Esoteric Update #163 - I Am Not Happy To Be Saying This

Another update, and this time I don't think it's a happy one. I think we need to talk about my health because it's not good. And over the last two weeks, it hit rock bottom. 

My physical and mental health has been in decline for a while now. It started when the new person joined the team, and my worsening condition is partially related to that. This isn't to attach the blame on someone else, but having them around, while it was great at first, quickly turned into a huge source of stress and discomfort I didn't know what to do with. The important thing is that it compounded the discomfort I felt from my neurodegenerative disorder worsening, as I've just recently started completely losing feeling in my hands and legs, alongside the usual kind of pains that accompany such a thing. Last Monday, I fell down on a gravel path (yeah, I find gravel paths to be irresponsible and dumb ideas, but I didn't put it there), and it caused quite a bit of damage to the skin on my leg and arm. For anyone else, this would be hardly an issue. For me, it means a long and unpleasant recovery before it heals.

But what really got to me, the big thing that put me out of my usual routine, was just the realisation that two people tried to join my game project, not because of the game, but because they wanted to manipulate me. I don't understand why; ultimately, I don't think I have anything to give to anyone.

Please keep in mind I'm saying this to explain the situation. I know you don't care that about what I wrote here. I just want to put it out to clear the air since I don't think I've been acting with transparency for a while now.

I'm under medical supervision and, for the most part, medicated as well as we can figure that out at the moment. I'm not asking for pity or money. I'll get better, I think. But right now, things are not great.

Row, time for some lore!

Lore: Order of the Cerulean Shadow
Lore: 7
Lore: The Modern Fairytale
Lore: Mysteries in Green

And now for the update proper. I had the time and, more importantly, the energy to sort out a few things. 

Firstly, I've continued implementing new items, including all suit parts. From what we have now, the only remaining item that we have (most of) the writing for but no implementation are pantihose, but that can come in a bit later.

Secondly, I worked on a deeper implementation of the random characters in the goal-based context. As a result, the GB systems can now do more with the characters, including hijacking the generator and descriptions for purposes outside of just the conversations.

Thirdly, I also implemented a character templating system that lets me instantiate characters from templates... but not in the same sense as the random conversation stuff; rather, this is about stats. This means that characters can have additional data attached to them now, allowing them to integrate with all content that uses character stats to automate various interactions, skill checks, a whole lot of stuff I worked on recently. Both this and the above was essentially needed for some of the things I want to do while transitioning the travel events to the new format. B.t.w. that turned out to be pretty tricky at first because travel events have a weird way of executing. I, fortunately, managed to sort that out, and it's all ready to continue. My only worry is that there won't be as much of an opportunity to work in more universal events there, just because the system also has to handle moving the character around the world.

Finally, I actually managed to write a bit, but shhh, that's a secret for now.

I don't know how the next week will look like. I don't feel well, and I have a few appointments with the doctor to sort that out. We'll see. I'll just try to do what I can.