I’ve also seen a variant where the king isn’t (necessarily) the real king. Each player before the game secretly marks the bottom of whichever piece they want to be their actual “king” that game, and the game is won when a player captures their opponent’s marked piece. Pieces otherwise move normally though I think this mode is typically played without the rule that you just not end your turn with your king (the secret or public one) in check.

More casual way of saying asexual. Sounds a bit less clinical than the full term.

With HJKLYUBN unlike these modern savages with their arrow keys.

Mary Simon, a Canadian citizen and an indigenous person (Inuk on her mother’s side) who was chosen by Queen Elizabeth for the role on the advice of then prime minister Trudeau.

While the role has formal diplomatic ties to the monarchy, it is a Canadian who holds it and the prime minister who really selects them (in the guise of advising the crown on who to select).

Of course the monarchy has diplomatic power here (all the rich and powerful do) but the governor general isn’t really an example of the crown being able to issue us orders or the like.

Last time I bought audiobooks I got them from Downpour which included DRM-free downloads as either MP3 or M4B files, in addition to listening through the website or app. I believe Libro.fm may also offer this. Most of my ebooks are through Kobo and are DRM free as well.

Does depend in some cases on the publisher.

The judge’s other main role in a trial with jury is to actually run the proceedings of the trial. Order of operations, keeping the two counsels in line, scheduling, etc.