The Life of Brian, Commentary

I've watched the Life of Brian today.  Basically, if anyone thinks that this movie is offensive to Christianity or Judaism, you have to get a life and look closer.  The movie essentially is based on what might happen if someone were completely mistaken for the Messiah.  The Christ, as he was portrayed in the movie, wasn't put down or made fun of.  In fact, I think Christianity was reverently handled.  What the movie did make fun of was the sheep mentality.


The Pythoners are actually geniuses when they put together their entertainment.  When they do a movie, they make a lot of social commentary on their day.  The movie does ridicule Authority.  From the Pharisee at the beginning to Pontius Pilate.  May I stress that the movie doesn't make fun of the Christ.


Basically, Brian is born about the same time as the Christ, around 4 BC.  About 33 years later, Brian begins his adventures.  He has an abusive mom (Terry Jones, I think), no father, and a hatred of the Romans.  He falls in with the wrong group, gets into a raid on the Fortress of Antony in order to kidnap the wife of Pilate.  However, he's truly innocent when his group (the People's Front) meets up with the Judean People's Front and the both of them get into a tussle over who planned what first.


Well, they die, and he is the only one left.  The Romans capture him and bring him before Pontius Pilate who initially wants to crucify him for trespassing and being an accessory to breaking and entering.  However, Brian claims that he's the son of a Roman Citizen and they get him confused with Biggus Dickus -- Pilate's friend from Rome.  He escapes, after a prisoner says that he is envious that he's getting crucified.

Having reached his so called friends, he leads the Romans right to them.  And the Romans visit not once, but three times.  On the third time, Brian falls to the street and takes on the guise of being a street preacher.  He preaches the Sermon on the Mount as best as he could from the Savior.  However, the people mistake him for the Savior and starts to follow him around enmasse (there's the Sheep Mentality).  All at once the new cult -- the Cult of Brian -- starts up.  At one point he tries to tell them to leave him alone, and he's not the Messiah, but the people are drunk with Sheeple thinking.


The next morning, they catch him naked and try to get more insight out of him.  Brian denies having any authority and tries to get them to think for themselves.  However, they are so drunk with Sheep think that they all answer in unison.  Finally he escapes, but his girlfriend tries to tell him that they want him to be a leader.  He eventually gets captured by the Romans, and was crucified.  The Romans try to have him released, but they mistake his identity for another.  So the people's front comes along and like untrue friends they abandon him to be crucified.  However, the JPF comes along, announces that they are a suicide squad and then stab themselves to death with gladii.  It ends when Eric Idle breaks out in a song.

The brilliant thing about the movie is that the central message is that we have the right to work out life for ourselves and to think for ourselves.  Which I think is really one of the themes of Christianity.  We work out our own salvation.  And there are several times in the scriptures where Yahweh and the Savior promote independent thought (in the Bible as well as modern Revelation).

The other brilliant thing about the movie is that it really portrays Terrorists as being ineffectual.  Just as ineffectual as governments (not that the suicide bombers are ineffectual, they cause terror more efficiently than the JPF).  Finally, the Sheep think.  What is strange is that the movie subtly hints that people are easily brainwashed when they want to be brainwashed.  Sheep think is an easy way to brainwash a massive amount of people and this method can be taken advantage of through propaganda.

The strangest thing about this movie is that:
--- It offends Christians.
--- Atheists seem to love it.

Christians should not be offended by this movie.  I don't find anything in this movie that offends Christ.  But it does touch on how a cult or a church can be formed.  As for Atheists, I really don't know how they get their kick off this movie.  They either perceive it makes fun of Christianity in some way or they make fun at the people who are taken by Sheep think.  What I think is that there are many Atheists who say that they are Atheists but are really not.  I find most of them to be confident people even if they are outspoken against Yahweh or any other god.  If it does speak out against Religion, I think its the Sheep think of a lot of people that Religion so often takes advantage of.

The Pythoners should be exonerated of the charge of blasphemy.  Really, there was no blasphemy in the film.  It's an innocent film about the stupidity of people, especially while in the grips of Sheep think.  The movie does have nudity in it, but we are all naked underneith, so what is the big deal?  And yes, there is a suggestion that they did have sex, but really the movie's message isn't about getting us to have sex out of wedlock.  The real message of the movie is what could have happened if someone was mistaken for the Savior.  Enjoy the movie, and remember to form your own opinion.

A Paladin using Greywulf's tutorial

I went for something a little more traditional this time.  Again the Paladin shows up in the Freya outfit, but with different textures.  This is Victoria 4, morphed to be overpoweringly strong with full Aiko morphs (I suspect a Strength of 18 to 20).

Since I didn't get the painterly essentials that Greywulf used, and the background was already taken with good depth of field, I have chosen to just try to do pretty much replicate the last steps in his tutorial.  What I did was use the background photo as pure background, rendered the render with a light setup that matched the background, and proceeded to load it into photoshop and photoshop away.

I first copied the background layer.  Next, I went to filters -> blur -> radial blur and made sure that the blur was of good quality.  I then also made sure that there was a spin on it at a rating of ten.  I applied it and then made the upper layer at 55% transparency.  This gave it a misty and dreamy effect (different than using a z-Depth layer).  I finally played with the Saturation settings to get a more painterly look but not too much as it would ruin the background.

I wondered if I were ready to post on the CGsociety, or if I'm getting close.  The CGsociety has best renders on display, as they have artists who are dedicated to their craft.

Milo D. Indarys, Dark Elf of Morrowind

Morrowind Dark Elf by ~Atlantean6 on deviantART

My interpretation of a Morrowind Dunmer, or Dark Elf as they are called.  This is Milo D. Indarys.  She is a crusader -- that is -- a knight combined with a cleric, essentially a paladin.  She is of House Rendoran, and is related to the Indarys clan.  In ESIV: Oblivion, the Indarys clan has the distinction of being led by the Neverarine.  In fact, they are so important that one of them governs Cheydinhal as a count (Count Indarys).

If you want to use her for Roleplaying, here are her basic stats:

Milo D. Indarys
[level 3 paladin (3rd), Warlord with the Initiate of the Faith feat (4th); AL LG; most used skills: Diplomacy, Heal, and Intimidate]

First thoughts: DMG 4e

My first thoughts:

WotC should have packaged the DMG with the PHB.  It would have saved the PHB.

James Wyatt wrote the DMG, and it looks like he is the sole author.  He joins the ranks of John Curtis III, Gary Gygax, Robin Laws, and other luminaries that wrote on this craft.  I really think he deserves his place.

I still like skill challenges. More on this later.

Minions are a great add to the game (they are discussed in the MM, to be sure).  Pretty much something that was added by Robin in 3rd Edition with his Burning Shaolin adventure.  

It's been told to me that the DMG had all the roleplaying, if that is so, then Wizards really should have combined them together.  A lot of people are paying $60 for the Pathfinder RPG, I bet a lot of people would have paid $60 for a Dungeons and Dragons RPG.  Although you still get that annoying *you must use miniatures* rule.  you can throw that out, but you throw out all the other rules that depend on it.

I really think that the DMG is the best book out of the three.  It's written well and concise.  Although I won't get a chance to run the adventure in the back of the DMG.  I really don't want to break up my group over something like 4th edition.  Still, I wonder if I can still play a military wizard. . .

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Note, this is just my first impression of the DMG.  So, it's stream of consciousness on what went through my mind when I read it.  My PHB review may have been a good example of how *not* to write a review, but then the PHB is organized badly, and there is just too much in the PHB to take in.  The PHB was written wrongly, that is all there is to it.  The DMG rounds it out, and the DMG should have been packaged with the PHB.  It would have made the PHB seem a lot more complete.

Atlantis will be more of a reality!!

I might be able to get started working on a silver screen version of Atlantis.  I really want to do T.V. but what ever gets me started. :)  Hopefully I'll be able to make the models available for DAZ.  ESPECIALLY the Sahuagin!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is an underwater version I'm doing, so it's going to be cool!!

Remember Morrowind?

Morrowind was a game that said you can do anything you like.  Even raid sacred tombs for important stuff.  The guide to Morrowind was packed with locations that had all sorts of juicy bits.  Although Morrowind wasn't as BIG as Daggerfall, the game had giving you a lot to do and explore.  A roleplaying game adventure should have these options, although usually page count prevents the writer from including some options.

Each option would be a treasure or an encounter.  I started to do this with my Atlantis adventure, almost absent mindedly.  The PCs would go there, raid a tomb, and have some fun.  Or an option led you to a strange encounter, or some treasure in some unusual places.  (in my Atlantis adventure, I already listed some interesting encounters - a Bronze Dragon and an abandoned pirate's cove).

The idea is to have fun with an adventure or video game.  I'm off to play more morrowind!! :)  And yes, I usually play a Telvanni. :)

Atlantis again...

I have been getting promptings to add to the Atlantis myth for a long time.  That is why I keep coming back to this subject.   Atlantis is one of my passions, obviously.  I've been watching a series on Magical Egypt, to see if I can get any ideas about what life was like in the mythic past.

At the moment, I'm adding a couple of special materials to D&D/Pathfinder.  Titanium Steel and Transparent Aluminum (which is a technology I think only we have but I can be wrong about that).  Transparent Aluminum (Aluminum Oxynitrate) is a special material that is, well . . . TRANSPARENT! :) It is also virtually indestructible, and is capable of being molded into glass like material.  I don't know if it can be sharpened, but for armor I do believe it will work because of its lightweight properties. Just that modest conscious people will have to wear underthings.

I have been mulling over doing a 4e version.  I don't know about that, though.  I still don't understand the SRD perfectly.  The OGL version is the one that is being written right now.  Atlantis is a place of high technology, magic, and psionics.







This particular episode of Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World shows what I'm talking about. In Atlantis, you will be able to play psions, psychic warriors (or battle minds), wizards, sorcerers and other classes.  This is the ancient mythic world, and there will be things available not usually available in a fantasy world.  Like submarines, SCUBA, and genetic engineering.  When a city of survivors is forced to live under the sea, you have to make certain advancements to live under the sea.  Domed cities would not be impossible without certain technologies -- and transparent aluminum is one of them.

I've been getting promptings for a long, long while.  And it's about time to get it all done.  I have what people said about Atlantis.  Most everything really, including Plato's letters to Critias and Timaeus.  I think I can draw on everything said about it.  Instead of being a terrestial city (which there are many RPG books written on that subject), I'm going to do the underwater aspect. 

Beneath the waves of the Sea of your campaign world are three domed cities . . . the Kingdom of Atlantis.

Atlantis!!

The pull of Atlantis is again, undeniable.  I'm mulling ideas in my head on what to do.   Anyway, here is Homo Marinus.

When Atlantis drank the seas, the Atlanteans were forced to convert three cities from terrestial cities to underwater colonies.  Using powerful magic, powerful psionics, and high technology; the cities of Atlantis, Tritonis, and Cleitos were converted into a small underwater kingdom.  Located in a shallow sea, the Atlanteans converted some of their number into beings capable of breathing underwater using genetic engineering rather than magic.  They are known as Aquatic Humans (h. Marinus).  They are known colloquially as squid (Systemic Osmoform) and as divers (Cetacean diving reflex).

Racial Traits
Average Hieght: 5'10"-6'2"
Average Weight: Male -- 180 lbs - 200 lbs.
                            Female -- 160 lbs -- 190 lbs.

Ability Scores: +2 to one ability score of your choice.
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares on land, Swim 6 (30 ft. without miniatures)
Vision: Low Light vision

Languages: Atlantean, Aquan, Low Common
Bonus At Will power:  You know one extra at-will power from your class.
Bonus Feat: Aquatic Humans, both divers and squid, gain a bonus feat at 1st level.
Bonus Skill: You gain training in one additional skill from your class skill list.

Aquatic Human Builds:
        Squid -- Squid are bio-engineered with salt water tolerance, gills, and have a vulnerability to desiccant.  Squid gain a +2 to Fortitude saves to save against localized pressure up to 50 fathoms.  Desiccants dry out the gills and the skin.  Treat desiccants as Dark Toxin [Chapter 3, Combat Encounters, Dungeon Master's Guide [4th edition]).
       Divers -- Divers are bio-engineered for oxygen retention, and the capacity to collapse their lungs.  They also have high salt water tolerance.  Divers gain a +2 to Fortitude Saves to save against localized pressure up to 50 fathoms.


Play an aquatic human if you want . . .
* to be a decisive, resourceful hero who's home is under the sea.
* To have versatility.
* To be able to excel at the fighter, rogue, and warlord classes.

Physical Qualities

Aquatic humans are fully capable of living under the sea.  They are sturdier of build than their human cousins, having a subcutaneous layer of fat under their skin.  Their muscles are also a little more robust and tend towards swimmer's builds.  Aquatic humans are fully capable of mating with terrestrial humans, the mother's ova chooses which kind of Aquatic Human the child will be.  A mother who is a squid will always have squid children.  Conversely, a mother who is a diver will always have diver children; doesn't matter if the father is a diver, squid, or human.  divers and squid fathers mating with terrestrial mothers will have terrestrial children.

Aquatic humans are mammalian in form, but do not grow facial hair.  All aquatic humans are hairless except for the hair on their bodies.  Aquatic humans have lifespans comparable to humans.  Aquatic humans living on the surface tend towards Polynesian style.  Most are perfectly topless or shirtless squid gills are located on the back.  Aquatic human fighters and warlords tend to wear armor made from special dense lightweight ceramics that has been hydrodynamically designed.  Only warlord leaders wear armor made from bronze or orichalcum.  Some Aquatic Humanoids wear armor fashioned from Aluminum Oxynitride (transparent aluminium) because of its lightweight and indestructible properties.  Rogues typically wear no armor at all, as armor slows them down.  If aquatic human rogues must wear armor, it's typically made from transparent aluminium.  In Atlantis, Aquatic Humans tend to wear the styles of Atlantis.   This can range any where from a speedo for males and bikini for females to the chiton and himaton.

Aquatic humans fashion their weapons from bronze, steel, or transparent aluminum.


Playing an Aquatic Human
An aquatic human's psychology is still the same as a human.   See the Player's Handbook One for more information.

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GAH!  Okay, I'm a geek.  I just did my first race statblock for 4th Edition!!

Although this should follow the GSL and SRD, I do believe that the Creative Commons License on this site trumps the GSL.

The Book Liberator

Perhaps the best tool to fighting censorship.

http://questioncopyright.org/bookliberator

Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition -- first thoughts!

OH GAD!

This isn't my review, but these are the thought that ran through my head while scanning the PHB.

The writing insults my intelligence.  I'm not a sixth grader, but the first page of the book talks down to me as if I am.

I like the dragonborn.  Yep, it's true, I like the dragonborn.

I'm pidgon holed!! Painfully obvious, but true.  I am pigeonholed. There is just so much Wizards could have done with Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition.

Ah, the Paladin.  Captain Moroni fighting for the freedom of his people.  Leading the troops.  Or a Christian Knight fighting for a clan of goblins, or saving them from a fate worse than death . . . AH . . . WHAT?!  THAT DEFIES ALL LOGIC AND PHYSICS!! The Divine Challenge ability.   Your reason, and apparently mine, for playing a paladin.  Oh the idiocy of it all, I'm reduced to playing a sterotypical paladin that prays at church, is good to other people, is turned into a meat shield, and if he isn't attacked by his enemy his enemy is divinely smited.  When I play the paladin, I want to play some romantic paladin in polished, shiny armor that would save damsels in distress and quest for holy grails and be the paragon of virtue.  I can't even play a Miles Gloriosus!

Wizards, with powers so fair and so powerful . . . I want to play . . . hey, how come I have only two roles?!? The wizard, born with the ability to use 100% of his brain.  Reduced to making war or controlling the battlefield.  What happened to the wonder, the romance, the appeal?

Warlords . . . what the paladin could have been.

Powers.  Good Idea.  I like.

Skill Challenges.  Good idea, I like them.

Miniature use.  Okay, where are my sissors?  I am not going to spend $1,000 on miniatures just for these rules.  I'm going to use a different battle mechanic.

Rituals. Finally, some real spells.  But why are they in the back?

My Cousin's summary of the game.  "4th Edition is exactly like WoW, I'm sorry, but there is no other way to describe the game.  You have to play these four roles and there is no way in or out or around it.  I'm sorry."

After skimming the book, I have to agree with him.  Give me a few days to read the PHB in depth and in detail.  But, after reading the PHB, I feel cheated!

Coming Soon . . .

An unprofessional Review of the 4e Player's Handbook on this very blog.  And on RPG.net, a professional, unbiased review.  Want a biased review from me?  Read this blog.  Want to see me at my professional best?  Read RPG.net.

Either way, you will know how I feel about the game once I've read it.

Reviewers of 4th Edition D&D forgot the GSL

The GSL forms the most important reason NOT to purchase the player's handbook of 4th Edition D&D.  Well, until now.  Looking at the reviews of the players handbook, everyone seems to have forgotten the most important part of the game.

The. G. S. L.

In a day when we live on a planet with an Internet, the GSL should be the most important factor in your decision to buy 4th Ed. D&D.  And I was so mad, so HOPPING mad that this most important factor of the game was ignored, I want to buy a copy of the players handbook myself and give it a review. On. RPG. NET.

I really feel like they missed the boat.  The GSL should have been the most important factor when buying a Dungeons and Dragons product when we live on a planet with an Internet.  It's my most important factor, and it should be a lot of people's important factor when it came to buying this game.   On my count, Wizards of the Coast is guilty of Behavior Befitting a Monopoly:

1. Sending Cease and Desist Letters to loyal fans.
2. Stealing 30 years worth of Gamer History.
3. Allowing their legal counsel to fleece them of important funds defending their copyright.

This behavior will continue as long as it is legal for the government to grant monopolies over so called "Intellectual Property."  Do us all a favor you rabid Dungeons and Dragons fan boys, and don't purchase 5th edition unless it is Artist/Author friendly like 3rd Edition was.