Diii men's lacrosse rankings

I am a piece of shit. Ain’t really much of another way to put it.
Some context:
My (m22) wife (f22) is 20 weeks pregnant and is very emotional. She was before the pregnancy as well, shit from old partners and so on. I love her to death, and she is an angel on this Earth. She is the kindest and most sweet hearted person you’ll find, ain’t got a mean bone in her body. She hasn’t had the most perfect life, but she has a good family that is willing to step farther for her than most.
The problem that I’m facing is that every time she cries, which is very often, I find myself getting annoyed; angry even. I will often snap when she cries, making the situation worse. It breaks my heart to see her cry, and it breaks my heart to see what I’ve done to her with how I react. I can’t show my face to her at times. I turn into a grade-A asshole.
I know where it comes from on my end. I was raised in Texas, grew up cowboying and doing ranch work. These cowboys around here don’t cry, and often if you do they will tell you that you’re weak, that men don’t cry. You know, the usual for working men. I had a bone sticking out of my foot when I was 14 from a rank colt that I was breaking, and the first thing my uncle did was get mad at the fact that I cried. My mother didn’t help as well. Took all her anger from the divorce out on me. She realized that when I was too old to beat that she would have to use emotions as a manipulation tactic. Crying was her go to tactic to try and twist my mind.
It is my fault, and there is no excuse for how I act towards her during these times. I don’t know what to do, I’ve prayed and prayed, I’ve pleaded with Christ to soften my heart, but I can’t figure it out. I know He hasn’t left me, I just don’t know what He wants me to do
The thing is, I know why I get mad. I know EXACTLY where it comes from and why I react the way I do. I have what most people don’t, the answers to why their trauma effects their everyday life. I just don’t know what to do to fix it. I don’t know what step I have to take to soften my heart. I can’t keep doing this, and I need help. Sadly, I can’t afford therapy or counseling, so I have to find help in other avenues.
Please, if anyone has some sort of advice or words of wisdom that can help me, I would appreciate that more than I can express. I need help.

Chance a whitewashed Asian?
Chance an Asian Male with bad academics
Demographics: Junior, First Gen upper middle class income Asian Male (200k), mid tier public high school in Minnesota
Intended Major: Aerospace Engineering, Industrial/Civil Engineering backup
ACT: 33 composite, 35 superstore, looking to reach 35 composite
GPA: UW-3.73, 124/~400 W-4.60. 40/~400
Coursework:Semester 1 grade /Sem 2 10th: AP Chem B/A, AP Physics 1 B/A APUSH A/A AP Comp Sci B/A
11th AP Calc BC B/A ,AP Physics 2 A/B, AP Human Geo A, AP Lit B/A, AP Econ A, AP Stats B/B
Extracurricular Cross Country 8th-present, Captain 11th and will be 12th, Varsity 11th-12th
Lacrosse 9th-present, Varsity 10-12th
Ski Cross 2022 youth division upper midwest series champion, 21st place at nationals. 2023 youth division upper midwest runner up, 20th at nationals.
Boy Scouts 7th- present, current star scout rank, will be Eagle Scout by graduation, 100+ volunteer hours
Worked as a ski salesman winter of Junior year, and will winter of senior year.
Some small scale volunteer clubs/groups but no leadership
Going to ED Cornell, applying U of MN, Uwash Seattle, CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines.
I have heard it is hard to get into aerospace and other engineering at boulder, is it bad to apply to aerospace and risk not getting in at all?

From the depths of space, a dark force takes form,
Unknown enemy descending, chaos and dread swarm.
Now we all face a relentless storm.
​
XCOM rising, through enigmatic tech's haze,
Across the globe, we gather, steadfast gaze.
With the Council's backing, XCOM stands strong,
Defiance our anthem, resistance we prolong.
​
Nations chosen, strategies unfold,
Rookies brace, their mettle untold.
Sectoids advancing, mind games test our resolve,
Yet unyielding we stand, refusing to dissolve.
​
Rookies rank up, battles amplify,
skills fortified, not so different from killing a man.
Rookies evolved, mighty mechs, legends foretold.
Against the alien horde, our strength takes hold.
​
Thin Men hidding, lurking in the mist,
Their poisoned arrows strike, but medikits resist.
Each soldier unique, their skills employed,
Our team's synergy, a force none can avoid.
​
In the face of a mighty landed Battleship, sacrifice takes its toll,
Amidst impossible odds, some soldiers may never make it whole.
In sorrow's downpour, revenge's flame cannot be quenched
Their legacy burning bright, in our hearts entrenched.
​
Long War awaits us, yearning for a glimpse of light,
X-COM soldiers prepare for the ultimate fight.
​
Amidst the horror, Chryssalids prey upon the helpless,
Lives consumed, their screams devoured in darkness.
Two 95% shots missed, a haunting consequence,
Anger and disbelief, sanity left in suspense.
​
In the face of despair, our purpose unswayed,
Resilience unyielding, our strength displayed.
​
Armored Seekers, elusive and quick,
Shoulder to shoulder, our formation thick,
HEATed SAWs, our foes they deride,
Together we march, unyielding in stride.
​
An unestablished pattern researched, we'll uncover their schemes,
Unmasking their agenda with each passing day, unraveling their unempathetic dreams
​
From the Skyranger's descent in the urban sprawl,
Each mission a trial, Floaters take flight, their presence we endure.
Their not winning any contests, that's for sure.
Relentless and fierce, odds against us pressed,
With laser precision, victory manifests.
​
Scout's intrepid steps uncover meld's allure,
A tantalizing sight, its secrets to procure,
A resounding plea for cautioun, soldiers' unspoken dread,
Balancing risks and lives, explosives abstained.
​
Traitorous Exalt scum, causing chaos in sync,
Embracing transhumanism, their bodies interlinked.
​
​
[Less worked done from here on]
​
​
X-COM strikes with vengeance, a force to behold,
From the skies to the streets, our story unfolds,
Rockets unleashed, explosions ignite,
Their ranks crumble, scattering in fright, not fair that he has all the fun!
​
Eyes widen in awe, Mutons appear, a formidable sight,
With rifles ablaze, their plasma's searing might,
Their explosive orbs held tight, but we aren't going down without a fight!
​
Meld's enigmatic essence, a catalyst profound,
Breakthrough achieved, resounding victory's sound.
Mech suits emerge, formidable might unbound.
​
Chryssalids emerge from whales, a horrifying sight,
But our mechs stomp them, with fury ignite,
Rend exoskeletons, their demise a brutal delight!
​
Mutons arise, their might displayed,
Our mechs engage, their ranks dismayed
​
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​

We wanted to play as the minute Men, and have done everything up before the one right before defending the castle, and for some reason we are stuck on that. Form ranks never completed but we have done everything that Preston Garvey asked us to do and now he only asked to join us as a companion. Additionally we have been doing a ton of side quests for the brotherhood of steel and the railroad. None of them has led to a main story quest in a very long time. What are we doing wrong? Did we encounter a bug? Thank you so much guys!

Introduction

Petrine is often an overlooked villain due to the fact she is underneath both Ashnard and Black Knight in terms of Daein's hierarchy and power. Most people notice how ruthless she can be as that is quite apparent but often overlook how cunning she is. She is often referred to as the same archetype as Narcian and Valter, the crazy evil general you must fight before late game which makes her come off as less competent than she truly is.

Chapter 5

Petrine is introduced after Daein fails to capture Princess Elincia and while it is ambiguous it is implied, she will execute the leader for his failure. This shows she's very ruthless, arguably to the detriment of Daein's army as fighting to the death isn't always better than a tactical retreat. However, it is Daein army's motto, and we know Ashnard is Daein's leader so one can argue she's compelled to obey his orders and is arguably being more ruthless than she otherwise would be.

Petrine: “What? What did you just say? I think I must be hearing things. I thought you said, “They got away.””
Dakova: “Ge-General Petrine. I am deeply ashamed. By my honor…”
Petrine: “Honor? I care nothing for your pathetic honor. Have you forgotten the Daein army’s motto? Success or failure, life or death. Hey, you! Get this trash out of here!”
Daein Soldier : “Yes, ma’am! Move it, you.”
Dakova: “W-wait! General Petrine, have mercy…”
Petrine: “Dog’s breath! I’m surrounded by worthless imbeciles. Ena!”

Anyway, Petrine is quick to ask Ena for advice on where the Greil Mercenaries are heading. Once Petrine is told they are heading to Gallia, she quickly takes the initiative to hunt them down. While this could be reckless compared to waiting for Ena to gather intel. However, one could argue this is actually smart despite her arrogant overconfidence due to the fact they must be defeated before they arrive to Gallia.

Petrine: “Tell me which way we should move to catch these mercenaries and the girl.”
Ena: “…The Crimean capital, Melior, is already under King Ashnard’s control…The remnants of the Crimean army are neglible…Which means the only place left for the princess to turn is south, to the kingdom of Gallia.”
Petrine: “Hah! So the girl, like her dead father before her, seeks the friendship of those hairy devils, eh? What an absolutely stupefying world we live in.”
Ena: “If she gains sanctuary in Gallia, capturing the princess will become that much more difficult….The mercenaries she has escorting her are a powerful group, not one to be taken lightly. I will gather intelligence on them as quickly as…”
Petrine: “It’s not necessary. I will head up the pursuit of our wandering princess.”
Ena: “General Petrine, you will go…yourself?”
Petrine: “If we know where the princess and her band are headed, there’s no need for subtlety. I’ll just hunt them down and kill them. Mercenaries? Hah! What’re they to me? Remember, I am General Petrine! No matter who I face, I have never failed, nor will I ever! Ha ha ha…”

​

Chapter 6

So Petrine had already taken the initiative of sending scouts to track them and figures out they are making their way through the forest in Crimea near Gallia. We learn how Petrine was angry with Ena being her tactician, but she still ended up asking her for advice in the previous chapter which goes to show that despite looking down on her allies, she gives them a fair chance.

Daein Soldier: “…And that’s when we lost track of them. I assigned a squad to pursue them and returned so I could give you this report.”
Petrine: “Understood. You may step down.”
Petrine: “So Princess Elincia is making her way through the forest to Gallia…Ena!”
Petrine: “It appears your advice was sound. Well done. You have earned my praise.”
Ena: “Thank you.”
Petrine: “When the king assigned me a tactician, I wondered what I had done to lose his trust. When I saw it was a young girl,I burned with anger at the king’s judgment. Still, it’s worked out better than I had expected. Keep up the good work.”
Ena: “Of course.”
Petrine: “Now then, it’s time for the hunt to begin.”

Soren forms a plan to send Greil, Shinon and Gatrie as an elite diversionary force to distract the Daein army waiting for them at the edge of the forest which could allow the main force to cut through the weakened Daein force that is guarding the point of exit.

Greil: “Hold it right there, everyone. We’re coming to the edge of the forest. Form up. Combat positions.”
Titania: “I don’t suppose our Daein pursuers were willing to let us just slip away.”
Soren: “There is no doubt that they will attack again. Without knowing their numbers, it is difficult to advise a course of action.”
Greil: “Take your best guess, Soren. With the limited information we have, what is the best way to proceed?”
Soren: “…Some of our group cannot fight. If we are caught, we’ll have a difficult time defending them and attacking the Daeins. I propose we separate into two groups: a small fighting force to engage the enemy and buy the main group some time, and the rest of us–who will escort the princess to Gallia at full speed.”

​
However, the plan fails due to the Daein army being concentrated in the location where Ike's force emerges preventing Greil from distracting them at a different point. Petrine being the overall commander of these troops as well as promising to begin the hunt must have been able to deduce where the main force would emerge allowing her to foil Soren's diversion strategy. In summary, she shows that she's good at predicting the movements of her enemy.

Ike: “So they’re waiting for us after all…”
Soren: “There are…more of them than I’d imagined there would be. I thought they would have been spread out across the forest border…I didn’t expect to see so many in one place.”
Ike: “Do we rethink our strategy?”
Soren: “No, we’ve already split up. It’s too late to reconsider now.”

​

Chapter 7

Ike is looking for his father in a fort but ends up getting ambushed by Daein soldiers. Soon after, Petrine shows up and orders Ike to give Elincia up or die but good thing is that Ike had already managed to send her to Gallia by the end of chapter 6 although she doubts he's telling the truth.

Petrine: “Ha ha ha…Found you at last. You provided more entertainment than I thought you would.”
Ike: “Who are you?”
Petrine: “Me? I am General Petrine, and my arrival marks your doom. Lament your fortune,dear children, for all hope is lost. You will not leave this place alive.”
Soren: “Petrine…of the Four Riders of Daein?”
Ike: “Do you know her, Soren?”
Soren: “If she’s who I think, then she’s one of the four generals who are King Daein’s most trusted confidants. She is said to wield a flame lance of terrible arcane might.”
Petrine: “Ha ha ha…You’ve heard of me? Why, I’m flattered. I’ll try to make this easy on all of you. Give me the princess, and do it now. If I roast the girl along with you curs, I won’t be able to present her head to His Majesty.”
Ike: “Sorry to tell you this, but the princess isn’t here. She’s been in Gallia for quite some time now.”
Petrine: “What…nonsense is that? Do you expect me to believe you? There’s no way mercenary scum like you could get past my troops!”

Soon Greil shows up and calls her out on her arrogance.

Greil: “They say that blind arrogance sows the field of its own destruction. Something tells me they were talking about you.”
Petrine: “Who–“

He challenges her to a one on one duel which proves to be too tantalizing as she does like to fight against strong opponents even though she was smart enough to know it was a ruse.

Greil: “You said your name was Petrine, is that right? Listen up. This place is nowhere near big enough. There’s not enough room for a true contest between the two of us. I’m going elsewhere. You coming?”
Petrine: “Do you actually think I’m going to fall for such a simple ruse?”
Greil: “You and I, we’ve got more power than the average person. We don’t come across a chance like this too often. I’d like to flex my muscles without any distractions getting in the way. You?”
Petrine: “Ha ha…You really do know how to sweet talk a girl, don’t you? All right, I’m coming.”
Greil: “Over here.”

Greil was right that Petrine was too arrogant but despite Petrine being on the verge of defeat, it sounds like she has a plan to turn things around.

Petrine: “Dog’s breath! Who are you, man? You look like a common sellsword, but you fight like a demon!”
Greil: “What’s wrong? Ready to surrender?”
Petrine: “And admit defeat? Me? Dont’t be absurd…”

​
Well Petrine's reinforcements show up and box the Greil Mercenaries in which shows why she was so confident in taking on Greil. She had a contingency in place in case Greil proved to be too strong which goes to show while she can be quite arrogant, she thinks ahead.

Daein Soldier: “Here they are! Over here!”
Ike: “Blast. Enemy reinforcements! Father! Let’s get out of here! There are too many–“
Greil: “…Looks like I’ve got no choice.”
Petrine: “Ha ha ha ha…So now, the tide has turned, hasn’t it?”
Petrine: “All troops, attack! Kill them! Kill them all!”
Greil: “Hm…Looks like our luck’s run out.”
Ike: “Father!”
Greil: “You have to survive this, Ike. I’m not going to lose you, not in this place. Are you ready?”
Ike: “Yes, Commander!”
Petrine: “You’ve nowhere to run. Curse whatever gods you hold, for they have abandoned you!”

Granted, she did end up getting her army ambushed from behind by the laguz foiling her strategy.

Ike: “What was that?”
Daein Soldier: “B-b-beasts! Gallian beast soldiers!”
Daein Soldier: “R-r-run! We’re going to be torn to shreds!”
Petrine: “Stand your ground, all of you! Don’t panic! I will personally slaughter the first man to turn his back on the enemy!”
Daein soldier: “Noooo!”
Daein Soldier: “B-b-beasts!”
Petrine: “Pfeh. Worthless cowards, one and all.”
Ranulf: “Attention, Daein soldiers! Leave this place at once! If you do not comply immediately, you will face Gallia’s full strength!”

​
To her credit, originally she did not know that Elincia had already gotten away to Gallia to call for help, let alone fast enough for Gallia to mobilize troops and reach them in time. Even Ike was surprised at Elincia and the laguz showing up despite him knowing that Elincia had reached Gallia.

Ike: “Princess Elincia…Why did you return here?=”
Ranulf: “The princess came and requested Gallian aid for your mercenary company. That is what brings us here.”

Petrine shows a lot of bravery and is willing to continue the fight even when her underlings flee which may sound dumb but those are Ashnard's orders. It goes to show he's more of a dumb brute than she is. Anyway, much like how the Greil Mercenaries were saved by the laguz, Petrine is saved by the Black Knight and he promises to convince Ashnard to explain her retreat.

Petrine: “Threaten me all you like. It’s not going to frighten me off. If I leave, His Majesty will have me executed. I’d rather die here in battle, with my honor intact.”
Black Knight: “Withdraw, General Petrine.”
Petrine: “The Black Knight…”
Black Knight: “As for your king, you have nothing to fear. I’ll explain things to him. Take your men and go.”
Petrine: “Tsk! All troops, fall back!”

​

Chapter 19

When Ike invades Daein, Petrine decides to hire Naesala to fight alongside Daein to counter the invasion. She pays part of the cost upfront while promising to pay the rest afterwards, striking a balance between Daein's interests and Kilvas' interests. All of this goes to show she too is quite pragmatic and cunning.
​

Naesala: General Petrine, Kilvas will always stand at Daein's side... As long as we receive our payment, of course.
Petrine: If gold is all it takes, then may our friendship never end. See to it that your performance warrants such consideration! Homasa! Come here!
Homasa: Yes.
Petrine: Work with King Kilvas and put a stop to Crimea's army. No screw ups! Or else!
Homasa: Leave it to me, General.
Petrine: I will not suffer another failure, King Kilvas. You must finish them, and do so quickly...Are we clear? Arrr! I am sick to death of being made a fool by that Crimean floozy and her pathetic band of sellswords!
Naesala: And the remaining portion of my fee?
Petrine: Don't worry, we have it ready. You'll get paid when the job is done.
Naesala: As long as we're clear on that point, everything's settled. Well then, I'm off.

​
The same Naesala was so cunning he managed to outwit Morris, one of Daein's commanders, into creating an enemy with Begnion so that he can steal both of their treasures while they fight amongst each other.

Norris: Grrr...Look at this mess! I paid you good money to help me outmaneuver everyone else and catch the Crimean princess's ship first. Everything seemed to be going exactly as we'd planned. But now, we're being attacked by a squad of pegasus knights! We're flying no flags! We've stripped our armor of any crests! They should have no clue who we are! Why are they attacking us!?
Naesala: Call it a miscommunication...One of those unfortunate misunderstandings that seem to happen now and again.
Norris: You deceitful...King Kilvas! I wouldn't be surprised if you'd planned this treachery from the start!
Naesala: Such unkind words! You wound me. I would never intentionally lie to you. And as proof, I bring good news. I have it on unshakable authority that the ship that just sailed up alongside Begnion's carries the Crimean princess.
Norris: Oh...But unless we can break through the Begnion ranks, there's nothing we can do...
Naesala: Would you care for some assistance?
Norris: And what would it cost me this time?
Naesala: You learn quickly, my friend. Let's see, you'd be receiving my own royal assistance, so...double--no, triple rates. ---------------------------------------------
Naesala: We should take advantage of the confusion of battle to help ourselves to the cargo. These humans seem interested only in fighting their fellow men. If they can't be bothered to defend their treasure, I think it fair to say they've lost their claim to it.

​
Naesala does betray when Reyson talks to him which does foil Petrine's plan. However, Naesala does forfeit his right to gold. Furthermore, Naesala only betrayed her because Reyson joined Ike's army and because Naesala needed to make up to Reyson for selling him to Oliver. Petrine is not privy to these two facts so its not like she made a blunder due to oversight/miscalculation on her part.

Reyson Oh, yes! Friends! In fact, we're such good friends that you sold me to that foul, bloated man!
Naesala I didn't really sell you! Besides, I planned on rescuing you right away. You were just impatient and flew away on your own, so--
Reyson Are you blaming me?
Naesala No, no! Well, maybe... I mean...It was I who was in the wrong. On all accounts.
Reyson ...
Naesala No one was hurt in the end. Come on, smooth those ruffled feathers. All right?
Reyson Leanne is alive.
Naesala Yes, Tibarn's attendant told me. That's wonderful news. When he sees her face, I'm sure King Lorazieh will begin to feel better at once. Things are really looking up, aren't they, Reyson?
Reyson ...I suppose that... If you hadn't deceived me and taken me to the forest... We might not have discovered her... So, I will forgive you. Just this once!
Naesala Reyson! Oh, that's--
Reyson WITH...conditions. Will you accept them?
Naesala ...What are they?
Reyson Pull your troops from this battle. Now. And never again enter into combat against your fellow laguz.
Naesala Oh, come now, Reyson. That's asking too much--
Reyson What will you do, then? Will you continue to fight the Crimean army to which I'm in service?
Naesala Very well. You win, Reyson. I'll leave and take my soldiers with me. However, I cannot say what the future will bring. I have the fate of my nation to consider after all.

Chapter 20

Once Ike's army approaches Talrega, Petrine forms a clever yet devious strategy to slow him down and exhaust the army. Also, this shows she understands how much of a threat Ike is and isn't going to underestimate him unlike a lot of other villains who only lose because they underestimate the heroes and toy with them.

Shiharam Yet, that's... General Petrine! If we do this thing, Daein will suffer.
Petrine It's for the good of the country. Besides, it's only one territory! Stop mewling like an old woman.
Shiharam I hear you, and yet...If the goal is merely to stop the Crimean army, this is not necessary. The strength of my troops will suffice to--
Petrine The last idiot who told me that ended up on a corpse pile! Now listen to me, and listen well. No matter how passionate you are when you tell me you'll defeat Crimea, I'll never pin my hopes on a bunch of foreigners. All you have to do is stop their forward progress. That's all. My plan will accomplish this.

The strategy was the flood the area which turned the ground into mud making it hard for ground units to traverse the terrain. What makes the strategy even more effective is that Shiharam's army is mostly wyvern knights who fly so it doesn't impact them as much as Ike's army.

Bengion Soldier General Ike! Sir, we've got trouble! The road ahead is blocked by water!
Elincia What? How can that be?
Bengion Soldier Perhaps a local river has flooded. The whole region is soaking wet.
Ike Is the road completely impassable?
Bengion Soldier No, sir! We can move forward, but the water's turned the ground to mud. And the water is still flowing at a tremendous rate, sir! This is going to cut back our speed dramatically.
Soren This is the work of Daein. They thought to impede our progress in order to gain some time for themselves. And they've succeeded.

​
While Ike certainly wins the battle, it has slowed him down due to him distributing his supplies to the refugees of Talrega who have lost their homes in the flood along with the fact it was a hard fought battle due to the terrain conditions.

Ike: Soren. Take a portion of our supplies and distribute it among the locals.
Soren: What? Are you serious?
Ike: Our opponent is the Daein army. We've no quarrel with these people.
Soren: Ike, I know you feel for these people, but this is war! We don't have--
Ike: I don't know what it will accomplish, Soren. But, moving on without lifting a finger is something I cannot do.
Titania: I understand. I'd rather regret something I had done than regret taking no action at all.
Elincia: I would like to help, too. Perhaps I can aid the injured.
Soren: ...Idiocy...
Petrine: Well, that's that. We gained some time by flooding the river, but it won't hold them for long. I knew that foreign cur was useless... It looks like the decisive battle will be fought near the capital.

​

Chapter 23

Petrine makes a last stand on the bridge that connects Daein and Crimea. She has modified the bridge with traps which makes it hard for you to advance. A lot of people complain that the bridge chapter is annoying due to the pitfalls but that's the point, Daein is supposed to be annoying to fight. It's also good for psychological warfare as it can cause panic in the army as many soldiers get trapped. This psychological manipulation is made even more potent when Petrine orders her army to kill off the enemy one by one, thereby making the enemy troops panic as they are picked off one at a time.

Petrine: So they're finally here, are they? Has the work on the bridge been finished? And your answer had better be yes!
Daein Soldier: Y-yes, General! Do you think it will work?
Petrine: Sometimes the simplest of traps offer up the best results. Lure the enemy in, and then finish them off one by one. Got it?

​
Petrine sends Haar to flank the enemy from behind once Ike's army has been lured in thereby effectively sandwiching his army on a booby trapped bridge.

Petrine All right, Haar! Time for you to go to work.

​
Haar ends up defecting when Jill talks to him but Petrine anticipates this and has a bunch of her henchmen fight alongside Haar to keep tabs on him which goes to show she anticipated Haar defecting. This goes to show she has great predictive capabilities and plans far in advance.

Haar: The ones responsible for General Shiharam's death, are the Daeins. I pretended to return to the fold so I could get close to General Petrine...I'm just waiting for my chance. But I think they may be on to me. My unit's a bunch of tough guys who serve as Petrine's watchdogs. Plus, I've been ordered to charge the Crimeans head-on. It's Daein's way of killing two birds with one stone.
Jill: Don't do it! Come fight by our sides! If you're looking to kill Daeins, then we share the same goal!
Haar: Jill... I, um... I don't trust Crimea anymore than I do Daein. I'm sick to death of serving countries.
Jill: Captain...
Haar: Still... I can't abandon the daughter of the man to whom I owe so much... Guess I'm changing sides again.

​
Now Petrine does lose the fight but one of the reasons she loses is that at last minute, Lucia decides to ambush Petrine's army at the edge of the bridge in Crimea when Ike's army also gets near the edge, this pincer proves to be too much. There is no shame in losing to the combined efforts of Lucia and Ike when Lucia herself is a great tactician and we all know Ike is a brilliant general who has a brilliant strategist at his side.

A unit is near the end of the bridge
Lucia: Is that the Crimean army? ......................................... Two turns later
Lucia: Are you ready to fight?! Are you ready to die?! We must give our all to protect Princess Elincia!
Crimean Soldier: My fellow Crimeans! Now is the time we stand and fight for the life of our homeland!

​

Conclusion

While Petrine may have failed to prevent Ike from reaching Crimea, she does show to be a formidable general regardless and her failure is made even less bad when you consider most of Daein's soldiers were in Crimea. Three of the four riders of Daein are fought on Crimean soil as well as Ashnard himself. Daein's best soldiers were in Crimea and they were more numerous too.

Overcoming many hardhsips, Ike and company finally arrive in theDaein capital of Nevassa. However, much to their dismay, King Ashnard is nowhere to be found. According to intellegence reports, the king is in Crimea's capital of Melior, preparing to wage war against Gallia. In addition, at least half of the Daein army, including its most elite forces, remain unharmed and at his side.

Petrine might be arrogant and reckless, but she does take the threat seriously and plans accordingly.

1. Teams are joining “better” conferences not necessarily because it’s better for the student-athletes, but for media exposure and more money.
-USC and UCLA are joining the Big Ten. In my opinion, this makes no sense. It’s not better for the student athletes in terms of familiarity by being unable to play schools within a few hours of them by a bus ride. The athletes have to spend extra hours on a plane for all of their away games that could be spent studying or resting, and will have to play in a time zone that is at least two or three hours ahead of them while being at least 1,000 miles away from their school. Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC. In my opinion, it is not as outrageous as the USC & UCLA situation because the SEC schools are closer in distance to those schools, but those schools are also joining the best college football conference mostly for the money and media exposure. And more schools do want to follow in their footsteps- there are rumors that California and Arizona want to join the Big 12 from Pac-12, as well as seven ACC schools looking to cancel their media contract with ESPN, which runs through 2035-36. The Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC could likely dissolve.
2. College athletes are getting the perks of being a professional athlete through NIL (Name, Image, Likeness). This means that college athletes are now allowed to endorse products for a profit.
-The perks of being a professional athlete are earned- by proving you can compete with the best by performing at the highest level. Only 1,696 people every year can have the perks of being a professional football player- and every single one has earned it through their talent. Choosing where to attend college is a big decision that should not be taken lightly for any high school senior. When they’re presented with an opportunity to make millions at a college, they will be easily swayed by the financial distractions rather than what is best for them. High school senior football players will now choose colleges based on where they can get the most money and media attention, rather than where they can get the best education and what colleges are good for their major or career path. This is in case that dream of playing the NFL doesn’t work out. And realistically, the dream will most likely not work out, so it’s best to have a Plan B in case Plan A fails.
3. College football players are now being treated like NFL players by the NCAA. There is a HUGE difference between what's expected as a STUDENT compared to being an EMPLOYEE, since they are as different as night and day.
-Talent- The NFL is completely different than college football in almost every way- because every NFL roster consists of those in the top 0.1% of American football players on Earth, while NCAA Division 1 football consists of the top 2.9% of high school American football players. These men are between the ages of 22 and 40. In college, the men are between the ages of 18 and 23.
-Playbooks/Schemes- College playbooks are usually curated to fit the needs of their Heisman-caliber quarterback or running back. In the NFL, playbooks and schemes require a greater time studying the playbook as well as film. In the NFL, having a star quarterback or running back isn’t enough to make a team nationally recognized- there needs to be talent from all 11 players, offense, and defense. Plus, there are always new schemes being installed in playbooks- and they are usually complex, so you will most likely be doing something wrong, even when you think you know what you’re doing.
-Lifestyle- Succeeding as an NFL player requires hard work and discipline on a whole different level than a college football player. One must know going in that they are getting paid millions of dollars to perform on the field. Dieting, working out, studying the playbook, avoiding posting inappropriate things on social media, maintaining a strong attitude and work ethic, and conducting yourself both on and off the field is what determines your success at the highest level. Also, the speed of the game in NFL is much faster paced than it is in college football. These players will injure you if you are not ready. And even if you are ready, you will most likely suffer a serious injury that will affect your body for the rest of your life.
-In the NFL, there is absolutely no room for silly mistakes when you have millions of fans watching you- whether fans are sitting in the stadium or on the couch at home. Fans are counting are you to make a difference to their favorite team, and if you don’t, you are not only looked down upon to your team, but the fans as well.
4. It is ruining the tradition of college football.
-There will be a 12-team playoff system in NCAA football coming within the next few years, which sounds similar to the NFL, only the NFL has 14 team playoffs and not 12.
-For about a century, college football had bowl games instead of playoffs. Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl- these bowl games may still exist, but will not be as exciting as they may have lower-ranked teams competing while the best teams go into the playoffs. It’s also possible that these bowl games will be no more.
-We may no longer see rivalries such as USC-Stanford, UCLA-Cal Berkeley, Texas-Texas Tech, and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State, all of which have been played almost every year since the 1930’s.
Any thoughts? Feedback would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

I have spent my life studying social cues and this one straight baffles me. I don't know what it means when men I work with wink at me? Over the years it seems to be men who were senior ranking to me, various ages 35-55. I don't get it? I thought you winked when you told a joke or were trying to be funny? Today it happened again and we were discussing something quite serious. It can't be flirting right? It doesn't feel like flirting. It feels patronizing maybe? I don't know what to think about this but it really give me the heebies.
Ok collective, what does winking mean?

The War Of 1839, Part II
The War Of 1839, Part III
The War of 1839: The Downing Street Conference
The War of 1839, Part IV
The War of 1839, Part V
Liberation of Vermont
Following the armistice, Richard Downes Jackson dedicated his time to planning and coordinating with General William Rowan for the deployment of British-Canadian troops along the Vermont-Canadian border. When the armistice officially concluded on April 25, 1843, Rowan led his forces into Newport, a city that had been among the last to be captured during John Wool's invasion of Vermont. Over a span of two days, the British forces successfully seized control of the city, compelling the American troops to retreat.
Despite Sylvester Churchill, the commanding general of the New England army, being aware of the British allies' plans, the swift defeat of the U.S. forces caught Churchill by surprise. He had expected stronger resistance in their attempt to liberate Vermont. The occupation of Vermont by the U.S. had persisted for almost a year, and both newspapers and officials criticized Churchill and Webster for their limited achievements in freeing the state. However, their efforts were hindered by the sedition acts, which silenced the criticism. This situation compelled Webster to reassess his tactics.
During the Battle of Boston, with crucial support from the British, Webster, somewhat under the influence, instructed Churchill to adopt a more offensive strategy. This involved utilizing the majority of the Yankee forces to liberate the coasts, challenging Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" blockade, which had contributed to the Panic of 1843. Webster aimed to free up the coasts in order to bring an end to the War of 1839 conflict and alleviate some of the recession's effects. Furthermore, Webster ordered Churchill to carry out a smaller-scale offensive in Vermont, prompted by the widespread news of the British victory in Newport.
Churchill assigned Major General Allen Hitchcock the responsibility of liberating his home state of Vermont due to the general's persistence. Accompanied by 6,000 men, Hitchcock embarked on a journey across New Hampshire, into Canada, and finally into Vermont.
On May 2nd, 1843, General Rowan and Hitchcock led a march towards St. Albans, following a route along the Lake Champlain region from Canada. St. Albans, which had served as the last stronghold of the Vermont militia, succumbed to the American forces in July 1842. The initial battle of St. Albans lasted three days, during which the U.S. troops gradually gained ground, conquering fortifications and capturing the entire city. Faced with a hopeless situation, General Churchill eventually surrendered. In the subsequent treaty, the United States assumed control of strategic cities while permitting the residents to resume their normal lives.
In the second battle, a situation reminiscent of the first battle unfolded, but with reversed sides. The combined British and Yankee forces aimed to breach the defenses established around the settlement in response to intelligence regarding troops stationed at the Vermont-Canadian border in the forthcoming liberation of Newport. Equipped with superior weaponry supplied by the British Empire and boasting a larger army, the allied forces managed to breach the defenses within a few hours and swiftly capture the settlement.
In May 1843, the U.S. successfully captured Burlington, disrupting the supply and manufacturing capabilities of their own troops due to the repurposed factories in the area. As the allied forces liberated neighboring areas and towns, their attention shifted to St. Johnsbury, a settlement in Vermont. By March 1842, the U.S. army had already conquered all remaining towns and settlements in Northern and Central Vermont, culminating in the one-sided Battle of St. Johnsbury, which marked the defeat of one of the final strongholds.
However, nearly a year later, the neighboring regions surrounding St. Johnsbury were liberated from American control. Recognizing the strategic importance of St. Johnsbury as a transportation route across Vermont and its role in supplying troops within the occupied state, Churchill ordered troops to launch an invasion of St. Johnsbury. The town's industry had been supporting the American troops with necessary supplies, further strengthening their hold.
The objective of Churchill's invasion was to regain control of St. Johnsbury and cut off the American forces' access to crucial transportation routes and supplies. By capturing the town, Churchill aimed to weaken the American hold on Vermont and disrupt their supply capabilities.
On May 28, 1843, Rowan and Hitchcock initiated a frontal assault on St. Johnsbury, employing a direct and head-on approach to besiege the city. The battle unfolded throughout the morning and into the evening, characterized by intense street-to-street combat between the opposing armies. As the allied forces gradually gained the upper hand and pushed the American troops deeper into the southern part of the city, the latter eventually chose to retreat. Seizing the opportunity, the British and Yankee forces swiftly occupied the vacated positions, solidifying their control over St. Johnsbury.
With the objective of depriving Montpelier of American aid, the next target in their campaign was Middlebury. Positioned strategically to the left of Montpelier, Middlebury was connected to the Otter Creek and Lake Champlain, which played a vital role in transportation for Americans in the region. Hitchook anticipated that by cutting off the Americans from important settlements along the Lake Champlain riverway, he and the British forces could have an easier time in kicking out the American presence in that area of water.
On June 5, 1843, after weeks of meticulous preparation and consolidating their presence in Vermont, the allied forces initiated a fierce assault on Middlebury. The battle for Middlebury was marked by intense fighting and strategic maneuvers. The allied forces, comprising British troops and their local allies, were determined to seize control of the town and cut off American supply lines in the region.
The engagement raged on for two days, with both sides displaying great valor and tenacity. The allied forces utilized their superior numbers and expert knowledge of the terrain to their advantage, launching coordinated attacks on American positions. Meanwhile, the American forces, although outnumbered, displayed remarkable resilience and fought fiercely to defend their strategic stronghold.
After intense and prolonged fighting, the allied forces emerged victorious on June 7, 1843, recapturing Middlebury from the U.S. forces. The combined efforts of the British troops and their local allies enabled them to seize control of the town and achieve their objective of severing the American supply lines. This victory dealt a significant blow to the American presence in the region and further weakened their position in the ongoing conflict. The recapture of Middlebury bolstered the allied forces' morale and served as a turning point in their campaign against the American presence in Vermont
Battle of Lake Champlain
Meanwhile, with the liberation of the coastal areas by the allied British and Yankee forces, including the capture of every major city along the Lake Champlain coast, Richard Downes Jackson, on June 12 issued orders for British ships to navigate south from the Richelieu River in an attempt to reclaim control of the body of water that had previously been under complete U.S. control. In the initial confrontation, the British took the initiative and opened fire on the American ships patrolling the region. Amid the ensuing chaos, the British ships, though smaller in size due to the necessity of navigating through the narrow river, used their larger numbers to swiftly capitalize on the confusion and gain a stronger position.
However, in a swift response to the British advancement, Isaac Mayo, the highest-ranking naval officer at Lake Champlain, issued orders for his men to prepare for combat, sparking a fierce battle characterized by relentless exchanges of heavy gunfire between British and American ships. The intensity of the engagement persisted throughout the day, with the American forces showing determination to hold their ground and not surrender any part of the lake. Despite their resolute stance, the arrival of additional British ships and the mounting toll of the back-and-forth cannon fire eventually led American ships to retreat southward.
British ships pursued the retreating Americans, as a full-scale battle erupted at Lake Champlain, however, despite the smaller ships, the British ships would come victorious as American ships were forced to retreat into Lake George, and instead of following through with a second perusal, the British instead decided to a dominating presence in the region, by having ships blockade America's entrance, as well as sending ships to patrol the lake.
The Battle of Lake Champlain was a fierce engagement, with both British and American ships locked in a desperate struggle amidst the tumultuous waters. The reverberating booms of cannons and the crackling gunfire echoed across the expansive lake, creating an atmosphere of chaos and danger. Despite the American ships' larger size, their maneuverability paled in comparison to the nimble British vessels. The British sailors deftly utilized their smaller ships to their advantage, darting in and out of the American formations with remarkable precision and skill.
As the battle raged on, the British gradually gained the upper hand. Their coordinated attacks and deadly accurate cannon fire began to take a toll on the American fleet. The American sailors, valiantly fighting to maintain their positions, found themselves overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught. Faced with the daunting reality of defeat, the American ships were compelled to retreat hastily, their hopes of victory fading.
Seizing the opportunity to solidify their triumph, the British ships pursued the retreating Americans. Instead of engaging in a second direct confrontation, the British commanders made a calculated decision. They recognized the strategic significance of establishing a dominant presence in the region. Swiftly altering their course, the British ships strategically positioned themselves to block the entrance to Lake Champlain, effectively cutting off the Americans from easy access to the lake's vast expanse.
In addition to the blockade, the British dispatched other vessels to patrol the waters of Lake Champlain. This comprehensive approach ensured their control over the lake, further limiting American movements and impeding any potential counteroffensive.
Liberation of Vermont (Continuation)
Major General Winfield Scott of the U.S. Army received reports about the substantial progress made by opposing forces in their bid to liberate Vermont. Having previously reduced the American presence in Vermont during the buildup to the Battle of Boston, Scott took decisive action. In response to the U.S. losses in the state and the conclusion of the Battle of Boston, he organized the transportation of troops into Vermont. During mid-June, Scott oversaw the strategic deployment of these troops to the regions bordering the recently liberated areas.
On June 19, Brigadier General Joseph Lane led an assault on St. Johnsbury with the objective of recapturing it. Over the course of a two-day battle, both British and American forces engaged in intense combat. Despite a determined effort, Lane's forces faced heavy artillery fire while attempting to enter the city. Unfortunately, for the U.S., the allied forces successfully defended against the assault, ultimately forcing Lane's troops to retreat.
Several days of preparation culminated in a coordinated attack on Montpelier by the Allied forces on June 23, 1843. Troops from St. Johnsbury, led by Hitchcock, joined British forces under Rowan in a two-pronged invasion, approaching Montpelier from different directions. The conflict commenced with a morning assault, initiated by the British troops who fired artillery at the fortifications surrounding the camp. American troops within the camp swiftly retaliated with gunfire. Yankee troops followed suit, and the battle raged on throughout the evening and into the next day.
Amidst intense combat, the allied forces eventually breached the defenses, successfully entering Montpelier. U.S. troops attempted to regroup and impede their progress. However, fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued in the streets, ultimately resulting in the advance of the British and Yankee forces. On June 26, the American troops ultimately surrendered, bringing an end to the battle.
The Battle of Rutland marked a significant turning point, representing the final major victory for the allied forces. On July 1st, they strategically deployed troops and artillery, utilizing the road network to swiftly approach the surrounding areas. Employing a barrage of artillery fire, the allies swiftly breached the city's defenses, initiating intense confrontations with the U.S. forces. Throughout the day, defensive tactics were employed by the U.S. troops in a valiant effort to repel the invaders. The resulting combat escalated into a fierce and prolonged hand-to-hand struggle that persisted until evening. Realizing the increasingly unfavorable circumstances, U.S. forces eventually made the decision to retreat from Rutland, acknowledging the impracticality of further resistance.
However, upon receiving news of the fall of Montpelier, Rutland, and the American failures to recapture St. Johnsbury, Major General Winfield Scott recognized the need for additional reinforcements in Vermont. The "Leviathan Plan" campaign had reached a stalemate, with neither side making significant progress. In response, Scott deployed extra units to the region. Despite these reinforcements, General Rowan, leading the combined British and Yankee forces, remained determined to advance their liberation efforts. Thus, they pressed forward with the Battle of Rutland, targeting the town of Woodstock.
To their surprise, the allied forces found themselves ill-prepared for the invasion as the U.S. troops stationed in Woodstock outnumbered them. The American forces had anticipated the attack and were ready to repel the invasion. As the allied forces made their attempt to strike, it was the U.S. troops who opened fire first. The ensuing confrontation lasted throughout the day and into the evening, with the allied forces unable to breach the defenses of Woodstock. This battle marked the first victory for the U.S. Army in Vermont since the British liberation, dealing a blow to the progress of the combined British and Yankee forces.
Leviathan Plan

Four days after the political catastrophe in Harraq (more than two weeks after the death of Emperor Sennacheri-ba):
The messenger birds from Harraq have finally arrived in Enili. They carry terrible news for the supporters of Marendoth - the philosopher is rumored to be collaborating against the nations of the Bay of Kawriq with the Grandchildren of Alash, a cult slowly spreading throughout the lands. Marendoth was known to question both the rule of kings and gods in his works. Becoming involved with a cult doesn't seem like an action he would choose to take. Some of his followers do not believe in these rumors, while others agree with him and see a new political power in the spreading Faith of Alash, possibly an ally.
The philosopher has been temporarily stripped of his citizen status until his guilt is disproven.
Only a handful of the Grandchildren of Alash live within the city, but this fact is not well-known. Now it seems as if they are everywhere. Many public speakers describing themselves as carriers of truth now teach the Faith on the streets, and the people listen, as they always do, consider, and some even show interest in joining the Faith. Many of those speakers are known citizens of the city and trusted followers of Marendoth. The city militia is on high alert, and the envoy riders and mounted archers from the Colony in the north have already been called for support, though they will arrive in no less than four days.
At the same time, a meeting is taking place, but not of any official board or institution. The conspirators gather in the most eastern part of the city, in a poorly lit basement of one of the newly built palaces. Fearful and accusatory words are exchanged; people whisper and scream, but the decision has already been taken.
This was always considered as an option, and the events were set into motion no more than two weeks ago.
They know what has to be done. The vote was unanimous.
One of the men stands up, raising his chalice.
"It was an honor to be either a friend or enemy to all of you, but my time has come. Nonetheless, I would like to raise a toast for the freedom of Enili, for the new political power soon to come, and for the revolution!"
Five days after PCH:
The royal Enili caravan heading to the funeral of the old Emperor has been stopped in its tracks by a messenger from the city.
The health of Izevel, whose state already did not allow for travel, has worsened to a point where it is feared that he might soon die.
The caravan is divided into two groups. One of the groups, containing most of the royal family, continues its travel to Kawriq. The other group, (with which Shiari-sa, the heir to the Enili throne, travel) , heads back towards the capital.
The city has become divided. There are rumors of a Cult of Alash-led revolution. The news of Izevel's state has already spread to the public.
Six days after PCH:
Sun sets over Harraq, as a large group of thugs and other men claiming to be the Grandchildren of Alash attacks a prison where one of their kin is being held.
At the same time in Enili, the revolutionists strike under the cover of night. Much of the eastern fringe of the city is burning. Many of the philosophers who opposed Marendoth fight alongside the militia to combat the Alash cultists and anti-monarchists aligned with Marendoth. The temple of the Feathered Twins and the defensive fortifications surrounding it are the most protected parts of the city, to which many bystanders flee. However, apparently, even among the priests of the twin gods there were hidden followers of Alash, who now successfully kill one of the higher-ranking members of the priesthood before they can be stopped by the city militia. One of those men takes his own life, but the other is taken prisoner. They both held concealed poisoned daggers.
The palace of Izevel has fallen. The fate of the ruler of Enili is as of yet unknown.
One is certain: day seven will forever change the history of a nation
To be continued

While the death of King Charles I would inaugurate one political wave, the events following his death would create one with even greater intensity. After the death of Charles, the Grandees of the Army, led by Fairfax and Cromwell, quickly turned their eye to the situation in Ireland. The event which finally began the English Civil War was the Irish Rebellion. However, with the Civil War raging for years, the Irish Confederates would win. But, while the Irish were ought of English sights, they were not out of English mind. With the domestic situation handled, Ireland was quickly the main issue.
But, as Cromwell prepared to lead an invasion of Ireland, minor dissent within the New Model Army finally exploded. Sentiment for a more democratic society had rapidly increased within the NMA after the King’s death. Starting as a small mutiny at Bishopsgate, throughout the ranks of the Army, men refused to suppress their comrades who had risen in refusal to go to Ireland, unless the Leveller Program was adopted. Not even Commander-in-Chief of the New Model Army, Thomas Fairfax, could stop the movement. While he was still beloved by his men, they were ultimately dedicated to the cause. Deciding that he could no longer work with the gorwing radicalism, Fairfax made good on his threat to resign.
This would leave Oliver Cromwell next in line to take over Command of the New Model Army. Cromwell would hesitate to take this role, due to discomfort with the Levellers, he would agree for the sake of the Commonwealth. While John Lilburne would call for the soldiers to refuse compromise with Cromwell, who he now despised, the Army was much more receptive. Even as they rose in disobedience against him, the New Model Army was still, at heart, loyal to Cromwell. Thus, a compromise would be struck with great ease. Cromwell agreed to request the dissolution of the Rump Parliament, and reluctantly agreed to include universal manhood suffrage (with exceptions for Royalists, domestic staff, and those reliant on charity) along with electoral reform, under the condition that the former would not be necessarily permanent. In exchange, Cromwell requested total to his authority on an Irish campaign. Led by Colonel William Eyre, the heavy majority of the Agitators (representatives of the soldiers, and de-facto representatives of the Mutineers) would agree to this deal. Despite the protests of Lilburne, the New Model Army was restored to order, while those who aggressively opposed the compromise were destroyed at the failed Banbury Mutiny.
With the New Model Army settled down, Cromwell would execute the first part of this deal. Cromwell would take a company of soldiers to the outskirts of London and head to Parliament. There, Cromwell would speak before the Rump. While praising Parliament’s work going back to the days of King Charles, Cromwell would present the bill for parliamentary reform (equalizing the representation of constituencies, temporary near-universal suffrage, and changing the # of MPs to 400), and then tell the Parliament that the Army wished for them to dissolve after passing the reform bill.
While Cromwell felt assured by leaders of the Rump that they would follow through, the situation in Westminster would not reflect these assurances. But, after two weeks the Rump had not passed either bill and there were allegations of the Rump’s desire to not pass the bill. With the Army on edge, Cromwell would bring out the sledgehammer against the Rump. He would denounce the Rump for its methods and attack various members as being drunkards, tricksters, pimps, and cheaters. He would then send in soldiers into the Chamber, and force Parliament to adopt the Reform Bill. But, he would not let Parliament dissolve itself. Still white with rage, Cromwell would give the Rump one final message, declaring, “You are no Parliament, I say you are no Parliament; I will put an end to your sitting! You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!” With that, Cromwell would disperse of the Rump. Although he had no official authority, Cromwell had destroyed the Rump for good & begun the election campaign.
With their electoral program implemented, the Levellers appear to have momentum in the new elections. Their first and foremost policy is a call for the permanent implementation of the temporarily implemented nearly universal manhood suffrage. They also support the total concentration of power within Parliament, with Parliament being given authority to protect the interests of England geopolitically and various forms of English liberty. With the idea of “freeborn rights” at the centerpiece of their campaign, the Levellers call for a wide-ranging platform including full equality before the law, total religious freedom (although with a ban on Catholics in office), a right to remain silent, abolishment of debt prisons, reduction of the death penalty, a ban on all military conscription, the ending of forced tithes, and abolishment of the Anglican Church, and absolute free trade. There are also voices calling for the lowering of taxation (with a presumed lowering of spending, potentially affecting Army pensions) and a ban on military officers serving in Parliament, but they are opposed by Leveller Army officers, dubbed Agitators.
Even though the Grandees of the New Model Army were shocked by the one-two punch of the Leveller Mutiny and the resignation of Thomas Fairfax, they still retain great loyalty among their ranks. Although there are numerous disagreements about the nature of reforms within the faction, they are united by loyalty to Oliver Cromwell. Although the success of the Leveller Mutiny has caused those who favor the Grandees to pipe down on the issue, they still, by in-large support limited suffrage with those who hold property having the right to vote. There is also a general agreement on the need for legal, political, educational, and religious reforms, but differences in scope. The Independents of the Grandee faction focus on a call for religious toleration while calling for the moral regeneration of England. Inspired by Sir Matthew Hale, the Independents call for the reformation of the legal system, along with a reduction, but not abolition in tithes. However, their signature policy is one put forward by John Lambert, called the Instrument of Government, calling for a new Government based on the Separation of Powers, with an Executive, Cabinet, and Legislature designed to counterbalance each other. Meanwhile, another radical faction called the 5th Monarchists is led by Major-General Thomas Harrison, who gained fame for being Cromwell’s deputy in the Dissolution of the Rump. The 5th Monarchists are defined by their belief in the necessity of the establishment of a theocratic government, with their name coming from a prophecy in the Book of Daniel about four kingdoms that would precede the “Kingdom of God.” In the eyes of the 5th Monarchists, the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman (including the Papacy) Kingdoms were the 4 Kingdoms, and the execution of King Charles would usher in the Kingdom of God. Thus, the policies of the 5th Monarchists would be designed to set up a world ready for the return. They call for abolishing the current legal system in favor of making Biblical Law the common law, complete abolishing of tithes, expansive relief for the poor, restrictions on religious freedom on Catholics, abolition of Parliamentary Democracy in favor of the establishment of a new Assembly of 70, filled with the godly. Last, but not least, there was a final faction of the Grandees, but one that is surrounded by mystery and doubts. Although it is by no means official, there are whispers of a so-called King Party within the Grandees who favor the restoration of the House of Stuart, and placing Charles I’s son, Charles II, on the throne of the 3 Kingdoms with certain regulations. These men are those who are presumed to be most horrified by the success of the Leveller Mutiny and the mass expansion of rights. Although no candidate for office would ever publicly call for it, the movement to restore the King to stop ‘radicals’ is rumored to have the support of old Parliamentarian commanders such as the Earl of Manchester and William Waller, and, most shockingly, former Commander-in-Chief of the New Model Army Thomas Fairfax.
While the Levellers and Grandees would be the main parties, a new movement would rise from the shadows of the Civil War. Led by Gerrard Winstanley and William Everard, a group called the “True Levellers” or Diggers, would come into fruition with the publication of The New Law of Righteousness. While the main Levellers would ardently deny that they planned to redistribute wealth, the Diggers would proudly wear this label. Winstanley and Everard would call for the total and complete common ownership of land, with equal profits from the land, along with a total redistribution of wealth. Winstanley would also call for the abolition of private property (except for housing and basic goods). The Diggers would also call for the abolition of bartering, instead saying that the profit everyone earned would be good enough. Winstanley would also call for environmental protection along free public health insurance & education. Finally, despite some within the party advocating a relaxation of moral standards, Winstanley has remained devoted to Puritan ideals, but Everard is rumored to be sympathetic to such causes.
View Poll

Like said in the subject I'm to lustful. As a closeted gay I have lust. I can stop watching porn, creating a grindr account and simping on beautiful masculine men (mostly porn actor ... = so off my rank).
But 1 day or 2 after, I realise that what I have done is bad. So I stop watching porn and delete my grindr account.
It's a cycle that I regularly do endlessly. I hope that some can feel the same thing as I.
I feel like being trap in an endless cycle of lust and ant-lust ?
How do I stop this ?

The War Of 1839, Part II
The War Of 1839, Part III
The War of 1839: The Downing Street Conference
The War of 1839, Part IV
The War of 1839, Part V
Liberation of Vermont
Following the armistice, Richard Downes Jackson dedicated his time to planning and coordinating with General William Rowan for the deployment of British-Canadian troops along the Vermont-Canadian border. When the armistice officially concluded on April 25, 1843, Rowan led his forces into Newport, a city that had been among the last to be captured during John Wool's invasion of Vermont. Over a span of two days, the British forces successfully seized control of the city, compelling the American troops to retreat.
Despite Sylvester Churchill, the commanding general of the New England army, being aware of the British allies' plans, the swift defeat of the U.S. forces caught Churchill by surprise. He had expected stronger resistance in their attempt to liberate Vermont. The occupation of Vermont by the U.S. had persisted for almost a year, and both newspapers and officials criticized Churchill and Webster for their limited achievements in freeing the state. However, their efforts were hindered by the sedition acts, which silenced the criticism. This situation compelled Webster to reassess his tactics.
During the Battle of Boston, with crucial support from the British, Webster, somewhat under the influence, instructed Churchill to adopt a more offensive strategy. This involved utilizing the majority of the Yankee forces to liberate the coasts, challenging Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" blockade, which had contributed to the Panic of 1843. Webster aimed to free up the coasts in order to bring an end to the War of 1839 conflict and alleviate some of the recession's effects. Furthermore, Webster ordered Churchill to carry out a smaller-scale offensive in Vermont, prompted by the widespread news of the British victory in Newport.
Churchill assigned Major General Allen Hitchcock the responsibility of liberating his home state of Vermont due to the general's persistence. Accompanied by 6,000 men, Hitchcock embarked on a journey across New Hampshire, into Canada, and finally into Vermont.
On May 2nd, 1843, General Rowan and Hitchcock led a march towards St. Albans, following a route along the Lake Champlain region from Canada. St. Albans, which had served as the last stronghold of the Vermont militia, succumbed to the American forces in July 1842. The initial battle of St. Albans lasted three days, during which the U.S. troops gradually gained ground, conquering fortifications and capturing the entire city. Faced with a hopeless situation, General Churchill eventually surrendered. In the subsequent treaty, the United States assumed control of strategic cities while permitting the residents to resume their normal lives.
In the second battle, a situation reminiscent of the first battle unfolded, but with reversed sides. The combined British and Yankee forces aimed to breach the defenses established around the settlement in response to intelligence regarding troops stationed at the Vermont-Canadian border in the forthcoming liberation of Newport. Equipped with superior weaponry supplied by the British Empire and boasting a larger army, the allied forces managed to breach the defenses within a few hours and swiftly capture the settlement.
In May 1843, the U.S. successfully captured Burlington, disrupting the supply and manufacturing capabilities of their own troops due to the repurposed factories in the area. As the allied forces liberated neighboring areas and towns, their attention shifted to St. Johnsbury, a settlement in Vermont. By March 1842, the U.S. army had already conquered all remaining towns and settlements in Northern and Central Vermont, culminating in the one-sided Battle of St. Johnsbury, which marked the defeat of one of the final strongholds.
However, nearly a year later, the neighboring regions surrounding St. Johnsbury were liberated from American control. Recognizing the strategic importance of St. Johnsbury as a transportation route across Vermont and its role in supplying troops within the occupied state, Churchill ordered troops to launch an invasion of St. Johnsbury. The town's industry had been supporting the American troops with necessary supplies, further strengthening their hold.
The objective of Churchill's invasion was to regain control of St. Johnsbury and cut off the American forces' access to crucial transportation routes and supplies. By capturing the town, Churchill aimed to weaken the American hold on Vermont and disrupt their supply capabilities.
On May 28, 1843, Rowan and Hitchcock initiated a frontal assault on St. Johnsbury, employing a direct and head-on approach to besiege the city. The battle unfolded throughout the morning and into the evening, characterized by intense street-to-street combat between the opposing armies. As the allied forces gradually gained the upper hand and pushed the American troops deeper into the southern part of the city, the latter eventually chose to retreat. Seizing the opportunity, the British and Yankee forces swiftly occupied the vacated positions, solidifying their control over St. Johnsbury.
With the objective of depriving Montpelier of American aid, the next target in their campaign was Middlebury. Positioned strategically to the left of Montpelier, Middlebury was connected to the Otter Creek and Lake Champlain, which played a vital role in transportation for Americans in the region. Hitchook anticipated that by cutting off the Americans from important settlements along the Lake Champlain riverway, he and the British forces could have an easier time in kicking out the American presence in that area of water.
On June 5, 1843, after weeks of meticulous preparation and consolidating their presence in Vermont, the allied forces initiated a fierce assault on Middlebury. The battle for Middlebury was marked by intense fighting and strategic maneuvers. The allied forces, comprising British troops and their local allies, were determined to seize control of the town and cut off American supply lines in the region.
The engagement raged on for two days, with both sides displaying great valor and tenacity. The allied forces utilized their superior numbers and expert knowledge of the terrain to their advantage, launching coordinated attacks on American positions. Meanwhile, the American forces, although outnumbered, displayed remarkable resilience and fought fiercely to defend their strategic stronghold.
After intense and prolonged fighting, the allied forces emerged victorious on June 7, 1843, recapturing Middlebury from the U.S. forces. The combined efforts of the British troops and their local allies enabled them to seize control of the town and achieve their objective of severing the American supply lines. This victory dealt a significant blow to the American presence in the region and further weakened their position in the ongoing conflict. The recapture of Middlebury bolstered the allied forces' morale and served as a turning point in their campaign against the American presence in Vermont
Battle of Lake Champlain
Meanwhile, with the liberation of the coastal areas by the allied British and Yankee forces, including the capture of every major city along the Lake Champlain coast, Richard Downes Jackson, on June 12 issued orders for British ships to navigate south from the Richelieu River in an attempt to reclaim control of the body of water that had previously been under complete U.S. control. In the initial confrontation, the British took the initiative and opened fire on the American ships patrolling the region. Amid the ensuing chaos, the British ships, though smaller in size due to the necessity of navigating through the narrow river, used their larger numbers to swiftly capitalize on the confusion and gain a stronger position.
However, in a swift response to the British advancement, Isaac Mayo, the highest-ranking naval officer at Lake Champlain, issued orders for his men to prepare for combat, sparking a fierce battle characterized by relentless exchanges of heavy gunfire between British and American ships. The intensity of the engagement persisted throughout the day, with the American forces showing determination to hold their ground and not surrender any part of the lake. Despite their resolute stance, the arrival of additional British ships and the mounting toll of the back-and-forth cannon fire eventually led American ships to retreat southward.
British ships pursued the retreating Americans, as a full-scale battle erupted at Lake Champlain, however, despite the smaller ships, the British ships would come victorious as American ships were forced to retreat into Lake George, and instead of following through with a second perusal, the British instead decided to a dominating presence in the region, by having ships blockade America's entrance, as well as sending ships to patrol the lake.
The Battle of Lake Champlain was a fierce engagement, with both British and American ships locked in a desperate struggle amidst the tumultuous waters. The reverberating booms of cannons and the crackling gunfire echoed across the expansive lake, creating an atmosphere of chaos and danger. Despite the American ships' larger size, their maneuverability paled in comparison to the nimble British vessels. The British sailors deftly utilized their smaller ships to their advantage, darting in and out of the American formations with remarkable precision and skill.
As the battle raged on, the British gradually gained the upper hand. Their coordinated attacks and deadly accurate cannon fire began to take a toll on the American fleet. The American sailors, valiantly fighting to maintain their positions, found themselves overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught. Faced with the daunting reality of defeat, the American ships were compelled to retreat hastily, their hopes of victory fading.
Seizing the opportunity to solidify their triumph, the British ships pursued the retreating Americans. Instead of engaging in a second direct confrontation, the British commanders made a calculated decision. They recognized the strategic significance of establishing a dominant presence in the region. Swiftly altering their course, the British ships strategically positioned themselves to block the entrance to Lake Champlain, effectively cutting off the Americans from easy access to the lake's vast expanse.
In addition to the blockade, the British dispatched other vessels to patrol the waters of Lake Champlain. This comprehensive approach ensured their control over the lake, further limiting American movements and impeding any potential counteroffensive.
Liberation of Vermont (Continuation)
Major General Winfield Scott of the U.S. Army received reports about the substantial progress made by opposing forces in their bid to liberate Vermont. Having previously reduced the American presence in Vermont during the buildup to the Battle of Boston, Scott took decisive action. In response to the U.S. losses in the state and the conclusion of the Battle of Boston, he organized the transportation of troops into Vermont. During mid-June, Scott oversaw the strategic deployment of these troops to the regions bordering the recently liberated areas.
On June 19, Brigadier General Joseph Lane led an assault on St. Johnsbury with the objective of recapturing it. Over the course of a two-day battle, both British and American forces engaged in intense combat. Despite a determined effort, Lane's forces faced heavy artillery fire while attempting to enter the city. Unfortunately, for the U.S., the allied forces successfully defended against the assault, ultimately forcing Lane's troops to retreat.
Several days of preparation culminated in a coordinated attack on Montpelier by the Allied forces on June 23, 1843. Troops from St. Johnsbury, led by Hitchcock, joined British forces under Rowan in a two-pronged invasion, approaching Montpelier from different directions. The conflict commenced with a morning assault, initiated by the British troops who fired artillery at the fortifications surrounding the camp. American troops within the camp swiftly retaliated with gunfire. Yankee troops followed suit, and the battle raged on throughout the evening and into the next day.
Amidst intense combat, the allied forces eventually breached the defenses, successfully entering Montpelier. U.S. troops attempted to regroup and impede their progress. However, fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued in the streets, ultimately resulting in the advance of the British and Yankee forces. On June 26, the American troops ultimately surrendered, bringing an end to the battle.
The Battle of Rutland marked a significant turning point, representing the final major victory for the allied forces. On July 1st, they strategically deployed troops and artillery, utilizing the road network to swiftly approach the surrounding areas. Employing a barrage of artillery fire, the allies swiftly breached the city's defenses, initiating intense confrontations with the U.S. forces. Throughout the day, defensive tactics were employed by the U.S. troops in a valiant effort to repel the invaders. The resulting combat escalated into a fierce and prolonged hand-to-hand struggle that persisted until evening. Realizing the increasingly unfavorable circumstances, U.S. forces eventually made the decision to retreat from Rutland, acknowledging the impracticality of further resistance.

In the imperial period of rome since Augustus, I know romans had century, rank, and name on their shields, however I do not know if anytime they set up camp they slept with the same 8 men or if it was randomized every time they set up camp. And if it was the same 8 men, how did they know which one carried the tent?

All time super hero rank 1. The Dark Knight 2. Avengers: Endgame 3. Avengers: Infinity War 4. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse 5. Logan 6. Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse 7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 8. X-Men: Days of Future Past 9. Deadpool 10. Spiderman: No Way Home 11. Guardians of the Galaxy 12. Captain America: Civil War 13. Iron Man 14. The Incredibles 15. Deadpool 2 16. Thor Ragnorok 17. Black Panther 18. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 19. The Batman 20. The Dark Knight Rises 21. Spider-Man: Homecoming 22. The Avengers 23. Spider-Man 2 24. Shang Chi 25. Batman Begins
Who did I disrespect

I am 25 and I was looking into trying to play some lacrosse this summer. I saw a couple summer leagues(ULAX and Mile high lacrosse), but the registration for those ended a few days ago and after reaching out it looks like they won’t accept a late registration. Does anyone know of any other leagues or even if there are any coordinated pick up games that would be going on? Maybe we could try to put something together if anyone’s interested?

New reader here!! I’m about to 3/4th of the way through the first book >! (just got to the scene where the medwitch, I’m guessing Hypaxia because the name has been kept anonymous, healed Bryce’s leg) !< and my goodness. Hunt. I love him so much.
I’ve read ACOTAR twice now, and just finished TOG for the first time about a month ago.. and honestly Hunt might be my favorite of SJM’s leading males.
I love how emotionally mature he is. From the get go, he isn’t one to brood or keep things hidden. He always tells Bryce how it is, and can be very blunt, but he is also kind. He is just a big teddy bear, in my eyes. He is just a sweetie who hates the life he was thrust into because of his power. The fact that he buys her snacks and cooks her dinner and makes her coffee and always comforts and always listens and wants to protect her… UGH. He just wants to be her friend and show her love and respect and happiness. And him buying the little opal for joy, and giving it to her?? My heart melted. But on top of that he is still sexy as all hell.. gosh he’s just the total package, is he not?!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the love story of Feysand. I initially was obsessed with Rhys. But during my reread a lot of his morally-grey behavior began to bother me more. I hate how much he continues to keep from her. And while I love Rowan and his undying love and support of Aelin, he really doesn’t have much going for him outside of his relationship with Aelin… No substance outside of her. Even his tragic backstory is because of Aelin in a way!!
In comparison, I just love how Hunt is so quick to be upfront and real with Bryce. How quickly he is willing to tell her his backstory and show his true self to her. How their friendship grows, alongside with their attraction. But he (thus far) doesn’t hide things, or himself, from her. And he always supports her and pushes her to keep going and keep fighting. He doesn’t brood or push her away, and when he tries, he allows her to come him and comfort him anyway. He is just so raw and real and sweet and encouraging… and he has his own life and goals and dreams before/outside of Bryce! I don’t get why he isn’t a top contender of SJM males!! Or why people find him boring, and hope he and Bryce aren’t endgame!! I went into this series with some of those bad takes in mind (thanks to booktok) and was blown away by how much I loved Hunt from the get-go. I love the emotional maturity!
I get the love of broody, dark, emotionally withholding, morally-grey men… don’t get me wrong. But there’s just something about the sweetie-pie nature of Orion that has him at the top of my SJM ranks at the moment, and I just wanted to show him some love! (Also I know some spoilers for the next book and it’s ending.. and I am wrecked knowing what’s to come. I want to ignore it and live in ignorance.)

New CC reader here!! I’m about to 3/4th of the way through the first book >! (just got to the scene where the medwitch, I’m guessing Hypaxia because the name has been kept anonymous, healed Bryce’s leg)!< and my goodness. Hunt. I love him so much.
I’ve read ACOTAR twice now, and just finished TOG for the first time about a month ago.. and honestly Hunt might be my favorite of SJM’s leading males.
I love how emotionally mature he is. From the get go, he isn’t one to brood or keep things hidden. He always tells Bryce how it is, and can be very blunt, but he is also kind. He is just a big teddy bear, in my eyes. He is just a sweetie who hates the life he was thrust into because of his power. The fact that he buys her snacks and cooks her dinner and makes her coffee and always comforts and always listens and wants to protect her… UGH. He just wants to be her friend and show her love and respect and happiness. And him buying the little opal for joy, and giving it to her?? My heart melted. But on top of that he is still sexy as all hell.. gosh he’s just the total package, is he not?!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the love story of Feysand. I initially was obsessed with Rhys. But during my reread a lot of his morally-grey behavior began to bother me more. I hate how much he continues to keep from her. And while I love Rowan and his undying love and support of Aelin, he really doesn’t have much going for him outside of his relationship with Aelin… No substance outside of her. Even his tragic backstory is because of Aelin in a way!!
In comparison, I just love how Hunt is so quick to be upfront and real with Bryce. How quickly he is willing to tell her his backstory and show his true self to her. How their friendship grows, alongside with their attraction. But he (thus far) doesn’t hide things, or himself, from her. And he always supports her and pushes her to keep going and keep fighting. He doesn’t brood or push her away, and when he tries, he allows her to come him and comfort him anyway. He is just so raw and real and sweet and encouraging… and he has his own life and goals and dreams before/outside of Bryce! I don’t get why he isn’t a top contender of SJM males!! Or why people find him boring, and hope he and Bryce aren’t endgame!! I went into this series with some of those bad takes in mind (thanks to booktok) and was blown away by how much I loved Hunt from the get-go. I love the emotional maturity!
I get the love of broody, dark, emotionally withholding, morally-grey men… don’t get me wrong. But there’s just something about the sweetie-pie nature of Orion that has him at the top of my SJM ranks at the moment, and I just wanted to show him some love! (Also I know some spoilers for the next book and it’s ending.. and I am wrecked knowing what’s to come. I want to ignore it and live in ignorance.)