OOC chat thread (Participants only pls)

[Thanos]

Its been a very interesting 2 weeks for me. It went by at the time so slow as to be torture, but so fast that I just can't concentrate on a lot of stuff. :-l

I have also been trying to be considerate of the other groups that have far more interesting and intricate situations going on, leaving you to be able to spend more time on them. Don't want you to burn out ;-).

[Wired*Nun]

That last post is as clear as mud to me- I have no clue what Almor is talking about in the last part. Am I missing something that Arrotel wouldn't, or is he as in the the dark as I am?
Hmmm, I'd say that it's pretty obscure - deliberately so on my part. It's not surprising that neither Arrotel or you the player would fully understand what Alamor is referring to.

Imagine things from his point of view - never met an Amberite, told a lot of anecdotal things about them, doesn't know Arrotel is younger than he is, trying to come off as erudite and clever. If Arrotel doesn't understand, you have to decide how he wants to handle that. Do a Corwin and nod and agree in what seem to be the right places, cover the ignorance and hope he keeps talking? Admit his lack of understanding in hopes of eliciting more explanation?

[Wired*Nun]

Its been a very interesting 2 weeks for me. It went by at the time so slow as to be torture, but so fast that I just can't concentrate on a lot of stuff. :-l

I have also been trying to be considerate of the other groups that have far more interesting and intricate situations going on, leaving you to be able to spend more time on them. Don't want you to burn out ;-).
Not a problem, just checking! I find all the situations interesting and they all have relevance to each other, believe it or not.

[Tamarind]

Grrr! Some fool on the network has infected my machine with a virus (!!) have to log off now and disinfect the pc :disa.ed: ....See you all later

[Icebird]

What, and give up a chance to play games with someone as inexperienced as himself? Not a chance. Arrotel will ahppily call himself stupid, but he won't intentionally act it. Of course, that it one of his problems...

[LynMars]

Still no home net as of this morning...pretty irritating, as some of my study material for an upcoming Final is online only. So Trey and I have been posting when we can, but with school letting up for the semester, not as many reasons to come to campus, though I can hang at the library, too, when I get done working in the mornings. Sorry for any delays that causes; I'm hoping this situation will be righted soon.

[Wired*Nun]

I'll be redeploying on Saturday, probably have little chance to get on then, but one never knows. It may take several days to complete the process. I'll let you all know if I learn anything more, but for now, just expect a break in the action.

[Wired*Nun]

Going to bed now...sorry! Couldn't wait any longer.

[Shutter]

Sleep well Dave! Twas nice to have a little post flurry like the good old days:)

[chalice]

Darn, I must've missed you by seconds...sleep well, Dave, and hope you're feeling better now!

[LynMars]

We're Baaa-aaack! :D Yay, regular posting again!

[lotus]

You know I could make a horrible joke about the internet, oviniphillia, and viruses but I think I'll pass since I'd actually like to maintain the sham that I have good taste...

[LynMars]

oh-kay, no idea what lotus means there, BUT I do have a new avatar in the gallery! Yay! He was finished last week, but, well...anyway, enjoy!

[lotus]

BTW my name is Michael, Mike is also acceptable, Mikey however is not...not trying to be snarky just thought I ought to bust out the first name.

[LynMars]

And one more avatar for tonight. Whew. Anyway, hope it's okay on that last one...

[Wired*Nun]

Wwo, Alamor is really good! You've earned your cool points for this week on that one.

[chalice]

Welcome back, Lyn and Trey! And yes - Alamor is very beautiful, Lyn.

[chalice]

Thanos, I don't rate Heldrik's chances of finding a restaurant anywhere in Storybook Amber. It's a wreck;)

[LynMars]

Whee, cool points! Can I spend them on anything? ;)

[Wired*Nun]

Yeah, anything cool.

[Wired*Nun]

Hey, where's Tam anyway?

[chalice]

Having work nightmares

[Shutter]

1)Nice Avatars Lyn!
b)Good to see Dave on regularly again.
iii)Poor Tam:(
four)Coffee is great. (unrelated to the boards, but still so true as to be noteworthy)
last)Chalice is devouring things! Watching your post count skyrocket makes me very anxious for when we all get to finaly read your private thread. Sounds like fun:)

[Wired*Nun]

Oh, too bad. Hope to see him soon!

[Wired*Nun]

It's just a fluke. I'm not back home yet, my duties have just wound down a lot in this transition stage. I'm going to bed now, still, it's been a long day. See you all later. Sorry, shutter, I want to do the fight scene justice.

heh heh heh...

[Shutter]

There's a fight?....hmmm....<twitch of anticipation>....it's ok Dave, I can wait :)

[LynMars]

Later, Dave! I'm...going to debate what to do, who to call in the meantime...

[chalice]

last)Chalice is devouring things! Watching your post count skyrocket makes me very anxious for when we all get to finaly read your private thread. Sounds like fun:)
Fun...yeah...exactly the right word...I think at least some of the thread will be public soon. Then you can allLOL

[chalice]

Um, Lyn, did Raevyn ever make a Trump of Gray - not being difficult, just wondering if I have missed something somewhere?:| It would have to have been done after arrival at the Keep...I'm sure she would have a clear enough impression by now, I just missed where it happened.

[LynMars]

...I thought we did, during that whole thing...maybe not....I should go back and look, cause I know I tried before and it failed, and then there was the Trump flurry....she's had some time, to at least make a sketch, but...if not, I can edit, cause I know I have Arrotel's...*goes to read back*

[chalice]

Gray was going to sit for her in Josh's Shadow - but we ended up playing with swords outside instead, and the next morning our group left and things started moving pretty fast. But, yes, she definitely has one of Arrotel. And he has one of Gray. Sigh. It sucks being uncontactable.;)

[LynMars]

Meh. I think you're right. I edited so it's Arrotel's Trump instead, just a name change...

[chalice]

Bah. Please, please draw one soon? Pretty please?

[Thanos]

On the other hand there are people who enjoy their privacy ;-)

[lotus]

I just think someone wants to be rescued from the machinations of the GM...

[LynMars]

Yeah, Thanos, but Heldrik would be the guy to call in this instance. Oops, wait, I can't...So afraid of lil' ol' Rae (and others) and Psyche battles... ;)

And I know a lil' something now about Gray's predicament, and I can't blame her. Evil, Dave, EVIL! :)

[chalice]

Avatar Goddess knows these things...

[chalice]

Won't be on-line until this afternoon - so Dave, if I miss you, travel safe:)

Hurray - didn't miss you; there you are now! So, the above sentiment, and then some;)

[Wired*Nun]

I'm on and off. This "day off" turned out to not be so off, so frankly I'm posting a few easy ones and doing what I have to do here.

[Tamarind]

Ah yes, the mythical "day off"...sounds very familiar. Hope you get at least some of it to yourself...

Have a safe journey too :)

[Wired*Nun]

So as to give everyone something to read, I'm going to do some moving of private threads public soon - Landon's particularly, and probably Gray's. This is because they will soon likely be together, PC-physically-wise, and it will be entertaining for the rest, and keep you occupied a little in my absence. I'll do that late tonight my time as my last post for probably a couple of days, unless I find access at Baghdad International. Should be sometime between 4-6 hours from now. So, if Trey or Chalice have anything in the current private threads they particularly want to keep private, post me in GM comms and I'll try to make sure those details don't get publicised.

[chalice]

Secrets? Gray? Nah - give 'em the whole sorry story:ditsy:

[Wired*Nun]

Dinner time! I'll be back on in a few hours.

[chalice]

Enjoy food. I get away from work in a couple of hours, and won't be around tonight - Christmas party!!!!!!

[LynMars]

I'm still proud of that little avatar piccie. There are ways to fix that, you know... ;)

[TreyKincaide]

I'm with Chalice. Post away! I don't mind anyone seeing Landon down and dirty.;)

[Wired*Nun]

Okies. You'll see it soon, and that will be that. I have to finish packing and up at 0-dark-thirty tomorrow.

[Wired*Nun]

OK, threads are moved, and I'm off. Sorry, but I'm just out of time.

[TreyKincaide]

Off to take my last 2 finals. Later all.

[LynMars]

nifty. Nice to know what happened there. :) But, uh, I thought Rae did give Gray a Trump of Landon before...so she'd have two now...ah, well...Interesting, nonetheless.

Finished my final no problem. Had a guy outburst about how the test sucked and the prof needs a haircut, and walked out a third of the way in. It was 60 questions, multiple choice, and only on the last unit (not comprehensive). If you went to class and/or read the text, it wasn't bad at all. Guess he didn't study.

[lotus]

Man, that's not right, in fact I believe the correct term would be "messed up"...no wonder her mind fell apart...guess the big D has never been very good at breaking the news gently...

[Shutter]

edit edit editOh shush. Let people read for themselves.:(

[lotus]

Oh shush. Let people read for themselves.:(
ack, done very thoughtless of me...of course you might want to remove your part in your quote...

[Shutter]

Thanks man... Now, in a day or three, then it'll be fair game:)

[lotus]

yeh...got ahead of myself...unfortunately that never happens (insert sarcasm here)

[Shutter]

Just got caught up. Nice job all three of you!

[Icebird]

I'm off to bed before I can really read it- I'll need my sleep. I'm taking the ACT tomorrow morning- at 7:00 AM after a half an hour drive to get there, no less. couldn't they at least set it later, so we can sleep? I'll catch up tomorrow.

[lotus]

I'm off to bed before I can really read it- I'll need my sleep. I'm taking the ACT tomorrow morning- at 7:00 AM after a half an hour drive to get there, no less. couldn't they at least set it later, so we can sleep? I'll catch up tomorrow.

They don't want you cribbing right before it...7 AM is a bit obscene though...I seem to remember our SAT's being at 9...of course I also remember when I used to think 9 was an unseemly time to rise on a Saturday...

[Wired*Nun]

Another ready-set-stop, waiting for pickup 1 hour later than originally briefed. Will do what I can.

[Wired*Nun]

I've set things up as well as I can in the amount of time I have, some of you at least can move on RPing together. Later!

[LynMars]

I think I may post a quick "this is what Raevyn says" bit to Arrotel, either in his current thread or in ours...if it's okay. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Well, good news and bad news. I arrived safely at the Baghdad International Airport. Ten hours to move ten kilometers...The connection here is incredibly poor, so doing any posting is pretty much impossible. It took 5 minutes just to get this page up. There is a pay-as-you-go internet cafe I will try later, maybe it will be better than this MWR facility. Hi, Beth, I can't really wait around to try to move to our private forum. Love you! See you soon!

[samirah]

Wired*Nun Well, good news and bad news. I arrived safely at the Baghdad International Airport. Ten hours to move ten kilometers
Glad you arrived safely!:) I thought you were going by chopper?!?!:S I guess not, but it's good you got there okay. See you soon!!

[LynMars]

I seem to recall taking six hours to cross part of Ft Irwin when we were there training...Gotta love the efficiency of the military. Can get halfway around the world pretty quickly, but obscenely short distances? Block off a day.

Have a safe trip, Dave!

[LynMars]

Interesting; doing some housecleaning, Dave? I noticed that quite a few post counts dropped; getting rid of duplicate posts/threads?

[chalice]

I really love Arrotel's ability to sum up any given situation in so few words:ditsy:

[Icebird]

So I get up at 5:00, make a good breakfast, take a half hour ride to the place where it was going to be, then discover that we misread the date- it was last week. So much for that...

Glad to hear everything went reasonably well with the movement, even if it took too long.

[chalice]

I'm still proud of that little avatar piccie. There are ways to fix that, you know... ;)
Must says proper thanks to Lyn for the new avatar. I just love it!!! Isn't she cute?

[chalice]

nifty. Nice to know what happened there. :) But, uh, I thought Rae did give Gray a Trump of Landon before...so she'd have two now...ah, well....
Yep, she had one already. But she also needed an excuse to give Flora some info in the form of a question and set up a private chat;)

[LynMars]

oh, okay. Just checking. :)

Now, to add the latest avatar to the gallery; everyone's favorite narrator! I may do a second one in the next hour or so, so keep an eye open...

[chalice]

Like the Corwin avatar!

[LynMars]

Aaaand as promised! The other fave narrator! Since he's described as looking like his Dad, I did a few cosmetic changes to Corwin's, flipped it, went with the bearded version, as that's what he wears in later novels, went with the grey and purple colors, a leetle less muscular in the arm....Comments? :)

[chalice]

I like him too. Looks a lot more studious than his dad; I always picture Merlin as a little 'geeky'.

[Wired*Nun]

Glad you arrived safely!:) I thought you were going by chopper?!?!:S I guess not, but it's good you got there okay. See you soon!!
Well, the helo ride itself was only about ten minutes. It was assembling, staging, waiting, aircraft delays, etc. etc. that took all the time.

[Wired*Nun]

Interesting; doing some housecleaning, Dave? I noticed that quite a few post counts dropped; getting rid of duplicate posts/threads?Nope. Not sure what is happening there. Do posts in locked threads count?

[Wired*Nun]

Nice avatars. Try Benedict next? I am in the pay-for-service internet cafe now, which (surprise) works wayyy better than the free ones provided by the military. I'll see what I can get done here. I think I will probably tackle Roland's next one after lunch, since I missed breakfast (they actually changed hours on me between last night's dinner and this morning's breakfast - so a number of people and I were not happy...) and I think I need to have calories in my brain for that one.

[Wired*Nun]

Well, it looks like Kat's Trump call has covered me for the time being with Roland, lol. I e-mailed pyg, hopefully she will respond soon. I'll check back this afternoon my time. Later!

[LynMars]

As locked threads are the majority of our posting, I think, I would asume they still count...weird...maybe something elsewhere got deleted, but that makes no sense, either, as I've noticed chalice and Shutter's both fall as well. Maybe something new was implemented where double posts don't count...but we've had a lot of duplicated threads/posts....I dunno. :)

I keep looking for a good Benedict idea; I thought I had one, but I went and made it Julian instead. May have an idea...we'll see.

[Pygysys]

Sorry all for my absence once again, life is back to normal in these here parts now. So onwards. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Maybe there is a time limit when your posts expire? But I would figure that it would be at least a year, so that doesn't make much sense. I'm going to examine my private threads, see if anything is changed...

[Icebird]

so now the question arrises- what the hell does Arrotel do with himslef in a fight? I wonder if he can channel his psyche to add more power to someone else's spells?

[LynMars]

You always do still have the option of fighting physically,even if you aren't good at it; Rae's just convinced she wouldn't be much good there, even against other sorcerors who also aren't physically on par with the likes of Roland and Kat. She's also a bit worn down from the Trump contact, I'd think. She's done her thing, anyway. I may have to sit back and watch to see what happens next for a bit...

[Wired*Nun]

"Aren't good at it" is a relative term. If your Warfare and Strength are Amber, you could probably use a club to beat ten ordinary humans. You have to remember how strong and skilled you really are, to everyone except others of like stature. Kind of like superheros only really worry about other superheros.

[LynMars]

Rae could beat maybe 5 humans with a club then! Yay!

Yeah, need more practice time with Kat....I think Rae feels a little inadequate in the physical department since she's so not what one would expect strength-wise from Gerard's kid...and yeah "aren't good at it" is relative, should have mentioned that....brain isn't quite working yet, though...as evidenced by this odd posting...

[Tamarind]

Really like the new avatars Lyn - think kiddie Gray is my favourite!

Unfortunately I've just been exiled for a week to adminster emergency on-site IT aid to one of our customers - *lousy* timing but there you go...
Should still be able to manage a few posts a day though as I'll have a laptop which I've just noticed has a modem, will probably mostly be on in the evenings local time :)

[Wired*Nun]

I'll be off in 20 mins. Also, looks like we are delayed so I may be stuck here an extra day. At least I can post.

[Icebird]

His warfare is only Chaos, but if Roland can't handle a single person in combat, Arrotel won't even try. Large numbers of ordinary soldiers, on the other hand... He might throw things at them. Other people shaped things.

[LynMars]

Benedict and Vialle have been added to the Gallery! Yay!

EDIT!! Brand made me do it! I swear! That's 5 so far today! :?

Getting 'em all in before Christmas time....

[LynMars]

Make that Seven, as Dworkin and Deirdre have been added as well...Need to find a good Llewella...

[Wired*Nun]

Super job with the avatars. I may just have to say "Raevyn is crowned Queen" and get it over with.

[TreyKincaide]

::claps::

[Wired*Nun]

Well, there's the combat scene. Now, if everyone would like to gather 'round the Fount and sing "kum-ba-ya," we can settle this thing amicably. No?

[LynMars]

sooooooomehow I doubt it....

[chalice]

What, no group hug?????

Love the avatars - Vialle and Benedict are my favourite new ones!

[Tamarind]

Somehow I don't think Roland is in a huggy mood right now...:roll:

[chalice]

Bah! No one is in the office but me, the heating is broken and I'm freeeeezing:\

Going to call it a day and head home.

[Thanos]

The Avatars are sweet!

[Tamarind]

Ooh new avatars...

Like very much - especially Benedict and Jasra, sense some serious vengeance coming from that quarter if she survives...

[Shutter]

Super job with the avatars. I may just have to say "Raevyn is crowned Queen" and get it over with.
Seems the most reasonable course of action.

[Wired*Nun]

I'll be on for an half hour more, then probably off for two days or more, assuming all goes as planned. Unless, that is, I can get access in Naples on the Naval Air Station.

[Icebird]

I must say, Benedict is probably my favorite one so far, although I always immagined his hair a bit shorter. Dworkin is very cool too.

[Wired*Nun]

Only I keep thinking Dworkin is getting ready to kung-fu someone...

[Icebird]

That's the impression I always got from the books- kindly, raving mad (at some points) old man who could kung-fu you without warning if you say the wrong words.

[LynMars]

Well, they are from a fighter game...all Capcom, etc, characters...And I already did enough alteration to Benedict's, thanks; he had two long things of hair flying out in front of him, and I had to trim him down a bit, as the original card character is much beefier than the lean, mean fighting machine. Vialle's took A Lot of work; that char was wearing armor and had a weird thing where her arm was, with a sword coming from it....

I've added links to the pages I get the templates from now, as well as the CFC rules, at the bottom of the post. Now, onto find a good Llewella...I think the only original Princes' left are Caine and Eric, then I'll have the initial 9 done, as well as the four sisters. Then onto the other ones from Merlin's saga....

[Tamarind]

Safe journey Dave :)

[Tamarind]

Ok, time to get a taxi to the hotel for me, back on tomorrow

[lotus]

How are you altering them? I mean what program are you using? They're quite good.

[LynMars]

I use Paint, though I suppose I could use Gimp. Some folks use Photoshop, and do cut and pastes from one to another to get various elements; like Roland's card is a compilation of a couple different ones. Most of mine are simple recoloring, with a few alterations as needed. Getting the shading and highlights down right can be tricky at times. Also with Photoshop, one can cut around and have bits poking out around the borders, like Drathari's card for Wired*Nun, and Maria's for Roland. I can't do that with Paint, so I just extend the borders. Otherwise, I'd have to get someone to trim them for me, or figure out how to do it in the other program.

[lotus]

yeah that's what I thought, that's great work for just using Paint, considering you're basically re-coloring and inking and shading the pics all by hand...hard frustrating work too...kudos to you.

[LynMars]

Think that's something? My friend DragonShade, former artist for the webcomic Powergamers (http://www.gamingguardians.com/powergamers/), spin-off of Gaming Guardians, drew this little gem: Writer's Torment (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/9003697/) with mechanical pencil; one of my favorite pieces by him (the other is the pic of my Amber character Karina that he finished accidentally in time for my birthday, which can also be seen in that deviantart gallery). But I felt it needed color. So I did. In Paint. End result? Writer's Torment Colored (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/LynMars/random%20pictures/WriterColor.png). That took awhile...

[chalice]

Thanos, Ice - Tam has no access tonight, but says Rebis will go along with you guys and 'make himself useful'. Don't ask me if that involves Primal Chaos or not, though;)

Oh - I expect Drax will make himself 'useful' too...especially if there's any fighting to be done in the kitchen area...

[Thanos]

LOL, I was hoping that Rebis would stick in the back (and not get tempted to do massive nastiness like primal chaos) and use Logrus limbs to slam people across the head and deflect stuff if it comes to combat ;-)

Drax, well diving in, blowing smoke/flame into somebodies face and then getting out of range is a great distraction ;-).

Mostly I want to see how much pain one of these lizard guys is going to feel when he gets a nice slash from Heldriks Blade.

[Thanos]

LyrMars,
Honostly, the best one that you have done was for Heldrik, very awesome.

Of the Non-PC's I like Fi's the best.

[Icebird]

Arrotel still has no clue what he'll do in a fight- probably ask someone how to use the fount (Evil Grin) and ask Telloth do what he does best.

[LynMars]

Heldrik was a simple recolor, mostly, and not messing with the background much. The same character, incidentally, is used for Dalt's card....

No telling what using any kind of Logrus/Chaos will do in the Chamber of the Fount, honestly; sticking to sorcery may be safest. I think that's all Merlin used himself.

And Arrotel trying to use it may be bad, too, y'know. ;) Not like anyone is able to tell him thoughl they're all occupied.

[lotus]

Yeah cause nobody's done anything bad recently like try to destroy a broken Pattern with Primal Chaos while someone else is on it, or toss a couple of blood soaked nappies at a Manifestation of a Power, or decided to take a stroll on the Pattern with a peice of Logrus Sorcery keeping their mind together...just to name a couple...heck what doesn't kill you..;)

[LynMars]

And most of those incidents turned out poorly, and should have been learning experiences, in other words.

[lotus]

That being said...I don't see why the Fount would care about the Logrus any more than it would about the Pattern, it always seemed to me to be a sort of Battery than an actual Power of course that may be just because it doesn't have a manifestation like the Pattern or the Logrus or Ghostwheel or the Labyrinth...which makes me wonder what form Aurora takes when it wants to influence things...

[lotus]

And most of those incidents turned out poorly, and should have been learning experiences, in other words.
Unfortunately Arrotell was only present for one of them, and if I know anything it's that generally teenagers have to experience something in an innately personal way to understand they shouldn't be doing it...

[Icebird]

He saw something bad happen? That was because he was trying to hurt the maze, not use it to hurt its enemies... Or at least so his logic goes.

He doesn't know real sorcery anyways, which is why he'll have top ask. Hopefully no one will tell him how to go about it. Still, it might be fun to watch him make things explode for a few seconds (Evil Grin again) before Bad Things (note capitalization) start happening.

[lotus]

He doesn't know real sorcery anyways... Thank the Unicorn for small miracleshttp://tgv.online-roleplaying.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley%20-%20cheeky.gif...I'm sure you'd tell us if he did anywayhttp://tgv.online-roleplaying.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley%20-%20paranoid.gif

[lotus]

Think that's something? My friend DragonShade, former artist for the webcomic Powergamers (http://www.gamingguardians.com/powergamers/), spin-off of Gaming Guardians, drew this little gem: Writer's Torment (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/9003697/) with mechanical pencil; one of my favorite pieces by him (the other is the pic of my Amber character Karina that he finished accidentally in time for my birthday, which can also be seen in that deviantart gallery). But I felt it needed color. So I did. In Paint. End result? Writer's Torment Colored (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/LynMars/random%20pictures/WriterColor.png). That took awhile... I like the Trumps more but I do like what you did with the tail(s) and face there you would have been helped if the guy had inked it at all...oh and i think the Brand trump is my fave or the Benedict one...

[Icebird]

Oh, he knows some pretty nifty shadow sorcery, but it only works in one shadow. If he ever learns to hang spells on the pattern... Well, Bad Things won't be restricted to special times and places. They'll start happening all the time! Won't that be fun...

http://www.psyclops.com/translator/translator.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.online-roleplaying.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Fp%3D93 204%23post93204&mode=redneck
Hit that link and watch some funny things happen.

Really, though. Brash, headstrong and overconfident he may be, but Arrotel isn't stupid.

[lotus]

That's clever though difficult to read at first...

[Wired*Nun]

Hi all, limited access here in Naples. Trying to get a couple done, then to bed.

[chalice]

Great to hear that you're well on your way home, Dave! Have a good final stretch of travelling.

[lotus]

Great to hear that you're well on your way home, Dave! Have a good final stretch of travelling.\


seconded...take care of yourself Dave

on another note what Gray just said may have been the funniest thing I've read on here yet...

[chalice]

I thought "Mandor - he was nice" was funnier....

[Tamarind]

Great to hear that you're well on your way home, Dave! Have a good final stretch of travelling.
Indeed! Safe journey Dave :)

[lotus]

I thought "Mandor - he was nice" was funnier....
you mean Mandor isn't nice?!!?! http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley%20-%20surprised.gif

seriously though the whole "look father Corwin must've missed you because he's taking it out on your son" situation just seems very humourous to me in a sweet misguided very Amberish way...

[chalice]

Sweet and misguided...yep, that's Gray in a nutshell:ditsy:

[lotus]

Quick question...is it okay to post Amber fiction if it's not "game related"? Is it okay for me to post such fiction? Okay you got me I lied that's two questions...

[lotus]

ponders if Landon is trying to start a fight...

[TreyKincaide]

No, Corwin just pressed the wrong button.

[lotus]

No, Corwin just pressed the wrong button.ah okay, though if you wanted to fight Corwin I could think of worse places...backed up by Eric and Gray, away from the center of his power, Coral and Dworkin are busy, Merlin is far away...other than the fact that he's got your dog held hostage it's not so bad...other than the Corwin brutally kicking your ass with Grayswandir part...luckily this isn't the "old" Corwin...

[LynMars]

Half the stories in Amber fiction aren't related to this game; mine's about a character I play elsewhere, and chalice's are from her other games. So I don't think there would be a problem there, lotus. :)

[Thanos]

Only reason that the one I posted is related is because it was done over 3 days of real time chats with Chalice ;-) and was darn long! That was fun as all get out!

[chalice]

I'm just sorry Heldrik didn't get to meet ten-year-old Gray...that would have been ... interesting

[lotus]

I'm just sorry Heldrik didn't get to meet ten-year-old Gray...that would have been ... interesting
interesting to say the least...though I think Heldrik would have been honor bound to become her "knight-protector" of sorts...maybe not...not really my place to say though the drama implicit in a guardian being in love with his child charge is disturbingly fascinating...

On another note when Gray changed what happened to the extra mass? Did it dissapear? Was she just especially dense? I mean I understand it that she's not the most robust person around but, there is some considerable *ahem* reduction between a grown woman and ten year old girl.
If she was just extra dense there's really no problem as it doesn't require any outside metaphysic for the mass. However if it dissapeared it had to go "somewhere" and then come back from "somewhere" when she changed back. that implies that shapeshifters are drawing on an outside source...which of course leads to all sorts of other interesting questions...

[chalice]

The answer to that is in Dave's House Rules, namely:

As in ADRPG except, you can shape shift into any form (living creature), that is of comparable (+ or - 50%) mass, that you have studied and practiced with.

[lotus]

Ah yeah I recall that now. which means that extra mass is coming from somewhere...interesting...

[Icebird]

For your ammusment and annoyance, I shall now, just a a fight scene is about to start, disappear a week! Yes, that's right, disapper, right before your very eyes!

I'll be in Arizona from Friday until Monday, then New Mexico from Monday until Friday again. I might be on once or twice, but perhaps not. See you all (not litterally) sometime later.

[Thanos]

Ah yeah I recall that now. which means that extra mass is coming from somewhere...interesting...
Yes, density accounts for some of it, but to be perfectly honost, very few shapeshifters do their thing in a vacuum. There is generally air all over the place which has the basic building blocks of most beings (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide). The only thing that is really missing is calcium as there are usually enough biological and microscopic bugs to provide protean and other things that do not come in the form of a gas at normal tempatures.

Now, that being said, I have let advanced shape shifters with enough raw materials available become HUGE (ie 100 feet tall, turn into elephants, ect). However, there is an inherant danger with that, you loose a great deal control and sense even if you are familuar with the form. For a 100ft giant, wading across a field of battle will likely get you a pin prick of a sword here or a spear there, but when you shape shift back, and don't remember to heal your wounds first, you can really punk yourself. Also, having somebody pop you with a long needle anti-shapeshifting poison dart is all but outside your senses at that size (armored hides recommended!).

Another concern is the time that it takes to incorperate all of that mass. With enough Endurence you can make it pretty quick, but how many characters start with AdvSS and 100pts in physical endurance with a lot of practice walking around as an elephant, swimming as a 50' squid, or flying as a dino-bird? How much use is tromping around as a T-Rex into a mass of troops, you just have a lot more area to be hit in and can't defend it all with your teeth ;-).

anyways, back to work :-P

[lotus]

Yeah okay that would be the logical way to do it...but they could also be drawing on some other outside mystical source...like say, undershadow or something else...regardless they still have to take those various elements (hydrogen, silicon, whatever) and incorporate them into their new form or take their old elements (bone, tissue, blood) and disperse them...this level of shadow (indeed reality) control is unprecendented...makes me wonder if you do more with it than just shift yourself...oh well enough wild extrapolation

back to work as well...
M

[chalice]

Oh for goodness' sake...in a game where magic works, we're worrying about the laws of physics? I don't think so...

[lotus]

hey now, physics is fun and sort of neccesary for keeping the uni(multi)verse together (ours not Amber's)...now if only someone would do something about that pesky 2nd law of thermodynamics...

besides that there's always the maxim that magic is just science we don't understand...:yum:

[Shutter]

Oh for goodness' sake...in a game where magic works, we're worrying about the laws of physics? I don't think so...
Chalice wins this round.

[Wired*Nun]

Hi, I'm home now but I have better things to do right now...;) Later!

[Thanos]

Chalice,

You need to delete some messages.


WELCOME HOME DAVE!!!!!! Go make your wife happy ;-)

[lotus]

Hi, I'm home now but I have better things to do right now...;) Later!
one would certainly hope so...glad you made it safely.

[lotus]

Chalice wins this round.
next time gadget...nexxxxxtttt tiiiimmmeee

[Shutter]

Hi, I'm home now but I have better things to do right now...;) Later!
Good man Dave. Glad to know you're back safe and sound.

[Tamarind]

Very glad to hear you're home safe Dave :)

[LynMars]

Yay! Good for you, Dave! Good for Beth, too!

Unfortunately, things are looking rough here....My uncle's back in the hospital and Dad's currently on the phone with...someone related to me and talking of suing people (I think the jerk-off insurance company). So....Hrm...Now would be a good time for one of those Holiday Miracles methinks....

[LynMars]

Yeah, apparently Uncle Jim was released too early from the insurance company'sfacility with 1 cyst of the 2 he had on his pancreas remaining. They said it would go away. Well, he went to the ER at our local hospital (the one he was in before they forced him moved) and the cyst is now the biggest they've ever seen and needs drained. The insurance company refuses to pay unless he's sent back to their hospital, 2 hours from here. The ones who released him too early after the insurance company got a copy of Dad's formal complaining to the commission about them. First the specialist they sent him to misdiagnosed him, then this.

He gets to be home for Christmas, the procedure is tentatively scheduled for Monday/Tuesday, but we have to fight the insurance company until then. Apparently, Hershey is a formar affiliate with this comapny, and they parted on poor terms. Also, Jim's workplace is switching insurance providers on the 1st. So we think politics is playing on this, with him in the middle. But some state reps and congressmen are working on this with us, and we're thinking it may be time to sue.

Here's hoping.

[chalice]

Hi, I'm home now but I have better things to do right now...;) Later!
Yay! You guys deserve the best Christmas ever!

(Sorry, Thanos, off to delete stuff now:∙ )

[Wired*Nun]

LOL, I was hoping that Rebis would stick in the back (and not get tempted to do massive nastiness like primal chaos) and use Logrus limbs to slam people across the head and deflect stuff if it comes to combat ;-)
.
Last time he used Primal Chaos he lost Drax...there's always a price with such nasty stuff, especially if you miscalculate.

[Wired*Nun]

Quick question...is it okay to post Amber fiction if it's not "game related"? Is it okay for me to post such fiction? Okay you got me I lied that's two questions...
Post all you want. Leadership by negation.

[Wired*Nun]

Ah yeah I recall that now. which means that extra mass is coming from somewhere...interesting...
This is the result of your westernized worldview, to wit, that even magic/Power has a scientific explanation (Asmundson has this in spades). How about "this is just the way it works?" Does anyone ask where the mass goes when one shuts down a whole shadow? Where does the energy come from to do all these nifty things people do? Energy and mass are just differing manifestations of tha spacetime continuum, after all. And how come shapeshifters take all their clothing and so on with them? I mean, they're not DS9-type Founders...and remember, SS is a Power, not sorcery, and an older one that Logrus or Pattern...

[Wired*Nun]

Yeah, apparently Uncle Jim was released too early from the insurance company'sfacility with 1 cyst of the 2 he had on his pancreas remaining. They said it would go away. Well, he went to the ER at our local hospital (the one he was in before they forced him moved) and the cyst is now the biggest they've ever seen and needs drained. The insurance company refuses to pay unless he's sent back to their hospital, 2 hours from here. The ones who released him too early after the insurance company got a copy of Dad's formal complaining to the commission about them. First the specialist they sent him to misdiagnosed him, then this.

He gets to be home for Christmas, the procedure is tentatively scheduled for Monday/Tuesday, but we have to fight the insurance company until then. Apparently, Hershey is a formar affiliate with this comapny, and they parted on poor terms. Also, Jim's workplace is switching insurance providers on the 1st. So we think politics is playing on this, with him in the middle. But some state reps and congressmen are working on this with us, and we're thinking it may be time to sue.

Here's hoping.
Sorry to hear about all this. We will be praying for you and him, you have our best wishes. Keep us posted.

[chalice]

remember, SS is a Power, not sorcery, and an older one that Logrus or Pattern...
I get to add one thing more to my List of Things that 'Shapeshifters Don't...' which was begun by a fellow PC in my previous face-to-face. Thus far:

Shapeshifters Don't

have bad hair days
watch their weight
ever say 'it's not my colour'

care about the laws of physics!

[lotus]

Lyn first thoughts and sympathies to your family; that really sucks I hope it works out.

Secondly Merry christmas(eve) everyone

Thirdly Dave/Chalice
Okay, okay. Stop I give, I consider myself rebuked...I'm going to go and stick my head in some Lao Tze now...excuse me...

[chalice]

We used also to claim that 'Shapeshifters Don't Do Angst', but I don't think after Gray that's going to stand up anymore:depry:

(Shapeshifters 'didn't do angst' because my character Phoenix put all her stressful experiences and bad feelings in a little sealed-off area of her mind - officially known as her Big Box of Angst - rather than deal with any of them. She'll be just fine as long as no one ever finds a key to the box...)

[chalice]

So anyway, here I am on Christmas Eve, banished to the upstairs study because Tam hasn't finished his prsent wrapping yet...which is strange; with all four cats helping, you'd think he'd get it done in no time...so I thought this would be a good time to say how much I've enjoyed all your company since joining this wonderful game. As you know from all my whinging at the time, I was pretty much housebound for all of November and a lot of December with post-viral fatigue, and it was lovely to have this link to the 'outside world' - even if it isn't technically a 'real world'! Contact with you guys really helped me feel less cut off and out of things.

Have a wonderful festive season all - it's a delight to know you :)

And, Lyn - last but definitely not least - I sure hope you get your Christmas Miracle. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

[Tamarind]

So anyway, here I am on Christmas Eve, banished to the upstairs study because Tam hasn't finished his prsent wrapping yet...which is strange; with all four cats helping, you'd think he'd get it done in no time...
Got it all done in the end, even with the helping kitties :cat:


Have a wonderful festive season all - it's a delight to know you :)

Absolutely. This is an excellent crowd and an excellent game :)

And, Lyn - last but definitely not least - I sure hope you get your Christmas Miracle. I'll be thinking of you and your family.
Me too - really hope it all works out well for you all.

Well, just an hour to go until Christmas in this timezone so....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Pygysys]

Just adding to the festive wishes: Merry Christmas all from Oz, Seasons greetings to all the players and your loved ones!

Take care everyone and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

[Shutter]

Best wishes for you and your family Lyn. I hope it works out for the best.

Happy end of the year to you all. It has been a fun several months with this game. I for one consider myself enriched for being here.

[Thanos]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Best wishes and certainly my prayers to those that are sick, injured, and in need.

[Wired*Nun]

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year! I'm not lysdexic!

Well, we had a nice Christmas sans tree - Beth hadn't gotten one then it seemed like too much trouble when I got home on the 23rd, etc. The amusing/sad thing was, the kids biodad called them and then he wanted to complain to us because we "ruined his kid's Christmas" because we didn't get a tree. Snile. The kids were just fine, and buried under presents anyway. Sometimes there's no reasoning with exes. Anyone here has exes, you know what I mean. Anyone who doesn't, try not to have them. It's no fun.

I should soon be back to posting...needed to rest my brain, etc. Cheers!

[Wired*Nun]

I'm not sure, but I think we're still waiting on Lyn to post for Raevyn? Or am I missing something?

[LynMars]

I'm not terribly sure what to post, being in a room with Jasra while the craziness downstairs is going on...Haven't wanted to "interrupt" the action. I'll look back on Rae and Jasra's conversation, see if there's anything else I can add. Maybe tell her what's been up in the last two years or so, from what Rae knows...

[Wired*Nun]

I just wanted to say thanks so very much to Chalice and Tam for their lovely Christmas package. They sent us a delightful assortment of "Asmundson-style," that is, turn-of the 19/20th century-style British foodstuffs such as jams and candies. I am really overwhelmed, having just opened them.

I am also overwhelmed at the outrageous price the Royal Mail charged them for it...in future, I can probably find a friend in the British Forces for anyone in the UK to send us stuff to at standard in-country fares. This makes it all the more amazing, kind and generous. Thanks to your both, and our family will be sampling such oddities as "Rhubarb and Ginger Jam" and "Striped Humbugs" for the whole year to come.

[Shutter]

Posted:I'm assuming from Dave's post that Roland didn't hear Heldrik's hollering. If that's mistaken, give me a holler and I'll edit.

Chalice and Tam: Nicely done. Dave and company deserved a good gift.

[Wired*Nun]

You can assume either way, I'll leave it up to you.

[LynMars]

ooh, Christmas presents! Nifty! I just got money this year; will get gifts from Trey's family, though, when I get home...

Hey, our forum has a second page now! Cool...And poor Rae is going to be rather flustered if Jasra just said what I think she meant...

[lotus]

baw chicka baw baw

Jasra the multiverse's matchmaker

[Wired*Nun]

Of course she did. This is just the way she thinks...matchings, children are more about improving your power base than...well, what's love got to do with it, anyway?

[lotus]

That's kinda sad almost makes you feel bad for Rinaldo...almost...

[Shutter]

50 yards is a goodly way to walk, so I'll hold off on Roland's reply until Dave confirms that everyone made it into chatting range without the world ending or similar unpleasantness.

[chalice]

That's kinda sad almost makes you feel bad for Rinaldo...almost...
And for Jasra herself....

[Wired*Nun]

Well, did Jasra ever strike you as having family values?

On another topic, how likely are we to get posts from Heldrik or Arrotel today? Or shoudl we proceed forward without? I know Ice's posts will be sparse...

[Tamarind]

Ice was on just a few minutes ago I think - stayed on for a bit after his last post then went so hopefully he'll check back again...

[chalice]

Well, did Jasra ever strike you as having family values?

True. But I think I'd still rather have her for a mother than, say, Dara;)

I like Jasra. I think she's the kind of woman Oberon might have added to his list of wives in earlier times...gotta admire a woman who holds her own between Amber and Chaos!

[lotus]

What's wrong with Dara? :O Just cause Despil's too cowed to do anything (or too wise to risk his neck), Jurt's an idiot meglomaniac with severe inadequacy issues and Merlin's a whiny snot who slept with his best friends wife, whose mother hates his father and whose little bro is dating his ex, that doesn't make her a bad mom...oh wait...:worry:

[Thanos]

Posted. I will do so again in about 2 hours (at lunch). Work has erm..... cracked down real hard on me for loging in from my desk.

[lotus]

Posted. I will do so again in about 2 hours (at lunch). Work has erm..... cracked down real hard on me for loging in from my desk.
oooh I hate it when that happens...

[Shutter]

A note that Roland's first summary to Kat and company didn't include the woman on the floor working magic on the Fount. I edited to put that in, 'cause Roland's not that dumb, even if I am. :P

[Shutter]

And there's Roland's grand plan. Hope the redshirts...I mean guardsmen are up to it.

[lotus]

new amber fic up...it's not very long.

[Wired*Nun]

I realized later that Arrotel had posted, but it was on a new page, so I missed it. Duh. I'll be trying to get in a full round today. I plead holiday laziness, and all that. Also, I got my copy of Manna from Heaven, which is a compilation if Zelazny shorts including all the Amber shorts in one section. They read almost like a book...it's so sad, I could see Zelazny was probably mulling over doing at least one more Amber book to both tie some things up and scatter some more loose ends...if you guys don't have a copy, I suggest you get one, especially if you can get it in paperback, which will be cheaper obviously. I got the hardback. There are interesting things in there like: Merlin's trip through the Logrus; a hint of what the Hall of Mirrors really is; an explanation of Rhanda and the 'vampires'; more on Grayswandir, Werewindle and the Spikards; Vialle's Earth magic; Dworkin and Suhuy meeting for mystical chess every few days, using real people as pieces. Of course, there's a lot more.

[Wired*Nun]

For the nearly-computer-inept like me, do a right-click, "save target as" on the image(s) and then open the resulting file using the proper program, and it will display correctly. Let me know if there are any questions.

[Shutter]

Left clicking the image brought up a new browser window with the map in it for me. But all computer setups are not created equal....Dave, were the two maps supposed to be different? I couldn't discern any differences....

[lotus]

I especially like the part where it says: "all items not to scale".

[Wired*Nun]

Only different in their format

[Shutter]

Note: Edited my post rather drasticaly after Dave mentioned that I missinterpretted things rather stupidly. Sorry for the trouble that caused (Sorry Thanos!)...so...yeah, back to the show.

[Wired*Nun]

I'll wait until everyone edits appropriately to make sense of what they are doing.

[chalice]

All you guys at the Keep? You have me sitting here biting my fingernails...

[Shutter]

Looks like we're all on the same page now....phew.

In other news: Ooh! I want Logrus tendrils!

[Wired*Nun]

Just use your Pattern Spikes...

[chalice]

Huh? What are a Pattern Spike...?

[Tamarind]

Looks like we're all on the same page now....phew.

In other news: Ooh! I want Logrus tendrils!
Ah, Logrus envy. Very common in Amberites ;)

[lotus]

Huh? What are a Pattern Spike...?little pieces of pattern used to manipulate things? "Go ahead you try it first I'll stand waaaay over here and watch you through the pattern lens. What? Oh no. This sheet of lead is merely for decorative purposes."

[Wired*Nun]

Huh? What are a Pattern Spike...?
A joke, chalice, a joke...though you can wield the Pattern Lens physically like a shield or blunt instrument...

[chalice]

Phew! I did meet 'Pattern tendrils' in an AmberCon game once...they were Nasty

[chalice]

though you can wield the Pattern Lens physically like a shield or blunt instrument...
Heldrik, Rebis...do try not to cross your respective Signs....

[lotus]

<tries to fight back ghostbuster quote attack with the pattern shield.

[lotus]

A joke, chalice, a joke...though you can wield the Pattern Lens physically like a shield or blunt instrument...
<wonders what would happen if you took the lens and rotated it 90 degrees and started it spinning...would you get a pattern saw? Resolves to try this.

[Shutter]

A joke, chalice, a joke...though you can wield the Pattern Lens physically like a shield or blunt instrument...
We can do what? Wow....Huh....had no idea....Need to go get Roland some edjumication.

[Wired*Nun]

Josh (the PC way back when) pried open a magically sealed door this way, by shoving in the edge of the Pattern and prying (or you Commonwealth types would say prising) it open.

[Wired*Nun]

I'll stay on but I'm watching TV, waiting and hoping that Arrotel and/or Kat posts this evening. If they don't, I can exptrapolate and puppet a bit more before I'm done tonight.

[Shutter]

Well that's just damned cool.

Hmm...I've got a sword....and a pencil....

If Roland were here he might be feeling very innadequate right now.

Was Josh your PC or one of your player's? Elress? Dunstan?

[lotus]

Josh (the PC way back when) pried open a magically sealed door this way, by shoving in the edge of the Pattern and prying (or you Commonwealth types would say prising) it open.Pattern: it controls shadow, it shields, it slices, you can even use it as a lever, and best of all it can make Julianne fries...and it can be yours for the low low price of one payment of your immortal soul.

all sales final. Non-refundable, returnable or any other able. No C.O.D., no checks, no credit. Sales tax as applicable in Rebma, Tir, or Amber proper. Please allow 2-6 hours for delivery. No delivery to Kafsha, Eregnor, Begma, or beyond Ygg.

[chalice]

Tam and I are fleeing the country on the evening of 30 December, to head to Iceland for New Year. Back on 2 January. We'll probably be able to get online in the evenings, though:)

[Wired*Nun]

Well that's just damned cool.

Hmm...I've got a sword....and a pencil....

If Roland were here he might be feeling very innadequate right now.

Was Josh your PC or one of your player's? Elress? Dunstan?
Well, that's what the Pattern is for, to equalize all the nonsorcerous PCs. Most people overrate and overfear sorcery...it's kind of like having hand grenades in modern warfare - useful, one-shot, not very controllable, easily countered, deadly in the right circumstances. However, the nastiness factor does go up quit a bit in the hands of the elders...and even then, they are usually smart enough to have orcs and bricks around to soak up the opposition.

Josh is actually the PC of a guy names James Connors that I haven't seen in some time (vagaries of the military, you know). I'd love to locate him. Elress was another guy's, Allen Martinsen. Dunstan has always been an NPC - I mean, who would want to be forever stuck at the Keep? In an earlier incarnation he was a major pain in the ass a la Jurt, Josh's nemesis actually.

[Wired*Nun]

Tam and I are fleeing the country on the evening of 30 December, to head to Iceland for New Year. Back on 2 January. We'll probably be able to get online in the evenings, though:)
Iceland? Say hi to Bjork, and all those hot springs and things. What posessed you to go there?

[Wired*Nun]

Pattern: it controls shadow, it shields, it slices, you can even use it as a lever, and best of all it can make Julianne fries...and it can be yours for the low low price of one payment of your immortal soul.

all sales final. Non-refundable, returnable or any other able. No C.O.D., no checks, no credit. Sales tax as applicable in Rebma, Tir, or Amber proper. Please allow 2-6 hours for delivery. No delivery to Kafsha, Eregnor, Begma, or beyond Ygg.
Don't you hate all that fine print?

[Wired*Nun]

pygysis seems to be busy so she left me puppeting instructions. Unfortunately it's kind of late so I will get back with this tomorrow. Later everyone! Sorry.

[chalice]

Iceland? Say hi to Bjork, and all those hot springs and things. What posessed you to go there?
I was over there in the Summer a few years ago, on a sponsored trek, and it's simply the most amazing place I've ever been. Been dying to go back ever since. On New Year's Eve, people celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, and there's even a small chance of seeing the Northern Lights...anyway, I've raved about the place to Tam ever since my last visit, and have just sold my house so it seemed a good time to go there together.

[Wired*Nun]

Well, enjoy yourselves! I'll have to put in on the list of places to visit.

[lotus]

Don't you hate all that fine print?
you know what they say, the devil is in the details.

[Thanos]

Thanks Shutter, was totally confused when I went back and reread your posts, I was like....dang, did I misread it that badly? So it looks like I get to attempt to wack away at that big armored guy, who I hope has the armor for a purpose, ie that he is slow, clumbsy and strong...and Heldrik can keep myself from getting wacked while chips away pieces of that armor or parries the mace and its shaft breaks or something.... ;-)

Ewww, Iceland, one of those places I would like to visit, but will not likely ever get there....Scottland and Greece are ahead on the list.

[lotus]

Reykjavik seems like it would be a nice place to visit, but I'm not sure I could deal with how cold it is there on an extended basis. Maybe as a stopover on the way to England.

[LynMars]

I'm back from Pennsylvania and family craziness! To celebrate, Llewella and Coral have joined the Avatar Gallery! Yay!

[chalice]

Tam asks me to let you know everyone at his company has been banned from non-work Internet use this week, so he won't be online until this evening. "Bah" he says.

[Wired*Nun]

Tell him I said, his company will actually suffer a productivity drop...and they will change the policy, sooner or later...until then, too bad. The problem is always getting people to balance reasonable personal use with work.

[Wired*Nun]

In case anyone is wondering why I am procrastinating on the big fight scene, or rather, why I keep answering the other thread, it's because those only take a moment, and I'm trying to get my brain around fair resolution of the fight...one of my problems has always been, as I have a strong background in wargaming and suchlike tactical things, how do I avoid slaughtering the PCs; that is, how do I ensure that the NPC opponents, in the confusion of combat and the fog of war, act 'realistically' rather than perfectly. Sigh. I keep getting blocked every time I look at it.

[lotus]

Tell him I said, his company will actually suffer a productivity drop...and they will change the policy, sooner or later...until then, too bad. The problem is always getting people to balance reasonable personal use with work.
Reasonable being the key word. It helps if you don't have two seperate sets of rules (or seemingly anyway) for the peons and the supervisors too.

[Thanos]

Don't worry Dave, I always have the same issues as well when it comes to the really big battles, so many options, so many possibilities, and you don't want to 'punish' a good PC because of their ignorance of a situation that they can't knowing completely. By punish I mean hurt the PC real bad or take them out of the fight due to a decision that a PC's player has made that has unforseable (or close) consiquences.

[Icebird]

Arrotel most certainly will try the pattern saw idea sometime... Not right now. Probably loose his hand a few times, but... That would just be so nifty. Anyways, all that Arrotel really wants from sorcery is a faster way to open up mental contact with people that he doesn't have trumps for, and an occasional fireball, as the situation calls for.

I'll be back in two days, but I can probably get on again today and tomorrow. Until then, just immagine the chaos and confusion that will engulf the Keep if Arrotel gets his wish... Indoor artillery!

Boom, Boom, BOOM!

[Shutter]

Not an enviable task there Dave. A large part of the problem is the partial information phenomenon and our brain's handy system for filling in the blanks. If this is that part of the movie where the heroes get they're asses kicked by the badguys before going off to learn how to fight from the wise old man in the woods...then, shrug, so be it.

...Don't need to offer you any advice on GMing...just have fun, holler at us when we're having our characters be stupider than is reasonable (thanks by the way) and it'll all be fine...I'm not going anywhere, the scene can take whatever time it needs.

[Thanos]

I completely agree with Shutter about the blank spots getting filled in mentally.....at least Dave seems to have a good grasp on all 3 dimensions. I played with an ST (werewolf) at one time who had a bad stigmatism and just couldn't mentally get past 2 dimensions. Made combat a horrible situation and I strove almost to the point of absurdity to stay out of combat, even though I had a combat machine in that game.....most of the players ended up quitting that game because we could just not get a good combat off due to the limitation.

[LynMars]

Suhuy (who does not have kung-fu action, unfortunately) and Dara join the Avatar Gallery. May rearrange those guys soon, so they're in some kind of order...will need another row or two by the time I'm done anyway...

[Wired*Nun]

I also realized that part of the problem is being home. I've resolved to try not to stay up too late any more, this being a source of some disconnects in my house. So, I try to work on it and there are always distractions, especially now during the holidays, since we are letting the kids all stay up later (no school, etc.). Normally we send them upstairs to do homework and leave the grups some peace and quiet. So, the TV is on, the kids are talking or whatever, 3 animals...that's part of it, I think. I love being home, I really do. It's just hard to concentrate!

[Tamarind]

Oh I think we're all happy to take second place to your family and assorted animals ;)

[chalice]

Hear, hear! Home good! Kitties and kids good! Festive Chaos good!

[Shutter]

Oh I think we're all happy to take second place to your family and assorted animals ;)
Agreed!

[Icebird]

Absolutly. No place like home. Unless you live in Amber, in which case there are many, many places like it, but none exactly the same.

[chalice]

Unless you live in Amber, in which case there are many, many places like it, but none exactly the same.
And thank goodness for that!

[chalice]

Suhuy (who does not have kung-fu action, unfortunately) and Dara join the Avatar Gallery.
Waah - I can't see them!

[Wired*Nun]

There it is, folks, enjoy.

[Wired*Nun]

I don't see the new avatars either....

[chalice]

I don't see the new avatars either....
That's a relief! I thought I must have Avatar Blindness!

[Tamarind]

Drax & Telloth - now there's a dynamic duo!

He's an impetuous dragon with a fiery temper, he's a fearsome falcon with attitude - They fight crime!

[chalice]

Yay! for Drax and Telloth. Heldrik - how about a nice piece of string to attach that sharp pointy thing to your wrist...?;) You know, like mittens...

[Wired*Nun]

Or like that lanyard that proper British Sergeants-Major have on their Webbley revolver...

[Thanos]

Yay! for Drax and Telloth. Heldrik - how about a nice piece of string to attach that sharp pointy thing to your wrist...?;) You know, like mittens...
Considering that Heldrik was using the blade 2 handed, a piece of string or leather would have likely taken his hand off if it was attached to the sword with the amount of force it was hit with. That being the case Heldrik ant going to be staying within reach of this guy.....;-)

[Pygysys]

Family first, always, Dave - the game isn't going anywhere, the wonder of the Net. :)

I'm also with Shutter and Thanos on the other stuff too.

[LynMars]

Can't see the avatars? Whatwhatwhat?!:O They show up fine for me...

[Shutter]

Hmm...I don't see any new avatars either...

[LynMars]

Oh-Kay...apparently, they didn't load last time for some reason...weird...almost spooky...They're there now though! Suhuy must have used his freaky Logrus powers or something! Or maybe it was Dworkin....