Posts Thanked By User

21

General Discussion / Just a Thanks to Dorg

« on: May 27, 2007, 12:33:31 am »

I wanted to say thanks to Dorg for taking the time to change my character's name and description and doing all that jazz Really, it's great that a person is willing to go through and do all that for another, and I just wanted to say it's appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to fix or change or reimburse each person/character that requires it

22

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]

23

General Discussion / The Ups and Downs

« on: May 09, 2007, 05:42:13 pm »

You know how some times you have "good" days and "bad" days?  Being part of the Layonara community is like that too.  

Dictionary.com defines community as, "A social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage."  There's no need for me to point out the truth in each of those aspects of community; I'm sure you all can think of examples that would qualify.

When I logon, there is often some sort of expectation or goal in the back of my mind.  XP, getting a tidbit for a story, crafting, etc.  There are times I logoff disappointed, having not accomplished the goal.  Other times, though, I logoff quite pleased even though I did not accomplish the goal.  Why?  Because of the community.

A two hour boring stand-around-hoping-to-see-someone can be changed in a moment by a chance encounter with a sum total of five minutes of RP.  Or it can be discovering that "~[The sky is falling" will write on a piece of parchment in a language ear.  Yes!  Bee can write in brownie!  He can even read it back with "~~translate" command.

Those bad times, though, can sometimes overshadow the exciting times.  It easy to forget that the GM/project team is working hard behind the scenes.  Sometimes our perspective of the pace things get done is skewed by the fact that we alternate between RL and playing whenever we want.  They have to multiplex their schedules between RL, playing, preparing quests, running quests, scripting, toolset, etc., etc.!

I was rightfully chided today to have "patience young Skywalker!"  That is true.  What is another week or two for a new system?  What is a week before quest is run, or a level gained?  Sometimes that week can seem interminable but on the other side of the fence that week is rushing past too fast to accomplish everything that must be done.

A wise fellow once said, "No! Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."  A community ebbs and flows just as our perception of time ebbs and flows.  Do not try to have patience, do what you can when you can and enjoy it.

24

Introduce Yourself / Pen N Popper, metagamer

« on: May 04, 2007, 09:34:19 pm »

When I first joined the server, I was astounded by how much IC info I could find on the forums.  I thought, "This is terrible!  Everyone will metagame!"  It wasn't long, however, before I realized how much I truly appreciated the wealth of information I could find out about others.  You see, I have a problem:  I am a metagamer.

Yes, it's true.  You see I play this game because I like a good story.  I like epic battles, heroes and villains, intrigue and plot.  More often than not I am quite content being a voyeur of the tale rather than its star.  Unfortunately, sometimes the stories get obscured by this layer of obfuscation called NWN.

I strongly believe that more of this would be beneficial in our day-to-day RP as well. All of our PCs have their little stories, histories, flaws, fears, and dreams. Sometimes I feel like we're all in rubber bubbles, in our own little worlds. I can see your PC but his/her story is bouncing around inside out of sight. I try very hard with my PCs to pop your bubbles. Unfortunately, I am a bubble too and we just bounce off each other mostly.

That sums up what metagaming means to me.  I want to know your stories OOCly more than ICly.  Layonara is a place where I can see those stories and enjoy them.

Some choose to use these wonderful stories to abuse and cause angst to others.  Why?  They use the information they learn ingame so that their PCs can dominate another, control them.  Why?  I know why:  They think it is how you win the game.

Layonara is a novel, no a library of novels.  There is no winning alone.  The more novels you can read, even partially, should be your goal.  How many stories do you know?  Only your own?  Do you have one?

I started to write this thread in the General Discussion thread.  I realized, though, that this is who I am not just my opinion.  I am not a bard, but a reader.  Metagaming is good.  Story writers call it foreshadowing.

My PC asked ICly the following:

[SIZE=16] How will you be recalled in legend and lore?  Or will you be remembered at all?[/SIZE][/I]

Well, will you?  When Layonara fades away and we find each other later in life on other forums, what will people remember of you and your PCs?

I have a rock named after my first PC on a PW.  Now that's what I call winning.

25

General Discussion / Character Approvers

« on: May 04, 2007, 03:14:08 am »

Inspired by Merlin34Baseball's 'good post' I just wanted to make another positive statement!

People have been so quick to denigrate Layo of late. See L's recent post - can you blame the guy? Anyway, I cast my mind back to when I started here and submitted my first (of many!) character and then .... waited .... and waited .... and waited .... and waited for approval.

How good/responsive/thought-provoking/constructive are those on the character approvers team now?!!? I think they are doing an unbelieveable job. I can't quite work out when they must sleep or work or whatever but I shouldn't question my fortune (as a member of the layo community) to have these people in the job that are there now.

I applaud their efforts.


PS. If you agree with me, don't forget to tick the thanks button, Tanman is beating me! hahahahaha

26

General Discussion / Positive Vibes

« on: May 03, 2007, 04:17:30 am »

I've seen an incredible amount of motivation from numbers of people in the past few weeks.
 
 I don't care what anyone says, it's there.
 
 The issue, and this whole declining attitude, is that everybody is feeding off each other's negativity.  All the while, the folks working incredible projects or more importantly working miracles of roleplay in game are keeping their mouths shut because they're either too busy or too complacent.
 
 There are incredibly fun things going on, and it has to work on all sides to make sure everyone feels it.  The people having a great time in game need to spread it around.  They need to realize the motivation they give each other in a bright spark of good roleplay, and probably divert their attention to making sure it's there for others.  The people who are acting a bit edgy in game need to snap their fingers near their ears and wake up.  And hey!  I'm not innocent!  Next time I'm in game and find myself off on east by myself doing nothing but wailing god knows what, I need to snap my fingers near my ear!  We all do at times and we all know how things could be better.  We've all had the glowing moments.  You just need to get that smile on your face because you know inside what this game can be like if everyone just snaps their fingers at once.  Because we definitely feed each other's moods, and it's a quick spiral downwards if folks stay down, and the opposite is just as true.
 
 I'm not ignorant, I know things come in waves.  And I know everyone has their time to shoulder the burden of keeping spirits up.  You think it's anything new that in a time of server changes there's a decline in motivation?  That the people usually on the forefront of maintaining excitement are perhaps so nose-deep in things that they're not out there with constant reminders of how great things have been, are, and will be?  Heck no!  It's always like this, on every update, change, and evolution on every server I've been a part of.  And there shouldn't be one shred of surprise in this.
 
 But I will say this, and it is a pointed statement.  It's the best of communities that keeps it together and picks up slack.  It's the best of communities that doesn't come bickering to the forums about some player or group of players but instead heads out with open arms to that despised person or people and instead tries to bring them into the fold.  It's not hard.  We weren't all born unto roleplay greatness and internet morality.  It takes some time and it takes a good community to help *everyone* find their place.
 
 I could post up pictures of this that and the next beautiful thing to come, but they're all empty areas, and monsters without theme, meaning, or any real reward... without people that are happy to be here.  And heck yeah I'm excited about these things people are working on and getting ready to put out there, but it all breaks in one swift blow over our knee if the motivation of the community isn't there when it comes.
 
 Be positive, show your best, spread the vibe.  I'm no hero in this sense but I'll try a bit harder too.  It's a fun ride uphill if we can just carry each other.
 
 And I sincerely thank every single person who is already working at this or reads this and maybe goes in game and tries to get things going positively, or remarks on IRC with things that will keep the positive vibes circling around.  It takes a village, and there are no exceptions.  We are all one community.

27

Layonara Server / Maps are Updated

« on: May 02, 2007, 07:37:49 pm »

Rasterick has been working on keeping the maps updated. I have just uploaded all maps with the updates. The new maps fix some of the old names that we had wrong, makes a few of the text locations a little sharper and easier to read, and puts a few major "areas" in to the world.
 
 I want to thank Rasterick for all of his hard work in this area.
 
 I also want to thank Honora for giving the team a very long and detailed list of areas in game and on all of the maps. It helped us to find areas on the maps that were wrong, not fully updated, and to put key areas that I felt needed to be recorded on the overland maps. Not all areas are there as the maps would just get too cluttered but for the most part I think these maps are now final for a very long time.

28

Introduce Yourself / Hello hello

« on: April 17, 2007, 05:33:35 pm »

I like this thread becuase as much as I try to keep myself in character I can't help but wonder what people are like in real life.  So here is my story:

I am 38 years old and am in the US NAVY as a Submarine Officer.  I have been married to my wife for 19 years (yea I got married too young...but hey, I was 19 and thought I knew everything about everything back then).  We have 3 Children, two of which have characters and occasionally play on the server.  The NAVY keeps me extremely busy and so my play time is relatively small and often irratic but I love it here.  I have been playing on the server for about 2 years now and since starting here I don't play anything else.  I enjoy getting to know everyone and am willing to try almost anything.  I grew up in Oregon and started playing D&D when I was about 12 years old but never really had a group that played it regularly together and never experienced role playing, at least not like it is here in Layonara.  When I was in college I saw a computer D&D game (Forgotten Realms series) and used to spend hours playing them.  When Baulder's Gate came out I played that too but never played NWN's until some friends showed me Layonara.  Anyway, even after 2 years my wife still doesn't really like me playing much and even though she has an approved character I have been miserably unsuccessful at getting her into it....but I will keep trying since I don't think I will ever stop playing.

I appreciate everyone who spends time and effort to make this world enjoyable for others, thank you.  I hope to continue to learn, enjoy and participate as best I can.  See you in game!

29

Layonara Server / Port Hempstead, Fort Vehl - Starting Towns and Attitudes

« on: April 03, 2007, 08:58:17 am »

[SIZE=13] I am going to try and set the "standard" for the two starting locations so that we are all on the same page when it comes to RP'ing the cities and the citizens and tolerance levels in each of the cities.
 
 Port Hempstead:
 This town leans towards "good" and by that I mean the commoners, peasants, merchants, and nobles in this city accept what would be considered "normal" in day-to-day life. They would not knowingly accept (or tolerate) creatures (or shape shifted creatures) in their town such as large cats, bear, trolls, and all of those. They would chase these things out of town or quite possibly kill them and/or imprison the humanoid ones. The guards are firm in their conviction carrying out the law set down by the nobles and carried out by the law of keeping the day-to-day life of living "normal". They do not tolerate evil in the city and if one is known to be evil they will be arrested and/or chased out of the city. If one is caught doing an unlawful or evil act they will be sent to prison and will stand trial and face the consequences of their action(s). Keep in mind that there are some evil aligned (by race for instance) heroes that are indeed now known to be good and are treated as such and even treated as heroes in some cases.
 
 //Do not shape shift in this town unless you wish to pay the penalty, and that penality can and will change over time and due to circumstances. Do not bring in your wildlife pets in to this town. Do not come in to this town if you are evil or have performed evil acts that is documented and/or known, you will pay the price eventually.
 
 Fort Vehl:
 This town leans towards "evil" and by that I mean that the rules are relaxed when it comes to creatures in town, evil humanoids, shape shifting in to animals or even trolls and such. But they do have a limit, they will not tolerate abuse to citizens or defiling (in any way) the city or the nobles or law in charge and in some cases the merchants. Peasants do not rank high on their list but commoners have a slightly better standing. They allow a little more flexiability (within reason) of the evil races and in some cases evil acts within the city walls. The punishment put down by the law and nobles in this town is quite often brutal and in many cases the consequences are death or public spectacle plus a long prison term.
 
 //Evil characters, those that like to drag their pets in to towns, and shapeshifting sorts can travel this town but even the guards and nobles in this town have their patience and their tolerance levels so keep that in mind. If you want to perform your "evil" or shapeshift theatrics this is the town to do it in, but be prepared to face the consequence if it gets out of hand. I.E. use common sense and always remember that the nobility have a city (a large city) to run and they will only allow so much. Please don't whine if you go over the line and the guards come after you. And be aware that the penalties in this town are quite often brutal. In some cases the "good" may be chased out of this town though that is not overly likely, but I can see it happening from time to time so keep that in mind.
 
 Final Comment:
 These are the two starting cities folks. Make sure you are in the proper city when RP'ing. Do not get carried away, there is always a line that should not be crossed, that line is different for each town. The cities are large and the nobility will keep things under control, or at least under control in the way that they feel it should be. If you get crazy or do silly things be prepared to pay the consequences of your actions. Keep in mind that there are 10's of thousands of peasants, commoners, merchants, and nobles in each of the cities and you can not see them due to engine limitations, but they are there and the nobles and the law will protect them against anything and anybody (including "heroes").
[/SIZE]

30

General Discussion / A small request for consideration....

« on: April 02, 2007, 09:13:57 pm »

Hey all,

There are a lot of courtesies we afford each other here as part of the Layonara community.  As members of a community, we are overall quite supportive and generally courteous to each other.  As part of a community we expect that we will be treated with the consideration and respect that we afford to others. For the most part, the community does a fantastic job of this, and really, it's a wonderful thing!

We'd like nothing more to allow uninterrupted play time to the community, but unfortunately the NWN technology is flawed, and despite our best efforts requires occasional resets to restore stability and performance. And so, during such times a GM will come on and shout to everyone that the server is going down, and he or she will request that everyone log out as soon as possible, or once a safe location can be reached.  This is a rather disruptive but necessary interruption, but generally it is relatively brief.

Twice now in as many weeks, I have had to actually confront players directly who either ignored the shouts or tried to get in one last thing. These individuals caused a delay in the shutdown and restart, which in turn takes more time and ultimately causes a delay in when everyone can get back on.  This is not very considerate to either the GMs or the other players.

For the vast majority of players here, this post is completely unnecessary.  For those few who don't quite understand, allow me to describe some guidelines.

When a GM calls for reset, it is OK to:
* get out of a dangerous location
* quickly wrap up some RP
* give parting messages to your group
* dash for a portal/ship

It is not OK to:
* continue gathering CNR
* level
* completely ignore the shouts

I realize that some people play with their chat windows down/minimized, and perhaps they even turn off such things as shouts from appearing.  We kindly request that you do not do this, as it eliminates an important communication channel between GMs and players.  

We also ask that when a GM comes on and requests everyone to log out that everyone makes an effort to do so as quickly as possible.  Anything you might think you have to do before a reboot you can surely take care of as soon as it's alright to log back in.

I apologize to everyone if my tone seems harsh or short, but after the server had been up for 4 days with 2 crashes, many people were calling for a reset due to extreme lag, and even posting on the forums to request one, it's not too much to expect that everyone would cooperate in vacating the server before resetting it.  I would also think that people would show consideration to others in such circumstances.  Individuals who do this delay the enjoyment of others waiting patiently to return to the game after a restart.

Again, as a whole, nearly everyone does very well.  I'm not making this post to make demands or to single any one out.  However, if one of the behaviors under the things not to do when a reset is pending, please consider not doing them.

31

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)

32

Roleplaying / An Ode to Rogues, or, a Rogue by Any Other Name

« on: March 28, 2007, 03:01:57 am »

Shall I compare thee to a common thief?
Thou art more complex and more versatile.
Rough hands oft do thy name much grief
And most make you a stealer with a smile.

Sometimes too great an influence, the screen
With roguish grins, lawbreakers are they all -
So we fall victim to the things we've seen
And in this stereotype you sadly fall.

But you've still chance to make thy choices known,
And 'fluence those with bios still unwrit;
And cast as scout, or aught of sim'lar tone
Into a new alignment snugly fit.

So when you make a rogue I pray to you:
Think not of theft - there's more a rogue can do!


The gist of the above is that I've seen a disturbing trend of people tarring all rogues with the same brush.. or, gods help them, referring to a rogue's (or their OWN) profession in-game by the line: "Oh, I/he/she am/is a rogue!"

Behaviour
To borrow from the handbook:

Rogues have little in common with each other.  While some - maybe even the majority - are stealthy thieves, many serve as scouts, spies, investigators, diplomats, or simple thugs.  Rogues are versatile, adaptable, and skilled at getting what others don't want them to get.  While not equal to a fighter in combat, a rogue knows how to hit where it hurts, and a sneak attack can dish out a lot of damage.

The gist of this is that there are no "typical" rogue activities, nor a "typical" rogue alignment.  A thuggish rogue would likely not waste any skill points on Pick Pocket, Disarm Traps, and the like, and would likely have more of his ability points in CON and STR than in INT or CHA.

Conversely, the acrobatic lithe fighter who darts in and out of combat can also be a rogue, with a high DEX, and likely a high CHA, as this would be the gentleman who would Taunt opponents as he dashed around them, slipping a dagger in where it hurts.

There's the scout, learning to hide and hurt the enemy for their noble (or ignoble) cause.

The diplomat, with a high INT and CHA - capable in a fight, but much better suited to a duel of words.

Any of these are more likely to be suited to a Rogue character than virtually any other character type.  The upshot?  As before, Rogues are a very difficult character class over which to generalize.

By Any Other Name... Please?

Of all the classes, this is the One Which Is Not Named.  A rogue may be a thief (though he's unlikely to advertise as one, unless this is what the hirer is after), a scout, a trapspringer... or any of the occupations listed above... but the word "rogue" would mean nothing in-game, save its original designation: a scoundrel, unreliable, deceitful, and untrustworthy... and again, who would advertise themselves as this?

Monks are.. well, monks.  They could perhaps be "practitioners of the arts of unarmed combat", but that's stretching the point a bit.  A fighter can be a sellsword, a mercenary, a soldier, a guard.. or, let's face it, a fighter.  Someone who can wade into combat, blades flashing.  A Paladin is just that - it's in their title.  Perhaps the appellation Knight can be given.  Calling someone a cleric is fairly reasonable, likewise Rangers, and certainly Druids, Wizards, Sorcerers and Bards.  Barbarians could be called fighters as well, but their name is not misplaced.  Rogues are really the odd ones out, as a loyal scout of Mistone could easily be a Rogue.. but not be roguish in the least, and certainly not deserving of the name.


In Summary, and I'm Not Makeup, Darnit!

Rogues are incredibly versatile, so if you're planning a rogue submission, don't pigeonhole them into the "thief" persona unless that's what you wish them to be - with so much selection, a rogue can take almost any place if she's written right.

Rogues are not called rogues, as those who are wouldn't advertise it, and those who aren't would be offended.  (Though it is permissible to call the wittily quipping rogue "roguishly charming".  It may just get you smacked by anyone within arm's reach who's reading over your shoulder. )

And, please, Rogues are not Rouges.  The one is a versatile fighter/scout/thief/smoothtalker/whatever, the other is a powder.  (Granted, the former can become the latter if mixed with mages or dragons, but one would generally not wish to apply the result to one's face.)

And that's that!

Cheers,
Darkstorme.

(N.B.  Yes, I'm biased, with a primary rogue character, but sometimes I weep to see what is done with my.. erm.. noble profession.  *chuckles*)

33

Introduce Yourself / Its Scifibarbie!!!!

« on: March 17, 2007, 06:43:45 pm »

People HI!

You may know me in game as Grena Rockbasher, Erk and former miss Hlint Mistone....Sa'kura Firesteed (the pink lion).

As far as the scifibarbie goes...funny story that. My roomie always said I was such a barbie. I even had a cute little barbie car for awhile. I tried getting something cute for an email nad various logins, but they were all taken. My friend suggested scifibarbie since I was and am an avid scifi geek (can you say MST3k). And yes, star wars rules!!!

My current best bud says I need to be a viking like her, both of us being tall blonde and bad-*%$#. Her words.

My current profession is full time student at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine studying to be an Acupuncturist. Yes I am going to be sticking needles in people and doling out chinese herbs for all sorts of wonderful and various ailments.

My favorite hobby is a fun past-time called Kendo. Ive been practicing for about 15 years and love it. I am an avid martial artist and my training also includes jiu-jutsu and iaido. So dont mess with me!  

I first discovered D & D while serving in the Army and and played the PnP fora  couple of years. I didnt start playing the computer version until NWN came out and my roomie at the time got me hooked. She later got addicted to Evercrack. Somethin I never understood or condoned. I mean how could someone get hooked on a videogame.
Yes Im being fascetious (did I spell that right?), since I highly enjoy Layonara. And just cause I play alot, doesnt mean i have a problem. I dont have an addiction to Layo...really...you believe me dont you? No!! You cant take my computer away, I dont have a problem, just leave me alone!!!! Oh yeah, its my first online RPG too.

Sorry if this post is abit chaotic, Im just perpetually hyper and have the mindset of a 12 yearold (at least thats what people tell me)...just a bit more responsible...sortof.....

So thats it. Questions? Comments? Words of wisdom?
No?
Then have a nice day.

34

General Discussion / Thank you Orth (James)

« on: March 15, 2007, 10:27:23 am »

This guy is amazing! I have had the pleasure of managing and working with some very talented and dedicated people in my life but James is at the top of that list.

In the years of working with him I can not recall a single instance where he has not finished a request or job in a timely manner and with a high quality of professionalism and shine. This is a fairly rare quality to find in people, and for him to do it so consistently is exceptional.

I worry about him tackling so much from time to time but every time I turn around he is finishing one task or another for the team, friends, the community, or just something out of the kindness of his heart. The amount of work and production from him is amazing, and it happens time after time across many projects and areas of responsibility.

You have some extremely good qualities and are just a down right good person, quite the combination for an individual.

You are a rare find James; thank goodness you are on our team and with this community!

Thank you, and however you do it, keep it up.

35

Introduce Yourself / Who's your granny?

« on: March 13, 2007, 09:12:40 am »

Hello, I'm Martha--Granny, bonsai artist, Layo addict.

I think I would be the oldest person playing on Layonara (at 63), except that my husband is even older than I am.  I have two grandchildren whom I also introduced to Layo.  They even play in game with me sometimes.  The third one is still learning her alphabet, but give her a few years and she'll be here.

I have about a hundred bonsai trees in various stages of neglect from playing here too much.  My game name, Serissa, is the name of a small tropical tree with tiny white flowers that is often used for bonsai.  It stinks when you cut it and drops dead if you look at it cross-eyed.  Seems appropriate!

I started reading science fiction in about sixth grade (when I discovered my dad's stash), and discovered fantasy somewhat later when I gulped down LOTR in one looong weekend.  I've been hooked ever since.

I discovered role-playing games when my son was in junior high, becoming DM for him and his friends.  That was when D&D was being touted as dangerous to our youth--a few idiots got hurt acting it out in real life.  He grew up and went on to other things.  (I don't know where I failed him.)  I stayed hooked, playing nearly every computer RP game that came along.  I moved to on-line worlds about five years ago and discovered Layo a couple of years ago.  Haven't gone anywhere else since.

I grew up mostly in Texas, but have also lived in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana and New Jersey.  I've been living in West Virginia for nearly forty years, and it's the best.  There are woods right outside my back door, but it's only a ten minute walk to the store if I'm really in a hurry.  There are great places for hiking and camping all over the place, and the scenery is wonderful.  I've been to most of our western states and Hawaii, and to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, England, and even Tahiti, but this is the place I love most (except for Layo, of course).

I love to cook.  I even bake our bread and make my own soup stocks.  The best part is that my husband usually cleans up after me.  I love being retired--the only alarm clock I set is to get up in time for a Layo quest.  Considering all the dumb things I've done, I'm proud to have made it to age 63, and love being the age I am.

I hope to meet you in game and have lots of fun!

Serissa

36

General Discussion / souls stones

« on: March 12, 2007, 07:12:25 pm »

Hello All,

I frequently travel with a cleric...  and I have been watching her repeatedly raise people who do not carry soul stones.  Please find the nearest temple, buy one, imprint it and put it in your backpack... (better yet get two or three).  I don't know if some players know this or not but each raise of a person without a souls stone costs a PC 5000 XP, at least the one yesterday did...  thats a lot of XP down the drain when all the person had to do was buy a 150 True rock.

Not trying to rant here, maybe some of the newer players don't know about the soul stones and the costs a Cleric must pay to raise the dead.

We don't want upset clerics do we?  I know I don't.

Thanks!