So Brand New Congress is one of the groups I support and they announce their first candidate for 2020 Cori Bush!
She ran for the first time last cycle and is taking those hard won lessons back on the campaign trail.
Most first time candidates lose, but only a few try again so shes to be commended,
Also she had a harder road than most since she was a grassroots no Corporate PAC money candidate. Unfortunately money wins elections :( but 2016 proved the power of grassroots crowd funding and 2018 Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats supported 11 winning candidates. FYI that was the first election for both those groups so its an impressive win. But it would not have happened without great candidates and voters tired of the same old same old establishment politicians.
We need change so please take a look and support candidates who work for Americans instead of multinational corporations.
Gaming
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Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Upping the GURPS Mages Tactical Game
I really like the multitude of options in regards to different ways to handle magic. However one thing I find that needs a better option is countermeasures. I like the image of fueling wizards, say like this clip so here are a few suggestions.
Defensive Magic
Counter-Magic
IQ/VH
Defaults: None
Prerequisites: Magery,
Thaumatology
The skill of applying the knowledge and ability to manipulate
magic in a defensive manner to counter hostile spells. It allows a Power Block
or Parry (GURPS Powers, pp. 167 – 169). A Block uses the mages magic to
reinforce or tailor defenses against an attack while a Parry creates a small magical
bolt that disrupts incoming missile attacks.
Spell Block: Roll 3 + (Skill
+ Magery) / 2 (Drop fractions) with success granting DR 1 or +1 to resist per
level of magery or doubling a
defensive magical ability such as Improved Magic Resistance or Mind Shield.
Spell Parry: Parry = 3
+ (Innate Attack + Magery) / 2. A successful parry subtracts 1d damage from an
incoming missile spell for each 1 FP spent. This cost must be declared in
advance and is not reduced by high skill (same as a Blocking spell).
Modifiers: Typical
modifiers such as Combat Reflexes apply, though footing and shield DB do not. –
1 per hex to subject when Blocking for others or use the Speed/Range penalties
for the nearest of the attacker or
subject when Parrying for others.
Increasing Effective Range
GURPS Thaumatology offers Adjustable
Spells (Thaumatology, p. 39) and Techniques for specialists to offset
those penalties, which can include Increased Range. The section Minor System Tweaks includes a section
on range adjustments (Thaumatology, p. 35). Below is a
variation on Zen Archery for spell casting.
Magical Alignment and General Engagement (M.A.G.E)
IQ/VH
Defaults: None
Prerequisites:
Thaumatology
By using the Laws of Contagion, Names and Similarity you can
reduce range penalties. On a success, add up the penalties for size and speed/range
(or Long Distance Modifiers), and then divide them by 3 (round down).
Modifiers: Sympathy section (GURPS Thaumatology, pp.
243 – 246). -10 if used instantly,
dropping to -5 after 1 turn of concentration, -4 after 2 turns, -3 after 4
turns, -2 after 8 turns, -1 after 16 turns, and no penalty after 32 turns.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Political Victories are More Important Than Responsible Leadership
The Senate failed to pass a bill to open the government today. The Republican bill actually failed to get more votes than the Dem bill, even though they are in the minority. This shows the problems the Republicans have had since they took over at the beginning of 2016. They cant agree even among themselves what to do, like Repealing and replacing ObamaCare they were unable to agree among themselves how to improve it. Sure they have been able to gut it pretty effectively, even when they were a minority party they were great at sabotage.
Its coming up with and agreeing on solutions is where they keep coming up short. The only priority they managed to get done in 2 years of controlling the government was tax cuts. And that is because their billionaire donors demanded it of them.
Whether you agree with the Republican goals or not, the above is simple fact.
President Trump keeps sayins everyone is willing to sacrifice for the wall and they just need to make adjustments.
While Wilbur Ross says just go get a loan, no big deal. Wilbur Ross goes on another interview to say its not a gigantic number overall its less than 1/3% GDP so its not a big deal.
Lara Trump "Its a little bit of pain, but good for the country"
Think about how out of touch or how little these people really care for American workers.
Republicans dont understand that for most Ameicans a missed paycheck, much less 2 and the threats of this going on through April (or as Trump said even years) is a big deal.
Does that sound right to you?
As everyone tries to spin this it is important to remember.
The shutdown started under GOP control when FoxNews told Trump he was weak if he did not get the wall. Te House voted on day #1 after taking control to end the shutdown, the Senate led by McConnell has not even voted to open it until today.
Trump wants something he can call a Wall for a political victory and he is willing to take Americans hostage by withholding pay to get it.
Republicans so far have chosen to back that play.
The Dems have funded increased border security but not the wall.
Who is right? Do we need a wall or not?
Honestly, that does not even matter anymore. Trump and the Republican party has decided a wall is suddenly the most important thing and are willing to withhold pay for 800,000 workers plus contractors (who will simply never get paid) and force many to work, preventing them from getting another temp job to pay the bills.
Republicans say that this is all the Democrats fault for not surrendering.
Democrats, however know that even if they do surrender or in fact make ANY kind of deal Trump will simply use this tactic again. In March, if the dems deal now the Republicans led by Trump will simply do it again since they know its a working strategy.
Please contact your legislatures, tell them to pass a clean funding bill, no strings or deals attached. Get the government open and people back to work. Than negotiate with each other in good faith and without using Americans as leverage for your petty political victories
Its coming up with and agreeing on solutions is where they keep coming up short. The only priority they managed to get done in 2 years of controlling the government was tax cuts. And that is because their billionaire donors demanded it of them.
Whether you agree with the Republican goals or not, the above is simple fact.
President Trump keeps sayins everyone is willing to sacrifice for the wall and they just need to make adjustments.
While Wilbur Ross says just go get a loan, no big deal. Wilbur Ross goes on another interview to say its not a gigantic number overall its less than 1/3% GDP so its not a big deal.
Lara Trump "Its a little bit of pain, but good for the country"
Think about how out of touch or how little these people really care for American workers.
Republicans dont understand that for most Ameicans a missed paycheck, much less 2 and the threats of this going on through April (or as Trump said even years) is a big deal.
Does that sound right to you?
As everyone tries to spin this it is important to remember.
The shutdown started under GOP control when FoxNews told Trump he was weak if he did not get the wall. Te House voted on day #1 after taking control to end the shutdown, the Senate led by McConnell has not even voted to open it until today.
Trump wants something he can call a Wall for a political victory and he is willing to take Americans hostage by withholding pay to get it.
Republicans so far have chosen to back that play.
The Dems have funded increased border security but not the wall.
Who is right? Do we need a wall or not?
Honestly, that does not even matter anymore. Trump and the Republican party has decided a wall is suddenly the most important thing and are willing to withhold pay for 800,000 workers plus contractors (who will simply never get paid) and force many to work, preventing them from getting another temp job to pay the bills.
Republicans say that this is all the Democrats fault for not surrendering.
Democrats, however know that even if they do surrender or in fact make ANY kind of deal Trump will simply use this tactic again. In March, if the dems deal now the Republicans led by Trump will simply do it again since they know its a working strategy.
Summary
We need leaders who can negotiate in good faith and compromise so both sides walk away from the table satisfed they got what they want. Every Congress person represents Americans, Republican, Democrat or other and what our so called leader forget when they blame each other that people are behind the votes.Please contact your legislatures, tell them to pass a clean funding bill, no strings or deals attached. Get the government open and people back to work. Than negotiate with each other in good faith and without using Americans as leverage for your petty political victories
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Why Republicans Win
The Republican agenda is counter to what most Americans want, yet they win more often than Democrats. Why?
Divide and Conquer!
The Republican party is very aggressive in its messaging and has their own dedicated cable channel to push the messages aimed at stirring up anger, fear and hatred. The strategy is divide and conquer.
Rather than come up with popular solutions they take the easy path of blaming everyone else for the problems the country faces. This was the strategy of Stalin and Hitler (not saying all Republicans are the same, just that they use the same strategy) and it is an effective one. Much easier to blame someone else than it is to come up with practical solutions for improving things.
Think about it, who is more responsible for wages that dont keep up with inflation or rising medical prices? Immigrants working minimum wage (or lower) jobs or the people in charge of the banks and big corporations? More people each year from prescription drugs than illegal drugs but the Pharmaceutical companies donate money to GOP coffers so the focus is put on illegal drugs. Sure, stop those from coming in or being made but lets not ignore the major killer just because they pay you off.
Think about it, who is more responsible for wages that dont keep up with inflation or rising medical prices? Immigrants working minimum wage (or lower) jobs or the people in charge of the banks and big corporations? More people each year from prescription drugs than illegal drugs but the Pharmaceutical companies donate money to GOP coffers so the focus is put on illegal drugs. Sure, stop those from coming in or being made but lets not ignore the major killer just because they pay you off.
Who caused the last recession? Illegal Immigrants, poor people tricked into taking out loans they could not afford? Or the banks that knew they could not pay off the loan but aggressively conned them into signing up? The banks knew that they could confiscate the homes and other collateral and even if they lost money the taxpayer would cover their losses.
Summary
Divide and conquer and lying to their base is an effective strategy, at least until they get caught too often at those lies. It is not very American and has numerous long term problems (you eventually run ot of people to blame and of course waste a lot of time and energy looking for victims rather than working on solutions) but its suitable for those who focus on the short rather than long term.
For example the GOP ran for 7 years on repealing and replacing ObamaCare or the AHCA but once they had power it turned out they never worked out an actual plan they could agree on. They of course tried to blame not having a super majority for the failure but the reality is if they could not get all Republicans on board (Mostly the House Freedom Caucus kept sabotaging their efforts) how can anyone take them seriously? I mean with 7 years surely YOU would have put in work on something you ran on as a key issue right?
It seems Trump, who is not as smart or sophisticated in his lies is slowly hurting the party but he is good at playing up peoples fears. Those who favor smaller government and fewer regulations need to break off and join the Libertarian party. With that influx it has a better chance of winning, I think Trump has irrevocably damaged the Republican party.
Why Democrats Lose
The Democratic party demonstrably doesn't represent their constituents. They push for establishment contenders and oppose primaries which present constituents getting a chance to vote for their preference. The party also pushes for centrist and establishment views, even though polls and voting history show most Americans are sick and tired of the establishment and Congress.
When Americans say they want change why does the DNC think more of the same or incremental change is a winning strategy?
In 2018 a record number of House seats were flipped from red to blue, yet the democratic leadership and pundits till the record number of freshman to sit down and wait their turn. In other words, keep doing things the same way we have been. They ignore the fact that their voters put them into office to make change, telling the people they elected to just be quiet or follow their lead is a direct slap on those voters.
So why should Democrats expect people to vote for them if they A) Ignore the demand for change and representation B) Declare the people they voted for as radicals and unimportant youngsters who need to toe the line C) Refuse to fight for core demands of their base and say everyone should accept slow and incremental change. D) Take their base for granted by assuming they will vote for them without clear evidence the party is actually going to do what the voters want.
Summary
Democrats won big in 2016 and in 2020 they have a favorable electoral map (This time more Republicans are up for reelection, last time it was more Democrats up for election) and Trump and the Republican party are mired in scandals, criminal activity and in general ticking off the American people. Their strategy of sowing fear and hatred to divide the country is backfiring on them as more people are wanting to fight back.
But the Democrats can still lose, and lose big if they dont start messaging better and convincing their base and Independents that the party will follow through and do what their voters demand.
They need a big win or at least the ability to put out a few big proposals that are killed by Republicans so they can tell their voters give us control and we can make this happen. Then they need to stick to it and make it happen.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
The GURPS has no settings Meme
So I answered a poster over on the Steve Jackson Games forums and he made some observations that plague the GURPS community. I replied there but want to address the topic in more generalterms here.
People see a game system where the whole thing is based around some metaplot and your really playing in someone else's campaign, or a system where each country and sometimes cities introduces a new character class or you have so called adventure paths where you buy a series of connected modules and the players go through them in order. Or worse they say GURPS has not had a new edition since 2004? It must be dead, because system X comes out with a new edition every 5 years or so.
GURPS does not really do that, so they think it has no support because its not what they are used to seeing.
- Fourth Edition GURPS has not had a replacement because it still works and works well. Why force customers to buy and learn completely new rules if the old ones are as good now as they were then?
- GURPS does offer new options and variety but this is handled with a "buy only what you need" approach.
- GURPS has no huge fantastic setting!
- Fourth Edition has 10 original and 6 licensed settings.
- Third Edition has 21+ original and 26 licensed settings, all of which are easily converted to Fourth Edition as Fourth Edition was primarily streamlining and point cost changes
- The problem here is that its easier to support one setting than dozens, 4 books for one setting makes that setting look more 'active' than 4 books spread across 4 settings.
- What GURPS does is come out with books that can be used in multiple settings, things like Martial Arts, Magic, Psionics, Social interactions, etc.
- But where are my adventures? Fair question, adventures are limited. Adventures are harder to write if they can fit multiple genres and power levels so they are less effective sellers (A fantasy adventure wont sell to a gamer interested in SciFi or Modern Day so the market is smaller as a percentage of the overall GURPS audience.). Mostly we have fantasy adventures and at least 3 more by Douglas Cole are expected out this year.
- GURPS has published one supplement a month, plus a monthly magazine for several years now. A few exceptions when major products like OGRE was being reissued slowed things down for the rest of the company. Something brand new almost every single month is definitely not dead.
- The wide coverage of GURPS does make it harder to see when and how new material is put out for a specific are of interest to any given customer. However most GURPS material is widely useable. For example, as of now (Jan 20 2019) one book has come out Action 5: Dictionary of Danger is ostensibly for one line, but its a list of environmental hazards (mostly modern day) that could be used in many settings, even science fiction and fantasy ones. The last supplement for 2018 GURPS Monster Hunters 6: Holy Warriors that came out in December is also usable for many fantasy campaigns, and the theology synopsis is useful for historical or other games.
Obviously not every GURPS book will be useful for every reader but Steve Jackson Games has a free PDF preview for every GURPS book that includes the Table of Contents and a page or two so potential buyers can get a good idea of its utility to them before they buy.
Personally, I LOVE that extra customer service.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Trump and FoxNews shutdown about to hit day 30
So Trump came out with his new offer.
He wants 5.7 billion for his wall, offered to hire 75 more judges (instead of the 275 or so requested by Senator Lankford last year), a 805 million on increasing security and inspections at Ports of Entry, 2750 border agents (where most of the drugs enter), 3 years extension for DACA and TPS (which he himself canceled and is being ruled against in the courts).
The temporary extension is meaningless since Trump has shown he is wiling to use it as a negotiating tool and cancel it at anytime. Plus its in the courts hands now.
Not enough judges so we still have to pay hundreds of millions for the extra internment camps he set up, at a whopping $680 per person per day! That huge price tag is why Senator Lankford proposed hiring so many judges. The faster the cases are pushed through the less it costs the taxpayers.
However certain people are making a lot of money with those camps and can you guess who is getting kickbacks to keep them open and full?
Trumps plan offers nothing the Democrats want or can rely on, costs the American taxpayers more money, and does not solve the Immigration or illegal drug problem.
Remember he was ready to sign a deal without the wall until Fox News laid into him, then he canceled on Senator McConnell (who is still hiding from embarrassment).
So it looks like the shutdown will go well beyond 30 days, possibly into the Feb timeframe Trump said he was prepared for (though not years). Soon a lot of federal workers will miss their second paycheck, and as people quit to get jobs where they will get paid replacements will be long in coming.
And contractors will never get paid for the lost time.
If this goes into February a recession seems likely.
He wants 5.7 billion for his wall, offered to hire 75 more judges (instead of the 275 or so requested by Senator Lankford last year), a 805 million on increasing security and inspections at Ports of Entry, 2750 border agents (where most of the drugs enter), 3 years extension for DACA and TPS (which he himself canceled and is being ruled against in the courts).
The temporary extension is meaningless since Trump has shown he is wiling to use it as a negotiating tool and cancel it at anytime. Plus its in the courts hands now.
Not enough judges so we still have to pay hundreds of millions for the extra internment camps he set up, at a whopping $680 per person per day! That huge price tag is why Senator Lankford proposed hiring so many judges. The faster the cases are pushed through the less it costs the taxpayers.
However certain people are making a lot of money with those camps and can you guess who is getting kickbacks to keep them open and full?
Trumps plan offers nothing the Democrats want or can rely on, costs the American taxpayers more money, and does not solve the Immigration or illegal drug problem.
Remember he was ready to sign a deal without the wall until Fox News laid into him, then he canceled on Senator McConnell (who is still hiding from embarrassment).
So it looks like the shutdown will go well beyond 30 days, possibly into the Feb timeframe Trump said he was prepared for (though not years). Soon a lot of federal workers will miss their second paycheck, and as people quit to get jobs where they will get paid replacements will be long in coming.
And contractors will never get paid for the lost time.
If this goes into February a recession seems likely.
Summary
Bottom line it, whats going on here?
Trump wants his wall and he is unwilling to negotiate in good faith. An actual negotiation is the concept behind what our government was founded upon. Different sides and points of view coming together and compromising until a mutually satisfactory deal is reached.
Trump has said and shown thats not what he wants, he refused deals when the GOP controlled both Houses and now is in a weaker position and wont act like it. Since he wont negotiate or give up something substantial in trade he chose to shut down part pf the government, just as last year he blocked CHIP (health care for poor children) and a VA benefits bill passed by the GOP Congress.
Without being wiling to trade something of value to get what he wants he has decided to hold American workers hostage by withholding their pay.
The Democrats could give into that tactic, but of course that just proves it works and encourages him to do it each time he wants something.
Friday, January 11, 2019
The Trump and Fox shutdown on Day 21
So we just hit day twenty one in the latest shutdown of the Trump administration. As of midnight it will be the longest one in US history and Congress has adjourned for the weekend so its likely to go into next week. Congress and Trump are showing its simply not an important issue, especially Mitch McConnell who is refusing to even allow a vote to resolve the issue. Apparently giving money to Israel was more important to him.
The Players
- Trump says its a National Emergency despite illegal immigration from the southern border continuing its lowered trend. In other words less illegal immigration than before, starting under President Obama. He cites fake statistics and just lies (surprise) to make it seem like an emergency yet offers no specifics when asked about what hes going to do with the funding if he gets it.
- The Democratic House voted to open the government by passing previously approved Senate bills that Trump killed after Fox News told him to do so.
- The Republican Senate has decided to bow out and cedeits authority to the President and says they will not vote on anything or try to do a veto overide to open the government. They, through Senator McConnell have declared no votes on the issue until Trump decides he has gotten what he wants.
The Issue
- The Wall is the key sticking point between Trump, Democrats and many Republicans (mostly old fashioned conservatives who dont like spending money and border state Republicans who say there is no emergency or real problem) and Democrats.
- The Secure Fences Act, passed in 2006 was a major effort at securing the border but DHS later leaned away from that for more modern methods. There is still alot of fencing but DHS determined there were cheaper and more effective methods, depending on location.
The Problems
- Trump considers this a campaign issue and needs a fight on this, not a win but an ongoing fight. He keeps changing his requests and when prior funds were approved (most still unspent) he kept ramping up the demands and refusing to negotiate and compromise with the Democrats in return. One of the more talked about incidents was his refusing 25 billion for the wall in return for DACA, The last was him canceling the deal he had with Senator McConnell after Fox News laid into him.
- Related to the above, Trump needs attention and a distraction from the investigations into him. Whenever someone seems to be getting more attention he manufactures a crisis of somekind to get the media focus back on him.
- No one can trust Trumps word since he goes back on it and changes his mind so often. A deal requires trust or a means of enforcing compliance to it.
- If Trump gets what he wants he can be expected to shut down the government again or refuse to sign any bill anytime he wants something. Its a policy of extortion he has shown a tendency for so its like negotiating with a terrorist. So if the Democrats give in, they can expect to see this happen again and again. He did it with CHIP (withholding money for childrens health care), the VA (holding off signing a VA benefits package to get wall funding), and others that dont stick in my mind as much.
- The Republican party shows no willingness to stand up to Trump.
The Solutions
- National Emergency: This was floated so Trump could do what he wants and avoid dealing with Congress. However some people have appeared to talk him down from that ledge for fear of setting the precedent. I dont count this option as complete; out however, as we have seen he frequently changes his mind.
- Trump feels the heat enough to give in but somehow can call it a win.
- Democrats cave into political or moral pressure as more people get desperate at losing pay and the consequences such as losing their homes or apartments. Also, remember its not just government employees but stores, restaurants and other businesses that take a hit.
- Republicans feel enough political heat to be willing to stand up to Trump.
- Someone comes up with a compromise everyone can live with.
Is Compromise Possible?
The trouble here is giving everyone what they really want (not always the same as what they say)
Trump wants something he can declare a win but the Democrats have to be careful to give him a win without looking too weak (or they will be voted out again) or encouraging him to just repeat the tactic every few months (also gets them voted out again).
So as I always say, you have no right to complain if your not offering solutions or at least trying to fix a problem, here are my ideas
(I keep telling my Congressman, but Rep Lucas staff says its not a focus, Senator Inhofe less said the better, Senator Lankford seems to care but sides with Trump.)
- Democrats offer to rebuild broken fencing and barriers, probably citing specific areas recommended by DHS. Gives Trump a win he can spin.
- More judges (Senator Lankford supports this, Trump opposes it) so we process those seeking asylum faster. This is actually a true conservative ideal since it actually saves us money. Did you know that under Trump were now paying $680 per person per day?! Thats because Trump and Sessions encouraged private prisons and they have seen massive stock rises in return. At taxpayer expense of course.
- Improve inspection stations with upgraded equipment and more personal to more effectively catch imported drugs.
- Improve border patrol with more people and equipment, including drones and fast response stations. Trump has actually taken money from border security (and other organizations, including FEMA, Coast Guard, and the US military) to fund those internment camps which are growing quickly under his new policies (again at taxpayer expense).
- Offer the Democrats a high profile win such as DACA so they can say thats why they voted for it instead of bowing to extortion and the extortion of America. That hopefully keeps Trump from seeing this as a precdent so he keeps doing it, and the Dems feel they wont be voted out for being cowards and encouraging GOP terrorism.
The GOP lost 41 House seats (might end up as 40, depending on what happens with NC but its 41 right now) because they have left Trump unchecked. The Democrats know that (along with Health Care) it was a key issue that won them their seats and failing to hold him accountable will cost them in 2020 just as it cost so many Republicans in 2018.
Remember there is no real Immigration emergency or border invasion. Thats just made up by Trump and alt-right members who promote racism. We know this because the numbers are in decline so its less urgent an issue now than previous years. We actually have more illegal immigrants coming from Canada! But no talk of a border wall there, hmm wonder why...
As for drug importation, most of that is from ports of entry not fence hopping (makes sense its cheaper and get more bulk driving, flying or shipping it in than walking) also most drug deaths are from BigPharma and the opiod crisis, but Republicans want to protect the doctors and pharmaceutical companies so they can keep pushing addictive pain killers.
If there was a real crisis we would hear different numbers from DHS, FBI and others.
If there really a need for urgency why did the Republicans do nothing on the issue when they were in control of both houses of Congress? Why wait till now?
The answer is obvious, there is no actual emergency just the same old issue Congress has failed to address for decades. People need to get back to work, make it happen!
Thursday, January 3, 2019
The Trump and FoxNews shutdown
So Senator McConnell decided not to accept the House bill to open the government, even though its the same one that passed the US Senate but was shot down by Trump after Fox News complained about it and demanded a shutdown.
Monday will tie for #2 and Friday tie for #1 in longest US shutdowns.
The GOP continues to follow Trump over the cliff, most of them know the wall is a big waste of money and will do very little to stop illegal immigration, yet they are willing to hold America hostage and let tens of thousands of Americans lose their homes for a simple talking point.
Will the GOP eventually cave to common sense, political outrage, and a sense for their own survival?
Will the Dems eventually cave to political outrage or maybe just decency and bow to the terrorists?
If the Dems cave first will they message it correctly? Will they be more vulnerable and the GOP encouraged to do more such hostage taking?
Trump and the GOP already have done it multiple times, including children (holding up CHIP) and veterans (Holding some VA benefits hostage) so we know they are willing.
No matter what happens here, it seems Americans lose.
Monday will tie for #2 and Friday tie for #1 in longest US shutdowns.
The GOP continues to follow Trump over the cliff, most of them know the wall is a big waste of money and will do very little to stop illegal immigration, yet they are willing to hold America hostage and let tens of thousands of Americans lose their homes for a simple talking point.
Will the GOP eventually cave to common sense, political outrage, and a sense for their own survival?
Will the Dems eventually cave to political outrage or maybe just decency and bow to the terrorists?
If the Dems cave first will they message it correctly? Will they be more vulnerable and the GOP encouraged to do more such hostage taking?
Trump and the GOP already have done it multiple times, including children (holding up CHIP) and veterans (Holding some VA benefits hostage) so we know they are willing.
No matter what happens here, it seems Americans lose.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Martial and Mystical Style of Life and Death
Martial Art: Duat
Duat is a martial and Mystic style created by warrior priests of Anubis and involves the study of life and death.
Martial Style: Duat
Created by warrior priests of Anubis this style focuses on the study of life and death and harnessing the energies of both. Users can replicate many of the abilities of various Chi users, and even mages. While the core powers require touch to use, many alternatives can be used at range.
Skills: Esoteric Medicine; Karate; Meditation; Running; Thanatology
Perks:
The signature ability of this style is the paired aspects of death and life energy. This is represented by two separate power sets (core power and various alternative abilities to it). Death powers require Thanatology skill rolls, while life powers require Esoteric Medicine skill rolls.
Stylists may buy off Prep Required and add Accelerated Healing, +25%; Affects Self, +50%; Cure Affliction, +60%; Reliable, +5%; Restore Limbs, +80%.
Alternative Abilities
Regeneration, Regrowth,
(Pyramid #3/105): Anatomic Control; Breath of Life; Chi Sensing; Flying Leap; Hypnotic Hands; Kiai; Mental Strength; Phoenix Heart; Power Blow; Push; Sensitivity;
The signature ability of this style is the paired aspects of death and life energy. This is represented by two separate power sets (core power and various alternative abilities to it). Death powers require Thanatology skill rolls, while life powers require Esoteric Medicine skill rolls.
Left Hand of Death
Affliction (HT; Armor Divisor, +50%; Melee Attack, C and Cannot parry. -35%; Requires Skill roll, Thanatology, -10%; Secondary Effect -5 HT; -5%; +0%) 10/level
Alternative Abilities
(Pyramid #3/105): Breaking Blow; Dim Mak; Hypnotic Hands; Iron Skin; Precognitive Parry; Pressure Points; Pressure Secrets
(Pyramid #3/105): Breaking Blow; Dim Mak; Hypnotic Hands; Iron Skin; Precognitive Parry; Pressure Points; Pressure Secrets
Right Hand of Life
Healing (Faith Healing, +20%; Immediate Preparation Required, 1 hour, -75%; Requires Skill roll, Esoteric Medicine, -10%; -65%) 14 pointsStylists may buy off Prep Required and add Accelerated Healing, +25%; Affects Self, +50%; Cure Affliction, +60%; Reliable, +5%; Restore Limbs, +80%.
Alternative Abilities
Regeneration, Regrowth,
(Pyramid #3/105): Anatomic Control; Breath of Life; Chi Sensing; Flying Leap; Hypnotic Hands; Kiai; Mental Strength; Phoenix Heart; Power Blow; Push; Sensitivity;
Vehicles in GURPS
Vehicles are a minor part of most campaigns, though very important in some. GURPS has covered the subject pretty thoroughly, though not without its missteps.
Third Edition GURPS Vehicles was a very well researched and well thought out book, however it had a lot of math in it and hurt the GURPS rep I think because it made GURPS more intimidating.
So how is Fourth Edition handling vehicles? Lets see...
Third Edition GURPS Vehicles was a very well researched and well thought out book, however it had a lot of math in it and hurt the GURPS rep I think because it made GURPS more intimidating.
So how is Fourth Edition handling vehicles? Lets see...
GURPS Spaceships
This is an 8 issue series (plus some expansions in Pyramid) that has a simple approach to building a spaceship. Simply breakdown a vehicle into three sections (Front, Core, Rear or Aft) and each section has a fixed number of spaces. The designer simply plugs what modules they want where they want. Very little math is required, mostly keeping track of how much the vehicle will cost. Th first book provides the rules and a good start on modules, each supplement expands the available modules and often adds a few relavant rules. The fighters book expands on dog fighting for example.
Supplements include
- Spaceships 2: Traders, Liners, and Transports
- Spaceships 3: Warships and Space Pirates
- Spaceships 4: Fighters, Carriers, and Mecha
- Spaceships 5: Exploration and Colony Spacecraft
- Spaceships 6: Mining and Industrial Spacecraft
- Spaceships 7: Divergent and Paranormal Tech
- Spaceships 8: Transhuman Spacecraft
Pyramid Articles
Pyramid was a monthly magazine with a long history, the 3rd edition was PDF only and remains available online. A number of articles related to vehicles were published in it. An index of the vehicle related options is listed on the Spaceships page. Dont you just love a company that maintains a quality index and cross references heavily?
Expansions include adapting the rules in Spaceships to making buildings and other stuff.
Also Pyramid #3/120 Alternate GURPS V expands on the rules and stats in GURPS Basic Set to help the GM or players quickly build a vehicle. It lacks the data for hundreds of options available in a supplement but does a great job describing what those stat lines mean and providing examples.
GURPS Supers
This book has a few pages of ideas for enhancing an existing vehicle so it becomes a souped up version as seen in comic books, Vehicle Imbuements (Pyramid #3/71 Spaceships II) is another way to empower a mundane vehicle with magic or super powers.
GURPS Vehicle Design System
This has been in the works for quite some time but not yet published. David Pulver, the author of the previous Vehicles book and the Spaceships line above (plus a host of other stuff) is writing this one.
Its been on a slow track since sales are expected to be low compared to the massive work involved. I expect it to be detailed, well researched and not as math heavy as the previous edition. I hope it has multiple options, the complex, a simpler fast option, ways to build it from various directions (decide on your target parameter such as speed, endurance, mass, role, etc.) and options to increase survival-ability vs. heavy weapons. And if I really get my wishlist point options for vehicle allies/patrons and characters such as in a supers type game.
We dont know when this is coming out, he works on a lot of other projects to keep food on the table and though a rabid fan base will buy it right away its suspected many will be intimidated and opt to stick with the simpler methods already in place.
Summary
GURPS has a solid foundation for building vehicles, though better support for larger vehicles. The Spaceships line includes options for magitech and Basic (further expanded in Pyramid #3/120) easily handles putting game stats to vehicles we have real world stats for, or even many fictional ones.
I would like to see more though!
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