They say pretty much you can stimulate your crown chakra by writing down your dreams and visions. I had one last night, a dream.
It was a dream where my grandparents had recently died (they are all dead by now), and we were cleaning everything up in the garage. I dreamed of everything from DVD racks (the kind you have where you sell things) and candy dispensers, to beating up one Lex Luthor. I think we are going to move soon because we were moving. I didn't see the house that we were moving into, but it's cool.
Here's to moving! :D
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Phoenicia's Player's Guide is being written!
Anyhow, it's nice that people come out and say that they won't be players in my campaign for one reason or another. However, it's frustrating. First of all, my campaign is not directly related to Ancient Sparta. As much as I know about that city state (with a government that's really hard to wrap a mind around), Sparta is not the primary inspiration for my campaign.
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys T.V. Show, produced by Sam Raimi, is. Frustrating as it sounds, yes I know. Because of a foolish law that has been made obsolete by the Internet, Pheonicia won't be officially apart of the Golarion universe. In order to survive as a writer on a planet with an Internet, you either have to support measures to limit Free Speech and further Limit Free Press, like RIAA and MPAA do; or you just have to accept that the Internet exists and use it's community for your gain.
Ahem. That and I'm not a fan of Golarion. It's a great setting, but the whole idea of the Original Dungeons and Dragons game is that you work with your own ideas. So, as a result, I'm writing the Player's Guide to Phoenicia to bring everything together so that you will know, at last, that my setting has nothing to do with Sparta.
Harrumph. Now that everything is clear, lets move on, shall we?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Pheonicia's Armies
The armies of Phoenicia is made up of footsoldiers comprised of fighters, warriors and psychic warriors. Over half of Phoenicia is protected by the Hoplite army. The other part is made up of Vedan warrior units.
So far, Pheonicia had to go to war only twice since the Hellenic conquest. But the city had to defend itself from invaders numerous times. The army it has is mostly made up of non-psychics, but there are three units of Psychic Warriors that defend the city. The units are:
Ares' Sons
Athena's Pride
Rama's Knights
Ares' Sons
Ares' Sons is a Hoplite unit that is comprised of Psychic Warriors. Armed with an aspis, greaves, and cuirasses the Psychic Warrior hoplite is often ready for battle. The helmet they wore is the Corinthian helmet, and the weapons they bear are the dory (spear) and the xiphon (short sword). The hoplite panoply is considered to be AC 14 when constructed out of bronze, and AC 16 when constructed out of iron.
Ares' Sons are located in a fortress built to train their number. The fortress includes a temple to Ares. Also called the Spartiates or the Sparti, Ares' Sons are relentless in battle. When on the field, they are strike fast, and they strike hard. They are decisive, and able to destroy the enemy in a relentless advance.
Ares Fortress
The fortress of Ares' Sons include the following:
Temple dedicated to Ares -- the temple dedicated to Ares has priests of the War God sacrificing goats. The temple doubles as a Martial Arts dojo where the tenants go to worship the God of War by learning Martial Arts. Here, they perfect their use of the spear, the aspis, the sword, and learn unarmed martial arts and grappling.
Other rooms of the temple are dedicated to offensive tactical maneuvers, tactical studies of other kingdoms (they have a copy of The Art of War) and military history.
Here the following feats are taught to young psychic warriors of the Ares' Sons unit:
General Warrior Feats:
Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Defensive Combat Training, Improved Sunder, Dodge, Improved Overrun, Cleave, Great Cleave, Endurance, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus
Psionic Feats:
Psionic Talent, Psionic Weapon, Greater Psionic Weapon, Deep Impact, Focused Sunder, Speed of Thought, Psionic Charge, Combat Manifestation
Psionic Feats from Bruce R. Cordell's Hyperconscious:
Dorje Blade, Psychic Bastion, Wounding Cut, Wounding Resonance, and Visceral Surge.
Weapon Master Nicodemos
Male human Cleric of Ares 4/Psychic Warrior 10
Nicodemos is the main trainer at Ares' Fortress. He oversees the training of Ares' Sons units. He's fifty seven years of age, so he trains his students well in the Martial Arts. He has several assistants helping him. Nicodemos also oversees sacrifices to the God of War, Ares.
Creche of the Mind -- Here, young children are subjected to the awakening of their psionic powers. Mostly the children of the psychic warriors themselves, the young children sleep here among resonant crystals in hopes of them developing psychic abilities with the onset of puberty. If successful, they then will undergo training as a psychic warrior, soulknife, or psion. Those that escape but develop psychic powers either gain the Wild Talent feat or develop into wilders.
Barracks and Messhall -- Here the unit sleeps and a mess hall is constructed to allow them to eat.
Psychic Surgery -- Its important that wounded soldiers are treated quickly. Medicine is of Iron Age quality. The army doctors employed here are as knowledgeable as Galen of Pergamon. They are students of Asclepius and are dedicated to the healing of soldiers. Some are clerics of Asclepius, others are psions specializing in psionic healing.
Persian Tower -- four minarets done four round towers. Here, psionic archers defend the parapets.
Command Circle --a psionic item that allows the commander of the phalanx to oversee how a battle at the fortress is progressing.
Staff -- the Fortress is fully staffed with all the staff one needs. Armorers, a couple of cooks, a few architects, some weaponsmiths, and a few engineers to maintain the fortress.
THE SPARTIATE
Spartiates are warriors that are specially trained Psychic Warriors, Warriors, or Fighters that make up a special unit that is attached to Ares' Sons. Inspired by Cadmus slaying the dragon and then sowing the dragon's teeth to create an uncommon warrior of Thebes, Spartiates are a special crack unit made up of those who are devoted to Ares' teachings. In short, they are trained as an elite unit.
Having mastered the martial arts of the aspis, the dory, and the xiphon, a Spartiate would further train as commandos, having uncommon bravery in the face of greater odds. They are also trained to handle most any terrain while fighting, and can fight not only in formation but out of formation. A spartiate was a master of martial arts, and a dabbler in others. The Spartiates have proven themselves several times over when the unit of Ares' Sons had battled invaders from the south. PC Spartiates -- also called Errant Spartiates -- are expected to be in the field, learning their skills the hard way. PC Spartiates are expected to be tough and to return to the unit to eludicate on what they've learned. NPC Spartiates -- or commando Spartiates -- are expected to stay and drill and keep their skills in top shape until the next time they are called upon to go to war.
Role: Spartiates fulfill the role of the commando in the world of Terre. They are crack army specialists where some of them are errant and some of them are not. They fulfill the role of the Green Berets, the British Commando, and the U.S. Army Rangers. Veteran Spartiates often hire themselves out as professional mercenaries.
Alignment: Most Spartiates are lawful in alignment. While some are chaotic, most tend to be lawful because of the regimented lifestyle they live. Spartiates that develop a chaotic neutral alignment during battle, however (say, develop psychoses because of battle) are often treated psychologically in the hospital ward. Choatic evil Spartiates are often deemed untreatable or unredeemable (although there are exceptions) and still are found in the ranks, where it is hoped that they will die.
Hit Die: d12.
Requirements
To qualify becoming a Spartiate, one must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Skills: Climb 5 ranks, Knowledge (Tactics) 5 ranks, Perception 6 ranks, Stealth 5 ranks
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (Spear), Weapon Focus (Short Sword)
Psionics: If the person entering the Spartiate is a Psychic Warrior, Psion, or Wilder, he must be able to manifest 3rd level psionic powers. If the person entering the Spartiate Class is a Soulknife, he must be able to demonstrate the Mind Shield and Powerful Strikes weapon skills.
Class Skills
The Spartiate's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Tactics) (Int), Knowledge (Strategy) (Int), Knowledge (Military History) (Int), Perception (Wis), and Stealth (Dex).
Skill Ranks per level: 4 + Int Modifier.
Table: Spartiate
So far, Pheonicia had to go to war only twice since the Hellenic conquest. But the city had to defend itself from invaders numerous times. The army it has is mostly made up of non-psychics, but there are three units of Psychic Warriors that defend the city. The units are:
Ares' Sons
Athena's Pride
Rama's Knights
Ares' Sons
Ares' Sons is a Hoplite unit that is comprised of Psychic Warriors. Armed with an aspis, greaves, and cuirasses the Psychic Warrior hoplite is often ready for battle. The helmet they wore is the Corinthian helmet, and the weapons they bear are the dory (spear) and the xiphon (short sword). The hoplite panoply is considered to be AC 14 when constructed out of bronze, and AC 16 when constructed out of iron.
 |
| From Wikimedia, in the public domain. |
Ares' Sons are located in a fortress built to train their number. The fortress includes a temple to Ares. Also called the Spartiates or the Sparti, Ares' Sons are relentless in battle. When on the field, they are strike fast, and they strike hard. They are decisive, and able to destroy the enemy in a relentless advance.
The fortress of Ares' Sons include the following:
Temple dedicated to Ares -- the temple dedicated to Ares has priests of the War God sacrificing goats. The temple doubles as a Martial Arts dojo where the tenants go to worship the God of War by learning Martial Arts. Here, they perfect their use of the spear, the aspis, the sword, and learn unarmed martial arts and grappling.
Other rooms of the temple are dedicated to offensive tactical maneuvers, tactical studies of other kingdoms (they have a copy of The Art of War) and military history.
Here the following feats are taught to young psychic warriors of the Ares' Sons unit:
General Warrior Feats:
Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Defensive Combat Training, Improved Sunder, Dodge, Improved Overrun, Cleave, Great Cleave, Endurance, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus
Psionic Feats:
Psionic Talent, Psionic Weapon, Greater Psionic Weapon, Deep Impact, Focused Sunder, Speed of Thought, Psionic Charge, Combat Manifestation
Psionic Feats from Bruce R. Cordell's Hyperconscious:
Dorje Blade, Psychic Bastion, Wounding Cut, Wounding Resonance, and Visceral Surge.
Weapon Master Nicodemos
Male human Cleric of Ares 4/Psychic Warrior 10
Nicodemos is the main trainer at Ares' Fortress. He oversees the training of Ares' Sons units. He's fifty seven years of age, so he trains his students well in the Martial Arts. He has several assistants helping him. Nicodemos also oversees sacrifices to the God of War, Ares.
Creche of the Mind -- Here, young children are subjected to the awakening of their psionic powers. Mostly the children of the psychic warriors themselves, the young children sleep here among resonant crystals in hopes of them developing psychic abilities with the onset of puberty. If successful, they then will undergo training as a psychic warrior, soulknife, or psion. Those that escape but develop psychic powers either gain the Wild Talent feat or develop into wilders.
Barracks and Messhall -- Here the unit sleeps and a mess hall is constructed to allow them to eat.
 | |
| Created by me in the Classical style. |
Persian Tower -- four minarets done four round towers. Here, psionic archers defend the parapets.
Command Circle --a psionic item that allows the commander of the phalanx to oversee how a battle at the fortress is progressing.
Staff -- the Fortress is fully staffed with all the staff one needs. Armorers, a couple of cooks, a few architects, some weaponsmiths, and a few engineers to maintain the fortress.
THE SPARTIATE
Spartiates are warriors that are specially trained Psychic Warriors, Warriors, or Fighters that make up a special unit that is attached to Ares' Sons. Inspired by Cadmus slaying the dragon and then sowing the dragon's teeth to create an uncommon warrior of Thebes, Spartiates are a special crack unit made up of those who are devoted to Ares' teachings. In short, they are trained as an elite unit.
Having mastered the martial arts of the aspis, the dory, and the xiphon, a Spartiate would further train as commandos, having uncommon bravery in the face of greater odds. They are also trained to handle most any terrain while fighting, and can fight not only in formation but out of formation. A spartiate was a master of martial arts, and a dabbler in others. The Spartiates have proven themselves several times over when the unit of Ares' Sons had battled invaders from the south. PC Spartiates -- also called Errant Spartiates -- are expected to be in the field, learning their skills the hard way. PC Spartiates are expected to be tough and to return to the unit to eludicate on what they've learned. NPC Spartiates -- or commando Spartiates -- are expected to stay and drill and keep their skills in top shape until the next time they are called upon to go to war.
 | |
| 4th Century Hoplite by Johnny Shumate. |
Alignment: Most Spartiates are lawful in alignment. While some are chaotic, most tend to be lawful because of the regimented lifestyle they live. Spartiates that develop a chaotic neutral alignment during battle, however (say, develop psychoses because of battle) are often treated psychologically in the hospital ward. Choatic evil Spartiates are often deemed untreatable or unredeemable (although there are exceptions) and still are found in the ranks, where it is hoped that they will die.
Hit Die: d12.
Requirements
To qualify becoming a Spartiate, one must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Skills: Climb 5 ranks, Knowledge (Tactics) 5 ranks, Perception 6 ranks, Stealth 5 ranks
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (Spear), Weapon Focus (Short Sword)
Psionics: If the person entering the Spartiate is a Psychic Warrior, Psion, or Wilder, he must be able to manifest 3rd level psionic powers. If the person entering the Spartiate Class is a Soulknife, he must be able to demonstrate the Mind Shield and Powerful Strikes weapon skills.
Class Skills
The Spartiate's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Tactics) (Int), Knowledge (Strategy) (Int), Knowledge (Military History) (Int), Perception (Wis), and Stealth (Dex).
Skill Ranks per level: 4 + Int Modifier.
Table: Spartiate
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Phoenicia's Religions
In this post, I'll be going over the religious climate of Phoenicia. Phoenicia is gripped strongly by an air of personal and individual freedom. Although there will always be those that will try to take away the freedom of the people -- both Foreign and Domestic, the Phoenicians have held these forces at bay. As a result, the entire city has a law protecting the freedom of worship.
As a bizarre result, the city harbors many, many religions. However, the dominate religions can be classified as Monotheistic, Polytheistic, and Atheistic. The religions are discussed below.
RELIGIONS OF MANY GODS AND NO GODS
Hellenism
Hellenism is the worship of the Dodekatheon or the Twelve Olympians. Supreme in the Dodekatheon is Zeus, with Hera as his queen, and so forth. However, Hellenist priests are slowly merging with the Hindus. Zeus is seen as an aspect of Indra, and vice versa. Phoenician Hellenism has also adopted the Hindu trimurti. Saturn or Chronos is an aspect of Brahma, likewise Shiva is seen to be an aspect of Ares. Finally, there is Vishnu, whom the Hellenists have identified with Apollo (which isn't true, Vishnu isn't associated with the Sun like Agni is).
Hellenism is extremely popular among the middle and lower classes found in the Northern Lower City. Especially the magic cults associated with Hecate -- who is identified with Khali. Still, Hellenistic schools of science and natural philosophy say that the Gods are false and that the School of the Scholars which venerates the Force of Good is the only one to follow.
Domains: The Domains of the Dodekatheon are found in the Dungeons and Dragons book Deities and Demigods.
Hinduism
Also called Vedism, Hinduism is the worship of many Gods, and it is one of the hallmarks of Vedic culture. Centered in the Upper Southern City, the Hindus worship a multiplicity of Gods and believe in reincarnation. The main gods are the Hindu Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva with a multiplicity of many gods (including Agni, Khali, Indra, and others). Hinduism promises salvation through good works (Kharma) and teaches Reincarnation.
Brahma is seen as the Creator. The god Brahma created all things in Hindu religion -- being the god that brought order out of Chaos. Brahma is often protrayed as having four bearded faces and four arms, studying the Vedas, and riding on a white goose. His wife is Sarasvati.
Domains: Brahma is a greater God and has lost prominence over the years among Hindus. His domains are Air, Law, Good, Glory, and Knowledge. His subdomains are: Agathion, Cloud, Archon, Honor, and Thought.
Siva is a God of duality. He is is a major Hindu deity, and the Destroyer or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine.[2] In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God. In the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God.[3] Followers of Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas (Sanskrit Śaiva).[4] Shaivism, along with Vaiṣṇava traditions that focus on Vishnu and Śākta traditions that focus on the goddess Shakti, is one of the most influential denominations in Hinduism.[3]
Shiva is usually worshipped in the abstract form of Shiva linga. In images, he is represented as a handsome[5] young man[6] immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon Apasmara, the demon of ignorance in his manifestation of Nataraja, the lord of the dance. It is said that he looks like an eternal youth because of his authority over death, rebirth and immortality. He is also the father of Ganesha and Murugan.
Domains: Shiva's Domains are Chaos, Destruction, Good, Knowledge, and Liberation. His subdomains are Azata, Catastrophe, Agathion, Memory, Thought, and Revolution.
Vishnu is the Supreme God in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God.[1]
The Vishnu Sahasranama[2] declares Vishnu as Paramatma (supreme soul) and Parameshwara (supreme God). It describes Vishnu as the All-Pervading essence of all beings, the master of—and beyond—the past, present and future, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within. Vishnu governs the aspect of preservation and sustenance of the universe, so he is called 'Preserver of the universe'. Of the three members of the Trimurti, the Bhagavata Purana, which espouses the Vaishnavite viewpoint, explains that the greatest benefit can be had from Vishnu.[10]
Domains: Vishnu's domains include Glory, Good, Healing, Knowledge, and War (based upon Rama, Krishna, and Kalki). Subdomains include Heroism, Archon, Restoration, Memory, and Tactics.
There are other gods, of course, but they are too numerous to include in this blog post.
Jainism
Jainism is very small, but highly influential in the city state of Phoenicia. Jains are centered in the Southern Lower City, and are a minority. Still, their ideas and thoughts have impacted Phoenician culture. Jains are strict pacifists, so many do not find the adventure that heroic player characters do. Some are also extreme aesthetics. The Jains came with the Spice trade, seeking religious freedom. Their impact on Pheonician culture is small but significant. Jains could be said to worship the Atman, but Jainism is an atheist philosophy.
Domains: Jainism grants Good, Knowledge, and Healing as domains but has no subdomains.
RELIGIONS OF ONE GOD
Zoroastrianism
ISdN - Zoroaster 5 by ~laether-mad on deviantART
A monotheistic religion, an analog to Zoroastrianism exists in Phoenicia that is called Dravidism. But for our purposes -- since a duck is a duck, why call it a horse? Zoroastrianism is an ethical monotheism that was taught by Dravid in the East, and had come to Phoenicia by the Sword and the Book. In ancient Persia, Zarathustra was the main prophet, changing a nation of polytheists into monotheists. In the world of Terre, Dravid did the same thing and Dravid taught many of the same concepts: History is lineal, and at the end people will be judged against the Laws which God gave. Also, the faith includes a concept of premortal life, mortality, and an immortal afterlife. Zoroastrianism is found in all districts of the city and is the city's predominate religion. Aside from Islam, which does not have an analog or exists unto itself in Terre, Zoroastrianism has a strong impact on Medieval Persian Culture, and is included for flavor reasons.
Domains: The God of Zoroastrianism, in Phoenicia, has some parallels to Brahma. However, as concepts are taught through the ages, the concept of the Zoroastrian God grants clerics the following domains: Community, Good, Law, and Healing. No subdomains are included in Zoroastrianism.
The Spirit
The Spirit is a faith that predominates the Upper North Quarter of the city of Phoenicia and is especially popular among Psions, Psychic Warriors, and Soulknives. Clerics of the Spirit call the thing they worship "the Father." Concepts of the Spirit is surprisingly similar to the Atman of Jainism, the only difference is that the Spirit is worshipped in this religion.
In fact, the religion is the Unreligion. Clerics have priesthood but are not organized into a religion. Tenants of the Spirit will not tell someone what to believe or how to believe. There are no set ordinances, no apostles, no high priesthood. People are allowed to live and believe what they want to believe so long as they worship the Spirit and believe in a Savior to save them from their failings. People who join the faith are expected to have a spiritual experience to show their personal relationship with the Spirit. The faith includes everyone from the depraved and the politically insane, to the brave and the cowardly, to the heroic and the stoic. Believers believe they are gods, that they have a personal relationship with the Spirit, and strive to live and enjoy life: whether they be evil or good.
Domains: This unreligion grants all domains, the Cleric of the Spirit need only to choose two domains.
As a bizarre result, the city harbors many, many religions. However, the dominate religions can be classified as Monotheistic, Polytheistic, and Atheistic. The religions are discussed below.
RELIGIONS OF MANY GODS AND NO GODS
Hellenism
Hellenism is the worship of the Dodekatheon or the Twelve Olympians. Supreme in the Dodekatheon is Zeus, with Hera as his queen, and so forth. However, Hellenist priests are slowly merging with the Hindus. Zeus is seen as an aspect of Indra, and vice versa. Phoenician Hellenism has also adopted the Hindu trimurti. Saturn or Chronos is an aspect of Brahma, likewise Shiva is seen to be an aspect of Ares. Finally, there is Vishnu, whom the Hellenists have identified with Apollo (which isn't true, Vishnu isn't associated with the Sun like Agni is).
Hellenism is extremely popular among the middle and lower classes found in the Northern Lower City. Especially the magic cults associated with Hecate -- who is identified with Khali. Still, Hellenistic schools of science and natural philosophy say that the Gods are false and that the School of the Scholars which venerates the Force of Good is the only one to follow.
Domains: The Domains of the Dodekatheon are found in the Dungeons and Dragons book Deities and Demigods.
Hinduism
Also called Vedism, Hinduism is the worship of many Gods, and it is one of the hallmarks of Vedic culture. Centered in the Upper Southern City, the Hindus worship a multiplicity of Gods and believe in reincarnation. The main gods are the Hindu Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva with a multiplicity of many gods (including Agni, Khali, Indra, and others). Hinduism promises salvation through good works (Kharma) and teaches Reincarnation.
Brahma is seen as the Creator. The god Brahma created all things in Hindu religion -- being the god that brought order out of Chaos. Brahma is often protrayed as having four bearded faces and four arms, studying the Vedas, and riding on a white goose. His wife is Sarasvati.
Domains: Brahma is a greater God and has lost prominence over the years among Hindus. His domains are Air, Law, Good, Glory, and Knowledge. His subdomains are: Agathion, Cloud, Archon, Honor, and Thought.
Siva is a God of duality. He is is a major Hindu deity, and the Destroyer or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine.[2] In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God. In the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God.[3] Followers of Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas (Sanskrit Śaiva).[4] Shaivism, along with Vaiṣṇava traditions that focus on Vishnu and Śākta traditions that focus on the goddess Shakti, is one of the most influential denominations in Hinduism.[3]
Shiva is usually worshipped in the abstract form of Shiva linga. In images, he is represented as a handsome[5] young man[6] immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon Apasmara, the demon of ignorance in his manifestation of Nataraja, the lord of the dance. It is said that he looks like an eternal youth because of his authority over death, rebirth and immortality. He is also the father of Ganesha and Murugan.
Domains: Shiva's Domains are Chaos, Destruction, Good, Knowledge, and Liberation. His subdomains are Azata, Catastrophe, Agathion, Memory, Thought, and Revolution.
Vishnu is the Supreme God in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God.[1]
The Vishnu Sahasranama[2] declares Vishnu as Paramatma (supreme soul) and Parameshwara (supreme God). It describes Vishnu as the All-Pervading essence of all beings, the master of—and beyond—the past, present and future, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within. Vishnu governs the aspect of preservation and sustenance of the universe, so he is called 'Preserver of the universe'. Of the three members of the Trimurti, the Bhagavata Purana, which espouses the Vaishnavite viewpoint, explains that the greatest benefit can be had from Vishnu.[10]
Domains: Vishnu's domains include Glory, Good, Healing, Knowledge, and War (based upon Rama, Krishna, and Kalki). Subdomains include Heroism, Archon, Restoration, Memory, and Tactics.
There are other gods, of course, but they are too numerous to include in this blog post.
Jainism
Jainism is very small, but highly influential in the city state of Phoenicia. Jains are centered in the Southern Lower City, and are a minority. Still, their ideas and thoughts have impacted Phoenician culture. Jains are strict pacifists, so many do not find the adventure that heroic player characters do. Some are also extreme aesthetics. The Jains came with the Spice trade, seeking religious freedom. Their impact on Pheonician culture is small but significant. Jains could be said to worship the Atman, but Jainism is an atheist philosophy.
Domains: Jainism grants Good, Knowledge, and Healing as domains but has no subdomains.
RELIGIONS OF ONE GOD
Zoroastrianism
ISdN - Zoroaster 5 by ~laether-mad on deviantART
A monotheistic religion, an analog to Zoroastrianism exists in Phoenicia that is called Dravidism. But for our purposes -- since a duck is a duck, why call it a horse? Zoroastrianism is an ethical monotheism that was taught by Dravid in the East, and had come to Phoenicia by the Sword and the Book. In ancient Persia, Zarathustra was the main prophet, changing a nation of polytheists into monotheists. In the world of Terre, Dravid did the same thing and Dravid taught many of the same concepts: History is lineal, and at the end people will be judged against the Laws which God gave. Also, the faith includes a concept of premortal life, mortality, and an immortal afterlife. Zoroastrianism is found in all districts of the city and is the city's predominate religion. Aside from Islam, which does not have an analog or exists unto itself in Terre, Zoroastrianism has a strong impact on Medieval Persian Culture, and is included for flavor reasons.
Domains: The God of Zoroastrianism, in Phoenicia, has some parallels to Brahma. However, as concepts are taught through the ages, the concept of the Zoroastrian God grants clerics the following domains: Community, Good, Law, and Healing. No subdomains are included in Zoroastrianism.
The Spirit
The Spirit is a faith that predominates the Upper North Quarter of the city of Phoenicia and is especially popular among Psions, Psychic Warriors, and Soulknives. Clerics of the Spirit call the thing they worship "the Father." Concepts of the Spirit is surprisingly similar to the Atman of Jainism, the only difference is that the Spirit is worshipped in this religion.
In fact, the religion is the Unreligion. Clerics have priesthood but are not organized into a religion. Tenants of the Spirit will not tell someone what to believe or how to believe. There are no set ordinances, no apostles, no high priesthood. People are allowed to live and believe what they want to believe so long as they worship the Spirit and believe in a Savior to save them from their failings. People who join the faith are expected to have a spiritual experience to show their personal relationship with the Spirit. The faith includes everyone from the depraved and the politically insane, to the brave and the cowardly, to the heroic and the stoic. Believers believe they are gods, that they have a personal relationship with the Spirit, and strive to live and enjoy life: whether they be evil or good.
Domains: This unreligion grants all domains, the Cleric of the Spirit need only to choose two domains.
Monday, April 18, 2011
More about Phoenicia
I have a lot more I want to talk about this city state!
Phoenicia, although named after the real life Canaanite nation of the same name, is nothing like the same city state. Named after the legend of the Phoenix, Phoenicia is a place about beginnings rather than endings. Settled by a majority of Vedan refugees that escaped invasion by moving North and away from the invaders path; Pheonicia is a mixture of Vedic and Known World (Hellenic) culture. The Vedans brought with them their religions and their beliefs. But they also brought with them Psionics.
Like a Phoenix, Vedic culture was reborn. Although, it's mixed with Known World culture, there is a big contribution of Vedic Culture. Phoenicia is the center of government for the Phoenix Valley. Located on a fertile plain between two ranges of hills, it's a city like no other. Phoenicia is an important traderoute along the Silk Road and the Spice Route. With the Silk Road leading into the Eastern Realms, and the Spice Route leading back to the Vedans' ancestral lands; Phoenicia's ties to the Known World allow the city to be an important trade route on the East.
Through the valley flowed the river Sardis, which plunges down a cataract waterfall before emptying into the sea. Once, Phoenix came here and staked a claim and founded a tiny trading outpost. That was many generations ago, and now Centuries later the city of Pheonix is divided across the Sardis River into the North Upper City and the North Lower City, the South Upper City and the South Lower City. The city practically surrounds the cataract. With refugees from invasions coming in nine hundred years after the city was founded, the city had blistered almost half it's current population. With the invasion of Helenes two hundred years ago, Phoenix has become the Known World's eastern most city with an unusual culture and a door way along the Silk Road. Now, the people have perfected their government into a Republican form of government when the last of the Scions of Phoenix was killed during the Hellenic invasion.
Now the city is under the wise rule of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is charged with foreign affairs and is made up of the Aristocracy of the city. The House is charged with domestic affairs of the city and is made up of the Middle Class of the city.
Besides being renowned as the capital of the Metacreativity Discipline, Phoenicia is renowned with the finest forges in the region as well as the finest crystal craftsmen. It is also renowned as the source of glyss -- a substance created by infusing glass with vaporized copper. Thanks to the fact that the hills surrounding Phoenicia still produces about one hundred talents of malachite, chalcocite, and tetrahedrite a year. Phoenicia has to import tin in order to make bronze, and it also has to import iron from the mountains that are one hundred miles to the North.
However, the silk and spice trade brings in silks and spices. Spices such as cinnamon, pepper, tumeric, and saffron come into the land along the trade routes. Spice shops are really popular in Phoenicia, since there are large bags in which people can buy their supplies.
As a result, nearly any tool, weapon, or other metal and crystalline weapon can be found and crafted here. and the quality of their alloys and castings are quite unsurpassed in the Eastern part of the Known World. As a result, Phoenicia has a large population of craftsmen working in the Crafts District of the city -- located in the Southern Lower City. Also, an influx of guilds from the Known World had come into Phoenicia. As a result, the House has passed laws that limit the Mercantile nature of the guilds and to promote free trade.
Phoencia's Statistics
Phoenicia, although named after the real life Canaanite nation of the same name, is nothing like the same city state. Named after the legend of the Phoenix, Phoenicia is a place about beginnings rather than endings. Settled by a majority of Vedan refugees that escaped invasion by moving North and away from the invaders path; Pheonicia is a mixture of Vedic and Known World (Hellenic) culture. The Vedans brought with them their religions and their beliefs. But they also brought with them Psionics.
Like a Phoenix, Vedic culture was reborn. Although, it's mixed with Known World culture, there is a big contribution of Vedic Culture. Phoenicia is the center of government for the Phoenix Valley. Located on a fertile plain between two ranges of hills, it's a city like no other. Phoenicia is an important traderoute along the Silk Road and the Spice Route. With the Silk Road leading into the Eastern Realms, and the Spice Route leading back to the Vedans' ancestral lands; Phoenicia's ties to the Known World allow the city to be an important trade route on the East.
 | |
| shots by jacob of the falls, published under the GNU Free Documentation License. |
Through the valley flowed the river Sardis, which plunges down a cataract waterfall before emptying into the sea. Once, Phoenix came here and staked a claim and founded a tiny trading outpost. That was many generations ago, and now Centuries later the city of Pheonix is divided across the Sardis River into the North Upper City and the North Lower City, the South Upper City and the South Lower City. The city practically surrounds the cataract. With refugees from invasions coming in nine hundred years after the city was founded, the city had blistered almost half it's current population. With the invasion of Helenes two hundred years ago, Phoenix has become the Known World's eastern most city with an unusual culture and a door way along the Silk Road. Now, the people have perfected their government into a Republican form of government when the last of the Scions of Phoenix was killed during the Hellenic invasion.
 | |
| Morgiana the Clever by Genzo [http://genzoman.deviantart.com/gallery/11977572?offset=96#/d1m9f7x] |
Now the city is under the wise rule of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is charged with foreign affairs and is made up of the Aristocracy of the city. The House is charged with domestic affairs of the city and is made up of the Middle Class of the city.
Besides being renowned as the capital of the Metacreativity Discipline, Phoenicia is renowned with the finest forges in the region as well as the finest crystal craftsmen. It is also renowned as the source of glyss -- a substance created by infusing glass with vaporized copper. Thanks to the fact that the hills surrounding Phoenicia still produces about one hundred talents of malachite, chalcocite, and tetrahedrite a year. Phoenicia has to import tin in order to make bronze, and it also has to import iron from the mountains that are one hundred miles to the North.
However, the silk and spice trade brings in silks and spices. Spices such as cinnamon, pepper, tumeric, and saffron come into the land along the trade routes. Spice shops are really popular in Phoenicia, since there are large bags in which people can buy their supplies.
 | ||||
| Taken by judepics. Republished according to the terms of the CC-BY-SA license. |
As a result, nearly any tool, weapon, or other metal and crystalline weapon can be found and crafted here. and the quality of their alloys and castings are quite unsurpassed in the Eastern part of the Known World. As a result, Phoenicia has a large population of craftsmen working in the Crafts District of the city -- located in the Southern Lower City. Also, an influx of guilds from the Known World had come into Phoenicia. As a result, the House has passed laws that limit the Mercantile nature of the guilds and to promote free trade.
Phoencia's Statistics
NG large city
Corruption +0; Crime +2; Economy +5; Law +2; Lore +5; Society +2
Qualities academic, holy site, prosperous, strategic location, tourist attraction
Danger +10
Demographics
Government republic
Notable NPCs
Lord Mayor Alton Ralderac (N male human aristocrat 4)
Marketplace
Base Value 12,800 gp; Purchase Limit 75,000 gp; Spellcasting 9th
Minor Items 4d4; Medium Items 3d4; Major Items 2d4
Saturday, April 16, 2011
PSIONICS UNLEASHED!!
Levitating Psion by ~Atlantean6 on deviantART
Psionics in my world plays a very important part. For Magic, Arcane and Divine, descended from Psionics during the End of the World. When the Lemurians and the Atlanteans came to the world, they brought psionics with them. Shapers shaped the world according to their will, savants moved matter with their minds, nomads teleported through the world, Egoists learned how to control their own bodies, telepaths can receive and transmit thought waves at will, and Seers see into worlds beyond sight.
Then everything changed. A great cataclysm happened, destroying the civilizations of the Lemurians and the Atlanteans. The Great Cataclysm resulted in the destruction of human civilization and the appearance of other civilizations. The Coming of the Elves, for instance -- the orcs, and others came through their own gateways. To escape, some of the Atlanteans and Lemurians went into the hollow of Terre. Those left above were forced to survive.
The powers and knowledge of psionics was completely lost for a time (through the Copper and Bronze Ages). However, as Mankind rebuilt himself, he learned magic from the elves. But psionics was preserved in the mythical kingdom of Vedicia. During the Early Iron Age, psionics filtered out of the Spice Route, reaching the known world. In time, three cities -- Phoenicia, Syracuse, and Sybaris became the three main human cities that had a majority of psionic populations.
The influx of psions, psychic warriors, soulknives, and wilders came during a combined army of Human, Dark Elf, and Orc army invaded Vedicia and absolutely destroyed most of the Vedan Civilization. However, some of the psions struck back, overthrowing their oppressors in little of 100 years and fracturing their little empire. But the damage was done -- if it was damage. The seeds of psionics have been spread throughout the world.
The Three Psionic Cities of the Known World
Phoenicia
Phoenicia is the most Eastern city in the Known World. Pheonicia's culture is an ahistorical mixture of Hellenic, Vedic, and Medieval Persian culture. The people dress strangely in silk and cotton outfits. This is simply because Phoenicia is beyond the Dragonwall and the Hordelands near the desert and in warmer climates. Most people in Phoenicia wear very little, being affected by Vedic fashion, it seems. While others wear a lot of clothing because of the proximity to the desert. A few are outright nudists. But this is mostly because of the Pheonicians' beliefs.
They believe that they are literally gods, so their whole government is based on government by the Self. They have not conquered poverty, but they believe they are free and their city state is ruled by a Republic -- a Representative Form of Government (the representatives make laws, and the people govern themselves -- little laws are needed). The main discipline being taught here is Metacreativity.
Fashions range from Skyclad (nude), to revealing clothing that leaves very little to the imagination, to costumes coming out of the Tales of Sinbad, to Arabian Dishadi Thobes. Veils and burqas are simply not in vogue. Phoenician fashion is often handmade from cotton and or silk, and ranges from the simple to the extravagant.
Hero Classes (Pathfinder, D&D 3.5):
Psion (all disciplines, although Metacreativity is prominent)
Psychic Warrior (Main warrior paths include Brawling, Mind Knight, and Weapon Mastery paths)
Soulknife
Wilder (prevalent among the poor and destitute, where they can't get proper psionic training)
Hero Classes (4e, see the Player's Handbook 3):
Ardent
Battlemind
Psion
Other Disciplines (i.e. Prestige Classes):
Metamind (Psionics Unleashed/Expanded Psionics Handbook)
Chakra Savant (Bruce R. Cordell's Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Dream Keeper (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Dream Wright (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Plangent (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Psychic Chirurgeon (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Spirituel (OGL version of the Ardent -- Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Paragon Paths (4e, again see the Player's Handbook 3):
Argent Soul
Psionic Binder
Eternal Blade
Steel Ego
Cerulean Adept
Part 2: Syracuse and Sybaris!
Psionics in my world plays a very important part. For Magic, Arcane and Divine, descended from Psionics during the End of the World. When the Lemurians and the Atlanteans came to the world, they brought psionics with them. Shapers shaped the world according to their will, savants moved matter with their minds, nomads teleported through the world, Egoists learned how to control their own bodies, telepaths can receive and transmit thought waves at will, and Seers see into worlds beyond sight.
Then everything changed. A great cataclysm happened, destroying the civilizations of the Lemurians and the Atlanteans. The Great Cataclysm resulted in the destruction of human civilization and the appearance of other civilizations. The Coming of the Elves, for instance -- the orcs, and others came through their own gateways. To escape, some of the Atlanteans and Lemurians went into the hollow of Terre. Those left above were forced to survive.
The powers and knowledge of psionics was completely lost for a time (through the Copper and Bronze Ages). However, as Mankind rebuilt himself, he learned magic from the elves. But psionics was preserved in the mythical kingdom of Vedicia. During the Early Iron Age, psionics filtered out of the Spice Route, reaching the known world. In time, three cities -- Phoenicia, Syracuse, and Sybaris became the three main human cities that had a majority of psionic populations.
The influx of psions, psychic warriors, soulknives, and wilders came during a combined army of Human, Dark Elf, and Orc army invaded Vedicia and absolutely destroyed most of the Vedan Civilization. However, some of the psions struck back, overthrowing their oppressors in little of 100 years and fracturing their little empire. But the damage was done -- if it was damage. The seeds of psionics have been spread throughout the world.
The Three Psionic Cities of the Known World
Phoenicia
Phoenicia is the most Eastern city in the Known World. Pheonicia's culture is an ahistorical mixture of Hellenic, Vedic, and Medieval Persian culture. The people dress strangely in silk and cotton outfits. This is simply because Phoenicia is beyond the Dragonwall and the Hordelands near the desert and in warmer climates. Most people in Phoenicia wear very little, being affected by Vedic fashion, it seems. While others wear a lot of clothing because of the proximity to the desert. A few are outright nudists. But this is mostly because of the Pheonicians' beliefs.
 | |
| A Phoenician by Genzo [http://genzoman.deviantart.com/] |
They believe that they are literally gods, so their whole government is based on government by the Self. They have not conquered poverty, but they believe they are free and their city state is ruled by a Republic -- a Representative Form of Government (the representatives make laws, and the people govern themselves -- little laws are needed). The main discipline being taught here is Metacreativity.
Fashions range from Skyclad (nude), to revealing clothing that leaves very little to the imagination, to costumes coming out of the Tales of Sinbad, to Arabian Dishadi Thobes. Veils and burqas are simply not in vogue. Phoenician fashion is often handmade from cotton and or silk, and ranges from the simple to the extravagant.
Hero Classes (Pathfinder, D&D 3.5):
Psion (all disciplines, although Metacreativity is prominent)
Psychic Warrior (Main warrior paths include Brawling, Mind Knight, and Weapon Mastery paths)
Soulknife
Wilder (prevalent among the poor and destitute, where they can't get proper psionic training)
Hero Classes (4e, see the Player's Handbook 3):
Ardent
Battlemind
Psion
Other Disciplines (i.e. Prestige Classes):
Metamind (Psionics Unleashed/Expanded Psionics Handbook)
Chakra Savant (Bruce R. Cordell's Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Dream Keeper (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Dream Wright (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Plangent (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Psychic Chirurgeon (Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Spirituel (OGL version of the Ardent -- Hyperconscious/Mindscapes)
Paragon Paths (4e, again see the Player's Handbook 3):
Argent Soul
Psionic Binder
Eternal Blade
Steel Ego
Cerulean Adept
Part 2: Syracuse and Sybaris!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Dungeons and Dragons should be Public Domain
Really, I think it's a shame that a few have a monopoly over Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition. While it seems to be a good idea for everyone, it does leave some Memes undeveloped for 4e. In other words, certain scenarios can only be developed for Pathfinder and not D&D.
What a tragedy, what a shame, for you guys who play 4e. For you see, I kinda like psions. Enough to write an adventure for them. Without the Players Handbook 3 being in the SRD, you have no chance of seeing certain adventures coming to life for 4e officially except if they are printed by the first party. But they are in the 3.5 System Reference Document and under the OGL.
But Wizards has a habit of buying the rights right out from under the author. This is work for Hire. The author gets paid a paltry sum and really . . . who in their right minds would sell their rights? Especially on a planet with an Internet? Boy the internet sure screws things up for publishers, doesn't it?
Dungeons and Dragons shouldn't be owned by a few, but by all the inhabitants of the Earth. Having a Monopoly over Dungeons and Dragons, even a partial one, is insane.
Comic by Nina Paley and republished under the CC-BY-SA 3.0 License.
What a tragedy, what a shame, for you guys who play 4e. For you see, I kinda like psions. Enough to write an adventure for them. Without the Players Handbook 3 being in the SRD, you have no chance of seeing certain adventures coming to life for 4e officially except if they are printed by the first party. But they are in the 3.5 System Reference Document and under the OGL.
But Wizards has a habit of buying the rights right out from under the author. This is work for Hire. The author gets paid a paltry sum and really . . . who in their right minds would sell their rights? Especially on a planet with an Internet? Boy the internet sure screws things up for publishers, doesn't it?
Dungeons and Dragons shouldn't be owned by a few, but by all the inhabitants of the Earth. Having a Monopoly over Dungeons and Dragons, even a partial one, is insane.
Comic by Nina Paley and republished under the CC-BY-SA 3.0 License.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
ADVENTURE WRITING
With a twist.
Going over the adventure ideas for my next adventure I came across this one:
A psion believes that a PC is his long lost brother.
For an added twist, what if the psion believes the PC to be her long lost betrothed? Devious. I was reading Bruce Cordell's Hyperconscious, and it got even more devious. Hyperconscious is overlooked. It is a treasure trove containing new powers and new beasts for 3.5/Pathfinder.
So, what if a psion believes that a PC is her long lost betrothed? Then what happens. That's when the magic happens. Add in pursuers and hunters -- with id beasts -- and you have a recipe for an adventure of exciting-ness. Add water, mix, and bake and you get a nice tasting but different cake.
Since the Player's Handbook 3 is not referenced in the new SRD, there won't be an *official* 4th Edition version of this Adventure. Stupid wizards, keeping 4th ed psions to themselves. :p But it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Going over the adventure ideas for my next adventure I came across this one:
A psion believes that a PC is his long lost brother.
For an added twist, what if the psion believes the PC to be her long lost betrothed? Devious. I was reading Bruce Cordell's Hyperconscious, and it got even more devious. Hyperconscious is overlooked. It is a treasure trove containing new powers and new beasts for 3.5/Pathfinder.
So, what if a psion believes that a PC is her long lost betrothed? Then what happens. That's when the magic happens. Add in pursuers and hunters -- with id beasts -- and you have a recipe for an adventure of exciting-ness. Add water, mix, and bake and you get a nice tasting but different cake.
Since the Player's Handbook 3 is not referenced in the new SRD, there won't be an *official* 4th Edition version of this Adventure. Stupid wizards, keeping 4th ed psions to themselves. :p But it's going to be a bumpy ride.
TRON 3
Apparently, they have been mulling over the possibility of a Tron 3 for a long time. However, two teaser trailers were released. Tron 3 is going to involve the actions of Alan, RAM's creator, and Sam Flynn as they deal with their titular enemy -- the Master Control Program.
So, far, so good, Disney has a good sequel on their hands. If they don't screw it up, we can get the Rest of the Story. Why Edward Dillinger is working for ENCOM. Why he's communicating with the MCP, and why he was so relaxed as to ENCOM OS 12 being released on the Web.
And why RAM's creator ("Alan, can I have some of your popcorn?") is doing Flynn Lives. The Grid, which Flynn was creating, was to be the evolution of the Net before the Web took over. And it looks like TRON 3 will be set not on the ENCOM mainframe or Flynn's computer lab -- but the Web.
So, far, so good, Disney has a good sequel on their hands. If they don't screw it up, we can get the Rest of the Story. Why Edward Dillinger is working for ENCOM. Why he's communicating with the MCP, and why he was so relaxed as to ENCOM OS 12 being released on the Web.
And why RAM's creator ("Alan, can I have some of your popcorn?") is doing Flynn Lives. The Grid, which Flynn was creating, was to be the evolution of the Net before the Web took over. And it looks like TRON 3 will be set not on the ENCOM mainframe or Flynn's computer lab -- but the Web.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Writing a comic for furries only has one little problem
Some expect sex to be in the mix. Writing a clean comic about the human body (or any kind of body) seems to be out. Anyway, this all started with the dragon wife comic. I wanted to write about what it would be like to have a dragon for a wife. It would have been a great, comic. But I couldn't pull off the comedy at the time. The situation I am in makes it hard to pull off comedy.
Comedy is fun, but a secret to great comedy is looking at life from fresh eyes. So the Dragon Wife became the Dragon roommate (or flatmate). I published it on So Furry, which happened to be a big mistake. Immediately everyone thought that the dragon and the human are going to have some sex. I fought it.
I did a nice nude comic and I'm still doing a comic on nudism. However, I started issue two and everyone again, wants them to pair up. The problem is, if they have sex, it would be the end of the comic and I'm still not ready to do the Dragon Wife comic. Sometimes, I think a lot of the people at So Furry think with their brains between their legs rather than their brains inside their heads.
They aren't incomprehensible. For some reason, something else arouses them other than humans. Some truly may be animals in a human body. But others go nuts because they can't get a date or find someone to love. They also look up porn to satisfy their fetishes. I don't know how or why they took over anthropromorphic art, but they did.
So, why am I talking about this? It disturbs me. Greatly. That a BDSM fetish group is invading Lupin Lodge. They are putting on a "human fox hunt" and some will be wearing costumes to do it. It's pretty destructive to the naturist movement, and what is scarier is that AANR -- the American Association of Nude Recreation -- is not doing a thing about it. If this gets out, and it will, it will embarrass AANR and TNS.
I'm a nudist. I'm saying it right now, I'm a nudist! I'd rather be naked, but I want to do it in an environment where my way of life is respected and not seen as some aberration. I want my comic to reflect my philosophy about the body. Chaste nudity, not sexual nudity. Nudism isn't about BDSM, really. This is really bad for Naturism and it's bad for the country as a whole.
Comedy is fun, but a secret to great comedy is looking at life from fresh eyes. So the Dragon Wife became the Dragon roommate (or flatmate). I published it on So Furry, which happened to be a big mistake. Immediately everyone thought that the dragon and the human are going to have some sex. I fought it.
I did a nice nude comic and I'm still doing a comic on nudism. However, I started issue two and everyone again, wants them to pair up. The problem is, if they have sex, it would be the end of the comic and I'm still not ready to do the Dragon Wife comic. Sometimes, I think a lot of the people at So Furry think with their brains between their legs rather than their brains inside their heads.
They aren't incomprehensible. For some reason, something else arouses them other than humans. Some truly may be animals in a human body. But others go nuts because they can't get a date or find someone to love. They also look up porn to satisfy their fetishes. I don't know how or why they took over anthropromorphic art, but they did.
So, why am I talking about this? It disturbs me. Greatly. That a BDSM fetish group is invading Lupin Lodge. They are putting on a "human fox hunt" and some will be wearing costumes to do it. It's pretty destructive to the naturist movement, and what is scarier is that AANR -- the American Association of Nude Recreation -- is not doing a thing about it. If this gets out, and it will, it will embarrass AANR and TNS.
I'm a nudist. I'm saying it right now, I'm a nudist! I'd rather be naked, but I want to do it in an environment where my way of life is respected and not seen as some aberration. I want my comic to reflect my philosophy about the body. Chaste nudity, not sexual nudity. Nudism isn't about BDSM, really. This is really bad for Naturism and it's bad for the country as a whole.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Victoria 5, a report
No doubt some of you downloaded the Victoria 5 preview. Technically, I didn't have to, since I downloaded the 4th Edition beta of DAZ Studio. So far, I didn't sign any Non-Disclosure Agreement so I'm not under legal pressure not to talk about Victoria 5 (I saw no digital contract). Plus, I can't give a report on the DAZ Forums because of my Libertarian views on Copyright. Still, I won't include screenshots of Victoria 5.
This is a report that I would have typed out on the DAZ Forums. However, I was kicked out, they told me I could go back but I have to stop talking like a Libertarian. If I'm not allowed to talk libertarian 'drivel' on a controversial thread about copyright, I ain't going back. I'm banned forever. Ahem, back to Victoria 5.
First Look
In a nutshell, Victoria 5 is somewhat an improvement over Victoria 4. Michael comes in with her, and when you start the Beta, you get an androgynous figure: Victoria's head on Michael's body with some feminine curves. She/he is a wet dream for those who are attracted to androgynous people (i.e. traps). However, you can convert V5 into a more male figure by dialing M4 morphs. Also, you can convert V5 into a more female figure by dialing the Victoria 4 morph.
Posing
Posing Victoria 5 is still like posing Victoria 4. You still get that plastic doll look. It's not as pronounced, meaning that they increased the polygons she is composed of. Victoria 5 will not accept V4 poses, as I did apply a V4 pose to Victoria 5 and the toes were completely distorted. This means that new pose sets will be created for DAZ Studio and Poser. Still, it isn't a huge improvement over V4. The model doesn't have a dynamic musculature. Meaning that certain poses still doesn't look right. Like a cancan pose. So you still can't pose a Rockette dance pose realistically.
Skin
Victoria 5 loads with a realistic skin by default. That means that there are a lot of blemishes and moles that comes with the skin. There are no nipple definition, so it isn't perfect. Still some parents might not want their boys working with V5 and DAZ Studio. After all, there isn't a painted on bikini. V5 is nude out of the box.
I'm still looking forward
To working with Victoria 5. However, since DAZ isn't making huge improvements I am a little disappointed. One day before downloading the 4th Edition beta, I saw this video:
Also, this video should illustrate what I was looking for or expecting:
So far, I'm not sure if V5 has these expectations. There appears to be no strong improvements to the figure, but I don't animate, so I don't know. Still, there are some surprises about V5. She or he is truly unimesh.
This is a report that I would have typed out on the DAZ Forums. However, I was kicked out, they told me I could go back but I have to stop talking like a Libertarian. If I'm not allowed to talk libertarian 'drivel' on a controversial thread about copyright, I ain't going back. I'm banned forever. Ahem, back to Victoria 5.
First Look
In a nutshell, Victoria 5 is somewhat an improvement over Victoria 4. Michael comes in with her, and when you start the Beta, you get an androgynous figure: Victoria's head on Michael's body with some feminine curves. She/he is a wet dream for those who are attracted to androgynous people (i.e. traps). However, you can convert V5 into a more male figure by dialing M4 morphs. Also, you can convert V5 into a more female figure by dialing the Victoria 4 morph.
Posing
Posing Victoria 5 is still like posing Victoria 4. You still get that plastic doll look. It's not as pronounced, meaning that they increased the polygons she is composed of. Victoria 5 will not accept V4 poses, as I did apply a V4 pose to Victoria 5 and the toes were completely distorted. This means that new pose sets will be created for DAZ Studio and Poser. Still, it isn't a huge improvement over V4. The model doesn't have a dynamic musculature. Meaning that certain poses still doesn't look right. Like a cancan pose. So you still can't pose a Rockette dance pose realistically.
Skin
Victoria 5 loads with a realistic skin by default. That means that there are a lot of blemishes and moles that comes with the skin. There are no nipple definition, so it isn't perfect. Still some parents might not want their boys working with V5 and DAZ Studio. After all, there isn't a painted on bikini. V5 is nude out of the box.
I'm still looking forward
To working with Victoria 5. However, since DAZ isn't making huge improvements I am a little disappointed. One day before downloading the 4th Edition beta, I saw this video:
Also, this video should illustrate what I was looking for or expecting:
So far, I'm not sure if V5 has these expectations. There appears to be no strong improvements to the figure, but I don't animate, so I don't know. Still, there are some surprises about V5. She or he is truly unimesh.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Testing Krew textures by J. Morris
Just a texture test for Hiro 4.
what do you think, so far? I like it because there are no seams.
what do you think, so far? I like it because there are no seams.
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