tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69499726946721031502024-02-21T04:48:32.072+00:00Thaddeus the SixthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger722125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-79625712601398547162023-11-10T07:14:00.001+00:002023-11-10T07:14:43.808+00:00Review: Forged in Blood I (Emperor’s Edge book 6), by Lindsay Buroker<p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">It’s been a little while, but good to get back to the Emperor’s Edge series which is a little outside my standard high/classic/medieval fantasy (I’ve also been binge-reading The Black Company, which I might collectively review once I finish Soldiers Live).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Obviously there are spoilers for previous entries, though I’ll try and keep those and current book spoilers to a minimum.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWJ6B8plCAZTI_CXMsVM_-Sn5X7kqURv333pQLg40rf-4ckTbqg9AeGNeM7LrUxnDJnRaqaXNGjptEANwwssJq7P6utd4ixAaY7eHy3iokFTNWgXQlaits7YgXacDAtaOpD2Hbx_kidh6jg8Qwi1cGnTtuQK3yhlpdHXZwDy6Zv8pwEoL15PzMl6z81Uf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWJ6B8plCAZTI_CXMsVM_-Sn5X7kqURv333pQLg40rf-4ckTbqg9AeGNeM7LrUxnDJnRaqaXNGjptEANwwssJq7P6utd4ixAaY7eHy3iokFTNWgXQlaits7YgXacDAtaOpD2Hbx_kidh6jg8Qwi1cGnTtuQK3yhlpdHXZwDy6Zv8pwEoL15PzMl6z81Uf=w213-h320" width="213" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The story picks up with our band of assorted rapscallions back in the capital, with Emperor Sespian officially deemed out of the picture (although actually still very much alive and well and rescued by Amaranthe and her chaps). Already the contest for the throne is underway, with Maldonado’s brother (a general) backed by his own men and Forge, while other claimants have powerful support as well, and some generals are standing fast and considering their options.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Soldiers in the city are showing support for one faction or another with coloured armbands, and while fighting hasn’t broken out there’s simmering tension in the air. Propaganda has replaced news, and a chance discovery by Sicarius presents a possible means of infiltrating Forge. Amaranthe, keen to do something about their incredible technological edge (sure to guarantee victory should it come to outright war), seeks to exploit the opportunity. At the same time, Sespian is sent to make contact with a neutral general in order to try and build support at reclaiming his throne. Sicarius goes along to shadow his son, while the other members of Amaranthe’s merry men are split between the two.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">I did find myself getting sucked into the book a lot, with various tense/action scenes nicely done, and some ambiguity here and there adding to uncertainty in a good way. Slightly less a fan of the ‘ending’ (it’s only part 1 of Forged in Blood, to be fair) for reasons I can’t really explain without massive spoilers, but it’s certainly not a deal-breaker or anything like that.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">I’ll still be picking up part 2 in the nearish future, and am currently reading The Guardians of Byzantium, book 1, a historical fiction set in 395 AD.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Thaddeus</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-24817181402293516982023-11-05T07:29:00.004+00:002023-11-05T07:29:59.191+00:00Guest Blog: Spinning A Good Yarn Again, by Damaris Browne<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Back in 2019 I was lucky enough to be involved in the publishing of </span><a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2019/08/guest-blog-anthologising-not-just.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Distaff</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">, which went where no woman had gone before by being not only among the first SF anthology featuring all new stories by women and women alone – indeed, perhaps the </span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">very</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> first of this elite band – but which was moreover wholly devised, organised, written, edited and produced by women. From concept and cover, through editing and formatting, to the launch eats and promotional designs, it was women all the way.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Which was where the title came in, since a distaff is the rod on which raw fibres were traditionally wound prior to spinning, a task invariably carried out by women, and as a result “distaff” came to signify women’s work and their sphere of influence. And in our view, SF – both the reading and writing of it – was also women’s work as much as it was men’s, and despite decades of female-written SF, it still needed to be further influenced by women and their ideas, concepts and concerns.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">But </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Distaff</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> wasn’t simply trailblazing, it was also award-nominated, with five of its stories, as well as its cover, being </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">longlisted in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">the British Science Fiction Association Awards, and one story went on to win a coveted place in the 2019 Best of British SF anthology.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Crowned with that success, in early 2020 we decided to spin a few yarns again. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSlWJ1EwuAh3g03uaQoXV2r5s0n4lQqsmY-f-YUc72or0M0kWqbrxuT4V-JaoFXogRarTEDKoNahOfIAFex7TSslA7tDEkyAFkzHsXVtX_UyNYymj60cEOAmkGhHcQzO_WhVZ8y7i8OSz02LNg49IRlLozGvRqGZb17CtCdZq4G1tpI4MY9z2isocdrVQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSlWJ1EwuAh3g03uaQoXV2r5s0n4lQqsmY-f-YUc72or0M0kWqbrxuT4V-JaoFXogRarTEDKoNahOfIAFex7TSslA7tDEkyAFkzHsXVtX_UyNYymj60cEOAmkGhHcQzO_WhVZ8y7i8OSz02LNg49IRlLozGvRqGZb17CtCdZq4G1tpI4MY9z2isocdrVQg=w400-h209" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">At any time, putting together an anthology with several participants is frustrating and rewarding in equal measure, but with the myriad complications arising from the Covid Years, the many-skeined frustrations multiplied. Yet the power of women lies in our endurance, and we’ve threaded our way past all the hitches with our material finished at last.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKR68KxU54s3hE-QPDr-lHgffdE2DLj3hzmisyMajt9N9-TVSdsDrsKPoqdhSbm-OIbcZNpvCkqTbPDHItMcEwJC_mx-AXxHXo3ptUaegFAgzfOSPnXVd7AWe1TYTvDzGTbkJaga_yaG8TJ0YbtFtwc4rCFC_5jglHKShiwI4QhC6VEtFKgUbXYKhLmf-z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The stories we’ve woven this time are fantasy, not SF, but </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Femmes Fae-Tales</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> is again a work wholly devised and created by women and non-binary writers and artists.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">As our punning title suggests, the main characters of our stories are also women, but it is we who are the </span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">femmes fatales</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">, spinning stories alive with allure and danger. The warp and weft knitting together the full cloth of the anthology are strands of peril and enchantment – of magic, of power and of the fascinating, bewitching fae themselves.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Entwined among the tales of glamour, charm, temptation and seduction are stories of loss – lost children, lost minds, lost hope, lost integrity, lost pasts – and also of discovery, not least of ancient magicians and ensorcelled amphibians!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">But above all we’ve been weaving stories of love and atonement and redemption – of regaining what was lost, of learning from past mistakes, of redemptive sacrifice, of finding one’s true self, of returning to truth and rejecting false promises. The very fabric of women’s lives throughout the ages.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Distaff </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">women are spinning tales once again with </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Femmes Fae-Tales</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">. But as before, although they’re written by women, they’re not only </span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">for</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> women – they’re for anyone who loves a good yarn!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Femmes Fae-Tales</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">– by women, about women, for everyone <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Femmes-Fae-Tales-Fantasy-Anthology-Authors-ebook/dp/B0CLSWTW9Y" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Link to buy on Amazon</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-7938366735418808652023-10-13T11:22:00.000+01:002023-10-13T11:22:03.748+01:00Baldur’s Gate 3 (PS5) review<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">I spent about 68 hours of playthrough time completing my first game of Baldur’s Gate 3, and at the time of writing I’ve almost completed Act 1 in a new game. And here’s what I made of it. Spoilers will be kept to an absolute bare minimum.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Story</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The premise of Baldur’s Gate 3, which is made plain right from the off and isn’t a spoiler, is that the player character has been infected with a horrid mindflayer ‘tadpole’ that will soon turn them into a mindflayer (psionic alien thingydoo with tentacles that eats brains). Luckily, the ship on which the player is captive is attacked and crashes, enabling them to escape and try to get healed, potentially alongside other infected ex-prisoners.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The player can have a party of up to four, with three pre-made NPCs or hired hands (without any special dialogue, quests, or other than wafer-thin personality) making up the numbers. Options in dialogue and action are significant and do not fall into simple good/evil variations (though some choices are obviously nicer than others). DnD fans should be aware there’s also no alignment here, so don’t expect chaos/law to be tagged in dialogue choices or affect anything. Naturally, NPC companions will like or dislike certain things. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">There’s often more than two choices to be made that substantially affect an outcome, and these can occur via dialogue or by action. A minor example of this is how I freed someone only to then be confronted by an individual over this. The irate individual then summoned a lot of help and things escalated to a full-blown battle. While I’ve only played through once right now, it’s pretty clear that certain actions affect things down the line and it feels like choices can shape the story significantly (I’m quite tempted to start an evil playthrough to experiment with this, although I’m torn between Electra the drow storm sorceress, and the halfling bard Little Schmidt).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Discussing the story in precise terms is impossible, and I don’t want to spoil it. In general, very vague terms, I liked the way it unfolded and the very clear variety of different approaches that can be taken. In addition to the main quest, companions have their own quest lines which are among the most interesting in the game. It can also often be worth it to have conflicting party members to enjoy the antagonistic banter. The majority of companions are found in the first act, with a small number in act two and one in the third act, potentially.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Character Creation</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">It’s possible to play as one of the various pre-made NPCs (I think every companion that can be found in the first act). However, most people prefer to make their own character, and this has a lot of options in most areas. In a shocking turn, there are actually multiple good hairstyles (a rarity in RPGs), although preset faces are only 10 in number. Skin and eye colour (including ocular heterochromia, or different coloured eyes), tattoos, scars, and more can be customised. Larger races also have a quartet of body types (essentially, slim male and female and stronger/bigger variants). No fat body types, though.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Be sure to switch nudity on or off as you like in the settings as this might be OTT for some, or delightful for others. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Aside from the physical side of things, character creation covers races. Each has their own features and sometimes offer unique dialogue options (my second character, a white dragonborn monk, has had quite a lot of class and racial dialogue choices). This is the most minor impact of the class, which determines combat style and, to a lesser extent, social engagement. Classes like sorcerer, warlock, wizard, and bard offer a strong magic focus, while the monk, barbarian, rogue, and fighter are largely about physical conflict. Rangers, paladins, and clerics are more mixed. Be aware the subclass (chosen at different levels, but all, I think, in the first three) can add a big degree of variety and the monk and fighter can take on an arcane aspect with the Way of the Four Elements and Eldritch Knight subclasses respectively. This can be a good way of balancing a party.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Charisma-focused classes such as paladin, sorcerer, warlock, and bard offer the best chance of doing well in social interactions (and if you want to be overpowered in these pick up the cantrip Friends and enjoy advantage, although this has later negative consequences on the hardest game setting, I believe).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Racial variety, incidentally, can vary a bit, as there are 10 different types of dragonborn. This determines not just appearance but breath weapon (with resistance [halving the damage] for the corresponding element). Elves, meanwhile, have just two (wood and high) with drow (dark elf) being considered a separate race.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">For the most part, I like character creation a lot, although more facial variety would be good.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Appearance can be altered in camp via the magic mirror, while Withers (also in camp) enables changing class. Note that changing race is not possible.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Gameplay</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Gameplay has three main aspects: combat, stealth, and dialogue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Those familiar with Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition will be right at home, though there have been changes. I also recommend setting reactions (mostly opportunity attacks) to be asked about rather than occurring automatically. Even for opportunity attacks this can matter, but as other reactions can use up class resources (ki points for the monk or battlemaster fighter superiority dice) having them happen automatically can drain said resources unhelpfully. Some spells have changed how they work (polymorph has been massively nerfed) but, broadly speaking, it’s very faithful to the tabletop game.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">For those unfamiliar with how this works, it’s similar to either XCOM or Divinity: Original Sin 2 (also by Larian). Physical attacks can be made any number of times, magical attacks, excepting basic cantrips, can only be done if there are available spell slots. These can only be replenished with rare potions or upon a long rest (save the warlock, who has fewer spell slots but gets them all back on a short rest). There are also some individual class resources, such as monk ki points, or channel divinity for clerics. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Summon spells, whether elementals near the top end or the cleric’s early spell Spiritual Weapon, are very useful because they not only add an extra attack or two, they also provide something else for enemies to target.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">On standard difficulty, enemies behave in an intelligent way. Cast Grease on a foe and, if they can, they’ll jump out of the area rather than walk across it. It’s easy to be outmatched. Enemies do not scale to the player’s level and if you’re out of your depth this will soon become apparent. Some fights can be avoided entirely, including some major battles (in the second act I evaded/‘won’ a couple of these with good dialogue checks).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">A good tip for ranged attacks is to dual-wield hand crossbows for two attacks rather than one (although I think this uses up the bonus action). In each turn, a character gets a main action, usually a spell or physical attack but this can also be ‘helping’ a downed character return from KO with 1 hp rather than risking them dying. They also get a bonus action, usually something like jumping (movement permitting), taking a potion, applying a poison to a weapon, or ‘dipping’ which is most commonly putting your weapon in a nearby flame to add fire damage on your next attack. Movement is as it sounds and is halved if you’re prone and stand up.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Stealth can be used to evade combat, steal from people, eavesdrop, or get an advantage in initiating combat. One fight I struggled with (I was slightly underlevelled and it was a tough fight) was eventually won by sneaking to start the fight in a more advantageous position. Note that the party can be easily split at any time so it can be worthwhile to send a rogue or monk ahead to scout things out and leave the clunking, heavy armour-clad fighter a little further back.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Dialogue is often just a matter of choice but there are three specific skills related to it: persuasion, deception, and intimidation. The former is the nicest, the middle is being a talented liar, and the third is a mix of charismatic power and threat level. However, as noted, there are also unique class and race options, and sometimes other skills (such as arcana or history) may offer alternatives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">When not out in the world, the player and party retire to their camp, which includes NPCs not currently in the party and reminded me a bit of Dragon Age: Origins. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">All attack rolls, checks, and saving throws are made using a d20 (20-sided dice).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Graphics</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The extra time and money Larian had means they were able to flesh out the Divinity: Original Sin 2 approach with much better character models allowing for closer shot conversations and cutscenes. For the PS5, there can often be a moment or two before textures decide they want to show up, with hair and armour looking rather potatoey until that happens.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Overall, the graphics are rather good, especially for the genre, but also not the main selling point.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sound</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Voice-acting is very well done, with a mostly British range of accents (although there’s at least one villainous American). This extends beyond the companions to the minor characters, from earnest tieflings to delightfully arrogant goblins. Also, the spell Speak with Animals will offer a large array of new interactions with friendly (and less amicable) beasts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The music and sound effects are both good as well. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Bugs and Other Problems</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Bugs were few, but I did have at least one crash. Over more than 70 hours that’s not horrendous but can obviously be improved. The texture loading I’ve already mentioned.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Occasionally it can be tricky targeting enemies on different levels in combat, or indicating which level a character should move to during battles with various elevations. For the latter, it’s easiest to find a ladder/rope etc and click ‘use’ on that, then move from there. For the former, enemies can be targeted with the left and right on the D-pad, which is a little clunky but can resolve the matter. Targeting can also be awkward either when characters are in close proximity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Replayability</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">With a very large range of class and racial options, numerous party compositions, and varying major and minor decisions to make, there’s a super-abundance of replayability in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you have the time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Be aware that while you can also re-spec NPC companions into new classes this may alter their available dialogue interactions.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes'; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Conclusion</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Baldur’s Gate 3 is a great RPG, and well worth your time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Thaddeus</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-7855699847865474502023-07-25T11:35:00.002+01:002023-07-25T11:35:30.722+01:00Review: Chronicles of the Black Company, by Glen Cook<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:DocumentProperties><o:Revision>1</o:Revision><o:Pages>1</o:Pages><o:Lines>1</o:Lines><o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs></o:DocumentProperties></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings></o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><w:WordDocument><w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel><w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery><w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>2</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery><w:DocumentKind>DocumentNotSpecified</w:DocumentKind><w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>7.8 磅</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing><w:PunctuationKerning></w:PunctuationKerning><w:View>Normal</w:View><w:Compatibility><w:AdjustLineHeightInTable/><w:DontGrowAutofit/><w:BalanceSingleByteDoubleByteWidth/><w:DoNotExpandShiftReturn/></w:Compatibility><w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="260" >
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index 6" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index 7" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index 8" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index 9" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 6" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 7" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 8" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toc 9" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Normal Indent" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="footnote text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="annotation text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="header" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="footer" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="index heading" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="caption" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="table of figures" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="envelope address" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="envelope return" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="footnote reference" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="annotation reference" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="line number" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="page number" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="endnote reference" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="endnote text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="table of authorities" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="macro" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="toa heading" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Bullet" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Number" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Bullet 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Bullet 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Bullet 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Bullet 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Number 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Number 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Number 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Number 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Title" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Closing" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Signature" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Default Paragraph Font" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text Indent" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Continue" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Continue 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Continue 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Continue 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Continue 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Message Header" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Subtitle" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Salutation" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Date" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text First Indent" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text First Indent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Note Heading" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text Indent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Body Text Indent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Block Text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Hyperlink" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="FollowedHyperlink" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Strong" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Emphasis" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Document Map" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Plain Text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="E-mail Signature" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Normal (Web)" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Acronym" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Address" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Cite" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Code" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Definition" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Keyboard" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Preformatted" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Sample" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Typewriter" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="HTML Variable" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Normal Table" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="annotation subject" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="No List" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="1 / a / i" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="1 / 1.1 / 1.1.1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Article / Section" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Simple 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Simple 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Simple 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Classic 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Classic 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Classic 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Classic 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Colorful 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Colorful 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Colorful 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Columns 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Columns 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Columns 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Columns 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Columns 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 6" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 7" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid 8" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 6" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 7" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table List 8" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table 3D effects 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table 3D effects 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table 3D effects 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Contemporary" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Elegant" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Professional" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Subtle 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Subtle 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Web 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Web 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Web 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Balloon Text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Grid" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Table Theme" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Placeholder Text" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="No Spacing" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Dark List" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Shading" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful List" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Grid" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="List Paragraph" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Quote" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Intense Quote" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light List Accent 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5" ></w:LsdException>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="99" SemiHidden="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5" ></w:LsdException>
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</w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chronicles of the Black Company is an anthology of the first three books in the series (<a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-black-company-by-glen-cook.html">The Black Company</a>, Shadows Linger, and The White Rose).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">While Croaker, the Annalist and physician of the Company, is the first person POV we also have a handful of other significant POV characters that work well to flesh out the world and creative narrative intrigue (in one book the main POVs are separate but then converge, for example).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Black Company is a notorious/renowned group of mercenaries who find themselves in a contract with the Lady, a resurrected tyrant aided by powerful sorcerers known as the Taken. While there are rebels, seeking the reborn White Rose (who first put down the Lady and her still slumbering husband), there’s a clear sense they’re not especially virtuous. More a case of two dark grey factions rather than black and white.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although it took me a while to finally get around to the third book (I own the first two as individual copies too) I’m glad I did. The first book is grim without being explicit, and the second has one of the finest characters arcs I’ve ever read with Marrow Shed. The third is full of a looming sense of dread, heightened by the fact I had no idea if the ‘good guys’ would win, and whether the later books followed the Black Company in the past.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lots of fantasy focuses on magic, and while this is present in the world it takes a back seat to the importance of pragmatism and the sometimes unpleasant truth that the smartest move can also be the bloodiest. Plenty of factional infighting adds an extra layer to the battle between the Lady and the rebels, and an extra threat to the Company as they get caught in the middle of squabbling Taken.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m being deliberately vague on plot matters due to the three-book nature of this review, but suffice to say each book rises to a fitting crescendo. The writing style is concise and doesn’t bother with excess embellishment, flim-flam, or falling into the trap of endlessly describing a fantasy world instead of getting on with the plot and character development. I’m already 74 pages into the next book.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thaddeus</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-17759391213507506722023-06-17T06:16:00.002+01:002023-06-17T06:16:21.353+01:00The Black Company, by Glen Cook<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:DocumentProperties><o:Revision>1</o:Revision><o:Pages>1</o:Pages><o:Lines>1</o:Lines><o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs></o:DocumentProperties></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings></o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><w:WordDocument><w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel><w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery><w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>2</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery><w:DocumentKind>DocumentNotSpecified</w:DocumentKind><w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>7.8 磅</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing><w:PunctuationKerning></w:PunctuationKerning><w:View>Normal</w:View><w:Compatibility><w:AdjustLineHeightInTable/><w:DontGrowAutofit/><w:BalanceSingleByteDoubleByteWidth/><w:DoNotExpandShiftReturn/></w:Compatibility><w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="260" >
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</w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">This is a re-read, but it’s been over a decade since I last read The Black Company and in my quest to try and clear bookshelf space I’ve been revisiting some old ones to see if I still like them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The Black Company is old school fantasy and throws the reader right into the thick of things. The aforementioned military outfit is a mercenary company that has its own sense of tradition and honour but does get hired by ropey sorts. Early on, they get hired by Soulcatcher, one of the Taken, ancient wizards recently returned to the world in the enthralled service of the Lady. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">This gets the Company out of an unwanted, pre-existing contract but also means they’re fighting for The Bad Guys in a major war. And it’s not just the enemy on the battlefield they need to watch out for, as the Taken bicker and fight with one another.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">The POV is Croaker, the Black Company’s annalist and surgeon, and generally a good egg. Other major characters in the Company include the Captain (unnamed beyond the rank), wizards Silent, One Eye and Goblin, and newcomer Raven (who is a cold fish but very talented at killing things).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">There’s very much a theme of war soon stripping away the virtuous idea of good versus evil, which is a little grim if realistic. Easy to read and relatively short, The Black Company doesn’t waste time faffing about and the antagonism between the Taken is shown very clearly early on, which adds an interesting extra dimension to the story There’s also a prophecy that The White Rose has been reborn, having in an earlier incarnation defeated the Lady (and her still trapped husband the Dominator). That could present a way out for the Black Company from their contract with the Lady…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Overall, I liked The Black Company a lot. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">As a side note, I have the second book, Shadows Linger, and am going to start it shortly, but it’s annoying that the third, The White Rose, isn’t available except second hand or as part of a first-three-books compilation.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">Thaddeus</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-font-kerning: 0.5000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"></span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-61490351728499096192023-05-14T07:00:00.001+01:002023-05-14T07:00:38.787+01:00Early Impressions Age of Wonders 4 (PS5)<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Generally speaking,
pre-ordering video games is a bad idea and I don’t usually do it.
However, Age of Wonders 4 seemed to tick so many boxes that I made an
exception and I don’t regret it, having played the game for about a
week.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is a preliminary
sort of review so I can’t draw a full conclusion. I’ve completed
multiple story missions (on easy, admittedly) and have just won a
non-story, normal difficulty game.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Age of Wonders 4 is a
4X strategy game with a fantasy setting. Players have a relatively
small number of cities (3 is standard but this can be modified by
faction creation choices and in-game perks) and can achieve victory
by either conquering other throne cities (capitals), expanding
substantially, achieving magical dominance, or winning a score
victory. The expansion and magical victories both require the
construction of specific structures which must be defended.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Faction and ruler
creation is an undoubted high point. By allowing for a multitude of
small differences these stack up to an astonishing array of variety.
Better yet, the system has been well thought through so there are
very few, perhaps no, wrong choices and the dilemma between roleplay
and gameplay choices is not really present.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There are around 10
fantasy races from which to pick, from fantasy staples of human,
dwarf, elf, and halfling to feline, toad, and mole forms (others
being goblin, orc, and rat). The forms do have default
physical/mental attributes but none are fixed in stone, which is
flexible but does reduce the lore flavour a little.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Players also pick
culture, society traits, the starting magical tome, and their ruler.
The ruler can be either a champion of the same race or a wizard king
(think arcane dictator).</p><br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Other rulers will get
along better with you if you have similar affinities, which are
determined by culture, society traits, and tomes. Likewise, opposing
affinities lead to a more antagonistic predisposition.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Affinities add to
empire progression each turn. This works in two ways, with a specific
affinity working along a specific branch, and all affinities combined
adding up to a general branch. Perks are accessible with sufficient
cumulative affinity, and unlocked using imperium, which is also used
for major decisions like absorbing a conquered city into your empire.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Advancement also occurs
by researching magical tomes. A good bet, especially early on, is
sticking with the same general type (nature, for example) and
deviating either rarely or never. One of the biggest advantages of
research is minor and major race transformations. These upgrade your
race in various ways and usually have a physical representation,
though this can vary from practically unnoticeable to enormous.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Battles play out on a
hex-grid in a somewhat XCOM style. The auto-combat option actually
works very well most of the time and is a viable option if you aren’t
inclined to manually run a fight. Occasionally it’s weaker than one
might hope but sometimes it can turn in fantastic results too.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I’ve played with a
few builds at this stage, having just won my first normal difficulty
sandbox game and a few easy story mode games. There are a lot of
valid strategies, and my last build was a straightforward but fun
ranged focus which worked nicely. City development is critical, as is
getting the right provinces (an early mix of farm, forester, and
quarry plus taking advantage of special features like pastures that
improve yields is advisable).
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There’s also an
underground on the map, although I’ve delved relatively little into
this as yet. I do have plans for a molekin underground empire in the
future. This adds another layer of flexibility as you can travel
underground and emerge on the surface via tunnels (or vice versa). As
many maps are broken up with rivers/seas, or lava, this is one more
thing to consider.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Way too early for a
definitive perspective but right now I’m liking Age of Wonders 4 a
lot.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-86150789815452795052023-04-14T11:17:00.002+01:002023-04-14T11:17:54.803+01:00Review: Classical Mythology, by Helen A Guerber<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Hot(ish) off the heels
of her excellent book on <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2023/03/review-tales-of-norse-mythology-by.html">Norse mythology</a> I bought Guerber’s work on
classical mythology, which I know rather better. As such, there were
fewer surprises and less novelty value. Also, as the intro mentions,
she deliberately avoids what might be called the racier details. In
this edition, which is illustrated, there’s plenty of fantastic
artwork covering the gods, heroes, and monsters of classic myth. Note
that Roman rather than Greek names are usually used, with the
exception of Cronus/Saturn.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FT5_JD2Wgru-F-XxrjUjqW90F-ESqgMY34tb3coZBE8DbBsMTnt3-YSAC2HUQC6cnl8VJ121OtZT-V738Mn7uW5nk7oo1hRwowGbIUleNc2Q17YVmDeqb_HelqP3fTdv4BEhYVtymGyI4YpktIr895FRLUJtEaCC0mUY-MHxzKRUVYbomD7GOA66eg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="865" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FT5_JD2Wgru-F-XxrjUjqW90F-ESqgMY34tb3coZBE8DbBsMTnt3-YSAC2HUQC6cnl8VJ121OtZT-V738Mn7uW5nk7oo1hRwowGbIUleNc2Q17YVmDeqb_HelqP3fTdv4BEhYVtymGyI4YpktIr895FRLUJtEaCC0mUY-MHxzKRUVYbomD7GOA66eg=w270-h400" width="270" /></a></div>We start off with the
creation of the world, then proceed through the various gods and
goddesses, before covering major heroes and then, briefly, minor
gods/spirits. As much be expected, some gods and heroes have bigger
chapters than others (Hercules gets a lot, as one might expect).<p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Overall, the coverage
of stories is very good indeed, although personally I prefer Greek to
Roman names as (almost always) the origins are Greek. It’s also
worth noting there’s no mythological comparison, so this might be
better preceding than succeeding the Norse book.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">While there’s no
detail of the racy stuff (and I think nothing homosexual whatsoever,
though I could be wrong) there is still reference to rape and
abduction etc. Which is just as well for Jupiter or his chapter
would’ve been rather short. In addition to the excellent artwork
there’s also a map at the front/back which isn’t strictly needed
but can be interesting for the various journeys.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As with the very
enjoyable Norse book the writing style presents an engaging amount of
detail without wandering into flabby padding territory, and I often
read more than intended in a session.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My decision to add this
to my sizeable reading pile was very much vindicated, and I recommend
this to anyone after classical mythology tales in a single volume.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-47842164061111474652023-03-27T14:35:00.003+01:002023-03-27T14:35:30.031+01:00Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, by Tad Williams<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Just finished
re-reading, for the first time in about two decades, the whole four
volumes of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, which comes in at over 3,000
pages.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It’s a classic old
school fantasy and, while a little annoying because I was looking to
clear shelf space and am definitely not throwing this out, it was
just as good as I remember.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The author does takes
his time, particularly early on, but for the most part this works
perfectly well and can heighten the drama when the pace picks up. The
world and history is interesting and interesting twists and
characters, as well as original ideas, make this a highly engaging
and enjoyable series.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">NB at the time of
writing, Amazon has a Kindle discount for the whole thing for just
£2.99.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-80020424698829231022023-03-25T10:40:00.000+00:002023-03-25T10:40:01.929+00:00Exercising the Mind with History Podcasts<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Oddly, I’ve become
better at using the exercise bike recently. Partly this is due to the
weirdly helpful practice of listening to Ian Richardson’s narration
of The Prince. However, that is only three hours long so to avoid
repetition I thought I’d try and find some history podcasts.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One that I knew I
wanted was Flash Point History, whose YouTube channel I found a
little while ago. Another was one whose name I could not recall
(turned out to be The Rest Is History) which I’d heard of on my
Twitter History list.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In fumbling about
trying to find those I also stumbled across a couple of others, and
thought it might be interesting to ramble about them a little for
anyone after something similar.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It’ll take me a while
to get through the ‘test’ of each of these (probably aiming for
two half-hour biking sessions for each), so here are the ones I’m
trying out, with links.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>The History of
Byzantium</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dr8qc-2f281/The-History-of-Byzantium-Podcast">https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dr8qc-2f281/The-History-of-Byzantium-Podcast</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Shorter episodes,
around 20-25 minutes early on, with adverts to start with, which
isn’t ideal (although I appreciate a man needs bread). Rather
obviously, the Eastern Roman Empire is the order of the day.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Flash Point History</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/jmncw-53e5d/Flash-Point-History-Podcast">https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/jmncw-53e5d/Flash-Point-History-Podcast</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Only downloaded one
episode as the first was over an hour long. Being familiar with this
channel via YouTube (the Justinian videos are my current lunchtime
viewing) I’m confident I’ll like this, if nothing else in this
blog. Lots of stuff on Eastern Rome, also the Punic Wars, the
Reconquista, and the first episode is on Attila.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Age of Conquest: A
Kings and Generals Podcast</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/jqunq-7e15e/Age-of-Conquest-A-Kings-and-Generals-Podcast">https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/jqunq-7e15e/Age-of-Conquest-A-Kings-and-Generals-Podcast</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The first episode is
almost exactly 30 minutes, and the topic range is looking pretty
hefty (starts off with the Russo-Japanese War, and the Diadochi are
also on the first page of episodes).</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>The Rest is History</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/c5ptp-16c70b/The-Rest-Is-History-Podcast">https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/c5ptp-16c70b/The-Rest-Is-History-Podcast</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Episodes 1 and 2 are
between 30 and 40 minutes long, which is handy for me. Seems to be a
very eclectic mix of topics both in terms of period/place and also
from topics more specific and general (first episode is on
Greatness).</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">That’s a ton of
listening (I think every one has hundreds of episodes in total), but
if anyone has recommendations, do feel free to share them.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-29885930437221833512023-03-04T06:54:00.001+00:002023-03-04T06:54:27.001+00:00Review: Tales of Norse Mythology, by Helen A Guerber
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Just finished reading
this fantastic book, part of the Barnes & Noble Collectible
Editions, and it was exactly what I was after.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">On the book itself:
it’s a lovely leather-bound hardback with gold edging, a ribbon
bookmark, and great illustrations within (mostly paintings but some
statue photographs).</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The text itself dates
back around a century, and I think this is for the better. I’ve
read a more recent book on Norse mythology that had some very
‘current day’ interpretation (Ivar the Boneless as literally
boneless and with cartilage instead as the Vikings moved away from
needing a front rank fighter as leader, disregarding and not even
mentioning the more likely alternative that his nickname is based on
a mistranslation).</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Initially, the book
covers the origin of the world according to Norse mythology, which
also explains the enmity between gods and giants.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR3zAxbG_86Y-fBEEV4l32nEJmumfrjMTlYamDcB004y0_ABw2VfUg_0fAM0rDQsDSIuhi2Gw6p9ZH1tEYpKCWydakZVj1_uEzt7ds3qbcAr1g7sLE4QuPrlhJ9aUJtYnWcrsmq6R-u_CKC3fMjESlevIrE3NKvvVTeguSd3nF1t520-QxWezzn4bYBQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="587" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR3zAxbG_86Y-fBEEV4l32nEJmumfrjMTlYamDcB004y0_ABw2VfUg_0fAM0rDQsDSIuhi2Gw6p9ZH1tEYpKCWydakZVj1_uEzt7ds3qbcAr1g7sLE4QuPrlhJ9aUJtYnWcrsmq6R-u_CKC3fMjESlevIrE3NKvvVTeguSd3nF1t520-QxWezzn4bYBQ=w201-h320" width="201" /></a></div>Following this, things
take a god-by-god approach, with an interesting order. I would’ve
assumed, wrongly, that Odin, Thor, and Loki would be the starting
chaps, but instead it’s Odin, Frigga (his wife), and Thor, with
Loki well towards the end. Each section covers the god’s divine
domain, in both the sense of a physical palace or multiple halls and
the aspect of reality for which they were responsible. Minor
characters of mythology associated with a god, such as Odin’s
wolves Geri and Freki, are mentioned in the relevant god’s
chapters, as are major stories (origin and shenanigans).<p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After the gods we come
to general chapters covering giants, dark elves/dwarves, and elves.
There are also two chapter’s dedicated to sagas (the Volsungs and
the Saga of Frithiof) but there’s no mention of definitively real
world characters such as Ubba, Ivar the Boneless etc.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Then we come to the
penultimate chapter on Ragnarok, and end with an interesting
comparison between Norse and Greek mythology which notes the very
large number of similarities.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The book’s very easy
to read and it’s often noted when there are multiple names (either
minor or major variants) for a god or place. Quotations from other
texts are used often as well, to good effect, and the artwork is all
good stuff. Much detail is present when it comes to gods, with far
more than just the main ladies and gentlemen covered and a lot of
information on the most significant ones.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I like this book so
much that about halfway through reading it I ordered Classical
Mythology by the same author. If I were designing what a great
mythology book should be, this is it.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As the cunningly astute
of you may have surmised, I heartily recommend this book.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-5435791447828336662023-01-23T14:06:00.004+00:002023-01-23T14:06:38.564+00:00History YouTube Channels<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One of my favourite
ways to procrastinate is watching YouTube channels, usually on the
subjects of history, fantasy, or videogames. When I have time to
kill, or sandwiches to vanquish, I normally have a video on,
reminding me of past events or teaching me about new ones. Here are a
few that I like, which may be of interest to you:</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Flash Point History</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is far and away
the newest one (to me) on my list as I only discovered it today, and
have already watched the first three parts of the Reconquista. In
addition to many videos (including subjects such as the Eastern Roman
Empire and Spain), there are also podcasts so if you prefer audio to
visual then this is just the ticket.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FlashPointHx">https://www.youtube.com/@FlashPointHx</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Serapeum</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The second newest to me
is a history channel largely focused on the Western and Eastern Roman
Empire. Serapeum also has videos on Alexander his
Successors/Diadochi, so if Eastern European and Near Eastern history
is your cup of tea this might be right up your street. The
Byzantine/Eastern Roman Empire can be a shade neglected relative to
its Western counterpart, so this is also a very good channel for
bridging that gap.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Serapeum">https://www.youtube.com/@Serapeum</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>History Marche</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One that I’ve watched
for a long time is more focused on the military side of things, and
covers everything from the Punic Wars to medieval battles and clashes
in India and Japan. While most things are in Europe this does offer a
great degree of breadth, and the time frame ranges from the ancient
world to the 20<sup>th</sup> century (although most videos are
earlier than this). Fans of warfare and battle maps will probably
like this a lot.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryMarche/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryMarche/videos</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u>Modern History TV</u></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is a bit different
as all the others are effectively maps of political/military events
with voiceover. Modern History TV is fronted by Jason Kingsley and
covers practical history, learning by doing in many cases. Weirdly,
two of the most interesting videos I found on the channel included
waxed linen (effectively medieval cling film) and rush lights
(cheaper than candles). There’s also plenty on swords, riding, and
little things that can only be learnt in a practical way, such as
wagons have their own unique melody of creaks, or how the shape of a
mule’s back makes riding it a little different to riding a horse.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ModernKnight">https://www.youtube.com/@ModernKnight</a></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Anyway, these are some
of the channels I’ve found most interesting to watch, so perhaps
they’ll be entertaining for you as well.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-24561236613480210742022-12-11T09:47:00.001+00:002022-12-11T09:47:41.479+00:00Review: Four Against Darkness<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A little while ago I
bought Four Against Darkness, which is a solo (solitaire) RPG book, a
bit like Dungeons & Dragons in a much lighter way. Although for a
single player, there are four members of the party made of various
classes chosen by said player (elf, dwarf, halfling, wizard, warrior,
etc). NB this can also be played as a light RPG with a party of
players.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">To play you need the
book itself, a pair of d6 (six-sided dice), and some graph paper.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The game procedurally
generates dungeons by rolling dice, with the contents of rooms
generated the same way. These contents can be foes (large or small),
unusual features, or traps. The dungeon is ‘won’ by defeating the
final boss (which can appear in any room or corridor) and getting out
alive (retracing steps can mean encountering wandering monsters).
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Necessarily, characters
and combat are way more basic than tabletop RPGs. Most of this is
down to dice rolling, although player choice is present in some
important ways, such as choosing when your wizard or elf casts spells
(which are powerful but you only get a few for a level 1 wizard and
one for a level 1 elf). Likewise, you can choose to search an empty
room (which can lead to finding useful stuff or being attacked). When
to use healing powers/potions/bandages can also be important.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Players can also choose
to not immediately attack foes, who may flee or ask for a bribe.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It’ll be slower than
this the first time and the number of bosses can vary (the fewest I
encountered was one, the most was five), but a game might last around
45 minutes from start to finish. Overall, I like this book and the
system a lot. Once you get to grips with the rules things flow pretty
smoothly and quirks add a little to the characters/party (my rogue, Rapsnax, has rolled a 1
on every single trap he’s ever tried to disarm, failing every
time).</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There are a lot of
supplementary books, offering specific adventures/dungeons, new
classes, and expanding the levels for characters. But I would
strongly advocate just buying the first book (around £10) and seeing
if it’s to your liking before considering buying some of the many
extra books.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Incidentally, RPG book
fans should be aware that Lone Wolf is getting a full re-release, with
the first few out already. If you’ve got a gap in your collection
now (or very soon) is a good time to fill it.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-56377457961151571792022-11-15T08:24:00.001+00:002022-11-15T08:24:47.630+00:00Technical Woe<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Here’s a little story
of what happened, starting 1 November 2022.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Just after signing in
that morning, my computer decided a blue screen of death was
appropriate. The restart indicated it could take an hour to mend
itself. With utmost calm I went to play videogames for an hour or two
and then return to see how things were going.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The desktop had then
chosen to become a brick. It wasn’t doing anything, it wasn’t
reloading, it didn’t appear active at all. However, I’d been idly
musing buying a new computer, so I thought I’d do that and when it
was sorted see about fixing old computer to retrieve a handful of
useful files, and then either sell, give away, or recycle it.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The normal computer
people I use for my desktops didn’t reply. Maybe the e-mail has
changed. No worries. I bought my laptop, which has been essential to
keep working, from Dell directly. So I browse around for a new
desktop there and select/order one. In addition to a regular discount
I also had a code for more than £100 extra off. Not bad.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It came just before 5pm
on the indicated day. Bit late, but not so bad. I then discovered I’d
made a mistake. There was no VGA port just HDMI. Well, not to worry.
I unhooked my old (but perfectly functional) monitor and dragged in
my almost-as-old bedroom TV, just to ensure the machine worked ahead
of a freshly ordered monitor arriving.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Going through the setup
process, all seems well... and then it doesn’t progress. The next
item won’t load. I can go back one space but cannot advance any
further.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I try the recommended
steps from the Dell virtual assistant. Nothing works. So live chat
starts, and a perfectly nice fellow called Allan has suggestions. I
can’t try the one time boot menu because for some reason the old TV
(while fine for most of the process) initially has the Dell logo
squashed and this means the one time boot menu is the same way and
the text is unreadable.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Ok, bad luck but the
monitor’s coming in a day or two. I’ve got the file I need loaded
to a USB I know works, so I’ll wait.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Monitor comes. I check
it works, and it does, and then hook it up to the new desktop. I get
into the one time boot menu without difficulty, and there’s no USB
option. I try again with different ports, and nothing shows.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I’m pretty frustrated
at this point. It’s been two working weeks since the initial
computer failure, and around four days since the non-functional
computer came. So I ask for a replacement.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">And then the thing
occurs which annoys me quite a lot. I think if I were a younger man I
may have been enraged.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There’s a 48 hour
period for approval. After which a replacement may take 4-6 weeks to
arrive.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Everything else was
misfortune. A month to a month and a half wait for a replacement
computer when the paid-for desktop took a couple of days to arrived
is a choice. And a pretty shitty choice given what I paid for does
not work.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Part of me is wondering
about just asking for a refund and ordering afresh, but I did get a
fairly hefty discount overall.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I am not delighted with
the situation.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>Extra bit, added 15 November</b>: </p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My request for a replacement for the newly delivered and unuseable machine was rejected. I have arranged, at least, for a pickup return and a refund. We shall see what new torment awaits with this.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I should stress that, contrary to my own expectations, I have managed to get the old computer working again but have no idea if it'll be alright or break once more, and I did lose every file on here (although much was backed up).<br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-6334151041170074762022-11-06T09:40:00.005+00:002022-11-06T09:40:55.126+00:00Review: The Dragonbone Chair, by Tad Williams<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I’ve been looking to
clear out old books, but some I haven’t read in so long I’m
uncertain whether I want to keep or not. And so I re-read The
Dragonbone Chair, by Tad Williams, the first entry in the Memory,
Sorrow, and Thorn series. The last time I read this was so long ago
it predates this blog...</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The story focuses
almost entirely on Simon, a dogsbody adolescent in the Hayholt
castle. He’s a daydreamer and well-natured, if a bit dopey and
lazy. Early on, he shifts from being mostly a cleaner to the new
apprentice of Doctor Morgenes, who is something of a wizardly chap.
When the very elderly king dies and his son takes over, the kingdom
seems to have a new lease of life. But then bad weather falls, crops
fail, and there are dark undercurrents swirling...</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In addition to Simon,
we do occasionally get the perspective of others, but it’s very
much his story, starting in the humdrum world of the castle and then
moving through an interesting world put together by the author.
Often, the pace could be faster, and the writing opts for more detail
over action most of the time. However, I did find myself reading
through this sizeable book (just a little over 900 pages) rapidly, so
I’m not sure if it counts as a valid criticism that some fat could
be cut.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There’s a nice
variety to the peoples of the world, both in varying human kingdoms,
and differing races. A sense of history weighs upon things which adds
a sense of depth and realism. While there are long periods without
action this does mean that when things happen (and they can happen
quickly) it has all the more impact.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Another advantage of
the slower pace is that it gives time for things to develop. I can’t
detail this without spoiling the plot, but suffice to say this also
makes the descent of the kingdom feel more gradual and plausible.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Map fans will be
pleased that there are multiple cartographic delights, and while I’m
less interested in these than many people it’s still a plus. The
feeling of the world is akin to that of Middle Earth rather than more
recent Martin/Abercrombie style worlds.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Overall, I liked it a
lot, which is sort of annoying because I need to clear shelf space.
Just started the second, but as it’s similarly massive any review
will be some time coming.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Thaddeus</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">PS For anyone wondering
about relative quiet, it’s partly because I’ve been busy with
other matters and, in the last week, partly due to computer woe.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-57540552464748450822022-09-27T14:14:00.000+01:002022-09-27T14:14:26.465+01:00Review: A Short History of Europe (by Simon Jenkins)<p>This book was gift, and
one I was very interested to read. How did it do, covering the history of a
continent within just 300 pages?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Very well, in short.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some obvious drawbacks. By necessity, such an
undertaking has to skimp on details, but this is compensated for by placing in
a broader context various events and adding depth through this method rather
than by a closer focus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some minor errors or areas of contention (such as describing
Aachen as Charlemagne’s capital) but these do not alter the meaning or
fundamentally change anything. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTZ_iXJnqZVMTIvnRBSoiDWu7Zorw38yBq6pqqsWLokzMzvIjFcoNsbn5XutJOf8ZGfVFkVnHNyP5ftCcKu_LoXkvmAa8XFNg4_hdGcLv_qB3iFw1ltEX3UrozT5mO3uoLaj6lLD6JKACJ8lFlLxI2XRse65jW--WSt8_2GYilPaKSqoKa4aV6eX8G4w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="499" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTZ_iXJnqZVMTIvnRBSoiDWu7Zorw38yBq6pqqsWLokzMzvIjFcoNsbn5XutJOf8ZGfVFkVnHNyP5ftCcKu_LoXkvmAa8XFNg4_hdGcLv_qB3iFw1ltEX3UrozT5mO3uoLaj6lLD6JKACJ8lFlLxI2XRse65jW--WSt8_2GYilPaKSqoKa4aV6eX8G4w" width="156" /></a></div>As might be expected due to both proximity and the greater
amount of information available there is more page space devoted to more recent
events while those of the dim past are quickly covered. By page 100 (a third
in) we’re already up to the Renaissance. Much the contents were familiar to me,
but quite a lot was new, and the writing style made the history effortless to
read and (as happens occasionally) I did deliberately slow down so as to not
just blast through it. <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Necessarily, modern politics is contentious and the book
(published four years ago) includes the ever so slightly polarising topic of
the UK leaving the EU. I was pleased to find the author took what I found to be
an objective stance on this, raising both the advantages and disadvantages of
how Europe sought to cope after WWII, and the great problem (as I also see it)
of a lack of democratic consensus which needs addressing one way or another.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nature of the beast is such that the pace must be swift
and the historical events covered in broad strokes but I nevertheless found it a
highly engaging book and well worth reading.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-9406815440359019622022-09-16T08:14:00.006+01:002022-09-16T08:14:32.259+01:00Returning to Tales of the Ketty Jay (four book series), by Chris Wooding<p>I did an individual ‘returning’ blog of the first entry
<a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2022/07/returning-to-retribution-falls-tales-of.html">(Retribution Falls)</a> to see whether that book lived up to my lofty memories, and
was delighted it did so.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While also reading other things at the same, I opted to finish
off the entire four part series, and it’s fantastic to renew my acquaintance
with a story that remains every bit as engaging and fun as it was the first
time I read it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although this is a series review I’ll do my best to minimise
spoilers and just give an overall picture.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The story follows Darian Frey, captain of the Ketty Jay, and
his crew of freebooters and misfits. A spot of drunkenness, a dash of drug
abuse, and a few very dark secrets pepper the plot. Some of these are critical
for personal character stories (every crew member gets at least a little
development) or affect the plot itself. There’s a plausible realism to the
needling between various characters (poor old Harkins gets teased a lot, and
the idiot Pinn is routinely mocked). </p><p class="MsoNormal">Because the series is only four books
there’s enough space for developing the cast and moving along the world (the
crew are involved in some pretty significant events) but not so much it ever
gets bloated. The story moves along quickly for the most part but isn’t afraid
to take its time when called for, and while I wished there had been more to
read that’s a sign the author made a smart call rather than returning to the
well until it ran dry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The setting is a fictional, steampunk world in which airships
have two engines, one using aerium for lift and another set burning standard
fuel for propulsion. The war between Vardia and Samarla ended recently, with
the ‘Sammies’ lacking much aerium but otherwise a menacing threat. We learn
stuff from inference and plot-relevant conversation which helps paint a much
broader world, though details are not info-dumped. Frey and company are mostly
Vardians, but his engineer is the taciturn Silo, a former slave from Samarla.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s a fair amount of violence, and while there’s frisky
time that’s mostly implied and forms a hazy watercolour rather than being
explicit. There’s a lot of humour throughout which works very well indeed,
sometimes in direct jokes between characters, sometimes by shifting the
perspective to an imbecile and offering a moron’s view of the world. All the characters
have their flaws, and their talents, and it both humanises them and makes for
better interactions and storytelling. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In short, I had very fond memories of Tales of the Ketty Jay
and the series more than lived up to them. I can’t recommend them enough.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve got the four books in physical form but upon checking
you can buy the series as a single e-book from Amazon. I’d advocate downloading
the sample for that (which should be sizeable) just to check it’s up your
street, and then buying it. The last book is just shy of 500 pages, the first
is around 450, so the whole lot is around 2,000 pages.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-76715059556947930632022-07-31T16:32:00.001+01:002022-07-31T16:32:22.751+01:00Review: The Seleukid Empire Trilogy, by John D Grainger <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">This is a collective review of the three part history,
starting with The Rise of the Seleukid Empire, continuing with The Seleukid
Empire of Antiochos III, and concluding with The Fall of the Seleukid Empire.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTBIX9cGw2KzE7W7RLC-nv0Vhamt7ivWuJEHN8uC4MLCiA4XIkrRopVJ-qWNEhWI7Vwa8m3fBEKHRsiNAOhVZh_DfS0W5WkyIa1ekLbmCIMLpe8o6kz4mXmCrbUXEUSIhk4WZ-_2p-jMyOrjbSqRg3q34NMLKdZ14ZRocad95xAQ5K7_yRFqZihvCO1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTBIX9cGw2KzE7W7RLC-nv0Vhamt7ivWuJEHN8uC4MLCiA4XIkrRopVJ-qWNEhWI7Vwa8m3fBEKHRsiNAOhVZh_DfS0W5WkyIa1ekLbmCIMLpe8o6kz4mXmCrbUXEUSIhk4WZ-_2p-jMyOrjbSqRg3q34NMLKdZ14ZRocad95xAQ5K7_yRFqZihvCO1g=w400-h205" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some parts of this, notably the reigns of Seleukos I and
Antiochos III, were fairly familiar to me, but other parts were largely or
entirely new.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our tale begins with the death of Alexander the Great and
the struggle by his Successors to hold together his empire, which quickly
became a scramble to carve our their own territories. Seleukos (also spelled
Seleucus) was one of the most successful but the sprawling territory he amassed
proved both boon and bane compared to the more cohesive and compact Macedonian
and Egyptian realms that were created from the ashes of Alexander’s land.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Historical sources are very uneven, which is why Antiochos
III has a whole volume to himself as both Livy and Polybius covered this in
some degree. The most recent part of Livy I read was the one including this
section, and I fairly recently compared two editions of Polybius so I was
fairly up to speed on the central volume. This was also something of a
convenient reign to have good historical sources because it was roughly central
in terms of both timing and power.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve read many Pen & Sword books over the years but lack
of space meant this was my first foray into their e-books. The expected
downside of maps being almost entirely useless was true, but there was an
unexpected upside which is that endnotes were very convenient (just click to
check then press back to return to the text).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The author’s coverage of certain reigns was dictated by the
presence, or absence, of sound historical sources which means some are flitted
over and one gets a whole book but this cannot be helped. Where inferences and
educated guesswork come into play this is made plain. Mostly easy to read,
there were occasional typos or a slightly repetitive sentence structure but
nothing terrible. Familiarity with ancient geography was helpful due to the map
situation but the descriptions were usually good enough to paint an accurate
picture (for example, I’m not sure I’ve seen Arachosia on a map but it was
clear enough it was well to the east).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Battles and war are covered to good effect, as are some
surprisingly interesting sections on the foundations of cities, especially by
Seleukos I. Much of what happens in Asia Minor (sometimes part of the Empire),
Egypt, and Macedonia is also covered in much the same way that medieval English
history necessarily has plenty of info on relations with France.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I decided to read the trilogy all together and review it in
a single section because reviewing the final part of a trilogy always seems
close to pointless (if you like parts 1 and 2 then almost always part 3 is
good). It covers the early Diadochi era of Alexander’s Successors through a
more stable period and then, inevitable, the whittling away of territory until
there’s a rather tame end.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I suspect many readers, like me, will know something of the
start of the Seleukid Empire and the reign of Antiochos III, although it’s
worth mentioning this history did furnish additional perspective/details that I
wasn’t necessarily expecting. The extra knowledge about the fragmentary nature
of Asia Minor, relations with the murder-incest enthusiasts of the Ptolemaic
dynasty, the birth of Parthia, Tigranes’ rapid rise and demise, and the
familial loyalty that came too late after decades of infighting were all very
interesting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Never felt like stopping reading the trilogy or taking a
break once I’d started, and it’s a very good read that I recommend to fans of
classical history.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-75424385281771579072022-07-25T13:51:00.002+01:002022-07-25T13:51:35.356+01:00Review: Wasteland 3 (PS4)<p>NB I completed my playthrough of this on the PS5, as my
first (PS4) attempt was somewhat set back by the console breaking. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wasteland 3 is a post-apocalyptic RPG set in the USA
(Colorado, specifically). It’s got a grim sense of humour throughout, a six-man
party, and a very interesting setup for combat and non-combat skills, plus
plenty of decisions to make. But is it a good game?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Gameplay</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The combat of Wasteland 3 will be easily recognisable to
anyone who’s enjoyed XCOM or XCOM 2, but does handle things differently enough
to set it apart. For those unaware, this style involves a turn-based approach
on a grid, with the entirety of one side progressing at once, which means
getting the jump on enemies is worth a lot. Movement and actions, such as
firing weapons or throwing grenades, consume AP (action points).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, whereas XCOM 2 has two AP and that’s it, Wasteland
3 has a more nuanced system with characters capable of having more or less AP
depending on stats, and different weapons consuming different amounts. Heavy
weapons and sniper rifles consume almost a whole AP bar, whereas shotguns and
pistols can be fired multiple times in a single round without difficulty. This
increases flexibility and makes the choice of weaponry (a mix through the squad
is a good idea) crucial. In addition to the player and enemy sides, you may
have a friendly turn, which will be your non-controlled allies such as animal
followers and extra chaps (or robots) you pick up along the way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On standard difficulty I found the combat to be sharp enough
I needed to stay awake but, for the most part, usually not too challenging.
That said, I had several hours in my initial borked playthrough as experience
so I wasn’t diving in fresh and that may’ve smoothed my path a bit.
Nevertheless, combat is fun and if you take it for granted you can easily end
up in trouble. This is a big Wasteland 3 review highlight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Out of combat players have multiple significant decisions to
make regarding who lives and dies, and who you help, or not. You can also
unlock multiple new dialogue options by proficiency in various skills, most
commonly the hard ass/kiss ass skills. The game does a good job of ensuring you
can be as nice or dickish as you like. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Story</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Post-apocalypse is a genre I can really take or leave, but I
still liked Wasteland 3 a lot, which is a testament to how well it’s written.
There are plenty of grisly moments and daft comedy, which both work well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You play as the leaders (even if playing solo you make two
characters at the get go) of Team November. And by leaders, I mean survivors,
because the other four dozen get killed in the intro. Hailing from Arizona,
you’re in Colorado at the invitation of the state’s ruler, the Patriarch. He’s
got supplies which the Rangers desperately need, all you need to do is capture
his kids and stop them causing problems. But things may not be so simple… The
Patriarch’s children are Valor, Victory, and Liberty, or Nerd, Psycho, and
Tyrant if you want to know their respective personalities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Beyond this core of the game there are a good number of side
quests, exploring the map will throw up some fun gems you can easily miss (I
especially liked paying Santa a visit), and each major quest can go down
various ways. It’s pretty good, with some interesting twists that I won’t
spoil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Companions could be better, though. I liked Lucia quite a
lot, but the other (non-player made) companions stayed pretty much undeveloped
through the story. They will leave if you act contrary to their interests,
apparently.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Sound</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In most areas good, this is sometimes excellent. One
stand-out example was when I loaded up a game in the world map and the radio
played some random nonsense. This happened and it was a psycho with a chainsaw
and screaming in the background, which was very well done (although not great
for those who are squeamish). Flamethrowers, explosions, gunfire, ambient
effects, and voice acting are all either good or very good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The music deserves a special mention as there are a small
number of fights (including one in the intro area) that have their own
excellent tracks, as does one (optional) fight that can lead to a new
companion. The latter was a rare occasion when I deliberately paused mid-fight
just to listen to the music a bit more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Graphics</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As an isometric RPG this is not the biggest deal in the
world, but the graphics get the job done without being spectacular.
Occasionally you see major characters (the Patriarch, for example) up close and
they’ll look ok, but not amazing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Bugs and Other Problems</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were some bugs. I had a small number of crashes,
perhaps three or so in an entire playthrough (I’d guess perhaps 30 hours total,
can’t be sure). In addition, I once got stuck in combat and the enemy turn just
wouldn’t start. That’s not ideal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Replayability</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are two ways this game offers good replayability: difficulty
and choices. The difficulty has several basic levels making combat easier or
harder, but with some degree of customization covering things like permanent
character death and friendly fire (NB even when this is off, you’ll be affected
by AoE stuff so don’t throw a Molotov on your animal follower or you’ll end up
with a hotdog).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Choices are plentiful and missions can often have multiple
outcomes. Sometimes failure to attend to a matter can lead to it being resolved
in your absence (I have one confirmed case of this, unsure if other things can
happen this way). And certain missions can only be completed if you ignore an
alternative, which will have consequences.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Conclusion</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wasteland 3 is not flawless. It has the odd bug and could
perhaps be a little longer (playtime is perhaps around 25-30 hours, I think). But
it has fantastic combat, engaging missions with multiple outcomes, and the
approach to skills is excellent as all of them are useful and deciding where to
spend points (and which perks to get) will alter your playthrough
significantly. It’s a very good game indeed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-49895267879487254772022-07-20T13:26:00.002+01:002022-07-20T13:26:28.152+01:00Returning to Retribution Falls: Tales of the Ketty Jay (book one), by Chris Wooding<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s been over a decade since I last read Retribution Falls,
<a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-retribution-falls-tales-of-ketty.html ">reviewed here</a>. I always had fond memories of it, and decided to revisit the
series. Would time have changed my mind? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No. In fact, it was even better than I remembered. Already
sinking my teeth heartily into the daring meal of adventure, engaging
characters, and a very well put together plot (cunning twists that make sense
in the world that’s established), this was perfect when the UK decided to
cosplay as Jamaica on a hot day. Unable to work, I spent hours more reading
than usual and read three-quarters of the book over a two day period.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was great, just what I needed, and eminently enjoyable.
The steampunk (if I’m referring to the right genre, with lever-action shotguns,
airships, and a mix of gas, oil, and electrical lighting) genre is not one I
read too much, Emperor’s Edge probably being the only other series that falls
into the category but the world is very well realised and comes across
effortlessly. Likewise, while Frey, the captain, is the main character every
crewman is fleshed out and a couple (Jez and Crake) are especially well-developed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s wry humour amid a serious story, dramatic twists and
turns alongside character development. It’s a cracking book and a great start
to a fantastic series. It’ll be interesting for me to re-read my own review
from some time ago, but right now I’m very glad that, as I try and clear out
old books, I hung onto the Tales of the Ketty Jay series. It’s top stuff.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-59388028578566241582022-07-16T09:58:00.000+01:002022-07-16T09:58:06.093+01:00Half A War (Shattered Sea book 3), by Joe Abercrombie<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Reading multiple books and waiting until I finish a
historical trilogy to review that has led to quiet the hiatus in blogging, so I
thought I’d post this before Britain melts on Monday and Tuesday. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Half A War is the third and final part of Joe Abercrombie’s
Shattered Sea trilogy, and I liked it a lot. Those who have bought the first
two books need have no worries on the final part proving lacklustre. Recurring
characters build on the previous two books, and we have a new POV character in
the form of Princess/Queen Skara, whose kingdom gets ruined by the High King
and forces her to flee to the nascent alliance between old enemies Vansterland
and Gettland. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj59qLpWJSskbNdDejqb1XcdPkxErh2uX5tgsTrG24Ea0TaKqkxtSKZjnU3HbLkDurlzLFPZyG7q4U4XeDJ464YiYYIhI6UjUmXEMNRY0p9uRCpnQS2NCnjFlP1kgPN4Leah4nEf7r5u7_zn9Zh0mRZ2hgMpB8H2yccV7MaNjti5l2Z0-l030sZAEHfSA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="502" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj59qLpWJSskbNdDejqb1XcdPkxErh2uX5tgsTrG24Ea0TaKqkxtSKZjnU3HbLkDurlzLFPZyG7q4U4XeDJ464YiYYIhI6UjUmXEMNRY0p9uRCpnQS2NCnjFlP1kgPN4Leah4nEf7r5u7_zn9Zh0mRZ2hgMpB8H2yccV7MaNjti5l2Z0-l030sZAEHfSA" width="157" /></a></div>The pace moves along at a good rate, neither flitting so
rapidly there’s no space to breathe nor being slow and turgid (there is a
prolonged period in one place but that fits in with the story and is contrasted
by a journey elsewhere). <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Downsides are few. I didn’t especially like one small twist
at the end (both obvious and slightly disappointing the way it happened but it
doesn’t alter anything significantly). If you prefer more complex stories then
the relative simplicity may put you off but personally I found this an
enjoyable, engaging, and effortless read that I consumed pretty quickly (not
something that’s always the case these days). <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I've kept this pretty brief as it's the third entry so spoilers are more annoying and it's pretty much a buy or avoid for those who've read earlier books in the series.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I recommend this but, obviously, after the first two
books. Book 2 is <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-half-world-shattered-sea-book-2.html" target="_blank">reviewed here</a>, and book 1 is <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2020/11/review-half-king-shattered-sea-book-1.html" target="_blank">reviewed here</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For those wondering, I’m currently re-reading The
Inheritance of Rome by Chris Wickham, Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding (which
I may review if I haven’t already as I read it a long time ago), and the final
part in a Seleukid history trilogy by John D. Grainger, which I will review on
a collective basis.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-4843725345009151872022-05-25T11:41:00.001+01:002022-05-25T11:41:23.522+01:00Alternative Civ Leaders <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Been playing a spot of <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2020/01/review-civilization-vi-ps4.html" target="_blank">Civilization VI </a>lately. Its final expansion
came out a while ago and work seems to be underway on Civ VII, which made me
think of some potential leader changes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I disliked a few for historical inaccuracy in VI. Victoria
was not Queen of the English, but the British (especially daft as if they
wanted a female English leader then Elizabeth I is an obvious candidate).
Saladin wasn’t Arabic, he was Kurdish (although he did reign over Arabs so this
is more accurate, although ironic).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the flipside, I was surprised and pleased they went with
Basil II for the Byzantine Empire (which should be the Eastern Roman Empire)
and Trajan over Caesar for Rome. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">My experience with the main Civ games is VI and II (which
came out around 1999 or thereabouts). So it’s entirely possible that I’ll be
mentioning people who had leader roles before.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>France – Philip Augustus</u> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve never actually read books specifically on French
history (excepting the Albigensian Crusade) but reading English medieval
history does necessarily involve a lot of French stuff, mostly in warfare. I’ve
always quite liked Philip Augustus, whose shrewd approach brilliantly exploited
the admittedly open goal of Henry II’s familial infighting to great effect (and
he came very close to actually conquering England). Less flashy or well-known
than Napoleon but he was critical to the long term success of France as a nation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>England - Aethelstan</u> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The grandson of Alfred the Great, Aethelstan was the first
man who could claim to be king of all England. Building on the foundations of
his father and grandfather, he won crucial victories, particularly Brunanburh
against a coalition of enemies. This cemented a unified England, bringing
together the Anglo-Saxon people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Macedonia - Philip II</u> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Alexander the Great still looms large in the public
consciousness, and it’s easy to see why. But his father has been somewhat
neglected by comparison. When Philip II became king his land was poor, wracked
with war, and weak. Through astonishing military innovations (he was inspired
by spending time at Thebes and witnessing Epaminondas’ success against the
Spartans) he transformed the Macedonian armed forces from pretty feeble to the
most powerful army in the world. He was also well along planning the invasion
of Asia until he suffered an unfortunate bout of assassination. I think this is
the least likely change to occur, but Macedonian history does have great men
beyond Alexander and the foremost of these is Philip II.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Rome - Aurelian</u> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Aurelian is one of those chaps almost nobody’s ever heard of
but when they learn of what he did it’s impossible not to be impressed. When he
took the purple the Empire had split into three, with the Gallic Empire of Gaul,
Iberia, and Britannia in the west and the Palmyrene Empire breaking away in the
east. He stitched the empire back together when it could have collapsed two
centuries earlier than the western portion did, and along the way won victories
over numerous barbarian tribes. (I’d change the name to the Western Roman
Empire as well, and have the Byzantine Empire as the Eastern Roman Empire).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Carthage - Hannibal</u> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carthage is a free city in Civ VI (Dido is leader of
Phoenicia). This is something of a travesty given how powerful Carthage was and
how Hannibal is the greatest antagonist Rome ever faced. Who first crossed the
Alps, in winter, in the face of hostile tribes? Who annihilated the Romans at
Trasimene and Cannae? Who survived a decade in hostile territory, without
defeat? Who would have won if it weren’t for that political lickspittle Hanno?
Bring back Hannibal!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-38589083119958360052022-05-21T17:32:00.000+01:002022-05-21T17:32:08.308+01:00Review: Half the World (Shattered Sea, book 2), by Joe AbercrombieIt’s been a little while since I read the first of these
<a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2020/11/review-half-king-shattered-sea-book-1.html">(Half a King)</a>, but I did remember enough to be able to follow along most of the
characters that appear in this book, set a little way down the line.
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KpYPNLzmO-jyVbxcbB1jhNxWQw2jbA367MGyQIZ9BE_zUG5B_mVkFpTeRPqcgKcGvf65N0Kp0L227_-FNQvWPMTx2KEJKhsBq1ACUrBJdugZlCG8_-pNO2RcEmK3qCY0MIqyzJ5qOB5yjkCwmulMGP3lecTP3oMGqNtejTvaFfuT1Yd9DFIAiZM3HQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KpYPNLzmO-jyVbxcbB1jhNxWQw2jbA367MGyQIZ9BE_zUG5B_mVkFpTeRPqcgKcGvf65N0Kp0L227_-FNQvWPMTx2KEJKhsBq1ACUrBJdugZlCG8_-pNO2RcEmK3qCY0MIqyzJ5qOB5yjkCwmulMGP3lecTP3oMGqNtejTvaFfuT1Yd9DFIAiZM3HQ" width="158" /></a></div>The High King’s power waxes ever greater, and lesser kings
and kingdoms are none too pleased at having to kneel before another. Yarvi, the
protagonist of the first book, is ever-present and the driving force behind a
bid to break the power of the High King and forge an alliance. The POV
characters, however, are both new. Thorn Bathu is a wild, angry, and rather
violent young lady who accidentally kills a man and is saved by Yarvi from
execution, while Brand (whose whispered word secures her release) was set to be
a warrior but gets ostracised for his deed. <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pair end up with Yarvi, and assorted rapscallions, on a
ship destined to cross half the world to try and secure friends for Gettland
and prise away allies from the High King. Along the way Thorn gets a serious
training in weapons, and Brand discovers the warrior life he dreamt of was not
necessarily it was cracked up to be.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As ever with an Abercrombie book it’s very easy to read,
with engaging characters, a detailed, compelling world, and a plot that cracks
along but also has slower moments to help the pacing and give the characters
time to grow. I was reading another book at the same time, but still got
through the almost 500 pages pretty rapidly. If you liked the first book you’ll
like this, and I’m looking forward to the third.<br /> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-26307769074192541702022-04-30T08:48:00.001+01:002022-04-30T08:48:22.920+01:00Revisiting The Wars of Alexander’s Successors, by Bob Bennett and Mike Roberts<p class="MsoNormal">I'd thought I'd reviewed these two books already, but it turns out not. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s been a decade or so since I first read these two volumes,
which covers the period immediately after Alexander’s death down to the end of
the last direct Diadochi (Successors), Seleucus and Ptolemy. Details are reasonable
down to the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC but become altogether more scant after
that.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s interesting re-reading history compared to other genres
because you can get more out of it and either appreciate a book to a greater
extent or realise more contentious matters or even potential flaws (as an
aside, I’ve started a book about the early Seleucid/Seleukid Empire and in that
the author asserts Demetrius cavalry at Ipsus would probably have been able to deal
with elephants rather than being totally terrified, a common view and one held
by the authors here).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since reading these I’ve reading biographies of <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2016/01/antigonus-one-eyed-by-jeff-champion.html">Antigonus Monopthalmus</a> and <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-pyrrhus-of-epirus-by-jeff.html">Pyrrhus</a>, as well as James Romm’s excellent<a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2015/08/review-ghost-on-throne-by-james-romm.html"> Ghost on the Throne</a>, all of which cover similar ground from differing angles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Got to say I still really like Bennett and Roberts’ two
volumes on the period, which do an excellent job of presenting the major
strokes of the four decades or so after Alexander’s death in the first book,
before focusing on some of the biggest battles and other aspects of warfare in
the second. As such, there is some overlap and, personally, I would’ve
preferred a single larger volume but both are still well worth reading.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d still recommend these to anyone, including people who
don’t normally read history but are looking to get into it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Diadochi period is fascinating because
there’s a cauldron of war but a surplus of excellent military commanders who
grew up under Alexander. Not only that, there’s plenty of scheming and double
crossing, and a number of <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2015/10/macedonian-she-wolves.html">intriguing leading ladies</a> too. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-66897172682104268612022-04-03T15:13:00.004+01:002022-04-03T15:13:30.731+01:00Review: Kingshold, by DP Woolliscroft<p class="MsoNormal">Those of you with freakishly good memories may recall I read
the sample of this as part of my snapshot reviews a while back, and I’ve
decided to make a little progress with those. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kingshold occurs almost entirely within the city of the same
name. Ironically enough, the king and queen have sadly died from a case of
decapitation, and it’s time for an elected leader. That, essentially, is the
plot, which is written in quite a charming and relaxing way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The cast, I would say, is more ensemble than focusing on a
specific individual, with POV characters including precocious maidservant
Alana, Hoskin the looking-forward-to-retiring-but-can’t-yet chancellor who has
to govern the city before the new lord protector is elected, Mareth the bard,
Motega the mercenary, and Neenahwi[sp], his sister (and also a sorceress).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And there might be yet more skulduggery afoot from elsewhere
as the potential leaders use tactics fair and foul to try and get ahead. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The book is pretty simple, and the world is interesting
(beneath the city there’s another settlement of dwarves, with whom good
relations are typically maintained). Although events are mostly straightforward
there are sufficient twists to keep it from being predictable or tedious, a
couple of which are particularly good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I found it to be a good, relaxing read. (NB the next review
might be slightly longer than usual as I’m doing a spot of beta-reading, but I
may ramble about CK3 in the meantime).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Buying note: I got this as part of the bundle within Kingshold:
The Wildfire Cycle: Volume 1, which is only £3 and (provided the sample tickles
your fancy) offers great value for e-book readers. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949972694672103150.post-52695662120883369832022-03-09T14:43:00.001+00:002022-03-09T14:44:31.004+00:00Crusader Kings 3: Reading Recommendations<p class="MsoNormal">It isn’t long now until the current-gen consoles get some
more grand strategy in the form of Paradox’s Crusader Kings 3. As someone into
history, and enjoying strategy games coming to consoles, this is right up my
street.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The game can start in 867 AD or 1066 AD, and I know a little
of British (and, to an extent, European/Near East/North African) history of
that period. Fairly poor on the rest, and given the map includes all of Europe,
the northern half of the African continent, and most of Asia there’s a lot of
new stuff to explore.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re into the backstory and want to learn more, here
are some reading recommendations, with links to full reviews of each book
indicated. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlLUV5c2l5cvt-h95xtoCBfxz3q_FsytaGYh3R300nbLn3JKSqwSkk3sU2zloanVaUjuqAyibJld9mFyRq9SwnVlqfvMxRRPw7np6NsYYcLLyTtslIHJxtDXwJ8G8bR0X_rtWsafO-vWJ8yd4nbAani9x-NmSCDMIbSUaqBAmSCG4GjWefuY3zRIkr2g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="499" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlLUV5c2l5cvt-h95xtoCBfxz3q_FsytaGYh3R300nbLn3JKSqwSkk3sU2zloanVaUjuqAyibJld9mFyRq9SwnVlqfvMxRRPw7np6NsYYcLLyTtslIHJxtDXwJ8G8bR0X_rtWsafO-vWJ8yd4nbAani9x-NmSCDMIbSUaqBAmSCG4GjWefuY3zRIkr2g" width="156" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The Norman Conquest, by Marc Morris</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2018/01/review-norman-conquest-by-marc-morris.html" target="_blank">fantastic book</a>, and probably my favourite by the
historian (I own four of his works). Not only does this detail what goes on in
1066, one of the most important years in British history, it also explains what
happened beforehand and for decades afterwards, providing plenty of context. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Byzantium: The Apogee (book 2 in a trilogy), by John
Julius Norwich</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-byzantium-by-john-julius.html" target="_blank">This entire trilogy </a>is a riveting tale of the Eastern Roman
Empire, which was a yawning chasm of ignorance in my understanding of Europe
before I read it. All of it is worth checking out, but both start years are
covered by a single volume, The Apogee. This covers, unsurprisingly, the high
point of the Eastern Roman (also known as the Byzantine) Empire and, of course,
their allies and enemies over this period.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJsKoHN-Z022KZAgegSc7T-A4_3UL1fcUI68x6ot4kgI1zvZy_lBlxHKgI11KS34Osns3HIetmDdKX8C8S69VLkwZeL0Hvs-JXd1URsVsuSkbULcg7U48BPb60WydCVcKTWqVMhHGdQykdQfH3oABGH3edxo2ijSsmr92zFLyBOfeB-CNEE8HWxbO27g" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="961" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJsKoHN-Z022KZAgegSc7T-A4_3UL1fcUI68x6ot4kgI1zvZy_lBlxHKgI11KS34Osns3HIetmDdKX8C8S69VLkwZeL0Hvs-JXd1URsVsuSkbULcg7U48BPb60WydCVcKTWqVMhHGdQykdQfH3oABGH3edxo2ijSsmr92zFLyBOfeB-CNEE8HWxbO27g" width="147" /></a></div><b><u>Viking: The Norse Warrior’s (Unofficial) Manual, by
John Haywood</u></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2013/02/review-viking-norse-warriors-unofficial.html" target="_blank">slightly more lighthearted book</a> this one, and part of a
fun yet informative series. To dive into Norse culture and the raiding military
antics of the time (covering both start dates), this is one of the shorter and
easier reads on the list, but still does much to shine a light on the Vikings
and their impact on wider Europe (most notably in Normandy and England, as well
as setting up numerous cities in Ireland).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Alfred the Great: The Man Who Made England, by Justin
Pollard</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2016/07/review-alfred-great-by-justin-pollard.html" target="_blank">This biography</a> covers one of England’s most important kings.
While technically never ruler of all England, he and his brother halted the
seemingly unstoppable Viking advance and drove it back, thereby increasing the power
of Wessex. Alfred’s reign started a few years after the earlier start date in
CK3, but it’s still a wonderful book and one that goes a long way to painting a
picture of a very different England.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgoM9OrzkWlIMvDtlQvfVn0EuvCtoM0XDnOTAP_r4DQVA5R9k7dbldXdtPGkksVc0RZtt0BDDCFrbBD6_k2SUfTwICM9gUyqUktyelcir2u6BPBozm2H_VuhlD_dDLZCIsknQ7unf7I14fjzCALZPIlID7QL6dnWxFPF2x8KL1IrzW8DT9YvoZyzxNKw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="279" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgoM9OrzkWlIMvDtlQvfVn0EuvCtoM0XDnOTAP_r4DQVA5R9k7dbldXdtPGkksVc0RZtt0BDDCFrbBD6_k2SUfTwICM9gUyqUktyelcir2u6BPBozm2H_VuhlD_dDLZCIsknQ7unf7I14fjzCALZPIlID7QL6dnWxFPF2x8KL1IrzW8DT9YvoZyzxNKw" width="157" /></a></u></b></div><b><u>The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400
to 1000, by Chris Wickham</u></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is easily the broadest book on the list, covering not
only Europe but north Africa and parts of the East over a period of centuries. It’s
one of the <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-inheritance-of-rome-by-chris.html" target="_blank">best histories</a> I’ve read and does a great job bridging the gap
between the Western Roman world and the medieval era. If you ever want to
understand why Europe was the way it was when the earlier start date comes
about, look no further.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of
England, by Marc Morris</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another Marc Morris history, this one covers almost the exact
same period as Wickham but looks at England and, thus, <a href="https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2021/06/review-anglo-saxons-history-of.html" target="_blank">the Anglo-Saxons</a>. If you want a more specific look at England, this is what you’re after (note it ends
right before the Battle of Hastings).</p><p> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thaddeus</p>
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