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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: ludomaniac on April 25, 2008, 05:35:18 PM

Title: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on April 25, 2008, 05:35:18 PM
I've started this thread on the RPG board because it seemed to be the closest fit...

I frequently run across rather Fortean stories in the news.  Here's a current example, about a cyclone made of bees: http://www.local6.com/news/15982205/detail.html (http://www.local6.com/news/15982205/detail.html).

I'm sure this event has a perfectly reasonable explanation...that is utterly boring.  So let's ignore reality and think Dresden.

Who or what could create a cyclone-shaped swarm of bees, and why did they need to conjure one at Mexican restaurant in Orlando?

Anyone have an idea?  Alternatively, do you have another weird story to post?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: iago on April 25, 2008, 05:41:35 PM
Great idea for a thread.  Bring on the weird!
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: comprex on April 25, 2008, 05:50:30 PM

Mexican cockroach scare of 1827
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on April 25, 2008, 05:55:38 PM
Great idea for a thread.  Bring on the weird!

Thanks!  I was going to kick things off with the story about the Congolese penis thieves, but thought better of it.  ;)

Mexican cockroach scare of 1827

¿Qué es esto?  Tell me more!
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: comprex on April 25, 2008, 06:38:22 PM
one famous corrido (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cucaracha)

NH's Old Man of The Mountain (and his face falling off)

Great Lakes (and the end of the Wisconsin ice age, I think I mentioned as a SmurF theory, but I did not mention the oldest old growth forest on the East Coast, the white cedars growing out of the cliff wall of the Niagara escarpment, some logs dating back to Charlemagne). link (http://www.uoguelph.ca/~umatthes/CERG/ancient_cedars.htm)

The Megaflood and the formation of the Scablands Nova link here (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/megaflood/scablands.html)

Oklo fossil reactor linky (http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets/doeymp0010.shtml)

Lake Nyos CO2 cloud linky (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-20297416.html)





Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Simon Hogwood on April 26, 2008, 06:43:41 PM
Well, the first two events that came to mind were the recent attempted curse on the Yankees (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,6965.0.html), and that meteor in Peru that  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carancas_Impact_Event) had everyone in an uproar last fall.

Here's a big list  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mysteries) of such weird events.

Anybody want to Dresdenify this  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_sightings) phenomenon?  ;D

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: AronZ on April 26, 2008, 08:32:22 PM
"Elvis is not dead he just went home." - Agent K

Either that or he was a Sidhe, Summer Court most likely.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: AndrewD2 on April 28, 2008, 02:38:35 AM
I always thought the summer court would have better taste in music  ;)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Jessica on April 28, 2008, 04:18:41 AM
I've been wondering about this latest violent crime wave in Chicago.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: R00kie on April 28, 2008, 01:00:21 PM
Well you could have fun with the following two:

Quote from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24242911/
"A 120-year-old stuffed rhinoceros is back on display minus its horn, which was stolen during a nighttime robbery, possibly by an organized gang seeking to sell it on the Asian black market."
Which suggest all sorts of ritual uses

and

Quote from: http://allweirdnews.com/drop-dead-sexy/
"Sexy lingerie has reportedly become a hit among Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese, they buy them to offer to their dead relatives on the Qingming Festival this Friday. To mark the day, Chinese traditionally tend the graves of their departed loved ones...lingerie has become an increasingly popular offering for dead female relatives... A matching set of floral underwear trimmed with gold-coloured studs costs four ringgit (1.25 dollars)"
Which is just weird - but suggest some very odd imagery. Maybe we should be glad that Dead Beat didn't ccur just after Qingming Festival.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Cooper on April 28, 2008, 03:11:54 PM
Just heard this on the Howard Stern show.  I don't know if this is true, but it kept me laughing at the end of the day.

A local report from the Congo in Africa says that local authorities claimed they arrested 13 "sorcerors" and charged for practicing black magic.  What they did was shrink peoples Johnsons.  It is said that computers would avoid the commuter buses for they carry hooded people wearing gold rings.  For the spell to take affect, the figures have to touch a man and aparently shrink it on the spot or later on.

If the doesn't belong here, delete it and/or ban me from the forums.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Shecky on April 28, 2008, 03:18:57 PM
Huh. Now it makes sense. World leaders (and I use the term loosely) are actually Denarians.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Wolfhowls on April 28, 2008, 05:44:29 PM
Huh. Now it makes sense. World leaders (and I use the term loosely) are actually Denarians.

That would make it too easy.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: skakid on April 29, 2008, 03:38:50 PM
I recently blew threw all the novels and I must say I like the idea of a dresden RPG and even more so I like the idea of using real world events as hooks.  They don't all have to be amazing crazy things though.

In fact a recent news story has my mind spinning on the posibilities.
I like the idea of a set of villians that have escaped detection for so long, because they know about the non supernatural world and how to better hide the deaths of their victims.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Malakai Jones on April 29, 2008, 05:46:07 PM
New England's Dark day.  Bad Ass wizard fight? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England%27s_Dark_Day
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Wolfhowls on May 09, 2008, 12:26:22 AM
Saw this today.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5761654.html

But we all know this is just a cover up. It was two wizards at it again.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on May 14, 2008, 11:21:49 AM
Quote
But we all know this is just a cover up. It was two wizards at it again.

When you summon an army of earth spirits, the earth has to come from somewhere.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: hexboy on June 22, 2008, 09:41:22 PM
  I don't know if it was just me hearing through the pain medication, but I swear I heard that a tornado in one of the 'burbs of Chicago changed shape SIX times!

  And I don't want this to be considered SPAM, but for good weird ideas/conspiracy, look for the "Suppressed Transmissions" books! Those are GOLDMINES and written by Ken Hite!
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on June 25, 2008, 11:41:48 AM
Quote
And I don't want this to be considered SPAM, but for good weird ideas/conspiracy, look for the "Suppressed Transmissions" books! Those are GOLDMINES and written by Ken Hite!

Will these books cause some portion of my anatomy to permanently get bigger?  If not, your post is not spam.  ;)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Slife on July 29, 2008, 04:31:37 AM
Obviously some mad wizard's monkey-demon summoning was interrupted.

http://actionnooz.com/news/?p=1156
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: MatthewD44 on July 29, 2008, 04:44:06 AM
One thing I was thinking about would be "plagues" that breakout and have a "containment zone" would be an interesting hook... having one character that is wizard working at the CDC or WHO
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on July 29, 2008, 01:37:24 PM
One thing I was thinking about would be "plagues" that breakout and have a "containment zone" would be an interesting hook... having one character that is wizard working at the CDC or WHO

A wizard would have problems working directly for either of those outfits (he or she would be awfully hard on modern office and lab equipment).  I could see the Wardens having an informant there.  Pity the poor warden who has to go into the hot zone, simultaneously stopping the evil, dodging the authorities, and trying to keep said authorities safe and ignorant.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: MatthewD44 on July 29, 2008, 05:24:22 PM
actually if they are a field agent (scientist) most of the equipment they work with would be pretty low tech most of the time...
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: cranialspasm on October 15, 2008, 02:48:54 AM
Wanna see something uber wierd?

http://www.oregonvortex.com/video.htm

A gathering of dozens of leylines perhaps?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Shecky on October 20, 2008, 02:40:55 PM
Wanna see something uber wierd?

http://www.oregonvortex.com/video.htm

A gathering of dozens of leylines perhaps?

I watched that without sound (work) - I don't get it.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Melkarion on November 07, 2008, 02:07:17 PM
This vortex is CLEARLY an optical illusion.  And, some swamp gas.  Now look over there for a second, if you don't mind...

See?  Everything's perfectly normal now...
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Slife on November 16, 2008, 06:32:19 AM
Obviously a wizard battle.

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/07/lightning-storm-generated-by-chilean-volcano-images/

I mean, seriously.  A volcano is one thing.  A volcano with LIGHTNING?  That's just excessive.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: cranialspasm on January 15, 2009, 02:49:41 AM
This vortex is CLEARLY an optical illusion.  And, some swamp gas.  Now look over there for a second, if you don't mind...

See?  Everything's perfectly normal now...

Wow. Are you magic?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: TheMouse on January 18, 2009, 06:55:56 PM
Obviously a wizard battle.

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/07/lightning-storm-generated-by-chilean-volcano-images/

I mean, seriously.  A volcano is one thing.  A volcano with LIGHTNING?  That's just excessive.

Those are so awesome. They look like some wizards with big clout throwing down.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: skakid on February 04, 2009, 04:20:45 PM
I wonder what Harry did this time?  ;D
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090204/ap_on_re_us/chicago_church_fire (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090204/ap_on_re_us/chicago_church_fire)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on March 05, 2009, 06:03:23 AM
And if anyone wonders how magic is not being noticed - You can take a look at the whole article or just google these 5 things.  It's amazing eye witness accounts, count for anything at all...

5. Change blindness - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_blindness and or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inattentional_blindness

4. Saccadic masking - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccadic_masking

3. proprioception - this one has some wierd experiments you can try too - http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19526221.300-mind-tricks-six-ways-to-explore-your-brain.html?page=1

2. Cryptomnesia - http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cryptomnesia

1. Not exactly precognition - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/health/research/10mind.html?_r=1

5 Ways Your Brain Is Messing With Your Head
http://www.cracked.com/article_17103_5-ways-your-brain-messing-with-your-head.html
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Slife on April 28, 2009, 07:00:35 AM
Dude's (http://dd-b.net/NicollEvents/) latent magical abilities combine with the blessing of a cat totem/ trickster deity.  He gets excessive healing and the need to use it.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ouroboros on April 30, 2009, 02:25:56 AM
The Australian droughts are due to excessive Summer Court activity?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on May 01, 2009, 05:11:33 AM
Real world - fire whirls - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_whirl
Dresdenverse explanation - out of control fire magic

(http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/kmremick/fire-toranado1.jpg) (http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/kmremick/fire-toranado2.jpg)(http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/kmremick/fire-toranado3.jpg)

Real world - Snow rollers - http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/photo_gallery/snow_rollers.php
Dresdenverse explanation - Winter Fae at play (or mounting an attack)  :o

(http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/kmremick/SnowRollers3-31-09a.jpg)

Real world - Fox in winter coat - site has other cool animal pics http://www.dirjournal.com/info/one-to-one-with-nature-incredible-wildlife-photograpy/
Dresdenverse explanation - Air spirit, an almost perfect veil with lycanthropy, or maybe a more peaceful winter Fae
(http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/kmremick/almostperfectveilspellsnowfox1.jpg)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on August 14, 2009, 06:05:12 AM
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/12/ap/strange/main5238392.shtml
Accused Nude Doorbell Ringer Pleads Not Guilty
6-foot-7-inch, 250-pound Man Accused Of Ringing Calif. Doorbells In The Buff Pleads Not Guilty

As far as the article goes they didn't see a toad demon and we don't know what he is doing in California but still... ;) 
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ancalagon on February 08, 2010, 03:10:15 AM
arise, thread, arise!   ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Molasses_Disaster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidoarjo_mud_flow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania#Mine_fire
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on February 08, 2010, 07:55:01 AM
while we are at it....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Beer_Flood
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on February 16, 2010, 12:49:49 PM
Looks like the Raiths have gone downmarket (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2048459,CST-NWS-sexparty15.article).

(Article possibly NSFW, depending on your employer)

UPDATE: The link should actually work now.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on February 16, 2010, 02:02:18 PM
Looks like the Raiths have gone downmarket: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2048459,CST-NWS-sexparty15.article. (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2048459,CST-NWS-sexparty15.article.)

(Article possibly NSFW, depending on your employer)
Doh!
Sorry, the page you requested could not be found.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Bosh on February 16, 2010, 02:03:25 PM
Erase the period at the end of the URL
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ancalagon on February 25, 2010, 02:41:02 AM
 ???  http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=9686

there are a few in there where it almost feels better to believe they are supernatural creatures rather than real human beings...  :o

edit:  totally a wizard under cover:  http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=9514

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ancalagon on February 26, 2010, 02:06:53 AM
LARPing.

Seriously, think about it.

Nicodemus:  And now, you die!
Harry:  Oh, get in line will you?
Goon:  uuugh ugghg!!!
Harry:  erm, what?
Nicodemus:  He said the cops are coming!
Harry:  aw man...
Constable:  What's all this then?!?
Nicodemus:  .... nothing? ....
Harry:  Why my good friend here is trying to say is that we are just playing a game Officer.
Constable:  A game?!?
Harry:  Yes, it's erm, Live action roll playing!  See, I pretend to be a wizard fighting for good, and my friend here is pretending to be a crapulant villain
Harry:  *throws a tennis ball at Nicodemus*  "see?"
Nicodemus:  *glares*  "erm yes, just a game".
Constable:  "Very well.  But move along, you're scaring the neighbors".

Zombie plague?  Fae showdown?  Demon  Summoning?  It can all be blamed on LARPing.  After all, no one in their right mind would actually LARP now would they?   ;)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: SoulCatcher78 on February 26, 2010, 02:23:45 AM
So in
(click to show/hide)
.  A gaming convention (going with the LARP idea above) would be an event to behold.  Something the size of Gen Con with its 25,000+ attendees being a perfect cover for a white council (or other group for that matter) meeting.  It'd definitely be better than the RV convention but maybe not as fun as the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas (sponsored by the white court of course)...Pr0n LARP, lol.

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Sh33p on March 02, 2010, 04:38:14 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_homicides_in_Ciudad_Juarez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_homicides_in_Ciudad_Juarez)
Reds on the rampage?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Vampire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Vampire)
A Black or Red having a snack en route to an important meeting?

http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Slender+Man (http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Slender+Man)
A newborn Fae on the loose?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 07, 2010, 01:34:33 AM
Quote
A newborn Fae on the loose?

Mucho creepy.

That's a hell of a story seed.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: ludomaniac on March 07, 2010, 05:01:45 PM
http://www.good.is/post/science-rules-antarctic-glacier-has-five-story-blood-red-waterfall-of-primodial-ooze/?GT1=48001 (http://www.good.is/post/science-rules-antarctic-glacier-has-five-story-blood-red-waterfall-of-primodial-ooze/?GT1=48001)

You can't make this stuff up, I swear!
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on March 07, 2010, 10:49:27 PM
(http://incrediblethings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Jellio-Gummy-Bear-Candelier.jpg)

Gummy-Bear-Candelier - transformation gone wrong...
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 08, 2010, 08:38:30 PM
Quote
You can't make this stuff up, I swear!

This reeks of a wounded godling never allowed to heal. Or just a latrine seeping out of faerieland.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Flegetanis on March 14, 2010, 04:23:37 AM
I've been rereading the whole series the past couple of months, and the topic of this thread is EXACTLY what I thought of when I heard about a "mild earthquake" hitting Chicago last month. I'm surprised to not find it here!

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/02/quake-like-tremors-reported-in-western-suburbs.html

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Breaking-News-Earthquake-Shakes-Chicagoland-84000302.html


Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: SoulCatcher78 on March 20, 2010, 01:52:31 PM
The maze of tunnels below Odessa left over from mining limestone for buildings.  What was someone really digging for? 
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 22, 2010, 04:38:50 PM
Every read "Forbidden Archeology"?  Loaded with actual dig sites that date long before humanity was supposed to be bopping around  Momma Terra.  One was a mine that found stone tools under a lava flow that was a few million years old. Another was a metal sphere found in Africa. Basically a ball bearing with a ridge around the equator.  It carbon dated at over a
Quote
billion
years old!

It just begs for a "those who came before" story arc.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ancalagon on March 22, 2010, 10:24:22 PM
Every read "Forbidden Archeology"?  Loaded with actual dig sites that date long before humanity was supposed to be bopping around  Momma Terra.  One was a mine that found stone tools under a lava flow that was a few million years old. Another was a metal sphere found in Africa. Basically a ball bearing with a ridge around the equator.  It carbon dated at over a  years old!

It just begs for a "those who came before" story arc.

While those are great for story ideas, I wouldn't rely too much on them otherwise... carbon dating doesn't go back more than a few hundred thousand years at the most.... and besides, it's based on the biological sequestration of carbon 14 - not a lot of that going on in a steel ball bearing! 
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 25, 2010, 01:22:16 AM
Actually, the book spent a lot of time on various dating methods and their failings.

That being said, I take every thing with a grain of salt.

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: zandamascus on March 25, 2010, 09:58:48 PM
It might have been said before, but crop circles

 just humans being silly? results of some Spells? the work of pizza-high little folk? Sinister plots by unknown High fae?
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 26, 2010, 12:53:25 AM
Mothman sightings.  Aliens, spirits, or stoned  hillbillies?

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Bosh on March 26, 2010, 08:48:34 AM
Now if this isn't something deeply frightening in the Dresdenverse then I don't know what is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklo (natural nuclear fission reactor site)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: MFeeney on March 26, 2010, 01:03:17 PM
everyone here has probably already seen this, if so sorry  but sparked several ideas for me http://www.cracked.com/article/181_the-6-creepiest-places-earth/
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ihadris on March 26, 2010, 02:26:20 PM
everyone here has probably already seen this, if so sorry  but sparked several ideas for me http://www.cracked.com/article/181_the-6-creepiest-places-earth/

Im living about 2 hours from that forest. As if it wasnt already fodder for a disturbing horror story there is a giant theme park near by.

I cant even begin to talk about that church...
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 27, 2010, 02:11:58 AM
The doggie death bridge is what bothered me the most.  Mysterious abandoned cities and crazy-lady architecture doesn't hit me the same as K9's trying for instant evolution.

The double jumpers are even more baffling.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Ihadris on March 27, 2010, 04:06:44 AM
The doggie death bridge is what bothered me the most.  Mysterious abandoned cities and crazy-lady architecture doesn't hit me the same as K9's trying for instant evolution.

The double jumpers are even more baffling.

I had a bit of a read around, apparently there are minks nesting in the undergrowth underneath that section of bridge. They tested the different species of dog that have jumped the most and found that the scent of a mink drives them crackers. So when its a warm day and the rain doesnt supress the smell and certain species of dog walk past...
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on March 27, 2010, 09:02:41 PM
many photoshopped things could be real photos of something dresden...

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: zandamascus on March 28, 2010, 02:37:24 AM
how about bridge collapses? like the one in minnesota, or the more famous takoma bridge (might be wrong about the names of the second one, the bridge that collapsed from high winds)
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Lanodantheon on March 28, 2010, 03:12:11 AM
how about bridge collapses? like the one in minnesota, or the more famous takoma bridge (might be wrong about the names of the second one, the bridge that collapsed from high winds)

6 1/2 Words:

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

or  4 words:

A Wizard did it! ;D
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: mrsleep on March 28, 2010, 09:13:53 PM
I had a bit of a read around, apparently there are minks nesting in the undergrowth underneath that section of bridge. They tested the different species of dog that have jumped the most and found that the scent of a mink drives them crackers. So when its a warm day and the rain doesnt supress the smell and certain species of dog walk past...

Nah, evil dog hating faeries.  Makes much more sense.
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on March 29, 2010, 03:06:23 AM
something seriously wonky had to go on here to get lots of one kind of deadly snake on one island - enough that governments ban anyone going there...
http://forests.org/archive/brazil/parafor1.htm
Paradise for pit vipers
Quote
A deserted island where the forest floor writhes with the world's most venomous vipers. A fisherman found dead on his boat, its deck awash with his blood. A lighthouse keeper and his family massacred in a nocturnal snake invasion of their isolated cottage home.

What sounds like the script from some tacky, low-budget horror flick may be as much fact as fiction. What's more, these tales have a purpose that goes beyond fireside entertainment. Chilling by design and passed down from fisherman, father to son, the stories perpetuate myths surrounding the forbidden shores of Brazil's Snake Island.

That's the name locals have given to Ilha de Queimada Grande, a speck of land off Brazil's southeastern coast. There, a unique species of the fer-de-lance pit viper, armed with a super-potent venom and found only on the island's 430,000 square meters, is jungle king.

Legend has it that the snake guards its forest realm with brutal ferocity. Real life has responded with a Brazilian navy ban forbidding anyone to set foot on the island. But it is not just this snake's prevalence that makes it an animal to be feared. The fer-de-lance also comes equipped with a particularly nasty venom. A necrotising element causes living tissue literally to rot, which can lead to the loss of limbs, and anti-coagulants mean some victims simply bleed to death, especially if they attempt that old "remedy" of cutting the bite to suck out the poison.

Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: Kristine on June 26, 2010, 11:26:08 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-o26KYQYIw
Title: Re: Real world events with Dresdenverse explanations
Post by: theDwarf on July 04, 2010, 06:06:15 AM
I've been wondering about this latest violent crime wave in Chicago.

Or the Great Chicago Fire actually being started by a Wizard ...

Same with the London Fires.


We won't even get into the San Franciscan Earthquake but there is probably a reason why the Red Court King has been plotting against Wizards for a century or more ...   :D