D&D 5th Edition

I've tweaked the Strixhaven cube and am slowly replacing the SOS proxies with real cards! Fortified with Avatar lessons, I'm calling the format "Aang Goes to College." See the list and practice draft here: https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/strixavatar?display=spoiler NOTE: Pest tokens have been errata'd to have BOTH the new "Whenever this token attacks, you gain 1 life" text and the "When this token dies, you gain 1 life" text. You're welcome, Witherbloom players! **CONDUCT POLICY** We cultivate a safe, friendly atmosphere. Derogatory comments of any kind are unacceptable, as is behavior that may make others uncomfortable, such as rage-quitting. Thank you! **TARDINESS POLICY** If you're more than 10 minutes late, I'll enlist my wife to draft for you until your arrival. If she's unavailable, we'll make random, blind picks for you.

*You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.* Distance: 3.5 miles Elevation change: about 100' Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22! How far have we come since the first Earth Day in 1970? Join us at the 500-acre Lake Accotink Park, a surprising retreat in the middle of suburban Fairfax County. We'll walk partly on and partly off the main trail and along the lake shore on natural surface trails (about 4 miles total). We'll walk by an active eagle nest that is visible from the trail, unless the leaves are out. We may see the eagles flying around the lake. We'll find a variety of native plants, including the native azalea. **We meet at the parking lot by the dam**, then hike on natural surface side trails that most park visitors don’t know about. I'm also a naturalist, so we will stop occasionally to look at spring wildflowers. Some of the terrain is hillier than the main trail around the lake, with an elevation change of about 100 feet from lowest to highest, with many short but steep hills that make for a good workout for a suburban location. The route has small rocks, roots, and a couple of small stream crossings and is not suitable for people with difficulty walking. Pace is about 2 mph average with occasional short stops for checking out nature and discussing Earth Day. Restroom: By the pavilion (about a 5-minute walk from hike start) No dogs, please Park Entry Fee: NONE [Park map](https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sites/parks/files/Assets/documents/waterfront/lakeaccotink/lake-accotink-brochure-map.pdf) * NOTE: Alternate directions if you are coming to the Park from the direction of Tysons Corner on 495 (Beltway): You may enter the Park at an entrance on Heming Ave. From I-495, take Exit 54 East onto Braddock Road (east). From Braddock Road, turn right onto Heming Ave., then right into the parking lot for Lake Accotink Park. HOWEVER, you cannot drive from that parking lot to the hike starting place. The two parking lots are connected by a paved walkway through the Park. It's a short walk down the hill to the lake (passing restrooms at pavilion), and then follow road to the dam. Please allow 10 extra minutes once you park to find your way and to walk to the dam if you arrive that way.

**NEW GAME LOCATION at The Board Room** Let's play board games. Not the ones your ancestors played but the really cool ones of the new millennium. We play everything from fun, social games to light to heavy strategy games. Don't know how to play? Not a problem - we're happy to teach. It's a great chance to learn new games or play your favorites with non-competitive people who like to laugh. You can build a railroad, eradicate a plague, or explore the far reaches of the galaxy in one evening. While many will bring their own games, you can show up gameless and still play. We play at the Board Room in Clarendon on Wednesday from 6:30-10:00. It's within walking distance from the Clarendon metro. **Find us in the far left by the fermentation tanks.** If that area is reserved for a private event, look for us in the middle. Look for a group that has containers and carrying bags with multiple games. We're very fortunate to have this great venue for our game nights and they take care of us for 3-1/2 hours, so please spend a minimum of $10 on food or drink and tip generously (at the very least $2, even if 20% of your bill would be $1). Thanks!

Tuesdays\, Wednesdays \| 12:15pm\-12:35pm Take an afternoon break and intentionally cultivate inner peace, mindfulness and concentration, No previous experience is necessary. No special clothing is required. Just show up! Each 20 minute session will include: * A short introduction to the meditation for the day * A guided meditation to relax and refresh body and mind * Advice for the day ahead No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome! **REGISTRATION** Standard: $5 \| Financial Hardship Available \| Free for [Members](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) [Pre-Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/quick-class-registration/#top) Each class is available by drop in. Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Doom and Dinosaurs,”** a look at how mass extinctions shaped the dinosaurs and what research on these events tells us about Earth life’s long-term prospects, with Ian Wilenzik, paleontologist and visiting assistant professor of biology at George Washington University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-doom-and-dinosaurs](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-doom-and-dinosaurs) .] Pity the poor dinosaurs. They lacked both scientific research to help deal with potential environmental catastrophes and places where they could have a beer and discuss it. You, on the other hand, have the opportunity to come to Profs and Pints to hear a fascinating talk on the impact of mass extinctions on dinosaur evolution and what research on dinosaurs tells us about biodiversity and Earth’s current biodiversity crisis. Dr. Ian Wilenzik, who has studied and taught courses on dinosaur evolution, population spread, and extinction, will leave you with a greater appreciation of the resilience of life on earth and how we’re both the product and source of biologically catastrophic events. Many of us are familiar with how a big meteor impact about 66 million years ago wiped out the Earth’s dinosaur population, leaving us only with their feathered descendants, birds. Less well known is how the Earth actually has undergone five periods of mass extinction that wiped out nearly all life, and how dinosaurs arose from one and endured another—both caused by volcanic activity—before meeting their match in the third. To ground his discussion, Dr. Wilenzik will talk about how we study mass extinctions by looking for geologic evidence of volcanic activity, meteoric blasts, and other catastrophic activity and of gaps in the fossil record after them. He’ll also discuss what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, describing their distinct anatomical features. He’ll talk about how they and other forms of life evolved over long periods of time and were affected by extinction events. We’ll look at how the meteor-caused mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous paved the way for the rise of mammals and the emergence of primates, and, eventually, us. Looking ahead to future mass extinctions and what might survive them, we’ll talk about how that plant you forget to water might have the last laugh, as well as why crocodiles might be around a while. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A *Triceratops* mounted skeleton at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History (Photo by Allie Caulfield / Wikimedia Commons).

**The Inner Path: Meditation, Wisdom, and Spiritual Guidance** **Wednesdays, 7:00pm-8:00pm** **With various Kadampa Teachers** True happiness and freedom comes from training the mind in meditation and wisdom. In this series, based on The New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, we will explore essential meditations that lead us to lasting inner peace and spiritual realization. We begin with the meditation on Tranquil Abiding, learning how to develop strong mindfulness and concentration and overcome the obstacles that prevent inner calm. We then turn to Emptiness, Buddha’s profound wisdom that reveals the true nature of reality and frees us from ignorance and self-grasping. Finally, we conclude with the meditation on Reliance on a Spiritual Guide, the foundation of all spiritual attainments. Each class includes guided meditation, practical advice, and discussion. Everyone is welcome — from beginners to experienced meditators. **Schedule** March 4: Learning to Meditate: Finding Focus and Peace March 11: Mindfulness and Concentration: The Tools of Tranquil Abiding March 18: Overcoming Obstacles to Meditation March 25: Abiding in Stillness: The Joy of a Concentrated Mind April 1: What Is Emptiness? Understanding the True Nature of Reality April 8: Emptiness of the Body: Letting Go of Attachment *April 15: No Class: Celebration of Buddha’s Enlightenment Day- Special Prayers* April 22: Emptiness of the Self: The Key to True Freedom April 29: The Power of Spiritual Guidance **REGISTRATION** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship $6 \| Free for [Members](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) [Pre-Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/lamrim-meditation/) Each class is available by drop in. Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

Ladies’ Knight is a welcoming **bi-weekly women’s chess social and community** designed for **beginners through advanced players**. Play, socialize, and build confidence in a fun, supportive environment alongside other women. There won't be structured chess lessons, but enjoy a relaxed, social chess atmosphere to improve your chess strategy and tactical skills while connecting with other women in the DMV chess community.

A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd- through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. As the danger posed by the Wreck of the Returned increases and the enemies arrayed against the Starfinder Society grow bolder, First Seeker Sarmak dispatches a team to the Akitonian city of Maro to find Nima, a former member of a mercenary company called the Rust Wraiths who were among the first to explore the Wreck of the Returned. Nima has gone into hiding, as she’s being hunted by numerous foes allied with the Wreck, including nodocites, converted, and agents of the Functionary. If the PCs can find and protect Nima from their shared enemies, Nima can give the PCs valuable information on the Wreck of the Returned, including insight into the motives of the mysterious being at its heart: Elovai. This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot. Written by Rigby Bendele.

The mad lich Acererak built the Tomb of the Nine Gods not only to house the remains of Omu’s trickster gods, but also to slay interlopers. However, few today even know the tomb exists, and thus it remains an enigma. Rare are the tavern tales that lure adventurers to its gates, and its horrors remain undocumented in the libraries of Candlekeep. The reason for this is simple: not one person who has entered the tomb has lived to tell the tale. Your quest, should you accept, is to traverse to the heart of this tomb and bring down the evil that lurks in its heart. Legends tell the rewards will be beyond your wildest imaginings. If you survive. **This event is hosted using the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition Adventurers League rules. It is a Tier 2 game suitable for players with advanced experience who have previously played in multiple Tier 1 games.** **Becoming a member in our Discord and accepting our Code of Conduct is required for play at all of our events. You must join and accept the Discord rules before signing up to any MeetUp events. These rules include but are not limited to:** * **Assigning your name and pronouns as your server nickname;** * **Confirming your age as 18 or older;** * **Participating in a respectful environment for both our AL DMs and your fellow players.** **If you do not join the Discord and accept these rules prior to signing up for an event, you may be removed from the MeetUp event or be required to join the Discord and agree to the Code of Conduct at the game table prior to playing.** \*\**[Join us on Discord!](https://discord.gg/mG24YCk7wj) Attending this event indicates that you agree to follow NOVA Adventurer’s League’s Code of Conduct, which can be found in the #code-of-conduct channel on our Discord.*

Do you remember the days when board and card games were only played – or even discussed – in the shadows? Did you wander dark alleys to meet shady purveyors of meeples, dice, and pawns? Thanks to AARGGH, games have become acceptable in all sectors of society, even in that bastion of culture, the public library. Enjoy the freedom to play the games of your choice without suffering public derision (well, maybe a little from players who defeat you) at our Grand Gaming Melee! There’ll be board games, dice games, card games, tile games, and just about every other kind of game that can be played on a tabletop. You’re encouraged to bring some of your favorites and teach them to new players, but feel free to come without any and play the games others bring. If you see one you’d like to try, there’ll be someone eager to teach you. And enjoy your day of socially acceptable games with sociallyacceptable snacks! Please bring something delicious to share: items that are likely to drip, smear, or splatter onto the games are discouraged, and mysterious products procured from shady figures in dark alleys will be probably be given a wide berth by your fellow players. Otherwise, anything easily and neatly consumed at the gaming tables is welcome. Popular delicious items include bags of chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies. Some people bring a package of doughnuts or cupcakes; these are always popular and disappear quickly. Savory snacks like olives, vegetables with dip, or cheese appeal to players who don’t want to spend the entire day snacking on sweets. A few creative types may even bring something homemade; these contributions are even more appreciated. A refrigerator is available to store drinks and other items that should be kept chilled. Official start time is 10:30am. You can come and go at any time, but your host appreciates anyone who arrives as early as 10:00am (the library’s opening time) to help with setup. Many hands make light work! Cleanup begins around 4:00pm (or whenever you decide that you can’t squeeze in one more game before the end of the event). Remember, whoever starts cleanup first gets the best choice of leftover snacks to take home! As always, leave the room clean and tidy. **Please observe these rules regarding cleanup at Beatley library:** * Please ensure that food scraps, crumbs, and bits of packaging are not strewn in the kitchen or auditorium. The library closes shortly after our event ends, so anything edible left on the floor or counters will attract vermin overnight. Night vermin are the worst! * Please fold most of the tables and stack them under the coat rack – a few may remain where they were used – but **DO NOT FOLD THE CHAIRS**. Leave them out in any configuration that lets people walk around them easily. Many chairs are needed for programs the following day, so by folding them you only make more work for the organizers. On the other hand, more than a few tables left standing only impede the next day’s activities.

**This event is hosted using the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition Adventurers League rules. It is a Tier 3 game only for experienced players who must have previously played in multiple Tier 2 games.** As you pull yourself from the burning wreckage of Baldur's Gate, you see the sky is choked with dragons, led by a newly arisen Dracolich, Balagos, and his master: The Heir of Orcus. Pulled from a fiery death by Ser Vindicus, you are given a chance to avert catastrophe and clip the wings of the dragon before more cities fall to ruin. **Becoming a member in our Discord and accepting our Code of Conduct is required for play at all of our events. You must join and accept the Discord rules before signing up to any MeetUp events. These rules include but are not limited to:** * **Assigning your name and pronouns as your server nickname;** * **Confirming your age as 18 or older;** * **Participating in a respectful environment for both our AL DMs and your fellow players.** **If you do not join the Discord and accept these rules prior to signing up for an event, you may be removed from the MeetUp event or be required to join the Discord and agree to the Code of Conduct at the game table prior to playing.** \*\**[Join us on Discord!](https://discord.gg/mG24YCk7wj) Attending this event indicates that you agree to follow NOVA Adventurer’s League’s Code of Conduct, which can be found in the #code-of-conduct channel on our Discord.*

After dealing with the horrors on Quinterra, the Buconars aboard the Eltabbar Unchained head to Scutta, a strange and dangerous planet covered in a sea of scrap metal, seeking answers to newly discovered biological technologies. This is a TIER 1 adventure, suitable for all experience levels! [Join our Discord!](https://discord.gg/mG24YCk7wj) Attending this event indicates that you agree to follow NOVA Adventurer’s League’s Code of Conduct, which can be found in the #code-of-conduct channel on our Discord

**Dust off those old classics in your binders and experience Yu-Gi-Oh! as it never was.** **Cookie-cutter deck lists, begone! Constant board wipes, begone! Tier-1 tyranny, begone! Get ready for the format you never knew you needed. If you’ve been utterly overwhelmed by the speed of the modern metagame, rejoice! If you’ve long suppressed the itch to bamboozle your buddies with obscure Traps none of them have heard of, your time has finally come! If you’ve always wondered what a format with 100 viable decks looked like, then prepared to be amazed, utterly.** **The AINW card pool contains every release originally printed before the TCG set, Duelist Alliance. Please note, this is not a true Retro format. We’ll be using updated card text for many cards formerly on Konami's Forbidden & Limited List. The inclusion of newer errata is not meant to tarnish the legacy of certain cards. Their inclusion is meant to maximize the number of viable options whilst preventing dangerous sequences such as Divine Wind FTK.** **Click the link to view the rules and restrictions below:** **[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sW3SkG5XNor-W-gRvwuvCWwuWeMelt-KkwpHYpOOwO4/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sW3SkG5XNor-W-gRvwuvCWwuWeMelt-KkwpHYpOOwO4/edit?usp=sharing)** **Many of these parameters you’ll likely find surprising, sacrilegious even. Just keep an open mind and give my format a try. I think you’ll be surprised by the sheer number of strategies that are actually viable. I didn’t set out to create a list that was perfect. But, I do believe I have succeeded in crafting one that is actually CONSISENT in what it bans, something that Konami's Forbidden & Limited list has never been.**

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Thanks for being a part of the CABS Meetup Group! We meet @ the COFFEE UNDERGROUND on Indianola Avenue. We play many different games @ CABS - bring your own or play one of the OVER 2000 in our library. What are your favorite games? What was the last game you played? Hope to see and game with you soon! Check us out on Facebook! Doors open early on Saturday Mornings at 10am and around 4pm on Fridays if you are interested in learning new / simpler games ... or new to the hobby or just want to check us out come in early just after noon and we will show you around before the crowd grows. Stay for a game or two, an hour or two or for the day! Your first visit is free and after that it's $5 a meeting or you can join for the year! It's Your Move