just a lot to cover about Kamuy.

My note here, but it remembers me a lot of the concept of Jinn and Daemons, from Islamic and Greek pantheons respectively.

BACK TO CIRONNUP, THIS WAS A LONG TURN

Cironnup-Kamuy is the fox deity in this context. Foxes by themselves were called upon many names in the Ainu culture. Cironnup is one of those names. But it could also be Kemakosnekur which means ''light footed god'' according to the Foundation for Ainu Culture.

Cironnup appears in many tales and are generally known to be Kamuy that listens to people's requests, brings food, can protect against illness and foreign enemies. They can appear in premonitory dreams to warn about calamities. But there are some instances of Cironnup doing mischief and evil deeds, like possessing people, transforming into people as disguises.

As in many cultures around the world, foxes are treated like cunning and natural tricksters. But the Ainu had a deep relationship with the foxes, since they were essential to their survival in some times. They could be deceiving, but also could bring good help. This could explain this duality.

The name Cironnup could also be referred to other creatures, it can be names of villages, and could also describe wild beasts. It could describe many other wild animals that were heavily hunted by the Ainu, but slowly the name was more and more associated with the Fox. (The Fox itself could have different names in different regions as well.)

In the specific case of Cironnup, the premonitory nature of it were also brought by some regions using fox skulls as divination tools. They could also be used as guardians for Sea Fishing.

Cironnup calling its Kamuy friends for help? In Japanese this attack is called ''Kitsunebi Aputo'' Which mixes the Kitsunebi flames, with the Ainu word for rain, meaning a rain of a fox fire. Although... Kitsune is a whole different matter.

In my researches i found a Brazilian web page dedicated to Japanese culture. There, i found a story about the author being hunting with an Ainu, and they talked a bit about their relationship with the Cironnup Kamuy.

According to the author, they were out hunting when he noticed footprints in the snow that were from a Fox. He then proceeded to ask the Ainu hunter if they should go after it. But the Ainu stopped the Brazilian hunter, informing him that if they catch the fox first, the Cironnup-Kamuy would certainly go around the woods telling all other animals they were hunting nearby. Because by killing the Fox, the Kamuy would be liberated of the body.

When the fox was indeed caught, they would tie their snouts, so it would keep its mouth shut and wont spoil their hunt. The author did not seemed conclusive if this was a general and normal hunting behavior for the Ainu, but being a first hand account (And written in my own native language) i found it interesting to post here.

Cironnup's beta design for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. It wears some clothing inspired by the Ainu.

The Human Race has a very interesting relationship with foxes in general. Their depictions usually repeats itself through our history, because they are very interesting animals by themselves. Me myself, I've lived my whole life, in a culture where foxes are absent because they are not naturals to the place where i live.

Their relationship with foxes makes me wonder and reflect about it, since the creature does indeed have a duality. While it can be deceiving and cunning, it has also a protective nature, it is strong and some times even lovable. Foxes are also signaled worldwide as an awareness and investigative symbol, which is also portrayed by Cironnup, sometimes presenting danger from far away.

Still worldwide, the foxes are treated like the tricksters of the nature, masters in deceiving and playing pranks.

The Ainu fascinated me not only as a culture, but also in their relationship with the nature, not exactly looking at the world around only as resource, but also with care and respect.

I hope one day i can visit Hokkaido and learn more about the Ainu culture personally.

-Ainu online dictionary Ainu-to-shizen Degitaru-zukan”by Ainu Museum

Sources:

-Akarenga JP (A Hokkaido culture foccused web page)

-Commentary on the book “Karirinka-to-kitsune-no-kamisama” [カリリンカときつねのかみさま] (2012) by Sakiko Yatani Provided by the Foundation of Ainu Culture

-The Foundation of Ainu Culture (Inquired via e-mail)

-Ainu Legends, Cironnup Daisuke Tchê (The tale about the Ainu hunter, in portuguese)

Special thanks go for @researcherposts for helping me reaching the Foundation of Ainu Culture.

Again, if i got anything wrong, please correct me! I will be more than help to fix anything :)

#mythology #ainu culture #Cironnup #Ainu #hokkaido #mythology and folklore #shin megami tensei #atlus #blazescompendium #blazescompendiumentry

[somethingwittyandweird]

What's your favorite game you played this year?

You've activated my “review of my year in gaming” trap card! I was already going to make this post in some form or another, you've just given me the perfect launching point. So, the first thing you should know about asking me for favorites: I never give just one. How could I, when it's been such a banger year of games? (Heads up, this one's going to go long.)

I loved Tears of the Kingdom to death, and it took home my most hours played on Switch. It is a shining example of what devs can do with an extra few months to polish a game. There were so many remarkable moments that testified to how much care and ideas the devs were able to put in. I loved how it used the time since the first game to develop familiar places and characters, adding depth (no pun intended) and also making sure every familiar location had some new twist. The story was a much stronger followup to BotW, and I think this overall has my new favorite ending sequence of anything in the series (I'd love to make a full post sometime about how the final Ganondorf battles just keep getting more spectacular with each new title). I am so, so, so, so normal about this incarnation of Princess Zelda. 

Also in my favorites this year is Fire Emblem Engage, which hit at just the right time to scratch my strategy itch. As a long time FE fan it’s not a surprise I enjoyed this one- though it lost the political intrigue of its predecessor in favor of a more traditional/tropey story, I still had a lot of fun with all its gimmicks and gameplay innovations. Also it is hands-down the most visually appealing game in the franchise, a title previously held by the series’ GBA entries which are masterworks from the peak era of beautiful sprite art. From the incredible crit animations to the spectacle of super attacks to the battle maps which are so beautifully detailed that the game lets you free roam around them after a battle just to appreciate them better. 

I finished the Link’s Awakening remake this year! It was a charming trip back to an older era of Zelda design philosophy and I found it fascinating to compare the ways where the classic puzzles and challenges differ from what the game would be like if it were made today, as well as the places where modern technology allowed for better QoL changes that weren’t in the original. I really enjoyed the music as well, which I find to be a standout among the series still.

Here at the end of the year, I have to give a shout out to Sea of Stars. It has everything you want in an indie darling- very pretty pixel art, very nice music, turn-based battles with timed hits I joke, but Sea of Stars does a great job balancing evoking/paying homage to icons like Chrono Trigger and bringing new gameplay to the JRPG formula. I like its pared-down take on JRPG combat which revamps skills/mana into a much more dynamic resource that’s constantly being spent and regenerated, and I’m a known sucker for character combo attacks which this game has in spades. The later parts of its story are told with a lot of heart, and again I am a known sucker for certain character archetypes. Surprisingly also, I think the movement and exploration is absolutely a standout- not something that’s typically emphasized in the genre. But this game constantly has you hopping across stepping stones, balancing on tightropes, climbing walls and ledges… the emphasis on interesting traversal and verticality is a strength few games like it can boast. 

Before my final pick, I’m including a special section for all the games I didn't play myself but watched my friends play and still want to praise: Hi-Fi Rush, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Mario Bros Wonder, Pizza Tower, the Minish Cap Switch rerelease, and more all came out this year and all of them have brought killer music, excellent gameplay, and stunning visuals that I’ve enjoyed to no end. Anyone considering to pick up any of them would find a quality product without a doubt.

With all that said: I think ultimately it has to be Tunic in the end. Underneath its premise of a Zelda/Souls-like adventure game there is a wealth of secrets that goes as far down as you have the courage to delve. It’s a game built to evoke nostalgia for games that you didn’t understand yet, posing as a game that you watched an older sibling play or a game you could only find a poorly-translated foreign copy of. It obscures everything and teaches you its secrets through context, exploration, and discovering in-game pages of the manual (remember manuals?). It’s a game made for lovers of secrets and puzzles, full of hidden paths and trophies that reward inquisitiveness and observation (and taking paper notes). It was when I saw that it not only has a conlang, but that it gives you the hints you need to fully translate it, that I knew I had to get it myself. It spurred me to screenshot every in-game piece of menu text, then spend evenings cross-referencing it to identify phonemes and construct a key.

The rush I got on completing that key is one of two moments I knew this game was absolutely special. The second standout moment is when the game teaches you its hugest secret, and then invites you to prove your mastery of it by presenting you a huge, multi-part puzzle. But, Tunic does the same thing that one of my other all-time favorites, Outer Wilds, does so well: powerups via knowledge, “unlocking” abilities that you always had, you just didn’t know that you did. The pieces to this puzzle are hidden in plain sight; it’s only when the game tells you what you’re looking for that your understanding shifts, everything clicks, and your eyes are opened to the path you have to follow. I don’t say it lightly, but I consider Tunic to be a one-of-a-kind title, and one that delivers completely on its unique vision. 

In case that brick of text doesn’t make it clear, I love this game. 

I love all of these games.

It's a fine time to be alive.

#i talk a lot tag #skysometric #loz #totk #sea of stars #fire emblem #fe17 #link's awakening #thank you so so much for giving me this space to make this post #sorry-not-sorry about the wall of text jumpscare #i mean everything i said sincerely and honestly still have more to say about some of these #that i'll save for another time #long post

[crows-spells]

J O U R N A L

C H A L L E N G E

Disclaimer: Lol this has probably already been done pls don’t come for me I know this community goes nuts about credits sometimes and I’m not claiming to be special for making this. If u have seen this done before or if you have made a challenge similar, I’m not trying to copy, this is a pretty common method in general I’m just turning it into a challenge for myself and anyone who wants to try it, to have a specific outline and method of practice.

Inspo:

I was listening to just like magic and she talks about her day, and I decided that I should ACTUALLY practice scripting. Daily. Like a journal entry every day of everything I want my day to be like! Writing every day as the person I wish I was! Present tense, dated as today, detailing everything about my life as it should be!

What’s wonderful about this is it can be as detailed or simple as I want. Let’s say one day I write a detailed entry talking about driving my ideal car to the gym and going shopping and meditating and spending time with my lover and best friend and then the next day I just write “today was the perfect day.” Either way I’m manifesting. Either way I’m creating my dream life. This is the perfect method to manifest ANY and EVERY THING! A new home, a new car, being rich as fuck, specific person, lifestyle, what kind of person you are, what you do with your life. If you’re trying to start a new routine of yoga or you want to eat healthy, journal about it. If you want to go out and have fun more often, journal it. This is SO versatile and yet simple. So here’s the challenge:

Get a journal or a page in your notes app to dedicate to this challenge. This will ONLY be for scripting. It will be 100% living in the end.

Put the date on the top of the page and write as if you are living your ideal life.

This isn’t about the future this is about how perfect your day is TODAY! Flip any negative things that happened into the positive ideal version. Add anything you want into your current reality. Write about any positive things that happened or that you already have.

Try to journal every day, I suggest at night before you go to bed. It’s okay if you miss a day here and there, it happens, who cares. And if you totally fall off for a while, that’s fine, just pick it back up and keep going.

Example:

January 3rd 2023

I got tickets to go see my favorite comedian live! I’m so excited I can’t wait! Also today has just been amazing in general because my partner is so sweet to me, we got breakfast together and went on a walk and today has just been sooo beautiful! We found a place to chill in the park after our walk and we drew cute pictures of each other! The perfect date!

January 4th 2023

Today was such a perfect day

January 5th 2023

I started my day with my self care routine, and made a cup of ice coffee, then I went to the gym. I went home and showered and hung out with my friends on the beach.

January 6th 2023

Today has been so amazing! I woke up to $6000 added to my bank account out of the blue! So I took my best friend and my partner shopping and then we went to go see a movie. Now I am just relaxing after my daily meditation and I will do yoga and then take my partner on a fancy date. I love my life. It’s literally such a dream!

These are just examples to show that you can go into detail, write about specific things you want to manifest, or your ideal lifestyle or you can just manifest good vibes some days. So give it a shot, and dm, leave a comment, or leave an ask in my inbox and tell me how it went if you do

📝happy manifesting!🌙

#manifesting #law of assumption #manifestation #loa #manifest #neville goddard #how to manifest #loassumption #wisteria #scripting #loa methods #manifesting method

[robo-ky888]

So I wanted to make a video on why Robo Ky is my favorite fictional character period but I don't feel confident enough with my skills to do this sort of thing justice so I'm scrapping the project for now. I'm gonna upload the script here but be warned, it's my first ever script so sorry about that. Thank you for reading.

Introduction

Robo Ky. a character that first appeared as a story mode exclusive boss only as a palette swap of Ky and was only made fully playable in the 3rd entry into the series, is my favorite character in media. But…why, why is this random one off character that usually places around C tier on tier lists and was relegated to cutscenes and spin off games past his debut game my favorite in all of media, especially when Guilty Gear has so many amazing characters like Faust or Sol or even Johnny or Slayer. Well today I intend to tell you why and frankly, i'm not trying to win anyone over with this one or spark a new “Robo Ky revolution” or anything, i just really REALLY wanted to get this out there and this was the only way i knew how to do it. I hope you all or even if you dont, i hope you learn something new about one of guilty gears most original characters.

Who is Robo Ky

Robo Ky made his first appearance in Guilty Gear X Plus for the Playstation 2 in 2001 exclusively in cutscenes. He was portrayed as a palette swap of ky and to play as this version of Robo Ky, you had to select ky’s gg version which had different attacks. This version of Robo Ky looked way different as he was portrayed as having tan skin and a much slimmer frame, looking more like regular ky. This also applied to guilty gear petit as he works exactly like this in that game as well. I actually played this game on an emulator once and inputted the code to play as Robo Ky right away and even got his ending, which is probably one of my favorite photos of the funny man. After these two middling appearances, we finally see Robo Ky take on a full move set in guilty gear XX released in december of 2002 in japan and march 2003 everywhere else. In the first installment of the game, he is unlocked by completing Story Mode or via time release (96 hours). This is the only version of the game Robo Ky is an unlock in and in all future versions he is unlocked right at the start, as perfection should be. Its moveset and gameplay is surprisingly different from ky and if you know anything about Robo Ky, this is probably it. His gameplay revolves around maintaining your heat and battery gage as when you use certain moves, the corresponding bars will increase or decrease, if the heat gage fills up too much, you overheat and explode, if you run out of battery, you can't do specials until you get the energy for them, think of it as tension that empties and fills faster. For example, his special skill fires a bullet from his elbow which increases the heat gauge and his DON'T GET COC-KY! Uses up a bit of power. Heat goes down naturally and your main tool for rebuilding energy is gimmicky, no that's the actual name of the move, Gimmic-KY. He even has a delayed get up which can really throw people off and he even talks shit at you while he is getting up. Now why am i explaining any of this, to most people none of this even matters, but i thought this was really important to explain because Robo Ky does not play like anyone else in the entire cast, not even ky himself. They may share some of the same moves, around 9 or 10, but Robo Ky plays so differently thanks to his gauges and his weird attacks that i was drawn to it as soon as i saw it. His uniqueness is truly what makes him stand out and while he isn't the BEST character in accent core (thank you zappa), he is my absolute favorite to play and i will die on that hill.

Story reasons

In the guilty gear universe, Robo Ky was created by the Post-War Administration Bureau as a sort of assassin robot to take care of anyone trying to get in their way. This is his main objective throughout his entire story, to eliminate someone who is in his way, but that is the most barebones way of explaining it so let's go more in depth. The way fighting game canon works in general is….questionable as everyone has multiple endings and routes, it's hard to know what is canon and what isn't but i will give my best interpretation on what is Robo Ky canon.

In X’s story, Robo Ky actually scans ky and stalks him throughout his chapter until they fight and surprisingly he actually gets the jump on the defective original as when you play this story, you will always have a portion of your health missing.

Unfortunately, Robo Ky does canonically lose but this is one of the most intimidating scenes we see Robo Ky in and one of the only times he is taken and shown off as a legit threat. The next time we see a Robo Ky unit is in XX where the number of Robo Ky are actually quite thin and because of their middling performance, they’re up for discontinuation.Nevertheless, this guy named crow who has been working on the Robo Ky’s for awhile decides to send one particular Robo Ky on a mission to gather combat info as a sort of last mission.

Throughout the mission, Robo Ky argues with crow, is generally rude and dismissive and just goes on fighting, collecting data, all that until crow essentially decides “hey bud, your insides are acting real FUN-KY so get back here” and you actually get a choice as a player for if you want to return to the lab or not but for this overview we will be looking at the ending where you do not decide to return to the lab.Robo Ky must have only heard the word KY when crow said he was acting FUN-KY as he only has eyes to kill the defective original, much to crows dismay. Eventually, you actually do find and fight ky but the prince gets away and robo-kys damages are too severe so he gets back to the lab…only to be met WITH A COPY OF JUSTICE WHO IS ESSENTIALLY AN ULTRA POWERFUL KILLING MACHINE.

(Here is pt 2)

#guilty gear #robo ky #guilty gear xx

[childofchrist1983]

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. - 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 KJV

This final Bible passage in 2 Corinthians, Paul's last letter before his death, is one of the clearest statements of the nature of God in the New Testament. It is one of the great mysteries of our faith and one that is a stumbling block to many. How can we even try to understand its meaning? Maybe it's not important to try and understand, but to reflect on its importance in our lives.

God is the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a community of love. Paul states very clearly that there is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all. He also lets us know that as Christians, there are distinct roles that each of us plays, but we are called to be one in love for all. We are one family, all calling God, Abba - Father; we are saved by the actions of the Son - Jesus Christ - who became one of us so that we could become God's adopted children and "joint heirs with Christ" and filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we may be eternally sealed for Heaven and also go forth and tell others of this great mystery.

The early Christians were well known for the love that they showed one another. I often try to imagine what the world would look like if all Christians came together in a single body of love as Jesus Christ prayed that we would be. What a difference we could make! Today is a great day to decide to become an example of the great Christian Community of Love that is the Trinity. In these mortal earthly forms, we will never be able to fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we do know that God is Love and that love was so great that He didn't just save us, He created us and gave us the ability to serve Him and to love Him and one another. May our love for Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ grow stronger everyday, so that we may be a beacon of His light and love as we do our duty to Him while on this Earth.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[crown-ov-horns]

I said I have 4 storylines of Good Omens fanfiction (including the Crossover with Legion). Had I said that today, I would've lied. There's five.

["Diary entry" under the cut, so there's no litany on an unwilling scroller's feed]

NOTE: I haven't seen S2 of GO, not do I intendt to, so beware of canon divergence

Well... The 5th one is less a coherent storyline, more a concept. I was playing Gardenscapes, and suddenly thought "What if F!Crowley were my Antichrist's mother?"

You know, maybe Crowley owed Satan a new Antichrist, or something. I guess, she'd have screwed up this one, too... Well, she'll gladly take over the world, she just won't destroy it.

The conversation (between myself and myself) went about like this:

Me: ...

Also me: what if?..

Me: for fuck's sake, not again

Also me: Lady Crowley...

Me: please stop

Also me: Was Maxine's mother?

Me: whyever would she be her mother?

Also me: because she owed Satan for the ruined Apocalypse, and had to carry the next Antichrist

Me: Maxine doesn't want the Apocalypse, she's a sane politician

Also me: works for Crowley

Me: she also has black hair and blue eyes

Also me: Satan has black hair and blue eyes, Benedict's not his faceclaim, anyway

Me: fine, why would her last name be Frost?

Also me: Satan goes by Lucian Frost on Earth

Me: why would he ever go by the surname Frost?

Also me: a not to Dante's Inferno

Me: I hate you

Also me: 🤪

Me: you're killing me

Also me: with pleasure 😊

[End dialogue.]

Now, like I always do with any new idea, I of course collapsed down into the daydreaming pit, which often turns fanfiction, and original stories alike, into Tolkien-level complex universes you'd need a lifetime to fully explore.

I thought, it could be funny. When Max meets Anathema and Newt's daughter Agnes in Oxford, they can bond over their unhinged families.

"You'll probably think my parents are weird as fuck, they have a pet raccoon they dye black, and pretend is a cat."

"Honey, no, I get you. My mother mentally abuses her house plants, and wears sunglasses at midnight."

Rich people things, I guess. I mean, they're both nepo babies, who would ask questions about why their families are weird. Who would ask questions about why a rising star politician's mother mentally abuses her house plants.

There's a lot of potential for comedy. Crowley's issues with her sister-in-law, for example. Satan and Michael... They have a strange dynamic. The last time they spoke to each other is mentioned in the Book of Jude. But, they both have the familia ante omnia, blood is everything mentality. They support each other's political aim. They would kill for each other. And, Michael feels very protective (possessive, even) over her niece (the family mediator, why do you think she's a perfect diplomat). It would annoy the Hell (Heaven?) out of Crowley. Still, in the end, she and Michael would probably kill for each other, also.

I'd imagine Satan forbidding any contact with his disowned son... I don't know. In my fanfictions (where he is a thing), Maxine and Adam usually do have eventual contact, and consider themselves siblings (do keep in mind, though, Max would always choose her father over her brother). Satan doesn't mind her not wanting the Apocalypse, as long as she's loyal to him. He sees good points in her arguments against. He never really cared for it, anyway, it was mostly the armies.

Also... Maxine rides horses, ever since she was a child. Crowley doesn't get along with animals, everyone knows that. But. She's the nightmare equestrian mom (think soccer mom, only worse - much worse). How does she get along with Max's animals?.. Well, Titan (the hellhound) actually likes her. Ulysses (the horse) tolerates her. Horus (the falcon - yes, Max's so posh she's in the falconry hobby)... I have no idea. He'd probably sit on her shoulder, sometimes. But, Crowley's anxious around him, since snakes aren't usually friends with raptors.

At first, I thought about conflict between Crowley and Maxine. For example, her refusing to ride in the Bentley, because she (every author must place pieces of them in their characters) despises Queen. But... I don't like writing that. I like writing loving, healthy relationships between mothers and daughters. So, it's more "What do you mean you're bad at being a demon? You caused the Fall of Humankind. None of them can compare to you", and"You'll be the perfect Secretary-General of the United Nations, honey". We love mothers and daughters supporting each other here. ❤

I even thought of cute scenarios, like Crowley coiling in Max's crib, because she's anxious, and wants to protect her baby.

Max is fiercely protective of Crowley. That's why she'd be in conflict with Beelzebub - funny enough, for a similar season to the other stories (Beelzebub causes the death of her adoptive mother, after she realizes she's raising the Antichrist). Beelzebub hates Crowley, and the Beast of Rev. will show her very sharp teeth, should someone threaten her mom. Satan's on his family's side, don't worry.

Actually... You know why this story is cool? Horrific things happen to Crowley in my other fics. Not this one. Actually, she's doing great. She's the Queen of Hell. Damn... She'd outrank Beelzebub. She could terrorize... Her? Like I said, I haven't seen S2, Ι don't know the pronouns, and I don't care, you can get them right if it matters to you (I just know in S2 an actress from Bridgerton played her (?)).

As for Satan/Crowley... As long at Crowley's female, I don't mind it. I like it. Good for you, you little serpent tempter. Because, you know I always romanticise the Devil.

Have I any ideas for smut? You bet I do. I even have crack ideas... You know that picture of a female wolf protecting a male wolf's throat? Think that, but Crowley's coiled around Satan in her snake form, and snaps at anyone who wanders close.

So, I let this out into the web. Now I'll have to actually do it. Wish me luck. 😑

#diary pages #writing journal #fanfiction ideas #good omens #good omens fandom #good omens fanfcition #writer problems #fanfiction writer #crowley #lady crowley #female!crowley #satan #the antichrist #maxine frost #crowley x satan #crowley is maxine's mother #this is like an actual diary entry #when i think about crowley and satan... hell it's actually hot #satan knows how to make br**ding kink work alright and I intend to show it #crowley could rub so much salt in beelzebub's wounds - she's the queen of hell she outranks (?) #seriously i don't care about this characters canon pronouns and I will use whatever pronouns I wish #the thing that matters is crowley's the big b*tch in the yard now and Satan will always take his wife's side #seriously i can think of so many cute scenarios but also funny but also... the smut okay #the serpent and the dragon #lucian frost is such a great name though it's very aesthetic very dark academia old money #maxine's opinions on beelzebub and gabriel reflect my own #seriously i need to put in an equestrian mom crowley scene into whatever i make of this that would be hilarious #why do i feel Crowley and Max's bond here is going to be everything #i have so many wips i'll need a lot of whiskey i guess i better start plotting and better start writing not killing time on here

[dailycharacteroption]

Prestige Class Spotlight 12: Arclord of Nex

(art by Lesly-oh on DeviantArt)

There are plenty of prestige classes that represent powerful mages that specialize in certain aspects of magic. Heck, the archmage and red wizard prestige classes from 3.5 were perfect examples of this, but the fun thing about Pathfinder is how they tie these specializations into the lore.

In today’s case, we have the Arclord of Nex prestige class, but since this is the first time we’ve really talked about the nation of Nex on the blog, some background is needed.

So several centuries ago, the wizard Nex, whom has a classic rags to riches story starting in the streets and becoming one of the most powerful mages of his generation and possibly the history of Golarion, founded a nation that shared his name.

However, his next door neighbor was a fellow powerful mage, the necromancer Geb, who got the same idea, founding a magical nation that he named after himself. For a while, the two were contemporaries, friends, even. But you can’t have two egos that big in the room without them trying to one-up each other constantly, and an unhealthy rivalry like that can only escalate to blows, except the fists were armies and landscape-devastating spells, leaving a massive tract of land between the two nations (and frankly, most of the nation of Nex) devastated, Geb was dead but risen as a ghost, and Nex the wizard was… gone. Apparently vanished into his private demiplane.

Finally, the arclords of Nex, the focus on this entry, really come into the picture. Originally the retinue and servants of Nex himself, these mages rose to power after he vanished, and promptly fucked things up royally, many getting exiled for their deeds, while the rest actually learned what it takes to rule a nation, and spend their times pouring over the journals and works of their missing master hoping to glean secrets from them.

Whether they reside in Nex or are one of those exiles, the modern arclords seek to spread their influence and improve the world with magic, not just to improve the quality of life of others by making magic accessible, but also to set their nation up as the primary source of magic in the world.

However, these mages are not just seeking political power, they also master many cultural magics of their nation, including some invented by Nex himself. If you are looking for a crafter of magical wonders and one that seeks greater understanding of wizardry, you can do a lot worse than this path.

In order to become an arclord, these mages must master the art of crafting magical objects and constructs, as well as creating the “third eye” sensor that arclords are known for. Additionally, they must be able to cast arcane sight and have a basic mastery of all schools of magic, including those that would be forbidden schools for them. Finally, they must have access to the arcane school magic, either being a universalist, or being a school specialist.

In other words, this prestige class is pretty much exclusive to the wizard and arcanist classes, and the latter only if they take the school savant archetype. Even with those limitations, there is plenty of room for variety.

Having had one of the best possible educations in wizardry, these noble mages can learn spells and build magic items with surprising ease.

Additionally, these mages learn to use their third eye more often, and can not just use it for divination enhancement and enhanced senses, but also to ground themselves and enhance the power of nearby casters as well.

By expending a bit of power reserved for their least school power, these mages can repair objects and constructs with a touch, or deal damage to the same.

They also learn a second school specialization, though they must expend the same power as their original lesser school ability at a lossy rate to use that second power.

They also learn to build constructs in half the time, and improve the duration or amount of their spells that create semi-permanent matter.

As they delve deeper into the secrets of Nex’s notes, these mages learn to funnel power from their least school power into their third eye, piercing invisibility, seeing and comprehending magical auras, or both.

They also learn some of Nex’s secrets involving other planes, doubling the duration of spells that create extradimensional spaces or demiplanes, or those that involve crossing the border to the Ethereal Plane.

Nex was also known for having many magical servants. As such, powerful arclords learn to call forth their servants, be they familiars, companions, eidolons, bound outsiders, constructs they created, or even those they have bound with enchantments. They do this by sacrificing energy meant for their spells, though the higher the spell slot they use, the further from them they can call forth their servants to aid them, up to from anywhere in the cosmos if a 9th level slot is used.

The most powerful of them fully learn how to empower their third eye, pouring even more magic into the magical construct to briefly gain truly powerful arcane sight, pierce all illusions and shapeshifting, or both.

With it’s focus on the third eye ability, this prestige class certainly has a heavy divination and information gathering focus, but it also has elements of conjuration empowerment, better crafting for constructs and items (a rarity), and so on. A nice thematic grab-bag of tricks and treats that anyone can get behind. Is this archetype always for everybody? No. But it certainly can be tempting for a wizard that wants to do a little bit of everything. The fact you can choose to still be specialized and get two schools is also nice.

This archetype is a perfect example of how mages may look like in a magical utopia when able to focus on great works and enlightenment… Only, Nex isn’t a utopia at all. It’s a flesh monster riddled wasteland with it’s major cities, which are utterly devoted to researching arcane works with dubious effects on the environment, as the only oases of wholesome life to be found, bottled up and cultivated like a bonsai tree. If you don’t know magic, you might as well not exist in their society. Will your would-be arclord succumb to the same sort of arrogance and hubris, regardless of setting?

The arcane sanctum of the wizard Elginon is an extradimensional fortress, but contrary to popular belief, he did not build it. Instead, this demiplane was created by the xiomorns, the insectile elemental vault builders. Though the wizard moved in, the site was never truly abandoned, and now, a decade after his death, the xiomorns have arrived to reclaim it… at the same time the party gained access to search for a forgotten secret.

The deep ones are not usually known for their wizardry, being devotees of the various elder gods. However, the hybrid known as Brannic Deepcastle is an exception, seeking to understand where he has come from through the science of the arcane. His desire for knowledge leads him to the realms of the Mad God of Magic, which may prove too much even for an elder mythos being like himself.

In the cosmos of Alvati, the planes are arranged as great cosmic spheres that rotate in a slow, eternal dance. One such sphere is the nation of Acumen, an artificial heavenly body where wizards rule and delve into arcane mysteries in peace. However, some tasks are beyond even them, and they occasionally open portals to planes or worlds to pillage them for their resources.

#pathfinder #prestige class #arclord of nex #xiomorn #deep one hybrid #Paths of Prestige

[monisha1199]

Boost Your Earnings and Career Prospects With AWS Certification

In today's digital age, the cloud has become an integral part of businesses and organizations, transforming the way data is stored, processed, and managed. Amazon Web Services (AWS), as one of the leading cloud computing platforms globally, has played a key role in this evolution. AWS offers a comprehensive certification program that serves as a testament to your expertise in cloud technologies.

Whether you're a newcomer interested by the world of cloud computing or a seasoned professional aiming to elevate your skills and career prospects, AWS certification can be a game-changing step on your journey.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the complexities of AWS certification, from its various levels to its significance in the tech industry. We'll also discuss how ACTE Technologies can be your trusted partner in achieving AWS certification excellence.

Understanding AWS Certification: A Closer Look

AWS certification is a badge of honor for professionals who work with AWS cloud technologies. It validates your knowledge and skills, making you stand out in a competitive job market. AWS offers certifications at different levels, catering to diverse roles and skillsets within the cloud computing ecosystem. Let's delve into these certification levels:

1. Foundational Level: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is designed for individuals who are new to cloud computing or AWS. It's an ideal starting point for those looking to understand the basics of AWS and cloud technology. Even if you lack a technical background, this certification can serve as your entry ticket into the world of AWS.

2. Associate Level: Building Expertise

The Associate level certifications are tailored for professionals with hands-on experience in working with AWS. Here are three popular AWS Associate certifications:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate: The design of distributed systems on AWS is the main topic of this certification. It's suitable for professionals involved in solution architecture.

AWS Certified Developer - Associate: If your role involves developing applications on AWS, this certification is a perfect fit. It validates your ability to build, deploy, and maintain applications.

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate: SysOps Administrators who manage AWS operations can benefit from this certification. It covers topics like deployment, management, and operations on AWS.

3. Professional Level: Advanced Expertise

For those seeking to reach the pinnacle of AWS expertise, the Professional level certifications offer a challenging yet rewarding path. Two prominent certifications at this level include:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional: This certification is designed for individuals with extensive experience in designing distributed systems. It goes deep into advanced architectural concepts and best practices.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional: DevOps professionals who manage and implement continuous delivery systems on AWS can validate their expertise through this certification. It covers a range of DevOps practices and tools.

4. Specialty Level: Specialized Expertise

AWS also offers specialty certifications for professionals who specialize in specific areas of cloud computing. Examples of AWS Specialty certifications include AWS Certified Security - Specialty and AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty.

Why AWS Certification Matters: Elevating Your Career

Now that we've explored the different AWS certification levels, it's essential to understand why AWS certification holds such significance in the tech industry:

1. Validation of Skills: AWS certification provides tangible proof of your skills and expertise in cloud technologies. It's an official endorsement of your abilities, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

2. Career Advancement: AWS-certified professionals often enjoy accelerated career growth. With certification in hand, you're better positioned to secure promotions and higher-paying roles.

3. Global Recognition: AWS certifications are recognized globally. Whether you're seeking opportunities in your home country or looking to work abroad, AWS certification opens doors to various job markets.

4. Increased Earning Potential: AWS-certified professionals tend to earn higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts. The investment you make in certification can yield substantial financial returns.

5. Job Security: As businesses increasingly migrate to the cloud, the demand for AWS expertise continues to rise. Being AWS-certified enhances your job security in an ever-changing tech landscape.

Preparing for AWS Certification: Your Path to Success

Earning an AWS certification requires dedication and preparation. Here is a guide to success:

1. Self-Study: Start by exploring AWS documentation, whitepapers, and online resources. Familiarize yourself with AWS services and best practices.

2. Hands-On Experience: Practical experience is crucial. Create AWS accounts, experiment with services, and build projects to solidify your understanding.

3. Formal Training: Many professionals find formal AWS certification training courses invaluable. These courses offer structured learning and often provide hands-on labs and practice exams.

4. Practice Exams: Utilize practice exams to assess your knowledge and identify areas where you need improvement. AWS provides sample questions and practice exams for each certification.

5. Community Engagement: Join AWS forums, communities, and attend AWS-related events to connect with peers and experts. Learning from others' experiences can be invaluable.

In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, AWS certification is your key to unlocking a successful and fulfilling career in cloud computing. The recognition and opportunities it brings are well worth the effort. If you're considering pursuing AWS certification, ACTE Technologies can be your trusted partner on this journey. Their expert guidance, comprehensive courses, and hands-on learning experiences will not only help you pass the exams but also excel in your cloud computing career. Start your journey to becoming a certified AWS professional today, and open doors to a world of possibilities in the cloud!

#aws #aws course #aws training #tech