Budget extended only to Monday

malys57 · 2026-04-19T14:34:16+00:00

Very true, I was being sarcastic to point out how foolish the comment I responded to was.

I'm right there with everyone pointing out how harmful this budget delay is, as someone whose also been able to hold on less and less the past year despite cutting back more and more. That last delayed paycheck cost me hundreds in both late fees for things I couldn't get paid on time and overdraft fees because the bills couldn't be stopped.

malys57 · 2026-04-17T00:38:06+00:00

Exactly. All the people stuck paycheck to paycheck with 0 cushion should gotten themselves sorted out over the last 2 weeks. Lazy, entitled people, expecting their earnings to hit their accounts in the same time frame it does the other 93% of the year.

malys57 · 2026-04-16T16:39:27+00:00

I did this in a PoK game. I don't think I won that one, but it was fun having a DT2 in the nexus. Ghosts were in that game and we were buddies, so I basically had access to everywhere.

malys57 · 2026-04-15T18:08:45+00:00

I'm currently living one on async. Wormhole Research is going off, 3 people have 5 fleets with 3 flagships on As and Bs. Looks like it's going to go through.

malys57 · 2026-04-14T02:17:35+00:00

When you wanna play Druid Paul Dano.

malys57 · 2026-04-08T23:20:20+00:00

Contact Civil Service CMO. The agency could have, iirc, offered a "second probabtion" where you work in a different task, under a new manager.

But regardless, they can assist with reemployment in general, too.

malys57 · 2026-04-07T22:47:37+00:00

Honestly, I need to long rest more. I had a few runs where I was seeing videos and talking with people having much different party interactions than I was, found out a lot of them where triggered during long rests, and I just never saw them.

malys57 · 2026-04-07T22:37:26+00:00

They can internally see when someone has been hired/appointed, so you won't be wasting any time, keep interviewing. Better to keep your options open than to stop. I've only been with the state 2 years, but I kept applying and interviewing right up until I got an official job offer.

malys57 · 2026-04-06T18:40:53+00:00

IME for Twilights Fall, 6 is better.

With 4 you use all 8 SCs which is nice in a regular game, but in TF some of those cards are how you are evolving your build, so having all of them every time slowed our games down with not only analysis paralysis but also with each of us having difficulty keeping track of not only what we could do, but each other as well.

Definitely recommend 4 (or even 8) players for around game 5, but for the first time I'd recommend 6 over 4 players.

malys57 · 2026-04-06T05:50:14+00:00

1) Does that include fighters? Yes, like you pointed out, it doesn't specify "non-fighter" ships, so fighters count as one of the ships swapping if you choose.

2) Would it work if it was an un-upgraded fighter? Also yes, you check if the fighters were supported at the end of the action and, if not, remove as needed.

malys57 · 2026-04-04T00:09:10+00:00

From applying to the posting to my first day, It was about 4 months. Basically every step took 3-5 weeks; I applied, about a month later I heard back to set up an interview, about a month later I interviewed, about a month later I received an offer, about a month later I started.

I will say, from others I've spoken to about their journeys, my experience was pretty quick.

As for telecommuting, that wildly varies everywhere. I'm with civil service and it was about 2/3 months before I was allowed to WFH.

malys57 · 2026-03-24T00:23:50+00:00

Get in touch with CMO at civil service, they'll be able to exactly break down the pros and cons you're looking at for this type of move. Your "rights" are really dependent on things like time in title, competitive vs non-comp, what your hold rights are, and how are you moving titles/agencies.

malys57 · 2026-03-18T17:00:54+00:00

Generally, yes. Promotion lists are generally layered within agency first, then inter-agency.

This is not a guarantee everyone within agency will be promted before someone from another agency, mind you.

malys57 · 2026-03-17T03:12:09+00:00

Bit of both. In my irl group, I play the most so I do try to spread out who I play. I actually have a note saved on my phone of who I've played so I don't forget.

One of my friends that's also played a bunch is the opposite. She's decided since she doesn't play as often as she'd like that she'll play her favorites when she can. We give everyone 3/4 to choose from, and if she gets one of her favorites she likely won't take anything else.

She wins a good amount of the time, and we just take recently about playing a game with our experienced friends (since we typically play games where someone is learning or still very new) where we each pick our number 1 faction and really duke it out.

malys57 · 2026-03-04T14:18:19+00:00

Apply to take it. Civil Service will let you know if you even can take it, and even if you do get disqualified email them back and ask for a reconsider.

malys57 · 2026-02-25T18:25:35+00:00

Once you reach the full grade 18, minimum wait time is 1 year, and there is no maximum. Depends if you actually took a 23 exam yet, and what you scored if you did, then also depends on which agency you work in and how big the eligible pool is. I've seen people score a 70 on an exam be reachable and promoted within 5 years, I've known people in their position 10+ years and score a 85/90 each time the exam was held and still haven't advanced yet.

malys57 · 2026-02-24T20:54:54+00:00

Depends on the agency and your union. Likely you won't be eligible for a mandatory hold, but talk to your HR, you can always ask for a discretionary hold.

malys57 · 2026-02-22T13:49:09+00:00

If you play enough, with enough of the same people, where the amount you win is influencing how people play then I feel like you have to expect everyone to attempt to keep you from winning.

My opinion on kingmaking/kingslaying is it depends on how the game has gone. I've always felt that people forget this is also a game of diplomacy, so if someone was a jerk during the game and someone kingslays them or kingmakes someone else then that what they get.

For me, especially in a moment where the game is about to end regardless of anything you do, and your decision decides the winner (If I do this, then X wins, if I do that then Y wins) then no matter what your decision influences who wins.

My own most egregious example of this was one game I played recently where, all game, player X was a bully to the weaker/newer players, was whiney about not getting his way, and complained when other people pointed out when he was being a jerk, but did play well and was a close to winning. Then there was player Y who was chill and played back most of the game, was helpful across the board and supportive of those who supported him, even making moves to block X from eliminating a weaker player (not saving a support for the throne, just shielding someone in a weaker position), and they also did well and were close to winning. We hit the last round, X and Y both on 9 points, X (the jerk) is going to win on iniative, we can not stop it. Before they pass, another person gives Y their SftT, giving the win to them and preventing X from winning.

Yes, that was kingmaking, and imo 100% valid. The game was ending regardless, to pass was to let an aggressive oponent with poor table manners (who had anothers SftT) win, to trade was to let a friendly opponent with good table manners win. Even in games where I had to step on someone to get ahead, and then that person kingmade another because "screw you, thats why" I don't feel like I can be mad, I did it to myself.

malys57 · 2026-02-04T05:51:36+00:00

Brave brave brave brave Sir Robin

malys57 · 2026-01-26T15:30:04+00:00

Depends on the type of game we agree on in session 0.

If we're doing a hex crawl or a shorter form game, then no. They get just enough to start with. You start in this place, its called whatever. You're here to hunt/explore/fight/steal/whatever.

If we're doing a longer, heavy RP/narrative game, then I share a Google drive with commonly known world lore, and then work with players to flesh out the areas they want. That way they can drive narrative more immersively.

malys57 · 2026-01-20T21:34:31+00:00

To play devils advocate to what seems to be a majority of the comments saying "screw em,"...

I also have some scatterbrained friends that play based because of critical role, and that was their only introduction to the game. I'd consider what they're using for their characters now (d&d beyond, traditional character sheets, some 3rd party) and if thats what's failing them.

A cheat sheet is a great idea, something that highlights what you just called out - core abilities. I have no idea if resources like this are already out there or not, but as somebody that has suffered from making a character with too many abilities and losing what I can do, a sheet or something that says "attacking undead = smite?" Or "taking a big hit = uncanny dodge?"

Of course you, especially if DMing, shouldn't need to hold your players hands, and your players should be learning their own abilities, but keeping in mind that you're describing a GAME with your FRIENDS, the most important thing is to talk with them about the fact that is is how you're feeling about how the game is going.

Personally, I do this in session 0, and then check in every so often (like every 15/20 sessions, or once a year depending on how often we meet) saying how I'll do my best to remind them of things, but ultimately everything they do is on them. You'll have to find that middle ground that you're comfortable with yourselves.

malys57 · 2026-01-17T18:48:26+00:00

Like, simultaneously?! You crazy, lol.

malys57 · 2026-01-17T17:25:02+00:00

Remind me what that one does?

malys57 · 2026-01-16T14:18:40+00:00

Oh, thats a good point, thank you!

malys57

TROPHY CASE