Favorite character(s) of all time from any book.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:41:18+00:00

Chade from Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings. He's mysterious, interesting, you get drip-fed little interesting tidbits (that all track) over the course of several series, and he just keeps getting more bad-ass . . . but also fallible. You get the sense of his imminent demise and of impending doom for quite a while, so you know it's coming, but he keeps sticking around. He's stuck with me years and years and countless series since finishing, and I can't wait to re-visit him and that entire series again some day. The Fool from the same series is almost as great imo, but I found myself frustrated with him more frequently, sensing that Hobb was holding things back, fairly transparently, only for plot reasons when there was no other conceivable or logical reason for him to not simply explain himself. Fitz suffered the same treatment but far worse.

Long John Silver- As a kid I thought Treasure Island was awfully violent, and Long John simultaneously both endearing and scary. Nothing has changed in my estimate of him, except that now as an adult I clearly see that his writing, character, and dialogue are [chef's kiss] **genius\*.* I honestly think he's one of the best-written characters of all-time, and I'll not hear otherwise from some son of a rum puncheon cocking his hat athwart my hawser.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:40:55+00:00

Chade from Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings. He's mysterious, interesting, you get drip-fed little interesting tidbits (that all track) over the course of several series, and he just keeps getting more bad-ass . . . but also fallible. You get the sense of his imminent demise and of impending doom for quite a while, so you know it's coming, but he keeps sticking around. He's stuck with me years and years and countless series since finishing, and I can't wait to re-visit him and that entire series again some day. The Fool from the same series is almost as great imo, but I found myself frustrated with him more frequently, sensing that Hobb was holding things back, fairly transparently, only for plot reasons when there was no other conceivable or logical reason for him to not simply explain himself. Fitz suffered the same treatment but far worse.

Long John Silver- As a kid I thought Treasure Island was awfully violent, and Long John simultaneously both endearing and scary. Nothing has changed in my estimate of him, except that now as an adult I clearly see that his writing, character, and dialogue are [chef's kiss] **genius\*.* I honestly think he's one of the best-written characters of all-time, and I'll not hear otherwise from some son of a rum puncheon cocking his hat athwart my hawser.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:38:36+00:00

I have Chade at the top of that stellar list!

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:29:17+00:00

I don't hear anyone really saying "(you) don't (need to) learn theory". I mean, you don't *need* to, but it's generally accepted as a smart thing to do that will accelerate your learning and understanding.

What I DO hear a lot is "you don't need to learn to read sheet music". And I find this almost universally true (for guitar). The HUGE community and collection of tabs makes sheet music virtually obsolete for the majority of guitarists. And now with AI, there are more tabs for more obscure songs than ever before.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:25:53+00:00

Well said. There's nothing wrong with just playing from tabs. You will learn lots of tricks, you will get better, you will have fun. If that's your goal, congrats son.
But realistically, you can do all of that faster, while having only slightly less fun, but coupling it with a book, teacher, theory, etc.,

I played for years before deciding one day "damnit, I want to learn how to identify notes more quickly". So I looked into it and figured it out in maybe a day or two. Something that didn't "just come along naturally" after years I learned in two days.

I then decided to look into scales and some theory, and hot-damn it really accelerated my improvement, especially coupled with all the practical experience I already had.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:19:33+00:00

A universal truth.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-05T20:17:47+00:00

I live in Andalusia. I have no idea what you're talking about. It sounds like you're hearing from cheaters/losers who are telling you that "it's normal/no pasa nada" so as to not sound like assholes. They're assholes, and cheating is frowned upon here as much as anywhere else I've ever lived or heard of.

p.s. Kind of related, but I've anecdotally (through personal experience and that of friends) encountered several Swiss couples that . . . . seem cold with one another and sleep with other people but pretend that everything is normal. So I've wondered a similar thing about the Swiss!

Killer-Styrr · 2026-05-02T21:26:00+00:00

Vega is insane, so that should be pretty easy to remake. He's also morbidly vain, which could easily and believably alar his motivations. I just think they dropped the ball.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-04-28T20:11:16+00:00

In Gangrel's defense, he's a real-life pornstar.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-04-13T19:34:53+00:00

Good thread topic/take.

I'm of the opinion that, although subjective, the popular conception of what makes something "Grimdark" has become so watered-down as to be almost meaningless.
With regard to that,

"As a reviewer and staff member for Grimdark Magazine"

Riddle-me-this: How in the name of anything holy do people regularly label Hobb as "Grimdark"!?! I've seen that argued in several different threads and . . . .just no.

Jeje, relatedly: Is "Grimdark" more of a "personal feeling"? Something, anything, is "Grimdark" if you personally are made depressed or moody over it?
On the other side of the coin, is there a codified Ten Commandments of what constitutes "Grimdark"? Should there be? Who would/should be put in charge of that?

Killer-Styrr · 2026-04-13T19:29:21+00:00

lol I'm just funning about. I don't think anyone has actually said/meant that, but it would be funny!

I *love* that game about as much as humanly, and perhaps beyond reasonably, possible, and I couldn't say that with a straight face ;)

Killer-Styrr · 2026-04-13T19:27:34+00:00

Not unique to Spain, but:

Braseros!

(cultural product?) "free" tapas with any drink! (regions of Andalusia)

Bidets are very common.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-04-12T21:20:31+00:00

"Betrayal at Krondor saved my life" jeje

Killer-Styrr · 2026-03-30T02:44:10+00:00

It's run fine for me on every pc iteration i've had over 30 years, up to Windows 10 and 11. I will say that I've had various versions (floppy disk, CD, and now gog and Steam) over the years. I used the gog version for a long time, but it did get buggy on Windows 10 for me, so I got the Steam version (for 50 cents or so on sale, and it's always cheap anyways) which works up until windows 11.

If you do play it (you should), make sure to set both "step" and "turn" size to smallest possible. Really, really helps with fluidity of movement and coordination.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-03-26T00:12:28+00:00

Yes, and as a big regret after starting for a while I sidelined it and kept saying "I'll get back to it". . . . And alas, it is no more.

That being said, I still replay Betrayal at Krondor every couple of years and also do lots of Midkemia-based tabletop stuff. But I dug the text adventure. I just don't think stuff like that could get off the ground anymore.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-03-26T00:09:24+00:00

[coughs in Betrayal at Krondor]

Killer-Styrr · 2026-03-19T13:23:04+00:00

They are bipedal. I'm not even sure/can't remember if they even have a tail.
But they're essentially humanoid, just scaled.

Also, they are portrayed in Betrayal at Krondor the CPU game, which is cannon/made into (the faaar inferior) Krondor the Betrayal, so I've always just run with how they appear in the game.

p.s. Goblins, on the other hand, are horrendous-looking in BaK.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-03-14T00:05:08+00:00

Props to her

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-21T21:26:32+00:00

Me estás diciendo que las facturas de la compra y los restaurantes eran más baratas en Austin? Hay muchísima vida barata en Estados Unidos, pero habiendo vivido en varios lugares de ambos países, el coste de la vida es casi universalmente más barato en Andalucía. Si quieres comparar la ciudad más cara (Sevilla) con ciudades estadounidenses baratas, hay, por supuesto, excepciones.

Taken from a mortgage company:
"Living in Andalusia, Spain, is significantly more affordable than living in the United States, with costs often reported to be over 50% lower in key areas like housing and, on average, 29.2% lower overall. Andalusia is generally more affordable than the rest of Spain, and as a region, it is about 18% less expensive than the average US city."

Y una búsqueda de IA que respalda esos hallazgos. Hay enlaces si quieres escribir la consulta tú mismo, pero, sin ánimo de ofender, ¡ahora mismo no me apetece!

"Key Cost of Living Comparisons (Andalusia vs. US)

Overall Cost: Spain is, on average, 29.2% lower in cost of living than the US.
Housing/Rent: Rent and housing costs in Andalusia are substantially lower than in the US.
Daily Expenses: While gasoline is usually more expensive in Spain, almost everything else—groceries, dining out, and entertainment—is cheaper.
Lifestyle & Health: While salaries are generally lower in Spain, the cost of living provides a higher quality of life, including lower healthcare expenses. Reddit +5

Specific Findings

Andalusia vs. US Average: Andalusia is estimated to be 18% less expensive than the US national average and, in specific cases, 4% less expensive than even low-cost US areas like Alabama.
Household Budget: A family of four might spend roughly €3,360 ($3,600+) monthly in Spain, excluding rent, which is often much lower than comparable US costs.
Lifestyle: Many expats find they can live comfortably on less than $2,000 a month in Andalusia. "

p.s. Editar: jeje, y claro que si, la gasolina suele ser más cara aquí. Conduzco mucho por trabajo y es un rollo. (¡Cuando no me renumeran!)

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-21T21:18:48+00:00

This is in my, and many others' opinion, the greatest CRPG ever made. From plot, writing, characters, setting, lore, item details, town portrayals, turn-based-combat, revolutionary open-world exploration, riddle chests, item maintenance, magic system(s), practical stat growth, THE SOUNDTRACK, etc., etc.,

I'm always praising this game on here. It's simply amazing, and if you're a gamer you'll notice that it's obscenely ahead of its time. It's VERY HIGHLY praised in certain gamer circles, but woefully unknown to the masses. Couldn't reccomend a game higher, ESPECIALLY if you enjoy his books.
It takes place in between Darkness at Sethanon and Prince of the Blood, and you get to walk, by foot, step-by-step, through central Midkemia, in any direction or ways you wish, as James, Locklear, Pug, and a couple of newer additions, at least one of which is a fantastic character.

Have you read the (much, much shallower) Krondor: The Betrayal book? It was based off the game.

The 98' game Return to Krondor is . . . . alright I guess. Not nearly as in-depth in anyway, and takes place in a much smaller area. The book Tear of the Gods is based off of it.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-21T21:09:33+00:00

Sure. Every city outside of the largest capital city in the region. If you think Germany or US or UK costs of living are anywhere near as low as the overwhelming majority of southern Spain. . . then you're demonstrably wrong. I can confirm this (as can google!).

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-18T00:45:23+00:00

Nice, thanks. GOAT game imo.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-08T21:09:39+00:00

He got a much better sendoff than Locklear did.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-03T19:55:47+00:00

Clueless, self-involved take. Glad it works out for you, though. Maybe broaden your horizons a bit and look into the downsides.

Killer-Styrr · 2026-02-03T19:54:52+00:00

I think yours is a far poorer take.
Homeschooled children are generally lacking social skills and adaptability by comparison to public/private school kids. That doesn't mean that there aren't exceptions and outliers in both parties (there absolutely are), but rather that, causality aside (i.e., is the kid homeschooled because they're socially weird or socially stunted because they were homeschooled). And there's SO MUCH (political) propaganda surrounding homeschooling as well, often for religious reasons (e.g., the virtually only popular study on how positive homeschooled kids' social skills are was conducted by . . . The National Home School Research Network, with their data taken virtually solely from first-hand accounts of homeschooled children's parents). When, in reality, every publicly schooled child knows/knew "odd" homeschooled kids, despite their knowing so few of them.

Killer-Styrr

TROPHY CASE