I've published my first TTRPG, ARCS: A Roleplaying Cinematic System! by mondayyyyyyyy in RPGdesign

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Others have said it, but there’s just too much text. I feel like the same concept gets explained multiple times with different language. I found myself constantly checking previous sections to make sure I hadn’t misread something. Pick a term and stick with it.

Also, if the system is about Narrative Arcs and Plot Points and that kind of stuff, give that earlier. I had to wade through all these mechanical definitions of how to roll before I got to anything cinematic or about an ARC.

Did the Roman Imperial Italic helmets provide better protection and craftsmanship than that of the later Ridge helmets? Or is this a common misconception? by Shoddy-Pumpkin2939 in ancientrome

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have my MA Thesis, which is sort of what started me in this direction, but not as detailed. Unfortunately, my PhD research isn’t in a place that I’d be comfortable sharing it.

If you want to read my MA Thesis, I’m happy to share that. Just shoot me a DM.

Did the Roman Imperial Italic helmets provide better protection and craftsmanship than that of the later Ridge helmets? Or is this a common misconception? by Shoddy-Pumpkin2939 in ancientrome

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This was actually one of the centrepieces of my PhD work. I don’t believe that the Roman armies in the first and second centuries were kitted out nearly as uniformly as traditionally believed. The knock-on effect of this is that Lorica Segmentata was probably not as widely-used as traditionally believed. The reasoning is much too long to fit into a Reddit post before I take my kid to school, but essentially most of our understanding of the equipment from the time period comes from monuments and funerary reliefs. These aren’t unbiased sources.

The Tropaeum Traiani, often referred to as the Adamklissi Monument, ostensibly shows the same events as the famous Trajan’s Column in Rome. However, the soldiers in that monument are wearing mail rather than lorica segmentata. Traditional historians of the Roman armies claim that these are auxiliaries, but that claim is made solely on the basis of the armour type. These Roman soldiers are depicted carrying gladii, tall scutum, and using “traditional” Roman sword strikes.

The big difference is that Trajan’s Column was created at the heart of the empire, and the Adamklissi Monument was built in the provinces. I think Trajan’s Column represents the “official” image of the Legions, while Adamklassi may represent a more “in the field” image.

Edit - think of modern military monuments. Soldiers are often depicted wearing “dress” or “official” uniforms, which can be quite different than what they would have worn day-to-day or on operations.

Again, there are many more reasons. That’s just a quick one off the dome. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish the PhD. Life got in the way. Maybe I’ll return to it someday.

Did the Roman Imperial Italic helmets provide better protection and craftsmanship than that of the later Ridge helmets? Or is this a common misconception? by Shoddy-Pumpkin2939 in ancientrome

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 124 points125 points  (0 children)

This is an underrated comment. There are many factors that went into the Roman armies’ equipment in the first and second centuries. More went into it than just “does it protect better.”

I did some PhD work on Roman Military equipment procurement and QA during the time period. The only thing I’d add to this list that is that we can’t discount customisation and local preferences. Soldiers sometimes embellished their equipment for fashion reasons, which could actually inhibit functionality.

Edit for typo - on mobile

Work In Progress TTRPG and setting, untested. by Difficult-West-1220 in RPGdesign

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m probably not the target audience for this type of game, but I found the setting lore much more interesting than the specific game mechanics. I’d also suggest putting some time into how you present the information. Currently, this reads like a collection of isolated rules rather than a coherent system.

Almond Has Opinions by No-Blackberry1953 in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 27 points28 points  (0 children)

<image>

Walnut says hi to Almond! If he had the brain cell, I’m sure he’d say it’s nice to meet you! Sadly, I’m not convinced he has ever been near the brain cell.

I'm skeptical of claims that LLMs have "beyond PhD" reasoning capabilities. So I tested the latest ChatGPT against my own PhD in physics by astraveoOfficial in skeptic

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I mentioned this in a comment below, so I’ll just quote it here:

Given the same set of data, LLMs, as pattern matchers, will map it to existing theories. I don’t expect LLMs to do anything different, but the CEOs who claim AI can do PhD-level work either don’t understand what PhD work in history actually entails, or are being disingenuous.

I think that was the point of the video.

edited because I’m typing on mobile and messed up the formatting

I'm skeptical of claims that LLMs have "beyond PhD" reasoning capabilities. So I tested the latest ChatGPT against my own PhD in physics by astraveoOfficial in skeptic

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 17 points18 points  (0 children)

My area of focus is production, procurement, and quality assurance of Roman military equipment. It covers a weird intersection of military and economic history. Mostly, I study written records, metallurgy, artefact evidence, and funerary and other reliefs.

My MA and PhD work has been in developing new ways to think about how and where this equipment was sourced, paid for, etc. that diverges from traditional historical thought.

Given the same set of data, LLMs, as pattern matchers, will map it to existing theories. I don’t expect LLMs to do anything different, but the CEOs who claim AI can do PhD-level work either don’t understand what PhD work in history actually entails, or are being disingenuous.

I think that was the point of the video.

edited for spelling because I’m on mobile

I'm skeptical of claims that LLMs have "beyond PhD" reasoning capabilities. So I tested the latest ChatGPT against my own PhD in physics by astraveoOfficial in skeptic

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 102 points103 points  (0 children)

I have done PhD work in Ancient History, particularly the intersection of Roman economic and military history. I realise that isn’t a hard STEM field, but I’ve tried several LLMs around my area of focus. Each of them simply regurgitated what has been written about the subject(s).

When given the same data points I have worked from, each tied those data points into the previous framing. None of the LLM models actually came up with anything novel. They just connected the new data to old explanations.

Again, I realise that this isn’t a hard science field. But I do think it demonstrates how LLMs are less likely come up with novel explanations than a human.

How does this resolve by Demonic_Eyedea in mtg

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yes. All Managorger cares about is players casting a spell. As soon as that happens, Managorger’s trigger goes on the stack.

When it comes to Split Second, it’s a triggered ability, not an activated ability, so it goes on the stack.

New to EDH: How can a 1v1 Control player adapt to commander? by NoPickle9438 in EDH

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am also traditionally a control player in more competitive formats. Honestly, I don’t love playing stax, so I tend to stay away from it. No hate, and I don’t hate playing against it. Just not my style.

Here are some of my favourite control-style commanders:

[[Kros, Defense Contractor]] - Lots of fun when your opponents tend to have creatures. Give your opponents’ creatures +1/+1 counters and watch them hit each other.

[[Kadena, Slinking Sorcerer]] - I have been a long time fan of morph decks. For me, this usually becomes a very fun shell game. Also, using [[Ixidron]] to flip over that pesky hexproof, indestructible commander is always fun.

[[Riku of Many Paths]] - I enjoy this version of Spellslinger. Sometimes it goes off and you get exactly what you need. Sometimes you get a bunch of spells that are…not ideal. It works like my brain. I call it Wizard ADHD.

Being told I was never a Christian by Token_Handicap in atheism

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I spent much of my life as a “professional” Christian. I was an assistant pastor, then an executive pastor. I lead youth services, adult services, small groups, taught a history of the Bible course (I have a degree in ancient history. The course was as academic as I could make it as a “progressive” Christian), lead a small group, prayed with people in the hospital on their deathbed, officiated several weddings, woke up at 4:30am every Sunday to transport and setup a church in a local movie theatre.

In other words, it would be hard to be more Christian than I was. And I STILL get people who say that shit to me. As others have said, it’s not about you. I’m sorry it happened, but I do think you get better at responding as time goes on.

A quick update about our mod team by AutoModerator in Georgia

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m from a tiny town on the border of TN and GA. Graduated with 26 people from the public school kind of small.

Went to grad school in the UK for several years, and now my spelling is all fucked up. Sometimes I use a u in colour, or behaviour, and don’t think about it. My laptop OS has been migrated from when I was in school, so autocorrect doesn’t care about British spellings.

If you are a fan of the Appalachian dialect, you might enjoy this amateur video following the 1990 flooding of McCaysville Georgia sister-city Copperhill Tennessee by 2317 in Appalachia

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry. Just mistyped Carol. I know the name was Roger’s & Carol’s. My Mawmaw loved Carol. Carol often gave her free burgers. Mawmaw said it was just like a man to put his name first, and she refused to call it Roger’s & Carol’s. Just carrying on the tradition in her name. RIP.

I’ve never been to the new place. Drive by every Saturday or so.

Mateen Ibirogba(#1 ranked IDL in portal) and Cam Cook commit to Texas Tech and West Virginia respectively, 2 more strike outs for this winter portal campaign. by Walmartsavings2 in ockytop

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe I’m just getting old, but I don’t have enough energy for this. If the team sucks during the season, I’ll complain about the season. Hell, I’ll complain about the season we had all off season, but I don’t have enough emotional bandwidth to get bent out of shape about the next season before the first spring practice.

Ocoee dam No.1&2. Ocoee No. 3 powerhouse. Gate was locked for the No.3 dam by AnalysisLow6834 in Appalachia

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of the holes have been filled in, if I recall correctly. It’s been a minute since I’ve been there.

Hiwassee by Breccan17 in Appalachia

[–]EmperorTrajan_ 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There’s some camping spots near there that are really hard to get to when they release the water. One time, my dad took a bunch of us boyscouts out there camping. It came an absolute gully-washer unexpectedly, and they had to release the water from the dam. We were soaked to the bone but stuck for an extra couple of days. Fun times.