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Plant defense against herbivory or host-plant resistance (HPR) includes a range of adaptations evolved by plants that improve their survival and reproduction by reducing the impact of herbivores.
There are four basic strategies plants use to reduce damage by herbivores. One strategy is to escape or avoid herbivores in time or in place, for example by growing in a location where plants are not easily found or accessed by herbivores or by repelling herbivores chemically (also termed non-preference or antixenosis). Another approach is the plant tolerates herbivores, by diverting the herbivore to eat non-essential parts of the plant, or developing an enhanced ability to recover from the damage caused by herbivory. Some plants encourage the presence of natural enemies of herbivores, which in turn protect the plant from herbivores. Finally, plants protect themselves by confrontation; the use of chemical or mechanical defenses, such as toxins that kill herbivores or reduce plant digestibility (also called antibiosis). These defenses can either be constitutive, always present in the plant, or induced, produced in reaction to damage or stress caused by herbivores.
Historically, insects have been the most significant herbivores, and the evolution of land plants is closely associated with the evolution of insects. While most plant defenses are directed against insects, other defenses have evolved that are aimed at vertebrate herbivores, such as birds and mammals. The study of plant defenses against herbivory is important, not only from an evolutionary view point, but also in the direct impact that these defenses have on agriculture, including human and livestock food sources, as well as the in the search for plants of medical importance.
The earliest land plants evolved from aquatic plants around (Ma) in the Ordovician period. These early land plants had no vascular system and required free water for their reproduction. Vascular plants appeared later and their diversification began in the Devonian era (about 400 Ma). Their reduced dependence on water resulted from adaptations such as protective coatings to reduce evaporation from their tissues. Reproduction and dispersal of vascular plants in these dry conditions was achieved through the evolution of specialized seed structures. The diversification of flowering plants (angiosperms) during the Cretaceous period is associated with the sudden burst of speciation in insects. This diversification of insects represented a major selective force in plant evolution, and led to selection of plants that had defensive adaptations. Early insect herbivores were mandibulate and bit or chewed vegetation; but the evolution of vascular plants lead to the co-evolution of other forms of herbivory, such as sap-sucking, leaf mining, gall forming and nectar-feeding.
Our understanding of herbivory in geological time comes from three sources: fossilised plants, which may preserve evidence of defence (such as spines), or herbivory-related damage; the observation of plant debris in fossilised animal faeces; and the construction of herbivore mouthparts.
Long thought to be a Mesozoic phenomenon, evidence for herbivory is found almost as soon as fossils which could show it. Within under 20 million years of the first fossils of sporangia and stems towards the close of the Silurian, around , there is evidence that they were being consumed. Animals fed on the spores of early Devonian plants, and the Rhynie chert also provides evidence that organisms fed on plants using a "pierce and suck" technique. Many plants of this time are preserved with spine-like enations, which may have performed a defensive role before being co-opted to develop into leaves.
During the ensuing 75 million years, plants evolved a range of more complex organs - from roots to seeds. There was a gap of 50 to 100 million years between each organ evolving, and it being fed upon. Hole feeding and skeletonisation are recorded in the early Permian, with surface fluid feeding evolving by the end of that period.
Herbivores depend on plants for food, and have evolved mechanisms to obtain this food despite the evolution of a diverse arsenal of plant defenses. Herbivore adaptations to plant defense have been likened to offensive traits and consist of adaptations that allow increased feeding and use of a host plant. Relationships between herbivores and their host plants often results in reciprocal evolutionary change, called co-evolution. When an herbivore eats a plant it selects for plants that can mount a defensive response. In cases where this relationship demonstrates specificity (the evolution of each trait is due to the other), and reciprocity (both traits must evolve), the species are thought to have co-evolved. The "escape and radiation" mechanism for co-evolution presents the idea that adaptations in herbivores and their host plants have been the driving force behind speciation, and have played a role in the radiation of insect species during the age of angiosperms. Some herbivores have evolved ways to hijack plant defenses to their own benefit, by sequestering these chemicals and using them to protect themselves from predators.
Induced defenses include secondary metabolic products, as well as morphological and physiological changes. An advantage of inducible, rather than constitutive defenses, is that increased variability increases the effectiveness of the defenses. This advantage comes from the suggestion that if herbivores can choose among different plants and plant tissues, they may avoid eating plants that have both constitutive and induced defenses.
The evolution of chemical defenses in plants is linked to the emergence of chemical substances that are not involved in the essential photosynthetic and metabolic activities. These substances, secondary metabolites, are organic compounds that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development or reproduction of organisms, and often produced as by-products during the synthesis of primary metabolic products. These secondary metabolites play a major role in defenses against herbivores.
Secondary metabolites are often characterized as either qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative metabolites are defined as toxins that interfere with an herbivore's metabolism, often by blocking specific biochemical reactions. Qualitative chemicals are present in plants in relatively low concentrations (often less than 2% dry weight), and are not dosage dependent. These defenses have morphological properties (i.e. water soluble, small molecules, and are energetically inexpensive) that facilitate rapid synthesis, transport, and storage. These chemicals are effective against non-adapted specialists and generalist herbivores.
Quantitative chemicals are those that are present in high concentration in plants (5 – 40% dry weight) and are equally effective against all specialists and generalist herbivores. Most quantitative metabolites are digestibility reducers that make plant cell walls indigestible to animals. The effects of quantitative metabolites are dosage dependent and the higher these chemicals' proportion in the herbivore's diet, the less nutrition the herbivore can gain from ingesting plant tissues. Because they are typically large molecules, these defenses are energetically expensive to produce and maintain, and often take longer than smaller, qualitative chemicals to synthesize and transport, therefore these chemicals are expected to serve an important purpose within the plant.
Alkaloids are derived from various amino acids. Over 3000 known alkaloids exist, examples include nicotine, caffeine, morphine, colchicine, ergolines, strychnine, and quinine. Alkaloids have pharmacological effects on humans and other animals. Some alkaloids can inhibit or activate enzymes, or alter carbohydrate and fat storage by inhibiting the formation phosphodiester bonds involved in their breakdown. Certain alkaloids bind to nucleic acids and can inhibit synthesis of proteins and affect DNA repair mechanisms. Alkaloids can also affect cell membrane and cytoskeletal structure causing the cells to weaken, collapse, or leak, and can affect nerve transmission. Cyanogenic glycosides become toxic when they are broken down by enzymes in the herbivore's digestive tract and release hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid, which blocks cellular respiration. Glucosinolates can cause gastroenteritis, salivation, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth.
The terpenoids, sometimes referred to as isoprenoids, are organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units. There are over 10,000 known types of terpenoids. Most are multicyclic structures which differ from one another in both functional groups, and in basic carbon skeletons. Monoterpenoids, continuing 2 isoprene units, are volatile essential oils such as citronella, limonene, menthol, camphor, and pinene. Diterpenoids, 4 isoprene units, are widely distributed in latex and resins, and can be quite toxic. Diterpenes are responsible for making Rhododendron leaves poisonous. Plant steroids and sterols are also produced from terpenoid precursors, including vitamin D, glycosides (such as digitalis) and saponins (which lyse red blood cells of herbivores).
Phenolics, sometimes called phenols, consist of an aromatic 6-carbon ring bonded to a hydroxy group. Some phenols have antiseptic properties, while others disrupt endocrine activity. Phenolics range from simple tannins to the more complex flavonoids that give plants much of their red, blue, yellow, and white pigments. Complex phenolics called polyphenols are capable of producing many different types of effects on humans, including antioxidant properties. Some examples of phenolics used for defense in plants are: lignin, silymarin and cannabinoids. Condensed tannins, polymers composed of 2 to 50 (or more) flavonoid molecules, inhibit herbivore digestion by binding to consumed plant proteins and making them more difficult for animals to digest, and by interfering with protein absorption and digestive enzymes. Silica and lignins, which are completely indigestible to animals, grind down insect mandibles (appendages necessary for feeding).
In addition to the three larger groups of substances mentioned above, fatty acid derivates, amino acids and even peptides are used as defence. The cholinergic toxine, cicutoxin of water hemlock, is an polyyne derived from the fatty acid metabolism. β-N-Oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid as simple amino acid is used by the sweet pea which leads also to intoxication in humans. The synthesis of fluoroacetate in several plants is an example for the use of small molecules to disturb the metabolism of the herbivore, in this case the citric acid cycle.
Plants have many external structural defenses that discourage herbivory. Depending on the herbivore's physical characteristics (i.e. size and defensive armor), plant structural defenses on stems and leaves can deter, injure, or kill the grazer. Some defensive compounds are produced internally but are released onto the plant's surface; for example, resins, lignins, silica, and wax cover the epidermis of terrestrial plants and alter the texture of the plant tissue. The leaves of holly plants, for instance, are very smooth and slippery making feeding difficult. Some plants produce gummosis or sap that traps insects.
A plant's leaves and stem may be covered with sharp spines or trichomes- hairs on the leaf often with barbs, sometimes containing irritants or poisons. Plant structural features like spines and thorns reduce feeding by large ungulate herbivores (e.g. kudu, impala, and goats) by restricting the herbivores' feeding rate, or by wearing down the molars as in pears. The structure of a plant, its branching and leaf arrangement may also be evolved to reduce herbivore impact. The shrubs of New Zealand have evolved special wide branching adaptations believed to be a response to browsing birds such as the moas. Similarly, African Acacias have dense thorns on the outside, but none in the middle of the crown, which is comparatively safe from herbivores such as giraffes. Young Acacias, which would be vulnerable due to their proximity to the ground, display a profusion of thorns gradually decreasing with age.
Trees such as coconut and other palms, may protect their fruit by multiple layers of armour, needing efficient tools to break through to the seed contents, and special skills to climb the tall and relatively smooth trunk.
This response lowers the surface area available to herbivores, which are presented with the underside of each leaflet, and results in a wilted appearance. It may also physically dislodge small herbivores, such as insects. Thigmonasty is not only useful in discouraging herbivores, however. For instance the venus flytrap makes use of it to catch its own food.
Plants also provide housing and food items for natural enemies of herbivores, known as "biotic" defense mechanisms, as a means to maintain their presence. For example, trees from the genus Macaranga have adapted their thin stem walls to create ideal housing for an ant species (genus Crematogaster), which, in turn, protects the plant from herbivores. In addition to providing housing, the plant also provides the ant with its exclusive food source; from the food bodies produced by the plant. Similarly, some Acacia tree species have developed thorns that are swollen at the base, forming a hollowing structure that acts as housing. Theses Acacia trees also produce nectar in extrafloral nectaries on their leaves as food for the ants.
Most plants have endophytes, microbial organisms that live within them. While some cause disease, others protect plants from herbivores and pathogenic microbes. Endophytes can help the plant by producing toxins harmful to other organisms that would attack the plant, such as alkaloid producing fungi which are common in grasses such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea).
There have been suggestions that leaf shedding may be a response that provides protection against diseases and certain kinds of pests such as leaf miners and gall forming insects. Other responses such as the change of leaf colours prior to fall have also been suggested as adaptations that may help undermine the camouflage of herbivores. Autumn leaf color has also been suggested to act as an honest warning signal of defensive commitment towards insect pests that migrate to the trees in autumn.
The first factor determining optimal defense is risk: how likely is it that a plant or certain plant parts will be attacked? This is also related to the plant apparency hypothesis, which states that a plant will invest heavily in broadly effective defenses when the plant is easily found by herbivores. Examples of apparent plants that produce generalized protections include long-living trees, shrubs, and perennial grasses. Unapparent plants, such as short-lived plants of early successional stages, on the other hand, preferentially invest in small amounts of qualitative toxins that are effective against all but the most specialized herbivores.
The second factor is the value of protection: would the plant be less able to survive and reproduce after removal of part of its structure by a herbivore? Not all plant parts are of equal evolutionary value, thus valuable parts contain more defenses. A plant's stage of development at the time of feeding also affects the resulting change in fitness. Experimentally, the fitness value a plant structure is determined by removing that part of the plant and observing the effect. In general, reproductive parts are not as easily replaced as vegetative parts, terminal leaves have greater value than basal leaves, and the loss of plant parts mid-season has a greater negative effect on fitness than removal at the beginning or end of the season. Seeds in particular tend to be very well protected. For example, the seeds of many edible fruits and nuts contain cyanogenic glycosides such as amygdalin. This results from the need to balance the effort needed to make the fruit attractive to animal dispersers while ensuring that the seeds are not destroyed by the animal.
The final consideration is cost: how much will a particular defensive strategy cost a plant in energy and materials? This is particularly important, as energy spent on defense cannot be used for other functions, such as reproduction and growth. The optimal defense hypothesis predicts that plants will allocate more energy towards defense when the benefits of protection outweigh the costs, specifically in situations where there is high herbivore pressure.
A recent test of this model involved a reciprocal transplants of seedlings of 20 species of trees between clay soils (nutrient rich) and white sand (nutrient poor) to determine whether trade-offs between growth rate and defenses restrict species to one habitat. Seedlings originating from the nutrient-poor sand had higher levels of constitutive carbon-based defenses, but when they were transplanted into nutrient-rich clay soils, they experienced higher mortality from herbivory. These finding suggest that defensive strategies limit the habitats of some plants.
Fresh growth of grass is sometimes high in prussic acid content and can cause poisoning of grazing livestock. The production of cyanogenic chemicals in grasses is primarily a defense against herbivores.
The human innovation of cooking may have been particularly helpful in overcoming many of the defensive chemicals of plants. Many enzyme inhibitors in cereal grains and pulses, such as trypsin inhibitors prevalent in pulse crops, are denatured by cooking, making them digestible.
It has been known since the late 17th century that plants contain noxious chemicals which are avoided by insects. These chemicals have been used by man as early insecticides; in 1690 nicotine was extracted from tobacco and used as a contact insecticide. In 1773, insect infested plants were treated with nicotine fumigation by heating tobacco and blowing the smoke over the plants. The flowers of Chrysanthemum species contain pyrethrin which is a potent insecticide. In later years, the applications of plant resistance became an important area of research in agriculture and plant breeding, particularly because they can serve as a safe and low-cost alternative to the use of pesticides. The important role of secondary plant substances in plant defense was described in the late 1950s by Vincent Dethier and G.S. Fraenkel. The use of botanical pesticides is widespread and notable examples include Azadirachtin from the neem (Azadirachta indica), d-Limonene from Citrus species, Rotenone from Derris, Capsaicin from Chili Pepper and Pyrethrum.
The selective breeding of crop plants often involves selection against the plant's intrinsic resistance strategies. This makes crop plant varieties particularly susceptible to pests unlike their wild relatives. In breeding for host-plant resistance, it is often the wild relatives that provide the source of resistance genes. These genes are incorporated using conventional approaches to plant breeding, but have also been augmented by recombinant techniques, which allow introduction of genes from completely unrelated organisms. The most famous transgenic approach is the introduction of genes from the bacterial species, Bacillus thuringiensis, into plants. The bacterium produces proteins that, when ingested, kill lepidopteran caterpillars. The gene encoding for these highly toxic proteins, when introduced into the host plant genome, confers resistance against caterpillars, when the same toxic proteins are produced within the plant. This approach is controversial, however, due to the possibility of ecological and toxicological side effects.
Many currently available pharmaceuticals are derived from the secondary metabolites plants use to protect themselves from herbivores, including opium, aspirin, cocaine, and atropine. These chemicals have evolved to affect the biochemistry of insects in very specific ways. However, many of these biochemical pathways are conserved in vertebrates, including humans, and the chemicals act on human biochemistry in ways similar to that of insects. It has therefore been suggested that the study of plant-insect interactions may help in bioprospecting.
There is evidence that humans began using plant alkaloids in medical preparations as early as 3000 B.C. Although the active components of most medicinal plants have been isolated only recently (beginning in the early 19th century) these substances have been used as drugs throughout the human history in potions, medicines, teas and as poisons. For example, to combat herbivory by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, Cinchona trees produce a variety of alkaloids, the most familiar of which is quinine. Quinine is extremely bitter, making the bark of the tree quite unpalatable, it is also an anti-fever agent, known as Jesuit's bark, and is especially useful in treating malaria.
Throughout history mandrakes (Mandragora officinarum) have been highly sought after for their reputed aphrodisiac properties. However, the roots of the mandrake plant also contain large quantities of the alkaloid scopolamine, which, at high doses, acts as a central nervous system depressant, and makes the plant highly toxic to herbivores. Scopolamine was later found to be medicinal use in pain management before and during labor; in smaller doses it is used to prevent motion sickness. One of the most well-known medicinally valuable terpenes is an anticancer drug, taxol, isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia, in the early 1960s.


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Courageous action always speaks volumes, but it is particularly loud when it is in pursuit of dreams, or when it comes from a desire to serve, to create meaning for others. Christy Tonge (member of the Forum on Cross-Cultural Inspiration) and her husband Barry have always been involved in the development of youth, particularly under-served youth, in the Bay Area. They have two children of their own, 8 and 11, and both parents have active and successful business careers. But their aim has always been to apportion their time and effort to not only meet their own economic needs but also to use their substantial talents to personally help others.
This year, they raised their own very high bar. After officially founding the "Reach Potential Movement", a non-profit that will institutionalize their effort, they decided that the work of inspiring kids was a contact sport. They leased their own home in Mountain View and moved to a small apartment in the neighborhood where the kids they hoped to inspire actually live. Here is Christy's own reflection on the decision:
"To better understand the culture
and experience of the vulnerable kids
and families Reach Potential aims to
serve, and to better foster neighborhood
outreach, our family made the
decision to rent our home and move
across town to a low income apartment
complex in Mountain View.
After finding a home for our pets,
and goodbyes to our big backyard,
trampoline and other comforts, we
headed for our new neighborhood. It
was with excitement and nervousness
that our family took the leap.
We landed at apartment #56 on
the other side of our packing and
moving tasks (with wonderful help
from friends, family and RP supporters)
to begin life in our new
neighborhood. In my first week as I
struggled to converse in Spanish
with a neighbor in the laundry facility
as we did wash together, I remember
thinking, 'What have we
done??…This is hard!' 'Will we be
able to build relationships here like
we'd hoped?'
Though there have been many
adjustments for my kids and for my
husband Barry and I, we are so very
glad that we are here. It is stretching
us, giving us new eyes to see…and
opening doors for relationships and
for Reach Potential outreach that we
could not have had otherwise. We
are eager to see what the months
ahead hold, and certain that we will
learn a lot in the process."
Barry, Christy and their partners in this venture are showing the way with what counts the most. Words are great, but action is far, far better–it speaks with our common tongue. Who we are always gets reflected in what we actually do with our lives…and in this case, it's inspiring. Like Sadat, Mandela, King, Luther and the others that we all know, these folks have come to play.
To read more about this project, and to find out how to support them, see the "News from Friends" section of this blog.

subset: commoncrawl


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How to Buy Tax Free Bonds
Tax-free bonds are government-backed securities on which you do not pay tax. Governments issues these and other types of bonds when they need to raise money; thus, tax-free bonds may not always be available if government legislatures do not vote to authorize them. As with other bonds, tax-free versions have terms, including how much interest they accrue, when they reach maturity and when the bond can be redeemed. In most instances, you must purchase tax-free bonds through authorized brokers.
1Determine whether your government is issuing tax-free bonds. In the United States, individual states generally legislate the creation of tax-free bonds.
- Check official state websites to find out if the state currently offers tax-free bonds. You may be able to add yourself to an email list if you would like to be notified of future bond availability.
- As of January, 2011, United States federal government currently offers tax-exempt bonds but not tax-free bonds. Exempt bondholders do not pay local or state taxes, but do pay taxes when the bonds reach maturity.
2Research the details of the bond, such as maturity, interest paid, etc.
- Bond maturity is the date on which the principal and the accumulated interest is paid to the bondholder. This maturity can take place over relatively short periods like 3 or 5 years, or can take 30 years. There are usually penalties associated with withdrawing the bonds earlier than the set maturity date.
- Bonds can pay interest either at the time of maturity or at specific intervals over the life of the bond. For example, a 5-year bond note may pay interest annually.
3Assess the methods by which you can purchase the bonds. In many instances, you cannot purchase bonds directly by contacting your government. A third-party must be involved as an intermediary.
- In some cases, you can select and contact a broker through whom the bonds can be purchased. You can find brokers, also called investment brokers, investors, or financial advisors, in any directory of financial service providers.
- Depending on the issuing government, you can obtain tax-free bonds by contacting your employer's human resources or personnel department to set up an automatic deduction from your paycheck. The department will then use the money to purchase tax-free bonds in your name in the amount you indicate.
We could really use your help!
cooking with tuna?
Feet Knees and Legs?
Youth Dating?
- Most government bonds are very safe investments compared to company stocks and even mutual funds. As a testament to the security of tax-free bonds, governments usually pledge their power ensure they reach maturity. However, bonds' interest yields are lower than other market investments. Low risk equals low return.
- Governments issue bonds, in part, to finance certain activities, such as a local government that wants to improve public schools. If it is important to you, you may want to find out how your money would be used if you purchase a bond.
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Categories: Financial Bonds
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|« Back to Article
Hamilton: Destruction of parks hurts all of Houston
Developers need more incentives to embrace green space
By Ann Hamilton | June 21, 2013 | Updated: June 21, 2013 7:39pm
Photo By Brett Coomer/StaffA area of land, that was once heavily wooded, behind a town home development is cleared in the Woodland Park area Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
Photo By Brett Coomer/StaffA townhome developer agreed to pay the city $300,000 to restore nearly an acre in Woodland Park north of downtown that was scraped of trees.
Most in the park community know that it takes dedicated citizens to adopt and care for parks in Houston to make them people/critter-friendly places.
With the help and support of citizen volunteers and generous philanthropists, I have been actively involved in the parks movement for almost three decades.
Together, we have advocated, acquired, developed and protected parks from encroachment by private, voracious developers and institutions that often view parks as "free land."
I was saddened, but not surprised, when reading the news of a private developer's "miscommunication" with his contractor resulting in the destruction of almost an acre of Woodland Park on the eve of its centennial.
This latest incident is but one of many that concern me. The recent news of Memorial Park being annexed into the Uptown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) led me and others to question how and why this decision was made seemingly without public participation. When questioning this action, some city leaders called us "meddlesome environmentalists" with "goofy ideas."
Houston has always been a developer's dream town, from the moment the Allen brothers stepped foot onto its swampland and commenced to promote it as a paradise, complete with clear streams and rolling hills. I cannot think of another city that has so freely relinquished control over so much of its public space.
Why did it take three days and a neighborhood park group to finally raise an alarm when a developer's contractor bulldozed and laid bare a large portion of Woodland Park, the second-oldest park in Houston? Where were the city and county, which have jurisdiction over this precious green space? Will the developer and his associates be held accountable for their damages? Will the city be forever stuck in Joni Mitchell's lament: "Paved paradise, put up a parking lot"?
Study after study clearly has shown that open green spaces and parklands enhance property values. People want and need parks and green space for rest, recreation, relaxation and reflection.
These values are essential for all citizens, not just those who can afford to organize and advocate for them. Houston should be providing incentives for developers to embrace parks, not destroy them.
I have been to Woodland Park and walked through the wooded trails that Friends of Woodland Park built with their own hard labor and resources over the past seven years. These dedicated folks have given up their weekends and personal time to make this historic park accessible to all. They have constructed trails and thinned thicket so that the three little boys I saw recently get to play like modern-day Huck Finns down by White Oak Bayou.
When I reached the barren, denuded area that fell victim to the contractor's bulldozers, I took a photograph of a hand-made sign that hung on one of the last standing trees. It read: "Missing Wildlife … Have you seen 50 Mockingbirds & babies … 8 Opossum & babies … 3 Hawks & babies … 5 species of snakes … Mr. & Mrs. Heron and their extended family of 150"? My sad answer was, no.
And, so, I end with another phrase from a folk song of the '60s: "When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?"
Hamilton is former executive director of The Park People, a former Houston Parks board member and former senior grant officer for Houston Endowment.


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Season Opens at Charlotte
November 16, 2001Hoosiers Travel to Charlotte
Indiana opens its regular season at Charlotte on Sunday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. The 49ers have won both of their exhibition games defeating the Global Stars 77-61 and Gulbene 89-56. Thomas Jobey led the way with 36 points in the two games. Charlotte will be in action Friday evening when it faces Davidson at home.
Check back soon


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News & Accolades
Craftsman in the news [ The latest from Craftsman, America's most trusted tool brand. ]
- Current Headlines
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- Craftsman Experience Celebrates One-Year Anniversary as Ultimate Do-It-Yourself Playground
- The Craftsman Brand Named Top Power Tool in Nationwide Brand Survey
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- Craftsman Launches Tough New Industrial Line of Mechanic Hand Tools
- Craftsman Ball-Bearing Tool Storage Combo Just $199.98 During Special Promotions
- New Universal Mechanics Tool Set, Universal Ratchet and Socket Set Added to Craftsman Hand Tools Lineup
- New 51-Piece MAX AXESS™ Mechanics Tool Set from Craftsman Eliminates Need for Deep Sockets
- Craftsman Launches Frank Fontana Podcast
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- Popular Mechanics Readers' Choice Award 2010
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- Craftsman, NASCAR Announce Wrenchman Award Finalists
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- Popular Mechanics Reader's Choice Awards
- Craftsman and NASCAR® Announce New Award
- Four Craftsman Tractors Make 2009 Top Ten
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- Craftsman Sponsors ESPN Tech Garage
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- Craftsman - Official Tools of DIY Network
Be inspired by project and tool advice from other craftsmen. Visit the Community
Ty Pennington Encourages Craftsman Club, SHOP YOUR WAYSM REWARDS Members and Americans Across the Country to Get Involved
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (April 26) The Craftsman brand and Craftsman Club, a part of the SHOP YOUR WAYSM Network, are hitting the road this summer to inspire Americans to open their tool boxes and start working with their hands, all while making a difference in communities across the country. Leading the charge is the Craftsman "Make a Difference" Tour, launching on April 27, which will visit more than 20 locations nationwide, renovating homes of U.S. veterans and helping communities in need. The "Make a Difference" Tour is at the center of the Craftsman brand's new "Made to Make" campaign, in which the Craftsman brand celebrates the "maker" within each of us.
Tomorrow and throughout the tour, Sears Heroes at Home and non-profit Rebuilding Together will join the Craftsman "Make a Difference" Tour. At the tour's first stop in Moonachie, N.J., on National Rebuilding Day, the "Make a Difference" partners will help restore a home owned by a U.S. veteran that was devastated by Superstorm Sandy. National TV personality and DIY expert Ty Pennington will be there to lead volunteers and officially kick off the tour.
"It is so important to give back, and I have been fortunate to be part of some truly heartwarming home renovations throughout my career," said Pennington. "I'm excited and proud to be part of the Craftsman 'Make a Difference' Tour because, with the help of volunteers from Heroes at Home and Rebuilding Together, we'll make a positive impact in the lives of those in need."
Featuring a 36-foot trailer and truck filled with the latest Craftsman tools, the "Make a Difference" Tour's stops across the U.S. will include projects benefiting military veterans, assisting areas affected by natural disasters, and local community restoration projects where Sears Hometown Stores are located. Scheduled tour stops include:
Ardmore, Pa.
Moonachie, N.J.
St. Louis
Milford, Mich.
Sturgis, S.D.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Washington, D.C.
"We believe all Americans can build, create and shape their worlds, from the smallest of home projects to the tallest of buildings. And, we enjoy the pride in seeing our passion for making come to life," said Michael Castleman, president, Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard and senior vice president, Sears Holdings. "For 86 years, the Craftsman brand has provided quality tools that are made to make. The Craftsman 'Make a Difference' Tour brings the desire of making to life, by mobilizing Craftsman Club members and local volunteers to make a difference in communities across the country."
"Rebuilding Together is thrilled to be joining Sears Heroes at Home and the Craftsman brand for the 'Make a Difference' tour," said Brad Segal, Chairman of Rebuilding Together's National Board. "We appreciate their generosity and share the belief that, together, we can rebuild our communities, house by house, block by block, community by community."
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Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading integrated retailer with over 2,600 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and the home of SHOP YOUR WAY a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through ShopYourWay.com. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, fitness equipment and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, with a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, the Kardashian Kollection, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as Sofia by Sofia Vergara and The Country Living Home Collection. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 15 million service and installation calls made annually and have a long-established commitment to those who serve in the military through initiatives like the Heroes at Home program. We have been named the 2011 Mobile Retailer of the Year, Recipient of the 2012 ENERGY STAR® "Corporate Commitment Award" for Product Retailing and Energy Management and one of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com. Twitter: @searsholdings | |Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers
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Civil Society Debate on "Inclusive Democracy", organised by the Conference of INGOs in connection with the World Forum of Democracy on 7 October 2012
Round table on "Inclusive Democracy and Human Rights"
Moderator: Conny Czymoch (Germany) Journalist;
Speakers: Albert Tevoedjre (Benin) Ombudsman of the Republic of Benin; Annelise Oeschger (Switzerland) International Movement ATD - Fourth World; Larbi Chouikha (Tunisia) Independent Electoral Commission, Tunisian League for Human Rights;
Rapporteur: Rita Patricio (Portugal) Amnesty International
This session discussed the interlinks between democracy and protection of all human rights for all mostly looking at the situations in Africa, in particular in Tunisia and in Benin, and in Europe. The session discussed obstacles to the full enjoyment of human rights and democracy and pointed at recommendations to address them.
It was noted that international law protects human rights including the right to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections that are universal and by equal suffrage. Human rights such as freedom of expression, association and assembly are part of the enabling environment for the exercise of inclusive democracy and must be guaranteed by the law. The right to be recognised as a person before the law requires also obtaining legal identity documents. This however is at stake for many. Obstacles to the enjoyment of economic and social rights, such as the right to housing and health and also education, exclude people from exercising their political and civil rights, entrapping them in a vicious cycle of poverty.
The session looked at the revolution in Tunisia that brought hope to the Region but also new challenges.
In Tunisia's 2011 landmark elections, for the first time since 1956 the organisation and monitoring of the electoral campaign was the task of an electoral independent body and not of the Ministry of Interior. The challenges facing this democratic exercise included an electoral code that allowed for 1600 electoral lists. Only 50 % of the electoral population was registered, the other 50% were excluded from voting. Lack of participation affected in particular the women and the youth, illiterate and people with disabilities. Main shortcomings related to the lack of education, lack of electoral experience of voters, of civil society, and of the media.
In Africa, corruption, nepotism and military coups have for long hijacked democracy and respect for human rights. Only recently Mali suffered a coup d'état. It was noted that democracy also requires solidarity from the international community and neighbouring countries.
Problems faced by Benin have included issues related to the electoral lists. Some progress has been achieved through discussion and engagement at the internal level and also in international forums. The institution of the Ombudsman in Benin, a guarantee for respect of human rights, intervenes in a strategic and selective way, in coordination with civil society, aiming at achieving constructive change.
Across Europe, the financial sector is increasingly influencing public policy, also at the local level. The poorest and the most vulnerable populations are being excluded from fully fledged democratic participation. Some say that we experience a democratic fatigue in Europe. Many feel alienated, powerless, and not recognised in political speech. Their needs are excluded from public decision making. This includes migrants, Roma and other vulnerable groups. It was argued that more than "fatigue for democracy" we are facing a "call for democracy" that asks for people to be effectively heard and be given a chance to participate.
Recommendations to political leaders issued by participants:
- Ensure an enabling environment for the flourishing of democracy that guarantees the protection of all human rights for all:
o Laws must be compatible with the international human rights obligations that States have adhered to,
o Public policies must be compatible with such obligations and aim to fulfil human rights,
o Governments and public institutions should be representative and accountable at national and local levels,
o Justice systems must be independent, accessible and provide for accountability for violations of human rights;
- All sectors of the population, including the poorest and most vulnerable, the migrants and the Roma, should be enabled to effectively participate in political life. Political leaders must avoid racist, xenophobic and discriminatory speech;
- Electoral systems must provide the right to vote to everyone without discrimination on the basis of religion, race, gender or other prohibited grounds;
- Priority should be given to human rights' and electoral education, of the population and the media, in particular to ensure the participation of women and youth. Illiteracy must be addressed;
- Engage the international community in finding solutions to democratic and human rights' crisis in a spirit of solidarity;
- Recognise the key role of civil society in all levels of governance, through its effective consultation and engagement including in the drafting of legislation and public policy.


text:
I was using online dating for the first time, and I met this woman on one of the sites that seemed kind of interesting, but the only problem was that her profile pictures were blurry. Based on the pictures, she could be really sexy and curvy, or not cute at all. I kept asking her to email me more pictures, but she just kept telling me that she was so hot and cute, and that she looked like Jada Pinkett. She kept telling me she looked like Jada Pinkett over and over again. Even though I was somewhat skeptical, I decided to meet with her anyway to see if she was delusional or not. Who wants to miss out on a date with someone that is as hot as Jada Pinkett. I was curious.
One day, I was working on my laptop at a local coffee shop, and I told her to come and meet me. I was not going to setup some fancy first date when I had no idea what this woman really looked like. She ended up getting lost and it took forever for her to find the place. She ends up not finding the coffee shop at all, but she finds a restaurant that is right around the corner. I tell someone to watch my things, and then I walk down the street to the restaurant to go and get her.
I walk in and there is my Jada Pinkett! She has a beer belly. She is wearing a dress that looks like she owned it when she was 10. The sleeves are like 6 inches too short, and it looks like a monks outfit. The dress is unstylish, unflattering, monk outfit brown, and her shape is terrible. Last but not least, her hair is all over the place and looks like a bird's nest.
"I had no idea Jada Pinkett had a beer belly and looked so bad in person."
The whole rest of the date she keeps telling me how much I want her as she stares at me with those crazy person eyes.
- Laughs537


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|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
Description: A lahamu is a quadruped beast the size of a small pony. Its canine head sports two large fangs coming down from the upper jaw, making it hard to dislodge once it sinks them into its prey. Mottled fur on dark skin stretches across a vaguely feline body, and a short hairless tail ending in a tuft of mangy fur flicks back and forth. Eyes of a thousand various colors and constantly changing shade betray a malign intelligence within. Lahamu often hunt in packs, roaming the plains looking for prey. When a potential meal is spotted, a lahamu will call out to its pack, the cries sounding like the wail of a mother who has lost her child. Lahamu hunt by scent, unaffected by the stench of their rancid breath. They are led by the strongest female, who chooses her mates from her pack.
Powers and Abilities: Capable of sudden bursts of speed, the lahamu will suddenly sprint forward to take out the strongest of presence. While it can feed on the psyche of any living being, it prefers sentient beings for their taste. Its bite not only damages the body, but the very personality, the charisma of its prey. It feeds on charisma, leaving the target dazed, making for an easy meal that is still aware of what is happening. It doesn't need to feed on the flesh of its prey. It just enjoys the taste.
|Greg A. Vaughan Pathfinder Creative Director, Frog God Games
This guy is thick with atmosphere, from its howl like a forlorn mother to its eyes of a thousand shades. I also like that its a Charisma eater--not too many of those out there. There's also its cool locking fangs, speed bursts, and hints of some sort of rancid breath (a special attack?). I'd say pick a couple of those asepcts and build on thoem. This critter may be trying to do too much. All-in-all, though, an interesting and original creature with a nice bit of prose in its description.
|Sean K Reynolds Contributor
|Clark Peterson Founder, Legendary Games & Publisher, Necromancer Games, RPG Superstar Judge
Initial Impression: Weird necrotic leucrotta variant. Feels like a first draft. But let's look a bit closer, shall we...
Concept (name, overall design choices, design niche, playability/usability, challenge): B+
Good name (though it is a bit too close to lamasu for me). I think, perhaps, you went with a much too comfortable monster niche—the evil creature that is not a mastermind or a dungeon dweller. It's just an evil animal. Is that a Superstar monster pitch? Not sure. Unless this was a bad guy's mount, this is most likely no better than a random wilderness encounter. I wanted better. It takes work to get this creature to be in opposition to the PCs. Conflict is the core of what a monster is—they are the roadblocks for the PCs in fantasy gaming. A DM shouldn't have to work hard to come up with a way to throw a Superstar monster at the PCs. This one might need that. But that said, it also harkens back to some of my favorite old school monsters. The same criticism I just made could be leveled against the leucrotta or the peryton or the griffon, which are all creatures I love. So while I will dock you a bit I'm not docking too much. But it keeps you from an A.
Execution (quality of writing, hook, theme, organization, use of proper format, world neutral, quality of mandatory content—description, summary of powers): B+
I think you can do better. It's well written, but like a few others it smells of being a first draft not a final draft. But the powers and suggested abilities of this creature set it apart. The Charisma draining attack and the rancid breath and the wail attack all really hit home with me. I would love to see this thing statted up.
Tilt (did it grab me, do I want to use one in an adventure?): A
I would go out of my way to make an encounter with this creature. Its attack sounds so interesting and cool. Big mojo here.
Overall: A-
Strong entry. Feels right at home with some of the classic evil animal monsters of D&D fame like the leucrotta and peryton. I do feel this was a bit rushed and not a polished final draft. I hope the voters let you through.
Recommendation: I DO recommend this creature advance.
|F. Wesley Schneider Editor-in-Chief
So do these guys have thousands of eyes or just two that change color often?
This kind of reminds me of the coeurl from A. E. Van Vogt's Black Destroyer, in how it's this deadly cat-like thing that drains the "id" of other beings (even if the definition of that id here and that story prove quite different).
I felt a bit of the Coeurl in this too..but even so...this is a very evocative monster. It sounds like something for adventurers to dread. I get a more hyena-like than cat-like vibe...which just reinforces the worry I would have over having one of those things bite a character.
Not to mention...how much fun is it to have a monster that will go after the Bard or Sorcerer first! And not because they are lightly armored or spellcasters...but because they are the best meal!
This is a monster I could see with a Bestiary entry, certainly.
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
|Maurice de Mare RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter 2013, Marathon Voter 2014, Marathon Voter 2015 aka Darkjoy
|Hugo Solis
This sounds interesting... I think I'd rather make a "be3autiful" version of this cat-like critter than a undead-like one. The thousand shades of color on the eyes gives me more that idea and the fetid breath and Cha drain is a nasty surprise on a beautiful creature.
Cool critter!
The name doesn't grab me for the same reason Clark indicated. I have the adventure pitch now. Sebastian comes out victorious; having found the Starstone and has ascended to godhood. Meanwhile, myself & Tarren Dei squabble over the use of his unique avatar because two years have past and Sebastian has ascended to a better gaming forum board. The winner of the deadly combat will assume the unique Bella Sara avatar template and become ... The Spawn of Sebastian. It heads out east to tell what Rogavug can do with his bad self.
I kid, I kid...
I like it, Matt. You got the chops. Kinda like Lief ... it's just the name that isn't doing me in, but I can see dropping these things in a random encounter somewhere or as part of a plot hook on the way to the actual locale where the crap is going to hit the fan.
|Trevor Gulliver RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8 aka Tarren Dei
I'm sorry. There are a lot of great monsters in the top 32, and the lahamu does nothing to stand out from the crowd. It certainly didn't help you that monsters that feed on their victims' psyches was something of a theme this year (along with gross and collective intelligence).
After I read all of the entries, I went back to the main RPG Superstar page and looked at the whole list of them again. I could remember the gist of just about every monster on the list, but I couldn't remember a thing about the lahamu. It didn't help that the name made me think it was going to be a cross between a lamia and a lammasu.
Your entry also could have benefited from another editing pass. "...the strongest of presence." What?
Although I panned your entry, don't get discouraged. You made it into the top 32 of a few thousand entrants, that proves you've got some serious talent. Keep honing your skills. Try again the next chance you get.
|Mike Welham Contributor , Star Voter 2013, Marathon Voter 2014
Hmmm...I thought Lamashtu when I read the name. When I got to the second sentence, the slurk briefly popped into my head (I used a Lady Gaga song to dislodge it, but now I can't get rid of that).
This needs a little bit of editing, but I knew what you were going for with "strongest of presence". Charisma-feeding monsters are somewhat rare, so that makes it stand out for me.
I'm thinking about this one.
|Charles Evans 25
Hmm. I'm not sure if creatures with ability drain/damage hunting in packs is a good idea as a challenge. PCs in danger from the natural attacks end up having to either drop the creatures from range or to run/hide, because taking multiple dice of hits to your Charisma in one round (and the Lahamu are indicated to prefer mobbing one or two characters) is likely to put most characters down fast. Especially if the 'latch on' attack represents that once they really get their teeth into you, they have a good chance to automatically inflict damage next round too.
Although well written, the creature doesn't really feel like it's had much thought put into its powers and abilities. If a revision is produced at any point, I would strongly recommend that the Charisma sapping attack be replaced with something else, restricted to only one or two individuals in the pack (maybe it's something to do with 'Alpha' status???), or otherwise restrained.
I also have concerns about the possible abuse of these creatures as animal companions to Druids/Rangers if the rules and a future stat-block allow.
I really don't think this creature works well as an encounter as written. A dozen or more charisma sapping monsters all at the same time are going to roll over most low-level parties, whilst being unable to retaliate against mid to high level parties able to fly above them bombarding them with missile weapons and area-effect spells. The best use I can think of for this monster might be as a small encounter with only one or two as 'guard-dogs', or perhaps with a small pack as a billed fight in a gladiatoral contest where the combatants know what's coming up and have a chance to accordingly prepare.
My overall impression is of a creature that is a wolf/leaucrotta variant with a highly problematic Charisma attack tacked on that really drags down some strong description.
Thank-you for entering this submission.
|Nicholas Herold RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8 , Marathon Voter 2013, Star Voter 2014 aka Demiurge 1138
The lahamu name isn't the most inspired choice, as it sounds like lammasu, Lamashtu and even lamia. It's good to draw inspiration from the myths of the real world, but perhaps not when such myths have already inspired monsters that do different things than yours.
The idea that they're sadistic critters that feed on Charisma is kind of a cool one, but they really do seem like a leucrotta variant to me. They've got the hybrid animal aesthetic, the mimicry of human voices, the foul odor and habits and the malign intelligence. They're solid creatures, and well written, but the creative spark isn't quite there. These are not yet Superstars.
|Jason Nelson RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
I felt a bit of the Coeurl in this too..but even so...this is a very evocative monster. It sounds like something for adventurers to dread. I get a more hyena-like than cat-like vibe...which just reinforces the worry I would have over having one of those things bite a character.
Not to mention...how much fun is it to have a monster that will go after the Bard or Sorcerer first! And not because they are lightly armored or spellcasters...but because they are the best meal!
This is a monster I could see with a Bestiary entry, certainly.
No, no, they save the bard and sorcerer for LAST, cuz they are the tasty ones. They take down the low-CHA fuglies first to stop them from protecting the pretty yum-yums.
I actually think this monster would have been absolute dynamite if you HAD made it have thousands of eyes (rather than eyes of a thousand colors). Maybe it leeches out CHA by literally "drinking you in with its eyes."
As originality goes, this feels like a vampiric leucrotta, especially if the stink-breath is not an actual ability but just flavor text. Similar habitat, similar hunting style, similar abilities, and even the appearance seemed not too far off for me.
Overall: Name is decent, writing pretty good, the abilities seem all right and all work together... but the fact that this feels to me like a leucrotta knockoff with some optional accessories holds me back from an enthusiastic endorsement.
|Lukas Klausner
Really don't want to diss anyone here, but this is the first monster (going down the list alphabetically, so there may be more) where I *really* don't get why Clark recommends advancement to the next round – the monster just didn't do anything for me, neither visually nor backstory-/power-wise... That said, I wish you that the rest of the audience vehemently disagrees with my opinion. ;)
|Dance of Ruin
This idea, while somewhat original, suffers from the fact that it hits the 'common theme' of this year's monster round. In comparison to the other monsters that were designed to fill this niche, your entry has a strong description, but beyond that, it isn't fleshed out too much. I agree with the comments above that this would probably need a good editor's hand.
|Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4
First of all, I love that these feels mythological rather than an extension of our "new mythology" that comes with genre. You know what I mean? D&D always made some of it's own mythologies, but this has an old real world feel.
I love the Charisma drain. Almost as if they're eating the very essence of what makes a hero stand out from the crowd.
(I also abhor Charisma Dump Stats, but its wrongbad to want to see those players punished. That's adversarial GMing and a no-no in my book. However, you can put me down as guilty of thinking about it.)
I wish you the best of luck!
PS: Names are hard.
|Power Word Unzip
A magical beast that hunts in packs and drains Charisma. Good, evocative description. It's not so weird looking as to be stupid, and I can think of several ecological niches for such a creature - perhaps they were bred to hunt down sorcerers in a forgotten war?
Vote-worthy. So far, you're the only designer to grab my attention in both rounds. We will study your career with great interest. <evil Palpatine grin>
|roguerouge Star Voter 2013
Good description, small pony, dog head, cat body. Simple and to the point, if not a little muddled. Mean and nasty, with pack behavior and a possible 'Bad Breath'(a la the Malboro) weapon. I am not a huge fan of ability drain, but it is inevitable. With all the Sorceror and charisma based stuff going on, this could be a definite challenge.
The name is interesting, but kind of playful. Perhaps that's what you're going for, but this thing sounds evil. There are already some competitors in the feline arena(displacer beasts, coeurls), but this offers something different. Even though I know this is a solid entry, with believable and manageable mechanics, I am not grabbed. The description, though solid, is not A+.
This seems like a neat random encounter, but overall doesn't do much for me. I could use it as a hunting partner for a woodlands villain, or just an invasive species. I see potential, your Tankard was flavorful, and filled a need no one really thought they had.
|Starglim Dedicated Voter 2013, Star Voter 2014, Dedicated Voter 2015
How did the author respond to the challenge? I get some sense that this would mostly fit in the "flavour text" section with the minimum obligatory naming of powers, rather than really justifying them, but as a description/tactics entry it reads well, even that the author had some fun creating it. I didn't much like how the description of its Charisma attack was handled.
How does it stack up
- as an opponent? It's essentially still a pack carnivore, so will struggle above low levels. Charisma damage should scare players who dump low scores there.
- as something other than an opponent? Roams the plains, eats what it can catch, not much more to it. It has something of a mediaeval-bestiary quality.
- in relation to other monsters? Low-level wilderness monsters aren't all that diverse, so this is a valuable addition.
- in relation to the author's item? The tankard is also low level and not very complex. I'd like to see something more ambitious if this goes through.
- in itself? A well-described creature with a hint of vicious personality.
It's an attractive entry, maybe a bit light on ideas to show me that the author has a Superstar adventure in him.
Lahamucut for space
This is the ninth monster that I am looking at. I do not read the comments below the entry before posting my opinion. An apology if this is duplicative of someone else's entry, in part or whole.
Pack beasts, vaguely catlike. Huh. There's some good, evocative imagery toward the end of the paragraph. I like it's cry. We can glean that it's "malignantly intelligent".
*It sprints forward. (Aha! Well, it's not lurking in the ground.)
*It seeks the strongest presence. (Huh?)
*It can feed on the psyche of any living being. (Wis drain? Cha drain? Int drain? All three? Something else?)
*bite damages body and charisma (Ah, there we go. Okay cool.)
*leaves the target dazed (an underutilized option actually, so good choice)
*it doesn't need to feed on sentients, it just likes to (mm-kay, I think that belongs up under the description)
Summary: This fits well into being "a monster". It's evil, it likes to just devour and torment sentient creatures, and it hunts in packs. Okay. It's simple. It's solid. From a technical perspective, this really hit all the important marks of the rules, and it doesn't toss a lot of stuff out there without tying it all together. I think I would have liked more about its wail, or something a bit more distinctive to it. Oddly, I think if this entry had been expanded it would have more to it that I could find interesting. I'll put this aside and come back to it later to see how I feel after I review the other 23.
|Winterwalker Marathon Voter 2013, Marathon Voter 2014, Champion Voter 2015
|Eric Morton RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16, 2012 Top 32 , Marathon Voter 2013, Marathon Voter 2014, Marathon Voter 2015 aka Epic Meepo
My thoughts on the lahamu...
The Name: The name is similar to "lamia" and "lammasu," but "daemon" is similar to "demon," too. In fact, I rather like that "lahamu" is similar to "lamia," because my first thought upon reading its description was that a lahamu would make a great pet for a lamia.
The Description: A bit straightforward, but there isn't much room when describing something that is suppose to look similar to a mundane animal. Like others, I originally misread the line about thousand-colored eyes, leading me to believe that the lahamu has thousands of colorful eyes. I only noticed my mistake upon my second read through the submission.
The Powers: Like its appearance, the lahamu's powers are very straightforward, but that's part of its charm. Too many monsters have made the error I made when designing my villain last year and stuck in one too many disparate powers. The lahamu avoids that pitfall by picking one niche that isn't very well covered (Charisma damage) and sticking to it. Of course, it might have been a slight bit cooler if it did have a thousand eyes that gave it all-round sight, but that would just have been icing on the plain but quite tasty chocolate cake.
The Buzz: A few posters have mentioned that lahamus bear a close physical resemblance to leucrottas, and I have to agree with them. On the other hand, there are also real-world animals which bear a physical resmblance to the leucrotta, so I'm not holding it against you. Just be careful in the future to avoid sounding too close to something that's already been done.
The Vote: It's not powerful or shiny, but it quietly and dutifully fills a niche. Plus, it would make a nice pet for a lamia. This is one of eight monsters that I will be considering when it comes time for me to vote.
|Jason Rice
I just wanted to tell you that I understood the strongest presence line. I took it as descriptive flavor, not a game mechanic.
I also like the charisma damage. This creature feels like a CR 3 to me. It's basically a 1 trick (small) pony, but low CR monsters won't have a dozen powers.
Well, that's not really fair. It has a weasel-like attach power too. OK, it's a 2 trick small pony-like creature.
This is a decent creature, and I could certainly see it in a bestiary. I'm just not certain it's "superstar". I think I might have liked it better if it was smaller. Still more to read before I know who I'm voting for.
I like the Lamahu because it's tightly designed and well described.Everything fits in it's place and the description nearly makes it come alive. This has a very real feeling to it.
So it's no problem to see the lamahu in any campaign.
I also like it's charisma draining power, because it's not only something new, but it makes the creature behave in a new, interesting way ( a predator that's targeting charismatic targets first)
The Lamahu belongs in a well populated niche, but it easily finds its place among its peers ( like the worg, leucrotta, and other intelligent predators) because it does something new and doesn't simply imitate whats come before. I like both the interesting visuals and the nifty powers of this creature and how well they fit together.
The Lamahu is a fairly mundane critter, having its place at the lower end of the Cr spectrum. I was looking for great, unusual ideas in this contest. This is hared to do in these categories, but all the greater if one manages to do it. You really got me interested in the lamahu, but failed to get me exited enough to get up and start tossing around ideas.
I'm considering you for a vote and if I had more then 4 I would vote for you for sure.
Anyway I wish you good luck in this contest and hope you'll advance.
|Joel Flank RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16 , Star Voter 2013, Star Voter 2014, Star Voter 2015 aka JoelF847
I liked the name - it fits in well with lots of other weird magical beast monster names like the leucrotta, manticore, etc. The fact that it reminds me of Lamshtu as well being hyenalike sounding in description made me want a connection to the goddess from Golarion and gnolls. Since no world specific content was allowed in R2, I was dissapointed that it wasn't mentioned as allying with gnolls.
Overall, it's a well written entry, that gives a strong description of the creature, and a good view into where it fits in the world. While the charisma draining bite (and possible grab ability based on it's teeth) is a potentially deadly combo and a change from the standard monster attack types, overall I get the sense that the stat block for this monster wouldn't be all that interesting (it's a leopard or wolf with a supernatural Cha drain bite - done!)
I'm torn about voting for the Lamahu. I like your writing from both rounds, and think you might have one of the best described monsters in R2, but the monster itself isn't as innovative as I would like to have seen.
|FireHawk Star Voter 2013, Star Voter 2015
with a little editing the description could have been tightened up, and at the same time possibly freeing up the word count.
"Eyes of a thousand various colors" needs some editing, not totally sure on the amount of eyes this thing has
"malign intelligence" To me this seems like a predator, does it need to be evilly intelligent?
"Lahamu often hunt in packs..." Probably should have been the start of a new paragraph
"When a potential meal is spotted" Meal or Victim remember this creature has a malign intelligence
"Lahamu hunt by scent, unaffected by the stench of their rancid breath." the description of the breath seems out of place, and why is the breath rancid? Theres no mention of it being a carrion eater or having a saliva/poision attack
"Capable of sudden bursts of speed... to take out the strongest of presence." is presence the right word? maybe I'm reading it wrong
"While it can feed on the psyche of any living being, it prefers sentient beings for their taste." Would kill while and edit this a bit
"It feeds on charisma, leaving the target dazed, making for an easy meal that is still aware of what is happening." this is little clumsy to me a little editing would make this much tighter
"It doesn't need to feed on the flesh of its prey. It just enjoys the taste." You just got finished talking about the prey, should have used 'the Lahamu' instead of 'it'. I think the period after 'prey' should have been a comma, But I aint no expert
While this is a well worded submission, I think it has failings. The description sounds like a saber tooth lion that can eat psyche if it really wanted to. While it could easily be put into play, Im not sure of its use, or a niche for it to occupy.
|Mark Moreland Developer
I like the idea of this and think it's a nice twist on a classic concept. You mix the psychic vampire elements with the more bestial aspects, like its locking bite, creepy howl, and charging attack. As cool as the concept is, I don't feel like it's fully fleshed out, though, as if this is just the framework on which the monster will be based. There are some really cool sounding abilities that are merely mentioned but never really explained, like the breath and bite. Expansion there and in the ecology would really improve the piece. Best of luck and congrats on making the top 32 two years in a row. I can't wait to see what you can do in later rounds.
|Tobias Mullen RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32 aka Orange Toque
Does it grab me visually: The creature's cry is a striking mental image, especially as the pack closes in and the players realize that the "mother" they were going to help isn't a damsel in distress at all. My brain has trouble putting together the image of a canine head on a feline body.
Would I use it in game: Yes. Attacking charisma makes me happy. And the rest of the creature's abilities put this all into a nice tight package that I would love to run.
Would my players enjoy an encounter with it: Yes. There would be a very tense table as soon as the first character lost some Charisma. Half of the players would realize that they will lose their abilities and the other half would realize that Charisma shouldn't have been their dump stat.
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
|Craig Johnston RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32 aka flash_cxxi
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
How we got here, the lahamu.
Concept: "It doesn't need to feed on the flesh of its prey. It just enjoys the taste." That lovely poetic phrase came to me in the shower (most of my ideas involve hot water beating down on me). So I wanted to build a monster around it.
Appearance: Pliny the Elder is your friend. Basic image: charisma eating psionic saber-toothed hyena. Well I wanted to avoid hyena. So I went to Pliny and thought about how to best use the descriptions. His description of the eyes caught me, so I paraphrased it and applied it to the entire species. (so as to it having 2 eyes or 1000, it's all Latin to me) I decided that mixing aspects of cat and dog would be the best way to describe it, and to make it more striking. One writing tip I did remember was to appeal to all the senses, thus remembering to include its cry and the smell of its breath. It doesn't have any special abilities with either, I figure since it enjoys the taste of meat, it doesn't have to stop chewing for a while, thus the breath. Since the Hyena laughs, I thought despair would be a good diversion from the "Funky magic hyena vibe." Also I'll admit, the wailing and lamentations of the survivors in the recent Haitian quake were still in my ears. Pliny talks about the hyena imitating voices, so I wanted to avoid that trope entirely.
Abilities: Yes Virginia, there are psionics. Give me a moment to savour that I got a psionic monster past Clark… *sigh* such moments pass quickly. I tried to dance around saying 'Charisma' since too many people get hung up on Charisma = Beauty. Eventually I gave up frustrated. It doesn't eat the beauty; it eats the individuality, the strength of presense. It would ignore a dozen generic supermodels to munch on Billy Mayes. To feed I looked at the Ego Whip power.
That seemed to be a good 'healthy' feed rate. I 'nerfed' the ego whip aspect by adding a bite attack being required. If it wasn't evil, it likely would leave the victim laying there, to slowly recover the damage while it found fresh prey. (Though I'd assume that scavengers follow packs of lahamu from a distance, looking for left-overs).
Name: What to name our psionic saber-toothed hyena? Well naming it after an ex-wife would be fun, but no one would vote for the "Holly-monster" would they? So I went older. Looking at some translations of Babylonian texts, I decided that the spawn of Tiamat, Lahamu and Lahmu would work. I chose the Lahamu name, it part because I liked the sound and in part because of the closeness to Lamashtu. Lamia/Lammasu never occurred to me. (Then again neither did the lecroutta.) I was worried that someone would point out that Tiamat's Lahamu looks nothing like mine. *shrug*
|Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4
|Charles Evans 25
Hmm. Congratulations on making it to the top 16 this time, but please try not to be too clever. You may have intended this to be a psionic related monster, but it didn't come over that way (possibly fortunately for your vote... ;) )
I am interested to see what you will do with someone else's entry, and think you perhaps have a good chance here to make the top 8. (Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It means you won't be able to make the contest three years running unless they change the rules, hmm...)
|Neil Spicer RPG Superstar 2009, Contributor
First of all, congratulations on making it to the Top 16. I thought I would wait until after the voting for Round Two ended before offering any commentary or advice. And I'm going to come at it a little differently, in that I'm not going to focus primarily on your design this round. Rather, I'm going to have a go at examining your entire portfolio to this point to sort of assess what you've done well, where you could shore up a few things in your overall design and writing, and then give you some more pointed advice on stuff you could showcase in future rounds to maybe improve your chances of going all the way to the end. So, with that in mind, here goes:
I really liked your tankard of the cheerful duelist and thought it was easily one of the Top 5 of Round One. That said, I also liked the Lahamu, but not nearly as much. The name "Lahamu" didn't do much to get me salivating. And the description of its ecological niche and powers/abilities were well put together. There just wasn't enough in there to jazz it up to a level that screamed RPG Superstar...and I suspect that's why a fair number of voters didn't look at it as strongly as many of the other monster concepts drew them.
So, when I look at your mastery of language and descriptive prose, I think you're good. And, when I look at your rules-fu mastery, I think you're good. When I look at the tankard of the cheerful duelist, I think you have a good core concept and execution of your idea. But, when I look at the Lahamu, I just don't see the same strength in your core idea...and so that hearkens back to your design decisions around what you believe will appeal to the voting public. In that sense, I think you need to rediscover your mojo...but not just what inspires you...as I think you also need to assess what inspires the people who are voting. Pay particular attention to what they liked and didn't like about certain aspects of each design (and not just your own). Also assess what people like and dislike about Paizo's various products, as they're the same people who are voting in this contest. If you can more fully identify with them, I think you'll be able to match your ideas with a higher level of perceived innovation...and then rely on your strengths in game mechanics and writing talent to bring it home for you.
Now, looking forward at the remaining rounds of the competition, I think you need to assess how you can best distinguish yourself from here on out. Round Three is certainly going to need you to display your rules-fu in the stat-block execution. But, you've also got an opportunity to choose a monster that really inspires you to take it in a direction with some interpretation of its special abilities and powers that will catch everyone's eye. That's what will help you stand out and regain your footing.
Best of luck,
|Curaigh Star Voter 2013, Dedicated Voter 2014, Marathon Voter 2015
Congratulations! I do not have notes on the Lahamu, so I must have missed it originally, but here goes..
Visual: 12 Charisma
Creativity: 15 Intelligence
Would I use it: 12 Dex
Overall: 12 Strength
I cool pony that drains charisma. OK but I do not see a lot of use for it. Ability drains are difficult to overcome at low levels and nonconsequential at higher levels. If you really meant for this to be psionics, then you have broken the rules as it would not fit in a generic campaign. For future writing focus on what you did here though, create something we have not seen a lot of--charisma draining pony herds fall into the nearly unique category.
Good luck and congratulations.
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
|Charles Evans 25
They're only the size of small ponies. They have feline bodies and canine heads.
If you really meant for this to be psionics, then you have broken the rules as it would not fit in a generic campaign.
False. The rules say it must be "world-neutral". That means it cannot be Golarion-specific (ie, it can't be a monster that crawled out of the Worldwound, etc). There's nothing in the rules against psionic monsters. That'd be rather silly of Paizo since they have psionic monsters in the Bestiary.
|Curaigh Star Voter 2013, Dedicated Voter 2014, Marathon Voter 2015
Curaigh wrote:If you really meant for this to be psionics, then you have broken the rules as it would not fit in a generic campaign.False. The rules say it must be "world-neutral". That means it cannot be Golarion-specific (ie, it can't be a monster that crawled out of the Worldwound, etc). There's nothing in the rules against psionic monsters. That'd be rather silly of Paizo since they have psionic monsters in the Bestiary.
My apologies for that. I was going off the line:Submission is a science fiction, steampunk, or some other genre creature that could not reasonably be a part of a standard fantasy roleplaying game, and for me psionics are a genre and not standard fantasy. Throwback to my 1E days I suppose.
Yes I see the canine head/feline body, but pony+herd+quadruped translated to pony for me. I could have been more specific, but was trying to keep it short. :) Though this did not get my vote I found it an original concept and it was in my top half. So I will reiterate the first and last lines:
for me psionics are a genre and not standard fantasy.
Like I said, there's psionic critters in the Bestiary. The Neothelid in particular is rather blatant about it, having "Mind Thrust" and "Psychic Crush" as special abilities, plus a bunch of psionic-style spell-like abilities. I just wanted to point out for posterity that the Lahamu did not break any rules. Nothing against you not liking Psionics (or not considering them Fantasy, whichever) :)
|Curaigh Star Voter 2013, Dedicated Voter 2014, Marathon Voter 2015
|Steel Horse
I'm not sure what "to take out the strongest of presence" means.
I think it's the "fluff" side. The "crunch" side of this sentence (which I would fully expect to see in a full stat block for this creature) might read "In the first round of combat, the Lahamu attacks the character with the highest Charisma score."
|Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter 2013
Here are the stats I made for the lahamu. They're not math checked, and I didn't post them prior to the end of round 3 as I didn't want to bias people towards or against Jesse's entry.
Mechanics: When designing the lahamu, I looked to the level that I felt comfortable with, the 4-9 range. By making it a 7 HD monster, I put one right in the CR 5-6 range. It's a bit small for its hit dice (the hyaenodon is 4 HD) but larger than a hyena. The bite damage would be comparable due to the saber-tooth part, and the implications of multiple ego whip attacks in the same round would be moderated by them now being physical attacks (so a pack of lahamu is still a threat to a party, but they can't just surround the target at 30' and ego whip spam him)
So, what we have for monster stats…
Lahamu CR 6
NE Medium magical beast (psionic)
Init: +2; Senses: darkvision 60 ft., low light vision, scent;
AC: 16, touch 12, flat footed 14 (+2 dex, +4 natural)
hp 60 (7d10+21)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +4
Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite + 10 (1d8+5 plus special)
Special attacks: Ego whip, improved grab
Str 16, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 5, Wis 12, Cha 12
Base atk +6; CMB +10 (+14 with grab); CMD 22
Feats: Ability Focus (Ego whip), Skill Focus (Perception, Stealth), Toughness
Skills: Perception + 10, Stealth + 6 (+10 in tall grass or heavy undergrowth); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in tall grass
Environment warm plains
Organization solitary, pair or pack (2-6)
Treasure incidental
Special Abilities
Ego Whip (Su) On a successful bite attack, the lahamu drains charisma from the target, doing 2d4 points of charisma damage and dazing the target for 1 round. A successful save (DC 15) does only half damage and negates the daze. The save is charisma based and includes the +2 modifier for the lahamu's ability focus feat. This is a mind affecting ability.
Grab (Ex) The lahamu may start a grapple as a free action on a successful bite attack. Every round the lahamu maintains the grapple it may use its ego whip on its turn. The lahamu may attempt a grab on creatures up to large size.
Hustle (Su) As a swift action, the lahamu may make an additional move action on its turn. It may use this ability 3 times a day.


text:
Numbers tell only part of Mexico's story
The Chargers are the No. 1 sports team in San Diego. You won't get much debate there.
The Padres are probably No. 2, drawing between 2 million and 3 million fans annually to 81 dates at Petco Park.
And No. 3?
It might not be who you think.
It might be a team from another country. Playing a sport other than football, baseball or basketball. Visiting San Diego once a year, if that.
1. The preparation: No team comes into this World Cup better trained, at least in terms of volume. Coach Javier Aguirre gathered the Mexico-based players a full two months ago, meaning they missed the end of the Clausura season and the playoffs. El Tri also has played more warm-up games (12) than anyone else, most recently against England, the Netherlands and Italy. It sounds good, but so much can sometimes be too much. Are the players fresh for the World Cup? Or are they sick of each other?
2. The formation: Aguirre has been tinkering with different systems before apparently settling on a 4-3-3, with Rafael Marquez in the midfield instead of the back and a three-man attack of Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and either Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez or Guillermo Franco. Veteran outside backs Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio will go forward on the flanks, but it also could leave El Tri vulnerable to the counterattack.
3. The bench: Three notable absences are expected from Aguirre's starting 11: goalkeeper Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa and midfielders Andres Guardado and Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Based on the most recent tuneups, Aguirre will go with 37-year-old Oscar "Conejo" Perez instead of Ochoa. Guardado, who has been a mainstay on the left since 2005, fits better in a traditional 4-4-2 than the 4-3-3. At 37, Blanco doesn't have the legs to go 90 minutes, but can come off the bench.
4. The coach: Aguirre admits it. The pressure got to him at the 2002 World Cup, his last go-round with El Tri. He panicked 30 minutes into the second-round game and outthought himself, subbing in Luis Hernandez as a third striker against the bunkered Americans. The tactic backfired and the Yanks won 2-0, a result that has haunted Aguirre and Mexico ever since. Aguirre left to coach in Spain's La Liga for seven seasons before succumbing to the siren call of El Tri a year ago. Just as he did in 2002, he bailed Mexico out of a qualifying jam and brought it to the Cup. Now he gets his second chance.
5. The history: Mexico is one of four teams to reach the second round in each of the past four World Cups. But it agonizingly lost in the second round all four times. At a send-off for the team, federation head Justino Compean told Mexico President Felipe Calderon: "Our promise is the fifth game, and more."
MEXICO vs. SOUTH AFRICA
What: Opening match of 2010 World Cup.
Where: Soccer City, Johannesburg (94,700 capacity).
When: Friday, 7 a.m. (PDT) TV: ESPN, Univision, Televisa.
The opponent: In South Africa, Mexico gets arguably the worst host nation in history, No. 83 in the world rankings. Bafana Bafana (literally "The Boys, The Boys") is coached by Brazil's Carlos Alberto Parreira and are riding a 12-game unbeaten streak, although the majority of those games were against low-level opposition. Key players are midfielder Steven Pienaar and captain Aaron Mokoena.
Expected Mexico lineup: GK Oscar Perez; defenders Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Francisco Rodriguez and Paul Aguilar; midfielders Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado and Efrain Juarez; forwards Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos.
Series: Mexico leads 2-1
Next up: France on June 17 in Polokwane.


text:
Jersey Shore
Why Did Roger Mathews Say That Ronnie Needs a Works Visa and a Green Card?
Ronnie and JWOWW's fiancé Roger Mathews have developed quite a bromance between them over the past few months (um, they've even shared a bed together), so we're used to seeing the two guidos swapping playful jabs over the social networks. Even so, Rog's latest taunt has our eyebrows raised.
After Ronnie tweeted a nostalgic picture of himself holding some Malta Goya (a Puerto Rican malt beverage which is also distributed in Pennsylvania) with the caption "Compliment of Moms," Rog responded with a major tease about the Jersey Shore star's heritage.
"Your [sic] the only cast member of JS that needs a green card and work visa," Roger wrote.
Ronnie, of course, was born in the Bronx so that's not true at all. His mother Constance Ortiz (who seemingly gave him the beverage), though, is a Puerto Rican native. Even if Ronnie was born in Puerto Rico, Rog should know that it's a territory of the United States, so he'd still be a citizen. Yeesh!
Considering Ronnie didn't take the bait on that one and respond, we're going to assume he just let it slide … for now.
Catch the next new episode of Jersey Shore on Thursday, November 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
Source: @MTVRonnie, @RogerMathewsNJ
For more on Jersey Shore, Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.


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realmagick.com The shrine of knowledge.
Kunishige Kamamoto
- Jun 3, 2009 Players who narrowly missed out. Ferenc Puskas, Hungary & Spain - 84 goals in 89 games (0.
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- Kunishige Kamamoto was the greatest striker produced by Japanese football in the entire 20th century, and his name was known throughout the world.
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Welcome to the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools website. I am Dr. Anthony D. Jackson, I serve as Superintendent and it is my privilege to work cooperatively with our 11 member Board of Education to ensure that our 17,000 students and 2300 employees have the necessary support and resources to ensure their individual and collective success. The Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System is a dynamic student-centered school district FOCUSED on providing Rigorous and Relevant instruction for every child, in every classroom, every day.
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