Sometimes, certain moments in-game will speak to me, and story will write itself in my head. This is one of those moments.
To set the stage: E.VAC (illusion control/radiation emission controller) is on a Statesman Task Force. The mission is to defeat the real security chief in order to gain access to Dr. Aeon's lab. There are a lot of Arachnos forces along the way.
As far as the game was concerned, E was trading mental blows with a Night Widow. He was using Blind, Spectral Wounds, and Power Blast. She was using her smoke grenade and mind blasts. Then E's Phantom Army, finished with their previous target, came over and finished her off.
E gritted his teeth, sending darts of mind-numbing pain into the Widow's head. She sent back psionic bolts of her own, sending twitches and convulsions through the hero's body with each blast. E fired his gauntlet blasters in an attempt to knock her off balance. She lobbed another smoke grenade, trying to distract him, thinking the hero would lose concentration if he couldn't see.
"You know," she suddenly said, flicking the pin out of another grenade, "it doesn't have to be like this."
"Like what?" he growled, sending out another wave of pain, fueled by his own wounds.
"We don't have to fight," she tried to say between grunts of effort. "Arachnos could use someone like you. We're not so different. And Widows aren't exclusively women any more." She looked him up and down beneath the concealing helmet. "We could use... a man like you."
EVAC laughed hollowly as he squeezed off another shot from his wrists. "Sorry, lady," he said dryly, "but there's one big difference between me and you. Between me and the kinda psychics you guys recruit."
She raised an eyebrow, thinking she knew exactly what he was going to say. "Oh, yeah? What's that?" Heroes always say the same thing.
E chuckled and stood up straight, jerking a thumb back over his shoulder. "These guys," he said simply.
Her eyes widened in horror as four phantoms swarmed over her and tore her mind apart.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Shield Team (Vagabond Knight, Tresa M'Orrigan, Pas d'Armes, and Li-Hwan), trapped in an alternate dimension where opening chests destroys the world, receive some timely help from Mender Silos (aka GM_Sven)
Tyrant!
Jez Cavell: about to clean Dominatrix' clock. Or just stick a knife in it.
Blood Crucible trying to keep his eyes from popping out of his head at Jez's "undercover" outfit (insert ribald joke here).Saturday, December 6, 2008
I Do Not Hate Merits
I know I am distinctly in the minority, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Story arcs and task/strike forces will earn me merits which I can eventually spend to get the IOs that everyone wants. IOs that for me I have to either level to 50 without spending influence/infamy in order to afford, or I have to get really damn lucky.
People keep saying merits will destroy the economy of the game. As one of those that is constantly shafted by that "economy", I have to say: let the destruction come. I want to be able to get that last Luck of the Gambler for Will, pick up that Numina proc and Performance Shifter for TankVagz, and not have to pool all of my characters' money to do so.
Sorry, guys. *shrug*
People keep saying merits will destroy the economy of the game. As one of those that is constantly shafted by that "economy", I have to say: let the destruction come. I want to be able to get that last Luck of the Gambler for Will, pick up that Numina proc and Performance Shifter for TankVagz, and not have to pool all of my characters' money to do so.
Sorry, guys. *shrug*
Thursday, December 4, 2008
I13 So Far
The night I13 dropped, I was all fired up to make Vagabond Knight (Shield Defense/Fiery Melee Tank). But the patch server wouldn't even let me in. I eventually gave up on it (about my normal bedtime) and just left my computer on so it'd eventually finish downloading without me. It did.
So last night, I got in, loaded up Vagabond Mage (Fire Blast/Electricity Manipulation Blaster) and saved his base costume. Then I went back to the login and deleted my place-holder Vagabond Knight and started a new character. I still had to choose the body type and sliders. Okay, I've got those saved, and I think I can get the height right this time. I get to the costuming screen and click Load.
It won't let me load the costume because options that BlasterVagz has open, TankVagz does not. Bastards. Why couldn't it load up the costume parts that aren't the cape and aura? *grumble*
Okay, so I re-make the costume from scratch. Not that hard.
I'm enjoying my new tank so far. Got to level 6. But I realize I lack experience with the AT and both powersets. So I'm probably going to need to plan ahead so I can figure out what powers I can and need to skip. On top of primary and secondary, I need to fit in 3 Fitness pool powers (Swift, Health, Stamina) and 2 Teleportation (most likely Teleport Foe and Teleport). It'd be nice to fit in Hover, too, but I'll skip it if I have to. I won't be hover-tanking, after all. Just using it to be lazy and magey. :)
Recommendations welcome!
So last night, I got in, loaded up Vagabond Mage (Fire Blast/Electricity Manipulation Blaster) and saved his base costume. Then I went back to the login and deleted my place-holder Vagabond Knight and started a new character. I still had to choose the body type and sliders. Okay, I've got those saved, and I think I can get the height right this time. I get to the costuming screen and click Load.
It won't let me load the costume because options that BlasterVagz has open, TankVagz does not. Bastards. Why couldn't it load up the costume parts that aren't the cape and aura? *grumble*
Okay, so I re-make the costume from scratch. Not that hard.
I'm enjoying my new tank so far. Got to level 6. But I realize I lack experience with the AT and both powersets. So I'm probably going to need to plan ahead so I can figure out what powers I can and need to skip. On top of primary and secondary, I need to fit in 3 Fitness pool powers (Swift, Health, Stamina) and 2 Teleportation (most likely Teleport Foe and Teleport). It'd be nice to fit in Hover, too, but I'll skip it if I have to. I won't be hover-tanking, after all. Just using it to be lazy and magey. :)
Recommendations welcome!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Super Booster II
From Joystiq interview (with Positron):
You've said before that the team has more microtransactional content planned already. Do you have any details to offer on any of these future 'Super Booster' packs?
Super Booster II will be a magic-themed pack that will sit alongside the Cyborg pack very well. It will have costume pieces and other goodies that are themed for both stage magicians as well as your more traditional fantasy mages.
Woot!
You've said before that the team has more microtransactional content planned already. Do you have any details to offer on any of these future 'Super Booster' packs?
Super Booster II will be a magic-themed pack that will sit alongside the Cyborg pack very well. It will have costume pieces and other goodies that are themed for both stage magicians as well as your more traditional fantasy mages.
Woot!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Veteran's Day - Thank You
It's Veteran's Day here in the U.S. In honor of the occasion, I'd like to thank anyone who has ever risked their life in service of their country. From the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to the Coast Guard and National Guard to firefighters and police officers to security guards...
Thank you to anyone who has ever risked their life to try to make this world a safer place for the rest of us.
more animals
Thank you to anyone who has ever risked their life to try to make this world a safer place for the rest of us.
more animals
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Since I Couldn't Sleep...
I've been having some trouble with insomnia again lately. Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep. Since I was awake again last night, I fired up the computer and dove into Test's costume creator.
The Brawler was not exaggerating. There are an enormous number of shield options, and they all look fantastic. I tried really hard not to let them inspire character ideas since I'm already contemplating 2-3 shield characters. The real reason I was in there was to see the options and to pick a shield for Vagabond Knight.
Now, I've been playing the character of the Vagabond since 1990. I have a good idea of what he and his stuff looks like in my head. Often, it's hard to make that come out on paper or in a video game, and I end up settling in one way or another. Sometimes it comes out good anyway. Sometimes, not so much.
The shield options are fantastic. Shapes and sizes, colors and textures, patterns and emblems... even if I13 creates City of Shields, there is so much variety that everyone's will look different. And they had the perfect shield for Vagz. Right size, right shape, coloration... it's not perfect to what I've always pictured in my head, but it's damn close. And it looked fantastic in the creator. I'm betting it'll look good in the game, too.
No screenshot. You'll just have to wait to see what it looks like. :)
The Brawler was not exaggerating. There are an enormous number of shield options, and they all look fantastic. I tried really hard not to let them inspire character ideas since I'm already contemplating 2-3 shield characters. The real reason I was in there was to see the options and to pick a shield for Vagabond Knight.
Now, I've been playing the character of the Vagabond since 1990. I have a good idea of what he and his stuff looks like in my head. Often, it's hard to make that come out on paper or in a video game, and I end up settling in one way or another. Sometimes it comes out good anyway. Sometimes, not so much.
The shield options are fantastic. Shapes and sizes, colors and textures, patterns and emblems... even if I13 creates City of Shields, there is so much variety that everyone's will look different. And they had the perfect shield for Vagz. Right size, right shape, coloration... it's not perfect to what I've always pictured in my head, but it's damn close. And it looked fantastic in the creator. I'm betting it'll look good in the game, too.
No screenshot. You'll just have to wait to see what it looks like. :)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I13 Plans
Yes, I already have characters created in my head. These are ranked from "absolutely creating the second I13 drops" down to "will create if I have time/interest".
Vagabond Knight (Shield/Fire tank)
* I already have the name reserved because I worried with shields coming, others might make a grab for it. Fyre and I have spotted other "Vagabond" characters running around... I would've made him shield/broadsword, but two things: they're not proliferating broadsword to tanks (yet), and I've already done broadsword. I contemplated Axe and Mace, but the sword is really Vagz' preferred weapon, and I kinda like that Fire includes a sword (sorta). And this way, I get a tank and two powersets I haven't played yet.
Unnamed E-VAC version (Psionic or Radiation/Pain corrupter)
*Oh, yes. E is coming back. "Pain Domination" is just too perfect for him. I'm having trouble coming up with the right name, though, mostly 'cause I'm not sure he'll go by a variation on "EVAC" with the story I've got cooking. Now what could make him go bad? Hmm...
Unnamed Will version (Shield/Mace tank)
* Yeah, you weren't the only one thinking this, Keen. :) Will's supposed to have been a SWAT officer from way back, so a riot shield and baton? All over this. Srsly. I had my fingers crossed for a riot shield, but was thinking tech mace or Energy Melee (from the power gauntlets) until I heard about the riot baton. We'll see, though. HeroWill hasn't seen a lot of play and the original Will has seen pretty much none. Plus, starting up two tanks when I've had a hard time playing tanks before might not be a good idea. My highest-level tank to date reached 16 before he was deleted.
Unnamed Blood Crucible version (Broadsword or Katana/Dark Armor or Shield or Super Reflexes or Willpower scrapper)
* Just a thought I'm toying with. As you can probably tell, it's not even close to formed yet. I enjoy the character and don't want to stop playing him once he hits 50. :) My only hesitation is playing him as just another flavor of scrapper. Dunno. We'll see.
Vagabond Knight (Shield/Fire tank)
* I already have the name reserved because I worried with shields coming, others might make a grab for it. Fyre and I have spotted other "Vagabond" characters running around... I would've made him shield/broadsword, but two things: they're not proliferating broadsword to tanks (yet), and I've already done broadsword. I contemplated Axe and Mace, but the sword is really Vagz' preferred weapon, and I kinda like that Fire includes a sword (sorta). And this way, I get a tank and two powersets I haven't played yet.
Unnamed E-VAC version (Psionic or Radiation/Pain corrupter)
*Oh, yes. E is coming back. "Pain Domination" is just too perfect for him. I'm having trouble coming up with the right name, though, mostly 'cause I'm not sure he'll go by a variation on "EVAC" with the story I've got cooking. Now what could make him go bad? Hmm...
Unnamed Will version (Shield/Mace tank)
* Yeah, you weren't the only one thinking this, Keen. :) Will's supposed to have been a SWAT officer from way back, so a riot shield and baton? All over this. Srsly. I had my fingers crossed for a riot shield, but was thinking tech mace or Energy Melee (from the power gauntlets) until I heard about the riot baton. We'll see, though. HeroWill hasn't seen a lot of play and the original Will has seen pretty much none. Plus, starting up two tanks when I've had a hard time playing tanks before might not be a good idea. My highest-level tank to date reached 16 before he was deleted.
Unnamed Blood Crucible version (Broadsword or Katana/Dark Armor or Shield or Super Reflexes or Willpower scrapper)
* Just a thought I'm toying with. As you can probably tell, it's not even close to formed yet. I enjoy the character and don't want to stop playing him once he hits 50. :) My only hesitation is playing him as just another flavor of scrapper. Dunno. We'll see.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Shields
Posted on the official forums by "Back Alley Brawler" at 10/24/08 05:44 PM:
Holy cow!Just tallied up our shields yesterday and we now have 41 variations (different geometry or base textures). That's not counting all of the patterns or emblems.
Bad news is Rachael threatened to choke us out and bury us in the marshes behind the Google complex if we tried to sneak in any more, so this last batch (in next week's build) will probably be it for a while.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Boys and Girls of Every Age...
If you haven't been to the City of Heroes official site or weren't in game last night... the Halloween Event has begun!
Fyre and I were in the depths of Dark Astoria, RPing and about to head into a mission. When suddenly, there was a bizarre minor-key strum of music, slightly longer than the ones you get moving from area to area in the zones. Both of us were just staring at each other in silence, each one silently wondering if the other was hearing the same thing. How do I know? 'Cause once it was silent again, we each asked the other "did you hear that"? :)
Then it started.
The earth ripped open. Long, dead hands clawed their way upward, and we were surrounded by the walking dead. Not cybernetic, green-from-embalming-fluid, strapped-with-explosives Vahzilok zombies. Not dried-out, glowing-runes-on-their-chests Banished Pantheon zombies. No, not even the stripped-down zombies that come out of the Trick doors. These are rotting corpse zombies of the classic horror movie style. Bared teeth, rotting clothes, groaning and making disturbing noises... and according to the zone event alerts, they were freakin' EVERYWHERE.
I don't know how long the attack lasted, but it was longer than I expected. It was probably the coolest, most Halloweenish thing ever, and Fyre and I got to experience it deep in Moth Cemetery in Dark Astoria. PERFECT!
Fyre and I were in the depths of Dark Astoria, RPing and about to head into a mission. When suddenly, there was a bizarre minor-key strum of music, slightly longer than the ones you get moving from area to area in the zones. Both of us were just staring at each other in silence, each one silently wondering if the other was hearing the same thing. How do I know? 'Cause once it was silent again, we each asked the other "did you hear that"? :)
Then it started.
The earth ripped open. Long, dead hands clawed their way upward, and we were surrounded by the walking dead. Not cybernetic, green-from-embalming-fluid, strapped-with-explosives Vahzilok zombies. Not dried-out, glowing-runes-on-their-chests Banished Pantheon zombies. No, not even the stripped-down zombies that come out of the Trick doors. These are rotting corpse zombies of the classic horror movie style. Bared teeth, rotting clothes, groaning and making disturbing noises... and according to the zone event alerts, they were freakin' EVERYWHERE.
I don't know how long the attack lasted, but it was longer than I expected. It was probably the coolest, most Halloweenish thing ever, and Fyre and I got to experience it deep in Moth Cemetery in Dark Astoria. PERFECT!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Will Work for Costume Items
...yeah, I just did it. Another $10 for more costume items, emotes, and auras. And I already have plans for some of the items.
But no, I did not shell out the extra $5 for the rocket pack. Not gonna do it. Nope. I have willpower.
*slaps his own hand away from the credit card* No!
But no, I did not shell out the extra $5 for the rocket pack. Not gonna do it. Nope. I have willpower.
*slaps his own hand away from the credit card* No!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Update!
Just to summarize my City of... of late. Some items briefer than others. :)
Vagabond Wizard
I love the RP between DefenderVagz and Lunatrix. We've hit a point where I'm really curious to see what will happen next, and I'm eager to play again. :)
I know the ice shields aren't any fun to look at, but Luna's a freakin' tank with all those buffs. I've added Electric Mastery, so Vagz has a single-target immobilize to throw down now: the same Electric Fence that he spams with gleeful abandon as BlasterVagz. Luna's added Cold Mastery, so in addition to Vagz' three slows, we have another one. With all the talk of caps, I wonder what the bottom is? >:)
A few more levels and Vagz will have armor and Luna will... have another shield. Yikes.
Sounds of Silence
I love the VEATs. When we actually come up against a challenge, we're shocked. I love that! I wasn't going to take Mind Link 'cause I didn't think we needed another defense buff, but the Devouring Earth taught me that sometimes we will. And it gives a huge buff against psi which, you know, very handy. And it gives a to-hit buff. So that's what I'm mainly slotting it for.
Silence can tell the three of them are getting stronger. And now he's discovered that Lord Recluse has been screwing with them. That just firms up his resolve to become the best of the Widows. He's working his way up to... well, it might be obvious, and if it's not... I'm not going to tell you! :-D
Vagabond Blade
After sitting at 48 forever, Fyre and I went on an ITF yesterday (yay for paid days off). She took Evan Caine, that defender everyone's talking about (I teamed with her once before, honest). It was a good strong ITF, and we did really well. Afterwards, I was just over 2 bubbles from level. So we went and smacked around some Praetorians... and Vagz is now Hero of the City twice over.
Shouldn't be too much longer 'til it's three times...
Derick Darklight
Darklight finally made a full-blown appearance last night. Derick was walloped a few times by Red Caps and ended up face-planting a lot. Darklight seized the opportunity to force Derick to the back and take over. Ellianne Sylvanie had a chance to actually talk to him once she realized Derick wasn't in control any longer.
Unfortunately for Darklight, while he's getting stronger, Derick is still a force to be reckoned with. Derick forced the Nictus back down again relatively quickly. Elli almost sounded disappointed... :)
But Darklight's not done yet...
Vagabond Wizard
I love the RP between DefenderVagz and Lunatrix. We've hit a point where I'm really curious to see what will happen next, and I'm eager to play again. :)
I know the ice shields aren't any fun to look at, but Luna's a freakin' tank with all those buffs. I've added Electric Mastery, so Vagz has a single-target immobilize to throw down now: the same Electric Fence that he spams with gleeful abandon as BlasterVagz. Luna's added Cold Mastery, so in addition to Vagz' three slows, we have another one. With all the talk of caps, I wonder what the bottom is? >:)
A few more levels and Vagz will have armor and Luna will... have another shield. Yikes.
Sounds of Silence
I love the VEATs. When we actually come up against a challenge, we're shocked. I love that! I wasn't going to take Mind Link 'cause I didn't think we needed another defense buff, but the Devouring Earth taught me that sometimes we will. And it gives a huge buff against psi which, you know, very handy. And it gives a to-hit buff. So that's what I'm mainly slotting it for.
Silence can tell the three of them are getting stronger. And now he's discovered that Lord Recluse has been screwing with them. That just firms up his resolve to become the best of the Widows. He's working his way up to... well, it might be obvious, and if it's not... I'm not going to tell you! :-D
Vagabond Blade
After sitting at 48 forever, Fyre and I went on an ITF yesterday (yay for paid days off). She took Evan Caine, that defender everyone's talking about (I teamed with her once before, honest). It was a good strong ITF, and we did really well. Afterwards, I was just over 2 bubbles from level. So we went and smacked around some Praetorians... and Vagz is now Hero of the City twice over.
Shouldn't be too much longer 'til it's three times...
Derick Darklight
Darklight finally made a full-blown appearance last night. Derick was walloped a few times by Red Caps and ended up face-planting a lot. Darklight seized the opportunity to force Derick to the back and take over. Ellianne Sylvanie had a chance to actually talk to him once she realized Derick wasn't in control any longer.
Unfortunately for Darklight, while he's getting stronger, Derick is still a force to be reckoned with. Derick forced the Nictus back down again relatively quickly. Elli almost sounded disappointed... :)
But Darklight's not done yet...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Quality of Life
Ever since Issue 12 came out... heck, including Issue 12... I've noticed the devs are putting out a lot of so-called "Quality of Life" (QoL) fixes. Listening to the playerbase, they're changing graphics, adding emotes, tweaking with power's graphical FX... I just have to say:
It's a beautiful thing. :)
It's fantastic that we have developers who play the game and listen to their players. Yes, they have their own limits they have to operate in. No, they shouldn't listen to every idiot with an opinion. But they don't have to give us some of this stuff to keep us playing. And yet, they do. And they get into endless discussions with people on the forums about it, too.
Some of the stuff that's come down the pipe recently that made me happy:
It's a beautiful thing. :)
It's fantastic that we have developers who play the game and listen to their players. Yes, they have their own limits they have to operate in. No, they shouldn't listen to every idiot with an opinion. But they don't have to give us some of this stuff to keep us playing. And yet, they do. And they get into endless discussions with people on the forums about it, too.
Some of the stuff that's come down the pipe recently that made me happy:
- Removed Graphical FX on auto powers granted from mayhem missions. (currently on Test)
- Fixed an issue where a player would not receive tells or see team chat messages as they were zoning. (funny that it was just tells and Team...)
- Mastermind Soldier Medics now lose their Brawl attack when their Tier 1 upgrade is applied. This makes them less likely to rush forward into combat. (Yay!)
- Lady Jane should act more intelligently in combat situations now.
- 48 Month Veteran Reward pets should no longer charge into combat. Really.
One that has made me sad:
Cold Domination/Heat Loss: The endurance recovery buff portion of this power was granting ten times greater recovery than was intended. This has been corrected.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Strong Earthquake Jolts SoCal
First of all, I'm okay. My office shook really hard and long, but there's no damage and no injuries. From KTLA.com...
July 29, 2008, 11:56 AM PDT LOS ANGELES -- A 5.8 earthquake has just struck Southern California and was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego and slightly in Las Vegas.
Preliminary information indicates the epicenter was 29 miles east-southeast of downtown Los Angeles near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake hit at 11:42 a.m. Buildings in Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles swayed for several seconds. Many residents report that the quake appeared to last 30 to 40 seconds.
Residents in the San Fernando Valley reported water from swimming pools swished from side to side and people ran out of their homes yelling "Earthquake!".
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said there were not immediate reports of damage or injury in Los Angeles.
July 29, 2008, 11:56 AM PDT LOS ANGELES -- A 5.8 earthquake has just struck Southern California and was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego and slightly in Las Vegas.
Preliminary information indicates the epicenter was 29 miles east-southeast of downtown Los Angeles near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake hit at 11:42 a.m. Buildings in Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles swayed for several seconds. Many residents report that the quake appeared to last 30 to 40 seconds.
Residents in the San Fernando Valley reported water from swimming pools swished from side to side and people ran out of their homes yelling "Earthquake!".
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said there were not immediate reports of damage or injury in Los Angeles.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
i can has?
i has... *ahem* Today I adopted a new kitty. She doesn't have a name yet, but we'll work on that. :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
On VEATs
Okay, so to be honest, this'll mostly be about Blood/Night Widows, but in general, here's what I think so far:
Soldiers of Arachnos are awesome, and I wonder how we're able to defeat them as often and as handily as we do. :)
Seriously, if the NPC Soldiers of Arachnos had these powers, all working together, they should be handing our butts to us on a daily... no hourly basis. I love the concept of trained soldiers having powers that buff each other and/or the entire team. It does, however, make them pretty disgustingly powerful, especially when you've got several together.
My biggest problem? There are too many powers I want to take. Maybe it's the "ooh, shiny" of powers I've never seen before, but it seems like there are way more powers I'm going to want than are going to actually be available to me. Like Keen mentions in his blog, I haven't taken a travel power yet. So far, I'm sliding by on the temp power. Originally, I thought teleport would be the way to go, and I'd use Teleport Foe... but I think I used it three times since taking it. So I took advantage of the level 24 respec to get out of it and grab Hasten instead. I'm managing my endurance just fine and finding pauses in my attack chain, so between that and the Widow power that increases my attack rate, I think I'll be doing just fine now.
And ahh... Widow Smoke Grenade. Fyre mentioned this, and it's true: if this was the only Night Widow power I could ever take, I'd still play one. It recharges nice and fast, and having been the victim of this attack so often, I can imagine how frustrated and blind my enemies suddenly find themselves. Mean? Maybe. But they deserve it. >:)
RP-wise, I think I've got interesting story/concept with Sounds of Silence, but I'm running into the same problem I usually do RPing a villain: I'm not evil enough. Sure, when I'm running a role-playing game, I'm playing all the villains, but it's not long-term. Not really. They show, they do evil, they're defeated, new villains next week. They might come back again later, but it's not the same thing.
And the missions make it really hard to play a not-evil villain. I tried really hard with Will, and by the end... well, I was having to re-write mission plots or just run them OOC, knowing Will would never do such things.
I'm trying to make Silence a nice compromise. He's cold and vicious, not reluctant to kill to get to his goals. But deep down, he's still the person he was before Arachnos made him into a Widower, and that's mostly (so far) reflected in his long-term goals and the way he treats his team-mates/allies. I'm having a hard time getting a handle on the team-mates, though. I tried to jump-start us into it by playing off that the three had come to some sort of agreement or pact before they even got started. But that was just a quick and dirty way to get started, and to be fair, I didn't run it past Keen and Fyre before doing it. I'm trying to figure out what kind of people Karma Noir and Operative Lee really are so I can figure out what Silence really thinks of them, but I'm having trouble nailing it down.
Hopefully I'll get it figured out, though. I'm really loving being a Night Widower, but I don't want to be in it just to level a character. I play City of _____ to role-play and tell stories. Really get into a character, not just a "toon".
Soldiers of Arachnos are awesome, and I wonder how we're able to defeat them as often and as handily as we do. :)
Seriously, if the NPC Soldiers of Arachnos had these powers, all working together, they should be handing our butts to us on a daily... no hourly basis. I love the concept of trained soldiers having powers that buff each other and/or the entire team. It does, however, make them pretty disgustingly powerful, especially when you've got several together.
My biggest problem? There are too many powers I want to take. Maybe it's the "ooh, shiny" of powers I've never seen before, but it seems like there are way more powers I'm going to want than are going to actually be available to me. Like Keen mentions in his blog, I haven't taken a travel power yet. So far, I'm sliding by on the temp power. Originally, I thought teleport would be the way to go, and I'd use Teleport Foe... but I think I used it three times since taking it. So I took advantage of the level 24 respec to get out of it and grab Hasten instead. I'm managing my endurance just fine and finding pauses in my attack chain, so between that and the Widow power that increases my attack rate, I think I'll be doing just fine now.
And ahh... Widow Smoke Grenade. Fyre mentioned this, and it's true: if this was the only Night Widow power I could ever take, I'd still play one. It recharges nice and fast, and having been the victim of this attack so often, I can imagine how frustrated and blind my enemies suddenly find themselves. Mean? Maybe. But they deserve it. >:)
RP-wise, I think I've got interesting story/concept with Sounds of Silence, but I'm running into the same problem I usually do RPing a villain: I'm not evil enough. Sure, when I'm running a role-playing game, I'm playing all the villains, but it's not long-term. Not really. They show, they do evil, they're defeated, new villains next week. They might come back again later, but it's not the same thing.
And the missions make it really hard to play a not-evil villain. I tried really hard with Will, and by the end... well, I was having to re-write mission plots or just run them OOC, knowing Will would never do such things.
I'm trying to make Silence a nice compromise. He's cold and vicious, not reluctant to kill to get to his goals. But deep down, he's still the person he was before Arachnos made him into a Widower, and that's mostly (so far) reflected in his long-term goals and the way he treats his team-mates/allies. I'm having a hard time getting a handle on the team-mates, though. I tried to jump-start us into it by playing off that the three had come to some sort of agreement or pact before they even got started. But that was just a quick and dirty way to get started, and to be fair, I didn't run it past Keen and Fyre before doing it. I'm trying to figure out what kind of people Karma Noir and Operative Lee really are so I can figure out what Silence really thinks of them, but I'm having trouble nailing it down.
Hopefully I'll get it figured out, though. I'm really loving being a Night Widower, but I don't want to be in it just to level a character. I play City of _____ to role-play and tell stories. Really get into a character, not just a "toon".
Monday, July 21, 2008
Double XP Weekend - recap
First off, I've been meaning to post on the VEATs. And I will. Promise. But this isn't that post.
Blood Crucible 44 -> 45
Derick Darklight 23 -> 30 (almost 31)
Sounds of Silence 17 -> 25
So that's 16, almost 17 levels gained in one weekend. And BC gained his level in just the couple hours Fyre and I played Friday night.
I only had one moment where I was unable to get into Virtue, and that's when I signed on a bit early for Altitis Sunday. Ended up logging on Sleetsquall, of all people, dropping a mission, and then logging out... and I was able to get into Virtue. So no sweat. Had some lag, some rubber-banding, and some mapserver issues. Also minor.
The one big beef I had with the weekend was the constant dropping of Global. I've come to expect it on busy weekends and with new issue launches. But realizing that I've come to expect it suddenly ticked me off. This happens every time there's a busy weekend or an issue launch. Why haven't they figured out why it happens and fixed it? Why are some of these bugs/errors/problems/annoyances still issues?
Enh. Anyway. Very productive and fun 2xXP weekend, but I'll be glad to see things settle back to normal. :)
Blood Crucible 44 -> 45
Derick Darklight 23 -> 30 (almost 31)
Sounds of Silence 17 -> 25
So that's 16, almost 17 levels gained in one weekend. And BC gained his level in just the couple hours Fyre and I played Friday night.
I only had one moment where I was unable to get into Virtue, and that's when I signed on a bit early for Altitis Sunday. Ended up logging on Sleetsquall, of all people, dropping a mission, and then logging out... and I was able to get into Virtue. So no sweat. Had some lag, some rubber-banding, and some mapserver issues. Also minor.
The one big beef I had with the weekend was the constant dropping of Global. I've come to expect it on busy weekends and with new issue launches. But realizing that I've come to expect it suddenly ticked me off. This happens every time there's a busy weekend or an issue launch. Why haven't they figured out why it happens and fixed it? Why are some of these bugs/errors/problems/annoyances still issues?
Enh. Anyway. Very productive and fun 2xXP weekend, but I'll be glad to see things settle back to normal. :)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Fourth of July!
Yes, here in the United States, today is Independence Day. The day we celebrate the birth of our nation by blowing up small portions of it. In honor of the day, I present you with something patriotic and cheesy...
Yes, friends, it's a rendering of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, carved out of a 1,000 lb. block of cheese. I'm a strange person, I know. :D
Happy birthday, America.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Counterpoint
Almost as if in response to the article Fyre posted, here's an interesting new find:
The world has gotten happier.
The world has gotten happier.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Unmaking
The following is an in-character retelling of events which took place in City of Heroes in 2005. Those who were in the Dauntless Reverie then (or just the role-playing community) may recall these events. These events have also been documented by MAGI and are part of the vagabond's public record.
Vagabond Wizard: So. Should I try to find more trouble for us to get into? Or has that been enough for one evening?
Lunatrix: Like I said, you're in charge.
Vagabond Wizard: And I'm making an executive decision to consult you.
Lunatrix: I'm not anxious to find any more "trouble," myself, but whatever.
Vagabond Wizard: Then we can knock off for the night. 'Twould take effort to seek more anyway. *chuckles*
Lunatrix: Good. Freaks give me a headache, apparently.
Vagabond Wizard: Too much... ah... noise?
Lunatrix: Too much smashing.
Vagabond Wizard: Ah. Yes. That part leaves me aching as well. Not always in the head.
Lunatrix: Guess I'm lucky, then.
Vagabond Wizard: Will you be heading home, then?
Lunatrix: I don't think I'm in much of a party mood.
Vagabond Wizard: Do I strike you as a party animal?
Lunatrix: ...I think I missed part of that conversation.
Vagabond Wizard: No worries. If you'd rather head home, I won't keep you. Good night, Luna.
Lunatrix: Wait, what? Why, did you want to get coffee or something?
Vagabond Wizard: I was going to offer, aye. But if you'd rather head home, I understand. We can catch up tomorrow.
Lunatrix: I can't "rather" if I don't have options, can I?
Lunatrix: I can meet you back in the boardwalk in Talos, unless there's somewhere else.
Vagabond Wizard: The boardwalk is a bit crowded, and I don't feel like making room. I'm at the end of one of the piers.
Lunatrix: Okay. I'll meet you there.
Lunatrix: I'd have expected more people out here.
Vagabond Wizard: Barring the occasional party or other large gathering, I very rarely run into anyone out here.
Vagabond Wizard picks up an insulated paper cup beside him, sets it on the air, and blows, floating it over to Luna.
Lunatrix: Quiet, and no trees. Works for me.
Lunatrix takes the cup.
Lunatrix: Thanks....
Lunatrix mutters loud enough for Vagabond to hear, "Show-off."
Vagabond Wizard shrugs and sips from his own cup.
Lunatrix smiles slightly before taking a drink.
Lunatrix: You still owe me a story. But it's getting late. Even though you said you would, I'm starting to think you don't want to tell me.
Vagabond Wizard: My mind gets onto other things. I'm afraid I need reminding.
Vagabond Wizard: It's been a while since someone genuinely wanted to hear my stories.
Lunatrix: I'll admit to a slight curiousity.
Vagabond Wizard smiles a little and sips.
Vagabond Wizard: Just slight?
Lunatrix: It'd be more interest than I've shown in most things, wouldn't it? I don't want to overdo it.
Vagabond Wizard chuckles.
Vagabond Wizard: Have I warned you about the Thornite power crystals?
Lunatrix: The Ori-whatsit, or those colored ones....? Well, either way, not that I remember.
Vagabond Wizard: The blue ones that replenish energy and power... the green ones that speed up the healing process... It feels good to be near them, no? Makes you feel stronger. More sure of yourself. Better able to fight.
Lunatrix: I don't know about the more sure of myself part, but, yeah, they help. Except the red ones, of course.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. Except the red ones. I believe, based on observations in the Hollows, that those are created by accident.
Lunatrix: Huh. I wouldnt' have guessed that.
Vagabond Wizard: Some time when you're in the Hollows, you may come across a group where one is instructing the others how to empower the crystal. If you then startle them, the crystal will change colors.
Lunatrix: I tried not to spend too much time in the Hollows... well, we didn't spend much time there. But I'll take your word for that.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, the power the green and blue crystals grant... it can be addicting. Especially if one's own strength is flagging for... one reason or another.
Lunatrix raises an eyebrow.
Lunatrix: Like what kind of reason?
Vagabond Wizard: Ahh...
Vagabond Wizard sounds a little self-conscious.
Vagabond Wizard: Sometimes... after living a very long time... without certain... ties...
Vagabond Wizard sighs.
Vagabond Wizard: I have spent a lot of my life alone. And lost a great many friends. I get... lonely. Depressed. Weary of life.
Lunatrix nods after a minute.
Lunatrix: I think I get it.
Vagabond Wizard tries to smile, but mostly fails.
Vagabond Wizard: Self-doubt and the like are not conducive to spell-casting. Magic requires a certain... arrogance, to put it bluntly. One must believe in one's own power... or 'twill fail.
Lunatrix gives a quirked smile.
Lunatrix: I think a lot more makes sense once that's taken into consideration.
Lunatrix: The arrogance part, I mean. Of course.
Vagabond Wizard smiles a bit, very self-deprecating.
Vagabond Wizard: I'm glad to clear that up for you.
Lunatrix: Well, you did say it.
Lunatrix waves a hand.
Lunatrix: But go on.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, I do not recall the actual incident that started my... slump. I could make a guess, but my timing is confused, I think.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, I found myself spending a lot of time in Oranbega. And I found my tactics centering more and more about the crystals. Standing within their aura, 'twas easier to fight. Easier to recall spells. I felt less pain.
Lunatrix nods to show she's paying attention and takes a sip of her drink.
Vagabond Wizard: After a while, I was finding excuses to go to Oranbega and to linger. I would dwell beside the crystals, even if I was not alone. Often, team-mates would have to call back for me to remind me to move.
Vagabond Wizard: I took to carrying pieces of charged crystal with me. Just a few at first. Then pocketsful. Using them to recharge my strength... sometimes even when my strength needed no recharging.
Vagabond Wizard: The blue held the strongest draw for me, replenishing my power and allowing me to cast more spells. Work more magic.
Vagabond Wizard: I became more and more withdrawn from my friends and allies. I spent more and more time harvesting and using crystals. The Thornites... well, that would be jumping ahead.
Lunatrix raises an eyebrow slightly but doesn't interrupt.
Vagabond Wizard: I started to become... deranged. Unhinged. My depression worsened as I realized how strong the forces of evil and unlawfulness are in Paragon. The fight started to seem pointless. A waste of time.
Vagabond Wizard: No matter how many I slaughtered, there were always more. Especially of the Thornites.
Vagabond Wizard: I, ah... did not know the secrets of the Thornites' longevity then. Looking back... well, one could say I was rather dense about most of the events leading up to the end.
Lunatrix nods a bit.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, the power I was drawing off the crystals... it began to... overflow. The energies were actually leaking randomly out of me. Although I did not notice and kept drawing on the crystals for more and more.
Vagabond Wizard: Oddly, channeled by the energies, my depression began to feed my... ego. If fighting at the level of the ordinary hero was not helping... well, then I just needed more power than the ordinary hero has. Bigger spells. More damage.
Vagabond Wizard: Greater power, of course. And, as you can probably guess, more crystals.
Lunatrix nods.
Vagabond Wizard: Then it occured to me. The trouble with this plane is that all its gods are passive, imprisoned, or lost. The city didn't need a hero. The city needed an...
Vagabond Wizard coughs, and fidgets.
Vagabond Wizard: I thought Paragon needed a deity. And I thought... at the time, of course... that given enough power and enough crystals... I could...
Vagabond Wizard lifts his hands slowly heavenward.
Lunatrix: Become a god? I get it.
Vagabond Wizard: Lots of people develop god-complexes. Those with super-powers are more prone to it than others. Planeswalkers...
Vagabond Wizard: If you ask people to define what makes a god, those same terms can often be used to describe planeswalkers. It is difficult to find one who has not succumbed to the hubris and set themselves up.
Lunatrix smiles slightly.
Lunatrix: You're making excuses. It must have been bad.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Twas one of the lowest points of my life. And I did not realize it at the time. I am still ashamed.
Vagabond Wizard: Nothing can excuse it. I am merely offering explanations that I think I have discovered in retrospect.
Vagabond Wizard: ...which just come out sounding like excuses.
Lunatrix nods.
Lunatrix: They're excuses. Trust me. I recognize, if not the exact, the general.
Vagabond Wizard sighs.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, I gathered my energies and my crystals. I found the mystical center of Paragon. I drew on the ley lines that run beneath the city.
Vagabond Wizard: You'll find out more once we go to work for Portal Corp, but the dimensional fabric of Paragon City is very weak and thin. I intended to use that weakness, stretch everything out farther... and then break it.
Vagabond Wizard: I was going to unmake Paragon City and start over. The whole "rebuild it in my image" or "reshape it as I see fit" thing you've probably heard before.
Lunatrix shakes her head slightly.
Lunatrix: Not that I know of. But go on.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, that's kind of where the story ends. My friends and allies both within the Dauntless and without located me, quite by accident. Some had felt what was happening. Others came because they'd heard.
Vagabond Wizard: I was swarmed by friends, talked down from my idiocy by people who cared, and slowly drained of my excess energies by those who knew how.
Lunatrix sets her cup aside and stretches.
Lunatrix: Sort of late for an intervention.
Vagabond Wizard: A few had tried before. But as I said, I had been distancing myself. Withdrawing. Most had no idea I was in any manner of trouble.
Lunatrix: I've known addicts. If they didn't notice, they weren't paying attention.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Tis easy to be distracted in this city.
Lunatrix shrugs and nods.
Lunatrix: Maybe. I have to admit, at least you don't think small.
Vagabond Wizard chuckles a little.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, see... here's the rub...
Vagabond Wizard: Weeks... or was it months? Later, I tried something nearly as hare-brained. I don't recall what because... well, we discovered something.
Vagabond Wizard: The Thornites had noticed my harvesting of the crystals and their energies. Far early on in my addiction... they... do they call it "lacing"?
Lunatrix nods.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. They "laced" a crystal for me. With a daemon.
Vagabond Wizard: The daemon was absorbed into my system with the other energies. He made himself hidden within my mind, not controlling or planting thoughts, but picking and choosing things to nurture and bring to prominence.
Lunatrix: Sneaky.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. He was driven out, but not before wreaking a little extra havoc using my body. I got a first-hand look at how the spirit thorns and library crystals work.
Lunatrix frowns slightly in confusion.
Lunatrix: What do you mean?
Vagabond Wizard: Well, after the whole "unmaking the world" thing failed, I guess the daemon thought he'd take a more active role. I obtained a few spirit thorns, he took over my body and...
Vagabond Wizard mimes stabbing himself in the heart.
Lunatrix winces a bit.
Vagabond Wizard: I was only out of my body... well they tell me 'twas an hour or so. See, my friends caught onto this little bit of mischief very quickly. Tracked the daemon down. Battled it, drove it out of my body, and stuck me back in.
Lunatrix nods thoughtfully.
Vagabond Wizard: That's pretty much the complete story as I know it. I may have glossed over a detail or two. But that's the majority of it.
Lunatrix nods again.
Lunatrix: I guess I wish I would have known before we spent so much time in Oranbega. But you seemed, you know, okay.
Vagabond Wizard nods.
Vagabond Wizard: I am. My addiction was as strong as it was because the daemon had made it so. And after the attempt to unmake the world is when MAGI revealed they could bind my magic for me.
Vagabond Wizard: They, uh... did so as punishment for my attempt. But they did hand me my sword which they had been keeping.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Twas easier to quit the crystals with no spells to cast.
Lunatrix: I guess I can see that.
Vagabond Wizard: Still, I try not to tempt myself. I steer clear of the crystals when I can. No sense taking chances.
Vagabond Wizard: Plus, the feeling the crystals give... well, now it inspires memories and revulsion instead of a power rush.
Lunatrix: Probably for the best.
Lunatrix: You must get tired of telling that story. But, like I said, you mentioned it. Just enough to make me curious.
Vagabond Wizard: Actually... you're the first person I've told that story to since...
Vagabond Wizard thinks for a moment.
Vagabond Wizard: No. You're the first person I've told that story to.
Lunatrix: Oh. Well... nevermind, then.
Vagabond Wizard: Curiosity satisfied now? Or over-satisfied, perhaps?
Lunatrix picks up her cup and tears at the edges a bit.
Lunatrix shrugs.
Lunatrix: You mentioned, I asked, you told. It's all good.
Vagabond Wizard watches Luna for a minute or two.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Tis not the part of my life people tend to be most curious about. And I am not proud of it.
Lunatrix shrugs a bit again.
Lunatrix: What part should I have asked about?
Vagabond Wizard: You asked about what you were interested in. And I am glad of that.
Vagabond Wizard: I admit... I am left wondering... what you will think of me now.
Lunatrix: I don't think I have any room to judge.
Vagabond Wizard shrugs a little.
Vagabond Wizard: There is room enough. Not many people can claim to have tried to destroy the world. Fewer still actually had near enough power to do so during the attempt.
Lunatrix: Okay, but... let's see... you were influenced. You actually had good, but twisted, intentions. And maybe if someone else did have the power to do it, they would have tried something similar.
Vagabond Wizard smiles in spite of himself.
Vagabond Wizard: Now you're making my excuses.
Lunatrix: I'm good at excuses. I'm just saying, I'm the last person whose opinion you should be concerned about.
Vagabond Wizard: You're the one I'm spending the most time with of late. Your opinion could therefore bear the most weight. Depending on what it is, of course.
Lunatrix: You should probably hang out with a better class of people. Like I said, though, I'm the last person to judge... and it seems to me that any harm that you might have unwittingly caused, you've more than made up for.
Vagabond Wizard: I like the "class" of people I hang out with. And thank you. I have tried.
Vagabond Wizard slips down from the crate.
Vagabond Wizard: I think I should be heading to my rest. If you come up with anything else you want to ask me, just hold onto it 'til tomorrow?
Lunatrix: I wasn't trying to interogate you... Like I said, you mentioned and hinted, so I was curious.
Vagabond Wizard smiles.
Lunatrix: But I'm sure anything else can wait until tomorrow.
Vagabond Wizard: I did not feel interrogated.
Vagabond Wizard: More like... well, in my experience, once I tell one story, it often leads into another, aye? So if you find yourself wondering something... just ask.
Lunatrix shrugs a little and nods.
Lunatrix: Okay. Go get your rest.
Vagabond Wizard: So. Should I try to find more trouble for us to get into? Or has that been enough for one evening?
Lunatrix: Like I said, you're in charge.
Vagabond Wizard: And I'm making an executive decision to consult you.
Lunatrix: I'm not anxious to find any more "trouble," myself, but whatever.
Vagabond Wizard: Then we can knock off for the night. 'Twould take effort to seek more anyway. *chuckles*
Lunatrix: Good. Freaks give me a headache, apparently.
Vagabond Wizard: Too much... ah... noise?
Lunatrix: Too much smashing.
Vagabond Wizard: Ah. Yes. That part leaves me aching as well. Not always in the head.
Lunatrix: Guess I'm lucky, then.
Vagabond Wizard: Will you be heading home, then?
Lunatrix: I don't think I'm in much of a party mood.
Vagabond Wizard: Do I strike you as a party animal?
Lunatrix: ...I think I missed part of that conversation.
Vagabond Wizard: No worries. If you'd rather head home, I won't keep you. Good night, Luna.
Lunatrix: Wait, what? Why, did you want to get coffee or something?
Vagabond Wizard: I was going to offer, aye. But if you'd rather head home, I understand. We can catch up tomorrow.
Lunatrix: I can't "rather" if I don't have options, can I?
Lunatrix: I can meet you back in the boardwalk in Talos, unless there's somewhere else.
Vagabond Wizard: The boardwalk is a bit crowded, and I don't feel like making room. I'm at the end of one of the piers.
Lunatrix: Okay. I'll meet you there.
Lunatrix: I'd have expected more people out here.
Vagabond Wizard: Barring the occasional party or other large gathering, I very rarely run into anyone out here.
Vagabond Wizard picks up an insulated paper cup beside him, sets it on the air, and blows, floating it over to Luna.
Lunatrix: Quiet, and no trees. Works for me.
Lunatrix takes the cup.
Lunatrix: Thanks....
Lunatrix mutters loud enough for Vagabond to hear, "Show-off."
Vagabond Wizard shrugs and sips from his own cup.
Lunatrix smiles slightly before taking a drink.
Lunatrix: You still owe me a story. But it's getting late. Even though you said you would, I'm starting to think you don't want to tell me.
Vagabond Wizard: My mind gets onto other things. I'm afraid I need reminding.
Vagabond Wizard: It's been a while since someone genuinely wanted to hear my stories.
Lunatrix: I'll admit to a slight curiousity.
Vagabond Wizard smiles a little and sips.
Vagabond Wizard: Just slight?
Lunatrix: It'd be more interest than I've shown in most things, wouldn't it? I don't want to overdo it.
Vagabond Wizard chuckles.
Vagabond Wizard: Have I warned you about the Thornite power crystals?
Lunatrix: The Ori-whatsit, or those colored ones....? Well, either way, not that I remember.
Vagabond Wizard: The blue ones that replenish energy and power... the green ones that speed up the healing process... It feels good to be near them, no? Makes you feel stronger. More sure of yourself. Better able to fight.
Lunatrix: I don't know about the more sure of myself part, but, yeah, they help. Except the red ones, of course.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. Except the red ones. I believe, based on observations in the Hollows, that those are created by accident.
Lunatrix: Huh. I wouldnt' have guessed that.
Vagabond Wizard: Some time when you're in the Hollows, you may come across a group where one is instructing the others how to empower the crystal. If you then startle them, the crystal will change colors.
Lunatrix: I tried not to spend too much time in the Hollows... well, we didn't spend much time there. But I'll take your word for that.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, the power the green and blue crystals grant... it can be addicting. Especially if one's own strength is flagging for... one reason or another.
Lunatrix raises an eyebrow.
Lunatrix: Like what kind of reason?
Vagabond Wizard: Ahh...
Vagabond Wizard sounds a little self-conscious.
Vagabond Wizard: Sometimes... after living a very long time... without certain... ties...
Vagabond Wizard sighs.
Vagabond Wizard: I have spent a lot of my life alone. And lost a great many friends. I get... lonely. Depressed. Weary of life.
Lunatrix nods after a minute.
Lunatrix: I think I get it.
Vagabond Wizard tries to smile, but mostly fails.
Vagabond Wizard: Self-doubt and the like are not conducive to spell-casting. Magic requires a certain... arrogance, to put it bluntly. One must believe in one's own power... or 'twill fail.
Lunatrix gives a quirked smile.
Lunatrix: I think a lot more makes sense once that's taken into consideration.
Lunatrix: The arrogance part, I mean. Of course.
Vagabond Wizard smiles a bit, very self-deprecating.
Vagabond Wizard: I'm glad to clear that up for you.
Lunatrix: Well, you did say it.
Lunatrix waves a hand.
Lunatrix: But go on.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, I do not recall the actual incident that started my... slump. I could make a guess, but my timing is confused, I think.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, I found myself spending a lot of time in Oranbega. And I found my tactics centering more and more about the crystals. Standing within their aura, 'twas easier to fight. Easier to recall spells. I felt less pain.
Lunatrix nods to show she's paying attention and takes a sip of her drink.
Vagabond Wizard: After a while, I was finding excuses to go to Oranbega and to linger. I would dwell beside the crystals, even if I was not alone. Often, team-mates would have to call back for me to remind me to move.
Vagabond Wizard: I took to carrying pieces of charged crystal with me. Just a few at first. Then pocketsful. Using them to recharge my strength... sometimes even when my strength needed no recharging.
Vagabond Wizard: The blue held the strongest draw for me, replenishing my power and allowing me to cast more spells. Work more magic.
Vagabond Wizard: I became more and more withdrawn from my friends and allies. I spent more and more time harvesting and using crystals. The Thornites... well, that would be jumping ahead.
Lunatrix raises an eyebrow slightly but doesn't interrupt.
Vagabond Wizard: I started to become... deranged. Unhinged. My depression worsened as I realized how strong the forces of evil and unlawfulness are in Paragon. The fight started to seem pointless. A waste of time.
Vagabond Wizard: No matter how many I slaughtered, there were always more. Especially of the Thornites.
Vagabond Wizard: I, ah... did not know the secrets of the Thornites' longevity then. Looking back... well, one could say I was rather dense about most of the events leading up to the end.
Lunatrix nods a bit.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, the power I was drawing off the crystals... it began to... overflow. The energies were actually leaking randomly out of me. Although I did not notice and kept drawing on the crystals for more and more.
Vagabond Wizard: Oddly, channeled by the energies, my depression began to feed my... ego. If fighting at the level of the ordinary hero was not helping... well, then I just needed more power than the ordinary hero has. Bigger spells. More damage.
Vagabond Wizard: Greater power, of course. And, as you can probably guess, more crystals.
Lunatrix nods.
Vagabond Wizard: Then it occured to me. The trouble with this plane is that all its gods are passive, imprisoned, or lost. The city didn't need a hero. The city needed an...
Vagabond Wizard coughs, and fidgets.
Vagabond Wizard: I thought Paragon needed a deity. And I thought... at the time, of course... that given enough power and enough crystals... I could...
Vagabond Wizard lifts his hands slowly heavenward.
Lunatrix: Become a god? I get it.
Vagabond Wizard: Lots of people develop god-complexes. Those with super-powers are more prone to it than others. Planeswalkers...
Vagabond Wizard: If you ask people to define what makes a god, those same terms can often be used to describe planeswalkers. It is difficult to find one who has not succumbed to the hubris and set themselves up.
Lunatrix smiles slightly.
Lunatrix: You're making excuses. It must have been bad.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Twas one of the lowest points of my life. And I did not realize it at the time. I am still ashamed.
Vagabond Wizard: Nothing can excuse it. I am merely offering explanations that I think I have discovered in retrospect.
Vagabond Wizard: ...which just come out sounding like excuses.
Lunatrix nods.
Lunatrix: They're excuses. Trust me. I recognize, if not the exact, the general.
Vagabond Wizard sighs.
Vagabond Wizard: In any case, I gathered my energies and my crystals. I found the mystical center of Paragon. I drew on the ley lines that run beneath the city.
Vagabond Wizard: You'll find out more once we go to work for Portal Corp, but the dimensional fabric of Paragon City is very weak and thin. I intended to use that weakness, stretch everything out farther... and then break it.
Vagabond Wizard: I was going to unmake Paragon City and start over. The whole "rebuild it in my image" or "reshape it as I see fit" thing you've probably heard before.
Lunatrix shakes her head slightly.
Lunatrix: Not that I know of. But go on.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, that's kind of where the story ends. My friends and allies both within the Dauntless and without located me, quite by accident. Some had felt what was happening. Others came because they'd heard.
Vagabond Wizard: I was swarmed by friends, talked down from my idiocy by people who cared, and slowly drained of my excess energies by those who knew how.
Lunatrix sets her cup aside and stretches.
Lunatrix: Sort of late for an intervention.
Vagabond Wizard: A few had tried before. But as I said, I had been distancing myself. Withdrawing. Most had no idea I was in any manner of trouble.
Lunatrix: I've known addicts. If they didn't notice, they weren't paying attention.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Tis easy to be distracted in this city.
Lunatrix shrugs and nods.
Lunatrix: Maybe. I have to admit, at least you don't think small.
Vagabond Wizard chuckles a little.
Vagabond Wizard: Well, see... here's the rub...
Vagabond Wizard: Weeks... or was it months? Later, I tried something nearly as hare-brained. I don't recall what because... well, we discovered something.
Vagabond Wizard: The Thornites had noticed my harvesting of the crystals and their energies. Far early on in my addiction... they... do they call it "lacing"?
Lunatrix nods.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. They "laced" a crystal for me. With a daemon.
Vagabond Wizard: The daemon was absorbed into my system with the other energies. He made himself hidden within my mind, not controlling or planting thoughts, but picking and choosing things to nurture and bring to prominence.
Lunatrix: Sneaky.
Vagabond Wizard: Aye. He was driven out, but not before wreaking a little extra havoc using my body. I got a first-hand look at how the spirit thorns and library crystals work.
Lunatrix frowns slightly in confusion.
Lunatrix: What do you mean?
Vagabond Wizard: Well, after the whole "unmaking the world" thing failed, I guess the daemon thought he'd take a more active role. I obtained a few spirit thorns, he took over my body and...
Vagabond Wizard mimes stabbing himself in the heart.
Lunatrix winces a bit.
Vagabond Wizard: I was only out of my body... well they tell me 'twas an hour or so. See, my friends caught onto this little bit of mischief very quickly. Tracked the daemon down. Battled it, drove it out of my body, and stuck me back in.
Lunatrix nods thoughtfully.
Vagabond Wizard: That's pretty much the complete story as I know it. I may have glossed over a detail or two. But that's the majority of it.
Lunatrix nods again.
Lunatrix: I guess I wish I would have known before we spent so much time in Oranbega. But you seemed, you know, okay.
Vagabond Wizard nods.
Vagabond Wizard: I am. My addiction was as strong as it was because the daemon had made it so. And after the attempt to unmake the world is when MAGI revealed they could bind my magic for me.
Vagabond Wizard: They, uh... did so as punishment for my attempt. But they did hand me my sword which they had been keeping.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Twas easier to quit the crystals with no spells to cast.
Lunatrix: I guess I can see that.
Vagabond Wizard: Still, I try not to tempt myself. I steer clear of the crystals when I can. No sense taking chances.
Vagabond Wizard: Plus, the feeling the crystals give... well, now it inspires memories and revulsion instead of a power rush.
Lunatrix: Probably for the best.
Lunatrix: You must get tired of telling that story. But, like I said, you mentioned it. Just enough to make me curious.
Vagabond Wizard: Actually... you're the first person I've told that story to since...
Vagabond Wizard thinks for a moment.
Vagabond Wizard: No. You're the first person I've told that story to.
Lunatrix: Oh. Well... nevermind, then.
Vagabond Wizard: Curiosity satisfied now? Or over-satisfied, perhaps?
Lunatrix picks up her cup and tears at the edges a bit.
Lunatrix shrugs.
Lunatrix: You mentioned, I asked, you told. It's all good.
Vagabond Wizard watches Luna for a minute or two.
Vagabond Wizard: 'Tis not the part of my life people tend to be most curious about. And I am not proud of it.
Lunatrix shrugs a bit again.
Lunatrix: What part should I have asked about?
Vagabond Wizard: You asked about what you were interested in. And I am glad of that.
Vagabond Wizard: I admit... I am left wondering... what you will think of me now.
Lunatrix: I don't think I have any room to judge.
Vagabond Wizard shrugs a little.
Vagabond Wizard: There is room enough. Not many people can claim to have tried to destroy the world. Fewer still actually had near enough power to do so during the attempt.
Lunatrix: Okay, but... let's see... you were influenced. You actually had good, but twisted, intentions. And maybe if someone else did have the power to do it, they would have tried something similar.
Vagabond Wizard smiles in spite of himself.
Vagabond Wizard: Now you're making my excuses.
Lunatrix: I'm good at excuses. I'm just saying, I'm the last person whose opinion you should be concerned about.
Vagabond Wizard: You're the one I'm spending the most time with of late. Your opinion could therefore bear the most weight. Depending on what it is, of course.
Lunatrix: You should probably hang out with a better class of people. Like I said, though, I'm the last person to judge... and it seems to me that any harm that you might have unwittingly caused, you've more than made up for.
Vagabond Wizard: I like the "class" of people I hang out with. And thank you. I have tried.
Vagabond Wizard slips down from the crate.
Vagabond Wizard: I think I should be heading to my rest. If you come up with anything else you want to ask me, just hold onto it 'til tomorrow?
Lunatrix: I wasn't trying to interogate you... Like I said, you mentioned and hinted, so I was curious.
Vagabond Wizard smiles.
Lunatrix: But I'm sure anything else can wait until tomorrow.
Vagabond Wizard: I did not feel interrogated.
Vagabond Wizard: More like... well, in my experience, once I tell one story, it often leads into another, aye? So if you find yourself wondering something... just ask.
Lunatrix shrugs a little and nods.
Lunatrix: Okay. Go get your rest.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Oops
Not that it's that important, but I had the dates wrong. I'll be in game tonight. It's a week from tonight that I may not be. Not the first time I've gotten things written on my calendar wrong. :)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Family In Town
Various members of my family are going to be in town this weekend. I will likely be joining them for dinner and possibly activities on Sunday, but I don't know what time. I may also be meeting them for dinner Monday night as well. Don't count on me being available for TF Sunday this weekend.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Stops on an Endless Road
So you may ask: "Where has the vagabond been?" The simple yet complicated answer to these questions is what I like to call the "Vagabond Rule of Thumb": If I've read it, played it, or watched it, the vagabond has been there. This includes blogs, books, comics, movies, short stories, T.V. shows, video games, and websites. Even when I'm playing another character, in the back of my head, the vagabond is still nearby.
Now, the majority of the time, he is simply an observer. He comes across an interesting plane with interesting people or events on it. He stays in a neighboring plane ("peeking from the ether" he calls it) or hidden within the plane and just... watches. This means he has seen a great many great events he did not participate in. Kind of the planeswalker version of watching T.V.
On the other hand, if my interest is especially strong, if I get drawn into the story so much I feel a part of it, or if I actually role-play in the world, then the vagabond has been there in person, often as an active participant in events. Scattered around, I have 12 different character sheets for structured role-playing games, and I have "free-form" role-played the character in at least twice that many.
Now the most important thing to me, especially regarding the vagabond, is story, so if something is revealed to me where the story would be better served if the vagabond doesn't know it, I'll mentally pull him out. If steps are intentionally taken to be sure he doesn't hear about something, and I hear about it anyway, if it makes sense in the context of the story, he doesn't hear.
Now, the majority of the time, he is simply an observer. He comes across an interesting plane with interesting people or events on it. He stays in a neighboring plane ("peeking from the ether" he calls it) or hidden within the plane and just... watches. This means he has seen a great many great events he did not participate in. Kind of the planeswalker version of watching T.V.
On the other hand, if my interest is especially strong, if I get drawn into the story so much I feel a part of it, or if I actually role-play in the world, then the vagabond has been there in person, often as an active participant in events. Scattered around, I have 12 different character sheets for structured role-playing games, and I have "free-form" role-played the character in at least twice that many.
Now the most important thing to me, especially regarding the vagabond, is story, so if something is revealed to me where the story would be better served if the vagabond doesn't know it, I'll mentally pull him out. If steps are intentionally taken to be sure he doesn't hear about something, and I hear about it anyway, if it makes sense in the context of the story, he doesn't hear.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Imperious Task Force
I love Cimerora. Love, love, love. It's visually awe-inspiring, and I wish parts of the ITF were accessible outside of the TF so I could just go hang out there. If and when my economic stimulus check arrives, it's immediately going to a more powerful video card just so I can turn my graphics settings up even higher.
Unfortunately, I was so wrapped up in the TF and in looking around that I completely forgot to take any screenshots. @#$%. At least I'm planning to do it again. I still want to take Vagabond Blade and Blood Crucible on it. Then make some tweaks to their armors. So there'll be other chances. And if I get the new video card first, then the screenies will be even prettier. :)
I hope everyone had a good time on the ITF, by the way. I know I sure did. And I read every word of what Imperious said, every clue that dropped, and every bit of NPC dialog. I was totally into the plot and eating up every word. Even though it wasn't RP heavy, I was in Vagz' head the entire time, and both of us were in awe.
Speaking of Vagz, I have been having a blast playing him again. He really is my favorite character to RP. He has lots of depth, lots of history, and it's always interesting to play him. He constantly surprises me, though, even after having played him since 1991-ish. Yeah, he's that "old".
What surprises me the most is how he gets along with other characters. Sometimes, I'll think "oh, he'll get along great with this character", and I'll be blown away by how wrong I am. Other times, it's the opposite. Case in point: Lunatrix.
To me, this duo had "DOOM" written all over it. With extra O's, even. Mechanically, I knew it'd be a great match-up, but I thought for sure the characters would take an instant dislike for each other and Fyre and I would spend half our time trying to come up with ways to keep the two together. And I have never been more happy to be wrong.
Don't get me wrong: the characters aren't best buds or anything, and they have big arguments and blow-ups. But it's interesting RP. They have interesting conversations, interesting fights, and it's the kind of RP I've been missing for a bit now.
And with Shields coming Soon(tm), I'm all excited about TankVagz being on the horizon... :)
Unfortunately, I was so wrapped up in the TF and in looking around that I completely forgot to take any screenshots. @#$%. At least I'm planning to do it again. I still want to take Vagabond Blade and Blood Crucible on it. Then make some tweaks to their armors. So there'll be other chances. And if I get the new video card first, then the screenies will be even prettier. :)
I hope everyone had a good time on the ITF, by the way. I know I sure did. And I read every word of what Imperious said, every clue that dropped, and every bit of NPC dialog. I was totally into the plot and eating up every word. Even though it wasn't RP heavy, I was in Vagz' head the entire time, and both of us were in awe.
Speaking of Vagz, I have been having a blast playing him again. He really is my favorite character to RP. He has lots of depth, lots of history, and it's always interesting to play him. He constantly surprises me, though, even after having played him since 1991-ish. Yeah, he's that "old".
What surprises me the most is how he gets along with other characters. Sometimes, I'll think "oh, he'll get along great with this character", and I'll be blown away by how wrong I am. Other times, it's the opposite. Case in point: Lunatrix.
To me, this duo had "DOOM" written all over it. With extra O's, even. Mechanically, I knew it'd be a great match-up, but I thought for sure the characters would take an instant dislike for each other and Fyre and I would spend half our time trying to come up with ways to keep the two together. And I have never been more happy to be wrong.
Don't get me wrong: the characters aren't best buds or anything, and they have big arguments and blow-ups. But it's interesting RP. They have interesting conversations, interesting fights, and it's the kind of RP I've been missing for a bit now.
And with Shields coming Soon(tm), I'm all excited about TankVagz being on the horizon... :)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
DefenderVagz
Vagabond Wizard, level 6 Magic Cold Domination/Electrical Blast Defender
Let the I12 madness begin. Some time this week, I'll be rolling up my Blood Widower, too. I'm not committed to a story or character for him yet, but I'll come up with something.
Let the I12 madness begin. Some time this week, I'll be rolling up my Blood Widower, too. I'm not committed to a story or character for him yet, but I'll come up with something.
The Doomed Task Force
First of all, I had intended to post this sooner, but things have been busy here, and I begrudge my time at home, preferring to play instead of blog.
Fyre made excellent points in her blog. If you have not read it, go look. I'll wait.
Done? Good.
I have not played E-VAC/E.VAC in quite some time. I even had him in a coma for a while, specifically to get away from the character. There are good reasons for that and the fact that he's twice level 50 is the least of the reasons. So what are the primary reasons? Well, the first and foremost is very simple: I was tired of the RP in Team 2.0 (aka Team Angst). It had settled into a horrible and annoying little cycle:
Masonry would do something terrible. He'd revel in being evil for a bit. He'd suddenly regret it. He'd tell revised versions of what happened to people who weren't there. Those people would get righteously indignant on his behalf, believing E and Fyre were terrible people for not forgiving Masonry's "minor" faults. Fights and arguments ensued. Quiet descended. The cycle begins again.
When I heard Fyre and I were going to be invited to a Statesman Task Force that involved Masonry and was going to focus on RP, I knew no good would come of it. I don't say this to be mean to any of the players involved, but my first thought was that there was no way I would do it. My four eligible characters would be two versions of E and two versions of Vagz (Vagabond Mage and Vagabond Blade). There's no way E would team with Masonry. As for Vagz, while he tried to meddle and be helpful a while back, he washed his hands of the whole situation with Masonry's "death", even taking back the mace he had crafted special for Masonry.
I was not going to go, and looking back on it, I was not wrong. I should've refused to go in the first place.
Yes, I realize extra people were needed for there to be any hope of getting past even the first mission or two. Yes, I realize there was plot to be advanced and all. Yes, I know the people I normally team with on Sundays would've been there with or without me. Guess what? That's why I ended up going.
But I regret it.
The next time E sees Masonry, it had better be a fight to the death (E's or Masonry's, just so long as it happens). And as has already been guessed, E is none too happy with Frost, either, after hearing he's gone back to Masonry. E understands that Frost has to follow his heart, but in this case, it's a betrayal. Nothing matters more to E than his daughter and Masonry put her in harm's way. Frost is fraternizing with the enemy.
To the players involved in Sunday's TF: please don't try and put these characters together IC again without a strong, definite plan. And even then, talk it over with me first. I will not be willing to go through that again. Ever.
Fyre made excellent points in her blog. If you have not read it, go look. I'll wait.
Done? Good.
I have not played E-VAC/E.VAC in quite some time. I even had him in a coma for a while, specifically to get away from the character. There are good reasons for that and the fact that he's twice level 50 is the least of the reasons. So what are the primary reasons? Well, the first and foremost is very simple: I was tired of the RP in Team 2.0 (aka Team Angst). It had settled into a horrible and annoying little cycle:
Masonry would do something terrible. He'd revel in being evil for a bit. He'd suddenly regret it. He'd tell revised versions of what happened to people who weren't there. Those people would get righteously indignant on his behalf, believing E and Fyre were terrible people for not forgiving Masonry's "minor" faults. Fights and arguments ensued. Quiet descended. The cycle begins again.
When I heard Fyre and I were going to be invited to a Statesman Task Force that involved Masonry and was going to focus on RP, I knew no good would come of it. I don't say this to be mean to any of the players involved, but my first thought was that there was no way I would do it. My four eligible characters would be two versions of E and two versions of Vagz (Vagabond Mage and Vagabond Blade). There's no way E would team with Masonry. As for Vagz, while he tried to meddle and be helpful a while back, he washed his hands of the whole situation with Masonry's "death", even taking back the mace he had crafted special for Masonry.
I was not going to go, and looking back on it, I was not wrong. I should've refused to go in the first place.
Yes, I realize extra people were needed for there to be any hope of getting past even the first mission or two. Yes, I realize there was plot to be advanced and all. Yes, I know the people I normally team with on Sundays would've been there with or without me. Guess what? That's why I ended up going.
But I regret it.
The next time E sees Masonry, it had better be a fight to the death (E's or Masonry's, just so long as it happens). And as has already been guessed, E is none too happy with Frost, either, after hearing he's gone back to Masonry. E understands that Frost has to follow his heart, but in this case, it's a betrayal. Nothing matters more to E than his daughter and Masonry put her in harm's way. Frost is fraternizing with the enemy.
To the players involved in Sunday's TF: please don't try and put these characters together IC again without a strong, definite plan. And even then, talk it over with me first. I will not be willing to go through that again. Ever.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
DefenderVagz
With Vagabond Magus (ControllerVagz) at 40, and the new slots that'll open up for me when Issue 12 hits the live servers, I'm seriously contemplating the next incarnation of the vagabond. I was hoping they'd proliferate Thermal Radiation to defenders, but instead they sent the powerset I used for VillainVagz - Cold Domination. So now I have to figure out what sets to go with.
As an old-school Dungeons & Dragons wizard, the one thing Vagz' magic can't do (except in the Ultima universe) is heal. I'm also not really interested in repeating a powerset since that kind of defeats the purpose of making a new version. The vagabond's strengths have always been with fire, lightning, and pure magical energy/force.
Among the defender primaries, I'm looking at Cold Domination, Dark Miasma, Kinetics, and Storm Summoning. To me, Empathy is centered too much around heals, Force Field would be repeating the powerset from ControllerVagz, Radiation Emission just doesn't seem right (and I did it already with E.VAC), Sonic Resonance doesn't seem right (and I think would feel like a repeat of FF), and Trick Arrow... well, Vagz is about the sword, not a bow.
My concern with dark and kinetics is that I'd have to skip the heals and that might be a bit crippling to the sets. Dark might not really work for Vagz anyway, but kinetics still has some possibility. My concern with storm, even though that's the way I was thinking of going pre-proliferation, is that I've already done it with Jack Royale.
Which has me kind of leaning toward cold. It has some good buffs and debuffs, no heal for me to skip, and VillainVagz (The Gray Wizard) was a Cold Domination/Fire Blast corruptor, so it's something he's touched on already.
As far as secondaries, I'm pretty much committed to Electric Blast. In the beginning, I had to choose whether to make BlasterVagz (Vagabond Mage) fire/elec or elec/fire. I went with the fireball first, so now it's probably time to play with those lightning bolts. :) Dark Blast, Energy Blast, and Ice Blast would make good secondaries, too, but I think I'm leaning away from dark, energy might cause too much knockback, and while ice is an excellent blast set, I like to keep up Vagz' status as a dabbler by keeping his powersets as different as possible.
I would love to get thoughts, advice, and suggestions on this. It doesn't matter if it's from an IC standpoint, mechanical standpoint, or what. Any help would be welcome.
As an old-school Dungeons & Dragons wizard, the one thing Vagz' magic can't do (except in the Ultima universe) is heal. I'm also not really interested in repeating a powerset since that kind of defeats the purpose of making a new version. The vagabond's strengths have always been with fire, lightning, and pure magical energy/force.
Among the defender primaries, I'm looking at Cold Domination, Dark Miasma, Kinetics, and Storm Summoning. To me, Empathy is centered too much around heals, Force Field would be repeating the powerset from ControllerVagz, Radiation Emission just doesn't seem right (and I did it already with E.VAC), Sonic Resonance doesn't seem right (and I think would feel like a repeat of FF), and Trick Arrow... well, Vagz is about the sword, not a bow.
My concern with dark and kinetics is that I'd have to skip the heals and that might be a bit crippling to the sets. Dark might not really work for Vagz anyway, but kinetics still has some possibility. My concern with storm, even though that's the way I was thinking of going pre-proliferation, is that I've already done it with Jack Royale.
Which has me kind of leaning toward cold. It has some good buffs and debuffs, no heal for me to skip, and VillainVagz (The Gray Wizard) was a Cold Domination/Fire Blast corruptor, so it's something he's touched on already.
As far as secondaries, I'm pretty much committed to Electric Blast. In the beginning, I had to choose whether to make BlasterVagz (Vagabond Mage) fire/elec or elec/fire. I went with the fireball first, so now it's probably time to play with those lightning bolts. :) Dark Blast, Energy Blast, and Ice Blast would make good secondaries, too, but I think I'm leaning away from dark, energy might cause too much knockback, and while ice is an excellent blast set, I like to keep up Vagz' status as a dabbler by keeping his powersets as different as possible.
I would love to get thoughts, advice, and suggestions on this. It doesn't matter if it's from an IC standpoint, mechanical standpoint, or what. Any help would be welcome.
Monday, May 12, 2008
I'm Home
No, I'm not excited to be home. It was a fun weekend, and I dread returning to my regular routine.
I've got some unpacking to do, but I will likely be in-game a little later.
I've got some unpacking to do, but I will likely be in-game a little later.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
This Week
Monday, May 5
Playing on Virtue. Probably Blood Crucible or Derick Darklight, depending.
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 6-7
Playing on Test. Already copied Cpt. William Piett over to Test in case having a level 50 villain is a requirement to test the VEATs. Will probably start a VEAT character, expecting a level-bump soonish that will allow the forking early. That being the case, I'll probably start a Blood Widow and test a Fortunata. Or maybe a Wolf Spider with an eye toward Crab Spider. One of the ones I'm not planning to play on the live servers any time soon. May spend quite some time in the costume creator just to play around with it. Hopefully, that'll help so when I'm ready for my VEAT character on Virtue, I'll know what I want his costume to look like.
I will try and get my Global handle on Test changed over to the same one I use on the live servers. That way anyone looking for me can find me fairly easily.
Thursday - Sunday, May 8-11
I will be out of town. The Dauntless Reverie is having its second get-together (jokingly called DauntCon'08). This time it's out here in California, so I'm part of the planning, coordinating, and transportation. Last year was in Las Vegas and we had a blast. It's a lot of the same people this year, but a few are coming this time who didn't make the last one. I'm really looking forward to it.
This means, however, that I'll miss Altitis/Task Force Sunday. Hope you guys have fun. :)
Monday, May 12
I'm not sure what time I'll be leaving the get-together. It depends on when people need to be back to the airport and such. Odds are, though, that I'll be in-game some time during the late afternoon or evening. Probably will stick my nose into Test to see if anyone I know is around. :)
Playing on Virtue. Probably Blood Crucible or Derick Darklight, depending.
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 6-7
Playing on Test. Already copied Cpt. William Piett over to Test in case having a level 50 villain is a requirement to test the VEATs. Will probably start a VEAT character, expecting a level-bump soonish that will allow the forking early. That being the case, I'll probably start a Blood Widow and test a Fortunata. Or maybe a Wolf Spider with an eye toward Crab Spider. One of the ones I'm not planning to play on the live servers any time soon. May spend quite some time in the costume creator just to play around with it. Hopefully, that'll help so when I'm ready for my VEAT character on Virtue, I'll know what I want his costume to look like.
I will try and get my Global handle on Test changed over to the same one I use on the live servers. That way anyone looking for me can find me fairly easily.
Thursday - Sunday, May 8-11
I will be out of town. The Dauntless Reverie is having its second get-together (jokingly called DauntCon'08). This time it's out here in California, so I'm part of the planning, coordinating, and transportation. Last year was in Las Vegas and we had a blast. It's a lot of the same people this year, but a few are coming this time who didn't make the last one. I'm really looking forward to it.
This means, however, that I'll miss Altitis/Task Force Sunday. Hope you guys have fun. :)
Monday, May 12
I'm not sure what time I'll be leaving the get-together. It depends on when people need to be back to the airport and such. Odds are, though, that I'll be in-game some time during the late afternoon or evening. Probably will stick my nose into Test to see if anyone I know is around. :)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Happy 4th Birthday, CoH/V!
If you haven't already read it, here's a link to Positron's celebratory letter.
http://www.cityofheroes.com/news/archives/2008/04/a_message_from.html
Most eye-catching to me is that they're looking to allow player-made content. That's right, people will be able to make custom missions, choose the foe, choose the map, even write custom dialog and mission goals.
Now some will be looking to do it for bragging rights or whatever, intending to make missions for other people to run in and rate. Personally, the biggest potential I see is for RP. There've been several times where I've "re-written" a mission to use it for a character's story (Kronos Titan turned into Styrm, for example). When this new feature goes live (yes, I know it'll be "Soon (tm)"), I'll be able to just craft those sorts of missions from scratch myself. Then run through it with the people I want to run through it.
It'll be a thing of beauty. :)
http://www.cityofheroes.com/news/archives/2008/04/a_message_from.html
Most eye-catching to me is that they're looking to allow player-made content. That's right, people will be able to make custom missions, choose the foe, choose the map, even write custom dialog and mission goals.
Now some will be looking to do it for bragging rights or whatever, intending to make missions for other people to run in and rate. Personally, the biggest potential I see is for RP. There've been several times where I've "re-written" a mission to use it for a character's story (Kronos Titan turned into Styrm, for example). When this new feature goes live (yes, I know it'll be "Soon (tm)"), I'll be able to just craft those sorts of missions from scratch myself. Then run through it with the people I want to run through it.
It'll be a thing of beauty. :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
VEAT
I've been contemplating this, and I don't have a solid character concept yet. Mechanically, I think I want to first play either a Wolf Spider into Bane Spider or a male Blood Widow into Night Widow. Since I'll be duoing with Fyre, if she picks one or the other, I'll just go with the one she doesn't pick. :)
Eventually, I think I'd like to try playing a Fortunata, but unlike many others, I'm not keen on the backpack legs/arms of the Crab Spider. They look like bad-asses, but odds are there isn't one in my future.
I have had a couple of seeds of ideas for concept. I'm pretty sure I don't want to be a lockstep, hardcore Arachnos agent. I want a little... wiggle room.
The first stems off of a high-level story arc. Some of the Bane Spiders break free of their conditioning and go a little wild. Not exactly sure where I'd go from there, but that would be the start.
The second idea is based off of a story thread I haven't followed up on yet. One of Cpt. William Piett's mercenary soldiers, Lt. Paul Simon, was nearly killed in an Arachnoid lair and disappeared from an Arachnos hospital. The idea was that Piett and his men could be controlled or coerced by threats to their comrade. Well... what if he was indoctrinated instead? Brainwashed into the legions of Arachnos? Interesting story potential there... maybe.
Since we're still weeks away from "open" beta, I've still got time to come up with a good idea.
Eventually, I think I'd like to try playing a Fortunata, but unlike many others, I'm not keen on the backpack legs/arms of the Crab Spider. They look like bad-asses, but odds are there isn't one in my future.
I have had a couple of seeds of ideas for concept. I'm pretty sure I don't want to be a lockstep, hardcore Arachnos agent. I want a little... wiggle room.
The first stems off of a high-level story arc. Some of the Bane Spiders break free of their conditioning and go a little wild. Not exactly sure where I'd go from there, but that would be the start.
The second idea is based off of a story thread I haven't followed up on yet. One of Cpt. William Piett's mercenary soldiers, Lt. Paul Simon, was nearly killed in an Arachnoid lair and disappeared from an Arachnos hospital. The idea was that Piett and his men could be controlled or coerced by threats to their comrade. Well... what if he was indoctrinated instead? Brainwashed into the legions of Arachnos? Interesting story potential there... maybe.
Since we're still weeks away from "open" beta, I've still got time to come up with a good idea.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Blood Crucible
I've been having a kick with this character. In spite of the "goth"-sounding name and costume, he's over-the-top, prone to speeches, and very classic comic book in his attitude and demeanor. He'd be even more so if I could type and fight at the same time. In my head, he and Jez have conversations as they slice their way through the enemy and/or he throws out jibes, taunts, and occasionally even compliments to his foes.
He's a bit of a mystery, though, and the only character I'm actively playing with a secret identity. So what do we know about him so far? Let's look at the facts that he's revealed or let slip:
* He appears to be in his mid-20s. He talks like someone who's lived a somewhat sheltered yet curiously informed life until fairly recently. He has also mentioned things like fancy clothes and owning horses that make it sound like he comes from money.
* He claims to come from a family of heroes. Among his relatives, he has so far claimed Zorro (paternal grandfather), Robin Hood (his mother's side), and Bentley Berkley (some sort of cousin). His family's biggest claim to fame, though, appears to be a secret technique for forging weapons. BC has said that each of his relatives had a signature weapon forged by the family, including his own red-bladed longsword.
* He has described his father as very strict. He has an uncle who dabbles in necromancy that his family considers a "black sheep". He has mentioned he has a sister who is stronger in magic than he is, but he claimed he doesn't like to talk about her.
* He appears to have a curfew of some sort. After around 1:00 AM local time (Eastern: it's Rhode Island), he usually looks for an excuse to take his leave. One time, when he was kept active past 1:30 AM, he panicked, mentioning that he was late. He appears to be almost in fear of this deadline.
* His family appears to have some magical talent. He claims to have just enough personal magic to conjure up a spark and toss it, but he does show an understanding of magical things. He also appears to be able to sense magic, often sniffing the air before he mentions what he senses.
Sharp-eyed teammates: did I miss anything?
Oh, and if you're looking for spoilers about BC, his origin, how his powers work, or what the curfew is all about....
TOO BAD! :-D
He's a bit of a mystery, though, and the only character I'm actively playing with a secret identity. So what do we know about him so far? Let's look at the facts that he's revealed or let slip:
* He appears to be in his mid-20s. He talks like someone who's lived a somewhat sheltered yet curiously informed life until fairly recently. He has also mentioned things like fancy clothes and owning horses that make it sound like he comes from money.
* He claims to come from a family of heroes. Among his relatives, he has so far claimed Zorro (paternal grandfather), Robin Hood (his mother's side), and Bentley Berkley (some sort of cousin). His family's biggest claim to fame, though, appears to be a secret technique for forging weapons. BC has said that each of his relatives had a signature weapon forged by the family, including his own red-bladed longsword.
* He has described his father as very strict. He has an uncle who dabbles in necromancy that his family considers a "black sheep". He has mentioned he has a sister who is stronger in magic than he is, but he claimed he doesn't like to talk about her.
* He appears to have a curfew of some sort. After around 1:00 AM local time (Eastern: it's Rhode Island), he usually looks for an excuse to take his leave. One time, when he was kept active past 1:30 AM, he panicked, mentioning that he was late. He appears to be almost in fear of this deadline.
* His family appears to have some magical talent. He claims to have just enough personal magic to conjure up a spark and toss it, but he does show an understanding of magical things. He also appears to be able to sense magic, often sniffing the air before he mentions what he senses.
Sharp-eyed teammates: did I miss anything?
Oh, and if you're looking for spoilers about BC, his origin, how his powers work, or what the curfew is all about....
TOO BAD! :-D
Monday, April 14, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Whew!
From Lighthouse, Community Relations Manager: "Just to clarify, additional monthly billing is not currently something being considered for optional Character Slots."
Yay!
Yay!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
VirtueVerse
New link in the "Relevant Links" section there. I've been meaning to add Vagz to the VirtueVerse forever. A lot of my/Vagz's friends from Virtue are already in there, including a few with profiles that mention him. I went ahead and opened a page for each version of Vagz as well as a "The Vagabond" page to collect it all together. It's just a framework at the moment, but now that it's started, I might be more inclined to continue.
While I was at it, I opened a page for both E-VAC and E.VAC, too. Might do Will as well if I get ambitious, but Vagz is first priority.
More on this as it develops. :)
While I was at it, I opened a page for both E-VAC and E.VAC, too. Might do Will as well if I get ambitious, but Vagz is first priority.
More on this as it develops. :)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Almost... There...
Well, from the sound of the Dev posts on the official boards, even closed beta of I12 is several weeks off. With open beta a few weeks after that and then a few weeks before going Live, I figure we still have about two months before I12 at least. That means plenty of time to get to 50 red-side, especially since I'm not sure I want to create a new Wolf Spider character the day the issue goes Live. Mercy Island is going to be PACKED with Wolf Spiders and Blood Widows, so it might be easier to wait 'til that first crop has moved on at least to Port Oakes if not Cap Au Diable. We'll see, though.
Fyre-Hex and Cpt. William Piett hit 48 this weekend. Will is now a bit more than half a level away from his final power at 49. Then another level to 50. My first red-side 50 and my fourth level 50 character overall. I'm enjoying the Black Scorpion Patron Pool (Mace Mastery), and unlike my other 50s, I'll be grabbing all four powers from the pool. Having the armor has been great. The AoE immobilize is helpful, and the hold is turning out to be very handy. Between Fyre, Havoc, and Will, we can keep large groups of enemies right where they are. We've even held a "Hero" through stacking.
It's funny, though. It seems like so many people go after Ghost Widow's Patron Pool (Soul Mastery). I was originally thinking that would be the pool for 'Ware Wolf, but now... well, I'd kinda like to see some of the other pools. So for that reason alone, the wolf might end up with Scirocco or even Mako as his Patron. Just for something different.
Who knows, though. I don't play the wolf, and I don't see a reason to start in my future. I love the character, but... well, he may end up deleted.
I don't have to make that choice yet, though. I've got a baby blaster I can easily delete from Virtue. And Derick Darklight may get the axe once more for the same reason as the wolf, but since he's lower in level, he's easier to delete. That'll make room for DefenderVagz and my Wolf Spider. :)
Fyre-Hex and Cpt. William Piett hit 48 this weekend. Will is now a bit more than half a level away from his final power at 49. Then another level to 50. My first red-side 50 and my fourth level 50 character overall. I'm enjoying the Black Scorpion Patron Pool (Mace Mastery), and unlike my other 50s, I'll be grabbing all four powers from the pool. Having the armor has been great. The AoE immobilize is helpful, and the hold is turning out to be very handy. Between Fyre, Havoc, and Will, we can keep large groups of enemies right where they are. We've even held a "Hero" through stacking.
It's funny, though. It seems like so many people go after Ghost Widow's Patron Pool (Soul Mastery). I was originally thinking that would be the pool for 'Ware Wolf, but now... well, I'd kinda like to see some of the other pools. So for that reason alone, the wolf might end up with Scirocco or even Mako as his Patron. Just for something different.
Who knows, though. I don't play the wolf, and I don't see a reason to start in my future. I love the character, but... well, he may end up deleted.
I don't have to make that choice yet, though. I've got a baby blaster I can easily delete from Virtue. And Derick Darklight may get the axe once more for the same reason as the wolf, but since he's lower in level, he's easier to delete. That'll make room for DefenderVagz and my Wolf Spider. :)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
March 15, 2023
Ten years from now, or so the Mystics of Mu say, the villain known as "Fyre-Hex" will bring about the final victory of Lord Recluse. In so doing, however, the destruction she will unleash will devastate the world. Five years later, there will be a battle between the Lord of Arachnos and his Destined One, culminating in the destruction of the world. Few shall survive this titanic battle. And those who do will envy the dead.
Welcome to the future...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
You're Welcome
According to Positron himself, those of us who paid for the Wedding Pack helped budget things so we got the villain Epic ATs in I12 instead of I13.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=10374672&bodyprev=#Post10374672
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=10374672&bodyprev=#Post10374672
Issue 12
In the interest of not being redundant and repeating what others are saying...
Me, too. :-D
http://www.cityofheroes.com/game_update12.html
Me, too. :-D
http://www.cityofheroes.com/game_update12.html
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
I Hate Daylight Savings
Yeah, it's got nothing to do with games or stories, but the title pretty much says it all. I don't care what time the sun rises or sets. It has no affect on how I live my life. Set the time however you want to, I say, but PICK ONE.
The constant flipping back and forth... the changing around of when it starts, when it stops... My ability to mentally keep track of time is screwed up enough as it is. Pick a way of keeping track of time. Stop changing it. Stop costing me an hour of sleep. Stop making it so one day I'm getting up with the sun and the next it's still solid dark out when the alarm goes off.
Sheesh.
*grumbles and goes to reset all his @#$% clocks*
The constant flipping back and forth... the changing around of when it starts, when it stops... My ability to mentally keep track of time is screwed up enough as it is. Pick a way of keeping track of time. Stop changing it. Stop costing me an hour of sleep. Stop making it so one day I'm getting up with the sun and the next it's still solid dark out when the alarm goes off.
Sheesh.
*grumbles and goes to reset all his @#$% clocks*
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Rest In Peace - Gary Gygax
For those of you who don't know, I'm a role-player from way back. My parents taught me to play Dungeons & Dragons. They still have my very first character sheet, dated 1979 if I remember right. I've played all manner of role-playing games in all sorts of settings, but my first game and the one I love to go back to is D&D.
Gary Gygax, as co-creator of D&D, is largely responsible for the RPG world as I know it. His name was on a lot of my favorite books, both for the game and based on the game. He was kind of a hero, I guess. Someone who made his living off of making games and telling stories.
And now he's gone. And I feel his loss.
An excellent tribute here:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html
Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!
Gary Gygax, as co-creator of D&D, is largely responsible for the RPG world as I know it. His name was on a lot of my favorite books, both for the game and based on the game. He was kind of a hero, I guess. Someone who made his living off of making games and telling stories.
And now he's gone. And I feel his loss.
An excellent tribute here:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html
Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Spring Fling
I have purchased the add-on. I am such an addict. :)
In my defense, I have three characters (Blood Crucible and Jack Royale on Virtue, Butcher of the Pit on Triumph) who wear tuxedos. Having the tails is going to be sweet. Don't know if I'll use the female dress options, but when it comes to costuming options, my policy is "GIMME MORE!"
And Vagabond Magus spent a good part of last night tossing rose petals at unsuspecting heroes. I made sure to especially decorate any male/female couples standing very close to each other, not saying anything in Local.
I'm evil and I should be stopped.
Now I just need to see if (a) they're going to be selling Drops in Pocket D again and (b) if I need to clear Vagabond Mage's Valentine's mission from last year first...
In my defense, I have three characters (Blood Crucible and Jack Royale on Virtue, Butcher of the Pit on Triumph) who wear tuxedos. Having the tails is going to be sweet. Don't know if I'll use the female dress options, but when it comes to costuming options, my policy is "GIMME MORE!"
And Vagabond Magus spent a good part of last night tossing rose petals at unsuspecting heroes. I made sure to especially decorate any male/female couples standing very close to each other, not saying anything in Local.
I'm evil and I should be stopped.
Now I just need to see if (a) they're going to be selling Drops in Pocket D again and (b) if I need to clear Vagabond Mage's Valentine's mission from last year first...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Double XP Weekend - results
Vagabond Magus: 29 to 35 (almost 36)
Yes, I logged in just one character all weekend long. And it was worth it. Vagz has his imps, the fire control powers I really wanted, the force fields I wanted, and now the only "regular" power left to take is the Medicine Pool's rez. Then it's 41 and Fire Mastery...
Yes, I logged in just one character all weekend long. And it was worth it. Vagz has his imps, the fire control powers I really wanted, the force fields I wanted, and now the only "regular" power left to take is the Medicine Pool's rez. Then it's 41 and Fire Mastery...
Friday, February 8, 2008
Double XP Weekend!
Woo!
Well, I felt like I needed to put up a post like everyone else, detailing my plans for Double XP. Laying out which characters I'd like to get to what levels. What teams I intend to play on. There's only one problem.
I don't have a plan.
See, I know double XP means faster/easier leveling. I've got characters I'd like to level, but then I've always got characters I'd like to level.
Now, more than likely, I'll continue to play Vagabond Magus aka "ControllerVagz". I am excited about getting to 32 for Fire Imps. But that's about the only one I'm really interested in, and it's got a lot more to do with the RP than with the levels. Vagz has always been my favorite character to play, and it continues to be true.
I do want to eventually get Jack Royale his Thunderstorm. It'd be nice to get Vagabond Blade aka "ScrapperVagz" to 50. Beyond that, anyone that'll gain XP (i.e. not the 50s) would be good to play. I can gain influence and infamy other ways fast enough for me.
Now if only I didn't have to work and could already be in-game and racking up the points...
Well, I felt like I needed to put up a post like everyone else, detailing my plans for Double XP. Laying out which characters I'd like to get to what levels. What teams I intend to play on. There's only one problem.
I don't have a plan.
See, I know double XP means faster/easier leveling. I've got characters I'd like to level, but then I've always got characters I'd like to level.
Now, more than likely, I'll continue to play Vagabond Magus aka "ControllerVagz". I am excited about getting to 32 for Fire Imps. But that's about the only one I'm really interested in, and it's got a lot more to do with the RP than with the levels. Vagz has always been my favorite character to play, and it continues to be true.
I do want to eventually get Jack Royale his Thunderstorm. It'd be nice to get Vagabond Blade aka "ScrapperVagz" to 50. Beyond that, anyone that'll gain XP (i.e. not the 50s) would be good to play. I can gain influence and infamy other ways fast enough for me.
Now if only I didn't have to work and could already be in-game and racking up the points...
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Angel & Devil... er, Demon.
The angel called "Evangeline". Waiting for her demonic charge and contemplating her assignment.
The demon known as "The Butcher of the Pit". Hovering above him is an imp he claims he only uses as an extra pair of eyes.
The Butcher and Evangeline after "rescuing" Ghost Widow from some upstarts from Mako's faction. GW refused to autograph the photo, claiming she could not hold a pen.
...and unrelated, here's the best pic I was able to take of the now-infamous ledge-battle. Masonry going toe-to-toe with Lord Recluse himself while Fyre Hex prepares another fireball.Thursday, January 24, 2008
Controller Mania!
Once more, one of my favorite alts has had a little breath of life blown back into him. Jack Royale (Gravity Control / Storm Summoning controller) is a kick to play. RP-wise, he has no issues, no ongoing storylines (so far), and just has fun with his powers. Mechanically, I have a lot of fun with his powersets. Individually, they're just fun sets in general. Together, they're a blast. Unfortunately, I find him hard to solo, so he's seen a few PuGs, but not a whole lot of action.
On a whim, however, Fyre and I decided to duo Jack and Lorelei Laughlin (Illusion Control / Radiation Emission controller). She's higher level than Jack, so he's acting as sidekick, but between her phantoms and the fact that we score Containment off each other... wow! I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for our victims as they discover they can't move, can't hit, can't see, have their attacks slowed, debuffed... oh, and then they get dropped.
I think it might only really be working because of the pets (specifically the phantoms since Jack's Singularity is only spamming holds), but it's fun!
And I'm glad to have the excuse to play Jack again. :)
On a whim, however, Fyre and I decided to duo Jack and Lorelei Laughlin (Illusion Control / Radiation Emission controller). She's higher level than Jack, so he's acting as sidekick, but between her phantoms and the fact that we score Containment off each other... wow! I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for our victims as they discover they can't move, can't hit, can't see, have their attacks slowed, debuffed... oh, and then they get dropped.
I think it might only really be working because of the pets (specifically the phantoms since Jack's Singularity is only spamming holds), but it's fun!
And I'm glad to have the excuse to play Jack again. :)
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