Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD.
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
At least we know how this polyhedron was used. The "Roman Dodecahedrons" continue to confuse people. But, I don't think that is all that shocking.
There are many durable but baffling objects.
myrmepropagandist (@futurebird@sauropods.win)
Attached: 1 image I got one for my husband and he loves it. Can you guess what it's for? (If you love a 'big red robe' or 'number one factory' you may not participate in this guessing game, just be quiet and see what they say)
Sauropods.win (sauropods.win)
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At least we know how this polyhedron was used. The "Roman Dodecahedrons" continue to confuse people. But, I don't think that is all that shocking.
There are many durable but baffling objects.
myrmepropagandist (@futurebird@sauropods.win)
Attached: 1 image I got one for my husband and he loves it. Can you guess what it's for? (If you love a 'big red robe' or 'number one factory' you may not participate in this guessing game, just be quiet and see what they say)
Sauropods.win (sauropods.win)
@futurebird
So what was the answer to that one?? I gathered it was tea-related, but never did find out the actual function. -
@futurebird
So what was the answer to that one?? I gathered it was tea-related, but never did find out the actual function.It's for drying the tea pot and lid after you rinse it with hot water.
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It's for drying the tea pot and lid after you rinse it with hot water.
@futurebird Aha! So my βCones of Dunshire Tournament Trophyβ guess was really, really close then
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
@futurebird oh thatβs cool. I didnβt know about that one. Do you happen to know where it is?
I only know about a stone one from Egypt with Greek letters, which is currently at The Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/551072 -
@futurebird Aha! So my βCones of Dunshire Tournament Trophyβ guess was really, really close then
uh... i guess??
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At least we know how this polyhedron was used. The "Roman Dodecahedrons" continue to confuse people. But, I don't think that is all that shocking.
There are many durable but baffling objects.
myrmepropagandist (@futurebird@sauropods.win)
Attached: 1 image I got one for my husband and he loves it. Can you guess what it's for? (If you love a 'big red robe' or 'number one factory' you may not participate in this guessing game, just be quiet and see what they say)
Sauropods.win (sauropods.win)
@futurebird Oh, and this is a stupid place to ask this. But, I currently am a coffee drinker. Is tea better? Strangely enough, I am intrigued by tea all of a suddenβ¦LOL.
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
@futurebird something that has always stuck with me but I have absolutely no idea where I read it was the observation that rpgs could have emerged at any time in the past several millennia. All you need is the concepts of storytelling and games of chance, and ideally some kind of writing so you can record your adventures and share rules and characters with others
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
@futurebird Ancient Roman D&D!!!
Dvngeonvm et Dragonvm
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@futurebird oh thatβs cool. I didnβt know about that one. Do you happen to know where it is?
I only know about a stone one from Egypt with Greek letters, which is currently at The Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/551072I'm trying to track it down. I've seen another example, but not in as good condition. The sources I can find are a little mid:
Explore the Early 20-Side Icosahedron Dice That Were Tossed in Ancient Rome
Icosahedron dice in stone, bone, rock crystal were used in Ancient Hellenistic and Roman times to divine prophecies.
My Modern Met (mymodernmet.com)
One claimed it's at "Musee Louvre"
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F myrmepropagandist shared this topic
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Here is a Roman D20 carved from crystal in the 3rd century AD. These were used, historians suspect for telling fortunes. However, no one can *prove* they weren't used for some kind role playing game. Which is what getting a fortune told with a die is kind of like anyways if you ask me.
"roll for initiative"
@futurebird I dunno but... this Roman dice tower looks mighty nerdy to me. I think the evidence is piling up.
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@futurebird I dunno but... this Roman dice tower looks mighty nerdy to me. I think the evidence is piling up.
This is damning.
Might as well have a bunch of character sheets with all the stats in Roman numerals.
"The front face of the tower bears the words: PICTOS VICTOS HOSTIS DELETA LVDITE SECVRI
When read as a sentence reads "The Picts are defeated, the enemies destroyed, play with confidence"
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This is damning.
Might as well have a bunch of character sheets with all the stats in Roman numerals.
"The front face of the tower bears the words: PICTOS VICTOS HOSTIS DELETA LVDITE SECVRI
When read as a sentence reads "The Picts are defeated, the enemies destroyed, play with confidence"
The "Picts" were a bunch of LARPers IMO
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I'm trying to track it down. I've seen another example, but not in as good condition. The sources I can find are a little mid:
Explore the Early 20-Side Icosahedron Dice That Were Tossed in Ancient Rome
Icosahedron dice in stone, bone, rock crystal were used in Ancient Hellenistic and Roman times to divine prophecies.
My Modern Met (mymodernmet.com)
One claimed it's at "Musee Louvre"
@futurebird @rrgeorge I already see the pseudo-archaeologists go like "how did they create such an intricate object without lasers and CNC machines? I'm only asking questions..."
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@futurebird @rrgeorge I already see the pseudo-archaeologists go like "how did they create such an intricate object without lasers and CNC machines? I'm only asking questions..."
So annoying. There are people who make stone dice to this day. It's not a "deep" process, but can be time-consuming for harder stone.
But with something like soap stone it's almost trivial.
1. Mill a sphere
2. Divide it to find the centers of faces.Turn and flatten forever.
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At least we know how this polyhedron was used. The "Roman Dodecahedrons" continue to confuse people. But, I don't think that is all that shocking.
There are many durable but baffling objects.
myrmepropagandist (@futurebird@sauropods.win)
Attached: 1 image I got one for my husband and he loves it. Can you guess what it's for? (If you love a 'big red robe' or 'number one factory' you may not participate in this guessing game, just be quiet and see what they say)
Sauropods.win (sauropods.win)
@futurebird i am intrigued by the dodecahedrons with different sized holes and uniform sized knobs but even more intrigued by the accompanying icosahedrons with uniform holes and different sized knobs
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@futurebird i am intrigued by the dodecahedrons with different sized holes and uniform sized knobs but even more intrigued by the accompanying icosahedrons with uniform holes and different sized knobs
@bri_seven @futurebird They're for knitting gloves.
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@bri_seven @futurebird They're for knitting gloves.
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@bri_seven @futurebird Yup. They're jigs to make knitting gloves easier. The regular ones are for fingers, the lopsided ones are for the palm and back. The cuff, as I understand it, is usually knitted freehand.