Navigating the Shift: Exploring the History of Iran-US Relations Pre-1979 and Post-1979

Introduction:
The relationship between Iran and the United States has experienced significant transformations throughout history, particularly before and after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. In this blog post, we delve into the nuanced dynamics of Iran-US relations, examining the cultural, societal, and human rights landscapes in Iran before and after this pivotal event.

Pre-1979: Iran's Cultural Tapestry, Societal Norms, and Human Rights:
Iran before the 1979 revolution boasted a rich cultural heritage and a diverse society. The country embraced a mixture of traditional Persian culture, Islamic values, and Western influences. The monarchy, under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, aimed to modernize Iran, promoting industrialization, economic development, and education.

Cultural Vibrancy and Societal Transformation:
Iranian society witnessed significant changes in the pre-revolution era. Rapid urbanization, increasing literacy rates, and access to modern amenities transformed the daily lives of many Iranians. Women had more opportunities for education and employment, and societal norms were slowly evolving towards greater gender equality. Western clothing, music, and cinema influenced the urban youth culture, fostering a sense of modernity and cosmopolitanism.

Human Rights Landscape:
While the pre-revolution period saw progress in some aspects, it also witnessed limitations on political freedoms and human rights. The Shah's regime faced criticisms for its authoritarian practices, including restrictions on freedom of speech and political dissent. Opposition groups, including leftists and Islamic activists, experienced repression, leading to growing unrest and demands for change.

The 1979 Revolution and Post-Revolutionary Iran:
The 1979 Iranian Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, marked a transformative turning point in Iran's history and its relations with the United States.

Post-1979: Cultural Shifts, Societal Changes, and Human Rights Challenges:
Following the revolution, Iran underwent significant changes, guided by the principles of Islamic governance and a desire to assert its independence from Western influence. The new Islamic Republic of Iran sought to create an Islamic state based on religious values, with Khomeini as the Supreme Leader.

Cultural and Societal Transformations:
Post-revolution Iran witnessed a reversion to more conservative social and cultural norms. Islamic values became central to public life, influencing education, dress codes, and social interactions. Women faced greater restrictions on personal freedoms, including mandatory hijab and limitations on participation in certain activities. The country experienced a shift towards a more closed and inward-looking society.

Human Rights Challenges:
Human rights issues emerged as a significant concern in post-revolutionary Iran. Critics argue that restrictions on political dissent, freedom of expression, and women's rights became more pronounced. Religious and ethnic minorities, including Baha'is and Kurds, faced discrimination and persecution. The human rights situation remains a subject of ongoing international scrutiny and debate.

Iran-US Relations: Pre- and Post-Revolution:
The Iran-US relationship witnessed a drastic shift after the 1979 revolution. Prior to the revolution, the US had close ties with Iran, supporting the Shah's regime for strategic and economic interests. However, the revolution and subsequent events, such as the Iran Hostage Crisis, strained relations between the two countries, leading to diplomatic tensions, economic sanctions, and limited engagement.

Conclusion: The history of Iran-US relations before and after the 1979 revolution reflects a complex interplay of cultural, societal, and human rights dynamics. Pre-revolution Iran experienced cultural vibrancy and some progress in societal norms, while also grappling with political restrictions. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the 1979 Iranian Revolution brought about significant changes and challenges, including the Iran Hostage Crisis, where 444 American hostages were taken by Iranian revolutionaries, straining relations between the two countries.

Post-revolutionary Iran underwent profound transformations guided by Islamic principles, leading to cultural and societal shifts, as well as significant human rights challenges. Restrictions on political dissent, freedom of expression, women's rights, and the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities became areas of concern, attracting international scrutiny.

Understanding this historical context, including the Iran Hostage Crisis, is essential for comprehending the complexities of Iran-US relations and the obstacles that persist in the present day. It is through continued dialogue, diplomacy, and engagement that opportunities for mutual understanding, trust-building, and cooperation can be fostered. Resolving the challenges and bridging the gaps between the two nations will require open communication, willingness to address concerns, and a shared commitment to building a more constructive and peaceful relationship.

 I would like to vehemently urge you to search for pictures of Iran between the years 1960 and 1979, and then look for post-1979 images. Some of the pictures pre-1979 look similar to US college campuses in the same time period.

Embracing the Dance: Exploring the Interplay of Order and Chaos in the Human Experience

Introduction:
In our quest to bring order and structure to the world, we often encounter an intriguing phenomenon: the more we attempt to organize, the more chaos seems to emerge. This blog post delves into the delicate interplay between order and chaos, exploring the concepts of negentropy and entropy. Let us navigate this fascinating dance and discover the profound implications it holds for our understanding of the human experience.

Defining Negentropy and Entropy:
Negentropy, often referred to as negative entropy, represents a state of order, organization, and complexity in a system. It manifests as patterns, structures, and information that resist the natural tendency towards disorder. In contrast, entropy signifies a measure of randomness, disorder, and energy dispersal within a system. It is associated with the natural progression towards equilibrium and a loss of organized states.

The Human Urge for Order:
As conscious beings, humans possess a natural inclination to bring order to their surroundings. We organize our physical spaces, establish societal structures, and seek knowledge to make sense of the world. These efforts reflect our pursuit of negentropy, striving to maintain or enhance order and complexity in the face of inherent entropy.

The Paradox of Control:
Paradoxically, the more we try to exert control and impose order, the more unforeseen consequences and emergent chaos tend to arise. This can be observed in various domains, such as social systems, ecosystems, and even personal lives. Despite our best intentions, attempts to control and manage complexity often lead to unintended disruptions, nonlinear effects, and unpredictable outcomes.

Chaos as a Catalyst for Growth:
While chaos may initially seem disruptive and unsettling, it can also serve as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and adaptation. Chaotic events and periods of uncertainty create opportunities for new patterns to emerge, enabling the system to evolve and reorganize at higher levels of complexity. It is within the chaos that novel solutions, creativity, and transformative change can emerge.

Navigating the Edge of Order and Chaos:
To fully embrace the dance between order and chaos, we must learn to navigate the edge where they intersect. This requires finding a delicate balance, harnessing the benefits of order and structure while embracing the inherent unpredictability and creative potential of chaos. Embracing uncertainty, cultivating resilience, and maintaining open-mindedness enable us to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Applying the Insights:
Recognizing the interplay between order and chaos has implications for various aspects of life. It invites us to approach problem-solving with flexibility and curiosity, embracing experimentation and learning from failure. It encourages us to foster environments that allow for spontaneous self-organization, encouraging diverse perspectives and collaborative innovation. By appreciating the intricate dance of negentropy and entropy, we can navigate the complexities of our personal and collective journeys.

Conclusion:
The relationship between order and chaos is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Embracing the dance between negentropy and entropy allows us to appreciate the inherent dynamism and creative potential of our world. By finding harmony within the interplay of order and chaos, we can navigate uncertainty, foster innovation, and embark on transformative journeys of growth and discovery.

Note: The concepts of negentropy and entropy have roots in thermodynamics and information theory. While the application of these concepts extends beyond their scientific origins, their exploration in this blog post is intended to provide a broader perspective on the interplay between order and chaos in our lives.

Unraveling the Complexities: The Conflict between China and Tibet

 Disclaimer: In no way am I trying to paint a negative image of either country. If this subject interests you, please do your own research to form an opinion. Almost every country in the world, at some point or another, either invaded, or was invaded, by another country. Times change, attitudes change, societal structures change.

Introduction:
The conflict between China and Tibet has been a subject of international concern and scrutiny for several decades. This blog post aims to delve into the intricate layers of this conflict, exploring its historical background, underlying issues, and the complex dynamics at play. By examining various perspectives, we strive to gain a better understanding of this longstanding conflict.

Historical Context:
The roots of the China-Tibet conflict can be traced back centuries, with Tibet having enjoyed a distinct cultural, religious, and political identity. In 1950, China asserted control over Tibet, leading to a series of tensions and disagreements. Tibetans argue that they have been subjected to cultural assimilation and suppression of their religious and political autonomy, while China maintains that its actions are in line with territorial integrity and economic development.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
Central to the conflict is Tibet's rich cultural heritage and its unique form of Buddhism, which holds great importance to the Tibetan people. The preservation of language, customs, and religious practices has been a key concern for Tibetans, who fear the erosion of their distinct identity under Chinese rule. This cultural aspect adds depth to the conflict and highlights the complexities of balancing national unity and cultural diversity.

Political Autonomy and Self-Determination:
At the heart of the conflict lies the Tibetan people's desire for greater political autonomy and self-determination. Tibetans argue for the recognition of their right to govern their own affairs, manage their resources, and determine their future. China, on the other hand, maintains that Tibet is an integral part of its territory, emphasizing national sovereignty and stability.

Human Rights Concerns:
The China-Tibet conflict has raised significant human rights concerns. Tibetan activists and organizations allege human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, as well as arbitrary detentions and cultural suppression. These allegations have drawn attention from the international community and further complicated the dynamics of the conflict.

International Responses and Efforts:
The conflict between China and Tibet has prompted varied responses from the international community. Some countries and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the situation in Tibet, while others have refrained from direct involvement due to diplomatic considerations. Efforts to resolve the conflict have included dialogue, negotiation, and mediation, although a lasting resolution remains elusive.

Promoting Dialogue and Understanding:
In moving towards a peaceful resolution, fostering dialogue and understanding between the parties involved is crucial. Encouraging open communication, empathy, and mutual respect can create an environment conducive to finding common ground and addressing grievances. Supporting initiatives that prioritize cultural preservation, human rights, and a peaceful coexistence can contribute to long-term stability.

Conclusion:
The conflict between China and Tibet is a complex issue rooted in history, culture, politics, and human rights. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of this conflict, we can strive to develop a deeper understanding and promote constructive dialogue. While the road to resolution may be challenging, continued efforts to address concerns, respect cultural diversity, and uphold human rights are vital in working towards a more harmonious future for both China and Tibet.

Understanding the Challenges: Exploring the Unintended Consequences of Social Media Algorithms

Introduction:
The advent of social media platforms has brought about unprecedented connectivity and communication opportunities. However, with the rise of these platforms, concerns have emerged regarding the presence of harmful and inappropriate content, including the challenging issue of pedophilia. In this blog post, we aim to explore the unintended consequences of social media algorithms and the challenges faced by companies in addressing such content.

The Functioning of Algorithms:
Social media platforms utilize complex algorithms to curate and deliver content to users. These algorithms are designed to optimize user experience by showing content that aligns with their preferences and interests. Algorithms consider factors such as user engagement, popularity, and relevance when determining which content to display.

Unforeseen Usage and Challenges:
While social media companies design algorithms with good intentions, the potential misuse or exploitation of these platforms is an ongoing concern. The proliferation of inappropriate or harmful content, including pedophilia-related material, raises significant challenges. It is important to acknowledge that the companies behind these platforms may not have anticipated the extent to which individuals would exploit the algorithms to share or access such content.

Balancing Algorithmic Efficiency and Content Moderation:
Social media companies face a delicate balancing act between algorithmic efficiency and content moderation. Algorithms are designed to operate at scale, processing vast amounts of data and providing personalized content. Implementing strict content moderation measures can sometimes result in unintended consequences such as over-censorship or limiting free expression. Achieving the right balance between algorithmic automation and effective content moderation remains a complex task.

Responsibility and Accountability:
As concerns about harmful content persist, social media companies are increasingly taking steps to enhance content moderation efforts. Implementing stricter policies, investing in AI-based detection systems, and relying on user reporting mechanisms are some of the measures being employed. However, the responsibility to address these challenges extends beyond the companies themselves, encompassing collaborations with governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations.

The Call for Continuous Improvement:
Addressing the unintended consequences of social media algorithms necessitates a commitment to continuous improvement. Companies must prioritize ongoing research and development, collaborating with experts in various fields to enhance content moderation mechanisms and refine algorithms. Transparency and accountability are key, with regular reporting and external audits helping to ensure the effectiveness of these efforts.

User Education and Empowerment:
Empowering users through education and awareness initiatives is another crucial aspect of addressing the challenges posed by harmful content. By promoting digital literacy, responsible online behavior, and reporting mechanisms, social media platforms can equip users with the tools needed to navigate and identify problematic content.

Conclusion:
The unintended consequences of social media algorithms, including the presence of inappropriate content, are complex challenges that require multi-faceted solutions. While social media companies may not have foreseen the specific ways in which algorithms could be exploited, they bear the responsibility to continuously improve content moderation measures. By fostering transparency, collaborating with stakeholders, and empowering users, we can strive towards safer digital spaces that protect the well-being of users, including vulnerable populations.

Note: This blog post aims to provide a neutral perspective on the challenges faced by social media companies. It is important to conduct further research and consult a range of perspectives to develop a comprehensive understanding of this topic.

A Path to Peace: Resolving the Russian-Ukraine Conflict with a Focus on Human Lives

Introduction:
The Russian-Ukraine conflict has taken a toll on countless lives and caused immense suffering. In this blog post, we propose an approach to end the conflict that prioritizes the well-being of the people involved, transcending the notion of winners and losers. As President Donald Trump aptly stated, "I Want People To Stop Dying." Let us explore a path towards a peaceful resolution that minimizes loss of life and paves the way for healing and reconciliation.

1. Ceasefire and De-escalation:
The first crucial step is an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire from all parties involved. This pause in hostilities would allow for a reduction in violence and the protection of civilian lives. It would provide a vital window of opportunity for diplomatic efforts to take place.

2. Diplomatic Dialogue and Mediation:
Uninterrupted diplomatic dialogue is essential to facilitate a peaceful resolution. International mediators, such as the United Nations or respected neutral parties, can play a crucial role in facilitating negotiations and bridging gaps between conflicting parties. The focus must be on finding common ground and promoting compromises that prioritize human lives over political gains.

3. Humanitarian Assistance and Rebuilding:
Amidst the conflict, providing immediate humanitarian assistance to affected communities is imperative. International organizations and neighboring countries can contribute resources, supplies, and expertise to support the affected populations. Simultaneously, efforts to rebuild infrastructure, restore essential services, and create sustainable development opportunities must be initiated to promote long-term stability.

4. Truth, Reconciliation, and Transitional Justice:
To heal the wounds of the conflict and move towards a sustainable peace, truth, reconciliation, and transitional justice mechanisms must be established. This involves creating spaces for victims to share their stories, ensuring accountability for human rights violations, and fostering understanding and empathy among all parties involved. An inclusive approach, with participation from civil society and local communities, is crucial for lasting reconciliation.

5. Focus on Economic Cooperation and Development:
A key aspect of the peace-building process is fostering economic cooperation and development. This can be achieved through initiatives that promote trade, investment, and infrastructure projects benefiting all regions involved. Collaborative efforts to improve living standards, create job opportunities, and enhance economic connectivity can contribute to stability and reconciliation.

Conclusion:
Resolving the Russian-Ukraine conflict with a focus on human lives is paramount. As President Donald Trump rightly emphasized, the priority must be to stop the loss of innocent lives. By embracing a path that prioritizes ceasefire, diplomatic dialogue, humanitarian assistance, truth, reconciliation, and economic cooperation, we can lay the groundwork for a future that respects the dignity of all involved. Let us strive for a resolution that brings an end to the suffering and builds a sustainable and peaceful coexistence for the people of Russia and Ukraine.

Note: The inclusion of the quote from President Donald Trump is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply an endorsement or an actual statement made by the former president.

Vaping: New Tank, Anyvape Gamma

For awhile now, like most new vapers, I have been using what is known as a "Kanger-style" tank.

"Kanger-style" products are very prolific, easy to use, and able to be rebuilt, for a low-cost.  I have enjoyed using the Davide tank from Anyvape Products for a little over a month, my first glass tank.

The Davide is great, I love that it holds a lot of juice, 3ml, enough to last me about a day and a half or so.  When needed, changing the coil was simply a matter of unscrewing the housing with the burnt wick and screwing in the new wick.

I was bothered though, the flavors of the juice, no matter type of tank I used, were not consistent.  Sometimes the flavor was strong, at other times it tasted like chemicals.  I tried switching to cotton wicks.  The chemical taste, mostly, went away.  Unfortunately, it was replaced with a taste similar to the smell of a burnt t-shirt.  Not always present, I thought I was just burning through the wicks too fast.  Not the case.

So I started thinking about "dripping."  Dripping is a process of vaping where you, literally, drip a few drops onto the wick and atomizer, take a few hits, and rinse repeat til you are satisfied.  I had the opportunity to read posts online from drippers relating to the full-bodied tastes of their juice.

With my previous curiosity regarding dripping, and some of the research I performed online, looking for mods that are a sort of hybrid between the easy-to-use Kanger-style and the dripping method.

A new shop opened up close to where I work, I had heard many good things about the owners first vaping store in a nearby town, so I definitely wanted to check it out.

I went in a couple days after the opening of the new store.  Had a chance to taste a few new flavors and talk about hardware.

The Kraken, from Vicious Ant, is what one of the employees was using.  One of the wonderful features of the Davide, and the Kraken, is that the mouthpiece is removable.  This allows you to use your own mouthpiece to sample flavors and mobs from other people with similar tanks.

The Kraken hit smooth, very smooth, and produced wonderful flavor.  It was a little on the uncomfortably-priced side, so I went with the Anyvape Gamma, a similar tank about $10 on the more-comfortable side.

The Gamma, until you find the sweet-spot, will hit like a train.  With the easily manipulated airflow regulator, finding that sweet-spot is not hard.  Simply, a twist with the thumb will cover or uncover the airholes.

The flavor from the dual-coil atomizer is great, the vape is great.  Absolutely loving it so far.  Taking a bit of time to get used to firing it for a second or three before taking the hit, but that will fade.  And, like the Kraken and the Davide, the mouthpiece is removable!

Three days in with this tank and I have very few complaints.

1. Hard to fill: The fill hole is very small and although with practice you can get it filled somewhat quickly, it is not as easy as the Kanger Style tanks to fill.
2. Hard to empty: I had a new flavor in the tank, and I wanted to find out what my old flavor tasted like.  Removing the juice from the Davide is simple, take the top off the bottle and pour it out.  Removing the juice from the Gamma, due to the small fill hole, is more a matter of sucking it out with the bottle, if there is an easier way, I am currently unaware.

Those are my only issues with this tank, I may have more in the coming weeks, as I burn through the wick, but as of now I love it!

RPG: Music for Inspiration and Atmosphere

The question was posed on Talislanta FB page regarding how we use music in our gaming sessions.

I understood that this would be a post way to long for FB, so I am putting my reply here.

The questions presented:

1) a) how many of you use music when you run a game? and; b) if you do use music, do you mainly play it in the background, or do you use certain pieces/albums/artists for specific purposes or moments in a game?
2)what CDs/bands/composers do you listen to either while gaming, or for inspiration before gaming?

I have used music in the past at the gaming table. The second part of the question, and question #2 I want to elaborate on.

While running WEG Star Wars the main theme would be used to get the players on track, and while it was playing I would recap previous events, much like the beginning of the movie with the synopsis scroll.

Since 1993, the game I have run the most often was SLA Industries, a gritty sci-fi urban horror game.

For inspiration in SLA Industries I would use anything that brought to mind corruption, rain, city life, dreams of money and fame, etc. Some of the music I had on my driving CD at the time:

Faster Pussycat - Ship Rolls In, City has no Heart
Metallica - Master of Puppets, Disposable Heroes, Damage Inc
Duran Duran - Girls on Film, A View to a Kill, Skin Trade

And many others.

During the sessions I was able to play music for background it was important to match the music with the game.

Star Wars soundtrack while running Star Wars, a given.

While playtesting Midnight Realms for Talislanta, and a few Cannibal Sector missions for SLA Industries, I had the Black Angels CD from Kronos Quartet playing, just at the audible level. Some of the violin strikes were startling, and completely appropriately timed (players and GM alike jumped at one point, lol).

Music definitely brings a new dimension to the gaming table, even if low in the background.

The main problem I ever had with using music for specific scenes was having to stop the game to get the correct track playing, or you might be stuck running a dramatic, dark scene with something upbeat.

Not sure Alien would have had the same feel with the Indiana Jones Soundtrack, lol

Vaping: MO to restrict to 18+

News from Missouri, go ahead, read it, it is short.

  Missouri Legislature Approves E-Cigarette Legislation

Notice anything?

This legislation will restrict purchases of Vaping products to people who are 18 yrs of age or older.  That is great news!

But even better news is in that article:

"But the legislation passed on Thursday would also exempt those products from the state’s tobacco taxes, which opponents say would allow the nicotine products to be sold with fewer restrictions."

The current taxes on tobacco products are ridiculous, because legislators can get away with it.  Taxing tobacco for health care revenue, schools (why are schools mentioned in every tax?), and any additional taxes for the 'issue of the week.'

Everybody wants people to stop using tobacco products (except the tobacco companies, of course), but they seem to want to get rid of any acceptable alternative at the same time.

Another thing I would like to point out from the article:

"Supporters say taxing the products would prevent the measure from passing the Republican-led Legislature."

What?  REPUBLICAN-LED?  Additional taxes would PREVENT it from passing?

But the media tells me that Republicans are all about big business, and they are evil facists...

True story, folks, the media lies.

And all the "product research" that has been done and resulted in negative results, (you know, the very few reports from 5 or 6 years ago that make sweeping generalizations based on an e-cig that was 5 years old at the time...) are all paid for by the tobacco companies, the people that will lose business as more and more people start vaping.

Vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking, MUCH healthier.

Kudo's to the MO Legislature for passing this bill, and not adding in additional taxes.  Common sense, E-Juice is not tobacco, so it cannot be taxed as tobacco.

Deceptive Media vs Vaping

This article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/business/selling-a-poison-by-the-barrel-liquid-nicotine-for-e-cigarettes.html?_r=0 has been circulating social media sites warning of the dangers that having e-juice in the home can cause.

The title is clearly deceptive and meant to provoke rather than inform.

Yes, keep your e-juice out of children's reach and let them know it is not a drink or candy, kind of like alcohol and tobacco products.

Common sense rules the day.

Also, the study that the media continues to refer to is years out of date, and sponsored by tobacco companies, you know, the people that want you NOT to switch from cigarettes.

Nobody is saying that vaporizers are healthy, but they are definitely healthier than smoking with approximately 234 LESS chemicals than cigarettes.

Get informed, stay alert, and follow the money-trail.

Communist Goals, or "How to Dismantle America" and My Thoughts and Observations

Communist Goals (1963) Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35 January 10, 1963

Current Communist Goals EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, January 10, 1963 .

Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.

At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen:

[From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.  - basis for "hate-crime" laws, amnesty laws, etc

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.  - we have made it known that our arsenal of weapons is nothing more than a smokescreen that we will not use

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.  - "We lay down our weapons first to show that we are in the right!"  This would disarm us as a nation and not only weaken us internationally, but domestically as well.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.  - done, and done!  Let us sell weapons to our enemies!
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.  - Done.  Our enemies owe us money, let us lend them some more!
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.  - To weaken the US economically

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.  - Done!  Weakens us politically on the international stage.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.  - Thankfully, Germany has been re-united!
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.  - Letting all those other countries test and test but retarding our research
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.  - Giving more voice to the Communist regime
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces.  - oh, and as a bonus, how about primarily using the US military to do so!
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.  - "Freedom of Speech!"  US Bill of Rights, Amendment I:  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (unless of course, that exercise goes against current political agenda from lobbyist groups); or abridging the freedom of speech (unless we can call you a terrorist, which according to the NSA if you are a) Christian, b) ex-military, c) own a firearm or d) speak against the government or its policies, you are a terrorist), or of the press (which is now just about fully owned by Communist/Socialist-led corporations); or the right of the people peaceably to assemble (unless it is religious or anti-government, or unless a lobbyist group calls you 'racist,' 'homophobic,' or 'Christian'), and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (so the NSA can get your name in order to label you a terrorist).

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.  - like the Pledge of Allegiance, also, in accordance we should get rid of anything promoting 'patriotism.'  Let's go ahead and label patriots as terrorists also...we can do that (thank you Bush and Obama)
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.  - Done!  Since our patents and copyrights mean absolutely nothing to them!

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.  - Done!  Both parties currently work for overseas interests and care only about how they can please the almighty UN, WHO and IMF

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.  - More 'hate crime' stuff!

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.  - Have you seen some of the 'Common Core' stuff that is out there?  Not to mention the difference between an 8th grade test now and what it was in the 1920's!

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.  - (admittedly, I have not seen this firsthand, but I would imagine, due to the multiple fringe groups that colleges support, this has taken place - if you are not liberal, you have no place in the paper)
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.  - consistently used, evidence abounds wherein student groups will attack, or protest, groups that are protesting the liberal agenda

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.  - Bingo, the press is owned by 'Progressives'

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.  - again, the media is owned by 'Progressives,' and any deviation by an actor that can be influential can result in said actor losing credibility and job worthiness

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."  - this is obvious

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."  - yep

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.  - yep

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.  - this is EVERYWHERE,  if you do not see it, it is because you have been exposed to it so much that you are now numb to it
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."  - and when people protest, let us send out the students to protest or attack them, which will cause a civil disturbance so we can send in our police forces and blame the original protesting group for the disturbance!

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."  - "COEXIST," "All religions are the same," "My God and your God are the same," just a different flavor of kool-aid
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."  - obviously being done

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.  - Just ask our current President

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."  - Until my junior/senior year of high school, they were 'Great Men,' now the educational focus is that they are atheists/deists, drunks and womanizers, who cares what they actually accomplished
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.  - the last half of this I have not seen, but the first part is definitely being done in schools and in the media.  All we need to know is that 'White American Conservatives are bad, want to enslave other races and force women to have children'
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.  - I am sure we can agree that there are many TLA's that should be private by are controlled by the government
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.  - like those first 10 laws in our constitution

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. - have not looked this one up
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.  - obviously has not been done, but the FBI is nowhere near as powerful as they were in the past
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.  - obviously has been done, can be seen everytime there is a left-leaning protest that needs people bussed in
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.  - mainly mass media, food corporations and pharmaceuticals

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].  - oh yeah!  TSA, BABY!  And do not dare to speak against the healthcare services, they will tell you that it is drugs, not diet that can help you!

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.  - I'm sure they would label me as paranoid at this point...

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.  - I do see how anyone can argue that this is not being done.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.  - Politicians and members of the Dept of Education are OPENLY stating that the schools know what is better for the children than the parents do

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.  - again, have not seen this first hand

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.  - that is an interesting one to look into, alas I have not at this time
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.  - done!
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.  - The Connally Reservation basically states that the UN States have no jurisdiction in the US if we declare a particular issue to be a domestic issue (for example: civilian owned firearms), repeal of this reservation would mean that another country (for example Mexico or Canada) could take the US through international proceedings regarding the use and sale of firearms within our own borders.

Bill Nye and Ken Ham/Evolution vs Creationism Debate, My Thoughts

Disclaimer:  I am a Creationist, I believe that man was created by God.  I also believe that my faith has no bearing on science, or scientific breakthroughs with the universe at large, and I think that science is REALLY AWESOME STUFF!  I am also stating publicly, I am not a scientist.  This post is merely to explain some basic precepts.

So, by now just about everyone has seen, heard about or watched clips of the Bill Nye vs Ken Ham debate titled, "Is Creation a Viable Model for the Origins of Life in Today's Modern Scientific Era?"

The debate is still available at http://debatelive.org/ for those that would like to see it in full.

When we sat down to watch the debate I was expecting a debate.  A discussion of evidence and theory.

What I saw was two men on a stage, one trying to add to a discussion that needs to be had, the other politicking, insulting the intelligence of the audience and hand-waving or even completely ignoring evidence.

Ken Ham delivered Creationism at an elementary-middle school level, touching only on the basics, this was a debate after-all and not a full on discourse on the subject.  All the while, admitting that science is awesome, and fun.  The only theory at issue is the Origins of Life.

Bill Nye did everything he could to dance around the Origins of Life, pointing out that a particular type of Nuclear Science is not taught in Kentucky (which, I am sure is also not taught in many other states due to the specialty of the field), begging taxpayers to keep funding science education and insulting the intelligence of those that do not believe in evolution as presented.

People, including Mr Nye, seem to fail at understanding a simple concept:  Christians and Creationists DO NOT HATE SCIENCE!  We love it!  By using logic and experimentation we get to explore God's Creation.

Please remember, WE LOVE SCIENCE!

The Theory of Evolution is not observable science, as it pertains to the Origins of Life.

ORIGINS OF LIFE

We are not trying to discuss evolution as it pertains to dogs and wolves, or horses and zebras.  We get that.  We can observe that, we can experiment with it, we except that as truth kind breeds same kind.

What Creationists do not believe, that the textbooks and majority rule (as Mr Nye pointed out again and again), is that Man evolved from Ape, which evolved from small mammalian insectivores, which evolved from reptiles, which evolved from fish, which evolved from something similar to a sea squirt, which evolved from a sort of plankton, which evolved from a multi-celled ameoboid, which evolved from a single-celled amoeboid, which evolved from a soup that was nothing more than water drainage off of rocks that just happened to be struck by lighting and just the right mathematically impossible moment.

Evolutionists tend to lump that one disbelief in with a disbelief in science in general, stating that Creationists are nothing more than 'backwards hicks with no education.'  But there are plenty of scientists who believe in Creationism.

There is actually MORE observable and documented evidence for Creation than there is for Evolution.  Of course, the only people exposing it are Creationists, but in case you are curious in learning more about Creation Science, for any reason, INCLUDING debunking, please check out the free seminars from Kent Hovind.

The main point of Creationist thought: expose and remove the lies in the science textbooks.  When something is proven false, remove it.

For example, Embryogenesis today shows us that every animal embryo is different, and looks different from one another at every stage of development.  So why are we still putting in the textbooks that the human embryo goes through a 'fish-stage?'

Many of the fossils used to prop up Evolutionary Theory have been debunked, with science!  So why are we still using them as 'evidence' to teach evolution to our children?

Simply put, the false evidence is left in the books to continue to indoctrinate our children into a belief system that has no room for morality, life value or free-thinking.

Evolutionary Theory is NOT SCIENCE, it is a BELIEF SYSTEM based on faith.  The same as Christianity and Creationism.

So, where is your 'Separation of church and state' now?

Guy Fawkes Day

I have taken notice of many people, friends, coworkers, etc honoring Guy Fawkes on this day, Nov 5.

This bothers me.

Guy Fawkes was a dissident, terrorist and traitor to his country.  The goal of the group Fawkes was a part of was to destroy Parliament, killing those inside, including King James, in order to put his daughter, Elizabeth, on the throne.

The reason?  Because King James had reacted to two previous Catholic plots to kill him in 1603...granted, the Kings reaction was a bit heavy-handed when, a year later and with much prodding from the Puritans, he showed hostility towards the Catholics, imposing fines and limiting their worship, in addition to removing Catholic priests from the country.

When Guy Fawkes Day was first declared, people would build a bonfire and burn an effigy of Fawkes, in remembrance of his capture and death, not to honor him but to disgrace him.

How has this man become a legend of good?  Especially for non-Catholics?

Fawkes belongs hand-in-hand with Che Guevara, Timothy McVeigh, and Osama bin Laden, the only real difference, Fawkes failed before he got started.

Please, before you honor a person, research the person.

So many people today walk around with a Che Guevara shirt, believing him to be some benevolent rebel, in reality, the man was a murderer of women and children, much closer to Saddam Hussein's son, Uday.

Think of the reaction people would have if you wore a mask of Hitler, Saddam or bin Laden with some 'great quote' on it.

Now think about why you honor a man such as Fawkes, unless you are Catholic, if you are Catholic, I can understand.

GM Notes: Omni Table to Difficulty Conversion

For decades, I have loved the simplicity of the Talislanta/Omni resolution system:  d20+skill+stat+/-modifiers check table.

After a couple decades of running SLA Industries and D6 almost exclusively it seems that while wonderfully simple, it underwhelms me as a GM.

With SLA Industries and WEG d6, and to an extent almost all the games produced after 1990, the common resolution method has been: roll dice, add/subtract stuff vs a difficulty number.

Difficulty numbers are a very fast and easy method of resolution, so easy in fact, that even with all the different task resolution systems in existence, they almost all follow the same basic setup.

5  Easy
10  Skilled
15  Moderate
20  Difficult
25  Very Difficult
30  Impossible

(for D20 difficulty, basically add 10, some numbers have been averaged/fudged for convenience of illustrating the point over exact definitions)

For Talislanta/Omni resolution, it would basically seem to follow the same difficulty as d20, but what about the Partial, Full and Critical Success, not to mention Mishap ratings of the Omni Table?  That is what really brings home variety in a game with static damage.

This is where things can get fun (and this would be easily portable to d20 also from what I have seen).

Raises, or Staging

One of the greatest things found in games like Shadowrun, World of Darkness, Deadlands, etc is the ability to do "extra" stuff depending on how well you roll, Talislanta/Omni reflect this with the Omni Table by having the above levels of success.

Sometimes this can be a bit tricky, or non-intuitive, to interpret.  I prefer things to be straight forward and fast, the less time I spend interpreting the rules, the more time we all get to enjoy the game.  But, I do love me some critical successes!

In keeping with the scaling above for difficulty, degrees of success would follow the same pattern.  For example, if the difficulty of the task is 15 (10+5 for 'easy') and you roll a total of 25, you can see easily that you have 2 'Raises' (25-15=10, 10/5=2).

After that, it is just a matter of telling the story:  "You pick the lock with blazing speed, not very many of the simple locks like that one around anymore."

For combat in the Omni system using this rule it still works.

Attacker Rating (skill+stat) = 6
Defender Rating (skill+stat) = 7
Attacker die roll = 15

Normal method:  15+(6-7)=14, a Success, normal damage is done
Difficulty method: 15+6 = 21 vs Defense of 17 (10+defenders rating), still a success, but more intuitively derived.

Okay, so what about higher levels?

Attacker Rating = 12
Defender Rating = 7
Attacker die roll = 20

Standard method, this would work out to a 25 (20+5), and be double damage.
Difficulty method:  20+12=32 vs Defense of 17, 15 higher than needed, so, 2 'Raises.'

Each 'Raise' could then be interpreted as:
a)  additional +1 damage per raise (eww...that kinda sucks comparatively)
b)  additional +DR of weapon (effectively double weapon damage before STR)
c)  -1 Defender Defense per raise
d)  a mixture of various effects

Let's look at d, because that sounds fun.  The defender would take 2x weapon damage for the first raise, then also be at -2 defense on the next turn as he recovers from the shock of the blow, or is trying to hold his guts in, possibly even from hesitation thinking "Do I really want to stay and fight this guy?"

The good thing is, rolling a total over 20 is now useful, the bad thing though is the inevitable 'Death Spiral' for the defender.

"But what about the ability to successfully Parry/Evade in Omni??" you ask?

Simply a matter of perception.

Normal method is the defender will focus his action on defense and roll d20+rating and if the result is a Full Success or better, the Attacker does not even roll, Partial Success indicates that IF the attacker hits he will only do half damage.

Standard parries (ie passive) are taken into account with Defense Rating (10+ applicable skill), an 'Active Parry/Evade' would work in the following manner:

d20+Defense = opponents difficulty to hit.

Using the above Ratings, if the defender decided to Parry as an action before hand and rolled a 15, the total would have been 32, still would have been a hit, but just barely.

This works great for melee, but what about Ranged attacks?

Remember the #1 rule of ranged combat: take cover!

As mentioned, melee Defense is 10+skill rating, this is fine for fighting face to face and you can (hopefully) semi-predict your attackers moves, but at a distance you cannot tell where your attacker is aiming.

So, my current thought is that Defense against ranged attacks would only be your Evade skill (passive) or d20+Evade Rating for an 'Active Defense.'

Yes, people with guns and bows are a bit more dangerous than people with knives with this setup, but you have nothing to defend yourself with at range, and the attacker still has range penalties.

Just some thoughts going through my head, until next time, enjoy your game!

GM Notes SPECIAL!: Russian Sleep Experiment Orange Soda

Read this and it really got my mind going.

To sum up, this piece of fiction tells about a Russian experiment in the 1940s regarding sleep deprivation that goes horribly awry.

Depending on the game, there are a few different ways this story can be handled at the gaming table.

SLA Industries: Operatives are sent to investigate a Soft Company and the lab is found a) intact while the experiment is in progress, b) after the experiment is over and they have to investigate what happened (hope someone turned off the gas...) or c) again, after the experiment is over, but the subjects are running loose...

Star Wars:  What have the Imperials done with some of the people on a remote frontier planet?  Well, lets check out the Imperial outpost and find out!

Rapture:  The PCs are sent to rescue people from a prison camp that has been set up, only to find that some of the people have been taken for experimentation.  What will the do when they discover the subjects have been possessed by demons?

D6 Adventure: duh...Russian (or Nazi) lab raid.

Asylum:  Either the characters stumble across the lab...or have volunteered to be test subjects!

Talislanta:  Rumors that the Rajan, or Kang, or Quan, or Farad, or Ur (after discovering some long-lost Alchemical texts on chemical warfare), or even possibly a Quaranian Necromancer-King, have reached more civilized lands and the PCs are hired to rescue the test subjects and destroy the lab if possible.

DnD:  A Necromancer has been using a new kind of undead to kidnap people in the middle of the night.  But the new undead is actually the people being experimented on and turned into nightmarish creatures to be controlled by the Necromancer.  These creatures are then used to kidnap more victims for the Necromancers deformed army.

Vampire:  Hunting out test subjects for Pentex to experiment on
Werewolf:  The tribal shaman or Ragabash has met one of the test subjects while traversing the Umbra and they pleaded with him for help, to save him from a Pentex lab.  The PCs are instructed to do so.  This would also explain what happens when the test subjects brainwaves flatline.
Hunter:  Vampires are out kidnapping people, Werewolves are creeping through the forest...time to get to work boys!
Mage:  The Progenitors and New World Order have teamed up with this new way to control the populace, at least that is the idea.  When word hits the Traditions, something must be done to stop it.

Cyberpunk/Shadowrun:  A contact, or friend, or family member, tells the PCs about this great job they found, it sounds a bit fishy so the PCs did some rooting, only to find out the lab hiring the guinea pigs manufactures toxins for warzones!  The PCs have to save their friend before it is too late!


Obviously, this story can be adapted to just about any RPG (Toon might be an issue...) and would make for a great creepy night of role-playing, or a fun night of killing baddies depending on play style of the group.

Me, I prefer to go with the creepy.

Conversion Machine: D20 SRD spells to Talislanta 4th/5th ed Part II

In my last Conversion Machine, we looked at the differences between Talislantan magic and D20 SRD (DnD) magic as it relates to the most widely used spell, Magic Missile.  We looked at converting the basics of the spell into the Talislanta framework and also a direct conversion that had to use Sorcery elements, making this magical staple into a very hard to cast bee sting.  This time, we continue with Magic Missile and way to get not only the same sort of effect, but make it even more powerful for our beginning Cymrillian Magician.

To recap, this is the spell we want to convert:

Magic Missile

Evocation [Force]

Level: Sor/Wiz 1

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)

Targets: Up to five creatures, no two of which can be more than 15 ft. apart

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: None

Spell Resistance: Yes

A missile of magical energy darts forth from your fingertip and strikes its target, dealing 1d4+1 points of force damage.

The missile strikes unerringly, even if the target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. Inanimate objects are not damaged by the spell.

For every two caster levels beyond 1st, you gain an additional missile—two at 3rd level, three at 5th, four at 7th, and the maximum of five missiles at 9th level or higher. If you shoot multiple missiles, you can have them strike a single creature or several creatures. A single missile can strike only one creature. You must designate targets before you check for spell resistance or roll damage.

What we are working with here is obviously an offensive, or Attack, spell.  When we look at the Attack mode in Talislanta we actually have a couple of options:

ATTACK

Damage: 1 Hit Point of damage per Spell Level

Range: 50 feet (-1 to casting roll per 10 extra feet of range)

Duration: Instant / 1 round per level (no range)

Area: -1 to casting roll per foot of radius

In accordance with the rules in the book, we can make this a standard, single target spell, or an area effect spell.  Something more along the lines of the following:

Bolt

Base Spell Level: 1 (Dynamic)

Range: 50 feet

Area: 0

Duration: Instant

Base Difficulty: -1 per additional HP damage

Notes:

Example Spells: Arcane Bolt, Necromantic Assault

Or, for the AoE version:

Blast

Base Spell Level: 1 (Dynamic)

Range: 50 feet

Area: 5 feet radius (10 ft diameter)

Duration: Instant

Base Difficulty: -6 (-1 per additional HP damage)

Notes:

Example Spells: Geomantic Blast, Fireball

Depending on description, and house rules, your Bolt spell you use for the single target effect, and your Blast spell you use for multiple opponents, I would definitely allow my players to state that the spell will only effect a maximum of 5 targets, no problem.  Also, this removes the bee-sting effect and can make this simple spell a feared part of any magicians arsenal.  That 3pt damage just became 9 for our Cymrillian friend with a straight d20 roll.

"Wait...he mentioned the rules in the book, what about the house rules he was talking about!"

Never fear!

There are various house rules that I have heard of regarding spells and their usage.  The rules that I personally use have the Spell Level as the only thing that can be changed after learning the spell (as shown above, the Area and Range are static.)  Although I prefer a more static spell, my players do not always like that idea.

For the conversions, I will be using Dynamic and Static spell levels depending on the mode and the spell itself and I will do my best to keep the feel of the spell as written.  This means, of course, that there will likely be 3 or more versions of some of the spells, Magic Missile, for example.

To keep the overall feel of the spell, and not make it horribly difficult to cause minimal damage, let us attack this a different way.

We look at the qualities of the original spell:

1. It is simple
2. At base it is single target
3. It never misses
4. Just about everyone who casts spells knows it

Okay.

So, we can use the following for the base:

Magic Missle
Attack Mode
Base Spell Level:  1 (dynamic - meaning we can pump it for more damage)
Range: 50 feet (it halves the range, but we want to keep it as simple as possible)
Duration:  Instant
Special:  Qualitas, unerring, -15
Base Difficulty:  -16 (-1 per additional HP damage)

Hmm...still seems pretty difficulty, but with our +9 to cast it only comes out to a d20-7, still pretty hard for 1 HP damage.  Let us bend the rules a little.  So far I have been using the 'unerring' aspect of the spell as a 'Major Change' to the mode's capabilities, let me drop that to 'Moderate' which will save us -5 and make the Base Difficulty -11 instead.

That still puts our Magician at d20+9-11, or d20-2, but it also gives him the opportunity to boost the damage a little.  To do 5 damage it will put him at that d20-7, and as long as he does not mishap he will hit.

But there is another way...

You can dodge an Arcane Bolt, you cannot dodge a magic missile, so we meet in the middle a little.

Magic Missle
Attack Mode
Base Spell Level: 1 (dynamic)
Range: 50ft
Duration: Instant
Special:  Qualitas, Minor Change, hard to dodge, target dodges at -1/3 spell level, -5
Base Difficulty:  -6

Now we have it set up a bit differently, still having to use Sorcery, but at a much lower difficulty.  While still not the unfailing hit that the d20 version has, this does make it a bit harder to dodge and helps to keep the feel of the spell.  But what about the additional missiles and targets?

Well, a 3rd level Wizard in DnD is actually pretty accomplished when you think about it.  I believe in 3rd edition it breaks down to about 13 encounters per level, lets figure 6-7 encounters per session, so about 4 sessions.

I usually run a 'Heroic' campaign in Talislanta, so the PCs will be getting approximately 20 xp per session.  A decent amount of 80 experience can be given to our young hero and we can get him casting the unerring version without too much difficulty, or we can use Qualitas again...

Magic Missile
Attack Mode
Base Spell Level: 1 (dynamic)
Range: 50ft
Duration: Instant
Special:  Qualitas, Minor Change, hard to dodge -1/3 spell level, -5; Qualitas, additional target -1 per additional target, Minor Change, -5
Base Difficulty:  -11

Still not too shabby, keeps the basic feel of the spell.  Main caveat here though, is the damage would have to be split between the two targets, unless you up the additional target to a Major Change for an additional -5 difficulty.

Granted, that is starting to get very unwieldy, even for our experienced Magician.  Personally, I think the best bet is to leave it single target and use a blast style spell for multiple targets just to keep it simple.

Well, I hope this little venture gave you something to think about, even though it was aimed specifically at d20 and the Talislanta system the thought objects are going to be pretty close with any kind of conversion.

How much CAN we keep from the original?
Can we make it feel the same?
What are the different ways to accomplish the same goal, and which one works best for what we want to do?

Conversion Machine: D20 SRD spells to Talislanta 4th/5th ed Part I

So, for 'funsies' I decided to start converting the D20 SRD spells to the Talislanta 4th/5th edition mix that I use.  'Mix' because I prefer the modes from 4th edition but some of the changes that appeared in 5th edition.

Using the magic system from 4th edition has always been fun for me, I absolutely loved the players that would come to the table wanting to play a caster, but not wanting to take the time and energy to create their beginning spells.

This would allow me to not only have fun creating the spells, but also kind of show them what the magic in Talislanta was like.  From the minor skin and hair enhancements to pillars of flame that destroyed just about anything it touched, magic in Talislanta runs the full spectrum.

At times, using the Omni/Talislanta system for more 'standard' fantasy games, the thrill of watching a player look through their brand new, custom spellbook, carefully reading what I have handed them, to hear them say, "You, sir, are a sick and twisted man."  (This was stated by a player who had taken BattleMagic while looking through his healing spells.  New meaning to "A pox on you and your people!")

This always did seem to put the game on hold, for at least one session, while I crept back into my hole to do my dirty work, and some players just like to have a list of spells to choose from.

This brought me back to memories of searching through the AD&D 1st and 2nd edition spell lists, and, always being a sucker for punishment, I decided to grab the D20 SRD and do some converting.  Most of my players are familiar with DnD in some manner, so they would get a kick out of it.

So, a quick google search and download later, I had the spell descriptions from A-B and my Talislanta modes custom cheat sheet opened in my trusty word processor.

There are some caveats that you have to acknowledge when doing any conversions, especially when you want to stay true to the feel of one game, while using the system from another.

For example, modern magic in the Talislanta RPG system has the following rules:

1. Cannot return the dead to life
2. Cannot create life
3. Cannot affect time or causality
4. Cannot control two Powers at once (Fire and Earth, for example)
5. Cannot cast more than one spell at a time or blend two spells together (ie, use two modes at once)

Note that these rules do not apply to ancient magic.

Okay, so I already know there are going to be some issues with spells from DnD, no problem, all of the above can be accomplished using Sorcery from the Codex Magicus.

But then we get into the choices that MUST be made.  While Talislantan magic is very personal and a creative endeavor, magic from DnD is not.  This is because of the history from the two games, not the world history, exactly, the real world history of the games.

DnD sprung from miniature battles, massive scale battlefields and siege rules where wizards stood atop battlements and hammered the opposing army with magical artillery.

Talislanta came from table-top RPGs, where character development and a search for the unknown and history were active at the same time as a heavy interest in the post-apocalyptic genre.  Games such as Shadowrun, Cyberpunk, Earthdawn and Gamma World were all popular.  In a way, Talislanta helped to usher in 'Fantasy-Punk' if you wish to use that term.

One of the big differences that these two paths differ on, is range.

Standard range for an Attack mode spell in Talislanta is 50ft+10ft per additional boost, in DnD the range is much further.  The quintessential 'Magic Missle' spell, for example, is 100ft+10ft per level.

Additionally, targeting is different.  In Talislanta, that magic bolt effects only a single target while in DnD you gain an additional missile every two levels (max of 5) that can be split between up to 5 targets.  Also, the Talislanta bolt requires a roll to hit, the magic missile is unerring and always strikes its target.

As I said before, a lot of these differences can be ignored, or you can use the Sorcery rules from the Codex Magicus to get a more exact conversion.  But how does that effect the usefulness of the spells themselves?

Let us look at Magic Missile.

First, from the D20 SRD:

Magic Missile

Evocation [Force]

Level: Sor/Wiz 1

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)

Targets: Up to five creatures, no two of which can be more than 15 ft. apart

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: None

Spell Resistance: Yes

A missile of magical energy darts forth from your fingertip and strikes its target, dealing 1d4+1 points of force damage.

The missile strikes unerringly, even if the target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. Inanimate objects are not damaged by the spell.

For every two caster levels beyond 1st, you gain an additional missile—two at 3rd level, three at 5th, four at 7th, and the maximum of five missiles at 9th level or higher. If you shoot multiple missiles, you can have them strike a single creature or several creatures. A single missile can strike only one creature. You must designate targets before you check for spell resistance or roll damage.

This is a 'Level 1' spell for Sorcerers and Wizards, an 'easy' incantation that almost every single player I have met has in their wizards repertoire.

Now let us look at the Talislanta version using the basic rules for magic:

Magic Missile

Attack Mode

Level: 1+

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Medium (50 ft. + 10 ft./additional -1 to casting roll)

Targets: 1

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Evade (yes, in Talislanta, you can dodge offensive magic)

Spell Resistance: Yes (lets face it, resistance to magic is pretty universal)

Base Difficulty:  -1 per Spell Level

A missile of magical energy darts forth from your fingertip and strikes its target, dealing 1 point of force damage per Spell Level.

As you can see, the range is much lower, and you have a chance to miss.  Also missing is the ability to target multiple creatures.  Another realization is that while the DnD Magic Missile tops out at 5d4+5, there is no upper limit to Spell Levels in Talislanta, although I would not suggest casting a spell more than 1.5x your total bonus, that can get nasty.

Now let us look at the Talislanta version using a direct conversion:

Magic Missile

Attack Mode

Level:  3+

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)

Targets: Up to five creatures, no two of which can be more than 15 ft. apart

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: None

Spell Resistance: Yes

Base Difficulty:  -33 (Qualitas, unerring -15; Qualitas, additional missile per additional 2 levels max 5, -10; minimum range -5, Spell Level 3 base)

A missile of magical energy darts forth from your fingertip and strikes its target, dealing 3 (avg 1d4+1) points of force damage.

The missile strikes unerringly, even if the target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. Inanimate objects are not damaged by the spell.

For every three spell levels beyond 3rd, you gain an additional missile—two at 6rd level, three at 9th, four at 12th, and the maximum of five missiles at 15th level or higher. If you shoot multiple missiles, you can have them strike a single creature or several creatures. A single missile can strike only one creature. You must designate targets before you check for spell resistance or roll damage.

YIKES!  This simple, basic spell just became a Master-Level...bee sting.

Now, to put this in perspective we will look at what a beginning Talislantan Wizard has for his skill.  I am choosing the Cymrillian Magician from the 4th Edition Talislanta book to use as an example.  The reason for this choice is simple, they are supposed to be the absolute best at spellslinging.

With Magic Rating of +6, and beginning mode at +3 for a total of +9, that shows great potential.  So, to cast even the most basic of the direct conversion, our awesome Magician, best you can get for a starting character, will roll d20-24 (d20+MR+Mode-Difficulty).  Ouch!  He just got fried, for a whopping 3-6 points of damage depending on house rules for Magical Mishaps (or, he just had the party teleported to some random dimension...).

Now, this does not mean that our Magic Missle cannot be done, it just shows how different the two schools of thought are, and pretty major genre differences.

Okay, so this leaves us with some serious thinking to do.  Not to worry, I will show another way to work this next time, and it will actually make the spell more powerful, and easier for our Cymrillian friend.

Until next time, enjoy your game.

GM Notes: Talislantan/Omni Magic

House Rules are always a GMs favorite tool.  Today I am going to talk about the house rules for the Talislanta setting and Omni system that are going through my head.

 Magic is such a large part of any fantasy genre game that special attention must be paid.
First, I use a combination of 4th and 5th edition Talislanta.  I use the modes from 4th edition, with the changes from 5th edition for the calculation of spell levels, range, etc.

Per my standard house rules, characters receive a number of spells in each mode equal to their Mode Rating, or Skill Level in that mode, plus an additional number of spells equal to their Magic Rating.  The bonus spells from Magic Rating do not have to be in any particular mode.

For example, Azadim, a Cymrillian Magician has the following modes: Attack +3, Influence +2, Defend +3, Alter +4, Heal +3 and a Magic Rating of +5.  This gives him a starting spell list consisting of 3 Attack, 2 Influence, 3 Defend, 4 Alter and 3 Heal spells.  The bonus starting spells he receives from his +5 Magic Rating he decides to put 2 into Alter (total 6 Alter), 2 into Attack (total 5 Attack), 1 into Heal (total 4) and the last into Influence (total 3).  Altogether, this gives our intrepid adventurer 18 spells in his repertoire.  Not too bad, really.

Now, I have to make a choice.  Flavor text describes Talislantans as always being on the lookout for new spells, especially Archean (ancient) spells that do not fit into the modern magic system.  Another section talks about how Talislantans have hundreds of spells.  Even another section describes players coming up with spells on the fly.

Yeah...not so much my cuppatea.

I have already limited the number of spells each character has, now its time to put them to work.  If we look at magicians in our standard way, and realize that this is a post-apocalyptic setting, then it would not be too far of a stretch to say that magicians do not spill all their secrets.

So...the choice is Dynamic vs Static spells, or Dynamic vs Semi-Static spells.

Common practice dictates that anything that is bound to Spell Level is scalable.  So for the Heal mode, you would only need 4 spells:  Heal, Harm, Cause Disease and Cure Disease.

And to make matters worse, with scaling involved, you would only need a few of each mode.

Attack: 3 spells; Bolt, Blast and Melee
Alter: 4 spells; Increase Attribute, Decrease Attribute, Increase Skill, Decrease Skill
Conjure: 2 spells; Conjure by Mass, Conjure by Area
Defend: 4 spells; Aura, Flat Barrier, Cone/Cylinder Barrier, Dome/Sphere Barrier
Heal: 4 spells; Heal, Harm, Cause Disease, Cure Disease
Illusion: 1 spell
Influence: 1 spell
Move: 1 spell
Reveal: 3 spells; Reveal, Scrying, Conceal
Summon: 2 spells; Summon, Banish
Transform: 5 spells; Trivial Change, Minor Change, Major Change, Radical Change, Complete Change
Ward: 2 spells; Ward, Hex

But, if all the spells are the same, and there are only 32 distinct spells...what about all that searching and secrecy that wizards are known for?

How about if only the Spell Level effects are scalable and everything else is static, like range or number of targets?  Okay, that helps a little, but still leaves us with basically 3 attack spells and 4 heal spells.  Still seems rather weenie in the grand scheme of things.

So let us take a look at the flip side, NOTHING is dynamic and the spell creation system is just that, a way to create static effect spells.  Now we have something to go on: a bunch of not-too-happy players.

Well, we never want unhappy players.

There is a middle ground.  Scalable effects, those that effect Spell Level only, can only be scaled up or down a number of levels equal to the Magic Rating of the caster from the base spell.

Hey!  Now that sounds like a good plan!  The GM is happy because he sees the wizard PCs scrambling for new spells and the PCs are happy because they get to do some cool scaling effects.

I have not playtested this yet, or mentioned it to my players, but you can expect me to test it before too long.

Enjoy the game!

GM Notes: That One Game...

We all have it...that "One Game."

The game that inspires us to creativity, the game that we grabs a hold of us and just will not let go.
That game that reshapes our imaginations, gets our creative juices flowing.

For some, that game is Dungeons and Dragons, for others it is Kult, or Star Wars, or Shadowrun, or Cyberpunk.  For me, that game is SLA Industries.

Throughout my game materials, notebooks, supplements, miniatures, props, etc, I have materials relating to my SLA Industries games.  Most of the content I have written for games, was written for SLA Industries.

Pages of NPCs, new weapons, new skill packages (classes), equipment lists, fashion styles, new races, pages upon pages, digital and physical, the ideas just keep flowing.

Just searching the internet, looking through the newspaper or merely even talking to people will get me thinking of a new idea, or how to work something into my game.

Back in 1993, I met a fellow gamer at the local shop in a town of around 3k people, in a rural area of Missouri.  I forget why we went out to his house, which was in an even more rural area, but while he was gathering his RPG stuff and tuning his paintball marker I found a book on his floor.

I sat there in his room, flipping through the book, entranced by the artwork.  Yes, just the ARTWORK.

It was all black, white and grey, some line art, some charcoal, some inked, but it captured me.

When we returned to the gaming store, I immediately put in an order for the book.  A week later it was in my hands.  I devoured it.  Within two weeks I started running the game.  Remember, this was 1993, almost 20 years ago.

To put this in perspective, I purchased my first SLA Industries book before Magic: the Gathering was sold at the local shop (granted, only a few weeks before), before the ill-fated Maztica for AD&D 2nd edition was released, before 2nd edition Vampire: The Masquerade came out.

And I am still running the game, still seeing elements of our world that can be used or exploited for my role-playing endeavor.

There have been moments during this time that I have taken a short break and ran AD&D, Talislanta, Star Wars and a couple one-shot games, but I always return to SLA Industries.

The game where a massive company owns almost all of the 'Known Universe,' were if you do not work for the company, you work for a Soft Company (small company with no backing or a direct competitor), a terrorist trying to bring down SLA Industries, or one of the unemployed masses.

The game where serial killers are so prolific they are not even acknowledged until their 13th kill, where violence and sex on the TV are the norm, not the exception.

Maybe the space in my heart for this game is because it is so far fetched, maybe it is the artwork, or maybe it is because of the ease with which I can setup and run a mission.

Maybe it is because, if you think about it, the game is so close to our own world...

Just some thoughts, enjoy your game.

SLA Industries: Out with a Bang meet Jack and Jill

With the squad being down to Grundy, Hunter, Cappin and Doc due to the missing Shaktar and Brain Waster the financier group 'Flaming Turkeys,' where they have been getting a few BPNs from, sends in a Sniper to help them out a bit.

After quickly burning through the newbies Blue BPN they decided to get back to business and call up Jonesy at Flaming Turkeys.

Offered a Grey BPN the squad happily accepts.  Simple work.  There is a Channel Resistance uplink cell in Industrial Sector 86 that has holed up in an abandoned building.

Arriving in the area, the squad parks the APC a couple blocks away and heads in on foot.  Upon getting to the building, Grundy attempts to weld the doors of the main entrance, briefly harassed by what appears to be a security guard who is waved off by Hunters SLA badge, and moves to the back door, leaving Hunter to watch the main entrance.

The Sniper, Terry, is placed on an adjacent rooftop to assist and Cappin heads around to the loading dock to find an entrance.

Doc and Grundy enter the building and as Grundy is welding the door shut they are interrupted by a man claiming to be a delivery boy for an Orientan restaurant.  Grundy slaps him out of the way, inadvertently killing him.

Doc decides to start working his way up the stairs to the second floor.  Terry radios the squad to let them know that all the lights above the 2nd floor just went out, as Cappin busts open the loading bay door.

Doc arrives at the 2nd floor door and opens it, he is met with gunfire.  As the bullets pelt him and the door, he manages to drop back and close it, and doses kickstart and UV.

Cappin, hearing his brother hit makes his way quickly to the stairwell, proceeded by Grundy.  With the Morgan brothers forming a plan for the 2nd floor assault, Grundy heads up to the 3rd floor.

Terry leaves his perch to get a better position with Hunter who is now working his way through the front of the building and checking the first floor.

Grundy makes it to the 3rd floor and opens the door, and quickly closes it as bullets ricochet off his helmet, almost killing him.  Good thing he is a Stormer.

Hearing their friend eat lead upstairs, Cappin decides to change up their plan, opens the door just a crack and tosses in a fragmentation grenade.

The dilapidated building shakes a little with the explosion, and all goes quiet inside.

Outside, Terry is making his way around the building and sees two figures zip line through some buildings.  He immediately radios the members of the squad inside and Hunter comes back out to help.

Looking over the damage inside, the grenade has blasted a hole in the 3rd and 2nd floors, the blast probably enhanced a little by the Vito and Buzzard model Tek Trex drones...that now lay scattered in pieces.

Grundy heads for the roof to try and assist with the 2 fleeing figures while Cappin and Doc head for the 4th and 5th floors.

Hunter takes off on his powerboard to follow a van that he spots leaving at a high rate of speed, Terry moves to another building to take up position in case someone else decides to run for it.

Grundy opens the door to the roof expecting to run to the edge and zipline down with his rifle, but the bullets pounding into him force him back through the door.  On the roof are 4 DN operatives packing SMGs and automatic rifles!

Doc leaves Cappin to clear the 4th floor and heads up to the roof to assist Grundy.

Cappin, after doing some quick drug-addled thinking, decides the best idea is to blow a hole in the 5th floor and runs upstairs while Grundy and Doc form a plan of attack.

Cappin tosses his last grenade through the door to the 5th floor at the same time Grundy and Doc open the door to the roof, Grundy going high and full auto, Doc kneeling and going low with two 603s with a single hotline round in each.

Grundy and Doc manage to take out all four of the DN operatives on the roof, while Cappin looks at the hole in the floor and wonders why the ceiling is still mostly intact.

Hunter is still following the van, calls Shiver scaf support to try and get a tracker in the sky, but there are none available at the moment while Terry is moving up the side of an adjacent building.

Doc and Grundy use the two DN operatives in body armor to slide down the zipline, to a now empty corner, as Cappin starts to sweep the 5th floor and catches movement at a door towards the end of the hallway.

Cappin, realizing he has no more grenades, kicks open the door and trigger locks his 706 Power Reaper, the four DN operatives inside open up with their DN74 SMGs and DN80 rifles...and everything goes silent.

With Cappin not answering his headset, Terry checks the room through his scope as Grundy grabs Doc and starts to climb back up the zipline.  Fifteen blocks away, Hunter is still following the escaping van on his hoverboard.

Terry sees no movement in the room.

As Grundy and Doc make it into the room they find Cappin with his chest torn apart and his left leg completely missing.  Doc immediately calls for medical help and him and Grundy attempt to revive him.

About 20 blocks away, the backdoor of the van opens up and a hail of bullets from the DN operative impact into Hunters chest knocking him off his hoverboard at around 50mph.  If the bullets had not killed him, the impact and asphalt would have.

Unable to revive Cappin, Grundy heads out to recover Hunters body.

The Channel Resistance cell was broken and the BPN successful overall, but it was a hard-won battle.  Doc and Grundy headed home with lowered heads and sunken hearts to drink a few sorrows and watch TV.

During the episode of GoreZone, Jack makes an appearance, showing film of Cappin and Hunter dying...

Til next time...enjoy your game!

GM Notes: Random Encounters

A friend recently asked about random encounter tables for Dungeons and Dragons, I posted some suggested places to look according to the best remembrance available to me, then it hit me, I have rarely used random encounters.

This struck me a bit funny, I mean, Dungeons and Dragons is based off of Random Encounters...right?

Absolutely not.

I mulled it over a bit and realized that I never really used random encounters because there was no reason to.

I know where I want my story to be about, why waste time with pointless encounters?  If the PCs are fighting against the Thieves Guild and have to go through a nearby forest to get something...why fight random orcs or goblins, when you can fight orcs or goblins that are in league with the guild?

This, of course, takes a little more preparation, but in the end it will fit the story and still seem like a 'random' encounter.

Random encounters are, I believe, meant to show that there is a world outside of the story, to "bring the world to life."  I fail to see how this can be accomplished when you roll some dice, check a chart, and put the game on hold while you get all the stats and encounter notes drawn up.

If I am going to pause a game for 5-15 minutes, I am going to take a break as well, not sit at the table gouging my eyes out while getting writers cramp.

Now, I realize that there are reasons for random encounter tables and I am not saying that they should not be used at all.  What I am saying is they should not be used during the game because it kills momentum, possibly sends the players on a wild goose chase and has a good chance of putting a player death in the hands of some nobody wolf or catablepas.

The best use of encounter tables I can think of is before the game, while you are still writing the notes for the adventure.

Three days of travel through woodlands?  No problem.  You know the PCs are going to have to do this, so you grab your d6, roll 4 times for each day (morning, afternoon, evening, overnight), consult your tables and voila!  The 'random' encounters have now become regular, planned encounters.

The helps in a couple of different ways:

Party Strength - low to mid level party, and you just rolled an early morning red dragon.  Following 'random encounter' usage, your party is now toast (literally).  But now, with the 'planned encounter,' you can tailor to the group.  Instead of said dragon pouncing out of the forest onto the party for an early morning snack, the party is awakened by a roar and leathery flapping of wings as the dragon flies over the forest.  This still provides the feel that there is a world out there unrelated to the story, but has the benefit of not killing the party without a fighting chance or breaking momentum.

Party Gear/Abilities - especially important in low-level or low-magic campaigns.  Using the random encounter method you may end up pitting the PC's against something they have no means to damage and then the monster just trounces them back to character generation.  Never fun, players prefer to die by adversaries, not random stuff.

Storyline - here is where it gets good.  So, lets say the random encounter is 5-10 orcs, you roll your trusty player-killers and get a total of 7.  Since this is before the game starts, you jot down that 1 of the orcs is bigger and stronger than the rest, the leader.  Another is his second-in-command, and the rest are just scabs breaking union lines because the rest of the orcs are on strike.

Taking it a step further, the main orc is written in as a hireling of the Thieves Guild and his small band of bandits bandies about preying on merchants and passerby's for the guild as well as scouting the area protecting the forest hideout.

Due to them actually being in the guild, they may even be better equipped than the standard orc.  Maybe a couple low level magic items, a few healing potions, a map to the hideout or a letter of reference including basic instructions from the Lord Mayor.

And that is how it works, the 'random encounter' of the orcs has now become a 'planned encounter' that actually moves the story forward instead of breaking momentum, and as a bonus even provides more threads in the story to follow.

Enjoy your game.