Eerongal

I dunno. Not to be a negative nelly here, but i don't honestly seeing it working out quite right as an anime. If i see it as anything animated, i see it as more of a Heavy Metal/Disney (like beauty and beast style, not like funky-cutesy-animal-style) style animation, which admittedly is similar in looks to anime, but also a bit different.

Ambro looks up from checking his, missing, stuff. You're not to be underestimated yourself it seems. "ooh, rare stuff you say? Sounds like fun." Ambro re-hides his money and shock-stick then puts his spheremount back on, checking to see if all the forms are still there. "So, where should we go next old man?" After Redonning my armor and checking that everything is in order, I heave a deep sigh. I hope this is the right thing to do "Well...I suppose we need to find out more about this tournament. By the way, you know my name, Eerongal, what should I call you?" Without waiting for an answer, i begin resolutely towards the newly opened door.

are quite warm

Staring hard as Destron talks to the other spheremorph near me, i listen intently to what he has to say. Other shooting a quick glance at the spheremorph at the mention of 'murder', i keep my gaze firmly upon him. After he finishes, i watch him through slitted eyes. After considering his words for a moment, i begin, "Ok. I'll do it." Grimacing, i continue, "But mind, I don't do it for you, nor do I do it because you seem to leave me no choice." After letting out a resolute sigh, i go on, "I do it because if this tournament is, as you seem to believe, a clever attempt at a power grab i would be doing a disservice to myself and to the people to not watch it closely." "Know that this does not clear the air between us," i tell him through clenched teeth, "i approve of nothing i've learned about you today, nor of you apparent methods in the crook. However, this could be a greater issue if you are indeed correct." Arching an eyebrow, i state, "Afterall, What's a little animosity between old 'friends'?"

Yeah, sorry, i've been slacking. I'm usually pretty good about getting posts/spammers even before they're seen/reported, but I took this weekend essentially "off" from the internet, and have barely been on a PC since friday. Had i been using my super-lurkery powers, i would certainly have caught at least some of them quickly. I'm looking in my email now and i see a ton of "reported posts"

if you want real horror games, play either Amnesia: Dark descent or the penumbra series. They're made by the same group, and, Graphically, they're both kinda dated, despite being newish (amnesia came out a few months ago, penumbra maybe 2 years ago). None of this "action-shooter-horror" stuff, you're a weak, puny human against forces beyond your comprehension that will tear you to shreds if they so much as fart at you.

heh, yeah, i was kinda confused when i read that last one. Oh well, this at least gets ambro in on the discussion

I stare hard at Destron through slitted eyes for a moment, before shaking my head and chuckling. "The tournament? That's why you went through all this trouble? The tournament? Why would i debase myself by even considering it? It's not about who's the strongest spheremorph, no, the more powerful spheremorphs are the ones who can do things that are needed in this world. Not who wins at some petty game." Shaking my head some more, i scoff again and mumble, "the tournament."

Just a thought, but shouldn't this be tweeted/facebook'd out? The two winners might not even visit the forums on a regular basis, and have no clue that they won. Also: Congrats, you two! and contest name puns = best. idea. ever!

Alan Wake? I haven't played it buy I read an article about it today. That quote popped up a few times. Umm no. Silus, you know what I am talking about, I'm sure Ambro appreciates being choked by telekinetic smoke. What is Alan Wake? allen wake is a suvival horror video game. i never played it but the premise seemed interesting.

jello pudding flavored

"Hmph....Yes. I remember you," i state to him flatly. "So this is whats become of one of the most promising recruits i'd ever met, huh?" i jibe at him angrily. "How the mighty have fallen. King of the slum lords, ruler of a cesspit. Allowing murder, lawlessness, and corruption to spread in this poor city like a plague under his rule," i continue, voice growing hotter. Letting out a loud scoff and shaking my head, I glance over at the other spheremorph captured with me. "I can see you want something from me," I state calmly, "but why would I cooperate? Why should I do anything for someone like you?"

Pressing my hands to my face and shaking my head to clear out the cloudiness, i look at the man with a hard glare. "Of course it's easy to kill someone when you use dirty tricks not fit for even a dog, Destron, is it?" i practically growl at him. Glancing over, i take notice of the spheremorph in the alley who helped me at the end there. "Why do you have him?," I ask harshly, "Any of your goons can tell you he didn't help me. In fact, you yourself were around at the time he showed up, and merely offered to help because it looked like i was having 'fun'. You have no reason to drag others into your beef with me." I glance again over at the groggy Ambro, "Hey, you ok?"

Eying the newcomer up and down, i weigh the possibility that this is some kind of trap or trick. Those thugs couldn't have fetched someone that quick, and anyone who was covering them would have shown themselves by now.... "what the hell," i mutter under my breath and nod, then aloud, "all right." Turning and pointing to Doc i state, "This fellow. Find out who he works for and what their goals are. No need to rough him up beyond what is necessary, he may not have even be a willing participant" With that said, i proceed to kneel over the huddled figure of the fellow they were beating on and set about healing him with my lay on hands.

That was another complaint I had with The Blade Itself. I prefer high-magic settings, and most of the 'dark and gritty' stuff I've seen tends to be low magic. And then people go an call it more realistic... um, why do you want more realism in your fantasy? Isn't that counter-intuitive? Gardens of the Moon... I tried hard to like it, I really did. But it just never grabbed me. We never spent enough time with a single character for me to form any kind of connection, and half the book I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on and why I should care. I honestly don't understand how so many people rate these books so highly. The biggest crime was that as a whole, the book was IMMENSELY unsatisfying to read. I got to the end and just felt as if I had wasted my time. I don't care if "you really have to get to book X in order for it to get good", as Malazan apologists claim. The first book in the series should be able to stand up on it's own as a satisfying rand complete story unto itself, even if it is part of a larger overarching plot. The Wheel of Time does this, A Song of Ice and Fire does this, Mistborn: The Final Empire does this. I did not feel that Gardens of the Moon did this. As it is, even though I own a copy, I have no desire to pick up Deadhouse Gates. But I do not begrudge others for liking it. Read what you love, as I say Whew... I've been holding that in for some time.. I'm in complete agreeance on gardens of the moon. I really wanted to like it, and i heard great things about it. I just couldn't bring myself to care. At all. Reading felt like a chore, and i was dreading the time i always set aside for reading whatever book im currently reading. I quit it maybe 50 or 60 pages from the end. I just got the point i was like "ya know, i read to enjoy myself, and so far, this book has not given me any enjoyment. Why should i even finish it? There won't be any great epiphany that's going to make me love it, and i'm certainly not going to slog through a few more books until i get to the point where i'm supposed to start loving it" Currently i'm reading: The andromeda strain by michael crichton. It's one of "those books" ive always wanted to read but never really got around to.

You're just jealous Him being jealous doesn't alter the factual properties of his statement

Pirate forms! --------------------------------------------- Sailor The sailor is usually garbed in a loose fitting shirt and breeches, either sandals or barefoot. However, some sailor forms also take on a harsh, militaristic formal dress style. Regardless of physical appearance, the sailor has a great knack for sailing. form abilities: True North^ - A sailor always knows which direction is true north, even if he is otherwise disoriented or lost. Navigator - A sailor rarely ever loses his way. Luckily, for times when he does, he is also an expert navigator. Using nothing more than a keen eye and the stars in the sky, a sailor can discern their approximate location and heading. This knowledge is based entirely off of what the sailor actually knows in terms of locations. In a totally unfamiliar area, the best that could be obtained through use of this ability is how many miles and to what direction from the nearest known location the sailor is. This ability requires a clear night sky to use. Memorize map - A sailor only needs to barely a glimpse a map and has immediately committed to memory its contents. Sea legs^ - A sailor is an expert when on any body of water. Simply being on any vessel that uses water as its mode of transportation gives the sailor increased dexterity^, stamina^, and strength^, and an almost infallible equilibrium. A sailor never stumbles, trips, falls, or has any trouble otherwise keeping himself upright and stable regardless of how violently the object he is standing on is rocking. Inclines greater than a 45 degree incline will still cause a sailor to lose his balance even with this ability. Sea worthiness^ - A sailor is the master of operations on any sea-going vessel. As such, a sailor automatically knows how to operate, pilot, maintain, and use every facet of any sea-faring vehicle. Form Weaknesses: Dry land. A sailor on try land loses all benefits of being a sailor except memorize map, navigator, and true north. Form Speciation: Baseform ------------------------------------------------------------------ Buccaneer Unlike a sailor, a buccaneer is adapted to a life of pillaging, plunder, and pirating on the high seas. A buccaneer is usually dressed in gaudy colored baggy clothing and stout leather boots. form abilities: Sea legs^ - A Buccaneer is an expert when on any body of water. Simply being on any vessel that uses water as its mode of transportation gives the buccaneer increased dexterity, stamina, and strength, and an almost infallible equilibrium. A Buccaneer never stumbles, trips, falls, or has any trouble otherwise keeping himself upright and stable regardless of how violently the object he is standing on is rocking. Inclines greater than a 45 degree incline will still cause a sailor to lose his balance even with this ability. Unlike the sailor's version of this, the buccaneer retains this ability on dry land when going ashore for any form of pirate business as dictated by the ship's captain. They retain this ability until the job is completed (including any get away necessary) or a period of 2 weeks, whichever is shorter. Two-timer^ - A buccaneer has grown adept at a certain fighting style. When using a pistol of some sort in one hand and any variety of sword in the other, the buccaneer gains increased accuracy with the pistol and increased reflexes with the sword when attacking or parrying. This ability applies on land or at sea, but the bonus is greater at sea. Master Rigger^ - Anytime a buccaneer is tied, bound, or otherwise finds himself in bonds, he can escape from it as easily as if they weren't on him at all. Only specialized restraints are exempt from this. Conversely, any knot, rigging, hoop, loop, or bond made with rope by a buccaneer can only be undone by another buccaneer, exempting outright breaking the rope. Drink like a demon - A buccaneer is also a master of having a good time. The capacity for drinking of a buccaneer is doubled what it was previously. Drinking also seems to have the curious effect of increasing his ability as well. Every drink adds a small portion of strength and stamina to the buccaneer for as long as the intoxication effect lasts. This ability applies at sea or on land. Form Weaknesses: Dry land. Unlike the sailor, however, the buccaneer doesn't lose any abilities when on land (though any interactions with land particular to that ability remain in effect), but instead has the unfortunate affect of lowering the the buccaneer's strength and stamina as long as the buccaneer remains on land. Exemption: Any buccaneer going to land at behest of his captain for pirating business does not get this penalty for the entire duration that his "Sea legs" ability is active. Form Speciation: Sailor -> Buccaneer --------------------------------------------------------------- Dread Pirate A dread pirate is the epitome of what a buccaneer strives to become. Usually sporting any combination of a large beard, fancy coat, parrot, hook hand, peg leg, or eye patch a dread pirate is a sight to behold. Physically, a dread pirate seems to appear larger than he actually is and can easily strike fear or unease in those less accustomed to a dangerous man. Typically, a dread pirate owns his own seafaring vessel, though some may content his ownership due to the means it was obtained. form abilities: Sea legs^ - A dread pirate is an expert when on any body of water. Simply being on any vessel that uses water as its mode of transportation gives the dread pirate increased dexterity, stamina, and strength, and an almost infallible equilibrium. A dread pirate never stumbles, trips, falls, or has any trouble otherwise keeping himself upright and stable regardless of how violently the object he is standing on is rocking. Inclines greater than a 45 degree incline will still cause a sailor to lose his balance even with this ability. Unlike the sailor's version of this, the dread pirate retains this ability on dry land when going ashore for any form of pirate business. They retain this ability until the job is completed (including any get away necessary) Swordplay^ - A dread pirate is master of swordsmanship. When engaged in a sword duel with an opponent, a dread pirate gets increased agility and dexterity. Because swordsmanship is prized among dread pirates, anyone who can best him in a duel can gain temporary amnesty among him and his crew, though the length of time and terms are subject to the pirate's unpredictable whims. Bandoleer of pistols^ - A dread pirate never has a pistol far from his side. If the pirate chooses to carry with him several single-shot pistols, he gains a blinding speed of use of these pistols. Drawing and firing these pistols can be done all in one smooth almost quicker than the eye can see. If the pirate instead chooses to carry any sort of multi-shot pistol, his firing rate and reloading speed with the pistol is increased. The dread pirate may only have one of these abilities active at any given time, and switching it is instant and completely up to the dread pirate based upon what he has with him. He may only switch this ability from one to the other once per day. Mighty Pirate

Cocking an eyebrow at the sight of the spheremount, i tighten my grip on my weapon slightly. (i'm gonna go ahead and make an assumption here on timing. Feel free to be all "Bad eerongal!" if im assuming too much control) "Can I.....Help you?" i state calmly. Almost at the exact same moment, coincidentally, the shift into my champion form completes itself, letting off the likely familiar flash to the stranger's eyes.

Lifting myself up to standing, i set about the process of switching to my champion form, using the time in between to take a few slow, calming breaths. i run my gaze over Doc for a moment, and say "So what's your story, 'Doc'?" before holding out my hand to help him to his feet.

Staring hard at the man, i allow a wry smile to cross my face. With a slight air of amusement, i state plainly "It seems we are at a standoff." and between my thumb and forefinger, i lift the recently acquired fireburst ball so as to be in plain view. I continue, "Now, the question here is whose aim is better. Mine or yours. And, of course, whose needs to be better." I roll the burst ball down into my palm in case i need to toss it quickly. I muse to the man "Are you certain you could drop me so that I cannot retaliate in anyway? And are you certain you could survive this?" Wetting my lips, i continue, "Now, i've tried to inflict as little wounds as necessary to you and yours, and i'm not trying to kill you all mercilessly. So perhaps we can arrive at an understanding. You and any one left conscious enough to leave now can do so. I won't stop you. Any who are wounded here but still alive, i will tend to. You and anyone else you desire can come back for them in 20 minutes in tact and alive. Tell whoever you report to whatever lies and deceits you want, but I recommend you either leave town or change your ways, because next time you might not be so lucky. And there will be a next time. Things here are changing for you and yours." Cautiously, during my monologue, i eye the rest of his fellows to make sure none show signs of stirring or provocation, and let my gaze fall on him to drive the final point home.

well, ok then. I haven't done more than glance at most of the other forms real quick, so i didnt notice that those had no real combat usefulness, but i just wanted to make sure there was some reason we would consider this a bad idea.

Go for it, pirates are awesome and I'm loving all the cool forms you guys are bringing to the table. Don't worry, i wasn't seeking permission, merely giving a heads up. They are coming when i get a chance. As an aside, what's everyone's thoughts on purely utilitarian forms? i.e. a form that has no real combat usefuleness but excels at certain out of combat or not directly combat things? I ask this because the way i was thinking of the pirate forms was to have the lowest form thats basically a sailor/seaman, who has no real fighting aptitude, but has navigational and sea-based perks.

i'm gonna have to go ahead and just say it right now, that using my obviously utterly infallible logic, i'm going to have to correlate all the awesomeness of these forums entirely to myself. My reasoning here is simple. Since i've joined, i've noticed the number of new users and the amount of activity increasing exponentially. Prior to my joining and viewing of these forums, i didn't notice a single new user sign up, nor a single new post in any topic. >:3

the way i assumed it was, was a sort of correct "attunement" (is that a word?) thing. By accepting (and not just saying, but believing and accepting) and speaking the words gave him some kind of "correct match" to the driving force behind the power he has, regardless if its driven by splinters, or rationed out on a case-by-case basis by the shard itself, or granted through some sort of mystical clown deity. tl;dr - I think it just strengthened his connection to whatever it was giving him power.

I quickly jump up to my feet and dash as fast as my legs will carry me towards this so-called "Doc". Leaping the last few feet, i attempt to tackle him hoping to knock the fireburst ball out of his hand before he can cause any damage to anyone with it, himself included since he seemed to be rather unskilled in his fumbling with it.