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Messages - darkstorme

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1
General Discussion / Dear NWN
« on: June 20, 2010, 11:19:09 am »
Dear Neverwinter Nights,

I never actually finished your official campaign (any of them), and most of even my favorite modules were left off around 95% completion. No more than a handful of areas from the module project I started were ever done, even though building was the only reason I went PW surfing to begin with. I am a poor modeler and have not given you any shiny new toys like other people have over the years, as with my most valiant efforts I am generally just translating the work of others to work for us. I rarely finish stories, and my scripting in any language is akin to the tourist that greets natives with "the cat is black" and says his farewells as "the cheese is stinky".

I only dabbled with your sequel, and even when I poked my head into another PW I didn't speak with another soul. I bought that nice premium module that I heard was very good, but like other very good modules I only got halfway through it, along with that expansion. Expansions. I've found that the things I love most about your sequel are the models that got ripped from it and given to you. Enjoy!

I did not get you a card, because I hate cards, and also I don't care for wrapping paper, bows, and in general anyone bothering me, and also I am officially 2 days late. But I thought I would say it anyway.

Happy 8th Birthday, NWN!

Eight years later you are getting some of the best content since your release. Here are just a few examples of the continued labors of love on your behalf, to cheer you and make up for my own lack of contribution. I did not even count the last patch they labored on for you, and the premium modules that were cancelled but given to the community, or any of the older content that is still in the top ranks!

NWShader (Ignore them when they say adding bloom to NWN is like putting lipstick on a pig - they should have said gilding a lily. The possibilities cannot be measured!)
NWNCQ
NWN Enhanced
sixesthrice's pretty tilesets
CTP Babylon
CEP 2.3 (the new DM tools are crazy!)
Senemenelas' Underdark Tileset
KotoR Heads
SciFi Placeables
Worms Fantasy Interiors
Sen's Seasonal Workshop (remember when we were trying to make the seasons change dynamically with worms, NWN? That was silly. This is easy.)
Community Music Pack

Lastly, while I do not have anything of my own that is anything of note, and have not in general added to your lifespan with so much as a font, you must understand that with your kind I am a fickle creature. Drawn to shiny and ever dissatisfied with its empty reflection, I move on and on and on from "games," leaving a trail of open manuals and dusty boxes behind me, bouncing from latest and greatest back to Betrayal at Krondor, Mario, and King's Quest, and, more recently, Lemmings. Forget all the others. You are the only one I have been (semi-)faithful to, and with you are the only characters (singular) I've made that have lasted any significant length of time, even when we are called silly for still caring about a game nearing a decade-old and wanting to do good things for it. Did I say a decade? No, no, you are closer to 5 than 10. Forget all that.

So thank you for the toolset, and thank you for Acacea, and happy birthday!
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2
General Discussion / Regarding the Character Submission Process
« on: April 11, 2010, 02:21:57 am »
This post is in regards to this thread.
http://forums.layonara.com/character-submissions/268562-new-character-submission-aldemar-roc.html#post1613862
-----------------------------------------
Perhaps I am reading to much into this, but I am finding this process to be borderline absurd.

In my first submission, the only initial critical response I was given was that Aldemar was too powerful. And this was nearly a week after posting. I was then told to update several other things that, while I thought them insignificant, I was more than willing to work around. Yet now I am being told that there is no evidence that he is evil. Why was this not brought up after the initial submission? I did not dumb down the evil between submissions; the morality section remained unchanged, meaning that in that first full week that I am to presume this was being "discussed" no one noticed a problem with his level of evil. Instead extensive detail was given to me that my concept of teaching himself to read is unrealistic.

Which brings me to my second point: if I hadn't brought this up anything about Aldemar's literacy, but still had him come from a farming family it would have been assumed he was literate. Every character on this server is assumed to be literate, and it would almost seem to be the case that one would need to specify if they were not. Yet my biography is still being slowed down because a story of a character teaching himself to read is unrealistic. I should also mention that historically, man intelligent people have taught themselves to read with very simple materials, very smart people. A character with an Intelligence score has roughly an IQ of 160, well beyond genius level. I think it is fair to say that over several years they could accomplish this task. But I suppose in the end it is not my decision.

Finally, it was over a week ago that I updated the submission, with no updates, no mention that it is being reviewed: nothing. Why? Is it so difficult to simply let someone know that something is being discussed? What really makes this so utterly incomprehensible to me is that after all that time, I was informed that the information provided in the original bio was not sufficient, and a full 2 weeks after submitting the character I am finally informed of this. I worry that even if I did continue to update this biography with every request I would not get a character approved until mid-June.

I understand that it is more difficult to get an evil character approved, but taking a few minutes to look through the Character Submissions and Recent Approvals shows that many characters, not just “special” are suffering from approval lag. It's not that some bios just take a while, it really just seems like approvals are moving slowly.

I guess what my real, final criticism is just in regards to this character approval system. It is unfathomable for you to force people to get characters pre-approved if you continue to have such a slow response rate and such high approval standards. It is just not sustainable. It kills any excitement a player has for their new character. On March 26th I was very excited to rejoin my brother in this online world, and I was fantasizing about the various fun activities I could get involved in. I eagerly refreshed the page every 20 minutes. Then a few days passed, and I got less excited. Of course, it was rejuvenated when I was finally informed that about my character, and I was willing to make the changes. But now, 2 weeks out from the excitement, I now could care less about this character, as the process of getting it approved has been such a bore and such a headache that instead of developing a detailed character that was well-thought out and interesting, I'm left submitting drafts of a biography that are being reviewed with higher standards than my political philosophy professors hold. Not too mention, they can get back to me faster.

The final point is that I truly question the usefulness of this system. If you cannot respond in a reasonable time frame or make it relatively easy for characters to be approved, then you are going to kill excitement. I was once a GM myself on this server. I greatly enjoyed working on this server, and I was very much looking forward to coming back with a character that would be a lot of fun for me to play (as a DM in a Pen and Paper game, villains come much more naturally to me than heroes, so I submit evil characters). As a current college student, I know how difficult it is to balance all these things. Which is why I suggest re-evaluating this system, and considering lowering the bar, taking on more character approvers, and have some kind of formalized process. None of this “oh, by the way, your character is not evil enough. Sorry we didn't tell you 2 weeks ago.” You're going to stop new characters from coming in, and you'll kill the excitement of older players or returning players. Something needs to change about this system, otherwise you're going to find that not only will this current version of this server suffer, but you're going to have trouble getting people to pay to wait for 2 weeks, especially if you are trying to capture the roleplayer niche of the MMORPG market. And please don't tell me that the process is so intensive that it cannot be done quicker. 4 years ago when I played here regularly character submissions were approved or updated almost always within 3 days, and never got beyond a week. I remember L giving all the GM's permission to approve characters just because they had been backed up, and this was when the oldest submission was approaching a week. Clearly submissions can be approved quickly, yet somehow this process has deteriorated.

I know that Layonara is better than this, I've seen it. I am sorry if my tone appears sarcastic or angry, I assure my intent is not to hurt any feelings and I really do offer most of this criticism with the hope that the Character Submission process will be re-revaluated.

I'm posting this in both General Discussion and the Character Submission. Consider my submission of Aldemar Roc withdrawn.
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3
General Discussion / lore vs LORE
« on: March 22, 2009, 09:43:28 am »
I've seen some mixing up of the word 'lore' and the abbreviation 'LORE', so I thought I'd try and clear that up.

Here we go.

lore: That which is or may be learned or known; the knowledge gained from tradition, books, or experience; often, the whole body of knowledge possessed by a people or class of people, or pertaining to a particular subject; as, the lore of the Egyptians; priestly lore; legal lore; folklore. "The lore of war." So in our case, the lore of Layonara.


LORE: Layonara Official Reference Encyclopedia, our online wiki-like system that contains part of the lore.

So for example, character bios are reviewed against lore, not necessarily against LORE.

Hope that clarifies!

Ed
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4
Layonara Server / Yllyrryon has been banned
« on: September 25, 2008, 09:45:49 am »
[SIZE=16]I have banned Yllyrryon for making threats against me and my family. Since he states he will take legal action against me for HIS addiction I don't take that kindly or well at all. At the same time since he is claiming addition and he has asked to have his characters deleted this should mean nothing to him and it will indeed just help him to "cure" the addiction as requested.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]I have posted his character deletion request below so that you know what is being talked about.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]Bioware Name: Krysthalion

Character Names: Ael Rynthien, Krysthalien, Krysthalien Dawnstar[/SIZE]


[SIZE=16]Reason: I wish to end an addiction to computer games from which I suffer. Deleting both of these characters will help with that, and I will need all the help I can muster. Many people laugh about the addictiveness of these games; many people talk as if the addictive nature of these games is something desirable.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16]Yet I have come to view this as a clinical addiction - fundamentally similar to addictions to drugs and alcohol - or other behavioral disorders such as eating disorders. And having such a disorder or addiction is intolerable for me, personally.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16]Furthermore, I am requesting this after consulting with my family - and they will explore legal action against Dan Scott and others involved in the Layo business if these characters are not deleted. This is something very important that I need to pass on to you.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16]Farewell and have a good one folks! :) [/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""[/SIZE]
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5
Just for Fun / Monsters you WON'T be seeing in Layo anytime soon...
« on: September 02, 2008, 11:29:07 am »
After I posted some spells that got cut from Bioware's Neverwinter Nights to the amusement of some, my source on all things nixed by the Bioware execs mysteriously dried up.  Recently, it's been in contact again, so here are a few monsters you won't be seeing anytime soon...

1.  Garden Slaad:  Made up principally of lettuce, this extra-planar creature was cut from Hordes of the Underdark due to some complaints that the magical item 'Decanter of Ranch Dressing' had also been cut.

2.  Dire LOLcat:  Remarkably prescient about how irritating the meme was going to be, Bioware pulled the plug on this monster concept after it got stuck on 'I Can Has Critical Hitz?"

3.  Plutonium Dragon:  The most powerful possible metallic dragon, it's a pity that this monster got pulled.  I'm sure it would have been the basis for some new, clear adventures...

4.  Heckhounds:  Like hellhounds, but less so.

5.  Grassy Gnolls:  A truly deadly foe, capable of ranged sneak attacks, these creatures were the bane of elected officials everywhere.  Bioware yanked them because the conspiracy theorists saw it coming.

6.  Ketchup Golem:  Easy to slay (particularly with +5 french fries of deliciousness), but you can never get the stain out if it hits you.

7.  Snake Elementals:  An elemental plane of snakes?  Snakes on a plane!  Bioware just couldn't get Samuel L. Jackson to record the monster's sound-bites cheaply, and the cost just addered up.

8.  Abominable Sno-Cones:  'Yeti' had already taken up the slot of 'irritating winter-terrain creature', and taking these beasts into warmer climates meant that they melted all down your hand into a sticky mess.  Sno cone?  Sno way.

9.  Groper:  A variation on the traditional D&D monster the 'Roper', this one just goosed adventurers as they walked by.  It was abandoned for being 'More creepy than frightening.'

10.  Bacardi 151 (tm) Zombie:  About the only type of zombie that Bioware FAILED to include, this was pulled from the pallet after it was discovered that the people 'designing' them had been spending the budgeted money on drinking them instead.
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6
General Discussion / Rolling Multiple Dice
« on: July 04, 2008, 06:54:45 am »
On a couple of occasions, I've seen people use multiple dice to generate a number range, via the "*rolls ...*" emote, particularly when one dice won't cover the whole range desired, for instance, using 2d20 to create a maximum of 40.

However, there are implications to doing this. Firstly, the minimum number generated is now the number of dice rolled, rather than 1. In the example above, rolling two dice, the minimum result is 2, giving a result range of 2 to 40, rather than perhaps the desired 1 to 40.

Secondly, and more importantly, using multiple dice skews the result. Some results are now much more probable than others. This is usually contrary to what is intended; most of the time, people want even probability between the results.

The below graph show the difference between the probabilities of the results between 1d20 and 2d10:



As you can see, the 1d20 has a flat, even probability result. The 2d10 however, has a pyramid probability result, with the "11" result being ten times as likely as the "20" result.

So, what to do about generating that 1d40 result?

Well, it would be nice if the "*rolls ...*" emote would accept any pair of numbers... :)

However, given that is not the case, you can try breaking it down between units and tens using the dice available. In this example, use 1d10 to generate the units, and 1d4 to generate the tens. However, you have to remember to subtract 1 from the 1d4 to generate {0, 10, 20, 30}, and add the units {1, 2, 3, ... 9, 10} to that.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Script Wrecked.
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7
General Discussion / Giving Gifts/Items
« on: March 11, 2008, 03:14:23 am »
This actually came up twice in one day, and so here it is....

Can we please use common-sense in regards to the giving of gifts and items to Friends/Guild Members/Partners.

Level Requirement, rareness, and difficulty to both obtain and create the item should be considered before giving the item to anyone below your level.
If it is being given in exchange for coin or trade, please ensure the amount requested from the person is reflective of the items worth.

Amulet's of Shield, now uncraftable, should be considered rare and expensive. These seem to be passed frequently to lower level characters with little to no trading involved.

Anything Emerald or Acid or Mithril related really shouln't be being passed to anyone below level 17.. since level requirement for use and to venture to places these are obtainable at are set at 17+. If your charachter is not of the set level, then they really should be paying the standard price ( ie. a fortune!) for it. A box or two of Bodak Teeth or FireOpals really doesn't cut it.

In essence, this is muling. A higher level gathering and providing something at minimum cost that the recipient could never gather. It may not be XP... but its still something they could not have done themselves.

Simply passing these items on because we ( the higher level) no longer have need of it, or have found something better,  is basically damaging the trade of the crafters who venture to these difficult places to gather said items, and spend hours upon hours garning Crafting XP so that they might make the said items.

Although it might seem great to be able to pass a friend a really cool item that you know he is going to blink at and say "Oh yes! Brilliant! I want to have your kids!" , it is also damaging.
The recipient is happy... because of course he just earned himself a new item for minimal work or cost.

But the dozens of crafters who lost DT's in pursuit of Emeralds and Mithril, and who spent months honing their crafting skills to be capable of making fine weapons and rings...
... now find their items sit uselessly in a chest with no buyers, because everyone simply "passes" things on.


Anyway... just a little point.
As always... feel free to point out if Im wrong.  :)
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8
General Discussion / A Slice of Life
« on: February 26, 2008, 12:12:09 pm »
I've always thought of Layonara as a never ending movie where we the players get to puppeteer the stars, but what does puppeteer really mean? Well, I believe that when one plays a character, regardless of how much effort is put in, we are exhibiting characteristics of our own mind, personality and soul. There is so much depth to every single one of us that is often left completely undiscovered. Some people prefer to not explore themselves and so we only get to witness a sliver of their true self but the ones that do explore are often the ones that pour themselves into their RP and do so over the course of more than one character.

While we all tend to act differently in RL than our characters IG, even in RL we are playing the role of our real lives with real stakes at hand. This is why RL Always Comes First.

While Layonara is Just a Game there is none-the-less a bond that's seeded, nurtured and grown through the life we breathe into our characters. I like to think of this bond being represented by the 10 Soul Strands. When a character is first created, the bond is fresh, new and full. As we explore the world through the shoes of the character we're able to learn about ourselves in ways not available to RL. We are given the opportunity to explore the truth and consequences of our actions in a setting where when it really boils down to it, there's absolutely nothing to loose and everything to gain because it really is Just a Game.

As the strands wilt over time [be it short or long] we are all hit personally with that pang in the chest and burning of the heart. We are tangibly loosing a slice of that bond between our heart and our alternate self; the character. Having that bond broken by a permanent death will inevitably impact the RL self to some degree. Sometimes the break can be so extreme as to bring one to the point of rejecting the mere thought of allowing one's self to grow another bond. This is natural, we are only human and our hearts can bleed in more ways than one.

However, we must always remember that with each and every permanent death; a void is born in the world and a new chapter in the history of Layonara is waiting to be opened. Regardless of how big or small the chapter is, there is a new slice of your self just waiting to be given the chance to see the first light of a new Layonaran day. Rejoice in the accomplishments of the past slices, learn from their mistakes... where there was an avenue blocked from your exploration due to alignment or other RP restrictions, perhaps now that avenue can be explored through a new slice of life in Layonara.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with maintaining the characteristics of a past slice in the new personality. In fact, I'd highly encourage it. Take the best aspects of every character you've ever played and imbue them into a new one. Inevitably this will cause a new mix of experiences which bring out new traits you'd never even thought of before.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm speaking for myself and I'm not trying to hype Layonara up or push anyone to continue playing when they in fact do not wish to do so. All that I want to do with this posting is to share with you all how I feel about the inherent impermanence within the realm of Layonara. It forces us to come to terms with emotional transitions in-game that mimic similar emotional cycles and transitions found in real life but in such a way that allows us to adapt [and / or harden] ourselves to the realities of real life in a positive and relatively risk-free environment. I've always loved D&D of old for this and in our modern day D&D has given way to learning opportunities on a massive scale with the advent of multiplayer RP games.

Hoping this made sense to someone out there,
OneST8
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9
Just for Fun / Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned from Layo
« on: January 15, 2008, 08:18:46 pm »
(With apologies to Robert Fulghum)

~Violence Never solves anything~
- Those kobolds will always just get another stick.  Monsters respawn, and everyone else goes back to their bindstone. -

~Don't Talk to Strangers.  At Least the ones who refuse to remove their hoods.~
- They're evil.  Four times out of five. -

~If things seem too good to be true, they probably are.~
- Gee, I get ALL THAT GOLD, and all I have to do is beat up a couple of goblins?  Sweet! -

~Good things come in small packages.~
- Halflings, gnomes, and dwarfs can be really fun to RP with, when they're not trying to chop your kneecaps off. -

~Money can't buy happiness.~
- It can buy platinum full-plate and mithril swords however.  Ask yourself how much happiness is worth. -

~With age comes wisdom and experience.~
- See that old man over there?  He's a level thirty barbarian.  SURE he's a tailor, but all the best tailors tend to be tougher than all of the sailors in the Docks -

~Pie is good for you.~
- Insufficient quantities of pie may lead to reduced attack and damage rolls.  You do the math. -
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10
General Discussion / Did I Say the Final Stroke of V3 Before?
« on: December 12, 2007, 06:22:53 pm »


I again find pictures a good snare for you unfortunate readers.  Thanks to the work by numerous developers on the Layonara Team, there's another update coming soon.  So I suppose that last update was not the final stroke after all!

I'll leave it to Dorganath to give you the full update on what's new when the time comes.  Until then, a few screenshots to let you know what's coming.


















See you in these regions soon enough.
 :)
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11
Layonara Server / Emergency Maintenance - 11/24/2007
« on: November 23, 2007, 05:23:52 pm »
I just noticed that the foxpro databases (it is what Bioware choose to use for NwN) are almost at their max size. I must bring the servers down tomorrow morning (probably around 5am or 6am) for maintenance and to shrink these files. All servers will be down for about 2 hours. I will get them back up ASAP.
 
 11/24/2007 around 5 or 6am Pacific.
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12
General Discussion / Rememberance day
« on: November 11, 2007, 05:37:02 am »
Today is the day we remember those lost in the wars.
Have a 2 minute silence at 11am for them.
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13
Just for Fun / My weekend - A CYOA
« on: October 16, 2007, 09:49:16 pm »
<1>
After the previous couple of relaxing weekends on Sunday I was preparing myself for some excitement. It's not so much that I go looking for adventure, however I know from previous experience that sooner or later, adventure will come looking for me.

Do you want me to create a weekend adventure filled with entertaining yet unfortunately fictitious frivolity?

If yes, proceed to <3>
If no, just tell me what you really did, proceed to <7>


<2>
Washington, 2013
President Chelsea Clinton, fresh from her extreme makeover, ascended the steps to the podium. Camera flashes popped and flared from the immense gallery before her on the lawns of the Whitehouse. Pausing for dramatic effect, she spoke the words that the free world had been waiting close to two decades to hear, "We Got Him!". The assembled crowd roared. Whilst Osama Bin Laden was still at large in his subterranean cavern network in Afghanistan, he was now known to be only a fall guy and the true terrorist mastermind, Dorganath had finally been taken into custody. Chelsea continued, "He was deep, deep undercover in Chicago-ish. Secure within a sham role as Layo administrator, Dorg had singlehandedly brought the Western world to it's knees. But We Got Him!"
From my vantage at the back of the gallery I nodded as the final puzzle piece fell into place. It all made sense to me now. Satisfied my instincts were proven correct I quickly phased off to . . .

Go to New York, 1983? Proceed to <8>
Go to Fiji, 1963? Proceed then to <6>


<3>
And so it was, bright and early Saturday morning, adventure, in the form of a statuesque redhead dame came knocking at my door. I thought to myself (as opposed to my unique ability to think to others) 'Here we go, another weekend filled with mind blowing, frenetic, freakish, exuberant, immoral, nasty, wanton, luxuriant, rampaging, unbridled, implausible and whimsical debauchery.'
Sure. That all happened in due course but it was what preceded those 2 and a half minutes that made this weekend interesting. Without saying a word, she reached into the low cut bodice of her French maid's outfit and extracted a . . .

If you wish for her to bring out a compact time-travel device that sends me on a good wholesome fun adventure, proceed to <11>
If instead she has some mains-powered device of an arousing, yet simultaneously disturbing nature down that top, proceed to <9>


<4>
Japan, 1603.
Ieyasu Tokugawa summoned the clan of black-clad assassins before his throne. "It is to you, the Red Monkey Claw Clan, that I entrust the continuation of this ancient duty. Hone your deadly skills continuously for if ever this sacred balance is disturbed, it is incumbent upon you to secure its restoration. No matter when, even say, 404 years in the future, if Pseudo's posts should go unthanked, slay everyone!"

Go to Melbourne, 24 September 2005? Go to <3>
Go to New York, 1983? Proceed to <8>


<5>
12.32pm, Delivery Room C, Brisbane hospital. "Push Mrs Paton, almost there, I can see the head. One more push, Aaaaaaarggghhhh, Congratulations! A beautiful baby boy. What's his name? Matthew. That's lovely (she writes name down on a small piece of paper, sticks it to trolley). We'll get him off and clean him up now and bring him back to you in a few minutes." Nurse takes baby away.

12.32pm, Delivery Room D, Brisbane hospital. "Push Mrs Trump, doing well, Baby is crowning. keep breathing, Aaaaaaarggghhhh, Congratulations! A beautiful baby boy. What's his name? Don. That's nice (she writes name down on a small piece of paper, sticks it to trolley). We'll take him off and clean him up for you and bring him back in a jiffy." Nurse takes baby away.

Two nurses, normally perfectly competent, are wheeling babies down maternity ward hallway. Large gust of wind. Paper flies everywhere. Nurse falls over. Baby trolleys collide. Confusion reigns. Nurse picks up two naming cards from the floor and sticks back on trolleys randomly. Newly arrived present day Matthew sighs heavily,
"Ok, but is he happy? Would sleeping every night with a succession of ever younger wives on a bed of scattered hundred dollar bills really bring you joy?" I sigh again, even louder this time, as I program the time travel device for . . .

Washington, 2013? Go to <2>
Rome, 57BC? Go to <10>


<6>
Oops! Faulty time travel device! Fiji?? I found myself standing on a hot basalt block in a sea of lava. That's the problem when you mess with time travel and the very fabric of the Universe.
THE END.


<7>
Worked all day Saturday, nothing terribly exciting occurred. Kids ran mental and I came perilously close to killing them, my wife and myself at several points in time. Went to bed early in anticipation of an interrupted night's sleep and a too-early rising Monday morning.
THE END.


<8>
New York, 1983. I boldly strode into the offices of my new broker, Toby Sachs.
"Tobes, I want to buy shares in these companies - Microsoft, General Electric, Wal-Mart, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard Co, Verizon Communications Inc., The Home Depot Inc, Boeing Co, Bank of America Corp., Pfizer Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Time Warner Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Costco Wholesale, Johnson & Johnson, Dell Inc .... and sell those in Beta Video, The Seagrass Flooring Company, Baghdad Condominium Co and Enron"
That organised, time to go to . . .

Go to Fiji, 1963? <6>
Go to Rome 57BC? Head to <10>


<9>
An erotic story? Are you kidding? If you have come here for inspiration from me, of all people, then your plight must be a sad one indeed.
THE END.


<10>
Rome 57BC.
"Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears. I am hungry but I do not know exactly what it is I wish to eat. I feel like something pretty substantial, but simultaneously, not too heavy."
"But Jules, there's not much on offer. Cornelius burnt the toast and all we have left is some lettuce and a pig. Even the hen's eggs have not hatched and I have discarded them into that pot of water over by the fire."
Newly arrived centurion Mattonius Titus Patonus speaks up, "Guys - I have a crazy idea!"
Problem solved, I head off to . . .

Japan, 1603? Proceed to <4>
How about London, 1983? Skip to <12>


<11>
. . . compact time-travel device! Intimately familiar with the apparatuses (apperatii?) of 4th dimension travel through vast previous experience I grabbed a 600ml bottle of Diet Coke, a large calibre hand gun (that I have kept around in case of battles with ninjas) and punched in the coordinates for . . .

Should I go back to Brisbane, 1973? If you think that sounds good, head on over to <5>
How about London, 1983? Skip to <12>


<12>
The polite smattering of applause rose from an appreciative audience of mothers and fathers attending the schoolboys rugby match between Belgravia College and Hampstead School for Boys. Mr Wilkinson looked proudly out over the field, smiling proudly at his infant son Jonny playing in his first game for Hampstead. Mr Wilkinson leaned over to the father standing next to him - "My boy is going to play for England one day and flukily win them the World Cup." That father next to him, still slightly disoriented from the exiting of the time-space continuum, murmured "Not likely" as he raised the Magnum 44.
Little Jonny never even heard the sharp crack of the pistol being fired as the slug took him just slightly to the left of his sternum. I suppose I could have taken out his knee but I just had time for the thought 'Better safe than sorry' before I phased off to . . .

Back to Brisbane, 1973? Go to <5>
Forward to Washington, 2013? Go to <2>
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14
Just for Fun / Spells You Won't Likely See
« on: September 09, 2007, 02:34:11 am »
Some spells made it into NWN.  Generally, these are combat spells, but there are a few utility spells that made the cut.  Other spells didn't make the cut, because there was no good way to express their game mechanic - spells like 'Speak with Dead'.  Besides, it'd ruin a number of the murder plots.  And then there are some spells that are just too gosh-darned silly to make it in.

These are the third category.

1.  Isaac's Greater Whoopie Cushion  - Good for prankster mages, bad when in a temple of one of the more poorly-humoured gods.

2.  Chain Lightning-Letter - Take 1d6 electrical damage/caster level, and pass this spell on to ten of your closest friends and relations.  Do not break the chain.  Bob the orc broke the chain and got incinerated.  Or maybe it was the other way around.

3.  True Scent - Originally slated to be included, but made superfluous by 'True Sight'.

4.  Bigby's Crushing Tactical Nuke - Also originally slated for inclusion, but someone complained that casters were overpowered.  Plus, magical fallout is nasty.

5.  Tenser's Bandage - Good for sprains.  But more of a cleric thing.

6.  Tenser's Fermentation - Someone decided that alcohol plus the ability to rend asunder the very fabric of the universe was a bad idea.  Who knew?  (Particularly in conjunction with #4)

7.  Senior Moment - Like cloud of bewilderment, except..  um..  I can't actually remember the difference.  Back in the day, we had more clearly defined jokes...

8.  Baleful Polymorph - Because the ability to turn other PC's into squirrels doesn't actually mean never having to say you're sorry.

9.  Power Word: Play Online Fantasy Roleplaying Game - Bioware hates recursive spells.

10.  Bigby's Impolite Gesture - Because even if that oxen-herder DID cut you off, this is a FAMILY game.
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15
General Discussion / I'm still here and having fun!
« on: July 08, 2007, 07:05:33 pm »
I've been here for what....4 years now on Layo, ever since Beta 4.  To see how Layo has developed over time still fascinates me!  Back then it was a north and south server and the south server still had some rough edges on it but even then it was fun because of the people who play here.

To see how far it has come since then is just awesome and I am always grateful to L and the team for having Layo up and running and constantly being refined.

In fact now I'm getting a chance to group up with people who I haven't tried to group up with and having a good time!  Of course I am sorry about that strand you lost the other day Rose on East and the one that Shiff lost in the desert.  :(

News of the development by the team of a new game engine has not deterred me in the least.  I'm here to have fun and escape from the dreaded real world which for some strange reason keeps knocking on the window.

To L and the team, keep up the great work, I'm going to continue to have fun on Layo.:)
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16
General Discussion / Pride
« on: June 23, 2007, 11:47:44 pm »
Probably a somewhat controversial subject, so I'll just keep this simple.

It's around that time.

[SIZE=16]Happy Pride Week!!

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16][SIZE=13]:)

[SIZE=10]Even if you're not celebrating, even if you disagree with the whole notion... No bashing, please. Ciao.[/SIZE]
[/SIZE]
[/SIZE]
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17
General Discussion / LORE Messaging and Parchment Folder Usage Returns
« on: February 29, 2016, 10:56:23 am »
LORE Messaging should be functional. Please be advised that you only get messages when considered in a Natural, Above Ground setting. In some cases some of the newer areas may not be flagged appropriately, but for the most part they are. Read more about the messaging system if you do not know about it, here: http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server/101114-send-messages-players-game-through-lore.html The Parchment Folder system is back online as well. Since we upgraded the nwn database to the same encoding as our web sites, this may solve some of the weirdness with the parchment injection, but this is not a certainty. Hopefully the combination of the web and the in game system will help alleviate any bugs. We will not focus much development on the system, hopefully it will satisfy some of the needs. Read more about the parchment folder system if you do not know about it, here: http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server/101371-parchment-folder-lore-system-usage.html We still need to update the character updater, so newer characters may not show up on LORE until this is done. -o
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18
Roleplaying / Reproducing parchments with Autohotkey
« on: June 06, 2007, 06:15:32 am »
Some time ago I posted on using the program Autohotkey  http://forums.layonara.com/roleplaying/114411-emote-your-heart-out.html .  This program has many uses for repetitive tasks.

The recent threads on parchment copying leads me to share how my PC is working on a rather complexly formatted ingame newsletter.

Note in the script below, please(!) change the references to "Pen N Popper" to your own player name.  I don't want to get the tells spammed at me. :-)

Code: [Select]

^9::
    Write_Example()
return


Say(s, end_delay=0)
{
    global prefix

    SendInput {Enter}
    Sleep 250
    IfInString, s, /
        SendInput {Raw}%s%
    else
        SendInput {Raw}%prefix%%s%
    SendInput {Enter}

    if ( end_delay != 0 ) {
        Sleep end_delay
    }
}

last_color := ""

Write_Quill()
{
    MouseClick, right, 282, 382
    Sleep 250
    MouseClick, right, 350, 459
    Sleep 250
    MouseClick, left, 271, 241
    Sleep 6000
}

Write_Ink(name, x, y)
{
    MouseClick, right, 282, 382
    Sleep 250
    MouseClick, right, 350, 459
    Sleep 250
    MouseClick, left, x, y
    Sleep 250
    Say( "/tp ""Pen N Popper"" READY TO WRITE IN " . name . " INK")

    Sleep 6000

    return 1
}

Write_Gold_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("gold", 312, 235)
}

Write_Red_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("red", 314, 270)
}

Write_Green_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("green", 315, 302)
}

Write_Blue_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("blue", 316, 335)
}

Write_White_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("white", 316, 370)
}

Write_Purple_Ink()
{
    Write_Ink("purple", 316, 399)
}

Write(color, text)
{
    global last_color

    if ( color != last_color ) {
        last_color := color
        if ( color == "white" ) {
            Write_White_Ink()
        } else if ( color == "green" ) {
            Write_Green_Ink()
        } else if ( color == "red" ) {
            Write_Red_Ink()
        } else if ( color == "blue" ) {
            Write_Blue_Ink()
        } else if ( color == "gold" ) {
            Write_Gold_Ink()
        } else if ( color == "purple" ) {
            Write_Purple_Ink()
        } else {
            Say( "/tp ""Pen N Popper"" ERROR!! UNKNOWN COLOR " . color . " ")
            return
        }
    }
    Say(text, 6000)

    return
}

Write_Example()
{
    global last_color

    gold := "gold"
    white := "white"
    red := "red"
    blue := "blue"
    green := "green"
    purple := "purple"

    Write_White_Ink()
    Write_Quill()
    Say("~~erase", 1000)
    last_color := "white"

    Write(gold, "~~title Bumblebee is the man!")

    Write(white, "~~~~")
    Write(gold, "~ ~~ All About My Favorite Brownie ~~")
    Write(white, "~~nl")
    Write(white, "~What a cute little fellow, dressed in yellow.")
    Write(white, "~~nll")
    Write(white, "~Wonder if he's married, or likes to be carried.")
    Write(white, "~~nl")

    Say("/tp ""Pen N Popper"" FINISHED!")

    return
}

Since this script will actually dip your quill into the inks, it is required that your inventory be structured in a certain way.  (Note that the coordinates may need adjusting to match your graphics resolution / screen size.)



The line of ink vials are ordered from top to bottom:  Gold, red, green, blue, white, purple.  The parchment next to the ink vials is the one that will be written upon.  The quill must be in its position next to the ink vials.

It doesn't matter what page of inventory this is on, but your inventory must be open to that page and positioned above the chat window.

This is all very important since Autohotkey will be moving your mouse.

Once you are ready to start writing, simply type Ctrl-9 (control key and 9 key together).  Now sit back and relax!  Don't move the mouse or try to type until it is finished.

Note that if your text is long there is a chance that an action will be missed and you'll end up resting or skipping a line or such.  Just let the script finish and try again.  The built-in delays of the script are often enough, though.

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19
General Discussion / Why Do You Play on Layonara?
« on: May 11, 2007, 01:25:41 am »
[SIZE=16]Maybe you play on Layonara because you love the unknown...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or perhaps the adventure draws you in...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Maybe you're looking for peace and quiet...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or perhaps just a pleasant place to call home....[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or simply a place to meet some friends...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Perhaps you enjoy the majesty of civilization...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or maybe just the majesty the lands offer...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Maybe you love the thrill of great battles...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or just maybe... a glutton for punishment?....[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Whatever the case may be... one thing is clear.  Layonara is the world for all imaginations, and it is on us to live those dreams.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]V3.  Still on the rise....[/SIZE]
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20
General Discussion / Zelda1, Some Clarity, Layonara Balance
« on: April 01, 2007, 05:35:57 am »
Okay this is a combination of quite a few things so bear with me here.  For some reason I decided to keep them all together though it's kind of three posts in one.

Many of you were left wondering just what the heck was going with regards to this thread:

http://www.layonara.com/general-discussion/114789-messenger-bad-news.html

I've been in communication with Zelda1 and she had a few things to say and a few confessions at the same time and has asked me to relay them.  First off, in regards to the mentioned thread, she insists she has no idea where that came from and was no part of it.  So we're still a bit up in the air on just where that all came from.

But Zelda1 does want to clear the air on some things anyway and has asked me to relay them.  She originally came to Layonara and was instructed to pretend she wasn't as young as she is. She, like many of us have had at times, got a little too caught up with her character, but also the persona she had taken up and decided to take a break. She returned again but due to some more conflicts left once more.  She returned in V3 and the new forums under a new username to set the record straight on her age and who she was but that never came to fruition before this event with the alleged coma took place.

She is upset and sorry for the grief she may have caused for this mistaken identity, she didn't realize how caught up one could get.  I have asked that she focus on her studies and keep in touch, but she will not be playing.  I believe also she has a few friends to contact to set the record straight.

Layonara is going to leave this episode to those who are very closely involved and step away from it.



Now onto a few of my thoughts...

I thought about some things and while my initial anger probably was a fuel for the harsh tone I had in my post that closed that thread, I think in retrospect I should have handled it better.  Obviously there were some people who would be feeling great emotion if they have been going through this thinking it's the full truth and for me to "slam" the door with terms such as "sick joke" might not have been the best.  I think a more calm "Something is not adding up here and I fear some people are not hearing the truth as the evidence of this story's fabrication piles up" might have been a bit more sensitive.  So to those who I may have offended in that regard, I'm sorry.

I also want everyone to know that we have a protective nature here as well and are looking out for the best interests of the community and we'll use all the information that is available to us to protect Layonara and it's community.  

Some of you may not know but when you connect to the forum you leave a trace of your internet connection. This sort of information is viewable to the Administrators of the forum who can be viewed on the User Groups Page.  

When you're in game you also leave this information and Dorganath, OneST8, Leanthar, Nibor21 and myself have access to that information via the database and Pankoki and EdTheKet through server logs.

One person asked me about Forum PMs. OneST8 and myself have access to this information only via the database though, there's no "Read this person's Private Messages" or anything like that.  It's on a database, it has to be stored somewhere... But that's the risk you take when you submit most information over the internet.  That is why you should always make sure your network admin gets cookies.  With that said, we're not going to read your PMs.  Unless a law enforcement agency asks us for them or we have an extremely strong suspicion that you may be guilty of something illegal or very detrimental to the Layonara community.

All poll voting is private but the information is stored on a database so once again OneST8 and I have access to that information.

No one can see tells in game.

No one can see private IRC communications.

I want everyone to understand that even though to some it may not seem so evident recently, we do really care for the players here.  Our number one goal is for you to have fun and enjoy yourself.  We want you also to meet new and interesting people in a family friendly environment where the magic of our fantasy world can help us feel young and creative and for us to be able to take out some of the real world woes on monsters.  Emotions can flow in every single direction when a group such as our playerbase joins up.  Many relationships have evolved from Layonara; great friendships, confidantes, mentors, coworkers and even love.  

Alas these emotions bring along other ones though.  There is indeed a Balance to the Layonara community too (oh no here comes the Plen!), and things go on tilt. Scores of differing opinions rise, rumours flow, relationships end, people fade, deception behind the computer, envy, frustration pile up then to add to that, there has been a lot of change recently to Layonara.  Very balance upsetting!  I've talked to a few people who are concerned about this and I find a rather large irony in the fact that these people approached me much like I think characters would approach Plen. I as a person can do for the community what Plen has tried to for the game.  Because like the cycle of Layonara's Nature, there is the one with the Layonara community and I intend to help keep that balance in whatever capacity I can :)

-orth(y)
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