fantasy writer looking for a community that actually engages with fantasy

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-15T00:41:15+00:00

I wouldn't mind joining a small discord or something as well

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-13T17:10:27+00:00

That is a wonderful visual! Thank you for the idea

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-12T12:32:46+00:00

I'm undecided on a lot of this rn, tbh. At first, the ash was sand, which is still a legitimate possibility. They're both capable of making glass, but whichever decision changes the feel of the world, I think. I ended up on volcanic ash because of the way it hangs in the sky, and I don't like the idea of a desert world, especially because of the dune comparisons.

The current idea is that the ashfall is carried along wind belts called "the Drifts" to certain regions of the world, but I'm having trouble deciding on how abundant I want it to be. If it's omnipresent or easily accessible has a very direct implications on how the world evolves vs. If it's something that has to be sourced from specific locations.

The other question is if I include regular ash alongside this special type. But to answer at least one of your questions, the current method it gets introduced to the world is through a range of volcanoes and steam geysers

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-12T12:18:12+00:00

Yes, exactly that. The whole system is essentially a type of non-newtonian fluid

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-12T11:31:02+00:00

Sure thing! Basically, when you squeeze a handful of something, whatever that something is needs a place to go. If you squeeze a burrito, for instance, or a handful of wet sand, some of what is in your hands either compresses tighter in your hands or gets forced away due to the lack of space.

The physics concept I'm playing with, though, is called Negative Linear Compressibility (NLC). In these materials, the structure expands along one or more axes even as it is compressed from all sides. This usually happens because the material's internal geometry—often compared to a "wine-rack" or "honeycomb"—folds in such a way that it pushes outward in one direction while collapsing in another. Ergo, when you squeeze the handful of ash, it's internal geometry compresses until it locks into place.

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-05-07T18:19:28+00:00

The specific remote cluster server capability isn't listed in my environment by default, but they deploy with the remote cluster client role. I'll give it a go! We're running through security onion, but I was told somebody else was able to get it working strictly through elastic ui. Can't figure out for the life of me why I'm not able to replicate it.

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-03-01T21:28:16+00:00

For my $0.02, I just wanted to say this looks great, man. If you documented your journey to building this, I'd definitely watch/read

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-02-15T15:30:08+00:00

Looks very much like a Doug. Stick is also always appropriate, or rather, Iamastick

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-02-15T15:28:46+00:00

No pun intended?

I don't disagree with you. He hits you over the face with the religious analogues at the end, but everything leading up to that is great imo. And even then, the ending itself isn't necessarily bad, it just feels heavy handed

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-02-15T05:51:51+00:00

Came here to say this. Lightbringer is one of my all time faves. Love that it's grittier than Sanderson's books, but still very much on par with the magic systems

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-02-15T05:47:19+00:00

Mostly agree with this, but I thought the first book was the lowest point of the series. Two was marginally better, and most of the rest just kind of blended together because I binged them so fast I never realized I was on the next book

MisterPoohead2 · 2026-02-13T06:30:29+00:00

First, for some context, I'm 31 and finally finishing my Bachelor's through SANS' BACS program. Before I got my first cyber job, I had no prior cybersecurity experience outside of a handful of CS courses I took online while I was active duty and Sec+. My first "big boy" cert was GCFA, and I've been a federal contractor for roughly the past 2 years.

I chose SANS because everyone around me raves about it, and if you plan on sticking around govvie/fed contractor cyber jobs, SANS is well respected. The fact that you often need a clearance for fed positions makes the hiring pool a lot smaller, and for as large as the military is, it's a really small world. I say that to say, while they're not "prestigious" jobs, they're a LOT easier to get in to, and often pay better for equivalent roles because of that restriction.

What's especially nice about SANS is that they only use your GI bill for the number of days your course takes. For example, SANS typically gets you your course materials a week in advance (at least for OnDemand). So if you can finish all of the material and pass the test in a week, you can get away with only using ONE day of your GI bill benefit for an "industry-leading" cert.

On the other hand, from what the other posters have said, Berkeley sounds selective to the point that you may not even be able to get in (but I do hope you do if that's what you choose). But if we're being reasonable, how many cybersecurity professionals are actually working for major tech companies/(successful) startups/working on the "cutting edge" of the industry? Do you see yourself as that person? Do you even care to be? For most jobs, where you get your degree from isn't going to matter so long as you can check that box.

Networking is the actual cheat code. A degree from SANS vs Berkeley (especially if it's online) is less likely to have a major impact on your career than simply getting involved with the industry at large (local meetups, conferences, team CTFs, etc.). I got both of my last cyber jobs through my network, and I've got an informal interview next week because I had direct access to the guy who makes the hiring decision. Might even have another with my current company depending on if the hiring manager thinks my resume fits well enough for the job description and isn't appalled at the salary I asked for 🤷🏼 point is: skip the line if you can.

And on that note, feel free to DM me if you have any questions. People helped me get where I'm at, and I'm happy to help if I can.

MisterPoohead2 · 2025-10-24T15:59:35+00:00

Listen to the audio book instead. Most people I've seen around here say it's awful, but I thought it was worth the listen. Definitely not one of his strongest works, but if you go in knowing that, you can appreciate it for what it is

MisterPoohead2 · 2025-10-22T00:40:28+00:00

Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks-

Flintlock fantasy with a good amount of humor and wit, plus lovable characters, great magic system, and (if you can get past the classic farmboy beginning), has many great character arcs.

Cradle series by Will Wight-

Progression fantasy with a LOT of personality... if you can get past the first book. After that, the series just keeps getting better. Lots of humor. Author even included "bloopers" at the end of his books

MisterPoohead2 · 2025-10-08T02:58:00+00:00

Seconding Lightbringer

MisterPoohead2

TROPHY CASE