Magus

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I will be continuing the trend of paying tribute to characters that have heavily inspired and influenced my writing.  The main event of this post is Magus from Chrono Trigger.

Hes a fan favorite among RPG Gamers for his neutral evil alignment.  He bad-ass one liners ensure he is never forgotten.  It also helps that he becomes a playable character for the final sections of the game and reaches game breaking levels of awesome with his access to the spell Dark Matter (sadly he lacks his elemental barrier and Geyser spell.)  He also uses a scythe as his weapon of choice if you didn't figure that out from the picture.

Magus helped codify the token evil teammate concept in fiction if you wish to understand his lasting impact on books video games movies and all other mediums of storytelling.  He also never changes to a good aligned personality.  He stays evil.  it just happens that your goals as well as his own intersect all the way till the very end of Chrono Trigger. (and assuming that he is Guile, Chrono Cross as well)

Now just like with Flemeth, there is one specific character in my series The Search for Eden that Magus has inspired in more ways than one.  This is of course The Demon Lord, who since most of you reading this will have not finished the first book in the series at the time of this being published, I will leave unnamed to avoid spoilers.  Just know that characters I write are multi layered and draw inspirations from more than one source.

Still I would be lying if I did not admit just how much of Magus has seeped into a few of my characters, the Demon Lord chief among them (they even almost share titles)

"The black wind begins to blow.. Okay... give me your best shot... If you're prepared for the void."- Magus, Chrono Trigger

Flemeth

There are many characters in fiction that I draw inspiration from when I design those of my own, but not all characters are created equally and thus, some characters have more of an effect than others.  Flemeth from Bioware's critically acclaimed Dragon Age Series is one of those created more equally than others.

The Legendary Witch of the Wilds? Asha'Bellanar? An old woman who just talks too much?  A High Dragon? An Abomination? Something else entirely? (I know the answer but for the sake of spoilers will not answer which, if any of these, are true) This is a character who speaks and the player must pay attention to every word, very carefully.  Here is a character that one knows is probably a villain and yet does little to no villainous deeds.  Here is a character who for most of the series, the player still has no idea what she is planning.

This is the type of villain that is among my favorites in fiction.  One that keeps you guessing.  Fills the story with awesome dialogue, and most important of all, is such a show stealer that at times one is doing nothing more but counting down till the next encounter with such character.  The excitement always builds to what will occur in that next encounter.

Flemeth delivers incredibly.  First encountered at the very beginning of Dragon Age Origins, she sets up the entire plot, then does the same in the second game.  The best types of characters are associated with other incredible characters and Flemeth is no exception.  Her daughter is another well designed character.  In fact her daughter may be the most famous of all Dragon Age characters in media:


And don't worry, I will be writing a future blog post on Morrigan as well.  She has inspired just as many ideas in my writing as her mother.

But when it comes to characters I have written inspired by Flemeth, one stands tall, not just in pure awesomeness in my writing, but tallest in power in the fiction I have written so far.  For Flemeth is one of the strongest influences on my High Lady Demoness herself: Evesta

Sadly I do not have any fanart of what is becoming one of my fans favorite villains in my own works (I seek to fix this issue soon) but just know for now, that the mystery, allure, and witty banter that Flemeth brings to the table in Dragon Age, carries over to The End of Utopia with Evesta.  Obviously Flemeth is not the only influence on one of my main antagonists, but she certainly helped create the snarky and condescending attitude of the High Lady.

Before I wrap this up, those of you who have played Dragon Age, and have also read my book, should have a clear indication of who Morrigan did inspire in my novels, and remember, if the answer seems obvious, you have the right one.

Remember though, when dealing with any character designed with this personality in mind, "There is always a catch. life is a catch! I suggest you catch it while you can." -Flemeth Dragon Age II

New Year

Rosh Hashana is upon us, and I want to take this time to digress from my normally odd and angry blog posts, to wish each and every one of you a wonderful and sweet new year.

I take this time to wish that you have nothing but success for this upcoming year.  I also take this time to begin the process of making any apologies that I may need to make towards those that I have wronged this year.

For me, this last year has been tumultuous.  There were quite a few times when I was angry and bitter with the world this last year, but in the last few weeks, I made some much needed changes.  I am now on a path towards greatness, and I wish the same for you all.

l'shana tova!

Why Bernie Sanders is exactly what the Jewish Americans (And Israel) Need

Based on the backlash that my post on Trump got, I am bracing for a storm of fury once people read this post.

But you read that right.  A Democrat being good for Israel.  Oh no hes friends with the big scary Obama.  He must be a Socialist, Fascist, Communist too!  Oh My!

If you think the statements above are as silly as I do, then continue to read in amusement.  However, if the statements above are ones you agree with, you may want to stop reading now, for your fists will be clenched in primal rage when you complete reading this.

Back to Bernie Sanders, he calls himself the American Socialist.  And hes making a fool of all the people who misunderstand his intent and its beautiful.  For the record, Socialist does not mean Socialism.  Socialist actually is synonymous with Fascist.  If you didn't know this, do not feel stupid, The 1930 Germans didn't understand that either.

Bernie Sanders calls himself a "Socialist" to mock the far right, who at this point are frothing so much at the mouth, and hungering for blood that its absolutely terrifying that the Jewish people are supporting them.  History, mind you should tell that the first people to be killed when the far right gets bloodlusty, are the Gays, the Jews, and the Gypsies.

But lets look at Bernie Sanders and not at the crazy people he opposes. (like Donald Trump)

Sanders is Jewish.  I figure this might be somewhat important when it comes to my people as a whole.  Also he is the child of a Jew who lost their entire family to the flames of the Holocaust.  He began studying politics in earnest because he realized that all it took was one terrible leader to make a great nation evil.

As he runs for president, his greatest opponents are these same Anti Semites who use the moderate right as well as "Pro Israeli" ideologies as a Human shield of sorts to make it look like they have the Jewish people's interests at heart.  They don't.

Its truly telling that the multiple Holocaust survivors I have spoken with, not one of them is a conservative.  They, who saw our enemies first hand, are still able to recognize them.  The ones who cannot are the Jews who have become separated from the atrocities, and thus why they foolishly vote for the politicians who would love to see them dead.

Now I am not ignorant of the fact that there are a few Anti Semites on the left.  I am also confused on why these individuals support groups like to bash Israel in.  Convenient then that these same Liberals love Bernie Sanders.  Now the time to put the outliers back in the GOP where they belong.  The few anti-semites on the left need to be made homeless in their own party so that they can return to the right where their actual ideologies are matched.

A Jewish president is also just what the world needs right now from America.  As hard line Conservative Antisemitism is once again on the rise in France and Belgium (don't let the media's lies about it being Liberal fool you) the world needs leaders in the Jewish Community to step up.

Since Bibi has alienated Liberalism from the USA due to some incredibly caustic mistakes that if handled better would force the hate filled people out of their caves, we need leaders in America on the liberal front to reach out to him.  Bernie Sanders is this politician.  One who does not let mudslinging interfere with doing what is right.

In our increasingly polarized society, we need someone who breaks the mold in ways unimaginable.  And Bernie is that broken mold.

America needs to feel the Bern so that Jews around the world will not soon feel a burn as our true foes reveal their intent.

Why the Jewish People Should Not Trust Donald Trump.

I am finding its astounding and terrifying that a large number of people within the Jewish Community are supporting Donald Trump.  History dictates that my people tend to fear Secularism over Genocide.  And in recent memory, the Holocaust has pointed out the flaw in that fear.

But fast forward to now.  Some (but not all) of the Jewish people feel betrayed by President Obama and the Iran deal.  This deal does put Israel in real danger from the rogue country.  However, now that the Iran deal exists, the GOP idea of merely removing it will have no effect, and even has a chance to backfire instead.

How does this involve Trump?  Quite simply, Trump is a potential politician that does not care about the ramifications of his actions.  Instead, he does what he wants.  Being born into a wealthy family and never having to really even suffer for his actions, (despite going bankrupt multiple times) has given him values that do not do well as a politician.

However, the current GOP political climate which has based its entire platform around a president who won't even be so in the near future, has turned the entire party into frothing maniacs.  These people are being drawn to someone who speaks their language.  Donald Trump.

He along with most of the current GOP candidates are becoming popular among the right for a few reasons:

-An intense hatred of liberalism.
-An Intense spurt of nationalism that brings with it the desire to be a great nation again.
-A Paranoid fear of government taking away all ability for the ordinary citizen to defend himself.
-An Intense hatred and fear of Communism, or Socialism. (They are not the same thing by the way)
-A need for scapegoats.  In this case, its a flavor of the month.  Going back and forth between Gays/Transgenders, Muslims, Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, the Mentally Different (notably Autism and Schizophrenia) and Women

Now look at this list very very carefully, and tell me where you have seen it before.   Guess what, you get to find the answer on your own, I will not be posting it here.

Back to Trump yet again, he is the loudest and most obnoxious of the lot.  And History teaches us that this is the most dangerous person of the lot.  Even more dangerous, the Jewish people are so willing, especially the most religious of the lot, to fling ourselves right into his arms.  My people are very talented at allowing our enemies to kill us and make no mistake that supporting someone like Trump puts us on that road.

But, one may interject, Donald Trump Loves Israel.  Bibi and him are friends after all.

Let me clarify a few things here.  Israel likes Bibi the way that Britain loved Churchill.  His is a great leader during times of war, but in a time of peace, there are far better alternatives.  Israel has of course been at war since the country was re-founded.  But, Bibi is a war-hawk, and he allies himself with people that will ensure that Israel remains at war.

But, Bibi is also a Jew, and like the rest of us, he is not always good at identifying his allies.

Now lets look at some of Trumps Other Supporters.  Groups such as the Klu Klux Klan.  Groups that desire the destruction of the Jewish people.  Unlike the Jewish people, these large groups of Anti Semites have no trouble identifying their enemies.  And their enemies are peace love and liberalism.
If Trump is so loudly, (he is quite loud after all) in his support of Israel, then shouldn't the Anti Semites be scared away?  Or is it possible that they know something that the Jewish people do not?

A new Path

Between my Birthday and assessing both my situations financially and as far as school is concerned, I decided to finally take that leap of faith, that plunge that I had held off making for so many years now.

After Yesterday, I walked away from my day job.  I will no more be locked into the standard 9 to 5 style of work.  This sudden free time and more flexibility in my schedule feels a little strange to me.  Except for a few brief stints in unemployment, I have never been without a job.  I have always had a somewhat stable though admittedly pathetic flow of income.

Yesterday I changed that.  Now, I am helping with a few projects as well as turning my skills in writing (and possibly public relations) into forms of income.  This lifestyle carries risks, but I have found that there are major prices to pay when one seeks stability in a job.

Those sacrifices, notably loss of control of your time as well as the destruction of all self worth have allowed me to realize that I do not want that stability anymore.  Instead, I am turning to ways to make income on my terms and earn it at a rate that is comparable to my worth and not vastly vastly, to infinity and beyond below the true number, which is how I feel most of the Human Race has decided for themselves.

Is it scary that my income may not be for sure?  Of course.  But you know what is even more terrifying to me?  Never amounting to anything.  And the path I was on before leads to that end for sure.

The future may be uncertain for me, but I will chose that mystery over the inevitability of the poverty trap.  This cycle has many of my friends and family caught in its tight grip, but I am on my way to breaking the shackles forever.

Happy Birthday to My Grammy

As my last blog post reflected on the tragedy of death, this next one will celebrate life.

As I said in my other blog post, today is my Grandmother's Birthday.  It may be one of the greatest joys for her to receive her first grandson the day before her special day.  On this special day now, that grandson writes a blog post to her.

My life has been a very wild ride.  It has been filled with peaks where I feel I can reach the sun.  However, it has also been filled with moments where my world grows darker than the most horrifying nightmare.

Through the good and the ill, my Grammy has been there.  To help me snap out of it, to share my joy, and even sometimes to let me rant.  When I rant, I am not the nicest person.  Still she listens and she has not lost respect for me.  And it is because of this, that I will never lose respect for the incredible person she is.

Its takes a wonderful person, family or not to listen to the things I say and still want to be anywhere near me.  My Grammy is an exceptional person.  A one of a kind, with a heart that is limitless in its capacity for love.

Happy Birthday Grammy. I love you.