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Articles by Keith Baker
Jean-Paul Marat
“[A] meticulously researched and evocative account.” New York Review of Books "Baker’s nine-hundred-page biography of Jean-Paul Marat, the journalist turned revolutionary who went on to orchestrate the Terror, is both a fascinating character study and a sweeping history of the period.
OPINION: Funding from New ERA program to Colorado’s Tri-State energy is giving hope to our rural communities
Two years after it was signed into law, the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, is proving to be a historic game changer for rural Colorado’s energy economy. If you had told me five years ago Colorado’s second largest power provider, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, would be awarded $2.5 billion in federal grants and loans to help cut energy costs and accelerate its move to clean energy, I would not have believed you.
Racism devastated our Black neighborhoods through highways. We're building back.
Let’s take a journey back in time to look at two of the vibrant Black enclaves scattered across the country in the early to mid-20th century, one on the East Coast and the other in the Midwest. Each of them thrived until the birth of the interstate highway system. Rondo, in Minnesota, was home to nearly 80% of St. Paul’s Black population, making it one of the largest Black communities in the Midwest.
Ayden Middle School teacher facing child sex charges in Virginia
WITN reports a Pitt County middle school teacher is accused of sexual crimes against children that happened more than 20 years ago. Arlington County, Virginia, police arrested 52-year-old George Porcha for carnal knowledge of a minor and taking indecent liberties with children. The Winterville man has been suspended without pay from his job at Ayden Middle School, according to the school system. Porcha is an exceptional children’s teacher who was hired Feb. 20.
Never-before-seen video shows Dr. King speaking at NCSU as the KKK protests
Did you know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once spoke to a crowd of 5,000 at Reynolds Coliseum on NC State Campus in Raleigh? The historic event took place in 1966 – but it wasn't given momentous treatment. Instead, the moment was almost wiped from the history books. Only a handful of photos existed. No audio was saved. The historic day almost remained part of North Carolina's hidden history – until some in-depth research by NC State Professor Jason Miller.
Belconnen Naval Transmitter Station: A heritage site of wartime communications
Naval facilities such as the Belconnen Naval Transmitter Station, now a heritage site of Australian military engineering, proved critical for communications during World War II. Naval communications facilities in Canberra are of major significance in Australia’s military history.
If you have pet cats, keep them indoors. It helps the birds.
Bird watching is far different than watching birds. I learned this when we got a new kitten. Having had indoor-outdoor cats for more than 40 years, my wife now wants only indoor cats. Cats are willing to adapt to this with experience, but raising an indoor kitten includes the Zoomies, which were driving our 13-year-old indoor cat nuts.
Kids Stories with Izzy and Daddy – Podcast
A beautiful story of origins and evolution of humans using the concept grandma. The author Solstice was in the bookshop at the time and we were lucky to meet her. I know she will be full of joy to hear her story read aloud. We hope you enjoy.
The UK is facing an energy bills crisis, and no major party is prepared for it
The UK is heading into the greatest cost of living crisis in living memory. Looming energy price rises are going to drive huge swathes of the population into fuel poverty, and none of the proposals being put forward by our political parties at Westminster or in Scotland or Wales are sufficient to deal with it. So, let’s look at what the parties are proposing for households (businesses are also facing a serious threat but politicians have so far largely ignored them).
Rural Colorado power provider gets greener
In my six years as a Chaffee County Commissioner, I’ve worked to reform how and where we get our electricity. It’s nice to be able to share good news for a change. The energy industry is in a period of seismic change, as clean energy takes over from fossil fuels and we address catastrophic climate change. It’s more critical than ever for power providers to adapt to the emerging landscape.
four experts respond
Rishi Sunak, the UK chancellor of the exchequer, has unveiled a £15 billion package of measures to help households with the cost of living, after energy watchdog Ofgem announced it would probably be increasing the price cap on energy bills by over £800 a year to £2,800 in October. Picking up part of the tab is oil and gas companies, with a temporary windfall tax that is expected to bring in about £5 billion. We asked four experts what they made of the announcement.
The UK government’s plan for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is at a serious risk of sinking before it’s been fully launched. With the Treasury having rejected a request by MPs to come up with a “clear funding plan”, there’s now every chance that an already bad plan will turn into no plan at all. Things aren’t looking any better in Scotland.
TAZ: Bureau of Balance News!
Once upon a time, when a dark pandemic lay over the land and people were trapped in their towers, my company Twogether Studios released The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance—a collaborative storytelling game set in the world created by the McElroy Family. We’ve just launched a preorder for the first expansion to TAZ:BoB (it’s Kind of a Big Deal), and I’m excited about that — but given how isolated we’ve been these past two years, I also want to tell you about the game itself.
Spring statement 2022: quick analysis about standard of living, energy crisis and more - from experts
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 2022 spring statement was delivered in the haze of an extremely testing economic environment. As the war in Ukraine rages on, inflation has hit a 30-year high, energy bills are about to soar, tax rises are imminent and the fallout from COVID continues. With events straining the financial resources of millions of households, our panel of experts offer their views on Sunak’s announcement.
IFAQ: Strixhaven in Eberron?
Every month, my Patreon supporters select the topics for the articles I write. I only have time for one major Dragonmark article, and in a choice between Strixhaven, Fizban’s Treasury, and the role of the Astral Plane, Astral won out. So I’ll be exploring the Astral Plane in depth later this month. But while this will be a short take on the topic, I still wanted to address the question… How would you add Strixhaven into your Eberron campaign?
IPCC report: global emissions must peak by 2025 to keep warming at 1.5°C – we need deeds not words | Red, Green, and Blue
Earth could exceed 1.5°C of global warming – the “safe” limit for temperature rise outlined in the Paris Agreement – as soon as the early 2030s, according to a landmark report by the world’s most senior climate scientists. Even in the most optimistic scenario, where the global community manages to significantly rein in greenhouse gas emissions, there is still only a 50:50 chance that global temperature rise will stop there.
IPCC report: global emissions must peak by 2025 to keep warming at 1.5°C - we need deeds not words
Earth could exceed 1.5°C of global warming – the “safe” limit for temperature rise outlined in the Paris Agreement – as soon as the early 2030s, according to a landmark report by the world’s most senior climate scientists. Even in the most optimistic scenario, where the global community manages to significantly rein in greenhouse gas emissions, there is still only a 50:50 chance that global temperature rise will stop there.
One dead outside home in Franklinton; SBI investigation underway :: WRAL.com
Franklinton, N.C. — One person was dead and numerous law enforcement agencies were at a home in Franklinton on Wednesday. Officials were at a home on Cannady Mill Road, near Ridgewood Drive. One person has died, just outside of the mobile home. Several agencies, including the Wake Forest Police Department and the bomb squad were seen at the home.
IFAQ: Swearing, Djinn, and Genasi
Every month I ask my Patreon supporters to pose interesting questions about Eberron. Here’s a few lingering questions from October! Any swear words specific to Khorvaire? The humans of Khorvaire excrete and reproduce much as we do – so swear words related to those functions are just as applicable on Eberron as Earth. Setting-specifice swears generally invoke things that are unique to the world, whether that’s deities or planes.
IFAQ: Marchers, Zil, and Borders
This has been a busy month. I’ve been focused on supporting Exploring Eberron and I just posted a long article about the Nobility of Galifar, along with a supporting IFAQ and an exclusive article for my Patreon supporters. But at the start of each month I ask my patrons to present interesting, short questions, and I’d like to answer a few more before August comes to an end. So… How Dhakaani heirs see orcs?
FAQ: Exploring Eberron
Exploring Eberron is now available on the DM’s Guild. I wanted to take a moment to answer questions about the book, both general questions and some very specific ones… GENERAL What’s “Exploring Eberron?” Exploring Eberron (ExE) is a 248 page sourcebook for the Eberron Campaign Setting, using the fifth edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. It’s written by setting creator Keith Baker (hi!) along with Will Brolley, Wayne Chang, and Laura Hirsbrunner. No, I mean what’s IN the book?
Behind The Scenes of Exploring Eberron
Today’s article is a behind-the-scenes look at Exploring Eberron from its editor, Laura Hirsbrunner, platinum-bestselling Dungeon Masters Guild designer and editor. In the spring of last year, Wayne Chang asked me if I was available to edit “a book.” He estimated it would be “approximately 120,000 words.” Come to find out, this humble book was actually Exploring Eberron, a Dungeon Masters Guild hardcover written by Keith Baker.
IFAQ: Who Leads The Tairnadal?
When time permits, I like to answer questions from my Patreon supporters. Joseph asks: Who actually leads the Tairnadal elves? Is it a theocracy? It’s an interesting question. The Tairnadal are the elves of the Aerenal steppes, and the elves who have claimed Valenar are Tairnadal elves. The Aereni are ruled by the Undying Court and the Sibling Kings. Valenar has a “High King.” But what of the Tairnadal of Aerenal? Do they have a monarch, or are they ruled by the Keepers of the past?
Keith Baker: How should our approach to energy use change post-lockdown? – Source
IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST in how energy use and household behaviours have changed under lockdown, then this recent article from the Oxford University spin-out Joju Solar makes for fascinating reading. It points to how some of the changes we’ve all had to make could lead to our homes becoming greener and happier places to live, and with benefits that extend way beyond our doorsteps.
IFAQ: Galifar - One Nation or Five?
As time allows I like to address shorter questions raised by my Patreon supporters. This one comes from Mariamow: I would love to see a breakdown of the fashion of the nations! Specifically how things were pre-last war mostly all being a single nation, how it evolved and why it evolved in that way. A full nation-by-nation breakdown of fashions is a significant topic; I’ll put it on the Patreon topic poll for June.
IFAQ: Show Business in Eberron
When I have time, I like to address some of the infrequently asked questions from my Patreon supporters. Today’s question comes from Ben: How do you envision an Eberron theatre? Probably more than just The Globe with continual flame footlights, right? Absolutely! The issue is that “theatre” covers a wide range of performances and performance spaces.
Exploring Eberron: The Thunder Sea
Art by Vincentius Matthew Since Eberron began, I’ve wanted to explore aquatic civilizations. Merfolk, sahuagin, locathah—these creatures are just as intelligent (or more so) than humans. So what are their civilizations like? How do they interact with one another, and with the world above? With that said, there’s more land below the water than there is above, and no reason to think its cultures aren’t just as diverse as those of the surface dwellers.
IFAQ: Who Trusts The Trust?
My Patreon supporters are currently voting on the subject of the next long article, but when time permits I like to address shorter, infrequently asked questions. Today’s question comes from Neut: It is my understanding that the Zil Gnomes are very willing to use assassination as a valid tool for progression (be it professional, or just enforcing secrets being kept).
Having a woman of color as his running mate could help Joe Biden
The 2020 presidential campaign may well be one of the most combative since World War II. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will likely face stinging attacks for his positions on controversial racial issues such as opposing busing and supporting the 1994 crime bill. Our research suggests that to combat these race-based attacks and mobilize people of color, Biden might wish to select a woman of color as his vice president.
IFAQ: Mysteries of History
Every month I ask my Patreon supporters to choose a topic for a major article, and that poll will happen next week. But in the process I get a lot of smaller, infrequently asked questions that can be addressed quickly. Today’s IFAQ comes from Patrick. I’m always having trouble thinking of what the mortal inhabitants of the world would know in terms of history – and to which degree history has been researched with the aid of magic.
Fitness enthusiasts await reopening of parks, trails
Gov. Roy Cooper's move to ease restrictions under the statewide stay-at-home order means parks and trails can reopen on Friday evening. LAST NIGHT AND 475 PEOPLE DIED IN NORTH CAROLINA, 534 ARE IN THE HOSPITAL.
Dolurrh, the Realm of the Dead
Every month, my Patreon supporters select a topic for a major Eberron article. This month’s choice was the plane of Dolurrh. Additional information about Dolurrh and all of the planes of Eberron is coming soon inExploring Eberron! Endless caverns stretch throughout Dolurrh, bleak passages of gray stone. Wherever you go, shadowy figures reach towards you, imploring, but you feel only the faintest chill as their insubstantial fingers pass through you.
Exploring Eberron: Dhakaan
Illustration by Kristof Koteles In Exploring Eberron, I delve into topics I’ve been wanting to exploring in more detail for over a decade. One of these is the Kech Dhakaan, the goblinoids who still maintain the traditions of the Empire of Dhakaan.
IFAQ: Houses and Politics
I’m still busy working on Exploring Eberron, but I like to take time to answer questions from my Patreon supporters when I can. Today’s question comes from Reighndragon: How far do the dragonmarked houses involve themselves in national politics? How do they view the restrictions imposed on them by the Korth Edicts? In specific: Is it possible for a dragonmarked gnome of House Sivis to take a seat in the advisory council of the king of Q’Barra?
iFAQ: Magical Education
While we’re all in quarantine, I’m going to do what I can to post more short articles. I’m building up a log of interesting questions from the inner circle of my Patreon supporters that I’ll be answering as time permits. Today’s question is a spinoff from yesterday’s discussion of Aereni Learning. University is the primary way magewrights and wizards are educated.
What I’m up to: TAZ and CCD20!
I had a fantastic time at PAX Unplugged, but I’m busy as ever! I’m still working on Eberron Expanded, and it will be out early next year. In the meantime, there’s two other things happening right now! The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance The Adventure Zone: Bureau of Balance is the latest game from my company Twogether Studios! Working with the McElroy family, we’ve developed a game that lets you create your own unique adventures in the world of the Balance Arc.
PAX Unplugged 2019: Booth 3323!
I’ve just arrived in Philadelphia for PAX Unplugged, one of my favorite conventions. I’ll be spending a fair amount of the convention at the booth for my company Twogether Studios.
FAQ: Changelings
This is a time to think of all the things we’ve thankful for, and I for one am thankful that I haven’t been replaced by a changeling. So it seems like a good time to address a few of the questions I’ve received about changelings, the shapeshifters of Rising From The Last War. First, let’s take a quick look at the foundation of the changeling: As an action, you can change your appearance and your voice. You determine the specifics of the changes, including your coloration, hair length, and sex.
UK government's fracking 'ban' has a convenient loophole
With a general election underway, Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, recently announced that fracking has been halted in the UK – but a closer look at this moratorium covers reveals a loophole. The suspension applies in the north of England, but the smallprint reveals that similar fossil fuel exploration in many traditionally safe Conservative constituencies in south-east England will be just as open for business as before.
Airplanes: A Staggering Statistic in Air Pollution by 2050 Is Predicted
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top 10 emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step towards a sustainable system of international travel — but how could it be done?
Four sustainable visions for the future of air travel
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step towards a sustainable system of international travel—but how could it be done?
How will we travel the world in 2050?
Researchers John Grant and Keith Baker examine how the climate crisis will fundamentally change how we travel in the coming decades. A version of this article was originally published by The Conversation (CC BY-ND 4.0) If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of CO2. Aviation emissions have risen by 70pc since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300pc and 700pc by 2050.
How we'll travel in 2050
If the aviation industry were a country, it would rank among the world’s top 10 emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005, and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step toward a sustainable system of international travel—but how could it be done?
How will we travel the world in 2050?
Artist Albert Robida imagined in 1882 how air travel might look in future. Everett Historical/Shutterstock By John Grant, Sheffield Hallam University and Keith Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050.
How will we travel the world in 2050?
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step towards a sustainable system of international travel – but how could it be done?
How will we travel the world in 2050?
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step towards a sustainable system of international travel – but how could it be done?
How will we travel the world in 2050?
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Aviation emissions have risen by 70% since 2005 and as demand increases in rich and poorer countries, they’re forecast to increase by between 300% and 700% by 2050. Arresting this incline will be the first step towards a sustainable system of international travel – but how could it be done?
Things I’m Backing!
I’ve been under a rock for the past few months, between preparing for GenCon and working on the Adventure Zone game, Project Raptor, and a few other things I can’t talk about, but I wanted to take a moment to point you to OTHER projects I’m interested in.
What’s the story with Action Pups?
We’re in the final two days of my latest Kickstarter and I’m still looking for some good dogs. But what IS this game? What it all about? What do I love about it? In 2017 I made a game called Action Cats! as a labor of love. I never intended to release it; I just wanted to make a game with pictures of my friends’ cats. The structure is simple: the judge presents a picture of the cat and gives that cat a name. Everyone else combines two cards in their hand to create a sentence, and then tells that story.
5 Things to Remember When Teaching Photography
I started teaching photography to underprivileged youth through a non-profit organization eight years ago. I wanted to share my photography expertise and experience with young people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to learn this art. Turns out, it has been an incredibly rewarding adventure. Spending so much time in the organization has helped me grow as an artist, but also as a person. It has enabled me to help others develop their passion, as well as refine my own skills.
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