iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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lauren @lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 24/09/2026

ME: So I can't put anything else on the scale? ANUBIS: No. Just your heart ME: No money, no good deeds? ANUBIS: No ME: What about steam points? I've got a ton of steam points ANUBIS: The point is to be lighter than the feather ME: I was just hoping to finally do something with the steam points

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Patch and I recently played SFB scenario SH56 "Surprise Package". I thought I had him, but a well-timed HET kept him out of short range after his disruptors collapsed the forward shield. #StarTrek #SFB #wargame Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9304

Turn 3, Impulse 2 of SH56 "Surprise Package". IKV Devastation has just done a High Energy Turn to evade overload range of USS Kublai, and getting into effective plasma torpedo-F range.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Tom Holland's third book on the history of Rome is very good as usual, though time does get away from you as the transition from 5 years in three chapters to 70 in four chapters goes nearly unnoticed. #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9298

Cover of Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age by Tom Holland. It largely shows part of Trajan's Column, but with red mottled background. It is the better of the two covers I see used for the book, but seems to be less common.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

About... thirteen years ago (poof, another hundred grey furs), Neverwinter got me going through my Forgotten Realms materials, and I started reviewing the early products. Since they're available in PDF/POD, I think they're relevant. #D&D #FR #ForgottenRealms Gray Box: www.rindis.com/blog/1909

A replica of the original TSR map of the Forgotten Realms as presented in the 1987 Gray Box set, using the first printing colors.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Re-examining which sources to trust in an analysis of an ancient battle is good; I'm not sure that the history-buff (as opposed to academic) facing Osprey Campaign line is the place for it. Still, it's an informative account. @ospreypublishing.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9287

Cover for Leuctra 371 BC by Murray Dahm; Osprey Campaign #363. The image is from a larger color plate showing the death of Spartan King Cleombrotus (bottom center) as the Theban Sacred Band clashes with his bodyguard.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Mark and I played SL278 "Foxes in the Henhouse" recently. It's meant to show off the light monitor, but I learned a lot about the Romulan Snipe. #Trek #wargame #SFB Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9282

About two turns into Star Fleet Battles scenario SL278 "Foxes in the Henhouse", Romulans approach a Gorn colony. A War Eagle is about to launch and enveloping plasma torpedo at the defending Light Monitor, while a Snipe is also uncloaking. A second Snipe stays cloaked while a Battle Hawk runs after getting crippled during its attack. Two Gorn Frigates are at the top, too far away to help.

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Elle Cordova @ellecordova.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Rough Draft vs Final Draft

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Issue #8 (ca. March 1974) of Lowrys Guidon magazine is now available in PDF on Wargame Vault! #LowrysHobbies #wargames www.wargamevault.com/en/product/5... www.rindis.com/fox-den/lowr...

Cover of Lowrys Guidon #8 from around March 1974. Upper portion has the return address and the bulk rate postal notice with a space for an address. The rest of it is art of a Sturmgeschutz III by Don Lowry.

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Smudge @smudgedragon.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Night Drinks - done last year but finally able to post it to Bluesky directly. Art/animation/music by me. #Utawarerumono #Hakuowlo #NoAI

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I've only been reading R.A. MacAvoy relatively recently. She's good, and the historical fantasy side of this was nicely done, but it wasn't so much my thing. I think because I'm more plot-centered than this book is. #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9280

Cover for Damiano by R.A. MacAvoy. This version is part of a set done by Open Road Media for their eBook/Kindle versions.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Jason came over a little bit ago, and we tried one of the bigger scenarios for Last Hundred Yards. Lack of pre-planning slowed us down, but we had a good time with the first chunk of the situation. #wargame #LHY @gmtgames.bsky.social Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9273

Setup for Last Hundred Yards scenario 11, "Desperate Measures". The counters at the top left are reinforcements waiting for later. The Americans are set up bottom right, reading to head up against a fortified point, and left towards a couple platoons of Germans (and hidden 88).

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Island No. 10 is gone today, but for a few months it was a major road (river?)-block to Union control of the Mississippi River. Bock and Daniel's book on the campaign is somewhat short but very informative on a generally ignored campaign. #booksky #ACW Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9265

Cover for "Island No, 10: Struggle for the Mississippi Valley" by Larry J. Daniel and Lynn N. Bock. The cover isn't nearly as good in person, as it is printed with a shiny silver ink that reflects, and the image washes out to a flat gray field at most angles.

The image itself is from a Courier & Ives print (yes, *that* Courier & Ives).

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Long ago, there was a great Star Fleet Battles campaign reported on their forum. I've been unable to get an opponent for such a high-lift project, so I've been soloing my way through, and have posted the start of a Federation vs Klingon campaign/war. #StarTrek #SFB #wargame www.rindis.com/blog/9248

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UR1 Federation vs Empire Y162 – Rindis.com

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Will Burrows 🖖🥖🥀 @reforest-kelley.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I thought the premise was lovely.

Post by bitchydragondoodle:
Y'know what I LOVE about the Star Trek fandom? It's ANCIENT. I had a talk with a nice old lady at the old persons home that my great grandma is in and she noticed my Spock shirt and was like "oh I love that show I thought the premise was lovely" and you all know THE PREMISE is trekspeak for spirk and I was like "do you accept the premise because I do* and she looked at me with the eyes of someone who is reliving their otp moments and she said "the premise is all I wrote about, dear"' and we just talked about spirk for a hella long time and I just love how age doesn't matter in this fandom you can be ninety and still be the biggest spirk bitch ever how rad is that

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My reading schedule will take me ages to get to book 2 (despite the big 'to be continued' w/Roundabout playing) of Jane Lindskold's portal fantasy adventure series, but it's a fun adventure, that I definitely recommend. @janelindskold.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9245

Cover of Library of the Sapphire Wind by Jane Lindskold; book 1 of Over Where. This particular cover seems to be used for all but the audio versions.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Sotium, from C&C:Ancients Ex 2, has an unusual set up which makes it a lot of fun. Patch and I recently did a round where the Romans won both times, bu the first was a surprise comeback. @gmtgames.bsky.social #wargame #CCA Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9239

End position, Battle of Sotium, from Commands & Colors: Ancients Expansion #2. I had been doing well as the Gauls, but Patch managed to get his last two banners right before I finished him off.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Got ASL Journal 17 in today. Looks good, interested in going through the Twilight of the Reich notes. Surprised by the big map with 1.4" hexes just for one (four page!) scenario. @multimanpublishing.bsky.social #wargame #ASL

Picture of the components of ASL Journal 17. Poster-size map (representing part of 1945 Berlin) with 1.4" hexes is spread out under it all. The Journal is to the left, and the included scenario cards are fanned out in the middle foreground.

To the right is my Kotobukiya Twilight Sparkle statue.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Sears' book on the leadership of the Army of the Potomac felt wanting to me. He's keeping track of too large a cast of characters and dissolves into lists of the dead after major battles. But he does pay attention to the employment of cavalry and artillery. #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9235

Cover of Stephen W. Sears' Lincoln's Lieutenants: The High Command of the Army of the Potomac. (Mine is the Mariner Books Kindle edition, but this same cover has been used for just about every edition so far.)

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Patch and I recently played the final scenario from Hatten in Flames. Patch had a slow attack, but finally got past my defenses in the last turn, at the cost of four Shermans. @multimanpublishing.bsky.social #wargame #ASL Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9204

VASL screenshot showing the situation and early movement in Advanced Squad Leader scenario HF8 "Fahrenheit 352".

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Osprey's book on the castles of Prussia is well-done and informative in a small space. I'd love to see more technical detail on actual layouts and the like, but there is plenty to start with, including lots of good photography. @ospreypublishing.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9196

Cover of Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights (1): The Red-Brick Castles of Prussia 1230-1466. It features a reconstruction of Marienwerder by artist Peter Dennis, and the usual gray-blue trade dress of the Fortress series.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Designing Wargames is available in PDF on Wargame Vault! This collection of essays from nine wargame designers was written in 1976 and published in 1978. #wargames www.wargamevault.com/en/product/5... www.rindis.com/fox-den/desi...

Cover for Designing Wargames, a collection of essays originally written in 1976 by Richard Berg, Tom Dalgliesh, John Hill, Don Lowry, Mike McGuire, Al Nofi, John Prados, Randy Reed, and Lou Zocchi; edited by Dana Lombardy and Don Lowry.

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melyn 🌱 @melynart.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

📦; don't forget to pack the cat! ⊹ ˖ֹ #pokemon #pokemonart #cats #fanart #illustration

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

In the middle of my Danger Forward game with Mark, I introduced Jason to BCS with the same scenario in a FtF day. @multimanpublishing.bsky.social #wargame #BCS Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9189

Battalion Combat Series; Danger Forward. This shot is at the end of July 10 from the Axis perspective (looking south). Americans are making headway, and PG KG was completely immobilized by a failed SNAFU roll.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Mark and I had a far more successful second try at BTS with Danger Forward on Vassal. It's a nicely small set with good variety of units (including Gruppo Mobile's Fiat 3000s). @multimanpublishing.bsky.social #wargame Session report: www.rindis.com/blog/9226

A shot of nearly the full BCS Danger Forward map as of the end of day/turn 1. The Americans are just starting to head inland, while elements of the Herman Goering division are still stuck away from the main action.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Jemisin's Killing Moon is not everything it's cracked up to be. There's plenty of good, but the plot is big without enough engine to get it moving well, and I'm left with a lot of questions on the metaphysics. #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9201

Cover of the The Killing Moon, by N.K. Jemisin, showing what I assume is supposed to be royal palace of Gujaareh.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I found Geoffrey Parker's biography of Charles V less engaging that I had supposed. The subject is good, and what he said was good, but it did not capture my attention well. #booksky www.rindis.com/blog/9187

Cover of Emperor: A New Life of Charles V by Geoffrey Parker, Yale University Press, 2019. [I am not sure about that "Y"; it is sticking up above the rest of the name for no reason....]

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Issue #7 (late 1973) of Lowrys Guidon magazine is now available in PDF on Wargame Vault! #LowrysHobbies #wargames www.wargamevault.com/en/product/5... www.rindis.com/fox-den/lowr...

Cover for the seventh issue of Lowrys Guidon, a supplement for the Lowrys Hobbies Catalog, giving updates, and additions.

This one is from around November 1973, and includes a Gary Gygax article recounting a _Don't Give Up the Ship_ battle.

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ACSH Applecharm Starhorse @acstarhorse.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Cowboy Snivy on the bestest Bug Horse

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Osprey's Campaign #271 actually covers a number of campaigns between the Franks and Saxons, and therefore also two different battles. This is a major part of the Carolingian legend, and worth a look. @ospreypublishing.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9183

Cover of The Conquest of Saxony AD 782-85, Campaign #271 from Osprey Publishing by David Nicole. Cover is by Graham Turner, and is from the two-page spread "Carolingian Forces Are Defeated By Saxon ‘Rebels’ In the Suntel Hills in AD 782".

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たろー @tontarotaro.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

☔️🐱 🐱☔️

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Issue #51 (Jan-Feb 1972) of Panzerfaust magazine is now available in PDF on Wargame Vault! #Panzerfaust-magazine #wargames www.wargamevault.com/en/product/5... www.rindis.com/fox-den/panz...

Cover of issue #51 (January-February 1972) of Panzerfaust. The first of two issues printed by offset press while it was still a wargaming fanzine run by Don Greenwood.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Recently picked up a collection of various stories and other media. My first pick from it was a fun enough short-short story. There's some formatting issues, though I assume some of that is English is not May Barros' first language. @maybarros.com.br #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9181

Cover for the short short story Journey Home by May Barros.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

The third Expanse novel is a welcome change from the plot structure of the first two. The "physics" going on needed an earlier and better explanation; I had some misconceptions coming out of the briefing 1/4 through until I did a reread of the scene later. #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9177

Cover of Abaddon's Gate, book 3 of The Expanse by James S.A. Corey (Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). Art by Daniel Dociu; looks Berkey-inspired to me, and shows... spacecraft? that might appear in the novel somewhere, but you'll never be able to tell.

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Scott Christian Sava @ssavaart.com · 16/05/2026

Teeny Tiny Star Trek Watercolor Paintings 1/2

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Just in from GMT! I am very glad to get this compilation of the first two Ancient World games, and the long-anticipated Second Punic War game. But it sure seems like this will be the last thing to come out for it, despite long-ago discussions of two other sets. @gmtgames.bsky.social #wargames

Components of the GMT game, Thunderbolt: Deluxe Edition, compiling all of the three releases in the Ancient World series. Top left is the box top and top right is the box back. The Spain & Mauretania map is spread out and largely covered by other components. The upper corners have army displays and reference cards; the left has the seven counter sheets (and a final half sheet in the top center); lower right is the two other maps (folded) of Italy and Carthage+Numidia; and bottom center are the five books giving the main rules, all the 'set specific' extra rules, and the scenarios.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I recently went through and pointed up some of my favorite history books, with links to fuller reviews. These are all informative and enjoyable reads. #booksky #history www.rindis.com/blog/9165

rindis.com

Thirteen (Plus) Histories – Rindis.com

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🕯️faulkner’s buzzard🕯️ @faulknersbuzzard.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

*raises hand* I would like to see this

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Found Star Trek Episodes @foundepisodes.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

From "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan". Closed caption: "Genesis. A proposal for the Federation." A view of the Genesis presentation on a futuristic computer screen.

From "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan". Closed caption: "Simply put, Genesis is life from lifelessness." On the computer screen is Carol Marcus addressing us directly.

From "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan". Closed caption: "Genesis. A proposal for the Federation." Change of view to Kirk, Spock, and McCoy as they watch the computer screen. Kirk, sitting, turns to look up at Spock, standing. Kirk has this "are they for real?" look of incredulity on his face.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Ada Palmer's Inventing the Renaissance is surprisingly wide-ranging, even knowing that is an overview. I was initially hesitant, but it was an informative and highly inventive book. @adapalmer.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9169

Cover for "Inventing the Renaissance" by Ada Palmer (in particular, the U of Chicago Press Kindle edition). It features a photograph of Perseus with the Head of Medusa, sculpted by Benvenuto Cellini, and nicely Pinied by his sword and the typeface.

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Otakuman Sims @0takuman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

May 13th, May washes up near a strange island and meets a Ditto~ #pokemon #fanart #pkmnmay

May walks through a sea bridge with Munchlax and a Ditto who transforms into her.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Much of Osprey's Campaign #261 is already in Thucydides. But, as ever, there are good maps and photos of terrain. Shepherd does a good job enhancing the account with translation notes and expanding on what is glossed over. @ospreypublishing.bsky.social #booksky Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9162

Cover for Osprey Publishing's "Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC", which is the 261st volume of their Campaign Series. Peter Dennis did four two-page spread illustrations, and the cover is taken from the last one, showing the Spartan last stand of the siege.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Mark and I tried out latest ZOC-bond Italy '43 with the seven-turn scenario. It feels a lot like Salerno '43, though casualties can be punishing. The later portions have fortifications that will bring a new feel to the game. @gmtgames.bsky.social #wargame Session Report: www.rindis.com/blog/9155

Turn 3 of the "Across the Volturno" scenario in Italy '43. The Allies have a slow start, but the entire German inland/eastern flank is in bad shape (especially, since the unit holding Benevento gets removed right after this).

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Dreamsnake got multiple awards when it came out in the '70s, and generally deserves them. It's not a *great* novel, but it is a very effective one on the emotional level. #books #booksky #SF Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9152

Cover of Dreamsnake, by Vonda N. McIntyre, 2021 Open Road edition.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Back on 4/12, had friends over to try the new Empire Builder: Europe from Kickstarter. Not as smooth as I'd hoped with three brand-new people. Also, the included crayons have trouble with the map surface. #Mayfair #railgame #crayonrails www.rindis.com/blog/9145

End of game for Empire Builder: Europe. I had just won with a delivery to Seville. Sadly, my note app did not save the end-of day money totals.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Issue #111 (Winter 1983—last issue) of Campaign magazine is now available in PDF on Wargame Vault! #Campaign-magazine #wargames www.wargamevault.com/en/product/5... www.rindis.com/fox-den/camp...

Cover of issue #111 of Campaign, The Magazine of Strategy Games, Winter 1983

Featuring in this issue:
Three Origins Report, Strategies in Civilization, and a review of another Gettysburg game... more.

This would be the final issue, as it went out of business at this point, and no one ever picked it up. The just-released PDF version includes a two page editorial from me, and a page about the business from Don Lowry.

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

The Entropy Effect has uneven pacing, and a few subplot problems because of that. But, I do like it, and you do feel for the wringer Spock is put through. #books #booksky #Trek Review: www.rindis.com/blog/9141

Cover for Pocket Star Trek novel #2, The Entropy Effect, by Vonda N. McIntyre. Second version - first was part of the Timescape imprint, and had a white background instead of blue.

Art by Wayne Barlowe. TMP Enterprise and uniforms are shown, but the book is more properly in TOS. Sulu has grown a mustache and his hair out in the novel, so he presumably did a read-through before doing the art (though by a end-of-book comment, that should probably be a more 'starter' mustache).

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黄ナ川 @sou--sou.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

吸うからね

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Rindis @rindis.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Since SE is currently talking about the next expansion, and 7.5 is around the corner, I should say a few things about 7.4: www.rindis.com/blog/9130 #FFXIV #Dawntrail

Screenshot from Final Fantasy XIV, during the quest "A Need for Speed". My WoL Rylea is inserted into a grainy black-and-white Noir flashback wearing a trenchcoat, sunglasses and porkpie hat (and looking good). Nashu is in her suit at the right side.

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