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syntropian.bsky.social
make earthseed real 🌏🌱🌌
@syntropian.bsky.social
500 followers 1.1K following 4.3K posts
Data engineer; serial dog adopter; amateur writer, game designer, farmer, cybernetician; left-libertarian; realist of a larger reality. Carving paradise from the heart of a dying monster. No future but the one we build. Everything in common, even the stars
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syntropian.bsky.social
Right before they invade Gaza City, they murder the most prominent individual who would have reported on it to the world.

Add this martyr to the tally - the most journalists killed in any armed conflict in history.

They seek to hide the truth, by burying the truth-tellers.

Hell is not hot enough.
August 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
syntropian.bsky.social
this is a "kill six billion demons" appreciation post
May 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
the two genders
concorde cockpit citroen karin 1980
May 6, 2025 at 1:52 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
April 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
greetings from my loyal and diligent office assistant, Valmont, aka Him, aka Monstercat, aka The Beast, aka Little Shitten or Badcat or Evil Monster when he jumps on my keyboard to get my attention when I foolishly try to work instead of petting him
all white shorthair cat with blue-green heterochromia on a desk surrounded by computers
March 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
March 22, 2025 at 1:54 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
Image from The Simpsons TV show, a man in a suit is imagining a crowd of smiling people living in peace and happiness dancing under a rainbow on a bright sunny day and the idea is making him miserable
March 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
nobody wants fascism-lite. if someone wants fascism, they will just vote for the fascists. if not, they will just stay home, because nobody is offering not-fascism.

you didn't lose because you weren't right wing enough. you lost because you were already too right wing for 10MM+ of your own voters
March 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
syntropian.bsky.social
Deciding between 3 initiative/combat sequencing systems for Twilight Dawn:

1. Classic: round-based phased initiative as seen in B/X D&D, OSE, & other OSR retroclones
2. Action: tick-based initiative as seen in Feng Shui
3. Real-time: second-based as seen in GURPS & Hackmaster

What do we like best?
OPTION 1: Classic phased initiative A round is broken into phases. Individual initiative is rolled during each phase to determine the order in which each character participating in that phase acts, which is maintained over the following rounds until the combat ends. An initiative roll is a 1D, modified by the appropriate ability score modifiers for the phase: Phase Initiative roll modifier Movement and declaration AGI - weapon weight class - armor penalty Missile DEX - weapon weight class - armor penalty Spellcasting Casting attribute - power level of spell - armor penalty Melee AGI - weapon weight class - armor penalty +/- reach modifier The character with the highest roll goes first in that phase, followed by the character with the next highest roll. Two or more characters who are tied should all reroll and use the new roll. For convenience, the referee can roll the same initiative for a group of non-player characters of the same type using the same armor and weapons, rather than rolling individually for each. They would then act as a group during each phase of combat. Alternatively, the referee can simply assign non-player characters a fixed initiative number. If a character switches weapons to a weapon of a different weight class, dons or doffs a piece of armor, or casts a different spell, their initiative may be recalculated based on the previous 1D roll. It is not necessary to roll initiative again during a combat encounter unless a new combatant enters, in which the character entering combat should roll their own individual initiative once in each relevant phase on their next turn to determine where in each phase's order they fit. Characters dual-wielding weapons use the highest weapon weight class for the purposes of calculating initiative modifiers. Movement and declaration phase At the beginning of this phase, spellcasters must announce what spells they are casting, if any. Spellcasting is a full-round action, and characters can't move or take any other action in a round where they are casting a spell. After they announce their intent to cast a spell, they are fully committed, and lose the ability to perform any other action during that turn - even if their spell ends up failing or getting disrupted by another character. Any characters not casting spells may move up to their full movement. For a typical starting character, that is 6 squares (30 feet). Characters can also choose to use their movement phase to use items or switch weapons. If doing so, they cannot also use their movement phase to move. Non-player characters subject to morale checks take them at this time. If they fail, they will attempt to retreat from combat. Missile phase Any characters not casting spells or retreating can choose to make attacks with missile weapons (bows, crossbows, thrown objects, etc.) against any character they can see within the maximum range of their weapon, which will conclude their turn. Spellcasting phase Spellcasters that are casting a spell in this turn now roll to determine whether or not their spells succeeded, and their effects. If their spells require an attack roll, they will make that attack roll at this time, using the rules for melee or missile combat as appropriate. This will conclude their turn. Melee phase Any characters not casting spells, firing missile weapons, or retreating can choose to make attacks with melee weapons against any character within the reach of their weapon, which will conclude their turn. OPTION 2: Initiative points Each character begins a round with a set number of initiative points (IP). At the start of each combat round, the character with the highest number of IP selects an action first. Their IP for that round is then reduced by the cost of that action. Then the character with the next highest number of IP selects an action. This continues until all characters either have 0 IP remaining, or pass on their turn, forfeiting the chance to take any additional actions in that round (in the event that they have too few points to perform any actions they would like to perform, or if they want to preserve their remaining IP to take reactions). Then the next round starts and the process repeats. Any unused IP are not carried over from round to round. In the event that two (or more) characters have the same IP remaining, the following rules can be observed to break ties: Player characters go before non-player characters. Player character seating order (in-person play) or character portrait/name order (VTT), right to left. Roll one six-sided dice: highest roll goes first. Cost of actions are given in the table below. Action Cost (IP) Draw/ready weapon Weapon weight class Attack 3 + weapon weight class Active defense* 2 + weapon or shield weight class Move 1 square 1 Switch weapons 1 + total weight class of both weapons Reload As specified in weapon description Use an item 3 Initiative points are given by 12 + AGI - AP. An average starting character will have 12 IP. Certain class features can increase the number of IP available to a character, or reduce the IP cost of certain actions. Casting a spell is always a full-round action, consuming all available IP for that character for that round. The spell does not take effect until the round ends. OPTION 3: Pseudo-real-time Combat encounters are tracked by the second, counting up from 1, after the first hostile action taken by any character in the scene. Any character not currently performing an action can declare an action to initiate. Actions taking 1 second take effect immediately, while actions that take more than one second do not take effect until that number of seconds have elapsed. Actions are only resolved by dice rolls in the second in which they take effect. Action Duration (seconds) Draw/ready weapon Weapon weight class / 2, rounding up Attack 1 + Weapon weight class / 2, rounding up Active defense* 1 + Weapon or shield weight class / 2, rounding up Initiate movement, move 1 square 1 Continue movement, up to 2 squares 1 Switch weapons Total weight class of both weapons / 2, rounding up Reload As specified in weapon description Cast a spell 5 + Spell power level Use an item 2 All actions ending in the same second are resolved simultaneously. Two characters attacking one another results in a clash. Characters in a clash each make opposed attack rolls; whichever character rolls higher prevails, and the difference between the rolls is used as the margin of the winning character’s attack roll for the purpose of calculating damage. When a character attacks another character that is not also attacking them at the same time, the attacking character may interrupt the targeted character, disrupting their action, if their attack is successful. A character that receives damage must roll an END or a RES check, whichever is higher, against a target number of 9 + wound levels received to complete their in-progress action, otherwise it is interrupted. The exception to this is spellcasting, which is always interrupted by taking damage. For this reason, multi-second actions are resolved by dice rolls only in the second they are completed, not when they are declared. Interrupted characters may declare an action in the next second.
March 2, 2025 at 6:26 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
elon is an r-strategist, confirmed
r-strategists: * short life spans * many and small offspring * little to no parental care * massive loss of offspring * unpredictable or changing environments
February 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
syntropian.bsky.social
L'etat, c'est moi - first time as tragedy, second time as farce. Now you will see come to pass what we have been warning you will happen for a decade. Whoever you are expecting to come to the rescue, they are not coming. It is on each and every one of us. Everything not saved will be lost.
Screenshot of a sequence of tweets Donald J. Trump: He who saves his Country does not violate any Law. Jack Posobiec: America will be saved What must be done will be done Elon Musk: Yes
February 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
The sacred texts!
February 16, 2025 at 4:18 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
retvrn
February 5, 2025 at 6:34 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
how it feels to go to work today
exercise instructor recording a video accidentally captures footage of Myanmar military coup in progress, 2021
February 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
https://x.com/syntropian/status/1321015446431121410?t=gvJ4EIXbiFU94aFEpPSsUQ&s=19
January 31, 2025 at 11:54 PM
syntropian.bsky.social
so you're saying some company took your work without consent or attribution and used it to train an AI model? man, that's crazy. who would do such a thing

Pic unrelated
OpenAI whistleblower Surchir Balaji's last tweet before dying under unclear circumstances
January 29, 2025 at 8:42 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
Rounding out the class package with some support abilities to help out other characters - buff mental defenses, replenish willpower (mental defense and metacurrency that lets you make extra effort to get rerolls, ignore status effects, etc), and reduce stress (basically psychological hitpoints)
Mental defense A Psion may attempt to fortify their own mind, and/or the mind of one or more allies, against mental attack by another psion. When attempting to do this, the psion must roll 4D and add their Intelligence modifier and mental defense skill to the roll. The target number is 10 + the number of targeted characters. The targeted characters add the margin of the roll to their Willpower for the purposes of resisting mental attack. This action consumes 1 MP per target per turn (10 minutes, or 100 rounds). The psion can choose to drop the defense at any time. The defense also drops when the psion is knocked out or killed. A psion can target a number of characters equal or less than their class level. This ability is available to any Psion at level 1, and depends on the Mental Defense skill. Mental restoration A Psion may attempt to improve their own or another character’s mental state. A targeted character’s Stress can be healed, or their Willpower can be restored. The psion must choose which action they wish to perform. To attempt this action, the psion must roll 4D and add their Intelligence modifier and mental restoration skill to the roll. When healing Stress, the target number is 10 + the character’s current Stress level; when restoring Willpower, the target number is This action consumes 1 MP to perform. This ability is available to any Psion at level 1, and depends on the Mental Restoration skill.
January 25, 2025 at 6:04 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
of course you can just attempt to jedi mind trick people too if you're not looking for a confrontation. i expect players to use this ability in creative and unexpected ways
Mental manipulation A Psion may attempt to subtly alter a target character’s attitudes and beliefs without needing to fully invade their mind. The Psion cannot cause their target to believe nonsense; the implanted or modified thoughts must be crafted in such a way as to be consistent with the target’s existing mental models of reality. The psion must be able to perceive the targeted character in order to initiate a mental manipulation. When attempting to do this, the psion must roll 4D and add their Intelligence modifier and mental manipulation skill to the roll. The target number is given by the targeted character’s current Willpower. Targeting a furious character applies 2 levels of Disadvantage to the roll. Targeting a hostile or suspicious character applies 1 level of Disadvantage to the roll. Targeting a friendly or loyal creature applies 1 level of Advantage to the roll. Targeting a bonded character applies 2 levels of Advantage to the roll. On success, the psion may either choose one belief to implant or modify (“these are not the droids you are looking for”), subject to the restrictions above, or may alter the creature’s attitude towards a selected character or group, but not both. The target creature is not aware of the manipulation. On a regular success, the effect lasts until the targeted creature can no longer perceive the psion, and attitude may be changed by 1 level (e.g. from hostile to suspicious, or from neutral to friendly). On a total success, the effect lasts until the targeted character sleeps, and attitude may be changed by 2 levels (e.g. from hostile to neutral, or neutral to loyal). On a critical success, this effect lasts indefinitely, and attitude may be changed by 3 levels (e.g. from hostile to friendly, or neutral to bonded). On failure, the manipulation does not take effect, and the targeted characters become aware of the attempted manipulation.
January 25, 2025 at 6:04 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
the juicy part - getting into other people's heads. but you have to break down their resistance first, and other psions can actively fight back. was somewhat inspired by the way mental battles between beings with psionic abilities is described in the Dark Sun Prism Pentad for this part of the system
Mental attack A psion can use their power to enter the minds of non-psions without their consent, to obtain information, to do harm, or to take direct control of the other character’s body. The attacking psion must be able to perceive the targeted character in order to initiate a mental attack. This is a full-round action for the psion, who is vulnerable to melee and missile attacks and offensive spells while they engage in this action, losing their Agility modifier to their AC. However, unlike spellcasting, taking damage does not interrupt a mental attack. When attempting to do this, the psion must roll 4D and add their Intelligence modifier and mental attack skill to the roll. The target number is given by the targeted character’s current Willpower. If the target is aware of the psion’s presence, but the psion wishes to conceal the mental attack, apply 1 level of Disadvantage on this roll. If the targeted character is unaware of the attacking psion’s presence, apply 1 level of Advantage on this roll. On a successful result, the targeted character’s Willpower is reduced by the margin of the roll, but not below 0. On a failure, the targeted character is unharmed, and the psion loses Willpower equivalent to half the margin of the roll, rounding up, but not below 1. The psion is free to attempt again during the next round, but the targeted character will become aware of the attack, and each successive attempt against the same character applies 1 level of Disadvantage to the attacking psion’s mental attack roll (cumulative). At the end of the round when the targeted character’s Willpower is reduced to 0, and each successive round during which the attacking psion takes no other actions and the targeted character’s Willpower remains 0, the attacking psion may choose to extract information, inflict harm, or take control of the other character. Extracting information: each round, one fact known to the targeted character may be revealed to the psion on request, unless the targeted character does not know the requested fact. This information is revealed to the controlling character at the end of the round. Inflicting harm: each round, the targeted character either loses 1D + Psion class level of FP until their FP reaches 0 and they are knocked out, or receives 1D + Psion class level of crush damage to the head (or whatever other body part contains the core of the targeted character’s nervous system) until they are killed. Whether the damage is nonlethal or lethal is up to the psion. Either effect is applied at the end of the round. Taking control: at the beginning of the next round, the psion moves and acts as if they inhabited the targeted character’s body, including all of their abilities. The controlled character retains their physical ability scores, FP, and MP. For any abilities that require Willpower, or that use mental ability scores, the psion substitutes their own Willpower and mental ability scores for those of the controlled character. Any Stress or mental status conditions inflicted on the targeted character are inflicted on the controlling character instead. Any of the actions above continue for successive rounds until the psion takes any action in their own body, which remains motionless (losing the Agility bonus to AC). The psion may choose to relinquish control voluntarily at any time. Control will also be relinquished if they are knocked out or killed. Any character whose mind is successfully invaded by a Psion takes 10 points of Stress if it is the first time they have experienced this, or 5 points of Stress if this is not the first time. This action consumes 1 MP per target per round. As in other forms of spellcasting, if all MP are expended, it consumes FP instead. Psychic combat Unlike non-psions, psions are capable of actively resisting mental attack. Only one psion, and no other characters, can be targeted for a mental attack at the same time. When one psion initiates a mental attack against another psion, the two psions enter a state of psychic combat, directly pitting their wills against one another to simultaneously defend their own mind while attacking the mind of their enemy. This is a full-round action for both combatants, who are both vulnerable to melee and missile attacks and offensive spells while they engage in this action, losing their Agility modifier to their AC. However, unlike spellcasting, taking damage does not interrupt psychic combat. Instead of an attack roll against a target number, each psion rolls 4D and adds their Intelligence modifier, mental attack skill, mental defense skill, and current Willpower to the roll. Whoever rolls higher wins the round. The loser reduces their Willpower by the margin of the roll (winner’s total minus loser’s total), but not below 0. When one combatant’s willpower is reduced to 0, the other combatant may choose to extract information, inflict harm, or take control of the losing character as described under Mental attack, above. In addition, the prevailing character permanently gains 1 MP from the losing character, who permanently loses 1 MP. This action consumes 1 MP per round for both combatants. As in other forms of spellcasting, if all MP are expended, it consumes FP instead.
January 25, 2025 at 6:04 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
the "brain radio" can come in really handy in certain situations, even if it's one way for anyone else without their own psionic abilities - silently communicate information or coordinate strategy, or just distract or fuck with people
A psion can mentally transmit speech, mental imagery, or an emotional state to one or more characters as a free action. If the communication is speech, it is encoded in a specific language, and can only be understood by characters that speak that language. Mental imagery and emotional states can be understood by all targeted characters, including animals. Unless the target is also a psion, the communication is only one-way. To communicate to only one or more specific characters, the psion must be able to perceive the target of their communication. To broadcast communication to all sentient characters in a specific range, that is not necessary, but the range of this power is restricted to 30 feet (5 squares) per class level. This ability is available to any psion at level 1, and does not require a roll.
January 25, 2025 at 6:04 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
worked on psionics for Twilight Dawn. wanted them to be thematically distinct from other casters but use same mechanics. want to give players tools to be creative in play while eschewing stuff like telekinesis or clairvoyance (the province of other caster types), mind zapping for xd6 damage (boring)
Psions, mental infiltrators and combatants Psionics is distinct from Thaumaturgy as a unique discipline, involving direct access to, and control of, the active mental processes of others. A psion can invest limited effort in manipulating others to affect their opinions and beliefs, or they can make a larger effort to fully invade another character's mind. This invasion can happen gently, to gather information and then depart, or violently, doing as much damage as possible in as short a time as possible or even temporarily seizing control of their target’s body. Such an invasion requires the psion to break down their target's mental defenses first. A psion can also use their abilities to communicate telepathically with others, and fortify their own minds and the minds of others against stress and psionic attack. While psionics is INT-based, a high WIS will also be useful for more willpower that can be employed in battles for control of minds, as well as defense against psionic attack. Psions can access the Mind sphere only. As Psionics is purely mental and has no associated body movements or vocalizations, it is not interruptible and not affected by armor penalties. Psionic powers are completely ineffective on unconscious, robotic, mechanical, incorporeal, or non-sentient targets. The Psion class is associated with the mental attack, mental defense, mental restoration, and mental manipulation skills.
January 25, 2025 at 6:04 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
The party: "I don't understand why the NPCs keep running away from us screaming!"

The party in question:
January 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
syntropian.bsky.social
One day I will organize all of these links on my to-read list. But today is not that day
January 19, 2025 at 4:50 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
You're relaxing or partying on a Saturday evening, I'm getting my life together in a series of Google Docs, we are not the same
January 19, 2025 at 4:48 AM
syntropian.bsky.social
each & every one of you, the living world we share, the struggles & transformations that brought us here & the future that we co-create in every moment, as we emerge into an infinite universe filled with secrets we have barely begun to discover & potentialities which we can scarcely begin to imagine
The famous "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth from space, taken on December 7, 1972
January 18, 2025 at 6:59 AM