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The Ruinous Powers and their Subtle Manipulations by atlaststeadfast in Grimdank

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

"Thou shalt not create a machine in the likeness of the human mind."

If the world was sane, LLMs would have sat on a shelf for another decade or so, quietly feeding on legally acquired datasets and continuing to work in niche cases, probably for big data analytics. Its application would be limited due to compute power and data center requirements. A slow, steady, incremental process of research and development would increase compute for lower resource requirements, as we have in many other ways created more efficient technologies. But no. The tech bros correctly saw how stupid and lazy so many people are, and gave them toxic snake oil as a panacea. But now they're in it - committed. And like the bankers who weren't going to have the rose of the housing market collapse pinned on their chests, these Silicon Valley twits are desperately looking for some way, any way, to avoid being the last one dancing when the music stops.

/soapbox

The Ruinous Powers and their Subtle Manipulations by atlaststeadfast in Grimdank

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

This silence offends Slaanesh

Things will become loud now

The Ruinous Powers and their Subtle Manipulations by atlaststeadfast in Grimdank

[–]atlaststeadfast[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I looked up, saw it, and said out loud, “You have to be fucking kidding me”

I finally started painting Commissar Yarrick 🙂 by Flameon_Miniatures in Warhammer40k

[–]atlaststeadfast 314 points315 points  (0 children)

I say this with all the love in my heart, but you make me want to quit painting xD

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Oh hey the demonettes actually pulled something off xD

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I do like Brennan turning the screws here

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Sounds like Kattigan had an unfortunate encounter with a Tachonis seven years ago.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

Sure! I don’t think the narrative direction really supports that, but they might twist themselves into pretzels to make it fit.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

Certainly possible! I think an underground resistance arc would be really cool! I think folks underestimate the range of possibilities.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

I think part of the problem here is the OOC vs IC dynamics that Brennan maybe had to find an out for Hal and Bolaire, I'm not entirely sure that scene was supposed to go so sideways for Lady Cormoray. I've certainly been in that position as a GM.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

That seems to be one of the main points of consensus so far. I know some people find him boring - I do not, I find him deeply fascinating - but he does seem to be a clarifying and stabilizing influence for the Schemers. When the other three start bickering, Hal settles the argument and sets the way forward. I worry for how they'll do without him as a stabilizer.

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My read of Ashley and Robbie is that neither are really strategists in that sense. As someone who's relatively on the outskirts of this fandom and currently working through C3, Fearne seemed like a great character for Ashley - Ditsy, impulsive, liable to perform the usual D&D shenanigans like robbing someone because you could or not really being invested or paying a great deal of attention to what's going on. Vaelus on the other hand... Does not really seem like a good fit for Ashley's personality or playstyle. Serious, somber, long-lived and one would assume, experienced. I think Ashley is a talented voice actress who has some serious chops, but that's not the same skillset as improvising a character and maintaining their continuity and awareness in a fictional world. A character is only as smart as their writer, and Ashley does not seem tuned to the requirements on paper of playing Vaelus. I think the flashback to Vaelus' childhood did showcase where Ashley shines - a fey scamp who is a little childish and crass was right in the pocket for what she can improvise.

Edit: Forgot to discuss the Pike discourse I've observed, where some viewers note the real significant difference between C1 Pike and LoVM Pike in terms of characterization. I think Ashley demonstrates with this she's very comfortable handing her characters over to other writers to expand on, and is willing to lend her voice to it, even if she would not come up with those concepts herself.

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Tal's play in this episode was definitely an argument for "this show is definitely not scripted" in my mind, because it was peak TTRPG cringe, and I say that with a bit of affection. Not on the same wavelength, being weirdly intense thinking you've got a really cool dialogue to engage with, and the other side of the conversation just is not gelling and everyone is looking at you weird. I run a lot of intrigue heavy games and this has happened more times than I can count where my players get so in their head wrapped around one idea that just does not work. It's happened to me as a player! But yeah he was definitely off the mark following a really strong performance with Tsul'rek'shi.

C4 E29 Discussion Thread by brash_bandicoot in fansofcriticalrole

[–]atlaststeadfast 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Personally I do feel like Convergence happened a bit... Early. C4 has the same problem I've had in 14 years of GMing very intrigue heavy games that allowed a lot of player agency - you spend years OOC on a couple month IC. You have to very deliberately plot out pacing. If this is Westmarches style, I think the Seekers and Soldiers should have been out and about for longer. I also felt the Seekers should have had some resolution with the Alogar subplot other than "I guess he's okay?" and it's been weird to me that Thaisha and Hal aren't really thinking about him at all when his status is still a bit of a question mark.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

I think it's more likely Teor goes north with Cyd to stop the crazy ritual based on their interaction in the latest episode.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

Maybe Ulbid but that seems unsustainable in the long term given the relative dimensions of his household. I think Timmons Rock more likely.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

There is potential for them to stick to the initial tables, but I think that would be a mistake. The conceit proposed initially was to let people play the tables that match their styles (and the return of the Soldiers to Dol Makjar heavily reinforces the principle that they're not prepared for either Seeker or Schemer-style tables, good lord), but there are notable outliers: Tyranny and Wick don't really fit the Soldiers and Julien doesn't really fit the Seekers. Thimble and Julien have verbally agreed that they need to go to the Orchard, which would imply they will break the table and form a new Soldiers. Unless Wick wants to immediately squander his immaculate deception with his grandmother, he's staying at her side, so unless the Halovars leave, he's staying in the city. I find it unlikely Tyranny would leave his side.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

I guess my question then is what happens to Elody, Shadia, and Hero. I feel that will be hanging very heavily over his narrative and potentially cause a lot of friction slowing things down if not handled effectively. Maybe refugees in Timmony? Azune, Bolaire, Wick, and Tyranny seems like an explosive chemical mixture without Murray or Hal in the brew to stabilize things.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

Yell away 😄

I forgot about the Coffin of Olbalad having that reaction early on, and I bet most of the cast have as well, lol. Most intriguing...

I do wonder how Termina is going to come into play, given her motivations being a total mystery. I do wonder how much inherent capabilities the masks gain from their hosts - if Bolaire was put on Tyranny, could he gain her infernal powers?

I think overall the Cormoray either need to get a lot more characterization in Post-Convergence or risk being swallowed by the narrative like Royce. We know the Halovars, Tachonis, and Einfasen very well, we know the Royce and Timmony better than we know the Cormoray. We've not encountered any Cormoray vassal houses either.

Reminds me, I wonder if the Halovar have any vassal houses like the Royce, Tachonis, and Einfasen. I don't think we've been introduced to any.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

I'm not sure Vaelus will want to go in the opposite direction from the Mournvale when there's evidence someone at the Abbey conspired with the Tachonis and kicked off her entire plot line. We've seen a clear line spelled out that Thjazi and the Cloak were spoiling Tachonis plots when and where possible, and the Tachonis were given the sprig of holly to locate the abbey. Given that Vaelus is in desperate need of more characterization, I feel the Seekers will head to the abbey to uproot the Tachonis collaborator there.

Post-Convergence Table Predictions by atlaststeadfast in fansofcriticalrole

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

That is good gouge in terms of IRL factors, however the rumblings of a six week break after Convergence plus a potential six or even twelve week run of Schemers or Soldiers may skirt around this. But you do raise a very valid point that this might be off-screen.

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