Poison in the Roots is part of the main questline in Diablo 4 season 7, Season of Witchcraft. In order to complete it, youll need to help the witches of the Tree of Whispers by completing a special ritual. This quest includes some light puzzle elements, which can make it a little tricky.In this Diablo 4 guide, well give you a full Poison in the Roots walkthrough, including showing you how to navigate through the ritual puzzle.How to complete the ritual in Poison in the Roots in Diablo 4When you turn in enough Grim Favors (by doing Whispers out in the world), youll be able to start the Poison in the Roots quest, and will be prompted to talk to the witches at the Tree of Whispers. The scene will fade to black and when you regain control, the witches will have set up a ritual. There are four parts to the ritual:Light the braziersGather Nangari bloodTrace the ritual circleProtect the ritualWell detail each step below.Brazier puzzle solution in Poison in the RootsFor the first ritual step, the witches will ask you to invoke the trees old name in the correct order. Thats fancy Diablo talk for click on the three witches in the right order. If you listen to what they say (or look in the chat log) each witch will have a spell word that they say in a certain order, which is the order youll need to repeat back. Talk to the witches and activate their braziers in this order:Ayh (bottom left brazier, Gelena)Yew (bottom right brazier, Caidin)Oun (top brazier, Ouna)Speaking to the witches and selecting their prompt in this order will cause all three braziers to light simultaneously, which will progress the ritual.How to get Nangari bloodAll you need to do for the Nangari blood step is to kill the three snakes in the ritual circle. When each dies, itll drop some of its blood, which you just need to gather like any other item.How to trace the ritual circle with Nangari bloodThe spreading the blood around the circle step is a little confusing, because its unlike anything else you really have to do in Diablo. When the witches ask you to trace the ritual circle with Nangari blood, what the game wants you to do is just walk your character around the outer circle of the ritual, basically where the braziers are sitting.You may need to run the circle a few times before the blood starts to appear, but itll eventually show up around the area and youll finish this step.How to keep Hollows out of the ritual circleFor the final step in this quest, you just need to kill all of the Hollows enemies who are trying to disrupt the ritual. These enemies are relatively weak in terms of health, and all but the boss-type enemies should pop under the pressure of even your most basic skills. If youre struggling to keep the Hollows out of the ritual while youre leveling, consider lowering the difficulty as low as you can until you complete this quest you can always put it back up right after.Once theyre all dead and the ritual completes, youll finish the quest, be teleported back to the open world map, and earn some minor rewards (a legendary and cache of assorted salvage). More importantly, youll be able to continue progressing the seasonal questline and unlock more witch powers.Going into this season, heres the bestSpiritbornbuild, allTenets of Akaratlocations, and guides on how to unlockMercenariesand get more loot inKurast Undercity.

The Armory allows you to save and swap between builds in Diablo 4.The much desired Armory system has arrived in Diablo 4 Season 7. The Armory feature is a quality of life update for players who want to test out multiple builds without the hassle of respeccing every time they find a new and interesting item. Its also great for players who want to streamline their equipment and skills for different scenarios, as the Armory allows you to swap builds at the click of a button.Find out more about what the Armory is, where its located, and how to use it in Diablo 4.What is the Armory in Diablo 4The Armory is a returning feature from Diablo 3 that allows you to save and swap between builds. Saving a build will take everything on your character including your equipment, skill tree, Paragon boards, and glyphs and create a copy of it for you to access at any Armory.In the Armory, you can save up to five unique builds per character allowing you to test different items or switch to the best build situation at hand.Armory locations in Diablo 4You can access the Armory in the following locations:Every major cityThe Dark CitadelThe Training GroundsThe Tree of WhispersArmories are marked on the map by an eye icon, which can be seen in the image above. If youre looking to swap your build, keep an eye out for the Armory icon on your map.How to use the Armory in Diablo 4Interact with the Armory to open the Armory menu, which contains your builds on the left and your character on the right.To save a build, select a slot in the Armory, and click Save to save your equipment, skills, class mechanics, Paragon boards, and glyphs to that slot. In doing so, the equipment used in that loadout will become favorited preventing them from being salvaged.If you want to save multiple builds, youll need to change your equipment to your desired loadout and save your build in a different Armory slot.To switch to a different build, select a loadout in the Armory and click the Load button. This will change your build to match everything in the loadout at no cost.For more Diablo 4 guides, heres the best class to pick in season 7 and whether or not you should play in the Seasonal or Eternal realm.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.During the first Trump presidency, I worked at a major news networks found it impossible to distance myself from the tumult of the daily news, which seemed to bring one alarming crisis after another. Yet even when I got home at the end of the day, I found myself scrolling and scrolling my social media feeds, unable to disengage. Too many nights, I lay awake far into the night, reading the latest social media missives from the president and consuming the commentary and context around it all, despite the fact that in just a few hours, I'd be back in the middle of itjust more exhausted and stressed than I would have been if I'd put the phone down and gone to sleep at a reasonable hour. I had to train myself to fully disengage in my personal time, which was made easier by the fact that I was inundated with it all day. But I don't work in political media anymore, and as the world slips into ever-worsening crises, from political upheaval to environmental disasters to endless wars, I've found myself falling into my old news-consuming habits. I know that constantly engaging with news and opinions about complex and upsetting topics isn't generally good for me, and can have a real effect on my mental health.To help curb my habit before it gets out of control again, I've been turning to apps for regulation and distraction. Here are a few I've most found helpful. To get just enough news: Apple News (or Google News) Apple News Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Obviously, commentary and context from experts and people with lived experiences can be valuable tools for making sense of the news, but it's easy to get carried away consuming post after post and reaction after reaction. If you want to cut down on how much you're consuming and scrolling but don't want to cut out getting the main news of the day altogether, try switching up where and how you get your information. Rather than looking at X or Threads, where you'll see not only the headlines but all manner of responses to them, opt for a designated news app. I've been using Apple News ($12.99/month with a one-month free trial), which lets me customize the kinds of news I see and the publishers I read. I can open the app, glance at the headlines from these outlets, read an article if I want, and go about my day without getting sucked into a discourse hole. I like Apple News (or Google News if you're on Android or don't want to pay Apple for the service) better than competitors like Flipboard because I don't want to have too many options. I want a curated, condensed look at current events, what other people are reading, and what I need to know, rather than a morass of too many things I could get stuck in for hours. Use Apple News for:Seeing the headlines of the dayReading reputable outlets when you want to dive deeperGetting a sense of trending stories, which are featured in their own sectionReading content that would typically be paywalled, if you have a subscription to Apple News+Curating what you want to see and don't want to seeTo curb screen time: One Sec One Sec Credit: Lindsey Ellefson OK, so I can't completely disengage, which is why I haven't just deleted my social apps altogether. In those cases, I try to curb my screen time. For this, I like One Sec, which forces you to pause before opening designated apps, reminds you to do breathing exercises, tracks your time spent on those designated apps, and can even block certain ones. It's free to use for one app, or $19.99/year for unlimited apps.I set mine up to prompt me to be "intentional" when I try to open certain apps, too. When I attempt to open X, for example, One Sec asks me why I want to do that, and I have to select an option like "stay in the loop" or "can't sleep," which forces me to think about if it's really necessary at that moment. And if you like stats, One Sec tracks how many times it has prevented you from opening another app and how much time it estimates it has saved you. Data on how many times the app has stopped me from opening X in the last day. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Use One Sec for:Cutting down the time you spend scrollingGetting hard data on how much time you spend on social media or other time-suckersBuilding long-term habits that enable you to resist the urge to open an app and scrollTo calm down after doomscrolling: Headspace Headspace Credit: Lindsey Ellefson There are two main problems with doomscrolling. First, you waste a lot of time, a problem addressed by the apps above. Second, and worse (for me), you can do major damage to your mental wellbeing. It's no good to be worked up all the time, but social and news media are both designed to get you riled up, engaged, and coming back, with no regard to how that impacts your nervous system. So in addition to cutting out doomscrolling, you should also have an app that counteracts its negative effects. For this, I like Headspace ($69.99/year with a 14-day free trial.) It houses meditations, sleep sounds, tips on mindfulness, and more, with graphics that are simple and calming. You do have to remind yourself to use it, so this one is only beneficial if you have the wherewithal to log in and fight back against the stress, but the app is easy enough to use and produces clear enough results that it quickly became a habit for me. The meditative exercises can be small, as short as three minutesand can be accessed anywhere, which is why I favor Headspace over other de-stressing apps I've tried. A meditation I joined with 400 other people when I was feeling stressed. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Use Headspace for:Monthly check-ins to track your progress on stress or anxiety (depending which you are focused on)Brown noise to fall asleep to (which I selfishly like because it prevents me from wrecking my Spotify algorithm with hours of hissing)A daily offering of custom grounding exercises, meditations, focus sessions, and even music, some of which you participate in with a group, so you feel less alone

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Since TikTok has been (temporarily) saved from a national ban, there's no better time than now to use the app to improve your life. Specifically, in addition to following CleanTok gurus so you can steal some of their tips for maintaining a spotless, organized home, you should check out some of the products they (and regular-degular app users) recommend. Here are some of the most popular cleaning tools you'll see touted on TikTok, as well as what theyre used for, where you can get them, and how you can save money when you dont need a specific brand.Spin mops TikTokkers love spin mops. There are a few varieties, but the main appeal of all of them is that the mops can spin rapidly in the mop bucket, so theyre not as wet when they hit the floor, making cleaning less, uh, messy. Some of these mops come with a two-chamber system that enables you to keep dirty and clean water separate. By far, the most popular brand is O-cedar, which sells spin mops for around $35.Pet hair removers Theres something satisfying about watching videos of people systematically remove pet hair from their carpets and couches, which is probably why these gadgets are so popular. But if pet hair is a real problem for you, the purchase of a special tool for removing it might be more about necessity than ASMR brain tingles. Pick up a variety pack of five for $9.99 so you always have one ready to go.You can also try the Chom Chom, which is a little more expensive but super popular, with 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and nearly 200,000 ratings. It collects the pet hair in a separate chamber, which makes it easy to dispose of. Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover $24.99 at Amazon $27.99 Save $3.00 Shop Now Shop Now $24.99 at Amazon $27.99 Save $3.00 Scrub Daddy Yes, a Scrub Daddy is just a scrubberbut it has legions of fans who post about their devotion to the happy-looking sponge. It's rough and makes scrubbing a breeze, and there are a bunch of Scrub Daddy hacks floating around the fan community. (For instance, you can run your knives through the mouth of the smiley face to quickly clean them without cutting yourself.) Nab three for under $15 and join the movement.Drill brush scrubber attachments Scrubber attachments for your power drill are an exciting addition to your cleaning arsenal, even if they seem a little silly. TikTokkers do point out these are mostly useful if you have issues scrubbing manually, and they dont do much that you couldnt do yourself if youre capable, but using them is sort of fun anyway. Try a 30-piece set from Amazon for $24.95.Soap dispensing brushes CleanTokkers love soap-dispensing brushesnot just for dishes, but for all kinds of home scrubbing. One often-recommended hack is keeping one in your shower and using it to wipe down your tiles while youre in there sudsing yourself. Or, be like the content creator above and use it on your windows. Try this one from OXO for $10.99.Drain snakes Like those pimple-popping videos we were all watching in 2016, there is an appeal to watching someone haul hair and product gunk out of their sink drain with a long, spiked tool. You might see some influencers recommend a certain brand (usually because they want a commission). Do not listen to them. You can get a perfectly acceptable drain snake at any dollar storeor get an eight-pack for $4.95 on Amazon.Keurig cleaning pods Ive always recommended using vinegar to clean your pod coffee maker, but if you want a brand-name, ready-made solution, you can try Keurig pods designed to clean the inside of your machine. Six of them will run you $9.95. While it's easy and fun to use a pre-made cleaner, don't forget you can totally descale your pod-based coffee machines on your own, too, and TikTokkers' love for these may stem from a commission program (though not always).Mini desk vacuums One item that has gone truly viral is the mini desk vacuum, which you can find on Amazon for about $13. These absolutely does not need to exist, nor do you need one from a particular brand. You can find them from a variety of sellers online. A desk vac will only pick up little things, like crumbs, but they make desk cleaning more fun, and it beats the hell out of just sweeping it all into your hand.The Pink Stuff Finally, we have the Pink Stuff. It's hard to find cleaning channels on TikTok that don't feature this productusually in its paste formbecause it's just that popular. It can be used on tiles, glass, steel, or whatever surface is in need of a good, strong cleaning. Having tried it, I can attest that it makes grime disappear, which is likely why it's so popular in short-form videos, where before-and-after clips are their own kind of currency. Stardrops - The Pink Stuff - The Miracle All Purpose Cleaning Paste $5.49 at Amazon $5.99 Save $0.50 Shop Now Shop Now $5.49 at Amazon $5.99 Save $0.50

Ten video games have received nominations for the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. This program celebrates media works that feature "fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the issues that affect their lives." There are nominees for television, film, music, theater, journalism and comics as well as video games.One of the 2024 nominees for outstanding video game is the re-release of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for the Nintendo Switch. The original Japanese version of the GameCube title included a minor character named Vivian who was transgender. The game contained dialogue about her challenges being misgendered and her journey to understanding her own identity. However, the 2002 international translations of the game, including the English version released in the US, erased that side to the character, removing language around Vivian's gender and pronouns. Last year's Switch re-release restored the character's original lines and story arc for English-speaking players to finally experience.The video game nominees also include Dragon Age: The Veilguard. BioWare has a long history of portraying queer characters and romance options in their games, and it's great to see them continuing that practice with the latest title. Horror film outfit Blumhouse's first foray into games, the fascinating indie project Fear the Spotlight, also received a nod. Here is the complete list of game nominees:Caravan SandWitch (Studio Plane Toast / Dear Villagers)Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare / Electronic Arts)Dread Delusion (Lovely Hellplace / DreadXP)Dustborn (Red Thread Games / Spotlight by Quantic Dream)Fear the Spotlight (Cozy Game Pals / Blumhouse Games)Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Deck Nine / Square Enix)Minds Beneath Us (BearBone Studio)Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Intelligent Systems / Nintendo)Sorry Were Closed ( la mode games / Akupara Games)Until Then (Polychroma Games / Maximum Entertainment)This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/glaad-media-awards-nominates-paper-mario-after-nintendo-restored-trans-representation-232157090.html?src=rss

Sega has introduced a new system for player accounts. A Sega Account will connect all of a player's games and services from both Sega and Atlus. It will also be a place for the two studios to share news, events, updates and promotions about their titles. The accounts are free and anyone can register.To sweeten the pot, Sega will also offer bonuses and goodies to account members. The first reward people can unlock is a Kazuma Kiryu Special Outfit DLC for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which is due out next month. The ensemble can be redeemed by anyone who sets up a Sega Account before March 7.With so many studios turning to games as a service, it's becoming standard practice to require players to create accounts or online profiles. Sega is a little slow to hop on this train, and there are some industry standard features in that are still in development for Sega Accounts, such as a page for records related to games played. There's no language on the website now about if or when an account might be required.In announcing this platform, Sega said there will be "various new services and features coming soon." We already know that Sega is working on a brand new Virtua Fighter game, but we've also said good-bye to other old-school classics from the company. Seems like Sega is in a phase of transition, so it should be interesting to see what else they've got in store for this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sega-unveils-a-player-account-system-221029962.html?src=rss

Samsung unveiled a slew of Galaxy AI features for its new Galaxy S25 lineup, but how many of them are likely to trickle down to older handsets?

Samsung's integrated security suite Knox aims to allow all businesses to boost device safety.

South Koreas SK Hynix, one of the worlds largest memory chipmakers supported by strong sales of high bandwidth memory (HBM) used in generative AI.

Chris Young, who joined Microsoft in 2020, worked on the software company's investments, its OpenAI relationship and the Activision Blizzard acquisition.