Today I’m so frustrated. I was born-in, and learned nothing about money management, as is the case with many. Married a loser who never wanted to save for retirement cause Armageddon was coming tomorrow, and of course he was a variation of the self-employed JW window washer who didn’t have a clue about how to manage a business, but you know, he wanted to pioneer and be a circuit overseer so that made him a good choice, right? He wrecked my credit multiple times with stupid decisions, but I just went along with it most of the time cause I was supposed to “be submissive” to “the head” and I didn’t want to fight. The psychology in the borg is that amassing savings and retirement funds seems like heresy. We’re discouraged from education and pursuing high paying careers. We give them all our time and money. Thankfully I went back to school as an adult before I was PIMO but now I have the loan from that, when I could have gone on full scholarship at 18 that I turned down because of this cult bullshit! (Yeah you aren’t only one Sanderson, big deal 🙄👏🏽)
I got out of that relationship a couple years ago and went full POMO, had to get a restraining order cause he lost his mind and moved across country (which also cost a load) but I lost my job in January and now all my hard work to rebuild my credit is about to crumble, just when I’ve met the greatest person. I’ve applied for 320 jobs and still haven’t landed anything.
My current guy loves me and has been through a similarly bad ex situation but he’s ten years recovered from that. But I’m afraid when my credit score tanks again how he’s gonna react. I haven’t made the best financial decisions either but I’ve always worked hard, considering what I came from it’s a miracle I’m still here (you can see my other comments). Im just SO angry about it today I had to let it out. I could have done so much better financially if it hadn’t been for this bullshit religion and it’s exploitation and usury. 😞 I’ve tried so hard, I’m so sad today. 😭😭😭

Catan deserves a special place in history as a pioneer of the modern boardgaming movement and as a gateway game for many, however it has recently fallen out of favor compared to all of the outstanding newer games that have come out since then. But is Catan still a good gateway game? I don't see why it it wouldn't be (even if there are better newer games to introduce new people to the hobby). The "target audience" for gateway games (i.e. non gamers who have only played Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, etc) is the same that it was 30 years ago, and if the non-gamers of the 1990's latched onto Catan as their entry into hobbyist board gaming why wouldn't it have the same reception by today's non-gamers? Asking because I have a group of friends that could be candidates for "recruitment".
Disclaimer: I own Catan, but haven't played in forever because I have other games that I just like a lot more. Also, I've never tried introducing any non-gamers to Catan yet, so not sure how it will go - that's why I'm asking here.

There are some mysterious tight entrances in a few places in the early access game, and I'm wondering how the player would be able to get into them, if they're just gaps in the landscape that need to be filled, or they're just there to drive you mad wondering.
My thoughts on how the Pioneer could gain access to new places:

1. Building a teleport device by shooting the build gun through the small opening and it assembles in a larger open space inside.
2. A portal gun - similar concept to above, but only one point to one point like the Portal game. This seems unlikely to work on landscape/terrain from a game mechanics perspective, but maybe works on walls or foundations you can also build inside these spaces.
3. Ability to shrink/grow using mysterious properties of the alien artifacts as yet hidden

What's inside these spaces?
Clues about an alien civilization that has built the organic honeycomb substructures exposed, some other strange alien machinery that uses the artifacts and SAM ore, or otherwise complete the story line.

Wooohoooo, I won! Thank you u/joachimham48 for sailing crosswords through a week of nautical clues.
This week's theme is exclamations. They might not be words that you'll find in the dictionary, but things that you'd write or say to express an emotion, with multiple letters added for emphasis. Like, cooooool!
Extra kudos for using ridiculous amounts of repeated letters while keeping a smooth surface reading. Hmmmmmmm.. now let's see what you come up with.

Hi!
Just 10 general knowledge questions I have plucked from a quiz I wrote not so long ago.
Best of luck with them.
------------------------------------
Questions

1. What full name relates a British Admiral of the fleet who was chief mourner at Nelson's funeral and an American known for his alter ego superhero Spiderman?
2. Guayaquil, Cuenca and Quito are cities in which South American country?
3. Which European capital was further developed by the 1947 Finger plan? The Index finger contains the municipality of Brøndby.
4. In which decade did all of the following occur: Battle of the Alamo, Samuel Colt invents the revolver and The Hunchback of Notre Dame is published.
5. Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain on Earth, is also known as Diamer, which means what four word phrase, often used as an epithet for the best climber in a cycling stage race?
6. What job did Paul Gauguin have at the Paris Bourse before becoming a full time artist?
7. Pugin and Barry are architects best known for redesigning which London building after it burnt down in 1834?
8. Cryptic clue to an author: Zodiac Lion with Jethro's Yo-yo.
9. Which country's flag consists of a gold saltire and 4 triangular sections, 2 green and 2 black?
10. Jean Baptiste Lamarck, better known for his theory of evolution, was one of the pioneers in the classification of what? In Act 3 Scene 2, Hamlet asks Polonius if he sees one of these which is almost in the shape of a camel.

------------------------------------
Answers

1. Peter Parke/////////////////
2. Ecuado//////////////////////
3. Copenhagen/////////////////
4. 1830s//////////////////////////
5. King of the mountains/////
6. Stockbroke/////////////////
7. Palace of Westminste////
8. Leo Tolstoy (Leo Tull's Toy)
9. Jamaica///////////////////////
10. Clouds////////////////////////

Loading items

------------------_ELY TITLES------------------_

[quest: 1002]Request of the Elim of level 5 (min 3) gives
Tree Hugger
Accuracy +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1005]Barring the Gate of level 9 (min 6) gives
Poeta's Protector
HP +20
Physical Defense +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1124]Avenging Tutty of level 7 (min 7) gives
Animal Lover
MP +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1143]Nola's Request of level 13 (min 11) gives
Straw for Brains
Parry +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1018]Mark of Vengeance of level 21 (min 18) gives
Krall Hunter
Crit Strike +2
Flytime +1
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1169]Lightningfoot Tuka of level 16 (min 14) gives
Bottled Lightning
Movespeed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1020]Sealing the Abyss Gate of level 21 (min 18) gives
Verteron's Warrior
HP +30
Magic boost +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1319]Prorite's Money of level 19 (min 19) gives
Patient
Evasion +3
Accuracy +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1036]Kaidan Prisoner of level 29 (min 24) gives
Mabangtah's Envoy
Physical Defense +10
Block +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1488]Three Kurin Brothers of level 24 (min 22) gives
Savior of Eiron Forest
HP +30
MP +24
Movespeed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1466][Spy] Respect For Deltras of level 27 (min 26) gives
Eulogist
Crit Strike +5
Attack +2
Parry +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1349]The Klaws' Secret of level 32 (min 30) gives
Klaw Hunter
Magical Accuracy +6
Magic boost +9
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1354]Practical Aerobatics of level 31 (min 30) gives
Aerialist
Fly speed +2%
Flytime +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1368]A Secret Recipe of level 32 (min 30) gives
Kobold Chef
HP +57
MP +57
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1371]Flowers for Isson of level 33 (min 32) gives
Isson's Apologist
Crit Strike +7
Physical Defense +-5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1470][Group] Hannet's Revenge of level 37 (min 32) gives
Bloodsworn
HP +36
Physical Defense +15
Block +12
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1041]A Dangerous Artifact of level 38 (min 33) gives
Demolitions Expert
Magic boost +15
Attack +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1043]Balaur Conspiracy of level 41 (min 35) gives
Eltnen's Hero
Physical Defense +15
Magic Resist +8
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1494][Group] Korumonerk's Worry of level 40 (min 38) gives
Krall Stalker
HP +44
MP +44
Flytime +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1054]Power of the Elim of level 36 (min 31) gives
Arbolu's Anointed
Movespeed +3%
Crit Strike +3
Magic boost +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1620]Start Spreading the News of level 39 (min 35) gives
Big Damn Hero
Block +15
HP +35
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1057]Creating a Monster of level 36 (min 35) gives
Chief Investigator
Attack +1
Movespeed +4%
Magic boost +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1063]Brigadier Indratu of level 48 (min 41) gives
Indratu Bane
Crit Strike +8
Magic boost +11
Flytime +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1619][Group] RM-114c of level 44 (min 41) gives
Tenacious Pursuer
HP +48
MP +48
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1647]Dressing Up For Bollvig of level 43 (min 42) gives
Not-Quite-Master of Disguise
MP +45
Magic Resist +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1554][Spy/Group] The Seiren's Fin of level 45 (min 43) gives
Master Angler
Accuracy +10
Magical Accuracy +8
Crit Strike +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1686]A Cube for Perento of level 45 (min 43) gives
Spymaster
HP +57
Attack +3
Magic Resist +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3502][Group] Nereus Needs You! of level 50 (min 48) gives
Dark Sovereign
HP +65
Magical Accuracy +10
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1071]Speaking Balaur of level 30 (min 25) gives
Balaur Whisperer
Magical Accuracy +3
MP +46
Magic Resist +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1702]Defeat 9th Rank Asmodian Soldiers of level 26 (min 25) gives
Tough
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1710]Defeat 1st Rank Asmodian Soldiers of level 34 (min 25) gives
Battle-Hardened
HP +50
Flytime +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1718]Trading Down of level 40 (min 25) gives
Gullible
Fly speed +2%
Evasion +4
Flytime +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1077]Fragment of Memory 3 of level 45 (min 35) gives
Traitor's Bane
Crit Strike +6
MP +36
Parry +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1798]Jakurerk's Shot at the Big Time of level 40 (min 38) gives
Honorary Black Cloud
Movespeed +5%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1719][Group] Confront Asmodian Officers of level 40 (min 40) gives
Invincible
HP +50
Flytime +5
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1720][Group] Confront Asmodian Generals of level 45 (min 40) gives
Heroic
HP +60
Flytime +5
Fly speed +2%
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1738][Alliance] Defeat Upper Gatekeepers of level 49 (min 47) gives
Battering Ram
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1901]Krallic Potion of level 10 (min 10) gives
Krall Whisperer
Magic boost +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3943][Top Expert] Weaponsmithing Expert of level 30 (min 29) gives
Top Expert
Evasion +6
Magic Resist +6
Physical Defense +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3922]The Gladiator Preceptor's Task of level 34 (min 34) gives
Aetheric Master
HP +45
Attack +3
Magic boost +12
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3912]Intention of Lady Yustiel of level 17 (min 17) gives
Daeva of Mercy
HP +100
HP regen +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1939][Spy] Going out of Business of level 39 (min 36) gives
Veritas Agent
Accuracy +8
Evasion +6
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3908][Group] To Master the Dragon of level 47 (min 45) gives
Dragon Sword Master
Movespeed +4%
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3009][Group] A Cursed Thief of level 24 (min 22) gives
Bounty Hunter
Magic boost +8
Fly speed +1%
Flytime +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3016][Group] Eliminating a Suspect of level 25 (min 23) gives
Gestanerk's Avenger
MP +36
Magical Accuracy +2
Magic Resist +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1094]Project Drakanhammer of level 50 (min 46) gives
Drakanhammer
Magic boost +15
HP +-45
Attack +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3057]Cursed Zirius of level 50 (min 49) gives
Knight Errant
HP +40
Evasion +8
Magic Resist +-6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3211][Group] Steel Rake Captain of level 44 (min 43) gives
Dread Pirate
Crit Strike +10
Magical Accuracy +8
HP +50
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 3940]Loyalty of level 50 (min 45) gives
Miragent Holy Templar
HP +80
Movespeed +3%
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 1099]An Important Choice of level 50 (min 50) gives
Seraphic Vindicator
HP +52
Physical Defense +30
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Orichalcum Token
Circumspect Advisor
Crit Strike +4
Magic crit +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Orichalcum Token
Kind Counsel
Crit Strike +8
Magic crit +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 180 Orichalcum Token
Key Master
Crit Strike +8
Magic crit +4
Movespeed +5%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 360 Progress Token
Alabaster Hand
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
Movespeed +4%
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 180 Radiant Token
Seeker
PVP Attack +20
PVP Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 90 Fortuneers Token
Fortuneer
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 11033]You Make Me Sick of level 52 (min 50) gives
Iron Stomached
HP regen +3
HP +60
MP Regen +3
MP +60
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 11118]Making Setzkiki Laugh of level 54 (min 53) gives
Shulack Friend
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
HP +50
Physical Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 11460]The Shulack of Taloc of level 51 (min 51) gives
Guardian Protector
Healing boost +12
Magic boost +17
HP +50
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Guardian Ally
HP +65
Magical Accuracy +10
Accuracy +14
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30009][Group] Pieces of You of level 55 (min 52) gives
Balaur Eradicator
Block +14
Physical Defense +25
Enmity +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 11063][Spy/Alliance] Eliminate Marchutan's Agent of level 55 (min 55) gives
Kaisinel's Assassin
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
Attack +3
Magic boost +15
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30213][Group] Magical Essence of level 55 (min 53) gives
Discoverer of the Secret
Evasion +7
Accuracy +14
Magical Accuracy +10
Magic Resist +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Vanquisher of Mastarius
Movespeed +3%
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 10025]It's Better! It's an Obelisk! of level 55 (min 55) gives
Tiamat Stalker
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
Crit Strike +7
Magic crit +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30265]A Polearm Walks into a Bar of level 51 (min 50) gives
Akarios' Friend
Fly speed +2%
Flytime +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18405]Memories, in the Corner of His Mind of level 55 (min 50) gives
Drana Journaler
Evasion +10
Magic Resist +10
Block +10
Parry +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18201]The First Rule of the Crucible of level 55 (min 50) gives
Empyrean Challenger
Accuracy +6
Magical Accuracy +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18202]Molfus's Approval of level 55 (min 50) gives
Up-and-Comer
Accuracy +8
Magical Accuracy +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18203]Keep on Driving Me Higher of level 55 (min 50) gives
Master of Preceptors
Accuracy +10
Magical Accuracy +8
Attack +1
Magic boost +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18204]A Giant Illusion of level 55 (min 50) gives
Mighty Combatant
Accuracy +12
Magical Accuracy +10
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18205]Vanquish the Vanktrist of level 55 (min 50) gives
Crucible Champion
Accuracy +14
Magical Accuracy +12
Attack +3
Magic boost +15
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 18206]A Private Exercise of level 55 (min 50) gives
Crucible Challenger
Attack +1
Magic boost +5
HP +30
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Progress Token
Alabaster Wing
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Progress Token
Alabaster Eye
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Radiant Token
Radiant Fist
PVP Attack +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Radiant Token
Radiant Shield
PVP Defense +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Radiant Token
Radiant Blade
PVP Attack +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Radiant Token
Radiant Shroud
PVP Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Fortuneers Token
Tracker
Attack speed +1%
Casting time +1%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Fortuneers Token
Hunter
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%

------------------_ASMO TITLES------------------_

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2007]Where's Rae This Time? of level 9 (min 6) gives
Raider Hero
HP +20
Physical Defense +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2119]Black Opal of level 6 (min 5) gives
Treasure Hunter
Accuracy +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2208]Learning Mau Language of level 12 (min 10) gives
Mau Whisperer
Magic boost +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2022]Crushing the Conspiracy of level 20 (min 12) gives
Protector of Altgard
Crit Strike +2
Magic boost +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2289]Rampaging Mosbears of level 15 (min 13) gives
Legendary Hunter
Parry +6
Movespeed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2230]A Friendly Wager of level 14 (min 12) gives
Mosbear Slayer
Evasion +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2284]Escaping Asmodae of level 16 (min 14) gives
Kind
MP +20
Flytime +1
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2493]Bringing up Tayga of level 20 (min 20) gives
The Cat's Meow
Magic boost +6
Fly speed +1%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2480][Spy] Elim of Elysea of level 23 (min 21) gives
Postal
HP +36
MP +36
Movespeed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2033]Destroying the Curse of level 27 (min 22) gives
Curse Breaker
MP +34
Magic boost +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2334]A New Recipe of level 25 (min 24) gives
Shugo Chef
Evasion +6
Flytime +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2034]The Hand Behind the Ice Claw of level 30 (min 25) gives
Tayga Slayer
Evasion +8
Magic Resist +8
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2368]A Quota of Creatures of level 29 (min 27) gives
Scourge of Mt. Musphel
Fire resist +3
HP +32
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2343]Ancient Ginseng of level 29 (min 29) gives
Ginseng-Infused
HP +40
Movespeed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2377][Group] A Curse-Breaking Clue of level 31 (min 29) gives
Honorary Kidorun
Parry +8
Evasion +6
Fly speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2478][Spy] Ingredients For Sausage of level 30 (min 29) gives
Tenacious
Crit Strike +8
Physical Defense +15
Attack +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2041]Hold The Front Line of level 40 (min 34) gives
Protector of Morheim
Physical Defense +15
Magic Resist +8
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2394]A Dying Wish of level 38 (min 36) gives
Shedim Altruist
MP +42
Magic boost +12
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2437]Father's Revenge of level 38 (min 36) gives
Mosbear Nemesis
Block +15
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2434][Group] Revenge is Sweet of level 38 (min 37) gives
Silver Mane Ally
Attack +2
Magic boost +15
Parry +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2485][Spy/Group] Killing Mabangtah of level 39 (min 37) gives
Provocateur
Accuracy +8
Evasion +6
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2491][Group] Ungrateful Muhamurru of level 40 (min 38) gives
Silver Mane Champion
HP +44
MP +44
Flytime +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2511]Ambitions for Success of level 35 (min 34) gives
Snowfield Predator
Accuracy +9
Crit Strike +7
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2571]Delivering Medical Supplies of level 35 (min 35) gives
Besfer's Shield
Magical Accuracy +8
Magic boost +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2055]The Seiren's Treasure of level 43 (min 38) gives
Easy Mark
Accuracy +10
Magical Accuracy +8
Movespeed +4%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2061]Suppressing the Bakarma Legion of level 48 (min 39) gives
Beluslan's Hero
Crit Strike +8
Magic boost +11
Flytime +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2699][Group] A Mysterious Book of level 36 (min 35) gives
Loremaster
Attack +2
Block +12
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2656][Spy] Letter to a Friend of level 45 (min 41) gives
Emissary
HP +57
Crit Strike +8
Physical Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4502][Group] Essence of Fate of level 50 (min 48) gives
Dark Vindicator
HP +65
Magical Accuracy +10
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2071]Speaking Balaur of level 27 (min 25) gives
Balaur Whisperer
Magical Accuracy +3
MP +46
Magic Resist +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2702]Defeat 9th Rank Elyos Soldiers of level 26 (min 25) gives
Tough
HP +40
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2710]Defeat 1st Rank Elyos Soldiers of level 34 (min 25) gives
Battle-Hardened
HP +50
Flytime +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2718]Trading Down of level 40 (min 25) gives
Born Merchant
Fly speed +2%
Evasion +4
Flytime +3
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2076]The Shadow Summons of level 45 (min 33) gives
Shadow Marked
HP +27
Physical Defense +20
MP +28
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2798]Sign on the Dotted Line of level 40 (min 38) gives
Wheeler-Dealer
Movespeed +5%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2719][Group] Challenge Elyos Officers of level 40 (min 40) gives
Invincible
HP +50
Flytime +5
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2720][Group] Challenge Elyos Generals of level 45 (min 40) gives
Heroic
HP +60
Flytime +5
Fly speed +2%
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2738][Alliance] Top Gatekeepers of level 49 (min 47) gives
Valiant
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4947][Top Expert] Weaponsmithing Expert of level 30 (min 29) gives
Top Expert
Evasion +6
Magic Resist +6
Physical Defense +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4922]The Gladiator Preceptor's Test of level 34 (min 34) gives
Aetheric Master
HP +45
Attack +3
Magic boost +12
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4933]Intention of Lord Marchutan of level 17 (min 17) gives
Azphel's Aegis
HP +100
HP regen +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4912][Group] The Curse of Agrif's Rage of level 47 (min 45) gives
Master of Agrif's Rage
Movespeed +4%
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2928]Power of Love of level 49 (min 45) gives
Factotum
MP +57
Magic Resist +7
Magic boost +15
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4014][Group] The Lingering Ghost of level 24 (min 23) gives
Unyielding Pioneer
Magical Accuracy +6
MP +28
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4017][Group] The Ikelus Manhunt of level 25 (min 24) gives
Protector of Brusthonin
Crit Strike +3
Attack +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2094]The Secret of Adma Stronghold of level 50 (min 46) gives
Spiritspeaker
HP +50
Magic Resist +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4056]Captain's Hat of level 48 (min 47) gives
Pirate of the Carobian
Attack +2
Crit Strike +6
Flytime +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4211][Group] Steel Rake Slaughter of level 44 (min 43) gives
Steel Rake Headhunter
Crit Strike +10
Magical Accuracy +8
HP +50
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 4944]Loyalty and Affableness of level 50 (min 45) gives
Fenris's Fang
HP +80
Movespeed +3%
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 2099]To Face the Future of level 50 (min 50) gives
Shedim Conquerer
HP +52
Physical Defense +30
Attack speed +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Circle Token
Shrewd Advisor
Crit Strike +4
Magic crit +2
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Circle Token
Outstanding Advisor
Crit Strike +8
Magic crit +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 180 Circle Token
The Circle Leader
Crit Strike +8
Magic crit +4
Movespeed +5%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 360 Ward Token
Field Director
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
Movespeed +4%
Fly speed +3%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 180 Crusader Token
Fixer
PVP Attack +20
PVP Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 90 Daemon Token
Daemon
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 21029][Group] Bring Down the Chieftain of level 52 (min 51) gives
Lesson Giver
HP regen +3
HP +60
MP Regen +3
MP +60
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 21109]Chenkiki's Enemies of level 53 (min 52) gives
Incarnation of Vengeance
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
HP +50
Physical Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 21460]A Shulack's Story of level 51 (min 51) gives
Hand of Support
Healing boost +12
Magic boost +17
HP +50
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Apostle of Justice
HP +65
Magical Accuracy +10
Accuracy +14
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30109][Group] Pieces of the Past of level 55 (min 52) gives
Balaur Voltaire
Block +14
Physical Defense +25
Enmity +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 21063][Spy/Alliance] Crush Kaisinel's Agent of level 55 (min 55) gives
Veille's Adversary
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
Attack +3
Magic boost +15
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30313][Group] Opening the Prison of level 55 (min 53) gives
Delver of Mysteries
Evasion +7
Accuracy +14
Magical Accuracy +10
Magic Resist +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Vanquisher of Veille
Movespeed +3%
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 20025]Chase to the End of level 55 (min 55) gives
Obstinate Herdsman
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
Crit Strike +7
Magic crit +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 30365]A Ray of Hope of level 51 (min 50) gives
Arekedil's Hope
Fly speed +2%
Flytime +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28405]Kexkra's Past of level 55 (min 50) gives
Drana Journaler
Evasion +10
Magic Resist +10
Block +10
Parry +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28201]Through the Wind and Fire of level 55 (min 50) gives
Empyrean Challenger
Accuracy +6
Magical Accuracy +4
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28202]Halfway There of level 55 (min 50) gives
Up-and-Comer
Accuracy +8
Magical Accuracy +6
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28203]The Student Becomes the Master of level 55 (min 50) gives
Master of Preceptors
Accuracy +10
Magical Accuracy +8
Attack +1
Magic boost +5
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28204]Everything's Bigger in Asmodae of level 55 (min 50) gives
Mighty Combatant
Accuracy +12
Magical Accuracy +10
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28205]From the Reaches of Nothingness of level 55 (min 50) gives
Crucible Champion
Accuracy +14
Magical Accuracy +12
Attack +3
Magic boost +15
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
[quest: 28206]A Challenging Challenge of level 55 (min 50) gives
Crucible Challenger
Attack +1
Magic boost +5
HP +30
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Ward Token
Field Warden
Attack +2
Magic boost +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Ward Token
Field Agent
Attack +3
Magic boost +17
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Crusader Token
Blood Champion
PVP Attack +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Crusader Token
Blood Sentinel
PVP Defense +10
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Crusader Token
Blood Conqueror
PVP Attack +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Crusader Token
Blood Phalanx
PVP Defense +20
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 7 Daemon Token
Operator
Attack speed +1%
Casting time +1%
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Buy for 14 Daemon Token
Handler
Attack speed +2%
Casting time +2%

friends, i’d be grateful if anyone could suggest a crossword book/publisheseries they like that have more current events and clues, if that makes sense? my wife and i have a few of NYT “best of” books, and we wind down with them at night. these are great, but they’re a bit dated and repetitive. both of us born in the late 80s, and trying to choose healthier activities before bed for better sleep 🤙🏻

Anyone have any thoughts on the plot? Anyone see it?
What do you think the implication is at the end of the main character smiling? Did she kill any of the men in the village? Was it all a nightmare/hallucination?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_(2022_film))

"So, that seemed... Mellow, back there," Najia said, as the Golden Flea's struts sank into the landing pad of the nearby massive stronghold fortress she had constructed. It was absurdly nearby, honestly; she could simply look up and see the Arcadian Endeavour hanging nearby. "That whole 'not revenge; profit. That's... Not what I'd expect, honestly."
"Revenge doesn't pay dividends," Ace noted. "At least, not direct ones. There is an argument to be made, of course, that it pays dividends in that if you take revenge for a wrong you consider egregious - such as selling out - then others will be unlikely to do so in the future. Even so, Mellerd now belongs to the Ministry; doing something brutal to her would likely draw reprisals that the Curs would not wish to incur. It would be deeply unprofitable. The Maestro is, as always, dedicated to two things; that the Curs remain their own masters, and profitable."
Najia nodded. "So... They won't be coming after you for selling out to me?" "I... I think not. Especially not after you made a very dramatic display of affection on the landing pad." Ace trilled, licking her lips; she could still taste Najia's tongue on her own, and it agreed with her. She sat back in her seat, and sighed heavily. The thought of abandoning the Flea was distasteful... But Najia was right; the Golden Flea was a pirate's sloop, not a starfighter. They were sure to be greatly outnumbered in an outright brazen attack on a station, fending off the defending fighters. This was not a task for a vessel with a 3,000 cubic meter cargo hold, it was a task for a starfighter whose shining virtues were speed and shield strength. At those combined, Ace had seen no finer vessel than the prototype Paramerion. "You really intend to see this through, don't you," she asked Najia, as she turned around in her seat. Najia nodded, and reached under Ace's arms, grasping her slim chest. Ace grasped her arms in turn, and Najia lifted her up, kissing her again, pressing her against the wall of the cockpit. "Yes, I do," she said into the kiss, before pressing her tongue back into Ace's mouth again.
Ace swirled her long, dexterous tongue around Najia's, then the human pulled away; too soon for her preference, and Ace let the drawing back tug her tongue briefly out of her mouth, before it slipped off the mammalian magnate's tongue, and she made an audible cluck in her mouth. "Thank you," Ace said, reaching up and running her fingers through Najia's hair. "It... It hardly escapes my notice that you are risking your position with the Teladi Company and the Ministry of Finance to do this; and, I suspect, you are only willing to do so for me."
Najia blushed, and smiled. "Well... I like you." "I can tell!" Ace trilled, and leaned forward; she bit Najia's neck, affectionately, getting a sharp yelp and a giggle for her troubles. She planted her feet on Najia's hips, squeezing her with her toes. "I want you. It's deeply unfortunate we probably don't have time to fornicate," she said, with a rough trill of pleasure and amusement. The emphatic nature of her desire surprised even her, but she was willing to following it where it went.
"Ugh, I know, right?" Najia let every bit of schoolgirl frustration flow into her voice, as she turned her head, and experimentally bit Ace in turn, pressing her teeth into the scales of the Teladi's neck. She received a pleasured hiss-trill in turn, and took it that it was well-received, pulling back and setting Ace down. "Back into Avarice for me," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Although... We could dock the Paramerion on Jackdaw and hole up in my cabin..."
Ace trilled, triumphantly. "That is a very good idea," she said, then let out a slow huffing hiss. "It would be very pleasurable. But I am going to need to familiarize myself with the Paramerion far moreso than I got on our test-drive outing. I may have to engage in a few minor acts of piracy," she noted, with a soft trill.
"If it's to keep cover, we could coordinate and arrange for pre-arranged Takio Enterprises ships to drop their cargo for you," Najia offered. Ace shook her head. "No; mainly for familiarization with the ship. I won't get that if it's not real," Ace said. "I will not die, I promise you."
"Good." Najia took Ace's hands, curling her fingers around the Teladi's comparatively huge ones, letting Ace curl her fingers around hers in turn. "Because I need you. I need you as much as I need Marta, or Xiaowen, or Fatimah, or Tsukiko, or..." "Enough. If you name the people you require in your proximity at length, we may be here all day," Ace said, with a vibrating trill. "Just please tell me you require me more than you require Boso Ta, and we may call that sufficient."
Najia howled with laughter, turning away and giggling. "Yes, I need you more than I need Boso Ta." She looked up and grinned at Ace, then leaned forward, nuzzling cheek-to-cheek with her. "Be safe, okay?"
"I shall be," Ace promised her. "Now, go, your Jackdaw awaits."
Many hours later, with the Paramerion repainted to her liking, Ace was having a ball flying it. The pilot who had been running it around had stuck with her, operating the auxiliary console behind her, while she blasted through Farnham's Legend; wild space, mostly occupied by miners, but with enough traffic going through it to justify the larceny.
"Argon high-tech trader," the human behind her said. Ace looked back at her; with as much satellite coverage of the area as Takio Enterprises had, they could easily see the goings-and-comings. "Ides Vanguard. A bit risky. You sure you want to do this?"
Ace looked back at the human woman; not as tall as Marta but just as dark of skin, with her hair pulled back from tidy cornrows into a tight bun, wearing a sleek, professional Segaris-style spacer's outfit. She chuckled. "You aren't afraid, are you?" "A little bit, yeah!" The human chuckled, nervously. "I'm a stunt pilot, so, sure, I get that this ship is meant for doing crazy stunts, but that's a big ship. Compared to this one, anyway. And we definitely don't need to do this for the cargo."
"No, we do not," Ace agreed. "However, I need to see what she can do; in a fight, a real fight, against real opposition. Convincing a freighter to drop her cargo is a good way to do that. And, well, if we turn a profit on the deal, so much the better. You and I will split what is not the Curs' cut, evenly. Fair?" The human puffed up her cheeks, letting it out in a huff. "I didn't say it was unfair. Just that we didn't need it. But hell, I guess there is no training like a live-fire training. It just don't sit right with me, picking a fight with some random poor schlub like this. We're about to ruin this poor pilot's whole day for not a whole lot of good reason. It just don't seem fair to me."
Ace let out a slight hiss, but not of anger; of discontent. "It is not fair. But such is life; besides, we can take hardly any cargo at all aboard this vessel. She will drop her cargo after we make it clear that we are not to be taken lightly, we will take our fill, depart, and she will recover the rest. She will not lose much, except some pride. If it sits too poorly with you, of course, you could simply take the teleporter in the lift and teleport to the Takio Enterprises mining vessel in-system, they would surely let you ride home with them."
The human behind her snorted. "Yeah... Nah. I ain't gonna bail on you, one way or t'other. Right," she said, steeling herself. "Let's do this." Ace trilled. "Let us do this, indeed."
Aboard the Falx Jackdaw, now renamed, many hours later, Najia was sitting at one of the flight deck consoles, and catching up on some work, whilst talking with Boso Ta, who had just finished pretty much demanding an update on her current activities. Najia didn't honestly know why was humoring Boso Ta, but she did, and the Boron had listened attentively, as she told him of her plan to do petty crime for a Ministry stooge who was still engaging in crime, in order to get close and rob her of her prototype ship. "Mmmmm-hmm! Just be wary that you do not end up heading for a prison cell!" Boso did a flip in his tank. Behind him, she could see the sight of the aged Professor Nakagawa and Yorilos, staring out the window at the great asteroid and discussing something. She hoped that Yorilos wasn't about to annoy the professor into gutting him. "As far as I know," Boso Ta continued, "any technology that teh Ministy Science Division is highly unimaginative, and pragmatic. Let us remain curious, but prepare for a sincere lack of admiration for the intricacy of their work."
"Boso Ta!" the aged professor called, from behind the tank. "Attend us, quickly. This young man has given me an idea." Najia watched as Boso Ta half-flipped, inverting himself and facing backwards. "Yes, Professor?" "Go on, Yorilos," the Professor demanded. "Say to Boso Ta what you just said to me." "Why, I merely said, it is the job of the Invisible Hand of the Free Market to provide; and, when something is not provided, it will be provided all the faster for the spike of demand."
There was a moment's pause. Boso Ta righted himself, still facing the trio. "I am afraid that I have not recieved the same spike of inspiration that you have, professor." "The 'Invisible Hand,' in terms of economics, is I am sorry to say, nonsense," the aged Professor spake. Yorilos looked positively scandalized, taking a step back. "But! In terms of technology... We have teleportation equipment installed in our ships now, yes? The biggest ache we face going forward is going to be refitting as we further develop the technology. What if we could use the teleporters already in-place to upgrade themselves?"
A beat passed between them all. Najia cleared her throat, and increased the range of her communications from simply Boso's tank, to all of them. "Professor, do you mean to say you believe you can use the teleporters we've already installed in ships to install the upgraded versions you're developing?" "That is what I said, Takio-san," Professor Nakagawa snapped at her, somewhere between painfully formally polite and biting at her like a slow student. She winced, but nodded, as he continued, "it is feasible in theory. The devices are not particularly big. They are constructed largely of Computronic Substrate." "We would have to test the procedure here," Boso Ta said. "But, if it proves viable, it should be possible to propagate the upgrades far and wide. Stations and large vessels, of course, can provide their own upgrades with their machine shops, but smaller vessels will still be able to upgrade themselves if the professor's idea works."
Najia nodded. "That's... Brilliant, Professor, Boso Ta, Yorilos." She nodded to them all. "Please, get to work on it." "Hai," the aged man snapped at her, with a bow of his head. The comm channel cut, and Najia laughed softly. She sighed, and looked back to the paperwork she was working on - then she did a double-take.
She had apparently either done something she didn't remember doing, or there was something strange going on; she had always had plans to build another station in Gaian Prophecy; a massive, megalodon of a station, but she'd never gotten around to it. She had thrown a bunch of requirements into a station-building file, then forgotten about it as other things came up.
Now she saw that it was under construction. Physical construction. It was also kind of an elegant beauty, she saw, not unlike the ones she herself made from whole cloth. This one was even cleverer though, compacting vast chains of industrial units into the tightest imaginable spaces; it wasn't the kind of fractal nonsense - which worked but only in software, breaking down when people had to try and navigate it - that an AI agent tended to come up with when let loose, but some of the thinking was definitely twisted, outside-the-box.
She checked the timestamps, then she groaned, and laughed, facepalming. "Oh, I am an idiot somedays!" "Mmmmhmmm." Marta shot back at her from the rumble-seat behind her. "What'd you do this time?" "I gave Ace one of my datapads."
"... You dumb mutha-fucka," Marta shot at her. "Even for you, that's dumb. What happened, she drain your account and make herself gone?" Najia snorted. "No. Would you blame her if she had, though?" "Hell nawh! I'd be tempted to do that disappearing act myself," Marta retorted. "What happened?"
"She... Finished a space station design I'd left mostly unstarted, and apparently ordered its construction." Najia looked back at Marta, who smirked at her. "She did what? Shiiiiiit... Wait, do we know she knew it was real? If you didn't know what it was, the software you use to design space stations might look like a crazy nerd's game."
Laughing, Najia shook her head. "I don't know, and I'm not sure where it is, either. I'm going to remotely kill that datapad because she might have left it somewhere, and I'm gonna double-check all my logins." "Mmm-hmmm. Good idea, dumbass," Marta retorted, standing up, walking over, and smacking the back of her head, without heat.
"The Scale Plate run this place? Najia hates these humps," the human in the back of the little ship's cockpit said, alarmed. "Yes, she does. I have no love for them either, Namiko," Ace said, trilling; she had of course, since learned the human's name in the day they had been engaging in larceny. They'd successfully forced three freighters to drop cargo for them, and while robbing the last one, a group of fighters which was passing through attacked, forcing them to run. "Then what in the blazes are we doing here," Namiko asked, through gritted teeth. "Deception. After all, Wildcard the Pirate has no grudge with the Scale Plate Pact," Ace explained. "Nor do the Empyrean Curs. Selling the cargo we have collected here will look normal and reasonable for a couple of pirates in a small ship; we will also be able to shelter here for some time, to allow the heat to die down."
Namiko let out a heavy huff, and rubbed her eyes. "I guess that makes sense. That doesn't mean I have to like it." "Nor does it mean I have to like it," Ace pointed out. "It is, however, the most reasonable course of action. Notwithstanding that Najia will probably wish to know of the location of this hidden stronghold of the faction she loathes," she pointed out, "we will be safe here."
"Safe on a pirate station?" "At present, we are pirates. Not affiliated with the Pact, but, shipjacking is a surprisingly rare thing on ports like this. Besides, we shall sleep in shifts, beginning with you; you are clearly exhausted."
Namiko blinked at that, and sighed. "Yeah. I am." She huffed sourly, and nodded. "Alright. Just, like... Don't sell the ship or anything." Ace huffed indignantly, and looked back to the controls, resolving not to dignify the human pilot's distrust with an answer.
After a good night's sleep, Najia found that the Jackdaw was settling in on the station in Avarice where she had been directed. The runaround between stations was frankly beginning to annoy her, but at least it was moving matters forward.
"Right. Let's get on with it," she said to no-one in particular as she dressed again, heading for the lift. Marta and two her security personnel were already waiting on the ramp. They had chosen to dress like she had; bared midriffs in Avaricous style, but otherwise sleek.
"So, did Maestro tell us who to ask for," Marta asked. She and her security types were carrying machine pistols; the fact that they weren't dressed alike - similarly-cut outfits, but different colors and stylistic lines, and the addition of a headband here, an armband there - should hopefully make them look a little less obviously uniform. Her voice held clear sarcasm in it, and Najia smirked. "No, but, I figure we find the seediest looking person in the bar and see what they're up to. Then work our way up to the more reputable ones."
"Mmmmhmmm. Sure. Let's go."
One of Marta's associates preceded them into the bar by a good five minutes, at Marta's insistence. It was crowded, but she noted that some of the denizens were wearing some of the clothing that her Necessities station was peddling. Not many pieces... But Najia hoped it would look like they were a Windfall pirate crew with more money than the locals, who had patronized the Necessities station before docking here.
The seediest looking fellow in the bar, by far and away, was a human man who was hunched over a card table; he frankly screamed 'villainous cripple' by his posture and the fact that he looked like his face had been half-burnt off and treated proficiently but at the cheapest possible medical facility, and 'criminal fixer' by his outfit, which was by far the most expensive in the bar, inclusive of Najia's own.
This guy is a caricature, Najia thought, observing him out of the corner of her eye as she nursed a drink - coffee, with a shot of what passed for whiskey here (which she thought was wretched; but she was in a bar) - and leaned against the window.
She was frankly discounting the too-obvious man, having Marta observe the next-most suspicious character, a Teladi who seemed positively 'normal,' save for the fact that she was drinking a very expensive drink and drumming her fingers.
"No go," Marta said, sidling up to her, grabbing her rear end and squeezing hard. Najia certainly didn't mind the affection from her oldest friend; and, of course, no-one would expect that a magnate would be slumming it in a bar and letting rough women just grab her ass. "I had Sylvie chat her up, she's just peddlin' ships and not tolerating questions of ownership. Just a stolen ship broker; Sylvie asked if she was working for anyone, and she said, just herself. I think it really is that guy."
Najia snorted, looking at the man in the corner. Three locals had come by to him and gone in the time it had taken Marta to investigate the Teladi ship broker. Najia sighed. "Well... He does look the part." She squared her shoulders. "Time to go play the wild card."
Marta smirked at her, as Najia walked over, dropping into the seat opposite the man with the slightly-misshaped, slightly-plastic-looking skin on his face. "You must be looking for a job," the man said. His voice was surprisingly smooth and non-grating, non-gravelly. Najia had half-expected him to speak with a painful rasp.
"I'm not looking for any credit-ante bullshit," Najia said, trying to force the brashness of a professional pirate into her voice. "Too many nobodies wasting my time with small jobs. This had better be for someone big enough I couldn't just squish them like a bug myself," she said, taking a drain of her coffee.
The fixer smirked at her. "Yeah, it's for one of the big shots," he assured her. "It does pay well, if that's what you're after." "Forget 'Pays well,'" Najia said. "I can make 'pays well' money by 'jacking any random hauler. I'm looking for something for someone, someone who's going places. I'm an ambitious woman, you see. See that Jackdaw out there?" She pointed with a thumb over her shoulder, to where her Falx frigate was holding the place of pride on the small landing platform. "That's me. I don't have time to waste doing jobs for someone who doesn't need more than a transit pod."
The fixer fixed her with a gaze, and chuckled. "Looking to swim with the sharks? Sure. That too can be arranged," he said, straightening up. "There's a Split in the corner booth over there. My boss wants to talk to him, urgently, and, notwithstanding what you said about transit pods, he is looking for a ride anyway. Just bring him to our place instead. Your reward shall be the audience you're looking for; afterwards, the both of you can fly off again." He snorted, tossing his head towards the corner booth he meant to indicate. Najia glanced over at it, then back to the fixer. He nodded again, more firmly.
Clearly, she was dismissed. Najia thought about having Marta and her goons question him more thoroughly - it did seem somewhat demeaning for the pirate she was supposed to be - but, she looked over at the booth again, then scowled darkly at the fixer, long enough to make it clear (she hoped) that she was doing a 'credit-ante' task only because it was promising to lead to bigger things - and that violence would befall him if it didn't.
She got up again, pushing the chair back and not gently, with her boot, and re-joined Marta at the window. They drank their respective drinks together in silence, then Marta took her empty 'Irish' coffee mug, as she went to drop into the Split's booth. He was brooding, and incongruously looked freshly-scrubbed himself, but was wearing a filthy outfit that had once been red. "That jackass in the corner said you were bothering people for a ride. You look like you've had a shitty week, friend," she said to him. He stared at her with eyes like beads of black in tight slits, for a long few moments.
"Misery," he said, bluntly. "Split trying to escape family business; biggest family left in Windfall during shutdown. Split either join, or grow up with none. So all Split from Windfall belong to Family Than."
Najia filed that away for later; if nothing else, it might be a useful thread to tug upon concerning Maestro. "That sounds frustrating," she said. "You ran away from them, but now you're trapped here? They looking for you?" He shrugged. "Old history. Split was born into it," he said, straightening up. "Split rather not discuss family trouble publicly."
"Fair enough. So, what's your plan, then," Najia asked, wondering what in the hell this 'Mellerd' person might want with a Split trying to escape a criminal past. "Split earn proper name; earn back honor," he declared. "Huh... And where would you go to do that," Najia asked, leaning back. "For split, only one place for that kind of thing," he declared. Najia racked her brain, trying to think of what he could mean, but he preempted her, "Split believes should not discuss such matters with outsiders."
Najia nodded, and snorted. "Fair enough." She sighed, heavily. "Well, this whole trip has been a waste of my time," she muttered, snarling. "But, I am leaving Avarice, and heading out of Windfall without stopping. I'm not exactly a charity, but life has clearly kicked you where it hurts, so... Hell, I can take you for a ride the hell out of here."
He regarded her, tensely, then nodded. "Split finally leaving dingy bar, then," he said, nodding. "Great. Time to go. Where should Split report to depart?" "Jackdaw. Grab whatever you need and hustle. I'm ready to burn space." Without waiting for a response, she stood up, brusquely departing. The acting was wearing on her, and she strode rapidly through the Raker station's dingy corridors, with Marta and her security following quickly.
"You know," Marta said, in the lift. "This is all very... Half-assed," she said. "Yeah, that has occured to me, too," Najia said. "But frankly, if it works... A stupid idea that works, right?"
"What if our 'friend' there gets violent or something? What if his whole plan is to get some poor spacer to agree to give him a ride, and then try to hijack their ship?" Najia looked at Marta. "There's what, twenty of your marines on this ship?" Jackdaw had such a small actual flight crew that Najia's personal intervention in flight operations was likely a necessity. It was, however, stuffed with fake pirates - Marta's recruits who could handle firearms. "If he manages to hijack this ship solo, he probably deserves it," she said, with a smirk. "But, hey, we're supposed to be pirates. Give him a bunk somewhere, and tell him to stay out of anywhere sensitive."
Marta nodded, and Najia cracked her knuckles, and added, "I'm just going to take the stick and cut every corner to get us to this Wormwood place."
Najia let out a huffing hiss. "I hope Ace and Namiko are having a better day than we are."
Namiko Chen was very much wishing the cockpit of the Parmerion had tandem seats rather than a standing aux console. She was wearing her vaccsuit, as was Ace, her EV suit's boots were holding her to the deck additional to the ship's A-Grav, she had a tether attaching her to the console's side-rail, and she was still being tossed about as Ace maneuvered the Parmerion violently.
Moments ago, she had released countermeasures, and a split-second after she was thrown back to her tether's extent, a blossom of light outside the cockpit window indicated that the missile had missed them, foxxed by the flares. She was, in a word, terrified, but feeling wrathful to boot. The Split asshole had come out of nowhere, leading with a missile, as she had been browsing through Najia's music files for her and Ace. Luckily, she had reacted when she heard Ace's hiss of alarm, slapping the flares button. "He must not want us hitting that mark," Namiko said, hissing annoyedly. "That fat bastard's got enough loot for us both and then some," she noted, as Ace threw the Paramerion around.
Najia didn't skimp on her ships, that was for sure; the Paramerion was the most maneuverable thing Ace had ever flown, but the Split was more maneuverable still. Even so, she realized, as she hissed loudly in response to the Split pilot's taunt that Chelt were better pilots than she was; she was the better pilot. By far. The Split pirate jinked and she jerked her stick around, but she couldn't seem to predict Ace's maneuvers, and despite having the faster turn, Ace threw her off. "Hold on back there, Namiko," Ace ordered the human who had come with the ship, as the harsh-sounding, yet somehow heroic song Namiko had cued up just before the missile alert had sounded began singing, crying about a desperate struggle, paying the price of a large amount of territory to gain a stone's throw of it. "You're clear ahead, punch it!"
Ace did as instructed, trusting Namiko had a better eye on the overall than she did, and at full boost engaged the Travel drive.
The Paramerion launched itself into full Travel drive, leaving the Split pilot behind in their plasma trail. She toyed with the notion that she might get away entirely, but Split engines were legendarily fast. Even with the instant acceleration of the Terran engine, even the slippery and fast Parmerion was outmatched in that regard. "We won't get away in a straight line," she said, hissing low. "Nope, but we accelerate and decelerate faster. Get ready to fox this bitch," Namiko said. "You know what an Immelmann is?"
"I do," Ace said. "Good. You're gonna do two of 'em, only the top one is gonna be a full wingover; no boost on the second! Starting... Now!" Ace was a pirate, not a starfighter ace, no matter what her name. Even so, she understood what Namiko wanted of her, and immediately killed the Travel drive, hauling back hard on her holographic haptic stick. The Paramerion let out the slightest of groans as the falling-off of Travel drive reacted with the ship's powerful pitch thrusters, and she performed a mostly-neat hundred-and-eighty-degree course correction, flipping back into Travel drive. She took the time to invert her direction of flight; meaningless in space, but she understood it was the required maneuver to complete. She boosted into Travel drive, draining her shields somewhat as the ship took off again. The Split pilot tore past below her, and corrected to follow her. The difference in acceleration was telling, even though the Split's engines were legendarily swift. Ace got up to speed and tore off again, opening distance, but the rate of open slowed quickly. "Now - now!"
Ace followed the instruction, killing her travel drive and hauling back. She heard Namiko grunt behind her as she pulled the ship into yet another hard-as-it-could-go 'climb.' "Wing... Over!" Namiko grunted, "at Travel!"
Ace complied; instead of making a neat, precision flying maneuver, she hauled back and to the side, continuing to twist and turn, and engaged Travel drive as her shields started to recharge. For a moment, the purpose eluded her; then it hit her.
The Split pilot, frustrated and presumably unfamiliar with the Terran ships and their economical boost, was spending her shields profligately to give 'chase,' and had thought Ace was trying the same maneuver as before to evade. The Split tore past 'under' her as the full wing-over she executed actually spun her around the oncoming pilot's axis of flight, and dropped her in behind her as she tore away; behind her, Ace dropped in and got a perfect shot at her aft, as her shields drained to nil.
Ace killed her T-Drive thrusters as she pulled in on the holographic firing studs under her fingers. The twin rotary cannons, oddly-slow-firing for being rotary, spake on either side in front of her, accelerated bolts of energy catching up with the enemy pilot, tearing into her ship. Whatever the virtues of Split agility or close-range firepower, hull durability was not counted among among the qualities of their raider vessels. A few shots caused the opposing ship to crumple, then explode in a dramatic burst of fire.
Ace let out a startled hiss; she hadn't hit the other fighter all that hard, she had thought. Namiko let out a cheer behind her. "Yeah! Ended her rightly! Fuck that bee-yotch!"
Ace looked behind herself, with a disbelieving trill. "You turned bloodthirsty in short order!" The space-suited human laughed back at her. "Hey, it don't feel right to be the one to start something. That bitch came outta nowhere and tried to shove a missile up our collective ass. Fuck 'er."
Ace trilled again. "I suppose you are right," she said, turning back forward. "We have little cause to bemoan the loss of a raider who senselessly attacked us, after all. "Ain't that the truth. We'd better hustle though. Najia's gonna be at Woodworm before too long. We need to be in position to strike, I guess."
Ace nodded. "I haven't forgotten. You are a help to have in the cockpit."
"So, you ready for this," Marta asked. Najia nodded. "You really ready for this? 'Cause this could go tits-up real fast, and we are, you know... About to fuck with a prison. We could wind up in the cells ourselves if this goes to pot." "Yeah, I know." Najia checked her machine pistol. She didn't expect to need it, but... They were in the Falx's mess, with the four of Marta's marines who were going to help make sure the landing went smoothly. Marta had raised the point that the Split fellow might not appreciate being taken to a prison. "You know your part, right?" "Sure. Go down to a security junction station, hopefully unmanned, slip in your little pressies to all the consoles there, and shut this shit down; hopefully giving us an edge in the escape. No problem, piece of cake," she said cloyingly, sarcastically. "And if this goes absolutely to shit and we wind up in cells?"
Najia swallowed, and sighed. "If it goes that bad, well... You've already set it up, right?" "Yeah. Twelve hours from now, someone else pays this place a visit with the electronic hack-fuck goodies, shuts it all down, and Free Spirit and Queen Anne's Revenge stage a massive raid to break out all the prisoners, ourselves included. Man... Najia, this feels messy," she said. "I hope to fuck Ace is worth it." "She is. You know that," Najia said. "Besides... I wanna get my hands on that Raven. It sounds interesting," she added, with a grin.
Marta laughed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Besides, we're kind of in it now. Let's go."
The ship hissed as it made its landing, and the Split they were taking with them headed for the ramp, with Najia and Marta heading out first, and the rest of Marta's crew joining them. Najia swallowed as the ramp lowered. She was betraying this passenger. Sure, he was probably a pirate or something to that effect, but he also made it sound like he hadn't had much choice in the matter. She took a deep breath and strode out onto the platform, followed by Marta, the Split, and the backup security. Then came the expected explosion.
*"Where did you bring me?! Kriss's station!?" He looked around agitatedly, as a trio of armed goons - hardly uniformed security - approached them. The lead man approached not her, but the Split. He was dressed like an Avarice tough made good, and pointed his finger at the Split. "Our boss wants a chat with you." Snarling, the Split looked to Najia, then back to the man who was confronting him. "This Curs business?"
Curs business? Najia barely restrained her surprise. Her passenger knew of the Empyrean Curs somehow, apparently. "Do not worry," the tough guy said to the passenger. "You will be out in no time." "Split done with Curs!" the betrayed passenger thundered, and looked to Najia. "Split make you pay!"
Najia managed to keep a level gaze as the Split was marched off by the two goons who had arrived with the goon prime, who looked at her. "And now to you." He left an air of vague menace in his voice, as if to imply that betraying Najia might be his next move. That, she thought, would be a bad move out on the pad with her five armed guards nearby and fifteen more in the ship, but it wouldn't go well for anyone, really. "What reward did you agree to?" He asked the question with a touch of sarcasm in his voice; she expected he knew damn well what she had been promised. He brightened, suddenly, as if making a jest, and being bad at it. "Ah, right. Talking to Mellerd. Sure. You have clearance to meet her in her office. Go right ahead."
He shrugged at her, and headed for the lift. Najia blinked, looking at Marta, who shrugged at her in turn and shook her head. They headed for the lift together, two of Marta's guards peeling off to follow each of them. In the lift, Marta raised her hand, and Najia met it in a fist-bump. "Here we go, sister," she said to Najia, smiling. The three of them disembarked, and Najia continued on to Mellerd's office.
Kriss Mellerd's office was a common-plan station manager's office. Najia briefly considered that, frankly, she didn't need to go through the rigmarole of abducting a man to get this audience; Najia Takio could get an audience with any station manager she demanded to see, and she could have distracted Mellerd while Marta did the deed with the side console.
A moment later, she realized, she should have done that, as Kriss Mellerd, smiling at her, greeted her by name. "Greetings, Ms. Takio." Oh fuck. Somehow, Najia kept her face schooled, but this was, in the vernacular, A Big Fucking Problem. Kriss Mellerd did apparently know her face. It would be transparently obvious on examination of any records that she had arrived aboard Jackdaw. In a word, everything was falling apart, and she could only hope that Marta's hacking was going better.
Marta let out a derisive snort. "For a prison, this is fucking unacceptable." She and her two 'pirates' had trivially found an unoccupied, unmonitored, apparently-abandoned-and-forgotten-about - but not disconnected - security substation. In fact, it was so obvious that she had had Nadine, the technically-inclined, check for bugs, wiretaps, sandboxes... No, this was quite simply negligence of the worst sort.
"Showtime," Marta said, plugging in the hack-boxes. There was no need to wipe them down for fingerprints or anything; their clothes, hair, and exposed skin had all been sealed with forensic sealant before they disembarked the ship, and the hack-boxes were made of Claytronics rather than Computronic Substrate, that would fold into itself, mutilate itself, and then dissolve into essentially-unrecognizable goo from which recovering any forensic evidence would be absolutely impossible. All on a timed delay to give Najia time to blag in the office, and the Empryean Curs time to arrive.
"Ace, call coming in for you," Namiko said from behind her. Ace looked back. "I think this is a recall order from the Maestro? Punching it through to your screen." Ace looked down at the comm panel. It wasn't a video connection, but it was a recall order. She let out a low hiss. "It is indeed. We are to return to the Arcadian Endeavour." "That won't be a problem, will it? I mean, us turning up in this ship?" "I doubt it. Najia in her Wildcard persona made quite the demonstration of her intention to bestow me with a starfighter on the landing pad. Whatever happens, I will not allow anything untoward to befall you."
A beat passed. "Really?" "Najia entrusted you to my care. We have flown together. You are an ally at the least, and I will ensure that no matter what comes, at minimum you will escape with this starfighter unharmed."
Another beat passed, and Namiko snorted. "Well... Damn. Thanks, Ace. You're alright."
"Welcome to Wormwood Scrubs!" I imagine that you are wondering if our little arrangement falls into line with official Ministry business," Kriss continued her introduction. Najia managed not to squirm; and, incongrously, found herself seething with jealousy at Mellerd's fashionable suit. It was the stupidest thing to be thinking at the moment; but it helped, oddly, keep her attention off how fucked the plan was. "You should know that I used to fly with a pirate crew," Mellerd said. Najia's eyebrows rose a little; hopefully it would be taken as surprise at the news, though it was surprise that Kriss was being so open about it. "I still have contacts there, which makes me quite an asset for the Ministry."
Najia's eyebrows rose in surprise again, her eyes no doubt quite wide. That would be news that the Maestro would definitely want to hear. If she were a true, loyal-to-the-core Empyrean Cur, no doubt she would share it immediately, but she decided to hold onto that nugget. "Wow," she said, nodding. "I see. So, you sold out to the Ministry from a pirate clan?"
Kriss nodded. "They rewarded me with a job bossing around Ministry employees, who look at me as if I have no clue about what I'm even doing here." Najia snorted at disbelief at that. Kriss could easily pass muster as a high-ranking Argon, Pioneer, or Terran official; she cleaned up well, whether or not she used to be a pirate. "You look like you belong in a boardroom," she commented, and got a brightening of Kriss' eyes.
"It is an uphill battle on both fronts, but we are fighting the good fight. You know? Ending unregulated illicit trade and all that. All I'm saying is, there is merit in disclosing any illegal activities that you might know about. The Ministry is still extremely interested, and pays generously... I don't imagine that you requested our meeting to receive my personal gratitude, so let's talk business. What can I do for you?"
Najia snorted, sucking in a breath. If this had been a tabletop roleplaying game five years ago around a table with her circle of friends, her character might have made an advance about actually being there to receive 'the most personal' gratitude. But while Kriss had seemed somewhat receptive to the flattery, that was obviously off the table, and she'd have to think fast.

horse trainers rope crossword clue: LONGE
banned tree spray crossword clue: ALAR
swimming trunks worn by some surfers crossword clue: BOARDSHORTS
mail sorting place crossword clue: GPO
I solved a lot of crossword puzzles today. I wrote above that I could not find the answers among them. the site where I found these crossword clues is allcrosswordclue.com

Hello! I have been teaching my girlfriend to solve cryptic crosswords for the last few months. We work through the Guardian cryptic crossword most weekdays, plus the prize crossword at weekends, and she routinely unravels about half the clues in each grid. I would like to celebrate her achievements (and test her skills!) with a cryptic crossword themed Easter egg hunt.
I'm going to hide clues in five locations which will eventually lead to the hiding place of her egg:

1. Fridge
2. Medicine cabinet
3. Car boot
4. Daisy (my neighbour's dog, who will have the final clue on her collar)
5. Laundry basket

I've written clues for the first four locations, but wonder if you can improve them or suggest alternatives (perhaps even with an Easter theme)?

It's cold at peak of frosty hill (6)
Political alliance in pursuit of drugs, finding them here? (8,7)
Monopoly tokens for sale? (3,4)
Flower diaries regularly given at start of year (5)

I am struggling to write a cryptic clue for "laundry basket". Do you have any ideas? I was thinking something to do with "LA" and "NY" appearing in 'laundry' but couldn't make it stick. Or an anagram with "pants" as the indicator! But I am sure you can do better - all thoughts gratefully received.
Thank you very much for your help! :)

Bonjour tout le monde!
So there I am, doing my little Linguno crossword puzzle, and for the clue "She was able to kill two birds with one stone" the answer for "she was able" was not "a pu," as I expected, but rather "a su."
In my Anglophone head, which wants to swim in literal channels, that translates as "She knew how to kill two birds with one stone."
So two questions:
1) is "a su" a correct translation for "she was able?"
2) If so, is it just an idiomatic use with "faire d'un pierre deux coups" or would you also use "a su" like this in other, additional contexts for "was able" or "could"?
Merci d'avance!

Hi Reddit! I'm a student working on a project about interactions on Reddit, specifically the use of hidden text using the ">!text Here's how it works:

1. In the comments section, share a hidden message, hint, riddle, or joke using the ">!text
2. Engage with others by revealing their hidden text, solving their riddles, or responding to their jokes.
3. Feel free to create chains of hidden text, where one hidden message leads to another, making the game more engaging and challenging.

The goal of this game is to explore how hidden text can create a playful and interactive experience for Reddit users. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback about the game as well!
Your participation and insights will be valuable in shaping my project. Thank you for joining the Hidden Text Game, and let's have some fun!
I think we can start with the crossword puzzle game:
Across:
>!A four-legged animal often kept as a pet!<
>!A sweet treat often eaten during movie nights!<
Down:
>!A large body of water that covers about 71% of the Earth's surface!<
>!A yellow fruit that's a good source of potassium!<
To participate, reveal the hidden text to see the crossword clues, then reply with your answers using the hidden text format (e.g., "1 Across: >!Answer
Feel free to create your own crossword puzzles or other games using hidden text, and engage with others by revealing their hidden text, solving their puzzles, or responding to their games. You can also create chains of hidden text, where one hidden message leads to another, making the game more engaging and challenging.