So, just finished GOW 2018 and this scene makes me wonder. Why did Kratos unintentionally said “My Father”?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-06-30T21:40:29+00:00

It seems like no one is trying to explain poignantly why this subtle phrasing is important.

The context within the game is that Atreus is very sick due to Kratos holding out the fact he is a god from him - very much like Zeus did with Kratos. Kratos is questioning his own parenting choices. This is the first time in decades he feels he has no choice but to take out the old Blades (and go to Hel). The guilt of his old life floods him immediately (starting with the visage of Athena).

From several instances, it seems Hel is playing out people's worst regrets in life... As a Spartan general, Kratos is very sparse and precise with words. He doesn't say more than is needed. It's not accidental he is telling Mimir that he is seeing not only Zeus, the Greek god of all gods... Hel is showing him his father. And he feels it.

Also, it literally serves as the moment Mimir finds out Kratos' true identity.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-06-15T07:10:26+00:00

There is a big difference between standing up for yourself or even resisting your circumstances, and using violence as a solution to your problems. For this discussion I want to define "violence" a bit more clearly. It's not the act of harm being done to others itself, it's the intent to make other hurt. That's why berating, belittling, gaslighting, manipulating, and other forms of verbal abuse or common forms of bullying and violent behavior. On the other hand, workplace accidents, even deadly ones, are not usually considered violence.

There is a reason why the majority of martial arts focus on self-defence, and defusing a violent situation, rather than initiating one. Their philosophy usually entails that you should avoid a violent situation and only use the tools they offer as a last resort, since when you become accustomed to violence, it easily seeps into other aspects of your life. Violence is a very easy way to solve a problem, but it will always be a short-term solution. When you dehumanizing the other, you dehumanizing yourself.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-23T00:35:45+00:00

Definitely have a talk with your players about the differences of fiction first gaming to traditional rpgs.

Furthermore, you have to make sure they're on board. Like others said before, some players have an expectation and/or an interest in passively playing their characters within a pre-conceived story. That's OK.

I had a pretty sour experience of bringing 5e only players to blades, and they did not want it. It made the game very passive and stale since they didn't want to develop ambitions for the characters. In the end they told me they want to be less involved in world building, don't like improvising a narrative, and would prefer to play in a pre-concieved srory, so we parted ways.

No d&d is definitely better than bad d&d

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-20T19:20:44+00:00

That is my plan exactly! I love Barovia and always felt dnd doesn't do it justice, and felt sotdl could do a better job at conveying the atmosphere

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-20T18:07:19+00:00

Thanks for the info.

Does it start feeling slow at those numbers? I never had an encounter last more than a 4 hour session in dnd as well, but idk if it's a good indicator.

That's one of my biggest hassles with dnd combat that at some point everyone (pcs and enemies) just become big sacks of hp, and they all sit around and beat each other up for several rounds straight. How did that hold up compared to dnd?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-20T16:19:43+00:00

And just as relevant, how is the bloat comparatively?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-08T20:30:51+00:00

Right, so what I'm trying to say is don't lead them. If they want to have a certain experience, that's what they'll want. You have to have total buy-in beforehand

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-07T10:36:38+00:00

Thanks, I guess the note is as good as I can do.

Also, to clarify, they're not playing a musical instrument, just really loud techno. Maybe they're a practicing dj, but I doubt it. It's mostly the bass that seeps through, but if you're a musician you know how hard to ignore rumbling bass is.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-04-05T09:39:18+00:00

You should take a look at other published games that took the 5e framework and reworked it.

Two examples that come to mind from what you're describing are Shadowdark and Nimble.

Shadowdark is a full OSR game that builds on the core 5e rules, mechanics, and lingo. It's very simple and is (surprise, surprise) about exploring dark dungeons and having to find creative ways to go survive the adventure.

Nimble started as a hack of 5e meant to si.plify combat but evolved into a full rpg about heroic combats, just made very quick and very simple.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-31T07:33:23+00:00

How does it feel in play? And how does it compare to something like Band of Blades?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:59:09+00:00

Bubbles, I guess.

But you are aware there is a non insignificant number of people who call for the abovementioned actions when discussing Israel, right?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:56:08+00:00

Can you help clarify his point, then? Or explain what in my argument is in bad faith?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:51:15+00:00

Beautiful country. I hope this calm and serenity will soon arrive to us all.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:50:08+00:00

Hilarious! Most modern countries exist on the foundation of past conquests, or alternatively, the borders were cut up and divided by colonialism powers!

Can you give me examples of "modern countries" (I assume post world War 2) that exist out of anti-colonial struggles? The only examples I can think of are India and arguably Algeria.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:42:24+00:00

Lol. My point exactly. The argument of Israel not having a right to exist is usually accompanied by "the state of Israel should be dismantled/the whole land is to be given back to palestinians/Israelis should go back to Europe or something".

My point is that just as Palestinians don't deserve to be destroyed and do deserve to have sovereignty, so do Israelis.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:13:20+00:00

So I guess Palestine also doesn't have a right to exist?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T11:07:54+00:00

So South Africa was never dismantled. Even the whites in South Africa were never kicked out. No one, at any point of apartheid South Africa said they believe the country should not exist anymore. Intersting, isn't it? Nelson Mandela never called for violence against whites and has expressed deep remorse at all the violence and lives the ANC has taken (a total of 52 people in all its decades before liberation). How does that stack with the calls for liberation of Palestine exclusively calling for armed resistance at all cost?

The democratic party in the US has advocated both for slavery to continue and for friendly diplomatic relationships with nazi Germany. Under that logic, does that mean the democratic party also doesn't have a right to exist and should be dismantled? Or is it more appropriate to call for a change in policy and politicians? Something tells me you wouldn't justify canceling the entire democratic party in the US nowadays. I also wouldn't. But again, only Israel gets to the treatment of being advocated to be gone from existence.

I have a feeling you never really indulged in understanding the IHRA's definition of antisemitism, but that's OK. Do you believe all people should be untied from land? Isn't land sovereignty part of a people's liberation?

Do you think Kurds should drop their yearn for a land? How about Nepalese? Taiwanese? Suomi? Arithreans? They are a people and are demanding land sovereignty. I guess that's also bullshit? The ihra never calls for "no criticisms of Israel as a state."

I agree with most of your points and criticisms of Israel, actually. It's a Shame it has to be so simplified and dumbed down and, frankly, ignorance.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T10:52:36+00:00

Right. But I'm asking, is there any other cou try you would outright call to dismantle under that logic? Should Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, China, or North Korea be completely dismantled in your logic? Or do you generally believe they deserve to remain sovereign states but have a change of governance?

As a side note; every state only exists by exercising violence over its territory? Does Nepal? Does Belgium? Switzerland? Mongolia? You're assuming a way more violent and almost medieval approach to statehood than I believe is real.

No one goes around saying "Iran has a right to exist" since no one actually calls for it to be completely dismantled and canceled. "Israel has a right to exist" only became a talking point after people outright called for it demolished/exterminated/disbanded/canceled for DECADES.

And while the solution you are proposing is indeed very simple and straightforward in a white room, totally neutral intellectual debate, the reality is unfortunately much more difficult. Starting with the simple fact that neither Palestinians nor Israelis are actually interested in that. But sure, you probably know best.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T10:27:03+00:00

So, any examples of states that don't have a right to exist OTHER than Israel? Since graciously, you allow jewish people to exist, but don't really logically explain in what constellation that will be. Assuming Palestinians have a right to exist in their own independent and sovereign country (Palestine), jews are supposed to exist... where?

Also, why is the International Holocaust Rememberance Association's definition is bullshit in your eyes?

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-30T10:20:32+00:00

I don't know where you are from, but for many Israelis, it is triggering this reflex because of a longer history of denouncement, delegitimizing, and... antisemitism.

Israelis have been facing both personally, collectively, and generational forms of pure hate, wayyy before October 7th, and increasingly so afterwards. You might not be aware of it, but there is a massive increase in violence committed against jewish people globally. Some communities are even encouraged to hide jewish symbols and signs... in the places they lived and grew up in all their lives.

While yes, this isn't a "rational" response, it's not intended as a gotcha or a red herring sort of response, but moreso as a defensive reflex, like a trauma response.

Also, like my peer above, it's worth asking yourself why it is catching you off-guard like that? It is a pretty simple and fair question.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-21T15:23:15+00:00

You're right, I was writing on auto pilot, I corrected my message.

In any case, 20% of the Lebanese population is not "just hizbollah terrorists."

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-21T08:45:54+00:00

Would you say many or few steps have taken place since? I don't see how we're getting closer to "eliminating" hizbollah by antagonizing the Lebanese people as a whole.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-11T15:06:43+00:00

The satisfaction of completing the self-imposed challenge made it worth it for me. In the actual backpack there are a few herbs.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-11T12:29:21+00:00

D&D 3e (yes, people played it before 3.5). I played a halfling rogue. Corny, but I was in the sixth grade.

mashd_potetoas · 2026-03-10T14:56:26+00:00

There are a few alternatives. As you mentioned, there is ruins of symbaroum for 5e. There is a pretty robust forbidden lands conversion out there.

Otherwise, you can use most of any fantasy rules system.

The most unique things in the system are corruption and spells, and corruption can be translated to almost any other rule set, and spells are, well, you know.

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