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

Published

2 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

The 2024 NFL Draft – A Preview of What to Expect

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

sylvia J

The Chicago Bears are up first in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 2024 NFL Draft is getting closer as April draws to a close. The first overall pick in this draft is all but certain. Online sportsbooks all favor the Chicago bears to select Caleb Williams overwhelmingly.

And for us, all indications were that Chicago was leaning toward USC standout Caleb Williams after the Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of March.

However, the possible what happens after that is not so simple.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NFL Draft, including dates and top prospects.

When is the NFL Draft in 2024?

The anticipated start timings for each draft day are as follows:

First round: April 25, Thursday, at 8 p.m. ET.
Rounds 2 and 3: 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 26.
Rounds 4 through 7: 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 27.
Where is the NFL Draft in 2024?
In 2024, the draft will be held in Detroit.

Who will draft first overall in the NFL in 2024?

In 2024, the Bears will have the first overall pick. Last season, Chicago also owned the first overall pick, but the Carolina Panthers acquired it by trading up to draft quarterback Bryce Young. As part of the trade, Chicago received a first-round pick in 2024, which they ultimately selected with the first overall pick (the Panthers finished with a 2-15 record).

What order will the NFL Draft be in 2024?

The current top-10 choices for 2024 are shown below, and they may change:

Chicago Bears (from) Carolina team
Washington Commanders
New England Patriots
Arizona Cardinals
LA Chargers
NY Giants
Tennessee Titans
ATL Falcons
Bears (again)
Jets in New York

In the NFL Draft of 2024, who are the best prospects?

There are plenty of players that could alter the game in the 2024 draft. While Williams is the star, other quarterbacks Jayden Daniels of LSU and Drake Maye of UNC have received a lot of attention.

Some excellent pass catchers are Brock Bowers of Georgia, Rome Odunze of Washington, Malik Nabers of LSU, and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State. In terms of defense, early picks should go to Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, Texas interior linebacker Byron Murphy II, and NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.

The Atlanta Falcons Will be Interesting to Watch

As the draft season draws to an end, it’s time to begin organizing all of our notes and information from various rumors and sources to have a better idea of the Atlanta Falcons’ options. The last week, the Falcons added depth players to their edge rusher and cornerback positions, but I don’t think those moves will affect the team’s plans in any way.

Before I get into my more prescient mocks, I wanted to do a mock in which Atlanta didn’t select an edge rusher with their first choice. This is to see how the team can handle other needs and how the remainder of the draft could proceed.

What if Atlanta selected a cornerback instead of an edge rusher at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft? That is the talk around the Falcons. I’ll walk you through the Falcons’ entire seven-round mock draft and show you how things alter when a cornerback is selected first overall.

Round 1, Pick 8

Round 2, Pick 43

Round 3, Pick 74

Round 3, Pick 79 from Jaguars, Calvin Ridley trade

Round 4, Pick 109

Round 5, Pick 142

Round 6, Pick 187

Round 6, Pick 197 from Browns

Sports

The Best Live Casino Will Have These Qualities

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

sylvia J

The Best Live Casino Will Have These Qualities

Live casinos are the new fad taking the gambling industry by storm. Players across Canada are jumping onto this new trend that brings unrivalled levels of engagement and excitement to the casino experience. By playing live casino games, players can experience the real thrill of casino games as if they are sitting at the side of a physical gambling table themselves.

It can sometimes be overwhelming for new players to discern what actually makes a casino good. Below, we’ve broken down the qualities that all the best live casinos have, so that our readers can take this expert advice and properly assess the best live casinos in Canada.

Best Live Casinos

For those players wanting to get started right now, our experts highly recommend the below live casinos, all of which are shining examples of the qualities an outstanding live casino has

Fire Vegas Casino
Dream Vegas Casino
Lucky Days Casino
SpinAway Casino
Casino Days
PowerPlay Casino

What is a Live Casino?

Live casinos are an exciting new addition to the casino industry. By joining live, high-quality video streams, players can get the real casino experience and participate in a casino game played in real time with a live dealer laying down the cards. This unique offering brings an unprecedented level of immersion and sociability to online casinos, which has long been missing since the cultural shift of gaming away from brick-and-mortar casinos.

Qualities of the best Live Casinos

Since the first live dealer games, live casinos have been springing up across the web. However, not all of these are made equally, and many live casinos will leave players wanting. Our experts have collated a comprehensive list of the best qualities so that you can pick the best live casino out of the chaff.

Diverse Catalogue of Live Casino Games

The most important quality in any live casino is the diversity of games on offer. Our experts know that casino gamers love variety, and the best live casinos will pack in a huge catalogue of live casino games so that players can enjoy the richest casino experience on their site.

Keep an eye out for all the classics, like live poker, live blackjack, live roulette, and live baccarat. Some casinos will offer less common table games and the best also include live game shows, which give players the experience of well-loved TV game shows and board games like Deal or No Deal and Monopoly Live.

There should be a number of rooms for each game, with varying rules, pots, and stakes. Live casino games often offer an exciting ruleset that varies by game, so when you play in the best live casinos, no two games will be the same.

Properly Licensed

Players should only use live casinos that are properly licensed. Casinos licensed by well-known gambling authorities are regularly audited for fairness and are obligated to comply with a number of regulations to ensure a secure and safe gaming experience.

In Canada, the most respectable gambling authorities are the Government of Curaçao, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Top-notch Security

As part of their licensing, casinos are obligated to comply with specific security procedures to keep customer data safe and financial transactions secure. Look out for SSL encryptions to know that the most advanced security measures are being used to protect data.

It’s also worth reading through the privacy policy to see how a casino is using player data. Avoid anything that seems suspicious as the best live casinos will be transparent, honest, and respectable in their data usage.

Wealth of Bonuses and Promotions

The best live casinos give back to players. Get the most out of the casino experience by choosing casinos that offer a wealth of bonuses and promotions to both new and returning players. A healthy welcome bonus is a must, and look out for reload bonuses, loyalty programs, and daily bonuses in order to keep the bankroll running high.

Good live casinos will also have exclusive offers tailored to live table games. These include free chips, live casino-centric deposit bonuses, and cashback on live table games. When a live casino offers these, players can be assured that they have tailored their business model to fully support and develop their live casino games.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions before signing up for a casino, paying careful attention to wagering requirements and time limits to make sure that they align with your play style. Some less reputable casinos can hide extortionate turnover requirements in the terms and conditions.

Great Quality Live Casino Games

Players come to live casinos for an immersive experience, and the best live casinos will create a dedicated and streamlined live casino section on their site so players can concentrate fully on the live games. Our experts expect clean designs, intuitive menus, fast and high-quality video streaming, and active live chats. Any live casino meeting these requirements will be fun to play at.

Secure and Streamlined Payment Options

Players shouldn’t have to struggle at the first hurdle when joining online casinos. The best live casinos offer streamlined and easy deposits and withdrawals through a good variety of payment methods. Ideally, there should be a focus on secure options, like eWallets and cryptocurrencies.

Sports

Claim your Welcome Bonus Casino – Free Spins and Cashback Rewards

Published

2 weeks ago

April 13, 2024

sylvia J

Welcome Bonus Casinos offer exclusive perks like free spins, cashback rewards, and VIP loyalty programs. Claim your bonus by providing accurate information and making a qualifying deposit with possible bonus codes. Look for top welcome bonuses with generous monetary rewards, favorable terms, and low wagering requirements. Understanding terms like wagering requirements, game restrictions, and time limits will maximize your benefits. Choose bonuses wisely and compare to optimize rewards. Set limits for responsible gaming. Welcome bonuses can enhance your casino experience, providing a valuable start.

Benefits of Welcome Bonus Casino

Upon joining a Welcome Bonus online casino Malaysia, players gain access to exclusive perks and advantages that enhance their overall gaming experience. These benefits can include lucrative welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback rewards, and VIP loyalty programs. By taking advantage of these offerings, players can increase their chances of winning and prolong their gameplay without risking as much of their own funds.

One of the key benefits of a Welcome Bonus Casino is the opportunity to boost one’s initial bankroll through generous welcome bonuses. These bonuses can come in the form of matching deposits, where the casino matches a percentage of the player’s deposit, effectively doubling their playing funds. This extra money provides players with more opportunities to explore different games, strategies, and betting options.

Additionally, Welcome Bonus Casinos often offer free spins on popular slot games, allowing players to try their luck without spending their own money. This can be especially beneficial for newcomers looking to familiarize themselves with the casino’s offerings before committing financially. Overall, the benefits of a Welcome Bonus Casino can greatly enhance the overall gaming experience and increase the enjoyment for players seeking a safe and rewarding online casino environment.

How to Claim Your Welcome Bonus

To claim your Welcome Bonus, follow these simple steps to guarantee you maximize the benefits available to you.

First, create an account on the surewin casino https://www.my1sure.win/en-my/home of your choice. Provide accurate personal information to make sure a smooth verification process.

Second, make a qualifying deposit to trigger the Welcome Bonus. Check the minimum deposit amount required to activate the bonus offer.

Finally, remember to enter any bonus codes if applicable during the deposit process to make sure the bonus is credited to your account correctly.

Provide accurate personal information
Make a qualifying deposit
Enter any bonus codes if applicable

Top Welcome Bonuses to Look For

When seeking top welcome bonuses, discerning players prioritize offers that not only provide generous monetary rewards but also come with favorable terms and conditions. A key aspect to emphasize is the match percentage offered by the casino. A high match percentage means the casino will match a larger portion of your initial deposit, giving you more playtime and chances to win.

Additionally, players should look for welcome bonuses that include free spins or other perks, as these can enhance the overall gaming experience.

Another essential factor to take into account is the wagering requirements attached to the bonus. Lower wagering requirements make it easier to convert the bonus funds into real money that can be withdrawn. Furthermore, reputable casinos often have transparent terms and conditions, ensuring that players understand the rules associated with the bonus.

Terms and Conditions Explained

Understanding the terms and conditions of a welcome bonus is crucial for players looking to maximize their online casino experience. These rules govern how the bonus can be used and any requirements that must be met before winnings can be withdrawn. Here are some key points to take into account when reviewing the terms and conditions:

Wagering Requirements: Be aware of the number of times you need to wager the bonus amount before you can cash out any winnings.
Game Restrictions: Some bonuses may only be used on specific games, so make sure your favorite games are eligible.
Time Limits: Bonuses often come with a time limit within which they must be used, so be mindful of expiration dates to avoid losing out on the offer.

Maximizing Your Welcome Bonus

When aiming to maximize your welcome bonus at an online casino, strategic planning and prudent decision-making are key to enhancing your overall gaming experience.

To make the most of your welcome bonus, start by thoroughly understanding the terms and conditions set by the casino. Look for bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements and favorable terms to increase your chances of converting the bonus into real winnings. It’s important to compare different welcome bonuses offered by various online casinos to choose the most lucrative option.

Additionally, consider the games that contribute towards fulfilling the wagering requirements. Opt for games with higher RTP (Return to Player) percentages to maximize your winning potential while completing the bonus conditions. Budgeting your gameplay is crucial; set limits on how much you are willing to wager to promote responsible gaming practices.

Conclusion

To sum up, welcome bonuses offered by online casinos provide players with a valuable opportunity to boost their initial bankroll and increase their chances of winning.

By understanding how to claim and maximize these bonuses, players can make the most of their gaming experience.

It is important to carefully read and adhere to the terms and conditions associated with welcome bonuses to guarantee a positive and rewarding experience.