James Baillie
@jubalbarca.bsky.social
Historian of the Medieval Caucasus, web community organiser, game developer, liberal activist, songwriter and storyteller. Somewhat hobbitish.
Also at https://exilian.co.uk/, https://scholar.social/@JubalBarca, and https://hcommons.org/members/jubalbarca/
Also at https://exilian.co.uk/, https://scholar.social/@JubalBarca, and https://hcommons.org/members/jubalbarca/
Reposted by James Baillie
Announcing CODING MEDIEVAL WORLDS 6, our next workshop for historians and game developers! It'll be 20th-22nd February next year, and if you're an interested historian or dev we'd like to see you there!
Please share widely to friends, all questions welcome :)
#GameDev #Medieval
Please share widely to friends, all questions welcome :)
#GameDev #Medieval
November 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by James Baillie
While I get this person means that Republicans are attempting to usher in a very bad, unequal form of government, I literally have no idea why this could be read a "feudal" or what people think "feudal" means at this point. (This is quite aside from the fact that feudalism never existed ofc.)
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
While I get this person means that Republicans are attempting to usher in a very bad, unequal form of government, I literally have no idea why this could be read a "feudal" or what people think "feudal" means at this point. (This is quite aside from the fact that feudalism never existed ofc.)
Final call reminder for anyone who's a member of the Liberal Democrats: this is the last evening for voting in the internal elections!
(Relief on the horizon for non Lib Dems as I'll soon stop posting about internal election cycles for another three years).
(Relief on the horizon for non Lib Dems as I'll soon stop posting about internal election cycles for another three years).
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Final call reminder for anyone who's a member of the Liberal Democrats: this is the last evening for voting in the internal elections!
(Relief on the horizon for non Lib Dems as I'll soon stop posting about internal election cycles for another three years).
(Relief on the horizon for non Lib Dems as I'll soon stop posting about internal election cycles for another three years).
Reposted by James Baillie
The two child cap is a test of the government’s seriousness: if you are serious about child poverty, you lift it, and if you are serious about not wasting money, you don’t fritter away cash on dumb things like vouchers to try and manage the PLP.
If the government chooses to keep the 2 child limit and spend money on vouchers and parenting programmes instead, child poverty will rise and this will be a conscious and deliberate political choice in defiance of all the evidence
Scrapping the cap entirely is both good policy *and* good politics.
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Half measures will "save" some money short-term, but will piss *everybody* off and still leave very large numbers of children suffering from a policy designed to make them poorer.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The two child cap is a test of the government’s seriousness: if you are serious about child poverty, you lift it, and if you are serious about not wasting money, you don’t fritter away cash on dumb things like vouchers to try and manage the PLP.
Reposted by James Baillie
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by James Baillie
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by James Baillie
So, Dragonmeet is coming up, and if you want to hear me and @lostpages.co.uk talk about making magic in RPGs more, er, magical, why not come to our talk on Saturday 29 November at 1430? It's part of Seminar Track 1.
November 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
So, Dragonmeet is coming up, and if you want to hear me and @lostpages.co.uk talk about making magic in RPGs more, er, magical, why not come to our talk on Saturday 29 November at 1430? It's part of Seminar Track 1.
Finished another poem, this a rather grim one entitled "A Thing Done Nicely" if anyone feels like a read:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Jubal's poems - Page 24
Jubal's poems - Page 24
exilian.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Finished another poem, this a rather grim one entitled "A Thing Done Nicely" if anyone feels like a read:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Reposted by James Baillie
Polls are now open in the Lib Dem federal elections! We recommend votes for these excellent, radical candidates, who can be counted on to fight for a distinctive, bold and liberal identity for the Lib Dems.
Radical Association Voting Guide 2025
The Radical Association's voting guide for the Lib Dem internal elections, with recommendations for candidates who'll fight for a distinctive, radical and liberal identity for the party.
radicalassociation.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Polls are now open in the Lib Dem federal elections! We recommend votes for these excellent, radical candidates, who can be counted on to fight for a distinctive, bold and liberal identity for the Lib Dems.
Reposted by James Baillie
I think "this is their home" is such an important message.
That said, why are we writing to Kemi Badenoch rather than just dunking on her directly? Lam is a shadow cabinet minister, Badenoch shouldn't need to be written to in order to take responsibility.
That said, why are we writing to Kemi Badenoch rather than just dunking on her directly? Lam is a shadow cabinet minister, Badenoch shouldn't need to be written to in order to take responsibility.
People who have come to the United Kingdom legally, played by the rules and made it their home do not need to “go home”. This is their home.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk has written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk has written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.
October 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I think "this is their home" is such an important message.
That said, why are we writing to Kemi Badenoch rather than just dunking on her directly? Lam is a shadow cabinet minister, Badenoch shouldn't need to be written to in order to take responsibility.
That said, why are we writing to Kemi Badenoch rather than just dunking on her directly? Lam is a shadow cabinet minister, Badenoch shouldn't need to be written to in order to take responsibility.
Another #LibDems internal election post: I'm running to be a member of the party's Federal Policy Committee, and here's my pitch for why you should vote for me.
Questions, boosts, and support are all very welcome!
Questions, boosts, and support are all very welcome!
October 21, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Another #LibDems internal election post: I'm running to be a member of the party's Federal Policy Committee, and here's my pitch for why you should vote for me.
Questions, boosts, and support are all very welcome!
Questions, boosts, and support are all very welcome!
Reposted by James Baillie
Looking for a creative community online beyond social media? Check out Exilian!
Our latest newsletter is out! We have several new little TTRPGs to report, more new free music and images for your projects, and new writing and music from our community too!
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Updates from the Forge 59: Autumn 2025
Updates from the Forge 59: Autumn 2025
exilian.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Looking for a creative community online beyond social media? Check out Exilian!
Reposted by James Baillie
Weekly Georgian Etymology: საბანი sabani 'blanket', from Middle Georgian, from Greek σάβανον linen cloth or towel, from Coptic ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲛ sabon cloth, from Egyptian 𓋴𓃀𓈖 seben bandage for wrapping mummies, perhaps reflecting Afro-Asiatic *sVp- weave, sew.
October 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Weekly Georgian Etymology: საბანი sabani 'blanket', from Middle Georgian, from Greek σάβανον linen cloth or towel, from Coptic ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲛ sabon cloth, from Egyptian 𓋴𓃀𓈖 seben bandage for wrapping mummies, perhaps reflecting Afro-Asiatic *sVp- weave, sew.
Reposted by James Baillie
Our latest newsletter is out! We have several new little TTRPGs to report, more new free music and images for your projects, and new writing and music from our community too!
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Updates from the Forge 59: Autumn 2025
Updates from the Forge 59: Autumn 2025
exilian.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Our latest newsletter is out! We have several new little TTRPGs to report, more new free music and images for your projects, and new writing and music from our community too!
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Check all that out here:
exilian.co.uk/forum/index....
Reposted by James Baillie
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, along with members of the delegation, attended the protest on Rustaveli Street and then posted a video on X, saying that she supports the citizens.
October 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, along with members of the delegation, attended the protest on Rustaveli Street and then posted a video on X, saying that she supports the citizens.
Another post for #LibDems federal elections: please give April Preston a top preference for Federal Council. We need folks who live their liberalism and better working-class representation at the top of our party: April's a great choice for that.
She's currently off BSky but here's her manifesto:
She's currently off BSky but here's her manifesto:
October 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Another post for #LibDems federal elections: please give April Preston a top preference for Federal Council. We need folks who live their liberalism and better working-class representation at the top of our party: April's a great choice for that.
She's currently off BSky but here's her manifesto:
She's currently off BSky but here's her manifesto:
Reposted by James Baillie
All I want are games that people took time, care & joy in making. Let it be weird. Let it look imperfect/messy. Let it have a frustrating gameplay mechanic or two. So long as I can feel the passion that went into making it I will always prefer it over hyper polished AAA titles churned out every year
October 13, 2025 at 9:52 AM
All I want are games that people took time, care & joy in making. Let it be weird. Let it look imperfect/messy. Let it have a frustrating gameplay mechanic or two. So long as I can feel the passion that went into making it I will always prefer it over hyper polished AAA titles churned out every year
Finished recording a song for the first time in a while - this one's a Fallout 2 fan-song, a post apocalyptic folk ballad entitled A Traveller's Song From Klamath. I hope you like it!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQm...
A Travellers' Song From Klamath (Fallout 2 Fan Song)
YouTube video by Exilian Media
www.youtube.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Finished recording a song for the first time in a while - this one's a Fallout 2 fan-song, a post apocalyptic folk ballad entitled A Traveller's Song From Klamath. I hope you like it!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQm...
I've been disappointed to see second-hand (given I'm not on there) statements on X from @sarahdykeld.bsky.social and @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social that take what really looks very much like a deeply bad faith reading of our own party's LGBT+ campaign's work.
October 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I've been disappointed to see second-hand (given I'm not on there) statements on X from @sarahdykeld.bsky.social and @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social that take what really looks very much like a deeply bad faith reading of our own party's LGBT+ campaign's work.
Historian friends, I'm thinking about relative value of small boats in premodern periods: presumably punts, rafts, and fishing boats were common, esp. for people doing fishing, eeling, etc. But there's also quite a bit of labour in making one. Anyone got a paper they can recommend?
October 11, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Historian friends, I'm thinking about relative value of small boats in premodern periods: presumably punts, rafts, and fishing boats were common, esp. for people doing fishing, eeling, etc. But there's also quite a bit of labour in making one. Anyone got a paper they can recommend?
Reposted by James Baillie
Women are not loved by the regime, especially strong women, cos they are afraid of them, obviously.
I want you to know Ia Darakhvelidze, recently detained by the regime.
2/1
I want you to know Ia Darakhvelidze, recently detained by the regime.
2/1
October 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Women are not loved by the regime, especially strong women, cos they are afraid of them, obviously.
I want you to know Ia Darakhvelidze, recently detained by the regime.
2/1
I want you to know Ia Darakhvelidze, recently detained by the regime.
2/1
Just found that a bunch of careful, well-cited edits I'd carefully made to Wiki articles have been reversed: I wasn't informed of this, there's no explanation, just someone having a petty editing war probably on weird ethnonationalist grounds. Sigh.
October 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Just found that a bunch of careful, well-cited edits I'd carefully made to Wiki articles have been reversed: I wasn't informed of this, there's no explanation, just someone having a petty editing war probably on weird ethnonationalist grounds. Sigh.
I'm planning to give Janey first preference for the LD Federal Board vote - I've worked with her in the past pushing for restorative justice in our policies, she's a great liberal with a good sense of where the party needs to go and someone who's willing to stick her neck out for progressive change.
Delighted to share my Federal Board manifesto! It was such a pleasure to serve on Federal Board as Young Liberals Chair and I am incredibly grateful to have support from a number of brilliant people
October 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I'm planning to give Janey first preference for the LD Federal Board vote - I've worked with her in the past pushing for restorative justice in our policies, she's a great liberal with a good sense of where the party needs to go and someone who's willing to stick her neck out for progressive change.
The difference made by Reform in government wouldn't really be in most policy areas: look at Italy where migration has been going somewhat up under a hard-right government!
Reform's changes would IMV be in hard-line social policy and a much more aggressive approach to controlling the narrative.
Reform's changes would IMV be in hard-line social policy and a much more aggressive approach to controlling the narrative.
I do think the media is giving too much attention to the possibility of Farage winning an election that's nearly four years away. I also think it's underplaying the extremely high possibility that, even if he does, he immediately drowns in the same mire that swallowed Starmer and Sunak before him
Reform likely to raise Kent council tax after cost-cutting drive falters on.ft.com/4pTvJ62
October 6, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The difference made by Reform in government wouldn't really be in most policy areas: look at Italy where migration has been going somewhat up under a hard-right government!
Reform's changes would IMV be in hard-line social policy and a much more aggressive approach to controlling the narrative.
Reform's changes would IMV be in hard-line social policy and a much more aggressive approach to controlling the narrative.