Book 41. Nightwatch

Author: Sergei Lukyanenko

Genre: Fantasy (book club)

Pages: 455

Release date: 2006

The Skinny. Set in contemporary Moscow, Lukyanenko's fantastic American debut—the first in a series about an epic struggle between good and evil—charts the adventures of a race of supernaturally gifted Others, who serve either the Light or Dark Side. The Others slip in and out of an eerie parallel world where they coexist in an uneasy peace that a terrible revolution may soon disrupt. Philosophical Anton Gorodetsky, an earnest Night Watch agent, falls in love with 24-year-old Svetlana Nazarova, a troubled young doctor under a Dark Magician's curse. While Anton endeavors to undo the curse, he discovers Egor, a gifted boy unwilling to choose between his Light or Dark abilities. As humankind's fate hangs in the balance, Anton is forced to re-examine his allegiance, and Svetlana is drawn deeper into the exotic, vivid universe of dueling magicians, shape-shifters, witches and vampires.

I have noticed this book for a few years and was very excited to read it.

What worked. First, the translation was handled pretty smoothly. I have read enough books to know that a bad translation will ruin what could have been a good novel. I was very happy with that. Saying that it was a very easy read, and it did not take long to get through it. Having three different stories in the book was an interesting way to tell the story. But it was handled in a good way.

Anton was an interesting character. He starts out as a low-level member of the Nightwatch, and it was interesting to get into the book from his point of view. There were so many other interesting characters, including members of both the Night and Daywatch. Too may to go into here, but the members of the Nightwatch were very interesting. They all had their own talents and skills.

The effect the Nightwach and Daywatch had on each other was also interesting. It was a very philosophical view of good vs. evil. Yet, sometimes you cannot tell them apart, and it seems they used the same tactics to get what they need done. That is probably true, since most of the time good vs. evil is not that black and white.

Also, it taking place in Russia was very interesting and a cool and different twist.

What did not work. The magic in the world was a bit confusing. It was where they could step in to the “twilight” to be able to accomplish what they needed too. It took me rereading a few times to get what he was trying to say. Would have liked it to be a bit cleaner in understand how it worked.

Would have liked to know more about the culture of Russia. It didn’t’ hurt the book too much, but it would have been nice.

Favorite quote. “I was swept away in a torrent of wild, unadulterated joy that came out of nowhere, and world dimmed and blurred. I would have fallen, but the power streaming out of the boss’s raised hands held Olga and me up on invisible strings, making us arch over and press ourselves against each other. And then the strings got tangled up.

Rating. 7.0 out of 10.0 A good start to a series of good vs. evil told in a different way.

Book 40. Sideways

Author: Rex Pickett

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 354

Release date: 2004

The Skinny. Two old friends set out for a weeklong romp through Santa Ynez, Calif., wine country that comically strains their friendship in Pickett's lively debut. Smart, hapless narrator Miles is divorced and broke, and his novels been rejected all over town. His handsome, "ursine" best friend, Jack, a successful actor, is about to get married, and wants to enjoy a few last days of freedom.

After seeing the movie, this book had always interested me.

What worked. This is a guy’s book. So the bonding that takes place in most of the scenes are between too men, and I understood some of it. The relationship between Miles and Jack was very interesting to say the least. Two good friends whom are exact opposites. One is handsome, successful, and about to get married to a beautiful woman. The other a hard luck author struggling over his failed marriage and wrong choices in general. They did a great job of balancing each other out.

The knowledge of the area and the wine they were drinking was impressive. I can only hope it was accurate, since I am not a wine nut myself. But it at least sounded like it was correct. J

You could feel the pain of Miles, which was a big part of the book. He really was struggling with his life and then hoping to have a great time with his friend, while hoping he could finally get his book published.

What did not work. Even more than (or just as much maybe) the movie, I had a hard time understanding why Maya was interested in Miles. Yes, everyone can find someone, even those down on their luck. Be he drinks too much, lied to her, and she still went to the wedding at the end? I did not buy that for a second, especially since her friend had been used by Jack. Where was the loyalty there?

The down side to it being such a “buddy” book; was it was a bit thick at times. Maybe men do talk to each other like this, but I never really have. It seemed a bit cliché at times.

Terra reacted a bit strongly toward what happened. Would she get upset? Hell yes, and she should. But a gun? A bit over dramatic for me.

Favorite quote. Nothing really eye popping.

Rating. 6.0 out of 10.

Book 39: Mistborn Book 1 of Mistborn Trilogy
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy (Book club)
Pages: 647
Release date: 2006

EDIT! I read this book a few months ago, but had the chance to reread it since my book club read the book. I really enjoyed it a second time, and thought the chraracterization was amazing and still was awed by the uniqueness of the magic.

The Skinny. a mist-haunted, ash-ridden world, pits Kelsier, "the Survivor of Hathsin," against the immortal Lord Ruler's 1,000-year domination of both the Great Houses and their serflike "skaa." Through Allomancy acquired in the Ruler's most hellish prison, Kelsier can "burn" 10 metals internally, fueling superhuman powers he uses to assemble rebels in a loose plan to destroy the nobility, the empire and the Lord Ruler himself. Kelsier uses Vin, a street urchin with the same Mistborn powers Kelsier possesses, to infiltrate the Great Houses' society, where she falls in love with philosopher prince Elend Venture. This mystico-metallurgical fantasy combines Vin's coming-of-age-in-magic and its well-worn theme of revolt against oppression with copious mutilations, a large-scale cast of thieves, cutthroats, conniving nobles and exotic mutants

What worked: Just about everything. I have to admit that this is the best book I have in a long, long time. Maybe one of my favorites of all time. The characters are great, especially in how they interact with each other. The rapport and the trust they have in each other blew me away. Vin and Kelsier were awesome, not to mention Breeze, Ham, Dockson, and Sazed. Just the dialogue itself was enough to really keep me interested in it. Very clever and even funny at times. Amazing interaction how Vin learned how to trust and care for people and how hard that was for her.

The storytelling was amazing. Twists and turns abound and a very clever plotline. Especially the ending, which I won't ruin for those of you that may read it. But a lot of thought had to have went in to how the "heroes' could accomplish their goal of trying to bring down the Lord Ruler.

The magic was so different. It was called Allomancy, which dealt with metals that were taken and each one had a different ability. For example: Tin enhances the senses. Brass soothes emotion. Steel pushes nearby metals. Copper would hide anyone that was actually using Allomancy. It was a very interesting and unique take on magic, and I fell in love with it and what people could accomplish while using it. Very cool

What did not work: Not much. Maybe the fact that the "evil" was called Lord Ruler. Yet, it did not feel trite.

Favorite quotes: 1 Sazed shook his head. "Men are more resilient than that, I think. Our belief is often stronger when it should be weakest. That is the nature of hope."

2. "Belief isn't simply a thing for fair times and bright days, I think. What is belief--what is faith--if you don't continue in it after failure?"

3. She looked up at Sazed, who smiled at her. "Sometimes we have wait long enough, Mistress," he said. Then we find out why exactly it was that we kept believing."

Rating. 10.0 out of 10. This book was just about perfect. Action. Intrigue. Politics. Magic. Friendship. Courage. It had everything.

Book 37. Mount Dragon
Author: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 482
Release date: 1996

The Skinny. Another book by two of my favorite authors.

What it was about. Guy Carson feels honored to be one of the few genetic scientists selected to work at Mount Dragon, Gene Dyne's heavily guarded compound in the New Mexican desert. The task: to defeat the influenza virus through permanent alteration of the DNA of the human race. The problem: previous attempts have resulted in the creation of an absolutely deadly form of the virus rather than immunity. Guy's job is to solve this problem. He willingly endures the stress and other discomforts of working in a biohazard unit, until he realizes that Gene Dyne's motives are less than altruistic and that the company will stop at nothing to turn a profit.

What worked: The story was not a bad idea. Lord knows how many of these type of labs there are out there. What would happen if something god loose? It would be awful and many would die. I did like Guy Carson and his back and forth with Susana Cabrera de Vaca. They had a nice and fun energy about them and being forced to work together was predictable, but still interesting. The climax was well done and overall, it was written decently.

What did not work. The story was a bit predictable. As much as I liked it, you could tell what was going to happened and how it was going to play out. Also, I had a hard time buying the interest Carson and de Vaca had in each other. They had a nice play, but nothing more should have come out of it. These books are just not as good as the Relic series with Pendergast.

Rating. 6.0 out of 10. A decent story by two great authors. It needed a bit more unpredictability, but was ok over all. .

-I really want to start writing again.  It has been about a year since I have done much of that.  Lord knows our game design isn't really going anywhere, although I hope for that to change soon.  But I am just not having that creative outlet I enjoy having.  Need to get off my ass and get into something.

That is all for now.  :)

stacey
 

What do others do?

:)

stacey

Name: Prof. Thaddius Grimore

Player: Steve

Concept: Occult specialist (Arcane loremaster)

Health: 6 Composure: 7 Fate points: 10

Phase 1. Background. Son of one of the great mediums of the 19^th-20^th century, Grigori Grimore and fortuneteller Calista Canasta. Thaddius is no stranger to the arcane nature of the universe. This however left him a social black sheep as his classmates and neighbors found his family creepy. 

Aspect: Arcane prodigy                                                     Aspect: Emotional distance of occultists

Phase 2. The Great War. During the campaign through Belgium, Thaddius managed to save his regiment from an ambush due to a sense of things being awry. He managed to pull his staff comrade out of the way of an incoming mortar and successfully led them through a minefield to friendly territory.

Aspect: Unnaturally lucky                                                Aspect: I’ve got the wiggins

Phase 3. Your novel. Professor Grimore versus the Baskerville Head Hunter A series of disturbing beheadings occur in a small village in the country. Prof Grimore manages to drive off the blood thirsty apparition and his phantom mastiff only to find out that it is the work of Baron Blackheart and her minions. The professor and his associates manage to bind the fined before they can complete the ritual to lock the Headhunter in the world of the living and thus depriving the Baroness of the unkillable headhunter’s servitude.

Aspect: Baroness’s eternal ire                                        Aspect: Touch of the Headhunter

Don’t have phase four or five. 

Skills:

Superb+5

Mysteries

Great +4

Academics

Resolve

Good +3

Investigation

Alertness

Weapons

Fair +2

Empathy

Guns

Rapport

Intimidation

Average +1

Deceit

Endurance

Survival

Fists

Science

Stunts:

Rare artifact page 173 You may introduce an artifact that you design on-the-fly, in a fashion similar to the Universal Gadget stunt (see page 148).

Because this is an artifact, however, a few differences exist. The artifact gets three improvements, same as a Personal Artifact, instead of only two improvements, the way a Universal Gadget does. Furthermore, this stunt may be taken multiple times and, unlike a Personal Artifact, may combine those improvements into a single, more potent artifact.

There is, however, a downside…

All Rare Artifacts inevitably have origins shrouded in darkness and mystery. In order to introduce such an artifact into play, the character must take on a temporary aspect which vaguely, colorfully references the secret (and unknown) past of the artifact. The GM may then incorporate its dark past into the storyline, hitting the character with compels as appropriate.

If the player’s uninterested in having his impromptu artifact misbehaving on occasion, he may spend a fate point to avoid the temporary aspect’s placement. And that might just be a good idea. .. Beware the sinister secrets of the arcane

Artificer page 172 The character is capable of using Mysteries to improve artifacts (mystic gadgets, essentially) in the same fashion that Engineering does, albeit on radically different principles (see Gadgets and Gizmos, page 220). “Devices” worked on in this fashion will be clearly arcane in appearance and will work on principles that may make no sense to logical men. You may include some advances that are not available to “normal” Engineering.

This sort of work requires an arcane workshop in the same way that engineering requires a regular workshop (page 109).

Secrets of the Arcane page 176 The character is respected authority in a specific occult field (Arcane Cryptomythological Studies). Possibilities include ancient mythology, psychic phenomena, cryptozoology, and so on. In the elite circles of that particular field, the character is recognized for his expertise. Even if his skill level is low, it merely means he is towards the bottom of that particular group of the elite.

This stunt is, essentially, the Mysteries parallel of the Scholar stunt, under Academics (see page 118). When the character makes a Mysteries roll pertaining to his general area of expertise, he automatically receives a +1 knowledge bonus. Beyond this, the character should pick a specific area of specialization within that area (like extraterrestrial demonology, or xenomorphic symbology – the more syllables the better). When a Mysteries roll involves that specialization, he gains an additional +1 bonus (for a total +2 to the value of the research effort). Any research efforts involving the specialization take one unit less time.

Inner Strength page 186 Whenever someone is trying to get inside your head – be it through psychic means (as with some mesmerism stunts), or through extensive torture – you receive a +2 to your Resolve defense even without resorting to a full defense action. If you do go for a full defense, you may, but it only nets you a +3 in total.

Smooth recovery page 184 While most characters with Resolve can keep things together under stress, for your character it is second nature, allowing him to regain his footing in the face of even the direst of outcomes outside of physical conflict. This stunt allows the character to take one additional moderate, social or mental consequence than normal, allowing him to take up to four total consequences of that variety.

Name: James “Jim” Peters

Player: Tim

Concept: Ape-man fighting evil!

Health: 6 Composure: 5 Fate points: 10

Phase 1. Background. Stolen from among the followers of Gorilla Khan at the tender age of three by the big game hunter, Duggan McGraw. Jim was raised in a succession of laboratories. At the age of ten, he attached himself to Dr. Leroy Peters, an evolutionary biologist who later disappeared.

Aspect: Jungle Rage                                                          Aspect: Laboratory test subject

Phase 2. The Great War Century Club Patron: Lt. General Omar Bradley.

An early developer, Jim’s handlers test his warlike nature by committing to the fighting in France, during the Great War. Embedded in an American recon unit, Jim was swept up in the confusion of the fighting and separated from his comrades; he learned about humanity and death both on the front and in the rear areas away from the fighting.

Aspect: I’ve put all that behind me                   Aspect: To err is human

Phase 3. Your novel. A Monkey goes to Yale. Jim must secretly become a Yale football player in order to thwart the nefarious group known only as the “Skull Club Five” and their diabolical mind control plot set to go off at the Harvard/Yale game. All while keeping an A in chemistry. 

Aspect: Yale connections                                  Aspect: Science is the future

Phase 4. Other adventures Guest starring in Sami Wood vs. The Naziator Jim once again adopts his secret identity as the “Midnight Avenger” to help with a daring pursuit of the evil Naziator & his “V3 trio” through the New Jersey pine barrens. 

Aspect: Wrong place, right time                                      Aspect: “I am the Midnight Avenger!”

Phase 5. Other adventures. Guest starring in Hercules O’Brien & the thousand dollar fist The Midnight Avenger takes on his most daring role yet, acting as the double of Hercules as the mob closes in! As told by Jim Peters, syndicated cartoonist. 

Aspect: Master of disguise                                                Aspect: Damn that deadline!

Skills:

Superb+5

Athletics

Great +4

Alertness

Science

Good +3

Guns

Might

Stealth

Fair +2

Contacting

Endurance

Fists

Intimidation

Average +1

Academics

Art

Burglar

Pilot

Resources

Stunts:

Acrobat page 126 You are able to perform any number of impressive acrobatic feats. Difficulties assigned for complex maneuvers while acting (e .g walking on a tightrope, doing brain surgery while hanging from a trapeze) are reduced by two. Falling rolls gain a +2 bonus. When used acrobatically, your Athletics skill can never be used to restrict another skill, only complement it.

Scary page 162 This character is just someone you don’t want to cross, and that’s clear even to other intimidating folks. Normally, Intimidation attempts are resisted by Resolve; with this stunt, the character can use his Intimidation skill to resist Intimidation attempts.

Scientific genius page 193 Your character is a respected authority in a specific scientific field. Possibilities include physics, chemistry, biology, and so on. In the elite circles of that particular field, the character is recognized for his expertise. Even if his skill level is low, it merely means he is towards the bottom of his particular group of the elite. Specialty is Electricity

Whenever the character makes a Science roll pertaining to his area of expertise, he automatically receives a +1 knowledge bonus. In addition, the character should pick a specific area of specialization (like gravity, electricity or reptiles). When a science roll involves that specialization, his knowledge bonus increases to +2, and any research efforts involving the specialty are resolved at one time increment faster.

Theory in practice page 193 Your character can start babbling about some theoretical scientific principle that has bearing on the situation at hand (the player must play this out). Even if it’s a crackpot theory, Science is a kind of new religion for this guy, and his committed belief in his theory can translate into real effect.

Instead of using Science to make a declaration, the character may, for a fate point, and only once per scene, use his Science skill to substitute for nearly any other skill, subject to the GM’s approval. If the roll generates no shifts, the scientist takes a minor consequence (such as “Crestfallen” or “Crackpot”) to reflect the weight of his failure for the rest of the scene. Otherwise, great! It works!

Scientific Invention page 193 You are able to create new devices and upgrade existing technology as per the gadgets rules (see page 207), using Science instead of Engineering. You don’t, however, have any skill at creating or repairing completely “normal” technology – stuff that wouldn’t involve the gadget rules at all to work on.

Name: Hercules O’Brien

Player: Nick

Concept: Boxer

Health: 7 Composure: 6 Fate points: 10

Phase 1. Background Hercules grows up poor in a rough neighborhood, but manages to stay out of trouble by spending time at the gym.

Aspect: For a few dollars more         Aspect: Irish

Phase 2. The Great War Century Club Patron:

Hercules lies about his age in order to enlist for the war. As nations collide, he serves with distinction on the Western Front. His acts of bravery, earn him the respect of comrades and the attention of the Century Club.

Aspect: Veteran of the Great War                   Aspect: Old War buddies

Phase 3. Your novel Hercules O’Brien and the Thousand dollar fist. Hercules foolishly takes a bribe to throw the big fight, but earns the mob’s ire when he emerges from the ring victorious. With a price on his head, Hercules turns to his friends in the Century Club for help.

Aspect: Betrayed the mob                                  Aspect: Boxing champion

Phase 4. Other adventures Guest starring in Sami Wood vs. The Naziator Hercules gets his clocked cleaned while defending St. Margaret’s Home for Wayward Innocent Bystanders against the terrible onslaught of the Naziator!

Aspect: I can take em! I can take em!                             Aspect: Big softie

Phase 5. Other adventures. Guest starring in A monkey goes to Yale Fresh from his championship victory in the ring, Hercules is invited to give a few words of encouragement before the big football game against Harvard. He speaks with surprising eloquence, but his speech is cut short when he falls prey to a fiendish mind-control plot.   

Aspect: Surprisingly eloquent                                         Aspect: Strength of ten linebackers

Skills:

Superb+5

Fists

Great +4

Alertness

Might

Good +3

Deceit

Endurance

Rapport

Fair +2

Alertness

Empathy

Resolve

Resources

Average +1

Academics

Gambling

Guns

Sleight of Hand

Survival

Stunts:

Martial Arts (Boxing) page 152 Your training in the martial practices of the Far East have honed your abilities with your Fists into a finely disciplined form that is part combat skill, part art form. This gives you an acute insight into the means and methods of barehanded warfare.

You may use your Fists skill to study an opponent by engaging him and testing his defenses with your own martial techniques. You must do this as a full action during an exchange. Your target must defend against this action, which is essentially a maneuver, with his Fists skill.

If you succeed, you have gained insight to your target’s fighting techniques, and may place an aspect on the target, as with a successful maneuver. Whenever you tag this aspect, you gain an additional +1 to your roll, for a total of +3 instead of the normal tagging bonus of +2

Demoralizing stance page 153 As a trained fighter, you are able to adopt a stance that makes it unequivocally clear how capable you are of handing someone his ass. Whenever displaying your fighting stance or techniques, you may roll Fists instead of Intimidation.

Lethal Weapon page 154 Your martial skill is dedicated to dishing out punishment, and your hands are practically illegal in most civilized countries. Any time your opponent opts to take a mild or moderate consequence from a blow you have dealt, you may spend a fate point to increase the severity of that consequence by one step, increasing mild to moderate and moderate to severe. The opponent may then reconsider whether to take the consequence, or instead offer a concession. You may not do this to an opponent who is already taking a severe consequence.

Herculean Strength page 171 The character is incredibly strong, capable of lifting great weights. All weight-based difficulties that don’t involve combat are reduced by two steps. See page 258 for more on weights.

Five minute friends page 182 For a fate point, you can make a steadfast friend in a place you’ve never been, given a chance for five minutes of conversation. This stunt makes nearly impossible opportunities to make friends merely improbable, improbable opportunities probable, and probable opportunities outright certain.

This is for the game I am running at GGGX! 

Name: Sami Wood

Player: Sarah

Concept: Detective/scholar extraordinaire!

Health: 6 Composure: 7 Fate points: 10

Phase 1. Background. Born into a life of poverty to an uneducated family living in a tent city, Sami Wood was determined. She wanted an education, to live in a real apartment, eat real food, and she wanted to wear clean clothes ALL the time. She did manage to go to school, and was always the top of her class. When Sami was fourteen, however, her baby brother Ian was kidnapped, right from his crib. The police were unable to find the kidnapper. Sami loved her baby brother dearly, much more so than she loved her parents, who she was always bitter at for discouraging her education. From that day on, she was determined to find her baby brother. Her parents didn't seem as disturbed about the kidnapping as Sami did. At the age of fifteen she was admitted to Columbia University to study history

Aspect: Blind determination                                             Aspect: Well educated

Phase 2. The Great War Century Club Patron: Prof. Brian Diceroll

Now that Sami was studying, and working, she was able to get her parents a small, one bedroom apartment. One day, while she was looking for an envelope to leave her parents money in, she came across a letter. The letter stated that her parents had sold her baby brother on the black market for fifteen dollars. In a blind rage, she murdered her father with a frying pan and then ran. 

While Sami was attending Columbia University, she had a professor named Brian Diceroll. He was a master detective, studying as a researcher. He saw something special in her, and decided to bring her into the Century Club. She later found out through a distant relative that her mother committed suicide upon finding her murdered husband by eating a bushel of bananas, of which she was allergic to.

Aspect: My parents were cultists!                                   Aspect: Highly disturbed

Phase 3. Your novel. Sami Wood vs. The Naziator The Naziator, half robot, half-Nazi, ALL TERRORIST, plans to blow up half of New York City. Through her most brilliant, excellent, detective skills, Sami finds out that he is hiding his weapons in New Jersey. Sami and the Century Club travel to New Jersey to get the weapons. While searching, they find the Naziator. They find a way to turn one of the bombs around, so that it "blows up" the Naziator. The Naziator is a very short half Nazi, half robot.                

Aspect: I love New York!                                                    Aspect: Thrill of the hunt

Phase 4. Other adventures Guest starring in A monkey goes to Yale Using her amazing researching skills, Sami teams up with Hercules to help Jim Peters stop the mind control scheme!

Aspect: The truth is out there                                          Aspect: “There’s a hole in your plans”

Phase 5. Other adventures. Guest starring in Hercules O’Brien & the thousand-dollar fist Sami and Jim Peters rush to Hercules O’Brien’s aid as the mob closes in for the kill. They help him escape Justin the nick of time!

Aspect: Master of the catacombs                                      Aspect: Hide in plain sight

Skills:

Superb+5

Investigation

Great +4

Academics

Resources

Good +3

Contacting

Resolve

Stealth

Fair +2

Alertness

Endurance

Mysteries

Rapport

Average +1

Art

Fists

Intimidation

Survival

Weapons

Stunts:

Scene of the crime page 164 The character has a strong visual memory, and whenever he revisits a place where he has used Investigation before, he may make an immediate use of Investigation in a matter of seconds in order to determine what changed since he was last there, as if it were an unusually detailed Alertness check.

Eye for detail page 164 Your character’s visual memory is so strong that with a little concentration, he can revisit any place he’s been to in his memory in exacting detail.

Sometimes, he can even pick up on details that he hadn’t consciously realized before.

To use this ability, the character spends a fate point, and may make a single perception based roll (usually Investigation, but not necessarily limited to that) to find things out as if he were still in the location, no matter how long ago he left the scene.

Walking library page 117 The character’s prodigious reading has paid off in spades, and he is able to recall minute details from even the most obscure literary works. The character is always considered to have a library on hand of a quality equal to his Academics skill, enabling him to answer questions with a base difficulty less than or equal to his Academics skill, using nothing other than his brain and some time for contemplation. Additionally, any research performed by this character in a real library automatically takes one unit less time (see “Taking Your Time” on page XX), and any libraries with a quality less than his Academics skill do not limit the difficulty of the question asked, as they normally would.

Scholar page 118 Your character is a respected authority in a specific academic field. History. Possibilities include history, English, archeology, mathematics and so on. In the elite circles of that particular field, you are recognized for your expertise. Even if your skill level is low, it merely means you are towards the bottom of that particular group of the elite.

When you make an Academics roll pertaining to your general area of expertise, you automatically receive a +1 bonus. Beyond this, you should pick a specific specialization within that area (like ancient Sumerian history, or cryptography). When an Academics roll involves that specialization, you gain an additional +1 bonus (for a total +2 to the value of the research effort).

Any research efforts involving the specialization take one unit less time; this may be combined with Walking Library, in the Memory group of stunts, for lightning-fast research. When taking part in an academic conference or otherwise interacting with others in the field, you may use Academics to complement your social skills (Rapport, Empathy, Deceit, etc). Your skill is considered elevated by these bonuses, so someone with Good Academics, acting in his area of specialization, would complement skills as if his Academics were Superb (Good+2). 

It’s academic page 119 Your specialized knowledge gives you flashes of insight into all manner of things.

Once per session, you can use this ability when you are about to perform an action which your academic field touches upon. The connection can be tenuous, provided you can explain to the GM how it might apply.

Make a declaration attempt as described under “Declaring Minor Details” (see page XX). If you get at least one shift, you successfully declare one aspect; for every two shifts you gain beyond the first, you may declare one additional aspect about the subject in question (so two aspects total at 3 shifts, three aspects total at 5 shifts, etc). If you opt to declare only one aspect in total, you may instead convert these additional shifts into non-aspect facts.

So, here I am.  Thinking about what an amazing country we live in.  It is a country that definately has its faults, but when things go bad for us...people step up.  You see it time and time again.  The Okc bombing, Katrina, 9/11.  As arrogant of a country we can be, and we truly are that, we are also a country that when the times are tough, will stop and pick each other up.

That makes me smile so much it hurts.

To those affected personally by 9/11, my thoughts and heartfelt wishes go to you.  To everyone else, just stop and remember that freedom is something we have to stop taking for granted.  There are forces that would take that from us if they could, and just take a moment from time to time and remember how good things truly are if we only can allow ourselves to see them.