Memories of Connor's Adventures

Orlando the Adventurer pulled a Scimitar from beneath his Robes and smiled...

Monday 29 April 2019

Age of Warp: LCARS cards 131-134 and replacements...







Bad Astronomy: That Wagonwheel beyond Proxima Centauri



So what can we see with our wagon wheel? The best I can say is the small object in orbit is something close to Rubidium by its colour. Rubidium is apparently common in cores of stars that have swelled to form Red Giants. So at some point our Red Giant got eaten by its companion leaving a Rubidium Core. Given the short lived decay time on most Rubidium this is Rubidium-87.

Now it amounts to a y class dwarf orbiting a White Dwarf.


The Ring and spokes are formed as gravitational harmonics. Where the mass is low (the harmonic nodes) the mass of the central star is sufficient to pull ring material into the star. Eventually these harmonics should separate out into globular clusters and form planets Orbiting the central star.
What will happen to the Rubidium core? With a 4.9 x 10^10 year decay rate we can expect it to persist for three times the current age of the Universe.
Even if it becomes building material in the solar system, as opposed to pulled into that feeder star.

I suppose Life in that solar system got wiped out by the red giant...

Update: identifying our binary star (4 May, 2019)

 Star                          LP145-141, 2MASS J11454297-6450297 
 Description                                White Dwarf                           
 Right Ascension                        11h 45m 42.9205s
 Declination                                 -64° 50' 29.459"                      
 Distance                                     15.11 LY                                    

The Hubble undertook a survey and found LP145-141 to be a White dwarf with no apparent partners, but having spotted this stellar by lensing over the edge of Proxima Centauri the y class companion may have been otherwise non-visible. We know it is behind and below Proxima (at a greater declination than -62° 40' 46.1631"), and left of Proxima (less than the right ascension of 14h 29m 42.94853s). And its a white dwarf (fourth from our star beyond Sirius b, Procyon b, Van Maanen's Star).

Update (5th october 2019):
Roche limit is the orbital radius of that ring on the wagon wheel.

{\displaystyle d=R_{M}\left(2{\frac {\rho _{M}}{\rho _{m}}}\right)^{\frac {1}{3}}}Where R_M is the radius of the primary, \rho_M is the density of the primary, and \rho_mis the density of the satellite.
White dwarf density: 1 x 109 kg/m
Thats like 1,000,000 g/cubic centimetre

Assuming the ring is iron from a stellar core inside the roche limit of the white dwarf, Stellar core collapse being at 1010 g/cc.

Then d= 0.0271539677 × 0.01Rs = 0.0002715397 RSolar

So... the radius for the ring around the white dwarf made of iron core material from a star is 188.91016929 km. 

It seems a tad close for the apparent distance from the white dwarf but not necessarily the distance from the ring to the orbiting rubidium core acting on it.

Sunday 28 April 2019

Bad Astronomy: About pollution...

Its six am, and this is the night sky looking south over Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (April 29, 2019). There should be stars, but there havnt been stars for over a year. Pollution has screwed Astronomy for those of us who consider the ability to see the stars in the sky from our home a fundamental human right.

I'm still pissed off about it.

Friday 26 April 2019

Linguistic Archaeology: Hebrew Names of the Po subgroup

P, o subgroup
Female                Male
Zonda                  Zomier
Zoleen                 Ziph
Zippora               Zion
Ziona                   Zephan
Ziahon                Zenoa
Zhalore               Zebulon
Zephath              Zaccheo
Zeph                    Zabulon
Zelpha                Yosef
Zelotes                Yonatan
Zarephath          Yonas
Zanoah               Yitro
Yovela                 Yaphet
Yoninah              Yanoach
Yona                    Yakov
Yoana                  Yago
Yavonna             Yadon
Tzofit                  Yaakov
Tzippa                Volf
Tziporah            Tov
Tova                    Tomer
Tora                     Tobias
Tobit                    Tivon
Tivona                Temo
Talor                   Solomon
Soshannah         Simpson
Shobi                   Simon
Sharon                Shylock
Shalom               Shimon
Seraphina          Shiloh
Sammy-jo          Seraphim
Salome               Samson
Saloma               Saloman
Rishona             Rouvin
Rimona             Roni
Raphaella         Roman
Peninah            Rishon
Peliah                Raphael
Paz                     Pontus
Ozora                 Phinneaus
Orpah               Pau
Oralee              Palti
Oprah              Pallu
Oma                 Oz
Ofira                Ozip
Odera              Osaze
Odele               Ornice
Odeda              Orly
Noemi              Orli
Neorah            Oren
Naomi             Oralee
Moselle           Omri
Moria             Omar
Mahola           Oma
Lois                 Oded
Liora                Obadiah
Leora              Noy
Kochava         Noah
Josie                Noadiah
Josephine       Nimrod
Jordan             Moses
Jora                  Mordecai
Jonina              Mattison
Joelle                Mario
Jobey                Lot
Joaquina          Leor
Joan                   Kobe
Joakima            Kabos
Hepziba            Joshua
Giuseppina      Joseph
Gayora              Jordan
Endora              Joram
Eleora                Jonathan
Efrosini             Jonas
Dorrit                John
Dodie                Joel
Derora              Jody
Deborah           Job
Bo                      Joachim
Arnon                Jethro
Apphia              Jaron
Ahmose            Japhet
Abbellonna      Ioan
                           Ichabod
                            Hosea
                           Goliath
                          Giuseeppe
                          Gideon
                          Giacomo
                          Ephraim
                          Enoch
                          Eliot
                          Edom
                         Dov
                         Carpus
                         Boaz
                         Benson
                         Bartholomew
                         Arnon
                        Aristotle
                        Arion
                        Amos
                        Amon
                        Alphus
                       Alphaeus
                       Agrippa
                       Adon
                       Admon
                       Acacio
                       Absolom
                       Aaron

Vowels
Sex   A          %       E           %       I            %      O           %       U          %
  F     65/83    78%  35/83    42%  32/83    38%  70/83    84%   2/83    2%
 M     62/111 55%   36/111  32%  39/111  35% 95/111  85%   12/111 10%

Consonants
Sex    B           %       C           %     D           %       F          %    G          %
  F      6/83      7%     0/83       0%  9/83      10%  3/83     3%   2/83     2%
 M      11/111  9%    10/111   9%  14/111  12%  1/111   1%   6/111  5%

Sex    H          %       J            %      K        %    L           %       M          %
  F      27/83    32%  11/83    13%  1/83   1%  21/83    25%  12/83    14%
 M     29/111  26%   14/111 12%  5/111 4%  23/111  20%   29/111  26%

Sex    N           %        P           %      Q         %    R           %       S           %
  F      29/83     34%   18/83    21%  1/83    1%  31/83    37%  17/83   20%
 M      39/111   35%   17/111 15%  0/111  0%  30/111  27%  31/111 27%

Sex   T            %     V         %    W       %    X        %    Y           %    Z       %
  F     11/83    13%  5/83    6%  0/83   0%  0/83   0%  7/83     8%  18/83 21%
 M    18/111 16%  7/111  6%  1/111 1%  0/111 0%  14/111 12% 12/111  10%

Male names by popularity of use
85% {O}
55% {A, o} Ao
35% {N, i, a, o} Ian, Ioan,
32% {E, n, i, a, o}
27% {S, r, e, n, i, a, o} Isis, Os, Ra, Sean, Aaron, Arion, Arnon, Oren, Roni,
26% {H, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Neorah, Amon, Amos, Hosea, Mario, Moses, Noah, Oma, Omar, Omri, Rishon, Roman, Samson, Shimon, Simon,
20% {L, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Israel, Leor, Oralee, Orli, Saloman, Shiloh, Solomon,
16% {T, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Ta-, Sta-, Aristotle, Eliot, Lot, Mattison, Temo, Tomer,
15% {P, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Po-, Agrippa, Ephraim, Palti, Raphael, Seraphim, Simpson,
12% {D, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Jor-el, Admon, Adon, Edom, Japhet, Jaron, Jethro, Jody, Joel, John, Jonas, Jonathan, Joram, Jordan, Joseph, Nimrod, Noadiah, Noy, Obadiah, Oded, Orly, Yadon, Yaphet, Yitro, Yonas, Yonatan,
10% {Z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Zod, Zeus, Alphaeus, Alphus, Joshua, Osaze, Ozip, Oz, Pallu, Pau, Phinneaus, Pontus, Zephan, Zenoa, Zephan, Zion, Ziph, Zomier,
9% {B, c, z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Hector, Connor, Absolom, Acacio, Bartholomew, Benson, Boaz, Carpus, Enoch, Ichabod, Joachim, Job, Mordecai, Ornice, Shylock, Tobias, Yanoach, Zabulon, Zaccheo, Zebulon,
6% {V, b, c, z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Dov, Rouvin, Tivon, Tov,
5% {G, v, b, c, z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Giacomo, Gideon, Giuseeppe, Goliath, Yago,
4% {K, g, v, b, c, z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Kal-el, Clark, Kabos, Kobe, Yaakov, Yakov,
1% {F, w, k, g, v, b, c, z, u, d, j, y, p, t, l, h, m, s, r, e, n, i, a, o} Volf, Yosef,
0% {X, q}

Female names by popularity of use
84% {O}
78% {A, o}
42% {E, a, o}
38% {I, e, a, o} Io,
37% {R, i, e, a, o} Ra,
34% {N, r, i, e, a, o} Ioan, Arnon,
32% {H, n, r, i, e, a, o} Noah, Neorah,
25% {L, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Helen, Helena, Oralee, Liora, Leora, Eleora,
21% {P, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Po-, Penelope, Zoleen, Zippora, Ziona, Ziahon, Zhalore, Zeph, Zelpha, Zanoah, Raphaella, Peninah, Peliah, Paz, Ozora, Orpah, Oprah, Apphia,
20% {S, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Israel, Sean, Isis, Soshannah, Sharon, Seraphina, Rishona, Lois,
14% {M, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Moses, Moria, Shalom, Salome, Saloma, Rimona, Oma, Noemi, Naomi, Moselle, Mahola, Ahmose, Amhose,
13% {J, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Ta-, Sta-, Athena, Zephath, Zelotes, Zarephath, Tzippa, Tziporah, Tora, Tobit, Talor, Josie, Josephine, Jora, Jonina, Joelle, Joan,
10% {D, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Zonda, Odera, Odele, Odeda, Jordan, Endora, Dorrit, Dodie, Derora,
8% {Y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Yoninah, Yona, Yoana, Sammy-jo, Jobey,
7% {B, y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Bo, Hepzibah, Shobi, Deborah, Abbellonna,
6% {V, b, y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Yovela, Yavonna, Tova, Tivona,
3% {F, v, b, y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Tzofit, Ofira, Efrosini,
2% {G, u, f, v, b, y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Goliath, Gaia, Giuseppina, Gayora,
1% {K, q, g, u, f, v, b, y, d, j, t, m, s, p, z, l, h, n, r, i, e, a, o} Kochava, Joakima, Joaquina,
0% {C w, x}

The Exodus Markers Sta- and Ta- appear at the same time as Aristotle's Athenian culture. The name of Lot emerged in the Exodus, not earlier. So its earlier timeframe is questionable.

More importantly we now know Kal-el will always live in the shadow of Zod and Jor-el whose names are more widely known and Zod lives in Jor-el's shadow setting up a life long popularity contest.

Tuesday 23 April 2019

Dungeon Mastery: The Big Bad...

The direct cause of much of the world's ills, the Big Bad exerts a force across the story arc during which there will be numerous confrontations, their presence driving the plot. In the end they are too powerful.
The Big bad works through minions through the story arc, and employs Dragon level protection. They function at the Mythos level, rather than the story level and can be considered non-threats simply because they are functioning well beyond the level of the PCs.

Mort: Normal Human; Chaotic; 6hp; AC9; Str 7, Int 13, Wis 14, Dex 9, Con 8, Cha 16; equipment: Normal clothing, eyepatch of non-detection, shoes; Background: Mort (Moart Kumkuar the First), having accidentally become aware of plane travel thanks to an evil wizard whom he killed, has become The ruler of Atlantis. He has used the tech of the city to reach across planes and abduct alternate reality versions of the Woman he loves to reside in his city. He is currently manipulating events across multiple realities.

Wednesday 17 April 2019

Game of Thrones: Fate of the Characters

There is in the fates of the characters the great fairy tales that humans tell. The princess at the top of a tower reached by a warrior wearing climbing hooks for claws on hand and foot. A witch-queen who dwells in an inaccessible tower. The witch who inspects boats to ensure they are safe for the bear warriors to travel on. The prince and his elder diviner/guide who journey over land on a quest that takes them to war. A warrior taken as a child who returns to his people a man only to be considered a foreign barbarian and locked in a labyrinthian dungeon. A Comet/supernova/burning arrow heralding the birth of the chosen one. The burning of the tower/library of knowledge as humanity is thrown into darkness. Children under a curse to be trapped in a beastly form. A smith who crafts legendary weapons. A dwarf who delivers a black spear to a warrior to slay a giant boar god. A man swallowed by a great god of the sea while travelling over its waters. A warrior slays a dragon in a cave liberating the land.

All these tales are the fates of the characters in game of thrones (or are meant to be).

Update (22 April): forget the stuff above. I now suspect Brandon Stark is sacrificing them all for some of that 'greater good'. What will win the war? How about Uniting everyone south of the Twins after the tale of the complete anihilation of the north after their heroic last stand spreads becoming a rallying cry?


You likely watched the movie '300' (Battle of Thermopoli). Like that. Jamie Lanister should throw him from the battlements if thats the case.

Monday 15 April 2019

Mystaran Campaign: The Cathedral burns

The timbers of thirteen thousand oak trees that make up the cathedral structure catch fire and burn. Smoke rises over the capital of Specularum as the populace can only watch as the Church of Karameikos burns, its once towering central spire toppling.
Religious artefacts, artworks and books are lost forever.

Sunday 14 April 2019

Planet X: the one I didnt notice

It sits quite far from the ozone blue tyrant and its chlorine moon, but at one astronomical unit from the sun it ranges in temperature from 263 K (-10.15°C) on its sun facing side to 270K (-3.15°C) on its dark side.

So what do we call this unusual little moon? Hoth?

Note(15 April): An Albedo of 0.12 rates as worn Asphalt implying this carbon rich planet passed very close to the sun. The entire range of albedo for it could be as low as 0.08 for conifers to 0.18 for deciduous trees. Fresh Asphalt would be much darker down at 0.04 Albedo. At least we know it hasnt been close to the sun recently. So if this is an indicator of time away from the sun, then perhaps the planet X group will pass up through the solar plane  between us and the sun in about seventy five years.

 
Albedo 0.2


Albedo 0.19


Albedo 0.18


Albedo 0.12









And there is our dark little moon. The temperature range makes it practically habitable.

Thursday 11 April 2019

Game of Thrones: Arya Stark's Destiny


Arya Stark will survive the invasion of the White Walkers granted refuge from the fall of Winterfell with her Direwolf Nymeria She will be drawn out into the Open, perhaps becoming a Muse to Samwell Tarley the Scribe, telling the scribe her story. Unfortunately Sam and companion Gilly have been replaced by the faceless men and they mean to kill her.

Adventure Scenarios: Two adventures using public domain art


Basic Adventure: The House of Edgehill

The Ruined House of EDGEHILL is located on the road between the village and the nearby town. 
Its garden maze has various magical fountains such as the Pillar of Ducks which guards the entrance to the maze.
And the Stone Candle which guards the exit leading into the ruins of the house.
The house is home to Goblins who attack intruders.

In the Torture chamber/dungeons beneath the house a holy symbol belonging to the Hermit who told you of the treasure along with a Magic sword, magic Dagger and magic battle axe are yours.



Expert Adventure: The Crimes of Grindelwald

The Hermit approaches the adventurers and speaks of a treasure in a cave in the Mountains.








The path follows the River up into the Mountains.







The Glaciers fill the great fissures that divide the mountains.

The Expedition seeks a cave in the cold mountains overlooking the Glacier.
Deep in the Cave the adventurers find the Treasure Ship of Grindelwald.








Objects in Motion: The Black Knight Sattelite

 The 'Black Knight Sattelite' was spotted from the Space Shuttle and identified as a thermal blanket but people being people decided it was an alien sattelite.
 A quick sampling of its colours and we get...
 Pale yellow-white sits between:

  • Chromium hydroxide
  • Manganate (iv)
Pale Violet:
  • Unidentified...

Pale Green:
  • Iron (ii)

So... what did NASA coat their thermal blanket in?

Wednesday 10 April 2019

Board with Games: The Royal Game of Ur


Something to play with the kiddies...

Looks like you need four black 1d4s and some liquid paper/nail polish to paint a point on each of the dice. And lets throw in seven monster tokens because we need to D&D up this game.

Looks like dice combinations are:

0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1
1 1 0 0
1 0 1 0
1 0 0 1
0 0 1 1
0 1 0 1
0 1 1 0
1 1 1 0
1 1 0 1
1 0 1 1 
0 1 1 1
1 1 1 1

  Result       0      1        2         3         4  
  Chance     1      4        6         4         1  

To modernize the game we need:
1. For dice we need a 16-sided dice with the numbers 0-4: 1x0, 4x1, 6x2, 4x3, and 1x4. This is sixteen triangles, eight associated with each pole of the dice.
2. For Game pieces, we need seven monster tokens or miniature figures for each player.

High tech version
A steel board on a flip axis and magnetic figurines means one player per side. When a like magnetic pole interacts through the board it causes the player to fall from the underside of the board.

Update (11 April 2019): A Gameboard

Lets add the gameboard to your dungeon. Encountering the game causes the PC to fragment into seven parts. The PC must fight an opposite Alignment mirror entity or rival PC to get all seven parts of themselves to the exit. Movement of pieces is controlled by dice rolls (using 4d4 as not sure where to get a 1d16 with appropriate weights).  Victor keeps alignment. Looser must change alignment (or be trapped in the game).


Monday 1 April 2019