What is good to put here and customization is hard

[cirianne]

Worldbuilding Questions: Towns and Cities

After rambling on worldbuiliding, I did a little list of question (some kindly provided by @gaslightwestern), which I’m going to answer for myself now… Maybe it’ll help you as well, so I thought I’d share! 

General information

How large is it? (Number of inhabitants, but also in comparison to other places)

How important is the city for the country?

How is the ethnic mix in the city? Does it differ from the rest of the country?

Is the city of political importance (government seat)?

How’s the criminality rate in the city? Anything peaking in particular?

Who rules the city? Are the rulers accepted by the townspeople?

What’s it like to walk around in the day? At night?

What sights, sounds, and smells fill the air?

History

How old is the city?

What historical events are the townspeople proud of?

Are there any myths about the city’s foundation? Any “fathers” or “mothers” of the city?

Has it ever been destroyed and rebuild? Dramatically Besieged?

Are there important sons and daughters of the city? Who do they praise the most?

Which traditions do they follow?

Which buildings (or city quarters) are historical?

Geography

Are there any rivers, waterways or shorelines?

How easily can the city be accessed?

Is the city built on hills/mountains? Notable slopes throughout the city?

Are there any other cities nearby? How does the city interact with its surroundings?

How do the inhabitants get food and water?

How does nature influence the city? (Climate, tides, natural disasters, …)

Urban Structure

Is the city planned or has it grown naturally? Is there any political influence on how the city expands?

How is the city laid out?

Is there one (or several) city centers? Does it match the historic old town (if any)?

What are the houses like for the various classes?

Is there a sewer system? Garbage collection?

Are there parks? Is is a “green” city?

How do the inhabitants deal with their dead? Are there funeral sites?

Are they any “dangerous” parts of the city?

Are there distinguished city quarters for living (suburbia)?

How are the means of communication? (Pneumatic tube system? Official Mail service?)

How is media in the city? Are there local newspapers or radio stations?

How is the medical care system? Are there hospitals?

How is public transport organized?

Food

What does an average person’s diet consist of?

Are there regional specialties?

Are there restaurants?

Economy

Are there any important industries settled in the city?

Is the city rich? How do they make money?

Which are the most important businesses / companies? Anything of national importance?

Is there agriculture?

What would the average inhabitant do for a living?

Military

Is there military stationed in the city?

Is the city of strategic importance?

Are there city walls?

Education

Is there public education? Are there any notable schools or academies situated in the city?

Landmarks

Are there any notable landmarks? (Be they natural or man-made)?

What would most likely be printed on a postcard send from here?

Religion 

Is there any religious significance to the city? Is it on pilgrimage routes? 

Are there important religious buildings? 

Which religions are predominant? Does it differ from the rest of the country?

Are the inhabitants pious?

Are there important religious holidays? How are they celebrated?

How would the religious routine of a citizen look like?

Sports and Leisure

Are there stadiums of any kind?

Is there something like a local sports tradition?

What would a typical inhabitant do for a fun night out?

Are there important cultural buildings? Is there an opera or a theater?

How is prostitution handled in this city? Is there a red light district?

[quarkmaster]

Witch Town

Work did for a Workshop 2018

Pablo Mendoza Peces

[elvenbeard]

Inktober 2019 - Day 9: Swing

On a protruding rock above the small town of Fandyl a lonely little house stands next to a tree. The house is inhabited by an old woman who knows a thing or two about healing and medicine, and she sticks to herself and her routines. Ever since a group of soldiers paid her a visit though, many months ago, there have been curious changes - the most cent one a simple swing tied to the tree at the very edge of the cliff.

[scifi-fantasy-horror]

by  Andreas Rocha

[elvenbeard]

Inktober 2019 - Day 10: Pattern

Stendell is a community of blacksmiths and masons, woodworkers and miners. Their artisanship is present throughout the city in beautiful patterns spanning along bridges and roads or decorate exterior and interior of houses.

[this-seemed-like-a-good-idea]

Learning Languages and How to Make it Fun

(gifs not mine, credit to the artist)

How does a child learns? Immersion

So you gotta dive deep

Find songs that you like. You don't have to understand, you just have to enjoy the song.

Listen them at least once a day. The idea is for you to get familiar with the sounds.

Once you have already heard them too many times (without getting tired of them) look for the lyrics. In their native language, not a translation.

If you can read in that language, then try reading them. Print them if you have to or write them down (this is better) and as you listen to the song try to sing.

If there's a word/sentence you like because it sounds pretty, mark it.

If there's a word you don't know how to/can't pronounce, mark it.

For example, I have a journal in which I write Japanesse Kanji that I find beautiful (whether is because of the meaning or the symbol itself is pretty)

Once you are familiar with the song look for a translation.

Check those words you have marked with the translation.

While looking for definitions it's better if you find images (so can have an idea of what that word is) instead of a definition in your language (unless is a long/complicated concept).

Movies, you must watch movies in that language. Better if they are from that country. (It can also be a doubled movie, perhaps you could look for one of your favorites)

Watch them with subtitles (in your language) once or twice. Then watch them again but this time without subtitles or with subtitles of said language. (You already know the plot, so you can still understand what's going on)

If you like to read, look for children literature. It's easy and fun.

Keep reading even if you don't understand a single sh*t. It doesn't matter.

Mark again those words you like, don't know the meaning or can't pronounce.

Write at least one sentence every day. It doesn't have to be right, it doesn't have to be long or poetic, you just gotta write.

If you still don't know much about grammar (enough to formulate a sentence on your own) then write a quote from one of those songs, movies or books you read. Again it doesn't matter if you don't understand what are you writing.

If you already know another language, try to learn the new language with that one. For example, I learn german from english instead of my native language spanish.

Videogames. In my experience this is amazing. You have no idea idea how much I learned english just from games.

You have fun playing, engaged with a story, while constantly hearing the language. You don't even have to pay attention at what they are saying, eventually you'll figure it out. It's very intuitive.

And because games, usually, requires that you spend many hours playing you will have a lot of practice without actually studying.

Some games, if you look on the settings menu, even have other languages instead of english. For example I played Assassin's Creed Brotherhood in italian and french and AsC III in russian and japanese (the voice actors are fantastic).

Seriously, videogames are freaking amazing for learning.

The idea of this, is that you can imitate the learning process a child does, while also having fun and enjoying it. Kids learn by making mistakes, by playing with words and by being constantly surrounded with the language. At first, kids have no idea what they are doing, they just repeat what they see and hear. So it's okay if you don't know what are you doing, take that pressure off. This is not school/college, this is just you trying to learn a culture. So be kind and patient with yourself.

LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN, be creative with your methods and try everything (so you can find what you are comfortable with). It is scientifically proved that if you like what you are studying and having fun it will be 10x easier to assimilate and remember the knowledge you are acquiring.

[accidentallyhexedwanderer]

pt3

I am reposting everything is this how to tumblr. I did not do my essay. Goodnight

[animatedtext]

[valtsv]

me every time someone says anything to me

[systlin]

Had a doc appt (just my yearly checkup) a couple days ago and I asked her about checking to see if my measles vaccine from when I was a kid was still good, since I’d heard it could lose effectiveness over time. She nodded and had a lab done and turned out I was NOT still immune to measles, so got my booster today.

Get your vaccines, folks!

[twitblr]

Such a solid analogy

[loghainmactir]

if you definitely 100% own all of the dnd 5E content after spending hundreds of dollars on it whether physically or digitally (or both!) u should use this site here as a quick n easy reference point for the content you definitely already legally own because you’re a law abiding citizen who has paid hundreds of dollars for a shittonne of books.

[accidentallyhexedwanderer]

well fuck pt2

oh yea so I don’t know how to do any aesthetic bs yet. I also still don’t know how to function like a person in general when it comes to taking care of myself, communicating, or spelling. I have interests at this point in my life. But I also have an English essay due in two days so I have time for Youtube and nothing else rn. Also Tumblr I guess.

[accidentallyhexedwanderer]

well fuck

I don’t know how this shit works but we are doing it. I don’t really see any immediate downsides to this as of right now so we’ll see how this goes and if I do literally anything with this because I sure didn’t do anything last time.

[self-excellence]

GUIDE TO:

FIX YOUR SLEEPING SCHEDULE (1-2 months)

Try to wake up earlier every day. Like 5 - 10 min earlier than the day before. Until you wake up any time before 8am or so…

If you struggle with waking up & snooze button is you bff:

Put your alarm clock as far away from the bed as possible.

Drink a glass of water right after you wake up.

Pour another glass of water on yourself right after you wake up.

Prepare some coffee the night before, leave it by your bedside, drink it after you wake up.

Have your blinds/curtains open, so that it’s bright after you wake up.

Try to go to bed 5-10 min earlier than the night before.

Track how many hours of sleep you’re getting. Aim to get at least 7h per day or 49h per week. 

Increase your sleeping hours incrementally. Aim to get at least 1h of sleep more than the previous week. For example, if this week you slept for 41hrs, aim to get an extra hour of sleep next week, so it’s 42h.Once you get enough hours of sleep and wake up early-ish.

Try to keep your sleeping schedule consistent. It is really important to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.  Even if it’s weekend. Or even if that means, you getting less than 7hrs of sleep that day. I’d say waking up at the same time everyday is the most important step, which will help you the most with fixing your sleeping schedule.

START EATING HEALTHY (1-2 months)

This step really depends from person to person, but firstly I suggest you take some blood tests to see if you have any deficiencies, etc. Especially, if you struggle with cravings.  

Try intermittent fasting, if you struggle with binge eating or overeating. As it will help you to learn to listen to your body better: when it’s hungry, when it’s full, etc. It’s really simple, there are many methods of Intermittent fasting, but I’d suggest 16/8 for the beginners. (Google it for more info)

DRINK ALL THE WATER. Again, if you’re not drinking enough water, try to level up your water game incrementally. Download some water tracking app on your phone to help you. Drinking water will make you more energetic, increase your metabolism, and decrease you appetite (among many more benefits).

Track what you eating. I would really suggest tracking your meals for around a month. Because, most of the time people have no idea that what they’re eating is unhealthy. Again, download an app to your phone for that.

Make your own meals once in a while. Not only this will save you money, but it’ll help you to see what’s really going into your body.

Eat less meat and more veggies/fruits. Go to your local market and buy some veggies/fruits, you have never tried before. I’m sure you’ll find your new favs. Eat/buy less meat. Not only it’s good for the environment, but it is good for you, too. Get a veggie burger instead of the beef one, etc.

Cut dairy. Find your new favourite milk substitute. Advice: Oat milk is really good with the tea and oatmeal/porridge; hazelnut milk is amazing on it’s own; cashew milk goes well with cereals.

Learn more about nutrition in general. It will help you to make better food choices and it will make eating healthy much easier in general, because once you understand all the chemistry behind the food and what it does to your body, you kinda don’t want to make yourself feel worse. Here are some free resources: - Human nutrition course from Alison.com - Crash course Metabolism&Nutrition: Part 1 and Part 2 - The Health Nerd’s YouTube Playlist about nutrition - What I’ve Learnt YouTube Playlist - Human nutrition course from Alison.com - Crash course Metabolism&Nutrition: Part 1 and Part 2 - The Health Nerd’s YouTube Playlist about nutrition - What I’ve Learnt YouTube Playlist

GET PHYSICALLY FIT (2-6 months)

Define your goals. Do you want to lose weight, do you want to get stronger, gain weight, be able to climb stairs without losing breath, run 5k?

Remember - you’re half-way through. Being physically fit has a lot to do with what you put into your body. So, if you fulfilled the previous step of eating healthy - you are half way through!

Make a plan. A Reasonable plan. Be honest with yourself.

Start small. Like, 5 min exercise in the morning. Or doing 10 sit ups per day. Don’t do anything overwhelming, like running 5k everyday if you haven’t run for the past 5 years.

Make sure that you kinda like what you’re doing. If you absolutely hate running - don’t do it. Hate doing sit ups in the morning? Try some yoga instead.

Explore until you find what you like. You don’t have to go to gym to get fit, especially if you hate it. Find a type of exercise, which you actually like. Maybe it’s dancing or hiking, taking your dog for a walk. Sign up for several trial lessons of various sport clubs. Ditch ‘em if you have them until you find something that you love. Stick with that.

Do the small changes in your everyday life. Stairs>Escalator, Walk>Drive, Do some squats while brushing your teeth, switch from regular desk to standing desk, etc…  Find ways to incorporate being active into your everyday life

Track your effort instead of your progress. You cannot really control your progress that much (especially if your goal was to lose weight). However, you can always control your effort. So track it instead. This will leave you more motivated. As you will be able to see that you can do more and more everyday. Whereas, if you tracked your progress, you may not always get the result you hoped for, which might demotivate you and make you upset, wanting to quit.

BEAT DEPRESSION

Do the previous 3 steps and you’re half way through.

See a therapist/doctor. Depression is an illness, requiring medical treatment. So, get it. Remember: there is absolutely no fucking shame in having a mental illness.

Get some extra support. Talk to your friends or family. Or maybe someone on the internet.

Write it out. If you don’t want to talk - write down your thoughts. It can be just as helpful. It’ll help you to understand yourself better, see problems in your thinking, etc.

Distract yourself from yourself. Get someone/something to take care of, so that you can, for a moment, stop thinking about yourself and focus on something else. E.g, get a plant, or a dog, or a fish.

Self-care day. Dedicate at least one day per week for self-care. Take yourself out, either to a museum or some fancy cafe, do some stuff you like, whatever your hobbies are, do some physical self care: bath, face mask, manicure, etc., listen to some nice music, watch a film…..

STOP PROCRASTINATION

Celebrate your victories instead of mourning over your loses.So the only thing you’ve done today was write one sentence for your 20 page essay? Amazing! Buy yourself a candy for that!! I mean, you could’ve done nothing, but you didn’t - you wrote that one sentence and that’s worth celebrating.

Do it for only 2 minutes. If there’s an important thing you’ve been putting off for a while, tell yourself that you will only spend 2 minutes on doing it. If after 2 minutes you don’t want to do it anymore, great, stop it. However, after 2min. you actually might want to do more. No pressure either way.

Track your productivity. Track how much time you’ve been productive that day. Try to increase that time by a little bit every day.

Always forgive yourself. So, it’s been a week and you’ve done nothing? Don’t sweat it. Let it go. Blaming yourself will bring you absolutely nothing. Nothing good will come out of your negativity on yourself. So stop it. Forgive yourself and start again. And again, if you need to. Never stop trying. Always pick yourself after you fall. Beating procrastination and increasing your discipline is a skill. And all skills can be build on. There is nothing in you stopping you from changing. Remember that.

LEARN HOW TO DO TAXES (1h - 1 day)

Go to google.com.

Type in: “How to do taxes *the name of the country you’re living in*”

Read the results.

GET MENTALLY STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE PHONE CALLS

Remember that just as with beating procrastination, making phone calls is a skill. And, again, skills can be learnt.

Get a new SIM card.

Top it up.

Dial some random numbers and pretend to be a salesman, selling whatever you like.. E.g., trying to sell broadband, cable tv, trying to get people to donate for some charity… Or whatever really… Me and some friends used to pretend we’re selling kittens or wood logs. Alternatively, you can pretend that you dialed a wrong person and talk about whatever, e.g. “Hey, Jess!! You wont believe what I saw today!! *start telling a made-up story*…”

If you get uncomfortable - just drop the call. No consequences whatsoever.

Repeat until you build up your game and your phone-call anxiety starts to diminish.

SLAY THOSE BITCHES Congratulations, now you’re ready to take over the world! Got get ‘em!!

[jeiasacads]

YO SIGNAL BOOST