dumnbunny

I've been working on a conversion of Tribe 8 to Spirit of the Century/FATE, and now that I'm commuting and have a laptop I've been able to put some more work into it. So far, I've put some more work into the details of the specialized Aspects that are available:

ASPECTS
Spirit of Vimary contains several special types of Aspects. The most prominent of these are Character Aspects, Origin Aspects and Family Aspects. Using these categories isn’t necessary (plain vanilla Aspects do the trick nicely) but the idea is to underscore the relationships between various groups in the Tribe 8 world.

Character Aspects are the normal aspects that are chosen to represent who the character is. Origin and Family Aspects represent the character’s fundamental connection to the larger world. Because of this, they are names of groups instead of descriptive in nature. Characters also only start with one Origin and one Family Aspect, although it is possible to develop additional Origin or Family Aspects during play. Origin Aspects are fixed in number unless the GM wishes to add more and a change of that scope should also be approved by the players.

Origin Aspects
Origin Aspects describe where the character comes from. Each character can only have one, and it is chosen before any other Aspects. Specific Origin aspects may be prerequisites for some Stunts, and the Origin Aspect will loosely shape the other kinds of Aspects that the character chooses. For example, a character with the Tribal Origin Aspect is not likely to have an Aspect of “Likes hanging out with Z’bri.” “Secretly intrigued by Z’bri” or “There’s a Z’bri nearby!” are more appropriate.

The Origin Aspects that are available are:
• Fatima (this is obviously not normally for PCs)
• Guide
• Keeper
• Squat
• Tribal
• Z’bri

The astute will probably notice the lack of a Fallen Origin Aspect, or Fallen Outlooks as Family Aspects. The reason for this is that – at least during the Vimary Era – characters don’t originate as Fallen. Both Fallen and Outlook Aspects are described in more detail later.

Family Aspects
Family Aspects represent a narrow subset of Origin Aspects. They represent the broad group within the Origin that the character belongs to. For example, characters of Tribal Origin can choose one of the Tribes as a Family Aspect. Z'bri Origin can choose one of the Z'bri Houses or Serf as a Family Aspect. Like Origin Aspects, there may be Stunts or other Aspects that have a specific Family Aspect as a prerequisite.

Fallen & Outlook Aspects
Fallen and Outlook Aspects are not quite Origin or Family Aspects, though can be thought of in very similar terms. When a character chooses the Fallen Path and is of Tribal Origin, during the [???] Phase the character’s Origin Aspect gains the descriptor Fallen. For example, a character of Tera Sheban Origin becomes Fallen Tera Sheban. This fundamentally changes the nature of the Origin Aspect and the character’s relationship with it, just as Banishment fundamentally changes the character and her relationship with her Tribe.

Any Stunts or Aspects the character had that required the specific Origin Aspect are retained, but the character loses the ability to automatically take more Stunts or Aspects that depend on that Origin Aspect. Of course, during game play and with the right justification it is very possible the character could still pick up those specific Stunts or Aspects.

When the character becomes Fallen or at any point thereafter the character can choose one of the Fallen Outlooks as an Aspect. There is absolutely no requirement to do so – Fallen do not have to have an affiliation to an Outlook. Characters can also change Outlooks – however, unlike Origin or Family Aspects the new Outlook replaces the old one. The character retains any Stunts or other abilities that depended on the old Outlook, but cannot gain any more without justification.

The Outlook Aspects, as of the beginning of Tribe 8 1st edition, are:
• Herite
• Yagan
• Doomsayer
• Lightbringer

After Children of Lilith, Child of Lilith becomes available as well.

A lot of the coverage of the Sichuan earthquake in the English press has been negative: not terribly surprising, given the general state of China in the English language press.

A group of Chinese-speaking internetters have taken it upon themselves to translate a bunch of Chinese stories about the earthquake, culling them from blogs and newspapers. These are not stories about the government. These are mostly stories about individual people and their struggles to help others.

I'm not saying that these are necessarily all there is to the story. I'm just saying: reading couldn't hurt.

Why erotic Hypnosis?

I like being in control. Maybe this is surprising, maybe not. I don't think I'm a control freak, though - I can easily let go in many situations and go with the flow. A very useful talent, since so much of life is about figuring out the flow and reacting to it. Of course, I'm a stubborn cuss, and sometimes the only good reaction is to dig in my heels.

My frustration with not being in control mostly comes up in social situations. I'm not really equipped with a full and complete socialization suite. Part of it is a lack of skillset, the rest I think is simply biological, despite the insistence of many friends that there is no such thing as a physiological social disability, I believe I have one.

Either way, I was very lonely during my developing years, and found myself wanting to... MAKE people talk to me and enjoy my company, since I couldn't make myself talk to them, at least not in a way that they could enjoy my company. I don't even know how to do it now, I just know it happens sometimes, but I can't figure out the trick.

I think, during their developing years, people extrapolate a lot of their romantic and sexual expectations and desires from their social interactions, and perhaps through their observation of the romantic interactions of parents and peers. Of course, with my father dead and mom not interested in remarrying (and not really being around, although she dated a while), I didn't get very inspired there. Beyond that, there were little to no romantic interactions at my school, killing that "peer" argument. And as I had no social interactions at all, I retreated into my fantasies.

Spending a lot of time in my head, I've always been interested in hypnosis and how the mind works, even apart from my fantasies. Granted, this curiosity was probably spurred by my fantasies, but children's game like "concentrate" piqued this as well. Sadly, I seemed to be more or less immune to the sort of deep trance states I'd seen others achieve.

Then, my first year in college, I found the Erotic Mind Control Story Archive, and more particularly a story called Hypnosis Homework. It was after this that I really started practicing and studying, although finding truly willing and able subjects was hard (and honestly remains that way).

The kinds of deep trances that I want are the kinds you see on stage at hypnosis shows. And the antics and suggestions you see at those shows are also very attractive and interesting to me. I especially like seeing the circumvention of the conscious mind by the subconscious, which can be helped along with hypnotic amnesia. But even without that, seeing someone struggle to resist (even if the suggestion is something absurd), and then give in, is beautiful.

And it's not just the contravention of the conscious mind with the subconscious, but mind over matter is very exciting to me, especially with the female body. A deep enough trance can turn an orgasm into a part of foreplay, rather than the end goal.

So last night while driving back from the police station I heard a song on the radio that had a title that was something like "Doors" or "the Door" or something. It was made with just a guitar a bass and the artists voice. It could roughly be described as Rage Against the Machine meets Rumi.

Anyone out there have any idea what it might have been?

A girl I work with needs to get rid of some buns. Her first bun came to her pregnant (I think, was the story) and she's got two babies left from the litter.

She randomly decided to get a pit bull, and said pup does not like the bunnies.

I was planning on adopting a friend for Bailey (keyword there is A. As in single) but I don't have the heart to let those two buns end up in the local kill shelter or as dog chow.

Now I don't have them yet, but can I have some pre-tips on bonding Bailey with an already-bonded pair?

I don't know the gender, and neither does she, but she assumes they're same-sex because they haven't had babies yet. Bailey is spayed, but I'll be taking the newcomers to the vet to be sure. I've got no problem adding two buns to my house, but for 4 more to show up in a month? That'd be too much to handle. With the limited bunroom/family room space. Suitable for a few buns, but not 7!

Anyway, I don't know how easy or difficult this is going to be, but please...give me any tips you can on bonding Bailey with another bonded pair.

I'm so afraid she might get jealous, too. Is that common, like it is with dogs? I know my two labradors were soooo jealous when we got our dachshund. They got over it, of course...but I love my Bailey so much, and I'd hate for her to turn on me because I was trying to get her company while saving two buns in the process. (xposted to bunspace forums)

My bunny Bella was recently separated from the two boys I was trying to bond her with. Since then, she has gone back to her original state of clawing, biting, and even a bit of cage-aggression. She's become very destructive, so my mom has declared that she cannot be allowed out of her cage unless I am there to supervise-- I don't have to sit down, necessarily, but I have to check on here every few minutes. I usually have the time to do this maybe three times a week. That is not good for my poor baby Bella. She'd gotten very used to being a free-roaming bunny and I don't like feeling guilty when I am at work or school, thinking of her in a cage.
I need to know what I can do to make her less destructive [her big thing is pulling up the carpet, we have two very large holes that my mom is not happy about] and/or friendlier. She is very friendly to me, but no one else. This is a safety risk because my mother runs a daycare and Bella now resides on the same floor as the kids [she never has direct contact with them, however, they can reach over the baby-gate and get their fingers taken off].
An option for her to be out while I am not at home or am unable to supervise is for her to be in the bunny room, however, that's not an option for the colder months, since the bunny room is in my basement.
My mom is telling me that is Bella chews another hole in the carpet, she'll have to go. She doesn't understand how ridiculous that is.
What do I do?

Honestly, I was wasting time 'netting around frivolously, in the name of finding something character sheet-like I could use for The Crows. And getting a little frustrated, I was just about to throw the towel in.

Then bang! There it was. Completely customizable. Pretty much exactly what I wanted. It just goes to show you, sometimes half-assing around at things is the only way to get results.

Doug.

This is a post about logic and behavior. It is not about respecting your feelings but challenging them.

Still, I'd like to start this without pushing anyone's buttons, because affective heuristics happen, but I'm afraid the rest may not make as much sense as it might without starting by pushing some buttons.

For some of you, the history actually won't push any buttons or incite bias...still, I'll hide it behind a cut for those of you for whom it may, and you can jump down to the discussion and forego the history if you want to try it that way. Or you might try to short-circuit the probable reaction bias and give On Expressing Your Concerns a read to help consciously note the particular subconscious primate social instincts expected:

...history abounds with lessons on the price of being the first, or even the second, to say that the Emperor has no clothes. Nor are people hardwired to distinguish "expressing a concern" from "disagreement even with common knowledge"...If you perform the group service of being the one who gives voice to the obvious problems, don't expect the group to thank you for it...

( ...it creates bias... )

Disengagement is about protecting your personal and emotional space, and there is truth in the need to do this from haters and trolls and spreaders of nonsense, but there are also problems to be found with the logic of "disengagement" as it is defended by some individuals and groups. Some of those ideas might not be expressed openly, but are clear in a view of the pattern of argument and behavior of the group, others are expressed openly as obvious truths:

• Everyone who disagrees with you has clearly never read your material or they would agree with you, and if they say they have they are lying.


• Should anyone provably have read your material and still disagree, they clearly didn't understand it, are irrational, or don't want to accept its truth.


• Everyone who disagrees with you is attempting to shut you down. Especially if they continue disagreeing.


• Everyone who questions or attacks your truths also never attacks the side you are against, because if they are not with you they must be against you.


• Everyone who questions or attacks your truths is helping support the side you are against, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Therefore, they are the enemy.


• If someone makes you deeply, personally angry, they are a Nazi, and the issue is not with you.


• Everyone who disagrees with the group truth is an ignorant fuckface who should be beaten up.


• If someone questions or argues against group truth, ignore them because they are ranting asshats.


• The only sane, rational, good discussion is that which reaffirms the righteousness of the accepted group truths and do not challenge it.

I think we've all seen this pattern before, unfortunately.

Any of you oppose the war lately? How did your war-supporting friends or acquaintances treat you or speak to you? Are you a traitor? Are you not a real patriot? Are you anti-American? Have any of them simply stopped speaking with you? Do they argue you are ignorant (or worse) because you refuse to agree with them? Do they think you should be beaten or physically assaulted to teach you a lesson?

( ...seen it before... )

( ...what's wrong with that..? )

( ...escaping the ego's needs... )

In no particular order, other posts discussing this topic more in depth at Overcoming Bias are Supercritical Uncriticality, The Halo Effect, One Argument Against an Army, Avoiding Your Beliefs' Real Weak Points, Burdensome Details, The Affect Heuristic and Affective Death Spirals.

They're all worth the read.

( ...closing thoughts and closing fallacies... ).

In the future, I'm going to spout off my gaming-related ramblings over here.

Here's the premise for our new campaign:

"In the darkness of the city lurk strange things not meant for this world. Creatures from the netherworlds crawl out of the thin veils that separate our realities. Twisted spirits from beyond the shades of life linger in the gloom of the night. Demonic Infernals stalk the souls of mortals, employing methods both subtle and violent. In Five Fingers, the supernatural unknown thrives, and the Strangelight Workship is here to fix it!

Under the watchful patronage of the wealthy expatriate wizard Unger von Grendelbach, the Five Fingers chapter of the Strangelight Workshop investigates reports of supernatural occurrences within and around the infamous pirate city. They are skilled in finding and rooting out things that normal means simply cannot understand (or refuse to). When the Watch is stumped by the macabre, when private folk need a spirit exorcised, when he High Captains need to research a curse placed upon them by their enemies, the Strangelight Workshop is there.

It's too bad everyone seems to think they're annoying nutjobs."


So I'm looking for inspirations. Right now, my biggest sources are the TV shows Supernatural and Torchwood, and I'm gonna watch the old Friday the 13th and Poltergeist TV shows as well. Besides the obvious (Ghostbusters), what are some other good sources for this kind of game?

Link did his first kick-flip today! It was amazing. :D
A few days ago I did a shopping spree at the animal store, and I've fixed up his cage with a nice cushy rubby mat, which covers most of the floor except for the back corner where his box is, a cardboard house, some toys and lots of treats. He seems to be very happy.
We're working on litter training him outside of his cage, and decided to start with a kid corral we have, but after awhile he decided to hop over it, so that's out.
I wasn't sure if he needed to be fixed or not, but since he sprayed piss on my face this morning, I'm pretty sure he hasn't already been. So, I'll be making an appointment for him for this Friday.
He has finally worked up the courage to venture upstairs, which is sometimes problematic.
Also, the our scaredy-cat is starting to warm up to him. Link seems like he wants to play, but Pekkhum is still trying to comprehend his rapid movements.
Oh, and I tried to play the bunny nose game with him, but that's when he pissed on me. :(
All in all, he's doing well, and I'm very much looking forward to him getting fixed.

My bun, Boris and Victor have a NIC condo, and I wasn't entirely pleased with the setup. It was my first condo, and it looked pretty neat, but it wasn't entirely practical, and didn't do everything that I had wanted it to. So I got an empty bike box from work (those things are HUGE!), some stick on linoleum tiles and went to work! So I took a couple hours and rebuilt the cage. The biggest differences are now it's all one level (for now, once I get money I'm adding a second storey with a shelf), it's a lot bigger, and now it's in a tub-like setup so the bunny poops don't spill out onto my floor! It's not 100% finished because I had a prior engagement to attend to later in the evening, but all that's really left to do is clip the zip ties!
( Before )
( And after! )

I repeat - we have a BINKY!!!!

She just hopped on to the hallway rug and threw three spinnking binkies!

*cries*

When I crawled out of bed this morning, a little white & black Bjorn scuttled from underneath the frame and bolted out the door. He hadn't escaped for long, so I wasn't too worried. It was just cute to see him wanting to sleep with the rest of the household...

Lemme out! Lemme out!

we have two three month old dwarf lion lops, both girls as far as we know (the breeder checked, we've checked, the vet's checked, a friend checked, we checked again).

we've seen their first bit of humping behaviour today.

since we don't need to worry about the pregnancy aspect for now (i hope, oh i hope), my question is should we discourage it, or do they need to establish a dominant rabbit and should we leave them to it? it doesn't look like anyone's getting hurt or irritated at this stage.

many thanks!

Greta says thanks so much to everyone who has donated to her. You are all wonderful!!



The walk is tomorrow and Greta has just $175 to go to reach her $1000 goal. Amazing! The bunny community is very generous and has kept this rabbit eating a lot of yummy pineapple!

Thanks again from AIDSWalk's only fundraising bunny.

I watch Speed Racer.

( How was it? )
-Marco

Something I'm tossing around.

Imagine that you have a game that can be easily applied to different settings.  I'm thinking of Dogs in the Vineyard, and Spirit of the Century here, offhand, but that's just my biases.  GURPS, maybe?  Somebody d20ish, possibly.  Heck, if people like the idea, I might do it for Perfect Century (though that's pretty likely about the same as doing it for SotC).

Now, imagine that you build a PDF form, fillable, that would contain the basic stuff for "an alternate setting".  So, if you filled in the form, you'd have guidelines anyone could use to run that setting with your rules.  You don't just whip this thing up, though; you discuss it with others openly, making them aware of what comes next as you do so, and use their input.

The next bit is that, form in-hand, you run a contest.  Free stuff or cash for the coolest alternate setting form submitted - give people a month to submit ideas, plant all the filled forms up on a host, and then judging is done by everyone, collectively (not sure how the votes would be aggregated, but I'd look at Game Chef and see what they do).

The game owner gains:
1) Interest and attention
2) Possibly some fun public discussion
3) A lasting game resource to direct everyone over to in the future, even if it ends up only being a smallish one.

It costs them: 
1) Some product or money
2) Time spent coordinating
3) Webhosting.

The Participants gain:
1) Chance to win something
2) The opportunity to advertise their ideas, their site if applicable, their name if desirable.

It costs them:
1) Time.
2) Some creative effort.

So....

Genius?  Idiotic?

Work Journal: Updated entries through Lucifer (AKA "The Prince of Darkness," "The Adversary"). (+1100 words; running total 4263 words)

Gah, I've spent the last half hour brushing Lola with a rubber comb, meant for getting out dead hair but she's still moulting ridiculously. I've even tried brushing a strip of cellotape over her (I know, sounds stupid but she doesn't seem to mind it too much) but even now, if I stroke her once she sheds loads of fur into the air. 
I'm worried about hairballs, so is it just a case of brushing her for hours everyday until she stops moulting, or is there something I can do to prevent it a little bit?


Also, she's been clicking her teeth a little bit lately. not regularly, just once every now and then. Could her teeth be too long or is it just a behaviour thing they do? Thanks!