Georgia Gambling &Lotteries Laws - FindLaw

A contractor soldier was wounded in the shoulder on AM-AZ border last night. He's doing alright. Azeri media lied about it being an infiltration attempt. Earlier, two Azeri soldiers were killed after their failed infiltration attempt.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170727
https://razm.info/138183
Wrestling legend Julfalakyan earlier quit as the Armenian national team coach due to disagreements on how to train. He will work at the Yerevan municipality sports center.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170229
Two arson attacks. Someone burned down the car belonging to a chief investigator Mher E. who works at the Investigative Committee.
https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/170763
Kocharyan-allied politician Vitali Balansanyan: Pashinyan is a terrorist. In 2018 he invaded a state-guarded radio station, which is similar to the armed takeover of the police station by Sasna Tsrer.
https://fip.am/8495
Constitutional Court chief HHK Hrayr Tovmasyan has been accused of being appointed as a judge through legal violations, and other illegal conducts during his administration. Parliament pointed out 4 reasons why he should be impeached. They will hold a vote tomorrow. If 78 MPs vote in favor, the Parliament will send a note to Constitutional Court and ask the 9 judges to vote to impeach Tovmasyan. They may or may not do it.
Tovmasyan himself says it's a political move to remove him as a "barrier".
https://news.am/arm/news/536769.html
BHK chief Gagik Tsarukyan: BHK will not vote for or against the resolution about Constitutional Court chief Hrayr Tovmasyan. We don't think this is a political persecution against him, however. BHK has always been against Tovmasyan's appointment. We pointed out legal problems during his appointment. Right now let the court itself decide whether to remove him or not. (which is the purpose of this vote, to ask the court to remove him, there is a reason they call you "dod").
A BHK MP later added that they aren't sure if the 4 reasons mentioned by QP are enough to impeach Tovmasyan.

QP alone has enough MPs to pass the resolution tomorrow. However, that would require an almost-unanimous vote within the party, which may not happen. LHK also expressed support towards the resolution, which could add enough votes.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170700
"sources"
Monday: Putin won't visit Armenia as a sign of protest to Kocharyan arrest.
Tuesday: Putin will visit Armenia but will meet Robert Kocharyan in jail.
Wednesday: Putin visited Armenia but didn't meet Kocharyan, but instead he met Kocharyan's wife and had a lengthy conversation.
Thursday: before Putin left, Kocharyan's wife asked to meet Putin and they had a conversation for a few minutes.

Sources familiar with matters: Putin and Rob are long-time friends. Putin tried to convince Pashinyan that Kocharyan's arrest is illegal. When Pashinyan brought the facts about his arrest, Putin opted for "Don't you get it? He is my friend." To which Pashinyan allegedly responded "I'm sorry that you have friends like that."
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170703
(Դու ինձ ցավ էս պատճառում, Անտո՜նիո։)
PM went to Parliament to answer questions.
PM: the EAEU meeting was the largest and the most global of it's kind, involving other states. We're happy to have contributed to it. Agreements were made. I held 3 hours of meetings with Putin about AM-RU relations. Both of us were satisfied. The rest is up to the ministries to take care of the implementation of agreements. Putin invited me to visit Russia.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170737
http://panarmenian.net/m/arm/news/273570
PM: There are 60 problems that are being discussed in EAEU. They'll be solved gradually. It's about the 4 pillars of the EAEU: freedom of labor, capital, trade, and human movement. EAEU admits that there are problems with these basics. To solve the problems, each member state has to synchronize their laws with EAEU.

PM: another problem is Lars border point between Georgia and Russia, which is the land point that Armenian traders use. It's not sufficient at its current state and there are always delays. This needs to be solved as part of EAEU agreement.
[Georgia and Russia are working on alternative entries. Armenia is working to have its own trade fleet in Black Sea.]
https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/170754
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990273.html
Deputy PM Grigoryan: gas price talks continue. We want to sign a long-term contract instead of 1-2 year. (businesses want to know how much they'll be paying in future). By the end of this year we'll have more details. Before universal energy distribution & payment rules are made in EAEU in 2025, we'll need to solve this problem by other means. The goal is to have a system in which everyone will be informed about gas price change well ahead of time. Rest be assured that this December you won't wake up to learn that the gas price will go up in January.
https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/170756
https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2019/10/02/Armenia-deputy-PM-gas-prices/2175544
PM tells the story about the selfie they took with country leaders. Lukashenko isn't in it because he had to leave early to participate in a family member funeral: https://youtu.be/DIqg4CC5Sl8
Armenia and Singapore have signed the first out of five agreements. This one is about trade, service and investments.
http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenia_singapore_sign_agreement_on_services_trade_and_investments_/
Defense Minister Tonoyan was also summoned to Parliament.
DM: we scored an unprecedented level of ability to draft soldiers and move them around. Within 1 day, we were able to double the size of the army. The details will be sent to Parliament and Govt in written form.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170732
Parliament is discussing minimum wage raise from 55k to 68k AMD. Govt earlier approved it. If parliament approves it, 57k public and 130k private workers will see a direct raise.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990166.html
Parliament (QP and BHK) is making amendments to the new strict anti-gambling laws. Each gambling company will have the ability to have 1 office in provinces, and 1 in each of Yerevan administrative districts.
Just as earlier, they can continue to have their offices in several cities that are known for recreation, gambling and tourism.
Office size is limited to 200m^2. Office must verify that a gambler's spouse didn't get a court order prohibiting the spouse from wasting family money on gambling.
Law goes into effect in Nov-2020 if approved.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990176.html
https://factor.am/188579.html
Migration Agency:
~1mln people left Armenia since the independence. 42% of Lori residents left, the highest percentage among all provinces.
In recent years, the emigration is more about work related, and the permanent relocations have reduced. 95% of them go to Russia for seasonal work.
The situation has gotten better after the 2018 revolution. The migration agency will offer the govt a pilot program to help Armenians who want to return.
https://factor.am/188616.html
LHK: there is a plagiarism in University of Engineering rector's dissertation. With so many rectors recently getting busted with plagiarizm, why don't you check every rector's papers?
Education Minister Harutyunyan: we don't have the legal right to do mass checks. If a plagiarism evidence surfaces about a specific paper, we check it.

LHK: some villages don't have teachers in schools.
Minister: we plan to add online classes in all schools beginning next September. A pilot program was done in Ararat province. It was successful.

LHK: but do villagers have internet?
Minister: we worked a lot about it last year.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990271.html
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990234.html
https://factor.am/188748.html
Press F to receive A.
Earlier, health minister Torosyan sent a report to NSS accusing SOC boss Sanasaryan and 2-3 other employees of illegally helping a company, with ties to one of the SOC employees, to win a dialysis medical contract with hospitals.
Sanasaryan denied wrongdoing, pointing out the fact that SIS later found that the previous medical contracts were rigged. Sanasaryan claimed he was un-rigging it. NSS kept the charges nonetheless.

Sanasaryan lawyer says his client wasn't aware that several SOC employees were doing something illegal, no evidence that proves otherwise. "The only recorded fact shows that when Sanasaryan was hiring one of these employees, the employee disclosed that he has ties with a medical business."
Sanasaryan says that in late-2018, minister Torosyan contacted him to warn that a company that won a license, was affiliated with one of Sanasaryan's employees, but Torosyan allegedly said the company made a favorable financial offer to the hospital. Sanasaryan then allegedly checked the papers for a conflict of interest laws but concluded that it was done legally.

The defense is claiming: when the SOC employee Adyan was hired, he notified boss Sanasaryan that he owns a specific company. Sanasaryan told Adyan that the latter has to legally file some paperwork about a management transfer (or something like that), but the employee misunderstood it as "make sure it doesn't show up on legal documents".
Sanasaryan accused minister Torosyan of false testimony against him, and "now-retired" NSS Vanetsyan of giving PM a false info about him. He thinks it's because SOC was planning to audit NSS and Health Ministry.
3 employees + Sanasaryan are facing charges. The case is in court.

Minister Torosyan has responded saying he didn't give a false testimony. If he gave a false testimony it can be checked and either verified or denied; he transferred all the info he had to authorities, says Torosyan.
https://youtu.be/QWNQrYKlz3Q
San https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170701
San https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170714
Tor https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990224.html
Tor https://factor.am/188741.html
Yerevan municipality has transferred 160mln to Sanitek so they can pay their employees' August salaries. It's over. Yerevan and Sanitek broke up. The city will continue to import it's own garbage bins and trucks.
https://armtimes.com/hy/article/170711
Office of Diaspora is working on a fund that'll help 1,000 families who want to return to Armenia, by subsidizing their mortgages.
Young startups by diasporans can win $30,000 grants. This project begun last year and has helped 9 startups so far.
https://factor.am/188640.html
Police about a 2015 corruption case:
Ministry of Economic Development signed a contract with a company to purchase a device that checks gas stations. During the process, the company falsified device records, inflated the price, and caused a 19mln damage to state.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990223.html
The Supreme Court of Turkey has sided with an Armenian church foundation and prevented its appropriation by the General Directorate of Turkish Foundations. Court also ruled that Armenian foundation's rights to take the case to court were violated. The case is sent back to lower court. If the lower court sides with Armenian foundation, it'll be able to get hundreds of pieces of confiscated property.
https://factor.am/188686.html
US State Department met Ministry of Infrastructure and expressed willingness to work on energy projects. They spoke about the nuclear plant, waste, upcoming energy generation plans. Armenian side expressed interest towards obtaining a US-made small modular reactor.
https://factor.am/188809.html
President Sarkissian earlier went to STARMUS international science and arts conference and convinced them to hold the next one in Armenia. They have agreed. Reps came to Armenia to discuss the 2020 plans. Participants are scientists, astronomers and artists around the world.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990244.html
Some people PULL to prevent families. Others PULL once they already have families. What side are you on?
Pulling competition as part of "Best Sports Family" tournament:
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/990282.html
Disclaimer: All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, even if they may sound as being guilty. Currency in Armenian Drams unless specified otherwise. Older posts can be found at: PART 1 ; PART 2 ; PART 3 ; PART 4 , credits to Idontknowmuch.

I am 35 years old, make $56,000 ($231k combined), live in Seattle, and work in higher ed administration

Note: I was technically supposed to post this earlier this week, but noticed that no one was signed up for today (plus I was super busy earlier), so I'm posting a bit late, under a throwaway account! Fair warning: I'm VERY verbose, so this will be long!
Section One: Assets and Debt
As I mentioned above, I make $56k per year as an administrator in higher education. My husband (K) just got a raise to making $155k per year. He works as a lawyer, has been in the workforce for about 12 years. I won't get into too many details but he works for a small boutique firm, not Biglaw. He also sometimes gets a yearly bonus of around $10k-20k but it's not guaranteed or anything like that. K and I have totally combined finances, so the below numbers are for both of us. I have a humanities PhD but I decided to leave academia and find an alt-ac job. My current position has good work-life balance (I never work past 5 pm), but pays terribly and my university is very badly run. I'm hoping to leave higher education all together in the future and am currently enrolled in a certificate program to try to make a career transition to instructional design.
The big elephant in the room is that my husband, K, makes a lot more money than me. When we first met, he was paying off massive amounts of student loans and making much less, and I was debt free with a lot of savings, so we both spent about the same amount. Now he makes 3x what I make and we are both debt-free, so the difference is much more noticeable. We do argue about money sometimes (more in the past), but the reality is that I have a humanities PhD and will likely never out earn him, and he knew that when I married him, lol. Because of all the labor I do around the house and in our lives to support him as he works a much more intense job, I was very clear that I believed we should split our finances equally as soon as we got married. We don't have separate accounts and we generally check in with one another whenever we are planning to spend more than $100. This system works for us for now.
I also want to address the question about parental or family support. Although I technically paid all of my own bills since I got my Bachelor's degree, my parents supported me a lot by paying for my flights home to visit at Christmas or in the summer as Xmas presents/birthday presents. My parents also paid for my undergraduate degree (and K's parents paid for his undergraduate degree as well). They also gave us about $15k to pay for our wedding.
Finally, my parents recently gave me $20k as an "early inheritance." They told me they plan to do this every year (depending on the stock market). We put this money into a brokerage. I don't consider my parents rich, as they both worked hourly jobs in health care my entire life (as a nurse and respiratory therapist - both with only associate's degrees). We never owned a new car, when we went on vacation we stayed in hostels , and shopped almost exclusively at Goodwill. But they scrimped and saved and now they have over $1 million in a retirement account. So I want to acknowledge my financial privilege in that I came from this kind of background. K's parents are similar.
Retirement Balance: $186k (combination of 401k, 403b, 457, 2 Roth IRAs, and taxable brokerage account).
Equity: None, we rent.
Savings account balance: Approximately $45k.
Checking account balance: Right now, around 8k.
Credit card debt: Right now, around $3k. But we pay it off each month with our checking account balance.
Student loan debt: $0. We finally paid off my husband’s law school loans (around $130k), last year. I didn’t have any student loans from undergrad (parents paid) and my MA & PhD were fully funded.
Section Two: Income
Income Progression: I’ve been working in my current field for 3 years. I started off making about $53k and got tiny 2% “merit increases” twice. Then in July my payroll title was changed, which triggered a required raise of about $2k. (I am dramatically underpaid).
Before my current position, I was in academia. I worked as a visiting assistant professor for one year at my alma mater (made $50k for 9 months of work) and before that I was a graduate student for 7 years. I was paid $18k-21k in stipends each year and my tuition & benefits were covered. Luckily, I lived in a very low cost of living area and this was enough for me to live on without going into debt. I got my PhD in 2017. Before I was a graduate student, I taught English in Japan for three years and made around $36k per year. In high school and college, I had random jobs that provided grocery/spending money, but I was lucky enough to have parents that paid my tuition and my rent in college.
I’m currently trying to make a career change (as you will see in my diary) and enrolled in a certificate program which runs from Autumn 2020 to Spring 2021 in order to help with that.
Main Job Monthly Take Home: $7,634. This probably seems low relative to our joint income, but we max out our 401k (K) and 403b (me). I work for the state government, which means I’m also eligible for something called a Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). This is basically the same as a 401k but you can withdraw contributions and gains from the account at any age without penalty (of course, you still have to pay taxes). I also max this out, and the limit is the same as a 401k/403b - $19.5k. Also this number is before K’s raise is accounted for. It won’t increase until his end of February paycheck.
Other deductions - I have health insurance taken out (about $80 a month for me, K’s firm covers his premiums) and taxes. WA has no state taxes, so it’s only federal taxes. I used to have to pay $50 / month for a bus pass (K's was free), but I don’t pay any longer because I’m working from home during COVID.
Final note - the sum I mentioned in the headline includes a variable bonus my husband gets. My base pay is $56k and his is $155k (as of February 1). This year he also got a bonus of $20k, which is set up a bit strangely. About $4k of this was structured as a 3% matching contribution to his 401k and the rest was taxable income. In small law firms, it’s unusual to get any 401k match so this was nice.
Side Gig Monthly Take Home: None.
Any Other Monthly Income Here: We get some interest from our savings account… like $25 a month.
Section Three: Expenses
Rent: Rent comes to approximately $2,050 total for a one-bedroom apartment. Rent itself is $1886, then we have pet rent ($25 per month), bicycle parking ($15 a month) and water / sewage / gas, which is usually $120-150 (variable cost).
Renters insurance: $157.76, paid annually. $13 a month.
Retirement contribution: In addition to the 401k, 403b, and 457, which all come out before taxes, we max out our Roth IRAs. That means $500 each per month per person (for a yearly total of $6k each). As I noted up top, we match out our 401k and 403b (19,500 each) and our 457. My employee also offers a 7.5% match. K's employee offers a 3% match but it is included in his yearly bonus so it's not guaranteed (confusing).
Savings contribution: We put $500 per month into our emergency fund. We also put about $860 a month into our “sinking fund,” which covers large and small annual or sporadic purchases such as vacations, gifts, Amazon Prime renewal, car insurance and renters insurance, etc.
Investment contribution: $875 per month into a taxable brokerage at Vanguard.
In total, we save about 47% of our gross income. We can do this because we keep our housing cost low relative to our high income, we don’t have any debt remaining, we don’t have any kids or parents who need financial support, and we’re very privileged in a lot of ways. We are hoping to FIRE within 10 years.
Debt payments: None.
Donations: We budget $100 per month for donations, which includes one-time donations as well as some reoccurring donations. My husband does pro bono work as well. I would like to increase this by quite a bit, but I still have a hard time budgeting for donations because I spent 7 years living on approximately $20k a year. To go from that to making more than 10x that amount within 3-4 years is obviously something that I am very privileged for, but it is still hard for me emotionally to comprehend at times.
Electric: ~$50-100 (billed every other month)
Wifi/Cable/Landline: An extortionate $87.12 for slow internet that only works for Zoom calls about half the time. Do I really live in one of the tech cities of the future?
Cellphone: $170 (This includes both service and paying off two new iPhones. We could have paid them off up front, but it was actually cheaper by like $50 to go on a payment plan.)
Subscriptions: BritBox ($7.70), Spotify ($16.50), HBOMax ($16.50), We Hate Movies Patreon (my favorite podcast - $8.81). My parents pay for Netflix and my sister pays for Hulu, and we all share.
Gym membership: None. K and I both run and do yoga with YouTube videos. Before the pandemic, we went to yoga classes pretty frequently in person. I’d like to do some online synchronous yoga classes but find it hard to make time.
Pet expenses: Varies, but I budget $50 per month and also include an emergency fund for my cat’s vet bills in our sinking fund. She’s 11 years old and probably asthmatic, so I know her vet bills are going to increase over time.
Car payment / insurance: We own our car outright. Insurance billed yearly is $2,097, about $174 per month.
Regular therapy: $0
Paid hobbies: Nothing regular, sporadic language classes and art supplies.
Other expenses: Right now I’m doing a certificate to hopefully help with a career change. The total cost for tuition is about $5k and we already saved it up (included in our 'sinking fund') basically through spending less during the pandemic. I’ve paid two quarters so far, and the last quarter (due in March) will be a bit more - about $2.3k.
__________
Day 1
Morning: I wake up at 5:30 am. Ever since the pandemic, my sleep schedule has been shot. At first, I was so happy not to have to leave the house at 7:15 for my 45 minute bus commute and I slept in a lot. But the stress (and maybe getting old?) has made me an early riser, no matter how much I try to sleep in. I do value my early mornings with just me, my cat, and my coffee, though.
I start work at 8 am and begin by triaging my emails. I have a bunch of deadlines this week, so it’s busier than usual. My job tends to be very seasonal, and sometimes I have a ton of work and sometimes I have none and can work on other longer-term projects. I have a piece of toast for breakfast and place a Whole Foods delivery order for the following day at 10:30 am. We made a meal plan and put everything in the cart the day before ($117.36, including tip).
Afternoon: I have my lunch break from noon to 1 pm. It doesn’t really matter when I take my lunch break, since I’m salaried, but the others in my office are hourly so in the before times we used to always close our office during the same time. I have a piece of leftover delivery pizza and some spinach risotto that I made a few days earlier. I also have half a brownie – the last one from a batch I made a few days ago (K gets the other half). He also has leftovers for lunch.
I should say at this point that both K and I are lucky enough to have been working almost entirely from home since early March. An area near Seattle was one of the first places to get hit by COVID-19, and my state and both of our employers have been taking it very seriously ever since. Working from home hasn’t always been easy since we live in a 600-square foot apartment. Also, there is a three-story townhouse being built directly next door to us and I can hear the pounding in my dreams at this point.
Around 2 pm, I go for a 2-mile run. I feel like some money diarists tend to toss off things like “oh, I went for an easy 7 mile run,” at the drop of a hat, so I want to be clear – running for 2 miles isn’t easy for me; it’s exhausting, annoying, sweaty, and generally gross. Also I am very slow. But it has kept me sane during quarantine.
Meanwhile, my husband goes to our local pet store to get an enzymatic cleaner (our cat peed in one of our suitcases… I think it’s probably a lost cause, but it was basically brand new, so worth a try) and special weight-loss cat food. Our cat is an 11-year-old rescue from the Humane Society and she is a chonky girl. We had to sign a waiver when we adopted her, saying that we understood that she was very overweight, lol. Our vet recommended a special diet food, rather than just restricting her intake as we have been doing, so we will give it a try ($78). My husband also stops buy our local wine store and picks up two bottles. We’ve been doing a dry January, so this will be our first drink for a while ($27.53).
I have a phone interview scheduled for 4 pm – just a preliminary interview with an internal recruiter. It’s the first ‘corporate’ job interview I’ve ever had, since I’ve been in academia my entire life. I’m trying to make a pivot into instructional design / training and development. I’m just excited to get an interview. It seems to go pretty well, but who knows. They tell me they will probably get back to me by the end of this week.
Evening: My husband whips up a random meal of fridge remnants – pesto pasta with sausage and a fridge salad with feta and bell peppers. It’s pretty tasty with a little Sauvignon Blanc. During dinner, we play a card game we call gin rummy, although it bears no resemblance to the actual game. After dinner, I make a chocolate cake with orange buttercream frosting and we watch Cobra Kai.
Daily total: $222.89
Day 2
Morning: Up early again, a piece of toast for breakfast (very exciting). We’re out of eggs until our Whole Foods order arrives. I’m working on creating some tedious but necessary spreadsheets this morning.
Noon: Our Whole Foods order arrives around noon. Excitement! They’ve given us a half-rotten bag of romaine lettuce and substituted pecans for hazelnuts. I should probably just double mask and go to Trader Joe’s myself (our regular spot, only a 5-minute walk from my apartment). I’m just getting anxious about these new variants.
I have leftover meatloaf and spinach risotto again for lunch. Lots of meetings and more organizing spreadsheets in the afternoon. Around 3 pm, I go for my daily ritual - a 20-minute walk around my neighborhood. It’s still raining slightly but I need to get out. Halfway through the walk, I get an email from my apartment manager telling me the apartment will no longer accept debit card payments, direct deposit, or credit card payments for paying rent. In other words, only checks or money orders (?!). Ugh. Our lease is up in 4 months and we will not be renewing our lease. Our last apartment manager was a gambling addict who may have been stealing people’s identities, but by God, he kept things working. Ever since they fired him, this place has been going downhill.
Evening: I check my bank statements to update my budget spreadsheet and realize that I have been billed the wrong amount of rent. They actually charged me less than they should have. I don’t trust my apartment manager not to start charging me a late fee or something for this, so I call them up. They are baffled by how to fix this, which you would think would be the one thing you would want to get right, if you’re renting out apartments.
K cooks dinner – steak with a Roquefort sauce and glazed brussels sprouts. It’s from a French cookbook we recently bought and it is delicious. I work on classwork for my certificate program while he cooks. After dinner, I do the dishes and buy the 13th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. I watch the first episode – lots of shocking twists and turns! I’m planning to watch the rest of the episodes together with my younger sister, M ($22.01).
Daily total: $22.01
Day 3
Morning: K has an 8 am dentist appointment, so he takes off early. He already paid for the work last month, so there’s no charge. I have a piece of toast for breakfast and get to work checking my emails. It’s 8:20 am and the construction crew building a townhouse next door is blasting mariachi music. I’m glad someone is having fun. At least the sun is coming out.
Someone at work has made a critical error, but it wasn’t me, thank God. I was the one who found out about it, but it’s still going to cause a big old headache for me. I’m ready to be done with this job. K and I go for a run so that I can exhaust myself enough to no longer be furious about said careless error.
Noon: I have leftover spinach risotto and meatloaf again – exciting. I’m busy at work but frankly, not a lot going on other than that. Still no word about fixing my rent payments. I’m not really willing to pursue this any further at this point.
Evening: I start making chili (Turkey Chili from the NY Times) and cornbread (from my new cookbook, Jubilee). K is doing some work on our investments when he announces that, somehow, a transfer was scheduled from our checking account to our savings account of $55k (?!) We obviously don’t have $55k in our checking account, so we start frantically trying to figure out what’s going on. Numerous phone calls later, we still don’t know if that was a hack, if my husband somehow mistakenly scheduled the transfer himself, or if the bank messed it up. Either way, it doesn’t seem like any harm was done since the bank with our checking account just declined the transaction. But it seems really strange and worrisome. We get to work changing the passwords on all of our accounts, just in case it was some kind of hack.
After dinner (and chocolate cake), I have a Zoom happy hour with a local friend. We occasionally see each other outside but it’s nice to have a longer chat from the comfort of our living rooms. We both love murder mysteries, so we signed up for a service where a company sends us letters with clues and we try to solve the mystery together. It’s a fun way to stay connected and look forward to something during the pandemic. The service costs about $15 per month, but I paid for it in lump sum for 3 months, so it’s not included in my budget above. I drink some wine and we vent about work (we work at the same place) before getting started on the puzzle.
Daily total: $0
Day 4
Morning: I sleep in a bit, which is nice. Get up around 7 am. My parents are both getting their 2nd vaccine today – they’re both in their 70s and I am so relieved. I send my mom a “congratulations on being vaccinated!” text and we chat for a bit. I have leftover cornbread with honey and butter for breakfast – soooo good.
Work is not particularly exciting today, but someone sends me a last-minute request for something that does not need to be so urgent. I feel annoyed. Still no word from the interviewers on Monday, and I’m beginning to suspect I wasn’t selected to move forward. Too bad. K pays for a Wordpress website for the year (it’s a work-related website, but sadly his work doesn’t reimburse him). It costs $92.48.
Noon: The mariachi music is particularly loud today. I stand out on my balcony in the sun for a while and watch the workers. It’s been interesting seeing a house go up next door in real time, especially since I’m at home all the time. The workers are balancing on the top of the third story wall without, as far as I can see, anything like a safety line. It seems unsafe, but I presume they know what they’re doing.
We booked a cabin for the upcoming weekend in the Hood Canal region of Washington to do some hiking and birdwatching. I want to be as safe as possible and not go to any grocery stores or risk spreading COVID in any way while I’m there, so I place another grocery order with Whole Foods just for some special treats for the weekend. The cabin has a small kitchen and a grill, so we’re planning to make a fancy steak salad on Saturday. I order chips and hummus, some fancy cheese and meats, Tate’s cookies (I’ve heard a lot of good things about these), a baguette, and the ingredients for the steak salad. I also order a few staples I forgot in our last order, like sweet potatoes, more coffee, and half and half. It comes to $87.41, including tip, but that does include like $30 worth of steak. For some reason, I can’t order a small amount of steak online, so I’m planning to freeze half of it for later. (I include this purchase in our vacation fund budget, rather than under our regular grocery budget).
Around 2 pm, K makes a quick trip to our local wine store to buy an Oregon pinot noir and some port to enjoy at the cabin ($59.45). This store has an outdoor walk-up counter where you can tell the owner what you’re looking for, and he brings you some options (the store is way too small to allow customers to enter during Covid). It’s fun to chat with another human being, even briefly.
Evening: After work, we spend a little time rebalancing our investing and retirement accounts. We decide to put more money into bonds and a little bit into REIT’s as a hedge against a potential crash or recession in the future. Then I start making dinner – Broken Eggs (Huevas Rotas) from the NY Times cooking site. You basically cook the potatoes in a skillet in water, spices, and olive oil, and then sauté them to crisp them up once the water evaporates. Then you add onion, lots of garlic, and finally some eggs. It is delicious. I eat it with leftover cornbread while watching RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 with my sister – we watch the first two episodes. It’s full of twists and turns. A note about this – we have an elaborate procedure for watching shows together developed during quarantine whereby we start the show at the same with an earbud in one ear, while FaceTiming. I also have chocolate cake, of course.
Later, I get an email that I’ve signed up for HBO on Amazon Prime. I definitely have not. I text my mom, who shares my account, and she tells me she signed up by mistake. I cancel right away and luckily they won’t charge us for it.
Meanwhile, K is doing an online Japanese language class over Zoom. He’s been interested in learning ever since we went to Japan last January. I lived in Japan for 3 years so I was able to take us around to a lot of more obscure places and he really enjoyed the trip – it was a blast.
K starts a YouTube yoga class (from Do Yoga With Me – my favorite channel) and I join him for part of it before bed around 10 pm.
Daily total: $239.34
Day 5
Morning: I get up around 7 am and we go for a run first thing. I prefer running early in the morning because there are fewer people to avoid during COVID. We do a different route today – it’s longer (3 miles) but has fewer hills. It’s a slog, as always, but I feel good when I get back right around 8 am. I jump straight onto my computer to start checking work emails and my husband makes us avocado and egg toast for breakfast - it is absolutely delicious.
We talk about how our bathroom smells distinctly mildewy (yay for being a grown-up because I guess this is what we talk about now) and we buy two big buckets of DampRid on Amazon ($26.60). I’ve found this to be a necessity in Seattle. Mid-morning, I take a break from work and start packing for our trip to the cabin.
Noon: I have leftover potatoes and cornbread for lunch, and my husband has the leftover chili. We finish getting ready to leave and head out right after lunch, taking a half day. The only problem is that I have attend a meeting at 3:30 pm, so we head out hoping to get there in time. Our cabin is near Quilcene in the Hood Canal region of Washington, about a 2 hour drive or a 2 hour ferry ride + drive. We are initially planning to take the ferry both ways, but realize that we mistimed the ferry departure, so we drive the whole way instead. Luckily, there’s little traffic mid-day, and we arrive at our Airbnb around 3:00 pm.
The Airbnb is beautiful! It’s a small cabin handmade by the owner, whose house is next door. It’s very rural, with a beautiful view. It’s tiny, but has a little kitchen and a waterfall-style shower with river rocks on the floor. It’s a great place to get away for a short time. Luckily, it also has good reception and I’m able to sit in on my meeting with no problems. My husband also does a little work, and then at 5 pm we’re free!
In our planning, we decided to get takeout on Friday night, since the little kitchen isn’t designed for any serious cooking. We call ahead to a local restaurant to order burgers (one of only 2 restaurants in the whole town). It’s around 5:30 pm and the place is deserted. It’s a microbrewery, but they tell us they haven’t been making beer since COVID-19 hit. None of the workers are wearing masks when I walk in, but they put them on when they see I’m wearing one. I pick up our order - a few bottled beers and burgers and fries ($49.52 including tip).
Back at our Airbnb, we watch Big Trouble in Little China and enjoy our very messy, but delicious, burgers (it costs $4.39 to rent). The movie is very campy but fun. I love silly action movies, as you will see with my other viewing choices. We wrap up the night in a very exciting fashion, eating chocolate cake and watching old episodes of the original Star Trek.
Daily total: $80.51
Day 6
Morning & noon: When we wake up around 8 am, the weather is looking thankfully clear and even sunny! We were expecting rain, so we’re really glad. We decide to go hiking today, and we head out before even having breakfast, with snacks and lunches packed. Our first destination is a hike called Mt. Zion, but unfortunately, we run into enough snow 2 miles before the trailhead that we decide to turn back. We don’t have any traction for our Subaru and don’t want to risk getting stuck on a very narrow mountain road. Instead, we drive another hour or so to the Lena Lake trailhead, a very popular and less strenuous trail. It’s about 7.5 miles roundtrip with 1200 feet of elevation gain.
By this time, it’s around 11:30, but luckily there is still parking. It’s a great hike up, and we run into relatively few people. We always mask up whenever we pass anyone, as does about 50% of the people we meet. The others… not so much. Around a mile from the lake, we start to run into snow. It’s turned into a beautiful sunny day, and I’m loving seeing all this snow! It’s a bit slippery, but not too bad. We make it to the lake mid-day, and it’s super jammed – there’s only a small viewpoint accessible, so everyone is crowded in there. I feel a bit uneasy with all the unmasked people, but we manage to find a spot away from the crowd and sit down to eat our lunch of apples, chips, and energy bars. There are a ton of robber jays there (Canada Jays) which try to eat our chips. It is fun watching them, but I’m annoyed to see some kids feeding them – it’ll just make them that much more aggressive. Bad trail manners.
On our way back down, we get stuck behind a group of 5 unmasked adults, who refuse to cede the narrow trail to faster hikers. I’m a slow hiker myself, so, to be clear, I’m not angry at slower walkers being on the trail but have some self-awareness and let people pass! especially if you’re going to go hiking in a big group during a pandemic! We finally get back down and head back to our Airbnb.
Evening: Back home, we explore some of the trails our Airbnb host has set up around his extensive property, and then relax on the deck. The sun is breaking through the clouds and it feels wonderful to sit out in nature and feel the sun on my back. We open up a bottle of wine and have a few pre-dinner snacks (more chips and hummus). For this night, we brought ingredients to make a steak salad. Our Airbnb host has kindly set up a charcoal grill for us, so we grilled the steak and toast some bread on the side.
We eat dinner while watching the truly terrible Jean Claude Van Damme movie Bloodsport and finish up the very last of my chocolate cake. It’s amazing that anyone ever let Van Damme act… or should I say ‘act.’ I also have a Tate’s chocolate chip cookie or two, accompanied by a little port. My husband and I are truly very old people at heart, so we finish up the night watching a few episodes of Columbo.
Daily total: $0
Day 7
Morning: Unfortunately, K had insomnia last night, so he sleeps in pretty late. I drink coffee in bed and enjoy looking at the view out our big windows. Once he’s up, we get packed up and write a thank you note for our host. It was a great stay.
One of my big hobbies is birding and K enjoys wildlife photography, so we go out to look for some lifers! (The first time you see a new species of bird). Did I mention we are very old people in (relatively) young bodies? We first go to Dosewallips State Park and see some bald eagles, great blue herons, lots of various ducks, and a flock of Canada Geese, which, strangely, includes a domesticated gray goose. He’s much larger than the Canada Geese and seems to be watching over them. It’s kind of cute. Unfortunately, a lot of the birds are too far from shore to be seen clearly.
Our next stop is Point No Point (I love all the sad & disappointed names that early Westerner explorers gave places in the Washington/Oregon coast), a popular birding spot. We see a ton of birds here, and I can understand why it’s so well-known - Red-Breasted Mergansers, Western Grebes, Common Goldeneyes, Pacific Loons, and a few others I can’t identify yet. Most excitingly though, we see a whole pile of otters! They’re lounging around together on a rock just offshore and a ton of people are watching. We watch as they all slip off the rock and go hunting in the shore. It’s my first otter sighting in the wild, and it’s so cool! We also see some seals and possibly a sea lion. It’s a great spot for wildlife. We eat some snacks (hummus, chips, some sliced meat & cheese) before we head out.
I really want to come back to this area another time and explore further, but K has decided that we need to get back home in time for the Big Game. We take the 3:00 pm ferry back to Seattle ($16.40) and get home around 3:45 pm. I veg out at home while my husband watches football. He’s a Patriots fan but he still loves Tom Brady (??) so he’s happy to see Florida win. I don’t understand sports team loyalties at all, but whatever, I’m glad he’s happy. We order from a new Indian place called Spice Box and get vindaloo, roganjosh, and vegetables pakora – so tasty ($53.96). Happily, there’s enough left over for lunch the next day, since I have no plans for what we will eat yet!
I’m really dreading work the next day, as I know that it will be obnoxious. I want to get out of my job so badly, but it doesn’t look like I’m going on to the next interview stage for the job I interviewed no back on Monday. I’m feeling kind of down about it. I try to stay positive and promise that I’ll apply for at least 2-3 new jobs next week. I bake up some frozen cookie dough I had in the freezer and feel sorry for myself. We end the night by watching another episode of Columbo.
Daily total: 70.36
Food + Drink: $395.23
Fun / Entertainment: $26.40
Home + Health: $26.60
Clothes + Beauty: $0
Transport: $16.40
Other: $170.48
Grand Total: $635.11
I think this week was pretty normal for us. Obviously we spent a bit more than usual due to the weekend cabin trip, but nothing outrageous. Our largest consumer spending category is definitely food and drink – we live in a very busy area of Seattle with tons of restaurants and bars so believe it or not, we actually used to spend even more on eating out. We still try to support our local places by getting takeout or delivery during the pandemic and even occasionally getting a few drinks outside. I spent more than usual on groceries due to stocking up for the weekend away.

Playboy going public: Porn, Gambling, and Cannabis

NEW INFO 5 Results from share redemption are posted. Less than .2% redeemed. Very bullish as investors are showing extreme confidence in the future of PLBY.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/playboy-mountain-crest-acquisition-corp-120000721.html
NEW INFO 4 Definitive Agreement to purchase 100% of Lovers brand stores announced 2/1.
https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Playboy+%28MCAC%29+Confirms+Deal+to+Acquire+Lovers/17892359.html
NEW INFO 3 I bought more on the dip today. 5081 total. Price rose AH to $12.38 (2.15%)
NEW INFO 2 Here is the full webinar.
https://icrinc.zoom.us/rec/play/9GWKdmOYumjWfZuufW3QXpe_FW_g--qeNbg6PnTjTMbnNTgLmCbWjeRFpQga1iPc-elpGap8dnDv8Zww.yD7DjUwuPmapeEdP?continueMode=true&tk=lEYc4F_FkKlgsmCIs6w0gtGHT2kbgVGbUju3cIRBSjk.DQIAAAAV8NK49xZWdldRM2xNSFNQcTBmcE00UzM3bXh3AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&uuid=WN_GKWqbHkeSyuWetJmLFkj4g&_x_zm_rtaid=kR45-uuqRE-L65AxLjpbQw.1611967079119.2c054e3d3f8d8e63339273d9175939ed&_x_zm_rhtaid=866
NEW INFO 1 Live merger webinar with PLBY and MCAC on Friday January 29, 2021 at 12:00 NOON EST link below
https://mcacquisition.com/investor-relations/press-release-details/2021/Playboy-Enterprises-Inc.-and-Mountain-Crest-Acquisition-Corp-Participate-in-SPACInsider-ICR-Webinar-on-January-29th-at-12pm-ET/default.aspx
Playboy going public: Porn, Gambling, and Cannabis
!!!WARNING READING AHEAD!!! TL;DR at the end. It will take some time to sort through all the links and read/watch everything, but you should.
In the next couple weeks, Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp is taking Playboy public. The existing ticker MCAC will become PLBY. Special purpose acquisition companies have taken private companies public in recent months with great success. I believe this will be no exception. Notably, Playboy is profitable and has skyrocketing revenue going into a transformational growth phase.
Porn - First and foremost, let's talk about porn. I know what you guys are thinking. “Porno mags are dead. Why would I want to invest in something like that? I can get porn for free online.” Guess what? You are absolutely right. And that’s exactly why Playboy doesn’t do that anymore. That’s right, they eliminated their print division. And yet they somehow STILL make money from porn that people (see: boomers) pay for on their website through PlayboyTV, Playboy Plus, and iPlayboy. Here’s the thing: Playboy has international, multi-generational name recognition from porn. They have content available in 180 countries. It will be the only publicly traded adult entertainment (porn) company. But that is not where this company is going. It will help support them along the way. You can see every Playboy magazine through iPlayboy if you’re interested. NSFW links below:
https://www.playboy.com/
https://www.playboytv.com/
https://www.playboyplus.com/
https://www.iplayboy.com/
Gambling - Some of you might recognize the Playboy brand from gambling trips to places like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Cancun, London or Macau. They’ve been in the gambling biz for decades through their casinos, clubs, and licensed gaming products. They see the writing on the wall. COVID is accelerating the transition to digital, application based GAMBLING. That’s right. What we are doing on Robinhood with risky options is gambling, and the only reason regulators might give a shit anymore is because we are making too much money. There may be some restrictions put in place, but gambling from your phone on your couch is not going anywhere. More and more states are allowing things like Draftkings, poker, state ‘lottery” apps, hell - even political betting. Michigan and Virginia just ok’d gambling apps. They won’t be the last. This is all from your couch and any 18 year old with a cracked iphone can access it. Wouldn’t it be cool if Playboy was going to do something like that? They’re already working on it. As per CEO Ben Kohn who we will get to later, “...the company’s casino-style digital gaming products with Scientific Games and Microgaming continue to see significant global growth.” Honestly, I stopped researching Scientific Games' sports betting segment when I saw the word ‘omni-channel’. That told me all I needed to know about it’s success.
“Our SG Sports™ platform is an enhanced, omni-channel solution for online, self-service and retail fixed odds sports betting – from soccer to tennis, basketball, football, baseball, hockey, motor sports, racing and more.”
https://www.scientificgames.com/
https://www.microgaming.co.uk/
“This latter segment has become increasingly enticing for Playboy, and it said last week that it is considering new tie-ups that could include gaming operators like PointsBet and 888Holdings.”
https://calvinayre.com/2020/10/05/business/playboys-gaming-ops-could-get-a-boost-from-spac-purchase/
As per their SEC filing:
“Significant consumer engagement and spend with Playboy-branded gaming properties around the world, including with leading partners such as Microgaming, Scientific Games, and Caesar’s Entertainment, steers our investment in digital gaming, sports betting and other digital offerings to further support our commercial strategy to expand consumer spend with minimal marginal cost, and gain consumer data to inform go-to-market plans across categories.”
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tMDAA1
They are expanding into more areas of gaming/gambling, working with international players in the digital gaming/gambling arena, and a Playboy sportsbook is on the horizon.
https://www.playboy.com/read/the-pleasure-of-playing-with-yourself-mobile-gaming-in-the-covid-era
Cannabis - If you’ve ever read through a Playboy magazine, you know they’ve had a positive relationship with cannabis for many years. As of September 2020, Playboy has made a major shift into the cannabis space. Too good to be true you say? Check their website. Playboy currently sells a range of CBD products. This is a good sign. Federal hemp products, which these most likely are, can be mailed across state lines and most importantly for a company like Playboy, can operate through a traditional banking institution. CBD products are usually the first step towards the cannabis space for large companies. Playboy didn’t make these products themselves meaning they are working with a processor in the cannabis industry. Another good sign for future expansion. What else do they have for sale? Pipes, grinders, ashtrays, rolling trays, joint holders. Hmm. Ok. So it looks like they want to sell some shit. They probably don’t have an active interest in cannabis right? Think again:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/09/24/playboy-gets-serious-about-cannabis-law-reform-advocacy-with-new-partnership-grants/?sh=62f044a65cea
“Taking yet another step into the cannabis space, Playboy will be announcing later on Thursday (September, 2020) that it is launching a cannabis law reform and advocacy campaign in partnership with National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project, the Veterans Cannabis Project, and the Eaze Momentum Program.”
“According to information procured exclusively, the three-pronged campaign will focus on calling for federal legalization. The program also includes the creation of a mentorship plan, through which the Playboy Foundation will support entrepreneurs from groups that are underrepresented in the industry.” Remember that CEO Kohn from earlier? He wrote this recently:
https://medium.com/naked-open-letters-from-playboy/congress-must-pass-the-more-act-c867c35239ae
Seems like he really wants weed to be legal? Hmm wonder why? The writing's on the wall my friends. Playboy wants into the cannabis industry, they are making steps towards this end, and we have favorable conditions for legislative progress.
Don’t think branding your own cannabis line is profitable or worthwhile? Tell me why these 41 celebrity millionaires and billionaires are dummies. I’ll wait.
https://www.celebstoner.com/news/celebstoner-news/2019/07/12/top-celebrity-cannabis-brands/
Confirmation: I hear you. “This all seems pretty speculative. It would be wildly profitable if they pull this shift off. But how do we really know?” Watch this whole video:
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/playboy-ceo-telling-story-female-154907068.html
Man - this interview just gets my juices flowing. And highlights one of my favorite reasons for this play. They have so many different business avenues from which a catalyst could appear. I think paying attention, holding shares, and options on these staggered announcements over the next year is the way I am going to go about it. "There's definitely been a shift to direct-to-consumer," he (Kohn) said. "About 50 percent of our revenue today is direct-to-consumer, and that will continue to grow going forward.” “Kohn touted Playboy's portfolio of both digital and consumer products, with casino-style gaming, in particular, serving a crucial role under the company's new business model. Playboy also has its sights on the emerging cannabis market, from CBD products to marijuana products geared toward sexual health and pleasure.” "If THC does become legal in the United States, we have developed certain strains to enhance your sex life that we will launch," Kohn said. https://cheddar.com/media/playboy-goes-public-health-gaming-lifestyle-focus Oh? The CEO actually said it? Ok then. “We have developed certain strains…” They’re already working with growers on strains and genetics? Ok. There are several legal cannabis markets for those products right now, international and stateside. I expect Playboy licensed hemp and THC pre-rolls by EOY. Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/842996758/10-playboy-pre-roll-tubes-limited?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pre+roll+playboy&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1 Maintaining cannabis operations can be costly and a regulatory headache. Playboy’s licensing strategy allows them to pick successful, established partners and sidestep traditional barriers to entry. You know what I like about these new markets? They’re expanding. Worldwide. And they are going to be a bigger deal than they already are with or without Playboy. Who thinks weed and gambling are going away? Too many people like that stuff. These are easy markets. And Playboy is early enough to carve out their spot in each. Fuck it, read this too: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimosman/2020/10/20/playboy-could-be-the-king-of-spacs-here-are-three-picks/?sh=2e13dcaa3e05
Numbers: You want numbers? I got numbers. As per the company’s most recent SEC filing:
“For the year ended December 31, 2019, and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s historical consolidated revenue was $78.1 million and $101.3 million, respectively, historical consolidated net income (loss) was $(23.6) million and $(4.8) million, respectively, and Adjusted EBITDA was $13.1 million and $21.8 million, respectively.”
“In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Licensing segment contributed $44.2 million in revenue and $31.1 million in net income.”
“In the ninth months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Direct-to-Consumer segment contributed $40.2 million in revenue and net income of $0.1 million.”
“In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Digital Subscriptions and Content segment contributed $15.4 million in revenue and net income of $7.4 million.”
They are profitable across all three of their current business segments.
“Playboy’s return to the public markets presents a transformed, streamlined and high-growth business. The Company has over $400 million in cash flows contracted through 2029, sexual wellness products available for sale online and in over 10,000 major retail stores in the US, and a growing variety of clothing and branded lifestyle and digital gaming products.”
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tSHCF
Growth: Playboy has massive growth in China and massive growth potential in India. “In China, where Playboy has spent more than 25 years building its business, our licensees have an enormous footprint of nearly 2,500 brick and mortar stores and 1,000 ecommerce stores selling high quality, Playboy-branded men’s casual wear, shoes/footwear, sleepwear, swimwear, formal suits, leather & non-leather goods, sweaters, active wear, and accessories. We have achieved significant growth in China licensing revenues over the past several years in partnership with strong licensees and high-quality manufacturers, and we are planning for increased growth through updates to our men’s fashion lines and expansion into adjacent categories in men’s skincare and grooming, sexual wellness, and women’s fashion, a category where recent launches have been well received.” The men’s market in China is about the same size as the entire population of the United States and European Union combined. Playboy is a leading brand in this market. They are expanding into the women’s market too. Did you know CBD toothpaste is huge in China? China loves CBD products and has hemp fields that dwarf those in the US. If Playboy expands their CBD line China it will be huge. Did you know the gambling money in Macau absolutely puts Las Vegas to shame? Technically, it's illegal on the mainland, but in reality, there is a lot of gambling going on in China. https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/10/19/magic-johnson-and-uncle-buds-cbd-brand-enter-china-via-tmall-partnership/?sh=271776ca411e “In India, Playboy today has a presence through select apparel licensees and hospitality establishments. Consumer research suggests significant growth opportunities in the territory with Playboy’s brand and categories of focus.” “Playboy Enterprises has announced the expansion of its global consumer products business into India as part of a partnership with Jay Jay Iconic Brands, a leading fashion and lifestyle Company in India.” “The Indian market today is dominated by consumers under the age of 35, who represent more than 65 percent of the country’s total population and are driving India’s significant online shopping growth. The Playboy brand’s core values of playfulness and exploration resonate strongly with the expressed desires of today’s younger millennial consumers. For us, Playboy was the perfect fit.” “The Playboy international portfolio has been flourishing for more than 25 years in several South Asian markets such as China and Japan. In particular, it has strategically targeted the millennial and gen-Z audiences across categories such as apparel, footwear, home textiles, eyewear and watches.” https://www.licenseglobal.com/industry-news/playboy-expands-global-footprint-india It looks like they gave COVID the heisman in terms of net damage sustained: “Although Playboy has not suffered any material adverse consequences to date from the COVID-19 pandemic, the business has been impacted both negatively and positively. The remote working and stay-at-home orders resulted in the closure of the London Playboy Club and retail stores of Playboy’s licensees, decreasing licensing revenues in the second quarter, as well as causing supply chain disruption and less efficient product development thereby slowing the launch of new products. However, these negative impacts were offset by an increase in Yandy’s direct-to-consumer sales, which have benefited in part from overall increases in online retail sales so far during the pandemic.” Looks like the positives are long term (Yandy acquisition) and the negatives are temporary (stay-at-home orders).
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921006093/tm213766-1_defa14a.htm
This speaks to their ability to maintain a financially solvent company throughout the transition phase to the aforementioned areas. They’d say some fancy shit like “expanded business model to encompass four key revenue streams: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming & Lifestyle, and Beauty & Grooming.” I hear “we’re just biding our time with these trinkets until those dollar dollar bill y’all markets are fully up and running.” But the truth is these existing revenue streams are profitable, scalable, and rapidly expanding Playboy’s e-commerce segment around the world.
"Even in the face of COVID this year, we've been able to grow EBITDA over 100 percent and revenue over 68 percent, and I expect that to accelerate going into 2021," he said. “Playboy is accelerating its growth in company-owned and branded consumer products in attractive and expanding markets in which it has a proven history of brand affinity and consumer spend.”
Also in the SEC filing, the Time Frame:
“As we detailed in the definitive proxy statement, the SPAC stockholder meeting to vote on the transaction has been set for February 9th, and, subject to stockholder approval and satisfaction of the other closing conditions, we expect to complete the merger and begin trading on NASDAQ under ticker PLBY shortly thereafter,” concluded Kohn.
The Players: Suhail “The Whale” Rizvi (HMFIC), Ben “The Bridge” Kohn (CEO), “lil” Suying Liu & “Big” Dong Liu (Young-gun China gang). I encourage you to look these folks up. The real OG here is Suhail Rizvi. He’s from India originally and Chairman of the Board for the new PLBY company. He was an early investor in Twitter, Square, Facebook and others. His firm, Rizvi Traverse, currently invests in Instacart, Pinterest, Snapchat, Playboy, and SpaceX. Maybe you’ve heard of them. “Rizvi, who owns a sprawling three-home compound in Greenwich, Connecticut, and a 1.65-acre estate in Palm Beach, Florida, near Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, moved to Iowa Falls when he was five. His father was a professor of psychology at Iowa. Along with his older brother Ashraf, a hedge fund manager, Rizvi graduated from Wharton business school.” “Suhail Rizvi: the 47-year-old 'unsocial' social media baron: When Twitter goes public in the coming weeks (2013), one of the biggest winners will be a 47-year-old financier who guards his secrecy so zealously that he employs a person to take down his Wikipedia entry and scrub his photos from the internet. In IPO, Twitter seeks to be 'anti-FB'” “Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia looks like a big Twitter winner. So do the moneyed clients of Jamie Dimon. But as you’ve-got-to-be-joking wealth washed over Twitter on Thursday — a company that didn’t exist eight years ago was worth $31.7 billion after its first day on the stock market — the non-boldface name of the moment is Suhail R. Rizvi. Mr. Rizvi, 47, runs a private investment company that is the largest outside investor in Twitter with a 15.6 percent stake worth $3.8 billion at the end of trading on Thursday (November, 2013). Using a web of connections in the tech industry and in finance, as well as a hearty dose of good timing, he brought many prominent names in at the ground floor, including the Saudi prince and some of JPMorgan’s wealthiest clients.” https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/technology/at-twitter-working-behind-the-scenes-toward-a-billion-dollar-payday.html Y’all like that Arab money? How about a dude that can call up Saudi Princes and convince them to spend? Funniest shit about I read about him: “Rizvi was able to buy only $100 million in Facebook shortly before its IPO, thus limiting his returns, according to people with knowledge of the matter.” Poor guy :(
He should be fine with the 16 million PLBY shares he's going to have though :)
Shuhail also has experience in the entertainment industry. He’s invested in companies like SESAC, ICM, and Summit Entertainment. He’s got Hollywood connections to blast this stuff post-merger. And he’s at least partially responsible for that whole Twilight thing. I’m team Edward btw.
I really like what Suhail has done so far. He’s lurked in the shadows while Kohn is consolidating the company, trimming the fat, making Playboy profitable, and aiming the ship at modern growing markets.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-twitter-ipo-rizvi-insight/insight-little-known-hollywood-investor-poised-to-score-with-twitter-ipo-idUSBRE9920VW20131003
Ben “The Bridge” Kohn is an interesting guy. He’s the connection between Rizvi Traverse and Playboy. He’s both CEO of Playboy and was previously Managing Partner at Rizvi Traverse. Ben seems to be the voice of the Playboy-Rizvi partnership, which makes sense with Suhail’s privacy concerns. Kohn said this:
“Today is a very big day for all of us at Playboy and for all our partners globally. I stepped into the CEO role at Playboy in 2017 because I saw the biggest opportunity of my career. Playboy is a brand and platform that could not be replicated today. It has massive global reach, with more than $3B of global consumer spend and products sold in over 180 countries. Our mission – to create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure – is rooted in our 67-year history and creates a clear focus for our business and role we play in people’s lives, providing them with the products, services and experiences that create a lifestyle of pleasure. We are taking this step into the public markets because the committed capital will enable us to accelerate our product development and go-to-market strategies and to more rapidly build our direct to consumer capabilities,” said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy.
“Playboy today is a highly profitable commerce business with a total addressable market projected in the trillions of dollars,” Mr. Kohn continued, “We are actively selling into the Sexual Wellness consumer category, projected to be approximately $400 billion in size by 2024, where our recently launched intimacy products have rolled out to more than 10,000 stores at major US retailers in the United States. Combined with our owned & operated ecommerce Sexual Wellness initiatives, the category will contribute more than 40% of our revenue this year. In our Apparel and Beauty categories, our collaborations with high-end fashion brands including Missguided and PacSun are projected to achieve over $50M in retail sales across the US and UK this year, our leading men’s apparel lines in China expanded to nearly 2500 brick and mortar stores and almost 1000 digital stores, and our new men’s and women’s fragrance line recently launched in Europe. In Gaming, our casino-style digital gaming products with Scientific Games and Microgaming continue to see significant global growth. Our product strategy is informed by years of consumer data as we actively expand from a purely licensing model into owning and operating key high-growth product lines focused on driving profitability and consumer lifetime value. We are thrilled about the future of Playboy. Our foundation has been set to drive further growth and margin, and with the committed capital from this transaction and our more than $180M in NOLs, we will take advantage of the opportunity in front of us, building to our goal of $100M of adjusted EBITDA in 2025.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201001005404/en/Playboy-to-Become-a-Public-Company
Also, according to their Form 4s, “Big” Dong Liu and “lil” Suying Liu just loaded up with shares last week. These guys are brothers and seem like the Chinese market connection. They are only 32 & 35 years old. I don’t even know what that means, but it's provocative.
https://www.secform4.com/insider-trading/1832415.htm
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mountain-crest-acquisition-corp-ii-002600994.html
Y’all like that China money?
“Mr. Liu has been the Chief Financial Officer of Dongguan Zhishang Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd., a regional designer, manufacturer and distributor of LED lights serving commercial customers throughout Southern China since November 2016, at which time he led a syndicate of investments into the firm. Mr. Liu has since overseen the financials of Dongguan Zhishang as well as provided strategic guidance to its board of directors, advising on operational efficiency and cash flow performance. From March 2010 to October 2016, Mr. Liu was the Head of Finance at Feidiao Electrical Group Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese manufacturer of electrical outlets headquartered in Shanghai and with businesses in the greater China region as well as Europe.”
Dr. Suying Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp., commented, “Playboy is a unique and compelling investment opportunity, with one of the world’s largest and most recognized brands, its proven consumer affinity and spend, and its enormous future growth potential in its four product segments and new and existing geographic regions. I am thrilled to be partnering with Ben and his exceptional team to bring his vision to fruition.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201001005404/en/Playboy-to-Become-a-Public-Company
These guys are good. They have a proven track record of success across multiple industries. Connections and money run deep with all of these guys. I don’t think they’re in the game to lose.
I was going to write a couple more paragraphs about why you should have a look at this but really the best thing you can do is read this SEC filing from a couple days ago. It explains the situation in far better detail. Specifically, look to page 137 and read through their strategy. Also, look at their ownership percentages and compensation plans including the stock options and their prices. The financials look great, revenue is up 90% Q3, and it looks like a bright future.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tSHCF
I’m hesitant to attach this because his position seems short term, but I’m going to with a warning because he does hit on some good points (two are below his link) and he’s got a sizable position in this thing (500k+ on margin, I think). I don’t know this guy but he did look at the same publicly available info and make roughly the same prediction, albeit without the in depth gambling or cannabis mention. You can also search reddit for ‘MCAC’ and very few relevant results come up and none of them even come close to really looking at this thing.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvAd6lebs452hFlWWbxVjQ3VMsjGBkbJeXRwDwIJfM/edit?usp=sharing
“Also, before you people start making claims that Playboy is a “boomer” company, STOP RIGHT THERE. This is not a good argument. Simply put. The only thing that matters is Playboy’s name recognition, not their archaic business model which doesn’t even exist anymore as they have completely repurposed their business.”
“Imagine not buying $MCAC at a 400M valuation lol. Streetwear department is worth 1B alone imo.”
Considering the ridiculous Chinese growth as a lifestyle brand, he’s not wrong.
Current Cultural Significance and Meme Value: A year ago I wouldn’t have included this section but the events from the last several weeks (even going back to tsla) have proven that a company’s ability to meme and/or gain social network popularity can have an effect. Tik-tok, Snapchat, Twitch, Reddit, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter. They all have Playboy stuff on them. Kids in middle and highschool know what Playboy is but will likely never see or touch one of the magazines in person. They’ll have a Playboy hoodie though. Crazy huh? A lot like GME, PLBY would hugely benefit from meme-value stock interest to drive engagement towards their new business model while also building strategic coffers. This interest may not directly and/or significantly move the stock price but can generate significant interest from larger players who will.
Bull Case: The year is 2025. Playboy is now the world leader pleasure brand. They began by offering Playboy licensed gaming products, including gambling products, direct to consumers through existing names. By 2022, demand has skyrocketed and Playboy has designed and released their own gambling platforms. In 2025, they are also a leading cannabis brand in the United States and Canada with proprietary strains and products geared towards sexual wellness. Cannabis was legalized in the US in 2023 when President Biden got glaucoma but had success with cannabis treatment. He personally pushes for cannabis legalization as he steps out of office after his first term. Playboy has also grown their brand in China and India to multi-billion per year markets. The stock goes up from 11ish to 100ish and everyone makes big gains buying somewhere along the way.
Bear Case: The United States does a complete 180 on marijuana and gambling. President Biden overdoses on marijuana in the Lincoln bedroom when his FDs go tits up and he loses a ton of money in his sports book app after the Fighting Blue Hens narrowly lose the National Championship to Bama. Playboy is unable to expand their cannabis and gambling brands but still does well with their worldwide lifestyle brand. They gain and lose some interest in China and India but the markets are too large to ignore them completely. The stock goes up from 11ish to 13ish and everyone makes 15-20% gains.
TL;DR: Successful technology/e-commerce investment firm took over Playboy to turn it into a porn, online gambling/gaming, sports book, cannabis company, worldwide lifestyle brand that promotes sexual wellness, vetern access, women-ownership, minority-ownership, and “pleasure for all”. Does a successful online team reinventing an antiquated physical copy giant sound familiar? No options yet, shares only for now. $11.38 per share at time of writing. My guess? $20 by the end of February. $50 by EOY. This is not financial advice. I am not qualified to give financial advice. I’m just sayin’ I would personally use a Playboy sports book app while smoking a Playboy strain specific joint and it would be cool if they did that. Do your own research. You’d probably want to start here:
WARNING - POTENTIALLY NSFW - SEXY MODELS AHEAD - no actual nudity though
https://s26.q4cdn.com/895475556/files/doc_presentations/Playboy-Craig-Hallum-Conference-Investor-Presentation-11_17_20-compressed.pdf
Or here:
https://www.mcacquisition.com/investor-relations/default.aspx
Jimmy Chill: “Get into any SPAC at $10 or $11 and you are going to make money.”
STL;DR: Buy MCAC. MCAC > PLBY couple weeks. Rocketship. Moon.
Position: 5000 shares. I will buy short, medium, and long-dated calls once available.

PT 2 - What do you think Mersh's estimated monthly expenses are?

Shadowverse Rotation Meta Report. January 10th

Welcome everyone and welcome to a new Meta report. We're entering the second week of Eternal Awakening and plenty of things are still going on. As always i'll be relying on a variety of sources, gamewith, shadowverse-wins.com, tourney results and my own experiences.
Forestcraft
In the great woods of Forestcraft, where the fairies flutter and where the elves all practice archery when they're not busy with other things. We find Selwyn being rejected by Tweyen, even as they have so much in Common. Apparently she has someone else she likes. Selwyn dejected heads to the local tavern to drown his years in Ale.
For Forestcraft We find Accelerate Forest in charge followed by Aggro Forest and Loxis Forest steps in as Evolve Forest steps out. Overall Forestcrat is in a good spot with a fair bit of diversity and several strong decks at that having benefitted quite a bit from the expansion so far.
Accelerate Forest
Fast and unpredictable, this deck swoops in and out before you can catch a proper glimpse of it and before you know it. You're dead
A midrange-combo deck built around accelerate cards. The deck has grown to be the primary forest deck, getting more aggressive and using Walder more actively and aggressively, some even including Cactus Cowboy, additional Xeno Sagitarrius is being cut as well since it's not seeing much usefulness in the current meta. Also some decks run Terrorformer as a secondary win condition plus card draw source.A strong if somewhat complex deck.
Aggro Forest
Fierce and furious, the rage of the forests embodied into one deck as it tears through the meta environment!
An aggro deck built around strong threats and disruptive tools. Seeing a slight decline in favour of accelerate forest, the deck overall remains strong with some variations about, including some decks running Goblin queen as a strong board filling tool that can give your opponent a tough time.
Loxis Forest
One man from who knows where, taming the wild and turning it into his own weapons. Be careful of what he hides up his sleeves
A midrange combo deck. Loxis Forest makes a return, a bit less combo focused and more focused on making more use of vehicle amulets and so a bit more aggressive. A tricky deck, but one which in the right hands clearly enjoys some success as this deck managed the top 16 of the most recent JCG Open.
Swordcraft
In the eternal Castle of Swordcraft. Where the banners of many knights hand proudly from the near endless walls. We arrive to see Eahta and Albert sparring, with albert losing most of the fights spectacularly. Much to the amusement of the assembled soldiers watching it all. Causing Albert to run off in a huff and Eahta to run after him to give him a big hug and apologize.
For Swordcraft Evolve Sword as always remains at the top, followed by a distance by Rally Sword, Walfrid Sword and Neutral Aggro Sword. Overall the class is starting to struggle with the bloated nature of Evolve Sword bleeding the rest of the class dry, so while there is some deck diversity and choices. There's a stark difference in how good they are. Cygames really needs to knock it off.
Evolve Sword
A group of the finest heroes, decked out in shining armour and equipped with legendary weapon. Truly paragons of their craft, with a cost to boot
A Control deck built around Evolving. At 91k Vials it is by far the most expensive competetive deck in the game, and even at that cost level is starting to see a dip in popularity as it struggles against some of the top decks now and some are starting to lose some weight and go more aggressively, but are struggling to find the tools for that. A good deck, if you can afford it.
Rally Sword
A legion at arms, ever marching towards the next battle. No amount of casualties will stop them !
A tempo deck built around the rally mechanic. Overall a significant drop from last week and more of a fringe deck (along with most other sword decks) But in the right hands can climb decently, though there's still a lot of experimentation happening with some trying out evolve builds.
Walfrid Sword
One man and his will, animating an entire army into action and existence ! Who can stop this brave band of brothers ?
A midrange deck built around Walfrid. Seeing a further drop into the fringes. Walfrid Sword continues to see some play as some players enjoy it's playstyle, but overall there seems to have been no major changes to the deck or anything else to report. Expect to work hard for the deck.
Aggro Vehicle Sword
Daredevils, outlaws and madmen. All propelled forwards in a collective need for speed and victory!
An aggro deck built around the Neutral package and Proven method. Continuing to see some fringe play as apparently it works decently against Dragon. An updated build from Mororin. Very much a fringe deck like most of the other sword decks.
Runecraft
In the mystical Academies of Runecraft, where knowledge matters more than anything else (except waffles) We arrive just in time to see Isabelle drop off Fif with Karyl and tell the poor cat girl to keep the imp occupied so she doesn't disrupt everyone else. Leaving Karyl to fume and scream it's only because she's about to rotate out that Isabelle asks her to do it.
For Runecraft Spellboost Rune continues to sit at the apex, followed by Karyl Rune, Vincent Rune and Earth Rite Rune. Despite seeing more decks arrive, Runecraft overall struggles in the current meta as it's disruptive tools aren't quite useful for the current meta and lacks better threats so ends up in an awkward spot.
Spellboost Rune
Terrifying arcane power, awesome magical servants, all at the power of your finger tips if you merely devote yourself to this deck!
A midrange deck built around Spellboost Synergies. Overall struggling a bit with the rise of Vehicle Dragon. Spellboost Rune continues to be decent but lacking options to get more aggressive itself, is having a bit of a hard time. Some decks are experimenting with Elmott, but those decks are a minority. Decent, but expect to work for it.
Karyl Rune
She didn't ask for any of this. But she's had enough of the jokes, the taunts and being fed insects. Now she'll destroy the world!
A control combo deck built around Karyl and burning out the enemy. A recent arrival and a spin on Karyl with a lot of control elements, in the right hands the deck can perform decently but is rather high skill level os is not for everyone, plus Karyl herself rotates out at the end of the expansion.
Vincent Rune
A man dedicated to the law more than anything else, and willing to create laws to enforce, merely so he can enforce something
A tempo deck built around Vincent and Vehicles. Seeing a minor drop off compared to last week and as Karyl gains momentum. The deck is still fairly decent and in the right hands can swiftly overwhelm opponents
Earth Rite Rune
Drawing upon the vast powers of alchemy to conjure up seas of fire and mighty golems. It has still yet to figure out how to make gold (or gold cards)*
A midrange deck built around Earth Rites. A decent deck at the fringes of the meta. Lacking more early threats or powerful midgame tools it finds itself back to Karyl to hope to push through with.
Dragoncraft
In the great Caverns of Dragoncraft, where ancient beasts slumber for eternities. We find Hiro as always laughing like a maniac on his throne of Terrors. But the important bit is the arrival of Rola and the rest of the leaders not entirely sure if she belongs there since her Dragon is not really a Dragon. Forte points out her great big horns, and after looking at the right big ones, Rowen and Valdain concedes her points and so Rola is accepting into Dragoncraft.
For Dragoncraft Vehicle Dragon sits at the peak of Absolute Terror, followed by OTK Dragon, Ramp Dragon and Discard Dragon. Dragoncraft overall is in a very strong position with multiple strong decks with quite a bit of variety within each of them.
Vehicle Dragon
Fire, speed, madness ! All contained within this one explosive deck. Incendiary Adventure await!
A tempo deck built around Strong threats and strong disruptive tools. The deck has by now solidified its position from last week and is seeing a ton of variations. With some running Jerva, others going full aggro and cutting out most of the evolve stuff and others opting for a third route. Giving the deck quite some power since the opponent never quite knows what they're up against. A powerful deck in the current meta
OTK Dragon
From beneath the oceans, comes a terribly harbinger of doom. Drowning out the entire world to reclaim it!
A combo deck built around Disrestan. The deck has seen a bit of a drop with the rise of Vehicle Dragon, but still remains potent as it can target decks that targets Vehicle Dragon. Overall also more complex which holds back its popularity as well somewhat.
**Ramp Dragon
Storming through the skies, higher and higher as it looks to tear the very heavens apart with mighty behemoths of fire and thunder
A ramp deck built around Dragon Devouring Dread. Seeing a further drop in popularity as Vehicle Dragon and OTK dragon takes charge. The deck remains solid but lacking the same speed or flashyness as the other two is taking a minor backseat to them.
Discard Dragon
No Sacrifice is too great, no enemy too small to avoid destruction. This deck will happily tear itself apart as long as the enemy dies in the process
A midrange deck built around Discarding Cards. Continuing to drop in popularity as it just lacks the big flashy plays and aggression of the other decks and so while it still sees usage here and there is finding itself pushed to the fringes.
Shadowcraft
In the great Catacomb of Shadowcraft, where ancient empires lie buried. We find Luna starting to grow worried that Ginsetsu may have gotten lost on her way to become a leader and so sends Cerberus to help her out as she figures Cerberus should be smart enough to do the trick. How wrong she will be.
For Shadowcraft Gremory Shadow has overtaken Aggro Shadow, which in turn is followed by Burial Rite Rally Shadow and Vaseraga shadow continues to see some play. Shadowcraft is in a strong position due to multiple very strong decks giving it quite some flexibility and resilience in the meta.
Gremory Shadow
A whirlwind of death, of which at the centre stands a little girl. A twisted smile, she asks you to play a bit with her
A midrange deck built around Gremory and Rally. Gremory Shadow this week overtakes Aggro Shadow in popularity as it can overwhelm numerous decks with its massive board building skills and can use Necroimpulse both offensively and defensively quite well. A potent deck that does require a bit of getting used to but can give a lot of decks a run for their monery. Some decks even get a bit more aggressive with extra one drops.
Aggro Shadow
An aggro deck built around strong threats and reanimation. Seeing a slight dip in favour of Gremory Shadow as most decks are teching against it, the deck is still the best aggro deck in the format and can still do a lot of damage. Additionally some decks are using IO for extra burn damage, but also board control. A strong and fairly straightforward deck to play.
Burial Rite Rally Shadow
Rising from the grave, again and again. Your work is not over until it says it is
A midrange deck built around Burial Rite and Reanimation Synergies. Less popular than the others as it is a little less fast and more skill intensive, but does have more control tools as it can use Deathbringer along with Fatal order to help clear board and heal. A solid deck.
Vaseraga Shadow
One man, unstoppable by death and always returning. His purpose, is your destruction!
A midrange combo deck built around Vaseraga and getting him into play as fast as possible. Still a fringe deck, but one which some players enjoy as it can overrun slower decks. Worth noting, it is NOT a nepthys deck and only uses her to cheat out multiple Vaseragas.
Bloodcraft
In the great Mansion of Decadence and sin that is bloodcraft. We find Urias dealing with Volteo to reduce Viras debt as apparently she has a bit of a gambling problem and has ordered into a rehabilitation program to get over her problem. Volteo meanwhile is a tricky devil to negotiate with, in the end the threat of violence solves it.
For Bloodcraft Wrath Blood remains at the top, followed by Volteo Blood and some Control blood. In theory there's some aggro blood, but i like anything solid on it. Overall Bloodcraft is in a decent spot, but mostly due to wrath blood and suffers from the same issue of Swordcraft of one deck getting all the focus while the rest of the class gets neglected.
wrath blood
A deck fueled by intense anger and hatred. Fueled by these intense emotions, it moves out to conquer and destroy!
A midrange deck built around Wrath. A strong deck that continues to see good play in the current meta with no real major changes, many decks still use silver bolt hunter and that is about it really to remark this week.
Volteo Blood
Roll the dice and see what you get. This deck offers it all, but with an awful lot of caveats and even more excuses attached to it.
A Highlander deck built around Volteo. Continuing to see play with a dedicated small group of players at the fringe of the meta. In the right hands it can do well, but does require a lot of work and experience to really flow well.
Control Blood
A deck filled with great and terrible powers, slowly plotting out the destruction of its opponents as it sets up all of the pieces for its great win
A control deck built around Xeno Diablo. A fringe deck as it ultimately is struggling quite a bit in the current meta and finding itself short of tools. So mostly for the dedicated control player who refuses to play anything else no matter what.
Havencraft
In the Summit Temple of Havencraft, where Faith shines purest ! We find all of the leaders assembled as the arrival of the Fluffy Angel has put severe pressure on the brand of the Church of Havencraft and now they have to come up with a counter to it. After much debate (and Meowskers running off in tears with De La Fille after him to comfort him) they end up settling on the idea of Fluffy Featherfolk. Its Fluffy Angel, but with larger... assets.
For havencraft Banish Haven seems to be rising up out of nowhere followed by the similarly newly arrived Rally Haven, followed by Ward Haven and Sanctuary Haven. There is also Amulet haven and Summit haven, but as i normally focus on the top 4 best decks if there are any (in this case there's a total of 6) i won't be talking about those, but yeah.. haven technically has 6 decks! Overall haven is in a fairly good position practically bursting with decks.
Control Haven
Punishment from above, banish all before your sights like an angry god of the old stories!
A control deck built around strong removal, healing and Ra. The deck has made quite the entrance as it seems quite capable of disarming several of the more potent decks in the meta with it's banish plus can stall out against a lot of them thanks to all of the healing, a more skill intensive deck mind you.
Rally Haven
Penetance fuels this holy war formed up of outcasts, former bandits and more, guided by a few holy warriors to lead them to salvation!
A midrange deck built around the Rally mechanic and vehicles. Already experimented with in the first week, the inclusion of the vehicle package seems to have done the trick and given the deck some legs as it can play aggressively then make big swing turns with goddess of the west wind. A good if a bit linear deck.
Ward Haven
A host of shields and defenders, eager to end the long war and crush their enemies under the power of their faith!
A midrange deck built around Ward Synergies. Seeing a slight decrease as other decks get more popular ahead of it that can be more aggressive since in the face of Vehicle Dragon, it can run into some issues. Still a good deck though, especially in the right hands.
Sanctuary Haven
A sanctuary for the weak and needy, for the devout and faithful. Turning healing into a weapon, it can both protect and destroy!
A control deck built around healing Synergies. Still popular it has taken a minor backseat to control haven and rally haven as they do have a bit more flash. Still, a potent deck in the right hands.
Portalcraft
In the Vertex Colony, high in orbit over a long dead world. We find Yuwan trying to hide as Lishenna has decided to start a concert to get Illgenau unnerfed and he quite frankly doesn't want to be part of it. But Lishenna and the rest of the leaders aren't taking no for an Answer so he has sought refuse in a small secluded area that no one else knows off.. along with the wafflemaker, that'll show them who's boss.
For Portalcraft Rally Portal has seemingly managed to find itself back at the top followed by Artifact Portal and Evolve Portal. Portalcraft is in a decent spot with good variety but lacking any really impactful decks.
Rally Portal
A horde of faceless puppets, their strings pulled by an unseen master. What madness will follow in their wake ?*
A midrange deck built around puppets and the rally mechanic. Making a surprising return by including parts of the vehicle package for a stronger early game. Rally Portal seems to have swung itself into the meta and even into a decent position in the most recent JCG Open with numerous variations on the deck. A solid deck that does require a bit of experience for best results.
Artifact Portal
A whirling madness of Alien machines from an unknown world, what logic dictates their actions is best left in the dark, as only madness lies down that road.
A midrange deck built around Artifacts. Still two major variations with the Bahamut Combo version seemingly more popular. A decent deck that does require some skill for the best results.
Evolve Portal
Great warriors clad in a strange and unearthly energy, what sort of pacts and deals have these men and women made to gain their power ?
A control deck built around Evolve synergies. Seeing a bit of a drop, though still somewhat popular. That said lacking the more aggressive plays of Rally Portal or Artifact portal is finding itself a bit sidelined.
Quite the report this week with even more decks being added. Deck diversity remains overall high though there's definitely a bunch of them being more fringe decks (But playable if you're willing to put the effort into them). Dragon and Shadowcraft are points of concern with Georgius and Necroimpulse being the cards i'd keep an eye out for if balance changes happens. Though that is an IF at this stage since the meta is still developing with decks still appearing. I mean haven's got a total of 6 decks technically. Lots of things could still happen to be honest and i think a lot of cards still have plenty of room for exploration. So the meta i suspect is anything but settled and there may be more surprises over the coming weeks. At most any balance changes that may really need could just be buffs to help some of the less well of classes and decks rather than nerfing strong decks.
So hope you enjoyed reading this weeks meta report as it was quite the bit of work to put together!
Until next week, have fun playing Shadowverse!

MEGATHREAD & NEWS WRAP-UP --- Nov/18/2020: \\ War in Artsakh (Karabakh) \\ Artsakh's international recognition \\ roadmap for future \\ opposition & pro-govt demonstrations \\ suspects charged over hooliganism \\ Kievyan bridge incident \\ videos \\ humanitarian aid \\ COVID & healthcare \\ more...

Your 12-minute Wednesday report in 2971 words.

November 18 timeline

Nevada's Clarke County (Las Vegas) has officially recognized the Artsakh Republic.
https://twitter.com/ANCA_Wstatus/1328753472565493761
9:37: 1700 Artsakh refugees have returned home so far. The population was around 145,000 before the war. Some 10-20% never left.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035190.html
10:09 PM Pashinyan presented the roadmap: It is time to talk about methods to overcome the current situation. I have already stated that I consider myself the number-one responsible for the situation. I am also responsible for overcoming the situation and establishing stability and security in the country.
1) Negotiations must resume in OSCE format, with the emphasis on Artsakh status and the return of Artsakh residents to their homeland.
2) Secure Artsakh residents' rights to return home. Fully restore daily life. Repair infrastructure.
3) Social aid for families of fallen soldiers.
4) Repairing infrastructure damaged in the Republic of Armenia.
5) Aid for wounded soldiers, obtaining prosthetics, educational training courses for changing professions if necessary.
6) Returning POWs and aid for their families. Clarification of the status of those who are missing, and aid for their families.
7) Rehabilitation system for those who participated in the war, and for the general public, too.
8) The beginning of reforms in the army.
9) Defeating COVID and overcoming its consequences.
10) Restoration of the environment for economic activity.
11) Activation of demographic programs.
12) Reforming electoral laws [opposition and the govt had agreed to lower the passing threshold to allow more opposition parties to enter Parliament, etc.]
13) Introduction of the Institute of Specialized Judges as the first step in establishing an anti-corruption courts. Launching the process to confiscate illegally embezzled property.
14) Conducting regular consultations with representatives of the Armenian political and civil community.
15) Consultations with diasporan institutes and individuals.
The goal is to ensure the democratic stability of Armenia and to create guarantees that nothing threatens the formation of power in Armenia through the free will of the people. For this, I'll make changes to the government team.
We will need 6 months to launch the aforementioned tasks. In June 2021, I will report to you the progress, and based on the public response, we will decide on what to do next.
Full: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035193.html
11:11: US Senator Bob Menendez called on the US government to impose sanctions on Turkey and Azerbaijan for the military aggression, and to end weapon supplies to them.
He called for a $100 million aid to Artsakh refugees.
https://youtu.be/JCh49hna7hA
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035203.html
11:42 COVID stats: +4,109 tested. +1,589 infected (down). +1,726 healed. +28 deaths. 38,082 active (down).
HealthMin Torosyan: the percentage of positive tests and the absolute numbers are declining, but the healthcare system is still under stress.
We still have 375 patients waiting for beds, 25 of whom are in serious condition. We will likely hospitalize them sometime today. A few days ago the waiting list was 800. The trend can change again with the resumption of schools.
Our main issue right now is oxygen supplies. Without it, the medication is ineffective. We'll soon receive more oxygen stations, followed by four large stations in December. We had purchased many oxygen stations during the first wave but today's large numbers, partly a result of the war, were outside of our predications.
We're negotiating over vaccines. There are agreements. They will likely arrive in mid-Spring.
We have no shortage of COVID test kits. New test labs are opening; two in the past week alone.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035206.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035232.html
11:43: earlier this year, a part of a residential apartment complex collapsed in Yerevan. The govt has issued free housing certificates to the affected residents.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035207.html
12:05: several soldiers returned from Artsakh and decided to organize a demonstration in support of PM Pashinyan. PM's office and QP party urged them to stay home and not to gather, citing the Martial Law that currently prohibits large gatherings and demonstrations.
A dozen prominent opposition figures were charged with ignoring the Martial Law and organizing demonstrations earlier. If found guilty, they are facing anywhere between a $415 fine to 2 months of jail.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035208.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035240.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035245.html , https://www.arlis.am/documentView.aspx?docid=69646 , https://news.am/arm/news/614215.html
12:27: Aznavour Foundation and the Armenian Foundation of France have launched a committee to coordinate the aid process from France. Earlier they met President Macron about humanitarian aid and Artsakh's recognition.
Links in the article: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035213.html
12:38: Parliament Speaker QP MP Ararat Mirzoyan was severely beaten by rioters on November 10th. Healthcare Minister says he will soon recover after one more surgery [which was done today].
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035215.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035236.html
12:45: German-Armenian pianist Margarit Hovhannisyan gave a solo performance to collect aid for Armenia Fund (www.HimnaDram.org). She donated $5,000 in proceeds. The German colleagues expressed support for Artsakh and Armenians.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035216.html
12:49: diasporan-Armenian singer Iveta Mukuchyan went to Artsakh's Dadivank church and performed "Sirt im sasani" (Սիրտ իմ սասանի) religious music.
Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=845836856202879
Mukushyan released a German-language video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=782524012332940
13:50: The US will donate $5 million to Red Cross and other orgs to help those who suffered from the war.
https://factor.am/311291.html
14:02: the identification of soldiers who died in battles continues. 81 more names were published, bringing the total identified to 1586. Around 800 remain unidentified. Several hundred bodies were exchanged recently. The process continues.
MoD Tonoyan: The list of missing soldiers is shrinking; many soldiers end up being discovered alive and well. We drafted a bill to aid the families of soldiers who're missing.
Update: HealthMin Torosyan: we've examined 2425 bodies. 250 of them remain unidentified.
https://youtu.be/zrXQBUJLdK0
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035225.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035249.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035288.html
14:05 Armenia Fund (Himnadram) report: hundreds of thousands have donated. The aid was provided to Artsakh and Armenia from the first day of the war.
Diesel generators, emergency vehicles, medical products, basic consumer products, heating devices, portable gas stoves, mobile fuel stations, beds, etc. were purchased during the war. Simultaneously, 100 tons of aid was coordinated.
Himnadram will help Armenia's budget to pay for social welfare, healthcare, infrastructure repair, etc. The documents are ready. Tens of thousands of Artsakh refugees were aided.
International independent auditors will examine the finances.

During a Parliamentary session, the Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan confirmed that Himnadram has transferred some of the funds for humanitarian work.
In response, former regime's HHK MP Armen Ashotyan, without evidence, claimed the money is being stolen.
[Context: The former regime is mad because they were caught stealing Himnadram's donations in 2018. After the 2018 revolution, the Pashinyan administration busted HHK's Himnadram director with stealing the funds and using them on gambling. The director confessed and returned part of the stolen money. Himnadram then underwent a complete change in administration which raised the trust towards the fund. Now the former regime is sabotaging the diaspora's donation efforts for political gain.]
More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035224.html , https://news.am/arm/news/614194.html
14:14: there are over 40 suspects charged with mass riots, attempts to forcefully seize power, and overthrowing the constitutional order, after the November 10 attack on the government buildings.
5 are arrested, 5 are told not to leave the country. 70 suspects, some of whom severely beat Parliament Speaker Mirzoyan and vandalized PM's residence, were also identified. They are on the wanted list.
Rioters who physically abused Pashinyan's spokeswoman Mane Gevorgyan, and broke into Azatutyun media outlet's office, are also wanted by police. Some were arrested.
https://youtu.be/1qA8iJ1JXmM?t=197
https://youtu.be/kSQ389vQA8U?t=3
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035226.html
14:18: Opposition LHK has its roadmap: no elections necessary, PM resigns, the ruling QP party appoints new PM, the new PM appoints ministers from various political parties. [similar to what Pashinyan did in 2018 when he appointed opposition Ministers for a brief period].
https://factor.am/311328.html
14:19: Azerbaijan earlier shot a Russian helicopter in Armenia. Two Russian pilots died and one was wounded. Armenia issued them military service medals.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035227.html
14:49: video showing more Russian peacekeepers moving to Artsakh:
https://youtu.be/o7nwWmN59d8
15:18: Italian community of Viareggio has officially recognized the Artsakh Republic.
https://factor.am/311370.html
15:55: Aurora humanitarian organization will help Artsakh residents. IDeA's first aid program will begin today. They're open to humanitarian program suggestions. Link in the article:
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035237.html
16:27: Aghdam is one of the adjacent regions that's being given/returned to Azerbaijan. Seven villages with a combined 2,000 population will be resettled elsewhere.
https://news.am/arm/news/614171.html
16:42: food prices in October YoY rose +0.6%. Consumer price index +1.3%.
https://factor.am/311385.html
16:44: the head of Military Control Service Movses Hakobyan had resigned on November 10th. It was announced today.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035242.html , https://news.am/arm/news/614169.html
17:04: will Germany follow France and ban the Turkish extremist-terrorist "Grey Wolves" organization? German Parliament will hold a discussion tomorrow. Two bills were proposed. One of them appears to be bipartisan.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035248.html
17:05 Healthcare Minister Torosyan: we need to build a new 250-bed center for wounded soldiers and their rehabilitation. We need to maximally use the existing resources; some of them require upgrades. This will cost approximately $5.2 million.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035247.html
17:09: Legatium Prosperity Index 2020 has ranked Armenia 55th in the world. That's a 23-step improvement over 2010. The strongest point was the business & investment atmosphere, with the environment being the weakest point.
Georgia 53, Armenia 55, Azerbaijan 78, Iran 120.
https://news.am/arm/news/614184.html
17:58: My Step charity foundation will double the number of wounded soldiers they help. The center will provide therapy, dental, and other services for 600 former soldiers.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035262.html
14:57: it's SNOWING in Gavar and Jermuk cities, and roads near Sevan and Aparan! Georgian roads are also snowy; the Lars transport hub with Russia is open only for large cargo trucks.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035233.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035253.html
17:38: Pashinyan was in Parliament to discuss various topics and answer questions. The opposition BHK and LHK parties boycotted and left.
Ind. MP: do you support forming a government of national accord, which could be one of the ways to find a solution out of the current situation?
Pashinyan: our task is to create an atmosphere of agreement in the country. No government can stay in power without the permission of the people. At atmosphere of agreement is not always achieved by forming [aforementioned type of govt consisted of various parties]. There is a need for agreement around two points: security and stability, and to guarantee democracy.
Ind. MP: will there be changes in the government?
Pashinyan: we are discussing it. Structural changes aren't being discussed right now.
Full: https://youtu.be/64iJuNWbk_Q
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035259.html , https://news.am/arm/news/614076.html
17:58: another video from November 4th showing battles on the outskirts of Shushi. [still believe it was "given away" without a fight? 🤔]
Hovhannes Avagyan, one of the deputy Artsakh army commanders, was killed during Shushi battles on November 7th. He received the Combat Cross medal posthumously.
https://youtu.be/yrzBbKvXFO4
https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/287858/
18:18: the 16 opposition parties resumed their demonstrations. They demand the government's and Pashinyan's resignation. The police urged them to respect the Martial Law and not to gather.
They will also hold a demonstration on Saturday and present a document, presumably their own roadmap.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035264.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035280.html
18:21 Police: body of the 27-year-old Garnik Petrosyan was found under Kievyan Bridge on November 13th. A medical examination was carried out and an investigation was launched.
The examination revealed that Petrosyan was among the rioters who broke into the govt building and caused destruction on November 10th. A felony case was launched against him and he was arrested shortly afterward.
On November 13th he was charged with multiple felony counts. The same day, at 8 pm, his 3-day detention period had expired so he was released from the police station. The same day, prosecutors asked the court to arrest him for 2 months before his trial.
Petrosyan was questioned until 9 pm. The tragic incident happened at 10:04 pm. Social media spread rumors that he was allegedly murdered and it wasn't a suicide by jumping from the bridge.
Investigation revealed a witness who was walking nearby and saw how a man grabbed a flag pole and climbed at the center of the bridge at around 10 pm. By the time the witness picked up the phone to call 911 it was too late. Immediately afterward, two other people and the witness looked down the bridge and saw the body laying on the road below the bridge.
The police arrived. The witnesses were questioned. The victim was there alone.
CCTV footages were examined. It showed how the victim went there by himself, climbed on the edge, and jumped.
It was revealed that the victim had attempted suicide in 2010 by overdosing on medications. He was registered at a special center up until 2019, where he was taking special medication. He stopped taking them in January 2019 at his own will.
[Media outlets run by the former regime, and a Telegram channel called Mediaport, had earlier circulated rumors, without evidence, that the rioter was murdered by a ruling party member Hayk Sargsyan. The latter often finds himself the target of rumors]:
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035265.html
18:22: Ara Ayvazyan is the new Foreign Minister. He is a graduate of YSU eastern studies Arabic faculty. Served in the Soviet army. Graduated from Beirut's Haykazyan college. Worked in MFA since 1995. Served as ambassador to several states in 1996-2018.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035266.html
18:56: despite being told to stay home, Pashinyan supporters gathered in front of the govt building, urging him not to resign.
"I came from Martakert outposts. I have participated in war since 1992, and so did my family members. They [former regime] should have purchased weapons instead of private islands and mansions," said one demonstrator. "By hitting the Parliament Speaker Mirzoyan you're hitting me."
PM's aide met the demonstrators and said his resignation isn't being discussed.
Pashinyan went outside to meet them and asked them to go home, "I know that there are tens of thousands of you who are ready to gather in Public Square if necessary. Thank you. I bow to all the volunteers, fallen soldiers, and their families. Go home now. If necessary, I will invite you."
The police began telling the gathered crowd to leave, citing the Martial Law.
Pashinyan goes outside: https://youtu.be/ueXhEKJhcwA
Soldiers: https://youtu.be/vgoGD89vNeA
Soldiers: https://youtu.be/KhXFjOiERY4
Soldiers: https://youtu.be/G00E049LsdY
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035268.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035271.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035279.html
18:56: Russian humanitarian envoy will help Artsakh authorities to travel around and document the damage to civilian infrastructure.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035269.html
19:01: the army published names of soldiers who committed acts of bravery during the war.
Lt. Colonel Ryurik Semyonov blew up 2 Kamaz trucks full of ammo, 2 anti-tank equipment, 3 tanks, 8 cars, 1 TR artillery unit.
Lt. Colonel Arthur Qaramyan destroyed 3 and captured another 3 tanks. He helped to save 600 soldiers from encirclement.
Private Suren Gabrielyan shot 6 armored vehicles and 2 tanks.
Lieutenant Tigran Petrosyan shot 6 tanks.
More: https://factor.am/311564.html
19:04: a soldier uploaded a video from trenches saying the army wasn't properly prepared and that the trenches have been in poor shape for 30 years. "Not deep enough to defend against explosions."
He says this Martakert position was defended during the war despite the poor condtions.
https://youtu.be/aWPzBZwk2j4
20:54: the opposition ended today's demonstration and promised to return at 2 pm on Saturday. They called for PM's resignation again. HHK Shawarmazanov said, "we won't engage in active politics if he resigns".
Opposition Arthur Vanetsyan announced plans to participate in elections if they take place now.
https://youtu.be/ZAuGcDRJ3uk
https://news.am/arm/news/614243.html , https://news.am/arm/news/614239.html , https://factor.am/311610.html
21:05: the City Council of Paris has a resolution that urges the Paris mayor to ask the French MFA to officially recognize the independence of the Artsakh Republic.
It takes into account a recent push by 15 French mayors to recognize Artsakh, Azeri-Turkish aggression and the use of hired jihadists, war crimes against Armenian civilians, destruction of 80% of infrastructure objects in Stepanakert (including schools and clinics).
Full: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035284.html
21:11: Azerbaijan's opposition National Front criticized the govt for placing Russian peacekeepers on the borders with Artsakh. They held a demonstration and chanted "Putin, leave. Turkey, come."
https://factor.am/311609.html
21:57 photos: these boys defended the borders:
https://hetq.am/hy/article/124436
Here are the tankists: https://hetq.am/hy/article/124452
22:02: the government of Armenia and Artsakh formed a joint committee to coordinate humanitarian work. 1) Social issues 2) Education 3) Healthcare 4) Business environment 5) Infrastructure repair.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035291.html
22:50: Nations League Soccer Spoiler Alert! The Armenian team defeated Northern Macedonia 1-0, after winning the match against Georgia a few days ago.
For the first time ever, the team, led by Spanish expert Joaquin Caparros, is the leader in its group.
What does this victory mean?
This tournament has four tiered Leagues: A, B, C, D. League A contains the "best" countries who compete for the champion's cup. The teams in lower leagues compete to climb up to higher leagues, with the ultimate goal of making into League A and winning the cup.
Armenia has just advanced from League C to League B.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1035292.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_UEFA_Nations_League
23:40: A1+ outlet wants to restore its TV broadcasting rights. They were suspended by the Kocharyan regime. They insisted it was politically motivated for their opposition views. The media outlet was targeted for covering the March 1st, 2008 events.
Several outlets are currently competing for public airway licenses. The winners will be known in January. The TV regulator said those with the best programming will receive the license.
https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201204
23:47: The French Senate will discuss the need to recognize the Artsakh Republic. Presidents of the five largest parties supported the idea to hold a discussion.
http://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/11/18/Ֆրանսիայի-Սենատը-որոշում-է-կայացրել-քվերակության-ներկայացնել-«ԼՂՀ-ճանաչման-անհրաժեշտության-մասին»-բանաձևի-նախագիծը/408863

You can help Artsakh & Armenia

www.1000plus.am (soldiers' medical help)
www.HimnaDram.org (for Artsakh & Armenia)
www.ArmeniaFund.org (U.S. tax-deductible)

Prior events:
Nov 17, Nov 16, Nov 15, Nov 14, Nov 13, Nov 12, Nov 11, Nov 10, Nov 9, Nov 8, Nov 7, Nov 6, Nov 5, Nov 4, Nov 3, Nov 2, Nov 1, Oct 31, Oct 30, Oct 29, Oct 28, Oct 27, Oct 26, Oct 25, Oct 24, Oct 23, Oct 22, Oct 21, Oct 20, Oct 19, Oct 18, Oct 17, Oct 16, Oct 15, Oct 14, Oct 13, Oct 12, Oct 11 , Oct 10, Oct 9 , Oct 8, Oct 7,Oct 6, Oct 5, Oct 4, Oct 3, Oct 2, Oct 1, Sep 30, Sep 29, Sep 28, Sep 27

Leaving A Child In A Car Briefly During Good Weather Isn't Wrong, And People Butting Their Nose Into Other Parent's Choices Is Just as Wrong as Child Abuse Itself Is

The True Varieties of Faith: Bretons, Part 2

Introduction

If you've read Varieties of Faith and think you know everything there is to know about the Breton pantheon, you are sorely mistaken. Ask a Breton what gods he knows, and you can keep them talking for days.
Like how there are thousands of cults in the Imperial City, High Rock is home to hundreds of wyrds, covens and religious orders. What distinguishes the official from the false religions? Popularity? A consistent narrative between temples? Fealty to the empire? No, in High Rock, it is having the means to silence everyone who says otherwise. Each of the official Temples has a Templar Knightly Order to protect its own interests and expand its influence.
Each temple is its own separate political power and much like the Breton Kingdoms, the Temples have alliances and go to war with each other.
In this volume of The True Varieties of Faith: Bretons we will be delving into the venerated Spirits of High Rock with no hand in the creation of the Mundus, but who are worshipped for their actions in life.

Arius

Arius is one of many examples of animism in Breton culture. He is the God of Fire and the Soul of the Volcano on the aptly named island Vulcanus, loved for the nutritious ash, feared for the poisonous smoke, earthquakes, and deadly lava. He is considered an ally of Mehrunes Dagon.
Temple: The Temple of Fire is built on the rim of the volcano, heated by the lava below, cleared of poison gas by the sea breeze blowing through the halls. A formidable platform, possible of Nedic origin extends from the temple above the crater from whence offering are thrown to keep Vulcanos asleep for another season. Exhaust vents blocked by massive valves of stones are controlled from within the Temple. When the valves open, burning ash descends down the hills to bless the fields below, while the lava is directed away through canals and left to harden in a large basin where mineworkers stand ready to delve the hardened crust in search of valuable minerals.
Templar Knightly Order: The Knights of Vulcanus were established to put a permanent stop to the annual sacrifice of a young child to appease Arius. When Arius was appeased no longer, the island volcano erupted and killed hundreds. The Knights remained to repair the damages and maintain order. Shortly after the eruption, mineworkers started the excavation of the exhaust vents.
Allies: Daggerfall
Enemies: The Ashblood, a native uprising who seek to free Arius of his bondage and return to the old ways.

Bandi

The Bandit God worshiped by law breakers throughout the Iliac Bay. Bandi was a band of five Khajiit brothers: an Alfiq, an Ohmes, a Suthay, a Cathay-raht and a Senche, pretending to be one powerful shape shifting Wood Elf by the name of Bandi. They extorted village and city alike for money and power. By the time their act was uncovered by a sailor who had travelled to the far shores of Bruk'ra, one of the sixteen kingdoms of the Khajiit at the time, the brothers had secured themselves a castle and subjects, and though the magic they wielded proved non-existent, the political and military power was sufficient enough to lead five long and happy lives. The five brothers are still prayed to today for guidance in the art of trickery and thievery, although their veneration is quickly fading.
Temple: The Bandi Front. At the Order's founding the temple served to rehabilitate outlaws and thieves, but they have since grown into common cutthroats, hiding behind a dead religion to make their own fortune.
Templar Knightly Order: They know themselves as the Five-Clawed Knights, but they are more commonly known as the Bandi't.
Allies: The Thieves Guild
Enemies: The Anvil of Ebonarm, Daggerfall

Daegout

The bastard of Boar and Greenskinned Demon. It only knew violence and rage and devastated the lands when the world was still young. There are two different versions of its story told throughout Bretony.
The first story goes as follows: The monster was sad and confused as it understood how fundamentally wrong its mere existence was, and the only outlet it knew was destruction. After three days of battle against an adventurer named Erudarth it grew to be too tired to fight. That's when the adventurer asked Daegout a question it had never been asked.
"Why are you so sad?"
At that opportunity to lift its heart the monster started weeping about its woes. Erudarth listened to him for a long time. Listened to its loneliness, its hatred for the world for not belonging. Erudarth told him that as long as the monster refused to hurt the men of this land the monster would have a friend in Erudarth. The monster prowled the woods of High Rock for as long as Erudarth's kingdom stood, always looking for the enemies of his king. When the first kingdom fell, so did Daegout. From its flesh the first orcs were born. Even if Daegouts children oftentimes forget their ancestral duty, sometimes they do remember. The friendship that made the Daggerfall-Covenant possible oftentimes gets compared to this story. But only by Bretons, and only when no orc is listening.
The second variant of the story is less orc-friendly: The monster was unambiguously evil. It was slain by either Erudarth, one of the first knightly orders, or a village full of enraged farmers, depending on who you ask. But even in death Daegouts spirit was so hateful that it corrupted the earth, from which the first orcs arose. The monster's wrath haunts the Bretonic and Redguard people to this day.
Temple: The Fortress of Daegout
Templar Knightly Order: The Daegout Devout. Though their stated goal is the unification of the orc and Breton people, their knights are primarily employed to rout out unwanted orc strongholds in the name of keeping the peace between the people. Their primary income comes from selling the plunder of these raids, both items and body parts, and claiming the orc mines for their Order.
Allies: The Resolution of Z’en
Enemies: Malacath

Druagaa

A shy Fae Spirit of nature responsible for blooms and flowers. She is said to be one of the first of Dibella’s Daughters and a venerated ancestor to the nymphs as well.
Temple: The Conservatory of Druagaa. Their primary export is the seeds of flowering plants known to attract faeries (Or nixads, as they are known globally), which are considered lucky when happy.
Templar Knightly Order: The Druagaa Blossom. The Druagaa Blossom protect Nymphs and are the military arm of not just their own temple, but to their allied temples without a knightly order as well.
Allies: The House of Dibella, the Temples of the other Nymph Sisters and a slew of allied Wyrds dedicated to the veneration of fae kind.
Enemies: The Seed-Grounds of Wyrdah

Dugrod

Dugrod was a dragon who opposed the expansion of the Nordic Empire into High Rock, keeping the Nordic raiders at bay for over twenty years before he was slain by four Nord tongues. The bones of Dugrod were transported by the Nedes into a cave in the region of Ykalon hidden from the Nords. The priest of Dugrod, through whom Dugrod speaks by possession, wears a cracked mask said to have belonged to Dugrod's Dragon-priest before the Dragon War. Here the ancient dragon is consulted by king and rich merchant alike for his massive wealth of knowledge, and from here he rules the temple.
Temple: The Dugrod Cult. There are fourteen dragon skeletons around the Iliac Bay, each falling under the jurisdiction of the Dugrod Cult, but Dugrod is the only dragon to partake in conversation. The temples are each build on a dragon burial.
Templar Knightly Order: The Dragon Bone Knights guard the tombs and quest for Dugrod. Rumour has it that the Dragon Bone Knights are preparing for a grand event to the east and the return of Dugrod to his flesh.
Allies: The Akatosh Chantry, The Order of the Black Worm
Enemies: None

Èdelberth

God of the holy geometry. His followers are scholars, engineers, architects, and people interested in genealogy in particular. Many believe that elven traits in humans are part of the "holy geometry". He is thought to be a pacifist version of Trinimac whose sphere is also associated with holy geometry. Mithril is his holy metal.
Temple: Èdelberth is worshiped in (as far as possible) completely symmetric hexagonal buildings called Trinomicals (singular: trinomical). At best the worshipers of Èdelberth are masters of logic and a protector order, at worst they are zealous police of rigid rules that know no pity for human weakness, and heavily racist.
Templar Knightly Order: The Order of the Angle are not dissimilar to Summurset's divine prosecution, as strict protectors of their people's bloodline and culture. Oftentimes at odds with Redguards, Nords and especially Orcs as their features are not fitting the divine geometry. Their main objective seems to be the acquisition of Mithril, which they will at times slaughter or barter for.
Allies: None
Enemies: None

King Edward

The mythical king Edward is likely a historical king who lived during the late years of the Nordic occupation of High Rock. In every story Edward is said to have been a great mage, but who tutored him varies from telling to telling. In some stories it was a snow elf or a wood elf enacting revenge on the Nords, in other stories Edward travels to Summurset to study at the Crystal Tower under ArchMagister I'ric, in another tale the young prince climbs the ranks and studies with the Direnni in their tower and yet other stories link him to the Witch-King Moraelyn or the Great Dragon Akatosh.
With help of the Horn of Summoning, the divines and various cultural heroes (some from entirely different time periods), King Edward drives out the Nords. King Edward founded the Dragon Village to shelter the dragons and the elves who had lost their home to the Nords. Many Bretons and Redguards of the iliac Bay believe the Dragon Village to be a real place hidden in the Dragontail Mountains, others think the Dragon Village is an afterlife reserved for the worthy of any race who display the same qualities in life as King Edward.
Myths also link the Dragonskin, an ability many Bretons can call upon, to a deal between Akatosh and king Edward, but critics claim the name and the subsequent myth are merely a response to Alessian influence as before the Temple of the One the Breton’s unique ability to absorb spells was thought to be a gift of Magnus.
King Edward is the paragon of a Breton king, one who cares for all his subjects no matter the race, who is well studied, chivalrous, a skilled mage and most important of all, one who has quested far and wide before ascending the throne.
Temple: The Order of the True King was born from the remnants of the Fighters Guild after its collapse in High Rock during the Oblivion Crisis. The Order of the True King provides the same services as the Fighters Guild in other provinces, but also provides many of the same services as the temples in High Rock, with the exception of dancers and summoners.
Templar Knightly Order: The Companions, named after Edward’s closest allies who also called themselves The Companions.
Allies: The Firstkings Chauteau, The Fighters Guild, The Vigilants of Stendarr
Enemies: The Trinomical of Èdelberth

Ephen

The wood elf twin brother of Phen worshiped all around the Iliac Bay as a protector spirit of nature. Ephen was the last living wood elf Silvenar in High Rock when he was executed by the Nords. His spirit is said to still roam the woods where he leads wereboars away from the houses of Bretons that pay proper reverence to the forest, but where he also leads wereboars into the settlements of Nords and those who do not respect nature. Ephen's real name has long since been forgotten and replaced by another revered elf ancestor; S'Ephen, as the early Bretons believed saying his name aloud would invite him to haunt you.
Offerings to Ephen are left in Fairy Circles, so called because the Bretons believe these circular mushroom growths spring up where the spirits of wood elves have danced. The Bretons also believe that sitting on a particular big and sturdy species of tree fungus named Ephen's Throne angers Ephen, who slowly cannibalizes those that do not repent by leaving an offering to him in the next eight days. Sometimes the corpses of particularly hated individuals are set upright on Ephen's Throne so that Ephen drags their soul into the Underwoods to be hunted by boar-faced elves for eternity.
Temple: The Wyrd of the Woods is not an actual wyrd, but an order set on the preservation of Breton culture. The Temple spends great expenses on archaeology, despite how very little remains of the wood elf and Nedic cultures of the Merethic Era.
Templar Knightly Order: The Wyrdesses of the Woods have few warriors among its ranks. Most of its numbers consists of hunters and alchemists with a deep understanding of the forest, volunteers who look for signs of wandering spirits while they are in the woodlands.
Allies: The Shelter of Galen
Enemies: The Imperial Cult

Erudarth

Erudarth was the first Breton Monarch and greatest among the mortal vassals to the gods. All the brave warriors and heroes who go out into the world to establish kingdoms measure themselves to him. He is primarily worshiped by knights, adventures, and nobles. The mythical king Edward might have been named after or inspired by him. Erudarth is portrayed as a human knight with prominent elven characteristics, clad in armour, with a crown in his hand, never on his head. Almost all statues show him in a pose as to crown someone else king/queen. Monarchs and nobles oftentimes state that they are descendants of him, put can never really prove it.
Temple: He is worshiped in a small extra house on pretty much every castle-ground. They are called Firstkings Chateau, or often just Chateau. The temple is extremely free-form and has no real hierarchy, if you grab a sword and go out into the world to make a name for yourself you can call yourself a Knight of the Foundation. Of course, noble houses often try to impose structure, but those attempts are barely ever accepted and are as short-lived as their houses. At best the worshipers of Erudarth are just rulers and noble heroes, at worst they are a bunch of good-for-nothing braggarts and tyrants.
Templar Knightly Order: Knights of the Foundation, named so because Erudarth's knightly journey was the Foundation of the first Breton kingdom.
Allies: The Order of the True King
Enemies: None

Galen

Galen is a poorly understood deity without any shrines or real temples in High Rock, but nevertheless with one of the greatest following of the Spirits of Bretony. The Druids of Galen, or the Galenic Druids, is an ethnically separate group from for example the Reachfolk, Trollkiin and Witchmen of High Rock and one of the most prevalent ethnicity among the Bretons. The Druids of Galen claim to descend from wyrds and druids of Glenumbra Moor and Glenpoint but have since given up their worship of nature. Elements persist in their modern way of life, but the spirits they once venerated are now forgotten by all but the Wyrd Covens, such as the Glendanmoril Witches or the Supernatural Dreamers, found far away from the prying eyes of civilization.
The Druids of Galen still pray to Galen or the Archdruid for guidance and wisdom in their daily life, especially in interactions with nature-magic, but they don't know whether Galen is a place, a spirit, or an ancestor. Given the deep roots in animism and ancestor worship, all of these might be true at the same time.
The Galenic Druids spread as far north-east as Stormhaven. Galenhafen was that lands original name, named after the Archdruid, believed by this off-shoot to be the mortal son Vaermina. What was originally called "Galenhafen" first became "Galehaven" and later "Stormhaven". Some scholars suggest that Galen and Valen were the Nedic names for Hircine and Y'ffre, the Gods of the Wood Elves, but there is not enough evidence to make this claim anything more than conjecture.
Temple: The Shelter of Galen is more comparable to an exclusive club than to a proper temple. Outsiders can only join the Temple through marriage, and membership is only inherited from mother to child, never father to child. The Shelters provide the same services as other temples, with the notable exception of priests, even if the head of the Temple claims the title of Arch Druid.
Templar Knightly Order: The Knights of Galen guard the temples, but their protection doesn't extend further than this. The title of knight is more an honorary title than one truly earned.
Allies: A large, ever changing number of Wyrd Covens is allied to the Shelter of Galen and have pledged their services to the Arch Druid.
Enemies: None

I'ric

I'ric Harad Egun was a powerful wizard like no other during his lifetime, aiding the mythical King Edward on various occasions, even serving in his court in the later years of Edward's life. I'ric was the Archmagister of Crystal Tower in the early to mid-First Era, but has long since been forgotten on Summerset, where powerful mages are much more commonplace. In the Iliac Bay however there are still sparse altars. This Hero-God of the Bretons is often worshiped by those Breton mages who emphasize their Breton blood.
Temple: The Order of the True Mage is dedicated to many the same cause as the much larger School of Julianos, seeking to educate all scholars. Unlike the School of Julianos, the Order of the True Mage is only dedicated to teaching the arts of magic. The first temples was built in mimicry of the Crystal Tower, but later temples merely placed a small tower decorated with pieces of glass adjacent to existing buildings.
Templar Knightly Order: I’ric’s Apprentices are renounced spellswords.
Allies: The College of Whispers, The Synod, The School of Julianos, The Order of the True King
Enemies: None

Jhim Sei

A Breton musician god, who plays an unknown instrument. Shrines are found all over the Iliac Bay, and each of his hundreds of shrines depicts him with a slightly different instrument. Jhim Sei was once a mortal musician from Yokuda, Aldmeris or Aldmora, depending on who tells the story, who spend his years composing a song so beautiful it would lift any that played it from mortality to divinity. He succeeded and left behind his music sheet, which is inscribed on every shrine. The issue is that no one knows what instrument this song should be played on. Some theorize the instrument itself was made divine itself, making it impossible for mere mortals to replicate Jhim Sei's masterpiece.
Temple: The Temple of Jhim Sei dedicates all its funding into buying different musical instruments from all over Tamriel, its historians delve deep to find any instrument not around anymore, the temple mages experiment with Tonal Magic, its musicians experiment with hymns and rhythms, throat singing and ventriloquism and the researchers are constantly inventing new musical instruments hoping to reinvent that what was lost to time.
Templar Knightly Order: The Shepards of the Tone
Allies: Kieran’s Theatre, The Greybeards
Enemies: None

Jode

Jode is worshiped all around the Iliac Bay as the goddess of Masser, also known as Mara's Tear. Breton legend holds the moons first appeared in the night sky when Lorkhan's trickery was revealed. Mara wept from the betrayal when she realized she would never see her children grow up, and from her tears was born the spirit Jode.
Temple: The Benevolence of Masser. When it is raining and Masser is full, the priests of Jode place a chalice on Her shrine to be filled with Mara's Tears. When a pregnant woman drinks from the chalice, Jode herself is said to come down from Masser to help as the invisible midwife, assuring that the baby and the mother both survive the delivery.
Templar Knightly Order: Knights of the Big Moon
Allies: The Benevolence of Mara
Enemies: None

Jone

Jone is revered all around the Iliac Bay also known as Stendarr's Sorrow. Breton legend holds the moons first appeared in the night sky when Lorkhan's trickery was revealed. Stendarr was so deeply distraught by the bloodshed and violence of the Ehlnofey War that his heart bled. The blood pooled up in his chest and Stendarr plucked it from himself as he could no longer live with the Sorrow.
In the region of Dwynned the most important court hearings are only held when Secunda is full or near full, as the Bretons of this region believe that Jone himself is present among the jury on these days. In the Alik'r desert the opposite is true: Court hearings are never held when Secunda is full, as the locals believe the jury to be too emotional on this day to speak proper justice.
Temple: The Temple of Jone
Templar Knightly Order: Knights of the Small Moon
Allies: The Temple of Stendarr, The Benevolence of Mara
Enemies: None

Kieran

Kieran is worshiped in theatres around the Iliac Bay as the god of Jesters and Poets. Kieran was the Madness-Kissed jester apostle of Dibella whom travelled from court to court to inspire kings and the populace. His wise and otherworldly performances were the beginning of an age of enlightenment for the Bretons.
Temple: Kieran’s Theatre is above all other services, a place for performance and art, blessed by Kieran.
Templar Knightly Order: The Kieran Knights are perhaps the oddest knightly order of High Rock, as they are armed exclusively with enchanted magic instruments and illusion magic, clad in plate armour and colourful robes.
Allies: The Opera House of Jephre, The Benevolence of Mara
Enemies: None

Kel

Kel is worshiped throughout the Iliac Bay as the Avenger. Kel is the family god, keeping bloodlines clean and resolving family feuds. Incest offends Kel greatly, and he curses those born of such a union. Kel often fights Molag Bal, Daegout and Sheor in his myths, almost always to stop rape from happening, but at times also to oppose an interracial marriage between a Breton and the dumb, savage and barbarically portrayed Orcs and Nords in these stories.
Temple: The Temple of Kel offers a place for anyone who has been sexually assaulted, raped or has suffered any other form of sexual assault. Family feuds are often settled on these hallowed temple grounds.
Templar Knightly Order: Knights of Kel
Allies: The Benevolence of Mara, the Anvil of Ebonarm
Enemies: None

Mai

Shrines to Mai are only found along High Rock's side of the Iliac Bay. Maia was a Nord priest of Mara when the First Empire of the Nords occupied this area. Maia filled many longhouses with orphans who had lost their parents to the Nord raiders. She raised them into great warriors, founding one of High Rock's first knightly order.
Temple: Mai’s Orphanage offers a place for all orphans to grow and study and when lukcy, be adopted.
Templar Knightly Order: The knights of Mai still exist today and are composed entirely of orphans and foundlings left at the Temple.
Allies: The Benevolence of Mara, The Temple of Kynereth
Enemies: None

Mannimarco

Mannimarco, the King of Worms, the Dark Lich and known by many other names was already a powerful mage during the Mythic Dawn before he joined the Psijic order. He surpassed all but one mage, Vanus Galeren, but was cast out for dark practices. He started his own order, the Order of the Black Worm, where he granted great necromantic power from all his followers in exchange for a portion of each of their souls. Some say Mannimarco ascending to godhood was what spurred the divines to action, leading to the Warp of the West. Mannimarco is said to have slain Numidium and filled its husk with the thousands of souls lost during The Warp in the West to ascend to godhood. He is worshiped in the Iliac Bay as the Necromancer Moon. Mannimarco is said to take possession of powerful necromancers to fight for the legacy of the dark arts.
Temple: The Order of the Black Worm is a still existing organization in this region. They devote themselves to the protection of legal practitioners of necromancy and allow this study within their temple walls. Reanimated skeletons of dogs, cats and cattle roam freely within the Order’s walls. The Order garners little respect from the populace, but they turn to the Order to reanimate their beloved pet or to seek a final audience with the recently deceased. The Order of the Black Worm have fought many legal battles and lost most of them but have nevertheless guided the mages of High Rock with clearer rules and better education of the ethical versus the unethical forms of necromancy. The undead of cattle is not allowed outside of the temples as of yet, but the Order seeks to change that and replace all beasts of burden in High Rock with the undead which require no food or sleep.
Templar Knightly Order: The Black Knights seek out any and all hedge-necromancers to bring them into the temple and educate them properly. They are renowned vampire slayers, knowing more about the undead than anyone, and are driven to give necromancy a good name and rout out all evil.
Allies: The School of Julianos
Enemies: The Black Knights are constantly at war with The Knights of the Circle and are fighting a legal battle over their name with the Anvil of Ebonarm.

Notorgo

A messenger god whose altars can be found on roads across the Iliac Bay. Notorgo is alternatively said to have been a powerful wizard, a daedra bound into service by the Direnni or a sentient crystal ball left behind by the Magne Ge. Messengers who pray to Notorgo are always able to find who they are looking for, even if they are traveling through the uncharted wilderness or delving through ancient tombs and caves no men has set foot in for decades. Looks like that's it.
Temple: The Postal Office of Notorgo offers most of the services other temples offer, including daedric summoning. Daedric summoning is even available to low ranking members of the temple, as it provides one of the fastest ways to transport a message. The fastest way is available to higher ranking members, or those with heavier coin purses, as teleportation is never cheap or reliable on long distances and thus multiple jumps are required, but this does get the message delivered to anywhere in High Rock in mere hours.
Templar Knightly Order: The Knights of Notorgo accompany paying messengers regardless of their affiliations.
Allies: None
Enemies: Vaermina (A personal feud with the Temple’s High Priest Mycha)

Numidium

God of The Warp of the West. The Miracle of Peace, as it is locally called, has been celebrated as the miraculous interventions of Stendarr, Mara, and Akatosh to transform the forty-four independent kingdoms, counties, baronies, and dukedoms surrounding the Iliac Bay into four peaceful, well-governed Imperial counties. The catastrophic destruction of landscape and life is understood to have been 'tragic, and beyond mortal comprehension.' The event took only two days, afterwards whole cities were levelled, thousands of lives lost, Gods, knightly orders and nobility were erased from existence, lakes were displaced, forests burned, and borders removed. Though no man had any memory of these two days, the Brass Titan haunted dreams and visions of the survivors. These rumours were for decades silenced by The Crusaders and The Order of the Hour but were fed by rumours that the nobility of the Iliac Bay knew ahead of time about a powerful artifact being activated, and massive cogs, springs and other objects having been found all over the Iliac Bay.
The new consensus is that Stendarr, Mara and Akatosh raised Numidium from the Iliac Bay, where it had fallen by the hands of Zurin Arctus, to set the Miracle of Peace in motion. He is revered at the many deep scars in the landscape and monuments to the fallen.
Temple: The Memorial of the Warp can be found at many scars in the landscape left by the Miracle of Peace. Here the thousands of dead are remembered.
Templar Knightly Order: The Knights of Peace
Allies: The Benevolence of Mara, the Temple of Stendarr, the Akatosh Chantry
Enemies: None

Phen

The wood elf twin sister of Ephen worshiped all around the Iliac Bay as a protector spirit of nature. Phen was the last living Spinner in High Rock when she was slain by the Nords. Phen does not have temples of shrines, but "Shelters" made from gathered dead wood. These Shelters are homes for the thousands of wandering wood elf spirits whose own homes were destroyed or burned by the invading Nords. Phen's real name has long since been forgotten and replaced by another revered elf ancestor; S'Ephen, as the early Bretons believed saying her name aloud would invite her to haunt you.
Her spirit is said to still roam the woods where she leads lost children to her Shelter if they pay proper reverence to the forest. She has a deep grudge against the Nords whom she turns into werewolves if they enter the woods carrying arms.
Temple: The Wyrd of the Woods is not an actual wyrd, but an order set on the preservation of Breton culture. The Temple spends great expenses on archaeology, despite how very little remains of the Wood Elf and Nedic cultures found in High Rock in the Merethic Era.
Templar Knightly Order: The Wyrdesses of the Woods have few warriors among its ranks. Most of its numbers consists of hunters and alchemists with a deep understanding of the forest, volunteers who look for signs of wandering spirits while they are in the woodlands and pass by Phen’s Shelters when they have the chance.
Allies: The Shelter of Galen
Enemies: The Imperial Cult

Q'Olwen

Q'Olwen is a powerful Spider Daedra who ruled as a suzerain and later king over the region between Ykalon and Daenia for hundreds of years after the Direnni Hegemony collapsed. When at last this cruel daedra, who demanded a weekly human sacrifice from its subjects, was send back to Oblivion, it immediately started to plot revenge. During the Oblivion Crisis it made its move, building a shrine where she could summon herself back to Nirn at will. After the Oblivion Crisis she lingered until again she was defeated by a large group of mercenaries. These mercenaries founded a knightly order, the Order of Q'Olwen's Demise. Each year on her summoning day, the twelfth of Evening Star, Q'Olwen returns at her self-made shrine.
Temple: Surrounding the shrine is a large adamantium cage enchanted with wards so that no magic nor daedra may leave the shrine, with a heavily fortified entrance. This knightly order lives primarily off donations but have also made a lucrative arrangement with the court mages of the kingdom of Camlorn who use Q’Olwen’s annual corpse for their own experiments.
Templar Knightly Order: The Order of Q'Olwen's Demise. Initiates must do battle with Q'Olwen to be knighted, but the main method of slaying the beast is to simply pelt it with crossbow bolts from safely outside the cage.
Allies: The Kingdom of Camlorn
Enemies: Q’Olwen

The Sage

The Sage is a wizard who has discovered the secret to immortality by experimenting on himself. He does not know which of his thousands of experiments lead to his immortality, however. He lives in a magical fortress in the Kurallian Mountains hidden from all but the worthy mages who require his help, and he always provides.
Temple: The Solitude of the Sage is devoted to directing mages to The Sage’s fortress and to aiding him when he wanders the land as he often does. Every temple has a large garden filled with the dozens of herbs used in the cure for ageing. They perform large scale experiments, using a thousand women and a thousand men from all ethnicities, birth signs, age, and backgrounds for each of these experiments. Each experiment attempts a different combination of herbs, different preparations, different times of the year, etc. Thus far without succeeding in reaching full immortality, but they have succeeded in finding a potion that will allow anyone who drinks it to grow two decades older, which has since become one of the main exports of the temple.
Templar Knightly Order: The immortals. Contrary to their name, they are not immortal, but they are incredibly capable mages.
Allies: The School of Julianos
Enemies: The Order of Arkay

Sai

God of Luck, known to his followers as Lucky. Lucky was a mortal who discovered that he brought luck to those around him, but never himself. He became a soldier and died during his first fight, but all the other soldiers miraculously survived, and the war was won. Ebonarm, Mara or Stendarr, depending on the telling, visited him, and offered him the choice: Live forever as a God and spread your luck to others, or die without responsibility. Sai, afraid of death, took the godhood. Sai fell in love with a Nord woman however, and he moved in with her. His luck spread to the Nords and the Nords only, and they prospered. They slew the ice elves all over Skyrim and the wood elves in High Rock and their borders kept growing until the Empire of the Nords span all of northern Tamriel.
Because Sai had been shirking his duties he was stripped of his physical form by Mara, Ebonarm or Stendarr depending on who tells the tale, so that he could not be tempted to linger and start a family, and he was forced to leave the Nords for a couple hundreds of years. It would be another two hundred years before the Nordic Empire fell, but Sai's luck was now shared with all the races.
Temple: The Temple of Luck gives blessings to the unlucky and is a shelter for all who had relied too heavy on Lucky’s Blessing and who he thus had abandoned. For all the gamblers who had win after win but are now out of gold to spend the Temple has a meal.
Templar Knightly Order: The Saian Order is devoted to the eradication of illegal gambling, as well as locating and protecting unicorns.
Allies: The Benevolence of Mara, The Anvil of Ebonarm, the Temple of Stendarr
Enemies: Sanguine

S'Ephen

Also called Ephen, S'Ephen was a Chimer noble during the Nordic Empire's expansion into Morrowind. When he was eventually slain, his half-brother Moraelyn established a temple cult in his memory. Statues of S'Ephen depict him wielding a hammer, atop of an anvil of adamantium. This hammer and anvil are both artifacts associated with him, but their location has long since been lost to time. When combined, the wielder is said to be able to manufacture anything with only a few strikes of the hammer on the anvil. Other artifacts associated with S'Ephen are the legendary Horn of Summoning, which was placed in his tomb by Moraelyn, and the Staff of Chaos which was placed in his tomb by General Symmachus when Tiber Septim took the Horn of Summoning for himself. The Staff was later also taken out of the grave by Jagar Tharn.
Temple: The Temple of S’Ephen
Templar Knightly Order: The Knights of S’Ephen are dedicated to finding the artifacts entrusted into S’Ephen’s protection and restoring them to him.
Allies: The Order of the True King
Enemies: None

Shandar

God of War-Magic imported by the Nedic tribes of Hammerfell when they fled from the Ra Gada to the Iliac Bay in the ninth century of the First Era. Scholars theorize that Shandar is a demonized version of Shalidor introduced to the region by the Dwarves who had fought this powerful Nord Arch Mage in the Rourken-Shalidor War during their exile from Resdayn to Volenfell. They had thought themselves victorious and expanded their territory and established trade routes with the Bretons. But Shandar had cursed them during their war, as the dwarves could no longer bear no children of the elven blood. Instead the children came out green and ugly and were cast out of the cities. When the Ra Gada came to the shores three centuries later, the once grand dwarven cities were buried under the dunes and infested with goblins and dunerippers. Shandar is said to be present wherever man uses magic against unclean creatures like orcs and automatons.
Temple: The Temple of Shandar. Shandar haunts the halls in the cursed dwarven ruins of Hammerfell. For a fee, the Temple’s blessings will protect any delving into the dwarven ruins or lift curses from items excavated from these sites.
Templar Knightly Order: The Shandar Knights are skilled mages armed with staffs and enchanted swords.
Allies: The Anvil of Ebonarm
Enemies: None

Talos

Talos, Tiber Septim, God emperor. Tiber Septim the man was never quite a popular spirit to the Bretons. Born an Alcarian, Tiber Septim was renowned as the general who freed the Nords of the Reachfolk, subsequently pushing them further into High Rock. When general Septim defeated the joined Nord and Breton forces on the cliffs of Sancre Tor, the Nords joined his side, but men of Bretony stood true, even when thrown into the bondage of slavery by the snake-tongued general. It is perhaps because of the Breton hatred for Tiber the Man that Talos the God is so beloved, for the end, a unified and prosperous Tamriel protected from Above, justifies the means.
In contrast to Tiber Septim, the God Talos has been revered by the Bretons bordering Skyrim for centuries. His veneration has crept into the Iliac bay since the last century and a half or so, spearheaded by the celebration of Tibedetha, or Talos Day in modern Tamrielic. A day of celebrating the empire above all, a religious event second, the holiday was taken from the region of Alcaire and spread all over High Rock by the Imperial Cult to appeal to locals, with success.
Temple: The Temple of Talos is a rogue temple, an offshoot of the Imperial Cult that wretched itself free by blood and by steel. The imperial forts converted to temples by the imperial cult have been reverted to fully operational bastions.
Templar Knightly Order: The Resistance as they are called are a renegade order dedicated to the protection of shrines of Talos and of his followers, hunting down Thalmor justiciars and freeing all who have been imprisoned for worshipping the Emperor God.
Allies: Letters and messengers between the Stormcloaks and the Resistance have been intercept, but not enough information has been intercepted to draw conclusions yet. Perhaps the Temple is lying in wait to see who will emerge victorious in the Skyrim Civil War before they choose to throw in their lot.
Enemies: The Imperial Cult is the official enemy of the Temple of Talos, acting in the emperor’s stead to secure Thalmor interest. They have been suspiciously unsuccessful in this.

Vigryl

Also known as Vir Jil to the Bretons wanting to emphasize their elven heritage, Vigryl is the God of the Sea worshiped over the entire Iliac Bay coastline. Depending on the story he was either a Direnni captain who taught the early Bretons to navigate by the stars, or he placed the stars in the sky himself. Some myths say he even wrestled his knowledge of the stars out of the God of the Deep Sea and Deep Knowledge Hermeus Mora himself, but others say this is merely allegorical.
Temple: Vigryl’s Harbour
Templar Knightly Order: Vigryl’s Vigilant Sailors
Allies: The Magnus Orrery
Enemies: Hermeus Mora

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GA Casino Gambling Laws Are Casino Games Legal? Georgia Casinos Georgia Poker Laws. Where some states leave room in their legislation open for “games of skill” over games of chance, Georgia does not. While certain states may authorize legal poker rooms on the basis of poker being determined a game of skill, the Georgia legislation Gambling Laws in Georgia. There are only three legalized forms of gambling in Georgia, making it one of the most restrictive states after Hawaii and Utah.The first thing to be allowed was bingo, which was legalized for non-profit organizations in 1978 and has remained popular to this day. ARTICLE 2 - GAMBLING AND RELATED OFFENSES PART 1 - GAMBLING § 16-12-22 - Commercial gambling O.C.G.A. 16-12-22 (2010) 16-12-22. Commercial gambling (a) A person commits the offense of commercial gambling when he intentionally does any of the following acts: (1) Operates or participates in the earnings of a gambling place; A House panel on Monday again approved legislation that would ask Georgia voters whether the state should expand legal gambling to include casinos, horse racing and sports betting. Gambling and state lotteries have always been controversial topics in many states. On one hand, both institutions provide a sizable chunk of revenue for state coffers without raising general consumer taxes. However, there are often fears of corruption with casinos and the problems that come with gambling addictions. Georgia's gambling laws are quite strict and don't allow any kind of casinos An Overview of Gambling Laws in the State Of Georgia. Georgia is not a gambling-friendly State – in fact on a scale of restrictions and punishments for those organizing the games, this State sits just behind Utah and Hawaii in the ‘Least Gambling-Friendly State’ league. Residents do have a lottery, and can gamble on charity bingo games or even enter poker leagues with no player buy-ins. In August of 2013, at the request of the Governor and the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the GBI created a Commercial Gambling Unit (CGU). The CGU is tasked with enforcing Georgia’s commercial gambling laws as they relate to the Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM) seen in convenience stores and other businesses around the state. Georgia gambling laws are relatively strict, as they prohibit wagering on horse or dog races, or casinos of any kind. In fact, the only kind of gambling explicitly allowed in Georgia are raffles for charitable organizations. The state's gambling statute also specifically bans dogfighting, chain letters, and pyramid clubs. Lawmakers never legalized and regulated online casinos, but real money players can join offshore online casinos without being prosecuted. This confuses many potential gamblers. Georgia prosecutes operators of online casinos, but those operators must host their servers in Georgia for the law to have any teeth. Georgia gambling laws make most betting and gambling illegal. Residents may not possess slots or video poker machines. Home poker games are legal but only if a rake is not taken from the pot or an entry fee demanded. Poker tournaments that offer prizes may not have a buy-in. Bingo is only permitted for charities that register with the state.

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Georgia House panel approves bill allowing sports betting ...

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