Fate Calculation Experts


Book Description

Having long been stigmatized as an immoral and even illegal “superstition”, the popular practice of divination is experiencing a revival in contemporary China. Fate Calculation Experts explores how diviners attempt to achieve legitimation in a society which identifies strongly with modernity, science, and rationality. As well as associating with modern knowledge production systems, diviners build a positive social image for their occupation via claims to moral authority and appeals to “tradition”. Beyond matters of image management, diviners’ efforts towards legitimation also figure in the social relationships and fundamental cultural values they develop in their practice.




Fate


Book Description

Grab your plasma rifles, spell components, and jetpacks! Name your game; Fate Core is the foundation that can make it happen. Fate Core is a flexible system that can support whatever worlds you dream up. Have you always wanted to play a post-apocalyptic spaghetti western with tentacle monsters? Swords and sorcery in space? Wish there was a game based on your favorite series of books, film, or television, but it never happened? Fate Core is your answer. Fate Core is a tabletop roleplaying game about proactive, capable people who lead dramatic lives. The type of drama they experience is up to you. But wherever they go, you can expect a fun storytelling experience full of twists...of fate. GAME INFORMATION Number of players: 3-6 Age of players: 12+ Length: 2-8 hours Type of Game: Roleplaying Game Languages Available: English Suggested Retail: $25.00 Game Designers: Leonard Balsera, Brian Engard, Jeremy Keller, Ryan Macklin, Mike Olson




Tempting Fate


Book Description

Unpacking of the dynamics of conflict under conditions of nuclear monopoly, Paul C. Avey argues in Tempting Fate that the costs and benefits of using nuclear weapons create openings that weak nonnuclear actors can exploit. Avey uses four case studies to show the key strategies available to nonnuclear states: Iraqi decision-making under Saddam Hussein in confrontations with the United States; Egyptian leaders' thinking about the Israeli nuclear arsenal during wars in 1969–70 and 1973; Chinese confrontations with the United States in 1950, 1954, and 1958; and a dispute that never escalated to war, the Soviet-United States tensions between 1946 and 1948 that culminated in the Berlin Blockade. Strategies employed include limiting the scope of the conflict, holding chemical and biological weapons in reserve, seeking outside support, and leveraging international non-use norms. Avey demonstrates clearly that nuclear weapons cast a definite but limited shadow, and while the world continues to face various nuclear challenges, understanding conflict in nuclear monopoly will remain a pressing concern for analysts and policymakers. Thanks to generous funding from Virginia Tech and its participation in TOME, the ebook editions of this book are available as Open Access volumes, available from Cornell Open (cornellpress.cornell.edu/cornell-open) and other repositories.




Fate's Tale


Book Description

On an adventure and romantic vacation to Spain with her long-time boyfriend, Carlos, Amelia stumbles upon a mysterious seller in a marketplace selling an alluring music box. As its lullaby sings to her, Amelia’s entire world is thrown into chaos, struggling with visions and forces beyond her control. Upon their return home, Carlos encourages Amelia to attend therapy, which works at easing her trauma, until it doesn’t. As the vision, the Messenger, grows in strength, so does Amelia’s insistence that there is more to it than meets the eye. Carlos, at a complete loss, leaves Amelia to work things out for himself, and heartbroken Amelia, after the attack and murder of her best friend by the Messenger, returns to Spain to uncover the truth behind the entity’s malevolent force in her life and to take it out. For good. About the Author R. O. Lando, an EMT, has always loved writing, and with the encouragement of his loving partner Olivia, motivation from his younger siblings, and the support of his mother, he has produced his first novel, Fate’s Tale: A Dance of Death. When not working or writing, Lando enjoys being at home with his dog, Luke, and cat, Oliver. He likes to spend his free time fishing and sitting by the water with his friends.




The New World


Book Description




Fate's Foe Collection


Book Description

Embark on an Epic Journey with the Fate's Foe Collection: A Trilogy of Adventure, Magic, and Destiny Dive into the enthralling world of Mundial with the Fate's Foe Collection, a captivating three-book series that weaves a tale of courage, magic, and the battle against dark forces. This collection includes "Mathen's Flight," "Destiny's Voice," and "Fate's Forge," each book drawing you deeper into a realm where fate and free will clash in an epic struggle for survival. In "Mathen's Flight," author Marc Van Pelt weaves an enthralling tale of magic, courage, and unexpected kinship. The story follows Mathen Cutter, a seasoned and perceptive Necromian, as he navigates through a labyrinth of dangers and deceptions to protect an orphaned boy named Jas. After a chance encounter with Mathen, young pickpocket Jas finds himself caught in a web of intrigue involving corrupt officials, human trafficking, and a desperate struggle for justice. Mathen's deep-seated sense of honor compels him to dismantle the nefarious operations of the town judge and sheriff, risking his own life in the process. As Mathen and Jas forge an unlikely bond, their journey becomes one of mutual growth and resilience, highlighting themes of redemption and the power of chosen family. Destiney's Voice Jas Cutter, a young boy burdened with a destiny that could reshape or shatter the world, stands at the crossroads of light and darkness. Haunted by cryptic prophecies and pursued by sinister forces, he must navigate a treacherous path where every choice could lead to salvation or destruction. As ancient gods and powerful beings vie for control over his fate, Jas is thrust into a battle that transcends time and reality. In a world where the balance between good and evil hangs by a thread, Jas's journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. With his loyal friends by his side, including the enigmatic elvish woman Alix and the mysterious boy Coleton, Jas must confront his deepest fears and the darkness within himself. Guided by his adoptive father Mathen and the unwavering belief of those he loves, Jas learns that true power lies not in destiny, but in the choices he makes. "Destiney's Voice" is a gripping tale of courage, friendship, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. As Jas battles slave traders, ancient gods, and his own inner demons, he discovers that the road to greatness requires sacrifice, and that the future of the world rests in his hands. With richly developed characters and a world teeming with magic and mystery, this epic fantasy will captivate readers and leave them eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Jas Cutter's extraordinary journey . "Fates Forge" is an epic fantasy novel set in the richly detailed world of Mundial, where the realms of humans, elves, and other mystical beings collide. The story begins with Jas Cutter, a young boy with hidden magical talents, navigating the bustling marketplace of Valen with his friend Luka. Their playful banter and secret missions soon give way to the serious undertones of an impending war between the Necromian and Elvish kingdoms. The plot quickly escalates as Jas, Luka, and their families prepare for a perilous journey to escape the conflict. Under the guidance of Jas's father, Mathen Cutter, and the watchful eye of their guardian, Tovan, the group faces numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, treacherous terrains, and the constant threat of war. Along the way, they form deep bonds and confront their fears, all while striving to build a new life in a safer place.




Fate


Book Description

This novel focuses on a group of characters who are all in different ways endeavouring to take control of their fate. Their desire to lead a genuine existence forces them to confront difficult decisions, and to break out of comfortable routines.Karl and Marina have been together for ten years and have a young son, Simón. Karl is a German-born oboist at Argentina’s national orchestra, and Marina is a meteorologist. On a field trip, she meets fellow researcher Zárate, and what might have been just a fling starts to erode the foundations of her marriage. Then there is Amer, a dynamic and successful taxidermist. At a group therapy session for smokers, Amer falls for the younger Clara. While the relationship between Karl and Marina disintegrates, the love story between Amer and Clara is just beginning – or is it already at an end? One of Argentina’s leading contemporary writers, Jorge Consiglio portrays the inner worlds of these characters through the minute details of their everyday lives, laying bare their strivings and their frustrations with a wry gaze, and seeking in this close-up texture a deeper truth.







His Natural Life


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The Current


Book Description