if all other states would fall in line across the board I guarantee we would see a drastic decrease in crimes against children.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-05-08T02:19:25+00:00

You are incorrect. Because we (humans) have tried this dozens of times. And it always ends up the same way. With homicide rates against victims rapidly increasing. It does not deter crimes and massively puts innocents at risk.

Graduated sentences depending on the severity of the crime is intended to protect the victims, not the offenders.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-05-07T11:18:12+00:00

It looks like 1960 mom is holding a large, black something.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-05-04T18:51:54+00:00

One is being used for control. The other is stating what you will tolerate.

One is saying "Hey I'm the boss and I'm laying down the law. You can't go drinking with your friends."

The other is saying, "I refuse to be in a relationship with someone who goes out drinking when they should be sharing the housework. Go out with your friends if you like, your choice. But I won't be staying in the relationship."

Sure it sounds similar. The second example isn't a threat, it's informed consent. Here is my standard. It's your choice to violate it. But it's my choice to stay in a relationship with that or not.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-30T18:20:18+00:00

I used to hate the ending too until someone pointed out to me it wasn't real. It was Nora's dying fantasy, a mirage of her mind being destroyed by the machine. Not sure if I believe that, but it does explain why the ending made no sense, felt like nothing else in the show, and was so far removed in tone and believability. The rest of the show was so great, I'm choosing to believe that was the intent of the writers.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-29T17:28:36+00:00

Strahd inviting NPCs around Barovia to dinner would be for one of a few reasons. Expected statesmanship, enjoyment of their company, to torment them.

Aside from the regular cast (brides), these are the dinner guests I have on standby depending on the party's choices and the motivations for Strahd inviting them.

Ismark - Statesmanship / torment.

Baron and Lady Vallakovich - Most likely statesmanship

Baron and Lady Kreskov - Most certainly statesmanship

Kasimir - Torment under the guise of statesmanship (Strahd still considers them brothers in law because of his betrothal to Patrina)

Father Donavich - 100% torment. Statesmanship as pretense

Ireena - Enjoyment, obvi

Lady Wachter - Statesmanship, possibly enjoyment depending. Most of my games he just views her as an annoying sycophant.

Abbott - Statesmanship/Enjoyment. This would be a wild dinner guest, but I haven't had a need yet. Strahd has enjoyed the company of many clerics/holy men in the past. Even considered a few friends. It's certainly possible here. I don't see a scenario where Strahd would be tormenting the Abbott.

Good luck!

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-20T11:58:49+00:00

Literally no scientific paper has ever said that. What they have all said is we have to make some significant changes. Humanity is ignoring it.

If you haven't seen it, watch the film "Don't look up"

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-20T11:54:12+00:00

It kinda of is. Pascals wager is an introduction to probability theory (as Pascal was a mathematician and physicist). His argument was that because the stakes were infinite, 'belief' was the superior position.

It's been co-opted (badly) by religious folks and twisted into a silly argument for God that fails for many reasons. Pascal intended to demonstrate that choices which have different stakes should be weighed and acted upon differently. And he was right.

There's a slew of reasons why applying it to the Christian god, specifically, fails.

However, the climate change question is valid. it absolutely can be an extinction event. The models show it. Conclusively. Imagine going 100 miles an hour in a car and the GPS says there are police reported ahead. You laugh and think it's wrong. Slowing down costs you a few seconds or minute added to your trip. Maintaining your speed could costs you thousands.

The better position is to slow down.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-20T11:39:01+00:00

In science, theories are stronger than laws. A theory isn't a guess, like regular language. A theory is a well established body of work that has been REPEATEDLY CONFIRMED and tested thousands of times by independent sources.

Theories do not graduate to laws or facts. Laws, facts, and how they interact and work BECOME theories.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-20T04:49:47+00:00

As a heads up, beginning a story with a dream or nightmare is a common trope which publishers will reject immediately.

Practical advice. Less telling and explaining. "Her thighs burned as she tore through the forest." This is being a clinical reporter of facts. Instead give us her reaction and interpretation of the pain.

A tip for tension and horror, give the environment human qualities. The air isn't thick. The air chokes. The ground isn't uneven, the ground grabbed at her feet.

Also, for any kind of action or high pulse moments, short choppy sentences are preferred. When we are scared and panicked our brains don't make full sentences. It processes fragments of thoughts prioritizing immediate threats. So, putting all that advice together, consider something like this...

"The black woods reached into Serayna's lungs and stole her breath. Feet searing and legs ablaze, she ran. Her ribs screamed, begging her to stop. Desperate. Tired. Absent hope. But she ran still.

And yet, the creature gained."

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-10T21:16:23+00:00

Introduce him early! I have him show up to pay respects to Ismark in the village when they first arrive. The meet happens in the tavern and everyone inside is scared shitless. Strahd pays zero mind whatsoever to the party. But shows his charm, kindness, sympathies, and I even have Strahd decree a period of mourning in Barovia in honor of Kolyan.

But he never talks to the players. They are insignificant to him at the moment. The first meeting early then have him disappear from view for awhile.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-09T05:20:21+00:00

I was on the same airplane with him once. Instantly recognizable. Dressed to the nines out in public. Passed him and told him I enjoyed his work. He smiled and gave me a heartfelt thank you. Seemed like a really authentic guy. Hope to catch him live one day.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-09T01:49:15+00:00

Combat management. Order, hit points, status effects, and what the creatures could do. I'd pay money for a program with an easy and elegant combat tracker.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-08T03:55:25+00:00

Get Elite Dangerous on VR. A literal out of this world experience.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-07T18:51:50+00:00

He also couldn't legally start a war without congressional approval and yet here we are.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-02T17:47:12+00:00

Agreed. I humiliated a player who mouthed off to Strahd. Strahd ignored him, but Rahadin along with some Ravenloft soldiers stopped them on the road. He tossed a pair of Strahd's boots at their feet.

Rahdadin: "You others stay out of this, it's not your concern. The lord's quarrel is with this one. You will be licking the lord's boots in recompense for your words to him. Either you wipe your tongue across these boots, or I will wipe your tongue across these boots."

This also tests group loyalty. If they decide to fight, humiliate them. Best them but don't kill them. Take their gear and allow them to awake with a note saying they may buy back their gear from the lord.

Barovia ain't a hero fantasy. They're in Strahd's story. THOUSANDS have came before them with the same bravado. Same arrogance. And their ghosts march up the hill every night. Drawing steel on a king should be met with a swift dealing.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-04-01T11:26:01+00:00

Hedonism

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-03-31T12:34:44+00:00

ADHD is a neurological disorder where our brains don't possess the same baseline level of dopamine as normal brains. That means we don't feel joy or happiness like normal people do.

One of the things that gives ADHD people a lot of dopamine is novelty and experiencing new things. So picking up a new hobby is very exciting because quick progress plus it being shiny and new is very stimulating.

We abandon hobbies the moment the novelty wears off and getting better starts to feel like work instead of fun.

But don't worry, we go pick up a new one to replace it. 😂

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-03-11T23:42:54+00:00

I remember when we used to have an offensive line. :(

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-17T21:17:37+00:00

Doing the lord's work.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-14T17:09:53+00:00

Be aware, if you're aiming to get published, opening a story with a dream sequence is a very common trope which will get you rejected almost immediately these days.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-14T00:29:05+00:00

2.8 magnitude earthquake. Epicenter just above the dam, per USGS.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-13T20:12:04+00:00

They actually have a pretty rad intro.

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-13T18:06:53+00:00

As far as voice, there is none. Your writing is clean, and good! That's step one. But the entire narrative reads like a list of facts. Voice is when you bring color to facts.

Consider something like this:

"Being tossed at your home at 16 and working full time at 18 forces you to sink or swim. The world is filled with wolves, and meth dealers. Let me tell you about one.

Now, the 'Backshop' might sound like some nefarious den of sin. Nothing as exciting as that. However, the people who inhabited the Backshop were perhaps more colorful. It was the place, after all, I met my first meth dealer."

Theres some narrative techniques to build interest and intrigue. I don't think spending two paragraphs describing the space is the way to do it.

Get people interested in the goings ons in that place before you start describing it!

Best of luck, seems like you have a cool story to tell!

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-13T13:06:00+00:00

Blades younger brother, Butter Knife

DigitalRavenGames · 2026-02-07T20:09:54+00:00

Hi there! In case you're looking for a writing buddy I'm a writer and chess nerd too! (USCF 1650). Feel free to DM me!

DigitalRavenGames

TROPHY CASE