text:
Yay this is an exciting one, folks. One of my favorite people is talking with us today – she's written such books (that, FYI, I've loved) such as A Strange Fire and Painted Faces. Her heroines are always absolutely enjoyable, the writing is fun, and she's just an overall awesome and supportive person. Please welcome L.H. Cosway and read on her for interview (ALSO there's a Bold Tricks TEASER PIC at the bottom :D)
KH: Hello!!! Long time no see. So, let's go back to basics. What made you want to read Sins & Needles and what were your thoughts on it?
LC: Well, obviously I'm a massive Dex & Perry fan so I was eager to read your new series. I also liked the idea of the heroine being a con artist. I thought it read very much like a film, especially when Ellie and Camden get to Vegas. There was something about it that I could just visualise so well and imagine it as this kind of heist/crime/romance flick.
KH: Yah, it's so fun to meet people who love Experiment in Terror as well. Back to TAT though – It is well-known in S&N and the prequel, On Every Street, that Javier cheats on Ellie…do you think it's excusable or did she do the right thing by leaving him?
LC: Noooo way, it's not excusable. She definitely did the right thing by leaving him. But…BUT now having read Shooting Scars and knowing the reason why he cheated I'm thinking it's not sooo bad…It's still bad but not as bad as I originally thought. Okay, so I just really like Javier and I want to forgive him. Leave me alone.
KH: You're all kinds of messed-up. HA! Would your character from Painted Faces, Fred(a), choose to go on a date with Camden or Javier?
LC: I think a teenage Fred would choose Camden in a heartbeat, but grown up Fred likes a snappy dresser and if Javier is anything it's that. Also, she'd notice that mysteriously dangerous air about him, and be like, "Who is that!?" There are lots of men like Camden in Dublin, but dark and exotic Mexican cartel members there definitely are not.
KH: Word of advice: do NOT let Fred go on a date with Javier…she'll end up murdered. Or stained! How would a date between Ellie and Nick go?
LC: I think she'd be wary of him at first, especially if she already knew what he did for a living, ahem. But then he'd sweet talk her and make her laugh in a flirty but playful way and she'd be like, SWOON. Then he might bring her to see him perform and in her head she'd be adamant she wasn't going to enjoy it. He'd saunter out and sing "Sweet Transvestite" to her with lots of eye contact, making sure she gets a load of his crotch in hot pants. Afterwards Nick would join her for a drink and be all, "Your place or mine, daaahling?" and she'd be like, "Taxi!"
KH: Well, Camden in high school wore makeup, so you're right, she'd probably like it! If you were a con artist, what would your alias be? What crimes would you commit? Where would you flee to?
LC: My alias would be Liza Woolf. I'd want to do some real classy scam like trying to sell a fake Renoir to a private collector and pass it off as the real deal. Or maybe I'd pose as a swanky airline pilot and forge checks while swanning about surrounded by beautiful air hostesses. Oh, right, I forgot I'm not Leonardo Di Caprio…Since I live in Ireland, if I had to flee I'd go to this place called the Gaeltacht, which I've driven through a few times. It's so desolate that I've thought to myself, somebody could get lost here and never be found.
KH: *makes notes to drop off the bodies there* I mean…what? If you could let Camden tattoo you, what would you get?
LC: Oh, God. I'd be so nervous to be tattooed by Camden after what he did to the Mexican guy in Shooting Scars…But I'd force myself to go through with it because that's a once in a lifetime opportunity right there. I'd get a tattoo of a Javier quote just to be devious, lol.
KH: Do you have an tattoos? If so, what are they?
LC: I do. One is a quote from a poem that says we are the dreamers of dreams, which for me is about being a writer and being able to make anything a reality once you put finger to keyboard. The other is a picture of a fairy which I'm going to keep adding more bits to until it becomes a quarter sleeve.
KH: OMG! I love that! Ellie and Fred seem very different on the surface, but they're alike in some ways – what ways are those?
LC: I think they're alike in their insecurities. They were both loners when they were in their teens with these feelings of being an outsider. They're cynical about people, but also really want to find someone who they can put their trust in.
KH: Tell me all about your latest release, The Nature of Cruelty
LC: The Nature of Cruelty is a new adult romance about a girl called Lana who has a love/hate relationship with her best friend's brother, Robert. Truth be told, Robert is a bit of a dodgy character with some sociopathic tendencies. He bullied Lana when she was younger and at the beginning of the story she hasn't spoken to him in six years because he lives in London now. When Lana finds herself going to London to spend the summer with Sasha, Robert's sister, Robert manipulates the situation so that they have to live in the same house. As you might guess, lots of drama and angst ensues.
KH: I'm so excited for whatever you write, so let me know what else we can expect from you in the near future!
LC: Why thank you! I have another romance in the works about a street performer and a concert violinist, but no set release date as of yet. In December I'll be putting out the last instalment in my urban fantasy series.
KH: One last thing- who is the better man for Ellie?
LC: Well, obviously it's Camden, but I just love Javier so much. It's not my fault that there's something wrong with me. So yeah, I think Camden and Ellie would be able to get away from the drama and make a nice life for themselves and have lots of little tattoo babies and I guess that's best for Ellie's future. If she stays with Javier there's a good chance she'll end up in a shallow grave…And on that cheerful note, I bid you good day!
LH Cosway
L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.
Website: http://www.lhcosway.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LH-Cosway/171041853046034
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHCosway
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16158740-painted-faces


text:
We spend so much time talking to businesses about improving their digital output but so much of it comes down to smarter working practises based on better collaboration. This post on getting more out of meetings fits that really well.
1. Don't do any prep work – at all
Come unprepared, with no set agenda, and you'll guarantee that nobody knows what you need to discuss.
2. Don't stress about punctuality
Turning up late and having no end point in sight is a great way to ensure a long, badly organised meeting.
3. Invite as many people as possible
Fill the meeting with as many people as possible to guarantee too many opinions and lots of wasted time.
4. Attend every meeting you can
Going to every meeting you're invited to, even if you can't contribute anything useful, will make sure those meetings are a waste of time.
5. Host your meeting in a terrible venue
Holding your meeting in a noisy, overcrowded coffee shop will guarantee a terrible meeting, where nobody can hear what's being said.
6. Don't take notes
Don't write anything down – just assume people will remember what was said, and what they have to do next, and your meeting will be pointless.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Best Copier for Small Business for the Best Quality
Best Copier for Small Business forBest Quality
A best copier for small business is one of the main start-up requirements for any business or commercial organization. With the recent advancements in technology, there are various newer, more compact, and affordable copiers available widely in the markets for your business.
Many of these copiers serve multiple functions; they are not just copiers, but they also print, scan, and fax.
Here, we have shortlisted the top nine copiers in the small business industry, to help you select the best commercial copier for your requirements and according to your budget.
Best Copier for Small Business
|Best Copier for Small Business
|Our Rating
|MFC9325CW Wireless Color Printer with Scanner, Copier & Fax
|imageCLASS D530 Monochrome Laser Printer with Scanner and Copier
|WorkCentre 6505/DN Color Multifunction Printer
|LaserJet 3055 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax
|MX511de Monochrome All-In One Laser Printer, Scan, Copy,
|imageCLASS MF216n All-in-One Laser AirPrint Printer Copier Scanner Fax
|DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer
|WorkCentre 3215/NI Monochrome Multifunction Printer
|Laserjet Pro M477fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Printer
1. Brother MFC9325CW Wireless Color Printer
One of the very best wireless printer scanner copier in the industry. The MFC9325CW works at the top speed of 19 pages per minute (about 4 times the speed of the normal LaserJet printers!).
Includes the latest USB port for directly connecting with your camera or USB flash drive to print even quicker. Plus, if you need high resolution (up to 600 * 2400 dpi) image quality, this copier will not disappoint you.
Built with a solid and robust body, this is the ultimate machine for all your printing, copying and scanning needs; the results are crisp and of high quality, and as an added plus, it provides the convenience and ease of installation as well as replacing and changing toner cartridges.
2. Canon image CLASS D530
Durable, reliable, and efficient enough to produce up to 26 pages per minute! Its not just great on your budget, setting it up is a breeze as well.
So, if you are looking for black and white printouts/Xerox, it is the best printer scanner copier you can find in the markets.
Canon also comes with an excellent after sales service support; assistance is provided at every step, by their friendly and expert team members.
This copier also includes options for 2-sided as well as ID card copying. It is great in terms of price too for a small business set-up.
3. Xerox WorkCentre 6505/DN
This multifunctional machine gives you high-quality results (600 * 600 * 4 DPI) and copies, scans, and prints rather swiftly and with expertise.
The best printer scanner copier, with amazing ease of cartridge replacement and set-up.
Using the particle technology for printing crisp, sharp and high-resolution documents and images, it also easily connects with the Wi-Fi networks. This way you can send it instructions for printing from various computers on the network.
Ideal for high volume work, this sturdy copier is great value for money. You just make one investment and it can serve you for a long, long time.
4. HP LaserJet 3055 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax
Compact, lightweight yet highly efficient multi-performing machine. The solution to all your basic business copying, printing, faxing and scanning requirements lies here.
This copier is able to produce A4 as well as letter-sized results at a speed of up to 19 pages in a minute. The built-in tray lets you place 250 pages or 10 envelopes for printing.
You also do not have to worry about the hassle of buying and replacing the toner with this one; it lasts for a very long time as compared to all others in this category.
5. Lexmark MX511de B/W multifunction
Are you looking for a low maintenance copier? The Lexmark MX511de is just the right one for you!
Works on a higher volume, it does not require frequent refills or replacements of any sorts. Performs at the highest efficiency level, this oneproduces 45 pages in a minute, and also yields the highest quality resolution amongst all counterparts.
Moreover, the lag time at the start is minimal and its very easy to set-up and install.
It is indeed the best Copier for Small Businesses, and also includes the e-mailing option along with the main print, fax, scan and copy functions.
6. Canon imageCLASS MF216n All-in-One Laser AirPrint Printer Copier Scanner Fax
With the Canon imageClass you can easily print, scan and fax documents in the fastest possible time by connecting it with your iPhone, iPad, and any other android device.You can even select the functions through your smartphone or tablet!
With a great speed it can copy/print up to 24 pages per minute without any noise to disturb the peace and quiet of your office. It will also sit nicely on a secretary desk or something similar.
As an added feature, it has a totally customizable control panel which gives you easy access to the options most frequently used. The end results are the highest in quality and efficiency with this all-in-one copier machine.
7. Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Compact Laser Printer, Amazon Dash Replenishment Enabled
Never run out of toner again with Brother DCPL2540DW! The smart technology judges the toner level and sends out an automated order to Amazon for a new toner giving you a smooth operation throughout.
With a high speed of 30 pages per minute, it is an all-encompassing machine for all your printing, copying, and scanning requirements, whereby ensuring the highest quality results every time.
Connects with wireless or Wi-Fi networks both as well as smartphones for the fastest and most efficient results.
Very compact, easy to start, it is the Best Copier for Small Businesses.
8. Xerox WorkCentre 3215/NI Monochrome Multifunction Printer
One of the best Xerox machines for commercial businesses; this one comes with a speed of up to 27 pages per minute.
Offers reliable printing, scanning, copying at very reasonable rates. Noise-free and Wi-Fi enabled, it takes up the least of your precious time for printing/copying your documents.
Very easy to use, the cartridges are easily replaceable in this copier/printer. Xerox work center comes with a unique security feature of keeping the data and faxes safe and secure through different protocols.
Instantly warms up and begins its operation, ensuring to utilize the time and effort of the user in the most efficient way in all its printing/copying and loading functions. Take a look here at some of the best desk lamps you can buy right now.
9. HP Laserjet Pro M477fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Printer, (CF379A)
Faster, effortless printing, scanning, copying machine this one is a super device.
You can email files, print from your smartphone as well as connect directly with your USB flash drive to this machine and get your work done in half the time.
Very easy to operate, this strong machine yields the top quality printouts, scan results and photocopies faster and in the most secure way possible with the latest features.
Even if theres a lot of page volume which goes into printing/copying in your workplace, you can depend on this machine to take care of all of it while you utilize your time on the more important matters.
Buying Guide Best Copier for Small Business
The copier industry has seen a tremendous growth over the last few decades. Most of the modern copiers serve multiple purposes of copying, printing, faxing, scanning and even e-mailing of the documents.
It may seem to be a tough choice when it comes to deciding upon the best copier for small businesses, as the markets are flooded with various models and types of copiers for all your business needs.
If your business involves a lot of paperwork, such as a real estate, insurance, legal or consultation business does, you may find the need to have an in-house copier facility to cut down on the time and efforts.
There is a huge variety of different brands and functionalities available in the markets today, with a wide range of prices to suit your budgets and business requirements. The modern copiers require the least effort on your part in terms of loading paper, cartridge replacement, setting instructions, maintenance, and producing quality results in the shortest possible time.
There are various copiers or Xerox machines available in the market today; the key feature dividing them into various categories is the type of toner they employ. This is the key determinant for them being classified as the monochrome, colored or even hybrid types of printers/copiers.
The selection of the right copier for your business should come from a certain inner evaluation of your business needs. Before you set out to the markets, you need to have a good idea about:
- The estimated monthly volume of paperwork.
- The need for colored copies.
- The copy speed.
- Wi-Fi network connectivity required (for multiple users).
Here we have provided certain guidelines for your ease as per the various features that are included in the latest modern day copiers. Going through these will help you in understanding the different functions of the copier as well as in deciding upon the best one for your business according to your usage and requirements.
- Speed
The lower priced, the more compact models are able to produce 3-4 copies in a minute. They may be great for the home, but for a commercial organization, they will take up a lot of time when copying large documents.
For commercial needs, you will need the more solid and heavier machines, which on average produce about 24 pages in a minute.
For your ease, these copier machines are divided into six segments as per their speed.
Typically, the segment 1 yields 15 to 20 pages per minute, whereas the top most segment 6, produces up to 91 pages in a minute. Usually, the small business requirements are met by the mid-ranged segments i.e. segment 2 to 4. These yield an optimal 20 to 50 copies in a minute and can sufficiently meet the small business requirements efficiently.
- Paper loading
These copiers have automatic sheet feeders; these too save up a considerable amount of time as you can place multiple papers without the effort of lifting and placing the cover on each sheet. You can place a complete stack of over 200 pages and just press start'. Each page is then automatically pulled out and worked on.
This enables you to save time and carry forth with the other more important work while the machine takes care of all the printing and copying. The loading and handling are thus very much easier and less frequently required as were in the earlier days of the traditional copier.
There is also another great feature incorporated in the latest copiers, which has the capability to turn over and copy on both sides of the page by itself. This is a very helpful feature when copying ID cards etc.
- Black and white vs. colored
The latest technology now also provides you with great quality colored prints/copies.
In case your business requires printing or copying of say, promotional material, you may feel the need to buy a colored copier. Bear in mind that these could cost much more than the monochrome ones, but if colored copies/prints are a frequent requirement of your work, then the price is worth it. Need to cool the office down? Take a look at the best tower cooling fans for your workspaceright here.
- After-sales service and warranty
Since it is a huge investment, it is wise to look into the warranty period as well as the quality of after sales support provided by the manufacturer. As the market norm, up to three years is considered a normal for their warranty period.
- Digital vs. analog copiers
The digital copiers seem to have a greater advantage over the traditional analog types. Buyers all over the globe prefer the noiseless, more reliable – in terms of having any future mechanical troubles – and better quality yielding digital copiers these days. These are not just quite easy to set up and install, but also really easy to use.
- Copier volume
Various copiers work at different capacities. The more advanced small business copiers are able to produce even about 30 pages in a minute.
If your business already has a running copier, it will be easier to know the exact volume you need for it to work on. However, on the safe side, it is always better to buy the one with the maximum output capacity.
However, one thing to keep in mind here is that as the efficiency of the machine increases, so does its costs. But again, the benefits outweigh the initial investment. Plus, if you buy a lower capacity copier, it may increase the risks of causing damage and decrease its lifespan due to overwork.
- Other associated costs
The main cost associated with the actual purchase is the cost of the toner, which has to be replaced as and when required. Other costs include the cost of the paper, fuser oil, developer, etc.
The costs of the color copiers are often higher than the monochrome copiers. This is mainly due to the fact that the toner used includes various color cartridges and each has to be replaced for all colors as it runs out. The paper quality also is significantly different than the one used in the normal monochrome copier.
The need of a developer arises when the copies produced are lighter or not of the desired color. However, if you see an uneven color across the page, it shows that the toner has to be replaced.
- Sorter
There is also a unique feature in these copiers which allows the user to sort and keep various sets separately. If you are trying to make multiple copies of a single set of documents, this machine can actually help you in picking out the copies separately as a set. The smart technology places the completed sets at different angles and positions to differentiate them from the next.
It allows you to print or copy multiple sets and keep them separate, saving up more of your precious time.
- Finishers
Many advanced models also come with various finishers to help you further in your work. They can help produce already punched pages for the ease of filing, stitch binding and even come with an automatic stapler.
This can be a great function and save up considerable time on your behalf. However, again the more the functionalities, the higher the cost goes. But, if you have a sufficient budget, it is the best to go for the utmost convenience.
- Trays
Many of these machines come with multiple paper trays. Now, these trays serve to keep different paper sizes or types in a more organized manner. It also helps you in saving time to load and reload every time you need a different paper type or size.
They also come with an adjustable option for keeping the page size as required, due to the varying nature of work involved in each copy/print job.
- Wi-Fi networks
If your copier has a printing function, the network connectivity enables multiple users to send various documents for printing to it without much hassle.
Employees can send documents for printing at once, without having to leave their seats or waiting for a single user to log off the system first and then for their turn.
- Fax
Many of these copiers also discussed above, include the faxing option. Users can send or receive faxes as desired through the machine or even through their computers if it comes with network connectivity.
- Paper size
About all digital copiers resize and adjust the paper according to the original page so that the copy produced is exactly like the original even if the copy paper size is smaller.
This ensures that the document stays as it is and there is absolutely no distortion to the document.
- Safety features
Most copiers have built-in energy efficiency features and shut down by themselves when not in use for a certain time. It also helps in prolonging their life as well as reducing the wear and tear of the machine by powering off and going to a standby mode.
You can even set a code to make it usable by the authorized staff only. This adds to the security of the machine which is very helpful in case you also use the copier for retrieving important faxes and for printing or copying sensitive and confidential information.
- Document edits
Many copiers can also help you make certain changes to the documents like adding watermarks, numbers, date stamps, etc. they can even position the image in the correct manner and even copy, compress or expand the text as desired.
Other such features include color adjustment, border removal, balance setting, etc.
- Memory requirement
You also need to have a certain idea about the memory your copier should come with. The RAM can range between 4 MB to 256 MB; with a higher RAM, the higher will be your productivity and more features can be utilized.
Low memory results in a slower functioning or a greater lag time in printing and copying of the documents.
The following steps can actually help you in making the final decision:
- Get a copier on a trial basis. Many vendors allow this test run at various organizations. This will help give you an idea about the capacity of the machine you require and how well it can actually perform for you.
- Review the performance reports of the copier. The machines are tested for their performance as part of their manufacturing process. This is the sole proof behind their claims like its ability to produce 20 copies per minute. Go through these lab reports to get a firm idea about it.
- Get the vendor to offer a demo or a training session for your employees. It will help you get the best out of your copier and you will be able to use all its functions once you know how to. Also ask the dealers or providers about their after sales support, replacement parts, and other software or drivers required at your workstation; this will help you in combating any compatibility issues which could arrive later on.
However, no matter which model suits you it is the best to keep a smart approach and buy the one which not just costs a reasonable amount for the business and also yields the maximum output.
For more guidelines on buying the best copier with multifunction capabilities, please visit this website.
Should You Buy a Monochrome or Colored Copier?
Both the monochrome as well as the colored copier come with a set of advantages for users. The monochrome or the black and white copiers are designed to work at higher capacities, speed and at a lower cost.
The colored copiers are more suited for presentations, printing or copying promotional material like flyers, print advertisements, projects, etc. That is, they are more significant for businesses where graphics and pictures make up a primary part of all printing and copying work.
In order to select the right one, you need to review the amount of work required for your business from a particular copier, the need and number of colored copies required on a monthly basis, your budget including the maintenance costs for toner/cartridge replacement etc.
So, if your business is more paper intensive, you need to invest in a higher capacity monochrome copier while, if you frequently copy images or graphs etc. you need to buy a colored copier.
Do You Need to Check for the Compatibility With Your Computer?
It is one of the primary requisites in making the right choice for your business. You need to ensure that the product is fully compatible with all the workstations at your workplace that will ultimately have access to it. Failure to do so could make it entirely unusable and a total waste of the company's resources.
You may have the worlds best wireless printer scanner copier, but if it doesn't connect to the network, the efficiency and working capacity will never be fully utilized and ultimately you will be reaping much fewer benefits than what you paid for.
You can easily ask the dealer for compatibility or for any drivers to make it work. Or, if buying online, you can check the complete product description and specifications for ensuring maximum compatibility.
How Long Will it Last?
The right copier should last at least 5 good years for your business. But for that, you need the right evaluation of your business usage. If you are constantly going above the maximum output levels of the copier, it may not last long.
So, it is always recommended to get a fair idea about your work volume in order to buy the most compatible option, else you will need more frequent replacements as the capacity and work gap increases.
Also, the machine is most likely to get damaged and worn out due to the burden.
So, make your life easier and work more efficiently by buying the most feature equipped and latest, most reliable copier.
In order to make the best buying decision go through the complete functions and options of each model and take all the time you need. These copiers do take up a considerable budget and so, should yield the best results for your business and provide the ultimate value for money.
We hope that the guidelines discussed above help you in narrowing down your decision and in making the best choice for your company.


text:
War often dogs adventurers' footsteps. Whether civil war wracks the nation or orcs mass on the borders, where there is war adventurers are to be found.
Use this table to generate details of street vendors the PCs encounter in a war-torn town. Reroll inappropriate results.
- Regnier Sisius (N male human adept 1) is a slim young man who sells charms and divine icons for many religions.
- Avric Loponsh (CG male gnome commoner 1) scampers about, distributing pamphlets or fliers he's paid to carry.
- Ralduga Gorisden (NE female dwarf expert 2) has developed a nasty range of exploding oil weapons she sells to the highest bidder.
- Malfria Attalish (CN female gnome commoner 1) scrawls and sells maps of supposed escape routes from town.
- Estiven Folwin (LN male elf commoner 1) is a mild-mannered man selling fruit and vegetables from his garden.
- Guyat Jurdan (N male human adept 1) uses his booming voice to offer up eloquent prayers—a copper per prayer.
- Ryul Challes (CG male half-elf commoner 1) has an excellent eye for applying makeup and sells surprisingly effective beauty treatments to even the ugliest town denizen.
- Acquemet Consovive (CN male human aristocrat 2) is heavily in debt and so has resorted to selling most of his worldly goods on street corners.
- Kutag Fough (NE male half-orc warrior 2) is a heavily scarred war veteran who sells meat pies of questionable origin—but at least they're cheap.
- Vedafi Audomar (CE female halfling adept 2) is a crippled practitioner who (supposedly) enchants stones with minor spells which she sells at a premium.
- Alakgh Pugrit (NG male half-orc expert 2) is a street tattooist who uses self-made ink and needles to give people whatever skin art they wish.
- Ellin Goold (CE female gnome commoner 1) cobbles together her offering from items stolen from other vendors.
- Adeline Ismena (LE female human commoner 1) sells pieces of corpses found on the battlefield. The fresher, the pricier.
- Lauri Jaovos (CG female elf aristocrat 2) has a booth where she gives plenty of soup and bread to the poor of the town in exchange for mere coppers.
- Gromi Denackfor (LG male dwarf warrior 1) is a keen-eyed archer who specializes in crafting and selling arrows.
- Higgots Drouet (CN male human commoner 1) is a spice-monger who traffics in rare food ingredients that make even straps of leather palatable.
- Trayish Aeryn (NE female half-elf commoner 1) walks around with dried ears hung from cords and sells them to anyone who wants to claim combat trophies.
- Gersey Dalbasse (LE female halfling commoner 2) harvests poisonous reagents from the nearby swamp and sells them to assassins or other unseemly sorts.
- Olart Toffle (LG male human warrior 2) is a muscular soldier who offers combat lessons to wannabe heroes.
- Porro Krunst (N male halfling commoner 3) salvages and sells goods left behind by those fleeing the town, though no one's figured out where he stashes it all.
Urban Dressing: War-Torn Town
If you enjoyed this free resource and will be featuring a war or border skirmish if your campaign, check out Urban Dressing: War-Torn Town by Josh Vogt. Packed with loads of details to add depth and verisimilitude to your game, it's a great resource for the time-pressured GM!


text:
Jeanette Johns The Weight Of The Earth's Curve at Arprim, Montreal.
Jeanette Johns The Weight Of The Earth's Curve at Arprim, Montreal. January 20th to February 25.
Winnipeg-born, Montreal based artist Jeannette Johns presents a series of new works on paper that explore historical representations of the Earth's sphericity. In various fields of knowledge - philosophy, topology, geography, astronomy - the three-dimensionality of the Earth is collapsed and distorted into two-dimensional representations of scale, dimension and distance. However our lived experience is necessarily tied to the Earth's volume, gravity and movements through three-dimensional space. Johns's works consider the complicated relations of optics, scale, abstraction in our desire to map truth.
Suzie Smith at Centennial Hall, Winnipeg.
Suzie Smith at Centennial Hall as part of a collaboration between Plug In ICA and the Winnipeg New Music Festival. January 20 to February 28.
Winnipeg artist Suzie Smith show new site-specific print works as part of a collaboration between Plug In ICA and The Winnipeg New Music Festival. Through repetition and intentional distortion of the five lined musical staff, Smith's work responds to the ephemerality of experiencing music. The series will be installed on the Piano Nobile Wall of the Centennial Concert Hall (555 Main St. Winnipeg)
Robert Taite at EAGM, Saskatchewan
Robert Taite in Plastic Rhymes at EAGM, Estevan Saskatchewan, January 20 to February 24.
Winnipeg artist Robert Taite shows new work in the group show Plastic Rhymes at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, Estevan Saskatchewan. Plastic Rhymes considers Picasso's assertion that painting produces geometrical rhymes in form, colour and space. Extending Picasso's observation beyond the surface of the canvas through the use of various non-traditional media, alternative frames, and by occupying unconventional gallery space, Taite's work critically re-evaluates the language and assumptions of painting.


text:
H. Atwater, L.H.D.,
(pmhatwater.hypermart.net) and
(atwaterNDEnews.blogspot.com) is one of the original
researchers in the field of near-death studies,
having begun her work in 1978. She is one of the
very few top NDE researchers who have actually had
an NDE. Her website is filled with very interesting
NDE research information and articles of hers. Her
contribution to near-death studies is considered
to be one of the most important as her first two
Beyond the Light and
Coming Back to Life, are deemed the Bibles of
the near-death experience by researchers and a multitude
of experiencers and enthusiasts. Using her firm
understanding of police investigative techniques
as a protocol, she has specialized in original fieldwork
and research that also included sessions with significant
others. Her findings are contained in her books.
Some of her findings have now been clinically verified.
Her research is referenced in the distinguished
medical journal, December 15, 2001 (the
landmark Dutch study by Pim van Lommel, M.D.).
of the Fifth World: A Guide to the
Coming Changes in Human Consciousness
Connecting recent events and cultural
shifts with creation myths, evolutionary
calendars, and historical records
from every culture as well as predictions
by Teilhard de Chardin, Sri Aurobindo,
Edgar Cayce, and other visionary
seers, Atwater shows how the genetic
shift now occurring follows the
"Rule of Thirds" in its progression.
Exploring timelines for the next
several hundred years, she explains
that the coming new world will be
tailored specifically for the new
kids, who will lead the way in the
Great Shift from old world to new.
Also available in
Kindle format.
Experiences: The Rest of the Story:
What They Teach Us About Living
and Dying and Our True Purpose
Out-of-body experiences, encountering
a special light, greeters from the
afterlife, life reviews, tunnels,
and 360-degree vision - are all
part of P.M.H. Atwater's intriguing
look at NDEs by one of the world's
noted authorities. Atwater shares
her amazing findings, based on her
sessions with more than 4,000 adults
and children, and over 40 years
of research; a breathtaking culmination
to a successful and controversial
career. Also available in
Kindle format and in
Audible Audio Edition.
Big Book of Near Death Experiences:
The Ultimate Guide to What Happens
When We Die (Paperback)
This 450-page book covers every
aspect of the near-death phenomenon:
the experience, the aftereffects,
the implications. It is written
in an easy-to-read format for busy
people on the go - drawings, cartoons
by Spirit Painter and Chuck Vadun,
lots of sidebars, snappy headers
- with the latest and best in the
field. The Sourcebook takes near-death
studies from the early days of the
"Moody Miracle," through the myths
of "the light at the end of the
tunnel" and "the religion of the
resuscitated," to where it is after
32 years of work. . . with clinical
prospective studies in several countries
verifying the reality of the experience
and its many aspects, and establishing
its importance in the study of consciousness
Also available in Kindle format.
Died Three Times in 1977 - The Complete
(Kindle format)
According to Bruce Greyson, M.D.,
UVA Former Editor, Journal of Near-Death
Studies, Atwater's is the most honest
book about near-death experiences
I have ever read. It is brutally
honest with PMH Atwater, laying
bare her soul. And it is equally
honest with the reader, laying out
Atwater's remarkable experiences
and equally remarkable aftereffects
without any hidden agenda. This
latest book by one of the most prolific
authors on NDEs is not a memoir,
not a scientific study, not a religious
treatise, but may be best described
as a work of love. Whether or not
you feel this book helps you understand
NDEs intellectually, "from the outside
in," it will undoubtedly help you
to understand what it feels like
from the inside out."
Back To Life: Examining the After-Effects
of the Near-Death Experience
This book is the first book about
the near-death phenomenon to look
at all aspects of both the experience
and its aftereffects - including
the hellish experience, suicides,
possible changes in brain structure
and chemistry because of what happened,
plus how the phenomenon really affects
those who experience it - and compares
all of this to what a person goes
through after a transformation of
consciousness, no matter how caused.
This revised edition explores the
after-effects using both research
relative to case histories and the
authors own near-death story. Chapter
Two contains a brief description
of P.M.H. Atwater's three near-death
experiences and how she initially
dealt with them.
work is endorsed by popular
near-death experts and authors Raymond
A. Moody, Jr. M.D., and Kenneth
Ring, Ph.D.
the Indigo Children: The New Children
and the Coming of the Fifth World
P.M.H. Atwater illuminates the characteristics
of the fifth root race, the capstone
being the extraordinary "new children,"
those brilliant and irreverent kids
born since 1982. She explores the
relationship of the new children
to the prophecies in the Mayan calendar
and other traditions, providing
extensive background information
about the seven root races (the
sixth and seventh of which haven't
yet appeared) and the great
shifting of consciousness already
the Indigo Children"
is the first major study of today's
children, and their place in our
rapidly changing world, that combines
objective research with mystical
revelation and prophecy.
Also available in Kindle format.
the Light: What Isn't Being Said
About Near Death Experience: from
Visions of Heaven to Glimpses of
Hell (Paperback)
One of the
Bibles of the
NDE, this is an in-depth study of
adult experiencers of near-death
states, based on sessions with over
3,000 adult experiencers. It is
all original work. It includes a
large Resource Section that is aimed
at assisting experiencers learn
how to integrate what happened to
them. It also includes a special
section on electrical sensitivity;
several chapters on the full pattern
of aftereffects, both physiological
and psychological. From her own
encounter with life-after-death
and from interviews with hundreds
of others, she presents this remarkable
and reassuring vision into a world
beyond the one we know: What it
feels like to die; What awaits us
after we see the light; Why many
who are rescued from death don't
want to come back; Why some people
encounter hellish experiences; How
life changes after an NDE.
Live Forever: The Real Truth About
Death (Paperback)
P. M. H. Atwater was born
in Twin Falls, Idaho, and died three
times in Boise, Idaho. Since those
experiences, she has traveled, studied,
spoken and written about what happened
to her and others when they died.
Considered an authority on death,
near death, and the afterlife, Atwater
has written a book that gives details
and deep insights into what really
happens when you die and what it
truly means. She also explores such
mysteries as heaven and hell, the
souls' existence after death, the
power of prayer, and delves into
the truths and myths about death
that may shed new light on the real
truth about life and living.
Also available in Kindle format.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Near-Death
Experience (Paperback)
Don't let the silly title fool you.
This is a real encyclopedia of the
entire phenomenon - the experience
and the aftereffects, including
implications, positive/negative
aspects. These are new cases and
new research. This is perhaps the
most complete book yet done in the
field of near-death studies. In
this book you will learn: common
elements of NDEs, the ongoing debate
between believers and debunkers,
the "proxy" experience of those
at the bedside of the dying, fascinating
scientific research on NDEs, the
special case of child experiences,
the personality and health changes
of many who've had an NDE, what NDEs
can tell us about life after death,
and the NDE versus the dogma of
organized religion. David H. Morgan
is an editorial consultant, book
doctor, and agent who lives in Richmond,
New Children and Near-Death Experiences
This is the first book to provide
an in-depth study of children who
have experienced the near-death
phenomenon and its aftereffects.
Atwater notes how child who returns
from an NDE are not the same child
as before, but are a "remodeled,
rewired, reconfigured, refined version
of the original." Presenting data
to support her contention that these
children have experienced structural,
chemical, and functional changes
in the brain, she also shows how
their greater empathic abilities
as well as dramatically higher intelligence
are qualities that are also present
in children born since 1982 - enhanced
abilities that cannot be tied to
simple genetics. Atwater shows that
understanding the near-death experiences
of children can help us prepare
for a quantum leap in the evolution
of humanity.
Also available in Kindle format.
Memory (Paperback)
are different paths to future memory.
P.M.H. Atwater says the future memory
allows people to "live" life in
advance and remember the experience
in detail when something triggers
that memory. Atwater says the unifying,
and permanent, effect of that experience
is a brain a "brain shift" which
she believes "may be at the very
core of existence itself." In Future
Memory, Atwater shows that structural
and chemical changes are occurring
in our brains, changes indicative
of higher evolutionary development.
In January of 2013, an announcement
was made of a scientific study that
verified the premise of future memory.
Unbeknownst to the author, that
scientific study was originally
inspired by an earlier edition of
her book, "Future Memory."
Also available in Kindle format.
of the New Millennium: Children's
Near-Death Experiences and the Evolution
of Humankind
Author P.M.H. Atwater presents the
first serious look at the near-death
experiences of children. Atwater
believes these millennial children
- who possess heightened sensory
and empathic abilities acquired
at birth or as a result of the near-death
experience - herald the presence
of a new race of people on Earth.
This groundbreaking book explores
how these special children will
dramatically impact the human condition
by helping humankind rediscover
the spiritual truths needed to survive
in our radically changing world.
material comes from P.M.H. Atwater's
25 years of researching the near-death
phenomenon with thousands of experiencers,
other personal stories, plus what
she herself witnessed on the Inner
Planes when she died in 1977. A
workshop intensive, "Deepening
into Spirit,"
now exists as a compliment to the
of the Goddess (Paperback
One of the most ancient
expressions of the sacred and
secret, the Elder Runes are said
to date back more than 12,000
years to the regions of what is
known today as Ukraine, Georgia,
and to the Danube, Crimea, and
Czech, and to a time when
Cro-Magnon people walked the
Earth and the world worshipped
the Great Goddess. Originating
from a time when body, mind, and
soul were experienced as one
with the mysterious forces of
the universe, the Elder Runes -
these runes - never developed
into a "written-but-not-spoken"
language as did most other runic
lineages. They retained,
instead, "the language the pure
essence of spirit speaks."
of the Goddess Kit
(Paperback, Rune Stones, Casting
Cloth, Rune Guide, and Carrying
Runes of the Goddess honors our
emotional response to moments
uniquely memorable, yet common
to us all. This passionate yet
practical guide is available n a
kit, complete with carved
runestones and carrying pouch. A
companion CD (see
below) about them is also
available and will help you
deepen your understanding of the
rune signs and guide you in a
shamanic-style meditation. Using
these runes is an invitation to
explore the profound power of
feminine wisdom and intuition
present in both males and
females. As a guide, the book
clearly explains how to create
and care for your own runes, as
well as how to do present life
and past life castings, read,
and interpret the stones. The
Goddess Rune Kit includes the
of the Goddess by
P.M.H. Atwater, 14 rune stones,
casting cloth, rune guide, and
carrying pouch.
Runes: A Comprehensive Guide to
Casting and Divination With One
of the Oldest Known Rune Sets
This comprehensive guide to the
casting and divination of rune
stones invites readers to
explore the profound power of
their own feminine inner wisdom
and intuition. This book by
P.M.H. Atwater clearly explains
how to create and care for one's
own set of runes, as well
as how
to cast, read, and interpret the
stones. "Goddess Runes" are
magic in the way they enable you
to glimpse yourself and
the living of life from another
angle, an angle unfettered and free,
filled with love and joy. To learn
of them is to become as a child
again, rediscovering the true magic
of sacredness. P.M.H. Atwater will
be available for "Rune Casting Playshops,"
so plan now to sponsor one. Contact
her directly: e-mail:
or postal at P. O. Box 7691, Charlottesville,
2. P.M.H. Atwater
Articles on Near-Death.com
3. P.M.H. Atwater Research
Papers (Download in PDF
4. Free
Articles by
P.M.H. Atwater in PDF Format
For more
information about P.M.H. Atwater's
contribution to near-death studies,
her press kit here
in PDF format. You will need the
Adobe PDF Reader installed on your
computer to read the file. If you
don't have the Reader, download
it by pressing the Adobe Reader
icon provided on the right.
From June of 1981 until 2004, P.M.H.
Atwater has written a column for
the prestigious IANDS newsletter
"Vital Signs". Now you can read
all of them in a single ebook which
you can download for only $15. All
profits go to IANDS for the continuance
of their important service as a
clearinghouse of information about
the NDE. Topics within A Book
of Columns include: The Enigma of
Love, The Moment of Death, The Seven
Most Common Aftereffects of Survival,
Psychic Ability, The Out-of-Body
Aspect of Near-Death Experiences,
Case Studies That Suggest the Survival
of Consciousness After Death, Near-Death
Experiences in Children, Heavenly
Justice, and many others.
the Near-Death Experience as a Theoretical
Model to Explore the Transformation
of Consciousness
- This model created by P.M.H. Atwater
suggests how transformations of
consciousness, regardless of how
caused, are really what fuels the
"engine" of evolution ... propelling
the human species towards ever greater
development and refinement, as the
higher mind begins to spiritualize
individual and social affairs.
This is the true story of an incident
from Atwater's own childhood in
southern Idaho when a rare weather
anomaly occurred: "hoar frost" ...
a thick coating of ice needles that
engulfed the area, turning everything
as far as the eye could see into
brilliant, sparkling crystals. Calling
the child in the story "Sara" (the
name of one of Atwater's grandchildren),
she deftly weaves a tale of magic
and miracles that brings into question
the sometimes conflict between a
child's dreamlife and what actually
exists in the "real" world. Full-page
drawings abound throughout the book,
so children can have the fun of
coloring them. Atwater admits that,
try as she could, she was unable
to do a credible job of drawing
hoar frost. Nonetheless, what she
did draw will delight children and
adults alike.
5. Audio/Video CDs and DVDs by P.M.H. Atwater
of the Goddess (Audio CD)
A one-hour
audio CD presentation has been created
by P.M.H. Atwater to add mood and
magic to the sacred play of rune
use. Called
RUNES - "The Adventure Begins,"
Side 1 is an introduction to Goddess
Runes and their deeper meanings,
as well as an exploration of how
to develop that trust and confidence
that can come from the wellspring
of inner wisdom present within you.
Side 2 gently leads you through
a shamanic-style visualization that
reveals your "Center," that place
within your heart-of-hearts that
is sacred and holy, your connection
to The Source of All Being. Some
personal comments come afterward.
Book of Columns
(Audio CD)
This CD contains the complete
collection of columns written
for IANDS' Vital Signs
newsletter from 1981 to 2004 by
PMH Atwater, the most prolific
writer and researcher about
NDEs. This CD is vintage
Atwater. No one has ever written
better about the experience of
the experiencer! Included is the
exceptional series of columns
titled "The Sven Most Common
Aftereffects," probably the best
descriptions of what it feels
like after experiencers return
from their NDEs. This is a must
read for all experiencers and
anyone close to them - family
members, friends, mental health
and medical professionals - who
want to understand why so much
has changed for these folks.
You Die...
Know That You Live Forever
(Audio CD or DVD formats)
There is no other presentation
like it anywhere in the world.
This audio CD is that unique.The
presentation alleviates the fear
of death and makes it easier and
less painful to die. Field
tested for over 15 years - it
works! With the information
contained on this CD, you can
safely embark on an engaging,
graceful, and comforting
encounter with death. This
ground breaking presentation is
uncompromisingly candid as it
probes our intellectual and
spiritual curiosity about dying.
Based on unparalleled research,
this beautiful journey begins as
one lays hovering between life
and death then convincingly
leads one far from fear and
despair to a peace and
unconquerable hope, knowing that
as we die... we live forever!
Also available in DVD format.
The Light (DVD)
Plato said, "We understand why
children are afraid of darkness,
but why are men afraid of
light?" For those who have
experienced the light beyond
death say, "It cradles you with
love and you are never again the
same." The rules and pathways to
the light are numerous, but the
goal is the same: reunion with
the one source, God. You are
about to hear a startiling
revelation from one who has gone
beyond the light. In this
powerful FOCUS special,
acclaimed author and researcher,
Dr. P.M.H. Atwater shares her
three life-changing near death
experiences with FOCUS. Dr.
Atwater underwent a
transformation to a higher level
of consciousness, returning with
a message of unconditional love
for mankind.
P.M.H. Atwater's schedule of appearances
and engagements are located here.
7. Press Kit and Media Help
For those facing a deadline and
unable to wait for a personal reply,
I offer this press release. It is
suitable for use as a sidebar, and
can be used all or in part at your
discretion (with the credit line
8. Talks and Workshops
nothing quite like a session with
P.M.H. Atwater. Her talks and workshops
are always lively, joyful, practical
and inspirational. Any individual
or group may sponsor P.M.H. Atwater's
Talks and Workshops. Many of her
sessions are designed to meet the
criteria for Continuing Education
Credits for health care givers/counselors.
See the
fee structure.
Discuss schedules and possible CEU
credits for professionals by writing
to: You Can Change Your Life, P.O.
Box 7691, Charlottesville, VA 22906-7691
"Wonderfully orchestrated
and life-affirming, P.M.H.
Atwater teaches you to grow
through life, rather than
go through it." - John Harricharan,
award-winning author of
When You Can Walk on Water,
Take the Boat
This workshop is
a six-hour opportunity
to encounter and
share in the wonder
and the passion
of Truth, soul-to-soul,
with the goal of
remembering what
we already know
- but have forgotten
- that we truly
are Divine Beings,
One with The One.
is part
part questions/comments.
Covers material
gained from
P.M.H. Atwater's
three near-death
and from
over 25
years of
the near-death
with thousands
of experiencers.
This talk is an
overview of the
present energy pattern,
pros and con, plus
a reminder: the
Age of Meaning returns
to us the legitimacy
and importance of
the arts, spiritual
technologies, and
all things sacred
and true. Quite
literally, the unresolved
issues, the unfinished
business of the
last 2,000 years
is surfacing now.
The quest at hand
is a search for
meaning. Making
meaning will require
all of us to step
back, take a deep
breath, and seek
a different answer.
Energy merges and
diffuses in the
sign of Pisces:
borders, boundaries,
laws, rules, even
traditions lose
definition. We must
be the change we
want to see happen,
become the peace
we seek, or we could
be lost as well.
The talk is 1 1/2 hour "What
Things May Come - America's
9-11 Emergency and Beyond,
as Viewed from the Inner
Planes of Spirit." The workshop
is 3 hours "Healing Helpers
- Soul to Soul Through Prayer
and Deathbed Journeys."
9. Eight Fliers by P.M.H. Atwater
The following
flyers are given away at P.M.H.
Atwater's talks and workshops. Please
download as they appear (with copyright
Atwater's Online Marketplace
Marketplace of NDE-Related Items
This section of P.M.H. Atwater's
website is devoted to promoting
the products and services offered
by near-death experiencers or those
like them to the general public.
You will be pleasantly surprised
by what is there. The Marketplace
is operated as a public service
- without cost to anyone so listed.
P.M.H. Atwater
answers questions submitted to
her from subscribers to this free newsletter. If
you have a question that you would like
her to answer, just email your
for consideration. To SUBSCRIBE
to this newsletter, send a blank email
"We cannot
keep the life we have on the Earth realm, not our possessions
or attachments or relationships. What we can keep is our
memories and our feelings of what we have integrated into
our heart of hearts from the experience of being here, plus
the love we have shared with others."
- P.M.H. Atwater
Return to Science Main Page


text:
Blue Egg Photography Note Cards, originally uploaded by BenSpark.
The other day Drew got a package from Blue Egg Photography. I was pretty curious, but I patiently waited for him to come home to see what was inside. I was thrilled to see the package contained beautiful cards of food! What could be better than pictures of food?? These are beautifully done artistic photos of food taken by Susan Lalich a chef and photographer. Her talent is truly amazing!
And apparently when Drew blogged about the cards here he was told that Chef Sue would be happy to hear how I would be putting the cards to use.
In his post, Drew explained that I have been working with an organization called ChemoAngels. ChemoAngels is a not for profit organization that provides a ray of sunshine to the lives of chemo patients by connecting them with volunteers who send cards, letters and small gifts to men, women and children who are enduring chemotherapy treatments.
I think I joined ChemoAngels about 7 years ago and still hear from former patients who have graduated from the program. It's rewarding to get a note that you made someone's day a little brighter. And I love stationary and writing, so this is the perfect volunteer project for me. And I bet my ChemoBuddies will love getting these beautiful cards for the next few weeks!


text:
American Academy of Art
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)(Learn how and when to remove this template message)
|Richard H. Otto
Academic staff
|30+ full time
|Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology[1]
The American Academy of Art is an art school located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1923 for the education of fine and commercial arts students. The American Academy of Art offers four-year, accredited Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs in web design, illustration, modeling, painting and others.
The school's Bill L. Parks Gallery is open to the public and features exhibitions of works by students, faculty, visiting arts and works from the Academy's permanent collection.[2]
The American Academy of Art was founded in 1923 by Frank Young and Harry L. Timmins to train students for careers in commercial and fine art.[3]
Enrollment is typically between 400 and 500 students. Annual tuition is currently $24,000+.
The Academy has curriculum for bachelor's degrees. Eight areas of study are offered for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, all of which require 126 credit hours to graduate. These programs include:
- 3D modeling and animation
- Life drawing
- Multimedia/web design
- Oil painting
- Graphic design
- Watercolor painting
- Illustration / Digital illustration
- Photography
The Academy requires all incoming freshmen to take both life drawing and art composition for the freshman year.[4]
The Academy is accredited by:
- The Higher Learning Commission.
- The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
- (The Academy is also a member of the North Central Association.)
Notable alumni/students[edit]
- Jason Seiler
- Alex Ross
- Richard Schmid
- John Tobias
- Kanye West
- Sandy Dvore
- Gil Elvgren
- Jill Thompson
- Joyce Ballantyne
- Loren Long
- Paul Lamantia
- Rupert Kinnard
- Howard Turpning
- Haddon Sundblom
- Mary KrisSmith
- David E. Garrison
- ^ "Directory Search - 1. American Academy of Art". Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
- ^ "Bill L. Parks Gallery". American Academy of Art. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ "Academy History". American Academy of Art. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
- ^ American Academy of Art website
Coordinates: 41°52′38.8″N 87°37′28.5″W / 41.877444°N 87.624583°W


text:
Subscribe To Dragon Age: Inquisition Delayed Updates
I've already subscribed
Battlefield Hardline isn't the only EA holiday release getting a delay. BioWare revealed today that medieval fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Inquisition is being pushed back as well.
Fortunately, Dragon Age: Inquisition's delay isn't as bad as Hardline's. The game's still arriving this fall. The new release dates are November 18th for North America and November 21st for Europe.
Dragon Age: Inquisition was originally slated to launch on October 7th against survival horror Alien Isolation and open-world action game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. November 18th is arguably just as competitive; that's the day that Far Cry 4 is debuting worldwide. Analysts expect FC4 to be one of the best-selling games of the fall.
BioWare, however, believes that the extra month of development time for Inquisition will make the game considerably better.
"We appreciate the enormous support we've received from all of you to get to this point, and while this extra few weeks may not seem like a lot, I know the game you'll play will be all the better for it," said Inquisition executive producer Mark Darrah on the game's website.
Inquisition, the third game in the series, is shaking up the formula in major ways. BioWare realized how much fans disliked Dragon Age 2 so they've essentially gone back to the drawing board. Inquisition is more open-ended than its predecessors and abandons BioWare's proprietary engine in favor of DICE's Frostbite 3. At the same time, the developers are bringing back some of the elements that fans loved from the first game in the series, like tactical combat and different playable races.
Added Darrah: "I'm privileged to be a part of a team that has been working very hard to surpass every measure they've set for themselves. That has meant completing huge amounts of game content, fixing bugs both big and small, and improving the overall experience.
"This last bit of time is about polishing the experience we want you to see. Ensuring that our open spaces are as engaging as possible. Strengthening the emotional impact of the Hero's choices. And ensuring the experience you get is the best it can be in the platform you choose to play on."
Inquisition is being released on PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 and Xbox One. The cross-gen release brings its own challenges. The studio has to make the game feel like a big step forward for Dragon Age while also ensuring that it performs well on older consoles. There's also the added challenge of making sure the PS4 and Xbox One perform as close to the PC edition as possible. BioWare has their work cut out for them. Hope they use that extra month wisely.
Will Dragon Age: Inquisition be better than DA2?


text:
The handbag faceoff and factory data — five things to watch for in the week ahead
Hello, friends and Fortune readers.
The IPO market hit an almost 14-year high last week as 25 companies were scheduled to go public. Of the companies that followed through on their public offerings over the course of five days, the two biggest–biotech firm Catalent and Synchrony Financial, General Electric's now former consumer credit arm–raised a combined $3.75 billion.
Public listings are taking a breather this coming week. Also this week, the earnings wave continues. Keep your eyes out for Disney's numbers on Tuesday to see the residual effects of its hit movie Frozen, as well as how the theme parks have faired since a recent price increase.
Here's what else you need to know for your week ahead.
1. The handbag faceoff.
Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade have been battling it out to gain an advantage in the luxury handbag market. Kors, which started in 2002, has made fast progress with nearly 89% consumer name recognition. It is the first to report earnings on Monday and is expected to bring in $851 million in sales with earnings of 81 cents a share.
Coach, the 800-pound gorilla in the market, has struggled this quarter, laying off workers and telling analysts that this year may be slower than expected. Still, the company is expecting to notch $1.1 billion in sales and earnings-per-share of 51 cents when it reports Tuesday.
Kate Spade, a much smaller player in the market, will report on Friday. Analysts estimate earnings-per-share losses of 1 cent on $237 million in sales.
2. All about manufacturing.
This week's economic announcements are all about manufacturing and wholesale. After stellar 4% second-quarter GDP growth, economists will be looking to see how U.S. manufacturing is fairing and if the booming economic growth will continue throughout the year.
First up is the ISM report on Tuesday: Analysts expect a reading of 56 (any number above 50 represents expansion in the industry). Also on Tuesday, watch out for Factory orders, which are estimated to grow by 0.6% ahead of the valuable holiday shopping season. The week will end with reports on productivity and wholesale orders on Friday morning.
3. Samsung Galaxy Alpha announcement.
It looks like Samsung may be taking the tech spotlight on Monday as it finally unveils its new Galaxy Alpha phone, according to reports by insider-rag SamMobile.
Much has been leaked about the phone, which is supposed to forsake the traditional plastic body for a sleeker metallic construction. The phone is Samsung's mid-range model and will feature a 4.8-inch 720p display, a fingerprint scanner and 32 gigabytes of storage.
AllAboutSamsung notes that the announcement, the date of which has been top secret, could be pushed out to Aug. 13.
4. Playing for profits.
Gaming companies Activision Blizzard and Zynga will reveal their second-quarter performance this week in the wake of mediocre results from Nintendo, which has struggled to kindle interest in its Wii U console.
Activision, maker of Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, is expected to bring in 22 cents a share profit on $607.6 million in sales when it reports Tuesday. The quarter looks less rosy for mobile-game maker Zynga, set to report on Thursday, which is estimated to lose 7 cents a share on $161 million in sales.
5. Nothing spells profits quite like Andy Warhol.
While other sectors of the economy have struggled to pick up steam, the auction market has notched a decent year so far. Exactly how good will be seen on Friday when Sotheby's announces its earnings. Profits are estimated to be $1.31 a share on $345.7 million in sales. The premier auction house brought in more than $200 million in a June sale of works by Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian and others.
Sotheby's has also unveiled a new pact with eBay this month to start hosting live New York auctions together, giving Sotheby's access to the online retailers 145 million active buyers. The companies are giving the partnership another go after a failed 2003 effort and say, this time, the timing is right.