As the other comments stated, it can be as simple as turning the light on and off and we already do this with fiber optic network connections. The light particles themselves aren't carrying the data, just the pattern of on and off.
It is also possible to send multiple streams of light using color filters. It's called Wavelength Division Multiplexing.
It's hard to know exactly how well the spears will perform before testing. They will no doubt adjust skills as needed. Can't speak on the gameplay since we haven't played with them yet.
The designs look cool, but like many streamers have mentioned, some of the ground effects could cause issues with enemy telegraphs.
This is some good hype! I hope with their recent retrospective video they can craft a good story. If there are white mantle, I hope they aren't copy pasted from Bloodstone Fen or Lake Doric. Less bloodstone crazed and more cult-like worship from GW1.
Laptops use a 2.5 inch HDD, most desktop cases are designed to hold a 3.5 inch HDD. You may need a special bracket to hold the drive if the case you plan to use only has 3.5 inch bays.
Some modern cases do also include a 2.5 inch mounting spot due to SSDs using a 2.5 inch form factor.
It's a little subjective. If you don't do any map completion, jumping puzzles, or events and just move from story mission to story mission, you can do it in a few days. Hardcore speed runners can probably do it in less. Story chapters unlock every 10 character levels, ensuring you're at max level when you get to the end of the core game.
There aren't many achievements tied to the core game story. Most of the PvE achievements are related to things in the open world until expansions where achievements also exist in story instances. I've played since beta and haven't completed all of them. Achievements like "Shield Master" just take so much time, because you have to get 5,000 killing blows with a shield.
I hope this is informative.
I use the Eufy E340 doorbell camera. It meets most, or all of your requests. I don't know about the home assistant integration personally.
You should search the Dead Internet Theory!
There is a ship in Amnoon that will take a character whose already unlocked that map. For characters that haven't been there yet, you can buy an Istan Portal Scroll (at the docks in the Domain of Istan).
You have my vote already!
You just need the poop knife!
Accounts are limited to 35 nodes in one instance of the map, with a hard cap at 50 for one day.
The "Return to..." achievements for Lake Doric will provide 250 iirc.