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Messages - darkstorme
Pages: 1 ... 103 104 [105] 106 107
2081
« on: September 28, 2007, 02:12:57 am »
Responses from all those involved in tonight's quest would be appreciated...
What with one thing and another, available times for the next little while:
Saturday - early, likely around 2pm PST
Wednesday or Thursday, next week, around this time again (though it gives me little time to prepare.)
Thanksgiving Weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) - Friday, again around 2pm PST.
If none of those work - well, the time bubble won't expire right away.
Give me your times, in order of preference.
Thanks!
2082
« on: September 27, 2007, 02:49:58 am »
Report:
A elven druid was apprehended in the Dapplewood. The elf in question, Il'falen Gan'talan, is a well-known personage in the forest, and a devout Katian. This makes the circumstances of the arrest all the more unusual.
An off-duty guard saw Il'falen setting a fire about a tree - three trees were already ablaze. When confronted, he screamed something about insects, bugs - but there were none to be seen. He flung himself at a fourth tree, torch in hand, and had to be forcibly restrained and confined, lest he hurt himself or others.
The Silverguard admits to puzzlement, but asks those people in and around Hempstead and its environs to report any unusual activity that they observe.
Signed,
Eric Valhassen, Silverguard Corporal.
2083
« on: September 19, 2007, 09:07:14 pm »
I cannae believe me eyes - there be no posts, nae e'en a thread, fer ITLAPD! Avast, Layonara, and heave to! Prepare t' give up yer booty! 
2084
« on: September 03, 2007, 05:29:27 am »
To the GM team (myself excluded, of course) for the fantastic work they've been putting in lately. Kell walks downstairs one day in Leringard, and encounters... well, I won't spoil the surprise, but good grief was he ever surprised. He's going to have a lasting paranoia with regards to furnishings, at this rate. And thanks to Kahi for earlier tonight - Kell's out with a few friends, some mining, some gemming, some gathering, general RP and good times.. and then, suddenly, it's the Attack of the Killer Leeches! Brilliantly done, well-orchestrated (and nauseating) colour text, engaging, pleasantly nasty little surprises and brilliant portrayals of the Ilsaran, and good old Erag. And that was the past two days. You guys (and girls) are doing a fantastic job - I can only sing the praises of the parts of it my CHARACTER was involved in.  (And yes, I realize this is my second "thanks" post in some small number of days, but I was really overwhelmed in the last week. I swear, everything I SEE gives me new ideas for my own impromtus and quests.)
2085
« on: August 27, 2007, 04:41:09 pm »
There have been (as the thread title might suggest) two hundred and forty different characters on Layonara in the past two weeks... and, as both GM and player, I've seen it. I've seen taciturn dwarves, arrogant elves, duplicitous humans, and excitable gnomes. I've seen erudite paladins, monosyllabic fighters, loquacious rogues, jocular sorcerers and dryly sarcastic wizards. (Sometimes, all in the same party!  ) I've seen some battles that were lacking in anything other than the desire to go out and fight, true... but for each of them I've seen brilliant (or even hilarious) responses to GM intervention, I've seen touching or clever dialogue, and a real sense of immersion in the world. Layonara is a game, a world, and a community - but it is also a story. A story with (again) 240 principal characters. C'mon, folks, even Ed Greenwood can't beat that! So, as far as I can tell, everything looks pretty green... and thank you, team and community, for making it so. I'll continue to give my best as GM and player to keep it that way. Thanks! Edit: Forgot to add "happy halfling", and "a caster cat-fight", for the alliterative value.
2086
« on: August 25, 2007, 10:16:41 pm »
...it will be delayed until 7:45, PST. Sorry for the inconvenience! (And anyone who didn't know about it, Fangs for the Memories)
2087
« on: August 09, 2007, 03:08:15 am »
// Keep 'em ... reasonably clean, folks. Family server, after all.
A wizard, then lodging in Vehl
Had a rather peculiar smell
So he said, "Seems to me
"Not much use there will be
"In an invisibility spell!"
2089
« on: July 10, 2007, 07:28:38 pm »
And not "make" as in "star in". I mean "make", as in "make it worthwhile, if it wasn't, and make it moreso, if it was." These are the people who you might list as "sole redeeming virtue" when describing a blockbuster that fell flat, or simply be one of the highlights of gushing about a good movie. With that in mind: Actors: - Sean Connery - Yes, he's retired. But the guy was James Bond, Dr. Jones Sr., and Marko Ramius.
- Harrison Ford - He's going to be Indiana Jones. Again.
- Ewan McGregor - Possibly the only person who could do justice to Alec Guiness, one of the best voices to hit the screen in recent years, and one of the better tour-de-force scenes in The Island.
- Hugo Weaving - Elrond, Smith, and V. 'nuff said.
- David Hyde Pierce - The funniest deadpan since John Cleese, and better at the neurotic than Woody Allen, the father of neurotic.
- John Cleese - see above.
- Morgan Freeman - because he owns any part he plays.
Actresses: - Natalie Portman - it's not her fault George gave her awful lines. She has, before and since, more than redeemed herself.
- Judi Dench - Multiple Oscar nominations, one win. All deserved.
- Nicole Kidman - Purely for Moulin Rouge.
So sue me, I don't remember actresses as well. Thoughts, comments, your own contributions?
2090
« on: July 01, 2007, 03:50:31 pm »
(To all those south of the border, just remember, we get fireworks first!  )  *sings* O Canada, our home and native land.. (Everybody!)
2091
« on: June 30, 2007, 05:42:18 pm »
I realize that I'm vying for the title of "biggest nerd on Layonara", but I thought this was kinda neat. JoSS: Journal of Social Structure. Given that Layonara's post volume exceeds the Usenet groups covered in the study, it'd be neat to see the signatures of some of the people here.
2092
« on: June 15, 2007, 03:41:00 pm »
Layonara Time ConverterKell's fastidious about dating his journal posts - and without this handy little tool, he has no way of doing so! (Horrors!) If someone could repair the broken link, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
2093
« on: June 14, 2007, 08:25:14 pm »
// Drawn from a conversation with a friend. The PhysickerDrawn from the ranks of Wizards - those so used to the manipulation of magical forces that force, energy and momentum developed a fascination all their own. Phyisckers tend to dress in white, and are constantly seeking greater power and understanding of the forces in nature and the universe. Pre-reqs: Feat: Spell Focus - Evocation Ability to cast 3rd Level Arcane spells Class: Wizard The Physicker does not gain spell levels but continues to gain spells/level as if advancing as a wizard. Special Abilities: 1st Level - Conservation of Momentum - The Physicker may sacrifice any spell of their level or less that does force damage to create a self-targeted Haste effect, lasting for Spell Level * Physicker Level rounds. 2nd Level - Frictionless Surface - Once per day, the Physicker can create an effect similar to a Grease spell by reducing friction in an area to zero. Since the area is perfectly frictionless, however, the saving throw to avoid a fall is doubled, and movement is impossible. 3th Level - Faraday's Cage - For one hour/level the caster is completely immune to electrical attacks. (Once per day). 4nd Level - Heisenberg's Guard - As long as the Physicker is moving, all attacks have a 50% miss chance, as their precise location cannot be determined by their attackers. 5th Level - Summon Shrodinger's Crag Cat - Conjures a strange-looking feline from nowhere. Stats are identical to that of a Dire Crag Cat. However, if anyone looks directly at the cat, there is a 50% chance that the cat will die. This occurs only on the first viewing. If the cat is not viewed (darkness, blind, etc), it only does half damage on each attack. (Once per day) 6th Level - Relativistic Stasis - Hurls one target into orbit and back at near-light-speed, encased in a protective sphere of energy. Total travel time for target: 1 round. Total time elapsed at the site of its departure: Ten minutes/Physicker level. Target is dazed upon returning (from the trip). (Once per day, no save). 7th Level - Particle/Wave Duality - Once per day, the Physicker can make a ray-form spell hit EVERY target in range. 8th Level - Summon Maxwell's Demon - Produces a Gate effect, but no apparent summon, save for a nearly-invisible, faintly glowing sphere surrounding a target of the caster's choice. The temperature inside the sphere increases at a rate of one degree per round until the spell expires or is dispelled (Greater Dispelling, DC 25). Once per day. Duration: Ten minutes/Physicker level. 9th Level - Playing with Antimatter - A small portion of the target, animate or not, is converted to an equivalent mass of antimatter. The resultant explosion deals 30d6 damage to everyone within fifty feet, 10d6 within a hundred. Animate creatures are allowed a Fortitude save to negate. Range - 75 feet. Once per day. 10th Level - Physical Control - Upon awakening each morning, the Physicker can choose a style of damage that will not affect him (ie. Energy/Magic/Bludgeoning). This is a supernatural ability, and will endure until he next rests. ////// *grins* I basically wrote this one for the 4th, 5th, and 8th level abilities.
2094
« on: May 24, 2007, 04:42:53 pm »
Two small points that came up in-game:
Point the First
When is it acceptable to run from an adversary over an AT?
Point the Second
Which retconned names can be used in-game? (I was under the impression that it was just Belinara/Xantril and Alindor/Milara.)
Thanks!
2095
« 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!" BehaviourTo 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*)
2096
« on: March 26, 2007, 02:48:18 pm »
I thought, since there's been time for some of the bugs to settle out of the V3 rollout, that it was about time that we started going through the things we've been particularly enamoured of as we explore the shiny new toy that is V3. I could go to lengths about the glory that is the new tilesets, or the gorgeous vista available from near Blackford castle, but probably my favourite moment in V3 (quests aside) so far would be fairly mundane: The first time I attacked one of the new and improved Red Light Goblins. The border guard, all by his lonesome, the perfect target for a stealthy character. Kell snuck up there, drew his sword... and hit the goblin for a perfect sneak attack, for twenty-eight damage... and the little monster didn't fall! In fact, he didn't fall until he'd absorbed sixty-plus points of damage! Words cannot describe how cool it was to see such a simple, mundane thing changing in such a way... it put me in a positive mood for what I would come across next in V3 (even though the Goblin Scouts perforated Kell minutes later. ) What was that *ping* moment for other people? I'd like to hear what people found/are finding neat... and I'm certain the team that worked so hard on it would like that as well.
2097
« on: March 21, 2007, 05:09:18 pm »
A long series of thoughts brought me to this: how do elves mature?
Is it the same as human aging, but proportionally lengthened? That is to say, do elves have to change diapers for 5-6 years? Suffer through eight years of having their voice break? Are the Terrible Twos the Terrible Teens?
Or...
Do they zip through to human age five or six, and then slow to a crawl for the next hundred or so years?
The advantage of the former would be that it would really go a ways to explain why elves and humans both start at level one, despite the disparate ages. If elves are infants/toddlers for their first few decades, effective teaching would be very difficult.
The latter would make more sense though; to borrow from the GiantITP boards, picture a tiny, pudgy dark elf standing in front of you. "Hi, I'm Dwizzt, and I'm... *counts on pudgy fingers*.. thiwty-thix!".
Thoughts? Opinions? Canon declarations from loremasters?
2098
« on: March 15, 2007, 05:30:40 am »
Since the LORE tends to be indispensible most days, I've taken the liberty of temporarily indexing some of the cached pages. Had I known it would be down, I'd have the whole thing available, but for now, I have Deities up and running, for those who wish to look up important LORE-based things. Naturally, should L or the team request that I take it down, it will go down.However, as a temporary resource, allow me to present The LORE Mirror. Use at your own risk; I'm just putting this thing together from old archived pages. *chuckles*
2099
« on: March 13, 2007, 04:47:28 pm »
While I realize this has been suggested a number of times, recent developments with TinyMCE suggests to me that the time is now for implementation... particularly as we've just moved to the new forum design: A spellchecker. TinyMCE has an opensource spellchecker built into their WYSIWYG editor, and it doesn't take much to implement. Running posts through OpenOffice or Word works, of course... but few people want to write their posts in a separate program - particularly if they're posting on a work computer, a public computer, or just someone else's computer. *shrugs* I think it might contribute to communication on the forum, so I'm throwing this out to the community and the Team for consideration. Thanks!
2100
« on: March 12, 2007, 11:53:16 am »
The man behind the man behind the mask is rather tired at the moment, and therefore uncreative. Nevertheless, hello, all, and here's my intro. (My lovely and talented girlfriend is insisting that I write this before she has to go to her workout so she can see what I'm going to say about her.) My nom de plume is variously darkstorme or acroamatis, but in RL I go by Jamie. 'tis a proud Scottish name, and therefore I avoid playing dwarves like the plague. Once one goes brogue, one never goes back. I was exposed to D&D in Grade 5, though my first FR book was waaay back in Grade 2, Spellfire by Ed Greenwood. The man cannot write romantic dialogue worth a darn, but it's still a good read and got me into the popcorn fantasy that is FR and Dragonlance. Tolkein was Grade 3 (LoTR, after I finished Hobbit), so by the time D&D rolled 'round, I was pretty much indoctrinated already. After brief flirtations with Rifts, Star Wars RPG, and the various Lovecraft-spawned gaming systems, I settled on D&D with its flexibility, fun, and... well, fun spells that made things go boom. Or dissolve. Or vanish from existence altogether. (I used to play mages. I've matured since then, but fireballs are still fun... hence Kell's considerable delight that he can now use Fire Bombs.) I am a truly hardcore geek, being a computer science student at the lovely Universty of British Columbia. When it's sunny up here, it's truly gorgeous. Sadly, most of the time, it's like Layo. Palden Lake, to be specific. I can debate Trek, Star Wars, Sagan, OSes, languages, PnP and fantasy novels with the best of 'em. Nevertheless, I must have some redeeming values, or the previously mentioned lovely girlfriend wouldn't have agreed to live with me. If anyone got this far... well, I'm glad you're so interested in me. I'm gainfully unemployed at the moment, though I hope that's soon to change, and if anyone is a Vancouver software employer, I have resumés.... If you're after further stalkerish information, I'm the Social Coordinator of the Computer Science Student Society (or CS-cubed). Favourite book is likely Cryptonomicon, though anything by Pratchett is good. Favourite food is probably spaghetti, but I make an assortment of dishes that I quite enjoy. Favourite hobby is a tossup between my various computer activities (notably, Layo), reading, and swimming. Et c'est assez pour l'au'jour-d'hui. (Oh, and a picture, to better enhance the geeky image. *grins*) Edit: Does anyone know how to get superscript on this thing?
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