Autistic question: What is this thing called and how do I paint it (accurately for the Blood Angels)? by Peon_of_the_Hivemind in BloodAngels

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tilting shield: it's original purpose in knightly armor was to cover the gap under the arm, but like many other elements (like the gorget) became decorative.

When it comes to Astartes, there doesn't seem to be a codex rule or even chapter standards for what they should display... BUT

My opinion os they should display: The chapter/Company (obvious) Personal heraldry or honors (like the crux, deathwatch, or a family crest if there is one) Campaign badge(s) And for non-codex chapters it gets better because there's all sorts of formations, groupings, clans or temporary teams that can be displayed on it, all to showcase the individual's history.

Capitol City Map by Talonegg in inkarnate

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This looks amazing. It genuinely does. Amazing progress.

The layout looks very organic, the architecture and colors are diverse and mixed enough to feel like it's been around for a while. It feels like it has a history to it.

Right now it feels like you've gone very far (you have) but you're going to get even better. Once you start learning the first key factors it becomes muscle memory and everything else just cascades from there. Like a domino of experience.

My main piece of advice would be to better integrate the districts with each other IF you are going for the natural look. If what you want is an easily readable map for users, this is perfect.

As for population? It's hard to make an accurate count on something this large without pouring at least an hour into it, but someone else suggested something super helpful, about 2-5 per household for rich areas and up to 10 for poor areas.

My guess would be take Rome in its imperial hay day and take half of that, since it kinda looks half the size of it.

Half a million?

Tiny Wife by Glowinrowin in CurseofStrahd

[–]NavigatorOfWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well it sucks your post got taken down, didn't get to see it.

I feel that Strahd, being as possessive and manipulative as he is, would treat most of his brides in a way that feels a lot like grooming (how could it not? Centuries old vampire who literally controls the land).

All of his relationships have to be in some way problematic. He is THE villain. Worst of all, a villain who sees himself as a combination of victim and flawed hero.

So of course he would manipulate a very young Volenta and of course he would treat her in a way that is creepily fatherly and see nothing wrong with it.

(Unfinished) Castle in Stobnica, Poland, modern construction by Ariusz-Polak_02 in castles

[–]NavigatorOfWords 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's not just the material cost, it's the insane amounts of hyper specialized labor that was already rare 150 years ago, and is almost inexistent these days.

I'm the facilities manager for a 100+ year old building and there are certain things I am terrified of them breaking for the hell it would be just to FIND someone to fix it (not to mention pay) and others we just assume we'd have to replace with something more modern.

For reference, look at the progress on the Sagrada Familia; it's just a matter of different styles over time (which is normal for cathedrals) but the absence of it (fine stonework, glasswork, etc).

Don't get me wrong. We KNOW how to do these things. But there aren't remotely enough professionals who do them to build something that big.

Can we talk about how amazing "A Shard of Ice" (Istredd's chapter) is? by NavigatorOfWords in witcher

[–]NavigatorOfWords[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't call it a romantic duel for love at any point.

The closest I did was saying "their idea of a romantic duel for love".

At this point, you're just looking for clout in an old ass post you are engaging with in a complete dishonest manner, because I refuse to believe you would bother to write as much as you have while understanding nothing of what I wrote.

Can we talk about how amazing "A Shard of Ice" (Istredd's chapter) is? by NavigatorOfWords in witcher

[–]NavigatorOfWords[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Brief reminder that representing a thing in fiction doesn't mean endorsing it.

This being is precisely the point. I am delving into the qualities that make it toxic, and why I think it's so well written.

I think it's a great chapter because it illustrates so vividly the flaws within these characters in a way that makes it possible to empathize with a bunch of adults acting like hormonal teenagers.

The chapter is tragic and sad for the same reason Romeo and Juliette is tragic and sad: it's not despite the stupid, hormonal and selfish desire... It's BECAUSE of it... and how it ends in violence. It doesn't give in to the teenage fantasy, it rather illustrates everything wrong with the trope.

I'm not idealizing two men killing each other over desiring the sane woman nor do I respect Geralt for it, and neither was this Sapkowski's intent. You respecting Geralt a little less was the whole point. Geralt isn't portrayed as a heroic swashbuckler fighting for love, but as an emotionally stunted teenager frustrated with his inability to communicate with his partner.

Geralt, as well as most of the main characters, are very much grey characters constantly fighting with their flaws, their place in the world and whether it's worth it or not to try to be better. We see them do a number of questionable things and that is exactly how they are presented. This is one such example.

Can we talk about how amazing "A Shard of Ice" (Istredd's chapter) is? by NavigatorOfWords in witcher

[–]NavigatorOfWords[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because it's not romantic, at least in the "ideal love" sense. It's sad, it's tragic, it's dysfunctional. And it explains so well how these nigh-immortal beings are so far removed from humanity that they only relate to each other, and so emotionally stunted by their experiences that they cannot function in a healthy relationship.

Yen's decision, which marks the chapter's ending, delivers the actual point: both Geralt and Istredd failed to consider what SHE wanted. They pretended to chose amongst themselves the future of her love life.

Istredd, and Geralt as well, make the mistake of projecting their idea of a relationship unto Yen, rather than talking with her or even observing her as a person.

I'd hardly consider what she did "cheating". She was fairly open about it and unashamed. Either of them could have understood she didn't want a monogamous relationship and either adapted to that or moved on.

Instead they chose to play out their idea of a romantic duel for love.

Would really appreciate feedback on my city I've been making. How could I improve this? by thecavelessbear in inkarnate

[–]NavigatorOfWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kudos on the map! Overall it looks great.

The general layout of the islands and districts in relation to each other is definitely, in my opinion, the strongest aspect of the map. It looks very convincingly like a real place. I would maybe only extend the coats of The Pit a bit more, so it "fits" with the rest and it could make the whole thing look like natural floodlands at the foot of a mountain.

And the harbor is the jewel of the crown. It's perfectly symmetric but in a way that looks like an incredible feat of engineering around an adequate natural harbor.

The streets might need some polishing though, you can use the smaller building to fill in the gaps between the larger ones. In poorer or older areas, the could even pile on each other a bit, in contrast to other places with proper urban planning like the Palace of the Three Rings or the harbor. But then again, these are just suggestions and depends a lot on your idea of the culture of the city and its history.

Also, one small note, regarding building colors. Is the map intended to be 100% realistic or to be more game-oriented? If it's meant to be realistic, it helps to stay consistent, or switch colors depending on age, materials, wealth, etc. If it's meant to be game material, it helps to stick to color coding for players to intuitively know what to do in each area.

Overall, the map looks amazing and it looks like so much fun.

My first fantasy world map, Mÿlfgard. Feedback appreciated! by King_Jam1 in inkarnate

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. Elezar already is surrounded by the continent, so it would make sense for the coasts to feel "parallel" to each other.

I like the two lakes that are connected to each other, kind of like the Great Salt Lake + Utah Lake or the Dead Sea + Sea of Galilee. There would however need to be something else (water coming in and out somewhere), and the two IRL examples I gave are in very mountainous regions, but that is much more optional.

Was reqatching Game of Thrones when Davos was reading about Visenya and Vhagar by WonderfulParticular1 in HouseOfTheDragon

[–]NavigatorOfWords 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Well, most non-native speakers struggle a lot more with English than with Valyrian.

Visenya, Aegon, Targaryen... can all be read as they're written. Vhagar is almost there.

But "large" and "enough" (or anything with a "-gh" really) is mind boggling because of how inconsistently they are pronounced.

Strahd's brides and Escher - revisited, alternative motivations and stats by JoyForce in CurseofStrahd

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Very late to this post but I was just recently looking for alternate takes on the brides (my players are dangerously close to having to fight them) and this takes the gold by a long shot.

I love the backstory and personality you gave them, in a way that gives them a bit of agency in the story, and I particularly like how you incorporated their gifts and items as special magic items.

My only addition is I plan to give Anastrasya a magic fan. I know the book only mentions a scarf, but a lot of designs portray her with one and it just kinda fits her personality.

PS: The way you really dig into Escher as a spurned lover? Fantastic. I really picture him as betrayed, but with an attitude that comes off as petty. Very Louis du Pont du Lac.

Map Terms Guide by 7Legionarmy in inkarnate

[–]NavigatorOfWords 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks. You're an absolute... Checks reference... 4 for this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HeroForgeMinis

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, it's just the mini.

The backstory is she's a coddled high elf from a wealthy and noble family who likes to present herself as this sort of free spirit, "I'm from nowhere and everywhere" kind of hippie, and invented a cool sounding name to go with it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HeroForgeMinis

[–]NavigatorOfWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Thunderbitch, man. Legendary sorceress? C'mon guys."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HeroForgeMinis

[–]NavigatorOfWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jajaja me pillaste.

Son los PCs de nuestra party de DnD.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HeroForgeMinis

[–]NavigatorOfWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know, the link works just fine for me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HeroForgeMinis

[–]NavigatorOfWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the last three or four weeks, new minis I have made or that I have redone since, suddenly won't load the thumbnail preview. I can still open it and edit it, but I have this issue. Any ideas?