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Jiangu! Campaign Info and Rules
Jiangu is an empire that is located in the land of myth and faerie tales. Recently the imperial palace in the territory of Dian, high atop Shan Mountain, was attacked by a murderous spirit. It has been haunted ever since. Undead spirits infested the entire territory of Dian and drove away the residents. These evil undead feed upon those with good karma. This has turned their territory into a haven for all manner of scoundrels and dishonorable creatures.
The empire is now plunged into chaos. The lands of the empire are divided among several competing warlords. Their campaigning armies ravage the countryside. Evil bands from the haunted territory raid throughout the empire. There is no power to restrain the primitive forces of the frontier that surround the empire.
Last edited by crueldespot; 3rd of April, 2007 at 08:30.
Jiangu Campaign Rules
* The rules for the campaign are the Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document (SRD) located on the WoTC website: http://www.wizards.com/d20/article.asp?x=srd35
* Feats, cleric domains, weapons, prestige classes, skills, etc. from other sources will not be used.
* Spells or monsters from other sources may be introduced on a case-by-case basis.
* The latest official D&D FAQ will be used to resolve questions about the rules.
Legitimacy of Rules
Rules from the SRD will not be weakened. We will not switch any class skills, reduce any feat prerequisites, or anything else. This document explains some new rules that govern adventuring that modify the SRD. Under no circumstance will the rules of SRD be changed to allow a character to become more powerful or gain any advantage. Don't even ask.
Campaign Mission
The goal of adventuring for the characters is to end the haunting of the imperial palace. In addition, some characters may have additional goals based on their background stories.
Character Generation
* Players MUST generate attributes using the "Standard Point Buy" method.
* Each character has 25 points to spend on attributes when the character is created.
The cost of each attribute score is listed below
Racial attribute modifiers are applied after the points are spent.
Starting Level
For new players, the starting experience level is one level below the current group average.
If an existing member of the group brings in a replacement character (due to choice or PC death), the replacement character joins one level below the previous character.
You may create a background story for the character. You are invited to create new territories, NPCs, or historical events as a part of the background. These will be added into the campaign world.
Before the character can join the game, you must post a description of the character in the "henchmen" topic of the campaign messageboard. Your message must include a detailed physical description. DO NOT post any in-game information such as alignment, class, or attribute scores.
Your message in the henchmen topic must include a picture of the character. You can email the picture to the DM if you do not have a way to host the image link.
YOuur message must also have a a picture of the miniature that will represent the character on battle maps. You can link the image of a miniature on the WoTC D&D miniatures web site: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mix/gallery or any other miniature-like image that you can find.
All of the classes and prestige classes in the SRD are available. The rules regarding multi-classing for monks and paladins are fully enforced.
Only races from the SRD are allowed. For monster races, the level adjustments from the monster descriptions in the SRD will be used.
At first level, your character begins with 75% of the maximum starting gold for his or her class. A character that joins above level 1 gets the starting gp value of resources indicated on page 135 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
You can select any equipment from the SRD. No gunpowder weapons or futuristic weapons will be used in the campaign.
Hit Points
You start with the maximum hit points for your class at first level. After first level, you automatically get half of the maximum number of hit points per die. D4=2, D6=3, D8=4, D10=5, D12=6.
The Standard D&D languages and alphabets are used.
Players have broad discretion to choose any name for their character that they like. Names can be either western-sounding or asian-sounding. Asian-sounding names are encouraged.
The Psionics section of the SRD will not be used. Psionics do not work in the campaign world.
Players must create the deities or spiritual forces that are worshipped by their characters. Deities from the Players Handbook, Deities and Demigods, and Forgotten Realms are NOT ALLOWED. Show some imagination people! You can choose any 2 clerical spell domains from the Player's Handbook for your cleric character. If you choose the war domain, you may choose any simple or martial melee weapon that is light or one-handed for your deity's chosen weapon.
Action Points
Action points provide characters with the means to affect game play in significant ways. A character starts with 5 action points, and any expended action points are replenished with each new experience level. A character can spend 1 action point to do one of these things:
* Alter a single d20 roll used to make an attack, a skill check, an ability check, a level check, or a saving throw.
* Automatically stabilize when the character is below zero hit points.
* When a character spends 1 action point to improve a d20 roll, add 1d6 to the d20 roll to help meet or exceed the target number. A character can't use an action point on a skill check or ability check when he or she is taking 10 or taking 20.
* Here is how action points are used in our PBP: When you respond to the latest installment and describe your character's actions, write in the OOC section at the bottom of the message if you want to use action points. In the OOC section, explain the conditions under which you would want to use an action dice. For example: "If my attack roll is less than 12, I want to spend an action point on it." It's kind of like blackjack, but you don't have to worry about going over 21!.
* A character can only spend 1 action point in a round.
* Depending on the hero's character level (see the table below), he or she may be able to roll more than one d6 when spending 1 action point. If the character does so, apply the highest result and disregard the other rolls.
Death From Massive Damage
This is not a variant rule, but many DMs disregard it. I do not. See the "Loss of Hit Points" section in the "Combat I" chapter of the SRD.
These experience rules are designed to provide a system for rewarding other achievements in addition to fighting. The experience awards are divided between the characters that participated in the victory. Note that experience is awarded at the conclusion of each encounter. However, a character cannot gain an experience level until the adventure is over.
* Characters earn 100 xp or 200xp for every CR of enemy they overcome, depending upon whether it is a "major victory" or a "minor victory"
* They earn 100xp per foe for a minor victory. A minor victory is achieved by intimidating the foe into compliance, forcing them to retreat, sneaking past them, charming them, stealing a desired object from them, or otherwise accomplishing a goal at the expense of the enemy. The award can only be won once per enemy per adventure. You don't get points for sneaking in, and then again for sneaking out. Even if the enemy is slain or captured, it is considered a minor victory when their defeat was not necessary to accomplish a purpose.
* The full award of 200xp is given for a "major victory." A major victory occurs if the opponent is killed or captured and if the victory serves some purpose. The purpose could be selfish gain, to accomplish a mission, or because the character had a grudge against the foe. It is not a major victory to defeat a foe if the fight was started by a blunder of the character(s). Example: It is not a major victory to defeat reinforcements who attacked you because they were alerted by an enemy that you allowed to escape earlier.
* Life-threatening puzzles and traps have a standard experience point value of 100x the CR of the trap.
* When the characters complete a quest, they receive an xp award. The XP award is based on the total number of enemy CR and trap CR that they would normally need to defeat in order to complete the quest. This number of CR is multiplied by 100 to determine the XP value of the quest.
* Characters can also earn individual awards. An individual award will be up to 50xp multiplied by the character's current level. Individual awards are given for:
1- Great dialogue (per instance)
2- Taking charge and getting the group moving if they are at an impasse
3- Saving the day
4- An action that reflects the character's alignment or personality (not including actions such as combat that are already worth XP).
* The Challenge Rating guarantee. If the DM fails to announce the CR of a potential foe when he or she meets the characters, the characters can invoke the challenge rating guarantee. The DM must announce the CR and will compensate the characters for this oversight by awarding them 50xp x their current xp level.
Play will proceed as follows:
1. The DM will post an installment into the current chapter/scene topic in the forum.
2. You then must post a reply describing the actions of your character.
* Include the name of the your character in the text describing his actions.
* VERY IMPORTANT: The post must be in the THIRD PERSON. Use PRESENT TENSE. Do not write "I do X." Write "Conan (or whatever your character's name is) does X."
* Describe the character's actions in storytelling narrative form. If you must use game rule terminology, put it at the bottom of the post, seperated from the main body of the post, uder the letters OOC (out of character).
3. Only sumbit one action reply per INSTALLMENT. You can submit more than one post per installment if the additional posts are just character dialogue, but there can be only one ACTION post per installment.
Your action may be conditional. For example: "If Bob kills the last orc, Fred casts a cure light wounds on Bob. Otherwise, Fred continues to attack the last orc."
4. After all of the player have posted responses,(or after waiting one full weekday) the DM will roll dice and resolve any actions by the PCs and NPCs, then post the next installment. It will include descriptions of the actions that any characters have taken (if they are visible to the others) and the consequences. It will also include any new events that have occurred or NPC actions. The DM will provide players with one entire weekday (monday-friday) from the time of the previous installment before posting the next installment. The DM may post installments quicker if he has time available and only if all of the players have responded to the previous installment. After one entire weekday has passed since the last installment, the DM may post a new installment even if one or more players have not responded.
5. The DM may edit the players' installments. A player response could be based on erroneous information. For example, a player may state that he will speak to a person who is actually not present. A player may state an action that assumes something that is incorrect. In such cases, the DM will make any changes that are necessary to the player post in order to prevent confusion. Also, if the player posts conditional actions, the DM may edit the player post to eliminate the courses of action that did not occur.
* During combat, the initiative rolls of NPCs will be adjusted so that they are not intermixed between the characters. This may cause the characters or NPCs (but not both) to be divided into two intiative groups- a "fast group" and a "slow group." In these cases, only the fast group will act in the first combat installment. Starting with the second installment, the slow group (at the end of the round) followed by the fast group (at the start of the next round) will act in the same installment. The installment will encompass all actions before it is the character's turn to act.
* For expedience and simplicity, the players will NOT be required to post their messages in initiative order. The DM will determine the actions of enemy combatants before reading any of the player character responses. After all player responses have been received, then the DM will resolve all actions in initiative order.
* The battle map will use a coordinate system similar to a spreadsheet. The horizontal rows of squares will be numbered in ascending order from top to bottom. The vertical "columns" of squares will be numbered in ascending order from left to right. You can describe your movement with these coordinates. "Bob moves from E30/N20 to E50/N20. The numbers in the coordinates correspond to distance in feet. E60 is 25 feet west of E85.
* Please let the DM know up front if there are certain days of the week, or certain weekends of the month, etc when you will be incommunicado. If you cannot participate due to vacation or other demands on your time, please let the DM know ahead of time. We will expect for the game to pause during these periods. The DM will announce if there is a pause, and tell everyone when to start checking for messages again
* During the normal course of play, the DM will wait a reasonable amount of time (at least one full weekday since the last message and maybe longer) to receive player actions before sending out the next Installment. If a player does not send a message with character actions before it is time for the next Installment, the character is "linkdead." This is not a punishment. It is designed to allow play to continue. Sooner or later, all players will have unforeseen real-life demands that prevent them from checking their email every day. It may be that a player simply does not have any new information to contribute since the last Installment, based on events.
1. A linkdead character will continue to follow the party. If the party splits up, the linkdead character will stay with the largest group.
2. The DM will not cause a linkdead character to cast spells, fight, say anything, or otherwise act unless it is necessary
and unquestionably what the player would want the character to do.
3. A linkdead character will normally not fight, and will be ignored by the NPCs and monsters.
4. If an attack, trap, or other event effects the entire party, it will also affect the linkdead character. If it requires a saving throw, the linkdead character will automatically succeed (unless success is impossible)
5. A linkdead character will continue to expend resources, such as rations and water. If the group stays at an inn, the linkdead character will spend for food and lodging, etc.
6. If a character remains linkdead for an extended period of time and the player fails to make arrangements with the DM, then the player will forfeit the character. The DM may run the character as an NPC or he may give the character to another player.
7. Characters cannot earn experience while they are linkdead.
8. The DM will not announce that a character is linkdead. It is clear that they are linkdead when the do not have responses posted.
9. A character can stay linkdead for an extended period if the player makes prior arrangements with the DM. Otherwise, If a character is linkdead for a long time and the DM cannot contact the player, the character will become an NPC under the control of the DM.
CHANGES: Since the July 11 2006 version, the 10xp per post award has been discontinued.
As of November 9th, 2006
Last edited by crueldespot; 10th of November, 2006 at 06:56.
The World of Jiangu
The World of JIANGU
The campaign world is a work in progress. Most areas have not been developed or defined. This is done intentionally to leave room for future ideas. Players are invited to help build the campaign world. Players can create locations, clans, NPCs, religious faiths and other campaign elements in their character backgrounds. Their contributions will be added onto the map and into the description of the world.
The map is depicted in hexagons. The hexagons are always pointed up. When a hexagon is divided into smaller hexagons (such as a region into territories), there is always one smaller hexagon in the dead center of the larger hexagon.
TERRITORY: a hex 20 miles or 32 kilometers in width (area= 345 sq mi.). Each of the six sides of a territory is 12 miles long. A territory is 24 miles long from corner to corner. A territory is divided into 400 hexes, each of which is a mile wide (hex miles). A hex mile has an area of 0.86 square miles.
REGION: a hex 7 territories wide (140 mi) composed of 43 full territories and 12 border territories that are shared with neighboring regions. The width of a region also represents two degrees of longitude or latitude on the planet.
Each territory is described by a coordinate that describes the direction and distance to the center of the map, where Shan mountain is located. The coordinate lists the number of miles North or South of Shan mountain, followed by the number of miles East or West of Shan mountain. The North-South coordinate will always be in multiples of 20. The East-West coordinate will be in multiples of 10.
To describe the position of a region, use the coordinates for the territory in the center of the region.
Some examples coordinates are given on the map below.
The population of each territory is classified as follows:
WILDERNESS: Less than 1,000 residents. The largest settlement will probably be a hamlet of 135 people. Only about 1% of the territory is occupied (4 hex miles)
MINOR: Around 10,000 residents (about 29/sq. mile). The largest settlements are two villages, each with 750 people. 60% of the territory is wilderness (240 hex miles). 50% of the non-wilderness hexmiles have a hamlet or thorp.
TYPICAL: Around 20,000 residents (about 60/sq. mile). The largest settlement is a small town of 1,800 people. There are also 3 villages of 750 each. 40% of the territory is wilderness (160 hex miles). 2/3 of the non-wilderness hexmiles have a hamlet or thorp.
MAJOR: Around 40,000 residents (approx 120/sq. mile). The largest settlement is a large town of 4,000 people. There are also 7 villages of 750/each. 20% of the territory is wilderness. All of the remaining 80% is occupied (320 hex miles). All of the occupied hexmiles have at least a village or thorp.
Barren &/or Mountain territories are restricted to a "minor" population or less. Hill, swamp, or forest territories cannot have a major population, unless they are on a seacoast.
The population of cities is expressed in multiples of 10,000. This population is not counted as a part of the total population for any surrounding territory. Each city is located on the border (corner) between two territories.
Each non-wilderness territory (regardless of population) supports up to 1,000 residents in some nearby city.
This map depicts the territories of the Imperial Heartland region. Only those territories are named that have particular significance, or which one or more of the characters have already visited.
Each yellow square represents 10,000 residents. The squares are clustered on one side of each territory. This represents the concentration of population in the territory.
Most roads and towns are not shown to avoid cluttering the map. Every populated territory has a capital village or town even if it isn't shown on the map. All highways are shown on the map. Populated territories normally have roads connecting them to neighboring populated territories, except minor territories do not have roads to neighboring minor territories, unless shown on the map.
The Imperial Heartland region has cold winters and hot summers. It is the most populous region, with over 800,000 residents, a density of 47 people per square mile. Hill dwarves, halflings (stout and lightfoot), and hobgoblins are well-represented among the humans of this region.
Surrounding Regions
The region of Shajaraat to the Northeast (Coordinate 140N/70E) is predominately forested. The weather is cold in the winter and warm in the summer. It is the second most populous and wealthy region, after the imperial heartland. Shajaraat is home to many human, goblin, elven, and tallfellow halfling clans.
The region of the Inner Sea to the East (Coordinate 0N/140E) is composed of a large sea and the surrounding coastline. It is cool in the winter and warm in the summer.
The region of the Drenched Forest the Southeast (Coordinate 140S/70E) is predominately rainforest. The weather is cool in the winter and hot in the summer. This region is home to humans, wood elves, forest gnomes, tasloi, lizardmen, and other jungle races.
The region of Sokhoor to the Southwest (Coordinate 140S/700W) is predominately mountainous. The weather is cold in the winter and hot in the summer in the valleys. It is much colder at higher altitudes. Sokhoor is home to mountain dwarves, grey elves, and rock gnomes as well as humans.
The region of the Wasteland Frontier to the West (Coordinate 0N/140W) is mostly arid desert. The weather is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. it is most wilderness, with human and orc nomad clans. This territory is part of the empire, unlike the deeper wasteland further west.
The region of Shamaal to the Northwest (Coordinate 200N/100W) is mostly arid grasslands and prairie. The weather is very cold in the winter and warm in the summer.
The sequence of months and number of days in each month are the same as the modern western calendar. The months are re-named as follows: March and April are known as "Early and Late Spring." May is known as "The Rainy Season." June, July, and August are known as "Early, Mid, and Late Summer." September, October, and November are known as "Early, Mid, and Late Autumn." December, January, and February are known as "Early, Mid, and Late Winter." The new year is celebrated at the end of winter.
The years of each generation are given animal names according to the Chinese pattern as follows: Year of the Rat, Year of the Ox, Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Dragon, Year of the Snake, Year of the Horse, Year of the Sheep, Year of the Monkey, Year of the Rooster, Year of the Dog, Year of the Boar. The current year is the 300th year of the Monkey.
The social structure of Jiangu is feudal and clan-based. The political structure of society is based on family relationships.
The basic building block of society is the household. A household consists of everyone who resides in a single dwelling. Each household has an average of 10 people. This usually includes three generations of a family and their servants (either paid servants or slaves). The head of the household has legal control over the other members. Legal responsibility is usually fixed to the household, rather than the individual.
Each household is usually part of a clan. A clan is made up of many households that all trace their family lineage to a common ancestor. An average-sized clan will have 100 families. Each family must pay tribute to their clan chieftain. Each clan chieftain will rule a village or town where most of the clan members reside. In cities, each neighborhood will be governed by a clan chieftain. The clan chieftain will appoint members of the clan to serve in various offices such as secretary, treasurer, captain of the guard, and others.
Each family must provide a member to serve in their clan militia. What if a family does not have any member capable of service? What if the only eligible member of the family dies while serving? Can a family pay someone to substitute for them? What about families that dwell far away from the clan village? Each clan has different traditions to answer these questions.
Until recently, the entire region of Jiangu was ruled by the emperor. The emperor appointed a clan chieftain to serve as governor of each territory in the empire. The governor was required to pay taxes to the emperor, which he collected from other clan chieftains within the territory, as well as from tolls and other fees. The clans of Jiangu formed alliances with each other for purposes of influence, trade, and prestige. Now that imperial power has been shattered, territories are governed by those clans that are strong enough to withstand challengers. Clans form alliances for survival.
The lowest caste in Jiangu is composed of slaves, who have no rights and are treated as property. Slaves make up about 20% of the population. Those without a clan form the second lowest caste. They cannot own property, and often work as servants in clan households. Clanless people make up another 30% of the population. The largest caste is that of clan members. Above them are the nobility. Only the households of clan chieftains are considered noble.
Last edited by crueldespot; 6th of April, 2007 at 08:18.
JIANGU Encyclopedia
From Chinese "mountain pass." Territory centered at 40N/40E between Yan Fan and FenZheng.
For many centuries the Aikou clan occupied the mountain fortress of Cen in the middle of the pass, extorting tolls and raiding or sometimes ruling the foothills on both sides of the mountain chain. The Aikou clan joined the empire and since then, each Aikou chieftain has served as imperial governor of the province. The Aikou nobles take great pride in their warlord heritage. The current chieftain of the Aikou is Qai'd. He is both chieftain and imperial governor.
The capital of Cen is home to the Aikou clan, the governmental center of the province, houses a small imperial garrison, and is a waystation for travel over the mountains.
In the spring of the 300th year of the monkey, once the Imperial bureaucracy was destroyed by the haunting, Lord Aikou set out to fill the power vacuum. He made a deal with the the leader of the local Imperial garrison, who swore allegiance to him. Their combined forces then set out to "restore law and order" in neighboring provinces. So far they have conquered Yanfan to the South and Fenzheng to the north. They have not yet completed their conquest of Anmi province, further north. A few villages in Fenzheng have refused to submit to his authority, but he has not yet turned his attention to defeating them.
According to an innkeeper that the henchmen met in YanFan Province: "Well you don't have to worry about criminals, In Aikou, it's the authorities that'll rob you. The army from the pass has come down to take charge. That's what my customers coming from the north say. They say that the tolls are so steep that there is nothing left for the bandits to take."
Territory of the School of the 4 Academics. Centered at 80N/60E. Means "tranquility" in Chinese. Invaded by the army of Lord Aikou in the 300th year of the monkey.
Town ruled by the Balden clan. 120S /60E
A province of 40,000 across the Bronze River from Dian, the capital province. Capital: a large town. Coordinates: 0N/20W. Translation: "Near West"
Bei Mian
Village in southwestern ZhiYi Province. From Chinese "wrong side of the coin."
Small town that is the seat of CaoYuan Province on the bank on the Crown River. A ferry crossing separates the town from Yu Province. Coordinates: 70N/36W. Population: 1,000.
Canzan, Lieutenant
Friend, spokesman, subordinate of Cuanwei Renge
Cao Yuan
Imperial province in the region of Shamaal on the bank on the Crown River. Coordinates: 80N/40W. Population: 20,000. Terrain: farm/grassland. Capital: small town of DaCaoYuan. translation: Prairie.
Capital of Aikou Province. Cen is located at the top of the mountain pass. It is highly fortified and houses an imperial garrison. The geography prevents the village from having any real industry, but it exists as a center of local government and a waystation on the highway.
A hilly province of 20,000 in the upper Bronze River valley, along the Whip River tributary. Location 0N/60W. Translation: "Flog, whip".
Delf (the)
Dwarven town located 19 miles east and 26 miles north of Shan Mountain. Home of Ukbal. Located in the Shan Feng territory.
Minor mountainous province of the empire. It has a road through a pass that provides a secondary route from the Imperial heartland to Shamaal. Population: 10,000, clustered in the northwestern edge along the Crown River. Coordinates: 40N/60W. Translation: "path leading up mountain."
Deng Gui
Seat of the provincial government of Deng Province. Village of Minor mountainous province of the empire. This is the last resting place before crossing the forbidding Deng Pass. Population: 600. The Deng Gui chieftain is also the provincial governor. Coordinates: 41N/59.6W. Translation: "path leading up mountain, mountain spring."
Deng Hagel
Village in the lower plain of Deng Province. Population: 500. A minor agricultural village with a few inns that cater to those traveling to or from the Deng pass. Coordinates: 47N/62.5W. Translation: Deng: "path leading up mountain, mountain spring" (Chinese), Hagel: "meadow" (Arabic)
Dong Xie
This territory is the eastern neighbor of the imperial capital of Dian. The Bronze river curves around Dong Xie clockwise, from the northeast, and intersects the Swift River at the northwestern corner. Dong Xie territory Location: 0N/20E. Translation: Eastern Mountain Valley
Drenched Forest
The region southeast of Jiangu.
Until recently, the most wealthy and important city in the empire. DuJing lies astride the Bronze river on the edge of Dian Province. This was the closest city to the Imperial Capital, and the home of the most important imperial families. DuJing was a planned city with a very civilized layout. When Dian became haunted, DuJing was wiped out. Only a few suburbs across the Bronze river survived. Prior to that, the population had been 40,000. From Chinese "Capital" and "city."
E Xing
Assistant to Tushu Guanliyon, encountered in Chapter 3.
Ebb, Vale of
Vale of Ebb (140 S/30 E), a hundred and fifty miles south-east of Shan Mountain in the territory of Shal-tier (a portion of the Drenched Forest), is generally a quiet place. The forest spirits are in harmony with the Elven folk who dwell there, and it is rare that intruders trouble it.
Fan Rong
One of the most prosperous and densely populated provinces in the empire. Population: 40,000. Capital: Large town (pop 4,000) of CaiFu (trans: "wealth"). Coordinates; 40S/20E. Translation: "booming economy"
Territory centered at 60N/50E. Means "difficulties" in Chinese. This territory was conquered by the forces of Lord Aikou in early Spring of the 300th Year of the Monkey.
Fire Lord of Force
Deity of heat and flame who was worshipped by Mikon, the former master of Termix.
Four Academics, School of
The place where Whochun was raised. The school is located 80 miles north and 60 miles east of Shan mountain.
The school trains able youth in the way of the sword. It always develops the mind of the warrior first. Each student is a member in one of the four schools: String (rogues), Chess (fighters), Book (wizards), Paint (clerics). Each school is headed by a Headmaster who lead the Academics as one.
The Strings are known as the Entertainers. They are trained in the art of keeping people happy and their attention allocated ( politics ). Of course, students are taught how to pull strings.
If Strings are trained to keep people happy, the Chesses are trained to keep people secured. They are war strategiest of the highest caliber. Also, they're great gambling and boardgames.
The Books consider themselves the Bookkeeper of civilization. They are also the lawyers and historians. If they have to, they'll backup their knowledge with arcane might.
Paints are the Philosophers and artists. They imagines how the nature works and how people should act accordingly. They accept and teach all religions, except for those with intolerance.
Many of its members hold offices in the Imperial court and among warlords' advisers. Many instructors are known to have nobles as students. The Four Academics itself gives no loyalty to any one clan. In a way, it acts like a small independent clan.
According to Whochun:
"Our master belongs to the School of Book, which studies varies different topics including history and politics. General history is always recorded according to present politics. However, true history can only be kept by unbiased independents."
"It is the standard policies for the Academies to remain independent. Loyalty is determined individually. The Academies never throw weight behind any one side as a whole. The Grandmaster has no right to force his personal loyalty upon the others. The schools have students from all parts of the Empire. Each has to draw his own conclusion. The education provided aims to make the decisions wiser, but not to influence them. The exception to this rule is 'the Call'." "The Call is a rally for all scholars to come to the aid of the Academies. As regulation, the Grandmaster has to step down after the situation is resolved for allowing the Call to be needed. This is always for last resort. Though it had been used only twice in official history, both time completely cripple the Empire's bureaucracy and military with so many students abandoning their positions. Both Grandmasters at the time have a lot to answer for. One was executed for treason by the Emperor. The other one was more fortunate."
"Between you and me, the current Grandmaster is a rather selfish man who greatly values his own position. You did not hear that from me. Plus Governor Aikou properly already removes his dependence on the Academies students if the disagreement has elevated to this level."
Cuanwei Biaoxiong
Uncle of the emperor and commander of the third imperial regiment. Translation: Royal Crown Older cousin
Cuanwei Renge, Captain
Younger brother of Guanmian Biaoxiong. Translation: Royal Crown Integrity
Five Martyrs, Village of – also clan of, shrine of
A village inhabited by a clan of the same name. The site was named after five legendary heroes who died there fighting against a barbarian invasion. The heroes were visited by the spirits of the martyrs when they visited the shrine outside the village in chapter 5, scene 4. Location: 33W/22N in Miao Province.
The wizard who hires the characters, thereby bringing the group together. Lives in a tower just outside of the northwest gate of Ichiba. He has a long white beard. His eyebrows are so long that they are combed to the side and hang down to his jaw. He wears a tight silver skullcap and a patterned robe that glitters.
Guanliyon Tushu
Imperial librarian, encountered in Chapter 3.
A located where the Bronze river spreads through a broad delta into the Inner Sea. This metropolis of at least 40,000 people is chaotic and lawless. The nominal government is barely able to maintain order. Each neighborhood is controlled by a different clan, guild, or gang. There are several competing harbors in the city. Location: 70E/8S. Translation: Ocean port; harbor
A province located at the Southern tip of Shamaal Province. The Wasteland Frontier lies to the Southwest, and Deng Province of the Imperial Heartland lies to the Southeast. Center location: 60N/70W. Population: 20,000 Translation: "Border" (Arabic)
Heduud Nahar
The seat of government and largest settlement in Heduud Province, on the shore of the Crown River, across from Deng Province. Location: 50N/66W. Population: 1,000. Translation: "Border River" (Arabic)
Deity. Alignment: N. Favored weapon, Flail, Domains: blood, war, destruction
Hemodeus is the god of blood. For most of the world he is completely unknown. His followers will never attest to the fact that they worship him,and outside of them, only very learned, high level, or people in contact with the gods, know about him. He loathes any blood related disease, and often grants his followers special abilities to cure them.
Followers believe that blood is the ultimate good, the essence of life, but, that it is trapped in the contaminating flesh of the body it flows through.
The greatest good is to release the blood from this imprisonment. Because of this his followers must release an amount of blood =level +1 hp a day,from a sentient creature. or lose any special privileges brought by worshipping him, until the sacrifice is made. If his worshippers can't let the blood of another creature, they will spill there own in a sacrifice. If this is done, no magical healing will return these hit points, only time. Believers also feel that undead are a blasphemy (as they live without blood). they therefore turn undead, instead of rebuking them.
The exception to this rule is vampires. They have a very interesting roll in the worship of Hemodius. They are thought to be as close to god-like as you can be, since they remove blood from a doomed, mortal body, to be perfectly preserved in there immortal one. Vampires are revered as personal friends with Hemodius. It is said that his most faithful followers are rewarded by being converted. A good number of vampires are just that, converted followers. But there are a good number of them that simply use the worship as a way to protect themselves and further there causes, with no allegiance to Hemodeus at all.
Characters must make a good effort (what is good is up to dm discretion) to destroy any undead they come across. If it is something way beyond what they are capable of (a 2nd level cleric finds out about a lich, for instance) he must immediately stop whatever activities he is involved with, and find a high level Hemodeus worshiper to tell about the abomination. While a secretive group, there are more worshippers than you might expect.
Many midwives worship him, since they see the blood shed at birth as a
symbol of new life, as are many healers (why do you think leaches and blood letting were so popular for healing methods?!)
The major seaport for the Imperial Heartland region. HaiGang lies near the mouth of the Bronze River. Popluation: 50,000. Location: 70E/6S. Translation: "ocean harbor " in Chinese.
Servant of Guanmain Renge. A skilled tracker and detective. Translation: hunter
Province centered 40 miles north and 20 miles west of Shan Mountain. Includes Yi Mountain. Home of Termix. Means "mountain of flames" in Chinese.
town located 8 miles north and 9 miles east of Shan Mountain. It lies on the bank of the Bronze River where it is joined by the Swift River. Ichiba is a large town of 4,000. Name is Japanese for market or town.
Imperial Couriers
Before the fall of the empire members of the nobility needed a way to communicate with the emperor and other nobles. Whether it be about a simple matter of daily administration, annual taxation, or the security and sanctity of the empire, messages had to flow across the empire. Entrusted to deliver these messages were the members of the Imperial Couriers.
For most purposes, the Imperial Couriers were simply liveried agents in the service of the emperor. Paid to fulfill their tasks, most of these couriers were either clanless or members of lesser clans hoping to improve their status by attaching themselves to the Imperial household. However, such people can only be trusted as far as their pay covers their wants and desires. Should they want more than they are paid, they may sell the contents of their messages for favors and cash. Far from being a punishable crime, however, such selling and trafficking of messages was expected. It was through this less than scrupulous activity that members of the nobility would plot and scheme to gain political advantage without risking open confrontation. Knowing which messenger was on which take was as important as knowing what to put in most messages. Sometimes, however, messages had to be delivered without worry about such machinations. Messages of military significance, for instance, were entrusted to Military Couriers. Unlike Imperial Couriers, Military Couriers were not paid agents, nor were all of them in the service of the emperor. Instead every clan chief and mercenary that had control of a body of men had a few Military Couriers who were loyal to them. Answerable only to their commanders, Military Couriers are sacrosanct, and even in the midst of combat, are immune from harm (though their interception and the prevention of them from reaching their destination is allowed). This code of conduct ensures that even in the midst of battle, the conditions of a surrender or offer of truce will be heard by the other side.
There are times, however, when the Emperor himself had to send important messages to one or more of his subjects without fear of these messages being intercepted (or vis versa). For this important task, only the Imperial Trusted Couriers were ever used. Sworn to speak no word save their message, and to no one save the messages intended recipient, these couriers stand outside the caste and clan system. Neither slave, nor free these men and women show loyalty only to their duty. No clan, no family, not even the emperor can command them to do other than what they are sworn to.
Of course, all that was before the events that caused the haunting of the Shan Mountain and the Imperial Throne. Since the fall of the emperor, the rule of might has prevailed and many of the traditions of old have been abandoned. Without an imperial household, the Imperial Couriers are no more, and so long as physical power determines rulership, there is little need for them. Military Couriers survive mainly intact, but their sanctity on the battlefield is no longer what it once was. The unscrupulous have taken to killing the Couriers of their enemies, or even those of their allies if it will further their designs. Where once a Military Courier wouldn't dream of carrying a weapon, they are now a necessity to defend themselves. A fact which has in turn led to the use of Couriers as weapons.
Only the Imperial Trusted Couriers have survived, in a fashion, unchanged. Bound as they are by their oaths, they can do little else. The discipline of their training had instilled in the Imperial Trusted Couriers the ability to defend themselves, but seldom the desire as under the rule of the emperor it was largely unnecessary. Since the fall, however, many have found the will to defend themselves or died without it, but still few carry weapons, for such a gross violation of the tradition under which they lived their life is anathema to them. Some wander with messages for the Emperor left undelivered (and undeliverable) locked inside their head. A few will trade their services for coin, as there is still nothing more secure than an Imperial Trusted Courier for a message, but most require only the food and lodging they need to live to carry out their sworn duty, as of old. One wonders, however, if the Imperial Trusted Couriers will outlast the current generation. Without the Imperial influence, who will take on the responsibility of designating new Trusted Couriers, and even then, will they be trusted enough to gain acceptance across what was once the empire?
A clan village in Fenzheng Province. The clan chamberlain is Khell. His nephew Zeyn is the commander of the clan militia. Itqawem is one of a small group of villages that have refused to submit to the new Aikou warlords. Their militias have banded together as a unified force. Name is Arabic for "Resist"
LiaoXiao Town
A small town in ZhiYi Province. From Chinese "healing efficacy."
Merak Hoi
A province of 20,000 in the northern Imperial Heartland. The population is almost entirely Halfling. Capital: Small town of Merak. This province is the home of Gizerak. Coordinates: 60N/10E. Villages: Merak Xi in the west (Chinese for Merak West), Barieq Mbalet in the northwest (Arabic "paved road") and Nahar Shot (Arabic "river") along the Crown river to the northeast.
Hilly province of 20,000 along the deep Grave River canyon in the Imperial heartland. Coordinates: 20N/30W. Roads lead east-west, northwest to southeast, and southwest. There is no road northeast to ZuLi Province. Translation: "Second."
the former master of Termix. An evoker devoted to Fire Lord of Force. He lived on the slope of Yi Mountain.
Mu (Xia Chi), Sergeant
A sergeant in the militia of Xia Chi village of Zhi Yi Province. The henchmen meet him in chapter 5, scene 5.
Nedzul clan
Live in the forest around Balden.
SanSe ZiLuoLan, Village of
Located at 40.5W / 19N on the eastern border of ZhiYi Province, along a stream within a canyon. Visited in Chapter 5, scene 5. Translation: Mandarin for "Pansy."
Deity. Prankster followers are amusing folk who always laugh about a joke or a prank. Normal life is one big joke fort them and a perfect opportunity to trick other people. Prankster:is a satyr who was in his former life a Halfling. He got his godlike portfolio in the war of gods. His favorite weapons are throwing stones. His domains are trickery,chaos and luck.
Qing Shan
A province 20 miles north and 10 miles west of Dian. It is hilly, with a population of 20,000. The largest settlement is a small town. Imperial Highways run east to west and northeast. From Chinese "verdant hills."
Regiments of the Imperial Army
The first regiment was garrisoned in Dian province, so it was wiped out by the haunting. The second regiment was located in Aikou, and had some sort of pre-arranged deal to join forces with Qa'id Aikou. The third regiment guarded the lower Bronze river valley." Golock indicates the area around FanRong province. It's commander is one of those imperial uncles who claims the throne, so the third regiment belongs to a bloodline faction. The fifth regiment is loyal to the interim government, but they are in distant Shamaal." He points to the far northwest. "Hmm. The fourth and sixth regiments are stationed in Shajaraat and Sokhoor. Their loyalty is not yet decided.
Insignia: First regiment: Green (Jade). Second regiment: Red. Third regiment: Yellow (gold). Fourth regiment: Blue. Fifth regiment: Grey (Silver).
SanSi ZiLuLian
Village in ZhiYi Province, visited by the henchmen in chapter 5, scene 5. The chieftain is young and was disappointed that the henchmen were not bringing him a message. 19N/40.5W. From Chinese "pansy."
Deity. King of the North Mountain, Prince of the East Wind, Duke of the Western Flames, and Baron of the South Seas. Sha-gaat is a respected deity of the realm, with responsibility over the elements and the balance among them. He is a Chaotic Good deity that makes his home on the Prime Material plane. He has been known to appear as an enormous elemental that changes from one element to the next. His holy symbol is a disc separated into four parts by a cross. Arranged in the spaces are the symbols of a mountain, a cloud, a leaping flame, and a cresting wave. His clergy choose their two domains from either Earth and Fire or Air and Water. Whichever two they choose are always placed on the top of their holy symbol, with the conflicting element diagonal to it on the bottom of the symbol. So if Fire is on the top right, and Earth is on the top left, Air is on the bottom left and Water on the bottom right. The normal garb of the clergy is robes of the orange, brown, blue, or silver, depending on the two domains that they choose.
A new initiate to the church takes the first couple of years preparing for the ceremony of entrance to the clergy. At this ceremony, the highest priest in attendance has a vision that contains the new initiates elemental name. After this ceremony, the new elemental priest spends the next years preparing to become a full fledged cleric of his order. When the higher ranking clerics determine that the priest is ready, another ceremony is held. At this ceremony, the highest ranking priest in attendance is again granted a vision. In this one though, the priest's role in the church is given. The priest then is declared a full member of the church and begins his new life and has control of his own studies.
Region northeast of the Imperial Heartland, centered at 70E/140N. This region is a major part of the Empire, and is both fertile and heavily populated, though colder than the Imperial Heartland. Agriculture favors wheat over rice. Translation: "Tree" in Arabic.
Region northwest of the Imperial Heartland, centered at 70W/140N. This prairie region is a part of the Empire. It is arid and colder than the Imperial Heartland, so the population is not as dense. Though it has less rainfall, many areas are productive for appropriate crops with proper irrigation. Shamaal has frequently been overrun by incursions of barbarian nomads. As a result, villages tend to be heavily fortified, and a sizeable force of the imperial army is garrisoned here.
Shan Feng
Territory centered 40 miles north and zero miles east or west from Shan Mt. Includes the Delf. Means "mountain peak" in Chinese.
village in eastern ZunYan province. Here Flarrgj rescued a gentlemen, and the gentleman's daughter ran away from home with the intent of becoming Flarrgj's mistress. Even though Flarrgj refused, her disappearance was blamed on him.
Mountainous province on the northwestern edge of the Imperial Heartland. Population: 10,000. Coordinates: 40N/40W. The only road into SiHuTong is from Miao Province. There is no path through the mountains northwest to the Crown River. Translation: "Dead end."
Traditional Pantheonist Church
This church pays homage to all of the mainstream gods, honoring each god on its holy days and respecting each god within its own sphere. The church is particularly devoted to the worship of the emperor, who they see as an intermediary between the gods and mortals. Each deity in the pantheon has its own sect, whose priests work in conjunction with (but are not subordinate to) the Traditional Pantheonist clergy. Q'Tar is a prominent god in the pantheon recognized by the church.
The Traditional Pantheonist Church is the primary religious body of the local territory. The Bishop is the territorial leader of the church, and would normally report to the church's High Priest in Dian. Not surprisingly, the Bishop is a member of the territory's ruling clan.
Some territories favor competing sects of the church- such as the Reformed Pantheonist Church or the High Spiritual Pantheonist Church. These factions splintered off of the Traditional Pantheonist Church as a result of theological or political differences.
Overall, the church is lawful neutral. The favored weapon is the quarterstaff. Domains are law, sun, and knowledge.
Deity (Val if er ay )-. Prefered weapon: Star of Easterly Light (heavy flail)
Valifere is the god of the battlefield. Valifere's titles include the Mistress of Battle, the Protector of the Wounded, and the Deliverer. Shrines of Valifere can be found at the sites of any major battle, built to protect the spirits of the dead from evil and her temples can be found anywhere that boasts a standing army. When a soldier dies on the battle field, it is not uncommon for him to call out Valifere's name. Her clerics are known as the Shepards of Wounded Souls and can be found tending to her shrines and searching new battlefields for the wounded. Her worshipers include soldiers, officers, hospitalers, field medicals, and generals. Valifere's domains are Good, Luck, Protection, and War.
Xia Chi
Village in the middle of ZhiYi Province on the road to Deng. 19N/50.5W. From Chinese "Bottom Teeth."
Yan Fan
Territory to the east of Zun Yan, centered at 20N/30E. Conquered by the forces of Lord Aikou in the Spring of the 300th Year of the Monkey. The capital of the province is Yanfan town. From Chinese "boredom."
Yi Mountain
a dormant volcano 40 miles north of Shan Mountain in Huoyanshan province.. The school of Mikon was located on the Southeastern slope. Derived from chinese Yi4: "A half extinguished fire."
Zauchan Territory
Named for the clan which has governed it since time immemorial, Zauchan territory has remained firmly in the hands of the Zauchan clan since the fall of the empire. The Zauchan's were always a military clan, and the chaos which has ensued since the events at Shan Mountain have only reinforced their traditions.
All sons in the Zauchan clan must serve actively the in the clan militia for a minimum of five years upon attaining their majority. After that they generally return to their family home to take up their family's traditional role. Some, especially younger sons, stay on with the militia, advancing in rank and position in a way they could not under the rule of their father and elder brother back home. However, all men who can lift a sword in full armor, even the heads of household, may be called upon by the clan chief in time of war (women do not serve in the militia as a general rule, though there have been exceptions on a purely voluntary basis). No clan member in recent memory has refused this call, and proud stories are told of the men who sacrificed everything for the sake of the clan. For those that refuse the call and betray the clan, only ignominy and status as the "boogeyman" who mother's use to coerce their children into behaving. "Do as your told or Qualal will take your will to live." is a common chide from mother's to children. As the story goes, Qualal refused the call to service. He died of a horrible sickness, two weeks later, his will to live having been sucked out of him by the ancestral protectors of the clan. His spirit still wanders the land, searching for the will to live again so that he might die with the honor he denied himself in life.
Located due east of Dian, at the furthest reach of the Jiangu region, Zauchan territory lies on the major trade route from the empire to the coastline in the adjacent region. Zauchan is a Major territory at 0N/100E. The Zauchan family itself is hobgoblin, but members of all races can be found in their territory (mixed: 74% hobgoblin, 9% human, 5% halfling, 5% elf, 3% half-orc, 2% gnome, 1% half-elf, 1% dwarf). The total population of the territory is 41,100 working adults The Zauchan clan, and those who serve it, tend towards Lawful Neutral, regardless of the alignment tendencies of their race. The dominance of military life in the territory pushes aside all other concerns. Clan members expect to follow orders and expect their orders to be followed without question. This general attitude naturally propagates itself downwards through the lower levels of society.
The staple crop of Zauchan territory is barley. Zauchan territory is not an exporter of any major goods, though it does have small deposits of minerals, but since it controls several trade routes, it can generally get whatever it needs from other locations. The dominant source of income for the Zauchan clan chief is taxes on trade goods entering and leaving Zauchan territory (roughly 67%). The balance comes in the form of local taxes (20%) and mercenary services provided to other clans (13%).
A rough territory in the northwestern Imperial Heartland. Population: 20,000. From here a secondary pass leads through Deng province to the region of Shamaal. There are also roads to Miao and Chui provinces. Location: 50W/20N. Translation: "Third."
A rough territory in the northern Imperial Heartland. Population: 20,000. Here the Imperial Legion camped overnight before their reconquest of Merak Hoi. Location: 10W/60N. Translation: Chinese "Between."
A remote mountainous province in the northern Imperial Heartland. Population: 10,000. The only roads into the province lead to Miao and QingShan provinces to the south. No paths lead across the mountains to the north. Coordinates 20W/40N. Translation: "Obstacle."
Zun Yan
The territory where Ichiba is located, centered at 20N / 10E. From Chinese "dignity; sanctity; honor." Population: 40,000. Includes a Halfling minority in Ichiba and some hamlets to the north
Last edited by crueldespot; 6th of April, 2007 at 07:58.
Territory Maps
This section describes the geography of the territories on the map.
For simplicity, the layout of territories generally follows standard templates. The template for each territory is based on the population and directional orientation of the territory. The arrows on the maps below designate the area of greatest popuation densitity. Rotate the template so that the arrow is oriented in the correct direction to match the direction of population concentration shown on the campaign map.
Last edited by crueldespot; 4th of July, 2007 at 21:18.
These territories are listed in a seperate post due to the restriction against more than ten images per post. These are territories that were explored later in the campaign.
Last edited by crueldespot; 20th of April, 2007 at 16:19.
Maps of the Imperial Palace
Last edited by crueldespot; 25th of June, 2007 at 13:19.
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text:
In his book Futurecast, George Barna details a two-decade-long downward spiral in religious belief and behavior on the part of U.S. adults.
Barna's most important finding?
Although more U.S. adults today claim to have accepted Jesus as their Savior and expect to go to Heaven, they continue to drift away in large numbers from active membership in institutional churches. This finding demonstrates itself in specific behavior:
- In 1991, 24% of U.S. adults did not attend church. In 2011, it's 37%.
- In 2011, more U.S. adults in 2011 than in 1991 reported that they haven't attended church in the past six months, except for special occasions like funerals or weddings.
This weakening of institutional affiliation is true for every U.S. subgroup: religion, race, gender, age, and region.
Nowhere is this weakening more true than when it comes to doctrine. For example, Barna reports that only 7% of the adults surveyed believe in the 7 essential doctrines of Christian faith, as these have been defined by the National Association of Evangelicals' Statement of Faith.
Barna theorizes this weakening of institutional affiliation mirrors American society writ large. He notes:
We are a designer society. We want everything customized to our personal needs—our clothing, our food, our education. Now it's our religion…America is headed for 310 million people with 310 million religions.
So, it should not prove surprising that increasing numbers of U.S. adults are matching their religious faith with personal preferences. According to Barna:
People say, "I believe in God. I believe the Bible is a good book. And then I believe whatever I want."
Who's to blame?
In so far Barna is concerned, pastors deserve some of the blame. He writes:
Everyone hears, "Jesus is the answer. Embrace him. Say this little Sinners Prayer and keep coming back." It doesn't work. People end up bored, burned out and empty. They look at church and wonder, "Jesus died for this?"
Agree or not with Barna's methodology, data, or interpretations, his findings depict much of what has transpired in the U.S. Catholic Church since the 1960s.
Barna's solution?
In his new book, Maximum Faith, Barna details new research describing four barriers U.S. adults have identified that keep them from developing deeper faith. These include:
- commitment (only 18% of those surveyed describe themselves as totally committed to their spiritual development);
- repentance (only 12% reported feeling "devastated" by their sinfulness and need for God);
- activity (spiritual disciplines are not practiced with sufficient frequency to make much if any difference); and,
- spiritual community (only 21% of self-identified Christians say it's necessary to be part of a community of faith to grow spiritually).
To assist adults to overcome these barriers, Barna presents three challenges to pastors.
The first challenge: don't confuse tools with expectations.
While laudable, preaching about the tools—-to worship and evangelize, to be disciples, to practice stewardship and service, and to form community—misses the goal of deepening faith. As Barna rightly notes, faith development requires being motivated to meet high expectations. Focus upon high expectations—the purpose of faith—to provide the foundation for deeper faith, not vice versa.
The second challenge: assist adults to embrace suffering and sacrifice with the goal of surrendering and submitting to God.
Barna argues that spiritual growth occurs when adults embrace their brokenness—to be broken people—not by concealing it. But, they need exemplars. Barna suggests that pastors identify the experiences of members of the faith community who have suffered for their faith, that is, the pain they endured through personal crises, their prolonged commitment to spiritual growth, and their increasing practice of spiritual discipline. For example, preaching about these exemplars teaches selflessness and inspires hope in adults that they can also experience victory in deepening faith.
Barna's third challenge: get adults to perceive and experience the faith community as a vital support system in the pursuit of deepening one's faith.
Slightly more than 25% of self-described Christians meet during the week for Bible study, prayer, or life sharing; however, many of these meetings are primarily a means for creating community and a sense of connection to the larger church, the product of which oftentimes is a combination of knowledge and comfort, not commitment and the application of faith to real-life. These meetings, while helpful for personal and perhaps spiritual growth, oftentimes do not get translated into the "fruit" of deeper faith: personal, congregational, and cultural transformation.
Barna believes that pastors should redefine "success" when it comes to motivating adults to overcome the four barriers to deepening their faith. He notes that typical measures—attendance at church and program attendance/completion—demonstrate little correlation with deeper faith. What pastors should focus upon is "plowing the ground"—the stuff of deeper faith—rather than "pruning the vines"—providing programs—if the pastoral goal is to effect the transformation of all things in Christ.
Adult Catholics who are serious about deepening their faith and strengthening their affiliation to the Church might consider discussing Barna's findings and challenges with their pastors. Think about it: Were Sunday homilies to integrate each of Barna's three challenges effectively, it is likely the adults in the congregation would perk up, listen, and consider the stuff of a deeper Catholic faith: character change, lifestyle shifts, and attitudinal transitions. They might even practice spiritual discipline more frequently and make a greater commitment to the life of the Catholic faith by developing parish-based programs to assist their peers to deepen their faith.
For information about Futurecast, click on the following link:
For information about Maximum Faith, click on the following link:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This is a good scam email I will say. It does look like it is from PayPal. I wasn't able to post the graphics on here but it looks just like an email PayPal will use. There are 2 things that are wrong with this though. First off the email account that they are addressing me by and sent the message to I no longer use for PayPal. Second when PayPal sends you an email, they will address you by your full name. You will also notice that the links and email associated with this email are not PayPal. Other then that good job to the scammers for at least making this look legit (for the most part). Email was sent from firstname.lastname@example.com.
Notice to email@example.com,
Your Ρaypal account has been Iimited because we've noticed significant changes in your account activity. As your payment processor, we need to understand these changes better.
This account Iimitation will affect your ability to:
send or receive money
withdraw money
Also, you won't be able to:
remove any bank accounts
remove credit cards
close your account
What to do next
Please log in to your Ρaypal account and provide the requested information before April 22, 2015 through the Account Review. If we don't receive the information before this deadline or we notice additional significant changes in your account activity, your account access may be further Iimited.
Log In Now
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you need further assistance, please click Contact at the bottom of any Ρaypal page.


text:
Lent, It's time for CHANGE …
Yes, we have all heard this before, the call for change. Being Roman Catholic is part of who I am. Today is
Ash Wednesday
and I am all about dedicating myself to change … in so many areas … thought, word, and deed! I read an article this morning on the website of American Catholic bishops. In the article, Bishop Ricken (chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) presented some wonderful ideas on how to observe Lent well.
Being a CCD teacher, I synopsized the list for my 7th grade class; it follows. If you want the full story, click on the link to Bishop Ricken's article (http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-032.cfm).
10 Things to Remember for Lent
(based on an article by Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin)
1. Remember the Formula – PRAYER, FASTING, ALMSGIVING.
2. It's a time of prayer. Spread out over 40 days, we go on a journey that brings us closer to Christ.
3. It's a time to fast. With the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal disciplines interspersed, Lent is the only time many Catholics these days actually fast.
4. It's a time to work on discipline. The 40 days of Lent are also a good, set time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing something positive such as exercise more or intentionally setting aside time to go to Confession regularly.
5. It's about dying to yourself. The suffering and death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent. So more than simple self-control, Lent is about finding aspects of yourself that are less than Christ-like and letting them "die". (Again the Sacrament of Penance is a big help.)
6. Don't do too much. Don't be tempted to try to "re-invent" yourself this Lent. Focus on a couple of simple ways to grow closer to God.
7. Lent reminds us of our weakness. We have trouble keeping even our simple goals – when we fast, we are one meal away satisfying our hunger. Seeing our helplessness makes us seek God's help more urgently.
8. Be patient with yourself. When confronted with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. Instead, receive God's grace to be patient with ourselves and others.
9. Reach out in charity. Experiencing our own weakness and suffering renews our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering, and in need. The third part of the formula – almsgiving – means throwing more in the collection basket and helping others with God's unconditional love.
10. Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ. Let us ask His help, join His suffering, and learn to love like He does.
Let's all draw closer to God this Lent. Cheers!


text:
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text:
Another DNA Boost to Madeleine's Case
The technique has been used in high-profile cases around the world
A controversial method of obtaining DNA profiles is "fit for purpose" in court, an independent review has concluded. The government-commissioned study said low copy number DNA analysis, which can establish a profile from just a few cells, was "scientifically robust". But it recommended improvements in how police forensic teams collect the cells to ensure there is no contamination.
Use of the method was briefly suspended last year after the Omagh bombing trial judge questioned its credibility. Professor Brian Caddy's report concluded the technique was fundamentally sound, but not being used as effectively as possible.
Omagh trial
During the Omagh trial, Mr Justice Weir expressed reservations about low copy number (LCN) DNA testing after it wrongly linked a sample taken from a car bomb in Northern Ireland to a 14-year-old boy in Nottingham. However, an upgraded version of the test later cleared the boy.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland suspended its use after the acquittal of Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey. Police in England and Wales also suspended the technique, but it was reinstated as admissible evidence after a review of relevant cases by the Crown Prosecution Service found no problems. However, fears remained that dozens of high-profile convictions secured with the help of the technique - including for murder, rape and terrorist offences - could be unsafe.
The technique... is scientifically robust and appropriate for use in police investigations. Professor Caddy
Professor Caddy, commissioned by the government's Forensic Science Regulator, made 21 recommendations in his review.
National standard
These included establishing a national training standard for police forensic teams and scenes of crime officers on collecting samples, and ensuring there is no contamination. Because of the minute quantities of material involved, the potential for contamination by outside sources is much greater.
The review called for a national standard for "DNA clean" crime scene recovery kits, and for a consensus between the three forensic science firms who operate the technique on how to interpret results.
It recommended an advisory panel guide the courts on how to interpret such low template DNA evidence and said any profile obtained using the technique should be presented to a jury in a criminal trial with caveats.
Low Copy Number DNA Testing
LCN DNA evidence has been used by the Forensic Science Service since 1999
It enables DNA profiles to be produced from minute amounts - often invisible to the naked eye
The tiny particles used vastly increase the potential for contamination
Professor Caddy said: "I am satisfied low template DNA is fit for purpose within the criminal justice system.
"I found that the technique, as developed by all the forensic suppliers, is scientifically robust and appropriate for use in police investigations."
Failure rates
He added: "The drive is towards the setting of standards of recovering DNA from crime scenes, and having set those standards, making sure they are properly implemented."
Andrew Rennison, the Forensic Science Regulator, said: "I'm satisfied the science is safe and fit for purpose, but there is work to be done around collection and interpretation."
He is in discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service, National Policing Improvement Agency and Home Office, and will make his own recommendations to ministers soon.
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier also welcomed the reports conclusion.
Paul Hackett, from the government's Forensic Science Service, said the report was a "ringing endorsement" of the technique, which had the support of all agencies involved.
"It is very much case dependent and I think broad-brush statements about its reliability are somewhat inaccurate," he said.
The study noted failure rates for low template DNA analysis are high - one police force estimated success rate in achieving a full profile at about 6%.
LCN DNA evidence has been used in high-profile cases around the world, including the Peter Falconio murder trial in Australia, that of serial rapist Antoni Imiela in the UK, and the search for missing child Madeleine McCann.
Case by case
Forensic expert Professor Allan Jamieson, who questioned the validity of LCN DNA when he gave evidence for the defence in the Omagh bomb trial, said its use should be carefully considered.
"The real issue is: do we know what it means when you see a profile?" said Prof Jamieson, director of The Forensic Institute in Glasgow.
"For example, when you mix two people's DNA together, it's like mixing the coins in their pockets together. They end up on the table and you have to say which coin came from which person.
"You simply can't do that."
On DNA Profilling PDF
Application of Low Copy Number DNA Profiling by Forensic Science Service, Trident Court, Birmingham, UK
FingerPrints for Dummies on PDF
The study of the development, the classification, and the identification
of the prints left by the papillary ridges of the skin.
Low Copy Number
Low copy number (LCN) DNA profiling is a technique sensitive enough to analyze just a few cells. When this kind of analysis is carried out, special considerations are needed to interpret the results. In particular, it is important to consider the implications of allele dropout and the possibility of contamination from a laboratory source. A rationale for interpreting LCN DNA is described.
DNA boost To Madeleine Case
23 Jan 2008
If anything it may help quieten calls within government and law enforcement for the database to be expanded, as current data should be better utilised. Technorati Tags: DNA, Low Copy Number, British Media, Kate McCann, Gerry McCann, ...
Missing bag belonging to Maddie's father is a clue in the ...
24 Dec 2007
Meanwhile, according to the British press, the Crown Prosecution Service ordered now a new study on the value of the technique used in the method of Low Copy Number (LCN), which aims to enlarge tiny samples of DNA in the laboratory of ...
Maddie :Fingerprints and DNA
29 Nov 2007
Low Copy Number, designates the technique used by the laboratory of Birmingham in the analysis of the biological tracks. This technique allows doing a genetic identification from evidences left on the scene of a crime in very small ...
Mccann's Expess News
2 Dec 2007
The hunt for Madeleine McCann last night centred on a disused barn near Praia da Luz where police found a towel stained with what may turn out to be the little girl's blood.Fibres found on the towel allegedly match fibres from the hire car rented by Maddie's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann...
Madeleine: Agora a caça centra-se num celeiro abandonado
2 Dec 2007 by Joana Morais
Embora as amostras não fossem de boa qualidade os cientistas foram capazes de fazer a análise através do método do Low Copy Number* que mostrou uma moderada correspondência com o sangue de Madeleine. Os resultados embora não conclusivos ...
Investigation: Returns to Portugal
29 Nov 2007
The genetic profile of Maddie can be reconstituted from a slight touch of the face, hands or other part of the body in those areas - that by presenting traces of blood, may indicate the death of the child in the room of the apartment. The main thesis of the PJ remains on the accidental death on the afternoon of May 3, and more specifically, in the two hours in which only parents had access to Maddie...


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Sophan Black, juillet 1st, 2018. How To, 13 Simple Cleaning Tips And Hacks That Make The House Sparkle.
What we have here is the gallery of 13 Simple Cleaning Tips And Hacks That Make The House Sparkle, there are 15 images to inspire you such as laundry room iron board, colgate marker cleaning, clean open space kitchen hardwood floor, kitchen utensil storage ideas, remove pet hair from furniture, and many others. Just cick the thumbnail bellow to see more images in high resolution.
All content published under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
All the rights of image and video that are in this site are reserved by their respective owners.
Home • Contact • Sitemap • Privacy Policy • Term of Service • Copyright/IP PolicyCopyright © Sophantheam Blog 2018 – All Rights Reserved.


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Friday Squid Blogging: USB Squirming Tentacle
Just the thing. (Note that this is different than the squid USB drive I blogged about.)
As usual, you can also use this squid post to talk about the security stories in the news that I haven't covered.
Posted on January 25, 2013 at 4:15 PM • 53 Comments


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your bag
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If you would like ARCHFASHION to try to and find it for you complete the form below.
The due east halter dress is crafted 100% silk crepe de chine contrasting with italian compact bonded mesh. This modern halter dress features a plunging neckline with a sporty bonded mesh insert, contrast peplum, pencil skirt and curved hemline. Fabrication: 100% silk crepe de chine care instructions: dry clean


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Ambassador Oren says Obama's visit sends message of support to Israelis at a time when "the Middle East is burning."
US President Barack Obama's itinerary shows his deep commitment to Zionism and to Israel as a Jewish state that is historically routed in this region, Israel's Ambassador to the US Michael Oren told Channel 2 on Saturday night during its Meet the Press program.
"This will be Obama's first trip outside the United States in his second term. Out of more than 190 countries around the world, he chose to come to us," said Oren.
He took issue with Thomas Friedman's latest column in the New York Times in which the journalist said, "Obama could be the first sitting American president to visit Israel as a tourist."
Obama comes to Israel at a time when the region is burning with a message of deep support, which is a testament to the deep bonds between the two countries, Oren said.
"It is a message that will be heard both in Israel and the Middle East," Oren said.
The Israeli public has yet to meet Obama face to face and one of the central goals of this visit is to establish that kind of connection, Oren said.
"[Obama] will visit the Shrine of the Book [at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem that houses] the ancient Dead scrolls written more than 2,000 years ago by Jews in Hebrew in their home land, the land of Israel, this sends a message to the world about the Jewish state's deep roots in this region," said Oren.
"This is not a country that fell from the sky after the Holocaust, this is a state that is truly rooted in the region, and is permanent and legitimate," Oren said.
Equally significant, said Oren, is Obama's scheduled stop at the Mt. Herzl cemetery to lay a wreath at the grave of the fonder of Zionism, Theodore Herzl.
"It gives a significant endorsement to the Zionist idea," Oren said.
While in Israel, Obama will hold discussions with Israeli leaders on important topics, such as the stalled Israeli Palestinian negotiations, Oren said.
Israel shares Obama's desire to persuade Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiating table so that a solution can be found that allows for two states for two peoples, Oren said.
Obama would also talk with Israeli leaders about the threat of chemical weapons in Syria and Iran's advancement toward the possession of nuclear weapons.
In an interview with Channel 2 on Thursday night Obama said he believed that Iran would have a nuclear weapon in a year or more, but that a window of time still existed to deter them diplomatically.
On Saturday night Oren told Channel 2 that only Israel can decide when to defend its citizens before any threat in the region and Obama recognizes this.
He also spoke of the importance of releasing Jonathan Pollard from a US jail where he is serving a life sentence for passing classified information to Israel, including with regard to an Iraqi nuclear reactor that Israel bombed in 1981.
"Pollard has paid a heavy price and we have taken responsibility and apologized. The time has come for him to be released. Netanyahu will raise the issue with Obama and we hope he will be released soon," Oren said.
In an interview with Channel 2 on Thursday night Obama said, "I have no plans for releasing Jonathan Pollard immediately, but what I am going to be doing is make sure that that he — like every other American who has been sentenced — is accorded the same kinds of review and same examination of the equities that any other individual would be provided."
IDF reservists plan to deliver to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu a letter on Sunday morning demanding Pollard's release. They plan to give the same letter to President Shimon Peres and to the US Consulate in Jerusalem.
View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=306644


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Rocket fired against the US embassy in Athens
/ Bomb and tell / the wrong people /
So this morning around 6 am local time (GMT +2), a rocket was launched against the US embassy in Athens, which inflicted rather minor damage: a 30 cm hole in the window and, possibly, the destruction of a lavatory. No one was hurt. No one is sure about the identity of the perpetrators of the bombing but there are claims that a militant group calling itself "Revolutionary Struggle" called the Private Security company that was guarding the embassy, to claim responsibility for the attack in what must be a world first: not the police, the authorities or the media, but a private security company. As you might imagine I'm not inclined to take the alleged phone-calls seriously.
Interestingly, Greek TV channels report that the missile fired was of Eastern European origin- possibly East German, this being the first time that I remember that a local armed group would be using Eastern European weapons - if indeed it is a local group - which I doubt, but can't totally dismiss as a possibility. Anyway that's what the TV reports but I'm not ready to trust them on anything...
Despite the unspectacular character of the strike, one should remember that the US embassy in Athens is possibly among the most heavily guarded buildings in the world, and the total failure of both private security and the Greek police to prevent or capture the perpetrators is astonishing - as is the fact that the surveillance cameras in the US embassy failed to spot the attackers.
I'm not sure about the meaning of this attack, I'm not sure who the perpetrators were, but I can report that we're being bombarded (again) here by all sorts of TV "terrorism experts", a serious threat to our nerves and general peace of mind.
Image from in.gr which has a photo-gallery of the bombed embassy.
... And this analysis is almost (but not quite) correct.


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Continuation from: On assignment to Hainan Island, China - Part 01 - To the island
Arrived at the resort late in the evening after a long bus drive across the island. I was impressed with the set up. Very modern.
All the modern convenience was made available.
The bathroom can be seen directly into the bedroom. This is resort is being advertised as a honeymoon resort.
In the toilet there is also a place to put your handphone when doing your business!
Surprisingly, the room also came with a ceiling fan - very ornate and totally useless.
The only interesting part in the room that I have never found anywhere else is this portable gas mask in case of fire.
There was also a welcome plate of fruit from the organiser, CCDC.
To be continued.


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Bowdon banner (The)
Bowdon, Wells County, N.D. : John Lindelien.
Vol. 1, no. 1 (Mar. 6, 1930)-v. 1, no. 26 (Aug. 28, 1930).
Published Weekly in English language.
Microfilm holdings (roll numbers, inclusive dates, missing issues):
Bowdon guardian (The)
Bowdon, N.D. : S.A. Lewis.
Began in 1900. Ceased Sept. 28, 1922?
Published Weekly in English-German language.
Other information: Occasional columns in German.
Microfilm holdings (roll numbers, inclusive dates, missing issues):
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Proof that The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, and CNN Spread Fake News
So, of course, read this story about this Sikh man being shot. I read it in the Washington Post and something about it bothered me.
'Go back to your own country': Sikh man shot in his driveway in suspected hate crime.
Then, I read it in the New York Times and something bothered me.
Officials in U.S. and India condemn shooting of Sikh man in Washington state
And then on read it on the NPR website and something bothered me.
Sikh man shot outside his Seattle home: Told 'Go back to your own country.'
Indian Sikh reports being shot in arm: Police seek suspect.
The Washington Times was the ONLY media outlet of these four which reported accurately and truthfully. Not only was the headline correct, but the content of the article was correct as well.
Considering what facts existed at the time these articles were written, we can only know this:
A Sikh man in the state of Washington reported that at around 8 pm a white male with his face half- covered got into a physical altercation with him, shouted "Go back to your own country!", pulled a weapon and shot the Sikh man in the arm.
Note the most important word in the above statement, "Reported." Yes, "Reported." In other words, none of the media outlets say there were any witnesses to the claimed event. All they had was the word of the Sikh gentleman.
Now, the Sikh man may be telling the entire truth. The event may have occurred exactly as he claims. However, it is also possible the man could have shot himself in the arm while, say, cleaning a weapon, and then claimed he was shot by a white racist. He could have made up the scuffle because gunshot residue would be on him if he shot himself and, therefore, he coudn't simply have someone shoot him from afar.
As a profiler, the story raises an eyebrow for me. Normally, a racist who wants to shoot someone down - as that man did with the Indian man who was killed recently in a Kansas bar - will shoot the victim in the chest or head. Not the arm. Unless he was a bad shot or a scuffle really did occur. But, why would an armed man who covers his face to protect his identity get into a scuffle with his victim rather than just shoot him as he drives by? And where did this masked man come from? Did he just walk up or did he drive up? Where did he go after the shooting? And why would you argue with a man wearing a mask instead of quickly retreating to your house and safety? This is a strange story....possibly true...but strange.
So, how should this incident be reported? Exactly as the Washington Times did. They used the word "told" throughout the entire story because that was factual. The Sikh man TOLD the police his story and the police are following up by searching for a suspect (and probably looking into the story itself).
The other outlets - those fine outlets who claim they report only the truth....did not. These other three stated AS FACT that a white man shot a Sikh and shouted "Go back to your own country." These three media outlets are liars.
Now, if more facts come out and the Sikh man turns out to be telling the absolute truth, THEN and ONLY THEN should any headline read "Sikh man shot by white racist" and the content then can include all of the statements these media rags have already put wrongfully in their stories today.
Criminal Profiler Pat Brorwn
March 5, 2017


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Efficio will be exhibitors at the 2012 MFM Conference at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will be showing off our newly improved Corporate Rollup. Stop into booth #504 for a brief demonstration on how you can integrate corporate rollup into your Efficio CRM/Account Management and Yield Management programs to combine all of your media market data into one simplified dashboard. Give them 90 seconds to show you how you can shape the future of your media sales business! Link is: http://www.mediafinance.org/index.aspx?PageID=383
Efficio Solutions to host a booth at 2012 MFM Conference
by Taylor Snow | May 19, 2012 | Events | 0 comments


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Frank Kowing Stick Art Discovery Up For Auction
Editor's Note: Orion's Attic is proud to partner with Everything But The House on a special upcoming auction of the life's work of Maryland artist Frank Kowing. The online auction begins Sunday Aug. 27, 2017 and runs until Thursday Aug. 31, 2017 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Click directly on the auction here. More than 150 Kowing pieces will be in this auction, while more will follow at later dates. You will find a fantastical world of vivid two-dimensional paintings and three-dimensional stick art, or found object art. You will find an eye-popping array of pieces that include political figures such as Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Karl Rove, Osama bid Laden and more. Explore commentary on a diverse array of subjects and world events. Examine society from an unusual perspective. From whimsy to...read more


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Hello stampy friends!!
I hope you're staying cool!!! We're having a bit of a heat wave here in Seattle, so I'm a little cranky. LOL I don't tolerate the heat well at all. I'm sure it'll cool off soon – probably just in time for Fourth of July!! LOL
I'm popping in today to share another project that I created for the newest Avery Elle stamp and die release! This project features the uber trendy Stay Fresh!! Pineapples are everywhere these days – and I have to say I'm really loving it!! I decided to make my project a little more classic. With gold also being super trendy right now, I made this clean and simple – that's my fave! Here's how I created it:
- Use an A2 top-folding Sapphire note card for your card base.
- Using the largest of the Pierced Rectangle Elle-Ments, pierce the outside edge of the card base.
- Stamp the pineapple image from Stay Fresh with VersaMark and heat emboss with gold embossing powder.
- Using the Stay Fresh Elle-Ments, die cut the Aloha sentiment from Sapphire Cardstock. Ink it up with VersaMark and heat emboss it with gold embossing powder. Adhere the sentiment to the card base with foam squares.
That's IT!! I don't think that could be any easier, and I seriously think it's classic enough to be appropriate for girls or boys – don't you?! Please click on through to the Avery Elle Design Team Blog to see some additional inspiration for today. I've listed the products that I used below.
That's it for me today, friends. I'll be doing my best to stay cool all weekend as it's supposed to get into the 90's! Thankfully I was able to snag one of the last Portable Air Conditioning Units at Costco yesterday, so I'll be sitting in front of that, for sure!! LOL I hope you stay cool and have a great weekend!! Thanks so much for stopping by!


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Many people in the world suffer from insomnia, which is a very common sleeping disorder. It is usually manifested with difficulties in sleeping, waking up at the middle of the night and can't fall asleep again, and so on. All of these can be very stressful and it may also cause a lot of negative effects on our complete health.
People that suffer from this problem, have tried a lot of different techniques, but they usually have unsatisfactory results. But, fortunately, in this article we are going to present you one solution for this kind of problem. If you are one of those people in the whole world that suffer from this problem, our article will change your life.
One doctor, named Andrew Weil, has discovered one wonderful method, which trains your brain to fall asleep for 60 seconds. His inspiration came from yoga and the breathing practices that it offers, and devised a breathing exercise called "The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise", that will help you in falling asleep for a few seconds.
This kind of method is very simple and easy, and it also guarantees giving results and it makes you fall asleep for a very short period (less than a minute). The best thing about this method is that no equipment is required. You just need to follow the doctor's instructions and you will forget about your sleeping problems forever.
Here is what you will need to do:
– First, exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound;
– Then close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose, counting to 4;
– Hold your breath for 7 seconds;
– Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound, counting to 8;
– This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.
The advice that Dr. Weil gives about this method is to focus mostly on the breathing, by doing it properly and to exhale and inhale deeply. It will help you in a way that it will have a positive effect on your brain,as well as relax your mind and lower the heart rate.
Maybe you think that this is something that is too good to be true, but you should try it and see the results., you will be surprised, believe us. Don't forget to share this article with family and friends, as you will help them to fall asleep easily.
Source: http://improveyourhealthrightnow.com


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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
(Jacqueline Lee Bouvier)
Did you know...
1. She was born in Southampton, New York on July 28, 1929
2. She was dubbed the 'debutante of the year' when she made her society debut in 1947 by famed American gossip columnist Igor Cassini, otherwise known as Cholly Knickerbocker.
3. She won an Emmy for her televised tour of the White House restoration project with CBS reporter Charles Collingwood in 1962.
4. At age 31, she became the third youngest First Lady of the United States, behind Frances Folsom Cleveland (21) and Julia Gardiner Tyler (24).
5. Although she tried desperately to keep it from being mentioned in the press, she had a 3-pack a day smoking habit that went on for over 40 years. In 1994, at the request of her daughter Caroline, she finally quit smoking after she was diagnosed with cancer.
6. For a woman who radiated sophistication and confidence, one of her greatest insecurities was the size of her feet. She hated her size 10 feet for being so big.
7. She was named to Vanity Fair's Best Dressed List 'Hall of Fame' in 1965.
To learn more about the lovely Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lily Lemontree recommends Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Life Beyond Her Wildest Dreams and Jackie Style


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These little mock-ups are a personal experiment I did earlier this year but silly me forgot to post them! I wanted to see how my style would look gracing the front of the lovely Twinings tea packaging. These fruits and herbs are from my November 2013 project: (here) and I added my own watercolour wash for the backgrounds.
I think the Twinings range kind of suits my watercolours...what do you think?
Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2014. Please do not use without permission.