Hello, I've always wanted to visit South Africa and I can have an opportunity to finally go there in May.
I was planning to rent a car in Cape Town and drive around the country with my father - I'm most interested in Garden Route (and the other parts of the coast), and then going to Blyde River Canyon, Kruger National Park and Drakensberg Mountains, as we would have the flight back after 12 days from Johannesburg.
I guess it's propably the most popular tourist route, but I've seen many bad news from the country recently and I'd like to ask you - with the shutdowns, protests etc., would you say it's reasonably safe (assuming that we travel the tourist routes during the day and don't do anything dumb) to go there at this moment?
It's hard to decide, as I've heard people tell me it's dangerous to go to many countries with problematic areas, like Morocco or Bolivia, and I always ended up having an awesome experience.
I would be really grateful for any advice, as I don't have any friends there and the news always point out the most negative aspects of all situations.
Thank you in advance!

•1•
Aniyah paused by a tree that was bigger than all the rest. It was obviously very old. The leaves of its branches were a pretty teal color and were shaped like the diamonds in a deck of playing cars. She couldn't say exactly why, but this tree gave her a slight sense of comfort. In these woods--especially with the black curtain hanging over the sky--comfort was a rare commodity. She found comfort in this tree, oddly enough, and also in her new weapon. Windchine; Blade of the Paragon. She supposed she was the Paragon of the Weaver now. Whatever that meant. She knew the words, because they kept echoing throughout her thoughts, but she had only a faint idea of their meaning. She wasn't totally clueless. She'd picked up on the fact that the Weaver was a God, or something close to it. She'd intuited that Paragon was some kind of title, bestowed by the Weaver. It meant she was sort of like a knight. Beyond these things however, she didn't have much to go on. She'd always just known things she had no way of knowing. Sometimes, she knew things she had no business knowing, as Momma would have said. She wasn't psychic. Far from it. She just got gut feelings about things, that usually turned out to be right. Like the ones underneath. She'd picked up on all of that, without any real reason to pick up on it.
She was picking up on something now. Something involving the others back at the clearing.
But she was still piecing all of that together. She didn't have enough to go on yet, to have any complete, fully formed thought.
That wouldn't come until a bit later...
What came in that moment, was the subtle soothing nature of the very old tree before her. Comfort really was a rare commodity here, but aside from the tree and the scimitar, there was one more source of comfort for her, currently. The weird little jellyfish thing. It was bobbing along in the air a few feet from the tree. It hadn't left her side since bringing her the weapon. Like the tree--like Windchime--it granted her a small degree of comfort. She didn't know where the jellyfish had got the weapon, but she had an idea that even the jellyfish didn't know where it had come from. Maybe the old man had something to do with it. The one who kept the Keys. The Custodian.
She bitterly wished she'd thought to grab Mr. Brownie when she took off running from the skinless man.
The skinless man...
Now there was something she hadn't got any gut feelings about. Except for fear, that was. She knew to be fearful of the man, but that was all. She'd dealt with monsters her whole life. They'd shown up out the blue, or she'd shown up to them. Like in that Long Room. Something about the skinless man was different though. Something about him wasn't like the other monsters. He wasn't one of her monsters, she knew that much at least. She could also tell he didn't have anything to do with the ones underneath, or the grasshopper people. He wasn't connected to The Jailer.
The only intuitive feeling Aniyah had concerning the skinless man, was that he was connected to something a whole lot worse. What that something might have a been however, she had no clue.
Aniyah didn't have a sheath, or swordbelt. The scimitar hadn't come with a scabbard. As a result, she was forced to hold the weapon in her hand, since she had nowhere to stow it. The blade was as long as her arm, and curved--almost like a banana--but was only sharp on one side. This allowed her to rest the blunt edge in the crook of her shoulder, carrying it the way she'd seen lumberjacks sometimes carry their axes in old movies; with her elbow bent, and the blade sticking out behind her as if it were a compass needle that only pointed in the opposite direction from where she was facing.
With Windchine in this position, she leaned sideways against the old tree--feeling its rough bark against her skin. A soft breeze gently blew against her face, bringing with it the scents of nature. The blackness of the sky didn't seem to match the pleasantness of the wind or the earthy smells of the woods around her. Nor did the stillness. There were a few insects buzzing someplace nearby, but mostly it was quiet. It was almost tranquil, in fact. She knew that somewhere in these same woods, chaos was happening. Hell on Earth (or, Hell on In-Between, she supposed). But all of that seemed so distant. So removed from her in that moment, in this private patch of wilderness.
Part of her wanted to go charging off toward the battle, so she could save Eddie the Gnome, and Prioress Qaya, and the others. Yet, at the same time, another part of her wanted to just lie down right here and take a nice long nap. Another part still--a deeper part--briefly broached the topic of Amy. She shattered this thought into a million little pieces and scattered them in the wind. She wouldn't... no... she couldn't deal with that right now. Not yet. Soon, she would have to. But not just yet.
These contradicting parts were really all the same part. The part that didn't want to admit she was hopelessly lost. She had no dang idea where to go.
Aniyah looked up at the weird little jellyfish thing. She whispered, "Wonder how far it is, to get back to Eddie Money and the others?"
The jellyfish couldn't understand her. Duh. It was a floating jellyfish. How could it?
Except... for a moment, Aniyah thought maybe the thing did understand. And after another few seconds, she knew for sure it did.
The jellyfish flashed a soft green color. Once, then twice. To Aniyah, it was almost like it was saying: "Beep-beep!"
"What does that mean, Jellybean?" she asked, laughing at how goofy she probably sounded.
The jellyfish strobed green again. Just once this time. Then, it slowly began to float away.
"Hold up a minute. Where you goin'?" She stopped leaning against the tree and stood up straight.
The jellyfished froze for a second, beeped green once more, then started off again.
"Ohhh, okay. I see. You leading the way? Well okay then." Aniyah smiled in spite of herself.
She followed behind the jellyfish. Together, they made their way through the darkened woods. Hopefully, to rejoin the others...
•2•
"I've never been in this part of the city before," Flower-Seed admitted. "I didn't even realize there was so much down here. I knew there were older parts of Locist Spire that were here before the Jikk, and that most of it was under the city, but I didn't expect there to be all of... this." He looked around, pausing briefly to admire the elaborate architecture around him. "I mean... Gods. There's actually streets down here. And structures. Not to mention these sculptures and platforms. It's breathtaking. It's almost like an entire settlement encased in a mausoleum. A sort of... civilization time capsule."
Quijj gave only a noncommittal grunt in response.
The two of them walked side-by-side along a wide street paved in stone. So much was stonework, or marble. The craftsmanship that went into all of it was something even modern Artisians likely couldn't replicate. Large sections of the old city were in ruins, but those that remained mostly intact made Flower-Seed feel as if he'd traveled back in time. If they'd had the sky overhead instead of a cavern roof, he could have easily imagined being in the center of a bustling metropolis.
They strode by a towering sculpture made to resemble some sort of animal Flower-Seed couldn't identify. It certainly wasn't any kind of insect, or Insectoid. It had four legs and a tail, plus a large round head. It was as intriguing as it was beautiful.
Cave crickets were softly singing in the nooks and crannies. The distant sound of dripping water played constant accompaniment to the hollow resonance of this subterranean wonderland.
They turned down what had once been a side street, with Flower-Seed leading the way. Up ahead, a cavern wall blocked their advance. There was a place where the wall had been broken, creating an opening just big enough for them to squeeze through.
On the other side, they came upon a ledge overlooking a sprawling cavern. There were more ledges--some, only narrow slabs of stone reminiscent of catwalks; others, much wider, holding half-ruined structures--high up along the cavern walls. And in the center, sitting like an island in the dark sea of darkness, was a sprawling marble platform. The platform was surrounded on all sides by crags and trenches so deep Flower-Seed couldn't see their bottom. There was a naturally formed staircase of stone leading from the platform to another opening. This was most likely the main entrance to this chamber. Flower-Seed realized now that he and Quijj had taken an alternate route to get here, than the others had.
Yes. There were others. A lot of them, from the looks of it.
On the marble platform below, rows of tents and even a makeshift gazebo had been set up. As Flower-Seed's eyes adjusted, he began to make out the robes of Advisors; the armor of Spire Knights and Spire Watch. There were excited, panicked voices echoing throughout the cave. Some sort of commotion was going on.
"I had no idea any of this was here," Flower-Seed whispered.
Quijj gave him a strange look.
"Don't ask how I knew where to go, or how to get here. I just... did."
Quijj nodded, but said nothing.
From the platform, someone yelled: "Arrest the traitor!"
"Ah, shit," Flower-Seed said. He was no longer bothering to keep his voice at a whisper. The figures gathered below had broken into something close to a frenzy. "They must be talking about the Councilor." He looked at Quijj with a serious expression. "We have to get her out of here. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of our government, but something really bad is going on down here. I got... visions. I saw Spire Knights with their minds corrupted by parasites. Whoever attacked the city... they've infected some of the officials. We have to do something. If we're ever going to rebuild... we need Jikk like Councilor Lemma. She's one of the good ones."
Quijj grunted in agreement. "Alright. Let's do it."
"What's the plan?" Flower-Seed asked, suddenly nervous. He felt a bit silly asking Quijj what the plan was, considering the elderly tavern keeper had just been following his lead up this point. Now that they were here, Flower-Seed didn't have the slightest idea what he was going to do. Or even what he could do. He couldn't fight a trained Spire Knight. Let alone an entire company of them. He'd only get himself killed!
Fortunately (and to Flower-Seed's great relief), Quijj said: "Just wait here. And get ready to run. Like you've never ran before."
"Alright. I think I can do that much, at least."
Quijj nodded. He drew his odd-looking weapon, and leapt down from the ledge; spreading his wings as he did this to glide over to the platform. Just as the old tavern keep came to a landing, Flower-Seed saw two armored Knights seize Councilor Lemma by the arms, and pull her to the ground. One of the Advisors screamed.
Shit! his mind cursed. Come on, Quijj. You gotta do something! And fast!
•3•
There was a particular knock at the hidden door to the Navigator's study. Three heavy raps, a pause, then two sets of four bangs; the coded knock he'd taught to the mercenary leader. The corners of Drokin the Navigator's mouth--little more than soft tissue on either side of his pointed beak--sagged slightly, in a parody of a frown. He shot a glance over to the wall-mounted clock above his desk. It was only Ef'tat-Half-Wane. The merc shouldn't have made it to this part of Barkstone Barony, for at least another three Shecks.
Drokin cast a suspicious eye toward the opposite end of the room. He reached beneath his desk, unfastening the blade he hid there. It was always good to have a backup weapon. The talon-like claws of his hand instinctively found the pommel of his rapier. "Enter!" he called to the door.
There was a hefty creaking sound as a considerable portion of the wall was pushed inward, revealing both the false rock of the door's opposite side, and the midday sunlight beyond the study. The light was much too bright for Drokin's eyes, after spending so much time inside the chamber under the Arcas Rune lamps. For a moment, he had to squint in order to get a decent view of his visitor. The moment Drokin saw the figure entering his study, his claws tightened on the handle of his weapon.
The one who appeared through the doorway was not the merc leader Rave the Ravager. Not by a long shot. The stranger was a Jagged Fields Nerthran, just as Rave was, but this was where their similarities ended. Rave was of slightly larger than average size for an adult male member of the mothfolk race. The Nerthran before Drokin was the antithesis of average (or "slightly" for that matter). He was enormous; much larger than seemed natural. If one of his crew mates had told Drokin about seeing a Nerthran the size of this one, Drokin would have labeled them an exaggerator at best, a boldfaced liar at worst. He certainly wouldn't have believed mothmen could grow this large, if he weren't seeing the proof of that very thing with his own two eyes.
"Where is Rave? Who are you?" Drokin demanded.
The giant mothman slowly stepped inside the study and creaked the door shut behind him. He did not answer.
"I asked you a question. Where is--"
In a baritone voice that was almost pleasing to the ear, the mothman said: "Would you Sky Pirates send your Captain on every minor mission, or simple errand? I am Master Rave's deliverer. I am called Nollo."
A peculiar name for such a hulking creature as this, the Navigator mused.
When Drokin didn't initially respond, 'Nollo' added: "I have the Relic you wanted." He held up a black rectangular case, almost like the kind a Bard might use for protecting a musical instrument.
Drokin thought this over a moment, studying the towering mothman carefully. He felt almost like he was looking up at a living statue. One of the great big ones that lined the streets of the grand cities of Roshuka, or populated the ruins of Jyyrvesk's Old Country. Even the hulk's features were oversized, as if they needed to compensate for the massive face to which they were attached. This 'Nollo' somewhat unsettled Drokin. The self-proclaimed "deliverer" had a long, slender mouth that didn't quite seem to want to close all the way. This gave the mothman an almost moronic appearance; a dimwitted face with the mouth of a drooling imbecile. Combined with his considerable size, it would have been easy to dismiss this Nerthran as a buffoon. Even the title "deliverer" played into this impression. And he seemed to have a permanent glazed over quality about his eyes. However, Drokin saw what lurked beneath the surface. When he looked beyond these things, the Navigator could detect a cold, calculating intelligence in the mothman's eyes. Upon closer inspection, the glazed over quality didn't strike the Navigator as entirely organic. It struck him as purposeful, practiced--part of a kind of disguise.
Nollo was a mothman with the soul of a spider...
As these things dawned on Drokin, the unsettled feeling he'd had since this mothman's appearance turned to something bordering on outright fear. The Navigator had been all across the Lesser and Greater Reaches. He'd seen some horrid things. Something about this stranger was different, however. There was something not quite Insectoid in his eyes; not quite Of This Pocket Realm, as the Captain was want to say. Drokin had never believed in the concept of evil. Not in the same way the Old Scrolls talked about it, as least. But now--here in his study, confronted by the figure before him--when he looked into those eyes, evil was all Drokin saw.
"You... have the Horn?" Drokin asked, trying to sound casual. His heart was beating at three times it's normal tempo. He slowly reached for the Link Orb. Calling out to Captain Heekan may have been the only chance he had left. "Let me get you the coin I promise then."
"Stop," said Nollo. "Put your hand down."
Drokin paused. The tips of his claws were just inches from the Orb. If he were quick about it, he could snatch the thing up in a microsecond. The Navigator was quick. He was a trained fighter, afterall. But... he knew intuitively he would not be quick enough.
"I beg your pardon?" Drokin said, trying and failing to keep some air of authority in his tone.
Nollo laughed. It was not a pleasant sound. "There was never going to be any coin, was there? You think Master Rave wouldn't sniff out such an obvious con? You really aren't familiar with the Stonewing Pillar Mercenaries are you? We are not some low-level ratcatchers."
Drokin said nothing for a moment. At last, he sighed. He allowed his training to replace his fear. It took quite a lot of effort, but he managed. When his heart had returned to something closer to a natural beat, he leveled his avian eyes at the mothman. He dropped his hand, but brought it down to his rapier. He drew the weapon, but made no move to strike.
Through the end of his closed beak, Drokin growled: "Alright, asshole. Just what are you after?"
Nollo laughed again. He flipped open the brass latches on the black case he held, opened it. Inside, wasn't any Relic. That had been a lie. The black velvet lined interior of the case held a single object: a large throwing knife. Nollo removed the blade and let the case fall to the floor. "I'll need every piece of coin you have here. And anything else of value."
Drokin raised his rapier. "All our treasures are on the ship." He sighed, deciding to fess up. "I don't have anything here. You were right. I planned on taking the Horn and not paying. But I am obviously not getting what I wanted. There is no coin here for you to get what you want. Why don't we just call this an impasse? We both walk away, no better off... but no worse for wear than we were before. What do you say?"
Nollo shook his massive head. It was like seeing a boulder pivot atop a living column. "You think you can plot to take out our leader, and live to tell the tale? You're even more stupid than you look."
Now, Drokin was getting angry. "Do you have any idea who you're fucking with? You can't stand against our entire crew. We're the Hawkblood Pirates. You think Captain Heekan will just sit by and let you--"
The knife was buried in Drokin's windpipe, before he ever saw the mothman throw it. For someone so massive, Rollo had a dexterity and speed that were virtually unrivaled. There was a soft clang as Drokin's rapier fell to the floor; a soft gurgling sound as he began to choke on his own blood. He gasped for air his lungs couldn't find; his hands clawing at his throat to pull free a blade that wouldn't budge.
Drokin the Navigator fell to the floor with a hollow thud, knocking his chair over in the process. The last thing his dying mind registered before he lost consciousness was the sight of Rollo the mothman standing over him, whispering: "You Sky Pirates never should have come to the Wilden Green."
Then, Drokin was fading. Fading, fading.
Fading.
Fading from the mortal world, and headed for that Great Beyond...
•4•
Eyes. So many eyes. Staring. Watching.
Abominations. Wretched perversions of nature. Black-tongued things. Slime things. Things with many, many eyes.
Many. Many. Eyes.
Vellnoth! It was awful!
Zoocher slipped through a whirlwind of swirling shadows. He sank into quicksand of blackness. His mind shattered, then reformed. Shattered, then reformed. The world became a pane of glass which broke into a million, billion, trillion little pieces. He reached out, desperately trying to pick the pieces up, to put them back together.
It was no use.
Horrors. Eyes. Looking. Looking at me. Through me. Seeing me. Seeing all.
SEEING.
Zoocher rocked himself back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. There was dirt and grass beneath him. He was curled up into a ball, hugging his knees against his chest. Yet, these things were just background details. This was just his surroundings, and his physical body. His mind was somewhere else--perhaps, in another patch of dirt, slowly turning to mud. No. Not mud. Quicksand.
Sinking. He was sinking. Sinking, and slipping away. Slipping off into that Forever Night.
White Staircase?
No. He saw no White Staircase. Perhaps, only the Black Steps awaited him after all the awful things he'd done in life.
Only... there were no Black Steps, either.
Because he wasn't dead. Not yet, at least.
He was alive, but he was not living. Not in the normal sense.
Eyes. Watching. Looking. Seeing. Viewing. Glimpsing.
STARING.
GODS. OH GODS. OH VELLNOTH PLEASE!
No mercy for him. No Gods coming to save him. Only horrors.
He'd been in that terrible place, in that terrible room for what had felt like centuries.
Now he was back in the woods. But not all of him. He'd left some essential part of himself back there, back in that terrible place.
And now, he'd never get that part back. It was lost to him. For good. Forever.
Zoocher leaned over and vomited yellow bile onto the grass. His head was swimming. He slowly stood up. As he stood, everything fell away. Everything. His entire being. His essence. His all. His whole.
Zoocher? No. There was no Zoocher anymore.
Maybe there never had been.
Certainly, there would never be a Zoocher again.
Shattered.
Zoocher was shattered and lost. Gone. Now, Zoocher was no more. Forever departed.
He felt something warm and wet run down his legs. He'd urinated on himself without realizing it. This did not bother him. This meant nothing. He took a step forward and vomited onto his vest. This too meant nothing.
He stripped off his armor, his undergarments, his weapons. He kicked off his boots. To one side of the pile he'd made with his belongings, there were a set of bootprints in the dirt. He turned in the opposite direction, and started walking. He didn't know where he was going. He only knew he needed to walk.
Visions winked in and out of his mind. He continued walking, muttering to himself all the while. He spoke of everything, of nothing. He asked questions without answer. He gave answers to questions no one had asked.
Those eyes. They were burned into his brain. No. His brain was a burn. A scorchmark, littered with eyes. Staring. Watching. Waiting?
He walked on. Walking through the woods, to nowhere. Walking. Muttering. Thinking of eyes and Slime things.
It was a long time before he stopped.
•5•
There were two astounding sights, which presented themselves consecutively before him. In over two decades serving as one of the Hawkblood's top Assault Commanders, he had never seen anything more incredible than the Black Pyramid. That was, right up until the moment he saw the entire Pyramid vanish right before his eyes. If anything could be even more incredible than seeing the Pyramid; suddenly not seeing the Pyramid would have to be it.
Commander Ramses blinked several times, as if he were unable to trust what his eyes were showing him. The airspace beyond the windshield of his Glider Pod now showed only a sea of nothing, save for the Sky Gods higher up in the atmosphere.
"What the fuck? Where did it go?" he muttered to the empty cockpit.
The Glider Pods were designed to resemble plump black ravens. Ramses's Glider was slightly larger than the others in the fleet, as his was the Pod that carried most of the Big Weapons. Currently, they were in a V formation like actual birds; twelve in Ramses's group, twelve more in Commander Paulo's group that would have been approaching the Pyramid from behind; another twelve coming in from the right, making up Commander Gichi's group. The Gyff had their own Gliders, fashioned from wooden planks and some unknown material Ramses had never seen before. The Gyff ships looked a lot like the Gyff themselves; like long slender walking sticks. Their ships cut through the air like wooden missiles, lined up in a near row.
Ramses slapped the control panel, activating the Com-Cube. "Am I seeing things? Have I lost my mind?"
"No." It was the voice of Commander Gichi. She sounded uncharacteristically shaken. "The damn thing went POOF. Just like that."
The Gyff leading the stickbug group (his name was Kloom, if Ramses's memory served him) chimed in. "What do we do now? Will it reappear, you think?"
Ramses smacked the controls again, this time out of frustration. He said, "Somebody better get the Captain on the--"
"Already here," said the voice of Captain Heekan.
"You been listening this whole time?" Gichi asked.
"No. I just came on. Now listen. Everyone. Listen very closely. The Pyramid isn't in the valley anymore, but all is not lost. We will track it down. I already know where they took it."
Ramses gaped at this. "What? Captain... how could you already know all of that? It just vanished, only a few ticks ago."
Gichi made a soft gasping sound. "Captain. No. Tell me you didn't use it."
"I had to," Captain Heekan said with remorse. "The Mirror is too valuable a tool for us not to utilize it. And if ever there were a time when we needed it, it would be now."
"How many years did it take off your life?" Gichi asked hesitantly.
After a pause, Heekan said, "It doesn't matter. We're getting sidetracked here. There is a lot more going on than we realized. There are agents of not one, but two of the 5 Pharoahs here in the Wilden Green Valley, as we speak."
"What?" it was Gichi and Kloom in unison.
Commander Paulo broke his silence. "Which other Pharoah are we talking about?"
Heekan said, "Aside from Camaria the Butcher who we already knew about (it was one of her Scarabs that took the Pyramid), there's some of the Necromancer's men here too."
"The Necromancer?" Ramses said in disbelief. "The right hand man of Dowlmad the Deathless?" Ramses felt a cold chill run up his spine. "You're not telling me he is here in this valley, are you?"
"The Necromancer himself? No. Just some of his underlings. The Skinless Men, they're called."
Gichi asked, "Are they really all after the Pyramid and the Artifacts? I can't imagine two of the 5 Pharoahs would expend resources just for the stuff we're after. Aside for the Black Pyramid. But even still... something seems off here."
"Well," said Heekan. "That's because something is off. There are bigger forces at work here than we ever realized. Sure, they were after the Pyramid and the Divine Battery. But those are more like... party favors, to them."
Ramsese shook his head. "I already don't like how this sounds." The open sky outside his Glider suddenly felt less like empty airspace, and more like an endless abyss. One glance at the Sky Gods floating higher in the heavens strengthened this feeling, causing the commander to shudder as another chill ran up his back.
Captain Heekan said, "Then you really won't like what I'm about to tell you."
As it turned out, the Captain was absolutely right. Ramses really didn't like it one bit. None of them did.
•••
And Commander Ramses was not the only one who was told things they didn't like. While he was listening to his Captain's words with growing unease, elsewhere in the Wilden Green Valley, a certain Ranger was receiving a rather ominous warning...
•••
•6•
Deep within the bowels of the Reverse Tower. In the Domain of the Being known as O'Faxx.
Ranger Lexington stood atop the large boulder, surrounded by a sea of sludge. The putrid aroma of this place once more assaulted his senses, while his boots sank into the slick, squicky growth coating the boulder. Lexington's dragonfly-like features hid his discomfort. Outwardly, he appeared as stoic--as unshakeable--as always. At least, until he spoiled the effect with a knowing smirk.
To the bubbling muck, he called out: "So, you decided to help out afterall?"
There was no response.
Lexington's smirk faded. He bowed his head slightly. "It's alright. You don't have to speak. I only wish your assistance had been enough. That way Burlap wouldn't have had to give his life the way he did."
O'Faxx did not emerge from the murky depths.
Lexington would have sighed had the air quality in here not been so abhorrent. "Anyway, I just wanted to thank you. I will find a way to reward you."
Although O'Faxx remained beneath the muck, his voice echoed inside the Ranger's mind. "My actions were not on your behalf. Your ignorance betrays you, Overseer."
Lexington cocked his head to one side. "If you say so." He shrugged. "Some guys just can't accept a thank you, I guess."
"You have yet to understand. I helped you, to destroy you. None of you know yet what you are unleashing. I did not see the truth before, but the truth has now presented itself to me. The Gods wish to assemble the 12 and bring about the White Clock Consortion. Fools. They don't yet realize with the advent of the White Clock, the Black Clock follows. Those numbers shall count down their destruction. I looked into the destiny of the mortals you have placed so much faith in. I saw what they will bring about. They are one of the Four Winds that will blow upon the Door of Doom. One of them is a Paige of the Necronomicon."
"What does that mean? Quit speaking in riddles."
"There's a storm coming, Overseer. A storm that will wash away the world. This one, and all others. I haven't helped you. I've only helped the first few raindrops, so they might better form within the dark clouds hanging over this Pocket Realm. And in the wake of that rain? The thunder shall soon roll."
A storm coming. Four Winds that will blow upon the Doors of Destruction. Thunder.
These things made no sense to the Ranger. One thing was clear however; whatever O'Faxx's words meant, Lexington didn't like the sound of any of it.
•7•
There's a particular way Advisors and nobleJikk cry out when something disrupts their normal routine. It's a breathy sort of shriek, like someone emptying their lungs before they faint. Many of the High Advisors were voicing this exact variety of shriek now, as High Knight Pyx ordered his Spire Knights to arrest Lemma.
Temporary Councilor E'Shesh (to her credit) tried to block the path of the Knights. She was shoved out of the way, hard enough to cause the poor she-Jikk to tumble over onto the hard marble surface of the platform.
Then, underneath the makeshift gazebo, pandemonium set in. The stress of the attack on the city had already pushed everyone toward the brink of panic. This new development made them all leap right over the edge, falling right into the place people (Jikk, or otherwise) always fall in times like this one.
Lemma didn't run. She stood her ground, glowering at Pyx and Councilor Tholke; glaring as if she could knock some sense into them with her gaze alone. Of course, this was a futile endeavor. The Knights were upon here a moment later. Strong arms seized her, throwing her to the ground. Then, oddly enough, even stronger arms were lifting her from the floor. She stared down the Knights arresting her, but the expressions they gave her in return were not those of hardened Knights doing their duty. They were the expressions of Jikk who'd been caught completely off guard.
As she was lifted even higher, Lemma finally realized it wasn't the Knights who currently held her. It was someone else.
"What... who... what's going on?" she cried weakly.
She was being carried away by... one of the local tavern keepers?
"What's happening? What are you doing?" she demanded.
"She's getting away!" someone shouted.
"After her!" a Spire Knight ordered.
All at once, the Knights were airborne, in pursuit. The air was alive with the sound of buzzing wings, the shuffling and frantic falls of boots, and so much shouting. Lemma dangled over seemingly bottomless trenches and crumbling remnants of the City That Once Was.
The tavern keeper, in all this time, had only explained himself with a single grunt. Now, he was using his free arm to aim some kind of weapon at the Knights.
"No," Lemma pleaded. "Don't kill them. They're only doing their duty."
"Stun-shot," said the elderly tavern keeper. The words came an instant before his weapon discharged and the air behind them exploded in brilliant blue electricity. There was a loud series of crackling sounds, as the small-scale controlled lightning tore through each of the Knights. As if an invisible net had ensnared them, the Knights all froze in midair a moment, before their wings slowed to a standstill. They began to plummet down to the darkness below.
The tavern keeper voiced a soft grunt of regret.
"You can say that again," Lemma scolded. "The shot may have stunned them, but the fall will surely do a whole lot more. What's the meaning of this? Are you kidnapping me?"
The tavern keeper shook his head. "Behind you," he said. They climbed higher, closing in on the stone wall of the spacious cavern.
Lemma craned her neck to look back at the platform. What she saw horrified her. Hight Knight Pyx and Councilor Tholke. Even from this far away, she could see that their eyes appeared to have ruptured. From the vacant holes where their eyes had been, large fat yellow worms as long as sword blades were spilling out onto the platform. Each worm slapped down onto the marble, then immediately began to grow in size. Within mere seconds, each one grew to the size of a Field Roamer pup. And they only continued getting bigger.
The Advsiors and officials broke into a stampede, making for the platform's only exit; the flight of stone steps leading up to the passageway before street level.
"Gods," Lemma whispered. "We have to seal off the exit. We can't let those... those things make it up to the city."
But based on the ever-increasing size of the worms, and their ever-growing numbers, she feared it might already be too late.
"Hurry! Come on!" someone shouted, just ahead.
Lemma turned toward the sound of the voice. She saw a Jikk standing atop a stone ledge, high up on the cavern wall. She didn't recognize him.
A second later, the tavern keeper brought her down to a gentle landing on the ledge beside the unfamiliar Jikk. She eyed them both suspiciously. "Just what is going on? And who is this?"
"My name is Flower-Seed. And we've got to get the fuck out of here, Councilor."
The tavern keeper asked, "How can we seal it off?"
Lemma thought for a moment. "You came through there?" She pointed to the large gap behind Flower-Seed.
"We did," said the tavern keeper.
"Then we might be able to beat the worms to the surface. There's a secret tunnel in the cave ceiling, a little further on. Come on. We have to get to the statue of Kylo the Great, up in the Cobbler's District. There's a hidden lever inside. I know the code to turn it. It will seal off the Old City. It's our only chance."
"Then let's get moving," said Flower-Seed.
The tavern keeper only grunted his agreement.
Together, the three of them took off at a sprint. There truly wasn't a single moment to spare...
•8•
Rave spotted the figures below, standing patiently beside a gnarled, leafless gatortree. He came to a landing, just a few yards from them. Eight pairs of cold, dark eyes peered out from eight fleshless humanoid faces, considering him with an alien species of indifference.
A long black case was tucked beneath Rave's right arm. In his left hand, he clutched his Rune Stone expectantly. Any moment now, Nollo would be giving him the word that the deed was done. Any moment now. Rave had an internal clock that kept near perfect timing when it came to things like murder.
Sure enough, the Rune Stone began to grow warmer to Rave's touch.
Nollo's voice came through the Stone. "Boss?"
Rave grinned with what remained of his ruined mouth. "It's done?"
"It's done," Nollo confirmed.
"Good. I'd expect nothing less. You know where I'll be?"
"Yes, sire. I'll see you there shorly."
Rave didn't bother giving a final response. He put the Stone away and took the black case into his hands. The Skinless Men only watched him patiently.
Rave approached the figures beneath the gnarled tree. This was a remote region of Jikkellia's borderlands, where the high grasses gave way to miles of mostly barren dirt and rock. The gatortree stood out, in that it was one of the few trees on the visible landscape here. Just over the horizon, was the large mountain where a certain group of outsiders were rumored to have crashed in a small rowing vessel recently.
Rave waited for one of the skinless men to speak first. When none did, he said: "A lot of people wanted this Horn. You just so happened to be the only ones offering more than coin." This was a half-truth. The Sky Pirates had spoken of coin, but had in reality, offered only betrayal. "I've kept up my end. Now, I expect you to keep yours."
Rave's mind calculated dozens of ways he could slaughter each of these figures, should they show any sign of aggression. It was just how his brain operated. He plotted ways to thwart threats that hadn't even been presented yet. In this line of business, you had to stay twelve moves ahead.
Right on time, Rave's reinforcements arrived. He'd been doing these kinds of deals for far too long to ever go by himself. Even if he did feel confident enough in his abilities that he wasn't weary of the figures before him. Even in a 1 v. 8 duel to the death, he was certain he'd have the upper hand.
Four mothmen mercs landed just behind Rave--keeping their distance but standing at the ready. Rave didn't so much as glance at them. He casually stepped away from his foot soldiers and moved closer to the Skinless Men. "So, how about it? You said you had a way to get us out of this valley. Is that still true?"
One of the figures (there was really no way for Rave to tell the apart, as they all looked like carbon copies of each other) nodded. "We represent Pharoah Dowlmad. Pharoah Dowlmad always keeps his word. Give us the Black Horn and we shall give you freedom from this place."
Rave said nothing a moment. At last, he nodded. "Alright. I'll take you at your word." He slowly held out the case, offering it to one of the figures. The skinless man eagerly accepted the Artifact. He lifted the lid and removed the item inside, handing it to one of the others.
The Black Horn of the Olde Music looked like the hollowed-out horn of some bovine creature, like those Rave had seen sketched in old tomes. Aside from the fact it was black as obsidian, of course. There was a silver mouthpiece banded around the narrow end. That was all there was to the object. All in all, it was rather unimpressive looking by Artifact standards.
The other man examined it for several seconds, before deciding he was satisfied. He nodded back to the first man who took the Horn and returned it to its case.
"So," Rave said, taking on a tone of casual conversation while feigning ignorance. "What does that thing do, anyhow?"
The Skinless Men only regarded him coldly.
Rave nodded, flashing a half grin. "Fair enough. Now... as for your part of the bargain?"
"Yes," said the man holding the case. "You want your entire company to leave this valley? Return to us when you are all together. Some of us will remain here in this spot. We will give you three sunrises after sundown today. If you aren't here by then, we cannot wait any longer."
"We'll return long before then," Rave said.
There didn't seem to be anything more to say. He turned and motioned to the other mercs. "Let's head out. We'll regroup with the others and get everything underway."

Hey Reddit,
​
Been diving back into the scant records of my Grandfather's service as part of the 340th Engineers in the Pacific Theater from 1944-1945. I've found some incredible sources but there are some very confusing points that leave my unsatisfied when it comes to finding as close to what really happened as possible. Basically, before I bring some of these stories and photos to my grandmother and/or family in general, there are a few sticking points that leave me scratching my head.
I don't expect any of you to do additional research or help me in unreasonable ways, but I would assume there is some collective knowledge about how units were assembled, named, divided, etc during this time. I've just gotten to the point where I'm looking at literal bridges he might have built and I can't stop thinking I could be on the wrong path.
If you don't want to help or care about my search, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO check out some of the sources below! The Books from the 340th Group are absolutely amazing records.
----------------------------------------
My grandfather joined the Army Engineers after (I'm assuming) one last hurrah of an Independence Day, signing up for service 7/5/1943 in Syracuse, NY. We have notes and discharge papers, but there are a few discrepancies between the sources I've found, his separation papers, his notes, and general internet records. I'll list some of the great sources I've found before.
​
I *think* they give me most of the story, but again, raised a few more queries... examples:
​
1. His notes and discharge papers both say he was part of the 340th Engineers Construction Battalion, *however* his notes also list -
"340th ENGRS to
5251 ENGRS (1944)
596 ENGRS (1944)"
I cannot find any existence of a "5251" or "5251st" unit anywhere in WWII records. There seems to have been a "596" / "596th" Airborne Engineers Company that served in the European Theater which makes 0 sense to me. https://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/596/596.html It's possible these notes are tracking where a friend ended up, because NONE of my Grandfather's notes show any service anywhere except South Pacific. This is a sticking point to me that I cannot make sense of.
His Note - https://imgur.com/a/4jP9Tzq
​
2. Following the "340th Engineers" path led to my first positive result when I began searching, but just like Bender finding his cigar had burnt down Zoidberg's house - "That just raises further questions!" - Hermes
In the two absolutely incredible sources I have listed below that follow the 340th Engineers through the war, I finally found my grandfather's name listed.
THE PROBLEM -
Book one on the 340th (Lower Post or Freeze) follows the 340th Engineers from 1942-1943 in a 16month expedition to Alaska and BC, Canada where they constructed a highway. When this mission was completed and they were called back, they traveled to Camp Sutton, NC in 1943. THIS is where my grandfather undoubtedly joined up with the main unit, makes total sense.
What doesnt make sense is that he is in the FIRST book only, and not mentioned ANYWHERE in the second book...
This omission, coupled with the confusing notes mentioned in Point 1, are my biggest source of doubt when I want to see Book 2 - 340th Engineers In The Pacific as a definitive record of his service in the war.
In BOOK 1, my grandfather is listed under "B Company". Again, he is NOT in BOOK 2, but BOOK 2 has some absolutely breath taking documentation on, not only the 340th as a whole, but of bridges and runways built by B Company.
Take the confusion out of play and I have found a holy grail of documentation on my grandfather's service.
Leave the confusion in and I cannot allow myself to get too excited about what I have found because I just CANT know for sure. His notes include names of some commanding officers and not a single one shows up in BOOK 2.
​
----------------------------------------
CONCLUSION:
​
IN ALL FAIRNESS - I BELIEVE BOOK 2 ACCURATELY DESCRIBES MY GRANDFATHER'S SERVICE, AS THE DATES AND LOCATIONS MATCH HIS NOTES EXACTLY. FROM STARTING AT CAMP SUTTON, GOING TO DARWIN, AUS, THEN ONTO NEW GUINEA, LEYTE, AND MANILA.
​
I'm fully ready to call this search completed, but I would LOVE any sort of additional clarification before I would show this book definitively as a good record. I don't really understand how units, battalions, companies, corps are defined or used in these senses. I believe 340th was his battalion, B Company, but idk any more really.
I know this might seem like an arbitrary distinction and a single error or omission of him in BOOK 2 could explain this all, but that omission coupled with his confusing notes on unit numbers just leaves me very unsatisfied.
Hopefully you can see that I'm earnestly trying to figure this out and not just trying to have someone do the work for me. I believe my mother has tried to get records before but its possible they were lost in the massive fire that destroyed 16 MILLION records some time in the 1970s. I honestly don't know what other records there would be besides his discharge papers and notes. Nothing could possibly be more substantial than BOOK 2.
I've set up an account for my grandfather on Together We Served but obviously finding contemporary vets is not easy, and even children of these vets are beginning to pass from old age.
I lived with my grandfather from age 3 until his death in 2004 when I was around 13/14. He was like a father to me. I'm the most tech savvy person in the family who is this interested in this, so I would really love to have a definitive answer for my family members, but again, I understand that might not be possible.
REGARDLESS OF MY SEARCH - I HOPE YOU CAN ENJOY SOME OF THE AMAZING SOURCES I HAVE DISCOVERED AND LINKED BELOW!!!
​
----------------------------------------
​
From his notes, I believe his service went like this -
7/1943 - Enlists in Syracuse NY
8/1943 - ? Camp Claiborne, LA
? - 2/1944 - Camp Sutton, NC (Joined up with 340th and headed to Vancouver, WA)
1944 - Darwin, AUS (Built B29 Base for Bombing Raids)
9/1944 - Milne Bay, New Guinea
9/1944 - 10/1944 - Arrives at Tacloban, Leyte - Set Up ENGR Supply Depot - (Either before or after "largest naval battle in history" in Battle of Leyte Gulf", My Note)
1/1945 - Manila / Luzon
12/1945 - Left Manila/Luzon
1/1946 - Camp Stoneman, CA after Operation Magic Carpet
​
----------------------------------------
SOURCES:
Discharge Papers - https://imgur.com/a/nkwWey1
Separation Papers - https://imgur.com/a/muOduHa
(I have more notes if you want, they're not very descriptive)
​
"BOOK 1" - 340th Engineers - "Lower Post or Freeze: 340th Engineer Regiment on the Alaska Military Highway, 1942-1943
https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=ww_reg_his
​
"BOOK 2" - 340th Engineers - "340th Engineers In The Pacific" - 1943-1945
https://archive.org/details/340thEngineersInThePacific/page/n1/mode/2up
​
Air Force Civil Engineers History
https://media.defense.gov/2015/Ap02/2001329844/-1/-1/0/AFD-150402-022.pdf
​
Thanks for reading!
This kind of all started when I listened to Dan Carlin's "Supernova In The East" and kept hearing names and places I had seen in our records. Once I started cross referencing my grandfather's records with the actual history my interested skyrocketed. Grandpa never spoke much about the war and I don't intend on reveling in the horror he might have seen, but I would truly love to be able to "know" these stories I'm reading are somewhat accurate to his experience.

We are a QBCore based semi-serious RP server with a realistic economy looking to expand our numbers. We have citizens from all timezones (US, EU, GMT, and AU). We have a very active, dedicated, and responsive staff team. We are streamer, e-girl, and LGBTQ+ friendly. We offer a range of custom import vehicles with new features each month! Also including the capability for custom tattoos
Starter
Everyone starts with a free apartment at the location of your choosing. You will have an ID, Drivers License, phone, and $20,000 in the bank to get you going.
Gangs
We have current spaces available for street gangs, cartels, and motorcycle clubs that we are looking to fill. Gang requirements are a minimum of three members, maximum of 10. Features capabilities for custom hideouts, clothes, tattoos, etc. Gangs have access to unlock the ability to craft custom weapons. Fight amongst other gangs for the territory and ability to control a drug route.
Jobs
We are looking to find owners for Bahama Mama Nightclub, Frey’s Bakery, KitKat Icecream Parlor, Blazeit Weedshop, and Henhouse bar. If you have any other business idea you would like to bring to the city we are open to making your passion come to life!
We have current player owned businesses that are looking for employees like restaurants, strip club, nightclub, mechanic shop, and tuning shop.
We have city jobs to make money as well such as construction worker, mail carrier, trash collector, or package handler. Don’t like working alone? These jobs feature being able to do them with groups of people!
We are actively hiring for whitelisted positions for Real estate, EMS, and PD with the capability of moving up in ranks (including high command). No experience necessary, we will provide training.
Our food businesses need fresh ingredients and rely on those who enjoy activities like farming, fishing, and hunting to gather and sell them. These activities can be done by anyone as an additional source of income.
With a wide range of custom criminal activities from robberies, car boosting, drug dealing and much more, we offer a range of illegal ways to make money.
Free time
Functioning skills system for driving, shooting, strength, stamina, and lung capacity. Heat to the gym or shooting range to work on these skills!
Camping store featuring items with a functioning camping script for those who like to step away from the city and enjoy nature.
To relax head over to Nikki Beach, casino, the drive-in movie theater, Maze bank arena, or family park to take a nice break.
Family Life
We have a functioning sex and pregnancy script with the capability to bring in custom peds for kids! Also featuring a new OB/pediatrician RP and functioning nursery items to decorate your house with!
Take your kids to one of the playgrounds, or join us at the drive in for a family movie night!
Requirements
You must be over the age of 18, have a working headset, and be able to communicate in english. For more information on how to join head on over to our discord: https://discord.gg/sy4R2CTtSt
Any questions feel free to reach out!

We are a QBCore based semi-serious RP server with a realistic economy looking to expand our numbers. We have citizens from all timezones (US, EU, GMT, and AU). We have a very active, dedicated, and responsive staff team. We are streamer, e-girl, and LGBTQ+ friendly. We offer a range of custom import vehicles with new features each month! Also including the capability for custom tattoos
Starter
Everyone starts with a free apartment at the location of your choosing. You will have an ID, Drivers License, phone, and $20,000 in the bank to get you going.
Gangs
We have current spaces available for street gangs, cartels, and motorcycle clubs that we are looking to fill. Gang requirements are a minimum of three members, maximum of 10. Features capabilities for custom hideouts, clothes, tattoos, etc. Gangs have access to unlock the ability to craft custom weapons. Fight amongst other gangs for the territory and ability to control a drug route.
Jobs
We are looking to find owners for Bahama Mama Nightclub, Frey’s Bakery, KitKat Icecream Parlor, Blazeit Weedshop, and Henhouse bar. If you have any other business idea you would like to bring to the city we are open to making your passion come to life!
We have current player owned businesses that are looking for employees like restaurants, strip club, nightclub, mechanic shop, and tuning shop.
We have city jobs to make money as well such as construction worker, mail carrier, trash collector, or package handler. Don’t like working alone? These jobs feature being able to do them with groups of people!
We are actively hiring for whitelisted positions for Real estate, EMS, and PD with the capability of moving up in ranks (including high command). No experience necessary, we will provide training.
Our food businesses need fresh ingredients and rely on those who enjoy activities like farming, fishing, and hunting to gather and sell them. These activities can be done by anyone as an additional source of income.
With a wide range of custom criminal activities from robberies, car boosting, drug dealing and much more, we offer a range of illegal ways to make money.
Free time
Functioning skills system for driving, shooting, strength, stamina, and lung capacity. Heat to the gym or shooting range to work on these skills!
Camping store featuring items with a functioning camping script for those who like to step away from the city and enjoy nature.
To relax head over to Nikki Beach, casino, the drive-in movie theater, Maze bank arena, or family park to take a nice break.
Family Life
We have a functioning sex and pregnancy script with the capability to bring in custom peds for kids! Also featuring a new OB/pediatrician RP and functioning nursery items to decorate your house with!
Take your kids to one of the playgrounds, or join us at the drive in for a family movie night!
Requirements
You must be over the age of 18, have a working headset, and be able to communicate in english. For more information on how to join head on over to our discord: https://discord.gg/sy4R2CTtSt
Any questions feel free to reach out!

Race Information

• Name: Shamrock Marathon
• Date: March 19, 2023
• Distance: 26.2 miles
• Location: Virginia Beach, VA
• Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/8742643804/overview
• Time: 2:51:23

TLDR
Training with an infant is hard. Running in the wind is hard. Always stay at a hotel near the start line.
Goals

Goal	Description	Completed?
A	Sub 2:45	No
B	PR (2:48:49)	Also no
C	Run lots of miles and don't get hurt	Yes

Training
Last spring I ran 3 marathons in 6 months (Chicago, Mesa, Boston) off fairly high (for me) mileage, peaking at 85 mpw for each based off a stitched together back-to-back-to-back Pfitz plan. Then one month later I became a dad, and one month after that moved across the country for a new job! I had tweaked my foot during Boston so ended up cutting back on mileage significantly for those first few months of parenthood but was able to build up to 60-70 mpw by the fall. I started Pfitz 18/85 in November when kiddo was 6 months old and despite having done similar plans a few times before, man was it tough to keep up the miles and workouts. I'm used to late nights and early mornings but had to be much more flexible in moving workouts around based on childcare, resorting to the treadmill in the early morning/evening/naptime, skipping a few of the doubles when I just couldn't drag myself out the door for a second run, and adjusting my pace when running with a stroller about once a week. Sleep and recovery were also tough, obviously. I managed to do all of the workout and long runs though (including 22 miles at 4am before work one Sunday 😴), and only skipped about 5 runs total (mostly the 4 mile recovery doubles). My goal was sub-2:45 to qualify for Berlin, and my workout were right around that pace: hitting 6:18 for the MP work, low 6:00s for LT work, and 5:3x for most of the VO2 stuff. I unfortunately only ran one tune up, which was a 10k disaster two weeks out, but decided to go full send for 2:45 and just see what my legs had in them.
Pre-Race
This was the first time staying at a race-suggested hotel literally overlooking the start line and, wow, I am never skimping on race lodging again. It was AMAZING doing all my pre-race routine in the comfort of my hotel room and then strolling out at 7:15, jogging a block to the start line and hopping in my corral at 7:25 for a 7:30 start. It was a perfect high 30s and partly cloudy, but there was a solid breeze that I was already worried about. I lined up towards the front of Corral 1 and tried to scope out who around me was doing the full vs. half marathon, but there wasn't much time for chatting before things kicked off.
Race
Miles 1-6: 6:21, 6:22, 6:20, 6:18, 6:23, 6:17
The race starts off heading north, right into the ~15 mph wind. My plan was to run comfortable and not push too hard, hoping for low 6:20s which I happily hit right on target. I tried to be mindful of running with a pack to help block the wind and between that and the tree-lined streets didn't notice the headwind too much on this stretch. Most of the people I was running with were doing the half marathon though, so I was already thinking of how lonely the back half of the race was going to feel. I took a gel at mile 5 and started sipping water every few miles, knowing that even though it was nice and chilly out I still needed to stay on top of hydration.
Miles 7-13: 6:19, 6:19, 6:19, 6:17, 6:19, 6:23, 6:08 (think my watch cut this mile short)
Here the race looped around and we were now closer to the shore and without the protection of trees had an intense cross wind. The race also started to get more mentally tough here because my pack split apart as the half marathoners started picking up the pace. I repeatedly reminded myself that my race was just getting started and that I need to keep it under control. I was mostly by myself by this point, but was very happy with my metronome-like splits.
Miles 14-19: 6:19, 6:27, 6:36, 6:23, 6:27, 6:29
After passing the half marathon finish the race goes south along a boardwalk, over a bridge, and then a long out-and-back. This section was again more mentally tough, and is when I realized 2:45 was probably off the table. The boardwalk had a nice tailwind, but then I crossed over the first of two hills (a bridge you cross twice), which was steeper than expected. I felt strong and in control but couldn't quite push below 6:20, and I was running alone and knew it was going to be a tough grind after the turn around, which was mile 18.5ish.
Miles 20-finish: 6:39, 6:40, 6:43, 6:53, 6:48, 7:20, 6:31, 2:50 (6:03 pace for 0.46 on Strava)
Hit the turnaround point and fuck the wind just instantly destroyed me. The closest person in front of me was probably 50 yards ahead and I thought about trying to surge to catch him so that we could draft/work together, but he was already gapping me more and I didn't think I could recover if I'd pushed that hard to catch him. There was at least a bit of tree protection on the first couple miles, but mile 23 crossed the bridge again and then 24 and 25 were along the boardwalk directly into what was at least a 20mph headwind. I was pushing with everything I had and felt like I was practically running in place. This was my 6th marathon and I've hit the wall before (poor nutrition and ambitious pacing) and gotten overheated (Chicago 2021) but had never had this feeling where my legs should've been moving fast but just...weren't. I thought maybe a PR was still on the table but had to just stop looking at my watch and run. Thankfully just before mile 26 there's another U-turn so the finishing stretch had a glorious tailwind that helped me pick it up a bit to cross the line at 2:51:23
Post-Race
Stumbled around to find my wife and son, took a picture by the ocean, then got extremely cold and had to "hustle" back to the hotel to shower and warm up. I have very mixed emotions about the race. On the one hand I know I lost a ton of time to the wind on the last 8 miles - looking at other people's Strava splits everyone struggled on that stretch. I'd like to think the wind was a bigger contributor to the positive split than having gone out too fast. Maybe 2:45 wasn't going to happen, but I'm hoping I'm closer to it than this race shows. I am at least proud of myself for making through a helluva training block, and know that all the big miles will eventually pay off.
What's Next
I got into NYC so will start training for that in July. In the meantime I'm going to take a few down weeks and then probably work on some shortefaster stuff for a bit. As a Pfitz diehard I'm thinking of changing things up and doing JD 2Q for NYC, probably peaking around 70-80 mpw this time. I think the Pfitz workouts are starting to get a bit stale, and the JD ones look crazy to me which is probably a sign that I need more of those mixed MP/Tempo/Interval workouts and not just the long steady stuff.

So I was looking at the subway track map this morning (https://www.vanshnookenraggen.com/_index/docs/NYC_full_trackmap.pdf), and I realized that the tunnels in between Manhattan and Queens are imbalanced in terms of how many lines they serve.
For this post I'm gonna use terms that I made up, but basically in my mind a service that runs exclusively on its own track is a "full" service and a service that shares track with another service is a "half" service. For example, the full services are 1,6,7, L, and J since they don't interline with anything (Z doesn't exist). Half services are basically everything else, such as how the 4 and 5 share the lexington express tracks. You can interline any two half services together to combine to a full service, like how the A and D interline together to form a full service on the central park west express tracks.
With this in mind, the 7 train tunnel is two tracks and serves one full service, so it's at capacity. The 53rd st tunnel has the E and M, two half services interlined together. But then you have the 63rd st tunnel, which has only one half service, the F.
And finally, the 60th st tunnel, which has three services running through it. From this tunnel, all the way south to times square, is the only location in the entire system where three services combine into one set of tracks. It's well documented that this tunnel is a bottleneck in the system. Combined with the shitshow at the DeKalb interlocking, the capacity of the BMT lines is severely constrained, with the R possibly being the line with the worst headways in the entire system.
Why is it like this? Can this be fixed? For my following suggestions, if there's any scheduling nuances or reasons why the ideas wouldn't work, please enlighten me. I don't know much about scheduling and I'm just laying out what makes sense in my head. I'd really like to know why the system is run this way instead of maximizing the capacity of each tunnel.
My idea for fixing this and increasing the capacity of the BMT broadway line has a couple of small components, but overall there are no new infrastructure requirements (as far as I'm aware), and there is no decrease in service anywhere except for one station, which is more than made up for by the increase in service system-wide.
First, eliminate the W train. It's a weird combination of N and R service and it doesn't even go into Brooklyn. It also causes problems for the next two suggestions.
Second, have the N run fully express, and stay with the Q train into the 63rd st tunnel. There is a switch in the tunnel to allow trains to cross between the BMT and IND lines, and the N should take advantage of this switch to interline with the F train in the tunnel. This increases capacity at the Lexington Ave, Roosevelt Island, and Queensbridge stations, as now the track is completely full instead of half.
But then where does the N go after this? Well, the third suggestion is to remove the R train from the Queens Boulevard local line and replace it with the new N, and then send R trains from the 60th st tunnel into Astoria. This would eliminate the connection between the R and the Queens Plaza station, but the rest of the Queens Boulevard line remains at full capacity with the N running local where the R previously ran.
Finally, since the W doesn't exist anymore and the R goes to Astoria, the amount of trains running along the R line can be increased to a full capacity. The R would now join the short list of trains that don't interline with any others, since it's alone in Astoria, Broadway local, the montague st tunnel, all the way down 4th ave in Brooklyn. This can finally end the decades of the R being utter dogshit, as it will be able to run at quick headways since it doesn't have to share tracks with anything.
Other than the loss of a third half-service at Queens Plaza station, are there any downsides to this? Astoria, Broadway, and Brooklyn all get more service. The tunnels between Manhattan and Queens are used more optimally. There's no delays because of the N swapping from express to local tracks north of times square. I'm assuming that there's a reason service isn't run this way, so if anyone more knowledgeable than me could explain, that would be appreciated!

Dreamstage RP- Newly Wiped!!
We are a QBCore based semi-serious RP server with a realistic economy looking to expand our numbers. We have citizens from all timezones (US, EU, GMT, and AU). We have a very active, dedicated, and responsive staff team. We are streamer, e-girl, and LGBTQ+ friendly. We offer a range of custom import vehicles with new features each month! Also including the capability for custom tattoos
Starter
Everyone starts with a free apartment at the location of your choosing. You will have an ID, Drivers License, phone, and $20,000 in the bank to get you going.
Gangs
We have current spaces available for street gangs, cartels, and motorcycle clubs that we are looking to fill. Gang requirements are a minimum of three members, maximum of 10. Features capabilities for custom hideouts, clothes, tattoos, etc. Gangs have access to unlock the ability to craft custom weapons. Fight amongst other gangs for the territory and ability to control a drug route.
Jobs
We are looking to find owners for Bahama Mama Nightclub, Frey’s Bakery, KitKat Icecream Parlor, Blazeit Weedshop, and Henhouse bar. If you have any other business idea you would like to bring to the city we are open to making your passion come to life!
We have current player owned businesses that are looking for employees like restaurants, strip club, nightclub, mechanic shop, and tuning shop.
We have city jobs to make money as well such as construction worker, mail carrier, trash collector, or package handler. Don’t like working alone? These jobs feature being able to do them with groups of people!
We are actively hiring for whitelisted positions for Real estate, EMS, and PD with the capability of moving up in ranks (including high command). No experience necessary, we will provide training.
Our food businesses need fresh ingredients and rely on those who enjoy activities like farming, fishing, and hunting to gather and sell them. These activities can be done by anyone as an additional source of income.
With a wide range of custom criminal activities from robberies, car boosting, drug dealing and much more, we offer a range of illegal ways to make money.
Free time
Functioning skills system for driving, shooting, strength, stamina, and lung capacity. Heat to the gym or shooting range to work on these skills!
Camping store featuring items with a functioning camping script for those who like to step away from the city and enjoy nature.
To relax head over to Nikki Beach, casino, the drive-in movie theater, Maze bank arena, or family park to take a nice break.
Family Life
We have a functioning sex and pregnancy script with the capability to bring in custom peds for kids! Also featuring a new OB/pediatrician RP and functioning nursery items to decorate your house with!
Take your kids to one of the playgrounds, or join us at the drive in for a family movie night!
Requirements
You must be over the age of 18, have a working headset, and be able to communicate in english. For more information on how to join head on over to our discord: https://discord.gg/sy4R2CTtSt
Any questions feel free to reach out!

I planted 8 plants (probably about 4' high at the time) in a 40' long, 2' wide and roughly 2' deep ditch last year in hopes of it growing into a privacy hedge along the back fence to block the view of my neighbor's house. I say "roughly" 2' deep because the land slopes downward toward the fence, so the ditch is deeper on one side than the other. The person we hired to dig it probably went a little shallow on one end, also. And, as expected the dirt has settled somewhat since we placed it.
Net effect, we have 6" to a foot of the barrier we installed sticking up at various places. The barrier is only 26" wide, so I'm very worried about the bamboo trying to escape underneath. We installed no bottom barrier, just a vertical sheet wrapping the perimeter.
I sent photos to the bamboo nursery and they recommended we add dirt BUT that we dig up the plants first and then re-plant them so they don't get smothered under too much dirt. I'm reluctant to do anything so invasive just as we're entering the high growth period.
Thoughts?

Hello! Me and my mum are wanting to go away somewhere for 5-7 days at the end of Septembestart of October. I'm aware this is a bit of a random collection of places but it's where a) we can get cheapish flights to at this time and b) of the places we can get cheap flights to, neither of us have been there before!
My favourite thing to do while abroad is to just walk around somewhat aimlessly exploring wherever takes my fancy, interspersed with visiting historical/cultural sites/museums etc, as well as doing day trips to other nearby places. Mum is similar and we've been on these kinds of trips before, but she probably enjoys a slightly slower pace to a holiday. She does like a busy city break, but she hasn't been abroad in ages so think she would also enjoy a bit of a 'holiday' element to it of nice weather and preferably being on the coast. She's probably a bit less confident a traveller than I am and most of her holidays apart from the city breaks we've done together have largely been more sun, sea, sand type holidays. Important note is she gets insanely seasick, so boat trips are out of the question apart from probably very short ferry trips, but even that's pushing it.
I've been to Croatia before (Split and Zadar) and absolutely loved it, so thought Dubrovnik could be the perfect option for us as I think it hits what both me and mum would want in a holiday, and happens to be the cheapest of all the flight options. However, I've read mixed reviews - that while it's gorgeous it's overpriced, feels like Disneyland, super busy and 5 days there would be too much especially without the ability to go on any boat trips, although I think she would enjoy a day trip to Mostar and/or Montenegro. I also really want to go to Zagreb because the idea of the museum of broken relationships fascinates me, but not sure I can make that happen on this trip given its the opposite end of the country!
I've always wanted to go to Istanbul because I love history and Istanbul has been at the centre of so much history, but I think it might be a bit too much out of my mum's comfort zone.
Athens hits the history notes, but without visiting some of the islands I'm not sure it will hit everything mum wants, and not sure if 5-7 days would be too long. Also the most expensive of the flight options.
I know absolutely nothing about Nice whatsoever!
If you've been to any of these places, what do you think? Would you recommend them? Is Dubrovnik still worth visiting even if it is a bit overdone these days? Alternatively, if you've got any suggestions of European cities/places that have lots of aimless walking to be done, interesting history/culture elements, generally have nice weather around the end of Septembestart of October, feel safe for two women, are accessible either on foot or via public transport and bonus points offer the ability to relax on a beach, let me know and I'll look into flight options.

So currently I've got this medieval pre gunpowder kingdom based along the coast that doesn't really have any castles, just sprawling towns, cities and farmland. All they have are two walls from coast to mountain (old and built a while ago and not too long) at the north and south end. Although they have territory that is past and outside the southern wall
Essentially they go to war and raise their army to invade their southern neighbour. Their enemy then hears about this and sends their own army out to intercept. They fight but the invaders (for whatever reason) are weakened and lose. Their scouts then return and defeat the southerners but in the process both armies are destroyed.
The remainder of the scouts return to find everything within the walls burnt / salted and in chaos with the walls themselves being damaged too
Currently I've got viking style pillagers who have cannons combined with religious uprising but I'm not sure.
What are some reasons their society would collapse so suddenly?

It took me 20 days to clear all 30 missions of the current event. I consider myself a heavy user of this app (10,000 steps per day, fully interacting with it when I walk), so having an event that lasted me 20 days is pretty good imo.
I didn’t spend any money on windflowers, did not try to manipulate plants into blooming them either. I really didn’t change my playing pattern at all to do it. Twice in those 20 days I went to a local park where there are more blooms than the 4 on my normal daily route, but I do that regularly. I also loaded up on Community Day although by then I already had enough windflowers to clear all 30 missions. All this just to say it’s quite possible to clear everything without paying money, or living in a huge city.