The Stratagem’s Archive

Tag: documentation

  • Learning to Pick Locks Like In Video Games

    The tools I got to learn my new craft and hobby of Locksport. From Covert Instruments.

    Video Games Opened The Doors For Me—Literally

    I am a curious person — few things have fascinated me enough to actually carry it out IRL and this new venture that I’ll be undergoing were introduced to me from various media.

    From video games, such as: Fallout 4(Bethesda Studios), Assassin’s Creed: Unity(Ubisoft), Dying Light: The Following(Techland and Warner Bros), to an engaging series, like Nevermore by Kate Flynn and Kit Trace(WebToons).

    This new skill that I’ll be diving into head first had been something I only seen on a screen and, now, I’ll get to experience it in real life: lock picking.

    I Am Not a Crook

    “I am not a crook”— Ruby Rose to Weiss Schnee, season 2, episode 1 of RWBY by Rooster Teeth.

    No, I am not pursuing lock picking to start a life of crime. Quite the opposite—I’m taking control of what I don’t know into my own hands. In the games and stories I enjoy immersing myself into, you have different options to progress the story, quest, or overcome obstacles.

    Using brute force causes loud noises, gives away your location, and alerting nearby enemies or NPC’s that someone is up to no good. When you’re starting at level 1, getting swarmed will be the fastest way you end up seeing the, “You Died”, on your screen.

    So, what are our alternatives? The sneaky, quiet way in: finding an opening, slip inside, and leaving without a trace. What happens when you encounter a locked door or can’t blend in, though? That’s where lock picking comes in — the real stealth mechanic.

    For non-gamers, this is typically how gamers progress through the game’s map, uncover loot, or survive without getting into a fight.

    Seeing and Getting the Feel of Things

    Covert Instrument’s clear lock and key. “Real rogue shit happening here.”

    I won’t be picking locks any time soon, but I do want to share how interesting the clear lock is. I’ve always wondered why keys had different grooves — with the clear lock, I can see why.

    The key lifts the pins inside of the lock to the correct height until they align. This is called, “The Shear Line.”

    This is when each pin is raised evenly, you are able to turn the key, and see the lock open. It’s really fascinating when you get to see how complex something as simple as a lock really is.

    The grooves and ridges in the keys aren’t just for show, it’s by design, it’s done with mechanics. And that’s an addictive feeling — getting to uncover the secrets of something hidden in plain sight everyday.

    It grants a little creative leeway when playing a rogue character, at least in my opinion. It takes much skill and knows how to pick a lock fast enough to not get caught and leave without a trace.

    Is This How It’s Like In Real Life?

    This is the ultimate question I’ll be able to answer with learning locksport; whether which one video game was right on the money or making up their own system to engage the players with a new system and environment, than to actually learn to pick locks for reference.

    Turns out, the real way to learn something is to understand how the mechanisms work.

    Where My Journey Could Go

    I am not claiming to be an expert, I am allowing my curiosity to get the best of me. That’s how my brain will be able to get rid of the tension I carry from and at work while indulging in the things I’m curious about.

    I’m just someone who is simply asking, “What if I tried this?” I share the skill I want to learn, how I got introduced to such skill or hobby, I give it a try for X amount of days, then share what I’ve learned at the end of my timeline.

    I’m usually one to use force than patience, so likely learning to be patient with these tools could transfer over to being patient with people. At least, that’s the hope.

    Hey There — Let’s Chat

    I’d like to hear from you. Really.

    • Have you ever been curious about something, but never pursued it? What was it?
    • Were you inspired by media as well, be it video games, books, movies, or other?
    • What’s your equivalent to lock picking — something oddly specific, and a little taboo, that you wanted to understand?

    Drop your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to know what doors you’re thinking about opening next.

    If not, that’s okay. You made it to the end and that means a lot more than you know, and I’d like to say thank you.

    The Stratagem’s Manifesto

    Otherwise, you can find my D&D inspired work or other tings I’m pursuing below. Until next time, I’ll see you all in the archives, another time.

    Quarantine Life: In The Confines of Comfort: Idea #1:

    The Town That Forgot How to Sleep: A D&D Prompt #2 (Seedling):

    Starting From Scratch: Learning to Code After a D in University: (Seedling)

  • The Town That Forgot How to Sleep: A D&D Prompt #2:

    Welcome to Your Dreams Come True

    D&D Prompt

    We find ourselves in the Underdark of Faerune, hidden away from the light of the over world: our heroes are either on the run, exiled, or wanted by the common and uncommon law.

    Either way, you need to have enough gold to be able to start over. Sadly, gold is in short supply since arriving in the Underdark, until you find something. Something that might be your ticket to a brand new life.

    Hidden on job boards within and without of the town’s guild, you notice a posting. It is provocative, utterly insidious, and yet everyone else’s eyes seem to pass over it.

    Except yours.

    The parchment is brittle and yellow at the edges, but the ink where you notice it the most is bold and fresh.

    5,000 gold pieces to each individual who accepts this job.

    The instructions are clear, the reward too sweet to pass up, and there is only a single word written beneath the instructions, should you accept this job.

    Eliose.

    Once evoked, you will be escorted to the town where gold, drink, food, and entertainment flows. The town full of lights, music, and decadence alike.

    All are welcome within the gates of Somnival. And, if you choose to live here — you will be wanted, you will be loved, and you will never want to leave.

    Gameplay Mechanics:

    For this story, unlike my first D&D prompt Quarantine Life: In The Confines of Comfort: Idea #1: where you create your character as you play, The Town That Forgot How to Sleep, can begin with characters premade like any campaign. The starting levels are at the GM’s discretion, I haven’t thought about whether to make this a one shot or a campaign yet, but it could work either way.

    A few mechanics I want to share that will impact the PC’s the longer they stay in this town:

    • You can accumulate gold through gambling and arena brawls at, “The Final Call”.
    • Enjoy a drink and rest at, “The Brief Respite.”
    • Visit the local apothecary, “Heavenly Brews.”
    • You can enjoy the best forms of entertainment
    • They will accrue exhaustion points.
    • Short rests and long rests will be interrupted and recovering health and spell slots will be difficult.
    • Any cleric, paladin, and warlock character will struggle to connect with their patrons.
    • Mages, sorcerers, and druids will struggle to cast their spells, unless they save on concentration rolls.
    • Fighters, monks, and barbarians are not able to protect your party either.
    • Not all that glitters is gold here.

    This is still a work in progress, just like Quarantine Life: In The Confines of Comfort: Idea #1:. The mechanics for each story will be fleshed out over parts of the D&D installments, however, this is just the beginning of what Somnival has to offer.

    Somnival Welcomes All

    If you made it towards the end of this D&D story idea, and it drew your curiosity, then I’ll be continuing Quarantine Life and The Town That Forgot How to Sleep, in later installments.

    I would love to know what your thoughts are on where this potential module could go:

    What kind of story do you think Somnival has in store for you?

    Share your thoughts in the comments below, it’d be fun to see what you come up with. Having other people’s perspectives and thoughts are very helpful and welcomed here.

    You can follow the writing process or how they progress into a simple module here at The Stratagem’s Archive: Start Hereand see what other things I write about.

    Thank you again for taking the time to read what I have to share, it means a lot that you did. I have a free downloadable PDF here as a thank you, you can check it out if you’d like; not spam, no pressure, just a thank you from me to you. Thank You + Free Download

    I have a lot more to write about, I do my best to write daily, so I will do my part and see you all later in the archives.

    More Articles to Enjoy

  • Starting From Scratch: Learning to Code After a D in University: (Seedling)

    “My coding NIGHTMARE!!!”

    My C++ Nightmare!!!

    Starting Over: Why I’m Giving C++ Another Shot

    My first experience with C++ was a spectacular failure.

    Ten years ago, I walked into a university computer science class with zero coding knowledge and a very big dream: I wanted to make my own video games. That dream quickly turned into a nightmare of syntax errors and confusing concepts. By the end of the semester, I had a D- on my transcript and a deep-seated belief that coding just wasn’t for me.

    My path to that point didn’t help. Unlike many of my classmates, I never had a computer science class in high school. While they were building projects, I was learning a trade with my building and construction major. My only prior experience was messing around with RPG Maker on my English teacher’s computer—a memory I’d long since buried under the weight of that D-.

    For a decade, that D- was the last word on the subject. I told myself it was fine; there were other things to learn, other paths to take. But the idea of building something from scratch never completely left me. The curiosity was always there, simmering in the background.

    Then, just 13 days ago, I decided to face that old ghost. I wasn’t going back to a university classroom or picking up a massive textbook. Instead, I’m starting from the very beginning with an app called Mimo.

    This isn’t about getting a certification or a perfect grade this time, though that would be pretty useful. It’s about proving to myself that I can learn this, that my past experience doesn’t define my potential, and that maybe, just maybe, I can turn that old dream of making games into a reality.

    In this series, I’m going to share exactly what it’s like to start over with a skill I thought I failed at. Part two will dive into the specific tools I’m using to learn, and part three will cover the lessons and progress I’ve made so far. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not smart enough to learn something new, or you’re stuck on a skill you gave up on, this is for you.

    Join me on this journey as I get back to the basics and finally build the coding skills I once thought were out of reach.

    The archives will now be closing, I will see you in part 2, and until we open again. Thank you!!!

    I’m not an expert—I’m a learner.

    If you’re into stories about figuring things out, trying again, and making progress on your own terms, hit that subscribe button and join me on the journey.

  • I’m Afraid of Wasting My Potential — So I Learn Everything I Can, While I Can.

    How do you plan your goals?

    An Unstructured Structured System

    My goals undergo a process; it often comes from a place of spontaneity: listing every curiosity and skill down on paper, researching the amount of time and resources I’m able to free up without forfeiting my current lifestyle or neglecting my current obligations, and doing a process of elimination.

    More often than not, my plans are born from a place of mild obsession. I hate feeling small, weak, worthless, useless, and always at the mercy of someone else because of their “position/place of authority.”

    To put it simply, I carry a few questions with me everyday. It scratches the surface of my awareness to the point I’m physically on auto-pilot, but mentally overstimulated and calculating:

    • How Much Time Do I Have Left?
    • How Many More Opportunities Do I Have Left To Explore?
    • How Many of My Curiosities Will I Be Able To Satisfy?
    • Will I Be Proud of My Life If I Stay Where I Currently Am?

    These aren’t the complete list of questions, but they are the most important. I had spent the first 2 decades of my life hiding, playing video games to numb the pain, to hide the fact that I was not gifted with much skill, brains, or strength. I could easily acquire skills and experience quick in video games, unless you’re playing any FromSoft game, but I refused to do the same in real life.

    I decided very recently to change my narrative, and it’s a hit or miss some days. Starting a blog was born from a long wish to write and share when I have no one who would sit and listen in person; I’m learning to code, despite having had an awful experience in university with zero exposure or knowledge prior, to be an opportunity to overcome self-imposed limitations; Allowing my mind to wander and become distracted often leads to adding fuel to my personal fire.

    What Are My Reasons For Planning Things This Way?

    My reasons for planning my goals this way is simple. I’m not striving towards pure freedom, some rules need to remain in place. I’m striving to reduce fear’s hold on me and to expand my options. To use my anger against myself, circumstances, other people that irritates me for something constructive.

    How many of us are living life where our options are limited?

    That is what I want, to expand my options, to release as much anger and rage as I can, one centimeter at a time. The goals I’m striving are for me, for where I want to go, who I want to grow into, and to experience things that I had denied myself and witness and be a part of as many things as I can. True freedom is to have options, instead of having no options and feeling powerless, small, useless,worthless, and a failure.

    These are my goals, my struggles, my process, and my drive. Time is against me, it’s against all of us, and my self imposed deadline is fast approaching. 3 more years, I wonder what I’ll have accomplished by then. Only time will tell, and me!

    For more of my writing and things I’ve been planning, you can check out my other articles below. Thanks!

  • When You Think Your Car Was Stolen (It Wasn’t) and What to Do Next Time Around:

    Deep Breaths Before Freaking Out:

    Welcome, Co-conspirators, to The Stratagem’s Archives, and it is open for perusing. Recently, I, your humble narrator and purveyor of meticulous plans, was taught a lesson – a valuable one – and, thankfully, it ended up being the best case scenario because the worst case would have sent me into a spiral of despair.

    My part-time rage room had pitted me against my ultimate nemesis: parking. In a downtown area where parking is horrendous, customers and employees are allowed to park in another business’s parking garage until spots open up. It’s a 5 minute walk, including the stoplights and the walk up to the garage, a small inconvenience for a mastermind in the making like myself.

    The Moment I Crumbled

    When there was a lull in the chaos at work, I mentioned to my boss and coworker that I was going to retrieve my car, and headed over. As I ascended towards the parking garage, I walked towards the back corner of the lot, and my worst fear unlocked: my car stall was empty.

    My first impulse had always been to contact my parents, my first points of contact for anything, but they weren’t answering my calls. I panicked, then called my boss because I didn’t know what to do or who else to call. Bless his heart because he walked over to where I was to help as I struggled to maintain my composure. My boss, ever the pragmatist, spoke to the security guard on my behalf.

    The security guard, a surprising font of wisdom, mentioned that patrons often misplace their vehicles in this labyrinthine garage. They hadn’t towed anyone in months, he reassured us, despite the downtown area’s reputation for vehicular heists. I managed a shaky nod, agreeing to take “one more look.”

    A Villain’s Humiliation, A Hero’s Resolve

    I swear, in that moment, I’d never wanted to slap myself so hard in my life until that night. While I waited, my amazing Aunty appeared, dispatched by my now-reachable parents who were mobilizing other family members. She sat with me, a calm presence amidst my unraveling. My boss, having confirmed with the security guard that all was well, headed back to his work.

    My aunty, a seasoned veteran of downtown skirmishes, then delivered a surprisingly profound message. She herself had faced the predatory tactics of local towing companies – notorious for being petty thieves who can charge exorbitant fees, vehicle theft, and unhelpful interactions with the police. “I’m glad this happened,” she said, “because now you’ve experienced what this area is really like.” She emphasized the importance of documentation, of relying on evidence rather than my “fallible memory” in a district known for vehicular thefts. Her wisdom resonated deeply.

    And so, with renewed resolve, I took that “one more look.” I walked up one more floor and there it was, my trusty vehicle, precisely where I had left it. I had been diligently searching the second floor, when my car had been patiently waiting for me on the third floor all along. Upon returning to work, and later, when I arrived home, I made sure to take pictures of my car, just as my aunty advised.

    I took her advice to heart, immediately snapping photos of my car when I returned to work and again when I finally got home. I also had to issue a series of apologies to my boss and all the family members I had unnecessarily alarmed. Despite my embarrassment—being 28, I truly felt I should have “known better,” reacting impulsively instead of proactively assessing the situation—everyone reassured me that such mishaps are common. I thanked them all for their invaluable support, vowing to do better next time.

    A New Stratagem: The Deep Breath & Documentation Protocol

    This misadventure, my co-conspirators, taught me a crucial lesson. Even the most cunning among us can be blindsided by our own panicked assumptions. My villainous tendencies, in this instance, led me to prematurely declare defeat and, worse, to neglect the power of proactive measures.

    My commitment to you, and to my own continued reign of… well, whatever it is I’m reigning over, is this: Next time, when the unexpected strikes, I will implement the Deep Breath & Documentation Protocol. Before succumbing to the urge to declare immediate catastrophe, I will take a moment, survey the scene with a clear mind, and double-check my initial assumptions. Furthermore, I will ensure I have a visual record, a digital alibi, to counter any potential memory lapses or external threats. I will not repeat this mistake, and I hope those who read my blog can learn from my temporary lapse in judgment.

    For those of you, my equally neurotic co-conspirators, who might also find yourselves teetering on the edge of a freak-out, remember my ignominious tale. Before you unleash your inner panic monster, take a deep breath. Seriously. Just one. Then, maybe, another. And if circumstances allow, snap a quick photo. Often, the solution is much simpler (and far less catastrophic) than your racing mind leads you to believe, and a little evidence can save you a lot of grief.

    What minor misstep has sent your carefully constructed plans into a temporary tailspin? Let me know in the comments below and I will see you all again when the archives open!

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