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junker-town · 3 years

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NFL mock draft 2021: Quarterbacks dominate top of board with one big surprise

Our latest NFL mock draft features a furious run on quarterbacks at the top of the order.

The Miami Dolphins shook up the top of the draft order Friday with a duo of trades with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles respectively. The order should remain relatively static until draft night, when there will undoubtably be more moves when teams jockey for the player they’re aiming for.

There has been a lot of movement in player rankings after the pro day workouts, so today we dive into the latest where there will be more than a few shocks in the first round.

No. 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson) — Jacksonville Jaguars There is nothing that changes at the top of the draft, and for good reason. There is no doubt selecting Lawrence first overall is the correct move, despite hype about other quarterbacks. Lawrence represents the perfect mix of NFL readiness and future potential. He’s everything the Jaguars need to get back on track. This is FINALLY the franchise quarterback Jacksonville has been desperate for.

No. 2 : Zach Wilson, QB (BYU) — New York Jets This pick is a representation of the Jets showing some confidence and betting on themselves. Incoming coach Robert Saleh isn’t beholden to continue the Sam Darnold development project, and the upside of Wilson is too good to pass up. New York will hope it’ll be a long time before they pick top three again, so striking now and getting a passer they believe can become a franchise QB is the correct move.

No. 3: Mac Jones, QB (Alabama) — San Francisco 49ers The bomb drops here and the NFL world is in shock. Rumors abounded that the 49ers liked all the passers at the top of this draft, but nobody thought that meant Mac Jones. Here’s the deal: Trading up to No. 3 to take Jones might seem stupid, but San Francisco has a window that’s still open, and getting a NFL-ready quarterback to step in now keeps it going. Jones might not have the long-term upside of Justin Fields or Trey Lance, but he also doesn’t carry the risk. At worst the 49ers get a low-level NFL starter, and that is too appealing to pass up here.

Gary Cosby Jr via Imagn Content Services, LLC

No. 4: Justin Fields, QB (Ohio State) — Atlanta Falcons I have no doubt the Falcons are fine going in another direction here and waiting to find a QB in the future, but after the 49ers take Jones, the choice becomes obvious. Fields is given a chance to sit for a year in Atlanta behind Matt Ryan and learn the Falcons’ system, an ideal place for him. This is an organization who isn’t afraid to take big swings in the draft to land elite talent, and this falls in that tradition.

No. 5: Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon) — Cincinnati Bengals The bottles will be popping in the Bengals’ war room before this pick is even announced. Never in their dreams did Cincinnati think Sewell would be available at the fifth pick, but the unprecedented run on quarterbacks allowed Sewell to fall. Joe Burrow needs protection, badly, and Sewell will lock down his blindside for the next decade.

No. 6: Trey Lance, QB (North Dakota State) — Carolina Panthers [TRADE] The Panthers had been hoping all offseason that they wouldn’t be making a pick during the draft, instead wishing this pick could be flipped to the Houston Texans in a deal for Deshaun Watson. However, Watson’s off-field issues, paired with a reluctant Houston front office leads to this moment. Miami gains the Panthers’ 2021 second round pick in exchange for falling back two places, with Carolina terrified someone else would jump up to get Lance. The Panthers were heavily scouting Lance at his pro day, and don’t want to enter the season without a long-term plan.

No. 7: Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State) — Detroit Lions This is one of those picks that just makes too much sense. On paper the Lions need more help on offense, but their linebacker corps is slow, and in dire need of an upgrade. Couple that with Detroit’s woeful 26th ranked pass rush, and a new defensive-minded coach who will love Parsons’ versatility out of the gate, and it’s a recipe for success.

No. 8: Jaylen Waddle, WR (Alabama) — Miami Dolphins The newly pick-flush Dolphins have every tool to put together an elite team, assuming they make the rights moves. The defensive side of the ball is coming together well, but in order to take the next step the offense needs a major upgrade. Picking Jaylen Waddle, the draft’s most electric receiver, is just too beautiful considering it reunites him with Tua Tagovailoa. Waddle is a Swiss army knife, who can adapt to passes at all three levels and allow Tagovailoa to find a rhythm with ease.

Photo by UA Athletics/Collegiate Images/Getty Images

No. 9: Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech) — Denver Broncos If this draft broke in a way that allowed the Broncos to get a quarterback I assume they’d go in that direction, but instead of reaching for a passer, Denver waits and gets the best cornerback in the draft. Denver allowed 66 percent of opposing passes to be completed last year, and Farley will go a long way to fixing that.

No. 10: Patrick Surtain II, CB (Alabama) — Dallas Cowboys With Dak Prescott under long-term contract and the offense largely solidified it’s time for the Cowboys to fix their defense. The secondary is an area of major concern, and Surtain is a major talent with stunning size at the position. He’s going to be a leader on defense from day one, and a lockdown corner for the Cowboys.

No. 11: Kwity Paye, EDGE (Michigan) — New York Giants I wish I loved anything in this world as much as Giants GM Dave Gettleman loves large linemen. That said, getting Paye at this spot is a major boon to a pass rush in need of help. Paye is an excellent hand in the dirt 4-3 end with the size and speed to get penetration on speed or power moves.

No. 12: Ja’Marr Chase, WR (LSU) — Philadelphia Eagles There’s a lot of temptation to take DeVonta Smith here, and personally I like Smith better. However, for the fit, Chase works better in the offense the Eagles are building. It remains to be seen how Jalen Hurts will operate as a full time starter, but his legs and creativity will warrant a receiver who is better picking up yards after the catch, and a powerhouse with the ball in his hands, regardless of where he catches the ball. This selection adds more electricity to the burgeoning offense.

No. 13: Rashawn Slater, OT (Northwestern) — Los Angeles Chargers The Chargers hit one of the home runs in the 2020 draft with Justin Herbert, who was electric his rookie season. Now they just need to protect him better. This is an oddly similar situation to Cincinnati, who benefitted from a QB-heavy top to the draft to select someone above their station. Slater would probably go in the 8-11 range in any normal draft, so they’ll be thrilled to get him here and keep Herbert upright more often.

No. 14: Christian Darrishaw, OT (Virginia Tech) — Minnesota Vikings Minnesota needs trench help on both sides of the ball, and a major talent upgrade at cornerback. Right now this board isn’t shaping up for the secondary, with both the top corners taken, and it’s a little early to take an interior defensive lineman. This is all fine though, because the Vikings need serious help at left tackle. The team was forced to release starting left tackle Reilly Reiff due to salary cap concerns, so Darrishaw can step in from day one and start.

No. 15: Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida) — New England Patriots Kyle Pitts is an athletic freak. This is a man who is a 6’6, 240-pound tight end who can run faster than a good chunk of NFL wide receivers, and put the work in as a blocker as well. Bill Belichick has always had an affinity for tight ends in his passing game, and Pitts could be the best he’s ever coached next to Rob Gronkowski. Furthermore, it’s the ultimate “show me what you got” move for Cam Newton. Newton’s best seasons in Carolina were when Greg Olsen was healthy, and Pitts is a player in the same mold who can stretch the field, and serve as a safety net.

Photo by Hannah White/Collegiate Images/Getty Images

No. 16: DeVonta Smith, WR (Alabama) — Arizona Cardinals Yes, the Cardinals need help on defense. Yes, taking a receiver would be a bit of a luxury move. No, I do not think there is any way on this earth Kliff Kingbury sees Smith on the board at his pick and doesn’t select him. Larry Fitzgerald was the sure-handed cornerstone of the Cardinals passing attack for almost two decades, and Smith has that same kind of potential. Putting him across the field from DeAndre Hopkins would immediately lock in Arizona as having the best receiving tandem in the NFL, and continue making Kyler Murray’s transition into the NFL as easy as possible.

No. 17: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE (Georgia) — Las Vegas Raiders A hybrid defender who can fit a lot of roles, Ojujari might be best as home as the Will linebacker in a 4-3, but he has the speed to be moved all around the defense. This is a kind of versatility Jon Gruden will love on the Raiders’ defense, at a position they need more help on in order to make a playoff push.

No. 18: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG (USC) — Miami Dolphins The Dolphins have multiple picks in this draft because they traded away starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil last year — and haven’t really recovered on the line. It’s unclear exactly where Vera-Tucker projects in the NFL. He started at LT for USC this season, but there are legitimate concerns his lack of arm length will force him to play guard in the NFL. Either way, he’s an excellent, instinctual lineman who help Tua Tagovailoa have a cleaner pocket in his sophomore season.

No. 19: Jaelen Phillips, EDGE (Miami) — Washington Football Team Is it greedy for one of the NFL’s best defenses to keep loading up in spite of the other side of the ball? Yes. Do I think they’d do it? Also yes. There’s a strong likelihood Washington takes a top RB here, but I think a player like Jaelen Phillips would be even more impactful. Najee Harris or Travis Etienne would certainly balance out the offense better, but a rushing rotation of Phillips, Chase Young, and Montez Sweat would be the most terrifying group in the NFL. Ron Rivera is a defensive guy, and that’s a hell of a toolbox to give a coach like that.

No. 20: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB (Notre Dame) — Chicago Bears There is a chance the Bears trade up for a quarterback in this draft, but at least for now I’m operating under the assumption they stay put and try for a season with Andy Dalton (yuck). That said, whatever bad taste Dalton leaves on the offense can easily be washed away by adding one of the most explosive defensive players in the draft to a unit already featuring Khalil Mack. Robert Quinn is a decent player opposite him, but now at age 30 the slow down will be happening. Owusu-Koramoah can be a rotational linebacker, even move back and play as a third safety when needed.

No. 21: Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnesota) — Indianapolis Colts The Colts have a major interest in learning quickly whether Carson Wentz can regain his form, and a key part to that is getting him a weapon. Michael Pittman Jr. had a promising first season, but T.Y. Hilton is getting on in age. Bateman has ideal size, athleticism and speed to be a No. 1 receiver for a long time.

No. 22: Baron Browning, LB (Ohio State) — Tennessee Titans The Titans went a long way to helping their defense in free agency by signing Bud Dupree and Janoris Jenkins, but there’s still work to be done. Browning is a prototypical linebacker with great speed and versatility. He can be spelled in his first season without too much pressure being on him to start from the jump, and develop into a defensive cornerstone.

No. 23: Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina) — New York Jets Robert Saleh strikes to get a defensive player who can help the Jets immediately. The son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee has great size and speed, and is comfortable being on an island covering a top receiver.

No. 24: Najee Harris, RB (Alabama) — Pittsburgh Steelers There’s debate on who the better running back is between Harris and Clemson’s Travis Etienne, but there’s nobody more Steelers than Harris at the position. A Derrick Henry-esque runner, Harris may not possess Henry’s top gear speed, but he’s still a bruising runner who can pick up hard yards and move the chains. Exactly what the team has been lacking.

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

No. 25: Teven Jenkins, OT (Oklahoma State) — Jacksonville Jaguars You’ll probably notice a theme here of teams selecting quarterbacks, then getting protection. It’s because it’s just a no-brainer. Jenkins is definitely more of a developmental project than the other tackles taken so far, but he offers tremendous versatility having played almost every position on the line. Jenkins can be moved around, coached up, and help make Trevor Lawrence’s debut easier.

No. 26: Jayson Oweh, EDGE (Penn State) — Cleveland Browns An athletic edge rusher, Oweh perhaps projects more to the role of a 3-4 pass rusher, but we’ve seen that the Browns don’t saddle themselves too much with prototypical size. They’re happy to use speed rushers on the edge, and Oweh can step into the rotation immediately and be spelled with Takkarist McKinley while adjusting to the NFL.

No. 27: Tevon Moehrig, FS (TCU) — Baltimore Ravens The Ravens need a safety, and Moehrig is the kind of impact player they’ll love to tinker around with. Comfortable working the middle, he’s a ball-hawk who will make plays in his area and relish the opportunity to make a play. These are qualities the Ravens love, and they’ll suit him well in Baltimore.

No. 28: Greg Newsome II, CB (Northwestern) — New Orleans Saints The Saints bled talent on both sides of the ball due to difficult salary cap-based cuts. Greg Newsome II helps turn the tide. He’s a raw prospect with tremendous upside, and it’s worth rolling the dice on what Newsome II could become, rather than what he is right now.

No. 29: Kadarius Toney, WR (Florida) — Green Bay Packers Honestly, I just want to see this — because Aaron Rodgers throwing passes to Toney will be FUN (except for opponents). A lightning fast slot receiver, Toney perfectly compliments Davante Adams and gives the Packers some offensive depth. We saw in the NFC Championship what happens when Adams was taken out of the game and Green Bay crumbled. Another big play threat is just what they need.

Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

No. 30: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE (Miami) — Buffalo Bills A varied, devastating pass rusher, Rousseau can adapt to almost any scheme and make an impact. He’s comfortable working from the outside and inside, giving the Bills a defensive tool to wreck havoc with.

No. 31: Jalen Mayfield, OT (Michigan) — Kansas City Chiefs Do you remember the Super Bowl? Remember how overwhelmed Patrick Mahomes was without Eric Fisher? Remember how bad the rest of that line was? Yeah, I do. Let’s fix it. Mayfield can play either tackle spot to varying degrees of success, or kick inside and be an effective guard.

No. 32: Zaven Collins, LB (Tulsa) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Buccaneers don’t have a lot of needs, and the ones they do they tend to fix in free agency. Collins has the ability to play a lot different places and make an impact, allowing Tampa Bay to play around with him until they part ways with veterans and he finds a long-term spot.

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guard-and-storyteller · 3 years

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All 1-78 both boys <3

Evilllll

1: Kitchen Counter, Couch, or on top of the dryer? Counter I think. -RB Couch, probably, better for the leg. Or lack of. -Sev

2: Your last sexual encounter: Good or Bad and why: Good, It was with Rinny and Eve who was trying to prove herself I think. -RB Good, I joined in with the other two. -Sev

3: A fictional person that you think would be good in bed: Takeshi Kovacs -RB Jopari. -Sev

4: Something that never fails to make you horny: I don’t know, being spanked? -RB When the others get all shy and blush. -Sev

5: Where is one place you would never have sex: Kids beds. -RB Parents bed. -Sev

6: The most awkward moment during a sexual experience was when ______________ I had a panic attack and we had to stop. -RB Changing positions, my hand slipped, I hit their head and fell onto the floor. -Sev

7: Weirdest thing that ever made you horny: I don’t want to talk about it. (Early teen Richie hearing Jim) Oh or maybe fear. -RB Or tickling for Richie. Having my stump touched. Strange sentence. -Sev

8: What is the best way to sexually bind someone: Handcuffs, Rope, or Other [if other please explain]: I like holding them down or being held down. -Richie. Rope is the most efficient I think but hands is more personal. -Sev

9: What is the fastest way to make you horny: First thought was hand down pants but not really. Umm praises? Touching. -RB Showing submission. -Sev

10: Top or bottom? Bottom. -RB Top. Sev

11: We were about to ____________ but then ______________ [example: we were about to have sex but then his mom walked in] We were about to give each other blowjobs but then he fell on me. -RB We were about to do it but then my leg slid out of place and I almost kneed him between the legs. -Sev

12: Is one orgasm enough? Are multiple orgasms necessary? One can be enough. More is nice on occasion. -RB I think one is enough. -Sev

13: Something that you have hidden in your room that you don’t want anyone to find: Only thing I can think is unrelated to nsfw stuff so I’m going to keep that to myself. -RB I don’t really have anything yet. -Sev

14: Weirdest nickname a significant other has ever called you: Tomato. -RB You’re looking like one right now, Rich. Uhh, someone called me Beast Master once and I misheard. After clarifying it wasn’t much better. -Sev

15: Two things you like [or dislike] about oral sex: The feeing of giving or receiving, taste of giving. How hard it can be to breath at times. Or is that just me? -RB I think you forget to breath. The feeling, the closeness, knowing the other is enjoying it. -Sev

16: Weirdest sexual act some has performed [or tried to perform] on/with you: It involved a toothbrush. (Richie has shut down for this one). -Sev

17: Have you ever tasted yourself? [If no, would you?] [If yes, what did you think?] I have. It was okay, not my favorite. -RB I have, didn’t mind it, would do it again. -Sev

18: Is it ever okay to not use a condom: If you know the other person is clean and are ready for kids. -RB Agreeing with Richie on this one. -Sev

19: Who was the sexiest teacher you ever had? I don’t know, never really thought about it. -RB Does Richie dressed as a professor count? -Sev

20: A food that you would like to use during a sexual experience: Chocolate! -RB Strawberry. -Sev

21: How big is too big: I don’t know, 10 inches? 15? -RB Not much of a bottom and can’t even take Richie. I don’t know? 7 or 8 for me. -Sev

22: One sexual thing you would never do: Bathroom related stuff. Not for me. -RB Same as Richie. -Sev

23: Biggest turn on: Umm…dominance, possessiveness. When one of the other’s get jealous. -RB Same as the fastest, submission, blushing, shy. -Sev

24: Three spots that drive you insane: Back, neck, dick. -RB Piercings, leg, chest. -Sev

25: Worst possible time to get horny: When working. -RB During a meeting. -Sev

26: Do you like it when your sexual partner moans: Definitely, yes. -RB Yes, very much. -Sev

27: Worst sexual idea you ever had: Chocolate, a lighter, handcuffs and a fleshlight. -RB Trampoline. -Sev

28: How much fapping is too much fapping: When there’s nothing left inside it’s time for a break. -RB Until you pass out. -Sev

29: Best sexual complement you ever got: I can’t think of anything. -RB The sounds they make. -Sev

30: Bald, landing strip, Jumanji: Up to them but I prefer a little cleaned up at least. -RB Yeah, shave on occasion. -Sev

31: Is it good sex if you don’t nut: Yeah, it really can be. -RB Yeah, sometimes. -Sev

32: Fill in the blank: "If they ____________, we are fuckin" Spank? -RB Challenge. -SM

33: What your favorite part of your body: None of it. -RB Hair. -Sev

34: Favorite foreplay activities: Power play, fighting for control. -RB Touching, kissing, pinning, slamming. -Sev

35: Love (>,<, or =) Sex For those of us who don’t remember our math thats “greater than, less than, or equal to] Greater than. -RB Greater than. -Sev

36: What do you wear to bed? Boxers. Sometimes one of Rinny’s shirts. -RB Nothing. On occasion underwear and t-shirt if it’s cold. -Sev

37: When was the first time you masturbated: I was 10. -RB 12 I think? -Sev

38: Do you have any nude/masturbating pictures/video of yourself? No. -RB Somewhere I’m sure I do. -Sev

39: Have you ever/when was the last time you had sex outside? Yeah, it’s been a while though. -RB Yeah but a while ago. -Sev

40: Have/would you ever have sex outside? Yes, want to again. -RB Yeah, have and would. -Sev

41: Have/would you ever had a threesome? There’s three of us so yeah. -RB Yeah, have and would again. -Sev

42: What is one random object you’ve used to masturbate? Jimmy’s toothbrush. -RB What? -Sev Wasn’t going to use my own. -RB Fair. Ummm…I don’t know? I’m not sure I ever used anything weird. -Sev

43: Have/would you ever masturbate at work/school? No, neither. -RB Yes, both. -Sev

44: Have/would you ever have sex on a plane? I haven’t, probably wouldn’t. -RB Haven’t but would. -Sev

45: What is one song you’d like to have sex to? We have playlists and anything we think of or find is added. -Sev

46: What is something nonsexual that makes you horny? Seeing someone in my clothes. -RB Seeing either of the other two in my clothes. -Sev

47: Most attractive celebrity? I don’t know? Joel Kinnaman? Is he a celebrity? -RB Richard Brook. -Sev

48: Do you watch gay/lesbian porn? why/why not? I have before but don’t watch any now really. -RB Have but now it just doesn’t compare. -Sev

49: If a child was born on the occasion of the last time you had sex, how old would that child be right now? Few hours old. -RB About 5 hours, I think. -Sev

50: Has anyone ever posted nude pictures of you online? No? I don’t think so. -RB Not that I’m aware of. -Sev

51: What is one thing that NEVER makes you horny? Being punched in the face? -RB I mean fair. Kicked between the legs. -Sev Ohhh I like that one. -RB

52: Do you have stretch marks? (How do you feel about them? Has anyone ever had a problem with them?) I do and I don’t like them. I don’t think other people have? They haven’t mentioned it. -RB I don’t. -Sev

53: Do you like giving head? (why/why not) Yessss, the taste, the feeling, the loss of control, the other person enjoying it. -RB I’m indifferent. I don’t find it disgusting but it’s not the number one thing. -Sev

54: How do you feel about tattoos on someone you are interested in? I like them. -RB Definitely like them. -Sev

55: How would you feel about taking someones virginity? No, wouldn’t do it. -RB Have, not the best experience but. -Sev

56: Is there any food you would NOT recommend using during a sexual encounter? Any hot peppers. -RB Mexican. Don’t pull out a taco, my brother’s advice to me. -Sev

57: Is there anything you do on Tumblr that you would not like your significant other to see? Nope. They see it. -Richie Nothing. -Sev

58: Do you own any sex toys? (what is it? (how long have you had it?) Quite a few, yeah, different lengths of time. -RB Not of my own, haven’t really had the chance yet. -Sev

59: Would you give your significant other unrestricted access to your Tumblr for a day? Yeah, if they wanted it. Rinny has it already. -RB Richie has it but if she wanted it. -Sev

60: Would you be offended if your significant other suggested you get plastic surgery? I think so. I already get nervous when she suggests healing my scars. -RB I mean I would understand it but I think I would still be offended. -Sev

61: Would you rather be a pornstar or a prostitute? Neither? Porn maybe? -RB Prostitute I think. -Sev

62: Do you watch porn? No. -RB Not really. -Sev

63: How small is too small? I don’t know, if it won’t go in? -RB We can make something work, I’m a top anyway. -Sev

64: Have you ever been called a freak? Why? Yeah, more reasons than I’ve kept up with. -RB I have, I have one leg and wasn’t exactly normal growing up. -Sev

65: Who gave you your last kiss? Did it mean anything? Sev, comfort and safety. -RB I gave Richie one but Eve gave me one, love? -Sev

66: Would you switch phones with your significant other for a day? It would confuse others but I don’t have anything to hide. -RB We could. -Sev

67: Do you feel comfortable going "commando"? No. -RB Yeah. -Sev

68: Would you have a problem with going down on someone if they hadn't shaved their pubic hair? Depends on how long it’s been since they’ve last shaved. -RB Yeah, if it’s been like a month, no thanks. -Sev

69: If you could give yourself head, would you? I can and have. -RB Yeah I would, of course. -Sev

70: Booty or Boobs? Booty. -RB Both. -Sev

71: If you had a penis, what would you name it? I have one and little Dicky. -RB He’s very proud of that joke. I don’t know, deadly weapon? -Sev

72: Have you ever been on an official date? Yeah, a few. -RB One or two. -Sev

73: Have you ever cheated on someone? (Why?) No. Why? Didn’t want to. -RB I have. I would say it was a mistake but my relationship with them was the mistake. -Sev

74: If you were a stripper, what would your name be? Once again, little Dicky. -RB No idea, I would have someone else choose. -Sev Nice to meet you No Idea I Would Have Someone Else Choose, have you thought about shortening your name? -RB

75: Have you ever had sex in your parents bed? (Would you?) No, haven’t and wouldn’t. -RB Haven’t but would. -Sev

76: How would you react if you found out your parents had sex in your bed? They’re dead so if I saw two skeletons going at it I would probably panic and run. -RB Burn the bed. -Sev

77: What was your reaction the first time you saw a penis/vagina Initial panic then bi panic. -RB Confusion. -Sev

78: If you had a penis/vagina for a day, what are five things you would do? I don’t know? See what it’s like to walk around without it? Sex? Pee sitting down? There are only so many options. -RB I mean, yeah, see what it’s like to have something in it. -Sev

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rubyleeray · 7 years

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Several Shades of Sadism Game & Routes Review

This is something a bit different for me but I always look for these before I start a game/route, so I hope this will be informative/helpful to someone else!

Game Overall - The game overall is really fun and one of my favourites for sure! It operates much like every other Arithmetic game but you can really tell they put a lot more into this one. The addition of the voice actors is really cute and interacting with them multiple times a day made me very giddy (the voice actor for Minami is the same as Yuri from Yuri on Ice!!!). This game has everything I look for when deciding if I love a game and whether or not I recommend it to others. Those being: 1. Good Stories/Plot - Absolutely! There is a great mix and variety of funny and devastating moments with real relevant issues being addressed at times. I looked forward to my 5 tickets every day and there were several occasions where I spent because the cliff hangers were too intense! I just had to know what happened next!

2. Good MC - with the exception of Murayama’s and Minami’s MC - This MC is one of the best I’ve ever played!

3. Interesting/Hot Guys - Yessss! The art in this game is amazing! Every guy (even the evil dad!) is gorgeous. I will say that the secondary sprites are just blue and pink outlines and that seems like a waste opportunity.

4. Sex? - I’m not shallow enough to say this makes or breaks a game for me, but as an adult playing a game with adult love interests, this matters to me. Yes there is sex, but only with some characters in their main story (Event stories differ in that they often feature sex with every character). I’ll tell you below who has sex in each route description because that’s something that helps influence my spending.

5. Can I have a good time if I don’t spend any money/Will they force me to spend/make me wait weeks to progress? - Absolutely you can have a great time and achieve all endings without spending money! I played 3 full routes before I decided to spend money and the money I spent was on story tickets and an event after ending. As for having to build up free cash/experience/skill points for road blocks - it happens very easily and as long as you do it at least once a day you should never have to wait long to advance past checkpoints.

TLDR - You need to play this game! It’s so well written and fun! You’ll find the perfect mix of romance, comedy, angst, and sex within this game but the best part is the MC who feels refreshingly modern and truly representative of a young woman of this time. There are other incentives like generous daily logins and frequent events that aren’t impossible to full clear without spending so you really feel valued as a player and a person. I highly suggest starting with Chiaki or Mei and then moving onto the others.The game is alive and well and new routes are still being released.

Full breakdown of each guy and route spoilers below!

The MC - The MC is what made me fall in love with the game. She is HILARIOUS and she has motivations and dreams of her own. She is still my favourite MC ever despite her behaviour in Minami’s route ( much more on that later). She is just a super funny, goal oriented, mature (for the most part but aren’t we all) woman who speaks her mind and isn’t afraid to put the men in their place. I felt like she was a good representation of a real woman in an otome game.

In order of release:

Chiaki Kira Route

- Chiaki was my first route! I chose him based on appearance alone really - Tall, dark, handsome - giving off real Jumin Han vibes you know? Chiaki is an adorable lazy idiot who says offensive things but is really sweet. He will also give you lots of attention which is something I look forward to! His route is very similar to Jumin’s in the sense that it centres around his resentment of his father but it’s a good story that really develops a good relationship between Chiaki and the MC. Sex? Unfortunately not but it’s still super cute! In the happy end they have confessed their love and are finally able to give themselves to each other fully. (The ending CG involves Chiaki climbing on top of you telling you he loves you and asking you to not give him blue balls lmao).

Sequel to Chiaki - This is a real fire & ice route. When it’s hot, it’s very hot! But when it’s cold, it’s freezing! This route suffers from the typical MC doesn’t speak up when she’s depressed and being bullied which drives a wedge in her relationship. Chiaki isn’t exactly innocent here, he can be a total dick when times get tough but the route overall is great and the ending CGs are GORGEOUS! Use your gacha tickets on his epilogue... a CG of Chiaki wearing a wedding ring as he licks your wrist? GIRL I’VE GOT THE VAPORS!

Pick Chiaki if you love attention, romance, and a witty/sassy relationship between love interests. (Think of characters from other games like SLBP’s Nobunaga, MM Jumin + Zen, TCC Claude, Ikemen Nobunaga + Masamune)

Toma Kira Route - Toma was my second route and while Toma is drop dead gorgeous - he is kinda dead inside? His story is a dark one but it is very interesting and the climax is intense! Excellent character development here from both the MC and Love Interest. Sex? Hell ya! Toma does have sex with you towards the end a couple times and they are DETAILED scenes (The happy ending CG has a naked MC and Toma in bed after a night of sex as they are about to have even more sex!). But! He does something super hurtful to the MC during a sensitive time, so you have to have a bit of a thicker skin to play through this. Thankfully, he apologizes and more than makes it up to you! I\ll be honest, I wasn’t enjoying Toma’s route as much as Chiaki’s initially, but his ending retroactively made everything better!

Pick Toma if you like a challenge, don’t need constant attention, don’t mind a teacher/master relationship, and you enjoy good smut. (I’m still shook from Toma’s sex scenes). (Think of characters from other games like Ayato from 7HAMH, Isuka + Asena from TCC, SLBP’s Kojuro + Masamune, Ikemen Hideyoshi).

Minami Kira Route - Ugh...let me just tell you based on every event and item scenario I got of Minami, I was REALLY looking forward to his route - like a lot a lot. It started off alright, but I quickly realized there wasn’t going to be much of a plot which was really disappointing. Minami is a fun and intelligent yet immature guy. He’s constantly pulling pranks and showering you in false affection. Unfortunately Minami does something completely unforgivable (I’ll write the spoilers at the bottom if you really want to know) and because of this and the combination of the lack of character depth and the worst iteration of the MC in the entire game - I can’t happily recommend his main route. His event routes are fun but his main route is the one of the most disappointed I have ever been in an otome game and I’m not sure how Event Minami and Main Story Minami can be so different. The MC in Minami’s route is completely different than the MC in Toma, Chiaki, and Mei’s routes. She has no ambitions of her own and she never puts Minami in his place even though he deserves it and needs it the most. She’s so scared of hurting his feelings and making him not like her that she becomes a shell of her former self and that was seriously disappointing. Minami’s past was very sad and dark but it wasn’t really fleshed out. It’s confusing. There was so much potential and it feels like it all amounted to nothing. I would have rather seen a route where the MC teaches Minami how shitty it is to treat women like toys and have her fix him, or a route where the MC helps Minami accept and control the darkness and anger within him instead of just pretending to be a happy prankster all the time. Sex? Yes but at this point I was screaming “Don’t do it!” to MC through my screen. It didn’t feel like anything good was going to come from it and surprise, surprise it didn’t.

Do not pick Minami unless you have the thickest skin and an infinite amount of patience.

Mei Tarantino Route - Mei’s route reminds me of why I fell in love with the game in the first place. Mei is the sweetest tsundere there ever was and I’m still smiling about his Happy Ending. His story was wonderful (motivational and inspirational) and the relationship that develops between him and the MC feels natural, believable and is absolutely beautiful. They really support each other through their trials and tribulations and work to achieve both their dreams. There is a tragic past that explains a lot but doesn’t try to justify poor behavior in the present. His route is far superior to Minami’s and has even helped wash the bad taste Minami left right out of my mouth! Mei is everything you want from the perfect Tsundere route. The MC is funny as ever and back to her intelligent strong self. Sex? No but there’s a lot of satisfaction to be found elsewhere in this route.

Pick Mei. Just pick him. He’s so sweet. He has creative insults but the more creative they are the more you realize he’s falling in love. Plus the red blush on this boy is TO DIE FOR!!! (Think of characters from other games like SLBP’s Mitsunari, DTL’s Takasugi, RB Aito, Ikemen Ieyasu)

Rei Shindo Route - Okay this is seriously one of my favourite routes I have ever played in any otome ever. It is extremely emotional and the Sweet End is the most beautiful thing - paired with an absolutely BREATHTAKING pair of CGs that I think about on the daily. This route has angst, romance, comedy, and tragedy in HEAPING spoonfuls. I genuinely SOBBED twice.

I can’t write much as I don’t want to give too much away because you genuinely need to experience this route and see how fantastic and touching otome writing can be. Basically, you are roped into a revenge plot by a version of Rei that is far different than the man you have come to know in the other routes. The more time you spend together, the more you find out his reasons and what his end game is. It is A LOT TO TAKE IN but it is so rewarding! Please play it and tell me all of your thoughts and feelings.

Save him for last (if you can wait that long) because I feel like if you start with him, the other routes won’t look as good in comparison - and they don’t deserve that (except you Minami). I will say it’s important that you achieve his Sweet ending. I did not like his Normal ending at all in comparison. It was fine but it was much different and lacked all of the emotional depth of his Sweet End, so in playing Sweet first - I had high expectations of his other end as well but that was unfortunately not the case. Sex? Oh god, forgive me but I really don’t remember! I was so stressed out and emotional during this route that sex was the last thing on my mind!)

Pick Rei if you have a thick skin and don’t mind being put through an emotional ringer. (Think of characters from other games like SLBP’s Ieyasu, + Saizo, TCC’s Lugar + Yuri, MM’s V + Saeyoung, 7HAMH Soichiro + Ayato, Ikemen Mitsuhide)

Shizuka Kira Route - Okay I loved Shizuka’s route, I really did BUT it is the most hollow of them all. Shizuka is a sweet heart but his story isn’t very exciting or memorable (Save for the sex scenes!). It’s not a bad route by any means! It it full of genuinely funny and romantic moments so I really enjoyed it and him as a love interest, the problem is that it is the most formulaic and predictable so it’s not necessarily a unique story. One of the best parts of Shizuka’s route is the more mature and level headed MC compared to the other brothers’. She was also very in touch with her sexual wants and needs which I really appreciated and found refreshing! The biggest surprise in this route for me was how big of a role Minami had and how amazing he was in it! This is the Minami I want to romance!

Rintaro Murayama Route - Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I didn’t think I could hate a route more than Minami’s but HERE WE ARE. This route was so so so bad! I’m shocked! I took a week off from thinking about to to see if I was just being dramatic but I’m still just as mad as I was when I finished it.I’m so mad that I went back and CHANGED MY MIND about Minami’s route. That’s how bad this was. The thing about this route is everything is bad. The story makes no sense and they make NO ATTEMPT to make him a desirable love interest! The MC starts off strong and I felt for her inner struggle but then she just becomes flat-out stupid and not the fun loving hilarious witty MC this game has offered us from day 1 #notmymc. Murayama’s motivations make 0 sense and contradict themselves often. He’s supposed to be doing everything he does for his sister but he’s also supposed to not know anything about her these past 10 years?! So then why is he ruining little events that the hotel runs? To get back at his sister’s adopted brothers even though he might need them to be organ donors? What? And then that Happy Ending. No. That “Happy Ending” made everythign the MC did and put up with worth NOTHING. I have no idea how someone approved this. Murayama blackmails you constantly and at one point - late into his route - he starts trying to raping you while recording it. Not only that, he insists he’s going to show the video to her bosses and everyone else at work. Like - enough is enough in general but Murayama’s route was enough by chapter 3. It was like a cycle of dumb that just kept repeating.

Murayama route is inexcusably bad, don’t play it.

Sex? Another great part of Shizuka’s route is that it has the most sex and all of it was free sex (I also got to view the CGs for free? I’m not sure if this is a bug that may be fixed by the time you read this). The sex scenes were all INCREDIBLY HOT and I was sweating and taking screenshots while trying to remind myself to breathe. Out of all the Kira Brothers - Shizuka has sex with you the most. I believe it is 3-4 sex scenes vs Toma’s 2.

Pick Shizuka if you want a romantic route with a plot straight out of a romantic comedy and/or if you like sexxxxxxxy routes. (Think of characters from other games like DTL’s Haru, MM’s Zen, 7HAMH Haruto + Shizuki, Ikemen Shingen).

***Minami route spoiler*** Minami goes on a bender after kissing you where he stays out for days getting drunk and not coming home. One night a random guy brings him home and they accidentally end up in your bedroom instead of Minami’s. Minami flops down onto a chair by your bed and then gives permission for the guy to start raping you - he even says he doesn’t care. Only after the guy has began his rape of you and like the equivalent of 6 story tickets later - does Minami stop and actually do anything about it. This was seriously disappointing and you’d think that would be the end of Minami’s bullshit but it’s not - not even close. I just found it so unforgivable that near the end of the game after you both have fallen in love, that something like this happens and it’s not even vague/implied - it’s full on clothes tearing & body violating and Minami watches the whole thing!!! His apology after doesn’t even make up for it. The writer’s really disappointed me here. It would have been just as hurtful for Minami to say he didn’t care if the MC slept with the guy but for him to sit back and watch her get raped wasn’t something Minami could come back from for me, especially with such a lackluster plot. Minami also never really apologizes or makes up for referring to women as his toys and he treats women really poorly overall. There is a really heart wrenching scene where a woman who was in love with Minami confronts him politely and he screams at her and belittles her and the MC just kinda forgets about it.

#sss #several shades of sadism #chiaki kira #toma kira #mei tarantino #minami kira #otome game #otome game review #several shades of sadism review #Rei shindo #Shizuka kira #ruby reviews

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skepticaloccultist · 7 years

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The Devil’s Book Dealer

The Devil's Book Dealer, an interview with Richard Bishop

Richard Bishop may be better known as a guitar slinger in his superhero life, but to those with a book habit he happens to be one of the best antiquarian and obscure occult/esoterica book dealers in America. With an ever revolving catalogue of rare and incredibly beautiful occult volumes Bishop's stock is like a day dream for any book obsessed occultist.

I decided it was high time the esteemed dealer was put to a few questions about the nature of that devilish practice known as book dealing. He was kind enough to reply with only a slight hesitation in revealing his secrets.

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SO: What bet with the devil did you lose that made you end up becoming a seller of books?

RB: Old Scratch and I have been good friends since childhood. Back in our gambling days I won every time. Now I collect the souls. They've all turned out to be utterly useless. I became a used and rare bookseller by necessity after creating and managing a specialty bookstore that dealt only with in-print books on the subject of mountaineering. At some point customers began inquiring about material that was long out of print which forced me to start researching rare and antiquarian books through dealer catalogs and by visiting the used and rare shops in Seattle (there were a lot back then). In 1998 I attended the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar which is a week long crash course on the rare book trade, taught by some of the best antiquarian booksellers in the business. After that, I started locating harder to find mountaineering and Himalayan books and started my own business called Karakoram Mountaineering and Exploration Literature - sounds fancy doesn't it? During all this time I had a really nice personal collection of magic books including many rare titles. Since I was much more interested in esoteric subjects than I was about mountaineering, I eventually sold all the climbing books to other dealers, changed my business name (getting rid of 10 syllables in the process) and began specializing in occult books. It was a natural transition for me and I had an impressive starting inventory.

Your stock, while generally under a couple of hundred books, seems especially curated (if you'll pardon the term). Are you particular about the titles you carry?

Yes, I have to be. In the past it was alright to have a large inventory - you had to in order to be taken seriously as a bookseller. That's not the case anymore. Besides, I can't have thousands of easily obtainable books laying around anymore. They take up valuable space and nobody buys them. If somebody contacts me about a book that I don't have and its easy to get at a decent price elsewhere, I'll encourage them to purchase it from another seller. l don't mind doing that with common books or books that are still in print. I try to offer books that are rare, or unusual in some way, and they don't always have to be occult books either. And while I still stock a few newer occult titles, I'm really interested in antiquarian material. I'll be the first to admit that I still buy the wrong books more often than I would like to admit. Old habits, you know. Here in Portland we have Powell's bookstore which at one time was an excellent source of inventory for booksellers. You could buy boxes of really uncommon and desirable books on a regular basis, at great prices. Now when I go there I'll grab a basket and start filling it up but after about an hour I'll look at what's in there, and say to myself: “what, are you crazy?” And nine times out of ten I'll put every one of those books back on the shelf because I realize I'll never be able to sell them. I should know better by now but it seems that I perform this dark ritual on a regular basis. I buy a lot of books online and for the most part I do pretty well but I do have to send books back every now and then because some sellers are not very forthcoming about a book's actual faults. I have to approach every purchase I make from a collector's viewpoint and unless a book is extremely rare, it has to be in nice condition. One thing I've learned over time, especially in the antiquarian realm, is that the best books usually come from the best booksellers.

I know you pick up books in your travels as well. Any good stories of book hunting out in the world?

I probably have more bad stories than good ones. I used to have great adventures searching for books in India. Back in the 90s, when I was still dealing in the Himalayan books it was easy to find 19th century volumes that were originally published in England. Even the tiniest of book stalls could yield a treasure or two, often hiding behind a row of outdated Lonely Planet guides. Occasionally I would get wind of a store that dealt only in antiquarian books and I would have to search and search for their actual location because they always seemed to be in an inconvenient place and addresses in India sometimes don't make any sense. I found one shop on the outskirts of New Delhi after a half day looking for it and when I got there it was closed. It looked good from the outside so I tried again the next two days and the same thing happened. Business as usual. I kept trying and eventually there was someone there. The walls were lined with glass cases filled with books but the man wouldn't let me open any cases. Instead he had all the titles written in ledger books (there's no shortage of ledger books in India), in no particular order, just a number and a title, not even prices. I could hardly read the writing. He told me to go through the list and pick what books I wanted to buy. This didn't work for me so I told him I would come back another time. I returned a few days later and the owner was there and he was very kind. He said I could look at anything I wanted to. Once I opened the first glass case, I knew there was a problem. It turned out that about ninety percent of the books in the entire shop were covered in mold. On more recent India trips I've managed to do pretty well. There's certainly not a lot of western occult books over there but there is a tremendous amount of Tantric material and odd Hindu and Tibetan books that you just don't see over here - at ridiculously low prices. There were two shops in Varanasi that I frequented often. I made arrangements to have each of them ship multiple stacks of books. There was that slight feeling of dread thinking that I would pay for them and they would never arrive. It took over two months but they all showed up - several bundles of books - each bundle wrapped in corrugated cardboard, covered in plastic, inside a cloth sack which was sewn shut, tied with ribbon, with dozens of stamps affixed to the outside of the cloth, and all topped off with a wax seal. Not one bumped corner. No matter where I go I'll visit as many bookstores as I can. Sometimes I find books - sometimes I don't. London remains one of the best book cities in the world because of the number of antiquarian sellers who still have open shops there. Paris has been surprisingly good in the past but its been several years since I've been there. The last time I was in Italy I came across a number of booksellers that had great offerings - some very old books - but I was warned that I could get in trouble if I tried to take any out of the country. I'm not sure if that is still true but there was some weird law in place a few years ago.

Your clientele seems pretty specific, and this crowd tends toward the obscure to start out with. Do you get requests for impossible things? Any amazing collectors or private library experiences that have blown your mind over the years?

Most of the want lists I have from clients contain books that usually can be found, but not always in the condition they're looking for. I've gotten requests for Athanasius Kircher first editions and some old alchemical titles, but the costs are usually higher than my customers want to pay. As for collectors, I've seen a couple of decent sized occult collections throughout the years. Not necessarily mind blowing but still impressive. I have one particular friend who has a very large occult collection but he won't let me anywhere near it. I think most collectors are very protective of their books. I can't blame them. I'm fascinated by different approaches to collecting - not just what people collect but why they may collect one thing over another. There are plenty who collect anything and everything while others have collections that are very narrowly focussed. Its good to know who has what. Its better to know which books people don't have.

What is your personal library like? With dealers its generally all or nothing. Tell me about some of your own personal favorite titles and rare gems. Do you collect anything in particular bookwise?

Whenever I get asked about my collection, I refer to a quote from another bookseller (Mark Hime of Biblioctopus): "Book collecting was the maiden I loved. Book selling was the whore I married". I no longer collect and with the exception of a few battered reading copies I may have on hand at any given time, I have no personal library. It was just one of those decisions I had to make at some point. I may hold on to books for a short while to learn a little about them but every book that passes my desk is for sale. There's a fine line between being a collector and a bookseller at the same time. For me its a losing battle because I would want to keep the best books and then sell, or try to sell, the average (or easily replaceable) ones. If I have nothing good to offer I'm out of business. I mentioned the collection I had before I started selling occult books. I had a nice selection of Crowley first editions in great condition, Levi's books in French and English, most of Waite's works, a lot of 19th and early 20th century volumes on Ancient Egypt, Demonology, Freemasonry, and a fair amount of modern material. Its all long gone.

Do you have any obscure authors who you are mad about that hardly anyone knows? I am myself fascinated by late 19th century author William Sharp, who created a fictional persona Fiona MacLeod and was a Golden Dawn member and Yeats contemporary. Totally forgotten now but a bestseller as MacLeod in his day.

I'm not familiar with William Sharp (or Fiona MacLeod) at all. I'll have to look into that. I've had some favorites over time but some aren't as obscure as they used to be. Gerald Massey would be the best example. I read his main works many years ago after seeing him cited by Kenneth Grant so often. Massey's word-play was just as crazy as that of Grant's (I mean that in the best way). The amount of research and the lengths he would go to in order to get his points across, whether they made sense or not, was impressive. James Forlong is another one. He wrote The Rivers of Life (1883), a massive two volume work (issued with a 7-foot long colored chart) in which he pretty much interprets all ancient symbolism and ritual in sexual terms. There's also Thomas Inman. He's worth looking into. I guess I like those who are able to compile and assemble fragmented bits of curious lore and turn it into something that may or may not be fully coherent. Is that wrong?

The world of selling books has changed remarkably since the advent of the internet. From isolated booksellers to the mass market online sites like Abebooks. How has that affected you as a seller? Does it make finding obscure books for clients easier? Are the days of secret book lists gone or do you still find collectors and sellers who aren't on the internet?

There are still booksellers who aren't on the internet. They're just harder to find. Maybe they don't want to be found, or they've been at it so long they don't need to be. I receive catalogs and lists in the mail from several dealers, a few of which don't sell online, and others that may sell online but will put new acquisitions in a catalog first. They don't specialize in occult books but it isn't unusual for some to be listed every now and then. I've found a few good titles this way. I've also missed some. You have to act quick. A similar thing can happen at book fairs where many dealers will present new material for the first time. I think the internet has worked out best for the buyers. Lets face it, most people know how to use a search engine and any serious book person will know about the book listing services, regardless of how cluttered with crap most of them are. With a little time and effort they can get nearly any book they want without additional help from me or any other bookseller. They see a book listed, they buy it. That's just how it is, even with obscure titles. Maybe they'lI find a title I have listed but I only list my books on Biblio.com because that's the only service I like. But most people look elsewhere. I will no longer list books on Abebooks and will never sell on Amazon or any of the others. If buyers can't find what they're looking for because there are no copies available anywhere online - then offline options have to come into play and that's when booksellers can be of great assistance. They can utilize a lot of resources and often figure out where certain books are hiding. As a bookseller I've done okay with the internet. I still do the majority of my business online so I don't complain. Its just different than it used to be. In the late 1990s when I started listing books, I went from having a small mailing list of potential buyers to a worldwide customer base almost overnight - and everybody was buying. That was great while it lasted. Over time more and more books began appearing online and many that were once considered rare, or at least hard to locate, were showing up everywhere so prices began to drop. That's been the situation for years. I've just had to Adapt and change my approach.

One of the focuses I have seen over the past few years in terms of material coming through your shop are titles that fall into the realm of "Talismanic" publishing. Kind of taking the deluxe book to the next level and making it into a magical object, a concept I believe contemporarily originates with Fulgur publishing and Robert Ansell. You must have some inside source for all of the incredibly rare books in that field that you seem to get your hands on.

I've had people offer me these special books every now and then and I have purchased quite a few from colleagues. The best inside source is from the publishers themselves. I don't actively pursue them as much as I used to but occasionally they'll show up. There are other established booksellers who can provide them much easier than I can, at prices that I think are pretty fair. Certain books will find me if they are supposed to. And I like the idea of a talismanic book, even though the term is an easy one to throw around and to question, and there may be some people who use the term rather loosely. They've become such a large part of the occult publishing world, and they're not going away. That being said, I think there may be some confusion as to what a talismanic book really is. The reason I bring this up is because I once displayed a particular title at a book fair and I provided a description card which stated, among other things, that it was a talismanic book. Bad idea. Somebody asked me how it was talismanic - what made it so? And I didn't know. Lesson learned. Maybe its a great secret and nobody is supposed to know. Some publishers have been willing to share ideas concerning their particular way of doing things, others have gone into great detail, and some have been more secretive - but you know they're good for it. I don't think its necessary to divulge any ritual trade secrets but the more information potential buyers have, the less they may want to brush it all off as a marketing scam. I'm also unclear if it is the author of a work that determines the nature of any ritual processes concerning the book, or if it is the publisher, or both. Are standard or trade editions treated differently from the deluxe editions? Are they all talismanic but some are more talismanic than others? Again, it may not matter to most people. It's just curiosity on my part - and yes, I've heard about the dead cat!

That term "rare" gets thrown around a lot in occult book circles. There has been a surge over the past decade of so called "deluxe editions" being issued of contemporary occult work that ends up trading for eye watering amounts. Do you think there is an "investment bubble" with these titles that are only a few years old, yet trading for higher prices than actual 17th century editions?

I've watched this phenomenon very closely the last couple of years and it is surprising what some of these books have sold for. It's hard to say how it will all play out but I've noticed that prices have already started to come down on certain titles so I think the market may be in the process of correcting itself. It may still take a while but the wheels are in motion. I think most people who buy deluxe editions actually keep them. If people buy them as an investment in order to sell down the road and think they are going to get three or four times the original price, they may end up being disappointed. I think works by certain authors will still double in price easily and may go higher but for others its a crapshoot. Once its out of the publisher's hands, whoever sells the book first usually makes the most profit. If nobody buys it, it's priced too high. Everyone has seen the books on ebay being offered for outrageous prices. Occasionally somebody will buy one but most remain unsold. That being said, if someone is willing to pay a ridiculously high price for an item, its not the fault of the seller. It means that somebody really wanted that book. Everybody should be okay with that. Even with lower prices people may still complain (its a good thing they don't collect Modern First Editions), but it all starts with a level playing field. Anyone that is paying attention has a chance of securing any deluxe edition if they act quick enough. Publishers are good about announcing in advance when pre-orders will be accepted. Buyers need to make sure they're on all the mailing lists but even then some still miss out. Publishers could increase the limitation number or take pre-orders until people stop buying them but that sort of defeats the purpose of a special or deluxe edition. Another thing I've noticed is that some of the original pre-order prices seem to be increasing now as well. The cost of quality materials has probably gone up. How much does it cost to get python skins these days? Or stingray skins or wombat hides (I know a guy), or whatever else? Regardless, these editions are beautiful works of art and a lot of time and energy go into creating them, and it costs a lot of money to produce them. And even though it may take several months before the books are finished, more often than not, they're worth the price, and the wait. In regards to rarity you only have to look at the numbers. If there are only 81 or 66 or 27 or 11 copies (whatever the magic number is) of a specific edition, then yes, they're rare - even before they exist. I'm interested to see what happens with the prices over the next couple of years. In the meantime I might start buying those 17th century books.

We are living through a renaissance in terms of occult publishing at the moment. When you look at the quality of material, both in terms of content and a book's design and binding, from the last 50 or so years of the 20th century its mostly trade paperbacks and watered down material. Now we are seeing a wave of great books bound in high quality and from a wide range of sources and traditions. With the grimoire republishing and translation of manuscripts starting to really come to the front as well, where do you see the future of occult publishing over the next decade or so?

Without a doubt, there are some truly venerable occult publishers who have shown themselves to be extremely knowledgeable about their craft, and have indeed produced some of the finest works to be seen in a long time. As to the quality of the items produced, and the subject matter presented, the standards have been very high. We've seen impressive scholarship and there's been a lot of newer (and younger) authors who are presenting unique original material. The smart publishers will continue in this direction and I'm sure they'll find new levels to take things to. They will thrive. I imagine there will be some pleasant surprises ahead. New publishers will enter the field as well - hopefully they've been taking notes. On the flip side, with all of the great material that has come out in the last twenty years or so, there has also been a lot of, lets just say, lesser material. That's not a new phenomenon at all but I think its possible that some publishers and/or authors may fall by the wayside if they don't step up their game a little. That would probably be a good thing but that's just my personal opinion. Regardless of the high quality or lack of quality that's out there - one of the best results to come out of all of this, is that more and more people are becoming interested and immersed in occult studies. It couldn't have come at a better time and I think that the numbers will continue to increase. As long as the books and the information they contain remain desirable, challenging, easy to acquire, and affordable, things will continue to change for the better. I'm hoping that the number of serious book collectors will increase as well. That would bode well for me, and it would be great for the book trade as a whole.

You were working on a book at some point, ever manage to finish?

I'm not sure what you've heard. The short answer would be no. Even if it was finished, no publisher in their right mind would want to have anything to do with it. I have to go now. I need to see if I can get one of these talismanic books to clean my house.

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Find Richard's freshly released catalogue of the incredible and obscure here:

Richard Bishop Bookseller - richardbishopbookseller.com

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junker-town · 7 years

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THIS WEEK IN SCHADENFREUDE: When Texas A&M snatched THIS WEEK IN SCHADENFREUDE honors from Texas

The Aggies didn’t just blow a 34-point lead. They also ruined what had been a delightful weekend of laughing at Texas and Baylor. Here was the online meltdown.

Texas A&M was winning its Week 1 game against UCLA, one day after former conference rivals Texas and Baylor had lost upsets.

Mood: Aggies http://pic.twitter.com/5NsqmCXF3h

— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) September 4, 2017

Texas A&M blew a 34-point lead and lost.

Texas: What a terrible opener Baylor: Hold my beer A&M: lololololololololol y’all ain’t seen nothin'

— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 4, 2017

That fake-spike touchdown happened after the clock was already stopped.

Sumlin just made all of the shit I talked to UT invalid

— Jack R. Landingham (@KINGGJACK) September 4, 2017

Let’s check in and see how Aggies fans responded afterward.

A literal university regent immediately announced he intends to vote for Kevin Sumlin’s firing.

I'm sure I may be criticized for this post but I honestly don't care. I've been on the Board of Regents for the A&M System for almost seven years. During that time, I've not once commented on Kevin Sumlin and his performance during his tenure at our school. I never said a word when he and his agent manipulated a much bigger and longer contract. I said nothing about his arrogance and his mishandling of multiple player controversies. I said nothing when we had multiple awesome recruiting classes, only to see key players leave our school or underperform. But tonight I am very disappointed and I have to say this. Kevin Sumlin was out-coached tonight, which isn't new. He recruits well, but can't coach the big games, or the close games. Our players were better tonight. Our players were more talented tonight. But our coaches were dominated on national TV, yet again. I'm only one vote on the Board of Regents but when the time comes my vote will be that Kevin Sumlin needs to GO. In my view he should go now. We owe it to our school and our players. We can do better.

Share this as you see fit.

Shortly after that, the popular Aggie message board at TexAgs broke.

Live look at our site. Nice work, everyone. http://pic.twitter.com/4PIIlXBm72

— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 4, 2017

Once the site was back up, the vibe was as follows.

Checking in on TexAgs... http://pic.twitter.com/gGfXlf0svy

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 4, 2017

THREAD: “Legitimate Business Opportunity”

All,

With the inevitable collapse of Aggie football this year I would like to personally invite all of you to get in on the ground floor of my new up and coming business.

We will be selling tarps, similar to the ones at Baylor, to cover unsold seats for upcoming home games.

Kyle Field is a beautiful place and I would hate for the appeal to be ruined by empty seats. So join me in my quest to monopolize the college station tarp business and make Kevin Sumlin type money.

All name suggestions will be considered.

THREAD: “Not letting A&M ruin college football for me”

Instead of just giving up on college football because our season is over, I'm planning to just be a college football fan until Sumlin is fired. I hope we go 11-1 from here on out, but I'm not going to spend any time watching this team. I'm going to watch as much college football as I can, without all the normal thoughts that go through my head while watching games (ex/ is this good for A&M, etc), and just be a fan. We'll see how it goes.

The first reply:

Congratulations!

And the second:

We're all f'ed.

For so many reasons, my favorite current TexAgs thread is “Go Get Major Applewhite”

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 4, 2017

THREAD: “Things we could have bought with Sumlin’s salary this year”:

1. Twenty-five Lamborghini's

2. A really nice house

3. Ten private shows by Katy Perry

4. Seven Waffle Houses

5. 270,000,000 Skittles

Any one of those would have given us equal chance at beating UCLA.

THREAD: “Land Kiffin”

THREAD: “Ruined the TV remote”

THREAD: “SUMLIN SHOULD RESIGN”

ANY MAN WITH AN OUNCE OF SELF RESPECT AND LOVE FOR ALL THINGS GOOD AND HOLY WOULD RESIGN AFTER THAT.

FIRE. SUMLIN.

THREAD “OFFICIAL MELTDOWN THREAD”

Fire Sumlin and make him pay for his own plane ticket home. Mond needs to change positions.

I believe you described the "bargaining" stage of grief ... You have progressed passed the denial and anger stages which is good. Next is depression which will be tough. Let me know if you need someone to talk you through it.

The Aggies forum at 247Sports looked on the bright side.

THREAD: “well, let us and horns laugh at each other and feel better”

Horns lost to maryland in all aspects and we lost 34 point lead. we can all laugh at each other now and feel better about selfs.

THREAD: “It's okay guys we covered the spread”

National Champs in Moral Victories

THREAD: “My Saturdays just got wide open”

I didn't think it was possible, but I think I'm done watching or caring about A&M football for the foreseeable future. I came into this season about as unexcited as I've ever been for a football season and they just crushed my spirit in one half. I don't even know how to describe this feeling.

Things were not much better at AggieYell.com.

There is, of course, a GoFundMe to buy out Sumlin’s contract.

It’s well short of its $10 million goal, but it’s still early.

Let's not wait any longer. Let's buyout his contract ASAP. This inexcusable. On the bright side, if for some reason he doesn't get fired, we can use the money to buyout AD Woodward' s contact. Worse case, we'll donate it to BTHO Harvey relief efforts. Maybe we could hire Mattress Mac!

Here’s some of what happened at SB Nation’s A&M blog, Good Bull Hunting.

It looks like the Aggies will cover the spread here

— Good Bull Hunting (@GBHunting) September 4, 2017

One author was able to look on the bright side:

Texas A&M is back!

The Fightin’ Texas Aggies shocked the nation on Saturday with a display of running game domination never before seen by the UCLA Bruins. Texas A&M’s top three runners, RB Trayveon Williams, RB Keith Ford, and QB Kellen Mond combined for a staggering 371 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground. Combined with an early defensive strategy that was aggressive and opportunistic, it is no surprise that A&M amassed 38 points in the first half alone against an opponent who was favored to win by 4.

The Aggies lost, obviously.

From a choose-your-own-adventure:

Chapter 1: This is Incredibly Easy

You are standing next to a field with a 34-point lead and 4:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter. You have assembled a masterpiece. The powerful running game you devised is matched only by the intensity of your defense.

Should you run down the play clock before snapping?

Yes.

No, we should snap the ball quickly because... identity?

Congratulations! You successfully completed the "protect a 34 point lead" scen- ... wait, what? Okay, you have decided not to run down the play clock.

If you click on “yes”:

A commenter requested a Kiffining:

A&M needs to offset this embarrassment with a fireinf

Fire the coaches tonight. On The tarmac at easterwood.

And a Texas fan stopped by:

Horns fan here. Holy #%@^

I don’t know which was worse, probably the Horns loss. But, this is why you should play the Horns, at least one of us would win a game.

Unbelievable.

Let’s check in on Reddit.

#Tradition? http://pic.twitter.com/1DGjoEH4qb

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 4, 2017

When an Aggie asked an Atlanta Falcons fan about what happens next:

At R/Aggies, the No. 2 post from the last month was when Texas lost. The No. 1 post arrived hours later.

The comments under the game story on AggieSports.com should not be turned into an A&M recruiting meme.

Surely you weren't fooled into thinking they had stopped playing in the Aggie tradition. A&M is where top high school players go to become chokers and previously successful coaches go to see their career ended. Some things NEVER change. At the end of the year when we fire Sumlin and hire another sucker it still won't change.

At halftime, Texas A&M’s Facebook page posted this graphic.

Other Facebookers pined for the glory days of Dennis Franchione ...

The Aggies have always left their fanbase disappointed and yes occasionally embarrassed. They stooped to a unbelievable new low and it's all Sumlin. God I thought no one could out do Fran, congrats Summy, YOU WIN!

... and R.C. Slocum.

only a moron can repetitively lose season after season,while in a commanding lead,and only a moronic athletic director and department cant see it,why dont you just bring back RC Sloacombe so we can all predict the plays instead of just the outcome.

If Sumlin is still the head coachin the morning I won’t watch the rest of the season.

Call Scott Woodward, Director of Athletics, Phone: 979-845-5129

Tell him that Sumlin has to go.

But the finale post was even rowdier.

Other Facebook statuses were equally aggrieved, including several calling for the team to just attempt coachlessness.

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Fire Kevin Sumlin now! IDC if we don't have a coach the rest of the year....

Posted by Rick Wilk on Sunday, September 3, 2017

Dear Texas A&M: Please fire Kevin Sumlin tonight. We will play just as good without a coach. Disgustedly, Football fans

Posted by Linda McFarland on Sunday, September 3, 2017

This isn’t how a firing works.

It would be good bull to fire Kevin Sumlin and donate his buyout money to a Harvey charity

Posted by Chris Elam on Sunday, September 3, 2017

Fire Kevin Sumlin .... he couldn't coach if he owned a bus company.

Posted by Lincoln Terrell on Monday, September 4, 2017

On Twitter, some people have changed their names to calls for Sumlin’s firing.

The comments under a TexAgs Facebook post of Sumlin’s presser delved into the real issues ...

... such as Sumlin being bad at unfucking situations with his hands ...

1 thing I noticed that was telling was Sumlin was engaged and hands on with his players in the first half, especially the line. The 2nd half he had a pure lack of emotion or fire. He always does this, when the game goes sideways he has no words or physical movements to fire his players up and re focus. He often states blankly into the nearest scoreboard as to wait for a response from the screen to tell him how to unfuck the situation. The only way to describe it is when you watch a war movie and the bullets are flying, explosions everywhere, people dying and there is that 1 soldier who just goes into shock and another soldier has to make him come to reality and get back in the fight... a&m doesn't have a veteran soldier to get our shell shocked coaches head back in the game unfortunately...

... as well as all the rap music and chewing gum, two things Josh Rosen clearly took advantage of during those fourth quarter drives ...

Sumlin will loose the teams focus now for the rest of the year. 4-8 season. Receivers suck. Kirk is good. The OL and DL played hard. I didn't see them give up. But they played with the plays they were given. Why not just run the ball. Didn't play tight ends. Didn't work with clock. I'm beyond frustrated. That game was in the bag. Coaches let them score 35 damn points! How does that happen? He threw Mond out on national TV to figure it out... he shouldn't have been put in that position. Hubenak should have been brought in as soon as Mond couldn't get the ball moving. The arrogance of Sumlin. If I could get my season pass money back I WOULD!

Time to have discipline!

Lack of discipline. Where to start?

-No more uniform changes.

-No more rap music at practice.. I see a lot of dancing around.

-No more celebrating before the clock says 00:00. Shouldn't have been celebrating on the first damn play!

-No more kids disrespecting the head coach on the sideline.

-No more chewing gum on the sideline Sumlin.

To be a winning team you need a head coach like Saban. He would never allow the above to happen.

I'm so damn pissed I can't even think straight!

... and the entire rest of the coaching staff, lest we only fire Sumlin ...

As bad as Sumlin is i can't beleive nobody is calling for Chevis head....what has this guy brought to ATM? He got destroyed by Tennessee Alabama, LSU and now UCLA.....Chevis and Sumlin are horrible coaches.....I imagine that Sumlin won't be here by next weekend....

... and goodness, do these Aggies hate chewing gum or what?

The coaches lost that game for the entire team, in the second half! How can you allow a team to score 30+ points while you stand on the side line smacking your bubblegum & do nothing about it??? Sumlin needs to stay in cali!

And finally, from the Sumlin presser Facebook comments, one spouse who’s ... well ...

My hubby was at the lake all afternoon/evening, and kept his phone off so he wouldn't know what happened.

This is from my mother.

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