OOC chat thread (Participants only pls)

[Wired*Nun]

Ah yes - the Damien diaries. Now Iain's writing - that will give one an inferiority complex about one's own efforts to portray the same events...:P
He writes well...not entirely to my taste. Lots of self-congratulatory wit, though not nearly as much as, say, later Heinlein. But then, that's just me, and I've seen much worse out there. This is the example where collaboration is king; he needs a dash of cold water, someone with a different approach to polish it up, but he's really very good.

[chalice]

So...just in case it should become relevant in the next twelve months...like if we should, maybe, possibly, need wedding witnesses...which of you stateside folks lives within easiest reach of New Orleans?

We both have exes, and so plan to flee the country (and our extended families) and do something quiet...

[chalice]

He writes well...not entirely to my taste. Lots of self-congratulatory wit, though not nearly as much as, say, later Heinlein. But then, that's just me, and I've seen much worse out there. This is the example where collaboration is king; he needs a dash of cold water, someone with a different approach to polish it up, but he's really very good.
I just adore the Sebek stuff. The Memphite Raptor is my favourite...maybe because I have a weakness for Bogart movies...

[Pygysys]

I have to say I love his comment about another shirt ruined, reminds me of a Vampire Elder I had once. Didn't matter what she did and what was going on, somehow her clothing would get ruined, at least once a week if not more often. It became a running joke and an expensive past-time, employing a private tailor.

In response to Chalice's comments about posting and deadlines too, I'm not adverse to such in a situation like this. Sometimes in FtF games, the GM will have to puppet a character if a player can't make it to a session, all depending on where the last session left off of course.

I know I've held the game up myself not that recently due to RL getting in the way, so I can understand it can and does happen. So just so everyone knows, if I'm the one doing the holding up again the GM should feel free to puppet me and I'll just catch up pronto. I know sometimes GM's don't like puppetry, but for the record, I'm fairly easy when it comes to stuff like this, so will accept the puppetted actions without objection.

[Pygysys]

For the Cat Lovers out there:

Our big cat Chad is doing his best to prevent me taking my better half to work. Ever seen a cat essentially hanging off a person's leg, begging them not to leave? It really is quite funny and adorable. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Pass-time or pastime, dearie.

I prefer not to make deadlines, as long as things don't go on too long. In my present situation (trying to devote more time to my family, getting back into my regular job which is getting busier) a couple of days are not a problem. I'd say if we haven't heard from someone in threee or four days it may be time to just move on, but that's why I put things in the OOC chat, to prompt and see what answers come back.

On the other subject, a New Years wedding in New Orleans? What are you people thinking? What has given you this idea? Or do you mean "sometime in the next twelve months" rather than "in twelve months"? Ever thought about Denmark? Vegas? You have friends in Nawlins?

[Wired*Nun]

Guess they all gave up. Only took me an hour!

[Wired*Nun]

Our cat-chen has found the most funnest (that's what she said anyway) toy ever - one of those long dusters that looks like...well, I can't really even describe it, but she has now decided it is her #1 toy and she is trying to carry it...everywhere...it's far larger than she is, being at least two feet in length. I think she has Labrador blood...

[Pygysys]

Our cats like to take turns attacking the phone cord snake that threatens their humans. It really is adorable watching 3 cats taking turns at attacking this cord, save for the fact that it's our phone/modem cord. We love them, really we do but we think they don't like the internet as it seems they've realised if we're on our computers that means there's less cat attention time to be had.

Also for the Hendrakes - A t-shirt that says: We tried to take back the Fount and all we got was this lousy Amberite. :P

[Thanos]

Also for the Hendrakes - A t-shirt that says: We tried to take back the Fount and all we got was this lousy Amberite. :P
ROFLMAO

That is good..... everybody in the lunch room just looked at me like I was some kind of freak, which isn't exactly incorrect!

I swear ye shall be avenged or at least an attempt to retrieve you will be made. I have a feeling that Asmundson will be involved since Rovers are so useful like Logrus Limbs, but being not exactly understood can likely get pasts wards that are for Logrus ;-)

[Pygysys]

*Grins* I liked it. I'm sure something will occur but personally I'm glad it's the Blue and White sorceress who hissed something at the two carrying Kat - the other sorceress and her 'personal hell' comments directed at Rebis, scares me.

[Icebird]

Sorry to disappear for a day, but I'm back in school now, so I'll be able to get on at least twice daily.

Well, here come in the rest of the group... Not that getting beaten up by a Heldrake isn't fun, but Arrotel would rather let Piet deal with him for a moment.

[Pygysys]

I updated Kat's 'Public Info' section. I couldn't resist. ;)

[Icebird]

Something I mean to ask earlier- when Arrotel had the sign up earlier, did he by any chance notice if the archer's bow was in fact enchanted? He was waving the sign about crazily for a while, so he may or may not have looked though it.

[Shutter]

Further apologies if I once again managed to botch the geometry of the scene on the balcony. I think I have Roland behaving in a reasonable manner, but then again, I've thought that before.

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, the bow and arrows are in fact enchanted.

Roland hasn't moved. Rebis hasn't moved. Dara hasn't moved. Does that help?

[Wired*Nun]

I'm probably not going to get to anything tonight. Sorry all, and toodles.

[chalice]

G'night Dave. Tam and I will not be online tomorrow evening - it's our face-to-face game night. Should both get on during the day though.

[Tamarind]

Further apologies if I once again managed to botch the geometry of the scene on the balcony. I think I have Roland behaving in a reasonable manner, but then again, I've thought that before.
Unfortunately I misinterpreted big time so I've deleted my earlier post whilst I re-think - sorry for any confusion :evolved:

[LynMars]

Sand and Bill Roth have made it into the Gallery; a few left to go. Have something like 31 Zelazny characters now....

[Wired*Nun]

Actually as far as I could see, your earlier post (Roland) was fine.

[Shutter]

Woohoo! Go me, reasonable behaviour!

LynMars, you rock. It's been said before, but it's still true.

[chalice]

She certainly does! Bill Roth looks a little younger than I had imagined him; but then he ages between series one and two. Sand and Delwin together look great - truly like brother and sister. I think the Delwin pic is still one of my favourites.

[Wired*Nun]

For some reason I always envisioned Bill as bald. I'll have to check my canon...

[Thanos]

Yes, Delwin and Sand are good. The hair on Sand is almost exactly how I envisioned it....long and like a bucket of sand flowing down.

[chalice]

Odd name, Sand. Our GM decided it was short for Sandrine, which I liked.

[LynMars]

The description for Bill has him with hair, though right now I can't recall if it was thinning or not. Corwin described his hair as dark, Merlin called him grizzled. Merle also said Bill was growing a beard and mustache, but I couldn't get it to look right. It also states in the second series that Bill's rejuvenated a bit by being in Amber. It's hard to find an appropriate "older" face in those pics, too; most of the characters are fairly young, and several of the older ones are mean-looking. Bill's friendly. :) I did have to alter the expression a bit, and added grey to his hair. Didn't want to try to add too many lines to his face, though.

I am rather pleased with Sand; that was much simple, mainly recoloring. Tried to keep the hair color similar to Delwin's. I chose those pics for those two as we don't know too much about them and they're fairly simple, the poses somewhat suggestive of two who have turned their backs to the rest of the family, for the most part. Or maybe that's just me. :)

Edit: I've also heard her referred to as Sandmorel, or something like that. Not sure what's canonical, if any of them are. It may be in one of the "extra" books, like the Visual Guide or Encyclopedia.

[chalice]

Change of plan - Tam will not be around this evening after about 30 mins from now, but I am too tired to make the face-to-face game and so will be hanging out here (ably assisted by the kitties) after all.

[Wired*Nun]

Hope he posts Rebis then before he goes.

[chalice]

Hope he posts Rebis then before he goes.
Um, I think he put something in Gm Comms for sure, and said to puppet him....?

[chalice]

If Dave is a Famine Spirit and I'm a Devourer...is it his fault I'm so hungry all the time...?:ditsy:

[Tamarind]

Um, I think he put something in Gm Comms for sure, and said to puppet him....?
Indeed I did, had some questions to be answered before I could post so seemed the safest plan :)

[lotus]

Ack the bracelet now you'll never be rid of him....;)

[chalice]

Happy Anniversary, Dave and Beth!

[Tamarind]

Yeah, Sand's avatar is a good one. I like the Delwin one too, though I'm a bit worried - Rebis looks a lot more like Delwin than he does Martin...hmm. Could my House have been lying to me??? :roll:

[Pygysys]

Now why would they do that? Everyone knows if you can't trust Chaosians, you can't trust anyone.

[Tamarind]

Now why would they do that? Everyone knows if you can't trust Chaosians, you can't trust anyone.It's true - we are famed for our honour after all...or at least that's what they told me...

[chalice]

Like I said: 'Mandor - he was nice'. I'd certainly trust him again:\

[Pygysys]

See, you have nothing to worry about - Tam? But Mandor is evil, evil, evil! As is Fiona!

In all the Amber games I've played, I've only ever been reduced to a shaking, terrified mass by those two.

[Tamarind]

Off to buy steak and mushrooms for dinner now - see you all later ;)

[Pygysys]

Bye for now... it's 3:30am my time and I'm drooling over the thought of steak and mushrooms. Only 3 hours to go before breakfast...

[lotus]

Fiona?!!? Who could be afraid of dear auntie Fi. I mean it's not every aunt that follows you into a shadow, endures drinking frozen margarita's and hotwire's a car to follow you, then helps you escaps from an awkward situation...nah Fi's all right.

It's Bleys and Merlin you should be scared of...spikards bad...

[Pygysys]

Remind me to tell you the tale of evil Fi one day. However, after an hour and a half of MahJong, I feel sleepy enough to return to bed although I do not look forward to waking up in 2 hours for swimming. G'night. :)

[Tamarind]

Bye for now... it's 3:30am my time and I'm drooling over the thought of steak and mushrooms. Only 3 hours to go before breakfast...Ah, breakfast is a very flexible time...anything from midnight to midday in my book :roll:

[Wired*Nun]

Evil is relative. Do you like the straightforwardly evil Brand or the cavalierly evil Bleys or the subtly carefully evil Fiona? Aw, they're all just misunderstood...

[chalice]

That may be the first time I ever heard Brand described as 'straightforward' anything;)

[Icebird]

I must say that I like Bleys. If he spends too much time with the elders, Arrotel may turn out like that eventually. I hope not- the universe certainly doesn't need another of that sort.

[chalice]

I must say that I like Bleys. If he spends too much time with the elders,
and lives that long ;)

Arrotel may turn out like that eventually.

[Icebird]

Well of course. He was considering, for a moment, taking a hostage and running himself. Unfortunatly, his Benedict blood finally reared its head and wouldn't let him.

[Shutter]

Posted some GM comms. And thanks Dave for giving me another "Oh hell..." moment of dread :)

[Wired*Nun]

hehe

I'll be in Switzerland for the next few days. Don't know if I'll have Internet access.

[Pygysys]

Have fun in Switzerland, Dave.

Time for me to deliver pizzas to the hordes in the rain... I wish we had jackets. :(

[LynMars]

Have a great time in Switzerland! At the rate I'm going, the Canon characters should be done by the time you get back! Considering Despil, Gilva, and Rhanda snuck in there just now. I think I'm down to Julia, Jurt, and Nayda, and maybe Ghostwheel. Yay!

[Pygysys]

I really like the new 3. Well done, LynMars. :)

[lotus]

I must say that I like Bleys. If he spends too much time with the elders, Arrotel may turn out like that eventually. I hope not- the universe certainly doesn't need another of that sort.

Yeah Bleys, everyone's favorite uncle, just try having him as your father though...not fun. Bleys is the Elder, to me, I've seen mishandled the most in Amber games...he has a very easy style to play, cavalier, rakish, charming, powerful, and mysterious. It's very easy to take that and blow it all out of proportion and make Bleys too good at everything...

[Thanos]

Bleys, very well might be second best at everything.

Isn't that the comment Corwin makes?

[LynMars]

Actually, I think Bleys being "second best at everything" may have been a Wujcik-ism from the rulebook. Corwin admired Bleys' abilities, but I don't think he gave him that particular credit. Could be wrong, as I am on campus and have No books with me.

[Thanos]

I am at work and have noda as well. It just always seems that in the absense of the '1st placer' that Bleys is on top of the ball. I usually find that Dara, Mondor, Llewella, and Random are the hardest for me to RP. The rest seem rather iconic if you know what I mean.

[lotus]

Random is also really difficult due to him being a pretty complex dude.

Regardless of wether Bleys is second best at everything else, he pretty much sucks at Endurance. I mean it only takes him about an hour of fighting elite guards on a stair before he gets tired and starts making mistakes according to Corwin. That said he still has a formidiable array of plain power at his disposal. Pattern, Sorcery, Trump at the least. Add in three spikards (if you believe Merlin) and Bleys is pretty frightening even if he's only 3rd or 4th or 5th best in the attributes. You gotta figure he's got other tricks up his sleeves too.

I've seen GM's take it too far though, he's not a better sorcerer than Fiona (though he may be more powerful because of the spikards). He's not a better Trump Artist than Brand. He's maybe fourth in warfare behind Ben, Corwin, and Eric maybe fifth if you toss Random or one of the girls (Dee) in there. He's not as good with the Pattern as Random, I don't see him driving into Arden. He's not a master Artificer like Mandor or Julian. His endurance is suspect as stated above. He's not as glib as Luke or Fiona or even Llewella. Really Bleys' speciality is that he's not great at anything. Bleys is pretty much the protoMerlin e.g. "I've got enough attributes and powers to get by. Plus I got all these shadows to pull stuff from, I'll be all right"

[LynMars]

LOL Borel, Jurt, Julia, Nayda, Vinta, and Ghostwheel have made it to the Gallery. I don't have my Great Book (not even sure any of them are described in detail anywhere anyway) and they aren't described much in the rulebooks anywhere...So I made stuff up. And I think that'll do it for canon characters--40 in all. There may be a few other NPC's Dave's created that could make it in...But I'm taking a break now.:?

[Pygysys]

You've forgotten two of the most important ones: The Serpent and The Unicorn. :P

[LynMars]

Funny. You're reeaalll funny...

[Pygysys]

But aren't they Canon? ;) *Ducks*

[LynMars]

When I figure out how to do those, I'll let ya know.

[Shutter]

Archer: One eyed and screaming, basicaly out of it for a bit.
Dara: Crystal form, with pincers.
Big guy: Fighting Dalt on walkway.
Alamor: Impaled on chaos blade, basicaly out of it for a bit.
Sorceress who healed the big guy: Tired, leaning against the railing near the door where Roland initialy entered(south wall).
Other sorceress: On the true floor, fighting Rebis with Logrust tendrils
Budha Demon: 20feet tall (7meters) reaching for Rebis, but in range such that he could have reached for Roland?

Did Aarotel make any progress on trying to contact Gray or did that not happen?

I'll try to post tonight....This weekend has been donated to future inlaws:bored:

[LynMars]

It figures I missed you on IRC, too, Shutter-bug...You popped on during my store run. Mmm, fruit and pudding...

[Tamarind]

Good thought putting a quick update together Shutter :)

Other sorceress: On the true floor, fighting Rebis with Logrust tendrils
I think she might actually be on the balcony, in front of the trump gate but I'm not sure...:worry:

[Shutter]

Good thought putting a quick update together Shutter :)
I think she might actually be on the balcony, in front of the trump gate but I'm not sure...:worry:
Thanks. It was partialy to check myself on the details, not really sure I know exactly what's going on...

[samirah]

Actually, I think Bleys being "second best at everything" may have been a Wujcik-ism from the rulebook. Corwin admired Bleys' abilities, but I don't think he gave him that particular credit. Could be wrong, as I am on campus and have No books with me.Corwin acknowledged Bleys as both possibly better than he was with the blade (cite: talking to Dara, calling himself the 'third best swordsman around' calling Benedict and Bleys his betters), and certainly second only to Benedict (of the same generation) at battlefield command. He took all comers in his assault on Amber, and remember, it was he who was in command of Amber's army that, along with Benedict's flanking movement, defeated the Chaos army at Patternfall. Something like "Bleys stood there and called it like Lee at Chancellorsville." Then there's his presumed magical/mystical abilities as part of the redheads and oblique comments of Fiona's about him. Actually, quite the renaissance man, and IMO, probably the most well-rounded and dangerous of his generation - kind of like an older Luke...


ack. I'm not samirah. Didn't notice the auto-sign in, hahaha

-Wired

[Wired*Nun]

Golden girl is on the balcony, left (as one looks at it) of the Trump gate.

Arrotel was unable to contact Gray.

[Wired*Nun]

Oh, BTW, I just got back, don't know whether I'll have any time or energy to do anything tonite. Laters.

[chalice]

Hi Dave (and Beth)! Did you have a fun visit to Switzerland?

[Wired*Nun]

Well, I fell on my head. Hard. I'm not sure I'm not still a little addled.


Okay, more addled than normal.


Okay, what's normal?


In any case...it was all right. It was for a church mens' conference, with skiing. I didn't feel like downhill skiing - it's been a long time to jump back in for me - and though I considered cross-country, I decided to just settle for relaxing and hiking a bit. And falling. Did I mention falling? Ow.

But I came to the conclusion that it's almost not worth it, even if it was cheap and at a hostel, to drive nine hours each way for a long weekend.

[chalice]

Owwwww. You take better care of yourself, boss!

[Shutter]

So....How did you manage to fall on your head? Concusions are a good thing to have a doctor check out. Don't need any leaky brains on our GM. I got a concusion in a tournament back in college. For a few months my eyes went blurry and I got a strong hit of vertigo on a regular basis. Made coursework substantialy harder....

[Wired*Nun]

I'm not sure. I remember walking down, seeing an icy patch, thinking that I should drop down and just slide a little. As I did, I slipped anyway, and hit my head. There was no loss of consciousness, no tunnel vision (I had a concussion once before where both happened), but on the other hand, I have been having a hard time pulling names out of my memory or verbalizing certain things. Writing seems to be no problem. It is getting better, though. I suspect there was some mild trauma, and nothing to be done about it really except rest and take anti-inflammatories.

[Icebird]

Well, whatever is was, get better soon. Sliding on ice is fun, but only if you can do it while sitting down.

I'm home sick from school today- nothing serious, just a nasty cold.

[Tamarind]

I've edited my post to take account of the actual shape of the room :∙

[Wired*Nun]

Dinner and rest time...later dudes and dudettes.

[Tamarind]

Mmmm dinner - reminds me I need to go and forage at the supermarket. Back on in an hour or so
:)

[LynMars]

I'm enjoying the good natured bantering and such over in Landon and Gray's thread. Stark contrast to ours where--YIPE! That's Siodmak! And now we get to see Raevyn completely futz up in combat some more...

[Shutter]

Aw comeon Raevyn, you can take him! He's just a psychotic warlord who grew up in a postapocalyptic nightmare of a world....oh...hmmm....Well maybe he's one of those wussy warlords?

[LynMars]

As a certain Ninja said on IRC just a bit ago, I need "meatsheilds"...unfortunately, my usual meatshields are otherwise occupied... ;)

[Shutter]

Did the ninja volunteer?

[LynMars]

No; Ninja don't make good meatsheilds, anyway. Ninja suggested Roland, actually, until I explained the situation. :)

[Shutter]

I'm not sure the concept of meatshield really tranfers all that well to an Amber game. Joss was certainly built like a good solid meatshield, but that didn't really work out well for him now did it? You need a handy and silly game mechanic like hit points to really make meatshielding work:)

Furthermore, Roland is more of a whirling blade of doom kind of guy. Not so much into the meatshielding....that tends to hurt.

[Icebird]

I wonder if Dave will let Arrotel have a special attribute- Get Out of the Way. It deals with such things as arrows, swords, fireballs, logrus tendrils and Budha clones.

Oh, and if Arrotel hears or sees that Sid is here, he'll call Benedict, no waiting for input from other people.

[LynMars]

Well, as Rae and Sid are a pretty good distance away....unlikely til later, unless soemthing odd happens.

[Icebird]

Yes, but trump make instant communication easy to do, if anyone does. I can just imagine the call to Bendict though.

"Heldrake is attacking the keep, me and my cousins are defending it. Kat's a hostage, Hedrick's down and I've got an arrow through my hand. I wouldn't have called, but Sid just showed up and he's trying to take control of the primal maze at the same time. You want to come over and try to kill him with Rinaldo's help while we finish off Dara and the rest of Heldrake's best shock troops?"

Remember, it is Amber- odd things always happen.

[Pygysys]

I think what LynMars might also be trying to point out is that Raevyn's got to act then and there. She can't take a minute out to find Arrotel's Trump, let him know what's going on and then make her move against Siodmak and Co. If she did that, she wouldn't even get to finish her Trump call to Arrotel, or whoever it was she Trumped to advise them of Siodmak's appearance.

Keep in mind, she's in a section of the Keep completely separated from the rest of the gang, so nobody can actually see what she's up against, aside from Luke/Rinaldo that is. Likewise, she can't see what extra help you lot might need...

The important thing for Raevyn is to act quickly one way or the other and most likely to help out Luke/Rinaldo. She doesn't even know what it is they're actually trying to accomplish either. I wouldn't want to be in Raevyn's shoes right now, nor Roland's for that matter, or Rebis'. The poor R's.

[Icebird]

I'm not saying that it will happen, but just that it could. I must say that I think that Rebis is the one in the worst situation right now- he's the only one left standing with mystical capabilities on our side, and his endurance is running out. Not to mention a monster specifically made for eating sorcerers in the room.

[Wired*Nun]

Since my primary job is to put the PCs through as much hell as possible while convincing the players that it's actually fun, I think I'm achieving my goal so far.:evil:

[chalice]

You certainly have Gray perilously close to selling her soul:tsk:

[lotus]

Since my primary job is to put the PCs through as much hell as possible while convincing the players that it's actually fun, I think I'm achieving my goal so far.:evil:

It's always good to have a goal.

[chalice]

It's always good to have a goal.

Nooooo! Don't encourage him... :tsk:

[Wired*Nun]

The hounds have names. Don't be lazy, do a little research, go find them.

[chalice]

I'm sure they do. But Gray hasn't been told them by anyone. So, as is only polite, she asked.

[Wired*Nun]

I'm referring to Trey/Landon, the PC should know, unless he has forgotten. He was told when he picked them up.

[lotus]

Nooooo! Don't encourage him... :tsk:


Maybe I was trying to encourage you guys too...;)

[Icebird]

Arrotel already has his goals.
1. Don't die. This seems obvious, but it is at the top of his mind right now.
2. Almost, but not quite, kill the archer with a blunt object.
3. Call Gray. That hand hurts.
4. Though he doesn't belive in a god as such, pray ferverently that someone else does something about everything else that's going wrong at the moment.

Neither Dave nor Arrotel needs help his goals. Judging from the posts so far, both are far beyond encouragment at this point.

[Shutter]

In OOCspace Roland is really hoping Arrotel doesn't manage to sever that gate....Heh. Roland's player on the other hand thinks it'll be kind of fun for the Chaosites to have to work a little harder should they decide to retreat.

[Wired*Nun]

I seem to have offended Trey with my 'lazy' comment. I apologised to him already, and I apologise again here, it was not meant to be offensive. I should have put a smiley after it to show it was well-meant.

However, the underlying thought is valid. I have eight PCs and a lot of NPCs to juggle in my still-smarting head. I rely on you all to do your own legwork as far as character memory, especially as nearly everything in this medium is written down somewhere. If your PC doesn't remember something, it's best to just say so up front, either aloud or in inner monologue format, and/or shoot me a note that you just can't find it. I know I have at times been less than diligent about digging up stuff myself, and for that, I also apologise. I didn't mean to set that kind of an example.

[chalice]

<Tries to look helpful> It can indeed take ages to read back and find things. How about I start a Glossary in the Contributions folder - names of NPCs and places that show up, with a few details on each? Then that could be the first stop for checking-up (and everyone can throw rocks at me if they don't find what they need there...). I probably have more spare time on my hands than anyone else at the moment, not being a student and only doing part-time work...so shall I have a go at this?

[Wired*Nun]

A fine suggestion! Anything that makes references easy is a good idea. For example, Tam has his current spell list with color codes to remind us which ones he has hung right now.

[chalice]

OK - will do!

[chalice]

Well, looks like all the eating we've been doing at Dworkin's place has finally satisfied the Devourer - have become a Crimson Death :P Presumably quite a tubby one!

[LynMars]

I can probably help with a glossary, chalice, as I also have quite a bit of free time.

I started keeping a record of important plot points seen from mostly Rae's point of view (or someone in her group, if it's really important/common--like the list of relatives' names and their kids and such Roland found through his research) so I wouldn't have to trudge through a few hundred pages of threads to find stuff she should know about various topics. So I already have a listing of a bunch of common facts and the like written down.

[chalice]

Tam and I are dashing off to my parents, not sure for how long, but we should eb able to grab a bit of online time. My grandmother was hospitalised at the weekend after a mild heart attack - this morning she had a much more severe attack, and mum is sitting with her pretty much full-time (dad not being allowed in the hospital in case he picks up a respiratory infection). So we're going up to generally look after the folks, and visit with Nan.

Be in touch when we can.

[Wired*Nun]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother, we shall be be praying for her. Keep us posted as appropriate.

[lotus]

That is unfortunate, sorry to hear about your Gran. She and your family will be in our thoughts.

[Shutter]

Good luck Chalice. I truly hope it works out for the best.

[LynMars]

good luck, we'll be thinking of you.

[Shutter]

Dave, did that dagger Roland threw at the sorceress have any impact?

And, back to book keeping, I keep a thread in my private forum where I maintain links to important posts from a logistical point of view. Learning key things, picking up items, dropping items, that sort of thing....It would be more helpful though if I did a better job of maintaining it...

[LynMars]

There hasn't been much new stuff lately, considering we've been in combat for quite a bit of real time, and before that with the holidays and Dave in Iraq, it was kinda laggy for a while. I keep mine in notepad text on my home comp; debating making a copy for here in my private forum so I have constant access.

I think if chalice wants, I'll help with a listing of places and people and stuff, as an Amber game can get a Lot of characters in it. I've had players get confused about canon characters, unable to recall them or keep them straight. And with as much time as can pass on a forum game in real time as opposed to game time, it could be handy. Slogging through several pages in a couple threads looking for one name or description or whatever can be a pain; I've tried it when looking up characters for cards. Which, if/when chalice gets the glossary up, she can put the corresponding avatar next to the entry if she likes--I can provide hosting addresses--for a quick visual reference as well. Just a quick idea, at random there, anyway. I think I just like showing off my work at times. ;)

And I finally got my combat post up; campus internet decided to fritz for ten minutes--right while I was in the middle of typing it out the first time. Silly thing.

[Wired*Nun]

No, the dagger didn't even make an impression, much less a dent.

[Shutter]

So he missed?

[Wired*Nun]

Nope. Is there something I'm missing here? Is it a special dagger that should damage a crystalline being? I don't understand. If this is some secret I have forgotten, let me know in GM comms.

[Shutter]

No, normal dagger, but he threw it at the sorceress who healed the big armoured fellow....I didn't think she was in anything but human form?

[Shutter]

Just re-read my post about the dagger throwing....damn...that's a pretty serious omission. I left out a rather key bit of the sentance, the dagger was supposed to be thrown at the sorceress in white and blue, the one who was very tired and leaning against the railing. But, I very clearly didn't say that.

So...up to you Dave on how we handle this, I can edit it, or we can say that
Roland had a moment of stupidity and threw his dagger at Dara, whom he couldn't scratch with his sword.

[Shutter]

Was supposed to be something like:

Roland's brief notion that he has a bit of breathing room is spoiled, quite thoroughly, by the approach of the fanged and clawed monstrosity he recalls reading about only a few days before. Merlin took one of those hand to hand? Circling Dara for a clear line of sight he quickly draws his second dagger with his left hand, leaving only the one in his boot. He adjusts his grip and hurls it at the sorceress in blue and white's torso with all his strength, taking advantage of her weakened state. Too much time lost to courtesy already.

Accross the room, on the floor, lies a blade that would be most useful right now. Maybe...Just maybe... Keeping an eye on Dara and the approaching monstrosity Roland tries to get the timing for his impending leap and dash just right.

[Wired*Nun]

I think we'll have to chalk it up to the fog of war right now.

[Shutter]

Okeydokey.

<Shakes fist at blue sorceress> "Next time lady!"

If it's alright I'll go back and edit it then so Roland doesn't sound like throwing a dagger at Dara is a big deal?

[LynMars]

Apparently when they updated the site recently, they limited the number of images one can have in a post. When I tried to upload a new image into the Gallery, I discovered this. I also found that trying to put all the Canon Characters in a single new, seperate post wouldn't work, either. So I am going to overhaul my hosting site (this is a good excuse to organize things a bit) and see about a new way to post images to the Gallery. I'd really rather not go one or two images a post...But we'll see.

EDIT: And it's done. 13 posts in all, 11 of those with images. For the curious, I was trying to add Patrisia, Moire, and Morganthe...I thought of a few more canon characters that could be added, if I was really feeling surly...But anyway, this should work. I don't think I can get more than 10 images a post; I haven't tried past nine, though, so we'll see.

EDIT 2: Weird, according to Admin, the limit was always 10. I had a lot more than 10 images. So I guess it's actually a fix then. Nice to see stuff working the way it's supposed to anyway. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Okeydokey.

<Shakes fist at blue sorceress> "Next time lady!"

If it's alright I'll go back and edit it then so Roland doesn't sound like throwing a dagger at Dara is a big deal?

Sure.

And Lyn, thanks for the hard work. Also Shutter, what did you think of the admin's link?

[chalice]

hullo folks. things are a bit grim, but we have just discovered an internet cafe in the hospital and decided to say hi thanks for your good wishes ######

[Wired*Nun]

Sorry to hear that. Best wishes, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

[Shutter]

Sure.

And Lyn, thanks for the hard work. Also Shutter, what did you think of the admin's link?

The admin is my new hero. The archive doesn't bring through italics, but sweet merciful crap it's convenient and manageable. I'm hoping to get much more caught up very very soon.

[Icebird]

Best wishes to your grandmother and the rest of your family.

Perhaps it's time for a new map to keep better track of where people are? I'll make one if I have time after school.

[LynMars]

*Hugs chalice and Tam* Thinking of you guys.

In the meantime, Rae's going to be in a guilty little ball in the corner over here...She really wasn't trying to hurt anyone...Too bad it's a combat situation.

[lotus]

Tam/Chalice: Man that really sucks. I'm not good with these sorts of things at all, so I don't know what more to say.


As for Rae: That is generally what happens when you go shooting arrows at people ;)

[Wired*Nun]

Hey, Alan wanted Elress to have lots of Bad Stuff. I couldn't in all conscience kill her when he was playing, he didn't do anything TOOO stupid...but now...heheheh....

[Wired*Nun]

I'm going to hold off on posting in the big fight right now, Tam being occupied and I already went past him once.

[Wired*Nun]

Also I'd like to wait for Raevyn to be a little more specific about what she might be trying to do.

[LynMars]

Ugh. Sorry; I wrote the post while waiting for painkillers to kick in enough to go to sleep; annoying headache that had developed at work. She's pretty much trying to get away from the guy with the sword advancing on her. She threw the useless bow at him and is now just try trying to figure out where to go and what to do, while still being rather stunned she just killed someone. So mainly just trying not to get grabbed, killed, or otherwise. Yeah. I can work around most things that may happen. :)

[lotus]

She's pretty much trying to get away from the guy with the sword advancing on her. She threw the useless bow at him and is now just try trying to figure out where to go and what to do, while still being rather stunned she just killed someone. So mainly just trying not to get grabbed, killed, or otherwise.

I used to wonder what it would be like to play a total combat innocent in an Amber game, well I have to wonder no more. Not that it's a bad thing, just interesting.

[LynMars]

I have a thing about most RPGs and playing an inexperienced character so far as combat goes. In many games, I see too many players have their young characters (in anything from Dungeons and Dragons to White Wolf games to Amber) just wade into combat cool headed, like pros. I'm sorry, I'd think the first time you take another person's life is likely a rather altering event, unless you're a sociopath. Combat is fast, confusing, and involves trying to kill or be killed; it's not something that should be taken lightly. Dave and I have discussed this before, too.

I ran a 7th Sea game for several friends a while back, and one of the PC's was a young Avalonian noble, with a case of hero worship concerning one of the older PC's (Trey's character, actually, our good friend as the young char). Normally in 7th Sea, death is hard to come by, as it's a game about drama and swashbuckling adventure; you usually have to specify you're going to kill someone when they're Down. The young char shot an already-injured NPC, and did enough damage that I ruled the guy was going to die.

I drew it out for the player, focusing on the bleeding, the rasping breath, the dimming of the light in his eyes, the old man--NPC's grandfather--sobbing in the background. The character avoided guns after that (except to shoot the rope of a chandelier to send it crashing down once, but he was out of other options) and tried to leave villians to appropriately ambiguous deaths after that point, avoiding killing. After all, they were Heroes. :)

[lotus]

I agree that most players playing young characters tend to act too maturely, in combat as well as other situations. I just didn't really have any concept of how young Rae is emotionally, by that I mean that's not my headspace that's your headspace, if that makes any sense.

I think in DnD, 7 Seas, Star Wars or any other classically fantastic game where the PC's are playing "heroes" it's perfectly appropriate for the players to be shocked and awed into realizning death is a "big deal". Another way to go about this is to stop the revolving door at the ressurection booth in the temple.

In more dystopian games, like the WoD (lets face it Werewolf is basically all about making a combat machine) or Cyberpunk games, the PC's would tend to be more calloused to the harsh realities of life, some of them being undead in the first place. The only WW game I could see it in would be Mage or possibly Changeling. Most of the innocence is usually drained out of the characters in the prolouges as they're introduced to the dystopian reality.

In Amber I see it as a mix of both. I find it difficult to believe any Amberite parent would allow their child to be raised as such a complete innocent unless they absolutely had no knowledge of said child. That said if such a child were to exisit (and it seems in this game several of them do) I could see it being a Big Deal to an expectantly immortal person to be in a situation where they could die, especially as there's not a whole lot of text on any sort of Amberite belief system.

I often read through the posts in the character sections through my own (potential) character's lens, saying what would he do here or here or there that would be different. Throwing away a perfectly good weapon (although not in it's original form anymore) is just not something that would occur to him. However for you it makes perfect sense for Rae and that's fine.

[Icebird]

Arrotel is an interesting mix- when confronted with a situation such as this, he withdraws into himself and moves on autopilot, telling himself that he'll deal with the emotions later. So far, he's never actually done so.

He's definitely seen someone die before, but never anyone he really cares about, and he's never been hurt himself. His callus attitude about everything is certainly a defense, though he'll deny that totally if anyone asks.

Oh, no time to do that map I said I would. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon.

[LynMars]

Yup. I tried to convince her otherwise about that bow, but she just kinda looked at me funny...

The way I have Rae's background set up, she was raised in a fairly serene Shadow where nothing really exciting happened during her lifetime--she's just heard stories. Her mother was also a healer, so while she hasn't the spiffy ability Gray does, she's more intersted in helping and healing than hurting. Gerard seems to me to be the type to have his kids grow up in such environments; it's not too much of a stretch there, I think, and Dave didn't outright disagree. I'm sure she'll "get over it" soonish...

The very first RPG I ever played was Werewolf the Apocalypse, and I do have to agree, if one doesn't know what they're doing it can easily turn into nothing beyond a hack-and-slash fest, though it offers much more than that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the new game. White Wolf games do tend to be among the grittier and take characters innocence fairly early on. But they're also about being haunted by the atrocities one has committed in games like Vampire and Werewolf; once you stop caring, you've lost what's left of your Humanity and become a real monster. Personal Horror and Tragedy after all...not who has more dots of Brawl+Strength and can kick more @$$

[Icebird]

Before this post, 499 posts and a vampire spawn. Afterwards, 500 and who knows what? Into the great unkown.

On a side note, I am just learning the whitewolf system, and I must say that I like. I'll be playing in a tabletop Exalted game starting next week. Yay! I was feeling saddened that I was only meeting once a week for 5 hours to play RPGs. Now (acording to society at large's standards), I can waste even more time!

[LynMars]

Josh's mom, Vela, makes it the gallery now.

Shutter, I was out when you popped onto IRC again; my auto-rejoin put me back on as an alt nick rather than my "Out" nick...silly reconnects...and yeah, I agree, very messy...

[lotus]

I agree Werewolf has a lot of potential to be more than just "lets go get the wyrmspawn of the week" and I've played in games that explored those aspects. In the end most games, even games meant to be hack and slash, can be made to deal with sophisticated emotional issues with the right players/GM if that's what they want.

[Thanos]

I have grown to really enjoy Exalted and I hope you do to Icebird.
It does not have the same feeling that most of WW products have. There is actually threads of hope and players can actually see the potential for their character to do world changing things. Unlike their other games where doom is certain, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in this one.

I have never played a Hack-n-Slach Werewolf game. That is not to say that martial prowess doesn't play a central roll in the World of Darkness, survival after all is essential for a character to continue to be enjoyable. I must admit that the vast majority of the reason for this has been my choice in game masters though.

[lotus]

I've been really wanting to play Exalted after hearing so many good things about it, but I'm not really into the WW scene in my own town anymore. Maybe i'll have to buy the book and find out if it's really worth all the hype. Of course finding 5 extra hours per week to run/play in a game might be nice too :P

[Tony Jones]

Hope she's better soon...

[Wired*Nun]

Just wanted to say, we're going to wait for Tam to post, and Pyg, there's not much more I can do in your private thread until the situation in the Keep is resolved.

[chalice]

We're back. Sometime during the next few weeks, I will disappear again to organise either a funeral or nursing home - no telling which yet, but it is certain nan is never going 'home' to continue living with my parents as before. Even my mother has now been persuaded to accept this. In the meantime, I'm going to put on my armour-plating and act like things are 'normal'.

So...I dunno, leave Raevyn alone for ten minutes and she turns into a rampaging killing machine;) Playing innocents is great fun - sadly no one believes in mine anymore. When you get to the end of an Amber Murder Mystery and people level accusations like 'I have no reason to suspect Flora; but Jane's playing her, so I think she did it' - well, what can you do...? (And, OK, I had done it. But that isn't the point, dammit!)

[LynMars]

*Hugs chalice* That's tough; sorry to hear it. Hopefully, if things go well, a nursing home isn't always bad; my sister works for one. It's much better for them, and for the families, really. Here's to the best.

[chalice]

*returns hug" Thanks, sweetie! Actually, I think the last few days have been roughest on my little brother - as a doctor, he has been feeling particularly helpless, and also switching between the role of 'visiting physician' and 'grandson' in what must be a very bewildering way. It is, incidentally, most strange when your baby brother suddenly switches to 'professional doctor' mode!

[Wired*Nun]

Isn't there something that says docs aren't supposed to treat family members?

Glad to hear she's out of immediate danger (?). Just check out the nursing home thoroughly...

[Shutter]

Not to be a pest Dave, but about how far is Roland from the Dweller? And from Winnow?

[Wired*Nun]

Well, I think I've answered that question more or less...

[Wired*Nun]

Ah, stupid me. That was a recent post. Well, the Dweller is about 30 feet and Winnow is in his face.

[Shutter]

Gotcha. Thanks. Update on it's way.

[Wired*Nun]

or its

[Shutter]

Bah...correct use of grammar and punctuation...grumble grumble....Now I have to leave it looking stupid just so that your post will make sense.

Note:Avoided the nearly overwhelming temptation to spell it "you're" in the above ramble. Shutter:1 Jackassery:0

[Wired*Nun]

:evil: hehehe:evil:

[lotus]

:evil: hehehe:evil:

^ that is never a good thing....

[LynMars]

Whoops! Class/slept through the day, and lookit what I missed! Now who didn't see that coming, come on!:fun: I get the feeling Roland, at the least, is gonna be rather unhappy...but hey, looks like you guys have a Benedict nearby! If he sticks around after trying to kill Siodmak, anyway...

[Shutter]

Aye, Roland is going to be pretty pissed off at just about everyone, self included, when he finds out what Raevyn went and got involved in...Assuming he lives through this little shindig.

[Pygysys]

Don't worry, Roland might end up joining us here. Imagine the look on Random's face if he got a ransom note for all of us?

Think the Elders would ever let us live it down? :p

[lotus]

I certainly don't think Bleys is gonna be happy regardless...

[Pygysys]

Kat couldn't give two hoots what Bleys thinks or feels... concerning anything and if he happened to father a traitor... well boohoo to Bleys.

'Hi, you've reached Katarzyna's Trump. She's not here right now, please leave a message with Roland or Raevyn. Thank you.'

[lotus]

Unless El was a double agent or somethin'. In which case Rae might feel a lot worse...or she could just be evil incarnate, or maybe Bleys didn't like her all that much, or who knows what else, there's about a bajillion possiblities.

[LynMars]

Raevyn to Bleys: "I didn't mean to kill her! It was an accident! She dodged the wrong way!" *Big, cute, tear-filled eyes...and Daddy somewhere nearby, hopefully...*

[lotus]

it's that daddy nearby part that'll help her out the most :P

[Pygysys]

Yes, very nearby, like standing right beside her.

[Icebird]

Yay! Benedict showed up, and you all can't blame me!

Unless of course, Arrotel can visualize trumps while pulling up the pattern and falling at the same time. http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley%20-%20happy.gif

[Wired*Nun]

I'm not going to keep the Elders out of it if it makes sense...my NPCs have minds of their own too, y'know. Siodmak, with his oddball powers, has been leading Benedict a merry chase. If anyone could stay away from him for a while, it's this guy. But as they say, you can run, but you can't hide...and Benedict needs to catch him only once...

On another note, I am going to impose a little more discipline on our posting here - note the new title of this thread. I'd like to reserve this thread for participants only. After that, I'd like to basically keep the topics to 1) stuff related to this game and 2) stuff related to real life that affects this game.

Anything and everything else - other game discussions, especially those with other people, stuff about other books, etc - can go in the general mishmash thread.

I'm not going to be a real bastard about this, but I'm asking everyone to observe these general guidelines. I am enjoying the banter and I don't want to shut down the community, or exclude anyone, just keep things where my little brain can handle them. Thanks all.

[chalice]

Hi everyone. Nan died last night - apparently very peacefully - and I am heading family-wards once again. I'll be back online probably late tomorrow night, but can't be certain of it, so Dave could you puppet Gray as needed so that Tray isn't forced to a halt?

Please don't respond to this message, as saying nice things will make me weepy - I just wnated to let you all know.

Hugs, Jane.

[Icebird]

Guess what I got in the mail just about half an hour ago.

It's a laptop. A much delayed Christmas from nearly everyone I know, including myself. I'm curently formating the hard drive- I'd rather not deal with anything that may be left on if from the last owner. And besides, I'm going to make it duel boot with both Windows and Linux. Hehe, I love computers.

I'm like a kid with a new present on Chirstmas. Oh wait, I am one.

[Shutter]

While editing the archives I came accross this post in Landon's intro thread, very early on. A Trump reading...

The reading indicated he should settle down permanently and live happily every after.

No, that can't be right...

Another reading indicates he should be trying to rescue a fair maiden in distress...or maybe it means he is in love with his mother...he's not sure.

Hmm....one more try...

This one indicates that he should treat others as he would like to be treated.

I clearly recall reading this the first time around and saying "Oh, his Trumps aren't working, he's getting random generic nonsense...." I didn't give Dave nearly enough credit yet.

[LynMars]

HA! That's great! Funny how those Trump readings work out, huh?:fun:

[Wired*Nun]

At the risk of drifting into a religious discussion (not my intent), this validates my personal views on prophecy of all types, in and out of games - omnipotent beings don't need to know the future in detail (violation of free will principles, et. al.,) - they can simply bend circumstances to cause the prophecies to happen, based on the propensity of the people involved...but thanks for the credit anyway. Playing God is fun. If anyone's seen Bruce Almighty...

[Shutter]

I think Roland dropped Smoke right here (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/showpost.php?p=96742&postcount=153)...So, perhaps wouldn't have come close to cutting himself with it...

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, you're right! I looked, but missed it. Ooops. Will edit.

[Shutter]

< crosses fingers and hopes the edit reads "Winnow gets stabbed in the face and dies" >

[Wired*Nun]

not bloody likely.

[Shutter]

Heh. A guy can hope right?

Hmm...So, he beat the sword aside and slipped in and started hammering away on Roland. But Roland still holds the sword yes? How long of a sword is Roland using at this point? With a shorter blade I could see him stepping into Winnow and bring the point of the blade up to the base of the skull, but a longer blade would make that pretty impractical. Also depends on whether his arms are over Roland's or under Roland's...

And I'm assuming that he's stubbornly not bursting into flame right?

[Wired*Nun]

Thanks, let me do one little edit to help you out.

[Shutter]

Thanks Dave, that cleared it all up nicely. Strength vs. Warfare time eh? Fun stuff...sort of...From a "glad I'm not actualy Roland" point of view.

[Wired*Nun]

Winnow is actually a much more balanced character than Roland, for all his strength. Roland's differential is very high, so his fortune changes quickly when he is forced into Strength combat. Additionally, the armor saved them both from many things, though not the loss of Winnow's hammer.

[Shutter]

Yeah, I assumed he was a good deal more balanced. If he'd been a big pile of strength with no warfare either Roland or Dalt would certainly have put him down pretty quickly...

Speaking of balance, I went for a balance of specificity/vagueness in my most recent post. How close to the mark of where you'd like things was it?

[Icebird]

ARe any of the crossbows from the blue men intact and in Arrotel's area? I really can't figure out exactly where everyhting is at this point. I know about where Arrotel is and which people are near him, but other than that, I'm lost.

[Wired*Nun]

Shutter: Seems fine to me.

Ice: Yes, some of them on dead blue bodies.

[Tamarind]

ARe any of the crossbows from the blue men intact and in Arrotel's area? I really can't figure out exactly where everyhting is at this point. I know about where Arrotel is and which people are near him, but other than that, I'm lost.

I think it's like this: -


Roland and Winnow in the corner near the stairs up (top-right on the map) at floor level
Dalt (and Arrotel) near the south wall (bottom of the map) about mid-way along, also now both at floor level
Sorceress in blue and white - SE corner on the catwalk, near where the gate was a moment ago. Looking pretty exhausted.
Sorceress in brown in the NE corner on the catwalk, also near where the gate was. Not looking so exhausted.
Piet stunned on the floor near the Dweller
Rebis - standing in the doorway that opens out onto the catwalk on the west wall
Heldrik - unconcious a little way back down the same corridor
Dara - amorphous black mist floating around on the North wall, roughly above Roland and Winnow
Hope that helps :)

[Wired*Nun]

Yep, exactly right. Also - Alamor skewered to the left of the Fount, Telloth flying, Drax on the floor near the south wall.

[Tamarind]

Yep, exactly right. Also - Alamor skewered to the left of the Fount, Telloth flying, Drax on the floor near the south wall.

Drax is back near Heldrik now after Rebis pulled him through a couple of actions back?

[Shutter]

Really? That's right?...wow...Really not what I was seeing...How did Roland get Heldrik's sword and wind up accross the room already? How'd Winnow get so far from Rebis and company?...

Edit:None of these questions are particularly in need of awnsers...

[Wired*Nun]

I think some of this is from calling things "west" and "north" and so on - since I accidentally made the map with west upwards on the map...sorry. This probably caused confusion, but it really doesn't matter too much to what ultimately happened.

Drax is back near Heldrik now after Rebis pulled him through a couple of actions back?

Yep, sorry, true.

[Shutter]

Aha! Now it is all clear! Thanks for reminding me of that Dave. Ok, back to Roland getting his skull crushed...(Or, me getting Roland's skull crushed, depending on how you look at it)

[Wired*Nun]

Wow, busy boards!

Just got back from an overnight trip to Valkenburg (NL), a cute little town with caves, hot springs, very touristy but nice in the off-season. Time to catch up!

[Wired*Nun]

Anyone know if Ice is going to post, or is he out of the loop?

[LynMars]

Haven't heard anything from Ice myself.

In other news *does a happy dance* I broke down and bought a new computer after thinking about it for years (literally), having the money now, and have the handy excuse of a slowly dying monitor and needing a better unit to play games with Trey. Like World of Warcraft. Shutter, you still play? I think we're going to start off on the ShadowSong Server where the other GG members have alts running around...anyway...Should be getting it in a week or so. *Dances s'more*

[Shutter]

Nope, no notion of what Ice is up to here.

Congrats on your new computer LynMars! My fiancee just ordered herself a new case, board and cpu last night. She's on the verge of out geeking me by being the only one in the house to have assembled a computer. I get more geekpoints for all the math I've studied, and for making physics jokes, but then I lose geek points for having a history in recreational cage fighting.....So, WoW eh? No, I only played it during the beta, it seemed like a load of fun. Alicia and I are playing CoH these days (hence her getting a new computer) but I figure I'll be stopping soonish so that I can prepare for my general exam, which I hope will be in early April. Want to have it done with when we get married....and now I think I'm likely rambling...so I'll go make some coffee.

[Thanos]

I play City of Heroes on the Infinity Server Shutter :-) My roommates do as well, although they outleveled me a while back, both getting near 40 now.

[Icebird]

Hope that helps :)

Indeed it does. I see the light...

I again disappeared due to a very full weekend- two MTG tournements, two tabletop sessions and a friend I haven't seen in months who showed up. I've been very busy recently on the weekends, but the weekdays seem to be staying empty (except for school). :nod:

Have as much fun with your new computer as I'm having with mine.

[Wired*Nun]

The family and I are going on holiday down to Bavaria. There is some internet access available at a cafe, but it will probably be intermittent for the next ten days or so. Everyone have a happy!

[Wired*Nun]

[OOC: no idea how to work through this practice bout IC. Dave, Trey - any ideas? Dave, you know both characters' respective skills - can you describe or just summarise what's going on?]

Remember how Shutter and Pygysis did the chess match and their sparring? They bid the appropriate attribute up until one of them gave in, writing the description of each thing along the way. Do it interactively like that. Go back and refer to their postings to get an idea if you like.

[chalice]

For unarmed combat we'd be using a mixture of Warfare and Strength, yes?

[Tamarind]

The family and I are going on holiday down to Bavaria. There is some internet access available at a cafe, but it will probably be intermittent for the next ten days or so. Everyone have a happy!

You guys too :)

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, Strength plus Weaponless. If you want to get even more complex, Weaponless +1/2 Strength to the grapple, then Strength +1/2 Weaponless after that. If you are sparring without grappling, just Weaponless. If you are just wrestling, Str+1/2W.

[chalice]

Tam and I are away tomorrow until Sunday (funeral). Will have the laptop with us, though, and try very hard to log on for a sanity fix while we're away in the wilds of Cheshire;)

[Wired*Nun]

Checking in! German keyboards are funny, too, but not as funny as the French ones.

[Shutter]

I don't think Rebis surrendered. I think he and Heldrik are unconcious...Though I'm not sure how Arrotel would know that.

Edit: oh, and Josh Trumped out somehow.

[chalice]

Guys, please bear with us, we might be flaky for a few days. Arrived home from my grandmother's funeral to find our littlest cat, beautiful 'Wulf, had been hit by a car and killed. This is kind of the last straw right now.

Dave, please puppet Gray or Rebis any time we are holding things up.

[Shutter]

I'm so sorry you two....That's just impressively unfair.

Take whatever time you need.

[LynMars]

*Hugs chalice* That sucks. I've only had that happen once; it was probably the only cat my dad liked, too; she used to bring her kills to the door and yowl for him to get praise for being a good mama before going to feed her kittens. Unfortunately, she wasn't killed right away when hit; we're not sure how long she suffered like that, as we found her when we came home from vacation. My dad had to do the "merciful" thing; one of the few times he's cried over a lost pet, too.

BTW, Trey and I will be out a few days, likely. Our net got randomly shut off again. As I am not account holder, I have no idea what's going on or when it'll be back. But with any luck, we'll be moving really soon, so I will have all that in my hands and under my control soon enough. And my new comp should be here this week! Yay!

[Wired*Nun]

Condolences. Insult to injury...I´m trying to get a post together but between time and keyboard I don´t know how conherent it will be. I may just write it and try to edit later for speling goofiness...

[Shutter]

Does Dara seem to have all of her limbs intact?

[Wired*Nun]

I'm on a US server now, they charge outrageously but at least I can work about three times as fast. I'll try to catch up.

Yes, Dara seems to be intact - a function of shapechanging may be the easy healing of wounds...

[Shutter]

Excellent...Maybe she won't be too pissed off then about that whole "trying to kill her" thing.

Oh, and any final word on that Trump attempt? Did Roland get any indication Gray was trying to contact him etc....

[Wired*Nun]

We can assume he felt the beginnings of the contact...I think the present edition reflects that now...

[Wired*Nun]

I'm off, possibly until Saturday evening but I may get back on - so don't hurry too much. it will be tomorrow at the very earliest. Ciao.

PS: The Bavarian Alps are heaven this time of year...might buy a house here tomeday...

[Shutter]

Ok. Cleared up. He didn't hear anything from Gray right?

And the main thread is ready for replies now?

[Wired*Nun]

Yes and yes.

[LynMars]

Glad you're having fun, Dave. :) I think we're mainly waiting to see what happens next in ours, though Rae may try something before too long. Likely won't work too well, but you never know til you do try, right? ;) Anywho, I'll try to formulate something, at least, but if not, go ahead with whatever.

[Wired*Nun]

CRAP! I must have hit edit instead of reply. Sorry Chalice, I wiped out your post...dang it...hope you can reconstruct it...

[chalice]

I can recall most of what was in it, I think - but I've only reconstructed it as far as Eric having his seizure. There was some more stuff to Arrotel, and about binding his hand up, but that can stay gone until later.

[chalice]

Love the way everyone abandons Rebis and Alamor after they fought side by side with them...Roland, you are not the nice guy I thought you were... ;)

[LynMars]

Think it has more to do with trying to get Heldrick up and dealing with those injuries...:smiling:

...And I still wanna know who the guy in black was down in that Maze chamber...what else did Benedict and Luke do down there? :paranoid:

[chalice]

Think it has more to do with trying to get Heldrick up and dealing with those injuries...:smiling:


Maybe...but I don't notice anyone asking the Duke what's going to happen to the poor schmucks who turned up with Arrotel, fought their little hearts out to help the Amberite kiddy side, and then got left in the dust. Amberite honour, anyone?

[Shutter]

Hey, the man said take Heldrik. Chaosites can deal with eachother.....Alamor though, yeah, Roland and I feel badly about him, but he's dead as far as Roland can tell, and I keep forgetting he's there because the dead don't really take up much text.

[Shutter]

Maybe...but I don't notice anyone asking the Duke what's going to happen to the poor schmucks who turned up with Arrotel, fought their little hearts out to help the Amberite kiddy side, and then got left in the dust. Amberite honour, anyone?

Not really Roland's place to ask the Duke anything. Dalt, a fairly savy chap, seemed content to trust in The Forms, so he and his men are probably ok. Rebis hadn't bothered to speak up for himself, and yeah, like I said, Alamor looks dead to me.

[Tamarind]

Rebis hadn't bothered to speak up for himself, and yeah, like I said, Alamor looks dead to me.

Perils of waiting for an answer to Comms before posting, but he got there in the end :)

Maybe when the others get back Rebis'll get a mention in the Great Book of Amber for his efforts - a line or two perhaps, nothing too fancy :roll:

[chalice]

Umm...we were playing dead? oops! Sorry! Dummy me missed that bit. Not that Gray had a hope in hell of resisting a Trump call from Arrotel even if she wanted to...

[Shutter]

So, I just fiinished off another trip through the first five books of the Amber chronicles. Still one thing I don't understand and can't yet explain away:

How did Caine manage to wrangle up one of the guys that had been imprisoning Brand to leave by "his" body?

It's not explained in the first five books, and I don't recall it being explained in the second five either (and I really don't want to read those again to find out. Might get hit with a spikard or something...)

Anyone know?

[chalice]

Didn't some of those guys chase Random off to ShadowEarth (where they fight Random, Corwin, and Flora)? Maybe Caine grabbed one then and kept it on ice? I don't recall the books ever being specific, though.

[Shutter]

They did indeed chase Random around a good bit. So, it's possible that he just kept one around....but that was a good five year delay in between.

[LynMars]

Maybe he used the descriptions Corwin gave to find something close enough? Or he knew something from before...Or one of the others was involved after all.

[Thanos]

I think that Flora Blabbed to Caine about the description. Caine used the Pattern to port to the place where Brand was kept, then caught one of them and did the rest thats in the books.

Also, Caine was one of the wonderers before he took one of the fleets. If he had decided to 'discover' his chaosian roots and discovered. Then he blapped about these guys and Fi/Bleys picked up on it.

Alternately, perhaps Fi/Bleys took Caine into their confidence at the start and showed him the Chaos shadow where those guys came from. Then he decided that Eric could do him better and went in that direction.

[Wired*Nun]

Think it has more to do with trying to get Heldrick up and dealing with those injuries...:smiling:

...And I still wanna know who the guy in black was down in that Maze chamber...what else did Benedict and Luke do down there? :paranoid:

Gotta leave some mystery in this game...actually there are so many loose threads you guys couild be following up for quite a while...but that's just the style of game I run...

[Wired*Nun]

So, I just fiinished off another trip through the first five books of the Amber chronicles. Still one thing I don't understand and can't yet explain away:

How did Caine manage to wrangle up one of the guys that had been imprisoning Brand to leave by "his" body?

It's not explained in the first five books, and I don't recall it being explained in the second five either (and I really don't want to read those again to find out. Might get hit with a spikard or something...)

Anyone know?

There are tons of possibilities, but never explained - Thanos mentioned some. Remember he tapped Trumps, he could have seen them in someone's mind, or someone could have told him later where they came from...and to my mind, Caine was one of the ones most likely to have made some Chaos contacts (aside from the redheads).

[Icebird]

Oops about hawk confusion. I looked at my posts to see if I had mentioned bringing him through, but it was apparently too early in the morning for me to notice such a small detail. Edited his train of thought to reflect this.

[chalice]

I'm an aunty again! My brother and sister-in-law just added a baby boy (who will be very lucky not to get christened Valentine) to their two adorable girls!!!! Can't wait for the weekend, when I can get up to see him:D

<dashes off for a frenzy of shopping for tiny clothes and cuddly toys>

[LynMars]

Whheee! Babies! Trey's brother and sister-in-law should be adding a boy to their two girls soon as well. Same compostion as myself and my siblings, actually...odd. Seems kinda common. ;)

[Wired*Nun]

Sorry Raevyn's thread is bogged, kind of waiting for pyggy to chip in...

[Pygysys]

Sorry, I've chipped. :) Congrats to Chalice!

[chalice]

:) Congrats to Chalice!

Thanks, hon. 'Fraid you got me bouncing about this here and in the Changeling group. High as a kite I am. The babe is perfect - even though there was an honest-to-goodness knot in his umbilical cord, which was wrapped about his neck (my little brother tells me, all would-be-nonchalent-like) - I'm thinking they should name him 'Lucky'...:KO:

[chalice]

I thought Landon was going through to Coirwin, leaving Helena with us?

[Pygysys]

Thanks, hon. 'Fraid you got me bouncing about this here and in the Changeling group. High as a kite I am. The babe is perfect - even though there was an honest-to-goodness knot in his umbilical cord, which was wrapped about his neck (my little brother tells me, all would-be-nonchalent-like) - I'm thinking they should name him 'Lucky'...:KO:

That's okay, Chalice. Glad to hear that he came through perfect and I'm still of the opinion if they don't call him Lucky they should call him 'Luc' or perhaps 'Chance'. ;)

[TreyKincaide]

Sorry, Dave if I'm flurry posting. Been on campus all day and tend to post quickly when I'm bored in class, I tend to grasp at any means to distract myself.

[LynMars]

Was going to ask, if you weren't supposed to be in that long class...And yeah, I'm kinda slacking myself. Long day:?

[Wired*Nun]

It's all right, I'm having fun juggling everything.

[chalice]

Ooh, lots of people here at once! Hasn't happened in a while. Fun!

[LynMars]

Yay!

*Wonders if Trey got those tickets, and if casual-nice will work for dinner tonight*

[chalice]

Couldn't help myself - I just missed having Asmundson around:nod:

[Pygysys]

Speaking of classes and long days... I'm going to dread Friday's at uni this semester. I start at 9am and go through to 6pm without a break. Seriously, no breaks. I have a lecture followed by two practicals back to back - 3 hours followed by 5 hours. Do they do that to you at your schools? *Weeps*

[chalice]

Thay didn't...but then, I was a History student.

Cantabrigian 'joke' about History students: "what does '1900' mean to an historian?" - "Bar's open."

[Wired*Nun]

Well, I'm out! Thanks for playing!