Sports

Chronicles of Everfall: Shadow of the Conquerer: Review: Death by Extraneous Subtitles

Published

4 years ago

January 4, 2022

sylvia J

Expectations are important. For relationships, for instance, making sure that everyone’s expectations are agreeable going is perhaps one of the most important factors for long term success. If the couple has differing expectations regarding children, religion, work / life ratios, or any other such important thing, then they either better rectify that or find new partners.

However, expectations are an important part of entertainment too. While people usually expect to be surprised in a certain way, there are limits to what they’ll accept within those boundaries. If you go into a comedy show, you expect to laugh. If you go to a TED talk, you expect to learn something new and maybe laugh if the presenter does a good job. If you go to online blackjack, you expect to have win and win some dolla dolla bills. However, If you go to a comedy show and get lectured about the horrors of Dachau, it might be informative, but it sure as heck wasn’t what I signed up for.

Movies and novels and all other kinds of storytelling have this give and pull too. When I sit down to read a Brandon Sanderson novel, I expect some kind of epic fantasy featuring heroes and wars and good and evil, with deep themes. When I watch a slasher flick, I expect to be scared and amused and frustrated as to why that stupid girl keeps tripping over nothing every ten feet when- sorry, where was I?

Right. Expectations. If you set up the wrong kind of expectations and don’t deliver, this typically is disastrous. Not always- sometimes we can be pleasantly surprised. But most of the time. The newer Star Trek shows, for instance, are a perfect example. The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, Enterprise, and the movies all established what Star Trek is.

It’s a thoughtful, introspective work of science fiction that explores many compelling thought experiments, philosophies, and scientific premises. It’s a series that tackled big questions and gave thought provoking answers. So when I sat down to watch the newer Star Trek: Picard, I was not expecting to watch a fan-favorite character get murdered by eyeball drill. I would say that that falls safely under the category of “disastrous”.

“Chronicles of Everfall: Shadow of the Conqueror” is a novel that did not meet my expectations. This is a self-published novel written by Shad Brooks, who makes educational content about medieval history on his YouTube channel, Shadiversity. As a result, I went in expecting a Brandon Sanderson-Esque epic fantasy but ended up getting something quite different. But was it good? Short answer, yes.

The Premise

Our protagonist is Daylen Namaran, also known as Dayless the Conqueror, the Great Bastard, the Scourge of Nations, and various other equally unkind titles. But well deserved. Daylen was once a mighty emperor who rebelled against the aristocratic houses of old after they murdered his family and rose as a unifying monarch in the name of the oppressed people. To ensure that the evils of old would not happen again, Daylen brought all property under the control of the government and forced people to work to feed the otherwise starving nation.

So yeah, he basically invented fantasy communism. And just like real communism, it was an abysmal failure. As they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Daylen was no exception. He removed people’s freedoms. He became paranoid. He took hundreds of women forcibly (some as young as fourteen). He invented airships powerful enough to annihilate cities. And did, when one dared rebel against his despotic regime.

Eventually, the entire world rose against him. Eventually, they bested his armies, and he was forced into hiding. With everyone presuming him dead, Daylen hid and planned.

And hid. And hid. And hid.

Twenty years later, our story begins. And Daylen, having seen a world no longer under his thumb, despises himself and everything he ever did. Old and feeble at the age of eighty-two, Daylen decides his time his come and decides to throw himself off the continent.

Which, ironically, would be the key to his salvation.

The World

The story is set in the world of Everfall, which consists of a series of massive floating islands. Should one fall off the edge, they eventually loop around to the top of the world, such that if you don’t collide with anything, you’ll fall forever and ever until you starve to death. Unless you’re carrying either Darkstone or Lightstone.

Exactly as the name implies, Lightstone emits light, but Darkstone behaves differently. If it’s not exposed to light, the stone will fix in place and cannot be moved (even in midair). As more and more light touches it, the stone gets easier and easier to move until it’s simply pushed forward. This is how the islands can float and the airships can move.

However, if you carry one of these stones with you as you hit the barrier, you explode.

Daylen, being the massive melodramatic nonce that he is, decides to carry both with him on the way down. Not only does he not explode, but he’s returned to his youthful body and given magical superpowers.

The Magic

Taking obvious inspiration from novels like Brandon Sanderson’s “The Stormlight Archive”, Shadow of the Conqueror goes for a Hard Magic system. If you’re interested in learning the differences between Hard magic and Soft Magic systems in fantasy novels, I highly recommend watching the video by “Hello Future Me” on YouTube about the subject. But for the purposes of this article, I’ll be brief. Basically, a Hard Magic system is one where there are explicit rules about what the magic can’t do (Like in Avatar the Last Airbender, or anything by Brandon Sanderson), whereas a Soft Magic system is one where the only rules are what the magic system has been shown it can do (like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings).

Shadow of the Conqueror goes for the former, with lots and lots of explicit rules for how everything works, that will all be explained to you in great detail if you can be bothered to read through it. Like, there is actual math and physics involved. Math.

Actually, it’s pretty cool overall- although a lot of the explanations get frontloaded into the novel in the form of infodumps while Daylen is experimenting.

The Moral Dilemma

The whole plot is built around a single question: Is Daylen redeemable? Is it even possible for him to be redeemed? Is the world ready or willing to forgive him?

Considering the scale of Day lens crimes (as one Goodreads reviewer put it, Daylen was basically pedophile-Stalin), almost everyone seems to agree that Dayless the Conqueror deserves to die. Including Daylen himself- although he’s convinced that “The Light” (Read: G-d) is determined to let him live so that he can continue suffering from his guilt. He believes that is why he was turned young and believes that that is why he was given his powers- so that he can fulfill some sort of purpose, find some small redemption, and suffer with himself all the while.

Like two of my other favorite authors (Brandon Sanderson and Orson Scott Card), Shadow of the Conquerer is written by a devout member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints- more commonly known as Mormonism. It’s clear that Shad M. Brooks’ views on redemption have intermixed with the story- that everyone deserves a second chance and can be deemed through repentance. It’s not a bad thing. Every artist adds their own philosophies into the works they create and lets people step into their worldview, even for a little while.

It’s just that on this particular issue, I disagree with the conclusion. I won’t spoil how it ends, but I do think Daylen gets off easy. I don’t particularly care how much guilt Daylen himself feels over his crimes. There are lines of no return, which, in my opinion, must be punished. Even if that person can be redeemed, it’s the crime itself that has to be punished.

I’m not Christian. I do believe in the concept of “an eye for an eye”- which isn’t literal, as most people seem to forget. In the old testament, this means that a man that breaks another man’s hand must pay the victim however much a court deems that man’s hand to be worth (basically, his livelihood). If you steal a goat, you must pay back two goats, etc.

Daylen Namaran is responsible for nearly thirty million deaths. The novel basically gives Daylen a slap on the wrist for it but delivers death penalties to men who have committed far less enormous (but still horrible) crimes. Daylen is at least self aware enough to recognize the hypocrisy, but the narrative itself doesn’t if that makes any sense. Sure, Daylen bemoans having to live another day with his immense guilt, but… he’s still alive? Returned to his youth, given magical superpowers, and reunited with once mortal enemies and even one of the girls he repeatedly raped?

I’m sorry, but that doesn’t fit my worldview of justice.

Overall

Now let me be clear: Does the fact that I heavily disagree with the implied moral compass of the novel make it a bad book? No. It’s very enjoyable. It’s very well written, with solid characters and an intriguing moral dilemma. The fact that I’m here, ranting about how much I disagree with it, means that in one sense, it accomplished its goal of getting me to think. I didn’t agree with every outcome of Star Trek. The writers of that show ended up at conclusions I would not have come to, and neither did Mr. Brooks. Which is fine! If everyone thought exactly the same as I did, that would suck.

I went into Shadow of the Conqueror expecting an Epic Fantasy, set on a world-shattering scale. Instead, I got a smaller scale but far more thought-provoking novel than I had ever initially expected to get. Many fantasy novels avoid the non-PC issues (like ham-fisted racism is bad metaphors) to keep a wider audience, and I appreciate that Shadow of the Conqueror doesn’t compromise to tell the story it wants to tell.

Plus, any story, fantasy or no, that dunks on communism gains my respect.

Sports

5 populiariausi žaidimų automatai Lietuvoje

Published

3 weeks ago

July 31, 2025

sylvia J

5 populiariausi žaidimų automatai Lietuvoje

Internetiniai žaidimų automatai – tai ne tik atsitiktinių skaičių generatoriai, bet ir tikros pramogų oazės, kur kiekvienas sukimasis gali atverti duris į neįtikėtinus prizus. Lietuvoje šia forma lošimų susidomėjimas auga, nes žaidėjai vertina ne tik galimybę laimėti, bet ir patrauklų dizainą, inovatyvias funkcijas bei sklandžią techninę pusę. Šiame straipsnyje detaliai apžvelgsime 5 automatus, kurie labiausiai patinka Lietuvos auditorijai, ir paaiškinsime, kaip iš jų gauti maksimumą.

Book of Dead

Book of Dead iš „Play’n GO“ jau daugelį metų karaliauja populiarumo viršūnėje. Tai nuotykių žaidimas, nukeliantis į senovės Egiptą, kur pagrindinis veikėjas Rich Wilde’as ieško paslaptingų faraonų lobynų. Vienas iš pagrindinių šio žaidimo privalumų – „Expanding Symbol“ funkcija, leidžianti tam tikram simboliui išsiplėsti per visą ritę ir reikšmingai padidinti laimėjimo tikimybę. Įjungus 10 nemokamų sukimų raundą, galima laimėti net iki 5 000 kartų daugiau nei statėte. Dėl aukšto RTP (~96,21 %) ir įtraukiančios siužeto linijos „Book of Dead“ tinka tiek pradedantiesiems, tiek patyrusiems žaidėjams.

Starburst

„Starburst“ iš „NetEnt“ – tai minimalistinis automatas, pasižymintis ryškiomis spalvomis ir aiškia, bet įdomia žaidimo eiga. Skirtingai nuo sudėtingų modelių, čia tik penkios ritės ir dešimt laimėjimo linijų, tačiau „Starburst Wild“ simboliai plečiasi per visą ritę ir suteikia pakartotinius sukimus. Dvikryptis laimėjimas – simboliai skaičiuojami iš kairės ir iš dešinės – garantuoja, kad net ir vieno simbolio atitikimas gali sukelti nemažą azarto pliūpsnį. Tokia paprasta logika sukelia malonų ritmą ir leidžia žaidėjui sutelkti dėmesį į spalvingą grafiką bei tarpusavio konkurenciją dėl laimėjimų.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways

„Gonzo’s Quest Megaways“ – pažįstamo „Gonzo’s Quest“ atnaujinimas, kuriame tradicinės penkios laimėjimo linijos išplečiamos iki net 117 649 galimų derinių. Kiekviename sukimasyje ekrane pasirodo skirtingas simbolių skaičius, o laimėjimo atveju „Avalanche“ efektas pašalina laimėjusius simbolius ir leidžia kristi naujiems, suteikiant grandininį laimėjimų srautą. Žaidimas įtraukia nuolatine dinamika, o nemokami sukimai su augačiais dauginimo koeficientais gali padidinti išmokas iki kelių šimtų kartų. Ši įvairovė ir nenuspėjamumas daro šį automatu ypatingai populiarų tarp Lietuvos entuziastų.

Mega Moolah

Kai kalba pasisuka apie progresinius jackpot’us, Mega Moolah iš „Microgaming“ yra neabejotinas lyderis. Daugelis žaidėjų Lietuvoje pasirenka šį automatu, svajodami apie milijoninį laimėjimą – skaičiai dažnai siekia kelis milijonus eurų. Unikalioje bonuso ruletėje žaidėjas gali nuspausti sustabdymo mygtuką ir laimėti vieną iš keturių lygių prizų: Mini, Minor, Major arba Mega. Nors RTP svyruoja apie 88 %, viltinga perspektyva laimėti tikrai gyvenimą keičiantį prizą traukia daugelį, o socialinėse grupėse neretai dalinamasi sėkmės istorijomis.

Sweet Bonanza

„Sweet Bonanza“ iš „Pragmatic Play“ – tai spalvinga vaisių ir saldainių fiesta, kurioje vietoje tradicinių laimėjimo linijų simboliai turi sudaryti klasterius. Po kiekvieno laimėjimo „Tumble“ funkcija pašalina laimėjusius elementus ir leidžia naujiems kristi jų vietoje, suteikiant papildomų šansų. Be to, nemokamų sukimų raunde kiekvienas iškritęs dauginimo koeficientas iki ×100 gali padidinti laimėjimą net keliskart. Dėl žaismingos estetikos ir malonių garsinių efektų šis modelis prikausto dėmesį ir yra vienas dažniausiai minėtų tarp lietuvių žaidėjų.

Patarimai, kaip maksimaliai išnaudoti заidimu automatai

Norint, kad заidimu automatai būtų ne tik smagus laisvalaikis, bet ir strategiškai naudingas pasirinkimas, svarbu elgtis apgalvotai. Pirmiausia verta išbandyti kiekvieną automatą demonstraciniame režime – taip susipažinsite su taisyklėmis, funkcijomis ir išvengsite staigių išlaidų. Antra, biudžeto valdymas – nustatykite sau dienos ir sesijos limitus, kad pralaimėjimai nesikauptų. Registracijos premijos ar depozito bonusai prailgins žaidimo laiką ir lems daugiau galimybių laimėti. Galiausiai, stebėkite savo žaidimo statistiką: rinkite duomenis apie pelningus laikotarpius ir pritaikykite jas statymų dydį ar pasirinktas strategijas.

Išvados

Lietuvoje populiariausi žaidimų automatai apima platų spektro: nuo senovės Egipto ekspedicijų iki progresinių milijoninių jackpot’ų ir saldžių klasterių žaidimų. Kiekvienas iš penkių aprašytų modelių pasižymi unikaliu žavesiu, todėl išbandę juos galėsite atrasti savo favoritą. Naudodamiesi patarimais, galite žengti žingsnį link didesnių laimėjimų bei atsakingos pramogos. Sėkmės ir malonaus laiko žaisdami!

Sports

Understanding the Top Player Poker Money Prize: A Simple Guide

Published

3 weeks ago

July 28, 2025

sylvia J

Understanding the Top Player Poker Money Prize

Poker is a game enjoyed by many people around the world, with players from all backgrounds trying to win big. The Top Player Poker Money Prize is a prestigious award that recognizes the most successful poker players over a series of tournaments. It isn’t just about winning one game, but about showing consistency and skill throughout multiple events. This prize is much more than money—it represents dedication, focus, and years of experience in the game. The journey to earn this prize is long and challenging, requiring players to outsmart their opponents time after time. It is awarded to the player who has earned the most money over a series of poker tournaments, making it one of the most coveted rewards in the poker world. This article will explain what the prize is, how to win it, and why it matters in the competitive poker scene. Whether you’re a newcomer to poker or an experienced player, understanding what it takes to earn the Top Player Poker Money Prize is essential. So, let’s dive into the details and learn more about this exciting achievement in the world of poker.

What is the Top Player Poker Money Prize?

The 탑플레이어포커 머니상 is awarded to players who perform the best in poker tournaments over an extended period. Unlike other tournament prizes, which are given for individual wins, this prize rewards consistency. Players who earn this prize have demonstrated their ability to win multiple games and consistently perform at a high level. It is not enough to win just one big tournament; players must show skill and persistence across several events. This prize is a recognition of a player’s overall success in the poker world. To qualify for the prize, players must compete in a series of poker tournaments and earn the most money through their victories. The amount of money a player earns is tracked and counted over time, with the player who accumulates the highest earnings being named the winner. The Top Player Poker Money Prize is considered one of the greatest achievements in poker because it shows that the winner has been able to maintain a high level of performance over a significant period. This prize also helps to build a player’s reputation, giving them recognition in the poker community and beyond.

How to Win the Top Player Poker Money Prize

Winning the Top Player Poker Money Prize requires a mix of skills, experience, and strategy. Here are a few steps to help you on your journey:

Learn the game: Before you can win, it’s essential to know the rules and strategies of poker. Study the game, learn the hands, and understand the importance of betting patterns.
Participate in many tournaments: The prize is based on your performance across a series of events, so it’s crucial to enter multiple tournaments.
Be consistent: One win won’t earn you the prize. To succeed, you must place high in several tournaments.
Control your emotions: Poker can be intense, and staying calm and collected during the game is important.
Practice regularly: The more you play, the better you will become. Constant practice will help you refine your skills and increase your chances of winning.
With these tips in mind, you will be on your way to understanding what it takes to claim the Top Player Poker Money Prize. Remember, it’s not just about winning—it’s about consistently performing at your best.

Why is the Prize Important?

The Top Player Poker Money Prize holds great significance for several reasons. First, it is a mark of excellence in the poker world. Winning the prize shows that a player has the ability to outplay top competitors over time. This prize is not just about the money; it’s a recognition of skill, patience, and strategic thinking. Winning this prize boosts a player’s reputation, making them a well-known figure in the poker community. It also opens the door to new opportunities, such as sponsorships, invitations to exclusive events, and a greater fan following. Additionally, the prize helps motivate players to continue improving. Knowing that they could win a major prize encourages players to dedicate more time to refining their skills. It also adds an extra layer of excitement to the game, knowing that there’s a significant reward for those who achieve consistent success. Finally, the money earned from winning the prize can provide players with financial freedom, allowing them to focus on their game without worrying about financial stability. Overall, the Top Player Poker Money Prize is not just about the reward; it’s a way to honor the best players in the game.

Other Factors to Consider for Success

To succeed in earning the Top Player Poker Money Prize, it’s important to consider more than just poker skills. Here are some additional factors that can help you:

Know when to be aggressive: Sometimes, playing aggressively can catch your opponents off guard and lead to big wins.
Adapt to different opponents: Each player has their own style, and being able to adjust your strategy accordingly can give you the upper hand.
Stay focused: Poker requires sharp focus, especially during long sessions.
Manage your time: Don’t overextend yourself. Playing too many tournaments without rest can affect your performance.
Keep a positive mindset: Stay motivated even when things aren’t going your way. A positive attitude helps you recover and do better next time.

How to Get Started in Poker

Starting your journey to win the Top Player Poker Money Prize may seem challenging, but it can be done with dedication and the right approach. Here’s how you can get started:

Understand the basics: Learn the rules of poker and the different types of hands.
Play for fun: Begin by playing friendly games with family or friends. This will help you get comfortable with the game before moving on to more serious competitions.
Practice online: There are plenty of online platforms where you can play poker for free. These games allow you to practice without risking any money.
Join a poker community: Engaging with other players can help you learn from their experiences and improve faster.
Enter small tournaments: Start by participating in smaller, low-stakes tournaments before working your way up to the bigger events.
By following these steps, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to compete at a high level in poker.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most experienced players make mistakes. To avoid setbacks in your quest for the Top Player Poker Money Prize, here are some common errors to watch out for:

Overplaying weak hands: It’s important to know when to fold. Playing too many hands can lead to losing money.
Being too predictable: If you always play the same way, your opponents will catch on. Mix up your style to keep them guessing.
Chasing losses: Trying to win back money after a loss can lead to poor decisions. Stay calm and stick to your strategy.
Ignoring bankroll management: Don’t risk more money than you can afford to lose. Proper money management is key to long-term success.
By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll improve your chances of success in poker tournaments and increase your likelihood of winning the Top Player Poker Money Prize.

Conclusion

In conclusion, winning the Top Player Poker Money Prize is a remarkable achievement that requires skill, patience, and consistency. It’s not just about one victory—it’s about being able to consistently perform well across multiple tournaments. The prize offers recognition, financial reward, and a chance to build a lasting reputation in the poker world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, understanding what it takes to win this prize will help guide your efforts. Remember, it’s important to continue practicing, learning, and staying focused. With time and dedication, you can increase your chances of earning the Top Player Poker Money Prize and become a top competitor in the poker community.

Sports

Singapore’s Best EPL Bookies on Red18: Features & Bonuses

Published

4 months ago

April 28, 2025

sylvia J

So far, we have witnessed some historic upsets, record-breaking goals, and nail-biting drama in this EPL season. And compared to the previous season, this one brings more thrilling opportunities for EPL bettors. The hype around EPL betting further skyrocketed when Liverpool dethroned Man City from its 4-year reign as the Favorites to lift the EPL trophy and even the underdogs like Nottm Forest shocked fans when the club thrashed Brighton in a thrilling 7-0 match. And if you want to join in the hype of EPL betting, there is no better place than to do this with Singapore’s best bookies like WBET, CMD368, and United Gaming. Ready? Let’s check out the top EPL betting features and Bonuses available at the best sports betting Singapore – Red18!

Why Red18 Should Be Your EPL Betting Partner?

Red18 is licensed and regulated by PAGCOR and First Cagayan and promises SG bettors a safe and secure EPL betting platform. With its partnerships with industries best sportsbook providers in the industry, it covers all 380 EPL matches and offers diverse betting markets. Added to that, the site offers great features like 24/7 support, crypto payments, mobile sports betting, and generous sports bonuses.

Top EPL Bookies At Red18

WBET – Best For EPL Live Betting And Streaming

If you’re looking for seamless betting experience, especially on top football leagues like EPL, WBET Sportsbook offers you the best betting features.

Intuitive EPL betting interface
Support multiple languages – English, Chinese, Burmese, Indonesian, Cantonese, and Thai.
Live Streaming of all EPL matches
Real-time EPL betting
Instant bet confirmation
Unmatched sports coverage – 90+ sports
Thousands of live matches daily

CMD368 – Best Bookies For EPL Asian Handicaps

If you are more on Asian handicap betting, CMD368 offers you the best market for that. This bookies not only covers EPL matches but features more than 2,000 weekly events for other sports and offers competitive odds on EPL fixtures.

On the other hand, if you are looking for alternatives to 1×2 bets, the CMD368 sportsbook offers diverse betting markets for EPL. Here are the key features of CMD368 that can make it your best partner for EPL betting.

Extensive sports betting options
Great live betting feature
Multi-region accessibility
Real-time odds

United Gaming – Diverse EPL Betting Coverage

When it comes to diversity, UG Sports at Red18 Sports Betting Singapore offers you that and more such as competitive odds and unmatched EPL market coverage. Here’s why UG should be one of your bookies bettign partner this EPL 2024-25 season.

Extensive sports and betting market coverage
Features more than 1k betting types for pre-match, live, and special bets.
Flexible betting option
24/7 availability

Red18’s Sports Betting Bonuses And Promotions

To supercharge your EPL betting experience, Red18 offers unbeatable bonuses and promotions that you can use such as:

100% Red18’s Sports Welcome Bonus – Up to $1888

As a new member of Red18 Sports Betting Singapore, you can double-up your betting funds up to 100% and use it on betting at top football leagues such as EPL, La Liga, Seria A, and more. With this sports promo, you can use it on betting at pre-match markets, live in-play odds, and accumulator bets.

Daily Sportsbook Reload Bonus – Claim Up to $388 Daily

To keep your EPL betting momentum, Red18 rewards you with a daily reload bonus offer for your daily deposits. So if you are betting on the EPL underdogs or high-stakes clashes like Manchester Derby or North London.

Wrap Up

Don’t miss out on the chances of making profitable bets at the upcoming finale of this EPL season 2024-25. Join Red18 Sports Betting Singapore today and grab the best sports promos. Don’t forget to shop around the best lines offered by Red18’s best EPL bookies.

FAQs:

Can I Bet On EPL Matches Live At Red18 Sports Betting Singapore?

Absolutely. With Red18’s partnered bookies like WBET, CMD368, and United Gaming, you can take advantage of real-time odds, live streaming, and in-play markets.

Can I Use Crypto To Bet On WBET Via Red18?

Yes, of course. Red18 accepts USDT crypto deposits that you can use for betting on the EPL at WBET Sports.

Why Use Red18 For 2024-25 EPL Betting?

Red18 offers great sports betting features for Singaporean punters, such as live betting, mobile betting, live stats, reputable sportsbook partners, and generous bonuses.

Read More: Luca Oriel