#all out april assault round 5

[sunny-mercya]

The Cruel King

02. Rewind of Past

Nordic 5 x Male Reader

Fandom -> Hetalia

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-> Warning; Mention of toxic relationship, Attempted Suicide, Abuse, Neglect and Sexual assault

»Älskling.«

Berwald whispered one word of encouragement reassurances and endearment after another. Doing his best to calm you down, to stop your heart wrenching sobbing as you tried to free yourself from Berwalds strong hold.

You wanted so desperately to scratch your neck, which felt so suffocating tight—like your chest whenever you took a breath—and wired together, bloody and bone deep raw. Freeing yourself from this sensation of gnawing pain. From the drowning choking.

You couldn't. Berwalds hold around you too strong—he did promise when Tino, him and you vowed the traditional vows of marriage and love to one another, that he would be strong when one of you two is at their deepest point.

»Älskling.«

Berwald tried again, shushing you ever so gently, every now and then, when a pained gaps ripped over your lips.

Three days now since you had collapsed into a feverish state of nightmares and reality loss—saying words in old tongues and pleading, begging even, for something you didn't need—forgiveness.

Your breathing had even out, eyes—once wide with absolute fear in them—shutting close now. You had worn yourself out, body going sluggish in Berwalds arms as sleep overtook you.

A peaceful sleep you won't have, would only last for a few hours, before another round of panicking screams erupt from you.

~~~

December. 1150 - Kopenhagen, Denmark

The icy hands of winter—the actual one which would last till mid-april—spiked with frost, completely in full swing covered the lands with a whiteness of something so graceful and yet so terrific.

Cold winds swept harshly across. Slapping the bare skins, which are left in the open and hadn't the favouritism of being covered in the thick fur, into a biting redness till skin was numb of feeling.

You shuddered out a breath—the warm puff visible in the cold—rubbing your hands together in hope of giving them a bit of warmth.

A warmth you wouldn't get no matter how much you tried. Only being dressed in a slight thicker nightgown—no real difference to the normal ones, as the one you wear had only a bit more wool in it—brings only so much.

»[Name]? Why are you sitting out here in the cold?«

You looked up from your spot, having yourself huddled up against a corner of the building. Legs drawn together as close as possible—the nightgown rising up, not long enough to cover your bare bottom and everything below the knees.

Snow had begun to fall, looking owlish up at Lukas—who you hadn't notice walking towards you.

»I–I I'm here–« you shuddered a breath, body suddenly twitching into a tremendous trembling.

Lukas crouched down to you, putting the extra fur-coat—he had brought along—over you. Taking your hands in his.

»[Name], how long have you been out here?« Lukas asked another question, narrowing his eyes at you. He knows you were probably hours of hours out here in the coldness, he just wanted your clarification.

»I heb gemocht a schlocht sach. Mei Kön'g is wüntend un' entäucht. Mei strefa i mu moch.«

Lukas raised a brow, needing a moment to translate Schurlisch—your native language—into his own. Hadn't it heard in a long while.

Your eyes going wide, realisation hitting you of what you just had spoke. Ripping your hands away from Lukas you gripped your hair—sinking your head down, curling more into your self—rocking forth and back and muttering, in a chanting repeat, apologies after another—all of them in pure old danish.

Aah, so that was the problem here. Lukas thought, pursuing his lips into a frown. Matthias had never liked it when you spoke in your own language—voiced his strong dislike and disgust about it and forbid you to ever speak such barbaric, inhuman words in his household ever again.

He pickes you up and saw, with the last remaining rays of the today's sinking sun, how blue your body had begun to colour itself.

Lukas brought you back inside, going into your private room—not the one you shared with Matthias—and laying you down on the bed. Covering you with much blankets as he could found, ordering one of your servants to bring some hot water and herbal tea.

Lukas had half a mind to go to Matthias and telling him off—wanting to know what right he had to punish you for something so trivial.

He didn't. Rather staying with you and ebbing your panic away.

July. 1545 - Kopenhagen, Denmark

How long has it been since you had been imprisoned down here? Chained to the walls with a steady change of cold water coming and going for a few hours—engulfing your body all the way towards your neck—and the warmth humid air which settles afterwards and leaving you in a mix of sweaty goosebumps and shivers.

Too long it seems as you have lost count of the hours and days. Without the sun, no chance of guessing.

You hummed an old tune, syllables hushing over your lips with ease, staining your hoarse voice even more—it was your only enjoyment.

It was entirely your fault and so you deserved to be in punishment—deserved this harsh treatment. A reminder not stand up against the higher ups—to bow and kneel obediently down at your King.

You shouldn't have disagreed with Matthias, your Husband—your only true King to serve—shouldn't have voiced an opinion of unnecessarily in matters at hands—insulting him with your humble, naively manner.

You—the destined husband to the great King—was a sole disappointment in existence.

Berwald and Tino stepping down the stairs to the cellar of imprisonment. They were worried about you, they all are, so they both decided to check up on you.

They know how cruel Matthias has been towards you over the past decades of centuries. Having been witness to such abuse more than often than they liked, though they—even if they wanted to—could never do something about it. Though Berwald coiled more than once with Matthias about the way he treats you—which ended mostly in a violent confrontation of fist- and sword fights.

»You think he will come with us?«

»The chance is slim, but perhaps he does.«

They both had decided to leave Matthias, had enough of his tyranny and wanting to get away. Be free.

Tino opened the heavy wooden door. A disturbing smell of everything unpleasant waved through their nose.

»[Name]«

Upon hearing Tino's soft voice, which sounded like a whisper in your blood rushed ears, you glanced at him and Berwald.

Visitors? At such......late hours? Why are your friends here? Had your punishment been lessened? No, no, that couldn't been.

»You shouldn't......shouldn't be here....« your voice cracked hoarsely with every word you attempted to say, haven't spoken in so long your voice was a mere rust now.

»Berwald and I talked, with Lukas and Emil too and we came to the decision that it's time for us to go. Away from here, from Matthias. We wanting to ask you if you want to join us,«

Tino, while explaining their idea of decision and conclusion, hoped that you would agree.

»The offer you gave I appreciate to its core Tino, but I humbly have to decline your offer. As I can not come with you.«

Tino visible deflated at your answer, nodding anyways and whispering; Why?

»Weil I ihn lieb, Tino. Er is mei ehemaa un' i bi seins. Mei Kön'g er is un i ewi'e loyalität hab schwor.«

»Still, if you ever feel like wanting to go away, into freedom, don't fret to come to us. We're always gonna welcome you with open arms.«

»Danke.«

10th of May. 1885 - Berlin, Prussia

Gilbert had become a great friend and alley of yours. You always enjoyed his company. He made you laugh with his jokes and silly faces. Tea time with him was pleasant to do, a tranquility and peace you haven't felt in so long.

You looked forward with delight to every diplomatic visit you had to do in Schurland—because that also means a visit to Berlin, where Gilbert is.

Schurland—its personification you are—was your country; an astray island of nation, located near Prussia—in between the sea of Stralsund and Sjælland—you originally had belonged to the Germans and Prussians, though with the conquer Denmark had done to you, you officially—for all its remaining history—you belong now to the Dane's.

The works in Schurland you would always finish eagerly in two days. Rest of the week you would spend with Gilbert.

Gilbert who treats you with respect and kindness, a contrast to how Matthias treats you. Gilbert you tells you with full encouragement and confidence, that he should reconquers you—freeing you from the evil clutches of Denmark—as you after all belonged to him or more like, you fit much better to Prussian Kingdom.

And you, who listen to Gilberts sincere honey coated words of hope, agreed to what he said. Deciding to make a decision on your own, for once.

Even when the thoughts—you so shamefully started to have, about a seeking freedom you never believed you so desperately wanted to feel—brought a jolt of jitter to your knees, bringing them down into a buckling—making your head dizzy—you did a mental grip onto your heart and will tell Matthias, with a confidence you begun to build up—thanks to Gilberts help—that you no longer wished to stay with him.

A divorce of independence or a sign over to Prussia is what you wanted.

But every hope comes with a price.

Today, your second last day of your visit—before you had to wait another whole month to visit again—was gonna be beautiful. Filling you with a thrilling joy.

With a full swing of happiness you waltzed through your room, singing Heinrich Heine's Lorelei with all your heart.

Gilbert was taking you out for dinner, a walk in the park before, then he would take you to the Opera—where a new releasing will be performed—Roderich will join the two of you.

Still waltzing through the room in slow steps, dressed in the nightgown—which still felt so astonishing soft, what did Gilbert said it was made out of? Wollseide? Yes, Wollseide. Prussians had such nice and pretty things, it makes you jealous.

Holding the suit, which Gilbert had brought you for this occasion, against your body—you dreamily looked at yourself in the mirror, ignoring for a moment your scarred skin and imperfections, to simply bask in this short bliss of endearing love you felt.

You had only closed your eyes for a moment of silence and in the next spinning seconds, someone grabbed your arm and spun you around in a flash.

#male reader #x male reader #anime #manga #fanfiction #malereader #oneshot #hetalia #nordic 5 #nordic 5 x male reader #hetalia x male reader

[jcmarchi]

Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 2 Begins Today With New Skins, Locations, Weapons, And More

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/fortnite-chapter-5-season-2-begins-today-with-new-skins-locations-weapons-and-more/

Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 2 Begins Today With New Skins, Locations, Weapons, And More

Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 2 has arrived. Dubbed “Myths & Mortals,” the latest season of Epic Games popular battle royale is themed around Greek mythology and its various gods and goddesses. As today marks the start of a new season (after the usual downtime, of course), there’s a new battle pass to earn and it features plenty of great skins. Plus, the new season introduces several new points of interest to visit, weapons to use, and more. 

Everything You Need To Know About Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 2

Somebody (it was us, the players) opened Pandora’s Box on the Fortnite Battle Royale Island, bringing Olympus and its heroic gods and goddesses to the fight. Olympian legends like the god of the underworld, Hades, and the god of thunder, Zeus, now rule the island with rage. 

You can get a glimpse of Hades, Zeus, and other battle pass skins, including Korra from The Legend of Zorra animated series, in the image below: 

New Locations

At Mount Olympus, the home of Zeus, you’ll always feel like you’re being watched by the massive Zeus monument that graces this mountain POI, according to Epic Games. 

To get to the Underworld, players will need to cross the river at Grim Gate, where the three-headed Cerberus guard dog awaits. Venture to the west of the island to confront this legendary foe. 

The Underworld is the home of Hades. Despite its flowing streams, Epic Games says the land of this city is almost completely dried up. 

Another location is the Brawler’s Battleground arena, south of Mount Olympus. It’s where Ares always welcomes an admirable foe – and speaking of Ares, this god is the Outfit of the April 2024 Crew Pack. 

New Weapons

The new Thunderbolt of Zeus allows players to rise into the air and hurl lightning bolts at enemies below. However, it only has a maximum of three charges with a cooldown between one. Pick up this Mythic power across the island or by defeating Zeus himself. 

The Gatekeeper Shotgun can quickly fire three aggressive rounds. It’s a shotgun best at short range. It can be found across the island or as a Mythic variant by defeating Cerberus. 

The Harbinger SMG is unforgiving and relentless, according to Epic Games. “Highly accurate when first shot, it has dramatically increased recoil and bloom as more bullets are fired,” a press release reads. “But that doesn’t stop it from going all out. Find regular versions across the island or the Mythic version from defeating Hades.” It’s the weapon Zeus is holding in the image at the top of this story. 

The Huntress DMR is a new rifle from Artemis, the goddess of the moonlit hunt. It’s apparently great against the gods on the island, Epic Games says. And it can be found around the island or as a Mythic version by hunting down Zeus. 

The Warforged Assault Rifle is the favorite of Ares. Described as powerful yet unruly, this assault rifle has high damage, a high rate of fire, and a strong recoil. It can be found across the island or as a Mythic variant by defeating Ares. 

The Wings of Icarus are this season’s mobility item. With it, you can soar through the skies and divebomb into your foes below. However, fly too long, and your wings will burn up – taking too much damage might lead to a crash landing. You can find this Mythic pick-up scattered around the island. 

And as a tease, Epic Games says another Olympian power – the Chains of Hades – “will pull you in later this Season.” 

Here are the weapons from Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 1 returning in Season 2: 

Hammer Pump Shotgun

Frenzy Auto Shotgun

Nemesis AR

Thunder Burst SMG

Reaper Sniper Rifle

Ranger Pistol

In terms of new weapon mods, there’s the Thermal Scope, which can be attached to any scoped weapon for a thermal view that can be toggled on and off, and the Speedgrip, which increases your movement speed while aiming. You can find these mods at Mod Benches, just like last season, which are in new Weapon Bunkers scattered around the map that open up throughout each match. 

New Battle Pass

Here are the skins you can expect: 

Cerberus (unlocked immediately)

Aphrodite

Poseidon

Medusa

Zeus

Artemis

Hades

Korra

You have until May 24, 2024, at 2 a.m. ET to complete this battle pass. 

Ranked Zero Build

“We’ve heard your feedback about longer queue times at the upper Zero Build ranks,” the press release reads. “To address this, we’re doing a test! The NA-East and NA-West matchmaking regions will route to the NA-Central matchmaking region for Ranked Zero Build. This is so that Ranked Zero Build players in North America will be up against a wider pool of players, which means shorter queue times. The results of this test will determine if this is a long-term solution.”

And that’s everything you need to know about Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 2 – Myths & Mortals. 

Are you excited for the new season? Let us know in the comments below!

#2024 #air #America #amp #ar #box #course #crash #dog #epic #Features #Fight #games #GATE #it #map #Mobility #movement #north america #olympus #One #Other #power #Queue #speed #Version #view #weapons

[charmainmccorkl]

These Are The Perfect Water Guns And Blasters (They’re Not Just For Teenagers)

You'll be able to add cups, shelves and hooks to this area and keep them off of your workspace (desk or table), making them unimaginable to lose. If you happen to personal a scoring board, it's best to personal a bone folder. For those who have tried to fold a thick piece of paper and it came out uneven, the bone folder can make it easier to create clear folds all through your undertaking. What is it called? The superior tape glider does have slightly little bit of a studying curve once you first use it. However, as soon as you've mastered the technique of getting the tape to adhere to one aspect of your project, it can save you some huge cash on adhesives when you employ it. Tacky glue is a thicker glue that coats much better than your common college-model glue. Additionally, as long as you apply it evenly, you hardly ever get the raising and bumping that average glue will deliver each time.

Fourteen of the calls were domestic disturbances. Ten others began as robberies. The remaining circumstances vary from patrolling neighborhoods to serving arrest warrants to making visitors stops. Of the people killed, 50 have been white men. The oldest particular person killed was Robert Patrick Quinn, 77, who was fatally shot in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as he rode his motorized scooter outside an condo complex whereas waving a sensible-wanting pellet Orbi Gun. Half of the shootings occurred at night. In virtually each case, police said the victims did not adjust to an officer’s orders. In 60 circumstances, police said they pointed guns at officers. Among the many lifeless are Ernesto Flores, a mentally distraught 52-year-previous man who after a standoff with police in April 2015 stepped out of a pink stucco residence in Montclair, California, holding a BB gun. Police opened fire, killing Flores in front of his household. One of only five girls killed by police was 17-yr-outdated Shelly Haendiges, who was shot in Kokomo, Indiana, after police responded to a robbery name and found her pointing a pellet gun at a store clerk.

Crouching behind dumpsters and parked automobiles, police ordered him to drop the gun, in keeping with police. "Drop it now, or you will be shot! After 24 minutes, Dentmond leveled what appeared to officers like an assault-kind rifle and started strolling. Nine officers opened fire and didn’t cease until the gun fell from his hand. He died at a hospital. After the taking pictures, police saw Dentmond’s weapon had broken in two, in response to a state report. When choosing up the items, an officer noticed that their weight "did not really feel right" and so they appeared to be plastic. Officers didn't learn till the next morning that Dentmond’s gun was a toy, an Airsoft rifle with the orange tip removed. "Some of them broke down in tears," Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell mentioned. "It’s not a high-5 scenario. Grant McDougall, the psychotherapist who evaluated the deputies after the taking pictures, said they all wished that they may return and alter the result.

On a warm September evening in Columbus, Ohio, panicked witnesses referred to as police to report that a group of boys had robbed a man at gunpoint and fled right into a maze of alleys and fences on the city’s east facet. In the fading gentle, Officer Bryan Mason cornered two of the boys in an alley, the place, in line with police, 13-year-old Tyre King pulled a gun from his waistband. Mason fired three rounds, hanging the teen in the pinnacle, chest and torso. The black gun police recovered at the scene regarded like their own division-issued, polymer-framed Smith & Wesson Military and Police semiautomatic pistol. It even had a laser sight. But police would quickly be taught that King’s weapon was a BB gun - a facsimile of the gun Mason used to shoot and kill the teen. At a information convention the next day, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs waved a stock photograph of the BB gun.

There isn't a better solution to cheer up your yard than with the sound of singing birds. A technique to attract these great creatures is to construct a chook feeder. Fortunately, making them is simple -- with a couple of easy supplies, and a little bit bit of endurance, you possibly can learn to make bird feeders. Soon, birds might be singing to you all day lengthy. Whether you enjoy bird-watching or simply need to draw some feathered friends to your yard, you will surely discover an efficient and simple-to-make chook feeder in this article. Feed the few that stay with this bird feeder. Many individuals put out feeders filled with seeds, however you possibly can attract a wider variety of birds with this hen feeder. Attract birds to your bushes with this luxurious fowl condominium. Bird feeders entice many birds to your yard, however water will attract even more -- learn how to do each with this hen feeder. Breakfast is a very powerful meal of the day for birds too.

New York's attorney general last week sent stop-and-desist letters to Amazon, Wal-Mart, Sears and different retailers who promote toy guns lacking an orange stripe along the gun's barrel, which New York law requires. The orange tip has a poor track document. A federally funded experiment in 1989 confronted police officers from the Montgomery, Fairfax and Prince William county departments with actors holding toy guns with the orange plug; 96 p.c of officers fired on the toy guns. The orange tip "fully did not enable the check subjects to determine the weapon as a toy," the examine concluded. Parental and political pressure have pushed BB guns out of the toy retailer and into the back of sporting-items outlets. "We’re not promoting toys," Murfin says. Starting in the 1970s, "toy guns misplaced their popularity, and so did Westerns," Murfin says. Major retailers, feeling the heat from parents, backed away from the merchandise.

[thetoxicgamer]

League of Legends Patch Notes – 13.7 Update Nerfs Meta Junglers, Phew

As we approach MSI there’s a new round of League of Legends patch notes to sink our teeth into – literally, as the MOBA‘s beloved Cats vs Dogs skinline has made a comeback post-April 1. If you pick up the Nidalee skin you’ll probably get the chance to make good use of it, as meta junglers Lee Sin, Sejuani, and Vi are taking the nerf hammer to the face in 13.7. Lee Sin, Sejuani, and Vi all get nerfed I’d be a liar if I said writing that didn’t give me an awful sense of satisfaction. All three junglers have dominated the meta – especially in pro play – and as a result are getting taken down a few pegs ahead of MSI. Lee Sin’s base attack damage and armour have been knocked down by a couple of points each, and Vi has been shifted towards AD to negate her building tank items but dealing out huge amounts of damage. Sejuani’s Arctic Assault (Q) and Glacial Prison (R) now also have longer cooldowns, and her passive’s damage cap has been decreased to stop her easily beating up epic monsters like drakes and the Baron. League of Legends patch notes – 13.7 update Below are the champion changes from League of Legends patch 13.7, as well as a list of any upcoming skins and chromas. Champion Adjustments Kha’Zix Q – Taste Their Fear - Isolation Range: 425 ⇒ 375 W – Void Spike - Evolved Slow: 60% ⇒ 40% - Evolved Slow Against Isolated Targets: 90% ⇒ 75% R – Void Assault - Buff Duration: 10 seconds ⇒ 12 seconds Thresh Q – Death Sentence - Cooldown Refunded On Hit: 3 seconds ⇒ 2 seconds Champion Buffs Alistar Base Stats - Base Armor: 44 ⇒ 47 - Base Health: 670 ⇒ 685 Azir Base Stats - Base Armor: 19 ⇒ 22 - Attack Speed Growth: 5% ⇒ 6% Passive – Shurima’s Legacy - Duration: 30 seconds ⇒ 45 seconds - Cast Range: 500 ⇒ 700 Q – Conquering Sands - Mana Cost: 65/70/75/80/85 ⇒ 70/80/90/100/110 - Stab Range: 370 ⇒ 325 W – Arise! - Magic Damage: 0−110 (based on level) (+50/60/70/80/90) (+55% AP) ⇒ 0−92 (based on level) (+50/67/84/101/118) (+55% AP- (Note: Assuming W max, this is a damage per hit buff that scales from +0 to +10 by level 11 and then stays there). - Mana Cost: 40 at all ranks ⇒ 40/35/30/25/20 Miscellaneous - Recommended Skill Order: The game will now recommend maxing W first. Graves Passive – New Destiny - Critical Strike Bonus Per Pellet: 20% ⇒ 30% R – Collateral Damage - Cooldown: 120/90/60 seconds ⇒ 100/80/60 seconds Kalista Base Stats - Attack Damage Growth: 3.5 ⇒ 3.75 Passive – Oathsworn Bond - Oathsworn Ceremony Duration: 12 seconds ⇒ 8 seconds (Note: This begins when Kalista activates her Black Speak.) - Ride Together, Channel Together: Kalista is now forced to channel on the Black Spear while her Oathsworn is reviving Katarina Passive – Voracity - Sinister Steel Dagger Magic Damage: 68−240 (based on level) (+ 60% bonus AD) (+65/75/85/95% (levels 1/6/11/16) AP) ⇒ 68−240 (based on level) (+ 60% bonus AD) (+70/80/90/100% (levels 1/6/11/16) AP) R – Death Lotus - Physical Damage per Dagger: 18% (+30% per 100% bonus AS) bonus AD ⇒ 16% (+50% per 100% bonus AS) bonus AD Yasuo Passive – Way of the Wanderer - Shield Amount: 100/105/110/115/120/130/140/150/160/170/180/200/220/250/290/350/410/475 ⇒ 100/105/110/115/125/135/145/160/175/195/220/250/275/325/375/425/500/575 E – Sweeping Blade - Damage Increase per Stack: 25% of E’s base damage ⇒ 15-25% of E’s total damage (scales linearly, levels 1-18) - Maximum Stack Amount: 2 ⇒ 4 Champion Nerfs Annie E – Molten Shield - Cooldown: 12/11/10/9/8 seconds ⇒ 12/11.5/11/10.5/10 seconds - Shield Amount: 60/100/140/180/220 (+40% AP) ⇒ 60/95/130/165/200 (+40% AP) Lee Sin Base Stats - Base Attack Damage: 68 ⇒ 66 - Base Armor: 36 ⇒ 34 Olaf Passive – Berserker’s Rage - Attack Speed: 60-100% (based on level) ⇒ 50-100% (based on level) Q – Undertow - Physical Damage: 70/120/170/220/270 (+100% bonus AD) ⇒ 65/115/165/215/265 (+100% bonus AD) Rammus W – Defensive Ball Curl - Bonus Armour: 35 (+40/55/70/85/100% total armour) ⇒ 35 (+40/50/60/70/80% total armour) Sejuani Passive – Fury of the North - Damage Cap against Epic Monsters: 300 ⇒ 250 Q – Arctic Assault - Cooldown: 18/16.5/15/13.5/12 seconds ⇒ 19/17.5/16/14.5/13 seconds R – Glacial Prison - Cooldown: 120/100/80 seconds ⇒ 130/110/90 seconds Veigar Q – Baleful Strike - AP Ratio: 60% at all ranks ⇒ 45/50/55/60/65% W – Dark Matter - AP Ratio: 100% at all ranks ⇒ 70/80/90/100/110% E – Event Horizon - Sneaky Stuns: Veigar can no longer hide his E VFX from enemies by placing it inside certain walls. R – Primordial Burst - AP Ratio: 75% at all ranks ⇒ 65/70/75% Vi Q – Vault Breaker - Minimum Physical Damage: 55/80/105/130/155 (+70% bonus AD) ⇒ 45/70/95/120/145 (+80% bonus AD) - Maximum Physical Damage: 110/160/210/260/310 (+140% bonus AD) ⇒ 90/140/190/240/290 (+160% bonus AD) E – Relentless Force - Physical Damage: 10/30/50/70/90 (+110% AD) (+90% AP) ⇒ 5/20/35/50/65 (+120% AD) (+100% AP) Wukong Base Stats - Attack Damage: 68 ⇒ 66 W – Warrior Trickster - Cooldown: 22/19.5/17/14.5/12 seconds ⇒ 22/20/18/16/14 seconds E – Nimbus Strike - Bonus Attack Speed: 40/45/50/55/60% ⇒ 35/40/45/50/55% Zeri Base Stats - Health Growth: 115 ⇒ 100 Passive – Living Battery - Shield Absorption: 60% of damage dealt ⇒ 45% of damage dealt R – Lightning Crash - Magic Damage: 175/275/375 (+100% bonus AD) (+110% AP) ⇒ 175/275/375 (+85% bonus AD) (+110% AP) League of Legends patch 13.7 skins The following skins and chromas will be released this patch: - Kibble-Head Kled - Kittalee - Shiba Yuumi - Woof and Lamb Kindred The full patch notes can be found on the League of Legends website, but they’re quite long so get ready to read. While the Cat vs Dog skins aren’t for me – thankfully I won’t need to check how much I’ve spent on League of Legends this month – those jungle changes (especially the Lee Sin ones) absolutely are. Hopefully it knocks some of the more meta junglers down the League of Legends tier list a bit, and lets some new faces rise to the top – specifically Evelynn. I like Evelynn. Read the full article

[tmisaccidentreportbook]

MAG014, Piecemeal

Case #0112905, Lee Rentoul Release date: April 25, 2016 First listen: 15th October. Had started the morning feed route.

Oh boysies. Oh dear, it’s this one. This one that, by right, ought to be ‘chocker’ with swears. But we thank Mr Alexander Newall, both for the enthusiastic use of ‘chocker’ and also for having the nouse to see when the vessel of artistic integrity and expression is gonna wreck spectacularly on the rocks of the iTunes explicit tag. But yeah… ooh boy this one gave me both the heebies and the jeebies.

Both with the topic, I’ve always been a bit of a wuss with gore if it isn’t actually happening live in front of me, and the statement giver himself. Don’t be too alarmed by the ‘gore live in front of me’ thing, I work in animal husbandry, I’ve seen injuries and predations.  

- ‘Not a confession’. Between this statement and Trevor’s in MAG010, I wonder just how many statements implement their writers in a crime. Going by the numbers, so far we’ve got 1 in 7 statements involving a murder committed by the statement giver, before we get into anything else. What the sort of legality action or confidentiality clauses does the Institute operate under? Y’know, in a world where the Institute actually did what they advertised and investigated all this instead of it getting tucked away into The Eye’s pantry.

- OK, so maybe I was a little harsh, as the Institute does appear to be helping people if Mr Rentoul’s here on a recommendation from his friend Hester. Infrasound is something I think known to the horror genre, another invisible force the average person, myself included, has limited understanding of. A 1998 a paper called ‘Ghosts in the Machine’, explored how frequencies close to the resonant frequency of the eye, given as 18 Hz, can make you hella anxious and make you see weird shit.

- Also made me think of the Dyatlov Pass incident and that one hypothesis for the death of the group was the wind moving around the Holatchahl mountain created a frequency that endured panic. I think the current more favoured theory is that of an avalanche.

- ‘I need you to tell me it’s fine.’ For all Mr Rentoul’s viciousness and bravado, he sounds like a scared child in this moment.

- ‘I had plenty of time to arrange something nasty for him, and I wanted him hurt more than I felt I had to do the deed myself.’ And that’s what a nasty temperament and 5 years of dwelling time will get you. There are a number of points in his statement where I think Mr Rentoul shows a bit of his true nature and I think he could quiet easily have found himself aligned with either The Hunt or The Slaughter. While they are fundamentally different beasts, I’m not 100% sure which suits him better. He’s planning and strategy to him that suggests The Hunt, but he has moments of vicious violence that feel neither thought through nor a purely animal reaction. Like his method is The Hunt and his execution is The Slaughter? If I had to pick though, I’d say The Hunt.

- ‘Some grim side street in Lewisham of all places’, and that’s the neck of the woods I was camped out in while volunteering at London 2012… Admittedly, I was in army barracks.

- ‘Going to have to think outside the box a bit.’ Ooof, word choice my dude.

- Describing Toby McMullen as a ‘waste of skin’. Again, choice of phrasing, yikes.

- ‘If he fingered me for the assault’. And again!?

- ‘Old lady in a lilac dressing gown’. It’s the old, unassuming ones you need to watch. You know how camouflage works. Also, if they’re old, that means they’ve lasted. They’ve learned. They’ve adapted. They’ve gone unsuspected. I love the trope of the ‘unassuming little lady is a hardened killer’.

- ‘She asked it very matter-of-factly, like it was a question on some form she knew the answer to but had to fill it in anyway.’ She’s a professional, darling.

- ‘a warm smile that suited her round face’. What she does is terrifying, but I love Angela so much.

- ‘a look that I recognised from years of working with very unpleasant people’. Mr Rentoul, if you’re close enough to now see it, you’re too close for safety.

- ‘I know dangerous, I understand dangerous, hell, I am dangerous.’ I feel this is a little bit of alpha posturing, or maybe him trying to reassure himself.

- The idea that the item had to be something taken, rather than something gifted is a nice touch to highlight, the magic is after all, not in the habit of asking nicely and will just take what it sees fit.

- ‘Wait until she was finished.’ I’m not sure what it is about Angela, but there’s something insectoid about her. I feel like there could be a connection made with The Web. The way she works out of a little suburban home, her jigsaws framed on the walls. Puts me in mind of a labyrinth spider, waiting for her pray to come to her. Benefiting from not one but two victims are Mr Rentoul’s impatience proved to be his undoing. Or predatory ants that will dismember anything they come across while it is still alive.

- ‘The waiting came hard.’ Mate, 3 weeks is nothing in the face of your 5 years. Find some chill.

- ‘Still as cocksure as ever.’ There’s something I’ve seen in predatory social animals, and this is anecdotal, but I’m aware of cases where dominant animals have hid all signs of injury and ill health from they care givers and also other animals in their group so as not to lose standing. Typically goes this way until the body can no longer sustain it at which point all pretences are dropped and they decline rapidly. I wonder if there was a little bit of that with Noriega, if he was doing his best to project assuredness and swagger when in reality, it was eating away at him.

- Our first mention of Salesa! Our other big boy man. Our other boat dad, the sunny one.

- ‘That snake.’ I resent that, giving snakes a bad name. A lot of snake bites happened when the animals are scared and frightened. I mean, so many species have behaviours that broadcast ‘you don’t wanna fuck with me’, king cobras and rattlesnakes and the like. Just stay the fuck outta their way and you’ll be fine. And maybe avoid Australia.

- ‘Limping slightly.’ See, you’ve got to start small. And ideally in a way that makes it harder for the target to escape. I mean, Noriega was never going to out run Angela and her work, but letting know that he couldn’t, well, that’s its’ own little flourish.

- ‘The memory of that look of panicked terror will stay with me.’ Delighting in his terror in this way does lead me to believe that Mr Rentoul have had potential as a vessel for either The Hunt or The Slaughter.

- Oh and the sound scaping during the murder scene, the three stabbing reflected in the background noise.

- So lets count what Noriega’s lost in the 3 weeks or so since Angela began her work; an eye, several fingers, teeth, and there’s something wrong with his foot or leg that means he’d walked with a limp.

- ‘LEE RENTOUL, FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.’ For consideration of what exactly? That you done fucked around and now you about to find out?

- I am grateful that Jonny doesn’t describe each and every lose. Or at least broke it up a bit and didn’t give it all to us in on go. But, in many ways, the imagination being allowed to run wild makes is so much worse.

- ‘...chewed (the hand) off’, like a fox caught in a snare.

- ‘No sign can be found of him in police records, or indeed anywhere else.’ Even though the curse shifted, it looks like Noriega was fully removed and broken down, even after death.

- ‘I sent Martin to look into this ‘Angela’ character – not that I want him to get chopped up, of course, but someone had to.’ RUDE! Archivist, that’s very rude!

- ‘… had some very pleasant chats about jigsaws.’ Because he is a good, polite boy who deserves better, especially from you.

- ‘Useless ass.’ Rude! You will come to treasure that ass.

- Can you tell I’m protective of Martin yet…

- ‘Mr. Rentoul vanished in early April of 2011’. Wait! Wait, wait, wait, hold up. We need to go over the timeline here. The statement was given 29th May 2011, some two weeks after the curse shifted target from Noriega to Rentoul. Over those two weeks, Rentoul describes how, yes removed all the furniture from the flat, but that he was still in the flat when he lost parts and indeed that’s where the boxes kept coming to. Also, he was hospitalised after this statement, so he couldn’t have vanished in April 2011. He may have stopped paying rent, but he didn’t vanish until sometime after the 29th May 2011. Jonny, has something gone skewwhiff?

Supplemental: So I looked up labyrinth spiders and the scientific name is Agelena labyrinthica… Not quiet ‘Angela’ but near enough to have me shook.

#MAG014 #the magnus archives #The Flesh

[irvinenewshq]

The suspect in a collection of central California killings was out looking when he was arrested police say

CNN  —  Authorities in central California on Saturday arrested a person in reference to a collection of killings that claimed the lives of six folks. The suspect, Wesley Brownlee, 43, was being adopted by a police surveillance workforce who decided round 2 a.m. on Saturday he was “out looking” and “on a mission to kill,” Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden mentioned in a information convention. “His patterns have been in line with a few of the patterns that we’ve seen,” McFadden mentioned. “(He was) round parks, round darkish locations, stopping, trying round, shifting once more. And at that time, we thought, for the protection of the general public, it was finest to take this particular person in.” Brownlee was sporting darkish clothes, had a masks round his neck, and had a firearm when he was taken into custody, the police chief mentioned. “We’re positive we stopped one other killing,” the police chief mentioned. The suspect has a felony historical past, McFadden mentioned, however added he was not sure of the extent of what historical past or with which businesses. The police chief didn’t share a motive within the killings. Stockton police beforehand mentioned they consider 5 homicides within the metropolis between July 8 and September 27 have been associated. All 5 victims have been alone and have been shot both within the night or early morning hours, authorities have mentioned. 4 of the victims have been Hispanic males starting from 21 to 54 years outdated and the fifth was a 35-year-old White man. And two predawn shootings from 2021 have been additionally tied to the string of assaults, police mentioned earlier this month: a deadly April 10, 2021, taking pictures of a 40-year-old Hispanic man in Oakland and an April 16, 2021, taking pictures in Stockton of a 46-year-old Black girl who survived. What we all know in regards to the killings Authorities introduced final week the reward for info resulting in an arrest was raised to $115,000. Suggestions from the group helped police catch the suspect, officers mentioned in Saturday’s information convention. “To the group, thanks for the whole lot that you simply’ve finished. Thanks for stepping up, thanks for exercising your voice, thanks for submitting the a whole bunch of ideas which have are available every day,” Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln mentioned. “This might not have been finished, and right now wouldn’t have been doable with out you,” the mayor added. San Joaquin County District Lawyer Tori Verber Salazar mentioned deputy district attorneys are presently reviewing proof “as we communicate” and are working to find out the fees the workplace will pursue. Brownlee was being held within the county jail with out bail, based on jail information from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Workplace. The suspect might be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, Salazar mentioned. There might be one other information convention afterward, the place officers will announce the fees, the district lawyer added. Originally published at Irvine News HQ

#Irvine News HQ

[ultrajaphunter]

Victor Shayga Russian Volunteer in Ukraine Part 1.

Dmitri @Dmitri · 5h · edited: 55m Source: https://victor-shyaga.livejournal.com/ Translated by @mdmitri91 My name is Viktor. 

On day 12 of the special military operation in Ukraine (my opinion is that, in essence, it’s a huge, bloody, large-scale war; yes, officially the war has not been declared, but in reality, in the generally accepted meaning of this word - it’s a real war…), 

after seeing for the first time on YouTube a video of our (Russian) captives and wounded being abused by these inhumans from Ukrainian armed forces, 

I made a decision to join the army as a contractor to help our army in this war. I myself grew up and am registered in Belgorod Oblast. I applied for a contract at the regional selection point in Belgorod Oblast. 

I passed the full medical commission. On 3 April I arrived at the 3rd Motorised Rifle Vislenskaya Red Banner Division, orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov - into the 752th motorised regiment (unit 34670) to a position of a rifleman/assistant grenade launcher. 

I signed a contract for half a year. 

Before that I served my conscription service in Dzerzhinskiy Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) division in a separate commandant battalion. During the conscription service, I have been to shooting practices four times, where each time I fired 6 rounds. 

Since school, when in the 10th grade we went to military training camps for two weeks, I was amazed, perplexed and surprised - why is it so?! 

Why are we only allowed to fire 6 rounds? Indeed, in order to ‘feel’ the assault rifle you need at least 15 rounds in a magazine, so the person could shoot 2-4 single rounds and then try bursts of 4-5 rounds. 

Yet to do it properly, of course everyone needs a whole magazine - 30 rounds! 

My opinion is that the target shooting with 6 rounds which is en-masse used in Russians army and MIA - is just a mockery of military training!!! In the order by the commander of the Western military district regarding sending me into a unit it was indicated that I was meant to be sent to accelerated survival training courses. 

They were meant to last two weeks. Also, my contract selection instructor at the regional selection point was saying they would ‘teach me up a little bit, teach how to fire from everything - from a grenade launcher, machine gun, sniper rifle’. 

In reality - this all turned out to be a lie. 

None of us (22 people) were taught anything. 

We were not even allowed to try our weapons. 

On 6 April we were already meant to be sent to Ukraine to Izyum town, but the dispatch was delayed twice, and in the end we left to Ukraine on 9 April in the morning. Regarding my military preparation - 

I knew that it was best (in my opinion) to fire from an assault rifle with single rounds. 

But I couldn’t even remember how to set single or burst fire mode - with the lower position of the latch, or the higher. 

So when I received my assault rifle in the afternoon of 6 April, being sure that on the 7th we could already end up in Ukraine, 

I asked the duty officer who was issuing assault rifles to us - ‘where is the single fire mode?’. 

This is the training that I’ve had. I also took two offensive grenades. 

I took the offensive ones since I knew such grenade is the safest to use - the fragments only scatter for 25 meters.

 I knew about this since my conscription service in the army. 

I never threw a grenade, so I asked those who did how to use it the right way - how to twist out the fuse, how to bend the ‘antennae’ and pull out the pin. 

We’ve had people with combat experience, who fought in the 2nd Chechen War, but also those who simply were combat veterans and served on a contract or simply those who served on a contract. 

These people obviously were 10 times more prepared than me. Looking ahead I will say that during mortar or artillery shelling your training level is not important - you can be a professional spetsnaz with 20 years of experience and die instantly from mortar fire, and you can be inexperienced novice and survive in dozens and hundreds of artillery barrages. 

This is a matter of luck, how God decides… 

The only thing is that if you are being shelled with GRAD or cannon artillery, if you see a fresh crater that just appeared, it’s better to jump into it as the missile shouldn’t hit it the second time. Our equipment was not the best - we were not given sleeping bags or ammo pouches. 

Upon arriving on 9 April to a livestock farm located not far north of Izyum, we slept there overnight. 

At night a precision mortar attack (two bombs) hit the BTR belonging to a logistics company which was based on this farm. 

The BTR was struck. 

That’s how I first learned what a bomb is. 

It was scary and generally unsettling. In the morning, our regiment’s zampolit* arrived. 

He said ‘we are going to Satan’s ass, so those who want can refuse right here at the farm, since later he won’t be taking anyone back if someone wanted to return. 

One man refused - praporshik* Vasiliy from Moscow. Everyone else went. It should be noted that we were all put into infantry, despite the fact that two were meant to be in reconnaissance. 

One of them was a sergeant, an observation method specialist for various sensors, cameras. T

here was also a senior praporshik (43 years old, Vladimir), who was supposed to be a starshina* of some sort of semi-rear company. Yet everyone was shoved in to be riflemen and machine gunners, and also grenade launchers at the frontline in motorised companies. 

Thus, on 10 April, myself and 4 more people ended up in the first company of the 752th regiment located on the defence in shrubbery at altitude 200 to the south of Kamenka village. 

Commanding the company was Sr. Lieutenant Guzaev. A real officer and a very good person… 

Kind and humane… In the company (if it can be called a company) there were 8 people together with company’s starshina who never went into assaults. After we joined, the company consisted of 13 people. We specifically were not shelled. 

Ukrainian bombs and GRADs flew into our artillery which positioned 1 kilometer away from us. 

They also hit the 2nd company which was bigger than ours and more combat-ready. 

It located to the left, also in shrubbery around 300 meters away from us. 

They often fired at Ukrainian UAVs (drones) from assault rifles and certainly took down two. 

Our company commander forbid us from firing at UAVs saying that we won’t be able to take them down anyway and will only expose ourselves. 

In my opinion, of course we could be taking them down with small arms. 

Although obviously, the likelihood was very small. We spent a week in this shrubbery. 

Overall, we got to know each other. We got comfortable with each other. 

There was already mutual assistance and respect. Once I even fired single rounds at another shrub which stood perpendicularly to us. 

A week prior to that, positions of our company were attacked through this shrubbery (we, contractors-volunteers were not there yet at that point) by Ukrainian VDV company.

 Around 100-120 people. 

They were utterly defeated. As I understand, one part retreated and took with them almost all wounded. Around 40-50 dead bodies remained in that forest. Only one was wounded, in the buttock. 

He was delivered to division headquarters. No one abused or beat him. A week later, Ukrainian reconnaissance carefully entered the shrubbery during the day, perhaps to get something from the dead (radios, documents, tags, or perhaps just observe and make sure). 

I don’t know. But the 2nd company noticed the movement and immediately prepared for firing.

The guy next to me said he could see two people in the shrub.

I clarified with him the place where he saw them and immediately started firing with single rounds into that spot, and then just generally firing at the shrub. 

I fired around 14 rounds. 

Looking ahead I will say it was my only use of weapons in almost a month of stay in Ukraine. On 18 April we left the forest and went to Kamenka. The next day an attack of Dolgen’koye village was planned. 

They didn’t let us properly sleep and rest, since late at night we moved closer towards the attack location. 

We slept over in a destroyed school. 

Thank God I got enough sleep, paradoxical it may seem. 

In the morning in Brazhovka village our company received 13 more volunteers. 

They just arrived from Russia. 

To be honest, I was stunned by this - how is it possible?! 

The people are immediately sent into an attack?! One moment was indicative - our starshina (who never went into attacks himself) gave one of the PKM machine guns to one guy. 

I asked the guy - ‘did the round go in to the barrel?’. 

I personally did not know how to insert the machine gun belt in. 

I just knew how to take it off the safety and shoot. 

The guy said he had no idea and that they told him in his unit (in Valuyki) that he would be a driver. 

I called our starshina. 

He tried to send the round into the barrel but failed. The machine gun jammed. 

Then our senior praporshik came, who fought in Chechnya. 

It took him two minutes to load the machine gun. 

He did it. 

That’s how this attack was prepared.

End of Part 1.

*zampolit = Political Officer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_commissar)

*starshina = First Sergeant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starshina)

*praporshik = Ensign (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praporshchik)

[spadeclass72]

Remember Your First Nyc Tlc Lesson? I've Acquired Some Information...

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On April 28, 1995, Albert Petrosky walked into an Albertson’s grocery retailer in suburban Denver, Colorado, and gunned down his estranged spouse and the store supervisor. In the summer of 1995, Canadian officials in British Columbia discovered a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition, and sufficient explosives to fill a 5-ton truck at a distant site. Petrosky, who was recognized to his buddies as “50-cal Al,” fired all four weapons, including the 50 caliber rifle, during his murderous rampage. When this occurs, the injured get together may come after your property - together with your savings and residence - to recuperate the rest. In February of 2004, Donin Wright of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, lured police officers, paramedics, and firefighters to his home where he shot at them with a number of guns including a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle. The protest organizers mentioned protesters had been "horse-trampled" on Friday, which police deny. The influence was enormous, and it smashed the physique of the automotive. The rifle was represented by the gang as highly effective sufficient to destroy an armored automobile or shoot down a Phoenix Police helicopter. When police executed a search warrant on Thomas’ SUV, they discovered 38 weapons including 50 caliber sniper rifles, assault weapons, and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

The indictment alleged that the defendants supposed to provide the FARC members with weapons, together with 50 50 caliber rifles and two helicopters. In January of 2006, a grand jury in Florida indicted ten foreign nationals on expenses of attempting to provide materials support to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a designated foreign terrorist organization. In June of 2006, Anthony Troianello was arrested in Binghamton, New York on unlawful weapons expenses. The NYC TLC is the agency accountable for licensing and regulating New York City's Yellow taxi cabs and different for-hire vehicles. How does the calculation of taxi costs in New York City work? In March 2021, his administration put ahead a proposal in which the city would set up a $65 million fund to offer cabbies with $20,000 loans that they could use as leverage with the banks, plus up to a different $9,000 in relief. The resolution on where you ought to put your work area can have a lasting influence to your enterprise. Heading to Occasions Sq space?

Face masks are to be WORN At all times whereas at the airport. As an increasing number of members of the campus group use ride-sharing providers, it is important to take the necessary precautions to secure while traveling in and round campus. 25' into a transformer vault below grade and enduring objects being thrown, flash bangs detonating around you, pepper grenade smoke choking out your skill to breathe or see, all while carrying your body armor and making a technical rope rescue in just below quarter-hour. As you can see, you’re more likely to be delayed if you’re flying into LaGuardia or Newark. Once taxi nyc to jfk price ’re at baggage declare you wish to look for indicators for the AirTrain. And it’s Ok. You’re at a bar with your pals and a cute man seems your manner, and you think to your self, “Guess I still bought it.” And, I’d argue that most guys suck, so flirting with another person solely makes you understand what a nice catch you already have. He still has a right to have a gun.

#taxi nyc to jfk price

[mykeyung]

5 Rounds of April by Myke Y.U.N.G.

It started out as a challenge

To get me writing more than

Every so often, to celebrate

National poetry month and

To be more versatile with

My writing and get out of  

My comfort zone of love

Poems and poems of other

People to wider topics like

Goblins and tomatoes, the

Lessons animal crackers can

Teach you, and a supervillain’s

Struggle, but over the years

This challenge has become a

Annual benchmark of myself

As a writer and reminds me

To not only keep the focus on

My words, but also to find ways

To find my voice in writing and

Figure out strategies to overcome

My weaknesses and amplify my

Strengths which are always a  

Work in progress as well as take

On poems that tested my limits  

In creativity, wordplay, and mental

Fortitude, but in the end, it has made  

Me a better writer. There were also

Poems that allow me to create unique

Characters like midnight fox and psychic

Fly, poems to deal with stress like mental

Rain and therapy, poems to tell essential

Messages in unusual ways like cat mermaid

Identity crisis and a typical day with crayon

Animals and poems that reveal different sides  

Of me like volcanic soul and split personality, but  

One thing that never changes each year is how

Grateful I am for the people who follow, read, and

Like these poems I write which always remind me the

Real reason I’m writing for and hope that April assault

Will return next year with a stronger and reinvigorated

Me ready to spread poetic joy to all who come to my blog

#poetry #all out april assault round 5 #5 years of all out april assault #progres #gratefulness

[mylittlemenandme]

MORE-KAI

I managed to completely forget February. I aim to post at the end of the month and it caught me out.

Not to worry, as it hadn’t been a particularly productive hobby month. I made up for it in March though.

Firstly, following on from January, I rounded off my Assault Intercessors and gave my Phobos Rune Priest a snazzy looking frost sword.

Then I got to building.

The Hounds of Morkai were last seen ready to be primed, and primed they have been.

I’ve built the Reiver Lieutenant ready to be primed as well. The idea was for him to be a Hound too, so I’ll paint him alongside the pack when he’s ready.

The Incursors have now been wolfed-up and are ready to be primed as well, but the turn in the weather beat me to getting any spraying done.

I had started to put together a pack of Eliminators with las-fusils a while back, as one of the things I felt the army needed was a bit of anti-armour punch. Somehow, their progress got overtaken by two packs of sniper Eliminators - a mix of the box models and the Shadowspear ones. I converted the Shadowspear sergeant to have a bionic arm as I didn't want to end up with two binocular users. Now all nine of them are built and waiting to be wolfed-up prior to priming.

The Reivers haven’t changed a lot since they last appeared here - some of the arms have been swapped around, a couple of extra bits here and there. They are just a couple more wolfy details away from being ready to prime now.

They’ve all been joined by a brand new addition. I mentioned previously that I felt my army was lacking some manoeuvrability, so when a community member was selling a pair of ATVs I snapped them up. I know the models aren’t everyone’s bag, but I like them. In game it’s a handy 14” move, T5, 8 wounds, and for only 80 points for a decent anti-infantry option (or 5 points more for a tank-busting multi-melta). One was already primed black, so I went over that with Grey Seer, ready for Contrast.

I also built and primed a las-talon Firestrike turret! This slipped completely under the radar, another anti-tank option. I had a Tarantula gun platform from Space Crusade in my old Space Wolves army, and this reminds me so much of that.

And finally, finally, I promised myself a unit of Tree-Revenants for my Sylvaneth, and they are built and primed ready to be painted (hopefully) for the community meet at the end of April.

And I got a game in as well! My first time throwing down 2000 points of Space Wolves since 2nd edition, against a rag-tag alliance of Aeldari and Chaos Marines. The result was a points victory for the Space Wolves although the game had to be called to a conclusion prematurely for time reasons. Victory was mostly assured thanks to having Infiltrators deploy forward onto objectives and scoring them from early on. Other than that it was the usual suspects - lack of speed, auto bolt rifles doing work, failing 9” charges from reserves (Ragnar Blackmane this time, of all people).

I think when these newly built units get painted up, the army will have a very different look as I try out new things. The next issue then is going to be finding a bigger case to fit them all in.

I also accidentally gave myself a goal for April when I was coming up with pun names for community projects. I think I might have to try and go along with it, see if I can complete it before the meet-up in just over 3 weeks - it’ll be a push for sure.

Am I ready for Alaprilelle?

#hobby2022 #sylvaneth #space wolves #wh40k #ageofsigmar #warhammer

[pub-lius]

The 1775 Campaign: Lexington and Concord - Siege of Boston

Last we left off, the British had just arrived in Lexington, Massachusetts from a long March through Brackish Water. Now, we shall discuss what occurred at Lexington and Concord, as well as Bunker Hill, the Battle of Quebec, and the Siege of Boston.

*Several crucial Individuals will be discussed, but separate Posts will only be made on a Few. If you would like a detailed, but still relatively Brief, Biography on anyOne in particular, or any Events, for that matter, send an Ask, and I will see it done (if I have the time). Of course, any additional questions or requests are accepted and encouraged.

Prior to Lexington and Concord, Governor General Thomas Gage was tasked with suppressing the Revolt started by Colonists in Opposition to more strict British law Enforcement. In order to do this, Gage enforced the Coercive Acts, which were even more strict. Obviously, this only made Things worse.

In April 1775, orders for the seizure of Weapon Stores in Concord, Massachusetts were issued, but it is not known if the British intended to arrest Patriot Leaders, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were taking refuge in Lexington. On April 18th, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott set out on their ride to warn Patriots of the British Approach as two Lanterns were lit in the window of the Old North Church. Meanwhile, British Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith assembles 700 regulars to march on Concord.

Lexington and Concord

The Patriots were led by John Parker, and massed at about 3,960 Men by the end of the Battle. The British totaled at around 1,500 men under John Pitcairn and Francis Smith.

At 5:00 am on April 19th, the British march into Lexington, and are faced with 70 of Parker’s militia. The British charge the Patriots, and Parker orders his Men to disperse. There is a Gunshot, but which side fired it is unknown. The British fire a Volley, striking 8 Militiamen, and walking away with a Victory.

The British enter Concord at 8:00 am. The officers order around 220 troops to secure the North Bridge, then to go to Barrett Farm. Around 400 militia gather on the high Ground to see Smoke rising from the Town, and falsely presume the British are burning the Town, which leads to an Advance. The leading Company was led by Isaac Davis, who is quoted as saying, “I haven’t a man afraid to go.”

In response to the Patriot Assault, the British retreat to the Shore of the River. The British open Fire, and kill two Men, one of which was Davis. This Volley is referred to as the “Shot heard round the World”.

The British then retreat back to Boston, all the While being harassed and attacked on all Sides by Patriots along Battle Road. When they make it back to Lexington, they are attacked once more by Parker’s men.

The Americans faced 93 casualties: 49 killed, 39 wounded, and 5 missing. The British suffered 300 Casualties: 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 53 missing. Ouch. The British conduct a running Fight, and unclear Orders on behalf of the Patriots allow the British to escape. But, this left a 20,000 man Militia opposing General Gage.

The next event occurs on June 17, 1775. Gage is facing excess pressure to suppress this Rebellion. He plans to launch an Attack on the Heights North and South of Boston. Unfortunately for him, the Details were leaked to the Patriots, and the Patriot Militia gathered to defend Charlestown, Massachusetts. Many of these militia included free and enslaved African Americans. The sheer Number of the Militia intimidated the British Leaders, Gage, William Howe, Henry Clinton, and John Burgoyne. From June 15 to June 16, the Patriots move to Breed’s Hill to prepare a fortified Position. Their left Flank was exposed along the south Bank of the Mystic River, and, despite being disorderly and ill-equipped, the Patriots assemble a makeshift Fortification.

Bunker Hill

General Israel Putnam leads the 2,400 Patriot troops against General Gage’s 3,000 Regulars and Grenadiers. The British move across Boston Harbor and disembark in lower Charleston for the Assault on Breed’s Hill (the Battle didn’t actually occur on Bunker Hill). Sir William Howe leads the Troops up the Hill, and, allegedly, William Prescott says, “don’t fire until you see the Whites of their Eyes,” in order to save Gunpowder.

Once the British are within Range of Patriot Guns, the Militia unleashes an unforgiving Volley. According to one Patriot, “They advanced toward us in order to swallow us up, but they found a choaky mouthful of us. (sic)” This volley was repeated once more, until the third Assault when the Patriots ran out of Ammunition, allowing the British to break through their Works. 

The two sides then engaged in intense, close-combat Fighting. It was at this Point that a “black soldier named Salem” shot and mortally wounded Major John Pitcairn, who allegedly ordered the Fire at Lexington and Concord.

The Patriots faced 450 Casualties: 115 killed, 305 wounded, and 30 missing. The British, on the other Hand, suffered a whopping 1,054: 226 killed, 828 wounded, and 0 missing. Big Ouch. It was then that the British abandon Plans to seize another High Point.

As the Battle of Bunker Hill was occurring, on June 14, the Continental Army was established by the Continental Congress, and on the following day, Colonel George Washington was made His Excellency General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

George Washington was nominated by a Massachusetts Delegate, John Adams (not something to boast about). Washington graciously accepted his Commission, but did not feel as though he was fit for the job. But this wasn’t just because Johnny appreciated Washington’s toned Muscles and supple Hamstrings. Up until this Point, the War was almost entirely fought in the New England Colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island). In order to inspire other Regions, namely the South, to support the Effort, they needed a noteworthy Southern Leader. Other Colonies (as they were still known) and Regions were placated with Appointments as well.

Siege of Boston

Washington arrives at the Cambridge Encampment on July 2 to find the “Continental Army” in disarray. The Militia were entirely ignorant to military Tactics and Standards of Discipline. His first Objective was to establish Order, gather Provisions, and instill Discipline. 

Some of his subordinate Officers include Horatio Gates and Charles Lee, two highly esteemed Veterans from the French and Indian War. Additionally, there was General Nathaniel Greene, and Colonel Henry Knox. Washington’s Aides-de-Camp included Thomas Mifflin and Joseph Reed, two Crucial Players later in the War (not in a good way). None of these Men had worked together, or separately, on something of this Scale.

The first General Orders of the War include the excerpt, “The Colonels or commanding Officers of each Regt are ordered forthwith, to make two Returns of the Number of men in their respective Regiments; distinguishing such as are sick, wounded or absent on furlough: And also the quantity of ammunition each Regimt now has.” (sic), showing how quickly Washington began sending out Instructions to better organize the Army. 

Washington also had to strategize how to get the British from Boston, while also obeying Congress, which often went against the best Interest of the Army, and dealing with Natural Enemies. Provisions were scarce, the Continental Army lacked ammunition and had no artillery, and Diseases such as Smallpox were plaguing the Men.

For several Months, the Army saw only some small-scale Skirmishes, which only lasted for a few volleys before a Ceasefire was called, with a few Raids thrown in for Color. Also during this time, Washington sent 1,000 troops to Canada under Generals Arnold and Montgomery, which will be discussed after this. 

General Washington also ran into a Problem that would last him the Entirety of the War: Enlistments. Congress conjured a System for the Army, where Militiamen could enlist for only a year. Thus, Washington couldn’t guarantee that he would still have an Army after December 31, and if he was lucky enough to have one, they were completely untrained once more. The beginning of 1776 was one of these Lucky Times.

Meanwhile, the British were stuck in Boston. Although Howe was ordered to evacuate the City in November, they were short on Ships, and had to transport, not only the Army, but Hundreds of Loyalists, who flocked into Boston, causing Overcrowding and Scarcity. Smallpox and dysentery were rampant among the British. Additionally, they have limited Access to mainland Resources, leaving them with only exhaustible Supplies of Food, Water, Firewood, and Clothing.

In late January, Colonel Henry Knox arrives with captured Artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, which had been recently taken by the Patriots. Washington decided to bombard the British from Dorchester Heights, the Hills (including Bunker and Breed’s Hills) south of Boston. Washington devised an complex Amphibious Assault, but was overruled by his Subordinates, which became a usual Occurrence.

In Early March, the Artillery was moved to Dorchester Heights. Since it was hard to dig through the frozen Ground, the Continentals hired Carpenters to build timber Breastworks.

On March 6, Howe sees the suddenly-built Fortifications, and is quoted as saying, “My God, these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in 3 months.” From how quickly these Fortifications were built, the British supposed that the Americans had at least 20,000 men.

The British attempted firing at the Americans, but they were out of Range. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Charles River, around 4,000 troops under Generals Greene, Putnam and Sullivan prepared to block the North Side of the Boston Peninsula, following Washington’s Amphibious Plan.

In addition to British fears of a Second Bunker Hill, a large Storm ruined the Chances of a full Engagement. On March 6, the British vote to evacuate, and on March 8, How writes to Washington, bargaining that he would not burn Boston if Washington allowed his Army and Loyalists to leave unharmed. Washington granted this request, and on March 17, Soldiers and Loyalists numbering around 11,000 left Boston for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

"I shall feel no pain from the toil or the danger of the campaign. My unhappiness will flow frok the uneasiness I know you will feel being left alone." -George Washington to Martha Washington, June 18, 1775

Quebec Campaign

As mentioned before, General Washington ordered an Attack on the Colony of Quebec. The Quebec Campaign lasted from August of 1775 to July 1776. 

Congress wanted Quebec to become another of the rebellious Colonies for two Reasons. The first being that English Protestants saw Quebecois Catholics as a physical and cultural Threat. Additionally, the Early Americans wanted Continental Unity across North America. Thus, Congress pushed Washington to capture Quebec, and he eventually complied.

On August 25, General Richard Montgomery ordered 1,200 troops from Ticonderoga into the Quebec Territory, settling at the Ile aux Noix along the Richelieu River. On September 17, Montgomery laid Siege to Fort St. John’s, which was under the Command of General Guy Carleton. 

Carleton attempted to lift the Siege of October 30, and chose to surrender on November 3. Then, Montgomery surrounded Montreal, which was surrendered without Resistance on November 13.

Then, Washington ordered 1,100 men under General Benedict Arnold to move around the enemy’s Side towards Quebec City. Arnold set out on September 15 to the Mouth of the Kennebec River. His Troops faced a 400 mile March through largely uninhabited Terrain. By the End of the March, Arnold only had 600 men, after many Deaths and a large scale Desertion. They finally reached Quebec on November 14, and waited for Montgomery, who arrived on December 2, bringing their Numbers to 1,100.

Montgomery ordered a multi-pronged Attack against the Fortifications on December 31. He separated his Men into 3 Divisions, under himself, Arnold, and General Livingston. They attempted to use a Snowstorm as a Cover, which blinded the Continentals and clogged their Guns. The Engagement ended with Arnold wounded, Montgomery dead, Aaron Burr unemployed, and 400 captured Americans.

Consequently, Arnold took command of the Campaign, and continued the Siege for several Months. In May 1776, John Burgoyne added Reinforcements to the British Garrison. Burgoyne drove Arnold back to New York.

Meanwhile, Congress had to come up with an Excuse for their lack of Judgement. Delegates such as John Adams and Richard Henry Lee (Virginia is his home) blamed an Outbreak of Smallpox. All of the Smart People blamed themselves because it was, in fact, their Fault. A report from a Committee made to consider this Issue (consisting of Franklin, Chase, and Carrol in May 1776) stated that Congress’ Indecision and lack of Organization prevented necessities needed to execute the Strategy. This will become a Reoccurring Theme.

Americans still believed Quebec could be added to the United States up until the early 19th Century, especially those who had served in Congress during this period, such as Thomas Jefferson.

“...I hope our force, add the benefits of skill, the acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching; & will give us experience for the attack of Halifax, the next, & the final expulsion of England from the American continent.” -Thomas Jefferson, August 4, 1812

Sources:

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/lexington-and-concord

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/bunker-hill

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/siege-boston

Texts for first set of images: https://www.loc.gov/item/rbpe.10800500/

Images and texts for second set of images: https://www.loc.gov/resource/dcmsiabooks.accountofbattleo00dear_0/?sp=5

https://www.thoughtco.com/american-revolution-battles-2360662

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-05-02-0231

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/quebec-campaign/#5

George Washington’s Indispensable Men by Arthur S. Lefkowitz

#American Revolution #amrev #amrev history #1775 #lexington and concord #bunker hill #siege of boston #quebec campaign #continental army #george washington #thomas jefferson #John Adams #sir william howe #henry clinton #shy bitch henry clinton #john burgoyne #thomas gage #aaron burr #richard montgomery #henry knox #tw// war #tw // death #tw// disease #tw// guns #tw// violence

[meet-the-decoy]

Hey Decoy! What exactly is your role on the battle field?

MEET THE DECOY

Description

It isn't hard to see that she is the fairest one on the team. Decoy isn't afraid to use her feminine touch to her advantage and being on a team with mostly men has it's perks. But don't be fooled, this girl isn't as sweet as she looks. She's a babe with quite a bite.

Primary

Stock

- Duel pistols: (ammo 12/36 each)

Craft

- Boxing glove gun: (ammo N/A)

Gives Decoy the ability to punch an opponent with as much force as a Heavy.

- Pole vault: (ammo N/A)

Gives Decoy a 20% boost on acrobatics.

-Mini canon: (ammo 20) 

Is similar to Soldier's rocket launcher. Each shot takes several seconds to reload but gives critical damage to enemies. Slows down agility.

Uncrate

- Chainsaw: (ammo N/A)

Gives critical damage at close range. Won't be able to preform acrobatics as a result.

- Bear trap: (ammo N/A)

Traps enemies for several seconds while giving mini crits. Can only be used once every 30 seconds.

- Water pistols: (ammo 100 each)

Counteracts Pyro fires. This weapon extinguishes teammates that are ablaze as well as sapping the enemy Engineer's buildings.

Secondary

Stock

- Hand grenades: (ammo 20)

Craft

- Fireworks: (ammo 20)

This weapon creates flash bangs and blinds the enemy for several seconds and can also light enemies on fire depending on range.

- Taser: (ammo N/A)

Electrifies enemies and paralyzes them for up to 3 seconds. Effects enemies differently. Has a cool down time of 3 seconds.

- Sling shot: (ammo 20)

Let's Decoy launch grenades just as far as a Demoman, letting her throw them farther then she originally could. It can also be used to launch health kits to teammates.

- Water Balloons: (ammo 20)

Extinguishes teammates who are on fire. It also washes way Jarate from teammates who may be covered in it.

Uncrate

- Throwing knives: (ammo 12)

Allows Decoy to trick stab like a Spy but at longer distances. Can be used during acrobatics.

- Playing cards: (ammo 3 decks)

Cards can slice enemies to inflict damage. Cards can be boomeranged back to be reused if thrown correctly.

- Grappling hook: (ammo N/A)

Gives Decoy the ability to get to higher nesting spots with ease. Boosts acrobatics by 5%. Grapple can be shot at enemies to finish off kills.

Melee

Stock

- Bullwhip: (ammo N/A)

Craft

- Chain: (ammo N/A)

Gives critical damage to enemies. Slows down acrobatics by 15% as a result.

- Spider net: (ammo 8)

Bounds enemies for several seconds. This also leaves the enemy vulnerable and more likely to receive critical damage.

- Roller skates: (ammo N/A)

Allows Decoy to match the speed of that of a Scout. Decoy won't be able to preform acrobatics as a result.

- Megaphone: (ammo N/A)

Amplifys Decoy's vocals and lures enemies easier.

Uncrate

- Lipstick: (ammo N/A)

Ables Decoy to give a teammate ÜberCharge for 3 seconds by kissing them. This weapon also restores a teammates health by 50%. Gives critical damage to enemies.

- Mirror: (ammo N/A)

Blinds the enemy for 3 seconds by shining light in the enemy's eyes. This weapon is most effective on Snipers.

- Ribbon wand: (ammo N/A)

Steals 15% of an enemy's ammo. Ammo can be given to other teammates or can be used personally.

- Perfume: (ammo N/A)

Amplifys Decoy's lures. Perfume can also be used to disorient enemies for several seconds. No man can resist the smell of flowers and gunpowder.

PDA

Primary

- Acrobatics

Secondary

- Vocal

Special Taunts

• Song Bird

This taunt makes enemies vision blur whenever they get to close to her singing. This makes the enemy vulnerable and more likely to receive critical hits.

• Damsel in Distress

This taunt gives Decoy the ability to make enemies hurt their own teammates. Every shot that hits a teammate will lower their health depending on distance different variables. Can only be used once every 3 minutes.

• Blowing Kisses

This taunt has the Decoy blow a kiss at the enemy. Whoever the kiss lands on receives critical damage. If the kiss lands on a teammate, it restores their health by 15%.

• Love Me, Love Me Not

This taunt has Decoy pick pedals off of a flower. If a heart appears, then the enemy walks free. If a broken heart appears then the enemy receives critical damage. This taunt gives a 50/50 chance each time it is used.

• Love Potion No.9

Can be slipped into any food or beverage. Once consumed, the enemy cannot hurt Decoy up to 10 seconds. This taunt can only be used 3 times during a match.

• Milkshake

In this taunt, Decoy pulls out a tray and proceeds to make and serve milkshakes to anyone who takes them. Decoy serves any flavor of milkshake to her teammates to boost their health level much like Heavy's Sandvich, but is far sweeter.

Achievements

• Master Maiden: Achieve over 50 'Blowing Kisses' taunt kills.

• Golden Gal: Seduce kill each class in one round.

• Lucky Lady: Dodge 5 airblasted rockets using acrobatics.

• Flirting with Death: Lure a Scout over 100 times

• Here to Save The Day: Protect a struggling teammate more than 5 times in one round.

• The Angelic Acrobat: Save a teammate over 20 times by throwing back a Demoman's grenade using acrobatics.

• Dangerous Dame: Seduce kill 500 times.

• Kiss it Better: Heal over 75 teammates using 'Blowing Kisses' taunt or by using Lipstick melee.

Domination Lines

SCOUT

"So you're the fastest man alive, huh? Is that why you can't get a date?"

"Why so red tough guy?"

"I like a guy who can make me laugh."

"Hey, my eyes are up here scooter."

"Your ass must be pretty jealous of all the shit that comes out of your mouth."

SOLDIER

"If I threw a stick, you’d leave, right?"

"Everyone’s entitled to act stupid once in awhile, but you really abuse the privilege."

"You look good with black and blue."

"Are you always such an idiot, or do you just show off when I’m around?"

"I was hoping for a battle of wits but it would be wrong to attack someone who’s totally unarmed."

PYRO

"I AM a woman, what's your excuse?"

"Still think your on fire?"

"What in the hell? What are you supposed to be?"

"Did things get really hot in here, or is it just me?"

"Earth is full. Go home."

ENGINEER

"Whoopsie, did I do that?"

"Look at the cute little toys! Can I play with one?"

"You only annoy me when you’re breathing, really."

"Your birth certificate is an apology to your parents from the hospital."

"How impressive! You can put your foot in your mouth and your head up your ass at the same time!"

HEAVY

"So... do you name your guns because you can't get a real date or?..."

"Oh wow, this must be pretty embarrassing for you."

"Are your compensating for something?"

"Jesus christ, You’re so fat you could sell shade."

"You are the human version of period cramps."

DEMOMAN

"Sorry, but you won't be able to drink away the alcoholism."

"I'm gonna hit you so hard, you'll lose your accent."

"*sad crying that turns into cruel laughter*"

"You’ll never be the man your mom is."

"Nice onesie, does it come in men's?"

"Aww, Do you need me to kiss your boo-boo better?"

MEDIC

"Excuse me nurse, could you take a look at this for me?"

"They took your license away for a reason doctor."

"Oh! I like your dress!"

"If laughter is the best medicine, your face must be curing the world."

SNIPER

"That's disgusting."

"Isn’t there a bullet somewhere you could be jumping in front of?"

"Just because you have a dick doesn’t mean you need to act like one."

"I’ve been called worse by better."

"There’s no doubt about it. Your father should have pulled out earlier."

SPY

"Is that a knife in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

"Hey croissant, your fly’s undone."

"If you’re going to be two-faced, at least make one of them pretty."

"Acting like a prick doesn’t make yours grow bigger."

"Je n'ai jamais pensé rencontrer un homme sans couilles."

DECOY

"You're not cute sweetheart."

"See, this is why the men don't take us seriously."

"Nice outfit. I bet if you stood on a street corner, you’d make some money."

"Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. Hate me because your boyfriend thinks so."

"I’ve seen your kind before…but last time, I had to pay admission.

Backstory

Decoy (Delilah Lou Rose) was born April 1st, 1941 in a backstage tent and grew up as a acrobatic clown in the Canadian Circus.

She was brought to the Administrator's attention when she slaughtered a total of 12 men with ease during a break in and attempted assault. A meeting with Saxton Hale eventually led to a job offer. Needing the money, she takes a job with the Gravel wars, thinking it was a show. Once she realizes that it is in fact not a show, but a place where men kill each other, it's too late.

Delilah Lou became a new class called the Decoy, where she would lure unsuspecting men to their death. It wasn't long before she fell in love with the job and grew strong friendships with her coworkers.

#team fortress 2 #tf2 #tf2 oc #tf2 original character #tf2 decoy #tf2 ask blog #tf2 asks #asks #decoy #tf2 scout #tf2 soldier #tf2 pyro #tf2 engineer #tf2 heavy #tf2 demoman #tf2 medic #tf2 sniper #tf2 spy #scout #soldier #pyro #engineer #heavy #demoman #medic #sniper #spy #tf2 10th class #10th class #tf2 fandom

[bookofjin]

Rise of Sixteen States: 303

Li Te is killed, is succeeded by his brother Liu. Li Liu dies, is succeeded by Te's son Xiong. Li Xiong takes Chengdu.

Also a Tai'an era check in with some of our other friends.

3 February 303 – 21 February 304

(Jin's 2nd Year of Tai'an)

(Li Te's 1st Year of Jianchu)

8th Month [29 August – 27 September], the King of Hejian, Yong and the King of Chengdu, Ying, raised troops to chastise the King of Changsha, Ai. The Emperor used Ai as Great Commander-in-Chief, commanding the army to defend against them.

[12th Month], guihai [17 January], the King of Donghai, Yue, arrested the King of Changsha, Ai and secluded him in Jinyongcheng. Ai was murdered by Zhang Fang.

(Li Te)

2ndYear of Tai'an(JS: 1stYear), Spring, 1st Month [3 February – 4 March], New Moon, Te advanced to strike, and routed Shang's riverside army. Te crossed by way of the Angdi, his partisans and followers by way of the Chi River, they entered the Pi and reached south-west of the river. The defensive army hemming the Jiang all scattered and ran. Thereupon he advanced to rob Chengdu. The Grand Warden of Shu commandery, Xu Jian, used the lesser city to surrender. Te entered to occupy it. He only took horses to provide for the army, of the remainder nothing was plundered or carried off. He used Li Jin as Grand Warden of Shu commandery to console it.

Te declared himself Shepherd of Yi province, Commander-in-Chief of the Various Army Affairs of Liang# and Yi provinces, Great General, and Great Commander-in-Chief, and changed the year to Jianchu [“Establishing the Beginning”], with an amnesty within his area. Luo Shang guarded the greater city, Te was encamped in the lesser city, and Li Liu advanced to station at Jianshang west of the Jiang. Shang was afraid, and dispatched envoys to seek peace.

At the time the people of Shu were imperilled and afraid, and joined together in village forts. They requested instructions from Te, and Te divided up people to go and rule over them. Xiong sent a letter to admonish Te to gather hostages, and that it was not possible to divide up and scatter the staunch and sharp. Liu also admonished him. Te angrily said:

Since the great affair is settled, there only is to calm the people. Why cling to vacillating actions, and coerce and harm without stop.

The Assistant Officer of Yi province's Board of Troops, Ren Rui of Shu commandery, advised Shang, saying:

Te has nefariously rebelled, and infringed on and terrorized the hundred families. He also divides his people and scatter his multitudes, they are among the various village forts, he is haughty, negligent and unprepared. We are on the verge of the harvest for Heaven destroying Te. We can announce to the various villages to secretly agree on an appointed day. Striking him from inside and outside, routing him is certain.

Shang followed him. At night he let down a rope to send out Rui, sending him to circulate his intentions and announce to the various villages, appointing the 2nd Month, 10th Day [14 March], when they would at the same time chastise Te. By his own hand he wrote a secret message which said “At that one Willow River”.

Rui first went to Te to surrender to thoroughly observe what was false and true. Te asked him how it was inside the city. Rui said:

Rice and grain are already almost exhausted, there are only goods and silk, and that is all.

Following that, he sought to visit his family. Te allowed it. Rui covertly advised the various villages. The villages thoroughly heeded the instructions. Rui returned to report to Shang. Shang consented to comply with the agreed date and send out the army to chastise Te. The various villages likewise consented to go and gather at the same time.

2nd Month [5 March – 2 April], Emperor Hui dispatched the Inspector of Jing province, Song Dai, and the Grand Warden of Jianping, Sun Fu, to aid Luo Shang. Fu was already staying at Deyang. Te dispatched Li Dang to supervise Li Huang and help Ren Zang resist Fu.

Shang dispatched a great multitude to suddenly assault Te's camp. They fought continuously for two days. His multitudes being smaller, they were no match, and Te's army was greatly defeated. He gathered and collected his remaining soldiers, and drew back to hasten to Xinfan (Same as Fancheng).

Shang's army pulled back, Te then pursued them, and there was a moving battle for more than thirty li. Shang sent out a great army to confront him. Te's army was routed and withdrew. The pursuit reached Guansang in Fan. They beheaded Te, his older brother Fu, Li Yuan, and others, burnt all their corpses, and transmitted the heads to Luoyang. [Te] had held rank for two years.

When his son Xiong presumptuously declared himself King of Chengdu, he was retroactively conferred Luminous [jing] King, and when he declared for himself the venerated title, he retroactively venerated him as the Luminous August Emperor, with the temple title First Founder [shizu].

(Li Liu)

At Te's capture of Chengdu's lesser city, he had the drifting people of the Six Commanderies divide into groups when entering the city, while the strong and brave supervised and led the village forts. Liu talked to Te, saying:

Your Highness has godly martial ability and has already overcome the lesser city. However the mountains and fens have not yet been collected, and the provisions and arms are not many. We ought to select the sons and younger brothers of the province and commanderies's great families to be hostages, send them off and turn them over to Guanghan, and confine them to the two camps; and gather and assemble the staunch and sharp, and fit them out to be defensive guards.

He also wrote a letter to Te's Marshal, Shangguan Dun, deeply laying out the right-principleness of accepting surrender like waiting on an enemy. Te did not accept.

When Te had been killed, the people of Shu were very rebellious, and the drifting people were greatly afraid. Liu and his older brother's sons Dang and Xiong gathered the lost multitudes and turned back to Chizu. Liu guarded the eastern camp, and Dang and Xiong guarded the northern camp. Shang, though victorious, still distributed a roaming army to campaign against the ungoverned. He transmitted Te's head to Luoyang, and burnt his corpse. Li Xiong used Li Li as Grand Warden of Zitong. The multitudes turned back to Chizu, and pushed forward Liu as Great General, Great Commander-in-Chief, and Shepherd of Yi province.

At the time Song Dai was staying at Dianjiang with a river army of 30 000. His vanguard Sun Fu routed Deyang, and captured the defence general appointed by Te, Jian Shi. The Grand Warden, Ren Zang, and others withdrew to Fu (JS Fuling county).

3rd Month [3 April – 2 May], Shang dispatched Controller-Protectors Zhang Gui, He Chong, Zuo Fan, and others with an army to Fancheng, and then Mianzhu surrendered. Commoners of Fuling, Yao Shen#, and Du A, responded to Shang. He also dispatched Controller-Protector Chang Shen with an army to Piqiao, and the Serrated Gates Zuo Fan, Huang Hong (HYGZ: Huang Yin), and He Chong to attack the northern camp from three sides. Shen was repulsed by Liu and Xiang#. Dang and Xiong attacked Shen#. Shen routed Xiang#, and killed Li Pan. His younger brother Gong became the master.

Zuo Fan and Huang Hong attacked Te's northern camp. The Di and Qiang within the camp who adhered to Fu Cheng, Wei Bo, and Shi Ding, rebelled in response to Fan and Yin, and attacked Dang and Xiong. Dang's mother Luo put on armour and made the rounds of the deployments. Bo by his own hand cut Luo and wounded her eye, her sturdy spirit became even more ardent. Also at the time, Cheng and Bo were fighting them inside, while Fan and and Yin attacked them on the outside, from daybreak until middle of the day, the camp was just on the brink of routed.

It happened that Liu routed Shen, and Dang and Xiong routed Shen# and came back. Just then they met with Fan and Yin, and greatly routed them. Cheng and Bo brought along their partisans to suddenly set out and go to Shang. Liu personally led Dang and Xiong to attack Shen's palisades, and overcame him. Shen's multitude soldiers scattered like stars. They pursued until Chengdu. Shang shut the gates and defended himself. Dang whipped his horse to pursue and strike, he rammed into a leaning Sou long lance and died. Luo and Xiong kept it private and did begin mourning so as to calm the hearts of the multitudes.

Summer, 4th Month [3 May – 31 May], Shang killed the secluded scholar Liu Chang. Chang was the great grandson of the former Shepherd of the province, Liu Zhang, and lived secluded on Bailu Mountain. He was lofty and exalted, and his hoary head not once bent his aspirations, he also did not prepare for the affairs of the era. Shang trusted uncanny words, and killed him. On the day he was killed, thunder shook people, there was great rain, and from within the city there sprang out a river.

5th Month [2 June – 30 June], Li Liu surrendered to Sun Fu, and dispatched a son as hostage. It was not possible. He therefore raised troops, and together with Li Li assaulted Fu. Fu's army was defeated. Song Dai passed on from illness at Dianjiang, and the provincial army withdrew.

Liu, since Te and Dang were both dead, and Dai and Fu had also arrived, was very much afraid. The Grand Warden, Li Han, also recommended Liu to surrender, and Liu wanted to follow it. Xiong and Li Xiang# repeatedly admonished, but it was not accepted. Liu dispatched his son Shi and Han's son Hu as hostages to Fu's army. Hu's older brother, Han's son, Li, heard his father wished to surrender and hurried to turn back from Zitong. He wished to admonish but did not catch up. He withdrew and together with Xiong planned to assault Fu's army, saying:

If we achieve complete success in the affair, [I] pledge that you Lord and [I] every three year will repeat to be ruler.

Xiong said:

Even if the plans of you Lord and I are settled, if the two old men do not follow, what will we do?

Li said:

We will arrange it not, and if it cannot be arranged, we will readily act out the great affair. Even though the old man is your uncle, Lord, in the circumstances it cannot be avoided. When venerable fathers are lords, what ever is there then to talk about!

Xiong was greatly pleased. Xiong therefore explained to the people and gentlemen of the Six Commanderies, inciting them with Shang's infringements on them, frightened them with all being wiped out by the people of Shu's offences, and laid out the harvest of ample riches that could be gotten from Fu. He managed thereby to rout Fu, the dead among Fu's army were a considerable multitude, and then Dai perished from illness. The Jing province army withdrew, and he shifted to attacking Shang. Liu was ashamed of his shortcomings, and in army affairs relied on Xiong. Xiong several times routed Shang's army. Shang guarded the greater city.

6thMonth [1 July – 30 July], Xiong crossed by way of the Boyang ruins [?], attacked and killed the Grand Warden of Minshan, Chen Tu, and hastened to Picheng.

Autumn, 7thMonth [31 July – 28 August], Xiong entered Picheng. Liu thoroughly moved the camp to occupy it. The people of the Three Shu all guarded strategic places and connected fortifications, or had drifted away and dispersed, entering the south or going down east. The cities and towns were all empty, and in the countryside there was no smoke or fire. Pillagers and plunderers had nowhere to stay, and were also soon hungry and starving.

However more than a thousand families with people from Fuling were west of the Jiang, relying on Qingcheng Mountain's private scholar Fan Changsheng (HYGZ: Fan Xian) to defend themselves. Shang's Army Advisor who Pacifies the West, Xu Yu, sought to become Grand Warden of Minshan. He wished to make an agreement with Changsheng and others, and together with Shang seize the horns and chastise Liu. Shang did not allow it, and Yu resented him. He sought to be sent west of the Jiang, and thereupon surrendered to Liu, who used him as General who Calms the West. Yu advised Changsheng and others to send wealth to provide Liu's army with provisions. Changsheng followed him, and for that reason Liu's army again exerted themselves.

Liu had a long-standing esteem for Xiong for having the virtue of an elder, he always stated:

The one who will raise up my family, is surely this person.

He directed his sons to honour and serve him.

9thMonth [28 September – 26 October], Liu was deeply ill, he spoke to the various generals, saying:

The Valiant Cavalry is lofty, clear, humane, and affectionate, his insight beyond very amazing, he is firmly enough to aid the great affair. However the Van Army's gallantry and martial ability is almost like he is assisted by Heaven. [You] can together accept service to the Van Army, and use him as King of Chengdu.

Then he passed away, at the time he was aged 56. The various generals together installed Xiong as ruler. When Xiong declared for himself the venerated title, he retroactively gave posthumous title to Liu as the Civil [wen] King of Qin. His son Long inherited.

(Li Xiong)

Liu passed away. Xiong declared himself Great Commander-in-Chief, Great General, and Shepherd of Yi province, with his seat at Picheng.

Luo Shang dispatched general Wei Bo to attack Xiong at Picheng, but there was yet no victory or defeat. Xiong sent Pu Tai of Wudu to deceive Shang, saying:

Li Xiang# and Xiong, since they are starving, hungry, isolated and imperilled, daily bicker and fight and blame each other. Xiang# wishes to bring along the people west of the Jiang to eat grain. If a covert army comes, I will respond from within, and light a fire at the appointed time. [The city] can be obtained.

Shang considered to be so, and greatly gave him gold and treasure. Tai said:

Now the affair assuredly is not yet established. To get results and afterwards accept it will not be too late.

He also sought have dispatched a person to follow himself to watch and wait on him. Shang trusted him. He thoroughly sent out the spirited troops, and dispatched Wei Bo with the various armies to attack Pi. Xiang# had set up an ambush on the road. Tai used a long ladder to lean on the wall, and raised up the fire. Bo's army saw the fire was rising, all contended to climb up the ladder. Tai then used a rope to pull it up. More than a hundred people of Shang's army were all beheaded. Xiong following that let loose the troops, striking them from the inside and outside, and greatly routed them. Xiong straight-away pursued the retreat, and at night arrived beneath the city. They declared “Ten thousand years” and said:

[We] have obtained Picheng.

They entered the lesser city. Shang then became aware, and guarded the greater city.

Xiang# separately attacked Qianwei, and cut off Shang's transport road. He captured the Grand Warden, Gong Hui# of Wuling. Hui# formerly had been Prefect of Xi county in Tianshui, while Ren Hui had been a functionary. Hui asked him, saying:

Do [you] recognize [your] old functionary or not?

Hui# said:

[I] recognize you, that is all.

The commandery functionaries scattered like stars, only the Board of Merit official Yang Huan attended and guarded him. Hui spoke to him, saying:

You sir, is a right-principled person. I strongly fear [I] will not be able to rescue Lord Gong, and he will not be able to escape. You sir ought to depart soon.

Then both were killed.

Used Li Pu as Grand Warden of Qianwei.

Xiong captured Bo alive, he heard he was injured and would die of his wounds. Bo's daughter was the wife of Liang Shuang who was in his employ. For that reason he did not kill him.

Intercalary 12th Month [24 January – 21 February], the transportation of Shang's provisions was not maintained, and he was being pressed by attacks. At night he withdrew, and by means of the Niubing River went down east. He kept behind the Serrated Gates Zhang Luo (JS: Luo Te) to hold onto the city to the end of the night. By the time Xiong became aware, he had gone far away. In the hustle and bustle he had lost his tally and halberd. Luo followed after and obtained them, and also acquired the property. Soon after Xiong gained Chengdu.

At that time the hunger in Xiong's army was considerable. Xiang# therefore brought along the people to enter Qi's royal city, dig up wild taro and eat it. The people of Shu drifted and scattered, going down east to Jiangyang, and going south to enter the Seven Commanderies.

Since Fan Changsheng of the Western Mountains dwelt among the cliffs to live in a cave, seeking the Way and fostering aspirations, Xiong wished to welcome him as lord, and be subject to him. Changsheng firmly refused, saying:

Calculating the pacing of the Grand Inaugural, the Five Agents will have a great junction in jiazi. The throne will be bestowed on the Li, it is not for me to govern.

Xiong therefore deeply restrained and diminished himself, and did not dare to declare his authority. All affairs, great or small, were decided by the brothers Li Li and Li Guo, Guo and others served Xiong with full honours.

(As Changsheng, Xiong, and the others would have known, the next year would be a jiazi year.)

The Inspector of Liang# province, Xu Xiong, since, while he was to chastise the thieves, he had not advance, a cage cart summoned him to go to the Imperial Prison. Only the Army-Protector together with the Grand Warden of Hanguo, Du Mengzhi, the Chief Battle Leader Zhao Min, and Jing province's Grand Warden Zitong defended Hanzhong.

(The section just above follows the received text of the HYGZ which appears faulty. Ren Naiqiang has reconstructed the final sentence as follows:

Only the Army-Protector [Zhang Yin], together with the Grand Warden of Hanguo, Du Mengzhi, the Chief Battle Leader Zhao Min, the Grand Warden of [Baxi], [Zhang Yan], and [Jing Zi] of Zitong defended Hanzhong.)

Tai'an era (302 – 303)

(Liu Yuan)

Middle of Taian [302 – 303], Emperor Hui lost the government, the King of Qi, Jiong, the King of Chansha, Ai, together with the Ying and others, executed and exterminated themselves and each other. In the provinces and commanderies the faithless and presumptuous were rising up in a swarm. His granduncle the former Chief Commandant of the Northern Section and Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, and others furtively discussed turning to rebellion, saying:

Formerly our ancestors made a covenant with the Han to be brothers, [their] worries and contentment similar to them. Since the fall of Han, the era of Wei and Jin has risen, and our Chanyu is only an empty title, without having a foot of land for patrimony. From [one of] the various Kings and Marquises, he has fallen to be similar to the registered households. Now our multitudes, though diminished, are still not reduced to 20 000, why is it [that we have] pulled back our hands and accepted to serve for soon to exceed a hundred years!

Now the Sima clan's bones and flesh harm each other, in the Four Seas the tripods are boiling. To raise up the nation and restore the patrimony of Huhanxie, this is the time. The Worthy King of the Left, Yuan's bearing and capacity is beyond other people, his abilities and manners surpasses the generation. Suppose Heaven does not broadly honours the Chanyu, in the end it would not uselessly give birth to this man.

Hence they privately together pushed forward Yuan to be Great Chanyu. They therefore sent their partisan Huyan You to go to Ye and to tell him about this plan. Yuan requested to go home to attend a funeral, Ying did not allow it. Yuan therefore ordered You to first return home, and tell Xuan and others to summon and assemble the Five Sections, and pull in and meet with the various Hu of Yiyang, to make sounds of obeying Ying, but actually betray him.

(Shi Le)

Middle of Tai'an [302 – 303], Bing province was in famine and chaos. Le and various young Hu absconded and scattered, and then he returned from Yanmen to rely on Ning Qu, The Chief Commandant of the Northern Marshes, Liu Jian, wished to tie him up and sell him. Qu hid him, and he managed to escape. Le hence covertly went to turn in his surrender to the Chief Commandant, Li Chuan. On the road he came across Guo Jing. He wept, bowed, told him he was hungry and cold. Jing replied to him with flowing tears, and used gruel from his belt goods to feed him, and also gave him clothes and dress. Le spoke to Jing, saying:

At the present there is great hunger, and it is not possible to ward against impoverishment. The various Hu's hunger is considerable, [they] ought to be entice to be brought along to Ji province to seek a livelihood, and following that apprehend and sell them, it can be a help for both.

Jing deeply considered so.

It happened that the General who Establishes Power, Yan Cui, advised the Inspector of Bing province, the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, to apprehend the various Hu and sell them to the east of the mountains to fill up army provisions. Teng sent Generals Guo Yang and Zhang Long to capture the crowd of Hu, and bring them along to go to Ji province. Every pair of Hu shared one cangue.

Le at the time was more than twenty years old, he was also was in their midst, and several times was chased on and humiliated by Long. Jing previously entrusted Le to Guo Yang and his older brother's son Shi. Yang was Jing's senior clansman. And so Yang and Shi always made requests to release, and on the ways and roads when he was hungry and ill, he releid on Yang and Shi for help.

They went east to arrive in Pingyuan were he was sold to a native of Chiping, Shi Huan, to become a slave. There was one old father who spoke to Le, saying:

Lord, at the limits of your fish and dragon hair four ways are already completed, you will certainly become a ruler of men. In a year of jiaxu, Wang Pengzu can be plotted against.

Le said:

If it is like Your Excellency tells, [I] will not dare to forget [your] kindness.

Suddenly he did not see him.

(The next jiaxuyear was in 314 AD. Pengzu was the courtesy name of a certain Wang Jun.)

Always when he was ploughing in the countryside, he regularly heard the sounds of drums and horns. Le hence informed the various slaves, and the various slaves likewise heard it. Following that, he said:

As a youth when I came to be in my house, I persistently heard something like this.

The various slaves returned home to inform Huan. Huan was likewise amazed with his appearance and countenance, and released him.

Huan's house was neighbours to horse shepherds, and he and the shepherd leader, Ji Sang of Wei commandery, came and went. Since Le was able to assess horses, he entrusted himself to Sang. Once when employed in Wu'an, he approached a river, and was taken prisoner by a patrolling army. It happened that a herd of deer passed nearby. The army people contended to chase them, and Le therefore gained his escape.

Soon after he again saw one old father, he spoke to Le, saying:

The one with the herd of deer just now was I. You Lord should become ruler of the Central Province, for that reason [I] assisted the rescue in this way.

Le bowed and accepted the instructions. Thereupon he summoned and assembled Wang Yang, Kui An, Zhi Xiong, Ji Bao, Wu Yu, Liu Ying, Tao Bao, and Lu Ming, eight riders, as a bandit gang. Later Guo Ao, Liu Zheng, Liu Bao, Zhang Yipu, Huyan Mo, Guo Heilüe, Zhang Yue, Kong Tun, Zhao Lu, and Zhi Quliu also came to him. They were titled as the Eighteen Riders. They then went east to within the Like-Red-Dragons [?] and Swift Thoroughbreds Parks, drove the parks' horses far away, and plundered the fabrics and treasure as gifts to Ji Sang.

(Murong Hui)

Beginning of Tai'an [302 – 303], Yuwen Mogui dispatched his younger brother Quyun to rob the border cities. Yun's detached leader Sunuyan attacked and plundered the various sections. Murong Hui personally struck and defeated him. Sunuyan was angry, and led a multitude of 100 000 to besiege Jicheng. The multitudes were all afraid, and people had no will to resist. Hui said:

Sunuyan is only a dog with a collection of sheep and ants, as such his army has no laws and rules. It is quite within my plans. If you Lords only put your strength in the fight, there is nothing to worry about.

Then he linked up his armour and helmet, and galloped out to strike him. Sunuyan was greatly defeated. They pursued the fleeing for a hundred li, the prisoners and beheaded were more than 10 000 people.

Meng Hui of Liaodong had previously been submerged into the Yuwen section. He led his multitudes, several thousand families, to surrender to Hui. Hui used him as General who Establishes Power. Hui considered his subject Muyu Ju earnest, circumspect, upright, and respectful, he put him in charge of the office treasuries. Ju as young planned with wordless understanding, and did not lean on registers and books. From beginning to end he never leaked. Since Muyu He was clear, quick-witted, spirited, focused, and careful, he made him direct prisons and litigations, he was detailed in his interrogations, and pure and just.

#r16s #chinese history

[kyndaris]

A Hero Lies in You

On April Fool’s Day 2019, a video was released showing the latest game in the Yakuza franchise. Many thought it was a prank. The reason why? The sudden change in combat. Gone was the brawler beat-em-up that was associated with the series. In its stead was a turn-based system reminiscent of role-playing games. Characters waiting for their turns before utilising special skills? In a franchise known for its hard gritty storylines about gangs duking it out in the streets of Japan? ‘Haha Ryu Ga Gotoku. You thought you could fool us, but we see right through you. This isn’t our first rodeo and you’re not Square Enix,’ was many a thought when the footage had been viewed by thousands online.

What gamers did not know was that this was no gag. Fast forward several months to August 2019 and it was confirmed that Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, starring new protagonist Kasuga Ichiban, would actually incorporate turn-based battles. There would even be JOBS! 

As I had just finished playing through Kiryu’s story, as well as Judgment, in 2020 I was eager to see what new protagonist Kasuga Ichiban would bring to the table. From trailers, I could already see how much livelier Ichiban would be in comparison to the more stoic Kiryu. And, in contrast to Yagami, he was definitely more of an idiot. A lovable idiot, to be sure, but an idiot nonetheless.

Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon released in a huge week for video games. While I would have preferred to play it earlier, I had other huge titans to wrestle into submission first. Once I had managed to satiate my Ubisoft open-world needs with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, I dived head first onto the streets of Yokohama, ready to bust some heads.

The game opens on a play. For a moment, I thought I had somehow purchased the wrong game. But as the lengthy prologue progressed, it was very clear that this was most definitely a Yakuza game. It just needed to set up a little bit of the tale, starting with Arakawa Masumi - father figure and role-model for our erstwhile hero. It isn’t long before players are introduced to Kasuga Ichiban with his trademark ‘punch perm.’ Born in a soapland and raised by those that lived on the fringes of society, Ichiban, rather than being hardened by his experience, is empathetic and not afraid to show emotion. Tasked with collection, he interprets his orders in a way to benefit those that are struggling. His goofball attitude immediately makes him a character one can connect to. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s a bit of a nerd, having played Dragon Quest during his childhood and likening many of the people around him to things in the game.

It’s not long before the plot escalates and Ichiban volunteers to give himself up to the police. Sentenced to fifteen years in prison, he inadvertently extends his sentence when his Patriarch is insulted by one of the fellow inmates. After nearly two decades spent in prison for a crime that he did not commit, Ichiban is released with little fanfare and no waiting convoy. Disappointed, he takes it in stride. The first thing on his order of business: to get his signature punch perm and reconnect with his second father-figure and Patriarch of the Arakawa family.

Along the way, he is dogged by a former policeman: Adachi. At first, it isn’t made clear why Adachi seeks Ichiban for help. After all, Ichiban had supposedly killed another yakuza in Kamurocho, Tokyo. Adachi, on the other hand, was a detective in Yokohama. Why would he have any interest in uncovering the truth behind what had put Ichiban behind bars?

After a few shenanigans are had in and around Kamurocho, our protagonist is shot and left for dead - waking up in a homeless shelter in the heart of Isezaki Ijincho. Climbing his way from rock bottom, Ichiban embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, stumbling upon a series of events and unearthing a vast conspiracy in which he was to serve as a pawn.

Many of the earlier chapters felt a little contrived. In particular was the death of Nonomiya. While it served to move the narrative forward, it was most assuredly a means to an end that didn’t highlight any significant character growth. Poor Nonomiya was fridged just to bring Ichiban into conflict with the Liumang branch of the Ijin Three.

It was only in the later chapters that the story picked up steam - with the confrontations with Bleach Japan and the encroachment by the Omi Alliance. Joined by a menagerie of characters like Zhao, Saeko, Han Joon-Gi, Nanba and Eri, there was a lot to keep track on as the plot barrelled forward at a breakneck pace, connecting Ichiban’s past with his current present and all the while setting up a juicy conflict between two men that could have been brothers. And honestly, the ending with Arakawa Masato and Ichiban got to me. I loved how that Ichiban was finally able to reach his old charge by being vulnerable and finally letting out a little of his resentment at the life Masato led, despite the fact that he could not use his legs.

The characters were superbly written and their motivations were a good reflection of the human condition. The themes of family and finding a home were evident, right from the start, even though a lot of it was glossed over by Ichiban’s desire to be a hero in a video game.

(I also really liked Seong-hui and would love to see her be an actual playable character in possible future instalments. On a side note, Arakawa...you cannot simply say: ‘See you tomorrow, Ichi,’ and expect to walk away. You basically wrote your own name into the Death Note with that line!)

As far as aping Japanese role-playing games go, however, Yakuza: Like a Dragon falls woefully short. While the Tendo twist was a good one - it was pulled a little too early. Worse, there was no world-ending threat. Everyone knows that a Japanese role-playing game MUST HAVE A VILLAIN/ EVIL GOD FIGURE THAT INTENDS TO DESTROY THE WORLD. Yakuza: Like a Dragon was too focused on old childhood rivalries to extend it further afield. I mean, yes, Aoki Ryo hoped to pull the strings of the Japanese government as chair of the CLP, but WHERE WAS THE METEOR HURTLING TOWARDS EARTH? 

Honestly, 1/10 for holding true to Japanese role-playing games.

Other than that, the summons with Pound Mates was amusing. As were the side stories. Honestly, there can never be enough side stories to flesh out the wacky world of the Yakuza franchise. So many old favourites made their return. From Pocket Fighter (now dubbed Dragon Fighter) and Gondawara Susumu with his baby fetish.

Also, I didn’t think I’d be so obsessed with it, but I think they cracked property management this time round. Ichiban Confections, later known as Ichiban Holdings, was a blast to manage and accrue juicy money for.

The bartender of Survive also looked very familiar. I mean...what with the huge scar across his face. My suspicions were confirmed when I searched up Kashiwagi up on the Yakuza wiki page and was awarded with the fact that HE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE ASSAULT HELICOPTER FROM YAKUZA 3!!

Other than that, my few other gripes involved the implementation of the levelling system and the way area of effect skills were handled. In particular, the pathing for how characters moved around the battlefield proved, at least to me, a bit of a frustration. Often, characters would be blocked by a knee-high fence or a corner. Sometimes they would be able to go around, but other times the game (after several seconds of watching them fail to walk through a solid building) warp to the enemy that I had targeted to launch their attack.

And even though the combat is turn-based, most of the enemies tend to walk around the battlefield - either clumping together or distancing themselves from each other. What truly annoyed me was when there were moves that could be used as an area of effect, with the MP cost to go along with it, but were limited by their effectiveness when the enemy combatants were too far away. Yes, it makes sense, but golly gosh, how much of a pixel measurement does it have to be for it to not hit?

Besides that, the levelling was also a bit of a tedious chore. Were it not for the invested vagrants, I feel like I might have put the game down with how much grinding there was - particularly when it came to the various jobs. The biggest hill to climb was from 20-30. Without the exp (experience point) boosting items, it would have been a torturous slog. I know that in the original Japanese release of the game, the cap for jobs was level 30, but if you change it to 99, please, for the sanity of all the gamers out there, tweak the requirements to make it easier. And maybe give normal trash mobs a bit more experience points for the playable characters to munch on. 

Goodness, imagine having to grind on level 55 Ornery Yakuza and receiving a paltry 1000xp for each battle (when, in order to level up a job, you needed almost a million).

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a break from the traditional formula that’s been a staple of the franchise for many years. Much like Ichiban, it’s a bit of fresh air to liven up the experience that might have gone a bit stale after I slogged through the whole Kiryu arc last year. With a few tweaks, and a few more Persona 5 CD soundtracks, I’m eager to see how the story evolves and whatever contrivances Ichiban will somehow force him into.

Although, to be fair, is it still appropriate to call this franchise Yakuza when the game literally saw the dismantling of the two biggest clans? Then again, Civilian: Like a Dragon 2 just doesn’t have the same ring to it. In any case, I hope the next one comes soon and we’ll be able to have Seong-hui in our party. I feel like she’d be wielding a gunblade.

(Did I just use a lyric from Mariah Carey? You bet I did! I had been tossing up the idea between this line and ‘I need a hero.’ Why? Well, I think that would be self-explanatory after knowing Ichiban’s proclivities. And it fits so, so, so well!) 

#yakuza 7: like a dragon #yakuza #video games #i need a hero

[fatalezr]

And now for something new...

Suburban Slaughter

The recoil of the automatic weapon slammed into Jane's shoulder but she absorbed it with minimal change to her aim and continued to hold the trigger. Empty shell casings fell to her right and bounced around her in the cubicle whilst the front of the gun spat lead at the paper head and torso in front of her. She emptied the magazine, the rhythmic BAM-BAM-BAM echoing around her despite the ear protection she wore. Eventually the gun stopped firing and she released the trigger, taking a moment to see the small wisp of smoke rising from the end of the HK93. She pressed the button in the cubicle for the target to come closer to her and nodded as she saw the vast majority of her bullets had hit the outline of the torso in front of her. She ejected the magazine and practiced careful discipline in making sure all the bullets were clear of the chamber.

Jane found shooting strangely calming. She was a weekly fixture at the local gun range in her town but she did not know many other people there. She was polite and always said hello to whoever was working behind the desk but once she had her targets picked, she would practice her drills in peace with large ear protectors at a cubicle towards the end of the range. It was good to have this as some quiet time, she told herself. It reminded of her being younger and going shooting and hunting in the wild with her father. His passing five years ago had been hard for her. Shooting was a way she felt she could still connect with him, but it also served to relieve some of the other demons she carried, particularly on a day like today.

It was April 15th and three years to the day since her son had died in their local hospital aged 17. Tommy was a good boy but found himself at a party where someone had supplied a tainted package of cocaine. Him and two other partygoers lost their lives that night and it was a night of infamy for all parents in the area. The pain and shock of his death had been too much for her and her husband, and they had divorced a year later. She got into her car and looked at herself in the mirror. She did not like what she saw. She was 44 with a full figure and blonde hair that had one or two grey strands coming through, wearing loose-fitting jeans and a grey hoodie. She felt like she was past her best and did not relish the prospect of returning to her home, alone again. She sighed and switched on the engine.

Jane lived on a quiet street in a sleepy town outside of Austin, Texas. The town, like her, had seen better days. Several houses were vacant, shops had shut down and crime had been rising steadily over the last few years. Drugs were sold on street corners and Jane no longer felt like she could head out at night safe. Her Chevrolet started to make a banging noise as she drove up to her house and Jane cursed - she didn't want to deal with a broken car. She inspected it once she reached home - it would do, but she knew it was getting older and would not survive much longer. She walked into her home, still moderately sized and well-furnished and the one good thing to come from her divorce. She locked the door and went to the kitchen to get herself some water. She sipped on it until the silence was broken by the vibration of her mobile phone. She pulled it from her jean pocket and answered.

"Jane, are you home?" It was the voice of her friend Kayla.

"Sure" Jane answered, "what's up?"

"I can't speak over the phone" Kayla said, "can I come call round?"

Jane glanced at the clock on the wall. It was past 9pm. She wondered what Kayla wanted. "OK" she said, "is everything all right?"

"It is" Kayla assured her, "I'll see you in 15" she added before hanging up the phone. Jane took her drink into the living room and turned on the TV. Sure enough, 15 minutes later, there was a knock at the door and Jane got up to let Kayla in.

Kayla was about 5 years younger than Jane but looked almost her opposite. She was slim and toned with straight brown hair. She was wearing some tight fitting blue jeans and a white vest top covered by a sleek leather jacket. She smiled and embraced Jane as she walked in. "Thanks, I know it's late" she told her in her Northern accent that stood out amongst that of the other locals in the area. Kayla was an outsider to the community but someone who had worked hard to make it her home since she moved to the area two years ago. For Jane, Kayla was a breath of fresh air and one of the few people she still considered a friend. Jane found the two of them could relate and talk together. However, there was still a lot about Kayla she did not know - she didn't know what work she did or had only visited her house once. She knew Kayla's husband was often working away from home and Kayla kept a busy schedule with two young children.

"It's fine" Jane replied politely, "can I get you a drink?"

"A hot tea would be lovely" Kayla said. They both walked into the kitchen together and Jane filled the kettle.

"Is John back with the kids?" Jane asked, referring to Kayla's husband.

"Yeah, he's looking after them tonight. I wanted to make sure I caught you today. I know it's...." Kayla paused, and Jane nodded.

"Thanks," she said simply. Jane was grateful that Kayla knew and was with her in her grief that night. She poured them both a tea and they went to her living room.

"Can I ask?" Kayla said once they had sat, "what would you do if you found the dealer who sold the package?"

Jane said nothing but felt her fist clench and pure anger rise inside her. The police had claimed it was impossible to find the person who had sold the drugs and closed their investigation within days despite Jane's pleading. She wanted justice for Tommy. She broke from the anger and looked curiously at Kayla. "Why are you here Kay?"

"Answer my question and I'll answer yours"

Jane considered. "I'd teach that motherfucker what pain really is". It was true. She had thought about it for some years and even imagined the dealer as being the faceless target she pummelled with bullets at the range on some occasion.

Kayla nodded and reached into her bag. She pulled out a manilla folder and passed it to her friend. "I've got him Jane, I've got him". Jane looked inside the folder and felt a wave of emotions. Shock, anger and confusion all mingled together as she stared at the criminal record for one Billy Oakland, a 30 year old man living from his records in Austin. Jane read the record - he had a string of minor assault and drug charges. She was confused though.

"What?...How?" she asked.

"I've been tracking him down for a few months" Kayla answered. "He's part of a larger network getting product from Mexico and distributing it here. It's all organised crime. Half the shit that goes down here comes from this band of fuckers. Billy's just a dealer...but it's a start"

"Kayla, I don't understand - how do you know all this?"

Kayla sat back for a second. "Before I moved here, I was in the military in a covert unit. I've still got some connections in the services who I can turn to."

"But why?"

"Because it's not just about Tommy, Jane. It's about all of us in this community. The cops don't give a fuck. This town's going down a bad path and there's so many places like this. Someone has to make a stand and tell these assholes they're not welcome here".

Jane pushed past the shock and realised all that Kayla was saying. "Someone?" she asked.

"Or some two people..." Kayla said, fixing her with a hard stare.

Jane looked down at the photo of Billy Oakland again. His dark unkempt hair and long face stared back at her. She looked through photographs that had been taken of him dealing on the streets - he was giving packages to teenagers and other youths...would one of them have died like Tommy? She looked up at Kayla. "Where is he now?"

Kayla nodded and extended her hand. "So you're in?"

"I'm in" Jane took it and they shook. Kayla reached into her bag again and pulled out some more files - they looked like map printouts. She pointed. "This is the corner where he deals. He's there every night until about midnight. We can grab him off the street and then I know a few places we can take him. Here - this will do". She showed an overhead shot of a barn that was off some dirt roads. "Serious question now - are any of your guns suppressed?"

Jane shook her head - she had a few guns of various calibres but none that she fired suppressed.

"That's OK, I have some spares" Kayla said, smiling at her. "What pistols do you have?"

"Colt Mustang and a HK45" Jane answered.

"We'll use the HK45" Kayla told her. "Let's get ready"

"Now?" Jane was surprised at how fast this was happening.

"Sure" Kayla said, "no time like the present right?" She got up and walked to her car, returning a few seconds later with a black duffle bag. She took Jane upstairs to the main bedroom and talked her through her plans in more detail. Jane gave Kayla her HK45 and Kayla added the necessary threading to the barrel to support a thick black suppressor she had brought with her. Jane watched as Kayla assembled the weapon with ease and handed it to her. The suppressor brought extra weight to the pistol but she ran through some dry firing drills and was soon ready to use it.

"What do we wear?" Jane asked.

"Something dark is generally best," Kayla advised. She started to unbutton the front of her jeans. "You don't mind?" she asked.

"Go for it," Jane said. Of all the secrets shared so far, what knickers Kayla was wearing was hardly going to be the most revealing. She turned to her own wardrobe and pulled out some black yoga pants and a long black sweatshirt. As she turned around, she saw Kayla had removed her jeans and top, revealing a matching and sexy black bra and panty set.

Kayla must have caught the momentary look of surprise on her face. "Yeah, I have certain...tastes" Kayla offered as she started to put on some black leggings and a tight fitting black top that looked made for the occasion. Jane watched as Kayla finished her look with a black shoulder holster. She felt slightly embarrassed at getting changed herself - she didn't feel her figure was toned or impressive like Kayla's. Her own underwear was oversized and mismatched. She sighed to herself but then found a determination again and changed into the black clothing she had picked out. Her own holster strapped around her waist and she had to unsuppress the HK46 before placing it inside. "You're doing good," Kayla said, going to her and giving her a reassuring squeeze on the arm.

"I just...I....you've done this before yes?" Jane asked with trepidation.

Kayla nodded. "Yeah. Look, the main thing isn't the gear or the clothes. 90% of this is a decent steady aim and a calm head. You've got those". Jane smiled. "Now come on, let's head out".

The journey in Kayla's car towards Austin was not long. Jane had so many questions she wanted to ask but didn't know where to start. She wanted to know more about what Kayla had done in the past - had she been an assassin? And what about now? Was she still one? Did John know about all of this? She decided to ask the latter question first. "John and I met in the military," Kayla said, "these days he works mainly for the NSA. We're an odd family!" she added, chuckling a little, "but honestly there's no-one else who I'd rather trust than him. He's an amazing father too - he'll call the kids even when he's away in some hellhole just to make sure they see him". Kayla talked about him with a fondness in her voice that made Jane smile too.

"And so what did the two of you do that caused you to meet?" Jane asked.

Kayla smiled. "That's a long story and one for another day". She glanced at Jane. "I will tell you, I promise that, just not tonight. Besides, we're almost there". She was right. They only drove for another minute before Kayla pulled over on a side street and Jane recognised from the name above her they were only a block away from the corner where Billy Oakland dealt. Jane's heart hammered a little quicker. She was about to come face to face with someone responsible for her son's death. She didn't fully know how she would handle the emotion of the situation. The area around them was deserted. It was nearing midnight and they were in a run down area of town. There were a lot of boarded houses - an ideal spot for someone to stand on a corner inconspicuously...but also to be taken from.

Kayla patted her holster. "I'll meet you round the block" she said. Jane shifted over to the driver's seat as Kayla put on a black ski mask and drew her suppressed Glock 19 from it's holster. She saw her friend slink into the shadows and head towards the corner of the block. Jane moved the car out and in the opposite direction as instructed. They would act like a pincer with Kayla on foot coming from one corner and Jane driving from the other. If Billy was working alongside anyone else they would be trapped. Jane turned right and then braced herself to turn right again. When she did, she knew she would see his face in the flesh for the first time. She checked the gun at her hip and turned the car. She saw two men in hoodies at the other end of the block from her. One was taller and had his hood down and she knew this must be Billy himself. The shorter one was wearing all black and she guessed must be part of his crew. She kept the car going straight towards him at a normal pace.

She was only about 30 yards away when there was a sudden movement as Kayla sprung from the shadows on the corner. Within a second, she had moved behind Billy and wrapped her arm around his throat. Her gun raised towards the other man and Jane saw two quick flashes from the muzzle. It was strange to see a gun fire with hardly any noise. Kayla's suppressor and subsonic rounds were evidently doing their job. The shorter man had fallen to the floor and she saw his body jerk twice more as two more shots from Kayla finished him. Jane pulled the car up to the kerb and reached to open the back door. Kayla cracked Billy on the head with the butt of her gun and bundled him with surprising strength into the back seat, where she joined him aiming the gun at his head.

"Drive!" she told Jane as she slammed the door shut and Jane put her foot to the floor on the accelerator and sped off. In the back seat, Kayla was quick at work to tie Billy's hands behind his back with cable ties and gag him with a cloth. He whimpered and tried to move but his head was evidently in pain. He writhed but stopped when Kayla pointed the barrel of her weapon against his head. "Don't you fucking move" she commanded him, "or there'll be picking your brains out of the road". He cowered away from her.

Jane felt exhilarated by the experience as she drove. Kayla's car was a Ford Mustang but a modern model that made the experience less noisy. She turned it away from Austin and towards the abandoned barn that Kayla knew. As they entered the fields, the lights of the city around them faded and there were stars around them. Jane kept focussed on the road but the open skies made her feel more serene and at peace. After 20 minutes, they reached the barn and Kayla pulled Billy out of the back seat. Jane looked round it, amazed there was no blood from the strike on his head. She wondered if that had been intentional.

"Inside" Kayla commanded Billy, pointing to the dilapidated brown barn in front of them. It's doors were rusted and ajar and it was empty inside. The light from the moon shone in from two high windows casting a white light amongst the empty stalls where food or hay would have once been stored. Kayla pushed Billy some more, and he led the way in with Jane hanging behind slightly. She felt the gun on her hip again, and remembered Tommy's face as a boy, smiling at a birthday party. He was gone too young, too young. She felt some apprehension as she approached the door. She was now stepping into the unknown. Kayla had brought her to this point but now what? "Kneel," Kayla told Billy. She removed her ski mask so he could see her face. It was cold as ice. He didn't move. Pip! Her gun flashed again as she shot him in the knee. Billy howled through the gag as best he could and sunk to his knees. Kayla let him weep for a few seconds and walked over to Jane. "Do you want this?"

Jane nodded and gripped her gun. She removed it from it's holster on her hip and then reached around her back for where she had stored the suppressor. She positioned herself out of view of Billy and slowly twisted it on, the resolve to kill him deepening with each movement.

Kayla was standing over Billy. "Now I'm going to remove the gag Billy and ask you some questions. There's no point screaming, we're completely alone here. Nod if you understand". Between Billy's whimpering, she saw his head move up and down. "Good," Kayla said. She removed the gag and Billy whimpered loudly.

"Wh-wh-what do you want? I don't have nothing I swear!" he drawled in a Southern accent.

"I want you to answer some questions Billy" Kayla said calmly.

"But you-you'll kill me, you'll kill me if I-I talk"

"No" Kayla said, "I give you my word I won't". Billy looked confused but Kayla continued. "Tell me where you get your supplies"

"Su-Supplies of what?" Billy asked.

"The coke Billy, tell me where you get the supplies" Kayla raised her voice in a threatening manner.

"I-I-I got a guy in the city". He seemed to steady himself some more. "He brings the package in, always gives me a cut".

"And how does he bring the package in?" Kayla asked, calming her voice again.

"He's in the trucking business. Always going cross-border with all kinds of shit".

Kayla studied Billy's face and nodded with a glance at Jane. "Alright, trucking. How do they get it past border control?" Billy shook his head. "HOW?" Kayla placed her gun against his head.

"I don't know, I swear" Billy protested, "I just get my gear and go, it's truth, honest!"

"What's the name of your supplier?" Kayla kept the gun against his head. "Come on, either a name comes out or a bullet goes in - your call".

"It's Eric! Eric Martinez" Billy cried out. Kayla took a step back. "That's all I know, I swear. Just - just let me go...live.....I'll disappear...never touch that shit again, I swear" he pleaded. "You said I'd live".

Kayla nodded. "Actually Billy, I said I wouldn't shoot you. I didn't give any guarantees for anyone else". Jane took that as her cue and moved into view, gripping her gun by her side. Kayla squeezed her on the shoulder. "I'll be outside" she told her.

"Wh-what?" Billy cried, realising what was about to happen.

Jane looked down at him - he was pitiful with the wound on his leg and a face that was red with emotion. She calmed herself - she had to know one more thing. "Three years ago" she said to Billy, "you spiked a package. You remember?"

"Sh-Shit lady, I-I don't know, I only done that a couple times"

"And one of those times was three years ago" Jane said, her voice growing stronger. "Why?" It was the one thing she needed to know. "Why?!" she shouted louder as Billy said nothing.

"Some guy...his brother stole...stole my car...thought it would....send...a message"

"Some guy stole your car and so three kids had to die!" Jane was incredulous.

"It was...it was the game lady. How the fuck I know what happens?"

Jane needed to hear no more. She raised her pistol, supported by both hands and aimed at his chest.

"No lady! No no!" he cried.

Pfft. Jane's finger caressed the trigger and she noticed Billy jerk. The empty shell casing fell on the floor in the barn. Billy's hoodie started to turn a crimson red. She caressed again. Pfft. Another soft whisper from the gun. Another jerk from Billy. He slumped to the floor. Jane looked at his fallen body but all she saw in her head was Tommy lying in the hospital, his customary smile wiped away. She stepped towards Billy. Pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft. The anger exploded out of her and she screamed as she emptied the magazine into him. Billy jerked a few more times but by the end of her firing spree he was still, lying still with his face towards the ground.

Jane looked at her empty gun and felt a strange sensation. Her anger lifted and she found herself feeling free and lighter. She began to feel a strange euphoria. She had brought some justice to Tommy. Almost on instinct, she ejected the magazine and reached into her holster for a spare. She chambered a round and looked down on Billy's body, smiling. There was no screaming from her this time. She let all the sensations move through her - the feel of the weight of the trigger as her right hand squeezed it, the soft -pfft- sound as the suppressor shot forth the round, the ping of the casing hitting the floor and the sight of another hole appearing in the hoodie on the ground. Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft. She slowly and deliberately fired. She breathed deeply and felt her nipples harden. She had not felt pleasure since Tommy's death and she took a second to enjoy the sensation. She aimed higher. Pfft, pfft, pfft. She emptied three bullets into Billy's head and it crumpled. She smiled and licked her lips. Pfft, pfft. She fired the final two bullets into the remains of his head and stared at his lifeless corpse and the small amount of smoke rising from the end of the suppressor.

Jane ejected the magazine and began to unthread the suppressor. It was warm in her hands from her shooting spree. Kayla returned to the barn and walked over to her. They did not exchange any words, Jane simply nodding. Kayla did not even bother looking at Billy's remains on the ground. Jane holstered her gun and the two walked out of the barn.

"Thank you" Jane said as they reached Kayla's car. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of Tommy and as three years of pain faded away. "Thank you" she managed again. Kayla squeezed her arm and helped her into the car. They drove silently back to Jane's house and Kayla parked outside.

As they stopped, Jane had a thought. "Kayla, I know you asked him about where he got his supply from..."

"Yeah" Kayla replied, "I want to go after the bastards who bring this shit to communities. I want to find who's financing this, who's profiting from it and who's supplying at every level".

Jane looked at her. "I....I want to help".

Kayla considered her offer. "OK" she said finally, "OK let's do this. After work tomorrow - we'll chat?".

Jane nodded and got out of the car. She watched as Kayla pulled out from her parking space and drove off into the night. As she re-entered her home, it felt different to her. This was no longer a place of sadness, it was a place for justice, and a justice that was only just beginning.

#hitwoman #suburbanslaughter #silencerhitwoman #female assassin #femme fatale #silent assassin #story #woman gun #girls with guns

[streetlamphalo]

r/fantasy 2021 bingo (part 1 of 5)

Yes, it's time to talk about the r/fantasy 2021 bingo because the card was released back in April and I've been slowly making my way through it since. I was initially debating how many parts to add to this series, or whether to just do a retrospective, but I've honestly been reading some great entries, especially for books 6, 7 and 8 (more on that in part 2), that it feels like a shame not to have some mini-reviews of the first 5. A reminder for those who are new to my bingo attempts: I only read hard mode books, from women or trans/non-binary authors (essentially no cis men). So, without further ado, in the order in which they made it onto the card:

Cat Squasher: book over 500 pages (hard mode: book over 800 pages)

Winter by Marissa Meyer - ★★

The conclusion to the Winter Chronicles and it was a dud for me. Just flat characters, a plot that went all over the place and not enough of the stuff I had liked in previous books to redeem it for me. Too many fake outs of deaths, when it was obvious nothing of the sort would happen. Overall a disappointment.

r/fantasy book club: a book featured in any of the book clubs or readalongs on the sub (hard mode: reading the current selection and participating in the discussion)

The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk - ★★★★

Lovely fantasy take on regency romance with magic, feminism, difficult choices and a great cast of characters. I feel like I absolutely breezed through this one and I was actually shocked by the lukewarm reception to this one. It felt airy, intriguing and featured some phenomenal female friendships, so why haven't you read it yet?

Title: ____ of ____ (hard mode: ____ of ____ and ____)

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - ★★

Oh boy. This was my first ever Maas novel and I can definitely see why readers can be so... divided on her. This one is an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast (the Disney version anyway) that gets bogged down by a lot of frankly unnecessary erotica and "female" nonsense, as well as unaddressed sexual assault. It's got a kernel of promise in it, but apparently everything escalates in the sequels so I guess we'll find out if I ever get round to those!

5 short stories (hard mode: an anthology or short story collection)

I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-Young -★★

I've never read a short story collection where I've enjoyed every story and this one is no exception. I wonder how much of this is actually lost in translation, because I feel that it's happened before, particularly with East Asian writers. This is strictly a me problem, not an issue with the translation itself, where I feel that I'm lacking a specific cultural context that I can't quite put my finger on. The stories that bookend the collection are superb, the middle ones not so much. I hope I get to read more of Kim Bo-Young's works in future, though.

Book with chapter titles (hard mode: titles are all longer than one word)

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso - ★★★

This is a self-publishing darling that made it into mainstream and I can definitely see why. Interesting worldbuilding and setup, intriguing main character, but the plot ended up being bogged down by one horrible thing after another, along with some truly baffling character choices that I couldn't quite explain away. I didn't dislike it, and I feel that Villoso's Filipino background actually shines through in the narrative. I'm cautiously optimistic about the sequels!

As mentioned above, I've already read three more books for the bingo (and I've started the fourth now) and I can't wait to share them all with you, hopefully sooner rather than later!

#talking about books #book reviews #Winter #Marissa Meyer #The Midnight Bargain #C L Polk #A Court of Thorns and Roses #Sarah J Maas #I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories #Kim Bo-Young #The Wolf of Oren-Yaro #K S Villoso