The Giants of the Shivalik Hills

Long ago, in the dense forests and rolling foothills of the Shivalik range, a society unlike any other had taken root. These hills were home to a species that had vanished from much of the world: Gigantopithecus Blackii, massive apes standing over ten feet tall, their fur thick and their minds sharp. Though their appearance was fearsome, they were a highly social and intelligent species, living in harmony with the land and its creatures.

The Gigantopithecus had domesticated the elephants of the region, not as beasts of burden in the harsh sense, but as companions and partners in shaping the landscape. These elephants, revered and well cared for, were central to the society's way of life. The Gigantopithecus used their immense strength to clear forests for agriculture, to haul massive stones for the construction of grand temples and communal complexes, and to maintain intricate irrigation systems that fed their fields.

Their villages were feats of engineering—massive stone complexes that blended into the mountainsides, connected by wide, paved roads that wound through the hills like veins. At the heart of each village was a temple, a place of reverence and reflection, where the Gigantopithecus would gather to celebrate the cycles of the seasons, honor their ancestors, and meditate on the balance between strength and gentleness that defined their lives.

One autumn, a small tribe of Neanderthals, wandering far from their usual hunting grounds, stumbled upon this society. The Neanderthals, stocky and resilient, had traveled through forests and valleys, following the game that sustained them. But the sight of the Gigantopithecus and their elephant companions left them awestruck.

The tribe had never encountered anything like this. The Gigantopithecus were unlike any creature they had seen—giants that towered over them, yet moved with a surprising grace. And the elephants, which the Neanderthals had only ever seen from a distance, were now before them, draped in intricately woven blankets, their tusks adorned with carvings and beads.

At first, the Neanderthals were wary. They watched from the cover of the trees, unsure of how to approach these beings who seemed to command the very landscape. But the Gigantopithecus, with their keen senses, soon became aware of the visitors. Rather than reacting with aggression, they extended an invitation. The leader of the Gigantopithecus, an elderly female named Kora, approached the Neanderthals with a gift: a basket of fruit and nuts, and a piece of cloth woven from plant fibers.

The Neanderthals, after some hesitation, accepted the gift. It was the beginning of a cautious but profound interaction between the two species. The Neanderthals, though less advanced in their tools and society, were quick learners. They watched as the Gigantopithecus guided their elephants to clear a new field, using simple but effective tools to turn the soil and plant crops. They saw the careful way in which the Gigantopithecus tended to the elephants, ensuring they were well-fed and healthy, and never overworked.

Over time, the Neanderthals began to help with the tasks. Though they lacked the physical strength of the Gigantopithecus, they were clever and resourceful. They found new ways to catch fish in the rivers, which they shared with their hosts, and showed the Gigantopithecus how to craft more efficient tools from stone. In return, the Gigantopithecus taught the Neanderthals about agriculture, about how to build shelters that could withstand the harsh monsoon rains, and about the importance of community.

One day, the leader of the Neanderthals, a young male named Orak, was invited to a ceremony in the central temple. The Gigantopithecus had built this temple using massive stones that their elephants had hauled from distant quarries. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of burning herbs, and the walls were adorned with carvings that told the story of their people—their origins, their bond with the elephants, and their understanding of the world around them.

As Orak sat among the Gigantopithecus, listening to their deep, resonant chants, he felt a connection to something greater than himself. It was a feeling of unity, of being part of a vast, interconnected web of life that stretched across the hills and valleys. He realized that his tribe and the Gigantopithecus were not so different—they both sought to live in harmony with the world, to protect their families, and to ensure the survival of their people.

When the ceremony ended, Kora, the leader of the Gigantopithecus, placed a carved stone in Orak’s hands. It was a symbol of their friendship, a token that represented the bond between their two peoples. Orak understood its significance, and he vowed to honor it.

The Neanderthals did not stay with the Gigantopithecus forever. As the seasons changed, they felt the call of the wild places, the need to continue their journey. But they left with knowledge and wisdom they had never known before, and a promise of friendship that would endure through the ages.

And so, in the Shivalik hills, the legacy of the Gigantopithecus and their elephants lived on, not just in the grand temples and the carefully tended fields, but in the hearts and minds of those who had been touched by their kindness, their strength, and their wisdom.

Exhausted

 So yesterday was National Space Day and after lunch break I went to Carnatic Cafe and had the 'Patravali Thali' as the waiters and cooks call it, noted as 'Oota' in the menu, which just means 'food' in Kannada. Then I headed to Pragati Maidan, which has at least ten gates, and 14 halls. Now the whole place had banners from previous events that had not been removed, and it was very confusing to navigate, and to just find the right gate which are about 500 metres apart. 

Finally, I ended up at Bharat Mandapam where the exhibition was, although the Brochure said Hall 14, which BTW is also marked as Bharat Mandapam on Google Maps. Then I met two really nice guards, who asked me for a pass. I told them I only need to go to the exhibition, and asked them if the model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station was there, and they said yes, and let me through!

So after sneaking in, I made my way to the exhibition. There was the BAS, the Chandrayaan 4 stack and the Soorya NGLV. Agnikul Cosmos had brought a 1:2 model of its Agnilet 3D printed engine, which had also been tested and validated. Bellatrix Aerospace had gotten its green unipropellant propulsion system and a hall effect thruster. Pixxel had gotten a model of one of the satellites in its Firefly constellation. Skyroot had showed up with just a poster!

There were also a bunch of great rovers from kids. I came home exhausted, filed some stories, but didn't realise then how tired and dehydrated I was. Now I am feeling feverish, and my back, waist, calves, ankles and feet are all paining a lot. I must not have walked so much since before the pandemic. 

Realms

 

DND wave echo cave

We see an apparition emerging from the floor. The ghost attacks Sunshine with her finger. We kill the ghost and find a chest full of coins that we give to Kunju. We head north, up a flight of stairs, Sunshine breaks opens a door, enters a room with a spherical green flame on a brazier, and hears the words "gear, stop, who are you?". Sunshine is the only one who hears it. Sunshine starts telling the ghost about their life story, the flame has never heard of Neverwinter. 

The flame is asking are you friend or foe, and then what is the password. Sunshine says kthxbai and heads out. Sunshine is telling us about the guardian flame. We can see a lot of weapons. Me and Pho go in and Pho tells the tentacle eyed monster (the spectator) behind the flame we are friends, its job is over, and it can go, and it poofs. We check out the room, get buffed by the flame and we get a cool mace called the lightbringer. 

This entire time we have been inside the cavern, we do hear a constant beating, a booming from the heart of the mountain. There are arcane sigils and the wards that have something to do with the fire. we leave the fire and go north. 

We go down some stairs, that opens up into a massive cavern. There is a cavern with massive surges of water causing booms. This is the wave echo cave. The head of a giant octopus emerges from the depths. We attack it, kill it, take a short rest and head west. We come across a furnace with mummified bodies of gnomes, orcs and goblins. A water wheel is not working, the place has not been used for a long time. 

A glowing round shape jumps out of the furnace. A flaming skull comes out of the furnace and the mummified corpses around us start moving. We kill the skull, which begins to reform. 

Prank War

 Year 1: The Prank War Begins

Vasu and Desi, both in Class 8 at Vasant Vihar High School in Thane, were known for their mischievous streaks. It all started when Vasu put a horn on Desi's chair during math class. The loud, unexpected noise made the entire class burst into laughter. Desi, not one to be outdone, waited for the perfect moment to strike back. A week later, during a science experiment, Desi replaced Vasu's baking soda with flour, causing Vasu's volcano to fizzle out rather than erupt. The science teacher, Ms. Sharma, couldn't determine the culprit, but everyone knew who was behind it.

Year 2: The Pranks Escalate

As Class 9 began, Vasu and Desi's pranks grew more elaborate. One day, Vasu sneaked into the classroom early and set up a bucket of water above the door. When Desi walked in, she was drenched. The whole class laughed, but it wasn't long before Desi got her revenge. Desi managed to slip itching powder into Vasu's gym clothes. During the physical education class, Vasu couldn't stop scratching, much to the amusement of his classmates.

Their pranks occasionally disrupted the entire class. One day, Vasu and Desi conspired to set all the clocks in the classroom forward by 15 minutes. The teacher dismissed them early, only for the school bell to ring moments later, causing confusion throughout the school. Despite the growing frustration of their teachers, the class never snitched, enjoying the chaos Vasu and Desi brought to their days.

Another time, someone put an agarbatti tied to a laxmi bomb in the toilet. The big boom sent reverberations through the whole school. All the teachers yelled at the students, with the history teacher, Ms Dixit saying that a child could have died from heart attack. Still, nobody revealed who did it, and in fact, nobody knew. 

Throughout the school year, mysterious animals began to appearing in class 9C. One day, there were centipedes crawling everywhere. Another day, someone unleashed frogs, that began jumping all over the place. Then someone released a water snake in the swimming pool, scaring the pre-primary kids. A small baby bat that swooped and scared people caused waves of screams for a good twenty minutes before the peon managed to shoo it away. A big fat bandicoot sent everyone screaming, and both Vasu as well as Desi swore they had nothing to do with it, but the two did work together to hide a stray dog under the teacher's table. The teacher ran from the classroom, with a barking down following close behind. 

Year 3: The Grand Finale

By the time they reached Class 10, Vasu and Desi were practically legends at Vasant Vihar High School. The two had lobbed fruits into the vice principle's balcony over the summer, causing a stink of rotting fruits that never really went away. Their pranks had become a sort of tradition, eagerly anticipated by their classmates. However, their antics were reaching a climax. One day, Desi filled Vasu's backpack with rubber snakes, causing him to leap up in fright and knock over several desks. Not one to be outdone, Vasu orchestrated a prank involving the entire class.

For the final prank of the year, Vasu convinced their classmates to participate in a flash mob during a boring history lecture. Just as Mr. Patel was about to start a monotonous recount of ancient civilizations, the entire class stood up and began dancing to a popular song. Mr. Patel was so bewildered that he didn't even try to stop them.

Then began the tradition of shouting out Aiwa. As soon as anyone shouted Aiwa, the whole class had to say Aiwa. This random shouting of Aiwa spread to other classrooms as well, and soon you could hear multiple classrooms going Aiwa Aiwa Aiwa if you stood in the classroom. 

Vasu and Desi, with the help of their classmates, orchestrated a grand prank involving glitter. They rigged the ceiling fans in their classroom with bags of glitter, carefully taping them so that they would only burst when the fans were turned on. During the first period, as soon as the teacher switched on the fans, glitter rained down, covering everyone and everything in a sparkling mess. The entire class was in on the prank, ensuring that no one revealed the masterminds behind it. For the rest of the year, the bags of the 9C kids could be recognized by the glitter still clinging to them. 

One weekend, Vasu and Desi, along with a few trusted friends, managed to swap the contents of their classroom with the small chairs and desks of Jr Kg two wings away. The operation was conducted on Friday evening, even as the whole school was clearing out. Desks, chairs, posters, and even the teacher's supplies were meticulously moved. When Monday morning came, the confusion among both classes and their teachers was priceless. Even the teachers and staff were laughing to see the big students of 10 std sitting in the small chairs and tables meant for the youngest students in the school. 

One day, with the help of several artistic classmates, Vasu and Desi managed to cover the entire chalkboard with a massive, intricate drawing of their history teacher, Ms. Dixit, depicted as a superhero. The artwork, done during a free period when the classroom was empty, was so well done that Ms. Dixit couldn’t help but laugh, despite trying to maintain her stern demeanor. The class took credit for the drawing, but no one revealed who had initiated the idea.

In another prank, following the success of the glitter explosion the two conspired to put sneezing powder in the fans, carefully taping and positioning packets, and testing to ensure that the sneezing powder is distributed slowly through a steady trickle. After the lunch break, 9C settled in, and half an hour later the teacher, the principal and the nanny were puzzled and afraid looking at a classroom full of coughing kids. 

This final prank got the entire class in trouble, with all of them receiving a stern lecture from the principal. However, the bond between Vasu, Desi, and their classmates only grew stronger. They decided to come up with a fun and positive prank to finish off their time at school. 

On the last day of school, Vasu and Desi, along with their classmates, planned a surprise party for their class teacher. During the break, they decorated the classroom with balloons, streamers, and a banner that read, "Thank You for Putting Up with Us!" When the teacher returned, the entire class jumped out and yelled, "Surprise!" The teacher was initially shocked but soon smiled, appreciating the effort and the sentiment behind the prank. It was a heartwarming end to the year and a perfect way to cap off their pranking days. Despite the chaos and occasional trouble, their pranks had brought the class together, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Epilogue: A Legacy of Laughter

Years later, as Vasu and Desi looked back on their time at Vasant Vihar High School, they couldn't help but smile. Their pranks, though often disruptive, had filled their school years with laughter and camaraderie. They had become a legendary duo, and their mischievous spirit had left an indelible mark on Vasant Vihar High School. Their classmates, now spread out across various paths in life, often reminisced about the good old days and the pranks that had made school so unforgettable. Despite how mischievous they were, whenever they met the teachers, they all said one thing, that the two were angels compared to the kids who went to school today. 

Figwit

In a time when the shadows of the land grew long, and the whispers of dark magic stirred the hearts of the wicked, a perilous quest was set forth by the elder of a humble village. In his vision, he saw the chosen heroes: a mighty barbarian named Thorgar, a wise old dwarf named Balin, a clever wizard named Elowen, and a swift archer named Figwit. Their destiny was clear: they were to vanquish an evil wizard wielding the dark power of chaos magic.

The elder, his eyes glinting with both fear and hope, warned the adventurers of the dangers they would face. With heavy hearts but resolute spirits, the party visited a wagon merchant and an alchemist to gather supplies before heading into the dense and foreboding forest.

Their first trial came swiftly. A raging river, cold and treacherous, blocked their path. The waters churned violently, hiding rocks and rapids beneath its surface. With teamwork and determination, they crossed safely, but as they reached the other side, a pack of hungry wolves emerged from the shadows. Their eyes gleamed with hunger, and their growls echoed through the trees.

Figwit nocked an arrow, his keen eyes scanning the pack. Elowen, with a wave of his staff, teleported to safety and unleashed bolts of lightning, felling two wolves. The remaining wolves, startled by the display of power, scattered into the forest. Thorgar found an axe embedded in a tree near the charred wolves, claiming it as his own.

Continuing their journey, the adventurers stumbled upon a haunted graveyard hidden deep within the jungle. An altar with a glowing rune floated above it, casting an eerie light. Three skeleton warriors and a skeletal chicken guarded the altar, their hollow eyes watching the intruders.

Thorgar, with a mighty roar, hurled his axe at the chicken, splitting it in half. Balin, always resourceful, tossed an explosive barrel near one of the skeletons. Elowen called down more lightning, shattering one skeleton and carbonizing the other two. Figwit, with precise aim, loosed arrows at the remaining skeletons, hitting an explosive barrel between them. The ensuing blast reduced the skeletal foes to mere fragments.

The party pressed on, discovering a magical potion at the bottom of a lake and defeating a jumping carnivorous mushroom. They even scared off a band of thieves with their prowess. Eventually, they reached a fork in the road. One path led to ancient, overgrown ruins, while the other led to a kingdom of mushrooms, both paths fraught with potential danger.

The ruins, though ancient and mysterious, were treacherous and full of traps. The mushrooms, colorful and inviting, held an air of strange toxicity. The party deliberated and chose the path to the ruins. Their decision led them into a labyrinthine maze, where traps and dark magic claimed the lives of Thorgar, Balin, and Elowen. Figwit, heart heavy with grief but resolve steeled by their sacrifice, pressed on alone.

In the depths of the labyrinth, Figwit faced giants and goblins with unmatched skill and bravery. His arrows flew true, and his spirit never wavered. Each victory brought him closer to his final goal: the evil wizard who had cast a shadow over the land.

At last, Figwit stood before the wizard's lair. The air crackled with dark magic, and the wizard's eyes gleamed with malevolence. The battle was fierce, a clash of light and darkness. Figwit's arrows, imbued with the hope and determination of his fallen comrades, pierced the heart of the chaos-wielding wizard. With a final, resounding cry, the dark magic was vanquished, and the land began to heal.

Figwit returned to the village, not as a mere archer, but as a hero who had faced the darkness and emerged victorious. His tale became legend, a saga of bravery, sacrifice, and the unyielding spirit of a hero. 

The Whisper of the Stars

 

In a quiet corner of the universe, nestled among the stars, was the Advanced Gravitational Wave Observatory (AGWO). The observatory, perched on a moon orbiting a distant gas giant, was humanity's latest endeavor to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Dr. Elara Singh, the lead scientist, had devoted her life to listening to the whispers of the universe, hoping to catch the faint echoes of colliding black holes and merging neutron stars.

One serene night, as the gas giant's rings cast shimmering reflections across the observatory's silver dome, an unusual signal appeared on the monitors. The pattern was unlike anything Elara had seen before—a rhythmic, pulsating wave that seemed to come from multiple directions at once.

"What's this?" she muttered, her fingers dancing over the controls to analyze the data. The signals were consistent, repeating at regular intervals, but their source was elusive. They seemed to be coming from thousands of nearby stars.

Elara's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "Warp drives," she whispered in awe. The signals matched theoretical predictions for the gravitational waves produced by faster-than-light travel. She quickly assembled her team, and the observatory buzzed with excitement.

Days turned into weeks as the team worked tirelessly to pinpoint the sources of the signals. They mapped out the stars emitting the waves, discovering that each signal had its own unique frequency and pattern, like the signature of a ship's warp drive.

The implications were staggering. Thousands of stars, each with its own warp drive-equipped vessels, suggested the presence of advanced civilizations. Humanity was not alone in the universe. The AGWO team decided to send a message, broadcasting a simple greeting into the void in the hopes that someone might respond.

Months passed with no reply, but the signals continued, each one a testament to the bustling activity in the galaxy. Elara often found herself gazing up at the stars, imagining the countless beings out there, traveling through the cosmos with technology far beyond humanity's reach.

One evening, as she sat in her office, the monitors flickered to life with a new signal—stronger and more focused than the others. Elara's heart raced as she realized it was a response to their message. The signal carried a series of mathematical equations, followed by a simple phrase translated by their computers: "We hear you."

The AGWO erupted in celebration. Humanity had made contact with an advanced civilization. Over the following years, messages were exchanged, and knowledge was shared. The warp drive signals that had once been mysterious whispers in the night became the foundation of a new era of exploration and understanding.

Dr. Elara Singh, the woman who first heard the whisper of the stars, became a symbol of humanity's curiosity and perseverance. She continued her work, always listening, always hoping to uncover more secrets of the universe. And as humanity embarked on its own journeys among the stars, the whispers of the warp drives became a symphony of discovery, echoing through the cosmos for all to hear.

DND Phandelver after Cragmaw

Edward tries to ask the divinition statue about real parents. We take ten days and get to Phandolin. A new policing force has been set in place. We meet a guard who has been sent to reinforce the place. The villagers are looking at us with admiration, but the direwolf is making them apprehensive. Que is well behaved. 

We reach the Town Master's hall. Crawbone casts heroism on Gundrim to perk him up. We return to Sildar, who is happy to see Gundrim alive. Sildar thanks us and promises to send the reward to us later on. We show them him the head of the doppelganger. 

Gundrim tells Sildar the Redbrand scum didn't help you did they. Gundrim wants to go and find his brothers immediately. Sildar tells us that there are weird goblins with lights in their eyes. We are ready to go to Wave Echo Cave. 

For some reason we look for Baked Goods. Gundrim asks for two hours to get ready. We go armour shopping. We buy half-plante. The shopkeeper finds it hilarious that we are going to the Wave Echo Cave. We don't find any armour for the Dire Wolf. 

The shopkeepers name is linen grewwing? 

WE take two days and trek to a mountain and go into a canyon inside a valley between two mountains and come to a crack. Inside is the body of one of the dwarf brothers with some supplies, meat salt, spices and gear, pickaxes, shovels. He has been attacked by a weapon and some magical poisonous attacks. At a stalagmite, there is a pit. 

We go down the put and there is the body of a goblin in filthy rags with green streaks on its body and an elongated head. This was not a cragmaw goblin, and its teeth are not filed. It died by falling into the hole. We get rid of some mosquitoes, and then enter a cavern with mushrooms. We eat purple mushroom that gives us dark vision. 

Then we see a room sealed with fire. We enter it and an apparation accosts us.