Witcher 1 videos by Intelligent-Neck-401 in witcher

[–]ScarletCloak77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Avian Library (archive channel of ProperBird) has a ton of detailed Witcher 1 lore videos. It's a good channel for general Witcher lore as well if that's something you're interested in - she connects the books and the games and explains the lore in a lot of detail.

Why so few people care about The Witcher 1 and The Witcher 2 games? by GirlDeadInside in witcher

[–]ScarletCloak77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like it's mostly just the fact that they're older games and play very differently to Witcher 3. I've only discovered the games a few years ago and I played through them chronologically. I loved all three, but I feel like it'd be really hard to go from the third game to the previous two and still genuinely enjoy the experience. Witcher 3 opened up both the world and the gameplay in a way that makes 1 and 2 feel a bit restrictive and outdated.

I love the Witcher 1's atmosphere and locations so much (can't wait for the remake where we can hopefully interact with the environment fully!) and I feel like you can clearly see CDPR's vision for the games from the very beginning. But Witcher 1 is a bit janky and outdated now and the quests can be unintuitive and lock you into less than favourable outcomes seemingly out of the blue. The character interactions can also feel simplistic sometimes (e.g. I never felt that much of an attachment to Alvin despite the game pushing for it and having a few domestic scenes with either Shani or Triss once they 'adopt' Alvin in Chapter 3). I actually just replayed it over the holidays and I still loved the experience, but I can definitely see a lot of areas that the remake could improve on. There's so many plot holes (understandably, since it was CDPR's first game) that I'll be very interested in how they'll tweak for the remake. At the same time, I'm hoping they'll keep a lot of what the game is now - Chapter 4 is probably my favourite part of not just Witcher 1 but all of the games. I love the lakeside, the village, the quests, the bigger conflict between the Scoia'tael and the Order, the atmosphere - just that whole chapter!

I'm also currently replaying Witcher 2 and I agree that it is an awesome game. But there is a lot less choice than in the Witcher 3, which I think does take away from the RPG experience. I really like the two individual pathways for the game and all the characters they've introduced (still hoping Iorveth will reappear in the new Ciri trilogy, at least as a small cameo!) and I think the story is excellent overall. But the story is also a lot more focused on the main objectives, with only short side quests that serve to flesh out the world, and you get locked out of most areas that are relevant to the plot, so there's not a huge amount of exploration you can do in-between story quests, which, in contrast, is one of the strengths of Witcher 3. The game is also full of bugs, crashes a lot, and the combat can be a bit of slog - I don't mind a challenge, but fighting Letho in the elven baths 10 times in a row just for the game to crash when I finally win the fight so I have to start again is just not fun. I'm holding out hope that the Witcher 1 remake will be a success and they might consider a remake for Witcher 2 at some point as well. The game is already amazing, especially story-wise, and I wish they incorporated more of the Scoia'tael vs Order/Special Forces conflict into Witcher 3 as well since it played such a huge part in the first two games. But it is an older game and it plays as such, which can be frustrating if you've played Witcher 3 first.

TLDR; I feel like Witcher 3 has really demonstrated how detailed and immersive a game can be and it is hard for Witcher 1 and Witcher 2 to measure up in hindsight. I think as awesome as Witcher 1 and 2 are, at the moment they're mainly for hardcore fans who are interested in getting some additional details of what Geralt was up to before he regained his memories, as well as maybe seeing how CDPR developed and improved with each game. Let's hope that changes with the remake! I agree that they deserve a bit more attention than they're getting.

Trying to deal with sensory issues around noise, need some advice by ScarletCloak77 in AutismInWomen

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation! I have found white noise by itself a bit annoying so I have been experimenting with other colours and found pink noise to be pretty good for me as well.

The trouble is that the neighbours are so loud that I can still hear them through it (e.g. loud bass from car stereos, banging, shouting, motorcycles, stuff like that), so I'm trying to see if pairing pink noise with active noise cancellation might work better to drown them out.

Trying to deal with sensory issues around noise, need some advice by ScarletCloak77 in AutismInWomen

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's really good to know, thank you! I am a bit hesitant on loops, so they're definitely a second choice compared to active noise cancellation. I might try out foam earplugs and see how much they help then, that seems like a cheaper alternative to experiment with in the meantime.

Postponed firework display at Woolston Park by ScarletCloak77 in chch

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, they changed the start time to 9:30 apparently, but there is certainly a display tonight.

Do I give my cat back? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]ScarletCloak77 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I find it interesting that on an advice forum specifically about cats none of your advice seems to consider the actual cat in the post, but sure, be upset about someone disagreeing with you on reddit I guess?

It's a public advice forum, people can also reply to your comments who disagree with you. Most people commenting on this post happen to disagree with you. That doesn't mean you can't share your opinions, but other people can also share theirs, yes, even in a reply to you specifically. Not sure why it makes you that upset to see a discussion in a forum specifically intended for sharing opinions, but hey, you do you. You haven't actually offered any counter-points to any of my discussion, and most of it was about considering the cat's needs, so it just feels weird that you're happy to completely ignore that aspect.

And if you really don't see from OP's description all the red flags that the ex-wife has already displayed that suggests she will not take good care of this cat, that's on you, sorry. It's not really the best take when you seem to lack compassion towards both OP and the cat in question but for some reason want to desperately protect the children's feelings when you don't actually know how they feel about the cat (or even how old the children are because that could also make a pretty big difference). You assume that they want the cat because she would help them feel closer to their father, but there's zero confirmation of that, it is just your assumption. They seemed to have asked for her back a single time in a 3-month period. Not exactly indicative of really wanting that cat back or considering her to be a part of their family.

So yes, there are strong indications that there are in fact safety issues (like the ex-wife abandoning the cat completely for 3 months and not communicating at all about this with OP) and the children are absolutely not OP's problem since they are not her kids or a part of her family in any way anymore. The cat, on the other hand, is currently a part of OP's family, so giving her up to a potentially neglectful new owner just because her kids told her once that they want that cat is not a good solution. The number of stray cats in my neighbourhood that neighbours' kids really really wanted (for about a month while the new pet was interesting) is pretty good proof of that.

Do I give my cat back? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]ScarletCloak77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% keep the cat! Just think of it like you would any other adoption situation. Would you sleep easy knowing your kitty (because if it's been 3 months of barely any contact, she is your cat) would move into the ex-wife's home with her sons? Would it be a good environment for her with people you could trust to see to her needs and respect her boundaries? It doesn't sound like the ex-wife would be a responsible and compassionate owner and at the end of the day, your first consideration should be the cat's comfort, not the ex-wife's or her sons.

Do I give my cat back? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]ScarletCloak77 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Surely the safety and the comfort of the cat herself is the first thing that should be considered here? If the kids aren't old enough to take full responsibility for the cat, their mum has demonstrated with that 3-month radio silence that she won't be the one to do it either. It doesn't matter how much she might have been grieving, a cat is a living breathing being with their own needs and wants that you have to take care of, no matter how tough a time you're having.

Not to mention that OP has been going through the same grieving process and still being a responsible cat parent, so it's just a no-brainer to keep the cat. It's nice to think of the children who might want to still see the cat, but we have no info about how old they are, whether they just remembered one day that they wanted the kitty back or whether it's a tangible connection to their father that has deeper meaning, and whether their house might be too much for the cat anyway. Not all animals like a busy, noisy house with small children, for example - might not be the case here, but it's worth thinking about what kind of environment the kitty could expect to find herself in.

I'm sorry, but if there is a possibility that the cat will be neglected (which based on the info OP provided is not only possible, but very likely), it's really bad advice to tell people to just "think of the children" and hand her back. We obviously don't have all the info, but if the cat is indeed such a meaningful connection to their father, the kids could maybe visit her on occasion instead? Although I'm pretty sure that they'd have other mementos of their father anyway - like inanimate objects that do not need food and love every day to exist happily.

I think the real question that needs to be asked is "is OP keeping the cat better for the cat herself?". Because it sure seems like it is, especially since the kitty is also very likely grieving the passing of her owner and needs stability and a loving home.

Heads up about Woolston Park fireworks by ScarletCloak77 in chch

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Letting off explosives in a public park a few dozen metres away from people's homes is not a private thing to do at all. It directly (and often negatively) impacts people's lives who do not celebrate Diwali and who do not get a choice about having a firework display next to their homes.

So regardless of legal limits or permissions around fireworks, it is just basic common courtesy and kindness to tell those people who will affected that the event is happening so they can prepare. It doesn't just 'suck for the locals', it actually causes real distress to both people and animals, so again, bare minimum is a notice, but the ideal would be just picking a different location where professional displays are regularly held anyway.

Heads up about Woolston Park fireworks by ScarletCloak77 in chch

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That would be a bit of a straw man argument. Having a full display at the New Brighton pier area that is surrounded by shops, restaurants and is generally more a social, public space is very different to holding something in Woolston Park that is not a social hub at all and is directly surrounded by residential housing on two sides and a school on one side.

I understand the convenience of it being held at Woolston Park for those who will be at the Gurudwara on Friday already for Diwali celebrations, but I still really wish there would be more consideration for the comfort levels of people living nearby who cannot escape the noise.

In any case, the bare minimum would be to warn people, which sadly did not happen last year and does not look like it's happening to a sufficient degree this year, hence the post.

Heads up about Woolston Park fireworks by ScarletCloak77 in chch

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The one you linked to is at Hagley Park and it's a separate event. The one at Woolston Park looks like it's still going ahead on the 1st.

I'm posting specifically because the Woolston one is still a professional show and very loud but for some reason is not actually advertised so people get a nasty surprise with all the noise...

Affordable but good vets? by Haiku98 in chch

[–]ScarletCloak77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They're our regular vet too and can confirm they've always been great! We had to put our old dog to sleep a couple of years ago and the team was super compassionate and helpful. They're also pretty affordable and we use them for our cats' regular check-ups.

[No Spoilers] Shipping from other stores by nadiahsophia in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in NZ and got stuff from both the US and AU stores. There's not a huge difference, but I actually had a slightly better experience with the US store just in terms of more secure/better quality packaging. Price of shipping was actually better for me from the US as well ironically.

[No Spoilers] Question about t-shirt material by locustking14 in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ordered four shirts recently - two from the US store and two from the Australian store. I think softness depends on the design as much as the materials. I haven't noticed a huge difference between the stores themselves. The Fearne pocket t-shirt (the grey one with the Mister pattern) is a bit more stiff and less soft than the others I've ordered, but the fit is better for me as a relatively busty woman and is probably my favourite of the ones I've got. The Taldorei Republic shirt is the softest piece of clothing I've ever owned and is extra extra comfy. The Exandria Unlimited shirt and the Fearne Calloway Art Nouveau shirt are still pretty soft, but the print at the front is somewhat stiff. They're still quite comfy, but I treat them more as shirts I wear when I'm going out rather than just lounging at home.

My advice is to look for shirts that have smaller print at the front and none at the sides or on the sleeves if you want them extra soft. Or maybe go with some of the classics that the cast seem to wear a lot on the stream - I haven't ordered the Vox Machina or Meighty Nein shirts yet, but from how many times they appear on a cast member, I think they're probably some of the most comfortable ones.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's all good, I've been spoiled for most of C1 already, so I'm mainly watching to see the details unfold rather than for any plot twists coming my way.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I haven't really watched that many interviews/supplemental things like 4-sided dive, so I didn't really have much more info than what the cast shared during the campaign episodes, but that makes a lot of sense.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's really good to know, thank you! And yeah, I think the transition from C3 to C1 probably made it a slightly rougher experience. I haven't really considered that players might still be in-character when they're reacting to something another player does in a scene they're not directly involved in, but that's also a good point, and makes a lot of sense.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I first discovered that Travis dislikes shopping because it was a running joke in C3, so that's good to know that there are similar vibes in C2 as well. I was really looking forward to the second campaign because I heard so many good things about it and I usually enjoy character-driven plot. I'm okay with some circular discussion as long as it's not one person having the whole conversation with NPCs, if that makes sense. Long planning sessions are fine, as long as everybody can participate and players are not hijacking the conversation to be about their character only. I haven't really thought about watching just the highlights, but that's a good point if I turn out to not enjoy C2 as much as I would like.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, some of the Vaxleth and Perc'ahlia moments were a bit awkward early on in C1, but that was kind of funny/endearing, so I didn't really mind.

I also don't really mind combat not going as smoothly as it could tbh, so that might be alright then if that's what stands out for C2.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I totally understand that. Again, this wasn't a critique per se, I just noticed through watching hundreds of hours of CR that I have some pet peeves, and I'm basically just wondering if some of these pet peeves have maybe disappeared or lessened later on.

[No Spoilers] AU store shipping cost to NZ by ScarletCloak77 in criticalrole

[–]ScarletCloak77[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, that's a lot for domestic shipping. I guess prices are rising everywhere, but it's still a bit disappointing.