Come in, come in,
and set ye a spell.

A new thread for chatter,
now all is well.

Yes.  Yes it is.  And there WILL be a seventh very soon.   *grins*
I'm sorry we're not as blase' about this as you are, big guy.

Ran out of time.  Will complete the updates tomorrow morning.

Will try and catch up sometime tomorrow...

Life and stress hate me both.

*grins*

Sarah is gone, say hello to Silene! :)

Mrowr!

Hello Silene.  What a surprise.  :)

Life and Stress may hate you now, Gwen, but we're here for you as always.  Just let us know if there's anything that we can do.

Humanity terrifies me with its selfishnes and pettiness.

Had a student seeking a 1 on 1 appointment. It had to be by Friday, and they have classes from 9:00-11:55 and 12:30-3:00 Problem: we have no appointment slots open over these two days. AT ALL. Not even inside of their class time frame. I do calmly explain that although appointment times can't be taken, she is welcome to come into the lab at any time and raise her hand with questions, but I explain that she won't be able to have someone sitting at her side the whole time.

So what does she do? She goes over to the other lab, to our boss, and says that 'we won't' help her.

Also, I'm sick of students who buy $150 textbooks and demade taht we practically read them to them.

Being a tutor is HARD sometimes...

In reply to Gwen Meredith Howard (msg #8):

Amen, sister.

I'm in the position where I deal with both entitled students and their entitled parents.  Last year I had a parent threaten bodily harm to me because I would not force her struggling daughter to come to help sessions.

After we dealt with the whole violence tissue, here's how the slightly saner conversation evolved.

Me: But I gave your daughter written instructions to set up an extra help session with me.
Parent: Well, she doesn't want to appear like that kid who needs extra help.
Me: But she does need extra help.
Parent: But she is afraid of the stigma.
Me: So why have you not insisted that she set up an appointment time?
Parent: Well, we don't want to be pushy parents.
Me: So, what you're saying is, compared with the other options, you're OK with failure.

That pretty much ended the conversation.  Thankfully, I have a department head who has my back.  :)

PS: The girl in question scheduled a help session the next day.
PPS: Luckily, most of my job involves working with bright, motivated students.

Motivation exists? X_x

Its under the fridge.

Grrr.  RPOL did it to me again!!!

I spend 20 minutes coming up with a nice post for Dan and then RPOL logs me out when I hit Post causing me to lose the post.

*Bangs head against desk*

That's happened to me several times.   I can sometimes remember to 'copy' things if they're very long, but I've had page long posts, that took me an hour to write and edit, vanish forever with the touch of a button.
It drives me a little crazy, too.



On the plus side, I have my computer back!!!!!

I'm still leaving on vacation in a week or so, but I will have good access til then.

*wibbles back in, collapses*

Okay, vacation, done... work...  today's the last day. i'l ppost this evening, I imagine.

I used to have that happen all the time from my phone- it started making me a bit paranoid about copying it before posting it.

Can't computers, boyfriends, and jobs just work like they're supposed to with no fuss?

I think my hubby just updated the browser and everything worked better. Sometimes the old ones have bugs I guess

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!
:D

It's Wednesday?  Oh, crud.

Okay, I'll admit it.  THAT made me smile.

Hi Guys.

I'm going to have to cut the updates short for today, and finish up tomorrow.  I've been fighting a nasty headache for the last few hours and it's making me lose my focus on what I had planned for everyone else.

Sorry.

I hope ya feel better soon Bard :)

I'm leaving for Gencon in another day and I really, really hope that I'm not coming down with something.  I don't think my friends will enjoy a 9 hour car ride with a sick me.

Take care, my friend.  Gencon waits for no one, but we will. :)

DAMMIT!!!!!
Okay, I now OFFICIALLY hate those guys.

Bum bum BUM!

Didn't you officially hate them earlier?  :)

I only 'unofficially' hated them.  NOW I need the official t-shirt and bumper sticker.

*sigh*  It's just more papar work.

They better not interrupt my gambling.

Back/// Vacation flowed into migraines and distraction AFTER. I'm sorry guys :3 I'll try and get something off today or tomorrow

I get the feeling that those cultists don't like you folks.  :)

Lets all thank Captain Obvious for deducing that.

Well, in all fairness, Ymar was a bit subtle at times.   His relaxed manner could be very hard to judge what was on his mind.

Subtelty looses its effect when you see the cultists with handcuffs and a cage outside.

I'm sure that was just for the 'after party'.

I'll bet those guys are really into 'diversity'!

Yes, they'll kill you in a vast and varied amount of ways.

I get more than enough macabre creativity from Dwarf Fortress, thank you very much.

Away til Sunday.

Sorry I've been so slow the past while.  It'll continue int next week, than I should at least be a bit more regular in posting.

Ow. 10 mile hike yesterday. 4 mile today. Feet feel like they're about to fall off. . . .

Wow, that's sounds horrible.  what's the occasion?

Merit badges (2): Hiking and camping.

Oh, I haven't even gotten to best part, either.

For Hiking, the boys need to do 5 (five) 10 mile hikes and 1 20 mile hike.

Ouch!  I'm gettin tired just thinking about it.  :)

Hi... king? Is this some foreign royalty I've not heard of?

I used to volunteer as an Assistant Scoutmaster with a group of inner city kids.  We took them for a 5 mile hike in a nearby state park.  As we were giving them instructions to buddy up so that they would not get lost, one 12-year old said, with loads of swagger and bravado, "I come here all the time.  I know these woods like the back of my neck."

It has since become one of my favorite expressions.

I was leading a 4-H troop through the woods and got them lost.  It was embarrassing, but the kids, I'll admit, learned more through my bad example than they would have otherwise.   :)

Ha ha, poor leadership.

...Watching too much Harvey Birdman.

You can never watch too much Harvey Birdman.

And you'd look really good in an eyepatch.   :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Caz4ooU6wA

Yeah, probably wouldn't work out that well. Though I do like the idea of being voiced by Stephan Colbert.

He does have a "beautiful man voice".

My apologies for being quiet over the last couple of days.  I meant to take one day off over the weekend and some flooding issues caused me to lose my internet connection the other day.

I'll Update tonight.

BTW thanks for letting me know that the Silver Siren thread is nearing 1000 posts.  I'm keeping an eye on it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:38, Mon 23 Aug 2010.

Hey Greg?  How is Aliana dressed at the moment?  What does she look like?

Oops.  I forgot that I didn't have that in my description.

Greg is a 5'4" buxom elven female with large blue eyes and long blonde hair, wearing a chain shirt and armed with a longbow and longsword.  She had nicely made but sturdy traveling clothes (tunic, leggings and boots) in soft foresty colors.
She's wearing a holy symbol to Fharlanghn, God of Travel.

Greg.  Can you roll a D6 for me.

In reply to Bard (msg #52):



07:29, Today: Gregory Stone rolled 2 using 1d6. to see how horrible my day will be.

Sometimes I think that I have too many NPC's.  I keep forgetting about them.  :)

I have the same problem.  My game is glutted with them, and I have twice as many as I have portraits for.  :)

Perhaps it was better when we were in two groups. Now we have one large one, half of which comprises of NPCs.

You might have a point.  I love all of our NPCs, but if a bunch of them wanted to start their own party, I'd understand.
Whatever the DM wants to do to make their life easier, I'm okay with it.

In reply to Gregory Stone (msg #57):

This is when the NPC's of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin split from the party so that the PC's of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli can feel important and productive after ditching the super GM-NPC Gandalf.  :-)

That works.  Kind of like "DM of the Rings" comic, eh?

You know it, friend Lego-lass!

*laughs*

"This looks too complicated.  I have my Mechwarrior stuff out in my truck, if you'd rather play that."

I have parts of the plotline all figured out and there is an overarching story that is slowly being revealed.  Part of what I needed to do was to get all the players together, for two reasons.

Firstly it was important from a story point that all of the 'Earthicans' meet up and be aware of each other.  I knew that it was going to be messy but bear with me.

Secondly, I wanted to give the players a chance to mix up the groups for when we do divide back into two.  I figure that we'll have two groups, one faster posting and one slower to accomodate the playing styles of the players.

That was what I planned but it's not set in stone if you all have any better ideas.

My NPC's suffering was also a problem but luckily they don't have to say much.  :)

That works.  I've loved what you've done so far, so I can't wait to see what happens next.  :)

Also, I'm almost embarrassed to think about what's happening to Princess right now.

Why are you embarassed? You're not the one asking for sugar cubes after all.

*smiles*  Good point.

"Come on, baby!  Give me some sugar!"

Hail to the King, baby!  Hail to the King...

*winks*

I can see what you mean about hordes of NPCs, Bard.  *grin*

*Cue ominous music ...*

It's better than ominous silence, right?  *grins*

Haha, am now on holidays.

Enjoy your holidays with your adorable but deadly fauna.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:10, Sun 12 Sept 2010.

The cats out of the bag!

Or is it the fox?

Points for being able to tell when Silene took over.

Was it during Silene and Aliana's argument back in town, when they first met her Aunt?

Nope, after.

How about since you've changed your portrait?  I can't remember the exact post but that was in the town some place.

I THINK I did that when I got an updated desc from the GM saying I was mostly fox.

My next guess would be when Johan either joined the group, or after she met him for the first time.

Nope. A good deal after Johan joined.

OH! Was it when you went off by yourself to the rooftops of the town we're in now?

Closer, but not quite...

When you see the particular post, it'll be obvious.

I can see the post where she tells Mu'Fin that "Sarah's in the backseat" now, but I can't tell if that's the first time or not.

Look at the posts near there.

I started one with Sarah, ended as Silene.

For a vixen, Silene's a bitch, isnt she?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Mon 13 Sept 2010.

*pouts*  Yes!

*sniffles*   You're lucky you're so cute and fuzzy.

*wags tail*

You should see me when I get older. 9 tailed kitsune make the Kyuubi look small.

I'd forgotten about that.   You most look like a furry peacock!  :)

:)

A furry peacock who throws fireballs and controls bodies.

Oh, wait, didnt you know I could possess people? :)

*blinks in shock*

No, I did NOT know that.

Do I need to wear some kind of protective gear?

A tinfoil hat will work nicely.

You mean Silene is only going to get worse?  :)

Yep. Shes not a full kitsune yet, remember.

I guess we'll just have to make sure that she doesn't get all the way. ;)

Im surprised you havent already done something- after all, Sarah might have been killed by Silene... :P

I suspect he would have been much more impressed if he knew how to turn her back into a naked asian Valley Girl.
:)

My reference pics for Silene in my DnD game :)

http://i251.photobucket.com/al...SelenesHumanForm.jpg
Human Form (slightly nsfw)

http://i251.photobucket.com/al...xWarriorx/Silene.jpg
Kitsune Form
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Tue 14 Sept 2010.

What Valley Girl?  No one but just us fillies here...  *winks*  Oh, I know... next thing you'll be calling me a neigh-sayer...

No, I have too much horse sense for that.

I mare may not use it, though.

My moustache demands you stop these insipid puns.

Don't give me any lip, I've still got a stash of puns I MUST use.

A "must-stash", one might say.

Did you not see that moustache, you fool? It has the power to destroy us all. Only a select few could hope to match it in sheer manliness and deathglare. Like Roosevelt.

Happy Birthday Roberto!!

Happy Birthday, my friend!    Luckily, as a half-drow, there's plenty more where that came from.

Having a bit of difficulty getting my head into the game tonight.  The next thread is open and ready to go, move over there at your own pace.

No problem, Great one.  We'll be there. :)

Been a tough couple of days. Post when I can.

No rush.  We'll be here.

Too funny, Dan. :)

Wonder how Silene's 18 charisma will carry over now that she's not covered in fur... :)

She'll be even more beautiful, and more hypoallergenic.

I cast Bestow Allergy!

I would imagine that many of the guys eyes would be turning Silenes way.

She's not completely without fur though.  Doesn't she still have her tail?

Not visibly. Its underneath her kimono.

Ah, gotcha.

SERIOUSLY.  HATE. THESE GUYS.

*makes angry face*

You love us and you know it.

You love us and you know it.

Oh... dear GOD THEY'RE MULTIPLYING!!

You can never have too much of a good thing.

Exactly! They are very BAD!

But too much of a bad thing!

Why do I feel like this captures the essense of Kenjinn's personality?

*grins*

He's very rude. I was having a prefectly fine conversation about hotbeds of scum and misery, and he has to come in and introduce himself.

Jerk.

What, you thought Silene was her real name?

I had assumed but it looks like I was wrong.

Or are you just messing with us again?  :)

You can never really tell.

I'll be plain, Kaori isnt her name, either.

I knew it!  I think I'm just going to assume that everything Silene says is in some way meant to mess with our heads.  :)

Thats not so much messing with heads, as trying to keep under the radar.

Donner? Oh no! Donner!

You're more than welcome, my friend.

We're currently "prettied up" and having dinner with a prince who we hope can help us.

Hey there all! New player, looking forward to get to know you all! Hope things are going well for everyone!

Hi, there, Graham!   Welcome to the crazy!   Make yourself at home.

Greetings Graham! Welcome to the asylum :)

Please welcome Graham to our little game.

Let the new player keep his wallet and soul this time.  Please?  ;)

*Waves to the new guy*

Hi new guy!

Hey!  You know the rule!  He keeps his wallet OR his soul.  But he at least gets to choose, unlike the rest of us.  :)

thanks for all the warm welcomes!

*looks at wallet, then soul, then wallet hands over wallet* its empty, here ya go!

*smiles*  I see you didn't make my mistake and keep your soul in your wallet.
I mean, it SEEMED like a safe place......

Man, I remember when I had a soul ...

I haven't had mine since I was 20.  My friend Jeff says I sold it to him.

....I don't remember the transaction, but why would he lie?

No updates today.

I'm sorry everyone but I'm too angry to be able to type in any decent fashion.

that's a shame. I hope whatever is making you anger rectifies itself, I hate to have you be upset :\

Sorry about that Graham.  I just had to step away tonight.  I can't give you all the sort of updates that you want when all I'm seeing is red.

Tomorrow will be better.

I understand. I've been in that position myself a few times.

If there's anything I can do, my friend, please ask.

Take your time, Bard.  We can wait.

I hate to make you all wait but I can't get my head into the game right now.  Those of you who play in my other game will know why.

Sorry but I'm going to need another day or two.

I'll wait for you, my friend.   No worries.   :)

Good luck getting it all together, chief

Sooooooo, how is everybody today?

I'm good.  I'm heading to work, but I'll be off for the  next four days.

If you have any questions for any of us, my friend, please ask.
We're very accomodating folks here.  :)

We are?

I mean, We Are.  Very accomodating.

Man, I am jealous of the four days off, only got two, last one today.

Cool, so if I have questions, ask Gregory, not Cassander ;)

Cassander is a more knowledgable person, but I have more free time.

My schedule's weird.  I work four days, for 12 hours at a time, then have four days off.
I'm off until Monday, though I'll be going to bed soon, though.

Sorry I've been quiet.  Think I'm a bit stumped what to do, and have lost a bit of my inspiration.  I'll try and see what I can come up with, but the posts have been kind of self-contained, so there isn't much for me to play off of right now.

I'm sorry we lost you, my friend.   *pouts*

If I come up with any ideas, I'll let you know.

I am sorry Su-Ming, do you want to PM and see if we can work out something?

New player here! Looking forward to playing with you guys, and all that.

Welcome, Jake!  Enjoy the party and make yourself at home.

Hey Jake! Pull up a chair!

Ooh, what a lovely welcoming committee. Hello ladies!

Hi Jake.  Welcome.

Ladies.  *snickers*

*blinks, then smiles quickly*

Um...yes....ladies.   Hello...um..sir....
*grins*

Hi.

*sarcastic grin*

Wow, I'm just surrounded by beautiful girls, aren't I? It was a good idea to come here, yes it was. ^^

*cracks knuckles*

Be nice, Wolfy.   *grins*
Please, Jake, make yourself at home.

*unintelligible grumble*

*forced grin*

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone, especially miss Vallisha. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time together. ^^

You do know a good deal of them are transformed men?

Well, nobody's perfect.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:20, Mon 11 Oct 2010.

*smiles*  Yes, it's never good to point out a lady's shortcomings.

But you're NOT A LADY!

Well, I know that I'm not the most elegant woman around, but there's not need to be insulting, Dan.   *grins*



(heading to bed.  be back soon)

*Rasssa-frass'm*

Mind your language, there, Yosemite Sam.   *grins*

Actually, I was channeling Mutley ... But Mel Blanc did tend to use much the same muttering for the Looney Toons, so I'll let it slide.

Ah....my most profound apologies, my friend.  I'm embarrassed that I didn't recognize the little guy.
I'll go watch soom Boomerang Channel cartoons in penance.   :)

You do that!

Gosh I miss Saturday Morning Cartoons.

Looney Toons, Smurfs, Dungeons & Dragons, Turbo Teen, Wonder Wheels, Speed Buggy, Fang, etc.

It's expensive, but if you get the Boomerang Channel when you're home, you can see them all.
(though the D&D cartoon is on Disney, I think)

Most of them are really painful now, but I still love them.

So do I. The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour, Shazam/Isis, Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends. Wow, I could go on. Cartoons are not what they used to be, that's for sure.

Oh wow, someone else who remembers Turbo Teen! (That cartoon and Widget the World Watcher are probably at least partly to blame for my being here now.) Saber Rider, Thundercats, Captain Planet... they don't make 'em like these anymore.

It's pretty funny to watch old saturday morning cartoons on YouTube.  They really did seem better back them but its fun for the old nostalgia.

That and seeing cartoons before they became half hour advertisements for card games.

Well, back then many of them were half hour advertisements for action figures (He-Man being the most egregious example)... up to you to decide which is better.

Mostly just DBZ for me. Some others were Angry Beavers, Catdog, Rocko's Modern Life, Ah Real Monsters!, Cardcaptor Sakura (I have no shame in this), and others they flung on TV.

Not that cartoons aren't good anymore. Avatar the Last Airbender is a fantastic series. Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and most superhero cartoons are well animated and well written. I even have something of a fondness for the newer, older Ben 10. It's not particularly amazing, but it's not bad either.

However, NONE OF THEM COMPARE to the best cartoon ever made: Fairly Odd Parents.

True, there's good and bad in every decade of cartoons.   The ones in my  youth are horribly hokey and cheesy, I'll admit.  Many of the ones now can be very sophisticated and well-written.
Of course, the writers know that adult nerds like us are watching them.  :P

DBZ? It's all about the original Dragonball, man! Once Vegeta showed up, the entire franchise went downhill.

I've watched a little bit of Ben 10, and it was pretty good. (I couldn't get over how Max was Colonel Campbell in disguise, though.) Apart from that, I admit to not being very familiar with today's cartoons - half an episode of Yugioh was enough to turn me off of it.

Edit: DBZ was a show was about aliens shooting lazer beams whilst screaming. Its a time honored children's concept (see Transformers) and I think it went downhill when they made DB:GT. DB was good and better written, but not nearly as awesome inducing.


Oh I watched a lot of the original Yu Gi Oh. Not because it was well written or even that good, but because the voice acting was AWESOME.

Seriously, EVERYONE in the show hams up their performance and its brilliant. Even the simple action of drawing or placing a card requires a booming voice, closeup and gratuitious effects.

Example;
"I need another Deus Ex card in order to win this match!"
*glares at deck with music going*
*draws card in the most overly-elaberate way possible from a wrist-mounted contraption that projects holograms (saying it out loud DOES make it sound stupid)*
*looks at card with motion blur!*
*smiles*
"I CALL ON GAIA, THE FIERCE KNIGHT. WITH A DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF 26 HUNDRED!"
*big effects and AWESOME voice acting*

Every other minute this is the show. Its like watching a Brawndo commercial downplayed for kids.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:27, Wed 13 Oct 2010.

More posts coming tomorrow.  I ran out of time tonight, but the plots have not yet...

...but I've already said too much.

I'm assumign we're doing something of a little timeskip to the morning tomorrow?

Yup.  I needed another hour and a bit to finish writing up all the stuff that I needed to in order to start out your new day so I'll have to continue that tomorrow.

Please refrain from posting about the morning until I get a chance to post.  Carry on into the evening if you'd like but it should be a very interesting morning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:41, Wed 13 Oct 2010.

no problem, O Captain, My Captain.   :)

We await your commands.

Sorry for my delays, i'll try and get caught up X_X

So I hate to go off topic, but if you guys can, check out the Chile miner rescue going on today. It is an amazing story O_O.

Okay.  I think that everyone has something to do.  Please let me know if I've missed anyone.

Yes, I was watching it on the news.   Very impressive.   I loved how the foreman made sure he was the last to leave.   It's good to see that even after all that time, he thought about his men first.

Sorry for the long silence, folks.  I have not quite been trapped in a collapsed mine, but I may as well have been for all of the attention I have been giving online gaming these days.  Hope to get back on track soon.

Real life, even for those of us who have it easier than miners, can be rough and should always come first.
No worries, my friend.  If there's anything we can do, please let us know.

Bleh, all the action seems to be going on in the private threads, and I'm stuck waiting for Bard to come back...

There's a reason for going private at the moment.  The hidden threads will be revealed later on so anyone who's interested can catch up.

I'll be updating a little later on, once I've finished up with work.

In reply to Jake Franklin (msg #198):

Sorry about that.  Hopefully we'll all live long enough to give you a private thread soon.

Well, I for one don't intend to die anytime soon...

*grins*   A woman after my own heart.

Woman?

*glances down*

Ah, yeah. I was feeling rather tight in my tunic...

*chuckles*  You get used to it.

Well....sort of.

*grumble grumble*

In reply to Wolfgang Stienblat (msg #205):

*smiles*

Some of us get used to it faster than others, I guess?

*sighs and blushes*   Um.....maybe?

*looks embarrassed*

*eye roll*

_{"Well, some of us seem to be enjoying it more than others ..."}

*frowns*
Hey!  Don't be mad at me, just because I'm trying NOT to be miserable.

*makes a sad face*

Exactly! When life gives you boobs, make... uh, nevermind.

(By the way, how terrible is it that Wolfgang's description as a 'seeker' unfailingly gives me Quidditch associations?)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Sat 16 Oct 2010.

In reply to Jake Franklin (msg #211):

*grins*  not terrible at all.   It just means you're one of us.

I am? Yay!

Wait, that is a good thing, right?

Well....it's not so good at the moment,
but usually it's a lot of fun.  *grins*

Is it? What kind of fun?

*blushes*  Well....it depends on what you like to do, I guess.


Um...I can fly, for example.  And there's lots of cool people to meet.

*blushes deeper*

Hehe. I guess it's one of those "you'll find out for yourself soon enough" things, isn't it?

*grins*  Well, it's probably more of a "Your experience may vary" kind of thing.

Mine's been full of highs and lows, but the good parts were pretty awesome.  :)

Can't wait to see what my experience will be like, then. ^_^

You seem to be enjoying yourself so far.  :)

Let me guess...some kind of sorcerer/rogue?

Yep, that's what I'm turning out as, though the sorcerer part is a rather recent discovery. It'll be lots of fun, I'm sure. ^_^

*grins*  Characters DO have a way of changing over time, that's true.
Greg certainly has.  :)

*glowers at mention of the dreaded Potter*

Seeker is a class in D&D 4th Edition.  It's kinda like a Ranger but with a different power-set.

Aliana, do you EVER stop flirting?

:)

*blinks eyes innocently*

Who's flirting?   I'm just being friendly.   I'm a friendly person.

*sticks out tongue at Wolfgang*

And what's wrong with Potter?   There are better books out there, but it's a fun story.

I'm friendly, as long as they're not staring at my cleavage.

*glowers*

Oh, real mature.

*puts thumb to nose and wiggles fingers*

I haven't read any of the Potter books, but I've seen a few of the movies.  All in all, it just seems like a poorly constructed setting.  I think Quidich is ridiculous.  But most of all, no matter how much Potter is surrounded by magical and mystical things, every time he encounters something new he's all 'Wooooow!'

After three years in a magical school, I think the shock factor would wear off pretty quick.  Maybe that's just me.

The first few movies aren't as good, but the 'wow' factor is because he sees things every year that are even more fantastical and bizarre than the year before.
Also, he's playing the 'wow' factor for the audience.  If he's bored with the proceedings, they will be too.   Harry's kind of the "Everyman" of the show, after all.

The books, though, are pretty good.   An easy read, but a good adventure story.  And much better than the movies.

And Quidditch, and Hogwart's in general, has a very British sensibility that can be very odd to Americans, and they're supposed to be a bit exotic in any event.

Again, there are better stories out there, but I'd recommend the books, certainly.



----
And I'll try to stop staring at your cleavage.   :)

I get that he's playing it up for the audience, but I think it's played badly.  In his first year, sure, everything is amazing and cool.  But in subsequent years, he should be more intrigued and impressed than shocked, IMHO.

I have heard the books are better, but I have too many books I haven't read as it is.  Thanks!

----

Jealous.

*grumble*

I don't get to read nearly as much as I'd like, either.  But I've been reading the Potter books as they've come out, more or less.

No rush, but it's on my LONG lost of cool books.

I like science and logic. This makes me quietly question the whole Hogwarts deal and have far more fun poking holes in the thing. I haven't had a big ol' rant in a while so I may be rusty:

Qudditch. Its like Football crossed with flying a highly uncontrollable piece of wood; the only thing more dangerous would be Bumper Copters. The Snitch's score bonus and game-end makes everything else in the game irrelevent. The Bludgers are used to knock people out deliberately and seem to be balls of possessed obsidian. Who in the heck has the concentration to throw a ball through a hoop barely bigger than the ball itself, whilst avoiding the aforementioned evil balls, other teammates, AND flying your own stick at roughly 30mph.

Also, noone wears goggles... how the hell do they see when moving that fast?

Some more which I will not go further on because I will be here all day:

• The Time Turner.
• The Tri-Wizard Cup. Specifically why in the hell Potter is allowed to do it?
• Slytherin, aka House EVIL
• There is only one groundskeeper (and a distinct lack of other staff as well)
• Dumbledore hiding the Philosopher's stone in Hogwarts Castle with overly ridiculous traps
• Why anyone would want a rat/toad as opposed to an owl/bat/free messenger service
• The FOOD (bleh). I know this is England and another time but still; who the hell eats the stuff they mention? Why is there so little meat and so much pumpkin?

Feel free to rant on those yourselves though. Its fun!

With all due respect:  Meh, it's a fun series.  I'll give them a pass.

A lot of it is a bit contrived, but still fun.

My apologies to those groups that I've missed updates for.

I ran out of time preparing for my work road trip tomorrow (I get to spend an hour and a half fighting traffic.  Yay me!) but I'll update tomorrow.

So! How is everyone tonight? I am feeling chatty!

I'm around.  Trying to think about what to post.

Dan's discussion with the Priest is just too funny.  :)

Well I just made a ridiculous rambling post, so you can always do that if nothing else :D.

And yeah, the discussion of Harry Potter is interesting. Never read them myself either.

I've 'read' the books, listened to the Audiobooks anyway, and I've seen all but the last two movies.  Potter's not bad but a little disappointing at the end.

I'd be scared of going back to Hogwarts.  All the really bad stuff happens towards the end of the school year.  The build up would just be nerve wracking. Who can concentrate on tests and exams when you know that there's something evil waiting to attack you at the end of the school year?

And there were of course the little things like Dan mentioned.  The Slytherin house for one.  Seriously, if that house produces nothing but evil wizards, why is it still around?

Interestingly enough, the Harry Potter books were used as examples of poor story telling in the seminars that I went to at Gencon this year.  It was kind of funny.

Really? They used Harry Potter? I thought they would use Twilight, or would that have pissed too many people off?

You got to go to Gencon? I am jealous! I wish I could have gone, being an avid magic player and all.

Heh. Just like Lord of the Rings has been used as an example of poor story telling. There are too many characters, and a bunch are just throw aways, like Glorfindel. In the movies, they just pitch him out the window and use another character. The animated (yuck!) used Legolas. And the Jackson movie used Arwen (yum!).

I haven't been to Gencon in a long, long time. Back in '86 I think it was, the team I was on won first place in the DnD tournament. Got a year's worth of Ral Partha lead because of that.

Oh they used Twilight as well.  Actually they used Twilight more.  You kind of expected to hear Twilight or Potter questions to the authors that were there.

Thankfully none of the Twilight crew were there.  They had one of the larger rooms devoted to a panel on Twilight but I avoided that.  :)

I loved Gencon.  This was the second time that I've gone and it was a really cool experience.  All of downtown Indianapolis is taken over by gamers for 4 days.  You can't walk the streets without seeing guys in kilts and girls in all manner of costumes.  The local restaurants even had special Gencon menus and decorations.

I highly recommend that any gamer go at least once in their life.

I went when it was still held in Lake Geneva. Though Indy is closer than Lake Geneva now. hmmmm. Problem is just too many things to do. . . .

Well I will have to make my reservations for next year!

As for LotR, I tried to read the hobbit, and ended up failing miserably >.<. I am bad with books in that way sometimes, they have to catch my interest rather quickly. It moved too slow.

*Wiggles fingers in front of Scott*

Go to Gencon.  Gooooo to Gencooonn.

Nods in agreement with Graham. Yeah. I tried to read Dune and couldn't make it past page 50.

*In zombie-like voice* I will go to Gencon.

All I need to do is toss the kids into burlap sacks with raw meat for the 4 or so days in August. No problem!

I read the Lotr books and I have to say that I liked the movies better.  I liked Boromir in the movies as opposed to his character in the books, but the books had the better ending.  I may have to read the Hobbit now that the movie is being made.

The hardest book that I ever read was Last of the Mohicans.  The story was good but the language was terrible.  It was like an english literary geek trying to impress other literary geeks.  Although, I had to laugh at some of the wordage.

I haven't tried reading Dune.

I am already making plans with my girlfriend to go next year ^^;.

Switching gears sort of, a fantastic book I have read is American Gods. I love the obscure mythos and the whole premise of gods as being made up collective beliefs, thus having a hard time surviving in America.

Is that the Neil Gaiman book?

It is indeed.

I LOVED that book.  Neil Gaimen is one of my favorite authors, and "American Gods" is one of his better books, in my opinion.
I'd have loved to see it made into a movie.

*flops in frustration*

I've had no posting inspiration for weeks...

I've finally got some ideas I like, but they're not relevant here at our present point. (Mind, Claymore is an anime with tons of good transformation-stuff...)

*flops, ponders, vents*

Umm...stage some crazy antics? Those are always good (see pretending to be a horse god)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Wed 27 Oct 2010.

You could have a complete freak-/berserker rage like me?

I'm good with the Berserk fury myself.

What sort of ideas did you come up with?

6000 messages!

I'll have scattered access until further notice. Sorry.

Good luck Dan!

Congrats on 6000th post Sarah!

Also don't you hate it when you come up with a good character when you already have one?

I do that all the time.   I think that's why I join so many games.

Aye, but when I join too many games my attention becomes too sporadic to be able to work in any of them ^^;

Yes, I get that too.   I'm definitely spread way too thin.    Some games, like this one, always inspire me, but I do tend to wear out my Muse on occasion.

The games I'm in are just so fun!  And have such cool people involved.

Well what else are you in? I am always looking for more.

Where to begin?  Okay:
Here are the games that have room. (well, maybe at least a little)
As GM:
Assorted Wanderings  (adult)
D&D game inspired by this one.  Normal D&D characters, but with, hopefully, lots of transformations of all sorts.
link to another game

Every Girl for themselves (adult)
Superhero game where ordinary women find themselves with super powers.
link to another game


Games I Play In

Amarillo College (adult)
College in Texas where anything goes.
link to another game

Banks Law Firm  (mature)
Soap Opera type game in a Law firm.
link to another game

DnD 3.5:The Shivan Alliance (adult)
Playing Zook, Orcish cleric of Shupe', God of small furry animals.
Was full, but the DM might have room for another player.
 link to another game

L.I.V.E Corp (adult)
Playing Kyle Bouer, in the VR game set in an oppressive world.
link to another game

Mutant/Freak College (mature)
College game set in a mutant school
link to another game

Paradise: Island Resort (adult)
Game on an tropical resort where, you guessed it,
anything goes.
link to another game

Through the Looking Glass [Freeform] (Mature)
Transformation game much like this one, where characters are normal people who become non-humans in a magical world.
I play Hitome Kaziwanchu
link to another game
This message was last edited by the player at 02:49, Tue 02 Nov 2010.

I'm in more games, but those are the ones accepting new players.

No don't help me up or anything. Its not like I just got stabbed and thrown against the wall and am in great agony. Just head for the escape, I'll catch up.

...Asses

Sorry!  I got distracted.   I'll edit.

I've been trying to come up with a symbol that Nymuriels Priests could wear.  Something other than my saying 'Hey look, it's Nymuriels symbol'.

Anyone have any ideas that I can leech?

I remember a symbol used for a cult that a PC of mine tangled with in a fantasy game. Not sure if it would fit the theme for Nymuriel but...

...how about a red eye?

Perhaps the red eye, but with two clawed hands on either side, as if they were holding it like a crystal ball.

Me likey.

A red eye with claws on either side.  That works for me.

thanks guys.

I vote this one:




What? Too obvious?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:12, Tue 23 Nov 2010.

I was thinking of something "skully" or equally fearsome, but I'm thinking that Nymuriel has been trying to buffalo people in thinking that they were a "friendly loving demon cult" and would want something nicer.  *grins*

They do seem to flip-flop between 'we are nice people' and 'KILL THE F****RS!'

Is Nymuriel bipolar or something?

Nymuriel is always nice to those who believe in him and who are willing to put aside the petty distractions of a selfish existence to dedicate themselves to a greater good.

Saying that we want to kill everyone who crosses our path is just an unfortunate coincidence.

That just happens to be true.

soooo, the reason you have an ARMY to back you up is just an unfortunate coincidence?

*grins*   And army?  Pshaw!   That's not an army, it's...um......
...a large group of "enthusiastic followers".   Who love weapons.

Those aren't weapons. They're sharp pointy prayer sticks.

Heh, this reminds me of a cartoon which had a similar joke in it.

Some big-wig builds this massive warship to chase after the heroes (in space!), and keeps saying its a peaceful ship.

"What are those overly large, plasma cannon-looking things then?"
"Those are... uh, navigational aids!"
BANG
"GODDAMMIT! I'VE TOLD YOU A THOUSAND TIMES: DO NOT FIRE THE... NAVIGATIONAL AIDS!"

Ho-ho, Scott tried to Princess Bride the guards did he?

Most quotable movie ever.   :)

"You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means."

This message was deleted by the player at 00:53, Sun 05 Dec 2010.

"That does put a damper on our relationship."

"Sleep well, and dream of large women."

"If he's all dead, there's only one thing you can do; search his pockets for loose change"

"Now, if we only had a wheelbarrow.  THAT would be something."

"So... you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword and we'll try to kill each other like civilized people?"

This should help:
http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1023

"'To the pain' means the first thing you lose will be your feet, below the ankles, then your hands at the wrists.  Next, your nose."

(I remember that DM of the Rings strip, and laughed myself silly)


"Truly you have a dizzying intellect."

"WAIT TIL I GET GOING!   Where was I?"

"Austrailia"

"True love is the most wonderful in the world ... Except for a nice MLT: Mutton, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich.  When the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomatoes are ripe. That's so perky.  I love that."

In reply to Dan Rycov (msg #289):

I think I'm too tired.   I don't get that one.

You said Australia.

Um....okay?

*remembers that you're from there, but not knowing any other connection*

I thought you were referencing me.

I look to close into things.

*smiles*   Well, how can we not always walk about our dashing bard?

Woo

O-I-C

Hey, I've been wondering:

Not that I'm bored of the D&D or anything, but we were going to do other kinds of TF stories right? This game's been going on since early 2009. Would've thought that would mean we'd have gone through more than one story by now. Don't know what you've got planned for the rest of the D&D, but it would be nice to start thinking about more scenarios.

That is the plan.  Once the DnD scenario is over, we'll be moving on to something else.

I really didn't think that the DnD scenario would go on for this long.  It seemed much shorter in my head.

I do want to say one thing quickly- Even though I havent been that good at posting/updating when I should, this has been immensely awesome. Thank you!

Heh. Bard, that reminds me of one game I ran here about 9 years ago. I thought the scenario would only last about 6 months, but it ended up going over 3 years!

I love this game, and it, and my character, have consistantly  been among my very favorites in all my time in rpol.
I'm ready for more TF games (and might be able to run one, as well), but I'm in no rush to end this one.
Whatever happens, thank you for this game.

So long as I'm doing something right.  :)

How are we doing as one large group?  Does anyone have a preference if we split up the party or not?

It is a bit crowded with such a large party.

I'm loving it, but I can see it being easy to lose track of someone, especially with varying posting times.

Hey Greg?  I might not have been clear in my post but the guards are in the courtyard of the Keep, on the main floor.  Vallisha is on the second floor with only Kasha.

     Looks like I'm already on my own!  Hoping to link back up with someone ... Anyone ... Eventually.

     Overall I'm really enjoying this story.  I can't wait to see how things develop.

     I do have a question:  When (if) we finish this scenario, will we start something else with new characters?  Or will we use the same characters but forced into a different setting of some sort?

Well, we did make these characters at RTJ. I would think we would have a choice between new people or continuing these guys if they escape.

In reply to Bard (msg #306):


My mistake.   I'll be heading to the second floor, then, and using my summoned owls to attack Vallisha's captor until I can get there.

     Captor?!  Oh, right ... Captor.  *snicker*

*blushes*   oops.

The original idea was that the players create an character that will go through each transformation scenario as the game goes on.  Think of it like a sitcom.  The characters end up going through some scenario involving a transformation of sort sort but at the end of the episode they are back to normal and ready for next weeks adventure.

The definition of 'back to normal' is open to interpretation of course.  :)

You have no idea how hard I'm trying not to pull some Assassin's Creed moves; hang by crenellations, stab the guards, then pull them over the side. Mostly because then they'll fall into the courtyard.

I need a better control pad.   :)

    Poor Wolfgang; Sucked into circumstances beyond his control.  And even if he gets out of Vallisha, he might just get sucked into someone else!  HA!  I can't wait to see what the next scenario might be!

Ow.

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!!!!

Crispy fairy anyone?

I'll get the ranch dressing.

I am not an appetizer!

And second, ranch doesn't go with pixie. You want something a little lighter, more of a vinagrette.

I've always thought that Fairies were more Hors D'Oeurve or finger food.  :)

Or maybe a dessert?   I'll get the powdered sugar.

Yes! Pixie flambe.

I had a character in one game who was sort of a humanoid tiger that had a taste for pixies.  He wore a small vial of BBQ sauce on his belt just in case he had the opportunity to cook any pixies.

Remind me not to use the brown sweet smelling shampoo. . . .

I had a half-orge to told that to humans.  I got it from a friend of mine.


"Hey boy!  You look so good, I'm gonna pick you up, cover you with barbeque sauce, and LICK YOU LIKE A RIB!!!"

My weekend was pretty hectic and I didn't get the chance to update as I would have liked.  Updates coming tomorrow.

*smiles*  No rush.  I think we're all a bit busy.

Speak for yourself!

j/k

My cat recently died and my family is grieving, and with the holidays approaching, we'll likely be doing things together that keep me off the internet.

I should be able to notify when I'll be away for more than a day.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Happy Holidays everyone.  :)

Yes, from the Church of Fharlanghn, I wish everyone "Happy Travels" to see friends and family this holiday season.   *smiles*

I know its a bit late now but merry x-mas all!

It's never too late.   And happy Boxing Day.

I'm an American, but I LOVE the concept of Boxing day.
Or rather, the concept of a holiday the day after Christmas, when most Americans are coming down from their Christmas high.

Hope the everyone had a Merry Christmas.  :)

a little confusing, but fun.  And very sedate and relaxing.

Relaxing is good.  I've been catching up with all the family stuff that I've missed so I guess mine is/was somewhat relaxing.

Family is always a priority.  *grins*

Have a great New years everyone.

We'll get things moving again on Monday.

Holidays are always a slow time.  No rush, I'll be here.

Another new year and the Earth didn't explode?  The National Inquirer lied to me again!  I swear, only twenty or thirty more years of disappointment and I'm never buying that rag again.

STILL waiting for that Y2K thing to hit.

It is 2011. If a dead civilisation that sacrificed hearts to the sun is to believed, it'll end at the end of next year.

Oh, and because if noone else says this I'll be very angry:
"Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!"

"Delays, delays ..."

Hopefully we'll be able to bring some of the more quiet of the characters back into the forefront.  There are some good ideas being bounced around for some character development that we can get to in the next part.  There will be some time shifts coming up.

As always, if there are any ideas that people want to play around with, let me know and we can try and work them in.  I have a rough outline of the rest of the scenario from here to the end but it's a loose framework with room for characters to do stuff.

Despite rumors to the contrary, I am not dead~

I had to fight my way through an entire dimension to return, though~!

Mmmmm ... Time shifts ...

Mmmmm ... Framework ...

Mmmmm ... Entire ...

*shakes head*

     What were we talking about?  :)

     Bring it on, all-powerful Bard!

I am feeling a bit lost in the scenario right now, probably cause I am having writers block I believe, I will keep looking for opportunities though.