Why don't you sweep out the Augean stables while you're at it?

Muck, no! ;)

Snowed last night, which pushes back mushroom time a bit. Probably a couple of weeks? Tough to say.

Tomorrow early a.m. will be first forage of the year for ramps, which should still be a go.

To be clear, everything I forage is on private land and/or legally foraged on public lands according to any local laws and/or good sustainability practices. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

Perfect ramp conditions. Still a week or so before first morels hit, minimum.

Got up early, worked up an appetite, hiked to our ramp spot, picked a bagful, came home, rehydrated some dried mushroom goodies (bowl: foreground), and had a feast of ramp-flavored hashbrowns, fried egg and mushrooms. With a side salad of freshly chopped ramp greens.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

For those unhip, the ramp is a type of wild onion/leek/garlic thing. It's super tasty. It's also basically the very first thing up in spring, so foraging it can be a real no brainer around here.

I believe "Chicago" is some form of native tongue terminology for "land of the wild leeks" IIRC. Don't quote me on that.

In the South and East, some areas have insane ramp seasons with people literally fighting over scarce harvests. Because of the popularity, ramps are becoming increasingly less common. However, around here they grow like weeds and nobody else seems to harvest them or even bee aware they're a thing.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:12, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

You planning on jarring your mushroom jelly?

I can many things. Mushroom jelly isn't one of them.

Kidding aside, it looks delicious.

Yes, very nice.

You'll be sad to know I failed my Saving Throw vs. Deliciousness.

Nothing to post atm. I guess we head back towards #1.

Oh! Super excited (and somewhat surprised) to see signs of civilization in the Oubliette.

The plot thickens! ;)

Doing a great job, Mr. GM, keep up the good work! :)

---a formal line of demarcation---

Any favorite tunes you guys enjoy listening to for inspiration? Or just in general?

To lift the gloom after another day of monotony and despair?

Juliana Hatfield sings Olivia Newton John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...p8&start_radio=1

"Day by Day" from Godspell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoHxB4idmg

"The Divine Chord" by The Avalanches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZpn322LxE

And there always is "Transilvanian Hunger" by Dark Throne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKbeRqqivdw

While working, I listen to the Commentary podcast and the Quarter to Three gaming one.

I meant more for writing/posting inspiration, but general good vibes works! :)

I remember getting the pre-release promo copy of Since I Left You while working college radio and it being an instant fave like it was yesterday. 20 years! Yikes.

Juliana Hatfield singing ONJ is something I missed somehow, and it makes me very happy. :)

Wasn't expecting Darkthrone!

When I have to write a longer, more descriptive post in the game I run, I'll usually give this a spin for prime fantasy inspirations:

Dominique Guiot -  L'Univers De La Mer (1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKvMLu0oTkU

Not usually a big prog fan, but ^this hits all the right spots for me. (The cover art always gives me a good laugh as well! :D)

Violent Femmes Please Do Not Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAIVOHpmXtU

General life inspiration, I roll with 'Trane and Miles.

John Coltrane Wise One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yagO50i6O5E

And I dig extreme metals as well...one of my personal faves on that front: Pig Destroyer Sheet Metal Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNH6HeotRGA

Clamavi de Profundis does a lot a great music. Here are some of the songs that I use for inspiration.

https://youtu.be/2YTBgFmK_bs The Lament of the Rohirrim

https://youtu.be/JXEPi7cnJ08 The Last Goodbye

https://youtu.be/2F9ADVDSZLw Lament for Boromir (Still one of my favorite characters.)

https://youtu.be/uxfoa23skHg The Song of Durin

https://youtu.be/Xm96Cqu4Ils When the Hammer Falls

https://youtu.be/4rQpYffdKPI Now We Are Free

Then, I have a few other pieces that I also like to use when writing.

https://youtu.be/PkG3yxQDLBI Efisio Cross. I use this song when I want to write something romantic and uplifting.

https://youtu.be/80-kp6RDl94 The Lady of Shalott by Loreena Mckennitt

The whole War of the Worlds Album by The Moody Blues is also awesome.
https://youtu.be/dKZrAl-7ugo Thunder Child is my favorite track.

Thx for sharing!

The Utub algorithm has hit me with those Clamavi de Profundis a couple of times at least. Did Matt Colville recommend those on his channel? They seem really familiar from somewhere....

Re foraging: Unless temps really dip suddenly, this week has been warm and rainy: perfect morel weather. Stay tuned! B-)

Covid shot #1 today, yay!

Listened to that VF album, oh, a few times back in high school. Saw them play in the Hollywood hills. They were tops along with the Pixies. Beyond that, I saw the Buzzcocks perform somewhere in LA and even Citizen Fish--maybe in Santa Barbara.

Then I had to see Dar Williams with my now wife in graduate school. I haven't really recovered.

The LoR poem recitals, I don't know, just weigh a little too heavily on me.

I still like some Robyn as a tonic to the ceaseless despair of care coordination, at least as far as it concerns the alcoholics coming out of the shelters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Co9GxHJg0

The LotR inspired music does tend to carry a lot of weight. That's one of the reasons why I like it, but I understand that I'm something of an anomaly because I find peace and contentment in music the makes other people depressed. I'm weird. ;)

If that's my mood, I go straight to Jim Croce.

I lol'd! :D :D :p

Can we rig it up to cook?? :D

I mean, you can. It’ll taste like fuel... might upset your stomach.

Cooking with a flamethrower is an interesting thought. Now I can't get it out of my mind. Thanks, dude. :P
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

I'm wondering if we could exhaust its fuel supply.

Updated map and loot list.

Please point out errors!