16
General Chatter - The Boozer / Re: Cyril & Methodius Day 2024
« on: February 14, 2024, 07:00:33 PM »
Ooh I'm also on Duolingo! What language are you learning and would you like to add me on there?
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17
General Chatter - The Boozer / Re: Cyril & Methodius Day 2024
« on: February 14, 2024, 11:59:56 AM »
Happy Cyril and Methodius Day! I shall endeavour to do all the things on the list today, including working on learning more Italian which I started this year.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable day!
I hope everyone has an enjoyable day!
18
Announcements! The Town Crier! / Re: Creative Competiton 2023-24: Hibernation!
« on: February 10, 2024, 04:12:57 PM »
I have also duly submitted my entry 
19
General Chatter - The Boozer / Re: February pub - 29th?
« on: February 08, 2024, 03:54:52 PM »
I won't be able to make it unfortunately as I'm meant to be hosting a work event for our Pride network that evening but I hope tis fun nonetheless!
20
Writing, Poems, AARs, and Stories - The Storyteller's Hall / Re: What are you reading?
« on: January 31, 2024, 10:27:00 AM »
I have so far read three books in 2024 and recently started a fourth, so I am apparently going through one of my manic reading phases. I know it won't last but I'm enjoying it at the moment.
I began If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio in 2023 and finished it off in the first couple of days of January. It was an excellent book, with interesting characters and very much reminded me of A Secret History (which was the comparison given by a reviewer that led me to purchase the book in the first place, as that is one of my favourite books). I solidly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery with a side of social drama.
My second book was The League of Gentlewomen Witches, a very funny, very well written book that manages to both gently poke fun at multiple genres and tropes (period dramas and epic romances among them) while creating interesting characters that I felt really quite invested in, despite or perhaps because of the silliness of the plot. It also left me with several new favourite phrases, including 'Assault With a Deadly Compliment' and this little gem of an exchange:
Two characters who do not like one another are talking
-Character 1 is interrupted-
1: "Oh, where was I?"
2: "I cannot recall. But I have a suggestion as to where you might go."
And finally I read The Book of Deacon, which I borrowed from my sister several centuries ago and neglected to either read or return until now. I thought the worldbuilding was excellent, the story was interesting but sadly the writing style was absolutely appalling. I'm not yet sure whether this is because of personal taste or an objective lack of quality, but either way I am interested enough to keep reading, so clearly the author is doing something right.
I began If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio in 2023 and finished it off in the first couple of days of January. It was an excellent book, with interesting characters and very much reminded me of A Secret History (which was the comparison given by a reviewer that led me to purchase the book in the first place, as that is one of my favourite books). I solidly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery with a side of social drama.
My second book was The League of Gentlewomen Witches, a very funny, very well written book that manages to both gently poke fun at multiple genres and tropes (period dramas and epic romances among them) while creating interesting characters that I felt really quite invested in, despite or perhaps because of the silliness of the plot. It also left me with several new favourite phrases, including 'Assault With a Deadly Compliment' and this little gem of an exchange:
Two characters who do not like one another are talking
-Character 1 is interrupted-
1: "Oh, where was I?"
2: "I cannot recall. But I have a suggestion as to where you might go."
And finally I read The Book of Deacon, which I borrowed from my sister several centuries ago and neglected to either read or return until now. I thought the worldbuilding was excellent, the story was interesting but sadly the writing style was absolutely appalling. I'm not yet sure whether this is because of personal taste or an objective lack of quality, but either way I am interested enough to keep reading, so clearly the author is doing something right.
21
General Gaming - The Arcade / Re: What digital games are you playing?
« on: January 31, 2024, 10:14:57 AM »
I finally have time for a 2024 update on Spritelady's gaming experiences! I've actually played quite a few games so far this year, at least by my standards and in light of the fact that I also seem to have A Lot going on at any one time.
I started and quickly completed Wylde Flowers, a cute and cosy farming sim where you play as a witch and attempt to bridge the gap between the local coven and the townsfolk.
Mechanically, it's rather like Stardew Valley in many ways, but the focus of the game is almost completely different. There is no combat in WF the way that the mines allow for in SV, and the focus is almost entirely on befriending locals and advancing the main story (alongside many weird and wonderful side quests). You meet a fantastic array of people, from a range of backgrounds and with diverse personalities.
One of my favourite elements of the game is that all the recipes that you can learn to cook come from an incredible range of cuisines, most of which relate to the background of the villagers. I excitedly told my fiancé's mother that Bobotie (a South African recipe that she has made for us on more than one occasion) was craftable in the game. She told me she'd be rather more excited if I made it in the real world, alas(!), but it was still lovely to see so many countries represented in the game.
The diversity in the game generally is commendable in my opinion. It feels like they genuinely wanted to mix together a wonderful range of people and spent time developing them all, rather than simply throwing in a few 'minority' characters for the credit. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a chill game with an interesting story and enjoys growing flowers
Other notable mentions on the gaming front include playing through the main campaign of Anno 1800, which I bought on sale and which is my first Anno game. I found it very enjoyable and hope to continue playing, possibly in Sandbox mode, at a later date.
I have also started, although not yet finished, Link's Awakening on Switch, which I was given for Christmas. I'm enjoying it, although it's clear that I did not game much as a child and thus am less au fait with the logic that permeates earlier games. That said, I'm having fun with the various mechanics and don't feel too awful when I inevitably die because I am dreadful at real-time combat.
Finally, I am in fact playing Palworld. Again, I'm enjoying it quite a lot (I quite deliberately put my settings on easy mode so that I didn't panic whenever I died) and a lot of it is quite cute. I am also coming to the conclusion that either I am a softie or my fiancé is a little bit psychotic, because I get quite upset if my Pals are sad or injured and devote a lot of time to petting them and being nice to them. My fiancé laughs whenever he butchers a Pal for its meat...
I started and quickly completed Wylde Flowers, a cute and cosy farming sim where you play as a witch and attempt to bridge the gap between the local coven and the townsfolk.
Mechanically, it's rather like Stardew Valley in many ways, but the focus of the game is almost completely different. There is no combat in WF the way that the mines allow for in SV, and the focus is almost entirely on befriending locals and advancing the main story (alongside many weird and wonderful side quests). You meet a fantastic array of people, from a range of backgrounds and with diverse personalities.
One of my favourite elements of the game is that all the recipes that you can learn to cook come from an incredible range of cuisines, most of which relate to the background of the villagers. I excitedly told my fiancé's mother that Bobotie (a South African recipe that she has made for us on more than one occasion) was craftable in the game. She told me she'd be rather more excited if I made it in the real world, alas(!), but it was still lovely to see so many countries represented in the game.
The diversity in the game generally is commendable in my opinion. It feels like they genuinely wanted to mix together a wonderful range of people and spent time developing them all, rather than simply throwing in a few 'minority' characters for the credit. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a chill game with an interesting story and enjoys growing flowers
Other notable mentions on the gaming front include playing through the main campaign of Anno 1800, which I bought on sale and which is my first Anno game. I found it very enjoyable and hope to continue playing, possibly in Sandbox mode, at a later date.
I have also started, although not yet finished, Link's Awakening on Switch, which I was given for Christmas. I'm enjoying it, although it's clear that I did not game much as a child and thus am less au fait with the logic that permeates earlier games. That said, I'm having fun with the various mechanics and don't feel too awful when I inevitably die because I am dreadful at real-time combat.
Finally, I am in fact playing Palworld. Again, I'm enjoying it quite a lot (I quite deliberately put my settings on easy mode so that I didn't panic whenever I died) and a lot of it is quite cute. I am also coming to the conclusion that either I am a softie or my fiancé is a little bit psychotic, because I get quite upset if my Pals are sad or injured and devote a lot of time to petting them and being nice to them. My fiancé laughs whenever he butchers a Pal for its meat...
22
General Chatter - The Boozer / Re: Exilian Pub Out Of Context
« on: January 26, 2024, 09:52:24 PM »
"There was a conversation about sword fighting and spears, so I got out the spear shaft I'm whittling"
23
Computer Game Development - The Indie Alley / Re: Twilight Oracle
« on: January 24, 2024, 12:53:59 PM »
I have also wishlisted this! It looks very cool!
24
Writing, Poems, AARs, and Stories - The Storyteller's Hall / Re: Chengdu worldcon voting fiasco
« on: January 24, 2024, 12:51:43 PM »
How very strange! I can't say that I'd particularly paid attention to Worldcon (or in fact, heard of it!) before now, but that is frustrating for me personally because I liked that book a lot!
Given what was pointed out in that File 770 post about the con being subject to the legal context of the host country, I wonder if it was related to either or both of the LGBT undertones or the portrayal of China in the book?
Given what was pointed out in that File 770 post about the con being subject to the legal context of the host country, I wonder if it was related to either or both of the LGBT undertones or the portrayal of China in the book?
25
The Welcome Hall - Start Here! / Re: Hey there!
« on: January 21, 2024, 09:20:42 PM »
Hello, and welcome! Great to have you here 😊
26
General Chatter - The Boozer / Re: January Pub - 26th?
« on: January 07, 2024, 10:44:45 PM »
Friday 26th works for me!
27
Writing, Poems, AARs, and Stories - The Storyteller's Hall / Re: What are you reading?
« on: December 31, 2023, 06:15:26 PM »- I would like to write a more in depth post when I have more time, but for now and before 2023 officially ends here in the UK, I am pleased to note that I have read an average of a book every 2 weeks this year (which is in no way representative of my actual reading habits...).
So here are my 2023 books:
Mistborn: A Secret History
Wheel of Time: The Great Hunt
Witcher: Time of Contempt
Wheel of Time: The Dragon Reborn
The Bone Shard Emperor
Kissed by an Angel
Unraveller
Small Great Things
We Cry for Blood
The Song of Achilles
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Piranesi
Wheel of Time: The Shadow Rising
Reborn Empire: We Dream of Gods
Witcher: Baptism of Fire
The Last Kingdom
Pandora
Songs of Penelope: Ithaca
The Atlas Trilogy: The Atlas Six
Devotion
A Deadly Brew
The Blind Assassin
A Forest of Vanity and Valour
A Sea of Sorrow and Scorn
Babel
Empire of the Vampire
28
Tabletop Games - The Game Room / Re: So, what tabletop games are you playing?
« on: December 29, 2023, 08:47:34 PM »
Thanks to Christmas, I have now played a large number of new board games. Several relatives correctly surmised that me and my fiancé would love to get new ones, so I have recently tried (in no particular order):
How to Slay - quick, fun and a little brutal.
Beast - a 1 v many game in which one player takes on the role of the beast, while the rest of the players are hunters who attempt to track it down and kill it (usually).
Seven Wonders: Duel - the two-player version of our old favourite.
Unearth - a game in which you all play as the last remnants of ancient civilisations attempting to unearth old artefacts and wonders.
We have also played some old favourites, including Seven Wonders and Call to Adventure. It's been a very board gamey holiday
How to Slay - quick, fun and a little brutal.
Beast - a 1 v many game in which one player takes on the role of the beast, while the rest of the players are hunters who attempt to track it down and kill it (usually).
Seven Wonders: Duel - the two-player version of our old favourite.
Unearth - a game in which you all play as the last remnants of ancient civilisations attempting to unearth old artefacts and wonders.
We have also played some old favourites, including Seven Wonders and Call to Adventure. It's been a very board gamey holiday
29
Forum Games - The Beer Cellar! / Re: Guess Who Will Post Next... II!
« on: December 17, 2023, 11:04:35 PM »
You were right! I'll guess...Jubal!
30
Computer Game Development - The Indie Alley / Re: Monk Tower - a mobile friendly coffee break roguelike - feedback appreciated
« on: December 08, 2023, 05:07:00 PM »
Quick update: in the 20 minutes since I said the words "new small scale roguelike" to my fiance, he has only managed to tear his attention away from the game once, for just long enough to tell me that it's "pretty good". So I think he's enjoying it!