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1:15 AM
@bobble hehe nice
 
1:33 AM
@bobble :D
@Dmihawk If it helps, my two cents would be that there is no "wrong" way to play D&D. As long as everyone is having fun, you've set some ground rules and comfortable space to play, and you have a positive environment where everyone feels safe, you will have a great time.
Having fun is more important than playing it the "right" way or min-maxing or etc. :)
 
but... but... BPD... there only exists 'right' and 'wrong'
I hear your point though, for me the challenge is putting it into practice
 
My real-life Monday group went through a period of struggling to find the right balance, as some players came from early editions and were used to building super-powerful characters to "beat" the game or "win." But modern D&D is more about the fun, the roleplaying, and spending time together than "winning," generally (or at least i think it should be that way)
Obviously your group may vary, but in general - build the character you wanna build, have a nice time, don't sweat :)
 
nice perspective, thanks 'borg :)
 
As one further note, because i tell this to everybody playing D&D nowadays - a very good thing to do is to have a "session zero" where everybody meets to talk through their character ideas, figure out what everybody wants from the game, and set expectations. Like the tone, the subjects you want to avoid, and etc. Making sure everybody is comfortable is really important.
 
Sat 3 June
0900 - 1130 Session 0
1130 - 1230 Lunch
1230 - 1630 Session 1
:D
 
1:40 AM
Perfect :D
You'll have to forgive borg's mandatory "PSA About Remembering Your Comfort And Boundaries Are Important", i wasn't sure how far in you were session-wise :p
 
we are yet to start, but I will represent your PSA to the group!
 
<3
i anticipate future kiwi updates about how the campaign is going!
 
CCCC: Knucklehead suitors are indebted, we hear (4)
 
there will be updates! in the future! from a kiwi!
 
:D
 
1:52 AM
'we hear' is usually a homophone indicator, right?
 
yup, but it could be misleadingly obvious, knowing jafe
if "knucklehead" is the def there are lots of good four-letter words..... FOOL, DOLT, DOPE, TWIT, etc.
 
'hawk' :P
 
or perhaps "borg" :p
 
'kiwi'
'jafe'
 
clearly the answer is MICK, the wordplay is just to throw you off
 
1:59 AM
Bond ("Bond. James Bond") is a knuckleheaded suitor, someone indebted is "bound", and "we hear" means to remove U because we here are not you, we're just hearing about you - homophone! #GreatC4Solutions
 
of course! how could we have missed it
 
Ignore that that ignored "suitors" being plural, shh
 
indebted would be "to owe", which sounds like 'o'?
 
Or... there have been multiple Bond actors, and they were all knuckleheaded suitors! It fits!!
 
shrugs
 
2:03 AM
"indebted" = "to owe" might be iffy due to tense, but i'm not sure - it could also be just the adjective?
 
"owed" works fine
 
it is interesting to note that "are" sounds like "r", though....
 
suitors = "he" + "r" + "o" = HERO, ah! CCCC solved :)
thanks for playing
 
wha?? :p
 
I'm just being silly, combination of weirdly good mood and overly tired
 
2:07 AM
1
Q: A Cryptic Book Cliche

X StantonThere is a strange bookcase at the end of a chapel's corridor that is pitch black, save for a few lanterns lighting the way. As you approach the bookcase, you notice six conspicuous books with unique colors. These unique colors being: red, purple, white, gold, blue, and green. A note is laying in...

 
no worries, we're in #GreatC4Solutions territory :p
obviously we've gotten the best possible answers
 
2:32 AM
@Jafe We have 2 answers above :P
 
that's great
 
2:57 AM
-1
Q: When covid end from now at world?

King StoneHow long the covid from now? From where, i can detect that ?

 
3:13 AM
@Jafe "beaux owe" = BOZO. Nice clue. :-)
 
thanks! that is correct
 
0
Q: Stuck in History #1

X StantonA crowd blocks my view of the important one As a loud sound tells me that man is done A mysterious lady stands by in pictures taken Then is never seen again like a strip of cooked bacon So somehow I feel that as the decades go on Some supposed CIA agents may go on the run What historical event is...

 
3:35 AM
oh, so it indeed was a homophone
 
CCCC: Accessory (often of a plane or a train car) has knucklehead at odds with mother, at first (12)
2
 
msh on the offensive with returning clue parts :)
 
Well, I like that word, "knucklehead". :-)
 
Should I take offense? ;p
 
4:26 AM
@Graylocke heheh no
 
 
2 hours later…
6:16 AM
0
Q: Bread is bread but

Nilay GhoshBread is bread but what bread you can't eat? Bridges are bridges but what bridge doesn't connect two landmasses? Paper is paper but what paper you can't write on? Candies are candies but what candy you can't eat?

 
 
4 hours later…
10:15 AM
Darn, I just noticed the puzzle answer now and I love how there was an ulterior motive behind some of those CCCC's of yours @Stiv :P
 
10:37 AM
@Graylocke only if you're at odds at first
I might prematurely bow out of this, as it looks like counting odd letters
in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Jun 7 at 16:53, by AncientSwordRage
@Randal'Thor counting is not one of my strong points
 
might be an anagram as well. As for odd letters, I'm never sure if it means 0-indexed or 1-indexed...
 
1-index is the most natural, dontfightme
 
11:17 AM
hmmm, the odd letters of knucklehead spells "kukeed", which sounds like "cookied"
I love cookies <3
probably irrelevant to the C4 but puts a smile on my face :)
 
what kind of plane?
 
12:04 PM
1
Q: A Standard English Daily Routine

Dannyu NDos At 10:30, I shear some fleece. At 13:30, I grow a foot. At 16:00, I strut. At 16:30, I look at my palm. At 19:30, I set a trap. What am I? My first riddle involving lateral thinking, enjoy!

 
12:30 PM
@AncientSwordRage
If the accessory is both “of a plane or a train car”, they probably both refer to the means of transport right?
Edit: (to make it clearer) If the accessory is both “of a plane or a train car”, then probably both the plane and the train car refer to the means of transport right? (Unless train cars can also contain parts of a hand plane)
 
@JerryDean that's what they want you to think! 👀
 
Ahh, ok...
 
1:00 PM
@oAlt Haha! Thanks :) Those were actually my first 16 CCCC's. I did GASTROINTESTINAL as my first one, purely to rock out a long word, and then the idea hit me after that one and the plan gradually came together - just in time for Easter!
 
1:15 PM
:DD
(is anyone willing to lend an ear (eye?) for my concerns regarding a few of the clues in my own crossword? (will use OTS))
 
1:37 PM
@JerryDean otherwise it could be aeroplane/airplane etc
 
0
Q: Largest rectangle from 20 Lego bricks

Dmitry KamenetskyYou have twenty 2x4 Lego bricks, like the one shown below What is the area of the largest rectangle you can make satisfying the following conditions: All bricks must be connected in a single structure that holds together when lifted. The bottom layer of the structure must form the rectangle tha...

 
2:08 PM
0
Q: An Altered List II

WoomyRogueYep, this is a series now. The following list of items has been altered. They all use some form of wordplay originating from the item, with some being very literal and straightforward, while others are obscure and challenging. You need not solve all of the items (but congrats if you do!), the ans...

 
2:36 PM
@AncientSwordRage Fair point.
 
These CC/CCCCs look interesting and I'm reading up on them to figure out what they are and maybe creating some but I'm confused on a few things, mostly about modifier rules. Should I write up a post with Qs or just put them here since the enthusiasts are gathered?
 
you can just post here :D
 
2:53 PM
Completely disregarding the splitter and definition part of a CC, and just focusing on a modifier substring, usually a modifier modifies itself. e.g. WAS FIRST could clue W (I am assuming)
But can it include itself? (IS FIRST > IF)
Can it clue both adjacent words or even them plus itself? (IS FIRST AND > IA or IFA)
 
@Amoz (for this, that is correct cuz "first" can be a noun meaning "first in a series")
@Amoz for this, nope. an indicator should not act on itself
(and the other case where it clues both adjacent words excluding itself is also not allowed)
 
So the modifier should only work one direction? But it can go any number of words, right? SHE WAS FIRST YET > SW, but not SWY?
Can a definition be it's own modifier? (ignoring the awfulness of the clue, this is a random forced example) - FRONT FRANK IS REALLY STARTING THIS -> F I R S T, defines front
 
Not if you're going for strict adherence to rules. More liberal setters might allow it, but there really is supposed to be a strict division between def and wordplay
 
@Amoz first question, yes, just like how the indicator would normally work in a normal sentence. Second question also yes. However, for the example you provided you would only clue W from "first". If you want SW, "first" should be changed to "firsts" or "firstly" in this case
 
(thanks!) So definition = modifier should be avoided, but I might encounter it, whereas the earlier examples I would be able to immediately rule out?
 
3:06 PM
Yea
 
Hopefully you're not tired of my Q's yet, I have one more main Q on modifiers; is it good/bad/neutral to use a word that is obviously a modifier but treat it like it is not? Example: AT LAST SHE WAS FIRST (firstly I guess now) would clue "T SW".... but can I have the answer as "A L S W" (firstly modifies AT LAST as well)
 
allowed, though it may make the clue more difficult. you're not banned from using a word that looks like an indicator as a non-indicator
 
Is that considered mean or clever?
 
Depends, though I can't think of specific cases at the moment
 
It's perfectly legal, if maybe tricky to see. I'd lean towards clever because mean seems to imply unfairness.
 
3:14 PM
Thanks! My other Q was on the splitter. Other than the exceptions noted in the CC guide, I am assuming that the definition in general MUST be split from the wordplay? e.g. Firstly cute animal tabby cannot clue 'cat' because I used the T from tabby, the definition?
 
Sid
Yes.
 
That's a bit like the &lit clues, I guess?
 
In an &lit, the entire clue is the def, and the entire clue is also the wordplay
 
Sid
&lits are exceptions to the "definition separate from wordplay" rule
 
Well let's say I'd said Firstly come and tabby, &lit was an exception yes
 
3:16 PM
You can either have no overlap or complete overlap, but not partial overlap
 
Ahh I see
 
(again making up really awful nonsense here, to force examples : )
 
Sid
&lits are rather difficult to clue actually
 
I think I've made three ever
 
@bobble It's ok. In the end, I'm more responsible for my more frustrations than any other person.
 
3:37 PM
Now I know why people had so much trouble with 'start buttons exist' = BE in should you take the pill. Wasn't intended to be a true cryptic but it looked like one. So if I am following this correctly, it should have been something like "Exist starting buttons everywhere" ?
 
"starting X" doesn't quite make sense grammatically, but "start[s] of buttons everywhere" would work
 
So 'Starts of buttons everywhere exist'? (I assume BE needs a definition). I can see how creating good clues is hard, this gets uglier as the rules get applied, unless care is taken
 
yep, that's good! (and you're right that I was just talking about wordplay, not definition)
yeah, good cryptic clues are hard to write - there's a lot of juggling with synonyms and grammar to get things to "fit together" nicely
as a first shot in improving the surface, i'd probably change it to something like "Live in western parts of Babylonian empire (2)"
 
Sid
"Exist in the beginning of British Empire" (2) ?
 
@Sid "beginnings" would be better
… imo
Also, for the sake of the surface reading, because you (of necessity) omit the second "the", you may wanna omit the first one, too.
 
3:52 PM
right - i started with something along those lines, and then thought "live" worked better than "exist", and then that "western parts" sounded better than "beginnings"
 
4:06 PM
Um.. Does anyone have any ideas on how to approach the CCCC? I'm at a complete loss...
 
I'm stuck too
Probably a synonym of knucklehead then take the odd numbered letters of it, inside something that's a type of car/synonym for a car
But a bit tiring to try out all the possibilities
Also not sure if that's the right way to approach it
 
4:55 PM
1
Q: Cyclic squaring

A. P.Find a complex number $a$, which satisfies the following conditions: If you square $a$, you get a different complex number $b$. If you square $b$, you get a complex number $c$, which is different from $a$ and $b$. If you square $c$, you get $a$. It turns out that there is more than one solution...

For this question I know it is from FiveThirtyEight's Riddler column but that source is not given in the body. I have added it as a comment, and answered. Is that OK?
*knew it was from 538, instantly
 
0
Q: Stuck in History #2

X StantonWe have been living a normal life for a while Searching for necessities at every mile But with the spread of a new invention A more calm life springs into action What historical event is this alluding to? (I hope this is better than the first)

1
Q: Cyclic squaring

A. P.Find a complex number $a$, which satisfies the following conditions: If you square $a$, you get a different complex number $b$. If you square $b$, you get a complex number $c$, which is different from $a$ and $b$. If you square $c$, you get $a$. It turns out that there is more than one solution...

0
Q: Fire and Vengeance

Parcly Taxel"Daring" Ashe surveyed the towering structures and stagnant open spaces of the Temple of the Giraffes, licking her lips. On a previous expedition she'd sneaked away a bejewelled treasure, still glistening after centuries, of the ancient civilisation that once thrived here – but of course one trip...

 
5:40 PM
0
Q: At what point should a difficult puzzle be answered by the author, if at all?

WhipStreak23Possibly an unnecessary question, but curiosity got the best of me. My question hasn't been answered for almost 2 weeks. I'm a bit impatient and I'm waiting for someone to answer it so I can work on the next part of the puzzle. This sparked a question, not exactly for this puzzle, but in general....

 
5:52 PM
Here is an example question on MSE
-2
Q: Is this trigonometry problem solvable?

NewMathGuyRomeo is laying on the grass between two sycamore trees dreaming about Rosaline. The sycamore trees are 100m apart and the angle of elevation from Romeo to the top of one tree is 18⁰ and to the other tree is 13⁰. How much taller is one tree than the other? How far from each tree is Romeo?

I like PSE. Much more flavourful
 
Wait a sec
THAT'S MY QUESTION
 
which one?
 
the meta question? yes, there's a feed of new questions here
 
oh, Sphinx also covers meta posts too
(On my most recent puzzle, yes, the British flag is upside-down for a reason; not a mistake)
 
What is sphinx?
Like a bot?
 
5:57 PM
yeah Sphinx is a bot. I often wait for it to show my puzzles here
 
Yes, Sphinx is a bot (technically, it's an RSS feed) that posts new questions on the site to chat. There's also a Puzzling Meta feed that does the same for meta questions.
 
Wow, nice.
I learnt something today.
 
By the way, there is a Sphinx in MLPFIM
 
6:40 PM
0
Q: Pythonic Purity Puzzle

CollisteruYou are looking for a ten-letter word. The antique style is meaningless. Pay attention only to the text.

 
7:05 PM
0
Q: Puzzle on a Rubik's Cube

TheBestMagicianThe puzzle is as follows: Consider a solved Rubik's cube. Apply the move sequence M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2 (Commonly known as the H-permutation in the cubing community). Is it possible to solve the cube using only double-moves (when you do a move, you must repeat that move)? I suspect the answer is no...

 
 
1 hour later…
8:19 PM
0
Q: The Alien Survey

Ichthys KingYou have decided to complete a survey of the biodiversity of a small island on an alien planet. Due to their neglect of biological studies, they have only a simple set of classes that their animals are divided into. These classes are: the mill-jaws, which are distinguished by their beaks and mola...

 
8:59 PM
I have about 0 idea what is going on here, so, I ask other minds. What is the question asking? Are its tags appropriate? Should it be closed as ?
14
Q: Interaction of the three kinds

Glinka There're three kinds of it. Any two of the same kind will give you that same kind. Any two of the different kinds will give you the remaining kind. What is it? I don't know the answer. I'm trying to find a real-world embodiment for this concept. Since there was a lot of misunderstanding I'...

 
it seems fine to me - it's a question about puzzle creation, not an open-ended puzzle
 
So doesn't apply?
 
sure
i mean, it does apply, it's just that it's not an open-ended puzzle
because it is not a puzzle
https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/48063/can-political-debates-really-work
it's basically asking "is there some reasonable real-world thing that gives a structure like the one that this puzzle sets up"
 
Does apply?
 
i don't think so
 
 
2 hours later…
10:49 PM
0
Q: What is this group?

Ichthys KingThe chameleon and sphinx are examples of this. So are the birds and the bee's larder, if you are generous

 

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