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SPIRIT RISER Brings DIY Horror Madness And Queer Fantasy In Spectacular Blu-Ray Release

Dylan Mars Greenberg crafts a homegrown fantasia of magic, action, and anti-conservative provocation.





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What Jenni Said About The Art of The Gathering: Fantastic

Priya Parker's book The Art of The Gathering (TAoG) was recommended to me by a friend from church who knows how much I enjoy putting together events for others.
As I began reading TAoF, I was quite inspired by the rich meaning Parker ascribes to gathering, and the significant possibilities of making a concrete difference in the world through our gatherings. Yes, I nodded to myself, the events I put together do matter. Nice ego stroke. But as she laid out a step by step methodology for ensuring those gatherings have purpose and are effective, my kneejerk reaction was that her approach felt overly controlling and I worried my guests would resent the kind of manipulative engineering she describes. What happened to organic gatherings that are completely open and free from any sort of direction? Isn't that where happiness and change can take root? Turns out, not so much. She makes a very good case for why proper planning and execution of gatherings under thoughtful leadership make for the best gatherings. I recalled the best events I've ever been to, and had to admit Parker was right - those that were carefully planned with purpose and direction, where the guests and activities were curated, turned out to be the most impactful.
So I've made it a goal to put the principles she's laid out in TAoG into practice, and it's going well so far. I set an intentional purpose for each gathering. I curate the invite list based on that purpose. I choose a setting that aids the purpose (the right density; the right locale). I actively manage the event - not heavy handed mind you, but not laissez faire - to protect/equalize/connect my guests. I aim to always create a temporary escape from the world during my events. I work hard before each event and prime my guests for the event. During the events, I include activities that encourage people to open up with each other. And I close the events with a recollection of our purpose, summarize the event, and try to leave my guests with something memorable.
If you are responsible (or enjoy and would like to be responsible) for organizing and hosting events (for work, for pleasure, as a volunteer, etc) I highly recommend this book. Life is too short to just go through the motions of meetings and events; they should be infused with purpose and Parker can teach you how to make it so. I especially encourage this as a read for those in the Christian community who have been given the gift of hospitality and want to refine and improve their event hosting, understanding that showing God's love to others through event planning and hosting is important work in the kingdom.




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Fancy Having A Go?

The MoJ's planning for recruitment to the bench is no better than their usual planning, unfortunately. When I was sworn in in 1985 I became one of about 29,000 JPs in England and Wales; today the Bench is more like 19,000 strong, the drop being largely due to the increase in out-of-court disposals such as fixed penalties and cautions. In the meantime numbers have gone up and down, and during the years of amalgamating benches just over five years ago there was a virtual freeze on recruitment for some time. Now the system is struggling to recruit enough JPs to do the job. Nowadays, the biggest obstacle is the reluctance of many employers to allow JP employees time off. This even applies to public services such as the fire brigade, who used to be known for being relatively generous with time off for public service, but are now more niggardly.

I shall not fill the blog with the minutiae of how to apply, because the website  (www.gov.uk)  is very good, but I can say that if you are even slightly interested in the justice system you should consider applying. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, and your chances are probably better than you would expect




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2024 Fantasy football: Top performers in Week 10

Check out which players had the top performances in Week 10 of the fantasy football season.




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17.2: Prejudging Fantastic Beasts

We haven't seen it yet, but we've seen all the trailers and we have THOUGHTS. John, Frak, and Melissa discuss the "Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore" revelations — like the fact that it's almost certainly the last one.

~*~

Don't forget to follow us on @pottercast on Twitter and @pottercastpod on Instagram!

Join our patreon! patreon.com/pottercast - Now, you can also join our Discord community there!

You can also buy PotterCast-related merch at mischiefmerch.com!

This episode was produced by Melissa Anelli. Hosts Melissa Anelli, Frank Franco, and John Noe. PotterCast is (c) PotterCast 2005-2022.




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Girl Sends Fan Mail to Tom Hanks, and Receives Legendary Response Back From the Man Himself







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Athlete of the Day: Wrestler Asks Autistic Fan to Prom

Here's a nice, heart-warming moment to help restore your faith in humanity.

At IWA Midsouth's "Big Ass Christmas Bash" last week in Indiana, wrestler Ace Perry had a surprise for his number one fan Amanda.

The high school junior who has autism, has been to every one of his matches and has even reached out to him on Facebook.

So when he asked her if she would go to prom with him, she was – of course – ecstatic.



  • random act of kindness
  • restoring faith in humanity week
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OnlyFans: Jakub Stefano – ‘Full on’ Erotic

We’ve already taken a dive into the pool of desire that is Jakub Stefano, and well, we enjoyed it so much we decided to dip our toes in again. Whether cuddly or lifting metal, in the bedroom, the kitchen or the boardroom, Jakub and his OnlyFans space is the place to have F.U.N! If you... View Article

The post OnlyFans: Jakub Stefano – ‘Full on’ Erotic appeared first on QueerClick.




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Amy Adams Refused Sexually Explicit ‘SNL’ Song to Protect Young ‘Enchanted’ Fans

By Matt Solomon Published: November 11th, 2024




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Princeton astrophysicist helps find record-smashing black hole born in the universe’s infancy

Two NASA telescopes helped an international team of astrophysicists peer far enough back in time to gain new insight on how black holes form.




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2024 October Membership Drive: Preserving fan history

Do you remember that one fanfic that kept you reading until dawn for the very first time? Or the fan art or video that led you to dig out all the works its creator shared? Have you ever tried to look into the stories of the authors who wrote fics before you were even born? You can find all this and more on Fanlore - the wiki for fanworks, fan creators, and fannish history!

Fanlore is a project run by the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) with the goal of providing fans a place to record and share their histories, experiences and traditions. Fanlore records both the history and current state of our fan communities – fan works, fan activities, fan terminology, individual fans and fannish-related events. You can read about what fandoms were like in the olden days and document memorable events in your own fandoms, all on Fanlore! Check out the wiki’s New User Portal or join the Fanlore Discord server to connect with other editors and users.

We would not be able to preserve these cherished pieces of fandom history without the generous donations of our fellow fans and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep all our projects running. As always, we have some shiny new donation gifts!

You can choose to display your love for fandom with some of our new thank-you gifts. For a US$40 donation, we have a new sticker set featuring popular AO3 tags. You can show off a bumper sticker saying "my other car is a ship" for a donation of US$50. For a donation of US$75 or more, you could carry home your groceries with a white and red shopping bag or you can announce your love for AO3 with our rainbow kudos pin.

You can also set up a recurring donation and save towards the gift of your choice. Select the gift you want, and if the total for that donation doesn't reach the amount needed for the gift you selected, future donations will be applied to the gift you’re saving for. Those of you in the U.S. might also be able to double your contribution via employer matching: contact your HR department to find out if this is an option for you.

A donation of US$10 or more will also allow you to become a member of the OTW. OTW members can vote for the Board of Directors – the OTW’s governing board. Donating now and checking the “I wish to be a member” box will make you eligible to vote in the 2025 OTW Board Election.

We hope that many of you will take this opportunity to donate and become a member to support projects like Fanlore, Open Doors, Legal Advocacy, Transformative Works and Cultures, and the Archive of Our Own. Your contributions help keep our projects successful for new and long-time fans alike!




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Open Doors Announces New Import of Fanzine Works

The AO3 Fanzine Scan Hosting Project (FSHP) is a partnership between the Open Doors committee and fan-run preservation project Zinedom through which fanfiction and fanart originally published in print fanzines is imported to the Archive of Our Own. Fanworks can be imported to AO3 with the consent of either the creators of the works or the publisher of the fanzine in which the fanworks were published.

Today, Open Doors is pleased to announce a list of collections that it has created since September 2023 to house fanworks imported through the FSHP. A collection has been created for each fanzine from which one or more fanworks have been imported, but these collections do not contain every work from each of these zines, and many so far only include one work each in cases where Open Doors only has permission to import that particular work. For full transparency, Open Doors plans to continue to announce collections as they are created that may or may not grow with additional fanworks as additional permissions are obtained from more creators in the future.

As of August 2024, Open Doors has created the following collections to represent fanzines from which it has imported works:

For answers to frequently asked questions, please see the FSHP page on the Open Doors website. If you'd like to give Open Doors permission to import any of your fanworks that have been previously published in print fanzines, or if you have any other FSHP-related queries, please contact the Open Doors Committee.

We'd also love it if fans could help us preserve the story of any fanzines in which they may have been published on Fanlore. If you're new to wiki editing, no worries! Check out the new visitor portal, or ask the Fanlore Gardeners for tips.

Thanks for your interest in preserving fannish history for future generations of readers!

- The Open Doors team

Commenting on this post will be disabled in 14 days, on 18 November. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding this import after that date, please contact Open Doors.




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Top OnlyFans Creators You Must Subscribe To

OnlyFans has emerged as a platform where creativity and intimacy intertwine, offering a personalized experience unlike any other. This blog post unveils the crème de la crème of OnlyFans creators, those who have mastered the art of captivating audiences with their unique content. Prepare to be enticed by a world where exclusivity meets allure, as ... Read more

The post Top OnlyFans Creators You Must Subscribe To appeared first on Star Two.




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Musician’s Guide to TikTok: 6 Tips for Growing Your Fanbase

With TikTok going viral, it has become the perfect platform for musicians to showcase their talent and reach new audiences. No matter what genre you specialize in, this blog will provide you with all the tips and tricks to get noticed on TikTok and grow your fanbase. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get ... Read more

The post Musician’s Guide to TikTok: 6 Tips for Growing Your Fanbase appeared first on Star Two.




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Why the Glass Animals Dreamland Tour Is the Ultimate Fan Experience

The hot Glass Animals from Oxford, England have carved a niche in the indie rock universe with their unique conceptual pop sound Their journey through career highs and lows of thrilling experiences about changing lives and birthed their most acclaimed project to date — the Dreamland album Dreamland The creative forces behind it came up with an equally ambitious project called Dreamland Tours. The Glass Animals Dreamland Tour has been hailed as an unparalleled experience for fans, going beyond the traditional concept of a concert. The tour is characterized by immersive visuals, interactive performances, and the tangible personal connection the band shares with its listeners This combination is a magical fan experience which continues to echo over the limits of the concert venue. As we delve into the highlights of the Glass Animals Dreamland Tour, we’ll see why it stands true to the ultimate fan experience.   Glass Animals Visiting the Land of Dreams: An Art Journey Glass helps with the back of the Dreamland album Musical journeys viewed by mirror animals Stained glass animals have made an indelible mark on the canvas of contemporary music. Rising from humble beginnings in 2010, the four-man band from Oxford have grown into a powerhouse with indie musical talent, marrying smooth beats and eclectic lyricism Their rise has been fueled by critically acclaimed albums, and taking on an ever-changing soundscape. Introduction to the Dreamland album and its themes “Dreamland,” their third album, due out in 2020, is a mosaic of memories, introspection and intimate stories. Explores topics such as nostalgia, personal growth, and the complexity of the human spirit. Songs like “Heat Waves” resonate with fans, not only because they are catchy, but because they are heartfelt. The transition to touring: The importance of dreamland in live performances The Dreamland Tour elevates the album from a purely listening experience to a multi-sensory event. Gives fans the chance to step into the world imagined by the lyrics on the album. The tour takes on more meaning as it marks the album’s life in a haunting place, inviting fans to share in the band’s most personal moments. Basically, a Dreamland tour isn’t just about performance. It’s a gateway to the true heartbeat of Glass Animals, delivering an immersive experience lifted straight from the kaleidoscopic world of the Dreamland album. The Unique Aspects of the Dreamland Tour Visuals and Stage Design One unmissable aspect of the Dreamland tour by Glass Animals is the impeccable visuals and stage design. Strikingly vivid and meticulously crafted, the stage becomes a living, pulsating extension of the Dreamland album itself. The stage setup incorporates a remarkable array of LED screens and lighting, bathed in a dreamy palette of pastels and bursts of neon. The visual effects transcend the typical, showcasing visuals that immerse fans in a psychedelic landscape filled with soaring palm trees and retro television sets. Imbued within these visuals are the specific themes and narratives of the Dreamland album, transforming songs into vibrant vignettes that captivate audiences. Interactive Performances Beyond the sensory feasts of the visuals and stage design, the Dreamland Tour stands out for its engaging and interactive performances. The band’s authenticity shines through each performance, fostering an intimate connection with the audience. During shows, the band members often break the metaphorical fourth wall, engaging directly with fans through candid banter, shared stories, and common jokes. Notable moments from the tour include frontman Dave Bayley’s famed crowd surfing, and encouragement for fans to join the band in singing along, creating a collective auditory experience. Setlist and Musical Arrangements The craft and care put into the setlist and musical arrangements have played a significant part in the tour’s resounding success. The setlist is composed not merely as a linear progression of songs but as a journey through Glass Animals’ discography, carefully curated to engage fans new and old. Signature hits from their previous albums such as “Gooey” from ZABA and “Youth” from How To Be A Human Being are woven seamlessly with tracks from Dreamland. Exclusive to the tour are special renditions of select tracks, including acoustic versions and extended instrumental segments that offer fans a unique and novel listening experience. In essence, the Dreamland Tour is marked by a synthesis of compelling visuals, engaging performances, and thoughtful setlist selection – offering fans a truly immersive and memorable experience. fan experiences and testimonials Personal information The Dreamland trip has left an indelible mark on fans, many of whom share fond stories of their experiences. These stories reflect not only the enjoyment of the concert, but also the deep emotional connection fans have made to the music of Glass Animals and the memories they remember while on tour Emotional resonance: A fan described a moment during “Heat Waves” when the crowd’s combined singing spoke of a sense of shared experience and understanding, bringing many to tears. Memorable connection: Another recounted a pre-concert meeting in which band member Dave Belle remembered their names from previous concerts, revealing the real connection the band has with its audience . community and stakeholders One of the outstanding features of the Dreamland tour is its ability to create a vibrant and inclusive community among fans. From the concert lineup to the final notes of fading music, belonging and shared passion is palpable. Before the concert: Fans often share information online, detailing their interests, clothing choices and itineraries, building anticipation and camaraderie even before the concert begins. During the performance: The interactive aspects of the show, such as music, crowd surfing, immediately become mainstream events in society, forcing connections with them the intensity of the desired interval. After the event: Social media platforms are buzzing with concert photos, videos and personal reflections, allowing the community to relive the experience and maintain the relationships built during the event. Through the power of music and shared experiences, the Dreamland tour has created a sense of community that extends beyond concert venues is not limited to Fans walking away with memories of a performance. Behind-the-Scenes Elements that Make the Tour Special Preparation and Inspiration The Dreamland Tour, as recounted by the members of Glass Animals, is not just a series of concerts but a deeply immersive experience designed to transport fans into the very essence of their latest album, Dreamland. The planning and creative process behind the tour was both exhaustive and exhilarating. Creative Process: The band members spent countless hours discussing and experimenting with different visual and auditory elements to ensure that the live experience would accurately reflect the album’s intimate and entrancing vibe. Band Quotes: “We wanted to pull the audience into Dreamland, to make them feel the nostalgia, the melancholy, and the euphoria that the album speaks to,” said Dave Bayley. “Every detail, from the visuals to the setlist, was crafted with this in mind.” Challenges and Triumphs Like many others, the Dreamland Tour faced its fair share of hurdles, most notably, the global pandemic. The uncertainties and health concerns posed significant challenges, leading to postponed dates and constant reevaluation of plans. Overcoming Obstacles: The band and their crew demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of these challenges. With a deep commitment to their fans and the music, they navigated through the uncertainty, enforcing strict health protocols to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Milestones: Despite the initial setbacks, the tour emerged triumphant. Sold-out shows and critical acclaim became testaments to the band’s hard work and the fans’ undying enthusiasm. “Seeing fans come together safely after such a difficult time has been incredibly touching and reinforces why we do what we do,” Bayley commented on the success of the tour. The behind-the-scenes preparation, boundless creativity, and relentless determination to overcome challenges underscore the Dreamland Tour’s success, making it not just a series of live performances, but a truly memorable and impactful experience for both the band and their fans. The lasting impact of a visit to dreamland Glass Animals’ Dreamland Tour not only captivated audiences around the world, it left an indelible mark on the music industry and its fans. This volume explores the transformative power of touring and its contribution to live music. It’s about the music industry The Dreamland tour set a new standard for live music, emphasizing the importance of an immersive concert experience. Here are some of the initiatives that have impacted the industry. New platform activities: The tour introduced new forms of drama and visual storytelling, turning the concert into an emotional experience. Fan interaction: Leveraging technology and social media, the team created more interactive and personal experiences, setting the trend for future tours It’s about the fans and the attendees Beyond the phenomenon, the Dreamland tour created a deep and lasting connection with fans and impacted them in many profound ways: Emotional resonance: Many attendees described the concert as emotionally transformative, providing a sense of escape and connection during difficult times. Community building: The tour has been a catalyst for community building, and fans have bonded over shared experiences, both online and in concert. conclusion The key to appreciating the Dreamland Tour was its unique blend of immersive storytelling, interactive performances and profound emotional journey for attendees not just a series of concerts; It was a public trip to the heart of the Glass Animals’ musical universe, and a program was designed to provide the ultimate fan experience. Visiting Dreamland with innovative stage design, personalized fan interaction and exciting performances reaffirmed what it means to attend a live concert Its legacy extends beyond nights out under neon lights and businesses the standards it has raised Reflecting on the impact of the Dreamland tour, it’s clear that his legacy will continue to inspire fans and artists alike, shaping the future of live performance and fan engagement in the music industry.

The post Why the Glass Animals Dreamland Tour Is the Ultimate Fan Experience appeared first on Geeky Traveller.




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We must not turn blind eye to antisemitism, says Dutch king after attacks on Israeli football fans

Willem-Alexander says Jewish people must feel safe in the Netherlands after Israeli football supporters come under attack.




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F1 in 10 Years: What do fans want to see?

In the latest 'F1 in 10 Years' video, BBC Sport asks young fans what changes they would like to see in the sport over the next decade.




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News24 Business | Huawei 'super fans' annoyed at lack of supply as pricey phone hits China stores

Many fans of Huawei on Friday were disappointed that its much-anticipated phone, Mate XT - more than twice the price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max - was not available for walk-in customers.




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Rainforest Café fans: don't miss this Empire State Building pop-up

Earlier this year on April Fools' Day, the Empire State Building announced that they would be opening at a Rainforest Café on the iconic building's 86th floor observatory. If you got your hopes up just to find out it was all an April Fools' joke, rejoice, because now the joke is about to become reality. — Read the rest

The post Rainforest Café fans: don't miss this Empire State Building pop-up appeared first on Boing Boing.



  • Post
  • all of your jungle-themed restaurant dreams are coming true
  • April Fools Day joke turns into reality
  • Empire State Building
  • pop-ups
  • Rainforest Cafe

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Favorite Finds from the Winter Fancy Food Show 2017

Last week I went up to San Francisco for the Winter Fancy Food Show. This annual trade show draws more than 1,400 food companies from 30 countries who come to SF to show off their newest food products to the retail and hospitality vendors and food media. Last year, I spent a lot of time at the […]

The article Favorite Finds from the Winter Fancy Food Show 2017 originated at EverInTransit.com



  • Food + Drink
  • events
  • San Francisco Bay Area

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Sport | It's been a long walk to Bafana for Sage Stephens: 'To have your first call up at 33 is special'

With some of its infrastructure decaying and no premier division club using it, the somewhat abandoned Dobsonville Stadium offered the perfect setting for Sage Stephens to take his first steps as a Bafana Bafana player at the ripe age of 33.




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Sport | Football legend Dalglish lauds Gary Player after golf event: 'Fantastic what he's done for SA'

Sir Kenny Dalglish hailed nine-time Major champion Gary Player and expressed his delight at Liverpool's position at the top of the Premier League during his visit to South Africa this weekend.




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Sport | Makgopa's rise evidence of Broos' Bafana impact: 'You don't want to disappoint such a person'

Evidence Makgopa wore a sheepish smile when Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos showered him with praise before literally patting the forward on the back, making him blush at Dobsonville Stadium.




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Building a Fantasy Army — Environment & Society

This article is by Toni Šušnjar.

Warfare and military are an integral part of much of ancient and medieval fantasy. This is no surprise: warfare was a key element in development of society and of history, and much of mythology is also about it. As such, it is difficult for fantasy writers and readers alike to avoid war and military matters in general. And if you are going to do something, try to do it well. Army does not spring from the ground like the spartoi of Jason.

Environment and Geography

Environmental conditions include terrain, climate and resources. All three influence how an army will fight and which weapons it will use.

Terrain can be highly varied, but I will divide it into three categories: mountainous, rolling hills and flat. Mountains and forests – and especially forested mountains – are conductive to infantry warfare. Depending on other conditions (such as society, climate etc.), this can mean either light infantry with focus on ambushes, raiding and guerilla warfare; or heavy infantry, with focus on direct confrontation. Both of these were, at different points, in evidence in Spain and Greece.

Continue reading Building a Fantasy Army — Environment & Society at Mythic Scribes.




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Building a Fantasy Army — Strategy & Organization

This article is by Toni Šušnjar.

Strategy and Enemies

The structure of an army will depend on the strategy, as strategy will determine the army’s role and tasks. A state which carries out expansion through outright territorial conquest will have large numbers of heavy infantry, combat engineers and artillery, and possibly some heavy cavalry as well (e.g. Roman Empire, 10th century Byzantine Empire). If conquest is done by slowly destroying an opponent’s economic and social structures through constant raiding (such as chevauchee or razzia / ghazw), then majority of the army will be light cavalry, with some heavy cavalry support (e.g. Seljuk and Ottoman Empires), and light infantry will be used if terrain is unsuitable for cavalry. If a state is defending against cavalry raids, then light cavalry will be dominant (e.g. 15th century Hungary), whereas heavy cavalry will predominate if enemy raiders are primarily infantry. If enemy armies are too powerful to face in the field, light and heavy cavalry will be used to harass the invading army and cut off its supplies and foraging. In terrain unsuitable for cavalry operations, heavy infantry will be used instead.

Raiding — as a strategy — is generally preferred against a peer opponent, especially if a state cannot have a developed logistical support system.

Continue reading Building a Fantasy Army — Strategy & Organization at Mythic Scribes.




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Building a Fantasy Army — Recruitment & Logistics

This article is by Toni Šušnjar.

Recruitment and Numbers

The most basic style of recruitment is that of a local militia – rural or urban – where a portion or all of the free men take up arms. Militiamen are usually not highly trained, but they make up for lack of training with motivation: fleeing not only carries social stigma, but is also harshly punished. As such, militias were more effective than what would be expected of “civilians in arms”. Militias almost always depended on relatively cheap and easy to use weapons, though urban militias might have access to more expensive weapons – such as hoplite panoply or crossbows. Tribal militias typically used weapons that were also used for hunting and sport. Peasant levy however was only ever used in a support and harassment role, and often had weapons modified from agricultural implements. Only urban militias could have heavy equipment. A common disadvantage of militia armies is the inability to deploy over long distances and time-frames due to soldiers having a day job; thus, focus on long-term warfare (be it conquest or defence) typically brings about the professionalization of the army. This also means that militias are best used in cases with high political fragmentation – such as city-states.

Continue reading Building a Fantasy Army — Recruitment & Logistics at Mythic Scribes.




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Building a Fantasy Army — Weapons & Tactics

This article is by Toni Šušnjar.

In Antiquity and early the Middle Ages, the main weapon was the spear. Only a few exceptions appeared: Roman legions, which used javelins instead, and Macedonian pike phalanx with its sarissa. In the later Middle Ages, the main weapon could be a pike or a polearm (such as polehammer, poleaxe, halberd etc.), before the pike made its return in early modernity. Ranged weapons were not used to cause casualties, but rather to inconvenience the enemies and break up their formation.

Weapons and tactics will adapt to each other, as well as to the terrain and the enemies faced – but adaptations will be done within the boundaries of the society. A society without a significant tradition of horse archery will not counter horse archers with their own, but rather with foot archers. Horse archery was important for nomadic societies, because they could not afford the casualties which resulted from the shock and attrition tactics of the settled societies.

Weapons and armour likewise have a relationship, but since armour is the more difficult to produce of the two, it is developments in armour which typically drive the adaptation of weapons, rather than the other way around.

Continue reading Building a Fantasy Army — Weapons & Tactics at Mythic Scribes.




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Writing Neurodivergent Characters in Fantasy

This article is by Emma Lammers.

Author’s note: neurodivergent is term used to refer to people whose neurological functions differ from the norm because of an innate or acquired condition. Examples of these conditions include autism, learning disabilities, mood disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and more. People who do not have any neurodivergent conditions are considered neurotypical.

To the delight of many readers, more characters in fantasy literature reflect aspects of real-world people than ever before. Today’s heroes can be people of colour, people of any gender or sexual identity, people of nearly any age. Writers are answering the call for more diversity in their work, and oftentimes they do it well, portraying realistic, nuanced characters from marginalized communities.

Some people, however, aren’t as likely to see themselves accurately reflected in the pages of a fantasy story. I’ve searched long and hard to find literary characters who experience autism, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder as I do, and very few of these characters show up in fantasy – a detriment to my favourite genre. Villainous characters are often portrayed as neurodivergent because writers think that this will make them scarier, and you will encounter the occasional hero with post-traumatic stress disorder, but  these depictions tend to lack accuracy, diversity, and consideration for the people who actually have the conditions used in the story.

Continue reading Writing Neurodivergent Characters in Fantasy at Mythic Scribes.




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Whooping cough: Health officials urge pregnant women to get vaccinated as another infant dies




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Tagovailoa, Jones among 5 must-start fantasy football quarterbacks for Week 10

Tua Tagovailoa and Daniel Jones are among UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's five must-start fantasy football quarterbacks for Week 10.




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Fantasy football: Gesicki, Smith among 4 must-start Week 10 tight ends

Mike Gesicki and Jonnu Smith are among UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's four must-start fantasy football tight ends for Week 10.




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Tracy, Harris among 4 must-start Week 10 fantasy football running backs

Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Najee Harris are among UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's four must-start fantasy football running backs for Week 10.




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Thomas, Williams among 4 must-start Week 10 fantasy football wide receivers

Brian Thomas Jr. and Jameson Williams are among UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's four must-start wide receivers for Week 10 of the fantasy football campaign.




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Fantasy football: Justin Herbert among top add/drops for Week 11

Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Quentin Johnston lead UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's fantasy football waiver wire priority list for Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season.




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Watch: WWE fan breaks world record for entrance music expertise

A British YouTube star and professional wrestling superfan showed off his knowledge by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most WWE wrestlers identified by their entrance music in one minute.




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Fantasy Hockey Goalie Waiver Wire: Elvis will take care of business in the City of Grunge

Elvis Merzlikins is expected to start for the Blue Jackets, who are mired in a five-game losing streak and have never beaten the Kraken in regulation.




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Texas rankings in College Football Playoff: Fans, media react to Longhorns at No. 2

Texas Longhorns fans were very happy after the second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday.




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Penn State is within reach of a special regular season, but it’s hard to tell with some fans

Penn State is on the verge of doing something that it hasn’t done in more than 40 years. The Nittany Lions can post three straight straight 10-win seasons for the first time since 1980-82 with its next two victories. It would be their sixth season with double-digit wins in nine years, the best such stretch since the program’s golden era from 1977-86. Yet some in the sellout crowd of 110,233 at ...




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This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans

The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his life starring Tony Curtis.




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Having Fun in Jim Hensons Fantasic World

Around the Mall bloggers sit down and talk with a few old friends from Sesame Street (Narration and Video by Megan Gambino / Anika Gupta as Intrepid Reporter / Beth Py-Lieberman as the voice of Big Bird / Script by Jesse Rhodes / Jesse Rhodes as the voice of Cookie Monster and Oscar). Read more at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2008/10/sesame-street-redux/




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Fannie Lou Hamer Risked Her Life for the Right to Vote

Fannie Lou Hamer, a voting rights activist, suffered unspeakable violence and intimidation at the hands of white supremacists and police. Her response: to elevate her cause by launching a long-shot campaign for the U.S. Senate




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Fronterizo Fandango

Credit: Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage




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An Ice Age Infant’s 17,000-Year-Old DNA Reveals He Had Dark Skin and Blue Eyes

The baby boy’s recovered genome suggests he’s related to a famous Ice Age population




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Dutch PM 'ashamed' by Amsterdam attacks on Israeli soccer fans

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday while giving police emergency stop-and-search powers after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters, as the Israeli government said it would fly many fans home.




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Maple Leafs fan, 7, catches attention of NHL with Halloween costume

A young Toronto Maple Leafs fan has caught the attention of the NHL with his Halloween costume this year. With the help of his dad, Grayson Haire, of Trenton, Ont., will wear a 3D version of an Upper Deck MVP Auston Matthews hockey card.



  • News/Canada/Toronto

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Ex-Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury bids farewell to Pittsburgh fans on retirement tour

Marc-André Fleury stopped 26 shots in what will likely be his final game in Pittsburgh as the Minnesota Wild beat the Penguins 5-3 on Tuesday night. He spent 13 seasons with Pittsburgh and won Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016 and 2017.



  • Sports/Hockey/NHL