Pyramid Scheme: Fantasy Issue

 So the kickstarter is out and at this point most backers have their copies of the three issues. This is my review f the Fantasy issue.

Other reviews are listed here. Mailanka and Dungeon Fantastic

Toxic Grimoire

This introduces the Poison college for GURPS Magic with 40 spells, most of them new to this issue and a handful of existing spells from other colleges. There are some really neat and innovative spells here and if your a fan of GURPS Magic this is a very nice addition.

Utatsumi

This is ideas for poem magic and is heavily influenced by Japanese lore. It discusses the metaphysics behind poem magic and some specifics for Japanese culture and how it could influence these mages. It is not a new magic system but provides ideas for working with GURPS Magic, Sorcery, and Ritual Path Magic.

The Demonic Temple of Felltower

This is a Dungeon Fantasy adventure. I wont go into details as that would be a spoiler.

Healing and Purification Ritual Path Magic

A collection of premade spells for the Ritual Path Magic system. One of the reviewers wondered what is the point of building spells for a flexible magic system. The thing is that while anyone could come up with these spells that doesn't mean they would. Christopher Rice made several spells nd they are playtested (I'm in a campaign that used them) so they have had a chance to observe and address any unforseen consequences. Also just as with spells as powers someone else building them saves the reader time and may be done in a way that reader would not have thought of.  The Succor spells in this issue for example are done in a way I would not have thought of.

Fraxinetum

A historical location in southeastern France in the late ninth century. Like all of Matt Riggsby's stuff it is well written and researched.

Basically the story is a small band (reportedly) took over a castle almost by accident. Very useful fodder for adventurers doing the same in your campaign!

Tactical Looting

This is ideas for a dungeon run on the clock.  Resource management is essential to much adventuring, yet many dungeons let you rest between fights and bypass that problem. Kromm gives lots of advice for these speed runs and even if your not into that the "How Long Does it Take" section gives handy times for certain common delving activities.

Stilpnotita, the City of Lamps

This is a city on the elemental plane of earth and its an interesting base for adventurers. Basically a settlement in a large cavern lit by lots of lamps, from whence it gets its name. It is in my opinion really well thought out and has some useful ideas.

Supernatural Energy

This is my article so I'll refrain from offering an opinion and just say what its about. It is two sections, the frst takes a fresh look at Magery and imagines how it could have been built if it were designed for GURPS Fourth Edition from the ground up instead of being relatively unchanged from the original GURPS.  Also looks at how to make Magery work better for powers based magic such as Sorcery.  The latter is mainly ways for mages to cooperate with each other and duplicate feats possible in various magic systems. The second portion focuses on tapping external energy such as ley lines, fires, storms, etc. I was inspired by psychic vampires and shows such as Lost Girl so tapping emotions are also referenced. I use a lot of this material in my Chalice World setting, for Sorcery and Vampires.

Pandemonium

An alternate earth setting where the landscape is littered with demons, both petty and powerful. A lot of reference to GURPS Infinite Worlds but really it can be used as a standalone setting concept or inspiration. I found it interesting, though obviously incomplete due to space limitations.  Maybe it will get its own supplement.

Fusion Alchemy

Christopher Rice keeps adding to and tweaking his Metatronic generator rules and this time its adapted for alchemy.  Good article and can be ported into other genres as tech or supers based drugs.

The Cube

An interesting puzzle room. Basically its a cube that rolls around inside a larger cube and you have to maneuver it next to a wall in the right position for a door to match up.

Random Thought Table (Lack of Speed Kills)

This is some really good GM advice for helping keep the game moving along.  Probably worth the price of the issue all by itself as odds are you have run or played in campaigns where this would have been helpful.

Overall I loved this issue and can't wait to see more feedback on it and the others.  If things go well this may be an annual thing.  I will point out as an author on the project, we had specific guidelines on how long each article had to be.  Several articles would have merited much more space, while some were a concise and natural fit at the targeted word count. With good feedback on the SJG forums and purchase of issues when they eventually go on sale for those who missed the kickstarter we may see some of these get more detail.

TTJP Season 1 Episode 25 The Bait

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 16M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 16M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 16M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 16M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na!, Quarterstaff. Also Talker!, Artiste!, and Outdoorsman!
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 16M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 16F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 16M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 16M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 16F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 17F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 16M; Affectionately called the party blending machine and close to Zhige.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 17F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na and Xiangliu's Bite (Crossbow).

The Assignment

So after our night out were assembled and told to go out and find some insurrectionists and cultists.  We are handed boxes of paperwork with possible leads and reports but its all unorganized.  Rang cant decide whether to cry or get mad and the team helps her sort things into piles. Chushi, Shang Yi, and Zhige use their skills and abilities to broadly categorize things while Rang more carefully sorts it all out. Shang Yi and Rang then put the results to the group and we decide to explore the cities underground culture.

The other two buckets were the Guilds and the Nobility and we decide to wait on them till we have more practice and information. But we think going into underground complexes and dealing with seedy types is something we can manage. So we head out and go to a large cavern that is a black market.

The black market turns out to be a well lit cavern with merchant stalls of all types. After walking around a bit we find a sapient rabbit. Chushi hugs it and pets it then tries to hand it to Jing Min who it seems oddly attracted to but he hurriedly declines.

• Zhige heads over to swap secrets with some foxes.
• Chushi  having gained some info from the rabbit follows his nose to the food stalls. He makes a few minor purchases but mostly uses the opportunity to schmooze with fellow food connisoiurs and get some general information on the place.  He finds out that the group should talk to the Shadow Prince who runs the place.
• Jing Min browses some enchanted weapons, though he is just window shopping as were all too poor to afford anything like that.
• A few peoplecheck the pulse of things and find that generally people here hate the Nobility and Guilds but think the Order is mostly ok and looking out for them.

We pretty much end things there, it was a short night as some people werent feeling good and having internet problems.  Also the GM had not known the groups direction till we made some choices. Not had a game for a few weeks since but hopefully this week that changes.

Bait?

A bit about this. The Order has decided that as newcomers were all very expendable and have good reports that were pretty tough in a fight and overall capable.  So its been decided to have a trial by fire and use us as bait or a stalking horse.  We go out and find the bad guys and either take care of them or we get killed but reveal them in the process allowing senior members to take them out.

How President Biden Can Turn the Economy Around With a Pen Stroke

 The American economy is driven by consumer spending. It is not driven as politicians tend to promote by the number of jobs or job growth when celebrating the rise of the stock market or the latest corporate tax cut and subsidy.  Instead, its driven by higher wages, low inflation, and people having what is called discretionary spending. That means money they have to spend on things after taking care of the necessities such as basic bills. Consumer spending then means more jobs are needed because more people are dining out, shopping, going to movies, traveling, etc.

So how do we raise consumer spending?  What can President Biden and any politician who actually means it when they say they want America to grow and have a strong economy? Or that sincerely any working Americans to have a good life and that shot at the brass ring?

Raise The Minimum Wage to $15/hour

President Biden ran on this, will he really fight hard for it or was it an empty promise? This will require Congress to pass it and since corporate donors dont want to raise wages and they own money politicians (in both parties) this will be a hard fight. They will say how raising wages will cost jobs, it will send companies overseas, its bad for unions and those making a higher wage already.  All this is a distraction and mostly not a real argument if you just stop to think about it. 

• Is raising wages from the current $7.25/hour to $15 going to send companies overseas?  Well we already have many doing just that where they can get people to work for $1/day. Not a valid argument, the answer to keeping companies in America lies elsewhere, not forcing Americans to have low wages.
• But I joined a union or went to college for better wages!  Why give these people more?  First, let me say that is a remarkably selfish attitude.  Its also counter productive because if the minimum goes up, those working more skilled or dangerous jobs can more easily get a raise themselves - it will be arising tide helping every worker.  Also businesses will be making and selling more stuff so can better afford wage increases.
• What about the deficit? This is one of the stupidest arguments!  Raising wages will likely eventually result in higher govt salaries but it will likely take a year or more.  And with higher wages for most Americans we will pay more in taxes even at the same percentage rate. That lowers the deficit.
• But I cant afford to pay that much to my workers!  Well if your workers have to get by on 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet you probably have a lousy business model. In reality, more people can afford to buy your stuff or services so your business gross income will increase.  We have seen this happen over and over again in states with higher wages.  People making twice the money they do now will be able to save and spend more, benefiting everyone.

Activate the Medicare Clause for the Duration of the Pandemic

This one President Biden can do right now, without Congress.  He wont though, unless Americans push him on it. Instead he seems to be aiming for afar more expensive COBRA subsidy.

Medicare is the most efficient health coverage in America, it pays the lowest administrative and marketing costs.  Private insurance spends a lot of money on advertising and administration, sometimes up to 50%! Thy do this because its cheaper to make complicated rules and hire people to slow down or block payments when you need it. That may be good business but its not good healthcare!  Americans pay twice the average for medical expenses as every other industrial country, in many cases we pay far more - especially for drug prices. This is because the current system is designed to charge consumers as much as possible while covering clams as little as possible and done n many ways, co-payments, premiums, deductibles, pharmacy rebates, back room deals with drug companies, out of network surprise costs, and of curse simply denying your claim as long as they can and hoping you die or give up so they don't have to pay.

Much of the problem is buried in your employee benefits so many people dont know how bad it is, especially if they dont get seriously sick. But all the money your employer spends on health care means lower wages for you.  Nothing is free after all!  COBRA is kind of an example of this, its employee health insurance without the company paying much into it.  Insurance companies love this because the money still ends in their pocket - they dont care who pays after all.

What can we do?

• The AHCA had an emergency clause in it that allows the President to give everyone Medicare during a pandemic.  This means millions of unemployed workers can get health care. Even employed workers can save money by using it instead of dealing with their insurance company.
• Will this cost taxpayers? You betcha!  I'm not going to lie to you like a typical politician or TV pundit. However what they fail to say to you is that by paying insurance companies through COBRA instead of directly paying your doctor is that the method President Biden just outlined will cost taxpayers far far more.  Doing nothing not only means more dead Americans but also costs the economy and taxpayers, lost work, lower taxes (cant pay taxes with no job right?), delays on vaccination, more time lost from work as people call in sick, on and on.
• Remember every other major country does this better and cheaper than we do, all because politicians are getting paid to let YOU and your family get sick and die to benefit insurance and drug companies.  The media is just as guilty, they make a lot of money from advertising so wont call it out.
• When this is allover we can go back to being ripped off, but right now we need this to more quickly get the economy turned around and save lives.  Who knows, you just might like single-payer instead of dealing with an insurance company!  Of course that is what certain people are terrified of.

Wear a Mask!

The final thing is not up to Congress or President Biden, but up to you.  Trump, Republicans, and conservative media all made wearing a mask a political issue.  Its not, its a moral one.  We should not need a law or regulation to force people to wear masks, people should wear them them as a symbol of patriotism and loyalty to America, or just because its the right and good thing to do.

Trump originally pushed this because he was afraid people would get scared and it would hurt the stock market.  He did not care how many people died, long as the economy was good.  Thing is if Americans all wore masks we would have cut the death toll at least in half and many people would still have their jobs.  We still would be struggling but not nearly as much. Dr. Fauchi lied and said wearing masks was not likely needed in order to prevent a run on them so health care workers would have enough. Not cool guy, not cool at all.

Mass are not comfortable, but if you refuse to wear a mask because your lazy or rather people die and lose jobs because you dont want to be mildly uncomfortable get out of the country because your not a loyal American!

Pyramid Scheme Status - Fully Funded and Only 2 Stretch Goals Left!

 The GURPS Pyramid Scheme is on its third day day and at $23,500 and 1,022 backers has already unlocked several stretch goals. Currently each issue will have 44 pages and 9 articles for $6 total cost per backer, though many are going in for the extra store credit at a discount.

• 14 Backers chose just one issue, I wonder which one?
• 658 going for all 3issues
• 74 Apparently missed the previous kickstarter and are going for it plus the 3 issues.
• 94 going for all 3issues plus the retro Pyramid classic bundle.
• 90 going for all 3 issues plus $30 store credit, saving $4 off purchasing from the GURPS catalog.
• 27 for all 3 issues plus $80 store credit, saving $11 off purchasing from the GURPS catalog.
• 50 for all 3issiues plus $200 store credit, saving $56 off off purchasing from the GURPS catalog.

The final known goal is 11 articles each at about 44 pages of new articles, not including Table of Contents, forward, Advertising, and Introduction. So I think we need to hit two more stretch goals, the next at $26,000.

There is some great stuff here for any GURPS fan - and some of this stuff will be good for any gamer. Since GURPS uses real world measurements articles like the final article Highway Stars which is about real world vehicles, and all the location and historical material are easily used as reference material for any appropriate system.

Officers, Representatives, and Senators of the Great State of Oklahoma -Lets Talk Sedition

 A lot of people in Oklahoma are furious about what happened on Jan 6th 2020 and there is some confusion about things.  So lets clear it all up, ok?

Some people are saying that what Trump, his lawyers, and other people did in giving a speech to incite the attack on the Capital as Treason. Also that Senator Lankford, all the members we sent to the House, and the state legislatures who signed on to the parliamentary gimmick of objecting to the election as Treason.

This is in fact not true. Treason requires us to be in a declared war and Congress disdains the US Military and those serving in it by refusing to call any of the armed conflicts were in a war.  This is done to deprive them of various benefits and honors and getting that redressed requires veteran groups to have to continually fight to get some of those benefits they earned by sacrificing for the country.

You can, and I do call these people traitors,  as that is not a legal term but a personal judgement based on disloyalty. However I do feel they are guilty of Sedition.  I am not a lawqyer, so maybe I am wrong. Read for your self.

18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 115—TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES

There is a lot to review here so lets examine the most relevant sections of that law.

18 U.S. Code § 2383 - Rebellion or insurrection

Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

What happened was clearly illegal, and the FBI has already charged over 60 people as of this writing.  Seems pretty clear listening to what many of the rioters said on camera and by breaking into the building, as well as vandalizing and assaulting people, one of which resulted in the death of an officer that the purpose was to overturn a legal election and thus the US Government. Plus there were chants like hang Mike Pence. Anyone really dispute that was insurrection?

Section 2385 is even more compelling, specially as regards to the instigators and our elected officials who encouraged these rioters.  And for those crying about Social Media platforms silencing their voices, well it seems if they didn't they would be guilty too!  Might in fact be a good case for it anyhow, but maybe they can claim ignorance. But those in Congress and the 17 local state legislators - well cries of ignorance  seem far less credible.

Section 2384 Conspiracy likely applies to the Congressmen, Turning Point USA, and the wife of a Supreme Court Justice who paid for transportation. I dont recall all the names but you can be sure the FBI has a better memory and notes than I do.

Will anyone in power actually be charged and see jail time?  Very unlikely, the rich and powerful are often above the law and escape consequences we regular Americans would pay.

Its up to voters to hold them accountable.

Write down the names of those who represent you and attacked our country IN YOUR NAME by saying they did it in your interest and because you demanded it.  They all knew that blocking the state electors was not going to happen and it was just a stunt to get attention, raise money (Hawley and Cruz for example) or appeal to disgruntled Trump voters in hopes of them helping win their own future elections. They knew about the mob, everyone did - it was planned well ahead of time and very very public. They chose to put their personal or party political ambitions ahead of the risk of violence in the best case, and some it appears were more directly involved at the worst case.

Some are paying some consequences now, local newspapers calling for resignations, Senator Lankford being asked to step down of a local but prestigious committee (I think that one hurts him the most,  maybe I'm wrong but I think he really cares about the cause) and businesses are stepping back - at least for now.  That money train really hurts and is the likely reason Senator McConnell has indicated he may support impeachment.

Meanwhile many in the GOP are asking us to forgive and forget about the attack on our country that impeachment and calls for resignation are divisive and should stop. They say now we should heal and move forward, seems similar to the eternal "Thoughts and Prayers" after every mass shooting.  Ask yourself would they say the same thing if a Democrat had done this? Or if it was a left wing grouplike Black Lives Matter or Antifa.  Though many like Rep Jordan and Gatz are trying to blame them even though the FBI has said no evidence of that.  And really, can you see that? Left wing groups march in normal clothes - not armed and with military surplus gear. The lefts version of terrorism is chaining yourself to a tree to protect an endangered owl, or using a small boat to try and drive off a whaling ship. You may think they are crazy but when you lok at mass violence its generally the right wing from Ruby Ridge, to Waco, to the Federal Building in Oklahoma to the uni-bomber. Of course not all Republicans or conservatives are terrorists or unpatriotic just as there are vandals among the very angry crowds of people fighting not to be killed over their kid stealing a barbie doll, shot while sleeping because a warrant had the wrong address,  or a routine traffic stop.

Oh, and as I hear the news on the background one other thing. Whats up with the excuse that voting for Impeachment could put your or your family at risk? Are Democrat's the only ones with courage? People in elected office should not allow their choices to be decided by either personal profit or risk. If you cant handle that to quote AOC "Find another Job!" You certainly should not be a position to decide the lives of veterans and active duty service members.

The nation must heal and unify, we have let the media and political parties divide us for too long. They do this for ratings, fund raising, and to weaken the American people. However we must not allow these people to get away with these activities and crimes, if they have no accountability they will just do it again and again.

A Final Thought

It pains me that the Senate does not think this is an important enough issue to call off their vacation. Right now Secratary Pompeio is politically attacking other countries and damaging relations with our alles. Hes a known warhawk so some of this is just to please him and the defense contractors but what f Trump uses it to start a war, send a a few missiles somewhere or whatever?  The military will disobey an unlawful order but civilian political appointees are in charge and  who is to say a missile strike or troop movement is unlawful? If you were ordered to do something your boss told you to that you thought might be a bad idea but if in refusing the order  you risked a felony conviction would you do it?

Trump is in my view a petty and vindictive man, and I dont trust him not to cause as much damage as he thinks he can get away with.  Apparently the majority of Republicans disagree with that assessment or at least they are willing to risk it.  I hope I am wrong, but if not we must hold them accountable for their cowardice and poor judgement.

The Striking Absence of Courage and Loyalty to America in the GOP and Amazing Self-entitlement

 The House voted to impeach Trump for sedition today, a small number of Republicans voted for it.  Apparently not a single Oklahoma Rep was among them.  So Rep Tom Cole, Rep Markwayne Mullin, Rep Kevin Hern, Rep Stephanie Bice, and local Rep Frank Lucas all voted in support of Sedition, just as they voted to encourage and give aid and comfort to seditionists by objecting to blocking the will of the voters in declaring Biden as the new President elect.

Some like Rep Tom Cole said it was just a parliamentary move, others think and have said letting Trump get away with attempting to overthrow the government as something that the country should just move beyond and forget about, such as our own Senator Lankford.

Meanwhile Republicans are screaming more about losing book deals (Senator Hawley), being censored by a few losing social media accounts and saying that prevents them from talking to people (duh you can go on TV or radio anytime you want to!).Also seriously does any Congress person actually read or understand the Constitution? or do they know but just think their voters are too lazy or stupid to, and will just believe whatever they are told? Or even more petty crying about not being able to carry guns onto the House floor and walking through metal detectors.  How out of touch and self entitled are these people? Regular Americans are typically not allowed to carry guns on their jobs, many schools have metal detectors, and have they boarded a plane lately? But somehow they think they are special and should be able to carry a gun in a supposedly secure location. Consider that several were and still are engaged in active sedition and some calling for the death of fellow congress people. At least 4 were involved in organizing the rally that led to the riot and one Rep Lauren Boebert is an admitted conspiracy theorist and was sending the location during the riot Speaker Pelosi's location to her followers. There were only two credible reasons to do that 1) Hoping the rioters would go after Pelosi and leave the floor alone (in hopes of protecting herself) or 2) Hoping they could reach Pelosi.  Why should she be allowed in office, much less to carry a gun? Apparently our own Rep Mullin was also among those crying about the metal detectors.

So these are the priority issues of the GOP, not the people who died or risked their lives to save their lives (By the way, many Republicans, including Senator Graham and some from the Oklahoma delegation were yelling at the Capital Police for not doing enough during the crisis.  We even have American service members sleeping on the Capital floor to protect their ass. While as a former service member myself I can say this is not the most uncomfortable billet, its shameful that Republicans in office are devaluing that and putting their own personal privilege's over and above the people sacrificing to protect the self-entitled spoiled brats.

When will Republican voters ever hold them accountable?  Will they ever do so? Or is racism so that damm important to you? Can't really be anti-abortion based on the reckless disregard for human life. Maybe its just the lie about taxes.  Shameful whatever the reason is.

A Real Hero

So I saw small clips of this Black Capital Police Officer running from the mob. My initial thoughts were that is understandable as they likely would have killed him if they caught him but he should probably lose his job. Dying is part of the risk you take for these kinds of things, which is why few people should be in these high risk jobs.

However, I heard a report and checked into it and turns out the Senate chambers were just down the hall. Looking at this video clip you can see him glance over (apparently noticing the Senators had not been secured yet) and deliberately egging the rioters on. Then he runs a short distance, turns and continues to confront the, This repeats several times and you hear him giving his location an calling for backup where he leads those that followed into a trap.

This shows incredible bravery and presence of mind in a tough situation. Remember these people are waving racist flags and symbols around so its clear they hate any nonwhite and likely would have beaten him to death had they caught him.  Sure that skinny white guy at the front doesn't look too dangerous as commentators have said, but he could easily have been armed. Plus there is the whole mob behind him.

He deserves our thanks, a raise and hey President Biden why dont you use the Medal of Freedom appropriately instead of the participation trophy Trump has turned it into? Give this guy a medal!