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[IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
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Topic: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players? (Read 3404 times)
Posts: 47
[IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
August 05, 2008, 12:14:33 PM »
My open invitation to some friends works a little too well. Just about everyone is coming. Now, I could uninvite people and split up the group. My place is too small to split up the group on the same day (and I'm the only one who knows how to run, anyway) so that's not an option.
But, IAWA doesn't seem like it would break from that many people. Especially if the game is light on NPCs and the players are targetting each other more. I've played in it with 6 players, and that worked pretty well. So 8 just seems like a couple of more.
Is that right? If not, what's the maximum it works well with? And also, why not? What is the problem that comes up over X amount of people. I know usually the concern (for games in general) is screen time, but conflicts are so fast that I'm not worried about that. Should I be? Will some PCs get sidelined into side characters? (This happened to me with four players, but I was also trying to cram a 2nd chapter into the last hour of a con game, including character creation).
Any specifics on how it worked (if you did anything to help it work) or why it failed would be great.
Posts: 1429
Re: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
Reply #1 on:
August 05, 2008, 04:31:57 PM »
There is nothing probability wise within IAWA's mechanics that should prohibit eight players from playing. Sure the amount of screen time is sliced down but here's a few suggestions.
1) I would draw six cards instead of four from the oracles.
2) Remember that the GM is responsible for establishing scenes so make sure to cut back and forth at appropriate times and keep things fairly even among the players.
3) Remember that the GM's job is to play "the rest" of the characters which may or may not include the role of central adversity. If a player takes a character or emerges as the primary source of adversity then play to that with your own NPCs.
4) Remember that the PCs are *potential* protagonists and not necessarily guaranteed to be one (this is partially what The Owe list is about). Sometimes winding up playing a supporting role or as mentioned above the primary villain is a fact of play even with just three players. Don't try to force everyone into the role of main character, let play and the clash of Best Interests do that.
Christopher Weeks
Posts: 684
Re: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
Reply #2 on:
August 06, 2008, 02:36:24 AM »
I came looking for an answer to "Will it play with only three of us -- or is there some kind of breakdown that happens?" and I don't see any discussion of that, but thought I might as well ask here instead of starting a new thread. Do people have experience playing with fewer than the suggested numbers?
Posts: 224
Re: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
Reply #3 on:
August 06, 2008, 06:42:05 AM »
The only thing I'd be wary about is having too little time.
Honestly, I think you'll only need the standard four oracle entries, if you make judicious use of implied characters. Ask your players 'who might be related to this situation?' I'd lay back, have a couple of NPCs to fall back on, but let the players take care of the rest, and make my big job be making sure the game marched on.
Posts: 47
Re: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
Reply #4 on:
August 06, 2008, 02:19:57 PM »
Thanks for the tips.
Jesse, I was wondering about the cards. It seems like 4 might be okay, but then that could depend on which ones are drawn.
Yeah, main characters usually just develop naturally. I prefer it when players end up playing the "bad guy" with best interests all directed mostly at each other and with this many, that should be easier to have happen. I've found with two players they tend to pair up, but even with "just" four, at least one person ends up being an antagonist. But with the newness of many players, I think there will still be a "on the same team" inclination.
4 vs 6 cards, I think four could work too, although I'd be worried about being too judicious. Have an extra card to produce an interesting colorful character might be better than fleshing out "Citizen #4" from the harbor town.
Quote from: Christopher Weeks on August 06, 2008, 02:36:24 AM
I came looking for an answer to "Will it play with only three of us -- or is there some kind of breakdown that happens?" and I don't see any discussion of that, but thought I might as well ask here instead of starting a new thread. Do people have experience playing with fewer than the suggested numbers?
Yes, it works just fine! You'll have to do more work on NPCs to keep the fire going and scene frame aggressively. And you'll probably end up with a fairly linear story, but it works just fine. It might seem like you'd need more NPCs, but I found that I actually had too many the first time playing with two players. You still want to develop as many as you can before play, with Best interests, to give the players and yourself hooks, but if they don't seem to attach themselves to an NPC in their Best Interests, then don't try to force it in. Best to let them fall to the wayside.
Posts: 1
Re: [IAWA] Will it work with 8 or more players?
Reply #5 on:
August 17, 2008, 05:19:30 PM »
Hi all,
Long time lurker, but I figured I'd finally get around to posting something. I've recently found my way into an ongoing game of IAWA, and on Wednesday we played a session with 8 players and a GM. It actually went surprisingly well, all things considered. The experience of the players themselves ran the gamut from having played 8 or 9 sessions, to one player who was a completely new to the system. We used the standard 4 cards from the oracles, and managed to come up with enough characters for each of us with no real problem. I believe 3 of the characters were recurring, and we only got bogged down a little bit in figuring out the relationships between the old characters, the new characters, and the events that would be taking place. As for running the session, it was a little slow just to begin with, as we starting setting up the scenes. Once the GM realized that we were all pretty confident with the conflict resolution mechanics, however, he essentially just let us go at it ourselves, so we had players moving around the table, and having two or three separate scenes going on at once. This had two effects: firstly, the game sped up quite a bit, since everyone was involved in some sort of action at some point, and secondly, each player, it seemed, got to experience the story in their own unique way. There were numerous points in the session where my character moved about and I got to be genuinely surprised by coming across the outcome of conflicts between two other players. Anyways, I'm rambling on, but my point is, the game DOES work with 8 players, as long as those players have a handle on the system and how it works.
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pens2005 wrote:DelPen wrote:$10 million is reasonable. It's only a $1.3 million raise so that contract isn't going to break e team up.
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sup basic math and fairly major news from the last 12 months


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'Different' Dell to downgrade XPS brand
Good news for Alienware
Dell has confirmed its XPS brand is to be demoted to a sub-brand, used simply to mark out high-end Inspiron and Studio machines rather than as a product family in its own right.
Mark Jarvis, head of Dell's worldwide marketing, said: "You'll soon see high-end Inspiron XPS [laptops] and high-end Studio XPS machines."
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There will be no new Dell brands, Jarvis said.
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Design will be a key element, as indicated by the new Latitude E series, launched yesterday, and the upcoming quad-core Precision mobile workstation.
Related Reviews
Dell XPS M1330
Dell XPS M1730


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Strasbourg International: Top-seeded Stephens loses in first round
STRASBOURG, France — Top-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States and second-seeded Alize Cornet of France were knocked out in the first round of the Strasbourg International on Tuesday.
Julia Goerges of Germany upset wild-card entry Stephens 6-3, 6-2, while Camila Giorgi of Italy overcame defending champion Cornet 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Goerges, a semifinalist at the Pattaya Open in Thailand in February, did not face a break point. She broke for a 5-3 lead in the first set. Stephens dropped serve in the first and seventh games of the final set.
Cornet beat Giorgi in the Katowice Open final last month in Poland. But the Italian got her revenge Tuesday despite making nine double faults.
Andrea Petkovic of Germany, Peng Shuai of China and Croatian qualifier Mirjana Lucic-Baroni moved into the second round.
The fourth-seeded Petkovic beat French wild-card entry Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4, the seventh-seeded Peng defeated Australian qualifier Ashleigh Barty 7-5, 7-5, and Lucic-Baroni stunned sixth-seeded Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia 6-4, 6-0.
Petkovic led 5-0 in the opening set against Parmentier and 3-0 in the second. Lucic-Baroni offset seven double faults by saving all four break points she faced against Jovanovski.
American duo Christina McHale and Lauren Davis, Spanish qualifier Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Monica Puig of Puerto Rico also advanced.
McHale cruised past Alexandra Cadantu of Romania 6-1, 6-2, Davis dismissed Belarusian qualifier Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-4, Puig edged Johanna Larsson of Sweden 7-5, 7-6 (5), and Soler-Espinosa beat Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 6-0, 7-6 (5) for the first time in five matches.


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My mind was troubled as I followed behind this Windling. I was sent to this land to explore and gain knowledge. Yet this dream, I can't shake it. Who are these companions I was fighting alongside in my dream? The dream itself is also a concern. This was no mere dream. Dare I say it's prophecy?
So deep in thought was I, that I knocked into a table causing a loud scuffing sound. I froze certain the Windling would hear me. He kept on his pace, must not be a very perceptive Windling. Still unsure of what to say, I remained hidden. Even when the Windling freed the rest of the group I remained hidden. As I listened to their exchange something was troubling me. I had an uneasy feeling about the Windling. His claim that he had no memory of what happened, yet there was no mark on him. Why would the rest of the group be thrown into this locked room, while the Windling did not. Where did the Windling get the key? I don't recall him aquiring it while I shadowed him… With the group being on edge, I continued to shadow them. When would be the right time to reveal myself and not provoke an attack?
The group descended to the deepest level and paused in the first room that had 3 other passages, consulting their map and debating on where to go. The decided on an unmarked room on the map. But they could not find the door to enter, until the windling found a secret door. Was he just lucky? How could he find a secret door but not hear my blunder upstairs? Or did he know about it…
I remained a little down the hall from the secret chamber when I heard fighting. When I arrived at the door, I found the Windling attacking his comrades. This sparked a memory. My thoughts drifted back to the lessons my Sensei had taught me on Mount Xan. He described a group of adventurers that been betrayed by one of their own, who had become corrupted by a horror. Then I noticed the skulls in the room and the pounding the Windling was taking but still fighting. He's horror tainted!
Just as my realization came to me they manage to knock him down. As the debated what to do, I saw the Windling stir. He can't be allowed to spread the taint. I remember thinking it's now or never as I summoned a lightning bolt and slammed it into the windling to knock him back into unconsciousness.
His companions look at me in stunned silence. I said the only thing i could think of. "He's been tainted by a horror!" Their actions surprised me. Without hesitation, the big troll and nimble elves both drove their weapons home in the Windlings body, ending his life.
They turned toward me, and I introduced myself. The seemed to accept me, they must have been suspecting the Windling's taint as well, for they barely shed any grief over his loss. They kept a careful eye on me as they began searching the room. I was drawn towards the center of the room. Something about the pile of skulls. I reached down to pick one up and they exploded outward. From beneath the pile rose what could only be a horror, with a skull face.
Without missing a beat the troll, elf, and I rushed it on three sides of it. None of our attacks landed home. It was too nimble and swift, dodging and blocking our attacks. Even when the troll managed to hit it, it seemed to have little effect. Thinking physical attacks to be of little use, I tried a lightning bolt. Either the goodly passions were on my side or the horror clearly thought physical to be the main threat, but my lightning bolt slammed into it, leaving massive scorch marks.
The elf nailed it with a couple arrows, and the orc landed a good hit with some sort of spell. I thought for sure the horror would be coming for me, after I hit it with such a solid blow. But I was wrong, for it summoned a massive ice cycle and impaled the troll through his shoulder. The troll got up and began to seek a way out, throwing his shoulder into the stone door that had closed behind us. I landed two more solid hits with lightning bolts while the elf peppered it with a couple more arrows, when it finally shriek and dissipated into mist. A glowing crystal drop from the mist to clink on the floor.
We cautiously approached. When the others feared to, I reached down and picked it up. It was cold to the touch but that's all i could discern at the time, so i placed it in a pouch. We then spent the next couple hours gathering loot. While I'm not one for greed, my main focus is my studies, I had little in the way of coin and provisions would be needed.
We finished looting, and since the others were barely standing (they must have taken a real beating from the slavers), they feared proceeding without recovery. We decided to seek respite in the "water room", as it was labeled on the map. Karose broke the lock and we proceeded inside.
The moment we all crossed the threshold, a trap sprung. Some sort of goo hit us all directly in the face. We scrambled to pull it off. I managed to get a few breaths of air, but my lungs were burning when it finally crumbled away. As I breathed a deep breath of fresh air and looked around. Karose, Benoni, and Gerneck had all succumbed to the spell. I quickly checked their pulses. They were alive but unconscious. Not knowing what else to do, I closed the door and kept watch, relying on my training and meditation to rest my body instead of sleep. When they finally awoke, I took my turn at sleep as they bandaged their wounds. It took a good four days for them to recovery sufficiently to proceeded. I spent most of that time meditation and working on ways to improve my talents.
We left our mini-sanctuary after drinking from the surprisingly clean and fresh water fountain and began to explore this level. As we walked down one of the cramped halls, corpses rose up, cutting us off from one another. Before I could act mine foe slammed with an attack knocking me off my feet. As I was falling I launched a lightning bolt and managed to take him off his feet as well. Rather than wast time getting on my feet, I executed a series of sweeping kicks to finish off my foe. The others managed to finish theirs off and we dusted our selves off.
I must finish this entry now, as we are preparing to set out once again. Perhaps I was destined to be apart of this group after all. I will remain with this group and see where these dreams lead. Hopefully learning much and more from this land to take back to Mount Xan in the process.
I awoke to the sounds of battle. I rushed on deck only to find we were under attack and sorely pressed. More than half of our crew was dead or tossed overboard. Despite our efforts we were forced to yield. We were clapped in irons and taken below decks. Turns out our captain was right, we reached land 2 days later. There were were split up. I was thrown into a carriage and was transported inland for days.
We eventually came unto a forest. As we ventured deeper into the forest a mist formed, so thick I couldn't see more than a foot in front of me. We pressed on and the suddenly the mist parted. There was a massive structure surrounded by a small village. I assumed it was one of these kaers i had learned about. I was taken into the kaer and locked in a room. I searched in vain for a way out but no luck. Having no other other ideas, I decided to meditate on it.
I meditated through the entire night and when a arose out of my meditation it was to the sound of another battle. I banged on the door to let me out. I then grabbed the handle to try to force the lock only to discover the door was open! I cautiously crept out of the room, but no one was around, it seemed deserted. I crept to the opening in the destroyed section of the tower and froze. There were the slavers and they were battling with… The people from my dream! Expect they had a windling with them. I also noticed some villagers that seemed to be in some sort of trance milling about. I took advantage of the distraction and snuck out and hid amongst the villagers.
I watched the whole seen unfold, unsure of what to do. The obsideman got lost in the mist, the orc and elf knocked out and captured. the troll charging his massive beast through the slavers and into the village out of my sight, I assumed they caught him when the sounds of struggle died down. The windling was the only one who seemed to get away. He flew to the roof of the tower and didn't return. Unsure of what to do, i searched for a secluded spot in the village hidden from view but with a clear view of the kaer. I hid there and waited…
After a few hours I spotted movement. The windling was back! He was flying down the kaer peaking in all the rooms. I decided to follow him, for surely he was heading to his companions. Companions I must surely be destined to be with…
Rumor has it, we are created when incredibly powerful bolts of lightning lance out of the sky and strike the earth leaving behind a baby laying in small crater. Sensei calls them Storm Children or Lightning Born. Personally I thought he was just teasing me, though it was hard to say since Sensei rarely shows emotion. I looked like everyone else and at the time I didn't have any special powers. I felt like a normal kid, well as normal as a kid can be growing up in a monastery.
I've lived my whole life on Mount Xan, and it wasn't easy. There were no other kids my age. Most people on Mount Xan were men fresh out of childhood seeking a purpose. I rarely got free time to play, nor would I have the strength to do so. My days were spent working, studying, and training. I didn't understand why. The scourge had ended, so why did i need to know how to fight. Why did they train me to fight if the purpose of life was to find enlightenment through meditation? Why did I have to learn Thrallic when it was only spoken across the ocean. None of this made sense to me.
This all changed on my eighteenth birthday (based off the day I was found). It was in the middle of winter so I was out shoveling snow and scattering ice on the upper landing to the path leading down the mountain. The clouds were a thick dark gray and I was rushing to finish before this next storm hit. People had been praying that this storm would pass us bye, but not me. I knew it would hit us. I don't know how I knew, I just did. As I was on my last row of snow, I was proven correct. In the blink of an eye it was upon us. Pounding winds and stinging hail. I turned to flee and before I could take two steps there was an ear shattering boom followed by a blinding flash followed excruciating pain. As quick as it had come it was gone. I was struck by lightning. But the pain was brief and gone. I should have been burnt to a crisp but i felt fine. Better than fine in fact. I felt great. Like I was brimming with energy. The world was a little clearer, the colors more vibrant and sharper. The storm was still going on but it had lessoned a bit. As people began to gather, I felt a strange tingling sensation. Purely on instinct I raised my hand. Lightning shot from the sky in another ear shattering boom, straight into my hand. The energy surged into me. As soon as it was finished the storm ceased and the clouds receded.
The next thing I knew, my Sensei whisked me into his private quarters. He told that I was indeed a Storm Child and that I had finally reached adulthood. He said the lightning was a sort of maturation or rite of passage. It's when my body has developed enough to become attune with the sky. It was time to begin the next leg of my training. How to channel this Lightning Born talent.
Despite this turn of events the next few years went by almost the same as before. The exceptions were new materials to study, such as map making and horror lore. And of course, further mastering my talents in unarmed combat and my Storm Child abilities.
Finally after years of training, Sensei told me that I was ready. He explained that I could now meditate and improve my skills on my own. There would be more to learn from him in the future I do not doubt. He then told me of the land across the ocean, what little is known anyway. It was to be my task to voyage across the ocean and scout this land. To return with maps and first hand knowledge of these lands.
Thus it was that I found myself on a boat sailing into blue expanse. It was a harrowing experience. Weeks of sailing through storms. Days of crawling at a snails pace when there was no wind and the crew used massive oars to move the boat along.
We were nearly two months out when the captain calculated that we were about 3 days out, 2 if the winds were kind. That night I had the strangest dream. I dreamed there was a massive battle and I was fighting along side of strange companions. An elf, a troll, a orc, and an obsidiman. The obsidiman kept flashing in an out of existence, I wondered why?
Ashamed Capture and Escape
Finally we went into the forest guided by some elves. We entered a palace of the elves and met several disagreeable folk. There was obviously elven politics at hand which I was far from understanding. I don't know if we are working with someone who is for or against the elven people. We left on an additional quest from the elf lord while we wait for the return package. We were supposed to stop some bandits raiding humans and elves in the area. We went to the local road and were in luck for a group of bandits with slaves in tow walked right by us. We were lying in ambush but when I saw at least 7 trolls aligned with them. I signaled to cancel the ambush. We discussed our options and decided to follow them. They walked for several more miles then entered the forest along a path. After a while several dark elves appeared. We presented the emblem of the elf and we were allowed to pass.
I had to think at this point that the bandits came this way and had to pass the same guards. Thus they were probably working for the same elf we are. The only reason I can think of that he would have us attack his own men was to have us captured and disappeared. Thus he wouldn't have to pay the wizard, and we would be more slaves for his men. I am not sure I want to return to the palace.
We proceeded until a mist started to form around us. Then we just kept going at a slowed rate. We suddenly came out of the mist to meet a large body of Trolls, men, and Orcs. I immediately charged. I killed one and injured 1 as I turned my mount I ran them down again and saw one of my friends turn back into the mist and appearing on the opposite side of the clearing instantly, so no escape through the mist. I continued riding and killed a couple more. They were beginning to attack me from behind where I couldn't defend myself as well. I saw a body dragged into the crumbling tower in the center of the field. Then I saw Gerneck surrender and was knocked out for his actions. I then rode to the side of the tower and jumped off my mount. Backing up against the wall I waited for them to come.
I didn't have to wait long. Trolls lead the group and I managed to kill another human I think before I collapsed from blood loss. I hoped my wounds would bleed me out before I would ever become a slave.
I awoke in a dark cell sitting up slowly I looked around and saw Gerneck and Benoni in the room with me. I took in my surroundings and saw my axe and gear lying in the corner, a heavy wood door with a small barred window in it covered the only exit. I rose and gathered my weapon and gear checking everything. Why would they leave my axe here. Either they are really stupid or we are no real threat to them. We discussed our situation and decided to stay here until we were healed up enough to fight if needed. I was sure hoping it was going to be needed.
I laid down in front of the door using my 500 pounds to block the door from opening without us knowing. When we heard Eramos outside the door. He unlocked the door and came in with the key. Eramos stood guard while the rest of us healed up. The next day we were healed sufficiently to venture out of the cell. We searched the floor we were on and passed by a large pile of dead bodies. Using the map Eramos provided we passed through an old smithy and tried to enter a shrine dedicated to peace. I was knocked unconscious for carrying my axe into the room. When I woke we left the shrine in peace (pun intended) and went searching in the depths of the Kaer. We entered a very narrow hallway which ended in a room central room with larger halls leading off at the other points of the compass.
We chose the hall to the right and soon were in a room with some water flowing through a trough. Eramos found the secret latch to the large round room and opened a heavy stone door. Eramos and myself quickly entered the room. There was a large pile of skulls and other bones in the center of the room and smaller piles around the side of the walls of the room. I found silver coins along the wall and started to gather some up when I heard a loud scream from Benoni. The Large pile of bones was in the way so I dropped the treasure and rushed to kill whatever had attacked Benoni. As I came around the corner benoni was getting up and Eramos had a bloody sword. Not sure what was going on and since Eramos always annoyed me so I used the flat of my axe to knock him out. But after hitting him twice with my axe he was only stunned. Something was not right. Eramos quickly flew up out of range of my axe. Benoni shot arrows at him and as he swooped down again I got another swat at him. Benoni and I soon had him unconscious. Just as I was going to tie him up he started to come around. A lightning bolt came through the door and struck Eramos knocking him out again.
"He has been tainted by the Horror." A monk said standing just inside the door. Then it all made sense. I bashed his head against the floor just as Benoni inserted both swords into Eramos's body. He was dead. I wasn't sure what to do when the monk touched the pile of bones in the center of the room and a humanoid shape merged from the bones and stuff in the pile. I was quickly set upon by the creature. It hit me hard and I was knocked down. I got up and missed my first attack but hit him to no effect with my second strike. The others quickly joined the attack flanking the skull faced creature. I was hit again and tried to respond in kind to no effect again. Melee weapons were useless. Then I caught sight of fingers wiggling in the door of the room. Thinking this was a spell of a magic user controlling the construct through the door I ran toward the door. Luckily as I started to run I leaned forward just as an Ice javelin struck me. If I hadn't been just about to run I might have been knocked over. I made it to the door quickly and smashed into it hard. Again no effect I was starting to get mad.
"Open the door. Let us Out." I yelled and turning stood in front of Gerneck who was at least hitting him with some spells. Near exhaustion bleeding from two good sized wounds I braced for a final charge hoping to keep the beast off the magic users long enough for their spells to hopefully kill it. When suddenly he dissappeared and a unique gem fell to the ground. I went and sat in the doorway hoping to prevent it from closing again while the others gathered up the treasure. Once we were all outside we decided to enter the water room as a more defensible position while we healed up. As we entered the room a substance slapped us on the face. I tried to remove it nothing I tried again success. I took a few breaths just as more appeared. In my anger I ripped it off two more times and then failed to remove the new stuff and for the second time in my life fell unconscious.
I woke to see Gerneck binding my wounds. We spent the next 3 days sleeping, resting, and healing up. When we left the room I was ready again to kill something. I was tired of losing. I lead the group out as we walked toward one of the rooms. As we entered one of the halls some kind of undead creatures attacked us from the graves lining the walls. I slashed the one in front of me then finished him on the floor and immediately turned and killed the one facing Benoni with a single blow. I could see two more near the back but would be useless trying to get back there in the tight quarters of the hallway so I looked for more to attack. It seemed to take forever. I glanced back and the four of them were on the ground playing footsies. If Eramos were here he would have just poked them in the foot. It made me glad to be a troll.
The time spent in the old cell passed slowly. We tried the best we could to recover but we were all a little on end with the strangeness of the situation. All of our weapons were in with us, no one visited us and there was no word of Eramos. After we had rested up the best we could we decided to head out and see what was going on outside. We were just about to leave when we heard a knock at the door. We all stared at the door not knowing what to do when the door unlocked and Eramos walked in and greeted us as if nothing had happened.
We all crowded around him, thanking whatever passion that he was alive. We asked him what had happened and he told us of the tower and showed us a map he found. We asked him what had happened and he replied that he found the map at the top of the tower and then remembers blacking out. He woke up not too long ago and came looking for us.
At that point we set out looking to see what was going on. We searched a few of the rooms marked on the map that Eramos had found but we didn't see much. Everything we did see was broken, rotten or unused for years.
We did happen to find a shrine for the Passion Garlen. Korose tried to enter but ran into a magical trap and fell asleep. I was tempted to try and enter and pay my respects but the rest quickly walked away.
By the time we reached the ground floor we hadn't seen anything in particular and we saw a bunch of people out near the village. We decided to stay in the tower and continue downwards. We entered the lower levels and I could feel the evil emanating from the area. I didn't know what to do but keep going with the rest.
I had tried to leave the kaer area during the battle but the mists wouldn't let us. we had to figure out what was going on and it seemed like the lower levels were the place to go. We entered into the catacombs and heard water falling in the gloom. We followed the map to some of the key area in the kaer and ended up in the water chambers. We noticed an area of the map that was drawn in later and was not named. we decided to look around the water chamber room to see if there was a hidden door or such to the unnamed room.
We found a tiny hole and found a latch that opened up into a oval shaped room with a pile of bones at least ten feet tall. There was different markings around the room with scattered bones and silver. The four of us split up around the room to see what we could see. Korose and I were on the other side of the pile of bones when Benoni screamed out in agony. Korose and I were quick to run towards him and saw the horror tainted Ersmos slashing away at Benoni from behind.
Korose and I converged on the pair striking out trying to knock Eramos out. He quickly turned on me and unleashed a savage blow that knocked me down. I stood up and retreated a bit and prepared some spells. Korose came in and unleashed some crippling blows on Eramos. Now I had seen Eramos in a fight before and I know how much the windling can take but something was going on here. Benoni, Korose and I were trying our best to knockout, kill, maim and do all manner of such things to Eramos and he kept fighting. I was able to unleash a mighty spell but it ended up being weak and dealing no damage.
The situation was getting bad. After a bit of fighting on the ground, Eramos flew into the air and started to fly down and strike us from above. Korose watched him for a second and batted him out of the air once. We dazed Eramos a couple of times but he kept on fighting back.
The battle went by in a flash of an instant but we were sorely beaten, All except for Korose, he didn't look too bad. But when Eramos fell out of the sky a lightening bolt flew through the door and into the room. The three of us looked up and saw a figure in the doorway. A monk figure came in and announced that Eramos was horror tainted. I took a quick look into the astral plane and looked at Eramos. He had a strange image of a skull implanted on his figure. I shrank back not wanting to believe it but having a very clear idea that it was true. I knew enough about horrors to know that one was involved here. We promptly ended the changed life of our dear friend and comrade. It was hard to remember him how he was before the vicious battle we just ended, but I will remember his smile and odd flare.
The others asked the monk some questions about what was going on but I wasn't paying too much attention. I was looking around for some sign of where the Horror was and what can be done to help protect us. I was able to look around and find some healing slaves, Benoni found some as well so we were able to heal up a bit before looking around some more.
I don't know who it was that touched it but someone approached the pile of skulls and touched them. At the slightest touch the skulls exploded into the air and a shimmering visage of a humanoid appeared in the middle. The familiar mists from around the kaer combined together and the familiar image of the skull that was over Eramos formed the face of the beast.
Here was the Horror. Laying in wait for us. Here it was going to die. Here we were going to kill it. I hope…
With trepidation, after a day of rest, we entered the Blood Wood. The corruption of the elves here manifests in the wood around them. Their desicration of themselves and their connection to the earth is horrifying and I tolerate it only for this quest. I do not like it here.
We quickly met a patrol of Blood elves but after dropping the name Jakaras and showing them the staff, they opened a straight path for us to the palace. The palace was grand and nestled high in the trees. We were met by one of the wards of the elves. He seemed impatient and not happy to see us. But again the name dropping worked and he escorted us into the palace to a grand room to wait. Though he questioned us, I remained aloof, not fully trusting any Blood elf.
Finally Jakaras entered and dismissed the other ward. He did not seem happy but complied. We presented the chest which Jakaras opened with a spell. Inside we saw a flower in a crystal case. The petals turned from black to crimson when the chest was opened. Jakaras seemed quite happy to have this flower but he had not yet collected our payment. I was content to wait until he could but he asked for our help with a caravan of slavers that had taken some Blood elves. This displeased me. I must admit I was conflicted because I do not like the Blood elves but I'm sure these slavers had other innocent Name-givers and those must be saved.
So were led out of the palace and out of the wood. It felt good to be among untainted nature again. Korose went hunting and caught some game that we ate and then Gerneck made a bone circle to mark the spot where we needed to enter the blood wood again. As he finished, I spotted a caravan coming along a road we had not seen. I could tell there were quite a few people outside of the three wagons and I alerted the group.
Because this could be the slavers and we were sorely out-numbered, I suggested we all hide along the road and have Eramos greet them to stop the caravan and give us the element of surprise. But as they came closer, we could discern the large amount of trolls with the caravan. They were indeed the slavers but we would lose as they were all mounted. We let them pass and then retrieved our mounts and followed them.
The turned off the road eventually and into a sister wood to the Blood wood. Shortly after entering, we were accosted by two Blood elves. They seemed oblivious to the caravan but once again, our staff allowed us passage. But soon, a thick mist engulfed us and we could not see our hands in front of our faces. Then coldness, as if a horror was near. I increased my grip on my crossbow and put one hand on my sword. Finally we emerged into a clearing.
Before us rose a Kaer that looked formidable but had been partially destroyed. A small village lay next to it and waiting for us were all thirty slavers. Korose took off running his tundramount through the group trampling some. I was quickly surrounded by trolls and managed to parry the first couple of strikes but another troll came at me from the side and I couldn't move fast enough. His blow knocked me off balance slicing me badly and I fell from my mount. My tundramount ran off, and I got back to my feet. I turned and ran into the mist as fast as I could. I knew I was badly wounded and I was no use to my companions in my wounded state.
I ran hard and fast appearing suddenly on the otherside of the clearing between the kaer and the village! How did I get here? I ran straight into the mist. I saw Korose sitting atop his mount not far from me. He was close to the wagons that had the slaves. I saw a group of orcs and humans to my left a ways off. I may not be much use to my companions but I should be able to free some of these slaves.
Side note : As an obsidiman, shouldn't I have had a calming effect on all of those trolls? Just a thought. I should have thought it on Saturday.
With the events of the past couple of days behind us and the Blood Wood coming into view we camped for the rest of the day before journeying into that dreaded Wood. My mind loves to investigate the oddities of the world and this one was no different. The fact that this wood changed in the presence of the Horrors intrigued me. What mysteries could I learn of the Horrors. What could the Blood Elves tell me of their change that might help us in the fight against the Horrors. My mind was racing at the prospect.
I looked around at my companions to see what their reactions were to being this close to such a place. It looked as if Cortex had curled up into a ball and sat on the ground like a boulder muttering about the Blood Wood. Eramos was off to one side waving his sword about looking as if he was practicing a tale of some untold lies. Korose was sharpening his axe.
Benoni was wandering around the outside of camp deep in thought, probably thinking of his mother. Maybe I should try and tell him of the journey that the soul makes after death. Death is an integral part of life that most Namegivers don't realize. So much energy is lost in remembering the past and in the regrets that it brings up. But look at me, I tell myself the same things after my Gahad clams down. But at least when I'm in a Gahad I use my energy for something worthwhile.
As I sat contemplating the strangeness of my companions actions I felt the breath of a Passion draw close. As soon as I realized it I focused on what was being said and what emotions were coming through to me. When I fully caught the breath I was caught up in a vision, a vision of Magic. I could feel the presence of Floranuus and a night of Revelry in the Magic that was cast. I tried to see the threads that were used but they were like none I had ever seen. I saw great lands of different kinds and many different creatures that fought back and forth. I was taken away in a vision of grandeur but was rudely taken back to our land and our time near the Blood Wood by a sound I had never heard.
I looked up and saw that Korose had heard the same noise I saw a few mounds over a hoard of cretures charging towards us. I pointed at them and Korose saw them coming. Korose ran off to get ready to set against their charge and I looked around at our group. The rest of the group continued as they were but all looking a little tired. I ran after Korose with my spells in hand. The actions and words for Ethereal Darkness and Fog Ghost were on tips of my fingers and the tip of my mouth. I ran over a small ridge and saw Korose getting ready in front of hundreds of small creatures. I ran down to help him out and to cover his back. The hoard surrounded us and I was about to let loose my spells when a much bigger version of the creatures in front of us rose up a few hill sides away. It roared something in a language that I didn't understand. The hoard in front of us stopped short and after a brief moment turned around and sulked off back where they came from. It looked as if the creatures were sulking a little on their way back. Korose ran after some of them but tripped and fell a few times. He got to the top of the hillside and started to cry out "Come Back". I looked at Korose and saw a similar look of sulking as I saw on the creatures. After a few minutes we went back and rejoined the group.
We were all ready for an adventure but it will have to wait for another day. We rejoined the group and continued our waiting. I tried to catch the breath of Floranuus again but it was gone. Maybe another time I can get caught up in the vision of Magic I was shown earlier.
Editors Note's: This post is not found in the official log of Gerneck but is told in taverns as an unwritten legend. If it is true or not, we may never know.
Missed Opportunity
Having arrived at the edge of the Blood Wood Forest we set up a small camp waiting for our contacts to arrive. After verifying that I didn't need to sharpen my axe again, I made another circuit around our camp pausing and listening for any sign of danger. After what seemed like two weeks Cortex hadn't moved for the whole time we have been here resembling the boulder he really was. Benoni was in a fog of self morning or pity or other inner turmoil consuming all his attention. Eramos told every story I think he has ever heard to Cortex and Benoni who I don't think either one heard a word of it. Eramos didn't seem to mind though he laughed, swore, and even dropped a tear at just the right moment of each story.
Gerneck and I were going out of our minds with boredom and this incessant high pitched voice in our ears that we had moved out of camp to keep watch from a small rise. I was about ready to kill myself when Gerneck pointed off in the far distance. Three Hills away there was a mass of creatures coming toward us I almost cried from the relief of something to do. I immediately decided not to tell the others, not that any of them were listening, I wanted as many of them for myself as I could get.
Gerneck began priming several spells while I activated my wood skin ability. I was so excited at the coming battle that I was almost dancing a jig.
When they were two hills away I recommended that after the beings surrounded us that we should stand back to back to give each other as much protection as we could. Gerneck agreed. We could almost make out individual creatures. As they topped the last hill between us I was ready for the shower of blood that I was about to receive. I could almost feel the resistance of the spine as my axe separates the head from it's body. It seemed I could hear the crash of Axe cutting through armor and biting into flesh. The joyous sound of an arterial spurting it's life blood returning it to the earth mother. The great number of beads I would get the opportunity to make would fill many days. Then as the horde of unidentifiable creatures reached the bottom of the valley and Gerneck prepared to loose a spell and I had my throwing knives in hand a Very large creature appeared on top of the second hill.
It raised it's great head and Bellowed out in a voice that somehow we understood.
"My Rotten Minions Cease Your Playing! You Were Very Bad Minions and Now Must Be Grounded! Return To Your Lairs Or Suffer My Wrath!" The Queen Creature Said.
The horde stopped in mid run and with snouts drooping they turned and jogged back up the hill.
"NNNOOO!!!" I Screamed at the top of my lungs and started running down the hill. In my inconsolable state I fell several times and by the time I had reached the top of the first hill the horde was gone. If it wasn't for the contract I had made I would have thrown my honor and reason for being away and tracked the horde back to their lair. It was the closest I have come to crying as I fell to my knees and begged with them "Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back…"
At some point I realized that they weren't coming back. I rose and slowly went back to camp. I sat on a boulder near the fire and stared into the flames as silent and unhearing as Benoni and Cortex. Cortex! I jumped off of him and sat on the ground ignoring Eramos and dreaming of the lost Glory and beads I could have had. It was a long sorrowful night. Gerneck tried to get me to eat and console me but I had no appetite and even sharpening my razor sharp axe tasted like hot coals in my mouth.
Perhaps tomorrow or in another couple of weeks the value of my existence might return. Perhaps…
Life on the road is hard. I thought it would be fun at first but it has turned out to be very tedious. I was able to spend some time thinking about what I have learned but because of the way the horse moves I can't really meditate on much. Half way on our trip to the Blood Wood we came across a simple village with a simple inn. But the inn was a better place then on the ground. We stabled our mounts and enjoyed an evening with the company of others. When I walked into the inn I saw a group of ork scorchers. I decided on talking with them most of the night. They had chosen their differently then mine at this moment in time but they were still orks. I asked them about the hunting and the layout of the guards. If they had information that would help us then I might as well talk to them about it.
I didn't get much out of the evening but it was good to talk story with them. Our group retired for the evening in two different rooms. I had the impression that I should prepare for anything but the lure of the bed made me fall asleep before I was able to do anything. I was awoken with the sight of two orks close by me, one searching my pack and the other trying to attack me. I was surprised but was able to get into the action soon. As soon as I let off my spirit grip with my blood charm on the one attacking me the one searching my bags joined in on the fight. I saw two more ors in the room fighting Eramos and heard more coming from across the hall. I was no my own. I was able to get a few spells off but then I got hit hard and fell back onto my bed. I still cast spells while laying down, but the two of them were too much for me and I went unconscious.
I woke up after the battle by Eramos and looked around. It appears that there were eight orks in the attack, and all of them were dead. I wish were could have interrogated at least one of the orks but there was nothing I could do about that now. Now I know I should at least Pocket Guardian in a new place when we don't have a guard. I don't know what is in this chest but it appears someone wants it but doesn't have the money to pay for good mercenaries.
We decided to stay a little extra and heal up a bit but we were soon on the road again off towards Blood Wood. I few days later we saw the remains of a caravan and decided to search it. There was one corpse that drew my attention so I decided to see what had happened to her. In my vision I was swept away into a cavernous area saw a small elf baby being tortured by other figures and eventually killed. I scream out "Benoni no!" and then I slowly die.
The group all asked me what happened so I told them but left out the fact that is was Benoni's mother. When the others had moved away and I was alone with Benoni I told him the rest of the vision. Korose found a book under the woman and took it before I could get to it. I told him I would give him the value of the book and he gave it to me. I'll have to take some time to look at the book and if it ordinary then I'll give it to Benoni.
After burying the dead we continued our trip to the Blood Wood and we are just now approaching it.


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thinXXS gets the double!
thinXXS Microtechnology AG receives two essential and important seals of approval for its quality management DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 13485.
The quality management of thinXXS Microtechnology has been certified twice: it meets the standard DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 13485.
This extensive process guarantees that all products of thinXXS Microtechnology, from the development and the manufacturing to the final inspection, are conforming to a consistently high standard. In addition to the all-purpose standard DIN EN ISO 9001 as a base for a broad quality management, DIN EN ISO 13485 specifies the particular and constant international demands in the fields of medical technology.
Products which could be applied directly to human beings or which serve for diagnosis are subject to extremely high quality standards. For a multitude of products, the implementation of a quality management system is an essential element of legal demands; in other cases, special customer requirements result in such a system and its qualification.
For thinXXS Microtechnology, a leading manufacturer of innovative plastic systems and components for the fields of medical diagnostics and life sciences, quality management is a self-evident part of its corporate philosophy. As a producer of Lab-on-chip systems, micropumps and customized microstructured devices, thinXXS is committed to the special requirements of its clients.
Since the formation in 2001, quality is not only standing for the particular precision of our products but also for the reliability and transparency of thinXXS as a partner for our national and international customers. Regarding the certification DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO13485 our employees have achieved another important milestone. That makes us proud and that spurs us on to develop our quality management continuously as a part of our daily work. says Dr. Lutz Weber, management board member for production and technology.
About thinXXS Microtechnology AG
thinXXS develops, produces and distributes micro-structured components and systems made of plastics. Minimization allows for more mobile, faster and more economic processes. The main focus of thinXXS is microfluidics. Microfluidic systems provide the capability to mix, split, filter or transport minimum quantities of fluid or gas. Our products and solutions are Lab-on-a-chips, micropumps as well as job-order manufacturing of ultra precise microfluidic and microstructured systems made of plastic. The main fields of application are pharmaceutical, diagnostics, environmental analytics, medical & laboratory technology as well as fuel cell technology.
>> Press Release (PDF Download)
Your contact:
Christian KirschDirector Marketing
thinXXS Microtechnology AGAmerikastr. 2166482 ZWEIBRÜCKEN
Tel. +49-6332-80 02 32Fax +49-6332-80 02 22Email email@example.com
IDEX Health & Science Announces Acquisition of New Microfluidics Company
Optical blood analyses for cardiac risk diagnostic at the Point-of-Care
>> view event schedule
> "Daktari Diagnostics"
> "DST GmbH"
> Hiperdart
> Miracle


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Narrow Results
Protect your BBQ Grill with the right Grill Cover
Protect your BBQ grill from rain, wind, bugs, and anything else that might damage it, with one of our durable, high-quality Grill Covers. Choose from brands like Weber, Traeger, Viking Outdoor, DCS, and more. Shop for grill covers on Abt.com or contact one of our grill specialists for help choosing the best cover for your grill at 888.228.5800.


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About Christian Louboutin
The authentic Christian Louboutin website is the perfect destination for you to buy the cheap and high quality Christian Louboutin products online together with the fast free shipping and best service. We are sure that you will be satisfied by the superior Christian Louboutin boots,shoes and many accessories. And these Christian Louboutin items will be the best addition to your wardrobe because of the classic style and distinctive design. Now just add the fresh fashion to your daily life with the fabulous Christian Louboutin. Sincerely hope you will have a nice shopping journey at our Christian Louboutin website.


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Monday, October 31, 2011
The Block
Quotes of Note ... The Invisible World
"Spiritual warfare is learning to recognize the strategies, refusing to cooperate with them, and aggressively cutting off the schemes of the devil in Jesus' name." Dean Sherman
"those who protest that God cannot exist because there is too much evil evident in life… Evil exists; therefore, the Creator does not. That is categorically stated… If evil exists, one must assume that good exists in order to know the difference. If good exists, one must assume that a moral law exists by which to measure good and evil. But if a moral law exists, must not one posit an ultimate source of moral law, or at least an objective basis for a moral law? By an objective basis, I mean something that is transcendingly true at all times, regardless of whether I believed it or not." Ravi Zacharias
"But the Devil is no big threat to God's purposes; he is not even remotely comparable in power. He has been given a limited time before his final judgment to try to prove his case, just as all other moral beings who have chosen to live in rebellion against heaven." W.A. Pratney
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Oppenheim Law
What I tell clients who receive a foreclosure notice -Yahoo! Homes
News • Aug 13, 2012 12:03 EDT
A version of this blog was originally published on Yahoo! Homes and is being republished on South Florida Law Blog with their permission.
As a real estate attorney, I've had plenty of prospective clients come to my office after being served with a foreclosure notice. It is safe to say they are usually not in a good mood; they are usually scared.
And the truth is I would be too. Foreclosure can be a scary process for even the most legally astute homeowner.
When a homeowner walks into my office for that first time, there is one question that comes up almost every time. It's a basic yet very essential question to anyone under the threat of foreclosure…
What do I do next?
It may seem obvious, but there is one thing I would advise a homeowner to never, ever do — and that is nothing.
Sadly, that is the option I have seen too many homeowners take. Sometimes they see an unfamiliar lender's name on the notice, and assume it's a mistake. Or they believe that foreclosure is inevitable, and there is nothing they they can do to fight it.
The clock is ticking
Either way the reality is this: how long a homeowner waits to address a foreclosure notice has a direct correlation to the options that will be available to them.
In most states, you have 20 to 30 days to reply to a complaint; here in Florida it is 20 days.
In my experience, homeowners who don't respond will probably end up with a clerk's judgment and in default.


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Taylor Swift Hopes to 'Evolve and Try New Things' on New Album
In many ways, Taylor Swift seems to have come into her own in the past two years. With the release of 'Speak Now,' she brought her own writing prowess and her own raw emotions to the table. Now, with a mature new look and riding the coattails of a very classy Grammy performance (and with two new Grammys to her name), the 'Mean' singer has officially established once and for all that she's on the scene to stay. And this leaves fans wondering what approach she'll take with her next record.
In a recent interview after the global release of her 'Safe and Sound' video, featuring the Civil Wars, Swift tells MTV that while 'Speak Now' was a time to write on her own, this next record has been a time to collaborate with people she's always wanted to work with. And no matter what her label pushes for, she maintains that she's not about to turn in this album until she's absolutely sure it's finished.
"So far, I've been writing so much in the last year and the label keeps telling me, 'All right, we're finished; all right, we're satisfied; OK, this is done now.' And then I just keep writing and I keep turning it in in different versions," she says. "I'm going to work on it until I literally have zero time left to work on it, because I'm having so much fun working on this album." As Swift is collaborating with people from every part of the music industry, she says her top priority now is learning and just taking it all in.
"I'm trying to be as much of a sponge as possible," she spills. "You have to evolve and try new things and change and that's what I've loved to do with this album." Even with all the changing she's doing, though, she's not diverting her attention from her go-to muse: love or lack thereof.
"I think that love is always going to be a huge theme in what I write about just because there are no two similar relationships, there are no two times that you feel love the same way or hurt the same way or [feel] rejection [in] the same way," she explains. "It's all different and I'm fascinated by that. I really love to go back to human interaction and the way we make each other feel. But that at 22 is different than it was at 18 or 19 when I made my last album and 16 and 17 when I made 'Fearless.' As you grow, you change in the way you process emotion."


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Denver's season came to a sudden and surprising conclusion this weekend, leaving Broncos players to ponder a bright campaign cut short.
NFL Replay will re-air the Baltimore Ravens' 38-35 win over the Denver Broncos from the AFC divisional playoffs on Monday, Jan. 14
at 8 p.m. ET.
" NFL Network schedule
" Relive the playoffs with Game Rewind
One day after Denver fell 38-35 in a double-overtime playoff stunner to the Baltimore Ravens, Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley had yet to process the loss.
"I kept playing it back in my head," Stokley told The Associated Press on Sunday. "It's like a bad dream that keeps playing over and over."
Losing became a foreign concept for these Broncos. Their 11-game win streak trailed back to October, but the Ravens were pests on Saturday. With every punch the Broncos threw, the Ravens lobbed one back. Denver's overly cautious game plan was the opposite of Baltimore's approach behind quarterback Joe Flacco, who repeatedly roped the ball downfield.
Flacco was nearly mistake-free in the game, but Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning tossed a pair of costly interceptions.
Relive every game this season online and on-demand with enhanced viewing features, including the "All-22" coaches film. Get NFL Game Rewind.
Stokley on Sunday accepted blame for Manning's interception in the second overtime period that set up the Ravens' game-winning field goal. The slot receiver broke off his route, surging toward the middle of the field. Manning attempted a poor pass across his body that wound up in the arms of Ravens cornerback Corey Graham.
"I probably shouldn't have done that," Stokley told The Denver Post.
That pass was on Manning, no matter what Stokley says.
Now the Broncos -- after going no deeper into the playoffs with Manning than with Tim Tebow -- must confront an offseason that invariably will bring change. They'll march into next season a heavy favorite in the AFC West, but repeating their 13-3 record is no guarantee.
"You'll never have the same nucleus, the same group of guys that we have," linebacker Von Miller said. "I wasn't ready to let it go yet. Especially the way it ended."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.


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Blåkläder has been making durable and quality clothing that's specifically made to outperform in hard working conditions for over 50 years in Europe. They've been outfitting construction workers, electricians, plumbers, roadworkers, utilities workers and all types of mining and industrial professsionals for over five decades.
Each garment's design and construction is carefully thought out, researched, and tested to provide the ultimate work clothing to help make your job easier.
Blaklader's Heavy Worker Shorts give you all the awesome funtionality and toughness of the Heavy Worker Pants in a cooler version. The 12 oz. cotton canvas material makes these shorts super strong and yet comfortable on a hot day. The Cordura lined pockets and triple stitching are guaranteed.
Heavy Worker Shorts come in sizes 30 - 44. Available in Black and Khaki/Black
All Blaklader clothes are triple stitched for extra durability. There are many details and special features.
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- 3/4 length
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- 12 oz. cotton canvas
Article number 164013809900 - Black
Article number 164013802399 - Khaki/Black
Watch the Video:
Additional Information
|Product Condition


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|Down to business: X-2 an X-cellent adventure
|Grab fast: Foley's style keeps Confidence alive
|Dig it! Holes not too deep for kids
|Robbed! City of God should have won
|Too familiar: A man playing a part
|Don't! Don't ask, tell... or see
|Catchy : Formula works again for King
|Take Dad: Cody Banks wows big guys, too
|Regal romp: Queen brings down the house
|Dig it! Cradle 2 Grave rocks
|Obvious Life: If you can't figure it out, well...
|One of the best: Talk isn't cheap
|How-to movie: 10 minutes and audience is gone
|Too clever by half: "The Recruit" fools everybody
|Your Father's "Jackass" : Em-Barris-ment for all concerned
|Hip hop: Kangaroo Jack lost in the Outback
|Shooting ironic: Bang, bang-- you're dead
|2002 in film: Success from old stars and old styles
|"Two" much: Three hours of Gollum gets old
|J.Lo at your service: Tip Maid with some chuckles
|Planet of the pirates: Seeking buried treasure in space
|Poor imitation: Femme Fatale could be fatal
|Great mile: Eminem shouldn't get bad rap
|Auto Focus: Laboring in the shadow
|The whole truth: Charade remake delivers the goods
|The Ring: It's the denouement, stupid
|Chick flick with grit: Oleander might even please guys
|Sweet Home Alabama


text: Integrative Medicine Primary Care in San Francisco is accepting new patients! We offer the primary care services you expect (such as annual physicals, flu shots and urgent care appointments) and go beyond the treatment of symptoms to address your mind, body and spirit. As a member, you will have a physician-led team of holistic practitioners with access to onsite integrative medicine services, all aligned to help you reach your health goals. Call 415.600.3503 to schedule an appointment. Learn more about our new Integrative Medicine Primary Care services, a part of Sutter Pacific Medical Center.


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Haven't we all!Aloka wrote:porpoise wrote:You seem to be suggesting he just made use of existing beliefs without personal belief, insight or verification. But is that idea credible, given the sophistication of early Indian thought, given that the Buddha was from a high-status family and presumably well-educated, given that he explored the various spiritual traditions of the time in great depth, given the Buddha's willingness to challenge the orthodoxies of the time?
I haven't suggested anything that you're implying, porpoise . Now if you'll excuse me, life goes on - and I have important things to do in the world outside my computer.
If you don't want to discuss these points, that's fine. I assumed you did because you keep showing up in these debates.


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It's no secret that performance ranks pretty high on the C/D list of valued vehicle attributes. Hustle will cover for quite a few minor sins in our evaluations, and our 40,000-mile experience with this 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 makes an excellent case in point. Though it displayed several personality traits few would find acceptable in an ordinary compact car, its boy-racer soul won over even the most vocal of its critics. Most of 'em, anyway.
This is the second generation of Mazda's scrappy hot hatch, an evolutionary overhaul that entailed a modest menu of detail updates, including revised cosmetics and mechanical tweaks aimed at sharpening handling responses and reducing torque steer.
Judging by our test car's logbook, Mazda's Speed 3 team missed the torque-steer target. And the styling updates left us wondering what the design guys were thinking. Or smoking.
Our Celestial Blue Mica Speed 3 arrived on December 1, 2009, the threshold of a Michigan season that can make torque steer especially exciting. We specified a Speed 3 Sport (the slightly more expensive Speed 3 GT trim level disappeared with the onset of the 2010 model year). The base price was $23,945, $455 more than the '09 gen-one Sport.
To that we added the $1895 Mazdaspeed Tech package: 242-watt, 10-speaker Bose audio system with a six-CD changer and MP3 compatibility; six-month satellite-radio subscription; alarm system; push-button start; and the aptly named compact navigation system—hope you brought your reading glasses—for a grand total of $25,840.
The evolution from gen one to gen two didn't entail any change in output from the Speed 3's turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter, DOHC 16-valve direct-injection four-cylinder engine. But, as we observed with the original edition, 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet in a small front-drive car is basically just taunting the gods of torque steer.
Ask and ye shall receive. Mazda's gen-two tweaks include slightly taller gearing and revisions to the torque-management program in first and second gears. The car also gained a bit at the scales. Our first Speed 3 tester [November 2006] weighed in at 3180 pounds, while this one scaled about 100 pounds heavier, at 3284.
All of the foregoing should add up to less wrestling with the wheel at full snort, and maybe it did. But if so, we're talking subtle distinctions. Torque steer was the No. 1 topic among the Speed 3's logbook essayists. Mazda's tech presentation at the second-gen launch included a remark suggesting a certain amount of torque steer is fun, which could be construed as a tacit admission of the chassis team's inability to banish it. Be that as it may, the word "fun" did not appear in our logbook in connection with this trait.
Styling, in particular the black-plastic grille that adorns all members of the Mazda 3 family, was another Speed 3 element that scored low. One of our jolly crew thought the individual at Mazda design responsible for the update "should be run out of the company." Another called the exterior "half comic book/half boy-racer weird."
Some other Speed 3 elements drew mixed reviews. Clutch takeup, for example, was abrupt. But the six-speed's manual shifter was direct and quick. The seats received good marks for lateral support but not-so-good marks for lumbar, which was all but absent and nonadjustable. The compact nav screen—2.3 inches by 3.5 inches—was okay with some, useless to others. And the absence of a coolant-temp gauge is, if not unforgivable in a turbo car, at least unfathomable.
Mixed reviews also extended to the Speed 3's comfort quotient. Mazda targeted improved ride quality in this redesign, and the prescription included, strangely, slightly stiffer springs and revised damping. Here again, it's hard to assess then versus now, but we can say this: Stiff springs and hard bushings make for an unhappy formula on Michigan roads.
Of more concern: In really cold weather (abundant here in the winter of 2010–11) the Speed 3's suspension emitted peculiar creaks and groans. They diminished when the car had run for a while and were absent in warm weather. The techs at our local Mazda dealer were unable to identify the source—shocking, right?—and the phenomenon remains a mystery.
Aside from that, and a minor intermittent rattle somewhere in the instrument panel, the Speed 3 held up well on a driving diet that included lots of nasty local pavement. The logbook recorded only one unscheduled service visit, at 20,142 miles, when the boost gauge quit working due to a pinched wire.
Scheduled service costs were modest—five routine visits, $290 in total. (One of those visits—the 30,000-mile service—included an alignment at our request, for an extra $90.) This is a remarkably low basic-maintenance tally for 40,000 miles.
We spent more on tires, swapping back and forth from winter rubber to summer and back—$510—plus replacing a right front for $269.
The Speed 3's firm ride and so-so seats limited its appeal for long-distance trips. Winnipeg and West Virginia were the most distant destinations in the logbook, and most of the 40,000 miles were accumulated within Michigan's borders. But this shouldn't be taken to mean the car was unpopular. Torque steer notwithstanding, the Speed 3's turbo surge was distinctly habit-forming, and its short-haul fun-to-drive rating was consistently high.
Considering this car's appeal to boost junkies, its fuel economy over the duration of the test was remarkable. The EPA rates the Speed 3 at 18 mpg city and 25 on the highway (21 combined). We averaged 24 mpg.
We also were impressed with the Speed 3's acceleration over the term of the test. In our initial instrumented runs, we recorded 0-to-60 mph in 6.2 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.5 at 98 mph. With 40,109 miles on the clock, 60 came up in 6.1 seconds, the quarter in 14.5 at 99 mph.
Our 40,000-mile bottom line is about the same as our takeaways in previous Mazdaspeed 3 evaluations: Irritations and unpleasantries notwithstanding, this is one of the best performance buys available to go-fast addicts. That extends beyond the quite reasonable purchase price to the surprisingly low running costs. And the upper-arm workouts are free.


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Heartland Organic denim wrap around skirt
Added Nov 5, 2011
Toronto, Ontario...
I designed this skirt for my Spring 2011 collection but it has proven to be a really great skirt for all seasons. I started by draping the design on a dress form and had the idea of making really roomy cargo style pockets that were military inspired but still feminine. I went through several versions of the sample before getting the cut and fit to be just right. This skirt has been really popular in my Etsy shop and has now spread across the internet… I often get requests for the pattern but just haven't had time to put that together just yet. I promise to get that set up as soon as possible – hopefully right after the holiday rush! Please check back for future updates on this or join my fbook page for announcements:
http://www.facebook.com/SimonesRose Thanks!!
This product is for sale
By Michelle Pyxus at Simone's Rose on Etsy
Material Notes
Organic cotton and hemp crosshatch denim, covered buttons, interfacing, navy and taupe thread
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
- For
- Women
- Garment Type
- Skirt
- Style
- Bohemian, Casual, Classic, Military, Romantic, Vintage
- Material
- Cotton, Blends, Denim, Linen
- Website
- Photography
- Shop announcements
- Etsy shop
5 Comments Sign in to add a post
Jan 9, 2012, 07.14 PMby VeggiNerdz
Le sigh! Offically stalking your etsy because of this dress, your clothes are superb!
Nov 7, 2011, 01.34 AMby Michelle Pyxus
Thank you for the lovely comments! No skirt is complete without pockets. ;)
Nov 6, 2011, 01.49 PMby scuffsan
Love it! Pockets on skirts are the best
Nov 5, 2011, 06.26 PMby taketina
Really nice. The pockets and the high waist look great!
Nov 5, 2011, 06.08 PMby nattyjane
Love the pockets!
Add to Favorites 44 people added it


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Sky News' Paul Harrison reported this morning that Her Majesty The Queen will be accompanied by the Duke of Kent in her carriage to Trooping the Colour this year.
The Queen is normally accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh to her birthday ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, but due to the Duke of Edinburgh's recent illness and current admission to hospital, he isn't attending this year's parade.
The Duke of Kent, who is Colonel of the Scots Guards, would normally ride on parade and be seated on his horse next to The Queen for the ceremony by the other Royal Colonels, but because of a recent stroke he suffered, he has been placed in the Carriage alongside Her Majesty this year.
On Saturday, the Royal Family will attend Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour, which is the annual yearly celebration of the Sovereign's birthday. Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne will be the Royals riding on parade this year as Colonels Welsh Guards, Irish Guards and Blues and Royals respectively.
The Queen hasn't missed a parade during her reign. However one was cancelled in 1955 due to strike action.
The Duke of Edinburgh is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and was due to attend and chair the Senior Colonels conference today at Buckingham Palace along with the other Royal Colonels as previously mentioned.
The parade begins tomorrow at around 11 o'clock.
photo credit: Jon's pics via photopin cc


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Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 2.7 percent in the third quarter of 2012 after increasing 1.3 percent in the second quarter, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The third-quarter growth rate was revised up 0.7 percentage point from the advance estimate released in October.
Real GDP third-quarter highlights
The acceleration in third-quarter growth was mainly driven by a rebound in inventory investment. Nonfarm inventory investment turned up. In contrast, farm inventory investment declined more than in the second quarter, reflecting the drought in the Midwest.
In addition, consumer spending on durable goods turned up, notably on motor vehicles and parts. Federal government spending on national defense turned up. And residential housing accelerated, as investment in single-family structures picked up.
Offsetting these contributions to real economic growth, consumer spending on services slowed, and business investment turned down, as spending on equipment and software and on nonresidential structures declined.
Revisions to GDP
The upward revision to real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2012 mainly reflected a large upward revision to private inventory investment, mostly in manufacturing and wholesale trade. In addition, goods exports was revised up, partly reflecting a revision to industrial supplies and materials. In contrast, consumer spending on both goods and services was revised down. Business investment was also revised down, reflecting a revision to equipment and software.
For more information, see the technical note.
Corporate profits
BEA released its preliminary estimate of third-quarter corporate profits. Profits accelerated in the third quarter, rising 3.5 percent at a quarterly rate after rising 1.1 percent in the second quarter.
Profits of financial corporations rose 18.3 percent, while profits of nonfinancial corporations fell 0.1 percent. Profits from the rest of the world decreased 0.6 percent.
For more, here's the full report.


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Product Description
Dell Venue Pro Cup Holder Mount.
Ultimate Addons Cup Holder Base with Rigid Windscreen Suction Cup Mount and Universal Mobile Phone Holder for Dell Venue Pro.
Your Phone can be used with a case or skin in this mount.
Would you rather not view your Dell Venue Pro from the windscreen or do you find using the air vent inconvenient ?
Then how about trying the Vehicle Drinks Holder Base.
So simple, so easy, this base utilises a vacant drinks or cup recess.
No drilling, no fuss, quick to insert & remove.
Ideal for multi vehicle drivers.
No need to buy anything extra, just use with Rigid Windscreen Suction Cup Mount and Universal Mobile Phone Holder provided in this package.
The top of the cup holder base forms a smooth surface suitable for suction cups with a diameter of up to 90mm.
Suitable for almost all cup holders, the unique twist & grip action fits recesses from 65mm-105mm.
By rotating the top of the base the three expanding fins push out and grip the sides of the cup holder giving a firm base to view your phone.
Rigid Windscreen Suction Cup Mount:
Strong, rigid arm reduces vibration.
70mm clear suction cup with removal tab.
Trusted lever release suction ensures reliable hold.
Apply directly to the Cup Holder Base or use on your windscreen as an added mounting option.
Attach the Universal Mobile Phone Holder using the Addons three prong system.
Swivel end allows the Ultimate Addons Universal Mobile Phone Holder to be positioned vertically or horizontally.
The Universal Phone Holder:
This high quality universal cradle is ideal if you like to keep your Dell Venue Pro in a protective case, skin or bumper.
Unlike bespoke dedicated cradles the arms of this holder are adjustable to accommodate different makes & styles of case.
Function areas remain fully accessible, including micro-usb port, camera and all exterior buttons.
Fits phones with a minimum height of 65mm and a width of between 40mm - 80mm.
Perfect if you upgrade or switch phones regularly.
Additional Information
Additional Information
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