And the mods have uniformly declared that complaining about "the woke agenda" is a violation of the rules and a bannable offense.

As a D&D-focused site, I expect to see them demanding allegiance to Asmodeus before the decade is out.

Greetings!

Yeah, Jason! I think I stepped in there, like, 10 years ago, to read, and maybe post something.

THEN, I read and watched as hordes of Woke Rainbow degenerates swarmed to attack several relatively normal members pushing back politely against the Rainbow Woke brainwashing, meanwhile Morrus and other mods stood by and did nothing, or cheered the Woke mob onwards, or actively joined in to arrogantly dress down the right-leaning people to not even think about fighting back--or else they would be swiftly punished.

I never bothered to post a thing, and have only seldom even read threads on that site since. I don't bother even really thinking about them anymore. In my brief periods of reading, I seldom saw any of my old friends still there. There is a few left, but even the small few seem to only seldom post comments themselves. So, I sadly resigned myself to avoid the site forthwith, as the place had become so corrupted by Woke brainwashing.

I haven't really missed them. This site is far superior. I do feel though that it is an unfortunate and disgusting fall from where EN-World was, back say, 2008 and before. Back then, it was a very different kind of place.

Cheers, my friend! Light up a good cigar!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Figured I'd drop a bunch of medieval Japanese magic rituals and practitionersfrom my notes I've learned about via the Internet and a number of books over the years:

Magic practitioners in Japan:
In the case of folk magic it could be almost anyone.

Nobles may secretly learn rituals if they can find teachers or scrolls. In many of the legends involving magicians summoning Oni or yokai to wreak havoc, these mages are mostly nobles sometimes even samurai.

Shinto Kannagi (priests) and Miko (priestesses) perform magics. Particularly Invocation and pacification of kami, purification, combatting and casting curses, necromancy, rain-making, Shamanic spirit possession, paper charms/Talismans, and various forms of divination like Bokusen, ornithomancy, and hydromancy. Spirit possession is most common among the priestesses. A Japanese book I read from the 1930's implied the presence of Shintoist sexual magic at one time including the conception of a "Divine Child" (Jp: Mikogami; like a moonchild?). If such survived into the middle ages it would be in isolated rural villages. Traveling shamanesses not or loosely affiliated with shrines also existed. [Unfinished Section]

Buddhist priests and sometimes nuns who utilize rituals of esoteric mikkyo Buddhism particularly from Shingon and Tendai sects. Including mudra, mantra, paper charms/talismans, Goma/Homa Fire ritual, āveśa possession, and various tantra. Some of these arts are said to have passed to the Ninja. The nuns sometimes adopted spirit possession from the Shinto tradition. Some Buddhist clergy practice modified Liu Ren divination and astrology (Medieval Japanese Buddhist astrological texts are very similar to Persian style western astrology with Chinese elements; in fact, the planetary spirit illustrations in one of the surviving manuscripts are copied from Persian works).

Shugenja and Yamabushi who use the arts of both Shinto and Buddhist practice following the example of En no Ozuna. These are also well known for using genjustu (illusion and prestidigitation). Some ninja were said to have learned a bit of the magic of shugendo.

Onmyouji who serve the elite. These are magicians who focus mostly on the Taoist tradition with Shinto and perhaps some Buddhist elements. They are associated with shikiban (Liu Ren) divination, I Ching divination, astrology, purification, fusui (Feng shui), combatting curses (or casting them), mantras, paper charms/talismans, using familiar shikigami spirits, invoking and pacifying deities and spirits, rain making, etc. They may possess knowledge of Chinese external alchemy (not Internal) though it lost popularity after the Nara period.

Nademono Purification: A onmyo ritual where a paper doll roughly in the shape of a human is crafted by the practitioner. The target to be purified of sin and ritual pollution must rub it on their bodies and breathe upon it to transfer the corruption. The practitioner then take it back and prays to the gods over it before floating it down a running waterway. Some practitioners refold them into little boats before doing this.

Bokusen Divination: Divination through heating bones in a fire and interpreting the cracks in relation to positive/negative queries. Often a tortoise shell or deer scapula.

Ushi no Koku Mairi: Vestament: White Clothing, white face paint (Both Red in older times), a Mirror worn on chest, Ichiba Geta, a wooden comb or bamboo and pine root brand lit at both ends in the mouth, wearing upon the head an inverted iron gotoku tripod topped with three lit candles. The practitioner must head to a Shinto shrine and nail a staw effigy representing the target to a sacred tree at the Hour of the Ox. Silence must be maintained and other people avoided lest the curse misfire onto them or otherwise fail. The ritual must be performed successfully for seven nights. On the seventh a spirit will be summoned in the form of a black ox. If the practitioner mounts the bull without fear, the spirit will fulfill the curse. The curse causes a fatal illness beginning in the part of the body where the doll was nailed. Performing this ritual is an act of chaos with some risk of turning into an Oni (mutation). It also possible to request this of the spirit directly.

Inugami Ritual: An illegal chaotic ritual often associated with continental Gu magic. In this ritual one buries a dog up to it's neck with food just out of reach. As it is at its hungriest and stretching its neck toward the food, decapitate it. Take the severed head into a vessel and secretly enshrine it within the home. The dog-spirit (inugami) will become a powerful familiar capable of death curses, biting foes to death, possess living things and objects, and stealing. The form of the Inugami is of a dog with a split tail or a flying vicious dog head. The Inugami will serve the practitioner and his house loyally unless they abuse it in which case they well be bitten to death. There was a record of a case where a Shinto Miko was generating Inugami and selling them in vessels at market.

Taizan Fukun no Sai: A powerful and secret Onmyo ritual mainly invoking the Taoist god of Mt. Tai. An onmyo altar is erected and the divinities are summoned. They are requested to deal with matters regarding lifespans and may extend lifespans, prevent death from fatal wounds or illness, or even resurrect the recently deceased. An argument for the value of the deceased must be presented and rich sacrifices offered: Gold, silver, horses or even human life. For minor intervention the gods may be satisfied with a false sacrifice of substituted paper dolls or a trivial amount of a person's life; however, in major cases they will require more possibly resulting in what is effectively sacrificing one or more lives for another.

Izuna Ritual: Shinto folk magic used to grant a fox familiar, typically a kudagitsune kept in a bamboo tube or kimono sleeve. Often associated with Yamabushi. The process is as follows: Find and tame a pregnant vixen, take care of her until she gives birth, she will ask you to name a kit, and that kit shall be your loyal familiar. There are dangers that the familiar may cause mischief on your behalf without being asked or may multiply with others of it's kind increasing the number of familiars to a difficult to handle degree (as the children will also serve the practitioner and his house). Common uses of the familiar are as spies, oracles, performing curses, possession, cause disease, or steal from others. For this reason, suspected practitioners are often persecuted by their communities akin to witches in the Far West. There are variants of this practice which utilize tanuki or snakes but are otherwise identical.

Tachikawa Skull Ritual:
"If anyone would practice this secret Dharma (Ritual) and attain great Siddhi (magical powers), he must construct an object of worship (honzon). I do not refer to the auspicious face of a woman here; this misogi (purification Rite) is a skull. There are, in fact, ten different types of skull that may be used:
1 the skull of a wise man
2 the skull of an ascetic
3 the skull of a king
4 the skull a shogun
5 the skull of a great minister
6 the skull of an elder
7 the skull of a father
8 the skull of a mother
9 a "Thousand Cranium" skull
10 a "Dharamdhatu" (entire material universal) skull.

The first eight are clear enough. The "Thousand Cranium" skull is made by grinding the tops of a thousand men's skulls into flour and molding the bone-paste into a honzon. For the "Dharmadhātu" skull, one must go to a cemetery on the chōyō (an onmyodo festival held on the 9th day of the 9th month. Since the number 9 is the perfect maximum yang/yō in Chinese divination it is seen as a particularly powerful and auspicious day. See: kuji-in), collects a large number of skulls, chants dākini (Dakini represent an especially crucial component of the Skull Ritual) incantations/prayers, and prays over the skulls. Finally, he takes the one, that when placed at the bottom of pile of skulls repeatedly rises to the top of the pile; or else he goes out on a frosty morning and selects the one that on which no frost has formed. Or, best of all, he selects a skull that is completely free of suture lines.

Whatever type he chooses can be made into a honzon (object of worship). For any of the ten types of skull there are three methods of construction possible. These are "the whole head", "the small head", and "the moon-shaped head". For "the whole head", the officiant uses the original skull. To this he adds a chin, puts in a tongue and teeth, and covers the bone with a hard lacquer so that it looks just like the unblemished flesh of a living person. When the skull has been completely formed, he places it in a box. Then he must have sexual intercourse with the skull and with a beautiful and willing woman, and must repeatedly wipe the liquid product (the mixture of male and female seminal and vaginal secretions) of this act on the skull until it reaches 120 layers. Each night at midnight he must burn "Spirit returning" incense (frankincense/hangon-kō), pass the smoke through the eye holes of the skull, and chant a "spirit returning" mantra fully and perfectly one thousand times.

After carrying out the procedure above for a number of days, the officiant places the appropriate charms and secret talismans (sōō motsu) into the skull. Once this procedure has been meticulously completed, he covers the skull with three layers of gold and silver leaf. Over these layers, the mandala must be inscribed, and then more gold and silver leafe applied, then another mandala applied over that, just as before. Thus the layers of gold and silver foil and sacred writings are built up – the outer layers are five and six, then in the center thirteen layers, all over the base of 120 layers of the red and white elixir (male and female sexual secretions). (Presumably this will equal the thickness of muscle and flesh of a real person) The ink of the mandlas should also be the twin fluids of intercourse.

Cinnabar (mercury sulfide) is rubbed into the tongue and lips, the teeth are set in silver leaf, and the eyes are painted in comely fashion, or, precious gems (jade, mother of pearl, or cornelian) can be used for the eyes. Them face is painted white and rouge patted in to create the appearance of a beautiful woman or boy. The image must look prosperous and have a face that smiles without the slightest hint of reproach.

During the entire process the sacred skull is to be kept on an altar in a place where no one ever goes, and various delicacies, beautiful flowers, and fine wines are to be offered to it. No one must go there (to the skull altar) but the craftsman, the adept, and the woman. There (at the skull altar) they must happily and willingly and ceaselessly disport themselves as if celebrating the first three days of the New Year. Each act and word must be wholly free of any sign of care.

Once the honzon is finished, it is installed on the altar. Offerings of rare things are made daily; spirit-returning incense is burned; and the various observations are carried out at the hours of the Rat, the Ox, and the Tiger (midnight to dawn). With the arrival of the Hour of the Hare (dawn), the honzon is placed in a bag made of seven layers of brocade. Once this bag has been closed, it is not easy to reopen. Every night the bag is held close to the adept's body to keep it (the skull) warm; during the day it is placed on the altar, where delicacies (fowl, fish, meats, blood, rice, and so on) must be gathered and offered for its nourishment.

For seven years, day and night, the adept must and will devote the whole of his being and mind to this practice. When the eight year comes, the ascetic will obtain Siddhi (magical powers). For those who reach the highest grade of practice, the honzon will return to life and speak aloud (presumably predicting the future and bestowing upon the practitioner great Wisdom and knowledge). Since it will inform him of all events of the universe, he should listen carefully to it and thus become as someone with divine powers. For practitioners of the middle rank, the honzon will tell them the meaning of their dreams. It will not speak to those of the lower ranks, but all their desires will come to be realized in accordance with their wishes.

The second method, the "Small Head" method, exists because of the difficulty of carrying around a whole head. The top of one whole skull can be divided into eight pieces and each piece used as a face lacquered into a plate made of wood of a sacred tree. Again, one sketches in the mandala in thin layers, daubs the honzon with the twin waters of intercourse, inserts the appropriate charms and talismans, and decorates the face just as before. The "Small head" is then hung around the neck but under the garments, and nourished just as before.

In the case of the third. "Moon-Shaped" method, a whole cranium is cut off at the eyebrows, the brain pan is carefully dried and cleaned, and the moon-shaped inner cavity coated with the lacquer of the twin waters of intercourse. Various charms and talismans are placed in it, again the mandala is laid out in thin color, all as before. On the surface of the "Moon-skull" the practitioner must paint a honzon while continuously reciting mantras. Cinnabar in packed inside. Then the practitioner is to wrap the skull in a nine-layered Monk's habit made from silk stained with menstrual blood of a beautiful young virgin woman. He then places it in a nine-layered casket wrapped in seven layers of brocaded silk, hangs it from his neck under his garments (to keep it dry and warm), and devoutly recites mantras to it wherever he goes.

There are recommended variations on this procedure, from taking the skull to its final installation and resurrection, since several oral (kuden) teachings have been handed down by the old and wise. I have noted and summarized only about one-hundredth of the whole Ritual. But in general this is how the practitioner carries out this Ritual."

The skull may serve the practitioner through the 7 spirits bound to the remains. A higher level practitioner may receive knowledge in dreams while the highest may create a skull able to speak oracles. These 7 spirits will take on the forms of dakini, foxes/jackals, or Buddhas as the situation requires. This ritual was sometimes associated with elements of the Izuna sect of Shinano province as was Izuna Ritual and Dakiniten Ritual (see below). This practice and the Tachikawa school of Shingon Buddhism itself were considered heretical.

Esoteric Buddhist Spells:
Esoteric Buddhist spells are typically Goma Fire Rituals or Tantra. Holy oils contain boiled milk and honey.

There are 5 stages in Goma: Invocation to Katen (Agni), Protective Invocation to Gozanze-Myo (Trailokyavijaya), Main Deity Invocation, Invocation to the 73 major deities, Invocation to Devas of the outer Mandala.

Pacifying Rites
Often invoke Fudo myoo (Acala). Used to drive away illness spirits, ease childbirth, safe sea travel, protect from fire or natural disasters, etc. Vestments are white. Kanboku liquorice flowers are burned. Best time is the start of night. Altar should face north with a round hearth.

Subduing rites (keiaihoo, Aizenhoo; S: vasikarana)
A love enchantment very popular in the Heian period: The hearth is round like an eight-petalled lotus flower, facing west. The best time of day for the ceremony is midnight. Vestments of the priests of red color. The main object of worship is Aizen Myoo (Ragaraja). The ceremony often lasted an entire night (ichiya goma). 108 flowers, mostly red lotuses, are burned in the 3rd stage. If a triangular hearth is used here, as in banishing rites, a previously unruly partner becomes submissive to the victim and does what the other wants

Banishing rites (choobukuhoo, chuubukuhoo, goobukuhoo) (S: aabhicaarika)
A type of black magic for cursing and subduing enemies: The hearth is triangular, facing south. The triangle here is the symbol of fire, which is used to destroy enemies. The best time of day for the ceremony is midday or night. Vestments of the priests of green and black color. Old wood (koboku) is burned. Red flowers with a pungent scent. The healing being invoked is usually Daigensui Myoo (Atavaka) or the five great wisdom kings (godai myoo). These ceremonies are among the oldest; Through them, particularly powerful deities are summoned and so in times of crisis the ruler often ordered them to protect the country or to overpower enemies of the state (seiteki, onteki). In a sense they were also political instruments and their history is particularly interesting (see Takemitsu). There are four other subgroups of these rites.

Life-prolonging rites (enmeihoo, Fugen enmeihoo)
A sub-form of the multiplying rites that was particularly popular in Japan. Prayers to extend one's lifespan. The stove is rectangular, the handle of the cover is in the shape of a wishing jewel with a wreath of flames. The salvation being invoked is Fugen Enmei Bosatsu (Vajramongha Samayasattva) with two or twenty arms. There is also a ritual for a six month life extension invoking Fudo myoo.

Japanese sources also state that in India and Tibet there are said to be rites for killing enemies (jusatsuhoo; see Pundit's Magic of Kunlun), for breaking ties with unwanted friends (rikanhoo), etc.

Dakiniten Ritual: A secret Buddhist ritual which invokes Dakiniten and is often portrayed as summoning her in the form of a fox/fox-woman. Generally grants temporal power, may be lost as quickly as was gained.

Shugenja usually invoke Fudo-Myou or Zao Gongen in pacifying rites vs misfortune

The mountain range of the Shugenja from Kumano to Yoshino is a Mandala for magical purposes.

It's astounding, good sir. I shook my head throughout my read. I couldn't believe how ridiculous some of the posters were. I barely go to the site as is. Generally, it's too far left for me. Leftism is a denial of reality and it took hold there.

It's almost as bad as the big purple.

Quote from: Armchair Gamer on April 17, 2024, 02:20:32 PMOverheard outside the C-Suite at WotC: "Look, I understand why it's good for the Brand and the Master Plan, I'm just not sure publicly coming out as a quadragendered paladin of Asmodeus fits my long term career plans. Maybe we should put someone else in this slot for now. I'm sure there's someone we can tap or rehabilitate ..."

  Since Williams is now in as CEO of Funko, apparently she decided multiclassing into Idol-Maker was a better career move.

Quote from: Jason Coplen on May 11, 2024, 01:14:05 PMJeebus, I went and read some of it. That site really is too far left with Umbran and Morrus thinking they're right and this sex swap is fine.

I tried to be politic in my reply to Morrus as he directly quoted me.

But man, the post-modern revisionist worldview has cause so many over there to lose the plot.

The white-knight gaslighting over a ham-fisted gender swap is something to behold...

Quote from: Cathode Ray on April 22, 2024, 04:27:23 PMFrom Bounding Into Comics:
Bounding Link

From The Blaze:
Blaze Link

I never played the game, but: Isn't absurdist sexy depictions of Lara the whole point of the game.

No, the point of Tomb Raider when it first came on the scene was that it had a good control scheme that allowed Lara to jump around and do awesome climbing and acrobatics at a time when competing games used "bulldozer" controls that could barely walk through doors.

Having Lara be sexy was just icing on the cake.

Quote from: grimshwiz on May 09, 2024, 01:12:00 PMI went to Enworld for the first time since my first child was born 10 years ago.

I love the thread of comments bashing Elmore and how he doesn't know it is a woman or how CNA he say that.

If I wasn't banned from there I would certainly be after I would have posted on that thread.

Clueless idiots.

Jeebus, I went and read some of it. That site really is too far left with Umbran and Morrus thinking they're right and this sex swap is fine.

Quote from: SHARK on May 11, 2024, 12:43:18 PM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on May 11, 2024, 12:17:56 PM

Quote from: David Johansen on May 11, 2024, 10:31:55 AMWell, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point.  The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club.  There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties.  I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table.  Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.

Yep, it became popular, it became cool and presto! now more women want to play, and change it so it's nothing like the thing that became popular.

I wonder: Is it okay for women/girls to want to play away from men/boys? Would those who say yes want those same women/girls at their table?

Why isn't allowed for men/boys to have their own sex segregated spaces anymore?

Greetings!

Yeah, GeekyBugle! I think that having women join the game table is great! *Mostly*, right? *Laughing* There does seem to be that weird, fucked up deep urge that women seem to get where they then proceed to want to make all kinds of changes to the scene that they found enjoyable to begin with. Fuck no! Keep the fucking women IN CHECK! But yes, normal, cool women that are respectful of the game, the table, and men--are generally awesome. There is that potential problem of being that so many women are corrupted by Feminism. That, I think, is a contributing cause to women's stupidity in virtually everything.

Yes, it is also fine and good to have game tables for just a group of men. Nothing wrong with that at all. The women don't need to always be in every male group for everything. It is also important though to gatekeep out of the game table weak, "White Knight" male feminists. That way, the group of men can simply enjoy being together as men for the game. Cigars. Cervesa, whiskey, all around!

The game table vibe is very different from all-men groups, compared to mixed men and women groups. As I said, women bring their own flavour to the table. It is generally good, but needs to be supervised and viewed carefully. Men, in general, on the other hand, are their own distinct type of environment, but are also more predictable and stable than groups that include women. I play tables that are all men for one group, and two other game groups that are mixed men and women.

It also occurred to me. Why the fuck do the pussies cry about the male only groups? Whaa! Whaa! These people need to plug the fuck into ALL MALE softball teams, all male Rugby teams, and all male Bowling teams. Hello? Yeah, there are mixed versions of these too, as well as groups just for women. That's because normal people have recognized that each kind of grouping type provides a very different social environment. This kind of reality has been going on forever. *Laughing* You know what I'm saying, Hermano!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Yeah, I mean when it's only guys we can talk however we see fit without caring if we'll offend the delicate sensibilities of a woman.

I rather play in a group where I'm the only man (provided it's not crazy cat-lady-to-be women) than to have a male feminist in my group.

I'm currently playing in TWO groups, one started and remains as only men, not by design but hey, the other started also like that, now we have a woman playing with us, I'm okay with both, I'm also perfectly okay with women (of the sane and insane variety [although the insane ones should never be allowed around sane people]) having their own sex segregated spaces, in return I want my own sex segregated spaces if I wish to retreat to one to be free of pussy footing around their sensibilities.

We used to have Cantinas and Bars, the Cantina was men only, so we went there to play, talk shit and swear like sailors, but the Wahmen cried until daddy government stepped in and now both are forced to allow women in because (equality and inclusivity and bullshit).

Of course wahmen only places are allowed to exist because those aren't excluding men somehow, and if they are it's a good thing.

I'm sick and tired of pretending it's not discriminatory, it is, and it should be allowed, why the fuck not?

Quote from: GeekyBugle on May 11, 2024, 12:17:56 PM

Quote from: David Johansen on May 11, 2024, 10:31:55 AMWell, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point.  The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club.  There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties.  I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table.  Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.

Yep, it became popular, it became cool and presto! now more women want to play, and change it so it's nothing like the thing that became popular.

I wonder: Is it okay for women/girls to want to play away from men/boys? Would those who say yes want those same women/girls at their table?

Why isn't allowed for men/boys to have their own sex segregated spaces anymore?

Greetings!

Yeah, GeekyBugle! I think that having women join the game table is great! *Mostly*, right? *Laughing* There does seem to be that weird, fucked up deep urge that women seem to get where they then proceed to want to make all kinds of changes to the scene that they found enjoyable to begin with. Fuck no! Keep the fucking women IN CHECK! But yes, normal, cool women that are respectful of the game, the table, and men--are generally awesome. There is that potential problem of being that so many women are corrupted by Feminism. That, I think, is a contributing cause to women's stupidity in virtually everything.

Yes, it is also fine and good to have game tables for just a group of men. Nothing wrong with that at all. The women don't need to always be in every male group for everything. It is also important though to gatekeep out of the game table weak, "White Knight" male feminists. That way, the group of men can simply enjoy being together as men for the game. Cigars. Cervesa, whiskey, all around!

The game table vibe is very different from all-men groups, compared to mixed men and women groups. As I said, women bring their own flavour to the table. It is generally good, but needs to be supervised and viewed carefully. Men, in general, on the other hand, are their own distinct type of environment, but are also more predictable and stable than groups that include women. I play tables that are all men for one group, and two other game groups that are mixed men and women.

It also occurred to me. Why the fuck do the pussies cry about the male only groups? Whaa! Whaa! These people need to plug the fuck into ALL MALE softball teams, all male Rugby teams, and all male Bowling teams. Hello? Yeah, there are mixed versions of these too, as well as groups just for women. That's because normal people have recognized that each kind of grouping type provides a very different social environment. This kind of reality has been going on forever. *Laughing* You know what I'm saying, Hermano!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK