Tensor's page

Heisenberg, Dirac, and Feynman walk into a bar. The bartender says, 'What’ll it be?'
Heisenberg says, 'I’m uncertain.'
Dirac says, 'I only drink fermions, bosons have no exclusion.'
Feynman orders tequila and immediately diagrams the salt trajectory.

DESCRIPTION: The Computus (Latin for "computation") is the historical algorithm used by the Christian Church to calculate the date of Easter Sunday. It dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and was standardized at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

LANGUAGE: After 28 years, I am going back to Java and this was my first test piece.

In everyday use, the word "theory" often means an untested hunch, or a guess without supporting evidence.

But for scientists, a theory has nearly the opposite meaning. A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts. The theory of gravitation, for instance, explains why apples fall from trees and astronauts float in space. Similarly, the theory of evolution explains why so many plants and animals—some very similar and some very different—exist on Earth now and in the past, as revealed by the fossil record.

A theory not only explains known facts; it also allows scientists to make predictions of what they should observe if a theory is true. Scientific theories are testable. New evidence should be compatible with a theory. If it isn't, the theory is refined or rejected. The longer the central elements of a theory hold—the more observations it predicts, the more tests it passes, the more facts it explains—the stronger the theory.

So, it turns out I need to use APA Style In-Text Citations. um... ok.

obligatory likage https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_a nd_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html

[ ] = to do

[ ] First I have to learn the rudiments of educational psychology and psycho analyze my best friend's niece for a homework assignment.
[ ] Map a huge underwater lake with an island in the middle. On the island is a Keep surrounded by a tribe of beings. Develop a culture for the tribe, and write it all up.
[ ] Do a home experiment where I have to model the phases of a moon for another human. (words of the assignment)
[ ] Create a language-level specific lesson plan an ESL student.

... easy.

Hobson's Choice. Classic. As Henry Ford later said "You can have a Model T in any color, so long as it's black."

As I said earlier: "Meh. Fatalism. What are you going to do?"

word.

Let’s change the subject matter, I have an idea that might be interesting:

What sort of situation, in terms of campaigns, would you - as the GM - decide to make natural 20s really bad and natural 1s really good?

Oh wait. I misread your post.

Um ….

Only when making a unique decision based on a 5% probability. For example, CLERIC is falling into a spike pit. He and I may negotiate due to his plate armor no spikes will be able to pierce his armor. I could say, “ok, I’ll give you a %5 chance for that. Make it a 1 on a d20, but if you roll a 20 it;s a crit for one spike on you “.

So basically I’m saying whenever I need an ad hoc roll based on pure probability (bets).

Edit: now that I think more about the CLERIC’s situation I would prefer a d6. 1 = no pierce, and 6=crit. Because each of the d6’s pips occurs with 17%. Although a fair game, that extra weight given to the crit will make the CLERIC”s roll more exciting.

Waterhammer wrote:

That section of US 191 used to be Highway 666, The Devil’s Highway.

get your kicks on route 666

But it is a human number.

obligatory link to Ironmaiden video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxnN05vOuSM

…

One doesn't have to know what will happen in order to create the illusion that it was intentional and inevitable. It's all about information flow. Now yes, if a GM decides a timeline in advance of the players' actions and forces them to comply, that's (generally) not going to be much fun. But since none of us *know* the future, it's both (subjectively) undetermined and (potentially) completely determined.

…

EDIT: I'm also a big fan of The Xanatos Gambit.

I refer to it as the “illusion of choice.”

During any game session, I typically prepare only 3-5 encounters. Remarkably, regardless of the characters’ decisions or destinations, they inevitably end up within these prearranged scenarios. *wink*. Naturally, cosmetic details, including location and NPC names, are adapted to fit the group’s storyline. This approach necessitates that I, as the DM, remain agile and creative in my narration.

I haven't really delved into Starfinder much, so this question occurs: in Pathfinder, a "basic party" consists of a Fighter, a Rogue, a Cleric, and a Wizard. What's the Starfinder equivalent?

In Starfinder, a “basic party” can be seen as analogous to the classic Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, and Wizard party composition in Pathfinder. Here’s a breakdown of the typical roles and their Starfinder equivalents:

1. **Fighter (Pathfinder) - Soldier (Starfinder):
• The Soldier is a frontline combatant proficient with a wide variety of weapons and armor, similar to the Fighter in Pathfinder. They excel in physical combat and can deal significant damage.

2. **Rogue (Pathfinder) - Operative (Starfinder):
• The Operative is a versatile and stealthy character, similar to the Rogue. They specialize in skills, infiltration, and precision attacks. Their ability to deal extra damage through trick attacks mirrors the Rogue’s sneak attack.

3. **Cleric (Pathfinder) - Mystic (Starfinder):
• The Mystic serves as the primary healer and support character, akin to the Cleric. They wield magic to heal and buff allies, and can also deal damage with their spells.

4. **Wizard (Pathfinder) - Technomancer (Starfinder):
• The Technomancer is the main arcane spellcaster, similar to the Wizard. They blend technology and magic to cast a variety of powerful spells, manipulate technology, and hack systems.

These four classes cover the core roles of combat, skills, healing, and magic. However, Starfinder offers additional classes that can diversify a party further, such as the

Envoy (a charismatic leader and negotiator),
Mechanic (an expert with drones and technology),
Solarian (a warrior who harnesses cosmic energy), and
Vanguard (a resilient combatant focusing on entropy).

Each of these classes brings unique abilities and can fill multiple roles within a party.

Waterhammer wrote:

‘“I am not a number, I’m a free man!”

Ha! Ha! Ha!

...in the distance, Iron Maiden...

Who is number one?

Still 5'11".

That is like 21 Rogans.

IIRC Larry Niven wrote a story about a guy who learned somehow that he was destined to be shot dead by his wife. He tried many different things to avoid this, time traveling to set them up. In the end, he walked out on his balcony and was drilled between the eyes by a .45 caliber meteorite. Time does not like to be foiled. :-)

"All the Myriad Ways" by Larry Niven. It is a Luciferian story.

During my high school English course, we studied a unit centered on the theme that despite attempts to control one's fate, death remains inescapable. Although I no longer recall the specific titles of the stories, this unit left an indelible impression on me.

It seemed that the authors' exploration of this motif (e.g Niven) was profoundly influenced by the fears emerging from the Skinnerian behaviorist period in psychology. During this era, human behavior was often reduced to mechanistic processes, akin to those of a machine.

Confronted with this reductionist and dehumanizing view, individuals in these narratives frequently rebelled against the deterministic confines imposed upon them, striving to assert their autonomy and agency.

However, these efforts were invariably futile, culminating in their eventual demise. This approach is reminiscent of the Luciferian archetype, symbolizing a rebellion against an immutable order

It raises the concern that such narratives might have been used to indoctrinate young minds into a fatalistic outlook, engendering a fear of life itself.

After the Wizard of Oz movie ended, why did the scarecrow become a successful neurosurgeon?

1 Rogan = 3.33"

So how many Rogans tall are you?

Tensor wrote:

Looks like I am not the only making a robot war game on the moon.

So... there's going to be a Moon Wars War?

That is so meta.

NGSS = Next Generation Science Standards

Looks like I am not the only making a robot war game on the moon.

Hey at least we will have a bunch of different pieces, like in chess.

Plus, it is not just a strong robot, it is "CrAzY" strong. link to news site

I used Scenario #1 to endlessly trap PCs in the Strange Aeons adventure path.

** spoiler omitted **

My players have never forgiven me.

That is actually great.

I once ran a time-loop scenario. It was always a TPK that reset to the 1st Room, and each time through the loop they would gather one or maybe two clues, to advance the plot. I kept the discipline on, and we ran through the first several rooms over 10 times. The grind was on, it was delicious, and the payoff was worth it of course. Now everyone jokes about it, but always ending with 'never again'.

Nah. I take that back. If that comes to pass, robots will be preyed upon for their hardware, and scavenged for both parts and copper.

But then its banter will become, stand back human... in 5,4,3,2,1.

:: machine gun chatter

Wait until the robots start knocking on your door with deliveries certain they are always correct, and demanding payment... in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

:: machine gun chatter

Tensor wrote:

I made some time travel rules. There are three flavors and I'm wondering which one is more effective to use at the table?

link to document about timetravel

I've always been a huge fan of Scenario #3, although #2 is a very close second.

Here's a possible #4:

Do you watch "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds"? In Season Two, Episode 3, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow", ...

I will now.

I made some time travel rules. There are three flavors and I'm wondering which one is more effective to use at the table?

link to document about timetravel

Most people drive fast in the straightaways and slow in the turns. It’s a mental malfunction. If you’re corner-scared you shouldn’t be speeding. You ain’t got the skill.

Ha! After watching these egg headed videos, I decided to make everyone drive to me: [1] [2]

Edit:

Where are you going? A Con?

The guy who made your avatar.

But it wasn't Impus Minor. Or at least hardly at all Impus MInor.

You're probably not the only one seeing car insurance almost double. In the past few years, insurance companies have noticed changes in how people use hybrid and electric cars, like the Prius, and how often they get into accidents. There are more of these cars on the road now, and thus, the data shows that Prius drivers are simply involved in accidents more often than before. Because of this, insurance companies are raising their rates for these cars, so they can keep up with claims payouts.

I'm sure inflation fits in there somewhere too. But I'm not in the mood this evening to break out my graphing software.

Limeylongears wrote:

'Citadels of Mystery', by L. Sprague de Camp, which was a pretty sound and level-headed non-fiction book about such things as Easter Island, Nan Madol, Stonehenge, Atlantis, etc., if hopelessly out of date by now. He couldn't stop himself occasionally indulging in some very purple Sword and Sorcery prose, either.

I’ve got a de Camp non-fiction book called The Ancient Engineers. Found it in Half-Price Books one day. It’s cool.

Oh wow, >this< is cool too.

So my question is...how exactly do you go about playing a skittermander in general? It mentions they have no real recognition of authority, a tendency to wander off if they aren't kept on a short leash, and "all of the manic energy of a goblin with a flair for the ridiculous but none of the malice", but also an instinctual need to help others.

I have absolutely no idea how to play any of that since that's very far from my own personality.

Was planning on giving a Witchwarper Skittermander a try in 2e depending on how the class changes, and wondering how that might affect it.

Playing a Skittermander in Starfinder (or potentially in a Pathfinder 2e adaptation) can be a lot of fun, especially with their unique personality traits. Here's a breakdown of how you might embody these characteristics and how they might affect your gameplay:

Key Traits of Skittermanders:

1. No Real Recognition of Authority:
- Interpretation: Skittermanders don't inherently respect titles, ranks, or commands simply because they come from a place of authority. They view everyone as equals and make decisions based on their own judgments.
- Roleplaying Tip: When dealing with authority figures, you might treat them as you would anyone else. This can lead to humorous misunderstandings or clashes with more hierarchical cultures.

2. Tendency to Wander Off:
- Interpretation: Skittermanders are curious and easily distracted, often following their interests or whims without warning.
- Roleplaying Tip: Embrace spontaneity. Your character might often chase after something shiny, interesting, or seemingly inconsequential in the middle of serious situations. This doesn't mean being disruptive, but rather adding a layer of unpredictability to your actions.

3. Manic Energy with a Flair for the Ridiculous:
- Interpretation: Skittermanders are energetic, enthusiastic, and enjoy absurd or silly things.
- Roleplaying Tip: Be lively and animated in your interactions. Your character might crack jokes, play pranks, or find joy in the silliest of things. Channel a light-hearted and playful attitude.

4. Instinctual Need to Help Others:
- Interpretation: Skittermanders have an innate drive to assist those around them, often without thinking of the consequences.
- Roleplaying Tip: Look for opportunities to help, even if it's not the most practical or sensible course of action. Your character might rush to aid someone in need, even in dangerous or inconvenient circumstances.

Combining Traits with a Witchwarper Class:

A Witchwarper in Starfinder is a spellcaster who manipulates reality by drawing from alternate possibilities. Here’s how you can blend the class features with Skittermander traits:

1. Reality-Bending Enthusiasm:
Use your Witchwarper abilities with the same energy and curiosity as your Skittermander traits. Your character might experiment with reality alterations in playful or unconventional ways, reflecting their manic energy.

2. Unconventional Problem Solving:
As a Skittermander Witchwarper, you might solve problems in unexpected ways. Your spells and abilities can reflect your tendency to wander off the beaten path, finding creative solutions others might not consider.

3. Helping Instinct through Magic:
Leverage your spells and class abilities to assist others. Whether it's healing, providing buffs, or using your abilities to change the environment for the better, your need to help can be fulfilled through your magic.

4. Disregard for Authority in Spellcasting:
Your character might not adhere strictly to traditional spellcasting norms or advice from more experienced spellcasters, preferring to experiment and innovate on their own terms.

Practical Roleplaying Tips:

1. Character Voice and Mannerisms:
Give your Skittermander a distinctive voice or mannerisms that reflect their enthusiasm and curiosity. Speak quickly, use expressive body language, and show excitement in your tone.

2. Backstory Integration:
Create a backstory that explains why your character became a Witchwarper. Perhaps they discovered their abilities while trying to help others in unusual ways or during one of their wandering adventures.

3. Interactions with the Party:
Show your desire to assist your party members constantly. Be the first to volunteer for tasks, offer help even when it’s not needed, and bring an upbeat attitude to group dynamics.

4. Balance and Boundaries:
While embracing the Skittermander traits, remember to balance them to avoid overshadowing the group or causing disruptions. Use your quirks to enhance the story and interactions rather than derail them.

---------------
By combining these elements, you can create a unique and memorable Skittermander Witchwarper who brings joy, unpredictability, and valuable assistance to your adventuring party.

What does one do with a Lingering Secretary?

Could he haunt this keep scenario I just made? link to document thingy

I have a homework assignment due at 11:59 pm Monday. It will take me about 16 hours to complete. I can do it.

'Citadels of Mystery', by L. Sprague de Camp, which was a pretty sound and level-headed non-fiction book about such things as Easter Island, Nan Madol, Stonehenge, Atlantis, etc., if hopelessly out of date by now. He couldn't stop himself occasionally indulging in some very purple Sword and Sorcery prose, either.

I like >it< .

Guys, do you know how Gary died? Illness, accident? I have a hole in my heart.

Drejk wrote:

...

(And yes, I've received multiple real emergency calls at night over the years, so it's not a fear/fantasy thing, it's that about once every 6-7 years I actually get an important call I need to respond to in the middle of the night.)

Ya know what they say ... video link

i have to read this book today. "5 practices of orchestrating productive task-based discussions in science".

then make a bubble chart of how I think science should be taught to kids.

hmmmm.

I'm still sad about pmg's passing. And now I have to work today. So I asked AI how to deal with my grief and still be focused for work.

I'm still sad about pmg and now I have to work all day.
I need a way to trick my mind into focusing...

high G wrote:

Andrew Betts wrote:

https://dmtools-slack-invite.herokuapp.com/

That's the signup link.

DMTools Slack is the link if you've already got an account.

Chat Signal!

dmtools.slack.com -- is the link if you've already got an account.

Try the invite link too.

There are still 50 of us from the olden days chatroom here. Come join us... if you can get Andrew's links to work?

Edit: I've sent a request to Andrew to update his stuff

Do we have any information about PMG's passing away, how did he die? Illness, accident?

And now I'm angry. Took the training in what? 15 minutes? And learned nothing about anything I'd gotten wrong on the assessment.

I was surprised I did so poorly on the assessment. I'm angry that the training taught me nothing new, so if I took the exact same assessment again I'd get the exact same 40%. That's not what training is supposed to do.

Could you ask questions at the training? What was the format?

I’m really sad to hear about Gary's death. My heart goes out to his family and everyone who loved him. I’m praying for peace and comfort for you and your family. Gary is in my thoughts and prayers.

I was close online friends with Gary, and I will miss him a lot.

Gary was very smart and interesting. He always made me think in new ways when we talked online.

As a tribute, here is the last thing he said to me while we were discussing the structure of our universe and how we can use >ENT's< to capture all its relationships:

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 6:13 PM
PMG: universes branch out but stay within particular bounds based on what’s happened and intent, the clumps represent the boundaries, those are the kurts, we live in one such kurt

I hope Gary is now mixing audio with Kurt.

So, today's my 20-year anniversary at Global Megacorporation if you count the start date at my original company they they absorbed. So I'm getting large numbers of congratulatory emails. It feels rude to ignore them, kind of pathetic to respond to each one with, "Thanks," and absolutely out of line to say, "Thanks, but I'd rather be retired so I don't have to work with YOU any more."

I'll figure out some way to respond to them all by this afternoon.

Congratulations on your 20-year anniversary at Global Megacorporation! It's a significant milestone, and it's great that your colleagues are acknowledging it.

Here are a few suggestions for responding to the congratulatory emails in a way that feels sincere but not overwhelming:

So they're teaching my 5th grade niece to do basic graphing algebra.

They've just started

The problems have FRACTIONS. You have to add , subtract, multiply and divide mixed numbers in multiple steps.

how the )#*(#$ are they supposed to convey the idea of an equation (which they've renamed a rule just to make sure the parents are lost) when you're stuck fiddling with fractions for a page and a half?

** spoiler omitted **

.

Ask AI to help you make a learning plan. Two plans.

Work ahead of your kid, so when the time comes you are ready to go.

AI gives you superpowers.

Today I have to start module 1 for one class. And I hope to have enough energy left by the end of the day, that I can begin module 2 for another class.

Here is my 2¢ and quarter for the jukebox:

In Hell, time doesn't tick away like it does everywhere else. It can speed
up or slow down depending on where you are. Imagine one place where
a minute feels like an hour, and another where an hour feels like a minute.

Now, infernal beings, with their dark powers, can move between Hell and
other realms. They piece together a path through space using bits from
places where time moves differently. So, when a starship follows this
path, it seems like it's traveling faster than light. But really, it's just bouncing
in and out of different parts of Hell, where time flows at various rates. This lets
the starship hop through space and reach its destination in a flash.

I'm looking more for this:

"Hey, did you see the new Pathfinder rulebook draft? The lore section is amazing!"

"Right. Let's ensure we have all the details about the new campaign settings ready. Fans are going to love it."

Orthos wrote:

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

I have another one shot for my son's friends coming up in late July and I've been tinkering with it. I've decided the BBEG will be a Vishkanya Arcanist. I'm basing the whole thing around a meme which I'm sure most of you have seen, which, while funny, is also the most horrible thing that could happen in a game. It's a twist that'll break their minds. I can't wait.

I'm drawing a blank >.>

Being unable to post the meme, I'll try to describe it:

Panel 1: A person is sitting at his computer with a horrified look on his
face. The caption reads " The party stabs the BBEG in his sleep only to
watch him transform."

Panel 2: Same guy but with a devil standing next to him with the same
horrified look on his face. The caption reads "Into the child they were
sent to protect."

Panel 3: Same guy, the devil, and now an angel looking at the monitor
with horrified looks on the faces of all three. The caption reads "She
was polymorphed to look like the BBEG as a distraction."

You have inspired me to action!!!

It's great to hear that you're finding joy in creating these one-shots
for your son's friends! It sounds like you have a fantastic plan in
place, and the twist you're planning with the Vishkanya Arcanist as the
BBEG sounds intriguing.

My brain noodles:

ACT 1
o Setting the Scene = A small town plagued by strange, unexplained
events. Rumors of a mysterious figure behind it all.
o Hook = The town's mayor seeks the help of adventurers to investigate
the disturbances and put an end to the chaos.
o Exploration = The players explore the town, interacting with NPCs who
provide clues about the source of the disturbances.
o Encounters = Minor encounters with local wildlife or low-level minions
sent by the BBEG to test the players.
o Clues = Players find traces of poison, strange arcane symbols, and
perhaps a few survivors of the BBEG's experiments who can offer cryptic
warnings.

ACT 2
o Deeper Mystery = The players discover an old, abandoned estate on the
outskirts of the town that seems connected to the disturbances.
o Mini-Boss = Inside the estate, the players encounter a mini-boss, a
loyal follower of the Vishkanya Arcanist, who provides more insight into
the BBEG's plans.
o Discovery = Players uncover the BBEG’s connection to a forbidden form
of arcane magic and poison, hinting at their ultimate goal.

ACT 3
o Final Location = The players track the BBEG to their hidden lair – a place
filled with traps, puzzles, and dangerous creatures.
o BBEG Encounter = The Vishkanya Arcanist reveals themselves, showcasing
their mastery over both magic and poison. The battle should be intense,
with the BBEG using cunning tactics and the environment to their advantage.

THE TWIST!
o The Meme Twist = The twist you mentioned should be something shocking
and unexpected. For instance, if the meme involves something humorous
yet horrifying like the infamous "rocks fall, everyone dies" trope, you
could incorporate an element where the players think they are about to
face certain doom, only for it to be a cleverly designed illusion or trap.
o Mind-Breaking Revelation = Perhaps the Vishkanya Arcanist had a hidden
motive that completely recontextualizes the players’ understanding of
the adventure. Maybe the BBEG was trying to avert an even greater
disaster, and defeating them has now unleashed a new threat.

ACT 4 (Conclusion)
o Resolution = The players must deal with the aftermath of their battle,
including any lingering effects of the BBEG’s actions on the town.
o Reflection: = Allow the players to reflect on the twist and its
implications, providing a sense of closure or setting the stage for future adventures.

David M Mallon wrote:

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

Drejk wrote:

Fantasy NPC: Sky Wolf. Winged wolves that live in clouds.

Very cool!

I feel like there was a missed opportunity here...

I don't remember much of it, but still, the theme music hit the chord.

Still one of the best.

Has anyone started using AI companions for emotional support?
If so can you please share some aspects of it, and any good or bad experiences.