Author: Jason St-Cyr
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The Miner’s Gambit | A Thora Silentblade tale
Silence settled upon the cave as the screaming goblin’s body fell to the ground. Thora’s eyes scanned the rafters of the chamber they were in, looking for an ambush or signs of more danger. Everything was quiet as the group spread out and investigated the cave system. While the others…
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A deadly headache | A Tale from the Borderlands
This one might take more than some whiskey As Penny lies in the medbay, once again out cold, I am reminded of something that my old man used to say: “There are two types of people: the ones in pain, and the dead.” I can only hope Penny keeps being…
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Building a reputation | A Thora Silentblade tale
The ranch house was actually very nice to walk through, Thora considered, especially now that there wasn’t an immediate need to confront an entire band of thugs, ruffians, and bandits. The library upstairs was particularly intriguing! There didn’t seem to be any sort of organization, or method, to the collection,…
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A boy and his drake | The Corruption of Lani
The enormous corpse of the spider blocked their path forward and it took both dwarves to push it aside to free access to the gateway. Thegman gagged, and then quickly held his breath, as his arm pushed too hard in the wrong place and wound up shoulder-deep inside the thorax…
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Betrayal and honour | A Tale from the Borderlands
Watching from the sidelines As I start this log, I’m not even sure what to say. The last few hours have been crazier than two starved skags fighting over rakk scraps. The slug… is gone! It’s hard to even wrap my head around it, it happened so fast. But I’m…
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Into the Spider’s Den | The Corruption of Lani
Lying in the darkness of the path ahead of them was a shape. From this distance, the torch light could not reach it well, making it hard to make out details. It was small, a humanoid of some kind, but not much more could be determined in the shades of…
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Her name was Shelly | A Tale from the Borderlands
Saying goodbye to the crew It was always going to happen someday. It’s only been a few weeks since we ticked off Hyperion by stealing their ship in the Wonderlands, but I feel somewhat attached to this giant space bucket now. The ship crew switched allegiances easily enough, credits made…
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The Ranch House | A Thora Silentblade tale
It was nearly full dark by the time they reached the outskirts of the ranch. The clouds shifted across the face of the moon, cutting the little light from the sky above. Out here, there were so many stars to take in you could spend a lifetime counting ’em and…
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The Great Gibson | A Tale from the Borderlands
Memories may be beautiful and yet… (Penny’s voice loudly in the background) “What are you doing? Are you doing that ECHO log thing again? You gotta put that thing down. I’m right here, you know” (Jax’s voice can be heard, a little muffled as if turned away from the ECHO…
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Beginnings | The Corruption of Lani
One by one, the guards brought the arrivals to the great council hall. The building was old, far older than would have been expected based on the rather modern city outside the windows. The port city of Denn was a popular trading hub in the north west, right on the…
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How can you test out if a DevRel career is the right fit for you?
Sometimes, you just aren’t sure if a career is right for you. Do you really want to be a developer advocate or a dev community manager? Is that going to be a fulfilling full-time job for you? There are a few things you can do to try it out before…
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Video: Creating a D&D character
Use a character builder to get started faster Are you new to D&D? You might want to try out the character creation flow through a builder tool to get a quick guide to help you. Full Video Transcript Welcome to the table. Today I want to talk about character creation,…
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To catch a Cavendish | A Thora Silentblade tale
Over the past several weeks Thora had been making the way from the Sakhar mountains through several towns along the main roads, heading south and west, with no particular direction in mind. It was so strange to have the sun in the sky, blindingly bright, all day long. The first…
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Importing your D&D Beyond character to Foundry
I’m setting up D&D 5e for the first time on my Foundry VTT instance (on The Forge) and decided to take down some notes on the steps I needed to go from a blank “dnd5e” module to having my character imported from D&D Beyond Character Generator. Step 1: Create a…
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Video: Using character concepts to build your first character
Use a concept to learn the rules faster Are you new to TTRPGs or trying a new system? That’s a lot of rules to learn! Try using a character concept to help speed things up! Full Video Transcript Welcome to the table. Today, let’s talk about character concepts. When you…
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Converting a Unicorn project to Sitecore Content Serialization (SCS)
Today I want to cover an important piece when migrating to XM Cloud: transitioning Unicorn serialization formats to the new Sitecore Content Serialization (SCS) format. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the reasons for the switch, but mostly focus on the tools and process for migrating your…
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Converting a TDS project to Sitecore Content Serialization (SCS)
Today I want to dive into an important piece when migrating to XM Cloud: transitioning from a traditional TDS (Team Development for Sitecore) project to the new Sitecore Content Serialization (SCS) format. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the reasons for the switch, but mostly focus on…
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Video: What is a skill check?
Get to know Skill Checks So you want the thrill of adventure and encounters, without all that combat stuff dragging you down? Try a skill check! Full Video Transcript Hey friends, welcome to the table! I’m continuing my series of looking at how to get started with tabletop role-playing games.…
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New Beginnings | A Thora Silentblade tale
In the heart of the mighty Sakhar Mountains, Thora listened with closed eyes to the echoes of dwarven hammers harmonizing with the whispers of underground rivers. Born into a family known for their outcast ways, Thora tried hard to fit in with the rest of the clans by following the…
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Escape from Promethea | A Tale from the Borderlands
Time to get off this rock! (The soft hum of a ship engine can be heard, with some muffled snoring. It seems much quieter than other logs that Jax has recorded. Jax’s voice starts in a gruff whisper…) It’s been a few hours since we lifted off and you finally…
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Video: What is a character class?
Explore the basics of the player character class Defining what your character is good at, your character class provides a structure for your role in the adventure. Full Video Transcript Hey friends, welcome to the table! We’re continuing the series of getting into the basics of tabletop role-playing games, and…
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Deploy Unicorn serialization to XM Cloud using IAR – A proof of concept
Sitecore has been pretty clear that the only supported option for deploying items to XM Cloud was using Sitecore Content Serialization (SCS) format. But people love using Unicorn and there were enough clues lying around that Unicorn might work? But I couldn’t be sure. To make my life as a…
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Video: What is a DM?
Explore the basics of the Dungeon Master Serving as the storyteller, rule interpreter, and world builder, the DM is the players’ guide on their adventure. Full Video Transcript Hello friends and welcome to the table. I’m continuing my series of looking at the very beginnings of getting involved in tabletop…
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Installing SW5e System on the Foundry hosting service The Forge
NOTE: This is for installing the SW5e Game System for Foundry. The latest releases for SW5e for Foundry are now as a module for the D&D 5e Game System. I have a NEW ARTICLE that covers the latest installation process! I did some googling, but being a total newbie to…
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Sitecore XM Cloud and Vercel Deployment Protection
Recently, Vercel made Deployment Protection the default for all new projects in Vercel. This is great news! This means that all your deployments will automatically be able to be secured with authentication, passwords, or trusted IPs. However, your Sitecore XM Cloud build might not be set up yet to work…
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Video: What is a TTRPG?
Explore what TTRPGs are all about! TTRPGs come in various flavours, from immersive storytelling to complex rule-driven systems. The core is to have fun with friends or family while embarking on exciting adventures. You’re always welcome at the table! Full Video Transcript Hey friends, welcome to the table. Today we’re…
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Level up! Driving Collaboration in your Team
Discover how to advance from intermediate to senior level positions by learning the crucial skills of driving collaboration, managing cross-team projects, and planning timelines. Start leading your career today.
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More like Mega-DEAD, am I right? | A Tale from the Borderlands
Time for a little getaway driving… [Sounds of tires screeching around a corner, a car alarm is constantly heard] Well, Penny, I’m leaving this hoping you’ll be able to listen to it once you come to. A real close call, there, and we aren’t out of the woods yet. I…
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Level Up! Show you know how to drive execution of a project
If you are looking to transition to a senior role you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and drive the execution of projects effectively. Your manager will be looking for signs that you can take charge, set priorities, follow through, and ultimately be trusted to handle projects independently. I…
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Symphony of destruction | A Tale from the Borderlands
Killer death robots sure are bigger these days. It seems the list of people I need to hunt down is getting longer. This message is intended for one “Handsome Jack”. I hear you can haunt systems. I’d like you to haunt this particular ECHO log system for a moment so…
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Showdown at sundown | A Tale from the Borderlands
Well this is awkward. I’m not sure who’s getting these, but it’d be REAL great if you had been allowing them to go through to Penny all this time. Now, unfortunately, I’m going to have to track you down. I already have OTHER people I need to track down. But…
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Level up! 5 tips for practicing mentoring and coaching skills
Reaching the senior level in your career often requires demonstrating certain skills and qualities that set you apart. One key area that can significantly boost your chances is mentoring and coaching. In this article, we’ll explore five tips on how to develop and showcase these skills, ultimately helping you make…
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A Mystery Wrapped in a Riddle | A Tale from the Borderlands
Something doesn’t add up. I hope you get the chance to listen to this one real soon, Penny. I really do. I was wrong about that checkpoint, by the way. It was not friendly. Some sort of slimy thing jumped out of a Hyperion guard’s face and scared the slag…
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Welcome to Promethea | A Tale from the Borderlands
So much bureaucracy. I love it. Right after that last ECHO I went down to the crates and I could not, for the life of me, get any of them open. Must have been some sort of complex security system at play. Definitely not an issue with basic manual labour…
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A bullet doesn’t feel the heart it breaks | A Tale from the Borderlands
You always did love a big show. I saw the ECHO feeds today. A right mess going on. Looks like your fellow residents have not been wasting much time. You know I have to come for you, right? You know I have to hope? That pocketwatch you gave me hasn’t…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Siren class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at a class for pure chaos: the Siren! Did you cast all kinds of cool powers with Lilith or Maya in the Borderlands games? This is the class for you! Sirens can be found throughout the universe,…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Psycho class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at a class for pure chaos: the Psycho! If you remember the loveable (?) Krieg from Borderlands, you’ll have an idea of this class. Enjoys meat, bicycles, and the overlaps therein. The Psycho — which, yeah, is…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Mechromancer class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at everybody’s engineering guru: the Mechromancer! You’ll recognize this one if you remember Gaige and Deathtrap from the Borderlands 2 game! A perfect melding of person and machine, the Mechromancer is a technical genius whose robot buddy…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Hunter class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at my favourite class: the Hunter! I played Mordecai A LOT back in the first Borderlands game, so of course I chose this for my own character in Bunkers & Badasses! Hunters are skilled killers from afar.…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Gunzerker class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at the Gunzerker. If you were a fan of Salvador from the Borderlands games, this is it! A Gunzerker’s motto is ‘Just keep firing’. As long as bullets are flying, the Gunzerker is happy. Living their whole…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Commando class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at the Commando. If you were a fan of the Axton character from the Borderlands games, this is it! The Commando is an ex-military who racked up a high body count during their days in the service.…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Berserker class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at the Berserker. If you ever wanted to play Brick from the Borderlands games, this is it! The Berserker wants to punch things over all else. Being a Vault Hunter, there is no shortage of things to…
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Bunkers & Badasses: The Assassin class
Let’s dive into the Bunkers & Badasses classes! Today I’m going to look at the Assassin. If you’re wondering what this class might be like, think Zer0 from the Borderlands games. Silent and mercenary, the Assassin ‘s goals are shrouded in mystery. Do they fight for the thrill of the…
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Good news, bad news | A Tale from the Borderlands
And then there was you. Not sure what the point of recording this one is. Not after what Lydia just sent me. You haven’t sent a message back in two years, and it doesn’t look like that’s about to start now. Still, somehow putting these words out there means something.…
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Terror of the Skies | A Tale from the Borderlands
Good ol’ reliable rock. The metal boys seemed to be coming out of every corner as they bashed their way over that pile of bodies. Pushing us back against the wall, not giving us any room to move. Fin was trapped on the other side, good luck to him, but…
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Bunkers & Badasses – MAYHEM!
Yet another Bunkers & Badasses article! Today I’m going to look at Mayhem. Think of Mayhem like a currency that helps the Bunker Master make things more interesting. As you play through the game the players are changing out weapons, handing stuff off, doing extra actions, failing their badass moves…
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You have something on your face | A Tale from the Borderlands
It’s time to get that key. Things were just starting to go well, too. First, Min vanished. Then, the next thing I know, Fin is hitting the deck and blowing holes in the ceiling. It got real there for a moment. I heard balloon boy shouting from somewhere above us…
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First thoughts on using Buffer for social media
I do a lot of posts to my personal accounts, so I’ve been looking for a way to make this easier across my channels. A former colleague mentioned using Buffer and wrote a nice post about it so I decided to look into for my use case. My channels scenario…
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Bunkers & Badasses – Badass Tokens
In this next look at the Bunkers & Badasses TTRPG by Nerdvana games, I want to take a quick look at the cost of doing Badass Moves. In the last article I covered the Badass Move, but not much about those Badass Tokens, or what it will cost to keep…
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Sitecore Architect’s Guide to SaaS Migration – Classic XP with Simple Personalization
In this part of the migration series, I am going to look at migrating an existing Sitecore Experience Platform (XP) solution that has been built as a classic Sitecore MVC implementation with simple personalization implemented. The scenario breakdown: Follow the series to look at different Sitecore XM and XP scenarios and…
St-Cyr Thoughts 