BLM and Other Lesser News (Patreon)

First, let's be clear.

This week has been harrowing for all of us, both those close to the events in the USA, and those of us far away and foreign. This is not the fight and struggle of one nation alone. This is part of the fight and struggle of all humanity to recognize our own inherent common unity.

Racism is evil. Bigotry is evil. Sexism is evil.

Yes, we all are human, and the urge to stereotype and prejudice is within us all. So it is a battle within us all and of all of us together to be better. To be kinder to one another and by extension to create a kinder world for one and all of us.

By how we treat others we must be judged. By how we treat the downtrodden we must be judged. And right now the struggle of African-Americans epitomizes how much more we all have to do.

Rarely are things so clearcut.

Rarely are choices so simple.

Thus it is not some kind of brave stance for me to affirm that black lives matter.

I can only say that I hope my small affirmation, my meagre efforts, help somewhat to expand the scope of the greater human community. Help to unlearn hate and prejudice, and learn kindness and acceptance.

I trust this is not a problematic position for anyone here.

#BlackLivesMatter

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News From the Seoul Office

My personal news hardly seem relevant right now, so I will keep them short. This week I got out of quarantine and after a story straight out of Kafka's the castle or perhaps Monty Python, I managed to extend my alien registration card.

I remain a legal alien. Cue Sting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27gTrPPAyk

The next few weeks will be interesting as the wife and I are moving to a different part of town to cut down her commute. I'll also be teaching a two-week summer course on reading 'the classics'. You can be sure I go on at length about the importance of canon. ;)

Anyway, should be busy because ...

Creative News

After finishing ZOA I realized that the UVG layout is quite nice and quite versatile and quite powerful. And so, as I continue writing up the unified seacat ruleset, I've settled on using that layout. Attached, as far as I've gotten with the re-layout so far. Comment is welcome.

To help with perusal and to satisfy my sense of humor, it will be split into three books: Rules, Archetypes or Avatars or Adventurers (undecided), and Things. This way, when lined up on a shelf, the three books will spell RAT. I suppose I'll have to add rats as well, but I'll take that risk.

I'm planning to release the rules book for free, but include a list of all the heroes who made it possible in the book. I'll set up a form for those who want a custom pseudonym.

Further, I've received the first edit of RRYPO, so that'll get a facelift soon.

Additionally, Longwinter is due to go into editing as soon as I split it in half and send it off (possibly later today). Might even see print soon.

Further, today work has begun on a softcover physical edition of UVG.

Further, I can admit that I have been part of the team working on assembling an omnibus edition of Chris Kutalik's Slumbering Ursine Dunes series of books. I can also admit that Anna Doubleproficiency's layout work is superlative. I can also suggest that it has been fully updated for Old School Essentials. I can also let slip that we're starting to setup the kickstarter for this 400-page tome.

I'm really looking forward to this becoming a physical book :).

Finally, the June discord invitation

I'll get around to the personal greetings soon, but till then ... here's a quick and dirty discord invite for the miniheroes: https://discord.gg/njuMRm ... hop on aboard the discord train.

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Stay kind and healthy, fellow humans!

—Luka